Numbers 21:4-9 (click on reference to read text)
Honesty time... how many times have we said we were sorry, repented for our sins, and then were frustrated when God didn't take away the situation we found ourselves in? I mean, we said we were sorry, right?! When this happens we often begin to go on an entirely new line of questions... Does that mean that God didn't truly accept my repentance? Is He not sovereign enough to pull me out of this mess? I think today, the Lord gave me an answer!
In this passage we once again find the Israelites grumbling. They become impatient with the long journey and complain, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food" (vs. 5). God just one chapter earlier brought water from a rock! Clearly He is taking care of them, and the only reason they are still in the wilderness in the first place is because they refused to go in and capture the Promised Land like He asked (Numbers 13-14). So what does God do? He sends poisoness snakes among the camp, and the people who were bit died.
They were not stupid, and neither are we when bad stuff starts to happen as a result of our sin. We realize what we have done and we repent. God honored their repentance and he gave a plan of action: "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live"(vs.8). However, there is a key point: notice God did not REMOVE the snakes. He just provided away out from death.
There will be times when our sin will wreak havoc in our lives. There will be consequences, and most likely, they will be unpleasant. However, just as God provided a means from death for the Israelites, He provided a means for us from Eternal Damnation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His forgiveness of our sins will always provide away from "death", but it may not always remove the consequences. We must always remember that God's sovereignty is not dependent or affected by our present circumstances!
So... find yourself in a mess? Need a way out? Choose Jesus and remember, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him" (Psalm 103:11-13).
Showing posts with label Suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suffering. Show all posts
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Faithful in the Silence...
Exodus 31 and 32:1-10 (Click on reference to read text)
Moses found himself on the mountain top with God receiving detailed instructions about Israel and Aaron's priestly line. Aaron was in the valley alone. He had been called by God too. He had been used by God. Yet while God was unfolding His plans to Moses, Aaron was surrounded by silence, except the voices of the Israelites saying, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him" (Ex 32:2). How did Aaron so quickly forget and abandon His walk with God and create an idol to worship? How do we so quickly do the same thing?
Sometimes we can become so immersed in our circumstances, what we can physically see, that we forget God is still moving and working. He is working out a plan, a plan that may involve you, yet you don't know about it yet. The question is are you, am I, going to be faithful where we are... in the silence? Just because Aaron did not hear God's detailed plans for his life and the lives of his descendants, didn't mean that God was not speaking them.
I became extremely convicted last night while at a missions festival at our church. I realized this week that I was angry... very angry at my precious Lord because of what is happening/happened in the lives of my Dads. I felt the silence of unanswered questions and great disappointment. However, when faced with the awesome global size of my God and His purpose to bring the nations to a saving knowledge of Him, I wept. I had belittled God to fit Him into the details of my life, instead of seeing my life in the details of His ETERNAL plan. I had become the clay telling the potter what to do with me (Is 29:16).
We don't know why we find ourselves in the wilderness. We don't know why sometimes God chooses to speak to others and not us. We don't know why it seems the only voices we hear are pulling us into defeat and disillusionment. However, we must cling to what we know. God is working. God is moving. God is sovereign. God is Good! He who did not spare His own Son gave us everything we need to run this race with endurance (Ro 8:32).
Time to get our eyes off of what we can see and focus them upwards. God just may be about to reveal His master plan. Don't settle for an idol... settle for a King!
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
Moses found himself on the mountain top with God receiving detailed instructions about Israel and Aaron's priestly line. Aaron was in the valley alone. He had been called by God too. He had been used by God. Yet while God was unfolding His plans to Moses, Aaron was surrounded by silence, except the voices of the Israelites saying, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him" (Ex 32:2). How did Aaron so quickly forget and abandon His walk with God and create an idol to worship? How do we so quickly do the same thing?
Sometimes we can become so immersed in our circumstances, what we can physically see, that we forget God is still moving and working. He is working out a plan, a plan that may involve you, yet you don't know about it yet. The question is are you, am I, going to be faithful where we are... in the silence? Just because Aaron did not hear God's detailed plans for his life and the lives of his descendants, didn't mean that God was not speaking them.
I became extremely convicted last night while at a missions festival at our church. I realized this week that I was angry... very angry at my precious Lord because of what is happening/happened in the lives of my Dads. I felt the silence of unanswered questions and great disappointment. However, when faced with the awesome global size of my God and His purpose to bring the nations to a saving knowledge of Him, I wept. I had belittled God to fit Him into the details of my life, instead of seeing my life in the details of His ETERNAL plan. I had become the clay telling the potter what to do with me (Is 29:16).
We don't know why we find ourselves in the wilderness. We don't know why sometimes God chooses to speak to others and not us. We don't know why it seems the only voices we hear are pulling us into defeat and disillusionment. However, we must cling to what we know. God is working. God is moving. God is sovereign. God is Good! He who did not spare His own Son gave us everything we need to run this race with endurance (Ro 8:32).
Time to get our eyes off of what we can see and focus them upwards. God just may be about to reveal His master plan. Don't settle for an idol... settle for a King!
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
Thursday, July 28, 2011
When the Feelings Aren't There...
Psalm 143:7-12 (Click on reference to read text)
Have you ever had seasons in your life where you felt like this Psalmist? Have you found your spirit failing and felt like you were falling into a pit? I don't know about you, but I definitely go through "dry seasons." Seasons where I am overwhelmed, discouraged, cannot think clearly, and generally feel depressed. I am actually walking out of a season like that right now. So you know you are there... what do you do? What do you do when you are a believer, but the feelings just aren't there?
First, we need to call our feelings what they are... feelings. This may sound redundant and crazy, but we need to realize that our feelings do not always accurately reflect our reality. Instead of focusing on what we feel, we need to follow Paul's advice and focus on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence or worthy of praise (Phil 4:8). My dad used to always tell me, the feelings are the caboose of your life. They are not the driving engine. Just the caboose. No one puts the caboose first when trying to run a train, and we should not put our feelings first when trying to run our lives.
Second, we need to remind ourselves of what we know to be true. The Psalmist calls out to the Lord, "let me hear your loving kindness... for I trust in You... to You I lift up my Soul... I take refuge in you" (vs. 8-9). When you feel like you are falling into the pit, remember what you know to be true. You are not alone, and He is with you! (Psalm 139... READ IT :o)
Third, we need to call out on our Heavenly Father for help. We need to ask for Him to teach us the way in which we should walk (vs. 8), teach us to do His will (vs. 10), ask His Spirit to lead us on level ground (vs.10), and ask Him to revive us (vs.11). The Lord promises us in His word that if we ask anything according to His will He will do it (1 John 5:14-15). Believe this promise!
Finally, we need to start walking. The Psalmist ends this prayer with "For I am your servant" (vs. 12). He doesn't dwell in the pit. He praises the Lord, He calls out to the Lord for Help, and He starts living out His life in submission and service to the Lord. It may take awhile for your feelings to change. Feelings typically don't magically get better. They always follow actions! Just start walking in faith, and before you know it, your feelings will change! Your heart will be singing and your step will be lighter!
As mentioned earlier, I am coming out of a dry season. For the past few weeks I have felt depressed, overwhelmed, and just struggled to make it through each day. I know feeling like this is not God's plan for me (John 10:10). However, the choice to get out is mine. I must choose to call out to the one who CAN and WILL pull me out of the pit. If you feel like me, why don't we start calling out together?
Have you ever had seasons in your life where you felt like this Psalmist? Have you found your spirit failing and felt like you were falling into a pit? I don't know about you, but I definitely go through "dry seasons." Seasons where I am overwhelmed, discouraged, cannot think clearly, and generally feel depressed. I am actually walking out of a season like that right now. So you know you are there... what do you do? What do you do when you are a believer, but the feelings just aren't there?
First, we need to call our feelings what they are... feelings. This may sound redundant and crazy, but we need to realize that our feelings do not always accurately reflect our reality. Instead of focusing on what we feel, we need to follow Paul's advice and focus on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence or worthy of praise (Phil 4:8). My dad used to always tell me, the feelings are the caboose of your life. They are not the driving engine. Just the caboose. No one puts the caboose first when trying to run a train, and we should not put our feelings first when trying to run our lives.
Second, we need to remind ourselves of what we know to be true. The Psalmist calls out to the Lord, "let me hear your loving kindness... for I trust in You... to You I lift up my Soul... I take refuge in you" (vs. 8-9). When you feel like you are falling into the pit, remember what you know to be true. You are not alone, and He is with you! (Psalm 139... READ IT :o)
Third, we need to call out on our Heavenly Father for help. We need to ask for Him to teach us the way in which we should walk (vs. 8), teach us to do His will (vs. 10), ask His Spirit to lead us on level ground (vs.10), and ask Him to revive us (vs.11). The Lord promises us in His word that if we ask anything according to His will He will do it (1 John 5:14-15). Believe this promise!
Finally, we need to start walking. The Psalmist ends this prayer with "For I am your servant" (vs. 12). He doesn't dwell in the pit. He praises the Lord, He calls out to the Lord for Help, and He starts living out His life in submission and service to the Lord. It may take awhile for your feelings to change. Feelings typically don't magically get better. They always follow actions! Just start walking in faith, and before you know it, your feelings will change! Your heart will be singing and your step will be lighter!
As mentioned earlier, I am coming out of a dry season. For the past few weeks I have felt depressed, overwhelmed, and just struggled to make it through each day. I know feeling like this is not God's plan for me (John 10:10). However, the choice to get out is mine. I must choose to call out to the one who CAN and WILL pull me out of the pit. If you feel like me, why don't we start calling out together?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Wilderness
Deuteronomy 2:7, 8:2-4 (Click on reference to read text)
You know the saying that you can't see the forest for all the trees? I think we often cannot see our blessings because we are too focused on our circumstances. Yes, Israel wondered around in the desert for 40 years. Yes, it was hard. BUT they were never alone. The entire time they were there, the Lord provided for their every need. When they were thirsty, God gave them water (Deut 8:15). When they were hungry, God provided food (Exodus 16:4-8). Although they wondered in the wilderness for 40 years, their feet never swelled, and their sandals and clothes never wore out (Deut 8:4, 29:5). Amazing!
When I find myself in the "wilderness", whether self inflicted like the Israelites because of sin, or because the Lord is growing and teaching me to depend upon him (Deut 8:3, 5), I too can be so focused on my circumstances that I do not even notice His blessings. However, I would wager that if we would just open our eyes and look around us, we would quickly notice the movements of His hands in our lives. Our lives may not look exactly like we thought it would, we many not have everything we "want", we still get sick, we still have trials, but He is walking with us every step of the way.
However, it is often only in these times of wilderness, where we are stripped of everything, that we get quiet enough to focus on the only thing that truly matters.... our relationship with Christ. The wilderness is not always punishment. Sometimes the wilderness is the safest place for us to be (Rev 12:6).
So... instead of trying with all our mights to run from these times of trial and affliction, let's open our eyes to the movements of God in our life that brought us here. Allow His overwhelming presence and provision be your sustaining power, and watch and be amazed at how He provides for all your needs: emotionally, physically and spiritually. So today, instead of trying to figure out how to run out of the wilderness you find yourself in, try running into His presence and loving arms. You too will find you are not alone.
You know the saying that you can't see the forest for all the trees? I think we often cannot see our blessings because we are too focused on our circumstances. Yes, Israel wondered around in the desert for 40 years. Yes, it was hard. BUT they were never alone. The entire time they were there, the Lord provided for their every need. When they were thirsty, God gave them water (Deut 8:15). When they were hungry, God provided food (Exodus 16:4-8). Although they wondered in the wilderness for 40 years, their feet never swelled, and their sandals and clothes never wore out (Deut 8:4, 29:5). Amazing!
When I find myself in the "wilderness", whether self inflicted like the Israelites because of sin, or because the Lord is growing and teaching me to depend upon him (Deut 8:3, 5), I too can be so focused on my circumstances that I do not even notice His blessings. However, I would wager that if we would just open our eyes and look around us, we would quickly notice the movements of His hands in our lives. Our lives may not look exactly like we thought it would, we many not have everything we "want", we still get sick, we still have trials, but He is walking with us every step of the way.
However, it is often only in these times of wilderness, where we are stripped of everything, that we get quiet enough to focus on the only thing that truly matters.... our relationship with Christ. The wilderness is not always punishment. Sometimes the wilderness is the safest place for us to be (Rev 12:6).
So... instead of trying with all our mights to run from these times of trial and affliction, let's open our eyes to the movements of God in our life that brought us here. Allow His overwhelming presence and provision be your sustaining power, and watch and be amazed at how He provides for all your needs: emotionally, physically and spiritually. So today, instead of trying to figure out how to run out of the wilderness you find yourself in, try running into His presence and loving arms. You too will find you are not alone.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Sacrifice of Praise...
Genesis 29:21-35 (Click on reference to read text)
I have never read this story and felt bad for Leah. After all she is the nemesis, right? However, today my heart broke for her. She knew she was unloved. She knew she was seen as a mistake. She did everything in her power to win the love of her husband. Yet she could not succeed.
After every son was born, she says, "surely now my husband will love me" (vs. 32 & 34). Finally, after her fourth son was born she says, "This time I will praise the LORD. Therefore, she named him Judah" (vs. 35). She stopped looking at what she didn't have, and started praising the Lord. Leah learned the secret of Hebrew 13:15 - offering a sacrifice of praise. It is called a sacrifice because you are making the conscious choice to praise God before the circumstances change. In the midst of your pain. Your heart shifts from trying to manipulate the situation like you want it, to just giving God glory and submitting to His sovereignty. It is in the hard moments, where you lay down your desires and take on His, that He begins to change your life and give you the strength to keep going.
We all know that from Judah came the Kings of Israel, starting with David and going all the way to Jesus. What a sweet picture of Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Praise that Lord that even when bad things happen to us, God is still in control and can turn those hurtful things into great blessing!
Whose affection are you trying to win? Are you striving with all your might to earn favor, to gain esteem, to feel loved? "Cease striving and know that He is God. The Lord of hosts is with you" (Ps 46:10-11). "How great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God" (1John 3:1). That is what you are... the beloved child of the King.
I urge you to start making your sacrifice of praise... TODAY. NOW. EVEN BEFORE your circumstances change. Those sacrifices, He will not deny. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Ps 51:17).
I have never read this story and felt bad for Leah. After all she is the nemesis, right? However, today my heart broke for her. She knew she was unloved. She knew she was seen as a mistake. She did everything in her power to win the love of her husband. Yet she could not succeed.
After every son was born, she says, "surely now my husband will love me" (vs. 32 & 34). Finally, after her fourth son was born she says, "This time I will praise the LORD. Therefore, she named him Judah" (vs. 35). She stopped looking at what she didn't have, and started praising the Lord. Leah learned the secret of Hebrew 13:15 - offering a sacrifice of praise. It is called a sacrifice because you are making the conscious choice to praise God before the circumstances change. In the midst of your pain. Your heart shifts from trying to manipulate the situation like you want it, to just giving God glory and submitting to His sovereignty. It is in the hard moments, where you lay down your desires and take on His, that He begins to change your life and give you the strength to keep going.
We all know that from Judah came the Kings of Israel, starting with David and going all the way to Jesus. What a sweet picture of Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Praise that Lord that even when bad things happen to us, God is still in control and can turn those hurtful things into great blessing!
Whose affection are you trying to win? Are you striving with all your might to earn favor, to gain esteem, to feel loved? "Cease striving and know that He is God. The Lord of hosts is with you" (Ps 46:10-11). "How great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God" (1John 3:1). That is what you are... the beloved child of the King.
I urge you to start making your sacrifice of praise... TODAY. NOW. EVEN BEFORE your circumstances change. Those sacrifices, He will not deny. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Ps 51:17).
Monday, April 5, 2010
Why does God Allow Bad to Happen?
Philippians 3:7-20 (Click on reference to read text)
One of the most common arguments against Christ is, "how could a loving God allow such bad things to happen to good people?" I have heard this argument countless times. Maybe you have thought this question to yourself regarding your own personal circumstances. When bad things happen, often times we begin to question God's total sovereignty, we wonder if maybe somehow Satan got the victory in that circumstance. But what if we were able to step back and listen? What might Christ be trying to tell us?
Paul understood trying times, (read 2 Cor 11:24-27 if you want a taste of what he went through) yet through it all, he writes to the Philippians, "I count all things loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ" (vs.8). Through his sufferings, his goal was to gain Christ, to know HIM (vs. 10). He did not seek Christ's blessings, his hand working on behalf of his circumstances, not even his will and direction for the future, but Christ as a person... just who He is! Can you say this? Can you say that in your trials you are seeking the "righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that you may KNOW HIM and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings?" (vs.9-10).
However, instead of responding like Paul we often begin to question if Satan won. If somehow he bested God and won. Let me tell you, the only way that Satan can get victory in your life if you are a Child of God and washed in the blood of the Lamb, is if YOU LET HIM! As soon as we give in to how we feel and become bitter or angry at God, it is at that moment that Satan wins. It is Satan's goal to steal, to kill and to destroy the saints of God (John 10:10). It grieves the Holy Spirit when we harbor bitterness in our hearts (Eph 4:30-32) and God commands that we do not allow a root of bitterness to spring up in our life (Heb 12:15), because a bitter and broken spirit just takes the life out of you (Prov 17:22). God desires us to have life and life to the full! Beware of becoming like Job's wife, who said to Job, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"(Job 2:9). Hold on to your integrity, hold on to God, because I promise He is still holding on to you!
So why? If Satan did not get the victory, and God is truly sovereign over the details of my life, why? I believe if nothing else, than for this one simple truth: if bad things never happened, we would never long for Heaven. We would never focus on the eternal, we would never long for the presence of our Heavenly Father who gave everything for us. Just imagine if all was well, everything was wonderful and you lived a life of no fear, no worry, no hardship... would you ever long for Jesus and the home He has prepared for you?
If you are like me, you are asking, "well, okay, what now?" Sing a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). I know you don't feel like praising God. My heart did not want to praise God when he took my Daddy suddenly home to Heaven this past Christmas Eve, my heart did not want to praise God when I talked to my brother just three months later as he was watching his newborn son lying in the NICU, but we must. God loves us too much to let our hearts love this world. He loves us too much to allow us to spend our lives focusing on things that are temporal and not the eternal. Remember, He gave everything to reunite us to Him!
Let us echo Paul in Philippians 1:21, "to live is Christ." Christ was crucified. Christ sacrificed His life for the purpose and will of the Father. However, Paul goes on to say, "to die is gain"... gaining our eternal reward, with our Eternal Father.
One of the most common arguments against Christ is, "how could a loving God allow such bad things to happen to good people?" I have heard this argument countless times. Maybe you have thought this question to yourself regarding your own personal circumstances. When bad things happen, often times we begin to question God's total sovereignty, we wonder if maybe somehow Satan got the victory in that circumstance. But what if we were able to step back and listen? What might Christ be trying to tell us?
Paul understood trying times, (read 2 Cor 11:24-27 if you want a taste of what he went through) yet through it all, he writes to the Philippians, "I count all things loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ" (vs.8). Through his sufferings, his goal was to gain Christ, to know HIM (vs. 10). He did not seek Christ's blessings, his hand working on behalf of his circumstances, not even his will and direction for the future, but Christ as a person... just who He is! Can you say this? Can you say that in your trials you are seeking the "righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that you may KNOW HIM and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings?" (vs.9-10).
However, instead of responding like Paul we often begin to question if Satan won. If somehow he bested God and won. Let me tell you, the only way that Satan can get victory in your life if you are a Child of God and washed in the blood of the Lamb, is if YOU LET HIM! As soon as we give in to how we feel and become bitter or angry at God, it is at that moment that Satan wins. It is Satan's goal to steal, to kill and to destroy the saints of God (John 10:10). It grieves the Holy Spirit when we harbor bitterness in our hearts (Eph 4:30-32) and God commands that we do not allow a root of bitterness to spring up in our life (Heb 12:15), because a bitter and broken spirit just takes the life out of you (Prov 17:22). God desires us to have life and life to the full! Beware of becoming like Job's wife, who said to Job, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"(Job 2:9). Hold on to your integrity, hold on to God, because I promise He is still holding on to you!
So why? If Satan did not get the victory, and God is truly sovereign over the details of my life, why? I believe if nothing else, than for this one simple truth: if bad things never happened, we would never long for Heaven. We would never focus on the eternal, we would never long for the presence of our Heavenly Father who gave everything for us. Just imagine if all was well, everything was wonderful and you lived a life of no fear, no worry, no hardship... would you ever long for Jesus and the home He has prepared for you?
If you are like me, you are asking, "well, okay, what now?" Sing a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). I know you don't feel like praising God. My heart did not want to praise God when he took my Daddy suddenly home to Heaven this past Christmas Eve, my heart did not want to praise God when I talked to my brother just three months later as he was watching his newborn son lying in the NICU, but we must. God loves us too much to let our hearts love this world. He loves us too much to allow us to spend our lives focusing on things that are temporal and not the eternal. Remember, He gave everything to reunite us to Him!
Let us echo Paul in Philippians 1:21, "to live is Christ." Christ was crucified. Christ sacrificed His life for the purpose and will of the Father. However, Paul goes on to say, "to die is gain"... gaining our eternal reward, with our Eternal Father.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Which will you choose: Victory or Defeat?
Isaiah 41:8-13 (Click on reference to read text)
Some of you may read this and say, the passage only relates to Israel. However, in Scripture, we are told, "if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise "(Galatians 3:29). Therefore, we can look at these Scriptures and see how it applies to us.
Two weeks ago, I found myself broken, tired, stressed, depressed, and to the point of just wanting to give up. It seemed like each new day was bringing on more trouble - serious trouble- and it was just getting to the point that I wasn't sure I could handle anymore. Have you ever been there? If so, it is time we remembered just WHOSE we are!
The Lord, God of Heaven and Earth, the Creator, the Beginning and the End, the Ancient of Days, CHOSE YOU! "You whom (God) has taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its remotest parts and said to you, "you are my servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you" (vs. 9) We will quickly sink and lose our perspective when we forget this monumental, yet simple truth. You are not walking alone, you are not 1 among 6 billion people, and don't matter to anyone. You were chosen by God. He knows you so intimately that he even knows the amount of hairs on your head, nothing happens to you that escapes his notice (Matthew 10:29-31).
Second, we need to stop walking and fighting in our own strength. You did not make the world, and you don't have to fight the world! The Lord commands us, notice I said commands - not requests, mentions, or suggests - "Do not fear, for I am with you!" (vs. 10). When we allow our self to be overcome by fear, we are inevitably communicating to God that we don't think He is big enough or loves us enough to work out His best in our life. Can you imagine, telling the Father, the one who did not even spare His own Son but condemned him to die so that we may become righteous (John 3:16, 2 Cor 5:21), that He is untrustworthy?
The Lord continues to tell us, "do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you" (vs. 10). The troubles of this world mount up when we take our eyes off Jesus and begin to "anxiously look about." It is during these times of intense warfare and struggle, that we MUST keep our eyes on Jesus. He promises that he will strengthen us and help us. We must make a conscious choice to trust Him and wait for His help (Psalms 27:14).
And now my favorite part, "For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, do not fear, I will help you" (vs. 13). The Lord holds my right hand, my strong hand. When the Lord is holding your strong hand, you cannot do the fighting. However, as he holds our strong hand, His "righteous right hand" is free. His strong hand is fighting for you. This is the place we need to be. Our eyes focused on Him and Him only, our hands clinging to his, not flailing wildly trying to defend and protect our own life/family. Here there is rest, and here there is victory.
Have all my troubles gone away, actually none of them have. The situations are still the same, however I am choosing to walk in victory, because I know the battle is not mine, the battle is the Lord's (Eph 6:11-13). Join me, LET GO and LET HIM fight, for victory belongs to the Lord! (Proverbs 21:30-31)
If you need to be encouraged, or are interested in learning more about the powerful hand of God in our life, check out these passages: Psalm 16:8, 17:7, 18:35, 37:24, 44:3, 60:5, 63:8, 73:23, 121:5-6, 139:9-10.
Real quick, I feel like I need to write the practical way this works out in "real life." First, start praising God. This puts your eyes on Him. Tell Him with your mouth, who He is, praise Him for what He is done. This glorifies Him, and strengthens you. It reminds you who He is and what He has done. There is POWER in praise. Satan cannot stand against it. Second, start praying Scripture over yourself, your situation, and your family. If you want to pray the Will of God, you need to pray the Word of God. Third, let go and just start walking. The situation may not change, but your heart can and the way you look at it can. Go about your day. Continue cleaning the house, playing with your kids... when the problem rears its ugly head, start the process all over again. You will see victory. If your situation doesn't change, your attitude can. God wants His best for you, He is sovereign and will work things out to His end. He is a loving Father, and we can trust that His will is best. It is not easy. It is a daily, hourly, minute and sometimes second by second battle. But HE HAS ALREADY WON, and if you have been washed in the blood of Christ, YOU HAVE ALREADY WON! (Romans 8:26-39)
Some of you may read this and say, the passage only relates to Israel. However, in Scripture, we are told, "if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise "(Galatians 3:29). Therefore, we can look at these Scriptures and see how it applies to us.
Two weeks ago, I found myself broken, tired, stressed, depressed, and to the point of just wanting to give up. It seemed like each new day was bringing on more trouble - serious trouble- and it was just getting to the point that I wasn't sure I could handle anymore. Have you ever been there? If so, it is time we remembered just WHOSE we are!
The Lord, God of Heaven and Earth, the Creator, the Beginning and the End, the Ancient of Days, CHOSE YOU! "You whom (God) has taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its remotest parts and said to you, "you are my servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you" (vs. 9) We will quickly sink and lose our perspective when we forget this monumental, yet simple truth. You are not walking alone, you are not 1 among 6 billion people, and don't matter to anyone. You were chosen by God. He knows you so intimately that he even knows the amount of hairs on your head, nothing happens to you that escapes his notice (Matthew 10:29-31).
Second, we need to stop walking and fighting in our own strength. You did not make the world, and you don't have to fight the world! The Lord commands us, notice I said commands - not requests, mentions, or suggests - "Do not fear, for I am with you!" (vs. 10). When we allow our self to be overcome by fear, we are inevitably communicating to God that we don't think He is big enough or loves us enough to work out His best in our life. Can you imagine, telling the Father, the one who did not even spare His own Son but condemned him to die so that we may become righteous (John 3:16, 2 Cor 5:21), that He is untrustworthy?
The Lord continues to tell us, "do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you" (vs. 10). The troubles of this world mount up when we take our eyes off Jesus and begin to "anxiously look about." It is during these times of intense warfare and struggle, that we MUST keep our eyes on Jesus. He promises that he will strengthen us and help us. We must make a conscious choice to trust Him and wait for His help (Psalms 27:14).
And now my favorite part, "For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, do not fear, I will help you" (vs. 13). The Lord holds my right hand, my strong hand. When the Lord is holding your strong hand, you cannot do the fighting. However, as he holds our strong hand, His "righteous right hand" is free. His strong hand is fighting for you. This is the place we need to be. Our eyes focused on Him and Him only, our hands clinging to his, not flailing wildly trying to defend and protect our own life/family. Here there is rest, and here there is victory.
Have all my troubles gone away, actually none of them have. The situations are still the same, however I am choosing to walk in victory, because I know the battle is not mine, the battle is the Lord's (Eph 6:11-13). Join me, LET GO and LET HIM fight, for victory belongs to the Lord! (Proverbs 21:30-31)
If you need to be encouraged, or are interested in learning more about the powerful hand of God in our life, check out these passages: Psalm 16:8, 17:7, 18:35, 37:24, 44:3, 60:5, 63:8, 73:23, 121:5-6, 139:9-10.
Real quick, I feel like I need to write the practical way this works out in "real life." First, start praising God. This puts your eyes on Him. Tell Him with your mouth, who He is, praise Him for what He is done. This glorifies Him, and strengthens you. It reminds you who He is and what He has done. There is POWER in praise. Satan cannot stand against it. Second, start praying Scripture over yourself, your situation, and your family. If you want to pray the Will of God, you need to pray the Word of God. Third, let go and just start walking. The situation may not change, but your heart can and the way you look at it can. Go about your day. Continue cleaning the house, playing with your kids... when the problem rears its ugly head, start the process all over again. You will see victory. If your situation doesn't change, your attitude can. God wants His best for you, He is sovereign and will work things out to His end. He is a loving Father, and we can trust that His will is best. It is not easy. It is a daily, hourly, minute and sometimes second by second battle. But HE HAS ALREADY WON, and if you have been washed in the blood of Christ, YOU HAVE ALREADY WON! (Romans 8:26-39)
Sunday, February 7, 2010
John 14:22-31 (Click on reference to read text)
Have you ever felt like you were drowning, and deep down, although you would never admit it, you feel like the Lord had something to do with it? This is exactly where the disciples found themselves. The Bible tells us that Jesus "made the disciples get in the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side" (vs. 22). They acted in obedience and found themselves in the middle of an overwhelming storm.
I've got to be honest, in the past few months, especially since Christmas, I'm there. I feel like I am "battered by the waves" (vs. 24) and "straining at the oars" (Mark 6:48) just to stay afloat. The situations that have arisen were not of my choosing, yet here I am. In the past week I have been treading water just to stay alive, but the most amazing thing has happened every time I feel my head going under, Jesus calls my name.
As a Christian, our highest calling is to be formed into the image of Christ. I have prayed innumerable times that the Lord would ruin everything in me that is not of Him and form me into His complete likeness. However, in order to do that, I have had to get in the boat of obedience, ride the storm, and keep my eyes on Him.
When we find ourselves in the middle of a raging storm, we need to remember we are never alone. Jesus is always right there by our side saying, "take courage, it is I, do not be afraid" (vs. 27). Like Peter, we only start to sink when we take our eyes off of the Savior and start focusing on the waves and wind blowing all around us.
So what do we do? Every moment you find yourself starting to be overwhelmed, ask yourself where are you looking? Are you staring intently into the eyes of your merciful and loving Savior? Just like a loving father teaches and guides his child, the Lord knows that if he never sends you into the storm, you will never have the opportunity to get out of the boat and walk on water. Take comfort in this, He is in the storm with you. He is there to strengthen you. He controls the winds and the waves, and will calm them in His time.
I continue to cling to His garments during this time and rely on the Promises found in His Word. The Lord is stretching my faith, humbling my pride, and breaking me. It is not easy and it is definitely not fun. However, I am learning that His grace is sufficient for me and His power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor 12:9) and that "He is near to the brokenhearted and comforts those who are crushed in spirit"(Psalms 34:18). Without this storm, I would never grow, never learn to "walk on water" in my Faith, and never have the opportunity to solely rely on my Savior. I have so much more to learn, but I can rest in this:
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
Have you ever felt like you were drowning, and deep down, although you would never admit it, you feel like the Lord had something to do with it? This is exactly where the disciples found themselves. The Bible tells us that Jesus "made the disciples get in the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side" (vs. 22). They acted in obedience and found themselves in the middle of an overwhelming storm.
I've got to be honest, in the past few months, especially since Christmas, I'm there. I feel like I am "battered by the waves" (vs. 24) and "straining at the oars" (Mark 6:48) just to stay afloat. The situations that have arisen were not of my choosing, yet here I am. In the past week I have been treading water just to stay alive, but the most amazing thing has happened every time I feel my head going under, Jesus calls my name.
As a Christian, our highest calling is to be formed into the image of Christ. I have prayed innumerable times that the Lord would ruin everything in me that is not of Him and form me into His complete likeness. However, in order to do that, I have had to get in the boat of obedience, ride the storm, and keep my eyes on Him.
When we find ourselves in the middle of a raging storm, we need to remember we are never alone. Jesus is always right there by our side saying, "take courage, it is I, do not be afraid" (vs. 27). Like Peter, we only start to sink when we take our eyes off of the Savior and start focusing on the waves and wind blowing all around us.
So what do we do? Every moment you find yourself starting to be overwhelmed, ask yourself where are you looking? Are you staring intently into the eyes of your merciful and loving Savior? Just like a loving father teaches and guides his child, the Lord knows that if he never sends you into the storm, you will never have the opportunity to get out of the boat and walk on water. Take comfort in this, He is in the storm with you. He is there to strengthen you. He controls the winds and the waves, and will calm them in His time.
I continue to cling to His garments during this time and rely on the Promises found in His Word. The Lord is stretching my faith, humbling my pride, and breaking me. It is not easy and it is definitely not fun. However, I am learning that His grace is sufficient for me and His power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor 12:9) and that "He is near to the brokenhearted and comforts those who are crushed in spirit"(Psalms 34:18). Without this storm, I would never grow, never learn to "walk on water" in my Faith, and never have the opportunity to solely rely on my Savior. I have so much more to learn, but I can rest in this:
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sometimes God Calms the Storm, and Sometimes He Calms the Sailor...
Mark 4:35-41 (Click on reference to read the passage)
Storms come. Sometimes they brew and gear up before they hit you, and sometimes they start without warning and threaten to destroy everything you hold dear. In these times, it is so easy to begin to wonder, "Am I really in the will of God? Did I miss a turn somewhere? Did I not hear his voice right?" However, just because we are in the storm, with waves crashing all around, does not mean that we have strayed from the Father's side.
Jesus told his disciples, "let us go over to the other side" (vs. 35). It was his idea. The disciples were in the will of God during the storm, He was always in control. However, just like the disciples, we often begin to take our eyes off the Savior and focus on the storm. They frantically woke Jesus saying, "Teacher don't you care that we are perishing?" (vs.38). Jesus answered by waking up, rebuking the wind, and making the sea perfectly calm (vs. 39).
Why make them go through the storm? All for one man, that was found on the other side of the shore, that needed the touch of the Savior (Mark 5:1-15). You see, Jesus cares more about eternity than our present comfort. God was willing to have the disciples battle a fierce storm, for the sake of one.
He doesn't always calm the storm, sometimes He just calms the sailor. We need to cling to His robes, rest in His shadow, believe that we can still be in the Will of God, and know that He is good. Instead of asking why, we need to be asking how... how can I bring the most Glory to God right now, where He has me. Trust me, I KNOW this is NOT easy. I stood by the graveside of my Daddy today. My storm hit sudden, and it hit hard. There have been moments in the past few days that I thought surely I would be engulfed, but I KNOW my Savior is still in my boat. As long as the storms rage, I hang on, looking for that one the Savior needs to touch. I leave you with the Words of my Lord...
"Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble of be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you may go." Joshua 1:9
Storms come. Sometimes they brew and gear up before they hit you, and sometimes they start without warning and threaten to destroy everything you hold dear. In these times, it is so easy to begin to wonder, "Am I really in the will of God? Did I miss a turn somewhere? Did I not hear his voice right?" However, just because we are in the storm, with waves crashing all around, does not mean that we have strayed from the Father's side.
Jesus told his disciples, "let us go over to the other side" (vs. 35). It was his idea. The disciples were in the will of God during the storm, He was always in control. However, just like the disciples, we often begin to take our eyes off the Savior and focus on the storm. They frantically woke Jesus saying, "Teacher don't you care that we are perishing?" (vs.38). Jesus answered by waking up, rebuking the wind, and making the sea perfectly calm (vs. 39).
Why make them go through the storm? All for one man, that was found on the other side of the shore, that needed the touch of the Savior (Mark 5:1-15). You see, Jesus cares more about eternity than our present comfort. God was willing to have the disciples battle a fierce storm, for the sake of one.
He doesn't always calm the storm, sometimes He just calms the sailor. We need to cling to His robes, rest in His shadow, believe that we can still be in the Will of God, and know that He is good. Instead of asking why, we need to be asking how... how can I bring the most Glory to God right now, where He has me. Trust me, I KNOW this is NOT easy. I stood by the graveside of my Daddy today. My storm hit sudden, and it hit hard. There have been moments in the past few days that I thought surely I would be engulfed, but I KNOW my Savior is still in my boat. As long as the storms rage, I hang on, looking for that one the Savior needs to touch. I leave you with the Words of my Lord...
"Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble of be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you may go." Joshua 1:9
Monday, December 7, 2009
Favored of the Lord
Luke 1:26-38 (click on reference to read scripture text)
As the angel was speaking, Mary had to realize the implications of his message, especially in the light of the culture that she lived in. She was literally placing her life in God's hands. A birth out of wedlock was a capital offense that would most likely result in stoning... and that is just the physical consequences. What about her reputation, the ridicule she would get because of her fantastic story, her impending marriage... all in jeopardy. Why? Because she had found favor with God (vs. 30).
I once heard a pastor say, "to be favored by the Lord, doesn't mean favors from the Lord." Mary is just one example. What about Daniel being thrown to the lions, Shadrach and friends into the fiery furnace, Joseph experiencing slavery and jail time, Esther being kidnapped from her home and forced into marriage with a pagan king, and the life of Paul is the definition of suffering. These men and women walked with God, loved God, served the Lord, yet they suffered.
Daniel 1:8 states that Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself. We too must resolve now how we will respond to future trials and directives from the Lord. We must decide now, do we love Jesus or do we only love what Jesus can do for us? We must resolve now to believe that God is good, PERIOD, so that in those trying times, our gut reaction is to cling to the Father and not run away.
So... what about me? Am I willing to be favored by the Lord? Am I living a life of 100% surrender and obedience to even be considered by Him? If so... do I consider it "pure joy when (I) face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2-4). May we respond like Mary, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (vs.38).
As the angel was speaking, Mary had to realize the implications of his message, especially in the light of the culture that she lived in. She was literally placing her life in God's hands. A birth out of wedlock was a capital offense that would most likely result in stoning... and that is just the physical consequences. What about her reputation, the ridicule she would get because of her fantastic story, her impending marriage... all in jeopardy. Why? Because she had found favor with God (vs. 30).
I once heard a pastor say, "to be favored by the Lord, doesn't mean favors from the Lord." Mary is just one example. What about Daniel being thrown to the lions, Shadrach and friends into the fiery furnace, Joseph experiencing slavery and jail time, Esther being kidnapped from her home and forced into marriage with a pagan king, and the life of Paul is the definition of suffering. These men and women walked with God, loved God, served the Lord, yet they suffered.
Daniel 1:8 states that Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself. We too must resolve now how we will respond to future trials and directives from the Lord. We must decide now, do we love Jesus or do we only love what Jesus can do for us? We must resolve now to believe that God is good, PERIOD, so that in those trying times, our gut reaction is to cling to the Father and not run away.
So... what about me? Am I willing to be favored by the Lord? Am I living a life of 100% surrender and obedience to even be considered by Him? If so... do I consider it "pure joy when (I) face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2-4). May we respond like Mary, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (vs.38).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
