What Voice Do You Hear?

Sitting in a worship service, Alice was feeling very thankful and blessed as she entered into the spirit of worship. She was singing and praising the Lord with her voice and soon she felt like raising a hand in praise to God for all He has done for her.

But then she heard a voice telling her that people would think she was prideful to raise her hand. You see, Alice had recently had a manicure and her nails looked beautiful. So this voice told her that people would say, “Oh, she just wants to show off her nails.”

Sorry to say, this voice made her refrain at this moment from praising the Lord with a raised hand. Then Alice got to thinking, “What if I didn't have a fresh manicure and my nails/hands were scruffy?” Then this voice would say, “Oh, you don't want to lift those ugly hands up to praise the Lord!”

Here we have the enemy of our souls, the devil, the evil one, Satan, the Prince and Power of the air, telling Alice that no matter what her hands look like, “don't lift them up in praise.” In other words, he put Alice into bondage, or tried to! But it didn't work because the irony of hearing both messages revealed the trickery of the messenger and allowed Alice to break through and praise God anyway!

I John 4:1-5 tells us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God . . .”

In I Samuel 16:7 we read, “For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

As I write, I want to be more vulnerable. As I praise the Lord, I want to be more free. I heard someone on the radio recently talk about “dancing with joy in praise” and I immediately had a little talk with Jesus, asking Him to help me do that and to teach me how to worship Him more freely. I also found this quote: “You fill us with joy in Your Presence because you want the laughter and the reverence.” Have you ever laughed in your fellowship with Jesus?

Psalm 16:11 says, “You have made known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Alice had to get to the point of obedience and not be concerned with what others may think. Perhaps by now you have discerned that Alice is really me, Anita! I hope that this story will be helpful when you hear voices that are not of the Lord. Purpose in your heart to try the spirits, and then obey the Lord's voice as you discard the thoughts of what others may think of you.

I was given good council that I need to more often practice praising the Lord in private. I have previously written about praying out loud. (Praising God Out Loud With Words) Sometimes our own voice sounds so loud! Get used to hearing your voice. Then give outward expression to your praise. I often pray short “outbursts” of praise. And sometimes my prayers are short petitions whenever I think of a need. But there are also sweet quiet times of sitting in His presence. I am still a seeker. A child of God, learning His ways. And He wants me to raise my hands in praise no matter what my hands look like!

I Chronicles 28:9, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”

Redeemed and Restored

I have been enthralled with a contemporary Christian song by Aaron Shust titled, You Redeem. These words are in the chorus: “You redeem, You redeem, You restore what's been stolen from me.” 

My mind went all the way back to the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 1:26 tells us that Adam and Eve were made perfect. “God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. 31. And God saw everything that he had made and behold, it was very good.”

Adam and Eve sinned. Genesis 2:17 God told Adam that if he ate of the fruit off the forbidden tree that he would surely die. And in chapter 3:7 after the serpent convinced Eve and Adam to eat of the forbidden fruit, we are told, “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” When they met God in the garden they were afraid because their sin had separated them from God. They were no longer the perfect created beings that God had created. And every person since then has been born with a depraved or sinful nature. Because of this sinful nature, every person has a “bent to sinning”. It is this condition of the heart that can be restored. How can this happen?

Jesus paid for our sins on the cross. Luke 10:32 tells us, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

How can a person be redeemed? Not by church attendance or joining a church. Not by doing good deeds and hoping they outweigh our sins. It is by faith in the blood of Jesus and acceptance of His gift of salvation. Jesus has done all the work for us. We need to ask Him for forgiveness and trust in the redeeming power of His blood.

The word redeem means: to buy back, to save, to redeem from sin by sacrifice. When a person asks for salvation, he is restored to fellowship with God. The barrier of sin has been removed and then fellowship can be enjoyed with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The remaining words to the chorus to this song, You Redeem:

You reclaim, You release, You rebuild with the words that You breathe,

You redeem, You redeem, Let revival awaken me” (Listen to the story behind the song and then scroll down to hear the song Here)

I am continually amazed at the redeeming power of Christ in me. I know I couldn't have done anything in myself to gain the favor of God. It has to be HIM! And I want the same thing for you. Will you come to Jesus today and experience this redeeming, restoring grace of Jesus in your life?

An Unlimited Supply

My husband asked me to find his favorite pen. Because he was recovering from knee replacement surgery, I looked everywhere he told me to look and didn't find it. Then I learned that he has a box full of these pens in his night stand! He said to me, “Well I bought them thinking they will last me the rest of my life and I didn't want to use more than one at a time.” I was flabbergasted and I said, “You are almost 70 years old. You can afford to use out of your abundance!” (story told with permission)

This conversation got me to thinking of other things. Such as my mother who had these pretty candles when I was a child. Some were in shapes of little children or scenes. But Mother never burned them! She was keeping them. And then I remembered telling my daughter to use her good “company” dishes, “just because.” How many things do we stash away in stead of enjoying them in the “now”?

A story in the Bible came to mind about the widow of Zarephath found in I Kings 17:7-16. This woman and her son had only enough oil and flour for one meal and then they expected to die. But Elijah asked her to give him a small cake and then one for her and her son. She was promised that her flour and oil would not diminish until the Lord sent rain upon the land (as they were in a drought.) This woman didn't have an abundance but by faith and obedience she ended up with an abundance. And because of this, she saved her life and that of her son.

We have many promises of the sufficiency and abundance offered to us by Jesus:

Grace – II Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Mercy – Lamentations 3:22, “His mercy is new every morning.” Charles Spurgeon said, “God's mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.”

Love – Psalm 136 is a psalm that has the constant refrain, “for His love endures forever” and continues for 26 verses. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” vs 1

Peace – Isaiah 54:10, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken or my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

So I would like to challenge us to live abundantly. Use those pens out of the box! Burn the pretty candles! Use your company dishes for your family sometimes! Give out of what you have to those in need.

And remember that we have an abundance of things from God that will never be “used up”. Is that phrase colloquial? Just in case it is, I looked up synonyms for “used up”: Drained, reduced, vacant, weakened, decreased, emptied, lessened, spent, worn, depreciated. I'm sure there are many more than the four I listed above. John 10:10 tells us, “I came so that you may have life and live it more abundantly.”

A Blog, A Birthday and a New Beginning

It was last year this time that I began writing a blog. I disciplined myself to write once a week for 52 weeks. I have learned a lot during this year. Some weeks the blog posts were easy and some were more difficult to write. I was surprised with how ideas would come to my mind. This was the work of the Holy Spirit as I learned to listen to Him. Some topics were too big for a blog. Some were too sensitive. There were some that were personal, but as long as it only pertained to me that was okay. It is in our personal journeys that we learn life lessons and it is a privilege to share those lessons. It was a revelation to me that a lot of my blog posts turned evangelical. It is of utmost importance that I share what Jesus has done for me and prayerfully write so others may know Jesus as their Savior too.

Ever since December 31, 1948 I have ended every year with a bang! This is my birth date. Every day is a gift but especially after a cancer diagnosis. I am so thankful to be a breast cancer survivor since 1992. I was 60 years old before I had my first birthday party, thanks to my husband and with the help of our oldest daughter, Penny. In the last few years our family has gathered on New Year's Eve to eat homemade pizza, crab legs, shrimp and to play games. So it is a party atmosphere and there are a few birthday gifts too! Being together with family is one of the best gifts. It is hard to believe I am now 68 years old. I am thankful to be very active, in good health and sound mind. (I know my children will laugh at that one!) I am thankful to have a circle of close friends and a larger circle of good friends. I am a blessed woman. I am also grateful that God has blessed me with a caring heart and I find it rewarding to reach out to others in leading small group Bible studies and mentoring women.

It is at this time of year that some people make New Year's Resolutions. Even if we don't, I think many of us look ahead and ponder what we want to accomplish, what we want to see happen, and what we want to do in the new year. And most of us want to do something better in the new year than in the past year. Some things I have heard people comment on is: to read their Bible more or to read it through in one year; to journal; to lose weight and exercise more; to eat more healthy; to be kinder and more thoughtful; to volunteer and/or give more.

Every year is a new beginning. It is like closing one door and walking through a new door. Or turning over another leaf in a book or even closing one book and picking up another one. But this book doesn't have anything written on its pages. It is up to us to write on these pages. But we don't necessarily have to write with pen and ink. We simply write the continuing story of our life.

This year I am not sure if I will continue to write a blog post every week. I want to read more and I have found that in writing weekly, I am reading less. So if I get inspired to write, I will write! And perhaps in reading more I will be inspired more. Who knows? We will see. And I would like to write more vulnerably. This can be painful but productive. So if you are a praying friend, you can pray that the Holy Spirit will give me the insights, words and the courage to share my heart.

The best way for you to begin a new year is with Jesus. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, today is the best day to invite Him into your heart, ask for forgiveness of sins and determine to live for Him every day. If you do know Jesus, He is with you always, ready to guide, comfort and help you through the storms of life. Have a Happy New Year with Jesus!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

How do you celebrate your birthday. Birthday Cake? Candles on the cake? Receiving gifts and having the Happy Birthday song sung to you? Gathering with friends and family to celebrate? It is a time of celebrating another year of life and living. Today is the day we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. How will we celebrate this birthday? The dynamic of Christmas day being on a Sunday is especially interesting. Though it makes life for families of small children a little difficult, it is a day to set aside a few hours and worship the Christ child.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

We have been so blessed by a Heavenly Father who loved us so much He sent His son to die for our sins. I recently read a friends thoughts about that little two letter word, so. God so loved! God so loved the World! God so loved me!

John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

A beautiful Christmas song that I love is about welcoming this Christ-child into our world - "Welcome to Our World".

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking

How we need to hear from God

You've been promised, we've been waiting

Welcome Holy Child

Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger

How I wish we would have known

But long-awaited Holy Stranger

Make Yourself at home

Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence

Bid our hungry souls be filled

Word now breaking Heaven's silence

Welcome to our world

Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us

Tender brow prepared for thorn

Tiny heart whose blood will save us

Unto us is born

Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You

Breathe our air and walk our sod

Rob our sin and make us holy

Perfect Son of God

Perfect Son of God

Welcome to our world

Listen at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrgwL5r7IcU

A few phrases are my favorites:

“Bid our hungry souls be filled” is a prayer for my soul. I never want to get to the place that I don't need my heart and soul to be filled with Him; His Presence, His Peace, His Power.

“Rob our sin and make us holy” is a prayer of repentance. Dear Jesus, take away my sin and make me holy in your sight.

Perhaps other lines of this song will speak to your heart. On this Christmas Day 2016, let us worship the Christ child, celebrate His birthday and welcome Him to our world.

Merry Christmas!

The Perfect Gift

“Mom, what do you want for Christmas?” This is a question I get this time of year and it stumps me every time because I don't know what I want. I really don't need anything and my wants are too expensive for those asking the question! This time of year there are many people scurrying around looking for the perfect gift for their loved ones. This makes me think of the Most Perfect Gift, Jesus!

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus is the perfect gift because he left the glories of heaven to come to a sinful world. He came as a baby, pure and holy,  God and man, so that He could save us from our sins. He came to be a Redeemer, a Savior, a Friend.

Matthew 1:18, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 1:23,24, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” We find the reference to the Godhead (the Trinity) being the Word in John 1:1-5, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Father God created us from the beginning of time so that He could have fellowship with us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to bridge the gap that was caused by sin so that we can be in right relationship with Him. I John 1:7, “If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Enjoying His Presence is more important than presents anytime of year but especially during the Christmas season as we celebrate His birthday.

When someone gives us a gift, we need to reach out and take the gift – we need to accept it! Otherwise, the giver can't give us the gift. The same is true of this Perfect Gift – we need to reach out and accept it. We do this by asking God for forgiveness of our sins and asking Jesus to live in our heart. This is when we experience what this verse is talking about: II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

So for this Christmas season, if you don't know Jesus as your Savior, He is the Perfect Gift you can receive. And if you already know Jesus as your Savior, He is the Perfect Gift you can give!

Christmas is . . .

An Alaskan girl was seen by her teacher admiring a beautiful sunset when the teacher suggested that she try to put the scene on canvas. She replied, “Oh, I can't draw glory”.

Christmas is God's picture of glory. Hebrews 1:1-3, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

Sometimes I feel like that girl when I try to write words on paper. How does one express all the many thoughts and blessings of Christmas? I'll try but I know it is limitless.

Christmas is music, fun and laughter. Christmas is cooking, baking and cleaning. Christmas is plays, recitations and caroling. Christmas is family, friends, and fellowship. Christmas is the story of a baby that was born to die. Christmas is a time of joy and gladness. Christmas is sweet aroma's coming from the kitchen, decorations in the house, maybe snow on the ground. Christmas is the happy squeals of children in anticipation of gifts and candy. Christmas is a renewed sense of appreciation for God's greatest gift of His Son. Christmas is shopping, wrapping gifts and decorating a tree. Christmas is good cheer and the wish for peace among all men. Christmas is turkey, ham, cookies and fruit cake. Christmas is poinsettia's, holly and mistletoe. Christmas is a time of sharing, a time of loving, a time of worship. Christmas is all this and more.

It is what we make it as we contemplate what God meant it to be when He sent His son to earth in the form of an infant. That baby held all the promise of salvation for all who would believe. The promise is the same today. Matthew 1:21, “Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” Are you looking for a Savior? Do you need to have your sins forgiven? Do you want to be a part of the family of God? I implore you to take advantage of the reason for the season – Jesus! He came to save you and me. How sad to go through this time of year and not experience the true meaning of Christmas, Christ in your heart.

Claim your Christmas gift from God, Christ your Savior, who has been prepared before the foundation of the world.

Note: This was originally written by Anita McIlveen, December 1985 as an article in the Altoona Brethren in Christ Church newsletter.

How Can I See Through Dirty Glasses?

A week ago I was sitting in a vehicle with the bright sunlight streaming in past my face. I was facing away from the light so it was showing me how dirty my glasses were. And I wondered to myself, “How can I even see through all this dirt? And how did they get so dirty without me noticing it? I came to the conclusion that it happened so subtly that I got used to each layer of dust and dirt and didn't realize the dirty condition of my glasses. And a light bulb went off in my mind! It took the light to show me how dirty my glasses were and it takes the light of Jesus to show us our sinful hearts. Just as we have to clean our glasses to see better, we must confess our sins to have a clean heart. I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This is how sin sneaks up on us, just a little here and a little there and then, wham! It hits us that we have fallen into sin. But I have good news! Jesus came to earth to be the Light of the World. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Daniel 2:22 tells us, “He reveals deep hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” Once we see our sinful hearts there is no need for despair. In I John 1:9 we read, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

We have many scriptures that give us promises if we walk in light:

I John 1:5, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

I John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Psalm 18:28, “For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.”

In Acts 26:18, Saul was sent to preach so that the people would, “open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

In Isaiah 42, we have this prophetic promise: vs6. “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you”; vs 16, “I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.”

As we are in the beginning of the Advent season our hearts and minds go to the Christmas story and the coming of Jesus as a baby into our sinful world. During this time of year we have many lights: candles, stars, Christmas lights on our tree, perhaps on our mantle, and outside decorations. Lets be reminded of the true Light, Jesus. He is the reason for the season, He is our Light.

John 12:46, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

Will You Serve HIM?

With the end of another presidential process and a new President Elect there are many people standing in the wings hoping to get chosen to serve in the Cabinet or in other prestigious positions. I recently heard a newscaster ask someone if they would be willing to serve. His answer was, “I am willing to serve anywhere I am asked.” This answer has been repeated by others as well.

When I heard that phrase I thought, “That is what Jesus is asking all of us to do; to be willing to serve Him anywhere He asks us.” There is nothing wrong in desiring to serve our country. But to serve Jesus is so much better. And it is even possible to do both at the same time! This got me to thinking about the “call to serve” in the spiritual realm.

Jesus set the example before us by giving the supreme sacrifice. We read in Mark 10:45, “The man of God came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus left his home in heaven with His Father to come to earth as a baby. He lived a perfect life as both God and man and after 30 years He preached the Gospel and called people to believe in Him. Then he died on a cross to buy our pardon from sin. But that wasn't the end. This was the beginning, because Jesus arose from the grave and soon after ascended back to heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Throne of God making intercession for us. He taught us how to serve selflessly.

Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” This speaks of surrender. Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

I Samuel 12:24, “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”

Joshua 22:5, “Be careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

John 12:26, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

A good number of people may think if they surrender to God's call to serve that they will be on a jet to Africa. We can't all go to Africa! There are places of service all over the world and you could be called to go. But you may also be called to “stay”. There is a mission field in your back yard - your community. Every time you go to a check out counter, there could be a person who needs your smile, a kind word, or even a quickly spoken word about Jesus. You can find these people in all walks of life as you interact with doctors, nurses, auto mechanics, the newspaper carrier, colleagues, teachers, business people, cashiers, janitors, . . . the list goes on and on!

Multitudes of people have said Yes to His call, beginning with the disciples. Down through time, many have heeded the call to serve a living God, from Bible days to the present age. If the Lord nudges you to do something, say something or give something, what will your answer be?

I Peter 4:10-11, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”

A Thankful Heart

Many hearts will turn to Thanksgiving this coming week. What kind of memories do you have of Thanksgiving? A table laden with good food and lots of family sitting around the table? Little children running around playing with cousins? Your dad carving the turkey while mother mashes potatoes? A scurrying around to get everything on the table hot and delicious? That could be the “Norman Rockwell” picture of Thanksgiving Day. Maybe it is yours as well.

For me as a child, some Thanksgiving days were butcher days. I didn't really enjoy those kind of holidays but it taught me to be thankful for the meat that was provided for the winter. But there were those family times around the table with my aunt and uncle and others. My parents always invited a lonely old man they knew that would be without the blessing of home and family. That taught me a lot and helped me to see not everyone was as blessed as I was.

Then as an adult with a family of my own, we would go to my parents home for many years but occasionally they would come to our home for the holiday. After my dad died, we would bring mother to our home for a few days and also invite a few others to join us. Mother had taught me how to set a pretty table and I loved to do it. Themed napkins and jellied cranberry sauce, beautiful china and traditional pumpkin pie all helped make the meal festive.

But it is our heart attitude that really makes Thanksgiving Day special. We give thanks for our many blessings. Music always speaks to my heart and there are a few Thanksgiving hymns that are my favorites.

We Gather Together was originally a Dutch patriotic song, written around 1600 to celebrate the freedom of the Netherlands from Spanish rule. However, God's kingdom transcends national and ethnic boundaries. When the Church sings this hymn, she is reminded of the words of the apostle Paul: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”, Ephesians 6:12 ESV. In singing this hymn the people of God seek His help and thank Him for His presence in the pursuit of victory over evil, for we know that God “forgets not His own.” (hymnary.org)  Listen HERE

For The Beauty of the Earth was written in 1863 by Folliott S. Pierpoint. He was wondering through the English countryside around the winding Avon River. As he looked on the beauty surrounding him, he was inspired to reflect on God's gifts to his people in creation and in the church. He thought of the sacrifice of Christ, in the greatest of sacrifices, that of his life in return for ours. The hymn was meant not only as a song of thanksgiving but as the only thing we could give Christ in return for his mercy and love; a hymn of praise laid upon the altar as a sacrifice. (hymnary.org)  Listen HERE

Come Ye Thankful People Come, was written by Henry Alford in 1844, in rural England when the life of the village during the winter depended on the bounty of the autumn harvest. While the first stanza of this hymn rejoices over the harvest, the last three expound on the reminder this image gives of the parable of the Wheat and the Weeds in Matthew 13. The hymn concludes with a prayer that the final harvest at His Second Coming would happen soon. (Hymnary.org) Listen HERE

Wonderful, Merciful, Savior* is probably not thought of as a thanksgiving hymn but I love these

words that give praise to a “lamb that could rescue the souls of men” and “offer hope when our hearts have hopelessly lost their way”. And in the chorus it speaks the words of my heart: “You are the One that we praise, You are the One we adore; You give us healing and grace our hearts always hunger for.” My heart is full of praise for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He has given me eternal life by dying on a cross; he has rescued me from a life of sin, he continually offers me hope when life situations cause me to be disheartened. And my heart lifts up praise to Him as the One that I praise and adore. I am so thankful!

*Written in 1989 by Dawn Rodgers and Eric Wyse   

Listen HERE

At Home with My Spiritual Family

It was very unusual for me to be absent from my church for three Sundays.  I walked in and sat down, the worship team was playing and the worship leader was welcoming everyone to the service. Then we began to sing and my spirit quieted down and I became  excited at the same time. I felt at peace and at one with the congregation. I felt like I was home!

Please don't misunderstand me. I really enjoyed visiting other churches. I was able to worship and praise my Savior, I enjoyed the fellowship with other Christians and was edified by the preaching of the Word.

The first church we visited on our vacation was a Baptist church in southern Ohio. This is my bridesmaid's church, nestled in the rolling hills of Ohio. A beautiful white church sitting on a ridge where you can see miles and miles of beautiful country. A former pastor taught the adult Sunday School Class in the sanctuary and he is a very capable Bible teacher. The choir sang beautifully and if you have a birthday, you go up to the front and put an offering in a container for missions. The pastor preached a good message and we were blessed with the friendliness of the people.

The second church we visited was my cousin Mark's church located in Michigan, just across the border from Toledo, Ohio. He is the worship leader, plays the guitar and sings in the contemporary service. This is a Lutheran church. The pastor has a childrens' sermon but it is more of a conversation as he sits on the steps of the platform with them and tells them a Bible story, involving them with questions. An interesting part of the service is when he asks if anyone has a joy to report. This includes answers to prayer or stories of God's goodness; a very relaxed time of community sharing.

When we arrived home a friend asked if I could take his parents to his church because his two daughters were going to be baptized. These grandparents are also friends and I couldn't have them miss this momentous occasion. This church is an Alliance church in Elizabethtown, Pa, about an hour and a half travel time. A guest worship team from a nearby college led us in worship. The pastor gave a short summary of a sermon series that was beginning the next Sunday, and he also gave a scriptural basis for baptism. The girls and two others read their testimonies and while we were singing Amazing Grace, all four girls were baptized. It was a very nice, sweet time of rejoicing with these preteens who are following Jesus. I enjoyed my visit at this church, their warm welcome upon arrival and seeing the family of God working together in community.

If you have been born again, having repented of your sins and have asked Jesus to be Lord of your life, you are a child of God (Ephesians 1:16), a fellow citizen with the saints (Ephesians 2:19), Jesus is your Brother (Matthew 12:48-50, God is your Father (I John 3:1-2), and you are a part of the family of God!  As a part of this family, we are exhorted in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” We can worship anywhere, but there is more to just walking into a church, sitting down and worshiping. We must have relationship with fellow Christians.

This is why I felt like I had come home when I came back from three Sundays away. I have a relationship with many in my church. These brothers and sisters in the Lord have prayed for me over the years. They were there with meals when I had surgeries. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, many offered support, meals and prayer. They came to support us when our house burned to the ground in 2010. In Bible Studies, Sunday School and prayer groups, I have learned to love these people. We have shared many joys and sorrows and have become close as brothers and sisters in the Lord. We are family! And I feel at home.

  

I John 3: 1-2, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are . . .Beloved, we are God's children . . .”

I Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

Ephesians 2:19, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

Ephesians 1:16, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Matthew 12:48-50 ”Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

A Step into Glory

"Just inside the gate a place reserved for me

Book of Life, my name penned there by Calvary

Welcome like no other, tear drops wiped away

And on that day I get to stay inside the gate!"

These words to a song I recently heard blessed me so much as I thought of stepping inside the gates of heaven some day. My first thoughts were not of streets of gold and gates of pearl, but the divine glory that will be there because of Jesus presense! Another thought was the absolute joy of just being there. And I reveled in that glory.

Then I really listened to the first verse of this song and had a completely different emotion:

"In another time and place much more than fate

He took sins weight outside the gate

Love beyond all human thought of dignity

now welcomes me where I shouldn't be"

You see, I am not worthy on my own to go to heaven.  My sins could only be cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus.  So my emotion now includes sorrow for my sins, gratefulness for Jesus' taking my place on the cross and then joy because Jesus has become my Savior.  My Jesus suffered “outside the gate” so I could “step inside the gate”! Let me explain.

Hebrews 13:11-12, “For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” This gives us a picture of the Old Testament sacrifices performed by the priests that was a foreshadowing of the sacrifice Christ made for us “outside the camp” meaning the city of Jerusalem. Leviticus 16:27, “And the bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp.”

The Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated daily and the Day of Atonement took place once a year. Neither could take away our sins. But Jesus died on the cross of Calvary once for all.

Hebrews 10:10,11, “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet. 14, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

Another picture of this is found in Numbers 13:1-25 where we learn about the Israelites' wondering in the land of Canaan for forty years. This was punishment for their lack of faith and God condemned a generation, except Caleb and Joshua, to die in that desert. During this time they carried around a Tabernacle which is a representation of the true heavenly Tabernacle. The priests offered sacrifices during this time also. The Day of Atonement was an event that took place only once a year, but the sin offering was a constant daily reminder of the seriousness of sin. The offense was so grave that the offering was burned outside the camp.
The Most Holy Place was where the priest would offer the blood from the animal sacrifice once a year. The common person couldn't step into this Most Holy Place. Jesus died outside the gate once for all so we can step into Heaven as a redeemed person/soul. On the day Jesus died on the cross, the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the people was torn from top to bottom signifying that we can enter into a relationship with Jesus, one on One!

Hebrews 10:19-23 “Since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great and high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful.”

Because of the shed blood of Jesus, all Christians have the hope of “stepping inside the gate” of heaven someday. What a glorious day that will be! To be able to sit at the feet of Jesus and worship and praise Him for His great sacrifice on the cross will be the ultimate prize. Our human concept of a prize is minimal when compared with what we find in Phillippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

As the songwriter* penned in the chorus of this song, “on that day I get to stay inside the gate!” We will spend an eternity with Jesus in Heaven! Romans 6:22, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”

*Inside the Gate, written by Janene A Dubbeld and recorded by the Mark Dubbeld Family. You can find the CD, Live, Nothing But Praise, at this link: http://www.mjdubbeld.com/resources.  

Trust in the Road Signs

 The GPS or Map Quest tells you to turn right and then turn left. Cross this intersection and bear to the right . . . but it just doesn't seem like the right way to go. With the maze of highways and clover leaves, bridges and intersecting roads, it can be confusing. So you have two choices: trust your instincts or trust the directions being given to you. If you obey the GPS, then as you travel a little distance, you start to see how the highways connect and it begins to make sense.

We recently took a trip and it reinforced a thought I have had in the past about following directions. In the spiritual realm we are to follow a blueprint written in the Bible as to how to live and how our Christian walk should look; what paths we should and should not follow. Proverbs 3:6, tells us, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” And Jesus told us in John 18:2, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Colossians 2:6, “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Sometimes God leads us into a sweet path. Psalm 23:2-3, “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”

Sometimes God leads us through tough times. Psalm 37:5 tells us, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” When the road gets rough and it looks like there is no way to go, Trust In Jesus.

Joshua 1:9 we have this promise: “Be strong, be courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

As we travel down this road of life we need to obey the signs. Psalm 128:1, “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways!

Sometimes we take a wrong turn as we are traveling and the GPS will say, “Calculating.” Then she tells you how to get back on the right road to your destination. The same is true for the Christian. First of all, we need to acknowledge our sin.

I John 1:9, “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Then we need to turn around and get back on the right path. Acts 3:19, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord . . .”

As we obey God's Word, and Trust in Him we continue on this Highway to Heaven and we can experience these words found in Proverbs 4:18,  "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” And we can say with the psalmist, “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4