BE PREPARED, BE READY

BE PREPARED, BE READY 

I Peter 3:15 - Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Romans 14:19 - Do what leads to peace and mutual edification.

Eph. 4:11-13 - It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

I Peter 1:13 - Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Luke 1:17 - And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Luke 12:17-21 - "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

II Timothy 2:20-21 - In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

II Timothy 4:2 - Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

Matt. 24:44 - So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Matt. 25:1- At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Compiled by Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

INFINITE, UNBROKEN, POWERFUL LOVE

INFINITE, UNBROKEN, POWERFUL LOVE

How fitting that Valentine's Day, the day love is shown in a special way, falls between Christmas and Easter, as if to bridge the crib and the cross together. For God loved us so much that he sent His one and only Son to begin life in the womb of a virgin, live a life of hardship and rejection while showing only love, then dying as a result of being beaten, then nailed to a cross. No man has ever shown greater love than this.

Just how big is God's love? According to scripture, it fills the earth, and is as high as the heavens are above the earth. There is no telescope powerful enough to see past that point. Each more powerful telescope reveals more "heavens" past the ones in which scientists were aware. Satellites traveling at great speeds past vast distances are as if they had never left the ground when compared to the vastness of the heavens. God's love is infinite.

God's love is as far as the East is from the West. We can get in our cars and travel West for the rest of our lives, and we will still be going West. We can travel East for the rest of our lives and still be going East. God's love is never-ending.

His love is from everlasting to everlasting. It is without beginning or end. It not only goes back to the time before we were formed in our mother's wombs, but before He formed the earth. It will go on forever.

Christ's love is as strong as death. Death is powerful because, once it occurs, flesh and blood life is no longer possible. But God's love is actually stronger than death in that it overcame death through His Son, Jesus, so that we, too, can overcome the power of death and live for an eternity in heaven.

Waters cannot quench the fire of God's love; it is undying. Money cannot buy it; it is priceless. Works cannot earn it; one cannot work that hard or long. His burning love is a free gift which we have only to receive. In fact, it is there whether or not we receive it. Our salvation as faithful Christians is secured in the power of God's love.

It is up to us to show God's infinite, unbroken, powerful love by example through our attitude and actions, not out of duty or works, but because we love God who first loved us.

--Becky Wall
beckyowall.blogspot.com

AN UNEXPECTED INHERITANCE DURING THE DEPRESSION

AN UNEXPECTED INHERITANCE DURING THE DEPRESSION

There were nine children on Mom's side of the family, the Uhls side: Kendall, Wendall, Virginia, Bernice, Thomas, Dean, Eva Lee, Geraldine and James, not necessarily in that order. The Uhls lived poor during the first part of The Great Depression. Their clothes were made from feed sacks and they had little to eat. Most of the other citizens in America suffered all the way through The Depression, but because of a tragedy, Mom’s family didn't have to live poor. By the way, Mom was Eva Lee.

Grandma Uhls had a brother, Theodore Humphrey, who worked for the Associated Press in Chicago. His wife was an opera singer. She died and Theodore became depressed. When the stock market crashed, that was as much as Theodore could take so he committed suicide by jumping out of the window at work. 

He and his wife had no children so he bequeathed a large portion of his savings to my grandma. It was enough of a nest egg that they were able to buy a nice, big house on the West Frankfort/Johnston City county line in the country. It was nice by standards of that day. The house had two stories, a summer kitchen in the basement, a cellar, two barns, and a nice, big yard. There was an industrial size fan in the attic room upstairs. Grandpa watched us closely to make sure we didn't go in that room. I guess he was afraid we would get sucked into the fan. That fan really sucked the air through the windows, though.

The house had a small room with french doors that swung both ways. In that room was a piano on which my mom learned to play by ear. She in turn taught her brother, James, and he surpassed her skills. A beautiful fireplace was in the living room. I have never before or since seen one I thought was as beautiful. The pretty brick had a shiny coating on it. Grandma had put small, ruby red lamps with prisms on the mantel of the fireplace. They just had an outdoor toilet for many years, though. Kendall, one of my uncles finally installed a bathroom for them. Bathrooms were in their early stage.

Grandma also bought a grocery store at the corner of Cleveland and Odle streets. Grandpa ran it with the help of their kids. They always had a new car and the siblings all wore nice clothing. A seamstress made many of the girls' clothes. No more feedsack dresses. 

Most, if not all, of the siblings played instruments. They could all sing and many could harmonize.

Though the family had really come up in the world, they all remained humble. We loved going to their house. There was so much to explore and the front yard was big. It had a tree that was perfect for climbing. We would sit on a concrete bench under another tree to rest from our escapades. The Uhls siblings lived in that house until they married and Grandpa and Grandma a/k/a Mamma and Pappa lived there until they died. All of our get-togethers were held there. When sold, the house was remodeled by the buyers and is no longer recognizable.

AVOID UNCLEAN LIPS

AVOID UNCLEAN LIPS

When my seven siblings and I were young we weren't allowed to say the word "butt" because it was a semi-cuss word. We had to say "bobo" instead. We weren't allowed to say "fart" either. We had to say "poot" instead. But at some point I rebelled and began to say "butt." No one but us was using the "bobo" word to describe that body part. Ironically, when we moved to a new town, there was a Bobo's Pizza. That cinched it. Out with the "bobo" word.

I still won't say "fart." And I spell cuss words when I repeat what others have said when what they said includes a cuss word. One of our friends says we're the only family that spell-cusses. The only way I will say "Da_n" is if I'm talking about _the brand name of certain trolls (toys). We couldn't say "darn," which is "da_n's" substitute cuss word. Of course the sh _ _ word was way off limits. And he_ _ was reserved for the place "down in the ground" that we were going to if we didn't live right. The "f" word was unthinkable, considered by society in that day as the worst of the curse words.

I exclaimed "Dadgummit" one time and my daughter-in-law was shocked. She had never heard me cuss before and she thought I had said "G__d_mm_t." So that exclamation had to go too. I don't even want to give the appearance of evil and if using God's name is evil, as stated by the third commandment, then I'm not going to say even a variation of God's, Jesus's, or Christ's names.

I don't feel that I've missed out on anything by not cussing. I don't think cussing would have gotten me any farther in life or would have gained me more respect. In fact, I think it would have made me feel dirty and I might look dirty to others too.

Many of the words I mentioned above are not considered cuss words by society but others are. We use some of the words I mentioned as substitute words for curse words, such as "darn" for "damn." Some say "heck" in place of "hell" as an exclamation, usually said in anger or with intensity. Of course the most grievous curse words are using God's name in vain or Christ's name or His other name: Jesus, which is supposed to be the name above all names. "Geez" is a substitute word for Jesus. OMG is somewhat like spell-cussing. "Gosh" is a form of "God." His name should be held in reverence at all costs. It is, after all, No. 3 in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:3 and Deut. 5:11): “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."

There are many places in scripture that say we are supposed to keep our speech clean, such as the following:

The 3rd chapter of James, verses 3-10, is a good example: "3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."

Colossians 3:8 is another scripture insisting we keep our speech clean: "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."

Psalm 139:20b says: " your adversaries misuse your name." David is saying this and is referring to those who misuse God's name as adversaries.

Matthew 15:11  - What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

James 5:12 - But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Proverbs 4:24-27 - Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil.

Footnote: Do your best to tame your tongue. Think before you exclaim.

--Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

WHEN SOMEONE THREATENS SUICIDE

When Someone Threatens Suicide

Many times people will talk suicide by just working it into a conversation, so the listener doesn't take it seriously. Always take it seriously. If the person is giving away personal items and are telling their best friends how much they appreciate them, give that person a red flag in your memory bank and stay in close touch with them. Keep them talking. Consider asking the following questions:

Ask them what method they would use if they did it (gun, knife to slit wrist, drugs, drowning, jumping off a building).

Ask them if they have a plan. If they do, they're serious about taking their on life.

Ask them if they’ve had much sleep lately. Lack of sleep makes us think more negatively.

Ask them if they’ve eaten. Being hungry makes us crabby and more negative.

Ask them who in their family would be devastated. Have the person name them.

Ask them who of their friends would be devastated. Have the person name them. Count yourself as one. 

Ask them if they have a dog or other pets. Some people are closer to their pets than people.

Ask them what their favorite season of the year is and why. Remind them that it is coming around again. 

Ask them if they have a hobby and why they like it. If they don't have a hobby, ask them if there is anything they are skilled at or that greatly interests them.

Ask them if they do drugs and remind them that drugs skew a person’s view of reality/life.

Ask them if they suffer from depression and remind them there are medications to help them feel normal.

Ask if they’ve had a recent breakup in a relationship.

Ask them if they have ever been abused.

Ask them if they believe in God. Reassure him/her that if they were to cry out to God, He will hear their cry and will help them get through this dark tunnel. Be honest and let them know it doesn't happen overnight. If they ask what God has ever done for them, ask them what they have done for God. Have they even prayed to Him? Remind them they are God’s child and He loves all of His children and knows their names and how many hairs are on each head.

Keep them talking until they calm down. If they have a plan and the means, they need to be reported to the police as suicidal. They would be taken to a hospital where they would get treatment in the way of medication and talk therapy (hopefully). Follow up with them to see if their attitude has changed and to show you care.

Dealing With a Person With Depression

Encourage the person to pour his or her emotions into an art form such as singing, playing an instrument, writing, sculpting, etc. or if the person is into sports, give it his/her all. An art form without emotions poured into it is like the difference between creative writing and a newspaper article.

Does the person have ADHD? Persons with ADHD have excess energy and emotions and therefore when they become adults, they fit right in with the teenagers. They have the energy to lead them while the rest of us have lost energy. Having ADHD is not a bad thing. Encourage the person who has it to use it for the good.

People who have had bouts of depression are more empathetic toward others, especially those who are going through a bout of depression. Sometimes just talking it out makes a big difference. People who have had situational depression are better equipped to handle a future situation because they have been through a storm or storms and realize the sun will shine again. They actually become stronger.

Self-discipline is needed in order to be an overcomer of suicidal thoughts, depression or anxiety. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" I Corinthians 9:24-27, NIV. Focus on serving others and give it your all. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." Eccl. 9:10a.

Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

BULLIED FOR CHRIST

BULLIED FOR CHRIST

Being bullied is a hot topic these days. Being bullied changes how you see yourself. It does long-term damage to your self-esteem and self-confidence which in turn affects every other area of your life. But being bullied for Christ does just the opposite. We count it an honor to be persecuted for Christ’s sake. While it’s happening it doesn’t feel good, but it leaves us with an inner peace knowing we suffered for Christ and we weren’t afraid to claim Him as our Savior.

There are people around the world being bullied for Christ’s sake. They are not only ostracized, mocked and intimidated, some are imprisoned, tortured, raped or even killed for Christ’s sake. Even children are beheaded because they refuse to claim any other God than the one true God. Paul says in his day “They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated…” (Hebrews 11:37).

Our lives change when we mature as Christians. But that doesn’t mean life will then be hunky dorey. We suffer little for Christ here in the United States but I believe the day will come when Christians are targeted just like the Jews were during the Holocaust. They are already being targeted but only in ways that are not yet physical. The hunt is being led by the media, Hollywood and non-Christians. Some Christians are losing their jobs for trying to be obedient to scripture while others who have different religions are allowed to exercise their religions without reprisal. When those Christians lose their jobs, they lose their livelihood. They may have to move, their families’ lives are turned upside down, and they are taunted and ostracized. Fortunately they have the support of other Christians.

The language of the law is being changed into what has been labeled “politically correct.” We have to watch every word that comes out of our mouths or we will be called homophobic, racist or terrorist. My own preacher made a statement within a sermon that went something like this: “If I am told not to preach the whole Bible, I will go to jail first and I will save a seat for you.” Someone reported him to the FBI and he was visited by them there at the church. He gave them a copy of his sermon and they were satisfied. He now has a record with the FBI. They were satisfied then, but will they be in the future? And what if one or both of them were adamantly against Christians? Would they have made their intimidation rougher on him?

Sadly, he was reported by someone in the church. Scripture says “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”

In my preacher’s case it was a member of the church family. A visitor would still be a member of the church family because the church is not the building but is made up of fellow Christians from wherever. Jesus doesn’t purposely turn a daughter against her mother but is the reason for the daughter turning against her mother or a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. The person who turned the preacher into the FBI was, in essence, a bully, a troublemaker from the church family. And Satan is behind it all.

Those suffering for Christ’s sake at whatever level will reap their rewards in heaven for eternity and some already have. Life here on earth is but a blink of an eye compared to eternity, so while we live in the moment here on earth, we should always keep our eternal future in mind no matter what we do or what happens to us. As it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—" I Corinthians 2:9.

--Becky Wall
 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12

I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison… (spoken by Paul recounting the days when he was called Saul. Acts 22:4)

When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; I Corinthians 4:12

…persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. I Corinthians 4:9

At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. Galatians 4:29

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… II Timothy 3:12

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2

But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
“let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”
Psalm 22:6-8 (prophecy about Jesus)

beckyowall.blogspot.com

DOUBLE TROUBLE

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Beware of a double-minded man,

Whose two faces are part of his game.

He has a double heart;

He two-times God without shame.

He says one thing but does another;

With a forked tongue he lies.

He talks from both sides of his mouth;

He pretends he is very wise.

He often leads a double life;

In two different worlds he abides.

Since good and bad can't co-exist,

On the wings of trouble he rides.

God's Word is a double-edged sword;

To a sinner it cuts like a knife.

It separates bad from good in a heart,

Then offers the sinner new life.

God can make him whole again--

He can make one man out of two.

When both are reconciled to Him,

The man can begin anew.

Be one in your mind and your heart.

Don't just talk the talk.

In order to travel the road to heaven,

You must walk the walk.

Becky L. Wall

BEWARE OF YOUR PET

BEWARE OF YOUR PET

A pet is usually a humble friend,

A comfort in times of troubles.

He may help relieve you of stress,

With his antics and friendly cuddles.

But beware of pets who may turn on you,

That will harm you again and again.

Be wise and forget the fun you had,

Especially if your pet is a sin.

Pet sins will drive you away from God;

They will always hurt your spouse.

Your health and well being will suffer;

You yourself will feel like a louse.

Still, you will love it and not know why;

You won't want to let it go.

You may think of it as your partner;

Life with it may be all that you know.

Then when you try to get rid of it,

Its teeth and claws will dig in.

Fear of your pet will consume you;

You will think that you just can't win.

Who can save you from its evil grasp?

Who can set you free?

Just reach your hand out to Jesus;

Keep your hand in His--that's the key.

But your pet will lie in wait for you,

Lurk in every corner of your will.

Just don't let go of Jesus,

Or your pet may go for the kill.

Becky L.Wall

“'I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial." “'I have the right to do anything'—but I will not be mastered by anything." I Corinthians 6:12

WANTING FOR NOTHING

WANTING FOR NOTHING

I'm seeking after beauty;

I want eternal youth.

I know that I will have them;

Believe me, it's the truth.

I want a big, fine mansion;

Just give me pearls and gold.

I want to live in splendor,

The best yet to behold.

I want to be quite special;

I want to change my name.

I want the royal treatment;

My life won't be the same.

I plan to never worry,

I'll suffer no disgrace.

Pain will never bother me;

No tears will touch my face.

For I will be in heaven;

I'll walk on streets of gold.

I'll enter pearly gates,

And my mansion, I am told.

Heaven's host will greet me;

My new name they will sing.

I will want for nothing;

It's what life in Christ will bring.

Becky L. Wall

ON THE HARD ROAD

ON THE HARD ROAD

When faced with a choice of paths,

I always choose the wrong one.

Why are my travels so difficult?

I'm only looking for fun.

Some see footprints in the sand,

When upon life's paths they look.

It seems I was always stuck in the mud,

When I look at the paths I took.

I opened my mouth for a silver spoon, 

But my muddy foot was inserted.

I couldn't imagine from where it came.

"Who put that there?!" I blurted.

I'm in the school of hard knocks;

And here I am destined to stay.

Why do anything the easy way,

When it can be done the hard way.

Becky L. Wall