“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:103-105, KJV
Most of us know the last part of this passage very well. It is a beloved memory verse. I remember saying it during daily assembly for Vacation Bible School as part of the pledge of allegiance to the Bible. The rest of the passage caught me by surprise.
I was reading my way to verse 105 to get the punctuation correct for a lighthouse project I was doing. Surely I’ve read this chapter in its entirety before. After all, I’ve been through several “through the Bible in a year” reading plans and Bible studies based on the Psalms. Yet this time it struck me with fresh impact.
Sweeter than the taste of honey! What a way to describe God’s Word. When the news is filled with bitter information, when the people we encounter offer acid comments, how wonderful to taste the sweetness of His Words, the wealth of His Promises. All sorts of artificial sweeteners exist out there, fake sweetness with no nutritive value. God’s Word is the sweetness of Truth, the nourishment our soul craves.
When was the last time you tasted the sweetness of God’s Word? Beyond the printed page, there are audio Bibles, emailed devotions, internet Bible sites. I’ve seen advertisements for the Bible on DVD to read on your television. We are blessed to live in a world where technology can be used to deliver God’s Word in many ways. Find a way that works for you and use it. Feed daily on His teachings.
Father, thank you for the sweetness of Your Word, for the soul-feeding goodness You offer us there. Keep us always hungry for more of Your teachings. Lead us to the table of learning that we may draw closer to You through Your words.
©2010 Mary Beth Magee
Showing posts with label Bible study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible study. Show all posts
Friday, February 19, 2010
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Vines and Branches (Number 23 in a series)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15: 4-5 (KJV)
Although I now live in northern California – wine country – I have yet to see a vineyard in full growth. My previous visits have been in late autumn or early winter and my arrival for the move here was in late October. The vineyards are barren-looking fields, strung with horizontal wires and interspersed with vertical “sticks.” If this was the only thing I knew about vineyards, I would think them sad things indeed.
Yet Jesus likened himself to a vine. There must be more to a vine than those pitiful sticks. And there is.
The vine is the backbone of the grape plant, the starting point from which the branches spread and grow. It is the vine that endures through the winter, waiting to send out new growth in spring’s warmth. The vine is also what determines the kind of grapes are to be produced on those branches.
With Jesus as our vine, we will branch out into the kinds of activities He would have us do. Our actions and thoughts (our fruit) will reflect Him. The harvest of our lives will bring Him glory.
If we spring from some other vine, that will show as well. Our lives will be filled with things other than Jesus and the harvest from our husbandry will be much poorer.
When we lived in Mississippi, we saw scuppernong vines growing in wild abandon, a riot of elegant curves and graceful leaves. These oversized white grapes provided tasty fruit for jelly and beautiful foliage for scenery. The trellises on which they were supported created a cool, shady haven. This is the sort of multi-faceted beauty our lives can display, if we spring from the True Vine.
I’m looking forward to seeing California in full bloom, vines and all. Meanwhile, I’ll draw on the Vine for spiritual blooming.
Father, thank you for providing the Vine to anchor our lives in what is pleasing to You. Help us to always remain true to the Vine in all we say and do, that we may be judged as fruitful branches for Your kingdom.
© 2009 Mary Beth Magee
Although I now live in northern California – wine country – I have yet to see a vineyard in full growth. My previous visits have been in late autumn or early winter and my arrival for the move here was in late October. The vineyards are barren-looking fields, strung with horizontal wires and interspersed with vertical “sticks.” If this was the only thing I knew about vineyards, I would think them sad things indeed.
Yet Jesus likened himself to a vine. There must be more to a vine than those pitiful sticks. And there is.
The vine is the backbone of the grape plant, the starting point from which the branches spread and grow. It is the vine that endures through the winter, waiting to send out new growth in spring’s warmth. The vine is also what determines the kind of grapes are to be produced on those branches.
With Jesus as our vine, we will branch out into the kinds of activities He would have us do. Our actions and thoughts (our fruit) will reflect Him. The harvest of our lives will bring Him glory.
If we spring from some other vine, that will show as well. Our lives will be filled with things other than Jesus and the harvest from our husbandry will be much poorer.
When we lived in Mississippi, we saw scuppernong vines growing in wild abandon, a riot of elegant curves and graceful leaves. These oversized white grapes provided tasty fruit for jelly and beautiful foliage for scenery. The trellises on which they were supported created a cool, shady haven. This is the sort of multi-faceted beauty our lives can display, if we spring from the True Vine.
I’m looking forward to seeing California in full bloom, vines and all. Meanwhile, I’ll draw on the Vine for spiritual blooming.
Father, thank you for providing the Vine to anchor our lives in what is pleasing to You. Help us to always remain true to the Vine in all we say and do, that we may be judged as fruitful branches for Your kingdom.
© 2009 Mary Beth Magee
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What are you studying? (Number 22 in a series)
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
On my cross-country drive, I played a series of CDs: my favorite gospel albums and a couple of sermons on CD given to me by a coworker. They were a tremendous encouragement when I had to drive through three day of rain with a good portion of my worldly possessions stacked on top of the car. The fourth day I was out of the rain, but had to deal with an interlude of sleet. Through it all, I was accompanied by praise and worship. I was reminded I wasn’t facing the situation alone.
When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he offered them verbal “pats on the back” and exhorted them to focus on the good and true things, not the evil and false. This strikes me as a very wise counsel for us today, as well.
What are you studying? Where are you focused? Those are the things that will color your thinking and your actions. Are you studying God’s Word or a gossip magazine? Do you listen to music that uplifts you or does it fill you with angry images? Is your time spent in positive pursuits or wasted in pointless activities?
We live in a world where many people will do almost anything in their pursuit of fame or wealth. There are game shows requiring people to win, not by playing more skillfully but by destroying the efforts of other players. Insults are the expected conversational tool. Other programs offer participants the opportunity to take physical risks, or be subjected to humiliating scenarios in hope of gain.
Much of the music today deals with unsavory language and situations. Marital infidelity, abusive treatment, drug use, promiscuous sexual relations – all of these and more are fodder for the music mill.
These sorts of “entertainment” don’t come under the heading of “good” or “true” or “virtue.” If we spend our time immersed in such things, we risk a jaundiced view of our fellow humans. Where is your focus? What are you feeding your heart and mind?
Father, thank you for encouraging words and uplifting music to keep us focused on You. Help us to think on things honoring You and to shun the things which cloud our minds. Keep our minds focused on what is pleasing to You.
© 2009 Mary Beth Magee
On my cross-country drive, I played a series of CDs: my favorite gospel albums and a couple of sermons on CD given to me by a coworker. They were a tremendous encouragement when I had to drive through three day of rain with a good portion of my worldly possessions stacked on top of the car. The fourth day I was out of the rain, but had to deal with an interlude of sleet. Through it all, I was accompanied by praise and worship. I was reminded I wasn’t facing the situation alone.
When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he offered them verbal “pats on the back” and exhorted them to focus on the good and true things, not the evil and false. This strikes me as a very wise counsel for us today, as well.
What are you studying? Where are you focused? Those are the things that will color your thinking and your actions. Are you studying God’s Word or a gossip magazine? Do you listen to music that uplifts you or does it fill you with angry images? Is your time spent in positive pursuits or wasted in pointless activities?
We live in a world where many people will do almost anything in their pursuit of fame or wealth. There are game shows requiring people to win, not by playing more skillfully but by destroying the efforts of other players. Insults are the expected conversational tool. Other programs offer participants the opportunity to take physical risks, or be subjected to humiliating scenarios in hope of gain.
Much of the music today deals with unsavory language and situations. Marital infidelity, abusive treatment, drug use, promiscuous sexual relations – all of these and more are fodder for the music mill.
These sorts of “entertainment” don’t come under the heading of “good” or “true” or “virtue.” If we spend our time immersed in such things, we risk a jaundiced view of our fellow humans. Where is your focus? What are you feeding your heart and mind?
Father, thank you for encouraging words and uplifting music to keep us focused on You. Help us to think on things honoring You and to shun the things which cloud our minds. Keep our minds focused on what is pleasing to You.
© 2009 Mary Beth Magee
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Value of Preparation (Number 19 in a series)
“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 25: 8-13 (KJV)
My little dog is diabetic. She was diagnosed several years ago. When her veterinarian was teaching me about caring for a diabetic dog, she warned me about the signs of hypoglycemia, such as disorientation, staggering, and lack of muscle control and told me what to do if necessary. I tucked the information away in the back of my mind and went on with the day-to-day business of life. Other than minor adjustments to her insulin dosage along the way, we’ve had a pretty smooth path with her ailment.
In the past few weeks, Shady has experienced two episodes of hypoglycemia, wobbling about and falling at her hindquarters. The first incident caught me by surprise, yet the vet’s instructions came back to me. I rubbed honey on Shady’s gums, as the doctor had instructed, and within a few minutes she was back to her normal self. The vet had prepared me for the possibility of such an event and I was able to act appropriately.
I couldn’t help but think of the parable of the wise virgins and foolish virgins, as recounted in Matthew 25. The wise virgins were ready for the bridegroom’s arrival. They had the supplies they needed and were part of the celebration, whenever he got there. The foolish virgins were not.
Had the vet not taken the time to prepare me for what might happen, I wouldn’t have been ready when action was needed. Neither of us knew when Shady might have an episode. But she gave me the knowledge I needed to be ready to do what had to be done.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to be ready when the Bridegroom returns. We have a second responsibility, as well: to tell others to be ready for His coming. Jesus warned us that we would not know when He would be back, but He will be back. When the day comes, will there be people celebrating with you, because you helped them to prepare? Will there be someone missing from the celebration – someone you regret not telling about Him? The choice is yours.
Father, thank you for the knowledge You have given us, even before we need it, of Your love and care. Thank you for the assurance of Jesus’ return. Give us courage to share the Word with those who don’t know. Help us to stay prepared and to help others to be prepared.
©2009 Mary Beth Magee
My little dog is diabetic. She was diagnosed several years ago. When her veterinarian was teaching me about caring for a diabetic dog, she warned me about the signs of hypoglycemia, such as disorientation, staggering, and lack of muscle control and told me what to do if necessary. I tucked the information away in the back of my mind and went on with the day-to-day business of life. Other than minor adjustments to her insulin dosage along the way, we’ve had a pretty smooth path with her ailment.
In the past few weeks, Shady has experienced two episodes of hypoglycemia, wobbling about and falling at her hindquarters. The first incident caught me by surprise, yet the vet’s instructions came back to me. I rubbed honey on Shady’s gums, as the doctor had instructed, and within a few minutes she was back to her normal self. The vet had prepared me for the possibility of such an event and I was able to act appropriately.
I couldn’t help but think of the parable of the wise virgins and foolish virgins, as recounted in Matthew 25. The wise virgins were ready for the bridegroom’s arrival. They had the supplies they needed and were part of the celebration, whenever he got there. The foolish virgins were not.
Had the vet not taken the time to prepare me for what might happen, I wouldn’t have been ready when action was needed. Neither of us knew when Shady might have an episode. But she gave me the knowledge I needed to be ready to do what had to be done.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to be ready when the Bridegroom returns. We have a second responsibility, as well: to tell others to be ready for His coming. Jesus warned us that we would not know when He would be back, but He will be back. When the day comes, will there be people celebrating with you, because you helped them to prepare? Will there be someone missing from the celebration – someone you regret not telling about Him? The choice is yours.
Father, thank you for the knowledge You have given us, even before we need it, of Your love and care. Thank you for the assurance of Jesus’ return. Give us courage to share the Word with those who don’t know. Help us to stay prepared and to help others to be prepared.
©2009 Mary Beth Magee
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Escape Artist (Number 17 in a series)
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 (KJV)
My mother has become something of an escape artist, in spite of our best efforts. She has fallen several times while trying to get out of bed during the night. My sister and I have tried any number of ways to keep her safe.
We have resorted to a baby monitor in her room so that she can call for assistance if she needs to get up during the night. We got a hospital bed with side rails to try to keep her from getting up and wandering around without someone to help her stay upright.
She evades the monitor by not saying anything as she sneaks out of the bed. She takes advantage of the foot-long gap between the end of the rail and the foot of the bed to slither, snakelike, out into the room. On occasion, she tries to slip out under the rail, resulting in being caught like a fox in a trap – unable to get out or go back into the bed.
Some mornings, I come into the room to find her sitting on the edge of the bed, feet dangling as though she were sitting at a desk. One morning, I found her on her knees, with her shoulders wedged between the rail and the frame. And some heart-stopping mornings I find her on the floor. She has made good her escape from the bed, only to find her strength spent.
God has blessed us. Mama seems to sink to the floor, rather than fall, on most occasions. She has suffered no broken bones, only some minor abrasions and bruising. But we fear the time of a solid fall or a piece of furniture in the way. So we continue trying to protect her and she continues trying to escape.
I can’t help but be reminded of God and His love for us. We keep trying to escape His love. He keeps opening His arms to bring us back to His protection. We have His promise to keep making the offer of eternal life to us, because He is faithful and unwilling to let any of us go to eternal death.
Mama has the underlying cause of dementia to spur her attempts to “escape;” what reason can any of us use to justify trying to escape God? Yet we do, more often than we would probably admit. Each time we do what we find expedient rather than what He has told us is right, we are trying to escape.
Father, please forgive me when I fight Your will and try to do things my own way. Remind me of Your constant love and care. Help me to rest in the knowledge of Your goodness. And thank you so much for watching over Mama!
© 2009 Mary Beth Magee
My mother has become something of an escape artist, in spite of our best efforts. She has fallen several times while trying to get out of bed during the night. My sister and I have tried any number of ways to keep her safe.
We have resorted to a baby monitor in her room so that she can call for assistance if she needs to get up during the night. We got a hospital bed with side rails to try to keep her from getting up and wandering around without someone to help her stay upright.
She evades the monitor by not saying anything as she sneaks out of the bed. She takes advantage of the foot-long gap between the end of the rail and the foot of the bed to slither, snakelike, out into the room. On occasion, she tries to slip out under the rail, resulting in being caught like a fox in a trap – unable to get out or go back into the bed.
Some mornings, I come into the room to find her sitting on the edge of the bed, feet dangling as though she were sitting at a desk. One morning, I found her on her knees, with her shoulders wedged between the rail and the frame. And some heart-stopping mornings I find her on the floor. She has made good her escape from the bed, only to find her strength spent.
God has blessed us. Mama seems to sink to the floor, rather than fall, on most occasions. She has suffered no broken bones, only some minor abrasions and bruising. But we fear the time of a solid fall or a piece of furniture in the way. So we continue trying to protect her and she continues trying to escape.
I can’t help but be reminded of God and His love for us. We keep trying to escape His love. He keeps opening His arms to bring us back to His protection. We have His promise to keep making the offer of eternal life to us, because He is faithful and unwilling to let any of us go to eternal death.
Mama has the underlying cause of dementia to spur her attempts to “escape;” what reason can any of us use to justify trying to escape God? Yet we do, more often than we would probably admit. Each time we do what we find expedient rather than what He has told us is right, we are trying to escape.
Father, please forgive me when I fight Your will and try to do things my own way. Remind me of Your constant love and care. Help me to rest in the knowledge of Your goodness. And thank you so much for watching over Mama!
© 2009 Mary Beth Magee
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Is It Your Best? (Number 16 in a series)
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us…” Romans 12:6 (KJV)
As I wound my way into town, a Christmas CD played in the car – an instrumental version of “The Little Drummer Boy.” I sang along with the melody, and a mental image of the little boy popped into my head. A child, wanting so desperately to give a gift to the Child yet fearing he had nothing good enough to offer.
I thought about his dilemma and his creative solution. All he had was a musical gift, to play the drum. The gift he gave was to play the best he could. And he earned a smile from the Christ Child.
The traditional story got me to thinking: do I give my best, or do I settle for less? Any gift I give shouldn’t just be Good. It should be the Best I can do. There is no job too large or small, no offering too unimportant to undeserving of the best I can do. My best effort, my best heart, my best attention to detail.
When I was growing up in Grace Baptist Church in New Orleans, I belonged to the Girls’ Auxiliary. One of the songs we sang, practically an anthem for us, was entitled “Give of Your Best to the Master.” If I close my eyes for a moment, I can still hear those young voices enjoining each other to do our best for Jesus, just as the drummer boy did.
Each of us has strengths and weaknesses, and there are some things in which we excel while other tasks may seem heartbreakingly difficult. Jesus does not demand that we do everything perfectly, but asks us to use the gifts He has given us to do our best at whatever we undertake.
It’s a lesson to remember, not only at Christmas, but all year round!
Dear Jesus, You are God’s Best and He sent you for me. Help me to remember always to give You my best in return.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
As I wound my way into town, a Christmas CD played in the car – an instrumental version of “The Little Drummer Boy.” I sang along with the melody, and a mental image of the little boy popped into my head. A child, wanting so desperately to give a gift to the Child yet fearing he had nothing good enough to offer.
I thought about his dilemma and his creative solution. All he had was a musical gift, to play the drum. The gift he gave was to play the best he could. And he earned a smile from the Christ Child.
The traditional story got me to thinking: do I give my best, or do I settle for less? Any gift I give shouldn’t just be Good. It should be the Best I can do. There is no job too large or small, no offering too unimportant to undeserving of the best I can do. My best effort, my best heart, my best attention to detail.
When I was growing up in Grace Baptist Church in New Orleans, I belonged to the Girls’ Auxiliary. One of the songs we sang, practically an anthem for us, was entitled “Give of Your Best to the Master.” If I close my eyes for a moment, I can still hear those young voices enjoining each other to do our best for Jesus, just as the drummer boy did.
Each of us has strengths and weaknesses, and there are some things in which we excel while other tasks may seem heartbreakingly difficult. Jesus does not demand that we do everything perfectly, but asks us to use the gifts He has given us to do our best at whatever we undertake.
It’s a lesson to remember, not only at Christmas, but all year round!
Dear Jesus, You are God’s Best and He sent you for me. Help me to remember always to give You my best in return.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Sunday, December 21, 2008
He Knows My Name (Number 15 in a series)
“…the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” John 10: 3b-4 (KJV)
Awake or asleep, Mama calls. If I’m not in the room with her, I hear her on the monitor calling out. Not my name, always. Right now she thinks I’m my late Aunt Louise.
Other times, she calls me Dolores, Katie or Lena, Mutzie or Carrie (other aunts). Occasionally she calls me “Mama.” Sometimes, it’s a name I don’t recognize as family, such as Erma. And sometimes, she calls me by my own name and is quite proud of remembering who I am.
Whatever name she uses, I respond. Occasionally I will tease her with “Louise isn’t here. Will I do?” The main thing is her voice is calling out. My mother. I recognize her voice and that’s what gets me moving toward her in response
When I reread Jesus’ parable of the sheep, I understood afresh the importance of recognizing the voice doing the calling. I wouldn’t respond so quickly to just any voice in the night. And I am so grateful to know that even though Mama doesn’t always call me by the right name, He always knows who I am. I am His and He will lead me through whatever is to come.
Do you know the Good Shepherd? He knows you, and would love to count you in His flock. Call on the name of Jesus – He already knows your name!
Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to know my name and call me your own. Please give me wisdom to always recognize your voice.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Awake or asleep, Mama calls. If I’m not in the room with her, I hear her on the monitor calling out. Not my name, always. Right now she thinks I’m my late Aunt Louise.
Other times, she calls me Dolores, Katie or Lena, Mutzie or Carrie (other aunts). Occasionally she calls me “Mama.” Sometimes, it’s a name I don’t recognize as family, such as Erma. And sometimes, she calls me by my own name and is quite proud of remembering who I am.
Whatever name she uses, I respond. Occasionally I will tease her with “Louise isn’t here. Will I do?” The main thing is her voice is calling out. My mother. I recognize her voice and that’s what gets me moving toward her in response
When I reread Jesus’ parable of the sheep, I understood afresh the importance of recognizing the voice doing the calling. I wouldn’t respond so quickly to just any voice in the night. And I am so grateful to know that even though Mama doesn’t always call me by the right name, He always knows who I am. I am His and He will lead me through whatever is to come.
Do you know the Good Shepherd? He knows you, and would love to count you in His flock. Call on the name of Jesus – He already knows your name!
Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to know my name and call me your own. Please give me wisdom to always recognize your voice.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Morning is Coming (Number 14 in a series)
“And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8: 21-22 (KJV)
2:45 a.m. – My mother is calling again. As I stumble from my bed in the adjoining room, I can look out across the shadowed valley through the uncurtained window. How very dark it is without the street lights of suburbia! I can see stars gleaming in the velvet sky and occasionally, the lights of a plane approaching distant Sacramento Airport.
But I can’t stop to look for long – Mama needs help. I put aside my sleepiness and shuffle into her room.
When I’m helping her ambulate to her bedside commode chair (or changing her linens because I didn’t get there in time), it’s easy to give in to exhaustion or frustration. Some of the times, I get there and she doesn’t know what she wants. There are moments it seems the night will never end and I will be responding to her calls forever.
It’s at these times I cling to the promise God gave to Noah. Once the ark landed and was unloaded, Noah made a sacrifice of gratitude for God’s care and protection. God blessed the sacrifice and made promises as to the future of the earth. One of those promises was “day and night shall not cease.”
I know the morning will come, no matter how endless the night seems in the wee hours, no matter how tired I am. My prayer is that God will accept my service to my mother as a sacrifice of love to Him and He will find them pleasing.
When the situation seems darkest, remember “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30: 5b) And morning will come!
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
2:45 a.m. – My mother is calling again. As I stumble from my bed in the adjoining room, I can look out across the shadowed valley through the uncurtained window. How very dark it is without the street lights of suburbia! I can see stars gleaming in the velvet sky and occasionally, the lights of a plane approaching distant Sacramento Airport.
But I can’t stop to look for long – Mama needs help. I put aside my sleepiness and shuffle into her room.
When I’m helping her ambulate to her bedside commode chair (or changing her linens because I didn’t get there in time), it’s easy to give in to exhaustion or frustration. Some of the times, I get there and she doesn’t know what she wants. There are moments it seems the night will never end and I will be responding to her calls forever.
It’s at these times I cling to the promise God gave to Noah. Once the ark landed and was unloaded, Noah made a sacrifice of gratitude for God’s care and protection. God blessed the sacrifice and made promises as to the future of the earth. One of those promises was “day and night shall not cease.”
I know the morning will come, no matter how endless the night seems in the wee hours, no matter how tired I am. My prayer is that God will accept my service to my mother as a sacrifice of love to Him and He will find them pleasing.
When the situation seems darkest, remember “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30: 5b) And morning will come!
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Friday, December 19, 2008
Joy in the Face of Discouragement (Number 13 in a series)
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” Psalm 42:5 (KJV)
No job today. No interviews lined up. The want ads are lean pickings. Sometimes it’s hard not to give in to discouragement, but then I remember what I’ve learned about it.
Discouragement is a powerful tool in the hands of the enemy. He uses it to take our eyes off of our hope, our destination. With discouragement, he seeks to undermine our faith. Feeling as though God has deserted you? That’s discouragement at work.
There are other faces to discouragement: fear and anxiety, depression, hopelessness, discontent. Each of these is a guise in which discouragement may come to call.
Right now, I’ve been out of work for more than two months. Am I feeling happy about that? No. Am I discouraged about my prospects? NO. When discouragement tries to rear its head, I claim the promise of II Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (KJV).”
I count on God’s goodness to get me through the times when Satan uses my diminishing bank account to try to get me down. And I focus on the birds of the air and lilies of the field (Matthew 6) when I send off another job application that gets no reply. While I do what I can about my situation, I rely on God’s planning to provide the final resolution. Although I can’t solve it on my own, with God’s help I can get through.
When discouragement seeks to divert your attention from God’s goodness, remember Satan seeks to drag you down. God will lift you up. Turn your situations over to Him, hang on, and rejoice! He loves you too much to let you go!
© Mary Beth Magee 2008
No job today. No interviews lined up. The want ads are lean pickings. Sometimes it’s hard not to give in to discouragement, but then I remember what I’ve learned about it.
Discouragement is a powerful tool in the hands of the enemy. He uses it to take our eyes off of our hope, our destination. With discouragement, he seeks to undermine our faith. Feeling as though God has deserted you? That’s discouragement at work.
There are other faces to discouragement: fear and anxiety, depression, hopelessness, discontent. Each of these is a guise in which discouragement may come to call.
Right now, I’ve been out of work for more than two months. Am I feeling happy about that? No. Am I discouraged about my prospects? NO. When discouragement tries to rear its head, I claim the promise of II Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (KJV).”
I count on God’s goodness to get me through the times when Satan uses my diminishing bank account to try to get me down. And I focus on the birds of the air and lilies of the field (Matthew 6) when I send off another job application that gets no reply. While I do what I can about my situation, I rely on God’s planning to provide the final resolution. Although I can’t solve it on my own, with God’s help I can get through.
When discouragement seeks to divert your attention from God’s goodness, remember Satan seeks to drag you down. God will lift you up. Turn your situations over to Him, hang on, and rejoice! He loves you too much to let you go!
© Mary Beth Magee 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Finding the Path (Number 12 in a series)
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11 (KJV)
In Illinois, I lived in the heart of a suburban town. Within a few blocks of my home were stores, restaurants, filling stations and a bus stop if I chose to take public transit. Within a mile, I could access major highways and get to pretty much anywhere I wanted to go with reasonable ease.
The street numbering system made navigation around the area fairly straightforward. I ran around several counties with no problems at all. Quite a change from the convoluted streets I grew up with in New Orleans.
Out here in California, it’s another different story. The roads twist and turn through hills and mountains and even a relatively nearby location can mean miles of travel because of the intervening mountains dictating a meandering path. In many spots, the roads are only a little more than single vehicle-wide ways. There are blind spots and drop offs and other perils to be negotiated to get from A to B.
When I first arrived, I had to rely on the navigation system in my Blackberry to help me find my way around. I’m getting better at recognizing my surroundings, but I still like the help in finding the right route when I go to a new location. I like getting the warning of an upcoming turn, the indication of which lane I need to be in.
Life is a lot like that, isn’t it? Having a guide is helpful when faced with a new destination. For the Christian, that guide is God and His Word. He directs the paths we follow through life and will give us the “fulness of joy” if we will simply follow His roadmap. Unlike my little navigation system, He doesn’t give us “turn right – turn left” directions. Instead, He shows us the destination and accompanies us as we make the journey. There is no place we can desire to go where He doesn’t know the way.
Are you traveling with Him? Are you experiencing the joy the psalmist described in His presence? You can – just turn the controls over to Him rather than trying to plot the route yourself. He’ll show you the way.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
In Illinois, I lived in the heart of a suburban town. Within a few blocks of my home were stores, restaurants, filling stations and a bus stop if I chose to take public transit. Within a mile, I could access major highways and get to pretty much anywhere I wanted to go with reasonable ease.
The street numbering system made navigation around the area fairly straightforward. I ran around several counties with no problems at all. Quite a change from the convoluted streets I grew up with in New Orleans.
Out here in California, it’s another different story. The roads twist and turn through hills and mountains and even a relatively nearby location can mean miles of travel because of the intervening mountains dictating a meandering path. In many spots, the roads are only a little more than single vehicle-wide ways. There are blind spots and drop offs and other perils to be negotiated to get from A to B.
When I first arrived, I had to rely on the navigation system in my Blackberry to help me find my way around. I’m getting better at recognizing my surroundings, but I still like the help in finding the right route when I go to a new location. I like getting the warning of an upcoming turn, the indication of which lane I need to be in.
Life is a lot like that, isn’t it? Having a guide is helpful when faced with a new destination. For the Christian, that guide is God and His Word. He directs the paths we follow through life and will give us the “fulness of joy” if we will simply follow His roadmap. Unlike my little navigation system, He doesn’t give us “turn right – turn left” directions. Instead, He shows us the destination and accompanies us as we make the journey. There is no place we can desire to go where He doesn’t know the way.
Are you traveling with Him? Are you experiencing the joy the psalmist described in His presence? You can – just turn the controls over to Him rather than trying to plot the route yourself. He’ll show you the way.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Glory of His Handiwork (Number 11 in a series)
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalm 19:1 (KJV)
When I made the decision to move to California, I thought I’d miss the glorious autumns I’d experienced in the Midwest. Streets lined with blazing golden trees, a horizon painted a spectacular palette of reds and oranges, burgundies and plums – these were the joys I had experienced in Illinois falls.
What a wonderful surprise to find colors every bit as grand and varied here in northern California. I look out across the hills and see a rich patchwork of autumn hues laid against a velvety background of evergreens. Some days, there is a gauzy overlay of mist softening the riotous colors. Other days, they blaze in full splendor.
How shortsighted I was to think God would not display His artistry here! In a world He created, there cannot be a place where He does not allow His creation to draw hearts toward Him through its beauty. Sometimes the beauty is delicate as a butterfly’s wing; other times it is the savage beauty of a glacier. Always, the creation points to the Creator.
Look around you today. Do you find large markers of His glory, glowing like constellations in the sky? Or is it small things that remind you of His creation? Take time to enjoy the signs and to let them point you toward Him -- the Master Artist.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
When I made the decision to move to California, I thought I’d miss the glorious autumns I’d experienced in the Midwest. Streets lined with blazing golden trees, a horizon painted a spectacular palette of reds and oranges, burgundies and plums – these were the joys I had experienced in Illinois falls.
What a wonderful surprise to find colors every bit as grand and varied here in northern California. I look out across the hills and see a rich patchwork of autumn hues laid against a velvety background of evergreens. Some days, there is a gauzy overlay of mist softening the riotous colors. Other days, they blaze in full splendor.
How shortsighted I was to think God would not display His artistry here! In a world He created, there cannot be a place where He does not allow His creation to draw hearts toward Him through its beauty. Sometimes the beauty is delicate as a butterfly’s wing; other times it is the savage beauty of a glacier. Always, the creation points to the Creator.
Look around you today. Do you find large markers of His glory, glowing like constellations in the sky? Or is it small things that remind you of His creation? Take time to enjoy the signs and to let them point you toward Him -- the Master Artist.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The Joy of a Friend (Number 10 in a series)
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
Getting ready for a cross-country move is a major undertaking under any circumstances. Doing it alone, unemployed and concerned for an ailing family member merely adds to the stress level.
As a rule, I am a pretty self-sufficient person. With God’s help, I will tackle most any task. I am reluctant to bother people to ask for help unless I get in a real bind. When friends asked “Do you need any help?” my instant response was “No, everything’s fine.”
As my preparations progressed and timetables had to be revised, I was feeling less fine and more frazzled. In those days, two friends saw through my façade and came to help.
The first is a lady who had been my boss years ago, but had become my friend even when she left the company. When I told Connie I didn’t need any help, her reply was “Well, I’ll come over for moral support. If nothing else, I can help you stack boxes.”
She came, equipped with a big hug and willing hands. In the hours she was there, she helped me shift my focus to the things needing immediate attention and away from the things I couldn’t do yet. A few simple questions helped me set the priorities. More than her physical assistance, the encouragement she gave helped me get back on track at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed.
The second friend is Nancy, a former coworker. Realizing I was eating way too much junk (because it was quick, handy and didn’t need much in the way of preparation), she insisted I come to a home-cooked dinner with her family. I love her kids anyway, so spending time with them wasn’t any hardship. In fact, it was rather a guilty pleasure!
Nancy fed both my body and my spirit. That little bit of “down” time refreshed me and allowed me to get back to work with renewed energy. Like Connie, she gave me the precious gift of herself. Each of them saw a need and stepped in to fill it.
The Bible is filled with references to the importance of friendship. We are told tasks are lighter when shared; we strengthen each other like a bundle of sticks tied together; we share joys and sorrows. Check for “friend” in any concordance and you’ll find plenty of endorsements.
Are you a friend? Do you stick “closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24)? Pray for the grace to see how you can give of yourself to your friends, and be a true representation of Christ’s love to them. And don’t forget to thank God for those true friends He sends to you.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Getting ready for a cross-country move is a major undertaking under any circumstances. Doing it alone, unemployed and concerned for an ailing family member merely adds to the stress level.
As a rule, I am a pretty self-sufficient person. With God’s help, I will tackle most any task. I am reluctant to bother people to ask for help unless I get in a real bind. When friends asked “Do you need any help?” my instant response was “No, everything’s fine.”
As my preparations progressed and timetables had to be revised, I was feeling less fine and more frazzled. In those days, two friends saw through my façade and came to help.
The first is a lady who had been my boss years ago, but had become my friend even when she left the company. When I told Connie I didn’t need any help, her reply was “Well, I’ll come over for moral support. If nothing else, I can help you stack boxes.”
She came, equipped with a big hug and willing hands. In the hours she was there, she helped me shift my focus to the things needing immediate attention and away from the things I couldn’t do yet. A few simple questions helped me set the priorities. More than her physical assistance, the encouragement she gave helped me get back on track at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed.
The second friend is Nancy, a former coworker. Realizing I was eating way too much junk (because it was quick, handy and didn’t need much in the way of preparation), she insisted I come to a home-cooked dinner with her family. I love her kids anyway, so spending time with them wasn’t any hardship. In fact, it was rather a guilty pleasure!
Nancy fed both my body and my spirit. That little bit of “down” time refreshed me and allowed me to get back to work with renewed energy. Like Connie, she gave me the precious gift of herself. Each of them saw a need and stepped in to fill it.
The Bible is filled with references to the importance of friendship. We are told tasks are lighter when shared; we strengthen each other like a bundle of sticks tied together; we share joys and sorrows. Check for “friend” in any concordance and you’ll find plenty of endorsements.
Are you a friend? Do you stick “closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24)? Pray for the grace to see how you can give of yourself to your friends, and be a true representation of Christ’s love to them. And don’t forget to thank God for those true friends He sends to you.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Soaring with the Birds (Number 9 in a series)
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:25-26 (KJV)
For the first time in my adult life, I find myself out of work by a choice other than my own. Being laid off (downsized, terminated –whatever label you use) is a humbling experience. I’ve always taken pride in doing my job well and seeing my employment as a ministry to be performed in Jesus’ name. This time, that wasn’t enough – a corporate decision to cut costs resulted in a dramatic reshuffling of staff.
At my age (late fifties), the prospect of job hunting is a little scary. To be up against all the youngsters out there is intimidating. To think I’ll probably have to interview with one of those youngsters is almost overwhelming.
Yet this “catastrophe” is not without its upside. Being relieved of my job set me free to follow my heart to California, where one of my sisters is caring for our mother. I might have let my feelings of loyalty to my employer delay me. Now that I’m here and see my mother’s condition, I know how wrong that decision would have been.
So here I am, filling in job applications when I’m not caring for my mother, and hoping there is someone out there who will look beyond the age and into the heart of this applicant. I’m managing to stay pretty upbeat about the whole situation. Through all of this, I have felt assured of God’s care and guidance. Like the birds of the air, He provides for me each day. An unexpected refund on a cancelled service, a reimbursement for an expense I had forgotten, an opportunity to do a small task for a fee – all these and more ways He uses to supply my needs. I have what I need today, and I’m trusting Him for tomorrow.
Somewhere, He has an appropriate position for me. I know I’ll find it in His time. Meanwhile, I am taking advantage of the time I have with Mama and resting in the knowledge that I’m more precious to Him than the birds He provides for so abundantly. God is so good!
When times seem difficult, remember His loving kindness. As the old song reminds us: “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.” Don’t be discouraged or detoured by the world’s perspective. You matter to Him and He will keep you through adversity! Go to Him in prayer about your needs and rest on His supply.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
For the first time in my adult life, I find myself out of work by a choice other than my own. Being laid off (downsized, terminated –whatever label you use) is a humbling experience. I’ve always taken pride in doing my job well and seeing my employment as a ministry to be performed in Jesus’ name. This time, that wasn’t enough – a corporate decision to cut costs resulted in a dramatic reshuffling of staff.
At my age (late fifties), the prospect of job hunting is a little scary. To be up against all the youngsters out there is intimidating. To think I’ll probably have to interview with one of those youngsters is almost overwhelming.
Yet this “catastrophe” is not without its upside. Being relieved of my job set me free to follow my heart to California, where one of my sisters is caring for our mother. I might have let my feelings of loyalty to my employer delay me. Now that I’m here and see my mother’s condition, I know how wrong that decision would have been.
So here I am, filling in job applications when I’m not caring for my mother, and hoping there is someone out there who will look beyond the age and into the heart of this applicant. I’m managing to stay pretty upbeat about the whole situation. Through all of this, I have felt assured of God’s care and guidance. Like the birds of the air, He provides for me each day. An unexpected refund on a cancelled service, a reimbursement for an expense I had forgotten, an opportunity to do a small task for a fee – all these and more ways He uses to supply my needs. I have what I need today, and I’m trusting Him for tomorrow.
Somewhere, He has an appropriate position for me. I know I’ll find it in His time. Meanwhile, I am taking advantage of the time I have with Mama and resting in the knowledge that I’m more precious to Him than the birds He provides for so abundantly. God is so good!
When times seem difficult, remember His loving kindness. As the old song reminds us: “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.” Don’t be discouraged or detoured by the world’s perspective. You matter to Him and He will keep you through adversity! Go to Him in prayer about your needs and rest on His supply.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Climbing the Steps (Number 7 in a series)
“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119: 10-12 (KJV)
My sister has a house in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The setting is lovely, with vistas in several directions to feed your soul’s desire for God’s beautiful creation. My bedroom is on the second floor, so I have an even higher view from my bedroom window.
That view comes at a price: I must climb the ten feet to the second floor before I can enjoy it. When I first arrived, I had to pull myself with the banister to reach the top of the seventeen steps. As I went up and down each day, my legs became stronger and I could go higher before I needed the help of my arms.
This week, I made it all the way to the top without the need to pull myself up. And I’ve done it several times since! This increase in strength didn’t come quickly. It came from repeated usage of my legs to climb the stairs – ascending and descending until my strength was up to the task.
Scripture is much the same. If we read a verse once and go on, we haven’t built all the strength it has to offer, haven’t seen the ever better view of God the verse had to offer. Repeated reading, pondering and praying on what God would have you to find in this passage are keys to getting more from your scripture reading.
Going deep into God’s Word is a step-by-step process. Too often, we focus on accomplishing a certain number of verses per day, rather than a deeper understanding of what we read. Take the time to set up your Bible reading for optimum results. Here are a few guidelines to consider.
• Prepare a place to study. Whether it’s your kitchen table, the corner of your couch or a formal desk, be sure the place is ready for you with space to spread out your Bible, a journal or notepad to record your thoughts, insights and questions, and whatever other reference material you might choose to use. Using a consistent place enhances study.
• Prepare your head to concentrate. Put aside the world – turn off the television, put your cell phone on quiet mode and get away from the computer. Let your mind be focused on what you are about to read.
• Prepare your heart to listen. Spend some time in prayer before you read. Ask God to point out what He would have you learn from this passage and how He would have you apply it.
The more you hide God’s Word in your heart, the easier it becomes and the higher you can climb, just like those stairs. Knowing God’s Word helps you face the world from His perspective – and that’s the one that counts!
How do you study God’s Word? Are you going for quality or quantity? Think about ways to improve your Bible study and you will find ways to improve your walk with God.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
My sister has a house in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The setting is lovely, with vistas in several directions to feed your soul’s desire for God’s beautiful creation. My bedroom is on the second floor, so I have an even higher view from my bedroom window.
That view comes at a price: I must climb the ten feet to the second floor before I can enjoy it. When I first arrived, I had to pull myself with the banister to reach the top of the seventeen steps. As I went up and down each day, my legs became stronger and I could go higher before I needed the help of my arms.
This week, I made it all the way to the top without the need to pull myself up. And I’ve done it several times since! This increase in strength didn’t come quickly. It came from repeated usage of my legs to climb the stairs – ascending and descending until my strength was up to the task.
Scripture is much the same. If we read a verse once and go on, we haven’t built all the strength it has to offer, haven’t seen the ever better view of God the verse had to offer. Repeated reading, pondering and praying on what God would have you to find in this passage are keys to getting more from your scripture reading.
Going deep into God’s Word is a step-by-step process. Too often, we focus on accomplishing a certain number of verses per day, rather than a deeper understanding of what we read. Take the time to set up your Bible reading for optimum results. Here are a few guidelines to consider.
• Prepare a place to study. Whether it’s your kitchen table, the corner of your couch or a formal desk, be sure the place is ready for you with space to spread out your Bible, a journal or notepad to record your thoughts, insights and questions, and whatever other reference material you might choose to use. Using a consistent place enhances study.
• Prepare your head to concentrate. Put aside the world – turn off the television, put your cell phone on quiet mode and get away from the computer. Let your mind be focused on what you are about to read.
• Prepare your heart to listen. Spend some time in prayer before you read. Ask God to point out what He would have you learn from this passage and how He would have you apply it.
The more you hide God’s Word in your heart, the easier it becomes and the higher you can climb, just like those stairs. Knowing God’s Word helps you face the world from His perspective – and that’s the one that counts!
How do you study God’s Word? Are you going for quality or quantity? Think about ways to improve your Bible study and you will find ways to improve your walk with God.
© 2008 Mary Beth Magee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)