Tools of the trade—everyone has them.  Our Maintenance Team has lots of different tools because they do so many kinds of work, from electrical and plumbing to construction and painting.  The same can be said for our Kitchen Staff. They have tools and equipment to prep raw food and then to fry, bake, and boil foods according to the recipe to produce delicious and healthy meals. Guest Services, Case Managers, Life Coaches, the Finance, Development, and Human Resource Teams—all have specific tools from computer programs to resource materials to help them to safely and correctly perform their jobs. And we have tools at home—washing machines, lawn mowers, etc. Tools make our lives easier.  Tools help us to do a better job, produce a better product. In fact, if you don’t use the appropriate tool correctly, you can damage what you are attempting to fix, and possibly hurt yourself. For example, once (maybe more than once) I tried to use my shoe as a hammer to hang a picture, and ended up tearing my shoe. It would have been much better in the long run to have used the correct tool the first time!!

Tools are so important that the development of tools is included in our history lessons. The discovery of how to use a wheel was huge in mankind’s progress. As early as in the book of Genesis we learn about Tubal-Cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron. There are references to the plow, the axe, the hammer, and the saw in both the Old and New Testaments. In fact, Jesus was trained as a carpenter like his father, so we can safely assume that he used carpentry tools.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) speaks of the Bible itself as a tool as follows: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I also like how The Message translates this passage (Hebrew 4:12-13):  ^“God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.”

And we know that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In these passages we see that the Bible acts as a tool to point us to Christ.  It convicts us of our sin and teaches us the right way to live before God.  Sure, you could substitute another “tool” for these purposes, but the result would not be as effective. In fact, it could be hazardous to your health.  This doesn’t mean that other tools might not be helpful in performing certain tasks, but the Bible is the most essential, life-giving tool we can use for living a godly life.

Most of us would not think twice about the necessity of using the correct tools of our trade. So why is it that we are so prone to turn to other sources for guidance—the television, internet, secular books and teachers, other people, our own hearts? Some of these tools may be acceptable for some purposes, but not for our spiritual health. As we seek to follow Christ, grow as disciples, and serve according to the gifts He has given us, let us be the best we can be by using all the tools available to us, most especially the Bible. I encourage you to not only read your Bible but also to study it, memorize it, and thoroughly absorb God’s Word into your very being.

Blessings,

Judy

I had a very nice traditional church wedding, very much like all the couples I knew had back in the 70’s, with a reception in the church fellowship hall.  Once my husband-to-be and I had set the date, I set my course on wedding-planner mode and I was absorbed in every detail of my wedding day—the invitations, the flowers, the dress, the bridesmaids, the wedding cake, etc.  Amy Vanderbilt and I became best friends as I sought her advice on every detail to ensure that it was done “just-so.”  I paid for most of the wedding myself, so I also worked on getting good deals or doing things myself.  I even made my own wedding dress (twice, because I didn’t like the first one I made), my mother’s dress, and the flower girl’s dress. The day of the wedding, I set up the fellowship hall and then cleaned the room where the bridesmaids and I would be making our final preparations.  Whew, was I ever tired!

The hour finally arrived.  I received the signal that it was time to come to the back of the sanctuary.  The bridesmaids began their procession. I met my dad, we exchanged a kiss, and we stepped up begin the walk down the aisle.  As I saw my husband-to-be waiting for me down at the altar, I almost freaked out. The thought came into my head:  “This is more than a wedding; I’m getting married! I had been working so hard on the ceremony for the past several months I had failed to realize that I was really preparing for marriage, not just a 30-minute ceremony.

That was 45 years ago last Friday, and as I pondered our marriage, these thoughts came into my mind.

1. I had fallen in love with the idea of marriage, but had not really embraced marriage itself. The wedding planning was not necessarily a bad thing, but when it replaced time spent with my husband-to-be it was certainly not the best long-term use of my energy. I think that we do that with Jesus sometimes.  We get wrapped up in the trappings, the ceremony, the religion, the idea of Jesus.  However, what is really important is the relationship with Jesus himself, spending quality time with Him. As James put it:“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” James 4:8.
2. My husband and I have had some ups and downs throughout these past years. I’ve been deliriously happy and felt very contented; and at other times I’ve felt miserable, terribly unhappy, and depressed. Sometimes it was hard to feel the love, if you know what I mean.  It’s taken me some time to realize that I cannot rely on my feelings because they can change based on the circumstance (Jeremiah 17:9). I’ve learned that a long-term relationship cannot be based on feelings, which are very fickle.  Instead, we must act on what we know is right.  We practice those daily disciplines, whether it be related to marriage or to our faith-walk.  We show love and we show respect, we faithfully read our Bible and pray for the Holy Spirit to display fruits of the spirit, we live by the teachings in 1 Corinthians 13.
3. Honestly, there were times when I didn’t want to be married to “that man” anymore (and he probably felt that way about me). We’ve had some pretty good fights.  However, we had made marriage vows.  We had covenanted “until death do us part.”  There were times when my commitment was to our marriage and to our family, if not to my husband (just being honest).  If you have been married for any length of time, I know you know what I mean.  We committed not to give up on each other. I think our faith-walk can be similar.  Sometimes we are not happy with how life is treating us; we think God has allowed us to experience a raw deal.  However, we have a covenant relationship with God. He has promised not to give up on us, and we walk faithfully through, trusting Him with our very lives.

It’s no coincidence that God designed the institution of marriage between man and woman to reflect the institution of the relationship between the Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:21-33). In fact, throughout the Bible God speaks of the unfaithfulness of Israel as prostitution or adultery, which is the antithesis of a faithful marriage relationship. However, his picture of the Marriage Supper in Revelation 19:6-9 excites me beyond expression. I so anticipate this celebration of what is to come.

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

‘Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad  and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God’” Revelation 19:6-9.

Whether you are married or not, my prayer is that you recognize your position in the family of God.  I pray that you are making yourself ready with fine linen in preparation for the time when Jesus comes to take the Church to our Eternal Home.  That will be some celebration!

Blessings,

Judy

^“And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49 (NKJV)

This is what the twelve-year-old Jesus told his parents when they were looking for him in Jerusalem during their annual visit for the Feast of the Passover.  Always before when I read this passage, I just thought about it in the context of Jesus understanding and revealing his divinity. I did not see any application to myself. However, recently I re-read this passage and I realized that there is application.

First: As believers in Jesus, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and children of God.  We call God “Father” just like Jesus did.

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV)

 This language, these terms, are used in the Scriptures for a reason.  We are to identify with these terms and consider them for what they mean to us today.  God is our Father, He is our authority, and He is our ultimate Provider.  Our God is wealthy and powerful beyond imagination, and as his children, we are heirs to everything He owns!  Is that not exciting? Who doesn’t dream that someone will send you a letter about a long-lost relative who has left you great sums of money in their will? Well, we all have a Father who wants to give us treasures beyond imagination, not because of anything we have done but because we are his children.

Second: As children of God, we must also be about our Father’s business. I know people who have had the good fortune to inherit a family business. As God’s son, Jesus saw himself as the inheritor of the family business. “I must be about my Father’s business.”  It was his sole focus to build up the Kingdom on behalf of his Father and on behalf of all of us. In John 15:15-16, Jesus tells his disciples (and us): “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

Don’t miss this:  He chose us first, and because he chose us, we are to bear fruit.  Bearing fruit is not a condition of salvation, it is a result. And as we bear fruit for the Kingdom we are also building up treasures for ourselves in Heaven (Matthew 6:19).

As children of God and heirs to his Kingdom, I am thankful and encouraged to be about our Father’s business alongside you.  I pray that we will all make our focus the same as Jesus, to bear fruit and lay up treasures in the Kingdom so that we will all share in his magnificent reward.

“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” James 2:5 (NIV)

Blessings,

Judy

Last week I wrote about how God transforms each of us into new creatures when we receive Jesus’ work on the cross on our behalf.  Just like the transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly, it is instantaneous.  At that moment of transformation, we are a child of God and we now can claim the promise of salvation and eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:9-10).

When the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, it is an adult butterfly.  It’s as beautiful and mature as it is ever going to be.  When a baby is born, it is as human as it is ever going to be, but it still has a lot of maturing to do. Likewise, when we are reborn as children of God, we are as saved as we are ever going to be, but we still have a lot of maturing to be as pure and perfected as God would have us to be.

As you probably know, I have seven grandchildren, ranging in age from 11 (nearly 12) down to 1. It’s been so wonderful to watch them grow (without having the direct responsibility). Not one of them is content to remain in their current stage of growth.  The baby is walking now and learning to talk.  It seems like yesterday the others were at that stage; now they are swimming, riding bikes, going to school, learning sports, playing music, taking on chores, learning to cook, etc.  We expect for children to grow up, but so many times we think that Christians can stay in whatever state they were when they made their profession of faith.

In Philippians 2:1-11, Paul gives us the beautiful passage about the humility of Jesus.  He then goes on to say:

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain” (Philippians 2:12-16).

 I’ve always loved Peter’s instruction to us in his second book, which also includes the compelling reason for our salvation:

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 2:3-11).

To be clear, it is God and only God who has the power to save us.  As believers, we are promised eternal life; however, don’t shortchange your life in eternity.  My intention in writing this is to encourage you to continue to grow in your walk with Jesus while here on this earth; to continue to make every effort to purify yourselves to be more like Jesus.  And what is so cool is that even while our physical condition may begin to deteriorate as we age, our spiritual condition can continue to grow as long as we make the effort (2 Peter 2:5).  And even better, it’s really our effort that matters most to God.  He is not concerned with our status, our accumulation of honors or wealth, or any other worldly measure of success.  He is only concerned with our efforts, motivated by a desire to please Him, to glorify Him, and to walk closer to Him.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. ³ All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).

 To quote Randy Alcorn: “Every day matters. Every hour matters. So spend it with eternity in mind.”

Blessings,

Judy

Over the weekend as I was watering my petunias, I saw a terrifying creature lurking on a leaf. I immediately called to my husband to save me and my petunias from this horrible creature. He did get rid of the creature, a caterpillar, but I don’t think he liked it much either (although he acted like I was a wimp for not doing it myself).

A bit later on as I was continuing to water the plants, I noticed several beautiful butterflies—some blue and black, some yellow and orange–flitting around, alighting on various blossoms and seeming to just enjoy floating around and providing a scene of peace and beauty. Who can’t love a butterfly, right?

It was then I felt guilty about the caterpillar, because you know that the ugly caterpillar becomes the beautiful butterfly through a transformational process. It’s not merely a change, like water becoming ice, because ice can also change back into water. It’s transformational because once the caterpillar morphs into a butterfly, it is not just a caterpillar with wings, and instead it is a totally different creature! Can you just picture in your mind the difference between a caterpillar and a butterfly? The transformation is a supernatural process, something that cannot be replicated by man. It’s something only God can do.

Becoming a believer in Jesus means that we are forever transformed, like the caterpillar to the butterfly. We may look the same on the outside unlike the transformation to a butterfly, but we are not the same person anymore. Paul says it like this: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Just as with the butterfly, this is a supernatural change, meaning that it is not something that we can do on our own. Our only part is to believe and receive this wonderful gift of salvation. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

If you have already made this decision to believe and receive, then you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t yet but want to make this decision to believe and receive this wonderful gift of grace in order to be transformed to a new creation in Christ, I would love to have the opportunity to speak to you.

P.S. I’m still trying to figure out my strategy about caterpillars. I don’t want to inadvertently eliminate the butterflies by eliminating the caterpillars. Butterflies were not born that way after all, they were always caterpillars first. Maybe I’ll just cultivate some caterpillar-friendly plants. What do you think?

Blessings,

Judy