Day 99

Love Versus Lust

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" 1 John 2:16

There is a nightclub in our city that has a huge sign in front.  All it says is "Lust".  I guess that is calling it what it is, right?  The first time I saw it it was seared into my mind as I thought about the contrast of the word Lust versus Love that we learn about in God's Word.  Lust is of the world, not of Father.  We are to be separated from the world.

 Lust means, a very strong sexual desire.  It is clearly nothing but a physical desire.  In our key passage John uses the term as being the desire for evil.  It is interesting that most of the clubs are very dark inside because evil loves the darkness.  Satan, who loves the darkness, uses the eyes to incite evil desires in man.  

It can start out as a glance, become a habit but becomes a full blown addiction whether on the internet where the person believes they are safe to explore without anyone knowing, or while watching R Rated or X Rated movies or looking at magazines which incite a person by visual images.

Love on the other hand is a commitment, a choice, and it is denying yourself and your desires to put the other person first.  The love chapter is in 1 Corinthians 13 which list what love is and what it is not. Love is more about giving to the one you love than what you can get from the other person.  It is loving unconditionally like Jesus does us.  He loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us.  It is about forgiving.  The greatest gift we can give to another is love.  We can speak eloquently and with much wisdom but if we don't have love we are like an irritant.  We must have love.

Take a look at the Corinthians chapter on love and write down the characteristics of true love.  Take a look at your current relationships and consider which category they might fall into; love or lust.  After reviewing the list decide which you would rather have.

Love suffers long; is kind; it does not envy; it does not parade itself; is not rude or puffed up; does not rejoice in sin; to name a few.  Love NEVER fails you; lust just wants more and more of you then throws you to the side till it needs you to fulfill it's evil desires or fulfill it's own pleasure again.  

God is love.....that's Who He is.  We cannot know true love until we recognize His love for us.  He doesn't tell us He loves us for His own purposes but He demonstrated it when He took our place on the cross taking our sins on Himself. The empty void in our soul cannot be filled until it is filled with Him.  He is enough.  

When we expect someone else to fill that void in our hearts we will be disappointed every time.  It is really not right to expect a human person to fill us up because they can't.  When you learn that God is enough you have learned a truth that will be the only thing that sustains you in life.  It may be hard if you did not have love as a child or an example of love, but choose to accept God's love for you right now.  He says He loves you and He does not lie.

Day 98

Art of Journaling

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book,........" Exodus 17:14a.

Sometimes I like to try my hand at drawing or doodling.  I decided a couple of years ago that I needed to keep my art in one place so I purchased a sketch book and have several pages done.  I would love to have more time to devote to it because I find it relaxing and meaningful.  

The Lord told Moses to write down what He told him as a memorial in a book.  I believe that is still applicable today.  Sometimes I can't remember the last thing I did so writing it out or drawing it as a memorial is a perfect plan because I often review them.

Before the beginning of a separate art journal I was reading in one of my past writing journals and found a doodle I had created in it.  In the middle of the page was the word God with different names of God written in bright colors that had ministered to me over the years.  He has been my Counselor, my Healer, my Sufficiency, my Provider, and the Lover of my soul to name a few.  What a great way to acknowledge that than by a visual picture of His names written out.  There are so many other of His names that I could have drawn but the ones I wrote were special to me.

Then there was the one that had a balloon to demonstrate that He continues to lift me higher to soar in the Spirit of His marvelous love.  One was of a pot filled with flowers with the words 'With Gratitude' on it.  Each flower then had what I was grateful for:  God, Church, Home, Family, Friends, Husband and Children and Grandchildren.

Then again it was a Bible passage like 1 Corinthians 13 about love and all it's attributes.  I can look at that and hopefully remember what all love is and is not.  One time when away on Retreat I drew the surroundings of the little Inn where we stayed.  It helps me remember the time away with the Lord and is a great way to remember the spiritual marker it was in my life.  Now I have not only words describing my experience but a visual picture that will be ingrained in my mind.

Let me challenge you to do the same.  You don't have to be a great artist, maybe you just like to doodle.  Why not make it into a work of art that has significance and helps you remember either scripture or a time of importance in your life.  You can keep it to yourself if you choose.

I like to also glue tickets, flyers, trip souvenirs or pics in my journal to help me remember a really fun or special event that either I have attended or taken our grandchildren to.  It helps you later to find the event a little easier also. 

 Use your imagination and make journaling a fun event because it is helpful to go back and review where you have been and see how God has been working in your life all along.  You can also determine by your writings if you have grown in your spriitual walk or have remained stagnant.  Are you further along the path towards God today than you were last year?  If not, why not?

Day 97

The Testing of Your Faith

"Consider it (all) pure joy....whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" James 1:2.

My spiritual Mother has been giving me a verse on the day that my birthday falls, on the thirteenth of each month now for at least three years.  It is always special to know that she has prayed that the Lord would specifically give her a scripture for me.  Some verses are very encouraging and uplifting.  I am always excited to get them from her and just meditate on them and ask God to teach me what He is conveying or preparing me for.

This past month my scripture was our key verse for today.  Upon reading it I must say I was not real thrilled because I thought, Oh man what kind of issues must we go through now.  Over the years of testing and trials I was so grateful to have had a lady in one group I was part of describe me with one word as instructed by the leader; Perseverance.  Just like you I have endured many very hard and sometimes tragic events but I kept holding on to God's Word for hope and reassurance and God has always given me the strength to come through.

My mentor said that she was praying that through the bitterness of life's experiences God would show His lovely redemption to me.  She was praying that He would be in my testing in a very clear was.

I didn't have to wait long for the struggle to come and for the testing to begin.  I found I needed to step back and remind myself once again that I am not in charge.  God is.  Often times trials can produce bitterness in our heart.  When we begin to count it all joy the enemy is put at bay.  

Gratefully lessons have been learned along the journey of my life and even if my heart quickens at a call of emergency or bad tidings I can quickly remind myself of passages of encouragement and truths that will get me back on track when I begin to panic.  God knows what is needed in a situation to either do a work in us or a loved one.  He is always working it out for our good even when it does not look good.  

I try to recall passages that have been such a blessing and promise to me over the years and I draw on those.  If I really want to keep them close I will jot them down in my index card booklet and carry them with me.  That way when I need a promise or  instruction I will have it right before me to recite or bring to memory.

It is not if we face a time of trials and testing, but when!  Getting to the next level of spiritual maturity and growth is often hard to contemplate but it does produce perseverance.  Hopefully you can exclaim in the middle of the battle, "Lord, the Battle is Yours.  I am looking to You and You alone.  Remember when the news comes that you dread that you have some scriptures close by or memorized  to help you through your time of testing.  Would you like to escape loss or brokenness, since in them you are promised perseverance?

Day 96

Patience

"And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady" Romans 5:4 TLB.

When sitting in the dentist's chair for almost two hours there is a lot of time to hear the conversations above your head.  If someone ask a question you can only grunt out an answer at best.  You are too busy trying to hold your mouth open while attempting not to strangle on your own saliva.  And....not to think on the grinding as you see pieces of whatever are flying up in your face and your dentist's glasses.

At a recent visit my dentist began sharing that he enjoyed his job and had learned the art of patience with his clients as each one sat in his chair to receive his services.  Some are easy going and cooperative he said.  Then some people brought challenges as they shifted in the chair or were unable to hold their mouths open long enough for him to do his work.  He shared that he had learned to try to accomplish the work

Our conversation reminded me of God's patience with us...His long-suffering. So many times we squirm out of His reach or His plan for us making it difficult for Him to accomplish His work in and through us.  Sometimes we don't open our mouths to share His love with others when He brings them our way  or share a word of witness for the hope within us.  

My dentist didn't really attribute his lessons on patience as a testimony to God but how it had taken him years to develop patience as a character trait.  He stated learning that virtue was life changing in his ability to respond to his clients properly and to enjoy his profession.

Patience is hard for us these days because we are use to getting what we want in an instant.  Or maybe it is that we are not patient with a person and must learn that lesson. You, like me may have heard over the years not to pray for patience because you just might find yourself in a test to prove your patience. 

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are all mentioned in Galatians as the fruit of the spirit.  It is a life long process for each of us as we allow God to develop each one of those in us.  Maybe you need to renew your vow to work on all these attributes in your life.  I am praying that your faith will remain strong and steady as I strive to do the same.

Day 94

God is Our Refuge and Strength

"God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea" Psalm 46: 1-2 (TLB).

While at work one day I received a call that my Dad had experienced a mild heart attack.  He had driven himself from the doctor's office to the emergency department ten miles away.  After sharing the information with my charge nurse, I made my way across the street to the hospital.  As the doors swung open I saw my Dad in the hall on a stretcher.  I began to pray that God would give me the strength I needed to minister to he and my mother during the crisis.

Trying to make light of the situation, he explained they were making arrangements to admit him to the Cardiac Unit for observation and that there were plans to perform a heart cath the following Monday to see the extent of the damage and look for any blockages.

What an example of steadfast faith my Dad has always been for so many.  The loss of such a godly man would be a devastating blow to our family and his friends.  He has always been a solid rock to us all so to lose him would be one of the saddest days of my life but God gave me such peace at the time and even with the news three years later that he had suffered a mild stroke.

My Dad longs for his heavenly home, but his family would love to hold on to him as long as God allows.  We can't imagine life without him and thankfully we did not have to, this time.  We keep hoping to go up together as Christ return for His Bride.

The Lord promises in the key verse to be with us; to be our refuge and strength in a time of trouble.  He also tells us not to fear even if the world blows up or the mountains crumble.  My test during these struggles was to trust God no matter the outcome.  In verse 10a of this same chapter it says, "Be still, and know that I am God;".  Be still means to relax, let go and allow to fall; take your hands off.  I must recognize that God is Sovereign over all my circumstances and trust him with the outcome even when it is hard.

During our days of uncertainty we drew upon His strength one day at a time, to see us through whatever the results would be.  We know He always has a purpose and plan and we trust Him in that.  God will not waste our sorrow.  Are you willing to take your hands off of your troubles and trust God to work it out for good?  

Day 93

He is Risen; He is Risen Indeed!

"I know that my Redeemer liveth"  Job 19:25.

What a privilege On Wings Like a Dove has to be located right next to God's Acre in Old Salem.  It is a beautiful sight all year, but especially at Easter.

The day before Easter the Moravian s come to scrub the tomb-stones and place flowers on all the graves in God's Acre.  The band plays music from the belfry in the building behind our office and occasionally a pastor will share scripture on the intercom that goes out across the grave site.  It is amazing to witness.

This sets the stage for a beautiful sight as people gather for the Easter sunrise service at Home Moravian down the street on Easter morning.  They then walk in procession past our office to the graveyard for worship as the sun rises.

I learned today that the people are buried facing the east so when Jesus returns they will rise straight up to meet Him.  My great-great-grandmother is buried there as well as my great grandparents so it makes it even more special to me.

The preacher says, "He is risen", and the people respond, "He is risen indeed".  What a glorious way for families to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord.  We know He lives, sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.  That fact alone should give us hope and cause for rejoicing.

What our Savior bore on that cross is beyond anything we could ever imagine.  He did it to take our sins upon Himself because He loved us so much.  There is no greater love than that.

If you have not made your decision to ask Him into your heart why not do it today.  What better time to secure your eternal destiny so you can be assured that you will rise to meet Him when He breaks the eastern skies.  Oh what a glorious day that will be for those who have made Him Lord of their lives.  Do it today.

Day 92

Running On Empty

"And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty" Deuteronomy 15:13.

One of my bad habits is pushing my car to the brink of empty.  Years ago our car actually spoke to us a warning when the gas tank was almost empty.  Now a little light comes on to give me warning but I must choose to stop and fill up in order not to find myself stranded on the side of the road!  My husband has warned me for years about the possibility of running out of gas when by myself but I often procrastinate and seem to always test the limits.

Running on empty is an interesting correlation in our spiritual journey as well.  How many times do you find yourself feeling like you are running on empty?  How many warnings does God give before you stop to fill up spiritually to avoid an inevitable crash.

So how do you keep your tank on full?  You keep a consistent time set aside to meet with the Lord.  Even one day without fellowship with Him can cause your tank to head towards empty.  You communicate with God in prayer and listen for His voice giving you guidance and direction.  You involve yourself in Bible Study or read materials that educate you on biblical truths.  

What are some warning signs that you might be near empty?  Could it be a sharp tongue, a sudden burst of anger, resentment, pride, self-centerness, gossip, jealousy, just to name a few.  

If you find yourself running on empty examine your source of supply.  Just like you wouldn't want to pump the wrong grade of gas into your car, you would not want to allow wrong teachings or trash to come into your mind or heart.  Confess any wrong attitude or actions immediately on conviction.  Vow to have a regular time to hear from God.  Don't allow yourself to get to the point of a warning; keep filled up on Gods Word.

My husband tries to make sure he is at least half full in his vehicle in case we traffic might come to a standstill and find us sitting there without an opportunity to get gas.  You never know what crisis may come and have you stuck in the traffic of life and find yourself depleted spiritually or run out completely.  Always be found full of God's Word to avoid running on empty spiritually.