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 43 Archives
Year 5; Day 296 By What Are We Known?
Some years ago I was eating in a restaurant with friends. There were several tables of ladies that we knew had to all be together. They all wore red hats and purple clothes. Come to find out, they were members of the Red Hat Society...a ladies' group (mostly over 50) dedicated to having fun and fellowship. Lots of times fans of a particular sports team will wear something that identifies them as such. There are colours and logos and symbols that serve to distinguish a group, a team, and even a country. They help to identify and unify those who are like-minded. Yesterday, the preacher said that Christ gave a distinguishing mark, an identifiable characteristic for all His followers. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) What sets us apart...to mark us as believers, to distinguish us from non-believers...is simply the way we treat each other. And the way we treat each other should be noticeably different from others. The love should not only be spoken but also acted and behaved and demonstrated. And not only in what we don't do (don't retaliate, don't strike back, don't seek pay-back), but love should be evident in what we do...in words spoken, in acts of kindness, in generosity of time and patience. Not occasionally, not subtle little gestures, but enough that people notice...it begins to set us apart...as a person and as a people. And our focus group is pretty broad...one another. Whoever we're around. One distinguishing word...love. Today is Monday. What one word would people use to describe us...you...me? What identifies us as His?
Some years ago I was eating in a restaurant with friends. There were several tables of ladies that we knew had to all be together. They all wore red hats and purple clothes. Come to find out, they were members of the Red Hat Society...a ladies' group (mostly over 50) dedicated to having fun and fellowship. Lots of times fans of a particular sports team will wear something that identifies them as such. There are colours and logos and symbols that serve to distinguish a group, a team, and even a country. They help to identify and unify those who are like-minded. Yesterday, the preacher said that Christ gave a distinguishing mark, an identifiable characteristic for all His followers. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) What sets us apart...to mark us as believers, to distinguish us from non-believers...is simply the way we treat each other. And the way we treat each other should be noticeably different from others. The love should not only be spoken but also acted and behaved and demonstrated. And not only in what we don't do (don't retaliate, don't strike back, don't seek pay-back), but love should be evident in what we do...in words spoken, in acts of kindness, in generosity of time and patience. Not occasionally, not subtle little gestures, but enough that people notice...it begins to set us apart...as a person and as a people. And our focus group is pretty broad...one another. Whoever we're around. One distinguishing word...love. Today is Monday. What one word would people use to describe us...you...me? What identifies us as His?
Year 5; Day 297 Redacting
Funny how a word can, all of a sudden, get your attention. Last week I read an article that used the word "redacted". President Trump is considering releasing the rest of the classified papers concerning the investigation into John Kennedy's assassination. Apparently, some (many) are heavily redacted. There are lines and sections that are blacked out for security reasons. This will make many documents difficult to read or of little use information-wise. Yesterday I had my weekly phone chat with sister. She mentioned how her minister preached a great message on redacting Scripture. There was that word again. Redacting. God has presented His words to us in written form as people were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write them. They were given for our benefit, our instruction, our correction, our guidance. But people have taken it upon themselves to redact Scripture to suit themselves. To obscure or ignore or black out verses that don't go along with their choices. By reclassifying Scripture from the Source to just one of many resources, we think we are in the clear. We justify an "update" as part of cultural and societal change. Except God is changeless and His words timeless. People may choose to redact God's Word...to make it more politically correct or culturally suitable or more pleasing to their desires. But when we stand before God, there will be no redacting of our lives. "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 an account." (Hebrews 4:13) God doesn't redact parts of His truth to suit the times. Neither should we. Today is Tuesday. More "appraising" in order.
Funny how a word can, all of a sudden, get your attention. Last week I read an article that used the word "redacted". President Trump is considering releasing the rest of the classified papers concerning the investigation into John Kennedy's assassination. Apparently, some (many) are heavily redacted. There are lines and sections that are blacked out for security reasons. This will make many documents difficult to read or of little use information-wise. Yesterday I had my weekly phone chat with sister. She mentioned how her minister preached a great message on redacting Scripture. There was that word again. Redacting. God has presented His words to us in written form as people were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write them. They were given for our benefit, our instruction, our correction, our guidance. But people have taken it upon themselves to redact Scripture to suit themselves. To obscure or ignore or black out verses that don't go along with their choices. By reclassifying Scripture from the Source to just one of many resources, we think we are in the clear. We justify an "update" as part of cultural and societal change. Except God is changeless and His words timeless. People may choose to redact God's Word...to make it more politically correct or culturally suitable or more pleasing to their desires. But when we stand before God, there will be no redacting of our lives. "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 an account." (Hebrews 4:13) God doesn't redact parts of His truth to suit the times. Neither should we. Today is Tuesday. More "appraising" in order.
Year 5; Day 298 A Quiet Beginning
If you were writing a story about Christ leaving heaven for earth, you might have envisioned a spectacular, Hollywood type entrance. The sky splitting, a crescendo of music, an immense light show, a cape billowing as He descended on a magnificent stallion. The reality was much different from the imagined. Born to an unreknowned couple in a cave or stable with the smell of animals and hay, His first visitors were common shepherds. Almost nothing is said of His growing up years except that He grew up well. When the time finally came for Jesus to begin His ministry, you'd think He would make a splash, grab attention, do something to get people talking. Instead, His first miracle was only known by a few people (servants and disciples) and it took place at a social event...somebody's wedding. It wasn't a dramatic healing or a show stopping miracle. The host of the wedding had run out of wine. Not a life affecting situation. But important to the event had the news gotten out. As I read about how Jesus told the servants to fill the six large jars with water, I was touched by His caring for those people. Their need was personal, not important to the world, but important to them. Jesus meet their need right then and there. Somewhere between pouring the water into the jars and taking a cup to the master of the banquet, it became the choicest of wines. Not a flashy first miracle, not witnessed by a crowd, but it demonstrated Christ's compassion for people and His power over the laws of nature. And those few who saw water become wine knew they had witnessed something and Someone extraordinary. Today is Wednesday. "This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him." (John 2:11) We can put our faith in Him, too.
If you were writing a story about Christ leaving heaven for earth, you might have envisioned a spectacular, Hollywood type entrance. The sky splitting, a crescendo of music, an immense light show, a cape billowing as He descended on a magnificent stallion. The reality was much different from the imagined. Born to an unreknowned couple in a cave or stable with the smell of animals and hay, His first visitors were common shepherds. Almost nothing is said of His growing up years except that He grew up well. When the time finally came for Jesus to begin His ministry, you'd think He would make a splash, grab attention, do something to get people talking. Instead, His first miracle was only known by a few people (servants and disciples) and it took place at a social event...somebody's wedding. It wasn't a dramatic healing or a show stopping miracle. The host of the wedding had run out of wine. Not a life affecting situation. But important to the event had the news gotten out. As I read about how Jesus told the servants to fill the six large jars with water, I was touched by His caring for those people. Their need was personal, not important to the world, but important to them. Jesus meet their need right then and there. Somewhere between pouring the water into the jars and taking a cup to the master of the banquet, it became the choicest of wines. Not a flashy first miracle, not witnessed by a crowd, but it demonstrated Christ's compassion for people and His power over the laws of nature. And those few who saw water become wine knew they had witnessed something and Someone extraordinary. Today is Wednesday. "This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him." (John 2:11) We can put our faith in Him, too.
Year 5; Day 299 Above the Clamor and Head Noise
I have noticed that it seems increasingly difficult to get people together. Life for everyone seems to be getting more complicated, more demanding, more time consuming. We tried to get a date for a quilting get away. We even went so far as to make a tentative reservation only to have to cancel because of legitimate unforseen circumstances. Sometimes I can't bear to watch the news. Husband and I were trying to eat our breakfast yesterday morning and some of the topics being covered were not compatible with eating. Some (many) of the commercials are getting more and more sexually explicit and I wonder how all this affects children. I read an article by Graham Cooke and one line popped out at me. He stressed the need to, "Rise above the clamor and head noise that surrounds us..." There is a tremendous amount of "clamor and head noise" these days. Whether it is the doings of our own lives, the constant stream of tablet, smart phone, computer, and television, or the pulls on our lives from others, life can get overwhelming, demanding, and even exhausting. What to do? What did Jesus do? He carved out alone time with His heavenly Father. He spent time in prayer. It was a deliberate choice and not something squeezed in whenever there was a spare moment. We also have the advantage of God's Word. It can be accessed on nearly all medias. When the "clamor and head noise" of life seeks to drown us, we can remember Jesus' words to His disciples, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Today is Thursday. We need to take the time to let His peace settle over our lives and hearts.
I have noticed that it seems increasingly difficult to get people together. Life for everyone seems to be getting more complicated, more demanding, more time consuming. We tried to get a date for a quilting get away. We even went so far as to make a tentative reservation only to have to cancel because of legitimate unforseen circumstances. Sometimes I can't bear to watch the news. Husband and I were trying to eat our breakfast yesterday morning and some of the topics being covered were not compatible with eating. Some (many) of the commercials are getting more and more sexually explicit and I wonder how all this affects children. I read an article by Graham Cooke and one line popped out at me. He stressed the need to, "Rise above the clamor and head noise that surrounds us..." There is a tremendous amount of "clamor and head noise" these days. Whether it is the doings of our own lives, the constant stream of tablet, smart phone, computer, and television, or the pulls on our lives from others, life can get overwhelming, demanding, and even exhausting. What to do? What did Jesus do? He carved out alone time with His heavenly Father. He spent time in prayer. It was a deliberate choice and not something squeezed in whenever there was a spare moment. We also have the advantage of God's Word. It can be accessed on nearly all medias. When the "clamor and head noise" of life seeks to drown us, we can remember Jesus' words to His disciples, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Today is Thursday. We need to take the time to let His peace settle over our lives and hearts.
Year 5; Day 300 Everything
I don't know what makes something you have done numerous times suddenly "click". Like a song or chorus. You sing it various times and it is fine and then there is a time when it is different. Maybe it is your circumstances, maybe your attentiveness, or maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking and you're listening. Last week we sang a simple chorus in church. "To me He's become everything. He's everything that I need. He's my future, my past, the first and the last. To me He's become everything." Simple with a catchy tune. We've sung it before. I've sung it before. But this time was different. I know Christ is everything. Revelation 22:13 says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." That covers it all. And I believe it. He had the first word and will have the last. He was there at the beginning and will be there until the end of the old and the start of the new. I believe it all in my head but...........is He everything to "me"? Is He my everything? My Alpha and Omega? My First and Last? My Beginning and End? In every aspect of my life? Yes. No. Maybe. Sometimes. I don't know...or I don't want to know or I don't want to think about it. I am not even sure what that would look like. Complete and total obedience. Trust. Faith. Love. Grace. Mercy. I don't think I got "nudged" because of what I'm not or where I'm not, but rather to be encouraged in what can be. I doubt I have scratched the surface when it comes to a relationship with the Lord...especially when it comes to "everything". Today is Friday. God is never satisfied for us to have less than "everything" He wants to give.
I don't know what makes something you have done numerous times suddenly "click". Like a song or chorus. You sing it various times and it is fine and then there is a time when it is different. Maybe it is your circumstances, maybe your attentiveness, or maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking and you're listening. Last week we sang a simple chorus in church. "To me He's become everything. He's everything that I need. He's my future, my past, the first and the last. To me He's become everything." Simple with a catchy tune. We've sung it before. I've sung it before. But this time was different. I know Christ is everything. Revelation 22:13 says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." That covers it all. And I believe it. He had the first word and will have the last. He was there at the beginning and will be there until the end of the old and the start of the new. I believe it all in my head but...........is He everything to "me"? Is He my everything? My Alpha and Omega? My First and Last? My Beginning and End? In every aspect of my life? Yes. No. Maybe. Sometimes. I don't know...or I don't want to know or I don't want to think about it. I am not even sure what that would look like. Complete and total obedience. Trust. Faith. Love. Grace. Mercy. I don't think I got "nudged" because of what I'm not or where I'm not, but rather to be encouraged in what can be. I doubt I have scratched the surface when it comes to a relationship with the Lord...especially when it comes to "everything". Today is Friday. God is never satisfied for us to have less than "everything" He wants to give.
Year 5; Day 301 Too Easily Satisfied
I was thinking about yesterday's post and the chorus, "To me He's become everything. He's everything that I need. He's my future, my past; the first and the last. To me He's become everything." The last line of my post said, "God is never satisfied for us to have less than "everything" He wants to give." That sentence did not come from me. That was a divine thought dropped into my mind and then came out my fingers as I typed. And I believe it. I think God desires to give us so much more. And the reason He doesn't? I am thinking it's because we are so easily satisfied. Satisfied with some. With a bit. With a little. We know the main Bible stories...creation, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, etc. We know the 23rd Psalm, John 3:16, the Lord's Prayer, and whether a book is in the Old or New Testament. We can sing Amazing Grace, What a friend We Have in Jesus, and Blessed Assurance from memory...or at least the first verse and chorus. We belong to a church, pay our share, and maybe help with this or that. We read our Bibles sometimes, pray sometimes, and expect God to answer our prayers all the time. Maybe we're not as good as some but we're as good as most. And so we're satisfied. I don't want to be satisfied...not when it comes to God. I don't want to be......but............ Today is Saturday. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)
I was thinking about yesterday's post and the chorus, "To me He's become everything. He's everything that I need. He's my future, my past; the first and the last. To me He's become everything." The last line of my post said, "God is never satisfied for us to have less than "everything" He wants to give." That sentence did not come from me. That was a divine thought dropped into my mind and then came out my fingers as I typed. And I believe it. I think God desires to give us so much more. And the reason He doesn't? I am thinking it's because we are so easily satisfied. Satisfied with some. With a bit. With a little. We know the main Bible stories...creation, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, etc. We know the 23rd Psalm, John 3:16, the Lord's Prayer, and whether a book is in the Old or New Testament. We can sing Amazing Grace, What a friend We Have in Jesus, and Blessed Assurance from memory...or at least the first verse and chorus. We belong to a church, pay our share, and maybe help with this or that. We read our Bibles sometimes, pray sometimes, and expect God to answer our prayers all the time. Maybe we're not as good as some but we're as good as most. And so we're satisfied. I don't want to be satisfied...not when it comes to God. I don't want to be......but............ Today is Saturday. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)
Year 5; Day 302 How to Find More
I am thinking this will be a post without a tidy little answer...unless I get it while I am writing. I have been thinking about being satisfied and not satisfied with God. I don't want to be satisfied with less than He has to give me. But how do I get more? Do I do more of the same? More church, more prayer, more Bible reading? Not that I am satisfied with my amounts. Should I tithe my time...give God 10% of my day to be deliberately more focused on Him...2.4 hours? Should I do an "appraisal" of my day, my life (which I have already started)? A verse came to me just before I started this post. "but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well". (Matthew 6:33). I know the context of the verse applies to our daily needs and we are not to worry. But maybe there is a principle in that Scripture. Maybe the way to getting more from God is to know there is always more and to sincerely want it. Make sure the heart and attitude is right and then leave the rest to God. I think I am leaving the Holy Spirit out of the equation. My spiritual growth is not totally up to me. It is shared. I have a responsibility to seek Him...through His Word, and prayer, and fellowship and an honest "appraisal" tells me I can make improvements. But His Word gives a promise, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7) So my job is to ask, seek, and knock. He promises to answer, give, and open. I can do that. Today is Sunday. Did I answer my own question?
I am thinking this will be a post without a tidy little answer...unless I get it while I am writing. I have been thinking about being satisfied and not satisfied with God. I don't want to be satisfied with less than He has to give me. But how do I get more? Do I do more of the same? More church, more prayer, more Bible reading? Not that I am satisfied with my amounts. Should I tithe my time...give God 10% of my day to be deliberately more focused on Him...2.4 hours? Should I do an "appraisal" of my day, my life (which I have already started)? A verse came to me just before I started this post. "but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well". (Matthew 6:33). I know the context of the verse applies to our daily needs and we are not to worry. But maybe there is a principle in that Scripture. Maybe the way to getting more from God is to know there is always more and to sincerely want it. Make sure the heart and attitude is right and then leave the rest to God. I think I am leaving the Holy Spirit out of the equation. My spiritual growth is not totally up to me. It is shared. I have a responsibility to seek Him...through His Word, and prayer, and fellowship and an honest "appraisal" tells me I can make improvements. But His Word gives a promise, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7) So my job is to ask, seek, and knock. He promises to answer, give, and open. I can do that. Today is Sunday. Did I answer my own question?
