Isaiah 32:2 says "And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." (KJV). Sometimes God does not change our geographic location or our jobs which may cause us to be tired and frustrated. He does not want us to abandon our family members or find new friends, just yet.
Rather in this weary place with its worn out relationships He promises we will flourish.
The Lord says in Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (NIV).
We have the example of Hagar the maidservant of Sarah. She knew of God's supernatural provision in a dry and weary land. Hagar took her son and ran into the wilderness to get away from Sarah. There in that howling wasteland God helped Hagar. It says, "Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink." (Genesis 21:19, NIV).
At times God has to open our eyes to see when our vision has dropped to looking down at our feet. We can't seem to take another step as much as we will ourselves. It's in moments like these the Holy Spirit will whisper in our hearts this poignant Scripture. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2, NIV).
This past Thursday I clocked about ten hours at work to stay current with my job but found myself growing more frustrated and resentful. I requested Friday off but it required that I complete all work due Friday not just today. In the end, I had to ask for help which put a burden on my co-workers. In those hours all I could do was keep plugging away task after task until my mind grew so weary I had to stop. I found myself asking, "Is this all there is to this job? In this life...?"
I'm comforted that our lives moves in seasons - God is writing and editing the chapters our existence - and so it means this place or moment is not forever - those dry and weary places. Remember He is the resurrection and the life. What was considered dead He can breath life into it.
Beloved, this Easter recall the promise that will carry you through this and any dry place. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:11 NIV).
Even now ask for the Spirit of Life to quicken your body - yes, your very bones - and His power will not only refresh you but change that very dry place into a flourishing garden.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Calm My Troubled Heart
I was nervously perched on the edge of the examination table wearing a hospital gown. My eyes drifted around the room. A terrible mistake for someone like myself who can't stand needles. To my immediate left there was a photo of a Dr. performing an operation. Straight across the room was a small white enamel table with bottles to give injections. Which one has my name on it?
I steadied myself by closing my eyes and praying for peace. Something my prayer ministry leader pronounced over me last Sunday. He prayed God will give me supernatural peace. Still my mind raged an intellectual battle. Unless I was knocked out then I would not feel a thing - anything. Fortunately, there would be no needles or surgery...at least tonight. The Dr. informed me that while I don't have varicose veins in both legs; he found a vein leaking and this would require a minor procedure. He talked me through it to appease my anxious thoughts.
What is so wonderful about the peace of God is that it keeps you from falling to pieces! It does not mean a pain free existence but rather a deep assurance God is in control. And it means being at peace to know He cares. So much of my anxiety and over worked imagination of the worse case scenarios have been from a lack of peace in that He truly cares for me. Even as I age and my body begins to betray me - that evening at the Dr. office was no surprise to Him - so He made provision and gave grace for that hour - and the hours that remain in this life.
Beloved, we have this promise in John 14:27 that says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV). The original word for peace means to tie or join together. If there is anything God desires to do is bind our hearts to His own that brings a calmness in our times of storm. Indeed He's our anchor of hope to keep us steady!
Stay close to Him so your peace will increase and your fears decrease to nothing at all.
I steadied myself by closing my eyes and praying for peace. Something my prayer ministry leader pronounced over me last Sunday. He prayed God will give me supernatural peace. Still my mind raged an intellectual battle. Unless I was knocked out then I would not feel a thing - anything. Fortunately, there would be no needles or surgery...at least tonight. The Dr. informed me that while I don't have varicose veins in both legs; he found a vein leaking and this would require a minor procedure. He talked me through it to appease my anxious thoughts.
What is so wonderful about the peace of God is that it keeps you from falling to pieces! It does not mean a pain free existence but rather a deep assurance God is in control. And it means being at peace to know He cares. So much of my anxiety and over worked imagination of the worse case scenarios have been from a lack of peace in that He truly cares for me. Even as I age and my body begins to betray me - that evening at the Dr. office was no surprise to Him - so He made provision and gave grace for that hour - and the hours that remain in this life.
Beloved, we have this promise in John 14:27 that says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV). The original word for peace means to tie or join together. If there is anything God desires to do is bind our hearts to His own that brings a calmness in our times of storm. Indeed He's our anchor of hope to keep us steady!
Stay close to Him so your peace will increase and your fears decrease to nothing at all.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Walk With Me
It says of Enoch that he "walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." (ASV). Another bible translation describes Enoch who "walketh habitually with God, and he is not, for God hath taken him." (Young's Literal Translation).
The little we know of Enoch is found in Hebrews 11:5. It says, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (KJV). This is a man who was humble and God fearing. A man of deep faith and passion to love God all his days until one day God led Enoch to His eternal home.
The word translate in Hebrews 11:5 means to cease or change. When we walk hand in hand with God we will be changed - step by step - the life we formed or created will cease to exist - and the fellowship with God becomes our very existence.
God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden and even now He desires for us to take His hand and walk with Him.
For our eyes of faith to perceive His present existence requires the Holy Spirit to enlighten our hearts. Mary was blinded by sorrow and grief at her Lord's death and puzzled at the empty tomb. She could not see the Savior standing in front of her until He spoke her name. Walking with God means intimacy. As much as we learn more about Him; He knows us even greater. There is a freedom in having a transparent life. A holy life. A life filled with God!
Walking with God in our generation is difficult considering the noise and distractions that surround us. It means we have to stop and acknowledge God through out the day. Brother Lawrence a 17th century Carmelite monk described this work in his teachings in The Practice of the Presence of God. He writes, "That in order to form a habit of conversing with GOD continually, and referring all we do to Him; we must at first apply to Him with some diligence: but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty." (Wikipedia).
Yes, it takes diligence and endurance to press into Him daily regardless to our emotions or the demands of the days. When we pray we are being changed into His likeness. Seeking God becomes less of a labor and more of a gracious act of love with the dearest Friend.
Take time each morning to seek His face. Beloved, we have this promise in Psalms 17:5 that reads, "As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness." (NIV).
The little we know of Enoch is found in Hebrews 11:5. It says, "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (KJV). This is a man who was humble and God fearing. A man of deep faith and passion to love God all his days until one day God led Enoch to His eternal home.
The word translate in Hebrews 11:5 means to cease or change. When we walk hand in hand with God we will be changed - step by step - the life we formed or created will cease to exist - and the fellowship with God becomes our very existence.
God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden and even now He desires for us to take His hand and walk with Him.
For our eyes of faith to perceive His present existence requires the Holy Spirit to enlighten our hearts. Mary was blinded by sorrow and grief at her Lord's death and puzzled at the empty tomb. She could not see the Savior standing in front of her until He spoke her name. Walking with God means intimacy. As much as we learn more about Him; He knows us even greater. There is a freedom in having a transparent life. A holy life. A life filled with God!
Walking with God in our generation is difficult considering the noise and distractions that surround us. It means we have to stop and acknowledge God through out the day. Brother Lawrence a 17th century Carmelite monk described this work in his teachings in The Practice of the Presence of God. He writes, "That in order to form a habit of conversing with GOD continually, and referring all we do to Him; we must at first apply to Him with some diligence: but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty." (Wikipedia).
Yes, it takes diligence and endurance to press into Him daily regardless to our emotions or the demands of the days. When we pray we are being changed into His likeness. Seeking God becomes less of a labor and more of a gracious act of love with the dearest Friend.
Take time each morning to seek His face. Beloved, we have this promise in Psalms 17:5 that reads, "As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness." (NIV).
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Simple Blessings
I remember as a child singing an old hymn written by Johnson Oatman Jr.
I believe the truth of this song rings true today and for every moment. The hymn is Count Your Blessings (published 1897).
Here is the first refrain and chorus.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one
This morning I attended a men's breakfast at a very small church. A few men gathered around a table to eat and fellowship. The pastor who recently recovered from open heart surgery encouraged us to be godly and set the example in our homes. There was no moving music, no flashy PowerPoint presentation or some other form of entertainment. Men were themselves but without pretense or competitiveness. The message was simple but yet profound for the words spoken by the pastor was evident of God's truth lived in this godly man. We prayed and there was tears.
The Holy Spirit always moves in a place of simplicity where hearts are graced with humility.
Later that afternoon my wife and I walked over to a church that offers the community a free meal. I sat across from a man who seemed to have weathered life's more difficult times. He ate in silence and afterwards left his seat before anyone could take notice. Another man slipped into his chair. My eyes drifted around the room to see others that appear poor and needy. Souls enjoying a free meal and later would be given food and other items to take home. It was this simple but important need to eat that had complete strangers sitting around the table. Again, no feel good music, entertainment or message.
On the way home we recounted His blessings - when a recent storm knocked out power in one building but our lights still remained on - and the delicious food we ate - and the men's meeting - and on we went recalling His many blessings. Something wonderful and sweet happened in that moment. Complaining died. The urge of wanting more and never being satisfied with present provision disappeared.
Beloved start with Psalms 103. I believe when we recount His blessings we find great peace and perspective of the care and goodness of God. Thank Him for both the blessings and times of bleeding - when life's storms assault or when things go from bad to worse - He is still in control and knows what is best for us.
For today with the great food and fellowship Psalms 103:5 means much more to me. "Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's (KJV).
I believe the truth of this song rings true today and for every moment. The hymn is Count Your Blessings (published 1897).
Here is the first refrain and chorus.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one
This morning I attended a men's breakfast at a very small church. A few men gathered around a table to eat and fellowship. The pastor who recently recovered from open heart surgery encouraged us to be godly and set the example in our homes. There was no moving music, no flashy PowerPoint presentation or some other form of entertainment. Men were themselves but without pretense or competitiveness. The message was simple but yet profound for the words spoken by the pastor was evident of God's truth lived in this godly man. We prayed and there was tears.
The Holy Spirit always moves in a place of simplicity where hearts are graced with humility.
Later that afternoon my wife and I walked over to a church that offers the community a free meal. I sat across from a man who seemed to have weathered life's more difficult times. He ate in silence and afterwards left his seat before anyone could take notice. Another man slipped into his chair. My eyes drifted around the room to see others that appear poor and needy. Souls enjoying a free meal and later would be given food and other items to take home. It was this simple but important need to eat that had complete strangers sitting around the table. Again, no feel good music, entertainment or message.
On the way home we recounted His blessings - when a recent storm knocked out power in one building but our lights still remained on - and the delicious food we ate - and the men's meeting - and on we went recalling His many blessings. Something wonderful and sweet happened in that moment. Complaining died. The urge of wanting more and never being satisfied with present provision disappeared.
Beloved start with Psalms 103. I believe when we recount His blessings we find great peace and perspective of the care and goodness of God. Thank Him for both the blessings and times of bleeding - when life's storms assault or when things go from bad to worse - He is still in control and knows what is best for us.
For today with the great food and fellowship Psalms 103:5 means much more to me. "Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's (KJV).
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