The Thorn

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne

And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.

I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart

I cried, “But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.

This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me.”

He said, “My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.”

I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,

As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.

I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,

He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

by Martha Snell Nicholson

Fear and Unexpected Change

Fear and Unexpected Change

Everyone has faced or will face an unexpected circumstance that produces fear. While this may be a normal response, fears that remain unchecked can become emotionally paralyzing. It can strip us of self-confidence, steal away inner peace, complicate relationships, and rob us of God given opportunities and blessings.

The story of Mary and Joseph is a great example.  Mary has just been told that she will become pregnant and give birth to the Son of God. “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:29-30) Joseph, her betrothed, was in utter shock, believing the woman he loved had betrayed him.  “The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:20)

The Lord, knowing their fearful emotional state, rushes in like a cool breeze on a scorching day to refresh and reassure them. His words enabled them to boldly exchange their fears for His peace. Instead of quietly sending Mary away as a marked woman, Joseph embraced her as his wife. Mary with bold faith threw off her fears and brought forth the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s take a closer look at the various components of this familiar story to see if there is a parallel for our lives: (1) the situation was unexpected and life changing (2) gripping fear produced confusion and disbelief (3) possible negative consequences could be  loss of reputation, financial hardship, isolation, and rejection (4) divine intervention and reassurance comes resulting in clarity and renewed peace (5) we no longer make fear based decisions that negatively impact us and others (6) with courage we can face the future with renewed hope in God’s promises.

I love the words of Jesus as He speaks to his disciples about the impending change they are about to face.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) His words are still true for us today!

Building Joy In Others

Everyone around you is dealing with the pressures of life. Some are discouraged, anxious, and others are in deep despair. Anyone of us can become so focused on the pain of the moment that we forget to be thankful and lose our joy.

You and I can bring light into those shadowed places and rekindle thankfulness by building joy in others. It's the golden rule for living. "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get. Being and Doing." Matthew 7:12 (The Message)

Here are eight ways in which we can be used of God to build joy in others.

1.  Smile whenever you greet those you love, and use sincere voice tones.

2.  Ask questions that invite others to tell you truthfully, how they are doing, and what they are thinking.  Listen intently without interrupting.

3.  Take a sincere interest in really knowing the other person.  Work hard to understand the other’s fears, joys, passions, talents, and pain. 

4.  Treat each other with dignity and respect.  When ending a discussion, try to make both people feel affirmed.

5.  Use touch whenever appropriate: Hold hands, link arms, give hugs, and use physical connection as effectively as you can.

6.  Discover what brings the person joy:  a time to talk, encouraging notes, a helping hand, or evening walks.

7.  Give them little surprises that will cause their eyes to light up, and let your eyes light up, too!  The joy builds as the glances go back and forth.

8.  Cherish babies and children by establishing through words and actions that you are authentically “glad to be with them”.

Think about it. Aren't you thankful when someone treats you in one or all of the eight way mentioned above? English novelist William Makepeace Thackeray said, "Life is a mirror; if you frown at it, it frowns back; if you smile, it returns the greeting."

*1-8 Living From The Heart Jesus Gave You, pg24, Shepherd’s House, Inc.

A Noble Woman--Proverbs 31: 10-12

Proverbs 31:10-12 (AMP) Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

What a joy it is to finally be able to write about this noble woman! There have been so many warning about the cantankerous woman and the immoral enticing woman. Now we have the testimony of the VIRTUOUS woman that any sensible man would be honored to have as his wife. 

This is woman is morally and spiritual strong in character. She is competent, courageous, industrious and wise. She is the mistress of her domain building her house day by day with godly wisdom. Her husband has complete confidence in her, trusting her explicitly.

Proverbs 12:4 (AMP) A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 14:1 (AMP) EVERY WISE woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 18:22 (NASB) He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:14 (AMP) House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but a wise, understanding, and prudent wife is from the Lord.

As a man I recognize that God has blessed me beyond what I could have hoped for. I have found incredible favor in receiving the gift of a God-fearing sensible woman. It is very humbling to contemplate! I am very proud to say that I am married to Linda and she is the virtuous woman of my dreams! Thank you Lord!!

Proverbs 30:10 Never Slander

Proverbs 30:10 (NLT) Never slander a worker to the employer, or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it.

Definition: slander is a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report.

Definition:  defamation is the act of saying false things in order to make people have a bad opinion of someone or something.

To slander another person is simply evil false speech that can cause alienation and damage to someone else’s character. In the end the damage that is projected toward another person will come back to its point of origin. There is an old saying, “never spit when the wind is blowing toward you.” Get the point?

It has been my observation that those who engage in such evil activity have a sense that they have been unjustly wronged. In their anger they lash out looking for revenge. They are also prideful, defensive, and blame shifting to somehow justify their ungodly behavior. Perhaps in some cases they have been wounded.  Regardless, when wronged we are admonished to guard our hearts from bitterness (Proverbs 4:23) which in the end defiles many (Hebrews 12:15).  We must remember that, “man’s anger does not work the righteousness of God. (James 1:19)

Here is the word of the Lord for those who engage in slander and defamation. “I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.”  Psalm 101:5 (NLT)  

Romans 12:19-21 (NLT) Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Father God, guard my heart from any root of bitterness that would cause me to retaliate and damage another person’s reputation.  When I am injured give me the humility to bring my pain to you alone. Help me to respond to Your Spirit, to forgive as You have forgiven me. Amen

Hasty Words: Proverbs 29:20

Proverbs 29:20 (AMP) Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.

Wow! What a statement. This reminds me of the guy who does not take time to think about what he is saying, exercises no restraint and continually puts his foot in his mouth. You know the one :0)

Proverbs 19:2 (AMP) Desire without knowledge is not good, and to be overhasty is to sin and miss the mark.

1)      This person is anxious to insert their thoughts into a conversation.

2)      They are not good listeners.

3)      You can see the wheels turning in their head. Before you can finish your  

             thought they are forming a rebuttal.  

4)      Their opinions are the most important and of course always right.  

5)      They simply don’t know when to stop talking. They go on and on and on.

What’s the cure?

1)      Exercise self-control with a measured response. Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

2)      Determine to listen twice as much as you talk.  James 1:19 (AMP) Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.

3)      Remember, you do not have to say everything that comes into your mind. Uses shorter sentences and fewer words. Proverbs 17:27 (NLT) A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

4)      There are some conversations or situations when silence is the wisest response. Proverbs 17:28 (NLT) Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Heavenly Father, Help me to take my own advice! There have been too many times in conversations when I have been left with the taste of shoe leather in my mouth.

Proverbs 28:13 Humble Confessions

Proverbs 28:13 (AMP) He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy.

The clarity of the message here is unmistakable. If I refuse to humbly acknowledge my sin, renounce, and abandon it, I will not prosper. I know some of you are thinking about the person you know who lives like the devil and is living a prosperous life. May I submit to you that the prosperity mentioned in verse 13 is not the size of a bank account.

Matthew 16:23 (NKJV) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

3 John 1:2 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

There is nothing that compares to the soul that has gown healthy and strong through walking in the truth and power of God’s Word! This prosperity is an eternal treasure that cannot be destroyed by moth and rust and cannot be stole by thieves. (Mark 6:20)  

This is a soul that has obtained unfathomable mercy.  “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgive, The Joy of Forgiveness A Psalm of David. A Contemplation. Whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.4For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:1-5 (NKJV)

The Word of God speaks for itself in confronting our denial and pride. “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)

When we humble ourselves in prayer and confess our needs, “He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].  [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].  Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].” James 4:6-10 (AMP)

Psalm 32:5 (AMP) I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]--then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for continually dealing with my stubborn PRIDE! Oh how I desire that it be completely rooted out of my life. I invite the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Come,  continue to shine the light of God’s Word into every corner of my soul. Amen