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Jesus Curve

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 4, 2021

Hello again, this time from Barbara’s home town of Bad Hersfeld. With being on the move I’ve had trouble with keeping up with my posting—sorry!  Here is today’s post.

“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”  Psalm 27:4

Life is a battle. Every day. Satan uses my own sin, that of others, events out of my control, sickness, difficulty, persecution and many other things to push me in the wrong direction. There is no end to it. But, I want to tell you that in the midst of this battle there is a great hope: life just gets better and better as we walk with Jesus.

Over the last three years there has been a pronounced upward trend in the trajectory of my life. I think I am experiencing a “J” curve; that is, a graph like the one below which for a long time shows just tiny incremental upward progress before there is rapid growth.

Over the years there has been slow progress in my life as God kept me consistent in quiet times, in memorizing and meditating on Scripture, in personal worship, praise, prayer and in persistent obedience. However, when this incremental progress of the J curve reaches a certain point, it turns a corner and begins to go up more quickly, then radically.

This seems to be what is happening in my life in every area: more growth, more patience, more positiveness, more grace, more joy. Barbara says I have definitely become easier to live with! This is more than just a “J curve,” it is a “Jesus Curve!”

I must hasten to add two things. First, this is of God, not me! I want to “boast in Him.” He is just fulfilling His promises of what He will do if we walk with Him (Psalm 1:1-3).

Second is that as the positives increase, so do the challenges. With more ability comes more responsibility. And with more grace comes more challenge.

One thing that has really stimulated this growth has been seeking to live the truth that “Knowing Jesus is Enough for Joy, Period!” This flows from the truth that: “My soul finds rest in God alone” (Ps. 62:1) —you’ve heard that one a few times before in this book, haven’t you? Repetition of powerful truth is a good thing!

Applying this verse has rooted out a lot of idols, has helped me to “let go” of the temporal, “hold on” to the eternal “and rise above” the everyday hassles as well as bigger challenges.

Prayer: “Lord, help me to be faithful in cultivating my relationship with you: daily reading in your Word, daily worshipping you, daily confessing and moving ahead by prayer. Move me along on my “Jesus Curve” at the right speed and keep my eyes on you, seeking not growth, but you. Amen.”

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(Untitled)

Published by S.M. Wibberley on December 1, 2021
More on Heavenly Wisdom
 
“What do you think about our conversation with Dodge?” the Captain asked.
 
“You did really well,” said Cody. “You are a fast learner, putting those first three aspects of Heavenly Wisdom into practice: pure motives, being peace-loving and sweetly reasonable. Now we have to wait and see if Dodge is willing to apply the fourth quality, being approachable and submissive to the new facts of life.”
 
Dodge did not invite them in for lunch, so the Captain and Cody went down to the encampment for their noon meal.
After lunch Cody found a shady spot to sit and read. Then he heard a step and looked up. There was Amy looking at him.
“Can I talk with you, Mr. Smith?” she asked.
 
Cody stood up, “Of course,” he said. “Sorry I don’t have anywhere for you to sit.”
 
“No problem,” she said, “What I have to say won’t take long.” He noted how neatly she was dressed, her reddish hair gleaming in the sunlight, her fair skin slightly tanned by the trip she’d just made. It was hard not to notice her grace and beauty.
 
“My father is a strong and sometimes hard man,” she said, “but he is actually a good man. He has had a difficult life here, having to fight off Indians, caring for all his cattle, making drives to the market. He’s a fighter and wants to win.
 
But I don’t want to see anyone hurt. So, I want to thank you for seeking a peaceable solution. I listened to what the Captain had to say and liked it. I think we can all live together in peace.”
“Why, that’s right good to hear, Miss Dodge. I hope that you can influence your father in that direction.”
 
“I will certainly try,” Amy replied. She turned and walked back to the house with Cody looking after her.
That night Cody again slept next to his horse, for, even if he was surrounded by forty-two soldiers, there was always the possibility of danger.
 
He was viewed by Dodge and his men as the instigator, so it was possible that they may seek to eliminate him and blame it on the Indians or someone else. But his horse would warn him of any attempt to hurt him.
 
He woke before dawn, opening his eyes on a sky full of stars, gleaming in the dark expanse over him. He put his hands behind his head and gazed at the heavens. Here and there a meteor streaked across the heavens.
 
He prayed in his thoughts, “What beauty, what scope, what wisdom is there! Lord Jesus, you are the star Breather, you have given each star it’s place and name. I praise you for your wisdom and greatness.”
 
Suddenly his is horse blew a bit and its ears went up. Cody turned his head slightly. Since the fire had died down to coals, his eyes were adapted to the lack of light, able to see in the predawn darkness.
 
What he saw was a man creeping towards him, carrying a bundle. Cody drew his blade, sharp enough to shave with, and watched. The man came directly to his horse, laid the bundle in front of him, and turned to go.
 
In one smooth motion, Cody rose, kicked the bundle away from his horse and leapt upon the unsuspecting man, putting his neck in a head lock and the knife on his throat.
 
The man struggled, but Cody said quietly.” Relax or you could die.” The man surrendered. Cody got him to his feet and pulled him towards the coals of the fire. There he tied the man’s hands and feet, then made him sit while he threw more wood on the fire. As the flames blazed up, he saw that his captive was one of Dodge’s hands.
 
Cody had been so quiet and the struggle so quick, that no one else had been wakened. “So, what were you doing there?” Cody asked in a low voice.
 
“Nothing. It’s none of your business!” the man snarled.
 
“Really? That was my horse you gave something to. What was it?
 
The man was silent. Cody pulled his long knife out again and began to cut up some of the larger pieces of firewood. “You know, this knife can cut other things, too,” he said gently. “If you don’t want to talk, we can encourage you. But that’s not what I want. Answer my questions and it will go better for you.”
The man hesitated, then said, “Alright, we cowhands don’t want to see our range taken over by sod busters. We see you as the one who’s brought the army down on us, who’s protecting the sod busters. So, we thought to get rid of you by killing your horse. Without a horse you couldn’t do much. That’s a bundle of poisoned grass and grain.”
 
“You are a smart man to share your thoughts. I’m surprised you didn’t try to pin this on Dodge, but instead took the responsibility on yourself and your friends.
 
“I will say that this speaks well for you to be so loyal to Dodge and his operation. If you use that loyalty in a more constructive way, it will be good for all of you.”
 
Cody leaned over with his knife and cut the ropes around the man’s ankles, then on his wrists. “Go back and tell your friends that we need to talk.”
 
The man rubbed his wrists, got up, looked at Cody again, astonishment in his eyes, amazed that he was still alive and set free, then turned and left as silently as he’d come.
Cody went back to his bed, got out his Bible, took it to the fire and began to read, as he did every morning. This morning he was reading in the Gospel of John chapter 15, where Jesus says that he is the vine and we are the branches..
 
Picture: Cody using his knife to cut firewood (from internet)
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More thoughts on Psalm 120:2:

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 30, 2021
” Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues”
 
It seems that more than ever we are inundated with a flood of lies from the media, politicians, educationists, causes and even religious organizations. We need your wisdom, Lord, to discern what is true so we can join you in it.
 
And you promise to give it: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him” James 1:5.
 
In addition, in the flood of lies that flows toward us every day, you give us the comfort of your presence, your power and persistence, knowing that you are going to use all this to bring about the end of history while sweeping as many as possible into your Kingdom.
 
Praise be to you that we can take shelter in your Truth. We can rest in your perfect and beautiful integrity of character, of word and of action. We can rest on your promises, act on your principles and trust in your precepts.
 
Praise be to you,
the Mighty,
Trustable,
Gracious
and Good God
 
who will carry us through the events of today,
 
giving plenty of protection,
more than enough grace to deal with whatever comes, sufficient guidance to navigate the obstacles,
overflowing love to encourage us
and continual insight to make good choices.
 
Prayer: “Help me to live in the light of your truth today, Lord, discerning the lies within and without, and rejecting them for your reality. So may you be glorified in my life. Amen.”
 
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Psalm 120:2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 29, 2021
 
Hello! After spending some wonderful days in Stuttgart with Nat, Abby and our grandchildren (who remembered us fondly after an absence of 3 years!), we are now in central Germany visiting one of our l disciples from the country where we worked. It was a strenuous 4 drive here through a snowstorm and up over a high mountain, but we arrived safely. We praise God for His protection and goodness!
 
————————–Today’s devotional:
 
“Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues” (Ps. 120:2).
 
The passing of history does not change the reality of your answering this prayer. As with David, so we are also surrounded by lying lips: Hindus, Buddhists, JWs, Mormons, liberals, leftists, communists, fascists, socialists, capitalists, main line churches, Madison Ave, politicians, used car dealers, educators–and ourselves.
 
You, Lord God, are the only One who always speaks the Truth, for you are Truth itself. In you there is no lie, no deceit, no half-truth, no cover-up, no denial of reality, no deception. You are Light and Truth, Love and Life.
 
Your written Word is totally trustable. I praise you for the unshakable wonder of your written revelation—40 authors over 1200 years, without contradiction or error. Truth poured out on the page, reality clearly portrayed.
 
In you we have truth to protect us, plus you are active to save us from the attacks of men and devils: “they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse” (Ps. 62:4).
 
Praise you that you deliver us from such lies, starting with reforming our own lips: I so readily lie to myself, declaring such things as, “This is awful, I can’t stand it!” when the reality is, “This is uncomfortable, unexpected and I don’t like it, but with God’s grace I can move through it.”
 
With the media we should learn to ask ourselves, “What’s the lie in this ad or article?” And doing the same with the statements of people, from the merchant to the politician, from the educator to the religious leader, be it Main line to Mormon.
 
We ask you, Lord, for wisdom to discern what is of the world, the flesh and the devil so we can reject it. And we need your wisdom to discern what is true so we can join you in it.
 
Picture: truth shining in a broken world.
 
 
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More auto bio

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 28, 2021
When we got back to Ankara, from our “adventure of arrests” I found that our German girl had contracted hepatitis A.
 
We called the doctor another worker recommended and he agreed to come and give us shots to protect us from infection.
 
Dr. Alsan arrived with his big glass syringe and vials of medicine. We were glad to hear that he definitely believed in germs and were pleased that he insisted we boil the syringe and needles before using them. No one got an infection.
 
During this time we began to get new recruits for our team. First came two single women. Betty had spent thirteen years in Iran and since she couldn’t go back because of the revolution of 1979, she decided to join us. She proved to be a very helpful person with all the experience she had had. Her roommate Dolly came with no overseas experience and proved to be the opposite of Betty.
 
These two new teammates began to come to John with requests. Betty suggested that we have a weekly team prayer meeting. Dolly wanted more help with language.
 
John, however, was too engrossed in his work with the foundation to listen to them. He brushed off their requests by giving his philosophy of leadership, learned as a sergeant in the Air Force: “I make the decisions, you follow.”
 
As a result, Betty and Dolly began to come to me with their requests, questions and desires, making me the de facto leader of the team.
 
This put me in an awkward position, and stirred up some conflict between John and myself. However, after some discussion, he agreed to having a team prayer meeting and to meet other desires of the team.
 
In April of 1980 a family with two children joined us. Dan and Nancy were self-sufficient pioneer types and fit in well. Little did Dan know that within six weeks of arrival he would soon become both the field leader and team leader, but he was the type of man who could rise to the challenge.
 
Picture: the boys with Dr.Alsan who became our good friend and doctor.
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Psalm 29:2 Worship

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 26, 2021
“Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2
 
One desire I have is to be a better worshiper, to exalt God more in my spoken worship, to honor Him more in my living, to give Him glory in my obedience. Here’s a poem that I find inspiring help in my worship. Use it to focus on and worship our Great God.
 
Praise be to You
O Triune One:
Maker of the Sun
Spinner of the earth
Bringer of the dawn.
 
We glorify Your name
O Holy One,
Sparkling in purity,
Sending light into every heart,
Shining Truth into every life.
 
We honor You,
O Mighty One,
Towering far above all creation,
Powerful in every good work,
Filling the universe with Your Being.
 
We exalt You,
O Good One,
Raining grace upon all,
Planting seeds of good desire,
Watering our souls with love.
 
We extol You
O Majestic One,
High and lifted up,
Wrapped in light,
Ruling for Eternity.
 
We lift up Your name,
O Heavenly One,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Worthy of all honor,
all obedience, all glory.
 
We worship You,
The only One deserving full
Adoration,
Glorification,
Exaltation.
 
To You
It is right we bow down in worship,
In You
It is right we rise up to obedience
For You
It is right we praise forever and ever. Amen.
 
Prayer: “Yes, Lord God, I bow before you, the great and mighty Lord, worthy of worship, wonderful in your ways, powerful in your purposes, perfect in your plans. Help me today to live in your ways to bring glory to your name.
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More on Heavenly Wisdom

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 25, 2021

Greetings from Germany! Because of lack of internet on our trip I’ve not been able to post every day.

 
“The Captain took off his hat and leaned forward towards Dodge. “Nice place you have here. How many head of cattle do you have?”
 
“About six thousand,”
 
“And how big a range do you have?”
 
“It runs about fifty miles long and wide.”
 
“That is big–twenty-five hundred square miles! That’s over a million acres! How much land do you need to graze six thousand beef?”
 
“What do you mean? All of it, of course.”
 
“Cody, what do you think about that. You’ve been a cow puncher for quite a while.”
 
“Well, it depends on the kind of land it is, what kind of grass there is, and how many watering holes there are.”
 
“So, what about here?” the Captain asked Cody.
 
“I’ve seen much of this land. Dodge told me himself he has over a dozen watering places. With the grassland I’ve seen, I’d say that about a third of what he’s got would be more than sufficient for six thousand head.”
 
Dodge started up, “Just a minute now, who are you to tell me my business!!!”
 
“Really I’m nobody,” replied Cody gently, “But I have been around cattle since I was able to walk. I’ve had lots of experience working on ranches and driving large herds to market. What I’ve said is from that experience.”
 
Dodge sat back down, a scowl on his face, but he knew he couldn’t argue with Cody’s experience.
 
After a moment of silence, the Captain leaned forward again. “Mr. Dodge, our goal in this conversation is for you to win and for John to win, too, and we think that is possible.” Dodge snorted.
 
The Captain continued, “You know, the sod busters are coming. You may be able to run off a few of them, but others will come, stake their claims and have a right to that land.
I’d like to suggest that you stake claim legally to the best third of the land you’ve been running. Put it legally in your name and then no one could take it from you. There would then also be land enough for new comers.”
“I don’t like it!” Dodge said. “It’s always been this way since the day I came here twenty years ago. You got no right now to upset the cart and neither do they.”
 
“No matter what you’d like, Mr. Dodge, you cannot stop progress. People are coming by the thousands. Times are changing. We are now a state with a governor and legislature. Laws are being passed and we must obey them. We, the army, are here to enforce them.” Dodge glowered more.
 
“In this new situation, you can still run your cattle if you take precautions and are willing to pare down to what you need. Select your most important watering holes and the best land around them. Then you can basically continue your way of life and give others a chance at theirs.
 
“I don’t like it,” he grunted again. He looked out at the soldiers camped in his yard, “But give me some time to think on it.”
 
“You do that Mr. Dodge. Take time until tomorrow morning. And along with that, remember that we, the army, are here. Any attempt to use violence against the settlers will be met with force and justice. So, let us move forward together with wisdom, Heavenly Wisdom.”
 
Dodge got up and went into the house, leaving Cody and the Captain alone. Inside he found Amy standing right by the door.
 
“You heard?” he asked.
 
“Yes, I did, father. I hate to admit it, but what the Captain said makes sense. We are not going to be able to hold off the world in the same way as you did in the past. I think you should listen to them.”
 
“You are just like your mama,” said Dodge. “She was a good, peace-loving woman who stood with me through thick and thin. She was wise. I wish she were here now.”
 
“So do I, father, so let’s think about what she would advise.”
 
“We both know what, she’d say,” said Dodge.
 
“Yes, ‘Be reasonable!’” Amy smiled.
 
picture: Western Girl from 1800s like Amy (from internet)
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From 119:141-144

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 23, 2021
From 119:141-144
 
”I make your commands my delight, Lord, not being comfortable or having freedom from stress, for in the midst of difficulty your Word is sweeter still.
 
“Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Your statutes are forever right….” Praise be to you, O Lord God Almighty, that you are the measure of what is true, right and good.
 
We so easily confuse comfort and convenience with good; but you so carefully teach us that weakness, hardships, insults, persecutions and difficulties are also things to delight in—when we have your perspective, think your thoughts and see with your eyes (2 Cor. 12:9,10).
 
Praise you that with your Word, you work to give us the big picture, to help us understand what you are doing. You draw us up above the snares and rebellious thoughts of the world, the flesh and the devil.
 
Thank you for the shield of faith that we can raise with praise to ward off the fiery darts–like those of self-pity, anger, frustration, impatience, self-centeredness and hurt as well as short-term thinking and feeling.
 
• Praise raises the barrier of protection.
• Praise heals the wounds.
• Praise opens our eyes.
• Praise produces perspective.
• Praise brings freedom.
 
All this is true because you, Lord Jesus, are the great Shepherd, intimately concerned with each of us each moment.
• You know us completely.
• You supply all that is necessary.
• You design the next lesson we need.
• You make us lie down in green pastures.
• You give us rest.
• You bring transformation.
• You guide us in the right way.
• You lead us into and through the dark valleys.
• You know exactly what you are doing.
• And we can trust You.
 
May Your commands be our delight no matter what we may experience.

 

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Psalm 119:141-144

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 22, 2021
The words of Psalm 119:141-144a come to mind, “Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.”
 
The negative reactions and hurtful words of people and their rejection of us can easily block out Truth from our thoughts.
 
But our response must be to go immediately to your Word,
Lord, to find our comfort, perspective, help and direction there. People may not understand us, but you do. We may not understand what’s happening and why, but you do and will help us through it.
 
“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.”
 
I must choose to make your commands my delight, Lord, not being comfortable or having freedom from stress, for in the midst of difficulty your Word is sweeter still.
 
Prayer: “Praise you for your great wisdom, love, grace and goodness. We bow before you in worship, O Lord, we lift up your name, we exalt you in your perfection and we surrender our hearts to your love. We then rise up to obey you throughout the day as part of our worship. May you be glorified in our lives today. Amen.”
 
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Psalm 119:143

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 21, 2021
“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.” Psalm 119:143
 
I praise you this morning, Heavenly Father, for you are the Sovereign One, controlling all that goes on, all that comes to me. You hold back the tide of evil, allowing Satan only so much rope, and you use the fury of his attacks to advance your Kingdom.
Some years ago I read of how many thousands in Haiti have come to faith after the great earthquakes of 2010. You used this tragedy to plow the hard and rebellious hearts of people, opening them to hearing Truth and surrendering to you.
 
Suffering is an unavoidable part of life in this sin-warped world; you are the One who allows what suffering comes to us, regulating it according to what we need to grow and give you glory, as well as what we can bear with your grace.
 
In the suffering that comes, you have reasons, you have goals, you have growth, you have privileges for us. And we have the responsibility to flee to you, to turn to your Word, to take up and use your grace, to praise, to rest in you, to embrace what comes as opportunity to bring you glory.
 
I praise you:
• for your wisdom, which is far above our understanding;
• for your grace, which is more than enough;
• for your compassion, which provides all we need;
• for your love, which you pour out on us every moment.
 
I praise you this morning, Heavenly Father, for you are the Sovereign One, controlling all that goes on, all that comes to me. As said, you hold back the tide of evil, allowing Satan only so much rope, and you use the fury of his attacks to advance your Kingdom.
 
Help me to embrace what you allow by offering the sacrifice of praise.
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