Barbara's Banter

From God comes…

From God comes citizenship. I don’t know about you, but the older I get the more I appreciate that my citizenship is in heaven, not on earth. Recently I’ve been singing old hymns reminding me that this world is not my true home. If it were, there would not be much to live for.

The turmoil in the world projects nothing but gloom and doom. We have wars, famines, disasters, diseases, prejudices, greed, injustice, self-centeredness, hatred, and anger. The list is endless. Without God, there are no solutions to these overwhelming problems. There may be temporary “fixes” which unfortunately, usually result in a whole new set of difficult unforeseen issues that will need to be resolved.

Yet, in the midst of all the troubles surrounding us, we are called to be ambassadors to a hurting world (2 Corinthians 5:20). We cannot do this without keeping our focus on God and asking for His help.

When we surrender to Jesus, our citizenship moves from this world to heaven (Philippians 3:20). Our home is in heaven and all who know Christ will have the opportunity to eventually go home. We don’t know when that will be. It could be after a long illness or a sudden accident. But some sweet day God will lovingly beckon us home. Then we will leave the cares and troubles of this world behind.

Until then, we must be Christ’s ambassadors on earth. The definition of an ambassador is a diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country. Our citizenship is in heaven, so living on earth is comparable to us being an ambassador for Christ in a foreign country—a country we must live in, but not be a part of (John 17:14-17).

That doesn’t mean we retreat from this world altogether because we need to be the salt of the earth and a light in the world (Matthew 5:13-15). However, as ambassadors for Christ, we must guard against conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2). If not, we can get sucked into worldly philosophies that influence our values, attitudes, and behaviors which can negatively impact our relationship with Christ.

We are Christ’s representatives. Everything we do or say must reflect Christ. We must let the peace of God rule our hearts. Let Thanksgiving fill our thoughts. Let God’s wisdom dwell in us. Let encouragement, not condemnation come from our lips. Whatever we say or do needs to reflect Christ (Colossians 3:15-17).

This world can be a harsh place, but praise God, we are not citizens of this harsh place. We are citizens of a very forgiving place, a loving place, a place of amazing grace. That is our home—our true home.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes redemption plus salvation.

What is redemption? The dictionary defines it as the act of being saved or delivered from sin or evil. Other definitions include atoning for guilt or a mistake, rescuing someone, or paying off a debt.  

In Old Testament times, redemption involved deliverance from bondage by a redeemer who paid a price. For example, if a slave had been captured in battle or coerced into serving one who was not his legal master, his real master could recover this slave by buying him back. It was a legal term for the deliverance of property to which someone had a previous claim.  

In the New Testament, we are exposed to a spiritual understanding of redemption. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Our condition was one of being a slave to sin. However, Christ’s death paid the price for our sins, so He has redeemed us (Romans 3:24). God has purchased our freedom and we no longer have to be in bondage to sin. Nor must we be bound to Old Testament oppressive laws and rituals (Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5). This redemption is only possible through the blood Jesus shed for us when He died (1 Peter 1:18-19; Colossians 1:14).

However, redemption differs from salvation. As we’ve explained, redemption requires a price to be paid and Christ paid that price for everyone (John 3:16-17). It is this redemption that opens the door to salvation which is what God offers because of His great love for us. Salvation is a gift from God that we do not earn, but each individual must acknowledge and accept it in order to receive it (Ephesians 2:8). We must accept God’s love and forgiveness (Romans 10:9-10). It is salvation that saves us from the penalty of sin (2 Timothy 1:9-10). With salvation, we receive all the promises of God including eternal life (Romans 6:23).

Redemption plus salvation are good and perfect gifts—and you can only get them from God.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes all of creation. The Genesis account of creation explains that God brought light into darkness and order out of chaos (Genesis 1). God commanded and things were created (Psalm 148:5).

God’s creation is everywhere. We can see His marvelous works whether we are in a fertile valley or a remote mountainous retreat. We can see it in the city or in the country. We can see it in the desert or in the jungle. Everywhere we look we can see evidence of an all-wise omnipotent God through the wondrous things He has made.  

God’s creation testifies to His great power. In fact, all creation praises God (Psalm 148). The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim His handiwork (Psalm 19:1). The Psalms are full of imageries of creation praising God. The rivers clap their hands and the mountains sing for joy before the Lord (Psalm 98:7-9). The heavens rejoice and the earth is glad (Psalm 96:11-12).  

Not only did God create what we see, but what we can’t see—the visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16). God has filled the world with principles of gravity, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, astronomy, and much more which makes flight, electricity, aerodynamics, and so much more possible. God set boundaries so nature and science can coexist (Psalm 104:9). God made Earth a very special place to live (Psalm104). Our very lives are part of God’s creation. We exist by design, not by chance. Therefore, our lives have meaning and purpose.

However, the invisible creation goes much farther because it includes the spiritual realm. Today our vision is limited because we can only see the physical which is temporary because our physical lives are only temporary (Psalm 103:15). We peer through a glass darkly and can’t see the invisible which is so much larger than what we can see, but one day that will change (1 Corinthians 13:12). We will be able to view the unseen spiritual realm which is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

God is our Creator. What great news! As Isaiah said, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the end of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom (Isaiah 40:28).”

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes help. The bleak truth is that we are inadequate in so many ways. Does that mean we are failures? Of course not, but neither are we totally self-sufficient. If we were, we wouldn’t need God. I don’t know about you, but I desperately need God. Sometimes just facing another day requires help from the Lord.

This point was reinforced for me recently because I have been mourning the loss of one of my dearest friends. Evonne and I had been kindred spirits since the second grade—and believe me, that’s a long time. Fortunately, Evonne was ready to meet her Maker face-to-face. She shared with loved ones that for her “to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).” She had lived a long, full life and God had rescued her from the jaws of death more than once. Plus, she had survived the death of her husband and other family tragedies. Now she was diagnosed with liver cancer and ready to start chemotherapy. This was not really her desire, but it’s what everyone wanted her to do. So, she approached the prospect in her usual positive manner. She would have rather just drifted off to sleep.

I flew back to Missouri for a visit. We had a wonderful time—two soul sisters giggling like school girls as we reminisced. One night, before we nodded off for the evening in her king-sized bed, we held hands a bit and declared our sisterly love for each other. That night God granted her wish and she drifted off to sleep, passing into the arms of Jesus. I found her the next morning. She was at peace.

Academically, I know she is with God, but emotionally I miss her so much. She is fine, but I am a mess. Those of us who have lost loved ones know what a struggle it is to let go. Gone are those little inside jokes that only the two of you shared. Gone are the walks down memory you took together. Gone is that sweet encouraging voice letting you know you matter. Gone is the wit, wisdom, and laughter that got you through so many difficult times. The grieving process is not easy, but God knows our frailty and gives us permission to mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

In addition, God offers us help in the direst of circumstances. God is our help in times of pain and trouble (Psalm 46:1).  Life goes on and responsibilities must be fulfilled, so God helps us face each new day. That doesn’t mean we always leap from our bed singing. Sometimes just getting out of bed can be an accomplishment. Turning to God can give us the strength, comfort, and courage we need.

Our help comes from God (Psalm 121:2; Psalm 54:4). Of course, we mustn’t confuse help with taking away our problems, but rather, God helps us cope with them. Let’s face it, if the all-powerful, all-knowing, merciful, grace-filled, ever-present God who loves us unconditionally can’t help us face another day, who can? Thankfully, God has assured us that we are never alone or helpless (Hebrews 13:5-6).

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes His presence. Of course, God’s presence is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-12) However, when we surrender to Christ, we get the added bonus of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us (1 John 4:13). As we yield to God, His presence transforms us to be more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

There may be times in our lives when we actually feel God’s presence. I’m reminded of the old hymn Surely the Prescence of the Lord Is in This Place. The lyrics say we can feel God’s power and grace. There have been times when I’ve sung this hymn with a multi-denominational group and actually felt God connecting us all.

Sometimes we do not feel God’s presence immediately. The scriptural passage that inspired this hymn is about Jacob awaking from an inspiriting dream and saying, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16).

Sometimes we don’t feel it at all. Some Christians want a feeling instead of a relationship, so they search high and low for something that is already with them. People who base their relationship with Christ on their feelings, seldom have a stable Christian life. They have not learned that whether we feel it or not, God is with us. Whether we feel it or not, God loves us. Whether we feel it or not, God will never leave or forsake us.

The classic poem Footprints in the Sand illustrates this point. It is about a man who dreamed he was walking on the beach with God. He could see two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonged to him and one to the Lord. However, there were troublesome times in his life where he could only see one set of prints. When he asked God where He was when he needed Him most. God answers, “My dear child, during times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you!”

God’s presence helps us survive the storms of life. Most people don’t know that ships have a little gadget called a gyroscope. It helps stabilize the vessel and keep it on an even keel even though storms are raging. That is what God’s presence does in our lives. When the storms of life begin to rock our boats, God’s presence keeps us stable so we can have peace.     

When Jacob realized God’s presence was in that place, he said, “How awesome is this place!” (Genesis 28:17). How awesome that we have God’s presence with us all the time, whether we feel it or not!

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes consistency. To be consistent means acting or doing thing in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate. God is consistent but humans are fickle which means they frequently change and are inconsistent. Humans easily get caught up in feelings and fads, not realizing that feelings can change quickly and fads come and go.

Customs and perceptions change as well. There was a time that full figured women were considered beautiful as portrayed in paintings by the old masters. Pleasantly plump people were a status symbol because it meant they were somewhat wealthy and had plenty of money to eat well. Now being pencil thin is considered beautiful. Denim pants with holes in them once meant you were poor. Now holey (no pun intended) jeans cost far more than those without rips and tears.

Personal feelings are ever changing as well. Feelings are unpredictable, unreliable, and deceptive. One day we are up and the next we are down. Some say, “If it feels good, do it.” Afterwards, those same people might say, “Boy, I wish I hadn’t done that!” What feels good one day may feel horrible the next. Feelings are not facts. Just because we feel something does not make it true. Our feelings can be as fickle as we are and that’s why we can’t afford to let them rule our lives.

However, we can let Jesus rule our lives because He is consistent. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). God does not change (Malachi 3:6). We can trust what God says because it is impossible for Him to lie or mislead us (Hebrews 6:18). Even if we are unfaithful, God is always faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

We can always count on God instead of our feelings. There may be times we feel alone, but God is always there. There may be times we feel unloved, but God always loves us. There may be times we feel forsaken, but God will never forsake us. There are times we feel misunderstood, but God always understands. God is not fickle. We don’t have to worry that He will whimsically offer us salvation on Monday and snatch it away on Tuesday. God fulfills His promises.

In a fickle world, it’s unwise to use absolute words like always, forever, and never. However, we can use those words when referring to God because He is always dependable, reliable, trustworthy, and consistent.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes spiritual rest. When we read scriptures about God giving us rest, many people equate it with physical rest. Which is understandable, since most of us are extremely tired and completely exhausted most of the time. Gone are the days when we wake up and cheerily exclaim, “Good morning, Lord!” Most of us hit the alarm button and groggily moan, “Good Lord! It’s morning!!”

Our society wants more, more, more productivity without providing the time and resources to accomplish it. I recently read an article about an overworked “administrative officer robot” experiencing metal fatigue in Gumi City, South Koreas. The robot threw itself down a flight of stairs in an apparent suicide. Witnesses say that before its fatal plunge, the robot was “circling in one spot as if something was there.” (The Week Magazine, June 19, 2024) It’s pretty bad when even the androids are jumping ship. Of course, this illustrates how desperately physical rest is needed. However, in addition, this can also illustrate the restless spirit of those who do not have God in their lives.  

Scriptures encouraging us to rest in the Lord or stating the Lord will give us rest, refer to spiritual rest, not physical (Psalm 37:7; Hebrews 4:1-11). St. Augustine wrote in his Confessions to God, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Until we totally surrender and acknowledge our dependence on God, there will be no rest for our souls.

Those who believe in Christ can enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:1). Christ tells us to come to Him and He will give us rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). The Hebrew word in the Old Testament translated as “rest” means “to be at peace,” “to be still,” “to be quiet or calm.” The Greek word for rest in the New Testament metaphorically means “the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells.” Spiritual rest comes through relying on God and having confidence in Him. Only God can give us rest from worry, doubt, confusion, and fear.

Resting in the Lord does not come easily. We must be diligent to actively follow the teachings of Christ (Hebrews 11:9). We must yield and submit which are not natural tendencies. Learning to let go and trust God takes a bit of practice, but turning our problems and anxieties over to Him through prayer can bring us a peace and calm that surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4:6-8).

Through Jesus, God guards our hearts and minds (Hebrews 4:8). God is in control. When we truly believe God is working all things out for our benefit, we do not have to wander aimlessly in circles like some rabid robot searching for solutions. Nor do we need to fret or be frustrated. We can rest in the Lord.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes the ability for Christians to be of one mind. 1 Peter 3:8-9 says, “Finally, all of you be of one mind…”     

A dictionary explanation of one mind means to have the same opinion or same desire. To find two Christians who think the same, feel the same, and view things the same way might not happen until Christ returns. After all, God created us to be diverse. Plus, we all have different life experiences and backgrounds. However, it may be possible to have the same desire. That desire should be to live a Christian life reflecting the attributes of God.

Those attributes are emphasized as this passage continues which says we should have compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling. (1 Peter 1:8-9) In other words, we want to have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

No where is this concept of having one mind tested more than when two Christians discuss politics. Have you noticed we are in an election year? Emotions run high. We all have personal candidate favorites and can be very intolerant with those who do not share our preferences. It is difficult to respond in kindness and show love to those with whom we disagree. Especially when we know we are right and they are wrong.

What can we do? We can pray for the wisdom to reflect Christ when we engage in political discussions. Discussing is different that debating. It includes give and take responses. Debates try to convince others our view is right and their view is wrong. Many times, it results in angry words. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Whether we agree with another’s politics or not, we want our interaction with them to result in peace, not conflict. (Ephesians 4:3) Therefore, we might want to guard against being baited or provoked into volatile conversations where neither party will be glorifying God. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17) Instead, we should ask God to fill us with His love and peace. Only God can change our inner thoughts and minds so we focus on what is important to Him.

We sometimes forget that presidents will come and go. Only God remains constant and is ultimately in control. (Hebrews 13:8) God is our only hope. Campaign promises often fade into the atmosphere after the election. I’m sure you’ve heard that not all fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time…” Some start with, “If elected, I promise…” We seek security in an elected official, but only God can deliver on promises He makes. 

It’s an election year. We are all entitled to vote and share our opinions—but in a godly way—with humility, courtesy, and kindness. Those who have the one mind of Christ know how to respectfully agree to disagree about politics.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes value. In other words, we are valuable in God’s sight.

In the eyes of the world, we aren’t worth much. Constant media messages convince us we don’t measure up. We aren’t good enough. We aren’t rich enough. We aren’t successful enough. We aren’t smart enough. We aren’t thin enough. Sometimes we feel like we have the word LOSER stamped on our forehead for all to see.

In addition, many feel unloved and worse than that— they feel unlovable. Perhaps they were constantly criticized or ignored as children. Perhaps they were rejected and told they would not amount to anything. Perhaps they were teased and ridiculed for things beyond their control. Perhaps they made some bad choices which only reinforced their belief that they truly were not worth anything and certainly not worthy of anyone’s love.

Yet, love has a lot to do with how we live our lives. Sigmund Freud once said, “Love is the first requirement for mental health.” Victor Hugo said, “The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.”

Here’s some good news! God loves us! While it’s true we may not seem valuable to the world, we are valuable to God. God loves us more than we could ever imagine. He doesn’t love us because we have a great personality, are flawlessly beautiful, like to laugh, or extend kindness to others. God loves us unconditionally. He loves us when we are good. He loves us when we are bad. (Ephesians 2:4-5) We don’t need to earn His love. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

God loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die for us. (John 3:16) Jesus laid down His life for us and He did it while we were sinners. (1 John 3:16; Romans 5:8) God’s love is unwavering. It’s there if we want it. It’s there when we need it. It’s wide and deep and high. (Ephesians 17-19) Nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:35-39)

Knowing we are loved can change our whole outlook on life. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the song, Love Changes Everything. Although it’s written from a physical perspective, the concept is true. Love can change how we live and how we die. Once we embrace God’s love and see ourselves as God sees us, our motives and attitudes change.  

Our self-worth should not come from those around us or a fickle society. It should come from God. Our value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see our worth. God calls us His children. (1 John 3:1) He sees us as a masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT) In God’s eyes, we are a valuable work of art. And why not? Jesus living in us gives our life great value. (Galatians 2:20)

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)

From God comes…

From God comes transformation. Transformation means a thorough, dramatic change.

The Christian journey starts with repentance which means to change one’s mind and heart. We can’t serve two masters, so we turn away from our sinful nature towards God. (Mark 1:15; Matthew 4:17)

However, repentance is just the beginning. Transformation is the continuation of what starts with repentance.  

When we surrender to God we are born again. (John 3:1) When one is physically born, their life develops. They must learn to crawl, walk, run, and grow into physical maturity. When one is “born again” in a biblical sense, they must begin the same process from a spiritual perspective. This is when gradual, more dramatic changes take place transforming us into the image of God. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

This happens because God’s Spirit comes to live within us to help us reevaluate our objectives, goals, attitudes, and responses. (Romans 8:9) This is quite a miracle when you consider that we actually have this treasure (the Holy Spirit) in our earthen vessels (physical bodies) to guide and motivate us. (2 Corinthians 4:7) It helps us discern the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) We learn to look at situations from God’s perspective, not our own.

Spiritual transformation is not a magic immediate metamorphosis. It does not happen all at once. It is a daily process.  In fact, we will spend the rest of our lives learning what it means to follow Christ and become more like Him. This transformational process continues even unto death when God transforms our lowly bodies to conform with His glorious body. (Philippians 3:21)

Our Christian journey will have many ups and downs, but we don’t need to worry if we yield to God. We are assured that God will be faithful to complete the work He starts in us. (Philippians 1:6) Until then, we must strive to be patient with ourselves and with others—because we are all a transformational work in progress.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”

~James 1:17 (NLT)