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 Trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trials. 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
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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
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
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
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."
"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."
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Afraid to Look...
Acts 3:1-10 (Click on reference to read text)
I like to look the other way. There I said it! I was faced in a situation yesterday where I knew someone was in need. Somehow, even before I knew all the details, I knew it would require sacrifice, laying aside my selfishness and I would need to give.... my time, my energy, my emotions, etc. And I wanted to not just look away, I wanted to run away as fast as possible. However, deep down I knew God was calling me, and after literal tears and reciting all the justifications for why I should not have to get involved, I obeyed.
Peter was also faced with a great need. On his way to church to pray, he passed a man who was lame and who begged for a living. It would have been easy to look away, to justify that action by reciting all the things he was doing right for the Lord (he was on his way to church!) but instead, the Scripture tells us that Peter "fixed his gaze on him" (vs. 4). He was intentional and he was not afraid to see the pain in others around him. He was not inconvenienced by the needs of others.
Secondly, after fixing his gaze on the needy man, he offered his hand. "Seizing him by the right hand, [Peter] raised him up" (vs.7). He was healed! God used Peter to give this man the use of his legs for the first time! If we want the power of God displayed in our life, we must fix our gaze on the needs of those around us and lend them our hands! God does not use onlookers! God uses those who are unafraid to get dirty and be the literal hands and feet of Christ.
Lastly, because Peter looked and responded, this man began giving glory to God and created interest of God's miracles amongst those witnessing God's power (vs. 8 and 10). What greater calling is there in this world that to bring Glory to our Great God?
Dr. T.S. Laniak states, "we need to know personally that our true home is in Heaven and that this earth is simply a place where we promote God's interests." When we get comfortable and feeling at home here and now, it becomes hard to gaze at anything but ourselves.
I don't know what God's plans are for me and this road I am about to walk. I feel incapable of fulfilling what He has asked me to do. I do know that His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor 12:9) and that He has giving me everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:4-8). I don't know the future, and to be honest I am a little scared, but I do know the next step God is asking me to take and that He has promised that He is with me and that I don't need to be afraid. Time to start looking and start lending a hand.
I like to look the other way. There I said it! I was faced in a situation yesterday where I knew someone was in need. Somehow, even before I knew all the details, I knew it would require sacrifice, laying aside my selfishness and I would need to give.... my time, my energy, my emotions, etc. And I wanted to not just look away, I wanted to run away as fast as possible. However, deep down I knew God was calling me, and after literal tears and reciting all the justifications for why I should not have to get involved, I obeyed.
Peter was also faced with a great need. On his way to church to pray, he passed a man who was lame and who begged for a living. It would have been easy to look away, to justify that action by reciting all the things he was doing right for the Lord (he was on his way to church!) but instead, the Scripture tells us that Peter "fixed his gaze on him" (vs. 4). He was intentional and he was not afraid to see the pain in others around him. He was not inconvenienced by the needs of others.
Secondly, after fixing his gaze on the needy man, he offered his hand. "Seizing him by the right hand, [Peter] raised him up" (vs.7). He was healed! God used Peter to give this man the use of his legs for the first time! If we want the power of God displayed in our life, we must fix our gaze on the needs of those around us and lend them our hands! God does not use onlookers! God uses those who are unafraid to get dirty and be the literal hands and feet of Christ.
Lastly, because Peter looked and responded, this man began giving glory to God and created interest of God's miracles amongst those witnessing God's power (vs. 8 and 10). What greater calling is there in this world that to bring Glory to our Great God?
Dr. T.S. Laniak states, "we need to know personally that our true home is in Heaven and that this earth is simply a place where we promote God's interests." When we get comfortable and feeling at home here and now, it becomes hard to gaze at anything but ourselves.
I don't know what God's plans are for me and this road I am about to walk. I feel incapable of fulfilling what He has asked me to do. I do know that His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor 12:9) and that He has giving me everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:4-8). I don't know the future, and to be honest I am a little scared, but I do know the next step God is asking me to take and that He has promised that He is with me and that I don't need to be afraid. Time to start looking and start lending a hand.
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).
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Seeing but Not Looking...
Luke 24:13-31 (Click on reference to read text)
My three year old loves riding her bike. One day as she was riding, she began to pick up speed and I could tell she was starting to panic a little. She did not know how to slow her self down and she cried out. I was not worried because I knew something she didn't know. First, that she has training wheels and it is SO hard to fall with training wheels, and secondly that I was jogging along right behind her with my hand ready to slow her down if she teetered. You see my daughter did not see my stabling hand, because she was not looking for it. She just saw how fast she was riding and she was scared.
In the same way, these followers of Christ did not see Jesus, because they were not even looking for Him. He was standing right in front of them, and all they could see were their fears and confusion. Max Lucado, writing on this account, says, "Rather than consult Scripture, they listened to their fears. Jesus corrects this by appearing to them and conducting a Bible Study" (vs. 21-27).
We so often do the same thing. We find ourselves in circumstances we never dreamed we would be in, life starts flying by really fast, and we get scared. Instead of looking to Jesus, the WORD (John 1:1-14), we begin to look at everything around us and miss out on the steadying hand of Christ in our life.
Are you lonely and afraid? The Bible says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you" (Joshua 1:9). Are you confused? The Bible says that "your ear will hear a word behind you, This is the way, walk in it, whether you turn to the right or to the left" (Is 30:21). Do you need wisdom? The Bible says, "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).
Jesus is right there with you, even when you aren't looking for Him. Don't miss out on His presence! Instead of looking at your fears and your circumstances, look for Him! He had promised, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20).
My three year old loves riding her bike. One day as she was riding, she began to pick up speed and I could tell she was starting to panic a little. She did not know how to slow her self down and she cried out. I was not worried because I knew something she didn't know. First, that she has training wheels and it is SO hard to fall with training wheels, and secondly that I was jogging along right behind her with my hand ready to slow her down if she teetered. You see my daughter did not see my stabling hand, because she was not looking for it. She just saw how fast she was riding and she was scared.
In the same way, these followers of Christ did not see Jesus, because they were not even looking for Him. He was standing right in front of them, and all they could see were their fears and confusion. Max Lucado, writing on this account, says, "Rather than consult Scripture, they listened to their fears. Jesus corrects this by appearing to them and conducting a Bible Study" (vs. 21-27).
We so often do the same thing. We find ourselves in circumstances we never dreamed we would be in, life starts flying by really fast, and we get scared. Instead of looking to Jesus, the WORD (John 1:1-14), we begin to look at everything around us and miss out on the steadying hand of Christ in our life.
Are you lonely and afraid? The Bible says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you" (Joshua 1:9). Are you confused? The Bible says that "your ear will hear a word behind you, This is the way, walk in it, whether you turn to the right or to the left" (Is 30:21). Do you need wisdom? The Bible says, "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).
Jesus is right there with you, even when you aren't looking for Him. Don't miss out on His presence! Instead of looking at your fears and your circumstances, look for Him! He had promised, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20).
Friday, February 11, 2011
Allowing Me to Fall...
Luke 15:11-24 (Click on reference to read text)
My daughter was on the patio of my husband's store when all of a sudden, she started running straight towards the parking lot and a moving car. I yelled for her to freeze, but she kept running, completely oblivious to the danger. As I took off after her, I watched as she tripped and fell flat on her face a few feet from the road. She was hurt, but she was alive. I was never so glad to watch my daughter fall. I explained to her, "Jesus loves you so much, He let you fall. You were running straight into danger, and although it hurt to fall, it hurt a lot less than running into a car. We need to thank Jesus for your fall." As I prayed with my little girl, I too began to thank Jesus for the times in my life He let me fall to save me from even greater danger.
The prodigal son is a story we are all familiar with, yet it is also something that each of us can relate to. How many of us have wanted to go our own way and do what we want to do? We may have been more subtle in our rebellion, but we have all chosen to do life in our own way. Our rebellion could be a calendar out of control and being too busy, making work your number one priority, or trusting in a relationship and not in the Lord. He may yell for us to freeze. Send us warning signs, but sometimes He must make us fall. It could be health problems that force us to slow down, job loss, or the end of a relationship. It may hurt at the time. Your heart may be broken, you may be confused, or you may feel abandoned. However, if you really take a close look, you may just see the Lord directing your steps to much better, and safer, places.
The most amazing thing about our Heavenly Father is that when we fall, we can run back to Him. Just like the father of the prodigal son, He is watching and as soon as I turn towards home, He runs to me and and embraces me. He is ready to run to you too. In what ways are you being rebellious and doing life your own way? Stop justifying your actions, and run home. He is waiting with arms open wide!
For further reading: Psalm 103:12, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 3:1, Proverbs 15:16, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 3:1-26
My daughter was on the patio of my husband's store when all of a sudden, she started running straight towards the parking lot and a moving car. I yelled for her to freeze, but she kept running, completely oblivious to the danger. As I took off after her, I watched as she tripped and fell flat on her face a few feet from the road. She was hurt, but she was alive. I was never so glad to watch my daughter fall. I explained to her, "Jesus loves you so much, He let you fall. You were running straight into danger, and although it hurt to fall, it hurt a lot less than running into a car. We need to thank Jesus for your fall." As I prayed with my little girl, I too began to thank Jesus for the times in my life He let me fall to save me from even greater danger.
The prodigal son is a story we are all familiar with, yet it is also something that each of us can relate to. How many of us have wanted to go our own way and do what we want to do? We may have been more subtle in our rebellion, but we have all chosen to do life in our own way. Our rebellion could be a calendar out of control and being too busy, making work your number one priority, or trusting in a relationship and not in the Lord. He may yell for us to freeze. Send us warning signs, but sometimes He must make us fall. It could be health problems that force us to slow down, job loss, or the end of a relationship. It may hurt at the time. Your heart may be broken, you may be confused, or you may feel abandoned. However, if you really take a close look, you may just see the Lord directing your steps to much better, and safer, places.
The most amazing thing about our Heavenly Father is that when we fall, we can run back to Him. Just like the father of the prodigal son, He is watching and as soon as I turn towards home, He runs to me and and embraces me. He is ready to run to you too. In what ways are you being rebellious and doing life your own way? Stop justifying your actions, and run home. He is waiting with arms open wide!
For further reading: Psalm 103:12, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 3:1, Proverbs 15:16, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 3:1-26
Friday, January 21, 2011
Little gods...
Judges 18:14-26 (Click on reference to read text)
Many of us have never read this story before. I am not sure I have, but it really struck me. The Danites raid Micah's house and take his idols and the priest he hired to serve his family. They moved on toward their destination when the household of Micah overcame them. When Micah realized that he is not numerous enough to fight the Danites and win, he turned back. However, the striking part of this passage is Micah's desperate explanation, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’”(verse 24).
His desperation seems absurd. All of Micah's faith was placed in his priest and little gods. These same gods that could not even protect themselves. My first response was to pass him off as pathetic and ridiculous. However, as the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart, I found myself repentant and embarrassingly empathetic to him.
I am ashamed to admit that countless times a day I place my faith in things that are not the One true God. I feel security from locks on my doors to keep out evil, my husband's paychecks to provide what we need, plans I have made and my calendar assuring me of days to come, and doctors that can diagnose and prescribe medicine to heal my family. However, these things are made by man/limited by man, just like Micah's idols. All of these things can come in and be swept away: burglars can break into locked houses, my husband can lose his job, plans can change in the blink of an eye, and doctors cannot treat many diseases. I too during stressful times can ask, "what else do I have??"
The answer is Jesus Christ. He is my strength and security. (Exodus 15:2, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 62:2) He is sovereign and nothing happens outside of His command (Psalm 93:1-2, 2 Thes 3:3). He knows all of our days before one of them came to be and He gives me direction (Ps 139:16, Prov 16:9, Prov 3:5-6) He is my provider and promises to provide all we need when we need it (Phil 4:19, Hebrew 13:5, James 1:17, Matt 6:25-34) . He is the great Healer. He who created our bodies has the power to heal them.
What idols have you created in your life that you put your trust in? A relationship that brings you satisfaction and security (Jeremiah 17:5)? A financial future you have built for yourself(Job 31:24-28)? Your plans of how you think your life should go? What if they were taken away, would you have anything left? The answer, if you belong to Christ, is Him! He wants to be your security, your trust, your love, your future. Let's stop depending on things that can be taken away, and start trusting the Rock that stands forever (Is 26:4)!
Many of us have never read this story before. I am not sure I have, but it really struck me. The Danites raid Micah's house and take his idols and the priest he hired to serve his family. They moved on toward their destination when the household of Micah overcame them. When Micah realized that he is not numerous enough to fight the Danites and win, he turned back. However, the striking part of this passage is Micah's desperate explanation, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’”(verse 24).
His desperation seems absurd. All of Micah's faith was placed in his priest and little gods. These same gods that could not even protect themselves. My first response was to pass him off as pathetic and ridiculous. However, as the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart, I found myself repentant and embarrassingly empathetic to him.
I am ashamed to admit that countless times a day I place my faith in things that are not the One true God. I feel security from locks on my doors to keep out evil, my husband's paychecks to provide what we need, plans I have made and my calendar assuring me of days to come, and doctors that can diagnose and prescribe medicine to heal my family. However, these things are made by man/limited by man, just like Micah's idols. All of these things can come in and be swept away: burglars can break into locked houses, my husband can lose his job, plans can change in the blink of an eye, and doctors cannot treat many diseases. I too during stressful times can ask, "what else do I have??"
The answer is Jesus Christ. He is my strength and security. (Exodus 15:2, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 62:2) He is sovereign and nothing happens outside of His command (Psalm 93:1-2, 2 Thes 3:3). He knows all of our days before one of them came to be and He gives me direction (Ps 139:16, Prov 16:9, Prov 3:5-6) He is my provider and promises to provide all we need when we need it (Phil 4:19, Hebrew 13:5, James 1:17, Matt 6:25-34) . He is the great Healer. He who created our bodies has the power to heal them.
What idols have you created in your life that you put your trust in? A relationship that brings you satisfaction and security (Jeremiah 17:5)? A financial future you have built for yourself(Job 31:24-28)? Your plans of how you think your life should go? What if they were taken away, would you have anything left? The answer, if you belong to Christ, is Him! He wants to be your security, your trust, your love, your future. Let's stop depending on things that can be taken away, and start trusting the Rock that stands forever (Is 26:4)!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
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 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.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
An Alarm Clock from Christ..
Isaiah 55:8-13 (Click on reference to read text)
I am not a morning person. I praise the Lord that my husband and daughter are not either, but then my son entered into our family. From day one he has always woke up at 5 am. It was like clockwork and it was killing me! After a year of his schedule I was praying to the Lord for his mercy to rain down on my household. I needed a good nights rest. I needed to have my sleep to be the best mother possible! (You can tell you are desperate when you start giving God all the "holy" reasons you need him to answer your prayers!) Then in that still small voice, I heard, "What if I want you to get up?"
We learn in this passage that God's ways and thoughts are so much higher than our ways and that He has a purpose in all things. Psalms 119:91 states that "all things serve you (God)." That includes our circumstances! Nothing ever takes the Lord by surprise, but instead He takes everything and uses it for His glory and out ultimate good (Ro 8:28). He has a purpose in everything.
When trials come our way, no matter how big and overwhelming or small and wearing, if we give God control and seek his higher plan, we will see results that we could have never imagined. He promises in his word that in every rain shower in our life He will pour out his blessing. "As the rain and snow come down from Heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seeds for the sower and bread for the eater, so will My word be which goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to Me empty without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it" (Is 55).
Well, long story short... once I started getting up to spend time with the Lord, surprise surprise, my son started sleeping in most days. Half the week I have to wake him up! God knew that He needed to be this drastic to get me out of bed... it only took me a year to listen! What circumstances in your life are wearing you down? What situations are you begging for the Lord to remove? Have you asked for his perspective? I know it seems scary. I would have told you that to ask me to set my alarm for 6 a.m. you might as well have asked me to climb Everest with the kids hanging on to my legs! However, now this early morning time is my favorite part of my day. I promise though, that once you accept God's perspective and plan, He will provide the means and way for you to accomplish it. Remember, it is for your good! Maybe you will be wise enough to not let it continue for a year before you obey!
"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. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." Isaiah 55: 12-13
I am not a morning person. I praise the Lord that my husband and daughter are not either, but then my son entered into our family. From day one he has always woke up at 5 am. It was like clockwork and it was killing me! After a year of his schedule I was praying to the Lord for his mercy to rain down on my household. I needed a good nights rest. I needed to have my sleep to be the best mother possible! (You can tell you are desperate when you start giving God all the "holy" reasons you need him to answer your prayers!) Then in that still small voice, I heard, "What if I want you to get up?"
We learn in this passage that God's ways and thoughts are so much higher than our ways and that He has a purpose in all things. Psalms 119:91 states that "all things serve you (God)." That includes our circumstances! Nothing ever takes the Lord by surprise, but instead He takes everything and uses it for His glory and out ultimate good (Ro 8:28). He has a purpose in everything.
When trials come our way, no matter how big and overwhelming or small and wearing, if we give God control and seek his higher plan, we will see results that we could have never imagined. He promises in his word that in every rain shower in our life He will pour out his blessing. "As the rain and snow come down from Heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seeds for the sower and bread for the eater, so will My word be which goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to Me empty without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it" (Is 55).
Well, long story short... once I started getting up to spend time with the Lord, surprise surprise, my son started sleeping in most days. Half the week I have to wake him up! God knew that He needed to be this drastic to get me out of bed... it only took me a year to listen! What circumstances in your life are wearing you down? What situations are you begging for the Lord to remove? Have you asked for his perspective? I know it seems scary. I would have told you that to ask me to set my alarm for 6 a.m. you might as well have asked me to climb Everest with the kids hanging on to my legs! However, now this early morning time is my favorite part of my day. I promise though, that once you accept God's perspective and plan, He will provide the means and way for you to accomplish it. Remember, it is for your good! Maybe you will be wise enough to not let it continue for a year before you obey!
"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. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." Isaiah 55: 12-13
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Hanging Out with the Sheep and Loving it!
1 Samuel 17:12-19, 32-37
David... a man used of God? In hindsight we would all answer a resounding yes! If we were discussing King David, we would still all answer yes, but what about David the shepherd boy?
While all his brother's were off fighting a war to defend God's chosen nation/people against the enemy, he found himself playing his harp to a bunch of sheep in the wilderness. I wonder how many times he questioned God, "Am I really the one that Prophet Samuel anointed to be King? If so, why am I here with the sheep?" Maybe David didn't ever question God, but I know I would have if I was in his shoes.
A heart that is passionately in love with Jesus longs to do impossible things in the name of Christ. We long to have great purpose, to magnify the name of Christ, and most often we long for that NOW! We desire to follow His will for our life and have a hard time accepting it when it looks like our greatest purpose is "watching the sheep." Maybe your sheep field is being a stay at home mom to children resisting potty training, testing authority, and asking 1.5 trillion questions every day. Maybe your sheep field is a lonely house putting the pieces back together after an unforeseen tragedy. Maybe your sheep field is an office filled with people who you feel could care less about integrity, or you for that matter. However, there is one common denominator... it is YOUR sheep field. As much as you might not want to admit it, you may just be exactly where God wants you to be.
Which leads us to ask... well what now? How could I possibly honor God and bring Him glory where I am at? Let's see what David did. David did his job to the utmost of his ability. When lions and bears threatened his flock, he fought back with a vengeance. He obviously was spending his long days in the field with the Lord, because he was intimately acquainted with His God. He gave the Lord all the glory for his courage and deliverance.
David didn't realize it, but God was using the sheep field and the trials that came along with it, in order to prepare him for that moment that he needed to be ready to glorify God and save God's people. If he was not obedient in the field, not seeking the Father's face while with the sheep, he probably would never have had the courage or ability to kill Goliath in such a God honoring and creative way.
God doesn't look at our circumstances in the same way we do. He sees more than the past five minutes. He knows the next 50 years. His timetable is perfect. We must choose to honor him where we are today.
Are you discouraged? Do you feel like the Lord anointed you for a task, and instead of fulfilling it you are out to pasture? Don't give up. As David himself wrote:
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, and the justice of your cause like the noon day sun... Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him... Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing... Those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land... The Lord knows the days of the blameless and their inheritance forever... The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." (Psalm 37)
David... a man used of God? In hindsight we would all answer a resounding yes! If we were discussing King David, we would still all answer yes, but what about David the shepherd boy?
While all his brother's were off fighting a war to defend God's chosen nation/people against the enemy, he found himself playing his harp to a bunch of sheep in the wilderness. I wonder how many times he questioned God, "Am I really the one that Prophet Samuel anointed to be King? If so, why am I here with the sheep?" Maybe David didn't ever question God, but I know I would have if I was in his shoes.
A heart that is passionately in love with Jesus longs to do impossible things in the name of Christ. We long to have great purpose, to magnify the name of Christ, and most often we long for that NOW! We desire to follow His will for our life and have a hard time accepting it when it looks like our greatest purpose is "watching the sheep." Maybe your sheep field is being a stay at home mom to children resisting potty training, testing authority, and asking 1.5 trillion questions every day. Maybe your sheep field is a lonely house putting the pieces back together after an unforeseen tragedy. Maybe your sheep field is an office filled with people who you feel could care less about integrity, or you for that matter. However, there is one common denominator... it is YOUR sheep field. As much as you might not want to admit it, you may just be exactly where God wants you to be.
Which leads us to ask... well what now? How could I possibly honor God and bring Him glory where I am at? Let's see what David did. David did his job to the utmost of his ability. When lions and bears threatened his flock, he fought back with a vengeance. He obviously was spending his long days in the field with the Lord, because he was intimately acquainted with His God. He gave the Lord all the glory for his courage and deliverance.
David didn't realize it, but God was using the sheep field and the trials that came along with it, in order to prepare him for that moment that he needed to be ready to glorify God and save God's people. If he was not obedient in the field, not seeking the Father's face while with the sheep, he probably would never have had the courage or ability to kill Goliath in such a God honoring and creative way.
God doesn't look at our circumstances in the same way we do. He sees more than the past five minutes. He knows the next 50 years. His timetable is perfect. We must choose to honor him where we are today.
Are you discouraged? Do you feel like the Lord anointed you for a task, and instead of fulfilling it you are out to pasture? Don't give up. As David himself wrote:
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, and the justice of your cause like the noon day sun... Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him... Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing... Those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land... The Lord knows the days of the blameless and their inheritance forever... The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." (Psalm 37)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
The Love of the Father...
1 Corinthians 13 (Please click on reference to read text, just for refreshment)
We learn in 1 John 4:8 that perfect love drives out all fear. I think we would all agree that 1 Corinthians describes perfect love. I have often read this passage longing to be able to pour out this perfect love to those around me, however, I often fall short. Only Christ and His love for us is truly and consistently perfect. The love of my Father was a lesson I learned intimately this week.
I found myself at my Dad's graveside kneeling before the Lord pouring out my heart on behalf of my family. We had received very troubling news and I was beseeching the Lord to show mercy and reveal the movements of His hand mightily to my family. I sat praising Him for His sovereignty, asking for His will, asking Him to change the hearts of His children to mold us into His will and image. When I was finished, a well of tears later, I sat and looked at my Dad's grave and I thought, you know, six months ago he would have been praying with me and claiming scriptures for our behalf. I lifted up a quick prayer that the Holy Spirit would intercede on my behalf, when my Heavenly Father reminded me of a very important truth.
Hebrews 4 teaches us that Jesus Christ, the very son of God, is our great high priest. He understands our trials, and because of this, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy in our time of need. What better intercessor can we ask for than the very son of God?
Our flesh often forgets about the spiritual realm and only focuses on what we can see. My eye sees a missing piece of someone who used to pray very powerfully over me that is no longer here. However, in reality, now I can, and always should have, turn to Jesus Christ to pray with great authority over me.
Maybe you have forgotten too. Maybe you feel like you are all alone and that there is no one left who loves you, who would pray for you, you can claim spiritual authority over you. You are not alone. THE great high priest is interceding on your behalf. The great high priest loves you perfectly. Your Father in Heaven loves you patiently, is kind to you, is not jealous of your successes (He gave them to you!), he is not rude or self seeking. He is not easily angered and He keeps no record of wrongs. His love always protects you, always trusts you, always hopes in you, and never gives up on you.
That is the love of your Heavenly Father. That is the love of my Heavenly Father. I praise the Lord that in my case, I have a precious husband who prays for me and with me. However, I am glad I am learning at an early age, to not place my dependence and security on those around me, but only on Christ. No matter where you find yourself as you read this, know this:
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
You have a Father who loves you perfectly. Stop fighting and fall into His loving arms!
We learn in 1 John 4:8 that perfect love drives out all fear. I think we would all agree that 1 Corinthians describes perfect love. I have often read this passage longing to be able to pour out this perfect love to those around me, however, I often fall short. Only Christ and His love for us is truly and consistently perfect. The love of my Father was a lesson I learned intimately this week.
I found myself at my Dad's graveside kneeling before the Lord pouring out my heart on behalf of my family. We had received very troubling news and I was beseeching the Lord to show mercy and reveal the movements of His hand mightily to my family. I sat praising Him for His sovereignty, asking for His will, asking Him to change the hearts of His children to mold us into His will and image. When I was finished, a well of tears later, I sat and looked at my Dad's grave and I thought, you know, six months ago he would have been praying with me and claiming scriptures for our behalf. I lifted up a quick prayer that the Holy Spirit would intercede on my behalf, when my Heavenly Father reminded me of a very important truth.
Hebrews 4 teaches us that Jesus Christ, the very son of God, is our great high priest. He understands our trials, and because of this, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy in our time of need. What better intercessor can we ask for than the very son of God?
Our flesh often forgets about the spiritual realm and only focuses on what we can see. My eye sees a missing piece of someone who used to pray very powerfully over me that is no longer here. However, in reality, now I can, and always should have, turn to Jesus Christ to pray with great authority over me.
Maybe you have forgotten too. Maybe you feel like you are all alone and that there is no one left who loves you, who would pray for you, you can claim spiritual authority over you. You are not alone. THE great high priest is interceding on your behalf. The great high priest loves you perfectly. Your Father in Heaven loves you patiently, is kind to you, is not jealous of your successes (He gave them to you!), he is not rude or self seeking. He is not easily angered and He keeps no record of wrongs. His love always protects you, always trusts you, always hopes in you, and never gives up on you.
That is the love of your Heavenly Father. That is the love of my Heavenly Father. I praise the Lord that in my case, I have a precious husband who prays for me and with me. However, I am glad I am learning at an early age, to not place my dependence and security on those around me, but only on Christ. No matter where you find yourself as you read this, know this:
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
You have a Father who loves you perfectly. Stop fighting and fall into His loving arms!
Monday, May 10, 2010
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).
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).
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.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Who is Lord of Your Imagination?
Isaiah 26:3-4 (Click on reference to read text)
July 4th, 2008, our little family of three at the time, went to a concert in a ball park in town. It started out as a beautiful day, when all of a sudden a horrible storm rolled in. We immediately ran into the concourse and huddled against the wall. The sky was turning green, lightening struck the ballpark putting us in complete darkness, it was pouring and the wind was tremendous. So here I was with my husband, my little baby (7 mos. old at the time), wondering if we were about to get sucked up into a tornado. However, the most beautiful thing happened... our baby girl fell asleep in my husband's arms. Yes, the storms were raging all around her, yet she slept. She knew her Daddy had her, so she was going to be okay, despite her circumstances.
In Isaiah 26, our Heavenly Father promises to keep us in perfect peace, if we keep our mind steadfast on Him (vs. 3). To remain steadfast is not to waiver, doubt or worry. The revised version uses the wording, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose IMAGINATION is stayed on Thee." We must keep our thoughts and even our day dreams stayed on the solid rock. It will do no good to wonder about the what ifs, to imagine ever possible scenario and outcome of our situation, to try to figure out every possible answer to anything that might arise... just keep your mind, your thoughts and imagination stayed on the Father above. The Lord commands us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5).
So what do we think about? How do we control the roller coaster of our imagination and our what ifs? Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Don't worry about the future. What is true in your life right now? Praise Him for it. (For example: are you worried about losing your job? Praise him for the truth that right now you have a job) It is our choice. We must choose to trust in the Lord FOREVER, for He is our Rock eternal (vs. 4).
If the "what ifs" happen, and sometimes they will, believe that He is good. PERIOD. God is good, period. He loves you, has your best interest at heart, and promises to use that situation for your ultimate good (Ro. 8:28). Say it with your mouth until you believe it in your heart.
I could cry thinking about my baby girl asleep in her Daddy's arms and then picturing myself in perfect peace in my Heavenly Father's arms. During these crazy times that we are living in now, it is so easy to freak out and feel so disturbed and full of unrest, for there really are some serious storms raging around us. Yet WE ARE IN OUR FATHER'S ARMS!!! So rest, your Daddy is in control!
July 4th, 2008, our little family of three at the time, went to a concert in a ball park in town. It started out as a beautiful day, when all of a sudden a horrible storm rolled in. We immediately ran into the concourse and huddled against the wall. The sky was turning green, lightening struck the ballpark putting us in complete darkness, it was pouring and the wind was tremendous. So here I was with my husband, my little baby (7 mos. old at the time), wondering if we were about to get sucked up into a tornado. However, the most beautiful thing happened... our baby girl fell asleep in my husband's arms. Yes, the storms were raging all around her, yet she slept. She knew her Daddy had her, so she was going to be okay, despite her circumstances.
In Isaiah 26, our Heavenly Father promises to keep us in perfect peace, if we keep our mind steadfast on Him (vs. 3). To remain steadfast is not to waiver, doubt or worry. The revised version uses the wording, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose IMAGINATION is stayed on Thee." We must keep our thoughts and even our day dreams stayed on the solid rock. It will do no good to wonder about the what ifs, to imagine ever possible scenario and outcome of our situation, to try to figure out every possible answer to anything that might arise... just keep your mind, your thoughts and imagination stayed on the Father above. The Lord commands us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5).
So what do we think about? How do we control the roller coaster of our imagination and our what ifs? Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Don't worry about the future. What is true in your life right now? Praise Him for it. (For example: are you worried about losing your job? Praise him for the truth that right now you have a job) It is our choice. We must choose to trust in the Lord FOREVER, for He is our Rock eternal (vs. 4).
If the "what ifs" happen, and sometimes they will, believe that He is good. PERIOD. God is good, period. He loves you, has your best interest at heart, and promises to use that situation for your ultimate good (Ro. 8:28). Say it with your mouth until you believe it in your heart.
I could cry thinking about my baby girl asleep in her Daddy's arms and then picturing myself in perfect peace in my Heavenly Father's arms. During these crazy times that we are living in now, it is so easy to freak out and feel so disturbed and full of unrest, for there really are some serious storms raging around us. Yet WE ARE IN OUR FATHER'S ARMS!!! So rest, your Daddy is in control!
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)
Friday, January 22, 2010
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
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
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