PASS IT ON

In Acts chapter 7 Stephen is giving his defense before the Sanhedrin. But rather than using this time to defend himself, he gives a history lesson to the religious leaders. He spoke of the covenant God gave to Abraham and then he continued with the stories of Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve sons of Jacob. He reminded them how the brothers had treated Joseph when, because of their jealousy, they sold him into slavery. God was with him, “rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.” (Acts 7:10)

 If you know the rest of the story, you know that Joseph became a great leader in Egypt, saving the lives of people from all over the known world during a seven year worldwide famine. (You can read an abbreviated account in Acts 7:11-16 and a more detailed account in Genesis chapters 41-47.) His own family was saved and moved to Egypt. Over time, generation after generation, the family multiplied from the 75 people of Joseph’s family to a large and “exceedingly mighty” group of people “so that the land [of Egypt] was filled with them.” (Exodus 1:7)

Stephen continued his story to the Sanhedrin with these words: “Until there arose another king over Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph.” (Acts 7:18)

Whenever I read those words, whether in the Acts or Exodus accounts (Exodus 1:8) it makes me stop and wonder – why didn’t the new king know about Joseph? Joseph had been instrumental in keeping so many people alive during a disastrous time in their history. He had brought vast amounts of wealth into the land of Egypt. He was a hero!  Sure, it had been in the past and much time had gone by, but the story is not one that would be easily forgotten.

Then it hits me – the new king had not forgotten the story. He had not heard the story. And why not? No one had told him. The king, despite all his education, did not know his own country’s history.

This brings me to today, and I wonder. How many people know the history of our country – the true history? What are they being told in a country bent on rewriting or even ignoring history to suit the current narrative?  How much do we learn from the history we DO know. And whose responsibility is it to let the people know. If we are not telling, why not?

And then I think about our personal faith history. How much do our friends and family members know of our faith story? How much do we talk about the faithfulness of God in our family through past generations and up to today? If we do not tell them, how will they know?

Scripture challenges people to “remember” or to “not forget” what God has done.  But one does not remember what one has never heard. Tell the stories!

“To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.”
~ Francis J. Crosby, 1875

God HAS done great things for us – for our country, and for us as individuals. What one good thing could you pass on to someone today?

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3

Blessings,
Ruth

Look Up!

On April 8th, many people were outside wearing funny-looking glasses, looking skyward to see the eclipse. Some gathered with friends for “watch parties” to see the moon pass in front of the sun in the middle of the afternoon.

Although, according to the Associated Press, solar eclipses happen “about every year or two or three” they often are not visible in this region. Supposedly the next one “of this magnitude” over the USA will be in 2045.

The eclipse gave me pause to consider what it takes for people to stop what they are doing and look up!

I’m a bit of a sky watcher myself. I love catching a sunrise or sunset, seeing cloud formations in bright blue skies, rainbows arcing across the heavens, stars in a night sky. And I marvel!

So often we look around and may become fearful and anxious,
Or look down in sadness or despair,
Or look inward and feel hopeless and discouraged.
But when we look up! Ah, that changes everything.
It takes our eyes off ourselves.
It takes our eyes off others.
It engenders thoughts like this one, expressed by the prophet Isaiah:

“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” Isaiah 40:25-26

I can’t help thinking about Stephen, who spoke up fearlessly for what was right even if it killed him (and it did). And as they were stoning him, he looked up. The Scripture says it this way:

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55

Even in his dying he gave this witness:
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56

He was focused on His Savior, and it gave him strength and courage in those final moments.

What will it take for us to be courageous in troubling circumstances?
How can we continue to stand up for truth and morality when facing opposition?
How will we “keep on keeping on” when it is just plain hard?
The same way.
We look up!

… looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Or, as the NIV translation states, “so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”) Hebrews 12:2-3

The Psalmist wrote “But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge…” Psalm 141:8(a)

Perhaps you are familiar with these words written by Helen Howarth Lemmel in 1922:

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

You may have sung these words from “We fix our eyes on You” by Chris McClarney.

“We fix our eyes on You, and look toward eastern skies,
Awaiting that triumphant day when we will rise
With Jesus Christ, our glorious Divine,
Descended Son, Exalted One,
We fix our eyes.”

So, eclipse or no eclipse, there’s no better time to look up than right now, looking up to Him, the One who never fails.

Blessings
Ruth

What’s it all about?

People around the world are commemorating what for many, is the most important period of time in history – the Easter season. Some have given up something for Lent and look forward to having that special something back once the season is past. Many are buying candy and items to fill Easter baskets, dying eggs and organizing egg hunts, shopping for new clothes, and making reservations for that special Easter meal. Others anticipate visits from extended family and friends, and time off of work and school!

Pastors and worship leaders prepare for multiple services and greater than usual number of attendees, as some people return for their first visit since Christmas. And somewhere in the hustle and bustle of it all, just like at Christmas, we pause to remember what it’s all about.

What it’s NOT about is the eggs, and candy, and baskets, and new clothes, and special meals, and holidays. It’s not even about temporarily doing without something for a short period of time. There is nothing wrong with all of that. It is part of the joy of celebrating.

BUT

What it IS about is the greatest gift ever given to mankind, and the ONE who gave it. It’s about making a way for us to be in relationship with our Creator, about having our sins forgiven, and being adopted into the family of God. It’s about conquering death and giving life to those who will believe and receive Him.

The Apostle Paul spells it out in two short verses in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Paul said it was of first importance. Nothing is more important than this! He said Christ died for a reason – for our sins. He died and was buried. He was confirmed to be dead. He was put in a tomb. But He did not stay dead! On the third day He rose again. And that, friends, that is what it’s all about. It’s about Jesus taking our place, dying for our sins, rising from the grave, offering to us the free gift of eternal life … LIFE.

It’s appropriate that we celebrate at this time of year, when trees are budding, and flowers are pushing up through the earth. Signs of life are all around us, reminding us that although there was the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, LIFE follows death, and we can have life if we follow Him.

Have you received the gift He is offering you? A gift is not yours until you receive it. Receive it and thank Him today for so great a salvation.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” In verse 13 he writes, “Whosoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

May this be your happiest Easter ever!

Blessings,

Ruth

See, Hear, Touch

True story… I dreamt that I was teaching a class of young adult students and I heard myself say, “I sometimes wonder – isn’t it better to be able to go to someone you can see and touch and feel when you have problems, like the disciples could with Jesus – to look into a friend’s eyes, and know that your friend is listening and hears you?”

After raising his hand, a young man in the back of the room asked, “Like it was with Adam and Eve when God walked and talked with them in the garden, before sin entered the world?”

“Yes,” I said, “Sin messes everything up… But although we cannot see Him, He is there in the problem with you. The beauty of it is that while others may give a listening ear, He is able to solve it … if and when and how He chooses. But just His presence comforts us. While troubles rage around us, He gives us peace. When sorrows threaten to overwhelm us, He gives us comfort. When pain seems unbearable, He gives us joy.”

Then I woke up to face another day, knowing that even though we cannot yet see and touch and feel Him, HE sees and hears us! And like a father has compassion for his children, He feels for us and that touches me right in my heart.

He is the ever-present God – Psalm 46:1

He is our compassionate Father – Psalm 103:13

He sees – 1 Peter 3:12

He hears – Jeremiah 29:12-13

He is able – Ephesians 3:20-21

He can do the impossible – Matthew 19:26

And yes, He has given us friends, people to be in relationship with, and I thank Him for each one. They can encourage and support, but they cannot take the place of God in our lives. They have their own problems, but He does not. They may fail us, but He will not.

Won’t you trust Him today?

“And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.”
~ (C. Austin Miles, 1912)

“Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.” ~ (Charles A. Tindley, 1916)

Have a great day,

Ruth

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

Sitting on my deck one morning, I watched the sun come up and I marveled.
Streaks of bright pink, light blue, and purple painted a beautiful mural across the sky.
A bird welcomed the morning with a song.
Another joined him from a distance.
A squirrel ran across the top of the fence.
A soft breeze blew.
It was 48 degrees; I shivered a little, but I wouldn’t have missed these moments for anything.

What a beautiful start to the day and a reminder that:
“This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rock and trees, of skies and seas-
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily-white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!
God reigns, let the earth be glad.”
~ Lyrics by Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901 (hymnary.org)

We are living in days when evil is called good, and good evil (Isaiah 5:20) when hearty approval is given to godless practices (Romans 1:32), when “wrong seems oft so strong.” Violence runs rampant and unchecked, while trying to hold it back seems as futile as trying to hold back the tide.

Discouragement and fear come easily in times like these.

Oh, dear friend, God does not want us to live in fear.

Remind yourself of the promises of God. He is not finished. He has not abdicated the throne. He is Lord of lords and King of kings,
“God is the ruler yet.”

Tune out the world for a while.
Open His Word.
Meditate on Him today.
Go outside.
Look up!

Blessings,
Ruth
“The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)

Thank You!

I woke up with the words of this chorus, written by John C. Hallett in 1917, running through my head.
“Thank you, Jesus, for all you’ve done,
Thank you, Lord.
Thank you, Jesus, for victories won.
Oh, thank you, Lord.
For thy love and tender care
For thy Word and answered prayer.
Thank you, Jesus, for all you’ve done.
Thank you, Lord.”

I couldn’t help thinking about what Jesus has done.
He was there in the beginning at Creation.
Laying aside His glory, He left heaven and came to earth, born as a baby.
He grew up, lived a perfect exemplary life,
Healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the multitudes,
Discipled twelve men while teaching many others about the kingdom of God.

Victories Won
He died a brutal death so we could be forgiven of our sins and reconciled to a holy God.
He conquered death, rising from the tomb, promising eternal life to those who believed in Him,
And ascended to heaven where He is interceding for us, even now.

Love
Greater love hath no man than this – that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

Tender care
He is the good shepherd (John 10:11)
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Psalm 103:13).

His Word
The Scriptures! They bring comfort to the suffering soul,
Joy to the downcast heart,
Peace to the anxious mind,
Instructions for living,
Light to guide our paths.

Answered Prayer
How many wonderful answers I’ve seen over the years –
Not always the answers I’ve wanted, but always what He deemed best.
“Thank You, Lord.”

What has He done for you? 

Have you thanked Him?

Blessings,

Ruth

Free Offer

Rarely is a “free” offer totally free. You go online to order the “free” item and are hit with an exorbitant shipping fee. You go into the restaurant for the “free” food offer and discover the “with purchase” clause you’d failed to notice in the advertisement. In exchange for a tax increase you get some “free” service. You respond to a “buy one get one free” ad and end up with two items which you probably didn’t even want if one wasn’t “free.” You may drive miles out of your way to get a “free” item and spend more money on fuel than you would have spent to buy the item closer to home.

Free is not really free.

When we see the motto, “Freedom isn’t free,” we understand it to mean that men and women down through history paid the price for our country’s freedoms, often at the cost of their lives on the battlefield. Free costs someone something. The big question is, who is paying?

A gift, although free to the recipient, is not free. When you give a birthday or graduation gift to a loved one you don’t demand payment for it, otherwise it would not be a gift! But unless you stole it, or made it yourself, you paid the store clerk for it at purchase.

Scripture says that salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 6:23). We don’t pay for it. We can’t earn it, work for it, or do anything to up our chances of receiving it. It is offered freely to us. But someone paid. And that someone was the Lord Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price, bearing our sins upon Himself on the cross so that we would not have to. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” (Romans 5:8-9)

Elvina M. Hall expressed it with these words in 1865:

“Jesus paid it all.

All to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain.

He washed it white as snow.”

Our part is to believe and receive. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12)

The next time we see an ad for something free, let’s remember that somebody had to pay. Thank God for the price He paid so that we could be forgiven. May our hearts swell with gratitude and our lips give Him praise as we consider such great love.

Blessings,

Ruth