Our Lives Matter

Someone asked Dr. Jeremiah recently if he thought people in heaven could see what we do on Earth. He said, “Well, let’s think about that a minute. If they could, would it really be heaven?”

The questioning party referred to “the great cloud of witnesses” mentioned in Hebrews 12:1. As I pondered their question, I decided to reread that verse, which meant I also needed to read Hebrews 11. Why? Because the first word in Hebrews 12 is “therefore.”

You can't plow on through this wordy warning sign. For true meaning, you must know what came before it.  

Hebrews Chapter 11 is often called “The Hall of Faith.” Many famous Old Testament people are mentioned by name and their reasons for being listed.

For example, by faith, Cain offered God a more acceptable sacrifice than Abel. God took note of it, and Hebrews 11:4 says his testimony lives on, though Cain is dead.

Another famous hero is Moses of “The Exodus” fame, and Hebrews 11:12-29 lists several acts of his faith. When he was born, Hebrew babies were not supposed to be allowed to survive, but his mother created a waterproof basket and hid him among reeds along a river.

Pharaoh’s daughter found him and Moses was raised in the palace as her son, yet when he became an adult, he chose not to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, but chose to suffer affliction with the people of God. 

Many more reasons for becoming a hero of the faith are listed in verses 35-40. These seem to fit the New Testament Christians, who were tortured for their faith, even as brothers and sisters in today's world.

Role models of faith do not just come from Bible times. James 2:14-18 points out a couple of simple facts: (1) faith without works is dead, and (2) your faith is shown by your works. In the vernacular, we might say, “Put your money where your mouth is.”

I have been encouraged by the lives of many modern heroes of the faith; therefore, I believe the great cloud of witnesses is not only for ancient times, but continues to build through all generations. 

The Best Day

Today is a positive word. Some people like to say, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” In one of my favorite musicals, ANNIE, “Tomorrow” is projected as a day of hope, but I prefer today.

Each morning is a new day full of God’s mercies. Lamentations 3:23+ fascinates me. God’s mercy is great; each day comes with NEW mercies! I have found that to mean I can pour out my heart to Him and He will provide what I need for THAT day.

Years ago, friends gave me a plaque that I have hung wherever I live:

YESTERDAY

He Helped Me

TODAY

He Did The Same

How Long Will This Continue

FOREVER

Praise His Name

As a caregiver, first for my father, then for my husband, I got up daily with renewed hope. God provided strength, wisdom, and compassion along with each day’s sunrise. I’ve been reviewing journal entries from my husband’s care. It’s comforting to see that God’s mercies were not just with me, but with him as well. 

God’s mercies are part of His steadfast love and faithfulness. What a fascinating study THAT has been. I’ve completed reading the Book of Psalms and steadfast love and faithfulness almost always appear in tandem.

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is a well-beloved hymn with a lovely refrain of “morning by morning new mercies I see.” If you’re curious to read it, several lyric sources exist on the internet. I typed in my search bar lyrics great is thy faithfulness and it popped right up.

Faithfulness you can count on. Steadfast is sure, never-ending love. Today is a good day to be thankful for God’s mercies.

Awareness of these two attributes of God makes it easy to follow the directives in Psalm 100:4: Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

Mom's Secret to Peace

Mom died many years ago. There are many things I wish I could ask her now, but one thing she shared with me has always remained.

She was a faithful daily Bible reader, starting with the King James Version. Then, as other translations came out, she read them, also.

One day I asked, “Mom, what is your favorite verse?” She didn’t just pop one out; she gave it some thought.

I pressed on, “Do you have one?”

She replied, “I have several.”

“OK, what is your absolute favorite?”

She quoted the King James Version of Psalm 119:165: Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.

When I mentioned it to one of her parishioners after mom died, the woman said, “Yes, I once asked your mom that question, and her answer to me was the same.”

The word “offend” has always stuck out to me. Offended people can be angry, exasperated, short-tempered, or impatient with people, but I never saw Mom react to parishioners in any of those ways. As a minister’s wife of fifty years, there must have been plenty of opportunities to be offended.

I have compared that verse in many translations, but the KJV remains my favorite. The New King James Version, the Amplified, the New Living Translation, and the English Standard Version each indicate that nothing causes them to “stumble.”

God sets the example through His personal “steadfast love and faithfulness.” Those two qualities are listed in tandem over and over in the Psalms

Today is Mother’s Day. Once again, my prayer is this: “Thank you, God, for Mom’s example of a Christian life well-lived.”  

 

Legacy

People can become quite concerned about leaving a legacy. I remember years ago, a wealthy businessman wondered if he should give his children a good sum while he still lived, or should he simply leave it in his will.

When asked if he thought about his legacy, Dr. Charles Stanley replied, “I think our life is a legacy, not a building.” When asked what he wanted people to say about him when he was gone, his thoughtful reply was this: “He always said, ‘Trust God and leave the consequences to Him,’ and from what we have observed, that’s what he did.”

I’m grateful for the legacy left by my parents. They did a great job of raising three children on a minister’s salary. Leaving a financial legacy was never an option, but they left something much greater. You can’t put a price on honest living, whether before God or before people. They’re gone, but their example lives on.

People without children may think there’s no point in worrying about a legacy, but in my mind, Mother Teresa negates that theory. Her life legacy resulted in many more taking up her mission to help the poorest of the poor.

You can find a large number of her quotes on the internet. We all know she blessed people worldwide, so this quote stands out: “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”

Each legacy is very personal. Perhaps I’ll leave some writing which will encourage others after I’m gone. And I do hope my appreciation of God’s Word as a guideline for life continues to strike a chord of faith in those who have known me.

Your legacy is important, too. Rich or poor, you’ll be leaving a life example, whether you do it purposefully, or not. So, why wait? Take a little time to think about how that is shaping up now.