Gathering Rubies

The world entices us to put ourselves first in all things. We are encouraged to indulge in any thing that brings us pleasure, regardless if it’s right or wrong. L’Oreal wants you to you purchase their products because as the commercial says “I’m worth it.”  Entitlement is rampant!

If our senses have been so dulled by how wonderful or important we think we are or how much we deserve to have something or how much we deserve to be “number one”, then I encourage you to read on and see what God says about how we really should be living. Take a look at all of these one another verses in the New Testament.

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. 2 Cor 13:5-6 (THE MESSAGE)

I admit I need to improve in many areas. Reading and contemplating on the following verses has encouraged me greatly and has caused me to do a “checkup”.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Rom 12:10

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Rom 12:16

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Rom 13:8

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. Rom 14:13

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Rom 15:7

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Rom 15:14

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. Rom 16:16

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Cor 1:10

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Gal 5:13

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Eph 4:2

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph 4:32

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Eph 5:19

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5:21

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col 3:13

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Col 3:16

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thess 5:11

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Heb 3:13

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb 10:24

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb 10:25

Brothers, do not slander one another. James 4:11

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 1 John 3:11

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 1 John 3:23

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11-12

Did you just say “Wow”? I did!!

I can’t find any of the above encouragements in what we are bombarded with in any advertising media. What do we really deserve? Ps 103:10 — he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

1 Cor 9:24-25 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. (The Message)

Last night as I was praying and giving thanks for all that God has blessed me with I was stopped cold in my thoughts as I realized my feelings or lack of feelings contradicted my words. I truly am thankful; still I am aware I don’t begin to understand what it is like to really be lacking in any necessity. In my younger years we lived from pay check to pay check. We did without many things yet we always had food, clothes, and shelter. I’m mindful that God knows my heart and the genuineness of my heart. That very thought is what made me examine my conversation with God. It also caused me to reflect on how truly blessed I am. I have taken my blessings for granted and I do not want to do that!

I have never been homeless or without food or clothing. I have not had to experience being completely impoverished I have been spiritually impoverished, when I chose to turn my back on God.

I was reading in Amos this morning and I read this:

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land — not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.  Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it. Amos 8:11-12

These verses caused a sinking feeling in my heart. I can not even imagine how horrible it would be to search for the word of the Lord and never find it!! It seems to me our nation is spiraling downward in that very direction. Sin isn’t even swept under the carpet anymore. It is out there in full force, in plain site being flaunted in every way imaginable. Sin is now called tolerance. There are many who are trying to remove God from print, from our speech, from our very thoughts and we stand by silently, looking the other way fearing to open our mouths and take a stand.

Murder, Adultery, Fornication, Homosexuality, Rape, Stealing, Abortion, Lusting, Lying, Injustice and even Idolatry are as prevalent today as what we read about in the Old Testament. We still need to teach against SIN and quit trying to rename it. Sin is not alternate lifestyles, not personal choice, not consenting adults. We are to put God first in all things. Too often God is last in ALL things. Work, family, recreation and whatever pleases has become God for far too many.

Amos was sent to announce Gods judgment on the northern kingdom (Israel). From what I read he was an ordinary man and earned his living from the flock and the sycamore-fig grove. (Amos1:1; 7:14-15).

I have sinned far too many of the sins mentioned above. I thank God for my Savior Jesus Christ. Through him we can be forgiven. The message and the hope is still open to all today.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

Imagine all of this from my conversation with God last night. I want to be able to say as David did…I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Ps 119:11

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb 12:1-3

I’ve been guilty of starting projects only to conclude I really wasn’t interested in finishing them. I don’t make a habit of doing that, yet I’m still glad it wasn’t something for which I could lose a grade or a reward. I must also admit there have been times in my Christian walk that I have wanted to just call it quits, times when I have been so discouraged or disappointed that I just wanted to walk away.  Then I remember Paul’s goal, “to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead”. Phil 3:10-11 and again, like Paul, I press on… Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14 I hope to finish well…

The following story from “1000 Quotes” illustrates “Finishing Well”

At 7 p.m. on October 20, 1968, a few thousand spectators remained in the Mexico City Olympic Stadium. It was cool and dark. The last of the marathon runners, each exhausted, were being carried off to first-aid stations. More than an hour earlier, Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia—looking as fresh as when he started the race—crossed the finish line, the winner of the 26-mile, 385-yard event.

As the remaining spectators prepared to leave, those sitting near the marathon gates suddenly heard the sound of sirens and police whistles. All eyes turned to the gate. A lone figure wearing number 36 and the colors of Tanzania entered the stadium. His name was John Stephen Akhwari. He was the last man to finish the marathon. He had fallen during the race and injured his knee and ankle. Now, with his leg bloodied and bandaged, he grimaced with each hobbling step around the 400-meter track.

The spectators rose and applauded him. After crossing the finish line, Akhwari slowly walked off the field. Later, a reporter asked Akhwari the question on everyone’s mind: “Why did you continue the race after you were so badly injured?”

He replied, “My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it.”

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Heb 12:1.

I can read some scriptures time and again and not grasp the magnitude of what I’ve read. This causes me to wonder if it is a lack of faith on my part, or is it because I’m distracted, or is it a lack of understanding? Perhaps it is a combination of all of these.

Recently one of my daily devotionals really caught my attention and I desire to share it today. It is about death, which many of us dread or fear.

“Where, O death, is your victory?
“Where, O death, is your sting?”
I Corinthians 15:55

Over the centuries, death has been our relentless and unyielding enemy. No on, regardless of worldly rank, strength, or wealth has been able to escape death. As soon as we are born death becomes our destiny. May have tried, but no one has developed and antidote for death.

The reality of the resurrection is that death has been defeated! It is not longer the impregnable enemy, for Christ marched through the gates of Hades, and claimed decisive victory over death. He conquered death completely, now He assures His followers that we, too, will share in His victory. Christians need not fear death. Christ has gone before us and will take us to join Him in heaven. Death frees us to experience the glorious, heavenly presence of God. No illness can defeat us. No disaster can rob us of eternal life. Death can temporarily remove us from those we love, but it transfers us into the presence of the One who loves us most. God’s glory is His presence. Death, our greatest enemy, is nothing more than the vehicle that enables believers to experience God’s glory!

Do not allow a fear of death to prevent you from experiencing a full and abundant life. Death cannot rob you of the eternal life that is your inheritance as a child of God. Jesus has prepared a place for you in heaven that surpasses your imagination. (John 14:1-4). Death will one day be the door by which you gain access to all that is yours in heaven.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:1-2

com·plain vi \kəm-ˈplān\  to express grief, pain, or discontent (from Merriam Webster Dictionary)

Phil 2:14 Do everything without complaining…

Russell mentioned this in his lesson Sunday and I have been thinking about it a lot. I realized I complain much more than I care to admit and I am going to try my best to quit complaining. It may not be as easy as I’m hoping. That very morning I recalled that I had mentioned to a brother “how cold it was” in the auditorium.

Are we not in a sense saying I deserve preferential treatment when we constantly complain?  We complain that it’s “too hot, too cold, too windy, not enough time, too fat, too ugly, and too poor.” We complain when someone is driving too fast or too slow. Complaining reveals discontentment.

Have you ever heard (or said) any of these among your church family – I don’t like the color of the carpet, the old songs, the new songs, the pews are too hard, on and on and on…

Now look at what follows verse fourteen and be reminded of why we should not complain – Phil 2:15-17 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Rather than complain, we are told to rejoice, to be content, to build each other up and encourage each other.

(I found 133 references for “rejoice” in the NIV)

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Phil 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Rom 15:1-2 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.  Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

1 Thess 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

2 Cor 13:11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

My challenge to myself and to you is to listen to what comes out of our mouths for the rest of this week and make a mental note of every complaint and then resolve to change the complaint into something you can rejoice about.

Day four…the chickens are still alive and well and I’m still alive and well too. I’m getting the hang of this now and it’s not AS bad as I thought it would be, especially now that the ground is drying up and I’m not slipping and sliding all over the place.

However, now that the rain has slowed down I will need to start watering the grass and trees. The predicted high for today is 96. If I was the weather forecaster I would just say, it’s going to be a hot and humid day folks. Note to self… Don’t drop eggs on the way from coop to house or they will be fried.

Did I mention that on two separate occasions after securing the coop and putting all of the tarps down except the last one; and right when I was ready to drop it I noticed one chicken was still out? Grrrrrr! I had to undo everything and get her back in. The first time it happened all the chickens got out, double grrrr. Since I had my work clothes and shoes on I just stayed out and raked some leaves and left them out for a while longer. I do learn from my mistakes, now I take a “beak” count. I also told the rebellious hen that she would make a nice feather pillow.

There has been an almost plague like amount of worms and armadillidiidae, aka as roly polys. They are everywhere. The worms are crawling out of the ground and dying and boy oh boy, they stinketh!! Did you know that roly polys eat fungi, fallen leaves and dead animals?

In case you are wondering, still no snakes and I thank God every time.

To sum it, this is the most important thing I have learned into day four…I am reminded of this quote…There are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes.

I’m thankful for my hands, my feet and my heart to do the things I want to do and complete the tasks I don’t always want to do.

Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How does one adequately describe darkness? I am not referring to being in a room without lights;  or in the stillness of a moonless night.  I am thinking of the darkness that over takes our lives at times, seemingly for no apparent reason and usually without warning.

I am usually very ‘up’ yet lately I have been feeling gloomy and I’m really not sure why. I think it may be weather related. We haven’t had any sunshine to speak of for days, and as silly as it may sound it affects my mood. (We actually have some today)

I fight it and fight it and then I start having a war in my head. I honestly struggle when this weight of (I’ll l call it darkness, because that’s what if feels like) comes over me. I remind myself that I can choose my attitude and the answer comes back basically that I’m choosing the rotten one, defiantly daring the ‘up’ me to a battle.(I know this sounds crazy!)

Most people, including my husband don’t even know when I’m going through this. He may suspect something isn’t quite right as may those who are really close to me, but I dislike this darkness so much that I try really, really hard to keep it hidden.

I call out to God, silently of course, because the calling out in my head is very loud. I want to cry about everything and I don’t, instead I stuff it down, down, down, until the lump in my throat becomes unbearable, then I steal away to another room, let the tears spill out and reappear as if nothing has happened. I ask God repeatedly “why am I feeling like this” and “what is wrong with me”? God loves me and I love him, my marriage is good, my health is good, I have an awesome family, both physical and spiritual, and I don’t have financial stress. I can practically see heads nodding in disbelief, right along with mine…how can I be down when I have so much to be thankful for?

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast. Ps 22:14

Thanks for sharing my burden today, as always I desire your prayers. I know also “This too shall pass.”

Rom 5:1-5 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us — set us right with him, make us fit for him — we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand — out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary — we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! THE MESSAGE

Rom 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. NIV

I see a lot of Attitude at times from all ages. One of the worst is from Judge Judy. Yes, we watch her sometime. Go ahead and get the groaning out of the way.  She comments that her courtroom is her playpen and she is the only one there allowed to have attitude. My personal opinion is that she goes too far, especially in making people look bad.

Paul writes in Philippians Chapter 2 that our attitude should be the attitude of Christ — If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

We are to have –
1. A compassionate and humble spirit.
2. Be united in love
3. We are to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
5. In humility we are to consider others better than our selves and look also to their interest.
6. Be examples to the world and have diligence in the affairs of salvation.

Paul goes on to say — Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

I love this chapter; here Paul calls them dear friends and tells them to continue in their obedience, even in his absence and to continue working out their salvation with fear and trembling. In part that means be aware of enemies, difficulties and challenges, be alert, and spend time in prayer. It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

God will give us the ability to do the things mentioned, so that we may become blameless and pure children of God who will shine like stars in the universe.

There is a lot of instruction and encouragement in this one chapter and I have certainly not covered it in detail; I am deeply moved and encouraged by it though.

Sunday after “church” Larry, Karla and I went to lunch in Owasso at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant. We had a great visit and a great meal. We then drove on to Tulsa to visit a friend who is in the hospital.

Later in the afternoon as we were coming back into our small rural town we witnessed what could have very easily been a “Last Chance”.

Traffic was moderate to heavy in a 25 mile speed zone. Three teens, I’m guessing 14-16 years old decided to cross the street, walking South. (They did not have the right of way) The East and West traffic each had green lights so everyone was in motion. We were three cars back from the crosswalk/intersection as they defiantly walked in front of traffic. I was driving in the right hand lane and as I observed them I immediately checked my rearview mirror. In the left lane, an SUV was approaching the intersection speeding at about 35-40 mph. The teens had not seen the SUV nor had the driver of the SUV seen the teens.

It was way too close for my comfort. I was gripping the steering wheel and holding my breath as he slammed on his brakes and the teens scattered, running across the street, looking back over their shoulders in disbelief. I can assure you everyone was shook up. As a witness to the near tragedy I know the teens and the driver were scared, yet after the initial shock their attitudes were just as defiant as before. The teens acted as though they had done nothing wrong and that the driver was a nut case and the driver behaved as though he had not been careless and continued to speed on; obviously upset that the teens “inconvenienced” him.

I must admit, I don’t get it! I don’t understand the carelessness of the teens or of the driver. Do people REALLY think they are invincible? Is there such an attitude of entitlement that common sense, caution and respect aren’t even in the arena anymore?

Ten seconds of bad attitudes all around could have changed many lives that afternoon. The teens likely would have suffered permanent injuries or died, leaving behind grieving families and friends. The driver may have died as well or been charged with involuntary manslaughter and spent years in prison. I would have to wonder about the “involuntary” part though, he was deliberately speeding. Other vehicles likely would have been involved as well and regardless of that, can you imagine the images we would have been left with to witness a tragedy of that magnitude?

Poor choices and poor attitudes could have all resulted in a last chance for those teens and the driver. It certainly was a reality check for me.

What would you change today if you knew it was your “Last Chance?”