The Plumbline

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (James 1:2-3) How do we fair when things are a little bit too difficult or different from the 'ordinary' in our lives? If there is uncertainty looming, where do we turn? The answer to those two questions can show us a great deal about where it is we place our trust and on whom we 'rely' when the times are a bit challenging. Panic setting in, or a peace that seems to envelop you - which one best and most often describes you?  When our faith is being tested, it is an opportunity for God to demonstrate his power and grace. If we face difficulties in 'panic mode', we frequently take things into our own hands. In other words, we jump right out of God's arms and attempt to take control of the situation, leaving God somewhere 'back there'. Get out ahead of God's p...

And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:17-19) The Apostle Paul had been instructed to take the gospel message to the Gentile nation (those who were not part of the Jewish faith). He was told to teach them about the work of Christ on their behalf – to tear down any dividing wall between Jew and Gentile and to welcome all into the family of God. To this end, he asks God to help those who have welcomed Christ into their lives to know the intensity and integrity of God’s love. Intensity because God’s love is deeper than any human form of love. Integrity b...

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season. (Jeremiah 17:7-8) What comes to mind when you hear the word "trust"? If you are like me, you might immediately go to the idea of being able to rely upon someone because of their integrity. They exhibit steadfastness of character and strength that invites you to 'trust' their ability. Some may go the route of saying 'trust' means you can count on something or someone. None of these definitions is wrong - they are all accurate ways to describe trust. There is one other way to describe trust - probably the most accurate of all - Jesus. He is the one with supreme ability and strength; integrity that goes beyond whatever we have seen modeled in others; and the foundation upon which we...

Defeat:  To prevail over, vanquish, overcome in battle; to frustrate or thwart; to eliminate or cut off from what was expected.  I think we can all remember times when we seemed to be vanquished by some force bigger, more difficult to resist than our own abilities could handle.  Those moments invoked fear in us, or perhaps just plain sadness and a sense of helplessness as we stood there under the attack of whatever it was.  There are times when this sense of overwhelming frustration just overcomes us with such force we almost cannot stand under the weight of it - but I don't think these are times God intends for us to face alone!  In fact, he will help us defeat our enemies if we just ask him to and then stand assured in his help. Help us defeat the enemy! No one on earth can rescue us. Only God can make us strong. Only God can defeat our enemies! (Psalm 108:12-13 ERV) There is no power on this earth stronger than our God.  He is able to thwar...

God's business vs. our business - have you ever stopped to just think that one through?  Some stuff is just not ours to handle, while other stuff is clearly within our ability and common sense to handle.  For example, which laundry detergent to purchase is a matter of our own ability and a little common sense.  If you want clean clothes, you might choose this brand over another because it is better at removing the stains without pre-treating.  If you want this wonderful fresh smell to them, you might choose one high in fragrance added.  These are common sense decisions based on what we are capable of determining ourselves.  On the other hand, decisions such as the person we should marry may not fall into the "common sense" and "personal ability" category!  If you want to argue that one through for a while, I am all ears, but the divorce statistics worldwide would indicate we do a pretty lousy job at this one in "our own ability".  We need divine ...

Trust:  Reliance upon strength, integrity or ability.  We have a great deal of "things" we rely upon, do we not?  When we turn on the light switch, we "trust" upon the individual who is monitoring the electrical current production at our local power plant to have been on duty, ensuring the flawless delivery of the electricity to that switch.  When we turn on the tap, we "trust" upon the pipes to produce refreshing and clean water because someone has done the job of digging a well which delivers an unending supply.  We also trust in people - placing our hope in their promise of "delivery" of some "thing" from love to being home at a certain time.  What we don't realize is the lack of dependability we really have in any "thing" or "person" apart from Christ. Trust the  Lord  completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge.     With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the rig...