Come to Me

In our world of do-it yourself, the gospels speak clearly, "You can't."

When it comes to Jesus, the only way to receive His mercy and grace is in brokenness and humility. Whether you're a child dragged along by your parents, a blind man sitting at the gate, a paralytic carried and let down through a roof by friends, or a sinner in a tree, Jesus is ready and welcoming. If you're a self-righteous hypocrite, a self-seeking do-it-yourself-er, or someone determined that God is out to get you, you will get what you have earned (see Matthew chapters 20-21).

"Self-made Man" https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj4grmL8d_cAhVo7oMKHZ0iAzIQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthewayofimprovement.com%2F2012%2F07%2F16%2Fjim-cullen-on-the-self-made-man-in-american-history%2F&psig=AOvVaw0IsHhlZ4Q4g0YvWsoD5nlV&ust=1533901106853139

Need mercy? Come. Forgiveness? Grace in time of need? Compassion?  A cup of cold water? Jesus offers that and more. He offers Himself--and He is limitless. The peace He offers is not your style of peace. It is His peace. The joy He gives is not a human joy; it is His deep, unending joy. The fruit of the Spirit are His gifts to you, gifts without limit or measure; gifts that multiply and abound as we abide in Him and His words abide in us.

To fill that space with myself, my thinking, my desires, my dreams, and my abilities is to forfeit all He has, all He is, and all He can give.

In seeing the proud, demanding heart of people surrounding Him,

Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30

Good Gifts

We live on a farm, so as they say, "Nothing goes to waste." I set aside vegetable peelings, egg shells, and organic matter for the chickens. Meat scraps, drippings and spoiled food goes to the dogs and cats. As I go out the back door, I drop the dogs' goodies in their bowl then call the chickens, who come tottering and flying from every corner. Almost without exception, the dogs follow to see what the chickens have that they don't. Dumping out celery tips, cantaloupe rind, and apple cores I tell them, "There's nothing here for you. You won't like these. Your food is in your bowl," shaking my head because we do the same thing.

God heaps blessing in my lap, but my eyes follow His blessing on another and I start snooping through their goods, leaving mine behind. How incredibly ungracious and foolish! No matter what God has chosen to give others, He has given exactly what He intends me to have--not because He is unfair or unkind--but because He knows and loves me. He will give me exactly what I need when I need it. He is, and always has been, good, loving, generous, kind and wonderful!

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:13-17)

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:11-20)

A Straight Path

My husband was out of town last week so I mowed the grass. Try as I might, my mowing job is never as neat and tidy as his. When I asked what his trick is, the veteran farmer in him said, "Don't look at where you are. Look at where you're going." He picks a landmark on the horizon and, with his eyes fixed ahead, his lines are clean and his path is straight.

The same is true in our Christian walk. It's so easy to get distracted by the here and now, moving right and left to tackle the nearest obstacle instead of looking to Jesus, the "author and perfecter of our faith." He wasn't distracted by His suffering, loved ones, mocking, jeering, or surroundings. Instead, "for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).

That is how we can "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and... run with endurance the race that is set before us": by "fixing our eyes on Jesus."

Today, let's not just get the job done. Let's determine, by God's grace, to live each day with clean, straight paths of dependence on our Author and Finisher.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
Honor the Lord from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.
By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the skies drip with dew.
My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught. (Proverbs 3:5-26)