Romans 5:3-4 & John 3:16

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

My heart and prayers go out to those who were and still are being affected by the earthquake in Japan last Friday, March 11. While it is difficult to understand now, God's faithfulness, love, and mercy will bring them through and make them stronger as they move forward in their hope in the Lord. May those who don't know Him turn to Him.
On this day of 3-16, John 3:16 is our glorious hope, "for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

This time of year, we’re told to demonstrate our love by giving flowers, cards, chocolate, and diamonds. God demonstrated His love to us by sending His Son to die for our sins. And then He goes on to say that we must love as He has loved:

John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
We don’t need to use candy, cards, or jewelry to demonstrate that love. Serving, putting others before ourselves, helping the poor and needy, offering food, drink, clothing, and shelter to those without, and helping the sick, the widows, and orphans are all ways that we can demonstrate our love to those around us.

Psalm 139:14

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14

I had the privilege of visiting triplet baby boys the day after their delivery. They were so tiny, just above three pounds each. As I looked at them through the glass of the isolettes, I marveled at the details of their features, from their toes to their fingernails, their adorable noses and beautiful lips. I had to keep my emotions in check as I didn’t want anyone to think I was saddened by all of the tubes and machines. It was pure joy and awe, not sadness, which engulfed me. I prayed for each child and for their parents the whole time I was at the hospital, and continue to do so, not only for God to give healing, growth, and development, but also to guide them and their parents as they embark on this new adventure of life.
If you have the opportunity to visit a mother in the hospital who has just given birth, don’t hesitate to do so. Hold the baby if you are able to, pray over the child, and marvel at God’s handiwork. For they are fearfully and wonderfully made.

James 4:13-15

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

As we step into the new year of two thousand eleven, we gaze ahead. For me and my family, we look toward the remainder of the school year and then into our summer: vacations, camps, activities, and so forth. Do we seek the Lord’s will when making these plans? Do we pray for wisdom when deciding what to do or where to go? I typically reserve asking God for wisdom on weighty decisions like career, spouse, children, and educational choices. However, this verse (and Proverbs 19:21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand) remind us that we should seek the Lord’s will for all our plans, not just the hefty ones. Are they godly? Will they bring Him glory? When our plans become altered, do we adjust and accept the changes? These questions and verses offer me much to ponder, and pray for, this coming year.

Luke 2:10-11

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

I read and hear these verses this time of year and marvel at the grace that God has given through such a spectacular gift: salvation through Christ. I remind my children often that this is the true meaning of Christmas. However, I run around and get caught up in the hustle and bustle that also goes along with this season, cards, presents, baking, wrapping, programs, the list goes on. I, too, must heed my advice and daily reflect on this gift of redemption and the true meaning of Christmas, and not focus on the list of things to do and buy. Great joy is the news of Christ and the salvation only He gives.

1 Peter 3:3-4

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4

I didn’t think that as I got older I’d still be concerned about my hair, make-up, or what I wear. The struggle with vanity doesn’t cease with age. I’ve been working on spending as much time in prayer and reading God’s Word as I do in getting ready in the morning putting on make-up, doing my hair, and getting dressed. The more time I spend in the Bible, the more I reflect on what my hidden person of the heart looks like in the sight of God. Precious is the adjective I must strive for, and I need to be an example of this to my children, especially my daughter who spends many hours on her outward adornment.

Matthew 5:37

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Matthew 5:37

Here, Jesus is preaching on not swearing falsely and ending with saying that it’s not necessary to even give an oath if you speak what is true. What first comes to mind is a courtroom or a wedding when a couple is saying their vows. But this verse imploring us to “let your yes be yes and your no, no” also applies to any promise you give, whether it’s telling someone you can help out at a school function, or promising your child you will play a board game with them. Sometimes, we don’t take our promises as serious as we would an oath or a vow.

When our children were very young, my husband made a point to not promise them anything that he couldn’t keep. And, if he did promise them something, even as simple as going for an ice cream cone, he did everything he could to carry out that promise. Children often say, “I promise I’ll…,” and not carry it through. We explained this verse to our own children and how important it is to not make a promise that they can’t keep. Of course, we’ve often heard, “you have to, you promised….remember, ‘let your yes be yes, and your no, no’!”

Ecclesiastes 10:18

Because of laziness the building decays,
And through idleness of hands the house leaks. Ecclesiastes 10:18

Before we allowed our house (building) to decay, at the end of the summer, we had our roof assessed by our insurance agent to see if it needed replaced because of hail damage over the course of the past decade. It did. After we purchased materials, we decided to do the roofing ourselves (mostly by my husband). Since school started, he knew he wouldn’t have the help of his wife and children.

Today, we have the day off from school (teachers’ meetings). So, at 7 AM, we all slowly made our way to the roof and began peeling off the old shingles and throwing them into a trailer below. It’s been hard work. Of course, we’ve been hearing a lot of moaning, but I’m reminding everyone of this verse in Ecclesiastes, that through idleness of hands the house leaks. They got a good chuckle from that. It’s actually been kind of fun. Backbreaking (for me anyway, as the age of forty gets closer and closer). Still, it’s enjoyable on this cool autumn morning, to work alongside my husband and children.

1 Thessalonians 5:25

Brethren, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:25

Here Paul is ending his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, imploring them to pray for him and those with him who are preaching the Gospel. He does the same in his second letter (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

This is a reminder for us today to pray for not only our minister in our own church, but also those in our community, neighboring cities, across our nation, and around the world. Their work is great.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8

I’ve mentioned that when my husband and I were first married, we didn’t have a lot of anything. We lived in a trailer, drove two very used cars, and managed to eek out an existence on the salaries of a teacher and a construction crewman (with college debts to be paid). However, we still tithed each Sunday, knowing that we shouldn’t expect to be blessed if we didn’t give to the Lord our “first fruits.”

Through the years, we remind ourselves of what little we had back then and that we were so blessed in many unexpected ways. We’ve never been in need these past sixteen plus years. God sees us through, as long as we are faithful to Him. So when I write a check each Sunday, I smile and think of those early days, and cheerfully give to God.