Staying on the Ancient Path- God Reigns

This is the next installment of my Artsy-devotional video series on Staying on the Ancient Path. Here we focus on how God Reigns.  

"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."  Revelation 19:6

We talk about 3 people who had "bumps" on their path. - Apostle John, Isaiah and the Apostle Paul.  All three found out that God is still on the Throne, no matter what happens.  He is still on the throne today!  We can have faith that God is still reigning today and He is still with us today and has all under control!  That should give us a lot of hope, strength and encouragement!

 

Devotional was inspired by the book:

 The Bumps Are What You Climb On, Encouragement for Difficult Days, by Warren W. Wiersbe, 1980, 2002 , Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, page 16-19

Staying on The Ancient Path- Psalm 27

This is the next installment of  my Artsy-devotional video series on Staying on the Ancient Path.  Here I share what has happened to me in the last 3 months and how it’s like a huge boulder that has dropped on my path. The boulder is called breast cancer! Your "boulder" might be called another name, but it's still a boulder! Although it's large, God puts opsticals like this in our path in order for us to climb them, grow and learn from Him. God said that the path will not always be easy, but He also said that He will always be with us, strengthen us and be a light for us through the troubled times.

The devotional is on Psalm 27 when King David was hunted by the Philistines and by King Saul. Although he had a lot of people wanting to kill him, he also had a lot of people who were with him and helped him. Most importantly, he had God on his side.  I used Psalm 27:1 as the inspiration and quote for the page.

     "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

As I started making the page, it was all impromptu. I really didn't know what to do. But, as I started, it all flowed out and I end up making a pocket and putting the verse on a bookmark type card to insert in the pocket to remind me that if I have God in my back pocket, I don't have to be afraid!

Think on These Things -A Good Report

 Think on these things - Philippians 4:8 - We are focusing on the phrase, "A Good Report" in this ArtsyUs devotional series.  We are learning about Ruth, in the Book of Ruth in the Bible.  Her story involves a couple of good reports.  I encourage you to read the book.  It's very short.  The story is so good and has a happy ending.  As you hear good news or report of someone this week, write or text them a note of encouragement.  I know it will go a long way to make them feel special and you will feel good also.  Blessings!

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 

2 Corinthians 4:7 

(Read 2 Cor. 4:1-7)

I recently saw a demonstration on pottery where the artist said,

”I like to play with dirt!”

Never really thought of pottery in that term before…

Peter with the pottery restoration.

Today, pottery is so beautifully finished with glazes of different colors and styles.  The pieces can last for many years. But, in ancient times, clay vessels were used much like we use paper plates today.  Used once, then thrown away. Very little value, if any, was put on them.  Today, archaeologist find volumes of pottery shards on their digs. Very rarely they’ll find a clay pot in tact.  My husband participated in a dig where he found 3 Roman pots in tact! He was the star for the day! Everyone stopped their digging and came over to see!  They let him hold it and take pictures with it.  But, they wouldn’t let him keep them!  Shards, on the other hand, were plentiful. After making sure there was no significant inscription on them, he was permitted to take some home. Part of his training was pottery restoration.  It’s like working an ancient jigsaw puzzle with shards to reconstruct the pottery.   Unique pieces got a place in the museum showcase.  All others were stored away, rarely to be seen.

In this passage we are pictured as earthen vessels (clay pots); made of dirt, cracked, humble and ordinary. Not a likely place to store a treasure.  Yet, God, who created the light to shine from the darkness, has chosen to shine the light in our hearts and to use us to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory and the gospel of the Lord Jesus to others who are still in darkness.  What a treasure!

Our human weakness is not a barrier for the power of God.  God uses ordinary people.  It is because we are blessed with this wonderful treasure that we should have boldness and confidence to live for the Glory of God.

Note:  Thoughts inspired by a sermon on “God’s Glory in our Witness” by Dr. Erwin Lutzer of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago. 

Being in the Presence of God Brings on a Reaction

I was listening to an inspirational song, where the songwriter tries to imagine what he would do when he sees Jesus face to face in heaven.  Would he stand or would he fall on his knees?  Would he sing Hallelujah or just be silent?... It’s a beautiful song.  It got me thinking; does the Bible give any examples of people’s reaction, when they came into God’s presence?  Here are a few that I found.

In the presence of God:

• Adam and Eve hid themselves, after they disobeyed God in the Garden (Genesis 3:8).
• The people were afraid – When Moses went up the Mountain to meet with God and they heard the thunderings and saw the lightning flashes and smoke. (Exodus 20:18)
• Ezekiel fell on his face (Ezekiel 1:28)
• All men will shake (Ezekiel 38:20)
• Jonah fled (Jonah 1:3)
• People feared (Haggai 1:12)
• Isaiah saw his own unworthiness and said, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5)
• The Apostle John fell at his feet as dead (Revelation 1:17)
• The people, who had rejected the Lord Jesus Christ were standing and waiting to be judged from the books at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-12)

These examples sound like it’s a very scary thing to be in God’s presence.  For sure, we must have reverence before Him.  Yet, there is comfort in knowing that if we know and abide in the Lord, we can feel safe.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High 
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; 
My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1)

We can also experience fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore in His presence!

“You will show me the path of life; 
In Your presence is fullness of joy; 
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

How can we “know” Him?  The only way is through The Lord Jesus Christ. 

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)

Jesus told us that we need not be afraid.  He has prepared a place for us in Heaven.  Not only can we imagine, but with joy look forward to seeing Him face to face!

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Looking Ahead

As I start this new year, I know that God already knows what will happen. It's wonderful to know that He has it all under control in His will. I will continue on as He leads.

I found this great poem in a simple frame hung on the wall of the Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary classroom, where I attend classes to finish what I started over 40 years ago and get my bachelor's degree in Christian Education. It really spoke to me and I hope that it will be an encouragement to you as well. (The poem is like a prayer to God.)

Looking Ahead

I'm looking ahead to those things that

You will have me to do,

Those places You will have me to go,

Those things You have purposed for me.

I'm looking ahead with power,

strength

and determination

Knowing that the past is behind me,

the present is before me,

and the future awaits me.

You know what's ahead of me

You have prepared the way

You have straightened the crooked paths

and smoothed the rough places

Stumbling blocks will become instruments

in Your hand for my good

and Your purpose

Detours will serve as opportunities to tell

others about You.

I can look ahead

because You are my Guide.

by

Louvenia Lee Aka Love Lee

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Note: Picture is a photograph I took at Deerfield Beach, FL in the early morning.

A Set of Strong Waves

“…Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26

When we learned of my husband’s diagnosis of Cancer – Multiple Myeloma. It was the first mayor wave of distress that came over us some 4 years ago. Peter was engrossed in producing a gospel movie called, “Rossvally: From the Synagogue to the Saviour”. He had spent most of the previous months filming at various Civil War sites and re-enactments. When the doctor saw his blood results, he said, “You should have been an actual casualty! Not an act!” We were shocked. Why would God allow this to happen now?

A month later, the second wave of distress hit. My right arm and leg began to go limp. Two bone spurs in my neck were pinching my spinal cord so much that the doctor expected to see me in a wheelchair. Five days later, I was on the operating table.

All along, a third wave had been mounting. It spiked 9 months later, during Peter’s stem cell transplant. Alzheimer’s had overcome my dear, sweet mother. Her personality had completely changed to a negative one. It was unbearable. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown.

But…like waves, these distressing circumstances began to subside and the Lord helped us through. He was in the “boat” with us. The many prayers of faithful people gave us the added strength to stay a float!

He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. Psalm 107:29