Sacred Secrets

 "I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, The LORD … who calls you by your name” Isaiah 45:3.

Let’s be honest…every one of us desires to be important and valued in everything we do.  Think about the time when your parent told only you something important and asked you to keep it private for the moment.  Or times when a secret decision is sweetly shared just between you and your spouse?  What about that time when the leader of your work called you in, and confided in you about some future decision?  No doubt there was a feeling of acceptance...approval…maybe even a little bit of pride as you turned and left that office.  You had a secret that affected many and a boss who valued you enough to share that secret...chosen… selected …trusted in the hidden rooms with guarded secrets.

God also has secrets that He wants to share with us that will affect many.  His secret is something that only we share with our Creator.  What if we would operate in our spiritual lives in the same manner?  What if we zealously sought to be in the private places with God as much as we long for this with our family…our spouses…our management team?  Isaiah 45:3 tells us that we serve a God who desires this from us.  He sits in the secret place of our prayers waiting for us to give Him the same face time we give to people and activities.  His desire is for us to long for Him, but He patiently sits and watches our longing for something else.  He has a treasure trove just waiting to share with us…sacred secrets to whisper in our spirit…treasures to be collected and share with others in time.  He knows that we mainly seek Him in darkness instead of light.  He creates challenges so He can share with us what He had already planned to give us.  But we give our attention and concentration to other people …other things… other activities. 

What if we placed our efforts in prayer instead of ponderings…intimacy with One instead of acceptance with many?  Jesus has hidden secrets that are meant for our ears only but will our secrets go unrealized?  When will we ever truly understand that the ultimate power meeting will be with the One who has the ultimate power?  We must learn to dwell through the day in our fellowship with God to give Him the space to confide in us.  We are chosen…selected…trusted in our hidden places with the Almighty.

“He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1.

Branching Out

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” John 15:1-6.

I must admit that over the past few years I have failed to cut back the branches on my rose bushes.  When I finally decided to work on them the branches of two rose bushes had grown into each other.  It was a mess and they were intertwined, making it difficult to see which branches belonged to which vine.  After much separating, cutting back and discarding the dead ones I was able to redefine which branch went with which vine. 

There is a similar principle in our spiritual lives.  There are two vines…the spiritual one in God and the earthly one in the flesh.  If we are not careful we will branch out towards the flesh vine and become intertwined with the world.  There will be a lack of true spiritual definition in our lives and testimonies.  Our branches will be dull, and lack the beautiful blooms intended for our testimonies.  As Christians we must choose the vine from which to branch off.  Will we lean towards the world in satisfaction and provisions or will we reside closely in the vine of the Spirit?  In our passage Jesus reminds us that He is the true vine, inferring that there will be false vines.  Our world beckons us to branch out in selfishness and entitlement.  Our world tempts us to depend on its resources instead of the provisions of our Father.  We are cautioned that if we branch out away from God we fail to bear the very fruit God intended for each of us.  Jesus said that we are recognized by our fruit, so I wonder whether our fruit bears the resemblance of the flesh or of discipleship.

 

‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’ John 15:8. 

Doubt Can't Move Stones

“‘But Lord’ said Martha. Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’  So they took away the stone and Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me’” John 11:38, 41-42.

The day had been daunting.  The sisters had sent for the One who could save their precious brother.  But, Jesus had not come…had not saved…had the ability but didn’t show up.  Their brother had died and was buried in a cave with a stone covering the entrance.  Four long days of grieving, planning, feeling abandoned…When Jesus arrived He asked them to escort Him to the burial site…the very place where their dreams were laid to rest.  His instructions were for them to move the stone so He could accomplish God’s will.  Obviously, the sisters had their reasons for questioning Jesus, but He reminded them that their belief in answered prayers would be the means for receiving their desire.

Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead.  More importantly, Jesus knew what had really died was their belief in getting the desire of their hearts.  He knew what dream was in their heart, but their unbelief was covering the entrance of answered prayers.  The stone was heavy and blocked their path from receiving their miracle. 

I was considering this earlier today and wondering what unbelief is covering the entrance to my miracle.  What heavy stone stands in the way of living like we expect God to give us the desires of my heart?  ‘But Lord, what if she is not healed?  But Lord, what if my son never returns?  But Lord, what if I can’t pay my bills?’  The ‘buts’ go on and on and our heavy stone stays in front of our desires.  When we form words of unbelief and doubt…I’m never going to get _________ we run the risk of sabotaging our own answered prayers.  We must pray for boldness, confidence and in expectation that God reads our hearts and moves mountains for His children.  But remember…

Doubt can’t move stones, but faith can.

Lingering...

“…but God did say, ‘You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden…’ the serpent said… ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened.’ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and desirable…she took some and ate it.” Gen 3:4-6

Yesterday our sermon was on God’s dream coming true…that all people would accept the invitation of receiving deliverance from sin. The sermon was packed with amazing truths but my favorite truth was Talbot’s definition of sin. His definition is that sin is the belief that God is really not good, and heaven wants to withhold the things earth wants to give us. As I was considering this, I immediately thought of earth’s first woman, Eve. Her touch to the forbidden fruit was where this definition took on reality… and continues to be realized in today’s times…by today’s people…and will continue until we are ushered home to heaven.

I can't help but visualize the tree in the middle among all of the other trees of Eden. Once tempted by evil she must have gazed upon that tree with a different set of eyes. Did she ever resist it? Did she tentatively touch the fruit a few times before she digested it? Did she linger near the middle more so than she used to? There is no time table in the Bible between the serpent’s lies and God’s truth. We simply know that like our definition God told her one thing and she believed another, as Satan slipped the seed of doubt into her mind and heart.  It seems she felt God was withholding something from her…something only earth could give her. Our definition is powerful and applicable from the days of Creation up to Christmas, 2013.

The consideration this morning is to apply our lives to this definition. Do I really believe God is orchestrating things according to His best? Do I really believe God loves me as much as He claims? What do I feel God is withholding from me?  What is earth bursting at the seams to give me…to convince me of my entitlement…to pursue in my own strength?  What is Satan convincing you of this morning that contradicts God's promises?

Every moment that we linger in the middle of these earthly desires make us more vulnerable, and are missed moments with the Master. If we are going to linger, let us linger with the Lamb.

 

The Headless Horseman

“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday…If you make the Most High your dwelling…then no harm will befall you…For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands… Psalm 91:5-15.

 

This morning I arose with a certain passage on my heart for a certain friend on my heart.  I couldn’t remember its biblical address and decided to get on with my prayer time and meditation on God’s word.  It wasn’t very long into my time when my study required me turning to Psalm 91.  There was my verse which leapt off the page guided by the headless horseman named terror.  What a strong word when dealing with threats in our lives.  The definition of terror is an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger.  I can’t help but ask the question this morning…what terrorizes you through the night?  What threat stalks in the darkness and destroys your peace during the day?
 
I am confident that God is fully aware of the power of our imaginations and tendencies to predict the future colored by fear.  We have an enemy who longs to elevate our fears with terror, especially during the night.  In the past, when I feel threatened by pestilence and plague…that is those malicious and discouraging thoughts and fears…I remember that God is in control and even promises the care of His angels.  But God also is aware that many times we choose fear over faith and panic over His power.  I love ‘If and then’ verses which are verses that God gives us with a conditional promise.  In this case, if I dwell in Him instead of dwelling within my fears, then I will be free from harm.  If I really believe God is who He says He is and is in complete control, then I will experience His peace.   

The second part of this passage is the basis for His promise…nothing but love…unconditional love.  Because of His great love for us He continues to tell us what He will do for us when we turn to Him. ‘Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will rescue him…I will protect him…I will answer him…I will be with him in trouble…I will deliver him and honor him…I will satisfy him’ Psalm 91:16.  What is our part in all of these amazing promises based on his love for us?  Our part is to trust Him and love Him right back.  What does this look like for a Christian?  It means when Satan’s arrows fly we shoot back with Scripture.  It means when our fears start to rise we affirm that God is who He says He is.  It means that when threats stalk our thoughts we pray in Jesus’ name to deliver us from them. 

“And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” Joel 2:32.

No Red Remains

"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” Isaiah 1:18.  “I, even I, am he that blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins” Isaiah 43:25.

My first job out of college was working for the Clerk of Court in the room where huge volumes were maintained for deeds, mortgages and property liens.  It was where all land transactions were kept.  It was an intimidating room as the door was a thick metal combination vault door similar to vaults in a bank.  One of my responsibilities was to record when someone paid off a property lien.  The manner in which this was accomplished was with a bottle of White Out.  The lien was originally written in red to stand out but my job was to ‘blot out’ the red information with the white liquid.  While there was evidence of the white, no red remained.  It didn’t matter how hard someone tried no one could read what the former debt was – it was covered in white.

As I type this with a lump in my throat I visualize us all having spiritual vaults with past sins and transactions recorded.  I can see our sweet Christ Jesus with the combination to the room standing at the door smiling…turning the combination with scarred hands…delighted to find that volume and blot out that debt.  He knows that after the white of the Lamb covers up the red of the debt He will never open that volume again…no need…forgiven…settled…debt paid.   

My heart is overwhelmed with the sacred settling of our sins by our Savior.  He tenderly calls, ‘Come now, Brenda and let us settle your secret spending.  Let us work together and settle your unforgiveness towards that person.  Let us partner in giving that situation and person mercy.’  And in the strength of my Savior we settled the matter.  He took His white flowing liquid and covered the red and…

no red remains!  Those past sins are remembered no more. May you be encouraged that whatever has been done can be settled in Him…reconciled with Him…and justified by Him.

No Guts...No Glory

“‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said.  ‘Can you drink the cup I drink’ Mark 10:37-38.

The disciples had walked many roads together with their Teacher, and had shared such amazing intimacy with Jesus.  They witnessed miracles together and grew in love, respect and reverence for their precious friend.  As their loyalty and commitment grew so did their desire to join Jesus on every level.  But Jesus knew the state of their hearts…they wanted the glam without the gore…the glory without the guts.

We are so much like the disciples as we grow in our own spiritual lives.  We move closer to God and pursue deeper intimacy with Him.  We praise and worship with one set of lips and fear future suffering with the other set of lips.  We want to reign with Him but He knows the desire of our hearts will never be drinking the cup He drinks…we don’t want bad things to come into our life.  We are no better than the disciples who wanted to sit at His side but walked away as He hung on the cross.  We say we want more of Jesus but pray to God that nothing bad ever happens to us.  Like the disciples we really have divided hearts and minds about reigning with Jesus.  Our spirit tells us we want to walk right beside Him but our flesh tells us to take cover and hide.  Our spirit tells us we want to live abandoned for Him but our flesh reminds us of what it is like to feel pain.  Our spirit tells us that were destined for some suffering with Him but our flesh tells us we deserve comfort.

 

For goodness sake, we can’t even survive inconvenience must less discomfort and God forbid suffering!  If we are to reign with Christ for the kingdom of God we MUST SETTLE in our hearts that we will experience pain and suffering up ahead...toughs time are in our future.  Until we settle this truth deep in our spiritual veins we will always reserve a portion of ourselves from God.  We will never live abandoned without the knowledge and expectation of future discomfort.  When we live and move in the changing seasons of our lives, we get into the spiritual rhythm of life as God intended.  It is in the deep valleys that the invisibility of God becomes the visible manifestation of His presence, a glorious deposit of what our spiritual inheritance in eternity will be. 

Oh God, give us courage and the boldness to pursue You on every level on earth as we will experience in Heaven.  Amen.

 

Chasing Ghosts

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life…For the idolaters eagerly seek these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” Matthew 6:26-33.

When thinking on this passage, I have always drawn a parallel between providing for my children and God providing for me.  God has spoken in no uncertain terms about His faithfulness in providing for us.  When our children were little they never doubted there would be food in the pantry or warm blankets on their bed.  They never worried that they would thirst to death or not be able to be cared for.  They had complete confidence in us as parents.  So why do we worry about the provisions of God that have already been promised…taken care of…stored up for us by the One who owns everything? 

This morning I noticed something I never have before.  The spirit of worrying in this passage has been connected with idolatry.  Our particular verses are speaking of worrying about things that God has already given the final word on.  He has promised He will give us whatever we need…food…drink …clothes…all these things.   But when our worry becomes worship we run the risk of losing the very things over which we obsess.  The things we hold too tightly will be the very things that God uses to loosen our grip…redirect our focus…reorient our worship.  This principle was told in a parable by Jesus Himself.  “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do…I will store my surplus grain.  And I’ll say to myself, You have plenty of grain laid up for many years.’ ‘But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” Luke 12:18-21

God expects each of us to tend to our lives with legitimate planning, but when we spend more time on our planning than our praise we miss out on the peace that God provides.  While we chase ghosts that we will never catch, the Holy Ghost is chasing us for our undivided worship.

Ponderings

“Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you…You will be with child…The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” Luke 1:28-35.

I love this time of year when we get to crawl into the mind and heart of the mother of Jesus.  It’s easy to forget she was a child herself, scholars estimating her age to be 13 or 14.  I wonder if the reason she was chosen had anything to do with her young age.  The heart of a 14 year old girl is full of dreams and wonder.  The young heart has yet to have heartbreak and above all else believes in love.  The young heart is emotionally ripe for amazing experiences.  It is a heart that has yet to be matured with the ability to be molded and impressed.  She was spiritually and emotionally ripe for the planting of the Lord.

So I consider this statement against our own hearts this morning, asking the same question of us.  Are we spiritually and emotionally ripe for the planting of the Lord?  We are told in the Bible that not only is God pleased to dwell within us but through Christ we already have this indwelling.  ‘For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him’ Col 1:19.  ‘For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ’ Col 2:9.  As believers the Holy Spirit has already come upon us, deeming us highly favored by God.  As believers the Lord is already with us and we already carry within us the child of God, Christ Jesus.  Do we act as if we are highly favored?  Does our walk testify to the truth that we are indwelled with God’s power?  Are we overshadowed with Him so that we are hidden in Christ?  Mary’s outward body showed proof of her pregnancy, and I am wondering this morning does our inward heart show proof of God’s love and power?

We should take our cue from that little child of yesteryear, and ripen our hearts towards the wonderment of God’s embodiment.  ‘But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart’ Luke 2:19.

Our Land of Rest

“The LORD said to Moses… ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the LORD.  But in the seventh year the land is to have a Sabbath of rest, a Sabbath to the LORD. ..The land is to have a year of rest.  Whatever the land yields during the Sabbath year will be food for you’” Leviticus 25:1-6.

When we hear the word Sabbath we most likely think of Sundays and church attendance.  We certainly don’t think of 365 straight days of holy observance and patience in circumstances.  I once read that the Sabbath is more of a spiritual posture resting in the promises of God rather than a day set aside for Him.  To enter into His rest is to willingly embrace the land He has given to us.  Only God can determine when we need a temporary break from something in our lives…an orchestrated period of rest from the normal and dependable. 

I know all about this as I came out of three intense years of caregiving for sick family members.  The year following my father-in-law’s passing I found myself in a new land.  A land that didn’t require much work physically, but a great deal of work spiritually.  The chaos of previous lands had been quietened and my involvement in things became still.  It was my time to rest…my Sabbath land to conquer and the battle was patience and being still.  The land didn’t yield as much as I was used to but I learned to feed on whatever manna came from that year of rest.  It is no wonder that God deemed rest as a commandment.  He knew that we would have to be reminded in the down times of life to look to Him in reverence and guidance.  He knew that the land of rest would beckon us to look to other lands to conquer. 

 

So He reminds us that when He brings us into something new, He holds time in His hands and knows what is best for us even when we do not.  He orchestrates the times in our lives like a beautiful symphony.  ‘Not without design does God write the music of our lives.  But be it ours to learn the time and not be dismayed at the ‘rests.’ They are not to be slurred over, nor to be omitted, nor to destroy the melody, nor to change the keynote.  If we look up, God Himself will beat time for us.  With the eye on Him we shall strike the next note full and clear.’ – John Ruskin, artist and writer.

Life As A Cross

“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’” Luke 23:46.

By the time Jesus formed these words He had been hanging on the cross for three hours.  Three hours of life draining from His body.  In His weakening state, no doubt His eyes met the eyes of His heartbroken mother.  I can’t imagine how emotionally exhausted He must have been as He watched one follower after another walk away.  The distant mocking and sarcastic ridicule must have echoed in His ears as life left His body.  And yet…it is written that He called out loudly the surrender of His spirit…called out above the chaos and rejection…above the pain and heartbreak…above the fear.  I would have thought at best He would have only been able to form a whisper on His lips.  But, His prayer was a battle cry for which He lived His life.  He knew that everything He was and everything He had was from the hand of God.  He had already committed His entire life to God and now it was time to commit His spirit.  These words were spoken as He was losing everything in life…reputation…relationships… respect … everything He had worked for.

What is it this morning that is losing its pulse in your life?  What threats from Satan are echoing in your mind as you hang in the balance of life?  What do you need to commit to God in your present situation? 

Life is all about gains and losses…joy and heartache.  Although we will never suffer the way Jesus suffered, life is full of crosses that we must bear.  Our lives must be about total surrender and sacrifice while on earth.  Whatever challenges we face must be faced with confidence that everything is allowed by the hand of God.  Our faith in God must be lived in a loud voice above our circumstances…outside of the fear…beyond our understanding.  We must commit it all to God if we are to impact the world and lead others into His hands.

‘Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God is heaven’ La 3:41.

Ever Changing Work

“At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place.  The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.  But he said, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other towns also, because that is why I was sent’” Luke 4:42-44.

My sister-in-law whom I adore has spent her entire adult life moving from one city to another.  Her husband has a wonderful job and has been blessed to advance in his company.  The downside has been the many people to whom they had to say goodbye, the wonderful schools from where they had to withdraw their children and the great communities of which they were involved.  They have moved six different times all requiring them to start over…it was what was required to advance his job.

Jesus understood this concept better than anyone.  He would work wherever God instructed Him to work, and would depart from one work to move to another.  He would remain as a teacher, mentor and healer until the nudging of the Holy Spirit directed Him to another person…another group…another location.  God places us in spheres of influence to do His work…not our work.  He bases our relationships on the needs of His kingdom, not our needs.  Through our focus on His message we ‘bloom where He has temporarily planted us.’ We serve, we listen, we encourage and we love just as Jesus did.  We are to be essential where God has determined we will be essential.  When He is ready to move us on to other people, groups or ministries, we must allow ourselves to be moved…to be advanced…to be essential in a new sphere of influence.  We must be like Jesus. 

I don’t think for an instant that it was easy to Jesus to walk away from those with whom He had shared amazing miracles.  As He reclined with friends knowing full well that His time was not about leisure and luxury, but about advancing the message and good-byes.  He stayed surrounded with a few precious friends, but for the most part He lived His life on the move.  He moved from miracle to miracle, person to person and town to town.  He couldn’t look back to see the things He was required to walk away from for He knew it would distract His future advancement. 

We must all thank God for the blessings of those people, groups, and ministries that He allowed us to be a part of and focus on the future relationships where we can advance His kingdom.

See-Through Christians

“Don’t be afraid.   Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…So then, don’t be afraid.  I will provide for you…” Genesis 50:19-21.

I just need to emphatically say that prayer and Scripture are alive and well!  I have been asked to speak at a women’s conference early next year which always leaves me feeling insecure.  I had originally thought I would tweak a previous speech, but after reading it I was disappointed that it didn’t fit the day as well as I had thought.  Through the night the devil began attacking me with his mean words…you will not be relevant… you must have been crazy to accept this…you have nothing since that speech won’t work.  I began praying to God that He would give me an anchor word…a phrase for the conference …anything!

I would love to say that my prayers were immediately answered but they were not.  I felt as if I wrestled in my mind…with my mind…despite my mind throughout the entire night until around 3:00.  All of a sudden, the Lord dropped the phrase into my heart.  My spirit caught on fire and my mind was racing!  It is the most beautiful topic and one that I have experience with.  It will involve me being totally transparent with over 100 women bearing the thing in life I am most ashamed… secret spending.  But I know for there to be power in our testimonies there must be transparency in our words.

We all walk this earth wounded and bruised.  We have sinned and will sin again, but God is faithful in forgiveness and redemption in our secret places.  He will teach us how to take the thing that has plagued us our entire life and gain victory over it.  He cannot use our weaknesses until we have submitted them to Him.  Whatever weakness we struggle with cannot be a testimony until we have put in place the accountability and spiritual strategies required.  When considering our weaknesses we must make promises to God in controlling them and keep those promises.  How can we expect God to keep His promises if we are unwilling to live out our promises?  We must be both self-disciplined and transparent for our testimonies to be authentic and relative.

Lord, thank you for taking the evil things of this world and turning them to the good things to further Your message.  May we all become both accountable to You in our weaknesses and transparent in our lives to serve others.  In your faithful name, Amen!

A Life Worth Remembering

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children [and grandchildren] arise and call her blessed…Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate” Proverbs 31:25-31.

It would have been enough just to call her Grandmother but she was so much more.   Grandmothers are made up of loving tenderness, sustaining wisdom with a layer of special ingredients created through life’s experiences.  Our grandmother was no different.  Memories of butter cookies on each finger, vanilla ice cream and glitter on her ceiling are just a few of the millions of memories shared between four little girls and their grandmother.

She followed us from giggles and grins to wedding marches and hospital nurseries.  She was the constant spiritual force who gave us the gift that never stopped giving – prayer.  Even before our births she was praying for each of us.  Throughout our childhood she was praying without ceasing.  She taught us not only to petition God for things in our life but to praise Him in advance for being faithful in His provisions.  She ferociously believed God was orchestrating every detail in all situations.  When we became women and came to her with our fears or broken dreams she confidently took our hand and boldly approached the throne of God on our behalf.    At some point in our lives during these intercessory prayers she slipped out of the throne room leaving us with confidence to speak to God ourselves.  Her prayers always had authority through the name of Jesus and we knew that God was hearing her on our behalf.  Through watching her we learned to look for the Spirit, to live in the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit.

To four little girls she was someone who epitomized the essence of a grandmother.  As children we were unaware of the spiritual warrior for which she served for others.  We were happy just to call her our grandmother, the loving woman who filled our stomachs with the best southern cooking around and who accepted and loved us for who we were individually.  But she was so much more than a grandmother.  She was the constant spiritual anchor in our lives as different storms arose and taught each of us that all that she had with her Father was available and afforded to each of us.  As we matured and grew up it became very clear to us as young women that we were surrounded by one of God’s special creations.  As I reflect on this amazing daughter of God I am comforted in knowing that the peace and spiritual optimism that she lived out can be mine and yours.  The invitation is for all!

Wisdom Is Her Name

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes…blessed is the man who finds wisdom…she is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed” Pro 3:5-7, 13, 18.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful tree named Wisdom.  She had been planted in love by her master before she could even remember.  At first her shoots were small but very healthy, to be followed by years of grander growth.  The tiny buds she offered were progressive and cumulative transforming into beautiful blooms and fruit.  Her master knew what kind of fruit tree she would become but she didn’t know until it came to fruition.  She gave herself to the master from the beginning, and although she had thoughts of her own as to what she would become, she stood firm in that soil.  She allowed the one who had planted her many years ago to determine her future, her blooms and her fruit. 

God formed every one of us with His tender hands and planted us in this world on a specific day.  Every day since then has been mindfully orchestrated through His supreme wisdom, wisdom He desires to share with us.  But we were also created with minds of our own, acting up our own perceptions and conclusions.  We convince ourselves through our own calculations and fears that we know what is up ahead.  We embrace our limited knowledge instead of embracing the all knowing wisdom of a beautiful Father who has already worked everything out.  Just because we see the loose threads of life doesn’t mean that God isn’t using those to mend a different garment for our lives.  Our limited knowledge and perception is only that…our perception rooted in theory.  My commentary states that by acknowledging God’s wisdom over our own, God will provide the path to our desires.  To acknowledge His wisdom is to be ever mindful of God and serve Him with a willing and faithful heart, being confident in wherever He is taking us.  Through leaning on His wisdom the obstacles in our pathway will be removed and will bring us to God's best in His timing.  When we lean on Him we embrace the wisdom that will bring in the blessings.  When we lean on our own wisdom we bring in fear, insecurity and overwhelming disorientation.

May we trust the One who planted us and lay hold of the wisdom that there is an orchestrated day for every movement under the heavens.  ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…a time to embrace and a time to refrain…He has made everything beautiful in its time’ Eccl 3:1,5,11.

Taking Time to Linger

“…but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” Exodus 33:11.

Joshua was a mighty military soldier who was the aide of Moses.  Moses had complete confidence in Joshua as he was appointed to lead many battles.  Joshua trained under Moses, fellowshipped with Moses and trusted Moses.  He learned the importance of time with God by watching his mentor and leader.  In our passage Moses left the tent after speaking with God, but Joshua lingered.  I wonder on that day what made him stay behind.  What was in his heart that required the personal precious time with God?  Was there a longing that needed to be settled in his spirit that only God could accomplish?  Although it was during the workday Joshua chose to lay before God whatever was on his heart…loneliness…fear for the next battle…anxiety for the future.  Whatever Joshua was feeling he knew that no one outside of that tent could fix it for him.  The One who had the answer to his heart longing was right there with Him. 

What is your heart longing for today?  Are you expecting others to fill the longing that only the Presence of God can fill?  When was the last time you truly lingered before God…remained in the holy tent of His presence?   ‘When I skip such moments, I tend to be less aware of God throughout the day. I miss divine moments when God wants to meet me or reveal a new facet of His character.  I find myself less sensitive to the nudges of the Holy Spirit, the sacred echoes that call me to give, serve, or say that kind word.’ Wonder Struck, p. 48.

Many times God will place a longing or lack of peace in our spirit to draw us to Him.  If we always feel settled and satisfied we would never see the point of meeting Him in the tent.  There would be no reason to linger and experience His amazing Presence.  If we allow the echoes of our flesh to crowd out the echoes of the Spirit we are no better for the experience…no gain…no peace.  God uses these times of discontent, searching and feeling all alone to invite us to linger.  ‘We are created for a relationship with God, and that means we’re meant to experience God’s presence.  We need God’s presence and the awareness of His nearness if we’re going to grow into the fullness of all God intends.  Apart from His presence, we can begin to convince ourselves that somehow God is distant; somehow we can handle things on our own.’ Wonder Struck, p. 49.

So take time to linger…this morning, this afternoon and every tomorrow.

Our Ugly Prayers

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?  O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer…Yet, you are enthroned as the Holy One…In you…they trusted and you delivered them.  They cried out to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed” Psalm 22:1-5.

Being involved in grief counseling allows me plenty of opportunities in hearing cries of lament.  Much like David feelings of abandonment and hopelessness are communicated.  Anger seems to rise in words regarding God doing miracles for others but being less than faithful with their loved ones.  Question after question…tears after tears…jealousy and disappointment towards others.  All communicated to others but not directly to God.

When reading between the lines of David’s lament, his stinging words also insinuated God being a less than truthful God.  In considering this parallel to our cries several verses came to mind showing David’s unbelief in God’s nature and promises.  ‘Why have you forsaken me?’  (‘I will never … forsake you’ Jos 1:5)  ‘Why are you so far from saving me?’  (“Turn to me and be saved…for I am God” Isaiah 45:22).  ‘I cry out by day, but you do not answer.’  (‘Call to me and I will answer you’ Jer 33:5.)  His prayer of lament goes on and on with brutally honest and accusatory statements.  David shows us that even our accusatory prayers to God are words of fellowship and communication.  Our disappointments and despair expressed in emotions give God an opportunity to transform our hearts in that very moment.  It allows us the spiritual freedom to ask why and why not.  ‘The shocking statements and tough questions found in the lament psalms aren’t intended to sanctify our vindictive thoughts or bad behavior.  Rather they invite us to come honestly as we are into the presence of God and experience transformation.  The crux of a lament is about…embracing the work of reflection and soul-searching, a kind of spiritual self-examination.  A good lament will always move us from the Why to the Who.’ Wonder Struck, p. 40-41.

There will always be something or someone who has what we do not have.  There will always be pain and confusion as to why certain situations arise.  Everything must be dragged in before God… the good, bad and ugly.  Whatever we withhold from God, even our unlovely emotions, we withhold from ourselves the peace, comfort and understanding God imparts upon us in these raw and fragile moments.  We must trust God with more than our pretty praise…we must bring our ugly doubts before Him to witness another facet of God.

Amazing Jesus

“‘But say the word, and my servant will be healed…’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him…he said, ‘I have not found such great faith’” Luke 7:7, 9.  “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And he was amazed at their lack of faith” Mark 6:5-6.

Over and over again I am amazed at how God works in the lives of people.  We see situations that are unraveling before our very eyes only to see God knitting them into a greater plan.  Where we see despair, hope eventually rises through the power of God.  We see God work in sinfulness and righteousness appears on the horizon.  The marvels go on and on.  But were you aware that we also have the ability to amaze God?  In the Bible there are two instances recorded where Jesus was amazed and they are on opposite ends of the spectrum.  Jesus was completely amazed at the faith of the centurion who knew that Jesus only had to speak healing without even being present.  On the other end were those in His family and hometown who did not believe, and missed out on multiple miracles.  ‘It was not that Jesus did not have the power to perform miracles, but that he chose not to in such a climate of unbelief.’ NIV Study Bible, p. 1532.

Interesting thought and interesting question…how do we amaze God?   Do the angels come before Him with a report of our faith?  ‘O Holy One, you should see how this one displayed her faith or hear the life giving response of that man?’  Does God roll back heaven’s floor to witness how our faith stands firm for the weak and despaired?  Or on the other side, does God give us provision after provision…comfort after comfort…peace after peace and we still worry, fret and grumble?  Do our actions of faith take His breath away or make Him sigh under His breath?  The question is not about love for He loves us regardless of our faith performances.  The question is about living in the abundance of God while on earth.  The question is in which climate do we move and live– the climate of belief or of unbelief? 

 

He wants us to live in total freedom and freedom is found in our faith…freedom from fear… freedom from panic…freedom from despair.  When we walk in the freedom of our faith we position ourselves in a climate of belief despite our circumstances.  As we amaze others with our faith, our faith amazes the citizens of Heaven as they cheer us on to our own finish line.  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders…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” Hebrews 12:1.

How do you amaze Jesus?

Setting Our Table

“They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.  They spoke against God saying, ‘Can God spread a table in the desert…But can he give us food?  Can he supply meat for his people?’  When the LORD heard them, he was very angry…for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.” Psalm 78:18-22.

I must be honest this morning.  I opened up my Bible Study and realized it was requiring me to read Psalm 78:1-72.  I was hesitant to read this much passage and really had to push myself to agree.  I was blessed with such an experience.  It basically recounts the entire journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan.  Over and over again God promised and provided…the Israelites received and forgot.  In this one Psalm God was angered over and over again because the Israelites were obsessed with the same desire.  It was all they could think about, talk about and worry about.  Even though they had a history of the provisions of God they couldn’t seem to let His wonders anchor their doubts.  But even in their weak flesh of not trusting God for His plan, He still blessed and gave to His children.  He spread a table of food before them.  ‘Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.  Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all of the food they could eat.’ Psalm 78:23-25.

What is it in our lives that we spread a table before God?  What desire do we continuously place before Him as if He doesn’t already know what is in our hearts?  Like the Israelites, we test God when we don’t believe Him for our future or trust Him for the path in getting there.  We complain…we argue… we calculate our own path…set our own table…feed our stomachs with our own plans.

We must believe God for everything in life.  We need to only look behind us to remember how faithful He has been over and over again.  This same faithfulness will anchor our future since God does not change.  ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’ Hebrews 13:8.

May we all allow God to set His table before us instead of us setting our table before Him.

Spiritual Boxing

“And Jesus said to him, 'If You can?  All things are possible to him who believes.’ Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.’” Mark 9:24

Many of us might judge this father and not understand his statement.  It seems like two opposing thoughts worked their way into words.  At first glance it seems silly for one statement to follow the next but on any given day we find ourselves with competing beliefs…opposite fighters in the spiritual boxing ring.

‘I truly believe that the sun is going to rise, but do I believe that my trying circumstances are really for my good?  I am confident that the moon will reflect but do I really believe that God is handling my children’s problems?  I know beyond knowing that the flowers will bloom again in the spring but do I have faith that all of my needs will be taken care of through the winter?  I emphatically believe God for my eternity, but do I trust Him for my life here?’  Oh Lord, we believe but help our unbelief!

What are you facing this morning that is your I do believe but help my unbelief situation?  What opposing thoughts seem to negate your faith for provisions, peace and promise?  It is only through affirming the abilities and wonders of God that we position ourselves in battling these negative thoughts.  When they creep into our mental boxing ring, we must take hold of them and disable their destruction.

‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’ 2 Co 10:5.

 

Man Made Curses

“However, the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you” Deuteronomy 23:5.

If you have never read the story of Balaam and Balak in Numbers 22-24, you have missed out on a wild ride. Balak was the son of the Moab king who had just witnessed the Israelites defeating the Amorites. He sent for Balaam who was a prophet with the power to speak blessings over people which would come true. He also could curse those who God cursed which would come to pass. Balak’s plan was for Balaam to curse the Israelites before they attacked Moab. Balaam’s proclamations on three separate occasions were the same…God’s children would be blessed and the curses would come upon those who intended evil. Balak learned something critical that day in which we as Christians must be confident. ....God will bring blessings upon His children in spite of man's evil intentions.

We have all been there when something in our lives are suddenly threatened. It may be our physical safety, our reputation or our financial position. We try to live a good and Christian life but tough circumstances arise and we feel as if a curse is hanging over us. We must be reminded that God will bless us if we remain faithful and He will handle the curses that life brings against us. We must affirm that we have a wonderful Lord and Savior who delights in blessing His children and relentlessly curses those who have evil intent. ‘“May those who bless you be blessed, and those who curse you be cursed” Numbers 2:9. There are mean situations out there along with mean people who intend to harm us and create situations that discourage us and bring about despair. We must keep our focus on God's abilities and promises when times bring about threat and fear.

‘O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is the man who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us Psalm 118:26-27. So whatever or whomever you face this morning, face it in the name of the LORD and you will be blessed from God.

 

Hosting a Dinner

“Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor.  Martha served while Lazarus was …reclining at the table with him…Mary took …expensive perfume…poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair” John 12:2-3.

There have been many books, studies and sermons on this sweet little family from Bethany.  They were dear friends of Jesus and constantly opened their home for him.  It seems that the most ink has been given in determining the opposing characteristics of being a Martha or a Mary.  Which one is best?  Which one is right?  Which one is practical?  This reminds me of the ongoing discussion years ago of which woman made the correct decision – the woman who works outside of the home or the one who stays home with the children.  Both scenarios have generated many heated debates I am sure.  I tend to believe the answer in this story involves all three personalities. 

This dinner was centered around Jesus much like our lives should be centered around His presence.  Martha knew that to honor Jesus was through service to Him.  Lazarus knew the importance of reclining with Jesus…having that one on one time talking and listening to Him.  Mary knew the value in honoring Jesus by using her most valuable resources on His body.  What if we individually lived a life patterned after this family?  What if our actions all centered around serving God, fellowshipping with God and honoring God?  Jesus lived this type of life…He served God with His life…He fellowshipped with God through His prayers…He honored God through His sacrifice.

I know that I can use a few lessons from this family in hosting time with Jesus.  I am confident that through our service to Him and fellowship with Him, we will honor both God and the Body of Christ.  The right way will not be in any one of these areas, but in the beautiful symphony when all of these areas come together.

Making Mud

“Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.  ‘Go,’ he told him” John 9:6.

We continue considering the story of the blind man who gained his vision at the hands of Jesus.  As the man stood before Him in total darkness, he must have wondered what was going on.  He could only hear the conversation between the disciples and Jesus.  What were they talking about?  Some were insinuating that his blindness was a result of his sins or the sins of his parents.  But the other man was telling them that his blindness was an opportunity for God to display His miracles.  What?  This beggar, shunned and ignored for a long time, was God’s chosen instrument?   How strange that these people were standing around talking about his life and future.  He must have been hanging on every word.  Then suddenly and without notice a cold muddy pact was placed over his eyes with instructions from Jesus.  It must have jolted him when he experienced that messy sensation. What was the man’s response?  He fully believed Jesus for his healing and obeyed His instructions to go… he went…sight was restored…a life was changed…and God was glorified.  Jesus had to make a messy mud covering to usher in healing.

What in your life seems messy right now?  What blind spots are in your future that seem dark and fearful?  You hear the conversations of others talking about you, but you cannot see Jesus.  You wonder if He is engaged and working in this season.  You move closer to the Word to get answers and suddenly the situation seems to get a little muddier and scarier.  But then you remember that Christ came to give sight to the blind and hope to the despaired.  You hear your Savior calling your name and working to clean up the mess of your situation.  For a while you must stay in your mess and display the manner in which God is working in your life.  Then one beautiful day you will get your instruction from the Father who was there all along, working in your life to show others how faithful you have been. 

Friend, if you find yourself in a difficult time it could be so God can display His works in your life.  Be encouraged that when we trust God in the muddy messes and go with Him we will find our future.  We cannot forget however that the blind man still had to walk in darkness for a while to gain his sight.

 

The How and When of our Dreams

“As he went along, he saw a blind man…‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes.  He told me to go to Siloam and wash.  So I went and washed, and then I could see’” John 9:11.

We are told in John 9 that this man was blind and was approached by Jesus and his disciples.  The blind beggar (v. 8) had most likely become complacent in his position, as his neighbors referred to him as the man who used to ‘sit and beg.’ But Jesus had a better plan for his life, and determined how, where and when the man would finally see.  I can’t imagine the joy of this man when he saw the beautiful mountains and his reflection of his face in the water for the first time.  Hadn’t this day just started off like a million other days?  How many times had he envisioned the day when he would get his greatest desire?  Would it be next week, next year or ten years?  Had he finally given up his search for that dream, and accepted the timeline of the Savior? Or sadly, maybe he had even resolved himself to the reality that he would never get his heart’s desire.

So these are the questions on the table this morning.  Have we resolved ourselves to the fact that we will never experience our greatest desire?  Have we implemented plans with such narrow ideas on when or how to receive our desire that we might miss out on it?  What if our discomfort is a result of a self-made plan that we are unwilling to surrender?  What if the very timeline of our desires are lengthened due to our unwillingness to embrace God’s timeline even if it is different? What is God asking us to go down to the water and wash off?  What is He asking us to relinquish to Him?

Creation was built upon the directed order of things by God.  His timing was perfect on day 1 when He created heaven, earth, light and darkness.  Day 2 beautifully ushered the waters into being, followed by the land on day 3.  Each day brought forth another creation all working towards its perfect completion by a perfect Creator.  We all have deep desires for our future which keeps us anticipated with hope, purpose and excitement.  We must hold on to these positive encouragements in life, but must hold them loosely.  For whatever is held too tightly usually will be taken away. 

‘In one of God’s greatest ironies, though pain causes sorrow, that sorrow can cause growth if met with open and complete surrender.’ Spirit Hunger, p.192.

Marred to Molded

“So I went down to the potter’s house and I saw him working at the wheel.  But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands.  So the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him” Jeremiah 18:2-4.

I have only watched on television the process of shaping and molding clay into something of value.  I would love to see it in person since I love seeing emerging art.  That is exactly what Jeremiah was told to do by the Lord.  He was to enter into the workplace of the potter and witness the process.  It was the opinion of Jeremiah that the pot in the potter’s hands was marred.  The definition of marred is damaged to a certain extent, rendered less perfect, attractive, or useful.  The potter’s work did not change because man esteemed his work marred.  The potter continued to mold and shape because he knew the value of the pot wasn’t in its hard surface, but rather in the purpose it would bring.  The primary importance of the pot was its inner capabilities, whereas its outward beauty was secondary.

Who is feeling marred this morning…unattractive…spiritually distracted…undervalued?  We should notice that the marred pot was in the hands of the potter instead of being thrown aside.  The potter knew that there was still purpose in its future capabilities.  The potter must have known that the previous purposes for the shape had been completed.  He obviously envisioned a new repurposing for the pot’s life, and personally worked with his hands to prepare the pot for its new purpose.  God is that potter and we are that pot. 

Only God knows the worth of what is inside our hearts and the spiritual capabilities we possess.  He works to mold us towards God’s plan for our lives.  Within each pot purpose and value exists and the potter calls the purpose into being.  It is up to us to be submissive and trusting that His gentle hands will reshape and repurpose our lives.  Once one season closes out God is already working on a new vision, one of divine purpose and contribution.  Jeremiah assumed that the potter was reshaping the pot because it was marred.  In reality the pot was being reshaped because purpose had been completed, and a new vision was emerging.

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” Rev. 21:5.

My Pleasure

“It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.  How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders” Daniel 4:2-3.

We have all probably known someone who is defined by their pride and greed.  However, I doubt anyone will ever live up to the level of King Nebuchadnezzar.  He blatantly and successfully led the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.  He stole many items from the treasury that were used in ceremonial offerings to God.  He kidnapped and murdered the people of Jerusalem.  He erected golden images, demanding all to bow down and worship with their lives on the line.  He continuously ignored disturbing visions that God sent him in dreams predicting his downfall.  God’s prophesy was fulfilled twelve months after God had forewarned Nebuchadnezzar of the most disturbing consequences of all.  Nebuchadnezzar was banished to the wilderness and took on the life and mind of wild animals.  There he ate and lived with the animals until his pride and greed was broken.  ‘At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes towards heaven, and my sanity was restored’ Daniel 4:34.  Chapter 4 of Daniel is one of the most powerful testimonies ever shared.  It is an account of how the proudest can be humbled and the spiritually stubborn can surrender.  God did a powerful thing in his life through the loss of everything cherished.  But when Nebuchadnezzar began focusing on the King in heaven it became his pleasure and delight to tell the story of what God did for him. 

In considering this today I wonder what our story sounds like to others after losing things we cherish.  Is it our pleasure to talk about how God healed our hearts and the wonders that He performed on our behalf?  Or is it our pleasure to point out the things we have lost and the things we still lack?  How many times will God need to remind us of the blessings and graces in which we move and exist?  Our testimonies should be spoken with pleasure and delight.  If we do not share the ways that God has worked in our life then was it all for nothing?  What if the blessings come from our testimonies, but we remain silent?  There are many ways I hope to never resemble this broken man from the past, but there is one.  I want it to be my pleasure to speak of how God healed my broken heart as my family lost its beloved members.  I want it to be my pleasure to speak about my hidden sins that He brought into the open.  I want it to be my pleasure to be transparent enough to share my story of our family’s journey through drug addiction.  I want to delight in my Savior instead of despair in my circumstances. 

May it be our pleasure today and every day to share the ways that God has worked and performed on our behalf in love and faithfulness.

 

Faith Well Played

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand” Daniel 2:16-17.

My husband Bruce opened his own business many years ago at the urging of God.  It wasn’t something he really wanted to do but obediently followed God’s direction.  He has always believed the company he is running is God’s company. 

A while back his biggest client, who had been responsible for 90% of the business, was reorganizing and had changed their executive leadership.  Bruce went to them in an effort to determine how his company would continue under this new leadership.  The executive made comments that led him to believe they were breaking up Bruce’s responsibilities and handing them off to different people in the company.  They requested that Bruce make a list of his scope of responsibilities, and they would determine if the value to continue business was there.  So they sat set up a meeting time and Bruce began writing down his areas of responsibility.  As he began considering things he wanted to highlight, he decided to keep the list short.  In his spirit he determined that God was in control and if He wanted Bruce to remain with this company He would fight this battle for him, and there would be no greater way to defend his worth than allowing God’s control of this situation. 

This story of his faith gets even sweeter.  After submitting his list a follow-up meeting was set and with an hour to prepare leading up to this meeting he sat before his computer and opened up several documents.  The documents he opened were various devotionals that had previously spoken to him about God being in control.  As they prepared to take things away from Bruce, he was preparing by giving things away to God….giving Him praise that He had already decided our future…giving thanks to God for the past years of employment with this company…giving control over to a God who has nothing but good for His children.  Instead of going into the meeting defending himself and his worth he allowed God to guide his words.  Bruce said that the peace he felt going into the meeting was beyond anything he could have foreseen.  He confidently knew that if this would be his final time with the company, then God had something better for him.  He stood before his own Nebuchadnezzar that day allowing God to do what God does best…defend His children …provide for His children…and bless His children. The meeting was one of the best exchanges he had ever experienced with this person whom he had known for many years.  The business relationship continued and faith was well played!

I get choked up when I envision Bruce in his office facing his fire, and armoring himself with the sweet words of God.  Whatever your blazing fire is this morning may you live in the confidence of the Lord.  May you confidently believe that God will defend you in every matter and carry you in every challenge.