When's Your Expiration Date?

With my job, there is a report I review monthly for the hospitals in our system that shows patients who have readmitted.  Part of that report shows where they went when they left the hospital - home, nursing home, etc.  One of the options, so to speak, is listed as "expired."  At first this bothered me; it felt very impersonal.  I thought, "We're people, not gallons of milk."  However, a couple weeks ago when I was working with the report again, this verse came to mind:

And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

 That got me digging and then I found this verse too:

Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth?  Job 7:1

It made me realize we DO have expiration dates.  God has our days numbered and knows exactly how many days we have on earth.  We don't know our expiration date, and that is why it is so important to heed the Holy Spirit's calling when we hear it.  He is calling to each of us to accept Christ.  Are we listening?  Are we heeding His call?

That verse in Hebrews describes what will happen to us.  We will reach our expiration date and then we will stand before judgment.  Not for our works or our own righteousness, for they are but filthy rags before the Lord. (Isaiah 64:6)  God will look for the blood of Christ to be applied to our life, and that's it.  That will determine where we spend eternity - with Him in Heaven or without Him in Hell.

As we wind up this holiday season with Christmas quickly approaching.  Think about that baby in the manger and what He really came for so many years ago.

Joy

This is the third week of Advent - Joy.  While looking for a graphic to post on our church Facebook page, I came across the one above.  It hit me because yesterday I was speaking with a colleague who also traveled the journey of infertility.  We talked about how difficult it was, but continuing in faith and finding something in the midst of it.  We couldn't really describe it.  She used the word "contentment", but I think we both knew it was more than being content.  Then this morning, I saw this and knew what it was we were trying to describe - it is joy.  Joy does not equate to happiness; oh, quite the contrary.  We both spoke of the indescribable sorrow we have felt, but in the midst of the deepest sorrow, you can still find joy.  Joy then does provide contentment and peace in the situation because joy does not come from ourselves.  It only comes from the One in whom we have faith - Jesus Christ.

So during this Advent season, ponder on what you can find joy in during difficult times. Ponder while you're waiting for an answer on the One who has the Master plan for your life.  Think on the Child in whom's arrival we're preparing to celebrate, and why He was sent here.  

Planted

Bro. Larry Hufhand preached at our church this past Sunday.  He has been doing a series for us about Psalm 1.  This Sunday he focused on verse 3, and a word jumped out at me.  It was the word "planted".  Let's see what verse 3 says:

He shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.

This word struck a cord with me because according to the Dictionary, planted is a verb that means "To place or set (seeds, for example) in the ground to grow."  That is a very intentional act.  If you are the "blessed man" that is being talked about in this first chapter of Psalms, and you can deduct if you think you fall into this category by reading the first two verses, you have been intentionally placed in the spot you are in right now by God to serve a specific purpose.  This should be very encouraging!  Sometimes we go through trials that are not of our own doing, but we can always know that there is absolutely a specific purpose behind it!  That is pretty awesome to know!

Now, what sometimes happens is we don't like where God plants us, so we uproot ourselves and move to where we think we should be.  Been there, done that, and hope to not do it again because it never works out.  We need to bloom where we've been planted!

So as we go through our week this week, let's take a look in the mirror to see if we are living a life God can bless.  If we are, then praise God for where He has planted you.

Wait Upon the Lord

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Came across a devotion about this verse the other day, and it mentioned something that I was never aware of but became a golden nugget.  The Hebrew word used means change, not renewed!  That was an amazing revelation to me.  Those that wait on the Lord actually have their strength changed.  It changes to become that of the Lord’s strength, not their own.  It is transformed!  How amazing is that?

This was so encouraging to me because there are quite a few things in my life that are in “wait mode”.  One prayer is waiting for hearts to be changed and softened.  A few others I don’t understand why, but trusting God has a plan.

If you are in wait mode right now, find great news in this verse.  God not only has a plan, but if you wait on Him, He will reward you with His strength.  Then whatever we’re waiting on is sure to bring Him all the glory!  So wait.

What a Friend

The past few months have definitely been a testing time.  It is a tough pill to swallow when you’ve had people in your life for several years, and you realize that the relationship you thought was there was not.  It is not reciprocal to the level of care or love you have for them.  I realize I’m not the only one this has happened to.  Everyone has had relationships that have ended up broken, and it stinks.  It hurts, and you have a tendency to want to be not very nice about it.  Well, as my mom always told us growing up, “two wrongs don’t make a right”.  We need to move on and be better.  What I cling to, though, is a very dear Friend that will never leave me or forsake me.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 9:10 “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who trust you”.  Isn’t that great news?  If we trust Him, he will never forsake us!  That is so comforting.  Also look in John 15 where Jesus refers to the apostles as his friends.  We have that same ability today – to be Christ’s friend.  If we keep his commandments and read his Word, we are His friend.  What a better friend could one have?

So as you go through the week this week, know that if you trust Him, He will always be with you.  If you haven’t trusted Him as Lord and Savior, why not start today?  It is very simple.  Pray to God admitting you are a sinner and asking forgiveness of your sins.  Then tell Christ you trust Him to be Lord of your life.  That’s all it takes.  After that, find a home church to support you and guide you in your new Christian walk, and take time every day to pray and read your Bible.  After all, you have a new Friend!  You need to really get to know Him!

Have a blessed week!

Trials

Was reading in first Peter today and a little gold nugget popped out at me.  Take a look at this:

Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 1:6-7

Praise God for our trialed or tried faith!  Look at this passage grammatically, especially verse 7.  Our tried faith is much more precious that gold…not just any faith – tried faith.  Faith that has been through the fire and has come through it still bringing praise, honor, and glory to Jesus.  That is the faith that is highly valuable to God, so the next time you go through the valley or a deep trail, just know to stand strong and keep your faith.  When you come through the other side, your faith will be stronger and highly valued by God.

Have a glorious Friday!

Relocating

This past summer I saw this sign down in Nashville, IN.  It really made an impression on me.  I thought, “That’s where I want our camp to permanently reside.  Camp Joy.”  You can see by the sign it's been around for a long time - since the beginning.

At church we learned this acronym:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

To have true Joy, you have to focus on these three things and in this order.  My problem was my Joy was thrown into a word scramble.

For a while (too long), I've been living in camp O.J.  Trying first to please everyone else and finding time for Jesus too, but sometimes he’s second to pleasing everyone else.  There are several problems with this camp, and that’s why I finally decided to move. 

First, you cannot please everyone all of the time.  In fact, there are some people you can never please.  Also, trying to people please is not pleasing to God.  Our primary focus should always be on glorifying Him and knowing Him more intimately.  The extent of our responsibilities to Others is to love them as ourselves, forgive them as God has forgiven us, and extend to them the lovingkindness that God has shown us.

Second, when we try to people please, it always removes Jesus from the top spot.  Thus, JOY turns into OJY or even just OJ.

Thirdly, you cannot eliminate the Y.  Yes, you do need to focus on Jesus and Others first, but you have to take care of yourself.  When you remove the Y, it affects your self-care, emotional health, motivation, and esteem.  Plus, too much O.J. ends up making you very acidic – bitter.  How is that glorifying to God?  How can that be a great testimony to others?  It can’t be, so I knew I had to get out!  Seeing this sign reinforced it.  It was as if God said, “Hey, why don’t you join me again in Camp Joy?  You've been in Camp O.J. too long.”

So here I am slowly moving back in to Camp Joy.  You’d think it would be an easy move, but it’s not.  Bad habits are hard to break, but I’m getting there and asking for continued Grace and Lovingkindness along the way.

Do you reside in Camp Joy or do you find yourself residing in a different camp?  If you reside in a different camp, take a good look in the mirror and start today making the changes necessary to relocate with me to Camp Joy.  I guarantee it will be the best move you ever made!

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads.  They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  ~Isaiah 35:10

Sweet Hour of Prayer

My favorite song is the old hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer” by William Walford.  During these past years and trials, this hymn has not just become my favorite, but it has become who I am – my life’s statement.  Let the words of blind William Walford speak for themselves:

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Aren't they wonderfully, inspiring words?  I do believe that with earthly blindness, Mr. Walford was given the gift to see into the throne room of Grace!  Often, when I'm preparing to pray, I like to imagine what the first verse talks about.  I see a strong but grandfatherly figure on a large throne.  He sees small me peeking in from the door, and calls for me to come before Him.  Then, He not only calls me forward, but allows small me to sit up by Him or even in His lap to hold and comfort me like His child as I make all my wants and wishes known.  That is where my soul finds relief...in His all knowing, grace filled, unconditionally loving arms.  Often the vision is so real and comforting that it brings me to joy filled tears.

So often then we as Christians want to jump to the last verse.  "Come quickly Lord Jesus!" we so frequently say.  That day will come soon enough, and personally, if I look at my own job performance as a Christian, it is coming too soon!  I still have much work to do for the Father!  So with that, for now, we need to stay tuned into what verse 2 tells us.  He is trying to engage our waiting souls to bless us.  That word "engage" is an interesting word choice...it is interactive.  Just like a wedding proposal, the groom desires the bride's engagement.  She has a choice, though.  She can accept or decline.  It is the same with us and God.  We can accept His offer of eternal life with Him and His blessings or decline them.  It is our choice.

Also, in that second verse is that word again, twice, that we don't like to hear - wait.  The more trails I face in my life, though, the more I'm convinced that is the key to a deep relationship with Christ.  Wait.  So many verses touch on that...we'll take a look there in a different post.  So wait.  I'll wait for you, sweet hour of prayer.  We should wait and long for our daily time with God because it is truly so sweet.

Here is my simple attempt of sharing worship with you.  Hope it is a blessing.  Listen to the words, not the quality of my voice.

Contentment

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

As of Friday morning my cycle was 4 days late.  I knew that if we made it past that day, we could take “The Test” and hopefully after six long years see a miracle arrive in our lives.  By lunch I knew there would be no need to test this month.  I shared with my co-worker that this late cycle for me is like buying a lottery ticket when you hear the prize is $1 billion (it happens about as often).  It’s fun to think about, hope for, even pray for (I can tell you that Indiana would not have to worry about children stuck as wards of the state if I ever did win a billion dollars!), but you know the odds are stacked against you.  It’s simple statistics.  That is how Friday went, so I closed my office door toward the end of the day and cried when I could no longer hold back the sadness.

The most amazing thing always happens though.  I can never cry very long because I think of my husband that loves me, my two adorable cats that are waiting at home for me, my beautiful home that provides shelter, and most importantly, my Savior who died my sinner’s death so I can have eternal life.  My Savior provides contentment in whatever state I am and allows me to do ALL things through Him.

I can tell you that this is not easy and the key to success is in verse 13.  With that, it makes me think of a saying you hear frequently that is completely false, so don’t believe it!  It is, “God won’t give you anything you can’t handle.”  You see, we are weak, sinful humans.  I can honestly tell you that infertility is more than I can handle.  Being downsized from a job I loved is more than I could handle.  Keeping my mouth shut when I’m angry is more than I can handle.  However, here I am; handling all of these things.  How?  Verse 13: I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me!  Through Christ’s strength, I can stand and not my own!  When you’re in that valley and you don’t see the end of it, make sure you have invited Christ to walk that valley with you.  His strength will pull you through and even provide you contentment along the way.