Withholding Good

Proverbs 3:27 

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.  (NASB) 

Sometimes the 'good' that I have and can give to others isn't money or time. Sometimes it is words. Words of encouragement, appreciation, support.  May I not act miserly or greedy by withholding praise, but be extravagant and generous in blessing others with kind words today and always.


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Outside of normal

In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews we read a roll-call of Bible characters who believed God no matter what. Their faith led to their obedience to do all kinds of things that are way, way, outside of normal or routine or even reasonable.  Noah built an ark, old, old Sarah had a baby, Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac. In each instance we read something like:

By faith {name} believed that God keeps his promises and so they obeyed him by {doing something}.

What is it the extraordinary thing God has called me to do that is outside of normal, something that requires my full faith in His faith-full-ness? I have to wonder how an entry in the passage might end if it started out like this:

By faith, Carol believed that God keeps His promises and so she obeyed him by ...


My personal version of Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible for Carol to believe in God, for when Carol comes to God she must believe that He is and that He rewards her when she seeks Him.

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For Justin

In honor of my first-born's 30th birthday, here is a poem I wrote when he was three, right after we had read the fable of Jack and Beanstalk. (With apologies for the syncretism).

Each day he comes home

with his bag of magic beans.

O Lord, give him good soil

where he can plant his dreams.


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Surprise!

God does things in surprising ways. Each time I am caught off guard by God's ways, I am chagrined to  realize that I thought that He would act in a way I could predict.

But while He always does things in ways I would not have imagined, He also acts in ways so keeping with His character that I know immediately it is His doing.

Who would have guessed God would...

Bring down the giant Goliath by a child with a stone?
Part the sea to provide the way of escape?
Birth His son through a virgin?
Love us while we were yet sinners?

Surprise!



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The perfect fit

God gives us two wardrobes.

One is the wardrobe of royalty. It is how those who are part of the King's household should dress: As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...(Colossians 3:12ff). This is what we are to wear when we are connecting and interacting with others in the family of believers.

The other is the garb of a warrior. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil... (Ephesians 6:11ff). This outfit is truth, righteousness, faith, peace. This is what we are to wear when we are facing the enemy of our souls.

God gives us both wardrobes to fit perfectly for each occasion. But sometimes we wear the wrong outfit. Sometimes when interacting with our brothers and sisters in Christ we try to show off our righteousness, assert our truth and glory in our faith. Then when we come in contact with sin in our lives we indulge ourselves with an abundance of kindness and patience or we make peace with the devil rather than standing firm against him.

SEE ALSO:  ill fitting Blog
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Goodness and Mercy

As a sojourner in life, sometimes I turn around to review my trek thus far. Some of the things in my past are joyous and some are comforting. However, some are hurtful and some are shameful.

But when I look behind me, at my past, what comes into focus are the twin rear guards, Goodness and Mercy. They follow me into the future, they cover my past. God has placed them at the back of the procession of my life so when I turn around and look at the things I have experienced, I see them through the veil of His grace.

 "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life..." Psalm 23:6

Overflowing cup

In the 23rd Psalm, verse 5, we read, "my cup overflows."  Or as The Message renders it, "my cup brims with blessing."

I don't offer to God a bucket or a tub to fill. I offer him a cup and He then fills it beyond what it can hold. If I knew he was going to pour that much, why didn't I just grab a bigger cup? Then I would be able to collect more of what he gives, and less would spill out.

Unless of course, the spillage is part of the plan.

What if I offered even a smaller cup; what if it took even less for me to be satisfied? Would there be even more spillage, more to splash out onto others?

Maybe instead of praying as Jabez did, "Enlarge my borders," my prayer should be, "Reduce my container."

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When the Lord is my shepherd

The well-beloved 23rd Psalm starts with an assumption: "The Lord is my Shepherd." It then goes on to describe what life is like WHEN the Lord is the Shepherd. The summary line is, "I have all I need," and then tells us what those needs are:

• rest
• peace
• strength
• guidance
• protection
• comfort
• sustenance
• goodness and mercy covering my past
• life forever prepared for my future.

But what if those needs are not being met? What if I lack these these things?

Honesty then requires this consideration, "WHO is my shepherd?" Because WHEN the Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. I do not want. I don't need a thing. 

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Arming the enemy

When I choose to sin or give in to temptation, I hand the Accuser new arrows for his quiver. I arm him with the very fiery darts he will now hurl at me:  Shame. Discouragement. Fear. Doubt. Lies.

Just Like He Said

"He is not here. He is risen. Just like he said."  (Matthew 28:6)

I guess no one believed him, because no one was hanging around the tomb to welcome him back.

Hmm. Wonder what else He said that they (we) missed?


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