No matter if you have an optimistic outlook or a bright, cheerful personality; life has moments of weariness.
Even Jesus felt weary as it says in John 4:6, "Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour." (ESV). Out of His fatigue, He still ministered to a broken woman who eventually brought the whole town to Him.
Weariness may come from hard work or some pressing circumstance. Depression and sadness can cause weariness. But there's another type weariness. The weariness from unbelief. Faith (confidence of trust) in God will always lead to a place of peace and rest.
Unbelief creates turmoil and trouble. When we don't trust God, we tend to take matters into our own hands.
How many professing believers can trust God for someone else to be healed or saved? They can pray big, bold and colorful prayers but when it comes to their own everyday life, the simply don't believe God cares.
This echoes the words of Malachi 2:17, “You have wearied the LORD with your words. "How have we wearied him?" you ask. By saying, "All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them" or "Where is the God of justice?" (NIV).
Unbelief is rooted in questioning God's goodness. This goes back to the garden when the devil questioned Adam and Eve about what God said in not eating of the tree of good and evil. God's "no" answers is always the best answer because of His goodness He is looking out for our own good.
So friends when you are weary ask God for a fresh infilling of His strength. Take time to rest in His presence by reading and mediating on the word of God. Satan will attempt to cause the saints to grow weary (Daniel 7:25) by crafting lies about God's right order and law. Chaos and confusion is Satan's nature. If he can cause us to be wearied by disorder, then our spiritual immune system fails and so does the faith in a sovereign God who is always in control.
Here's a promise to cling in times of weariness. Trust God's word to be faithful and true.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, ESV).
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Pretty Uncommon
Scripture tells us we are a peculiar people. Not odd or weird but unique.
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; (Deuteronomy 26:18 KJV).
We may look very ordinary and act very common as most people but when it comes to us as believers; we are His treasured possession. I Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV).
Our American culture holds to this notion in order to stand out means having a talent like singing, dancing, writing, the arts or some other platform to draw attention to yourself. There is a strong emphasis on activity to be noticed even at risk of some going too far and it becomes destructive.
However, the Lord instructs us, "But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6 NLT).
This is where hidden and common people transform the world.
You may struggle with your looks because of a disability or scars from foolish choices. You may feel like a failure with a long history of repeated sins. Your life seems to go in endless frustrating circles with little or no direction to advance your calling.
But God knows.
He sees the dismissed, the marginalized and the invisible. He calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Here we are seen and His presence is felt.
Beloved, let me challenge you with this thought. Let God take His hands and cupped your face. It will steady your attention on His eyes. Don't resist and turn away when His gentle hands hold to your head. He knows how deep the pain inside of being dismissed and ignored but every tear you've cried is remembered by Him.
Oh Lord, touch our minds and hold us closer until we to give in to your strength!
For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them. (Psalms 109:31 NLT).
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; (Deuteronomy 26:18 KJV).
We may look very ordinary and act very common as most people but when it comes to us as believers; we are His treasured possession. I Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV).
Our American culture holds to this notion in order to stand out means having a talent like singing, dancing, writing, the arts or some other platform to draw attention to yourself. There is a strong emphasis on activity to be noticed even at risk of some going too far and it becomes destructive.
However, the Lord instructs us, "But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6 NLT).
This is where hidden and common people transform the world.
You may struggle with your looks because of a disability or scars from foolish choices. You may feel like a failure with a long history of repeated sins. Your life seems to go in endless frustrating circles with little or no direction to advance your calling.
But God knows.
He sees the dismissed, the marginalized and the invisible. He calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Here we are seen and His presence is felt.
Beloved, let me challenge you with this thought. Let God take His hands and cupped your face. It will steady your attention on His eyes. Don't resist and turn away when His gentle hands hold to your head. He knows how deep the pain inside of being dismissed and ignored but every tear you've cried is remembered by Him.
Oh Lord, touch our minds and hold us closer until we to give in to your strength!
For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them. (Psalms 109:31 NLT).
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Reality Of Satan
How many more people believe that Satan is real but question God's reality?
Given the vile and horrific events experienced throughout the world; we believe there's supernatural and evil presence at work. People will not dispute that a person is "possessed" after gunning down innocent lives in a church or a mall.
Many years ago, I was in a meeting that street people were welcomed to a hear a gospel message. There would be food afterwards so the room was packed. The speaker started to pray binding the enemy when the person behind me started to say, "I want to talk! I want to talk!". I turned around to see him foaming at the mouth as his head swayed back and forth.
While most can contrast the sharpness of God who is light from the Enemy who is shadowy and dark. However, we are warned that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. No wonder. He walked with God in heaven and was an anointed cherub until wickedness was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15). And so he was cast out of heaven.
Likewise, we are warned in Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (NIV).
We must have a discerning spirit because something that feels good and brings a sense of well-being doesn't mean it's from God. If we don't ask God to what appears to be wrapped in light, we might think He's answered our prayers and blessed us abundantly. But soon we find ourselves praying less and making assumptions about His blessings. We take liberties to do as we please. We may even think that because consequences don't come swiftly for sinning we are "blessed" failing to see this as His mercy.
One of the most demonic gospels in our country is prosperity. It speaks nothing of personal sacrifice. Suffering for Christ is abhorred and only good and bright days are ahead. This is nothing short of Satan's message appearing as light but nonetheless is diabolic and divisive. Hundreds sit under such false teachings to find themselves indifferent to the things of God.
And that's why we must pray for a discerning heart. The Holy Spirit is faithful to put that check in our hearts and spirit that something isn't right. Any blessings from God will always lead us back to worshipping Him and laying it all down again for the sake of others.
So, if you get a shiny and bright package have the Lord open it!
Given the vile and horrific events experienced throughout the world; we believe there's supernatural and evil presence at work. People will not dispute that a person is "possessed" after gunning down innocent lives in a church or a mall.
Many years ago, I was in a meeting that street people were welcomed to a hear a gospel message. There would be food afterwards so the room was packed. The speaker started to pray binding the enemy when the person behind me started to say, "I want to talk! I want to talk!". I turned around to see him foaming at the mouth as his head swayed back and forth.
While most can contrast the sharpness of God who is light from the Enemy who is shadowy and dark. However, we are warned that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. No wonder. He walked with God in heaven and was an anointed cherub until wickedness was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15). And so he was cast out of heaven.
Likewise, we are warned in Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (NIV).
We must have a discerning spirit because something that feels good and brings a sense of well-being doesn't mean it's from God. If we don't ask God to what appears to be wrapped in light, we might think He's answered our prayers and blessed us abundantly. But soon we find ourselves praying less and making assumptions about His blessings. We take liberties to do as we please. We may even think that because consequences don't come swiftly for sinning we are "blessed" failing to see this as His mercy.
One of the most demonic gospels in our country is prosperity. It speaks nothing of personal sacrifice. Suffering for Christ is abhorred and only good and bright days are ahead. This is nothing short of Satan's message appearing as light but nonetheless is diabolic and divisive. Hundreds sit under such false teachings to find themselves indifferent to the things of God.
And that's why we must pray for a discerning heart. The Holy Spirit is faithful to put that check in our hearts and spirit that something isn't right. Any blessings from God will always lead us back to worshipping Him and laying it all down again for the sake of others.
So, if you get a shiny and bright package have the Lord open it!
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Comfort For The Inconsolable
Jesus encouraged the disciples by saying, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" (John 14:16 KJV).
The word comforter in Greek means helper, intercessor, comforter and advocate. He is all we need in these trying and often painful times in our generation.
But why does it seem there's a disconnect in the believer's lives to receiving the comfort God offers us? Why we do assimilate to how the world finds comfort in activities, events and experiences that may produce a momentary relief. Then whatever measure of comfort, it quickly fades and we are left without the firm assurance and peace only God can instill. I've learned in my life finding comfort apart from God often meant destructive behaviors and long-standing consequences.
Friends, we don't run to God because we simply don't believe He can fully comfort us. We can easily comfort others with a kind word or embrace but we find ourselves inconsolable. Our nature is to have to a backup plan, an escape route or some supplement to God's comfort to ease the pressure and alleviate the pain.
We have to ask God in faith for comfort in times of unexplainable pain and those moments that seem to push us near the edge of insanity. And when temptation raises its ugly head that we turn to God for help rather than given in for a few minutes of pleasure.
God's comfort is instructive. It moves us beyond any state of self-pity and bemoaning our loss. His comfort teaches us that these are just fleeting times in what is a larger journey of being more like Him. When the Lord walked the earth, He was often denied the comforts that many experienced. "Foxes have dens and birds have nest," Jesus said, "But the Son of Man has no place to lay His head." (Luke 9:58). And the measure of His comfort helps us to comfort others in need.
I want to be very sensitive in writing this regarding those who have been mistreated or abuse. God's comfort will not violate a person as if to force His arms around you. His touch is unlike some people whose touch can be cruel and unfeeling. God comfort is not superficial but goes to broken places in soul and gently and quietly mends. If anything, the evidence of God's comfort is a healed mind. Troubling and tormenting thoughts will stop when God's comfort takes over.
I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass (Isaiah 51:12 NIV).
The word comforter in Greek means helper, intercessor, comforter and advocate. He is all we need in these trying and often painful times in our generation.
But why does it seem there's a disconnect in the believer's lives to receiving the comfort God offers us? Why we do assimilate to how the world finds comfort in activities, events and experiences that may produce a momentary relief. Then whatever measure of comfort, it quickly fades and we are left without the firm assurance and peace only God can instill. I've learned in my life finding comfort apart from God often meant destructive behaviors and long-standing consequences.
Friends, we don't run to God because we simply don't believe He can fully comfort us. We can easily comfort others with a kind word or embrace but we find ourselves inconsolable. Our nature is to have to a backup plan, an escape route or some supplement to God's comfort to ease the pressure and alleviate the pain.
We have to ask God in faith for comfort in times of unexplainable pain and those moments that seem to push us near the edge of insanity. And when temptation raises its ugly head that we turn to God for help rather than given in for a few minutes of pleasure.
God's comfort is instructive. It moves us beyond any state of self-pity and bemoaning our loss. His comfort teaches us that these are just fleeting times in what is a larger journey of being more like Him. When the Lord walked the earth, He was often denied the comforts that many experienced. "Foxes have dens and birds have nest," Jesus said, "But the Son of Man has no place to lay His head." (Luke 9:58). And the measure of His comfort helps us to comfort others in need.
I want to be very sensitive in writing this regarding those who have been mistreated or abuse. God's comfort will not violate a person as if to force His arms around you. His touch is unlike some people whose touch can be cruel and unfeeling. God comfort is not superficial but goes to broken places in soul and gently and quietly mends. If anything, the evidence of God's comfort is a healed mind. Troubling and tormenting thoughts will stop when God's comfort takes over.
I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass (Isaiah 51:12 NIV).