MEDITATION

Today's blog is an addendum to yesterday's thoughts about the difference between reading and studying the Bible.

In Joshua 1:8 Moses commanded the people not to let the book of the law "depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night. . ." The Living Bible Paraphrase pretty well defines the word "meditation" when it says, "think about them every day and every night." (It also tells why, "so that you will be sure to obey all of them" -- God's laws, or His words, that is!)

But back to the thought of meditation. Meditation is more than mere reading. And it is more than studying, too. Studying, of course, comes first, for we really can't think on the Word of God day and night until we first read and then study it. Meditating upon it just takes it a step deeper. We need to speak the Scriptures constantly, but we can only do that by hiding them in our hearts. Meditating upon the Word helps us live exactly as the Bible instructs us.

Psalm 1:2 confirms the truth of the above Scripture. Talking about the man who is blessed, the Psalmist says, "(H)is delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." If we really delight in God's Word, we just can't get enough of it. We'll relish every opportunity we can find to think "about ways to follow him more closely" (LB).

Meditate while dressing in the mornings, while preparing your meals, while driving to and from work (if you haven't retired), while doing your housework, going shopping, waiting in the doctor's office, etc. You'll find that meditating upon God's Word will help give you victory over Satan and your circumstances.

If meditation is not part of your daily habits, I challenge you to start meditating today.

Preacher's Kid

P.S. I finally did it -- blogged every day this month!!

DO YOU STUDY OR READ?

I'm talking about the Bible -- Do you study it or read it?

II Timothy 2:15 directs, "Study to show thyself approved unto God . . ." The Greek word translated "study" means exertion and diligence. There's a vast difference between studying and reading. Study is hard work. Reading is often a pasttime only.

Everything we need to know is contained in the Bible, but we must put forth an effort to discover it.

Suppose you read a book in the privacy of your home on how to survive when lost in the woods. You probably wouldn't give much more than a passing thought to what you read. But if you were actually lost in a forest and had that same book with you, I dare say you'd devour it from cover to cover and study it thoroughly because your very survival would depend upon it. We need to do the same with the Word of God.

Many Christians live beneath their rights and privileges as children of God because they haven't taken the time nor spent the effort to find out from God's Word just what their rights and privileges are. And we can't have faith in and believe what we don't know about.

People desire the approval of those they love. Does God approve of YOUR Bible study? Just wondering!

Preacher's Kid

GOD'S TENSES

I once had a teacher who claimed you could use the Bible as a textbook for any subject! I know you could use it to learn to read. And spelling? Yes. Math? To a certain extent -- but what happens when you get into algebra, geometry, etc? Or Geography with all the changes wars have made. Science and chemistry? Questionable. English? Sure thing -- and I've got tons of ideas for a devotional book entitled "Grammar in the Bible." But who would ever buy a book, even a devotional book, with a title like that? Just the thought of English turns many people off!

Nevertheless, I'm thinking today of tenses, God's tenses. Remember the simple tenses -- past, present, and future? Did you know that God, too, has tenses?

The Living Paraphrase of Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." There you have it: past, present, and future. What God was in the past, He still is today and always will be.

What is your need? Did Christ meet that need for anyone when He walked on earth? If so, He can still meet that need today and always can. If He were here on earth in person today and you asked Him for help, would He turn you away? Of course not! And He is present today through His Holy Spirit living and dwelling within us. So take your needs to Him in all confidence knowing that He is still the same yesterday, today and forever.

Preacher's Kid

A NEW TWIST

I heard a new song -- new to me, at least -- on the You Tube the other day by The Barn Again Gang. (No, that's not a misprint!) The song was "On My Father's Side." The chorus, especially, intrigued me.

Someone in the background asked the question, "What is your name?" The singers answered something to the effect: "On my mother's side my name is Jesus; on my Father's side they call me Emmanuel."

Then the person in the background asks, "Where are you from" Back comes the answer from the singers, "On my mother's side I'm from Bethlehem; on my Father's side I'm from the New Jerusalem."

The speaker continues, "What are your plans for the future?" The singers respond with something about "On my mother's side I'll be crucified; on my Father's side I'll rise again to be seated by His side."

I may not have the words exactly right, but you get the idea. I had never before thought of the contrast presented in the song, but it has stayed with me and given me something to think about. Hope it speaks to you, too.

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Perhaps you've been wondering how to use the spiritual weapons we mentioned the other day. Maybe you thought it might be good to use them in your prayer life. To begin with, the word "weapon" indicates warfare of some kind. We quoted Eph. 6:12 which tells us we're not fighting against people but against evil spirits. It's a spiritual warfare we're involved in.

Here's something to think about in that connection. Prayer is directed upward, towards God; warfare, on the other hand, is directed downward, towards Satan.

Luke 10:19 assures us that Christ has given us power "over all the power of the enemy." And in verse 20 He tells us that "the spirits are subject unto" us even though he goes on to say that our rejoicing is mainly because our names are written in heaven. So we do have power and authority to actively engage in spiritual warfare.

For example, when we face a financial need, we quote and claim the Scripture, "My God shall supply all your need," and believe that the need will be met. Doubt and fear may assail us, but we speak to them and command them to leave us "in the Name of Jesus." Every time I take my car out on the highway, I audibly "plead the Blood" for protection. Satan cannot cross the Blood line.

And I'm wondering if perhaps we shouldn't add two more weapons to our arsenal, namely: submission to God and the testimony of our lips as believers. Revelation 12:11 says, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony."

God will keep His Word. He cannot fail us. He watches over His Word to perform it, but we have to set that Word in motion.

So go for it!

Preacher's Kid

CHURCH TRADITIONS

John 8:44, referring to Satan, says "he is a liar, and the father of it." Not only is Satan good at telling us lies, he's also a master at working through the church to get us to believe those lies.

Instead of adhering to the Word of God, some churches have cluttered up their teaching about God until people's minds are fuzzy, and it's extremely difficult to get the truth across to such individuals. For example, it's through the church that people have gotten the idea that God is waiting to pounce on us for looking cross-eyed, perhaps, for conforming to modern dress, for having a television, for using the web. Oh, yes -- that and much more. And we've fallen for these lies of Satan's like flies drawn to honey.

In years gone by, especially, churches MAJORED on the wrath of God (and there IS such a thing!) while ignoring His great message of LOVE. After all, God IS love. He is also our Father, and what Christian father doesn't love his child? God's love for us as His children is far, far greater.

My husband and I were discussing in our devotions just this evening how much we missed out on because of our backgrounds of such teaching. How sad it is that it's just now in the closing days of our lives that we're beginning to really grasp the wonders of God's great and unconditional love.

II Corinthians 10:4, 5 says, "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds), Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

If you find yourself bound by religious traditions, refresh your mind by rereading yesterday's blog about your spiritual weapons which the above Scripture refers to. Then using those weapons, break Satan's power upon your life. Test every suggestion and thought that comes to your mind by the Word of God to see if it can be substantiated. If not, it is nothing more than a religious tradtion. As such, come against it and refuse to be bound by it any longer.

"(Y)e shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32.

Dare to let the truth set you free from man-made traditions!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL WEAPONS

We're in the midst of war. I'm not referring to the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other earthly place. I'm talking about a spiritual war -- war against Satan and the evil forces of darkness. The Living Bible paraphrase of Ephesians 6:12 spells it out so clearly. "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies--the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world." To discover how to do your share in this fight, read the passage for yourself. on down through verse 18, no matter what version of the Bible you may have.

Keep in mind that the Christian has three weapons at his disposal: (1) the Word of God; (2) the Name of Jesus; and (3) the Blood of Christ. Satan has been stripped of his power (See Col. 2:15) and is defenseless before our spiritual weapons.

Did you ever stop to think that Satan's only weapon is deception? He tells people they can work their way into heaven. He tells unbelievers they have to change and make themselves better before God will save them. He will tell people they have to seek the Lord for years before they can find forgivenness. He tells people it's not necessary to read the Word, too, for he realizes that if a person doesn't know what the Bible says, he won't know that Satan is already defeated!

So instead of listening to Satan's lies and deception, let's start using our spiritual weapons. Store the Word of God in your heart, quote it when you pray. Use the Name of Jesus in combating the powers of darkness. Above all, plead the protection and covering of the Blood of Jesus. That Blood is your passport into heaven.

Preacher's Kid

I LEARNED SOMETHING NEW TODAY

Can we deviate from devotions to humor for today?

You see, it's almost bedtime, and we haven't been home too long -- been at a birthday party for a couple of friends and had a scrumptious dessert! No, we had TWO scrumptious desserts! Of course, I had to try both of them. I know I'm diabetic. But my blood sugar was clear down to 76. 70 - 130 is in a normal range the professionals tell me. So I used that as an excuse! With blood sugar that low, I needed to get food into me but fast!

Then when we got home, an email pal salved my conscience further when she sent me a humorous dialogue about the joys of old age. The last line really made me feel good about my decision to have two desserts. (Those desserts, of course, were on top of two pieces of mouth-watering fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy to die for, Japanese fried rice, a broccoli/cauliflower casserole, and a fruit salad. (At least, I had my vegetables even if they were smothered with cheese and mushroom soup!)

The last sentence in my friend's email? Let me quote the entire last paragraph. "I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about about what will be. AND I SHALL EAT DESSERT EVERY SINGLE DAY (IF I FEEL LIKE IT)."

Oh, yes -- I was going to tell you about something new I learned today! In our Sunday School lessons recently, we have been studying the book of Daniel. Remember the story of the feast of Belshazer and how, in the middle of the banquet a hand mysteriously appeared and wrote on the wall these words: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin? (Think I've spelled them OK. I don't have my glasses on and can't see to look them up!) Anyhow, that was a message to Belshazzer telling him that he had been weighed in the balances and found wanting.

So what did I learn? The teacher pretended to write those four words on the Sunday School wall and remarked, "I've heard it said that the meaning of those words is 'Money, Money, Tickles the Parson!'"

I can hear you groaning now. OK. OK. I'm off to bed! ("Best place for you," I hear someone saying!)

Preacher's Kid

ENDURING OR OVERCOMING?

There's no denying that we're bound to face trouble of one kind or another at sometime in our lives -- generally MANY times! After all, I Peter 4:12 (Living Bible paraphrase) says, "Dear friends, don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you." Peter doesn't say "if" the trials come; he says "when" they come! Nor is it strange or unusual for trials to occur.

The question we need to focus on is: How do we handle those trials when they come? Do we endure them, or do we overcome them? Because Christ has already overcome and defeated Satan, we, too, can overcome everything the enemy sends our way. And isn't he the force behind the majority of our problems? (Don't forget that we can also bring problems on ourselves, too!)

In Romans 5:3, 4, Paul says he "gloried" in tribulations! Can you imagine anybody "glorying" in their troubles? Why did Paul adopt such an attitude? I'll tell you why. (Read it for yourself.) It developed patience in his life for one thing. (Do you need more patience?) It enabled him to be victorious. (Don't you love the feeling of victory no matter what you're doing?) And lastly, he says it worked hope. (That's something we all need.) Let's learn to handle the hard places in our lives in the same manner as Paul did.

Maybe you're wondering how it's possible to find glory in troubles and trials. The glory is in overcoming our trials instead of buckling down and enduring them. Faith and patience, the power twins, if you please, will help us triumph over our difficulties. It's all in our attitude toward our problems.

How do you handle problems? Are you just an endurer or a victorious overcomer?

Preacher's Kid

HUMILITY AND IGNORANCE

Traditional teaching is as big a hindrance as anything I know of in our spiritual lives. Some well-meaning but misguided Christians think they are humility personified because they keep telling God what miserable wretches they are. They proclaim they are nothing but weak worms of the dust and declare they are unworthy of His love and blessings.

Hold it right there, Buster! You are made in the image of God! How dare you say you are unworthy? That's a slap in God's face. Nothing made in God's image can be unworthy or a worm of the dust! Undeserving, yes; but unworthy, no! That's not humility, that's ignorance!

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" says Hosea 4:6. One version reads, "My people PERISH for lack of knowledge."

Don't think having a low opinion of yourself as being humble! That's being ignorant! That's showing a lack of knowledge. Frankly, it's false spiritual pride!

Hebrews 4:16 commands us to come BOLDLY to the throne of grace. There's no room for a spiritual inferiority complex there! As born again believers, we are righteous and need to take our stand boldly in His presence.

"I wouldn't dare claim to be righteous," someone is shivering in fear right now! Hey, a righteous person is simply an individual who is in right standing before God!

I like the definition of "righteousness" that Rev. E. W. Kenyon gives: "Righteousness is the ability to stand in God's presence without a sense of fear, sin, guilt, condemnation or inferiority."

I challenge you to lay aside any sense of false humility which, in reality, is nothing more than spiritual pride, anyway. Claim your rightful position in Christ as a child of God and come boldly into your Father's presence as His beloved child no matter what your need may be.

You can do it!

Preacher's Kid

THINKING OUT LOUD

I just want to "think out loud" today -- and I'm almost afraid to do so!!

Still thinking about yesterday's blog, about having the "fulness of God" within us; about having all we need within us. And I'm still thinking about "mental assent" versus "heart-felt faith."

I'm trying to fit all that in with my favorite Bible verse which I've also used in a recent blog: Ephesians 3:20. He "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." And what is that power that works in us? It's the Spirit of God -- that fulness of God we talked about. And that Spirit which dwells and works within us is one great and mighty Spirit!

But let's go back to the words "act or think" in the Ephesians passage. If you let your mind go, just how much can you "think" when it comes to things you'd like to see happen? You think about how wonderful if an unsaved spouse or other relative or friend would become a Christian. You think how marvelous it would be if you could get out from under the load of debt you're facing. You think about what a great thing it would be if you had no problems, no aches, no pains, no sickness or disease. Let your mind go -- what all can you think of? (Now don't get this confused with the "Name It and Claim It Game -- you know, wanting a new Cadillac to miraculously appear in your garage, or an airplane land on your front lawn with your name on it, etc. I'm talking about needs!)

OK -- Ephesians 3:20 says God can do not only whatever we can ask or think, but He can even do MORE, FAR MORE than that! I can't quite grasp that. Can you?

In the light of that Scripture, then why do we have so many needs unmet? Why do we suffer lack? Why are we content to go on being sick? And with that statement, or question, rather, I'm pointing a finger at myself! The only answer I can honestly come up with is -- it's the difference between that Mental Assent and real, true Bible-believing Faith!

I was meditating along these lines the other evening and trying to claim promises regarding healing. Know what? All at once that "Charlie Horse" that had me groaning in pain for days disappeared. All at once the stiffness in my legs disappeared. All at once I was able to walk back and forth through the house normally!

I was ecstatic and thought to myself, "Do you suppose I really have been healed? Better not mention it to my husband in case I really haven't!" And guess what? All my symptoms (except the Charlie Horse) just as suddenly reappeared!!!!

Yep, I might as well face it. My thoughts, or my Mental Assent, if you please, counteracted my Faith and destroyed the power of God. No, it didn't destroy the power of God -- it destroyed the WORKING, or the EFFECTS of the power of God in my life. Nothing, but nothing can destroy the power itself! But our unbelief, our doubts, our questionings, and our Mental Assent can sure negate what the Word says.

Suppose I'll ever learn what real faith is and does? I intend to keep trying. Now, how about you?

Preacher's Kid

GOD'S FULNESS

In my reading recently, I came across John 1:16, a Scripture I've read numerous times but never stopped to analyze -- not that it can be analyzed! "Of His fulness have we all received . . ." This time I stopped to ask myself some questions. Am I experiencing this fulness? And just what IS His fulness?

Colossians 1:19 says, "(I)t pleased the Father that in him" -- that's Christ -- "should all fulness dwell." And Colossians 2:9, 10 states, "(I)n him" -- again, that's Christ -- "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him . . ." Fulness, of course, means completeness.

Now I'm starting to grasp something. Because I'm a child of God, Christ dwells in me; and if the fulness of God dwells in Christ and Christ dwells in me, then God's fulness dwells in me! That's staggering as I try to comprehend God's fulness being in me! Barclay's commentary claims that the word Paul uses for "fulness" in all three of these passages means "the sum total of all that is in God!"

Wow! You mean to tell me that the sum total of all that is in God is in me? Hold it right there! Hey,I didn't say that -- the Word of God said it! To put it in simple language, if you have Jesus, you have everything you need! Do you need wisdom? You have it, for God is wisdom. Do you need strength? You have it, for God is strength. Do you need love? You have it, for God is love. And on, and on, and on! Substitute any need you may have, and you have your answer! You can go to your Heavenly Father with all your needs and find answers. In Him is the power to overcome any and every situation or circumstance you may encounter.

Hannah Whitall Smith, a saint of God in years gone by (a Quaker, as I recall), tells about an experience she had in the early years of her walk with the Lord. She had been feeling somewhat sorry for herself due to difficult and unpleasant problems and circumstances she had been facing. She went to an older, wiser Christian sister for advice and began pouring out her troubles to her friend. All her friend would say was, "But there's God." Hannah complained, "But you don't understand," and explained her problems again. And again, the wise friend countered, "But there's God." Over and over this scenario was repeated until finally Hannah began to see that her answer was in Christ.

And so it is today. You and I are no different. We have God's fulness within us, and therein lies all that we need. Hasn't He promised, "(M)y God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory . . ." (Philippians 4:19)? And those riches are exhaustless; they're endless.

So be encouraged and go forth to face the challenges of this new year with the knowledge that the fulness of God dwells within you enabling you to face victoriously the unknown future!

Preacher's Kid

MENTAL ASSENT

I mentioned "intellectual" or "head" faith in my blog two days ago. Often it's referred to as "Mental Assent." Mental Assent is one of Faith's greatest enemies and is dangerous.

Mental Assent agrees that the Word of God is true, but it enjoys no results. It doesn't act on the Word -- it just agrees with it mentally. It doesn't apply Biblical truths personally. It looks at circumstances rather than the Word of God.

Mental Assent is characterized by two little words: "but" and "if." We quote a Scripture then add, "but . . ." and list all the reasons that Scripture doesn't apply to us. Or we say, "If such and such would happen, THEN I'd believe." Those two little words can rob you of your faith.

Knowing what the Bible says on any given subject and acting on the Word, are two different things. Knowing is not enough -- we must ACT if we want to see results. In other words, we must not only get our thoughts but also our acts in line with what the Bible says. WE ARE THE DETERMINING FACTOR in receiving anything from God -- and that's a scary thought! We must make our actions and words as well as our thoughts agree with God's Word.

Three times in Scripture we're told that, "(T)he just shall live by faith." (Galatian 3:11, Romans 1:17, and Hebrews 10:38.) And Romans 10:17 explains how to get this faith, this positive assurance: "(F)aith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Yes, the Bible will get both your thoughts and your actions in line with Scripture. Meditating on God's Word will also help you make the cross-over from Mental Assent to heart-felt faith.

In this new year ask the Lord to make the Scrptures come alive to you. Then do more than simply assent to them with your mind -- act on them by applying them to your personal circumstances.

Preacher's Kid
P.S. Maybe when February rolls around, I'll quit "harping" on "this New Year."

GOD LOVES ME

Yesterday I blogged about the positive assurance of faith. Today I've been thinking about the other side of the coin -- the knowledge and assurance that God can ANSWER a specific prayer, a prayer that you and you alone have prayed.

The Living Bible paraphrase of Romans 8:26 tells us that " . . . the Holy Spirit helps us . . . in our praying. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how to pray as we should . . . " (Read the entire passage if you have a Living Bible. It's so good!) Sometimes we're not necessarily aware that the Holy Spirit is praying through us until we receive a miraculous answer. (It's called "hindsight!")


Some of you have heard me relate how a few years ago my husband had such a satisfying and uplifting telephone call from his only daughter, Esther, one Sunday night. Two weeks later her daughter called him, in tears, stating that the doctor had given her mother two weeks to live at the most. Esther had known for some time that she was terminally ill with cancer but had told no one, except her husband -- not her dad, not even her three children.

All afternoon I repeatedly prayed a prayer I had never in my life prayed before. Now I know it was the Holy Spirit praying through me (that "hindsight" thing). My prayer was that the Lord would take Esther easily and quickly and not only give her a glimpse of Alice (her mother and Rex's first wife) before she died but also enable her to tell those around her what she had seen. Twenty-four hours later the second call came: "Mom's with Grandma (Alice) now. Her last words were, 'I see Mom.'" As her husband told her it was all right, she could go now, Esther slipped quietly away to join her mother and her Savior.

I burst into tears, and Rex, wanting to comfort me, said, "Do you miss her that much?" (We had been married less than a year at that time, so I didn't really know Esther very well.) It was then I shared my prayer of the day before with him. My tears were because I couldn't believe God loved me so much that out of all the millions, billions and even trillions of people in the world, He had looked down upon this earth, saw me here in Washington State, had heard and answered my prayer!

To me, that experience was as much a positive assurance of answered prayer as any positive assurance of faith could ever be.

Yes, God loves even me, little ole me -- just one person lost in the multitude of people worldwide -- but not lost to God!

Preacher's Kid

WHAT IS FAITH?

Do you REALLY know what faith is? If someone asked you what faith is, no doubt you would spout Hebrews 11:1 without thinking: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Come on, now. What do you mean by "substance?" And what kind of "evidence" are you referring to? Would a new Christian or an unbeliever understand your explanation?

Did you know there are actually two kinds of faith? "Wait a minute," some of you are saying. "You're definitely going off the deep end now!" Don't be too sure about that. You know, you can have a head faith, or an intellectual faith in God and His Word just as you have faith that the chair you're about to sit down in will hold you. But that intellectual faith will not save you. Many non-Christians believe there is a God Who created the world, and even them; but that doesn't make them Christians.

The second kind of faith is the Hebrews 11:1 type of faith, or heart faith. To be effective, faith must get from the brain to the heart! It must become Divine assurance -- PRIOR to the actual fact. Doesn't make sense, does it? Let me give you one of the best definitions of faith I've ever run across, a definition that is easily understood. Actually, it's an illustration.

I write a bimonthly newsletter for the Prime Timers (Senior Citizens) at our church. In each issue I feature one of our members as "Prime Timer of the Month." The current issue is about Mary, an elderly widow for over ten years. Her husband strayed from his early Christian teaching, and Mary prayed for years that he would give his heart to the Lord. One time she fasted for twelve days for his salvation. So certain was she that God had heard her prayer that time that she told the people at church that evening, "My husband is going to get saved tonight." Her friends were skeptical and told her she was crazy. But God had given Mary such a positive assurance that she insisted, "There's not a doubt in my mind. Clyde will be saved tonight," and he wasn't even in church that evening.

Church proceeded as usual. But just as they were dismissing, the back door opened, Clyde walked in, threw down his coat, hit the altar and gave his heart to the Lord. He stayed true until he passed away years later.

And that, my friends, is what I call faith -- positive assurance!

What kind of faith do you have -- intellectual faith or the positive assurance of heart faith?

Preacher's Kid

CORDIAL CONVERSATION

Yesterday my husband and I spent a delightful evening with very dear friends. As we talked about everything imagineable around the dinner table, the conversation eventually turned to things of a spiritual nature. We were all uplifted and encouraged by one another's thoughts and comments.

Then one of our little group remarked, "We can't talk this way with most of our Christian friends. They're seemingly not interested." And I agree. The majority of people nowadays, Christians included, can talk a mile a minute about everything under the sun -- not to mention gossip -- but often clam up if the topic turns to religious matters.

I recall one dear Christian sister who often stated, "My religion is a private matter." She was an excellent conversationalist, funloving, a marvelous cook, faithful in her church attendance, not only sang in the choir but also sang duets with her husband. But she drew the line at discussing things in the spiritual realm.

Philippians 1:27 directs, "(L)et your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ . . . " Scripture teaches us to encourage one another not only by living godly lives and by doing good deeds, but also by our conversation.

How refreshed, spiritually, my husband and I felt as we returned home last night inspired and strengthened in the inner man after an open and challenging conversation with mutual friends in the faith.

My challenge to you is: Dare to share with others this year what the Lord is doing in your lives, thereby opening the door for them to relate experiences in their lives that honor and glorify the God of Heaven. You'll both be blessed and exhilarated by Godly conversation, for it exalts the Gospel of Christ.

Preacher's Kid

SIN-CONSCIOUS OR SON-CONSCIOUS?

Sad to say, but too many Christians today have their eyes on sin instead of on the Son. All we have to do is watch the evening news and we see the ravages of sin all around us. The blackness and despair of sin is manifest everywhere.

II Corinthians 5:17 says, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation . . . " As God's "New Creations" we need to get the message to those immersed in sin that there is a way of escape and freedom from the evil and bondage that has them in its iron-clad grip. People already know about sin -- and most of them are sick of it but know no other way of life.

Should someone ask you why Christ came into this sin-filled world, I'm sure you would immediately quote the beloved and well-known Scripture of John 3:16. But if you go on to the next verse, verse 17, it says, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved."

In other words, God's purpose in sending His Son into this world was to make people Son-conscious rather than sin-conscious.

I'm not suggesting we should minimize the awfulness of sin -- we dare not do that. But as we said, people are already aware of that. Our emphasis should be on deliverance from sin and its consequences through the sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

How about you? Are you sin-conscious or Son-conscious?

Preacher's Kid

DO A COMPLETE JOB

The Living Bible paraphrase of Deuteronomy 7:2a says, "When the Lord your God delivers them over to you to be destroyed, do a complete job of it . . ."

I know this Scripture embraces some of the instructions God gave Moses regarding how to handle the enemies of the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land. But that phrase really caught my attention: "(D)o a complete job of it."

Somehow I think we can apply that concept to our daily lives. Why not make that our motto for this year? Do a complete job of it!

I remember when an evangelist's teenage son was helping the pastor's wife and me with the Sunday dishes one day. When he finished drying the last dish (We didn't have dishwashers in those days!), without any prompting from us, he turned and wiped the stove. When we expressed our surprise, he said, "Mother taught me that dish washing was never completed until I did the stove." Bravo for her! And bravo for him, too!

How easy it is to get involved in tasks of one kind or another and never follow through, never quite complete them; especially when it's volunteer service. We may be tempted to think what whatever we're doing is really not too important. Or our efforts aren't appreciated. Or nobody notices what we're doing. Or if nobody else pitches in to help, why should we continue slaving away?

A couple of us at church are in a similar situation just now. One gal who is highly organized decided to put our chaotic church library in order. You see, for years the books have been stacked haphazardly on top of each other with several rows of books in each shelf. Additional boxes of books sat scattered around the room. For several years I'd look at those books and itch to straighten them up.

Then along comes Jan, and things begin to move! She had a lot of helpers to begin with, but one by one they disappeared until mainly just three of us were left. You understand there were a couple thousand books that we had to sort and categorize. We also had to solicit donations of more bookcases. Just as the end was in sight, Jan fell and suffered a severe broken ankle. Three weeks have gone by and she's still in bed -- will be for another couple weeks. And the poor library? One precious volunteer, bless her heart, is struggling to finish the job and is doing a fantastic job. She's brought in a reading table and chairs as well as an overstuffed chair and lamp, and is turning what once was an overcrowded Sunday School room into a lovely library and reading room. I help her when I can, although my difficulty in walking hinders me from doing all I'd like to do. All we have left now, is to label the shelves and put a sticker in each book denoting its category so it can be replaced in its correct spot after someone has used it. Even though Jan is confined to bed, she has managed to make all the labels on her computer for us.

How often we talk about "tying up loose ends" as we refer to some job around the house we've started but never taken the time to finish. Well, it's still early in this New Year. Why not vow to do a complete job and tie up some lose ends?

What satisfaction when you know you've done a complete job!

Preacher's Kid

P.S. What "loose end" came to your mind while reading this?

THE STANDBY

With the recent storms sweeping our country from coast to coast, we've seen and heard a lot of news about travelers stranded in airports, unable to reach their destinations for the holidays. There was nothing much they could do other than huddle miserably on cold airport floors and try to get some "shut eye" while waiting for better weather. Of course there was the slim chance, in some cases, of a standby flight.

Did you know that on our spiritual journey we ALWAYS have a standby? Yep. It's found in John 14:26, in the Amplified version. Bet you'll be surprised. "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you."

(In case you are not familiar with the Amplified version, anything in parenthesis ( ) signifies additional meanings included in the original language. Brackets [ ] indicate clarifying words or comments not actually expressed in the original text.)

So "Standby" is an additional meaning of the original Greek language.

The good thing about our spiritual "Standby" is that we don't have to wait! Our spiritual "Standby" -- the Holy Spirit, Who is our Comforter, our Counselor, our Helper, our Intercessor, and our Strengthener -- is available on a moment's notice. I was going to say He's no more than a prayer away; but, really, He's closer than that. He's as close as the air we breathe; in fact, He IS the air we breathe. He lives and dwells within us. That's closer than close. He's actually a part of us!

So go on your way rejoicing, fellow Christian, knowing that you have an ever-present "Standby."

Preacher's Kid

THE OVERFLOWING CUP

Don't you just hate it when you're pouring something into a cup too fast and it spills over everything around it? Like tonight. I was hungry for creamed potatoes and put a pan of spuds on to boil. I turned the burner on high and, as usual, forgot to lower it when the taters began to boil! As you can imagine, I had a fun time cleaning up the stove!

I wonder what kind of experiences David had that gave him the idea to write, in Psalm 23:5 (KJV) "My cup runneth over?" The Living Bible simply states, "Blessings overflow!"

When we're cooking and something overflows, whatever it is, is usually wasted! But it's a different story in the spiritual realm. When our lives overflow with joy, for example, that joy touches other people. When our peace abounds, that peace influences those around us, etc. Blessings of any and every kind can be shared with others.

And you know, even when we drink deeply of our overflowing blessings, our cup just fills up again and again. What's more, the blessings are always fresh, never stagnant.

I want to keep my cup full at all times -- not only for my own sake, but also for the sake of those whose lives I touch.

How about you?

Preacher's Kid

FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS?

Which way are you headed this year -- forwards or backwards? Spiritually, that is.

I think of the Children of Israel when they fled Egypt and faced the Red Sea. It must have seemed an impossibility to think of moving forward. But with their enemy behind them, they really had no choice! Nothing is impossible with our God!

In our daily spiritual walk, it's so easy to look at the difficulties that confront us, and to see how bad the circumstances are that face us. Like the Children of Israel, we're hesitant to move forward. We forget that it's the enemy that causes us to doubt and fear and question the future. As we face this New Year, we need to put our doubts and fears behind us. Instead, look ahead and see only the possibilities that exist with the Lord. God is saying in so many words, "Look to Me. Let Me take care of the enemy."

In light of the illustration of the Children of Israel, I may be getting the metaphors of "ahead" and "behind" mixed up; but remember what the Apostle Paul says in the well-known Scripture found in Philippians 3:13, 14, (T)his one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (And the Israelites DID forget the enemy behind them when the Red Sea opened up and they marched forward on dry ground -- losing their enemy in the process!)

So let's put our troubles, our failures, and our past defeats behind us and follow Paul's example of looking forward to the great things God has in store for us in this New Year!

Preacher's Kid

WHAT'S YOUR GIFT?

Yep, still talking about gifts even though Christmas is several weeks past! But today I'm thinking about gifts not as presents but as talents -- talents God has given us.

I Timothy 4:14 says, "Neglect not the gift that is in thee." That's the King James Version. I like the Living Bible paraphrase even better. "Be sure to use the abilities God has given you . . . Put these abilities to work; throw yourselves into your tasks . . ."

Now I know this Scripture refers to the Gifts of the Spirit, and says the gifts are given as the result of the "laying on of hands." And the majority of us have never had the church elders lay their hands on our heads for this purpose -- or any other purpose, for that matter! But I think this passage can also refer to our talents. After all, where did we get our talents, our special abilities? Doesn't James 1:17 have something to say about "Every good gift . . . is from above . . . from the Father" (KJV). (I haven't done too much damage, have I, by omitting some of the words?")

I especially like the phrase "put these abilities to work" that the LB uses! And right now I'd also like to choke that phrase down some people's necks! (I know that's not a good attitude, let alone Christlike! Perhaps I'd better blog on the subject of forgiveness!!!!!)

Maybe you're under the impression you have no special talent, no outstanding ability. I'm not talking about the ability to preach or teach a Sunday School class. I know that's not for everybody. But what about other things such as the ability to visit the sick? That's not for everyone, either. But some people are gifted for that sort of thing. We had two older ladies who donated their time for years to cleaning the church. Think that's not a gift? Think again. And one of them always came to church early and made the coffee for the coffee hour. What about taking a meal to a family in crisis? What about writing letters of encouragement to missionaries? What about doing some cleaning or running of errands for someone who is housebound, whether by illness or by disability? Maybe transporting older people to and from doctor's appointments? Oh, there are so many "little" things each individual is capable of doing, and usually such people don't even think of their talents as being gifts -- but they are!

At the dinner table today, one man unexpectedly said, "I wish my wife would get back to playing the piano!" As I nodded my head in agreement, she very adamantly shook both her head and her fork at him! You see, it's this way. Whenever I go on vacation or am unable to attend Sunday School, there's no one to play the piano for the 15-minute Sunday morning hymn sing! At least there's no one WILLING to play, that is! (Occasionally the Praise and Worship pianist will be there early and play.) But the people have been known to sing a capella on more than one occasion! And there are a couple others who CAN play but who WON'T! Ditto for Wednesday mornings at the nursing home devotional time our church has for the patients there.

The rub right now is that my husband and I are planning a lengthy trip from the middle of April till early June! Now who's going to play the piano on Sunday mornings? I'm almost certain we can get the pianist for the Praise and Worship team to fill in there. Probably no problem. But Wednesday mornings, at the nursing home (John's working then) -- that's a different story! That's when I see "red" due to others who COULD fill in but WON'T! (And I wonder why both my blood pressure and my blood sugar get out of whack!)

All that to ask YOU this question. What is YOUR gift? Whatever it is, use it!!!! (After all, you wouldn't want to incur my wrath and thereby increase my blood pressure, now would you?)

So, glorify God by using your God-given abilities, your God-given talents, whatever they are!

Preacher's Kid

FREE GIFT

Free Gift -- that's almost redundant. If it's a gift, it's free, in't it? Maybe. Some gifts do have "strings" attached, you know! Especially on the internet. You get your hopes up high when you see a fantastic offer for something free only to find out you must "participate". In other words you have to sign up for so many subscriptions to this, that or the other in order to claim your gift. Or you have to pay postage that's almost as much as the gift itself is worth if you bought it outright. I don't consider that free!

Don't misunderstand me -- I like free gifts as well as I like the bargains I was blogging about yesterday! Just the other day I received a free Energy Bar in the mail -- ops, wonder where it is. Forgot to eat it. Bet my husband snitched it -- for the last I saw it, it was on his computer desk! I've gotten other candy bars, or samples of cookies, a box of cereal -- just a small individual box, to be sure, but it was enough for my breakfast! Another time I got a thermal coffee mug, even three pounds of gourmet coffee. That, however, had strings attached! That time I was signed up to get a pound of coffee every month -- had to pay for it, of course -- and I don't even drink the stuff because my rapid heartbeat won't tolerate the caffeine! Nor would my husband ever be able to keep up with a pound of coffee each and every month, so I cancelled the order!

I sometimes wonder if birthday gifts and Christmas gifts are really free. If you're like me, you feel you have to reciprocate with an appropriately priced gift in return.

My sister's worse than I am. She used to ask (as only a family member dares), "How much did you pay for it?" And then, "But my present to you didn't cost that much. I'll have to buy something more!" Then we decided to write each other a check for a certain amount. That settled the equality of the gift and also ensured we would get something we really wanted or needed. But wasn't it crazy, we asked, to write each other a check for the same amount? Why not just agree to spend so much of our own money on ourselves and consider it a gift? Hey, that ruined the pleasure of giving and receiving the gifts so we finally decided to completely forget about giving gifts to each other! After all, we both had all we needed or wanted!

Then I think about the one Gift that is greater than any other gift in the world -- and it has absolutely no strings attached. We don't need to quote John 3:16 to know what that wonderful Gift is -- the Gift of Eternal Life through God's only begotten Son!

Romans 6:23 says in part, "The gift of God is eternal life." And II Corinthinians 9:15 says, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." That should give us reason to "shout for joy and be glad" as yesterday's blog encouraged!

Probably should have written this blog at Christmas; but as I was looking at some of the Christmas gifts we received this year, this thought came to me and a little Voice whispered, "There's your blog for today."

And as I checked out the word "gift" in my concordance, I heard that Voice again saying, "There's your blog for tomorrow!"

See ya then!

Preacher's Kid

SHOUT FOR JOY

Psalm 35:27 says, in part, "Shout for joy, and be glad."

And I'm shouting! You see, my husband and I just returned from grocery shopping. And guess what? We saved almost $90! Wow! How did that happen? Well, there were the sales, of course. Then this was "Buy one -- get one free" week. Besides that, we got some $2-off coupons in the mail -- good today and tomorrow only. A friend of ours gave us her coupons, too, as she shops elsewhere. So we stopped at the deli where there was a 5-piece chicken deal for $5.00. Using one of our coupons (for use in the deli only) brought the price down to $3.00. So Rex got a pkg. in his cart and I got a pkg. in my cart. Another coupon was for produce only. You know how expensive red and yellow sweet peppers are. Today they were 2 for $3.00, less the $2-off coupon! So I got two peppers (that made them only 50 cents each)! Rex used his coupon on broccoli and cauliflower. When we saw peanut butter "Buy One, Get One Free," I got two of them as did Rex. Hey, it'll keep, and I use a lot of it anyway. I won't take the space to list all the other bargains such as meat, Kleenex, salad dressing, etc. Take my word for it -- the savings were enough to make me shout!

You see, I can't pass up a bargain. In my younger years when I could walk more easily, I was in seventh heaven whenever I found a thrift store. Arthritis and lumbar stenosis has changed that, and, oh -- how I miss it! However, one day this week, I did take my little motorized scooter (which I seldom need to use any more) into a rather large thrift shop. I found a lovely long-sleeve, wrinkle-free blouse in my size for $6.99. And I do need warm winter blouses. Now it slays me to pay even THAT much for a blouse, even in a thrift store. But I noticed it was brand new and the original sales tag was still on it which said $74.00. Hey, I'll pay $6.99 for a new blouse any day! And again I was shouting for joy! (I tried jumping, but my jumping days are over!)

On a more serious note, as we get into this New Year, let's look for reasons to "shout for joy and be glad." Not just over grocery sales and other bargains, but over spiritual things! Read the Psalms and keep a sharp eye out for circumstances which caused the Psalmist David to shout. Then let's turn those same blessings into personal blessings and begin to shout, too!

That will also make us "glad" as our Scripture declares.

Preacher's Kid

PATCH-UP JOBS

Patch-up jobs aren't the greatest no matter how much work you put into them!

I remember when the Savings and Loan for which I worked moved into a brand new building. Everything was spic and span -- even the small kitchen tucked into an out-of-the-way corner where we employees could have privacy and enjoy our coffee breaks. I also remember the day I reached into the overhead cupboard to retrieve a coffee cup. It slipped from my unsuspecting hands and fell against the sink breaking the enamel. I was sick when I saw the black hole it left on the edge of the sink; small, but nevertheless ugly as sin! The boss said not to worry -- he would repair it. He did; but the patched-up job reminded me of my awkwardness every day!

Then there was the time I tried to patch up some small spots on my dark green car. But sanding only made the spots white, and bigger. Even after I attempted to cover those spots with green paint, that poor Maverick still looked as though it had contracted measles! Everyone knew my whereabouts when they saw that spotted automobile parked anywhere!

So often we are content with a "patch-up job" in our spiritual lives. We can't find the time to have a vital relationship with the Lord. Or we're in too big of a hurry to diligently read the Word; a verse from a promise box will suffice. When we do have a few minutes to read the Bible, we don't understand it and are bored. Three minutes in prayer seems like an eternity. Worse yet, we fall asleep when we do try to pray.

Get a good concordance and look up the word "new." Revelation 21:5, for example, says, "Behold I make all things new."

II Corinthians 5:17, plainly declares, "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

This is still a new year. As God's children, we're new creations. We need to realize that "all things" are become new, too. Maybe it's time to ask God to give us a new desire to read and meditate upon His Word, and to fellowship Him in prayer.

Try it. You won't be sorry.

Preacher's Kid
P.S. Nor was I sorry when I got rid of my dark green car spotted with measles!

RECIPE FOR USING GOD'S WORD

I love recipes -- especially recipes that use common, ordinary ingredients and that are simple and easy to follow. Have you ever thought about a recipe for using God's Word?

A young man once told me that people in his church would gather just for the purpose of spending time in prayer. "But," he added sorrowfully, "they feel they don't need to read the Word as they've already read it."

Immediately I thought of Romans 10:17: "(F)aith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (KJV). I wonder how they expected to have faith that their many prayers would be heard and answered?

No doubt all of us could quote Psalm 119:11: "Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." But have you ever read the Living Bible paraphrase of that verse? I love it! "I have thought much about your words, and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin" (LB).

And as far as a recipe for using God's Word is concerned, the following verses are as plain and explicit as can be, easy to follow, too. "Blessed Lord, teach me your rules. . . I will meditate upon them and give them my full respect. I will delight in them and not forget them. . . Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. . . how I need a map -- and your commands are my chart and guide . . . Your laws are my counselors . . . Revive me by your Word . . . (G)ive me your instructions . . . encourage and cheer me with your words . . . I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can" Ps. 119:12-31 (LB).

I usually don't quote this much Scripture; but this is so good I can't find a suitable stopping place!

We're still in the beginning of a new decade. Why don't we, along with the Psalmist David, make these Scriptures our prayer for this New Year? While we're about it, let's add the rest of these Scriptures starting with verse 31b through 38: "Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord . . . As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey . . . Make me walk along the right paths . . . Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours . . . Reassure me that your promises are for me, for I trust and revere you."

Now that we have the recipe, how about following the instructions?

Amen and Amen!

Preacher's Kid

ROW YOUR BOAT

Remember the little ditty we sang as kids? "Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream; Merrily, merrily merrily, merrily, life is but a dream."

And remember when Christ's disciples were rowing their boat one dark, stormy night and encountered a tumult so fierce they could no longer make it on their own? OK, they were probably on a ship with its sails hoisted. The wind was so tempestuous, that it ripped the sails to shreds. The disciples frantically tried to get things under control. That's when they saw Christ walking on the water. And I'm sure they were under no delusions about THAT being a dream as the little song above declares! No, Siree! The superstitious guys were terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

Now Christ had been up in a mountain, alone and praying when this incident occurred. But He was also watching His disciples as they toiled unsuccessfully on the roiling sea. That's when He came to their rescue, walking on the raging waters.

Peter failed in his miserable attempt to emulate the Master and walk on the water, too. Hey, let's give the impetuous guy credit for at least TRYING -- that's more than the others did! And Jesus was right there to rescue Peter from his plight, too!

We really shouldn't criticize any of the men, for we often find ourselves in similar predicaments today as we strive and toil on our own to solve our problems instead of praying for Divine direction and guidance. But God, in His infinite compassion, watches us in our fruitless toiling, and in unfathomable mercy comes to our rescue time and time again.

So when trouble strikes as it is bound to do in this New Year, let's calm our hearts by looking to the One Who never fails as He whispers to our troubled spirits, "Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid" (Matthew 14:27).

So row, row, row your boat, merrily on your way!

Preacher's Kid

PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:7.

I like Eugene Peterson's rendition of this passage in his Bible, The Message. "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." (Verses 6 and 7)

Too many Christians, I'm sorry to say, have the peace that passes -- passes with circumstances, that is.

This is a short blog, I know, but nothing needs to be added to that admonition.

What kind of peace do YOU have -- peace that passes understanding or peace that just passes?

Preacher's Kid

ARE YOU BEING ROBBED?

Sometimes I hesitate to listen to the news as sin, evil, and horror abound. Recently our local news has been full of fatal shootings including seven police officers in the past few weeks. Robberies, too, are happening all around. A person doesn't feel safe in this old world any more and never knows what to expect next. That's why my husband and I never let a day go by without pleading the protection and covering of the Blood of Jesus.

As far as robberies go, however, our spiritual lives are in danger, also. Speaking to His disciples, Christ said in John 10:10,"The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness" (LB).

Christ was referring to false prophets who would lead people astray with empty promises of grandeur, prosperity, and what have you. We still have false teachers today. We know who the real thief is, of course -- Satan himself. Sometimes he works through others such as phony leaders; sometimes he brings wrong ideas and discouragement to our minds. This robs us of our joy, our peace, our faith and our trust in God Almighty.

We've been talking the last couple blogs about being more committed to our Heavenly Father in the New Year. One of the most deceptive ways Satan robs us of our spiritual vitality is by telling us we don't have time to read and study the Bible. We're too busy to take time to pray. He drops a zillion excuses into our unsuspecting minds that will hinder us in getting involved in Christian work of one kind or another.

I'm not saying we all are preachers, or even teachers. Some of us are not comfortable, even, with visitation. But we can always give a big smile to all we meet, a word of encouragement, a "God bless you," or a hearty handshake. Those of us whom God had gifted with the ability to sew, knit and crochet can help provide clothing for the needy. Maybe we can serve food at a local food kitchen. Or take a meal to an invalid. Clean house for an elderly friend. Run errands for a sick individual.

In other words, let's find some way we can serve the Lord in this New Year -- not for just a few days, but regularly. We'll reap blessings untold if we do.

It all has to do with not letting Satan rob us of any portion of our spiritual lives.

Preacher's Kid

TRIPLE-A POLICY

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" John 15:7 (KJV).

Before I was married, I couldn't live without it. Triple A, that is. (Now that I'm married, I have my husband, of course. Much more convenient than Triple A. And there was no mention of an annual fee for his services when I married him!)

I've lost track of the flat tires Triple A changed for me in years gone by. And the times they jumped my dead battery. (My aforementioned hubby takes care of such things for me nowadays.) Then there was the time my brakes failed and I had to rely on Triple A for help. To say nothing of the time I rode into town with the front of my car dangling precariously (or so I thought) from the rear of the tow truck as my passengers and I still rode in the car. (There were too many of us to fit in the cab of the tow truck!)

Yep, as a single gal, AAA was my security blanket!

As a Christian, I have a spiritual Triple-A policy. I don't have to pay an annual fee, either. However, I'm the one who has to put the plan into action. My part is to 1) ABIDE in Christ, and 2) let His words ABIDE in me. Then, and only then, can I take step three which is to "ask," in confidence, knowing that God will do His part in answering.

No, I just can't get along without my spiritual Triple-A policy.

As I suggested to one and all the other day, I'm going to spend some extra time this year abiding in Christ through prayer, then letting His words abide in me through Bible reading and meditation.

How about you?

Preacher's Kid

SAND IN THE ENGINE

"Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trap us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us" Hebrews 12:1 (LB).

The race was about to start. Tension hung heavy in the air. Excitement grew as the starting moment crept closer. Speculation was rampant. Then disappointment settled over the grandstand like a thick fog. Minutes before the guns signalled the start of the long-awaited race, a popular driver withdrew, stating, "I won't be able to run this year. There's sand in my engine."

Many times in our Christian walk we begrudgingly recognize that we have been falling behind in life's spiritual race. Our "spiritual engine" isn't running smoothly. Our foe, Satan himself, has put sand in our engine in the form of a hasty word, a thoughtless deed, neglect of prayer, meditation and Bible reading. We indulge in unkind thoughts. Snide comments. Criticism. And, yes, gossip.

Although ever so small, such things, like grains of sands, can be damaging to our spiritual life.

The good news is that we can remove the sand from the engine by making an appropriate apology when necessary, by asking forgivenness if needed, and by prayer. And we can once again participate confidently in our spiritual race.

Is there any sand in YOUR engine? There's no better time than the New Year to take spiritual inventory.

Preacher's Kid