"Always Loved"

 

“Always Loved”

 

About two years ago Karen got a text from a friend on the morning of the couple’s anniversary. The wife had had a busy and difficult week and forgot the date until “the” day. The following exchange ensued:

Wife: “Do you still love me?”

Husband: “Very much.”

Wife: “But you really don’t like me very much right now, do you?”

Husband: “I haven’t liked you all week!”

While on this occasion our friends got on each other’s nerves (don’t we all at times?) they’re still happily married and serving the Lord. Sadly such isn’t always the case. During my pastoral days I occasionally heard from a husband or wife that their spouse had recently told them, “I just don’t love you anymore!” Talk about being shocked and devastated! Sometimes both are willing to go for marriage counseling and the relationship has been restored as each has been willing to change. But there were cases in which minds had been made up and the marriage all but doomed before others were aware of any problem. But even then we mustn’t forget Jesus’ words: “With God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26, emphasis added).

While human love is prone to failure God never stops loving us, even in our sin and shortcomings. In the time of Judah’s rebellion and resulting captivity God said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness,” (Jeremiah 31:3, emphasis added). So God’s love for His people is based on His character, not their (or our) actions. About 430 years before David had sinned grievously against God by his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah. But once God’s prophet Nathan confronted him he confessed his sin and though there were heart-wrenching consequences he was forgiven and his relationship with God restored (see 2 Samuel 11 and 12 as well as Psalm 51). And God even referred to him as “…a man after my own heart….” (Acts 13:22). What unconditional love!

Paul assures us that “…nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39, NLT, emphasis added). So God signs His messages to us, “Love always!” Bask in and thank Him for it today and every day.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Don't Isolate--Insolate"

 

“Don’t Isolate—Insolate”

 

Most mornings Karen and I have our devotional time in our living room. We give each other space and quiet as we ponder Scripture and pray. But we reserve the right to speak up if a thought comes to mind which we want to share. A couple of days ago Karen got off the couch, went into our bedroom and closed the door, which was unusual. She came out a few minutes later and asked if she could read something God had just given her. Here’s what she said:

“If you’re like me, when there is a severe circumstance and especially physical pain in my life, I have found that I tend to isolate and keep to myself. I ask for prayer but tend to turn inside myself and at times even had difficulty staying in close fellowship with the Lord. Those times when I should turn to Him the most, I have found it hard to focus on anything except my pain.

“God put a thought in my head this morning as I was talking to Him: ‘Don’t isolate; insolate.’ I looked up the meaning of the word insolate and it’s this; ‘To expose by the sun’s rays; treat by exposure to the sun’s rays.’ I changed the word ‘sun’ to ‘Son’—Jesus. In those times of self-imposed isolation, I need to expose myself to the Son’s rays; treat myself to the Son’s rays. Jesus’ love, warmth, comfort and tender care for me—those are the healing rays of the Son, my Savior.

“I also need to remember that the rays of the sun are also exposed to those around me: my Christian brothers and sisters who can pray for me, minister to me and encourage me. Be with me when I feel so alone.

“Don’t isolate; insolate.”

God created us with the need not only of connection with Him (“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.”—Genesis 28:15) but with other people (“It is not good that {people} should be alone….”—Genesis 2:18, NKJV; “Let us not give up meeting together….”—Hebrews 10:25). God’s prophet Elijah isolated himself after God showed His power over the false god Baal on Mount Carmel by fleeing for his life. God met him through an angel and assured him that He hadn’t abandoned him and there were 7000 fellow Israelites who hadn’t succumbed to idolatry (1 Kings 18-19). And in that assurance he completed the work God had given him to do.

Remember the Son’s rays never stop shining on us to give us encouragement, guidance and hope. So don’t isolate—insolate.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Karen and Jim McMillan

"Rucksacks"

 

“Rucksacks”

 

When I was in Boy Scouts in the days of Noah part of our gear was a knapsack which we wore on our backs and in which we hauled what we needed for hikes and camping trips. In my college years many of us had green bags which we slung over our shoulder to tote our books around campus. Now in our travels we have backpacks which we use as carry-ons on plane trips containing odds and ends we might need should our luggage arrive at a different destination than we do. These all serve a purpose of carrying things more conveniently than in our arms.

I never was in the service but since my grandson Nate enlisted in the Marines two years ago I’ve become more familiar with military equipment. One indispensable item is the rucksack. The name comes from a German word for back. It’s large enough to contain what’s needed to complete an assigned mission. While it’s essentially an overgrown backpack it’s not made for style as are many designer models produced today—rather it’s constructed to fulfill its purpose of enabling a service member to perform his or her task. According to the U.S. Government a Marine field pack can weigh is anywhere between 60 and 159 pounds. This gives me a new appreciation for what Nate and his colleagues do to keep us safe.

I’m sure any Marine would be glad to be relieved of the rucksack burden after training or an assigned mission. Just as Marines help each other in carrying out their duties God expects us as His people to be there for our brothers and sisters in their times of need. Paul tells us. “Bear ye one another’s burdens…For (everyone) shall bear (one’s) own burden.” (Galatians 6:2,5, KJV). Contradiction? Not in the least. The Greek word in verse 2 refers to an overwhelming weight while the term in verse 5 describes a more manageable load. Newer translations make this distinction by using “burdens” in verse 2 and “load” in verse 5. Paraphrased (McMillan version): “Each one should carry his or her own knapsack but be helped with his or her rucksack.”

Ultimately we can count on God “…who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19). But He often uses His people to fulfill His promises. Will we help our brothers and sisters carry their rucksacks?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

 

"Short and Sweet"

 

“Short and Sweet”

 

In the classic TV cop series “Dragnet” lead detective Joe Friday was known for his catchphrase, “Just the facts, Ma’am!” He wasn’t interested in wasting time or words but in getting to the heart of the matter quickly. In New York’s Finger Lakes region our rural school district covered a large area with about a dozen churches of various stripes scattered around. The pastors once met to discuss how we could work with the Board and administration under the “short and sweet” name of “Consultation on Parish Development for the Churches of the Marcus Whitman School District”. And consider my blog address: biblenuggetsfortodaysliving.blogspot,com. (Maybe I should read what I write more carefully!) Where’s Joe Friday when we need him? Apparently an insurance company located him for his advice. In a TV commercial from yesteryear the legal gobbledygook of a competitor’s policy was read and compared with the advertiser’s: “If you’re in an accident we will defend you.”

These examples show the advantages and clarity of words and actions that are “short and sweet”. The phrase itself grows from oral tradition from the Middle Ages and was first seen in print in 1539. Essentially it means pleasantly brief. In these days of 24 hour “news” cycles the talking heads would do well to heed Jesus’ words: “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No, No’…” (Matthew 5:37)—in other words, “Keep it short and sweet!”

God is not One to waste words (“Every word of God is flawless….”—Proverbs 30:5, emphasis added). An example is found in Psalm 15 where David lists ten qualities by which we can measure our obedience to Him: “Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to slander others or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise persistent sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who do not charge (excessive) interest on the money they lend, and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent.” (Verses 2-5, NLT). (Another such passage is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.) Volumes can and have been written about these traits but God gives His “short and sweet” summary here. We’d all do well to “Give careful thought to (our) ways.” (Haggai 1:5,7).

Many thousands of books and commentaries have appeared mining the riches of the gospel message.  But the “short and sweet” of it is “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). And God’s invitation is “Believe in the Lord Jesus (i.e. this message), and you will be saved….” (Acts 16:31). Trust Him to keep His “short and sweet” word.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan