God Speaks 3-Letter Words

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  Are you a linguist? Do you enjoy language? Language has never been my top   subject.  I've always enjoyed reading and was decent at grammar, but never really   understood the whole system of language and identifying parts of speech and how   it  worked together.  Recently, I have discovered a couple small 3-letter words that really pack a punch. These simple words are: YET and BUT.  I did a post a while   back on these little words here, but this post will hopefully provide a deeper   understanding. 

 The words YET and BUT are both conjunctions. Conjunctions are used in language to link two parts together. These parts may be similar or different.  Both of these words generally introduce a contrast in ideas, giving a more powerful contradiction.   I was surprised at the number of verses in the Bible using these small, but intense, words. A few of them will be highlighted.  One of my all-time favorite verses is Habakkuk 3:17-18. I included it in the previous post linked above, but will again include it here.  Verse 17 sets up the story and verse 18 packs the punch.

Habakkuk 3:17-18--"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stall, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

Mark 8:36--"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, YET forfeit their soul?"

1 John 1:6--"If we claim to have fellowship with him and YET walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth."

John 1:12--"YET some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God."

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The use of yet in all of these verses, besides showing some contrast in thoughts or actions, implies a choice that was made.  Habakkuk: things are going bad, "yet" I choose to rejoice. Mark: gain the whole word, "yet" I choose to lose my soul. I John: Claim to love God, "yet" I choose to walk in darkness.  John: "Yet" some people choose to accept Him.  Most of these verses also include a consequence. Let's look at a few more verses with the word "but". These same verses, besides showing contrast, imply choices.

Galatians 2:20a--"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, BUT Christ lives in me." 

Matthew 24:13--"BUT the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

Romans 6:23--"For the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2 Thessalonians 3:3--"BUT the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

Galatians: "But" Christ chooses to live in us. Matthew: "But" we choose to stand firm. Romans: "But" God chooses to give us eternal life. 2 Thessalonians: "But" God chooses to be faithful. These small words mean so much.  

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We have choices to make in our relationship with God. God then has responses that He chooses to give.  God does not simply put us into existence with a pre-determined will to obey Him.  Once Adam and Eve made their choice and brought sin into the world, God could have stopped it right there. God could have said, "That's it! Humans make bad choices. I'm done!" In Noah's generation, God could have chosen again to destroy everything and everyone!  He chose to save Noah and his family because they chose Him. Had God, at any point, chosen to wipe out the entire earth, you and I would not be here today, but God knew we were coming to the world and He chose to keep the world going so that He could choose to fellowship with us!  Just remember:  God chose you, He is just waiting for you to choose Him!

Next time we will look at another 3-letter word and maybe one with 4-letters as well! Stay tuned to read more about choices and the rewards or consequences that go with them. 

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God Speaks Routine

Have you developed a certain routine? Do you have any habits?

A routine is defined as: a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program. A habit is defined as: an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary. So it seems that a habit is nothing more than a routine that has been put to memory. We all know there can be both good and bad habits and I believe they are obtained through good and bad routines. 

Good routines are very important in our lives. They can help us live better, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. Routines that turn into habits are even better because you don't even have to think about or plan for them; you just do them. Bad routines, which later become bad habits, are detrimental to our lives and can bring about pain, sorrow, sickness, and mental anguish. 

Recently I heard of someone who took a family member with dementia on a several-day trip. By the end of the trip, the family member was really having difficulty because they were extremely out of their typical routine and habit.  It was unsettling for them. Think for yourself how unsettled you might be if your daily routine gets changed.  I know for myself, I wake up, shower, teeth, get dressed, put lunch in my lunchbox, make my Choffy drink and take my medications.  If there is anything that causes me to miss a step or that complicates this routine, it really throws me off for a good portion of the day.

The last several pastors that have served the church where I worship have all attempted to build certain routines into the congregants so that they become habits. Among them are Bible reading, prayer, and Christian fellowship.  These are vital routines for the life of a Christian.  Consistent prayer and Bible reading help us to remember to seek God for all of our concerns and joys. Consistently reading Scripture helps to keep us in line with God's will and His desires for our life.  Consistent Christian fellowship helps us to see God working in and through others.  I must admit that I STRUGGLE with these things myself, especially being consistent in Bible reading and prayer.  I do receive a Scripture in my email that I read everyday, but often find little time to study the Bible. I pray every morning on my way to work, but often "forget" throughout the rest of the day and weekends (when I'm out of my routine).  Summers are especially bad!  I am usually way out of routine and habit by then and often don't do more than read my daily Bible verse. The lack of blog posts through the summer can attest to that as well. 

If we search the Scriptures, we can find God's thoughts about certain routines and habits.

Psalm 119:56--"You have blessed me because I have always followed your teachings." The writer here states he is blessed by ALWAYS following God's teachings.

Luke 5:16--"Jesus repeatedly left the crowds, though, stealing away into the wilderness to pray."  Even Jesus, Who is God, knew the need to consistently get away and pray.

Luke 4:16--"When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on Saturday, and stood up to read the Scriptures."  Jesus also knew the importance of meeting on the Sabbath.

Acts 2:46--"They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God."  The disciples followed the lead of Jesus and continued in their daily routine.

The Scriptures are clear about bad habits and routines as well.

Here is a very direct and to the point Scripture.  Hebrews 10:25--"Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer."

Jeremiah 22:21--"When times were good, I warned you. But you ignored me, just as you have done since Israel was young."

God desires to have communication and fellowship with us through prayer, Bible reading, and gathering with other Christians. Let us ALL strive to develop these good routines and habits!

God Speaks and Cares About the Future

The Future! I don't know about you, but whenever I think about that phrase, I can hear a garbled voice echoing those words over and over.  Maybe it is from a movie or TV show that I can't remember or just something dumb my mind has come up with. Whatever the case, thinking about the future often comes with much apprehension and even some scariness. 

Matthew 6:34--"So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time."

At the end of the past three school years (2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021), I have turned in my end of the year papers, badges, keys, etc. with expectations of going back to that same position in the Fall. God has always had different plans it seems. In August 2019, I was asked by that employer to work part-time instead of full-time. Since I need a full-time job to be able to help pay the bills, I had to search elsewhere. By God's grace, a position had just become open at a school system five minutes from my house. I worked there enthusiastically until March 2020, when CoVid hit. Even then, I continued to work outside my job description and contracted dates by helping with the Food Program there. It certainly was a time of great need for food as the students and their families were unable to get the food they typically did from the schools or from the grocery stores at first. Once I turned in my keys and badge, I had full expectations of returning IF schools were going to be open. Almost like deja vu, in August 2020, I was informed that I (along with 80 some others) were going to be laid off.  Again, by God's grace, I happened upon a new position opening. Although we went 6 weeks without a second income, God provided. Even though my current salary is 30% less than at my previous employment, God still provides. 

Psalm 94:19--"And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure

As I turned in my badge this year, I was met with a little apprehension. With the last two years in mind, who knows what will happen before the end of August. Two things I know are that God holds the future and He will provide. 

Luke 12:22-25--"(then, to His disciples) This is why I keep telling you not to worry about anything in life—about what you’ll eat, about how you’ll clothe your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than fancy clothes. Think about those crows flying over there: do they plant and harvest crops? Do they own silos or barns? Look at them fly. It looks like God is taking pretty good care of them, doesn’t it? Remember that you are more precious to God than birds! Which one of you can add a single hour to your life or 18 inches[a] to your height by worrying really hard?"

God does not want us to worry about the future. For those who believe, He has us in His hands and will guide and direct our paths. God wants for all to trust and believe in Him!  Sometimes we are apprehensive about even our distant future. Sometimes we are confronted, not just with year to year questions, but questions about when we get old, when our parents get old, when our kids get old, when the grandchildren get old, and sometimes even when we leave this earth.  God does not want us to worry about any of those things either. Because we live in a broken world, there is no guarantee about the future for any of us. I wish I could tell you that trusting in God will bring bright and cheery sunshine rays to you for the rest of your life, but that is not the case. What I can guarantee is that for those that believe in God, once we leave this earth, it will be bright and cheery sunshine rays forever after. 

Jeremiah 29:11--"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

I also know that God will provide for our futures here on earth. Even when faced with an uncertain future, God will provide for those that love Him. His provision may not always be the way WE think it should be and we may not always see a way out or a purpose to what is happening, but God knows, God has His hand in it, and God will provide!

Philippians 4:19--"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."