“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13b-14
Throughout the world ancient ruins can be found from civilization to civilization. Our culture has a deep fascination with these ruins as they speak to us from the rubble regarding their past. They tell stories to enrich our imaginations helping us catch a glimpse of their motivations, beliefs and passions.
In an eerie way our past emotional ruins beckon us in the same manner as worldly physical ruins of the past beckon our imaginations. In our own lives there have been takeovers, defeats, building up and tearing down of our hearts. We look back at our circumstances that both wounded and defined us as the skeletal remains still lay scattered upon the landscapes of our hearts. We revisit the grounds in an effort to rehash, reconsider and sometimes resurrect what needs to stay undisturbed. We kneel to the ground and plunder through the rubble knowing nothing will change but resurrected emotions, entitlements, regrets and guilt.
God exhorts us to stay forward focused in both our walk and our faith. Our emotional ruins will never be what they once were and will never provide the community in which God desires us to dwell. Our ruins are abandoned places in our hearts that cannot provide any protection from the elements, and lack stability in its structure. While there is importance in looking behind it is only in recognizing the deliverance and protection God provided through our experiences. God knew the difficulty of “straining toward what is ahead” as He walked the earth in flesh through the body of Christ. The manner in which He suffered was great but necessary for the benefit of each of us experiencing eternal life. He left behind the sins of mankind and strained towards eternal life for each of us.
The base of the cross is a much more life giving place to visit than the ancient ruins of our hearts.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
In the Hand of the Potter
”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 it seemed best to him. ‘Like clay’ in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:4, 6
Back in the day of Jeremiah, clay was plentiful in that region and every household could be found possessing lots of pottery. It was only natural that God used this analogy to instill a better understanding for what He was trying to communicate.
I have heard people say, “God has a lesson for you in this adversity.” Do you ever feel like you are “lessoned out?” That you have been put on that potter’s wheel for one too many spins around the studio? I know I have in the past. There is great truth, though, in God using the experiences in our lives to teach, mold and reshape us. His warm and gentle hands cap our lives creating pressure on the areas of our lives that require the removal of impurities and imperfections. We are all marred and require constant inspection and reworking in the hands of the Master Potter.
The potter has the gift of looking at a lump of clay and visualizing its potential for something unique, beautiful and one of a kind. Its destiny is not realized by sitting on the shelf but by being placed on the wheel and receiving water, motion and applied pressure to achieve its greatest beauty and purpose.
God uses the turning of events to shape His children like the potter uses the turn of the wheel to shape his piece of work. God deems the shaping of our lives as it seems best to Him as the verse states and requires neither our permission nor understanding. If our hearts are not open to His reworking, reshaping and remolding our destiny will never be fulfilled.
Remember, God has the perfect vision in mind for each of our lives and knows exactly what is required to achieve our greatest beauty and His highest glory.
Back in the day of Jeremiah, clay was plentiful in that region and every household could be found possessing lots of pottery. It was only natural that God used this analogy to instill a better understanding for what He was trying to communicate.
I have heard people say, “God has a lesson for you in this adversity.” Do you ever feel like you are “lessoned out?” That you have been put on that potter’s wheel for one too many spins around the studio? I know I have in the past. There is great truth, though, in God using the experiences in our lives to teach, mold and reshape us. His warm and gentle hands cap our lives creating pressure on the areas of our lives that require the removal of impurities and imperfections. We are all marred and require constant inspection and reworking in the hands of the Master Potter.
The potter has the gift of looking at a lump of clay and visualizing its potential for something unique, beautiful and one of a kind. Its destiny is not realized by sitting on the shelf but by being placed on the wheel and receiving water, motion and applied pressure to achieve its greatest beauty and purpose.
God uses the turning of events to shape His children like the potter uses the turn of the wheel to shape his piece of work. God deems the shaping of our lives as it seems best to Him as the verse states and requires neither our permission nor understanding. If our hearts are not open to His reworking, reshaping and remolding our destiny will never be fulfilled.
Remember, God has the perfect vision in mind for each of our lives and knows exactly what is required to achieve our greatest beauty and His highest glory.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The Slider Rule
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2
Some verses are meant to be experienced with a heavy hand from God as a warning in our lives. There are fewer things in life than the natural tendency to judge the actions of others. We live our lives being a set of balance scales with fulcrums and weight pans as we judge others against our own lives. We load our pan with our own righteousness, heavy on the judgment of others while their pan of unworthiness will never be equal against ours. In precision balances, a slider weight is moved along a graduated scale. The slider position gives a fine correction to the weight value.
Christ is our slider as He determines a better balance for our lives adjusting and aligning our hearts to better approach our view of others and ourselves. He knows that our natural tendency is to be the judge, jury and executioner when dealing with others.
If we do not take steps in guarding our hearts against this tendency we will become off balance in our thinking and out of sorts in our hearts. He will enact the appropriate tension and adjustment in our lives to ensure that our hearts are more balanced on both sides.
The Bible exhorts us to “take every thought captive” and to aspire to the “renewing of our mind.” As the urge to judge others arises, we should remind ourselves of our responsibility to not only remove self-righteousness from our own pan but to place compassion and mercy on the pan of others.
With Christ as our slider, we will be successful in creating that perfect alignment and balance in the scales of life.
Some verses are meant to be experienced with a heavy hand from God as a warning in our lives. There are fewer things in life than the natural tendency to judge the actions of others. We live our lives being a set of balance scales with fulcrums and weight pans as we judge others against our own lives. We load our pan with our own righteousness, heavy on the judgment of others while their pan of unworthiness will never be equal against ours. In precision balances, a slider weight is moved along a graduated scale. The slider position gives a fine correction to the weight value.
Christ is our slider as He determines a better balance for our lives adjusting and aligning our hearts to better approach our view of others and ourselves. He knows that our natural tendency is to be the judge, jury and executioner when dealing with others.
If we do not take steps in guarding our hearts against this tendency we will become off balance in our thinking and out of sorts in our hearts. He will enact the appropriate tension and adjustment in our lives to ensure that our hearts are more balanced on both sides.
The Bible exhorts us to “take every thought captive” and to aspire to the “renewing of our mind.” As the urge to judge others arises, we should remind ourselves of our responsibility to not only remove self-righteousness from our own pan but to place compassion and mercy on the pan of others.
With Christ as our slider, we will be successful in creating that perfect alignment and balance in the scales of life.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Seek and Go Hide
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:2-3
Growing up my family lived on the outskirts of Lancaster in West Manor in the middle of the woods. It was a great place to play Hide and Go Seek with all of the trees and lack of street lights as in most neighborhoods. I was always the first to want to play but usually quickly became bored with hiding or seeking. I don’t really know if my boredom came from laziness or my lack of heart for the game.
To be hidden in Christ we must first be the seeker. We must search for Him in our lives and search for ways that we can exemplify His walk. The more we seek Him the more we will be hidden. The less we seek Him the more the world will be exemplified in our lives. We will determine for ourselves which master to serve, which life to exemplify and which role model to be for our children.
It’s Always Something by the late Gilda Radner contains a disturbing story of a little dog which I will share with you.
“When I was little, my nurse Dibby’s cousin had a dog, just a mutt, and the dog was pregnant…She was out in the yard one day and got in the way of the lawn mower and her two hind legs got cut off. They rushed her to the vet and he said, ‘I can sew her up, or you can put her to sleep if you want, but the puppies are okay. She’ll be able to deliver the puppies.’ Dibby’s cousin said, ‘Keep her alive.’ So the vet sewed up her backside, and over the next week the dog learned to walk…she just learned to walk by taking two steps in the front and flipping up her backside, and then taking two steps and flipping up her backside again. She gave birth to six little puppies, all in perfect health. She nursed them and then weaned them. And when they learned to walk, they all walked like her.”
Our walk will be determined by whomever we seek out to exemplify. Our deficiencies will be hidden in theirs and our limitations will be based on their perspective much like these little pups. We will learn to walk in the same manner for which the world teaches if we do not seek out Christ in this game called life. If we are hiding from Christ and seeking everything in His place we will lose the game. If people are seeking answers from watching our walk they will always have a limp because our walk is not perfect. Only through seeking and walking with Christ as our Master do we have the perfect example of a spiritual walk.
Now that we are all grown up let’s change that childhood game to Seek and Go Hide.
Growing up my family lived on the outskirts of Lancaster in West Manor in the middle of the woods. It was a great place to play Hide and Go Seek with all of the trees and lack of street lights as in most neighborhoods. I was always the first to want to play but usually quickly became bored with hiding or seeking. I don’t really know if my boredom came from laziness or my lack of heart for the game.
To be hidden in Christ we must first be the seeker. We must search for Him in our lives and search for ways that we can exemplify His walk. The more we seek Him the more we will be hidden. The less we seek Him the more the world will be exemplified in our lives. We will determine for ourselves which master to serve, which life to exemplify and which role model to be for our children.
It’s Always Something by the late Gilda Radner contains a disturbing story of a little dog which I will share with you.
“When I was little, my nurse Dibby’s cousin had a dog, just a mutt, and the dog was pregnant…She was out in the yard one day and got in the way of the lawn mower and her two hind legs got cut off. They rushed her to the vet and he said, ‘I can sew her up, or you can put her to sleep if you want, but the puppies are okay. She’ll be able to deliver the puppies.’ Dibby’s cousin said, ‘Keep her alive.’ So the vet sewed up her backside, and over the next week the dog learned to walk…she just learned to walk by taking two steps in the front and flipping up her backside, and then taking two steps and flipping up her backside again. She gave birth to six little puppies, all in perfect health. She nursed them and then weaned them. And when they learned to walk, they all walked like her.”
Our walk will be determined by whomever we seek out to exemplify. Our deficiencies will be hidden in theirs and our limitations will be based on their perspective much like these little pups. We will learn to walk in the same manner for which the world teaches if we do not seek out Christ in this game called life. If we are hiding from Christ and seeking everything in His place we will lose the game. If people are seeking answers from watching our walk they will always have a limp because our walk is not perfect. Only through seeking and walking with Christ as our Master do we have the perfect example of a spiritual walk.
Now that we are all grown up let’s change that childhood game to Seek and Go Hide.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
In All Circumstances....
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:18
How easy it is to give thanks when we are experiencing a blessing in our lives. Our hearts sing and our spirits soar with gratitude and thankfulness. But what about when death steals the life of a loved one, when that spouse abandons his life with us, or when we are riddled with disease? This verse clearly states that it is the will of God to give thanks in ALL circumstances.
I remember a certain day in April, 2008 when I learned this first hand. I went with my daughter and son-in-law to the ultra sound of our little baby. As we learned that the baby was a healthy girl I was thankful but also saddened as I faced the possibility of losing another little girl – my little sister. The day continued as I took my father-in-law suffering with Alzheimer’s to three doctor’s appointments. It was a grueling day as he stayed confused, frustrated with his situation and agitated. As we sat in the doctor’s office of his last appointment I received a phone call from my son at college. His apartment had been robbed while he was in class and his laptop along with other items had been stolen. I began the process required to report this to the police. In the meantime, my dad called to discuss his fear of Beth’s possible death. It was all too much! My father-in-law sat absorbing all of this the way a child watches their parents.
When we got in the car my precious father-in-law summed up my present situation from his perspective. Allow me to share his view with you. “Brenda, have they found a cure for your sister?” I replied no. “Brenda, does your dad still have cancer?” I replied yes. “Brenda, did your son just got robbed?” I replied yes. He turned and looked at me with that simple truth of a child and stated, “Girl, you are shooting dice with no spots!” I realized at that moment how thankful I was for God’s humor and the love He provides through different means.
Later that day on my way to Beth’s I got overwhelmed thinking about all of the challenges and sadness facing me. I began sobbing so hard I could barely see to drive and began crying out to God to remove the pain. The pain was too great to contain within my heart and I knew relief had to come. I heard God say, “Thank me.” Honestly my first response was “For what?” I heard Him repeat the command so I began thanking Him. The more I thanked Him the harder I sobbed but just kept thanking Him for certain things in my life. I called Becki and asked her to pray over me which she did and she prayed a beautiful prayer of deliverance of my pain. The pain subsided and peace returned to my heart.
In remembering that day, I will always know that we cannot control what the dice rolls for us in life but if we give thanks to God in ALL circumstances we place spots on those die ensuring a winning roll.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember to give thanks in ALL circumstances.
How easy it is to give thanks when we are experiencing a blessing in our lives. Our hearts sing and our spirits soar with gratitude and thankfulness. But what about when death steals the life of a loved one, when that spouse abandons his life with us, or when we are riddled with disease? This verse clearly states that it is the will of God to give thanks in ALL circumstances.
I remember a certain day in April, 2008 when I learned this first hand. I went with my daughter and son-in-law to the ultra sound of our little baby. As we learned that the baby was a healthy girl I was thankful but also saddened as I faced the possibility of losing another little girl – my little sister. The day continued as I took my father-in-law suffering with Alzheimer’s to three doctor’s appointments. It was a grueling day as he stayed confused, frustrated with his situation and agitated. As we sat in the doctor’s office of his last appointment I received a phone call from my son at college. His apartment had been robbed while he was in class and his laptop along with other items had been stolen. I began the process required to report this to the police. In the meantime, my dad called to discuss his fear of Beth’s possible death. It was all too much! My father-in-law sat absorbing all of this the way a child watches their parents.
When we got in the car my precious father-in-law summed up my present situation from his perspective. Allow me to share his view with you. “Brenda, have they found a cure for your sister?” I replied no. “Brenda, does your dad still have cancer?” I replied yes. “Brenda, did your son just got robbed?” I replied yes. He turned and looked at me with that simple truth of a child and stated, “Girl, you are shooting dice with no spots!” I realized at that moment how thankful I was for God’s humor and the love He provides through different means.
Later that day on my way to Beth’s I got overwhelmed thinking about all of the challenges and sadness facing me. I began sobbing so hard I could barely see to drive and began crying out to God to remove the pain. The pain was too great to contain within my heart and I knew relief had to come. I heard God say, “Thank me.” Honestly my first response was “For what?” I heard Him repeat the command so I began thanking Him. The more I thanked Him the harder I sobbed but just kept thanking Him for certain things in my life. I called Becki and asked her to pray over me which she did and she prayed a beautiful prayer of deliverance of my pain. The pain subsided and peace returned to my heart.
In remembering that day, I will always know that we cannot control what the dice rolls for us in life but if we give thanks to God in ALL circumstances we place spots on those die ensuring a winning roll.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember to give thanks in ALL circumstances.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
But In Everything...
“Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7
I can see so many things through the eyes of experience that I wish I had done differently. When my children were little, like many of you, we tried getting them in the habit of bedtime prayers. I would kneel with them by their bedside and help them recite their list of prayer items to God. We learn early in life to recite prayers, not to experience them.
In hindsight, while we taught them the importance of prayer I really didn’t teach them that prayer was more than just a one-sided laundry list until their habits had already been formed. Prayer is a conversation in which God can reveal things and an on-going relationship in which He responds. I must admit that there are times in my adult life when I am like that child kneeling beside my bed in an effort to check prayer off of my list for the day. Even the definition for prayer seems one sided. The definition for prayer is to implore, to plead, to beg, to ask, to request, to call upon. God’s definition for prayer is more about fellowship, exchange, relationship and revelation.
Prayer is another channel through which God comforts, guides and loves. It is when we can experience His most sacred and divine indwelling. It is where He accepts our offerings before we even lay them on the altar. Prayer is the platform for which intimate exchange is experienced.
I remember reading in my grandmother’s journal that there is no specific prayer time for her for there is constant communion throughout the day. That has become the desire of my heart and has been realized without my awareness. Sunday, as my day began very early I had an awareness of His presence in a powerful way until around 1:30 in the afternoon. It was a very private day experienced only between Father and child. We hung out all day and I was deeply blessed (and worn out). Prayer was more of a state of mind and attitude that day – a day I aspire to repeat increasingly as I grow more in Him.
I have a long way to go in my prayer life but the joy I feel when I am in constant communion with Him is like none other. Don’t just pray but experience prayer.
I can see so many things through the eyes of experience that I wish I had done differently. When my children were little, like many of you, we tried getting them in the habit of bedtime prayers. I would kneel with them by their bedside and help them recite their list of prayer items to God. We learn early in life to recite prayers, not to experience them.
In hindsight, while we taught them the importance of prayer I really didn’t teach them that prayer was more than just a one-sided laundry list until their habits had already been formed. Prayer is a conversation in which God can reveal things and an on-going relationship in which He responds. I must admit that there are times in my adult life when I am like that child kneeling beside my bed in an effort to check prayer off of my list for the day. Even the definition for prayer seems one sided. The definition for prayer is to implore, to plead, to beg, to ask, to request, to call upon. God’s definition for prayer is more about fellowship, exchange, relationship and revelation.
Prayer is another channel through which God comforts, guides and loves. It is when we can experience His most sacred and divine indwelling. It is where He accepts our offerings before we even lay them on the altar. Prayer is the platform for which intimate exchange is experienced.
I remember reading in my grandmother’s journal that there is no specific prayer time for her for there is constant communion throughout the day. That has become the desire of my heart and has been realized without my awareness. Sunday, as my day began very early I had an awareness of His presence in a powerful way until around 1:30 in the afternoon. It was a very private day experienced only between Father and child. We hung out all day and I was deeply blessed (and worn out). Prayer was more of a state of mind and attitude that day – a day I aspire to repeat increasingly as I grow more in Him.
I have a long way to go in my prayer life but the joy I feel when I am in constant communion with Him is like none other. Don’t just pray but experience prayer.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Casting Idols
“All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit him nothing?” Isaiah 44:9-10
Before I begin this subject allow me to acknowledge that many of you are in an extended period of suffering due to the loss or absence of a spouse. I know that my loneliness is very temporary compared to yours, but all discomfort is relative to what we know.
In the past 30 days, Bruce has not been home more than 5 days at the most due to numerous problems at one of his client’s work locations. I have found myself becoming increasingly discontent and longing for my best friend to return to our life as we knew it and I know that will happen in a few months. Between surrounding myself with family, getting in the Word and listening to inspirational Christian music throughout the day I can usually feel content. However, Saturday seemed different as I was very uneasy and unable to settle myself long enough to approach God.
When the Israelites were tired of waiting on Moses to come off the mountain from speaking with God, they threw into the fire their own personal belongings in an attempt for something new to emerge. “The Israelites had been given everything, yet they refused to be satisfied. They traded in what their hearts could know for what their eyes could see.” Beth Moore, Breaking Free. Yesterday, I decided to go shopping which in the past has been what I have “thrown into the fire creating my golden calf.” This morning I awoke with no profit – I am just as lonely and unsatisfied as I was yesterday. God used the golden calf image to tenderly and lovingly remind me that I have “shaped and cast” this image before and it never provides, comforts or satisfies.
At certain times in our lives, we all shape our own gods in an effort to fulfill a need. Some of us attempt to receive temporary satisfaction through picking up that drink or using that drug. For some it is finding relief in the arms of someone through an affair or gambling to scratch that itch. For me in the past it was spending which always brought me nothing more than additional feelings of alienation and guilt.
An idol is anything for which we seek to comfort us that substitutes God. Don’t shape that god or cast that idol – what will emerge will never be gain compared to what you threw into the fire.
Before I begin this subject allow me to acknowledge that many of you are in an extended period of suffering due to the loss or absence of a spouse. I know that my loneliness is very temporary compared to yours, but all discomfort is relative to what we know.
In the past 30 days, Bruce has not been home more than 5 days at the most due to numerous problems at one of his client’s work locations. I have found myself becoming increasingly discontent and longing for my best friend to return to our life as we knew it and I know that will happen in a few months. Between surrounding myself with family, getting in the Word and listening to inspirational Christian music throughout the day I can usually feel content. However, Saturday seemed different as I was very uneasy and unable to settle myself long enough to approach God.
When the Israelites were tired of waiting on Moses to come off the mountain from speaking with God, they threw into the fire their own personal belongings in an attempt for something new to emerge. “The Israelites had been given everything, yet they refused to be satisfied. They traded in what their hearts could know for what their eyes could see.” Beth Moore, Breaking Free. Yesterday, I decided to go shopping which in the past has been what I have “thrown into the fire creating my golden calf.” This morning I awoke with no profit – I am just as lonely and unsatisfied as I was yesterday. God used the golden calf image to tenderly and lovingly remind me that I have “shaped and cast” this image before and it never provides, comforts or satisfies.
At certain times in our lives, we all shape our own gods in an effort to fulfill a need. Some of us attempt to receive temporary satisfaction through picking up that drink or using that drug. For some it is finding relief in the arms of someone through an affair or gambling to scratch that itch. For me in the past it was spending which always brought me nothing more than additional feelings of alienation and guilt.
An idol is anything for which we seek to comfort us that substitutes God. Don’t shape that god or cast that idol – what will emerge will never be gain compared to what you threw into the fire.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Higher Ways...
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:9, 11, 12
This passage is a two-part promise that God gives us all as we relate to the changing circumstances of our lives. He begins comparing our understanding of Him to the relationship of earth to heaven. Planet Earth is only one small element of existence in a vast atmosphere canopied by Heaven and is only one piece of the larger picture.
Like the earth as it relates to Heaven, we too operate with limited understanding of the big picture in the heavenlies. God acts in our lives not in a vacuum but in a concerted manner directing different circumstances for the purpose of all. What He wills is going to be fulfilled whether we understand it or not. We will never understand all of the spiritual workings in our lives and how they relate to the Great Commission – bringing people to Him.
The second part of this beautiful passage is the promise of comfort in whatever He purposes in our lives. I remember when it was obvious Beth was not going to receive an earthly healing, while God didn’t explain the purpose He did lead me triumphantly into peace through a Bible Study. I felt Him say to me that losses on earth are critical to the Kingdom in accomplishing more in the eternal than in the temporary. No earthly loss of life is futile in the heavenlies. Our loved ones' presence in Heaven is critical in God’s divine plan and they have been specifically chosen by God. I remember as Beth lay there I told her that her work on earth was beautifully accomplished and that God was waiting on her to begin her eternal work. Her eyes showed a peace and understanding so I knew He was also touching her spirit with this knowledge. I was led into peace through that exchange of spirits and He has been bursting forth in song every since. I never thought I would be able to experience joy in grief, happiness in pain and comfort in chaos but it is what my God does best.
The key to this passage is allowing God to lead instead of allowing our circumstances to litter our way.
This passage is a two-part promise that God gives us all as we relate to the changing circumstances of our lives. He begins comparing our understanding of Him to the relationship of earth to heaven. Planet Earth is only one small element of existence in a vast atmosphere canopied by Heaven and is only one piece of the larger picture.
Like the earth as it relates to Heaven, we too operate with limited understanding of the big picture in the heavenlies. God acts in our lives not in a vacuum but in a concerted manner directing different circumstances for the purpose of all. What He wills is going to be fulfilled whether we understand it or not. We will never understand all of the spiritual workings in our lives and how they relate to the Great Commission – bringing people to Him.
The second part of this beautiful passage is the promise of comfort in whatever He purposes in our lives. I remember when it was obvious Beth was not going to receive an earthly healing, while God didn’t explain the purpose He did lead me triumphantly into peace through a Bible Study. I felt Him say to me that losses on earth are critical to the Kingdom in accomplishing more in the eternal than in the temporary. No earthly loss of life is futile in the heavenlies. Our loved ones' presence in Heaven is critical in God’s divine plan and they have been specifically chosen by God. I remember as Beth lay there I told her that her work on earth was beautifully accomplished and that God was waiting on her to begin her eternal work. Her eyes showed a peace and understanding so I knew He was also touching her spirit with this knowledge. I was led into peace through that exchange of spirits and He has been bursting forth in song every since. I never thought I would be able to experience joy in grief, happiness in pain and comfort in chaos but it is what my God does best.
The key to this passage is allowing God to lead instead of allowing our circumstances to litter our way.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Help Me....
“But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. ‘If you can’? said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.’” Mark 9:24.
Few stories in the Bible are so short in words but long in truth as the story of the father who begged Jesus to heal his son whom had suffered his entire life being possessed by an evil spirit. It displays a hindrance Christian’s battle daily without evening being aware.
This poor father states a contradiction once his faith is put to the test. Christ basically explains that his son’s healing is only one belief away. The verse states that the father immediately claims belief but then sorrowfully realizes those are only futile words in his heart of hearts. He then asks for another favor from God – to help him overcome his unbelief. This must be accomplished prior to his original desire of healing for his son.
Unbelief is a crippling obstacle in the life of a Christian. We are no better than this dear father as we plead our case to God asking, crying out and longing for some type of deliverance. We asked to be delivered from exhaustion, a bad marriage, a grieving heart or some other type of suffering but do we really believe?
When I was 15 I had to have knee surgery requiring a leg brace for almost 6 weeks which covered my leg from mid-thigh down to my shin. Trying to move around created such awkwardness and cumbersome movement that everything I did seemed counterproductive and unsuccessful. It was one of the most frustrating situations for which I experienced as a teenager. I hoped healing would come but constantly lost belief that healing was going to come. The leg brace hindered me from the freedom I once knew.
Our unbelief is just as crippling as the knee surgery and rehab was for me. We know what we want to believe like this father but our actions state the opposite. This little verse shows our words verses our true belief. Our God is not a fickle God. When He speaks a promise we can take it to the bank. Anything short of experiencing His fulfilled promises is unbelief on our part that He is trustworthy in our situation.
Hope without belief is just wishful thinking but faith makes it a certainty. Belief breathes fresh possibilities into the impossible.
Few stories in the Bible are so short in words but long in truth as the story of the father who begged Jesus to heal his son whom had suffered his entire life being possessed by an evil spirit. It displays a hindrance Christian’s battle daily without evening being aware.
This poor father states a contradiction once his faith is put to the test. Christ basically explains that his son’s healing is only one belief away. The verse states that the father immediately claims belief but then sorrowfully realizes those are only futile words in his heart of hearts. He then asks for another favor from God – to help him overcome his unbelief. This must be accomplished prior to his original desire of healing for his son.
Unbelief is a crippling obstacle in the life of a Christian. We are no better than this dear father as we plead our case to God asking, crying out and longing for some type of deliverance. We asked to be delivered from exhaustion, a bad marriage, a grieving heart or some other type of suffering but do we really believe?
When I was 15 I had to have knee surgery requiring a leg brace for almost 6 weeks which covered my leg from mid-thigh down to my shin. Trying to move around created such awkwardness and cumbersome movement that everything I did seemed counterproductive and unsuccessful. It was one of the most frustrating situations for which I experienced as a teenager. I hoped healing would come but constantly lost belief that healing was going to come. The leg brace hindered me from the freedom I once knew.
Our unbelief is just as crippling as the knee surgery and rehab was for me. We know what we want to believe like this father but our actions state the opposite. This little verse shows our words verses our true belief. Our God is not a fickle God. When He speaks a promise we can take it to the bank. Anything short of experiencing His fulfilled promises is unbelief on our part that He is trustworthy in our situation.
Hope without belief is just wishful thinking but faith makes it a certainty. Belief breathes fresh possibilities into the impossible.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Passing Through
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2-3
This passage continues to beckon me as I face life with Christ. Many people feel that walking with Christ guarantees liberty and freedom from difficulties. So it is no wonder that they doubt God when adversity emerges. Based on their suffering, they question the whereabouts of God, feeling abandoned and excluded from His promises. The Bible states over and over again to expect suffering when we choose to fellowship with Christ. We cannot enjoy the benefits of Christ without experiencing the suffering. Our suffering summons God’s presence and His all transcending ability to deliver us through love.
It is similar to my marriage as Bruce and I face life together head on. We enjoy each other’s presence, our time together and both the friendship and intimacy of our marriage. A big part of our intimacy and love is the bond we developed while walking through the trials together of past experiences. We have cried together, prayed together, despaired together and hoped together. We have longed for and believed in a better day. There is no other tool that carves, deepens and moves the heart like holding hands and walking through pain together with Christ in the center. It knits the fibers of two hearts together forming a permanent bond in the relationship.
The same is true with our intimacy with Christ. As He walks with us, hurts with us, cries with us and hopes with us our relationship with Him is transformed and permanently bonded together in heart and spirit.
To be burned is to be permanently scarred without reversal. While He states that we will walk through the fire He also promises that we will not be burned. He will not leave us with our wounds but will heal, restore and release us from our suffering. When struggling with feelings that God has forgotten you in your suffering recite the above passage in personal terms and believe it intellectually even if you don’t feel it. He will not let you down. I will include the beginning of this passage in the reversal reciting to God His promises to us.
You created me, you formed me. You have summoned me by name. I am Yours. When I pass through the waters, You will be with me; and when I pass through the rivers, I will not be swept over. When I walk through the fire, You will not allow me to be burned; the flames will not set me ablaze. For You are my Lord, my God and You are my Savior.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” John 20:29
This passage continues to beckon me as I face life with Christ. Many people feel that walking with Christ guarantees liberty and freedom from difficulties. So it is no wonder that they doubt God when adversity emerges. Based on their suffering, they question the whereabouts of God, feeling abandoned and excluded from His promises. The Bible states over and over again to expect suffering when we choose to fellowship with Christ. We cannot enjoy the benefits of Christ without experiencing the suffering. Our suffering summons God’s presence and His all transcending ability to deliver us through love.
It is similar to my marriage as Bruce and I face life together head on. We enjoy each other’s presence, our time together and both the friendship and intimacy of our marriage. A big part of our intimacy and love is the bond we developed while walking through the trials together of past experiences. We have cried together, prayed together, despaired together and hoped together. We have longed for and believed in a better day. There is no other tool that carves, deepens and moves the heart like holding hands and walking through pain together with Christ in the center. It knits the fibers of two hearts together forming a permanent bond in the relationship.
The same is true with our intimacy with Christ. As He walks with us, hurts with us, cries with us and hopes with us our relationship with Him is transformed and permanently bonded together in heart and spirit.
To be burned is to be permanently scarred without reversal. While He states that we will walk through the fire He also promises that we will not be burned. He will not leave us with our wounds but will heal, restore and release us from our suffering. When struggling with feelings that God has forgotten you in your suffering recite the above passage in personal terms and believe it intellectually even if you don’t feel it. He will not let you down. I will include the beginning of this passage in the reversal reciting to God His promises to us.
You created me, you formed me. You have summoned me by name. I am Yours. When I pass through the waters, You will be with me; and when I pass through the rivers, I will not be swept over. When I walk through the fire, You will not allow me to be burned; the flames will not set me ablaze. For You are my Lord, my God and You are my Savior.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” John 20:29
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Wind Within Us
“If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:18.
Wind waves are ocean surface waves that occur over a vast stretch of fluid surface generated by the blowing wind. Some waves can travel thousands of miles in the ocean before reaching land. The waves endure above the currents of the sea until they reach their destination of land marking its completion.
The same endurance is given to us through our long running trials through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we journey through this fluid life, life that continuously moves and changes, we are promised peace through righteous living. By allowing the Holy Spirit to power and guide us, He blows His gentle winds creating swells of peace and the ability to glide above our fluid surface with grace and beauty. Righteous living allows the Spirit to raise us above the sea of life with peace, power and purpose.
We view life atop our changing circumstances and glide across the landscapes of our lives with a directed path towards the ultimate land of Heaven. We are not caught up in the chaos when living life catching the winds of the Holy Spirit.
The Wind that blows within us is greater than currents that rush beneath us.
Wind waves are ocean surface waves that occur over a vast stretch of fluid surface generated by the blowing wind. Some waves can travel thousands of miles in the ocean before reaching land. The waves endure above the currents of the sea until they reach their destination of land marking its completion.
The same endurance is given to us through our long running trials through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we journey through this fluid life, life that continuously moves and changes, we are promised peace through righteous living. By allowing the Holy Spirit to power and guide us, He blows His gentle winds creating swells of peace and the ability to glide above our fluid surface with grace and beauty. Righteous living allows the Spirit to raise us above the sea of life with peace, power and purpose.
We view life atop our changing circumstances and glide across the landscapes of our lives with a directed path towards the ultimate land of Heaven. We are not caught up in the chaos when living life catching the winds of the Holy Spirit.
The Wind that blows within us is greater than currents that rush beneath us.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Famished?
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55.2
Growing up I was always very insecure and felt as if I must do for others to receive their love and approval. This carried throughout my life and was an encompassing motivation for how I related to others. The approval of others was an insatiable beast that could never be fed enough. There was always an emptiness in the corner of my heart that nothing or no one could satisfy.
It wasn’t until almost four years ago that I began truly hungering for God developing such an appetite that I knew the only dish that would satisfy would be Him. I began nibbling on the Word, then eating upon its contents and now feasting on Him is a necessity in my life. It is the only thing that has permeated into that hidden corner of my heart and engulfed it with acceptance, approval and complete love.
The world attempts to offer appetizers as the main course so it is no wonder that we are always in a state of hunger for something else. An appetizer is defined as a “starter, nibble, a sample of something that is meant to stimulate an interest.” Why do we partake in the world’s appetizer when we can be fully fulfilled with the main course of the Bread?
I believe that everyone is born with some type of hunger and unfulfilled need that only God can satisfy. The earth holds nothing over this longing but only God holds the answer to the question of our hearts. So eat up! The fare you will be served will be like none other and you will never be satisfied with appetizers again!
Because it was He who created it is He who satisfies.
Growing up I was always very insecure and felt as if I must do for others to receive their love and approval. This carried throughout my life and was an encompassing motivation for how I related to others. The approval of others was an insatiable beast that could never be fed enough. There was always an emptiness in the corner of my heart that nothing or no one could satisfy.
It wasn’t until almost four years ago that I began truly hungering for God developing such an appetite that I knew the only dish that would satisfy would be Him. I began nibbling on the Word, then eating upon its contents and now feasting on Him is a necessity in my life. It is the only thing that has permeated into that hidden corner of my heart and engulfed it with acceptance, approval and complete love.
The world attempts to offer appetizers as the main course so it is no wonder that we are always in a state of hunger for something else. An appetizer is defined as a “starter, nibble, a sample of something that is meant to stimulate an interest.” Why do we partake in the world’s appetizer when we can be fully fulfilled with the main course of the Bread?
I believe that everyone is born with some type of hunger and unfulfilled need that only God can satisfy. The earth holds nothing over this longing but only God holds the answer to the question of our hearts. So eat up! The fare you will be served will be like none other and you will never be satisfied with appetizers again!
Because it was He who created it is He who satisfies.
Emerging Glory
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.
As Christians we say things that we have heard others say for which we really have limited understanding. We all hear and speak about glorifying God but what does this really mean? In my study, I have found that God’s glory is the vehicle for which we can recognize Him and for which we can reveal Him to others.
Without Christ taking up residence within us His character and presence can be neither experienced by us nor displayed through us. We walk our lives with veiled faces, faces that reflect the kind of person for which we want others to believe we are. Once we unveil who we really are and accept our destiny of who God created us to be will we reflect His glory – the glory that make Him recognizable to ourselves and other people. Glorifying God is not something we do but instead a way that we are to live.
Many Christians go to church believing their purpose for going is to glorify God in His house. God never intended worship and glory to be a specific act on a specific day. His intention was that worship and glory would be an ever-increasing and continual state of mind and heart.
We should be both grateful and humble that God does not set aside an hour or two on a specific day of the week to show us how much we are loved by Him. So…let us….with unveiled faces….
As Christians we say things that we have heard others say for which we really have limited understanding. We all hear and speak about glorifying God but what does this really mean? In my study, I have found that God’s glory is the vehicle for which we can recognize Him and for which we can reveal Him to others.
Without Christ taking up residence within us His character and presence can be neither experienced by us nor displayed through us. We walk our lives with veiled faces, faces that reflect the kind of person for which we want others to believe we are. Once we unveil who we really are and accept our destiny of who God created us to be will we reflect His glory – the glory that make Him recognizable to ourselves and other people. Glorifying God is not something we do but instead a way that we are to live.
Many Christians go to church believing their purpose for going is to glorify God in His house. God never intended worship and glory to be a specific act on a specific day. His intention was that worship and glory would be an ever-increasing and continual state of mind and heart.
We should be both grateful and humble that God does not set aside an hour or two on a specific day of the week to show us how much we are loved by Him. So…let us….with unveiled faces….
Monday, November 16, 2009
Knowing Him...
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7.
One definition of the word know is to experience, be on familiar terms with and to live through. To know is to acknowledge something that is an absolute truth based on our experience. Knowing God is a reward from our pursuit and willingness to experience Him.
When our daughter Kristen was a teenager I would place myself between her and Bruce in an effort to maintain some control and harmony in the house. I wanted each to know the other in the same light in which I knew them with all of their wonderful attributes. I found out quickly that I couldn’t make one know the other as long as I was the bridge. It wasn’t until they began truly experiencing each other – the good, the bad and the ugly – that their relationship could take root and have a foundation for which to build. They enjoy a very loving and committed relationship as a result of spending time together, working through experiences together and sharing the ebbs and flow of life.
I can know of something but until I live in and through that experience I have no true ownership in that knowledge, just a vague image through the eyes of someone else’s experience. I knew of God because of the fellowship for which my parents and grandparents had with God. It wasn’t until I began pursuing Him for a more intimate relationship that I began knowing and experiencing Him. Experiencing God is the ticket to knowing Him and knowing Him is to knowing love firsthand.
We have all been given a heart to know Him but we must first choose to pursue Him.
One definition of the word know is to experience, be on familiar terms with and to live through. To know is to acknowledge something that is an absolute truth based on our experience. Knowing God is a reward from our pursuit and willingness to experience Him.
When our daughter Kristen was a teenager I would place myself between her and Bruce in an effort to maintain some control and harmony in the house. I wanted each to know the other in the same light in which I knew them with all of their wonderful attributes. I found out quickly that I couldn’t make one know the other as long as I was the bridge. It wasn’t until they began truly experiencing each other – the good, the bad and the ugly – that their relationship could take root and have a foundation for which to build. They enjoy a very loving and committed relationship as a result of spending time together, working through experiences together and sharing the ebbs and flow of life.
I can know of something but until I live in and through that experience I have no true ownership in that knowledge, just a vague image through the eyes of someone else’s experience. I knew of God because of the fellowship for which my parents and grandparents had with God. It wasn’t until I began pursuing Him for a more intimate relationship that I began knowing and experiencing Him. Experiencing God is the ticket to knowing Him and knowing Him is to knowing love firsthand.
We have all been given a heart to know Him but we must first choose to pursue Him.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Great Escape
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair.” Isaiah 61:1-4.
This passage was originally given by God to Isaiah in relationship to the children of Israel, but was publicly read by Christ as fulfillment following Christ’s 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. This is one intense job description, one that only One can pull off.
We have all heard of prisoners whom upon release will immediately break the law only to return to prison. The confines of their cell are all they know and provide a false and limited comfort in living their lives. They have settled for less, and settled for confinement and captivity in an effort to remain in the comforts of what they know.
We do the exact thing in dealing with our own incarcerations. The cell that holds us could be our unforgiveness, our insecurities, our perfectionism, our fears or anything else that binds, holds us, controls or confines us. We ‘white-knuckle’ our bars as we peer out of our cells wishing for more, craving the different, but not anticipating freedom.
There is One who has the key to our cells, the key to our release and the key to our freedom – it is Christ alone. Christ was there and Christ is here and “binds (unites, attaches, joins)…proclaims (state publicly, assert, make known)….releases (frees, let go, liberates)…comforts (soothes, consoles, reassures)…provides (make available, endow with, grant, supply)…bestows (presents, bequeaths)…” Take a few minutes and really allow these words and definitions to sink into the depths of your heart and spirit as it relates to Christ and His present and active workings on our behalf.
Anyone can temporarily escape their cell but it takes a Savior to keep on saving.
This passage was originally given by God to Isaiah in relationship to the children of Israel, but was publicly read by Christ as fulfillment following Christ’s 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. This is one intense job description, one that only One can pull off.
We have all heard of prisoners whom upon release will immediately break the law only to return to prison. The confines of their cell are all they know and provide a false and limited comfort in living their lives. They have settled for less, and settled for confinement and captivity in an effort to remain in the comforts of what they know.
We do the exact thing in dealing with our own incarcerations. The cell that holds us could be our unforgiveness, our insecurities, our perfectionism, our fears or anything else that binds, holds us, controls or confines us. We ‘white-knuckle’ our bars as we peer out of our cells wishing for more, craving the different, but not anticipating freedom.
There is One who has the key to our cells, the key to our release and the key to our freedom – it is Christ alone. Christ was there and Christ is here and “binds (unites, attaches, joins)…proclaims (state publicly, assert, make known)….releases (frees, let go, liberates)…comforts (soothes, consoles, reassures)…provides (make available, endow with, grant, supply)…bestows (presents, bequeaths)…” Take a few minutes and really allow these words and definitions to sink into the depths of your heart and spirit as it relates to Christ and His present and active workings on our behalf.
Anyone can temporarily escape their cell but it takes a Savior to keep on saving.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Look at Me!
“There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them…The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon…your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away…For he thought, There will be peace and security in my lifetime.” Isaiah 39:4b-8.
Well just when we thought we have found a king who doesn’t have a misstep he really steps in it! God places these stories in the Bible to show over and over again that all mankind is subject to fall at any point in their life. This story happened soon after God granted him the miraculous healing of his disease. How soon the wondrous acts of God are laid upon the path of forgetfulness as we journey out of one season into another.
Hezekiah has developed an enormous case of the “I did’s” as he boasted and bragged on every type of riches for which he accredited himself for achieving. He has removed any God focused gratitude and replaced it with his own pride. He shows the representatives from Babylon everything amassed in his treasury. When Isaiah points out that as a result of his pride God is going to take everything away, including the freedom of his children, his response blows me away. He basically answers “Oh, well. I’ll escape it in my lifetime so it is not my problem!”
As Proverbs 6:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Don’t I know this one all too well. When my father-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s I jumped into action setting up all kinds of things to be accomplished to provide for the future. I was continuously pointing out the things I got accomplished on their behalf in the beginning. God quickly showed me the haughty manner in which I was dealing with others and I spiritually fell. He knew I desperately needed this lesson to move ahead in my spiritual life and prepare me for the things I would need to apply in my heart at a later date.
Pride is one of the most deadly diseases for which we can contract. It is a disease that moves in and out of our lives corroding both our testimonies and relationship with God. Pride is a god we create to worship which cannot be contained as it grows and requires continuous feeding. More people from the Bible and in every walk of life have lost immeasurable relationships, power and fame through their insatiable pride.
The only fall I want to experience in my life is the fall to my knees – it is a much shorter fall than the one from pride.
Well just when we thought we have found a king who doesn’t have a misstep he really steps in it! God places these stories in the Bible to show over and over again that all mankind is subject to fall at any point in their life. This story happened soon after God granted him the miraculous healing of his disease. How soon the wondrous acts of God are laid upon the path of forgetfulness as we journey out of one season into another.
Hezekiah has developed an enormous case of the “I did’s” as he boasted and bragged on every type of riches for which he accredited himself for achieving. He has removed any God focused gratitude and replaced it with his own pride. He shows the representatives from Babylon everything amassed in his treasury. When Isaiah points out that as a result of his pride God is going to take everything away, including the freedom of his children, his response blows me away. He basically answers “Oh, well. I’ll escape it in my lifetime so it is not my problem!”
As Proverbs 6:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Don’t I know this one all too well. When my father-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s I jumped into action setting up all kinds of things to be accomplished to provide for the future. I was continuously pointing out the things I got accomplished on their behalf in the beginning. God quickly showed me the haughty manner in which I was dealing with others and I spiritually fell. He knew I desperately needed this lesson to move ahead in my spiritual life and prepare me for the things I would need to apply in my heart at a later date.
Pride is one of the most deadly diseases for which we can contract. It is a disease that moves in and out of our lives corroding both our testimonies and relationship with God. Pride is a god we create to worship which cannot be contained as it grows and requires continuous feeding. More people from the Bible and in every walk of life have lost immeasurable relationships, power and fame through their insatiable pride.
The only fall I want to experience in my life is the fall to my knees – it is a much shorter fall than the one from pride.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Pressed To The Wall
“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD…And Hezekiah wept bitterly…This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.’” Isaiah 38:2,3b
On the hills of his great defeat of Assyria, Hezekiah receives a devastating blow when Isaiah, the prophet informs him that God wanted the king to put his house in order for he was going to die. The verse states that “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.” The tenderness of this verse makes me feel that I have interrupted a very private moment between Hezekiah and God. His world has just fallen apart and no royal court alive can help him escape this battle.
Like Hezekiah, we have all had instances where we are the recipient of some type of communication that takes the very life from us, drops us to our knees and our nightmare begins. We realize that life for which we have known has taken on a new kind of normal and we scramble to find order in our chaos. We are acutely aware of our powerlessness and turn to the wall within ourselves with urgency for answers, comfort and aloneness with God. We plead our case to God and assure Him that if He will …..then we will….
In this instance, God extended his life by 15 years so we can assume Hezekiah’s prayer request didn’t change the will of God but worked into His will. Being in a family where cancer was the vessel for which one family member went into the eternal and another family member is suffering it would be easy for me to question why God heals in one family but not the other. Applying God’s will in one situation to another will never bring the hope and comfort for which He desires us to experience. It will only tear down trust and faith in a God who always saves in the big picture on His terms and in His perfect manner according to His will.
We cannot know why God chooses to answer certain prayers and others go unanswered as we define answered and unanswered. However, we can know with absolute certainty that He is always good, always loving and always right.
On the hills of his great defeat of Assyria, Hezekiah receives a devastating blow when Isaiah, the prophet informs him that God wanted the king to put his house in order for he was going to die. The verse states that “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.” The tenderness of this verse makes me feel that I have interrupted a very private moment between Hezekiah and God. His world has just fallen apart and no royal court alive can help him escape this battle.
Like Hezekiah, we have all had instances where we are the recipient of some type of communication that takes the very life from us, drops us to our knees and our nightmare begins. We realize that life for which we have known has taken on a new kind of normal and we scramble to find order in our chaos. We are acutely aware of our powerlessness and turn to the wall within ourselves with urgency for answers, comfort and aloneness with God. We plead our case to God and assure Him that if He will …..then we will….
In this instance, God extended his life by 15 years so we can assume Hezekiah’s prayer request didn’t change the will of God but worked into His will. Being in a family where cancer was the vessel for which one family member went into the eternal and another family member is suffering it would be easy for me to question why God heals in one family but not the other. Applying God’s will in one situation to another will never bring the hope and comfort for which He desires us to experience. It will only tear down trust and faith in a God who always saves in the big picture on His terms and in His perfect manner according to His will.
We cannot know why God chooses to answer certain prayers and others go unanswered as we define answered and unanswered. However, we can know with absolute certainty that He is always good, always loving and always right.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Hook, Line and Sinker
“Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand? Then they called out in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to terrify them and make them afraid in order to capture the city.” 2 Chronicles 32:15, 18
Sennacherib, king of Assyria kept his promise and the battle was about to be on! This king used fear and intimidation to try to make his prey vulnerable in their faith and paralyzed by their fear. Doesn’t the king of evil do the same thing to us? We sit up on our “wall” of circumstances scanning the landscape of impending battles creating fear and discord in our lives when we haven’t even been attacked. It says that “they called out in Hebrew to terrify them and make them afraid.” I cannot help but to consider that the enemy calls out to us in our own language much like our futile king of Assyria did. Satan knows what makes us tick, what makes us weak and what makes us vulnerable. He speaks our language and uses his threats of God not coming through for us, not coming to save and not being able to be victorious in our situation.
I love a happy ending and this one definitely has one! The Bible says, “And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king.” No matter what happens in our circumstances it will always be a happy ending if we are focusing on the eternal. Satan would have us focus on the temporary but focusing on the eternal brings us hope, freedom and victory.
All of us have either just come out of a war, are presently in one or will enter into one in the future. The promise is one that has never and will never be broken. “So the LORD saved…He took care of them on every side.” 2 Chronicles 32:22b
How does your battle taunt you? What does the enemy say to you as he stands at the edge of your kingdom intimidating, calculating and manipulating?
Don’t buy into the press!
Sennacherib, king of Assyria kept his promise and the battle was about to be on! This king used fear and intimidation to try to make his prey vulnerable in their faith and paralyzed by their fear. Doesn’t the king of evil do the same thing to us? We sit up on our “wall” of circumstances scanning the landscape of impending battles creating fear and discord in our lives when we haven’t even been attacked. It says that “they called out in Hebrew to terrify them and make them afraid.” I cannot help but to consider that the enemy calls out to us in our own language much like our futile king of Assyria did. Satan knows what makes us tick, what makes us weak and what makes us vulnerable. He speaks our language and uses his threats of God not coming through for us, not coming to save and not being able to be victorious in our situation.
I love a happy ending and this one definitely has one! The Bible says, “And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king.” No matter what happens in our circumstances it will always be a happy ending if we are focusing on the eternal. Satan would have us focus on the temporary but focusing on the eternal brings us hope, freedom and victory.
All of us have either just come out of a war, are presently in one or will enter into one in the future. The promise is one that has never and will never be broken. “So the LORD saved…He took care of them on every side.” 2 Chronicles 32:22b
How does your battle taunt you? What does the enemy say to you as he stands at the edge of your kingdom intimidating, calculating and manipulating?
Don’t buy into the press!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
"It" Is Powerless....
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8.
King Hezekiah was assuring his men of the presence of God as the future held an impending attack from the king of Assyria. Hezekiah knew the importance of placing God at the center of his reign and believed with everything in his spiritual arsenal that God would protect, deliver and conquer any power against His chosen people.
This is one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible. It is my M.O. (Modus operandi, my method of operating) as I walk this life towards my heavenly home and claim my rightful citizenship and inheritance.
For me, cancer invaded with its vast army and threatened the very core of my secure kingdom. It still is a war that is raging taking hostage my dad in a day to day battle. We are the casualties of this war as it inflicts, attacks, weakens and wounds. It is an invisible army that marches to destroy, steal and kill the hope we have in Christ in our battle. Everyone is at war in some area of their lives but the victory will come at the feet of Christ. He marches ahead with order, perfection and promise.
I remember finding a book which I gave to Beth during her battle entitled, “What Cancer Cannot Do” and read different pages from the book to her. As I list a few of these, fill in “It” with your battle and know there is a greater power with us than with “it”.
“It cannot cripple God’s love.”
“It cannot shatter hope.”
“It cannot corrode faith.”
“It cannot shut out memories.”
“It cannot silence courage.”
“It cannot invade the soul.”
“It cannot steal eternal life.”
“It cannot conquer the spirit.”
King Hezekiah was assuring his men of the presence of God as the future held an impending attack from the king of Assyria. Hezekiah knew the importance of placing God at the center of his reign and believed with everything in his spiritual arsenal that God would protect, deliver and conquer any power against His chosen people.
This is one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible. It is my M.O. (Modus operandi, my method of operating) as I walk this life towards my heavenly home and claim my rightful citizenship and inheritance.
For me, cancer invaded with its vast army and threatened the very core of my secure kingdom. It still is a war that is raging taking hostage my dad in a day to day battle. We are the casualties of this war as it inflicts, attacks, weakens and wounds. It is an invisible army that marches to destroy, steal and kill the hope we have in Christ in our battle. Everyone is at war in some area of their lives but the victory will come at the feet of Christ. He marches ahead with order, perfection and promise.
I remember finding a book which I gave to Beth during her battle entitled, “What Cancer Cannot Do” and read different pages from the book to her. As I list a few of these, fill in “It” with your battle and know there is a greater power with us than with “it”.
“It cannot cripple God’s love.”
“It cannot shatter hope.”
“It cannot corrode faith.”
“It cannot shut out memories.”
“It cannot silence courage.”
“It cannot invade the soul.”
“It cannot steal eternal life.”
“It cannot conquer the spirit.”
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Enough Is Enough!
“In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites, assembled them in the square on the east side and said: ‘Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the LORD, the God of your fathers…Now I intend to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel...My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him and serve him, to minister before him and to burn incense.’” 2 Chronicles 29:3-5, 10a, 11.
A few months ago, I was babysitting Carson at his home. He repeatedly asked me for something for which I continued to refuse. After much frustration on his part, he crawled under the breakfast room table and screamed out, “Emmy, I am the king!” In other words, “You may tell me what to do out there but under here I rule!”
We finally have a king who gets frustrated enough that decides to define his reign in a much different way than those who preceded him. Finally, a king who feels enough is enough! There is so much to examine in these verses but first and foremost is the immediate and absolute decision to return to grace. King Hezekiah, the son of the vile and wicked Azab decided to break the cycle. He had watched his dad through the eyes of a child who quickly chose to step out of his earthly father’s footsteps and into the loving footsteps of our Father. We can assume from the urgency of turning every practice on its head in the kingdom that Hezekiah detested the practices of his father. I am amazed at how much spiritual maturity this young man had at age 25 after witnessing dear old dad and the evil ways in which he ran the kingdom.
The second point important to make is the urgency of this passage. In his plea and command to his audience he tells them to clean up their act now, clean up the temple now, he will make a covenant with the LORD now and for them not to be negligent now. That is how we should approach any thing for which we are attempting to accomplish. Notice he had to tell the priests to return to righteous living, return to their position before God as a servant and return to ministry. We are all positioned to lead our own ministry once we clean up our act. Our kingdom will always have territories that need to be torn down, cleaned up and returned to a God-focused state.
In a society much like Hezekiah’s, we are called with urgency to clean up our act NOW, ask God to make covenant with us NOW and show us how we can stand before Him and fulfill our destiny of serving Him while ministering to others.
We all have set up our own kingdom through choices we make in our lives. There are many people who watch the manner in which we rule. Do we allow God to rule in our kingdom or do we allow our kingdom to rule us?
A few months ago, I was babysitting Carson at his home. He repeatedly asked me for something for which I continued to refuse. After much frustration on his part, he crawled under the breakfast room table and screamed out, “Emmy, I am the king!” In other words, “You may tell me what to do out there but under here I rule!”
We finally have a king who gets frustrated enough that decides to define his reign in a much different way than those who preceded him. Finally, a king who feels enough is enough! There is so much to examine in these verses but first and foremost is the immediate and absolute decision to return to grace. King Hezekiah, the son of the vile and wicked Azab decided to break the cycle. He had watched his dad through the eyes of a child who quickly chose to step out of his earthly father’s footsteps and into the loving footsteps of our Father. We can assume from the urgency of turning every practice on its head in the kingdom that Hezekiah detested the practices of his father. I am amazed at how much spiritual maturity this young man had at age 25 after witnessing dear old dad and the evil ways in which he ran the kingdom.
The second point important to make is the urgency of this passage. In his plea and command to his audience he tells them to clean up their act now, clean up the temple now, he will make a covenant with the LORD now and for them not to be negligent now. That is how we should approach any thing for which we are attempting to accomplish. Notice he had to tell the priests to return to righteous living, return to their position before God as a servant and return to ministry. We are all positioned to lead our own ministry once we clean up our act. Our kingdom will always have territories that need to be torn down, cleaned up and returned to a God-focused state.
In a society much like Hezekiah’s, we are called with urgency to clean up our act NOW, ask God to make covenant with us NOW and show us how we can stand before Him and fulfill our destiny of serving Him while ministering to others.
We all have set up our own kingdom through choices we make in our lives. There are many people who watch the manner in which we rule. Do we allow God to rule in our kingdom or do we allow our kingdom to rule us?
Monday, November 9, 2009
Growing Up
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-15.
An infant is dependent on others for everything without exception. They are at the mercy of their guardian’s time, resources and involvement. They simply respond to what is given to them not having any independence of their own. It is only as they grow that they experience wisdom and freedom.
Paul speaks in these verses about our level of faith being like infants who simply respond to whatever level of care for which they receive. He compares different philosophies and principles to the wind which is always moving in and out of the atmosphere with neither stability nor consistency. The same wind that provides the refreshing breeze on a beautiful spring evening can turn into a vicious tornado with the right set of circumstances.
Our faith should grow as we mature as Christians. An infant is never born to remain an infant and neither are we to remain as babies in Christ. We must make intentional efforts to sip on the milk of the Word, rest in the power of Christ and grow in the nature of the Head of Household. As we become toddlers in Christ we tentatively learn how to walk and get more stable footing. As we grow up and beautifully mature in our faith we become adult sons and daughters in Christ.
Welcome to the family - You're going to love our Father!
An infant is dependent on others for everything without exception. They are at the mercy of their guardian’s time, resources and involvement. They simply respond to what is given to them not having any independence of their own. It is only as they grow that they experience wisdom and freedom.
Paul speaks in these verses about our level of faith being like infants who simply respond to whatever level of care for which they receive. He compares different philosophies and principles to the wind which is always moving in and out of the atmosphere with neither stability nor consistency. The same wind that provides the refreshing breeze on a beautiful spring evening can turn into a vicious tornado with the right set of circumstances.
Our faith should grow as we mature as Christians. An infant is never born to remain an infant and neither are we to remain as babies in Christ. We must make intentional efforts to sip on the milk of the Word, rest in the power of Christ and grow in the nature of the Head of Household. As we become toddlers in Christ we tentatively learn how to walk and get more stable footing. As we grow up and beautifully mature in our faith we become adult sons and daughters in Christ.
Welcome to the family - You're going to love our Father!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
High Places
“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD…The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.” 2 Kings 15:34-35.
King Jotham was the son of King Uzziah from our text of yesterday’s devotions and was the royal successor of the throne. The Bible describes him as a King who “was right in the eyes of the LORD.” He had witnessed the horrific downfall of his father and had watched him suffer the last part of his life. Jotham was driven to live his life closely aligned with what God required. However, like most of us he stopped short from total obedience in an effort to not create waves throughout the Kingdom. The high places of which Scripture speaks were sites elevated on hilltops and dedicated to the worship of pagan gods.
In thinking on this concept this morning I realize that although we sincerely try to be steadfast and obedient stewards of the spiritual laws of God we, too, fail to tear down high places. High places reside on the landscapes of our lives in areas where we fail to surrender to God such as our finances, our relationships or our trust. High places are elevated states of mind that we place ahead of God, manipulate apart from God and calculate without God. It is place where God is uninvited to work in our lives in our futile attempt to keep control over a certain issue in our lives.
We continue to hang on to our high places in an attempt to keep them out of reach from God in hopes that the other areas of our lives will busy God. High places are earthly leftovers that we fail to throw out allowing them to lay within our hearts and go bad. Just as King Jotham failed to remove these high places from his kingdom we allow our spiritual horizon to be peppered with places off limits to God.
The very thing for which we hold too tightly that controls our lives will be what God will eventually remove. He is a jealous God and will never share His kingdom with any other gods, especially the ones we create.
King Jotham was the son of King Uzziah from our text of yesterday’s devotions and was the royal successor of the throne. The Bible describes him as a King who “was right in the eyes of the LORD.” He had witnessed the horrific downfall of his father and had watched him suffer the last part of his life. Jotham was driven to live his life closely aligned with what God required. However, like most of us he stopped short from total obedience in an effort to not create waves throughout the Kingdom. The high places of which Scripture speaks were sites elevated on hilltops and dedicated to the worship of pagan gods.
In thinking on this concept this morning I realize that although we sincerely try to be steadfast and obedient stewards of the spiritual laws of God we, too, fail to tear down high places. High places reside on the landscapes of our lives in areas where we fail to surrender to God such as our finances, our relationships or our trust. High places are elevated states of mind that we place ahead of God, manipulate apart from God and calculate without God. It is place where God is uninvited to work in our lives in our futile attempt to keep control over a certain issue in our lives.
We continue to hang on to our high places in an attempt to keep them out of reach from God in hopes that the other areas of our lives will busy God. High places are earthly leftovers that we fail to throw out allowing them to lay within our hearts and go bad. Just as King Jotham failed to remove these high places from his kingdom we allow our spiritual horizon to be peppered with places off limits to God.
The very thing for which we hold too tightly that controls our lives will be what God will eventually remove. He is a jealous God and will never share His kingdom with any other gods, especially the ones we create.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Forbidden Fruit
“After Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” 2 Chronicles 26:16.
King Uzziah had it all during his 52 year reign which began at age 16. He enjoyed power, fame, royalty and prosperity as he ruled over the Southern Kingdom of Judah once Israel had become a divided kingdom. The name Uzziah means “the Lord is my strength” which as we will see is extremely prophetic seeing how once he turned away from the Lord his strength and prosperity dissipated.
Uzziah had more power than any one individual throughout the kingdom excluding the priests who possessed the only authority withheld from him. Only the priests were given the authority by God to serve in the temple. As his power and prosperity was on the rise so was his pride. Burning of the holy incense in the temple was a divine appointment from God to the priests once they had been called and consecrated. Uzziah’s pride entreated him to march right through the courtyard, snatch up the utencil to gather the coals required to the burn incense and approach the altar. The priests were mortified and terrified at the irreverence of his actions and tried warning him. The Bible states that "as Uzziah was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead." For the remainder of his life he lived the isolated life of a leper; end of prosperity, end of pride, end of story. If we live a life isolated from God we will become isolated in our lives.
Over and over again throughout the Bible we find God raising people up to prosperity and success only to bring them down again for the sake of humility. Eve had it all but wanted more. King David got bored with his life of abundance, prosperity deeming it not enough. King Uzziah lost sight of who he served and how he rose to greatness. Why is it that we sabotage the very thing for which we ask from God by forgetting the great Provider once we receive? I believe God allows us access to witness the pride in others to warn, instruct and even hold up a mirror.
God places divine boundaries in our lives for our own good realizing that our hearts are bent towards pride and self. The people from the Bible mentioned above had one major thing in common. They had everything they needed and most of what they desired…and yet, it wasn’t enough.
Watch out for your forbidden fruit for it is always washed first with pride.
King Uzziah had it all during his 52 year reign which began at age 16. He enjoyed power, fame, royalty and prosperity as he ruled over the Southern Kingdom of Judah once Israel had become a divided kingdom. The name Uzziah means “the Lord is my strength” which as we will see is extremely prophetic seeing how once he turned away from the Lord his strength and prosperity dissipated.
Uzziah had more power than any one individual throughout the kingdom excluding the priests who possessed the only authority withheld from him. Only the priests were given the authority by God to serve in the temple. As his power and prosperity was on the rise so was his pride. Burning of the holy incense in the temple was a divine appointment from God to the priests once they had been called and consecrated. Uzziah’s pride entreated him to march right through the courtyard, snatch up the utencil to gather the coals required to the burn incense and approach the altar. The priests were mortified and terrified at the irreverence of his actions and tried warning him. The Bible states that "as Uzziah was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead." For the remainder of his life he lived the isolated life of a leper; end of prosperity, end of pride, end of story. If we live a life isolated from God we will become isolated in our lives.
Over and over again throughout the Bible we find God raising people up to prosperity and success only to bring them down again for the sake of humility. Eve had it all but wanted more. King David got bored with his life of abundance, prosperity deeming it not enough. King Uzziah lost sight of who he served and how he rose to greatness. Why is it that we sabotage the very thing for which we ask from God by forgetting the great Provider once we receive? I believe God allows us access to witness the pride in others to warn, instruct and even hold up a mirror.
God places divine boundaries in our lives for our own good realizing that our hearts are bent towards pride and self. The people from the Bible mentioned above had one major thing in common. They had everything they needed and most of what they desired…and yet, it wasn’t enough.
Watch out for your forbidden fruit for it is always washed first with pride.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Touch of God
“What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?” Job 6:11-13
This scene from the Book of Job both breaks by heart and challenges my faith. Job’s suffering has turned from days into weeks and months. His friends have visited him to encourage but quickly began judging him. Their sentiment was basically that no one would suffer this intensely unless God was trying to get them to repent of some unconfessed sin. Job is crying out that he is totally void of any strength or hope based on his intense suffering and the length of time for which he has suffered. It is a call for death from God before he begins doubting and blaming God for everything. It is a plea for God to remove him from this situation before his faith is removed from his heart.
If we honestly probe our hearts there have been times when we all have cried out verses 11-13 to God in our circumstances. We challenge Him to give us something for which to hang on to, anything that will be something outside of own strength.
Last year, when my daughter’s boyfriend was killed, in an effort to get through an impossible weekend of gatherings in his memory she pushed me away emotionally. I remember feeling sad, rejected and like I had lost something valuable for which I had worked towards for 18 years. Mourning Todd was coupled with the pain of rejection from her. This was also three weeks before my sister died so emotions were at an all time high. I remember crying to God that it was all too much and that I had my limits, I was not as strong as what He was accrediting me with and SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE!
At that moment I reached my hand up to wipe tears from my face as I prayed. I felt the hand of God on my face instead of my own hand wiping my tears. I felt His touch providing me with a multitude of assurances from Him without any words. It was a touch I knew not to doubt but to receive as complete love, complete assurance and complete faithfulness for deliverance. I was immediately transformed into complete peace, love and all consuming belief in things coming back around to the good which they did. It was a time for Caroline to grieve and to experience God apart from her mother. It was time for God to touch her life and show Himself to be HER God. Like Job, she had to feel like she needed something larger than herself, something different than the “standby comfort” she had in me. God did a much better job at consoling and loving her through her tragedy than I could and showed her complete dependency on Him.
We cannot understand intense suffering like Job’s but some things are not meant to understand, they are just meant for God to be God.
This scene from the Book of Job both breaks by heart and challenges my faith. Job’s suffering has turned from days into weeks and months. His friends have visited him to encourage but quickly began judging him. Their sentiment was basically that no one would suffer this intensely unless God was trying to get them to repent of some unconfessed sin. Job is crying out that he is totally void of any strength or hope based on his intense suffering and the length of time for which he has suffered. It is a call for death from God before he begins doubting and blaming God for everything. It is a plea for God to remove him from this situation before his faith is removed from his heart.
If we honestly probe our hearts there have been times when we all have cried out verses 11-13 to God in our circumstances. We challenge Him to give us something for which to hang on to, anything that will be something outside of own strength.
Last year, when my daughter’s boyfriend was killed, in an effort to get through an impossible weekend of gatherings in his memory she pushed me away emotionally. I remember feeling sad, rejected and like I had lost something valuable for which I had worked towards for 18 years. Mourning Todd was coupled with the pain of rejection from her. This was also three weeks before my sister died so emotions were at an all time high. I remember crying to God that it was all too much and that I had my limits, I was not as strong as what He was accrediting me with and SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE!
At that moment I reached my hand up to wipe tears from my face as I prayed. I felt the hand of God on my face instead of my own hand wiping my tears. I felt His touch providing me with a multitude of assurances from Him without any words. It was a touch I knew not to doubt but to receive as complete love, complete assurance and complete faithfulness for deliverance. I was immediately transformed into complete peace, love and all consuming belief in things coming back around to the good which they did. It was a time for Caroline to grieve and to experience God apart from her mother. It was time for God to touch her life and show Himself to be HER God. Like Job, she had to feel like she needed something larger than herself, something different than the “standby comfort” she had in me. God did a much better job at consoling and loving her through her tragedy than I could and showed her complete dependency on Him.
We cannot understand intense suffering like Job’s but some things are not meant to understand, they are just meant for God to be God.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Round Two
“His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’” Job 2:9
Round Two - Job - 2; Satan - 0;
We see in Job 2 that God has once again permitted Satan access to Job in an effort to show the integrity and faithfulness of His servant. This time God grants Satan the ability to physically harm him with a disease. Some scholars believe this affliction was leprosy or elephantiasis, which not only covered the body with running sores, but also caused his body parts to swell up and become bloated and distorted. This affliction was extremely painful with no relief.
Not only did Satan attack Job with this excruciating disease but he attacked Job’s own emotional support system. He used Job’s wife to taunt his faith, tempt his belief and tear him down regarding His God. She abandoned everything her weak faith had known in an effort to make Job feel ridiculous for continuing to serve a God who would allow such suffering.
Job’s response is one of the most beautiful and profound beliefs documented. “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” It is so easy to be grateful when things are going our way and we are the recipient of smooth living. We boast about our God and faith and show ourselves to be “Christians in print”. We are what the Holy Writ exhorts us to be, vessels to glorify God. But, when tragedy strikes, when disease engulfs, or when despair takes away our spiritual pulse do we claim this belief as did Job?
Do we allow those around us to discourage our faith, disorient our beliefs and plunder our promises from God? Or do we recognize that God gives the good and the bad He allows will turn to good if we continue to believe in Him, on Him and through Him?
When adversity explodes in our lives and the gloves come off, will your response be like Job's or his wife's?
Round Two - Job - 2; Satan - 0;
We see in Job 2 that God has once again permitted Satan access to Job in an effort to show the integrity and faithfulness of His servant. This time God grants Satan the ability to physically harm him with a disease. Some scholars believe this affliction was leprosy or elephantiasis, which not only covered the body with running sores, but also caused his body parts to swell up and become bloated and distorted. This affliction was extremely painful with no relief.
Not only did Satan attack Job with this excruciating disease but he attacked Job’s own emotional support system. He used Job’s wife to taunt his faith, tempt his belief and tear him down regarding His God. She abandoned everything her weak faith had known in an effort to make Job feel ridiculous for continuing to serve a God who would allow such suffering.
Job’s response is one of the most beautiful and profound beliefs documented. “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” It is so easy to be grateful when things are going our way and we are the recipient of smooth living. We boast about our God and faith and show ourselves to be “Christians in print”. We are what the Holy Writ exhorts us to be, vessels to glorify God. But, when tragedy strikes, when disease engulfs, or when despair takes away our spiritual pulse do we claim this belief as did Job?
Do we allow those around us to discourage our faith, disorient our beliefs and plunder our promises from God? Or do we recognize that God gives the good and the bad He allows will turn to good if we continue to believe in Him, on Him and through Him?
When adversity explodes in our lives and the gloves come off, will your response be like Job's or his wife's?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Truth Hurts!
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me….I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matthew 25:40, 45.
It will be so good to be in Heaven where I can walk a perfect path in both thought and action. I try to live my life in a manner worthy of Christ but man, do I fall short.
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things a person is called to do for our flesh wants nothing more than to wear our wounds upon our chest like a well-deserved medal. That is just what happened to me in a situation with a person in my life who has continuously wounded me over the past decades. This morning, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit that I set that person up subconsciously to look less than their best.
Yuck! Don’t I hate those little sips of bitterness that I partake in secretly and in subtle ways. Justified or unjustified, unforgiveness will harm us more than those whom have harmed us and will block our fellowship with God. I know you have heard the saying, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
God lifted the verses above to lovingly but firmly guide me into understanding that my action towards this person was also towards Him.
I support the essential truth of a statement written in the book I read earlier this year. “Bitterness and love cannot live side by side in the same heart. This kills the soul like nothing else.” Donna Morley, Becoming A Woman of Spiritual Passion, p. 81. Many times however we will erect stones of bitterness and resentment from our past wounds. Uncontrolled emotions hinder God’s agenda for our lives and must be put in check. Many times bitterness from our own actions or bitterness because of the actions of someone else creates a stumbling block for God to work His will in our lives. Not only does erecting stones of bitterness block God’s ministries but also scars our relationship with God. It is hypocritical to receive God’s forgiveness and mercy and be unwilling to extend the same to everyone apart from what they have done to us. God never intended on us repaying insult with insult. This practice is both disobedient and disrespectful to God and is just as much a sin as any other. “Bitterness is a spiritual cancer, a rapidly growing malignancy that can consume your life. After it consumes the soul, it begins to eat away at the body. It is so contagious that we can pass it to our children, who are often oblivious to the source of their bitterness. Bitterness cannot be ignored but must be healed at the very core, and only Christ can heal bitterness. No one can do it for you … Others can direct you to Jesus, but you must show up for your appointments… no matter how we resist the process, healing is a cooperative effort.” Beth Moore, A Woman’s Heart – God’s Dwelling Place, p. 36
Thankfully, we serve a God who convicts, forgives, guides and instructs as a means to bring us around to His image.
It will be so good to be in Heaven where I can walk a perfect path in both thought and action. I try to live my life in a manner worthy of Christ but man, do I fall short.
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things a person is called to do for our flesh wants nothing more than to wear our wounds upon our chest like a well-deserved medal. That is just what happened to me in a situation with a person in my life who has continuously wounded me over the past decades. This morning, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit that I set that person up subconsciously to look less than their best.
Yuck! Don’t I hate those little sips of bitterness that I partake in secretly and in subtle ways. Justified or unjustified, unforgiveness will harm us more than those whom have harmed us and will block our fellowship with God. I know you have heard the saying, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
God lifted the verses above to lovingly but firmly guide me into understanding that my action towards this person was also towards Him.
I support the essential truth of a statement written in the book I read earlier this year. “Bitterness and love cannot live side by side in the same heart. This kills the soul like nothing else.” Donna Morley, Becoming A Woman of Spiritual Passion, p. 81. Many times however we will erect stones of bitterness and resentment from our past wounds. Uncontrolled emotions hinder God’s agenda for our lives and must be put in check. Many times bitterness from our own actions or bitterness because of the actions of someone else creates a stumbling block for God to work His will in our lives. Not only does erecting stones of bitterness block God’s ministries but also scars our relationship with God. It is hypocritical to receive God’s forgiveness and mercy and be unwilling to extend the same to everyone apart from what they have done to us. God never intended on us repaying insult with insult. This practice is both disobedient and disrespectful to God and is just as much a sin as any other. “Bitterness is a spiritual cancer, a rapidly growing malignancy that can consume your life. After it consumes the soul, it begins to eat away at the body. It is so contagious that we can pass it to our children, who are often oblivious to the source of their bitterness. Bitterness cannot be ignored but must be healed at the very core, and only Christ can heal bitterness. No one can do it for you … Others can direct you to Jesus, but you must show up for your appointments… no matter how we resist the process, healing is a cooperative effort.” Beth Moore, A Woman’s Heart – God’s Dwelling Place, p. 36
Thankfully, we serve a God who convicts, forgives, guides and instructs as a means to bring us around to His image.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Taking It To the Streets
"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves." Psalm 126:5-6
When a seed is sown it has no life at the beginning. It lays in the dark and cold ground waiting for light, nourishment and life to abound that only time can bring. When our circumstances place us underground in dark and disorienting surroundings we must orient ourselves in Christ, allowing Him to feed, water and nourish our growth. We must use the seasons of sadness and dependency on Him to harvest our faith and hope in our deliverence from the cold and the darkness.
The most powerful testimonies are those that are in the midst of our storm with no resolution or deliverence on the seen horizon. It is times when we are shrouded with fear, chaos and uncertainly that we must "take our weeping to the streets" and testify to the faith we have in a Savior who will rescue us from that season and bless us for our testimonies of faith.
The verse does not speak of staying in and pulling the covers over our head or rehearsing everything in our lives that is causing us grief. This verse speaks of carrying our faith as a banner and displaying our hope as a foundational truth.
Williams Carey possessed a special gift from God through his continual suffering. He was given the gift of understanding and interpreting Scripture in many languages against barbaric Hindu practices. He suffered greatly but always took his suffering to the streets. His banner waved high in the midst of his suffering. One of his most famous quotes was this powerful statement of faith. "Expect great things from God, attempt great things through Him".
When a seed is sown it has no life at the beginning. It lays in the dark and cold ground waiting for light, nourishment and life to abound that only time can bring. When our circumstances place us underground in dark and disorienting surroundings we must orient ourselves in Christ, allowing Him to feed, water and nourish our growth. We must use the seasons of sadness and dependency on Him to harvest our faith and hope in our deliverence from the cold and the darkness.
The most powerful testimonies are those that are in the midst of our storm with no resolution or deliverence on the seen horizon. It is times when we are shrouded with fear, chaos and uncertainly that we must "take our weeping to the streets" and testify to the faith we have in a Savior who will rescue us from that season and bless us for our testimonies of faith.
The verse does not speak of staying in and pulling the covers over our head or rehearsing everything in our lives that is causing us grief. This verse speaks of carrying our faith as a banner and displaying our hope as a foundational truth.
Williams Carey possessed a special gift from God through his continual suffering. He was given the gift of understanding and interpreting Scripture in many languages against barbaric Hindu practices. He suffered greatly but always took his suffering to the streets. His banner waved high in the midst of his suffering. One of his most famous quotes was this powerful statement of faith. "Expect great things from God, attempt great things through Him".
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Come To Me
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
The other night my mother gave an inspirational speech at the CEF (Child’s Evangelism Fellowship) Banquet regarding her journey through the death of my sister. Her speech included the story of Footprints in the Sand wherein lays an exchange of a conversation between our Father and one of His children. It is the beautiful story of questioning “Where were you, God? I only saw one set of footprints in the sand when looking over the course of my life.” His response was “When you saw one set, those were mine as I was carrying you.”
I remember when traveling through the nightmare of my daughter’s drug addiction my parents showed up at my house one day with a gift. I opened that gift to find a framed cross stitch of this story. Over the next couple of years I would take that gift and pin it close to my heart and through my pleadings to God cry over that picture. I would raise that framed promise up to Him as if reminding Him in case He had forgotten.
Fast forward 10 years as my dad was diagnosed in the last stage of cancer. On Christmas Eve as he opened his gift from me and Bruce tears filled my eyes as I remembered the nights I had cried over this picture. I told Daddy that it was his turn to pull this promise close to his heart and it now hangs in their den.
A yoke is “a frame designed to fit across somebody’s shoulders with balanced loads suspended at each end.” Our yoke of burden was designed to be carried on the shoulders of our Savior, not ourselves.
Entering into God’s rest will occur when we exit out of our own will.
The other night my mother gave an inspirational speech at the CEF (Child’s Evangelism Fellowship) Banquet regarding her journey through the death of my sister. Her speech included the story of Footprints in the Sand wherein lays an exchange of a conversation between our Father and one of His children. It is the beautiful story of questioning “Where were you, God? I only saw one set of footprints in the sand when looking over the course of my life.” His response was “When you saw one set, those were mine as I was carrying you.”
I remember when traveling through the nightmare of my daughter’s drug addiction my parents showed up at my house one day with a gift. I opened that gift to find a framed cross stitch of this story. Over the next couple of years I would take that gift and pin it close to my heart and through my pleadings to God cry over that picture. I would raise that framed promise up to Him as if reminding Him in case He had forgotten.
Fast forward 10 years as my dad was diagnosed in the last stage of cancer. On Christmas Eve as he opened his gift from me and Bruce tears filled my eyes as I remembered the nights I had cried over this picture. I told Daddy that it was his turn to pull this promise close to his heart and it now hangs in their den.
A yoke is “a frame designed to fit across somebody’s shoulders with balanced loads suspended at each end.” Our yoke of burden was designed to be carried on the shoulders of our Savior, not ourselves.
Entering into God’s rest will occur when we exit out of our own will.
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