“When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.” Jonah 3:10
As parents, we have all extended judgment on our children when they have disobeyed causing us to take action to discipline, teach and mold their lives. Likewise, at some point as parents we have all issued punishment to our children only to relent from the full degree of punishment we originally promised. We might have shortened the time of grounding or given back a privilege earlier than stated. Why? Most likely, we saw a remorseful and repentant heart and act on that attitude. By changing our initial punishment for our children we are neither condoning disobedience nor changing our mind about the infraction, but simply responding to their heart of reconciliation. If during that time we continued to witness an unchanged heart, the full extent of the punishment would be carried out.
I believe God as Father works in the same attitude in our lives. His discipline will always be aligned with His love for us and our response to Him. He will give us a certain timeline in which to respond before He acts on our disobedience. Even in Ninevah, with all of their wickedness and evil ways He gave them a caveat in which to repent. ‘Yet forty days and Ninevah will be overthrown.’ Jonah 3:4. The forty day span was their time to turn. It was their caveat of grace which they could have ignored but instead they responded with repentance, gratitude and hope in a forgiving God.
‘Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!’ Isaiah 30:18. I love the definition of ‘long for’ as stated in my thesaurus. It states, ‘longing for is extending in time or space beyond what is considered normal, reasonable desirable.’
That is our God…extending beyond….
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
If...
“O LORD, God of our fathers…Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not…and give it…? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us…we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us. For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.’ This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s…Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…’” 2 Chr. 20:6-17
This exchange out of the Old Testament brings excitement to my soul. They possessed complete confidence in the unseen God against the impending and visible military attack of their enemies. This is the kind of spiritual confidence I want to possess when facing my calamities. ‘IF…I WILL STAND IN YOUR PRESENCE…I WILL CRY OUT…YOU WILL HEAR AND SAVE!’ This proclamation is sweet fragrance rising to God in Heaven and precious to His heart. He sees our heart resolved in receiving His presence in the good and the bad. He hears the pleading of His children needing their parental comfort, love and nurturing. He blesses our confidence in our Savior as we display our belief in deliverance.
We can have 2 Chronicles trust when we allow God to do what says He will do. ‘The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ Deut 31:8
Since the creation, no battle has been too great and no enemy has been too strong for the hand of God to deliver the situation. God always goes ahead of us and prepares the way for us. We never begin any journey without God preparing our hearts, our faith and our resolution.
Notice in the Scripture above that ‘power and might are in His hand.’ Apparently a battle this massive was upon them…and God did it with one hand behind His back. Our worst day and biggest battle is no match for God.
This exchange out of the Old Testament brings excitement to my soul. They possessed complete confidence in the unseen God against the impending and visible military attack of their enemies. This is the kind of spiritual confidence I want to possess when facing my calamities. ‘IF…I WILL STAND IN YOUR PRESENCE…I WILL CRY OUT…YOU WILL HEAR AND SAVE!’ This proclamation is sweet fragrance rising to God in Heaven and precious to His heart. He sees our heart resolved in receiving His presence in the good and the bad. He hears the pleading of His children needing their parental comfort, love and nurturing. He blesses our confidence in our Savior as we display our belief in deliverance.
We can have 2 Chronicles trust when we allow God to do what says He will do. ‘The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ Deut 31:8
Since the creation, no battle has been too great and no enemy has been too strong for the hand of God to deliver the situation. God always goes ahead of us and prepares the way for us. We never begin any journey without God preparing our hearts, our faith and our resolution.
Notice in the Scripture above that ‘power and might are in His hand.’ Apparently a battle this massive was upon them…and God did it with one hand behind His back. Our worst day and biggest battle is no match for God.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Spiritual Bouquets
“When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed…But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.” 1 Co. 15:37-38
“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Co. 3:7
It was a crisp beautiful day as my sister, Beth found herself with a little extra energy in between her chemo sessions. She gathered her planting materials and seeds as she had done many times before. But, this time was different for she would never see the blooms burst forth in the spring. In March, God called her to join Him in a new life, an eternal life. I had gone over to her home in April to keep her daughter, and as I crested the hill I saw earth’s bouquet of beautiful pink flowers where Beth had planted the seeds. Although she never saw the beauty of the work of her hands, the blooms were enjoyed and experienced by others.
The same is true of our daily service to God. When we serve we will never know the impact of our service. Our testimonies spoken today will plant seeds of hope and beauty for tomorrow. The gentleness of our hearts sharing past pain with those presently suffering plant the seed of comfort and compassion deep into the soil of hearts.
We move forward in our lives with Christ, sowing more seeds trusting God to make them grow in His timing. Hopefully, in our wake are spiritual bouquets bursting forth in beauty and fragrance. We should never underestimate the work of our hands for God uses every seed planted to harvest transformation, reconciliation and spiritual revival.
We will produce amazing spiritual bouquets when our ordinary seeds of service are touched by our extraordinary God.
“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Co. 3:7
It was a crisp beautiful day as my sister, Beth found herself with a little extra energy in between her chemo sessions. She gathered her planting materials and seeds as she had done many times before. But, this time was different for she would never see the blooms burst forth in the spring. In March, God called her to join Him in a new life, an eternal life. I had gone over to her home in April to keep her daughter, and as I crested the hill I saw earth’s bouquet of beautiful pink flowers where Beth had planted the seeds. Although she never saw the beauty of the work of her hands, the blooms were enjoyed and experienced by others.
The same is true of our daily service to God. When we serve we will never know the impact of our service. Our testimonies spoken today will plant seeds of hope and beauty for tomorrow. The gentleness of our hearts sharing past pain with those presently suffering plant the seed of comfort and compassion deep into the soil of hearts.
We move forward in our lives with Christ, sowing more seeds trusting God to make them grow in His timing. Hopefully, in our wake are spiritual bouquets bursting forth in beauty and fragrance. We should never underestimate the work of our hands for God uses every seed planted to harvest transformation, reconciliation and spiritual revival.
We will produce amazing spiritual bouquets when our ordinary seeds of service are touched by our extraordinary God.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Precious Thorns
“…there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” 2 Cor. 12:7-9
This is one of the most recited verses in all of the Bible. People will whisper these encouraging words into the ears of a heartbroken person in grief. These are words written in cards for encouragement as a parent sits beside their child’s hospital bed. They were the words my parents and grandmother faithfully recited to me when my faith wasn’t enough as my daughter was homeless and drug addicted. And now, God has lifted these words out of the ink and written them upon my heart this morning and ‘I must boast in the Lord.’
Over the past month or two I have been in a serious state of self doubt as a Christian as my ‘Christ-like attitude’ waned. My compassion had been replaced with impatience and my love had been substituted with frustration and irritation. Caregiving is not for the faint of heart for sure. During these months of self-doubt, Satan certainly tormented me bringing me into agreement with his message instead of God’s. He convinced me daily that I was not the kind of Christian God could use anymore since my attitude was less than lovely. He convinced me that my devotionals were fraudulent as I wrote of trying to respond like Christ only for me to respond in anger, bitterness then self-condemnation in the privacy of my own home. I was allowing Satan to use my weaknesses for his glory instead of using my weaknesses for God’s glory.
I would go to the Well each morning but seemingly as I departed from the well my bucket would become lighter as I was aware my peace was dissipating into thin air. Much like Paul, I go to the source many times during the day and plead that my thorn of ‘less than lovely attitude’ be removed. God has shown me this morning (and I must boast in Him) that my thorn is my complete dependency for these out of control emotions. He wants to show me another level of grace – sustaining grace. This is grace that is living and breathing as sustenance in being successful in this season. This is grace that will show others as I testify that only by surrendering this thorn many times during the day will grace be mine. It is only displayed in my weaknesses so instead of condemning myself I will boast in the Lord for His strength and power to be displayed.
I have known and experienced the sufficient grace of God in my grief after losing my sister and dad to cancer. I am an adopted child of God through Christ’s saving grace. I am now in receipt of God’s sustaining and enabling grace as I walk through the fire and my thorn is my constant awareness that I cannot produce an attitude of Christ on my own and apart from God. My thorn of uncontrolled emotions can only be settled by my complete reliance on God continually. My commentary states, ‘It is when we are conscious of our own weakness and nothingness that we most depend on the power of God. And it is when we are thus cast on Him in complete dependence that His power is manifested to us, and we are truly strong. And it continues to be God’s answering to his suffering people throughout the world. Better than the removal of trials and sufferings is the companionship of the Son of God in them, and the assurance of His strength and enabling grace.’ p. 1866.
‘As I boast in Him…’
This is one of the most recited verses in all of the Bible. People will whisper these encouraging words into the ears of a heartbroken person in grief. These are words written in cards for encouragement as a parent sits beside their child’s hospital bed. They were the words my parents and grandmother faithfully recited to me when my faith wasn’t enough as my daughter was homeless and drug addicted. And now, God has lifted these words out of the ink and written them upon my heart this morning and ‘I must boast in the Lord.’
Over the past month or two I have been in a serious state of self doubt as a Christian as my ‘Christ-like attitude’ waned. My compassion had been replaced with impatience and my love had been substituted with frustration and irritation. Caregiving is not for the faint of heart for sure. During these months of self-doubt, Satan certainly tormented me bringing me into agreement with his message instead of God’s. He convinced me daily that I was not the kind of Christian God could use anymore since my attitude was less than lovely. He convinced me that my devotionals were fraudulent as I wrote of trying to respond like Christ only for me to respond in anger, bitterness then self-condemnation in the privacy of my own home. I was allowing Satan to use my weaknesses for his glory instead of using my weaknesses for God’s glory.
I would go to the Well each morning but seemingly as I departed from the well my bucket would become lighter as I was aware my peace was dissipating into thin air. Much like Paul, I go to the source many times during the day and plead that my thorn of ‘less than lovely attitude’ be removed. God has shown me this morning (and I must boast in Him) that my thorn is my complete dependency for these out of control emotions. He wants to show me another level of grace – sustaining grace. This is grace that is living and breathing as sustenance in being successful in this season. This is grace that will show others as I testify that only by surrendering this thorn many times during the day will grace be mine. It is only displayed in my weaknesses so instead of condemning myself I will boast in the Lord for His strength and power to be displayed.
I have known and experienced the sufficient grace of God in my grief after losing my sister and dad to cancer. I am an adopted child of God through Christ’s saving grace. I am now in receipt of God’s sustaining and enabling grace as I walk through the fire and my thorn is my constant awareness that I cannot produce an attitude of Christ on my own and apart from God. My thorn of uncontrolled emotions can only be settled by my complete reliance on God continually. My commentary states, ‘It is when we are conscious of our own weakness and nothingness that we most depend on the power of God. And it is when we are thus cast on Him in complete dependence that His power is manifested to us, and we are truly strong. And it continues to be God’s answering to his suffering people throughout the world. Better than the removal of trials and sufferings is the companionship of the Son of God in them, and the assurance of His strength and enabling grace.’ p. 1866.
‘As I boast in Him…’
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Our Ninevahs
“Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach…” Jonah 1:2
“Then Jesus came to them and said… ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded…and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20
A few thousand years passed between God’s instructions to Jonah and Jesus’ instructions to His disciples. God’s heart always has been and always will be on transforming the heart from man to the heart of God. As Hebrews 13:8 states, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ These OT and NT verses speak to this truth.
Fast forward a few more thousand years as we put our spiritual lives under the divine telescope. If Christ never changes then we have to assume that this command, the Great Commission, is active and alive being our standing orders in 2010 also. This was not a one time command for a certain group of people. In the Greek language the word for ‘go’ is better translated as ‘going.’ Priscilla Shirer states, ‘In other words, the command to make disciples should be accomplished while believers are going about their business.’ Jonah, Navigating a Life Interrupted, p. 106
Jesus was not speaking to a group of evangelists but rather a group of believers, supporters and lovers of God. We all have our own Ninevahs, our circle of influence, which we must be called upon to testify, witness and seek followers of Christ. Is your Ninevah standing in the grocery store line and sharing your testimony with someone who seems lost? Is your Ninevah taking a stand for Christ at work when distasteful jokes or language is going around? Is your Ninevah accepting an opportunity to partner with God in your church or community?
God has always had the heart of man as first priority since the Creation. Wherever He commands us to ‘go about our business,’ He will supply the provision to accomplish the Great Commission.
Where is your Ninevah?
“Then Jesus came to them and said… ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded…and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20
A few thousand years passed between God’s instructions to Jonah and Jesus’ instructions to His disciples. God’s heart always has been and always will be on transforming the heart from man to the heart of God. As Hebrews 13:8 states, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ These OT and NT verses speak to this truth.
Fast forward a few more thousand years as we put our spiritual lives under the divine telescope. If Christ never changes then we have to assume that this command, the Great Commission, is active and alive being our standing orders in 2010 also. This was not a one time command for a certain group of people. In the Greek language the word for ‘go’ is better translated as ‘going.’ Priscilla Shirer states, ‘In other words, the command to make disciples should be accomplished while believers are going about their business.’ Jonah, Navigating a Life Interrupted, p. 106
Jesus was not speaking to a group of evangelists but rather a group of believers, supporters and lovers of God. We all have our own Ninevahs, our circle of influence, which we must be called upon to testify, witness and seek followers of Christ. Is your Ninevah standing in the grocery store line and sharing your testimony with someone who seems lost? Is your Ninevah taking a stand for Christ at work when distasteful jokes or language is going around? Is your Ninevah accepting an opportunity to partner with God in your church or community?
God has always had the heart of man as first priority since the Creation. Wherever He commands us to ‘go about our business,’ He will supply the provision to accomplish the Great Commission.
Where is your Ninevah?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
What's Next God?
“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Ninevah and proclaim to it the message I give you.’” Jonah 3:2
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.” John 16:12
My dear father-in-law is in the severe stage of Alzheimer’s as he tries to navigate his days through the confusion of the disease. When he first came to live with us six months ago I would speak to him in the same manner I spoke to other family members. A simple request would turn in to frustration on both of our parts. The request to get his jacket and sunglasses from his room would be lost by the time he got to his room. If my instructions included more than one thing at a time everything unraveled fairly quickly. I learned that for him to be successful I had to reveal my request one step at a time. His trust lay squarely on the shoulders of the person requesting something from him. He could never have accomplished a series of requests with the limited capacity to understand.
Both of the verses above support the idea that God will reveal His plan for our lives in connection with the ability for us to receive. There are been many times in my life when I realize that it was through the grace of God that I didn’t realize certain things. When Kristen began her journey into drug addiction I always felt that reconciliation was right around the corner. If God had revealed that I would be immersed in this deep valley for 8 years I couldn’t bear it. He knows not only what capacity we possess to understand but also what revelations we can and cannot handle.
Another example of God revealing one step at a time is to build discipline and trust. Anytime I spend time with my grandson Carson he is always looking to the next event. During time with him at the McDonald’s playground the other day he yelled from the top of the playground slide with french fries and Happy Meal toy. As he was enjoying one blessing he wanted to know what we would be doing after McDonald's. He wants to know the ‘line-up of events’ instead of experiencing the revelation one by one.
Whether our revelations are doled out to us by God due to our limited capacities or our need for spiritual discipline we must respect His timing, His knowledge and His purpose for our lives. We all have a desire to know the ‘line-up of events’ like Carson. I wonder how long my father-in-law will suffer with Alzheimer’s and when will my college graduate get a job. I wonder where ELM will be in one year and what plans God has for this ministry. It is human nature to wonder about the future but it is spiritual nature to receive God’s plan one step at a time and use that stepping stone to move forward. You will eventually get to the spiritual spot God has for you.
If we are always looking towards what is next we will miss the blessings of what is now.
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.” John 16:12
My dear father-in-law is in the severe stage of Alzheimer’s as he tries to navigate his days through the confusion of the disease. When he first came to live with us six months ago I would speak to him in the same manner I spoke to other family members. A simple request would turn in to frustration on both of our parts. The request to get his jacket and sunglasses from his room would be lost by the time he got to his room. If my instructions included more than one thing at a time everything unraveled fairly quickly. I learned that for him to be successful I had to reveal my request one step at a time. His trust lay squarely on the shoulders of the person requesting something from him. He could never have accomplished a series of requests with the limited capacity to understand.
Both of the verses above support the idea that God will reveal His plan for our lives in connection with the ability for us to receive. There are been many times in my life when I realize that it was through the grace of God that I didn’t realize certain things. When Kristen began her journey into drug addiction I always felt that reconciliation was right around the corner. If God had revealed that I would be immersed in this deep valley for 8 years I couldn’t bear it. He knows not only what capacity we possess to understand but also what revelations we can and cannot handle.
Another example of God revealing one step at a time is to build discipline and trust. Anytime I spend time with my grandson Carson he is always looking to the next event. During time with him at the McDonald’s playground the other day he yelled from the top of the playground slide with french fries and Happy Meal toy. As he was enjoying one blessing he wanted to know what we would be doing after McDonald's. He wants to know the ‘line-up of events’ instead of experiencing the revelation one by one.
Whether our revelations are doled out to us by God due to our limited capacities or our need for spiritual discipline we must respect His timing, His knowledge and His purpose for our lives. We all have a desire to know the ‘line-up of events’ like Carson. I wonder how long my father-in-law will suffer with Alzheimer’s and when will my college graduate get a job. I wonder where ELM will be in one year and what plans God has for this ministry. It is human nature to wonder about the future but it is spiritual nature to receive God’s plan one step at a time and use that stepping stone to move forward. You will eventually get to the spiritual spot God has for you.
If we are always looking towards what is next we will miss the blessings of what is now.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Recognizing God's Delivery
“Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” 2 Kings 5:10
This story is both easy to relate to and applicable to our lives. Naaman was a man who suffered with leprosy and was at the end of his rope. He sent a message to the king of Israel to heal him and put him out of his misery. The king deferred to Elisha, God’s prophet, who immediately sent for Naaman for healing. What follows is a remarkable story of not recognizing God’s deliverance. Elisha instructed Naaman to go to the River Jordan, wash himself seven times in the river and he would be healed. Naaman became outraged as he had already determined that this was a ridiculous answer to his problem. He went on to tell Elisha a better way for God’s healing to come.
How many times do we get to the point of frustration and pain calling upon God to save us, deliver us and heal us only to scoff at God’s path for us? We ask for direction which we do not take. We are told much like Naaman to ‘Go, do and be restored’ but we cannot seem to accept the passage of delivery.
In the Bible, the number seven symbolizes completion and in this case it could possible mean complete obedience. We must be in complete trust and obedience when asking for God to intervene on our behalf. He does not take our petitions lightly and will not steer us wrong. By following His will and His timing we will receive the cleansing of the flesh and renew the joy of our spirit.
One of the reasons Naaman refused the Jordan was that he felt it was too dirty and the rivers near his home were much cleaner. Little did he realize the very river from which he would receive healing was the same body of water in which our precious Jesus was baptized and indwelled with the Holy Spirit years later. Thankfully, Naaman listened to the encouragement of godly counsel who redirected him back to God’s mouthpiece, Elisha. Naaman surrendered his preconceived notion of the passage for restoration and eventually trusted God’s way. ‘So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as a man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.’ 2 Kings 5:14.
This story is both easy to relate to and applicable to our lives. Naaman was a man who suffered with leprosy and was at the end of his rope. He sent a message to the king of Israel to heal him and put him out of his misery. The king deferred to Elisha, God’s prophet, who immediately sent for Naaman for healing. What follows is a remarkable story of not recognizing God’s deliverance. Elisha instructed Naaman to go to the River Jordan, wash himself seven times in the river and he would be healed. Naaman became outraged as he had already determined that this was a ridiculous answer to his problem. He went on to tell Elisha a better way for God’s healing to come.
How many times do we get to the point of frustration and pain calling upon God to save us, deliver us and heal us only to scoff at God’s path for us? We ask for direction which we do not take. We are told much like Naaman to ‘Go, do and be restored’ but we cannot seem to accept the passage of delivery.
In the Bible, the number seven symbolizes completion and in this case it could possible mean complete obedience. We must be in complete trust and obedience when asking for God to intervene on our behalf. He does not take our petitions lightly and will not steer us wrong. By following His will and His timing we will receive the cleansing of the flesh and renew the joy of our spirit.
One of the reasons Naaman refused the Jordan was that he felt it was too dirty and the rivers near his home were much cleaner. Little did he realize the very river from which he would receive healing was the same body of water in which our precious Jesus was baptized and indwelled with the Holy Spirit years later. Thankfully, Naaman listened to the encouragement of godly counsel who redirected him back to God’s mouthpiece, Elisha. Naaman surrendered his preconceived notion of the passage for restoration and eventually trusted God’s way. ‘So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as a man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.’ 2 Kings 5:14.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sold Into Slavery
“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph…Come close to me…I am…the one you sold into [slavery] Egypt! And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me…’” Genesis 45:3-5
This is one of the most beautiful acts of divine forgiveness we are given to exemplify our lives regarding relationships. In our lives we will walk the path of Joseph who has been sold out or the path of the brothers who did the selling. Both are heart wrenching experiences as I have walked both journeys.
When my daughter chose a life of addiction and darkness I was ‘sold into slavery.’ Hopelessness and sadness held me captive and the jail cell was dark. I was imprisoned for many years waiting on a hero to break me free. I had based my freedom on a resolution instead of a promise from God who brings everything under His control. Finally, I came to Him for a rescue – but not a rescue for my daughter. I came to Him for deliverance from my captivity apart from my daughter. Six years into my imprisonment He breathed life into my captivity with Psalm 107:14-16. ‘He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.’ But the story didn’t end here for me.
God doesn’t just rescue us and get on with life. He makes our captivity count! He takes what was pain and suffering and turns them into ministries. ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’ Gen 50:20
Both my daughter and my testimonies are to give complete glory to the LORD who gave complete deliverance to us! What better good is that?
This is one of the most beautiful acts of divine forgiveness we are given to exemplify our lives regarding relationships. In our lives we will walk the path of Joseph who has been sold out or the path of the brothers who did the selling. Both are heart wrenching experiences as I have walked both journeys.
When my daughter chose a life of addiction and darkness I was ‘sold into slavery.’ Hopelessness and sadness held me captive and the jail cell was dark. I was imprisoned for many years waiting on a hero to break me free. I had based my freedom on a resolution instead of a promise from God who brings everything under His control. Finally, I came to Him for a rescue – but not a rescue for my daughter. I came to Him for deliverance from my captivity apart from my daughter. Six years into my imprisonment He breathed life into my captivity with Psalm 107:14-16. ‘He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.’ But the story didn’t end here for me.
God doesn’t just rescue us and get on with life. He makes our captivity count! He takes what was pain and suffering and turns them into ministries. ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’ Gen 50:20
Both my daughter and my testimonies are to give complete glory to the LORD who gave complete deliverance to us! What better good is that?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Building Nurseries
Three different times in my life have marked major milestones as I prepared for the birth of each of my children. Every action was analyzed and measured up against the good of the baby for whom I was carrying. My indwelling was the center of every thought, action and feeling. I believe every woman can relate to this suspended season in time as we prepared for the delivery and were expectant of receiving the delivery. Our expectancy of the delivery was absolute and imminent.
Whether we are male or female, each of us carries within us the indwelling of Christ through the Holy Spirit. This is not a season of time or a 9 month incubation period but rather a lifetime inhabitance that Christ has freely given us.
We carry within us One who promises everything but do we really believe in the delivery? Do we build nurseries of faith with colors of trust, belief and expectancy? Do we adjust our spiritual wardrobe and clothe ourselves with the expanding faith that will ensure comfort?
We will most assuredly birth a new life if we give the day to day attention of nurturing the indwelling of Christ and expecting the delivery no matter what life is producing. We will not only enjoy the birth but will experience the growth from spiritual infancy to mature Christian.
Just as our babies were taught day by day the essential elements for healthy growth, we too as Christians must never quit learning about and feeding upon the spiritual nourishment of His Word.
What does your nursery look like?
Whether we are male or female, each of us carries within us the indwelling of Christ through the Holy Spirit. This is not a season of time or a 9 month incubation period but rather a lifetime inhabitance that Christ has freely given us.
We carry within us One who promises everything but do we really believe in the delivery? Do we build nurseries of faith with colors of trust, belief and expectancy? Do we adjust our spiritual wardrobe and clothe ourselves with the expanding faith that will ensure comfort?
We will most assuredly birth a new life if we give the day to day attention of nurturing the indwelling of Christ and expecting the delivery no matter what life is producing. We will not only enjoy the birth but will experience the growth from spiritual infancy to mature Christian.
Just as our babies were taught day by day the essential elements for healthy growth, we too as Christians must never quit learning about and feeding upon the spiritual nourishment of His Word.
What does your nursery look like?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Praise Apart From Pain
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habukkuk 3:17-18
Many of you I am sure have heard of the Christian group Casting Crowns. In the passage above Habukkuk, the prophet, creates his own version of Praise Him In The Storm. It is the heart felt vow to praise God apart from life’s circumstances. It is the passionate praise to a God who is identified in this prayer as Savior with the prophet’s complete expectation of a rescue. It is a pattern for which we should pray to a God who keeps His promises and always shows His faithfulness.
The deficiencies in Habukkuk’s life were huge as they were necessities in life as he knew it to be. We too cry out when our circumstances threaten the parts of our lives that strike so close to home. Hebrews 13:15 instructs us that ‘Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.’
It is so easy to find ourselves complaining and rehearsing the things in our lives that cause us pain and anxiety. The fruit of our lips should carry the sweetness of praise and gratitude to the God that provides everything and rescues His children from anything. We should lift our praise no matter what life brings, what pain we feel or what emotion we are temporarily experiencing.
Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish was propelled to Heaven by the passion in his praise. He was still facing the most frightening circumstances without resolution. The commentary in my Bible study sums it up best. ‘He was expressing his gratitude to God for the preservation and protection He had already graciously allowed the wayward prophet. Even in the midst of a situation still marked by peril and danger, Jonah prayed with thanksgiving. His vow to the Lord was a promise to praise Him even though he did not know how the Lord would allow the circumstance to work itself out.'
Our natural tendency is to use our lips to complain about our trials. We must make intentional ‘chin music’ as my dad use to say and praise Him for what we are in receipt of now instead of what we deem missing in our lives.
Many of you I am sure have heard of the Christian group Casting Crowns. In the passage above Habukkuk, the prophet, creates his own version of Praise Him In The Storm. It is the heart felt vow to praise God apart from life’s circumstances. It is the passionate praise to a God who is identified in this prayer as Savior with the prophet’s complete expectation of a rescue. It is a pattern for which we should pray to a God who keeps His promises and always shows His faithfulness.
The deficiencies in Habukkuk’s life were huge as they were necessities in life as he knew it to be. We too cry out when our circumstances threaten the parts of our lives that strike so close to home. Hebrews 13:15 instructs us that ‘Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.’
It is so easy to find ourselves complaining and rehearsing the things in our lives that cause us pain and anxiety. The fruit of our lips should carry the sweetness of praise and gratitude to the God that provides everything and rescues His children from anything. We should lift our praise no matter what life brings, what pain we feel or what emotion we are temporarily experiencing.
Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish was propelled to Heaven by the passion in his praise. He was still facing the most frightening circumstances without resolution. The commentary in my Bible study sums it up best. ‘He was expressing his gratitude to God for the preservation and protection He had already graciously allowed the wayward prophet. Even in the midst of a situation still marked by peril and danger, Jonah prayed with thanksgiving. His vow to the Lord was a promise to praise Him even though he did not know how the Lord would allow the circumstance to work itself out.'
Our natural tendency is to use our lips to complain about our trials. We must make intentional ‘chin music’ as my dad use to say and praise Him for what we are in receipt of now instead of what we deem missing in our lives.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Tight Fisted
“Whatever you are holding on to in this life, hold it loosely so it won’t hurt when the Lord has to pry your fingers open to take it away.” Anonymous church member after the sermon of Chuck Swindoll
I love the words of the elderly who view life from the lens of the past and the wisdom of the present. This advice was given by an elderly woman to the minister after he had shared a concern he had for one of his children. We can all relate to the challenges of letting go when it comes to our kids.
Other grips not so easily recognized are the grips we have on what I consider ‘justified rights to feel’. I am speaking of something very personal in my own search for surrender. In the past I have become very comfortable and settled in my ‘lazy boy of judgment’ as I experience a relationship in my life that has continuously beckoned my forgiveness. At some point along the way, I got tired and lazy of trying, of forgiving and of loving. It was much easier to simply close my fist on these emotions and hold on to them as justified rights. Satan fueled my tight grip by telling me that I had every right to be angry, bitter and resentful. He kept pointing out the infractions against me in the past and assured me there would be more in the present and future. Why is it so easy to believe Satan over God sometimes? I believe it is because Satan represents our sinful nature which comes natural, but God represents the spiritual nature towards which we must always work.
God has placed me in a position where extreme burden and responsibility intersects this person’s lack of involvement. It is at the height of this intersection that God is prying my fingers open commanding me to let go and be free. He is asking for this surrender and sacrifice of justified rights for the sake of my relationship with Him.
It is easy to surrender something when the offering is at a distance but when the request to surrender is at a pivotal time in our life the sacrifice is commanded and not requested. Letting go of the grip of these ‘entitled emotions’ becomes obedience to God and God will have what God wants.
So friend, hold things loosely so they will not hold you!
I love the words of the elderly who view life from the lens of the past and the wisdom of the present. This advice was given by an elderly woman to the minister after he had shared a concern he had for one of his children. We can all relate to the challenges of letting go when it comes to our kids.
Other grips not so easily recognized are the grips we have on what I consider ‘justified rights to feel’. I am speaking of something very personal in my own search for surrender. In the past I have become very comfortable and settled in my ‘lazy boy of judgment’ as I experience a relationship in my life that has continuously beckoned my forgiveness. At some point along the way, I got tired and lazy of trying, of forgiving and of loving. It was much easier to simply close my fist on these emotions and hold on to them as justified rights. Satan fueled my tight grip by telling me that I had every right to be angry, bitter and resentful. He kept pointing out the infractions against me in the past and assured me there would be more in the present and future. Why is it so easy to believe Satan over God sometimes? I believe it is because Satan represents our sinful nature which comes natural, but God represents the spiritual nature towards which we must always work.
God has placed me in a position where extreme burden and responsibility intersects this person’s lack of involvement. It is at the height of this intersection that God is prying my fingers open commanding me to let go and be free. He is asking for this surrender and sacrifice of justified rights for the sake of my relationship with Him.
It is easy to surrender something when the offering is at a distance but when the request to surrender is at a pivotal time in our life the sacrifice is commanded and not requested. Letting go of the grip of these ‘entitled emotions’ becomes obedience to God and God will have what God wants.
So friend, hold things loosely so they will not hold you!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Very Nature
“Who, being in very nature [in the form of] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature [form of] of a servant…he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Phil 2:6-8
Jesus stepped right out of Heaven and walked among the sinful in nature. He had the nature of God, pure and sinless, but made Himself available to those sinful and wicked. He came to earth without any agenda of His own but with the agenda and purpose of God Himself.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior with the belief He came in human form, took on God’s purpose of serving to the point of death and rose up from that death, our hearts become the dwelling place of Christ. He once again steps out of Heaven and takes up residency in our hearts. With the example of the earthly walk of Jesus Christ given in Scripture why do we exalt ourselves over others? Why do we judge and measure others against ourselves? Why do we focus on who we are and what we have accomplished?
The servant will always focus on his master just as Christ did on His Father. If we are focusing on the world instead of the spiritual we will miss the impact God will have us accomplish. Phil 2:3 states, ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.’
When our beloved Jesus walked the earth He chose to walk among – no over. How does our walk fare?
Jesus stepped right out of Heaven and walked among the sinful in nature. He had the nature of God, pure and sinless, but made Himself available to those sinful and wicked. He came to earth without any agenda of His own but with the agenda and purpose of God Himself.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior with the belief He came in human form, took on God’s purpose of serving to the point of death and rose up from that death, our hearts become the dwelling place of Christ. He once again steps out of Heaven and takes up residency in our hearts. With the example of the earthly walk of Jesus Christ given in Scripture why do we exalt ourselves over others? Why do we judge and measure others against ourselves? Why do we focus on who we are and what we have accomplished?
The servant will always focus on his master just as Christ did on His Father. If we are focusing on the world instead of the spiritual we will miss the impact God will have us accomplish. Phil 2:3 states, ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.’
When our beloved Jesus walked the earth He chose to walk among – no over. How does our walk fare?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Massage Anyone?
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Cor. 4:16-17
A few months ago, Bruce and I and his brother and sister-in-law rented a condo for a week at the beach in celebration of both couple’s 25th wedding anniversary. Crystal and I decided to sign up for a massage for a relaxing afternoon. There were thunderstorms raging outside so we thought this would be the perfect afternoon to relax and enjoy a massage. Boy, were we wrong! What I signed us up for was a Swedish massage not knowing what that was. For the next hour I laid there trapped while this skinny little woman with torturous elbows drilled them into the muscles in my back which consisted of knots. At one point I felt nauseous and on the inside was screaming for relief from the discomfort of my predicament. In looking back I know that the knots needed to be removed for the benefit of my entire back.
This is God at His best as He massages the knots in our spiritual muscles with discomfort and works on us as He is developing us for our spiritual best. He provides situations for us in which we can be transformed and renewed to better suit His purposes for our lives.
I am realizing as I am in the ‘belly of the fish’ that there are elements of my heart that need to be realigned with the heart of God. He has me here to consider heart changes and past wounds that need to be worked out of my life. I am in a season of realignment and will be more effective in future ministries because of the work He is doing now.
Jonah was preserved in the belly of the fish as God worked on his heart to reconcile and realign. God provided the fish as a means to preserve Jonah for his future ministries, not to punish him. God never gives up on us and never aborts His purposes for us.
A heart can only be permanently changed when we allow God to massage the knots away and engage in the realignment of our heart with God’s heart. What we lack in the fruit of the Spirit will be exposed and massaged in the belly of the fish.
A few months ago, Bruce and I and his brother and sister-in-law rented a condo for a week at the beach in celebration of both couple’s 25th wedding anniversary. Crystal and I decided to sign up for a massage for a relaxing afternoon. There were thunderstorms raging outside so we thought this would be the perfect afternoon to relax and enjoy a massage. Boy, were we wrong! What I signed us up for was a Swedish massage not knowing what that was. For the next hour I laid there trapped while this skinny little woman with torturous elbows drilled them into the muscles in my back which consisted of knots. At one point I felt nauseous and on the inside was screaming for relief from the discomfort of my predicament. In looking back I know that the knots needed to be removed for the benefit of my entire back.
This is God at His best as He massages the knots in our spiritual muscles with discomfort and works on us as He is developing us for our spiritual best. He provides situations for us in which we can be transformed and renewed to better suit His purposes for our lives.
I am realizing as I am in the ‘belly of the fish’ that there are elements of my heart that need to be realigned with the heart of God. He has me here to consider heart changes and past wounds that need to be worked out of my life. I am in a season of realignment and will be more effective in future ministries because of the work He is doing now.
Jonah was preserved in the belly of the fish as God worked on his heart to reconcile and realign. God provided the fish as a means to preserve Jonah for his future ministries, not to punish him. God never gives up on us and never aborts His purposes for us.
A heart can only be permanently changed when we allow God to massage the knots away and engage in the realignment of our heart with God’s heart. What we lack in the fruit of the Spirit will be exposed and massaged in the belly of the fish.
Monday, August 16, 2010
In the Belly of the Fish
“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God… ‘In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me…I called for help and you listened to my cry…I will look again to your holy temple. The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; But you brought me up from the pit, O LORD my God…When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you…Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.’ And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” Jonah 2:1-10
Caring for my father-in-law in the severe stage of Alzheimer’s in my home has no doubt been one of the toughest experiences for which I have ever lived through. I feel that I have experienced some pretty difficult times with the drug addiction of my daughter, the death of my sister and my dad to name a few. This experience seems closer to the experience of Jonah and the whale. My home has become the belly of the great fish and daily survival has become the goal. For whatever reason, peace in this situation seems to elude me. I will find it temporarily only to misplace it much like a pair of glasses. I know that I need them to see, to navigate and to be successful but I seem to continue laying them down somewhere. The day always provides a search for peace.
It seems that peace for me is rental property instead of ownership. Maybe this is what God desires…our dependency on Him for peace as the Owner without looking towards ourselves. I am blessed to know that as Jonah sat perched in the belly he refers to looking ‘again’ towards the holy temple. This encourages me that I am not the only one who searches for peace again and again
As Jonah, I am fully aware that in my distress I call out from the belly of the beast (whatever our adversity may be) and ‘remember’ that God has commanded the fish to cough me up in previous situations and will command this fish to do the same. I take great comfort in this fact that God was faithful in the past in the belly of the beast and will rescue me once and for all from this big fish. Until then, I will remember that God rescues me daily emotionally and spiritually through His peace until He rescues me physically from this situation once and from all.
I must sing with a song of thanksgiving to Him and make good on what I have vowed. All of this and more will be accomplished by raising a prayer to the High Priest in the Holy Temple…again.
Caring for my father-in-law in the severe stage of Alzheimer’s in my home has no doubt been one of the toughest experiences for which I have ever lived through. I feel that I have experienced some pretty difficult times with the drug addiction of my daughter, the death of my sister and my dad to name a few. This experience seems closer to the experience of Jonah and the whale. My home has become the belly of the great fish and daily survival has become the goal. For whatever reason, peace in this situation seems to elude me. I will find it temporarily only to misplace it much like a pair of glasses. I know that I need them to see, to navigate and to be successful but I seem to continue laying them down somewhere. The day always provides a search for peace.
It seems that peace for me is rental property instead of ownership. Maybe this is what God desires…our dependency on Him for peace as the Owner without looking towards ourselves. I am blessed to know that as Jonah sat perched in the belly he refers to looking ‘again’ towards the holy temple. This encourages me that I am not the only one who searches for peace again and again
As Jonah, I am fully aware that in my distress I call out from the belly of the beast (whatever our adversity may be) and ‘remember’ that God has commanded the fish to cough me up in previous situations and will command this fish to do the same. I take great comfort in this fact that God was faithful in the past in the belly of the beast and will rescue me once and for all from this big fish. Until then, I will remember that God rescues me daily emotionally and spiritually through His peace until He rescues me physically from this situation once and from all.
I must sing with a song of thanksgiving to Him and make good on what I have vowed. All of this and more will be accomplished by raising a prayer to the High Priest in the Holy Temple…again.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
But Jonah Rose Up...
“But Jonah rose up to flee… from the presence of the LORD. So he went down… found a ship … paid the fare and went down into it to go … from the presence of the LORD.” Jonah 1:3
This is no doubt one of the most consequential But’s in the Bible. Many of us are very familiar with the Bible story Jonah and the Whale. As children we enjoyed the little felt pieces resembling characters in our story wherein Jonah could be stuck in the belly of the whale or removed and placed on the shore. But life is not a children’s story and this story begins with Jonah rising up and making a decision to disobey God.
All of us at one point in our lives or another could insert our name into this passage. The will that we are born with is the will that normally drives our actions. The more deeply we grow into Christ the less we try to exert our own will onto our lives. Once we become Christians we are not guaranteed to never run from God. Jonah was one of God’s chosen prophets who had obediently and faithfully communicated the will of God to His people up to that point. The reason for this disobedience was the fact that God had asked him to leave his comfortable life and minister to the wicked and unrighteous. Job disagreed with who should receive God’s mercy and suffered from spiritual pride.
We tend to do the same thing as we judge others and treat them as if the cross wasn’t enough to cover their actions. We decide to strike the gavel of spiritual elitism and rise up and flee from their presence. When we flee from the will of God we will make intentional thoughts of departure followed up by action. Job made the decision to ‘rise up’ (disobey) and acted on that decision by finding a ship (making plans apart from God), paying the fare (investing in that plan), and going down into it (walking the daily walk in that plan)…and all of this apart from the presence of the LORD.
We cannot know what God is up to with our limited knowledge. As the Bible states in Isaiah 58: 9-11, ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’
When our will rises up…we will go down! Let’s hope the only time we will ‘go down into it’ will be when we go down on our knees and allow God’s presence to rise up.
This is no doubt one of the most consequential But’s in the Bible. Many of us are very familiar with the Bible story Jonah and the Whale. As children we enjoyed the little felt pieces resembling characters in our story wherein Jonah could be stuck in the belly of the whale or removed and placed on the shore. But life is not a children’s story and this story begins with Jonah rising up and making a decision to disobey God.
All of us at one point in our lives or another could insert our name into this passage. The will that we are born with is the will that normally drives our actions. The more deeply we grow into Christ the less we try to exert our own will onto our lives. Once we become Christians we are not guaranteed to never run from God. Jonah was one of God’s chosen prophets who had obediently and faithfully communicated the will of God to His people up to that point. The reason for this disobedience was the fact that God had asked him to leave his comfortable life and minister to the wicked and unrighteous. Job disagreed with who should receive God’s mercy and suffered from spiritual pride.
We tend to do the same thing as we judge others and treat them as if the cross wasn’t enough to cover their actions. We decide to strike the gavel of spiritual elitism and rise up and flee from their presence. When we flee from the will of God we will make intentional thoughts of departure followed up by action. Job made the decision to ‘rise up’ (disobey) and acted on that decision by finding a ship (making plans apart from God), paying the fare (investing in that plan), and going down into it (walking the daily walk in that plan)…and all of this apart from the presence of the LORD.
We cannot know what God is up to with our limited knowledge. As the Bible states in Isaiah 58: 9-11, ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’
When our will rises up…we will go down! Let’s hope the only time we will ‘go down into it’ will be when we go down on our knees and allow God’s presence to rise up.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Crying Out
“Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.” Jonah 1:4-5
When our lives are interrupted with a ‘violent storm’ of circumstances it doesn’t just happen to one person. Every member of the family has a ticket punched on that voyage. While a painful trial may affect an entire family the journey of each person represent very individual faith walks.
I have been so blessed to be aboard ship during the violent storms of cancer wherein each of my family members cried out to the One true God for deliverance. How sad it is when people do not have clear understanding of what God can produce in times of adversity. The temptation to ‘cry out to his own god’ is never so close as when the heart is breaking and searching for any god of comfort.
Through the cancer journeys of my family, God navigated the ship and we survived the violent emotions. Other times in my life, I didn’t have the resolve and faith required to keep me fearless in the face of suffering. I searched for gods of comfort where comfort would not be found. In our walk through life’s adversities we build a stronger faith allowing us to weather future storms with more success.
Through the challenging interruptions of life God has shown me His divine intervention in these circumstances as He builds a waterproof vessel of faith navigating me through rough waters. He is the ultimate Shipbuilder and Captain desiring to chart out our course and take us to places of faith for which we have never been before. When we cry out to the One true God we can trust our ships will not break up against the surging waves and violent storms.
Make us a vessel of strength and faith, O Lord!
When our lives are interrupted with a ‘violent storm’ of circumstances it doesn’t just happen to one person. Every member of the family has a ticket punched on that voyage. While a painful trial may affect an entire family the journey of each person represent very individual faith walks.
I have been so blessed to be aboard ship during the violent storms of cancer wherein each of my family members cried out to the One true God for deliverance. How sad it is when people do not have clear understanding of what God can produce in times of adversity. The temptation to ‘cry out to his own god’ is never so close as when the heart is breaking and searching for any god of comfort.
Through the cancer journeys of my family, God navigated the ship and we survived the violent emotions. Other times in my life, I didn’t have the resolve and faith required to keep me fearless in the face of suffering. I searched for gods of comfort where comfort would not be found. In our walk through life’s adversities we build a stronger faith allowing us to weather future storms with more success.
Through the challenging interruptions of life God has shown me His divine intervention in these circumstances as He builds a waterproof vessel of faith navigating me through rough waters. He is the ultimate Shipbuilder and Captain desiring to chart out our course and take us to places of faith for which we have never been before. When we cry out to the One true God we can trust our ships will not break up against the surging waves and violent storms.
Make us a vessel of strength and faith, O Lord!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Hearts Afire
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him… ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” Luke 24:30-32
These precious words are manna from Heaven for me! These were the two from yesterday’s devotional who were walking on the road to Emmaus. On all counts from their base of knowledge they were joined by a man whom had great knowledge of the Bible. All they knew was that this man knew His stuff and brought them encouragement. They invited Him to follow them home and join them for dinner. Now that was one dinner guest they would never forget.
Only when they entered into communion and fellowship with Him did they recognize their dinner guest. They had walked the street of discouragement and had not recognized ‘He who redeems.’ They had invited an encouraging guest but hadn’t recognized Him as The Encourager in all circumstances.
Do you think that the nail scars appeared as they watched Him pull apart the bread for them to share? As He gave thanks with His eyes closed do you think their eyes stayed wide open realizing Who sat before them?
Many times after we have walked our journey is when we realize the Who, the When and the What - Who God used to minister and comfort us, when He carried us instead of us walking on our own and what the circumstances were in which we were redeemed and delivered. It is through our communion and fellowship with Him that we suddenly recognize He is talking with us and opening the Scriptures to us to reveal His will for our lives.
The two people on the Road to Emmaus didn’t have the recognition of Christ until they became still, invited Him into their home and sat their table for His involvement. We cannot just walk and talk about our hopes on our journey in life…our hearts must be burning within us for the One who died for us.
These precious words are manna from Heaven for me! These were the two from yesterday’s devotional who were walking on the road to Emmaus. On all counts from their base of knowledge they were joined by a man whom had great knowledge of the Bible. All they knew was that this man knew His stuff and brought them encouragement. They invited Him to follow them home and join them for dinner. Now that was one dinner guest they would never forget.
Only when they entered into communion and fellowship with Him did they recognize their dinner guest. They had walked the street of discouragement and had not recognized ‘He who redeems.’ They had invited an encouraging guest but hadn’t recognized Him as The Encourager in all circumstances.
Do you think that the nail scars appeared as they watched Him pull apart the bread for them to share? As He gave thanks with His eyes closed do you think their eyes stayed wide open realizing Who sat before them?
Many times after we have walked our journey is when we realize the Who, the When and the What - Who God used to minister and comfort us, when He carried us instead of us walking on our own and what the circumstances were in which we were redeemed and delivered. It is through our communion and fellowship with Him that we suddenly recognize He is talking with us and opening the Scriptures to us to reveal His will for our lives.
The two people on the Road to Emmaus didn’t have the recognition of Christ until they became still, invited Him into their home and sat their table for His involvement. We cannot just walk and talk about our hopes on our journey in life…our hearts must be burning within us for the One who died for us.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
But We Had Hoped...
“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him… ‘but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem…’” Luke 24:15, 21
My heart is so heavy for these two as they walked on the road to Emmaus after the death of Jesus. They knew the spiritual climate of their region and had been hopeful that Christ had come to redeem Israel but in their hearts it was not to be. Their vision only included what their earthly eyes could see although they had certainly been taught the Scriptures, foretelling the crucifixion of Jesus and resurrection of Christ. Their hope had been replaced with only what their earthly eyes could see.
This same scene can be found today duplicated in every city, state and country in the world. People are constantly talking about their despair, their dashed hopes and their inability to see any deliverance on the horizon. On some days you can probably eavesdrop in my own home and witness my attitude of discouragement… ‘But I had hoped…’
Our unbelief and discouragement will block the daily recognition of Christ walking along side us. Our self-focus will escalate the things we see with our physical eyes and distort the things we should see with our spiritual eyes. Jesus Christ is walking right beside us whether we recognize Him or not and is the One who will redeem!
These are spiritual truths that we can tuck away in our backpacks no matter where our journey takes us. “…because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5b-6
We don’t have to hope for we can know. Remember that hope without faith is just a wish!
My heart is so heavy for these two as they walked on the road to Emmaus after the death of Jesus. They knew the spiritual climate of their region and had been hopeful that Christ had come to redeem Israel but in their hearts it was not to be. Their vision only included what their earthly eyes could see although they had certainly been taught the Scriptures, foretelling the crucifixion of Jesus and resurrection of Christ. Their hope had been replaced with only what their earthly eyes could see.
This same scene can be found today duplicated in every city, state and country in the world. People are constantly talking about their despair, their dashed hopes and their inability to see any deliverance on the horizon. On some days you can probably eavesdrop in my own home and witness my attitude of discouragement… ‘But I had hoped…’
Our unbelief and discouragement will block the daily recognition of Christ walking along side us. Our self-focus will escalate the things we see with our physical eyes and distort the things we should see with our spiritual eyes. Jesus Christ is walking right beside us whether we recognize Him or not and is the One who will redeem!
These are spiritual truths that we can tuck away in our backpacks no matter where our journey takes us. “…because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5b-6
We don’t have to hope for we can know. Remember that hope without faith is just a wish!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Separated By Choice...
“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the son stopped shining…Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last.” Luke 23:44-46. “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Matthew 27:51.
For three solid hours Jesus endured the unyielding wrath of God as He punished the past, present and future sins of mankind. Christ endured the darkness so that we can have Light. He was briefly separated from His Father so that we could be eternally connected to the Father. How that brief separation must have seemed like eternity but He endured, he atoned, He sacrificed and He paid the price for us.
At the time Christ died, the curtain had been the means of separating the two main rooms of the Temple. The veil had kept everyone except the high priest out of the Holy room where God dwelt. The priest could only enter one day of the year. The curtain being ripped from top to bottom at the time of the death of Christ symbolized that everyone now has the privilege and authority to approach God through the cost of Christ’s life. Entry into the Holy of Holies was now afforded to every one of us. Matthew is the only one who records ‘from the top to the bottom’. I cannot know if he shared my symbolism, but for me it seems to symbolize that entry into God’s presence is now afforded to the highest position of man to the lowest condition of man - from top to bottom. No matter what our circumstances may be no one or nothing is excluded from God’s presence or forgiveness. The curtain or the veil was torn for all; not for certain chosen ones.
For those who neither recognize God nor His plans for their lives will experience a time ‘when darkness reigns.’ We will not experience the Light of the Son if we choose disobedience even if we know Him as our Savior. We must commit our spirit and our will to God in all circumstances everyday. We must exemplify Christ in all we do.
I am so thankful for commentaries as they expound upon such priceless writings. The commentary states, ‘The loud cry demonstrates that He died in strength, not in weakness. The fact that He yielded up His spirit distinguished His death from all others. We die because we have to; He died because He chose to.' p. 1310.
For three solid hours Jesus endured the unyielding wrath of God as He punished the past, present and future sins of mankind. Christ endured the darkness so that we can have Light. He was briefly separated from His Father so that we could be eternally connected to the Father. How that brief separation must have seemed like eternity but He endured, he atoned, He sacrificed and He paid the price for us.
At the time Christ died, the curtain had been the means of separating the two main rooms of the Temple. The veil had kept everyone except the high priest out of the Holy room where God dwelt. The priest could only enter one day of the year. The curtain being ripped from top to bottom at the time of the death of Christ symbolized that everyone now has the privilege and authority to approach God through the cost of Christ’s life. Entry into the Holy of Holies was now afforded to every one of us. Matthew is the only one who records ‘from the top to the bottom’. I cannot know if he shared my symbolism, but for me it seems to symbolize that entry into God’s presence is now afforded to the highest position of man to the lowest condition of man - from top to bottom. No matter what our circumstances may be no one or nothing is excluded from God’s presence or forgiveness. The curtain or the veil was torn for all; not for certain chosen ones.
For those who neither recognize God nor His plans for their lives will experience a time ‘when darkness reigns.’ We will not experience the Light of the Son if we choose disobedience even if we know Him as our Savior. We must commit our spirit and our will to God in all circumstances everyday. We must exemplify Christ in all we do.
I am so thankful for commentaries as they expound upon such priceless writings. The commentary states, ‘The loud cry demonstrates that He died in strength, not in weakness. The fact that He yielded up His spirit distinguished His death from all others. We die because we have to; He died because He chose to.' p. 1310.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Purest Prayer Ever Prayed
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34
As He hung on the cross, these words, whispered from the heart of Jesus, is most certainly the purest prayer ever lifted to Heaven. With everything these sinners had done to Him and had made Him endure, He didn’t want one soul to die. He knew He was to bear the sins of mankind up to that exact moment so He included the present sins of man against Him.
My commentary states it more beautifully than I ever could: ‘In the soul of Jesus there was no resentment; no anger, no lurking desire for punishment upon the men who were mistreating Him.’ p. 1455. How could this be man?
I must admit that many times I take unrighteous comfort in the fact that certain people will have to ‘stand toe to toe with God on certain behaviors!’ Those are actually the words I state – much different that those precious words uttered by Christ. Oh, to be more like Him instead of my judgmental attitude! ‘If the cross is about anything at all, it is about forgiveness - forgiveness of the most incorrigible and least deserving.' Beth Moore, Jesus - The One & Only.
Jesus could easily have said ‘Father, may them pay! Punish them for what they have done to me! Stand toe to toe with them on this behavior!’ But Jesus had a heart of Savior and He always will act from that standpoint.
Father, I am so convicted this morning of my heart being less than pure and less like Jesus. ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God!’ (Psalm 51:10)
May we all whisper the prayer of Jesus to our Father when dealing with others.
As He hung on the cross, these words, whispered from the heart of Jesus, is most certainly the purest prayer ever lifted to Heaven. With everything these sinners had done to Him and had made Him endure, He didn’t want one soul to die. He knew He was to bear the sins of mankind up to that exact moment so He included the present sins of man against Him.
My commentary states it more beautifully than I ever could: ‘In the soul of Jesus there was no resentment; no anger, no lurking desire for punishment upon the men who were mistreating Him.’ p. 1455. How could this be man?
I must admit that many times I take unrighteous comfort in the fact that certain people will have to ‘stand toe to toe with God on certain behaviors!’ Those are actually the words I state – much different that those precious words uttered by Christ. Oh, to be more like Him instead of my judgmental attitude! ‘If the cross is about anything at all, it is about forgiveness - forgiveness of the most incorrigible and least deserving.' Beth Moore, Jesus - The One & Only.
Jesus could easily have said ‘Father, may them pay! Punish them for what they have done to me! Stand toe to toe with them on this behavior!’ But Jesus had a heart of Savior and He always will act from that standpoint.
Father, I am so convicted this morning of my heart being less than pure and less like Jesus. ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God!’ (Psalm 51:10)
May we all whisper the prayer of Jesus to our Father when dealing with others.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Passage to Paradise
“One of the criminal who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him…Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:39-43
Imagine this scene…three men hanging on the upright wood practically lifeless. The conversation of reality, life, death, sarcasm and hope all found at the cross! Such symbolism but yet amazing reality that after all Christ endured up to this moment He was still saving, encouraging, loving and atoning.
The two men for me represent life without faith and new found life because of faith. Some will hang in the balance of life apart from Jesus while others will hang beside Christ sharing the suffering instead of sarcastically taunting Him. Some will blame while others will bless.
As Christ hung on the cross in all His suffering He offers the passage to Paradise. The repentant criminal was asking for something less than what was granted. He was asking for Jesus to remember him when He returned and set up His kingdom on earth. Christ granted Paradise (means dwelling place of God) that day! God will always grant more than our limited knowledge of our desires. My commentary states: ‘Jesus rewarded his faith with the promise that that very day, they would be together in Paradise. Paradise is the same as the third heaven…Today – what speed! With Me – what company! In Paradise – what happiness!’ p. 1456.
This tender scene animates that eternal life is independent from sacraments, ceremonies, baptism, or good works. It is solely dependent on coming to the cross, claiming Christ as Savior and repenting of sins.
"Out of a life of sin and shame, the penitent robber passed immediately into a state of blessedness. There were two robbers; only one was saved. Last of all it may be noted that the very essence of the joy which lies beyond death consists in personal communion with Christ. The heart of the promise to be dying was this: ‘Thou shalt be with me.’ This is the blessed assurance, that to depart is ‘to be with Christ’ which is ‘very far better.'" Believer's Bible Commentary, p. 1456.
And all this, as He hung on the cross suffering. What a man! ‘being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!’ Phil 2:6-8.
Imagine this scene…three men hanging on the upright wood practically lifeless. The conversation of reality, life, death, sarcasm and hope all found at the cross! Such symbolism but yet amazing reality that after all Christ endured up to this moment He was still saving, encouraging, loving and atoning.
The two men for me represent life without faith and new found life because of faith. Some will hang in the balance of life apart from Jesus while others will hang beside Christ sharing the suffering instead of sarcastically taunting Him. Some will blame while others will bless.
As Christ hung on the cross in all His suffering He offers the passage to Paradise. The repentant criminal was asking for something less than what was granted. He was asking for Jesus to remember him when He returned and set up His kingdom on earth. Christ granted Paradise (means dwelling place of God) that day! God will always grant more than our limited knowledge of our desires. My commentary states: ‘Jesus rewarded his faith with the promise that that very day, they would be together in Paradise. Paradise is the same as the third heaven…Today – what speed! With Me – what company! In Paradise – what happiness!’ p. 1456.
This tender scene animates that eternal life is independent from sacraments, ceremonies, baptism, or good works. It is solely dependent on coming to the cross, claiming Christ as Savior and repenting of sins.
"Out of a life of sin and shame, the penitent robber passed immediately into a state of blessedness. There were two robbers; only one was saved. Last of all it may be noted that the very essence of the joy which lies beyond death consists in personal communion with Christ. The heart of the promise to be dying was this: ‘Thou shalt be with me.’ This is the blessed assurance, that to depart is ‘to be with Christ’ which is ‘very far better.'" Believer's Bible Commentary, p. 1456.
And all this, as He hung on the cross suffering. What a man! ‘being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!’ Phil 2:6-8.
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