Loved Enemies

The definition my Strong's Bible dictionary gives for enemy is "adversary," a person who opposes or fights against another. This defines not only those whom we dislike, but sometimes it also defines those we love, such as our spouse. So, what are we to do with our enemy? Love them; bless them. The Bible is teaching me that if my husband has become my enemy through something he has said or done against me, then I am to turn around and bless him. Make his favorite meal. Give him a back rub. Pray for him. Think of the things that will most show love to him, and do it. This is the way of Christ.

Time Flies

"Time goes by so fast." So we say repeatedly, especially as we watch children grow and change daily. The Bible affirms this truth, and it brings me constantly back to the choices we make each moment to waste our lives or use them for God's glory. Watch television/call a hurting friend. Shop/make a meal for someone who's ill. Surf the web/mentor a child in the inner city. Play a video game/rake the yard of a widow. Go out to eat/invite a neighbor over to dinner. Buy a new toy/give away money to a single mom. Be entertained/study the Scriptures. "Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow." (Psalm 144:4) Help me, Lord, to use the time You have given me in a way that shows the world my hope is in You.

Hopeful Responses

Have you ever had someone fall trembling before you asking, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas did. God can use our hopeful response to suffering to glorify His Name. "After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown in prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." (Acts 16:23-25) Oh, Lord, prepare my heart that I might consider it joy whenever I face trials of many kinds.

Tongue Tired

I grow tired of my tongue. It seems I keep saying things that I regret, wondering to myself, "Why did I say that?" Too many times, I just don't think before I speak, letting the words just spill out, running and dripping, making a big mess. "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil." (Psalm 141:3-4)

In Common

Sometimes we'll meet someone new, and in the coarse of the conversation, we'll discover we have something in common. Suddenly, the enthusiasm for the conversation picks up a little. Then, maybe we find we have a few or maybe even several more things that we share, and we're starting to think that this could be the beginning of a friendship. After I became a Christian, I found that I share Christ in common with brothers and sisters all over the world, and when I meet a fellow believer, there is an instant bond. "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Acts 4:32)

Bearing Fruit

In two separate passages Ahab, a king of Israel, is described as "sullen and angry." These words seemed to characterize his life. Later, the Scripture records, "There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord....He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols..." (1 Kings 21:25) I pray, Lord, that my life will be characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control and that my heart will be turned toward You.

Open Wide

Our baby daughter loves her formula! If she has a pacifier in her mouth, and she sees her bottle, the pacifier drops to the floor as her mouth springs open. She is eager to let that food fill her hunger. Our precious Lord is waiting to fill our hunger; He can and will meet all our needs easily. "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." (Psalm 81:10)

Fire Starter

Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. They would each prepare bulls, put them on wood, and then each would call upon their god to set the wood and bull ablaze. The prophets of Baal worked themselves up into quite a frenzy to entice their god to act, but there was no response. Then Elijah had his altar doused with water three times, and when he called upon his God, the "fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench." (1 Kings 18:38) "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who made them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." (Psalm 135:15-18)

Promoting Love

God speaks to me. This morning He told me that if I would overlook the times that others offend me I would be promoting love. He spoke directly to an issue that resurfaces often in all of our lives and had just resurfaced in mine last night. People offend us, and in our flesh we want to tell others about it. As we retell the offense, our indignation flares up again, and we build up our self-righteousness. "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." (Proverbs 17:9)

My Good

I love Jesus. He is my Savior, my Friend, my greatest Treasure. Because of this, He promises me that everything that happens to me He will work together for good. This is quite an extraordinary promise that brings great comfort during the trials I have faced and will continue to face throughout my life. The Lord of the Universe is working, and what He has spoken He will bring to pass, and what He has planned, He will do.

His Way

I think we should do it this way. Well, I don't! Well, I do! Thus began many arguments in the early days of our marriage before God grew us to understand that He has a better way -- His way. Laid out for us so beautifully in His Word, God's way gives guidance and direction in a world filled with many wide gates and many easy ways. "Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:129-130)

Lasting Word

Tossed out what was left of 24 multicolored roses that were sent to celebrate 22 years of a multifaceted marriage. They arrived just seven short days ago, delivered to my doorstep -- freshly cut, carefully wrapped, packaged in water. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8) Thank you, Lord, for an eternal word. It is ever with me.

He Cares

I struggle with the sin of worry which at its root is my failure to trust God's promises to me. I must battle this sin daily by turning to God's Word and the help of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I cast all my anxieties on You because You care about me. (1 Peter 5:7)

Enjoying Jesus

en.joy (in joi') vt. 1. to have or experience joy; get pleasure from; relish. That is my Webster's dictionary's first definition of the word enjoy, and it perfectly describes my relationship with Jesus. My prayer for this blog is that God would be glorified and that Jesus would be exalted by demonstrating the great delight that comes from knowing Him.