Tuesday Tidbits

“For this is how God loved the world; He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. The week highlights specific Biblical events culminating on Easter Sunday.  Various traditions are observed worldwide leading up to the celebration of THE most crucial event in human history, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. One such tradition could be observed at church this past Sunday. The sanctuary was overflowing with children waving palm branches and folks with lifted hands singing at the top of their vocal cords, “Hosanna, you are the God who saves us.” Considering the cost, this is what Holy Week and every week of our lives should look like. Our hearts rendered in humble adoration, praising the One who saves us from our sins and eternity apart from God.

The Easter season reminds us of the price paid for our salvation more than any other time of the year. This year, my studies in the Old Testament have reaffirmed many aspects of God’s character and promises. Tied up alongside the joyful Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday celebrations is the not-so-pretty Biblical truth that God can not look upon or tolerate sin in His people. That is why Jesus came to earth in human form and died on the cross. “It is your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore” (Isaiah 59:2).  Without a firm understanding and acceptance of God’s response to sin, we cannot fully comprehend and appreciate the magnitude of the gospel and the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Without accepting this truth, the cross is minimized, and the deceitful road of justifying sin and upholding good works will be frequented.

In the book of John, Jesus tells Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).  Some translations will read, “Except by Me” but the Greek translation for the word, “through” and “by” are the same. It means “in the midst of,” “in a line (movement),” “throughout (time),” and “between.” When you read this verse, close your eyes, and imagine God looking down on you.  As God gazes upon you, Jesus is “between” you and God.  Jesus is directly “in a line” in front of you “throughout time.” He doesn’t move to the right or left; you are “in the midst of” Jesus’s perfection, completely blanketing you forever. An incredible gift to behold and give thanks for.  

As God looks upon us, He sees the glory of Jesus.  The cross makes that possible because of God’s incomprehensible love for His people. He wants to look upon us, He wants to hear us, and His deepest desire is for His people to spend eternity with Him; as much as God hates sin, He loves us even more. He gave us Jesus; sing and shout Hosanna! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture was taken in Jerusalem in the Garden of Gethsemane         

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come”  Isaiah 35:4 (italics added)

Henry H. Halley calls Isaiah 35 ”One of the greatest chapters in the Bible. A poem of rare and superb beauty. It presents a picture of the last times, when the redeemed, after long suffering, finally shine forth in all the radiance of their heavenly glory. Returning exiles traveling along the highway (Isaiah 35:8-10) offer a marvelous image of the redeemed traveling home to God.” What a glorious promise and imagery this chapter gives us, especially after the long list of woes and the storm of judgment in the preceding chapters. The chapter begins with “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy” (Isaiah 35:1-2). Even creation will share in the blessings of Christ’s reign.

Spring is starting to make itself known with the budding flowers and flowering trees. I walked the entire circumference of the Tidal Basin this weekend and was absorbed and surrounded by the beauty of the iconic Japanese Cherry Blossom trees in peak bloom. People come from all over the world to see the blossoms and for a chance to snap a picture with their beauty as the background. But as beautiful and alluring as they are, they will not hold a candle to the supernatural transformation of the earth into a veritable Garden of Eden as the Millennial Kingdom is ushered in. The curse from creation will be lifted, and “the glory of our Lord and splendor of our God” will be fully displayed (Isaiah 35:2).

The spring flowers will wither away as the seasons change, and crowds flock to see the cherry blossoms at their peak because they will soon fall to the ground. The landscape on this earth will quickly change from spring to summer. But we serve a God that never changes. Despite our sins and rebellion, God’s faithfulness to us and His promises speaks to His character and sovereignty. And without belief in the solid hope of God’s faithfulness and unchangeable nature, we would feel like ships lost at sea. Being beaten down by the crashing waves, swallowed by the towering swells, and lost, never finding our way home. But God promised in verses 8-10 that there will be “a highway that only the redeemed will walk, and they will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” We will be led home, and oh, what a glorious home it will be; it will always be in peak bloom. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The pictures are from my weekend stroll with great friends around the Tidal basin. Even the rain and the fog did not dull the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms.     

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

When was the last time a single scripture instantly changed your perception of a thing or a situation? The Bible teaches us that our minds are to be in a constant state of renewal through prayer, study, and meditation, and I love how the Lord uses His word to change our attitudes. I will confess that until recently, I strongly disliked palm trees. I’ve never viewed them as pretty trees, like the stunning cherry blossoms or the rich, vibrant maples. But in our new community that we will soon move to in North Carolina, the HOA requires not one, not two, but three palm trees in the front yard. Before last week’s visit, every time I drove up to our beautiful new home, my attitude would be soured by the sight of the palm trees. But the Lord mercifully, in my devotion time before our trip, showed me Psalm 92:12, “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree.” Instantly my eyes saw the palm tree in a totally different light.

Trees play a unique role throughout the pages of the Bible. God seems to have a way of positioning us in relation to various trees to teach us valuable life lessons and declare some amazing promises. Remember how Adam and Eve hid from God among the trees, covered with leaves from the fig tree (Genesis 3:8), and Elijah, fleeing for his life from the evil Jezebel, sat under a broom tree to pray (1 Kings 19:4). And then there was Zacchaeus, who wanted to see who Jesus was, climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view.  

Palm branches were spread on the road by the crowd as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Matt 21:8). Palm trees have some unique characteristics, unlike any other trees. They can weather the most ferocious storms. They may bend, but they do not break, withstanding a hurricane unscathed. They are both resilient and a blessing. When the thirsty traveler spotted a palm tree on the horizon in an arid desert, he knew there would be an oasis to quench his thirst and a shady spot to rest.

The righteous person can be like the palm tree for the weary traveler.  We can be the oasis for others if we strive to respond rightly to the question, “And what does the Lord require of You? To act justly, and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). We flourish when we “practice righteousness” or right behavior that flows from a heart that God has redeemed. It is not a performance. Only our position in Christ enables us to “flourish like a palm tree.” When we practice righteousness in our Christian walk, we sprout, grow, thrive, and finally, blossom in our faith. And throughout the flourishing process, we become resilient to stand with Christ amid life’s challenges. He is our shade; He provides us with the fortitude not to break under the storms of life. When we stand in Christ’s own righteousness and “practice righteousness,” we will flourish. That is the promise, and that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.   

The picture is of the palm trees in my North Carolina yard.  

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

When was the last time you were caught in the midst of an unexpected storm? I am talking about the kind that falls from the sky in the form of rain or snow. With today’s weather apps and news alerts, it’s somewhat difficult not to know the predicted forecast, but the weather reports somehow slipped our attention on Sunday. The snow began to fall as we prepared to head home from an overnight visit. The big, fluffy flakes were beautiful as they gently glided toward the ground. Our homeward journey took us up and over the scenic Shenandoah Mountain, presenting a much different scenario. The snow came down hard, the roads were covered, and visibility was limited.  Winter is not over, and we were definitely in a snowstorm. After navigating the mountain safely, much to our surprise, the snow was not relenting as we approached the Interstate. While some find navigating a snow-covered mountain harrowing, I prefer the mountain to an Interstate Highway in a snowstorm any day! In either situation, there is a playbook all should follow. Slow down, turn on your lights, stay in your lane, and keep your foot off the brake are courses of action we can take to hopefully ensure a safe arrival at our destination.

The other storms that usually leave a more lasting impression on our lives are the storms of life. An unexpected doctor’s report, financial crisis, death of loved ones, and broken relationships are just a few of the various circumstances that can turn our world upside down. Sometime in our lives, we will all face these kinds of storms. They are almost always unexpected, unrelenting, and challenging to navigate. We don’t have absolute control over the storms of life in which we find ourselves. But we have the ability to choose how we will respond; we choose the playbook. As Christians, our course of action is to turn it over to God in prayer; ask for wisdom and relief; leave the outcome up to God; thank Him for the chance to grow and learn; then rest in the promise of His abiding presence.

O.S. Hawkins writes, “This is the one promise that is woven like a thread throughout the entire Bible, showing up time and again throughout the Scriptures, all the way to the very last verse of the last chapter of the last book, Revelation.” When King Jehoshaphat faced a threatening army of Ammonites and Moabites, the prophet spoke saying, “Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you” (2 Chron 20:17). David wrote in the Psalms that he “feared no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). Christ ascended into heaven declaring, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). Hawkins affirms, “There is no promise in the entire Bible repeated so many times, to so many different people, in so many different circumstances, as this one, “I am with you always.”

When the storms of life bear down on us unexpectedly; when the way ahead is not visible because our eyes are clouded with fear and doubt; the squalls of pain and disappointment are unrelenting; and the challenges seem too slippery to navigate; cling to, believe, and remember: He is with you, always. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.         

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

It was over twenty-five years ago, but when my Bible study asks, “have you ever been in a crowd where people were speaking an unfamiliar language?” the memory flooded back. Living in one of the country’s most diverse regions, this question can be answered with a firm “yes” just by going to the local Walmart or grocery store. But that is not where my mind went. My first overseas duty station as an Army wife was in Schweinfurt, Germany. It has since become my favorite and most memorable duty station. We lived in the quaint little village of Dittelbraun, outside the city and not on the Army post. I was suddenly thousands of miles away from home, with an almost toddler, my husband was deployed to Bosnia, and I was living among people I could not understand. The memory is still so vivid; as I stood in my tiny kitchen, I heard English being spoken outside my window. The familiar language broke through the traffic noise and everything else happening, and I was laser-focused on finding the voice as I rushed outside. To my delight, I met Maya, a German-born, naturalized American school teacher, learned she was my neighbor and is my dear friend to this day.   

God’s voice can break through this world’s walls, and noise to everyone poised to hear Him, just like Maya’s voice did on that unforgettable day.  Are we listening? Are we yearning to hear His voice? Are we laser-focused on hearing what He has to speak into our lives? Do we drop everything to rush to Him? We are in the season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter; millions of Christians worldwide observe this season in hundreds of different ways. The Lenten season is a time to reflect on Jesus, repentance, and spiritual development. Many Christians give up something at Lent or make a dedication to fast. No matter the method, the purpose is to grow closer to God. But what if we purposed to simply listen to grow closer?  “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

“Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55: 2-3, italics added). God is pleading for us to listen to Him. His Word, “the richest of fare” will give us everything we need to recognize His voice. But we must first be willing to listen. What will be gained if we give up chocolate for Lent but do not read His word, seek His face in prayer, and listen and obey His guidance? Let’s pray that His voice becomes so familiar that it slices through all the noise of life and that we have a burning desire to hear Him, not only during this season of Lent but always.  And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture is of a plaque in the garden surrounding Jesus’s tomb in Jerusalem.

“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” Hebrews 5:14

As Josie and I scampered down our front steps for her mid-morning walk, we were met with a visitor. And the visitor had a voice to make herself known. An adorable little cat, meowing rather loudly, totally uninhibited, sauntered towards us, begging for our attention. Needless to say, Josie, my highly energetic dog, was very intrigued by her, and I thought that after Josie barked and chased her under the car, it would be the last time we saw her. But she was persistent, and every time I turned around, she was just a few steps behind us, meowing loudly. She was a brave little thing, or maybe she was smart enough to realize Josie was on a leash. Even when I shooed her away, she would dart behind bushes and mischievously sneak around to once again pounce on our heels. At first, I was tolerant and played along because she was adorable, but when I saw her run in front of us and stop to sharpen her claws on the inviting tree trunk and then move towards us, I started to see the situation through a different lens. As cuddlesome as she seemed, those claws could do much harm to Josie if given a chance.  I picked up a nearby long stick to shoo her away and intended to use it if needed to protect Josie. Finally, she relented and darted down the hill, but I held tightly to my gnarly tree branch the rest of the walk.

Situations in life can be very similar to the one that confronted me on that mid-morning walk. We are going along minding our own business and lives, and a situation, opportunity, or even a person that seems innocent and inviting scampers across our path. We play along for a while, and then something tells us or shows us that the situation may not be as it seems. As followers of Jesus, that “Something” is the Holy Spirit. Discernment is a tool God gives Believers as they walk through life to determine the true nature of a situation, person, or thing. It must be understood, and the Believer must follow the Lord’s leading and His Word to be useful. Paul wrote to the saints at Philippi, “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to discern what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return” (Philippians 1:9). Paul’s deep desire for the Believers at Philippi was evident in this prayer, and it was a call to action on the part of the Believer. Discernment has to be cultivated and nurtured, which happens in the Christian life by studying the Bible and prayer. As we gain knowledge and wisdom and seek guidance from God, discernment becomes sharper and more recognizable.

In today’s world more than ever, wisdom and discernment must be the goal of every Believer. We cannot fight today’s battles or even see that it is a battle without a commanding knowledge of the scripture. Just as I held tightly to my protective stick, we must hold tightly to the Word as our divining rod. Charles Spurgeon said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” In our crazy upside-down world, discernment must be in our survival kit.  And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.   

Since this tidbit was about dogs and cats, I’m sharing one of my favorite photos of our dearly loved and greatly missed Shelby and Fluffy. They always reminded me of the Lion and the Lamb in moments like these. Ironically Fluffy cat was the lion (and he looked like one) and Shelby dog was the lamb❤.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

No matter how wonderful a trip or vacation, coming home to the Northern Virginia area can quickly become a test of patience, especially on Interstate 95 on a holiday weekend. This was the case for us on our return trip from North Carolina yesterday. In the bumper-to-bumper traffic, I had plenty of time to think about the upcoming week’s tasks and obligations. One of those tasks is, of course, laundry. Admittedly, laundry is not one of my favorite household chores. Mostly because I am rather picky about how my laundry is done, and I probably make it more complicated than it should be. I am very particular about what gets washed together, so sorting is a big deal. I wash different sorts on different cycles and temperatures. I do not put everything in the dryer; some must hang dry, and I like to get the clothes out of the dryer while they are still warm so the wrinkles can be smoothed out. Wow, just writing about my obsessive laundry habits makes me like it even less!

As I was thinking about and dreading the chores ahead, coupled with the traffic’s frustration, I picked up a recent gift from a dear friend to lighten my mood. It’s a small book called “gratitude prayers.” It only took a few page turns to land on “The Wash Prayer.” Sometimes, God just makes me laugh, and this was one of those times. Who would have ever thought in my dread of laundry that God would give me a prayer? But He did, and I will share it with you.

This prayer reminded me that I have the privilege of doing laundry because I am blessed with more than enough clothes to wear, a loving family that contributes to the haystacks of laundry, a fully functioning washer and dryer in my home with running water that washes the dirt and soil from the filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) just as Jesus, the Living Water washes our sins away (Zechariah 13;1). The next time you gaze into your swirling wash waters, give thanks for His cleansing blood and His provision of clothing. It can change your perspective about laundry; it does mine. There is much to be thankful for, even laundry. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.    

“For this is how God loved the world: For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)

Happy Valentine’s Day! I admit I’m somewhat cynical when it comes to Valentine’s Day. I think flowers, candy, jewelry, and dining are overpriced, and feelings of loneliness and rejection are heightened on the Hallmark holiday. But my cynical heart was touched and softened last week by a devotional that reminded me that Valentine’s Day has origins in the church, and no one has more reasons to celebrate love than the Christian church. In doing some research on Saint Valentine of Rome, there are several versions of his death, questions as to if he was even the person Valentine’s Day is named for, and the many pagan celebrations associated with the creation of Valentine’s Day. But one story that seems to be the most consistent is that Valentine was a priest in Rome at the time of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius, the Cruel, was trying to build his army and believed Roman men were unwilling to join the military because of their attachment to their wives and families. He, therefore, banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. God’s design of marriage and the family has always been in the crosshairs of Satan. After realizing the decree’s injustice, Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages in secret. When his actions were discovered, he was beheaded on February 14, somewhere around A.D. 270.   He died trying to overcome evil with good, implementing God’s guidance for love and marriage.

With my renewed appreciation for Valentine’s Day, I began baking cookies for the occasion. After baking at least half a batch of delicious spritz butter cookies, I realized I had forgotten to add the red food coloring to the dough. In years past, I would dip the delicate, red-tinged cookies in white chocolate, but this time, I had to devise a plan B because a white coating on white cookies just would not do. As I dipped the white cookies in red-colored white chocolate (plan B), I realized they were a perfect visual of Christ’s love for us. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Because of Jesus’s love for us He covers our sins so we can come into the presence of our Holy God with clean hearts. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Celebrate today with those you love, and remember we have already been given the best gift, and He was never plan B. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The photo is my new and now favorite version of my spritz heart cookies.    

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (italics added)

The first two hundred and fifty-six pages of my current Bible study have been spent studying the mind-blowing list of kings of the divided Kingdom of Israel found in the Old Testament books, 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. While there were a handful of faithful kings, the vast majority “did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” And most of the kings that were faithful to the Lord, like Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, fell short of ridding the land of idol worship. “In everything, he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.” (1 Kings 22:43) Those high places were always the problem and the stumbling block for the people in both kingdoms. We call those high places idol worship today. The Bible doesn’t reveal exactly why the high places were overlooked or not considered a threat to the spiritual well-being of the people by even the faithful kings, and I suspect there were as many reasons as there were kings. But I submit one reason would be because the people had become cozy in the culture of pagan worship.

In Max Lucado’s book, “You were Made for this Moment,” he describes how the exiled Jews had become cozy in Persia. Far removed from their Jewish heritage and worship by years and miles, it was difficult to tell them apart from their idol-worshipping neighbors. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “What if the glitz and glamour are only folly and foibles? What if the lure of lights is a hoax? All the red carpets. All the social media pictures. All the fancy parties and invitation-only clubs. What if all the whoop-de-do and la-di-da are one big field of winter wheat? Don’t romp in it. Don’t fall for it. Don’t buy the line. Don’t take the bait. Don’t take the bluff.  Don’t get cozy in Persia. Stay faithful to your call as a covenant people.”

Amid today’s culture, we sometimes forget our calling. The high places lie to us, whatever those are in our lives. They lure us into lifestyles or thought patterns that leave us wounded, weary, and empty. We were not made to blend in and assimilate into a godless society. We were created to serve the almighty God and only Him. And when we fall short or “romp in it,” and we will, we are redeemed through sincere repentance! And when we tear down the high places and live like redeemed people, worshipping the one true and faithful God and loving our neighbors, family, and friends like ourselves, we shine the light on Jesus. That is our calling, and that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture was taken in Megiddo, Israel. It is a pagan temple area with a view of the Jezreel Valley in the background.  

“He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.”  Psalm 91:4

I was running on time for once as I left the house for evening Bible study. The streets in the neighborhood are dotted with stop signs, but folks largely ignore them, especially on dark evenings like this one; it’s easy to see that no headlights are coming. As I rolled up to the last stop sign, something caught my eye and made me come to a complete stop. As I searched the darkness, suddenly, I realized the tiny glint that had caught my eye was a child, no more than two years old, running as well as toddlers can run down the street, totally alone. In the seconds as my mind was trying to figure out what was going on, a frantic mother exploded out of her front door in search of the child. The closer she got to him, the further down the dark street he toddled. She was frantic, but to him, it was obviously a game. Finally, she safely scooped the child in her arms and waved for me to proceed. I sat there for a few seconds and thanked God for protecting the child and me. On the drive to church, my mind kept replaying the horrible scene that could have happened had God not provided the “little something” that caught my eye and caused me to stop completely. The thoughts made me physically ill, spiritually humbled, and grateful for God’s faithful hand of protection.  

1 Kings 18 introduces us to a man who faithfully worshipped the Lord amid great evil. This little passage, denoted only with parenthesis in some versions, can be easily overlooked because it is tucked within the wondrous story of Elijah. “Meanwhile, the famine had become very severe in Samaria. So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Obadiah was a devoted follower of the Lord. Once when Jezebel had tried to kill all the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had hidden 100 in two caves. He put fifty prophets in each cave and supplied them with food and water)” 1 Kings 18:2-4. Jezebel was King Ahab’s evil wife and was just as evil in her own right. She hated the people who worshipped Yahweh and endeavored to wipe out all avenues of worship and teaching by killing all the prophets of the Lord. But Obadiah took 100 prophets, hid them in two caves, and supplied them with food and water. God used Obadiah to protect His prophets. We don’t have a record of that protection’s impact or trickle-down effect. But one can only imagine the number of souls those prophets touched and how the faith was passed down through the generations. God’s protection always goes hand in hand with His providential plan.

Take some time to sit quietly with the Lord and focus your thoughts on the many times God has protected you and your people. Spend time praising God for His protection and providence over your lives and those you love. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of caves in southern Israel, most probably much like the caves where the 100 were hidden.