Psalm 119:36-38, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You.”

I admit I was a bit jealous. Everyone seemed to have a life verse but me. What’s up with that? In October 2003, I was walking and memorizing Scripture out of my favorite Psalm -119 when I realized that what I was memorizing encapsulated my heart. So right then and there, I claimed it as my life verse. No one else can have it. It had all the important components for me.

“Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness.” In my flesh, my inclination is to my own wants and desires rather than God’s word. Dr. Ed Welch (on of my seminary professors in the 90’s) called it the “I wants”. That’s me, I get the ‘I wants’. My desire is to be delighted in my heart with God’s word to the point that I will be inclined to it.

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things.” So many things vie for our attention. Even those that appear good are not if they draw our eyes away from God. Perhaps it is that new house, new car, a new husband, a thinner body, thicker hair, you name it, if they draw your eyes away from God, they are worthless things. “Revive me in Your way.” Have you noticed that our way rarely works. Sooner or later we’ll realize His way is best. Psalm 25:4-5, “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”

“Establish Your word to Your servant.” I want God’s word to be settled, well established, and deeply rooted in my heart. Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and
of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

“Who is devoted to fearing You.” This is an area in my life that still needs growth. I want to develop a reverential fear of God that makes a difference in my walk with Jesus Christ. Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

My life verse tells me to love God more than anything, to follow hard after Him, to immerse myself in His word, and to fear Him. What more could I want?

Diane

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

Currently in Higher Ground, our women’s Bible study/support group, we are studying Kay Arthur’s book, Lord, I Want to Know You on the names of God. It is a very interesting study through which we are not only learning the names of God but also His character and attributes. In the course of our study, I regularly challenge the women to take what they are learning and making it practical. What good is the knowledge of truth or the study of Scripture if it doesn’t translate into our lives in a practical way? How can we use the name of the LORD as a strong
tower, a place of refuge and safety?

I work with a lot of women who, through no fault of their own, are loosing their home, have no money for groceries, are 2-3 months behind in the mortgage payment, or are looking for a job. Anxiety is a regular companion. Panic threatens at every turn. How can these women find safety in the name of the LORD? How will that bring food into the house? How will that prevent foreclosure?

Jehovah-jireh (Genesis 22:8, 14) is the name of the LORD which means, the LORD will provide. Genesis 22:14, “And Abraham call the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.” The place referred to is the mountain on which God provided the ram to replace Isaac as the sacrifice.

We can find the name of the LORD, Jehovah-jireh, a strong tower and find safety there by calling to mind this name of the LORD and by believing that He will keep His promise to provide.

We can do likewise with the other names/attributes of God. Here is a partial list from Kay’s book.

El Shaddai-The All-Sufficient One; El Elyon – The God Most High; El Olam – The Everlasting God; Adonai-Lord, Master; Jehovah-nissi-The Lord My Banner; Yahweh-Lord (Jehovah); Jehovah-raah-The Lord My Shepherd; Jehovah-rapha – The Lord Who Heals; Jehovah-shalom-The Lord is Peace.

Diane

I am reading a book by Susan Hunt and I feel compelled to share with your her insights. The following is from Chapter four from “True Woman”.

“The redeemed are to reflect the image of the Redeemer. Neither the syrupy sweetness nor tearful testimonies are a true reflection of redemption.

A true reflection demands the hard stuff of repentance, faith, obedience, and forgiveness. These are not one-time events; they are lifelong processes. To reflect redemption, the true woman must grab the promises of God and integrate them into every aspect of her life. In short, this is the process of sanctification: ‘…the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.’

When I was young, I used to hear it said sometimes that someone was so heavenly minded they were no earthly good. I don’t hear that anymore. I’m glad I don’t, because it didn’t make sense then, and it doesn’t make sense now. As George Grant has said: We cannot be authentically
Christian and simultaneously be so heavenly-minded that we’re no earthly good any more than we can be so earthly-minded that we’re no heavenly good. The only possibility for us is to be so heavenly-minded that we do the earth good. And that demands a substantive lifestyle balance
where both faith and work are operative, where both holiness and service motivate, where both Word and deed dominate, where the Gospel is proclaimed in both doctrine and life.”

Do you have this balance? Are you reflecting the Redeemer?

LDJ

I have heard that phrase many times about not just talking the talk, but walking the walk. If I am walking the walk then my character should display certain character traits. Reflect on some of the traits we can display which will show others that we are walking the talk.

Joyfulness: Being happy inside and out because I am right with God and others. “A happy heart makes the face cheerful…” Prov. 15:13

Boldness: Confidently sharing the Good news with others because I know what I have to say has lasting benefits for them. “… enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Acts 4:29

Sincerity: Eagerly treating others correctly and doing things the right way out of a pure transparent heart. “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

Thanksgiving: Letting God and others know just how they have benefited my life. “… give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:18

Encouragement: Lifting the spirits of others through what I do, the things that I say and the look on my face. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” 1 Thess. 5:11

Diligence: Looking at each task I have as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to get it done. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Col. 3:23

LDJ

Names all have different meanings and in scripture God often re-named people to describe who they were to be as His Child. Other times we see names clearly identify what we have ended up doing or being. My name, Lynne, means “Refreshing One” or “out of the pool or waterfall”. When I found that out I thought it very interesting because I love the water and I use to love to swim. Today I don’t swim much, but I still love to sit near any type of water.

There is a verse in scripture that calls me to live out my name – Proverbs 11:25. “She who refreshes others will herself be refreshed.” What does it mean to be a refresher? Water refreshes because it is cool, tranquil and invigorating. That is what God asks me to do for
others – to add invigoration to their life. Don’t you love it when someone cheers you up, gives up a word of encouragement and just makes your day? I know I do, and many times I really need that bit of refreshment. The great thing is that God asks us to do this and promises us in return that he will do the same for us. I love that and I have found it to be true.

So, today… encourage someone, smile more, and give someone a special lift today.

“The most introverted of persons will influence an average of 10,000 other people during their lifetime.” Start influencing positively – be a refresher.

LDJ

In view of the holiday we celebrate today, it seems our topic should be appropriate. The Fourth of July is a celebration of independence. In one sense, as believers we can also celebrate our independence from the power and control of a horrible taskmaster, sin. As Biblical believers,
God says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14) Ladies, we are free!!! Romans 6:6-7, “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should not longer
be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”

Our independence is not so we can go do whatever we want, but rather we are free to worship and serve the One who purchased our independence, our freedom. Romans 6:13, “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

I don’t remember where I heard the following statement but it fits here as we consider our “independence.” Parenting involves growing our children from total dependence as infants to independence as adults. God, on the other hand, is growing us from independence (from
Him) to total dependence (on Him).

As you celebrate today, meditate upon our freedoms won, as a nation and as believers, and the blessings of dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Diane

Our theme this week, except for a special entry yesterday by Lynn, has been pride. I would like to close out our week with a thought about yet another mask of pride.

I often hear people say they have ‘low self esteem’ which many of them equate with humility. I don’t want to step on any toes today, but ‘low self esteem’ is not a Biblical term.

I understand the thoughts and self-image of a person struggling with this problem, so please don’t misunderstand me. I am not denying the existence of the problem, I am just questioning the root issue in the heart of an individual with such a low opinion of them self. About 4 years ago, I ran across the following quote from Beth Moore’s book, Praying God’s Word. I don’t think I could say it better so I would like to just pass the quote on to you: “Remember, pride wears
many masks. I once spoke on pride only to have someone remark afterward that she had far too little self-esteem to have pride. Pride is not the opposite of low self-esteem. Pride is the opposite of humility. We can have a serious pride problem that masquerades as low self-esteem. Pride
is self-absorption whether we’re absorbed with how miserable we are or how wonderful we are.” (pg. 58)

It has always concerned me that our public school system was on a self-esteem program. I had an elementary teacher tell me a number of years ago that they did not teach the students sentence diagramming because it would hurt their self-esteem!!! Is it any wonder we have so
many angry, self-centered, arrogant youth today. We taught them that. If I have struck a cord with you today, my prayer is that you will take that thought to the Lord and ask Him to reveal your heart to you. He is a gentle savior.

Diane

This VC has been written by one of our staff. Begining tomorrow, July 1st, we will be having several people writing for VC. Each is identified at the close of the entry. Thank you all for your wonderful words of encouragement.

Where does Love come From?

“We Love, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) I love the simplicity of this verse; it is short, powerful and to the point. Yet, at the same time it is overflowing with the gospel and God’s great purpose in our lives. You know the age old question… What came first the chicken or the egg? Well, in this case God tells us clearly that what came first was HIS LOVE. God initiated Love, now all we need to do is respond to that Love.

I am celebrating one year of marriage this month and this is the verse my husband and I choose for our wedding. Because of the great things He has done in our lives through his love we have been able to fully love each other. Neither my husband nor I were born into homes where belief
in the power of His Love existed. My husband is a graduate from the Colony of Mercy and God’s Love radically changed His life. We are fully aware that unless God had offered His love to him, we would not have met, he would not be clean and we would not be married and ministering
at America’s KESWICK. Each day we are reminded that our ability to love comes only from him, how we love each other is demonstrated by him, and by tapping into that Love we will have a great marriage.

Do you know His Love? Are you in Love with Him? Are your other relationships built around that model of love? Remember you are never unloved – God Loves You!

LDJ

Have you ever paused to consider all the different ways pride hinders our obedience? For example, asking forgiveness. One of the reasons we don’t approach a sister in Christ to ask forgiveness is because it requires humility on our part. Why do wives struggle so with submission? It requires humility. Why do we see people unwilling to put themselves under the authority of their church? It requires humility. Why do kids not want to obey their parents? It requires humility. Humility is not a bad thing; in fact, according to Scripture it is a good thing.

I remember when my children were little and I talked about humility. Their response was, “I don’t want to be humiliated.” I was quick to tell them that humility was different from humiliation. Even as I said those words, the thought rose in my mind, both words have the same root.

I looked up the two words, humble and humiliate in the Merriam-Webster On-line dictionary. Indeed they have the same Latin root word humilis which means low. Humble is an adjective- a
descriptive word. Humiliate is a transitive verb – and action word. Humble is something we are. Humiliate is something done to us (either by someone else or ourselves).

Beth Moore makes the following astute statement in her book, Praying God’s Word “If we don’t presently have an issue that is actively humbling us, we veer with disturbing velocity toward arrogance and self-righteousness. We are wise to remember that Christ never resisted the repentant sinner. He resisted the religious proud and Pharisaic.” (pg. 58)

God delights in a humble heart. Isaiah 57:15, “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Your challenge for today is to ask yourself in what area do you struggle most with humility? Ask God to show you how to practice humility today.

Diane

I goofed. I admit it. I goofed. Yesterday, when it was time to send out VC, I did not have my VC file available so I guessed at what our topic for the week was, and I guessed wrong. When I got to the office, and realized my mistake, my first thought was how can I cover for this error so no one will know I goofed. Then I had to chuckle when I realized our theme for this week is pride and I was getting a live lesson on the pride in my own heart. So I decided to admit my blunder
and send you both of the VC from yesterday and today. I apologize for the confusion.

Ask we kick off another week, fasten your seatbelts. Our theme this last week of June is Pride.

About a year ago, I was driving home from Higher Ground, our women’s Bible study/support group. I was talking with the Lord about Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and owerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

I was sharing with the women that night, as I often do, that it is vital for them to be in God’s word, because He uses it to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. On my way home, I was sharing with God, that it had been a while since I had personally experienced that myself and asked Him to discern the thoughts and intents of my heart through the reading of the Word.

The next morning, that’s right, the next morning, in my quiet time, I was reading Psalm 12, when I read verses 3-4, “May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”” Now, at first glance, I thought this was a great counseling resource, so I slowed down and reread it very carefully. As I was reading it through the second time, the Lord convicted me that this verse was not for my counselees, it was for me. That was me, I had a proud tongue.

My first reaction was to smile. The Lord answered my prayer. He discerned the thoughts and intents of my heart with His Word. I don’t know what surprised me more, that God answered my prayer or that I had a proud tongue.

One of the things I will do this week is illustrate the many faces of pride.

Have a great week.

Diane