In our Bible study on the Women’s Campus, we have finished a study on Esther, and we are now studying the book of Ezra. What are some things these two books have in common?  For starters, they are people’s names, both start with “E”, they are both in the Old Testament. Also, both Esther and Ezra are Jewish, but both have been removed from their homeland and are living in exile, at least when the story begins. Exile is a theme used throughout the Old Testament. Adam and Eve, Cain, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, the children of Israel, Naomi and her family, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel immediately come to mind. The books of Exodus, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel are based on the theme of exile and return, as are several of the prophetical books. Exile is not stated per se in the New Testament, but because the people of Palestine were living under foreign (Roman) rule, it could be said that they also lived in exile.

According to Webster, the definition of exile is a: the state or a period of forced absence from one’s country or home, or b: the state or a period of voluntary absence from one’s country or home. 

So, a key factor in determining a period of exile is determining where one’s true home is. And then, if we are not at home, we are in exile. If one temporarily relocates to another state or country, say for a job, it could be said that he or she is in exile. When we become believers in Christ, we become citizens of Heaven. However, we can’t actually go to Heaven until after our physical death, so it could be said that as believers and citizens of Heaven, we are living in exile from our true home until that time.  What are some do’s and don’ts of living in exile that we can learn from biblical examples?

1. Do submit to and obey our local rulers with respect. Joseph, Daniel, Esther all showed respect to their earthly rulers. “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer… “Pay to all what is owed to them; taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:4,7). “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” “1 Peter 2:13-14”.
2. Do what is good. Joseph, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel and were able to obtain positions of authority and respect and influence for good as a result.  Ruth found a godly husband.
3. Do educate ourselves, seek truth, and vote for candidates who we believe will make an effort to support truth. This is a very challenging mandate in these times. There are no perfect candidates, but here is what Billy Graham had to say on the subject: https://billygraham.org/answer/im-sick-of-politicians-and-political-campaigns-and-ive-decided-im-not-going-to-vote-this-year/. The bottom line is that we must educate ourselves on the issues and the candidates.
4. Do pray. When Daniel found himself in exile and needing God’s intervention, he prayed: “ So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.” (Daniel 3-5).  Follow the “40 Days of Prayer” guidelines published in Workplace, and I believe God will give us the guidance we need.
5. Don’t give in to politics of anxiety and fear. “But our world does not end if the candidates for whom we vote do not win the day. Our Father in heaven is sovereign and wise and is in control. Our ultimate hope is not in any election. Our hope is in our Father in heaven.” (Dr. Keith A. Mathison, writing for Tabletalk Magazine, June, 2016.)

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

In Christ,

Judy

Sow righteousness for yourselves,
    reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
    for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.

Hosea 10:12

The Chaplain’s Corner devotional last week on conditioning used a couple of analogies to describe the process of growing in discipleship, focusing on Bible study and prayer. The analogies were working out (exercise), and farming. Today I will take up the analogy of farming to add another discipline, that of confession and repentance.

Have you ever seen a plant try to grow in a parched piece of ground? Back in 2005 I went on a mission trip to Tecate, Mexico. Our group built a house for a family on a slab of rock. They had been living in a shanty made of corrugated metal and cardboard and cloth, and I recall that they had a single tomato plant that was struggling in the hot sun. It was limp, didn’t have any blooms, and I’m surprised it grew at all. They would water it from time to time, and some water got in through a crack, but most of it just ran off. It looked something like this:

Our hearts are in the same condition as this parched ground until we break them up, plow them into a condition that is receptive to instruction and God’s leadership. Our human reaction to teaching is often negative: resentment, bitterness, anger, argumentative, refusal. Who are “they” to tell me anything?  The life-giving water just runs off, wasted on us. The problem is that our resistance to the truth also makes us unable to absorb it. The truth is unrecognizable to us. We need it, but we can’t receive it, much like this poor plant in the picture.

The solution is as follows, with diligent, daily practice:

1. Pray to God to soften our hearts, to make us receptive to the Word of God so that when we hear it, it can work on us. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). When we pray, we also ask for wisdom and discernment so that we don’t get confused by teaching that might sound good but is in reality not biblical.  Otherwise, we might just find ourselves going in circles and not making any real progress. “Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together” (Deuteronomy 22:10).

• When we are receptive and God’s Word can begin working on us, we can then confess our sins. “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” (Proverbs 28:13-14).  ^“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”1 John 1:9).

• And with confession add repentance, resolving to turn away from sin. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…” “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).

When we dedicate ourselves to being obedient and walking in truth, then we can be confident that we are in line with the one true God. As Micah prophesied in Micah 2:12-13 to both Israel and Judah regarding God’s promise of deliverance, once we allow our hearts to be plowed, broken up and softened, He will lead us into the abundant life we have been destined for:

“I will surely gather all of you, Jacob;
    I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel.
I will bring them together like sheep in a pen,
    like a flock in its pasture;
    the place will throng with people.
The One who breaks open the way will go up before them;
    they will break through the gate and go out.
Their King will pass through before them,
    the Lord at their head.”

Let us resolve to seek life in Christ through diligent prayer, confession, and repentance, opening our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

In Christ,

Judy

Note: Many of the scripture references and analogies have been shamelessly taken from Pastor Spencer Barnard’s sermon series on Farm Facts.

“I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

I’ve recently pondered the term “conditioning,” as in (per Webster) the process of training to become physically fit by a regimen of exercise, diet, and rest. One fitness center described sports conditioning as “an all-year round commitment for athletes that usually includes pre-season, in-season, post-season, and off-season. … Once the athlete is in the right fitness state, they can start doing advanced exercises to help improve performance in their specific sport.” Okay, that’s a bit intense and over my head, but I think I get the general concept.

The reason this term has interested me is because I believe it to be a key to strengthening my relationship with Jesus. I’m sure that is what Paul had in mind when he wrote the verse above as part of a letter to the Corinthians.

In the Parable of the Sower, Luke 8 (which we just studied in the Thursday Bible Study), Jesus explains that the key to understanding this teaching is that the seed is the Word of God, and the key to its effectiveness is the condition of the soil for the seed and the condition of our hearts for the Word of God.

I am a gardener, and I very regularly work in my garden, conditioning it to keep it as productive as possible.  I keep the soil worked up, fertilized, watered, and mulched so that it can produce strong roots and plants. I remove the weeds as they make their appearance so that they don’t steal precious nutrients from my vegetables and choke them out. I am on the lookout for critters – hornworms, squash beetles, birds, deer, and squirrels – that want to devour my plants and vegetables. As a gardener, I love Jesus’ use of agricultural metaphors to explain his biblical principles. I can really relate. I know that if I don’t constantly work on my garden, and my heart, it will quickly revert to its natural state. It might look okay, but it will not be productive.

The same concept is true of physical fitness. I ran a marathon twenty years ago. I had been a runner, but it was a big jump to go from 3 miles a day to 26.2 miles. In fact, it took me nine months in a consistent conditioning regimen including running and cross-training to prepare. I was faithful to my training plan, and I met my marathon goals. However, I haven’t run much since, and I imagine it would take more work and time to prepare again than before because I haven’t kept up. Conditioning implies a concerted effort to gain strength, stamina, and/or knowledge. One of my sons played football. A commentator attributed their team’s success (they won the state championship for his high school division) to their conditioning and strength training. My son lifted weights, but he didn’t start with the heaviest weight; he had to build up to it. We can’t do it all at once, or even on a schedule that is convenient to our own whims. We can’t pick and choose activities because we like them more than others; we must choose activities that are designed to help us grow in our intended areas.

We know it takes appropriate and consistent conditioning to stay in shape and to improve our performance. We know it takes constant awareness to keep enemies at bay, whether it be crows or the opposing football team.  Our spiritual health is no different. We need to commit to a plan that is designed to help us meet our objectives of a deeper relationship with Christ. Here are some conditioning tips:

1. Start with the basics: reading and meditating on the Scriptures and prayer. David said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Paul included the Bible as part of our offensive and defensive strategy when describing the armor of God: “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). We must read and medicate on the Scriptures. Jesus prayed regularly.  ^“Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where he could be alone in prayer.“ (Mark 1:35). “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18). There are additional spiritual disciplines; however, the Bible and prayer are foundational. Let’s start here.
2. Set aside a place and time to devote to your spiritual exercises. I have dedicated garden space. I have a gym membership and a schedule for doing workouts. And I have a space at home that I use for my Bible study and prayer time. It’s easier for me to get my mind and body prepared when I am in my space and on my schedule. I try not to be “religious” about it, but I do try to be faithful. I find that my phone is my biggest enemy, so I try to leave it in another room.
3. Start small and manageable. If you are planting a garden, start small and increase your space a little every year. Likewise, start at your current fitness level and gradually increase your time, distance, and weight. If you try to read your Bible and pray for an hour a day, you may get discouraged and off track. Start with five minutes and add five minutes every couple of weeks. As you are increasing your “stamina” you are also solidifying a habit. People who work out and run regularly can really feel it if they miss a day. It’s the same with prayer and Bible reading.
4. Look for ways to engage others and share the harvest. The Parable of the Sower leads into the Section called A Lamp On A Stand which is the passage in the Bible that tells us not to hide our lamp under the bed. This passage tells us to consider how we listen; that if we share what we hear, our spiritual blessings will increase, but if we keep it to ourselves, our spiritual blessings will decrease. “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
5. Lastly, be obedient to what you learn from your prayer and Bible study. For anything to be long-lasting, we must be changed, transformed. When Jesus was told that his mother and brothers were waiting for him, “He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21). When Jesus raised people from the dead, they got up and walked.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

In Christ,

Judy

“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house…” (Matthew 7:25a).

As I write this, it’s Thursday, and Hurricane Laura is bearing down on Texas and Louisiana. The storm surge is possibly “unsurvivable.” This is more than catastrophic; this is in the “we need a miracle” category. Several of our staff have family and/or friends in the “bulls-eye” of this storm. One of my high school friends announced to us that she had gone to Dallas to escape, and I was so thankful. Some of you are still worried about family who are trying to ride out the storm. (Since this writing, the storm is passed, and my friend is safe and her home is standing although she has damage to her home and all her trees and shrubs were destroyed.)

We reflect that sometimes storms and calamities come in threes, but honestly, this year it seems like they are coming in multiples of threes. Some storms affect all of us, like the tornado earlier in the year; the ongoing pandemic and its effect on health, jobs, school, economy, travel, availability of needed items; even the heat wave and humidity that make everything else insufferable if not dangerous. Other storms of life affect us individually such as health, family concerns, housing, car trouble, family members out of work, etc. The list goes on and it can be overwhelming. The least thing can seem to tip us over the edge.  

What do you do when it seems like there is nothing that can be done? Here are some ideas that have helped me in the past (not in any particular order):

1. Remember there is always hope. Dwell on the scripture: “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
2. Be thankful. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).Talk it over with someone that you respect. If you think there is no one to talk to, then remember that as your Chaplain this is what I am here for. I am available and willing to be a listening ear and sounding board. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).
3. Talk it over with someone that you respect. If you think there is no one to talk to, then remember that as your Chaplain this is what I am here for. I am available and willing to be a listening ear and sounding board. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).
4. Honestly examine your role in your problems. Ask God to convict you. If there is anything that you have done to contribute to them, confess, repent and ask for forgiveness. That means change. Even if your repentance, seeking forgiveness, and change cannot impact the consequences you are now dealing with, it will make you right with God and that is more important than earthly thing. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20).
5. If your circumstances have been brought about by or worsened by the actions of another, pray for them. “After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:7-10).*
6. Do what you can, with God’s guidance. List the problems you are dealing with. Think through logically what your options are and the priorities. While there may be much that you cannot do, there is likely something that you can do. Maybe it’s a budgeting issue and there is something you can change to free up funds for another more pressing need. Maybe you can trade or barter for goods or services. Again, having a sounding board might help. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3); “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).
7. Cry out to Jesus. “Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”  He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”” (Matthew 8:23-27)
8. Meditate on God’s Word. Some scriptures to meditate on are below:

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path” (Psalm 142:3).

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

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13).

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11).

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

*If you want to be truly awe-inspired, read what God told Job, leading up to Job 42:7, starting with Chapter 38, which begins, “Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.” (Job 38-42).

Remember there is always hope. Our God not only created the winds and waves, he also created the rainbow. Our God is ever-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful, and He loves you.

In Christ,

Judy

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

I love to read, and usually read or listen to books on my phone that I have checked out from the library (using the Kindle or Overdrive app). Sometimes I don’t finish a book before it is automatically returned, so I must check it out again. Miraculously (it seems to me) when I resume reading, IT KNOWS where I left off. The book actually starts right at the right place. How does it know?

This also happens to me when I’m driving. On workdays, my GPS will tell me how far and how long it will take for me to get to work. On Sundays, my GPS will tell me how far and how long it will take me to get to church (or at least it did when we were meeting in person). How does IT KNOW? And of course, we have all probably experienced that weird Big Brother feeling when we look for something online, only to see it show up in our Facebook ads. I was just looking at air fryers on Amazon, and guess what, I now have Google and Facebook ads for air fryers. IT KNOWS! How can an “IT” know anything? That just doesn’t make sense.

This kind of reminds me of something I used to do as a child. I walked alone to school when I was in elementary school; and while I walked, I would make up stories, usually about people and houses along the way. My stories would usually begin ominously with the phrase “Little did she know….” For example: “Little did she know that a mad dog was lurking behind the chain link fence, ready to pounce.” Weird, right?

This sense that my actions were being observed–that I was part of a bigger story–was not paranoia on my part or any inflated sense of ego, despite what you might think. I believe it was a real ongoing realization that God was always present. I had such a beautiful, child-like, trusting faith in God and his presence. I knew that He accompanied me everywhere and that He watched me and watched over me. And at least subconsciously even at my young age, I knew that God was in charge, working out His plan of reconciliation for the world, and that I was part of His plan.

We know that our electronic devices are constantly watching us. “IT KNOWS” is a real thing in our lives today, and we don’t really know all the consequences of that knowledge. But even more real is the fact that GOD KNOWS, and we do know what the ultimate outcome will be. I pray that we will grow in our awareness of God’s sovereignty and His providence, and that we will take comfort in His presence.

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8).

In Christ,

Judy

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).

The Bible gives us 59 “one another” commands. Notice I didn’t say suggestions. These “one another’s” are stated in imperative form, which means they are not optional to a believer. We can’t even be choosy about who we love. Jesus told us we must even love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Radical!  Therefore, it is essential for us to know what these commands are and how to obey.

Sixteen of the commands are some version of “love one another.”

• Five of these commands were stated by Jesus and recorded by John (John 13:34 (twice), 35; John 15:12; 17).
• Six were written by John in two of his letters (1 John 3:11, 23; 1 John 4:7,11,12; 2 John 5).
• In addition, Peter tells us to “love each other deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 3:8) and once again ”to love each other deeply” (1 Peter 4:8).
• Paul tells the Romans to “love one another” (Romans 13:8)
• And Paul tells the Thessalonians to “make your love increase and overflow for each other” (1 Thessalonians 3:12) and to “love each other” (1 Thessalonians 4:9). 

1 John 4:8 tells us that “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Since God is love, then when we love one another we are doing what we can to be the hands and feet of God in whatever the circumstance. This is a powerful charge He has given to us, and one that is impossible to carry out fully and consistently without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. And truly, loving one another is our most effective testimony. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35).

It just seems like there is so much discord and hate right now in our world. I’m sure that there have been times in history to rival these—times of war and strife—but without question it is bad right now. We experience different approaches to dealing with the discord and hate, from ignoring it hoping it will go away to being on the forefront of the fight, and everything in between. Many of us are trying to learn and understand what the causes are and what the solutions might be. Many of us are trying to understand our own role in the problem and our own role in the solution.

In the Women’s Campus Bible Study, we are studying the book of Esther, and Mordecai’s response to her in Esther 4:14 “you have come to your position for such a time as this” probably rings true for many of us. But what can we do? I know that many intelligent and compassionate and passionate people have given their lives to this question. I don’t have all the answers, or hardly any. But I know we cannot go wrong by remembering what the Bible has to say about love in action. We can’t interact with one other in truly healthy ways without loving each other. And we can’t love each other without always being proactive to reach out, walk with, encourage, protect, and support our fellow man. It takes bearing with one another and standing up for one another.

For example, the Good Samaritan went out of his way to rescue the Jewish traveler who was robbed and beaten by thieves. A Priest and a Levite had already passed by. You might not think the Priest and Levite were bad people. After all, they didn’t beat or rob the traveler. They just didn’t want to get involved. Maybe they had reasons—maybe they were late for a church meeting, or maybe they forgot their money belt, so they didn’t have a way to help. Maybe they feared stopping thinking the robbers might return. Whatever the reason, they hurriedly passed on by, leaving the traveler where he lay.

Jesus told this parable to answer the question of who to love. The Jewish leaders had challenged Jesus to identify the greatest commandment, and Jesus, in Matthew 22:37-39 quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5 to tell them that loving God was the greatest commandment, but the close second (from Leviticus 19:18) was to love your neighbor as yourself. The leaders then wanted an exact definition of “neighbor.” So, by telling this parable, Jesus explained that “who to love” is anyone we come in proximity with, regardless of whether they are in our circle of family and friends. In fact, Jesus made a point of using an example of people who were not family and friends because they were from ethnically different with a history of animosity toward each other.

However, I propose that this story also tells us how to love. The Good Samaritan went out of his way to see to this injured stranger; he cared for this stranger with all diligence and urgency, just like he would have cared for his own family, and just like he would have wanted to be cared for himself.

Jesus himself was our role model for how to love. He loved with humility and compassion. He was accessible. His words were healing, they were edifying, full of truth and grace.

As a Mission employee, you have taken the proactive step of loving your neighbor by serving the people who seek the ministries of Nashville Rescue Mission. While there will always be room for improvement, I believe we are like-minded in our pursuit of the mission of the Mission: “Providing hope for today, hope for tomorrow, and hope for eternity to the hungry, hurting, and homeless” by loving our neighbors, especially those who are destitute, poor, and needy.

In the weeks to come, we will look at some of the other “one another” commands, but in a way, every other “one another” command is derived from Jesus’ basic command: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” It’s as simple, and as life-changing, as that.

In Christ,

Judy

Most of us have many acquaintances—those people who acknowledge us, who are friendly, who might even help or go to bat for us. It’s nice to have acquaintances. Most of us have fewer friends. You know the difference, although it might be difficult to put into words because it’s typically individualized. It’s typically something that is experienced. It’s that person who really does pray for you, and who then follows up to see how you are doing and what they can do, and you know they genuinely care. It’s that person who wants to know how that trip turned out, how that dreaded interaction turned out, who wants to share their life with you and assumes you are as interested in them as they are in you. In fact, you know that their actions are out of a genuine love and concern for you rather than how it makes them look in yours or anyone else’s eyes. A friend is someone who has accepted you into their life, and you know how that feels. It feels like family, or how we think family ought to feel. Honestly, I can’t think of many better things than that feeling of being accepted. I hope that when you read this, you will reflect on those relationships, whether it be family, friends, or coworkers, with whom you have that sense of acceptance.

There’s another element to the friendship relationship—receiving. It’s not true friendship unless both receive each other’s expressions of friendship. Relationship is a two-way street.  It’s a sharing of hearts and it is love. It’s a wonderful thing that God has given us—these relationships with people with whom we share life. It’s a wonderful thing that God has given us—to be accepted, and to receive that acceptance. Receiving is not casual, it is not passive. Receiving is an active expression and reciprocation of friendship, love, compassion, and life together. We don’t do these things in order to gain friendship, but because we are friends.

I say all this to then compare it to our relationship with Christ. Christ has accepted you. He loves you and me and cares for each of us in the way that is most appropriate for each of us personally. However, the relationship does not work unless we receive what he has to offer.

The Bible has much to say about receiving what Christ has to offer. For example, in the parable of the sower in Mark 4:1-20, what sets the four soils apart is their receptivity. The first three soils do not produce a harvest because they did not truly receive the seed, or message.  “But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop: 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown” (Mark 1:20).

This parable reminds me of a story I once heard:

“A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. Angry, he rose his voice to his father and said “with all your money, you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt. 7:11, “And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?” As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.”

“We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will….” (Ephesians 1:11).

“Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8).

“But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name….” (John 1:12).

So many of us are givers, and as givers, we have difficulty receiving. We say, “No, you don’t have to do that.” Or, “No, it’s not necessary, I don’t need anything.” Or “Here, let me do that for you instead.” We have been taught that it’s better to give than to receive. Well, that is biblical, but it doesn’t apply to our relationship with Christ. He is the giver of all good gifts, but those gifts are only good if we receive them. We must receive them to be in relationship with Him.

You have been accepted by Christ. He is offering us good gifts. It might not look like it, but what He has to offer is more lavish, beautiful, generous, and awe-inspiring that we can even imagine. That is what takes faith—to overcome our limited earthly knowledge and experiences to believe what He has promised, and to believe that it is abundantly more and better than we could ever imagine. You are so loved!!! Just open the door, just say “yes” to receive Him, and then live like you believe it.

In Christ,

Judy

We know Hebrews 11 as the Hall of Fame of Faith because of the faithful people who are listed and described. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)

If you know me well, you know I love to travel. Maybe it’s because we never went further than the next county when I was a child, and that’s not an exaggeration.  Now my husband says my middle name is “Go.” I guess that’s why I loved the theme of “journey” in the Songs of Ascent that we have just finished.

One likely reason I also enjoy travel is because I have never had to permanently leave my home. As much as I love to travel, I also love to come home. But what about travelers who do not have a home to return to? I think about many travelers in the Bible who were called, or forced, to travel, and what that must have been like.

• Abraham’s people lived in Ur of the Chaldees, but God said, this is not your home. You must travel to a land I will give to you. “So, Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.  He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. (Genesis 12:4-5).

• After Jacob and his family went to Egypt to find food during a famine, they and their descendants ended up living in Egypt for 400 years.  Then God said, this is not your home. You must return to the Promised Land. And He raised up a leader, Moses, to lead them back home to the Promised Land. “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22).

• Years later after being defeated by Nebuchadnezzar, Jews were transported in waves from Judah, exiled to Babylon. And seventy years later they returned to Judah under the leadership of Ezra to rebuild the temple and reclaim their home. “This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:10-11)

• Jesus traveled quite a bit, even before the age of three. Joseph and Mary traveled from their home to Bethlehem at the command of Herod to be taxed (and to fulfil the prophecy). They then escaped to Egypt, and later returned to Nazareth to make their home.

The reason the metaphor of travel is useful is to convey the message that none of us are standing still. We are moving—forward, backward, or side to side, but we are moving. Every step we take without the leadership of Christ is a step backward, even if it seems to be forward, because we are moving away from Him. We absolutely know that we will not live forever, and we know that when we die, we have a destination.  As much as we may love our life, we as believers know that this world is not our home. We are “marching to Zion.” And sometimes these days it is a relief to know that this world is not our home, right?

The following is a great story. I have seen it several times, and this one is quoted from Jill Briscoe’s website:

I heard a true story about an elderly missionary couple who had spent their entire adult lives on the mission field.  They had paid a heavy price with regard to their health and their family, but they stayed the course.  The time came for retirement.  It was in the days when missionaries went away and returned by boat.

When they had left England at the beginning of their missionary career, the platform at Euston Station had been packed with friends and church people, who gave them a grand send-off.  A band played hymns and the group of believers prayed and sent them on their way with flags flying.  It was a fabulous memory.  Now they were sailing home after a lifetime of faithful work.

There was a celebrity on board, and when the boat came into the harbor, they could see that the dockside was crowded with people.  Banners were flying, and the band was playing.  They watched as the gangplank was lowered, searching the crowd for the mission welcoming committee.  The celebrity was welcomed with due pomp and circumstance, and then it was over, and the rest of the passenger’s began to disembark.  Still the two old servants of the Lord searched the dock.  They didn’t see one familiar face.

Unfortunately, the dates had gotten mixed up, and the reception had been mistakenly set for the following day.  Of course, the two old-timers had no way of knowing this.  So there they were, standing alone on the dockside with their trunks and all their worldly goods.  They sat on their trunks and cried.  They had come home to this?  As they sat there holding onto each other, bewildered and hurt beyond measure, the husband said, “Let’s be quiet and try to hear what God is saying.”  So they held each other right and stood in the Lord’s presence on the quayside, oblivious of the activity around them.  The old man opened his eyes, and they were shining.  “Darling,” he said, “God spoke to me.  He told me, ‘You’re not home yet.’”

They began to laugh—a great, glad, joy-laugh.  It wasn’t over yet.  There was still time to serve the Lord.  There were people to encourage and candidates to train and send out in their place.  One day the band would be out, and the Lord would be on the quayside of heaven to welcome them home—but not yet, and not now.  They picked up their things and set off for the train station, light of heart, to finish their journey to the village where they would live.

Some take-aways:

1. We are not home yet, so let’s keep working for the Kingdom, until the King brings us home. Let’s not get too comfortable here. Keep your lamps lit and be ready. (Matthew 25:1-13).
2. As good as it is here, or as bad, this is only a temporary.  Rick Warren says life is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment. And eternal life with our Father in Heaven will more glorious than any of us could ever imagine. It’s what we look forward to as we faithfully journey toward our heavenly home.

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 (The Message)

In Christ,

Judy