Last evening my wife and I visited a local church to observe Good Friday. Good Friday is observed to reflect on Christ's crucifixion before Easter Sunday when His resurrection is celebrated.
I can't imagine the silence that had fallen on the Lord's family, the disciples and others that closely followed Him. Three years of miracles, powerful messages and a life full of promise as Israel's Messiah seem to all end on a violent and bloody cross.
During those three days there was grieving, many unanswered questions and growing doubts. The disciples on the road of Emmaus captured it very well when saying, "...but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place." Luke 24.21 (NIV).
I realized that we bookend Friday and Sunday as major events but the middle (our Saturday) is hardly mentioned.
Peter gives us a little insight. Scripture says, "After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits--to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water." (I Peter 3:20-21, NIV).
Without adding to Scripture or speculating, it appears that after Jesus died and being made alive that He preached in hell!
How little did those walking on the earth knew that in the grave Jesus was working powerfully to tell them about Himself. Apparently, some listened as Ephesians 4:8 tells us that He took many of the captivity captive.
My point is that life and death are never barriers to Christ. He continues to work even if there seems to be a chilly silence. We know so very little of the supernatural work of God because we've limited ourselves to our natural senses.
Over the years, I've learned not to question Him but understand that He's in constant motion on my behalf even if my emotions have failed me or life seems more difficult and harder.
Today we must hear His voice - that resurrected voice - that will lead us out of our graves of doubt and fear. Ask God to raise you to life again and let Him break off that entombing doubt that because no change or answer has been given that all is lost in the grave.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (John 5:21 NIV).
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Saturday, March 24, 2018
These Fleeting Moments
Perhaps it's the mercy of God that life is but a mere vapor.
Honestly, in a world that is growing increasingly dark and violent, who'd really want to live a hundred or more years? Job 5:7 says, "People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire." (NLT).
As I inch toward my 50th birthday, a milestone of sorts, I'm more aware of how fragile life really is and the importance of what we do for God in these fleeting moments. So, I'm learning to savor and release the best moments for yet even greater moments.
Nothing lasts forever.
Except our obedience to Him so that in the end we hear Him speak those words, "Well, done good and faithful servant."
Face to face.
Jesus understood how transient our days so He instructs, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20 NIV).
There are things that we can't keep in this life because they age and break apart. And certainly there are things we cannot take with us when we leave this life.
The one thing going with us to heaven is the lives we touched for Christ. And that soul is a treasured stored up for all time when we all gather around the throne.
Pray a little more each moment of the day. Ask for understanding while reading the Scriptures. It matters to mediate and store up truth. Like Joseph who stored up grain for seven years because he knew a great famine was coming.
And let's take the example of Joseph's father. It says, "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff." (Hebrews 11:21).
He seized the fleeting moment to bless his family and to worship. Just as he took the moment some many years before to wrestle with an angel. His name was changed from Jacob to Israel.
A moment as we know today that changed an entire nation to follow.
Honestly, in a world that is growing increasingly dark and violent, who'd really want to live a hundred or more years? Job 5:7 says, "People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire." (NLT).
As I inch toward my 50th birthday, a milestone of sorts, I'm more aware of how fragile life really is and the importance of what we do for God in these fleeting moments. So, I'm learning to savor and release the best moments for yet even greater moments.
Nothing lasts forever.
Except our obedience to Him so that in the end we hear Him speak those words, "Well, done good and faithful servant."
Face to face.
Jesus understood how transient our days so He instructs, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20 NIV).
There are things that we can't keep in this life because they age and break apart. And certainly there are things we cannot take with us when we leave this life.
The one thing going with us to heaven is the lives we touched for Christ. And that soul is a treasured stored up for all time when we all gather around the throne.
Pray a little more each moment of the day. Ask for understanding while reading the Scriptures. It matters to mediate and store up truth. Like Joseph who stored up grain for seven years because he knew a great famine was coming.
And let's take the example of Joseph's father. It says, "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff." (Hebrews 11:21).
He seized the fleeting moment to bless his family and to worship. Just as he took the moment some many years before to wrestle with an angel. His name was changed from Jacob to Israel.
A moment as we know today that changed an entire nation to follow.
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Spiritual Highs And Lows
The Israelites finally broke free from the bonds of slavery. They were chased to the edge of the Red Sea when God parted the waters. We know the story ends well with the people of God making it safely to the other side. The Egyptian army was destroyed by the walls of water crushing them.
However, in the same chapter of Exodus 15, just three days later they complained for the lack of water (Exodus 15:22).
Wait.
How could they forget the parting of the mighty Red Sea by the hand of God who cared to deliver them? The same people who sang a song of victory and danced about with joy. Now, three days later they complained for the lack of water?
But Marah's waters were bitter. It's so much like our spiritual journey that God takes us to places that have an appearance of provision only to learn that it lacks substance and sweetness.
And that is the point God was making to His people.
He was to be their constant supply even it meant changing the landscape or quality of water from bitter to sweet.
It takes faith - a deepening trust - when our senses can be so misleading. Our natural vision is poor. So often we don't see through the eyes of faith something God already sees. It's very much like Hagar fleeing with her child into the wilderness. A place of waste and burning. No water found for miles. But God opened her eyes to see a well of fresh water (Genesis 21:19).
God did more than heal the waters of Marah to make them sweet. The scripture says He rolled away the reproach of Egypt (verse 26). All the shame of slavery was removed. Diseases that afflicted them was over.
Only if His people could trust Him more. However, in the next chapter they went from a spiritual high to a low in complaining for the lack of bread. Why? Psalms 103:7 says, "He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel." (KJV). If we don't know the heart of God but always seek some new experience or evidence of His power we will continue to have spiritual roller coaster high and lows. To know Him means to trust His heart and be at rest when everything around you seems desperate and alarming.
May this be our song in low and dry places, beloved:
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
However, in the same chapter of Exodus 15, just three days later they complained for the lack of water (Exodus 15:22).
Wait.
How could they forget the parting of the mighty Red Sea by the hand of God who cared to deliver them? The same people who sang a song of victory and danced about with joy. Now, three days later they complained for the lack of water?
But Marah's waters were bitter. It's so much like our spiritual journey that God takes us to places that have an appearance of provision only to learn that it lacks substance and sweetness.
And that is the point God was making to His people.
He was to be their constant supply even it meant changing the landscape or quality of water from bitter to sweet.
It takes faith - a deepening trust - when our senses can be so misleading. Our natural vision is poor. So often we don't see through the eyes of faith something God already sees. It's very much like Hagar fleeing with her child into the wilderness. A place of waste and burning. No water found for miles. But God opened her eyes to see a well of fresh water (Genesis 21:19).
God did more than heal the waters of Marah to make them sweet. The scripture says He rolled away the reproach of Egypt (verse 26). All the shame of slavery was removed. Diseases that afflicted them was over.
Only if His people could trust Him more. However, in the next chapter they went from a spiritual high to a low in complaining for the lack of bread. Why? Psalms 103:7 says, "He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel." (KJV). If we don't know the heart of God but always seek some new experience or evidence of His power we will continue to have spiritual roller coaster high and lows. To know Him means to trust His heart and be at rest when everything around you seems desperate and alarming.
May this be our song in low and dry places, beloved:
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Oil Of Joy For Frustrating Times
Frustration is a real or perceived resistance to your ability to ensure change or achieve your goals.
An example is my work load. The company took on a new product which resulted in system issues, changes in process and procedures and balancing other demands. Each step of the way there has been set backs with an increasing frustration to get most of the work done before the end of the day. I'm not alone. Other team members are struggling to stay current with their desks only to find the backlog of work the next day.
And there's spiritual frustration. Your prayers seem to grind in a static heat over and over again while yearning for an answer or a breakthrough. Days, weeks, months and even years past and still no answer. The child is still a prodigal. The wife suffers from depression or the husband keeps looking for work.
When gears grind in a bicycle or in a car without lubrication it can overheat and breakdown. Much like our daily lives as we face many frustrating times that is beyond our control.
Oil of the Holy Spirit is the answer.
Speaking of Christ, it says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Hebrews 1:9 NIV).
In frustrating times, the Spirit of God, who like oil, comforts aching joints. The same oil runs down an overheated mind tormented by troubling thoughts. This anointing oil carries power for demons to flee (Acts 10:38).
When you are frustrated, ask God to break through the grinding and gritting moment. Ask for the supernatural oil that never runs dry but with God it's always in fresh supply.
Remember the story of the good Samaritan (an outcast by Jewish society) who helped a Levite (God's priest and people). It says, "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).
The oil of joy only increases when in our time of frustration, we pour oil and wine to heal another.
An example is my work load. The company took on a new product which resulted in system issues, changes in process and procedures and balancing other demands. Each step of the way there has been set backs with an increasing frustration to get most of the work done before the end of the day. I'm not alone. Other team members are struggling to stay current with their desks only to find the backlog of work the next day.
And there's spiritual frustration. Your prayers seem to grind in a static heat over and over again while yearning for an answer or a breakthrough. Days, weeks, months and even years past and still no answer. The child is still a prodigal. The wife suffers from depression or the husband keeps looking for work.
When gears grind in a bicycle or in a car without lubrication it can overheat and breakdown. Much like our daily lives as we face many frustrating times that is beyond our control.
Oil of the Holy Spirit is the answer.
Speaking of Christ, it says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Hebrews 1:9 NIV).
In frustrating times, the Spirit of God, who like oil, comforts aching joints. The same oil runs down an overheated mind tormented by troubling thoughts. This anointing oil carries power for demons to flee (Acts 10:38).
When you are frustrated, ask God to break through the grinding and gritting moment. Ask for the supernatural oil that never runs dry but with God it's always in fresh supply.
Remember the story of the good Samaritan (an outcast by Jewish society) who helped a Levite (God's priest and people). It says, "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).
The oil of joy only increases when in our time of frustration, we pour oil and wine to heal another.
Saturday, March 3, 2018
You Are Beautiful
Many, many years ago while living in Brazil, an old woman across an open field stopped. She said something before moving away. Someone translated it for me. She says, "You are beautiful." I was stunned. As a man, I would have thought of words that are more to my gender like “handsome”, “rugged” or even “attractive”.
Beautiful?
It wasn't just the months of beauty preparations that Esther underwent before standing in front of the king. It was God's grace that beautified her from the inside out. It says, "And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti." (Esther 2:17 KJV).
Not every day do we feel beautiful. One glance in mirror on any given morning and most of us look like we wrestled in our sleep. But God doesn't concern Himself with skin's appearance but what's really going on in the heart.
We live in a cruel culture where beauty and talent are grossly elevated while character and substance is overlooked. How many actors, entertainers or some other media figure eventually reveals his or her true colors. Soon enough there's reports of adultery, substance abuse, divorce, rehab stints and some completely broke.
God told Samuel that the heart matters when picking the new king (1 Samuel 16:7). The Bible says that David was a handsome man but his looks wouldn't carry him far in the challenging years ahead. David had a heart to worship. And this is where the beauty of the Lord's presence is found.
One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (Psalms 27:4, NIV).
When we stare into the eyes of God; we are transformed - beautified by His grace - as we are being changed into His likeness.
We are loved by God no matter our looks. He sees us as beautiful when we feel less than attractive. Embarrassment makes us feel ugly but God is never ashamed to call the sons and daughters of a King. So stretch forth your hand to Him as did Esther and receive grace in time of need.
For Jehovah is pleased with His people, He beautifieth the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4 Young's Literal Translation)
Beautiful?
It wasn't just the months of beauty preparations that Esther underwent before standing in front of the king. It was God's grace that beautified her from the inside out. It says, "And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti." (Esther 2:17 KJV).
Not every day do we feel beautiful. One glance in mirror on any given morning and most of us look like we wrestled in our sleep. But God doesn't concern Himself with skin's appearance but what's really going on in the heart.
We live in a cruel culture where beauty and talent are grossly elevated while character and substance is overlooked. How many actors, entertainers or some other media figure eventually reveals his or her true colors. Soon enough there's reports of adultery, substance abuse, divorce, rehab stints and some completely broke.
God told Samuel that the heart matters when picking the new king (1 Samuel 16:7). The Bible says that David was a handsome man but his looks wouldn't carry him far in the challenging years ahead. David had a heart to worship. And this is where the beauty of the Lord's presence is found.
One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (Psalms 27:4, NIV).
When we stare into the eyes of God; we are transformed - beautified by His grace - as we are being changed into His likeness.
We are loved by God no matter our looks. He sees us as beautiful when we feel less than attractive. Embarrassment makes us feel ugly but God is never ashamed to call the sons and daughters of a King. So stretch forth your hand to Him as did Esther and receive grace in time of need.
For Jehovah is pleased with His people, He beautifieth the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4 Young's Literal Translation)