Just My Imagination

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” 2 Co 10:5, KJV.

It has been only within the past few years that I have realized I have a fear of rejection.  If I give my mind over to this fear, it can be so strong that it is sometimes the motivation behind my actions.   At certain times, it prevents me from speaking my thoughts, and other times speaks for me in ways that is unhealthy.  Either way, our imagination can take us on wild adventures that do not even exist.   Anything that we build up or intensify in our thought patterns will determine our actions.  Our actions are the outward expression of our inner thoughts.  Our passage this morning uses the word imagination which translates as stronghold.  ‘A stronghold is anything that exalts itself in our minds, pretending to be bigger or more powerful than God.  It steals our focus and causes us to feel overpowered ...controlled ...mastered.’  Living Free, p. 10.

Any stronghold that we have in our lives other than God will be the threshold where Satan enters.  He will saunter in and make himself at home in our minds.  He will steal what is truth and replace it with lies.  He will light the candles of fear and try to extinguish the lamp of faith.  He is very intentional when dealing with our thoughts so we must fight thought for thought.  Simply put strongholds come from false ideas so our arsenals must be comprised of God’s truth.  Once those lies start to permeate in our mind we must take them hostage before they do us.  We must dismiss them and replace them with the words of God.  It is imperative that we know what God says about everything so we can speak life into our thoughts where death looms. 

Strongholds can be addiction...fear...grief...unforgiveness and a host of many other things.  It is anything that consumes us emotionally zapping our mental and physical energy.  It is something that strangles the abundant life which God desires for all of us. We must fight thought for thought and cast down anything that is contrary to the words of God.  When we feel unloved we must remember that God sent His only Son because He loves us so much (John 3:16).  When we feel fear we must recite that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power (2 Tim 1:7).  When we feel all alone our battle cry should be that we are never completely alone because God will not forsake or leave us (De 31:6).  When our hearts are broken we must tell ourselves that God is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).  The truths go on and on if we will just arm our minds with effective weapons in Christ.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Hebrews 4:12.

A 'Not So Sweet' Bible Story

“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go...Sacrifice him there... on one of the mountains I will tell you about’...Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.  ‘Stay here...while I and the boy go over there’” Genesis 22:2-5.

It is so easy to read the familiar stories of the Bible with our head instead of our heart.  This passage reads like a to-do list, one void of emotions.  When we drill down a little deeper using our heart instead of our head we realize what it doesn’t include.  It doesn’t speak of how many times this dad stopped along the way to turn away from his son so he wouldn’t see the tears.  It is silent on the topic of prayer and how with each step Abraham must have begged God to remove this cup.  The passage doesn’t include how he avoided eye contact with his son so Isaac wouldn’t have to see his pain.  But, human emotions are a necessary evil and inevitable when walking out our lives.  What we must remember is that Abraham was obedient to God in carrying out the plan and purpose God required of him.  This doesn’t mean that he didn’t suffer with every step approaching the altar.  This doesn’t mean that images of a future without his son didn’t pepper his faith. 

Many times obedience is drenched in sacrifice and despair.  Abraham was not the only parent who had to consider life without his son.  God had to briefly look away from His Son as the cross held Him.  Throughout the Bible we see the anger of God, the love of God and the grieved heart of God so we know that He too experiences emotions.  We do not serve a God who cannot sympathize with us, but one who has compassion for us in our suffering.  We do not have a one-dimensional God who is only in ink on the pages of a book.  He is a God who mourns with us, has His heart broken for us and knows how to heal any emotions we are experiencing.  It is our responsibility to walk out His calling on our lives, but we can be confident that our pain is shared with our Father.  When our children hurt, we hurt and when they suffer we suffer.  God is no different except He has the capacity to turn that pain into purpose, and our mourning into joy.  By surrendering every emotion to Him we give Him the opportunity to do the work in healing our broken hearts.  He cannot heal what we do not offer.

Every story of redemption includes pain, suffering and sacrifice.  While our stories end up beautiful the journey can be treacherous on the way to the destination.  But we are to keep our eyes on Jesus as He leads us through this life.  He alone is our anchor that holds in every storm.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” 2 Co 4:18.

Precious Prayers

“…but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”Hebrews 7:25. “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Co. 2:15.

The last week of my dad’s life I was spending the night to help my mother. My dad was up every two hours which lent itself to the night bleeding into the day. I had the baby monitor by my side in case they needed me again. As I was dozing off I heard some whispers in the monitor. I picked up the monitor to better understand the noises for which I was hearing. My dad, who barely had consciousness, was praying to God on my behalf. I was exhausted and totally depleted with my focus not on prayer but rather on the responsibilities I had that day. I barely recognized the person for whom he was praying as he pled on my behalf. He described a person who was so worthy of God's blessings. For a moment, I wasn't sure he was still referring to me but then I remembered how much he loves me. He flavored his prayers with his bias love and unconditional devotion to me. When I heard the manner in which my dad was praying, and the way he formed his thoughts regarding my needs I knew the true meaning of intercessory prayer. It is a prayer for the needs of others above our own needs. It is an offering of self on the Lord’s altar for the benefit of others. In my case, it was a prayer from the one who knew and loved me most and spoke on my behalf. This is an earthly example of what Christ does for us in the heavenlies.

We lift our prayers to Christ and He enhances them by scenting our prayers with His words, His flavors and His all consuming love. He approaches His Father knowing the exact manner in which we need to be lifted up. He takes our worst and transforms it into His best. He takes our tarnished attitudes and brings out His beautiful character in us. He brings the stench of our flesh and replaces it with His righteousness so that we may look more like Him. Through the aroma of Christ, God recognizes us as His children, bearing the resemblance of His first-born. ‘The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…’ Romans 8:16.

With Christ taking our prayers and sweetening the pot, we are represented before God in the most pure and perfect way.

Eat Your Peas!

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher” Isaiah 30:20.

One of my favorite stories my husband Bruce tells is when he was a little boy around the dinner table. His parents were adamant about everything on his plate being eaten. He absolutely detested peas and still does. One night at dinner he kept pushing them around his plate, and finally was told that he couldn’t get up from the table until he had eaten his peas. One pea after another he placed under the rim of the plate on the table until there was a circle of peas hidden under his plate. No doubt the peas were discovered and he was busted for his unwillingness. Eating those peas seemed inevitable.

God has given me many things on my plate over the course of my adult life that I have been forced to digest. One dish was the heartbreaking journey of watching a child go through drug addiction. Another plate was filled with terminal illnesses for my loved ones. Slice upon slice of adversity was served through my daily caregiving of my father-in-law where my attitude seemed less than lovely. But, the same God who allowed these things into my life served up fresh comfort...daily food from His word. As things in life tasted horrific God taught me that I had many side dishes from which to feast. I have such a large serving of people in my life who love me. I have the comfort food of the Bible and the knowledge that I can take any portion of any circumstance to Him. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts” Jeremiah 15:16.

God has taught me so much in those adversities and has stretched my faith beyond anything I could have ever dreamed. An enlarged faith is an essential ingredient in viewing life through the eyes of joy and hope no matter what is happening. I praise God every day for the painful things He has allowed in my life for they have been the greatest teachers that have yielded sustaining faith.

Don’t hide your adversities under your plate but go ahead and digest them for they will produce a healthy spiritual life.

Our Swiftness

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.” James 1:19

This coming Monday will mark 5 years when I drove my father-in-law to the Hospice House to admit him.  Bruce would be arriving shortly once he collected the things that would bring his dad comfort.  I didn’t know what to expect.  I had experience with another Hospice House with my own family members but was never in charge of admitting them.  It was a very unnerving process but one wherein I was richly blessed.  The first person with whom I met was the social worker and she patiently listened to my story, and made the experience completely comforting.  Yesterday, I was taken back to that day almost 5 years ago but was on the other side.  I am so blessed that the Lord has called me back to one of my passions, which is helping families as they are walking their loved ones to Heaven. 

Yesterday while volunteering at the Hospice House, family upon family entered through those doors with the same anxieties, fears and sadness that I experienced.  I watched how tenderly and patiently our social worker handled the families, being their first point of contact.  Later during the day when we were preparing to receive the final family of the day I told her what a blessing she must be to those families.  She said something I will never forget as she spoke of meeting the families wherever they are in their emotions.  She said, ‘I’m just another ear who hasn’t heard their story.  I always take the first 20 minutes to just listen and meet them where they are.’  The first person that came to my mind was Jesus, the One to whom we have authority to cry out.  He is the One who will always listen...will always give His ear to us no matter how many times we tell Him our story.  He is the One who will meet us in our greatest despair and provide for us in our deepest need.  He has given us examples of how we are to be sensitive to the suffering of others.  “Jesus stopped. He listened. Jesus was fully present with all He encountered – He gave them His full attention. He called people by their name. He let them tell their story. He was never in a hurry. He mourned with them and was present in their pain.” www.bibleorg/learningtolisten.

We too must be that ear who is willing to listen to others in their despair and suffering.  We must give away all good that has been given to us.  It is the way of God and manner in which we are His hands and feet.  

Spectator or Witness

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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...Consider him who endured such opposition...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” Hebrews 12:1-3.

Last year my daughters convinced me to run (yeah right, I walked) in my first 5K.  I didn’t know what to expect, and it was a very cold morning.  When I arrived I noticed that they had marked off the course where we were restricted to run the race.  I had worn a sweater which I knew would be cumbersome but I felt it was needed due to the temperature.  As I participated many runners passed by me as they were running to the finish line.  Once I warmed up I noticed that my sweater was making me uncomfortable, so I removed it and put it around my waist.  It was much easier to move my arms as I walked.  As I rounded the corner I saw that at the finish line were many runners who had crossed before I crossed.  They didn’t even know me but were giving me the thumbs up and clapping their hands.  

In reading this passage this morning I immediately thought about the 5K.  I noticed how similar this passage is to my experience that day.   I love how God’s word is relevant and breathes life and lessons into our lives.  One principle I chiseled out this morning is the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who are witnesses to God’s faithfulness instead of just faith spectators.  ‘The Greek word translated as witnesses means testifiers. They bear testimony to the power of faith and to God’s faithfulness.’ NIV Study Bible, p. 1910.  We cannot stand on the sidelines and just watch others as they run their race.  We need to have a faith race of our own to be able to encourage others on their journey.  Another relic I attained this morning is the importance of staying within the boundaries of our lives where God has ordained.  He has laid the ground tape in advance, and desires for us to stay within the boundaries for our own protection and guidance.  We are encouraged and instructed to throw off every fear, doubt, weakness and sin that can become a hindrance in accomplishing the purpose for which He created us.  We don’t have to search for a place to rest our focus since Jesus ran His race before us, and has shown us the way to go.  His race was more difficult than any race that has been laid out before us. We must remember daily to invest in His faith story so we can live out our faith story as it unfolds.

When the race gets tough and the journey gets long, consider how Jesus suffered but overcame all of the obstacles so that we could receive the trophy.  

Stealing Testimonies

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Co 13:7

One of the most difficult things for which we are called is also the very thing that brings us some of our greatest blessings...parenthood. Whether our children are 5 or 25 we are called to love them beyond all else. I once read that true love works for the benefit of another. I remember when one of my children was getting off restriction. I was praying for God to keep her from doing things that I knew could ultimately harm her. My prayers were full of fear that she would give in to temptation once she got off restriction. His message was clear... ‘Of course she will, and it is how I will teach her repentance and forgiveness. Without those sins and mistakes she can’t learn about my character and grow in strength and faith.’ My take-away from that experience was crystal clear in that to really love our children we must step aside so that God can love them more. We must understand that greater work is at hand than our attempt to make them feel better. Deeper love is at work between Father and child, and we are called to never give up, always be hopeful through our faith enduring all circumstances. We must trust the process of God writing our children’s stories, and not get in the way of the powerful work of faith.

There is nothing more heart wrenching than to watch our children walk out things that go against our core beliefs, but that is when God intervenes and does His best work. This morning I read a beautiful article about allowing God to parent our children which was a powerful statement about our responsibility. Our job is to trust and God’s job is to teach. May God give me strength to apply these principles to life as a parent.

• Don’t steal your child’s testimony. Their God-story is unfolding before your eyes. Let it play out. Trust God.

• Resist the temptation to rescue. That’s God’s job, not ours. Unsuccessful choices are sometimes the best teachers.

• Prayers of a heartsick parent are never ignored. If your patience and perseverance are hanging by a worn thread, God’s promises remain stronger than ever. Weariness may come, but a prayer life is your refreshing time. Praying is your work to do; answering those prayers is God’s.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" Gal 6:9.

Frantically Fluttering

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

I read this morning of a naturalist who noticed a large butterfly caught on something, and was fluttering frantically as if in distress.  He reached down, took hold of its wings, and set it free.  As he continued to watch he saw the butterfly go a few feet and fall to its death.  Upon further inspection he realized that he had interrupted an important process involving the chrysalis.  The process is a strength building process designed by God to mature the butterfly preparing him for flight.  Without the process the butterfly would never be strong enough to face what was required to fly.  The onlooker meant no harm and thought he was helping the butterfly instead of harming the butterfly.

As a daughter, I’m so grateful that my parents allowed me to struggle in some of my decisions as an adult. As tough as it was for them to watch, I would not have learned anything without those struggles.  I know as a mom of adult children it is tough watching them go through trials.  More times than not I have reached out in an attempt to help or fix a problem, only creating a delay for the growth God intended.  We cannot be parents of adult children and continue to do their bidding for them.  Our attempt to solve their problems not only circumvents God but takes away the opportunity for their growth.  We were all meant to face struggles and frantically flutter at some points of life.  Just like the butterfly, it is a process that builds our faith and produces perseverance.  Trials are the process God uses to create beauty, strength and growth in each of our lives.

God is calling all of us to higher living, living beyond what our parents taught us, and providing the wisdom that we lack.  He wants transformation for all of His children which means struggles will ensue and trials will find us.  Rescuing adult children many times comes shrouded in pride or fear.  Pride says I know what’s best and fear says I doubt their abilities.  I can’t even explain the freedom that I gained once I truly believed that God is really the parent of my children.  He entrusted me with three beautiful kids for a season, but He is their perfect Parent.  When I step back and give God room to be God I can trust that any struggle is for their growth and the maturing of their faith. 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

Unwinding Grave Clothes

“The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’” John 11:44

Once the stone was rolled away from the entrance of the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus gave the command to the sisters to remove their brother’s grave clothes and let him go.  I realize what this verse is implying without actually stating the obvious.  His unspoken words are saying that this person is finally free to live again, but he is still bound.  His unspoken command was for others to unbind him so he could walk in his new freedom.  The consequences of his words would be that the odor could be overwhelming and might downright stink.  The consequences of his instructions would involve them getting their hands messy.  What is another word for this? 

Mentoring...giving of yourself when others are trying to break free from their tomb.  It means making yourself available when you really don’t feel like or when you have repeatedly told them the same truth.  I’ll never forget at my grandmother’s 100^th birthday party the line of people who stood up and shared the many ways she had pushed her own agenda aside.  One spoke of how she dropped in at dinner time and Grandmother pushed her plate aside and went to a private room to minister to her heart.  The stories went on and on...unwinding grave clothes...unbinding strongholds...holding out her hands for that first baby step. 

Jesus could have easily done the work of removing the grave clothes but He knows the blessings and joy that will be ours when we partner with Him.  He understands that at some point we will be the one requiring others to remove the cloth that covers our spiritual eyes. He knew that unwinding one strip of cloth off someone else's life would teach us something about ourself.  Life provides many opportunities where we might be the resurrected one and other times be the ones who are called to get messy ...involved...inconvenienced.  Our response dare not be delayed for the spiritual life of another might depend on it.

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” Matthew 9:37-38

Reciting Our Woes

“Jesus asked him... ‘Do you want to get well?’” John 5:6b

This continues our story from yesterday with the invalid laying by the poolside.  We cannot know how long he had been dragging himself to the side of that pool awaiting a miracle.  We cannot know how many times he could have gotten healed, but the movement forward was more frightening than no movement at all.  What we do know is that when Jesus asked this question the man not only made excuses as to why he couldn’t get healed but seemed to be resentful that others were able to be healed.  ‘I have no one to help me...While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’  It makes me wonder if he even asked anyone for help or was he too proud.  It makes me wonder if it was just easier to lay by the pool in his self-pity instead of taking some responsibility in his own circumstances.  ‘Do you want to get well?’

So many times in life it is so easy to be that person wallowing in self-pity on our mats.  It is easy to judge others and blame them for our own problems.  I know this because I’ve been this person expecting others to make me feel good, or even resentful for the easy life they seem to have.  You know the routine - a big part of our day is reciting our woes to anyone who will listen.  We sing our blues to anyone with whom we come in contact.  I know one person in particular who simply exhausted me.  It didn’t matter what consideration I gave her in hopes of helping her, there was always an excuse...always something or someone standing in her way...always the victim laying by the pool.  ‘Do you want to get well?’

Life is tough and at some point we all get stuck in our circumstances...our pain...our bitterness...even our boredom.  My Bible study this morning asked some powerful questions regarding our circumstances.  ‘Are you ready to move beyond your misery?  Are you ready to leave your suffering behind?  Are you willing to walk out of the old life and into the new?’  Joanna Weaver, author of Lazarus Awakening then leaves us with some power truths regarding moving away from fear into a life of freedom.  She challenges us with the truth that we cannot live effectively with one foot in the grave and one foot in the new life.  We have to leave where we have been in order to get where we want to go. 

Anything that is a barrier in our spiritual walk is a barrier to our freedom.  Instead of us spending our emotional energy searching for an answer we must first answer the question that Jesus asks, ‘Do we want to get well?’  Once that answer is yes, then He will invite us to join Him in walking to freedom from whatever binds us.

Disturbed Waters

“Now there is in Jerusalem...a pool...Here a great number of disabled people used to lie – the blind, lame, and paralyzed – and they waited for the moving of the waters. From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease he had.” John 5:2-4.

This is a snapshot of a day shared between Jesus and an invalid who had been crippled for 38 years. Jesus asked a very important question when speaking with this stranger, ‘Do you want to get well?’ The man explains to Jesus, who was a stranger to him, the reason he could not get healed was because no one would help him get into the water. So disturbance upon disturbance he watched others submerge and gain the healing he so coveted. At that point, Jesus told him to pick up his mat and walk. Much to the man’s surprise, he did as Jesus said and he was cured! My commentary states the man didn’t recognize Jesus as the One who could heal. It seems that instead he was looking to the disturbance for healing instead of the man standing right before him. He had in his mind what his miracle would look like and almost missed the opportunity for complete healing.

This reminds me of a conversation that I had with one of the best friends the other night at her house. We were talking about the despair of not getting the miracle of healing when there is an illness. I remember looking for a miracle for my young sister when she was given 3-6 months to live. I was that man laying paralyzed by this news waiting and watching for a miracle. I watched the waters swirl as healing came to others but not to my sister. When praying to Jesus I remember saying that we didn’t get our miracle. He told me that the miracle for which I prayed was so much less than the miracle He was ready to give her. He was ready to give her everything... Heaven...healing...wholeness...walking through the garden of perfection with the Perfect One...and sweet reunions with other loved ones.

It’s tough when we are the ones left laying by the waters focusing on the disturbance as if replaying it in our mind could bring about our healing. It is only when we take our eyes off of the churning waters and set our gaze upon the Living Waters that our true healing will begin. Jesus knows our pain very well as He was separated from His parent as He hung on the cross. But the story doesn’t stop with death, in fact it begins once the death has happened and the tomb is shattered. I miss my dad and sister so much but I know that to continue to heal in my grief I must pick up my mat and keep walking my own journey towards Heaven. The journey of healing can only be with Jesus.

Silent Tears

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I can remember when my sister, Beth was in the Hospice House near the end of her life.  The last two weeks as she lay suspended between life on earth and life in Heaven I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking.  Occasionally I would see a tear stream down her cheek, and other times I would see a smile stretch across her face.  Those times and thoughts were shared between Beth and Jesus. They were not mine to know, and I remember wondering the power those silent tears and smiles must have held.  Were the smiles glimpses of the glory ahead of her?  Were the silent tears farewells to the life she was leaving behind? 

I was reminded of those silent tears this past week as I was training to be a companion at the same Hospice House where I spent so much time with Beth.  As the woman to whom I was shadowing read the Bible to the patient she included her favorite Bible verses.  One verse was John 16:2, ‘My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?’  As these words washed over her, I noticed one silent little tear escaped her closed eyes.

Did that tear possess recalled memories of past Christmases or Thanksgivings?  Did that tear possess the knowledge of future grandchildren that she would never hold?  The more the verses were read the silent tear evaporated and a peace came upon her.  Her face took on a look that was one of resolve...one who was being comforted by something beyond us.  Her demeanor became filled with the comfort which she was receiving through God’s word.  Did God show her the mansion in her mind as the verse was being read?  Were the eyes of her spirit opened to see God’s glory as the eyes of her flesh were closed?  It is so easy to feel like a trespasser in these private moments between God and His children.  However, I was reminded that God uses us as His hands and feet to bring His glory and compassion to a hurting world.  Through our involvement with minister in ways we can never know and I’m so grateful that God’s invites us to show His compassion and mercy to others as He has shown to us. 

Let us all be attentive that we are the vessels that God uses to extend His character to a hurting world.  Be kind and gentle to someone today who needs it – God has placed them in your path.

Choosing a Horse

“‘How long will your waver between two opinions?  If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’  But the people said nothing.” 1 Kings 18:21.

Years ago Bruce and I were trying to make a decision about the direction in which to go regarding his employment.  He had resigned from Duke Power and his choices were either to go to work for another company or begin his own company.  It was a tough decision and there were many pros and cons for each.  We went up to the mountains so he could gain some wisdom from his dad.  I can still remember sitting at the table listening to them go back and forth about which direction to take.  Finally, after much debate, my father-in-law looked at my husband, and said, ‘Son, you just need to choose a horse and ride it.’  It was one of the wisest statements I’ve heard and still it comes to mind in the right situation.  Bruce did choose a horse and gave it everything he had and God has blessed us for sure.

Elijah found himself centuries ago giving his audience the same wisdom.  As progressive as we would like to think our world is in reality we are no different than the people with divided hearts found in 1 Kings thousands of years ago.  Elijah found himself frustrated for people to really step up, not just to give lip service for God but to stand up for God.  He implores them to quit wavering between the way of God and the way of the world.  He begs them to set themselves apart and then ‘ride that horse’ with everything they have.  We are faced daily with decisions to accept the world’s way or to stand up for God’s way.  We cannot just say that the Lord is God but to truly show the world upon which horse we are mounted, we must follow Him.  What does this look like in today’s world?  It means that we must give grace when it is undeserved.  It means that we must forgive when we have been wounded.  It means that we must give up our comfort and resources to work for the benefit of someone less fortunate.  It means that when God asks us to take a stand we obey.  We cannot be silent like the people in our passage for silence is taking a stand...a stand for the flesh of the world.  There are two types of flesh between which we must choose – the flesh wrapped in swaddling clothes or the flesh of the world.

Like my grandmother used to say “God is the God of everything or He is the god of nothing.”

Studying our Notes

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” John 14:26.

When I was young and in school I would always get nervous when the teacher would pass out tests. Even if I had studied and knew the material I would still be fearful that I would fail. More times than not once I began the test I would be able to recall answers and solutions from spending time in my notes. On occasions when I had missed class due to sickness or appointments there was really nothing from which to recall. How could I expect remembrance from notes I had never studied?

I recall a night recently when I woke up unable to fall back asleep. As my mind began to wander I found myself resurrecting fears that my faith had calmed. Things seem so much fearful and unresolvable in the dark of the night. With the Counselor’s help, I began to recall certain Scripture on fear, peace and promise. I laid there reciting those verses in my own words. I wasn’t caught up in where it was in the Bible nor its exact words. It is the principle of the passage that is recalled which beckons the blessing of its promise. ‘Be strong and very courageous...I will never leave you nor forsake you...The Lord is in the whisper...My peace I give you, not the world’s...Nothing can separate me from God’s love.’ The recalling of the Holy Spirit to those places in my heart was based on one important principle. The depth of our blessing and comfort from God is determined upon the knowledge of the words of God. We cannot expect to remember things we have never read and put into practice. John 3:16 tells me that God loves me so much that He sent His Son to die for me so I might live in eternity with Him. That washes over me with such comfort and joy but it doesn’t remove my fear of facing a big giant today. It doesn’t remind me that Satan is against me but God is greater than Satan. It fails to say to a broken heart that He is near and His grace will be enough. If all I ever said to my children was ‘I love you so much’ no matter what their concern it wouldn’t really guide them. God’s word is a lamp for the steps we take and a light for path up ahead. He desires for us to be ready for every exam life lays out before us. He wants us to build the arsenal of our hearts with the words that will ready our feet.

We miss out on so many treasures by not spending time in our spiritual notes. I want to be ready when the test comes...I want to recall the things that are the answers for the moment...I want to be able to share those words for others when their tests arise. I am so grateful for His words that never go out of style, out of date or out of print!

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” 2 Tim 3:16.

Freedom at it's Best!

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.”  Psalm 40:1-3.

When my children were toddlers I loved when they were learning to walk.  Going from the limited life of crawling and scooting to the freedom and liberation of getting where they wanted to go was freedom at its best.  When thinking deeper about life before walking for them I remember how Michael especially never wanted me to leave the room.  His frustration and unhappiness was filled with tears and screaming until I returned.  I guess he felt that if he couldn’t see me, I wasn’t there.  I would reach down to his tearstained face, bringing him close to me and reminding him that I was still there...that he was still loved...that everything would be just fine.  I can only imagine his happiness when he realized one day that he had the ability to not only stand but to move forward despite the toys that laid all around him.  For sure, there were incidents when he would fall due to the cluttered path.  But he learned that if he watched where he walked he could navigate around the clutter.  Many times I would go ahead of him picking up anything that would make him stumble.

We have a Father who hears our cry and goes ahead of us making our paths clear.  We see all of the emotional clutter around us and become fearful that we are alone.  We face obstacles up ahead and can’t see any way to get through it without falling.  Our heart fails when we see how difficult the path is going to be.  But then, God turns His loving face to us and wipes our wet cheeks.  He brings us near to Him and comforts us in our despair.  He has already worked everything out up ahead and cleared the path for us to walk it out, steadying us at every step. 

Our part is to reach out in our spiritual infancy and allow the greatest parent there ever was to comfort us, love us and carry us.  We were never meant to carry our burdens but were created to carry Christ within us.

Courage to Move Stones

“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb.  It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  ‘Take away the stone,’ he said.  ‘But, Lord,’ said Martha.  Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you...’ So they took away the stone.”  John 11:38-41a.

I can really relate to Martha in this passage who wants the miracle of resurrection but doesn’t want to live in the tension between life and death...darkness and freedom.  It doesn’t really matter what her reason might have been, but more what was laying at the base of her objection.  Upon her questioning she most likely overlooked the irony of the situation.  What she coveted for her brother was what she really needed for herself.  She needed the stone of her heart to be rolled away to truly experience freedom from fear...freedom from past pain...freedom from dreaded futures.  ‘Though Martha was clearly uncomfortable with the idea of rolling away the only thing that stood between her and the death she mourned, she chose to obey.  She did what she could do so Jesus could do the rest.’ Lazarus Awakening, p. 100.

Passage says that Jesus was deeply moved by her desire for life, and yet when He gives her the answer she doubts and fears.  Why is it that we resist, tarry or excuse away the answer to resurrecting our lives...our hearts?  If we are honest with ourselves the answer is that deep down we somewhat enjoy our tombs.  It is a place where we feel entitled to hang on to our hurts.  It is a place where our perception of events can be right every time.  It can be a dark little space where we hang on to our will over God’s.  It takes courage to remove a stone and it takes Jesus to empower us with that courage.  How do I know this and how can I be sure He will help me remove my stone...my fear of rejection?  Because when Martha agreed to roll away the stone, our verse says, ‘so they took away the stone.’  I’m choosing to believe that they meant Martha and Jesus.  Jesus will never ask us to do anything that He won’t help us do.  We will never have to push that stone alone, but we will have to give our effort to the task and then BELIEVE!  In 2016 I am committed to remove any stones in my life that bounds my freedom in Christ.  He didn’t shatter tombs for me to rebuild more. 

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again...” Galatians 5:1.

The Cost of Miracles

"Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.'  Martha said to Him, 'Lord...there is a stench.'  Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'" John 11:39-40, NKJV.

The stage was set for one of the most miraculous events in history.  Mary and Martha's brother had died four days before and had been laid in the sealed tomb.  When Jesus arrived, He possessed all of the required power to raise Lazarus from the dead.  He could have spoken for the stone to roll away and it would have.  He could have shaken the earth beneath the stone causing it to crumble in a million pieces.  He could have breathed life back in Lazarus without even being there.  So what was the means Jesus used to perform this miracle?  Both Martha's obedience and participation.

Jesus certainly could have made this happen on His own but sometimes a miracle is meant to cost us something.  Many times our fulfilled dreams will come from God asking us to do something that might stink...something that goes against the deepest part of us...something that requires us to act on our faith regardless of the outcome.  There were times in the Bible where Jesus explained that healing and deliverance came squarely from the faith of the petitioner.  When we pray for something that has been on our list for so long there will come a time when He is ready to answer.  So what if, like Martha, we are standing on the other side of the miracle, and God requires an act of faith to claim it? What if we are the vessel that becomes the final piece of the puzzle that makes our dreams a reality, but our part requires what is scary and uncomfortable?

This is where our head faith meets our heart faith...where we must choose to put action to our words...where we put up or shut up.  My prayer is that I will have the courage during these times to hold my nose and reach for the stone, being an intrument in God's hand.  I wonder how many miracles along the way were deferred by my fear or my unwillingness to obey and participate.  We all have God's power upon which to call, and must have the belief and courage to claim and receive it in Christ.  By doing this, not only do we receive the miracle but gain freedom in the journey.

In 2016, may we all do our part in participating with Christ in whatever that looks like for each of us.