We must rest fully in the sufficiency of Christ. To say He is more than enough is a step toward victory over temptations and other life struggles that otherwise would lead us astray.
Naturally, it's easy to resort to a human touch of comfort rather than perceive by faith that God can soothe our trouble hearts. Or we may be tempted to visit certain places that offer some relief rather than run to the prayer closet to cry out to Him for help. Beloved, there is nothing wrong with comfort of family or friends for God will use this to help and encourage us. But as long as we are depending on others to cheer us or fill our empty spaces we will never know the liberating truth that God is more than enough.
And that is why Proverbs 3:5 tells us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;" (NIV). Human comfort and strength can only do so much before it is exhausted or fails. And given our fallen nature we have to admit the comfort of the world or others will never be enough.
I believe it brings great pleasure to the heart of God that we seek Him first before making another call, texting or emailing someone for encouragement and comfort. We got to believe He is more than enough to satisfy our hungry and aching souls! This will be a challenge for some who say I have prayed and nothing happens or things just went from bad to worse.
Beloved, that is when we must press into Him as the woman who suffered from years of internal bleeding. She crawled on the dusty streets navigating around the hundreds of pairs of dirty feet of those that tightly pressed against Jesus. She weakly stretched out her hand so that her finger tips may touch His robe. Such was a desperate act of woman who was greatly marginalized and dismissed as being unclean and unwanted by those of religious standing. She didn't even tugged at his clothes but through faith pulled power out of Christ that He spun around and demanded who touched Him.
When we press past our emotions and thoughts that would argue that God couldn't possibly touch the most deepest places in our hearts we will find a door swinging wide to take us straight to the throne room of the great King. Like Esther we stretch forth our hands and touch the golden scepter of grace to take us in where we find He is more than enough - to give us more than what we can ever imagine.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Saturday, July 18, 2015
After The Storm Breaks
Last night my wife and I held hands and prayed. We asked God's blessing for our new apartment. And we cried from the pain of some unpleasant surprises that left us feeling very discouraged and low. The last 48 hours proved more challenging than we could ever imagine when moving some 20 minutes north to our new location.
As evening faded into morning a storm rolled over the dark, slow moving waters of the Hudson River. Sharp peals of thunder split the sleepy skies with a resounding clap.
God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of his power. (Job 37:5 NLT).
I got up and closed the bedroom windows after I noticed the windowsills were drenched. It was then I looked up at the gray skies and smiled. God's used the storm to bring relief from the summer's heat and the strong sunlight pouring through the windows. Since we moved into the apartment we had not been able to put up blinds so it was difficult to get much rest (or privacy for that matter). I realized our prayer that night seemingly turned something in my spirit. I felt just a bit lighter as if a weight had rolled off my shoulders.
But it was hours later when stepping into the shower that I felt that same oppressive weight from cares and anxiety start to overwhelm me. I got down on my knees and lifted up my hands and presented my body to Him - it was His temple after all. When I stood up I declared aloud His goodness. I proclaimed He was good and faithful. His sovereign hand was on our lives. His supernatural power was at work to conform me to His image. In minutes the storm brewing in my soul began to subside.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39 NIV).
Beloved no matter how unsettling and uncomfortable you may find yourselves when taken by unexpected twists and turns of life. Or when you face unexplained pain remember God is still good and faithful to His promises. Hold to this promise until the storm breaks.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven (Psalms 107:29-30 NIV).
Yes, there is haven for the storm tossed. A place of rest and protection. Let His goodness guide you to that safe harbor.
As evening faded into morning a storm rolled over the dark, slow moving waters of the Hudson River. Sharp peals of thunder split the sleepy skies with a resounding clap.
God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of his power. (Job 37:5 NLT).
I got up and closed the bedroom windows after I noticed the windowsills were drenched. It was then I looked up at the gray skies and smiled. God's used the storm to bring relief from the summer's heat and the strong sunlight pouring through the windows. Since we moved into the apartment we had not been able to put up blinds so it was difficult to get much rest (or privacy for that matter). I realized our prayer that night seemingly turned something in my spirit. I felt just a bit lighter as if a weight had rolled off my shoulders.
But it was hours later when stepping into the shower that I felt that same oppressive weight from cares and anxiety start to overwhelm me. I got down on my knees and lifted up my hands and presented my body to Him - it was His temple after all. When I stood up I declared aloud His goodness. I proclaimed He was good and faithful. His sovereign hand was on our lives. His supernatural power was at work to conform me to His image. In minutes the storm brewing in my soul began to subside.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39 NIV).
Beloved no matter how unsettling and uncomfortable you may find yourselves when taken by unexpected twists and turns of life. Or when you face unexplained pain remember God is still good and faithful to His promises. Hold to this promise until the storm breaks.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven (Psalms 107:29-30 NIV).
Yes, there is haven for the storm tossed. A place of rest and protection. Let His goodness guide you to that safe harbor.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Psalms 103: A Remedy To Stop Complaining
Many times the Lord will prompt me to read Psalms 103 whenever I have a bad attitude or fall headlong into a pit of complaining.
The first few verses become launching points to focus on Him and reflect on His goodness. Life is not always good but His goodness never fails.
103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. (KJV).
I believe the remedy to stop complaining is found in the first verse. We have to will ourselves (with God's strength) to bless His name rather than blame or accuse God of not coming through for us. Remember God is our on side and He is with us not against us which should cause us to be grateful than grumble and bemoan any lack or unfilled needs.
Verse 3 speaks to me now - when we are in poor health or taken ill it takes an extra measure of strength to thank God for health and wholeness when we feel anything but healthy. Worship is a sacrifice that gives way to faith to see what is unseen. In turns this gives way to hope that God will restore - and when we chose to thank Him - often the answer is on its way! We don't call sickness or disease good but God is always, always good to us. Many times people were healed simply by saying thank you.
Beloved, take some time and read Psalms 103 not only thank God for what He has done in your life but praise Him for what He will do in the lives of others you touch. A believer who cultivates worship in good and bad times will attract many who will desire to know what is the secret of not giving way to complaining and heavy heart.
The first few verses become launching points to focus on Him and reflect on His goodness. Life is not always good but His goodness never fails.
103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. (KJV).
I believe the remedy to stop complaining is found in the first verse. We have to will ourselves (with God's strength) to bless His name rather than blame or accuse God of not coming through for us. Remember God is our on side and He is with us not against us which should cause us to be grateful than grumble and bemoan any lack or unfilled needs.
Verse 3 speaks to me now - when we are in poor health or taken ill it takes an extra measure of strength to thank God for health and wholeness when we feel anything but healthy. Worship is a sacrifice that gives way to faith to see what is unseen. In turns this gives way to hope that God will restore - and when we chose to thank Him - often the answer is on its way! We don't call sickness or disease good but God is always, always good to us. Many times people were healed simply by saying thank you.
Beloved, take some time and read Psalms 103 not only thank God for what He has done in your life but praise Him for what He will do in the lives of others you touch. A believer who cultivates worship in good and bad times will attract many who will desire to know what is the secret of not giving way to complaining and heavy heart.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
The Right Side Of My Heart Died
Recently I was speaking to a claimant who told me about his heart condition. He said the right side of his heart had died because he didn't take of the problem earlier. Long after the conversation had ended his words haunted me.
The right side of my heart died.
I wonder if there were places in my heart that had died or was dying from neglect. Places where I re-assigned or failed to care and just simply let His purpose for this life slip away as the daily grind of work ate up all my strength and energy. I know such a divine purpose is for my good. It will make for healthy heart pulsating with His love and power. But at times it seems so difficult and painful to deal with the things He is pointing a finger at - the things that are lacking and growing worse like bad attitudes and ingratitude - like the claimant, I just ignore it or wish it away.
We are warned in Hebrews 3:8 from the example of the Israelites during their wilderness journey: "do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness" (NIV). Something got lodged in their hearts and minds that closed off God's flow of life. No wonder the original word for "harden" means to be dried up. And that is what happens when we ignore or wall God off from our lives - especially places where He wants us to surrender.
Anytime we spend less and less time in prayer and reading God's word or withdraw from attending church we are endanger of a heart growing cold and lifeless. Soon our heart will die to right side of things and become callous to His warnings. With a harden heart comes an increase to the attractiveness and pleasure of sin. Remember sin is deceptive and will hold out a false life with it's fleeting pleasures. It may make one feel alive but in the end results in death.
No matter how hard the heart God can change it. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26, NIV). Such a heart David possessed and sustained through out his lifetime even when he greatly sinned.
Perhaps the secret of keeping a soft and teachable heart is found in the words of Christ. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21, NIV).
So we must settled the issue that the world has nothing to offer us. The life we had once lived is over. Our heart does not belong to the things of this world. We are not going to be like Achan who hid a wedge of gold and a Babylonian garment in his tent to his and his family's destruction. The right side of his heart and right thinking was dead and corrupted from earthly spoils. He failed to keep his eyes on the prize of a Promised Land with the entire nation going together on God's terms - not individually with a greedy and rebellious infested heart.
Beloved, like the psalmist who declared, "A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked." (Psalms 84:1). When a heart can truly say without any hesitation I rather be in the house of God with His people is a heart that truly is full alive - every chamber filled with an ever increasing desire to love and care - such is a healthy heart.
Keep your heart open to Him by telling Him everything you feel and experience. Give no room for darkness to creep in with thoughts that God does not see or care. Don't shut him down or out. His ears are open to the honest humble cry. He will woo and win your heart completely to Him. God is gentle and kind to the broken. He will bring your heart back to life again!
The right side of my heart died.
I wonder if there were places in my heart that had died or was dying from neglect. Places where I re-assigned or failed to care and just simply let His purpose for this life slip away as the daily grind of work ate up all my strength and energy. I know such a divine purpose is for my good. It will make for healthy heart pulsating with His love and power. But at times it seems so difficult and painful to deal with the things He is pointing a finger at - the things that are lacking and growing worse like bad attitudes and ingratitude - like the claimant, I just ignore it or wish it away.
We are warned in Hebrews 3:8 from the example of the Israelites during their wilderness journey: "do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness" (NIV). Something got lodged in their hearts and minds that closed off God's flow of life. No wonder the original word for "harden" means to be dried up. And that is what happens when we ignore or wall God off from our lives - especially places where He wants us to surrender.
Anytime we spend less and less time in prayer and reading God's word or withdraw from attending church we are endanger of a heart growing cold and lifeless. Soon our heart will die to right side of things and become callous to His warnings. With a harden heart comes an increase to the attractiveness and pleasure of sin. Remember sin is deceptive and will hold out a false life with it's fleeting pleasures. It may make one feel alive but in the end results in death.
No matter how hard the heart God can change it. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26, NIV). Such a heart David possessed and sustained through out his lifetime even when he greatly sinned.
Perhaps the secret of keeping a soft and teachable heart is found in the words of Christ. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21, NIV).
So we must settled the issue that the world has nothing to offer us. The life we had once lived is over. Our heart does not belong to the things of this world. We are not going to be like Achan who hid a wedge of gold and a Babylonian garment in his tent to his and his family's destruction. The right side of his heart and right thinking was dead and corrupted from earthly spoils. He failed to keep his eyes on the prize of a Promised Land with the entire nation going together on God's terms - not individually with a greedy and rebellious infested heart.
Beloved, like the psalmist who declared, "A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked." (Psalms 84:1). When a heart can truly say without any hesitation I rather be in the house of God with His people is a heart that truly is full alive - every chamber filled with an ever increasing desire to love and care - such is a healthy heart.
Keep your heart open to Him by telling Him everything you feel and experience. Give no room for darkness to creep in with thoughts that God does not see or care. Don't shut him down or out. His ears are open to the honest humble cry. He will woo and win your heart completely to Him. God is gentle and kind to the broken. He will bring your heart back to life again!