Learning by Repetition

Part of parental training includes repetition. Every parent can probably identify with these reminders: "Don't dash into the street without looking . . . no, do not hit people . . . or, please don't slam the door when you go outside." 

It might have taken some hard knocks to convince us of some things, but overall, we improved our lives by taking instructions to heart.

It’s discouraging to see how we moderns treat one another. Road rage is one thing, but even more damaging is cutting off one another’s communication. There’s a complete lack of mercy in today’s cancel culture; however, canceling others with a critical attitude is nothing new.

In reading Matthew this week, I noticed Jesus repeated a phrase to the Pharisees which we might do well to consider.

In Matthew 9:9-13 (ESV), the Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. They knew the Old Testament Laws very well, but he said to them, “Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”

Then in Matthew 12:1-8 (ESV), Jesus and his disciples were walking through grain fields one Sabbath and the disciples plucked and ate some grain. The Pharisees pointed out that the disciples were breaking Sabbath law. Once again Jesus said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” 

Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7 (ESV). Comforting words, aren’t they? 

Less comforting are these: Judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13 (ESV).  

Most people have heard of the Golden Rule (treat others as you want to be treated), but we can also be kind to ourselves.

It will help to remember this:  . . . with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1-2 (ESV).  

 

A Steadfast Love

A STEADFAST LOVE

In an ever-changing world, it’s nice to have some steadfast things. These things are firm, fixed, or settled and affect our thoughts, decisions, and relationships. Would you agree that reliable, trustworthy, and dependable love is the only kind worth having?

I’ve been focusing on The Book of Psalms. While reviewing chapter headings, I noticed that David often referred to God’s steadfast love. I wondered how many times does he mention that in the Psalms themselves?

When I read a Psalm, I mark it off in my Bible. Some chapters are very long, so I’m flexible, but I’m keeping a list of David’s descriptions of steadfast love.

I started this quest with Psalms 106 through 109. So far, I’ve read that God’s steadfast love:

Is good

Saves me

Is great

Endures forever

Does wondrous works

Is abundant

Relents against destruction

Hears cries of distress

I’m looking forward to learning more! David certainly has the right to speak about this. He loved and served God as a shepherd boy, a warrior, a leader, and a king even in old age.

He learned of God’s steadfast love when he sinned against Him by sleeping with Bathsheba, then tried to cover up the adultery by having her husband killed in battle. God didn’t let him get by with that. He sent a prophet to confront David.

David was wise enough to repent before God, and Psalm 51:10-11 (NKJV) is his famous prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Not only is God to be steadfast, we are, too. Psalm 51 is not long, but it’s packed with David’s deep desire for God. I encourage you to read it.  

Ask yourself some questions:  How steadfast am I in my faith? Am I living a life pleasing to God? When I’m convicted, do I repent of my sin?  

You can ask God for mercy. Rest assured, He will never despise a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:1, 17).

  

Love and Let Live

I enjoyed The Jesus Revolution movie. Would I have texted “don’t miss this” to forty-nine people, one at a time, if I hadn’t?

The movie was special to me for a couple of reasons: (1) I was in college in Costa Mesa, CA when barefooted long-haired hippies started packing out Chuck Smith’s small church, and (2) I saw the power of the Jesus movement at work even in the San Diego area.

My husband and I had the privilege of working at a church in La Mesa, CA where the pastor not only welcomed these young hippies, he prepared the congregation to accept them. In my mind, his wise advice boiled down to this: These kids are coming and they will not look like you, dress like you, or act the way you think they should. Your job is to accept them, and if they need correction, I will do it.

I’m happy to say, “We did, and he did.” Our church grew from about two hundred to the point of needing a new church which seated about fifteen hundred.

It hurts me to have Christians pick the movie apart. I got another text this morning trying to explain Lonnie Frisbee and his part in the historical Jesus Revolution. People who knew him well explain that he was born with a club foot, had a hard family life, and was abused sexually. He raised his hands and cried out to God, while high on drugs, “If you are real, prove it to me!” God heard his cry, saved him, and filled his heart with a great love to be used by God.

Considering how much time and money it takes to make a movie, let alone the challenges regarding distribution, I believe we should be thanking God for the overall impact of this production.

Let’s accept the grace of God---He chooses to use flawed people, ministers, and lay people alike. I’m not perfect, Are you? OK then, let’s LOVE as advised in I Peter 4:8, ESV: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

And, let’s LET LIVE as further advised in I Peter 4:10-11, ESV: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies---in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I never met Lonnie, but from the movie, I believe that’s the way he lived his life. Peter’s spiritual advice still rings true, so let’s be doers of the word and not hearers only.

 

My Favorite Word

Where would we be without words? We might get tired of playing charades to communicate, for one thing. And those of us who enjoy word games like Scrabble or puzzles like Word Search would miss out on lots of fun.

You don’t have to be an expert communicator to know that words have power. They can sting or soothe, wound or heal, and even discourage or encourage. It’s a negative vs. positive choice.

Life gets better with positive self-talk. We don’t always have people around when faced with discouragement or options which all feel negative. When on our own, we need to encourage ourselves.

That’s why I love the word HOPE! There's an old saying: Where there’s life, there’s hope. A more truthful version might be this: Where there’s life, there’s the option of hope. Hope is not an automated response; it’s a purposeful choice.  

People of hope look to the future. They maintain their purpose and goals in the face of hardship. They focus forward with optimism, inspiration, and a never-give-up attitude.

Without hope, people become pessimistic, cynical, desperate, or despondent. They may seem unpleasant because they often refute attempts to cheer them up and prefer to ignore reasons to hope.

Here’s my favorite scripture about my favorite word: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13 ESV).

How do we get the benefits of such hope? By prayer, which is simply talking to God. 

Philippians 4:6-7 in The Message puts it this way: Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns . . .

It concludes with this thought: . . .  it’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. My hope starts there.