BJU Press Blog

Cosette

CARE

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It is unusual for a single word to have two completely opposite connotations, yet that is the case with the word “care.” In my experience it can mean nurturing and healing or wary and weakening. I either meekly trust in the Lord or live in my own strength—proudly self-reliant. The prophet Jeremiah laments in chapter 2, verse 13 that God’s people had forsaken Him,“the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out . . . broken cisterns.” We become dry and care worn when we seek to live independently of God’s grace, whereas leaning on Him gives us that sense of being cared for.

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“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Corinthians 12:25). Paul warns against divisions and urges believers in the body of Christ to help and encourage one another. On the other hand, he urges the Philippians, “Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). No believer should worry about his own circumstances; he should pray and trust God for help. The apostle Peter also urges trust in God’s mighty power. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Peter knew by experience that God can deliver from the worst circumstances (Acts 12:5–11).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: God cares for you.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 20 reading).]

BLOOD

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When I was a youngster and would get a cut or scrape, I remember my mother saying, “Let it bleed and it will clean itself out.” Blood cleans a wound. When it comes to the wound of sin, only Christ’s blood can wash and heal. His faithfulness in presenting Himself as a sacrifice means that sin’s corruption need not overtake our souls and drag us down to hell.

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“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). The blood of Christ was the atoning sacrifice that provided forgiveness of sins to all who will believe. God forgives believers on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. “How much more shall the blood of Christ . . . purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14). “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The present tense verb cleanseth promises constant cleansing through the blood of Christ. John refers to Jesus Christ the faithful witness, and prays, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, . . . to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5–6).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The blood of Christ cleanses us.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 13 reading).]

Mice of the Herring Bone: The Triumph of Civility

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TWP-Mice-Herring-Bone-12-2015he mouse-duo of Charles and Oliver scamper across the pages of Tim Davis’s adventure tale being clever, brave, and comical. Their first perilous encounter is with some rough-hewn pirate canines, who convincingly flaunt their lack of class. At first unaware of the presence of mouse spies, the undignified and impetuous sea-dogs spill their plot to steal a sunken treasure after her majesty’s ship—the Nine Lives—has done all the work of bringing it up. Excitement follows when Charles and Oliver are discovered and captured by the motley crew. But through a series of unfortunate and fortunate events, the mice escape from the Herring Bone and resolve to take their chances aboard the Nine Lives, which—as its name indicates—is “manned” by a mouse’s worst real-world enemies.

Spoiler Alert!

Where “rough and rude” was the order of the day on the Herring Bone, by contrast, the Nine Lives proves to be a place of polite decorum. And Charles and Oliver’s brave risk and cleverness save the day for the patient felines. The Nine Lives crew gets to hang on to the treasure, the crusty canines get marooned on an island, and the mice sail off into the sunset with the prospect of reward from the queen herself. As civility triumphs, Charles and Oliver are likely to become your child’s new heroes.

Few fictional characters delight young readers more than well-personified animals. Believable personalities combined with a stellar plot easily draw listeners/readers into a satisfying fantasy experience. Charming ink illustrations pepper the pages. Kick off this JourneyForth series with Mice of the Herring Bone and then continue your delightful midwinter romp with Mice of the Nine Lives, Mice of the Seven Seas, and Mice of the Westing Winds Books 1 & 2.

ALL

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Because the Lord Jesus was “tempted in all points like as we . . . yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), He understands every temptation I face. I rejoice in the “all’s” shared below. I rest in the confidence that Christ’s work leaves nothing undone.

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“When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:4). God is with His people to extend comfort in every trouble they may encounter. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God does not treat His children as orphans. God has a bountiful supply of blessings for every believer. The believer should heed Peter’s exhortation, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God cares vastly more for the believer than any parent could for his child. “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: God shall supply all your need.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (January 6 reading).]

YIELD

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The ultimate example of the yielded life is our Lord Jesus Christ. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed, “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). He was soon to face the chastening of His Father even though He had perfectly obeyed Him in everything. Surely Jesus is worthy of absolute trust and total surrender on the part of those He has redeemed.

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“The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit” (Proverbs 12:12). “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13). “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey” (Romans 6:16). “For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Romans 6:19). “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). “So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh” (James 3:12).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The root of the righteous yields fruit.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (December 30 reading).]