How Do You Pray in the Pain?

2 Samuel 12:13-20 (Click on reference to read text)

Sorry for the long absence.  My family received extremely difficult news at the beginning of this month.  My precious Dad-in-law was diagnosed with cancer in his bone marrow.  One night while praying my husband turned to me and confessed he didn't know how to pray.  We would obviously love to see our Dad healed, but what if it is not God's will?  How do you pray for a miracle and still pray according to the Lord's will?  Maybe you have had this same thought.  After much prayer and seeking Scriptures, I feel confident the Lord has given me a Biblical answer.

When David's son was dying, David fasted and prayed for a miracle.  He didn't eat, he didn't sleep.  For seven days David laid face down begging the Lord to heal his child.  Yet when the child died, he got up, worshiped the Lord and ate.  He prayed for God to heal his child, but he accepted what God allowed.

I also read about Paul.  Paul prayed 3 times for the "tormenting thorn in his flesh" to leave, yet he accepted God's grace to persevere when God did not remove it (2 Cor 12:7-10).   He was not afraid to ask God for relief, but His faith was not shaken when God answered no.

The Disciplers Bible Study Commentary for the book of Acts states, " They...were putting God to the test.  They were questioning God after His will had been revealed." 

I truly believe it is Biblical to ask the Lord for healing, restoration, or whatever is needed in the lives of your family or yourself.  After all, God is our Heavenly Father and desires to hear our hearts cry.  However, we must not put God to the test by questioning God after He reveals His will by either answering or denying our request.  We must choose to follow David's lead, offer a sacrifice of praise in the midst of our pain.  Praising God in the pain is not easy, but it is necessary in keeping our hearts stayed on Him (Heb 13:15).

I urge you... pray!  Pour your heart out to your Heavenly Father.  Ask to see the mighty movements of His hand.  Expect to see His power displayed.  However, resolve now to believe that God is good no matter His answer.  Turn to Him whether the outcome is wonderful or painful, and know that in the tears, you are not alone!

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 34:18

Throw Off Everything that Hinders...

Hebrews 12:1-3

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. "

The text is too important to skip over.  Sorry for my absence.  I have found myself entangled for the past month, and it wasn't until this morning that I have broken Gloriously free.  This time of year is hard for me.  Very hard.  Two years ago this Christmas Eve my Daddy passed away suddenly, doing what He loved the most... he had just finished writing his first sermon for Zion Baptist Church.  My heart has been weighted down with grief since his birthday in October.  I have faked being okay well, except probably for the people who walk daily with me through life.  Yet I have handled my emotional drain completely the wrong way.

I have spent the past two months being busy with anything and everything I can imagine.  My feet ran from the second they hit the floor to the time I collapsed exhausted into bed at night.  Most have been good things, things for the church and my family.  A few not great things (let's just say for a girl who hates shopping, I shopped a little too much last month).  I had created an impossible to do list, and I was actually accomplishing it.  I looked pretty good on the outside.  But I was wrong.

I was running a race that was not marked out for me.  My eyes were not fixed on Jesus, but on my to do list and whatever I could do to make my church and family happy.  Hebrews said that Jesus endured the cross for me and I was giving him my time, but NOT what He wants most of all... my heart.  You see, I didn't have time to "Cease Striving and Know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10)

Galatians 3:1-3 contains a harsh rebuke for the church.  Paul is blasting them for believing that they must win over Christ's love and salvation through works.  He asked them, "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"  We don't please God through our many works, we please Him through our faith in Jesus Christ. He is most happy when we obey the greatest of all commandments, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthews 22:35-37). 

Paul clarifies the relationship between faith that is pleasing to God and works we are to do for Him in Ephesians:  "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (2:10).   We are to "do" things for Him, but ONLY what He has prepared for us before the foundation of the world.  When you are seeking Him, you don't have to take on everything, but just what HE tells you to do.

Do you feel burdened by life?  Are you exhausted?  Have you  "grown weary and lost heart"?  Maybe you are doing things that the Lord had not set out for you to do.  He doesn't want tired bodies, but sold out hearts.  Join with me in praying every morning, "Lord, I just want to do what you have prepared for me in advance today.  I don't want to add anything more or do anything less.  Please give me discernment to walk in You path for me, grant me courage to obey the leading of your voice, may you be glorified in everything I say do and speak.  My time is yours.  My family is yours.  My heart is yours.  In Jesus's Name I pray, Amen."

The Sweetest Sound I know...

Leviticus 16 (Click on reference to read text)

"...and behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split." Matthew 27:51

You probably do not describe the sound of cloth ripping as beautiful... especially if you are a mother of small children! However, the sound of the veil being torn in two was the most beautiful sound of all time.

Leviticus 16 is a great reminder of the gift we have been given as we celebrate the Easter season. Before Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, we were not able to access the Father anytime we wanted (vs. 1-2), we could not come to God empty handed (vs. 3), we had to go through great ceremony before we could even enter His presence (vs. 4). Then, after all of this, only the high priest could enter the presence of God. In order to receive forgiveness of sins, a blood sacrifice of an animal, performed in a certain way and (vs. 11-28) at a certain time (vs. 29-31) had to be made.

Christ ripped open the veil. After His death on the cross, the Holy of Holies (symbolizing the presence of God) was available to everyone who called Jesus Lord. He became our high priest so that we could approach the throne of grace in confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16). In Christ's death on the cross, we find forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13-22), and no longer condemnation (Ro 8:1). Christ calls us to come, just as we are and He promises to give us rest (Matt 11:28).

Are you going through great ceremony to approach God? Are you hoping that you are doing things the right way in order to win his favor? Are you afraid to approach God whenever you want or need? Do you know rest? If not, you need to know Christ! He is the answer. We can offer Him nothing, yet He offers us everything (John 3:16, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 5:8-9, Ro 10:9-10). You are imperfect (Ro 3:23) but Christ, in His perfect love, made the way for our salvation (John 14:6).

I am sure this is not new truth for you. It is not for me. However, in this time of year, as we are surrounded with bunnies, eggs and candy, let's remember the sound of cloth ripping. The sound of freedom. The sound of redemption. The veil was torn so that I can approach my Father, just as I am, and live in His presence.

Life Giving Water...

John 4:7-27 (Click on reference to read the text)

The Lord overflows into our life His presence, grace, compassion, and mercy not based upon our own merit, but based upon our own need.

Jesus is our living water and He is our unfailing stream. Everything else will dry up eventually, everything else will stop satisfying our souls, but Jesus is seeking you out just like we see Him seeking out a lost woman in order to offer her something she cannot refuse: Himself!

The First thing we see is that Jesus seeks out those that need Him the most. This woman was not a woman that we would have found in the temple worshipping God. She was from an area that people avoided and she was living in sin. In verse 9 the woman is clearly confused that Jesus, whom we know to be the Mesiah, is even speaking with her: "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman? For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans." You see, Jesus forgave when everyone around Him would have called Him crazy. He showed grace to everyone, regardless of their situation, nationality, or sin. He knew the woman's situation and the grievious sins she had committed against Him before He ever uttered a word. Yet Jesus chose to go against cultural norms to bring about the reconcilation of this girl and her family. Which leads me to ask...do I go to this trouble? Do I seek out the one that is lost?

Second we see that Jesus asks us for what He doesn't need so that our greatest need can be fulfilled in Him (vs. 7-9). He is God. He could have made it rain, he could have called down the angels to supply Him with water...but He didn't. He chose to ask this woman so that her life would forever be changed. The only thing she had to offer Him was a drink of water that would eventually no longer satisfy His thirst. Yet He could offer a living water that would satisfy the deepest needs of her, and your, soul for all time. All God needs from us is a receptive Spirit (vs. 11). We must come to Him with nothing. We can't tap into His overflowing Spirit with any talent or possession. He must do all the work.

Finally in verse 13-18 we see what life is like for those that try to get an overflowing satisfaction in their life apart from Christ. Her life is a story of broken and failed relationships, abandonment, and instability because everything apart from His grace and salvation is bondage. Ray Stedman writes, "Jesus breaks the shackles of evil habits in our lives. He sets us free from the dependencies that we have allowed to harrass us, to shackle us, and limit us... We are all sinfully dependent people. We have all been shackled by evil of some sort or another." Sin does not offer you freedom. Sin offers you an illusion of freedom. Sin always always creates dependency. You will always crave more (i.e. drugs always make you crave more drugs, an idol of a relationship always leaves you craving for more attention or affection, a Starbucks Latte will always leave you wanting more, etc. Sorry, that last one was a little too personal!) Ask yourself this, is there anything in my life that I am dependent upon in order to "make it through the day" or in order to make me"happy?" If the answer is anything but Christ then that is a clear indication of a sin or idol in your life!

No matter where you find yourself, know this... The Lord will overflow into your life His presence, grace, compassion and mercy not based upon your own merit, but based upon your own need. Galatians 5:1 states, "It is for freedom that Christ set you free. Stand firm then and do not be burdened again by the yoke of slavery." Just allow Him to set you free. You have nothing to offer Him, but everything to gain.

The TimeTable of My Savior...

Exodus 2:11-15, 3 and 4 (Click on reference to read text)

Have you ever tried to serve the Lord, only to have it backfire and land you in the "desert"? Welcome to Moses's life.

Many times we have great ideas to further the Kingdom of God. We rush ahead, sure that this idea was divinely inspired, but instead of the planned outcome, we find our self in the desert. The natural response would be to become bitter, angry, disillusioned and disappointed. However, we must remember that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and the desert may be just the place he needs us.

The desert taught Moses to stop and listen. "When the Lord saw that he (Moses) turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" and he said, "Here I am" (vs. 3:4). Moses learned to recognize and heed the voice of God. Instead of charging ahead and making his own plans he listened to what God had to say. We too must learn this lesson. God does not need us in order to see his purpose accomplished, but he desires to use us for His glory. We must seek His voice to find out how He wants us to glorify Him.

Second, the desert taught Moses to fear the Lord. In verse 6 we find Moses hiding his face, afraid to look at God. Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One brings understanding (9:10). Just as we desire our children to not cower in fear of us, but to respect us enough to trust that what we say is right and should be followed, we too should have a healthy fear of the Lord. His Word is full of wisdom and direction. We need to approach every decision we make in light of a healthy reverence of the Lord. If it is not for His glory, then it is not for our good!

Third, the desert taught Moses humility. We find Moses arguing with God saying, "who am I that I should go?"(vs. 3:11). Instead of rushing in and taking the bull by the horns, he is questioning to see if God got it right! Later we read that Moses was the most humble man on the face of the Earth (Numbers 12:3). What changed? 40 years in the desert. Instead of bemoaning your circumstances we need to ask God what He wants to teach us through them. Find out the lesson He wants you to learn. We know that in all things God will work for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Believe that promise and start being obedient to the Lord where He places you now. Who knows, He may be preparing you to bring deliverance!

Fourth, the desert taught Moses true confidence. Chapter 3 and 4 of Exodus finds God telling Moses exactly how it is all going to go down. He doesn't send Moses in unprepared. He even warns him that Pharaoh is not going to let go easily. However, we see a wonderful thing: "No time is spent convincing Moses of what he can do, but much time is spent explaining to Moses what God can do. The strength of Moses is never considered... the strength of Moses is not the issue, the strength of God is" (Max Lucado). Moses learns that "we can do all things through Him who gives us strength (Phil 4:13), "that when we are weak we are actually strong" (2 Cor 12:10), that God in fact uses the weak things of this world to shame the strong (1 Cor 1:27). Human weakness always opens the door for God's power to shine through. Moses learned that confidence is not found in his abilities, but in God's!

There are a lot of other lessons he learned here, but you get the point. The desert is not always as dry as it first appears. Know that even though you may find yourself here, you are not alone. Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God is with you wherever you may go (Joshua 1:9). Start praising God for his presence, for His wisdom in bringing you hear, and open your ears to what He might be telling you. Listen to his command, "Remove your sandals from your feet" (be still and know that He is God) "For the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

There is Strength in the Name of the Lord...

I could hear the strong baritone voice of my Daddy singing this song as I sat in the waiting room at the hospital while my husband was in surgery. I could hear his voice singing these words in my head. I don't remember what the occasion was, but the last time I sang this song, we were in my home church growing up and I was holding my Daddy's big, strong, hairy hand... I felt so secure. I would have given so much to hold my Daddy's hand this past week and feel that same security. Instead, I was sitting in a waiting room, all alone, wondering how I was ever going to feel completely secure again. So... I prayed, and this is what I learned.

True security can only be had when our priorities and our perspective are correct. Our entire existence centers around one truth: We are enemies of God (Romans 8:10) and instead of leaving us in this depraved state, God sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16) to be a sacrificial lamb and provide reconciliation for all eternity (Romans 5:1). This life, if we are lucky maybe 80 years of our existence, is a short period when compared to eternity. When we focus on this short lifespan, turn all of our thoughts and attentions on the here and now, we will never know true security. People close to us will die, disease and sickness will come, jobs will be lost, rain will fall, questions will never have answers, people will disappoint us and hurt us... but that is not the whole story. If we accept this free gift of Salvation from God, NOTHING can separate us from God again (Romans 8:38-39).

You see, God cares about us so much, that He cares about the whole picture, the eternity side of things. If He blessed us so much in this short 80 or so years that we never invested in eternity, that would be like me allowing my two year old unlimited sugar now only to watch her die of diabetes later on. A true mother, one that really loves her child, would show moderation, so that the child's entire life can be pleasant, not just today. That is how the Lord works. Romans 5 teaches us that we can exult in our tribulations, knowing that our tribulations bring about perseverance, perseverance brings about proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint (vs. 3-4). We can rejoice in our trials, because they allow opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven, treasures that cannot be destroyed, but benefit all eternity (Matthew 6:19-20).

This truth is played out over and over in so many promises we Christians love to claim... that God causes all things to work together for good (Ro 8:28), that He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not freely give us all things (Ro 8:32), and I could go on and on. However, often we take these verses out of context. If we continue reading to verse 29, we will find that "our good" is "to become conformed into the image of His son"
(Ro 8:29). In the same respect, God will freely give us all things that are necessary to bring fulfillment of the work begun at the cross (2 Peter 1:3). God loves us, and will take what Satan meant for evil and turn it around for good, but it is our eternity that He cares about. He loves us too much to not bless us eternally.

So, how do we find true and lasting security? We must answer this question, what is most important to you? Where do your treasures lie? Is it God, or earthly possessions, earthly relationships, etc. If God's glory and renown is most important to you, you will have perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). When we realize that we are owed nothing except death and condemnation (Ro 3:23, Ro 6:23), anything above and beyond that is simple and complete blessing. We are sinners, but Christ died for us, that is all we need.

You may ask, how do I KNOW that my perspective is right and Holy? If God never blessed you with another thing, if all you had was taken away - even your family - would you still choose Him? Would you still praise Him? Would you still bless His Holy Name? That is how you know.

My Daddy's death rocked my world. Gone was childish innocence that nothing too bad would ever happen to me. Insecurity and fear have fought hard to characterize my life. However, a new realization has washed over me as well. No mater what happens, even if the surgeon came out of the room to say my husband did not make it, it would NOT be easy, but I would be okay. I have the Lord, He loves me, He girds me with strength, eternity can never be taken away, and I will see my loved ones again. Granted, this is not easy and I pray no tragedy befalls my family, that my husband and I have a lifetime of togetherness, but God must be my rock and eternity must be my purpose. "The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will be forever" (Psalm 37:18).

When God Says No...

1 Samuel 7:1-17 (Click on reference to read text)

A heart following after God desires to do great things for God. We desire to see the Glory of the Lord magnified among the nations. David was such a man. As he found himself in a royal palace, he longed to build God a home of magnificence and splendor. A place the nations could come and worship the One True God. Yet, God said no... it was not a job He had for David.

Like David, there are times that God has said no to us in regard to a ministry, a seemingly Godly and wonderful opportunity, even a dream to serve the Lord in a particular way. When he says no, it is not easy, in fact it is crushing and devastating. We can choose to respond in several ways. We can mope, bemoan our circumstances, question God's voice and His timing, and grow angry. Why not us? Were we not good enough? Is there something intrinsically wrong with us that we are incapable of being used by the Father?

David could have responded any of those ways, but instead, he began to "prepare... for the house of God" (1 Chronicles 22:2). He began to gather all the supplies necessary for someone else to serve God in the way He desired to serve. He wholeheartedly pursued everything necessary for the task to be done... by someone else. He did not grow bitter, he grew stronger.

God chose someone else because "David was a man of bloodshed" (1 Chronicles 22:8). However, the shedding of blood was acted because of obedience to Christ... he was commanded by God to do so. Yet, these actions, prevented David from building His dream... a temple for the Most High God.

When God says no, it is so easy to believe the lies of Satan. Something must be wrong with us, we must have heard God wrong, we must.... you fill in the blank. However, those are lies. God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives, and we are not commanded to do everything there is for the Lord. Sometimes, it is someone elses's job. When God says no, we must stay the course, remain faithful where we are, walk in obedience to what God is commanding us to do here and now, help other Christian's along the way so that they can do mighty things for the kingdom. Whether by prayer, or practically helping other believers, we must choose to be obedient to our purpose.... and yes, YOU have a purpose!!

"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

When you are broken hearted remember, "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 with him." Psalm 126:5-6

Are You Empty?

2 Kings 4:1-7 - Click on reference to read... Please take a moment to read the Scripture. My words are simply that, but God's are living and active (Hebrews 4:12)

God promises in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6). However, there are times in our life that we are so weighted down and troubled we cannot imagine getting through. Although He promises that He will never leave us, God also promises, "in this world you will have trouble," BUT don't forget the rest, "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

This God-fearing widow found herself in dire need. Her life, and the lives of her children, were at stake! Instead of running to worldly solutions, she ran to God! God was willing to bless her in the midst of her troubles... to the point of OVERFLOWING! He took what she already had (vs. 2) and brought deliverance! However, it was her responsibility to provide empty jars. As many empty jars as she provided, God was willing to fill!

So many times, the amount of blessing we receive depends upon the amount of emptiness we present to God. We may obey him half-heartily... maybe only gathering the jars closest to us that require no extra cleaning out or searching. Maybe we are scared to ask others around us for help. Maybe we are too scared to be totally empty and vulnerable before the Lord. Yet any of these excuses would limit the work and power of God in our life. Elisha commanded, "Don't ask for just a few" (vs. 3). It is only when we are empty before the Lord, taking out all of ourselves and presenting it before God, that He can deliver us from ourselves and fill us with His spirit to the point of overflowing!