Appreciate

There's an old saying that goes: "You never appreciate what you have until you don't have it." True. I think I would add... do we really know and understand what that 'it' is? How can one appreciate unless one knows and how can knowing occur until we understand? And when does understanding come... Circular argument. However, that doesn't mitigate against the validity of the original saying.

Can we 'appreciate'? Do we even know how to express 'appreciate'? What IS appreciation?

Webster says: 

   "to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or significance of / to value or admire

    highly / to judge with heightened perception or understanding : be fully aware

    of / to recognize with gratitude"

Grasp, value, judge, fully aware, recognize: the nature, worth, quality, significance, admire, understanding, gratitude. All those words are in relation to the word - appreciation. I think that for me the most significant word is, gratitude. First you have to understand that in my world of definitions, appreciate, gratitude are action words - you demonstrate them. If it isn't expressed... how do we, others know we appreciate and value (fill in the blank). Do remember that your acknowledgement and expression is a visible witness.

While I won't tell you what your expression should be... I will tell you that we all need to express our gratitude and appreciation. No onw likes to have what they've done for you to pass unnoticed.  Specifically, look at how much the Lord has done for you... do others, does He see your expression?

   "We've all heard the word "gratitude." It is used to express thankfulness and

    praise. It refers to the quality of being thankful and a readiness to show

    appreciation for and to return kindness. Throughout life's trials and blessings,

    displaying a general attitude of gratitude distinguishes the Christian, but it also

    makes you a lovely person to be around!"

Actually that quote [countryliving.com] came from a secular site but do see the relevance. Many of the verses in the Bible use 'gratitude' 'thanks', and 'appreciate' interchangeably.

   "In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and

    continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ

    Jesus. " [1 Thessalonians 5:18]

   "Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say,

    rejoice! Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy,

    tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be

    anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and

    situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your

    [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which

    reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that

    peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is

    yours]...

    for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied

    to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my

    circumstances. ...

    I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who 

    strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in

    Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him

    who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace." 

    [Philippians 4: 4-7,11, 13] 

I can list more scriptures but this gives us our understanding. It not only tells us what to do, how to do it and the results (blessings) that results. The delight that I found, when I do speak/act on words of gratitude/thanks/appreciation, is that it is I who am blessed because I see the growth in me as one of my results.

Longing...

Have you ever longed for something so intently that it seemed to pour out of every pour in your body? The only problem was you couldn't identify what you were longing for... Has this every described how you feel/felt? I have. Please... never put down those feelings when you experience them. They will be heard and if nothing else, you can control the volume and scope of their expression.

Before I was saved, when I was a churched person though, I felt those longings, many times. Did not know what it was and am sure I wouldn't have known where to look. Very frustrating, but even more painful. You try to push on, to push down, to push through but are only marginally successful. What DO you do? In my case, I did try and discover if there was anything in my view (there wasn't) to resolve these feelings and I even tried a few to see if the feeling would subside - and no, it wasn't sex, booze, or drugs. Primarily it was activities, doing things with others because I somehow felt people were involved in this nameless and aimless quest. I was partially right and totally wrong.

It wasn't fame, or fortune, or even the esteem of others. It wasn't accolades or

accomplishments - all of that was 'nice' but not  the answer.  Personally, I kinda gave up and just endured the feelings and tried desperately to not let them have a voice or infect what I was doing. Marginally successful. Don't misunderstand, longing isn't a bad thing. but without a focus, an understanding - without knowing what it is you are seeking let alone where - there's little you can do. The point is that nothing works, nothing eases the sense of longing. However, once you are saved the light dawns... at least it did for me. 

It isn't a 'what' you seek, it's a Who. I had heard that we all are created with a little hole in us that can only be filled by God. I came to believe this through my own experience. The totally fascinating thing is the song, "Just as I am" is true. We can come with all our gifts, talents, and junk. You are asked to believe, to make Jesus your Lord. That's the entrance, the only entrance. We have only 2 commands: to Love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds and our neighbors as ourselves. [Acts 4:12, Matthew 22:37-40] 

Don't expect that accepting the Lord means a free ride. There will still be down days or mistakes/sins you commit that need repenting and a host of other problems, issues, etc. When/if you have feelings of longing that seem answer-less (actually you do have The answer); and if you knew the answer... wouldn't you pursue it until it expressed itself as your answer? Of course. So when you find yourself in these times remember the Lord is always with you. He said He'd never leave and He won't. He is faithful when we are not. [Hebrews 13:5] And He always wants the best for us. Why? Because He loves and cares for us unconditionally - without exception, hesitation, or question when we turn to Him and accept His gift of salvation and an unparalleled future.

Longing... the lack of satisfaction and all the other attendant emotions and thoughts are not unusual for those who haven't accepted Jesus as Lord. And the remedy is so very simple - no litmus test, no 'cleaning up your act', no hoops or hurdles to accomplish. It's really quite simple - accept the free gift of salvation. But then.... hold on, you are in for an amazing, endless journey of discovery about everything!

Exceptional

Being exceptional has absolutely nothing to do with what surrounds you and everything to do with what’s in you. I think it starts with your character and how you express you. But are you aware of what you do? Do you express your uniqueness... especially as how it defines your exceptional-ness? 

To expound a bit on this. ‘Surrounds you’ is defined in my world by status, accomplishments, fame (even the in-famous), fortune, exterior to the person though perhaps supported or initiated from within. Not unimportant, just not as important. ‘In you’ are those intrinsic demonstrations of your character, who you are, how you go about being you, and your why. In other words - the most important parts of you... at your core. All the rest emanates from the core. It's the external evidence.

Remember the old admonition that you can fool some of the people, some of the times... etc.? Why bother putting up a façade when the reality is so much better and you don't have to worry about maintaining the same persona with the right person. You do realize that you're not in competition with someone else - yes? You're not trying ‘to be better’ than someone else. If you are comparing then it should be against yourself. God has given each of us our measure of faith, the gift(s) He wants for us and placed us perfectly in the body according to what He has decided - and that's truly the best. I dare to suggest that if, after you've been saved, you are focused only on you, that you've missed the point (Jesus) and exceptional will never be who you  become.

Yes, 'exceptional' is spoken of in the scriptures... but not often - 5 times. You read it in 3 places in the Old Testament and 2 in the New, at least according to:

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/ but that doesn't make the word unimportant. The simplest definition is that exceptional is beyond average. Then again... who wants to be 'average'? (Remember that 'average' is an external determination - if you are doing all that you can, it can never be defined as 'average'.) With a bit more attentiveness and effort, can't we turn our 'average' to 'exceptional'?

13 years ago I wrote a blog post that made it into one of my books that was called - Be Extraordinary. 

   "Never forget that if you try for extraordinary and don't make it, where you

    arrive is going to be definitely higher than 'ordinary'. Don't misunderstand,

   'ordinary' isn't 'bad' unless it's less than what you are capable of accomplishing.

    Even in a limiting situation you are in control of what you learn, what you

    discover, how you refine what you do and how you can do it. Others can

    attempt to limit you but only you can decide to accept that limitation. 

   In the last analysis, you are the only one who can determine if your effort is

   extraordinary or not because you are the definer of the word. But extraordinary

   is something that is exhilarating when you do attain it. It is a defining

   moment."

Remember that the only one that defines extraordinary, exceptional is you because only you know who you are and whose you are and what you can do. On your own... never, but in partnership with the Lord... everything. And that's truly the point - partnership. For some they never realize that partnership is available and never achieve their goal. But for those who realize that everything is always enhanced with the help of the Lord do achieve... exceptional.

Listen to what you say...

Do you? Do you listen to what you say (and how you say it)? For a moment, can you put yourself in the position of being the hearer - how the hearer would hear what you are saying? Are you lucid? Are you relevant? Are you only speaking to hear yourself speak? What are you saying... and why? No this doesn't require you to censor yourself nor is it asking that you obsess about this - merely, do you listen to what your saying and discover how you would respond to you? 

These are not frivolous questions. If you want to be an effective communicator, if you want your message to be heard - then you need to know what it is that you are saying and be alert to the clues about how others are receiving and understanding what you said! Is the message the focus or the speaker or the  recipients? Too often it isn't the message that is spoken or heard.  

I know I've written on this before and focused, especially, on the scripture that tells us we will be held accountable for every idle word we speak. It's the 'idle' that's important. And it is we who should judge ourselves as to not only what we are saying but why.  Personally, I join the group who are terrible at 'party chatter' primarily because I think it's a waste. But don't quickly judge what you hear as only 'chatter'. This brings us to the focus - Listen.

This brought me to the question of whether 'listen' is defined in scripture. It is and it begins in Deuteronomy. I do believe that the word is defined in terms of the effect when we do listen.

   "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one [the only God]! You shall

    love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and

    with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am

    commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall

    teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their

    minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them

    when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie

    down and when you get up." [6:4-7]

In it's simplest understanding, 'listen' and 'hear' are related. But listen goes far beyond just hearing - often it's an impetus to action. In these verses it talks about what and how to listen; they evoke a responsibility and an attentiveness. God's words to His people which tell us what to do, the reason we are doing it, and our attitudes toward it. My question is - is this our basis to judge the words that come out of our mouths? Should we be as intentional?

Yet none of that is censorship or even obsession... it's intentional. Can we do this? Does the Lord expect us to because if He does then we can. Perhaps the last question relates to our attitude toward the message. Is the message important? If it is, then the message is designed to bring knowledge and understanding and to initiate a response. Does it? Does it provide sufficient information to make a reasoned decision?

I believe it is in the presentation. How you go about presenting that has an important impact. Simple example: when you are presenting, do you allow for/encourage the questions from your audience? Is your presentation formal or more relaxed? Do you tailor how you speak to your audience and/or the context of the message?

Again... back to your priorities and attitudes about your focus - speaking or understanding. You can only present the truth as you see and understand it. Is this your rep? If it is then others do pay attention when you speak. One of your greatest assets is... do you listen to what you say???

Use-able

You do appreciate that if you allow Him, the Lord WILL use you in His service… daily. It may not be dramatic nor ‘eventful’ according to your definitions, but I have discovered that opportunities are all around us. Scripture does teach us to do what's at hand (read Exodus 4:2 to see what the Lord did for Moses). Please realize that He is not waiting for us to attain some undefined level of ‘spiritual maturity’ for us to be of any value to Him. He uses us just as we are… right where we are. Isn’t that how you were saved: right where you were and who you were. But that ‘were’ isn’t who you are Now because the Lord is with you and wants you to become the best you, you can be even more than you do. 

The absolutely wonderful discovery IS that we have a partner, every moment of our lives, who is with us to help us on our path to be the best person we can be. He WANTS to use us here and now to touch the lives in our world. And this isn’t for some time in the distant future when you are ‘good enough’ (undefined). If you say that you aren’t ready, or you don’t know enough (?), or you aren’t prepared, or any other reason you would care to use . Not true. 

Some of the reasons we are use-able:

   First, the Lord BEVER calls us to something we can’t do. Remember, the 

   other person you are talking with is valuable to Him too so if you aren’t 

   His representative, His hand here and now… you will never be placed in 

   that position in the first place.

   Second, He is Jehovah Jireh our provider. Everything we need to touch

   another’s life with the truth is there as we open our minds, hearts, and 

   mouth. All we do is to share the One who saved us and what He continues 

   to do in our lives. We testify. We tell our story. And when we do we’ve done

   precisely what we are intended to do and are use-able.

   Third, we are told to study. [2 Timothy 2:15] We don’t know it all, we are 

   a work n progress. Actually we are on an absolutely incredible journey of

   discovery. We will never stop learning and growing and sharing. And we 

   have a manual - a Bible, God’s Word. It will help us immeasurably on our

   journey.

   Fourth, we have a family to turn to who are in fellowship with us. They, 

   like us, are faced with challenges, opportunities, desert times, mountain 

   high times, temptations… and remember, there is our enemy who 

   constantly is trying to seduce or tempt us. Never judge another’s pains 

   or triumphs against your own. Our church family can be invaluable to 

   and for us just like you can be for them. You don’t need to greet them 

   with a constant pain or a bravado - be who you are.

Those are only 4 of the reasons and ‘tools’ you have. And, this is but a beginning discussion on your now use-ability. I would recommend that when you start your day begin by putting on your armor [Ephesians 6:11-18], next ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see and a heart that responds. Then go forth realizing you are never alone [Hebrews 13:5], and you are able and equipped to do what the Lord is asking of you. You are use-able.

ouch, ouch, ouch

Slipping, falling, scraping my knees, none of that is fun. But it happens. I’m not sure we can ever avoid the scrapes of life regardless of their origin. BUT we can learn from them. And our learning, understanding is crucial in not repeating. Part of what we need to do is not look at the cause first, look to the scriptural resolution. 'Blame' can be attributed after the fact though blame rarely causes learning. 

We have one of 2 choices: learning or repeating our mistakes. There’s an old saying that says “if you’re in a test, pass It!”. I don’t know about you but I find myself sometimes repeating lessons because I really didn’t learn what I needed to know the first time. However, I do think I’m getting better at recognizing when the path is familiar so that I learn the lesson quicker.

When it is our mistake that's cause the ouch, then we can look to:

   "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-

    righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service]

    at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your

    worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about

    you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 

    [1 Peter 5:6-7]

These scriptures tell us what we need to do; humble ourselves and cast. Both acts are rarely easy. But look at what happens when we do - God exalts us because He cares about us. He wants us to grow, to learn so that we can become His workmanship {Ephesians 2;10]. I don't think the Father's behavior is to punish us though He does chastise us [Hebrews 12:7]. But look at the 'why' in these verses. Ultimately it is our attitude, how we receive that determines if we grow or repeat.

   "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful

    and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and

    cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything

    not in conformity with His will and purpose]. If we say that we have not sinned

    [refusing to admit acts of sin], we make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting

    Him] and His word is not in us.

    My little children (believers, dear ones), I am writing you these things so that

    you will not sin and violate God’s law. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate

    [who will intercede for us] with the Father: Jesus Christ the righteous [the

    upright, the just One, who conforms to the Father’s will in every way—purpose,

    thought, and action]." [1 John 1:9-2:1]

These verses should give you not only a methodology but a rationale as well as knowing the results from our actions. Personally, I have always loved these verses because they bring hope and peace - something I need in my life. I see that when I do confess, I am restored because I have an Advocate who intercedes for me! Why would I not respond?

   "It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, 

    Because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every

    morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my

    portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; Therefore I have hope in Him and

    wait expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for

    Him, To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]." 

    [Lamentations 3:22-25]

For those who say they are entirely innocent - not their fault. Really? Look to Psalm 51: 2-4 and Proverbs 28: 13-14. And if you can still contend you don't deserve reproach...

Covenants

I realize that there are countless number of books written about covenants and what they mean and how they form our relationship. This is really an introductory discussion but I believe, especially for Christians, that it is important to realize that when we become Christians, we enter into a covenant with God. Therefore, it's important to have a least a cursory understanding. 

I'm still trying to gain a deeper, fuller understanding and appreciation for the concept - 'covenant'. I’m not certain we really understand this word. A covenant is not a contract. It appears that contracts seem to be those 'instruments' that people can easily and rather quickly break. Most contracts have a kind of ’escape’ clause that facilitates breaking the agreement. On the other hand, covenants are far more long lasting, far more personalized. far more all encompassing, and with far more responsibilities. Whether or not you appreciate, understand this when you accepted Jesus as your Lord, you did entered into a covenant relationship with the Triune God, the God of all creation. It was He who signed the covenant and the price He paid for this act was simply... everything - His Word, His Son. And it was for us and still is.

When the Bible mentions a covenant, it’s referring to a strong, solemn agreement between two parties. However, biblical covenants are very different from the kinds of contracts or agreements we make today. It seems that many times, when people enter into agreements or contracts, they look for loopholes to get out of them. However, consider how God views covenants with His people:

   "For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans

    for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

    Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear

    [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek

    Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you

    search for Me with all your heart." [Jeremiah 29:11-13]

Later in Hebrews He says:

   "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel 

    After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds,

    And I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, And 

    they shall be My people. ...

    For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And I will remember their 

    sins no more.” [8:10-12]

As you can see - God is promising His people what He will do for them but it is contingent upon their actions. Actually, He began covenanting with His people in Genesis and continues through Revelation. I could be wrong, but my understanding and perception on covenants is to look in scripture and try to understand how God went about making covenants with His people. When you read the Old Testament, there are multiple covenants that God makes and His people break. Again I could be wrong but I think God fulfilled His promise, His covenant with His creation in the form of Jesus. Jesus is OUR promise fulfilled.

Knowing it was impossible for His 'stiff necked people' to abide in His covenant, the only path to restoration was Jesus and His sacrifice for us. But it also explains Jesus' last words - 'it is finished'. Jesus had done His part and now the only thing separating God from His creation was and is His creation. But when we accept Jesus as our Lord and believe on Him, then our restoration occurs.

One could argue that this is God talking only to Israel. But don't forget that we are grafted in. Read Hebrews 11:11-31, AMP because this provides a fuller understanding of what has been done for the Gentiles and what will happen for the Israelites. [See also Jeremiah 31:33-34]

   "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you [Gentiles], being 

    like a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them to share with them 

    the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast over the [broken] branches 

    and exalt yourself at their expense." (v. 17-18) 

One of the better definitions of covenant is found at Christianity.com:

   "A covenant is essentially a relationship, but it's a relationship that has 

    been formalized and has been brought under sanctions, as it were. So 

    there are blessings that come if the relationship is kept, and there are 

    penalties that come if the relationship is broken, and a covenant is simply 

    the terms of that relationship."

I think the important point to take away from this is the word 'relationship'. Covenants are based in relationships and there penalties and blessings associated with the covenants. Specifically, 

   "These covenants become a way of helping us understand how is it that we

    relate to God, and He relates to us. ... 

    Part of understanding how the Bible fits together is understanding how the

    various covenants that God's revealed either build on one another and fulfill

    one another, or in some ways are quite different from each other and are

    introducing something new.  ...

    Everything that God does is based on covenant.  ...

    A covenant is a solemn binding agreement."

As you can see, I've barely scratched the surface on what a covenant is and how it relates to us. Perhaps it will become important enough to do a deeper study to gain a deeper understanding of our relationship with The Father. I love the way this explanation [https://overviewbible.com/covenant/] teaches:

  *Covenants make two into one. When two parties make a covenant in the Bible, they are joined together and identified with each other.  

  *Covenants involve promises. People don’t just join together at random: the agreement usually includes some kind of practical application. 

  *Covenants involve families and bloodlines.  

  *Covenants are spiritually charged.  

  *Covenants are taken seriously, and for good reason: two people are joining together based on little more than their words. They trust a divine being to hold them accountable, which means . . .

*Covenants are not easily broken.  To break a covenant is a serious thing.  

When the Bible speaks of covenant, it’s usually more than just an alliance, and certainly more than a transaction of goods and services: it’s a bond that God Himself holds people to.

 

So to simplify and summarize, a covenant:

   1. helps us to understand how we relate to God and He to us. 

   2. is a binding agreement. 

   3. is how God relates to His creation

   4. is a relationship

   5. are the backbone of the biblical story. *

   6. can be defined as follows: a covenant is a chosen relationship in 

       which two parties make binding promises to each other *

   7. Virtually all the covenants have both conditional and unconditional 

       elements *

   8. the new covenant is the climax of all of God’s covenants. *

(* 5-8, the source for these inclusions is Crossway.com)