Change

it’s a good thing!

 

 

Somewhere in time, on next Wednesday, we change years. We go from 2013 to 2014.  This made me think about change.  People have different perspectives on change. Some people hate it and they go into any change dragging their feet.  Some people love change and they search it out, even when it’s not necessary.  I’m right in the middle.  I understand that change needs to happen and sometimes change is fun, but it always requires adjustment.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.^[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

When you become a Christian, change in inevitable.  God immediately sets to work freeing us from the sin that binds us to our old nature.  I know from personal history, this is not instantaneous.

I like to tease people.  I like to see people smile and sometimes I can even get a laugh.  At one point in my life, God decided to work on this trait of mine.  He needed to because sometimes I wasn’t kind.  I was never intentionally mean, but sometimes I would still say things that would hurt people’s feelings.  I remember when God pointed this out to me.  It broke my heart to realize what I’d done to people I cared about. It took time, but I would notice that immediately after I would say something, a little voice in my spirit would remind me what I said wasn’t that nice.  I would then have to apologize.  I’m not completely cured, but I’m getting much better. 

I have also noticed that when God is working on us, sometimes he just has us focus on one thing for a while.  He may give you lots of opportunities to be patient until you can actually do it without complaining.  For me, he gives me golden opportunities to poke fun, while reminding me not to. I know I’m getting better, because the nudge to watch my words happens before I open my mouth.

Whatever God is dealing with you on, just hang on, it will get easier.

Becoming a Christian does promise us change.  We will be changed from the inside out and for the better when we allow God control of our lives. 

 

MercyMe - Shake (Official Music Video) from mercymemusic on GodTube.

The Miraculous

all Around Us

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I was trying to see if I could stream a Christmas concert given by my favorite radio station.  It was on television, but I missed it. I didn’t find the concert, but I did find a few clips and one of them was a song by Brandon Heath called “Just a Girl”. 

Luke 2:7

King James Version (KJV)

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

What happened when Mary and Joseph went to the inn?  Did the people in Bethlehem have any idea of the event taking place that night? Did they know what the night would mean to the world for generations to come?

Think about it for a while.  Bethlehem was not a large city and suddenly they had an influx of visitors due to Caesars decree.  Some were rich and some were poor. All had traveled from some distance to this small place and they all needed a place to stay. 

Did they notice a young couple in desperate need of a room?

Did the people notice the unusually bright star centered over their village.

Did they hear the host of angels sing as they made the announcement to the shepherds?

Many probably didn’t.  They were busy. The inn keepers where trying to feed capacity crowds.  Others were trying to make sure their own family was taken care of.  Many people probably didn’t even know that a miracle was taking place a few steps away from their doors.

Are we too focused on what’s right in front of us that we are missing something wonderful just out of our line of vision? Maybe we are.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior let’s remember the miraculous events of that special evening.  Let’s also keep our eyes peeled for the miracles that happen all around us. 

Merry Christmas!

 

Brandon Heath - Just A Girl LIVE from brandon-heath on GodTube.

Joy to the World

The Lord has Come

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, it has been crazy busy at work.  I’ve been working overtime and the people around me have been working more overtime than me.  I have to admit that I’m tired.  I was trying to do many things, for many people, when it hit me; Christmas is a celebration of a joyous occasion.

Luke 2:10-14

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

It is a joyous occasion, but I wasn’t feeling joyful, I was feeling tired.  I know I’m not alone.  I work in a large building full of over worked people.  This time of year is stressful for many occupations.  Retail, delivery and every company trying to make sure payroll is perfect before W2’s are run. 

In the midst of the hustle and bustle we may need to consciously stop and take a moment to remember who we celebrate. I had to do it and maybe you do to.

Lord, help us to feel peace and joy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. 

Joy to the World - John Tesh - Christmas in Positano, Italy from john-tesh on GodTube.

Christmas Carols

O Little Town of Bethlehem

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.  I did some Christmas shopping so I could get things in the mail to my family.  I really like wandering through the store halls and listening to Christmas music.  I’ll be honest I sometimes listen to Christmas music in July.  I think it’s fun to hear and sing along when it’s really hot outside. 

Then I started to wonder how some Christmas carols came into being.  Was the writer just sitting around and thinking they should write a Christmas song?  I went to the book, “Then Sings my soul” by Robert J Morgan.  If you ever want to know more about some classic hymns, I recommend this book.

I read the history behind the Christmas song, “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem”. 

In 1867 a minister named Phillip Brooks pastored the Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia.  He wanted to compose an original song for the children to sing in the annual Christmas program.  Now Phillip was not a small man.  He was six feet six inches and three hundred pounds.  Not the type of person I would envision as writing Christmas hymn. A few years before, he had been to the holy land and he attended a service at the nativity church.  He was inspired by what he saw and felt.  This was the inspiration for the words he wrote for his song.

He had the words, but he didn’t have the music.  He gave the words to the church organist to see if he could set them to music. Lewis Redner was the organist and he struggled and couldn’t find a tune that would work. He worried about it and prayed about it, but no tune came.  The day before the program, he woke up with the music in his heart.  Together the two composed the song we know and love, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”.

Micah 5:2 (NKJV) “But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah. Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel. Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.

So I was right, someone was sitting around thinking they should write a Christmas song.  I’m positive God gave the inspiration, or the song would have been long forgotten. 

As we head into this Christmas season, let’s remember who the holiday celebrates and where it all began.

 

Ann Downing - O Little Town of Bethlehem from bill-and-gloria-gaither on GodTube.

I'm adopted

how about you?

 

 

Somewhere in time, when I was growing up, I thought I was adopted.  Seeing me with my family now, you may wonder how I could ever think such a thing.  Who knows, but I did.  I have thought about adoption, but it’s something I never did.  Lately, I have been noticing posts on Facebook by one of my nephews and his beautiful wife.  The have three small adorable children and they are considering adopting another child.  I want to cheer them on.       

When I was teaching, I had the pleasure of having several adopted children as students. One was a precious little girl that had come from Eastern Europe.  A few other kids had decided to tease her and they chose to do this before my class.  She and I worked out a way for her to avoid them and of course parents and officials were alerted. I shared with her my surprise that someone would think adoption was something to make fun of.  Adoption is wonderful.  She was chosen to be part of the family she was in.  She’ll never have to wonder if she was wanted, she knows she was.  Her family had to spend time and money just to include her. Could she be any more special?

If you really think about it, we are all adopted.  God created us, but we were not born into His family.

Ephesians 1:5 (NKJV) “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

Galatians 4:5-7 (NKJV) “to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then and heir of God through Christ.”

What I don’t understand is why when given the opportunity to be adopted into God’s family, some people reject the opportunity. 

All of us who are Christians, are adopted.  We were redeemed because of the love of our adopted Father.

I’m glad God adopted me, how about you?

Third Day - Children Of God - Official Music Video from third-day on GodTube.

Thanksgiving

Or Giving Thanks

 

 

Somewhere in time, next Thursday, American celebrates Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving was declared a holiday by President Lincoln.  It was designed as a day to just stop what we normally do and give thanks.

The pilgrims the holiday was inspired by had a feast day.  They had come through a harsh winter.  Some had died, many had gone hungry.  Together with the Native Americans that preceded them to this land, they had a day to celebrate survival.  For the first time since landing in a new land, they had plenty of food to eat and they had shelters built for a place to live.  They were celebrating a better year than the one before.  They knew what many people today forget.  They knew to give thanks to God for He is the giver of all good things.

This November the radio station I listen to and a couple of friends on Facebook decided to spend November remembering something different to be thankful for each day.  When I heard about it, I thought, what a great idea.  It was a great idea, but I got busy and forgot.  Oh well, I guess it’s never too late to start.

Like the Pilgrims, I’m thankful for my health, for enough food to eat, for a home in which to live. 

I’m thankful for a job in a world where many people can’t find one.  I’m thankful for a car to take me back and forth to work.  It runs good and I don’t have to worry about it breaking down.  I’m thankful I work with nice people.  I’m thankful I’m able to work from home two days a week.  This leads me to being thankful there is a room in my house I can work out of. 

I’m thankful for family and friends.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Then I heard the words of a song which reminded me of what I am really most thankful for.  I’m thankful for Jesus.

 

This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You would lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me

 

 

Phil Wickham - This Is Amazing Grace (Official Music Video) from phil-wickham on GodTube.

Christmas

Well Almost

 

 

Somewhere in time, December 25^th, we celebrate Christmas.  I love Christmas. I love the decorations and I love the music, but the last I checked it was still November.  This year it seemed like we used fast forward to get to Christmas. One day, I was complaining about Halloween, like I normally do, and the next day the Christmas decorations are up in the store. 

Are we already shopping and buying for Christmas?

Black Friday made the news as stores are seeking to start black Friday, by actually opening on Thursday. If it we shop on Thursday, it defeats the whole idea of black “Friday.”  Should Thanksgiving remain a day to spend with family and celebrate things we are thankful for, or is it just another day to buy things?  I don’t think we need another day to buy things.

That said, this week, I want to encourage people to buy things early, before black Friday. I’m going to put in a plug for buying something – just to give it away.  Operation Christmas child every year sends shoe boxes full of items to children all over the world that would never get any type of Christmas.    

I love packing shoe boxes and I always try to put one together for a girl.  Since this is also the busy time at work for me, I don’t always have to go to the store and buy the items.  When that happens, I can build my box online.  If you are not a shopping person like me, there are other options. Instead of filling a box, you can also donate to cover the coast of delivery.  You can volunteer your time to help coordinate the collection and distribution of boxes. 

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

Christmas isn’t about getting, unless you are a small child, it’s about giving. So this year, add a giving event.  

The collection week for the Christmas Boxes is November 18^th – 25^th, so let’s get busy.

Acts 20:35

New International Version (NIV)

³⁵ In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

 

Toby Mac - Christmas This Year (Feat. Leigh Nash) - Operation Christmas Child Music Video from samaritanspurse on GodTube.

25 Years

Happy Anniversary

 

 

Somewhere in time, Sunday, November 10^th, it will be my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.  Twenty-five years ago, I was a young Christian woman and I went to a great church, but it was small and there weren’t too many people my age to have fun with.  I shared this dilemma with a coworker and she told me I should go to the same church as her roommate.  They were always doing activities 

I went and met some nice young ladies like myself and we became friends.  One of my new friends invited me to a baseball game that Friday night.  It was a better idea than sitting home, so after work I went to the baseball game.  It was played in the local park by members of the singles group. I was talking to my friend, but out on the field, I saw the perfect man.  He had brown hair and brown eyes just like I like.  He also had the haircut that was so popular twenty-five years ago and I thought it was “cool”. 

I was very reserved, so talking to a new person was very hard, but my new friend didn’t have this problem. She invited him over and we met and I guess the rest is history.

In honor of my anniversary, I’m discussing marriage today.

^{Ephesians 5:31-33 (NIV)} “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[b] 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband

Love and respect – who knew that was all it took to have a good marriage.  I can tell you from experience, that if you both love God first, this will help the other pieces fall into place. 

Happy Anniversary  

 

Steven Curtis Chapman - Love Take Me Over (Lyric Video) from steven-curtis-chapman on GodTube.

Praying for someone

Train up a child

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I was praying for people.  I do this when they come to mind or when I can’t sleep.  I have a list.  I start at the oldest and work my way down.  I always fall asleep before the end of the list. If It happens again, I try to pick up where I left off.  There are a few people who have been in my prayers for a few years.  For some reason, this brought this verse to my mind.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I’m not sure why I thought this, I’m not a parent.  I’ve never had the opportunity to train up a child. But, I thought this gives parents hope.  The years they spent pouring into their child wasn’t wasted.  God will cause it to bear fruit at some point in the future.

I then heard an interview with the lead singer of the band “Christafari”.  He spoke about how he strayed from God, but his parents never gave up. They continued to pray and one day, God got through to him.  I’m sure he can tell the story better than me, so I’m attaching the interview.

 

I then thought about those of us who are praying fervently for someone, but that person isn't our child.  I pray for my family, my former students and at times my co-worker.  The above verse doesn’t apply to me.    

Don’t give up hope.

James 5:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Our culture leads us to believe that everything happens quickly and sometimes things do.  When we pray for someone, we expect the answer to come soon if not immediately.  I can’t find any verses that say, prayers are answered fast.  It just says they are answered.  I want to encourage all of us who are praying for someone – don’t give up.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

 

Christafari - Hosanna from rivevideo on GodTube.

Reformers Series #5

Reformation Day – October 31st

 

 

Somewhere in time, next week, it will be October 31^st. People will celebrate Halloween. I don’t understand the fascination with Halloween. Sure I understand a kid’s love of candy and even I like to dress up at times, but Halloween?  Why celebrate a holiday with dubious origins which focuses on witches, ghosts and ghouls.   Yes, I said this last year, but I believe it can be repeated.

October 31^st, should be celebrated as Reformation Day.

On October 31^st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses of contention to the door of the Wittenberg church.  He was not the first person to attempt reform of the Christian church, but he is still considered the father of the reformation. 

Martin Luther did extensive studies on the scriptures and he realized the error the church was making.  He wrote his 95 disagreements on paper and nailed them to the church door for everyone to read.  People copied the notes by hand and handed them out to everyone they knew.  

He had good points and most people agreed with him.  The church however did not care for being publically challenged, so they called Martin in to answer the charge of heresy.  At the meeting, he was given the chance to recant.  His response was:

                              Unless I am convinced by proofs from scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not recant, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience.  Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.

I love reformers, but I realize after a while the stories all sound similar.  They study God’s word, they normally translate it, they tell others and they are persecuted. It may be similar, but it’s always admirable. We need people to look up to when times get tough and reformers are such a group of people.  They stood up for what they believed against unbearable odds and they changed the world.    

Martin Luther wasn’t killed for his beliefs, but he did suffer for them.  Despite the persecution he stood strong and followed his faith.

Romans 1:16 (NKJV) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

When I think of Holidays, I think it would be nice to celebrate something pure, holy or lovely.  If the Bible tells us to think on these things, it makes sense that we should celebrate them also.

Reformation day could be a day to stand up for what is right even against overpowering odds. This October 31^st let’s celebrate the reformers who took a stand for righteousness. 

Bill & Gloria Gaither - Heroes of the Faith (feat. Legacy Five) [Live] from bill-and-gloria-gaither on GodTube.

Aren’t you a character?

Creating Character

 

 

Somewhere in time, last month, I read a book by Angela Hunt about writing.  Angela Hunt is an author I truly enjoy reading. When she wrote some short booklets on how to write, I definitely wanted to read them.  Her book on characterization suggested many things, but on of them was putting your main characters through a personality test. This surprised me.

Being a product of corporate America, I have been subjected to more personality tests than I care to admit.  I will tell you most of them don’t truly define who I am.  The test she recommended came closer than any other.  I checked it out. I took a version of the test online while pretending to be my character.  I was impressed at how well the personality traits described matched the character I had created. 

One of her points in recommending this was to create characters that rang true.  To be a believable character, there has to be strengths and weaknesses, loveable traits and flaws.

Flaws

Sometimes when writing, I don’t like a character, so they get dropped on the rewrite. Many times, a character evolves and changes as the story changes. Ultimately, I’m a writer and I can make my characters say and do whatever I want them to, but I have to remember, a character can’t be perfect.  They have to be flawed. 

God is not like me.  He created us, but he didn’t want puppets, he wanted people. 

Psalm 139:13-14 “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”

We are not copies, we are originals, yet each one us is flawed. 

Does God just throw up His hands and say, wow, I never saw that coming. I need to give up on that character and start over.  No.  He lovingly says to us that He can use our flaws to make us stronger.  He can use our flaws to help us see our need for him.  

Flaws are a sign of being human.  Overcoming our flaws is a sign of God’s grace.

 

Tenth Avenue North - The Struggle (with lyrics) from tenth-avenue-north on GodTube.

Seeing Light

I’ve got an idea

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I needed an idea for this blog.  I’m kind of an idea person. I guess it goes hand in hand with being a fixer.  I have to have an idea of how to fix something and when I don’t, it drives me nuts. 

I started to think about ideas or better yet, conundrums.  Those issues that you think about and worry about are conundrums.  For me, I feel like I’m walking in darkness. When I get my answer and when I solve the problem, it’s like a light goes off in my head.   I move from darkness to light in regards to whatever I’m working on.

                                                        
You know there is a story in the Bible of another person who saw the light. This was a totally different sort of light.  Saul was a man zealous for his faith.  He believed the followers of Jesus Christ were preaching a false doctrin and he did everything he could to stop them.  Then one day, on the road to Damascus, he saw a light.

Acts 9:3 – 5 “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.””

When ever I’m wondering about something, or trying to figure something out, I pray.  It always helps. Jesus helps me when I feel I need answers. He also helped Saul even when Saul didn’t realize he needed answers. 

When you have questions, pray.  God has all the answers.  Pray, even if you don’t have questions, because God may still choose to lead you to the light.

Jason Crabb - I Saw the Light [Live] from bill-and-gloria-gaither on GodTube.

A Life Story

Roadside Angel

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I heard a song about stories.  It told a few stories and said how God is the God of every story.  It made me think, I have quite a few stories but most of them are fiction.  I have a few true ones and this week, I’m telling a story.  This one is from way back, over twenty five years ago, when I was young and single and well, broke. 

Roadside Angel

I was having one of those days.  The kind when nothing seemed to be going right.  I had worked all day and the customers were unusually needy and complaining. I was tired and worn out. I was working hard, but barely making enough money to survive.  After working all day, I would attend college at night. My plan was to become a teacher.  Financially I wouldn’t be much better off, but at least my job would have a purpose.   

The day had been hot and after school I drove home wishing for a bath and a chance to put my feet up.  The obstacle was that my car was sixteen years old and not in the best shape.  I couldn’t afford to replace it and I couldn’t afford to fix it.  I prayed to God it would never break down, but that prayer was answered with a no.   I was driving down the freeway, when I blew a tire.

As I mentioned the day had been abnormally stressful and I already felt I had taken all I could handle when this happened. I pulled the car over, frustration forced tears into my eyes which I stubbornly tried to keep in check.  Why God, I found myself asking.  I got out and accessed the damage. As I got out, the door on the driver’s side broke.  It would no longer shut. I walked to the trunk for tools, any kind of tools and I had nothing.  No tools, no roadside assistance and no cell phone to call family.  I just stood praying for some kind on inspiration on how to fix this situation.

I always believed there was a verse that said God never allowed more than you can handle.  I have never been able to find it, so I’m pretty sure it doesn’t exist.  It does say he will never leave you or forsake you, but this day I felt a little forsaken.  As I assessed the damage, I became more and more discouraged.  Even, if I could change the tire, how could I fix the door?  Even if I fixed the tire, how could I drive down the road holding the heavy car door shut?  I was losing the battle with tears and just about to give in to self-pity.

As the tears ran down my face, my heart cried out in desperation, please God, I can’t take anymore. Just as the prayer escaped my thoughts, a car pulled up ahead of me.  Out of the car exited a man.  I didn’t know what to think.  It was dark and I was a young woman.  I hoped he was there to help and worried he was there to make the situation worse.   

 He never said a word, but he looked at the tire and then at me.  Even in the dark, the open trunk showed the absence of any tools for fixing the situation.  He opened his own trunk and retrieved tools.  He changed my tires and I thanked him.  He smiled and watched me get in my car.  He reached over to shut my door for me and noticed he couldn’t.  I still had the problem of the non-shutting door.  He went back to his car, brought out another tool and fixed the offending door.  I can’t describe the feeling of relief that washed over me and I smiled and tried to thank the Good Samaritan again.  He just smiled, got in his own car and drove away.

Life is hard at times, there is no avoiding that.  But God truly doesn’t leave us or forsake us.

Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things. If God is for us, who can be against us.”

Laura Story: God Of Every Story (Official Live Video) from laura-story on GodTube.

Refromers Series #4

John Calvin

 

 

Somewhere in time, July 10^th 1509, John Calvin was born in Noyon France.  His father wanted him to be a Lawyer, but John had other ideas.  Not wanting to disrespect his father, he did go to law school, but upon his father’s death, he changed to a seminary.

Calvin had a few ideas for making the church better. If you have ever taken a vote in church, that is a Calvin idea.  If your church has a board you can thank Calvin.  He wanted the church to have a series of checks and balances to keep one group from getting too much power.  It was a good idea and it influenced a many Christians that followed.  The Presbyterian denomination can trace its roots back to Calvin.

The belief of Calvin can be summed up in the acronym T.U.L.I.P.

T – Total depravity -  The belief we are all born into sin.

U – Unconditional election – The belief we were chosen by God.

L – Limited atonement – The belief that only those chosen by God have forgiveness of sin.

I – Irresistible Grace – This is the knowledge that our salvation comes from the grace of God and Him alone.

P – Perseverance of the Saints – Who God has saved he is able to keep.

In America, many of our founding fathers were Puritans and some held to the beliefs of Calvin.  I read some writings where they hoped they were one of the elect, one of the chosen.  They weren’t sure if salvation was guaranteed.  The idea that God chose us and only the ones he chose have salvation. This is where I struggle with the idea of predestination and the idea of limited atonement.  

Is salvation only available for the people God choses? I've decided that it doesn’t matter, if God chooses me, or I have chosen Him.  What matters is that a connection was made.  

But this is what I believe.

Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

OR

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

 

Rich Mullins - Creed (Credo) from objektivonemusic on GodTube.

Study

To Show Thyself Approved

 

 

Somewhere in time, last Saturday, I had to take a test.  I have taken several tests over the last few years.  I tend to take college courses sporadically and each one requires a test.  This test was a little different. The company I work for appreciates when their employees are certified in certain things. They even offered a small increase in salary for passing the test.  If I failed, I would have to pay for the cost of the test. For this reason, it was a little nerve wracking.

One good thing did come out of this, it caused me to think of how I study the Bible. Did I study as hard? Did I worry as much over learning the content?  I compared my study habits for both.  To study for the test, I read a textbook.  I read the Bible also, so in that way, my studying is the same.  For this test, I joined a study group and listened to teacher recap what was read.  In the same way, I listen to the Pastor discuss the Bible.  I felt the only difference was being tested on this material.  There is no high powered test to check my knowledge of the Bible.

2 Timothy 2:15

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

After thinking and praying about this for a few days, I realized that we are tested every day on our knowledge of God and the Bible.  Other people watch us to lean about Christianity.  Every choice we make is a quiz.  It can either draw us closer to God, or pull us away from him.  I may not have to pay back my company for failing, but I pay with my life choices. This is the most expensive test of all when I think about it.  My ability to convey the things of God can lead another person to the saving grace of God. Ultimately, this is the highest grade I can receive.   

In case you are wondering, I did pass the other (not as important) test.  I’m still studying God’s word and probably always will until He calls me home for a final exam.

Jamie Grace - Beautiful Day (Lyric Video) from jamie-grace on GodTube.