“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” ~ Hebrews 11:5
There are four truths that immediately jump out to me in this verse:
1.) Faith leads to extraordinary things in this life.
2.) Faith pleases God
3.) Like Enoch and his faith, we are all known for something.
4.) History will repeat itself when at Jesus’ second coming, believers because of their faith will once again be taken to heaven without experiencing death (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
These truths cause me to examine my own walk of faith. What extraordinary places has God taken you and I on our journey of faith? What has God done that is bigger than you could have ever dreamed of, or different than anything you would have expected for your life? Is your life GOD-SIZED or you-sized? If you were to ask God right now, would He say that you have a faith that pleases Him? Are you praying expectantly, trusting without reservation and attempting the impossible? Are you seeing mountains moved and miracles preformed? If not, why not? Is it because we actually don’t expect Him to move? Are we living in such a controlled environment that there’s actually no place for God to work? I know I’m guilty of that and I want more! Lord, increase my faith! Help me break out of my comfortable four walls and hide in the cleft of the rock like Moses did when he got to see the backside of your glory. Help me have the faith of Elijah who called down your fire to prove to an unbelieving world that YOU alone are God. Help me surrender like Abraham who by faith left his home to journey to a land you would show him (key word – would – God did not map out his life for him and then ask Abraham if he wanted on board). Give me the willingness of Joshua who obeyed seemingly crazy commands (i.e. – walking around the walls of Jericho blowing trumpets) in order to see you tear down strongholds in my life and win battles I couldn’t dream of fighting alone.
What will you and I be known for when we are face-to-face with Jesus? Quite a question to ponder today...
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Three O’s
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” ~ Isaiah 40:28
We can see three important and distinct attributes about God in this one verse.
• God is Omnipresent – present in all places at all times. Isaiah tells us in this verse that God is everlasting (no beginning and no end).
• God is Omnipotent – unlimited authority or influence. Isaiah reveals that God is the Creator of the ends of the earth and never grows tired or weary.
• God is Omniscient – all-knowing; having infinite awareness, understanding and insight. Isaiah points out that no one can grasp God’s understanding. He has complete knowledge.
Which of these three attributes of God do you need to claim in your life today?
• Are you worried and confused about the future? Or perhaps you’re trying to make sense of something that happened in your past? God was with you then, is with you now, and promises never to leave you in the future. He is Omnipresent – present in all places at all times. You were not, are not and never will be alone.
• What in your life feels like it’s spinning out of control, is too much to handle, or needs a miracle? Claim God’s Omnipotence! He is all-powerful and fully able to heal, restore, correct, guide, settle or fix anything in your life.
• In what situation do you need wisdom and understanding? Seek your God who is Omniscient. He has complete knowledge. If He knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7) and every sparrow that falls to the ground (Matthew 10:29), surely He will grant you wisdom if you ask for it with a heart full of faith (James 1:5-8)!
We can see three important and distinct attributes about God in this one verse.
• God is Omnipresent – present in all places at all times. Isaiah tells us in this verse that God is everlasting (no beginning and no end).
• God is Omnipotent – unlimited authority or influence. Isaiah reveals that God is the Creator of the ends of the earth and never grows tired or weary.
• God is Omniscient – all-knowing; having infinite awareness, understanding and insight. Isaiah points out that no one can grasp God’s understanding. He has complete knowledge.
Which of these three attributes of God do you need to claim in your life today?
• Are you worried and confused about the future? Or perhaps you’re trying to make sense of something that happened in your past? God was with you then, is with you now, and promises never to leave you in the future. He is Omnipresent – present in all places at all times. You were not, are not and never will be alone.
• What in your life feels like it’s spinning out of control, is too much to handle, or needs a miracle? Claim God’s Omnipotence! He is all-powerful and fully able to heal, restore, correct, guide, settle or fix anything in your life.
• In what situation do you need wisdom and understanding? Seek your God who is Omniscient. He has complete knowledge. If He knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7) and every sparrow that falls to the ground (Matthew 10:29), surely He will grant you wisdom if you ask for it with a heart full of faith (James 1:5-8)!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Heart Check
“See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” - Psalm 139:24
After reading this I realized that what’s offensive to God may not be offensive to me because I’m good at tolerating sin. Therefore, I need His eyes, His perspective, and His direction out of these blind spots and pit falls. Make no mistake about it, He leads and we follow! We cannot fix ourselves or try harder or read one more book about overcoming this or that to correct heart issues. It is His cleansing Word, healing touch, and guiding eye that we are to be fixated on. End result – not always happiness, but most definitely holiness.
• What offensive ways are you tolerating in your life?
• Are you seeking the ways of the world or the ways of the Word to overcome these obstacles?
• How do your lifestyle and prayer life reveal that you’re pursuing either happiness or holiness?
After reading this I realized that what’s offensive to God may not be offensive to me because I’m good at tolerating sin. Therefore, I need His eyes, His perspective, and His direction out of these blind spots and pit falls. Make no mistake about it, He leads and we follow! We cannot fix ourselves or try harder or read one more book about overcoming this or that to correct heart issues. It is His cleansing Word, healing touch, and guiding eye that we are to be fixated on. End result – not always happiness, but most definitely holiness.
• What offensive ways are you tolerating in your life?
• Are you seeking the ways of the world or the ways of the Word to overcome these obstacles?
• How do your lifestyle and prayer life reveal that you’re pursuing either happiness or holiness?
Friday, June 25, 2010
Homesickness
“For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move [to heaven]—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1-3 (The Message)
Have you ever been homesick? Maybe when you were younger, you went away to camp or to spend the night at a friend’s house for the first time and you felt that deep ache in your heart. I have friends that are career missionaries overseas and I know that at times they long for the familiarity of friends and family back in the States. I also know of men and women in our military currently fighting for our freedom who also miss their loved ones back home. I live on the opposite coast from my family and so many dear friends and have recently pinpointed that I have an intense longing in my heart and its homesickness. I am going on 7 months now of not having had a San Diego “fix” and that’s way too long. :) What makes me feel this way? I get to talk with them on the phone and Skype with them, but at the end of that day that doesn’t quite do it because I’m not in their presence. My heart is so connected to them and because I know what it’s like to spend time laughing and talking and just being with them, it leaves me constantly hungering for more. Does that resonate with anyone?
And while we experience homesickness in this earthly life, I think it is but a shadow of a deeper kind of homesickness for our eternal, heavenly home. I love how the Message puts the end of those verses: “The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.” Those mountaintop experiences with God, those breathtaking views of a sunset or a waterfall, those moments when you’re laughing so hard with a friend you feel your sides are going to split, those instances when you feel fully known and fully loved are all teasers to the real story that awaits us. Those glimpses remind us that this earth is not our home; we are merely passing through. That is God whetting our appetite so that we yearn for more – more of Him, more fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, more love and joy and peace (fruits of the Spirit) and the ability to finally be whole and free from sin and death. We long to be home with our Father who’s even now preparing a place for us (John 14:1-3). So if you are experiencing homesickness in any form today, join me in thanking the Lord that we have a place that carries such significance and meaning that our hearts would ache for it and let us also be reminded each time we feel that familiar pang, that we are ultimately yearning to be home with our Heavenly Father in our eternal and secure dwelling place. The best is yet to come!
Have you ever been homesick? Maybe when you were younger, you went away to camp or to spend the night at a friend’s house for the first time and you felt that deep ache in your heart. I have friends that are career missionaries overseas and I know that at times they long for the familiarity of friends and family back in the States. I also know of men and women in our military currently fighting for our freedom who also miss their loved ones back home. I live on the opposite coast from my family and so many dear friends and have recently pinpointed that I have an intense longing in my heart and its homesickness. I am going on 7 months now of not having had a San Diego “fix” and that’s way too long. :) What makes me feel this way? I get to talk with them on the phone and Skype with them, but at the end of that day that doesn’t quite do it because I’m not in their presence. My heart is so connected to them and because I know what it’s like to spend time laughing and talking and just being with them, it leaves me constantly hungering for more. Does that resonate with anyone?
And while we experience homesickness in this earthly life, I think it is but a shadow of a deeper kind of homesickness for our eternal, heavenly home. I love how the Message puts the end of those verses: “The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.” Those mountaintop experiences with God, those breathtaking views of a sunset or a waterfall, those moments when you’re laughing so hard with a friend you feel your sides are going to split, those instances when you feel fully known and fully loved are all teasers to the real story that awaits us. Those glimpses remind us that this earth is not our home; we are merely passing through. That is God whetting our appetite so that we yearn for more – more of Him, more fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, more love and joy and peace (fruits of the Spirit) and the ability to finally be whole and free from sin and death. We long to be home with our Father who’s even now preparing a place for us (John 14:1-3). So if you are experiencing homesickness in any form today, join me in thanking the Lord that we have a place that carries such significance and meaning that our hearts would ache for it and let us also be reminded each time we feel that familiar pang, that we are ultimately yearning to be home with our Heavenly Father in our eternal and secure dwelling place. The best is yet to come!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
For HIS Name’s Sake
“He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power known.” Psalm 106:8
Have you ever wondered why God saved you? The obvious answer is because He loves you. From the song some of us learned growing up - “Jesus loves me, this I know…” - to the most well-known verse in the Bible - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) - we have reminders and evidence that God saved us because of His great love for us. But if we stop there, I wonder if we’re in danger of having an egocentric view of our salvation? He also saved us for His name’s sake and to make His mighty power known. Our salvation is proof of His supreme authority! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work to radically transform and revive dead hearts (think of the Apostle Paul from the New Testament and think of your own conversion!). Jesus, who took upon Himself the sin of all mankind for all eternity defeated both sin and death and covered you with His blood when you asked Him to be Lord and Savior of your life. God’s wrath toward us is now satisfied because of that blood. And now, as children of God we are light in this dark world, displaying His majesty and power and love and authority. What a privilege! We are image bearers of the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are His ambassadors to this world.
So my question to you today is, how is God using the testimony of your salvation (Webster’s Dictionary defines testimony as “a public profession of a religious experience”) for His name’s sake and to make His mighty power known to those around you?
Have you ever wondered why God saved you? The obvious answer is because He loves you. From the song some of us learned growing up - “Jesus loves me, this I know…” - to the most well-known verse in the Bible - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) - we have reminders and evidence that God saved us because of His great love for us. But if we stop there, I wonder if we’re in danger of having an egocentric view of our salvation? He also saved us for His name’s sake and to make His mighty power known. Our salvation is proof of His supreme authority! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work to radically transform and revive dead hearts (think of the Apostle Paul from the New Testament and think of your own conversion!). Jesus, who took upon Himself the sin of all mankind for all eternity defeated both sin and death and covered you with His blood when you asked Him to be Lord and Savior of your life. God’s wrath toward us is now satisfied because of that blood. And now, as children of God we are light in this dark world, displaying His majesty and power and love and authority. What a privilege! We are image bearers of the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are His ambassadors to this world.
So my question to you today is, how is God using the testimony of your salvation (Webster’s Dictionary defines testimony as “a public profession of a religious experience”) for His name’s sake and to make His mighty power known to those around you?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Light on My Feet
“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1
It struck me as interesting that the writer of Hebrews chose “throw off” here to instruct us about what to do with the sin that entangles us. He didn’t say to reason our way through it, to ignore it and hope it will go away, and he didn’t even say to go see a counselor about it. He told us to throw it off – get rid of it, banish it, drive it out, cast it off. Why? Because he knew how susceptible we are to being caught up in it. The writer is honest with the reality of his sinful nature and reminds us that we are easily entangled in sin. Think about the poor moth that gets tangled up in a spider’s web. He barely brushes against it and the web clings onto his frail body. Then, as he desperately wrestles to get free, he is ultimately bound deeper and tighter into the web. We are like that moth and when we get caught up in our sinful habits – be it overeating, pornography, gossip, selfishness, pride, unforgiveness, doubt, etc - we are prevented from running the race of our Christian life with both perseverance and in a manner that represents our Lord well to those watching us.
So, what is it that you need to “throw off” and what does that look like? Are you like me - guilty of reasoning away, ignoring or talking to everyone else but God about your sin? Two days ago, I actually threw out a box of cookies I had left over from a party because they were too tempting for me. You may find that ridiculous because that’s not your struggle, but to me, that was “throwing off” what easily entangles me. We MUST get serious about this Christian race we’re running and what it takes to run well. I don’t know about you, but this is one race in which I want to be light on my feet!
It struck me as interesting that the writer of Hebrews chose “throw off” here to instruct us about what to do with the sin that entangles us. He didn’t say to reason our way through it, to ignore it and hope it will go away, and he didn’t even say to go see a counselor about it. He told us to throw it off – get rid of it, banish it, drive it out, cast it off. Why? Because he knew how susceptible we are to being caught up in it. The writer is honest with the reality of his sinful nature and reminds us that we are easily entangled in sin. Think about the poor moth that gets tangled up in a spider’s web. He barely brushes against it and the web clings onto his frail body. Then, as he desperately wrestles to get free, he is ultimately bound deeper and tighter into the web. We are like that moth and when we get caught up in our sinful habits – be it overeating, pornography, gossip, selfishness, pride, unforgiveness, doubt, etc - we are prevented from running the race of our Christian life with both perseverance and in a manner that represents our Lord well to those watching us.
So, what is it that you need to “throw off” and what does that look like? Are you like me - guilty of reasoning away, ignoring or talking to everyone else but God about your sin? Two days ago, I actually threw out a box of cookies I had left over from a party because they were too tempting for me. You may find that ridiculous because that’s not your struggle, but to me, that was “throwing off” what easily entangles me. We MUST get serious about this Christian race we’re running and what it takes to run well. I don’t know about you, but this is one race in which I want to be light on my feet!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
God Keeps Track
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3: 23-24
The Lord comforted my heart greatly with this verse tonight. Do you have people in your life that it seems no matter how hard you work to please or serve them, it’s just not good enough? Or perhaps you feel your service goes unnoticed? Have you bent over backwards recently to care for your children, to serve your husband, to tirelessly finish a deadline for work, to reach out to a friend in need – only to receive criticism, a roll of the eyes, a cold shoulder or just a lack of appreciation? I love this verse because it reminds us WHO we’re ultimately serving in any one of these instances. And guess what? Our Heavenly Father’s eyes are on us at all times. When your kids take you for granted, HE is the one left smiling with an appreciative heart. When you and your husband just can’t seem to get on the same page, HE is the One who understands. When the time and effort you put into that project at work goes unnoticed, HE is the one who notices. When your friend in need doesn’t respond to your attempts to help, HE is the One who saw how hard you tried. Nothing, absolutely nothing, escapes His all-seeing eye and did you happen to see the promise in that verse? “You will receive an inheritance form the Lord as a reward.”
People are flawed; we are flawed! As long as we are around people we are going to run into these kinds of situations. And I believe God knew that and knew that we needed this perspective in our service. No matter how we’re treated here on earth – good or bad – our focus should be on the One – the Lord Christ - we’re ultimately serving through these everyday relationships. God keeps track and He doesn’t miss a thing!
The Lord comforted my heart greatly with this verse tonight. Do you have people in your life that it seems no matter how hard you work to please or serve them, it’s just not good enough? Or perhaps you feel your service goes unnoticed? Have you bent over backwards recently to care for your children, to serve your husband, to tirelessly finish a deadline for work, to reach out to a friend in need – only to receive criticism, a roll of the eyes, a cold shoulder or just a lack of appreciation? I love this verse because it reminds us WHO we’re ultimately serving in any one of these instances. And guess what? Our Heavenly Father’s eyes are on us at all times. When your kids take you for granted, HE is the one left smiling with an appreciative heart. When you and your husband just can’t seem to get on the same page, HE is the One who understands. When the time and effort you put into that project at work goes unnoticed, HE is the one who notices. When your friend in need doesn’t respond to your attempts to help, HE is the One who saw how hard you tried. Nothing, absolutely nothing, escapes His all-seeing eye and did you happen to see the promise in that verse? “You will receive an inheritance form the Lord as a reward.”
People are flawed; we are flawed! As long as we are around people we are going to run into these kinds of situations. And I believe God knew that and knew that we needed this perspective in our service. No matter how we’re treated here on earth – good or bad – our focus should be on the One – the Lord Christ - we’re ultimately serving through these everyday relationships. God keeps track and He doesn’t miss a thing!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
A Voice in the Storm
“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.”
Isaiah 25:4
The night before last, we had a powerful storm rip through my town bringing with it an intense thunder and lightening show. It was beautiful. I laid in bed thoroughly enjoying the view out my window when about midnight, my cat jumped onto my bed scaring me half to death. As soon as she made it onto my bed she scrambled to burrow herself, facedown into the crook of my arm, cowering at each bolt of lightening and crash of thunder. I pet her and gently told her it was going to be ok. What she couldn’t know was that we were perfectly safe inside my apartment and it was interesting as I watched a pattern develop. When I stopped petting her and talking to her, she began to shiver again and I could see panic in her eyes. But as long as I was stroking her and soothing her with my voice, although the storm had not passed she was calm and able to rest.
I smiled thinking about how similar I am to my cat. A storm rolls into my life and I cower with anxiety and worry about what’s going to happen. My circumstances threaten me like intense bolts of lightening and the crashing thunder of doubt and fear can be deafening. Where do I turn? All I know is that when I am in the midst of a storm, if I can just be near Jesus, He puts me at rest. My situation may not change and the thunder and lightening may continue to make threats to overwhelm me, but the soothing voice of my God through His Word and His gentle touch put my heart at ease. With Him I am safe. He is in control. He sees the scope of my storm and is sovereign over it. His nearness is all I need.
The night before last, we had a powerful storm rip through my town bringing with it an intense thunder and lightening show. It was beautiful. I laid in bed thoroughly enjoying the view out my window when about midnight, my cat jumped onto my bed scaring me half to death. As soon as she made it onto my bed she scrambled to burrow herself, facedown into the crook of my arm, cowering at each bolt of lightening and crash of thunder. I pet her and gently told her it was going to be ok. What she couldn’t know was that we were perfectly safe inside my apartment and it was interesting as I watched a pattern develop. When I stopped petting her and talking to her, she began to shiver again and I could see panic in her eyes. But as long as I was stroking her and soothing her with my voice, although the storm had not passed she was calm and able to rest.
I smiled thinking about how similar I am to my cat. A storm rolls into my life and I cower with anxiety and worry about what’s going to happen. My circumstances threaten me like intense bolts of lightening and the crashing thunder of doubt and fear can be deafening. Where do I turn? All I know is that when I am in the midst of a storm, if I can just be near Jesus, He puts me at rest. My situation may not change and the thunder and lightening may continue to make threats to overwhelm me, but the soothing voice of my God through His Word and His gentle touch put my heart at ease. With Him I am safe. He is in control. He sees the scope of my storm and is sovereign over it. His nearness is all I need.
What threatens to overwhelm you right now? James 4:8 says, “Draw near God and He will draw near to you.” Psalm 119:114 says, “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Burrow yourself into the loving arms of your Heavenly Father, listen to His voice as you plant yourself in His Word and He will bring rest to your soul.
Friday, May 28, 2010
A Very Present Help in Trouble
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
If you get time today, read all of Psalm 46. It’s amazing for renewing your perspective on God’s power and personal presence in our lives. I have had a few conversations this week with friends who are in crisis or who are facing huge decisions. This verse cuts right to the core of worry, fear and anxiety. We see here that God is our:
• refuge - this word in its context means safety from storms, danger, and falsehoods/lies. He is also our…
• strength - this word in its context means strength materially, physically, personally, socially, and politically. I think that covers just about everything!
If you just lost your job – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are struggling in your marriage – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are facing chronic illness – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are hurting financially – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you long to be serving the Lord but feel “stuck” in your present circumstances – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are transitioning into new motherhood – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you need wisdom about relocating and starting over (in a foreign country!) – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are struggling with your singleness – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are ___fill in your scenario______ - God is your very present refuge and strength.
There is NO circumstance or crisis or challenge in which God is not our refuge, strength and very present help in trouble. Does that truth set your mind and heart at ease? It’s a promise for us to claim! So, what is the burden on your heart? Take that situation to God, commit it to Him and thank Him for being your refuge, strength and help.
Psalm 46:1
If you get time today, read all of Psalm 46. It’s amazing for renewing your perspective on God’s power and personal presence in our lives. I have had a few conversations this week with friends who are in crisis or who are facing huge decisions. This verse cuts right to the core of worry, fear and anxiety. We see here that God is our:
• refuge - this word in its context means safety from storms, danger, and falsehoods/lies. He is also our…
• strength - this word in its context means strength materially, physically, personally, socially, and politically. I think that covers just about everything!
If you just lost your job – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are struggling in your marriage – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are facing chronic illness – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are hurting financially – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you long to be serving the Lord but feel “stuck” in your present circumstances – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are transitioning into new motherhood – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you need wisdom about relocating and starting over (in a foreign country!) – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are struggling with your singleness – God is your very present refuge and strength.
If you are ___fill in your scenario______ - God is your very present refuge and strength.
There is NO circumstance or crisis or challenge in which God is not our refuge, strength and very present help in trouble. Does that truth set your mind and heart at ease? It’s a promise for us to claim! So, what is the burden on your heart? Take that situation to God, commit it to Him and thank Him for being your refuge, strength and help.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Strength in Weakness
“I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick.” Ezekiel 34:16
Do you feel like you fit into one of these categories today – lost, driven out, broken or sick? God majors in finding what’s lost, bringing back what’s been cast out, restoring what’s been broken and healing what’s sick. Now doesn’t that just make you take a deep breath? No matter what state we’re in today, we are never too far out that His loving arms cannot rescue us or His skillful hands mend or bring healing. Are you seeking purpose down in your soul? Do you for some reason this day feel driven out by family or friends? What circumstance or news has come into your life that has broken your heart? What area of your life – physically, emotionally or spiritually – is sick?
God promises to be our strength in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and a bruised reed He will not break (Isaiah 42:3). He knows our frame and remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). Whatever situation you find yourself in at present, He sees you and is willing to act on your behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9). Would you invite Him right now into your sickness, brokenness, isolation or confusion?
Do you feel like you fit into one of these categories today – lost, driven out, broken or sick? God majors in finding what’s lost, bringing back what’s been cast out, restoring what’s been broken and healing what’s sick. Now doesn’t that just make you take a deep breath? No matter what state we’re in today, we are never too far out that His loving arms cannot rescue us or His skillful hands mend or bring healing. Are you seeking purpose down in your soul? Do you for some reason this day feel driven out by family or friends? What circumstance or news has come into your life that has broken your heart? What area of your life – physically, emotionally or spiritually – is sick?
God promises to be our strength in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and a bruised reed He will not break (Isaiah 42:3). He knows our frame and remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). Whatever situation you find yourself in at present, He sees you and is willing to act on your behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9). Would you invite Him right now into your sickness, brokenness, isolation or confusion?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
It's a Way of Life
"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16
We are living in difficult days. Not only do we have an enemy that is trying his hardest to trip us up in our Christian walk, but Christians are beginning to compromise their lifestyles and beliefs to feel more comfortable in this temporary world we live in. I see it all around me and worse yet, I find it creeping into my own life. Sometime, I think the older we get the harder it is to deny the seductive lull of what the world promises will satisfy - power, money, success, influence, gratifying our flesh through whatever means we are prone to temptation, etc. In this verse, Paul is giving Timothy some instructions about what to guard in his own life and what to be on guard against. He warns Timothy that in his day (and ours!) people would fall away from the faith and be deceived by all kinds of false teaching. He tells Timothy to devote himself to God's Word, prayer and teaching. Here's a reality check - following God is going to make our lives look different. That's the point!! He compares us as the body of Christ to a city on a hill whose light cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14-15).
So, if we take to heart Paul's advice to Timothy, we should watch our lives. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and help us answer the following questions:
- Does my lifestyle clearly reflect that I am a follower of Christ?
- What activities, habits and pleasures am I pursuing that dull my light or cause me to look and act just like the world? If you're not sure, ask yourself if Jesus has set a standard for these behaviors in Scripture or modeled for us what to do or how to act in a given situation.
We should also heed Paul’s warning to Timothy to closely watch our doctrine.
- Whose teaching am I regularly sitting under? Where am I learning about God? (Have you read your church's doctrinal statement to see what they believe and what's influencing their teaching of God's Word to you)?
- Am I comparing what I hear others tell me about God with what I find in God's Word? God's Word is always THE authority and unfortunately, in these days we have to be on guard against teachers that tell us what we want to hear or what will benefit them!
Ultimately, if we persevere in guarding godly lifestyles and beliefs, the result will be blessing not only for us, but those “hear” us, or those we influence – family, friends, co-workers, strangers. Our lives and doctrine are a testimony to God and being around us should encourage others to embrace God and His plan for their lives.
We are living in difficult days. Not only do we have an enemy that is trying his hardest to trip us up in our Christian walk, but Christians are beginning to compromise their lifestyles and beliefs to feel more comfortable in this temporary world we live in. I see it all around me and worse yet, I find it creeping into my own life. Sometime, I think the older we get the harder it is to deny the seductive lull of what the world promises will satisfy - power, money, success, influence, gratifying our flesh through whatever means we are prone to temptation, etc. In this verse, Paul is giving Timothy some instructions about what to guard in his own life and what to be on guard against. He warns Timothy that in his day (and ours!) people would fall away from the faith and be deceived by all kinds of false teaching. He tells Timothy to devote himself to God's Word, prayer and teaching. Here's a reality check - following God is going to make our lives look different. That's the point!! He compares us as the body of Christ to a city on a hill whose light cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14-15).
So, if we take to heart Paul's advice to Timothy, we should watch our lives. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and help us answer the following questions:
- Does my lifestyle clearly reflect that I am a follower of Christ?
- What activities, habits and pleasures am I pursuing that dull my light or cause me to look and act just like the world? If you're not sure, ask yourself if Jesus has set a standard for these behaviors in Scripture or modeled for us what to do or how to act in a given situation.
We should also heed Paul’s warning to Timothy to closely watch our doctrine.
- Whose teaching am I regularly sitting under? Where am I learning about God? (Have you read your church's doctrinal statement to see what they believe and what's influencing their teaching of God's Word to you)?
- Am I comparing what I hear others tell me about God with what I find in God's Word? God's Word is always THE authority and unfortunately, in these days we have to be on guard against teachers that tell us what we want to hear or what will benefit them!
Ultimately, if we persevere in guarding godly lifestyles and beliefs, the result will be blessing not only for us, but those “hear” us, or those we influence – family, friends, co-workers, strangers. Our lives and doctrine are a testimony to God and being around us should encourage others to embrace God and His plan for their lives.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Good Shepherd
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
What are some characteristics of a good shepherd? A good shepherd…
• Protects his sheep
• Knows his sheep by name
• Provides for his sheep
• Rescues his lost sheep
• Leads his sheep
• Is willing to fight for his sheep
• And as we learn from this verse, a good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep
Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. As our Good Shepherd, He is all of these characteristics and more – and not just in theory! He has already fulfilled the greatest vow of being a Shepherd when He willingly and lovingly laid down His life to rescue us from death and eternal separation from Him. And He continues each day to protect us – that’s a powerful Shepherd. He knows you and me by name – that’s an intimate Shepherd. He provides for our daily needs – that’s a resourceful Shepherd. He leads and guides us – that’s a wise Shepherd. He is willing to fight for us – that’s a loving Shepherd.
When have you recently stopped to thank Him for being your Good Shepherd? How have you seen Him take care of you in each of these areas? Praise God that He understands we’re weak and fragile sheep, helpless without Him. Thank Him that He loved us enough to lay down His life for us and that He continues to fight for us and provide for us daily. Now that’s a Good Shepherd!Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Nearness to God
“Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” Psalm 32:9
The purpose of a bridle for a horse or a mule is to restrain or guide the animal. To use the horse analogy, our life before Christ is in a sense, like a wild horse. Our lives are untamed as we live in the flesh and there is no restraint from the Holy Spirit. Then, when we come to Christ, it is as if His love and instruction through His Word bridles us so that we are protected while we learn what being a Christ follower is all about. Then, once tamed or “mature” in our walk, we should remain near to God by choice and out of a heart full of love – not because He necessarily has to bridle us through our circumstances to get us to come to Him.
Ask yourself these questions with me today:
1.) Am I freely and regularly coming to God because I want to and out of love for Him?
2.) What areas of my life am I stubbornly withholding from bringing to God?
3.) When was the last time He had to use my circumstances to bridle me and how did I choose to learn from that?
The purpose of a bridle for a horse or a mule is to restrain or guide the animal. To use the horse analogy, our life before Christ is in a sense, like a wild horse. Our lives are untamed as we live in the flesh and there is no restraint from the Holy Spirit. Then, when we come to Christ, it is as if His love and instruction through His Word bridles us so that we are protected while we learn what being a Christ follower is all about. Then, once tamed or “mature” in our walk, we should remain near to God by choice and out of a heart full of love – not because He necessarily has to bridle us through our circumstances to get us to come to Him.
Ask yourself these questions with me today:
1.) Am I freely and regularly coming to God because I want to and out of love for Him?
2.) What areas of my life am I stubbornly withholding from bringing to God?
3.) When was the last time He had to use my circumstances to bridle me and how did I choose to learn from that?
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What to do when you don't know what to do
"Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding." Proverbs 8:14
Are you seeking an answer to a question? Are you in need of wisdom and discernment? Are you wondering if the opinions you're receiving are sound? God clearly says that counsel, wisdom and understanding come from Him. His Word is relevant to any situation life can throw at you. Doesn't it stand to reason that if God is the only one who knows your future, it is Him from whom you should seek answers to your life's questions. God is never out of touch with our lives. It is us who are out of touch with God and what He longs to share with us through His Word. When was the last time you picked up your Bible just to soak in the truth and wisdom that it contains? When was the last time you came to God with a problem or a question instead of a trusted loved one or friend - even if they truly have your best interest at heart? When was the last time you relished hearing God's voice speak clearly and plainly to you about a situation you needed guidance on, and how did that propel your faith and relationship with God forward? It is truly amazing how the enemy attempts to keep us from God's Word all day long - through busyness, distraction, service, etc. He knows how powerful God's Word is in allowing us to hear His voice, follow in obedience and produce fruit for the kingdom. Jeremiah 10:23 says, "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." So how do we know where to go and what to do? Proverbs 3:5-6 answers that when it says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." So, here's what you do when you need to know what to do...look to God's W - O - R - D.
Are you seeking an answer to a question? Are you in need of wisdom and discernment? Are you wondering if the opinions you're receiving are sound? God clearly says that counsel, wisdom and understanding come from Him. His Word is relevant to any situation life can throw at you. Doesn't it stand to reason that if God is the only one who knows your future, it is Him from whom you should seek answers to your life's questions. God is never out of touch with our lives. It is us who are out of touch with God and what He longs to share with us through His Word. When was the last time you picked up your Bible just to soak in the truth and wisdom that it contains? When was the last time you came to God with a problem or a question instead of a trusted loved one or friend - even if they truly have your best interest at heart? When was the last time you relished hearing God's voice speak clearly and plainly to you about a situation you needed guidance on, and how did that propel your faith and relationship with God forward? It is truly amazing how the enemy attempts to keep us from God's Word all day long - through busyness, distraction, service, etc. He knows how powerful God's Word is in allowing us to hear His voice, follow in obedience and produce fruit for the kingdom. Jeremiah 10:23 says, "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." So how do we know where to go and what to do? Proverbs 3:5-6 answers that when it says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." So, here's what you do when you need to know what to do...look to God's W - O - R - D.
W- Wholeheartedly declare your trust in the Lord (claim promises from His Word about His trustworthy character - Ps. 18:18; Jer. 3:23; Ps. 18:2; Ps. 34:7, 17; Deut. 33:27; Heb. 13:6; Ps. 18:31-32; I Cor. 15:10)
O - Our understanding is faulty, look to God for understanding in His Word
R - Remember Him FIRST in anything you're dealing with.
D - He will direct your steps through His Word.
O - Our understanding is faulty, look to God for understanding in His Word
R - Remember Him FIRST in anything you're dealing with.
D - He will direct your steps through His Word.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
This Is Your Wake-up Call
"It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." Romans 13:11-12
This is now the third time this verse has come up in my life this week and so I wanted to dwell on it for a moment. Do you ever feel like you're sleep walking your way through the Christian life? Or do you feel trapped in a coma of laziness or indifference? Does the thought of the Lord returning seem like a distant promise? Last Sunday, the pastor I heard in church spoke on Christ's return and gave several examples of the "signs of the times" to show us that His return is imminent. I left feeling convicted. I can think of more than a few areas of my life that would be very different if I knew Christ was returning tomorrow? Why then do I not live each day with that same sense of urgency - as if today was the day Christ was coming back for me? What do I want to be found doing when He returns? How many souls will go to heaven with me because I shared the gospel with them? Paul urges us to "wake up" for the "day is at hand." Do you believe that - I mean really believe that? How would your life, priorities, time, etc. change?
He also implores us to "cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Darkness and light cannot dwell together. If we have sin in our lives, God's light is not on display. Conversely, if God's light is on display in our lives, we will not be living in sin and darkness. We have a responsibility here to "cast off" sin - the stuff that distracts us from God, keeps us bound in guilt and shame so that we are not reconciled to God, harmful habits that are difficult to break, relationships that discourage living in the light, and even small things like neglecting Him for more sleep. And in case you didn't catch the seriousness in Paul's tone, he tells us to put on the "armor" of light. Do not be deceived - we are in a battle. (See the last half of Ephesians 6 for a more detailed list of our spiritual armor.)
So, I'm beginning to realize most of my blogs are quite serious but I realize that we are living in the last days and that Christians all around the world - myself included - need to "wake up" in our faith and love for God and His Word. That same pastor on Sunday said that one of the "signs of the times" is that there will be a famine in our land - a famine of God's Word. Women, we need to be in God's Word daily so that we can give it out to hungry hearts! There are starving souls all around us. God, please wake us up!
This is now the third time this verse has come up in my life this week and so I wanted to dwell on it for a moment. Do you ever feel like you're sleep walking your way through the Christian life? Or do you feel trapped in a coma of laziness or indifference? Does the thought of the Lord returning seem like a distant promise? Last Sunday, the pastor I heard in church spoke on Christ's return and gave several examples of the "signs of the times" to show us that His return is imminent. I left feeling convicted. I can think of more than a few areas of my life that would be very different if I knew Christ was returning tomorrow? Why then do I not live each day with that same sense of urgency - as if today was the day Christ was coming back for me? What do I want to be found doing when He returns? How many souls will go to heaven with me because I shared the gospel with them? Paul urges us to "wake up" for the "day is at hand." Do you believe that - I mean really believe that? How would your life, priorities, time, etc. change?
He also implores us to "cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Darkness and light cannot dwell together. If we have sin in our lives, God's light is not on display. Conversely, if God's light is on display in our lives, we will not be living in sin and darkness. We have a responsibility here to "cast off" sin - the stuff that distracts us from God, keeps us bound in guilt and shame so that we are not reconciled to God, harmful habits that are difficult to break, relationships that discourage living in the light, and even small things like neglecting Him for more sleep. And in case you didn't catch the seriousness in Paul's tone, he tells us to put on the "armor" of light. Do not be deceived - we are in a battle. (See the last half of Ephesians 6 for a more detailed list of our spiritual armor.)
So, I'm beginning to realize most of my blogs are quite serious but I realize that we are living in the last days and that Christians all around the world - myself included - need to "wake up" in our faith and love for God and His Word. That same pastor on Sunday said that one of the "signs of the times" is that there will be a famine in our land - a famine of God's Word. Women, we need to be in God's Word daily so that we can give it out to hungry hearts! There are starving souls all around us. God, please wake us up!
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Look of Love
“You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent.” Isaiah 62:6
When you are truly in love with someone, you can’t help but talk about them. It spills out of the overflow of your heart. You want the world to know how amazing they are and how happy you are to have them in your life. If you’ve ever seen the movie Elf (if you haven’t – promptly go out and rent it, even in the heat of summer!), the main character, Buddy, declares this statement loud and clear upon falling in love with the leading lady: “I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it.” I ran into a grandmother this week that had a photo album of her beautiful new little granddaughter in her purse to show anyone who might have a spare moment. I also saw a billboard proposing words of love and marriage to a woman named Kelly. And my favorite moment this week was when the 3-year-old daughter of a dear friend of mine looked up at me and announced proudly in a public restaurant, “I love you Mimi” (my nick name). Love is not ashamed or timid; it is proud and demonstrative.
What if Jesus had not been willing to demonstrate His love for us by dying on a cross because He was ashamed of us, or embarrassed to call us His children? Just for a moment, let that thought – of life without Jesus – sink in. How do you feel? There is no loneliness or fear or evil like the thought of living without Jesus. So if we really call ourselves followers of Jesus and if we truly love Him, why then are we afraid to pray in public? Why are we uneasy that our friends, co-workers, neighbors or even family will find out we’re Christians? Why are we anxious about sharing what God’s Word says on an important issue that comes up? He gave His all – His reputation, His throne in heaven, His very blood and life’s breath – to show you He loves you and to show the world you were worth dying for. Who needs to hear of your love for Jesus this week? Let His sacrifice for you and example of demonstrative love empower you to share the “Good News.” (John 3:16)
When you are truly in love with someone, you can’t help but talk about them. It spills out of the overflow of your heart. You want the world to know how amazing they are and how happy you are to have them in your life. If you’ve ever seen the movie Elf (if you haven’t – promptly go out and rent it, even in the heat of summer!), the main character, Buddy, declares this statement loud and clear upon falling in love with the leading lady: “I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it.” I ran into a grandmother this week that had a photo album of her beautiful new little granddaughter in her purse to show anyone who might have a spare moment. I also saw a billboard proposing words of love and marriage to a woman named Kelly. And my favorite moment this week was when the 3-year-old daughter of a dear friend of mine looked up at me and announced proudly in a public restaurant, “I love you Mimi” (my nick name). Love is not ashamed or timid; it is proud and demonstrative.
What if Jesus had not been willing to demonstrate His love for us by dying on a cross because He was ashamed of us, or embarrassed to call us His children? Just for a moment, let that thought – of life without Jesus – sink in. How do you feel? There is no loneliness or fear or evil like the thought of living without Jesus. So if we really call ourselves followers of Jesus and if we truly love Him, why then are we afraid to pray in public? Why are we uneasy that our friends, co-workers, neighbors or even family will find out we’re Christians? Why are we anxious about sharing what God’s Word says on an important issue that comes up? He gave His all – His reputation, His throne in heaven, His very blood and life’s breath – to show you He loves you and to show the world you were worth dying for. Who needs to hear of your love for Jesus this week? Let His sacrifice for you and example of demonstrative love empower you to share the “Good News.” (John 3:16)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
How Bright is Your Light?
“…become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” Philippians 2:15-16a
Is it just me, or is there hardly a different anymore between the lifestyles, attitudes and value systems of followers of Christ and followers of the world? If people were merely watching your life and mine, would they be able to tell that we were followers of Jesus? What sets you and me apart as believers? I’m afraid the distinction is becomes less and less and our light as believers in this dark world is dulling. It is easy to say we love Jesus and talk about Him when things are going well. But it is how we handle crisis, temptation, tragedy, unforeseen circumstances, persecution, inconvenience and rush hour traffic :) that should truly allow our identity and hope in Jesus to shine bright in a depraved and desperate world. They are crooked and need to see a pattern of what it looks like to be straight. They are depraved and need an example of what it looks like to be moral.
Should you take on this challenge, read Romans 13:11-14, Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:15-21 and Matthew 5:3-12. Now make two columns down a page and under the left hand column, write down what it looks like to live in the world (the Bible also calls this living in darkness or your old man, which is your sinful nature before Christ) and under the right hand column, write down what it looks like to follow Christ (the Bible calls this living in the light or in the new man which is the new nature given to us when we give our lives to Christ). Now carefully study that list and take an honest evaluation at which column you primarily fall under? What needs to change in order for your light/ your life as a follower of Jesus to shine brighter? Take time to pray about this right now and ask Jesus to shine His light into the dark areas of your life so that your light might be radiant to lost souls (and to compromising believers!) around you. Matthew 5:16 says “…let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Is it just me, or is there hardly a different anymore between the lifestyles, attitudes and value systems of followers of Christ and followers of the world? If people were merely watching your life and mine, would they be able to tell that we were followers of Jesus? What sets you and me apart as believers? I’m afraid the distinction is becomes less and less and our light as believers in this dark world is dulling. It is easy to say we love Jesus and talk about Him when things are going well. But it is how we handle crisis, temptation, tragedy, unforeseen circumstances, persecution, inconvenience and rush hour traffic :) that should truly allow our identity and hope in Jesus to shine bright in a depraved and desperate world. They are crooked and need to see a pattern of what it looks like to be straight. They are depraved and need an example of what it looks like to be moral.
Should you take on this challenge, read Romans 13:11-14, Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:15-21 and Matthew 5:3-12. Now make two columns down a page and under the left hand column, write down what it looks like to live in the world (the Bible also calls this living in darkness or your old man, which is your sinful nature before Christ) and under the right hand column, write down what it looks like to follow Christ (the Bible calls this living in the light or in the new man which is the new nature given to us when we give our lives to Christ). Now carefully study that list and take an honest evaluation at which column you primarily fall under? What needs to change in order for your light/ your life as a follower of Jesus to shine brighter? Take time to pray about this right now and ask Jesus to shine His light into the dark areas of your life so that your light might be radiant to lost souls (and to compromising believers!) around you. Matthew 5:16 says “…let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Friday, May 7, 2010
Control Freak
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
I will admit it – I am a control freak. I’m a typical first born who is ultra responsible, afraid of failure and one who tries to control my environment so that I can remain in a place that’s comfortable and calculated. And can I also confess that the events of my life have been anything but comfortable and calculated. What is this illusion that I reach for, somehow believing I can provide for myself and keep everything in perfect order? Ha! Jesus gives us the verse above toward the end of His incredible Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew chapters 5-7). In the verses surrounding this one, He has addressed a core part of who we are – worriers! He knew that we’d stress out about what we’re going to eat and what we’re going to wear, which college we should go to and who we’re going to marry, if we should take that job and how we’re supposed to raise our kids, how we’re going to make it in a struggling economy…and the list goes on…and on…an on, doesn’t it?! :) In verse 32, Jesus says “your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things.” I love that description of God as our tender, heavenly Father who knows our needs. He’s not a genie who magically gives us what we want, or a cold judge who determines if our good works outweigh our bad and then gives us our just reward. He is our Father who knows us better than anyone else. He says that we are to seek Him first, then these things (fill in your needs here) will be given to you. He does not say, go make it happen for yourself and it would also be nice if you sought Me and my opinion along the way. Now if you love control as much as I do, we are reminded of our sin of self-sufficiency here. There are so many areas of life we waste time on by worrying, or planning on how we are going to “make it happen.” I admit that sometimes, the idea of total surrender – even to God – makes me feel (and wrongfully so) helpless and dependent – which, let’s face it, I am! But the more I walk with Christ the more I want His will for my life more than my own. The stronger I grow in my relationship with Him, the more I want His opinion and direction for my life and the more I rest in His promises to provide for me, protect me and love me.
So, in the middle of your life right now – with all your needs, desires, questions, and dreams – are you seeking Him first? Are you wasting time worrying when He has already promised a good plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)? Ask Him about it. Get to know Him better. You will discover His character and the ability to rest that comes from having a personal relationship with Him. He tells us that not a single sparrow falls to the ground that He doesn’t know about. How much more does He then know the intimate details of your life! He knows your thoughts, the deep desires of your heart, the number of hairs on your head, and He compares the thoughts that He has about to the number of grains of sand on the shore. Wow!
I will admit it – I am a control freak. I’m a typical first born who is ultra responsible, afraid of failure and one who tries to control my environment so that I can remain in a place that’s comfortable and calculated. And can I also confess that the events of my life have been anything but comfortable and calculated. What is this illusion that I reach for, somehow believing I can provide for myself and keep everything in perfect order? Ha! Jesus gives us the verse above toward the end of His incredible Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew chapters 5-7). In the verses surrounding this one, He has addressed a core part of who we are – worriers! He knew that we’d stress out about what we’re going to eat and what we’re going to wear, which college we should go to and who we’re going to marry, if we should take that job and how we’re supposed to raise our kids, how we’re going to make it in a struggling economy…and the list goes on…and on…an on, doesn’t it?! :) In verse 32, Jesus says “your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things.” I love that description of God as our tender, heavenly Father who knows our needs. He’s not a genie who magically gives us what we want, or a cold judge who determines if our good works outweigh our bad and then gives us our just reward. He is our Father who knows us better than anyone else. He says that we are to seek Him first, then these things (fill in your needs here) will be given to you. He does not say, go make it happen for yourself and it would also be nice if you sought Me and my opinion along the way. Now if you love control as much as I do, we are reminded of our sin of self-sufficiency here. There are so many areas of life we waste time on by worrying, or planning on how we are going to “make it happen.” I admit that sometimes, the idea of total surrender – even to God – makes me feel (and wrongfully so) helpless and dependent – which, let’s face it, I am! But the more I walk with Christ the more I want His will for my life more than my own. The stronger I grow in my relationship with Him, the more I want His opinion and direction for my life and the more I rest in His promises to provide for me, protect me and love me.
So, in the middle of your life right now – with all your needs, desires, questions, and dreams – are you seeking Him first? Are you wasting time worrying when He has already promised a good plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)? Ask Him about it. Get to know Him better. You will discover His character and the ability to rest that comes from having a personal relationship with Him. He tells us that not a single sparrow falls to the ground that He doesn’t know about. How much more does He then know the intimate details of your life! He knows your thoughts, the deep desires of your heart, the number of hairs on your head, and He compares the thoughts that He has about to the number of grains of sand on the shore. Wow!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Talk About Big!
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1
God is more powerful that our circumstances, than anything that threatens to overwhelm us. There is no pit too deep, no emotion too commanding, no enemy too powerful, and no problem too large that God cannot reach down and save us from. So, what situation, question, emotion, problem, or enemy is threatening to overwhelm you right now? Do you believe that God’s hand can truly save you from that? What promise from God’s Word can you claim to underscore the peace and reassurance that truth should bring?
Also, from this verse we see that there is no silent cry of our heart that goes unheard by His ear. We never have to worry about God being too busy for us or fear that because we may not feel as spiritually “important” as the next guy that our prayers are not equally as important to our Father. What prayers do you feel like God has not heard, either because you haven’t seen them answered or because you do not feel His nearness? Are you willing to trust right now that He has heard and is working on your behalf (even this very second) to accomplish His best plan for your life?
God is more powerful that our circumstances, than anything that threatens to overwhelm us. There is no pit too deep, no emotion too commanding, no enemy too powerful, and no problem too large that God cannot reach down and save us from. So, what situation, question, emotion, problem, or enemy is threatening to overwhelm you right now? Do you believe that God’s hand can truly save you from that? What promise from God’s Word can you claim to underscore the peace and reassurance that truth should bring?
Also, from this verse we see that there is no silent cry of our heart that goes unheard by His ear. We never have to worry about God being too busy for us or fear that because we may not feel as spiritually “important” as the next guy that our prayers are not equally as important to our Father. What prayers do you feel like God has not heard, either because you haven’t seen them answered or because you do not feel His nearness? Are you willing to trust right now that He has heard and is working on your behalf (even this very second) to accomplish His best plan for your life?
Monday, May 3, 2010
Go Fish
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
I have had the privilege over the past several weeks to talk with women about how to study God’s Word. I am amazed that some of us can grow up in church (this was my story) and never be taught by those in spiritual authority over us how to study the Bible for ourselves. We are given amazing messages, full of insight into what the text is about and wonderful application strategies for how to apply it to our lives, but there is a difference in giving out fish and teaching men to fish for themselves. I want to be able to fish on a daily basis and not have to wait until Sundays. So, today’s blog is a quick, very easy method of how to study the Bible. When I approach a passage of Scripture, I ask myself the following questions (and I did not make this up, this is a method I learned from Anne Graham Lotz – for further instruction, see a video on her website here: http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/resources/topic/all-bible-studies/learning-hear-his-voice/).
I have had the privilege over the past several weeks to talk with women about how to study God’s Word. I am amazed that some of us can grow up in church (this was my story) and never be taught by those in spiritual authority over us how to study the Bible for ourselves. We are given amazing messages, full of insight into what the text is about and wonderful application strategies for how to apply it to our lives, but there is a difference in giving out fish and teaching men to fish for themselves. I want to be able to fish on a daily basis and not have to wait until Sundays. So, today’s blog is a quick, very easy method of how to study the Bible. When I approach a passage of Scripture, I ask myself the following questions (and I did not make this up, this is a method I learned from Anne Graham Lotz – for further instruction, see a video on her website here: http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/resources/topic/all-bible-studies/learning-hear-his-voice/).
- Before you begin, invite the Lord into your time in His Word, asking Him to speak to you personally and clearly. Then ask yourself the following questions as you read a portion of His Word.
- What does the passage say? (Make a verse by verse list of the obvious facts, using the words found in the text. Be factual.)
- What does it mean? (Write down the spiritual lessons that you see in each verse. Ask yourself “is there a command to obey?”, “a promise to claim?”, “a warning that I should heed?”, “an example that I should follow?”, etc. Make sure that you’re careful to keep God’s Word in the context in which it was given.)
- What does it meant to me? (Now take your spiritual lessons and put them into the form of a question you could ask of yourself. As you write them down, listen for God to speak to you personally.)
- Pick an application question(s) to journal on and pray through and ask God to show you how to put it into practice.
It may take some getting used to, but I promise you, your reading of God’s Word will come alive as you begin to see Him speak specifically to you in the language of your life. Try using this method with your favorite passage of Scripture and tell me how it went! (Caution here, don’t try and bite off too much. Start with a verse or two to get the hang of it, otherwise, you might become discouraged.) For those of you who are visual, I will give you an example of a verse I read this morning.
My verse: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
- What does it say?
a. Set mind on things above, not things on earth. - What does it mean?
a. The focus of a believer should be on the things that are on the mind of God’s.
b. The things of the earth are temporary and will pass away. There is no lasting value and if our mind is wrapped up in affairs of the earth, ultimately it will have been a waste.
c. A heavenly or a kingdom-minded perspective allows us to see the happenings of earth with clear perspective. - What does it mean to me?
a. What does God’s Word tell me about the things that are on the mind of God? Is my mind focused on these things?
b. Where is my mind wrapped up in the affairs of this earth and how can I redirect them so that I’m viewing them in light of eternity?
c. Am I struggling with why God’s allowing certain things to happen in this world (i.e. earthquakes, floods, famine)? What is God saying about Himself and our need for Him? - Now I would journal away and ask God to drive the lesson(s) down deep into my heart, so that I might be transformed by His Word!
He promises to be found by you when you seek Him with all of your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Now, go learn to fish for yourself and enjoy the journey!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Going on a Treasure Hunt
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
If I had to make a list of my top 5 treasures, what would make the cut? If I had to show you my most recent bank statement, what would the way I spend money tell you about my priorities? If you were to look at the month of April in my day timer, what would it reveal about how I spend my time? If God came to me right now and asked for an account of how I’d invested the spiritual gifts He’s given me, what would I have to show Him? Those are convicting questions. There are some areas I struggle with more than others, but overall, how I spend the commodities of time, treasure and talent should allow you to easily pinpoint the things that capture my heart.
When a good thing becomes the main thing, it becomes an idol. When money becomes security, when a relationship becomes your identity, when your talent becomes your self-worth, when a hobby consumes your life, when you look to substance to comfort you, when the voice of another person drowns out the voice of the Lord, you are handing over the reins of your life to something/someone other than God. And that is dangerous. Ezekiel 14:3 says, “…these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity.” Paul tells us in Colossians 3:5 what to do with idols – and he doesn’t mince words. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” That’s serious business. Paul’s telling us to put to death (root out of our lives) anything that rivals God in giving you your identity, comfort, security, self worth, etc. This may seem like a morbid illustration, but which would you rather do: walk around with a diseased arm that’s slowly killing you, or cut that wound out and experience health and vitality once again? A few years back, I had a form of skin cancer – melanoma – removed from my body. I hate needles and hospitals and could have forgone surgery and pretended it would have no lasting impact in my life while in all reality, the cancer was slowly making its way to my bloodstream and then it would have been too late. Instead, I subjected myself to needles and the skillful hand of a surgeon who removed it and created a “margin of safety” so I would be healed. That, in essence, is what allowing idols into our lives do to us. They make their way down into the depths of our heart where they sap our spiritual energy, peace, joy and hope and slowly kill our relationship with God and effectiveness for Him. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” The good news is, the choice is yours. You can choose this day to ask the Surgeon of your heart to cut out the infected area of your life so that you can restore Him to the throne of your heart. And don’t miss the part about creating a “margin of safety.” Sometimes it may require you to cut out friends who are a bad influence, or certain substances that are too powerful to resist when you need comfort, or maybe your margin of safety is finding an accountability partner to make sure you’re getting up out of bed in the morning to spend time with God. Jill Briscoe, a women’s author and speaker said once, “I’d rather be sleep deprived than God deprived.” Your idol may not be sleep, but what’s depriving you of God?
If I had to make a list of my top 5 treasures, what would make the cut? If I had to show you my most recent bank statement, what would the way I spend money tell you about my priorities? If you were to look at the month of April in my day timer, what would it reveal about how I spend my time? If God came to me right now and asked for an account of how I’d invested the spiritual gifts He’s given me, what would I have to show Him? Those are convicting questions. There are some areas I struggle with more than others, but overall, how I spend the commodities of time, treasure and talent should allow you to easily pinpoint the things that capture my heart.
When a good thing becomes the main thing, it becomes an idol. When money becomes security, when a relationship becomes your identity, when your talent becomes your self-worth, when a hobby consumes your life, when you look to substance to comfort you, when the voice of another person drowns out the voice of the Lord, you are handing over the reins of your life to something/someone other than God. And that is dangerous. Ezekiel 14:3 says, “…these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity.” Paul tells us in Colossians 3:5 what to do with idols – and he doesn’t mince words. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” That’s serious business. Paul’s telling us to put to death (root out of our lives) anything that rivals God in giving you your identity, comfort, security, self worth, etc. This may seem like a morbid illustration, but which would you rather do: walk around with a diseased arm that’s slowly killing you, or cut that wound out and experience health and vitality once again? A few years back, I had a form of skin cancer – melanoma – removed from my body. I hate needles and hospitals and could have forgone surgery and pretended it would have no lasting impact in my life while in all reality, the cancer was slowly making its way to my bloodstream and then it would have been too late. Instead, I subjected myself to needles and the skillful hand of a surgeon who removed it and created a “margin of safety” so I would be healed. That, in essence, is what allowing idols into our lives do to us. They make their way down into the depths of our heart where they sap our spiritual energy, peace, joy and hope and slowly kill our relationship with God and effectiveness for Him. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” The good news is, the choice is yours. You can choose this day to ask the Surgeon of your heart to cut out the infected area of your life so that you can restore Him to the throne of your heart. And don’t miss the part about creating a “margin of safety.” Sometimes it may require you to cut out friends who are a bad influence, or certain substances that are too powerful to resist when you need comfort, or maybe your margin of safety is finding an accountability partner to make sure you’re getting up out of bed in the morning to spend time with God. Jill Briscoe, a women’s author and speaker said once, “I’d rather be sleep deprived than God deprived.” Your idol may not be sleep, but what’s depriving you of God?
- Make a list of your top 5 treasures.
- Evaluate each one to see if they are subject to God or if they are competing with God for any of the above mentioned areas in your life (security, identity, self worth, comfort, etc.). Be honest with yourself here. It may be painful to admit, but in the end it beats the alternative!
- Get serious about rooting out any of your treasures that are an idol. If you’ve identified an idol, what does rooting it out of your life look like? Now confess that idol to the Lord and ask for His hand to guide you through the process. Also, who can you invite in on your journey? Find someone to hold you accountable. Accountability is incredibly effective here!
Can You Really See?
“To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
I work full-time in a Christian ministry and am surrounded by believers for the majority of my days and yet more and more, I am meeting Christians who have relegated God, or spiritual things, to certain parts of their lives. In a snapshot, this is what they look like: They go to church on Sundays. They call out to God only when they’re in need. Some can even hang with the best of them when it comes to Christian lingo. But where are the truly spiritually minded Christians? Where are those who see ALL of life through the lenses of Scripture and what God is up to in the world? We wonder why our lives lack purpose and meaning and why we can’t sleep at night. As a culture (and even a Christian culture), we obsess over money, over trying to keep up, over being perfect, and we look to relationships and materialism to fulfill the deep longings of our hearts. But if we’re honest, God is the answer to each of those issues. God alone brings real and lasting purpose to our lives. He is our security and our true fulfillment. We do not have to be perfect to earn His love; He looks at us as righteous and pure if we’re covered by the blood of His Son. He has given us everything necessary for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3). He is our peace. What other explanation but God can suffice when you see a Christian couple who has lost a child to cancer but can still smile and praise Jesus. Knowing that we serve a loving God who is infinitely powerful, completely sovereign over our circumstances and who promises a plan for our lives that is full of hope, creates a peace that passes all understanding.
How do we stay spiritually minded? Romans 12:2 reminds us we must constantly renew our minds – in God’s Word, through prayer, by being in fellowship with other believers – sharing with each other what God is teaching and being held accountable to live lives worthy of our calling as believers. So let’s hold ourselves accountable right now and ask these questions together:
- On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the greatest), how spiritually minded am I? What does my time with God (in His Word, in prayer, in fellowship with other believers) look like and where does it need to improve?
- Am I experiencing the abundance of life and sense of purpose that God has intended for me? If not, what needs to change? Is He a part of or is He ALL of my life? If only a part, what needs to change for Him to become Lord over all of my life?
- Am I experiencing peace in my current circumstances? If not, what attributes of God do I need to reflect on to renew my perspective?
Friday, April 30, 2010
Trust and Obey
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
A dear friend of mind called me last night. Two days earlier, she had made a very hard decision. She chose to obey what she believed the Lord was telling her and acted on faith and not on feeling. Her obedience was coupled with a deep peace, in spite of what her heart was saying. Then, two days later, something happened that called into question her decision. It looked shiny and bright on the outside and offered the hope of change and the promise of fulfillment, but was it God speaking or was it smoke and mirrors from our adversary who is both cunning and deceitful. Was God changing His mind and leading her opposite of what she'd previously heard Him say, or is it true that testing usually accompanies our obedience? Isn't it tempting sometimes to look back after taking a huge leap of faith and wonder "what if" or "maybe it could be different" or "did I really hear God correctly"? Like the children of Israel who cried out for slavery in Egypt over following God in the desert, or Lot's wife who turned into a pillar of salt after looking back at the destruction of the land she loved, or those in Gideon's army who abandoned him because the battle looked impossible, aren't we also tempted to turn back after facing the gut-wrenching strength and focus it takes to climb the mountains of faith?
So, what do we do when we obey God's instructions and then begin to doubt as we get more removed from that decision? I believe we have our marching orders in Philippians 4:6-7. We stop. We acknowledge whatever is calling into question our decision. We go back to the word the Lord gave us and remind Him of that word while committing this doubt-causing situation to Him. Then we rest. God gives us a promise, or rather, an exchange. He tells us to acknowledge our petition to Him and then He grants us a peace that guards (think garrison around a city) both our heart and mind. Don't miss that part. His peace guards your heart (protecting you from emotions and allowing discernment to weigh whether something is His voice or the voice of the enemy) and your mind (protecting against seeds of doubt or worry that compromise your obedience). How it happens, I don't quite know. It's a supernatural transaction. But it works. And before you turn back and go the other way, wait to hear from the Lord. Scripture confirms Scripture and I believe He will reconfirm His word to you on whatever matter you are seeking direction. He is a loving Father who in James 1, promises to give us wisdom in abundance when we ask for it by faith! He wants His will for our lives far more than we could ever want it for ourselves!
A dear friend of mind called me last night. Two days earlier, she had made a very hard decision. She chose to obey what she believed the Lord was telling her and acted on faith and not on feeling. Her obedience was coupled with a deep peace, in spite of what her heart was saying. Then, two days later, something happened that called into question her decision. It looked shiny and bright on the outside and offered the hope of change and the promise of fulfillment, but was it God speaking or was it smoke and mirrors from our adversary who is both cunning and deceitful. Was God changing His mind and leading her opposite of what she'd previously heard Him say, or is it true that testing usually accompanies our obedience? Isn't it tempting sometimes to look back after taking a huge leap of faith and wonder "what if" or "maybe it could be different" or "did I really hear God correctly"? Like the children of Israel who cried out for slavery in Egypt over following God in the desert, or Lot's wife who turned into a pillar of salt after looking back at the destruction of the land she loved, or those in Gideon's army who abandoned him because the battle looked impossible, aren't we also tempted to turn back after facing the gut-wrenching strength and focus it takes to climb the mountains of faith?
So, what do we do when we obey God's instructions and then begin to doubt as we get more removed from that decision? I believe we have our marching orders in Philippians 4:6-7. We stop. We acknowledge whatever is calling into question our decision. We go back to the word the Lord gave us and remind Him of that word while committing this doubt-causing situation to Him. Then we rest. God gives us a promise, or rather, an exchange. He tells us to acknowledge our petition to Him and then He grants us a peace that guards (think garrison around a city) both our heart and mind. Don't miss that part. His peace guards your heart (protecting you from emotions and allowing discernment to weigh whether something is His voice or the voice of the enemy) and your mind (protecting against seeds of doubt or worry that compromise your obedience). How it happens, I don't quite know. It's a supernatural transaction. But it works. And before you turn back and go the other way, wait to hear from the Lord. Scripture confirms Scripture and I believe He will reconfirm His word to you on whatever matter you are seeking direction. He is a loving Father who in James 1, promises to give us wisdom in abundance when we ask for it by faith! He wants His will for our lives far more than we could ever want it for ourselves!
- So, what decision(s) have you made that you now doubt? Take those doubts before the Lord right now and ask by faith that Him reaffirm His direction while guarding your heart and mind.
- What if you are having trouble discerning if what you hear is from the Lord or is the manipulative voice of our enemy? (Matthew 4:6 reveals to us that satan used Scripture to tempt Jesus. He is a master manipulator and will often twist truth, cause us to question God's character, or create doubt that God really has a good plan for our lives -- all to lead us astray.) I would ask you to evaluate the fruit (the outcomes) of that decision. The fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5) accompany the presence of the Lord. Is the fruit of the Spirit at the end of that decision? Also, the voice of the Lord leads to conviction and restoration and the voice of the enemy leads to condemnation and isolation. Is that voice leading you nearer to the Lord and fellowship with believers or farther away?
- If you know what you need to do, if God has spoken, than I urge you to obey and not look back. You may never feel like doing it and if you wait until your feelings catch up, it might be too late (see Luke 18:18-25). Rarely in my experience do faith and feeling align. :) It reminds me of an old hymn I used to sign in church when I was little: Trust and obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Age of Uncertainty
"Consider what great things He has done for you." 1 Samuel 12:24
I am in a season in my life right now that I affectionately (insert sarcasim) call "The Unknown" and it's so much easier to allow myself to dwell on all the uncertainties and cave to the temptation of wondering if God sees me and knows my plight than to stop and rehearse all that He's done for me. Why is that? A long used trick of our enemy is to keep our focus off of the faithfulness of God and to try by any means possible to discourage us from being in the Word so that we're not reminded of Truth (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:97). My short history in this life tells me one thing - God has a 100% track record of faithfulness in my life. He has NEVER failed me, abandoned me, or rejected me. He has never NOT been there when I've asked for guidance, protection, or rescue. He has never laughed at me when I couldn't figure something out, when I needed Him as my daddy, my friend, my confidant or my pursuer. He has only ever been my protector, provider, healer, restorer, redeemer, Savior and the giver of good gifts in my life - even when they come in packages I don't understand. Who else can I say that of? When I read this verse I realize there is surety and power in considering what great things He has done for me. God has not changed and His track record in my life will never change. So, I will ask myself (and you) these questions today...
I am in a season in my life right now that I affectionately (insert sarcasim) call "The Unknown" and it's so much easier to allow myself to dwell on all the uncertainties and cave to the temptation of wondering if God sees me and knows my plight than to stop and rehearse all that He's done for me. Why is that? A long used trick of our enemy is to keep our focus off of the faithfulness of God and to try by any means possible to discourage us from being in the Word so that we're not reminded of Truth (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:97). My short history in this life tells me one thing - God has a 100% track record of faithfulness in my life. He has NEVER failed me, abandoned me, or rejected me. He has never NOT been there when I've asked for guidance, protection, or rescue. He has never laughed at me when I couldn't figure something out, when I needed Him as my daddy, my friend, my confidant or my pursuer. He has only ever been my protector, provider, healer, restorer, redeemer, Savior and the giver of good gifts in my life - even when they come in packages I don't understand. Who else can I say that of? When I read this verse I realize there is surety and power in considering what great things He has done for me. God has not changed and His track record in my life will never change. So, I will ask myself (and you) these questions today...
- What are the unknowns in your life? Make a list.
- Consider the great things He has done for you. Make a list. (If your list is like mine, the great things He has done for me FAR outweigh the daunting unknowns that I currently face. Such a relief!)
- Get into God's Word! Find a promise to claim about each unknown on your list. Here's an example of mine: UNKNOWN: How long am I supposed to renew my apartment lease for? PROMISE to claim: Psalm 74:17 says, "It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter." This verse reminds me that God understands time frames, lease terms and deadlines. He created the seasons on this planet to last certain lengths. He set the boundaries for our earth - clear starting and stopping points. In a similar way, God knows the boundaries of my next lease term and by faith, I trust Him to guide me in how long this next "season" should last.
- Spend time in prayer, lifting up each item on your list of unknowns and pray the truth of God's Word that you've found into each situation and then leave them with the ONE who is faithful and has proven Himself trustworthy in your life!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
How do we know what love is?
1 John 3:16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
- Jesus modeled love for us so we would know and understand what love looks like/ how it's played out in our lives.
- My love for others should rise up out of this truth -- that God laid His life down for me when I was a SINNER! A sinner! Not His best friend or family member, but someone who hated Him and opposed all things godly. He died for that version of me so I could one day accept Him.
- This verse tells us He laid down His LIFE; my actual life's blood may or may not be required of me for a brother, but then how much more should I be able to lay down my pride, my title, my "rights", my finances, my time, my care, my prayers, my expectations, my ___(fill in the blank)___ for my brothers (the word "brothers" means fellow Christians)?
- How have I laid down my life for my brother/ sister so far this week?
- What ways are easier and then more difficult for me to lay down my life? Pick one to work on this week.
- When's the last time I thanked You, Jesus, for laying down Your life for me?
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