“Do What He Tells You”
Jesus’s first miracle, turning the water into wine, is a quiet miracle. He didn’t do it in the midst of crowds or in the temple. Even the master of the house didn’t realize what was going on. We know that his mother was there and some servants who, because they listened and did what He asked, actually became co-workers with Jesus. We should be so blessed to be considered coworkers with Christ. We are, as we follow Him faithfully everyday and do all we do as unto the Lord. When we bring our “plain water” or our talents, at His bidding, He can change and multiply what we bring to bless others, whether they are wedding guests or weary and faint of heart. The servants carried only common water from the spring but with Christ’s blessing it became good wine. So it is when we do Jesus’ bidding: our most mundane work leaves redeeming results.
Our day to day journey sometimes feels monotonous or like drudgery and we wonder if we making a difference. It feels like we’re just carrying water every day and that it is nothing special. But if we are using our talents and abilities, faithfully following Him, we are being transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus. It’s like the story we always hear about the sewing of a beautiful tapestry. If you look on the working side it looks like a huge mess of tangled threads but when you turn it over it’s a beautiful masterpiece. We do not know the real splendor of the things we are doing when we go about our daily life. What seems like only giving a cup of cold water to another human being is actually blessed service to one of God’s children, and it’s noted and will be rewarded by our Father in Heaven.
John 2:1-11
The Scarlet Thread
I am a ‘word’ guy and I found myself intrigued the other day while reading a devotional from ‘Unveiling Mercy’. I was intrigued because the term ‘homograph’ came up. Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. You are already familiar with them but here are a few examples:
Agape … mouth wide open, love
Down … a lower place, or soft fluff from a bird
Entrance … the entry to a place, or to be enthralled with something or someone
Fine … of good quality, or a levy
Bear … an animal, or to endure
Lean … thin, or to rest against
Skip … to jump, or miss something
Minute … small, or a measure of time
There are many, many more but you get the picture.
There is a Hebrew word, ‘tiqvah’ that is a homograph. it means ‘hope’ or ‘cord’. The Old Testament uses it as ‘hope’ in every instance except one … with Rahab. And there it refers to a scarlet cord that was used as a sign between her and the spies from Israel that she protected. Here is the scripture that refers to it:
” Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you will let us down, and you shall gather in your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household” Joshua 2:18
There is a scarlet thread, or cord, that runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments. This word with two meanings meant both to Rahab … it means both to us. Just as this scarlet cord saved Rahab and gave her hope. It does the same for us.
As Chad Birds says in his devotional; ” This Gentile prostitute was mentioned in Hebrews 11:31 as a woman of faith who was not only adopted into God’s family but also formed part of the family tree of the Messiah.”
Yes, you read that correctly —- this gentile prostitute formed part of the family tree of the Messiah. The Messiah, the One and Only, whose blood bled like scarlet so that we all might be saved!
That , my friends, is tiqvah …. the scarlet thread of hope.
” Lord, you alone are my salvation. You, alone, are my hope.”
By Larry May
Pursued by God
While in Texas for a convention, I attended a marvelous service at a church my cousin and her husband pastor in McKinney, Texas. It was a Sunday night that was full of the Holy Spirit. Good people praising, worshiping, waiting and listening for a Word from God. … and He responded. He spoke to many people that night including me …. mostly through prayer and music.. One of the songs was the ‘Goodness of God’ by Brian and Jen Jensen. The song has not left me since.
The whole song is appealing but what was so compelling and what captured me is the ‘bridge’...’your goodness is running after me‘. He does, you know, run after us. Psalm 23, in the KJV, says this; ‘surely His goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life’. But that translation, as beautiful as it is, does not capture the intensity of what the psalmist was saying. When we look at the Hebrew the word that is used is ‘radaph’ and it means to run after, pursue, even chase. The Message actually says this… ‘Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. And the NLT says. “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life’.
One commentator says this about the word ‘radaph’. ‘The use of this word is ironic. This verb is often used to describe the hostile action of an enemy who chases after and pursues an opponent. One might expect the psalmist’s enemies to chase him but ironically God’s goodness and faithfulness pursue him instead. The word pursue is used outside of its normal context and in an ironic manner creates a pleasant word picture of God’s favor as He ‘chases down the one whom He loves.’
His beautiful, magnificent, glorious and merciful love chasing down the one whom He loves….. that’s you and me, my friends.
Here are the lyrics:
I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)
And all my life You have been faithful (oh)
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah)
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me (oh-oh)
I hope that makes you feel pretty special.
Have a listen: https://youtu.be/-f4MUUMWMV4
Written by Larry May
The Son Has Come
In the dark of night, the sky gives no hints that the sun will rise again. And yet we look with expectancy for another day to come. We remember the reliable regularity of a sun that rises in the sky every day of our lives.
In the earliest moments of dawn, the darkness must give way to the unstoppable light that fills the heavens. Advent comes to the weary pilgrims, crossing the crushing expanse of night like the promise of coming dawn. It reminds those with crushed dreams and broken hearts that the Son has come, is coming, and will come again.
I have known darkness that clouds and fills the lungs with smothering despair. And by God’s unspeakable grace, I have seen the light of a day that I thought might never come again. This Advent I remember, and I rest in the utter faithfulness of my Creator. (Written by Doug Floyd)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given” Is. 9:6
Merry Christmas
“Then I came by”
The phrase struck my heart. I was reading in Ezekiel where the Lord was going through the birth and life of Israel and how Israel started out as an abandoned newborn baby. The Message translation says, “No one cared a fig for you. … You were thrown out in a vacant lot and left there, dirty and unwashed- a newborn nobody wanted.”
“And then I came by.”
How many times in life have you felt like that abandoned child- helpless and nowhere to turn? And what a striking thought to think that the Lord notices us. He noticed a whole country and he notices us individually. The Lord didn’t abandon Israel but said “Live” and grew her up and stayed tethered to her throughout a history that included blessed times and times of great discipline. But He never abandoned them. He ultimately sent Jesus to reconnect with His people and connect with us all. And Jesus always took notice of those who cried out to Him while He walked this earth.
What does Jesus say to us today? “Do not let your hearts be troubled … surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”**
Throughout the New Testament Jesus assures us that He’s always with us, that He knows there’s times we will have trouble and trials and feel that we’ve been forgotten and all alone, but He tells us over and over again that He’s with us and He reminds us that, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“***
Feeling beaten, distraught, abandoned, lonely, failed again, or fearful?
Remember: Our Lord is the God who sees and when we cry out His answer is always, “and then I came by.”
*Ezekiel 16:6, **Jn. 14:1, Mth. 28:29, ***John 16:33
A Father For A Little While
The little Hobbit Merry was captivated by the kindness of Theoden, King of Rohan, in whose company he ended up in while the rest of the Fellowship was splintered into different parts of the grand epic story.
‘As a father you shall be to me,’ said Merry. ‘For a little while,’ said Théoden. *
In The Lord of the Rings, a book of over 1000 pages, this phrase may not seem earth shaking but it really struck home with me as I thought about Father’s Day the past few days. Fathers are such a critical part of society and they come in many shapes, forms and sizes. When I think of my own father, my husband Larry, my brothers, friends, brothers in Christ, pastors, teachers, and mentors in my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to those who have taken the time to invest in my life’s journey.
“As a father you shall be to me… for a little while” Over the years, there has been a multitude of kids (and adults) that have passed through our doors at home and at our business.
Larry has not just been the father of our three, Tiffany, Travis and Tori but also a caring soul to so many others. One of Tiffany’s friends posted on FB the other day that his very first job was in our warehouse sorting books. I couldn’t possibly count how many friend’s we’ve had pass through our office doors. Another friend of Trav’s recently spoke at Larry’s Rotary club and shared fond memories of Larry as a coach. He has officiated several weddings of our kid’s friends and will do another this Fall. These are just a small handful of ways that I have watched him impact the community around us. I am thankful to our Father above who has blessed us with a way that we could help others along on their journey and for Larry who was always willing to find a way to help students, colleagues, and others along the way. He has no doubt been a ‘father’ to them for a little while. The blessing goes both ways – we have been so blessed with many friendships and love throughout our life here on this earth.
I just want to say thank you to Larry and to the many others who have been willing to extend themselves and become “fathers for a little while”. You are reflecting the love of God and trying to make a difference for good in the lives of others and that matters so much.
Happy Father’s Day!
*(The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 2)
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
That question has been asked since the days of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis.
Am I?
I was troubled this morning by a story on the news of a young 10 year-old who had crossed the border with a group from Mexico into the USA and then was abandoned and all alone. Heartbreaking. And there are thousands of children crammed together in buildings near the border that are overwhelming the government and those who are trying to help. And please, before you start blasting about whose fault it is or which political party is to blame, STOP. These are children. And they are on their own in a strange country and no one they know to turn t
My question is, is there anything the ‘Church’, can do to help these children? Is this an opportunity for us all to be “good Samaritans” in a big way? (Luke 10:25-37) We all have heard the story: a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road and is knowingly ignored by a priest and a Levite. Finally, a Samaritan happens upon the traveler. Although Samaritans and Jews despised each other, the Samaritan helps the injured man. Jesus asks which of the three travelers was a good neighbor and of course the crowd said the one who had mercy on him. Jesus replied, “Go and do likewise.” (Vs. 37)
Can we go and do likewise? This is not a problem where we can just throw money. Is there any way families might be able to take in one child to care for until all this is sorted out? (They can be fingerprinted, photographed and located if their original family is found.) Or can churches sponsor a child or some children? (Like the Bridge program.) In the meantime, they would have a church, family or individual who is personally looking out for them. I know there are churches with thousands of members in Texas and across the areas close to the borders. Could they not figure out a way to help? Could it be something churches could be involved with across the nation? I think bringing a child into your home, church and heart would be a greater blessing that can be fathomed.
We can all sit around and say it’s too much work, too much red tape or too big a problem, or not my problem, but if we all come together in prayer, I believe the Lord will open a door and a way for us to take care of the “widows and orphans” as admonished in James 1:27
I, myself, don’t know anyone with a platform big enough to get the ball rolling but thought if I put this out there someone more knowledgeable will take up the call. Please join me in prayer about this. What an opportunity for the Church, the Body of Christ, to share the love and mission of Christ to those who are so alone.
Thank you for listening.
Valerie May
Take Heart Children of the King!
I saved a Bluebird.
I heard rustling in our wood stove insert. I was not sure what it was for a while – a mouse, snake, or bird?? But, I am not the bravest when it comes to varmints, or any small creature that moves quickly. It was too dark to see anything through the small glass window and whatever it was would be covered in ashes. When I told my husband, he said it was most likely a bird that fell into the chimney. He said it will not live if it couldn’t figure out how to get back up there, but that if we opened the insert door it would fly all over the living room and house, scattering ashes all over the place. That was not a pleasant thought. I listened a while longer and decided I would take my chances and opened the door. When I did, it didn’t fly out and without thinking too much I just picked it up and I carried it outside. It laid very still on it’s back in the palm of my hand. Needless to say I was so surprised. I wiped some of the ashes off of it and it was a beautiful little bluebird. I sat it down on a bench and it promptly flew off. So, I saved a bluebird. Not the most earthshaking event in the history of humanity but in light of being mainly homebound for most of this year, it was a moment of purpose.
Most days I am busy taking care of my family and house, checking on friends and others in need, praying and reading and puttering around the home. But it seems life has gotten a lot smaller and it doesn’t look like it will change for a while. But I don’t want to just exist and I don’t want my life to “finish out my days with a moan” as Psalm 90:9b says. I want to have purpose and passion and right now my purpose and passion is to spend as much time as I can before the Lord, learning more about Him, praising Him for His many blessings and being light and enjoying the family He has blessed me with. I know that I can pray! I can fill those Golden Bowls that are the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5:8). I can offer words of encouragement to those around me. And I can worship the Lord right in my home and sing praises to His Holy Name!
Yes, there are days that “I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof” (Ps. 102:7), but I REMEMBER all the Lord has done for me, and His people throughout the ages, and I rejoice that I know the God who cares! Take heart you children of the King. He is still God and He has not forgotten us. “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)
On The Lookout
“He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout …” Mark 15:42-45 MSG
I love that: “one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God.” I think that was difference between Joseph of Arimathea and the other members of the Jewish Council. He was LOOKING for God and expecting that He would be at work! This was very different than the rest of the members of the Council and the majority of the Pharisees and Sadducees who were just as well versed in their Jewish history and the workings of the Lord. It seems that it had become just historical knowledge and they were not really looking for the “Alive God”– the “God is With Us” God.
Things are not so different today. We have churches full of people who ‘know’ about God but really don’t expect Him to do much. God is Alive! He never sleeps or slumbers! He tells us to seek Him and we will find Him! I believe God is at work all around us! We just need to look with expectant eyes, just like Joseph of Arimathea! I want to always live expectantly, looking to see God at work all around me and throughout the kingdom of God.
What is He doing today in your life?
Mark 15:42-45 Late in the afternoon, since it was the Day of Preparation (that is, Sabbath eve), Joseph of Arimathea, a highly respected member of the Jewish Council, came. He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God. Working up his courage, he went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead. Assured by the captain, he gave Joseph the corpse. Mark 15:46-47 Having already purchased a linen shroud, Joseph took him down, wrapped him in the shroud, placed him in a tomb that had been cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the opening. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James, watched the burial.
What now?
The clamor is great as we move into the New Year. The Covid 19 Pandemic is running rampant even as vaccines are being distributed, and the unrest in our society is almost at match point. What can we do?
There is a little verse in II Chronicles 20:12 “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” God reminds Jehoshaphat that the battle is His. The battle is still His today. This battle is foremost a battle of principalities. I believe we need to be careful where we fix our eyes now more than ever. I believe we are under extreme warfare as described in Ephesians 6:12 – against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms and our greatest weapon is prayer. I believe we need to be on guard against wolves in sheep’s clothing and remember as Matthew 24:24 warns us, that even the very elect can be deceived. I believe that when we start condemning other brothers and sisters based on words and worldly beliefs and not on biblical principles, we are in deep trouble, for it is not our job to convict and condemn others, but to lead them to Christ and mentor the new believers; but if we spend our time seeking other things we lose sight of why we are here and what our focus is – which is Jesus Christ and revealing Him to others.
Matthew 24:12 warns us that lawlessness will increase and that the love of many will grow cold – is that us? Or will we remain in Christ’s love and reach out in that love to show people that there is a better way. There are many who believe we are nearing the end-times, if that is the case, my question is what is our focus? Is it engaging in social media arguments that are not changing anyone’s mind or are we ministering to the hurting, the sick, the lost that live within our own households, and neighborhoods, and cities?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “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.” (16:33 NIV)
Take hope, look up, fix your eyes on Jesus and know that you are never alone. I am again reminded of Ephesians 6 which tells us to put on the full armor of God and in The Message says: “God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. (…17-18)”
n Christ’s love, Valerie
Again, I pray: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.I
The Kingdom's Keeper 