My Best?

Try your best to live quietly, 

to mind your own business,

 and to work hard, 

just as we taught you to do.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Our world is lacking our best efforts because they do not have Christ as their example.

Out of curiosity, I scanned the scripture to see how many references contained "best"...and most of the 184 say "give (or gave) your (their) best."  "The Best" is not expected anymore.  "Get By With As Little As You Can" is the norm.  More emphasis needs to be made on giving our best in the workplace, the home and the church.  We are not doing what Christ demands of us if we are not doing our best.

Here are just two examples of what is expected of us:

If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully. Romans 12:8

and

...and do your best to live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

I admit that I don't do my job either.  Many times I goof off doing my thing.  I get by with as little as I can and make it work.  Others times I work like a fool on things that don't matter and think I've been doing my best.  Rarely do I do the Lord's Work to the best of my ability and have a true feeling of completion and self-worth.  The scripture humbled me today.

Photo Credit: Sharon on Flickr

Sweatin' the Small Stuff

But the LORD said:  You are concerned about a vine that you did not plant or take care of, a vine that grew up in one night and died the next. In that city of Nineveh there are more than a hundred twenty thousand people who cannot tell right from wrong, and many cattle are also there. Don't you think I should be concerned about that big city?

Jonah 4:10-11 

It seems that we are so concerned about the petty things of life when the world around us is clamoring to fill the God-hole in their hearts.  The "Wicked" sign is appropriate in describing our world (though it is the title of a Broadway musical).  My view is so limited.  I need to look beyond my front door.

Photo Credit: Eric Drost on Flickr

Singing the Joyful Song of Life

Let the fields be jubilant,

and everything in them; 

let all the trees of the forest

 sing for joy.

Psalm 96:12

What's more joyful than a field full of lavender...

or

a deer in your backyard?

I'm singing God's praise for the wonders of His earth today.

Photo Credit: Sharon on Flickr

Walking by Faith

 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for

 and 

assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrew 11:1

I'm ready for another day 

of walking by faith.

Come with me.

Photo Credit: r. nial bradshaw on Flickr

Hastening

I will hasten and not delay 

to obey your commands.

Psalm 119:60

1.  Read God's Word.

2. Post God's Word.

3. Drink my coffee....

Well, I don't think drinking coffee is one of God's commands but it certainly puts my brain on "hasten."

  Today is catch-up day.  We had the privilege of visiting our oldest son and his family...a 7 1/2 hr. trip.  It's always good being with family.  Today I stock my refrigerator in anticipation of house guests this week-end, clean my house, visit my daughter and her family and help her pack boxes for an up-coming move...closer to us!

Help me, Lord, in this wonderfully busy life to find where you are working and join you there.

Photo Credit: PineappleXVI on Flickr

Lending, Generosity and Good Will

Good will come to those who are generous 

and lend freely, 

who conduct their affairs with justice.

Psalm 112:5

I've got to admit that lending someone money doesn't come easy for me.  I do it anyway on many occasions and am blessed afterward because I helped someone in need.  Most have paid their debt...many times when we have forgotten we loaned to them.  Loaning can come in many forms other than monetary.  Think about it.  The Bible lists generosity alongside lending.  Cool!  I love being generous!

Photo Credit: Quazie on Flickr

Sing a New Song

Sing to him a new song;

 play skillfully,

 and shout for joy.

Psalm 33:3

It was a great week at Children's Music Camp.  A lot of new songs were learned.  Children were learning to play skillfully and there was much 

"shouting for joy."

We're blessed to be put in a place where we can use our "old folks" abilities and still be accepted.  Thank you Ashley Jackson for your photo post on Facebook.

Righteous Right Hand

So do not fear, for I am with you; 

do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you and help you; 

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

It's good to know that we can trust our Heavenly Father.  We may even be afraid when we're being held but we still have the confidence that He won't drop us.  He's in control.

Photo Credit: Ivan M. on Flickr

Fortress

Since you are my rock and my fortress,
    for the sake of your name 

lead and guide me.

Psalm 31:3

Whenever I'm feeling small, discouraged or afraid, the words "you are my rock and my fortress" come to mind.  They are the first to enter my memory as I lay on my bed in the middle of the night wishing I were asleep and bringing scripture to mind to make my brain rest.  It works, too.  God's Word brings me peace and a sense of security.

Photo Credit: vanderfrog on flickr

Everyone

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, 

because it is the power of God 

that brings salvation to 

EVERYONE

 who believes:

 first to the Jew,

then to the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

I think God's Word is specific.

Photo Credit: PerformingArts at USF on Flickr

Camp Time--Time to Celebrate

I will always praise the Lord

With all my heart,
I will praise the Lord.
 Let all who are helpless,
listen and be glad.

Honor the LORD with me!

 Celebrate his great name.

Psalm 34: 1-3

 (Contemporary English Version)

It's Children's Music Camp week and I feel a little helpless teaching 1-2 and 3-5 class piano.  Some have experience and some...well, this is their first time to have a piano lesson.  It's a challenge to teach both in one class in 20 minute classes, two a day, but I have a great assistant.  Another teacher at the Community Music Center is handling the newbies and doing a great job.

One thing I do know--I will honor the Lord with what I do this week and I will celebrate His great name for allowing me this opportunity.

Photo Credit: Art4TheGloryofGod on Flickr

The Seedling

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth 

and the evil that is so prevalent 

and humbly accept the word 

planted in you,

 which can save you.

James 1:21

Seeds can sprout in a wet paper towel or sand, like the ones above.  What they need to grow into healthy plants is fertile soil. 

So many seeds of the gospel have been sown but people have neglected their growth by not heeding the planter..."Now, attach yourself to a Bible believing church that can nurture you and help you grow in the faith.  Read God's Word and take it into your life.  Seek other believers as friends and become accountable to them.  Pray and seek guidance from the one who made you...."  So many seedlings, so few trees.

Photo Credit: Ton Rulkens on Flickr

True Bread

Jesus answered,

 “It is written: 

‘Man shall not live on bread alone, 

but on every word 

that comes from the mouth of God."

Matthew 4:4

I am a glutinous person.  There...I've said it.  Maybe not all the time but enough to still wear larger clothes than my height and age say I should.  Our whole society (and others) think about food A LOT and we're swept up with specials and super-sizes.  If only we were as excited about fattening our souls with true bread instead of the kind that makes our bellies hang out.

Photo Credit: jubileelewis on Flickr

The Heavens and The Earth

Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made

 the heavens and the earth 

by your great power and outstretched arm.

 Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:17

I'm praising you today, O Lord, for all of your creations (yes, even spiders).  You have made everything by your order and in your time and I am grateful.  I thank you for your vast love and your mercy for the things you have created and I look forward to the wonders of eternity with you.

You are the one and only Sovereign LORD.

Photo Credit: Waiting for the Word on Flickr

His Way In The Whirlwind

The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; 

the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. 

His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, 

and clouds are the dust of his feet.

Nahum 1:3

I love the imagery in the Bible but reading this and finding this photograph...wow, it's scary.  The real scary thing is doing something that requires punishment by the LORD.  We then deserve the whirlwind He can cause.

He's so powerful and we're so small.

Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Photo Credit: Sydney Oats

Paths

Photo Credit: Peer Lawther on Flickr

Photo Credit: Tim Green on Flickr

Teach me to follow, Lord,

and lead me on the right path.

Psalm 27:11

[Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright (C) 1995 American Bible Society]

Which path would you choose?

Without consulting the Maker of the Paths, I would probably and unknowingly (or not) choose the steepest one and then a quarter of the way up, I'd wish I had followed the other one.  Why do we take off on our own when God wants us to go a different way?

Why are we so arrogant to not seek advice for our journeys?

Resting in the Shadow

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

  will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

It took a while to find a photo that fit the scripture today but I think this one does. 

From the time Jesus was born to the time He died, He was in the shadow of the Almighty. 

God was holding Him up through all His trials on earth so He could provide for us a way to eternity with Him.  He was showing us how to depend on Him through it all.

He holds us now.

(Can you figure out from where the shadow is coming in the photo above?)

Photo Credit: Artotem on Flickr

Rain That Sparkles

A ruler who obeys God and does right

is like the sunrise on a cloudless day.

 or like rain that sparkles on the grass.

2 Samuel 23:3b-4

(Contemporary English Version®

Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.)

This version of the Bible is so expressive.

We need this from all our leaders...political,corporate and religious.

Photo Credit: Neal Fowler on Flickr

God's Word Forever

Heaven and earth 

will pass away,

 but my words 

will never pass away.

Matthew 24:35

It is comforting to know that God's Word stands forever...no matter what.

Photo Credit: Marcelino Rapayla Jr. on Flickr

Be Respectful

Photo Credit: Amy Taylor on Flickr

Feeling Patriotic

Blessed is the nation 

whose God 

is the Lord,

 the people he chose 

for his inheritance.

Psalm 33:12

The nation spoken here by the Psalmist was Israel but when Jesus entered the scene, the word "nation" extended to the Gentiles, anyone other than Israel.  That message of salvation, rightness with God, eternal hope rested in the belief in Jesus, God's Son, and is offered today to anyone who believes in Him.  Our nation is missing out on the blessings God can offer us if we don't take this scripture seriously.  

Look what happened to Israel.

Photo Credit: Artondra Hall on Flickr  

Mind and Heart

Photo Credit: Lovelorn Poets on Flickr

Photo Credit: Erich Ferdinand on Flickr

The heart is deceitful above all things

 and beyond cure.

 Who can understand it? 

“I the Lord search the heart

 and examine the mind, 

to reward each person according to their conduct, 

according to what their deeds deserve.” 

Jeremiah 17:9-10

...and we wonder why things go wrong, why our plans fail, why the world is the way it is, why we are scared, lonely or hurting.

Our minds are full of everything but God and our hearts are stone-cold.

Yes, we live in a fallen world and bad things happen to good people.  When that happens, first examine your heart and mind and see whether you deserve anything but what you are being given.  I don't.

I'm thankful that God sees fit to allow me one more day because my heart and mind many times have not given God the place He deserves.

Hiding Again?

Who can hide in secret places

 so that I cannot see them?”

declares the Lord. 

“Do not I fill heaven and earth?” 

declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:24

Why do we do it?  We know better.  God, the All-Knowing, knows where we are all the time yet we try to get away with sin anyway.  When will we learn?

Photo Credit: Karen Roe on Flickr

Excuses

 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:5-7

I don't know this young lady's name or anything about her but I do know that God blessed her with creative ability and she is going to express it no matter what! ...and all I do is complain and make excuses.

It takes energy to fan a flame but once it's going, you can't stop it.  God's power be yours as you ignite your creative spark.

Photo Credit: Azmil77 on Flickr