Follow Instructions, Use as Directed

By Rhonda Rhea –

If we actually follow the “lather, rinse, repeat” instructions on the shampoo bottle, won’t we end up stuck in a shower-time-loop for the rest of our lives?

Then again, if we read the directions on a lot of these products, we might instead just end up confused for the rest of our lives. Like the can of spray paint labeled, “Do not spray in your face.” Wow. Barely dodged that bullet.

Then there’s the blow dryer with the directions “Do not use while sleeping.” Again, whew—close one. And since we all seem to have such a difficult time figuring out how to grasp the complexities of the blow dryer, everyone will be relieved to know that there’s a blowtorch out there that actually says right on the label, “Not used for drying hair.”

I’m not sure why we’re especially confusable when it comes to getting good hair, but there’s also hair dye on a store shelf that gives the caution, “Do not use as ice cream topping.” And I thought I was a bad cook. I guess I must be at least better in the kitchen than some people because, believe it or not, there was actually a toaster that had to be labeled, “Do not use underwater.” Man. There goes all my underwater toast-making fun.

Even though I may never get to sit and enjoy my underwater toast, I’m okay with sticking to my convictions to remain a conscientious follower of directions. Lathering and re-lathering, it’s probably just a safer way to live. But so much more than any earthly directions, I want to do everything I can to ever-stick to my convictions to remain a conscientious follower of Christ.

In Matthew 4 we read about Jesus calling the first disciples to follow Him. “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him” (Matthew 4:18-22 ESV).

Simple directions? Not really. To follow these instructions they had to first let go of what they held on to for security. They had to let go of most everything they knew. Even people they loved. Yet each of the four “immediately” left nets, boat, father—way of life—and followed.

It’s still His instruction to us today. Leave the things that used to bring you security. Leave the shiny distractions that once completely held your fancy. Leave the people you used to devote your time and energy and heart to. And follow.

Following Jesus in the complete abandon He calls us to is to enter into a surrender-loop for the rest of our lives. Love, follow, repeat.

Following Him. Lather or no lather, there’s no safer way to live. Really live. Even if you never obey the other labels. Though I have to tell you, I hate to imagine anybody failing to follow the directions on the mattress that read: “Do not attempt to swallow.”

Harvest Bounty

By Cindy Martin –

I’m writing this on the heels of canning some of the bountiful harvest available in our area. A soothing touch settles on my soul when I see jars of fruit, jams, jellies and other tasty delights lined up on my countertop and in my canning pantry. Besides the sense of accomplishment, it also brings feelings of satisfaction and a sense of being prepared for the long winter ahead. This year’s crops were especially abundant and as I reflected on the reason, I realized that it was because of all the rain. All the moisture (which seemed to arrive daily) sprinkled with periodic doses of sunshine, produced near perfect growing conditions for plants and weeds alike. Some of the places where I picked berries were knotted with weeds and thistles as high as the berry bushes, yet there was luscious fruit tucked under their vibrant green leaves. I was regularly surprised at where I’d find flourishing fruit.

It made me think of the life-giving power of God’s word. As the truth of His word saturates our souls, we are able to produce spiritual bounty in spite of the weeds in us and around us. Many times there are circumstances in our lives – some of our own making and some not – that would seem to choke out any attempts we may make at living a God honoring life. Yet letting the principles of God’s word transform our attitudes, actions and responses to the “weeds” of our life can and will produce the sustaining fruit of the Spirit -fruit that is real and meaningful, not fake and contrived.

While sunshine is definitely needed in the growth process, I was struck by the fact that it was heavy amounts of rain that brought the increase. Similarly, regular and sometimes intense doses of God’s word is what’s needed to keep us on track and develop the character that brings the spiritual increase we’re looking for.

“He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5 NKJV).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as rain brings life-giving moisture to the ground, may Your Spirit irrigate my soul with Your word.

Invisible Chariots

By Michelle Lim –

As a teenager I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s house looking at pictures and talking about days gone by.

One day we were looking at pictures and discovered a photo of my dad that I will always remember. My grandmother loved pictures of Jesus and she had this wooden carving of Jesus with his hands stretched out mounted on her wall. In the photo it looked like Jesus was laying his hands on my dad as if he were protecting him.

That picture is still a favorite in my family today. It reminded each of us that God is with us and protects us even when we can’t see it.

This picture reminds me of a story in 2 Kings when Elisha’s life is threatened by the Syrians. They were coming to kill Elisha because his wisdom to the King of Israel thwarted the plans of the Syrians.

During the night the king of Syria sent forth spies to look for Elisha. When they found him they surrounded the city. When Elisha and his servants woke in the morning the chariots and horseman surrounded the city.

Elisha’s servant saw the chariots and the force of the Syrians and did what any of us might have done. He panicked. He came to Elisha and asked what they were going to do.
In that moment the servant couldn’t see the hand of God in their situation, but God was right there all along. Elisha asked God to open the servant’s eyes and let him see because those that were on their side were much greater than the Syrians who opposed them. When God opened the eyes of the servant, God’s chariots and army stood with them. They won a great victory that day.

Just like the picture of my dad with Jesus’ hand on his shoulder, Elisha and his servants had God’s hand on them even when they couldn’t see Him. God’s hand rests on our lives too, even when we can’t see it.

“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:16-17 NIV).

Where Are You Placing Your Faith?

By Pat Hodges –

How often do we find ourselves struggling to hold onto our faith in the midst of disappointment and disillusionment? A never ending cycle for some, and depending on the severity, an open door for the enemy to come in and steal one’s joy, steal one’s vision, and rob the person of all hope. Proverbs 13:12a says, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.”’

So, how do we find ourselves so easily disillusioned and discouraged from being repeatedly disappointed? Chances are we aren’t putting our faith and hope in God alone, but instead we have our faith and hope in at least one of the following: circumstances, people or problems.

We find the following promise in the Word.

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:9-13 (KJV)

Throughout my years of ministry, I have found more often than not, that we have a strong tendency to make our request known to the Lord but with all kinds of strings attached. For instance, if we’re praying for finances, we may have fixed in our mind how we want the finances to come, and subconsciously we start identifying probable sources and means. It might be wiser to take the restrictions off of God and stop trying to work out the how and totally leave it up to Him, so that He can bring the answer as He decides.

Much of the time, we find ourselves defining how the answer is going to manifest rather than truly leaving that area up to the Lord. In the above scripture we don’t see anywhere where the how is addressed. It simply says in verse 9, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

God can get the answer to us in a million and one ways, our job is to simply trust and put an end to the vicious cycle of repeated disappointment and ongoing disillusionment.

Your GPS is a Lamp to My Feet

By Peter Lundell –

Driving at night from Interstate 5 through the coastal mountains to San Jose. GPS says go this way. Really? But we need to go to the 101. Double lanes narrow to single. Road curves and turns. Seems to head the wrong direction.

“Pete, this can’t be right.”

I grumble.

“Turn around.” Wife is not happy.

But the GPS seems happy.

I consider tossing it on the road and running it over.

No lights anywhere but for other cars. Shuttered fruit stands the only structures in the dark.
How did this happen? Can’t trust a GPS. Maybe a glitch and it thinks the address is in another town.

“I’ll pull over and check the map.” But there’s no place to pull over. I say a bad word and keep driving.

She calls ahead. They have no idea. Not good. Let’s try anyway. What a dumb idea.

Wait. Huh? We’re on the 101. How did that happen?

Soon the GPS says, “Arriving at address . . .” And we’re in front of the house.

Returning the next day, the same dark windy road becomes a picturesque tour through hills and fruit fields. What a lovely drive.

And I think how often I’ve done this in life, and so have you. We encounter uncharted directions and field untested challenges. God’s GPS, a.k.a. the Bible, directs us but we don’t trust it. Our situation is different. God doesn’t understand. Or maybe He doesn’t care. So we’re on our own in the dark.

Until we find that we’re not. That we’re in His hands. And we arrive well. When we look back or revisit the situation, it seems fine. Because we know how it works out.

Blessed are we when we learn to trust even while it’s still dark and the road still twists.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word” (Psalm 119:105–7 NIV).

“Lord, too often I have not trusted you. Forgive me. I choose here and now to trust You the next time my life’s path gets twisted or dark. Your Word is my map, and I travel in Your hands.”

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