The Plumbline

When I first encountered people from the southern states, I didn't realize some of their "customs" or "accepted behavior".  One such trait was that of not saying "yes" or "no", but "maybe" a whole lot more than I was accustomed to hearing. If you'd ask them if they wanted more mashed potatoes, they would answer "maybe" - but in actuality their "maybe" meant "yes".  It confused me for a while until I began to realize they were simply being polite by doing so - it neither committed them one way or the other, but if there indeed were mashed potatoes left in the pan at the end of the meal, they likely would eat them! I was raised in a "yes" or "no" kind of family - we didn't "commit" to things with a "maybe" very often.  In fact, I can hardly remember mom or dad not giving a decisive answer one way or the other.  Even when there was a little indecision in a m...

Merry Christmas to all!  Hope this is a blessed day for each of you and your extended families.  As we look at the blessings of Christmas, my hope is that we will consider first the blessing of our Savior's finished work on the cross. It was one gift you couldn't wrap, but it is always available even after the Christmas tree is put away!  God is in the business of taking what is withered and worn, then returning them to places of robust growth IN HIM.  This is the message of Christmas - the changed life made possible only as a result of accepting the gift given in his Son.  As our life is made robust in his goodness, we are commissioned to share this life with others - allowing the many graces we have been freely given to be poured out in service to others. This is the expression of love God desires from us today - the pouring out of our lives, without strings attached, for those in need right there around us today. Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the po...

Have you seen the hope of a promise?  The "pulling" or "pushing" effect of the promise you hold onto is often the only thing keeping you going, isn't it?  If you have ever really taken any kind of look into scriptures, you will see them filled with promises.  Some make immediate sense to us, causing us to just simply latch onto them quickly, while others take a little "getting used to" in order to have any real kind of impact on us.  By definition, a promise is something which gives hope - it is what we base our expectations on.  If we have been given a promise - we hold out for the fulfillment, don't we?  Now, in terms of God's promises, they actually serve to "pull us on" when we don't have the energy to make another move ourselves! With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples...

I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile,  be gracious to me just as you promised.   When I took a long, careful look at your ways,  I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.  I was up at once, didn't drag my feet,  was quick to follow your orders.   The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out— but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.   I get up in the middle of the night to thank you;  your decisions are so right, so true—I can't wait till morning!  (Psalm 119:58-62 The Message) It is not an uncommon thing to tell God that we want ALL his blessings - each and every good thing that he has promised to us.  I wonder how many of us really know how to receive what has been given!  Most of us do a good job with the "asking" part -- but when it comes to "receiving" we stink!  We simply don't believe the provision is true, or we just don't reach out and make the blessing fully ours. ...

1-2  When Abram was ninety-nine years old,  God  showed up and said to him, "I am The Strong God, live entirely before me, live to the hilt! I'll make a covenant between us and I'll give you a huge family." (Genesis 17:1-2 The Message) Two things popped out to me from this passage - God's call is never too late, and his expectations are quite extensive!  Abram (Abraham) was nearly a century old when God placed the call on his life.  Imagine that in today's life-span and it was late into life that he received his call.  There are times that I hear more mature Christians saying that God cannot use them any longer.  That is hog-wash!  God's call is irrespective of age, natural talent, or financial means!  His call transcends our physical limitations, infuses us with talents we never thought we'd possess, and makes miraculous provision for every inch of the journey! The Lord spoke with Abram and gave two very specific expectations to him: ...

12-19  What can I give back to  God  for the blessings he's poured out on me?    I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!  I'll pray in the name of  God ; I'll complete what I promised  God  I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people.  When they arrive at the gates of death,  God  welcomes those who love him.  Oh,  God , here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service!  I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of  God .  I'll complete what I promised  God  I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people, in the place of worship, in  God 's house, in Jerusalem, God's city.    Hallelujah! (Psalm 116:12-19) This psalm opens with, "I love God because he listened to me", and ends with "I'll complete what I promised God I'd do".  In the...

Remember what you said to me, your servant—       I hang on to these words for dear life!    These words hold me up in bad times;       yes, your promises rejuvenate me.  (Psalm 119:49-50) A promise - do we really understand the meaning of that word anymore today?  It seems like words are spoken these days, with no real intention of keeping those "promises" made in the spur of the moment.  A promise is an expression of assurance that we base our expectation on - not a stipulation, or an undertaking that might or might not work out.  When God made a promise to his children, he made it with a commitment to fulfill every aspect of that promise, regardless of the cost. Hope comes in a promise.  Comfort is contained in a promise.  The Word of God is filled with promises God has made with his children - hundreds of them.  So, why is it that we view God's Word as something that is...