The First to Know - December 2009

Eli sighed as his eyelids grew heavy. It had been a long day of tending sheep. As a Hebrew shepherd boy, he spent much of his time with his father, brothers, uncles, and cousins, tending sheep. The sun had gone down long ago, and Eli was tired: tired of sheep, tired of darkness, tired of walking. Most of all, he was tired of being a shepherd. Shepherds in Israel had a hard way of life. Day by day they endured the dirty, stinky work of caring for sheep, and furthermore, shepherds were often looked down on by other members of society. Shepherds were not generally respected or even trusted. Eli thought of his friend Seth. Seth was the son of a priest – he had a great future ahead of him. Just the other day Seth was bragging to Eli how he would soon be going to learn from rabbis at a special school. Seth was going to be a priest. Seth was going to be revered in all the land. Eli, however, was going to be a shepherd, like his father, like his grandfather. Eli’s future was full of poverty, isolation, and many dirty sheep, not the respect and titles a life in the city would give him. For Eli, there was no way out.
Just as Eli’s eyes were about to close, a blazing light filled the entire sky. Blinded by the great light, Eli jumped and cried out in fear. Suddenly a voice boomed out from the heavens: ‘"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger’” (Luke 2:10-12). As the angel finished saying this, a heavenly multitude filled the sky, praising God. “‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” (Luke 2:14). Eli gaped as he looked all around him. The whole sky was full of angels! There was no room for any more. Wow, Eli thought. If we shepherds out here are seeing this, I wonder what amazing things, people in the city are seeing? He had no time to think further, for, as suddenly as they had come, the angels disappeared.
Eli soon found himself hurrying along with the other shepherds among the twisting roads of Bethlehem. He was surprised at the stillness. Hadn’t these people heard angels too? It didn’t take the band of shepherds long to find the stable – it was just as the angel had said. In worshipful silence, they tiptoed in one by one. They told Mary, the baby’s mother, what the angels had told them. “Angels?” she asked. “Angels announced His birth to you?” “Yes,” Eli answered excitedly. “Didn’t they come to the city, too?” “No,” she said. Then she smiled. “God wanted you to be the first to know.” In awed wonder, Eli slowly approached the manger. There He was – the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of Kings, come to earth as a baby. And he – Eli, shepherd boy, son of Aaron, shepherd, son of Benjamin, shepherd – yes, he, Eli, was one of the first to know.
Suddenly Eli’s brother Micah broke the stillness. “Come on!” he told the other shepherds. “Let’s wake up the whole city and tell them this great news!” Micah and a few others started running through the streets, shouting what they had seen and heard. Eli followed close behind, still marveling of all he’d seen. Then he noticed Seth, standing quizzically outside his home. Eli forgot his envy of Seth and ran to him, shouting “Seth! The Messiah has come!” He hurriedly told Seth all that had happened.
Soon it was time to return to the fields and tend the flocks. Eli the shepherd boy hurried to get back to work. He didn’t mind being a shepherd anymore. Sure the work was dirty, tiring, smelly, and looked down on, but that didn’t matter anymore. God had sent His Son to earth, and God cared for Eli the shepherd boy. With a new joy in his heart, Eli returned to work.

The Very Bad Day - December 2009

One Saturday morning Leah woke up late. “I already missed my TV show,” she moaned to herself. This wasn’t her favorite way to start a Saturday. Later, as she poured some juice for herself, she accidentally spilled it all over her brand new shirt. Leah’s day was not looking good. As Leah was mopping up her mess, her friend Stephanie called. “We decided to cancel the Christmas caroling party tonight,” she told Leah. “What?! But I was looking forward to it,” Leah moaned. “I was, too,” Stephanie commiserated. “But Pastor James said the weather could be bad tonight. It won’t be a good night for caroling.” Disappointed, Leah said goodbye and hung up.
Later that evening, Leah went across the street to deliver hot cocoa and cookies to Mrs. Gibson. Mrs. Gibson’s husband had died two years before, and Leah visited her often. Tonight as she walked in to Mrs. Gibson’s, Mrs. Gibson said, “Hi, Leah! Come in! Isn’t it a beautiful day?” Still disappointed by her day, Leah answered, “How can you call it beautiful? It’s icy and dark and…wet,” she finished as she took off her wet coat. “All days are beautiful, whether the turn out like we want them to or not,” Mrs. Gibson smiled. “I don’t understand,” Leah said. “I always remember that no matter what is going wrong with my day, I still have the promise of eternal life because of Jesus’ Christmas gift to us. Because Jesus paid my ransom and brought me to faith in Him, I know that I have an eternal reward waiting for me in Heaven. Nothing can change that – not even the worst day ever,” she added with a smile.
Leah was thoughtful as she returned home. If Mrs. Gibson could still be joyful when her husband was gone and she lived alone, then maybe Leah could find joy in God’s love for her even when her day wasn’t going as planned. Leah sighed. I still wish I could go caroling tonight, she thought. Then Leah had an idea.
About thirty minutes later, Mrs. Gibson’s doorbell rang. When she opened the door, there stood Leah and her family. “Merry Christmas!” Leah said. “Do you mind if we sing some Christmas carols?” “Not at all,” Mrs. Gibson smiled. “I’d enjoy that.” With a smiling face and a joy-filled heart, Leah joined her family in singing “Joy to the world, the Lord is come…”

Rejoice! - December 2009

While many hymnwriters were revered and respected in their lifetime, not every hymnwriter was praised for their work. For example, one Christmas hymn came to us through two exiled priests shunned by the Christian community of their day. Even though the church leaders back then refused to recognize this particular hymn, churches today love it.
In 1295, Heinrich Suso was born into German nobility and was raised in a luxurious, extravagant home. Although used to being spoiled, he chose to become a Dominican monk and live a life of service. However, Suso’s ideas often conflicted with those of the established church of the day. In 1329, Suso wrote The Little Book of Wisdom, where he discussed explaining the gospel to the poor German countrymen. This was progressive thinking in his day, and it angered many in the church. Some even accused Suso of heresy! Undaunted, Suso published The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom just one year later. Written in simple terms for the common people, The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom delighted its intended audience but enraged the educated church members. In 1329, the pope - the adored leader of the church Suso loved - condemned him. Soon after, the German king exiled Suso. Rejected, he traveled to Switzerland, where he preached - of all things - the happiness to be found in Christianity. Would you be happy if you were exiled and condemned by those of the church you loved and served? Suso’s preaching drew curious skeptics. Is it possible to be slandered and yet also blessed? One night Suso had a dream that he was in heaven, where the angels were singing and dancing. When he awoke, Suso remembered the dream so vividly that he was able to write down the words of the song sung by the angels. The song was Good Christian Men, Rejoice. When Suso’s native Germany received the song, the common people welcomed it from the man who had cared enough to write for them before. The church leaders, however, were another story. Heinrich Suso died in Switzerland, still disliked by the church he longed to serve.
Roughly five hundred years later, James Mason Neale, a priest of the Church of England, seemed to be following in Suso’s footsteps. He, too, thought that everyone should know of the great love of God and hear the good news of the gospel. These were radical views compared to the church leaders of his day. Angered by his non-conformism, church leaders exiled Neale to a pastorate in a foreign land. No one seemed to agree with Neale; on one occasion he was even stoned and beaten by a mob for his beliefs. In yet another radical move, Neale started a women’s order to do social work among orphans, the poor, and others. Most leaders did not appreciate his radical, unconventional methods. Despite the many people he helped, Neale found others angry enough to threaten him. When Neale found Suso’s Good Christian Men Rejoice, he loved the exuberant view of the joy of salvation. Fascinated by its joyous appeal, Neale translated the song into English.
Good Christian Men, Rejoice was brought to us by two men who had no worldly reason to rejoice. They were ridiculed by those whom they respected and longed to please. Sent away from home, they were far from everything they had known. Yet, despite their earthly troubles and trials, Suso and Neale strove to glorify God and spread the gospel. Adding to the men’s disappointments, the church leaders of their times only criticized their goals and scoffed at their methods. Yet both men saw a reason for joy, which we can find in the words of the song itself: “Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!”

Merry Christmas! - December 2009

Merry Christmas! I love the sights and sounds of this season. Familiar Christmas music is heard everywhere you go. Christmas is a festive time, when you are likely to wish a “Merry Christmas” even to complete strangers. Christmas is often proclaimed as a joyous season; a time for parties and good food, visits to family and visits from friends.
When we think of joy, we often think of happiness or having fun. But joy is so much more than just happiness! Happiness comes and goes; it comes when we are satisfied or enjoying ourselves, but it leaves when we have chores to do or things don’t go our way. Joy, on the other hand, doesn’t depend on how we feel but on our relationship with God. If we have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, God has given us a relationship with Him, the free gift of salvation, the promise of His power in our lives here on earth, and a reward in Heaven. Those things never change; so our joy doesn’t change either!
When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate Jesus’ birth here on earth. This was when God came to give all of mankind an opportunity to enter into a right relationship with Him. Without that relationship with God, we have no reason to be joyful. Christmas is when we celebrate the reason we have joy: God inviting man into a relationship with Him.
Because nothing can ever take away God and His Word away from us, we still have joy no matter what else is going on in our lives. Like Leah and Eli learned, it doesn’t matter if we’re having the worst day ever, or if our future here on earth looks dreary, because no matter what, God’s love for us remains and His promises are sure. When little things bother us or cause us to be “unhappy”, we can remember the bigger picture and still have the joy of the Lord. Nothing will ever change God’s love for us.
What a wonderful promise we can now have - no matter what we have or don’t have here on earth, our loving Savior will always have a home for us in Heaven. Our hope is sure, which gives room for joy. Our sins are gone - what a reason to rejoice! The Almighty God in heaven saw fit to enter into a relationship with those He created. For a Christian, joy doesn’t rest in our circumstances, because those change. Our joy rests on our right relationship with God, which never changes. Next time someone wishes you a Merry Christmas, remember why this is a season of joy: “Jesus Christ was born today” and He has washed our sins away. Our joy rests on the sure foundation of Christ’s sacrifice for us, and the freedom to love God and serve Him.

We Did Not Give Up - September 2009

I am Nehemiah. I am a Hebrew, but have lived in service to King Artaxerxes of Persia since my native land was overrun and laid waste. As the Persian king’s cupbearer, I have long been a trusted member of his court. One day I entered his presence with a saddened heart. Noticing my unhappiness, he asked why I was downcast. “O king,” I answered him, and poured out my distress over the ruins of my native country. “‘What would you request?’” the king asked (Nehemiah 2:4). After praying quickly to my God I answered the king. “‘If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it’” (Neh. 2:5). Before long I found myself traveling to Jerusalem by the king’s order. He sent with me his cavalry, and letters of permission to governors of areas I would be traveling through. The Jews were easily stirred to rebuild their fallen capital city. The gates were rebuilt quickly, with everyone doing their part. We had begun the work – the walls would soon be complete, I was sure of it.
But I should have known that such easy work would not last. Soon Sanballat and Tobiah, high and powerful officials, began to threaten and endanger the work. I can still hear their taunts in my mind: “‘What are those feeble Jews doing? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?’” Sanballat scoffed. Tobiah also insulted us: “‘What they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!’” (Neh. 4:2-3) I responded by trusting in God. “Hear, O our Yahweh, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads” (Neh. 4:4). The people continued to work with all their hearts, even though Sanballat, Tobiah, and our neighbors plotted against us and the work we had undertaken. We prayed to Yahweh and guarded ourselves. The laborers were growing weary, and our enemies continued to plan evil things against us. Not only was the work difficult and strenuous, but our enemies insisted on piling difficulty after difficulty on us. We learned of danger plotted by Sanballat and Tobiah. When they discovered that their plans had been discovered by us and frustrated by Yahweh, they left us alone, but they were still angry. Half of us stood guard while the other half worked with their weapons at their side. Daily we faced hardship. We grew tired. However, by the grace of God, we continued to work in the face of adversity. Despite the difficulty and danger, we continued to persevere.
Far above and beyond my expectations, Yahweh saw fit to allow us to complete the work in only fifty-two days! Our enemies were astounded, afraid, and lost their confidence because they knew that Yahweh did this. “Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people” (Neh. 5:19). Remember our work in spite of our trials. Remember, O LORD, how we did not give up.

It Pays Off - September 2009

“Aagh!” Amy puffed. “Math is impossible! I just can’t divide fractions,” she complained as her mom walked into the room. “I’ve tried this problem over and over and reworked it several different ways, but it’s not working. Maybe I could skip Mr. Benson’s math this year and just go on to algebra next year.” “But what if there are fractions in algebra?” her mom suggested. While Amy wondered if algebra had fractions, she noticed that her baby sister Addison was toddling around a small table. All of a sudden, Addison let go of the table and tried to walk by herself. After only two steps, she fell down. Amy watched as Addy immediately pulled herself back up. Amy’s mom was watching Addison, too. “Amy, look at how much Addy falls – walking seems almost impossible for her. Shouldn’t she just give up? Maybe she can just skip walking and start gymnastics in a few months.” Confused, Amy looked at her mother. “But, Mom, how can she do gymnastics if she can’t walk? She’ll figure out how to walk – she’s so close.” “Exactly,” Amy’s mom smiled. “Think of how often Addy falls down. Yet each time she gets back up and tries again; she is persevering to learn how to walk. Just like Addy can’t skip walking and go straight to gymnastics, you can’t skip dividing fractions and go straight to algebra. You have to know fractions to learn algebra. Not only that, but you will learn the perseverance and determination you’ll need for algebra by working hard on dividing fractions. When you’re tempted to give up, think of Hebrews 10:36: ‘You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.’” “I think I get it now,” Amy said as she turned back to her math book.
Amy plodded away for another thirty minutes on her math problems, often thinking of Addy’s perseverance despite her falls and many bumps and bruises. The next day she was thrilled to see an A on her math test. Victory! she thought. Smiling to herself, she went to the other room where her sister was again toddling around the table. “Come on, Addy, you can do it!” she encouraged as she held her arms open for her little sister. Slowly, Addy balanced herself as she let go of the table, then took four quick steps into Amy’s waiting arms. “Yay, Addy! Way to go!” Amy cheered. “See?” she reminded her sister. “Perseverance pays off.”

Perseverance and...Lettuce? - September 2009

This past spring I planted a garden. I had planned for it for months; everything was ready. One April morning, with great hopes and expectations, I started with the lettuce seeds. In the days following the planting, we had torrential rains. After waiting in vain for the lettuce to sprout, I determined that the rain had washed away the lettuce seeds. So, I planted lettuce again. After a few weeks of watering the seeds and tending to other areas of the garden, the lettuce finally came up. Unfortunately, I was not the only one interested in lettuce. The first signs of attack were noticed when I went to the garden one morning. The small but promising heads of lettuce had been turned into dejected stumps. However, I was not to be quickly defeated. Armed with a bottle of rabbit repellant, I went on the defensive. No more signs of attack appeared, and the lettuce seemed to have a new lease on life. Just when I felt safe in not applying rabbit repellant, they struck again. Again, I applied the repellant and all seemed well. Again, I felt safe in waiting just one more day to spray some more repellant. And once again, the wascally rabbits attacked. My hopes of a profitable harvest dwindled with the remains of the lettuce left from the last (and final) assault.

It takes perseverance to keep working in a garden when you seem to lose all your hard work to rabbits. In the same way, it takes perseverance when your schoolwork seems impossible. I’ve noticed that my baby brother needs perseverance as he learns to walk just as much as Nehemiah needed it when he was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in the face of persecution. Whether you’re dealing with annoyances, obstacles, or just plain hard work, it will take perseverance to keep doing what is right. What are your challenges right now? Is it school? Ask God to help you persevere and learn from your effort. Is it a bothersome brother or sister? Ask God to help you persevere and learn to love that brother or sister. Is it reaching a difficult goal? Ask God to help you persevere and learn that He will always help those who serve Him.
Gardening takes on new dimensions when you add persistent rabbits. This time it was easy to determine the victors in the perseverance contest: the rabbits got a lot more lettuce than I did. Next time I’ll have to remember that those who persevere get the lettuce!

Worth It - September 2009

When missionary John Paton stepped onto the New Hebrides island of Tanna in 1858, little did he know what challenges awaited him. He did know who awaited him. The New Hebrides islands, east of Australia, were full of natives who practiced brutal religions. Murders occurred daily; human life was considered a small thing to throw away. Paton himself counted fifty times that his life was endangered. Once he was forced off an island where he had worked for four years. The natives had tried to burn down his house – with him in it. He returned to a different island in the New Hebrides a few years after being forced to leave the island where he had worked. Why did he return? How long would he be able to work among people so hostile to the Gospel? How long could he last among a brutal people who tried to kill him multiple times?
Tirelessly, Paton and his wife Margaret served the people of Aniwa, a New Hebrides island. They built orphanages, held Sunday services, and dispensed medications. Mrs. Paton taught a school for girls. John Paton poured himself into the work of learning the Aniwan language and writing it down. Within fifteen years, the New Hebrides island of Aniwa became a Christian nation. Triumphantly, Paton wrote, "I claimed Aniwa for Jesus, and by the grace of God Aniwa now worships at the Savior's feet".
Paton spent his entire life in service to God. He persevered under exhausting circumstances and seemingly impossible situations. God blessed his work with great fruit. As Paton himself said, “Let me record my immovable conviction that this is the noblest service in which any human being, can spend or be spent; and that, if God gave me back my life to be lived over again, I would without one quiver of hesitation lay it on the altar to Christ…” Knowing the challenges that he faced, the dangers, difficulties, and damages – he would have done it again. He knew that the Gospel was worth his sacrifices, his hard work. He knew that the Gospel was worth his perseverance.

Everything Else - February 2009

Nine months is a long time to wait. When we found out that a new arrival would be joining our family, I thought that October 10th was forever away. Slowly but surely the days passed, and now my baby brother’s due date is just around the corner. Patience may be a virtue, but it’s not easy.
There are several different possible definitions for “patience.” We might think of being patient with siblings or others in our lives. Maybe our long wait during the week for the weekend school break comes to mind (or perhaps the even longer wait for a sibling’s arrival)! Those are definitely ways that patience is applied in our lives, but do they have anything in common? What is patience itself? In a few words, patience means living the way God wants us to even when we don’t feel like it. In addition to the scenarios we already talked about (life with irritations or longing for something in the future), patience is also needed when we have unexpected difficulties or changes in our plans. When situations turn stressful, patience is necessary to avoid conflict. Patience has many different applications, but it is the same idea: continuing to do good even when our circumstances are discouraging.
Why is it important that we have patience? The main reason to have patience is because God tells us that we should possess it. Psalm 37:7 says to “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” Galatians 5:22 tells us that patience is a fruit of the Spirit; patience is the mark of God’s work in a Christian’s life. Whenever God tells us something we need to have, it’s because He knows we need it. In the second place, we should have patience because God does, and He should be our example in every area of life. Undoubtedly, God has more patience than anyone else ever could have. Many times in the Bible we are told that God is “slow to anger” (Ex. 34:6). Also, in 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul wrote that God showed mercy to him in order to “demonstrate His perfect patience…” Without patience, we only get frustrated. We realize all too quickly that we can’t control all the events that take place in our lives and get angry when our plans crumble. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 urges us to “be patient with everyone.” That’s hard to do! Everyone?! When someone wrongs us, patience is necessary to respond correctly. In addition to frustrating ourselves, without patience, we also frustrate those around us. It’s no fun being around someone who grumbles at the slightest offenses and disappointments. We need patience in order to react in a godly manner to situations and changes in our plans that annoy us. A lack of patience can definitely damage our witness. When Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13, he writes that “Love is patient” and that love “bears all things…endures all things…” God proves His love for us by His patience, and He calls us to do the same.

So, now that we’ve determined what patience is and our need for it, how do we go about cultivating it? First of all, we must realize the reality of God’s omniscience and omnipresence. Those are big words to communicate a big (yet simple) truth: God knows everything and is everywhere. That means that He knows what we need and He sees everything in our lives. Nothing escapes His notice! We don’t have to worry about whether or not He really knows what He’s doing. He sees the person who wronged us. He knows how eagerly we look forward to a certain event. We can just rest in the fact that God knows what’s going on. Secondly, we need to remind ourselves that GOD is in control, not us. Not only does God know what’s happening in our lives, He also controls what goes on! Again, Psalm 37:7 is a good reminder: “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37 goes on to say “…those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land” (v. 8). He will ultimately determine the outcome of whatever situations we may face; as our all-powerful God, nothing is too hard for Him. We can be patient and trust that God knows what to do and is able to do it. Lastly, we must remember God’s love and concern for us. God’s very nature is love, as the apostle John tells us: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). We can take comfort in the nature of God; He loves us enough, knows enough, and is powerful enough to take care of everything we’ll ever need. We don’t need to get riled up when someone mistreats us – God saw what happened, and He’ll take care of it. Thankfully, there is no reason for us to be impatient when what we want to have now seems too far away. God knows what we need and will give it to us when we need it, and He’ll also give us something to do while we wait! All we need to do is cultivate patience by reminding ourselves of His power, realizing the extent of His knowledge, and resting in His love.
John H. Sammis was very discerning when he wrote the hymn, “Trust and Obey.” All of the verses are full of insight into the difficulty of patience when it’s hard to trust God. One of the verses talks about God’s continued presence with us while we are patient: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.” The chorus goes on to say, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey” (emphasis added). Even while we wait for my youngest brother’s entrance into this world, my family and I can rest in the knowledge that God has planned for his arrival already. We don’t need to worry about it; He’ll take care of it. While it’s hard for us to wait, we can, because God has plenty for us to do in the meantime. After all, all we need to do is trust and obey, right? He’ll take care of everything else.

Author’s note: God always rewards those who wait! My baby brother, Josiah Nathaniel, was born September 28, 2008. Everyone is doing well. God is good!

Time Well-Spent - February 2009

Kayla had always wanted a puppy. When she was three, she preferred stuffed animals (usually dogs) over the baby dolls most of the other girls her age enjoyed. As a six-year-old, the newly-reading Kayla chose books about dogs instead of the popular books in her age range. Now that Kayla was eleven, the desire to have a dog of her own was just as strong as ever. Kayla had begged her parents for years to allow her to get a dog. They always told her the same thing. “As soon as you can demonstrate the responsibility and knowledge that is necessary to be a pet-owner, we’ll consider getting you a pet,” they would say.
One day, Kayla’s neighbor, Mrs. Tyler, rang the doorbell. Mrs. Tyler explained that she would be going on vacation. “Would you be able to watch my dog for me?” she asked. Excited, Kayla hurried to ask her parents. For one week, Kayla gave Mrs. Tyler’s dog food and water, walked her, and brushed her. When Mrs. Tyler returned, she was pleased with the care her dog had received and recommended Kayla’s services to all her friends. As a result, Kayla gained more business. In addition, Kayla had been given several books on dogs and dog care and was studying them with great interest. For every book she read, Kayla took notes. Every time she went somewhere for a job, she would ask the owner questions about dog care. Kayla now had three dogs to walk, several books to read, and papers full of information from books and friends on everything from what dogs eat to how long they live to how to teach a dog to sit to, well, you get the picture.
At last, Kayla brought home her very own dog. She was ready! Dog-walking gave her the responsibility she needed to become a pet owner. Studying gave her the knowledge necessary to care for a dog. Never for one minute did she regret the time she had spent working and studying. Now she was excellently prepared to take on training and caring for her new pet.
No matter what we’re waiting for, we can busy ourselves while wait. Ephesians 5:15-16 says: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time…” Instead of just twiddling our thumbs while we wait, we should actively use the time we’ve been given. If you’re waiting for a pet, like Kayla, you can research the animal you’re hoping to get. If you’re looking forward to your birthday, you can spend time helping others or memorizing Scripture passages. The important thing is that we use our time glorifying God, and not just serving ourselves. Time really seems to pass more quickly when we’re busy, but we should be sure that we’re doing something to serve God and not something to just pass the time.

Waiting on the Helper - February 2009

Throughout the existence of the tribe, the people had been waiting. The promises of their God and the words of their prophets had long told of a coming Helper. One said, “‘For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace’” (Isaiah 9:6). Another foretold, “‘In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, “The LORD our righteousness”’” (Jeremiah 23:6). Centuries had passed since the last of these prophecies had been given, and some of the promises had existed millennias before. How long was this people supposed to wait? [As a conquered people, the small nation was overrun and oppressed by their conquerors.] They were desperate for their promised Helper.
Simeon was one of those waiting. He was “righteous and devout,” and patiently trusted in the Author of the ancient promises. Simeon never lost hope. In God’s perfect timing, all of the prophecies and promises were perfectly fulfilled. “‘[T]oday in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:11). “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us…righteousness…” (1 Corinthians 1:30). When Simeon finally witnessed the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies, he praised God and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel’” (Luke 2:29-32).
As an example to us, Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel and trusted in the One who promised a Helper. In the same way, we today can patiently serve the same God even when the situation looks doubtful and trust the Name of Him who said: “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Irritated! - February 2009

Has a brother or sister ever frustrated you with something they did? Have you ever been paired with a “know-it-all” for a project? If so, then you understand how Moses felt when the very people he had sacrificed for and served for many years said, “‘Why have you made us come up from Egypt…?’” (Num. 20:5). In spite of all that Moses did for the Israelites, there were numerous times where they challenged, insulted, and even accused him.
Every one of us struggles with irritations. Those irritations are generally brought on by our circumstances or the people around us. According to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, to be irritated means “To excite anger; to provoke; to tease; to exasperate”. Irritations are common in life. How should we respond to them? First, we should thank God for them. I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in everything. That is just the opposite of what we want to do! If we thank God for our irritations, we gain a new mindset – our eyes are now open to see our situation as God sees it. God is bigger than whatever annoys us, so He can put an end to it whenever He needs to. However, He wants the best for us and often uses what annoys us to help us grow. Secondly, we should ask ourselves if anything we did annoyed the other person, causing them to annoy us. If so, we need to make that right. Lastly, if we have done nothing to cause the irritation, we need to consider what fruit God is trying to develop in us. Is God trying to teach us self-control? Patience? Love? Another way to dissolve our irritation with someone is to go out of our way to do something nice and unexpected for them. Instead of angrily insisting on our rights and demanding that the other person stop irritating us, God wants us to patiently lay down our rights and allow Him to judge us and the other person one day (1 Peter 2:23). God wants us to deal with irritations His way, not our way.
God does more than just “put up” with us. Even though we sin daily and often do the exact opposite of what He wants us to do, He seeks what is best for us, even when that means allowing His Son to die for us. Next time you’re irritated, pray that God will help you to see the situation His way, not your way. Thank Him for working in your life every day, and follow His leading to resolve the irritation.

About Spurs

Welcome to the Spurs blog! Here you will find the most recent Spurs newsletters, as well as other posts from time to time. Instead of receiving a Spurs newsletter by e-mail or as a hard copy, you can now visit the blog and read current and past issues anytime. Additionally, on the right hand side of the blog, you will find links and recommended resources that are meaningful for girls and young women. I hope that the Spurs blog will be a helpful resource to you.

It is my prayer that you will be encouraged by the articles you find here. We will be exploring topics central to today’s girls. As we explore these areas, we will find ways to apply them to our own lives as well as learn how others have applied them in the past. I hope these articles encourage you in your faith and the way you live it out.

Feel free to join in! The comment section is open to anyone who would like to join (or start) the discussion. The purpose of this blog is “...that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith...” (Rom. 1:12). I’d love to hear your comments, observations, questions - your thoughts on what you read.

I’m excited about the beginning of the Spurs blog! I look forward to encouraging and building each other up through Spurs (1 Thess. 5:11).