In the Morning

It’s one of my many favorite Psalms and the reason why I get up so early in the morning. David wrote “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love . . .” (Ps 143:8). Early mornings while my house is quiet and my family is still asleep is my time to snuggle down in the sweet Word of God and hear my Father’s songs of love.

But that is not where David was when he wrote this Psalm. He was in a difficult place, pursued by his enemy and weary from the struggle. He said his enemy had crushed him to the ground and cast him into a dark place (v. 3). His spirit was faint. His heart was dismayed (v. 4). His soul was dry, “like a parched land” (v. 6). I know that feeling.

So David did the only thing he knew to do. He reminded himself of God’s goodness and power in the past and cried out to the Lord for mercy and relief (vv. 5-6).  He pleaded with God to notice his suffering and answer him quickly or he might not survive (v. 7). And this is where he longed to hear God’s declaration of love. I have had many days like that – hard days where I just need to know that He loves me. I expect you have as well.

But look at the second part of verse 8: “For I have put my trust in You.” David is not pleading for a word he doesn’t already know. He is declaring His confidence in the love of God to save him – because He had already done so many times before. He knew he could call on God to do it again. He knew God would direct and rescue him in his distress. He was hidden away in the Lord.

David didn’t base his pleas on his own merit but on the Lord’s name and righteousness and unfailing love. That is also why you and I can cry out for God’s help and rescue in our times of trouble. I have several dates jotted down in the margins of this Psalm. I remember what God has done for me in the past and it gives me hope and confidence for the season I’m in now.

Are you in a difficult place right now? Cry out to God for relief and help. Remember His faithfulness in the past and rest in the promise of His unfailing love. He is with you Beloved, morning, noon, and nighttime.

Acts: Receive the Holy Spirit

It is a sad truth in our churches; not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a true believer and follower of Christ. Some put up a very good front, and we’ll see an example in a couple of weeks. But some who believe themselves to be Christians are sadly wrong. Case in point: read Acts 19:1-7.

Paul traveled to Ephesus where he encountered twelve disciples – but not disciples of Jesus. A disciple is not a solely Christian concept. Disciples are learners and followers and go back in Scripture to Moses and Joshua, Eli and Samuel, and Elijah and Elisha among many others. The secular version of disciples are apprentices, learning a trade or craft from a master.

When Paul questioned the disciples, he realized they did not know fully about Jesus and life in Him. That speaks volumes to the present state of the church. They had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit. They had received “John’s baptism” but John the Baptist baptized for repentance of sins, which is the first step to full conversion to Christ. Another point at which the modern church falls flat. John was beheaded before Jesus’ death and resurrection and before the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Thus, John’s disciples taught what John taught, which was true, but incomplete. Paul brought them up to speed on Jesus and they believed and “were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.” They also received the baptism – or filling – of the Holy Spirit, who comes to every true believer.

Paul would later write to the churches in Rome saying, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom 8:9). How can we know if we have the Spirit of Christ? “Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (v. 5). They produce the “fruit [or evidence] of the Spirit: love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). They “keep in step with the Spirit” (v. 25), and they live so as not to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:29). The Spirit of Christ is the mark of a true Christian.

When I meet a fellow Christian for the first time, the Holy Spirit in them and the Holy Spirit in me confirms to each of us that we are family in Christ. Beloved, don’t settle for an incomplete faith that cannot save you. Know Jesus. Be all in. And be filled with the Holy Spirit of Christ.

My Redeemer

You may have heard folks talk about “the patience of Job” I don’t know who coined that phrase, but I’ve studied Job a lot and I can say that he was not the paragon of patience he is purported to be. Neither am I. He and I have a lot in common. We both have been attacked by satan and we both have struggled to keep our eyes on God. Granted he had a rougher time of it than I, but I know what it’s like to be in the devil’s crosshairs. Which leads me to another similarity. Like Job, I also tend to whine. A lot. This year has been full of trials and heartaches. I trust God, but man, those fiery darts can be mighty painful.

Here is another point in which Job and I are alike. We both have a Savior.  He said, “I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth . . . [and] I myself will see him with my own eyes . . .” He was sure with all his heart that God would vindicate him and redeem him. I cling to the same hope And we both long for the day when He destroys the evil one and death forever. He said, “How my heart yearns within me” (Job 19:25,27). Mine too, Job. Mine too.

But there is one way that we differ. Job looked for a Savior he didn’t know. But I have found my Redeemer and His name is Jesus. Job spoke in his pain, wishing God would “guard my steps, but not keep track of my sin.” He wanted God to “seal up my offenses in a bag [and] cover over my sin” (Job 14:16-17). Because I am in Christ, that is exactly what He has done! My sin – “Oh the bliss of this glorious thought”[1] – all my sins are under the blood of Jesus and God watches me – not to keep track of my every offense, but to guard and guide my steps.

Peter wrote, “Love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Pet 4:8). Jesus’ blood is love poured out lavishly on those who believe and receive God’s gift of salvation. And He didn’t seal our sins up in a bag, but He left them buried in the tomb that could not hold Him. Do you know my Jesus? Do you have the sweet assurance of His forgiveness and grace? You can be set free from your sins, Beloved. He is just a prayer away.

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[1] “It Is Well With My Soul” Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss 1873.

In the World But Not of the World

Is there any doubt that evil rules the world in which we live? It is impossible to avoid the influence of evil around us unless we hide in a cave. When Jesus prepared His disciples to go out into the world with His message, He said they would be like “sheep among wolves” (Matt 10:16). I feel that constantly just trying to live and survive in the culture of our day. So how do we live godly lives in an ungodly world? The Lord continued: “Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” That’s a rather odd combination – so how do we pull that off in real life?

In the modern context, “shrewd” means “having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute.” Similarly, in the original Greek, it means “wise, sensible, thinking, understanding.” One of Satan’s most effective tools is to dull our minds and then feed us from the world’s banquet table of ideas and philosophies. We must wake up our sleepy heads and think about the messages we are receiving. We must lay them alongside the Word of God, and see if they are true (Acts 17:11-12). Because we must live in this world, Jesus tells us to think about what we are hearing and make wise determinations.

In contrast to being shrewd, Jesus commands us to be innocent. Again, in the original language, it means to be “pure, not mixed with evil.” We must not attempt to mix the world’s philosophies and ideas with The Truth – Jesus (John 14:6).  God and His Word have not changed despite what the culture says. Men will try to reinterpret the Word of God to make it say whatever they want to hear (2 Tim 4:3-4). We must keep our hearts pure and devoted to Him alone. We must stand firm and not allow the world to mix us up. Paul said, “Stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults” (1 Cor 14:20). In other words, grow up, pay attention, and do not even think about evil.

Jesus said we are “in the world” (John 15:11) but “not of the world” (v. 14). While we live alongside people who do not follow Christ we must live by His Word and for His glory. Beloved, let’s commit to being both shrewd and innocent in this evil world and show them by our lives The One True God who loves them and died for them.

Friend of God

When I see that I have a Facebook friend request, I get kind of excited that someone would want to be my friend. I wasn’t one of the popular kids growing up, My first name was Dorcas so I became “dork” and my last name was Beegle so I got hit with barks and howls when I walked in the classroom. I was the target of the school bullies every day – I was informed at lunch who was going to harass me after school as I waited for my mom to pick me up. I tried to hide, but they always found me. If homeschooling had been a thing in those days, I would have begged my mom for it. I was not invited to parties or sleepovers – I guess I became so good at being invisible that nobody noticed me. I’m so grateful that we’ve all grown up and many of my classmates and peers are dear friends today.  

Maybe that is why John 15:14-16 means so much to me. Jesus said, “You are my friends . . .” (v. 14). “You did not choose me, but I chose you . . .” (v. 16).  Chosen. Friend. I don’t know about you, but that speaks to my heart with such sweet tones. The context of these verses is Jesus’ command to obedience, something He expected – and still expects – from His friends. He said He has brought His friends – remember that’s also you and me – into His Kingdom business to produce holy, eternal fruit. It’s like the CEO giving you the office next to his and letting you in on the company secrets. You are not just one of the minions, you are his right-hand man. And there is much work to be done.

But wait – there’s more. Your Creator has an even better position for you. He wants you to be more than a friend, He wants to be Your Father.  That is why He sent His one and only Son to live and die on earth so that you could be His child. Maybe you’ve noticed that I always call you “Beloved” in these devotionals. That’s because it’s who you are in Christ. If you have repented of your sins and received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you are God’s beloved child, His son or daughter. Forever. Mind. Blown.

Follow Me

I love the way Joy follows me around the house. I love to hear her behind me, those little feet slapping on the wood floor. My heart desires to be a person worthy of being followed. And I don’t mean social media “followers.” I mean followed in the same way Paul meant it when he told the church in Corinth, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). I want to be a model of Christ for others.  That’s a huge responsibility so I need to always be conscious of the example I am providing. I know all too well that I’m not always going to get it right. Yet even when I fail, I can model repentance and the sweet consolation of God’s forgiveness.

It is good to have Christ-like examples you can follow. Many godly women and men have played a huge part in shaping who I am as a woman, a disciple, and a witness just by the way they lived their lives. They weren’t perfect, but they have been a wonderful grace gift on my Christian path. They walked what they talked and followed the Lord in imperfect obedience. I am deeply grateful to God for them.

I want to offer you some challenges today. First, find someone who follows Christ, whose life is patterned after His, and get close to them. Learn from them. Listen to them. Pick up their holy habits. Don’t expect them to be perfect; learning to give others grace is an important part of the Christian life. Second, follow Christ so closely that others can follow you. Live your faith out loud where others can see it and can see Jesus in you. Do your best to be conscious of who may be watching you. And consider bringing someone close to you so you can help them grow. And third, – or first and foremost – follow Christ.  Mentors and seasoned saints are a blessing as we grow. But people may fail and disappoint you, Jesus never will.

I pray that I will always be a godly example for my granddaughter to follow. I pray that I can be a good example for others as they witness my life, even the slips and failures. Beloved, let’s commit to be the kind of disciples of whom people can say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23).

Godly Sorrow

So you messed up. Again. You went where you shouldn’t go. You did what you shouldn’t do. Or you didn’t do what you knew you should. You looked at something vile and sinful. You let your mind go into a nasty pit. And now you are feeling the weight of your sin – you are feeling guilty and maybe even ashamed. That’s not entirely a bad thing. Let me explain.

Paul dearly loved the congregation in Corinth, his aim was to build them up, not tear them down (2 Cor 13:10), but this church had serious problems. Sexual sin was rampant among them, an overflow of the culture. Paul chastened them severely for tolerating sexual immorality in the body. A man was immorally involved with his father’s wife (1 Cor 5:1). Not only did the church turn a blind eye to this sinful behavior, but they were proud of it! (v. 2) They boasted about their “open-mindedness” (v. 6). Sound familiar?

Paul said they should have been “filled with grief” over the man’s sin and over their acceptance of it and him. The whole church was sick with sin and he wanted them to feel the fever and the burden of the disease. He wanted them to be ashamed of their immoral condition.

We have done a grave disservice to the church by claiming that guilt and shame have no place in a Christian’s life. This text and many others reject that philosophy. In his second letter, after the church had followed his directive, Paul said he did not regret the sorrow he brought on them. It hurt him to do it, but the result was good. “Your sorrow led you to repentance” (2 Cor 9). “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (v. 10). Because the man apparently repented, Paul insisted he should be restored to the church. He should not be burdened with “excessive sorrow” (2:6-8).

Sin should cause us to feel guilt and shame. Notice I did not say that sin should make us feel that we are shameful. That is the tool of satan. He attacks the sinner personally. The Holy Spirit attacks the sin and leads the sinner into repentance and restoration – or salvation if they are not saved. Repentance leaves no residue of regret or guilt or shame, but you and I will feel its weight until we do.

Beloved, if you are bearing the burden of guilt over your sin, let that godly sorrow lead you to Jesus. Confess and repent and God will forgive you and purify you from all unrighteous (1 Jn 1:9). Get that heavy weight off your back and walk in God’s good grace.

Joy is in the House!

It’s Joy week at our house and it’s evident. Her scooter is parked in the kitchen. The living room is covered with toys, stuffed animals, and baby dolls asleep on the couch – tucked in with blankets. The bathroom contains her bath toys, toothbrush, hair clips (that never last more than a few minutes, and bath supplies. Here in my office, I spy her backpack, a pair of shoes, and lots of coloring pages scattered around. It is obvious Joy is home this week, and I love it!

In Colossians 3:16, Paul said, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly,” meaning the Word of Christ should live in us and be evident in every part of our being. Just as my sweet Joy has left her mark all over our house, Jesus’ Words should leave their mark in you and me. How does that look in real life? Check out these verses from Psalm 119:

“I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (11).

“With my lips, I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth” (13).

“I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways” (15)

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law” (18).

“My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times” (20).

“I lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love” (48).

“How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (103).

“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (105).

“May my tongue sing of Your Word, for all Your commands are righteous” (172).

Did you see it? Heart, lips, mind, eyes, soul, hands, mouth, feet, tongue. When the Word of Christ dwells in you and me richly, it shows in every part of us – where we look, what we say, what we think, what we do, and where we go.

When Peter and John were arrested for preaching the Gospel Peter boldly proclaimed the Name of Jesus before the Sanhedrin and “when they saw the courage of Peter and John realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

When you spend time with Jesus it shows. When His Word dwells in you it is written all over you. Beloved, let His Word live in you – then live out His Word.

A Divine Appointment

It was a Sunday morning twelve years ago and we went to Waffle House for breakfast because we had to bug-bomb our house. We took a seat and waited for the server. And waited. And waited. If you’ve ever been to a Waffle House, you know service is always swift. We decided to leave after 15 minutes – it’s like we were invisible. We headed up the road to McDonalds, quickly placed our order, and sat down. A young man caught my eye, shivering in a corner of the restaurant. Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. “He’s cold and hungry – what are you going to do?”  

I approached and asked him if he was okay. He told me he had spent the night with a friend whose dad came home drunk and kicked him out at 4 in the morning. He had called his mom to come get him but she didn’t get off work until 9. I asked if I could buy him some breakfast. He was very grateful so we headed to the counter together. He asked for a small coffee and a muffin. I told the girl to give him a big breakfast and a large coffee instead. I sent my son out to the car to grab a jacket and sat him down at our table. He thanked me profusely with tears in his eyes. I put my hand on his shoulders and told him God had sent me there to help him. Then I looked him in the eye and said, “God loves you and sent His Son Jesus to die for you and save you and give you eternal life.” His mom drove up just then and the young man hugged and thanked me again and headed out the door.

I’m not bragging on myself. I’m piggybacking on yesterday’s devotional about God’s sovereign hand over all of the events of our lives. Think about it – He used bugs to get me out of my house that morning. I’m convinced He made us invisible to the staff at WH to get us to that exact McDonalds at that exact time to meet that particular young man. Remember Paul’s message to the Athenians in Acts 17? God determines the times and places that are set for us so that we can encounter Him.

Bugs and bad service. How like God to use the worst things to accomplish His good plans.  Beloved, always look for His hand in the good and the bad. You may be heading to a divine appointment.

Your Crazy-Quilt Life

I wish someone had told me when I was much younger that God had a purpose for me. It would have changed everything – my education, the way I spent my time, how I thought about myself, the people I hung out with, and even the way I raised my son. I have already begun telling my granddaughter that God has a special and important plan for her life.

I appreciate Moses’ prayer: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Life moves at such a fast pace. But Moses wasn’t talking about keeping track of how many days we’ve lived; he was talking about paying attention to how we live our days. The word “number” means to appoint and prepare. It is about making your days – and the hours and minutes that make up your days – count.

God allowed Moses to grow up in the palace in Egypt as a training ground for his purpose. But I’m sure he never considered tending his father-in-law’s flock as holy schooling. But they were. He learned invaluable leadership skills in Pharaoh’s palace and he learned humility as a fugitive and a shepherd. Every step of his life was intended to move him toward his purpose.

That’s true for you and me too. My fascination with words started very early; they were part of my preparation. My high school creative writing course unlocked a passion for writing that has never left me. Yes, those were all good things, but what about the rest? What about the foolish things and the painful things and the ugly things? How could they possibly fit into God’s purpose? They taught me discernment, compassion, and, like Moses, humility. They taught me to be careful who I trust. They taught me to never judge. They taught me to be obedient to the Lord and they taught me the value of God’s Word.

Someone is sitting on a heap of regrets today. Maybe it’s been your choices or the fallout from someone else’s – either way, it’s been a rough ride and you can’t undo what has been. But God . . . You know the verse, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). “All things” mean the good, the bad, and the ugly. God doesn’t waste anything in your life. Every tear, every Joy, every sorrow, every moment is part of His training ground for your purpose. Put it all in His hands, Beloved, and He will bring about something beautiful. You.