To Sleep or Not to Sleep

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Arrow

Today as I was seeking God’s direction on what to write, I found myself awakened by the dishwasher. Whoops! I had fallen asleep. So, You want me to write on the topic of sleep, Lord?

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Let’s follow this theme and explore where it leads.

  • First, sleep is a blessing from the Lord. Psalm 127:2 concludes with “For he grants sleep to those he loves.”
  • When we have trouble sleeping, we might meditate on Zephaniah 3:17b. “He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” As you lie down, allow the Lord to quiet your heart and mind as you imagine Him singing over you. Hand your burdens over to Him and rest.
  • Obviously, sleep has a purpose. Our bodies and minds need rest. Other times, God uses it for another purpose, to reveal hidden truths or prophecies or give direction. God spoke to Abraham while he was in a deep sleep (Genesis 15:12) and gave dreams to many like Jacob (Genesis 28:12), Daniel (Daniel 7:1), and Mary’s husband, Joseph (Matthew 1:20). Perhaps to us, one night.
  • Scripture strongly warns against too much sleep. “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?” (Proverbs 6:9) Proverbs 6:10 notes the consequences as poverty and scarcity.
  • Ecclesiastes shares the wisdom of balancing work and sleep. “The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep” (Ecc. 5:12). This reminds us to examine our motives for working hard. When our goal is to glorify God with our riches, sleep is sweet.
  • Finally, we can be reassured God never sleeps. “He who watches over you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3b).

May your sleep be sweet.

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Fear or Faith

Posted on April 12, 2023 by Arrow

Ready for a little trivia? What do you think is the most frequent command in the Bible? If you guessed, “Do not be afraid,” you are correct. It is found 70 times in the NIV Bible.

In the story of Esther, her cousin suggested that perhaps she was the one God wanted to use to save His people from annihilation. Esther’s initial response was fear. Stepping up to speak to the king without an invitation could cost her life.

Hear her cousin’s response. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place” (Esther 4:14a). Either way, God would save His people. The question was, would Esther be a part of the miracle.

Think about it. Are there times God has whispered a request and we refused because we were frozen in fear?

A prime example of fear winning out was when Israel was perched on the edge of the promised land. Rather than moving forward in faith, the masses heeded the advice of ten fearful spies. The outcome being Israel wandered forty years in the desert. What a loss!

Choosing fear over faith can have disturbing consequences. Blessings are forfeited and the work God has in mind for us to do is not completed, at least not by us.

One way to conquer fear is to admit the worst thing that can happen. Say it. What if it happens? Would God still be with us? Would He make a way for us? Would He give us courage and carry us through it? Absolutely!

So, next time we sense God’s calling, let’s step forward in faith and do our best. That’s all He asks. He’ll do the rest. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

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The Wisdom of Proverbs

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Arrow

Don’t you love when a problem arises, and someone has the wise and perfect answer or solution? The book of Proverbs is full of such wisdom. In it, there is advice for everyone.

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Proverbs chapter 4 proclaims, “Wisdom is supreme” and points out some of the advantages to gaining wisdom.

  • “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you” (Prov. 4:6a).
  • “Love her (wisdom), and she will watch over you” (Prov. 4:6b).
  • “Esteem her (wisdom), and she will exalt you” (Prov. 4:8a).
  • “Embrace her (wisdom), and she will honor you” (Prov. 4:8b).
  • “She (wisdom) will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor” (Prov. 4:9).
  • Words of wisdom “are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body” (Prov. 4:22 CSB).

The chapter ends with words of wisdom we can apply today.

  • “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov. 4:23). Let’s be careful what we expose our heart and mind to. If we fill them with good and honorable things, our words and actions should follow.
  • “Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips” (Prov. 4:24). If we are not listening to garbage, we will be less likely to speak it. That includes gossip, lies, slander, hateful words, deceitfulness, coarse talk, and foul language.
  • “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you” (Prov. 4:25). Let’s not compare ourselves or our possessions to others. Try not to be led astray by temptations or waste time on distractions. Ask God what He wants us to focus on.

Want to grow in wisdom? Try reading a Proverb a day for a month. It’s a great reminder of the wise things to do and foolish things to avoid.

Be wise and be blessed.

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Responding to Anger

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Arrow

Everyone can recall the unpleasant experience of being around an angry person. Today, I thought I’d brainstorm how we might respond to angry people. (We are assuming we are NOT the angry person.)

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Typically, the worst way to respond to an angry person is with more anger. Resist the urge. It usually makes matters worse. This is also NOT the time to try and use reason. Emotions are too hot to engage in a rational conversation.

So, let’s begin by peeking in Proverbs. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (15:1). Try to keep your volume down and your tone respectful and calm. This is probably not the time to share your opinion. It may help to show empathy and try to relate to their point of view or understand their circumstances.

Other times, it’s best not to say anything at all. Just, zip it! Perhaps, the best thing you can do is give the angry person some alone time and space to cool off. This may be an opportunity to put yourself in a ‘time out’ so you don’t escalate the problem and so that you can take some time alone with God.

Be still and go to the Lord in prayer. Dump your emotions, hurts, confusion, and mistakes on Him first. Take time to seek God’s wisdom, guidance, and peace.

Finally, be aware. Is there a need you can help meet, an act of love that will help smooth things over? Remember, “Love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8b). Jesus’s half-brother summed it up well, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).

Let’s aim to live by those words.

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Inheritance Promised

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Arrow

Have you ever been treated unjustly? Not received the honor, recognition, tip, or promotion you deserved? Been falsely accused and perhaps even punished for something you didn’t do? Perhaps, you did not receive your fair share in a business deal or promised inheritance.

Injustices in this world abound. Sometimes, the inner child in us wants to stomp and rage, “It’s NOT fair!!” or at least collapse in a puddle of tears.

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Hear this word of encouragement today. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope secure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:10-12).

These are the points that jumped out at me:

  • God, the One in control of the entire universe, is just.
  • God remembers the good we’ve done. Helping others is a gift to God.
  • Continue to help others no matter what “reward” we receive . . . or not.
  • Stay faithful and be patient.
  • Believers, AKA Christ followers, are promised a heavenly reward, an inheritance beyond anything we can imagine, and we will NOT be robbed of it. God promises!
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Nothing New

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Arrow

Have you noticed how clothing trends and even styles of glasses seem to get recycled? What was cool decades ago, then totally out of style and laughable, somehow squeezes its way back to the forefront?

An author of proverbs wrote, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Unfortunately, that includes sin. Things that we identify as woes unique to the 21st century are sadly a repeat of yesteryear, or should I say yester-millennium. Listen to the advice spoken in 518 BC by the prophet Zechariah. “’This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other” (Zechariah 7:9-10).

We cannot change the world, but we can make a difference to those we come in contact with. Do we treat others fairly? Are we loving and compassionate, smiling at strangers as if they were friends? Do we see those in need and respond with a helping hand? And here’s the biggie! What are we thinking?!

Am I thinking, “I know what they’re thinking!”? Am I assuming the worst, jumping to conclusions, and choosing to be easily offended? Put on the brakes! Let’s go back to “Administer true justice.” Be fair, show mercy, and let things go. Or, if necessary, have a calm discussion.

Turn to the Father who reminds us to seek Him first. Ask for His patience and love and then pour it out on others. There may be nothing new under the sun, but perhaps there will be a new experience for others . . . and for us as we reflect God’s Son.

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Meaningless Offerings

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Arrow

It is a bit difficult to grasp the idea of a meaningless gift. The best I can come up with is perhaps an engagement ring from someone who is not willing to commit to a relationship.

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Israel’s first king, Saul, had been given a mission by God. When he was disobedient in fulfilling the given task, he thought he could justify himself by offering many sacrifices. God sent the prophet Samuel to straighten him out. “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

God was so sick of sacrifices without obedience that in Isaiah 1:13 He says, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings!”

So, what did God want? Another prophet explains, “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Jump ahead to the New Testament. When Jesus was criticized by religious leaders for hanging around “tax collectors and sinners,” He told them, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13).

The Hebrew word for mercy can also be interpreted as “love.” To show mercy, means to have the right conduct toward one another or loyalty to God or both. It reminds me of Jesus’ summary of the greatest commandments, love God and love people. That’s the obedience God desires.

May our offerings come before Him like a fragrant incense when we are committed to and live to honor Him.

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Spiritual Food

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Arrow

Favorite foods, fast foods, healthy foods, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Getting hungry? I’m salivating already!

We all know that the foods we put in our bodies affect many things. Our brain, mood, mental health, and physical well-being are all affected by what we eat and drink.

So, it is possible to comprehend Jesus’s teaching when He compared Himself to being the bread of life. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51).

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Think about it. Food that provides sustenance and nourishment gives life. In the same way, having a relationship with Jesus allows Him to transform and strengthen us. Spiritually, we feed on Him and surrender to Him in order to become more like Him. The regular intake of heavenly food gradually changes the way we think, act, and react. It brings spiritual and physical healing as well.

How often we “eat this bread” will also affect our life. If I only eat one meal a week or worse, one a month, my body and mind will not function well. The same thing happens in our relationship with Jesus. We cannot become transformed in Christ if we are not taking Him into our life on a regular basis.

Finally, Jesus emphasized the following contrast. Those who eat physical food will die. But those who partake of spiritual bread, namely Jesus, will receive eternal life with Him. As the bread of life, Jesus gave up His life to give the world an opportunity for new and eternal life. Now, that’s living!

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A Testing Challenge

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Arrow

The goal is always to pass a test, whether it’s a spelling test, blood test, or a challenge in the area of spiritual growth.

Let’s consider what test God may be giving us right now. Will we give up right away, half-way through, or just before the test is finished? Many times, we have no idea how long the test will last. In that case, we need perseverance. We need to faithfully hang on, not looking too far down a road that may overwhelm. Take one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, saying, “I can do this for now. God is with me.”

I heard one preacher say that if we don’t pass a test the first time, we get to take it over and over until we do. Wow! Nobody wants that.

In the midst of our challenge, may we remember to recount our blessings and give thanks. Also, pray about what lesson God wants us to learn. I hope to be a quick learner, but I’m afraid I’m not.

Hear what James, Jesus’s half-brother, says, “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life” (James 1:12 The Message).

Once you arrive on the other side of your challenge or perhaps your ‘dark valley,’ imagine God whispering, “Well done.”

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Living in Unity

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Arrow

How many people does it take to have conflict? Only two. So, when there are more people in the equation, the odds of disharmony are multiplied. Clearly, other people do not think, reason, and perceive things exactly like me. What is wrong with you people?!

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Living in unity should be something we all strive for, but typically tension and conflict abound, whether in families, a work environment, or the local church. God created us all different. Individuals vary in personalities, preferences, performance, and in about a million other ways.

Still, the goal is unity. Psalm 133 is only three verses long and its theme is unity. It begins, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” “Brothers” here refers to the people of God. The chapter ends with, “For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (verse 3b).

In between those verses are two similes that portray what unity is like. First, unity is compared to precious oil poured over a priest, basically from head to toe. Oil was a symbol of God’s blessing. The oil is poured out in such a large quantity that it depicts blessings overflowing on God’s people living in unity. The second simile, the dew of Mt. Hermon, also portrays God’s blessings flowing to His people.

In the New Testament we are taught, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). The verse just before this tells us how. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

Also, let’s not assume the worst, jump to conclusions, or choose to be easily offended. Instead, ask for clarification and give grace. These thoughts and actions help promote unity. Remember, family, co-workers, and fellow believers are not our enemies. Let’s breathe and allow God’s love and gentleness to flow to those around us.

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