Quiet Time: The Wife of My Youth

The Wife of My Youth

He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14"Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.

– Malachi 2:13-14

When I pray for Deseri, I often use the term, “The wife of my youth”. It helps me remember how long we’ve been together (friends since 4^th grade) as well as, our covenant marriage relationship (this September makes 30 years).

I hate being sideways with her, and according to this scripture, God doesn’t like it much either.

Honestly, no one likes to be at odds with their spouse; that means, GUYS, treating our wives as if they are anything other than cherished companions will keep God from receiving our worship and may even hinder our prayers ( 1 Peter 3:7) Further more it gives satan an undeserved foothold toward taking down the relationship (Ephesians 4:27)

An older friend once told me, after he and his wife ended their marriage of forty plus years, “Doug, when you put God out, you let the devil in.”

Guys, may I step on your toes?

Do not go to worship today without getting things right with your wife first; and, going forward, get things right, right away.

 

Cherish the Treasure - Steve Greene

 

 

Quiet Time: An Excellent Wife

An Excellent Wife

No Pushing Please

 

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

– Proverbs 31:10

Behind every man is a good woman pushing him out the door.

My pastor friend likes saying that, and to a point, it’s kind of true; that’s what makes it so funny.

But, one thing I love about my wife is how she nudges instead of pushes me when I overlook the obvious. I call her, “My Other Conscience”, because she often helps me refocus on righteousness with a quiet word or a gentle touch.

For example: when I’m in a conversation and I cut off the person who’s talking, Deseri nudges me ever so slightly to let me know that I’m being rude. Or, if I’m watching a movie (I like action movies) that has foul language, she’ll let out a little, “Oh!” and that’s my cue to find another movie to watch.

I don’t think an excellent wife is found; she is given – by God, and she helps her husband gather the treasure that truly matters.

 

Check out this old song by Buddy Greene "A Virtuouse Woman"

 

Quiet Time: Help My Unblief

Help My Unblief

Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."  - Mark 9:24

Why it is that one person has the faith to believe in the Christ while another does not?

Do some people not have faith because they are more skeptical, analytical, or worldly wise than others?

History proves this not to be so. Many skeptics have come to know Christ in a real and personal way.

Some of the better known former skeptics are C.S. Lewis, Professor Antony Flew, and Dr. Hugh Ross, not to mention, of course, Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, Alister Mcgrath, and Ann Rice. All of these people are more intelligent and critically sharper than the average Joe; but that doesn’t answer my question.

 

I went back to the bible to see what it had to say about how a person actually gets “saved”.

Here are a few verses that came to mind:

·         God draws.  (John 6:44) No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

·         The Holy Spirit convicts.  (John 16:8-10) And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;…

·         The Word speaks. (John 15:22) "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

·         Man Understands.  (Romans 1:20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

So God draws a person to Jesus, The Holy Spirit convicts the person that Jesus died for his sin, the Jesus confirms what the Spirit convicts, and the man understands (even without the bible, if I’m reading that right) to the point that he will be judged in accordance with his understanding without excuse.

Simply put, I see that the question of why one believes and another does not as boiling down to God’s sovereignty to draw and man’s ability to accept or reject.

How God’s unconditional love is juxtaposed with His holiness and righteous judgment for all humanity is beyond my feeble comprehension, but it is not beyond my ability to trust His omniscience.

 

 

 

 

 

Quiet Time: Bragging Rights

Bragging Rights

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. – Proverbs 27:2

 I loathe political ads.

In most cases, the ads convey the candidate’s message, “I’m super but the other guy stinks.”

Ironically, if we have to tell others how good we are, then, we’re really not that good.

The Christ follower lives not for the commendation of men, but of Jesus alone.

(John 5:41) "I do not accept glory from human beings, (2 Cor. 10:18)"For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."

A daily quiet time, especially in the early morning, is a critical component in our walk with the Lord.  I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. (Psalm 119:147) In a practical sense it is like we're giving our day over to God before it even begins.

I wonder what would happen if a political candidate determined to serve in his position for Jesus alone? One thing is sure; his political ad would be dramatically different from those we see today.

Reality is, I can’t do anything about negative politics, but one thing I can do, is spend each day getting to know my Savior better so that His presence affects my present.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – (Matthew 5:16).


 

Quiet Time: Work Hungry

Work Hungry 

A worker's appetite works for him, 
For his hunger urges him on. 
– Proverbs 16:26 

 I memorized this verse as part of a challenge from my friend Bill. I say that to say this, Bill, just informed me today that he intends to retire in 2015. I was shocked!

You see, Bill is an incredible team member who has the best work ethic I’ve ever seen. He seems to never slow down and has a great reputation as a Christian who goes above what is considered an honest eight hours. I love that guy!

In my early years, Bill and I once worked together at the same facility (he works several miles away now) and we used to pray together before the start of each work day.

We also challenged each other to memorize scripture. Bill was really good at remembering the reference and I was better at recalling the actual scripture verse, so, I’d announce the verse and he’d call out the reference throughout the day to see if we still had the scripture memorized. What a great way to work!

I remember the day we memorized Proverbs 16:26. When we read it, we both felt like God was encouraging us to eat less during the day so that our energy levels wouldn’t fall off as usually happened after stuffing ourselves on a big lunch. You know what? It worked! No kidding, we ate enough to keep us satisfied without feeling satiated and were able to stay steady all day long.

Bill will be greatly missed at the company. But I’m glad that I have several memory verses hidden in my heart (Psalm 119:11) to remind me of his faithful walk with Christ and our friendship together.

The world needs more Bills. (He also teaches biblical concepts of finance...the pun is intended)

Quiet Time: Joy, Peace, Hope

Joy, Peace, Hope

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

Without Jesus, life is hopeless.

Samuel’s mom was hopeless (1 Samuel 1:18) until a single word from God transported her  from downcast to uplifted. 

Like Hannah, the Christ follower hears God speak and remembers  that life is more than eating and drinking (what we see) and our hearts desire is awakened  to walk in righteousness, with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). 

However, what is so wondrous about this change in attitude is that it comes not from a reversal in circumstance but by a simple yet profound change in perspective. 

• God speaks and His Holy Spirit calms our heart with a peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7). 

• God speaks and His Holy Spirit enlivens our soul with a joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8) 

• God speaks and His indwelling Holy Spirit fills us with a hope in the appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

Bad news is sad news for everyone. 

Christians feel sorrow too, yet only for the moment; for, we know that our joy, peace, and hope are found in a Person, not a place, possession, or position. 

 Let The River Flow is a song that came to mind in my quiet time. Here's the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGplpTUytfQ&list=RDfGplpTUytfQ#t=7

Quiet Time: Ambition

Ambition

and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you - 1 Thessalonians 4:11

am·bi·tion: an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment.

Recently I watched the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and a conversation between the main character, Walter Mitty and the world traveling adventure photographer, Sean O’Connell,  caught my attention. They sat quietly on the side of a windswept mountain in an attempt to photograph the elusive snow leopard:

Sean O'Connell: They call the snow leopard the ghost cat. Never let’s itself be seen.
Walter Mitty: Ghost cat.
Sean O'Connell: Beautiful things don't ask for attention.

I asked our small group bible study, “How many of us want a quiet life?” Every hand went up. Of course the fact that we all want it means that none of us have it. 

Perhaps it's because we’re all earnestly desiring the wrong things.

What if our most ambitious goal read something like this:

“I want to be the most quiet, hard-working, and peaceful person this planet has ever known”

Obviously, this goal won’t bring much glory or notoriety, but it will show the beauty of Christ in us.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  (2 Cor. 4:7)

“Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.” 

May-be that’s what makes them so beautiful.

Quiet Time: Not Done Yet

Not Done Yet

"You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD. – Malachi 1:13

Recently, the pastor of the mega church where my son attends had to reprove the congregation for leaving during the invitation. (The “invitation” is the time, usually, near the very end of a worship service when those present are invited to receive Christ as their LORD and Savior)

 

This pastor actually stopped during his prayer, looked up, and asked all the people who were scampering out to their vehicles to sit back down. Then he explained how important it was for every believer to participate in every part of the worship service. 

My son made the point that not only is leaving while someone is praying  just plain rude, but, that the Invitation is the time when the believer should himself be praying fervently for those present who are on the verge of accepting Christ instead of thinking about getting to the front of the exiting car line.

In Malachi 1:13; it is actually the priests who are being rebuked for performing their duties without heart or faith. How bad is that! But, before we start pointing fingers at them for their hypocrisy, let’s look at ourselves and remember (1 Peter 2:9) But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Psalm 100:2 tells us to “Serve the LORD with gladness…” Every believer should indeed participate in every part of the worship service, and we should do so gladly.

Ask God to revive your desire to worship Him today.

Quiet Time: Serve Is Not a Bad Word

“Serve” Is Not a Bad Word

Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. – Psalm 100:2

Serve
`abad  (aw-bad')
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.

In this Psalm, David, probably had in mind the service of those who worked in preparing sacrifices, as well as, the worshipers who brought the sacrifices. He was encouraging everyone who took part in this act of worship to make it more than a simple ceremony.  God wants our hearts, as well as, our hands.

But you know, we can serve the LORD with gladness every day, not simply on Sundays when we come together to worship. Life can be an act of worship.

Right now, before you jump into whatever it is you’re about to do, why not ask God to help you do it for Him.