There's a place we must go daily to meet the Lord.
Regardless to how we feel or what failures may have overwhelmed us.
Let us go out early to the vineyards and see whether the vines have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love. (Song of Solomon 7:12, NLT).
Do you feel exhausted? Tired from the pressures of everyday living. Your feet touch the floor in the morning to experience a horrible weight pressing down on your shoulders.
Have you failed by saying things you shouldn't speak? Words that were sharp or acidic because you are frustrated and angry.
Or do you feel that no matter what efforts you make to serve the Lord, the rewards seem fewer and risks too great? Friends disconnect and disappear. Your co-workers stop giving you invites for those after hour gatherings. You feel shunned and isolated.
This is the time you say to Christ, "Let's go to the secret place and there I will give You my love."
That secret place is the vineyard and the Lord is the Vigneron. He plants, cultivates and prunes the fruit in our lives. Like grapes that are crushed to flow with juice into an intoxicating drink; so too does the Lord apply a gentle pressure.
For we are squeezed in all things, but we are not strangled; we are harassed, but we are not condemned. (2 Corinthians 4:8, Aramaic Bible in Plain English).
As a result, we became intoxicated by His presence.
There in that place we find the truest joy and bliss. There in that place we take off our foolish self made armour and thin veneer of excuses for preservation. We stand completely unashamed in His presence just as we are and what we are not.
Beloved, He longs for the prayer of faith that seizes His hand that pulls and tugs Him to a place already appointed for you and me.
Whisper in the day and night to Him, "Come Lord, there I will give You all my love!"
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Peace
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV).
The word peace in the original means "wholeness". God's peace restores all the mind and all the heart. It's not a piece of peace but rather being entirely at peace.
Jesus contrasts the peace He gives to what the world offers.
The world uses all sorts of means to produce peace. From mediation to medication to rallies and marches but it doesn't produce a sustainable effect. The world's peace is circumstantial and experiential. It'a centered on certain events and experiences that make you feel tranquil, but it lacks the substance of God's peace. When Jesus spoke to the storm, it says the winds and waves obeyed Him and the storm ceased.
Nothing and no one in this world can completely calm our internal storms. What amount of money is there to soothe a tormented mind? Or what event can keep us distracted long enough from what troubles us?
I find that if I sit for a few minutes in His presence and say nothing at all - just to still myself - soon His presence soothes my tense, knotted soul.
Sometimes that's all it takes is to close the door in a room to shut out the world. Sit with an open Bible in your lap and wait for Him to speak through His word.
Peace, be still.
The word peace in the original means "wholeness". God's peace restores all the mind and all the heart. It's not a piece of peace but rather being entirely at peace.
Jesus contrasts the peace He gives to what the world offers.
The world uses all sorts of means to produce peace. From mediation to medication to rallies and marches but it doesn't produce a sustainable effect. The world's peace is circumstantial and experiential. It'a centered on certain events and experiences that make you feel tranquil, but it lacks the substance of God's peace. When Jesus spoke to the storm, it says the winds and waves obeyed Him and the storm ceased.
Nothing and no one in this world can completely calm our internal storms. What amount of money is there to soothe a tormented mind? Or what event can keep us distracted long enough from what troubles us?
I find that if I sit for a few minutes in His presence and say nothing at all - just to still myself - soon His presence soothes my tense, knotted soul.
Sometimes that's all it takes is to close the door in a room to shut out the world. Sit with an open Bible in your lap and wait for Him to speak through His word.
Peace, be still.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
I Say Yes
Recently, I was interviewed for a church ministry. It's a volunteer position to assist for one of the Sunday's services.
After the usual formalities and questions, the interviewer closed in prayer. I don't recall most what he prayed except when he said, "He said yes to you Lord, when he could have said no."
His words echoed what I had prayed earlier that afternoon. I had the choice to attend the interview or to decline. This was not my first experience with this church. Some time ago, I applied for a different ministry (and served three years) but it proved very challenging. So, why would I go through that experience again?
Except the wooing and calling of God.
His voice can upset the balance of what is warm, familiar and cozy. A nice sheltered and protected life free from any risks is only a mere fantasy in the Christian walk!
Time and time again we refuse what He asks because of bad experiences or outcomes that leave us disappointed and disillusioned. We question if we really heard from God or God even heard what we didn't pray for - not that ministry this ministry. We might even question our sanity to why we would take another swing at something given the poor results.
But God makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and makes it all brand new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Truthfully, I don't feel new but old, tired and burdened by the past. However, the truth is God sees and responds to us through the lens of all things beautiful and new.
Imagine seeing beauty in what is marred and to what is aged see it as new?
When we say yes when the option to say no is the strongest we might miss seeing the beauty and perfection of His timing. Understandably, we are too independent and self-serving by not asking God His mind and will in everyday life choices. So of course, we will make a mess of things for our human reasoning is greatly limited and flawed.
Proverbs 16:33 says, "We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall." (NLT). When we give Him all our choices and wait for His response the outcome is anything but ugly and deflating.
Sometimes it's just a matter of simply saying "Yes, Lord." And He will do all the rest on our behalf.
The harder it is to yes to Him (and no to the flesh) is greater the blessing of peace that will flow.
After the usual formalities and questions, the interviewer closed in prayer. I don't recall most what he prayed except when he said, "He said yes to you Lord, when he could have said no."
His words echoed what I had prayed earlier that afternoon. I had the choice to attend the interview or to decline. This was not my first experience with this church. Some time ago, I applied for a different ministry (and served three years) but it proved very challenging. So, why would I go through that experience again?
Except the wooing and calling of God.
His voice can upset the balance of what is warm, familiar and cozy. A nice sheltered and protected life free from any risks is only a mere fantasy in the Christian walk!
Time and time again we refuse what He asks because of bad experiences or outcomes that leave us disappointed and disillusioned. We question if we really heard from God or God even heard what we didn't pray for - not that ministry this ministry. We might even question our sanity to why we would take another swing at something given the poor results.
But God makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and makes it all brand new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Truthfully, I don't feel new but old, tired and burdened by the past. However, the truth is God sees and responds to us through the lens of all things beautiful and new.
Imagine seeing beauty in what is marred and to what is aged see it as new?
When we say yes when the option to say no is the strongest we might miss seeing the beauty and perfection of His timing. Understandably, we are too independent and self-serving by not asking God His mind and will in everyday life choices. So of course, we will make a mess of things for our human reasoning is greatly limited and flawed.
Proverbs 16:33 says, "We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall." (NLT). When we give Him all our choices and wait for His response the outcome is anything but ugly and deflating.
Sometimes it's just a matter of simply saying "Yes, Lord." And He will do all the rest on our behalf.
The harder it is to yes to Him (and no to the flesh) is greater the blessing of peace that will flow.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Patience: Power Of Restraint
Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
The Greek word for patience is makrothymía which means waiting with sufficient time before expressing anger (Bible Hub, Strong's Concordance). In other words, time and temperance must work together to keep the tide of our rising anger in check. We must ask God for a greater grace for patience.
It cost Moses dearly when he struck the rock in a fit of rage rather than speak to it. As a result, Moses was not permitted to enter the Promise Land (Numbers 20:12).
I seem to fail time after time the lesson to cultivate patience.
Recently, I've had to battle through construction noise while working from home. And a neighbor's barking dog on other side of the living room wall. Then there was the neighbor below blasting music through the floor boards. There was a lot of other "noise" in the office with the recent state regulation to manage leave (absence) for employees that we insure. Meetings, phone calls, instant messages - the noise of interruptions and distractions soon become too much to cope. I found myself annoyed, irritated and angry.
When life becomes too much to bear we have to return to His promises that will anchor us otherwise we'll fly off the handle, so to speak, and do something foolish.
So I started to remind myself who God is and the work of His Spirit in my life. After all, patience like the other fruit is of the Spirit of God not some human effort. He is in control. His Spirit is at work to make me more like Christ. Any effort on my part is often a pretense to appear calm and professional, but I'm a raging bull inside!
God desires to go to the root not just the rotten fruit of impatience. He even changes the soil of our heart so that He can cultivate fruit that is sustainable and viable through any circumstance.
One thing I've learned: I call out loud for His help when anger flushes through my system. I tell Him honestly how I feel and ask Him to break through my thoughts that are running in a feverish circle. Time and time again His peace intervenes. He reminds me of who He is and what I'm not - I'm not the judge and jury to take retribution but I'm forgiven and been shown mercy - something that must be extended if patience is going to guard me from some foolish action.
I must learn to speak to the problems in faith. Rather than "strike" the person with spiteful words for when I do, I offend Christ.
Stay close to Him even if you are burning up inside! He will cool our spirits with the water of His word.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4, KJV).
The Greek word for patience is makrothymía which means waiting with sufficient time before expressing anger (Bible Hub, Strong's Concordance). In other words, time and temperance must work together to keep the tide of our rising anger in check. We must ask God for a greater grace for patience.
It cost Moses dearly when he struck the rock in a fit of rage rather than speak to it. As a result, Moses was not permitted to enter the Promise Land (Numbers 20:12).
I seem to fail time after time the lesson to cultivate patience.
Recently, I've had to battle through construction noise while working from home. And a neighbor's barking dog on other side of the living room wall. Then there was the neighbor below blasting music through the floor boards. There was a lot of other "noise" in the office with the recent state regulation to manage leave (absence) for employees that we insure. Meetings, phone calls, instant messages - the noise of interruptions and distractions soon become too much to cope. I found myself annoyed, irritated and angry.
When life becomes too much to bear we have to return to His promises that will anchor us otherwise we'll fly off the handle, so to speak, and do something foolish.
So I started to remind myself who God is and the work of His Spirit in my life. After all, patience like the other fruit is of the Spirit of God not some human effort. He is in control. His Spirit is at work to make me more like Christ. Any effort on my part is often a pretense to appear calm and professional, but I'm a raging bull inside!
God desires to go to the root not just the rotten fruit of impatience. He even changes the soil of our heart so that He can cultivate fruit that is sustainable and viable through any circumstance.
One thing I've learned: I call out loud for His help when anger flushes through my system. I tell Him honestly how I feel and ask Him to break through my thoughts that are running in a feverish circle. Time and time again His peace intervenes. He reminds me of who He is and what I'm not - I'm not the judge and jury to take retribution but I'm forgiven and been shown mercy - something that must be extended if patience is going to guard me from some foolish action.
I must learn to speak to the problems in faith. Rather than "strike" the person with spiteful words for when I do, I offend Christ.
Stay close to Him even if you are burning up inside! He will cool our spirits with the water of His word.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4, KJV).
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