Author: ritasalomon

Have you ever been approached by someone you haven’t seen in a while and they bring up something you may have done for them; a lesson taught, a gesture made, a gift given and all because you demonstrated your love through it?  I have and quite honestly, many times, I don’t remember.  I try to remember as much as possible, but sometimes I just don’t.  I do remember, however that God never forgets.  He remembers.

We serve a righteous God.  A God who truly loves and cares for us.   He is upstanding in all that He is and all that He does.  He is a faithful God; and more faithful than we acknowledge Him for.  The Apostle writes that “God is always fair.”  How could He be a just and honorable God, if He wasn’t? 

And, just as the Apostle was telling the Hebrews that God would not forget the love that they, (Hebrews) had shown his people; He does not forget what it is we do for them as well. We know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He doesn’t change; thus, this scripture is applicable to us as well.

The book of Hebrews was written to teach growing Christians maturity in their faith.  They had to learn as we do today to stand firm in the faith as we live amongst a “perverse and wicked generation.”  The insignia of real faith is love; Christian love that is active and is recognized for what it really is.

The faith of these Hebrew saints was demonstrated as they continued to work and do for their fellowmen.  Their work was selfless and done for the honor and glory of God.   We have the confidence that the Lord doesn’t miss any good thing we do, for His glory.  He is aware of our deeds of love directed towards His people. 

God is so aware of what we think, what we do, what we say and the motive of our actions.  When they are to magnify and honor Him; God is pleased.  This is our purpose; to love and serve others.  God remembers.  And, as such we should as well; remember – what we are all about. 

^“God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won’t forget the love you have shown his people;” Hebrews 6:10

I’ve been one who has at times been told, “when you are at your weakest, you really are at your strongest.” Lately, I started to think about that a bit more.  What comes to mind is being transparent.  I consider myself transparent.  That is, I am direct, open, plainspoken, straightforward, upfront, openhearted and accountable.  These characteristics describe my transparency as an individual. I also realize that some folks aren’t comfortable being transparent and are leery of someone who is.

The Apostle Paul spoke on this and as I read what he wrote I realize that being transparent can be a good thing and it definitely has its challenges. He noted if we allow folks to peek into the reality of who we are and the work we do we better be prepared to be cut to size or simply humbled.  It happens. 

Paul wrote, “God has been kind enough to trust us with this work. That’s why we never give up. We don’t do shameful things that must be kept secret. And we don’t try to fool anyone or twist God’s message around. God is our witness that we speak only the truth, so others will be sure that we can be trusted. If there is anything hidden about our message, it is hidden only to someone who is lost.” 2 Corinthians 2:1-3

It is when we acknowledge our weaknesses that we find humility and the willingness to apologize. This helps us maintain our transparent self.  When we depend on the extraordinary power of God and not on ourselves, and acknowledge that what we do accomplish is not because of who we are but because of who God is; we acquire the courage to admit mistakes and seek the Lord to get “back on track.”  This eliminates the need for feeling that we have an “image to maintain.”

In other words, it is okay to admit, “Hey, I was wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”  This demonstrates our weakness at work, and it transforms into strengths through genuine humility.  “We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

Most of us are challenged with difficulties at this time in our lives.  However, if we uphold ourselves and try not to hide; we will demonstrate that we do have a source of power.  A power not within but outside of us.  It is the power we go to and it is the very same power that resurrected Jesus from the tomb. 

Oh, but our God is glorious.  I woke up this morning and looked out the window and I soaked in the beauty of the morning skies as the sun began to rise.  What beauty! What grandeur! What joy! What peace!  This is the day that the Lord has made. “The heavens proclaim the glory of god.  The skies display his craftsmanship.” Psalm 19:1

My thought this morning? Aside from the imperfections of our life, the blemishes of sadness, the scars of unhappiness, the fear of the unknown; all that God is and creates is perfect.  It is before us every day.  We just have to “see” it.

I don’t know about you, but, for me, as I read the Word, I am revived and fortified in Spirit.  We are in times of disquiet and turmoil.  We ask and have no answer.  We look and cannot find.  And, it continues that way because we look within ourselves.  We hear the Word and read it.  And, we discover it isn’t enough. 

We must act upon the Word.  We need to put the Word into action in our life.  I tell my grandchildren, “just do it, don’t dilly dally, put what you say into action. You’ve been given the instruction, so get moving and get what you need to do, done!”   And, they do.

I need to do the same.  It is one thing to read and study the Word, however, if I don’t do what I’ve read and live by it; it is to no avail.  Listen to the instruction and get it done. “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.” Psalm 19:7

Do you want glory in your life?  I do.  Then, read the Word, live the Word, revive yourself in it and do what it says; the doing makes all the difference!

With all that is going on these days, I remind myself that I must be “content in whatsoever state I am in.”  Frankly, that is not an easy thing to do.  In my mind, there is too much going on.  It’s a constant frenzy of action and unforeseen transitions.  Our life is in mayhem; or so it seems.  The unpredictability of uncontrollable circumstances is anxiety at its best.

What then is contentment?   In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul wrote about contentment.  Here was a man, falsely accused and imprisoned for it.  He had received a gift from the Philippians and he was writing to thank them and express his appreciation for their thoughtfulness.  He also wanted them to know that he was content even under these undesirable circumstances. “ I do not speak because I have need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.  I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

This morning I went out to sit on one of the benches we have near the pine trees.  I had just fed the horses and went in to get a cup of coffee and sat out in the morning coolness and watched my surroundings.  I listened to the sounds of Spring; the song of the birds, the fluttering of their wings as they flew above me.  I listened to the barking of the dogs playing together.  I listened to the quiet sounds of the trees as the breezes brushed their branches. This is contentment; I’m calm, I’m savoring the moment.  My mindset is tranquil.  My thoughts are on the Goodness of the Lord. 

It was a time to “breathe” and close my eyes and thank the Lord for the new day.  It was a moment to request His guidance and help for the activities of this day. It was the moment to rejoice that “I can do…” because Christ strengthens me.  The contentment is knowing that the Lord is right there with me, and He will not forsake me.

We have begun to have family time around the dinner table.  It’s a time to fellowship, pray and express our feelings and concerns and request prayer for needs.  Tonight, was no exception.  We talked about developing an intimate relationship with God.  And, the importance of having trust in God, for without trust we really don’t have a relationship with the Lord.  We talked about letting go and letting God guide us, help us, fill us, love us, and envelop us with his constant presence. We mentioned how sin deters us from drawing closer and how the Holy Spirit helps us overcome the deterrence. 

We talked about when we confess our sin to God and to ourselves, He forgives us.  David was an example we talked about. “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 We mentioned the importance of asking God and each other for forgiveness if we have offended one another or others for that matter. 

My husband brought out that we all sin every day.  And, for that reason we must acknowledge it, confess it and ask forgiveness.  He emphasized it by naming us all around the table as having sinned this day.  My six-year old grandson raised his hand, and asked, “You mean, you sinned today, Grandpa?”  “Yes,” was the response.  “We all have to confess when we do wrong and ask forgiveness, it is very important to us and to God.”

As we end our sessions, each is given the opportunity to pray audibly and when it was my grandson’s turn, (the six-year-old) he prayed, “Dear God, please make the coronavirus go away so there be peace and we can go back to school.” After we all prayed, he came to me and hugged me and said, “I’m sorry I drank your soda yesterday, I did do it without asking, will you forgive me?”  I was taken aback, and felt the tears and joy within my heart.  He understood his need to confess and ask forgiveness.

I thought, “Is that how the Lord feels within when I confess and ask forgiveness?”  “…But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.  Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” Psalm 32:10-11

I shout for joy because I am forgiven and I am loved…

I woke up this morning with a heavy burden in my heart.  The problem for me quite honestly is that I didn’t know which actual situation in my current life was creating this heaviness in my spirit.  Perhaps, they all were.  My husband sensed it and got up and asked me, “Are you alright?” “I’m not sure,” I responded.  I didn’t want to worry him, but I could not express the sensitivity of my being.  It was one of those sentiments that I could not share with anyone; but the Lord.  I knew even then, that this was a prompting from the Lord.

I closed my closet door and began to call out to Him.  I shared what I was sensing in the deep recesses of my heart.  I called out for help.  I called out for mercy.  I called out for strength.  I called out for peace of mind and heart.  I called out and I called out some more.  As I called out, I recognized the helplessness in me, and the empathy and compassion of the Lord. 

I expressed my fears.  I expressed my inadequacy.  I expressed my doubts.  I expressed my yearnings and my desires.  The tears flowed and as they did, I began to wait.  And, as I waited, I went to the Word.  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

This is the point that my tears turned from tears of fear to tears of peace.  “He knows,” I told myself.  I thought of Joshua.  After Moses’ death he was assured by God, that He would not fail him nor abandon him.  The responsibility Joshua assumed was monumental.  God told him, “I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

I know that my sensitivities and desires will not always be answered as I would want them to.  And, in essence, I must wait, and rest assured by faith, that God knows what He is doing and what in fact, it is, that I need most at the time I call out to him.  I am at peace with this morning’s prompting.  And, for that, I bless the Name of the Lord.

My grandchildren call me for help every day.  It is a constant everyday occurrence and I realize they’re not even truly aware they do it.  It is like second nature.  “Nana, I need help with my shoelaces, Nana, can you help me find my socks?  Nana, I don’t know what this word means, can you help me?  Nana, I don’t understand this homework, can you help explain it to me? Nana, can you help me fix my bike?  Nana, can you help me improve my catching by throwing the balls to me? Nana, I have a science project due, can you help me with ideas?  Nana, what is this?”  And, the list goes on.  The call for help is constant and varies from day to day.

I like when they ask me to help them pray for their personal and childlike faith needs and their wants as well.  These I will give priority and pray with them, whether it be to pass a test they’ve studied for or to do a good job on their speech at school or to hit the ball at one of their games.  They know that prayer does make a difference. 

^” Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.” Philippians 4:6   I pray for help in finding my car keys, or my glasses.  I pray for our dogs, and the horses.  I pray for the current and common needs at hand.  And, I try to keep a thankful spirit about it all.  In all honesty when I pray this way, the frustration and even the fear of situations I go through recede.  I believe God listens to my every day routine requests just as he listens to my long-winded hurting and heartfelt ones.  I have needs, my family has needs, my extended family and friends have needs and no doubt you have them as well.

The psalmist wrote, “I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer.  You listened and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire.  You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you.  Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.  You bless all of those who trust you Lord…” Psalm 40:1-4

This is a prayer for help.  And, I believe and trust it.  We praise God and thank him regardless of the situation.  Many times, it is not painless, nor simple.  It is difficult, and challenging.  However, the benefits of praying for help with a thankful heart brings an eventual peace such that we can honor and trust the Lord God.  That’s what we’re all about, right?

There’s an old hymn that says, “Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarm.  Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.”  This old hymn has been in the back of my mind as of late, and I find myself humming it without giving it much thought.  Earlier this week, I went to spend the day with a friend who I’ve mentioned before is very ill.  As I watched her being assisted to move from one place to another, she leaned into the arms of the person assisting her.  Her frustration was that she can no longer do it by herself. 

As she rested leaning on the arms she began to cry.  She expressed her frustration and couldn’t understand the why and cause of her alarming plight.  She cried out, “I feel so alone.”  And, right at that point, her three- year- old granddaughter, came to her and hugged her.  I expressed, “see you aren’t alone. Your sister, your granddaughter, your niece and I are here.  We love and seek the Lord for you.  You are surrounded by love and people who care for you and want to help as much as possible.  The Lord is in control of all of this, and we must all continue to trust Him.”

It was a difficult day.  But, as we prayed she was calmed and expressed her trust in the Lord.  I went home; to the Word for comfort and solace to my spirit.  And, I read, “You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help.” Psalm 10:17

We are safe and we are secure when we lean into His arms.  He offers solace, comfort and peace if we just lean into Him. I thank the Lord.  He hears my cry, your cry and that of others.  And, He listens.  He is our hope and He is our healer and He is our sustenance.  I’m already leaning again.

Our humanness is so fickle.  But, that’s how we were created.  We were deliberately created to make choices for ourselves.  And, when we do, we deal with their consequences.  It’s interesting when discussing this with folks because sometimes they can’t understand the why of the consequences that result from the choices they make.

I have gone through this in life so many times that I could probably write a book about it.  I believe in prayer and solicit advice from the Lord.  I make requests before him in prayer.  I ask for guidance to resolve situations in prayer.  I present my needs and those of others believing and trusting that He will answer.  So, what’s the problem?  Sometimes, the doubt or worry stealthily slithers in my mind.  Does this happen to you?

In the wee hours of this day I sensed and literally felt that worry creeping in about a request I have made to the Lord.  The doubts started to mockingly rock and roll from one end to the other in my mind. But as I walked outside and felt the slap of frigid air wake my face I could almost hear the Apostle Paul tell me, “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.”  I was stunned and began to cry out to God.  When I came back in, I went to the Word.   ^“The holy God asks, Who compares with me? Is anyone my equal? Look at the evening sky! Who created the stars? Who gave them each a name? Who leads them like an army? The Lord is so powerful that none of the stars are ever missing.” Isaiah 40:25-26

I asked myself, “Why do I allow the doubt to prevail? Let it go. I serve an immensely powerful God!  He will answer.  Be thankful.  And just wait.”  ^“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7

I feel better already.  I belong to the Lord, and He will bless me with peace.  I am calm now, and I feel the tears fall.   They are tears of gratitude, tears of hope, tears of trust, tears of peace. I choose to accept this peace and let it console my thoughts and feelings.  Prayer is necessary however the Word is also a must read and a must meditate.  It’s the uplift and peace we need daily. I can’t be at peace without it!

This is the time of year when one goes into a store and sees an assortment of ideas and gifts to give to loved ones.  The prominent colors of red, white, pink, flowers, plants and the variety of chocolates and hearts is heartening (if you will) at best.  The thoughts of love, caring and sharing words to loved ones through cards is endearing.  We’ve been taught that love never fails and true love makes all the difference in life.  And, it does

My 5-year-old grandson expresses his love to me when I least expect it. And, when he does, my heart flows with the warmth of his hugs. His usual expression, is simply “Grandma, I love you.” And, I respond, “I love you too.”  He smiles.  During those times he is being reprimanded for a “no-no” and we discuss the situation, he’ll ask me, “do you still love me?” “But, of course, I still love you.”  And, this prompts the opportunity to again share the love of God for us.

The Lord’s love for us cannot be equally matched.  His love is unreserved.  God’s love is not founded on us; our talents, skills and abilities.  No, the wonderful thing is it is set in Him.  It is who He is and His willingness to give it to us.  God’s love is real and there is enough for every single one of us.  His love is so profound and immeasurable. 

Do you know how deep His love is?  Read and meditate upon the love letter He has given us.  It will enhance our understanding of who He really is. “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:17   “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.”  Psalm 36:5-6

As I write this, I’m overwhelmed with His love for me.  Oh, but we are loved by an amazing God! It has certainly made a difference in my life.