05302026 New and Clean

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of God who makes us new and clean.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We have seen it happen, both in our own lives and in the lives of others. We long to see true conversions, where there is irrefutable evidence that God has completely changed someone, and we rejoice when we see it happen.

At times we also wonder. Why do we sometimes struggle so much to act like and think like the new person that we are? Why do some of those we work with seem to walk a fine line, at times acting like new creatures, and at times seeming no different than they were before? Why do some continually seem to be on the brink of disaster and ruin?

Only God knows who are the true believers, but for those who are, He is definitely working in their lives. That is His mission with them. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:26-27).

He wants us to be clean and holy. With the old nature that battles within us, we sometimes struggle. We want to see total victory and complete transformation NOW, but God has a longer-range plan. His work is gradual, and He progressively does His cleansing and renewing work. I like to think of the completion date as the coming of Christ, as the below verses indicate. Until we are with Him, He still has time to do His work.

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

Until that day comes, God is determined and committed. He will keep working. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Thank God that He does not give up on us. Thank God that He does not give up on others. You may have people that you have worked with for years – that you have heavily invested in – and those people may have broken your heart with their continued struggles and inconsistency and failures. Today may your heart be encouraged and lifted up with the truth that God does not give up on His children. As long as they keep living and God keeps delaying His return, there is hope.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

05232026 God Is in the Details

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God with big shoulders. Unlike frail humans, God can handle everything that is placed upon Him.

I don’t know how normal this is, but I often find myself able to trust God more in the big picture than in the small details. For example, I might have great peace regarding the outcome of a health situation, but I can be filled with chaos as I consider making arrangements at work, getting to appointments on time, what questions to ask the doctor, or what daily adjustments I have to remember. Or I can trust God with the big picture of my parents’ declining health, but I can be conflicted as I think about getting through a phone call with them, how my plans and schedule might be affected, or how well their daily needs are being met.

So, I ask – Does God deal only with the big picture? Or is He also involved in the details? Case study – the birth of Jesus. Was God in the big picture? This seems like one of the most obvious truths of the Bible. From the very beginning, God had a plan to send His Son into the world as the Redeemer, and the whole Old Testament is a record of how He moved toward that plan. God’s interactions with the patriarchs and the events of Israel’s history were all precursors to God’s big plan. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Okay, that’s the big picture. At the precise time in human history, God sent His Son. But what about the details? Poor Mary asking, “Joseph, is there any way we can delay this trip? Or can I stay here? I think my time is getting close.” God was in that detail, arranging that the Bread of Life would be born in the House of Bread (Bethlehem) as the Scriptures predicted. After they arrived, “Joseph, can’t you find a hotel? Where is the nearest midwife?” God provided a stable, oversaw the birth, and brought shepherds to see the Good Shepherd. “Joseph, what is all the chaos? Are they really threatening to kill our baby?” An angel provided guidance so the family could escape safely to Egypt.

At the same time that God ministered to Mary’s detailed needs, He also ministered to Simeon, who had been praying, “I’m waiting for Your consolation. You have said I will see the Messiah before I die. I’m not getting any younger. When, Lord?” Simeon held Jesus and was ready to die in peace. Meanwhile, God was fulfilling prophecy. “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying” (Matthew 1:22). Yes, big picture – fulfill prophecy. But those fulfilled prophecies played out in details – the virgin birth, descended from Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, descended from David, born in Bethlehem, worshipped and given gifts, the slaughter of innocents, the flight to and return from Egypt. God was in the details of a misunderstood pregnancy, a timely taxation, travel requirements, a special star, curious scholars, the stops those scholars took along the way, and a jealous king.

A similar story could be told about the death of Jesus. Big picture – did it happen at the right time? Yes, Daniel’s weeks were precisely fulfilled, and Jesus’ death came at the right time in human history. It happened appropriately (and prophetically) at Passover, just when the Jewish leaders were most concerned that it NOT happen.

The big picture was right, but what about the details? Consider all the details that occurred just in the 24 hours before Jesus’ death. He was betrayed by a friend. That betrayal was for a very specific amount of money. The betrayer suffered remorse, killed himself, and the blood money was used to purchase a public burial field. Jesus’ disciples fled in the garden. Peter betrayed Jesus – three times – and then a rooster crowed. False witnesses provided the “evidence” that truth never could have furnished. Jesus suffered silently. Jesus was beaten, spit on, had His beard plucked, was pierced in His hands, feet, and side, but none of His bones were broken. The physical abuse made Him appear less than human. Jesus was mocked publicly, His garments were distributed, and lots were cast for His coat. He was given vinegar to drink. He was forsaken by God. He died with criminals but was buried with the wealthy. He was taken down and entombed before nightfall. Even if some prophecies are combined, there are still over thirty prophecies, and these are very specific details that God oversaw, controlled, and brought about during that one dark day.

Okay, but apart from Jesus, does God do this for ordinary believers (besides those included in the considerations above)? Case study – Elijah. Elijah trusts God for the big picture, as he delivers the profound prediction that there would be no rain for three years. Now what? Both the proclamation and the ramifications of that prediction created a lot of questions in the world of details. “How will I evade the king’s wrath? How will I survive the drought?” God sent Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith. The brook provided water, and ravens brought food. But then the brook dried up. “Um, God, I’m hungry and thirsty. Now what?” God sent Elijah to Zarephath. Watch these details! He was sent to a specific woman, who was a widow. He met that woman as soon as he got to the gate of the city. He met the woman on exactly the right day; this was the last day she was gathering sticks for her last fire to cook her last meal. We could continue looking at Elijah’s story and the great battle on Mount Carmel, but it is clear that God did not use Elijah in His big picture without also giving very careful attention to the concerning details that resulted in Elijah’s life.

We have a saying, “The devil’s in the details,” meaning that it is often the little things that trip us up, even though the big plan appears to be fine. From a human perspective, I agree that I have a tendency to trip up more over the details. However, I must learn to confidently declare: “God is in the details,” because HE IS! “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Peter 5:7). God cares about the concerning details just as He cares about the big picture, and I must trust Him for the details as well as for the big picture. His shoulders are big enough, and His mind is wise enough.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

05162026 It Works Every Time

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our great Helper. How many times has He helped?!

I’m sure no one else can relate to this (just kidding!), but I’ve been thinking lately about how often I need help. About how often I have an angry bear inside me as I try to deal with life – and then the times when there are two angry bears, and they are fighting with each other! I get overwhelmed. Life seems impossible. Or at least my current day seems impossible. Very quickly and easily I can fall into the trap of my own dark or frustrated thoughts, and they want to spiral downward.

When this happens, I try to remind myself to talk to God about it. To tell Him just like it is. “This isn’t what I want, but it is how I am right now, so please help me.” I don’t always remember to do this right away, but the sooner I do it, the better things go, and the faster things resolve.

I have found this verse (among many others) to be true. “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:3). So frequently after the “help-my-angry-bear” prayers, I find myself realizing that God has done exactly what I have asked. It may be 30 minutes later or a few hours later, but I come to realize that the angry bears have gone to sleep. I am functioning. My spirit is calm. I am at peace.

How does that happen? It certainly is not because I have great self-control or power over my spirit. It is no mind game. It is no humanly-devised strategy. No, no. It is the help of my loving and caring and compassionate God who listens to my prayers for help and who does in my spirit what I cannot do for myself. God wants to help. He wants me to have victory. All I need to do is humbly ask.

My circumstances might not change. The craziness of my day might not change. But my spirit can change with God’s help. Oh, that I would remember to ask Him more quickly and more often!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

05092026 Compassionate Knowledge

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our compassionate God. This week I found comfort in considering three stages of God’s compassion. I think you will find this to be a blessing.

First, God has compassion because He knows how weak we are. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). God knows our weak frame, made of dust. That is a very personal knowledge. God knows our weak frame when it comes to our heart, our brain, our gut, our knees, our back, our chronic conditions, our recurring illnesses, our hormones, and every other part of us. The combination of weak spots is unique to each of us (and changes through the years); God knows the peculiar weakness of our distinct mixture of frailties.

God has known our unique weaknesses from the very beginning. “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16). God knows how our weaknesses are stretched or aggravated along the journey. “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path” (Psalm 142:3). “But he knoweth the way that I take” (Job 23:10). God knows all of this because it is all according to His design, plan, oversight, and orchestration.

Second, God’s compassion makes Him receptive to our prayers and desirous to help us. Jesus learned something of weakness and of the temptations that accompany human frailty. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 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 4:15-16).

God cares for us in our weakness. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  God wants to give us the grace to endure and the strength to continue forward.

Third, God’s compassion makes Him a wonderful refuge for us. Because we are weak, we find ourselves in impossible situations. We are incapable of evaluating and making decisions – incapable of achieving resolutions – often we are incapable even of understanding the basics of what is going on. We find ourselves embroiled “in great matters, … in things too high” for us to figure out (Psalm 131:1). When our brains are too weak, we can lay aside the futile and draining mental exercise, and we can quiet ourselves in God’s care. “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child” (Psalm 131:2).

I find this picture so helpful in my weakness. I can just sit on God’s lap, so to speak, lean back against Him, and let His arms wrap around me. Meanwhile, He understands everything and can take care of the impossible situation. He takes us into His care and gently shelters us. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings” (Psalm 61:2,4).

I am weak. God knows that. Because He knows, He cares. Because He cares, He helps. I can place my weak body, my weak mind, my weak emotions, my weak sprit in His care. I can lean back in His embrace, hide in His safe height, dwell safely in His house, and rest snugly secure under His wings. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

May God’s knowledgeable compassion and caring support carry you through your moments of weakness.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

05022026 The Birds Teach

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of nature. I’m not referring to a pagan deity or to Mother Earth, but to the One who is the God of all nature. God made it all, and God uses it all for His purposes. In every sense – from origin to preservation to value, He is nature’s God.

God has made nature a valuable resource for mankind. It provides food, the basis for medicines, materials for shelter, and components for clothing. Beyond these practical provisions, nature also provides for the spirit of man through its beauty, tranquility, complexity, and diversity.

I am glad for this latter provision, because I have very much appreciated the benefits of nature to my spirit. I like to get out and walk or sit, absorbing the sunshine and discovering beauty. I especially enjoy learning and looking for different types of birds – (sixty different species this morning). Whenever I am out, my spirit is refreshed. Paul exhorted believers to trust “in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

Jesus Himself would go to a quiet place to commune with His Father, and He acknowledged the therapeutic benefit of retreating into the quiet of nature. “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31).

Beyond the benefits already listed, God also has designed nature to teach us. Nature helps us to understand some of His characteristics – His love of order and beauty and His creativity. Some truths about God are so evident that they are universally known. It is almost as if the animals and birds and fish have absorbed this knowledge and can teach it to people. “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee” (Job 12:7-8).

It seems evident that there is not an actual conversation between animals and people (except that donkey and Balaam!). I believe the teaching referenced in the above verse has to do with observation. Job was saying in essence, “Just look at the natural world around you, and you will learn the evident truths about God. His truth is everywhere displayed!”

There is general instruction, and sometimes there is very specific instruction. Jesus taught more than once by referencing the birds. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

Many years ago I thought I would do a Bible study on the birds of the Bible, trying to learn some of God’s lessons. I got sidetracked, and that study got put on a shelf without making much progress. Recently, I have pulled it out again. The project is pretty immense, and the progress is kind of slow, but I am looking forward to “asking the fowls of the air” and letting them speak God’s lessons to me. One of those precious lessons is in the previous paragraph – that God cares for us more than He does for the creatures, and He will surely take care of us, since He takes care of the tiny birds. May you know His care today. And maybe find a few minutes this week to enjoy His creation.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA