God’s Gift

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Arrow

Christmas is the day we rejoice and celebrate God sending the greatest gift, Himself, in the form of baby Jesus. The very Presence of God with us in the form of His Son and later the Holy Spirit is an indescribable gift, a gift that includes eternal life with Him.

Jesus explained to the Samaritan woman at the well, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). She eventually understood that Jesus was the Son of God offering her eternal life. The Apostle Paul shares this contrast, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

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Experiencing life with God by our side is an incredible gift! He is our joy, our peace, our hope, our strength, our comfort, our guide, our help, and our Savior. Who doesn’t need and desire that?

May we accept this incomparable gift from God by believing Jesus is His Son, receive His forgiveness, and look forward to eternal life with Him.

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Not What We Expected

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Arrow

Who were the first to hear of Jesus’s birth? Surely it was proclaimed by palace trumpeters or broadcast across the earth. No.

Angels made the announcement to a small group of shepherds, lowly outcasts outside Bethlehem. After the shepherds heard the great news, they left immediately to search for the newborn. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17-18).

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The people were “amazed.” Meaning what? Did those who heard the report from the shepherds spread the word? Did they believe that the Messiah had finally come? No such response is recorded.

We find a similar reaction years later to many of Jesus’s miracles and teachings. Upon hearing Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, “[T]he crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:28b-29a). But this amazement did not necessarily translate to belief that Jesus was the Son of God.

The Jews of Jesus’s day expected the Messiah to rise up politically and end the Roman occupation of Judea. They thought He would free them from the power of Rome and establish an earthly kingdom then and there. But Jesus did not do what they expected.

The same attitude is found today. People refuse to accept Jesus because their expectations are dashed. Things don’t go as planned. Disappointment and bitterness harden hearts and keep people from turning to the One who can save them from sin.

We need to accept that God’s ways are not our ways and that He has a better plan. When we surrender to Him, we find a loving Savior.

May we go beyond amazed. Let’s believe!

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God Prepares Us

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Arrow

A close friend recently purchased a remote cabin in the mountains to escape the summer heat. As she and her husband worked to fix it up, she found herself thinking, what would I do if we had a medical problem or emergency? She reasoned through various scenarios and came up with appropriate plans of action.

Within a few days, a crown came off her tooth! She didn’t panic because she knew just what to do. She knew that this was not a coincidence. God was the One who had prepared her.

In Scripture, we find God preparing His people as well. Today, let’s focus on the virgin Mary.

When Mary learns that Elizabeth, who was previously barren, is six months pregnant, she makes the long journey to visit her. (I think this was a wonderful way for God to also protect Mary from the curious and judgmental eyes of her village at the onset of her own unexpected and unique pregnancy.)

Mary ends up staying with Elizabeth for three months, most likely helping with or observing the birth of Elizabeth’s son, John. What a wonderful way for God to prepare Mary. I’m sure she was really paying attention to all Elizabeth was experiencing those last few months of pregnancy. Seeing her relative go through labor and delivery would have helped prepare Mary for giving birth to Jesus far from her own home with only the help of Joseph.

God prepares us as well. Paul writes to Timothy that a believer can be “an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21b).

Whatever our future holds, we can be reassured that God is preparing us for it.

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A New Thing

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Arrow

Sometimes we think and act as if we have God all figured out. We look back and see how He worked in the past and figure we will see that same plan repeated. Or, we note how God answered a prayer in someone else’s life and determine He will answer our prayer the same way.

If anything, we should remember that our God is a creative God! Scanning Scripture reveals a hint of how far above our ways He truly is. Here are a few examples:

  • You’ve heard that God had Israel march around Jericho and shout in order to bring down its walls, but to defeat the five kings of the Amorites, God stopped the sun and moon for about a full day!
  • God whittled Gideon’s army of 32,000 down to 500 to defeat the Midianites!
  • God got Jonah’s attention by sending a large fish to swallow him in order to rescue him from drowning!
  • Jesus proved He was God’s Son through miracles of turning water into wine, multiplying fish and bread, healing the sick, raising the dead, calming a storm, and walking on water! No wonder the disciples were continually surprised!

When Job’s world came crashing in, he thought he had God all figured out, but after an eye-opening conversation with His Creator, he humbly proclaimed, “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3b).

The prophet Isaiah echoes a similar theme. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). And, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18-19a).

One thing we do know, God is trustworthy! When life presents challenges, may we have faith that God has a specific plan for our conundrum.

Watch and you might see a new thing!

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Thanks and Giving

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Arrow

Yes, tomorrow is the big day! Some of you have been making preparations all week, cooking, cleaning, thawing the big bird, and brandishing your skills on fancy side dishes. Others get off easy and bring a family favorite to compliment someone else’s table. A few may just enjoy a quiet, simple meal at home.

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No matter the size of the gathering or the spread on the table, there is more to consider than just filling our belly. Jesus beautifully exemplified what should be incorporated into our daily routines when He fed the crowd of more than 5000.

Remember, the crowd was hungry so Jesus’ disciples took an inventory of the food available. Five small, flat, barley loaves and two small fish. Afterall, it was the lunch of just one boy. Perhaps enough to share with a friend, but with 5000 men and their families? Hardly.

Watch what Jesus did. “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people” (Matthew 14:19).

What can we learn? First, let’s observe what we have, no matter how little, and give thanks to God.

Then notice the repetition of the word ‘gave.’ Jesus gave to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the people. Later, we find the disciples picking up leftovers so the people were even able to give back.

Let’s instill the habit of giving thanks each time we receive and also being generous in giving away part of what we receive. Jesus instructed His disciples, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8b).

Thank you for taking the time to read  my “Wednesday Whisper” blog. Perhaps you can share it with others.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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Little Faith

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Arrow

At a conference on faith, one of the main speakers, Lysa TerKeurst, defined life as, “Not what I expected.” In viewing events in the gospels, I’m sure the disciples would have agreed with that definition.

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It seemed Jesus was always doing the unexpected and challenging His followers. We hear the phrase, “O you of little faith” a number of times. It’s Jesus addressing His disciples! Hmmm, not what I expected.

First, Jesus is in a boat with His men when a furious storm comes up without warning. The panicked men cry for Jesus to save them from drowning and He stills the wind and waves (Matthew 8:26).

The next time we hear Jesus say, “O you of little faith,” it is directly to Peter who had just walked on water with Jesus! Unfortunately, Peter takes His eyes off Jesus, becomes afraid, and begins to sink. Jesus even adds, “Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).

Jesus also uses the phrase when the disciples are fretting over forgotten bread, which was a little ridiculous since they had witnessed Him feeding both the crowds of 5000 men and 4000 men plus families (Matthew 16:8).

Jesus does not require that we have a lot of faith, just some faith, even as much as a tiny seed. The key may be to have more faith than doubt. Remember the plea of the father of the demon possessed boy, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

While life regularly surprises us with “not what [we] expected,” we should take the following advice: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2a).

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Out on a Limb

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Arrow

I sat and looked out the cabin window. Majestic pine trees provided the perfect backdrop for the more delicate aspens in the area. Soon a breeze drifted through the valley. Pines barely noticed, giving only a hint of sway near the top. Aspens, in contrast, shook uncontrollably.

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When I examined them more closely, I saw that the Aspen branches and leaves that were closer to the trunk were not much moved by the wind. It was those leaves on the outskirts, those near the end of outer branches that quaked with the slightest breeze.

I thought of believers, those who stay on the outskirts, barely stepping foot in the church and whose faith is like an infant’s, immature. They are content with living mostly their worldly lifestyle and have no desire for Christian fellowship or serving in the local church. They have little or no interest in learning or applying God’s Word. Doing so would definitely interfere with their plans and goals.

Then there are those believers who are plugged in. They are studying God’s Word, striving to live it out, and active in a congregation.

What happens when life’s wind begins to blow? Who will shake uncontrollably because they are literally out on a limb. Who will be sheltered and surrounded by others who are nearby to encourage, advise, and give hope? Who is close to the trunk for needed support?

Similarly, Jesus gave the comparison of the vine and the branches. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers” (John 15:5-6a). 

Let’s stay connected to our source of life, Jesus and His church.

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A Time to Ignore

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Arrow

Junk mail, commercials, announcements inside stores, and honking cars in parking lots. These are just a few of the things we choose to ignore.

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I was surprised to notice that Jesus also chose to ignore certain people or at least their comments. One day, Jesus was again surrounded by a crowd. A synagogue ruler, named Jairus, knelt at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to heal his daughter who was at home dying. As Jesus headed toward Jairus’ home, He was interrupted by a woman who needed healing from a bleeding issue. (We find this story in Mark 5:21-43.)

The first people Jesus ignores are His disciples. When the woman with an issue of blood touched Jesus’ cloak, He knew immediately that power had been released and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” (Mk. 5:30b). The disciples, in ignorance, try to point out to Jesus that He was surrounded by an encroaching crowd. “But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it” (Mk. 5:32).

The next people or statements Jesus ignores are when He is informed that Jairus’ daughter is dead. “Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe’” (Mk. 5:36). Upon arriving at Jairus’ home, Jesus also ignores the mourners and those who laugh at Him when He claims the child is not (permanently) dead.

Jesus’ words and actions remind us that some people will not understand our faith and the ways of God. Sometimes we do not need to stop and reason with them. There will always be those who refuse to believe or choose to mock us. We need to remain focused on the mission at hand. So apparently, there is a time to ignore. May we do so with godly wisdom.

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Garden Well

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Arrow

Ah! After a long dry spell, there is nothing better than clouds that send blessings of rain. Rain waters the earth and makes it bud and flourish. Withering plants are revived to produce seeds which eventually yield a harvest for those living on earth.

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The prophet Isaiah explains this process in Isaiah 55:10. Then He likens rain and snow to God’s word. “[S]o is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

In the New Testament, we find Jesus teaching The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4). He explains that as the farmer sows the word, the people (compared to seed) respond differently. Some fall prey to Satan. Some demonstrate sudden growth but fall away quickly due to an inability to persevere through troubles. Others are overcome and deceived by worldly worries making them unable to produce fruit. Finally, some grow and flourish, producing seed and a crop.

As believers, our task is to spread God’s Word. We pray that as we share our testimony and point others to Jesus that the seeds of truth will not be stolen by Satan. Sometimes we encourage and water or teach believers, especially those new in the faith. Other times we help pull weeds, pointing out areas of deception.

But even if we see little or no ‘crop,’ our job is to tell the Good News. Multiplication is God’s job. Let’s review God’s promise in Isaiah. “[My word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11b).

May we garden well!

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Look Up!

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Arrow

Admit it. Sometimes life is difficult. Our mind is filled with recounting burdens, unfair situations, and circumstances beyond our control.

One summer day as I took a dip in the pool, I noticed our area was surrounded by low, gray clouds that refused to drop rain in our dry desert. The hopeless clouds portrayed how I was feeling.

It was then the Lord spoke to my heart. “Look up.” I looked up . . . way up. There, clouds were but meager whisps. And between those whisps was a sliver of the moon. To me, a gentle reminder of God’s ever-present Presence.

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When we look up, above and beyond our current struggles and troubles, we remember we are not alone. Not only are we not alone, but our Lord is near. He is close enough to hold and heal broken hearts. He is close enough to stand between us and the annoyances and struggles that are surrounding us. When we look to Him, we experience a little buffer zone, a quiet space that pushes back the burdens that are trying to weigh us down.

Then, I recalled the chorus of the old hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.”

Let’s remember, “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” (Psalm 105:4).

Look up and be blessed!

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