On Guard

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.
Be strong. And do everything with love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)

When I read the above verses this week, the words, “on guard” caught my attention. I recognized the expression as a fencing term. With limited knowledge of the sport, I looked up the term’s meaning. “En garde” is French for “on guard” and alerts fencers to take their positions for the bout (match) is about to begin.

In the verses above, Paul gave urgent advice to the church at Corinth as he closed his letter to them. He had just offered instruction on matters of morality and theology—problem areas within the church. He concluded his letter with Chapter 16 informing these new Christians to be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous and strong, and to do everything with love.

I would imagine that the sport of fencing requires similar instructions. Fencers need to take their positions and be ready for the bout to begin. They need to stay alert, be aware of their opponent, take a firm stance, and have faith in their training. Courage and strength also sharpen their skills. I doubt they go after their opponent with love, but it’s a nice thought.

As I prepared for this blog post, God’s love for me moved me to tears. I am so fortunate to have His message available to me in written form to read whenever I choose. The Word of God is my lifeline during hard times and even when things are going well in my life. As I stay alert to His prompting, and aware of the enemy’s lies, I can reach out to others in love and confidence and allow God to use me. To have the Lord with me and leading me is a beautiful gift. I am so thankful.

I’m thankful, too, for Paul and his letter reminding us to be on guard—to stay alert and strong when those fencing bouts with the enemy occur. And to be aware of what’s happening around us including those in need of our love and kindness. We’re reminded to grow in our faith, courage, and strength. And do everything with love.

Thinking about fencing led me to my favorite movie—the 1995 BBC mini-series of Pride and Prejudice. I pulled up the fencing scene. Although they did not use “on guard,” Mr. Darcy states after his bout, “I shall conquer this. I shall.” He wasn’t talking about fencing. He referred to a personal battle he was facing. We can conquer our battles during our fencing bouts with our sword of the Spirit, the word of God.

Watching that tiny clip made it difficult to stop my DVD player to finish this blog post. Now that it’s posted, if you need me during the next five hours, you’ll find me in front of my television.

Blessings!

Photo by Eugene Lim - Unsplash

A Blemished Rose

In my debut novel, Only a Glimpse, roses play a significant part in Blake Conner’s life. Roses are dear to him because they were special to his wife who died a few years before my story takes place.

In an encounter between Keedryn Reynolds (my heroine) and Blake’s daughter, Allison, they discuss a painting in his office which was painted by his wife—a crystal vase filled with beautiful roses of various colors.

“The gifted artist captured intricate detail in each petal. The painting included one blemished rose. The rest were perfect.”

Keedryn asks Blake’s daughter about the painting, and Allison shares the story of the blemished rose and why her mom painted it that way.

“She’d say this rose represents us. Blemished. But God doesn’t notice. He’ll accept us as we are if we’ll come to Him. He’ll surround us with His beauty, goodness, and love and wash away our blemishes.”

Some may feel they need to clean up their lives before they can come to Christ. But if we believe and surrender our lives to Him, the Lord welcomes us to come just as we are. If we confess our sins and follow Him, He’ll wash away those sins, and embrace us with a new life—one of love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we
receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:22 (NLT)

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9 (NLT)

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that
your sins may be wiped away.
Acts 3:19 (NLT)

Is there something in your life needing to be confessed? Do you feel you need to be perfect in order to live for Christ? Come to the Lord and allow Him to wash away your blemishes, and enter the beauty of His love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop - Unsplash

Gaining Godly Wisdom

In the Old Testament, the book of Proverbs gives guidance on how to gain godly wisdom. And with wisdom come knowledge and understanding given to us by God.

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands
within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it
as for hidden treasure . . .

Proverbs 2:1-4 (NIV)

There are three “ifs” to gaining wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in the above verses.

  • If we accept God’s words, store His commands within our hearts, listen as He speaks, and apply our hearts to understanding

  • If we cry out and pray for insight

  • If we are persistent to search for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding as the treasures they are

If we do these things as we read in verses 1 through 4, verses 5 and 6 state:

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the
knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

According to Proverbs when we walk in wisdom, we accept God’s commands (10:8); store up knowledge (10:14); are humble (11:2); are open to advice from others (12:15); overlook insults (12:16); our words bring healing (12:18); we act with knowledge (13:16); are cautious and avoid evil (14:16); control our anger (14:29); listen to correction (15:32); find goodness (16:20); and we are always learning (18:15). I’m sure I missed several others.

In the New Testament we find this verse that confirms God gives wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you.

James 1:5 (NIV)

I could always use more godly wisdom, along with knowledge and understanding, and would love others to know me for the above attributes found in Proverbs. How about you? Please add other qualities of wisdom in the comments below.

Photo by Todd Steitle - Unsplash

What is Your Word for 2020?

Last year’s New Year’s resolutions revolved around a healthier lifestyle for me. I focused on weight loss, more steps per day, increased sleep time, and stress reduction. I improved in each area but only reached my weight loss goal. I plan to continue to work on the other healthy habits in 2020.

Although stress reduction last year included laughing with friends, in last week’s blog I mentioned that my resolution for 2020 was to laugh more. I believe laughter is a great way to unwind throughout the day.

In the past month, I’ve read several blog posts encouraging readers to select a theme word or phrase as an alternative to a New Year’s resolution. Some writers also suggest a scripture verse for the year. A great idea. I’d like to share my word and verse with you.

My word is “trust.” I choose for 2020 to trust God more and the promises His Word holds for me. In Him to daily provide, guide, and protect me. To trust He will move on my behalf in His time and His way, as I wait on His will to be carried out in my life.

Why did I choose this word? According to Dictionary.com, trust means: to have confidence in; rely or depend on. Sometimes I feel that I need to be in control and try to fix things on my own, but I know that I need to rely upon God. I tend to be a worrier. But God’s Word tells me not to worry.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT) is my verse for 2020.

Don’t worry about anything; instead,
pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank him for all he has done.

Verse 7 tells us the benefit of trusting God. You will experience God’s peace.

When I’m caught up in a frenzy, filled with anxiety, or overwhelmed with my to-do-list, family dynamics, activities, travel, relationships, or writing, peace is a welcomed blessing. God knows what I need, and His peace calms the craziness in my life. I need His peace daily, therefore, I must trust Him in all things.

What is your Word for 2020? Please share in the comments below.

Photo by Aaron Burden - Unsplash

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