Was Atonement for Esau Limited?

"As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."  Romans 9:13

 

Good grief – why is it always such a big deal that verse that says Esau was hated?  Everyone freaks out about it for no good reason at all.  Here are three things to remember.

 

1.     God loved EVERYONE enough to send Jesus to die for them.

John 3:16; Romans 5:18,19; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2

Jesus died for the whole world.  Period.  He died for every sin that every person ever has or will do.  That's all there is to it.  End of story.  Now, if you want to argue there is such a thing as limited atonement, this is what the BIBLE says.  Jesus died for ALL.  I didn't come up with that – it's in the Word of God.  If you have a problem with the book – take it up with the author.

 

2.     Until we are reconciled with God we are His ENEMIES.

Romans 5:10; Romans 12:20; Luke 6:27

The reason it is not at all hypocrisy that we are commanded to love our enemies, is because that is exactly what Jesus did.  He loved us first, because while we were His enemies, objects of disgust and abhorrence to Him, He still died for us.  That's the miracle of God's love.  Jacob was reconciled with God.  Not only had he accepted this love, but by allowing God's grace into His life, he was given even MORE love.  Don't you know someone who you'd like to show kindness to, but they always refuse?  You want to love them more, but they do not allow it.  That was the case with Esau.  God loved Esau first – He sent Jesus to die for Esau.  Jesus bore Esau's sin.  But Esau didn't want a true relationship with the LORD, so that's all the love and mercy God could show him, (hence why Esau was loved less than Jacob). Genesis 25:34 Don't be foolish - you are always loved of God as much as YOU allow Him to love you.  If there is a lack of love, it's not His fault.

 

3.     We do NOT understand the love of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9; Romans 8:38, 39; 1 John 4:9,10

We only ever understand our own finite, selfish, foolish view on love.  It hasn't even entered into our hearts to fathom how great is God's love for us!!  How proud and foolish we must be to question and belittle it!  How little a faith doubts the love God has for EVERY SINGLE sinful soul!  I would be afraid to even suggest that God's love was as finite or limited as my own.  His love is very different.  It is capable of things which we can't understand while we are marred by sin.  (Not to mention the fact that we are just created beings – not God, so no wonder we don't understand it!)  God's love is not romance, flowers, and hearts.  It isn't sentimental moments between people we hold in great affection.  It isn't even the bonds we form with family and friends.  It's looking at someone who is undeserving and ugly.  It's looking at someone who is your enemy – who is selfish and hateful and rebellious, and saying I will take your punishment and bear your sins.  I will save you from the judgment you deserve.  That's what Jesus did.  For all the world.

 

Atonement isn't limited – just our understanding of the cross.

 

 

 

Standards vs Scriptures

Every time I log on to Facebook, Twitter, etc. I am surprised by the information that people publish on the internet. 

There were a couple things this weekend that really got my attention.  I participated in a debate on someone's status about parental authority as it concerns matrimony.  It was an interesting debate, and like all good debates – I hope I learned something new in considering a perspective that wasn't my own and hearing the wisdom and experience of others.  However, there were a couple of statements made that truly concerned me.

"Every marriage in the Bible requires the dad giving his blessing."

"I can say that the only marriages that went against the parents turned out bad."  (Author was referring to marriages in the Bible)

The author quoted above holds a differing view than I do.  This however, is not what concerned me.  Below is another quote by someone else who was debating this question.  He also held a differing view than mine.  Though his opinion agreed completely with the statements made above, I had much more respect for his comments.

"As best as I can understand, scripturally, a woman is under the authority of her father until she is married."

"As best as I can understand" Those are important words to include.  He's implying that his statements are conclusions he has personally drawn.  They are not direct statements from God's Word.  In the other quotes I've noted above, the author is attributing all of her own conclusions to be Scripture.  To be fair – I do not believe AT ALL that either of these authors were attempting to rewrite the Bible to accommodate his/her own preferences.  To the contrary, I believe them to have been sincere.  More than likely, I think this young lady was guilty of probably not communicating her thoughts by the best means than anything else.  Later on, she also said:

"I agree there is no stated commandment…"  She went on to explain the Biblical principle from which she drew her opinion, (in case you're curious – the principle was that we should always seek Godly counsel before making important decisions).

If you know me personally at all, you know that I give everyone the right to have and voice his/her opinion.  I won't fault you/ dislike you/ or get angry at you for yours.  I'll even admit that maybe my own opinions are the more irksome ones.  What I want to talk about today is not matters of opinion.  It's about the serious act of calling something Scripture that isn't.

It's a BIG DEAL to call something Bible, when it's not.  Even if you're conclusion is right.  The Bible is holy and sacred.  Our own standards are rules for personal conduct that we use as a tool to help us avoid sin.  In other words – we come up with those ourselves. 

Example – I have a certain standard for the clothes I buy.  (I'm not going into modesty standards – that's a blog for another day.)  However, just because that is the rule I choose for myself, doesn't mean that it's Bible.  It's my personal standard.  I base that standard on Biblical principles.  But if someone asks me, I'm not going to tell them that the Bible says that your skirt has to be a certain length.  I'm going to tell them that the Bible says, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel…" (1 Timothy 2:9a) along with all the other Scriptures I base my personal standard on.  Why?  Because my opinion comes from me, and the Bible comes from God.  One is reliable and the other just isn't worthy of being compared.

So as we navigate this new world, of internet opinion publishing, here are a few tips that are always good to go by, to help us avoid taking God's Word lightly.

1.       Go to the Source

Have you ever played telephone?  You know that game, where a bunch of friends stand in a line.  The first person makes a statement that they whisper into the ear of the person next to him, who in turn, whispers it into the ear of the person next to him.  This continues down the long line till finally the last person says the sentence out loud.  Usually it is such an altered version of the original statement that everyone gets a good laugh.  Don't play telephone with the Word of God.  Your pastor, parent, teacher, friend, or spouse does not replace your responsibility to learn the Bible.  It's your job to learn what the Bible says, and to learn it directly from the source.  I know sometimes that is a lot of work, but get over it.  If you learn other people's opinions instead of Scripture – you're lazy and foolish.

2.       Use His Words

The best way to present, phrase, or explain something – is the way God already did.  I took a songwriting class in college, and we spent a lot of time learning about "hooks" – phrases or words that drew the listeners in for the song, often also the title.  In my songwriting experience, I have found the best hooks are found in Scripture.  Some of my own were "He can heal the wounded heart" (Psalm 147:3), "But We See Jesus"  (Hebrews 2:9), "We Will Not Bow Down" (Daniel 3:17,18), "Is There Anything Too Hard for God?" (Genesis 18:14).  Isn't it foolish to think that we can possibly find a better way to express God's truth than the way He already has??

3.       Trust His Power

If I tell someone that they should go to church – that's my opinion.  And my statement will affect that person's life with all the strength my opinion can bring (in case you're wondering – that's not a whole lot).  But if I say that God said in Hebrews "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching." this will affect him as ONLY God's Word can.  I need to trust the God's Word will do Its job without interference from me.  If this is something that you have a problem with – ask yourself – where is your faith?  Do you doubt that the Bible is powerful?  Do you doubt It so much that you believe your own fallible human words are a more effective substitute?  I urge you to trust the LORD.  His Word is more powerful than you believe.  One more thought on this subject – if you believe your opinions and thoughts are strong enough to alter another person's behavior – were they even enough to alter your own?  Didn't you need the Bible to show you your sin?  Wasn't it God's Word that showed you, you didn't measure up and not other people's standards?

In conclusion – our standards should NEVER take the place of God's  Word.  In such a contest – the Bible is always right!  (And we must change OUR ways!)

 

In Memory of God's Servants

The following was written in honor of Dr. Ben Kendrick – a man who truly loved God.  However, this story applies to many servants of the LORD.  One person who comes to mind is Rod Silver.  Today, I want to dedicate this story to all the LORD's finest soldiers, but especially Pastor Silver, who was an exceptional man of God.

 

The Gardener

Written by Mary Elizabeth Bobo

In Loving Memory of Dr. V. Ben Kendrick, "Uncle Ben"

 

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 

Proverbs 11:30

 

Once upon a time, long ago in a far away land, there lived a great King. He ruled with wisdom and kindness, and His people were happy. The King's castle had been built on the top of a tall hill that overlooked the kingdom. The walls that surrounded it were thick and strong, but inside the gates was a beautiful courtyard. It was very mysterious indeed that the gardens within the court should be so lovely, because the ground was rough, the climate was harsh, and there were a great number of passers-by who disturbed them daily. Despite all of this, the gardens were beautiful, probably the most beautiful gardens in the entire kingdom. When asked how He managed to keep such fine grounds, the King always said it was due to the faithful old gardener. The gardener was a kind and humble man who had served in the King's palace nearly all of his life. He loved his work, and he was a friend to all the people who came to the castle. He was also a very good teacher, so every year; he would select an apprentice from among the young people who came to the castle. Then he would teach that person all year long how to cultivate the delicate plants, how to nourish the earth, and how to protect it against the harsh weather that sometimes arose.

 

One year, there was a young man who lived on the farthest border of the kingdom. He had heard of the great King's beautiful courtyard, and he wished to see the grounds for himself. He traveled for weeks before he finally arrived. He was not disappointed. He had not been told the half of the beauty that lay before him on the grounds that belonged to the King. He was a curious lad, and wanted very much to know the old gardener's secret, so he requested to be made his apprentice. The gardener, who though by this time had grown very old, agreed without hesitation.

 

The young man soon learned that this job was not an easy one. The gardener worked every day of the week but one, from sun up to sun down. And it was not just physical labor. There were so many things that one had to learn. The gardener knew the strengths and weaknesses of each plant. He understood the seasons, and could predict the weather better than a prophet. But it was not just knowledge alone that would suffice. The gardener had to use all of these things that he had learned with wisdom, making each decision with careful consideration. Of course, on occasion it would happen that even the wise old gardener would come across a problem that all his knowledge, and wisdom, and hard work couldn't solve. He told his apprentice that in such cases the King, Who was the greatest of all gardeners and had taught him everything he knew, would be able to solve it.

The apprentice studied hard, and near the end of his year, he woke early one morning and hurried out to face a new day. He waited for the gardener next to the shed where all of their tools and supplies were kept as usual, but the gardener didn't come. Never before had he been late. The young man waited and waited, until night fell. Finally he walked to the gardener's modest home. He found there a large crowd of people all with tears in their eyes. The gardener had passed away in his sleep.

 

People came from all over for the gardener's funeral. They looked at his beautiful grounds and sighed. "Who now would care for the lovely gardens?" was the question that everyone asked. No one could replace the gardener. His heart heavy and broken, the young man slipped off by himself into a deserted corner and cried mourning the loss of such a great man. When he finally looked up, he noticed that he was very warm even though the sun was no longer beating down upon him. In fact, he was completely covered by the shadow of the King.

 

The apprentice bowed down before his Monarch, and as he did, he could see the last of his tears dripping off the end of his nose. The King lifted him gently and asked, "Why are you sad My young friend?" The apprentice wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt before continuing. "Because, I have lost my master, and there is no one who can take his place." He clutched his heart as spoke his next words. "There is a great void, a hole in the world today." The King smiled at him with gentle eyes. "Come with me." He commanded, and then He began to hike up to the highest point on the hill. The young man followed, lost in his thoughts.

 

When they reached the top, the apprentice saw that the King was holding a shovel in His hand though he hadn't noticed one before that moment. The King placed it into his grasp and said just one word, "Dig." The apprentice obeyed all the while wondering what the King wanted from him. He had not been digging long before there was small but marked hole in the ground. The King placed a warm hand on the young man's shoulder to stop him from continuing. He pointed down to where the apprentice had just been digging. "That," He explained with emphasis, "is a hole." After a brief pause, He continued. "Many lives are like this hole, you see. They exist, but are empty. They serve no purpose, and are very unpleasant to the eyes." Suddenly, again seemingly out of nowhere, the King produced a beautiful rose bush, which the apprentice thought was an odd specimen for he could not see one single thorn. He did not need to wait for instruction from the King, he was a gardener and knew just what to do with it. He planted it in the hole he had just dug, replaced the soil, and patted down the earth all around it. When he looked back up at the King, they were both smiling. The King waved His hand over the beautiful rose bush and spoke again. "Some lives, some very exceptional lives are like this rose. You see instead of leaving a hole, there is a beautiful, growing, thriving plant. The life of your faithful mentor is one such exception. He does not leave hole, but a plant. And THAT is very beautiful to see." As He said the last words, the petals of the closed roses opened into a full and beautiful bloom. Then the King turned the young man to see the view of the kingdom from the top of this hill. As far as the eye could see there were beautiful, beautiful gardens. They were all done in the same style that the old gardener had taught him, because they were all tended by his former apprentices.

 

The great King was right. There are some people who leave this world, and they have done nothing but dig a hole. But those Christians who are faithful and who humbly serve God everyday leave roses. And even in the saddest of moments our gracious Heavenly Father can make them bloom.

 

Submission - what does the Bible say?

"Don't marry a nagger."  This is a quote that I saw on a facebook status this week.  To be fair, as I understand it (from scrolling through numerous comments), the context of this statement was a married preacher offering advice to young men entering the ministry, advising them to choose a mate who doesn't complain about the time, energy, etc. that her husband spends in ministry related activities.  This status was commented on by several individuals, who each brought up some different and valid points.  I wasn't going to blog about this till I read these verses in my Quiet Time Scripture:

 

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."  1 Timothy 2:11-15

 

And so began this study – Subjection, What does the Bible really say?

 

First of all, when Paul uses this word, "subjection" in his letter to Timothy, unlike my facebook friend (sorry, Joe), he gives the context.  Context is VERY important.  Imagine being shown a photograph of someone, which showed only the person's elbow.  It would be rather difficult to recognize someone from that!  The good news is that God's Word doesn't have any "elbow pictures" – He gives us the background, the context we need to understand His direction.  The context is Genesis 3, the fall of man.  The Bible tells that God never changes, so we can assume the role He created for Eve is valid today.  To truly understand this, we must revisit her story.  Also, bear in mind that Paul gave two reasons that women are to be submissive – 1) We were not formed first, and 2) It was Eve was deceived in that whole forbidden fruit affair.

 

"For Adam was first formed, then Eve."

God had a purpose in creating Adam first – he wasn't the helpmeet.  Eve was created second, because she was the helper, the rescuer of the human race – without her, there would not have procreation.  There are no children without mothers.  God created her to be a mother for the whole world and to be a help to her husband.  No other being on the planet before Eve was comparable to Adam.  If you wonder what the Bible thinks about equality among the sexes – here it is.  The "meet" in help meet means that Eve was the same or like Adam.  They were equals.  Sure, they were compliments, and they had different roles, but they WERE equals. 

 

"And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."

Eve listened to the serpent.  Adam listened to his wife.  Their punishments reflected their sins.  Adam, who had been by God the authority over his family, had failed.  He listened to his wife instead of obeying God's Word.  This problem is still prevalent today.  Ladies, rest assured that though your man may not always listen, and he's probably not picking up on the signals you're sending him – he is more influenced by you, then you will ever know.  Bearing that in mind - your place is not to direct his actions or dominate his decisions.  Your place is to help him.  He needs to obey God's Word first and foremost!  Be aware, girls, that like Adam, it's easy for any husband who loves his wife, to try and please her at the expense of obeying God. 

 

Don't listen to the snake!  Anytime there is ANYTHING that creeps into your life that contradicts the Word of God – get away from it!!!  Don't listen to it, it's trying to trick you, just as it did Eve.   And once Satan gets a foot hold in the wife's life – it's a LOT easier to make her husband fall.  The first woman ever created, took authority over her husband.  She used her influence on him.  I doubt she ordered him around, or yelled, or even nagged.  I bet she wheedled him into it.  She convinced him.  You see, Satan knew that if he approached Adam, the first man would not have trusted him.  But he would trust his wife.  Being submissive doesn't mean folding your hands in your lap, eyes downcast, mouth closed, opinions ignored – it means you help.  You help your man do what the Bible says, and NEVER use your influence in his life to lead him away from the Bible.  You don't try to dominate his actions by convincing him, by sweet talking him, by any means.  You do what needs to be done to help him obey God's Word. 

 

"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."

The punishment was subjection, but the salvation… was in childbearing.  Why is that our salvation?  Well look at the context.
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."  Genesis 3:15

It was Mary, not Joseph, who was used of God to bring the Messiah into the world.  It was through a woman – that Jesus came. 

 

So we see, for the world's first couple, when Eve stepped out of her role as helper (though an equal) to her husband, and used her influence to dominate his actions, sin destroyed the world.  But when she fulfilled her role (to be a mother) the first Messianic promise began. 

 

My conclusion is this:  the role God has given wives is to help their husbands.  We are such different creatures from men, that there are a great many things that only a wife can do to help her husband serve God.  Women are not to dominate over men, not by their words, or influence, or even by using their "wiles", to get their way.  We are equals, and our job is to help them as they serve God.  This means that Yes, God likes opinionated women!  He created them that way (much like Ruth and Deborah)!  He likes women who are bold and courageous (like Jael or the midwives in Egypt).  He made us to be different from men, something that we should celebrate!

 

And though I know it was taken out of context, I have to address this statement, "Don't marry a nagger." 

Wouldn't it be better to say, Ladies – don't marry a lazy man. (Sorry, it had to be said.)

 

That's my take on this subject – what's yours?

 

Refrigerator Art

This week at my church we started the "not a fan" study. (The idea being we should not be fans of Jesus, mere spectators, but followers of Him-fully committed to serving Christ.) One of the Followers journal exercises is to sing a praise for the LORD. That got me to thinking... about refrigerator art.

You know what I'm talking about don't you? The pictures your kids or grandkids (my case nieces & nephews) draw on construction paper, old notebook pages, torn color books, etc. They usually work really hard on them & are convinced their drawing is the most perfect piece off artwork known to man. These are the pages that are prominently displayed on the refrigerator. Hence the name -refrigerator art.

Our works before the LORD are a lot like that. We build up a set of standards in our head (usually based not on what God expects of us but rather what we think other people do) of what our service to Jesus should be. But to Him the Creator of the universe, the Sovereign Almighty God... it's just refrigerator art. The value is not in the work itself but the heart behind it.

My praise (much like my being) have value because of the worth God places on it, not because of any talent I think I have. I need to remember that the best praise I can give the Lord is found not in a talented song, but a humble heart.

Words have Power

"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.  Praise ye the Lord."  Psalm 149:6-9

 
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12

 

Have you ever thought about the power of written words?  Well, let's us just take a quick inventory (off the top of my head – I'm sure your own list would be much more complete):

1.      Gives adolescents the power to roam the halls of school – (I remember high school being a lot like prison- sorry, personal issue rearing its ugly head)

2.      Makes parties bound to the terms they've agreed to

3.      Makes a marriage legitimate

4.      Excuses the sick/injured from obligations

5.      Turns foster parents/children into family

6.      Makes checks worth money

7.      Draws a soldier and his wife at home closer

8.      Encourages friends who are far away

9.      Declares news

10.   Without it, there wouldn't be history

That's just our words – our simple, inaccurate, mistaken, selfish, silly words.  How much more powerful is Almighty, Perfect WORD of GOD!!

This psalm tells us what God's WORD can really do!

1.      Takes vengeance on the wicked (Not only does the Bible tells us that vengeance belongs to the LORD, It tells us how He will do it – through the power of His Word.  Next time you are hurt and betrayed and you wish to get even, trust that God will bring about what He says in His Word.  It will accomplish what It sets out to do!)

2.      Punishes the guilty – They are NOT getting away with it.  Sometimes it feels like they are, but they AREN'T.  Everything that God says will happen in His Word DOES.  Every judgment, punishment, and consequence.  I've seen it with my own eyes: people in perfect health who've defied God, and within a matter of months: 1 with stomach cancer, 2 with bypass surgery, several with diabetes, undiagnosed illnesses, and I've even seen people die in the midst of sin.  No, of course, not all illnesses and deaths are a form of punishment from the LORD; some are used to glorify Him, but if you are out of God's will… If you're sinning and you know what you're doing is wrong – don't kid yourself.  Those unfortunate circumstances that are popping up in your life, seemingly out of nowhere.  They aren't from nowhere.  Read the Bible – see what curses God promised to use on the guilty – sickness, poverty, even death.  The Bible is accurate and powerful.  See for yourself.

3.      Binds earthly authority – if you aren't praying for your authorities, don't be an idiot.  Start.  Start NOW.  You don't think that simple government powers aren't subject to GOD??  Nebuchadnezzar was.  Pharaoh was.  Artaxerxes was.  The President IS.  Pray for him – that the decisions that are made will be used for God's glory – and for his salvation.  Christ died for him, too. Pray for the Congress.  Pray for our judges.  Pray for our policemen and women.  Beg God that He will act on our behalf and HE WILL.  He absolutely definitely without a doubt will.  You know how I know that – Because it says so… In His WORD.

I pray we continue to learn and always know the magnificent power of the wondrous WORD of GOD!!!!

Poem for Veterans

My Grandparents served our country in WW2. Grandpa & Grandma Eastwood served in the South Pacific. That's where they met.
My Grandpa Bobo helped liberate France.
We owe us so much to our veterans. Our freedoms & for some of us even our families.

PRAYER FOR VETERANS
Written By Mary Elizabeth Bobo

To all the men and women,
Who left homes, safe and warm,
And worked, and trained, and traveled,
And bravely took up arms,

Who fought on foreign battlefields,
And slept on cold strange soil,
Who stayed awake, and watched their post,
Without complaint they toiled.

Today is the day we honor you,
And all the things you've done,
To make this country free and great,
For all our daughters and sons.

We thank you for the sacrifice
You gave, each woman and man.
And we do not now, nor will we ever,
Forget what you've done for our land.

Those of us, here at home,
Some are weak and sick.
Some are too young, some too old,
To do the things you did.

We are not each of us able
A soldier to become,
So we thank those of you who did,
And who fought for those like us.

And though I cannot take up arms,
I can take up my cross.
Walk a straight and narrow way,
Suffer any loss.

Bear Christ's burden; obey His commands,
Hold a shield of faith.
Cover my feet with His Gospel,
Let righteousness be my breastplate.

My helmet of salvation,
I'll wear for eternity,
(For everlasting is the God
Who saved a wretch like me!)

With His truth I'm gird about,
And fight forevermore.
His Word, hidden my heart,
Is a shining, two edged sword.

I am a spiritual soldier,
Wearing armor that can't be seen,
I stand and fight with Jesus,
By the grace He's given me,

But in prayer before the LORD,
I drop down on my knees.
To intercede, and fight for you.
The way you've fought for me.

THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS!!!!!!!

A Story for the Imperfect

We human beings sure are proud, and we seem to measure our value to God by the good qualities we can offer or good things we can do. The fairy tale below is a reminder that God doesn't need our skills or resources. He knows what we are made of, He created us! When it comes to His service, the vessels He wants aren't perfect - they're earthen.

The Broken Teacup By Mary E. Bobo

Once upon a time, there was, in a tiny village in a far away land, a worker of porcelain. He was more than a potter, or fire worker. He was an artist of the highest skill. He worked not for his livelihood, but because he loved it so very, very much. The porcelain maker took such great care and had such an amazing talent, that nowhere else in the world could finer work be found than his. Kings and queens would travel from far off lands to visit his shop and purchase his fine products. He sold dolls and jewelry, and tea sets, which were truly the finest in the world. Even the works themselves seemed to know how incredibly beautiful they were, and sometimes, at night, after the shop was closed and all the people had left, you could almost hear their pride…

Inside the wooden cupboard, the lovely dolls were always first to admire one another’s beauty. Each one was different, but shaped and painted with the greatest of care. Their features were smooth and yet still so very lifelike. The dolls would compliment each other, telling themselves how lucky a little girl, perhaps a princess or maybe even a queen, would be to take them home. Then there were painted plates – far too beautiful for anyone to ever serve food upon. They would admire one another’s landscapes and scenes: the way the porcelain maker had created shades of light and detailed each lovely portrait. They wondered how long it would be, before they too, would be sold. It would not be very long, everyone agreed. But by far, the most beautiful and coveted pieces were the tea sets. The tea sets were sold every day, and to the most important and highest class of clientele. The porcelain maker took the greatest care of all with these, each pot and teacup, each sugar bowl and saucer was exquisite. All except one. In the darkest corner of the cabinet, where no one could ever see it – there was a broken teacup. Beautiful, seemingly, until it turned and a long crack could be seen. No one paid any attention to this teacup – it would never be sold. Who could use a broken teacup? He certainly could not hold tea – it would flow away from him just as quickly as it filled him up. The other pieces of the tea set ignored him, and he pushed himself into the farthest corner of the cupboard where he hoped to never be seen.

One such evening, as the works of porcelain were admiring each other, a breathtakingly beautiful jewelry box excitedly began to share some news that she had overheard while the porcelain maker was painting her. The master artist was working on a new project, something that he had never made before, that would be the most beautiful of all his works. He would use a few very special objects from the shop to complete his masterpiece, which would be revealed publicly the next week. All of the pieces wondered what the project could be and which lucky item of his already created works he would choose to help finish it. That week, unlike any other, none of the pieces wished to be sold – not to a peasant, a peddler, or even a king. No one wanted to lose the chance to be part of the porcelain maker’s masterpiece.

Finally, the time came that the porcelain maker would choose the piece he needed. Of course, none were surprised that he went to the cupboard where the lovely and incomparably beautiful tea sets resided. He took out each piece and examined it with the utmost care. He put each one back in its place, until that is, he reached into the farthest corner of the cupboard where the broken tea cup was hiding. The teacup didn’t want to see the porcelain maker’s unhappy face in regarding the large crack along his side, which he ashamedly admitted rendered him ugly and useless. But he could not escape the porcelain maker’s careful eyes. The master took the broken teacup and examined him very carefully. He smiled. “Perfect!” He proclaimed, carefully using a cloth to wipe away the dust that had collected inside the broken tea cup. “I have been looking for you everywhere!” The porcelain maker told the tea cup. He left the cupboard, and all the rest of the objects were astonished.

The teacup couldn’t imagine how the porcelain maker could possibly use him – cracked as he was, and he wondered why his creator hadn’t just thrown him away. The porcelain maker picked up the teacup and explained as he worked that he knew very well what he was doing. He also told his little friend that it was very silly for teacups to tell porcelain makers how to use them. The teacup was then quiet, until becoming very curious he was inclined to ask what the masterpiece would be when finished. The porcelain maker was only too happy to explain – “I am creating a fountain – a lovely fountain, where the water is clear and clean and cool, and never stops flowing.” The tea cup was confused. But how could he be of use in such a thing? The porcelain maker explained some more – “You will catch the water.” The teacup was very upset. He knew he could not hold any kind of liquid. Surely when the porcelain maker realized this, he would choose a different teacup. But the porcelain maker reminded the beloved object that it’s very silly for the creation to tell the Creator how he ought to be used. “As a simple teacup,” the master explained, “You have no function but to hold the tea. As part of a fountain, you do something much more important: you must fill up with the water, but it must overflow out of you as well. The crack on your side will only make it easier for the water to flow more bountifully from you.” He smiled as he continued. “The best way to be filled is to overflow, you know.”

The next day, the porcelain maker revealed his work. His fountain was spoken of all over, and kings and queens travelled from the farthest corners of the earth to gaze on its beauty. Many of them offered the porcelain maker a great price to buy the fountain and take it away to their kingdoms, but he refused them all. “Of the water that flows out of this little teacup, you may all partake freely, but the teacup is mine – and I cannot be parted from it.” He lovingly declared.

Today, all over the world, there might not be talking teacups or admiring porcelain dolls, chattering jewelry boxes, or arrogant tea sets and painted plates. But there are Christian hearts, who much like a broken teacup, cannot believe that their Master can use them in their flawed state. Just as the porcelain maker told his teacup – it’s very silly for the creation to tell the Creator how he ought to be used. God made us, and He knows our flaws. He doesn’t ask us to hold His Holy Spirit, but to allow Him to overflow in our hearts. It’s true that we are just earthern vessels, weak and many times broken. But remember, He knows just how to use us, and the more broken that we are – the more bountifully His Holy Spirit can overflow.

The End

The thing about hope, trust, and praise

“While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:” Psalm 146:2-5

The thing about hope, trust, and praise…

Hope

If you’re a runner, you’re looking at that finish line and hoping to make it. And any runner can tell you, when it starts to get tough, you remember two things: put one foot in front of the other, and BREATHE. It may seem simple, but that is what gets you to the finish line, breathing in and out while you tell your legs to keep going. The thing about hope is it doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s simply looking at the goal and hoping that you will get you there.

Trust

You feel great during the first couple of miles, strong, invincible almost. But as your feet continue to pound the track, each step is heavier, each breath more labored. What do you do when you feel the muscles begin to tremble and your lungs are begging for more air? You keep going, and trust that even as your body blasts down on your heels with the impact of double your own weight, that your legs will still hold you. Your feet will not trip you. Your breathing will not fail you. That’s the thing about trust – hope thinks that your legs are strong enough, but trust takes a step.

Praise

Finally, you cross the finish line. You’ve done something you never thought you could do, and all you want to do is express joy! The thing about praise – it’s outpouring of an inward gratitude and admiration that can’t be held inside. Hope thinks you can do it, trust moves forward believing that you can, and praise recognizes victory and celebrates.

God helps us to understand our Christian lives by comparing it to running a race (1 Corinthians 9:24). He wants us to Hope in Him. Our finish line is Heaven and the rewards that He’s promised with it.

When obeying the Bible becomes hard and we feel like we can’t continue, God wants us to Trust that we can count on Him. Take the step (OBEY) – He’ll provide the strength to meet it. Try not to imagine God carrying you in a long race, but Him surrounding you as you run, filling your legs with strength, your lungs with air.

And finally, there is joy in obedience. It is better than the feeling you get from pleasure, because it is a satisfied happiness, and it comes with a better knowledge of GOD. He literally wants to hear you sing! Let that happiness and admiration out. That’s real praise.

The Wall

The following is one of my fables. I got the idea from a message I heard from an old minister who spoke on the barriers to Hell.

The Wall By Mary Elizabeth Bobo

A long time ago in a land far away, there lived two little boys, called Jacob and David. They were neighbors and the best of friends. The boys lived in a small village that had only two roads leading in or out of it. One road was wide and smooth, but it led to a very wicked city. The other road was narrow and difficult to pass, but it led to a city that was very good. From time to time, the boys would speak about their futures, and the taller of the two, Jacob, would often say, “When I grow up, surely I will follow the wide, and smooth, and easy way.” His little friend, David, would reply, “It may be narrow and difficult, but the straight and righteous way is for me!” As the years passed, David began to worry about Jacob’s future. You see, there were traveling men who occasionally came to town, and they always said the same thing: one day the good King of all kingdoms would visit the wicked city that lay at the end of the wide, smooth way. He would surely be unhappy with all the worldliness and selfishness that He should find. That day, He would destroy the land and all who lived there. They also spoke of the King’s Son. They said that it was He Who had forged the straight and narrow way which led to the righteous city. If any would simply turn from the wicked path and trust the one that the King’s Son had made, they would reach His lovely city. Little David was terrified to think that his friend might take the path that led to destruction. He begged Jacob to change his mind, but the taller boy refused. So when David could not prevail on his friend to listen, he decided to try something else.

The next day David went to the bricklayer and bought one brick. The man asked him what he intended to do with just one. David explained that his friend had decided to go to the dangerous city which was sure to be destroyed, and he wanted to stop him. The bricklayer shook his head. One brick will not stop someone determined on leaving, but the little boy insisted.

The years passed while David and Jacob grew and grew. Finally, Jacob, now a tall young man, said to his sad neighbor that the day had come for him to begin his journey to the wicked city. David followed him all the way to the wide path crying and pleading with Jacob to change his mind. The taller ignored him, continuing till he came to the hill where the path began. On the left side of the path was a mountain cliff and on the right was a large river running rapidly. Jacob wasn’t worried, because the path in between was wide and smooth. But as he came closer he saw a large brick wall. It stretched from the mountain to the river and was thirty feet high. Shocked he turned and looked at little David who was smiling. “Every day for the last twenty years, I have laid just one brick on this wall.” He explained. “Should you really desire to be destroyed in that city of wickedness, I cannot stop you, but you’ll have to climb over my wall.”

Jacob threw himself against the wall trying to climb, but it was very well built without any holes for his hands and feet to grip. And though Jacob was a very tall man, he was no match for the 30 foot obstacle that lay solidly in his way. Still, he continued trying, again and again until he was completely exhausted. Finally, he sat down on the ground and leaned his back against the wall to rest. He looked at his little friend who was still smiling. Jacob knew that in order to get to the city now, he would have to go all the way back to the village and get a ladder or rope or something else to help him get over this enormous wall. He wondered something. “David,” he asked, “Why have you spent your time and effort every day on this wall for the last twenty years when you know very well, that if I want to, I can climb over it?” David smiled and replied, “Because – I love you.” Jacob thought about this a moment and lifted himself up from sitting against the strong wall. “Very well, little brother,” he proclaimed, for truly he loved David as a brother, just as much as David loved him, “Let’s go to your righteous city.” And off they went. They did not turn to the left hand or to the right. They continued the two of them, along the straight and narrow path out of the village until they reached the city. What they found there was more than even the ever hopeful David could’ve dreamed.

It was the most beautiful city that had ever been built. The gates themselves seemed to be made of jewels, but jewels that were more precious and pure than any eye had ever seen. The streets were not made of stone or dirt, but they were made of gold which was so pure, you could see right through it. There were no shadows anywhere because the light of the city did not come from the sun, which sets and rises. It came from the goodness of the Great King Who never changes. There could not be shadows, because there was not any place in the beautiful city untouched by the King’s goodness. It was much more beautiful than the travelers had described, because a place as good and wonderful, full of truth, kindness, and beauty, as this city cannot be accurately expressed with only words. They must be experienced. Also, the city had a very special magic about it, for anyone who entered its gates could never grow tired or old, get sick or be hurt, or ever die. In fact, it was impossible to be unhappy at all. David and Jacob entered the city eagerly, so happy they had come. They soon forgot all the troubles they had ever had in their old village. In fact, they forgot many things, except one very important detail. Jacob would tell others as they entered the city that he too, had once lived in another land –he didn’t remember the name of the village, or what the streets were made of, or how the landscape looked, but one thing he remembered with perfect clarity. On the path that should have led him to destruction there was a beautiful, beautiful wall.

Many Christians have family and friends, or loved ones who do not know Jesus Christ. Even though we have presented the Gospel, pleaded with them, and cried, still they have not turned away from the destructive path that leads to hell. Remember that our prayers though they seem little to us, just as one brick may seem small, are powerful in the hands of our Almighty God. Our lost loved ones may seem determined to take a path that leads to death, but if they insist on going that way, build a beautiful wall of prayer.

The End

His Greatest Work

"The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. "
Psalm 145:8

This is David's psalm of praise. I love the way he talks about the LORD. He refers to Him in so many ways in this psalm -as royalty, as eternal, as all-powerful, and magnificent. In so many ways I am reminded of all the great things that the Creator of the universe has done.

But truly the greatest act He has performed, the greatest task He has completed, the greatest miracle... is me. His mercy to a wretched, low-down, filthy, rotten, no-good sinner, or as I mentioned before, a me.

It was through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross that I was made the righteousness of God! (2 Cor 5:21)
What greater thing could He do, than to make a sinner holy?

His love and mercy to me are His most powerful displays.
His patience towards us deserves all of my praise.
So today I'm going to beg Him to help me live every day remembering what He has done for me, to be thankful, and to praise Him!

How about you?

A Tale of Two Refuges

“I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” Psalm 142:4,5 (bold print added)

This is one of David’s psalms, and it’s one that he wrote while hiding in a cave. Unlike most of us who have only gone into a cave for exploring, or a field trip to figure out the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite (still can’t remember that one), David was fleeing for his life. A refuge was a pretty important place to him. It was life and death in fact.

In these two verses we see the word, “refuge” twice, but don’t be deceived. These are not the same refuge. They aren’t even the same word.

In verse 4, “refuge” comes from the Hebrew word, manowc, which means flight, refuge, place of escape. David was saying that in his moment of desperate need, people had failed him, and there was no way of escape from his troubles. How’s that for sounding familiar? We’ve all been there (maybe not in a literal cave, though).

In verse 5, “refuge” comes from Machaceh, which means refuge, shelter (from rain or storm, from danger). David, who had been running for his life (for YEARS, mind you), could count on the LORD, as a sure place of protection, of safety, of shelter, of rest. And that’s what we all need when we’re in trouble. Sure, we may not have a crazy king and his army after us, but we all have troubles – relationships, money, kids, job stress, studies, schedules, health issues…

Now, I’ve used my super cool android app (My Sword – available on the android market for FREE) to look up these words in the original language, but that wasn’t really necessary was it? Look at what it says in plain English: David had two refuges, just like we all do. Verse four’s refuge that failed him, and verse five’s (the LORD) he could count on, which leaves us with this last thought:

Now that you’ve heard the tale of the refuges –in which will you trust?

The trouble with hearts and... mouths

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works of men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties." Psalm 141:3,4

There was so much that I noticed in today's quiet time, it would take much too long to go through it, so instead we will look at just a few things in the two verses of David's prayer quoted above.

1. He uses the imperative case. Set! Incline not!
The imperative is giving an order. God tells us, commands us even to come BOLDLY before His throne of grace and humbly claim His promises. David is not relying on his own goodness, but trusting in God's mercy for his boldness here. He needs God to guard his lips and guide his heart so much, he won't leave it to a mere request.

2. There are two danger "hot zones" as it were that we need to beg GOD and boldly claim His help and guidance in - our mouths and our hearts! Before something is stolen, lusted after, adored more than the LORD, murdered for, etc. it is coveted in the heart! David knows he needs God's guidance and help to keep his heart from inclining to evil. It begins in the heart.
The other troublemaker?? That stupid big ole mouth of ours! Remember that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. And nothing, and I do mean, NOTHING, causes more trouble than our stupid tongues! David knew that these were the two things in himself that if GOD were watching over and guiding - he would live a righteous life.

Another quick note about David. You know who best to help you see a big pitfall? A person who's already fallen in and learned his lesson. David was a liar, cheater, adulterer, and murderer. He was also a repentant soul. His prayer shows us how to avoid the great pitfalls that marred his spiritual life.

I hope I'm smart enough to heed his warning.