Author: astherainandsnow

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord… Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’” Job 1:20-22; 2:10

“Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
    that good and bad come?” Lamentations 3:38

Charcoal and chalk meet in the early sky above air swept clean by overnight rain. Each adds its texture to the new day- bright and smudge, fluff and shadow- making for an esthetic that stirs and soothes with contrast, balance, and beauty. This morning would not be so lovely, so complete, so promising, were one not there.

At times we want to clean away the smudges so we can pretend life is tidy and pristine, but grey in our days gives contour to flat and shows off the undersides of God’s mercy and fortitude. Removing the shadows eliminates the resplendence of light. We might prefer soft and easy, but they serve only flabby faith, unrealistic vision, and shallow service.

Without some scratchy darkness, how would we learn compassion and empathy, or be able to relate to or genuinely comfort the hurting? Without wrestling with hopeless situations, how would we know to look long through to the light- that it still shines in the valley of the shadow? Without experiencing some hurt and distance, even dissension, how would we know the sweetness of forgiveness and reconciliation? Without having suffered brokenness, where would we know the glory and magnificence of divine repair?

Where has the charcoal of life sketched out God’s grace? Do we complain about getting pressed under circumstances rather than look for how God will lift us above them? Do we resist inconveniences and risks instead of trusting God for the way through? Are we constantly chafed at interruptions and difficulties? What if we instead marveled at the beauties of our Lord that shine brightest in the darkness? In what loss has the Lord brought great gain?

“Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.” ~John Newton (1779)

Father, help me welcome the charcoal You smudge in my life, and delight in how You work in the light of chalk to show forth Your grace. May I shine it brightly!

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new. Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true… It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. ⁸ But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.’” Revelation 21:1-8

“One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

The eternal hope of a Christian is certain and good. We know that we know what will be ours and what will be. For the present, we dwell among things that will not be, with sights on the not yet. Assurance of the future buoys our thoughts and lifts our wings for today, enabling us to soar above the dark, madding world with perspective and joy.

So what place do we give former things in our everyday? In Christ we’re new creatures; the old self is gone, put away by the blood of Christ through salvation. We still wrangle with the pull of sin, the nag of pride and greed, jealousy and bitterness. Certainly we wrestle with unimaginable grief, unmet longings, and the curse of hard toil. But these struggles of a life that will one day be forever former can be endured with a long and high view, an expectancy that they will surely pass. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 5:17; Colossians 3:1-10; 1 Peter 5:10)

Where are we allowing them to dominate? If we nurture old habits, they ensnarl their roots around every attempted discipline. If we brood with regret or wallow in shame, we block out the Son’s light. If we continue to entertain the world’s magnetism and doubt in faith, we give opportunity to return to unenlightened thinking. Though the enemy would deceive us into thinking not, these things are former and have no place in a victorious, fruitful life. Whose word do we believe? How does our behavior prove it?

Lord, fix my mind, sights, and hope in the heavenlies, keeping eternity at the fore in every decision and delight.

“Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
    and apply your heart to my knowledge,
for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.
That your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, even to you.
Have I not written for you thirty sayings
    of counsel and knowledge,
to make you know what is right and true,
    that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?”

“Apply your heart to instruction
    and your ear to words of knowledge.” Proverbs 22:17-21; 23:12

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,  having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:15-16

To be ready for what is coming or required takes vigilant, timely preparation. When we do not know exactly what to anticipate, knowledge must be broad and appropriate resources and defenses in order. The readiness of true and right words takes development over time, the ingesting, studying, and applying of biblical truth, hiding God’s word in the heart from where words draw their source. It takes discernment honed over years of testing and tasting and seeing the Lord is good, persistent and specific prayer, and obedience to the Holy Spirit. (Psalm 34:8; 119:11; Luke 6:45; Acts 14:3; 16:6; Ephesians 6:13-19)

Familiarity with the Word prepares us to defend our faith, to offer substantial wisdom, comfort, encouragement, and consolation, and to speak truth into falsehood. Being grounded in its doctrines and the character of God it reveals keeps us centered and confident in a crazy world, and assured of our identity as we face questions and condemnation. Ready lips result from a steady heart steeped in the Scriptures and strong trust in the Lord.

What are we doing to know the basic principles of Scripture so the word can sound forth from us appropriately and boldly? How are we living out its principles as an example of vibrant faith? How will we purify our motives so we speak to convey and please God, not man? Recognizing our deepest intentions and naming our fears are vital to being eager and prepared to share our hope. (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 2:2,4,13)

How are we specifically investing our time and attention to incline our ears, hear, apply, and keep God’s word? Do we set our daily compass toward what is right and true, or the whims of influencers, podcasters, and ‘thought leaders’? What role does the infallible word of God play in shaping our worldview, as well as daily disciplines and decisions? (Psalm 19:7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Father, make Your word so real to me that it daily guards my thinking and guides my speaking. Keep me vigilant to know and proclaim Your truth so You are known and praised.

“My beloved speaks and says to me:
‘Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
    and come away,
for behold, the winter is past;
    the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
    the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
    is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs,
    and the vines are in blossom;
    they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
    and come away.
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
    in the crannies of the cliff,
let me see your face,
    let me hear your voice,
for your voice is sweet,
    and your face is lovely.
Catch the foxes for us,
    the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
    for our vineyards are in blossom.’

“My beloved is mine, and I am his.” Song of Solomon 2:10-16a

The bride knows her beloved’s voice and invitation. Enthralled with the One whose love is better than wine, she knows the changing out of a cold heart and the florid refreshment of new life. And she is captivated, attuned, grateful. She belongs, and He belongs to her.

But little foxes prowl. They sneak and sniff and nose their way into loving adoration between bride and groom. In the garden of the Spirit’s delights, they disrupt growth and destroy fragrance and fruitfulness. Beware their cunning, catch them before they spoil what God makes beautiful.

Catch the sly fox of errant teaching before it causes a drift from right thinking. Catch the wily fox of alien affection before it distracts pure devotion and lures away from fidelity into idolatry. Catch the fox of alluring emotional or moral temptation lest it introduce an opening to sin’s deceit. Do not let the fox of shame revert freedom back to the winter of sin’s heaviness, or the fox of regret keep reminding of rain that is over and gone. Catch any fox that lures the face away from gazing at the lovely Christ or the ears from listening to His voice. (Hebrews 2:1; 3:12-13)

Have we tolerated the pesky foxes around us so long that we deem them harmless, entertain their cuteness, and cozy up to their fur? Have we lost sensitivity to their scratch, and grown dull in discerning their sinister wiles? Where are we excusing the presence of any pests that eat away at our time, or intrude upon our clefts of private intercession in the rock, or nibble at our love for Christ?

“Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
as thy beauty fills my soul,
for by thy transforming power,
thou hast made me whole.

Ever lift thy face upon me
as I work and wait for thee;
resting ‘neath thy smile, Lord Jesus,
earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
sunshine of my Father’s face,
keep me ever trusting, resting,
fill me with thy grace.” ~Jean Sophia Pigott (1876)

Beloved Lord, keep me alert and ruthless to catch and remove any fox that ruins our communion and destroys my song and fruitfulness for You.

“Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders… in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. And all the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast that is in the seventh month.  And all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark.  And they brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the Levitical priests brought them up.  And King Solomon and all the congregation, who had assembled before him, were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.  Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles…  And when the priests came out of the Holy Place (for… all the Levitical singers,.. with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters;  and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord,

“’For he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever,’

“the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,  so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” 2 Chronicles 5:2-8,11a-14

A completed temple was finally the permanent home for the ark of God’s presence, and king Solomon ordered that the priests set in place with reverence and gladness. Some of the priests had the sole duty to make music, in unison, praise and thanksgiving to the LORD. What a job! The result? So much glory descended that they were overcome.

It is also our duty to praise, and it makes a difference. We get hung up on do and do and checking off lists and neglect the necessity of praise. Praise acquaints us with the thoughts of heaven, and softens harsh attitudes. Praise elevates desire and broadens perspective beyond self. Praise lubricates the heart toward others who share our human condition. Praising the Lord Jesus for who He is, regardless of us, develops holy expectancy and trust. It improves us and exalts Him! (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

What will we adjust to get in the practice of regular praise? Do we nitpick with self-centered gratitude, thanking God only for what we like, what gives ease and comfort? Or will we heartily give thanks in all? Are we solo singers, or do we make effort to join with others? Would we take time and attention to be enthralled with His majesty so we magnify our Lord throughout the day? (Psalm 34:3)

Father, may my praise of You, Your goodness and steadfast love, be so glad and consistent that Your glory fills my heart and home.

“God… said, ‘Jacob, Jacob… I am God… Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation…’

“Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt… All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.” Genesis 46:2-3,5-7,27

“The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, ‘Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company…

“The people of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war: those listed of the tribe of Reuben were 46,500.

“Of the people of Simeon,.. 59,300.

“Of the people of Gad,.. 45,650.

“Of the people of Judah,.. 74,600.

“Of the people of Issachar,.. 54,400.

“Of the people of Zebulun,.. 57,400.

“Of the people of Joseph,.. 40,500.

“Of the people of Manasseh,.. 32,200.

“Of the people of Benjamin,.. 35,400.

“Of the people of Dan,.. 62,700.

“Of the people of Asher,.. 41,500.

“Of the people of Naphtali,.. 53,400…

“All those listed were 603,550.” Numbers 1:1-3,20-43,46

Removed to a foreign land with foreign gods, and the Lord kept them separate. Suffered under Pharaoh’s cruel slavery, and their numbers grew. When God has His plan in place and His eye on His own, multiplication happens. Israel endured isolation and hardship, and the Lord brought about increase that would advance His plans. Multiplied people, multiplied purpose, multiplied praise. (Genesis 37:28; 46:34; 47:5-6; 50:20; Exodus 1:1-7; 2:23-25)

The prospect of tribulation causes most to shrink and recoil. But when we know the sovereign God’s steady character and trust His will, we need not fear His ways. His marvelous multiplication of one family did indeed bring blessing to all nations of the earth. (Genesis 12:2-3)

And we carry the same privilege, also and often through hard experiences. Rubs with people open opportunities for patience and conciliation, hurts for forgiveness, consternation for truth-telling in love. The Lord intends that we multiply His graces and good gifts for the blessing of many, bringing life and light to a dark world. How am I, by His Spirit, propagating His goodness? What difference am I making for offspring and those in my sphere? Where and how am I multiplying His truth and love? (Ephesians 4:15; Philippians 2:15)

Father, divinely multiply my efforts unto others’ blessing and Your honor.

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.  Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.

“When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?  For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

It’s a sad thing that when we open our mouths we open ourselves to all kinds of detriment. The mouth is prominent and made for much good, the enjoyment of tasteful sustenance and the expression of truth and praise, music and love. But how often it is exercised without self-control and gets in the way of reverence, benevolence, and wisdom. It can be a spigot of impulsive thought, empty chatter, and words we wish we could retrieve, but if held closed would result in rest and sound understanding. How easy it is to eagerly approach God with our agenda and cursory sacrifice, even with earnest intent, when He demands that we simply know and revel in who He is. (Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 17:1-8)

Guarding our driven steps, hushing the mouth, and tuning the ears to listen all help to keep us measured and prevent foolishness. As we submit to the Lord, His Spirit helps us develop a mindset that whether approaching His house, or any other place or situation, He is Lord and we are not. He is holy, He knows our needs, He is worthy of our trust, and He is honored by our humble allegiance. Taking a still moment to focus on who He is adjusts our view of self and importance, and trains us in reverent self-control. When we come to the Lord in bowed silence, He will fill our open mouths and hearts with His bounty. (Psalm 81:10; Proverbs 15:2; 17:28; Matthew 6:7-8)

What is my attitude toward God? Do my decisions and actions show that I revere His greatness, wisdom, and authority? Do I think I am here to do God a favor, or enlist my rights, or do I have a sense of grateful stewardship? In what ways can I adjust my approach of God with more praise, and what need I set aside to behave with more surrender? How do I exemplify Him in gracious blessing of others as He fills me?

Lord, may I carefully guard my mouth, using it carefully for the building up of others and blessing of Your name, fear, and glory.

“A wise son hears his father’s instruction,
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke…
By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom…
Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death…
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:1,10,13-14,20

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22-25

Hearing is good, but heeding is better. It’s one thing to accumulate knowledge, and another to apply it, one thing to seek advice and gather insights, but another altogether to put it into practice. Would we be wise? We would take in what we can digest and let it nourish thought and behavior. Truth gained and stored must be evidenced in decisive deliberate action and interaction.

Accumulating knowledge and experiences is not worthwhile if they’re only gathered on a brag-shelf. What good is a degree, a book read, another presentation or program, good counsel, if we cannot measure what we’ve learned and applied, how we’ve been inspired or changed? What do these gifted opportunities from God mean in and for daily life? What effect does the living, probing, active word of God have on our spiritual development and quality of industry and ministry? How have they informed better leadership, more careful decisions, richer relationships, or influenced life-changing direction? How are they making their way into the work God has prepared for us to do? (Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 4:12)

Do we choose companions from whom we can learn and with whom we can grow? How willingly do we welcome and participate in iron sharpening iron? Where are we making a difference in God’s people and kingdom by way of wisdom gleaned? To whom are we imparting what years of experience have culled and honed, by speaking truth in humility and love? Where can we pass on the refreshment of the fountain of life? (Proverbs 27:17; Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Timothy 4:11-16; Titus 2:1-10)

To make the most of all God has entrusted to us takes courage and willful determination. It also honors Him. Doing for the Lord from the bounty we receive from the Lord advances His purposes and glory. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Lord, at the end of each day, may I answer for all You’ve spoken, taught, and given with faithful employment in Your kingdom and grateful praise to You.

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5

“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,

“’What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—

“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit… No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.  And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:7-10a,11b-14

There is a vast difference in the motives and wisdom of those who are in Christ and those who are not. It’s important for interaction and civil dialogue to understand the reasons behind thought, opinion, and behavior- our own and that of those with whom we disagree. To expect clear insight from one spiritually blind, comprehension of the things of God from one spiritually ignorant, open inquisitiveness from one soul-hardened, or vibrant life from one spiritually dead, is to be unreasonable. Different doctrines determine different mindsets.

Trouble comes when in self-centered impatience we push to get our point across or win to our ‘side’ or persuade ‘opponents’ without taking time to understand others first. One who does not agree with the sound doctrine of Scripture will not, and cannot, comprehend the secret things of God. No additional personal sermons or higher volume of a rant will convince a depraved mind deprived of truth. Only the Holy Spirit can give spiritual discernment. The fact that as Christians our eyes have been opened should be a prompt for humble praise and earnest prayer for those still blind.

How might conversations be more fruitful, and the truth more winsome, if we approached others desiring to learn and understand rather than air our opinions? What if we listened more, even studied the the silences between the lines, and talked less? Will we intentionally, expectantly pray for God to reveal the folly of the rulers of this age?

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.” ~John Newton (1725-1807)

Lord, keep me humble, ever grateful for Your grace, and filled with Your Spirit in relationships with those in darkness.

“I am the Lord. They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby when they profane it: I am the Lord who sanctifies them...

“You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you… And when you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted… So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the Lord. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you,  who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 22:8c-9,20,29,31-33

“Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30

It takes a loving work of a grace-filled God to sanctify His creatures. His Spirit kneads and molds, we cooperate. He who is set apart as wholly ‘other’ beyond the heavens calls us to be set apart here below. Throughout our lives as those in Christ, the Holy God makes us holy and fits us for heaven. (2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 1 Peter 1:1-2)

As He works His character into us privately, He gives opportunity for us to live it out publicly. He fills us with His Spirit, then puts us in places and with people where we can express His thoughts and countenance and lift high His name in work, relationships, service, and speech. Our personal mortification of the flesh and former godless habits expresses itself in righteous, life-giving conduct. And all the while, our Redeemer Jesus is praying that this be so in the world! (John 17:17; 1 Timothy 4:12)

In the past year, what changes has the Holy Spirit made in the way we think, react, behave? What changes would we like Him to make, and are we cooperating with His conviction and correction? Have we grown lazy, or do we regularly avail ourselves of His means of grace that make a difference in us? What are some areas where we need His powerful transformation in order to be more like Jesus?

As I grow up in Christ, how am I sanctifying the Lord God among His people? In my culture, where and how am I emanating the light of the gospel truth through words, acts of service, refusals, or taking a stand? In what specific ways can I stand apart from its push and pull of entertainment, language, humor, divisiveness, and vitriol? (Exodus 20:7; Ephesians 6:12-13; Philippians 2:14-15)

“Let me come closer to Thee, Jesus,
Oh, closer day by day;
Let me lean harder on Thee, Jesus,
Yes, harder all the way.

Let me show forth Thy beauty, Jesus,
Like sunshine on the hills!
Oh, let my lips pour forth Thy sweetness
In joyous, sparkling rills!

In all my heart and will, O Jesus,
Be altogether King!
Keep me and use me daily, Jesus,
For Thee, for only Thee.” ~J. L. Lync (19th c)

Holy God, sanctify me by truth and Spirit, that my whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless in anticipation of seeing Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 John 3:2-3)