SelahV Today by hariette petersen

HUMILITY WAS INVITED TO DINNER...

~~and was barely even noticed.

~~it bowed its head in gratitude, so honored to be a guest.

~~it felt full before its first bite from the blessing of being a part of another's hospitality and grace.

~~it listened with interest to each dinner guest, and never once called attention to itself.

Humility.  It does not exalt itself.  It does not boast.  It waits for others to be served before serving itself.  It is satisfied with any portion of the roasted lamb.  It never feels slighted or unappreciated.  It doesn't put itself above another, nor does it find pleasure in another's embarassment, or abasement.  The cloak of affirmation feels like another's coat.  Though humility accepts the garment, it never seems to fit. 

Lord, keep us ever mindful of our inadequacy without You.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace.  We rejoice in the favor You give us, a favor so undeserved.  selahV   

GUILE INVITES ITSELF TO DINNER...

~~invites itself to dinner into the hearts of man and eats him alive from the inside out.

GUILE: 

~~puts on its Sunday-best and pretends to be what it is not.

~~swallows deceit and coats a tongue with platitudes of grace, then speaks words of pretense and ill-will among the brethren.

~~sips on the cup of betrayal and waits an opportune time to use its lips to kiss the cheek of its host.

~~dines on the truth of others and twists it to say something never meant to be said.

~~wades in streams where truth flows and muddies up the water with oil-slick feet.

~~is coated in toxins of hidden agendas and finely veiled hypocrisy. 

Guile filled the hearts of those who sought to destroy Jesus.  Guile used compliments and position to get close to Him to ask Him questions and try and trap Him.  Guile seeks nothing from another but that which it can use to destroy or create havoc.  Guile is the core of satan's blackened heart.  He used his guile in the Garden of Eden.  He used his guile when he tried to tempt Jesus.  He uses his guile with us.  A person filled with guile cannot ever be trusted.  He is a Judas who pretends to befriend, then plots with others to destroy.

Some people pretend to be righteous and are not.  They point out the flaws of other men and, like the Pharisees, are proud that they are not like the one caught in sin.  Though men may be deceived by guile, it will not survive, the Lord will bring it unto judgment at the Bema.

Oh, Lord Most High, give us eyes to see if there be any deceit within us.  Let us be ever-humble before You and seek only the good and best for others.  Let us use the truth we know to show Your steadfast love and beware of those who come to us in sheep's clothing with unseemly purposes.  selahV

DROPS OF GRACE AND TRUTH

Each day of our lives God pours out His grace upon mankind. With a flick of His finger, or a nod of His head, the sun would fall from heaven and consume the earth.  Yet, Christ tarries.  He does not return.  He withholds judgment.  He stores His rewards for those who love Him.  He prepares mansions with many rooms.  Like the rays of sunshine, He fills the earth with His presence.

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the Light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:19-21

Drop by drop, God delivers His grace and faith to those who respond to Him in truth and repentance.  We who love Him, live within His grace--not just under it.  In grace, God allows us room to breathe, to walk with Him and share in His work here on earth.  We can walk out into the darkened world and still have His protection and provision.  We need not huddle beneath an imaginary space to seek approval of man.  As we walk in the truth of Christ, we light the darkness--we bless others with His goodness, kindness, and love--in storms and turbulence of life.

I wonder, what are "deeds we clearly do" that "have been done in God"?

It seems to me they would be charitable deeds.  Deeds purposed to share God's love, to generate love, to inspire others to do likewise.  We could take our cue from how we would want to be treated.  Should we feel lonely, we could listen to someone's troubles.  Should we feel weak, we could let someone lean on us.  When we need comforting, we could comfort another...encouragment, encourage another.  If we need affirmation, we could affirm another.  When we seek forgiveness, we could forgive another.

It's a good feeling to know the pure grace of God and own His benefits.  It's a better feeling to share those benefits with others.  Don't you think?  selahV

SELF-CONTROL

~~is staying away from the grocery if you always are tempted beyond your endurance at the Little Debbie's aisle (I will eat the whole box once it is in my house--if I make it to the house).

~~is keeping your thoughts to yourself unless they encourage and edify.

~~is remaining calm in the midst of a heart exploding with anger.

~~is bringing every thought into the captivity of Christ.

What is self-control to you?  Is there ever a time that chit-chat conversations shouldn't be monitored by the Holy Spirit?  When we let our emotions lead our conversations and what "we" think, aren't we walking outside of His control?  Even in jest?  With a critical observation? I've been guilty of this on many occasions.  It's so easy to see what's wrong with others, don't you think?  Some people make it easier than others.  Lately I've been struggling to look at the best side of people.  The more I look for the positive, the more negatives seem to appear.  Ever have that happen?  I'm thinking it is God testing me to see if I truly want to see the better of others.  What do you think?  selahV   

HAVOC, HARMONY AND HOPE

In the world we have havoc.  In Christ we live in harmony with God and in hope of eternal peace.  Our peace is not in this world.  For the world is ruled by the prince of darkness.  He creates havoc in the lives of every Christian.  His aim is to destroy your peace, to rob you of joy, to impede your progress, your every effort, your every goal.

"Why can't we live the dedicated, sold-out, life of Christ?" the Sunday School teacher asked.  The circle of people looked at one another.  Some looked down.  Others shrugged their shoulders.  Two offered, "Because we are human."

"Is that not just an excuse?"

Perhaps it is an excuse.  Perhaps it is truth.  We are human.  We cannot possibly live the life of Christ in our own strength.  Our dedication needs to be to Him.  We feed our bodies with breakfast, lunch and dinner--a few snacks in between.  We feed our minds with the morning news--the evening news---the late-night news.  In between we snack on thrillers, mysteries, comedy, sit-com and reality shows.  We drink blog-surf instead of Living Water.  Where is the nourishment for our minds?  Stop.  Turn off the television, the radio, the computer screen.  Listen to the stillness.  Listen for the still small voice of God.  Open His word and purge the world from your mind.  Put on the helmet of savation and keep your mind protected from the fiery darts of satan's accusations, lies, and assaults.

You are a saint.  You are separated from this world of darkness.  You are light.  You are salt.  You add flavor to this world.  You are not tasteless--nor are you putrid spew.  You are righteous in Christ--not living unto unrighteousness.  You are a child of the Most High God.  You have favor among men.  Live like a child of the King.  Lift your head and walk tall.  Do not slump, nor stagger.  Lift your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help.  Do not cast your eyes down into the dirt.  Look up.  Let the sun shine upon your face--let the shadows fall behind you.  Cast your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you.  Take His yoke upon you and let Him bear the weight.  God is good--in you He perfects goodness and blessing and righteousness--for His name's sake.  God's Spirit dwells within you.  He makes intercession with your every prayer.  Pray for every person you see and let the Spirit of God lead you to spur others on to good works. 

Havoc is chaos cloaked in opportunity.  God's opportunity to show you how great He is.  Embrace His strength, His power, His wisdom.  Let harmony and peace flood your being.  For you know He is God.  And He has favor upon you.  selahV

"Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour." Proverbs 14:9

OUR SPIN ON SIN

It's that white-washing we give to what we say.  It's the embellishments we add to our stories regarding the motives we had, or have, for doing what we do.  It's the justification we make for our actions.

It's the righteous indignation we espouse and the pleasure we taste when admonishing or reproving another brother in Christ for some flaw we think we see in his Christian walk.  It's the piety we spew when we point crooked fingers at another's "sin" as if the finger is not poking him in the eyeball at the same time.

It the eagerness we think we have kept veiled while waiting to see if another "gets their just desserts".  It's the warmth that hugs our hearts when we see another stumble or fall, due to pride and haughtiness.  It's the comfort we cradle when we consider we are not as bad as someone else.  It's the sparkle in our eyes when we utter "I told you so."

Spin.  Such guile.  Such pretense.  It spoils and foils sincerity; it rots from the inside out and spews its toxins on all within the sphere of its rotation as it turns round and round.  Move out of its way.  Stay clear.

Lord, open our eyes to our need of You.  Keep us from putting spin on the sin in our lives.  Keep us from honoring the sin of others with applause, accolades, or affirmation.  Let us grant to others the grace You give to us for which we will never ever deserve.  Illumine the hypocrisy of life and keep us from its influence.  Grant us grace wherein we fail to obey in the least of ways and walk where Your Word does not lead.  selahV 

Such a Sweet Wish

In place of a birthday cake, my daughter and her little girls made me cupcakes yesterday.  We had them today after our Father's Day dinner.  Haylee and Kinsey like to blow out candles so I had my daughter put a candle in three cupcakes so we'd all blow out my candles at the same time.

"Did you make a wish?" I asked Haylee.

"Yes. I wished you'd live forever and ever."

Is that not the sweetest wish a grandma could have from her grandchild?  The glorious part about that wish is that it will definitely come true.  Jesus is my Lord.  And He has promised me that I will live forever and ever.  I pray I live long enough to see my granddaughter come to know Jesus and understand the full truth of her wish for me...and that we will all live forever and ever in His grace.  Amen?

PRAYING FOR AUSTRALIA

A blogging friend of mine says he could use our prayers. In August, he takes on a new role in Sydney, Australia.

He will:

•Equip and support new and existing Special Religious Education Boards; promote and support local church involvement in state High School ministry in the State High schools during school time. We can present the gospel in our High schools if we have enough teachers to do it.
•Plan and implement strategies to increase the reach and impact of state High School ministries
•Negotiate with state High Schools to develop SRE (Special Religious education) programs Network with state High School SRE teachers ands chaplains
•Support and train Youthworks’ College students to work as part time chaplains (paid for by the Australian Federal Government).
•Support and advise local paid SRE teachers and chaplains
•Create and deliver high quality training for state High School SRE teachers and chaplains
And help these folk to be involved in a Union of teachers and chaplains to encourage high standards.
I value your prayers.
Steve

Can you imagine if our government in America would allow Baptists to present the gospel to teenagers?  Wow!  We can't even hand out Bibles anymore.  Please pray for Steve as he leads in this endeavor.  Pray for teachers to be saved so they will, in turn, lead youth to Christ.  selahV 

PRAYING FOR BLOGGERS

Today I am compelled to pray for fellow bloggers.

May the wisdom of God fill your minds.

May the peace of God fill your hearts.

May the love of God permeate every part of your being.

May the joy of God be your reward.

May the righteousness of God be your aim, your quest, your desire--more for your own life than that of others.  May you measure each word before you write.  May the holiness of God be your guide. May your own acts of righteousness and purity of mind, spirit and heart be unimpeachable.  May even the mundane and daily conversation about life be without fault before the eyes of the Father in Heaven.  May you render to others what you expect from others.  May mercy follow your steps and goodness precede them.

May your fingertips press upon letters that give a reader--be they friends, strangers, foe, or family--comfort, inspiration, affirmation, validation, encouragement and edification.  May any information you impart be that which glorifies the Lord and builds up others and stirs them on to good works.  May nothing you say offend a brother in Christ or bring harm to them in any way.

May your sentences illustrate the love of God within you.  May your words be a fragrance for the Lord.  May nothing of what you write bring shame upon your witness toward our Savior, Redeemer and Lord.  May the world read your words and be drawn closer to Jesus as a result.  May children be able to see your words and know your motives are pure.  May new Christians find direction, guidance and hope in what they read; may they grow stronger as a result of having come your way.

May you be a wellspring of gentleness, tenderness, sincerity, humility, forgiveness and grace.  May others see Jesus in you.  Amen.  selahV

GUEST DEVOTIONAL

A couple of weeks ago, I found a devotional writer, Randy Chambers, through Faith Writers, whom I now feature each day in the middle column of SelahV Today.  His devotional changes most every day.  But today I wanted to share what he wrote that touched my heart for so many I know who are hurting today.  In case you missed Randy's devotional:

ALONE by Randy Chambers

Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV: "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

"They struggle alone sometimes. They sit and stare into the sad corners of their hearts and sink. Depression sets in like a cancer. What they need to bring them out of it, God alone truly knows. But He is ready to reveal that information to us, and to provide us opportunity to minister. Sometimes they need a lot from us. Sometimes they need just a little. Sometimes they simply want to know that we will desist the activities of our own lives for just a moment--just long enough to take notice of them, and to pray, and to focus for a moment on who they are, and what God desires for them.

Is it apathy that chains us? Is it selfishness? Like many things in the Christian life, repentance leads the way.

If only for a few minutes each day we would sit, and think, and turn our thoughts toward others and their needs, then we will begin to pray. And prayer will melt the icy chains of apathy. And then, perhaps, so many others will struggle alone no more."  Randy Chambers

HOW ABOUT YOU?  Have you seen a harried waitress who needs an encouraging word?  Have you noticed a Wal-mart clerk who's just been chastized by a customer in front of you?  Have you stood in a long line at the Motor Vehicle Department and grumbled to those in line?  Have you seen someone "alone", and walked on by without even a smile or hello?  Have you avoided sitting next to a grief-stricken widow in church?  Whatever holds our tongues with words of affirmation, and keeps our hands from offering a comforting pat on another's shoulder--may it be released and loosened to share the goodness of Christ within us, today.  selahV

[BE SURE TO NOTE RANDY'S DEVOTIONAL EACH DAY IN MY CENTER COLUMN]

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SECOND VERSE

To hear the second verse of the Star Spangled Banner, just click on the video below.  What an ear-opening heart-warming scene at a Tea Party Gathering.

Will You Join Me ?

Today and tomorrow I am praying and fasting. Will you join me?

Heavenly Father, I long to see Your glory and majesty fill the earth.  I hunger for Your righteousness and seek Your face.  You alone are mighty.  You alone are perfect and holy.  You alone are truth and righteous.  You are the love we seek in all the wrong places.  You are the peace we cannot perfect.  You are the joy we cannot reproduce.  You are the strength in our weakness. 

I ask You to show me any err of my ways and heart and forgive me.  For those who have grievance against me or speak ill against me in any way, I pray for them--that You bless them beyond measure with goodness, grace and joy.  Have mercy upon them and do not render unto them that which they seek to offer to me.  What they grab as stones of discord, break into pebbles of peace for their pathways.

I pray for those within the Body of Christ who seek to divide and tear the Bride apart by spreading falsehoods; talebearing; and gossip.  Please take the hearts filled with unforgiveness; intolerance, unkindness, bitterness and pride and empty them.  Please fill them with with forgiveness, tolerance, kindness, love and humility.

Illumine those with critical spirits; remove the blinders from their eyes that they may see the destructive nature they have for others. Replace the deceit with truth, and unseemly attitudes and hatefilled words with gentleness, generosity and kindness.  Pour out Your grace and love to those they seek to harm and hurt.  Let Your pearls of wisdom fill their minds and string cords of harmony and grace for the brethren.  Heal Your children, Lord.  Cut through the past heartaches they have suffered; remove their animosity and anger.  Fill them up with Yourself, oh, Lord.

Please heal our land.  Help Louisiana.  Be with the leaders and authorities over us--guide their every step and bring about Your will.

Bless those whose feet and hands and mouths carry the Gospel Message to lands beyond America.  Bless my friends in India that their families will come to know You and Your salvation in Christ Jesus.  Bless my missionary friends in Brazil; help them reach their people groups; encourage them and meet their needs.

For my writer friends, I pray you give them words filled with power, inspiration, boldness, and clarity that bring comfort to the comfortless, joy to the broken-hearted, understanding to the confused, and hope for better days in Your steadfast love and grace.

Use the foolishness of our efforts to enlighten the world for Your glory.  Use our weakness to illumine Your strength and might.  Use our mistakes and stupidity as stepping stones to Your paths of righteousness and perfection.  Refine us, oh, Lord.  Cover us with Your mercy and grace.  Do not give us what we deserve.

I ask that all Christians be renewed in mind, spirit, body, and heart.  May we be filled with such love for You, dear Lord, that we cannot move, or blink without exuding Your unfathomable love for others.  Let this be our only goal--our only agenda--our only cause for living out our days.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.  selahV 

IT MAY NOT BE BETTER TOMORROW...

...SO WE BETTER TAKE CARE OF IT TODAY

Ever heard the old saying: "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today"?  Ever wonder what your days would bring about if you truly lived that out as a reality in your life?

Yesterday my little granddaughter was watching some cartoon show, and some weirdly dressed people were going to push a button and be transported into the "future".  My granddaughter asked, "What's the future, Grama?"  I explained yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Then I explained past, present, and future.  Then I told her the future was every bit of time beyond the very moment we were living until the moment passed.  Then it would be the past.

I only think about this now, because I often wonder about the future.  What will my life be like in ten years down the road?  Especially given the state of my health right now.  Will I be a burden on my daughter?  Will I still have a spouse?  Will my grandchildren be married with children?  Will the internet still be the venue of communication it is today?  Will the Social Security system be obsolete?  Will I?  I doubt seriously I will be around in twenty years.  So what significance do I have in the scheme of things, anyway?

Our Sunday School director announced that our ladies were having a book study which focused on what we would do if we we knew we only had thrity days to live.  She said that one child was asked this and he said, he'd eat all the candy he could get hold of.  I'm sure many folks would try to cram as much living as possible into that last thirty days.  But as I think seriously about that question, I think about what I would do with my thirty days.  I know I'd probably want to spend a great deal of time with my family. I know I'd spend a lot of time praying for those I love and the saints throughout the world.  But knowing myself as well as I do, I also know I would probably spend a great deal of time writing.  I wonder.  If all we had was another thirty days to live, what would we write about?

The Word of God says: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23.

"All" means every last one of us who have breathed in the breath of life from our Creator.  We've all sinned.  And we cannot measure up to His holiness, His perfection.  No matter how hard we try, how much we give to help others, or how often we read our Bibles and go to church.  And because we are born into sin, and cannot help but be sinners--our just reward is death. 

Indeed, it is written: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Sin rewards us with death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus.  Jesus was born of a virgin to fulfill prophecy and came to save sinners. He was crucified for us.  He shed His blood to cleanse us from all unrighteousness--to pay the penalty for our sins, the price for our redemption.  We must be born again.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

And "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"...today is the day of salvation..." 2 Corinthians 6:2  It's better to repent and be saved today, to surrender our will to God's will and receive His grace by faith in His Son, than to put it off till tomorrow.

What keeps us from sharing this message of hope?  Tomorrow may not come.  You may not have thirty more days.  You may only have the next moment.  What keeps you from accepting the grace of God and His salvation today?

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8 

I guess this would be of greatest importance to me to write about for one thing.  selahV

EVER WONDER ...

...just who is reading your blog?  I have.  It's weird I suppose.  But if you are like me, and do not have a lot of commenters, but have a fair amount of daily hits on your blog, then you do tend to wonder exactly who is reading your blatherings.  I can't begin to tell you how many times I've written a post and someone will email me and ask if I've been sitting in their bedroom closet or under their dining room table.  It's funny.  To me, anyway.  How can one write common everyday stuff and it seem to touch upon another's particular situation? penetrate another's heart? soothe another's soul?  lift another's spirit?  or pinch another's nerve?

Lately I've had a few readers who click on because they follow me on Face-book.  A few others follow me on Twitter.  Still others I have known since the beginning of my blogging madness.  Of course I have some folks that pop in because I am linked to all kinds of other folks and then some come via google-search on particular topics.  But I find it interesting when a specific reader's website link shows up in my stats page.  Truly makes me wonder what in the world I write that has attracted them to my little mud-hole.

Personally, I don't make a whole lot of whoop-de-doo over the stats.  I write because I have some nutty thing pop into my mind and often just wanna slop it on the monitor before my eyes.  I can't begin to count how many drafts I have that I've not published.  Every now and then I will go through the drafts, find something worth editing and polishing, then bingo!  A post is born.  I just write to write.  It's fun.  It's me.  You see, I know my weaknesses.  And in the real world beyond this computer screen, I like to talk alot.  And a lot of folks do not like to listen.  So, this is a great outlet for me.  Why?  Because I can talk all I want and folks are totally free to choose whether they want to pay any attention to me or not.  They don't have to read my blatherings.  They don't have to heed my warnings.  They don't have to respond to a thing I say.  They don't even have to acknowledge me in any way shape or form.  And I get to babble on and on till my little ol' heart is content, or my mind is emptied of all the stuff clogging up my brain.  However, sometimes I do wonder who is reading me when I have so many page-views by websites from all over the world.

I wonder what attracts you. 

I don't get into politics all that much (except when I feel absolutely passionate about something, and I have another blog in which I rant and rave those thoughts).  I rarely debate issues like so many bloggers I know.  I generally don't write about any one particular person, unless I'm ticked off at the POTUS, or some lame-brain congress member.  I'm not into investigative tale-bearing or research-oriented rhetoricals.  My posts are mostly devotional in nature.  Personal reflections on a subject--a truth, a principle, a scripture passage, a slice of life, my adorable grandchildren--or even raccoons in the attic.  I just write stuff.  Plain old whatever is in my mind stuff.  And sometimes I even bore myself when I proof my posts.  I will probably feel that way about this post someday when, and if, I read it:  Why in the world did I publish this?  just musing out loud, as usual.  How about you; do you ever wonder?  selahV

Tidbit of Fictional Wisdom

I haven't written much on my blogs all week.  Haven't read much either.  And I don't normally read fiction--other than children's books.  However, three days of this week I took my granddaughters to the water park.  And after two days of sitting beneath the cabana for hours upon hours doing nothing but watch moms and dads race after their toddlers, and listen to tweens giggle and gaggle about the opposite gender, I decided to read a mystery by Mary Higgins Clark while my granddaughters slipped and slithered on slides, then dove and floated on the lazy river.  In Clark's book, there was this tiny little epigram I've heard through the years that popped out at me which I thought so true and worth sharing with ya'll:

"If you lay down with dogs, you can expect to get up with fleas."

I didn't lay down with any dogs lately, but on Monday I laid down in my hammock beneath my pecan trees and mused about life in general.  I got up with a tick that latched onto my stomach and took a nibble.  The thought of lyme's disease danced through my mind and at first it looked pretty nasty.  But after a couple of days with occasional dips in that heavily doctored chlorine water I spoke of earlier, the spot lightened and stopped itching.

If you find yourself feeling a bit irritated, annoyed, or have been bitten by something nasty, I'd say a trip to the water park would help clear your mind and lighten your load if you take along a mystery book and get away from the computer awhile.  It's best not to read stuff that bugs you; at least, it's that way for me.  I find that way I won't get bit by buggy-brained folks bent on fictionalizing every word a person writes in the blogosphere.  Seriously.  Sometimes folks are so consumed and paranoid about anyone who doesn't agree with them that suspicion reigns in their hearts and minds and they can't understand a word anyone writes without painting it every shade of a storm-ladened sky--very like the twists and turns and various plots Mary Higgins Clark creates with ease.  Life is indeed stranger than fiction sometimes, isn't it?  selahV

OPEN Letter to Anyone in General and a Couple of Folks, Specifically

Dear friends,

I've seen pigs up close.  And it is true that piglets are incorrigible.  Little piglets just love wallowing in mud and have nothing better to do than wiggle and waddle from puddle to puddle.  They thoroughly enjoy the mud; they aren't happy unless they are squirming in mud.  And piglets don't care one whit about who else gets coated in mud as a result of their own dirty habits. Ya simply can't wash off the caked mud with any hope of changing them into pigs that talk to spiders named Charlotte.  That's a fantasy that reality grasps between its molars and crushes without uttering a word.  Therefore, don't try to wash piglets and adorn them with grama's pearls; otherwise, those pearls will be caked and coated with mud, too.  Then they'll have to be restrung.  Just saying...selahV