Precious Moments with Dear Friends

            I had an unexpected phone call and visit last night that really blessed and encouraged my heart. Sometimes, it’s the small things that make such a HUGE difference. I’m so thankful for dear and genuine friends. I don’t know where I’d be without them. (probably locked away somewhere!)They keep on loving me, warts and all. I can count on them, be honest with them and they with me. I celebrate with them when they are joyful and mourn with them when they hurt and they with me. I thank God for them. They teach me, encourage me and bless me richly, and I pray that I do the same for them. They know who they are. I love them deeply and genuinely with a special kind of love.

             One (actually two) of those friends called last night and ended up staying for the night. Though our visit was brief, it warmed and encouraged my heart more than I can put into words.  This visit helped to change my perspective this morning. Just chatting openly and sharing our heart strings together caused us to reflect on lots of things, some with eternal importance and others, not so much. We had a great time together. My heart is filled with joy from having spent time with them.

             After she and her sweet little bundle of joy left this morning, I headed to my Bible for further refreshing. And, of course, I was not disappointed. Spending time in God’s Word this morning reminded me of spending time with my dear friend. Relationships take time. When we invest in each other with love and genuineness, the benefits are so wonderfully sweet. When we invest and spend time in God’s Words, the benefits are eternally sweet!

             This morning, I was studying 2 Peter 2. In this chapter, Peter reminds us of several important things. One of the first ideas that captured my attention was in verse 3-4. He says, “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.”  Wow! By God’s divine power, we have EVERYTHING we need for “life and godliness”! What incredible news! He gives us everything we need to keep our faith active and alive, to pursue godliness and to avoid evil! He tells us how to “make our calling and election sure.” Now, don’t hear me wrong, we cannot earn our salvation, but we can grow in our knowledge of Christ and we can “make every effort” to live out life the way that God has called us to. He has thoroughly equipped us for this.(Vs. 5-10)

             Peter goes on to tell us how to practically do this. In verses 5-9, Peter tells us to practice such things as faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Sound familiar? This reminds me of another passage in Scripture, Galatians 5:22-23.  Living out these spiritual qualities will help us remain effective and productive in our “knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Peter says in verse 10 that, “…if you do these things, you will never fail…” I don’t know about you, but I could really use some help in all of these areas. I certainly need to love better, to be more self-controlled, and to grow in faith, goodness and knowledge. The good news is that I’m not on my own. Just like the deep encouragement I received this morning from my friend’s visit, that feeling that I’m not walking this life alone, and that someone really does care about me, I also have the incredible promise of the Holy Spirit to guide me through these things and all of life. I (all believers) have the promise of spiritual blessings in the “heavenly realms” (Eph. 1:3). We are chosen and loved by the Creator of the universe and He pours His blessings upon us so that we can accomplish what Peter is writing about in 2 Peter 2. As much as I am encouraged by and loved by my dear friends, I know that my Lord loves me even more. That is overwhelming!

            I so enjoyed the visit from my sweet friend and her precious little daughter. Her visit in some ways opened my heart and prepared it to receive God’s Word more freely this morning. I pray that sometime today, you will call a friend that you have not spoken to for a while, or better yet, stop in for a surprise visit. I know you’ll bless them if you do! But, before you do that, why don’t you grab a cup of tea, and go to your favorite quiet place, and spend some time with the best friend you’ll ever have, Jesus Christ. Have a blessed day and thanks so much for reading. J

What Can We Learn from a Spiritual Giant Like Paul? (Well....Lots and Lots!)

Well, it’s been another long stretch since I wrote here in the Pink Room, and I don’t really feel like I have the time today either, but I’m just going to do it anyway. There are so many thoughts floating around in my head today. I’ll try not to put them all down, or you’ll be reading for days! I apologize in advance for the long blogs, but I cannot help myself sometimes. J

             I think I’ve mentioned before that I have been involved in a weekly Bible study at a local church where women of all walks of life meet together to dive into God’s Word. I think there are about two hundred women and about one hundred children that attend each week. I found out about it through a friend and started attending last year. I love it and it has changed me. I love my little small group of ladies. I have learned that in this life, I must hold on to God’s Word with both hands. As a friend recently said to me, “we have to stop holding on to God with one hand, and take hold of Him with both.” I have learned that for me, I have to hold tightly with both hands or I find myself quickly falling into being consumed by life’s challenges. A brief advertisement: It is called Bible Study Fellowship and they have groups internationally. They meet weekly from September through May each year and intensely study God’s Word. Next year we will be studying the book of Genesis, which will take us into other books as well. If you are interested in more details, give me a holler or go to their web page at http://www.bsfinternational.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx

This past year we studied “The Acts of the Apostles”, which involved an in depth study of Acts, Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. Yea, I know…that’s a lot of studying, but oh my gracious, it has been so worth the effort! This last week’s lesson focused on Paul again, in the last few chapters of the book of Acts. I was reading over my study notes this morning and came across some things I have to share. If you remember, Paul started out as Saul, a Jew, a Pharisee, an intelligent man, a church leader, oh and a strong persecutor of true believers. Something happened in his life that transformed him. He met Jesus. From that point on, Paul became a follower of Christ, and not only that, but God used him as an instrument to spread the Gospel to all nations. Wow! That’s good news for people like me! If God chose to use Paul, a persecutor of His own people, surely He can do something with me! J

Back to Paul, after many miles of travel, teaching in synagogues, being beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked and rejected by his own people, Paul ends up back in Jerusalem. He initially receives a warm welcome, however, it was short-lived. Soon everyone is angry with Paul, to the point of wanting to brutally kill him. Ever had a day like that? Most of us, if we were honest, would probably say no. It was at this time, that Paul was doing all he was called to do and more. My study notes explained that Paul was doing more than what he was expected or required to do. The notes used Joseph as an example too. When he went beyond the call of duty, his own brothers turned against him. Well, most of us could say that we’ve never had our lives threatened, but most of us could say that we’ve felt opposition or persecution from others, possibly even our own loved ones or church family members, or maybe a boss, or co-worker.

One thing that I have learned about Paul is that he never took his eyes off of his calling, even in the face of strong rejection. As far as I can tell, Paul never asked for the calling God gave him, but once he received it, he pressed on in it until the day he died. Paul knew that he was where he was supposed to be by the will of God, so he persevered. In Jerusalem, he was mistreated and put into chains, yet God used this trial as another stepping stone to the advance of His Word.

 There have been times recently that I’ve questioned my own calling, and trust me, I’ve never walked a road like Paul often walked. Right now, God has me in a place that is so much bigger than me. As I’ve mentioned before in my writings, I am not humanly equipped to do what He has called me to do, I am the least likely candidate. But, I am equipped by the Master to accomplish His work. Paul had no question about this. He knew his calling and Who called him to it. He knew that everything that happened to him was in God’s purpose for him. He looked at every part of his life as an opportunity to obey and serve God. He never stopped proclaiming the truth. He knew that even in trials, even in persecution, God had a purpose. I used to have this warped idea of who Paul was. I’m sure that I still only have a glimpse of who Paul was, but one thing I have learned about him, I want to live more like he did after his conversion. I want to be faithful to complete what God has called me to, even when it gets hard. I hunger for more and more of God’s Word. I pray that I will be genuinely changed by it. I want to persevere like Paul did until I stand before Jesus face to face. I seek God’s grace, power, strength and love to carry out His will for me. I don’t have it all together, but I am connected to the One who does! I pray today that you will take the time to sit down with a cup of tea in your favorite quiet place and dive into some part of His Word. Perhaps a study of Paul is a good place to start. (see Acts 21-28)

God bless you and thanks for reading. Terry