January Quotes

The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

~Unknown

Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise. 

~Samuel Lover

I will accept this office, but no crown must be put on my head and I must never be called king. 

I cannot wear a crown of gold where Christ wore one of thorns, 

nor will I be called king in the land where once lived the King of Kings. 

~Godfrey of Bouillion

(his response after being chosen king for the Holy Land)

…men cannot be always fighting. A breathing spell today gives tomorrow’s struggle new zest.

~To Have and To Hold (book)

You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them 

up in God’s fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for 

God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of 

hosts. 

~C.H. Spurgeon

The One who gave the vision still calls, and what God calls us to do He gives the grace to accomplish. 

~Pendragon (movie)

You cannot love a fellow creature fully until you love God. 

~C.S. Lewis

I have learned to kiss the wave that strikes me against the Rock of Ages.

-Charles Spurgeon

Truth does not fear the closest investigation. It does not shun the light, but courts it. It is the evil one and his emissaries who love darkness and secrecy, and act under the cloak of mysticism.

~A.W. Pink 

Give me the Gospel, and let me be culturally awkward. 

~Voddie Baucham 

Why should souls who are quickened with Jesus, wear the grave clothes of worldliness and unbelief? Rise, for the Lord is risen.

~Charles Spurgeon

The righteous may fall, yet he will not be ‘utterly cast down.’ The flax may not burn brightly, yet smoke will evidence that it has not quite gone out. Life in the believer may wane to a low ebb, yet sooner or later it will give proof that it is still there.

~A.W. Pink

Friendship: David and Jonathan

This week I was reading through 1st and 2nd Samuel for my personal devotions. Most of us are very familiar with the story and friendship of David and Jonathan, and I think sometimes we forget what real friendships are in today's take-it-or-leave-it culture. People place value in others that isn't returned, or they don't return the value of those who love them. But it was not so with David and Jonathan.

These two men made a covenant with each other. The Bible says "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul". David has his own amazing life story, and he has always been my favorite Bible character, but Jonathan's loyalty to David is almost unbelievable. As the son of King Saul, Jonathan would have been expected to succeed his father, but he not only recognizes David as the next in line for the throne, but Jonathan also gives his loyalty and friendship to him. And David returns it, too. Jonathan realizes that God has chosen David as the king after Saul, and he gives his allegiance to David. He gave up his own plans to God, and submitted and embraced the fact that David would be king because God chose him to be.

And even though Jonathan didn't live very long to live out his side of their covenant, he was faithful in what he could do. And when he died, David faithfully carried out his end of the covenant even to the descendents of Jonathan. He doesn't just give his loyalty to Jonathan, the king's son (the king who wanted to kill David), but he also remembers his promise and provides for Mephibosheth--Jonathan's crippled son--and possibly other family members and servants of Jonathan, as well.

And so these two were a good reminder again this week on some of the aspects of friendship: loyalty, sacrifice, love, allegiance. Jonathan didn't give up on David just because his father wanted to kill him. He didn't desert David when David had to flee from Saul. And David didn't forget his promise to Jonathan even when Jonathan was gone.

I read a quote by Matt Chandler on social media a few days ago...

Love says, "I've seen the ugly parts of you, and I'm staying." 

David and Jonathan weren't perfect, but I think they understood the meaning of friendship pretty well for the short time they were together. And I think this is just one of the many friendship examples that God gave us, so that we would learn how to be loyal to the friendship around us. Even Jesus called His disciples friends, for He was truly the Friend of Sinners.

Be an Encourager!

During 2014, I read and taught through a lot of the Pentateuch, but reading it this time round, I noticed a couple verses that hadn't particularly stuck out to me before.

In Deuternomy 1 Moses is speaking to the Israelites, recounting their journey thus far and reminding them of the consequences for not entering the Promised Land when God commanded them to.

Verse 38 says "Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it." The Israelites have been appointed a new leader. A courageous, godly man. One who's lived with them and "trained" with Moses since the beginning. But because Moses is going to die, Joshua is being given the huge task of conquering the Promised Land and taking charge of a group of rebellious people. "But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see." (Deuteronomy 3:28)

Encourage him, and strengthen him. Those were the two commands given to the Hebrews. Leadership is lonely and wearying a lot of the time, and God knew that Joshua would need the support of people behind him. They carry the weight of the responsibility of leadership every single moment. They become a living example to those they lead, and they are not only accountable for themself, but also (in part) for the people they lead. And for the leaders who take their position seriously, it's a weighty task--one that no other can bear for them, except by prayer, encouragement, and support. And sometimes that's the only thing that keeps leaders going. God commanded the people to encourage Joshua through this overwhelming task.

So let's remember to share the burdens of our leaders, as best we can. Especially those who are fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. Keep them in prayer, offer encouragement, and give them support. Be an encourager. :)

12 Musts for Every Trial

Photo Credit

12 Musts for Every Trial, as taken from Eric Ludy's Bravehearted Man conference session entitled "The Return of Grit". 

*****

1. Reckon Yourself In Christ—You are secure.

2. Get the Grace Needed—You have grace for help in time of need.

3. Maintain Priority Throughout—Don’t alter your God-assignment priorities. Don’t allow the things that matter most to be robbed out of your life. Don’t allow the urgent to control you.

4. Rouse Your Soul to Rejoice—Cherish this opportunity to get more patience.

5. Offer Thanksgiving, Sing Praises—for the victory is the Lord’s. He will prove the Champion every time.

6. Garrison the Mind—Check EVERY thought at the door. Frisk every thought to see if they have even a trace of anxiety or fear on them. None of this can be allowed in.

7. Garrison the Tongue—When under siege, the soul is sensitized and softer than usual. Over-statements and flesh-statements mustn’t fly. The tongue is owned by the Spirit of God, and in a time of crisis must make a firm resolve to remain the vessel of Spirit Truth.

8. Be Bold to Do Difficult Things. Don’t avoid the difficult solution—Do what needs to be done without hesitation. Sometimes life and death is defined by doing what must be done in the moment, even if it’s the most difficult thing you have ever done.

9. Enter the Searchlight. Be slow to expose the faults of others, be quick to expose your own personal faults. Take claim to whatever your responsibility might be in the situation. Allow the searchlight of the Spirit to start with you. If you are wrong in any matter, then repent, confess, and make things right quickly. Don’t self-justify. Don’t turn against other people and start criticizing. A time of crisis will bring out every error of the soul. Be watchful.

10. Choose Weakness. Accept a weakened posture and a humble approach. Wield Love as your battle-ax. Wield Gentleness as your weaponry. Fast and increase prayer. Consider how you may bless those attacking, those opposing. In weakness there is a spiritual power.

11. Get in the Shoes of Everyone Else. Seek to be presidential. Seek to bring order and peace to the ruffled souls around you. Calm the fears. God is in control.

12. Save the Big Life Decisions for Later. If possible, wait for circumstances to calm before making large-scale life-directing decisions. Don’t panic and throw current life out the window.

*****

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:10-12

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:3

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

His New Year!

Well, here it is again. Another 365 days (363 now) laid out before us. And January 2015 also ushers in the third anniversary of Facing the Waves. Thank you to all who have made this journey and these posts possible. Knowing my audience and reading comments has served as a means of encouragement each week. :)

In the last several hours of 2013 I posted on one my social networking sites some of the goals I intended to accomplish during 2014. I didn't refer to those goals very frequently througout the year, but I was surprised to see that I had actually accomplished many of them by the end of 2014. I did actually earn 24 more credits. I did attend the annual Christian Heritage homeschool conference in April. I did continue to teach Sunday school, and I did read more books (42, to be exact). I did pass my music harmony exam and my New Drivers' road test. I had seven harp jobs, and I started blogging on a weekly basis. Unfortuntately, there were several major goals I did not accomplish, which were all very disappointing. I did, however, participate in things like my sisters's graduation, a church wedding, my dog's puppies, weekly Bible studies, college assignments, music practice and private lessons, hosting friends, making meals, volunteering for a seamstress, housesitting, and dogsitting.

The very last goal I listed was something that encompassed each and every one of my previous goals, and it was to do as King Hezekiah did in this passage...

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God. Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered. (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)

Hezekiah didn't just randomly decide to do what was good, right, and true in the eyes of the Lord. He was in the position to lead the Lord's people, and he had to make a conscious decision to seek God. The Israel nation was full of people who had turned from Him, who had had false places of worship erected, and who had had previous kings whose hearts were wicked in the sight of God. Hezekiah had an ungodly father, so he wouldn't have even had a godly upbringing from his own parent. And so he is now king over an ungodly nation, and he has most certainly learned first-hand that people do not naturally seek after the Lord.

A king over the Southern kingdom at age 25, Hezekiah does not procrastinate. He repairs the temple and he calls the entire nation (Northern and Southern) to worship the Lord and observe the Passover. Some laughed and mocked the new king after the couriers had delivered the messages. Hezekiah found that though he heard and responded to the challenge to seek the Lord, not everybody else was going to back him up. Leadership is often a lonely position; those you lead or influence may scorn your ideas and convictions. Be willing to be put in a place where you are the object of other people's mocking. Be willing to go "outside the camp and bear the reproach" for God's sake (Hebrews 13:13).

But some didn't laugh. 2 Chronicles 30:11 said that some of the people humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. They had set their heart and mind to seek the Lord their God (1 Chronicles 22:19a). Seeking the Lord is a conscious decision and it's foundation is prayer. When King Hezekiah determined to seek the Lord early in his days, that's when his life produced that which was good, right, and true before the Lord, and that's why he prospered. He wasn't a perfect man, but his life demonstrated his heart's desire. When we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on God. People often pray when they need something. The Lord's leaders prayed especially when they were completely helpless or surrounded by enemies. We seek the Lord in prayer when we realize who we are and who we are not. And we should be afraid to take one step without the Lord leading our lives. Hezekiah sought the Lord, he prospered, and he brought about a spiritual revival in Israel.

Yet, seeking the Lord doesn't mean we won't have troubling or threatening circumstances. The righteous kings of Israel rooted out the evil, but that was not without difficulty. But those who humbled themselves and prayed, those who heeded the warnings of God, and those who followed His words were blessed. Hezekiah cried out to the Lord and was delivered when Sennacherib threatened his nation. Job was a godly man, yet his life was not free of turmoil and fear. Josiah was a righteous king, and though the Lord promised that he should not see the destruction of the land, He promised that it would surely come later. God never promised a life free of storms, but He did give us a Rock to cling to while we face the waves. He offers the freedom of peace through the difficulties, and He promises that though we may not understand, each joy and each trial will ultimately bring about glory to His name and growth in our spiritual walk.

And so, I learned that this year in my own limited way. Learning that seeking God is a conscious decision; that seeking God doesn't remove challenges, but provides a training ground for spiritual maturity; and that seeking God means constant communion with Him in prayer. And I had ample opportunities to put those things into practice this year.

Don't excuse your imperfections. Plead with God to save your from yourself. Prepare your heart to seek the Lord. And recognize that obstacles and distractions will come. But those who seek the Lord with all their heart will be found of Him, and their life will yield that which is good, right, and true.

Psalm 107 recounts the grace and mercy the Lord provided to His children...

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
(Psalm 107:28-31)

Perhaps 2014 was a good year for you, or perhaps it was a hard year. Likely, it was a bit of both. But God was, is, and always will be in control. There is much hope when walking into an unknown future with a omnipotent, loving, and merciful Savior. And just as He prospered Hezekiah when he sought the Lord, so, too, will he bless those who remain faithful to His Word.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near...

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sowerand bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accmoplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace.

(Isaiah 55:6, 8-12a)

I know not the way God leads me, but well do I know my guide.

~Martin Luther

When the Light of the world is walking before you and beside you, the darkness of the unknown path must flee, for Light is the absence of darkness. The Prince of Darkness is overthrown when the Light of the World is your shield. May His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path as we tread the path of this next year.

Praise the Lord for what He has done in 2014, what He is doing today, and what He will do in 2015!

God bless you all. Happy New Year!

**Notes taken from the sermon series Hearts Prepared to Seek the Lord (Part One, Part Two) by Pastor Paul Johnson.
**Check out the new blog design, and tell me what you think! Suggestions are welcome! Also, all my previous puppy updates from the summer have been archived to the "My Puppies" page underneath the blog title.