Barbara's Banter

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I can rejoice today because I have treasure within me.

2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us.” Some translations use the phrase “jars of clay” but I think I prefer “earthen vessels.” Although at my age, I feel more like a jar of clay. Whatever! The truth is that these earthen vessels are you and me. The treasure we hold is Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20).

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He actually comes to live in our hearts (Ephesians 3:17). He lives and dwells in us. Paul calls it the glorious riches of a mystery, but one we know is true (Colossians 1:27). When we surrender to Jesus, our old selves die and we become a new creation with Him living in us (1 Corinthains 5:17).

So on the outside I may look like a jar of clay, but looks can be deceiving. Inside me, I’m holding some very valuable treasure!

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels…” 2 Corinthians 4:7

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because I have much I can share with others about what God has done in my life. God has done so much for me that I want to be ready to share it with someone who asks (1 Peter 3:26). Some shy away from any discussion about Jesus which I find odd if we call ourselves Christians.

On the other hand, I don’t believe in pouncing on unsuspecting people and force-feeding them a sermon to “repent and be baptized or they will burn in a lake of fire.” This is not really an effective way to accurately portray what Jesus is all about.

Our firsthand accounts about our encounters with Jesus are personal and unique. It might include how we became a Christian or perhaps specific times when God protected, delivered, or did something special that impacted our lives greatly. When someone asks we can share our heartfelt stories of what Christ has done for us.    

We don’t have to convince others to follow Christ or talk them into becoming Christians. Christ does that. Actually, I think God  will make sure we come in contact with people He wants us to know. He will put it in their hearts to ask us questions about Him that we can answer. If we say a little prayer before we speak, He’ll even put in our mouths what to say.

“In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to
give an answer to everyone who asks you to the reason for the hope
that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” ~1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because nothing can separate me from God’s love.   

In Romans 8:35, we are asked a question: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

The answer is given in Romans 8:38-39: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Truthfully, nothing can separate us from God’s love because He loves us unconditionally. He loves us whether we are good or bad, whether we win or lose, or whether times are smooth or rough. We don’t have to be pretty, smart, wise, talented, or good. We don’t have to earn God’s love. God knew we would never be good enough to earn His love, so He just gives it to us. 

Since God is love, His love is limitless (1 John 4:8). It’s wide and deep, long and high (Ephesians 4:17). It is so great that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). In fact, God loves us so much He calls us His children (1 John 3:1).

So whether we believe it or not, God loves us. It’s a given. All we need to do is accept and embrace it because nothing can separate us from God’s love!

“…God is love.” ~1 John 4:8

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because I have many choices, so I choose to rejoice!

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.”

God places the responsibility for the choices we make on our shoulders. God is all powerful. He could have created us to blindly follow Him, but He didn’t. God does not force us to do what He wants us to do. God in His infinite wisdom has given us freedom to make choices. How we use that freedom can determine our quality of life.

Being responsible for one’s choices is a heavy burden to bear because we have no one to blame but ourselves when we go astray. Which reminds me of another quote by Hubert Humphrey: “To err is human. To blame someone else is politics.”

Ultimately, right choices bring peace of mind; bad choices bring difficulty. God does not need to punish us for a bad choice because it will bring its own distress. It’s the cause-and-effect principle. What we sow, we reap (Galatians 6:7-8). While it’s true God forgives sin, the effects of sin will remain. 

God longs for a relationship with us, but He will not impose it on us. He will beckon or encourage us to come to Him. He will make Himself available. He will love us. He will stand at the door and knock, but He won’t come in and fellowship with us unless He is invited (Revelation 3:20). He initiates, but we must choose to respond on our own.

“…choose for yourself this day whom
you will serve…” ~Joshua 24:15

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because I have victory in Jesus. I’m reminded of this every time I sing the classic hymn “Victory in Jesus” written by Eugene Bartlett (1885-1941). Song origins fascinate me and this one is no exception.

Bartlett was born in Missouri but raised in Arkansas. He was an educated man and prolific song writer who co-founded Hartford Music Company in Arkansas. Most all of his songs were in the Christian sector except for a few county songs such as “Take an Old Cold Tater and Wait” recorded by Little Jimmie Dickens. I throw this little tidbit in because I remember seeing Little Jimmie sing this song when I was a child. You see, I’m from the “neck of the woods” where Bartlett called home.

Bartlett wrote over 800 songs but probably his most famous hymn is “Victory in Jesus” which was the result of a difficult time in his life. In 1939, Bartlett had a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and virtually bedridden. Although he missed traveling and performing, Bartlett continued to study his Bible. As he dealt with his physical pain and limitations, he also looked forward to the eternal victory he knew was approaching.

 “Victory in Jesus” was the final song Bartlett wrote. It became his best known and most embraced hymn. Its down-to-earth message continues to remind us of  Christ’s sacrifice, our salvation, and the heavenly home we have waiting for us.  

What does victory in Jesus actually mean? To me it means Jesus fought the battle against sin and death for me through His life, crucifixion, and resurrection. My old identity is gone and I have a new identity in Christ. His victory was my victory. So now I have the freedom to live a meaningful life with His guidance and His strength holding me up. Plus, He gives me blessed assurance of an eternal life with Him forever, which gives me hope in a hopeless world. 

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~1 Corinthians 15:57

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because I can ask God for wisdom and He will give it to me.

We are told that wisdom is a key to happiness (Proverbs 3:13). Wisdom is the ability to discern and judge what is good or true. Perhaps that’s why the Bible says wisdom is better than gold (Proverbs 16:16). Most of us lack wisdom but not to worry. We are told to ask God for it and He will generously give it to us (James 1:5).

One way He gives us wisdom is through biblical instruction. We are told the beginning of wisdom is learning to acknowledge and respect God (Proverbs 9:10). We learn that wise people are humble, not know-it-alls (Proverbs 11:2). A wise person listens to advice and instruction (Proverbs 19:20). The book of Proverbs alone is full of advice for those who seek wisdom.

The author of Proverbs was Solomon, and although he is considered the wisest man who ever lived, there is one wiser. His name is Jesus. Jesus spoke about the queen of the south coming to hear the wisdom of Solomon, then went on to say, “…and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12:42).” He was referring to Himself. What an understatement!

Jesus is wisdom personified. He is the very wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). Staying close to Jesus gives us access to all His treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). Jesus said, “Whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them is like a wise man who builds his house upon a rock (Matthew 7:24).” Our Rock is Jesus Christ, so we should implement what we learn from Him into our lives.

God is eager to give us His wisdom. We just need to ask and look in the right direction!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who
gives to all liberally without reproach…” ~James 1:5

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because God’s timing is better than mine.

Today we live in a world that wants quick fixes and instant solutions. However, God will not be rushed because our spiritual growth depends on His loving attention to the details in our lives and His perfect timing.

God knows the desires of my heart. It’s important for me to align my desires with what God wants for me. Only He knows the best way and time to reach those goals. God’s timing is better than mine because I want what I want right now. That’s not always what is best. Sometimes there is much spiritual growth in learning to wait on God.

Many in the Bible had to wait. Abraham and Sarah waited for Isaac’s birth. Noah waited for the flood. Moses waited to get out of the wilderness. Joseph waited to get out of prison. Job waited for deliverance. David waited to become king. After Christ’s death, believers had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come. We are now waiting for Christ’s return.

Waiting builds patience, appreciation, trust, and faith. While we wait we can busy ourselves doing what God would have us do: pray, study. serve, yield, obey, etc. When God brings forth His will, we can be very thankful. After all, God makes all things beautiful in HIS TIME!

“He had made everything beautiful its time…” ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because with open arms I can receive every good gift God wants to give me.

Of course, in order to be ready and receptive for the blessings God wants to bestow on me, I need to get rid of some stuff to make room. God says He wants to do new things in my life (Isaiah 43::19). He also wants me to let go of the old things to make room for the new ones (Isaiah 43:18).

Here’s a little exercise called “release and receive.” I put all my anxieties, fears, and hangups in my arms and release them up to God. He’s much better equipped to handle them than I am. Then I fill my arms with the good things God wants me to have and draw them close to my heart such as His wisdom, His love, His joy, and His grace. Then I can more readily reflect the fruit of His spirit to all I meet (Galatians 5:22-23).

It’s true that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). However, we must make room to receive them. 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above
and comes down from the Father…” ~James 1:17

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because vengeance belongs to God not me (Romans 12:19). This is great news because I do not need to worry about getting even with someone who has wronged me. God will take care of it.

We’ve all been in situations where we feel we have been treated unfairly which leads to resentment. Resentment is defined as bitter indignation. The Bible has nothing good to say about being bitter and resentful. In fact, it says be careful not to let a root of bitterness spring up and cause trouble (Hebrews 12:14-15). If it does spring up, we are instructed to put it away (Ephesians 4:31).

When we’ve been hurt by others, we want to see those people suffer the way they made us suffer. This is not what God wants, so He takes the burden of revenge off our shoulders. God’s way is not to repay evil for evil (Romans 12:17). We don’t need to fret and worry about these matters because God will take care of them for us (Romans 12:19). We must trust Him to do so in His time and in His way.

They say that revenge is sweet. That’s true only when it’s left in God’s hands. Only He can do what is best for everyone. 

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves…for it is written, ‘Vengeance
is Mine, I will repay,’ sayeth the Lord.” ~Romans 12:9

Today is the day the Lord has made…

I will rejoice today because although I don’t know what today holds, God does. There may be some surprises around the corner. When they come, I want to be sure to thank God.

Maybe I’ll receive an unexpected call from a friend or a text message of encouragement. Perhaps someone will hold the door open for me. I might be at a long line in a grocery store and a friendly clerk will say, “Come with me and I’ll check you out over here.” My favorite song may come on the radio and I can sing at the top of my lungs. What about that parking space that magically appears? Is the sun shining? Am I enjoying the weather? Did my neighbor share some oranges from his tree?

Even surprises that may not be as pleasant are opportunities to trust God. Life is unpredictable and an  unexpected event may surprise us, but God is never surprised. God is always in control and working for our good. There are lessons we can learn from Him in the unexpected twists and turns of life.

We don’t know what each day holds, but God does! We may encounter a few surprises. So let’s rejoice and be ready to  yield to God’s agenda, not ours.

“A man’s heart plan his way, but the
Lord directs his steps.” ~Proverbs 16:9