“We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard…But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.” Acts 27:18, 22
I don’t know about you but I know my present storm presents lots of ‘violent battering’. Frustration, exhaustion, uncertainty and helplessness are a few of the batterings associated with caring for the dreaded disease of Alzheimer’s. Each day brings a new set of challenges with fresh concerns. There are many of you out there with much greater storms than the one I am experiencing, but nonetheless, it is my storm.
Did you notice that as the battering grew in intensity, the inhabitants of the ship began throwing cargo overboard? We live our lives instilling a certain way of response to our situations that generally work for all circumstances. When a storm arises we quickly realize that many things we have relied on in the past no longer work. They are neither essential in our present life nor are they beneficial. In an effort to solve the problems of our adversity we throw everything we know at the storm. The more we search for resolution in our suffering the less control we seem to have. We look up one day and ask God, how did I get here? More importantly, HOW DO I GET OUT? We finally surrender and throw own wisdom and agenda overboard.
Once we surrender our adversity to God and realize that He controls the storm we experience His peace, His serenity and His blessings through our sacrifice. “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!” Mark 4:41
Notice the last line that Paul implores to the participants in the adversity…only the ship will be destroyed. The ship represents the vessel of adversity to accomplish God’s purpose for the higher good. God is controlling everything according to His plan and His timing.
We may feel lost in the storm but we are never lost to the storm.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
At the Mercy of the Storm
“After a day of drifting at the mercy of the storm, they began to throw the cargo overboard…When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved…Land was nearby but they could not recognize it.” Acts 27:18, 20, 39
Paul was on his way to Rome to face Caesar and to stand trial for his life. Paul was being transported by ship as a prisoner when a violent northeaster moved in. (“a wind of hurricane force…swept down from the island” v- 14.) Paul, who had astonishing faith and hope in Christ, even gave up all hope of being rescued. He looked into his storm, saw the odds based on past experiences and reconciled that they would die. He even had the promise from God that Paul would witness to both Jews and Gentiles in Rome but still wavered in his faith.
My commentary, The Believer’s Bible Commentary, states: “For many days they were tossed about helplessly without sight of sun or stars, and thus without the ability to take bearings and find out where they were. Hope of survival was finally given up.” P. 1662
As we face our devastating and exhausting storms we too can ‘give up all hope of being saved.’ It is so tempting to be blinded by the stinging rain in our eyes, and lose our bearings in the darkness. When we face situations outside of our control we also feel that we are at the mercy of our circumstances being tossed around helplessly and aimlessly. Just as Paul had those feelings we also experience those feelings. It is our human nature to fear, to question and to experience helplessness.
The good news is the same news that Paul had after he was visited by an angel of the Lord. “Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul…God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’…So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Acts 27: 23-26
Text states that they couldn’t even recognize the land but Paul knew that they must experience more uncertainty to be rescued. His uncertainty of his fate was replaced with the certainty of his faith. We must be anchored in our storms to Christ and His promises. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5
Don’t pull up anchor just because you don’t recognize your land. God uses our adversity to run aground and rescue us.
Paul was on his way to Rome to face Caesar and to stand trial for his life. Paul was being transported by ship as a prisoner when a violent northeaster moved in. (“a wind of hurricane force…swept down from the island” v- 14.) Paul, who had astonishing faith and hope in Christ, even gave up all hope of being rescued. He looked into his storm, saw the odds based on past experiences and reconciled that they would die. He even had the promise from God that Paul would witness to both Jews and Gentiles in Rome but still wavered in his faith.
My commentary, The Believer’s Bible Commentary, states: “For many days they were tossed about helplessly without sight of sun or stars, and thus without the ability to take bearings and find out where they were. Hope of survival was finally given up.” P. 1662
As we face our devastating and exhausting storms we too can ‘give up all hope of being saved.’ It is so tempting to be blinded by the stinging rain in our eyes, and lose our bearings in the darkness. When we face situations outside of our control we also feel that we are at the mercy of our circumstances being tossed around helplessly and aimlessly. Just as Paul had those feelings we also experience those feelings. It is our human nature to fear, to question and to experience helplessness.
The good news is the same news that Paul had after he was visited by an angel of the Lord. “Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul…God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’…So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Acts 27: 23-26
Text states that they couldn’t even recognize the land but Paul knew that they must experience more uncertainty to be rescued. His uncertainty of his fate was replaced with the certainty of his faith. We must be anchored in our storms to Christ and His promises. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5
Don’t pull up anchor just because you don’t recognize your land. God uses our adversity to run aground and rescue us.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
No Escape
“The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.” Acts 26:26
This was a statement Paul made to Festus while explaining why the Jews were calling for his death. The king of whom he spoke was King Agrippa who was a fellow believer in a Messiah to come. The difference between the king and Paul was that the king believed in a coming Messiah while Paul witnessed the Messiah had already come.
The Jews had an amazing knowledge and belief of God sending a Messiah but they didn’t recognize the actual event. They were still waiting on the very transforming experience that had already happened. Paul was desperately appealing to the fact that the king was aware of the prophesy, but unaware of the fulfillment.
How many times have we been promised something by God only to miss the fulfillment? We determine what the fulfillment looks like and do not even recognize it when it arrives. I love the passage above as it relates to our King. He is familiar with all things that concern our lives and nothing escapes his notice. There is no corner for which we can hide and no circumstance that He cannot bring to fulfillment.
He has paid the price for each of us to speak freely to Him. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. Our Savior has come and will help us in every situation not matter what you are facing or which corner you are hiding.
He was and He is and He will always be…
This was a statement Paul made to Festus while explaining why the Jews were calling for his death. The king of whom he spoke was King Agrippa who was a fellow believer in a Messiah to come. The difference between the king and Paul was that the king believed in a coming Messiah while Paul witnessed the Messiah had already come.
The Jews had an amazing knowledge and belief of God sending a Messiah but they didn’t recognize the actual event. They were still waiting on the very transforming experience that had already happened. Paul was desperately appealing to the fact that the king was aware of the prophesy, but unaware of the fulfillment.
How many times have we been promised something by God only to miss the fulfillment? We determine what the fulfillment looks like and do not even recognize it when it arrives. I love the passage above as it relates to our King. He is familiar with all things that concern our lives and nothing escapes his notice. There is no corner for which we can hide and no circumstance that He cannot bring to fulfillment.
He has paid the price for each of us to speak freely to Him. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. Our Savior has come and will help us in every situation not matter what you are facing or which corner you are hiding.
He was and He is and He will always be…
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Price of Pride
“On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12:21
King Herod had set up the situation wherein he played god over the food supply for Tyre and Sidon. These were two little areas that we have not heard much of but will never forget after this story. They chanted how wonderful King Herod was when he resolved the very dilemma that he had created. People are always looking for a hero in undeserved places as in the case of the king. Can you only imagine standing and chanting at the feet of your hero only to watch him immediately be struck down? Commentary states that he was struck down with a disease that was extremely painful and very nasty. I will not go into the details of the disease but it is worth the research to see the extent of God’s hatred towards pride.
God will not allow pride in His people for any length of time. Just as Herod was ‘eaten by worms’ our pride will eventually eat us up and kill us. No royal robe or self-righteous throne can protect us from the disease of pride. The Bible goes on and on about God’s feelings on pride. God will always keep His promises both good and bad.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18
“And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Daniel 4:37b
"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Prov. 16:5
How much clearer can God be on this subject? I want the other promise from God:
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
King Herod had set up the situation wherein he played god over the food supply for Tyre and Sidon. These were two little areas that we have not heard much of but will never forget after this story. They chanted how wonderful King Herod was when he resolved the very dilemma that he had created. People are always looking for a hero in undeserved places as in the case of the king. Can you only imagine standing and chanting at the feet of your hero only to watch him immediately be struck down? Commentary states that he was struck down with a disease that was extremely painful and very nasty. I will not go into the details of the disease but it is worth the research to see the extent of God’s hatred towards pride.
God will not allow pride in His people for any length of time. Just as Herod was ‘eaten by worms’ our pride will eventually eat us up and kill us. No royal robe or self-righteous throne can protect us from the disease of pride. The Bible goes on and on about God’s feelings on pride. God will always keep His promises both good and bad.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18
“And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Daniel 4:37b
"The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” Prov. 16:5
How much clearer can God be on this subject? I want the other promise from God:
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
Monday, April 26, 2010
For Even When I...
“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure…Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us…” 2 Co. 1:8-10
Yesterday was not a pretty sight regarding my heart and attitude. We are heading into our third month of caregiving for my father-in-law who suffers with Alzheimer’s. Suffice it to say that yesterday I was ‘far beyond my ability to endure and in my heart I felt the sentence of death.’ I must be honest and report that over the past week I hadn’t given my best to God in the early mornings as previously. I had begun to rely on myself through the daily routine in caregiving that God set up a few months ago making a tough situation easier. I believe that God allowed me to experience the frustrations, helplessness and resentment yesterday that He has been holding back from me. I was reminded yesterday that I am enduring because of what He is supplying.
As I sat on the front porch crying and venting (so glad I live in the middle of the woods without neighbors) I could actually feel my depleted strength draining out allowing room for the strength of Christ to flow in. I was reminded of the difference of being in dire need and receiving all I need. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I can do everything through him who gives me strength…For even when I…you sent me aid again and again when I was in need…I am amply supplied, now that I have received…” Phil 4:12-19
For even when I…
All of us can fill in the blank with any situation and can be assured through the promise of Christ that we can do all things through Him. He will come to our aid again and again and supply us with the perfect recipe for victory. We will receive…
Yesterday was not a pretty sight regarding my heart and attitude. We are heading into our third month of caregiving for my father-in-law who suffers with Alzheimer’s. Suffice it to say that yesterday I was ‘far beyond my ability to endure and in my heart I felt the sentence of death.’ I must be honest and report that over the past week I hadn’t given my best to God in the early mornings as previously. I had begun to rely on myself through the daily routine in caregiving that God set up a few months ago making a tough situation easier. I believe that God allowed me to experience the frustrations, helplessness and resentment yesterday that He has been holding back from me. I was reminded yesterday that I am enduring because of what He is supplying.
As I sat on the front porch crying and venting (so glad I live in the middle of the woods without neighbors) I could actually feel my depleted strength draining out allowing room for the strength of Christ to flow in. I was reminded of the difference of being in dire need and receiving all I need. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I can do everything through him who gives me strength…For even when I…you sent me aid again and again when I was in need…I am amply supplied, now that I have received…” Phil 4:12-19
For even when I…
All of us can fill in the blank with any situation and can be assured through the promise of Christ that we can do all things through Him. He will come to our aid again and again and supply us with the perfect recipe for victory. We will receive…
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Growing Up Jiminy
“I speak the truth in Christ – I am not lying, my conscience confirms in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 9:1
Growing up, Pinocchio was one of my most beloved films not because of the mischievous wooden boy but because of his little sidekick, Jiminy Cricket. I loved that little cricket who seemed to have Pinocchio’s best interest at heart. He followed him everywhere supporting, encouraging and warning him about possible dangers. He even implored that he ‘let his conscience be his guide.’ Sound familiar?
It is written that God gave us the Spirit of truth (John 14:17) to guide us into all of the truth and will only speak what He hears from God on our behalf (John 16:13). Certain truths will be revealed and confirmed with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit acts in two-fold through our conscience. He confirms a clear conscience and convicts a guilty conscience by the level of peace for which we experience in any situation. If we cannot obtain peace with some issue then chances are we are at odds with our conscience. If we can obtain peace within a decision it is most likely the Holy Spirit confirming our clear conscience.
The closer we get to Christ the louder the Holy Spirit speaks the heart and mind of God. While it may become easier to discern right from wrong the key is our obedience to act upon that discernment. If there is a decision that one must make the Holy Spirit will confirm or convict regarding that decision.
When aligned with the will of God, our conscience becomes a wonderful and valuable indicator of the path for which we should take in any decision. Once our ‘conscience confirms in the Holy Spirit’ we will experience ‘the peace of God that transcends all understanding.’ (Phil 4:7)
Growing up, Pinocchio was one of my most beloved films not because of the mischievous wooden boy but because of his little sidekick, Jiminy Cricket. I loved that little cricket who seemed to have Pinocchio’s best interest at heart. He followed him everywhere supporting, encouraging and warning him about possible dangers. He even implored that he ‘let his conscience be his guide.’ Sound familiar?
It is written that God gave us the Spirit of truth (John 14:17) to guide us into all of the truth and will only speak what He hears from God on our behalf (John 16:13). Certain truths will be revealed and confirmed with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit acts in two-fold through our conscience. He confirms a clear conscience and convicts a guilty conscience by the level of peace for which we experience in any situation. If we cannot obtain peace with some issue then chances are we are at odds with our conscience. If we can obtain peace within a decision it is most likely the Holy Spirit confirming our clear conscience.
The closer we get to Christ the louder the Holy Spirit speaks the heart and mind of God. While it may become easier to discern right from wrong the key is our obedience to act upon that discernment. If there is a decision that one must make the Holy Spirit will confirm or convict regarding that decision.
When aligned with the will of God, our conscience becomes a wonderful and valuable indicator of the path for which we should take in any decision. Once our ‘conscience confirms in the Holy Spirit’ we will experience ‘the peace of God that transcends all understanding.’ (Phil 4:7)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Whitewashed Tombs
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is desolate.” Matthew 23:27, 28, 37-38
In Matthew 23 Jesus is speaking to the crowds referring to their teachers and leaders. He listed seven woes that primarily dealt with the heart of those leading others. Jesus was speaking on the hypocrisy of externalism. The teachers cared more about the outward view of righteousness and morality then the inward view of living the life aligned with righteousness. While they exhorted their ‘servants’ to live righteous and moral lives their hearts were full of self-indulgence.
“Tombs were whitewashed so that Jewish people would not inadvertently touch them and thus be ceremonially defiled. Jesus likened the scribes and Pharisees to whitewashed tombs, which looked clean on the outside but were full of corruption inside.” Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1290.
It is the desire of Christ for us to live our lives outwardly and inwardly in complete alignment and sincerity. Our actions will either validate our words or reveal them to be empty and contradictory.
If we are living our lives as whitewashed tombs we are empty and lifeless. We care more about the clean image of our lives than the rich fruit for which our actions can yield. We all have longed for something in our lives to fulfill, complete and restore. Christ is no different as He longs for relationship with each of us. He is always calling but we don’t always respond. He sits in our house waiting on our time with Him and longing to protect us. Through the sacrifice of Christ, He has washed our lives clean giving us a chance for new and righteous living.
It is not only His desire for us but His expectation of us.
In Matthew 23 Jesus is speaking to the crowds referring to their teachers and leaders. He listed seven woes that primarily dealt with the heart of those leading others. Jesus was speaking on the hypocrisy of externalism. The teachers cared more about the outward view of righteousness and morality then the inward view of living the life aligned with righteousness. While they exhorted their ‘servants’ to live righteous and moral lives their hearts were full of self-indulgence.
“Tombs were whitewashed so that Jewish people would not inadvertently touch them and thus be ceremonially defiled. Jesus likened the scribes and Pharisees to whitewashed tombs, which looked clean on the outside but were full of corruption inside.” Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1290.
It is the desire of Christ for us to live our lives outwardly and inwardly in complete alignment and sincerity. Our actions will either validate our words or reveal them to be empty and contradictory.
If we are living our lives as whitewashed tombs we are empty and lifeless. We care more about the clean image of our lives than the rich fruit for which our actions can yield. We all have longed for something in our lives to fulfill, complete and restore. Christ is no different as He longs for relationship with each of us. He is always calling but we don’t always respond. He sits in our house waiting on our time with Him and longing to protect us. Through the sacrifice of Christ, He has washed our lives clean giving us a chance for new and righteous living.
It is not only His desire for us but His expectation of us.
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