When Is Enough, Enough?

Greetings!!!

Are you pursuing a career? Are you a slave under the taskmaster of education or your work in this process? Have you fallen into the trap of believing that having more money and more stuff is equal to success? The United States culture and media has really pushed this idea so much that those who do not fall in line with it are considered rather odd. Are you among the people who have wondered when will enough be enough and would like change this in your life?

As I thought about this, the Holy Spirit brought Matthew 6: 24-34. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we cloth ourselves?' For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

When is enough, enough? Enough is enough when what you have becomes your master, and what you want becomes your driving force. If you are not enjoying the abundance of provision from your Holy Father, if what you have only makes you want more, maybe it is time to downsize!

The LORD bless you with joy and peace in the place He has you.

I love you,

Ruth

Preparing For The Storm

Greetings!!!

What did you do to prepare for the blizzard across Pennsylvania this week? The news media made a lot of good suggestions like charge your cellphone, have plenty of batteries available, use flashlights instead of candles, do not use a gas stove as a source of heat, have food and water stored and ready, along with many others. All of these suggestions are things to do in preparation for a storm before it strikes.

Our family did not experience a power outage during this storm. We just had the joy of digging ourselves out of the piles of snow, but we were prepared. While preparing for the storm, I thought about preparing for the storms of life... the difficulties and challenges that catch us off guard and seem to leave us flat on our backs gasping for air.

Two things came to mind. First, all of Psalm 46, but I will only include 1-3, 10-11 here: "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. 'Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold."

The second is an old song by Steve Camp called "Hiding Place".

In the distance I can see the storm clouds coming my way,

And I need to find a shelter before it starts to rain.

So I turn and run to You Lord, You're the only place to go

where unfailing love surrounds me when I need it most.

You're my hiding place.

Safe in Your embrace, I'm protected from the storm that rages.

When the water's high and I run to hide, In You I find my hiding place.

Once again, it is difficult to be ready for the storms of life if you do not prepare for them before they hit. Do you know how to prepare for the coming storms? Well, the most important thing is to have an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ. Without that, any difficulty in life can be tougher to bear. To maintain that relationship, as with any relationship, you must spend time getting to know Him. Take time to read His word-the Bible, and find out His plans and desires for your life. This might sound hard, but it does not have to be. Start off small. Everyday set aside fifteen minutes to be alone with Jesus. Spend five minutes reading in the Bible (the gospel of John is a good place to start), five minutes praying, and five minutes being still and listening. If you find that you need more time, increase the time. Whatever you do, start today. Do not wait for the storm to hit. If you do not have a flashlight ready and available with the electric goes out, you could be in the dark. It can be the same with the storms of life.

The LORD bless you with wonderful times of refreshing as you develop your relationship with Him.

I love you,

Ruth

Forgiveness And Cleansing

Greetings!!!

How hard were you hit by the storm yesterday? Here in McAlisterville, unofficially, we got a foot of snow!! Some of the drifts around my house are between three and four feet! The piles of snow are getting higher and higher! I love the snow and being out in it... whether it is to clean off my driveway or just walk in it and observe God's handiwork.

Why do I love the snow? I love the snow because it always reminds me of Isaiah 1:18:

"Come now, and let us reason together", Says the LORD,

"Though your sins are as scarlet,

They will be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They will be like wool."

Can you imagine it? It does not matter what sin you are trying to hide or justify. God sees it and already knows all the details about it. He says your sins are blood red... deep, dark, red!! Red is a hard color to hide, but God does not intend to hide the red of your sin or just cover it over like the snow is covering everything here in Central Pennsylvania. As soon as you admit your sin to God, He not only forgives your sin, but He also purifies you from your sin. He changes the red to white!!

The apostle John put it this way in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." He provides forgiveness and cleansing... a clean slate everyday or, if you are like me, maybe every minute!! Are you holding onto your sin? Why? Confess it to God. Let Him wash you whiter than snow that you may experience a joy and freedom like no other!!

The LORD bless you with a willingness bring everything you have ever done... thought, word, and deed... to the Father.

I love you,

Ruth

Raging Storm

Greetings!!!

Have you ever been caught in an unexpected storm and feared for your life as you tried to scramble for shelter? Matthew 8:23-27, Luke 8: 22-25 and Mark 4:35-41 record such a situation.

Mark 4: 35-41 "And on that day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." And leaving the multitude, they took Him along with them, just as He was, in the boat; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

Maybe you are in the midst of a storm that is making you feel like you are about to perish. You stepped out in faith and obedience to Jesus; and now it feels like the storm will overwhelm you. Oh, it may not be a severe weather pattern that has you trapped and feeling helpless, but nonetheless you are feeling like you have been back into a corner with no place to turn and Jesus... Where is Jesus? You are sure He is not with you, or if He is with you, as it was in the gospels, He is asleep on a cushion.

How can Jesus just sleep during your crisis? Doesn't He care? Doesn't He know your desperation? Oh, let me assure you that He cares. Rest assured that what He has called you to He will equip you to perform. He is with you because He is Emmanuel-God with us. If He is silent, it is because He can trust you with His silence. Just as Jesus knew that the disciples would get to the other side of the lake, Jesus knows that you will accomplish what you are called to do. Are you going to panic in the midst of your storm, or are you going to go into this day with confidence in and obedience to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

The LORD bless you with peace and quiet confidence in the middle of your storm.

I love you,

Ruth

Crimson Sky

Greetings!!!

What was your sunrise like this morning? On our knoll the horizon was beautifully washed with crimson and vermillion. It only lasted a short time. Then all was gray.

The moment I saw the red sky, passages from Exodus 12 came to mind. "Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, 'On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers' household, a lamb for each household. Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall it in haste--it is the LORD's Passover. For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments--I am the LORD. And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:3, 5-7, 11-13

Did you know that whether you are Jew or Gentile, Protestant, Catholic, Pentecostal, Atheist, or Agnostic, Jesus is your Passover Lamb? When God the Father sees the blood of Jesus applied to your life, His right and just judgments of sin in your life will not be ministered. Instead, as in Egypt, when God the Father sees the Blood of Jesus covering your life, He will pass over you and judgment will not fall upon you.

Have you believed and received the sacrifice that Jesus made to redeem your life from sin and death and provide your way to eternal life with Him in heaven? Just as in the Exodus from Egypt, there is no other way to be spared from the judgment of death. Only this death is not just the death of the body. It is eternal death--complete separation from the Father and His glory in heaven. Have you asked Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Savior? Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"

The LORD bless you with recognizing the Way to heaven.

I love you,

Ruth

A Reprieve

Greetings!!!

Isn't it wonderful to have a reprieve from the extreme winter weather? Even if it is only for today, it felt so good this morning to walk down to the bus stop with Thomas. The wind was still. The air was crisp but not bitter cold. The snow and ice was already melting at 7:40 A.M.. This break reassures that spring is not far off.

Are you facing struggles in your life that are causing you to wonder if there will ever be a reprieve? May I suggest that you change your focus? 1 Peter 1:3-9 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."

Do you realize the value of your faith? It is more precious to God than highly refined gold!! Do you know how gold is refined? By fire. Do you know how the goldsmith knows when the refining process is finished? When he can see his reflection in the gold. Whatever you are facing, God wants to use it to refine your faith. He will not stop until He sees His reflection in you. Let God use the struggle you are facing today to make you more into the image of Christ.

The LORD bless you with resting in the Father's work through your struggles.

I love you,

Ruth

Extravagant Gift

Greetings!!!

Have you ever received an extravagant gift, something that may or may not have been expensive, but was extravagant because it was so lavished with love? The extravagance was in what it cost the giver. You alone may understand the value of that gift. It is very humbling to realize how much you are valued and loved when you receive a gift like that.

Do you know that God has an extravagant gift for you? Here is what John 3:16-21 says (I am making it a little more personal for you), "For God so loved the you, that He gave His only begotten Son, that if you believe in Him, you should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son to you to judge you, but that you should be save through Him. When you believe in Jesus, you will not be judged, but if you do not believe you are judged already, because you do not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light is come to you, and you loved darkness rather than light; for your deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But if you practice the truth, you will come into the light, that your deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

Do you realize how valuable you are to God? He has given you the most extravagant gift He could give. What are you going to do with it? Will you let go of everything you are clutching in your hands and receive God's gift of life? Will you step out of your darkness of sin and shame and step into the light of His forgiveness? Will you run to His arms of love, and allow Him to minister to your brokenness? If you choose His gift, there is a life of love, joy, and peace that awaits you, and you will be able to face every difficulty that arises knowing you are safe in His hands.

The LORD bless you with choosing His extravagant gift.

I love you,

Ruth