Rindy's Devotional Tidbits
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The Spiritual Cafe is pleased to share her daily facebook thoughts. It is our hope that her reflections will be a service to you on your spiritual growth journey.
Week 34 Archives
Year 5; Day 233 "Godliness With Contentment"
I listened to Chuck Swindoll on the radio yesterday. He made an interesting statement. He said that the world never seeks contentment. Overall, there is a constant push for more, bigger, and better. We never seem to arrive. We see it in salaries of athletes (among many others), bonuses for CEOs, and profits for businesses. There doesn't seem to be a ceiling on profit...a percentage that says this is enough and I am content. Paul says to Timothy, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it...For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (I Timothy 6:6,7,10) Godliness is a reverent response to the things of God. Combine that with being content with what we have and Scripture says that is great gain. Do we view it as great gain? The main push when you watch commercials is to appeal to our discontent. Don't like this...try that. Want more? Come over here. Think you deserve better? We have it. When bigger, better, and more is the goal, it never gets reached. We can never "arrive". Jesus gave some advice and perspective on the pursuit of goals. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourself treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19,20) Today is Monday. What kind of "treasures" are we storing up...and where?
I listened to Chuck Swindoll on the radio yesterday. He made an interesting statement. He said that the world never seeks contentment. Overall, there is a constant push for more, bigger, and better. We never seem to arrive. We see it in salaries of athletes (among many others), bonuses for CEOs, and profits for businesses. There doesn't seem to be a ceiling on profit...a percentage that says this is enough and I am content. Paul says to Timothy, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it...For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (I Timothy 6:6,7,10) Godliness is a reverent response to the things of God. Combine that with being content with what we have and Scripture says that is great gain. Do we view it as great gain? The main push when you watch commercials is to appeal to our discontent. Don't like this...try that. Want more? Come over here. Think you deserve better? We have it. When bigger, better, and more is the goal, it never gets reached. We can never "arrive". Jesus gave some advice and perspective on the pursuit of goals. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourself treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19,20) Today is Monday. What kind of "treasures" are we storing up...and where?
Year 5; Day 234 "Treasures in Heaven"
As I wrote yesterday's post about contentment and storing up treasures in heaven, I found myself asking, "What does God consider to be treasures? What exactly am I suppose to be treasuring?" So I looked up the word "treasure". Isaiah 33:6 says, "He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Godly salvation, wisdom, and knowledge...treasures here on earth that will pay eternal dividends. Matthew's gospel says that the kingdom of heaven is "like a treasure". (13:44) Paul says that the Gospel message we have is "...this treasure in jars of clay..." (2 Corinthians 4:7) The gift of salvation, Christ living in us, growing in godly wisdom and knowledge, sharing His message...these are all treasures on earth that pay interest in heaven. Paul gave further instructions to young Timothy. "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God...Command them to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves...for the coming age..." (1 Timothy 6:17-19) Rich in good deeds. Generous. Willing to share. Things we can all do regardless of wealth or status. When we truly let Christ be Lord of our lives, it will affect us and others. That effect of godliness with contentment, sharing the Gospel, growing in wisdom and knowledge, and doing good deeds are treasures with heavenly rewards. Today is Tuesday. How are we investing in eternity?
As I wrote yesterday's post about contentment and storing up treasures in heaven, I found myself asking, "What does God consider to be treasures? What exactly am I suppose to be treasuring?" So I looked up the word "treasure". Isaiah 33:6 says, "He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Godly salvation, wisdom, and knowledge...treasures here on earth that will pay eternal dividends. Matthew's gospel says that the kingdom of heaven is "like a treasure". (13:44) Paul says that the Gospel message we have is "...this treasure in jars of clay..." (2 Corinthians 4:7) The gift of salvation, Christ living in us, growing in godly wisdom and knowledge, sharing His message...these are all treasures on earth that pay interest in heaven. Paul gave further instructions to young Timothy. "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God...Command them to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves...for the coming age..." (1 Timothy 6:17-19) Rich in good deeds. Generous. Willing to share. Things we can all do regardless of wealth or status. When we truly let Christ be Lord of our lives, it will affect us and others. That effect of godliness with contentment, sharing the Gospel, growing in wisdom and knowledge, and doing good deeds are treasures with heavenly rewards. Today is Tuesday. How are we investing in eternity?
Year 5; Day 235 "A Full Basket"
I was talking to sister a couple of weeks ago. She made a comment that has stuck with me...actually she put an image in my mind that has stuck. She was relaying a situation to me that had the potential to deteriorate into unpleasantness. She had to practise some patience and self-control (which she did) in order to get through it. Then she said something to the effect, "I guess my fruit basket wasn't full. It needed some refilling." She was referring to the fruit of the Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23). There should be evidence or "fruit" that indicates a Spirit-filled life. Often when Scripture has a list, it is in order of importance. Notice the first one...love. Dominate in our faith-walk is the evidence of love...love for God and love for others. I think it is first because without it, we can't and won't really be able to develop or grow the other qualities. These characteristics are not developed on our own. They are fruit "of the Spirit". They are outward evidence of an inward cultivation. As we yield and practise and allow our lives to be filled and instructed by the Holy Spirit, there will be outward evidence as listed in Galatians. And there will be situations, experiences, and opportunities that allow us to grow that "fruit" and continuously refill our basket. Our basket should always be full...the fruit of the Spirit obvious and evident in our lives. Should be...but is it? Today is Wednesday. Just how full is our basket?
I was talking to sister a couple of weeks ago. She made a comment that has stuck with me...actually she put an image in my mind that has stuck. She was relaying a situation to me that had the potential to deteriorate into unpleasantness. She had to practise some patience and self-control (which she did) in order to get through it. Then she said something to the effect, "I guess my fruit basket wasn't full. It needed some refilling." She was referring to the fruit of the Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23). There should be evidence or "fruit" that indicates a Spirit-filled life. Often when Scripture has a list, it is in order of importance. Notice the first one...love. Dominate in our faith-walk is the evidence of love...love for God and love for others. I think it is first because without it, we can't and won't really be able to develop or grow the other qualities. These characteristics are not developed on our own. They are fruit "of the Spirit". They are outward evidence of an inward cultivation. As we yield and practise and allow our lives to be filled and instructed by the Holy Spirit, there will be outward evidence as listed in Galatians. And there will be situations, experiences, and opportunities that allow us to grow that "fruit" and continuously refill our basket. Our basket should always be full...the fruit of the Spirit obvious and evident in our lives. Should be...but is it? Today is Wednesday. Just how full is our basket?
Year 5; Day 236 "I Know Someone"
Yesterday I stopped to check the mail. As I was getting ready to pull out, I saw a person who has a family member in a care facility. Even though I hardly know this person, I rolled down my window and asked how their loved one was doing. They spoke of the difficulty getting their family member moved to a more suitable place. I could see the discouragement in their face and hear the frustration in their voice. Then the person made the comment that part of the problem was they didn't know anyone in high places to help. Then they choked with tears and drove away. I felt badly for this person. As I continued on, the thought came to me, "I know Someone in high places. In fact, you can't get any higher. Jesus." Philippians 2:9 says, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name." And so I prayed right there in the car. I took the situation to the One who is the highest of the high. Not only in name but in power and position. I prayed for comfort, peace, and intervention. And now I will wait in expectation because I know God can move the hearts of those who have the power to change situations. Today is Thursday. Nothing is impossible with God.
Yesterday I stopped to check the mail. As I was getting ready to pull out, I saw a person who has a family member in a care facility. Even though I hardly know this person, I rolled down my window and asked how their loved one was doing. They spoke of the difficulty getting their family member moved to a more suitable place. I could see the discouragement in their face and hear the frustration in their voice. Then the person made the comment that part of the problem was they didn't know anyone in high places to help. Then they choked with tears and drove away. I felt badly for this person. As I continued on, the thought came to me, "I know Someone in high places. In fact, you can't get any higher. Jesus." Philippians 2:9 says, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name." And so I prayed right there in the car. I took the situation to the One who is the highest of the high. Not only in name but in power and position. I prayed for comfort, peace, and intervention. And now I will wait in expectation because I know God can move the hearts of those who have the power to change situations. Today is Thursday. Nothing is impossible with God.
Year 5; Day 237 "Just Give It to God"
I called my parents last night and managed to catch my dad in the room. Mom was off playing "that game" (dominoes) with "that lady friend" (Betty). The conversation looped around several times with repeats of, "I'm fine. Your mother is fine. The biggest nuisance is my memory." And then he said, "Sometimes when people get old they get pickier and complain more. I have nothing to complain about. God is good. You know, He wants us to take all our cares and just give it to Him. Just hand them all over. He made that so real to me years ago. God said, "Why are you worrying? Give it all to me because I care about you." Sometimes that is hard to do. But when something comes along, I just give it to Him. And when the next thing comes, I give it to Him. I just keep giving it to Him over and over. It makes for a much more stress free, happier life. I just give it all to God. It probably takes a lifetime to learn. It is something I have to practise." Then Dad closed with, "But I'm good. Your mother is good. Thanks for calling, Sweetheart." No, thank you, Dad. Thank you for your words of encouragement. Thank you that your love for God still shines strong and steady. Thank you for your witness still so evident even at nearly 92. After I hung up, I sat there with tears in my eyes, a heart filled with gratitude, and a spirit that had been encouraged. Today is Friday. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Just give it to God...all of it.
I called my parents last night and managed to catch my dad in the room. Mom was off playing "that game" (dominoes) with "that lady friend" (Betty). The conversation looped around several times with repeats of, "I'm fine. Your mother is fine. The biggest nuisance is my memory." And then he said, "Sometimes when people get old they get pickier and complain more. I have nothing to complain about. God is good. You know, He wants us to take all our cares and just give it to Him. Just hand them all over. He made that so real to me years ago. God said, "Why are you worrying? Give it all to me because I care about you." Sometimes that is hard to do. But when something comes along, I just give it to Him. And when the next thing comes, I give it to Him. I just keep giving it to Him over and over. It makes for a much more stress free, happier life. I just give it all to God. It probably takes a lifetime to learn. It is something I have to practise." Then Dad closed with, "But I'm good. Your mother is good. Thanks for calling, Sweetheart." No, thank you, Dad. Thank you for your words of encouragement. Thank you that your love for God still shines strong and steady. Thank you for your witness still so evident even at nearly 92. After I hung up, I sat there with tears in my eyes, a heart filled with gratitude, and a spirit that had been encouraged. Today is Friday. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Just give it to God...all of it.
Year 5; Day 238 "Forward Living"
I was thinking about my dad and our phone call the other night (see yesterday's post). I can have any number of calls with him and basically the same things are said..."I'm good. Your mother is good. The food is too good. The worst problem I have is memory...I can tell it's slipped a notch." But every once in a while something will trigger his thoughts and he'll share a spiritual nugget or a word of encouragement or a truth he has learned. And he shares them with absolute authority from personal experience. The one thing he rarely mentions are regrets. I am sure he has some but mostly Dad is always looking forward. He still feels the Lord has a ministry for him right where he is. And he wants to do his best until God calls him home. I read an article the other day by Robin Bertram called "No Regrets--Living Intentionally for Christ". She said too often we do "backward thinking instead of forward living." We can spend a lot of time dwelling on the "what if" and "if only" aspects of the past. An activity that serves little purpose and changes nothing. Or we can consistently look ahead in alertness and anticipation of what God would have us do. Like Dad. Even at nearly 92. Even when you can't remember the day or the date or your age. You can still share the goodness of God with those around you. Today is Saturday. "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18). Forward living.
I was thinking about my dad and our phone call the other night (see yesterday's post). I can have any number of calls with him and basically the same things are said..."I'm good. Your mother is good. The food is too good. The worst problem I have is memory...I can tell it's slipped a notch." But every once in a while something will trigger his thoughts and he'll share a spiritual nugget or a word of encouragement or a truth he has learned. And he shares them with absolute authority from personal experience. The one thing he rarely mentions are regrets. I am sure he has some but mostly Dad is always looking forward. He still feels the Lord has a ministry for him right where he is. And he wants to do his best until God calls him home. I read an article the other day by Robin Bertram called "No Regrets--Living Intentionally for Christ". She said too often we do "backward thinking instead of forward living." We can spend a lot of time dwelling on the "what if" and "if only" aspects of the past. An activity that serves little purpose and changes nothing. Or we can consistently look ahead in alertness and anticipation of what God would have us do. Like Dad. Even at nearly 92. Even when you can't remember the day or the date or your age. You can still share the goodness of God with those around you. Today is Saturday. "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18). Forward living.
Year 5; Day 239 "Time...Flies or Drags?"
I cannot believe it is Sunday again. I have had some orders for a certain style of shoulder bag. I have been sewing nearly every day for almost two weeks. And I have noticed (not for the first time) that when I am sewing, I can look at the clock and it is two hours later. Two hours have just flown by. Gone. Last night I talked to California brother on the phone. Another two hours disappeared (we don't talk often!). And other times the minutes (never mind the hours) seem to crawl. Like when you're hungry and they take forever to bring your order in the restaurant. Or when you're waiting for important news. Two-thirds of my life is over. I can't take it back, go back, relive it, or change it. What is done is really done. Yet all of us...every one of us...in the whole wide world, live to the same clock. Different cultures, different languages, different customs, but the same sixty seconds to a minute, sixty minutes to an hour, 24 hours to a day for all 7 billion plus of us. All of us have the same amount of time in a day for living. And whether it seems to fly or drag, it is the same seconds, minutes, hours, as a thousand years ago, as yesterday, as the next person has. I have the shoulder bags to show for my time. I can give an accounting for these last two weeks with the evidence. Someday we will all stand before Christ and give an accounting...an accounting for the minutes and hours and days and years. And we will have to show our evidence. Not only tangible evidence but also evidence concerning our attitudes and motives. I wonder if time will seem to fly or drag when that happens? Today is Sunday. "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)
I cannot believe it is Sunday again. I have had some orders for a certain style of shoulder bag. I have been sewing nearly every day for almost two weeks. And I have noticed (not for the first time) that when I am sewing, I can look at the clock and it is two hours later. Two hours have just flown by. Gone. Last night I talked to California brother on the phone. Another two hours disappeared (we don't talk often!). And other times the minutes (never mind the hours) seem to crawl. Like when you're hungry and they take forever to bring your order in the restaurant. Or when you're waiting for important news. Two-thirds of my life is over. I can't take it back, go back, relive it, or change it. What is done is really done. Yet all of us...every one of us...in the whole wide world, live to the same clock. Different cultures, different languages, different customs, but the same sixty seconds to a minute, sixty minutes to an hour, 24 hours to a day for all 7 billion plus of us. All of us have the same amount of time in a day for living. And whether it seems to fly or drag, it is the same seconds, minutes, hours, as a thousand years ago, as yesterday, as the next person has. I have the shoulder bags to show for my time. I can give an accounting for these last two weeks with the evidence. Someday we will all stand before Christ and give an accounting...an accounting for the minutes and hours and days and years. And we will have to show our evidence. Not only tangible evidence but also evidence concerning our attitudes and motives. I wonder if time will seem to fly or drag when that happens? Today is Sunday. "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)