Stay
1. How We Need To Stay
It is mid-September and the weather has been mild the past week. The forecast calls for temperatures back in the 90's next week. I am ready for fall, and in my mind, I want it to stay cool. When good things come to us we want them to stay. Thursday evening Elsa and Lici wanted to stay all night with us. Sometimes a friend may ask us to stay and chat a while. I recently saw a post that was written by Scott Pauley that began with the simple word, "Stay." He continued with, "Stay close. Stay prayerful. Stay faithful..." I hope to use some of his examples, and find more thoughts in the scriptures of things that we should continue, until the Lord calls us home.
"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;" (II Timothy 3:14)
2. Stay Close
The first item on the list by Scott Pauley is "Stay close." When Michael had his heart surgery it was during the high point of Covid outbreaks. In order to go sit with him day after day in the hospital I had to keep away from all people, so that I did not take a risk on spreading the virus to him. I couldn't get close to anyone. I had to stay away from people and didn't go in stores. But, most of all, I had to stay away from my family. It was so hard to be hurting so much inside, and not be able to be close to anyone. I remember when my daughter went to get groceries for me and we met in the parking lot. I stood on one side of the car, and she stood on the other. Elsa had her window down and reached to give me a hug, but I couldn't get close to her. I felt the pain of not being able to stay close. As much as possible, stay close. When hard times come, it will be easier to get through them if you stay close to those you love. Most of all, stay close to the Lord. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8) "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
3. Stay Prayerful
I was taught to pray when I was just a child... "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep..." and "God is great God is good, Let us thank Him for our food..." We may not understand the fullness of prayer, but we pray when we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins and save us. I thought about prayer when I finished reading the book of Matthew. Jesus had healed the sick, fed the 5,000, and went up the mountain to get alone with God in prayer. "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone." (Matthew 14:23) If Jesus needed to pray, how much more do we need to pray! Not only are we told to enter into our prayer closet and pray to God in secret (Matthew 6:6), but we are also told to pray together. "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 18:19) Jesus prayed for the children, and oh how our children need prayer in this sinful world today! James tells us to pray "one for another", and "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16) David said, "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." (Psalm 55:17) The Apostle Paul tells us to "Pray without ceasing." (I Thessalonians 5:17) I heard someone say that prayer is our most valuable weapon. Stay prayerful! I close with these words from Paul to young Timothy.
"1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4)
4. Stay Faithful
I recently read an article that stated that three million students were missing from public schools last September across the nation. I don't remember who published the story, but I thought it was interesting. There were several speculations about why parents did not send their children back to school after the Covid shutdowns. I don't need to get into a discussion about the school system, but the article made me wonder about our churches. I wonder how many people never went back to church after the shutdowns. I believe that the longer a person misses church, the less that person really misses church. Today I want to remind you to "Stay Faithful." When writing to the early church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul did not tell them they had to be successful. He told them, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (I Corinthians 4:2) It is sad to look around the church on Sunday mornings and notice empty pews that once were filled. I am glad that many churches now post their services online and the Word of God is being shared with some who may not have ever gone to church. But, I am discouraged that so many never went back to church after covid. Our word of encouragement today is "Stay Faithful". I remember my grandmother still going to church when she couldn't hear the preaching. She wanted to stay faithful. Your faithfulness encourages others to stay faithful.
"23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25)
5. Stay Humble
A dozen or so years ago, when I was still working in an office, a co-worker gave me a plaque for my birthday. It was probably about 5 x 7 inches and rather heavy. It had the Bible verse, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:10) I put it on the cabinet above my desk. The metal cabinets jarred a little each time they were opened. One afternoon our supervisor was standing at our desks and talking with us, and he bragged on some work that I had done. In my heart I began to feel proud and just at that moment the plaque slid off the shelf and hit me on the head before landing on the floor. A corner of the plaque broke off, but that wasn't the only thing that broke. The Lord also broke my pride. I kept the plaque as a reminder that we need to "Stay Humble".
6. Stay Joyful
The next "stay" on our list couldn't have come at a better time. Stay joyful! I just finished reading the book of Mark and my thanks for my Lord was renewed while reading of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. And now, I am beginning all over again with the life of Christ in the book of Luke. My favorite scriptures of joy are found in Luke 2:10-11. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Christmas is just three months away. It is hard to believe that the year has gone by so quickly. You may not have the means to do the shopping you feel like you should do. Being around some people over the holidays may be something that you endure instead of something you enjoy. And you may not look forward to the hustle and bustle. But, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Keep that as your focus. Find time to enjoy little things of the Christmas season, read the Christmas story from the Bible, make cookies, give something from your heart, spend time with those you love. Don't let the stress of the holiday make you miss the blessing of Christmas. Stay joyful!
"8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:8-14)
7. Stay Strong
When I tried to think about what to say with our next phrase, "Stay strong", I told Michael that I couldn't, because I am not strong. With my age, and the breathing problems, I am weak and I have learned to acknowledge my limitations. My burdens, and those I try to help others bear, also bring an emotional weakness. But, I believe that when someone tells you to "stay strong" they realize that you are struggling and they are trying to encourage you to keep on keeping on. So, even in my weakness, I want to try to encourage you to stay strong. During troubles and trials when we can't find the strength we need within ourselves, we look to the Lord for our strength. David said, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." (Psalm 28:7) Moses encouraged Joshua and the Children of Israel, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Deuteronomy 31:6) King David also encouraged Solomon, "And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee..." (I Chronicles 28:29) The Lord told Paul, "... My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness..." (II Corinthians 12:9) And Paul encourages us to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Ephesians 6:10-18)
8. Just. S.T.A.Y.
I had the daily devotional ready to send yesterday morning, but when I got up I told Michael that I wasn't going to send it. I told him that I was discouraged, and I didn't think I was in the right place to try to encourage anyone. I considered not writing for a few days, but I knew that I didn't want discouragement from Satan to make me walk away from what I could do for the Lord. In verse 24 of Philemon, Paul includes Demas as one of his fellowlabourers. But, in his letter to Timothy he says, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me..." (II Timothy 4:10-11) If you are doing a work for the Lord, don't forsake Him. In the book of Mark, when Jesus was in the Garden and a great multitude came to take Him with swords, we read, "And they all forsook him, and fled." (Mark 14:50) Jesus knew this was coming. "And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." (Mark 14:27) It is good to know that the disciples went back to serving the Lord. They preached with boldness and about three thousand souls were added in one day. And the next verse tells us, "And they continued stedfastly..." Continue. Stay. Don't walk away from the Lord!
"38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:38-42)
9. Stay True
Do you know the seven things that the Lord hates? Let's look in Proverbs and read them.
"16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)
Did you notice that two of these are almost the same, and are included right there with "hands that shed innocent blood"? I am talking about "a lying tongue" and "A false witness that speaketh lies." Our topic today is, "Stay True". Here we see how important it is to be truthful in our words. The Apostle Paul goes a step farther. He says that we are to also be truthful in our thoughts. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8) We are to love in truth. "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (I John 3:18) We are also to be true in our work. "Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?" (Amos 8:5) Another verse reminds us to walk in truth. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (III John 1:4) All of these are examples of how we can stay true, but, the most important thing is that we begin with the truth. We must believe the truth! "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) You may wonder how you can know the truth in today's world. The Word of God never changes. Jesus came from heaven to give His life to save us from our sin and give us everlasting life. You can believe in your heart and ask Jesus to forgive you and save you, and He will. He is the truth!
10. Stay Kind
Several years ago I discovered Shutterfly, where I could take pictures of our family, and add text to the pages, and now I have beautiful hard cover books of memories. I always chose a theme for each book, and for one book I included Bible verses throughout the pages. Meredith, our oldest granddaughter, was seven years old at the time and she told me that her favorite Bible verse was Ephesians 4:32. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." I included a great picture of her being kind to her baby brother. Our title today is, "Stay Kind". We often remind our children and grandchildren to be kind, but we also need to remember to show kindness. One of my favorite reminders is Proverbs 31:26, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." I learned that if I spoke with kindness to my children when they woke up in the morning, they were kind to each other. If they went to bed crying at night, then they got up crying the next morning, so I tried to use wisdom and kindness and help them have a peaceful bedtime. In the love chapter, I Corinthians 13:4, we read, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up," God is merciful and kind to us, and we need to be merciful and kind to others. " For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 117:2)
11. Stay Diligent
At the beginning of this year I put a title on a composition book, "Things To Do In 2022". I began with lists for cleaning and purging and it was going well, until spring came and my focus shifted to the garden. Then my lists changed to getting the ground ready and buying seeds, and the list grew as the garden grew and I stayed even busier, and so thankful, as the fresh vegetables came in. I was so busy I didn't take time to make a list, I just tried to do what had to be done each day. Today I decided it was time to make a new list. There are things that need to be done outside before the weather gets bad. And I added some things to work on inside, too. I feel so much better when I get things accomplished. And making lists is helpful because I can choose what I feel like doing each day. Our phrase today is, "Stay Diligent". When I looked up synonyms for diligent I was amazed at all that it entails, including, busy, active, conscientious, hard-working, driven, persistent, attentive, zealous, thorough, and dedicated. When we talk about staying deligent in a devotional sense it carries the idea of staying busy in our work for the Lord. You may not be able to sing in the choir, but you can pray. You may not be able to teach Sunday school, but you can keep reading God's Word. You may not be able to get out and witness for the Lord, but you can keep your testimony. You may not be able to go to church, but you can be an encourager to those you talk to. Don't quit! Paul said, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31) Stay diligent for the Lord!
12. Stay Hopeful
Another month is coming to a close. September brought some difficult days for us and I hope October will be better. Have you ever said something like that... "I hope the next time will be better"? When I bake a pie or cook a dish and it doesn't turn out as good as I wanted, I will say, "I hope the next one turns out better." I'm not going to share all my problems today, because I want to look forward, and focus on "hope". So many of the things we have discussed the past two weeks bring hope. We stay prayerful because we have hope in the Lord to answer our prayers. We stay faithful because of our hope in the Lord. Hope gives us the strength, and desire to keep on keeping on. And each trial we go through brings us a little more hope. Our hope in Christ is not like the hope of the world. Our hope in the Lord is sure! "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;" (Hebrews 6:19) "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" (Titus 2:13) Stay hopeful!
"1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:1-5)
13. Stay Compassionate
Michael prepared a devotional about having compassion, so I have asked him to write this devotional for us today.
The word compassion comes from a Latin word which literally means "to suffer with". It is found over forty times in the Bible. It is much stronger than simply meaning "to care about." I would like to discuss three times that the word "compassion" is mentioned. Mark 1:40 says, "And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." A leper was not to be touched by anyone. If he passed by someone on a path, he was to go off to the side and yell, "Unclean!" Imagine a man who had not hugged his wife in years, or who had not had a child or grandchild hug his neck in years. A man who had not felt a human touch in a very long time. He tells Jesus that all Jesus needs to do is to will it, and then he would be healed. But notice what Jesus does in the next verse. " And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean."
Another passage in Mark 9:20-22 tells of a young man who was demon possessed. "And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us." Notice the personal pronouns used in verse 22. The father refers to "him" and his condition. But then he pleads, "have compassion on us, and help us." This parent was suffering with his son, and asked for Jesus to "help us." An old Jewish proverb says, "A mother is only as happy as her saddest child."
The last mention of the word "compassion" is in Jude 22. " And of some have compassion, making a difference..." If you want to truly make a difference in someone's life, show them compassion. Do not feel sorry for them, but instead, suffer with them. That is the way the Bible says we can make a real difference in the lives of others.
14. Stay Sweet
I know many sweet older people. I also know a few grouchy older people. Have you ever wondered what makes the difference? I think that it may begin in how we handle problems early in life. How do we react when something goes wrong? Do we yell at a waitress when something is wrong with our order, or are we able to stay calm in our request? When someone does us wrong, do we hold a grudge and carry that bitterness year after year? When we have bitterness in our heart, it makes its way out of our mouth and actions. We read in Ephesians 4:31-32. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." A good place to begin in staying sweet, it to put away the bitterness and anger. James reminds us that sweet and bitterness don't flow from the same place. Stay sweet.
"8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" (James 3:8-11)
