Abundantly Pardoned

“She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27)

In a world that admires actresses and pop stars and politicians, in a world that admires women of wealth and power, I am a woman who admires Virginia and Juanita. No, they’re not famous; they’re women who grace the doors of the church with smiles even though they’re weary; they’re women who love their families and teach them the ways of God. They’re women who open our eyes to our pathetic little groans and sighs. If a little girl is asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up,” she shouldn’t reply, “A pop star adored by thousands” or “A woman of power like Sara Palin.” She should answer, “I want to be like Virginia and Juanita. I want to be a Proverbs woman.”

Have a blessed Thanksgiving! And when things get stressful and life seems hard, think of those who are so much worse off. That’s what I’m doing. Thank You, Lord God Almighty, for your many blessings!

Do you every come home from work saying, “Wow, this was one of those days”? Or perhaps you’re a stay-at-home mom with little ones on the rampage like wild elephants stampeding through the jungle with monkeys swinging from the overhead lights. One of those days! Psalm 138:7a tells us, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me.” (KJV) The Lord truly will revive us, no matter what kind of a day we’ve had. He refreshes our hearts and minds and spirits. Wash over us and around us and through us, dear Lord! We love You!

For many years I was one of those Christians who kept right on sinning, who only called on God in time of need, who only said little, unfelt, repetitious bedtime prayers, who never talked with the Lord. Was I stupid? Was I on a destructive path? An emphatic yes to both questions! Was I really a Christian? I don’t think so! Dear people, if you claim to be a Christian, can you honestly say that you have a true relationship with the Lord? Can you honestly say you live your life for Him? If you answer no to either of those two questions, please sit down with the Lord and talk with Him. Lay it all out before Him. He’s waiting for you.

Something wonderful: The Greek translation of Hebrews 13:5c, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” is actually, “I will never, ever, ever forsake thee.”  (“I will never, ever, ever abandon thee.”) \0/!

While driving from the boonies into the tiny rural town where I attend church, I looked to my right to see if anything was coming. It was an icy cold November morning that many people probably used as an excuse not to come to church, but pumping their way up the hill on their bikes were two of our faithful teenagers. I nearly wept at the sight. Some people come to church because they feel it’s an obligation. Others come because they love the Lord and long to worship Him. 1 John 3:20 tells us that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. He knows our hearts on Sunday mornings.

Psalm 84:10: “Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” (NIV)

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5c KJV)

I have one of those “Bread of Life” plastic loaves of Bible verses on my desk at work. This morning I picked up a verse card, and on it was the above verse. My heart swelled as I realized the truth of that verse. People may turn their backs on us, walk out on us, lie on us or reject our friendship, but God will never leave us or forsake us. That’s true love, and there is no other. Thank You, wonderful Lord God Almighty!

“This World”

This world cannot lay claim to me,
Oh, joyous wonders I can see;
My Savior God has paid the fee,
Sweet, wondrous Lord of mine.

He gave His blood, He paid the cost
For all who wander blind and lost,
For stormy souls so wild and tossed,
Dear Jesus, Lord of mine.

This world exists on hurt and pain,
On darkest work, on wind and rain;
We must not let it leave a stain
On linen, clean and bright.*

We are the church, Christ’s faithful bride,
From sinful world we cannot hide,
To spread His love we must abide
Within the hurt and pain.

This world cannot lay claim to me,
This Babylon will cease to be;
God’s kingdom come, oh, capture me!
Sweet rapture! Take me home!

*Revelation19:8

I wrote this poem as a reminder that though we live in an imperfect world filled with imperfect, sinful people, we live for our Lord Jesus. Though in this world, we are not of this world. We are representatives of Christ, and though each day is more difficult as people deliberately hurt us and cause us to cry, we can look ahead to the day when God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, because there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There will be no more pain, for this wicked world will have passed away. (Revelation 21: 4)

To all who are famous: you have been given a gift—a gift to affect this world of darkness with light. Don’t abuse this gift. It’s not about you. “All flesh is like grass and all its’ glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord abides forever.” (1 Peter 1:24-25 RSV) Be a shining light in this world, changing lives for the better.

“…cause Your face to shine upon Your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.” (Daniel 9:17 NKJV)

While reading Daniel 9 this morning, the above verse literally leaped off the page at me. I realized that all the individual churches are busy praying for their various needs, yet not fervently praying for THE church (the church of Christ). Christ’s church is a desolate sanctuary that is struggling more and more each day. I believe that God will bless individual churches and their needs when the individual churches are praying for Christ’s bride: His church. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7 NIV) Is Christ’s bride ready for the wedding? Let’s pray for the bride—”for the Lord’s sake.”