Just Pray

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Arrow

When my son was a toddler, he would thank God for whatever was on his highchair tray. One particular meal brought giggles when he prayed before his food was dished up, “Thank You for my spoon and fork.” 

The apostle Paul included many beautiful prayers in his writings to believers. As you read this prayer to the church in Ephesus, imagine the words being spoken over you or you speaking them over your loved ones. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:17-19a).

Let’s look at what Paul covered in these few verses. One, for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation for the purpose of knowing Him better. Do I need wisdom to apply knowledge? Yes. Would I love for the Lord to give me a revelation to clear up confusion? Absolutely! Do I yearn for myself and others to know God and His Son better? Without a doubt.

Two, for the eyes of our hearts to be opened and receptive to His light and to know and experience the hope He brings. Three, be aware of the heavenly inheritance and rewards that await us. And four, remember the power available to believers, that same mighty power that rose Jesus from death’s grave. Yes, we have access to that power!

Whether a fumbling phrase or fluent paragraphs, God loves when His people pray. (You may want to memorize and pray the above verses.)

Just pray.

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I’m Saved, Now What?

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Arrow

Imagine receiving the gift you’ve always wanted. A musician receives a guitar. The teenager, a car. Newlyweds, a home. Fill in your blank.

Now imagine that new guitar never being played. That car, never driven. That home, never lived in. And, a person who accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior never moving forward. They understand they don’t need to work for their salvation. It was a free gift from God. So, what’s next?

In the letter to the church in Galatia, the Apostle Paul wrote, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6b). And, “[S]erve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love our neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:13c-14).

Clearly, demonstrating love isn’t just a Valentine’s Day event. It should become a daily surrendering of self and purposefully looking outward at others, asking the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and ears and heart to direct us how to love.

May we remember the elderly, those in prison, single-parent families, those caring for foster children, the sick, or a ‘neighbor’ who may need a meal, a ride, weeds pulled, or help with a bill or computer problem. The opportunities are endless! Since we can’t help everyone, ask for God’s guidance.

Characteristics of love should be shown to all. Don’t be a rude driver. Don’t keep a record of wrongs against pastors, teachers, healthcare workers, or police officers. Don’t become easily angered with parents, spouses, and children. Show patience and kindness to everyone.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:11-12).

Saved? Then, live out love.

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Speak Life

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Arrow

When God speaks, things happen! A universe is created. Covenants are formed. Signs and wonders appear. When Jesus spoke, the raging sea became calm, the sick and demon-possessed were healed, food was multiplied, and the dead were raised to life.

Proverbs has much to say about the power of the spoken word. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). “The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4). And on a positive note, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24).

Jesus’ half-brother, James, warned about unruly tongues. “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way” (James 3:9-10).

With this in mind, let us think at least twice about what we speak today. What words of life, love, and encouragement should we share? Is there an apology we owe or gratefulness to bestow? Is there a kiss of kindness on our lips to bless someone else’s day?

May our goal be to “…shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16).

Speak life.

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A Different Gospel?

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Arrow

With the nickname Cookie Monster and a lover of desserts, I am thrilled that there are a gazillion recipes for cookies, cakes, pastries, etc. Probably hundreds for chocolate chip cookies alone!

When it comes to the gospel, however, the Apostle Paul made it clear that there is only one recipe for salvation, only one gospel. The Galatian churches in the first century had been infiltrated with false teachers who had suggested that something else was needed beyond the Lord Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins in order for people to be saved.

These false teachers from the Jewish faith wanted to require non-Jews to follow some Jewish laws and traditions. Simply put, they wanted to add works to God’s gift of grace.

Paul strongly reminded the early church leaders, including those who had been with Jesus, that no one could be justified or made righteous by following the law because all are sinners. Instead he clarified, “So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law” (Galatians 2:16).

In another letter, Paul wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Multiple gospels? No. Paul states that if anyone preaches a gospel other than salvation through Jesus Christ, it is no gospel at all. Gospel means good news. Religions that teach there are ‘works’ you have to do in order to be saved are ‘bad news.’

Jesus did the work. It is done. Believe in Him. There is nothing else you have to do to earn your salvation.

May you receive His gift with joy!

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Rule Number One

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Arrow

House rules, school rules. Rules for driving, rules for riding and flying, rules for board games, sports, and even social media posts. The list goes on. As a teacher, I always felt badly for kids as the first day of school was unavoidably chockful of classroom rules, playground rules, cafeteria rules, line rules, and more.

Some people are comfortable with rules. For them, rules provide boundaries and safeguards. They give clear expectations. These individuals usually enjoy following the rules and are proud when they do.

Others wish rules were erased. They desire to be free to do whatever they want. They hate being told what to do and what not to do. These individuals may be found boldly bragging that they broke the rules.

God shared His rules in Old Testament times, but before He spoke the Ten Commandments, He said, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Exodus 20:2). He reminded Israel who He was and what He had done for them. He desired a right relationship with His people.

Then, God shared His number one rule, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). He was to be their ‘Number One.’ Number One meant they were not to worship other gods, not place other things or people before their relationship with Him.

This command is restated by Jesus in the New Testament. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). Again, God’s desire is for us to put Him first. When we do, we are sure to be blessed. “Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust” (Psalm 40:4).

Go with God. He rules!

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Take a Chance

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Arrow

Recently, I was invited to join a group of ladies at an English teahouse. Everything about it was a new experience. Besides not knowing what to wear, I would only know one other person! I could have easily bowed (or curtseyed) out but decided to take a chance and try the adventure.

You may have similar thoughts when someone invites you to church or church event. Our imaginations run wild and we can become anxious or we can ask questions and do a little research. If someone invites you, ask what people wear, the length of the service, what happens during the service, the tone of the atmosphere, etc. Nowadays, it helps that many services can be viewed online for a sneak peek.

There are lots of great churches that preach the Word of God, have excellent music, and work hard to make all feel welcome. If a sincere friend makes the invitation, it is doubtful they will steer you wrong. Take the chance especially if you are not regularly attending church. Scripture says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing” (Hebrews 10:25a).

New experiences can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know what to expect. But if it sounds like an encouraging, uplifting experience, why not give it a try? A little FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) could do us a little good and may actually be a first step to an amazing transformed life.

As for the tea, I enjoyed lovely conversation, made connections with new friends, ate lots of yummy treats, and tasted clotted cream. I would definitely have missed out if I had not taken a chance.

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An Empty Page

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Arrow

Hi! I’m Teresa’s keyboard. It appears she doesn’t know what to write today so I’m taking over. I saw her looking through a list of memory verses, and browsing through her Bible, and even closing her eyes but she still looks blank. So, I thought I’d step in because sending an empty page would be embarrassing!

On the other hand, an empty page might be just the key. I’ve observed you humans racing at a sprinter’s pace for quite a while now. You have To Do lists, filled calendars, and daily agendas. I was wondering how your time with God was going. Do you come to Him with your To Do lists, plans completed, and your ‘all together’ face on?

Let’s go back to the idea of an empty page. What if you started the day with, “Hey, God! What would You like me to do today? What would You like to write on my calendar?” Or better yet, “What would You like to write on my heart?”

Scripture talks about God’s desire to write His law on your hearts and minds (Jeremiah 31:33). He also has a plan for you. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Perhaps, you and Teresa should all create some blank space and allow God to fill it. Give Him permission to write on your heart and mind as well as your schedule. And make time to listen to His plans for you. Allow Him to mold and make you into the person He wants you to be. After all, He’s been in the creation business a long time.

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Scripture Answers Itself

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Arrow

Some people think they have all the answers. Just ask them. At one point, my preschool-aged daughter regularly responded with, “I know that” to every tidbit of new information we shared. Teenagers and young adults also tend to think they know best.

On the other hand, the older we get, most of us realize the more we don’t know! Questions abound. The question is, where do we look for answers?

I recently heard a pastor teach that when we have a question pertaining to Scripture, the best place to search out the answer is within Scripture itself. After preaching for decades, this seasoned clergyman suggested we look up other references for the subject or word. Find how else the word is used in Scripture and with a little effort, investigate the original language, word meaning, and contextual setting.

I applied this technique to the following interesting verse, “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). I thought, what’s the deal with the “right hand”?

I found many verses in Psalms where God is at the “right hand” as a sustainer and protector. One example being, “Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8). And, “For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him” (Psalm 109:31). Those verses gave me a much clearer picture.

So next time we have a question about Scripture, I hope we will begin looking for answers in God’s Word. Remember, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

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Tell or Treasure

Posted on March 2, 2022 by Arrow

The celebration of Christmas is long past, but I am still contemplating lessons that I can apply today. For instance, think about the response of the shepherds to the angels’ message compared to Mary’s response once visited by those shepherds.

After the shepherds were visited by angels who told them about the birth of a Savior, they rushed off to find Him. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, … But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:17, 19).

Clearly, the shepherds were to proclaim the Good News that had been revealed to them. Believers were assigned a similar role by Jesus in the Great Commission when He taught, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). And the apostle Paul added, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

In many instances, we are called to speak up and speak out. Other times, like Mary, we are to treasure things close to our heart. Ponder what has been revealed. Mull it over in our mind and consider the weight. Perhaps the revelation or instruction is for us alone or something God will add to later or allow us to share at another time.

Solomon, the wisest man ever, summarized that there was a “time for everything” including “a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). May we learn to pause and seek God’s wisdom to know which to do when.

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He Turns Toward You

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Arrow

Imagine you are in a group of people, some you are familiar with and others are strangers. Then you notice someone whom you’d like to notice you. But they never do. Whether on purpose or not, they never turn your way or acknowledge your existence. It feels they are giving you the cold shoulder, snubbing you, rejecting you, or at least, ignoring you.

This is something the Lord will never do! In the Psalms we hear, “Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Make Your face shine upon Your servant” (119:132, 135). “For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him” (2 Chronicles 30:9).

When we turn to Him, the Lord turns toward us. He is always near, even when we are not walking with Him. There is nowhere we can go from His Presence or His view and He longs for us to turn toward Him.

Imagine that first scene again. The One whose kindness you desire has locked eyes with yours. It feels as if you are the only two in the room and you have His full attention. He radiates acceptance and compassion. He knows all about you and still chooses to love you. He desires to spend time with you and have a relationship with you.

Now, it’s your turn. Will you stay turned towards Him or choose to ignore Him?

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