ARE YOU SECURE?

April 8, 2020April 8, 2020 | lindamowles

We are still housebound. The Governor has issued a “Stay at Home” order which is stronger than the “Safer at Home” order given previously. The COVID-19 has overtaken our world and it has changed our activities on a national/ regional/ and individual basis. We are told that the absence of interaction with others outside the house is the secret to keeping healthy and eradicating the virus that has overtaken the world. Things that have been routine, such as birthday parties, getting together with church friends for lunch on Sunday afternoon, working at jobs and going to stores, have been cut short. Things that normally would provide the security of routine have been eliminated as we are all staying at home.

Arches National Park 1 — Arches National Park

When we were at Arches National Park in outside of Moab, Utah and we came across this sight — formations called “Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers”. They clearly were made over thousands of years as water and wind sculpted the stone. But they dwarfed the people visiting the site. and they seemed secure.

Another formation was found in the Park and it, too, was the result of centuries of wind and water sculpting its contours, which included a cave-like structure that could have provided respite from the elements.

The permanence of monoliths such as El Capitan in Yosemite National Park give a sense of security, if for no other reason than their size and durability.

Yosemite El Capitan 6-2011 069 — El Capitan, Yosemite National Park

Or, staying in our own house, away from possible contamination by a virus that you can’t see except under a microscope, will provide security from the virus, but is that real security?

Scripture tells us much about security. Take Psalm 15 for example. It is short, and it is duplicated here for your reference.

A Psalm of David.

O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15:1-5 [ESV]

So, what are we to do to be secure? Walk blamelessly, do right and speak truth. Don’t slander with your speech and don’t hurt your neighbor. Honor and fear the Lord. Freely look for ways to care for your neighbor, not expecting something to be done for you in return. Don’t take a bribe so that you will do anything to subvert justice or prosecute the innocent.

Honor God and serve Him and you will not be moved. You will be secure because you will be in the Lord’s hands.

Matthew Henry says of this psalm’s conclusion:

The psalm concludes with a ratification of this character of the citizen of Zion. He is like Zion-hill itself, which cannot be moved, but abides for ever, Psalm 125:1. Every true living member of the church, like the church itself, is built upon a rock, which the gates of hell cannot prevail against: He that doeth these things shall never be moved; shall not be moved for ever, so the word is. The grace of God shall always be sufficient for him, to preserve him safe and blameless to the heavenly kingdom. Temptations shall not overcome him, troubles shall not overwhelm him, nothing shall rob him of his present peace nor his future bliss. (Emphasis added)

This Psalm does not relate merely to the Old Testament Israelites. Rather, it relates to all those who claim the name of Christ as their Redeemer Savior. The grace of God is sufficient for us, even today, even as we are sequestered in our homes under the government’s “Stay at Home” order. Discomfort because of inability to see our friends and relatives, unease as we face an Easter at home rather than in communion with our Christian community, concern about finances and whether there is sufficient toilet paper to hold until we can return to normal living. All these things can rob us of the peace and security that is available in God, if we will only seek Him and allow Him to encourage and assist us fdring these times.

Yes, the formations in Arches National Park took time to become what they are, and in years to come they will likely change. But for now, they seem secure. We too have gone through various difficult times in our lives which have formed us into the people that we now are. Likely, we will change in future years, but we are secure — not in our physical strength or intellectual capabilities, but in the strength that we have through the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our strength, and He is our Redeemer Savior. He is our Lord, and He is our Shepherd. We are the beloved sheep of His pasture, and we are the ones for whom He gave His blood as our atoning sacrifice. Additionally, He is the one who is interceding for us, this very minute, before God the Father in heaven.

That is security in its highest and truest form.

Seek Him and honor Him. Then, as David said in Psalm 15, we will not be moved.

Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be our Savior and Redeemer. Thank You Lord for living a perfect life which we could not live, and then dying the horrific death on the cross, bearing our sin so that we do not have to carry it, thereby granting us eternal life with You which we would otherwise not be able to have. Thank You that we are secure in Your love, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout whatever this world may throw at us. We are Yours and are secure in Your hands.

Housebound

March 23, 2020March 22, 2020 | lindamowles

Snow Predicted oil on canvas, artist George Lucas from Gaithersburg, Maryland — “Snow Predicted” oil on canvas, painted by George Lucas of Gaithersburg, Maryland

These are troubling days. We are faced with a worldwide pandemic for the first time in most of our lives, and we don’t really know how to respond. Yes, we know that we are to practice social distancing, that is we are to remain no closer than 6 feet from other people so that we do not come in contact with the virus from others. We know that we are not to gather in groups of more than 10 because that creates a risk that someone in the group could be unaware that they are carrying the virus even though they are highly contagious at that point. We know that we should stock up on food because we could be housebound for a long time. We know that various businesses are shutting down with their workers facing furlough or unemployment, resulting in the loss of necessary paychecks for the household. We also know that if we are in the “at risk” category of individuals, we should remain in our homes to avoid contamination by the virus.

In short, there are quite a number of things that we now know which are different than our ordinary experiences had been before this virus hit. But one thing we see rampant, and that is the loss of toilet paper! People are hoarding it, taking it by the pallet-full, clutching their toilet paper in the checkout lines as if it were a lifeline. What’s with that?

Things are anything but routine now, and we are wondering if this is the “new normal”.

I don’t know when the virus will be contained or how long the housebound directive will be in place, but I do know the One who has that information, and He will not let us be housebound for a moment longer than is His plan.

The Psalmist says:

Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

Psalm 4:5

You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.

Psalm 115:11

It is a statement that is repeated in Proverbs:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

And the Prophet Isaiah claims the same thing:

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:4

Yosemite El Capitan and bridal veil 6-2011 063 — Yosemite National Park, El Capitan and Bridal Veil Falls

When I think of God as an “everlasting rock”, my mind wanders to the sights we saw in Yosemite National Park. Specifically, the view of El Capitan. It is a huge granite monolith that rises almost 910 meter (3,000 foot) vertically from Yosemite Valley. It’s massive size and strength is apparent when looking at it from across the valley.

But, come closer, and it is both intimidating and comforting.

More than one climber has tried to scale its height, and a few have succeeded. Some have turned back, and others have fallen to their death. It is intimidating and yet when thinking of God as our everlasting rock, it is comforting. Nothing is going to push El Capitan over. Nothing is going to move our God out of the way, either. Indeed, if God were to ordain an earthquake in the Yosemite Valley, El Capitan may well be toppeled, but it would only be at the ordinance of God, the ultimate Rock and the source of our salvation and redemption.

Beloved, if you are housebound, take heart. You can worship God even in the sanctity of your own home, of your own hospital bed, of your own apartment, of your own heart! Worship Him, the everlasting Rock and the author of our salvation. Then, praise Him for the opportunity you have to be housebound, to be able to focus on your relationship with Him rather than on the cares of the world, of work and or school. And you may want to think Him for giving you the time to clean out that closet, or tidy up the junk drawer in the kitchen, or the linen closet, or … well my entire house, actually!

The point is that we should praise God for all things, because we know that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Father, I thank You for the blessings that are so freely given to all of us, including the freedom from fear of the coronavirus and freedom from anxiety for those who place their trust in You. Help me to be patient during this time of restricted activity, and help me to remember that You are in control of all things, even the most minute of activities by which we can honor You,

DAILY PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

January 27, 2020 | lindamowles

The Holy Spirit has been impressing upon me the privilege of praising the Lord and giving thanks to the Father, not just when something good (in our way of thinking) happens, but regularly, multiple times per day. It has been said that gratitude should be our modus operandi.

When we went to the western United States, we found ourselves praising God multiple times per day as we saw His beautiful creation spread out before us.

USED Half dome (C) — Yosemite National Park

The natural beauty of Yosemite National Park prompted us to praise Him and give thanks to Him for the glory of His creation. Half-Dome standing like a sentry over the mountains and valleys reminded us of the Lord’s watchfulness over His people, and of His omnipotence. The sure and certain knowledge that He is in control and His purposes will not be thwarted by anything that man can conjure up!

Landscape Rainbow, Seward Highway, Alaska

The Landscape Rainbow that became visible as we were driving to Seward, Alaska reminded us of God’s unfailing promises. We saw this rainbow the day after I had surgery to repair my broken ankle, a sure-fire way to cut vacation travel short! But the Lord was with us even in those difficult days thousands of miles from home, when He sent numerous people to minister to us, helping us get through the trial of no place to stay, of surgery, etc. His people surrounded us, even in the hospital corridor. The rainbow was a visual reminder that He had not lost track of us, and He would not do so, ever! And, in response, we uttered a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to Him for sending this beautiful reminder of His presence.

Praise and thanksgiving should be ever present in the life of a Christian, even when things are not what we expected, when they are difficult and painful, when they are overwhelming and frustrating. Praise and thanksgiving are appropriate at all these times because God is teaching us to be more like His Son, our Lord and Savior.

Paul said:

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:4

The writer of Hebrews said this about praise to God:

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Hebrews 13:15

This is not just a New Testament command – it is referenced multiple times in the Old Testament as well.

David referenced praise and thanksgiving numerous times in his writings, and here is one of them:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 100:4

In fact, the Israelites were told to practice daily praise and thanksgiving. With regard to the obligations of the priests, we read in 1 Chronicles 23:30:

“And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the LORD, and likewise at evening,”

The command is to begin and end the day with praise and thanks to the Lord God. Notice, God didn’t say that this was required on those days that were easy, or when they were encamped and not fighting anyone, or that they were exempted from this requirement when it was too hot! Every morning and every evening — come rain or shine, home hard times or easy ones, come plague or famine, come ease or comfort. Praise and thanksgiving were to be their standard daily.

Do we do this?

Every day or ever?

Even on those days that are so frustrating and maddening that we want to scream?

Even when the children are fighting and we can’t hear ourselves think?

Even when our spouse has done something that infuriates us?

Praise and thanksgiving when illness hits or an unexpected death occurs?

Yes, we should! Daily praise and thanksgiving. At times it is difficult but calling on the Name of the Lord and giving Him praise and thanksgiving for His presence and comfort, for His guidance and leading, always is music to our Lord’s ears. It is glorifying to God the Father and it is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. I’m not saying that we will understand the reason behind what happens to us, that is God’s area of expertise! I am saying that the Christian’s response to these things should be humble acknowledgement that we are hurt and that we don’t understand why this bad thing occurred; but, we have confidence in God and His wisdom and we praise His name and give thanksgiving to Him for his faithfulness and His abiding presence with us that gives comfort and peace even in difficult circumstances.

What a difference daily, moment by moment, praise and thanksgiving would make in our lives! Glorifying God, giving Him praise and thanksgiving, even at your deepest hour will bring peace and comfort, even when nothing is going right and everything is going wrong.

Father, forgive us for failing to give You praise and thanksgiving on a daily, moment-by-moment basis. Enable us to see even difficult days of suffering and loss as times to give You praise as You execute Your purposes for us and for the world. Give us strength and wisdom as we live our lives and lead us to give You the praise and thanksgiving that You rightfully deserve, every moment of every day.

THE POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD

September 14, 2018September 14, 2018 | lindamowles

Today we are seeing, once again, the power of the Almighty God as we observe Hurricane Florence pummeling the eastern coast of the United States. While her winds are “only” 90 miles per hour, she is traveling across the countryside at a mere 5 miles per hour as she pours rain down on thousands of people at a rate of 1 inch per hour.

Numbers like that are staggering when you consider them for even a little while. The trees split asunder from the stress caused by the sustained winds and they fall over from the weakening of their root systems in the over-soaked land around them. All this, plus debris flying through the wind, is downing power lines and causing widespread loss of power to thousands of people. Reports have been coming in about incredible flooding of their homes both from rain and the storm surge pushing the water inland.

Moreover, the hurricane is forecast to affect people and communities in multiple states, hundreds of miles from the coastline. Indeed, we are told that the rain and wind from this hurricane will affect us for almost a week … and then comes the aftermath which will have ramifications for many months, if not years.

I’m not a meteorologist and I certainly don’t have any equipment to measure the weather – I am just pointing out what I have read and heard on the news reports of the storm.

I am, however, a Christian and my Bible tells of a flood in which the rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights.

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Genesis 7:11-12

Verses 17 – 20 of this chapter continue describing the deluge of water:

The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep.

By the way, a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters, so 15 cubits above the mountains would be 270 inches, or 22.5 feet.

Yosemite half dome scenic 6-2011 019 — Yosemite half dome scenic view

We should pray for those who are in the path of Hurricane Florence and we should seek God’s providential grace that they be kept safe from harm. We should pray for the first responders to be given safe passage as they seek to help others, for the news reporters as they try to let us know what is happening to others in our land, and for those who have been displaced by evacuation that they be given comfort and peace even as their lives have been upended by the storm.

While the storm is devastating, we can find peace even in this hard time when we remember that the Almighty God is in control and His purposes will not be thwarted by anything. He loves His children with a love that is greater and that is stronger than any hurricane or any other power on earth. Therefore, even in this, or any other, disaster we can praise His Name.

Blessings to you today – and forever more.

Father, there are times when no words can express our concern, our fear, and our awe at the manifestation of Your mighty power. We tend to think of You in terms of humanity when You are the Creator and Sustainer, the Giver of Life and the Redeemer of our souls. Your power is unlimited and Your love is unmatched. I praise You, Father. Please comfort all those who are going through the hurricane now. Protect them and may Your perfect will prevail in all things.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD — IMMANENCE AND IMMUTABILITY

February 2, 2018January 30, 2018 | lindamowles

Today we are considering two aspects of God’s nature that we almost never think about, but which are aspects of the majesty of God with respect to His relationship with us – Immanence and Immutability.

IMMANENCE

Immanence is a fancy way of saying God is with us, always. Our God is at hand and He works even through the minutiae of our lives to produce a love for and enjoyment of His Word and, in fact, of Himself. This attribute is in direct opposition to the concept that God established the world and then just walked away and left it to spiral wherever it wanted to go. That God did not involve Himself with the creation; once the creation was done, He was finished with it and things could go well or poorly and God didn’t really care.

In Jeremiah, God asks:

“Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.”

Jeremiah 23:23-24

The Psalmist frequently talks about God and His relationship with the creation. One of my favorite chapters is Psalm 139 where David says God knows him so well that He even knows when we stand or sit, or recline in slumber. God is so near that He knows what we are going to say, even before we express the words out loud. There is absolutely nowhere on earth or heaven or hell that we can go where God cannot see us, reach us, hear us. This chapter extols the immanence of God, without using that term. Beloved, read this chapter and know that our God cares about you, personally and intimately.

In Acts 17, verses 27-28 we read:

“Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed His offspring.'”

Acts 17:27-28

Scripture describes our God as One who does not sit back and merely observe a creation which He set in motion millennia ago; He is present and actively participating in His world.

What does this mean to you as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? Immanence is an attribute of God that provides the believer confident rest in the knowledge that there is no place or situation that is too far to be under God’s providence and protecting hand. Things may be difficult as far as this world is concerned, but there is no reason to fear that things will remove you from His love and care.

Paul put it best:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

IMMUTABILITY

Our world is always changing. Even things that we consider unchangeable, immoveable – actually do change.

Half dome (C) — Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

Mountains such as those found in Yosemite appear so strong and solid, and they are – at least until God shakes them in an earthquake. But even mountains are changed, albeit gradually, by the ravages of weather.

Yosemite giant sequoia fallen tree (C) — Giant Sequoia Tree fell and its root system was exposed.

Even Giant Sequoia Trees that have stood for centuries, change and, at some point, will come crashing to the earth. Change in this world is inevitable.

Because of this, we have a hard time contemplating the attribute of immutability. Nothing in this world stays the same … everything changes. But not so with God.

Not only does God know every little thing that is going on with each one of us, His immanence, the attribute of immutability means that God will not change His mind when it comes to His ultimate will for His children’s care and protection.

“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Malachi 3:6

God, Himself, is saying that He does not change – a characteristic that is totally foreign to us. He is immutable. He is the same today as He was before creation even existed.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.“

James 1:17

The fact that God does not change his mind, his characteristics, his plan, or anything else guarantees God’s character will remain the same and that which He has willed, will, in fact, occur.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

This gives the believer security to know that when we have been adopted into God’s family through faith, we can trust God not to change His mind and “unadopt” us on a whim.

No man can slip through His fingers into the breach of hell if that person is a child of God and has expressed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God neither changes His plan, His covenants, His prophecies, nor His justice. In other words, God is dependable – God is immutable!

Listen to the beautiful hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. Note the words “As Thou has been, Thou forever wilt be.” That’s immutability! As you listen, identify other phrases that point to God’s immutability. Praise Him that He is unchangeable, and He loves us with an unchanging love!

This hymn is sung by Robert and Robin Kochis on the album entitled “Great is Thy Faithfulness”.

Father, Your mercies, grace and love are magnificent. Your involvement with us on a moment by moment basis is such comfort and security, even when things seem to be going poorly, we know that nothing will thwart Your plan for us. I praise You for your Immanence and Immutability. You are God. I praise Your Holy Name. May my life reflect Your grace to others throughout my days.

REFOCUS ON CONTENTMENT

August 11, 2017July 31, 2017 | lindamowles

Have you ever given your young child or grandchild a shiny quarter with their eyes open wide at the wonder of the coin in their hands? Then, when we are a bit older, we receive our first paycheck. No matter the work, you remember the first time you see a check with your name on it because we are seeing the fruit of your labor.

Something happens as we move on with our life. Suddenly we realize that we don’t have that same joy over our situation as we did when we were young. This is not a new phenomenon. Rather, it is as old as mankind itself.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 2:16-17 ESV.

Adam and Eve had everything at their disposal, except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Seems like they would be contented, doesn’t it?

Ozark Mountain River — Mountain River in the Ozarks

But then came the serpent who misquoted God when he asked “Did God really say …?“

Ultimately, Eve’s eyes were refocused:

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:1-6 ESV. They became discontented when they looked at the one thing they could not have and desired it so much that they disobeyed their Creator God to get it. Of course the result of that disobedience was swift punishment – expulsion from the garden accompanied by hard work and labor.

Contentment. Why was she not content with what she had? Because she looked at what she did not have instead of what she had.

Yosemite water fall and downsream 2011 (C) — Yosemite National Park waterfall and downstream.

How much happier would we be if we were content with what God has given us rather than comparing our condition with others, specifically with others who we believe are more wealthy, more healthy, more wise, more … whatever, than we are.

Jesus said:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33 ESV

Think about what the Lord endured for you and for me. Then look at what He has blessed you with … even the hard things and know that nothing can compare with what He went through. Praise Him for all things, and you will see that your joy has returned and you are contented in a way that was inconceivable before.

Relax, you know that your Savior and your Heavenly Father know you better than you know yourself! The Holy Spirit will provide that which you need most. Seek first the kingdom of God and all the rest will fall into place.

USED Asleep on daddy's lap - snickers — Contentment — Snickers is asleep on Daddy’s lap.

Contentment comes when we focus on our Lord Jesus Christ and rest in Him.

Father, forgive me when I have focused on things that I don’t have or can’t do rather than focusing on You and giving thanks for all the marvelous blessings You shower upon me each moment of every day. Refocus my attention on You and away from that which would cause discontent and unrest. Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy.

VISIONS OF GLORY HERE ON EARTH

April 21, 2017April 19, 2017 | lindamowles

“Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.“

Psalm 33:8 KJV

There are times in our lives that we encounter something that is just too wonderful to fully appreciate at the time.

Consider some of the places that God has provided us on the planet – places that exhibit His power, beauty, majesty, omnipotence, just to name a few of His attributes that are represented in His created order.

Yosemite 2011 WRM 095 Overlook of Kings Canyon National Park (C) — Yosemite overlook at King’s Canyon

Towering mountains. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” – Psalm 90:2 ESV

Consider the thundering waterfalls. “Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.” Psalm 42:7 ESV

Oregon 2009 066 (C) Multnomah Waterfalls — Multnomah Waterfalls, Oregon

Consider beauty and destruction combined, such as with volcanoes. When we were on Maui, in Hawaii, we traveled to the crater of Haleakala and watched the sun come up over the horizon. The crest of the volcano is over 10,000 feet high, so it was windy and the clouds were constantly changing as they flew over and passed the crater. While volcanoes can be deadly and can cause widespread destruction, they also provide silent witness to the power of God’s creative hand and the beauty of His majesty.

Haleakala sunrise 4 — Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii, Sunrise over the crater.

While God’s creation is majestic in scope, it is also awesome in its beautiful detail.

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” – Luke 12:27-28 ESV

Or, consider the birth of a child – we know the biological process that takes place. Some of us even know all the details of human anatomy and physiology that work together in the creation of that little one you hold in your arms. But, just describing the biological process of childbirth does not even touch the full impact of the birth of a little baby. The joy that the child brings to the parents; the marvel in the expression of the young sibling who now is the older child; the tears in the grandparents’ eyes as they look at the personification of their living heritage.

Grandparents holding baby — The infant is comforted by grandparents who just want to look adoringly at the child’s face!

I am not so Pollyanna to think that this is the lot granted to each child born on this planet – far from it. Some children are born into a house that is far less than supportive and can even be abusive. But Scripture tells us that mankind was created in the image of God.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 ESV

Each person, even the smallest infant, is a creation of God the Almighty Creator and Sustainer who imprints His image onto the heart and soul of each one. The reason we cannot see God’s image in others is not because of a problem with the image of God, but rather it is a problem that we have because of Adam’s fall and the interjection of sin into the world.

Scripture tells us of God’s majesty like this:

“By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.”

Psalm 65:5-8 ESV

What a marvelous God we serve. What a powerful and majestic God we serve. What a loving God we serve.

“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Habakkuk 2:20 KJV

Today take the time to contemplate (or ruminate) on being silent before God. Think about His majesty and glory. Think about His intimate love for you and of the salvation that He has provided. Read the love letter that He has given us, His Word, the Holy Bible. Then, love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. Matthew 22:37.

Father, I thank You for showing us Your power, beauty and majesty through the natural creation you spoke into existence. I thank You for giving us Your Word and Your Spirit. that tells us what you want us to do, how we should live in Christ, and what your Spirit

THE FEAR OF GOD

February 7, 2017 | lindamowles

When we were in England, we visited a number of cathedrals and were amazed at the exquisite details in the construction and decoration of each of them.

bath-cathedral-c — Bath Cathedral, Bath, England

The exteriors of the cathedrals had a focal point, upward to the sky as if the very building was praising God in prayer and thanksgiving.

canterbury-side-view — Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England

Even the walls of the cathedrals evidenced exquisite workmanship and beautiful detail.

canterbury-wood-carvings-adorning-the-walls — Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England. Carved woodwork adorning the walls of the Cathedral.

The church in Canterbury was established when Saint Augustine was sent as a missionary in 597 A.D. In the town of Canterbury, there has been daily worship of God for over 1,400 years. Just think about that for a moment!

The original cathedral was rebuilt completely by the Normans in 1070 following a major fire. Although there have been many additions to the building over the last nine hundred years, parts of the Quire or Choir, which is the area between the nave and sanctuary in a cathedral, and some of the windows and their stained glass date from the 12th century.

canterbury-stained-glass-windows — Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England. Stained glass windows. They were removed and sequestered for safety during World War II and reinstalled when the war ended.

See the Canterbury Cathedral’s website for more detailed information on this glorious church. https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/heritage/history/cathedral-history-in-a-nutshell/

We came to the entrance of the cathedral property and walked through this gate. At first I thought this was the church … then I realized it was “just” the gate to the property. Even this aspect of the cathedral was designed and constructed with an emphasis on the heavens.

canterbury-the-archway-into-the-church-property — Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England. Arched gate into the Cathedral property.

Why go to all this trouble in creating such glorious buildings in which to worship God? Why do all this incredible craftsmanship during a period of time when people were living in far less sturdy structures? Why do this at all?

I suggest that these folks had a right understanding of the “fear of the Lord”.

Scripture has much to say about learning and fearing God. See for example the following passages in the Old Testament:

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,…”

Deuteronomy 10:12 ESV

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”

Psalm 111:10 ESV

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV

So, what does it mean to fear God? One definition of “fear” is, of course, to be afraid, to be in terror when we face God.

The struggle we have with a holy God is rooted in the conflict between God’s righteousness and our unrighteousness. He is just and we are unjust. This tension creates fear, hostility, and anger within us toward God. The unjust person does not desire the company of a just judge. We become fugitives, fleeing from the presence of One whose glory can blind us and whose justice can condemn us. We are at war with Him unless and until we are justified. Only the justified person can be comfortable in the presence of a holy God.

The justified person, the believer in Jesus Christ, is not afraid of God, rather God is his Father and fear is washed away. Paul wrote this to his spiritual son, Timothy:

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

But we are still admonished to “fear the Lord”, so if we are justified by Christ, what does it mean?

“Fear” when used in this context references our actions of “reverence” and “worship”. We are to “be in awe of” Him and we are to “honor” Him.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The note on Proverbs 1:7 in the Reformation Study Bible says, in part:

The fear of the Lord is the only basis of true knowledge. This fear is not distrustful terror of God but rather the reverent awe and worshipful response of faith to the God who reveals Himself as the Creator, the Savior and the Judge.

Have you ever been in awe of our God when looking at His expression through the majesty of His creation?

yosemite-2011-wrm-126-waterfalls-and-river-c — Yosemite National Park, waterfall and river.

Have you ever been in awe of our God when looking at His expression through the detail of the small baby, a child created in the image of God?

baby-girl-1-month-old — One month old baby girl.

Has your spirit ever soared when entering a place of worship as you anticipate spending time with your Savior and God in worship?

canterbury-cathedral-view-of-the-altar-area — Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, England. Interior of Cathedral looking at the altar area of the church.

Have you considered our Savior God who sent His only Son to die for your sins? Have you thanked Him today, even this moment, for such love, grace and mercy?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Unfortunately, our culture has forgotten this precept. We have instead turned to human philosophy and social engineers. We have created a generation of children who have turned to Hollywood or the Internet for their heroes and role models. The fantasy world of television and movies, with computer generated special effects, has become the reality that our youth crave. Young and old alike seek thrills and/or escape by turning to drugs and alcohol. We kill children without batting an eye, while we worry about the spotted owl or the snail darter fish.

Scripture does not change – its teachings are true and they are timeless. Thousands of years ago, God stated that the fear of the Lord was the beginning of wisdom. It was true then, and it is true today.

I believe that those building the cathedrals were honoring God and creating a place of worship that was a physical representation of the glory and magnificence due Him in worship.

Note that I am not saying that all churches need to be this elaborate. Nor am I ignoring the role that the Popes or other “leaders” likely played in desiring a place of magnificence for his own benefit.

What I am saying is that we, even in our “modern” age, need to have a holy fear of our God. It is a heart issue, not an architectural one. We should give God the reverence, awe and honor to which He is due. In short, He is not the “Big Guy in the Sky”. He is our Creator, Sustainer and Savior … He is our Father and our God.

Father, forgive me when I have not given You the reverence that You deserve. Let my heart sing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” throughout the day and let my praise to You be last on my lips as sleep overcomes me. May I love You and glorify You in all things.

VISTAS, TIME AND THE NEW YEAR

January 6, 2017 | lindamowles

Mountains – Oceans. Some people love the ocean more than they do mountains. I admit that I like to look at the ocean on occasion, but I love mountains! Specifically, I love my mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina. What I truly enjoy is getting to an overlook or valley and then marveling at the vista splayed out around me.

smoky-mountains-vista — Great Smoky Mountains – vista from Cades Cove, Tennessee

I hasten to add that I am an equal opportunity mountain lover. We have been privileged to see a number of mountains in our country, and I have loved every minute of it!

colorado-shelf-road-and-vista — Colorado “shelf road” and mountain vista.

When I stand looking out at the grandeur of the mountains and contemplate the forces that created them, my soul sings to the Creator God, my heavenly Father, in praise and worship.

What does this have to do with the new year? A great deal.

We are temporal, mortal, and our days are limited.

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

Psalm 103:15-16

In fact, the Bible affirmatively states that all we have is this moment, and even it is a gift from God. James, the half-brother of Jesus, says it like this:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”– yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

James 4:13-16

He advises us that we are not to think that we will be here on this earth forever, rather we are to make plans according to the will of our Father. So, it is good for us to look back at the vista of 2016 and see how we did on that directive. Use the beginning of this new year to consider the condition of our relationship with our God so we can more effectively grow in 2017.

When were we close to God;
When did we do His will;
When did we say “I will” when He prompted us to say something to an individual;
When did we learn from His Word;
When did we testify to others of His great mercy and grace,
Now, you add your own points to consider, as each of us will have different things to ponder.

The year 2016 is in the record books. It is over and there is nothing we can do to change what was said, done, or experienced. The stuff we planned to do, but didn’t, will not get done in 2016, it is over. The relationships we intended to nurture, but didn’t, will not be stronger today because of anything we did in 2016, it is over.

dar-library-clock-c — Clock in the DAR Library, Washington, D.C.

As Scripture points out, the only time we have is today. We don’t even have any guarantee that we will see much of 2017 other than the moment we are in right now.

So, take the time to consider your life. Renew your dedication to focus on the Lord God Almighty rather than on the temporal things of this world. Those things that you were going to do in 2016 but then neglected — now is the time to get them accomplished.

Write the letter, send the card, make the phone call, give the hug, encourage the fainthearted, reach out to those who are hurting.

Whatever you need to do, do it in the name of our Lord and Savior. Don’t wait until 2018 — now is the time to do that which our God has asked us to do.

Remember how the Lord blessed and protected you in 2016, how He secured your salvation through Christ our Lord, and how the Holy Spirit worked in your life during the year, and praise Him for it.

Then, as you look ahead to 2017, praise Him for what He is going to do in and through you as you rely on His strength, power, wisdom and love.

The great hymn “How Great Thou Art” details much and can provide a springboard for your praise to our God. Here is the hymn sung on the Concordia Publishing House album Hymns for all Saints, Adoration, Praise, Comfort. Daily, let your heart and soul sing out in praise to our gracious heavenly Father. You might even want to add your voice to that song!

Father, thank You for being with us throughout our life as You lead and guide Your children in Your will. Thank You for sending Your Son to be our Redeemer and thank You for providing Your Spirit to indwell and empower us we grow into the likeness of Your Son. As we look to the new year, may we always remember that You are the only living Almighty God and may we sing praises to You in all that we do.