Keep On Believing

"Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." Mark 5:36 NASB

In the book of Mark we meet Jairus, a synagogue official. As Jesus exited the boat, He was surrounded by people. Jairus breaks through the crowd and falls at the feet of Jesus. He speaks to Jesus of his little daughter being at the point of death. He asked the Lord to come lay His hands on her that she may get well and live.

Jesus consented to go to the officials house. A great multitude followed Him, crowding and  pressing all around Jesus as He walked. Jesus stopped to speak with a woman who was healed by touching the hem of His robe. As he was speaking, some men from the official's house came saying, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?"

But Jesus overheard what they said, and He said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." Jesus allowed no one to follow Him, except, Peter, James and John. When Jesus reached the house of the official there was commotion made by those who were wailing and weeping. Jesus asked them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep." They began to laugh at Him. Jesus put them all out of the house and took with Him the little girl's parents, Peter, James and John and entered the room where the little one was. Jesus took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha kumi!" which translated means, "Little girl I say to you, arise!" Immediately the girl rose and began to walk. She was twelve years old. Jesus instructed her parents to give her something to eat.

As previously stated, Jesus told Jairus, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." The words "only believe" mean "keep on believing". In the face of what Jairus knew, his daughter was gravely ill; and the men coming to tell Jairus his daughter died, he could have lost faith. Instead he chose to believe Jesus.

Despite what our eyes can see, or our ears hear, we have to believe Jesus. Life can toss us some cruel situations, strained relationships, sickness, the death of a loved one, anything it wants to toss and through it all we have to choose to believe Jesus. He knows best the hard things we endure will shape our character, making it less human and more divine. The devil will lie, and try to persuade that God doesn't care. If He did care, we wouldn't have to endure this heartache and rough place in life. John 8:44b Yet, as metal is melted to prove it's purity, our hearts are melted to prove belief in Jesus to the glory of God the Father.
1 Peter 1:6,7

Whatever I face, I need to believe Jesus because my trial or adversity is larger than my mind can understand or comprehend. But God is a big God and His Word promises that faith is rewarded. Hebrews 11:6, Romans 4:20, 21, 1 Peter 1:8.

Build up your faith seeking God in the pages of His Word. Pray, prayer is not only talking to God, but listening to Him. Resist the devil's lies. James 4:7 The devil hates Scripture. Remember, Jesus used Scripture to fight the devil during His temptation. Matthew 4:1-11 Above all you do, keep on believing Jesus. Believe His work in your life,His abundant love and His grace given to you.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

“Scraps”

My grandson came home from school one day last week with a little stuffed dog which he named Poppy. He was given this little puppy because he did his work and received all a pluses.

I was working on a quilt, as I cut the pieces I put them aside. "What are these, Nana?” Xavier asked. "They are scraps. They will be used for another quilt or something useful," I replied "Are clothes for Poppy useful, Nana?" The quilt was put aside and clothes for Poppy was the task at hand. Poppy now has a coat, an outfit for every day, pajamas, a pillow and quilt for his bed. Scraps are definitely useful in the mind of a soon to be 8 year old!

As I was sewing I thought to myself, God has never given me scraps. He gives me His best; He gave me His Son, His Spirit, His Word, God gives His best. Romans 8:32
Jesus takes the scraps of my life and makes a quilt that will be shown to all at the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10 He takes my prayers, my praise and thanksgiving to God and everything I do and makes them into a glorious creation known only to Him. Matthew 16:27

So when my life has situations and circumstances; when I am weighed down with sorrow; or weary from the drudgery of every day, I think of the scraps of life and I thank God for faith. Romans 12:3 No matter what may befall me I have my salvation thanks to Jesus Christ and praise be to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Now I look at my quilt scraps differently thanks to a little boy who wanted clothes for his dog, and I remember, the scraps of today are my quilt of eternity.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

www.mycalvaryslove.com

The New Year

Every year I am asked the same question as others are asked. What is your New Year's resolution?
I never make resolutions. To make them means self reliance for the things I want to accomplish. It doesn't matter what I may want. It matters what God wants. I have learned not to trust myself because the Bible warns me not to do that. Proverbs 3: 5-6. I have also learned anything I try to accomplish on my own is doomed to fail.

Each day I am reminded of Jesus  teaching His disciples in Luke 12:35-40 Jesus explains blessed are those servants who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes finds them watching. Jesus tells also says, "Gird your waist and your lamps burning. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Girding the waist means to take the long robes worn by those in the east and pulling them from the back, between the legs to tuck them into the belt. This enables the person to run without hindrance, or tripping and falling on their robe. Let nothing slow you down, hinder, or preoccupy you to take your mind of Christ's return. The lamps burning signifies the Holy Spirit. Lamps in the eastern culture were filled with oil. Jesus is reminding His people be filled with the Holy Spirit, shinning bright in a dark sinful world. Always being aware that His return is at a time when no one knows,only the Father. Matthew 24:36

I will begin this year as I have in years past, with prayer. I will ask the Lord for a verse, one just from Hm . Then, I will begin reading my Bible through the coming year. I am confident there will be  many new revelations of the God I love. I will wait with anticipation for His return, everyday.
     "Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes." Luke 12:43

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

Joy to the World

It is with great joy I look forward to this day all year. It is not about the gifts, nor the celebrations, or even time with family. As good as all these things may be, they pale in comparison to Jesus. Christmas is one day of the year that has to be recognized as Christ's alone.

The angel was to bring tidings of great joy for all people. Then the angel and a multitude of heavenly hosts surrounded the shepherds, praising God saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward man." The joy the angel spoke of thousands of years ago was for me, for all who believe in Jesus Christ; for it was His sacrifice which brought peace to me. His blood allows me to come before the throne of God, peacefully and with confidence.  Hebrews 4 :16

Reading through my Bible, my passage brought me to 1 Peter 1: 7-9 "That the trial of your faith, bring that much more precious than gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love,in whom though now you see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." There it is, "yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable." That is the best way I can find to explain the joy of Jesus. It is unspeakable, meaning there are no words to explain the joy He gives to the believer, the joy cannot be described because it is of the Spirit.

Jesus told of those who would believe when Thomas touched the wounds of the Savior. He said, "Thomas, because thou hast seen  Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet believe." John 20:29

Jesus provided His joy for everyone but not all will believe. His sacrifice provided abundant life for everyone, but not everyone will accept it. But to those who celebrate the wonder of the Word becoming flesh, and love Jesus though you have not seen Him He promises abundant joy. The joy the angel announced, the joy the apostle Peter said was indefinable is found in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

To all who read this, I wish you a joyful Christmas in Jesus. May you look to Him as your forever Gift, sent from the Father to find a place in your heart. Merry Christmas!

Author ~Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Joys of Jesus

“Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all the people.”  Luke 2: 10

 

One of the enjoyments I have is my Bible. Each year at Christmas I look to the Lord for a new revelation, a word He may give, or a thought He may explain. My expectation is rewarded when I read the Word and truth will go on in my mind like a light in a dark closet.

I have been meditating on one of my favorite Scriptures. To me, it is what Christmas is all about. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1, 2

Before the world began Jesus was with the Father, waiting for the moment He would come to earth to live and die for me. The apostle John carries this thought further, he states: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled concerning the Word of life-the life was manifested and we have seen, and bear witness and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us.” 1John 1:1

Jesus gave up His eternal existence with the Father to put on humanity that He may redeem me. He will be forever clothed in humanity; no longer will He be as He was in the beginning with the Father.

     “Oh sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” Psalm 98:1

After Christ’s ascension He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. He continues as the great High Priest making intercession for the saints. Romans 8:27 Jesus is not only near those who call on Him, but He continually intercedes for His followers as they accomplish the will of God in their lives. Jesus knows better than anyone what life is like in this world; He is the Strength of His saints. Psalm 29:11; Psalm 138:3

I could continue for pages extoling the joys that are found in Jesus. I realize there are others who have their own “joys”. During this Christmas season I encourage you to seek the presence of Jesus. He brings peace to the soul in these troubled times.

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence there is fullness of joy; At Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

www.mycalvaryslove.com

 

                         

 

 

Want versus Need

 

“One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.’’ Luke 10:42

The time of year is approaching when families gather and gifts are given. It is a joyful time for adults and children. I know when I hear the song, “Silver Bells” it brings back memories of my mother and I  walking downtown to look for gifts for friends and family. Yet, there is a negative side to the positive joy of Christmas. Festivities and celebrations abound, shopping frenzies and secular Christmas music drown out the real reason for Christmas in a world that is steeped in secular humanism and advertising tactics of every kind.People become stressed out and worn down to a point where they can feel nothing but exhaustion. Jesus said, “The thief comes but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10 Commercialization and materialism have tried to steal the joy of Christmas, kill the celebration of Christ, and destroy the true meaning of worship.

Children see the latest toys advertised and scream out, “I want that!” Adults work longer hours to ensure there will be enough money to make it a “good” Christmas. Stores will stock the latest gifts, stocking stuffers, candy and goodies to ensure a productive sales year. After all, not all merchants benefit from Thanksgiving because it’s just food. Secretly merchants think to their selves, “Oh! Christmas, now there’s the real money maker!” They could care less that Christmas is to be about Christ.

Please do not misunderstand. I am not advocating the absence of gift giving or family celebrations, or anything of that nature. However, think about it; the commercialization of Christmas comes earlier each year. This year, Target began their Christmas advertising in October! My daughter asked me, “What happened to Thanksgiving?” Before Thanksgiving arrives our senses are being bombarded with “Black Friday” sales and commercials.  When I was a child Saturday morning cartoons never had a commercial to sell a toy. Today with all the programming for children the advertisers have greater latitude to assure children they need this or that toy. I waited with anticipation for the Sears catalog to arrive in the mail. I would sit and look at the toys and wonder what would be under the Christmas tree. I never received what was in the catalog. I received what my parents could afford and I was happy.

There was a kind of wonder to the whole idea that only my parents knew what I would be receiving for Christmas. I made the mistake a few days before Christmas saying I wanted a particular doll. My father looked at me with sternness in his face and said, “Christmas is about Christ, it’s not about you.” What my father taught me concerning this truth has made each Christmas a pleasant experience for me. I exchange gifts, but I am not consumed with shopping. I still spend Christmas thanking God for the countless blessings I have received in His Son, and for the many ways He daily provides for me and my family.

Jesus told a parable concerning a rich man. He prefaced the parable with this warning: “Take heed”, in other words, listen carefully, pay close attention”. “Take heed and beware of all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses. Luke 12:15
Covetousness is a strong desire for the possession of worldly things; an insatiable desire of gaining and possessing wealth and material gain. It assumes sometimes the more aggravated form of avarice. Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5; 1Timothy 6: 9, 10; Matthew 6:20

Jesus continued the parable. The ground of a rich man produced a good crop. The man thought to himself, I need to tear these barns down and build bigger barns to store my grains and goods in; then I can sit back and take it easy. But God said, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” Jesus said, “So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.” Luke 12:13-21

What does it mean to be rich toward God? Thanksgiving for the blessings of salvation, thanking Him for His Son, for the Holy Spirit, for His plan of redemption, for daily provision, for strength and grace in suffering and trials, healing, admitting you would’nt have anything if it were not for God; the list is endless. It also means advancing God’s kingdom by giving to ministries who aid Israel and spread the Gospel. Romans 15:27; Mark 16:15

The rich man gave no thought to the ground, the barns and his crop, all of which belonged to God. All the rich man’s crop needed to prosper: air, sun, fair weather, rain – all belonged to God. God graced the man with a good crop and allowed him to be rich. The man believed he would always have good crops. He was not satisfied with the blessing of God; he wanted more to ensure he would not have to work as he became older. He did not thank God for anything. He believed he prospered because of his own merit. I am reminded of this parable when I hear of people trampling one another to purchase gifts. They are more interested in getting the “perfect” gift than they are their own soul.

An abundance of material goods does not always imply God’s blessing. Most people believe material possessions come because they work for them. King David’s prayer found in 1 Chronicles 29:11 is beautiful. “Yours is the greatness and the power, and the glory and the majesty and the splendor…for everything in heaven and earth is Yours…wealth and honor come from You.’’ Everything comes from God.  Ecclesiastes 5:19

God creates the ‘want’ in human souls to encourage prayer in accordance with His will. Mark 11:22-26; Philippians 4:6 When want becomes an obsession for worldly goods, that’s when coveting turns to lust and idolatry. Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you have need of before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8 Some ask God for material things, but God knows once they receive what they want, those things will keep the person from seeking Him, so He waits until the believer matures. James 4:3 There are Scriptures which tell of God’s desire to bless His children. Psalm 84:11 The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 34: 9, 10 Oh fear the LORD you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 145:19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him. The fear spoken of here is reverential awe. With every promise comes a requirement. It can be seen from these verses the believer must walk uprightly with integrity and give to God reverence, seek Him, and obey His commands to reap the blessing of the promise. James 4:6

Jesus also reminds believers to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and God will provide all things needed. Matthew 6: 29-34 Jesus came to do the Father’s will, to be an Example for me; to suffer and die, to rise from the dead and ascend to heaven to allow the Holy Spirit to purge me of self that I may be filled to overflowing with His Spirit and power. How can I not put Jesus first in my life when He accomplished more for me in my redemption than I can comprehend? I can testify God has given me things I never mentioned I wanted. God heard the yearning of my heart. My priority is doing His will and leaving all my desires in His loving hands. I have never been disappointed.

I refuse to bow down to the god of commercialization and materialism. Living for Jesus brings a joy the world cannot give and surely it cannot take it away. I need Jesus, I want Jesus, all else is like the grass that fades away. Isaiah 40:8 As Christ’s birthday approaches I will enjoy listening to sacred Christmas carols and songs I grew up delighting in. I will let my mind dwell on the wonder and birth of a Savior, the Only Begotten Son of God given to all who may desire to accept God’s gift of salvation. It is with great anticipation I look forward to this Advent season, with joy and peace! Luke 2:11

Author~ Joyce Andrews Bickel                                                                         
www.mycalvaryslove.com

The Way Home

“I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

Psalm 32:5

 

The Christians walk may be described as a road, or a pathway to a final destination - heaven. Matthew 7:13, 14

There are exits along the road; traveled to long this road leads to apostasy as it’s the destination. If conviction is taken sincerely there is a self-loathing before the soul becomes serious concerning repentance. Remorse is not repentance. Oswald Chambers states: “Strictly speaking, repentance is a gift from God. No man can repent when he chooses. A man can be remorseful when he chooses, but remorse is a lesser thing than repentance. Repentance means that I show my sorrow for the wrong thing by becoming the opposite.” 
2  Corinthians 7:10 

 There are events, thoughts and human reasoning which acknowledges the wrong road has been taken. There are strange voices of inner turmoil admitting the sin which has enveloped the soul is awful, there is no forgiveness. You can’t return to the Main road, He will only punish, and make you pay for your sin. Just as the Holy Spirit whispers conviction, He is also, as Jesus said, our Guide. John 16:13 Nothing could be further from the truth. 
1 John 4:10

 In reality God is standing, looking down the road for the return of His child. Luke 15:20 Sin steals the good things God intends to give; the purposes He desires to accomplish in the life of His child.  Jeremiah 5:25 When sin prevails the lust of the flesh is the occupant of the throne of the heart, not Jesus. The insistence to travel the exited road dethrones Christ and puts self-centered and selfishness on the throne instead.

 In Psalm 32:5 David uses three words to describe the path of sin; the nature of carnality which exists to rob the heart and soul of God’s peace.

 TRANSGRESSION – The continual thoughts of sin. It is premeditated; it is a willful deviation from the path of righteousness. It crosses the line of God’s laws, rejecting His sovereignty.  It takes place in the mind. Psalm 19:13

 INIQUITY- Crooked behavior, which leads to sinful actions and the consequences of those actions. Iniquity involves behavior. Psalm 119:7

 SIN – An offence which causes us to fall short of God’s standard. It is the culmination of transgression and iniquity. It involves the body, soul, and spirit Isaiah 59:2 

 In the book of Isaiah it is prophesied of Jesus saying, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax (dimly burning) He will not quench (extinguish) Isaiah 42:3.

 Albert Barnes in his exposition of this verse states: The word ‘reed’ means cane or calmus which grows up in marshy and wet places. The word, therefore, denotes that which is fragile, weak, and easily waved by the wind; this stands in sharp contrast with a lofty, firm tree. Jeremiah 17:8 The word bruised means that which is broken and crushed, but not entirely broken off.  Flax was used to make wicks to burn in lamps. A smoking flax was one that flickered, losing its power to burn brightly, but nearly consumed. The promise is given that Jesus will never extinguish or put out a flickering wick. Compromise causes flickering wicks because there is no oil. Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. When sin dominates the heart, the mind, soul, and spirit are deaf to the Holy Spirit.  God allows suffering and adversity to bring the believers to their knees and return to Him.

Oswald Chambers in his book, “Prayer A Holy Occupation, states: “Lust is the impatience of desire. I must have it at once.” The apostle John says, “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father, but of the world.”  1 John 2:16

Lamentations 3:33 Jesus desires to cherish, cultivate, and refill the oil in the lamp of the heart with His grace and mercy, causing the flame to rise high and burn brightly. He is the Redeemer who nourishes the heart of His people Luke 5: 14, 15, and 16.

 The LORD reminds the weary, worn and errant sojourner in Jeremiah 16:6. “Stand in the way and see, ask for the old paths and where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.”  In other words, stop and look where you are going and when you discover it is a road away from God, ask Him how to return to the old road you were on. God’s way is the way of rest and peace. Matthew 11:28, 29.

God lays out what is gained by returning through contrition and repentance. “For thus says the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved. In quietness and confidence shall be your strength…” Isaiah 30:15

 Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven to give me power over sin. If I do not utilize His blood, His sacrifice would be in vain and I would be destined to destruction. Derek Prince states that the blood of Jesus is like an atomic bomb to the devil and his minions. Christ's blood has the power to keep me in the path of righteousness. Psalm 23:3; Revelation 12:11Jesus accomplished everything for me so there is no excuse to stay on the exited road, going the wrong way. God gave me every provision I would need to live a holy and righteous life when He gave me Jesus. 1 Corinthians 6:20

 Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel

www.mycalvaryslove.com