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Further adventures

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 24, 2017
Thanks for your prayers about our situation. After being refused boarding on the plane back to the country where our boys are, we stayed overnight in a hotel near the airport in Germany.
 
We were back at the airport at 5 am and talked with the ticket agent about our situation. She called officials in the country we were headed for and was told again, “No, they cannot come.” Another chance to praise God and continue in the adventure He had for us.
 
She also told us that if we flew back to the States from Germany, we would have to pay for a whole new set of tickets!
 
If we couldn’t return to our boys, Barbara would be without her blood pressure meds and her antidepressant pills, meaning she would go into withdrawal and go right down hill! And all of our clothes, etc, would be left with our boys. Plus I wouldn’t be able to speak in the different venues that had been arranged for me, and we would not be able to follow up on our friends who had shown more spiritual interest. A lot to be lost.
 
The idea came to call the American Embassy in the country we wanted to enter, to check on what they knew; they confirmed that if I had a valid visa, there is no reason we could not return.
 
In praying further about it, I thought of how officials in the Middle East often say, “No,” because they don’t want to think through an issue, and “No” is always a safe route. To say “Yes” may get them in trouble. I was pretty sure the official the girl had spoken to had not listened, so after praying further, I went and talked with her again.
 
I asked her if she had gotten an official writing about this situation, and if I could see it. She called it up on her computer, and after reading it, I pointed out to her that it only dealt with Americans who didn’t have a visa, while I had a valid one.
 
Then she looked with me at my visa, and I pointed out that the issue date was before the visa crisis had come, and that it was valid til the end of December. The lights went on for her, so she again called the official and got the him to listen to the whole story, and he said, “Yes!”
 
So, we got on the plane at 7:45 am and were back with Josh and Nat at 4 pm, just in time to make it to the Thanksgiving celebration at Nat’s! God answered and worked things out.
It was a pretty strenuous trip, so we are pretty worn out. Please pray especially for Barbara’s recovery, and that this extra stress won’t wipe out all the progress she made in Germany—this, of course, is Satan’s goal in this spiritual warfare. God had his own goals in this “detour”, like being able to share spiritual truth with the Middle Eastern shuttle bus driver who took us to the hotel.
 
Our privilege is to trust God, praise Him in and for all, and move on in His power. Keep looking up, thinking up and praising in all. Warmly, Steve W
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Praise in Problems

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 22, 2017
Right now we are having an extra adventure here in Germany. Yesterday we got to the Frankfurt airport, only to be turned away from boarding the plane to Turkey. There has been a change in the visa rules, although they do not apply to us because we already have our visas in hand, and in our passports. However the airline personnel did not understand that nuance and would not let us on.
 
We now have in hand the email of an official writing that says we are exempt and will attempt to get on a 7:45 am flight tomorrow morning. Please pray with us that this will work out ok and that we can get back in time for the Thanksgiving celebration in the evening in Ankara! If we don’t, then we will run out of all of Barbara’s meds, with no chance of getting more here! Pray also for Barbara as such jolts are hard for her while in her depression.
 
Whatever happens we will praise God, for He has it all in hand. I am waiting to see what He plans to do with this unexpected adventure. The following entry in EDIFIED is very appropriate for this situation.
 
“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.
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. 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.
 
“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.” I make your commands my delight, Lord, not being comfortable or having freedom from stress, and in the midst of difficulty your Word is sweeter still.
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 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.
May Your commands be our delight no matter what we may experience.
 
Prayer: “Praise you for your great wisdom, love, grace and goodness. We bow before you in worship, we lift up your name, we exalt you in your perfection and we surrender our hearts to your love. We rise up now to obey you through the day as part of our worship. May you be glorified in our lives today. Amen.”
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Our Marvelous God, the One to Praise

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 22, 2017

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night….”

Psalm 92:1,2

 

The greatest reason for giving thanks is YOU yourself, Lord: you are full of compassion, you are gracious, “longsuffering and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Ps. 86:15). “You are good and ready to forgive and overflowing with mercy to all who call on you” (Ps. 86:5). “Among the gods there is none like you, neither are there any works like yours. All the nations whom you have made will come before you and worship you, O Lord, and give glory to your name. For you are great and do wonderous things; you are God alone!” (Ps. 86:8-10).

  • You are the God of power: speaking the stars into existence, gathering them into galaxies, forming the solar system, making sure the earth was in the proper orbit, tilt and spin. You spoke all the creatures into existence except for man, whom you formed out of dust.
  • You are the God of faithfulness, promising a Savior in the garden, selecting Abraham, protecting his line and bringing out the Messiah at exactly the right time.
  • You are the God of wisdom, able to weave history together, using even the evil of men and devils to accomplish your purpose.
  • You are the God of knowledge, present everywhere, being aware of all that is happening, even before it comes to pass.
  • You are the God of goodness, constantly pouring out your gifts on your undeserving and twisted creation: sun, rain, winter, summer, night and day, crops and animals, gems and metals.
  • You are the God of wonders, having fashioned us marvelously, giving us our hands and feet, eyes and ears. You have designed the brain and nervous system, the heart and the circulatory system, our lymph and digestive systems. You gave us our ability to think, plan, choose and obey.
  • You are the God of grace, giving all a second, third and many other chances to believe. You give blessing to those who curse you, do good to those who oppose you, offer forgiveness those who hate you.
  • You are the God of kindness, working in your enemies to draw them into your family, rescuing them from the dominion of darkness and bringing them into the Kingdom of Light.
  • You are the Lord of love, rejoicing in each of your children, looking at what is good and pure and lovely and praiseworthy rather than on our rebellion, selfishness and pride.
  • You are the God of patience, working consistently in spite of our resistance and selfishness, working persistently through our pride and unbelief to transform each member of your family into the image of Christ.
  • You are the God of eternity with no beginning, no ending, no growing, no diminishing, no change; you are the same total perfection yesterday, today and forever.
  • You are the God of righteousness, shining your glory over all your creation, giving light to those in darkness, sight to the blind, joy to the sad and peace to the tormented.
  • You are marvelous, magnificent, majestic and mighty. Truly, to you belongs all glory and honor and praise, forever and ever.

 

Prayer: “May you be glorified in my life today through thanksgiving resulting in trust, faith, praise and obedience to your marvelous Word. Amen.”

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worship

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 21, 2017

Praise be to You

O Triune One:

Creator of the Sun

Spinner of the earth

Bringer of the dawn.

 

We glorify Your name

O Holy One,

Sparkling in purity,

Sharing light with 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 presence.

 

We exalt You,

O Good One,

Raining grace upon all,

Planting seeds of good desire,

Watering our souls with love.

 

We lift up Your name,

O Heavenly One,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Worthy of all honor,

all worship, all glory.

 

We extol You

O Majestic One,

High and lifted up,

Wrapped in light,

Ruling for Eternity.

 

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.

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Psalm 27:5-6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 20, 2017
Psalm 27:5 “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”
[When we seek you, Lord, when we choose to dwell in your presence and trust you, this is what you will do for us: protect and provide, shelter and deliver.
My part is to immediately seek you when trouble comes, rather than venture out in my own puny strength and very limited wisdom to attempt my own deliverance—a futile effort.
As I seek you, you will hide me from the enemy, you will set me on a high place, giving me both your protection and your perspective. Help me to consistently take shelter in you by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving in the face of trouble, thereby honoring you and opening the way so you can show me your salvation (Ps. 50:23).]
Psalm 27:6 “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;”
[You will work things out–as I have seen you do so often in my life–you will do what is best in defeating the enemies around me—primarily Satan and his minions—who attack me, who want to bring stress, distress and harm. You will accomplish this deliverance as I follow and trust you in praise, in prayer, in obedience to what I know to be true, keeping on your armor.]
“at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.”
[Because of your great Love, your mighty Help, your gracious Goodness, I will rejoice in you, call out praise, sing and exalt you in song. I praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for your constant and good work in my life.
Guide me today, Lord, in giving you glory and exaltation that those around me may also rejoice in you. I will give you honor through praise, I will give you glory through obedience.
 
Help me to let go of what is temporal, to hold on to what is eternal, and give me the wisdom to discern which is which. May you be honored in my life today. Amen.]
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The Shortcut to Humility is the Road of Humiliation

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 18, 2017

An entry in EDIFIED! Written several years ago

“Spread your protection over [those who take refuge in you] so that those who love your name may rejoice in YOU!”

Psalm 5:11b, emphasis added

It was 4 AM, but I was wide-awake, staring up into the darkness. My mind was in turmoil, burdened by the news I’d gotten the previous evening. I’d unwittingly done two negative things to an old friend, hurting him and injuring our relationship. One was a cultural blunder, the other indiscretion in speech (better known as gossip). How could I have been so dumb!? Now here I was 2000 miles away, unable to right these things quickly or easily.

After confessing and receiving God’s forgiveness for these sins, I struggled with forgiving myself. This situation was so humiliating—I should have known better than to do these things! But if God says Christ’s sacrifice was enough to buy forgiveness, I’d better agree.

As I writhed in emotional pain, the Holy Spirit brought several passages to my mind:

Psalm 62:1, “My soul finds rest in God alone,” and its corollary, “Knowing Jesus is enough for joy.” Was I going to choose to live this Truth now, or was I going to unnecessarily continue to rub salt in my wounds, constantly castigating myself?

Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall always be in my mouth….” Will I now, by act of will, praise Him in and for this, accepting His perspective on the situation?

Psalm 86:1, “Bow down and hear, O Lord, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am holy, O Lord my God, save your servant who trusts in you.” Will I choose to live in the balance of truth that in my flesh I am sinful, poor and needy while in my new creature status I am holy?

As I meditated on these, peace came, and with it sleep.

But it was not over; for next morning there was still heaviness in my heart, so I opened my journal and began to write. Psalm 23:2 came to mind: “…he makes me to lie down in green pastures.” The Spirit helped me see that this failure on my part is a green pasture, both for me and for others—a place where I could feed on His Word and grow spiritually, a profitable place. So I began to list the good things that could come from this.

First is a chance to be humbled, to grasp more deeply how untrustable I am, and how trustable God is. These humiliating failures are, in fact, a clear answer to my own prayer for growth.

It is a chance to be weak so I can be strong in Him.

It is a powerful lesson on the danger of allowing fear of man to dominate, and of indulging in unwisely passing on information (gossip).

It is an opportunity to strike a blow at Satan by praising and by humbling myself in pursuing this injured relationship and asking forgiveness.

It is also an opportunity to demonstrate leadership by handling my failure biblically and to value relationships over pride and appearance.

In short it is a chance to turn failure into a victory that brings glory to God, growth to me and example to others.

 

Prayer: “Thank you, Lord, for your work of exposing my depravity, so that I will not trust in myself, but in you and your wisdom. Help me to think truth, following the prompting of your Spirit, to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and so bring glory to you. Amen.”

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Psalm 27:4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 17, 2017
Psalm 27:4 “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,”
 
[When David wrote this, he was thinking of the tabernacle in Jerusalem. Today this request has come true for every believer because we each are now a temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19) with the Holy Spirit living in us. That is part of the wonder of being your children, Lord: we are ever with you.]
 
We can continually “…gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
 
[This takes intentionality, it takes focus, surrender and discipline—I must turn my eyes from the distractions of my desires, of the world’s offers and temptations to look instead on the glorious God of creation.
 
I praise you, Lord Jesus, that you have led me to begin learning to gaze upon your beauty in personal worship where I can see your greatness, your power, your wisdom, your grace, your wrath against sin, your mighty love demonstrated in redeeming your rebellious creatures, and your great patience in working to bring us to maturity in you.
 
In teaching me to worship, you are helping me to give you the glory and honor which is due your name for your wonderful and rich character.
 
Then when trouble comes, I can reject my natural tendency to first seek solutions on my own, or from those around me. Instead I can, as my first move, seek you, the only One who can help in every difficulty. More than that, you are the One who delights in helping us in exactly the way we need.
 
Forgive me for my independent attitude; help me to be fully dependent on you instead.
 
Thank you, Lord, for all that you are, and for revealing some of it to us in your Word, your world and your way–breaking into our lives and dwelling with us, even though we deserve only rejection and punishment.
 
Help us to continually “gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek you in your temple,” ever praising you, the Great and Glorious One who stoops down to see and help us in our weakness and need.]
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Acceptance

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 16, 2017
In the daily practice of praying on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), there has been a significant solidification of my emotional state, giving a growing stability that is very encouraging.
 
This is not a self-centered focus, but is believing and accepting what God says about us; it is living in the light of His love rather than in self-condemnation, vague shame and the natural negative self-thoughts that Satan wants me to dwell on. I have always been critical of and dissatisfied with myself, never believing I can measure up, but this is fading as I see more and more of God’s total forgiveness and love.
 
In this, the Lord is building in me an emotionally healthy independence from others—I no longer feel obligated to be influenced and controlled by others negative emotions. And He is also developing an emotionally healthy, deeper dependence on Himself. The growing grasp of His unshifting character, manifested in His love, acceptance and graciousness, is the rock upon which I can rest. In the light of this, I actually like myself now!
 
Following is part of what I pray in putting on the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness. In this, I do not just say the words, I seek to enter into the truths emotionally, letting myself feel both sides (negative and positive) and choose to rest in the warm and rich goodness of His love for me. Try it yourself, praying this each day for a month and see what a difference it makes for you!
 
“Help me, Lord, to stand today having on the belt of truth. On one side is the truth that all I deserve as a sinner is failure, frustration, depression, despair, hopelessness, punishment, suffering and death.
 
“But you, in your gracious love, have redeemed me, cleansed me, called me into your waiting arms, made me your child, brought me into your family and into your Kingdom of light, of love and life. You have given me forgiveness, joy and peace. You have given me purpose, protection and provision. You have given me meaning, hope and a future. In you I am chosen, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12). I did not choose you, but you chose me because you wanted me! (John 15:16).
 
“You, Lord Jesus, love me as the Father loves you! (John 15:9): wholeheartedly, unconditionally, enthusiastically, joyfully, eternally! You are glad when I come into your presence in prayer, you laugh with pleasure when we are together and you rejoice in having me as your child. You saved me because you delight in me (Ps. 18:19).
 
“Help me to put on the breastplate of righteousness. In doing this, I agree to forgive myself as you have forgiven me, to accept myself and to love myself as you do. I choose to bask in your wholehearted approval and acceptance of me; I agree to rejoice in your unceasing love for me; I commit to reveling in your rich and eager embracing of me as your beloved child.
 
“While eagerly confessing any sin and receiving your forgiveness, I repent of being critical, negative and unaccepting of myself. I exchange these for your garment of approval, your covering of love and your continuous warm, happy, gracious embracing of me as your dear and valued child, chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before you in love! (Eph. 1:4).
 
“What a wonder! I praise you for your great and gracious goodness, your marvelous and magnificent kindness and your unending, undying, eternal love for me. Help me to walk in the light of your warm and wonderful presence throughout today, obeying you in all and loving myself as you love me, so I can better love my neighbor.”
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Psalm 27:2-3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 15, 2017
Writing today from Germany
 
Psalm 27:2 “When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me,”
 
[Note that this is not “if” but “when.” Such attacks will come because we are followers of Jesus, and Satan hates us. So, we should not be surprised when we are attacked by people, problems and political powers. And we should remember that we also know the outcome: ]
 
“they will stumble and fall.”
 
[In the end, they will fail: Nero, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, Mao and those here who oppose you, Lord, and your Word–they will all fall while you, the Almighty Lord and God, will triumph. There is no way that anyone can prevail against the Creator of the Universe.
 
I praise and thank you, Lord, that you will fight for us in the great goodness of your heart, in the mighty power of your arm, in the expansive width of your wisdom and in the immeasurable depth of your discernment. Nothing is hidden from you, no plan is secret, no power can prevail against you.]
 
Psalm 27:3 “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”
 
[Because my trust is in you, the Almighty and the Most High, I can be confident of your help in the most trying of circumstances. I think of Elisha in 2 Kings 6, who awoke to find his city surrounded by a large army; but he also saw the chariots of God surrounding them! And God empowered Elisha to strike the army with blindness and render them harmless.
 
So, I need to ask, “What can men do to me when you are on my side? What can I lose that you cannot replace? What can I suffer that is not worthwhile because you will use it to bring maturity, deepening and a display of your power which I can share with all those around me?”
 
Thank you that you are the God of all wisdom who, even in the mistakes I make, will work out all for good. Help me to let go of my natural tendencies, to hold all you have granted me with an open hand, and to trust you to give and take as you see best.
 
Help me to let go of my emotional perceptions, to hold onto your great promises and rise above whatever challenges come. Help me to rest in you now, knowing that you are the good and great One whom I can totally trust. May you be honored in all I do today.]
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Recipe for Happiness, author unknown

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 13, 2017

Start with a base of faith.

Add One heart full of love,

Two heaping cups of patience,

Two handfuls of generosity,

A dash of laughter,

And one headful of understanding.

Sprinkle generously with kindness

Add plenty of goodness and mix well

Spread over a period of a life time

And serve to everyone you meet.

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