After Jesus ascended to heaven, two angels stood by the disciples to tell them that He'll return in the same manner (Acts 1:11).
We have this promise right now and for every year we remain on this earth.
Christ is returning.
It will be sudden and immediate.
The trump will blast and the dead will rise and we'll meet Him in the clouds.
Forever
His return should comfort and encourage our hearts. However, for any number of reasons, believers feel apprehensive about the Lord's unexpected return. Or is it because some will be shocked to find themselves in places they shouldn't be when His voice breaks the sky?
Beloved friends, for 2018 let's resolve to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not on earthly things.
Unlike the saying we must be heavenly minded to be of any earthly good. When we know whose we are and what we are in Christ and where we are going - then we have firm purpose and clear direction. With such holy resolve, earthly problems and cares don't bind us but rather advance us to greater glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (NIV).
At the stroke of midnight when 2017 has all but faded let's cry:
"Come quickly Lord!"
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Before You Rush Out The Door
My wife and I live a few minutes from a mall. We took a stroll through the store and along Main Street. Traffic was backed up. Horns pierced the late Saturday afternoon in an effort to push drivers ahead as cars blocked major intersections. The sidewalks were clogged with pedestrians holding packages of all sizes. They rushed out of the stores for the parking garage to escape the misty rain.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
It wasn't silent and there was a lot of last minute panic stricken customers.
Which brings me to this thought.
Before you rush out to the door for church this Sunday to remember His birth or for a Christmas dinner - still your mind and heart - and give Him thanks.
Thank the Lord who gave you breath and a beating heart. Who preserved your life through the good and bad times in 2017 and years past. He's remained faithful and kind and merciful even when we strayed or resisted Him. And He will be with us in the years that remain.
Recently I've been reading the Psalms in the evening to remind me to worship Him. It says, "Praise the LORD! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!" (Psalms 147:1 NLT). Now, that's the best gift to present to Him - for every season and every day. Rather than grumble, complain and tell God what you don't like or want - tell Him how wonderful and beautiful He is to us.
So before your hand turns the door knob to enter the frenzy and busy activities of this season. Close your eyes for a moment. Whisper a thank you to Him. You'll sense a peace that silences the tumult in the mind as a holy calmness is restored.
If you see the moon
Rising gently on your fields
If the wind blows softly on your face
If the sunset lingers
While the cathedral bells peal
And the moon has risen to her place
You can thank the Father
For the things he has done
Thank Him for the things He's yet to do
And if you find a love that's tender
If you find someone who's true
Thank the Lord
He's been doubly good to you
(Amy Grant)
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
It wasn't silent and there was a lot of last minute panic stricken customers.
Which brings me to this thought.
Before you rush out to the door for church this Sunday to remember His birth or for a Christmas dinner - still your mind and heart - and give Him thanks.
Thank the Lord who gave you breath and a beating heart. Who preserved your life through the good and bad times in 2017 and years past. He's remained faithful and kind and merciful even when we strayed or resisted Him. And He will be with us in the years that remain.
Recently I've been reading the Psalms in the evening to remind me to worship Him. It says, "Praise the LORD! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!" (Psalms 147:1 NLT). Now, that's the best gift to present to Him - for every season and every day. Rather than grumble, complain and tell God what you don't like or want - tell Him how wonderful and beautiful He is to us.
So before your hand turns the door knob to enter the frenzy and busy activities of this season. Close your eyes for a moment. Whisper a thank you to Him. You'll sense a peace that silences the tumult in the mind as a holy calmness is restored.
If you see the moon
Rising gently on your fields
If the wind blows softly on your face
If the sunset lingers
While the cathedral bells peal
And the moon has risen to her place
You can thank the Father
For the things he has done
Thank Him for the things He's yet to do
And if you find a love that's tender
If you find someone who's true
Thank the Lord
He's been doubly good to you
(Amy Grant)
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Medicine For Despairing Moments
This week proved to be a very difficult time.
At work, we were trained for a new product to take effect on January 1st. We had no choice as this product was enacted by the state and required if we manage state disability claims. I spent hours in a classroom with a sense of dread of how I could manage my current crushing work load.
For the past few weeks our car along with other residents were required to park near a construction zone while they worked on the driveway leading to the garage. I felt displaced. Then a new resident moved next door only to hear a dog barking in the apartment. Not only did I feel despair from work and displaced but anger that a dog was allowed in an apartment against the terms of the lease.
The Holy Spirit helped me each night to spend time with Him in addition to my morning devotions. He broke through my feverish and anxious thoughts with peace. He settled the rising anger toward my neighbor. And He reminded me that I have a place in His heart.
Just before writing this blog, He lead me to this precious promise.
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).
Beloved, hold to this promise in moments of despair and anxiety. Recall His past and current acts of faithfulness. He is with us. He will hold our hand just like Peter who was sinking into the stormy seas. And He gives us strength to cry out to Him. He listens.
A Scripture like this is the best medicine for despairing times because these moments don't last. What remains is a firmer faith anchored to Christ our hope of glory that He will lead us in and through these trying experiences. Faith tried in these fires is greater than gold (I Peter 1:7).
And that is the side effect of the medicine - you see and believe differently - and become immuned to the effects of despair.
At work, we were trained for a new product to take effect on January 1st. We had no choice as this product was enacted by the state and required if we manage state disability claims. I spent hours in a classroom with a sense of dread of how I could manage my current crushing work load.
For the past few weeks our car along with other residents were required to park near a construction zone while they worked on the driveway leading to the garage. I felt displaced. Then a new resident moved next door only to hear a dog barking in the apartment. Not only did I feel despair from work and displaced but anger that a dog was allowed in an apartment against the terms of the lease.
The Holy Spirit helped me each night to spend time with Him in addition to my morning devotions. He broke through my feverish and anxious thoughts with peace. He settled the rising anger toward my neighbor. And He reminded me that I have a place in His heart.
Just before writing this blog, He lead me to this precious promise.
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).
Beloved, hold to this promise in moments of despair and anxiety. Recall His past and current acts of faithfulness. He is with us. He will hold our hand just like Peter who was sinking into the stormy seas. And He gives us strength to cry out to Him. He listens.
A Scripture like this is the best medicine for despairing times because these moments don't last. What remains is a firmer faith anchored to Christ our hope of glory that He will lead us in and through these trying experiences. Faith tried in these fires is greater than gold (I Peter 1:7).
And that is the side effect of the medicine - you see and believe differently - and become immuned to the effects of despair.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Living In The Light
We live in dark, troubling times.
Violence, a type of gross darkness, has even invaded the church. A sanctuary of safety and protection became a blood bath when a killer gunned down 25 people including an unborn child in a Texas church. Our political climate has reached a feverish pitch with nuclear threats and the middle east fighting for control over Jerusalem. Other countries have been struck by terrorism like Paris and London.
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. (Isaiah 60:18-19 NLT).
This is not just a promise to Israel but I believe it applies to us today.
We are to be a light set on a hill for others to see. When a room is filled with light it swallows any lingering shadows. The light of Christ in our lives, when we walk in His light, will invade not just our own darkness but the inky blackness that surrounds us.
For some it's not easy being light in the office. The looks and hushed remarks make you feel intimated. A walk through a mall or store and you can see a young generation hands glued to their mobile devices. How many are actually holding a bible in hand and reading it? When you mention Jesus, you can instantly see the response as the person drifts away.
As believers we haven't been the best witness of His light. Some of us have shadows and overcast in our lives from secret sins that seem to dull the reflection of Christ. But God is not calling perfect people. Just prepared hearts to be light right where we live no matter our spiritual state. We are after all being changed from glory to glory in His image!
Hold to this promise and I believe we will stumble less and be a true reflection of His grace:
You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. (Psalms 18:28 NIV).
Violence, a type of gross darkness, has even invaded the church. A sanctuary of safety and protection became a blood bath when a killer gunned down 25 people including an unborn child in a Texas church. Our political climate has reached a feverish pitch with nuclear threats and the middle east fighting for control over Jerusalem. Other countries have been struck by terrorism like Paris and London.
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. (Isaiah 60:18-19 NLT).
This is not just a promise to Israel but I believe it applies to us today.
We are to be a light set on a hill for others to see. When a room is filled with light it swallows any lingering shadows. The light of Christ in our lives, when we walk in His light, will invade not just our own darkness but the inky blackness that surrounds us.
For some it's not easy being light in the office. The looks and hushed remarks make you feel intimated. A walk through a mall or store and you can see a young generation hands glued to their mobile devices. How many are actually holding a bible in hand and reading it? When you mention Jesus, you can instantly see the response as the person drifts away.
As believers we haven't been the best witness of His light. Some of us have shadows and overcast in our lives from secret sins that seem to dull the reflection of Christ. But God is not calling perfect people. Just prepared hearts to be light right where we live no matter our spiritual state. We are after all being changed from glory to glory in His image!
Hold to this promise and I believe we will stumble less and be a true reflection of His grace:
You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. (Psalms 18:28 NIV).
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Moments Of Refreshing
Psalms 63 may have captured the time King David was fleeing from his son, Absalom.
Absalom tried to overthrow his father to become king of Israel. This treacherous act was a fulfillment of the prophet's words when David was confronted aftering committing adultery and killing the woman's husband (2 Samuel 12:10).
Now, at the height of successful victories and reigning over Israel, David finds himself in the wilderness. The same waterless place when he fled from King Saul. But this time the enemy was different. It was his own son.
Do you find yourself in a spiritual wilderness? Does it seem your prospects and promises have dried up? Do you find yourself running from a ghost from the past? You may feel exhausted from running in vast, open spaces with no shelter. There's no rest and no water to refresh your parched lips. Prayers die on your lips. Nothing lives in this barren place and you feel your life slowly ebb away.
David refuses to spiral down to self pity or self loathing over past mistakes and failures. Rather, David recalls God's faithfulness and determines to bless God despite his arid condition. He proclaims, "Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!" (2 Samuel 12:10).
Friends, wilderness experiences are temporal similiar to the natural seasons. And if anything, such a dry season should cause us to dig deeper in loving God with a renewed passion. You see the outward state does not shape the internal spiritual condition.
When we hide the word of God in our hearts that changes us it will in turn exert power over our surroundings. 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. (Isaiah 43:19).
You may be in a dry place but you are not dried up and withered. Trees lose their leaves in the autumn but it's not because the tree is dead. Life still flows through their roots to the very highest branch.
This is a canteen promise holding living water to refresh your weary souls.
Take a long satisfying sip.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:8 NLT
Absalom tried to overthrow his father to become king of Israel. This treacherous act was a fulfillment of the prophet's words when David was confronted aftering committing adultery and killing the woman's husband (2 Samuel 12:10).
Now, at the height of successful victories and reigning over Israel, David finds himself in the wilderness. The same waterless place when he fled from King Saul. But this time the enemy was different. It was his own son.
Do you find yourself in a spiritual wilderness? Does it seem your prospects and promises have dried up? Do you find yourself running from a ghost from the past? You may feel exhausted from running in vast, open spaces with no shelter. There's no rest and no water to refresh your parched lips. Prayers die on your lips. Nothing lives in this barren place and you feel your life slowly ebb away.
David refuses to spiral down to self pity or self loathing over past mistakes and failures. Rather, David recalls God's faithfulness and determines to bless God despite his arid condition. He proclaims, "Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!" (2 Samuel 12:10).
Friends, wilderness experiences are temporal similiar to the natural seasons. And if anything, such a dry season should cause us to dig deeper in loving God with a renewed passion. You see the outward state does not shape the internal spiritual condition.
When we hide the word of God in our hearts that changes us it will in turn exert power over our surroundings. 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. (Isaiah 43:19).
You may be in a dry place but you are not dried up and withered. Trees lose their leaves in the autumn but it's not because the tree is dead. Life still flows through their roots to the very highest branch.
This is a canteen promise holding living water to refresh your weary souls.
Take a long satisfying sip.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:8 NLT
Saturday, November 25, 2017
A Place Called Bochim
The angel of the Lord appeared to the Israelites after they failed to keep His covenant.
They were not destroying the enemy as commanded but rather subjecting the hostile nations to pay tribute or create a powerful workforce. Some of God's people were intermarrying with these same nations that God clearly prohibited. Judges 2:5 says, "So they called the place Bokim (which means "weeping"), and they offered sacrifices there to the LORD." (NLT).
Bokim or Bochim is believed to be near or at Bethel. Bethel was considered a spiritual place. Centuries earlier, Jacob rested and dreamed of angels ascending and descending on a ladder. Later, King Jeroboam set up two golden calves declaring these are the gods that delivered God's people (I Kings 12:28). This echoed what the high priest Aaron told Israel while still in the wilderness (Exodus 32:4).
Bochim is not a place of repentance but tears of self-pity and regret. Throughout the book of Judges, God's people cycled in and out of defeat and victory. They repeated a pattern of sin and confession. One of the saddest Scriptures capture this ugly history: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit." (Judges 21:25 NIV). But they did have a King but rejected Him.
In our Christian walk, how many times will we find ourselves in Bochim?
A place we weep and promise to do better, but have no intent in leaving our familiar and sinful places. Some of us relive memories that God has forgiven and forgotten. But in our weakest moments when the enemies of fear, anxiety or worry presses in - we retreat to a secret viewing of an old life we can only imagine revisiting. Over time, our lives become corrupt with compromises, self-justifiable excuses and distorted reasonings to why we don't ask God to empower us to defeat the thing we find the most attractive (and destructive).
There is a godly sorrow that works a spirit and heart of repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). It does not lead to sorrow or death but freedom. God promises that sow in sorrow will reap in songs of joy (Psalms 126.5).
So, if you find yourself in Bochim ask God for a true heart of repentance - don't makes promises and vows to do better or wallow in self-pity but return to Him - even if it’s a defeated place.
God faithfully and lovingly delivered His people throughout the book of Judges so how much more His sons and daughters!
They were not destroying the enemy as commanded but rather subjecting the hostile nations to pay tribute or create a powerful workforce. Some of God's people were intermarrying with these same nations that God clearly prohibited. Judges 2:5 says, "So they called the place Bokim (which means "weeping"), and they offered sacrifices there to the LORD." (NLT).
Bokim or Bochim is believed to be near or at Bethel. Bethel was considered a spiritual place. Centuries earlier, Jacob rested and dreamed of angels ascending and descending on a ladder. Later, King Jeroboam set up two golden calves declaring these are the gods that delivered God's people (I Kings 12:28). This echoed what the high priest Aaron told Israel while still in the wilderness (Exodus 32:4).
Bochim is not a place of repentance but tears of self-pity and regret. Throughout the book of Judges, God's people cycled in and out of defeat and victory. They repeated a pattern of sin and confession. One of the saddest Scriptures capture this ugly history: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit." (Judges 21:25 NIV). But they did have a King but rejected Him.
In our Christian walk, how many times will we find ourselves in Bochim?
A place we weep and promise to do better, but have no intent in leaving our familiar and sinful places. Some of us relive memories that God has forgiven and forgotten. But in our weakest moments when the enemies of fear, anxiety or worry presses in - we retreat to a secret viewing of an old life we can only imagine revisiting. Over time, our lives become corrupt with compromises, self-justifiable excuses and distorted reasonings to why we don't ask God to empower us to defeat the thing we find the most attractive (and destructive).
There is a godly sorrow that works a spirit and heart of repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). It does not lead to sorrow or death but freedom. God promises that sow in sorrow will reap in songs of joy (Psalms 126.5).
So, if you find yourself in Bochim ask God for a true heart of repentance - don't makes promises and vows to do better or wallow in self-pity but return to Him - even if it’s a defeated place.
God faithfully and lovingly delivered His people throughout the book of Judges so how much more His sons and daughters!
Saturday, November 18, 2017
I Will Mediate
Psalms 145:5 holds a key to victory for troubled minds. It says, "They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty-- and I will meditate on your wonderful works." (NIV)
It's been noted that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7%of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year (https://adaa.org).
So learning to reflect on God's past and present works helps build faith and restores hope for an anxious mind.
As you know, what we think about matters because it can easily form attitudes and opinions both constructive and destructive. When our minds are troubled by anxious thoughts we have to ask for His grace to re-direct our thoughts to mediate on His providence and care for us.
Lamentations 3:21-22 says, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;" (ESV).
No matter the heated battled in the mind or how restless your thoughts may be God has remedy to sooth the mind and restore peace - His mercy. When we think about His mercy which is new every day we find hope to think and live differently. And our future is brighter and more welcoming.
Let's determine with His strength to say, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." (Psalms 77:11 NIV). The same God who plagued Egypt and led His people out of bondage in the Promised Land still exists. He who parted the Red Sea can certainly part our troubled waters.
Faith begins with a singular thought that God can do the impossible regardless to what we think or feel about the circumstance. I'm not speaking about mind over matter or just randomly speaking things into the air. It's a decision and determination that a God who knows my thought from a far knows what is best for me.
Think about His goodness.
And soon you will find your mind clear and at rest.
It's been noted that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7%of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year (https://adaa.org).
So learning to reflect on God's past and present works helps build faith and restores hope for an anxious mind.
As you know, what we think about matters because it can easily form attitudes and opinions both constructive and destructive. When our minds are troubled by anxious thoughts we have to ask for His grace to re-direct our thoughts to mediate on His providence and care for us.
Lamentations 3:21-22 says, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;" (ESV).
No matter the heated battled in the mind or how restless your thoughts may be God has remedy to sooth the mind and restore peace - His mercy. When we think about His mercy which is new every day we find hope to think and live differently. And our future is brighter and more welcoming.
Let's determine with His strength to say, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." (Psalms 77:11 NIV). The same God who plagued Egypt and led His people out of bondage in the Promised Land still exists. He who parted the Red Sea can certainly part our troubled waters.
Faith begins with a singular thought that God can do the impossible regardless to what we think or feel about the circumstance. I'm not speaking about mind over matter or just randomly speaking things into the air. It's a decision and determination that a God who knows my thought from a far knows what is best for me.
Think about His goodness.
And soon you will find your mind clear and at rest.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Don't Go Back That Way Again
Abraham asked his servant to return to his homeland to seek a wife for his son, Isaac.
But he warned, "Make sure that you do not take my son back there (Genesis 24:6 NIV).
Years ago, I had the strongest impression that I was not to return to Rhode Island, more specifically Providence. Newport was my birthplace and enjoyed all that east coast offered. I move to Florida to attend a bible school for two years then traveled to Europe and Africa on a hospital ship. A year later I returned to Florida. Once more, I was given direction to move out West to Portland, Oregon. We spent fourteen years in Portland before moving to New York.
Each step in this journey I've learned there are seasons and chapters that can't be relived no matter how good the experience. Other places like Rhode Island during my youth was proving destructive so the Lord call me to leave. Some twenty years later my wife and I visited Providence which had greatly changed and I realized that I too had changed. This was not my home.
The Lord warned Israel while still in the wilderness, "The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." [italics mine] (Deuteronomy 17:16 NIV).
Sadly, some have gone back to Egypt to all the familiar and worldly places. Others emotionally pine to return, especially when things get very trying. We imagine a life without spiritual responsibilities and obligations while forgetting we were dead in our sins. We believe things were better back there then the present moment. Again, forgetting that each moment builds upon another glorious moment if we have Christ as the center of our existence (2 Corinthians 3:18).
If we truly follow Him - to places we rather not leave and to places we rather not go - we find the richest life He's forming in us deepens and matures. Abraham left his homeland and never went back. As a result, he was written in the pages of biblical history for centuries to come as the friend of God. We see things differently and respond according to what He declares to be true. Yes, there will be hard times littered with unexplainable pain and twisting agony of loss but still we advance and move forward.
Like Paul we are learning to say, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. " (Philippians 3:12 NIV).
When we press on we will say plenty of goodbyes but not forever. No matter the places we will travel in this life as believers we will have a glorious reunion around the throne.
But he warned, "Make sure that you do not take my son back there (Genesis 24:6 NIV).
Years ago, I had the strongest impression that I was not to return to Rhode Island, more specifically Providence. Newport was my birthplace and enjoyed all that east coast offered. I move to Florida to attend a bible school for two years then traveled to Europe and Africa on a hospital ship. A year later I returned to Florida. Once more, I was given direction to move out West to Portland, Oregon. We spent fourteen years in Portland before moving to New York.
Each step in this journey I've learned there are seasons and chapters that can't be relived no matter how good the experience. Other places like Rhode Island during my youth was proving destructive so the Lord call me to leave. Some twenty years later my wife and I visited Providence which had greatly changed and I realized that I too had changed. This was not my home.
The Lord warned Israel while still in the wilderness, "The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." [italics mine] (Deuteronomy 17:16 NIV).
Sadly, some have gone back to Egypt to all the familiar and worldly places. Others emotionally pine to return, especially when things get very trying. We imagine a life without spiritual responsibilities and obligations while forgetting we were dead in our sins. We believe things were better back there then the present moment. Again, forgetting that each moment builds upon another glorious moment if we have Christ as the center of our existence (2 Corinthians 3:18).
If we truly follow Him - to places we rather not leave and to places we rather not go - we find the richest life He's forming in us deepens and matures. Abraham left his homeland and never went back. As a result, he was written in the pages of biblical history for centuries to come as the friend of God. We see things differently and respond according to what He declares to be true. Yes, there will be hard times littered with unexplainable pain and twisting agony of loss but still we advance and move forward.
Like Paul we are learning to say, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. " (Philippians 3:12 NIV).
When we press on we will say plenty of goodbyes but not forever. No matter the places we will travel in this life as believers we will have a glorious reunion around the throne.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
He Sees
2 Chronicles 16:9a says, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (NIV).
God sees, He knows and God acts on our behalf. Nothing is hidden from his gaze and nothing is beyond his reach when a heart cries for Him.
Jesus saw the man at the pool of Bethesda and after He learned he had been in that condition for long time asked, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6). And to the woman after years of hemorrhaging; he turned and looked at her. He reassured that her faith made her whole.
In His eyes we find love, acceptance and sometimes our own tears in His eyes. God is not without feeling of our pain nor is He far removed from us as the world or Devil would want us to believe.
God's name is Emmanuel - God with us - and when we draw close to Him you can be sure He’s already standing next to you.
But what does He see in us?
So many of us glance at the mirror with shame and eyes darkened by a history we really don't want anyone to know no less even see. So, we put on a brave face and a stiff religious smile. But God sees past all that to the heart of the matter.
The grace of God is more evident by Him not turning His eyes away from us. Rather His steady gaze attracts us to Him.
It's what Jesus saw in the woman anointing his feet with perfume and weeping. Though her sins were great, it was her love for God that was stronger because she found in Him forgiveness (Luke 7:47).
Ask the Lord to give you the strength to look Him in the eye - and whatever you do - don't turn away.
You will be pleasantly surprised to see what's in His eyes.
God sees, He knows and God acts on our behalf. Nothing is hidden from his gaze and nothing is beyond his reach when a heart cries for Him.
Jesus saw the man at the pool of Bethesda and after He learned he had been in that condition for long time asked, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6). And to the woman after years of hemorrhaging; he turned and looked at her. He reassured that her faith made her whole.
In His eyes we find love, acceptance and sometimes our own tears in His eyes. God is not without feeling of our pain nor is He far removed from us as the world or Devil would want us to believe.
God's name is Emmanuel - God with us - and when we draw close to Him you can be sure He’s already standing next to you.
But what does He see in us?
So many of us glance at the mirror with shame and eyes darkened by a history we really don't want anyone to know no less even see. So, we put on a brave face and a stiff religious smile. But God sees past all that to the heart of the matter.
The grace of God is more evident by Him not turning His eyes away from us. Rather His steady gaze attracts us to Him.
It's what Jesus saw in the woman anointing his feet with perfume and weeping. Though her sins were great, it was her love for God that was stronger because she found in Him forgiveness (Luke 7:47).
Ask the Lord to give you the strength to look Him in the eye - and whatever you do - don't turn away.
You will be pleasantly surprised to see what's in His eyes.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Times Of Refreshing
If you have visited or lived in New England you will experience sharply defined seasons.
Spring comes with the return of birds singing and blooming flowers. The temperature becomes increasingly warmer to welcome summer. Cool breezes on the shore and sipping ice tea make for glorious, bright summer memories. Then just as the temperatures reaches its apex, it falls as October marches toward autumn. The leaves burst into gold, red and rustic brown before the wind sweeps them away. Winter comes with its chilly breath, freezing everything in its path.
Scripture says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:" (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV). While there are natural seasons we too experience spiritual seasons.
Seasons when we feel close to God while other times He seems to have disappeared off the earth. We experience fresh and wonderful revelations from His Word only to have bouts of dryness and boredom when we seem to have heard it all before.
If there's any time or season we need more of is times of refreshment.
Peter preached on the day of Pentecost saying, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," (Acts 3:19 NIV). Likewise, God promises to quicken our mortal body (Romans 8:11) regardless to the season we find ourselves.
When we have season we feel far from God faith tells we are nearer to Him than we first believed.
Times of refreshment begin with repentance. A renewal of trusting God. We don't always get it right especially when we are in tough seasons that tempt us to fall back on our way of doing things which only make it worse.
And times of refreshment come when we reach out to another in need of comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4) with the same measure God has comforted us in our own seasons of grieving and mourning.
Times of refreshment start with the Lord pouring in and pouring out of our lives a river of life (John 7:38) or we can chose to isolate ourselves and soon we will become a dry river bed - parched and thirsty - with no lush green shade in our lives for others to rest and be refreshed.
Spring comes with the return of birds singing and blooming flowers. The temperature becomes increasingly warmer to welcome summer. Cool breezes on the shore and sipping ice tea make for glorious, bright summer memories. Then just as the temperatures reaches its apex, it falls as October marches toward autumn. The leaves burst into gold, red and rustic brown before the wind sweeps them away. Winter comes with its chilly breath, freezing everything in its path.
Scripture says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:" (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV). While there are natural seasons we too experience spiritual seasons.
Seasons when we feel close to God while other times He seems to have disappeared off the earth. We experience fresh and wonderful revelations from His Word only to have bouts of dryness and boredom when we seem to have heard it all before.
If there's any time or season we need more of is times of refreshment.
Peter preached on the day of Pentecost saying, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," (Acts 3:19 NIV). Likewise, God promises to quicken our mortal body (Romans 8:11) regardless to the season we find ourselves.
When we have season we feel far from God faith tells we are nearer to Him than we first believed.
Times of refreshment begin with repentance. A renewal of trusting God. We don't always get it right especially when we are in tough seasons that tempt us to fall back on our way of doing things which only make it worse.
And times of refreshment come when we reach out to another in need of comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4) with the same measure God has comforted us in our own seasons of grieving and mourning.
Times of refreshment start with the Lord pouring in and pouring out of our lives a river of life (John 7:38) or we can chose to isolate ourselves and soon we will become a dry river bed - parched and thirsty - with no lush green shade in our lives for others to rest and be refreshed.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Forget Not All His Benefits
Perhaps the road to repentance begins not so much with "I'm sorry," but remembering God's kindness. Romans 2:4 says, "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" (NIV).
Our sin contaminates our thinking about God. Our failures speak condemnation to us. We are racked with guilt and shame. But God remains the same before and after we had sin. He is still just, holy, kind and patient. He's our advocate and helper and this truth will never change.
Psalms 103:2-3 tells us, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases," (ESV). If God forgave us in the past we can be certain that He will do it again. The consequences may remain but He gives greater grace for us to walk upright and free from our bondage.
Israel's sin was that of unbelief. Even at the crossing of the Red Sea, they did not believe God was able to make a way out. It was only a short time ago when they were in Egypt and witnessed all the terrible signs and plagues that fell on Egypt. It was as if they suffered some form of memory lapse. All those plagues in Egypt was a witness that God was for His people and desired their freedom. This was to build their faith in a God who can do the impossible.
Still they were warned not to forget. "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:" (Deuteronomy 8:11).
So why do have spiritual amnesia? Loss of memory about all the good things God has done and will do? Why does the present seem so much more tangible while the past acts of goodness are like sand slipping through our fingers?
I could only think of thing - bitterness. We see the blessings of others which seem so much greater and better than our own. We mistakenly believe God has favorites that He bestows blessings. Those who entertain, perform on a platform or have some talent is seen as gifted while we feel like some defect.
Beloved, it starts with saying to God aloud: "This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High." (Psalms 77:10 KJV).
When we remember Him we are aware of our state and how great His mercy is toward us.
And once glance in His eyes and the prodigal is home.
Our sin contaminates our thinking about God. Our failures speak condemnation to us. We are racked with guilt and shame. But God remains the same before and after we had sin. He is still just, holy, kind and patient. He's our advocate and helper and this truth will never change.
Psalms 103:2-3 tells us, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases," (ESV). If God forgave us in the past we can be certain that He will do it again. The consequences may remain but He gives greater grace for us to walk upright and free from our bondage.
Israel's sin was that of unbelief. Even at the crossing of the Red Sea, they did not believe God was able to make a way out. It was only a short time ago when they were in Egypt and witnessed all the terrible signs and plagues that fell on Egypt. It was as if they suffered some form of memory lapse. All those plagues in Egypt was a witness that God was for His people and desired their freedom. This was to build their faith in a God who can do the impossible.
Still they were warned not to forget. "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:" (Deuteronomy 8:11).
So why do have spiritual amnesia? Loss of memory about all the good things God has done and will do? Why does the present seem so much more tangible while the past acts of goodness are like sand slipping through our fingers?
I could only think of thing - bitterness. We see the blessings of others which seem so much greater and better than our own. We mistakenly believe God has favorites that He bestows blessings. Those who entertain, perform on a platform or have some talent is seen as gifted while we feel like some defect.
Beloved, it starts with saying to God aloud: "This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High." (Psalms 77:10 KJV).
When we remember Him we are aware of our state and how great His mercy is toward us.
And once glance in His eyes and the prodigal is home.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
And When He Was Old
The bible says, "For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been." (1 Kings 11:4 NASB).
This was a man who had everything from wisdom, power, fame and wealth beyond imagination but became weak and indifferent to the things of God when he was old. It appears from the early days, he kept God in remembrance in his youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1) but then came the attractions and the entanglements of many relationships.
Most agree David wrote these lines and the truth should have been lived out in his son's golden years. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come (Psalms 71:18, NIV).
David's passionate heart for God never diminished and believed no matter his age God's purpose for him remained, even outlasting his days.
Those who are older must be careful that patterns and habits of living doesn't weaken us. Perhaps the temptations of youth are long over and you can barely stand to your feet. Still there's a temptation to believe the best years are over or that God is looking for the next youthful David to take down Goliath.
God used an old woman to prophesy over Christ (Luke 2:36-37) and Caleb was eighty years old when he conquered a mountain full of giants (Joshua 14:12).
Sadly, most church culture is influenced by worldly standards along the lines of gender and age. The young and the attractive show case a particular "me generation" ministry. The middle age family may be teachers or mentors. The older congregants seem regulated to a Wednesday night prayer meeting or helping with church potlucks.
Maybe one day an eighty-year Moses and his brother Aaron just might upset the balance. Older men and women who declare freedom where things have grown cold and dusty. Where constrictions of age and ability are overturned.
The passionate love of a man or woman of God will always transcends age and ability (or disability).
Let's announce in our 50s, 60s, and perhaps right up to our 100th year (if God so permits) - that His fire will not go out in my life but it will consume me and those around me until the next generation sees the power of God. Not a sniveling old man or woman in a rocker bemoaning that the best days are over!
There's a mountain of giants waiting for you - go and conquer!
This was a man who had everything from wisdom, power, fame and wealth beyond imagination but became weak and indifferent to the things of God when he was old. It appears from the early days, he kept God in remembrance in his youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1) but then came the attractions and the entanglements of many relationships.
Most agree David wrote these lines and the truth should have been lived out in his son's golden years. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come (Psalms 71:18, NIV).
David's passionate heart for God never diminished and believed no matter his age God's purpose for him remained, even outlasting his days.
Those who are older must be careful that patterns and habits of living doesn't weaken us. Perhaps the temptations of youth are long over and you can barely stand to your feet. Still there's a temptation to believe the best years are over or that God is looking for the next youthful David to take down Goliath.
God used an old woman to prophesy over Christ (Luke 2:36-37) and Caleb was eighty years old when he conquered a mountain full of giants (Joshua 14:12).
Sadly, most church culture is influenced by worldly standards along the lines of gender and age. The young and the attractive show case a particular "me generation" ministry. The middle age family may be teachers or mentors. The older congregants seem regulated to a Wednesday night prayer meeting or helping with church potlucks.
Maybe one day an eighty-year Moses and his brother Aaron just might upset the balance. Older men and women who declare freedom where things have grown cold and dusty. Where constrictions of age and ability are overturned.
The passionate love of a man or woman of God will always transcends age and ability (or disability).
Let's announce in our 50s, 60s, and perhaps right up to our 100th year (if God so permits) - that His fire will not go out in my life but it will consume me and those around me until the next generation sees the power of God. Not a sniveling old man or woman in a rocker bemoaning that the best days are over!
There's a mountain of giants waiting for you - go and conquer!
Saturday, October 7, 2017
His Voice
There's no doubt God speaks to His people and calls out to the lost.
The only question is are we willing to listening?
God can speak in any number of ways from an audible voice to a soft whisper (I Kings 19:12). His voice commands the storms to cease and breaks the thick cedar trees of Lebanon (Psalms 29:5).
When He speaks to us, there is weight and authority in His voice that makes our heart race and we find ourselves trembling in His presence. Sadly, many assume He will point out some hidden sin to judge and shame us. Their ears become dull and closed.
But as a good Father, He's trying to get our attention to something destructive which we don't know or we rather ignore and hope it will go away.
Those who listen and obey have a Samuel spirit. At an early age, this man heard God's voice and did not withhold a word of God's strong warnings to the high priest of the day. Yes, Samuel may have been afraid or tempted to say nothing of what God spoke to His heart. However, in a time God's word was rare and visions nearly non-existence, Samuel valued God's voice and feared His name.
Unlike today.
We drown ourselves with news programs and music that don't promote holiness or faith in Christ. We bury our face into novels and magazines that say a lot of nonsense and provide no substance. We rush to doctors but leave little room to ask the Great Physician for help. Most go to church to hear moving worship songs and a passionate speaker rather than hearing God talk directly to them. He longs to speak and be heard especially in a community of believers that call on His name.
So many of us have no expectation of God speaking as we have grown accustom to brass heavens. But what if the Lord thundered His voice that Sunday morning that shakes the room and hearts of those who have grown cold and indifferent?
Still God speaks in a holy hush.
It's that same voice the prophet heard when we still our souls.
Can you hear Him now?
The only question is are we willing to listening?
God can speak in any number of ways from an audible voice to a soft whisper (I Kings 19:12). His voice commands the storms to cease and breaks the thick cedar trees of Lebanon (Psalms 29:5).
When He speaks to us, there is weight and authority in His voice that makes our heart race and we find ourselves trembling in His presence. Sadly, many assume He will point out some hidden sin to judge and shame us. Their ears become dull and closed.
But as a good Father, He's trying to get our attention to something destructive which we don't know or we rather ignore and hope it will go away.
Those who listen and obey have a Samuel spirit. At an early age, this man heard God's voice and did not withhold a word of God's strong warnings to the high priest of the day. Yes, Samuel may have been afraid or tempted to say nothing of what God spoke to His heart. However, in a time God's word was rare and visions nearly non-existence, Samuel valued God's voice and feared His name.
Unlike today.
We drown ourselves with news programs and music that don't promote holiness or faith in Christ. We bury our face into novels and magazines that say a lot of nonsense and provide no substance. We rush to doctors but leave little room to ask the Great Physician for help. Most go to church to hear moving worship songs and a passionate speaker rather than hearing God talk directly to them. He longs to speak and be heard especially in a community of believers that call on His name.
So many of us have no expectation of God speaking as we have grown accustom to brass heavens. But what if the Lord thundered His voice that Sunday morning that shakes the room and hearts of those who have grown cold and indifferent?
Still God speaks in a holy hush.
It's that same voice the prophet heard when we still our souls.
Can you hear Him now?
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Put Aside
It's not when we are surrounded by a warm circle of friends or engaged in the busy activities of the day that we know what is really going wrong in our hearts. So often these things serve as a distraction to the evident signs and symptoms that we know our heart is not close to the Lord as it should.
Likewise, many in ministry believe it's possible to serve God out of form and function but they have long since lost the passion and heart for the things of God. Almost by spiritual osmosis, since they minister in the church somehow makes them spiritual and live.
Until God puts you aside to speak about something very deeply embedded in your heart.
King Hezekiah was miraculously healed but made a fatal choice. 2 Chronicles 32:31 says, "But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart. (NIV). God was not on tour that day along with the envoys that swept into the city to see things they should have not seen. He left Hezekiah alone.
It says, "Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his storehouses--the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine olive oil--his armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. (2 Kings 20:13, NIV).
Centuries later Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. Though it's not recorded in the Bible, I'm certain they recorded vulnerable places in the city and surveyed the wealth that one day they would seize.
God used this opportunity to try or test Hezekiah's heart. He wanted to teach Hezekiah a lesson. Evidently, there was a deep root of pride in this man who was impressed by another nation to take interest in his well-being and kingly status.
But what was more troubling is Hezekiah's response to the prophet who warned that this nation would be overtaken by them one day. Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.' (2 Kings 20:19, NLT).
Hezekiah's attitude was careless, unconcerned and selfish. And this is why God has to put aside some of us to show what is really at the heart of the matter.
And He uses silence to put some of us aside. He just gets up and walks into another room of our lives.
But if you still your soul long enough, I'm sure you will hear those quiet admonishing whispers.
Will you heed?
Likewise, many in ministry believe it's possible to serve God out of form and function but they have long since lost the passion and heart for the things of God. Almost by spiritual osmosis, since they minister in the church somehow makes them spiritual and live.
Until God puts you aside to speak about something very deeply embedded in your heart.
King Hezekiah was miraculously healed but made a fatal choice. 2 Chronicles 32:31 says, "But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart. (NIV). God was not on tour that day along with the envoys that swept into the city to see things they should have not seen. He left Hezekiah alone.
It says, "Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his storehouses--the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine olive oil--his armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. (2 Kings 20:13, NIV).
Centuries later Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. Though it's not recorded in the Bible, I'm certain they recorded vulnerable places in the city and surveyed the wealth that one day they would seize.
God used this opportunity to try or test Hezekiah's heart. He wanted to teach Hezekiah a lesson. Evidently, there was a deep root of pride in this man who was impressed by another nation to take interest in his well-being and kingly status.
But what was more troubling is Hezekiah's response to the prophet who warned that this nation would be overtaken by them one day. Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.' (2 Kings 20:19, NLT).
Hezekiah's attitude was careless, unconcerned and selfish. And this is why God has to put aside some of us to show what is really at the heart of the matter.
And He uses silence to put some of us aside. He just gets up and walks into another room of our lives.
But if you still your soul long enough, I'm sure you will hear those quiet admonishing whispers.
Will you heed?
Saturday, September 23, 2017
All Is Not Wasted
After miraculously feeding thousands Jesus said, "When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." (John 6:12 NIV).
The broken pieces of bread and fish though small still had nutritional value. The smallest things matter to God and nothing is overlooked. His power is enough to regenerate all the broken pieces of our lives so nothing is wasted or lost.
And we have an example of a woman who from the eyes of the Jewish world view was considered a dog because she was a gentile. Outside of God's covenant promises and blessings. But in a Holy Ghost inspired moment, she seizes on her status and claims Jesus as her master. "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." (Matthew 15:27 NIV). Jesus was astounded by her faith and the request for her daughter was answered.
Even the disciples were needing a lesson that from God's perspective nothing is wasted. Think of the woman who poured the costly perfume on the head of Jesus and wept at his feet. It says, "When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked." (Matthew 26:8, NIV).
All was not lost.
The Lord declared that she did this in preparation of His burial and she will be remembered for all time.
Are there things in your life too hard to talk about? Too many wasted years from addiction, broken relationships, hardships and difficulties? You tell yourself it's all lost so why hope? It hurts too much to even believe God can do anything with my life.
But with God all things are possible. The same God who spoke light into the void and darkness (Genesis 1:2) can speak light and truth to our lives. He gives a fresh perspective and understanding to see things different - and to believe differently.
Once we see through His eyes the value of our lives and all the pieces that it makes up - His love for us will change us.
The broken pieces of bread and fish though small still had nutritional value. The smallest things matter to God and nothing is overlooked. His power is enough to regenerate all the broken pieces of our lives so nothing is wasted or lost.
And we have an example of a woman who from the eyes of the Jewish world view was considered a dog because she was a gentile. Outside of God's covenant promises and blessings. But in a Holy Ghost inspired moment, she seizes on her status and claims Jesus as her master. "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." (Matthew 15:27 NIV). Jesus was astounded by her faith and the request for her daughter was answered.
Even the disciples were needing a lesson that from God's perspective nothing is wasted. Think of the woman who poured the costly perfume on the head of Jesus and wept at his feet. It says, "When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked." (Matthew 26:8, NIV).
All was not lost.
The Lord declared that she did this in preparation of His burial and she will be remembered for all time.
Are there things in your life too hard to talk about? Too many wasted years from addiction, broken relationships, hardships and difficulties? You tell yourself it's all lost so why hope? It hurts too much to even believe God can do anything with my life.
But with God all things are possible. The same God who spoke light into the void and darkness (Genesis 1:2) can speak light and truth to our lives. He gives a fresh perspective and understanding to see things different - and to believe differently.
Once we see through His eyes the value of our lives and all the pieces that it makes up - His love for us will change us.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Nearer To My God
The lyrics of a majestic 19th century hymn, Nearer My God, To Thee by Sarah Flower Adams so aptly describes the life of Jacob and some of us today.
Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Jacob while fleeing from his older brother whom he deceived out of the birthright found himself in a place he called Bethel (Genesis 28:19). Here in this place he had a dream of angels ascending and descending on a ladder leading heavenward. Here God reminded Jacob of the promise given to his forefathers of possessing the land and that his descendants will be many like the dust of the earth.
Are you in such a place of fear or intimidation because of the Enemy's threats? Are you running from the shadows of the past and uncertain of a future? Do you find yourself so weary like Jacob who didn't mind the rock for a pillow.
But when he awoke something had changed - it was not the geography or even his condition - rather he found himself nearer to God than he'd first believed. The presence of God transforms us!
It seems like the further you run God has a way of meeting you right at the place where's no more strength to take another step. The only step is to draw near to God. So, we are reminded of the promise to draw near to God and He will come closer to us (James 4:8).
When you find yourself in hard and difficult place the only thing you can do is by faith declare you'll move toward Him. And that is what repentance is all about - the Greek word is metanoi - a change of heart. Drawing near to God is a direction with a singular purpose of giving God the opportunity to change us from the inside out.
And if we seem dead inside with no feeling or desire to draw close to Him - we have the example of Christ calling out a dead Lazarus who heard his name from within the grave.
As we mature in Christ, lesser is the griefs, sorrows and pains of life that compel us toward Him but just simply for the love of Him.
Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Jacob while fleeing from his older brother whom he deceived out of the birthright found himself in a place he called Bethel (Genesis 28:19). Here in this place he had a dream of angels ascending and descending on a ladder leading heavenward. Here God reminded Jacob of the promise given to his forefathers of possessing the land and that his descendants will be many like the dust of the earth.
Are you in such a place of fear or intimidation because of the Enemy's threats? Are you running from the shadows of the past and uncertain of a future? Do you find yourself so weary like Jacob who didn't mind the rock for a pillow.
But when he awoke something had changed - it was not the geography or even his condition - rather he found himself nearer to God than he'd first believed. The presence of God transforms us!
It seems like the further you run God has a way of meeting you right at the place where's no more strength to take another step. The only step is to draw near to God. So, we are reminded of the promise to draw near to God and He will come closer to us (James 4:8).
When you find yourself in hard and difficult place the only thing you can do is by faith declare you'll move toward Him. And that is what repentance is all about - the Greek word is metanoi - a change of heart. Drawing near to God is a direction with a singular purpose of giving God the opportunity to change us from the inside out.
And if we seem dead inside with no feeling or desire to draw close to Him - we have the example of Christ calling out a dead Lazarus who heard his name from within the grave.
As we mature in Christ, lesser is the griefs, sorrows and pains of life that compel us toward Him but just simply for the love of Him.
Saturday, September 9, 2017
No More Dismissed
Dismissal is a form of rejection.
It can be a subtle smile in a business meeting when your idea is somehow laughable and unreasonable. Only to learn later that someone takes that same idea and makes it a profitable reality with no thought to acknowledge you.
Another example is when the eyes of the one you love are fixed on someone or something else. It diminishes the importance of your contribution to the relationship. You become invisible. If you left the room you wouldn't even be missed.
Yes, dismissal is just as painful like hurtful words or some other bitter experience that leaves no question you have been ignored, overlooked and marginalized.
But we can take comfort that God does see us regardless to our condition. The Bible says, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV). And, "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." (Proverbs 15:3 NIV).
Some believers appear to be graced with moving into high profile ministries or holding a platform of sorts while a good number of experienced and qualified individuals remain largely overlooked. The janitor who faithfully keeps the building cleaned is not given the accolades given to the choir or a charismatic guest speaker.
And so we have the example of David who was out in the pasture taking care of dumb and smelly sheep. Prophet Samuel had looked at the appearance of David's brothers and thought that the eldest was God's anointed. But God said to Samuel, "...Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).
In that moment, David became visible and would be known for centuries as the man after God's heart.
Just once glance of God's eyes meeting our own and we are seen, heard and identified - not forgotten or dismissed.
It can be a subtle smile in a business meeting when your idea is somehow laughable and unreasonable. Only to learn later that someone takes that same idea and makes it a profitable reality with no thought to acknowledge you.
Another example is when the eyes of the one you love are fixed on someone or something else. It diminishes the importance of your contribution to the relationship. You become invisible. If you left the room you wouldn't even be missed.
Yes, dismissal is just as painful like hurtful words or some other bitter experience that leaves no question you have been ignored, overlooked and marginalized.
But we can take comfort that God does see us regardless to our condition. The Bible says, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV). And, "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." (Proverbs 15:3 NIV).
Some believers appear to be graced with moving into high profile ministries or holding a platform of sorts while a good number of experienced and qualified individuals remain largely overlooked. The janitor who faithfully keeps the building cleaned is not given the accolades given to the choir or a charismatic guest speaker.
And so we have the example of David who was out in the pasture taking care of dumb and smelly sheep. Prophet Samuel had looked at the appearance of David's brothers and thought that the eldest was God's anointed. But God said to Samuel, "...Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).
In that moment, David became visible and would be known for centuries as the man after God's heart.
Just once glance of God's eyes meeting our own and we are seen, heard and identified - not forgotten or dismissed.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Mercy Endures Forever
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalms 136:1 (KJV).
The quality and characteristic of God's mercy is that it outlasts time and is not constricted by human failure or sin.
The same God who was merciful to Noah and his family to remember His promise (Genesis 8:1) is the same God today. Psalms 136:23 says, "Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:" (KJV).
Grace may be God's enabling favor to help us live a holy life but it's His mercy that deals with our frailties - where we are and how we live - so that we can be changed. Jesus tells of a tax collector "...standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:13, KJV). This man went home changed! Jesus declared him righteous because he had humbled himself before God.
And perhaps this may be the one restriction to receiving God's mercy: pride.
If we remain arrogant, self-assured and unyielding we will know little of His mercy. Mercy finds the one who in the lowest estate and lifts them up because an inner work of humility has destroyed the works of pride. When we come to the end of ourselves, God can start to deliver and restore us.
And for some who are waiting on God's mercy to help them through some of life's difficulties, begin to praise Him for His mercy. Read Psalms 136. It recounts His mercy time and time again through Israel's history. Rather than recite our failures and shortcomings recall all the good things God has and is doing.
Learning to live in His mercy when our hearts and minds feel the least deserving takes faith. The enemy would rather keep us in a low state of condemnation and guilt but God wants to lift us up and out of that pit. His mercy is transformative making us completely different when we rise to our feet - just like the tax collector.
For some, it's time to confess you can't live this Christian life without Him.
And it's time to ask for fresh mercy.
The quality and characteristic of God's mercy is that it outlasts time and is not constricted by human failure or sin.
The same God who was merciful to Noah and his family to remember His promise (Genesis 8:1) is the same God today. Psalms 136:23 says, "Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:" (KJV).
Grace may be God's enabling favor to help us live a holy life but it's His mercy that deals with our frailties - where we are and how we live - so that we can be changed. Jesus tells of a tax collector "...standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:13, KJV). This man went home changed! Jesus declared him righteous because he had humbled himself before God.
And perhaps this may be the one restriction to receiving God's mercy: pride.
If we remain arrogant, self-assured and unyielding we will know little of His mercy. Mercy finds the one who in the lowest estate and lifts them up because an inner work of humility has destroyed the works of pride. When we come to the end of ourselves, God can start to deliver and restore us.
And for some who are waiting on God's mercy to help them through some of life's difficulties, begin to praise Him for His mercy. Read Psalms 136. It recounts His mercy time and time again through Israel's history. Rather than recite our failures and shortcomings recall all the good things God has and is doing.
Learning to live in His mercy when our hearts and minds feel the least deserving takes faith. The enemy would rather keep us in a low state of condemnation and guilt but God wants to lift us up and out of that pit. His mercy is transformative making us completely different when we rise to our feet - just like the tax collector.
For some, it's time to confess you can't live this Christian life without Him.
And it's time to ask for fresh mercy.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
A Divine Melody
We may not all be great singers or musically inclined. But we are called to sing and make music from our heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). Whenever my prayers become too self-focused on my needs and wants, it's evident that worship is lacking. Only the Holy Spirit can prompt our hearts to remember His benefits and many acts of kindness that stir a divine melody into a song of worship.
Darlene Zschech, a well-known worship leader, defines worship as "worth-ship". We worship because Christ is worthy. The value of worship is not about talent and performance. And true worship is not about style - hymn books to what instruments are used - but those who worship must worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:24).
So when we take time with the Lord to read and pray incorporate moments that you spontaneously sing to the Lord. Rather than speaking a list of thank yous put it to a song. I often use Psalms to sing out a verse or two. I can guarantee the atmosphere will change. Moments before I felt disconnected or distracted but in a few minutes, I feel lighter and more focused on Him.
Worship is a supernatural act graced by His Spirit to move us to give thanks.
Of the ten lepers only one turned back to thank Jesus. "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;" (Luke 17:15, ESV). How many prayers God has answered yet so few of us take a moment to worship Him.
Ask Him to today to put in your heart a divine melody. Open your mouth and He will fill it (Psalms 81:10).
Sing! Sing! and you will see the strongholds in your life - those walled up places like Jericho - will come down. Blessings that have been shut up and inaccessible will be yours because worship always transforms a life. The bitter become better. The low and downcast are lifted up. And those who grumble and complain find contentment and peace.
God does not want stony people with sealed lips otherwise the rocks will cry out (Luke 19:40).
Darlene Zschech, a well-known worship leader, defines worship as "worth-ship". We worship because Christ is worthy. The value of worship is not about talent and performance. And true worship is not about style - hymn books to what instruments are used - but those who worship must worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:24).
So when we take time with the Lord to read and pray incorporate moments that you spontaneously sing to the Lord. Rather than speaking a list of thank yous put it to a song. I often use Psalms to sing out a verse or two. I can guarantee the atmosphere will change. Moments before I felt disconnected or distracted but in a few minutes, I feel lighter and more focused on Him.
Worship is a supernatural act graced by His Spirit to move us to give thanks.
Of the ten lepers only one turned back to thank Jesus. "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;" (Luke 17:15, ESV). How many prayers God has answered yet so few of us take a moment to worship Him.
Ask Him to today to put in your heart a divine melody. Open your mouth and He will fill it (Psalms 81:10).
Sing! Sing! and you will see the strongholds in your life - those walled up places like Jericho - will come down. Blessings that have been shut up and inaccessible will be yours because worship always transforms a life. The bitter become better. The low and downcast are lifted up. And those who grumble and complain find contentment and peace.
God does not want stony people with sealed lips otherwise the rocks will cry out (Luke 19:40).
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Light is!
One of the more powerful Scriptures is found in Genesis 1:3 when God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." (NIV). Young's Literal Translation says it this way, "and God saith, 'Let light be;' and light is."
Light as a natural agent stimulates sight and makes things visible (online dictionary).
God thought and spoke light into existence. The major source of light and energy is the sun. A sphere of burning plasma and gas that God sustains to keep the earth from plunging into an icy grip of darkness.
On August 21st, there will be a total solar eclipse. Some parts of the country will be in the dark for a few minutes. I'm reminded centuries ago when Christ died and there was an eclipse but this one last hours from noon to three o'clock (Luke 23:44).
The thought that humankind has no power or control over this natural phenomenon should remind us God is in control.
And there is a supernatural light of revelation. The apostle Paul says, "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV).
How much more do we need to ask God for light in this dark generation! Our minds can grow dim with unbelief from the horrific events we read or see on the television. Terrorist attacks, lying government officials, a nation threatening nuclear war.
The state of our country calls for a spiritual awakening. The opportunity for the church to take her rightful place with a voice of authority in these stormy days is so needed for youth at risk. An entire generation is being raised without the fear of God and eternal consequences.
We need to pray that the eyes of our heart are open to His truth in the Scriptures (Ephesians 1:18) to keep His light burning bright in our lives.
It's time for us to be lights.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (Matthew 5:15).
You don't just turn on a light in your life - but light is because God is light!
Light as a natural agent stimulates sight and makes things visible (online dictionary).
God thought and spoke light into existence. The major source of light and energy is the sun. A sphere of burning plasma and gas that God sustains to keep the earth from plunging into an icy grip of darkness.
On August 21st, there will be a total solar eclipse. Some parts of the country will be in the dark for a few minutes. I'm reminded centuries ago when Christ died and there was an eclipse but this one last hours from noon to three o'clock (Luke 23:44).
The thought that humankind has no power or control over this natural phenomenon should remind us God is in control.
And there is a supernatural light of revelation. The apostle Paul says, "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV).
How much more do we need to ask God for light in this dark generation! Our minds can grow dim with unbelief from the horrific events we read or see on the television. Terrorist attacks, lying government officials, a nation threatening nuclear war.
The state of our country calls for a spiritual awakening. The opportunity for the church to take her rightful place with a voice of authority in these stormy days is so needed for youth at risk. An entire generation is being raised without the fear of God and eternal consequences.
We need to pray that the eyes of our heart are open to His truth in the Scriptures (Ephesians 1:18) to keep His light burning bright in our lives.
It's time for us to be lights.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (Matthew 5:15).
You don't just turn on a light in your life - but light is because God is light!
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Lively Hope
I Peter 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," (KJV).
Peter denied Christ three times and so perhaps on a personal reflection; His resurrection from the dead meant mercy and hope.
Otherwise, if Christ was like anyone else who dies there would be no second chance to resurrect a relationship following a bitter refusal to acknowledge Him during His final moments. Those who experience betrayal don't readily trust or believe no matter what our beloved friend tells us. Sometimes the break of trust is too difficult to mend and over time the friendship dies.
Following His glorious resurrection Christ asks Peter, "...Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." (John 21:17 NIV).
Scriptures don't record Jesus being angry or berating Peter for his betrayal. Instead, Jesus acknowledges something Peter had overlooked. Peter truly loved Jesus evident by his tormented weeping (Luke 22:62). Perhaps, there was a fear that he had become a Judas of sorts. Crossing a line in a relationship that will never be made right. But Jesus focuses on this strong love this man had for Him. So, He gave Peter a commission to take care of His sheep.
In other words, Jesus was saying it's time to move past failure and look at what you possess - a love for me - and that love must be shown in taking care of My church.
A lively hope has purpose and direction.
Since we love and serve a risen Christ, we have a lively hope. This supernatural hope will not die and can't be taken from us. A hope that is bigger and brighter than our shortcomings and failures. A hope that resides deep within and keeps rising up even in a generation when many are distressed and despondent.
Peter embraced this lively hope for the love of Him. The more you love Him the greater the hope. Stay close to Him, my dear friends. He is your life and breath.
But hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has come in, overflowing our hearts by The Spirit of Holiness who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5, Aramaic Bible in Plain English).
Peter denied Christ three times and so perhaps on a personal reflection; His resurrection from the dead meant mercy and hope.
Otherwise, if Christ was like anyone else who dies there would be no second chance to resurrect a relationship following a bitter refusal to acknowledge Him during His final moments. Those who experience betrayal don't readily trust or believe no matter what our beloved friend tells us. Sometimes the break of trust is too difficult to mend and over time the friendship dies.
Following His glorious resurrection Christ asks Peter, "...Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." (John 21:17 NIV).
Scriptures don't record Jesus being angry or berating Peter for his betrayal. Instead, Jesus acknowledges something Peter had overlooked. Peter truly loved Jesus evident by his tormented weeping (Luke 22:62). Perhaps, there was a fear that he had become a Judas of sorts. Crossing a line in a relationship that will never be made right. But Jesus focuses on this strong love this man had for Him. So, He gave Peter a commission to take care of His sheep.
In other words, Jesus was saying it's time to move past failure and look at what you possess - a love for me - and that love must be shown in taking care of My church.
A lively hope has purpose and direction.
Since we love and serve a risen Christ, we have a lively hope. This supernatural hope will not die and can't be taken from us. A hope that is bigger and brighter than our shortcomings and failures. A hope that resides deep within and keeps rising up even in a generation when many are distressed and despondent.
Peter embraced this lively hope for the love of Him. The more you love Him the greater the hope. Stay close to Him, my dear friends. He is your life and breath.
But hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has come in, overflowing our hearts by The Spirit of Holiness who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5, Aramaic Bible in Plain English).
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Please, Take My Hand
Jesus promised, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:28, NIV). Though our world may spin out of control and we feel we are about to lose it, God holds us firmly in His hand so we are not swept away.
Some years ago I recall standing at a train station. It followed a gruelling lab workup that showed my immune system was rapidly failing. The pressure for medical intervention was mounting and rightly so for the risk of opportunistic infections was increasing. Tears streamed down my eyes. The emotional upset was a mixture of anger and pride and fear.
Then I remembered as a child my father taking my hand before crossing the street. "Son," he said, "Check the walk sign and always look to your right and then to your left before stepping into the street." I looked up and saw him turn his head in both directions. So, I repeated his actions. As we passed the row of stopped cars, I felt safe and secure. Nothing bad could happen to me because daddy tightly held my hand.
Now many years later I was at a train station. A crossroad of sorts. I was not concerned who saw me when I slightly raised my hand, "Please, Father, take my hand. I'm afraid." I was about to cross a dangerous street of a different kind that only faith in Him could take me to other side - even if it meant the end of my existence.
For those like myself that need to get to the other side of a difficulty or a painful problem God says, "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13 NIV).
Almost nine years later and nearing my 49th birthday, I remain in a state of health without treatment. Reckless, dangerous, foolish? Perhaps, but faith refuses to be limited. Either we believe God will take our hand (or not) to get us to the other side. And because He does take our hand it will only lead us through the shadow of death in a place of peace and rest.
Yes, there were moments I foolishly jerked away my hand and ran ahead. Other times I dug in my heels and fell behind. But God is a good and faithful father.
He will rescue and correct each and every time so we remain in step with Him much like Jacob limping after wrestling with Him all night.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25 KJV). When you are at rest holding His hand then you are walking in faith.
And nothing...
...is impossible to those who believe Him (Mark 9:23).
It's time to cross the street to possibilities.
Some years ago I recall standing at a train station. It followed a gruelling lab workup that showed my immune system was rapidly failing. The pressure for medical intervention was mounting and rightly so for the risk of opportunistic infections was increasing. Tears streamed down my eyes. The emotional upset was a mixture of anger and pride and fear.
Then I remembered as a child my father taking my hand before crossing the street. "Son," he said, "Check the walk sign and always look to your right and then to your left before stepping into the street." I looked up and saw him turn his head in both directions. So, I repeated his actions. As we passed the row of stopped cars, I felt safe and secure. Nothing bad could happen to me because daddy tightly held my hand.
Now many years later I was at a train station. A crossroad of sorts. I was not concerned who saw me when I slightly raised my hand, "Please, Father, take my hand. I'm afraid." I was about to cross a dangerous street of a different kind that only faith in Him could take me to other side - even if it meant the end of my existence.
For those like myself that need to get to the other side of a difficulty or a painful problem God says, "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:13 NIV).
Almost nine years later and nearing my 49th birthday, I remain in a state of health without treatment. Reckless, dangerous, foolish? Perhaps, but faith refuses to be limited. Either we believe God will take our hand (or not) to get us to the other side. And because He does take our hand it will only lead us through the shadow of death in a place of peace and rest.
Yes, there were moments I foolishly jerked away my hand and ran ahead. Other times I dug in my heels and fell behind. But God is a good and faithful father.
He will rescue and correct each and every time so we remain in step with Him much like Jacob limping after wrestling with Him all night.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25 KJV). When you are at rest holding His hand then you are walking in faith.
And nothing...
...is impossible to those who believe Him (Mark 9:23).
It's time to cross the street to possibilities.
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Take Me To Elim
God promises to "...refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." (Jeremiah 31:25, NIV).
The Lord's invitation is for us today. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).
Are you weary today?
Has life worn you down to a bare thread?
You may feel you don't have the strength to even think about tomorrow. A deep weariness can give way to resignation, even depression. The lack of rest and energy is defeating. You are not able to just pick up and go. You drag your feet and your head is sunk low. Your spirit is crushed and diminished.
But God is patient and gentle. He will not crush a bruised reed or snuff out a flickering candle (Isaiah 42:3 NLT). He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap (I Samuel 2:8a NIV).
These are the promises we need to cling to when our minds, hearts and bodies are in desperate need for rest.
The Israelites were traveling through a sun scorched wilderness. They came to a place called Marah where the waters were bitter but God healed them. Later, they traveled to a place called Elim "...where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water." (Exodus 15:27 NIV). There was a well for each tribe and plenty of shade from the heat of day!
God will make an Elim for us in our weariness. He will be our shade from life's intense times.
Ask Him to take you to Elim.
It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. (Isaiah 46:6, NIV).
The Lord's invitation is for us today. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).
Are you weary today?
Has life worn you down to a bare thread?
You may feel you don't have the strength to even think about tomorrow. A deep weariness can give way to resignation, even depression. The lack of rest and energy is defeating. You are not able to just pick up and go. You drag your feet and your head is sunk low. Your spirit is crushed and diminished.
But God is patient and gentle. He will not crush a bruised reed or snuff out a flickering candle (Isaiah 42:3 NLT). He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap (I Samuel 2:8a NIV).
These are the promises we need to cling to when our minds, hearts and bodies are in desperate need for rest.
The Israelites were traveling through a sun scorched wilderness. They came to a place called Marah where the waters were bitter but God healed them. Later, they traveled to a place called Elim "...where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water." (Exodus 15:27 NIV). There was a well for each tribe and plenty of shade from the heat of day!
God will make an Elim for us in our weariness. He will be our shade from life's intense times.
Ask Him to take you to Elim.
It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. (Isaiah 46:6, NIV).
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Redeemable Moments
After a haircut, I stopped next door for lunch with my wife. The local South American comfort food hit the spot. During the meal, my eyes shifted to the window and my thoughts recalled when we had once lived in the area. But after one year we decided to leave the town for the convenience of being closer to work.
That year marked a difficult season for both of us.
On the day of the move my wife discovered we had bed bugs. A reason to the reddish bite marks on her upper arms that kept getting worse. Oddly enough, I had no symptoms. As we were new to the area we didn't know that such infestations were common. We learned that special dogs were used to detect them, especially in the city where these bugs traveled on people's clothing - imagine in a subway!
The movers noticed our shocked expressions and whispered conversations. They cashed in on it by doubling up the charges. Our landlord was furious that we waited a day to notify them. However, we were caught up in a move between two places that consumed our time and energy. We had worked from early morning to after midnight. When it was over, we held hands and wept asking God to help us.
Later that same year, I foolishly got into a car accident costing us over three thousand dollars. While our car was in the shop for two weeks we joined a regular crowd taking the bus which consumed nearly two hours a day to get to work and home.
But today the Lord spoke to my heart when I started to rehearse all the bad moments.
These are redeemable moments.
I got great haircut for less the price where we live now. Excellent food at a fraction of the cost compared to some other well known restaurant. And down the street we had our oil changed with staff that was familiar with us and our car - a sort of welcome back committee. None of this would have been possible unless we had lived on that same street.
Most importantly, God used this season to chasten my heart when I went into survival mode rather than trust Him.
Beloved, no matter how difficult the moment of testing and trials - God knows how to redeem not just us - but those dark and low moments when all seems lost - He indeed makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
When we mediate on the redeemable moments our faith increases. Any influence of resentment and bitterness (or questioning God's sovereignty) loses it's power to grip the mind and heart.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
That year marked a difficult season for both of us.
On the day of the move my wife discovered we had bed bugs. A reason to the reddish bite marks on her upper arms that kept getting worse. Oddly enough, I had no symptoms. As we were new to the area we didn't know that such infestations were common. We learned that special dogs were used to detect them, especially in the city where these bugs traveled on people's clothing - imagine in a subway!
The movers noticed our shocked expressions and whispered conversations. They cashed in on it by doubling up the charges. Our landlord was furious that we waited a day to notify them. However, we were caught up in a move between two places that consumed our time and energy. We had worked from early morning to after midnight. When it was over, we held hands and wept asking God to help us.
Later that same year, I foolishly got into a car accident costing us over three thousand dollars. While our car was in the shop for two weeks we joined a regular crowd taking the bus which consumed nearly two hours a day to get to work and home.
But today the Lord spoke to my heart when I started to rehearse all the bad moments.
These are redeemable moments.
I got great haircut for less the price where we live now. Excellent food at a fraction of the cost compared to some other well known restaurant. And down the street we had our oil changed with staff that was familiar with us and our car - a sort of welcome back committee. None of this would have been possible unless we had lived on that same street.
Most importantly, God used this season to chasten my heart when I went into survival mode rather than trust Him.
Beloved, no matter how difficult the moment of testing and trials - God knows how to redeem not just us - but those dark and low moments when all seems lost - He indeed makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
When we mediate on the redeemable moments our faith increases. Any influence of resentment and bitterness (or questioning God's sovereignty) loses it's power to grip the mind and heart.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Entanglements
We are encouraged in Hebrews 12:1 to cast aside very sin that weighs us down.
"Let us also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us," (Darby Bible Translation).
The word entanglement in the original means easily surrounding, encircling and easily distracted (Strong's Concordance).
We can think of many things that trip us up. A word we didn't mean to say or some temptation we found ourselves giving into with out much resistance.
Then there's another entanglement - those subtle ropes like Samson who being bound as he slept on Delilah's lap - each time he was able to break free until he gave away the secret of his strength.
So too are the seductive entanglements that slowly wrap around our spiritual life. True to the definition of entanglement, it circles us until we are so constricted that we no longer able to run the race set before us. Our feet are slowed and we stumble badly. Sadly, for some they are so bound they are unable to get back up unless someone frees them.
Consider your friends and associates. Are you leading them by example of what a Christian is or are you captured by their words and envious of the way they live outside of Christ? Do you compromise or relax the hold of living in the fear of God to being afraid that you might lose your friends, upset your co-workers or disrupt your marriage when speaking the truth in love?
It's not always the visible cords or ropes that we can see but the impulses of our heart to attach itself to the things that are sensual and earthly. When we agree to the earthly we soon discover it's more than an organic experience but a demonic one as well. But we have this promise in Psalms 91:3 that God will deliver us from the snare of fowler (type of a satanic bird catcher).
This one truth in 1 John 3:19-20 will keep us free from any entanglements - since condemnation (the sense of not getting it right) - is the most common rope that constricts us. Scripture says, "This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
It is a sacrificial choice. Bind your self to Him and you can only soar to heights unknown.
God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. (Psalms 118:27, KJV).
"Let us also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us," (Darby Bible Translation).
The word entanglement in the original means easily surrounding, encircling and easily distracted (Strong's Concordance).
We can think of many things that trip us up. A word we didn't mean to say or some temptation we found ourselves giving into with out much resistance.
Then there's another entanglement - those subtle ropes like Samson who being bound as he slept on Delilah's lap - each time he was able to break free until he gave away the secret of his strength.
So too are the seductive entanglements that slowly wrap around our spiritual life. True to the definition of entanglement, it circles us until we are so constricted that we no longer able to run the race set before us. Our feet are slowed and we stumble badly. Sadly, for some they are so bound they are unable to get back up unless someone frees them.
Consider your friends and associates. Are you leading them by example of what a Christian is or are you captured by their words and envious of the way they live outside of Christ? Do you compromise or relax the hold of living in the fear of God to being afraid that you might lose your friends, upset your co-workers or disrupt your marriage when speaking the truth in love?
It's not always the visible cords or ropes that we can see but the impulses of our heart to attach itself to the things that are sensual and earthly. When we agree to the earthly we soon discover it's more than an organic experience but a demonic one as well. But we have this promise in Psalms 91:3 that God will deliver us from the snare of fowler (type of a satanic bird catcher).
This one truth in 1 John 3:19-20 will keep us free from any entanglements - since condemnation (the sense of not getting it right) - is the most common rope that constricts us. Scripture says, "This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
It is a sacrificial choice. Bind your self to Him and you can only soar to heights unknown.
God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. (Psalms 118:27, KJV).
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Count It All Joy
James 1:2 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;" (KJV). During my high school years I found this scripture comforting and puzzling. Temptation lures were pleasurable and the consequences were anything but joyful (verse 15).
I now understand the original word means "trials" which can include being tested, probation (the process or period of testing or observing the character) and calamity.
The early church faced persecution from all sides: their communities, government and even within the walls of the church. America has not known this intense persecution or what is currently happening in some parts of the world today.
Perhaps, the greatest temptation the early church faced was to forsake Christ even for a little relief from hate, anger and constant pressure brought on by fear. Their very lives were at stake for making a choice to live for Him.
They understood abandoning Christ was not option because they were saved (eternally) but not from the sufferings of life.
And perhaps this is a trial we face in our country. Temptation for us in America has once been called "soft" persecution. We spend mindless hours in front of the television or cell phone scrolling through endless pages. We fill our day doing what and how we want because we have so many options and distractions. Little time is spent in prayer and reading His word. Many come to church to perform a function, exhausted and worn out from running everywhere but to the throne.
And our soul is afflicted by an emptiness that leaves very little joy to experience the nearness of His presence. We have indeed fallen into temptation of the worse sort - forsaking Christ - and not even aware His presence has long left our gatherings.
We need including myself a holy desire to resist what is presented before us even if it comes in the guise of religious light. Satan's deceptive ability is to present something shiny and bright, attractive and sensual but its just a thin veneer. What lies beneath is something ugly and destructive. The devil's desire is to destroy the fellowship we have in Christ. A separated life from Christ is a hellish experience. There is no peace or joy but dryness and a terrible feeling of being disconnected.
Let's encounter every trial and temptation understanding God give us greater grace. Value the time in His presence so when tempted you will find the way out of a Satanic snare (I Corinthians 10:13).
When we see temptation differently we will learn that God truly satisfies the hungry soul and nothing in this world can fill our lives. Our faith in Him to supply our every need will be much stronger to weather any trial and temptation.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:14 KJV).
I now understand the original word means "trials" which can include being tested, probation (the process or period of testing or observing the character) and calamity.
The early church faced persecution from all sides: their communities, government and even within the walls of the church. America has not known this intense persecution or what is currently happening in some parts of the world today.
Perhaps, the greatest temptation the early church faced was to forsake Christ even for a little relief from hate, anger and constant pressure brought on by fear. Their very lives were at stake for making a choice to live for Him.
They understood abandoning Christ was not option because they were saved (eternally) but not from the sufferings of life.
And perhaps this is a trial we face in our country. Temptation for us in America has once been called "soft" persecution. We spend mindless hours in front of the television or cell phone scrolling through endless pages. We fill our day doing what and how we want because we have so many options and distractions. Little time is spent in prayer and reading His word. Many come to church to perform a function, exhausted and worn out from running everywhere but to the throne.
And our soul is afflicted by an emptiness that leaves very little joy to experience the nearness of His presence. We have indeed fallen into temptation of the worse sort - forsaking Christ - and not even aware His presence has long left our gatherings.
We need including myself a holy desire to resist what is presented before us even if it comes in the guise of religious light. Satan's deceptive ability is to present something shiny and bright, attractive and sensual but its just a thin veneer. What lies beneath is something ugly and destructive. The devil's desire is to destroy the fellowship we have in Christ. A separated life from Christ is a hellish experience. There is no peace or joy but dryness and a terrible feeling of being disconnected.
Let's encounter every trial and temptation understanding God give us greater grace. Value the time in His presence so when tempted you will find the way out of a Satanic snare (I Corinthians 10:13).
When we see temptation differently we will learn that God truly satisfies the hungry soul and nothing in this world can fill our lives. Our faith in Him to supply our every need will be much stronger to weather any trial and temptation.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:14 KJV).
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Here Comes That Dreamer
As Joseph approached his brothers, they said among themselves, ""Here comes that dreamer!" (Genesis 37:19, NIV). Earlier Joseph told them a dream that one day they and his father would bow before him. And it did not help that he was his father's favorite son who proudly wore a coat of many colors his father had made (Genesis 37:3).
I believe there's a life uniquely marked by God.
There's something that makes an individual different even special (not odd or strange). It doesn't necessarily mean they have some big talent to sing, dance or entertain.
No, it's a deep, rich spiritual life that God has formed for Himself that sets the person apart from all others. Again, it's not in the time they read and pray or attend church or work in ministry. All of that is an extension of the inner work of God in that life, but it's not their identity or role.
What I'm speaking about is the call of God on life that He separates for Himself for a particular purpose. Joseph was sold into slavery. He went from a pit to a palace in Egypt then cast into prison. After God's season of testing was completed (Psalms 105:19); he was raised up second in command to Pharaoh. He helped save the country and surrounding nations from a famine.
From a dream some fifteen years earlier to when he became ruler over Egypt; God's word proved faithful. God fulfills His dreams.
My brothers and sisters, God has each given us a dream of sorts. It may be an actual dream or some impression that keeps returning year after year. Never say it's too late to dream. Believe God can fulfill His desire in your life. For some people, youth as passed and all its energy and passion much sadly spent in folly and vanity.
Still, God's sovereign hand remains on a life that is willing to say yes.
Caleb was eighty years old when he took Hebron and the giants that possessed it (Joshua 14:12). He was one of the spies who was commissioned to spy out the Promised Land. However, ten spies gave an evil report and the entire nation was forced back into the desert for 40 years. I believe God kept Caleb from being bitter and held to his faith that one day he would have that mountain he first saw some 40 years ago. Later, when he did take the mountain he was able to bless his daughter by giving her the upper springs (Joshua 15:19). Faith nourished his God inspired dream that would in turn nourish his daughter life giving waters!
Let's be found standing at the throne one day when God will take our hand only to say, "You are my dream come true."
I believe there's a life uniquely marked by God.
There's something that makes an individual different even special (not odd or strange). It doesn't necessarily mean they have some big talent to sing, dance or entertain.
No, it's a deep, rich spiritual life that God has formed for Himself that sets the person apart from all others. Again, it's not in the time they read and pray or attend church or work in ministry. All of that is an extension of the inner work of God in that life, but it's not their identity or role.
What I'm speaking about is the call of God on life that He separates for Himself for a particular purpose. Joseph was sold into slavery. He went from a pit to a palace in Egypt then cast into prison. After God's season of testing was completed (Psalms 105:19); he was raised up second in command to Pharaoh. He helped save the country and surrounding nations from a famine.
From a dream some fifteen years earlier to when he became ruler over Egypt; God's word proved faithful. God fulfills His dreams.
My brothers and sisters, God has each given us a dream of sorts. It may be an actual dream or some impression that keeps returning year after year. Never say it's too late to dream. Believe God can fulfill His desire in your life. For some people, youth as passed and all its energy and passion much sadly spent in folly and vanity.
Still, God's sovereign hand remains on a life that is willing to say yes.
Caleb was eighty years old when he took Hebron and the giants that possessed it (Joshua 14:12). He was one of the spies who was commissioned to spy out the Promised Land. However, ten spies gave an evil report and the entire nation was forced back into the desert for 40 years. I believe God kept Caleb from being bitter and held to his faith that one day he would have that mountain he first saw some 40 years ago. Later, when he did take the mountain he was able to bless his daughter by giving her the upper springs (Joshua 15:19). Faith nourished his God inspired dream that would in turn nourish his daughter life giving waters!
Let's be found standing at the throne one day when God will take our hand only to say, "You are my dream come true."
Saturday, June 24, 2017
The Fearful And Unbelieving
We understand the opposite of faith is fear.
Without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). God said if only we have faith the size of a mustard seed (one of the smallest seed) we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
To each believer God has given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Our responsibility is to cultivate that faith. To do otherwise can put us in great peril. On that final day we will be judged not by our sins but what we did with the faith God implanted in our hearts.
Revelations 21:8 says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (KJV).
The words fearful and unbelieving have an interesting meaning in the original Greek language. The words assume the person has knowledge and understanding; therefore, he or she is responsible for their actions. Deilós describes a person who loses their "moral gumption (fortitude)" that is needed to follow the Lord while ápistos is a person who is not faithful because he or she is not unpersuaded (Bible Hub, Strong's Concordance).
There are moments in our Christian walk that we can recall the Holy Spirit speaking so strongly that if we were not to hear and heed it may result in something disastrous. Other times He has corrected our ways but out of mercy does not treat us according to the wrong we have done. The danger for many believers is always listening but rarely taking action to what He has commanded.
In these last days the corrupt thinking endangering even the church is what Peter warned, "They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." (NIV).
Likewise, recall the foolish virgins who were left outside the wedding feast because in their sleepy and light attitude thought that by knowledge (empty lamps) of their relationship with the groom was sufficient to get them inside. But they were not filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. If we refuse and resist Him we run the risk of an empty life. A life unprepared at His coming when we will be demanded of our faithfulness and the exercise of our faith to the talents given us.
Beloved, we have this smallest window in our lifetime to embrace God fully with no reservations. It matters now and when we will stand before Him on that day. May our cry grow stronger to live a fully persuaded life.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (Romans 8:38, KJV).
Without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). God said if only we have faith the size of a mustard seed (one of the smallest seed) we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
To each believer God has given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Our responsibility is to cultivate that faith. To do otherwise can put us in great peril. On that final day we will be judged not by our sins but what we did with the faith God implanted in our hearts.
Revelations 21:8 says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (KJV).
The words fearful and unbelieving have an interesting meaning in the original Greek language. The words assume the person has knowledge and understanding; therefore, he or she is responsible for their actions. Deilós describes a person who loses their "moral gumption (fortitude)" that is needed to follow the Lord while ápistos is a person who is not faithful because he or she is not unpersuaded (Bible Hub, Strong's Concordance).
There are moments in our Christian walk that we can recall the Holy Spirit speaking so strongly that if we were not to hear and heed it may result in something disastrous. Other times He has corrected our ways but out of mercy does not treat us according to the wrong we have done. The danger for many believers is always listening but rarely taking action to what He has commanded.
In these last days the corrupt thinking endangering even the church is what Peter warned, "They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." (NIV).
Likewise, recall the foolish virgins who were left outside the wedding feast because in their sleepy and light attitude thought that by knowledge (empty lamps) of their relationship with the groom was sufficient to get them inside. But they were not filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. If we refuse and resist Him we run the risk of an empty life. A life unprepared at His coming when we will be demanded of our faithfulness and the exercise of our faith to the talents given us.
Beloved, we have this smallest window in our lifetime to embrace God fully with no reservations. It matters now and when we will stand before Him on that day. May our cry grow stronger to live a fully persuaded life.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (Romans 8:38, KJV).
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Silence
Silence is another language that God uses to get our attention.
Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed or the words don't flow in prayer, I'll sit quietly waiting on God. Most inevitably the Lord will break the silence and speak directly to the heart.
Silence is uncomfortable. The subconscious part of the mind seems to awaken. Thoughts bubble up when there is no noise to drown out that inner voice. I'm not speaking of practicing some form of free or guided mediation by letting your thoughts lead (or mislead) you.
Rather in the silence there is a turning toward remembering the good things the Lord has done and will be doing. Psalms 1:2 says, "but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night." (NIV).
Mediation on God's word invites Him to speak order to our chaos and restore a love for His word.
Only when we are quiet does His thoughts and desires are heard. Psalms 46:10 instructs us, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV).
The word still is raphah in Hebrew which means to relax or sink down. Recall one of the names of God is Jehovah Rapha. The God who heals (Exodus 15:26). When those internal noises and distractions stop the tension and stress it brings will desist. In the wake of a holy hush, we will then experience healing for our troubled minds and hearts.
David learned that in silence His peace is experienced. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.(Psalms 131:2 NASB).
Draw strength from Him in this clamorous and tumultuous age. Rather than go to pieces be overwhelmed by His peace!
Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed or the words don't flow in prayer, I'll sit quietly waiting on God. Most inevitably the Lord will break the silence and speak directly to the heart.
Silence is uncomfortable. The subconscious part of the mind seems to awaken. Thoughts bubble up when there is no noise to drown out that inner voice. I'm not speaking of practicing some form of free or guided mediation by letting your thoughts lead (or mislead) you.
Rather in the silence there is a turning toward remembering the good things the Lord has done and will be doing. Psalms 1:2 says, "but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night." (NIV).
Mediation on God's word invites Him to speak order to our chaos and restore a love for His word.
Only when we are quiet does His thoughts and desires are heard. Psalms 46:10 instructs us, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV).
The word still is raphah in Hebrew which means to relax or sink down. Recall one of the names of God is Jehovah Rapha. The God who heals (Exodus 15:26). When those internal noises and distractions stop the tension and stress it brings will desist. In the wake of a holy hush, we will then experience healing for our troubled minds and hearts.
David learned that in silence His peace is experienced. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.(Psalms 131:2 NASB).
Draw strength from Him in this clamorous and tumultuous age. Rather than go to pieces be overwhelmed by His peace!
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Oil And Wine
Oil represents the anointing and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Wine has medicinal properties and it can describe the power of God's Spirit to be bold without human inhibitions. On the day of Pentecost the disciples were accused of being drunk when they spoke courageously in other languages.
Jesus speaking of the good Samaritan who helped a man after he was attacked by robbers said, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:34 NIV).
And that my friend is a remedy not only from the brokenness inflicted on us by the world but when our hearts grow stone cold. God knows how to massage a heart to life again with equal measure of wine and oil.
How does He restore a broken and harden heart? Because oil and wine require it to be crushed to produce the desired liquid. Likewise it says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NIV). The Father's heart was crushed when His only Son was marred beyond recognition. He sweat drops of blood like wine and water flowed from His pierced side.
We are left with a choice that when the Holy Spirit presses us that we don't resist His touch.
He wants to extract the poison of anger or bitterness and fill our hearts afresh. And even yesterdays spiritual leftovers that may have soured for sitting too long (much like manna that turns wormy). Oil can turn rancid if exposed too long to oxygen and wine can become moldy and become vinegar.
Our hearts must be open to Him daily so He can flush out (as it were) our spiritual immune system and keep us running well with His fresh oil and wine. Similarly, a car can break down with out a regular oil change and ever so often a good radiator flush.
Ask God to bring your heart to life if you are cold to the things of God. Sit for a while in His presence and He will ask you a simple question. Your response to Him matters for a heart to be softened by His anointing and power or just become more crusty and cold.
All you have to say in your deadness is yes to the Resurrection and Life. He will do the rest.
Jesus speaking of the good Samaritan who helped a man after he was attacked by robbers said, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:34 NIV).
And that my friend is a remedy not only from the brokenness inflicted on us by the world but when our hearts grow stone cold. God knows how to massage a heart to life again with equal measure of wine and oil.
How does He restore a broken and harden heart? Because oil and wine require it to be crushed to produce the desired liquid. Likewise it says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NIV). The Father's heart was crushed when His only Son was marred beyond recognition. He sweat drops of blood like wine and water flowed from His pierced side.
We are left with a choice that when the Holy Spirit presses us that we don't resist His touch.
He wants to extract the poison of anger or bitterness and fill our hearts afresh. And even yesterdays spiritual leftovers that may have soured for sitting too long (much like manna that turns wormy). Oil can turn rancid if exposed too long to oxygen and wine can become moldy and become vinegar.
Our hearts must be open to Him daily so He can flush out (as it were) our spiritual immune system and keep us running well with His fresh oil and wine. Similarly, a car can break down with out a regular oil change and ever so often a good radiator flush.
Ask God to bring your heart to life if you are cold to the things of God. Sit for a while in His presence and He will ask you a simple question. Your response to Him matters for a heart to be softened by His anointing and power or just become more crusty and cold.
All you have to say in your deadness is yes to the Resurrection and Life. He will do the rest.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Acquired Strength In Weakness
Hebrews 14:12 says, "...quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength (italics mine); and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." (NIV).
The word strength in Greek is dunamoó which means might, power and marvelous works (Strong's Concordance). This same Greek word is used for our English word dynamite.
Explosive power.
And so God knows how to turn our weakness into an explosive show of power of strength.
That is why the weak, the diminished or the overtaken are more of threat to Satan's kingdom than the arrogant, self-assured and strong. We have the example of Samson who was a lust driven man. At the end of his life he took out more enemies than he did during his entire 20 years as a judge over Israel.
Let's be cleared we are not liberty to use weakness as means to excuse responsibility or believe God somehow understands (or closes one eye) at our sinful behavior. As I've learned from personal experience, God will take corrective measures. Sometimes like Samson it can be as severe as losing your life to save the soul from eternal separation.
What turns our weakness into a show of strength? His mercy. The same mercy having already executed the penalty of death on His Son gives us the necessary assurance that we can approach His throne with confidence in our times of weakness. Rather than give into weakness we are encouraged to "... come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (KJV).
The more we are transparent to God (who sees everything) about our failures and weakness we give no strength to darkness. Rather allow His light to search the depths of the mind and heart. Allow Him to question your motives and intents. Be truthful. Some of us are not quite ready to let go of some pleasurable sins despite the knowledge of how destructive and shameful it makes one feel. Often God will direct us to resources of strength. A brother or sister to pray an encouraging word. Or He may give practical instructions like getting out of certain place or to move in a different direction.
Remember we move from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7). Weakness turned to strength only leads to greater strength while in turn the Enemy grows weaker having no foothold in our lives.
The word strength in Greek is dunamoó which means might, power and marvelous works (Strong's Concordance). This same Greek word is used for our English word dynamite.
Explosive power.
And so God knows how to turn our weakness into an explosive show of power of strength.
That is why the weak, the diminished or the overtaken are more of threat to Satan's kingdom than the arrogant, self-assured and strong. We have the example of Samson who was a lust driven man. At the end of his life he took out more enemies than he did during his entire 20 years as a judge over Israel.
Let's be cleared we are not liberty to use weakness as means to excuse responsibility or believe God somehow understands (or closes one eye) at our sinful behavior. As I've learned from personal experience, God will take corrective measures. Sometimes like Samson it can be as severe as losing your life to save the soul from eternal separation.
What turns our weakness into a show of strength? His mercy. The same mercy having already executed the penalty of death on His Son gives us the necessary assurance that we can approach His throne with confidence in our times of weakness. Rather than give into weakness we are encouraged to "... come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (KJV).
The more we are transparent to God (who sees everything) about our failures and weakness we give no strength to darkness. Rather allow His light to search the depths of the mind and heart. Allow Him to question your motives and intents. Be truthful. Some of us are not quite ready to let go of some pleasurable sins despite the knowledge of how destructive and shameful it makes one feel. Often God will direct us to resources of strength. A brother or sister to pray an encouraging word. Or He may give practical instructions like getting out of certain place or to move in a different direction.
Remember we move from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7). Weakness turned to strength only leads to greater strength while in turn the Enemy grows weaker having no foothold in our lives.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
A Groan For Freedom
Just as God puts eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11) there is an inward groan to be with Him - forever.
Romans 8:22-23 says, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (NIV).
Friends, we are merely passing through on this earth to a greater and more glorious home!
We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. (I Chronicles 29:15 NLT).
Recently my wife and I had the pleasure to attend my manager's sixtieth birthday. Photos throughout her lifetime were flashed on the walls. Some showed her at very young age, as a young adult and often surrounded by family and friends. These were bright and beautiful moments captured on film to be remembered and cherished. I glanced about the room that held over two hundred family and friends. She touched and inspired many lives, including my own.
Though it was a celebratory time I couldn't escape that familiar weariness brought on life - the full weight of it's gravity and the purpose of living - especially in a generation we have seen unprecedented violence and political upset. Yes, I've learned to savor these wonderful moments.
But to be in a place free of pain, illness and fear stirs a yearning to experience such a freedom only being in His presence offers.
One day we will have the joy of Christ wiping away our tears - for the final time. Pain, sickness and disease will not ravage the body. Dressed in white we will stand around His throne with only cries of holy, holy, holy is the Lord!
So perhaps this inward groan will serve as reminder to tell others about Him. This deep ache in our souls to keep us from the snares of rooting ourselves to possession we can't take with us.
And just perhaps this longing to be with Him becomes our all consuming passion....who knows if He just might take us to His heart like Enoch who walked with God and was no more because God took him home! (Genesis 5:24).
Romans 8:22-23 says, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (NIV).
Friends, we are merely passing through on this earth to a greater and more glorious home!
We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. (I Chronicles 29:15 NLT).
Recently my wife and I had the pleasure to attend my manager's sixtieth birthday. Photos throughout her lifetime were flashed on the walls. Some showed her at very young age, as a young adult and often surrounded by family and friends. These were bright and beautiful moments captured on film to be remembered and cherished. I glanced about the room that held over two hundred family and friends. She touched and inspired many lives, including my own.
Though it was a celebratory time I couldn't escape that familiar weariness brought on life - the full weight of it's gravity and the purpose of living - especially in a generation we have seen unprecedented violence and political upset. Yes, I've learned to savor these wonderful moments.
But to be in a place free of pain, illness and fear stirs a yearning to experience such a freedom only being in His presence offers.
One day we will have the joy of Christ wiping away our tears - for the final time. Pain, sickness and disease will not ravage the body. Dressed in white we will stand around His throne with only cries of holy, holy, holy is the Lord!
So perhaps this inward groan will serve as reminder to tell others about Him. This deep ache in our souls to keep us from the snares of rooting ourselves to possession we can't take with us.
And just perhaps this longing to be with Him becomes our all consuming passion....who knows if He just might take us to His heart like Enoch who walked with God and was no more because God took him home! (Genesis 5:24).
Saturday, May 20, 2017
When You Turn Back
Jesus told Peter on the night He would be betrayed, "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:32). The King James Version uses the word "converted". The word converted means to change the nature or function into something utilitarian or useful. For Peter, he would be an agent of strength to the church. We see this in the book of Acts when he gave a powerful and moving sermon. Three thousand souls were saved that night!
I believe God's salvation is sure. And I don't believe you are in and out of salvation. We struggle daily and don't always get it right. However, we are warned in Scripture not to neglect such a great salvation (Hebrews 2:3). We are encouraged to work out our salvation daily (Philippians 2:12).
Friends, salvation is not static or just a one time altar call in front of the church. As we mature in the faith, our salvation deepens and so does our confidence in the One who can only save us - not just once but every moment of the day.
There is a moment in our walk that we need to understand what it means to be truly converted. Some call it a crisis of grace. They heard the gospel and professed Christ. Then they walked away from Him but through the power of the Holy Spirit came to an understanding of what it means to be saved. This is a very limited view of God's work of salvation. Too many believers have a crisis faith. They cycle in and out of sin. Confess and promise to do better but only find themselves more legalistically bound. Works without faith is dead and so is the religion of self appraisal and performance.
For Peter it was not that he went off to the world like the prodigal son. He outrightly disowned Christ. Perhaps out of fear and self preservation he vehemently turned his back on the one he loved so dearly. Going back to the words of Christ, Satan was behind this moment of shifting much as wheat is shaken free from the chaff. God will use any number of means to get our attention. What He wants is our hearts which is often the last thing to be converted. Easy to think and speak about Christ but a heart can be stubborn and refuse to yield its ground.
When we turn back to Christ, we are transformed men and women. Samuel told a young man that he would be a changed man once the Spirit comes upon him (1 Samuel 10:6). That young man was Saul but tragically he forsook God's mercy and became a mad king chasing David through the wilderness. The night before Saul died he had consulted a witch because God was no longer speaking to him.
But there is another Saul that did turn to God and his life and name was changed to Paul (Acts 9). Be encouraged church that God can still bring us back to Him no matter how much we failed or if we have fainted in our minds to believe He can do something good out of our lives.
Only you need is turn your face toward Him not your back...and listen.
They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline. (Jeremiah 32:33).
I believe God's salvation is sure. And I don't believe you are in and out of salvation. We struggle daily and don't always get it right. However, we are warned in Scripture not to neglect such a great salvation (Hebrews 2:3). We are encouraged to work out our salvation daily (Philippians 2:12).
Friends, salvation is not static or just a one time altar call in front of the church. As we mature in the faith, our salvation deepens and so does our confidence in the One who can only save us - not just once but every moment of the day.
There is a moment in our walk that we need to understand what it means to be truly converted. Some call it a crisis of grace. They heard the gospel and professed Christ. Then they walked away from Him but through the power of the Holy Spirit came to an understanding of what it means to be saved. This is a very limited view of God's work of salvation. Too many believers have a crisis faith. They cycle in and out of sin. Confess and promise to do better but only find themselves more legalistically bound. Works without faith is dead and so is the religion of self appraisal and performance.
For Peter it was not that he went off to the world like the prodigal son. He outrightly disowned Christ. Perhaps out of fear and self preservation he vehemently turned his back on the one he loved so dearly. Going back to the words of Christ, Satan was behind this moment of shifting much as wheat is shaken free from the chaff. God will use any number of means to get our attention. What He wants is our hearts which is often the last thing to be converted. Easy to think and speak about Christ but a heart can be stubborn and refuse to yield its ground.
When we turn back to Christ, we are transformed men and women. Samuel told a young man that he would be a changed man once the Spirit comes upon him (1 Samuel 10:6). That young man was Saul but tragically he forsook God's mercy and became a mad king chasing David through the wilderness. The night before Saul died he had consulted a witch because God was no longer speaking to him.
But there is another Saul that did turn to God and his life and name was changed to Paul (Acts 9). Be encouraged church that God can still bring us back to Him no matter how much we failed or if we have fainted in our minds to believe He can do something good out of our lives.
Only you need is turn your face toward Him not your back...and listen.
They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline. (Jeremiah 32:33).
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Rivkah רִבְקָה
I remember one late summer evening watching her as she sat nearly motionless in the car. Nearly an hour later she appeared at the front door. She smiled as she passed through the kitchen saying, "It was wonderful. I sat and talked to God and He answered me." I wasn't surprised since she taught us from childhood that God listens and talks to us.
Her spiritual life was rich and complex as expressed in her prayers that were both moving and inspiring. When I struggled through the night with asthma she would touch my forehead. Her lips moving in a silent prayer like Hannah praying for a son. Other times she was vocal with strong petitions that didn't reflect her family's somewhat legalistic background. She learned to pray in tongues and worship with hands raised with a loving abandonment.
Rivkah.
We know this woman in the Bible by her English name, Rebecca (or Rebekah). A woman who took a calculated risk of faith to leave her father's house to marry a man who was a child of promise, Isaac. She lied to her father after stealing the household idol and sat on it (Genesis 31:34). And later convinced her son Jacob to deceive his father to bless him in order to secure a future for the generations to come (Genesis 27).
Rebecca is the name of my mother.
Rivkah in Hebrew means tied up or beautifully ensnaring which so speaks of my mother's deepest struggles. After some twenty years the cords of matrimony thinned and then finally broke. My father decided to leave. She was now free of what seemed a colorless and lifeless existence. Those years were difficult to keep us feed, clothed, healthy and spiritually nourished.
My mother's beauty was notably marked by a vivid personality that could charm and disarm men who found her both enchanting and mystifying. In her later years, she found solace from ailing health by taking long mountain hikes and listening to the melodic churning of a brook. Her photos capture moments where nature and God restored a life of a young woman full of dreams and hopes for future that had all but slipped through her fingers.
But Rivah could not be free of one rope that tightly bound up her beauty and desires. Loneliness. Perhaps it was the same feeling when she sat in that empty car those many years before when talking to God. Now at seventy years old the loneliness that had walked with her daily is falling behind as her eyes look heavenward. You can hear it in her voice. The deepest desire to the hold the hand of one Man that has never failed her and could satisfy the deepest desire of a love that gives way to a certain rest.
To my mother, Rebecca, with love.
Thank you for being my spiritual Rivkah to ensure a spiritual heritage that I have today.
Your son,
Andrew
Her spiritual life was rich and complex as expressed in her prayers that were both moving and inspiring. When I struggled through the night with asthma she would touch my forehead. Her lips moving in a silent prayer like Hannah praying for a son. Other times she was vocal with strong petitions that didn't reflect her family's somewhat legalistic background. She learned to pray in tongues and worship with hands raised with a loving abandonment.
Rivkah.
We know this woman in the Bible by her English name, Rebecca (or Rebekah). A woman who took a calculated risk of faith to leave her father's house to marry a man who was a child of promise, Isaac. She lied to her father after stealing the household idol and sat on it (Genesis 31:34). And later convinced her son Jacob to deceive his father to bless him in order to secure a future for the generations to come (Genesis 27).
Rebecca is the name of my mother.
Rivkah in Hebrew means tied up or beautifully ensnaring which so speaks of my mother's deepest struggles. After some twenty years the cords of matrimony thinned and then finally broke. My father decided to leave. She was now free of what seemed a colorless and lifeless existence. Those years were difficult to keep us feed, clothed, healthy and spiritually nourished.
My mother's beauty was notably marked by a vivid personality that could charm and disarm men who found her both enchanting and mystifying. In her later years, she found solace from ailing health by taking long mountain hikes and listening to the melodic churning of a brook. Her photos capture moments where nature and God restored a life of a young woman full of dreams and hopes for future that had all but slipped through her fingers.
But Rivah could not be free of one rope that tightly bound up her beauty and desires. Loneliness. Perhaps it was the same feeling when she sat in that empty car those many years before when talking to God. Now at seventy years old the loneliness that had walked with her daily is falling behind as her eyes look heavenward. You can hear it in her voice. The deepest desire to the hold the hand of one Man that has never failed her and could satisfy the deepest desire of a love that gives way to a certain rest.
To my mother, Rebecca, with love.
Thank you for being my spiritual Rivkah to ensure a spiritual heritage that I have today.
Your son,
Andrew
Saturday, May 6, 2017
After The Rains
This past Friday I sat in the doctor's office listening to the thundering march of rain pounding on the roof. I was called into a separate room for a minor procedure on my right leg. There was signs of reflux where the two veins intersected so the blood was not properly circulating. I was expecting just a quick injection to seal up the problem but that was just part of the treatment.
Perhaps it was best that I didn't fully understand the full process for what turned out to be very long uncomfortable minutes laying on my back staring up at the ceiling. Some seventies or eighties pop music drowned out the sound of the rain and my inner scream to run from the room.
The next day I awoke to the bright morning sun. I was aware of dull throb in my lower right leg as I walked across the living room to open the blinds. The sunlight flooded the room. I took in a deep breath thankful - yesterday was over - and so was the cold miserable dampness from the rain.
Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. (Song of Solomon 2:11, NLT).
Perhaps the Lord wants to tell us the rain is over and gone in our lives. You know the dark clouds of what seems like perpetual sorrow that follows a life littered from tragedies. A death of a loved one. A prodigal son. The pain of a loveless marriage. Or toiling at work never to be recognized or promoted. Family turning against you for your faith in Christ. Church was to be your shelter from the beating rain only to find it leaking with others just as miserable. Their words were to be encouraging but it just deepens the pain and increases your sorrows.
God knows how to turn sorrow into a fertile ground that beauty can spring up out of ashes. And more than that He can turn a mournful cry to a song in the night that signals our deliverance and freedom until we see the morning sun rise!
Blossoms have appeared in the land. The season of songbirds has arrived, and cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.(2:12, NIV).
God knows your tears. It says, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (Psalms 56:8, NLT).
He promises to transform the tears to shouts of joy.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5 NIV).
God is not angry because you are depressed, sorrowful or overwhelmed with pain. As I did during my surgery I closed my eyes and said, "It hurts Jesus, please hold my hand." Beloved, He will hold your hand like Peter who walked to Him on water. He won't let you drown or go under but will lift you up out of sorrowful seas and speak peace to stop the rain (tears) and angry winds.
The Son of righteousness will shine through you again.
Perhaps it was best that I didn't fully understand the full process for what turned out to be very long uncomfortable minutes laying on my back staring up at the ceiling. Some seventies or eighties pop music drowned out the sound of the rain and my inner scream to run from the room.
The next day I awoke to the bright morning sun. I was aware of dull throb in my lower right leg as I walked across the living room to open the blinds. The sunlight flooded the room. I took in a deep breath thankful - yesterday was over - and so was the cold miserable dampness from the rain.
Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. (Song of Solomon 2:11, NLT).
Perhaps the Lord wants to tell us the rain is over and gone in our lives. You know the dark clouds of what seems like perpetual sorrow that follows a life littered from tragedies. A death of a loved one. A prodigal son. The pain of a loveless marriage. Or toiling at work never to be recognized or promoted. Family turning against you for your faith in Christ. Church was to be your shelter from the beating rain only to find it leaking with others just as miserable. Their words were to be encouraging but it just deepens the pain and increases your sorrows.
God knows how to turn sorrow into a fertile ground that beauty can spring up out of ashes. And more than that He can turn a mournful cry to a song in the night that signals our deliverance and freedom until we see the morning sun rise!
Blossoms have appeared in the land. The season of songbirds has arrived, and cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.(2:12, NIV).
God knows your tears. It says, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (Psalms 56:8, NLT).
He promises to transform the tears to shouts of joy.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5 NIV).
God is not angry because you are depressed, sorrowful or overwhelmed with pain. As I did during my surgery I closed my eyes and said, "It hurts Jesus, please hold my hand." Beloved, He will hold your hand like Peter who walked to Him on water. He won't let you drown or go under but will lift you up out of sorrowful seas and speak peace to stop the rain (tears) and angry winds.
The Son of righteousness will shine through you again.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
I Give You My Heart
Sadly, it's the last thing we truly surrender to the Lord is our heart - completely and fully - nothing held back or a portion reserved for self.
Many believers like myself experience sharp spiritual highs and lows. Moments we ebb and flow in power and grace then just as quickly we feel disconnected and spiritually low.
It seems a balanced and tempered life of staying close to the Savior is illusive. Our emotions keep betraying us. The Satanic lies that God has left us on our own can be too much (and may even feel real). As a result, many believers are in survivor mode - just trying to get through one day at a time.
So we lack vision and as such the power to see beyond our moments and days for an everlasting kingdom that would inspire hope and passion.
And it all starts with giving Him our heart (again and again) even though we have unexplained pain and find ourselves falling into old sinful habits.
For some giving their heart to God is difficult. They gave it to others only to experience diminishing returns of love leaving them bitter and disappointed. Promises broken. Relationships were shattered and hearts crushed, rejected.
But God steps in with a rich promise that it only requires us to say yes and He will do all the work of taking and replacing our hearts. Ezekiel 11:19 says I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. (NIV).
Our response to God's work of changing our hearts should be David's cry: "Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (Psalms 86:11 NIV).
Start today.
Tell Him your heart is faint even cold toward Him. Ask for His power to bring it to life again. And as I had to do so often I raise my hands in surrender and say, "Here I am. Take me and this heart of mine. It's all yours."
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever (I Lift My Hands, Chris Tomlin)
Many believers like myself experience sharp spiritual highs and lows. Moments we ebb and flow in power and grace then just as quickly we feel disconnected and spiritually low.
It seems a balanced and tempered life of staying close to the Savior is illusive. Our emotions keep betraying us. The Satanic lies that God has left us on our own can be too much (and may even feel real). As a result, many believers are in survivor mode - just trying to get through one day at a time.
So we lack vision and as such the power to see beyond our moments and days for an everlasting kingdom that would inspire hope and passion.
And it all starts with giving Him our heart (again and again) even though we have unexplained pain and find ourselves falling into old sinful habits.
For some giving their heart to God is difficult. They gave it to others only to experience diminishing returns of love leaving them bitter and disappointed. Promises broken. Relationships were shattered and hearts crushed, rejected.
But God steps in with a rich promise that it only requires us to say yes and He will do all the work of taking and replacing our hearts. Ezekiel 11:19 says I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. (NIV).
Our response to God's work of changing our hearts should be David's cry: "Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." (Psalms 86:11 NIV).
Start today.
Tell Him your heart is faint even cold toward Him. Ask for His power to bring it to life again. And as I had to do so often I raise my hands in surrender and say, "Here I am. Take me and this heart of mine. It's all yours."
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever (I Lift My Hands, Chris Tomlin)
Saturday, April 22, 2017
When You Feel Low
The stigma of depression only deepens the problem when Christians are expected to experience the joy of the Lord.
The source of depression be it organic or chemical or some other reason is not just feeling low but it's a spiritual problem too.
Since childhood I experienced bouts of depression. Over the years I've learned that diet, cutting out sugary foods (effects of highs and lows), and exercise made a difference to alleviate those dark moments. I've also learned that certain sin issues in my life that I long neglected to address only strengthened depression.
When I tried to cope and manage on my own it seemed that I sank even deeper in a watery pit. At one time I used medication but the side effects made things difficult.
For me the key to overcoming depression was when God challenged me to connect with people - to have genuine care and fellowship with those in the body of Christ. Faithfully and patiently God worked in my heart to reach out to others knowing full well the risks of rejection or dismissal was possible. I was surprised by the warm and kind reception I was given. I learned that others also suffered from depression and had painful experiences as a result.
As my understanding grew my somewhat narrow world expanded and the power of depression lifted. Healing can be found in the body of Christ if only we are willing to take a small step of faith.
Beloved, if you suffer depression even temporarily as a result of loss, health or financial issues, know that God truly cares. If anything a person who experiences depression wants to feel is safe and protected. God promises us in Psalms 116:6-7 that says, "The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me." (NLT)
There is a place of rest for the feverish mind and troubled heart. God promises to protect and defend us. He will raise us up back on our feet and lead us out of our low state.
Pay attention to my cry, for I have been brought very low. Deliver me from my tormentors, for they are far too strong for me. (Psalms 142:6 ISV).
The source of depression be it organic or chemical or some other reason is not just feeling low but it's a spiritual problem too.
Since childhood I experienced bouts of depression. Over the years I've learned that diet, cutting out sugary foods (effects of highs and lows), and exercise made a difference to alleviate those dark moments. I've also learned that certain sin issues in my life that I long neglected to address only strengthened depression.
When I tried to cope and manage on my own it seemed that I sank even deeper in a watery pit. At one time I used medication but the side effects made things difficult.
For me the key to overcoming depression was when God challenged me to connect with people - to have genuine care and fellowship with those in the body of Christ. Faithfully and patiently God worked in my heart to reach out to others knowing full well the risks of rejection or dismissal was possible. I was surprised by the warm and kind reception I was given. I learned that others also suffered from depression and had painful experiences as a result.
As my understanding grew my somewhat narrow world expanded and the power of depression lifted. Healing can be found in the body of Christ if only we are willing to take a small step of faith.
Beloved, if you suffer depression even temporarily as a result of loss, health or financial issues, know that God truly cares. If anything a person who experiences depression wants to feel is safe and protected. God promises us in Psalms 116:6-7 that says, "The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me." (NLT)
There is a place of rest for the feverish mind and troubled heart. God promises to protect and defend us. He will raise us up back on our feet and lead us out of our low state.
Pay attention to my cry, for I have been brought very low. Deliver me from my tormentors, for they are far too strong for me. (Psalms 142:6 ISV).
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Be My Help!
In response to arrogant religious practices, Jesus said, “But that Tax Collector was standing from a distance and he would not even lift his eyes up to Heaven, but he was smiting on his chest and he said, 'God, have pity on me, a sinner.' “I say to you that this one went down to his house justified rather than that Pharisee, for every man who exalts himself shall be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:13-14, Aramaic Bible in Plain English).
I've heard many testimonies of how God saved an individual in their broken and desperate state. Nearly every time the moment of deliverance started with the fewest of words like help me or God, show yourself to me!
Many or few words does not equate to the measure of help received but what the heart is speaking to the Savior. He alone knows the depths of the human heart and when words fail to express He fully understands the cry for help.
I can recall a time that I spent hours weeping in His presence asking for help after I was diagnosed with a severe illness. At first my cries were pitiful and loathsome. I didn't really want help but a way out so I can continue living just as before.
Then one day I read in Psalms 30:9 that says "What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?" (NIV).
The cry for help pivoted to a deeper cry for God's help that a different story be told. In humility I asked for help to live again that through my life His story is expressed otherwise going down to the pit will silence His greatest opportunity. Some ten years later I continue to live but the cry for help continues - that need to lean and depend on Him - only grows deeper.
There may be someone reading this that you are in a horrible pit. Darkness and fear are choking the life out of you. You feel hounded by memories and the consequences for bad choices that never seem to end. But He is just a whisper away. Say His name Jesus. Jesus! The place where you are will flood with light and so will your heart. Soon the cry for help will flow as easy as the tears that will wash away any pride and self reliance to survive on your own.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help." Psalms 40:1-2 NIV)
I've heard many testimonies of how God saved an individual in their broken and desperate state. Nearly every time the moment of deliverance started with the fewest of words like help me or God, show yourself to me!
Many or few words does not equate to the measure of help received but what the heart is speaking to the Savior. He alone knows the depths of the human heart and when words fail to express He fully understands the cry for help.
I can recall a time that I spent hours weeping in His presence asking for help after I was diagnosed with a severe illness. At first my cries were pitiful and loathsome. I didn't really want help but a way out so I can continue living just as before.
Then one day I read in Psalms 30:9 that says "What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?" (NIV).
The cry for help pivoted to a deeper cry for God's help that a different story be told. In humility I asked for help to live again that through my life His story is expressed otherwise going down to the pit will silence His greatest opportunity. Some ten years later I continue to live but the cry for help continues - that need to lean and depend on Him - only grows deeper.
There may be someone reading this that you are in a horrible pit. Darkness and fear are choking the life out of you. You feel hounded by memories and the consequences for bad choices that never seem to end. But He is just a whisper away. Say His name Jesus. Jesus! The place where you are will flood with light and so will your heart. Soon the cry for help will flow as easy as the tears that will wash away any pride and self reliance to survive on your own.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help." Psalms 40:1-2 NIV)
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Leaning On The EverLasting Arms
For the anxious and troubled mind no better remedy is found than leaning on Jesus.
What a delight for the beloved disciple to lean into Christ during the passover supper (John 13:23). Such a posture infers intimacy. A confidence to bridge any space between and his Lord by resting his head flat against Christ's chest. And the beauty of it all was Jesus didn't refuse his touch or the weight pressed against Him.
For those who are prone to anxiety attacks with a mind racing feverishly with dreadful thoughts, only leaning on His everlasting arms is true relief found. I'm reminded of the lyrics from an old hymn entitled "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" by Anthony J. Showalter (1887).
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Most often the anxious heart will go into over drive to control and manage a circumstance or problem. But anxiety will drain human strength and leave a person fatigued and frustrated. And in some cases, anxiety lends itself to addictive behaviors that only deepen the problem.
My friends trust is the keystone to faith that gives us the assurance that God cares and is concerned about our welfare.
The more we take Him at His word the more our hearts are at rest because God is bigger than our heavy hearts (1 John 3:20).
What a delight for the beloved disciple to lean into Christ during the passover supper (John 13:23). Such a posture infers intimacy. A confidence to bridge any space between and his Lord by resting his head flat against Christ's chest. And the beauty of it all was Jesus didn't refuse his touch or the weight pressed against Him.
For those who are prone to anxiety attacks with a mind racing feverishly with dreadful thoughts, only leaning on His everlasting arms is true relief found. I'm reminded of the lyrics from an old hymn entitled "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" by Anthony J. Showalter (1887).
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Most often the anxious heart will go into over drive to control and manage a circumstance or problem. But anxiety will drain human strength and leave a person fatigued and frustrated. And in some cases, anxiety lends itself to addictive behaviors that only deepen the problem.
My friends trust is the keystone to faith that gives us the assurance that God cares and is concerned about our welfare.
The more we take Him at His word the more our hearts are at rest because God is bigger than our heavy hearts (1 John 3:20).
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Renewed Patience
Slowly I'm learning that patience is the truest source of strength because it takes His strength to wait.
We must wait for God to speak and act as He determines in every aspect of our lives. True to His promise those that wait on the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).
The word renew in this verse means to pass on or away similar to the Scripture that tells us we go from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7).
Each day we need a renewed dose of strength to meet whatever we'll face. As we wait on Him, our strength increases because we are at rest that God is in control. We don't need to run about in weary circles trying to coral everything or everyone under our control.
Waiting on God gives a fresh perspective of what battles are important while others are just a skirmish to serve as a distraction to erode our strength.
Perhaps it's the sense as you grow older you become more winded and tired. At fifty you don't have the energy of a seventeen or thirty year old. Your steps slow a bit. You gain wisdom and understanding in life. The sense of preservation increases as you savor a simple sunny morning and the activities of life stirring around you. You take the time to appreciate the ability to breath and to get up in the morning.
Patience takes a mindful and deliberate choice to put a pause on making hasty decisions or rushing to judgment. Simply ask God, "What do you want me to do?"
Wait.
And He will answer.
We must wait for God to speak and act as He determines in every aspect of our lives. True to His promise those that wait on the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).
The word renew in this verse means to pass on or away similar to the Scripture that tells us we go from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7).
Each day we need a renewed dose of strength to meet whatever we'll face. As we wait on Him, our strength increases because we are at rest that God is in control. We don't need to run about in weary circles trying to coral everything or everyone under our control.
Waiting on God gives a fresh perspective of what battles are important while others are just a skirmish to serve as a distraction to erode our strength.
Perhaps it's the sense as you grow older you become more winded and tired. At fifty you don't have the energy of a seventeen or thirty year old. Your steps slow a bit. You gain wisdom and understanding in life. The sense of preservation increases as you savor a simple sunny morning and the activities of life stirring around you. You take the time to appreciate the ability to breath and to get up in the morning.
Patience takes a mindful and deliberate choice to put a pause on making hasty decisions or rushing to judgment. Simply ask God, "What do you want me to do?"
Wait.
And He will answer.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Greener Pastures And Quieter Waters
I don't know how many times the question of why I do what I do crosses my mind.
When I think of how I spend my days starting at 4:30 am in the gym followed by a devotional time with God at 6:00 am. Then off to work by 7:30 am until nearly 5 p.m. Only to go back to the gym but this time with my wife who attends another location for exercises classes. This 5 day loop is exhausting! On Sunday there's the ministry obligations to serve up to 2 services. The time, expense and effort to get to the city and sometimes the long hours between services leaves me less refreshed and more frustrated and weary.
I understand there is no such thing as greener pastures. Erma Bombeck, the late humorist, said it best, "The grass is always greener over the septic tank." True that often we learn and lean into God more in the hard times rather than moments of bliss and peace. Our spiritual lives become well nourished by the fertilizer of daily living.
Just because we are active and seem to accomplish much does not make us at rest. Often what we do masks or distracts us from the troubling heart and mind that yearns for a deep soul felt rest.
Perhaps that is why David said, "He makes [italics mine] me lie down in green pastures, he leads [italics mine] me beside quiet waters" (Psalms 23:2).
Only God can cause our hearts to be at rest. He knows how best to interrupt the grinding circle of activities and running here and there even if obligations and commitments must be fulfilled.
Remember it's only in quietness and rest is our confidence in God restored (Isaiah 30:15). So if your day comes to a crashing halt by illness or some other event or your calendar suddenly is empty - take time with God.
And take a deep breath.
And let Him lead to you to greener pastures and quieter waters. Your soul will be restored and your strength to face the day will be in greater measure.
When I think of how I spend my days starting at 4:30 am in the gym followed by a devotional time with God at 6:00 am. Then off to work by 7:30 am until nearly 5 p.m. Only to go back to the gym but this time with my wife who attends another location for exercises classes. This 5 day loop is exhausting! On Sunday there's the ministry obligations to serve up to 2 services. The time, expense and effort to get to the city and sometimes the long hours between services leaves me less refreshed and more frustrated and weary.
I understand there is no such thing as greener pastures. Erma Bombeck, the late humorist, said it best, "The grass is always greener over the septic tank." True that often we learn and lean into God more in the hard times rather than moments of bliss and peace. Our spiritual lives become well nourished by the fertilizer of daily living.
Just because we are active and seem to accomplish much does not make us at rest. Often what we do masks or distracts us from the troubling heart and mind that yearns for a deep soul felt rest.
Perhaps that is why David said, "He makes [italics mine] me lie down in green pastures, he leads [italics mine] me beside quiet waters" (Psalms 23:2).
Only God can cause our hearts to be at rest. He knows how best to interrupt the grinding circle of activities and running here and there even if obligations and commitments must be fulfilled.
Remember it's only in quietness and rest is our confidence in God restored (Isaiah 30:15). So if your day comes to a crashing halt by illness or some other event or your calendar suddenly is empty - take time with God.
And take a deep breath.
And let Him lead to you to greener pastures and quieter waters. Your soul will be restored and your strength to face the day will be in greater measure.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Compassionate Fellowship
I found myself this morning asking God to help me to love Him more truthfully and deeper than I've experienced. He then directed to read the book (or rather letter) of John.
One of the repeated themes in 1 John is the extent we claim to love God is to the measure we love one another.
This is the litmus test of our sincerity to walk in right relationship God and with others. We can't claim to love God while despising our brother and sister (1 John 4:20).
Our love for God and that same love expressed to our Christian brothers and sisters matter for our growth and maturity.
More importantly for the health of the community of believers to be unified especially considering this present dark and confusing age.
In other words, our personal communion (or fellowship) with God will impact not just the church but non-believers. How we treat one another matters for the world is watching us. How we respond in love may tip the balance of eternity for those on the outside desiring to see an authentic Christlike experience.
Consider how the early church responded when the Grecian widows were neglected (Act 6). It matter for those in the church and the lost to see God's love in action. Think of the church eating bread for communion on any given Sunday. What if those same widows took communion in church but went home to empty cupboards?
I must admit that I don't like to connect on a deeper level with those in church. Perhaps it's my introvert nature or I'm exhausted at the end of the week from work. Truth be told there have been some painful experiences that shut me down and made me overly cautious. Sure I can be cordial to shake a hand and greet someone kindly. But if it's the fellowship that John describes in his letter then I'm completely at loss. I'm certain that I have some odd habits. So this is not a criticism on any particular individual but it can be a challenge with differences in cultures, personalities or way people behave that I rather much avoid.
Beloved, we must ask God to increase our capacity to love beyond our self imposed borders. True love demands understanding which means listening and engaging with another brother or sister despite the differences. It's too easy to isolate and insulate ourselves.
In closing, remember the words of John: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17, KJV).
One of the repeated themes in 1 John is the extent we claim to love God is to the measure we love one another.
This is the litmus test of our sincerity to walk in right relationship God and with others. We can't claim to love God while despising our brother and sister (1 John 4:20).
Our love for God and that same love expressed to our Christian brothers and sisters matter for our growth and maturity.
More importantly for the health of the community of believers to be unified especially considering this present dark and confusing age.
In other words, our personal communion (or fellowship) with God will impact not just the church but non-believers. How we treat one another matters for the world is watching us. How we respond in love may tip the balance of eternity for those on the outside desiring to see an authentic Christlike experience.
Consider how the early church responded when the Grecian widows were neglected (Act 6). It matter for those in the church and the lost to see God's love in action. Think of the church eating bread for communion on any given Sunday. What if those same widows took communion in church but went home to empty cupboards?
I must admit that I don't like to connect on a deeper level with those in church. Perhaps it's my introvert nature or I'm exhausted at the end of the week from work. Truth be told there have been some painful experiences that shut me down and made me overly cautious. Sure I can be cordial to shake a hand and greet someone kindly. But if it's the fellowship that John describes in his letter then I'm completely at loss. I'm certain that I have some odd habits. So this is not a criticism on any particular individual but it can be a challenge with differences in cultures, personalities or way people behave that I rather much avoid.
Beloved, we must ask God to increase our capacity to love beyond our self imposed borders. True love demands understanding which means listening and engaging with another brother or sister despite the differences. It's too easy to isolate and insulate ourselves.
In closing, remember the words of John: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17, KJV).
Saturday, March 11, 2017
If It Seems Evil
After a string of victories in conquering the Promised Land, Joshua makes a strong statement to the people of God.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD (italics mine), choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
If it seems evil to serve the Lord?
Another translation uses the word "undesirable" and in the original language it means evil or bad. How can it seem to a believer that serving the Lord is evil?
Keep in mind if serving the Lord is perceived as evil then it follows the understanding of God's character (yes, His very nature) is perceived to be equally evil.
We see this twisted perspective in the man who hid the talent of gold in the ground. His response to the master is very telling. Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. (Matthew 25:24 NIV).
How many believers view God as harsh, mean spirited or vindictive?
Beloved, we live in a generation that has inverted that which good as something wicked and evil as somehow being right. This deformity or rather perversity in thinking has influenced the believer's understanding of God.
It's not a question of why God permits suffering or why innocent lives get in the cross fire of wars, diseases or some other horrific event. No, the question is a matter of faith. Do we trust His nature (and His very heart) when we have more questions than answers. Or when there is unexplained pain and nothing seems to make sense.
To see God through natural eyes is to fall short of understanding His heart. When we compare to what we have or don't have we can quickly fall into the enemy's trap that God is not good (at least to what we define goodness). Or that He is holding back the best from our lives. Sadly, there are so called ministers preaching wealth, health and blessings that many of us don't experience and we can form a view of God as mean, harsh and unfeeling.
We need to see Him through the eyes of faith so our prayer should be open my eyes to see You - past the natural and my perspective, attitudes and misunderstandings - and God will remove the cataracts of unbelief.
God is a good Master.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD (italics mine), choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
If it seems evil to serve the Lord?
Another translation uses the word "undesirable" and in the original language it means evil or bad. How can it seem to a believer that serving the Lord is evil?
Keep in mind if serving the Lord is perceived as evil then it follows the understanding of God's character (yes, His very nature) is perceived to be equally evil.
We see this twisted perspective in the man who hid the talent of gold in the ground. His response to the master is very telling. Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. (Matthew 25:24 NIV).
How many believers view God as harsh, mean spirited or vindictive?
Beloved, we live in a generation that has inverted that which good as something wicked and evil as somehow being right. This deformity or rather perversity in thinking has influenced the believer's understanding of God.
It's not a question of why God permits suffering or why innocent lives get in the cross fire of wars, diseases or some other horrific event. No, the question is a matter of faith. Do we trust His nature (and His very heart) when we have more questions than answers. Or when there is unexplained pain and nothing seems to make sense.
To see God through natural eyes is to fall short of understanding His heart. When we compare to what we have or don't have we can quickly fall into the enemy's trap that God is not good (at least to what we define goodness). Or that He is holding back the best from our lives. Sadly, there are so called ministers preaching wealth, health and blessings that many of us don't experience and we can form a view of God as mean, harsh and unfeeling.
We need to see Him through the eyes of faith so our prayer should be open my eyes to see You - past the natural and my perspective, attitudes and misunderstandings - and God will remove the cataracts of unbelief.
God is a good Master.
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