Warning Not to Forget God

“When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; lest, when you have eaten and are satisfied and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart becomes proud, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Deuteronomy 8:10-14. NASV).

In these verses selected for today’s focus, Moses continues his second discourse to the people of Israel prior to their entry into the Promised Land. Wise and knowledgeable about the pitfalls of plenty, Moses strongly warns the people not to forget God. Prosperity is never a guarantee against suffering. To have plenty to eat and a roof over one’s head, to be comfortable and not worried about what we shall eat, wear, where we shall live, how we can pay our bills—all these are blessings from God. But this “ease” can also bring pitfalls to faith. We can begin to trust our own powers and forget that God is the Provider and Overseer. “Beware…” Moses warned his people. And his words come down through the centuries to warn us today that we should not be solely dependent on our own means and powers. We are no longer in an agrarian society when our livelihood comes from the land—(for a few who provide food for the millions, this is still true, but for most of us, not even a backyard garden spot renders much of what we eat)—but we can certainly consider this verse from the Psalms that is appropriate for any age because it teaches that whatever we have comes from God’s hands: “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10, KJV). A multiplication of material wealth, warns Moses, can make for a proud heart and forgetting God “from whom all blessings flow.”

We are coming near to the great American holiday of Thanksgiving. For me and for many of us, it is a time of family get-togethers, a loaded board, and a time to give thanks to God, recalling the blessings of the past year. It is not that we have not been thankful daily; that we try to be. But at Thanksgiving, we have formed the delightful “praise circle” of each naming at least one major blessing of the past year for which we are especially grateful. It is an humbling experience, to hear the elderly, the middle-agers, the youth and the children among us recount a special event or bestowment of the past year to which they give God praise and thanksgiving. At this particular Thanksgiving season, many are suffering woes of a very slack economy. Maybe some have lost jobs or even housing, or we will know those within our acquaintance who are suffering from financial distress. We who are strong are to help the weak in the name of the Lord. Compassion and generosity are marks of Christian concern for others. I can recall from my childhood some of the hard years of the Great Depression when strangers appeared at our farmhouse door and my mother and father somehow found food and other needs to share with them. As we approach Thanksgiving, let us be aware of the many ways God has blessed us, and know that His blessings to us should make us want to share with others. Like Moses of old, Paul the apostle also reminded us of how our blessings come to us: “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, KJV). Thanks be to God! Amen!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Friday, November 12, 2010

Closing a Letter to Christians

“Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love” (Ephesians 6:23-24, NIV) [Read Ephesians 6:19-24]

As we have seen, Paul dealt with some serious Christian development issues in his letter to the Christians at Ephesus (and to us). Both in the salutation and in the closure, Paul urged peace and for faith to abound. In chapters 1, 2 and 3, all the subjects Paul touched upon dealt with the general thesis of the great potential Christians have if they abide in Christ and follow His precepts. In chapters 4, 5 and 6 Paul advocated practicing faith through unity, exercising gifts, living a separated life, family relationships, job responsibilities, and Christian warfare (the well-armed Christian). In closing his letter Paul has a special request: “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6:19, NIV). Prayer lists and prayer requests are important. Much hinges on our faithfulness in praying. I’m sure you, as I, receive prayer requests daily. It is well that we stop at the point we are reminded of the need for specific prayer and pray right then for the request. Pray sincerely—and believing—as you lay the request on the altar. Paul believed so strongly in the power of prayer that he set the example for us in requesting prayer. We as Christians should take the responsibility for intercessory prayer seriously. We need to pray for one another, regularly and specifically. “Let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6b). Never underestimate the importance of a prayer ministry in your church. Pray!

Paul sent the letter to the Ephesians by one of his fellow helpers, Tychicus. His name means “fortunate.” A native of Asia Minor, we learn that he traveled with Paul on his third missionary journey (see Acts 20:4). Tychicus and Onesimus both took Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse (see Colossians 4:7-9). There is evidence that Paul also sent Tychicus to Ephesus (Eph. 6:21 and 2 Timothy 4:12) and to Crete (Titus 3:12). Paul trusted Tychicus to bear news and to encourage the church. Tradition holds that Tychicus was martyred for his faith. In that day when letters had to be taken over dangerous territory by one sent from the letter writer, Tychicus was found faithful in his assignment. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was invaluable to the church’s Christian growth and development. Do you minister through the letters and e-mails you write? How do you close a letter? Do your words reflect your firm belief in the Lord and your dependence on Him? Letters can be a witness of one’s faith.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, June 27, 2010

I Shall Not Want

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” –Psalm 23:1 (Read Psalm 23).

We could aptly read Psalm 23:1 as “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall want for nothing!” Considering the psalm in the light of shepherd and sheep, as Phillip Keller so aptly presents it in his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (1970), he states: “No doubt the main concept is that of not lacking—not deficient—in proper care, management or husbandry. But a second emphasis is the idea of being utterly contented in the Good Shepherd’s care and consequently not craving or desiring anything more” (p. 26). This bold statement on David’s part, “I shall not want,” does not refer to material wealth and plenty. Rather, it shows total dependence on the Master and His ability to provide in every circumstance. It is about total reliance on the Shepherd who is able to “give life and give it more abundantly.”

Have you known Christians who by their lives and manner of living radiate serene confidence and quiet joy? As Paul the Apostle wrote, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11). Paul wrote these words from prison. Yet he was making the best of his situation, and finding Christ all-sufficient. King David had enemies on every hand, yet he could say with all confidence, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” To be under God’s care and to know it, assuredly, is to be completely satisfied with the Shepherd’s management of one’s life. Like the sheep under the care of a good and caring shepherd, we “go in an out and find pasture.” We rest in the provision God makes in every condition of life.

Is this to say we have no voice in what happens to us, no option but to blindly follow? Remember that God grants choice to each of us. We choose the high road or the low, the good pastures or the less verdant, to liken life to the places a shepherd leads his sheep. Our confidence is that the places the Good Shepherd leads are best for us. And because I accept and follow, I want nothing. Day and night, through joy and through sorrow, the eyes and the ears of the Good Shepherd are attentive to me, His sheep. “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forever more” –Psalm 121:3, 8. Therefore, because the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall want nothing. I rest in Him.

He keeps me safe and provides my needs. I am content with the Shepherd-sheep relationship. Praise be to God!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, June 3, 2010

Speak in Love

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” --I Corinthians 13:1

Through discernment, we can easily recognize insincerity in speech.
I can be as a mighty orator, speaking forth high-minded thoughts,
but if I do not speak with sincerity and love, my words are vain.

I can speak angelic thoughts, as if what I say is a message from Heaven,
but if I lack love and purpose, my wards are empty.

Words can be well-chosen, clear as a gong against well-crafted brass.
Words can resound with majestic ringing as clear notes from a cymbal,
but without love, such words bear no worthy message.

Dr. Dick Furman, an American surgeon, was returning by plane January 25, 2010 from a mission assignment to earthquake devastated Haiti. There he had spent weeks in heartbreaking and grueling surgical work, trying to patch up mangled bodies caught under rubble from falling buildings. On the plane, tired in body and troubled in spirit over the plight of the people he left, Dr. Furman wrote impressions of his work and the people he had sought to relieve from terrible suffering. He made hospital rounds the night before he left, and at each bedside he stopped to caress the brows of people. He had amputated limbs of several, performed tedious wound surgery, done the best he could under circumstances to relieve their suffering. He bowed his head, filled with love and compassion, and prayed for the people who had lost so much and still were suffering unbelievably. Holding each patient’s hand individually, he voiced as his prayer Philippians 4:7: “May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” He spoke in love and with deep compassion. He had done what he could with the surgeon’s knife. Now they needed Jesus, the Great Physician. Maybe other Christian voices, speaking in love after Dr. Furman left Haiti, would continue to minister to their spiritual needs.

With love and compassion in your heart, pray to God now on behalf of the Haitian people who are in such great need, physically and spiritually. Speak in love.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, February 1, 2010

Think on These Things

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” --Philippians 4:8 (NIV).

Paul the Apostle was about to sign off his letter of instruction to the church at Philippi. He earnestly wanted them to have a mind-set that would insure a genuine Christian life. Think on these things, he said: “whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy”—fill your mind with these thoughts.

“To think” means to weigh seriously. Think about good, noble, true, righteous, praiseworthy, excellent, lovely, admirable things—and all are gifts from God’s heart of love. When ugly doubts and depressing thoughts enter, bid them scatter immediately. Replace them with the thoughts that lift you to God.

I am now reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. An unusual title about a book on the theme of God’s amazing, relentless and pursuing love for each of us! It is time for us to relinquish anemic love for God and love Him wholeheartedly. I think about how much He loves me! Like His peace I wrote about yesterday, His love is also “beyond understanding.” Accept it! Embrace it as the most genuine and giving love known in all the expanse of Earth and Heaven! And God wants each one of us to participate in His love, know how genuine, how giving, how all-encompassing His love is. No matter where I go, what circumstance I am in, that love reaches me, enfolds me, sustains and lifts me.

Think on these things! God brings them to our mind for enlightenment, edification and enjoyment. Selah!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, January 18, 2010

God’s Peace—Beyond Understanding

“And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:7 (NCV)

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”—Philippians 4:6-7 (Msg.)

The world is troubled by uprisings, terrorism, wars, mistrust, economic and physical needs, major disasters. People were made homeless and many died from the major earthquake that struck Haiti this past week.
We sometimes cry “Peace, peace!” when there seems to be no peace, no refuge.

Eugene Peterson translated The Message Bible in “contemporary” and “the language of the people.” He renders verse 6 of 4th Philippians as “Don’t fret and worry.” When we think logically about anxiety, fretting and worrying, what do we really accomplish by these negative thoughts? Worrying does not bring clear-cut goals but it does stress the one who worries. “Instead of worrying, pray,” Peterson’s version reads. He hastens to add that our petitions and praises will “shape our worries into prayers.” God wants to know our concerns. He is a burden-bearing God. Soon after we turn our burdens over to the Lord, we can feel a sense of wholeness, solutions and calmness. Peace flows into us like a quiet stream meandering along its watercourse. Allow Christ to displace worry with His peace. We won’t understand the peace we feel, because the Scripture tells us it is “beyond understanding.” We’re not asked to understand it, but to welcome and accept it as a needful gift from God for His children.

I can testify to the truth of this scripture. Just now I am discovering every day that God is pouring out His peace in my heart, and “everything is coming together for good.” Selah!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, January 17, 2010