“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
On the eve of what could rightly be called an invasion of the promise land God talked to the new leader of the Hebrew people. God gives Joshua his orders, commanding him to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or discouraged. Promising Joshua that he was not going into the unknown alone “for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go”.
As I write this my mom is preparing for surgery to remove a large portion of one of her kidneys. A friend is contemplating a different kind of surgery and several friends are dealing with either ailing spouses or parents. These kinds of things can zap our strength and fill us with fear if we let them.
Imagine Joshua’s situation – the newly appointed leader of a bunch of less than faithful or cooperative people, standing on the banks of the Jordan River with divine orders to cross over and take the land, by force. That is certainly something that might cause the best of leaders to hesitate and yet God repeatedly tells Joshua to be strong and courageous for I will be with you.
We do not have to face anything alone even if we seem to be all by ourselves. God is there beside us… encouraging us to stand tall, to use the gifts He’s given us, commanding us to rely on Him when we feel our strength and courage waning in the battle.
Each day we wake to a world of unknowns but we do not enter the fray alone – God will be with us wherever the day takes us. So be strong and courageous and we like Joshua will gain the victory because the God of the universe is right there with us.
A prayer
Father – Today and throughout the week be our strength when we grow weary and weak. Be our courage when fear threatens to overtake us. Because of Your great love for us we can know that we are not alone and can find peace in You even in the midst of the battle. May Your Holy Spirit be our constant companion. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Path to Contentment
“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’”
John 4:10
Meet Abraham Maslow – he developed what has become known as the Hierarchy of Needs – physical, security, love, purpose and self actualization. The first four are the basic needs of all humans. Maslow and most psychologists would say that these four needs must be met in order to get to self actualization. Simply put our basic needs must be met in order for us to be complete, selfless and content people. It is how we go about having those needs mee that get us into trouble – not necessarily because we are doing bad things, but because we are depending on the wrong things.
As citizens of the Western world most of us have our physical needs met – so we strive for significance and security. Fancy houses and cars, high paying jobs, promotions, praise, adoring spouses and approval from others are the things that many of us believe will meet our need for significance and security. But the truth is none of those things can meet those needs consistently. Ladies your husbands are not intended to meet all of your needs – Men same goes for your wives. Money does not make us significant. Perfection according to the world will not make us secure. Depending on the wrong things according to some psychologists can well – make us crazy.
Meet Jesus Christ – that’s what the woman at the well did. The passage today isn’t really about water, although that is a basic need. Jesus is telling this woman and so us as well, that He and only He is able to meet all of our needs. If we are to become complete, selfless and content people – people who at our very core love God and others – we must depend on Jesus to meet our needs. Dr. Larry Crabb says “The truly well-adjusted person is one who depends on God alone to make him/her significant and secure.”
Now let me make it clear – having a nice house, a good paying job and fulfilling personal relationships are all good things, but they do not determine your worth. God determines your worth and He determined that you – yes you - were worth more than His Son’s life.
The path to contentment takes us straight to the heart of Jesus. Today find your worth in Him.
A prayer
Father – Because of Jesus, we are called daughters and sons of God – members of Your royal family. The stuff on this planet is for our enjoyment, not for determining our worth – help us to depend on the only One who can really meet all our needs and make us content. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
John 4:10
Meet Abraham Maslow – he developed what has become known as the Hierarchy of Needs – physical, security, love, purpose and self actualization. The first four are the basic needs of all humans. Maslow and most psychologists would say that these four needs must be met in order to get to self actualization. Simply put our basic needs must be met in order for us to be complete, selfless and content people. It is how we go about having those needs mee that get us into trouble – not necessarily because we are doing bad things, but because we are depending on the wrong things.
As citizens of the Western world most of us have our physical needs met – so we strive for significance and security. Fancy houses and cars, high paying jobs, promotions, praise, adoring spouses and approval from others are the things that many of us believe will meet our need for significance and security. But the truth is none of those things can meet those needs consistently. Ladies your husbands are not intended to meet all of your needs – Men same goes for your wives. Money does not make us significant. Perfection according to the world will not make us secure. Depending on the wrong things according to some psychologists can well – make us crazy.
Meet Jesus Christ – that’s what the woman at the well did. The passage today isn’t really about water, although that is a basic need. Jesus is telling this woman and so us as well, that He and only He is able to meet all of our needs. If we are to become complete, selfless and content people – people who at our very core love God and others – we must depend on Jesus to meet our needs. Dr. Larry Crabb says “The truly well-adjusted person is one who depends on God alone to make him/her significant and secure.”
Now let me make it clear – having a nice house, a good paying job and fulfilling personal relationships are all good things, but they do not determine your worth. God determines your worth and He determined that you – yes you - were worth more than His Son’s life.
The path to contentment takes us straight to the heart of Jesus. Today find your worth in Him.
A prayer
Father – Because of Jesus, we are called daughters and sons of God – members of Your royal family. The stuff on this planet is for our enjoyment, not for determining our worth – help us to depend on the only One who can really meet all our needs and make us content. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Ahhh Peace
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Not long ago a friend who is in the midst of a major life storm shared how they woke early to the sound of a gentle rain falling. The sound made them sink deeper into the comfort of their bed and fall back to sleep. It was what I call an “ahhhh peace” moment.
What causes you to have an “ahhh peace” moment even in the midst of life’s struggles? Is it the sound of waves crashing on the shore? Is it the clean smell after a good rain? What about the majesty of the mountains? Have you ever been hoping for peace and found it in something unexpected? Peace came for me recently while driving on a back road from my town to my mom’s town when I was blessed to see a herd of Tulle Elk… beautiful creatures that while common to the area are not often seen.
Jesus makes clear two things – we will have trouble in this life and He has given us peace that can break through the clouds and just for a moment we stop and say “ahhh peace”. It is just enough to remind us that we serve an amazing God who loves us so much – that he does not mind sending a reminder that He is near and working in our lives.
This week may you get the “ahhh peace” moment you need to walk confidently in whatever you are facing. Oh and just in case you are wondering if you are sailing in smooth waters right now… God may use you to bring “ahhh peace” to someone else – so listen for Him.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for those “ahhh peace” moments You give us, that remind us you are near and that you know what we need. In those moments may we stop and give thanks for your amazing love and peace. In the name of Jesus, our peace giver Amen.
John 16:33
Not long ago a friend who is in the midst of a major life storm shared how they woke early to the sound of a gentle rain falling. The sound made them sink deeper into the comfort of their bed and fall back to sleep. It was what I call an “ahhhh peace” moment.
What causes you to have an “ahhh peace” moment even in the midst of life’s struggles? Is it the sound of waves crashing on the shore? Is it the clean smell after a good rain? What about the majesty of the mountains? Have you ever been hoping for peace and found it in something unexpected? Peace came for me recently while driving on a back road from my town to my mom’s town when I was blessed to see a herd of Tulle Elk… beautiful creatures that while common to the area are not often seen.
Jesus makes clear two things – we will have trouble in this life and He has given us peace that can break through the clouds and just for a moment we stop and say “ahhh peace”. It is just enough to remind us that we serve an amazing God who loves us so much – that he does not mind sending a reminder that He is near and working in our lives.
This week may you get the “ahhh peace” moment you need to walk confidently in whatever you are facing. Oh and just in case you are wondering if you are sailing in smooth waters right now… God may use you to bring “ahhh peace” to someone else – so listen for Him.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for those “ahhh peace” moments You give us, that remind us you are near and that you know what we need. In those moments may we stop and give thanks for your amazing love and peace. In the name of Jesus, our peace giver Amen.
Monday, October 10, 2011
And One... And Two... And Stretch
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24
How is your exercise plan going? Are you feeling strong and confident? How about your faith -are you exercising it? Are you feeling the strength and confidence of the LORD? Are you allowing Him to stretch you? Ok, I can hear the groans from here and mumbling about “having been stretched enough” - but have we really been stretched enough? Do we attempt to exercise kindness or justice or righteousness or generosity or understanding and love the way the Lord does?
When it comes to physical exercise stretching is important – it gets the muscles ready for work and helps to prevent injury as you do your workout. Our faith needs to be stretched too. We can choose to stretch it ourselves by studying God’s word, praying, loving and caring for one another and being obedient to His call. Sometimes though – like a good personal trainer God may decide we need some help with our faith stretches. His stretches may not be as comfortable as the ones we normally do – but the flexibility we gain will make us stronger in the long run.
Ok - so are you ready? And one… and two… and stretch…and stretch a little more – ok good. Now get out there and practice being Jesus to those around you – do the things that He would do. Show the world that you know and understand Him and what kinds of things delight him.
A prayer
Father – You know that most of us don’t exercise our bodies or our faith enough. Thank you for those times when you stretch us – we might not always like it, but we are better for it when You are done. This week help us to stretch ourselves by reflecting Your Son to the world around us and it is in His name we pray, Amen.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
How is your exercise plan going? Are you feeling strong and confident? How about your faith -are you exercising it? Are you feeling the strength and confidence of the LORD? Are you allowing Him to stretch you? Ok, I can hear the groans from here and mumbling about “having been stretched enough” - but have we really been stretched enough? Do we attempt to exercise kindness or justice or righteousness or generosity or understanding and love the way the Lord does?
When it comes to physical exercise stretching is important – it gets the muscles ready for work and helps to prevent injury as you do your workout. Our faith needs to be stretched too. We can choose to stretch it ourselves by studying God’s word, praying, loving and caring for one another and being obedient to His call. Sometimes though – like a good personal trainer God may decide we need some help with our faith stretches. His stretches may not be as comfortable as the ones we normally do – but the flexibility we gain will make us stronger in the long run.
Ok - so are you ready? And one… and two… and stretch…and stretch a little more – ok good. Now get out there and practice being Jesus to those around you – do the things that He would do. Show the world that you know and understand Him and what kinds of things delight him.
A prayer
Father – You know that most of us don’t exercise our bodies or our faith enough. Thank you for those times when you stretch us – we might not always like it, but we are better for it when You are done. This week help us to stretch ourselves by reflecting Your Son to the world around us and it is in His name we pray, Amen.
Monday, October 3, 2011
When You've Had A Hard Week
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:2-4
It had been a hard week – it was only Monday and it had already been filled with disappointment and struggle. That’s when I sat down to do some reading for school, that’s when I came across today’s passage in a book about pastoral counseling. I have to admit it was just what I needed to hear – I could feel the tension level lower as I was reminded that we serve a God of comfort and compassion.
As the week continued – my spirit seemed a bit lighter not because things got easier, but because I could feel the grace and peace of God along with his comfort flowing into my heart and mind. Then the words of encouragement started coming from people who care about me – what a difference a few words can make.
What kind of week did you have? What kind of week will we have? I can’t see beyond the moment that I am writing this – at least not clearly. But it doesn’t really matter does it – Jesus will be present with us, walking each step with us bringing us comfort and encouragement when we need it.
We can comfort one another because we have received comfort from our amazing God. Consider yourself reminded that you are not alone – we have God and each other.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for the peace, grace and comfort you give us. You already know what kind of week we will each have, grant us what we need to celebrate the victories and recover from the struggles. Bring us words of encouragement and help us to encourage others. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:2-4
It had been a hard week – it was only Monday and it had already been filled with disappointment and struggle. That’s when I sat down to do some reading for school, that’s when I came across today’s passage in a book about pastoral counseling. I have to admit it was just what I needed to hear – I could feel the tension level lower as I was reminded that we serve a God of comfort and compassion.
As the week continued – my spirit seemed a bit lighter not because things got easier, but because I could feel the grace and peace of God along with his comfort flowing into my heart and mind. Then the words of encouragement started coming from people who care about me – what a difference a few words can make.
What kind of week did you have? What kind of week will we have? I can’t see beyond the moment that I am writing this – at least not clearly. But it doesn’t really matter does it – Jesus will be present with us, walking each step with us bringing us comfort and encouragement when we need it.
We can comfort one another because we have received comfort from our amazing God. Consider yourself reminded that you are not alone – we have God and each other.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for the peace, grace and comfort you give us. You already know what kind of week we will each have, grant us what we need to celebrate the victories and recover from the struggles. Bring us words of encouragement and help us to encourage others. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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