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 39 Archives
Year 5; Day 258 God's Choice
I make choices every day. And most of them are based on what I want, where I want to go, and what I want to do. I haven't eaten green beans in years, I don't wear high heeled shoes, and I love collecting things. Many of my choices are positive and give me pleasure (I guess that explains why I might not ever reach my "skinny" goal...no pleasure in vegetables) The other day I heard a clip somewhere (maybe Graham Cooke) and the person quoted a verse that said we are God's "choice". I was struck by the word "choice". The Common English Bible (CEB) reads, "Therefore, as God's choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12) The NIV says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people..." and the KJV says, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God..." I looked up the Greek for elect and it said: select, by implication favorite, chosen from, out of, a deep personal choice or preference. God has "chosen and selected" us to be His children...His "favorites" even when we were/are separated from Him through sin. He offers us---by His choice---the gift of salvation and relationship. He is no respecter of persons. Is that not marvelous? He chooses us! We/me/you are His personal preference. Flawed. Imperfect. He still chooses us. The decision then falls on us. Do we choose Him back? Do we accept Him through Christ? Does He become our choice? Today is Friday. As God's choice, we have God's love. Simply amazing!
I make choices every day. And most of them are based on what I want, where I want to go, and what I want to do. I haven't eaten green beans in years, I don't wear high heeled shoes, and I love collecting things. Many of my choices are positive and give me pleasure (I guess that explains why I might not ever reach my "skinny" goal...no pleasure in vegetables) The other day I heard a clip somewhere (maybe Graham Cooke) and the person quoted a verse that said we are God's "choice". I was struck by the word "choice". The Common English Bible (CEB) reads, "Therefore, as God's choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12) The NIV says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people..." and the KJV says, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God..." I looked up the Greek for elect and it said: select, by implication favorite, chosen from, out of, a deep personal choice or preference. God has "chosen and selected" us to be His children...His "favorites" even when we were/are separated from Him through sin. He offers us---by His choice---the gift of salvation and relationship. He is no respecter of persons. Is that not marvelous? He chooses us! We/me/you are His personal preference. Flawed. Imperfect. He still chooses us. The decision then falls on us. Do we choose Him back? Do we accept Him through Christ? Does He become our choice? Today is Friday. As God's choice, we have God's love. Simply amazing!
Year 5; Day 269 Earnestly and Diligently
I read an article yesterday and it was good...good enough that I knew I wanted to read it again. Last night I had no thought for a post so I decided to go back to the article. It was like I was reading the key Scripture verse for the first time. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) The KJV says, "...he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." The Greek word for "diligently seek" means: to search for, investigate, scrutinise, the outcome is intensely and personally desired by the seeker. Do I diligently and earnestly seek God? Sometimes...especially when there is trouble or a crisis. Things always intensify in those situations. But what about when things are humming along, or are at least okay? Do I still search, investigate, intensely desire to know God better, deeper, more personally? Well, yeah...of course...except...sometimes life gets in the way. I am working on a quilt project(s) that has to have certain parts ready by tomorrow. It takes a lot of time...a lot of time. It is not that I forget about God. But sometimes He gets squeezed in. Squeezed in-between sewing. Squeezed in-between checking Facebook, talking on the phone, a teensy bit of cooking, a teensier bit of housework, and an increasing amount of time spent looking for things I just had in my hands but cannot seem to locate five minutes later. In my pursuit of God, I cannot say I would consistently use the words "diligently" or "earnestly". And yet seeking God is so important that it carries a reward for doing so. Today is Tuesday. I have been reminded. Now it is my responsibility to heed.
I read an article yesterday and it was good...good enough that I knew I wanted to read it again. Last night I had no thought for a post so I decided to go back to the article. It was like I was reading the key Scripture verse for the first time. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) The KJV says, "...he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." The Greek word for "diligently seek" means: to search for, investigate, scrutinise, the outcome is intensely and personally desired by the seeker. Do I diligently and earnestly seek God? Sometimes...especially when there is trouble or a crisis. Things always intensify in those situations. But what about when things are humming along, or are at least okay? Do I still search, investigate, intensely desire to know God better, deeper, more personally? Well, yeah...of course...except...sometimes life gets in the way. I am working on a quilt project(s) that has to have certain parts ready by tomorrow. It takes a lot of time...a lot of time. It is not that I forget about God. But sometimes He gets squeezed in. Squeezed in-between sewing. Squeezed in-between checking Facebook, talking on the phone, a teensy bit of cooking, a teensier bit of housework, and an increasing amount of time spent looking for things I just had in my hands but cannot seem to locate five minutes later. In my pursuit of God, I cannot say I would consistently use the words "diligently" or "earnestly". And yet seeking God is so important that it carries a reward for doing so. Today is Tuesday. I have been reminded. Now it is my responsibility to heed.
Year 5; Day 270 The Power of Words
When people are in leadership roles, there is a certain expectation for behavior...at least public behavior. Some of our world leaders seem to have missed that lesson. Every second day the news seems to headline some new comment, some statement of devisiveness, some new verbal controversy made by a person(s) in a position of authority. If nothing else, it highlights the enormous power of words. And sometimes the thought behind the words may not be wrong but if the delivery is confrontational, hostile, or sarcastic, then the message is lost no matter if there is truth there or not. We may not be leaders of a country but most of us have a position to carry out. Parent to child. Teacher to student. Employer to employee. Boss to worker. Head volunteer to other volunteers. Resident to community. And how we speak can affect others. Paul gave instructions to the Ephesians and to us. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29) Try and imagine that! Words spoken that were only helpful and beneficial to the listener. No matter our rank, station, or position, we can use our words for good. We can speak peace and comfort and reconciliation and wisdom to those who will listen...into situations that could go either way. Our words could be the tipping point for resolution rather than revolution. If enough of us did it, maybe others would get the hint! Today is Wednesday. "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3) Good advice for all!
When people are in leadership roles, there is a certain expectation for behavior...at least public behavior. Some of our world leaders seem to have missed that lesson. Every second day the news seems to headline some new comment, some statement of devisiveness, some new verbal controversy made by a person(s) in a position of authority. If nothing else, it highlights the enormous power of words. And sometimes the thought behind the words may not be wrong but if the delivery is confrontational, hostile, or sarcastic, then the message is lost no matter if there is truth there or not. We may not be leaders of a country but most of us have a position to carry out. Parent to child. Teacher to student. Employer to employee. Boss to worker. Head volunteer to other volunteers. Resident to community. And how we speak can affect others. Paul gave instructions to the Ephesians and to us. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29) Try and imagine that! Words spoken that were only helpful and beneficial to the listener. No matter our rank, station, or position, we can use our words for good. We can speak peace and comfort and reconciliation and wisdom to those who will listen...into situations that could go either way. Our words could be the tipping point for resolution rather than revolution. If enough of us did it, maybe others would get the hint! Today is Wednesday. "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3) Good advice for all!
Year 5; Day 271 Time and Eternity
It is Thursday already. The old adage "time flies" seems to be more and more a reality rather than a saying. I talked to my parents the other day and I asked Dad how old he was. He said he knew he was at least 90. He uttered his disbelief when I said he would soon be 92. Does time seem to go faster as we age because we get a bit more forgetful (or at least some of us do)? How did I get to be 67 already? Two-thirds (3/4? 4/5?) of my life is behind me...the past...memories...already lived. And how much of those 67 years do I actually remember? It would be interesting to see how long it would take me to actually recount what I could remember from the past. Would it take hours? Days? Weeks? For sure not 67 years! James says, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14) And yet, as brief as our life may be, God still longs for a relationship. He still formed and executed a plan of salvation. And in the brevity of life on Earth, He allows us to make choices and decisions that affect eternity. Decisions like eternal destination..eternal accountability... eternal rewards or punishment. Each day I can say or do something that carries eternal weight. I may forget but He will not. Today is Thursday. How will my time here on earth be reflected in eternity?
It is Thursday already. The old adage "time flies" seems to be more and more a reality rather than a saying. I talked to my parents the other day and I asked Dad how old he was. He said he knew he was at least 90. He uttered his disbelief when I said he would soon be 92. Does time seem to go faster as we age because we get a bit more forgetful (or at least some of us do)? How did I get to be 67 already? Two-thirds (3/4? 4/5?) of my life is behind me...the past...memories...already lived. And how much of those 67 years do I actually remember? It would be interesting to see how long it would take me to actually recount what I could remember from the past. Would it take hours? Days? Weeks? For sure not 67 years! James says, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14) And yet, as brief as our life may be, God still longs for a relationship. He still formed and executed a plan of salvation. And in the brevity of life on Earth, He allows us to make choices and decisions that affect eternity. Decisions like eternal destination..eternal accountability... eternal rewards or punishment. Each day I can say or do something that carries eternal weight. I may forget but He will not. Today is Thursday. How will my time here on earth be reflected in eternity?
Year 5; Day 272 Never Forgotten
About 15 years ago I overheard a conversation that I haven't forgotten. It puzzled me at the time but now all these years later I understand the lady's response. A woman was asked if she knew so-and-so. She answered something like, "I don't believe so but I will have to think about it for a while. I might remember later." I remember thinking, "How can she remember later what she can't remember now?" Two or three years ago (can't remember exactly!) a former colleague retired. At the banquet a man came up to me and introduced himself with a, "Remember me?" I didn't. Years (15 or more) earlier he had done a two week student teaching session in my classroom. I was blank. His face, his name, nothing rang a bell. He was good-natured about it and I was embarrassed. I believe it was later that night or the next morning that I peeled back enough layers and finally remembered him. That odd conversation I overheard and never forgot now made sense. I was reminded of all this when I read Luke 12:6,7 last night. "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God...Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." What a comfort to know that God never draws a blank when we come to Him. He never needs more time to dig us out of a memory bank. We are never forgotten. No matter what it may feel like, we are never forgotten. He knows who we are and where we are and what we need and how to bring it about. Today is Friday. I am very thankful that God doesn't need to say, "Come back tomorrow...maybe I'll be able to place you then." Very thankful, indeed.
About 15 years ago I overheard a conversation that I haven't forgotten. It puzzled me at the time but now all these years later I understand the lady's response. A woman was asked if she knew so-and-so. She answered something like, "I don't believe so but I will have to think about it for a while. I might remember later." I remember thinking, "How can she remember later what she can't remember now?" Two or three years ago (can't remember exactly!) a former colleague retired. At the banquet a man came up to me and introduced himself with a, "Remember me?" I didn't. Years (15 or more) earlier he had done a two week student teaching session in my classroom. I was blank. His face, his name, nothing rang a bell. He was good-natured about it and I was embarrassed. I believe it was later that night or the next morning that I peeled back enough layers and finally remembered him. That odd conversation I overheard and never forgot now made sense. I was reminded of all this when I read Luke 12:6,7 last night. "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God...Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." What a comfort to know that God never draws a blank when we come to Him. He never needs more time to dig us out of a memory bank. We are never forgotten. No matter what it may feel like, we are never forgotten. He knows who we are and where we are and what we need and how to bring it about. Today is Friday. I am very thankful that God doesn't need to say, "Come back tomorrow...maybe I'll be able to place you then." Very thankful, indeed.
Year 5; Day 273 Indignation or Praise?
I find it interesting how varied the reactions can be to any given situation. One person can embrace a viewpoint or action, another be angered by it, and still another be unmoved or indifferent to it. Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, "and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all." (Luke 13:11) Wouldn't you think there would be an air of anticipation, an eagerness, a shared desire for this woman's healing. Eighteen years is a long time to be looking at your feet! Her infirmity was so visible that you would think even strangers would be sympathetic to her need. Everyone would wish for her healing and to be joyful witnesses to the event. Right? Wrong! "Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God." (verse 13) She was thrilled and the synagogue ruler...he was anything but. "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath." (verse 14) How could two people view the same thing and one praise God and the other be indignant? Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leader. Did he stand corrected or convicted? Did he realize he had allowed legalism to over-rule compassion? How did the head of the synagogue react to Jesus' words of rebuke? "When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing." (verse 17) Indignation/praise. Humiliation/ delight. I guess the condition and attitude of the heart determine reaction and behavior. Today is Saturday. How do we react to Christ?
I find it interesting how varied the reactions can be to any given situation. One person can embrace a viewpoint or action, another be angered by it, and still another be unmoved or indifferent to it. Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, "and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all." (Luke 13:11) Wouldn't you think there would be an air of anticipation, an eagerness, a shared desire for this woman's healing. Eighteen years is a long time to be looking at your feet! Her infirmity was so visible that you would think even strangers would be sympathetic to her need. Everyone would wish for her healing and to be joyful witnesses to the event. Right? Wrong! "Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God." (verse 13) She was thrilled and the synagogue ruler...he was anything but. "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath." (verse 14) How could two people view the same thing and one praise God and the other be indignant? Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leader. Did he stand corrected or convicted? Did he realize he had allowed legalism to over-rule compassion? How did the head of the synagogue react to Jesus' words of rebuke? "When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing." (verse 17) Indignation/praise. Humiliation/ delight. I guess the condition and attitude of the heart determine reaction and behavior. Today is Saturday. How do we react to Christ?
Year 5; Day 274 I Have Longed...
Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and Jewish life. Jesus knew He was going to be crucified there. The religious leaders were particularly hostile toward Him and Jesus knew it was only a matter of time before their schemes to capture Him became a reality. You would think Christ would be reigning dire warnings and curses down on Jerusalem. Or at least full of resentment towards the very place that should have welcomed Him with open arms and rejoicing? Not so. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34) Instead of resentment, bitterness, and anger, there is regret, sadness, and compassion. I can hear the love in Christ's voice and imagine His words choked with emotion. The last part of the verse stood out to me. "...but you were not willing." How many times has Christ longed to do things for us and we were not willing...or interested...or listening...or obedient? And instead of bitter retaliation, His response is one of longing to bring us back, to gather us in, to shelter and protect until we are ready to venture out again under His watchful eye. We can get so caught up in living...hectic, stressful, frantic, busy, non-stop...that we lose touch sometimes with Christ. We forget, don't, aren't willing to make Him a part of everything. He longs for us to find our refuge in Him...if we are willing. Today is Sunday. Christ loves us so much.
Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and Jewish life. Jesus knew He was going to be crucified there. The religious leaders were particularly hostile toward Him and Jesus knew it was only a matter of time before their schemes to capture Him became a reality. You would think Christ would be reigning dire warnings and curses down on Jerusalem. Or at least full of resentment towards the very place that should have welcomed Him with open arms and rejoicing? Not so. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34) Instead of resentment, bitterness, and anger, there is regret, sadness, and compassion. I can hear the love in Christ's voice and imagine His words choked with emotion. The last part of the verse stood out to me. "...but you were not willing." How many times has Christ longed to do things for us and we were not willing...or interested...or listening...or obedient? And instead of bitter retaliation, His response is one of longing to bring us back, to gather us in, to shelter and protect until we are ready to venture out again under His watchful eye. We can get so caught up in living...hectic, stressful, frantic, busy, non-stop...that we lose touch sometimes with Christ. We forget, don't, aren't willing to make Him a part of everything. He longs for us to find our refuge in Him...if we are willing. Today is Sunday. Christ loves us so much.