CREATOR, SUSTAINER, SAVIOR

Creator, Sustainer, Savior

Lord, you created everything on earth;

And it is you who sustains us from the moment of our birth

Until you take away our breath and return us to the dust from which you made us.

You provide the cattle, the plants, even the rain

That causes all the food we need to grow upon the plain.

You open your hand to satisfy us and to abundant life in Christ you bade us.

You sent your Spirit and created us anew,

Sent your Son to die so we’d have fellowship with you.

You are the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior of each one who trusts in Christ.

Your trees are well watered, and from my heart

Flow springs of living water that you wish me to impart

To others so that they may know how to experience salvation and have eternal life.

            Look around you.  God made it all.  Watch plants grow and winds blow.  God keeps them going.  Breathe.  God gave you that breath.  Slow down long enough to appreciate how awesome the Lord really is.  He made us, sustains us, redeems us, and after all that work, still loves us! 

            I’m typing right now.  How many nerve impulses drive how many bones and muscles to move my fingers to precisely the correct keys to turn my thoughts into words on a computer screen right before my eyes?  It’s mind boggling to think that God sustains all life from the tiniest protozoa to the big, gray elephant and keeps my fingers from getting crossed up on the keyboard.  

As I read all of Psalm 104, the thought struck me that the almighty, all powerful, awesome Lord who did and does all the things in this scripture passage LISTENS to me! In fact, he longs for me to pray to him and fellowship with him.  He CARES about me individually.  He LOVES me with an everlasting love.  He does the same for you.

Thank him.  Praise him.  Say with the psalmist, “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  May my meditation be pleasing to him as I rejoice in the Lord.” (Psalm 104:33-34)

HARMONY IN THE FAMILY - poem & photo by Susie Hale, Precious Jewels Ministries

ĕulŏgia²¹²⁹ – fine speaking, i.e. elegance of language: commendation (“eulogy”), i.e. (reverentially) adoration: religiously, benediction; by impl. consecration; by extens. benefit or largess: - blessing (a matter of) bounty (x – tifully), fair speech.

A solid field of golden poppies 

high upon the hill,

in my days of childhood, 

always gave a thrill.

But lately I have been impressed 

with plains of multi-hues,

Yellow or pink flowers 

popping up amid the blues.

Amid my brothers and sisters, 

even though we all share Christ,

There are those with opposing perspectives 

on walking through this life.

We must appreciate our differences 

and live in harmony

Realizing God creates 

from us his symphony.

For all the varied people, 

like woodwinds, brass, and drums,

Keep the music of this life 

from being just ho-hum.

Each person’s lovely colors, 

like the flowers of the field,

When painted by the hand of God, 

a blessing for all will yield.

     “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” We’ve all heard that one! But according to Peter, I am not only to refrain from returning an insult, but to speak highly of the person who insulted me.

            Father, help me to bless others even when they have hurt me. Help me to accept my brothers and sisters in Christ as varied hues in your perfect tapestry.

TAKE TIME TO HONOR HER

timē⁵⁰⁹² – a value, i.e. money paid, or (concr. and collect.) valuables; by anal. esteem (espec. of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: - honour, precious, price, some.

            If I read the above definition correctly, a husband should value his wife as most precious and esteem her to the highest degree. I think it interesting that the English rendering of this Greek word looks like time because that is exactly how a woman knows that she is valuable to her husband…he makes time for her. This admonition for men to affirm their wives comes with a warning: if the man does not honor his wife and respect her, he cannot pray effectively.

            I believe this is not only true in the marriage relationship but in all our dealings with others. Recognizing the value in our friends and coworkers, taking time to show them appreciation, seeing fellow Christians as joint heirs, are keys to having right relationships horizontally. Snags in our earthly relationships can hinder our time with our Father.

           

Father, although I am single, I can take to heart the message that I need to show honor to those I love. Help me also to encourage male friends to honor their wives.        

SUBMISSIVE & FEARLESS

“For it was thus that the pious women of old 

who hoped in God

were (accustomed) to beautify themselves, 

and were submissive to their husbands –

adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary 

and dependent upon them.

It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham

(following his guidance and 

acknowledging his headship over her by) 

calling him lord – master, leader, authority.

And you are now her true daughters if you do right 

and let nothing terrify you –

not giving way to hysterical fears 

or letting anxieties unnerve you.”

1 Peter 3:5-6 (Amplified Version)

ptŏēsis⁴⁴²³ – alarm: - amazement

            My son has been truly blessed with a wife who is not easily unnerved. She is definitely his equal but chooses to play the supporting role. Her faithfulness to him and their children during his deployment in Iraq, along with his own faith in God, is the glue that held him together.

Thank you, Lord, for giving Thomas a wife of excellent character and for sustaining her as she ministers to her husband. Thank you for her family who taught her to rely on you rather than to give way to fear. 

INNER BEAUTY

Poem & Photo by Susie Hale

Behold this little wildflower, 

not the flashiest of blooms,

yet its simple beauty 

caught my eye and drew me in.

Even so, the humble woman 

whose apparel may be plain,

but who radiates Christ’s goodness, 

whose trust in Him always remains,

has by far the greater beauty, 

for it comes from deep within.

praüs⁴²³⁹ – appar. a prim. word; mild, i.e. (by impl.) humble: - meek.

hēsuchiŏs²²⁷² – prop. keeping one’s seat (sedentary), i.e. (by impl.) still (undisturbed, undisturbing): - peaceable, quiet.

            Meek does not mean weak, but rather humble; and quiet is not just the opposite of loud. However, don’t take that “sedentary” above to heart because as trite as it is, “A woman’s work is never done.” A strong, but gentle woman remains undisturbed. She has the quiet confidence and inner beauty that comes from a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

            

            Father, help me to be quietly confident and work more on becoming like Christ than on having the appearance touted in magazines and on billboards. May I be attractive because of who I am in Christ rather than the clothes, makeup, and jewelry I might wear. 

PURITY

“Wives, in the same way be submissive 

to your husbands so that,

if any of them do not believe the word, 

they may be won over without words

by the behavior of their wives, 

when they see the purity 

and reverence of your lives.”

I Peter 3:1-2

hupŏtassō⁵²⁹³ – to subordinate: reflex. to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

hagnŏs⁵³ – prop. clean, i.e. (fig.) innocent, modest, perfect: - chaste, clean, pure.

            Several couples have shared with me that the woman became a Christian first, and ultimately her husband came to Christ due to her consistent, Christ-like behavior. One man shared that he even tried to make his wife miserable about her faith. He’d go to church with her but make sure they had a fight on the way causing her to enter church red-eyed from tears. He teased and mocked her, but she still treated him with respect and love. Her purity and reverence were evident even though he was sometimes successful in frustrating or angering her.

            Eventually, he went to church with her and really listened to what the minister said. He met the Lord Jesus and has never been the same. Their marriage became stronger as the husband became active in church. Their three boys were raised to love the Lord and treat women with respect.

            People watch our behavior, even in our own homes. May others always see Jesus in our actions and hear him in our words.

            Father, help me to be modest, chaste, and reverent. Help me to be submissive to authority and to show your love to those who do not yet know you.

Memory Verse 1 Peter 3:8

REJOICE IN NEW LIFE

UNTIL WE SEE YOU FACE TO FACE

Until We See You Face to Face

Juanza’s Song

 (Psalm 103:14 & I Corinthians 13:12)

Lord, you know we are but dust

for you are the one who created us.

Lord, you know you’ve given us limited capacity

to understand your power and your grace.

So, Lord, help us trust in you 

even when we don’t understand

all the ways you work in us 

to bring about your perfect plan.

Lord, give us grace until we see you face to face.

For when we see you face to face,

then we shall see clearly.

Instead of seeing only pieces,

we’ll see them fit into your perfect plan.  

(I Corinthians 13:12)

            Read all of Psalm 103.  Read it slowly.  Read it aloud.  Drink in its truth.  I had purchased and watched a video on which Michael Card did just that only a few days before I got the call about Juanza.  Actually, the school secretary took the call and came to my classroom to give me the news that my friend Juanza had suffered complications after childbirth and wasn’t expected to live.  I hadn’t even known she was pregnant!  It seemed only yesterday that I’d traveled to another town to attend her wedding, but it had been long enough for her to be having her first child.

            That night at the hospital Juanza’s mother sobbed to me that she couldn’t understand why Juanza was dying when she finally had all her heart had desired: a loving husband, two step-sons, and a beautiful new daughter.  She felt guilty for questioning God.  I shared Psalm 103:14 with her and assured her that God understood her inability to understand his ways. On the way home I had to remind myself that God in his wisdom had a plan for Juanza’s family and that this earthly tragedy had not caught heaven off guard.  ALL the words of Psalm 103 were still true for them and for me even if we were having a hard time trusting at that moment. 

            Juanza, a respiratory therapist, had once told me that the saddest thing was to see a family keeping a body alive when the person was probably already absent from that body and present with the Lord.  During the drive from the hospital I prayed that the Lord would take Juanza home quickly so that her husband would not be faced with the decision to remove life support.  He was not up to that.  When I arrived home, my phone was ringing.  Juanza had gone to be with Jesus.  A few days later, I wrote the song above.

            Read Psalm 103.  Read it slowly.  Read it aloud.  Internalize it.  Memorize it.  Then, when sorrow beyond belief encroaches on your life, allow God to bring Psalm 103 to mind and help you to remember that his Word is always true.

CROWN OF THORNS

“‘He committed no sin, 

and no deceit was found in his mouth.’

When they hurled their insults at him, 

he did not retaliate; 

when he suffered,

he made no threats.

Instead, he entrusted himself 

to him who judges justly.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,

so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 

by his wounds you have been healed.

For you were like sheep going astray,

but now you have returned 

to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

1 Peter 2:22-25

paradidōmi³⁸⁶⁰ – to surrender, i.e. yield up, entrust, transmit: - betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.

ĕpiskŏpŏs¹⁹⁸⁵ – a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church (lit. or fig.): - bishop, overseer.                                                                                

            Because Jesus the God-man yielded himself completely to the will of the Father, we are able to be reconciled to God. In turn, we willingly cast ourselves upon the mercy of that same God; for he who spared not his own son, will graciously give us all we need (Romans 8:32).

FOLLOWING IN HIS STEPS

“Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters 

with all respect,

not only to those who are good and considerate, 

but also to those who are harsh.

For it is commendable if a man bears up 

under the pain of unjust suffering

because he is conscious of God.

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating 

for doing wrong and endure it?

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, 

this is commendable before God.

To this you were called, 

because Christ suffered for you, 

leaving you an example,

that you should follow in his steps.”

1 Peter 2:18-21

skŏliŏs⁴⁶⁴⁶ – warped, i.e. winding; fig. perverse – crooked, forward, untoward.

ĕpakŏlŏutĕō¹⁸⁷² – to accompany: - follow (after).

            Some days we may think we have a harsh or even warped boss, but most Americans have no clue what suffering is. In many countries, slavery or work situations comparable to slavery still exist. A person’s master may be completely perverse, but he must be obeyed.

            There are countries where Christians are outcasts, not allowed to hold a job, or persecuted to the point of physical harm or even death. When I read of my brothers and sisters in India, Sudan, or Tajikistan being beaten or hacked with machetes, I realize that I have never suffered persecution. I need to remember to pray for them daily as though their bonds were my own (Hebrews 13:3).

           

Father, if you call upon me to suffer because of my faith, I know you will give me the grace to do so. Help me to be prepared to follow you by studying and memorizing your word.

SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake 

to every authority instituted among men:

whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 

or to governors,who are sent by him 

to punish those who do wrong 

and to commend those who do right.

For it is God’s will that by doing good 

you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom 

as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 

Show proper respect to everyone: 

Love the brotherhood of believers, 

fear God, honor the king.”

1 Peter 2:13-17

hupŏtassō⁵²⁹³ – to subordinate: reflex. to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

dŏulŏs¹⁴⁰¹ – a slave (lit. or fig., invol. or vol.; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant.

            Father, you have set me free from the law, but I answer to higher law…the law of love. I am to treat others as I would have them treat me, to show respect to those in authority, and to do good, all in your name because I am your beloved slave who has the privilege of calling Jesus friend. Thank you for your love. Help me to live each day as a light to those who do not yet know you, reflecting your grace in my actions toward others. 

STRANGERS STAND OUT IN A CROWD

“Dear friends, I urge you, 

as aliens and strangers in the world, 

to abstain from sinful desires, 

which war against your soul. 

Live such good lives among the pagans that, 

through they accuse you of doing wrong, 

they may see your good deeds 

and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

1 Peter 2:11-12

parŏikŏs³⁹⁴¹ – having a home near, i.e. (as noun) a by-dweller (alien resident): - foreigner, sojourn, stranger.

ĕrgŏn²⁰⁴¹ – toil (as an effort or occupation); by impl. an act: - deed, doing, labour, work.

            The church I’m a member of is seeking a time of renewal. The focus is not on a super-charged meeting to bring in crowds, or a building program to enlarge the sanctuary, or an event to raise more dollars for ministry. All those things are good, but our elders have asked us to seek what is most important – knowing God on a deeper level as individuals as well as corporately. They’ve asked us to spend time in prayer, alone and with groups, asking God to show us the areas we need to change – to repent, to return, to grow – spiritually.  I believe as individuals seek the Lord in a more focused manner, all those other things we as a church body need to do will follow. As we are led by the Spirit of the Almighty God to live what we believe daily in the workplace, at home, and even in the grocery store, we will see people desire to know God because of what they see in us. As their numbers increase, God will show us when and what to build and hearts will be opened to contribute financially to His work. But it must begin with my own heart being cleansed, renewed, and empowered to live a life that brings glory to God.

           

Father, you’ve shown me some things that need to change in my life. Enable me to turn each day, each word, each thought over to your lordship that you may use me to help others see your grace. Remove my fear of witnessing one on one. Replace fear with boldness for your Kingdom. Thank you for grace to cover my sin and allow me to live victoriously here and now.

VIRTUOUS ONE

        Gladys Aylward is a spiritual hero to both Susan and me. We have been inspired by her tenacity in insisting that the Lord had called her to minister in China no matter how much people tried to dissuade her. She went to China as an assistant to a missionary who was building an inn for travelers and intended to tell them Bible stories while they ate. There is a remarkable story of Gladys single-handedly ended a prison riot at the request of the governing authority. That man and his soldiers were afraid to enter and dared Gladys saying that if her God was real, He would protect her! God did just that. Not many Chinese people were open to her gospel message. However, she still earned the name 'Ai-weh-deh', Chinese for 'Virtuous One'.  May we so live among non-believers that they will see the character of Christ in us and be drawn to Him!

For more on Gladys go to: http://www.heroesofhistory.com/page46.html

BLUEBONNETS

PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL

Into His Wonderful Light

             "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, 

a holy nation, a people belonging to God,

that you may declare the praises of him 

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

Once you were not a people, 

but now you are the people of God;

once you had not received mercy, 

but now you have received mercy.”

1 Peter 2:9-10

ĕklĕktōs¹⁵⁸⁸ – select; by impl. favorite: - chosen, elect.

thaumastŏs²²⁹⁸ – wondered at, i.e. (by impl.) wonderful: - marvel (-lous).

phōs⁵⁴⁵⁷ – (to shine or make manifest, espec. by rays; luminousness (in the widest application, nat. or artificial, abstr. or concr., lit, or fig.) – fire, light.

            (Written when I was working at Don Davis Auto Group.) When I get up, it’s still dark. The hall leading from my room to the kitchen has very little light, and I feel disoriented until I turn the corner into the den where the nightlight shines. Life apart from Christ is like stumbling down a darkened hallway. You attempt to feel your way through looking for glimpses of light here and there to help you. When you become one of God’s people, Christ’s illumines the way. You find a flashlight in his word that you can take with you everywhere you go (Psalm 119:105). You never have to grope in the dark again, for “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1John 1:5a). The warmth of his love lights your days like the flowers above brighten the field.

           

Father, thank you for inviting me out of the darkness and into your marvelous light. May I be like the moon and reflect the light of the Son so that others might see him and join us in the warmth of your love.

STUMBLING STONE

“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious, 

But to those who do not believe,

‘The stone the builders rejected 

has become the capstone,’ and,

‘A stone that causes men to stumble 

and a rock that makes them fall.’

They stumble because they disobey the message – 

which is also what they were destined for.”

1 Peter 2:7-8 (NIV)

timē⁵⁰⁹² – a value, i.e. money paid, or (concr. and collect.) valuables; by anal. esteem (espec. of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: - honour, precious, price, some.

lŏgŏs³⁰⁵⁶ – something said (including the thought): by impl. a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extens. a computation; spec. (with the art. in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ): - account, cause, communication, concerning, doctrine, fame, have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, speaker, speech, talk, think, tidings, treatise utterance, word, work.

            The word translated message here and as word in other versions implies far more than an ordinary utterance. People stumble over the idea of a suffering Son of God, but the Lord makes it clear that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior. The gospel message presents Jesus as the key to a relationship with almighty God. He is the Word incarnate. Honor him as most precious.

           

Father, thank you for the Word made flesh. Thank you for sending Jesus to walk on earth and die on the cross that I may call you Father as well as Lord.

A HOLY PRIESTHOOD

“As you come to him, the living Stone – 
rejected by men but chosen by God 
and precious to him – you also, like living stones, 
are being built into a spiritual house 
to be a holy priesthood, 
offering spiritual sacrifices 
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 
For in Scripture it says:

‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, 
a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trusts in him 
will never be put to shame.’”

1 Peter 2:4-6 (NIV)

hiĕratĕuma²⁴⁰⁶ – the priestly fraternity, i.e. a sacerdotal order (fig.): - priesthood

kataischunō²⁶¹⁷ – to shame down, i.e. disgrace or (by impl.) put to the blush: - confound, dishonour, (be a-, make a-) shame (-d).

            Each flower above is cute; but when they grow together to form instant bouquets, they are spectacular. We are called to Christ as individuals, but then he fashions us into a church. Every one of us has a purpose, but we are to work together to accomplish Kingdom goals.

           

            Father, fit me into your house, your body, to put the abilities and gifts you have bestowed on me to their best use. Help me to remember that I am not to be a loner in your service but am to work together with my brothers and sisters.   

CRAVE SPIRITUAL FOOD

ĕpipŏthĕō¹⁹⁷¹ – (to yearn): to dote upon, i.e. intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully): - (earnestly) desire (greatly), (greatly) long (after), lust.

auxanō⁸³⁷ – to grow (“wax”), i.e. enlarge (lit. or fig., act. or pass.): - grow (up), (give the) increase.

            My granddaughter, Mayah, had a low pulse-oxygen level at birth and was whisked away to a neonatal ICU at another hospital. One indication that she was still having trouble when I arrived was that she did not want to take her bottle. Now a healthy toddler (this was written a few years ago), she wakes up asking for “more milk”. It is natural for a baby to crave nutrition. A lack of appetite, a reluctance to nurse, is an indication that something is wrong.

            Like newborn babies, we should earnestly desire the spiritual nourishment we get by reading and studying God’s word. If we fed a baby on Sunday morning, she would be wailing for another bottle in just a few hours. She certainly wouldn’t wait until Wednesday night to eat again! Yet, that is how we treat spiritual food. Once we have tasted God’s grace, it should leave us with a longing for more of him. The way we feed that craving is by studying his word and living in obedience to him.

            Father, remind me to feed on your word daily. Thank you for giving the Bible to me.

GOD'S FOREVER FAMILY

God’s Forever Family

By Susie Hale and Susan Slade

Precious Jewels ministries

I am Caucasian, my skin bright white,

and my grandfather was born a Scot.

You may be African, with skin like cocoa,

much in common we have not.

However, when we both know Jesus,

we are adopted in the family of God.

Our color, nationality, traditions,

the things that divide matter not.

We are a people, chosen by God

to live in familyship forever.

It matters not what we were before:

unity in Christ should be our endeavor.

As we each have received His mercy,

Love and mercy we must bestow.

We must embrace our brothers and sisters,

those who love Jesus, wherever we go.

REFLECTING ON 9/11

REFLECTING ON 9/11

By Susie Hale

Precious Jewels Ministries

It has been 15 years since the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. Many of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing that day. I remember sitting at my desk at Don Davis Auto Group as employees began to arrive telling me what they had heard on the radio. As they ran upstairs to turn on the TV, I began to pray for the people killed and injured. My sister called, and cried out that one of the towers had just disintegrated as she wept. A flood of emotions swept over me, but I remained at my desk working because after a few moments for silent prayer, my boss reminded us that if businesses shut down, the terrorists would win. When I got home that evening, I finally had time to process all the feelings of the day and wrote the poem you see here.

       Now it is 15 years later. We have Homeland Security, increased TSA, color coded alerts. How do we as Christians respond? I believe the Psalm we have studied this weekend gives us some help. We do not need to live in fear. We can lay our heads down and rest peacefully as King David did. We can trust in our Heavenly Father. We do not live in a state of denial because we can see what goes on in the world. However, our security is not found in this world. Our home is held secure for us in Heaven.

       What should we do? We need to pray for our city, state, national, and world leaders. We need to pray for the safety of those who defend us. We need to pray for all first responders. We also need to encourage all of these people and let them know they are prayed for.  

       We need to live boldly, confidently among unbelievers bearing witness to our trust in Jesus Christ. We need to live upright, godly lives that will draw others to faith in Him.

       Our challenge is the same as the one the believers Peter addressed in his first letter. We are to serve Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit as long as He leaves us on this earth as His ambassadors. 

THE LORD, MY SHIELD

The Lord, My Shield

By Susie Hale, Precious Jewels Ministries

Lord, by Your mighty strength I am shielded

Once my life to Christ has been yielded.

In You, I am garrisoned about.

I need not fear, and I need not doubt.

You took my head once bowed in shame

And lifted it by the power of Your name.

Now in Your hand I am safe and secure,

And though I die, I will endure.

No foe can take my life from me,

For in death, I will be set free

To live in the place You have prepared

With no more worries, fears, or cares.