“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. ‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, ‘Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You don’t know what you are asking.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ ‘We can,’ they answered.” Matthew 20:20-22
Positioned in this scene is a mother who wants the best for her sons. She approaches Jesus whom she believes will be king one day and desires to align her sons in the best possible position in His kingdom. She was speaking more of an earthly kingdom while Jesus was speaking of His heavenly kingdom to come. Jesus was going to be crowned but not with jewels. He was going to be set high above man but on a cross not a throne. What she was asking for would ultimately involve the suffering and deaths of both sons. We would never ask God for this but rather beg Him to spare their lives.
The importance of this passage is in the understanding of the person kneeling down. When we pray we should never assume we know what is best for either our own lives or the lives of our loved ones. We cannot know the plans God has for our lives just as this prideful mother didn’t know her request for both sons could end in death.
My grandmother began praying for each of us before we were even born. She prayed first and foremost with the Matthew 6:33 principle. ‘Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you.’ She sought the things of God for each of us believing with absolute conviction that based on this pursuit we would be given everything to be successful. She did not pray for an easy life for us but a spiritually meaningful life with deep fellowship with God. Our prayers should always begin with ‘Thy will be done’ as instructed in the Bible. This poor mother received her heart’s desire for her boys to be in high standing in the kingdom but the cost of the desire was as huge as the reward. James died a martyr while John was banished to the island of Patmos.
‘Sometimes we go to the Lord asking for favors without understanding what we are really saying. We may feel crushed when he says no, but he only withholds out of love. He has the wisdom of all eternity at his disposal and is a wise judge. Ask him to reveal his perspective. It will make all the difference.’ Women of Faith Study Bible, p.1878
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sweetly Broken
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated…Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:13
I needed to hear this exhortation this morning. I have wrestled through the night with my flesh focusing on justified rights and resurrected disharmony. I returned to the flesh in my mind and heart resurrecting former emotions and wallowed in them through the night. This morning I awoke exhausted, battered and bruised emotionally. In the midst of my swirling emotions Christ beckoned me back to the base of the cross this morning. He gently reminded me of His suffering, His undeserved persecution and His sacrifice. Through His words I have been ‘sweetly broken and wholly surrendered.’
We all face sharp emotions feeling justified in our attitude when focusing on the things of this life. We allow despair in our trials to replace our hope in a resurrection. We allow past hurts to determine whom we will love. We allow bitterness to clothe us instead of the garment of love which we are afforded through the death of Christ. We must return to the base of the cross and remember…
No situation in life will ever parallel the sacrifice and death that Christ endured for us. I must look at the example of the cross to gain my hope in Christ. He sacrificed it all for those who are unworthy. He paid the highest cost for the lowest of man. He died so we might live. He rose from the dead to show the hope for which we can live through Him. He received the fulfillment of the promise from His Father – sitting next to Him and receiving it all.
This is the King for whom we serve no matter what we are called to do in this life. If we are feeling death, we can be assured of life. If we are feeling sacrifice, we can be assured of blessings. To sacrifice is to gain and to die to self is to live...it is the way of the cross.
‘…sweetly broken and wholly surrendered.’
I needed to hear this exhortation this morning. I have wrestled through the night with my flesh focusing on justified rights and resurrected disharmony. I returned to the flesh in my mind and heart resurrecting former emotions and wallowed in them through the night. This morning I awoke exhausted, battered and bruised emotionally. In the midst of my swirling emotions Christ beckoned me back to the base of the cross this morning. He gently reminded me of His suffering, His undeserved persecution and His sacrifice. Through His words I have been ‘sweetly broken and wholly surrendered.’
We all face sharp emotions feeling justified in our attitude when focusing on the things of this life. We allow despair in our trials to replace our hope in a resurrection. We allow past hurts to determine whom we will love. We allow bitterness to clothe us instead of the garment of love which we are afforded through the death of Christ. We must return to the base of the cross and remember…
No situation in life will ever parallel the sacrifice and death that Christ endured for us. I must look at the example of the cross to gain my hope in Christ. He sacrificed it all for those who are unworthy. He paid the highest cost for the lowest of man. He died so we might live. He rose from the dead to show the hope for which we can live through Him. He received the fulfillment of the promise from His Father – sitting next to Him and receiving it all.
This is the King for whom we serve no matter what we are called to do in this life. If we are feeling death, we can be assured of life. If we are feeling sacrifice, we can be assured of blessings. To sacrifice is to gain and to die to self is to live...it is the way of the cross.
‘…sweetly broken and wholly surrendered.’
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Treasures of Darkness
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, til each appears before God in Zion." Psalm 84:5
This has always been one of my favorite passages. It captures the heart of a Christian longing for a better place, realizing that we are moving towards something greater. The pilgrimage is our faith walk as we journey home and the reward is looking into the eyes of Christ. Three things are required to come in for this blessing based on this passage.
The first prerequisite in receiving this blessing is the necessity of finding our strength in the Lord. We as Christians are guaranteed of a journey through circumstances that will require strength we do not possess on our own. This statement is the absolute belief that seeking strength in anything else other than God will cause us to fall short on our journey through life.
The second prerequisite is having a heart of pilgrimage and recognizing that we are in this world but are not of this world. Our hearts are set on something better, something grander and something perfect – our heavenly home. While pilgrims would stake their tents, it was always understood that their tents served as temporary homes. They maintained a heart of moving forward, not driving their stakes deep in any one area. The spirit of pilgrimage is always pleasing to God.
The third prerequisite is the ability to find and trust God in suffering. The Valley of Baca represents the dark and sorrowful circumstances through which we suffer during our journey. As we pass through our adversities, we can convert our trials into pools of testimonies and glory to God. ‘These indomitable souls can sing in the midst of sorrow and trace the rainbow through their tears. They transform tragedies into triumphs and use misfortunes as stepping stones to greater things…Instead of getting weaker as the journey progresses, they get stronger all the time.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 678.
The key to this kingdom of blessing is the rain of the Holy Spirit that covers, cools, refreshes and restores. The water itself stands for the Word of God and the rain as a whole is the work of the Holy Spirit.
I love the words of Leslie Weatherhead: ‘Like all men I love and prefer the sunny uplands of experience, where health, happiness, and success abound, but I have learned far more about God and life and myself in the darkness of fear and failure than I have ever learned in the sunshine. There are such things as the treasures of darkness. The darkness, thank God, passes. But what one learns in the darkness one possesses for ever.’
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.”
This has always been one of my favorite passages. It captures the heart of a Christian longing for a better place, realizing that we are moving towards something greater. The pilgrimage is our faith walk as we journey home and the reward is looking into the eyes of Christ. Three things are required to come in for this blessing based on this passage.
The first prerequisite in receiving this blessing is the necessity of finding our strength in the Lord. We as Christians are guaranteed of a journey through circumstances that will require strength we do not possess on our own. This statement is the absolute belief that seeking strength in anything else other than God will cause us to fall short on our journey through life.
The second prerequisite is having a heart of pilgrimage and recognizing that we are in this world but are not of this world. Our hearts are set on something better, something grander and something perfect – our heavenly home. While pilgrims would stake their tents, it was always understood that their tents served as temporary homes. They maintained a heart of moving forward, not driving their stakes deep in any one area. The spirit of pilgrimage is always pleasing to God.
The third prerequisite is the ability to find and trust God in suffering. The Valley of Baca represents the dark and sorrowful circumstances through which we suffer during our journey. As we pass through our adversities, we can convert our trials into pools of testimonies and glory to God. ‘These indomitable souls can sing in the midst of sorrow and trace the rainbow through their tears. They transform tragedies into triumphs and use misfortunes as stepping stones to greater things…Instead of getting weaker as the journey progresses, they get stronger all the time.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 678.
The key to this kingdom of blessing is the rain of the Holy Spirit that covers, cools, refreshes and restores. The water itself stands for the Word of God and the rain as a whole is the work of the Holy Spirit.
I love the words of Leslie Weatherhead: ‘Like all men I love and prefer the sunny uplands of experience, where health, happiness, and success abound, but I have learned far more about God and life and myself in the darkness of fear and failure than I have ever learned in the sunshine. There are such things as the treasures of darkness. The darkness, thank God, passes. But what one learns in the darkness one possesses for ever.’
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.”
Friday, November 26, 2010
'Lord, Save Us!'
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’…Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:23-26
Many people think that becoming a Christian and following Christ means a life free from difficulty. The Bible supports the opposite as we will face trials while following Christ. Adversity is the manner is which we sharpen our faith fueling its power. Notice in our chosen passage this morning that the disciples followed Jesus into the boat. ‘Without warning’ indicates that they were caught off guard and anticipated neither the storm’s arrival nor its power. ‘The Sea of Galilee is noted for sudden, violent storms that whip it into a churning froth. Winds sweep down the valley of the Jordan from the north, picking up speed in the narrow gorge. When they hit the Sea, it becomes extremely unsafe for navigation.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, 1233. It is important to note that Jesus didn’t navigate the boat to shore but rather calmed the waters and continued on the path knowing the tenuous possibilities. He stayed the course regardless of the tendency for life threatening situations to arise. He was committed to staying in the boat regardless of what they would face. This is the same God who is with us in our boat as we charter through our waters.
Growing up a Christian I did the things a Christian should do such as attending church, raising our children in church and serving in various roles. As I maintained a life with God I realize now that I had Him asleep in my heart. Then like the disciples my boat was hit with an encapsulating storm. Our daughter, Kristen began displaying behavior issues soon to be followed by substance abuse. Our journey into darkness went from months to years spanning a total of eight long heartbreaking years. At 15 she left home in search of something that even she didn’t understand which ended in heroin addiction. In preparing to speak to a group of parents of troubled teens I reflected on some of the moments of our journey which represents a snapshot of our suffering. I wrote the following.
'Typically, when our children are young we are involved in a wonderful community called family. Enjoying the affection of our children, the exchange of Christmas gifts, celebrations of birthdays and fellowship of other families at church are just a few of the wonderful memories made and experienced. But somewhere along the way ours went wrong and these happy events became cracks in the pavement of my heart. Seeing a new baby brought me grief for it was a reminder that something horribly had gone wrong with my baby. A joyful Christmas morning was replaced with grief and fear as I saw the unopened gifts under the tree wondering if my daughter was still alive. A prepared celebration of her 18th birthday was replaced with my 13 and 10 year old comforting me when she didn’t show as they were trying to be surrogates for my prodigal. The most painful of all was facing my church family and watching the seemingly perfect teens which only highlighted that an evil war had been waged against my daughter. I wanted desperately to be anonymous and invisible everywhere I went. I allowed these heartbreaks to both wound me and define me until year 6 of my 8 year ordeal at which point I was drowning in my own despair.'
I knew I could no longer fight this storm of my daughter’s drug addiction and had to lay my Isaac down – my arms were too tired. It was at that point that I ran to Christ and woke Him begging Him to keep me from drowning. When I finally surrendered Kristen to God the storm didn’t calm but my heart did. I had peace apart from resolution for the next two years. Following that time Kristen returned to her life in Christ and gave up her life of darkness. Then one day I looked up at the horizon and noticed that not only was my heart calm but the waters had been rebuked and the waves had ceased to churn. '...and it was completely calm.’
If you are in the boat with Jesus, anticipate storms but expect deliverance!
Many people think that becoming a Christian and following Christ means a life free from difficulty. The Bible supports the opposite as we will face trials while following Christ. Adversity is the manner is which we sharpen our faith fueling its power. Notice in our chosen passage this morning that the disciples followed Jesus into the boat. ‘Without warning’ indicates that they were caught off guard and anticipated neither the storm’s arrival nor its power. ‘The Sea of Galilee is noted for sudden, violent storms that whip it into a churning froth. Winds sweep down the valley of the Jordan from the north, picking up speed in the narrow gorge. When they hit the Sea, it becomes extremely unsafe for navigation.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, 1233. It is important to note that Jesus didn’t navigate the boat to shore but rather calmed the waters and continued on the path knowing the tenuous possibilities. He stayed the course regardless of the tendency for life threatening situations to arise. He was committed to staying in the boat regardless of what they would face. This is the same God who is with us in our boat as we charter through our waters.
Growing up a Christian I did the things a Christian should do such as attending church, raising our children in church and serving in various roles. As I maintained a life with God I realize now that I had Him asleep in my heart. Then like the disciples my boat was hit with an encapsulating storm. Our daughter, Kristen began displaying behavior issues soon to be followed by substance abuse. Our journey into darkness went from months to years spanning a total of eight long heartbreaking years. At 15 she left home in search of something that even she didn’t understand which ended in heroin addiction. In preparing to speak to a group of parents of troubled teens I reflected on some of the moments of our journey which represents a snapshot of our suffering. I wrote the following.
'Typically, when our children are young we are involved in a wonderful community called family. Enjoying the affection of our children, the exchange of Christmas gifts, celebrations of birthdays and fellowship of other families at church are just a few of the wonderful memories made and experienced. But somewhere along the way ours went wrong and these happy events became cracks in the pavement of my heart. Seeing a new baby brought me grief for it was a reminder that something horribly had gone wrong with my baby. A joyful Christmas morning was replaced with grief and fear as I saw the unopened gifts under the tree wondering if my daughter was still alive. A prepared celebration of her 18th birthday was replaced with my 13 and 10 year old comforting me when she didn’t show as they were trying to be surrogates for my prodigal. The most painful of all was facing my church family and watching the seemingly perfect teens which only highlighted that an evil war had been waged against my daughter. I wanted desperately to be anonymous and invisible everywhere I went. I allowed these heartbreaks to both wound me and define me until year 6 of my 8 year ordeal at which point I was drowning in my own despair.'
I knew I could no longer fight this storm of my daughter’s drug addiction and had to lay my Isaac down – my arms were too tired. It was at that point that I ran to Christ and woke Him begging Him to keep me from drowning. When I finally surrendered Kristen to God the storm didn’t calm but my heart did. I had peace apart from resolution for the next two years. Following that time Kristen returned to her life in Christ and gave up her life of darkness. Then one day I looked up at the horizon and noticed that not only was my heart calm but the waters had been rebuked and the waves had ceased to churn. '...and it was completely calm.’
If you are in the boat with Jesus, anticipate storms but expect deliverance!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
And It Was So...
“In the beginning, God created…And God said…and there was…And God said…And it was so…And God said…And it was so…And God said…And it was so…And God said…And it was so…And God said…And it was so.” Genesis 1:1-30
Throughout the first chapter of the first book of the Bible the reoccurring theme is that God speaks and it happens. There is no mention of challenges or difficulties, no use of smoke and mirrors or anything grandiose. He simply thought it, spoke it and made it a reality with the breath of His mouth. God certainly doesn’t need us to make anything happen so why all the fuss about accomplishing great things for God through us when He really doesn’t require our assistance?
It is the same reason that I want to include my children while putting up the Christmas tree. It is the same reason I want them to help me in the kitchen while preparing our Thanksgiving feast. It is the same reason my husband wants me to be by his side during a project although my impact is very limited. It is all about fellowship and relationship.
‘God is far more concerned with your walking with Him than He is interested in getting a job done for Him. You can complete an assignment but never experience God. He can accomplish His work anytime He wants.’ Experiencing God, p. 145. We were created first and foremost for relationship. Through the interaction of our shared intimacy great things can be accomplished.
The work of our hands is a by-product of the love in our heart for a Savior who doesn’t need us but passionately desires us.
And God said…And it was so…And it was good.
Throughout the first chapter of the first book of the Bible the reoccurring theme is that God speaks and it happens. There is no mention of challenges or difficulties, no use of smoke and mirrors or anything grandiose. He simply thought it, spoke it and made it a reality with the breath of His mouth. God certainly doesn’t need us to make anything happen so why all the fuss about accomplishing great things for God through us when He really doesn’t require our assistance?
It is the same reason that I want to include my children while putting up the Christmas tree. It is the same reason I want them to help me in the kitchen while preparing our Thanksgiving feast. It is the same reason my husband wants me to be by his side during a project although my impact is very limited. It is all about fellowship and relationship.
‘God is far more concerned with your walking with Him than He is interested in getting a job done for Him. You can complete an assignment but never experience God. He can accomplish His work anytime He wants.’ Experiencing God, p. 145. We were created first and foremost for relationship. Through the interaction of our shared intimacy great things can be accomplished.
The work of our hands is a by-product of the love in our heart for a Savior who doesn’t need us but passionately desires us.
And God said…And it was so…And it was good.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
'I Tell You The Truth...'
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” Matthew 17:20-21
I love how God searches our heart and answers even if we have only formed the question in our sub-conscious mind. This morning while doing my Bible Study I got to the passage above and felt discomfort deep in my spirit. I knew intuitively what the problem was when reading these verses. When both of my family members were ill our family had this unshakable faith. Our faith was more than a mere mustard seed believing not only could we make our mountain fall but through our faith heaven and earth could move. After the death of my sister and dad this passage always brought a hypocritical feeling to my soul when reading it. In God-form He led me into revelation and understanding which removed this barrier from between us.
According to Scripture, God always initiates the call of His children to accomplish great things requiring this faith to move mountains. He called Moses to deliver His children from bondage, and He called Joshua to conquer the cities advancing to the Promised Land. Throughout the Bible God initiated and implemented His plan through His children. Their response was determined upon their faith. If God always moves first and initiates, then Matthew 17:20-21 is trustworthy for me. This passage is more relative to our response to a ‘God-calling’ than our desire for something to occur. If God calls, impresses upon or reveals it doesn’t take but a little faith to accomplish His calling. Mustard seed faith is the amount of faith required since God has put His plan in motion.
My desire for Beth and Daddy’s healing was my agenda instead of a call from God to accomplish something. God had a divine plan for them from which He did not detour. If something is at our own initiation and we implement our faith, there is no Scriptural support that our mountain will move. As Jesus prayed, ‘Thy will be done’.
The failure to pray for God’s will first may be a recipe for a fracture in our faith. We cannot proclaim things that God hasn’t first initiated and shown us as truth. We must wait on Him first to reveal which will anchor our faith. ‘If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously.’ Deut. 18:20,22
Thank you Father for showing me the truth of your Word this morning proving it's trustworthiness. Amen.
I love how God searches our heart and answers even if we have only formed the question in our sub-conscious mind. This morning while doing my Bible Study I got to the passage above and felt discomfort deep in my spirit. I knew intuitively what the problem was when reading these verses. When both of my family members were ill our family had this unshakable faith. Our faith was more than a mere mustard seed believing not only could we make our mountain fall but through our faith heaven and earth could move. After the death of my sister and dad this passage always brought a hypocritical feeling to my soul when reading it. In God-form He led me into revelation and understanding which removed this barrier from between us.
According to Scripture, God always initiates the call of His children to accomplish great things requiring this faith to move mountains. He called Moses to deliver His children from bondage, and He called Joshua to conquer the cities advancing to the Promised Land. Throughout the Bible God initiated and implemented His plan through His children. Their response was determined upon their faith. If God always moves first and initiates, then Matthew 17:20-21 is trustworthy for me. This passage is more relative to our response to a ‘God-calling’ than our desire for something to occur. If God calls, impresses upon or reveals it doesn’t take but a little faith to accomplish His calling. Mustard seed faith is the amount of faith required since God has put His plan in motion.
My desire for Beth and Daddy’s healing was my agenda instead of a call from God to accomplish something. God had a divine plan for them from which He did not detour. If something is at our own initiation and we implement our faith, there is no Scriptural support that our mountain will move. As Jesus prayed, ‘Thy will be done’.
The failure to pray for God’s will first may be a recipe for a fracture in our faith. We cannot proclaim things that God hasn’t first initiated and shown us as truth. We must wait on Him first to reveal which will anchor our faith. ‘If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously.’ Deut. 18:20,22
Thank you Father for showing me the truth of your Word this morning proving it's trustworthiness. Amen.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Smoke's Entanglement
“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3
Ask any firefighter and you will be told that when entering a burning building many times the greater hindrance is the smoke. The smoke chokes, blinds and disorients preventing them from the immediate fire. They must work through the smoke to tackle the fire. The same is with our spiritual life as we battle our own burning buildings. We cannot see God’s fire for all of the smoke for which we have created between us and His will. Our bitterness, resentment and self-will dizzies and disorients causing a barrier between our agenda and the will of God. We become entangled with our own sin of self, depleting our energy and losing sight of our faith. We claim that we believe that God is in control but we choke on our own smoke.
Whether our entanglement with sin is our own doing or the doing of another we are affected by its circumstances. Every one of us approaches our trials with our own agenda, past experiences and preconceived ideas for how we should respond. We build in our minds and hearts what should happen, what had better happen and how we will respond. We will face a crisis of belief when we stand at the crossroads of surrendering ‘what I think’ and picking up ‘what I believe God says.’ Our hearts must be open to all possibilities when approaching God instead of the resolution that we feel we must have. We must pray for God to reveal any stubbornness or tightly fisted power we are holding onto. We must be willing to hear and obey his decision even if it goes against everything we believe should happen. We must recite what we really believe about God.
‘A crisis of belief is not a calamity in your life but a turning point where you must make a decision. You must decide what you truly believe about God. The way you respond at this turning point will determine whether you become involved with God in something God-sized that only He can do or whether you will continue to go your own way and miss what He has purposed in your life…They way you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God.’ Experiencing God, p. 134.
In the words of my grandmother, God is LORD of everything or LORD of nothing!
Ask any firefighter and you will be told that when entering a burning building many times the greater hindrance is the smoke. The smoke chokes, blinds and disorients preventing them from the immediate fire. They must work through the smoke to tackle the fire. The same is with our spiritual life as we battle our own burning buildings. We cannot see God’s fire for all of the smoke for which we have created between us and His will. Our bitterness, resentment and self-will dizzies and disorients causing a barrier between our agenda and the will of God. We become entangled with our own sin of self, depleting our energy and losing sight of our faith. We claim that we believe that God is in control but we choke on our own smoke.
Whether our entanglement with sin is our own doing or the doing of another we are affected by its circumstances. Every one of us approaches our trials with our own agenda, past experiences and preconceived ideas for how we should respond. We build in our minds and hearts what should happen, what had better happen and how we will respond. We will face a crisis of belief when we stand at the crossroads of surrendering ‘what I think’ and picking up ‘what I believe God says.’ Our hearts must be open to all possibilities when approaching God instead of the resolution that we feel we must have. We must pray for God to reveal any stubbornness or tightly fisted power we are holding onto. We must be willing to hear and obey his decision even if it goes against everything we believe should happen. We must recite what we really believe about God.
‘A crisis of belief is not a calamity in your life but a turning point where you must make a decision. You must decide what you truly believe about God. The way you respond at this turning point will determine whether you become involved with God in something God-sized that only He can do or whether you will continue to go your own way and miss what He has purposed in your life…They way you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God.’ Experiencing God, p. 134.
In the words of my grandmother, God is LORD of everything or LORD of nothing!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Our Maestro
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Co. 12:4-7
In my Bible Study this morning the body of Christ with all of its members was compared to an orchestra. To expound on that analogy we must first understand the importance of the leadership of the orchestra. There is but one leader in charge who possesses the direction and leadership to accomplish the overall goal of a beautiful arrangement of music. He has within his hands the design of involvement for each instrument and the timing for which it should be played. He alone determines the importance of that instrument applying the benefit of that gift at the proper time. The maestro knows when to silence one instrument so the beauty of others may be experienced.
With Christ as our Maestro, He assigns our gifts and determines our play. He leads and directs as to how it relates to the entire body of Christ. He will not allow the gift of one to overpower the other members of the Body. Each gift is essential and equally important to the common good of His work in the Kingdom.
‘Then again, though there are diversities of activities, as far as spiritual gifts are concerned, it is the same God who empowers each believer. If one gift seems more successful or spectacular or powerful than another, it is not because of any superiority in the person possessing it. It is God who supplies the power…The gifts are given for the profit of the entire body. They are not given for self-display or even for self-gratification but in order to help others.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1790.
In my own family this principle holds true. God empowered me to form a ministry of writing but I have no income in this ministry to pay my expenses. God led my husband into forming his own business which affords him the financial ability to support my ministry. I cannot accomplish what my husband does as God empowers him and my husband cannot accomplish the writing ministry for which God empowers me. But both taken together are accomplishing what God determined as the common good. Our gifts are dependent upon each other providing more collectively than what we could provide individually. This is the concept for each of us as members of a unit working together for the common good of one mission - the mission of further God's Kingdom.
Every one of us has been empowered by God with an exact gift manifested through the Holy Spirit. Through prayer, meditation on His Word and practice in that gift we will together form a beautiful symphony of faith and give a divine performance.
In my Bible Study this morning the body of Christ with all of its members was compared to an orchestra. To expound on that analogy we must first understand the importance of the leadership of the orchestra. There is but one leader in charge who possesses the direction and leadership to accomplish the overall goal of a beautiful arrangement of music. He has within his hands the design of involvement for each instrument and the timing for which it should be played. He alone determines the importance of that instrument applying the benefit of that gift at the proper time. The maestro knows when to silence one instrument so the beauty of others may be experienced.
With Christ as our Maestro, He assigns our gifts and determines our play. He leads and directs as to how it relates to the entire body of Christ. He will not allow the gift of one to overpower the other members of the Body. Each gift is essential and equally important to the common good of His work in the Kingdom.
‘Then again, though there are diversities of activities, as far as spiritual gifts are concerned, it is the same God who empowers each believer. If one gift seems more successful or spectacular or powerful than another, it is not because of any superiority in the person possessing it. It is God who supplies the power…The gifts are given for the profit of the entire body. They are not given for self-display or even for self-gratification but in order to help others.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1790.
In my own family this principle holds true. God empowered me to form a ministry of writing but I have no income in this ministry to pay my expenses. God led my husband into forming his own business which affords him the financial ability to support my ministry. I cannot accomplish what my husband does as God empowers him and my husband cannot accomplish the writing ministry for which God empowers me. But both taken together are accomplishing what God determined as the common good. Our gifts are dependent upon each other providing more collectively than what we could provide individually. This is the concept for each of us as members of a unit working together for the common good of one mission - the mission of further God's Kingdom.
Every one of us has been empowered by God with an exact gift manifested through the Holy Spirit. Through prayer, meditation on His Word and practice in that gift we will together form a beautiful symphony of faith and give a divine performance.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Stacking Stones
“Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight...These stones are to be a memorial…” Joshua 4:2-3, 7
Once the Israelites crossed the Jordan River advancing into the Promised Land they were instructed to lift a stone from the place where God appeared as a memorial. The stone served as a spiritual marker for each person to show future generations how the mighty hand of God was with them in their deliverance.
Throughout our lives we will advance through many adversities wherein we will encounter God. He will show us things of importance regarding our experience, our character and our flaws. We will see the mighty hand of God working, calculating and maneuvering in our circumstances. We will form new testimonies built on past faithfulness from God. As Christians, it is important that we ‘carry our stones over with us’ securing them in the next season of our lives. We will erect stone by stone, testimony by testimony building our own pyramid of stones. These spiritual markers provide a legacy for future generations as we tell our story of our journey, faith and God encounters. Our stones of testimony provide opportunities for us to teach our children of God’s past activity in our lives.
Some will erect their pyramids with stones of bitterness, resentment and sorrow. Others will build their pyramid with stones of praise, faithfulness and worship. When we get to the end of our lives what will our pyramids show? Will our children see a pyramid of faith or will they see a chaotic pile of rocks?
If stones could talk, what would they say in your journey?
Once the Israelites crossed the Jordan River advancing into the Promised Land they were instructed to lift a stone from the place where God appeared as a memorial. The stone served as a spiritual marker for each person to show future generations how the mighty hand of God was with them in their deliverance.
Throughout our lives we will advance through many adversities wherein we will encounter God. He will show us things of importance regarding our experience, our character and our flaws. We will see the mighty hand of God working, calculating and maneuvering in our circumstances. We will form new testimonies built on past faithfulness from God. As Christians, it is important that we ‘carry our stones over with us’ securing them in the next season of our lives. We will erect stone by stone, testimony by testimony building our own pyramid of stones. These spiritual markers provide a legacy for future generations as we tell our story of our journey, faith and God encounters. Our stones of testimony provide opportunities for us to teach our children of God’s past activity in our lives.
Some will erect their pyramids with stones of bitterness, resentment and sorrow. Others will build their pyramid with stones of praise, faithfulness and worship. When we get to the end of our lives what will our pyramids show? Will our children see a pyramid of faith or will they see a chaotic pile of rocks?
If stones could talk, what would they say in your journey?
Friday, November 19, 2010
Keeping A Distance
“When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it…But keep a distance…between you and the ark; do not go near it.” Joshua 3:3-4
I absolutely love how God inspired the Holy Writ for application through generations. This event is from the Book of Joshua as he was preparing to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River. The story of God holding back the waters in this crossing is very common to many people but there are so many details that are omitted as we tell our version of the story. One of the most amazing elements of this story is not so much the receding waters itself because God will always provide a path out of our circumstances. The portion of Scripture that I love is the direction to recognize when to move in your circumstances.
The Ark of the Covenant, (a wonderful Bible Study in itself!) was the manner in which God revealed Himself to His children through the priests. The children became expectant for guidance from following the Ark of the Covenant. The direction from God was to wait until they saw His leadership on the move. Once they knew His movement, they were to ‘move out and follow’. Further instruction was to keep a distance between themselves and God’s leadership.
I cannot help but to believe that the latter command was for the discipline of His children. How many times have we prayed for guidance only to run up ahead of God once we see the direction for which He is taking us? We get a small glimpse and ‘move out’ only to get ahead of God instead of following Him.
We must follow this spiritual recipe for guidance. We must pray for His guidance, watch to see when He moves and follow Him. We should neither tarry nor sprint ahead of Him but obediently and patiently follow Him at His pace. Then one day we will look behind us and see the path through which our strong Leader had brought us.
See, recognize, obey and follow but keep a distance!
I absolutely love how God inspired the Holy Writ for application through generations. This event is from the Book of Joshua as he was preparing to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River. The story of God holding back the waters in this crossing is very common to many people but there are so many details that are omitted as we tell our version of the story. One of the most amazing elements of this story is not so much the receding waters itself because God will always provide a path out of our circumstances. The portion of Scripture that I love is the direction to recognize when to move in your circumstances.
The Ark of the Covenant, (a wonderful Bible Study in itself!) was the manner in which God revealed Himself to His children through the priests. The children became expectant for guidance from following the Ark of the Covenant. The direction from God was to wait until they saw His leadership on the move. Once they knew His movement, they were to ‘move out and follow’. Further instruction was to keep a distance between themselves and God’s leadership.
I cannot help but to believe that the latter command was for the discipline of His children. How many times have we prayed for guidance only to run up ahead of God once we see the direction for which He is taking us? We get a small glimpse and ‘move out’ only to get ahead of God instead of following Him.
We must follow this spiritual recipe for guidance. We must pray for His guidance, watch to see when He moves and follow Him. We should neither tarry nor sprint ahead of Him but obediently and patiently follow Him at His pace. Then one day we will look behind us and see the path through which our strong Leader had brought us.
See, recognize, obey and follow but keep a distance!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Lady in Waiting
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:1
I have had the privilege of leading Griefshare at our church over the past two months. We have all come together as strangers but were quickly united as one through our suffering. Griefshare continues to be ‘a firm place to stand as God placed our feet on this rock.’ I cannot describe grief in a more appropriate manner than a slimy pit, mud and mire. Walking through grief is like walking through quicksand with maximum effort and minimal results. The important part is that we keep on walking.
Several of the members’ spiritual lives have been ‘fanned to flame’ right before my eyes. It has been a transformation of peace in their actions and words. God used the wait of the grief journey to grow them into the spiritual beauties He intended. He allowed painful circumstances to enter their lives forming a dark cocoon. He heard their cry in the wait and is dawning a day for the emergence of these spiritual butterflies apart from their circumstances.
Last night in Griefshare I heard a statement that sums up the spiritual transformation that will emerge if we wait patiently on the LORD in all circumstances trusting Him. May this statement bless you and encourage you in your wait…I know it has in mine.
“The Biblical view is that waiting is not so much about when I will get what I’m waiting for, but what I will become as I wait.” Dr. Paul David Tripp
I have had the privilege of leading Griefshare at our church over the past two months. We have all come together as strangers but were quickly united as one through our suffering. Griefshare continues to be ‘a firm place to stand as God placed our feet on this rock.’ I cannot describe grief in a more appropriate manner than a slimy pit, mud and mire. Walking through grief is like walking through quicksand with maximum effort and minimal results. The important part is that we keep on walking.
Several of the members’ spiritual lives have been ‘fanned to flame’ right before my eyes. It has been a transformation of peace in their actions and words. God used the wait of the grief journey to grow them into the spiritual beauties He intended. He allowed painful circumstances to enter their lives forming a dark cocoon. He heard their cry in the wait and is dawning a day for the emergence of these spiritual butterflies apart from their circumstances.
Last night in Griefshare I heard a statement that sums up the spiritual transformation that will emerge if we wait patiently on the LORD in all circumstances trusting Him. May this statement bless you and encourage you in your wait…I know it has in mine.
“The Biblical view is that waiting is not so much about when I will get what I’m waiting for, but what I will become as I wait.” Dr. Paul David Tripp
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Settling For Love
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.” 1 John 4:16
Until we settle this truth deep in our hearts we will always struggle with our faith when adversity strikes. We will spend more time calculating and manipulating from the middle of our circumstances instead of settling upfront our belief and reliance on God’s love. Keeping a spiritual perspective on suffering is essential in the life of a Christian. We can spend unnecessary time and emotional energy trying to ‘figure out God’ instead of seeing how God is working in our circumstances.
The life of Jesus exemplified this spiritual principle as He never questioned God’s love through any of His suffering. The matter was settled deep in His heart before the pain was experienced. In all of His circumstances Jesus had a ‘loving Father perspective’ instead of a ‘poor me perspective.’ He knew His Father was at work around Him, and searched to find God’s activity in His life. He did not ask God to join Him in His work but the Son watched where His Father was working and joined Him. ‘Jesus gave them this answer: I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; He can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’ John 5:19. Jesus spent His time on responses to God's activity instead of the motivation of God's actions.
We must pray and look above our circumstances to gain the perspective of God. Before we ask for His perspective we must settle in our hearts that God is love. We must know this as heart knowledge and rely on this as truth. Once settled in our hearts and minds, we can then watch God’s activity around us and join Him in His work. We will no longer have a division of mind and heart but a solid truth of God’s love.
Until we settle this truth deep in our hearts we will always struggle with our faith when adversity strikes. We will spend more time calculating and manipulating from the middle of our circumstances instead of settling upfront our belief and reliance on God’s love. Keeping a spiritual perspective on suffering is essential in the life of a Christian. We can spend unnecessary time and emotional energy trying to ‘figure out God’ instead of seeing how God is working in our circumstances.
The life of Jesus exemplified this spiritual principle as He never questioned God’s love through any of His suffering. The matter was settled deep in His heart before the pain was experienced. In all of His circumstances Jesus had a ‘loving Father perspective’ instead of a ‘poor me perspective.’ He knew His Father was at work around Him, and searched to find God’s activity in His life. He did not ask God to join Him in His work but the Son watched where His Father was working and joined Him. ‘Jesus gave them this answer: I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; He can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’ John 5:19. Jesus spent His time on responses to God's activity instead of the motivation of God's actions.
We must pray and look above our circumstances to gain the perspective of God. Before we ask for His perspective we must settle in our hearts that God is love. We must know this as heart knowledge and rely on this as truth. Once settled in our hearts and minds, we can then watch God’s activity around us and join Him in His work. We will no longer have a division of mind and heart but a solid truth of God’s love.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Moving in Silence
“When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’” John 11:32
This story holds a special place in my heart for the reasons you would assume. In addition to my own grief after losing Beth and Daddy, this is the battle cry of everyone’s grief. On the heels of our statement, ‘Lord, if you had been here…’ we follow up in our hearts, ‘Lord, you could have and chose not to.’ Mary and Martha loved Jesus but were angry with the fact that He was silent during the duration of their beloved brother’s illness. I do not believe they ever expected Lazarus’ illness to go as far as death. They had seen Jesus perform many miracles on strangers, so they naturally expected He would perform the life sustaining miracle on His precious friend. But Jesus remained silent…He stayed away for four days until the situation was hopeless.
How do we reconcile that our Father of love sometimes chooses to remain silent and not move in ways for which we plead and beg? My Bible Study exhorts that there are two reasons for God’s silence. The first reason is that the person offering the prayer is living with an unconfessed sin. The importance of searching our hearts daily and confessing any sin that may stand between our heart and the heart of God is paramount. Once we have sincerely confessed that sin and received God’s forgiveness our relationship with God once again has the free flow of fellowship.
If we feel that sin is not at the base of His silence we must trust in faith that His silence is to teach us more of His character. Knowledge in Him is an inexhaustible resource for which we will never fully possess. Many times in my life He has remained silent on certain requests to show me a greater revelation. Personally, in the deaths of my family members He knew that I was absolutely reconciled that He could heal and save them. However, He had for me a greater service than lip service. His plan and purpose for my life involved a grief ministry which could possibly reconcile the hearts of many to the heart of God. I needed experience in my ministry to authenticate and power His plan. I do not believe that God took my family members for that purpose alone but His silence in my asking fueled many purposes in His activity in the kingdom.
When you are experiencing a time of silence, the importance of ‘being still’ and waiting on Him is essential in the life of a Christian. ‘Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.’ Zec. 2:13. Silence IS sometimes golden as the King decides when to stand and move. It is up to Him to determine the degree of revelation for which He desires us to experience to spiritually mature. Sometimes God’s silence is a delay and sometimes it is an answer. Either way He is King with or without our blessings.
Even without our blessings, we will still be blessed for He is King and Father.
This story holds a special place in my heart for the reasons you would assume. In addition to my own grief after losing Beth and Daddy, this is the battle cry of everyone’s grief. On the heels of our statement, ‘Lord, if you had been here…’ we follow up in our hearts, ‘Lord, you could have and chose not to.’ Mary and Martha loved Jesus but were angry with the fact that He was silent during the duration of their beloved brother’s illness. I do not believe they ever expected Lazarus’ illness to go as far as death. They had seen Jesus perform many miracles on strangers, so they naturally expected He would perform the life sustaining miracle on His precious friend. But Jesus remained silent…He stayed away for four days until the situation was hopeless.
How do we reconcile that our Father of love sometimes chooses to remain silent and not move in ways for which we plead and beg? My Bible Study exhorts that there are two reasons for God’s silence. The first reason is that the person offering the prayer is living with an unconfessed sin. The importance of searching our hearts daily and confessing any sin that may stand between our heart and the heart of God is paramount. Once we have sincerely confessed that sin and received God’s forgiveness our relationship with God once again has the free flow of fellowship.
If we feel that sin is not at the base of His silence we must trust in faith that His silence is to teach us more of His character. Knowledge in Him is an inexhaustible resource for which we will never fully possess. Many times in my life He has remained silent on certain requests to show me a greater revelation. Personally, in the deaths of my family members He knew that I was absolutely reconciled that He could heal and save them. However, He had for me a greater service than lip service. His plan and purpose for my life involved a grief ministry which could possibly reconcile the hearts of many to the heart of God. I needed experience in my ministry to authenticate and power His plan. I do not believe that God took my family members for that purpose alone but His silence in my asking fueled many purposes in His activity in the kingdom.
When you are experiencing a time of silence, the importance of ‘being still’ and waiting on Him is essential in the life of a Christian. ‘Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.’ Zec. 2:13. Silence IS sometimes golden as the King decides when to stand and move. It is up to Him to determine the degree of revelation for which He desires us to experience to spiritually mature. Sometimes God’s silence is a delay and sometimes it is an answer. Either way He is King with or without our blessings.
Even without our blessings, we will still be blessed for He is King and Father.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Holy Interpreters
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Co. 2:14-15
When I was 15 years old, I had the privilege of going on a school trip with a group of students who took French. We had a great time for the most part but I will never be able to forget one experience in particular. I was walking through a department store up a flight of stairs when three men in regular street clothes approached me. They began speaking fluent French and unfortunately I couldn’t understand them. I realized they were angry, anxious and accusing me of something. They pushed me up against the wall and grabbed my sweater out of my hands. It wasn’t until another shopper who spoke both English and French was able to explain the concern of these gentlemen. They were undercover policemen accusing me of shoplifting using my sweater to hide the items. Once they grabbed my sweater and realized nothing was under it they apologized and departed. I was a nervous wreck the rest of the day and was eternally grateful for the interpreter.
The Holy Spirit acts as our spiritual interpreter in our relationship with God. We travel through our lives making decisions and creating circumstances that may not be in our best interest. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit to lift certain truths regarding our lives, we could be approaching life blindly and unable to ascertain God’s message. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and instruct us we more we will be able to understand the beautiful language of God. He definitely speaks another language, one that is ‘too lofty and wonderful for us to understand.’ We must carry within us that beautiful spiritual interpreter who will softly impress His love language on our hearts and minds.
When we are allowing the Holy Spirit the full flow of God we are all speaking the same language.
When I was 15 years old, I had the privilege of going on a school trip with a group of students who took French. We had a great time for the most part but I will never be able to forget one experience in particular. I was walking through a department store up a flight of stairs when three men in regular street clothes approached me. They began speaking fluent French and unfortunately I couldn’t understand them. I realized they were angry, anxious and accusing me of something. They pushed me up against the wall and grabbed my sweater out of my hands. It wasn’t until another shopper who spoke both English and French was able to explain the concern of these gentlemen. They were undercover policemen accusing me of shoplifting using my sweater to hide the items. Once they grabbed my sweater and realized nothing was under it they apologized and departed. I was a nervous wreck the rest of the day and was eternally grateful for the interpreter.
The Holy Spirit acts as our spiritual interpreter in our relationship with God. We travel through our lives making decisions and creating circumstances that may not be in our best interest. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit to lift certain truths regarding our lives, we could be approaching life blindly and unable to ascertain God’s message. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and instruct us we more we will be able to understand the beautiful language of God. He definitely speaks another language, one that is ‘too lofty and wonderful for us to understand.’ We must carry within us that beautiful spiritual interpreter who will softly impress His love language on our hearts and minds.
When we are allowing the Holy Spirit the full flow of God we are all speaking the same language.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Standing Firm
“The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:10-11. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
I love the definition of the words foil and thwart. To foil is to prevent somebody from succeeding in something; to obscure the trail in order to hinder pursuers. Thwart is to frustrate something thereby preventing somebody or somebody’s plan from being successful.
I have a wonderful example of this verse and I have praised God frequently for Him intervening and ‘thwarting’ my plan. Years ago when I had secretly mounted up thousands of dollars of debt, the opportunity arose for my husband to be transferred to Australia with his company. Along with that move would be a substantial amount of money for relocation. At the time I handled all finances (hence the chaos!) and knew that I would be able to pay off a big chunk of the debt with that check. I prayed and prayed that God would allow this move to happen. I never prayed for His will but begged Him to allow my plan to succeed. My motivation was so displaced from the will of God and I am so thankful that He ‘frustrated my plan.’ I was going down a trail that He ‘obscured and hindered.’
Not only did He command me to confront my fears and unconfessed sin with my husband but He also protected our family. Bruce’s company did not win the bid to go to Australia and within 6-9 months the chosen company was displaced from the job. Bruce most likely would have been displaced and out of a job. Praise God that He thwarts the purposes of His people and that ‘the LORD’s purpose prevails!’
Looking back and realizing our plans that the LORD did not allow are as important as remembering the ones He did!
I love the definition of the words foil and thwart. To foil is to prevent somebody from succeeding in something; to obscure the trail in order to hinder pursuers. Thwart is to frustrate something thereby preventing somebody or somebody’s plan from being successful.
I have a wonderful example of this verse and I have praised God frequently for Him intervening and ‘thwarting’ my plan. Years ago when I had secretly mounted up thousands of dollars of debt, the opportunity arose for my husband to be transferred to Australia with his company. Along with that move would be a substantial amount of money for relocation. At the time I handled all finances (hence the chaos!) and knew that I would be able to pay off a big chunk of the debt with that check. I prayed and prayed that God would allow this move to happen. I never prayed for His will but begged Him to allow my plan to succeed. My motivation was so displaced from the will of God and I am so thankful that He ‘frustrated my plan.’ I was going down a trail that He ‘obscured and hindered.’
Not only did He command me to confront my fears and unconfessed sin with my husband but He also protected our family. Bruce’s company did not win the bid to go to Australia and within 6-9 months the chosen company was displaced from the job. Bruce most likely would have been displaced and out of a job. Praise God that He thwarts the purposes of His people and that ‘the LORD’s purpose prevails!’
Looking back and realizing our plans that the LORD did not allow are as important as remembering the ones He did!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Our Treasure Map
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him…but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God…No one knows the thoughts of the Spirit of God…He will guide you into all truth…He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” 1 Cor. 2:9-11, John 16:13-14
When our children were young we always made Christmas morning a little more fun by leaving clues around the house pointing to their gifts. Their gifts would eventually be revealed to them on our terms. We would lead them note by note with instructions of where to go next. Sometimes a note would instruct them to go into the basement, up the stairs, into the refrigerator, etc… One of us would have to accompany Caroline for she feared certain areas in the house (garage, loft). At the end of the search the gift was revealed making the search as important as the discovery.
God has given us everything required to discovery His best for us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If we have accepted God through the death and resurrection of Christ, confessed our sins and turned away from our old lives we have this treasure map within us. The Spirit searches what God has in mind for each of our lives, and step by step the search for these precious revelations for our lives will be revealed.
When one set of instructions lead us into dark and uncomfortable places God will be by our side to walk with us and comfort us. We do not have to fear for our Parent goes behind us, before us and around us. He hovers above us and moves with us as we go forward towards our spiritual revelations.
We cannot take short-cuts in finding the will of God for our lives. We must use the step by step instructions revealed to find our spiritual treasures. He will reveal these treasures through our inner treasure map, the Holy Spirit.
When our children were young we always made Christmas morning a little more fun by leaving clues around the house pointing to their gifts. Their gifts would eventually be revealed to them on our terms. We would lead them note by note with instructions of where to go next. Sometimes a note would instruct them to go into the basement, up the stairs, into the refrigerator, etc… One of us would have to accompany Caroline for she feared certain areas in the house (garage, loft). At the end of the search the gift was revealed making the search as important as the discovery.
God has given us everything required to discovery His best for us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If we have accepted God through the death and resurrection of Christ, confessed our sins and turned away from our old lives we have this treasure map within us. The Spirit searches what God has in mind for each of our lives, and step by step the search for these precious revelations for our lives will be revealed.
When one set of instructions lead us into dark and uncomfortable places God will be by our side to walk with us and comfort us. We do not have to fear for our Parent goes behind us, before us and around us. He hovers above us and moves with us as we go forward towards our spiritual revelations.
We cannot take short-cuts in finding the will of God for our lives. We must use the step by step instructions revealed to find our spiritual treasures. He will reveal these treasures through our inner treasure map, the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Belonging
“He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear God is that you do not belong to God.” John 8:47
Throughout the Bible we testify to the divine encounters between God and mankind. We learn of the encounter between God and Moses at the burning bush. We read about how Noah encountered God and carried out His desire to build an ark. We are blessed by the encounter of Mary, mother of Jesus and the angel of the LORD. God has revealed Himself to mankind since the beginning of time. Relationship has always been at the base of the heart of God. God has spoken through unique ways to individual people through their pursuit of an intimate relationship with God.
Based on Experiencing God – Knowing and Doing the Will of God, the four essential truths in these divine encounters are accessible for every Christian.
-When God speaks, it will be unique to our relationship with Him. We will not have a burning bush experience. Moses’ revelation was unique to him just as our experience will be unique to us. For me, it was a writing experience through which He spoke.
-When God speaks, we will know it is God. Moses didn’t say, ‘Who is there?’ ‘How is this bush burning?’ It was only when I began pursuing fellowship with God daily that He revealed His will for me to work on Grandmother’s book. I knew it was God speaking to me.
-When God speaks, we understand what He is saying. Moses didn’t say, ‘What is this burning bush trying to show me?’ In 2007, when I read through Grandmother’s journal searching for what God was trying to show me I read an entry she had recorded on July 31, 1997. She wrote, “At hand, however is the completion of this book - that is doing my part on it. The financing, getting an agent, getting it published and distributed is God’s work. He has promised to take care of it. I rest on Him.” It was at this point I realized what God was saying to me.
-When God speaks, we will have a divine encounter with God. Upon reading that entry, I dropped to my knees in humility that I was encountering God within the divine encounter for which my precious grandmother had encountered God.
God cares first about relationship with His children. The recognition and message will come as a result of fellowship with God. He will reveal who He is through the uniqueness of who we are.
Throughout the Bible we testify to the divine encounters between God and mankind. We learn of the encounter between God and Moses at the burning bush. We read about how Noah encountered God and carried out His desire to build an ark. We are blessed by the encounter of Mary, mother of Jesus and the angel of the LORD. God has revealed Himself to mankind since the beginning of time. Relationship has always been at the base of the heart of God. God has spoken through unique ways to individual people through their pursuit of an intimate relationship with God.
Based on Experiencing God – Knowing and Doing the Will of God, the four essential truths in these divine encounters are accessible for every Christian.
-When God speaks, it will be unique to our relationship with Him. We will not have a burning bush experience. Moses’ revelation was unique to him just as our experience will be unique to us. For me, it was a writing experience through which He spoke.
-When God speaks, we will know it is God. Moses didn’t say, ‘Who is there?’ ‘How is this bush burning?’ It was only when I began pursuing fellowship with God daily that He revealed His will for me to work on Grandmother’s book. I knew it was God speaking to me.
-When God speaks, we understand what He is saying. Moses didn’t say, ‘What is this burning bush trying to show me?’ In 2007, when I read through Grandmother’s journal searching for what God was trying to show me I read an entry she had recorded on July 31, 1997. She wrote, “At hand, however is the completion of this book - that is doing my part on it. The financing, getting an agent, getting it published and distributed is God’s work. He has promised to take care of it. I rest on Him.” It was at this point I realized what God was saying to me.
-When God speaks, we will have a divine encounter with God. Upon reading that entry, I dropped to my knees in humility that I was encountering God within the divine encounter for which my precious grandmother had encountered God.
God cares first about relationship with His children. The recognition and message will come as a result of fellowship with God. He will reveal who He is through the uniqueness of who we are.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
What Shall I Do?
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (33)But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33
God has laid this passage of Scripture on my heart over and over again for the past few weeks. My grandmother used to pray for a year verse for the upcoming year that would anchor all prayers and guidance from God. Through her journals I witnessed them coming alive on paper. Back in 2007, I started praying in the same manner and each year have also been given specific verses. I know that verse 33 is my 2011 Year Verse. I was able to see the first fruit of that realization yesterday.
I have a friend who is going through a separation. She certainly has a basis for their parting but the husband doesn’t want it. It has been tenuous at best with much anger, bitterness and hurt. She talked him into going through mediation instead of separate attorneys to avoid additional polarization between the two of them for the sake of the children. We had a circle of people praying leading up to the mediation for both parties. The mediation went great and remained peaceful and calm throughout, providing a fair and mutual agreement for all parties. I asked her how she prayed specifically and she named the following prayer items:
For God’s presence to be in that room;
For God to soften both her heart and the heart of her husband;
For God to comfort both parties during this meeting;
For God’s wisdom in this arrangement.
This woman sought the things of God first and foremost instead of praying for her wishes. She didn’t approach God with a wish list of what she needed to live on. She sought the things that she knew were more important than the logistics of the meeting. She prayed for the higher things placing her husband’s comfort at the top. We should not worry about the things of this world for when we are seeking ‘first His kingdom and His righteousness all things will be given to us as well.’
God has laid this passage of Scripture on my heart over and over again for the past few weeks. My grandmother used to pray for a year verse for the upcoming year that would anchor all prayers and guidance from God. Through her journals I witnessed them coming alive on paper. Back in 2007, I started praying in the same manner and each year have also been given specific verses. I know that verse 33 is my 2011 Year Verse. I was able to see the first fruit of that realization yesterday.
I have a friend who is going through a separation. She certainly has a basis for their parting but the husband doesn’t want it. It has been tenuous at best with much anger, bitterness and hurt. She talked him into going through mediation instead of separate attorneys to avoid additional polarization between the two of them for the sake of the children. We had a circle of people praying leading up to the mediation for both parties. The mediation went great and remained peaceful and calm throughout, providing a fair and mutual agreement for all parties. I asked her how she prayed specifically and she named the following prayer items:
For God’s presence to be in that room;
For God to soften both her heart and the heart of her husband;
For God to comfort both parties during this meeting;
For God’s wisdom in this arrangement.
This woman sought the things of God first and foremost instead of praying for her wishes. She didn’t approach God with a wish list of what she needed to live on. She sought the things that she knew were more important than the logistics of the meeting. She prayed for the higher things placing her husband’s comfort at the top. We should not worry about the things of this world for when we are seeking ‘first His kingdom and His righteousness all things will be given to us as well.’
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
As The Deer Pants...
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’ These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan.’” Psalm 42:1-6
I rarely use a passage this long because of the depth of truth we can glean from one precious Word of God. This passage has so much truth and honesty from the heart of a grieving Christian. This Psalm was written by King David, a man described in the Bible as ‘a man after God’s heart’. He was one of the most spiritual champions who ever lived and yet this passage is proof that he felt as if he lacked God’s presence in this situation. He likened his soul to a deer who was completely depleted of nourishment. He admitted his need to experience not just God but the living God. The one who can comfort, rescue and spiritually nourish. He speaks in his heart journal the need to ‘remember’ what God has done in the past since he cannot feel Him in his present. He acknowledges that he used to be a leader in his faith but has lost his place in line. He no longer leads the spiritual pack but falls in despair. He acknowledges his distress, despair and spiritual depression. He then raises the essential principle of despair – continue praising God apart from the circumstances. He claims that God is still his Savior and His God. He ends with remembering the God with whom he has met at other disparaging times of his life until He can see the Savior delivering him in this situation.
Who can relate to this heart cry to God this morning? I know I can on some levels. In my present situation it feels as if resolution will never come. I must recall the times when he has ‘calmed greater waters than these and made higher mountains come down.’
While our faith can be so strong in some arenas it can be so fragile in others. Just because the sun is behind the clouds doesn’t mean it isn’t warming the earth. Our faith in God keeps us warm even when we feel we are in the cold darkness.
I rarely use a passage this long because of the depth of truth we can glean from one precious Word of God. This passage has so much truth and honesty from the heart of a grieving Christian. This Psalm was written by King David, a man described in the Bible as ‘a man after God’s heart’. He was one of the most spiritual champions who ever lived and yet this passage is proof that he felt as if he lacked God’s presence in this situation. He likened his soul to a deer who was completely depleted of nourishment. He admitted his need to experience not just God but the living God. The one who can comfort, rescue and spiritually nourish. He speaks in his heart journal the need to ‘remember’ what God has done in the past since he cannot feel Him in his present. He acknowledges that he used to be a leader in his faith but has lost his place in line. He no longer leads the spiritual pack but falls in despair. He acknowledges his distress, despair and spiritual depression. He then raises the essential principle of despair – continue praising God apart from the circumstances. He claims that God is still his Savior and His God. He ends with remembering the God with whom he has met at other disparaging times of his life until He can see the Savior delivering him in this situation.
Who can relate to this heart cry to God this morning? I know I can on some levels. In my present situation it feels as if resolution will never come. I must recall the times when he has ‘calmed greater waters than these and made higher mountains come down.’
While our faith can be so strong in some arenas it can be so fragile in others. Just because the sun is behind the clouds doesn’t mean it isn’t warming the earth. Our faith in God keeps us warm even when we feel we are in the cold darkness.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Immeasurably More...
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us…”Ephesians 3:20
Yesterday when I was taking Bruce to the airport, I was telling him about my last conversation with Daddy the Sunday before he was taken home. Bruce encouraged me to apply this story to our relationship with God. As many of you are very aware, Daddy and I shared a passion for the Duke Blue Devils. (Please don’t quit reading Tar Heels!) The Sunday before his passing, we watched the ACC Tournament as we had many years before. Duke won the title that day but I received so much more. As I prepared to leave Daddy realizing he only had a day or two I reached down and kissed him, telling him I loved him. He was very weak and he smiled, grabbed my hand and shook his head. At that moment I became the five year old little girl who needed to hear from her father the words ‘I love you.’ I whispered in Daddy’s hear that I needed to hear it and with every ounce of strength he whispered the words back to me. As I was about to turn and leave he squeezed my hand and said it a second time. This exchange breathes life into the above verse as I relate to my heavenly Father.
We come to our Father with our most intimate needs and ask as if there may be a chance we wouldn’t receive everything we need. We approach Him with such a limited scope of what He can provide. There have been so many times in my own life when He has given so much more than I asked. There have times when my worry and fretful thoughts discounted the peace I could have found in the truth of His power. ‘in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead…’ Eph. 1:19-20. The strength and power that is available for me is the same strength and power that penetrated into that lifeless earthly body of our sweet Savior and rose Him to His beautiful spiritual body. The power is ours for the taking if we will pursue God through Christ will all of our passion and zeal.
Ask Him to tell you He loves you and see how many times you are told.
Yesterday when I was taking Bruce to the airport, I was telling him about my last conversation with Daddy the Sunday before he was taken home. Bruce encouraged me to apply this story to our relationship with God. As many of you are very aware, Daddy and I shared a passion for the Duke Blue Devils. (Please don’t quit reading Tar Heels!) The Sunday before his passing, we watched the ACC Tournament as we had many years before. Duke won the title that day but I received so much more. As I prepared to leave Daddy realizing he only had a day or two I reached down and kissed him, telling him I loved him. He was very weak and he smiled, grabbed my hand and shook his head. At that moment I became the five year old little girl who needed to hear from her father the words ‘I love you.’ I whispered in Daddy’s hear that I needed to hear it and with every ounce of strength he whispered the words back to me. As I was about to turn and leave he squeezed my hand and said it a second time. This exchange breathes life into the above verse as I relate to my heavenly Father.
We come to our Father with our most intimate needs and ask as if there may be a chance we wouldn’t receive everything we need. We approach Him with such a limited scope of what He can provide. There have been so many times in my own life when He has given so much more than I asked. There have times when my worry and fretful thoughts discounted the peace I could have found in the truth of His power. ‘in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead…’ Eph. 1:19-20. The strength and power that is available for me is the same strength and power that penetrated into that lifeless earthly body of our sweet Savior and rose Him to His beautiful spiritual body. The power is ours for the taking if we will pursue God through Christ will all of our passion and zeal.
Ask Him to tell you He loves you and see how many times you are told.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Into Him
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:21
A few years ago a movie came out entitled He’s Just Not That Into You! I never saw this movie but have heard lines out of it over the years. It is the secret heart message that we as Christians sometimes feel when we think God is silent. We see Him working in the lives of others and witness His activity in their circumstances. In some of our circumstances, we secretly feel that we are not loved as much as we need to be by our Father, and that His wisdom is sparingly dispersed. We subconsciously feel that He is just not really into us!
This lack of belief in a God who is love is contrary to the beautiful promise above. We each qualify for this agape love from both the Father and Son. In order to have His commands we must get to know how He feels about everything through pursuing Him. Through knowing Him, we experience this love creating a passion to obey. Christ is our love proxy to God who loves us freely through His Son.
There are certain things we must settle up front or our faith will falter when the tough times come. 1) God always operates from a standpoint of love. That is His nature and He cannot be anything apart from love. Any emotion towards God that ‘feels’ contrary to love comes from Satan. 2) God is all-knowing. He arranges our present situations based on our future needs. 3) God will equip us with everything we need if we stick close to Him.
‘Suppose you had to cross a field full of land mines and a person who knew exactly where each one was buried offered to take you through it…I would stay as close to that person as I could. I certainly would not wander off. His directions to me would preserve my life. He would say, “Don’t go that way, because that way will kill you. Go this way and you will live.” That is the purpose of God’s commands. He wants you to receive life and have it abundantly. When the Lord gives you a command, He is trying to protect and preserve the best He has for you…When God gives a command, He is not restricting you. He is freeing you.’ Experiencing God – Knowing and Doing the Will of God, p.76.
He really is into you!
A few years ago a movie came out entitled He’s Just Not That Into You! I never saw this movie but have heard lines out of it over the years. It is the secret heart message that we as Christians sometimes feel when we think God is silent. We see Him working in the lives of others and witness His activity in their circumstances. In some of our circumstances, we secretly feel that we are not loved as much as we need to be by our Father, and that His wisdom is sparingly dispersed. We subconsciously feel that He is just not really into us!
This lack of belief in a God who is love is contrary to the beautiful promise above. We each qualify for this agape love from both the Father and Son. In order to have His commands we must get to know how He feels about everything through pursuing Him. Through knowing Him, we experience this love creating a passion to obey. Christ is our love proxy to God who loves us freely through His Son.
There are certain things we must settle up front or our faith will falter when the tough times come. 1) God always operates from a standpoint of love. That is His nature and He cannot be anything apart from love. Any emotion towards God that ‘feels’ contrary to love comes from Satan. 2) God is all-knowing. He arranges our present situations based on our future needs. 3) God will equip us with everything we need if we stick close to Him.
‘Suppose you had to cross a field full of land mines and a person who knew exactly where each one was buried offered to take you through it…I would stay as close to that person as I could. I certainly would not wander off. His directions to me would preserve my life. He would say, “Don’t go that way, because that way will kill you. Go this way and you will live.” That is the purpose of God’s commands. He wants you to receive life and have it abundantly. When the Lord gives you a command, He is trying to protect and preserve the best He has for you…When God gives a command, He is not restricting you. He is freeing you.’ Experiencing God – Knowing and Doing the Will of God, p.76.
He really is into you!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Naming God
“Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?’ God responded, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Ex. 3:14)
In the Bible God created experiences and fellowship with His children so He could accomplish important purposes in His work. God revealed Himself to those who stood at their crucibles resulting many times in them renaming Him or a place where He interceded. These names represented their own personal testimonies in their own personal sufferings. You will be blessed if you read the following stories to anchor this practice.
Moses – The LORD is my Banner (A banner is the standard that goes in front of an army to indicate whom it represents.) Ex. 17:8-15
Hagar – The well of Beer Lahai Roi (the well of the Living One who sees me)
Gen. 21:1-20
Abraham – The place of ‘The LORD will provide.’ (the mountain where God intervened and provided the ram in the bush for sacrifice in place of Abraham’s son) Gen. 22:1-19
Our experiences create our own list of names for God. He takes on many names during both times of pain and the deliverance from pain. These names are unique and personal and are based on our perception of God. If we approach our trials with love and trust in God our names for Him will match His character. If we lack trust and faith in His love our names for Him may be distorted. (The God who didn’t save, The God who didn’t hear, The God who didn’t care)
In my own life my pain distorted who God really was in my life. The closer I became to God the more aligned my given names for Him were consistent with His character. A few of my names for our LORD are as follows:
The Restorer of Life – As my daughter lay on the hospital floor flat lining from a heroin overdose He physically saved her life. But the real life He restored that day was the spiritual and emotional life as she decided to become clean and live a life reconciled to Him.
The One who Touched – When my youngest daughter, Caroline lost her boyfriend in an accident she pushed me away. She said the pain was too great to share with anyone. I felt rejected and alone. As tears streamed down my face I actually felt the hand of God touch my cheek and wipe my tears. I was completely transformed that morning.
Remover of Stones – With the deaths of my sister and dad, the darkness of their tombs was replaced with the stones removed. Their precious resurrections from this earth were replaced with glorious life in the eternal.
What are your names for God based on your own sufferings and do they match His character?
In the Bible God created experiences and fellowship with His children so He could accomplish important purposes in His work. God revealed Himself to those who stood at their crucibles resulting many times in them renaming Him or a place where He interceded. These names represented their own personal testimonies in their own personal sufferings. You will be blessed if you read the following stories to anchor this practice.
Moses – The LORD is my Banner (A banner is the standard that goes in front of an army to indicate whom it represents.) Ex. 17:8-15
Hagar – The well of Beer Lahai Roi (the well of the Living One who sees me)
Gen. 21:1-20
Abraham – The place of ‘The LORD will provide.’ (the mountain where God intervened and provided the ram in the bush for sacrifice in place of Abraham’s son) Gen. 22:1-19
Our experiences create our own list of names for God. He takes on many names during both times of pain and the deliverance from pain. These names are unique and personal and are based on our perception of God. If we approach our trials with love and trust in God our names for Him will match His character. If we lack trust and faith in His love our names for Him may be distorted. (The God who didn’t save, The God who didn’t hear, The God who didn’t care)
In my own life my pain distorted who God really was in my life. The closer I became to God the more aligned my given names for Him were consistent with His character. A few of my names for our LORD are as follows:
The Restorer of Life – As my daughter lay on the hospital floor flat lining from a heroin overdose He physically saved her life. But the real life He restored that day was the spiritual and emotional life as she decided to become clean and live a life reconciled to Him.
The One who Touched – When my youngest daughter, Caroline lost her boyfriend in an accident she pushed me away. She said the pain was too great to share with anyone. I felt rejected and alone. As tears streamed down my face I actually felt the hand of God touch my cheek and wipe my tears. I was completely transformed that morning.
Remover of Stones – With the deaths of my sister and dad, the darkness of their tombs was replaced with the stones removed. Their precious resurrections from this earth were replaced with glorious life in the eternal.
What are your names for God based on your own sufferings and do they match His character?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sweet Dreams
“At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you...’ ‘So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong…’ The LORD was pleased…So God said to him… ‘I will give you a wise and discerning heart…Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for – both riches and honor…’ 1 Kings 3:5-10
This exchange between God and King Solomon is full of examples of a heart bent towards God. I love how this exchange began through the night as God appeared to Solomon in the darkness. God was present when Solomon was sleeping and came to him with a request for blessings. Solomon was only 20 years old when he became king to the throne and knew his limitations. When asked what he desired from God his response was the blueprint for our desires. He first acknowledged that God was his master and he was God’s servant. Secondly, what he desired for himself was for God to equip him in the manner for which he could be highly effective and righteous in his service to God. He thought not of what the worldly treasures could hold, rather what was good for God’s work. The last principle that I love in this passage is that if we are asking for the things relating to God’s work He will give us so much more.
In my own life I have seen this principle in action. I asked God to heal my daughter’s drug addiction – I received three grandchildren in addition to His healing. I asked God to help me edit and finish my grandmother’s book – I received my own writing ministry. I asked for God to heal my heart after my first marriage – I received a wonderful life partner with whom I share a Christ-centered marriage. The common denominator for all of these blessings has been a ‘Christ-first pursuit’.
God desires to bestow wonderful and amazing blessings on each of His children just as we enjoy giving our children the best we have. If we will approach Him with a heart of servitude and love, trust His will and provisions for the purposes for which we have been called, our desires will align more closely with His agenda for our lives. He will give us so much more than what we could ever imagine.
Pursue Him and enjoy sweet dreams!
This exchange between God and King Solomon is full of examples of a heart bent towards God. I love how this exchange began through the night as God appeared to Solomon in the darkness. God was present when Solomon was sleeping and came to him with a request for blessings. Solomon was only 20 years old when he became king to the throne and knew his limitations. When asked what he desired from God his response was the blueprint for our desires. He first acknowledged that God was his master and he was God’s servant. Secondly, what he desired for himself was for God to equip him in the manner for which he could be highly effective and righteous in his service to God. He thought not of what the worldly treasures could hold, rather what was good for God’s work. The last principle that I love in this passage is that if we are asking for the things relating to God’s work He will give us so much more.
In my own life I have seen this principle in action. I asked God to heal my daughter’s drug addiction – I received three grandchildren in addition to His healing. I asked God to help me edit and finish my grandmother’s book – I received my own writing ministry. I asked for God to heal my heart after my first marriage – I received a wonderful life partner with whom I share a Christ-centered marriage. The common denominator for all of these blessings has been a ‘Christ-first pursuit’.
God desires to bestow wonderful and amazing blessings on each of His children just as we enjoy giving our children the best we have. If we will approach Him with a heart of servitude and love, trust His will and provisions for the purposes for which we have been called, our desires will align more closely with His agenda for our lives. He will give us so much more than what we could ever imagine.
Pursue Him and enjoy sweet dreams!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
He Changes Seasons...
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and disposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:19-21
It seems I am always proclaiming my favorite book of the Bible only to change my mind based on my circumstances. I consistently seem to vacillate between my favorite books based upon the revelations and applications revealed. Through Scripture, I receive certain truths in my circumstances providing wisdom for that particular season. One of the absolute truths that I have adopted in my spiritual arsenal is the promise of seasons being temporary. I have been in a five year season of intense medical family issues requiring patience, endurance and heartbreak. This has seemed less like a season and more like a lifetime.
This passage is good news for me this morning as it reveals essential truths providing present hope and sustaining faith. It affirms that I am to praise God first apart from my circumstances, acknowledging His ultimate control with sovereign wisdom and power. It follows up with the comfort that time does not stand still and our seasons are temporary. Scripture continues with the truth that God is the authority over all authority. He decides both political and spiritual leadership and the length of time they will serve on our behalf. (This is great news after yesterday’s election with balance brought back in alignment.) This passage ends on the promise that we can be privy to His wisdom and knowledge by being wise and discerning through our pursuit of God.
This book denotes one ordinary man acting in extraordinary ways to further the message of his Savior. His Savior of yesterday is our Savior of today and the Savior for my grandchildren. ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ Hebrews 13:8.
Did I tell you that Daniel is my favorite Book of the Bible?
It seems I am always proclaiming my favorite book of the Bible only to change my mind based on my circumstances. I consistently seem to vacillate between my favorite books based upon the revelations and applications revealed. Through Scripture, I receive certain truths in my circumstances providing wisdom for that particular season. One of the absolute truths that I have adopted in my spiritual arsenal is the promise of seasons being temporary. I have been in a five year season of intense medical family issues requiring patience, endurance and heartbreak. This has seemed less like a season and more like a lifetime.
This passage is good news for me this morning as it reveals essential truths providing present hope and sustaining faith. It affirms that I am to praise God first apart from my circumstances, acknowledging His ultimate control with sovereign wisdom and power. It follows up with the comfort that time does not stand still and our seasons are temporary. Scripture continues with the truth that God is the authority over all authority. He decides both political and spiritual leadership and the length of time they will serve on our behalf. (This is great news after yesterday’s election with balance brought back in alignment.) This passage ends on the promise that we can be privy to His wisdom and knowledge by being wise and discerning through our pursuit of God.
This book denotes one ordinary man acting in extraordinary ways to further the message of his Savior. His Savior of yesterday is our Savior of today and the Savior for my grandchildren. ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ Hebrews 13:8.
Did I tell you that Daniel is my favorite Book of the Bible?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
All These Things...
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:3
When my daughter Caroline was 8 years old she gave me this plastic water bottle for Mother’s Day one year. Taped to the front of the bottle is a crudely made strip of paper that reads, 100 Ways I Love You! She had 100 strips of paper that she had written of ways for which we have experienced our love. To not share a few of the funny ones would do a disservice to her. (Spellcheck is having a field day!)
You married a brilyant man. (Notice, it didn’t say I am brilliant!)
You like to keep it clean. (Not sure what?)
Your face was the first face I saw.
Your very not rude.
Your very, very understandable.
Youre got good attitued.
You were my first friend.
You don’t speed.
Your clean and fresh.
Your not noisey.
As parents, our children’s response to our love is based on the invitation we extend to them. We take the initiative to develop an on-going relationship through fellowship, shared experiences and memories. The same is with our Father. He will always take the initiative to pursue a relationship with us. We must accept that initiative, enter into intimacy with Him and build a relationship based on our shared experiences.
I found in Caroline’s bottle this morning other things on her heart that morning long ago which I will repeat as I prepare my own list of ways I love God and know that He loves me.
You gave me life.
Our resemblance. (on-going pursuit!)
My heart is your heart.
The feelings in me for you.
How I can talk to you about anything.
Your comfort to me.
You are very forgiving.
You love all.
The stories we share.
The way you treat me.
You made all of us Christians.
The way you give hugs and kisses.
How you make me enjoy my life.
Our special times.
You always know what to say.
Your smile is big.
You’re loving.
You gave me family.
You know best.
You can keep secrets.
You’re generous.
You’re promising.
Caroline would have missed out on all these things if she wouldn’t have entered into this relationship with consistency, passion and complete child-like faith. She was able to grow up in this intimacy. God our Father has so much for us to experience with Him but we must seek Him first in order to fellowship.
What does your little bottle of blessings say to your Father?
When my daughter Caroline was 8 years old she gave me this plastic water bottle for Mother’s Day one year. Taped to the front of the bottle is a crudely made strip of paper that reads, 100 Ways I Love You! She had 100 strips of paper that she had written of ways for which we have experienced our love. To not share a few of the funny ones would do a disservice to her. (Spellcheck is having a field day!)
You married a brilyant man. (Notice, it didn’t say I am brilliant!)
You like to keep it clean. (Not sure what?)
Your face was the first face I saw.
Your very not rude.
Your very, very understandable.
Youre got good attitued.
You were my first friend.
You don’t speed.
Your clean and fresh.
Your not noisey.
As parents, our children’s response to our love is based on the invitation we extend to them. We take the initiative to develop an on-going relationship through fellowship, shared experiences and memories. The same is with our Father. He will always take the initiative to pursue a relationship with us. We must accept that initiative, enter into intimacy with Him and build a relationship based on our shared experiences.
I found in Caroline’s bottle this morning other things on her heart that morning long ago which I will repeat as I prepare my own list of ways I love God and know that He loves me.
You gave me life.
Our resemblance. (on-going pursuit!)
My heart is your heart.
The feelings in me for you.
How I can talk to you about anything.
Your comfort to me.
You are very forgiving.
You love all.
The stories we share.
The way you treat me.
You made all of us Christians.
The way you give hugs and kisses.
How you make me enjoy my life.
Our special times.
You always know what to say.
Your smile is big.
You’re loving.
You gave me family.
You know best.
You can keep secrets.
You’re generous.
You’re promising.
Caroline would have missed out on all these things if she wouldn’t have entered into this relationship with consistency, passion and complete child-like faith. She was able to grow up in this intimacy. God our Father has so much for us to experience with Him but we must seek Him first in order to fellowship.
What does your little bottle of blessings say to your Father?
Monday, November 1, 2010
When Grief Takes Hold
“While you were doing all these things declares the LORD, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you but you did not answer.” Jeremiah 7:13
This verse speaks specifically to the sin that had overcome the region as a community back in the days of Jeremiah the prophet. In reading the verse this morning my Griefshare class came to mind instead of the topic of sin.
Grief is a paradox in itself. It is the very time when we should hold dearest the things of God since He is the only One who can deliver us from our pain. But, grief is such an overwhelming and all surpassing pain that many times it polarizes us from the heart of God. He calls out to us, extends His nail-scarred hand only for us to not respond. He speaks to us through the calm and beauty of nature and precious new memories with remaining family members, yet we seem numb to these blessings.
Instead we wrap the garment of John 11:34 around our shoulders, ‘But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ We have all worn this garment before and it hangs in each of our closets. This does not anger God nor does it cause Him to turn away from His children. At certain times in the Bible, each member of the Trinity is noted as grief being an emotion they also experience. Since the beginning of time, man’s sins have grieved the heart of God. ‘The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on earth had become…The LORD was grieved…and his heart was full of pain.’ ‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,’ Eph 4:30. ‘When Jesus saw her weeping…he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled…Jesus wept…’ John 11:32.
My Bible commentary states that Jesus groaned with pain over the passing of Lazarus and the pain his death has caused. God gave us the ability to love deeply which means we will experience pain in the loss of that person. It is the person that we grieve for since their love was such an important part of our lives. But God had to send death into the world once sin infiltrated mankind. Only through death on earth can eternal life with God begin.
Grief is experienced through any loss and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Call out to God for comfort and answer Him when He calls. He has been experiencing grief in His heart since the beginning of time. When grief takes hold of our hearts we are experiencing fellowship with every part of the Holy Trinity.
This verse speaks specifically to the sin that had overcome the region as a community back in the days of Jeremiah the prophet. In reading the verse this morning my Griefshare class came to mind instead of the topic of sin.
Grief is a paradox in itself. It is the very time when we should hold dearest the things of God since He is the only One who can deliver us from our pain. But, grief is such an overwhelming and all surpassing pain that many times it polarizes us from the heart of God. He calls out to us, extends His nail-scarred hand only for us to not respond. He speaks to us through the calm and beauty of nature and precious new memories with remaining family members, yet we seem numb to these blessings.
Instead we wrap the garment of John 11:34 around our shoulders, ‘But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ We have all worn this garment before and it hangs in each of our closets. This does not anger God nor does it cause Him to turn away from His children. At certain times in the Bible, each member of the Trinity is noted as grief being an emotion they also experience. Since the beginning of time, man’s sins have grieved the heart of God. ‘The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on earth had become…The LORD was grieved…and his heart was full of pain.’ ‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,’ Eph 4:30. ‘When Jesus saw her weeping…he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled…Jesus wept…’ John 11:32.
My Bible commentary states that Jesus groaned with pain over the passing of Lazarus and the pain his death has caused. God gave us the ability to love deeply which means we will experience pain in the loss of that person. It is the person that we grieve for since their love was such an important part of our lives. But God had to send death into the world once sin infiltrated mankind. Only through death on earth can eternal life with God begin.
Grief is experienced through any loss and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Call out to God for comfort and answer Him when He calls. He has been experiencing grief in His heart since the beginning of time. When grief takes hold of our hearts we are experiencing fellowship with every part of the Holy Trinity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
