ANTICIPATION!

May 9, 2020May 9, 2020 | lindamowles

It has been almost two months since we have been locked down due to COVID-19. It has been an amazing experience, unlike any that I have ever had to be sure!

Who would have thought that, as we celebrated 2020 on New Year’s Eve, we would have a complete shutdown of life as we knew it. The economy has tumbled. Healthcare workers have become heros of our world, and rightfully so! Families have had “drive by parties” or perhaps “Zoom parties” to celebrate birthdays. Graduates have been unable to go to prom and have even lost the opportunity to have their families at their graduation ceremony, if they are fortunate enough to have a real commencement ceremony at all. Businesses and shopping malls are dead zones and Federal Express and UPS are now the people who fulfill our shopping needs by home delivery after we have ordered out goods online.

Anticipation – Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines anticipation as “a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action; the act of looking forward.” One of the best pictures I have of anticipation is this one, of my young grandchild as he waited for us to present him with a present.

It is that feeling of being sooo ready for something to happen that we can hardly stand it. The lock-down was good to keep us healthy and to prevent our contracting COVID-19, but it was confining; it stopped our activities; it caused financial hardship that will take a long time to repair. Anticipation — is it time yet? Can we open the doors and go to a restaurant? Can we greet our neighbor without a facemask? Can we …

This feeling of anticipation is running rampant throughout our society. We can taste it — it’s like the light at the end of the tunnel. It won’t get here soon enough!

Beloved, the end of COVID-19 is not the only thing we should be anticipating!

In John 14:3, Jesus told His disciples that He would be leaving them, but that He would also be returning, to take those who believed in Him to heaven.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Jesus also said that He would be returning in power and great glory.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:27

In Acts 1:6-11 we read of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. After he had disappeared from the disciples’ sight, we read this starting in verse 10:

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

We don’t know when this will happen, but Jesus’ return is as certain as the rising of the sun in the morning. Jesus’ first coming was as a baby in humble, dare we say poor, surroundings. The Creator laid aside His power and came in humiliation to this world. The second time Jesus comes to this place, it will not be so.

In Luke 17:24 Jesus said:

For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.

As Christians we are to be waiting for Jesus’ return. We are to be in great anticipation of this event. Paul said:

And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 [NLT]

Beloved, be excited about our society returning to normal when the lock-down is over. But, much more importantly, always be in anticipation of the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Be ready for His return. It is a sure and certain thing, and it could happen even before our lock- down is released.

Father, I praise Your Name for the majesty of Your creation, for the unfathomable love that has been extended to us through Jesus’ death in atonement for our sins, for the inexpressible gift of eternal life with You through belief in Jesus as the Christ. Keep us in anticipation of that glorious day when Jesus will return to take His people to heaven.

Jesus, come quickly!

TEACH ME!

December 16, 2019December 15, 2019 | lindamowles

Have you ever heard those words? “Teach me”, says the young child who wants to do a new and exciting task, perhaps tying his shoes. Here’s a note that one of the grandchildren wrote to his Mom – you can feel the excitement as he passed this milestone of childhood.

“Teach me”, says the adolescent who desperately wants to learn to drive the family car.

“Teach me”, says the college student when learning in a career path, hoping to find his/her way in the world after graduation.

“Teach me”, says the new employee who is faced with something that is both daunting and exciting.

“Teach me”, says the newly wed wife to her husband, when she is trying to make his favorite meal that his mother made for him all the time.

“Teach me”, says the husband who wants to know how to help and comfort his wife as they learn to be man and wife.

“Teach me”, says the older woman to her grandchild when she is faced with a smart phone and doesn’t know how to use it.

We often say those words, and usually they stem from a significant desire to learn, or possibly from a need to do something unfamiliar.

There are things that we need to learn in our everyday lives but there are also things that we should be learning about our spiritual life, specifically about our God, His Son and His Holy Spirit. Indeed, our hearts should cry “Teach me!” to the Lord so we will know what God desires.

1 “Now this is the commandment–the statutes and the rules–that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, … 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:1, 7

Note that we are not to just learn God’s commandments for ourselves but we are to teach them to others, specifically to our children. The command is not just for when we are in “school” but when we sit in the house, when we walk along the way, when we are traveling in the car, when se are seated around the table, when we lie down and when we rise. God’s Word should be on our lips throughout the day, not just a few designated times in the week!

David repeats “Teach me” in numerous psalms. Here are just a few examples;

Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! … 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. … 135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.

Psalm 119:29, 66, 135

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Psalm 51:6

So, what does God teach us? His paths, His truth, His salvation, His law, His good judgment, His statutes, and His wisdom, just to name a few things!

The New Testament does not ignore teaching. Rather, Paul says this – teach people what I have taught you so that they can teach others the gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ.

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2

We don’t “go it alone” when we teach others, rather Jesus has given us His Holy Spirit to guide and teach us as we live our lives in Him. See John 14:26 for this great promise:

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

At the end of time, Scripture tells us that all will know God and will serve Him. We read in Jeremiah the following:

And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Jeremiah 31:34

What a blessing! Can you imagine this? At some point in the future, we won’t need to teach others of the Lord Jesus, all will know Him. Praise His Holy Name!

“Teach me” should be our heart cry every morning and every evening. Then, when some difficulty arises, don’t be surprised. God is answering your prayer and is teaching you something that you need to learn as you grow in the likeness of His Son. Until the time Jeremiah foretells, let us continue to ask God to teach us so that we will become the image of our Savior, Redeemer, Lord, Jesus Christ.

Father, help me to grow in the likeness of Jesus. Help me reflect His nature and His love to those around me. Enable me to see what needs to be done and then give me the ability and wisdom to accomplish the task You have laid before me. In dark times, help me to remember that all things are in Your Hand and that trials are lessons masked in difficulty, sometimes painful, but always working good for me and for others.

The Gateway

July 9, 2019July 3, 2019 | lindamowles

St. Louis, Missouri, boasts the Gateway Arch which stands at the Mississippi River as a testament to the pioneering spirit of the people approaching the eve expanding West.

the Gateway Arch rises up behind the new glass entrance — Gateway Arch National Park. Photo courtesy of StudioBrookes.

Founded by the National Park Service in 1935 to commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a transcontinental United States, the Gateway Arch National Park (formerly known as the “Jefferson National Expansion Memorial”) stretches from the Old Courthouse to the steps overlooking the Mississippi River. In between, the Gateway Arch rises high, a bold monument to the pioneering spirit.

Today, the Gateway Arch celebrates the diverse people who shaped the region and the country. The dreamer, Thomas Jefferson, negotiated the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, doubling the size of the United States. The explorers, Lewis & Clark, and their Shoshone guide Sacagawea, scouted the new territory and mapped a route to the Pacific Ocean. The challengers, Dred and Harriet Scott filed suit at the Old Courthouse for their freedom from slavery, and St. Louis suffragette Virginia Minor sued for women’s right to vote. The Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen designed the stainless-steel monument that honors them all.

gateway arch 1 — Picture taken while I was visiting the arch.

The graceful arch is based on the catenary curve, that is the shape made by a free-hanging chain when held at both ends. When speaking of his design, Saarinen said, “The arch symbolized the gateway to the West, the national expansion, and whatnot.”

A view of the Gateway Arch reveals over 43,000 tons of concrete and steel that arc 63 stories high into the Midwest sky. Since its completion in 1965, the tram ride in the monument has taken millions of visitors on the trip to the top to enjoy stunning views stretching up to 30 miles to the east and west.

Much more information about the arch is available at the National Park Service website. (www.nps.gov/jeff/index.htm)

The Gateway Arch, of course, is not the only way to the West. It is certainly a wonderful monument to those who made the trek through difficult terrain with less than ideal circumstances and comforts. But, today, there are many ways to get to the West from the East, in addition to going through the Gateway Arch.

Such is not the case in a matter of significantly more import than physical travel. I am speaking of our ultimate destination for eternity.

We know that we are finite creatures, born in space and time, and that we were created from dust and, given enough time, we will return to dust after our death.

In Scripture, the Holy Bible, Jesus says that He is the gateway to heaven. That is, that no one can come to the Father Almighty, God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, except through Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

Unfortunately, today there are many who assert that there are a variety of “ways” to get to heaven or to please God. However, Jesus’ words do not equivocate. There is no quibbling. There is no suggestion that any other “way” is possible or effective if we want to go to heaven where the Father resides. Jesus simply and clearly said that He is the only way to the Father.

Good works are not sufficient. Giving money is not sufficient. Being hopeful that the balance will tip in your favor is not sufficient. Nothing is sufficient because everything other than what Christ did on the cross is based on our own abilities. The problem is that we are all sinners and we are dead in our sins. We can do nothing to aid ourselves or to move ourselves toward heaven. We are dead.

If a person is dead, he cannot do anything for himself. If he is to have life, an outside force must operate to give him life again. He can’t summon up the strength to get life, he is dead.

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“

Romans 5:8

Praise God. He loved us even though we were sinners, we had been disobedient to His law. While we were sinners, before we could do anything to assist in our salvation, Christ died for us. He accomplished all that was necessary to pay for our sin.

Jesus Christ, however, rose from the dead. He conquered death and sin.

“We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.“

Romans 6:9

Because He died and rose again, He is capable to rescue us from our sins, and He will do so if we have faith in Him.

“because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Romans 10:9-10

If is for this reason that Jesus could tell His disciples, that He was THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life … there is none other

There are many gateways to the Western part of the United States, but there is only one way to heaven, no matter where you live or who you are.

The Way is Jesus. He is the way to eternal life. Come to Him if you have not already done so and claim Him as your Savior and Lord of your life. If you have already come to Him, praise His name. Thank Him for the life that He has given you, now and forever more.

Father, we praise your name for the love that was expressed to us through Christ’s life and death, and for your mighty power in raising Him from the dead so that we could claim Him as our Savior and Lord. Thank you Father, thank you Lord Jesus, and thank you Holy Spirit for quickening our hearts and bringing us to yourself.

OUT WITH THE OLD

December 29, 2018 | lindamowles

We have often heard the phrase “out with the old, in with the new” and with December 31 rapidly approaching, it seems an appropriate statement — out with 2018 and in with 2019.

We recall the end of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life when the whole town rescues Jimmy Stewart from debtor’s prison on Christmas Eve. As they arrive to bring needed funds, they sing “Auld Lang Syne”.

Every New Year’s Eve, when the clock counts down the seconds to the beginning of the new year, we sing, or hear the singing of, “Auld Lang Syne”. Specifically, we hear it played and sung when we watch the ball drop at Times Square in New York at the exact moment when the new year begins in the Eastern Time Zone. Across the globe, this song frequently has its first notes sung at the end of one year and its last note sung in the first moments of the next year.

But, this year, I wondered what, exactly, we were singing when we spouted those words from our lips.

Apparently, I am not the only one who has questioned this tradition. One article I read said that historians call this the “song that nobody knows” but that we all try to sing on an annual basis! But, when you sing “for auld lang syne,” what are you saying?

The song was known as early as 1588 when it was part of the oral tradition of getting drunk and singing. In 1788, the Scottish poet Robert Burns said that “Auld Lang Syne” was an old song dictated to him by an old man so that he could put the word down on paper. Burns, therefore, did not write the poem but he put it together from what the old man told him.

After getting new life from Burns, “Auld Lang Syne” spread out into the world of pop culture, particularly in his homeland of Scotland. Meant to bring up feelings of nostalgia and a love of old relationships and times gone by, the song is still sung right before the clock hits midnight in Scotland and in many places across the world.

But, really… what do those old-timey English words translate to?

“Should old acquaintance be forgot, / And never brought to mind? / Should old acquaintance be forgot, / And auld lang syne.”

In the most literal sense, auld lang syne can be roughly translated to “old long since.” Since those words don’t form a real phrase in modern English, they really mean “long, long ago,” “a long time ago,” or “days gone by.” So, when you sing “auld lang syne, my dear” in the chorus, you’re essentially cheering the old days of the past.

The full text of the song presents a series of rhetorical questions, all amounting to the point that unless you are totally devoid of any emotion or memory, that is unless you are dead inside, you ought to be able to recognize the value of reconnecting with old friends and pondering old times.

This thought is very consistent with Scripture. In the Bible we read much about remembering.

God says that He will remember:

“I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

Genesis 9:15-16

“And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Jeremiah 31:34

God commands that we should remember certain things:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

Exodus 20:8

“So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.”

Numbers 15:40

Jesus told us to remember Him and His words:

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””

Luke 22:19

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.“

John 14:26

The angels told the disciples to remember after Jesus’ resurrection:

“He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

Luke 24:7

And we should remember the days of our past:

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.”

Psalm 143:5

While the song “Auld Lang Syne” had its genesis in a drinking song, and while it is often sung now with alcohol flowing freely, for the Christian the song could remind us of the very words of David in Psalm 143. Remember the days of old. Think and meditate on what God has done. Consider and ruminate on the work of His hands. Let the new year be a springboard for your spirit to sing out praises to our Lord and Savior, to our Redeemer-King.

So, out with the old and in with the new … But don’t forget the old times, the old friends, the old experiences. Don’t forget the wondrous things God has done for you in the past and ponder on His love and mercy, His grace and goodness, His incredible salvation through Jesus Christ.

Let your memories thrive so that your new memories will be ever so much more meaningful.

Father, I pray that we would take Auld Lang Syne and use that song speaking of days gone past to remind us of Your mighty works in, through and for us throughout our lives. May we praise our Lord and Savior for His love and mercy in the past and in the new year as well. May we be witnesses of Your love to others, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

November 24, 2018November 24, 2018 | lindamowles

I love the cold weather, and I thoroughly enjoy some snow. Not enough to cause horrible accidents, power outages or massive difficulties, but snow on the trees and bushes and lightly covering the ground. I love the calming effect and profound silence that falling snow brings.

snowy-tranquility-c — Snowy quiet and tranquility.

One Christmas carol that is calming even in the midst of a season of tumultuous activity is Silent Night, Holy Night. This calming effect is due, at least in part, to its sound theology. Let us look at the words of this carol and consider the Scripture that relates to each stanza.

Silent night, holy night; All is calm, all is bright. [1] Round yon virgin, mother and child,Holy infant, so tender and mild, [2] Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

[1] The prophet Isaiah foretold in Isaiah 7:14:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

This prophecy was quoted in Matthew 1:23 with a small addition, the meaning of the term “Immanuel”:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to her son, Jesus. Indeed, she confirmed that this prophesy was being fulfilled when she said, in Luke 1:34:

“And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?””

[2] Then there is the phrase “Sleep in heavenly peace”.

Jesus is, truly, the source of peace. When His disciples were afraid, He said:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

John 14:27

The peace Jesus provides is overwhelming, and is heavenly peace!

Silent night, holy night, [1] Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, [2] Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! [3] Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

[1] The word “quake” is not found in the description of the shepherds on that hillside. However, Scripture does support the concept in Luke 2:9 where we read:

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.”

I have to say, if I saw an angel of the Lord, with the glory streaming from the angel surrounding me, I believe that I would be filled with fear and would likely “quake” too!

[2] Luke 2:13-14 tells that there was great singing by the heavenly host:

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””

I can’t write these words without smiling and hearing in my soul the choir singing these words during Christmas anthems. Another way to say “Glory to God” is by use of the word “Alleluia” or Hallelujah meaning “God be praised”.

[3] “Christ the Savior is born”. The angel told Joseph that Jesus was going to be the Savior of men when he announced to him that his betrothed was with a heavenly child.

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

The angels also announced this to the shepherds on that hillside so long ago:

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Silent night, holy night, (1) Son of God, love’s pure light; (2) Radiant beams from thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace, (3) Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

[1] The babe in the manger was truly the Son of God and “love’s pure light”. Jesus said:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

John 15:12

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. .””

John 8:12

I doubt that the Babe in the manger had a halo around His head as depicted in religious art. But radiance does assuredly apply to our Lord. Consider the description of Jesus when He was transfigured before three of his disciples. Matthew describes it as follows:

“And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.”

Matthew 17:2

[2] Redeeming grace was truly brought to earth when Jesus was born. Paul sums this up in Galatians 4:4-5 where he says:

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

[3] The carol concludes with the statement “Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.” This is, too, an accurate statement and it is an affirmation of faith and belief in that wonderful Babe. Again Paul writes:

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11. Jesus is Lord of all, and He was Lord even as the Babe. He gave up His heavenly place so He could save us from our sins; but He was no less Lord when He was a man than when He was in heaven. The God/Man Jesus Christ is and always has been part of the Triune God, from the time before time began and He will remain such when time no longer exists and we are in heaven for eternity. Jesus is Lord. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

May the blanketing silence of snow cover you, whether literally or figuratively, so that you experience the peace that our Savior brings to your heart and soul even in the hectic days of the Christmas season.

Perhaps listening to Silent Night, Holy Night as sung by Nashville Liberty Acappella on their album Christmas Acappella will get you into the stillness mode.

Do whatever it takes to calm yourself this Christmas. You will be glad you did and your relationship with your Father will grow stronger even in the hectic Christmas season.

Father, thank You for Your Word that tells of the birth of Jesus even hundreds of years before it occurred. Thank You for Your Word that speaks to us today, thousands of years after Jesus was born, telling us of His birth, death, resurrection, ascension and promised return. Help me to keep my eyes on You and Your gift to us, the Babe in the manger who became our Sacrifice on the Cross and is now our Savior in Heaven. Give me the grace to “Be still”, even when chaos reigns around me, through the power and love of Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior.

Who are you and where do you live?

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018 | lindamowles

People are diverse, unique, different. Take for example, where we live.

As we were driving on our vacation this summer, we went through the City of Chicago. The traffic going down the highways going into the city were crowded with trucks, cars, vans, busses. Not to mention the train that ran to various parts of the city with terminals in between the highway lanes.

Then, when the highway signs were somewhat out-of-the-way, the skyline came into view!

Thousands upon thousands of people live within the scope of that picture. They live in high-rise apartment buildings which have incredible views of the city beneath and Lake Michigan along the shoreline, some of the views going almost to the Wisconsin state line! However, some live in much less splendor, along the railroad tracks and in dilapidated buildings in the center of town. And of course, there are shops, businesses, banks and all sorts of eateries spread throughout the city.

This kind of congestion is not for everyone, however. One of the places we visited was Bar Nunn, Wyoming.

The campground was rustic and the people were super friendly. The view of the community from the campground was beautiful with its backdrop of mountain terrain.

The first night we were there, the clouds provided a beautiful ending to a glorious day.

In contrast to the “majesty” of Chicago, the little post office next to the campground in Bar Nunn provided a different perspective as it gave the whole community postal services, and we, as sojourners, appreciated its presence since we could purchase stamps and use the handy mailbox to send post cards to the family back home.

We all don’t live in the same type dwellings, in the same area of the country or in the same climate. But, almost all of us are often asked the same questions, no matter where we are: “Who are you, and where do you live?”

Our answer frequently is to respond with the name our parents provided to us and then to give our place of permanent residence. And these are appropriate responses as they give some fundamental information about us to the person we have just met. From there, we can continue the conversation and a friendship might result, or we can walk away after conducting the transaction with the individual without any further personal information being exchanged.

That is not the whole answer to those questions for the Christian.

Jesus said:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“

John 14:1-6

Jesus clearly said that the one who believes in Him, through faith alone, will spend eternity with Him in heaven. Indeed, belief in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way that we can enter heaven and come to God. In fact, Jesus also tells us to put our treasure in heaven since there the treasure is secure for all eternity, rather than having it on earth where it can be easily destroyed. Read Matthew 6:19-20.

Paul said it this way:

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,”

Ephesians 2:19-20

In other words, the Christian has dual citizenship – we are citizens on this planet, living in the country, province or state, city or hamlet in which we reside. But we are also citizens of heaven where we will live eternally with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, along with all our brothers and sisters who have been adopted into the family of God through faith in Christ.

So, how do we answer the question propounded above … “where do you live?” We might want to go into an explanation of our dual citizenship, or we might just want to give our address and let our Christian walk do the rest of the talking for us. Either way, let the Lord guide you as you witness for Him in our world.

Father, forgive me when I have been too timid to express my conviction that Jesus Christ made it possible for me to be Your child. I cannot express my gratitude and thankfulness for such gracious mercy extended to me, an undeserving sinner who was saved by grace! May I always be ready to tell others of Your gift of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Help me, I pray.

HOME – WHERE DID YOU SAY IT WAS?

August 3, 2018August 3, 2018 | lindamowles

The posts on The Ruminant Scribe have been anything but regular for the past couple of months. I have diligently tried to post every Tuesday and Friday since I began the blog, and I have been pretty successful in keeping that schedule (apart from when surgery has thrown the calendar into a spin).

But, for the past couple of months, the posting schedule has been shot. I didn’t want to explain what was coming as I did not want to publicize the fact that we were going to be out-of-town for two months. No sense alerting whatever malevolent forces are lurking to do harm to the fact that the house would be unoccupied for that period of time.

So, what took us away? My husband, the two dogs and I went on our 2018 Western Adventure RV Road Trip.

RV with car — RV ready to roll with Jeep following wherever we go!

The mileage on our motor home when we began was 56,660 miles. When we pulled into the storage lot 64 days later, the mileage was 61,919. Thus, after applying higher math to the equation, we had traveled 5,259 miles.

However, the coach was not the only vehicle driven. We towed our Jeep and used it at the various stops to visit the National Parks, towns and roadways while the RV was hooked up to the power at the campground. In short, the Jeep gave us portability that the coach would not have done, so we need to consider the Jeep’s mileage as well. The trip meter says that the Jeep was driven 1,334 miles during this trip.

So, the total mileage for our 2018 Western Adventure over the past 64 days was 6,593 miles.

I am confident that there will be more references to our trip in future blog posts; suffice it to say that for now we are very glad to be home. This prompted me to think about what Scripture says about home.

One of the most prominent references is where people are simply returning to their home, the place where they belong, the place where they are safe and secure, the place they want to be for a host of reasons. Consider:

As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country.”

Genesis 30:25

“And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his home.“

2 Chronicles 25:22

The Lord God was so detailed in giving the Law to His people that He required that a newly married man should remain at home with his wife for one year.

“When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken.”

Deuteronomy 24:5

Scripture speaks of having a place to call home, noting that this even applies to animals:

“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.”

Psalm 84:3

After Jesus healed people, He most often would tell them to go to their homes:

“I tell you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

Mark 2:11

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.””

Mark 5:19

And of course we also have Jesus’ words in the parable of the lost sheep:

“And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'”

Luke 15:6

While we didn’t have a party at the house upon our arrival, we were very thankful for the home to which we returned., and the children did, in fact, have a surprise waiting for us.

Traveling is great fun with many adventures to have, sights to see, foods to taste, pictures to take and roads to travel. But there is something heart-tugging about “home”.

So join me today as we celebrate returning “home”. We often think of our home in terms of chores – laundry, cleaning, dishes, yard work. All that is necessary to be done, but for now, I would ask that you think about your home differently.

Think about your own home, no matter what it looks like: whether it be a house, an apartment, a tenement, a bungalow, a cottage or a townhouse; whether it is in a city or village; whether it is huge or tiny; it could even be a motor home that can move to different locations! If it is the place where you feel secure … safe … loved, then it is “home,” and praise the Lord for it.

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

John 14:2-3

Home, for the Christian, also includes being with the Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity in our heavenly home. Praise God for His gracious gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ’s righteousness, we can have life everlasting in our heavenly home. Thank Him now for such a marvelous gift that we have yet to experience.

Blessings to each of you.

Father, thank You for the blessing of travel and experiencing new things, seeing new sights, going down unexplored roads. Thank You also for the blessing of returning home, and for the blessing of Your presence no matter where we are. We praise You for being with us each step of the way. Thank You, Lord.

WHO DO YOU IMITATE?

June 1, 2018June 1, 2018 | lindamowles

Although he lived long before anyone reading this post was born, Charles Caleb Colton (1780-1832) rendered a quotation that many of us know today. He was an English cleric who was also a writer and collector. His book, including collections of comments and short essays were wildly popular in their day. One of his most famous quotes which is still in use today is: “Imitation is the sincerest [form] of flattery”.

Imitation. Children imitate their parents/caregivers all the time. We were taking care of a young girl while her mother took some night classes at a nearby school. She was looking at a Golden Book that we had in the house when she began “reading” to us, as her nursery school teacher would do. She held the book in her hands and looked at the pages, then turned the book facing us and said “Blah, blah, blah, I don’t want to hear about it!” After saying this, she turned the page and looked at the next two pages, again flipping the book to face us and repeat the same sing-song-phrase.

Clearly, this young girl was not actually “reading” the printed word, but she was repeating what she regularly heard at home, complete with the intonation that comes from frustration or anger. Imitation.

Even if we are adults, don’t think that our days of imitation are over. We still imitate others.

When we were in England a number of years ago, we went to Abbey Road in London. Since some in our family were alive when the Beatles walked across that road, we had to do so as well. This is our impression of the Beatles’ classic album cover.

It was a great deal of fun to imitate that walk, although it did not bring us any fame, just some honks by irritated drivers!

On a much more serious note, imitation can take on eternal consequences. For example, we are to imitate the good that other Christians do in their lives.

“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”

3 John 1:11

Most of all, we are to imitate the Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior. After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He told them to imitate His actions.

“For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

John 13:15

He also said:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

John 13:34

Eternal consequences, you may ask? What if I don’t want to imitate Jesus?

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

John 14:15

“If you … [then] you…” The opposite of this, of course, is that if we do not keep His commandments, then we do not actually love Him even if our lips try to say otherwise.

The writer of Hebrews said that we are to imitate the faith of our leaders who faithfully brought the Word of God to us.

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Hebrews 13:7

Paul put it this way:

“For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.“

1 Corinthians 4:15-16

Two questions, thus, come to mind.

Are you obeying Christ’s commandments? Do you love others and serve them in His name? If not, why not? Do you really know Jesus Christ as your Savior or are you playing Christian, rather like playing a part in a play?
Is your life, your witness, your love for the Lord such that you could say the same thing that Paul said? “I urge you to imitate me.” Is your way of life revealing the strength of faith you have in Jesus Christ? If not, why not? If so, can others find Jesus Christ by imitating you?

Imitation. So easy that a child can do it. So hard that many will run from its demands. So much a blessing that it provides grace and abundant living in the here and now, as well as forever more.

Father, I pray that I would be a witness for Your Son, Jesus Christ and that Your Spirit would strengthen me as I seek to imitate Him and His love for others. Enable me to live so that others can imitate me and grow stronger in their faith and in their devotion to my Lord.

ABANDONED

May 22, 2018May 22, 2018 | lindamowles

As we were driving through a neighboring town, we spotted a large retail complex with the high parking lot light, the mesh screens to keep the merchandise intact, with the promise of more goodies in the adjacent building. On the property just next to this complex was this small building, that had clearly been abandoned some time earlier.

As we looked at it, I wondered what stories that building could tell, and what had happened to reduce it to crumbling timbers.

Another example of abandonment that we saw on a trip through Colorado is this mining camp, high in the mountains of the Rocky Mountain Range.

A closer look at this site reveals that this camp was destroyed by the ravages of time and weather. When it closed, nothing could save it from the destruction that comes with abandonment.

The problem is that buildings are not the only things that are affected by abandonment. It is a sad and distasteful statement to make, but the reality is that people are abandoned on a regular basis.

Human relationships are frequently conditional, and often people are abandoned when they have done something that is distasteful to another, and that person abandons the relationship, walking away and leaving the first person alone and sometimes destitute. Consider the wife who is told that her husband wants a divorce because she no longer pleases him. He walks out, and she is emotionally, and often, physically and financially abandoned.

Or, consider the employee who has spent decades working for the benefit of the company, only to be told that his efforts are not longer required because technology has rendered his job obsolete. He is abandoned by his employer and he finds himself without a meaningful job and, sometimes, without means to care for himself or his family.

While it seems the situation is stark and there is no refuge to which to turn, there is One who will not abandon His children – the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the Israelites were facing a severe challenge in the wilderness wanderings, Moses told them:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

This comforting truth was brought from the Old Testament into the New Testament when the writer of Hebrews said:

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.“”

Hebrews 13:5

The Psalmist assured us, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that:

“For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;”

Psalm 94:14

Jesus, Himself, told His disciples these comforting words taken from John 14:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Verses 16-18

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Verses 26-27

What comfort and what encouragement, even if you feel abandoned by all others, Jesus has said that He will not leave His sheep, His children, as orphans. Rather, He will send the Holy Spirit to be within each believer in Him. The Holy Spirit will teach the believer all that he/she is to know. The Holy Spirit will encourage and strengthen the believer so that there is no fear. In place of fear there will be heavenly peace that is sent from Jesus Himself.

Note, this is not a blank check so that you can get whatever material stuff you want!

This is a free gift that will provide all the peace and comfort that you need, whenever you need it. It will provide courage and strength to face whatever is ahead of you, even that which you don’t recognize today. There is no reason to fear because your Lord and Savior is with you.

This is a free gift with no limit because your debt has been paid in full by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. You are debt free. That does not mean that you will not sin any more, believers in Christ are not immune from the temptation to sin, but the Spirit gives us the strength to withstand sin. And, if we yield to tht temptation, confession and repentance will restore us to the peaceful relationship we can have with our Lord.

Abandoned? I personally know that it is a scary time, but you are not alone if you are in Christ Jesus. It is not an easy time, and getting through the trial will probably take more time than you like, but God’s schedule is eternal and not limited to our minutes. He can give you peace moment by moment, as He directs you to those who can assist with your needs. While God is with you each moment of this trial, His renovation of your spirit and your outlook may take some time, but it is a transformation that is worth the wait!

Often, when something is abandoned, there is a remarkable new structure that is ultimately built exactly where the abandoned building had stood. When we feel we are abandoned, God can take this time to rebuild and refortify us so that we can serve Him in a new way.

Rest in the Lord, and let Him overwhelm you with His peace, as He prepares you for your next adventure in the life with Christ.

Father, I thank You that You are the master builder who can transform an abandoned individual into someone who lives for You and who loves Your Son. Thank You for not leaving us as orphans in this hard land; and thank You for the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, a peace that passes all understanding.