Reflection Thoughts from Hebrews 11

When reading Hebrews 11 recently, and praying about what I was reading, these are some things I gleaned from it.


Faith leads a person to obey God when he doesn’t know what’s going to happen.

Faith makes a man walk on with God when nothing exciting is happening.

Faith makes a man believe God when what He says doesn’t make sense to a human mind.

Faith drives a man to give God what He wants, without altering or replacing the gift.

Faith enables a man to know that God is true, what He says is ultimate truth, and is what will happen, before it is even accomplished.

Faith brings a man to know that God is God the Creator, because He who can not lie has told us.

Faith makes man believes that God is, and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Faith gives the impetus for a man to work when the Guiding Eye warns or directs, and souls are saved from destruction because of it.

Faith makes a man realize that we are just players in God’s theater. In His time, in His direction, He will fulfill His purpose. All of Creation revolves around the Creator.

Faith brings parents to the decision to obey God rather than men, when it comes to ungodly authorities’ directions.

Faith enables a man to courageously pursue the purpose of God, regardless of personal cost.

Asleep, Drunk, or Awake?

In the past couple weeks, I've learned a lot. I've also noticed a lot of things.

Tonight, I was looking for a particular Bible verse. Though I didn't come across it, I did read several things through which God spoke to me. One of the sections I read was this (1 Thessalonians 5:7-8), "⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation." This is in some paragraphs talking about the Lord's return, and how, for those who are unsaved, it will be like a thief coming unexpectedly, but how for those who are saved, it is not something to be terrified about; "For God did not appoint us to wrath..." (5:9), but rather, we have the "hope of [His] salvation."

I began to wonder what "sleep"ing, and "drunk" would be pictures of.


ASLEEP
Let's see. When someone is asleep, they are unaware of what is happening (they are unconscious). They may think they know what is going on, because they are having a realistic dream, but they are completely oblivious to the truth.

For example...
This morning I got up at an early hour, so that I could make sure to get done all of my morning preparations before going to work. About half way through my preparations, I realized that I had plenty of time for everything else and could take the time for a little nap. I did this, and woke up with adequate time to finish getting ready. But while I napped, I dreamed. There were some accurate facts in my dream, such as the fact that it was Saturday morning and I was at home preparing to go to work at the store. All true. But there was other activities in my dream that were not true at all -- thankfully! When I woke up I realized that no, my brother was not vomiting, and my family was still all sleeping, not awake as in the dream.

My point?
There are many people who have some facts right, do some right things, and think they are on the right track. They pray, they have a pastor come counsel them, they have standards of what is right and wrong (and don't do wrong), they believe in "Hope", "Joy", and "Love", the classics that are plastered to every little trinket in Christian book stores. They believe that Heaven Is For Real, but the problem is, that so often they believe in their hearts that everyone is headed there, and fail to realize that hell is default, not heaven. They can fail to see that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23). They look to God as the answer for the problems they face, but they do not realize "that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will." (John 9:31) (See also Isaiah 59:2.)


DRUNK
What are people like when they are drunk? Again, they are unaware of how things really are, and think they have a clear picture. But their view isn't just off-base as the sleepies', it is twisted. Thus some, when drunk, stagger, some cause car wrecks through contorted sight and over-reaction.

Those who are spiritually drunk then, would be those who have completely wrong world-views, many of whom have been brainwashed in wrong beliefs about mankind, God, the beginning and ending of the world, etc. etc. This keeps them from understanding "the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God" (2 Corinthians 1:12) Our Christian testimony is meaningless to the "drunk", because it doesn't make sense. They see the outside, the weirdness of our externals, but cannot understand the reason behind it all; the main point; the gospel of Jesus Christ: the truth about all mankind being sinners, separated from God, the truth of Jesus dying for our sins, so that we can be freed from them, and become right with God, by having Jesus' righteousness imparted to us. It all doesn't make sense, because they have long been used to getting along in life by themselves, not being dependent on the crutch of religion. (Proverbs 18:10 confirms the need and provision of a "crutch" for those who realize their weakness. "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.")


AWAKE

"Let us who are of the day be sober..." (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

One major thing about being "sober" is not listening to or letting wrong doctrines or beliefs take hold in one's life.

Today I was working in the front of the store. My boss came up to check on how things were going and to see how I was doing. As we were talking I saw someone park his bike and head for our door. Now, most of the time, if I'm visiting with managers or co-workers and I see a customer coming, I say, "Here comes a customer!" to make sure we turn our attention to the work and away from whatever other work-related thing we were talking about. Thus I did then, and was about to say "Good morning! What can we help you find today?" as usual, when my boss did something strange. He started speaking firmly to the man, telling him to leave immediately. After about two minutes of this, the man finally turned away. Then my boss told me that he has only ever been a shoplifter; never a customer. He always has stolen lots of things, every-time he came in. It makes sense that an owner of merchandise wants nothing to do with such-- a perpetual thief.

A person could think, "That's not good customer service! That's not something to make people want to shop at your store--to be so firm and rude!" But it was utterly necessary in this situation. Just as it is essential that we Christians not listen to wrong doctrine and philosophies. There are verses in the Bible that make Paul and Barnabas look just as "unChristian and rude". Galatians 2:4-5 say, "...false brethren secretly brought in...to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." There are some things that we MUST not give on. Truths that the Devil is making every effort to erode in our hearts, through deceitful and innocent looking, or even good looking ways of thinking, through things people say, and through wrong attitudes that creep in to our lives.

[I want to interject here to mention that for the owner and boss to be there at the moment that particular man tried to enter the store, was an answer to prayer. Mother or Daddy always pray with us before we go to work, and as we work, and often, in those prayers they pray for no one to come in that would harm or shoplift. Had my boss not been there, I would have welcomed the apparent customer unknowingly, and he would have gotten by with more of his devious work.]

My boss told me, that if ever I see the man coming in again, I should do as he did, earnestly demanding that he leave. But something more. I, being the lowest frog on the toad-pole at work, inexperienced and weak comparatively, need to also call a manager to the front to help me with the situation when it happens again.

This reminds me of something about young Christians, especially. Yes, when we are facing temptation we need to fight the good fight with the Sword (Ephesians 6:17, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."), resisting the Devil in the same manner Jesus did, by quoting and banking on the Word of God. But for we who are weaker, we NEED to call for help when facing strange doctrine, or when we are unsure of the trust-worthiness of a "truth". Whether that spiritual support system is found in godly parents, or some other people, we need to have their wisdom and support and knowledge of Scripture.

In conclusion, Ephesians 5:14, "Therefore He says: 'Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.'"

Prayers for Work Needs

Written for the girls receiving God's Girls Newsletter, January 2012.


By Lady Theophilus

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” - Luke 2:52

I was hired last week as a part-time cashier for our local ACE Hardware store, which is the same store as two of my brothers have/are working for. This job was an answer to prayer. The newness of the job brings me excitement and nervousness. A bit of self-control and maturity bring a sense of responsibility, and bring to light the need for carefulness and critical thinking. In just the few hours I’ve spent in orientation and training thus far, I realize that to do my job well, I have a lot to learn in both facts and in labor (knowing what work to do and how to do it) so that I can help customers, my co-workers, and ultimately, the store. But as a Christian, there’s something more to consider when I think about my job responsibilities. The number one priority has to be to glorify Christ through the way I live.

My brothers hired on in August 2009 and February 2011 respectively. In the last couple of years, we have frequented the store and gotten more or less acquainted with the other employees. We’ve realized that we are not just “at” the store, but that God wants to use us in the lives of our co-workers. I think about the lady whose husband has been through so much trauma with cancer and chemo treatments, and I think about another lady who’s a single mom. God has us in that store to be a blessing to them, to help them see the way to God, to see the life of God. We’ve had opportunity to know how to pray for the different ones’ needs because of seeing them so often, and we pray every day that Christ’s light would shine through our lives, so that they will desire salvation for themselves.

On Sunday, one of my brothers wrote me “seven thoughts as you start your new job”: (1) Never shy away from saying you are a Christian. (2) Learn something from every person. (3) Learn as much as you can every day. (4) But have more passion for Jesus than for learning. (5) Never compromise. (6) Have Jesus’ love and care for people. (7) Be careful counting money. I really appreciated this advice.

The evening following my first few hours of orientation, I knelt down and prayed—and wrote down my prayer requests, which concerned my new work, as they came to me (not in order of importance). Today I added the verses (in blue) that went along with each prayer request.

1. That I will abide in Christ’s victory, so that I will not fall in temptation. Jude 1:24, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy…”
2. That my life and personal perspective (with all the newness of the job) not be self-focused. 1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well -being.”
3. That I would not simply have “Christian talk”, but “show by good conduct that my actions are done in the meekness of wisdom.” (see James 3:13) Actually, James 3:13-18 and a few other verses have become good friends of mine this week.
4. YET, That I would not be afraid to speak up or answer as Christ wants me to. 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
5. That I would be careful and self-controlled to not say everything that comes to mind, that may cast a “bad light” on the Lord’s Name. I’m used to my family who understands what I mean, and who laugh at my humor; but when I’m with “strangers” I have to double check with the Lord before saying optional things. I have had experience in the past of being misunderstood to the harm of my testimony for the Lord. Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” And 1 Corinthians 10:23, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”
6. That I not be so over-whelmed by the new work that I fail to bless my family when I come home: with sweet facial expression, with working at chores, with kind words, and with selflessness. Galatians 6:10, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
7. That I be careful to not pick-up the wrong deeds, words, and attitudes of those who aren’t Christ’s followers. Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
8. That I be protected from the Evil One and those who are his. Matthew 6:13, “…deliver us from the evil one.” and John 17:15, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” And along with that, that I put on the full armor of God. (See Ephesians 6:11-18).
9. That I be courteous, helpful, and careful when dealing with customers, co-workers, and managers. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.”
10. That I serve the Lord first (see Colossians 3:22-23), but realize that that includes (not replaces) respectfulness toward bosses. Romans 12:11, “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;”
11. That I learn and understand my place and responsibilities. Romans 12:4, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function…”
12. That I will have opportunity and readiness to share the gospel with people. Colossians 4:3-6, “Praying… that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ… that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
13. That the Lord would give wisdom and strength in time of physical need. Psalm 27:1c, “…The LORD is the strength of my life…”
14. That I would be humble before God and those giving me advice, information, and instruction. Proverbs 22:4, “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.” (See also Psalm 32:8-9.)
15. That I would not be too nervous to do what I need to do. 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
16. That there would be adequate amount of repetition for me to learn facts and methods. Isaiah 28:10, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”

Just writing out my prayer needs and looking for verses to “speak” to those needs, has drawn me closer to the Lord. I hope it will be a blessing to you, even if you are not in the same place in life that I am in right now.

How about you? What has God been teaching you in your life experiences and through His Word? What has your family been thinking about or going through together that is teaching you lessons about God, being a Christian, or good family relationships? What are some practical ways to live as a Christian that you can share with the others?

Meek and Quiet Spirit

Written for the girls receiving God's Girls Newsletter, November 2011.


By Lady Theophilus

In 1 Peter 3 we find instructions for the woman who desires to live a Christian life. There are several notable things listed, but I will focus on only two verses, I Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV), “(3) Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—(4) rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”

Let’s look at verse four a little closer, “A gentle and quiet spirit”. (Old King James says, “meek” instead of gentle.) There are several things that “meek and quiet” indicate about the woman or girl:
1. This person is not calling attention to herself.
2. She does not desire to have her own way.
3. She is at peace: resting and trusting God as sovereign, and trusting those over her, such as parents/husband.
4. She is submissive, not only being obedient to authorities, but also fully supporting their decisions.
5. She is humble, willing to be corrected without getting upset.

In short, she is not living for herself, because her heart has been transformed to beauty by the presence of the Holy Spirit in her heart. She is meek, not seeking to be noticed for “goodness”, but realizing her needs and weaknesses.
If the above attributes are true, obedience to verse three will be natural: (Hereafter numbers correlate with above numbering.)
1. Because she is secure in Christ, she will not be seeking the attraction of people through her clothing. There are two opposing evils that a girl could fall into concerning the desire for clothing/body to be noticed: to be desired in an immodest way (or to fit in with those around her), or to be praised for her piety – “That girl is SO modest!”
2. Because she isn’t her own boss, she will submit to the standards God and her authorities have set for her in the matter of clothing and adornment.

Also, these benefits will be present:
3. Because she is quiet spirited, she will not be impatient or discontented. She won’t be worried about when something will ever happen or longing for what she doesn’t have. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5) When a problem arises, she knows she can bring it to Christ, or work through it with her authorities, without getting upset.

If she is meek and quiet-spirited, she will respond properly to authorities:
4. & 5. Proverbs 15:5 says, “A fool despises [her] father's instruction, But [s]he who receives correction is prudent.” Being told “how things are going to be” or being corrected in big or small things is not fun, and it’s not easy to have the right attitude during it. Yet, we are called to be receptive to guidance and correction, not to be rebellious or ignore the help, going on in the wrong direction. If our parents are explaining something to us, or correcting lack of knowledge or wrong behavior, we need to be aware of our own need to grow/change/act on it, and not be touchy (our “feelings getting hurt”).

Miracle Time

Written for the girls receiving God's Girls Newsletter, November 2011.


By Lady Theophilus

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him... He is our Help and our Shield." - Psalm 33:18 & 20
"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." - Psalm 34:1

What didn't happen is the miracle. Today my sister Emily and I are not dead. In fact we aren't injured. Our windshield didn't even get busted out, as we expected it to. Aren't you glad? I am!
Yesterday was a big busy day. Our dear friends, the Hinkles, just lost their mother/grandmother to cancer last Saturday, and the funeral was yesterday (Friday). I hate to say a funeral was nice, but that one was really good, honoring to the Lord and Mary Anna. After the service some went to the graveyard for the service there. Our family did because of Jason and Daddy being pall-bearers, but Jason and we girls had to leave right after he was done helping because he had to get to work. We three came home, ate (really quickly), then we dropped Jas off at work and we headed to the BRIGHT Lights meeting, for which we were already late. (It was, fortunately, an excused tardy. =) )
We drove out of town going north on a county road. There was a truck heading toward us, we think a stake-side truck which was carrying building supplies. As it passed us, a large 4x8 foot board came out of the back of the truck, became airborne, and was in the path of our car. We surely wondered if it would fly up and crash through the windshield, or hurt our car otherwise. I pressed on the brakes but there was nothing else I could do to avoid collision: no shoulder to pull into, no way to change to the opposing one-way lane. Pulling into the ditch of weeds wasn't an option, and no, I sure didn't think to pray in that split second--it all happened so quickly. As the car and board came closer together, the board went around us (miraculously).
I thought everything was fine, although I was shaken, but Em noticed that the right rear-view mirror was gone from its frame. Not knowing whether I should go look for the mirror in the ditch, I pulled over next chance I got (a farm driveway) and called Mother and Daddy (who were at the funeral lunch) while Emily inspected the exterior for other damage (Dad later noticed that the board scraped along the right front fender before catching on the mirror). I was shaking as I told M/D what happened, but assured them that everything was okay. By the time I was done and Dad was comforting me and thanking God for His protection, I was crying. Dad said we should go on to Bible study, because the mirror probably broke and we were much too dressed up to look on the side of the road for it. I dried my tears and told Emily "Let's sing to feel better" (calmer). We got to Bible study safely, in time for most of the lesson.
There are many times while driving that the Lord has mercifully spared me from harm that I deserved because of errant driving, but yesterday He put His shield of protection around the car, when I didn't cause the problem and couldn't fix the situation.
When Daddy and Mother got home from shopping (after the funeral), Dad and I drove up to where the accident DIDN'T happen, to look for the board of mirror. We found neither, walking along the road for ~a mile, searching. The construction truck must have stopped and gotten their board. We did find an onion in good condition! Dad has since ordered a replacement mirror.
When we were walking (both north and south on the east side of the road, beside the northbound lane) I thought about something: it was more comfortable walking north beside the northbound lane than it was when walking south beside it. Walking north I was trying to be careful, but was walking on, or even a hair west of the white line instead of through the weeds; but walking south I realized what danger was in front of me (all those approaching cars) and was subconsciously willing to risk pricklies in my socks by walking through the weeds, rather than walk west of the white line! I thought about how if people are walking in the ways of the world (north beside a northbound lane), it is "easy", and they don't realize the true danger they're in. On the other hand, if people are walking with Jesus Christ, following the Bible, going His way, against the flow of traffic and what the world wants, they are enabled by the Holy Spirit to be on their guard about the dangers surrounding. Sometimes this protection/watchfulness involves a lot of careful thought, self-sacrifice, and yes, opposition (weeds that are prickly).