November 1

JOURNEY TO THE WEDDING FEAST

Road of Rejoicing
"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord." Philippians 3:1.
In ten months we have finished this course designed "that the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:17. We have studied God's plan for loving, the
enemy's scheme for wrecking it, and the seven-step plan to restore it by teaching, reproof, correction,
and training in righteousness. Last month we studied how to reckon with our reluctant feelings and to
choose this plan for our lives.
We are used to completing courses, graduating, and getting on with the rest of our lives, but
this course helps to structure the rest of our lives. It does not end with "Pomp and Circumstance". It
frees us from any power Pomp and Circumstance have to make us march to their music. Instead we
move in harmony with the Lord who empowers us to disregard the world's pomp and to master our
circumstances. Finished is the world's dominion over us. Finally we're free to rejoice in God's
kingdom of love, joy, and peace.
Calls to rejoice look for reasons. But this is November. A look at our surroundings sparks little
rejoicing. Beauty has taken leave of the trees now unable to hide the nakedness of their needs. The
sudsy clouds of gray have bleached the last blue from autumn skies. The wilted grass has
succumbed to frost's final attacks. Obviously we shall not find our reason to rejoice in circumstances.
Nor can our past pompous "I did's" suffice to keep us rejoicing.
Our hope for rejoicing is in the Lord. As we awake to the day after we have chosen to walk in
covenant partnership with Him regardless of all pressures that oppose us, the "Yes" we spoke
yesterday springs its freshness before us today with ever-present purpose. The "Yes" of our covenant
bond with Jesus sings its current energy in our hearts and minds and sets us to rejoicing.
Suddenly I'm glad for the nothings of November. Nothing worldly comes between my Lord
and my commitment to unite in covenant with Him. I am free to fasten my focus on the feast before
me--the wedding feast that will follow the covenant "Yes" between the Lord and me. The activities
relating to the feast now expand to fill every moment that this memory-making month of celebration
holds in store. While this month may look bare to the barren world, it bulges with supplies that are
stored in its cellars and cupboards. God's grace, that has given us the harvest season, provides us
with abundant riches daily. We have so much to share, so few days to prepare, so many to invite to
the feast, such joy to anticipate.
As you and I share this road of rejoicing in the Lord, where will all our time go? How shall we
invest all the talents God has given us to prepare for the grand climax of the wedding feast which He
will provide for His Son, Jesus, and His bride? How convincing will our rejoicing be to those who
wonder if they should join us?
Lord, daily empower my "Yes, I choose to covenant with You." Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

After faculties recognize the graduates' "I did's" with diplomas and memory-making ceremonies,
graduates put the past behind them and go forward to make their mark in the world.
How is entering into covenant partnership with God like graduating? How is it different?
Lovers unite in covenant partnership with God and look to joining with all of God's chosen people at
the wedding feast of the future.
How is your covenant partnership with God similar to preparing to attend a wedding feast?
Where r-r-r you on this covenant road of life:
1) sidetracked onto remorse,
5) rapping about righteousness by faith,
2) stuck at reluctance,
6) merely wearing the robe,
3) wrestling with rules,
7) or wrapped up in its love and warmth
4) weeping in repentance,
8) and walking rejoicing along the road to the wedding
feast?

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November
2
Resolve to Rejoice
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; ..Yet I will rejoice in the
Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17, 18.
The folly of following feeling once we have set our minds to covenant with Christ forever does
not quickly lose its attraction to us. The desire dogs our steps to test our strength to rejoice in our
resolve regardless of the weight of circumstantial evidence bearing against it. Having said "Yes", we
fear that our integrity swings on whether or not we can indeed do what we said. We halt at every hint
that suggests we spoke in error. Terror of tossing our mental faculties into guilt's whirlpool formed
within our own saliva sends a shudder of should've's up our wobbly spine to our waffling mind. We
check all the Back-Out doors to see how firmly barred they are.
The hand we extended to invite
Jesus to be in the midst of what we covenanted with God to do for us shrinks into a fist waiting like a
rodeo bull awaiting an open gate to express its resistance. What we thought was surely God's will
now appears to be a daily contest we face between believing and leaving.
Where have all the good times gone? Just as the Good Times computer virus hoax threatened
to destroy people's hard drives if they opened it, anxiety sends its mischief to our weak minds to
threaten our faith in God to cause good to get better not worse?
But then we remember that this is November. We have stored away the summer fruit that we
gathered by faith. We have no need to fear a famine of fuel to empower our covenant journey. We
saw how the Holy Spirit fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
and self-control grows and ripens in us, as we claim His promises to sustain our abundant life in
Christ. Since we choose never to be without Him, we need never fear a lack of food for the needs
ahead.
Christ, our Command Giver, stakes His integrity, not ours, upon doing what He says in His
promises to us. We need not fear no matter how bleak the surrounding circumstances of November
may appear to us. He will not scatter us in every direction to forage for ourselves on the way to the
wedding feast. He may allow us to do some hungering and thirsting after righteousness to enable us
to work up a hearty appetite for the feast, but he will not suffer us to be tempted beyond our Spiritgiven strength to resist feeding on the love of the world.
Then so what if the fig tree is not blossoming? So what if we see no fruit on the November
vines? So what if the olive fails to produce now? So what if no herd inhabits the stall? We have been
led by the Lord of the harvest to where we now stand in our journey to the wedding feast. We can
trust our God to supply all our needs according to His riches, not ours. So what shall we do as we
travel? " ..Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17, 18.
Lord, keep my e-y-e-s on the y-e-s residing in Your promises. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Have you ever made a commitment and soon wished you hadn't for fear you may fail to do what you
promised?
Did you fear that you had foolishly committed to doing more than you were able or willing to do?
Did you imagine all sorts of things that might go wrong after it was too late to change your mind?
Did you look for possible ways to gracefully "back out" of it?
How did the commitment turn out? as good as you had hoped or as bad as you had feared?
When crossing a desert in a vehicle loaded with an abundant supply of water, would you fear because
you saw no water sources?
If you were thus equipped, would the desert deter you from reaching your destination beyond it?
Name the "So what?" circumstances now facing you on your journey.
Will you follow your "so what's" with rejoicing in the Lord?
What role does faith that God meets all your needs play in the use of your mental faculties?
Review how faith relates with the First Love Commandment--Thou shalt love the Lord...with all thy
heart, and Commandment I. See January 4 and September 5.

November
3
Rejoicing Voices Hope
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11.
The day dawns with a slight breeze that attempts to coax the fallen leaves to do an encore to
its recent symphony of color. My step quickens as I splash autumn's past beauties across my
memory. I'm glad I'm going to the feast. Charged by my faith in God, my mental faculties, rise to the
occasion. From the abundance of my glad heart, my mouth wants to speak the joys of my goal to all.
I open my mouth, but no words flow out: only the breeze ripples the silence. Must mere
sounds of breeze displace hope's music in my speech? Puzzled by my silence, I re-view the riches of
God's words hiding in my heart and wonder why they defy any utterance. But all my attempts to coax
my thoughts into words seem as weak as the dead leaves along the trail.
As quickly as 911 responds to fear, my hidden words jump to mind to justify my silent mouth.
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.." James 3:2. So silence is not sin; it's
perfection, I decide. "My little children, let us not love in word...but in deed and in truth." I John 3:18.
We need not use words in order to love, I assure myself. "A word spoken in due season, how good is
it!" Prov. 15:23. One could hardly call November, such a seemingly undeserved time of year, a "due"
season. "A fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Ecclesiastes 5:3. See, God is not honored
when I make a fool of myself. "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word
maketh it glad." Proverbs 12:25. That's it!! A word! One good word will do the job, and any heavy
hearts in the audience ought to be glad if they hear one word from me. Let's see now ...good
...good..ah, yes...good-bye will be my good word as I travel past the listeners I meet on my journey.
They'll see that I'm going places and suppose I'm doing things too important to interrupt now.
What creates this covering over my mouth as I journey? Is it fear that I may risk sin if the
words don't stay hidden? Integrity shines when what I do matches what I say about who I claim to be.
Isn't it safer to do what good I can in life and avoid speaking of promises of hope that I'll reach my
goal--just in case I don't make it? If none know my goal, listeners will have no words that can
measure what I do, no way to question my integrity.
What happens to covenant relating when such silence blankets our conversations? Can we
really just go about doing good and saying good-bye and still convey hope to others who share the
road or cross our paths? Will our good deeds raise others' hope in going to the feast if our good-byes
distance us from them? Will they even know where we're headed if we do not announce our goal and
invite them to go along? But isn't my goal my business? Yes! But what is my business goal, as I
journey to the wedding feast? How can my speech help to reach others with the good news of God's
invitation to them to come to the wedding feast? If I speak that good news with rejoicing, hope is
what I will be voicing.
Lord, make me "ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [me] a reason of the hope
that is in [me].." I Peter 3:15. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Do you find yourself at a loss for words when people tell you of crucial dilemmas they face?
Does your silence reflect your reluctance to commit to helping when you don't see how you can?
Is it easier to feel "good" about not helping people when you do not promise anything to them?
Are we really better, and they better off, when we not only withhold help from them but also silence
any words of hope to them?
Do you let fear of having to do everything for the needy keep you from saying anything to them?
What words of hope have lightened the load you carry and brightened the road you walk?
Have you questioned a person's motive for doing good to you and wished that person had told you his
reason for doing the good deed?
What role does hope play in your use of your talent of speech?
Review how hope relates to the First Love Commandment--Thou shalt love the Lord...with all thy soul,
and Commandment II. See January 5 and September 5.

November
4
Love's Influence on Rejoicing
"..I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought
me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." Song of Solomon 2:3, 4.
November nights nip away at the daylight hours for travel. As the sun sinks lower, the
shadows grow longer. Even noon finds shadows tattling on our direction in life. No longer can we
head into sin with abandon and plead ignorance of where we are going or hide where we stand.
Having forsaken pride's pretense as the trees have forsaken dead leaves, we have no covering to hide
our true identity. The light of the word outlines the shadows of our deeds to reveal the shape of our
lives. Just as bare trees cast their silhouettes in the sun, we cast our influence upon those who look in
our direction to see God's Son.
No longer can we argue, "What I do is nobody's business but mine." Our unerring shadows of
influence report what effect our moves have on the direction toward which our influence points
others. Even if we step into others' shadows to avoid having our deeds spotlighted, the message our
avoidance sends may also influence what people do. Our influence, like our shadow, works as a silent
partner to extend our covenant love to bless others or our coveting lust to stress them.
Which then has more significance: what I do or what influence my deed has? Influence
reflects my action: I choose "what I do". If I cowardly turn my back on God's will for me to obsess
over the influence I have on others, I'll soon fear my own shadow and let others' opinions rule my life
and outweigh God's command to love.
I resolve to move closer to Him, so close that I come under His vibrant shadow that looms
ahead of Him to announce His approaching appearing and His wedding feast. With a flare for glad
rejoicing, He plants in my mind, heart, and hand a banner of love to wave, as He brings me to the
banqueting house for His wedding feast. He sends me samples from the menu, fruits fragrant with
flavor. Knowing appetite is greatly influenced by our taste buds, He bids me sit in the shadows of His
promises and share love's sweetness with my partners. They love resting in the shadow His loving
banner casts over us. I too find great delight under His shadow in knowing that I am going to where
love is ever growing.
The benefits of influence are best reaped by covenant partners who commit to loving one
another to reach their shared goals. When both partners desire to understand God's will, they try to
read both the needs and the gifts revealed in the other's influence and use that knowledge to minister
to, not misunderstand, one another.
We stifle the good effects of our influence when we cautiously distance ourselves from others
and prevent them from viewing our delightful responses to God's loving gifts and deeds. When our
delight with God shines through in our delight toward them, their joy of being included in love's circle
influences them toward good. We can open the gate that brings people into the sphere of God's love
that overshadows all earthly shadows. They'll see that we sit "down under His shadow with great
delight" when we invite them to sit with us and "taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8.
Lord, may love be the active agent in my influence. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Your influence is most obvious when people change their behavior because of what you do.
How has someone you know changed due to your influence?
Do you limit anyone's contact with you to minimize your influence on him or her? Give example.
Do you restrict your contact with people to limit their influence on you? Give example.
How do you feel when your child imitates your good behavior? your bad behavior?
Do you take credit for the good and blame the child for the bad?
Does loving others guarantee that we'll have a good influence upon them? Shall we love anyway?
Shall we prize love that influences or love of influence?
What influence did Jesus' perfect behavior have on His disciples Peter and Judas? on His enemies?
Why do good deeds often anger evil people? Review love and the First Love Commandment--Thou
shalt love the Lord...with all thy mind, and Commandment III. See January 6, September 5.

November
5
Grace Helps in Time of Need
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16.
No talent is more needed than time, the frame about which our daily life is structured. Some
say, "All have the same 24-hour per day amount of time." They imply that none have reason to beg a
lack of time to meet the demands of life. Still the need for time is constant: We need time for work,
for rest, for eating and sleeping. We need time to relate to family and friends. We need time to guide
and decide, to teach and learn, to commit and submit, to provide and produce, to give and receive, to
govern and grow and serve. Our times of need are many, but our supply of grace to help us live
graciously in a self-centered, demanding world is scant.
A sweep over my past experience with time uncovers several of my most frustrating,
ungracious, rude, yes--cruel, behaviors. "Someone who counts is counting on me" was often my
silent reason for impatience with my family to hurry and clean, hurry and help, or to hurry and get
ready to go with me. I behaved as if they did NOT count with me. I rushed to have my "do" match
my "say" because I wanted to win the approval (or avoid the frown) of the people I sought to please. I
had based my sense of well-being on being able to crowd my time full of demands to meet and
succeed in meeting them. I spent more hours than I care to count doing things that did not matter for
people who did not care about them or me. During those same hours my family fended for
themselves without me.
I lacked the grace I needed to help me in those times of need. When I needed grace to say a
gracious NO, I said a cowardly Yes. Then I pressed my family to support my cowardice by helping me
to succeed at doing what I said I'd do. At the time this all seemed to me to be good and right without
a hint of selfishness in it. But I failed to notice how little rejoicing was in it for me or for my family.
Life without rejoicing should raise a flag to warn us that we have left the road to the wedding feast to
wander in weariness.
Now I know that time provides room for waiting. When I come boldly to God's throne of grace,
He gives me grace I need to wait gracefully in my times of need to wait. I wait without scolding while
a child learns to speak with courtesy. I wait for a partner to complete a job without snatching
responsibility away from him and heaping disdain upon him. I wait for mutual understanding to dawn
without forcing others to agree or be labeled "WRONG!" I wait to listen to you tell me who you are or
how you struggle without hastily claiming I know just how you feel or exactly what you should do. I
wait for the "hate-to-wait's" to trade their sass of rejection for God's sauce of rejoicing that grace
pours over life.
So, we all have the same amount of time, do we? That being true, people with lists of
demands and busy work can also wait. Wait for what? Wait for God's providence to provide whatever
tasks His grace can empower us to do to bring glory to God.
Lord, give me boldness to say NO without uncaring coldness. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Compare and contrast the ways we save time with the ways we save money.
We save money by waiting to spend it. Why not save time by bringing more waiting into relating?
What items on your list are doing a good job of waiting their turn? Which are creating anxiety?
Do some items you obligate yourself to do become unnecessary as they wait? Can you drop them?
Do tasks done with rejoicing seem more rewarding? Are others more willing to help you do them?
Are some things impossible to do with rejoicing? What good reason do you have for doing them?
Do you pray for the grace you need to say NO to tasks outside of God's providence for you?
If God does not provide time to do them, might they be outside His providence for your life?
Does a reasoning God expect you to do more than you can do at any given time?
Could God provide more time for good if you stopped doing tasks that lack true value?
Review how grace relates with the First Love Commandment--Thou shalt love the Lord...with all thy
strength, and Commandment IV--about rest and about completing your work in six days. See
January 9 and September 5.

November
6
Rejoicing in Health
"..a faithful ambassador is health." Proverbs 13:17. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:.."
Proverbs 17:22.
Health joins our four talents of mental faculties, speech, influence, and time, as tools of
rejoicing on our journey to the wedding feast. Before science unveiled so many mysteries about
health, many simply supposed that the healthy are good and the sick, if not evil, are oppressed by
evil. Discoveries of disease-causing germs led researchers to look for germ-related cures. Now genelabeling is creating interest in gene-related cures. Neither genes nor germs gain today's spotlight for
restoring health.
Instead we star the faithful ambassador, who represents the government of the kingdom that
sends him. We gain clues of his kingdom in his language or accent, his style of dress, the issues he
promotes, and the foods he eats. His agency authority to act at governing levels in behalf of his
nation sets him apart from the man on the street. He agrees to faithfully represent his nation's vital
interests in word and deed. His "say" and his "do" match.
Ambassadors network nations into voluntary unity to promote common goals. The world's
people have more similarities than differences. What is truly good for one is generally good for all.
Thus a faithful ambassador who promotes the healthy growth of his own kingdom will promote the
healthy growth of all by doing so.
As faithful ambassadors representing God's kingdom, we dare not travel the road of rejoicing
to the wedding feast incognito if the health of the world matters to us. When I tell you my nation's
needs and goals, you may realize your need to reach the same goals. Our discovery of common
needs will pave the way for choosing common solutions and uniting our efforts to reach our goals.
This is very true regarding health, a key to human longevity. The sharing of cures and treatment
among nations expands their benefits to all and lessens world suffering. By curing disease on a
global level we make society a safer place for all as well as for ourselves.
As God's ambassadors, agents of His authority, we know how to open doors to the needy to
report our life-giving news. People who would build barriers against threats we make will build
bridges to gain benefits we offer with rejoicing, if they trust us. They will let us reconcile any rifts that
keep from them what they need.
Reconciling that results in health requires work. In the war against diseases that cause death,
the shot heard around the world by the dying is the rejoicing of those who know cures that work. But
no echoes of rejoicing will return until we roll up our sleeves and, without regard for who "deserves
it", make a loving difference to the bruised and dying.
Before the feast God chooses for us a fast: "to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the
heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and...break every yoke" Isaiah 58:6. When the
hungry, the poor, and the naked receive our aid, "Then...thine health shall spring forth speedily: and
thy righteousness shall go before thee: the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward." Isaiah 58:8. Who
waits to rejoice in reconciliation along your road to the feast?
Father, who in my world lacks a reason to rejoice today? Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Health happens as people of authority (know-how) match what they do with what they know.
In what areas of health are you struggling to do what you know?
How does your health impact your eagerness to travel?
Does another's rejoicing over the results of a "cure" influence you to try it?
Do you expect it to cause rejoicing in you, as it did in him? Does a sample of its benefits help to sell
you on it?
Do you buy into a suggested cure its promoter doubts? If you had to convince the dying of a way to
live, would you merely talk of it or show them how it works for you and how it can help them?
Who wants your aid for improving their health? But who needs it?
Have you tried doing what you know with rejoicing to convince them to receive your aid?
Note how God's authority relates to health and to Commandment V promise, Honor your father...
See March 7.

November
7
Strength for Rejoicing
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses
for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10.
New at the task, she had brought all she had into her work so that she and those she served
could enjoy success. But after many months of facing her own infirmities, painful reproaches, lack of
necessities, apparent persecutions, and multiple distresses, she felt too weak for the work.
Obviously, at least to her, the job's demands required strength she did not have. Still she kept at it.
One central focus pressed her forward one now at a time: She worked for Christ's sake, and He knew
what she needed to grow. She trusted that wherever she was, she was within His will for her. She
trusted Him to place nothing upon her that she could not bear. As we talked, love for her job
sprinkled joy over our conversation. We laughed together at the wise humor she drew from the
refining fire of trials. From the midst of her hardships she was taking pleasure in knowing Christ and
learning to rejoice under trials. I knew she was growing to be just fine, as long as she let God love her
while she learned.
Did I see in her a strength that the world's "strong" lack? Many thrive where it's easy but fail
in their tests to endure the wear and tear of their trials for Christ's sake. In their own imagined
strength they announce: "I won't stand for that. I'm no slave! I don't have to put up with this
humiliating, thankless job. I'll spend my strength where I can increase my worth not my woes."
They're unwilling to stand in the hard place to learn to serve well. Self robs them of the chance to
stay on task long enough to learn what the weakness born of exhaustion does to reveal our need to
be strong in the Lord, so we can keep serving Him when trials come. Trials, while great teachers,
require great strength.
A mere strong-headed self will not do. We dare not regard as "strong will" the "stubborn
won't" that reflects weakness born of unwillingness to learn what commitment requires of us. We lack
strength to stand firm when we face the giant responsibilities of covenant relating. We could refuse
to relate and end it all, but...
We know how Jesus paid with His life to give us the strength we need for ours, so we see how
priceless our life is. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was
set before Him endured the cross....consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against
Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving
against sin." Hebrews 12:2-4.
Without Him we can do nothing to serve His people. But as we behold Him, He is our
strength, our ever present Help in time of need. And I--well, I'm not bleeding yet, so I don't need to
beg to be side lined from serving. Where are those with infirmities, reproaches, necessities,
persecutions, distresses? Able now to do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I can learn to
help them. We walk rejoicing in the Lord despite the rocks that compose the road to the wedding
feast.
Lord, thank you that when I am weak, then am I strong. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Do you mentally arm-wrestle others' strengths against your own and silently feel superior to them?
Do such comparisons of our weakness matter when we know that without Christ none have strength
to do anything of true value?
Do we keep measuring our strengths among ourselves to keep alive our fantasy that we're strong?
The "control or be controlled" dynamic of society values a power that we need to question.
Of what true value is the kind of power people use to enslave rather than to free partners?
Is your own weakness from the weariness of well-doing despite difficulties?
Or is it born of a desire to escape the testing of your strength to stand faithfully in the hard place with
a partner?
Do you ask God for strength to endure or beg to be excused from making commitments?
We are ever weak; He is ever present to take away our weakness and supply us with strength.
Review the relation between God's life providing strength to live and His Commandment VI promise-Thou shalt not kill. See April 7.

November
8
Money Matters
"..the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred (been
seduced) from the faith." I Timothy 6:10.
If money had personality, it would likely be a split one.
The saints often seem to
simultaneously castigate and caress the role of money. Is it good or is it evil or is it a necessary evil
which we need to do good? No to all. It is neutral until we invest it with value for good or for evil by
the use we make of it. Like time, health, and strength, money is a God-given talent for us to invest in
meeting needs, as we journey to the wedding feast.
While at times we're called to stand alone against evil, we are called to travel in unity of
purpose. The unity that matters is that formed in our covenant partnerships that unite in Christ to
fulfill His purposes for us. Do you remember Christ's covenant promise to us in Matthew 18:19, 20? If
two of us can agree on something that Jesus can be in the midst of, His omnipotent Father will do it
for us. No dollar limits are placed on this promise.
Unity of agreement in Christ is the
prerequisite to meeting our need. If we have a need that will put Jesus center place in our lives,
certainly God wants to meet that need. He will provide every God-given talent needed to supply that
need--money included. No amount will be too large to amass to fulfill the united purpose our
partnership has for it. He gives the world no veto over the matter. When we place sufficient amounts
of all of our talents into action, God will honor His word. The more we seek to spend ourselves and
our talents, the more we'll see God work for us.
But self dies hard and rears its head often to see if we mean what we say when we pray, "Thy
will be done.." Worse, the smell of currency has an almost magic power to revive self in all who are
not empowered by God's love. Self does not recognize money to be a God-given gift for meeting
needs. Instead self covets money as a means of gaining power to make demands. Self sees money,
not as God-given for loving, but as the god by which one can GET "love", if it's used to move others to
meet demands for a price. Love of money in their midst kills people's love of having Christ in their
midst. The gift without the Giver cannot convey God's love to any.
Selfish partners see eye-to-eye, and I-to-I agree to keep any spending for the needy minimal.
Thus they unite in feeling good among themselves despite the little they spend on helping others.
They design endless safeguards and conditions to form guidelines they use to stay on the side lines.
The selfish attack any who cross their lines of suspicion. They make others' attempts to love the
needy appear to be evil: "Do NOT try to show us up! Know that whatever you do to serve will be
seen as directed against us."
While funds flow freely to feed the gluttony of the greedy, their God-given money does very
little to serve the bypassed needy. Instead the greedy scorn any with costly needs, as unwelcome on
the road to the wedding. Do we dare drown their cruel ridicule with rejoicing in the privilege of
putting our money where our mouth is?
Lord, remove my fear to follow where You have led the way. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

How does doing things for money differ from using money to do things?
Which uses for your money have great value to you? ...which to others in need?
What needs to happen that neither earns nor requires money?
If your needs are met, can you do these needful things? Why not?
When money is limited, do you stop doing non-essentials for yourself or essentials for others?
Do you feel discontent when a ministry you do takes time you could be using to earn more money?
Can you measure your love for unity with Christ by the amount of work you will give to ministry
before your love of money stops you?
When faced with needs, do you say, "I have too much to lose." or "What do I have to lose?"
Money, like gasoline, is volatile. Unused, its value evaporates into thin air. Misused, it can spark
explosions that wreck unions between partners.
How does the uniting power of Christ protect you from the dividing power of money?
Relate God's unity and money with Commandment VII promise, Thou shalt not commit adultery. May
6, 7.

November
9
Does Your Affection Work?
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love..." Romans 12:10.
"..a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17.
Kindly affections enter the arena of ten talents given to us to add joy to our journey. We know
affection, the hugs and kisses we enjoy along the way. And we know when we are treated kindly by
people who help us in time of need. How do these concepts unite to create a talent for causing
rejoicing? And what role has a brother in the action?
If you've been around the block in this world, you've seen the affection that throws the hug
and plants the kiss and scampers off to play on another's desire to be loved. Some brotherly love
given to meeting needs would add credence to the hugger's kiss, but that idea does not occur to an
affectionate scamp. Unable to distinguish between meeting needs and demands, he views calls for
help as peoples attempts to take advantage of his loving nature by forcing him to meet their
demands. No way will he try to read their needs hidden in requests that sound like demands. He, the
hugger, will leave the "work" to someone who must beg for hugs.
You've also seen the kind gesture of a man fixing a lady's tire or lifting her heavy load. You've
seen that recipient of kindness express her awkward thanks and hurry on her way. Her reluctance to
offer payment, which another's kindness makes her feel obligated to do, stifles her freedom to be glad
about the help she has received. It seems she'd be rejoicing at the unpaid expense of the misery of
the man who helped her. It matters not that the worker had no plan to charge for his deed of love and
the lady had no wish to sully the worker's priceless help with a paltry sum. Still the ingrained
obligation to pay people for favors pressed its ugliness upon them and silenced their songs of
rejoicing in God's providential timing that brought them together in time of need. So both leave the
scene never knowing the rejoicing that lies dormant in the work we do for one another.
If only we could combine the no-work affection with the kindly, but no-joyous-affection, work,
then kindly affection could work wonders along the road to the wedding feast. The workers could help
the needy to become workers who could help the needy to help even more. But who can help us
now?
Enter the brother who is born for adversity. Adversity encompasses our deepest times of
need, times when we most appreciate the "brotherly kindness" of 2 Peter 1:7 and the "brotherly love"
of Romans 12:10 of the brother born for adversity. Could we but see as our brother the man who fixes
the tire, lifts the load, and smooths the road and read God's love in his loving deeds, we would not be
blinded by needless feelings of obligation. Our awkward attitude, dampened by obligation, would
become awesome gratitude, glad with rejoicing in the freedom we have in Christ to truly love to meet
needs and freely receive others' kind deeds.
No indebtedness resides in the family where each shares ownership of all, and all are heirs to the
riches of our Father's kingdom. Do you feel brothered or bothered when kindly affection goes to
work for you?
Father, forgive me for not rejoicing with my brothers. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

How does the affection you give affect those who receive it?
In which ways does it enrich them? exhaust them? In which ways does it ignore their needs?
Can you equate love with affection that meets no needs people have?
Since love meets needs, not demands, are your affections given to love or to "get-love"?
If you feel upset by the person's type of response, you may be using affection to get love.
Can affection truly minister to emotional needs while ignoring spiritual or mental or physical needs
people have? In the sequence of a) feelings, b) thoughts, c) words, d) deeds, can we change
one without affecting at least one of the others in some way?
Regarding the deeds we do, can they be done in love without being done kindly?
Do you treat others definitely kindly or merely "kinda" kindly?
How does valuing God's work in our kindly affections relate to the Commandment VIII promise,
Thou shalt not steal? See June 7.

November
10
Generous Impulses
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21.
A glimpse in memory's mirror reveals my need to refine my exercise of our ninth talent,
generous impulses. This talent can bless only as I unlearn my selfish ways and delight in using it.
Raised to value frugality as a virtue, I could easily pass the blame to it for the lame pace my brain
takes at times to catch up with my need for generous impulses. But such a lie will not mix with the
truth that perfects our generous impulses. Truth rejects any "false witness against thy neighbor" of
Jesus' spontaneous love for people. Truth scans the space between prodigal and stingy to offer the
loving perspective we seek for matching our deeds with needs. Frugality stands with truth to
preserve our resources, thus equipping us to meet true needs with generous impulses.
What then does drain the spontaneity from our generosity? We are born on the broad road.
With carnal natures given to selfish living, we speed in "car"nal drive down life's left lane seeking
love. A false sense of power swells our pride, as we watch others veer into the ditch or cross the road
to avoid damage from our selfish direction. We are deaf to God's "word behind thee, saying, This is
the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21.
Even after God's law of love appears as a roadblock to warn us of destruction ahead, we still
do not make a U-turn to change our direction toward the Voice behind us. Self can't be unselfish; it
makes no voluntary You-turns in its course. We merely move to the "right" lane of the broad road and
try to "love", as we try all the harder to get, get love. We mean to desert our "car"nal nature and walk
with Jesus. But instead we stand behind our "car" and push it ahead of us in the same direction. Life
becomes a tiring uphill journey in futility.
But God stands behind us to get the job done. As we travel 1, 2 steps "forward" and fall 1, 2,
3 backward, repeatedly, the tribulations we face in the process lead us to hate our love/get-love
direction. Not only do our attempts to "get it right" get us no place on this joyless uphill journey, but
any carnal joys we knew have also fled. In God's mercy He lets tribulation mark the miles of the trail
(Romans 5:3-5), lest we become complacent "happy campers" and pitch our tents along this road of
strife. Tribulation leads to the patience God gives to keep us backing off the broad way at our "go
forward 1, 2; fall backward 1, 2, 3" pace. We reach the cross road when we experience the fact that
without Christ we can do nothing. In this experience we lift our eyes from self to Jesus on the cross.
Hope springs to life! We've been dying, trying to get love, not knowing His death brings us
unselfish love that flows freely to instantly meet every instance of need. We want this spiritual
second nature that pulses with generous impulses to love. Yes, our impulsive first nature to be selfish
still flashes first. But as we practice loving, our unselfish second nature that loves to meet needs with
generous impulses will eventually become second nature. Rejoice!
Lord, I second Your moves to empower my second nature to act first. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

When have you wished to erase your first response to a need and replace it with a second?
Do not let "guilty feelings" for first responses drain energies needed for generous impulses.
This talent develops with practice.
generous?

What is "generous"?

Is a miserly gift given with a glad spirit

Is a liberal gift given with a miserly spirit not generous? Is it generous to rejoice in using whatever
you have to meet needs? Generous derives from "of noble birth". Generosity means liberality
in spirit or act. The spirit that reigns in us directs our impulses. Being nobly born in Christ by
His Spirit will lead us to act with generous impulses.
Do you refuse a gift unless you're assured that the gift is unneeded or unwanted by the giver?
What happens to the giver's joy if he must label his gifts of love unwanted junk" to get you to take
them?
Do you feel more generous when giving valued treasures or when giving old trash to another?
Do you trivialize or treasure gifts of love? Review roles that God's truth and the Commandment IX
promise (not bear false witness) have in perfecting our generous impulses. See July 4 and 5.
Is God's truth honored by our impulses to rob some so we can act to appear generous to others?

November
11
Apprehension Leads to Application
"And He gave...For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ..." Ephesians 4:11, 12.
Quick apprehension of spiritual things is the tenth and last talent we'll discuss on our road of
rejoicing. Just as classified information is vital to the safety of a nation, this apprehension is vital to
the spiritual health of the people in God's kingdom. This talent works best when freedom has a role in
the exercise of it. Need we fear that freedom will increase a risk of having our apprehensions reach
the enemy? Only if we confuse freedom with folly and fail to act to protect all whom God seeks to
perfect.
On this Veterans' Day we rejoice to honor the people who fully devoted their energies to
protecting our freedom. Even though evil could have been detected in us, they protected us from
danger. They did not turn weapons upon us because we were not perfected. If anything, our
unreadiness to face the final judgment was all the more reason to protect us from destruction.
God has chosen us to be His free moral agents. He wants free people who will exercise the
freedom based on the framework of His moral law of liberty, to work as agents of His authority. The
only authority He gives us is to love one another in ways that promote peace on earth and good will
toward all. When men stray from that purpose, they betray God's purpose for them on this earth. But
God takes the risk that they may betray Him. He knows that only free people can know freedom's
priceless value and understand their need to protect it for all in order to maintain it for any.
God includes spiritual needs in His work of perfecting the saints. Spiritual things are
spiritually discerned (I Corinthians 2:14, Romans 8:5-8.). Quick apprehension of spiritual things
comes from God through His Holy Spirit to those who have the mind of Christ guiding their
understanding. Those God chooses to aid in meeting spiritual needs must be able to read spiritual
needs in order to do the work of ministering to the spiritually ill.
At any time the agent can turn against God. He can delay using the quick apprehensions he
received or do nothing about them. Worse, he can use his apprehensions to justify his own freedom
from sinners, rather than secure freedom for them from sin.
Worst, he can reveal his
apprehensions of spiritual things to the enemy and aid his plans to destroy God's people at their
spiritual points of need. Once we consent to the destruction of God's people, the enemy will deceive
us into viewing our false accusations as quick apprehensions, and using them as nails to quickly
crucify rather than edify, the members of the body of Christ.
True believers, like true patriots, gratefully rejoice with veterans of the faith. They do not
scheme to destroy those who worked to maintain freedom to worship for them. They do not nail their
hands with false accusations and strip them of respect to remove them from useful service. They join
them in finding freedom for, not freedom from, those not yet perfected in Christ. They welcome all
who travel the road in freedom on the way to the wedding feast.
Lord, quicken my apprehension of spiritual things so I may serve. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Policemen often apprehend lawbreakers by arresting them and putting them in jail. Sometimes they
only give a warning and trust people to learn their lesson from it.
How do people with quick apprehension of spiritual things treat those who break God's law?
Do we apply the golden rule and treat them as we'd want to be treated if we were in their shoes?
Do we want to be corrected when we're sinning, or do we say angrily, "It's nobody's business!"?
When is it our business to act upon our quick apprehension of spiritual things?
How shall we make it our business to act in this area?
Are we most helpful if we also make use of the other nine talents when we try to help others?
Has anyone used this "quick apprehension" talent successfully to help you grow?
What does God's freedom to empower quick apprehension of spiritual things have to do with our
Commandment X promise, Thou shalt not covet...? See August 5 and 6.

November
13
Newly Alive or Slowly Dying?
"And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound
about with a napkin." John 11:44.
As we journey to the feast, let's revisit an ancient feast in Bethany held for Jesus. We are not
surprised to see that Martha served. But we are thrilled to see Lazarus, recently raised from the dead
by Jesus, present at the feast. His complete restoration was the marvel of the multitude who knew it.
We recall his resurrection. Shut in the darkness of his box of death, he whose name of
Hebrew origin may mean "God (is) helper" was helpless. He could not escape the clothes of death
that covered his lifeless body or move the stone that blocked the door to his grave. Still neither stone
nor clothes silenced him. Death itself held him fast in the grave.
But the Life-giver, who had refused to merely halt an illness for a beloved friend who really
needed a total restoration from the damage that leads to death, stood outside the box. "Take ye away
the stone," he commanded the bystanders. Clearly Jesus wants His people to open the door of the
box that imprisons its captives, so His light can expel their darkness and reveal Him as the way out.
"Lazarus, come forth!" He called. At once His words of life penetrated the deafness of the
dead man. His nostrils, surrounded by the stink of death, now knew His Lord's life-giving breath. His
heart came alive within his soul and pulsed the resurrection news throughout his stiff, decaying
frame. The Spirit of life, who enters the darkness that boxes in every dying soul, brought him from
the box to the arms of his Creator.
But his new life bestowed by the Spirit of life did not remove his need for covenant love
among his fellowmen. He was bound head, hand and foot by the grave clothes. Dressed thus, any
rejoicing he might express about the resurrection power of Jesus would only serve to frighten people.
How would you respond to the loud cry of a talking mummy coming near you? How would you answer
his invitation to get ready to join him on his journey to the wedding feast? Would you follow him to
his home or would you run for your life in fear of death? Or would you help to remove the clothes of
death still binding him?
In past months we have studied seven negative mental attitudes that lead to our own death
and to the decay of our partnerships. These deadly attitudes are distrust, depression, guilt, anxiety,
grief, discontent, and remorse. Like grave clothes they surface in our behaviors and give evidence
that we are indeed dying bit by bit as our relationships decay bout by bout. Even when by baptism
we demonstrate that, by faith in Jesus' death for us, we are raised to newness of life in the Holy Spirit,
the grave clothes still cling to our bodies of behavior. We feel our new life in Christ, but our deadly
attitudes kill rejoicing and scare many away from the feast.
Lord, prepare us to give a loud cry of joy that You're coming soon. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Have you ever felt that Jesus let a loved one die when He could have prevented it?
Did you later gain a glimpse of His purpose for allowing the death?
Have you ever wished to die? Why?
Was it because you could not bear the darkness encompassing you or because you could not face the
light of the truth confronting you?
Power to value truth, whether it's what you want to hear or not, comes from God.
With what stage of Lazarus' life do you compare your present state?
Do you feel newly alive? Do you feel bound with grave clothes?
Do the deadly attitudes of distrust, depression, guilt, anxiety, grief, discontent, and/or remorse still
surface in your behaviors?
Can you convincingly represent Jesus with rejoicing when these negative attitudes drape themselves
over your words, expressions, and behaviors?
What do you do when people point them out to you?
Do you deny their presence, defend their presence, or discard them?

November
14
Loose Him, and Let Him Go
"Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." John 11:44.
Yesterday we left newly resurrected Lazarus standing among the amazed still "bound hand
and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound with a napkin." John 11:44. Today we complete
the verse: "Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." John 11:44.
During a seminar session our volunteer "Lazarus" was tied with seven strips of cloth symbolic
of the deadly attitudes of distrust, depression, guilt, anxiety, grief, discontent, and remorse. After I
had explained to the class his plight and his inability to free himself, I continued on with the lesson.
At last one of the most timid ladies in the class could no longer stand to sit and see him bound and
helpless. Love moved her to dare "loose him and let him go." Soon others joined her and eventually
even his wife joined them to help set him free. My timid student's newly demonstrated courage
brought me great joy!
Can you imagine how our Master Teacher must rejoice to see our growing courage to help Him
remove the grave clothes from His believers and free boxed-in people from the sins that keep them
from loving? Using our box with two-sided front and back doors, we've studied the four-step T.R.A.C.T.
plan 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 gives for building character:
1. The IN FRONT outside of the front door where we
TEACH Ten Commandments with the Goal of valuing God's law-based values.
2. The OUT FRONT inside of the front door where we
REPROVE 7 negative attitudes with Reasons of Proverbs 6:16-19.
3. The OUT BACK inside of the back door where we
CORRECT lives via Beatitudes with Obedience to Jesus. Focused on the cross, we learned to:
a) trust the Beatitudes, our Being promises,
b) pray Lord's Prayer to open our lives to Gods
promises,
c) choose His Beatitude "being" promises and
d) cooperate as God fulfills His being and doing
promises
His Ten Commandment doing promises.
within us and empowers us to love God and one
another.
4. The BACK IN outside of the back door where we
TRAIN in righteousness (loving) with Work of God's grace, as His Spirit uses Ten Commandments to
yield His fruit in us that equips us to love to meet needs in all 7 basic covenant love partnerships.
Once we learn to love, God needs us to be His ambassadors on the road of life. God wants
none to die. "For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn
yourselves (margin: others), and live ye." Ezekiel 18:32. We must do more than turn ourselves
away from sin. We must turn others to awake to God's loving grace waiting to fill them with His
love.
Each modern counterpart of "Lazarus" knows "God is helper" and waits for us to help God in
His plan to "Loose him and let him go." God's choice of us as partners in His work of grace is cause
for rejoicing. He gives us faith, hope, love, courage, sympathy, contentment, and cheerfulness so
none will mistake us for mummies when we help them shed their grave clothes and invite them to
join us on our journey to the wedding feast.
Lord, may I not desert You when You come to help me help others. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Did you ever offer to help do a task and have that person dump the job on you and disappear?
What made the disappearance so disappointing? Did you look forward to uniting in doing something
loving?
God does not come to help us in order to make us useless to others.
God seeks to restore us to useful service, not remove us from it.
Who now suffering distrust needs faith?
Who now suffering depression needs hope?
Who now suffering guilt needs love?
Who now suffering grief needs sympathy?
contentment?

Who now suffering anxiety needs courage?

Who
now
suffering
discontent
needs
Who now suffering remorse needs cheerfulness?

People who play watch for Toys R Us...

People who love watch for Laz R Us.

November
15
"I Will...I Will...I Will"
"When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding.." Luke 14:8.
Today (1997) precious people pour into a room reserved at SUNY-Albany for the joyous
wedding ceremony for our son, Steven, and his sweetheart from South Africa. Love hums its
messages to the music of Mozart, Bach, and Handel. At the back of the room I stand in soft golden
slippers that match my gold-trimmed dress and purse.
My arm is joined with Steven's awaiting the musical cue to march down the aisle to a future
that has been unfolding before us for several months. Already we have embraced and felt the
strength of the bonds that no previous circumstance, no success or failure, no tragedy or triumph
before this moment could ever break. But today the severing would be completed after I'd be seated
in the front row to watch his bride step into first place as the lady in his life. She is lovely, and I will
kindly step aside for her.
As we wait, lighted candles pass their flames from one guest to another. Friends young and
old from far and near wait to witness the vows and unite in their support for the newlyweds.
Hidden from view his sweetheart awaits the fulfillment of her dream. She has recently
immigrated to New York for this reason. With her parents in South Africa, we are parenting both of
them. My husband waits with her to walk her down the aisle where she'll take her place beside
Steven for the rest of their lives.
The music moves us down the aisle to my place. We hug again. And he walks into his new
future. The ceremony continues with all of its beauty. The events reflect the light of a new generation
mixed with the shadows of the old. I hear, "I will....I will."
The sweet a capella strains of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" rise from the depths of the singer's
soul. They introduce a new union in my mind between our heavenly home and the home of the
newlyweds. Their sweet blessing invites angels to abide with the bride and groom. May God indeed
give His chariot of angels charge over them, to keep them in all His ways, as they live the new
beginnings of the love story of their marriage.
New beginnings stretch into the future for me also. Who knows better than an author when to
complete one chapter and begin a new one? Potential for great chapters resides in the restructuring
of our roles, as we lovingly fashion new meanings for the -in-law suffix that labels our new role
partnerships. I'll gladly explore it, as I stride and stumble into these future roles in our family.
But let me rest a bit and check my balance to be sure that I'm leaning on Jesus. I want Steven
to enter his marriage free of any deadly negative mental attitudes wrapped about him by his mother.
Jesus speaks to me: "Loose him and let him go." "I will," I promise. Rejoicing in love among us all, is
on our mental menu, as our family resumes our journey to the celestial wedding feast.
Lord, lead the way so I will know which way from here I need to go. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Take time to enjoy "playing back" a family wedding in your memory.

Recall the beauties and the joys of the occasion.
Recall the struggles you felt in the restructuring of your roles between parent and child.
Did you succeed in your task to "loose him/her and let him/her go?"
Are any negative mental attitudes lingering from the process?
Is it time to give study to removing them? Too late? Never too late. Now is the time to begin.
Remember this sequence (the lessons gleaned from Proverbs 6:16-19):
1) We lack love and try to "get love" from others who also lack it.
2) We need to feel sorry, not guilty, that we're NOT loving others.
3) We need to learn to love.
4) We need to be fueled with God's love, so that we can love.
5) We need to love any who need love.
6) We need to love with no coveting strings attached.
7) We need to teach others to love unselfishly.

November
16
A Place for You
"I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2, 3.
Before dawn my husband and I began our homeward journey. We were going to prepare a
place for our families and friends at the wedding reception that we would host in Traverse City,
Michigan. It was only a week away, and much preparation was still awaiting our return.
Months ago we had reserved the hall that would house the guests who would come to renew
their friendship with Steven, meet his bride, and celebrate their marriage with us. The seating
capacity claimed for the place we chose was ample. But when we made a paper model scaled to the
size of the room and the tables, we found that only about half their number could be comfortably
seated in an arrangement for a wedding reception. We had to trim the guest list to fit the space, so
that none would come and not find a place reserved for them. How hard it was to decide which
among those we loved would not receive invitations. I hoped none would misunderstand my reasons
for excluding them.
The heavenly task of preparing the place reserved for us, presents different challenges to
Jesus. Certainly the Creator of the universe has no shortage of physical space for those whom He has
invited to heaven's wedding feast. His challenge is to prepare His people to stand and sit and, yes,
live in the place He has prepared for us.
The place He has chosen for us to take our stand is a place of honor, a place of integrity
where our be=say=do, a place of obedience to His will. He stood in our place on Calvary, that we
might stand with Him in His place among men and in heaven. He poured His mighty love into our
salvation from sin, that we might find power in Him to break sin's control over our behavior. We've
heard much rejoicing from many who've found this victory in Him.
Despite their witness of such victory, we stand in doubt--not in faith--that He can indeed
prepare such a standing place for us. We argue that if doesn't happen in us on earth, why would we
expect Jesus to prepare such a place for us to fill in heaven. And if He wants us to hold a place of
honor, well, He'll have to just put us there when we arrive. But while Jesus gives love freely, He forces
none to stand in places that He wills, against their will.
Despite His promise to dwell in them, so they can dwell in Him, He finds few willing to place
their hope in "Christ in you". They pray for His Spirit, but doubt they have Him. They lack hope.
Despite His offer to shed love abroad in their hearts, so they can occupy a place that reflects
God's love to a dying world, they prefer their place of worth in the world's eyes. They lack love. Do
you insist upon inhabiting a place of no faith, hope, or love?
Lord, bring me to the place where faith, hope, and love can thrive in me. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

What do you think your place on earth has to do with your place in heaven? and vice versa?
Jesus said in Matthew 10:32, "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess
also before My Father which is in heaven."
Does our "confessing Him" count if we fear to stand with Him in obedience to God and reflect His love
to all?
As you daily fight the good fight of faith, which do you choose:
a) faith in God's goodness or distrust of it
b) hope in God's word or disbelief of it
c) love of God's authority (know-how) as a Lover or rejection of it and Him?
If not in God, then in whom or what do you place your faith, hope, and love, for an abundant life?
Are your plans working?

November
17
Gratitude Forms the Guest List
"A certain man made a great supper, and bade many.." Luke 14:16.
The suspense in the expense of planning a great feast resides in not knowing how many will
come. When we are at the receiving end of the RSVP invitations, we feel no great hurry about rushing
the answer to them. After all, who knows if something may occur that will change our minds about
going? If we wait as long as possible before mailing an RSVP, we'll be less likely to err in our reply. So
we think, and so we delay.
As the "certain man" invites, he envisions the faces of family members and friends filling all
the places. He wants a full house. He thrills, as prompt replies convey his guests' eagerness to
come. They add energy to his tasks and eagerness for the day to arrive. When space is limited,
prompt answers from those who can't come, allow for time to invite others. The celebration merits a
full house. Finally, early replies give ample time to fully prepare for the feast. The "certain man"
invites, but he cannot be certain about who will come. Only those who wait in silence can tell him the
answer to the big question.
What brings guests to the feast? Is it the food they will get or their faithfulness to the
friendship they already have? If it were food, any could eat the food and thus fulfill the purpose of the
feast. But the feast is about celebrating shared values at work enriching the relationships of people
who matter to them. It is about rejoicing with those who rejoice and being glad together. The size of
the sacrifice measures the size of the success we have. Friends who have marked the sacrifice to
reach the goal can best celebrate the reason for the feast. Such friends are priceless. They
themselves are the gifts at the feast, yet they come laden with gifts and good will. They come to help
the host love the one he desires to honor. And the host needs their rejoicing to create the festive
occasion. He counts on them for what only they can do.
However, an even grander reason drives his eagerness for them to come. He and those he
fetes have a bottomless depth of loving gratitude to express to the family and friends who have stood
by them, helped them, and loved them on their journey to this moment. They plan the feast as an
avenue for loving all who befriend them. Nothing but the best they can afford will do to express that
love. Will those who shined wisdom into the darkness of their foolishness come? Will those who had
given knowledge to erase their ignorance come? Will he see those whose understanding of covenant
loving led them to place Christ in their partnerships? Will all who helped them to gain prosperity
come? Will all who ministered to their health arrive? Will those who blessed their lives with beauty
be there? He needs them to fete the bride and groom. And he longs to show his love to these
beloved guests. Will they come?
Father, move me to RSVP (Receive Salvation Very Promptly), so You and I can anticipate how we'll
celebrate at Your feast. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

With whom in this scenario do you identify: host or guests?

What moves you to attend a wedding feast? Do you consider how much the host values you?
Have you ever thought of using a feast as an avenue for loving the guests who attend it?
You may want to make an imaginary guest list of the people who have enriched you by bringing some
of the seven essentials for abundant living into your life. Begin by listing those seven
essentials to guide your memory in recalling your benefactors.
Did they always wait for you to ask, or did they quickly see your needs and volunteer to help you?
Have you already thanked them? How else can you express your loving gratitude to them?
Do you use "thanks" to nullify any further "obligation" to them?
Or do you see gratitude, not as paying imaginary obligations, but as an appropriate ongoing attitude
of rejoicing with people who freely give?
Are your gifts expressions of who you are in the context of what people need, or statements of how
much you value or devalue those receiving them?
Will there be any celebrating of our heavenly Father's Son and His bride if the guests do not come to
the celestial wedding feast?

November
18
Out Guessing the Guests
"Come, for all things are now ready." Luke 14:17.
The tasks of people who serve in God's household are varied. God distributes many gifts and
skills among His people to equip them to complete the essential tasks before the day of the feast.
Among them is the gift of guessing. He needs all who will guess strongly enough to act upon their
guesses. In Luke's parable the "certain man" sent servants to tell his guests to come to the meal. He
chose servants who guessed so strongly the guests would come, that they'd obey and take his
message to the guests. Such servants are rare: few will put energy to a task that cannot guarantee
sure results for their efforts. If it's not a sure thing, they'll not go out guessing for God. They'll not
risk failure merely for some feast for somebody or other. Forget it. They have better things to do with
their valuable time. They forget Who gives it to them.
The servant went guessing from one invited guest to the next with faith that the man's
faithful friends would come. But his guesses missed their mark. Excuses for refusals filled his report.
A piece of ground to see, purchased oxen to prove, a partner to appease, required the servant to
return with an upsetting report.
The man sent him out guessing again. He went with hope that "the poor, and the maimed,
and the halt, and the blind" would be glad to come. He guessed so strongly that they'd come, he
went to seek them in their streets and lanes. When he had found all who would come, more places
were filled at the feast, but vacancies remained.
Vacancies create doubts in the minds of guests. Guests raise two questions over empty
chairs:
1) Why didnt the host succeed in getting his trusted guests to come? Was His love too weak to draw
them here? 2) Why, if empty places were still available, did the host not invite their friends who
were left off the guest list? Did he not love their friends who wanted to come? The host wants no
doubt to chill the rejoicing of the faithful guests at his feast. Everyone must be asked to come to the
feast. He must do all he can to fill the banquet hall.
The man sent him out guessing a third time with instructions to go out into the highways and
hedges to compel them to come in. The "compel" is better translated as "constrain". It derives from
impressing one with the necessity of an action, NOT pressing or forcing one to act. Paul, who had
gone out guessing for God often, wrote, "For the love of Christ constraineth us;" 2 Corinthians 5:14.
So I say: With love, the love of Christ empowering his mission, the servant went out guessing to find
them on the highways, some going full speed to destruction in the left lanes, others going 1, 2 steps
"forward" and 1, 2, 3 steps backward in the right lane. He also searched the hedges for those who
were hedged in by debts and deadly behaviors. Hedging happens along the broad "buyways" that
attract the crowds who vainly seek the polluted love of the world. What's your guess? Will He find
enough guests to fill the house?
Oh Lord, how can I sit complacently when empty places await guests? Send me out guessing, so that
we will have a full house at Your wedding feast. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Are you on God's guest list? Does your integrity inspire gratitude in the host?
Have you heard the "Come; for all things are now ready"? In which guest category are you?
Are you among the servants who go out guessing to find guests?
Which guest category do you most prefer to visit? In which do you find the most success?
Among whom do you find the greatest need to come to the feast?
Does great need necessarily create great willingness to come to the feast?
Worth-oriented people withhold love in the face of need, hoping to raise the price others will pay for
their services. Need-oriented people thrive on loving to meet the needs that surround them.
Great need presents to them great opportunity to serve.
If as a guest at heaven's feast you see empty places, what questions will you ask God? yourself?
Examine the guessing you are doing: Are you still guessing about whether or not you want to go to
heaven's feast? Are you still guessing about whether or not you will be going? Do you plan to
be left out? still guessing?
Do you plan to go out guessing?...while there's still time?

November
19
Wedding Garment or Worldly Garb...age?
"..a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,...saw there a man...and he saith unto him,
Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" Matthew 22:2-12.
When the wedding is furnished with guests, the guess work is over. The focus moves from
guessing to dressing. All dressing matters must be dealt with before the feast begins. Have you slept
through a nightmare of not being fully dressed for an occasion? Were not the frustrations of trying to
choose the clothes you need while trying to avoid being seen at the scene enough to jar you awake?
God's feast is not a mere dream; it's a marvelous reality!
We dare not trivialize or rationalize away the importance of the wedding garment that we
need to wear at His wedding feast. The wedding garment is Christ's robe of righteousness that God
freely gives each guest. It is God's gift of the Spirit of Jesus to us, so He can dwell within us and BE
our righteousness. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Romans 8:9.
In the parable of Matthew 22 the King examines the guests to see which truly are His, His
because they are wearing the wedding garment without which they cannot dwell in His presence. His
indwelling Spirit is His chosen way to be present with them. It makes sense that if He, by His Spirit, is
not allowed to dwell in them, then they simply cannot dwell with Him. He neither forces His presence
to be in us against our own will nor welcomes any who rebel against His will for us to be one in
obedience with His Son. If we receive Him to abide in us, then He can receive us unto Himself, that
where He is there we may be also: abiding as one!
The sort is simple. Those who have the wedding garment the King provides, stay and
celebrate. He can freely take them in to the feast without forcing righteousness upon them, because
they chose righteousness by choosing Jesus. Those who refuse to wear His garment find themselves
bound hand and foot, as was Lazarus. They're taken from the scene of celebration, and cast into the
darkness of rejected light to await their death. Mouths too proud to pray for garments, then weep in
grief and gnash their teeth in remorse, knowing they chose grave clothes over the wedding garment.
The indignation of the self-righteous may rise up against the supposed indignity this parable
imposes upon them. After all they sacrificed to become "rich, increased with goods, and in need of
nothing", who dares offend their dignity by testing their fitness? Who can doubt their inmost worth in
view of their costly garb? No charity robe can match their own garb. Why must they go from garb to
garbage? Pride blinds them to the issue--the wedding garment God issues for the feast. As the King
draws close to fit His royal garment of Christ's righteousness around us before his final decree
sounds, we must receive or refuse it. Matthew 22:12 reveals the reason one man gave for refusing it:
"he was speechless."
Lord, count me as a friend who wants to attend the feast enough to be willing to wear the wedding
garment you've issued to us. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Have you ever been a fragrance away from the feast of your dream and found yourself tossed instead
into a field of garbage? Was it your fault or the fault of someone whose promises or directions
misled you? Were you truly misled or did you only pretend to follow that person's directions
and hope to accidently fulfill your dream?
Some issues aren't worth an argument; some issues are too important to trash by arguing.
Which kind of issue is the wedding garment issued to us?
Do you value it enough to share the wearing of it with the whole body of Christ?
Are there some with whom you refuse to share this corporate "one-robe-fits-all" wedding garment?
Who then will wear it: will you remove yourself from it or jerk it away from any you dislike?
Or will you cut this seamless robe into shreds so each guest can go his own way, then settle for a
mere remnant of it to tuck into your pocket or purse as a ticket of admission to the feast?
What admission do we make about our righteousness when we clip and snip and rip away at the
corporate wedding garment of Jesus' bride?

November
20
Is It Fall or Spring?
"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know
that summer is nigh." Matthew 24:32.
One look at the bleak scene of November is proof to us in the northern hemisphere that
summer is not nigh. In no way do the silhouettes of bare trees, interrupted only by the evergreens
and the scrub oak lead us to think spring. And yet the scene now looks very much like it will look on
March 20, the first day of spring. Then, as now, the lofty trees will be bare, the evergreens dull, and
the scrub oaks loaded with withered, brittle, brown, dead leaves that it refuses to drop. Despite the
wintry storms God sends to clear away their dead past, they cleave to what they need to leave.
Let us imagine ourselves on March 20: St. Patrick's Day has recently renewed our love for our
"Wild Irish Rose" whose Irish eyes are smiling at signs of spring. Newly eager to grow, nature revives
its wearing of the green. And we design ways to change our wardrobes. Our own "I wish" eyes
change their focus from snowing to sowing. Seed catalogs are fat with eye-appealing pictures of food
for the coming feast. Fashion catalogs flash the latest views on beauty before us. We drool over what
we want to be wearing and waving when we reach the table at the wedding feast.
But our fervor fades as the soiled banks of snow refuse to melt and the scrub oaks cling to
their withered, brittle, brown, dead leaves. What's the rush? It's no use donning clean spring clothes
amidst all this frozen mud. Why bother sowing seeds when danger of frost could wreck our work? As
the catalogs collect dust, we decide that if last year's leaves suffice for scrub oaks, we too can forget
about sowing and growing and cling to the past works we've been wearing. We'll wait for the Lord's
tulips to warn us when summer is really nigh. Spring is but a figment of our November imagination
anyway, we conclude. It's futile to think spring when we are a whole winter away from it.
Besides we're ready. Our past growth, though brittle, brown, and dead now, was the work of
grace, not self-righteous works. It proves we were saved then. With leaves to wave and rave about
from a year ago, why grow? We can cling to them and trust God to make them new again.
Just as our southern-hemisphere friends think differently than we about November, God thinks
differently about our need to grow before summer. Even seasons obey their Creator, as He fully
inspires each stage of growth in every living thing at its proper time. The fig knows what time it is:
"When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh." Matthew
23:32. Spring and summer fly by. Too late the report of our fall will say, "The harvest is past, the
summer is ended, and we are not saved." Jeremiah 8:20. But we thought...
Lord, cause Your thoughts to permeate and purify my thoughts. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Do you have a favorite season for personal growing? How do you process the "old things" as seasons
of your life progress? Do you expect to keep "getting love" based on old deeds you did?
Do you ever say, "After all I've done..." or "You owe me one."?
Can we drop the past while we still believe we need it to "get love"?
Does counting on the past keep you from counting on God's love to sustain you?
Do you still have need to use withering sarcasm and ridicule?
Do brittly brown social circles prevent you from building partnerships within which you can grow?
Do dead, dry past issues form the topics about which you endlessly shoot the breeze and/or blame?
Do you cling to them as scrub oaks cling to dead, dry leaves? Do dead leaves foster new growth?
Does waving the dead emblems of spiritual life we once had, give proof of holy foliage?
Or does it show our refusal to drop what's dead and focus on growing?
Shall the scrub oak or the scriptures create our model for spiritual growth?
Shall we be obstinate about keeping the old dead issues alive or shall we be obedient to God?
What new growth do you want to leaf out in your life? What old do you need to leave out of it?

November
21
Beauty O'Character
"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the
things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15.
Scripture's varied illustrations to prepare us for the wedding feast shine many rays on our
partnership with Jesus. Because some seem to conflict with others, major confusion could overtake
us if we fail to place these puzzling views of guests, garments, growing seasons, fruit, et cetera, into
one big beautiful picture of Jesus' heavenly goal for us: being His beautiful bride.
Despite the usefulness of things that equip us to love freely, Jesus did not promise to come
and receive our fruit, our wardrobe, our tools, et cetera ad infinitum. He said, "I will...receive YOU
unto Myself; that where I am, there YE may be also." John 14:3.
After Lloyd and I married on a June 21 many months ago, we went to my parents' home
where I delayed him endlessly while getting ready to leave with him on our honeymoon. Since it
would be an overnight stay in a cabin on our way to Cheboygan where we would live and work, we
brought our things along with us in our two cars. My car was heavy with boxes of useless items saved
from the past and things I hoped to find use for in the future. I need not tell the rest of that box story,
for those who've been there know it well. Suffice it to say that our cabin site near Lake Huron offered
a beautiful view of the lighted Mackinac Bridge.
During this preparation time before the Bridegroom's coming, God wants us to glimpse the
magnificence of His Bridge from where we are to where we need to be. His Bridge is not packed away
in old boxes nor stashed away in new bank accounts. One's life in Christ does not consist in the
abundance of the things which he possesses...nor in the things his wife possesses.
When heaven's Bridegroom comes, He will not wait for us to rearrange our boxes of the past
or to implement rusty tools we intended to use for developing our boxed-in characters someday. He
cares less that what we HAVE is where it belongs, than that He and His bride have in place a full-color
covenant partnership that radiates love to all. She will have incorporated the true values from her
past into her life, not into boxes. Trials' refining fires will have incinerated the trash of her past, not
stored it for future use. She'll have molded her gifts and talents into loving skills that she invested in
her covenant love partnerships that will live on in heaven. Her fruit of the Spirit won't be pressed by
demands into a basket case, but integrated into her whole BEING and ingrained by her Spiritempowered loving into her DOING. She will not be characterized as having countless useless things,
but as be-having in countless loving ways. She will be known for who she is--a person of integrity, a
human BEING who loves thinking, saying, and DOING loving deeds to meet needs. Wholly one in
Christ, her name is Beauty O'Character!
Lord, I see that one beautiful picture of Your bride is worth more than a thousand things. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Do you long to become a human BEING who loves DOING loving deeds?
How can Jesus act as your Bridge to bring you from where you are to where you need to be?
Do you have any baggage that stands in your way?
Do you move boxes from place to place, hoping to find use for them? Could their contents equip you
to love more effectively? If so, when and how can you use them? If not, why keep them?
We need the 7 Essentials for Abundant Living (7EAL): wisdom, knowledge, understanding, prosperity,
health, beauty, glory to God. Do you have them in use? Or are they boxed-in, boxed up, and
boxed around?
Have you fully woven them into your character?
partnerships?

What beauty do they add to your life?

to your

Do you plan to take them with you to the celestial wedding feast?
How? in boxes or incorporated into the character you are?
Can you speed your journey by moving the 7EAL from boxes into your own Beauty O'Character?
Is it wiser to have the essentials within us or to leave them out?
Some keep their new things boxed away while they drain more use out of the old. Do you?
If you use the new and box up the old, will the old boxes be easier to toss out of your life?

November
22
Beauty O'Character in Work Clothes
"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I
be loved." 2 Corinthians 12:15.
The rhyme, "Sing a song of sixpence", includes these lines:
"The king was in his counting-house counting out his money;
The queen was in the parlor eating bread and honey;
The maid was in the garden hanging out the clothes,
Down came a blackbird and snapped off her nose."
The enemy's blackbirds do not bother the covetous followers of God who sit as kings counting
their talents, as though no need to spend them existed, or as queens eating Scripture's bread and
honey, as though there were no hungry. Blackbirds hunt for workers who, like the maid in the garden,
deal with newly washed clothes.
Newly washed clothes symbolize the spiritual washing process that purifies our character.
Having been washed in the blood of the Lamb, we need to get on line with God so the winds of His
Spirit can shake sin's burdens from us and trial's hot iron can remove sin's wrinkles from our
behaviors. Character is not merely a thing we have: it's the core of who we are. Just as I don't merely
have a soul, but I am a soul, so also I don't merely have a character. I am a character, becoming
more Christlike, as I grow into my Irish (not "I-wish") name, Beauty O'Character.
Beauty is not yet a bride smothered in spotless white satin and hidden behind lacy veils.
Today the bride wears work clothes. Bit by bit she spends her talents to prepare for the wedding
feast. In a sense, talents once spent cannot be spent again. Time spent, health worn, strength
expended, and money spent cannot be re-spent.
Some talents are spent bite by bite as
blackbirds sent to bite against the no's she says to evil's agenda, attack her to deface her reputation
and destroy her influence. Her chances to repeat the speech of truth she gave and to beam her
influence to the group again may be spent after the blackbirds deface and make her ugly.
Strange as it is, only blackbird watchers--people who watch others through beady blackbird
mind-set eyes--can see the ugly marks made by such snapping-nose mischief. Stranger yet, workers
who keep their bridal eyes on Jesus continue to reflect His beauty of character despite the blackbird
bites. Holy Spirit oil bathes each bitemark and restores the bride to beauty of holiness. Strangest of
all, people who need what she has, are drawn to her beauty of Christian cheerfulness that reflects
Jesus, despite the blackbird watchers.
How can we maintain cheerfulness about spending love when we get none back and
blackbirds reduce our talents to zero? When we love to meet needs, God fuels His cheerful givers
with love. He, not we, multiplies our God-given talents to equip us to love more. So what if "the more
abundantly I love, the less I be loved"? My God shall supply all our need according to His riches in
Christ.
Lord, may we spend and become poor, so that the worldly poor may become rich in Christ. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Do you find your greatest joys in counting your money or in eating food by yourself?
Is sharing scripture with another more enjoyable than merely keeping what you learn to yourself?
Do the scriptures that you share become more memorable and precious to you?
Does fear of blackbirds silence you when truth needs to be spoken?
Have any defaced your reputation or destroyed your influence because you stood for God's truth?
When have you felt that the more abundantly you love, the less you are loved?
Do you find that God equips you to love the unloving people regardless?
Or do you find yourself falling into meeting their demands to win their favor?
When God lightens your journey to heaven by removing the useless, burdensome baggage to which
you were clinging, do you sometimes feel like loving Him less?
As you see your talents spent, do you rejoice at the way God has used you in His service and ask Him
to refuel your supply?

November
23
The Wedding Reception
"Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go YE out to meet Him." Matthew 25:6.
Today the place of preparation is the place of celebration. The bridegroom and his lovely
bride stand inseparably side by side encircled by the warm embraces of the gift-laden guests who
glow with glad smiles. Their loving greetings mix with joyous laughter.
Witness the celebration with me. As the guests begin their tour, the whole scene first flashes
before their eyes. Violet and ivory twine their charm in the streamers overhead that are accented by
ribbon-dressed wedding bells in each corner, at the bridal table, and in the midst of the room. Violet
candles and African violets decorate ivory tablecloths.
Drawn by its wholeness of beauty, they enter. Their eyes taste the colorful array of
wholesome, appetizing food awaiting them. They stop by the lace-covered table to admire the four
elegant cakes that speak of the faith, hope, love, and grace that the heavenly Father has in store for
our covenant partnerships.
Above the cakes on the wall a beautiful arc of shimmering letters sing CONGRATULATIONS! to
Steven and Katherine, November 15, 1997, printed below. In the midst of the picture tiny music notes
weave their way among glistening hearts arranged to portray the unity of Christian love. In the
center two hearts overlap a larger heart on either side. A golden bird on the large heart sings of
God's love in the midst of ours. The sign's border of gold-trimmed lace signifies ties of faith and love
that bind us.
The guests continue on past the bridal table where violet candles in glass chimneys are
surrounded by floral rings. They take their gifts to the gold-covered table encircled by sparkly lights.
Above it swings a charming bird cage frosted with lace and draped with beads. Atop the cage a pair
of bluebirds snuggle in a golden nest surrounded by golden leaves. Herein rest the wedding cards the
guests bring to the bride and groom. They place their gifts among the others and find their places at
the tables.
The feast is ready. We rise to recognize our unity in God's family as together we pray, Our
Father, which art in heaven... The food line forms and our guests meet our ladies chosen to love them
by supplying their choices of excellent food expertly prepared for them. Cameras flash at faces and
scenes of beauty to trace the happy memories for tomorrow. Too soon the guests are gone again.
Even after months of preparation, I knew not how marvelously God would bless our feast.
November 23, 1995, was our very first Thanksgiving Day with Katherine during her first visit to our
home. This November 23, 1997, day of her second visit to Michigan finds us united as one family in a
wedding feast. This too is a feast of thanksgiving to God who "is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory...Amen."
Ephesians 3:20, 21.
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. ... Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

This word picture is my way of sharing our reception with you, my reader friend. Someday you may
meet my son and his bride and thus complete the picture I have given you.
Recall your memories of a wedding feast in your family. Let the peoples friendly faces return to your
mind.
Which of them would you like to contact again?
Which may be in need of a word of encouragement?
What do you imagine about the celestial wedding feast ahead of us?
Whom will you hope to see there to greet you?
Has it occurred to you to discuss your hope with that person?
Might it encourage them to know that you're supposing they will be at the heavenly feast?
What intangible treasures do you desire to give to your son and daughter to enrich their lives?
What blessings will you bestow upon them, as they leave home to establish their new home?

November
24
Behind the Scenes
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That He
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." Ephesians 5:25, 26.
Yesterday was so long in coming, so intense while it was here, that it does not pass quickly
from the mind or the heart. I find myself still viewing the kaleidoscope of colorful experiences we
shared, as I sort and organize them for long-term memory.
Amidst the ecstatic joy of seeing familiar friends of years past came an almost painful
reluctance to let them go. Any of them could have filled a day of delightful conversation with me, but
on that day I could only taste their friendship and hurry on to others that I was also eager to greet. I
can't imagine the joy at the wedding feast in heaven where we shall never part again.
But come with me behind the scenes. As I anticipated my role in this feast, I envisioned
myself in the garment I had worn to their wedding in New York. The long, gold-trimmed dress
combined with my soft golden slippers and purse gave me a sense of elegance that matched the
occasion. It was my favorite among my options. On the morning of the feast the weight of opinion
among the ladies that mattered led me to choose a beige suit with a hemline more suited for the
afternoon occasion. Long dresses are for evening, I reluctantly agreed. And I could still wear my
golden slippers.
Although my husband, Lloyd, and I went early to the reception, guests were already arriving.
Tracy took us aside for some video photos under the wedding bells at the bridal table. My husband
placed his arm around my back to draw us together, and we stood there quite awhile as Tracy did
what video men do.
After only a few steps away from the scene, my ladies appeared in a state of alarm. Large
areas of fresh blood were smeared along the back of my beige suit. The chef wrapped a huge apron
around me, and they sent me home to don a new outfit. I cannot tell you the joy and rejoicing with
which I hurried home to change from my very old suit into my elegant wedding garment. Ah, I
rejoiced, as I prepared anew for the wedding feast, the blood has never lost its power. Amidst all the
day's distractions, the Lord found a way to fully dress me in the wedding garment that extended to
my feet.
When I returned to the feast and to my husband, I was glowing with joy. He expected me to
be upset that, unknown to him, my old suit was catching the blood his wounded hand had been
spreading on my back, as he embraced me for the video photos. Upset? No way!! It was among the
most delightful events of that unforgettable day. And its spiritual truth is priceless! Heaven's
wedding feast is the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Lamb's blood flows now so we can discard
sin's old suit and don His wedding garment. Our loving Husband shed His blood to sanctify and
cleanse His bride. We need not live and die in sin's old suit. His wedding garment awaits us.
Lord, thank you from my heart for showing Your love to me. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Have you wished that your visits with friends at large gatherings could be spread out over more days
so that you could have longer talks with them and savor their friendship?
Has it occurred to you to rejoice over the spilt blood that opens the way to discarding your sinful
behaviors and choosing to wear the wedding garment of a Christlike character?
What do you do when actual blood stains your clothes: Do you continue to wear the garment, hide,
and feel embarrassed? Or do you find a way to remove the stains or change your garment?
Why do we tend to feel "stuck" with wearing a soiled character when we can act to change into a new
character?
Is the knowledge of what soils character crucial to knowing how you can correct it?
The stains on our character show the places where we need to grow new thoughts and behaviors.
Think about it. Why do we abhor the sight of something as essential to our lives as is blood?
How often are we thankful to God for what our own blood does for us?
When do we celebrate what Jesus' blood has done for us? Does communion really bring you joy?

November
25
New Beginning for Mother and Son
"Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it." John 2:5.
The setting of the Cana wedding feast brings together a mother and a son with whom I can
readily identify. The mother, Mary, was apparently still in the process of restructuring her role in the
life of her son, Jesus. Long ago at age twelve He had told her that He must be about His Father's
business. (Luke 2:49.) The fact that He was not where she thought He should be on the road to His
future did not mean that He was lost. He was, in fact, seeking the lost even then. "For God so loved
the world [not only Mary], that He gave His only begotten Son.." sums what guided His mission on
earth. From eternity He knew what road He'd travel to heaven's wedding feast in order to free His
bride from the world's snares.
For many years Mary watched him refuse to conform His behavior to worldly demands or
evil's agenda. While He'd accept no selfish human control over His life, He freely loved to meet needs
at every opportunity. Accustomed to His ways, she states to Him the latest need: "They have no
wine." Once more she learns He lives by His Father's will and timing, and she lets Him be free to do
so.
"Jesus saith unto her, Woman,..." She sees her world open (not cave in) before her. "Woman"
reveals His adult recognition of the fullness of her integrity as a human being. He has been blessed
by her ability to wear the hats within every essential role partnership: parent-child, teacher-student,
lover-friend, manager-employee, neighbor-needy, governing head-governed body, and now the
servant helping at the marriage feast. He sees a complete woman.
"..what have I to do with thee?" John 2:4. What do you and I have to do? What need can we
meet? What shall we agree (covenant) to do together? What rejoicing she must have felt to know
that His mission for God did not exclude her! Instead He expands her roles as a member of His
kingdom, and invites her to go with Him into all the world to serve as she is needed.
Only one hat is withheld from her: the role of Lord in the Lord-mankind partnership. She
cannot Lord it over Him. She cannot usurp His role if she wants Him to be Lord in her relationships.
This she knows. Her own submission to Him echoes in the words she speaks aloud to her fellow
servants: "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it." John 2:5. As they obey Him, their water becomes
wine, and marks a new beginning for all involved with the marriage feast.
As I remember how God's grace blessed our wedding reception, I see His miracle repeated for
us. Our son's marriage forms a new beginning for this mother and son. As a child, he tried to do
what I said, as I tried to guide him. Now my son relates skillfully in every adult role. As did Mary, I
submit to Jesus and determine not to usurp His role as Lord in the midst of these newlyweds, who will
serve Him, not me. Choosing Mary's words to sum my good will for Steve, I say, "Whatsoever He
saith unto you, do it." John 2:5.
Lord, thank You that marriages which include You heighten the joy of the journey. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

How did you restructure your parent-child partnership when you left home to be on your own?
Did you try to acknowledge your parents' success in their task of raising you to adulthood?
Did they convey to you their satisfaction with what you had done to prepare for your adult roles?
Who made the first move? Your parents or you? As a parent, do you convey your satisfaction with
your children's readiness for adult life? Do you give them your blessings without their having
to ask for them?
Can they express their gratitude for your parenting without risking your criticism of the life style they
have chosen? Do they? Do both of you look to God, not each other, to sustain you? Read
Psalm 121:8; 2 Corinthians 12:14.
Just as the last Cana wine was better than the first, so also the divine wine served at last will be
better than the sorrowful cup of suffering Christ drank ere He shed His blood for us. The new
wine we drink with Christ at the marriage feast of the Lamb will fill us with sweet rejoicing
over the restoration of Jesus' bride, who reflects His lovely beauty of character. During this
time of preparation, let us fill our human clay watersports with His word, so that we may know
"whatsoever He saith unto" us, and receive His power to "do it."

November
26
New Beginning for Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law
"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will
spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3:17.
A precious jewel has joined our family. All the light she has sparkles through her unique
personality to all who pause in her presence long enough to match eyes and minds with her. It is no
surprise that her South African homeland, a land rich in gold and diamonds, should send us a jewel
with the beauty of character that she manifests to us. I welcome this new beginning for our family.
Jewels are the hardest stones found in nature. Exquisite beauty gleams from them as their
transparent crystals reflect the light. Unveiling this beauty is the jewel cutter's task. He needs expert
knowledge of the jewels' cleavage planes in order to change them from mere stones to magnificent
jewels. One mere tap of an expert's mallet on the stone may produce a jewel of fame or a jumble of
shattered fragments. Expert sawing, faceting, and polishing also contribute to fitting a jewel for its
excellent place in the golden setting chosen for it.
This jewel's role as Steven's wife allows me to delight in her as my daughter-in-law. How shall
I greet this precious privilege and maximize the joys awaiting us? Expert at cutting jewels I am not.
Too often my vision has blurred the clarity of the lines of cleavage in my relationships. My unskilled
tap of a mallet upon her would surely produce splinters rather than splendor. My sadly inconsistent
efforts at polishing various facets of my own life give me no license to polish her. I might be prone to
value only planes and angles in her behavior that reflect my own views.
With joy I notice the
setting in which she is placed, a gold setting within a marriage partnership with my son, whom I've
long held as our family jewel. At once I see the light of God gleam His will to me for relating to her.
"And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare
them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3:17. God is their Creator. He has
cut them as they need to be cut at this stage of their lives. He has placed them in the setting that fits
them now. He will add whatever refining and polishing they need, as life's circumstances rub against
them. He will make up these two jewels to reflect His image, not mine. I need not tamper with their
marriage and risk tapping them into splinters.
Best of all, I learn that I can treat our new
daughter, as a parent treats a treasured son. Now I feel at home in my role. I have spent many years
relating to my son. God's authority as the Jeweler among us has made him up as a jewel, not a
jumble. He also guides our new mother-daughter (in-law) roles. What might be hard for jewels is
easy for Him. As His love lights our lives, all will see how God's love is like the love mothers-in-law
and daughters-in-law share.
Lord, thanks for giving us a new jewel of a daughter to love. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Are you an "in-law" to some people? If so, have you considered how much they resemble jewels?
Do you want them set aglow with God's love in your area of God's family circle?
Do you want it enough to shine God's love to them?
Are you glad for the strengths God has built into them? Do you prize their firmness of character?
Or have you become irritated at their strength of resistance to fitting into your mold for them?
What a prize you have in those who stand firmly for the light of truth as it appears to them!
Those who stand firmly to reflect the lovelight they have, will ever increase in beauty as their light of
understanding love grows.
Light received by diamond crystals reflects through them and back out again, making the diamonds
seem to glow from the inside. If your jewels seem to have a low glow level, is it because you
are standing in the way of their light source, shining a dim level of love at them, or behaving
in a way that enshrouds them in darkness?
Jewels are light reflectors, not light producers. Remember that God must provide the lovelight that
shines through us to others. If we're true lovers, we'll respond with love, not lamentations, to
others' lack of it.
As members of the bride of Christ, do we relate to one another as gently as we do to a new bride?

November
27
What's the Whether Report?
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth
to meet the bridegroom. ...And at midnight..." Matthew 25:1, 6.
For weeks we have been rejoicing on our journey to heaven's wedding feast, assuming the
weather to be bright and balmy. This parable takes us into the night of trial to see whether the virgins
will meet their destiny or meet with disaster. The need for lamps places us in darkness. Night slows
our progress to a crawl until sleep overtakes us. Long waits seem shorter when we sleep awhile.
Gauging our safety by the sleeping who surround us, we rest in the hope that someone will wake us in
time for the celebration. We'll wake when their alarms sound. We'll sleep as long as they do.
Meanwhile warnings of the bridegroom's soon coming surround us. Multiple tragedies follow
disasters follow catastrophes in our social and natural worlds, but still we sleep. Why not? Sleepers
surround us. Who dares to brave their anger by awaking them? The worse it gets the more we wait
in silence, as if we can escape its damage by ignoring it.
Meanwhile evil stalks among us in the darkness to destroy those who struggle for a sight of
the light that has died in the virgins' lamps. Their hope is blown away by tornadoes of tragedy that
overtake them. What should've wakened to action the virgin possessors of truth's pure light, passes
us by as mere newscasts. Thus countless opportunities to love are lost as we slumber.
But we have our own struggles anyway. Do you think it's easy to identify with a movement
whose Leader is allowing so many to suffer so much? Would you want the job of saying, "Look at the
turmoil that surrounds us because our Bridegroom is coming, and you need to get ready to meet
Him."? Wouldn't you rather identify with the world that suffers this evil than with the One who suffers
it to continue? Winning them to trust God is hard enough when we imitate the world. Irritating them
with holiness could only make it worse. Darkness doesn't take kindly to light, nor do the sleepers
near us.
By now we're awake. It's clear that our lights have gone out. We can hardly believe we've
come so close to going along with evil. Suddenly a clean fear of God emboldens us to shine. The
Bridegroom IS coming, and we need light to fulfill our role in the procession to the marriage feast. We
have the Holy Spirit within us. He has written the law of love in our hearts and minds and produced
His fruit of Christlike character in us. We need only trim up and let it shine in our behavior, so the
Bridegroom will recognize us as His at the door of the feast. But some who have carried the light of
how the Holy Spirit purifies us to love, have not let Him do it within themselves. Too late they go to
buy the oil that prepares them to be a light, not just carry it, in God's kingdom. When they arrive, the
door is shut. "I know you not" meets their disaster.
Lord, Matthew 5:14 states, "Ye are the light of the world." Cause Your lights to shine where You need
us. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

Revelation 22:5 states: "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of
the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."
It's now that we need our lamps shining in this midnight hour before the Bridegroom comes.
Is it possible to shine the light on good without arousing the anger of the evil forces?
How do we deal with persecution when we take a stand to follow Jesus? See Matthew 5:12.
How can we rejoice regardless of the turmoil that surrounds us?
Will it help to know "great is your reward in heaven.."? Matthew 5:12.
How does one behave who rejoices in another's trials and tragedies?
How does one behave who rejoices in meeting the needs of those who suffer tragedies?
Which reflects the beauty of God's character?
In what condition is your lamp (character) for shining God's love?
Does your wick need trimmed of any wick-ed feelings, thoughts, words, or deeds?
Do you need God's forgiveness and cleansing to erase their smoke and smears from your life?
Do you have plenty of oil on hand? in your lamp? glowing in your lighted lamp?

November
28
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb or...
"And He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the
Lamb."
Revelation 19:9.
Revelation 19 is both thrilling in its rejoicing and chilling in its report of the fate of the wicked.
The yes for good to reign requires a final no to evil's reign. Both appear in this chapter, which you
must read for its whole impact. Great rejoicing pervades the announcement: "Let us be glad and
rejoice, and give honour [glory] to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath
made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white
[bright]: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
As we move into the scene, we seek the place that Jesus had gone to prepare for us, so that
we could be where He is. Glad to have gained entrance to this unspeakably joyous celebration, we
stand back as guests, waiting to be seated. But the eyes of Jesus mark us as His bride. We? the
bride? We look down at our wedding garment, the righteousness of the saints, and see its fine linen
glowing clean and bright. We scan the multitude surrounding us, and all we see wear garments
equally as beautiful as our own. As our eyes move from Christ to them to Christ again, each looks to
us as a reflection of the beauty of His character. The music of harmony with God and unity with one
another is indescribable.
We gather around the glistening table and listen in awe, as He says, "Take, eat." We expect
the bread to pass, but instead He extends His open arms in a broad arch before us all. From His nailscarred hands shafts of glorious light bathe us in beauty, as He says, "This is My body." Matthew
26:26. "I have redeemed you; ...you are mine." See Isaiah 43:1.
Joy cascades through us from head to toe, as glorious reality dawns upon us. In marriage the
Bridegroom and His bride become one united whole. He is the Head, and we are the body of Christ.
For us He had left this glory and veiled His divinity in humanity, that He might empower us to become
one with Him in marriage, and be His newly immortal, glorified body.
He raises the cup of new wine and invites us to drink it with Him. Choruses of Alleluia and
praises to the Lamb fill heaven, as we see that we are His reward for the travail He endured for us on
earth. We rejoice to see that He is satisfied with us, His bride.
Now we know why angels do not stop saying, Holy! Holy! Holy! in heaven. The mind of Christ
so fully expressed in every word and deed of His corporate body portrays an incredible demonstration
of integrity. We thrill! United as one in Christ, and as the body of Christ, who is our Head, now what
we DO and SAY perfectly matches what He, our Head, claims to BE: LOVE! In Christ at last our BEING
= our SAYING = our DOING! The glory of Christ expands to the universe. The whole universe joins in
celebrating the vindication of God's character of love and His victory over evil. I wouldn't have
missed this joy for the world.
Read Revelation 19:17-21 about the supper for all who reject Jesus for worldly glory. Then
rejoice in God's promise to us that "as thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deuteronomy 33:25.
Lord, "I am persuaded, that...[nothing]...shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38, 39. Amen. So be it in Jesus.
How do today's concepts relate to you?

How do you imagine the marriage supper in heaven? Can you see how the various illustrations and
parables about the wedding feast blend to bring us into total unity with God in Christ Jesus?
The Husband's role to provide for His bride reaches its ultimate fulfillment in the marriage of the
Greatest Bridegroom to His greatest bride. How does He make sure His bride is ready?
When? What is His goal for us? Read Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:12-16. What do you need to do to
cooperate with His Holy Spirit's work in you now? Now is the only time we ever have.
The seamless robe of Christ's righteousness networks His people into a united body whose loving
obedience brings glory to God. We see it working wherever any soul (person) links one hand
with Jesus and extends the other to another, as needs bring them together in covenant
partnership. All fit into one robe. To refuse to wear the robe in unity with God's people is to
remove oneself from it. We cannot receive the Groom and reject His bride. We are His bride.

November
30
Beauty and the Feast
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is

athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17.
Life's road to heaven grooms the bride
To join the Bridegroom at His side.
By grace that God delights to give
She gains faith, hope, and love to live
Where He's prepared her place to be
From all defiling sin set free.
Our hope of heaven's dim at best:
Our fears we'll fail hide in our chest
To wreck the trust lodged in our heart
That God's Faith guarantees our part
In corporate roles His bride will play
In heaven's marriage feast some day.
Most folks on ugly fare now feast,
They blindly wander after beast.
While rulers try to force their mark
On hands and minds kept in the dark,
The Spirit of the Groom abides
To purify His corporate bride.
Christ seeks to woo His bride to wear
Love's shining armor and prepare
To live her love of truth each day
In ways that won't scare folks away.
Some may forsake their cherished sins
Before the marriage feast begins.
The bride in linen pure and bright,
Unveiled by Christ, who is our Light,
Reveals the beauty He perfects
Till she His character reflects.
In Christlike beauty now she's free
To follow Him eternally!
His body, bride, His city graced
To be His precious dwelling place,
Is drawn from nation, kindred, tongue.
Come one, come all, both old and young,
To live in love and feast for aye
Where Jesus lights our night and day!
The bride is you, the bride is me,
If, one in Christ, we can agree . . . . . . .to love all in God's family!
by Norma Timm
Lord, prepare me to be a member of the bride you wait to see. Amen.
How do today's concepts relate to you?
What inspires you to prepare for the feast?