Fw: burdens

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 7:24 AM
Subject: burdens

Psalm 55:Cast your burden on the Lord,
    and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
    the righteous to be moved.

The word 'burden' comes from old English and German words that mean "a load, weight, charge, duty;" 

Burdens come in different flavors.  Some of them are associated with daily responsibilities that we must bear to make a living, to raise a family, to provide leadership for others.  Other burdens are linked with ordeals we may be experiencing of sickness, personal relationships and unexpected circumstances.

-

Burdens are loads that we carry but we are told by the Psalmist that we should stop carrying them on our own backs and cast them...throw them...to the Lord.  Somehow I don't believe the burden just disappears when we do this.  The responsibility, or trial, or difficult relationship is still there but the Lord is also there.  And if we can throw the weight of the burden to Him we are promised that He will carry us!  In other words, He would have our burdens to become His because we ourselves are the burden He loves to carry.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: faith and the law

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 8:14 AM
Subject: faith and the law

The question of how to find peace with God has echoed through time.  The Jews of Old Testament times were given the law of Moses, including the Ten Commandments, along with a multitude of rules that touched every aspect of living.  They believed that it was necessary to keep all of the laws to please God.  But they were unable to do so (as God knew they would).  The Apostle Paul teaches in the book of Romans that when we try to reach God through our efforts, as in keeping the law, we are living as if God is far away and we are trying to reach Him.  We picture life in three separate dimensions (Here, Heaven and Hell).  But Paul explains that the Lord is not far away.  He is near and can be next to and within us...not by keeping the law or doing good things.  Those have an appearance of goodness but they keep God at arm's length.  Faith/trust/belief in the God who is here is the dynamic that opens the door for Him to come in to share our inner lives now.  The good work has been done by the only one who is truly good.  It is a revelation to realize that our part is to gratefully accept Him and move forward with Him.  Then our works and our walk will reflect Him.

-

Romans 10:⁵ For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ⁶ But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ "or 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: riches and power

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 7:07 AM
Subject: riches and power

"Riches and power"...what the world aspires to...what our daily news is so much about.  Interestingly this is exactly what the Lord has in mind for you!  However......it all turns on the definition. 

-

Ephesians chapter one has Paul writing one of his prayers for believers.  He asks the Lord for riches and power for us!

-

Verses 18-19 ...that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe...

-

Knowing God is real and experiential...not theoretical or simply an idea or a philosophy.  We have the real hope of eternal life, the riches of an inheritance that includes living in Heaven and having a taste of Heaven even here and now.  We have access to the same power that raised Christ from the dead for the issues, challenges and problems that swirl about our daily lives.

-

Verse 20 [the power] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.

-

Riches and power...it all turns on the definition!

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: established

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 7:25 AM
Subject: established

Inside the word "established" you can find the root word "stable".  So, to establish is to make stable.  In construction that starts with a good foundation...strong and level.  I saw a few verses in Proverbs 16 this morning that referred to "established".

-

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.

-

Proverbs 16:9

The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps.

-

We are "building" something every day of our lives.  In a sense, we need to "establish" a foundation as we head into each day.  No one really knows how the day will actually play out.  So these two proverbs talk about preparation...how we can prepare for the day.

-

If we bring the Lord into our plans and make Him the cornerstone of the foundation before we head into the day He promises to transform our "plans" into solid outcomes.  And, step by step, He will take the work of our minds and bodies and guide them into the 'construction project' that pleases Him and satisfies on the deepest level.  He wants to be brought into our plans and then He will crown our steps with success (His success)!

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: think about these things

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 7:03 AM
Subject: think about these things

Philippians 4:⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

-

We are immersed in a culture of "media".  Through the air, through cables, from satellites...over smart phones, tablets, computers, televisions, newspapers and books...from a spectrum of ideologies that ranges from one extreme to another. "Media" really means "an intermediate agency".  When we watch, read and listen to the media we are exposed to an intermediate agency that shapes our thoughts.  Someone else's thoughts are affecting or even forming our thoughts.  Of course this isn't all bad.  We need to grow in knowledge...we need to keep up on important events...it is helpful to know the weather for the day...it is good to keep up with friends and family on social media (or share devotional thoughts!).

-

But it is good to remember that one of the few things we can control in life is what we will think about.  If we always use an "intermediate agency" to fill our minds with other people's thoughts we may never discover our own thoughts or develop the direct relationship our thoughts can have with the living God.

-

I believe that if we follow the inspired advice of the apostle Paul from the verse above and think on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy...our thoughts will inevitably lead to Him and His thoughts...His Word.  And He is not an "intermediate agency".  He is the source!  If we allow silent times from the "media" we may encourage more of this direct connection.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: the inheritance of life

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 7:11 AM
Subject: the inheritance of life

Ephesians 1:^11 "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will"

-

The idea of an inheritance is a mixture of sweet and sad.  Generally an inheritance means that someone close to you has died.  They looked ahead during their lifetime to determine who should receive their earthly goods when they left this life.  And they thought of you!  Receiving an inheritance represents receiving the fruit of a loved one's life and it also means continuing to remember their lives and their love for you.  It also allows one who has died to continue to provide love even after departing.

-

When Jesus died He left a very unique inheritance.  He gave Himself to live within us!  Consider this following verse: ^13 "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" 

-

Jesus died so that we could inherit life!...but in order to receive that inheritance we must die also!  Romans, chapter 6 talks about this: ^7 "For one who has died has been set free from sin. ⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."

-

The inheritance of Jesus is sweet because it was received because of His death.  It leads to receiving His life and it means that we, too, have died to all that has separated us from the One who has loved us from before we were even born.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

-

p.s.

Romans 6: ⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹ We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again.

Fw: questions

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2017 6:04 AM
Subject: questions

Matthew 7:⁷ "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

It is amazing with today's smart phones how you can ask almost any question and get an answer.  We were in Washington D.C. recently and wanted to find a place to eat.  No problem for the smart phone.  It provided a choice of numerous places with information about the cuisine and even ratings and reviews.  If I am curious about a celebrity and want to find out how old they are or where they grew up...no problem for the smart phone...it will connect me with an online encyclopedia that has the information.

-

We have questions that bubble up all the time.  Some questions are more important than others at the personal level.  Some questions the smart phone may not have answers for.  There are questions that are extremely personal about our own lives...our purpose.  There are questions about life and death and what lies beyond the end of this life.  There are questions about how personal needs can be met...needs like loneliness, addictions, worries.

-

Where do we go with these kinds of questions?  The smart phone doesn't have the answers for these.  But there is a place we can go.  Each of us can go to the One who knew about our lives before they even began and who will be there to meet us when they end.  Just as a father will answer the questions and meet the needs of his child...in the same way the Heavenly Father will answer the questions and meet the needs of His children.  And we are His children when we have placed our trust in His Son.

-

There are answers for our questions and the connection to the Father is more reliable than any smart phone via the internet.  He wants to lift confusion, provide the light of truth and the assurance that we are known and loved individually.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: the map

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2017 7:08 AM
Subject: the map

I have enjoyed maps.  There's something about getting both the big picture about a place and locating your exact position in that big picture that is satisfying.  In the Navy I was navigator on a ship and we called maps "charts".  It was satisfying to use charts to plan a trip and then track our progress toward our destination...especially when we used the stars to determine our position along the way.  How amazing that stars so far away could help us find our directions here!.

-

Psalm 32:8 says "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

-

There is another kind of map and another kind of navigation for living.  It is easy to get lost in life and we need guidance...we need a "life map".  These days we have something beyond maps even to find our directions on land and sea.  We have GPS and can get "turn by turn" directions that take us from our homes to any spot that roads can reach.  I'm sure ships use GPS too!  But for finding our way, day by day, in life we have God, Himself!  If we turn to Him we find that He is already turned toward us and will provide the wisdom and directions we need for "turn by turn" instructions.  He wants us to realize that just as GPS provides constant awareness of our physical location He has constant awareness of our spiritual condition and the circumstances of our lives.  Beyond that...we don't even know where to go at times in life...We are reminded here that He will show us where to go and the way to get there.

-

Jesus said to his disciples in John, chapter 14, verse 3: "I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."  Better than a map is a guide and Jesus will guide those who have put their trust in Him all the way home!

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: wisdom

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2017 7:39 AM
Subject: wisdom

The root for "wisdom" is the same as for "vision" (they almost sound similar don't they?).  They both mean "to see".  Vision is physical sight.  Wisdom is mental sight.  20/20 vision is the benchmark for physical vision.  What is the benchmark for mental vision?

-

The book of Proverbs takes on this question.  The author, Solomon, states this goal in the first proverb as he introduces the book: "To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing..." (chapter 1 verses 2-3)

-

So one difference between natural vision and mental vision is that we are born with good vision generally (and can usually correct to perfect vision with the help of eye specialists).  We aren't born with wisdom naturally.  Somehow we need to receive and learn this.

-

Proverbs 1:7 states it this way: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge".  It completes the thought this way: "fools despise wisdom and instruction".  Later in the same chapter Solomon gives us more insight into how wisdom is given.  In verse 23 he appears to be quoting the Lord: "...behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."

-

We have access to God's words in the Bible and His Spirit to open our understanding.  This is our gateway to wisdom.  It is given but must also be received.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: humility

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 7:29 AM
Subject: humility

1 Peter 5:^6 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you"

The root of "humble" comes from "humus" or the soil of the earth.  The word picture is of maintaining a posture that bows as low as one can go.  Peter has just been exhorting the leaders of churches to serve their flocks and not domineer them.  He has just told them to wear humility like clothing in their attitudes toward each other.  He explains that "pride" is the problem and humility is the solution.  And he goes on to remind them that just as humility is the key to effective relationships with each other on the human level so it is the key to blessing for each of us before God.  He explains that God "opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).  As we model humility in our human relationships we are prepared to bow before the Lord in humility as well.  And this is the ultimate attitude. Note the promise in verse above ("...that at the proper time he may exalt you").  Pride is our attempt to lift ourselves up...Humility is our willingness to allow God to lift us.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

Fw: "ohers"

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 7:29 AM
Subject: "ohers"

Philippians 2:^3 "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

-

If we can begin to see the "other" people that cross our paths each day as opportunities to love, to give, to serve...we may place ourselves squarely in the middle of God's plans.  Our natural tendency is to put ourselves first and look for ways that "others" can improve our situation.  In a way it is revolutionary to take the opposite tack.  It may well be that the "others" who enter your world have been placed there intentionally so that you can be part of 'God's solution' for them.

-

Jesus lived for others when He came.  Consider this comment on Jesus that follows shortly after the one above:

-

Philippians 2: ^6 "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

-

And Jesus had every right to "count equality with God a thing to be grasped"...because He was God!  But it wasn't His purpose in coming.

-

If we put others first, it's good to remember that we are the "other person" to someone else and we are confident that our needs will be met by the One who left Heaven to meet our greatest need.  Jesus is the one who makes others into brothers (and sisters!).

-

blessings,

Rob Smith