Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

 

Dressed to the Nines

 

“She looks like she just stepped out of a bandbox.“ Where I come from, that’s a nice compliment. My Mom’s favorite piece of attire was shoes, and so is mine. She taught me the importance of coordinating the appropriate shoes with the style of clothing. She told me, “Shoes make or break the outfit.” About 30 years ago, when the physicians started dressing casual, I was a bit shocked. Being trained by my mother on how to put an outfit together, it was distressing to see the doctor look like my friendly next-door farmer. Because of the relaxed-clothing style, my confidence in his medical skills plummeted to the cellar! I realized I needed to quickly adapt my opinion regarding a physician’s attire. Now I just look at his shoes and that makes everything alright.

 

God’s Word tells believers how to be properly dressed in order to defeat the devil in the combat zone. “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm“ (Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT).

 

The military issues tactical gear for the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. The Bible teaches us about warfare in the natural world and in the spiritual realm. I’m  always impressed with the description of David’s three elite warriors in the Old Testament: “Josheb-Basshebeth…fought with his spear against eight hundred men and killed them all in one battle. Eleazar…stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was so cramped that he could not let go of his sword. The Lord won a great victory that day. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of peas. The Israelites fled from the Philistines, but Shammah stood his ground in the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The Lord won a great victory that day” (2 Samuel 23:8-11 GNT). These mighty men would have been defenseless without their weapons.

 

When we leave the house, we wear the appropriate clothing and footwear for the activity  we will be carrying out. In fact, we wouldn’t leave home without it. As Christians, God has outfitted us with the spiritual equipment of a fully-armed soldier that we’re to put on everyday. “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:14-17 NLT).

 

Christ followers must make the daily decision to live by faith equipped and empowered to stand firm and defeat the enemy. God has properly outfitted His soldiers to fight victoriously. Even though the devil does his dead-level best to dress us down, he’s a defeated foe because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

 

The Key: Be sure to wear all of God’s armor when you fight in the pea patch.

“Some people create their own storms, then get upset when it rains.” anonymous

Have you ever met a wimp? I have. As soon as life gets tough, they don’t; instead of being a problem-solver, they point fingers.

Someone/thing is responsible for life not offering them the all-you-can-eat-dessert-buffet they deserve. Some even blame God for not being their personal caterer, wondering why He wimps out instead of ordering up whatever it is they want.

Well, God is not a wimp. We are, but He isn’t. Still, too often He gets a bad rap.

You know what I’m talking about. Things start to go south, and we despair for someone (other than ourselves) to be culpable. Who better than the only One—the miracle-maker—who could really
make a difference…BUT DOESN’T? After all, how can an all-loving God stand by as tragedies unfold?

We all have stories. Listen well to others, and you will hear them. My friend’s 10-year- old granddaughter died. After decades serving God, my prayer partner had to place his adult daughter in rehab. A Christian woman, spending hundreds of hours on her knees, has not seen God change her overbearing son-in-law. A second marriage is dissolving, in spite of Christian therapy and mental illness. A young woman prays to marry and start a family, but the years go by and she doesn’t meet the right one.

Some people believe that if we just lived up to our Christian label, if we really, truly lived a life devoted to God, bad things wouldn’t happen. (The disciples would have a lot to say about
that.) Others have an outlook I question.

Look at what Chintan Jain wrote: “If you still want to blame God for all the problems in your life, then you can but with a simple condition:
…only if you dedicate all your hard work to him.
…only if you have celebrated all of your happiness with him.
…only if you have the ability (or) skill to accept that you have failed.”

I understand what Jain is trying to say, but I disagree. There never is a time we can blame the One who loves us in spite of ourselves, who lavishes us with blessings when we don’t deserve them.

I am not guiltless when it comes to blaming God. Embarrassing to admit, but that’s how I reacted when our baby died and again when my brother died.

Other people saw miracles; why couldn’t I? I failed to understand that God would never be the source of my problems. Never. His goal is always that we grow in our faith and that we lean on Him.

Satan is the one who seeks for us to accuse God of being unloving.

“No one undergoing a trial should say, ‘I am being tempted by God.’ For God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone” (James 1:13).
Good things can come from life’s disappointments. I became a Christian following my baby’s death, and I became a better teacher after so many students described why my brother was their favorite teacher. Amazing, isn’t it? When we get something good that we don’t deserve, we celebrate, but when it’s bad, we blame God.

As one author put it, “God is the author of a lot of things, but He is not the author of our pain.”

We wimps need to remember that.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

My first pet was a little black and white Rat Terrier named Stormy. He came into my life as a delightful surprise, as I wasn‘t expecting him. We spent lots of time together and had fun playing in the great outdoors. I would imagine the acquisition of this puppy was mainly my Dad’s idea and, of course, my Mom agreed. As I think back on this wonderful childhood experience I realize that my folks knew I would benefit from a pet, so Dad searched out the options. My little pal was born on a stormy night and Dad brought him home to me on a stormy night, so that’s how his name was chosen. I didn’t ask for a dog, but I sure did love him. As a little kid, I wasn’t smart enough to ask for special things that would help mold me into a well-rounded person. Thankfully, my wise parents lovingly provided the proper life tools I would need as an adult. And I didn’t even have to ask.

 

In the New Testament, a Roman military officer approached Jesus and presented Him with a critical situation: “When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with Him, ’Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.’ Jesus said, ’I will come and heal him’” (Matthew 8:5-7 NLT). The officer didn’t ask Jesus to come to his house because he knew that any Jew who entered a Gentile house would be considered ceremonially unclean. However, the compassionate Healer didn’t hesitate to ignore manmade religious traditions. Beautiful story short, Jesus knew the desire of the officer’s heart. The young servant was healed and Jesus didn’t even have to be asked.

 

In another New Testament account, the Prince of Life and His entourage are about to enter the city of Nain when they are met by a funeral procession. “The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ’Don’t cry!’ He said. Then He walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. ’Young man,’ He said, ’I tell you, get up.’ Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother” (Luke 7:12-15 NLT). The mother didn’t even ask for her son to be brought back to life, but Jesus understood her broken heart and dire situation.

 

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 NIV). This scripture became very real to me in June of 1996 when I was privileged to study voice with a Christian professor of music. I hadn’t even thought about praying and asking for the opportunity to acquire voice lessons, but God knew it was a desire of my heart. Although I’d been singing most of my life, it was by the “letter” method — open ’er up and let ‘er fly! The professor was in town for a limited time, so I approached him after a campmeeting service and asked if he would consider giving me voice lessons. He did not know me, but right there on the spot he answered, “Yes.“ I was totally elated with his immediate affirmative response.

 

At the conclusion of my vocal studies, Professor Garen L. Wolf confessed that when he told his wife he had agreed to give me (a complete stranger) voice lessons, she declared, “You don’t even know if she can sing!“ He responded, “The Lord told me to do it.“ As the tears welled up in my eyes, I knew I had experienced a musical miracle that only God could have orchestrated.

 

The Key: Love Jesus with all your being and He will give you the longings in your heart.

The story is told of a little girl who developed the bad habit of lying. On her birthday, she received a Saint Bernard puppy but told all of her friends she’d been given a lion. When her mother heard this story, she was not happy. “I told you not to lie. Honesty is very important. Now go upstairs and tell God you’re sorry. Promise Him you’ll never lie again.”

The little girl slowly climbed the stairs to her room, said her prayers, and then came back down to play. Her mother was waiting. “Well, did you tell God you’re sorry?” she asked. “Yes, I did,” her daughter quickly responded. “And God said that sometimes He thinks it’s hard to tell a Saint Bernard from a lion, too.”

If there is any sin more prevalent than the lie, I’m not sure what it is.  The book The Day America Told the Truth reports that 91 percent of those surveyed lie routinely about matters they consider trivial, and 36 percent lie about important matters; 86 percent lie regularly to parents, 75 percent to friends, 73 percent to siblings, and 69 percent to spouses.

As surprising as those numbers are, who of us hasn’t been guilty?  We download illegal songs.  Cheat on our tax returns.  Embellish our accomplishments.  Permanently “borrow” the stapler from the office. Tell our friends we will “pray for them” but don’t. And then… we justify. Not the way to make God happy. After all, He watched the downfall of man begin with lies.

Think about it.  Satan introduces himself to mankind by lying about God to Eve– “You shall not die.”  In other words, “God fibbed when He warned you of the consequence of eating from the tree of life.”  Eve and Adam learn quickly that God means business, as they are banished from the Garden of Eden one itty bitty bite later.

In the book of Job, Satan lies to God.  “The only reason Job obeys you is because you’re so good to him.”  At Jesus’ crucifixion, the same liar convinces the masses to support the Romans and religious zealots who have sabotaged Jesus’ ministry. In the book of Revelation, Satan embodies the antichrist who tells a lie so believable it brings about the end of the world.

As one author put it, in Genesis he uses a lie to corrupt a godly man.  In Job, he uses a lie to criticize a good man.  In the New Testament, he uses a lie to crucify the God Man. It’s no wonder John 4:4 warns us:  When men are deliberate liars, they prove their kinship to the devil, for Jesus said: “The devil … he is a liar, and the father of it.”

I know someone who lies to make himself feel important and then gets angry when confronted.  Repentance is not part of his vocabulary.  In fact, typically more lies follow in the cover-up.  I wish he could have the same outcome as the store manager who heard his rookie clerk tell a customer, “No, ma’am, we haven’t had any for a while, and it doesn’t look as if we’ll be getting any soon.” Horrified, the manager came running over to the customer and said, “Of course we’ll have some soon. We placed an order last week.” Then the manager drew the clerk aside. “Never,” he snarled, “Never, never, never say we’re out of anything- say we’ve got it on order and it’s coming. Now, what was it she wanted anyway?”

The clerk answered, “Rain!”

For many, deceit holds the key to money, fame, revenge or power. I’d rather hold the key to truth and integrity.

One will keep me in bondage.  The other will set me free.

 

 

 

 

Keys to the Kingdom

As a kid in the 1960s, I liked to watch the CBS game show “To Tell the Truth” where four celebrity panelists questioned three contestants. One contestant always spoke the truth about himself/herself and the other two pretended and lied. This was very interesting to me and I was often surprised at who the “real” person out of the three turned out to be. Some of them were super-good liars and pretenders and were able to trick the celebrities and the viewing audience. God knows my name and frame and He knows my heart. He’s the God of all truth. He knows more about me than I do. I scratch my head and smile in the fact that He knows everything about me and loves me anyway! He knows the real me.

 

I find consolation in this scripture: “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13,14 NKJV). Our heavenly Father has affection, mercy, and deep compassion for His children who revere and obey Him. He knows how we’re formed and all about our weaknesses and frustrations. He never gives up on us and is sympathetic to our difficulties. God’s not looking for perfect people, He’s looking for nonpretenders with perfect hearts.

 

Sometimes a vehicle ends up with a bent frame. An individual can also have a bent frame from all the hard knocks in life. But God knows what shape we’re in. And if we’re bent out of shape, He can restore it because God is in the business of restoration. He doesn’t throw any part away, He simply works it over and uses it for His glory. God isn’t generic; He’s specific and intentional and He knows what He’s doing. We can trust Him wholeheartedly because He’s proven mile after mile that His speedway record is unbeatable. If believers stay within their God-designated lane, we’ll never crash and burn.

 

A famous musician/entertainer owned a fleet of cars and, after he died in 1977, some of these cars were eventually showcased in Memphis. Although they were meticulously  clean, not one little dent or ding was repaired because each imperfection was proof of use and told a story. Real believers can be compared to these unique vehicles. We may have some cracks in the sidewalls and dents on the body, but we’re willing to be used in the service of Christ Jesus. But it’s sure not a job for sissies! And there’s no place for a U-turn when we’re barreling down the Interstate. Once we get headed in the right direction toward heaven,  what’s the sense of slowing down and turning back? In the song lyrics of Vestal Goodman, “I’m too near my heavenly home to turn back now!”

 

There’s no restoration job too big for God. He can fix a blown head gasket (mental issues) a misfiring cylinder (emotions), or rebuild an engine (physical needs). Just imagine seeing your vehicle up on the racks and, after a quick inspection by the most-qualified mechanic, he tells you, “She can’t be fixed, just tow ‘er to the junkyard.” God will never haul us away; He’ll always restore us if we’ll ask Him to do it. King David prayed, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You” (Psalm 51:12 NLT). This was the prayer of a nonperfect regenerated man desiring a holy heart. Repentant prayers and changed hearts lead to God’s restoration. Our heavenly Father knows the real us (with all our imperfections, dents, and dings) but He still wants to use us if we’re willing to be humble and honest servants for the Kingdom of God.

 

The Key: Will the real you please stand, be restored, and get back on the road again?!

Mattie Nelle Dixon, 98, former resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Medicalodge in Frontenac, Kansas. She was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on February 14, 1924, to John W. Gier and Mattie (Winterbower) Gier.

She married Floyd J. Dixon, Jr. on September 21, 1941. He preceded her in death May 9, 1988.

 

Mattie attended Sunrise School and graduated from Hepler High School. She was a member of Hiattville United Methodist Church, Emera Chapter #427 of Hepler, Kansas, and Ideal Chapter #369 of Hiattville, Kansas Order of the Eastern Star, and served as organist for many years.

 

She worked as a shipyard welder during World War II, and returning to a farm in the Hiattville area, she worked several years at the O’Bryan Ranch.

She also worked at Dr.’s Basham – McKenna Clinic, and retired from Fort Scott Family Physicians in December of 1989.

 

Caring for her were nieces Judy Smith, Fort Scott, Dorothy Kurth, Carrollton, Missouri, and Cleo Hilstand, Larned, Kansas. Other survivors are nephews and a niece.

Preceding her in death were her parents, half-sisters, and a half-brother, and her husband Floyd.

 

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the Walnut Cemetery, in Walnut, Kansas, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hiattville United Methodist Church, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

 

I am on the Keto diet.

Unless someone puts a French fry in front of me.

Or a piece of garlic, parmesan toast.

Or onion rings.

Or chicken strips.

Or…you get the point.

On Keto, I am to fill my plate with kale, spinach, zucchini, a couple of hard-boiled eggs (which are just nasty) and some blanched almonds (also on the nasty list). Then I top all of that nonsense with a drizzle of olive oil.  Yuck!  Why don’t I just suck on a blade of poison ivy and call it good?  Same difference.

Let’s face it.  Discipline is hard work, even though it is the magic sauce that helps us get where we want to be.  In college, I was one of the most disciplined gals in my sorority.  When many of my friends skipped class to hang out at the bar and play the card game Pitch, I was frantically scribbling notes and asking questions and contemplating potential test questions.  Play cards instead of being in a classroom?  Not on my radar.

I have always been a disciplined employee.  Show up early.  Work harder than required.  Take work home with me.  My mother never preached that message, but she sure did demonstrate it, so I credit her with modeling for my two brothers and me how to be responsible.

In an odd way, being disciplined allows me to take steps to better myself…to feel as if I’m in control of my future. And that means never giving up. Pablo Casals was considered the greatest cellist to ever live. When he was 95 years old, he was asked why he continued to practice six hours a day.  “Because I think I am making progress,” he answered. Of course, he wasn’t starving himself on Keto, so that comparison sure falls flat.

The aim of Christian discipline is to tame your body, soul and spirit in the way of godliness. 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a reminder that I have a Helper waiting to support me with my eating habits.  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. In my case, I can substitute the word “craving” for “temptation” and be consoled that this is a battle I can win.

My problem is that I’ve never met an unhealthy food I didn’t like. And yes, I know that I need to put my faith where my food is, but won’t I hurt people’s feelings at the church potluck if I don’t at least “try” their goodies?  And should I invite new Christians over for dinner and feed them wheat grass and beets?  Are you feeling my pain?

A few weeks ago, I was to meet a saint-of-a-friend who was visiting from another state. We settled on Common Ground, and I asked if noon was okay so we could have lunch.  I shouldn’t have been surprised by her response: “Oh, Patty, let’s just feast on the word of God.”  My response shouldn’t have surprised her: “Can’t we do both?”

 My friend had put John 6:27a (NLT) into practice:  But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.                                                     

I’ll let you know how this Keto thing works out.  So far, not so good…but there’s always tomorrow.

 

 

 

Keys to the Kingdom

My Mom left a legacy for being one of the best country cooks in Cedar County. No brag, just fact. Hospitality was one of her gifts and she truly enjoyed loving and blessing people through her cooking and baking. One Thanksgiving, in particular, stands out in my memory. Along with everything else, Mom’s dressing was made from scratch so she had  placed a huge bowl full of torn pieces of bread, biscuits, and cornbread on the kitchen counter. Shortly afterwards she exited the kitchen and, within minutes, Dad came in from doing the chores. With his hawk-eyed attention to detail, he spotted the bowl and promptly took it outside and fed it to the bird dogs. It looked like scraps to him!

 

My brother’s favorite holiday was Thanksgiving because it’s more of a quiet day to reflect and express thanks for the goodness of God. I admit there are days when life’s not all it’s cracked up to be and the climb gets hard. But even in those times, believers are to be thankful. Why? Because in your loneliest hour of life, God is there with you. “…be content with what you have, for He has said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV). This promise gives us a reason to be thankful when life gets tough.

 

When families and friends gather for the Thanksgiving meal, you can be sure no one will be hungry when they push away from the table. Likewise, Jesus’ kitchen is never closed, it’s always fully stocked and all partakers are satisfied. There’s no reason to look elsewhere because the best feast is at Christ‘s table. Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to Me and you will never be hungry. Believe in Me and you will never be thirsty“ (John 6:35 TPT). This promise is a reason to rejoice and be thankful.

 

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT). Some believers seem to search for God’s will all their lives, but this one plain and simple verse lays down the basics of His will. Christians are to be marked by love and thanksgiving. Being thankful is the opposite of being critical. A negative attitude and mindset causes a person to only notice what’s wrong. We’re instructed to give thanks to God no matter what happens in our lives. God is still God and worthy of our praise. We are to be thankful “in” all circumstances, not “for” all circumstances. Giving thanks to God keeps our minds  in a joy-filled perspective and proper focus. Because of Jesus, there is saving blood that will never lose its power and we can be eternally grateful and thankful for that!

 

In 2019, my late husband and I were dining in Pittsburg with a couple of our dear friends. During the meal, Linda kindly spoke to Jimmy and said, “I understand you have some health issues.” I wondered how he would respond and then he softly replied, “God’s been good to me.“ Remembering that truthful answer deeply touched my heart as I thought about writing this column. Instead of talking on and on about the diagnosis and prognosis, my husband spoke of the goodness and faithfulness of His loving heavenly Father.

 

While chained in a Roman prison, Paul wrote a strong message for all Christians: “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead…” (Ephesians 1:19,20 NLT). If our problems are no bigger than raising Christ from the dead, God will  take care of them. Therefore, we can live in victory, joy, and thanksgiving.

 

The Key: Because of the great faithfulness of God, believers should be thankful 24-7.

Every year at Thanksgiving I write an article about how I’m going to be more thankful, an area in which I am frequently tested.

This past week, for example, I was at the Immigration Office here in Mazatlán, 40 minutes from where we live, handing in paperwork that I had started at the Embassy in Kansas City and needed to finalize here.  It was my third trip because I just didn’t “have things completed correctly” the first two times, as didn’t several other people waiting to have their numbers called. Trying to be thankful.  Trying to be thankful.            

This trip, I had only two hours allotted because of a hair appointment (important!), but I figured I could at least hand in my latest version of paperwork and again be told what I had done wrong.  Signing in, I was given the #18 card (not good), but when the lady called out “#15,” I knew I had a chance.  And I would have, had two, selfish people not walked in the door and gone straight up to the window without being given a number. Not thankful.

I began grumbling. Not exactly to myself.  Which is where things got interesting.  You see, I had taken along my Bible to catch up on my assigned reading for my upcoming Zoom study on Proverbs.  For an hour, I underlined key phrases (most of them, actually) that would make me a better person…verses like Proverbs 12:25: Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.   I was not glad. Or thankful. And that’s when I heard my name.

“Patty”?  I turned around to find Teresa, a friend of a friend, right behind me, smiling. She was there to help an elderly woman figure out the paperwork nightmare, as she had for several other people in the past. They had waited for a couple of hours, only to be sent to “the Coca-Cola lady” (called that because she also sells Coke products) down the street to have some copies made, one which had to be filled out in blue ink. (Mine was in black ink.) “Blue ink? Where does it say ‘blue ink’?” I groaned.  Of course, it didn’t.  Less thankful by the minute.

About that time, an elderly couple entered and struck up a conversation with Teresa.  (Even though holding a Bible, I looked as approachable as a cattle prod.)  Poor things had bussed to Mazatlán from Phoenix, but when they crossed the border, no one stamped their passports.  They had asked the bus driver about it, but he said that it wasn’t necessary.  He was wrong.

They would not be able to return home without that stamp.  Starting off at Mazatlán’s U.S Embassy, they were informed to come to Immigration for help.  Teresa told them to walk up to the window and ask.  “Proverbs” had kicked in, I guess, because even I didn’t object.  There they were advised to return to the border (11 hours away) and get their stamps.  Not even the Coca-Cola lady could help this couple. “Oh well,” the elderly man said, “I guess we’ll see a lot more of Mexico.”

He was finding something to be thankful for? And here I was, Bible in hand, fretting over making my hair appointment. What is wrong with you? I asked myself.  By the time #17 was called, I had to leave.  The next day, I was back, 45 minutes early.  Waiting outside, one of the workers—who must have recognized me—asked to see my papers. Soooo thankful.

She took them inside and quickly returned to explain that my passport has a small space between La and Roche, and when I typed it into my documents, I didn’t add the space. (I never do.)  I needed to “have things completed correctly” and return. Soooo unthankful.

That’s when someone nearby told me to go see the Coca-Cola lady down the street who (for a fee) corrected my paperwork.  Returning to Immigration, I was #10 in line, and six hours later, I had the document I needed.  Sort of thankful.

  But not really. I guess I’ll just have to work on this thankfulness thing next year.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

The door frame between my living room and kitchen is very special because that’s where my kids’ growth marks are recorded. Periodically, my husband would measure Mariam and Aaron’s height with a standard measuring stick or tape measure. The first measurement for Aaron was at two years of age and the last was when he was 23 years old. When he was in mid high school, he was concerned about his small stature. But between then and now, those tall Tucker genes kicked in and he’s now 6’2”. Mariam’s first measurement was at one year and the last was at 20 years of age. Both kids were always excited to see how much taller they had grown.

 

As believers, how are we measuring up spiritually? That’s a serious question only the individual can answer. It‘s our job to measure ourselves against the full and complete standard of God’s Word. It wouldn’t have done Aaron any good to have thrown a fit and demanded that we change the measuring stick just because he was shorter than he wanted to be. So if we search our heart (using God’s measuring stick) and come up short, we will need to make the necessary changes. “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (Ephesians 5:1,2 NLT).

 

As Christ followers, we are to live in the light and by the Holy Spirit’s power. “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. So be careful how you live. Don‘t live like fools, but like those who are wise” (Ephesians 5:8-10,15 NLT). The light makes everything visible. In fact, I couldn’t read all the markings on the doorframe, therefore, I had to use a flashlight. I simply could not see clearly without proper light. The Light of the world is Jesus, so we need to cling to Him so our spiritual eyes and heart will be illuminated.

 

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he was defending his ministry and responding to criticism. “Of course, we wouldn’t dare to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. They compare themselves to one another and make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and then they judge themselves by their own standards. What self-delusion!” (2 Corinthians 10:12 TPT). God has made each of us unique and given us individual spiritual gifts to use for God‘s purposes and glory. It’s never wise to compare ourselves to another believer. Paul reminds us that we should look to Christ for our supreme model of behavior.

 

Using a tape measure is a daily common practice in the construction industry. When we built our home in 1980-81, I can remember my husband whipping out his trusty tape measure all the time. He measured twice and cut once. We live our lives only once so we better get it right or we’ll wish we had. “Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, ‘Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers‘” (Revelation 11:1 NLT).

 

The Key: Let’s examine ourselves by God’s standard measuring stick and be counted among the true worshippers.

Within a split second, I could have become a statistic when I came close to being run over by a speeding car. Dave and I were biking on a two-lane street, and the only reason I wasn’t turned into road-kill was the driver swerved into the oncoming lane.  The only reason she wasn’t killed was no one happened to be in her path.

It was my fault.  I pulled out of a side street, and instead of making a sharp right turn to stay on the edge of the road, I pedaled out too far in the direction of the car.  You know, the car with the driver with the right-of-way. The driver who fortunately was not texting or applying lipstick or smacking her kids in the back seat. The driver who was alert and paying attention.  Unlike me.

Dave was as supportive as he is capable.

“What in the world were you thinking?”

“Obviously I wasn’t. I was distracted.”

“Why didn’t you use your brakes?”

“Because I panicked.”

“Obviously.”

Sometimes, being alert is hard.  I’ve left my credit card, my favorite jacket, and even my kids when I failed to take care of what was important. I have run a red light, paid too much for a grocery item, ignored a sad waitress and waxed my eyebrows unsymmetrically. I have failed to check Google Maps before starting cross-country trips, erred in how much tomato paste I need for a recipe and mistook a stranger’s sense of humor for mine.

But unlike me pulling out in front of a car, those aren’t life-and-death issues. Life and death issues deal with…well, life and death.  Like dying and spending eternity somewhere…which, in my case, could have come from me not paying attention while peddling around that corner.  Staying alert is critical.

Look at this warning from Proverbs 4:20-26: Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! … Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts…Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.                                                                                                   

Why do we have to be advised of something so obvious?  And why is it so difficult to pay attention to what should matter most?  God warned that the flood was coming, yet only eight people in Noah’s family believed and were saved.

As Lot’s kin fled Sodom, an angel cautioned them not to look back on their city.  Lot’s wife failed to obey and turned into a statue of salt.

Solomon was told not to worship false gods.  Did he heed the advice?  Uh, no.

God cautioned Israel through Jeremiah and Ezekiel of their impending captivity by the Babylonians.  They knew better than God…or thought they did.

The Bible gives us clear instructions as to how we need to pay attention, yet for many, that book serves only as a dust-collector instead of an instruction manual on how to remain alert and mindful of dangers ahead…  distractions that might cost them their eternal lives.

 

 

Keys to the Kingdom

 

In 1973, Vicki Lawrence became a one-hit wonder with her recording of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.“ Her husband, Bobby Russell, wrote the song and it reached #1 on the charts in the United States and Canada. Vicky is best known and loved for her successful comedy career on The Carol Burnett Show which aired from 1967 to 1978. Vicki actually introduced and performed her one-and-only hit song on the show. And then we never heard her sing another song on the airways again. She was a flash-in-the-pan  recording artist, but I still remember her and the song as being great!    

 

There’s an interesting account in the New Testament about a one-hit wonder named Ananias. He was a believer who lived in Damascus and one day the Lord spoke to him in a vision. He told Ananias to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for Saul of Tarsus. (Previously, Saul had been struck with blindness on the way to Damascus so his friends had to lead him on into town.)

 

Because Saul had a reputation for jailing and stoning believers, Ananias responded,  “’But Lord, I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon Your name.’ But the Lord said, ‘Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.’ So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight” (Acts 9:13-15,17-18 NLT).

 

The name “Ananias” means “the Lord’s gracious gift.” Saul needed this obedient believer to pray for him so he could receive his sight and be filled with the Holy  Spirit in order to fulfill the calling God had placed on his life. You might say Ananias was a New Testament flash-in-the-pan because we never hear anything about him again. I’ve wondered what would have happened if Ananias had refused to obey God‘s instructions. I’m thankful he rejected the spirit of fear and chose to obey, inspiring us to do the same.   Ananias was a man of God who didn’t let his trust rust — he used it to greatly advance God’s kingdom. His prompt obedience got Saul off the starting blocks with his ministry.

 

The important lesson to grasp is that Ananias obeyed God. As far as we know, he  was simply a believer, not a high priest, religious leader, pastor, or teacher. He received the strength and power from God to obey and perform his assignment. Any believer can be used to do God’s work. You don’t have to be qualified, you just have to be available — and willing to trust and obey.

 

Christ followers should have a full-fledged trust in God. Perhaps Ananias was quoting these verses on his way to pray for Saul: “But I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my foes and those who pursue me and persecute me” (Psalm 31:14,15 AMP).

 

The Key: When the Lord says, “Go,“ let’s trust Him enough to obey in a flash.