The Plumbline

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:26-28 NLT) We frequently hear the verse reminding us that God works all things out for our good. We seldom quote what comes before that verse, overlooking the fact that we will have moments when we are weak, when we don't know how to pray, and when our heart will be hurting so much that we don't even want to pray. The more we 'don't know' what our heart is trying to express, the more we need the Spirit within us to express it for us. The 'good' God will bring forth from experiences where ...

Viktor Frankl said, "When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves." Have you ever thought that the more we want life to change around us, it could just be that it needs to change within us first? That thought may frighten some because they think they are on the right path already. We may very well be, but the choice to be on that path is one thing - the choice to do all God asks us to do may not always be what we choose.  When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. (Proverbs 29:18 NLT) We all have probably been in the situation of knowing something we were about to do isn't all that great of a choice, but we make it anyway. Why do we do that? Is it because we believe we know better than God? Is it that we just wanted the satisfaction of doing whatever it is we did? Regardless of the reason, we didn't act or do as we were instructed by God. Even when we don't hear his c...

If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. (Proverbs 14:22 NLT) Plans matter, don't they? I always admired individuals who could seemingly go through life without a plan, just spontaneously hopping from one thing to another, with really awesome outcomes. I was not one of those individuals. Once I learned the value of a list, I started making them! Once I learned the joy of checking things off on that list, I worked diligently to get each and every one of those items checked off. It isn't bad to plan - it is the basis of life. The motive behind the plans is what matters.  Are the plans correct for our life? Is the timing right for the completion of those plans? Will the plans add value to our lives? These are but a few of the questions we must consider when 'making plans'. There are likely a few others, such as will those plans hurt or help others, are they within our means, or will they be realiza...

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. (Philippians 2:14-16 NLT) Do everything - not some things, or just the things that feel good, but all things. Without complaining or arguing - now scripture has gone to meddling, hasn't it? We might be able to say we are willing to do some things without complaint, but ALL things? The more we complain, the less we invest. The more we argue, the further from the point we find ourselves. No wonder God asks us to do ALL things without complaint or argument! If we want to shine like bright lights in a very dark world, we need to put aside our need to always be right, always be in control, and always be heard. Sometimes we just need ...

A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” (Mark 7:32-37 NLT) Sometimes the more we want to hear, the less we actually hear. We lean in, trying to get a little closer to the one speaking, only to miss the fullness of what was shared. At other times, we wish we hadn't heard quite so clearly because what we he...

So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins. (Luke 6:46-49) Come, listen, obey - a house built on a strong foundation. Listen and disobey - a house built on a pretty wobbly and unreliable foundation.  Come - take time with him. Get in close proximity to him. Remove all the barriers or distractions to hearing his voice. Seek his face and you will never be disappointed by the time you take out of your day to do just that. It is the beginning of a solid foundation. Hear, bu...