“…But this one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward that which is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
There are times in this life when it is appropriate to take a moment; just a moment to reflect on where the journey has taken us. Some of these times are: milestone birthdays, the end of a big project, coming through a life crisis or a faith crisis, those inevitable forks in the road and at the change of the year.
Paul in this week’s passage is encouraging the Philippian church not to get bogged down in the past, to not dwell excessively on past failures but to keep following after Christ who is making them and us new by His mercy and grace, by His love and compassion. I think though that stopping for a moment to see how far Jesus has brought us as we have walked by faith is important.
Look back and celebrate the many victories you have seen. Look back and learn from those times when it appeared as though you had failed. Look back and be thankful for those who have and are sharing the journey with you. Then, when you are done looking back, turn your face and your heart fully to the road that lies ahead and press on into the future.
There is no way that we can know what the new year will hold and I can tell you that it is probably better that we can’t. What we can know is that the year will have its high points and its low points. We can know that we will have to face obstacles along the way. We can know that we are loved by the people in our lives and by God. We can rest in the knowledge that the One who made us has an incredible plan for each of us. We can know that we can overcome because Christ is able to do more for us and with us than our minds can comprehend if we’ll let him.
Paul prays an incredible prayer for the Ephesians and it seems an appropriate prayer for us as we turn to face the New Year.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19).
Take just a moment and look back and then turn and step boldly into the future.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for allowing us to look back, to see how far we have come, how far You have brought us. Thank you for walking with us into the future. Help us to trust you with all that the New Year will bring, knowing that we are never alone and that You have amazing plans for us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Incredible Peace
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
4:30 a.m. Christmas morning and the house is still, the only sounds - the occasional hum of the furnace and the gentle click of the keys as I type this devotion. Outside it is clear and cool; the half moon still seems so bright. It is calm and peaceful. I like early mornings for just that reason, they are peaceful. Early mornings are good for thinking, and this Christmas morning it’s a good time for thinking about why we celebrate Christmas.
What was it like in Bethlehem 2000 years ago when God stepped into time and the history of mankind as a baby born in a stable? This child, this son - who the prophet Isaiah said would be called among other things the Prince of Peace. It would be hard to say whether or not the city filled to capacity because of the census was calm and peaceful. But stables can be peaceful places and I suspect that this particular one was very peaceful following the birth of God’s Son.
Before Jesus went to the cross he told his disciples “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you…” (John 14:27). A special kind of peace is a gift given by the One called the Prince of Peace. Paul tells the Philippian church: “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).
This peace that transcends our understanding is the kind of peace experienced on battlefields where Christmas truces stand. This kind of peace can be experienced in the midst cancer battles and the other storms of life. This kind of peace filled a lowly Bethlehem stable as a child lay sleeping in a manger. This kind of peace was given to us from a Roman cross and made permanent by an empty tomb.
As you celebrate Christmas may you experience - awe inspiring joy, the light of God’s love, the incredible hope He brings and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Merry Christmas!
A Prayer
Father, what an incredible gift Christmas is. Thank you for your Son and the joy, love, hope and peace He gives us. May we be filled to overflowing today and every day so that we can share your gifts with those around us. In the name of Jesus who is the best gift giver and the greatest gift, Amen.
Isaiah 9:6
4:30 a.m. Christmas morning and the house is still, the only sounds - the occasional hum of the furnace and the gentle click of the keys as I type this devotion. Outside it is clear and cool; the half moon still seems so bright. It is calm and peaceful. I like early mornings for just that reason, they are peaceful. Early mornings are good for thinking, and this Christmas morning it’s a good time for thinking about why we celebrate Christmas.
What was it like in Bethlehem 2000 years ago when God stepped into time and the history of mankind as a baby born in a stable? This child, this son - who the prophet Isaiah said would be called among other things the Prince of Peace. It would be hard to say whether or not the city filled to capacity because of the census was calm and peaceful. But stables can be peaceful places and I suspect that this particular one was very peaceful following the birth of God’s Son.
Before Jesus went to the cross he told his disciples “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you…” (John 14:27). A special kind of peace is a gift given by the One called the Prince of Peace. Paul tells the Philippian church: “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).
This peace that transcends our understanding is the kind of peace experienced on battlefields where Christmas truces stand. This kind of peace can be experienced in the midst cancer battles and the other storms of life. This kind of peace filled a lowly Bethlehem stable as a child lay sleeping in a manger. This kind of peace was given to us from a Roman cross and made permanent by an empty tomb.
As you celebrate Christmas may you experience - awe inspiring joy, the light of God’s love, the incredible hope He brings and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Merry Christmas!
A Prayer
Father, what an incredible gift Christmas is. Thank you for your Son and the joy, love, hope and peace He gives us. May we be filled to overflowing today and every day so that we can share your gifts with those around us. In the name of Jesus who is the best gift giver and the greatest gift, Amen.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Love's Light
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
We had gone to see a great holiday movie called The Christmas Candle, based on the novel by Max Lucado. It is a movie of hope and inspiration, a movie that shows what kind of miracles happen when we let our light shine.
The movie is set in an English village where every 25 years an angel appears at the candle maker’s shop and blesses one candle. The candle is then given to someone who has been identified as having a great need with the instruction to light it and pray. Into this village tradition walks the new reverend, who is struggling with a faith crisis of his own.
A mishap the night the angel appears to bless the candle throws a wrench into the whole thing. The new reverend, who does not believe in the miracles of the candle, asks to see the requests that have been made and starts to meet the stated needs himself. The loss of the Christmas candle results in 29 families being given a candle with the instruction to light it and pray. The reverend uses this week’s passage for one of his advent messages, encouraging his congregation to show their light to one another. The miracles start happening, prayer is increased and neighbors are helping neighbors - hearts are changing, glowing with love’s light.
The real Christmas candle finds its way into the reverend’s hands and provides the supernatural miracle needed to completely restore his faith. In the end the village that had been fading under the weight of hopelessness is restored by love’s light.
Jesus is the light of the world; He came to show us how to love God and one another. He came to pay the price of forgiveness and restoration. He left His light burning in the hearts of each one who believe, so that we can share it with the world around us.
For God so loved, that He sent His Son, the light of the world into the world to push back the darkness with love’s light. So let love’s light shine through your life, you can be the miracle someone needs.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the light of your love. Help us to be aware of the darkness and hopelessness that surrounds us, so that we can let love’s light show and may that light shine brightly. Thank you for the miracles you work through your people. In the name of Jesus who is the light of the world, Amen.
Matthew 5:14-16
We had gone to see a great holiday movie called The Christmas Candle, based on the novel by Max Lucado. It is a movie of hope and inspiration, a movie that shows what kind of miracles happen when we let our light shine.
The movie is set in an English village where every 25 years an angel appears at the candle maker’s shop and blesses one candle. The candle is then given to someone who has been identified as having a great need with the instruction to light it and pray. Into this village tradition walks the new reverend, who is struggling with a faith crisis of his own.
A mishap the night the angel appears to bless the candle throws a wrench into the whole thing. The new reverend, who does not believe in the miracles of the candle, asks to see the requests that have been made and starts to meet the stated needs himself. The loss of the Christmas candle results in 29 families being given a candle with the instruction to light it and pray. The reverend uses this week’s passage for one of his advent messages, encouraging his congregation to show their light to one another. The miracles start happening, prayer is increased and neighbors are helping neighbors - hearts are changing, glowing with love’s light.
The real Christmas candle finds its way into the reverend’s hands and provides the supernatural miracle needed to completely restore his faith. In the end the village that had been fading under the weight of hopelessness is restored by love’s light.
Jesus is the light of the world; He came to show us how to love God and one another. He came to pay the price of forgiveness and restoration. He left His light burning in the hearts of each one who believe, so that we can share it with the world around us.
For God so loved, that He sent His Son, the light of the world into the world to push back the darkness with love’s light. So let love’s light shine through your life, you can be the miracle someone needs.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the light of your love. Help us to be aware of the darkness and hopelessness that surrounds us, so that we can let love’s light show and may that light shine brightly. Thank you for the miracles you work through your people. In the name of Jesus who is the light of the world, Amen.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Hope is Born
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”
Psalm 33:20-22
Winter where I live at times means freezing temperatures, and it always means bare trees, some rain, some fog and clouds. In other places winter means long and very dark nights, below zero temperatures and snow, lots of snow. The bleakness of winter can for many make life seem hopeless.
Then one day as we venture outside, there is a bud on a tree or some grass peaking through the snow and the hope of spring is restored. We know that winter will come to an end and the renewal that spring signals helps to get us through the rest of winter.
Life on this fallen and broken planet, with its loss, its illnesses that are no respecter of persons, the destructive power of creation itself and the unimaginable violence committed by mankind can also feel hopeless at times.
King David, a man of faith, who looked forward with great joy to the day the Lord would make good on all His promises and sang about it even when things seemed bleak to him. Then it happened, an angel visited a peasant girl and told her she was favored and part of God’s Plan. A carpenter had a dream letting him know it was ok to take that same girl for his wife and then in a Bethlehem stable hope was born.
Life is tough, there are no doubts about that, but Jesus was born to bring us salvation and with that salvation comes, hope. We no longer have to wait for it, we just have to reach out with our hearts and grab hold of it.
Hope is born and it is an everlasting hope so grab hold and let your heart rejoice even in the midst of life’s winter storm.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the hope that was born with your Son. Thank you that you are our help and our shield. Thank you for your unfailing love. For those who are feeling hopeless, restore them. For those filled with hope help them to share it with others. In the name of Jesus who brought hope with His birth we pray, Amen.
Psalm 33:20-22
Winter where I live at times means freezing temperatures, and it always means bare trees, some rain, some fog and clouds. In other places winter means long and very dark nights, below zero temperatures and snow, lots of snow. The bleakness of winter can for many make life seem hopeless.
Then one day as we venture outside, there is a bud on a tree or some grass peaking through the snow and the hope of spring is restored. We know that winter will come to an end and the renewal that spring signals helps to get us through the rest of winter.
Life on this fallen and broken planet, with its loss, its illnesses that are no respecter of persons, the destructive power of creation itself and the unimaginable violence committed by mankind can also feel hopeless at times.
King David, a man of faith, who looked forward with great joy to the day the Lord would make good on all His promises and sang about it even when things seemed bleak to him. Then it happened, an angel visited a peasant girl and told her she was favored and part of God’s Plan. A carpenter had a dream letting him know it was ok to take that same girl for his wife and then in a Bethlehem stable hope was born.
Life is tough, there are no doubts about that, but Jesus was born to bring us salvation and with that salvation comes, hope. We no longer have to wait for it, we just have to reach out with our hearts and grab hold of it.
Hope is born and it is an everlasting hope so grab hold and let your heart rejoice even in the midst of life’s winter storm.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the hope that was born with your Son. Thank you that you are our help and our shield. Thank you for your unfailing love. For those who are feeling hopeless, restore them. For those filled with hope help them to share it with others. In the name of Jesus who brought hope with His birth we pray, Amen.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Awestruck and Filled With Joy
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1
Sometimes the night sky over California is more spectacular than other times. I love it when it is so clear and bright that you can tell the sky is still blue even late at night. Get away from the city lights and the sky becomes even more awe inspiring, the multitude of stars, constellations, a planet or two and an occasional satellite do truly declare the glory of God and the work of His hands.
As we enter into the season of advent, preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, I was thinking back to that night and wondering about the shepherds that were out that night. Had they spent so many nights under the Middle Eastern sky that it ceased to cause a sense of awe? Had they noticed anything different about the sky that night? Was there anything to suggest that something truly spectacular was about to happen?
Then it happened. “An angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified” (Luke 2:9). That they were terrified in all likelihood meant that they were both afraid and totally awestruck. Then the angel spoke saying “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. A savior is born, he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). As the fear melted away I can imagine how those lowly and despised shepherds must have felt as their souls were flooded with the joy of Lord. Then, as if what they had witnessed wasn’t enough “suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appear and together with the angel praised God” (Luke 2:13).
Wherever you are in the world, this advent season take some time to ponder the night sky to see the glory of the God who loved us so much that He came to be with us.
This advent season may you be awestruck and filled with joy.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for surrounding us with such incredible beauty, that we might know you even without words. Help us to be awestruck and filled with joy in the midst of the rush that comes with the season these days. Show us anew your glory as we celebrate the birth of your Son, our Lord and Savior. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 19:1
Sometimes the night sky over California is more spectacular than other times. I love it when it is so clear and bright that you can tell the sky is still blue even late at night. Get away from the city lights and the sky becomes even more awe inspiring, the multitude of stars, constellations, a planet or two and an occasional satellite do truly declare the glory of God and the work of His hands.
As we enter into the season of advent, preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, I was thinking back to that night and wondering about the shepherds that were out that night. Had they spent so many nights under the Middle Eastern sky that it ceased to cause a sense of awe? Had they noticed anything different about the sky that night? Was there anything to suggest that something truly spectacular was about to happen?
Then it happened. “An angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified” (Luke 2:9). That they were terrified in all likelihood meant that they were both afraid and totally awestruck. Then the angel spoke saying “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. A savior is born, he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). As the fear melted away I can imagine how those lowly and despised shepherds must have felt as their souls were flooded with the joy of Lord. Then, as if what they had witnessed wasn’t enough “suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appear and together with the angel praised God” (Luke 2:13).
Wherever you are in the world, this advent season take some time to ponder the night sky to see the glory of the God who loved us so much that He came to be with us.
This advent season may you be awestruck and filled with joy.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for surrounding us with such incredible beauty, that we might know you even without words. Help us to be awestruck and filled with joy in the midst of the rush that comes with the season these days. Show us anew your glory as we celebrate the birth of your Son, our Lord and Savior. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Lessons of Life and Faith
“Teach us to number our days, that we main gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12
We all have moments in our lives when we take a break and look back over our lives to see how far we have come on this journey called life. A time to reflect on the lessons we have learned and the wisdom we have gained. I reckon turning 50 is one of those times. So I thought I would share just a few of the lessons I have learned.
A few gray hairs aren’t so bad. In fact the Scriptures tell us “Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).
Mountain top experiences are important; we need those joyous and exhilarating moments to encourage us through the more difficult times in life.
Real growth and wisdom are to be gained in the wilderness experiences of life, embrace the hard times.
We all have an eternal destiny, and it is our choice whether we spend it the presence of God or separated from Him. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26).
In those times when you feel like you are alone, remember that you are not. Hold on to the promise that God will never leave you or forsake you.
Having friends who will walk with you no matter what you are facing is a great blessing.
It is ok to be real with God, He knows us better than anyone anyway so He can handle the rawness of our human emotion.
That calm you sometimes feel in the midst of life’s storms - that is God’s presence with you. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Thankfulness is the best attitude adjuster.
A Prayer
Father, there is so much to be learned as we travel life’s journey. Thank you that we do not travel alone, you are there and the others you place in our lives are there too. Thank you for your peace and your presence. Thank you for desiring an authentic relationship with us, so it is ok for us to be real with you. Thank you most of all for loving us so much. In the name of Jesus, who laid down His life for us, we pray. Amen.
Psalm 90:12
We all have moments in our lives when we take a break and look back over our lives to see how far we have come on this journey called life. A time to reflect on the lessons we have learned and the wisdom we have gained. I reckon turning 50 is one of those times. So I thought I would share just a few of the lessons I have learned.
A few gray hairs aren’t so bad. In fact the Scriptures tell us “Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).
Mountain top experiences are important; we need those joyous and exhilarating moments to encourage us through the more difficult times in life.
Real growth and wisdom are to be gained in the wilderness experiences of life, embrace the hard times.
We all have an eternal destiny, and it is our choice whether we spend it the presence of God or separated from Him. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26).
In those times when you feel like you are alone, remember that you are not. Hold on to the promise that God will never leave you or forsake you.
Having friends who will walk with you no matter what you are facing is a great blessing.
It is ok to be real with God, He knows us better than anyone anyway so He can handle the rawness of our human emotion.
That calm you sometimes feel in the midst of life’s storms - that is God’s presence with you. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Thankfulness is the best attitude adjuster.
A Prayer
Father, there is so much to be learned as we travel life’s journey. Thank you that we do not travel alone, you are there and the others you place in our lives are there too. Thank you for your peace and your presence. Thank you for desiring an authentic relationship with us, so it is ok for us to be real with you. Thank you most of all for loving us so much. In the name of Jesus, who laid down His life for us, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
He Will...Cause That's Just How HE Is
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:5, 17
A friend and I had been communicating via text. Knowing that I was having a bit of senioritis as I neared the completion of my Master’s degree she let me know that she was “praying that God would continue to give me what I needed to finish.” To which I replied “He will…cause that’s just how He is.” The list of things we can ask for is long and each is intended to strengthen the relationship we have with Him and to help us care for one another.
So what’s available to us beside wisdom? Here’s a short list: strength, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, salvation, comfort, peace, provision, kindness, righteousness, discernment and so many more. What have you prayed for recently? Maybe you have prayed for strength to accomplish some difficult task or to walk through one of life’s many trials. Maybe you have prayed for comfort and peace during a time of pain and loss. The Father is pleased to give us these gifts and delights in us when we trust Him to provide.
Every good gift that we receive from the Lord can be shared with those around us when they have need. We can be the strength for a friend who needs some extra to face their life circumstances. If we have been comforted then we can comfort one another. What have you received recently?
It is so awesome that we can go to the Father for all that we need. He will be faithful to give to us according to his will every good gift because that’s just how He is and for this, out of hearts filled with gratitude we should praise Him giving Him an offering of thanksgiving from our hearts to His.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the many gifts you give us. Every day we receive what we need. Some days the gifts come through a friend or maybe a stranger and some days we know they come straight from you. May we share the gifts you have given and may we always, with hearts filled with gratitude for who you are, give you thanks. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
James 1:5, 17
A friend and I had been communicating via text. Knowing that I was having a bit of senioritis as I neared the completion of my Master’s degree she let me know that she was “praying that God would continue to give me what I needed to finish.” To which I replied “He will…cause that’s just how He is.” The list of things we can ask for is long and each is intended to strengthen the relationship we have with Him and to help us care for one another.
So what’s available to us beside wisdom? Here’s a short list: strength, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, salvation, comfort, peace, provision, kindness, righteousness, discernment and so many more. What have you prayed for recently? Maybe you have prayed for strength to accomplish some difficult task or to walk through one of life’s many trials. Maybe you have prayed for comfort and peace during a time of pain and loss. The Father is pleased to give us these gifts and delights in us when we trust Him to provide.
Every good gift that we receive from the Lord can be shared with those around us when they have need. We can be the strength for a friend who needs some extra to face their life circumstances. If we have been comforted then we can comfort one another. What have you received recently?
It is so awesome that we can go to the Father for all that we need. He will be faithful to give to us according to his will every good gift because that’s just how He is and for this, out of hearts filled with gratitude we should praise Him giving Him an offering of thanksgiving from our hearts to His.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the many gifts you give us. Every day we receive what we need. Some days the gifts come through a friend or maybe a stranger and some days we know they come straight from you. May we share the gifts you have given and may we always, with hearts filled with gratitude for who you are, give you thanks. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
I'm Not Freaking Out...Are You Freaking Out?
“One day Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side of the lake.’ So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.”
Luke 8:22-24
One evening as my 50th birthday approached my husband asked “You’re not going to freak out over turning 50 are you?” My response to his questions was “Aside from wanting to take an extended vacation to Australia I wasn’t expecting to freak out about it.” Personally, I’m not really the type to freak out over the stuff of life. The same cannot be said for the guys on the boat with Jesus though.
The guys on the boat had been with Jesus for a while now; they had seen Him do some amazing things. They had even participated in some amazing things and they supposedly knew who He was. Despite all they had already witnessed and the fact that Jesus was sleeping soundly in the boat, they still freaked out over the waves caused by the storm.
I guess I could maybe understand Matthew freaking out - he was a tax collector after all and probably not used to being on the water, but what about the guys who fished for a living? They made a living on the water, one of them probably owned the boat they were on so, why were they in a panic?
Jesus calmed the storm with a word of rebuke and asked his friends about the state of their faith? It doesn’t look like He lectured them about trusting in Him or finding peace in their faith. That’s the great thing about Jesus He appreciates the honest cries of hearts. We can freak out if we must and we can just say His name. When we do He’ll either calm the storm or He’ll calm us and that calm will be so incredible that we will have a hard time understanding how just a minute ago we felt like we were about drown in life’s storm.
I’m not freaking out, but if you are - there is a supernatural calm on its way and that calm, that peace is something to be thankful for.
A Prayer
Father, you know that we humans can be prone to freaking out over life, even though we know you and have seen the amazing things You’ve done in the past. Thank you for hearing the cry of hearts when we freak out and for giving us peace and calm. In the name of Jesus, who can calm the storm with a word, we pray. Amen.
Luke 8:22-24
One evening as my 50th birthday approached my husband asked “You’re not going to freak out over turning 50 are you?” My response to his questions was “Aside from wanting to take an extended vacation to Australia I wasn’t expecting to freak out about it.” Personally, I’m not really the type to freak out over the stuff of life. The same cannot be said for the guys on the boat with Jesus though.
The guys on the boat had been with Jesus for a while now; they had seen Him do some amazing things. They had even participated in some amazing things and they supposedly knew who He was. Despite all they had already witnessed and the fact that Jesus was sleeping soundly in the boat, they still freaked out over the waves caused by the storm.
I guess I could maybe understand Matthew freaking out - he was a tax collector after all and probably not used to being on the water, but what about the guys who fished for a living? They made a living on the water, one of them probably owned the boat they were on so, why were they in a panic?
Jesus calmed the storm with a word of rebuke and asked his friends about the state of their faith? It doesn’t look like He lectured them about trusting in Him or finding peace in their faith. That’s the great thing about Jesus He appreciates the honest cries of hearts. We can freak out if we must and we can just say His name. When we do He’ll either calm the storm or He’ll calm us and that calm will be so incredible that we will have a hard time understanding how just a minute ago we felt like we were about drown in life’s storm.
I’m not freaking out, but if you are - there is a supernatural calm on its way and that calm, that peace is something to be thankful for.
A Prayer
Father, you know that we humans can be prone to freaking out over life, even though we know you and have seen the amazing things You’ve done in the past. Thank you for hearing the cry of hearts when we freak out and for giving us peace and calm. In the name of Jesus, who can calm the storm with a word, we pray. Amen.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Giving Thanks Every Day
“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2
I always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in my prayers, that revision of this week’s passage better reflects my sentiments as I reflect on the days gone by and the remaining days in this year. I have been blessed with the privilege of sending words of encouragement around the world for more years than I can remember now and in return I have been greatly encouraged myself.
Many regions of the world have some form of thanksgiving celebration, usually tied to the end of harvest time, which seems an appropriate time for that kind of celebration. But giving thanks should not be saved for that time when a nation or community sets time a side just for giving thanks, we have so much to be thankful for, we need to give thanks every day.
We live on an amazing planet that allows us to experience the majesty of creation everyday - from tropical paradises, to the power of the seas, to the majesty of the mountain and the incredible beasts that can be found around the world. Just living as part of this beautiful creation gives us plenty to be thankful for.
But there is more, we are also surrounded by friends and family who love us, pray for us, cry with us, laugh with us and encourage us when we feel like we just cannot take another step. It can be so easy to take the people in our lives for granted and so we must choose to thank them and to give thanks for them.
William Shakespeare once said, “Oh, Lord, who lends me life. Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.” Every breath we take is a gift from the One who created us, may we also ask for hearts replete with thankfulness every day.
I will be giving thanks for each of you and for the many who will read this that I do not know, and I will be praying that the Lord I serve will supply your every need.
Make everyday a thanksgiving day.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the incredible planet you made for us to live on. Thank you for the friends and family that surround us and walk with us through this life wherever the journey takes us. Thank you for life itself and give us hearts filled to overflowing with thankfulness every day. Thank you for supplying every need that we have and for the many blessings you bestow on us each day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
1 Thessalonians 1:2
I always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in my prayers, that revision of this week’s passage better reflects my sentiments as I reflect on the days gone by and the remaining days in this year. I have been blessed with the privilege of sending words of encouragement around the world for more years than I can remember now and in return I have been greatly encouraged myself.
Many regions of the world have some form of thanksgiving celebration, usually tied to the end of harvest time, which seems an appropriate time for that kind of celebration. But giving thanks should not be saved for that time when a nation or community sets time a side just for giving thanks, we have so much to be thankful for, we need to give thanks every day.
We live on an amazing planet that allows us to experience the majesty of creation everyday - from tropical paradises, to the power of the seas, to the majesty of the mountain and the incredible beasts that can be found around the world. Just living as part of this beautiful creation gives us plenty to be thankful for.
But there is more, we are also surrounded by friends and family who love us, pray for us, cry with us, laugh with us and encourage us when we feel like we just cannot take another step. It can be so easy to take the people in our lives for granted and so we must choose to thank them and to give thanks for them.
William Shakespeare once said, “Oh, Lord, who lends me life. Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.” Every breath we take is a gift from the One who created us, may we also ask for hearts replete with thankfulness every day.
I will be giving thanks for each of you and for the many who will read this that I do not know, and I will be praying that the Lord I serve will supply your every need.
Make everyday a thanksgiving day.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the incredible planet you made for us to live on. Thank you for the friends and family that surround us and walk with us through this life wherever the journey takes us. Thank you for life itself and give us hearts filled to overflowing with thankfulness every day. Thank you for supplying every need that we have and for the many blessings you bestow on us each day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Just... Let HIM Hold You
“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4
I know there are a number of people in my life who are mourning for different things, the loss of loved ones, failed relationships, wayward children, financial struggles and so much more. We live in a world of uncertainty, pain, doubt and hopelessness so we cannot avoid the hurt in our world and our lives.
Yet, Jesus speaking to the crowds that had followed Him promised that they would be comforted in the midst of the uncertainty, pain, hopelessness and fear. It is a promise that we can hold onto no matter what we are facing. He is waiting with His arms open - whatever the reason for the pain, for the doubt, for the fear, for the mourning He is ready to hold you and bring you the comfort you need.
What are you facing this week? No matter the cause of the pain, no matter the reason for your mourning. Fall into His loving embrace - HE is waiting.
Just… let HIM hold you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the promise of comfort in our times our distress. Thank you that your Son understands everything we feel because He has experienced this world. Thank you for holding us in your arms. Help us to share your comfort with those around us who are hurting. In the name of Jesus, who stands with his arms open waiting to hold us we pray - Amen.
Matthew 5:4
I know there are a number of people in my life who are mourning for different things, the loss of loved ones, failed relationships, wayward children, financial struggles and so much more. We live in a world of uncertainty, pain, doubt and hopelessness so we cannot avoid the hurt in our world and our lives.
Yet, Jesus speaking to the crowds that had followed Him promised that they would be comforted in the midst of the uncertainty, pain, hopelessness and fear. It is a promise that we can hold onto no matter what we are facing. He is waiting with His arms open - whatever the reason for the pain, for the doubt, for the fear, for the mourning He is ready to hold you and bring you the comfort you need.
What are you facing this week? No matter the cause of the pain, no matter the reason for your mourning. Fall into His loving embrace - HE is waiting.
Just… let HIM hold you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the promise of comfort in our times our distress. Thank you that your Son understands everything we feel because He has experienced this world. Thank you for holding us in your arms. Help us to share your comfort with those around us who are hurting. In the name of Jesus, who stands with his arms open waiting to hold us we pray - Amen.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Someone to Talk To
“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’”
John 4:7
In my opinion a morning spent at the local café talking and sharing life with my girl friends is a well spent morning. The same can be said of a quiet Saturday talk with my husband or a phone call with one of my daughters. What a blessing to have people in our lives that we can talk to.
For many who follow Jesus, the story of the woman at the well is familiar story of life transforming truth at work. As I read her story again the woman’s life situation stood out. See she had come to fetch some water at a time when she knew no one else would be there. It is probably safe to say that she wasn’t invited to chat with the “respectable” women in town. She comes to the well expecting to be alone and is surprised to find a Hebrew man sitting there and he talked to her. The Scriptures provide us with the important bits of the exchange, but I suspect there was much more to the conversation. How long had it been since this woman had, had someone to talk to? Did she and Jesus talk for an hour or more? Jesus always takes the time to talk, especially to those no one else wants to talk to.
Earlier in John’s Gospel another conversation is shared. This time Nicodemus, a religious leader finds Jesus late at night (John 3). Nicodemus has questions; he needs someone to talk to because the other leaders would not understand. Jesus made time to talk and to listen to a lot of people - tax collectors, widows, his friends and his enemies. Jesus spoke life giving words into each person, but I can’t help but think that the time he was willing to spend was just as powerful.
We will all face times when we feel like we need someone to talk to and some of those times we may not have access to the people we need or want to talk to. In those times there is always someone willing to stop everything and spend whatever time we need - his name is Jesus.
We all need someone to talk to.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for listening, thank you that you Son listens, thank you that your Spirit listens. Thank you we can always have someone to talk to in Jesus. Help us to know when we need to be that person someone can talk to. May our time and our words bring life giving change and hope. In the name of Jesus, who is always someone we can talk to - Amen.
John 4:7
In my opinion a morning spent at the local café talking and sharing life with my girl friends is a well spent morning. The same can be said of a quiet Saturday talk with my husband or a phone call with one of my daughters. What a blessing to have people in our lives that we can talk to.
For many who follow Jesus, the story of the woman at the well is familiar story of life transforming truth at work. As I read her story again the woman’s life situation stood out. See she had come to fetch some water at a time when she knew no one else would be there. It is probably safe to say that she wasn’t invited to chat with the “respectable” women in town. She comes to the well expecting to be alone and is surprised to find a Hebrew man sitting there and he talked to her. The Scriptures provide us with the important bits of the exchange, but I suspect there was much more to the conversation. How long had it been since this woman had, had someone to talk to? Did she and Jesus talk for an hour or more? Jesus always takes the time to talk, especially to those no one else wants to talk to.
Earlier in John’s Gospel another conversation is shared. This time Nicodemus, a religious leader finds Jesus late at night (John 3). Nicodemus has questions; he needs someone to talk to because the other leaders would not understand. Jesus made time to talk and to listen to a lot of people - tax collectors, widows, his friends and his enemies. Jesus spoke life giving words into each person, but I can’t help but think that the time he was willing to spend was just as powerful.
We will all face times when we feel like we need someone to talk to and some of those times we may not have access to the people we need or want to talk to. In those times there is always someone willing to stop everything and spend whatever time we need - his name is Jesus.
We all need someone to talk to.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for listening, thank you that you Son listens, thank you that your Spirit listens. Thank you we can always have someone to talk to in Jesus. Help us to know when we need to be that person someone can talk to. May our time and our words bring life giving change and hope. In the name of Jesus, who is always someone we can talk to - Amen.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Help Me Find It
“You make know to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11
In eight and a half weeks I will complete a journey I started on more than six years ago. When I started the journey I had no real idea where it would take me. For a short time I thought I had a clear picture of the destination. Now as I near the end, I am completely clueless and I am not going to be able to figure it out myself. What about you - how is your journey going?
This feeling of cluelessness if probably why I spent twenty minutes crying as I sang along with a song by a group called the Sidewalk Prophets. The song is called “Help Me Find It” The opening lines say: “I don’t know where to go from here. It all used to seem so clear. I’m finding I can’t do this on my own.” I can relate to the sentiment of these words. Have you felt that way? Are you feeling that way now? The song is a prayer, a heart cry for God’s will to be done whether it means being still or knowing which road to take when the road comes to a fork.
It is also a song that acknowledges God’s faithfulness and grace in the midst of our fear and doubt. The Psalm that this week’s passage comes from is also a song that acknowledges God’s incredible care and faithfulness.
The winds of change are blowing for a lot of people, if you are feeling clueless like me join me at the throne of God - bring your doubts and fears with you. By the time we are done we will be praising God and walking away with the faith and grace we need, to find the way He is leading us in. He is leading us on a path to an amazing life.
I know I need Him to help me find the next step - what about you?
A Prayer
Father, sometimes life takes more twists and turns than a good mystery novel but you know that path you want each of us to take. It is a path of faith and grace, a path that sometimes we can’t or won’t see. For those times when we feel clueless and lost, thank you for your direction and care. We can always count on you to lead us to life, thank you. In the name of Jesus, we pray - Amen.
Psalm 16:11
In eight and a half weeks I will complete a journey I started on more than six years ago. When I started the journey I had no real idea where it would take me. For a short time I thought I had a clear picture of the destination. Now as I near the end, I am completely clueless and I am not going to be able to figure it out myself. What about you - how is your journey going?
This feeling of cluelessness if probably why I spent twenty minutes crying as I sang along with a song by a group called the Sidewalk Prophets. The song is called “Help Me Find It” The opening lines say: “I don’t know where to go from here. It all used to seem so clear. I’m finding I can’t do this on my own.” I can relate to the sentiment of these words. Have you felt that way? Are you feeling that way now? The song is a prayer, a heart cry for God’s will to be done whether it means being still or knowing which road to take when the road comes to a fork.
It is also a song that acknowledges God’s faithfulness and grace in the midst of our fear and doubt. The Psalm that this week’s passage comes from is also a song that acknowledges God’s incredible care and faithfulness.
The winds of change are blowing for a lot of people, if you are feeling clueless like me join me at the throne of God - bring your doubts and fears with you. By the time we are done we will be praising God and walking away with the faith and grace we need, to find the way He is leading us in. He is leading us on a path to an amazing life.
I know I need Him to help me find the next step - what about you?
A Prayer
Father, sometimes life takes more twists and turns than a good mystery novel but you know that path you want each of us to take. It is a path of faith and grace, a path that sometimes we can’t or won’t see. For those times when we feel clueless and lost, thank you for your direction and care. We can always count on you to lead us to life, thank you. In the name of Jesus, we pray - Amen.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Pray For Wind
“He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.”
Psalm 104:4
Where I live the presence of wind is an everyday kind of thing. In the summer it makes triple digits a bit more tolerable. In the fall it shakes the leaves from the trees and brings rain. In the winter, the wind just makes the miserable weather more miserable, but in the spring it can help hold the dense fog at bay. Wind is a mysterious weather phenomenon that can be as gentle as a whisper or violent enough to cause massive destruction. No matter its strength it almost always brings change with it.
Have the winds of change been blowing in your life? Maybe you need to have a new wind to blow through your life. Perhaps there has been no wind at all in your life. Change is hard, as humans we do not really care for change, but a lack of change or forward motion is even worse. Being in what sailors call the doldrums is no fun. The doldrums are found near the equator and can trap sailboats for days or weeks at a time, no wind means no movement. We can get stuck in the doldrums of life too - a state of inactivity that can bring about mild depression, listlessness or the feeling of stagnation. So how do we deal with the winds of change or lack thereof? We pray.
Today’s passage tells us that the Lord uses the wind as His messengers and fire as His servants. In the book of Acts the Holy Spirit arrives in the upper room sounding like a mighty wind and flames appeared above all who were present. What had those followers of Jesus been doing? They had been praying and waiting for their next instruction, waiting to know the next part of the Lord’s will to be made clear.
Once they had the answers, they acted obediently and courageously to do all they had been asked to do. The changes they experienced were huge and not at all without risk, but they also had peace.
If you are in the midst of a windstorm of change - HE is there with you, praise Him, continue to seek His will and He will provide. If you are in the doldrums - pray and ask for the winds of change to start blowing, but be prepared to set sail when they do, He will chart your course, it may not be safe but He will be with you.
No matters what you are facing…pray for wind.
A Prayer
Father, you use everything around us to communicate who you are and to let us know that you are near. Thank you for understanding that even though we do not like change, we need it to become the people you want us to be. Help us to pray for your wind to guide us. In the name of Jesus, who commands the wind, we pray - Amen.
Psalm 104:4
Where I live the presence of wind is an everyday kind of thing. In the summer it makes triple digits a bit more tolerable. In the fall it shakes the leaves from the trees and brings rain. In the winter, the wind just makes the miserable weather more miserable, but in the spring it can help hold the dense fog at bay. Wind is a mysterious weather phenomenon that can be as gentle as a whisper or violent enough to cause massive destruction. No matter its strength it almost always brings change with it.
Have the winds of change been blowing in your life? Maybe you need to have a new wind to blow through your life. Perhaps there has been no wind at all in your life. Change is hard, as humans we do not really care for change, but a lack of change or forward motion is even worse. Being in what sailors call the doldrums is no fun. The doldrums are found near the equator and can trap sailboats for days or weeks at a time, no wind means no movement. We can get stuck in the doldrums of life too - a state of inactivity that can bring about mild depression, listlessness or the feeling of stagnation. So how do we deal with the winds of change or lack thereof? We pray.
Today’s passage tells us that the Lord uses the wind as His messengers and fire as His servants. In the book of Acts the Holy Spirit arrives in the upper room sounding like a mighty wind and flames appeared above all who were present. What had those followers of Jesus been doing? They had been praying and waiting for their next instruction, waiting to know the next part of the Lord’s will to be made clear.
Once they had the answers, they acted obediently and courageously to do all they had been asked to do. The changes they experienced were huge and not at all without risk, but they also had peace.
If you are in the midst of a windstorm of change - HE is there with you, praise Him, continue to seek His will and He will provide. If you are in the doldrums - pray and ask for the winds of change to start blowing, but be prepared to set sail when they do, He will chart your course, it may not be safe but He will be with you.
No matters what you are facing…pray for wind.
A Prayer
Father, you use everything around us to communicate who you are and to let us know that you are near. Thank you for understanding that even though we do not like change, we need it to become the people you want us to be. Help us to pray for your wind to guide us. In the name of Jesus, who commands the wind, we pray - Amen.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Checking the Foundation
“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck the house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”
Luke 6:47-48
My husband and I live in an older home and for quite some time we have suspected there might be problems with the foundation. A recent observation has pretty well confirmed that thought. This got me thinking about the foundation of life, the foundation of my life and of your life.
We all must build our life on some kind of foundation; some will be stronger than others. Jesus is the foundation of my life; in fact He is the cornerstone and capstone of my life too - He holds it altogether. Now I will be the first to say that living a life built on the solid rock of Christ is not easy and the repeated earthquakes and storms of life can cause some damage to that foundation. But unlike the foundation of my home the foundation of my life comes with an eternal warranty.
Whenever I start to notice cracks or some crumbling at the edges all I need to do is call on the One who laid it and who holds it together. He shows up, reminds me of the warranty and sets to work patching and reinforcing the foundation of my life so I can keep living out the plan He has for my life.
How is the foundation of your life? Have you built it on something less than eternal? Is it starting to crack and crumble under the repeated stress of life’s earthquakes and storms? It is never too late to have a new life foundation laid, one with an eternal warranty that cannot be shaken. Maybe your foundation just needs some work because it has been taking a beating by the storms of life, if so just call on Jesus. He laid it and He will ensure that it stays strong and when it is time He will lay an even better one.
You can never be too careful… take time to check the foundation.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for giving us life foundations with eternal warranties. Help us to call on the name of Your Son Jesus whenever we think there is a problem, so that He can keep us standing strong in the midst of life’s earthquakes and storms. In the name of Jesus, who laid our foundations and guarantees their stability, we pray - Amen.
Luke 6:47-48
My husband and I live in an older home and for quite some time we have suspected there might be problems with the foundation. A recent observation has pretty well confirmed that thought. This got me thinking about the foundation of life, the foundation of my life and of your life.
We all must build our life on some kind of foundation; some will be stronger than others. Jesus is the foundation of my life; in fact He is the cornerstone and capstone of my life too - He holds it altogether. Now I will be the first to say that living a life built on the solid rock of Christ is not easy and the repeated earthquakes and storms of life can cause some damage to that foundation. But unlike the foundation of my home the foundation of my life comes with an eternal warranty.
Whenever I start to notice cracks or some crumbling at the edges all I need to do is call on the One who laid it and who holds it together. He shows up, reminds me of the warranty and sets to work patching and reinforcing the foundation of my life so I can keep living out the plan He has for my life.
How is the foundation of your life? Have you built it on something less than eternal? Is it starting to crack and crumble under the repeated stress of life’s earthquakes and storms? It is never too late to have a new life foundation laid, one with an eternal warranty that cannot be shaken. Maybe your foundation just needs some work because it has been taking a beating by the storms of life, if so just call on Jesus. He laid it and He will ensure that it stays strong and when it is time He will lay an even better one.
You can never be too careful… take time to check the foundation.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for giving us life foundations with eternal warranties. Help us to call on the name of Your Son Jesus whenever we think there is a problem, so that He can keep us standing strong in the midst of life’s earthquakes and storms. In the name of Jesus, who laid our foundations and guarantees their stability, we pray - Amen.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Technical Difficulties... Please Pray
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
Psalm 61:1
When I was little I remember that when something went wrong with the television signal a message would come on that said “We are experiencing technical difficulties, please stand by.” That meant you could get a snack, do something else or whine while you waited for the signal to be restored.
I was having one of those days. Trying to do too many things all at once, including trying to pray for a number of people and situations. Everything seemed to be getting in the way of every other thing. That’s when it happened. My internet connection started acting up.
Now, I have been around the divine block enough times to know that I was getting a message similar to the old message that used to turn up on the television, the message was “technical difficulties… please pray.” So every time I lost my connection I would pray for the next person or situation on my list. Pretty soon I had peace.
It would seem that the church is entering a season of remembering how important prayer is. I know of at least three churches that are focusing on that very topic as I write this. What have I learned about prayer as I journey with Jesus? First every season should be a season of prayer. Then, prayer is the fuel for revival - both personal and corporate. Finally, only the God of the universe can give us peace while we wait for Him to work.
I know some who are reading this are facing health issues, financial issues or spiritual issues. Some of you may be facing all of these and more. Whatever you are facing, when you are just having one of those days - watch for the message “Technical difficulties…please pray.
The Master Technician is standing by. He’ll answer your call and give you peace while the signal is restored.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for sending signals that interrupt our world and remind us to pray. In our multi-tasking, information overloaded lives we need that. Thank you for the peace You give us if you ask us to be patient as You work. In the name of Jesus, who restores our signal we pray - Amen.
Psalm 61:1
When I was little I remember that when something went wrong with the television signal a message would come on that said “We are experiencing technical difficulties, please stand by.” That meant you could get a snack, do something else or whine while you waited for the signal to be restored.
I was having one of those days. Trying to do too many things all at once, including trying to pray for a number of people and situations. Everything seemed to be getting in the way of every other thing. That’s when it happened. My internet connection started acting up.
Now, I have been around the divine block enough times to know that I was getting a message similar to the old message that used to turn up on the television, the message was “technical difficulties… please pray.” So every time I lost my connection I would pray for the next person or situation on my list. Pretty soon I had peace.
It would seem that the church is entering a season of remembering how important prayer is. I know of at least three churches that are focusing on that very topic as I write this. What have I learned about prayer as I journey with Jesus? First every season should be a season of prayer. Then, prayer is the fuel for revival - both personal and corporate. Finally, only the God of the universe can give us peace while we wait for Him to work.
I know some who are reading this are facing health issues, financial issues or spiritual issues. Some of you may be facing all of these and more. Whatever you are facing, when you are just having one of those days - watch for the message “Technical difficulties…please pray.
The Master Technician is standing by. He’ll answer your call and give you peace while the signal is restored.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for sending signals that interrupt our world and remind us to pray. In our multi-tasking, information overloaded lives we need that. Thank you for the peace You give us if you ask us to be patient as You work. In the name of Jesus, who restores our signal we pray - Amen.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Remember and Act
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 receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
As I was thinking about the events that rocked the United States twelve years ago, I thought about what effects the survivors might still be feeling. Survivor’s guilt is a real response to very extreme traumatic events. It leaves people asking why or more likely why not me? There is a similar kind of response only it results from extremely positive events. I don’t know maybe we can call it “overcomer’s guilt” or “I am so blessed guilt”.
This kind of guilt comes, I believe from a humble heart, a heart that clearly recognizes that it has been given more than it is worthy to have. A heart that sees that there a plenty of others who are more in need or more worthy of the abundant blessing it has received. It causes the same why questions that survivor’s guilt does.
Today’s passage tells us what we need to do with the comfort and blessings we have received. We need to remember, the time when we didn’t feel so blessed and yet received everything we needed to overcome. As we remember, we need to share what we have received, so that others can overcome as well.
If you have been the recipient of God’s comfort and provision and are asking why you have been deemed worthy of so many blessings, it is so that you can comfort others. So remember and act.
If you find yourself in need of God’s comfort, even to the point of dealing with survivor’s guilt, it is my prayer that someone will come into your life who has been where you are to offer you the comfort they have received.
You have been comforted so you can comfort - remember and act.
A Prayer
Father, you are the God of all comfort. Today, the wounds of twelve years ago are still felt and no doubt there are still some asking why not me. Send someone into their life to comfort them in a new way. Lord for those who feel too blessed, give them eyes to see and hearts to hear the cries they can help comfort by your grace, mercy and love. In the name of Jesus who is the answer to all of why questions we pray - Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
As I was thinking about the events that rocked the United States twelve years ago, I thought about what effects the survivors might still be feeling. Survivor’s guilt is a real response to very extreme traumatic events. It leaves people asking why or more likely why not me? There is a similar kind of response only it results from extremely positive events. I don’t know maybe we can call it “overcomer’s guilt” or “I am so blessed guilt”.
This kind of guilt comes, I believe from a humble heart, a heart that clearly recognizes that it has been given more than it is worthy to have. A heart that sees that there a plenty of others who are more in need or more worthy of the abundant blessing it has received. It causes the same why questions that survivor’s guilt does.
Today’s passage tells us what we need to do with the comfort and blessings we have received. We need to remember, the time when we didn’t feel so blessed and yet received everything we needed to overcome. As we remember, we need to share what we have received, so that others can overcome as well.
If you have been the recipient of God’s comfort and provision and are asking why you have been deemed worthy of so many blessings, it is so that you can comfort others. So remember and act.
If you find yourself in need of God’s comfort, even to the point of dealing with survivor’s guilt, it is my prayer that someone will come into your life who has been where you are to offer you the comfort they have received.
You have been comforted so you can comfort - remember and act.
A Prayer
Father, you are the God of all comfort. Today, the wounds of twelve years ago are still felt and no doubt there are still some asking why not me. Send someone into their life to comfort them in a new way. Lord for those who feel too blessed, give them eyes to see and hearts to hear the cries they can help comfort by your grace, mercy and love. In the name of Jesus who is the answer to all of why questions we pray - Amen.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Look in the Mirror
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
Every human being on this planet has been made in the image of God. But how many of us actually look like Him?
Look in the mirror, who do you see looking back? Do you see Jesus? There is something very important about this week’s passage. If we could turn this list into a picture it would not be a picture of nine separate things, it would be a picture of one thing, actually it would be a picture of one person - Jesus.
Look in the mirror again, who is looking back? Does your life reflect Jesus because it holds some measure of the character of Him? Each of these things: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are connected. You can’t have one without the others. Pastor Billy Rieder preaching from this passage provided a telling example of what happens when we try to make these characteristics separate. Perhaps you consider yourself to be faithful, but not so kind - you somehow missed the kindness line. Pastor Billy says that eventually leads us to being “faithfully unkind.”
We will not look fully like Jesus until that day when we see Him face to face, but until then we should be growing to look more and more like the One who willingly gave Himself for us. How do we do this? How do we start to look like the fruit of the Spirit? We need to allow the Spirit to walk with us every day; we need to surrender our heart and minds completely to His ways. That will allow us to learn to love others the way Jesus loves us. That kind of love will allow the other characteristics of the fruit to develop.
Look in the mirror again? Who do you see?
A Prayer
Father, you made all of mankind in your image. Mankind messed up that image in ourselves. Help us to allow You to produce in us the fruit that will once again allow us to see Your image not just in ourselves but in everyone around us. If the fruit where a portrait it would be a portrait of Jesus and it is in His name that we pray - Amen.
Galatians 5:22-23
Every human being on this planet has been made in the image of God. But how many of us actually look like Him?
Look in the mirror, who do you see looking back? Do you see Jesus? There is something very important about this week’s passage. If we could turn this list into a picture it would not be a picture of nine separate things, it would be a picture of one thing, actually it would be a picture of one person - Jesus.
Look in the mirror again, who is looking back? Does your life reflect Jesus because it holds some measure of the character of Him? Each of these things: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are connected. You can’t have one without the others. Pastor Billy Rieder preaching from this passage provided a telling example of what happens when we try to make these characteristics separate. Perhaps you consider yourself to be faithful, but not so kind - you somehow missed the kindness line. Pastor Billy says that eventually leads us to being “faithfully unkind.”
We will not look fully like Jesus until that day when we see Him face to face, but until then we should be growing to look more and more like the One who willingly gave Himself for us. How do we do this? How do we start to look like the fruit of the Spirit? We need to allow the Spirit to walk with us every day; we need to surrender our heart and minds completely to His ways. That will allow us to learn to love others the way Jesus loves us. That kind of love will allow the other characteristics of the fruit to develop.
Look in the mirror again? Who do you see?
A Prayer
Father, you made all of mankind in your image. Mankind messed up that image in ourselves. Help us to allow You to produce in us the fruit that will once again allow us to see Your image not just in ourselves but in everyone around us. If the fruit where a portrait it would be a portrait of Jesus and it is in His name that we pray - Amen.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Following the Son
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”
Psalm 113:3
What do Sunflowers, Desert Lupine, Arctic Poppies, and Snow Buttercups have in common? They are all heliotropes. That means they follow the sun as it moves across the sky. Following the sun allows them to absorb the warmth and nutrition they need grow and dress our planet more brilliantly than Solomon’s robes.
We have a Son to follow as well. He is the maker of all things; He made the sun and set it on its daily course. He made the flowers that follow that sun in order to grow. His Word is a lamp for our feet, a light for our paths (Psalm 119:105). Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). When we follow the Son, doing his will and reflecting His image and character we will be filled with all we need and the fruit of His character will be more evident in us.
How are you growing this week? Is the warmth of God’s love filling your being? Do you have His joy and peace even in the midst of whatever trial you might be facing? Is His patience allowing you to wait on Him, even if it takes a thousand years to get the answer you are looking for?
If not, take time this week to look up and get oriented or re-oriented toward the light of the Son and follow after Him, you will be growing again in no time. If it is, take time to do a little praise dance, to thank Him for being the faithful leader of your life.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that we can learn so much about Your goodness and Your love for us from the rest of Your creation. As the flowers you dress the fields with follow the sun, this week help us to follow Your Son so we can be filled with the warmth of Who You are and grow abundantly more like You. In the name of Jesus, who is the light we need, we pray - Amen.
Psalm 113:3
What do Sunflowers, Desert Lupine, Arctic Poppies, and Snow Buttercups have in common? They are all heliotropes. That means they follow the sun as it moves across the sky. Following the sun allows them to absorb the warmth and nutrition they need grow and dress our planet more brilliantly than Solomon’s robes.
We have a Son to follow as well. He is the maker of all things; He made the sun and set it on its daily course. He made the flowers that follow that sun in order to grow. His Word is a lamp for our feet, a light for our paths (Psalm 119:105). Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). When we follow the Son, doing his will and reflecting His image and character we will be filled with all we need and the fruit of His character will be more evident in us.
How are you growing this week? Is the warmth of God’s love filling your being? Do you have His joy and peace even in the midst of whatever trial you might be facing? Is His patience allowing you to wait on Him, even if it takes a thousand years to get the answer you are looking for?
If not, take time this week to look up and get oriented or re-oriented toward the light of the Son and follow after Him, you will be growing again in no time. If it is, take time to do a little praise dance, to thank Him for being the faithful leader of your life.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that we can learn so much about Your goodness and Your love for us from the rest of Your creation. As the flowers you dress the fields with follow the sun, this week help us to follow Your Son so we can be filled with the warmth of Who You are and grow abundantly more like You. In the name of Jesus, who is the light we need, we pray - Amen.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Just Not Feeling It
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Matthew 14:13-14
If you are like me you have days when you just are not feeling it. The thought of crawling back in bed is tempting. Maybe that container of ice cream is calling your name. Life has been less than easy and you just don’t want to live up to your responsibilities or deal with the difficulties you are facing - at least not right now.
I think Jesus had days when He just wasn’t feeling it either. Take this week’s passage for example. What had Jesus heard about that made Him want to get away? He had heard that John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod the Tetrarch. The relationship between John and Jesus is not clear but it is likely that they were cousins.
By this time Jesus had already had some run-ins with the religious leaders and the crowds of people following him, hoping to see a miracle were growing. So here He is tired, stressed and now grieving the loss of a relative. Jesus is not feeling it and tries to get away, to rest, to pray, to grieve and the crowds wouldn’t let him.
Imagine you have decided to play hooky from life because you just aren’t feeling it when there is a knock at your door. You reluctantly open it and find a line of people - your boss, your creditors, your doctors, your friends with their own struggles - you get the idea. Now what?
I can almost see Jesus hang his head and consider the possibility of turning the boat around. What He does however is an example and encouragement for us when we are just not feeling it. Instead of leaving, He got out of the boat and did what He knew to do - He cared for the crowd, showing them compassion in the midst of his own fatigue and sorrow. Later, two amazing things happen. First, He feeds the multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish. Then in the middle of the night He we went for a walk on the lake to meet His friends on the boat.
So this week if you are just not feeling it, don’t try to hide or avoid whatever it is. Step out and just try to deal with it, when you do something amazing may happen. You may not end up walking on water, but you may find new strength or you may bless someone else who just wasn’t feeling it.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that Your Son understands how we feel sometimes. Help us, on those days when we would rather not face it, to be obedient to You anyway. Let something amazing happen in our lives that will re-ignite our passions and give us what we need to start “feeling it” again. In the name of Jesus, who on a day when maybe He wasn’t feeling it - fed 5000 and walked on water, we pray - Amen.
Matthew 14:13-14
If you are like me you have days when you just are not feeling it. The thought of crawling back in bed is tempting. Maybe that container of ice cream is calling your name. Life has been less than easy and you just don’t want to live up to your responsibilities or deal with the difficulties you are facing - at least not right now.
I think Jesus had days when He just wasn’t feeling it either. Take this week’s passage for example. What had Jesus heard about that made Him want to get away? He had heard that John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod the Tetrarch. The relationship between John and Jesus is not clear but it is likely that they were cousins.
By this time Jesus had already had some run-ins with the religious leaders and the crowds of people following him, hoping to see a miracle were growing. So here He is tired, stressed and now grieving the loss of a relative. Jesus is not feeling it and tries to get away, to rest, to pray, to grieve and the crowds wouldn’t let him.
Imagine you have decided to play hooky from life because you just aren’t feeling it when there is a knock at your door. You reluctantly open it and find a line of people - your boss, your creditors, your doctors, your friends with their own struggles - you get the idea. Now what?
I can almost see Jesus hang his head and consider the possibility of turning the boat around. What He does however is an example and encouragement for us when we are just not feeling it. Instead of leaving, He got out of the boat and did what He knew to do - He cared for the crowd, showing them compassion in the midst of his own fatigue and sorrow. Later, two amazing things happen. First, He feeds the multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish. Then in the middle of the night He we went for a walk on the lake to meet His friends on the boat.
So this week if you are just not feeling it, don’t try to hide or avoid whatever it is. Step out and just try to deal with it, when you do something amazing may happen. You may not end up walking on water, but you may find new strength or you may bless someone else who just wasn’t feeling it.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that Your Son understands how we feel sometimes. Help us, on those days when we would rather not face it, to be obedient to You anyway. Let something amazing happen in our lives that will re-ignite our passions and give us what we need to start “feeling it” again. In the name of Jesus, who on a day when maybe He wasn’t feeling it - fed 5000 and walked on water, we pray - Amen.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Humor in Conflict
“But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose image is this? And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.”
Matthew 22:18-22
I don’t know about you but I haven’t often thought about what kind of sense of humor Jesus had. I do imagine He has a good one though, having to deal with all of us humans all the time. As a seminary student I needed to write a paper describing one of the many conflicts found in Scripture and decided to use this week’s passage. As I read it I thought I caught a glimpse of Jesus’ mischievous side.
Perhaps a bit of background would be helpful. Jesus and His disciples had just the day before made the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus wasted no time in irritating the religious leaders. Jesus had caused a scene in the temple courts and made it clear the temple was not a place for corrupt business practices. Then when the religious leaders questioned by what authority He was doing this, Jesus turned the table on them making them look foolish and causing further offense. That brings us to this week’s passage.
Can you imagine Jesus in conversation with His disciples when He looks up and sees a group coming? I see him shaking his head with a slight smile and a “are you kidding me” attitude. Maybe you can see Him turn to His disciples and give them a “watch this” wink before laying into the group now standing there wanting His opinion on taxes.
He turns it back on them when He tells them “well it looks like the coin belongs to Caesar so you best give it back to Caesar” and also lets them know that there are more important things - God things - that they should be concerned about. The group leaves, heads down, having been made fools of. Can you see Jesus shaking His head and laughing as he turns back to His disciples?
Keeping a sense of humor in the midst of conflict is important. Even though Jesus fully understood why He was in the city that week, the way he chose to handle some of the conflicts He faced reflected not only a sense of humor, but also His humble spirit. He didn’t let anyone walk all over Him but He also didn’t take Himself too seriously. In every conflict that He faced Jesus brought glory to His Father.
Do we bring glory to God in the ways we deal with conflict? Maybe keeping our sense of humor would help to glorify God in the midst of whatever conflict we face.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that Your Son has a sense of humor in dealing with us. Thank you that He showed us some creative ways of dealing with conflict. Help us, in the face of whatever conflict we might face, to keep our sense of humor and to act in such a way as to bring glory to You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Shhh... I Know the Secret
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:3-4
I know the secret to transformational and abundant living. On occasion I enjoy watching a program called “Secret Millionaire”. In the show a millionaire leaves behind the trappings of their lives and go undercover in an underprivileged community - usually an inner city environment - with a the back story that they are making a documentary about volunteerism. For a week they live in the community and they live on what the average person in the community lives on. Their challenge is to find organizations that are making a real difference in the community they serve. The secret millionaire volunteers and at the end of the show gives large gifts to the organizations they feel are making the biggest difference.
But the show is not really about the money. The show is about bringing attention to the needs of the people living in these American communities and the organizations that are working hard to meet those needs while staying out of the spotlight and about how transforming being a part of those organizations can be.
The Old Testament prophet Micah tells his audience that what God really wants from His people is not the blood of animals, but people who “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with him” (Micah 6:8). That is what can be seen in the founders and volunteers featured on this program.
So what secrets to transformational and abundant living can be gleaned from this show? First, little things can make a major difference in the life of someone else. Second, extending your heart to someone who is in need, whether it is physical, emotional, financial or spiritual will change your heart perhaps more than theirs and lastly you don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference with your finances, but if you are and you give it away - you will receive more than you ever expected in return.
This is what it means to act justly and love mercy, this is what allows your faith to grow, this is the inside-out transformation that Jesus came to bring us, and this is what the abundant life of the kingdom of heaven looks like.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that sometimes we can learn important lesson about kingdom living from the media. Thank you that no matter what our station in life, no matter what our finances we can make a difference in someone else’s life. Show us Lord where we can make a difference today and every day. In the name of Jesus, who can to give us a transformed and abundant life, Amen
Matthew 6:3-4
I know the secret to transformational and abundant living. On occasion I enjoy watching a program called “Secret Millionaire”. In the show a millionaire leaves behind the trappings of their lives and go undercover in an underprivileged community - usually an inner city environment - with a the back story that they are making a documentary about volunteerism. For a week they live in the community and they live on what the average person in the community lives on. Their challenge is to find organizations that are making a real difference in the community they serve. The secret millionaire volunteers and at the end of the show gives large gifts to the organizations they feel are making the biggest difference.
But the show is not really about the money. The show is about bringing attention to the needs of the people living in these American communities and the organizations that are working hard to meet those needs while staying out of the spotlight and about how transforming being a part of those organizations can be.
The Old Testament prophet Micah tells his audience that what God really wants from His people is not the blood of animals, but people who “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with him” (Micah 6:8). That is what can be seen in the founders and volunteers featured on this program.
So what secrets to transformational and abundant living can be gleaned from this show? First, little things can make a major difference in the life of someone else. Second, extending your heart to someone who is in need, whether it is physical, emotional, financial or spiritual will change your heart perhaps more than theirs and lastly you don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference with your finances, but if you are and you give it away - you will receive more than you ever expected in return.
This is what it means to act justly and love mercy, this is what allows your faith to grow, this is the inside-out transformation that Jesus came to bring us, and this is what the abundant life of the kingdom of heaven looks like.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that sometimes we can learn important lesson about kingdom living from the media. Thank you that no matter what our station in life, no matter what our finances we can make a difference in someone else’s life. Show us Lord where we can make a difference today and every day. In the name of Jesus, who can to give us a transformed and abundant life, Amen
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
The Prince Became a Pauper
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:6-9
Feeling completely uninspired I prayed for some and Mark Twain’s story of The Prince and the Pauper came to mind. In the story two boys, who have very different lives - one royal and wealthy, the other poor and abused - meet by chance, maybe divine chance. They share nothing, but a physical resemblance. They do perhaps what comes naturally to boys in such a situation they switch places. They each learn some valuable lessons as they live one another’s lives, it is however, the prince who learns the greatest lessons. You see he learns justice, mercy, compassion and grace, things that will serve the young prince well when he becomes king.
The prophet Isaiah tells of One who is coming who among his many titles will be called the Prince of Peace. Paul in today’s passage tells us the Jesus really shared nothing with mankind except the resemblance He took on. He taught those with hearts willing to learn, justice, mercy, compassion and grace. Have you ever considered what he learned? He learned the pain of loss and the joy of celebration. He learned what the struggle between good and evil in the heart of man is like.
Because the Prince became a pauper He understands what you are facing and feeling. He knows what it is to be bullied. He knows what it is to grieve. He knows what it feels like to be misunderstood and insulted. He knows how good it feels when things go right.
Because He understands He willingly walks with you on the journey of life. No matter what you are facing He has been there and understands. You are never alone because the King is with you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that Your Son became a pauper and lived among us. Thank you for what He learned because He is our King and a king who understands and really knows his subjects can rule with mercy and grace. Thank you that we are never alone in whatever we face. Help us treat one another justly with mercy, grace and compassion. May our own experiences help us to walk with those around us in the good times and the challenging times. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Philippians 2:6-9
Feeling completely uninspired I prayed for some and Mark Twain’s story of The Prince and the Pauper came to mind. In the story two boys, who have very different lives - one royal and wealthy, the other poor and abused - meet by chance, maybe divine chance. They share nothing, but a physical resemblance. They do perhaps what comes naturally to boys in such a situation they switch places. They each learn some valuable lessons as they live one another’s lives, it is however, the prince who learns the greatest lessons. You see he learns justice, mercy, compassion and grace, things that will serve the young prince well when he becomes king.
The prophet Isaiah tells of One who is coming who among his many titles will be called the Prince of Peace. Paul in today’s passage tells us the Jesus really shared nothing with mankind except the resemblance He took on. He taught those with hearts willing to learn, justice, mercy, compassion and grace. Have you ever considered what he learned? He learned the pain of loss and the joy of celebration. He learned what the struggle between good and evil in the heart of man is like.
Because the Prince became a pauper He understands what you are facing and feeling. He knows what it is to be bullied. He knows what it is to grieve. He knows what it feels like to be misunderstood and insulted. He knows how good it feels when things go right.
Because He understands He willingly walks with you on the journey of life. No matter what you are facing He has been there and understands. You are never alone because the King is with you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that Your Son became a pauper and lived among us. Thank you for what He learned because He is our King and a king who understands and really knows his subjects can rule with mercy and grace. Thank you that we are never alone in whatever we face. Help us treat one another justly with mercy, grace and compassion. May our own experiences help us to walk with those around us in the good times and the challenging times. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Lessons From Eden - Work, Rest and Love
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. The LORD God said, ‘it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”
Genesis 2:2, 15 and 18
We can learn some important lessons about living balanced lives in the Garden of Eden. Have you ever paid attention to the ages of people in the Bible? Adam was 930 years old when he died. Sarah had a baby when she was ninety. Scripture tells us Noah lived 350 years after the flood and that he was 950 when he died - that means he was like in his 500’s when he was building the ark. God made us for certain things and we need those things to live healthy, balanced and long lives.
WORK
We need to work. Our bodies and minds were designed to work. We need to be involved in doing something in order to live healthy and balanced lives. Work is more than what we do to make an income it is part of our purpose. Adam and Eve were tasked with caring for the garden.
REST
In the good old days, people woke up at sunrise and went to bed at sunset. Since they had worked hard all day they slept well. God set the example for mankind - work six days and then take a day of rest. Jesus took time out to rest and he made his disciples rest too.
LOVE
God created a mate for everything creature that breathed and moved. He is a God of relationship. We must not live life alone. It was not good that the man was alone so God made him and helper - then the man had a community to live in, a community of himself, Eve and God.
This week stay busy - no matter what stage of life you find yourself in find some kind of “work” to do and work hard enough to get a good night’s rest. Be sure to take one day a week off, rest and do something fun. Remember you were made for relationship so as you work and rest make time to enjoy family, friends and God. Working, resting and loving will allow you to live the abundant life God intends for you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the lessons we can learn from Eden. Thank you for the things you have for us to do. Thank you for the relationships we have with one another and You. Help us to rest, because we struggle with this. Thank you for the abundant life you have provided for us by your creation and through your Son in whose name we pray, Amen.
Genesis 2:2, 15 and 18
We can learn some important lessons about living balanced lives in the Garden of Eden. Have you ever paid attention to the ages of people in the Bible? Adam was 930 years old when he died. Sarah had a baby when she was ninety. Scripture tells us Noah lived 350 years after the flood and that he was 950 when he died - that means he was like in his 500’s when he was building the ark. God made us for certain things and we need those things to live healthy, balanced and long lives.
WORK
We need to work. Our bodies and minds were designed to work. We need to be involved in doing something in order to live healthy and balanced lives. Work is more than what we do to make an income it is part of our purpose. Adam and Eve were tasked with caring for the garden.
REST
In the good old days, people woke up at sunrise and went to bed at sunset. Since they had worked hard all day they slept well. God set the example for mankind - work six days and then take a day of rest. Jesus took time out to rest and he made his disciples rest too.
LOVE
God created a mate for everything creature that breathed and moved. He is a God of relationship. We must not live life alone. It was not good that the man was alone so God made him and helper - then the man had a community to live in, a community of himself, Eve and God.
This week stay busy - no matter what stage of life you find yourself in find some kind of “work” to do and work hard enough to get a good night’s rest. Be sure to take one day a week off, rest and do something fun. Remember you were made for relationship so as you work and rest make time to enjoy family, friends and God. Working, resting and loving will allow you to live the abundant life God intends for you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the lessons we can learn from Eden. Thank you for the things you have for us to do. Thank you for the relationships we have with one another and You. Help us to rest, because we struggle with this. Thank you for the abundant life you have provided for us by your creation and through your Son in whose name we pray, Amen.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Too Pooped to Party
“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not to any work…”
Exodus 20:9-10
Are you to pooped to party? Do you wish you had some of Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin? Maybe you need one of those five hour energy drinks or an espresso from Starbucks. Life on this planet can be like driving on the autobahn - full throttle. But living full throttle isn’t good for us, neither is Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin.
When we live to fast and overloaded for too long, it takes a toll on us physically, spiritually and emotionally. When we start to run out of energy and try to get a boost by some artificial means, it just means that when we finally reach melt down, we are really down. God knew we would be inclined to live to fast, work too hard and that our relationships with Him and others would suffer because of it.
So He built the one real cure for being too pooped to party into His plan for us. We have six days to live full throttle if that is what we choose to do, but we need to take one day off. We need to take a day to slow down. When we slow down we can spend quality time with God and with the people who are important to us. When we slow down we can enjoy the amazing creation all around us. When we slow down we might actually see the others around us who are hurting and need to slow down too.
This week no matter what your calendar looks like, no matter how many appointments you have scheduled I want to encourage you to clear one day - any day will do. Slow down, smell the flowers, enjoy the company of good friends over a great meal, take a nap and spend some quality time with the Shepherd of your life. It will be easier to hit your top speed when you are rested heart, soul and mind.
A Prayer
Father, help us to slow down at least once a week. Help us to set aside time rest our bodies, our minds and our souls. As we travel at a snail’s pace help us to really see the world around us and to see it through your eyes. Thank you for building rest into your plan for us. In the name of Jesus who leads us to rest, Amen.
Exodus 20:9-10
Are you to pooped to party? Do you wish you had some of Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin? Maybe you need one of those five hour energy drinks or an espresso from Starbucks. Life on this planet can be like driving on the autobahn - full throttle. But living full throttle isn’t good for us, neither is Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin.
When we live to fast and overloaded for too long, it takes a toll on us physically, spiritually and emotionally. When we start to run out of energy and try to get a boost by some artificial means, it just means that when we finally reach melt down, we are really down. God knew we would be inclined to live to fast, work too hard and that our relationships with Him and others would suffer because of it.
So He built the one real cure for being too pooped to party into His plan for us. We have six days to live full throttle if that is what we choose to do, but we need to take one day off. We need to take a day to slow down. When we slow down we can spend quality time with God and with the people who are important to us. When we slow down we can enjoy the amazing creation all around us. When we slow down we might actually see the others around us who are hurting and need to slow down too.
This week no matter what your calendar looks like, no matter how many appointments you have scheduled I want to encourage you to clear one day - any day will do. Slow down, smell the flowers, enjoy the company of good friends over a great meal, take a nap and spend some quality time with the Shepherd of your life. It will be easier to hit your top speed when you are rested heart, soul and mind.
A Prayer
Father, help us to slow down at least once a week. Help us to set aside time rest our bodies, our minds and our souls. As we travel at a snail’s pace help us to really see the world around us and to see it through your eyes. Thank you for building rest into your plan for us. In the name of Jesus who leads us to rest, Amen.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
It's a Long Journey
“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. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31
It had been a very long time since we had been on any kind of vacation, let alone a family one. Our oldest daughter and her husband had moved from California to Missouri creating this family vacation opportunity. To save money we decided to drive the twenty-seven or so hours from California to Missouri and saw a good part of our beautiful nation in the process. The wonderful four day stay was followed by another long drive home. The drive was exhausting, but the trip was worth it.
Life is a journey not unlike a cross country road trip. It can be long and exhausting; there might be detours along the way. I have a couple of friends dealing with cancer right now, that is not only a detour but one that is difficult and tiring to navigate. Some friends and I are looking for work - another long and tiring stretch of the journey. Maybe you are growing weary of the journey as well. The people of Israel and Judah had certainly grown weary of the journey - they had been disobedient to their God and when they failed to heed the prophet’s warning God had acted. Today’s passage comes from a message of encouragement Isaiah carried to the people.
The most important words in the passage are “But those who hope in the Lord…” Those who hope in the Lord will find strength for the battle they face. Those who hope in the Lord will have the power to keep going when the journey gets tiring. Those who hope in the Lord will reach the mountain summit or make it through the valley. Those who hope in the Lord are never alone because the He is with them no matter where the journey leads. Then one day when in God’s timing we reach our destination, when we are finally truly home we will look back and see that it was worth it.
Have you not heard? Do you not know? If you hope in the Lord - you will have all you need when you need it, no matter where you are in the journey.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for never growing weary of us. Thank you for being the strength we need when life’s journey seems long and tiring. Thank you that we never travel alone because you are always with us. In the name of Jesus in whom we have our hope, Amen.
Isaiah 40:28-31
It had been a very long time since we had been on any kind of vacation, let alone a family one. Our oldest daughter and her husband had moved from California to Missouri creating this family vacation opportunity. To save money we decided to drive the twenty-seven or so hours from California to Missouri and saw a good part of our beautiful nation in the process. The wonderful four day stay was followed by another long drive home. The drive was exhausting, but the trip was worth it.
Life is a journey not unlike a cross country road trip. It can be long and exhausting; there might be detours along the way. I have a couple of friends dealing with cancer right now, that is not only a detour but one that is difficult and tiring to navigate. Some friends and I are looking for work - another long and tiring stretch of the journey. Maybe you are growing weary of the journey as well. The people of Israel and Judah had certainly grown weary of the journey - they had been disobedient to their God and when they failed to heed the prophet’s warning God had acted. Today’s passage comes from a message of encouragement Isaiah carried to the people.
The most important words in the passage are “But those who hope in the Lord…” Those who hope in the Lord will find strength for the battle they face. Those who hope in the Lord will have the power to keep going when the journey gets tiring. Those who hope in the Lord will reach the mountain summit or make it through the valley. Those who hope in the Lord are never alone because the He is with them no matter where the journey leads. Then one day when in God’s timing we reach our destination, when we are finally truly home we will look back and see that it was worth it.
Have you not heard? Do you not know? If you hope in the Lord - you will have all you need when you need it, no matter where you are in the journey.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for never growing weary of us. Thank you for being the strength we need when life’s journey seems long and tiring. Thank you that we never travel alone because you are always with us. In the name of Jesus in whom we have our hope, Amen.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Marathon of Faith
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3
There are all kinds of “marathons” in this life. My husband ran a marathon…once. As a grad student I regularly pull marathon homework sessions. People dealing with major health issues like cancer are also in marathon mode. Being a follower of Jesus is another kind of marathon. The route may take us on steep climbs, or across barren wilderness, there may be things in our way that could trip us up if we are not careful.
As I was thinking about this idea of a marathon I came up with a list that will help us on our way:
- Stay in constant communication with the race designer - pray. He will tell you what you need and then give it to you.
- There is a book to help you train - read the Bible
- Don’t do it alone - others will hold you accountable to your training plan and pick you up when you trip.
- Pay attention to those cheering for you on from the sidelines - it will encourage you when the going gets tough.
- Block out those who want to distract you and pull you off course - you can’t afford to get lost.
- Follow the race guide - the Holy Spirit is the only one who can show you the way, especially when visibility gets bad.
- When you take a break - cheer someone else on.
- Drink deeply of the living water, especially in the desert.
No matter what kind of marathon you are enduring right now these tips will help you stay the course and run the race the Lord has laid out for you. Remember Jesus ran the marathon of faith first - so you can do it.
A Prayer
Father, nowhere in your in your plan did you say the journey would be easy or that the destination would be quickly reached. Thank you for showing us the way and giving us everything we need to reach the end and grab hold of the prize - eternity with you. Help us to encourage one another along the way and keep our eyes on Jesus. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Waiting For A Tow
“Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…”
Daniel 10:12-13
Our car broke down just as my husband Dan was trying to get on the freeway to come home from work. A call to AAA met the response of “it could be as long as two hours before we can get a truck out to you.” Well ok then. So there he sat in a precarious position, waiting for a tow. In some ways Daniel found himself in a similar sort of situation.
Daniel had been having disturbing visions and had been visited twice by the angel Gabriel already. Then Gabriel arrives for the third time and basically tells Daniel “Sorry I am late but I had car trouble and I had to wait for help.” Interesting that in the passages leading up to the one we are reading this week it says that Daniel “mourned for three weeks…” (v.2). Daniel mourned and fasted for the twenty-one days that Gabriel was held up. Earlier Gabriel had showed up as soon as Daniel started to pray (see Daniel 9:20-23).
You see sometimes we get a speedy response from our roadside service and from God. Sometimes we have to wait on both a lot longer than we would like too. The good news is that eventually the tow truck arrives and we hear from God in response to our prayers.
Remember always that God is faithful - so while you are waiting on Him be faithful as well. Pray and fast, encourage someone else who is waiting. Take time to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings as you wait. It may take a while for the help you seek to arrive but it will - have no doubt. In the meantime as I often say: “If it takes a 1000 years I will trust in Him.”
A Prayer
Father, you know that even we your people want answers, resolutions and our way right now. Help us - when we have to wait for Your best response - to be faithful as You are faithful. May we be mindful that sometimes our answers are being held up by someone who would prefer we lose faith. Thank you that Your Son has overcome the one who wants us to fall. The wait will be worth it thanks to Your Son in who’s name we pray, Amen.
Daniel 10:12-13
Our car broke down just as my husband Dan was trying to get on the freeway to come home from work. A call to AAA met the response of “it could be as long as two hours before we can get a truck out to you.” Well ok then. So there he sat in a precarious position, waiting for a tow. In some ways Daniel found himself in a similar sort of situation.
Daniel had been having disturbing visions and had been visited twice by the angel Gabriel already. Then Gabriel arrives for the third time and basically tells Daniel “Sorry I am late but I had car trouble and I had to wait for help.” Interesting that in the passages leading up to the one we are reading this week it says that Daniel “mourned for three weeks…” (v.2). Daniel mourned and fasted for the twenty-one days that Gabriel was held up. Earlier Gabriel had showed up as soon as Daniel started to pray (see Daniel 9:20-23).
You see sometimes we get a speedy response from our roadside service and from God. Sometimes we have to wait on both a lot longer than we would like too. The good news is that eventually the tow truck arrives and we hear from God in response to our prayers.
Remember always that God is faithful - so while you are waiting on Him be faithful as well. Pray and fast, encourage someone else who is waiting. Take time to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings as you wait. It may take a while for the help you seek to arrive but it will - have no doubt. In the meantime as I often say: “If it takes a 1000 years I will trust in Him.”
A Prayer
Father, you know that even we your people want answers, resolutions and our way right now. Help us - when we have to wait for Your best response - to be faithful as You are faithful. May we be mindful that sometimes our answers are being held up by someone who would prefer we lose faith. Thank you that Your Son has overcome the one who wants us to fall. The wait will be worth it thanks to Your Son in who’s name we pray, Amen.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
F is for Faithful
“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day...”
Psalm 91:3-5
I love the imagery of God being a protective parent. The first image that came to mind as I read this passage is that of a mighty and majestic eagle. Next I thought of the dove. As I continued to think about this image of a bird protecting its chicks I wondered which of the bird species was the best. I finally determined that the wandering albatross might just be the most faithful of bird parents.
Albatross babies are born helpless, they need constant care. They stay in their nest for a long time - up to 270 days, with their parents caring for them the whole time. I know that the albatross is not the most majestic bird but its faithfulness in parenting in my opinion makes it a good representation of God’s faithfulness.
God is like the eagle, mighty and majestic. God is like a dove, gentle and strong. God is like an albatross, faithful.
God’s faithfulness is our shield; he protects us from so many things, things we may not even be aware of. No matter where you are, not matter what life situation - good or bad - you are facing He is there covering your life with His wings. In the Old Testament we read “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). Joshua was reminded that God was faithful and would be with him in all that he would face.
In the midst of the good and bad, on the mountain tops and in the valleys of life - no matter what you are facing He is faithful. He will protect you when you need to be protected and He will encourage you to soar when it is time for you to fly. Fear not! Rest in His faithfulness.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for your protection and faithfulness. Help us to rest in the shelter of your wings when we need to. Give us the courage to fly when it is our time to soar. Thank you for everything you provide for us each day. In the name of Jesus, who is mighty, majestic, gentle, strong and faithful. Amen.
Psalm 91:3-5
I love the imagery of God being a protective parent. The first image that came to mind as I read this passage is that of a mighty and majestic eagle. Next I thought of the dove. As I continued to think about this image of a bird protecting its chicks I wondered which of the bird species was the best. I finally determined that the wandering albatross might just be the most faithful of bird parents.
Albatross babies are born helpless, they need constant care. They stay in their nest for a long time - up to 270 days, with their parents caring for them the whole time. I know that the albatross is not the most majestic bird but its faithfulness in parenting in my opinion makes it a good representation of God’s faithfulness.
God is like the eagle, mighty and majestic. God is like a dove, gentle and strong. God is like an albatross, faithful.
God’s faithfulness is our shield; he protects us from so many things, things we may not even be aware of. No matter where you are, not matter what life situation - good or bad - you are facing He is there covering your life with His wings. In the Old Testament we read “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). Joshua was reminded that God was faithful and would be with him in all that he would face.
In the midst of the good and bad, on the mountain tops and in the valleys of life - no matter what you are facing He is faithful. He will protect you when you need to be protected and He will encourage you to soar when it is time for you to fly. Fear not! Rest in His faithfulness.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for your protection and faithfulness. Help us to rest in the shelter of your wings when we need to. Give us the courage to fly when it is our time to soar. Thank you for everything you provide for us each day. In the name of Jesus, who is mighty, majestic, gentle, strong and faithful. Amen.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Comfort for the Pain
“…who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.”
2 Corinthians 1:4-6
Life on this planet is filled with pain, not one of us is immune to it - the truth is we will all be hurt at more than one point in our lives. There is no place to go where it is completely safe and sometimes the most severe pain comes in those places that should be safe. There are all sorts of pain - physical, emotional and spiritual or a combination. Some pain is inflicted by others, by the spear throwers in our lives, some pain is inflicted by our own bodies and sadly some pain we inflict upon ourselves. There are also degrees of pain; a scraped knee for instance isn’t nearly as painful as broken leg. An offense by a stranger is not nearly as painful as an offense by someone we care about. Not even Jesus was immune.
A number of years ago I was hit by spear, thrown by someone I would have never expected to throw one. Seriously wounded and in the wilderness, had it been a physical wound, it would have been life threatening. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit came and tended the wound. Family and real friends comforted me. Coming through the other side to healing, made me not only stronger, but more compassionate and uniquely equipped to comfort others who have been wounded in the same way.
This is what Paul is telling the church at Corinth. The Lord sends his Spirit to comfort us in the midst of the pain, in the midst of the wilderness of life and that allows us to comfort one another. I would hazard a guess and say that if you have lost a loved one, the person who was able to best comfort you was someone who had to deal with the same pain. You see we are never alone in the pain we face on this planet.
If you are in a painful place right now, if you look for comfort you will find it. If you are woundless at the moment, you may be the very person the Holy Spirit will use to tend to someone else’s wound and to comfort them in the wilderness.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for understanding how we feel whether the pain is physical, emotional or spiritual you understand. Thank you for sending you Holy Spirit to comfort us. Thank you for the people who pick us up and carry us in the wilderness. Bring healing to those who need it and thank you for loving us through the pain. May we share with others the comfort and compassion we received from you through your Son Jesus. Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:4-6
Life on this planet is filled with pain, not one of us is immune to it - the truth is we will all be hurt at more than one point in our lives. There is no place to go where it is completely safe and sometimes the most severe pain comes in those places that should be safe. There are all sorts of pain - physical, emotional and spiritual or a combination. Some pain is inflicted by others, by the spear throwers in our lives, some pain is inflicted by our own bodies and sadly some pain we inflict upon ourselves. There are also degrees of pain; a scraped knee for instance isn’t nearly as painful as broken leg. An offense by a stranger is not nearly as painful as an offense by someone we care about. Not even Jesus was immune.
A number of years ago I was hit by spear, thrown by someone I would have never expected to throw one. Seriously wounded and in the wilderness, had it been a physical wound, it would have been life threatening. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit came and tended the wound. Family and real friends comforted me. Coming through the other side to healing, made me not only stronger, but more compassionate and uniquely equipped to comfort others who have been wounded in the same way.
This is what Paul is telling the church at Corinth. The Lord sends his Spirit to comfort us in the midst of the pain, in the midst of the wilderness of life and that allows us to comfort one another. I would hazard a guess and say that if you have lost a loved one, the person who was able to best comfort you was someone who had to deal with the same pain. You see we are never alone in the pain we face on this planet.
If you are in a painful place right now, if you look for comfort you will find it. If you are woundless at the moment, you may be the very person the Holy Spirit will use to tend to someone else’s wound and to comfort them in the wilderness.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for understanding how we feel whether the pain is physical, emotional or spiritual you understand. Thank you for sending you Holy Spirit to comfort us. Thank you for the people who pick us up and carry us in the wilderness. Bring healing to those who need it and thank you for loving us through the pain. May we share with others the comfort and compassion we received from you through your Son Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Confidence
“…till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.
Isaiah 32:15-18
The first real full day in the wilderness is always the hardest. It’s the kind of day where staying in bed and trying to ignore the world seems like a good idea, but not really. It’s the kind of day filled with questions - what’s next? Why? Seriously? Lots of things can bring us to the wilderness, some of those things will cause doubt, some fear, some will cause us to question our purpose and call.
The verses that lead into this week’s passage are strong words of warning, the people have become complacent - comfortable in their circumstances, they didn’t really think too much about Who had given them the comfortable life and He was getting ready to shake them from their comfort. They were about to be in the wilderness again for a little while.
But then something amazing happened - He poured out His Spirit and turned the wilderness into something beautiful, something that could provide what had been lost. Justice and righteousness bring about: peace, quietness of spirit, and confidence. The wilderness becomes a great place to live because He is present in the everyday and we must rely on Him.
If you find yourself wondering in the wilderness, filled with questions and wanting to hide - look up and watch as that dry place becomes fertile with the Spirit of God. Watch what happens to your heart as it is filled with His peace and as confidence in Him becomes your dwelling place.
A Prayer
Father, you know we do not like being in the wilderness, because it means we are not in control. Bring us to a place where we can appreciate the wilderness, because it is there your Spirit will revive our hearts and help us to see You more clearly. It is not easy to be here, but teach us what we need to learn and prepare us for the next part of the plan you have for us. In the name of Jesus who walks with us in the wilderness. Amen.
Isaiah 32:15-18
The first real full day in the wilderness is always the hardest. It’s the kind of day where staying in bed and trying to ignore the world seems like a good idea, but not really. It’s the kind of day filled with questions - what’s next? Why? Seriously? Lots of things can bring us to the wilderness, some of those things will cause doubt, some fear, some will cause us to question our purpose and call.
The verses that lead into this week’s passage are strong words of warning, the people have become complacent - comfortable in their circumstances, they didn’t really think too much about Who had given them the comfortable life and He was getting ready to shake them from their comfort. They were about to be in the wilderness again for a little while.
But then something amazing happened - He poured out His Spirit and turned the wilderness into something beautiful, something that could provide what had been lost. Justice and righteousness bring about: peace, quietness of spirit, and confidence. The wilderness becomes a great place to live because He is present in the everyday and we must rely on Him.
If you find yourself wondering in the wilderness, filled with questions and wanting to hide - look up and watch as that dry place becomes fertile with the Spirit of God. Watch what happens to your heart as it is filled with His peace and as confidence in Him becomes your dwelling place.
A Prayer
Father, you know we do not like being in the wilderness, because it means we are not in control. Bring us to a place where we can appreciate the wilderness, because it is there your Spirit will revive our hearts and help us to see You more clearly. It is not easy to be here, but teach us what we need to learn and prepare us for the next part of the plan you have for us. In the name of Jesus who walks with us in the wilderness. Amen.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
He's Already There
“My days have passed, my plans are shattered. Yet the desires of my heart turn night into day; in the face of the darkness light is near.”
Job 17:11-12
It had been one of those weeks, nature had wrought its fury and for many including myself the journey of life was taking another detour into the wilderness. It is in times like these when the why questions start, when because we cannot see the entire plan, we think the designer has made some kind of mistake.
As I was thinking about the return trip to the wilderness - a couple of songs popped into my mind, and one by the group Casting Crowns really resonated with me. The opening verse goes “From where I'm standing Lord it's so hard for me to see where this is going and where You're leading me. I wish I knew how all my fears and all my questions are gonna play out in a world I can't control.” I can relate to that, can you? I think Job would have been able to relate to that as well. Job’s life had taken a major detour and his “friends” were pretty much telling him it was his own fault - they were obviously not balcony people.
The song goes on to say that when we are lost in the mystery, when we do not understand the Lord has already been there, He sees the whole plan from beginning to end. I love the words that come near the end of the song: “One day I'll stand before You and look back on the life I've lived I can't wait to enjoy the view and see how all the pieces fit.” I think Job understood, you can hear the why questions that must have been in the back of his mind and yet he knows that God is near the darkness he is in will soon be chased away by the Light.
I don’t know what you are facing as you read this. I don’t know how this detour is going to get me to the desire of my heart. What I do know is that my Lord is the architect of my life and yours knows and He is already there. So walk in faith, hope and peace.
A Prayer
Father, we do not like being uncomfortable, we do not like the feeling of having no control over our own destiny, but it is hard to control a plan we do not fully understand. Help us to remember that Your plan is always better than ours. Help us to remember you have traveled the detour, you have been in the wilderness and that you are already there with the desire of our hearts. In the name of Jesus, who is light is always near. Amen.
Job 17:11-12
It had been one of those weeks, nature had wrought its fury and for many including myself the journey of life was taking another detour into the wilderness. It is in times like these when the why questions start, when because we cannot see the entire plan, we think the designer has made some kind of mistake.
As I was thinking about the return trip to the wilderness - a couple of songs popped into my mind, and one by the group Casting Crowns really resonated with me. The opening verse goes “From where I'm standing Lord it's so hard for me to see where this is going and where You're leading me. I wish I knew how all my fears and all my questions are gonna play out in a world I can't control.” I can relate to that, can you? I think Job would have been able to relate to that as well. Job’s life had taken a major detour and his “friends” were pretty much telling him it was his own fault - they were obviously not balcony people.
The song goes on to say that when we are lost in the mystery, when we do not understand the Lord has already been there, He sees the whole plan from beginning to end. I love the words that come near the end of the song: “One day I'll stand before You and look back on the life I've lived I can't wait to enjoy the view and see how all the pieces fit.” I think Job understood, you can hear the why questions that must have been in the back of his mind and yet he knows that God is near the darkness he is in will soon be chased away by the Light.
I don’t know what you are facing as you read this. I don’t know how this detour is going to get me to the desire of my heart. What I do know is that my Lord is the architect of my life and yours knows and He is already there. So walk in faith, hope and peace.
A Prayer
Father, we do not like being uncomfortable, we do not like the feeling of having no control over our own destiny, but it is hard to control a plan we do not fully understand. Help us to remember that Your plan is always better than ours. Help us to remember you have traveled the detour, you have been in the wilderness and that you are already there with the desire of our hearts. In the name of Jesus, who is light is always near. Amen.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Into the Unknown
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.’”
Genesis 12:1
I am not really a Star Trek fan, but it is interesting the things that pop into ones head when contemplating life. As I have been praying about some possible changes, the lines from the Star Trek introduction came to mind. You know the “to explore strange to worlds and to boldly go where no one has gone before.” It made me think about when God asked Abram to leave everything he knew and go to the land I will show you.
Abram and his wife had no way of knowing what twists and turns life would take as they set out in response to God’s call. They had no idea they would get new names, that they would become parents when they were really, really old. They had no way of knowing about anything they would encounter - good or bad, yet they went.
Abram wasn’t the only one God asked to go into the unknown. Moses was asked to lead his people from what was known to what was unknown. Jesus told his disciples to “go into all the world” (Mark 16:15). These fishermen, reformed tax collectors, converted Pharisees and women who most likely had never strayed far from home, went and changed the world.
I know I will probably not be heading into the “final frontier” any time soon, but each day offers the opportunity to go into the unknown. God doesn’t let us see the whole picture, He only reveals enough of the path ahead so that we can take that step of faith and He tells us repeatedly to not be afraid because He is with us.
I don’t know what everyone is facing this week but I expect more than a few of us are praying about changes and will need to step into the unknown in order become who we are intended to be in Christ.
So take a deep breath, breathe out a prayer for wisdom and guidance, then take the step and know that you are not alone.
A Prayer
Father, you know we humans like to stay where we think it is safe, where we feel comfortable, yet daily you call us to enter into the unknown that is life. Thank you for going with us, for being our wisdom and our guide. You tell us to fear not, we ask that you be our courage. The abundant life you offer cannot be found in our comfort zone, it is found in You. In the name of Jesus, who leads the way - Amen.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Oh... Give It A Rest
“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
Exodus 33:14
Moses had led the people out of Egypt, had spoken with God on the mountain and dealt with the whole golden calf situation and again found himself on the mountain talking to God. If you read the verses leading up to this week’s verse you can hear Moses’ frustration, he is already tired of being the leader and tired of dealing with the people. God tells him, I am pleased with you - you are doing fine, I will go with you and I will give you rest.
So how do we find rest in our modern world, where we don’t think there are enough hours in the day to do all we think we need to do?
- Make sure the Lord is going with you - into your day, into each activity. Let him make corrections to your agenda.
- Remember the Lord created each day to be the perfect length, in the “good old days” people got up at sunrise and went to bed at sunset - if you need to turn on the lights it’s time to rest.
- God built a whole day of rest into His plan, honor that.
- Teach your children to rest.
- Take care of yourself and enjoy the company of friends and family.
- Remember all that needs to get done will; you don’t have to work yourself to exhaustion.
- Finally, make sure like Moses, that you have people around you who will lift you up and help you carry the load.
When the Lord was leading Moses and the people, when He stopped they stopped. This week let the Lord lead and when He stops, accept the rest He is giving.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for building rest into your plan. Forgive us for not resting as we should. Go with us into each day, each activity and when You stop help us to stop too. We need the kind of rest you want to give us so that we can do the work You have for us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
He's Got You
“Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:4-5
A friend had called; she wanted to tell me personally about a health issue she was dealing with. As she told me, my heart ached for her - but she was good, well as good as you can be when you get a cancer diagnosis. She told me God had the whole situation in hand and she was filled with peace.
How often do we forget that we serve a God who has got us? He holds us in His hands, he knows our thoughts, the desires of our hearts and everything we need. What troubles or trials have we not faced because of His protection? He knows what we can handle and He gives us what we need to face the adversity of life.
God know us, we don’t have to speak for Him to know, but because He is a God of relationship He wants to hear what we have to say. He loves the sound of our voice whether we are speaking words of praise or crying out in anguish. He understands the true meaning of what we are saying even when we may not.
I love how this passage reads in The Message “You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too—your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can’t take it all in!” (vv. 4-6).
The point is this, no matter what you are facing today or this week - He is there, He is going before you, He’s got your back, He walks beside you. Everywhere you go and in everything that you face, He is there.
Deal with what you need to deal with, but no matter what, fear not and have peace because He’s got you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for knowing us so well. Thank you for being present with us even when we may not be present with You. You know everything we will face, be our strength, our wisdom and our peace. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 139:4-5
A friend had called; she wanted to tell me personally about a health issue she was dealing with. As she told me, my heart ached for her - but she was good, well as good as you can be when you get a cancer diagnosis. She told me God had the whole situation in hand and she was filled with peace.
How often do we forget that we serve a God who has got us? He holds us in His hands, he knows our thoughts, the desires of our hearts and everything we need. What troubles or trials have we not faced because of His protection? He knows what we can handle and He gives us what we need to face the adversity of life.
God know us, we don’t have to speak for Him to know, but because He is a God of relationship He wants to hear what we have to say. He loves the sound of our voice whether we are speaking words of praise or crying out in anguish. He understands the true meaning of what we are saying even when we may not.
I love how this passage reads in The Message “You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too—your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can’t take it all in!” (vv. 4-6).
The point is this, no matter what you are facing today or this week - He is there, He is going before you, He’s got your back, He walks beside you. Everywhere you go and in everything that you face, He is there.
Deal with what you need to deal with, but no matter what, fear not and have peace because He’s got you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for knowing us so well. Thank you for being present with us even when we may not be present with You. You know everything we will face, be our strength, our wisdom and our peace. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, April 22, 2013
An Age of Innocence?
“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.”
Psalm 20-6-8
It had been a very difficult week in the world - the Boston Marathon bombing, a factory explosion in Texas, poison in the mail for elected officials major earthquakes in Pakistan and China, North Korea’s finger on a missile trigger and plenty of acts of random violence. All of this had some asking what do we teach our children? All of this had some longing for a bygone age of innocence. As I thought about these things I began to wonder how long ago had that age of innocence really existed. The thought that came to my mind is the only real age of innocence was in the Garden of Eden - when everything was still perfect.
We try to protect our children from all the bad in the world, but I wonder how aware they really are. I wonder if there were children present at the crucifixion of Jesus. I wonder how many other crucifixions they had watched. I remember hearing grown- ups talk when they thought little ears weren’t paying attention. I remember listening to the news on the radio as the story of a bus load of children who had been kidnapped were found buried in a storage container not far from where I was. Yes we try to protect the children, but today it is hard to find a place to get away from the bad in the world.
So what are we to do? We teach them to trust in the Lord always and in every situation. We teach them that bad things happen but they need not be afraid. We can teach them to respond with compassion and grace. So what are we to do? We are to remind ourselves that we trust in the Lord always and in every situation. We remind ourselves that we live in a fallen world surrounded by fallen humans, so bad things are going to happen, even to us sometimes. We remind ourselves that because we trust in the Lord we must respond with compassion and grace.
Yes, to find the age of innocence we have to go back to Eden. Some day Jesus will be back and for those who have trusted in Him a new age of innocence will begin.
A Prayer
Father, help us to trust in you so that in the midst of this fallen world we can stand firm. Help us to trust in you so that we can be strong and courageous. Remind us that you have never promised and easy road - but you have promised to be faithful, never leaving or forsaking us. Thank you for the promise of your Son’s return - a return that will signal the return of the age of innocence. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 20-6-8
It had been a very difficult week in the world - the Boston Marathon bombing, a factory explosion in Texas, poison in the mail for elected officials major earthquakes in Pakistan and China, North Korea’s finger on a missile trigger and plenty of acts of random violence. All of this had some asking what do we teach our children? All of this had some longing for a bygone age of innocence. As I thought about these things I began to wonder how long ago had that age of innocence really existed. The thought that came to my mind is the only real age of innocence was in the Garden of Eden - when everything was still perfect.
We try to protect our children from all the bad in the world, but I wonder how aware they really are. I wonder if there were children present at the crucifixion of Jesus. I wonder how many other crucifixions they had watched. I remember hearing grown- ups talk when they thought little ears weren’t paying attention. I remember listening to the news on the radio as the story of a bus load of children who had been kidnapped were found buried in a storage container not far from where I was. Yes we try to protect the children, but today it is hard to find a place to get away from the bad in the world.
So what are we to do? We teach them to trust in the Lord always and in every situation. We teach them that bad things happen but they need not be afraid. We can teach them to respond with compassion and grace. So what are we to do? We are to remind ourselves that we trust in the Lord always and in every situation. We remind ourselves that we live in a fallen world surrounded by fallen humans, so bad things are going to happen, even to us sometimes. We remind ourselves that because we trust in the Lord we must respond with compassion and grace.
Yes, to find the age of innocence we have to go back to Eden. Some day Jesus will be back and for those who have trusted in Him a new age of innocence will begin.
A Prayer
Father, help us to trust in you so that in the midst of this fallen world we can stand firm. Help us to trust in you so that we can be strong and courageous. Remind us that you have never promised and easy road - but you have promised to be faithful, never leaving or forsaking us. Thank you for the promise of your Son’s return - a return that will signal the return of the age of innocence. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
When Living in a Fallen World
“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”
2 Thessalonians 3:13
9/11, Oklahoma City, Boston, Columbine, Newtown, wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and monster storms - all of these and many more reflect the worst of humanity and nature. When living in a fallen world it can be easy to get tired of doing good, but we are exhorted not to give in and to do good in the face of adversity.
All of the events listed above have two things in common - first is the senseless and tragic loss of life and property and second they result in an outpouring of what is the best of humanity. The stories of compassion and generosity coming out of Boston will give hope and bring healing in time. Events like those listed above bring unity at least for a while among groups that might not otherwise come together. I heard the New York Yankees paid tribute to Boston at a game following the bombing.
Doing good when living in a fallen world can be difficult, because we humans seem to think we need to do big things in a effort to change the world. Instead all we really need to do are little things that can change hearts.
This week keep an eye out for those around you who may be on the brink of hopelessness - give them a smile, a hug, pray for them right then and there, encourage them, buy them a coffee, a hot chocolate or a coke. If you are in the position to do - buy the groceries for the person in line behind you. When someone puts themselves down in your presence let them know they are valued.
God’s Word boils down to loving God and loving others. God knows we love Him when we love and encourage others. When living in a fallen world it can be easy to grow tired of doing good, but Jesus can supply all the energy you need to make a difference one heart at a time.
A Prayer
Father, you know the struggles we face living in this fallen world, you know how we can grow tired of swimming against to current as we try to do good. Be our strength and wisdom so we will not grow tired. Give us eyes to see those around us on the brink of hopelessness and help us to lift them up. Thank you that Jesus by His death and resurrection lifted us up so that we can lift up others. In the name of Jesus, who never grows tired of doing good - Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
9/11, Oklahoma City, Boston, Columbine, Newtown, wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and monster storms - all of these and many more reflect the worst of humanity and nature. When living in a fallen world it can be easy to get tired of doing good, but we are exhorted not to give in and to do good in the face of adversity.
All of the events listed above have two things in common - first is the senseless and tragic loss of life and property and second they result in an outpouring of what is the best of humanity. The stories of compassion and generosity coming out of Boston will give hope and bring healing in time. Events like those listed above bring unity at least for a while among groups that might not otherwise come together. I heard the New York Yankees paid tribute to Boston at a game following the bombing.
Doing good when living in a fallen world can be difficult, because we humans seem to think we need to do big things in a effort to change the world. Instead all we really need to do are little things that can change hearts.
This week keep an eye out for those around you who may be on the brink of hopelessness - give them a smile, a hug, pray for them right then and there, encourage them, buy them a coffee, a hot chocolate or a coke. If you are in the position to do - buy the groceries for the person in line behind you. When someone puts themselves down in your presence let them know they are valued.
God’s Word boils down to loving God and loving others. God knows we love Him when we love and encourage others. When living in a fallen world it can be easy to grow tired of doing good, but Jesus can supply all the energy you need to make a difference one heart at a time.
A Prayer
Father, you know the struggles we face living in this fallen world, you know how we can grow tired of swimming against to current as we try to do good. Be our strength and wisdom so we will not grow tired. Give us eyes to see those around us on the brink of hopelessness and help us to lift them up. Thank you that Jesus by His death and resurrection lifted us up so that we can lift up others. In the name of Jesus, who never grows tired of doing good - Amen.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Obstacles
“When they (Paul and company) came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.”
Acts 16:7-8
It was a very blustery day when I decided to visit a friend just recently home from a brief hospital stay. The street I needed to take is lined on both sides by palm trees. Palm trees are exotic looking and definitely created to stand in strong winds, but the same cannot be said for their spiky fronds. These were all over the street, turning this thoroughfare that doubles for a speedway into a two-way slalom course. The fronds had become an obstacle. This life is filled with all sorts of obstacles - pot holes, speed bumps, closed doors, walls, fear, short-sightedness, and sometimes God gets in our way. These obstacles can throw us completely off course or just cause us to stop as we wonder what to do now.
Some of these obstacles will require that we take a different route like Paul had to do in this week’s passage. Sometimes we have to rely on God to show us how to get over or through the obstacle before us.
Paul faced many obstacles - from his Damascus Road experience as Saul to all he would encounter on his journey to Rome. While the scriptures do not really explain why Paul was turned away from Mysia we can assume that the people and events he encountered as a result were part of the plan. If he hadn’t be turned away he may never have gone to Philippi, Lydia might not have become a follower of Christ. Paul and Silas might not have ended up in prison, but the jailer and his household might not have become followers of Christ either. The obstacles in Paul’s life prepared him to speak to governors, kings and the Roman Emperor.
The obstacles of life can have various effects on our lives. On the negative side, they can cause us to become stagnant, stuck in the mire of life, frustrated and angry. One the positive side, these same obstacles can draw us near to God; empower us to dream bigger dreams, and to help the others we encounter overcome their obstacles. While it might be safe to say that Paul was frustrated that they couldn’t go the way they planned, I suspect that as he looked back over his life filled with obstacles he would not have wanted any of them removed.
Obstacles are part of living an abundant life - embrace them.
A Prayer
Father, you know that we do not care much for obstacles, yet we must face them anyway. Help us see the path around, over or through whatever we are facing. When we are frustrated be our peace, when we are hurt be our healing, when we are afraid be our courage. Then allow us to share what we have learned with others and to thank You for the abundant life you give us. In the name of Jesus who overcame every obstacle for us, Amen.
Acts 16:7-8
It was a very blustery day when I decided to visit a friend just recently home from a brief hospital stay. The street I needed to take is lined on both sides by palm trees. Palm trees are exotic looking and definitely created to stand in strong winds, but the same cannot be said for their spiky fronds. These were all over the street, turning this thoroughfare that doubles for a speedway into a two-way slalom course. The fronds had become an obstacle. This life is filled with all sorts of obstacles - pot holes, speed bumps, closed doors, walls, fear, short-sightedness, and sometimes God gets in our way. These obstacles can throw us completely off course or just cause us to stop as we wonder what to do now.
Some of these obstacles will require that we take a different route like Paul had to do in this week’s passage. Sometimes we have to rely on God to show us how to get over or through the obstacle before us.
Paul faced many obstacles - from his Damascus Road experience as Saul to all he would encounter on his journey to Rome. While the scriptures do not really explain why Paul was turned away from Mysia we can assume that the people and events he encountered as a result were part of the plan. If he hadn’t be turned away he may never have gone to Philippi, Lydia might not have become a follower of Christ. Paul and Silas might not have ended up in prison, but the jailer and his household might not have become followers of Christ either. The obstacles in Paul’s life prepared him to speak to governors, kings and the Roman Emperor.
The obstacles of life can have various effects on our lives. On the negative side, they can cause us to become stagnant, stuck in the mire of life, frustrated and angry. One the positive side, these same obstacles can draw us near to God; empower us to dream bigger dreams, and to help the others we encounter overcome their obstacles. While it might be safe to say that Paul was frustrated that they couldn’t go the way they planned, I suspect that as he looked back over his life filled with obstacles he would not have wanted any of them removed.
Obstacles are part of living an abundant life - embrace them.
A Prayer
Father, you know that we do not care much for obstacles, yet we must face them anyway. Help us see the path around, over or through whatever we are facing. When we are frustrated be our peace, when we are hurt be our healing, when we are afraid be our courage. Then allow us to share what we have learned with others and to thank You for the abundant life you give us. In the name of Jesus who overcame every obstacle for us, Amen.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
How are you? Fine.
“I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.”
Psalm 6:6
How many times have we asked or been asked “How are you?” Only to receive or give the same “I’m fine” response when we know we are not fine? More times than we might care to admit I would guess. How many times when we are in distress do we come before God using polite language as if we are trying not to offend? Plenty I am sure.
The Psalms of lament teach us about the depth of authenticity God desires of our relationship with Him. Logan Jones agrees when he writes: “The laments should be seen as the honest engagement and dialog with God within a covenantal relationship where hurt and pain are acknowledged rather than denied and avoided." The Psalms of lament teach us to be real with God. The God we follow and serve is big enough and strong enough to allow us to pound on His chest in our fear, our anger, our doubt, our confusion and then to hold us gently as we cry in His arms. We see this clearly in the Psalms of lament.
These Psalms that express the raw emotion of the human experience teach us what it is to fall to our knees in our anguish and to know total dependence on a God that is faithful to respond to the cries of our heart. Can you see David on his knees has he cries out in Psalm 6 “I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of my foes” (vv. 6-7).
Yet these Psalms of lament do not leave the psalmist in a state of anguish. The psalmist after expressing his pain and making known his request to God, acknowledges that he can trust God and will praise Him. Can you feel the peace that follows David’s plea in Psalm 13 “But I trust your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (vv. 5-6).
These Psalms teach us to get real with God. We do not have to approach timidly, we do not have to be polite, we can express our raw emotion and expect a loving response from the One who is worthy of all our praise because He is God.
These powerful songs are also a model for prayer, prayer that expresses the emotional reality of the human experience both in the midst of the storm and in its moments of victory.
This week, when God’s asks you “how are you?” Don’t respond with the typical “fine” get real with Him.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for wanting to have an authentic relationship with us. Thank you that you will allow us to question the trials we face and demand that You act. Thank you that you allow us to remind You of Your promises. Help us always to be real when we come into Your presence and like the psalmist to praise you just because You are God. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 6:6
How many times have we asked or been asked “How are you?” Only to receive or give the same “I’m fine” response when we know we are not fine? More times than we might care to admit I would guess. How many times when we are in distress do we come before God using polite language as if we are trying not to offend? Plenty I am sure.
The Psalms of lament teach us about the depth of authenticity God desires of our relationship with Him. Logan Jones agrees when he writes: “The laments should be seen as the honest engagement and dialog with God within a covenantal relationship where hurt and pain are acknowledged rather than denied and avoided." The Psalms of lament teach us to be real with God. The God we follow and serve is big enough and strong enough to allow us to pound on His chest in our fear, our anger, our doubt, our confusion and then to hold us gently as we cry in His arms. We see this clearly in the Psalms of lament.
These Psalms that express the raw emotion of the human experience teach us what it is to fall to our knees in our anguish and to know total dependence on a God that is faithful to respond to the cries of our heart. Can you see David on his knees has he cries out in Psalm 6 “I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of my foes” (vv. 6-7).
Yet these Psalms of lament do not leave the psalmist in a state of anguish. The psalmist after expressing his pain and making known his request to God, acknowledges that he can trust God and will praise Him. Can you feel the peace that follows David’s plea in Psalm 13 “But I trust your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (vv. 5-6).
These Psalms teach us to get real with God. We do not have to approach timidly, we do not have to be polite, we can express our raw emotion and expect a loving response from the One who is worthy of all our praise because He is God.
These powerful songs are also a model for prayer, prayer that expresses the emotional reality of the human experience both in the midst of the storm and in its moments of victory.
This week, when God’s asks you “how are you?” Don’t respond with the typical “fine” get real with Him.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for wanting to have an authentic relationship with us. Thank you that you will allow us to question the trials we face and demand that You act. Thank you that you allow us to remind You of Your promises. Help us always to be real when we come into Your presence and like the psalmist to praise you just because You are God. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Something New
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:25-26
In the course of a single week my husband and I became grandparents for the first time, I started new classes at school and one of our daughters moved with her husband out of our state, that is a lot of new for one week.
As I was thinking about all the “new” in my personal life, I spent some time contemplating the cross of Christ. You see, as we read in this week’s passage God promised to cleanse the people of their sin and to give them a new heart. Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, the surrendering of His life for ours is God’s method of heart replacement.
Left to our own devices, we would try to fill our lives with new stuff - cars, clothes, recipes, furniture, whatever. For a while, those things might make us feel better, might mask the tight feeling of a hardened heart - but the feeling will not last. The search for a heart replacement will continue in a sometimes vicious cycle. Only Jesus can cleanse us from what separates us from God. Only Jesus can give us the new heart we need.
Best of all, because Jesus - the Son of God, paid the unfathomable price warranted by the cross, we can have a new heart as a gift. The remembrance of His death and the celebration of His resurrection will soon be here, so spend some time contemplating Jesus and the cross.
If you haven’t already accepted the gift of a new heart, now could be the right time to get one. The new heart will not guarantee smooth sailing in this life, but it does make new our relationship with God, it grants us an abundant life that allows us to really love and it comes with a warranty that will last for eternity.
A Prayer
Father, only You can make things new. Only You can make us new. Thank you for sending Your Son who willingly paid the price for our heart replacements. Help us to use our new hearts as you would have us use them. In the name of Jesus, the giver of new hearts, Amen.
Ezekiel 36:25-26
In the course of a single week my husband and I became grandparents for the first time, I started new classes at school and one of our daughters moved with her husband out of our state, that is a lot of new for one week.
As I was thinking about all the “new” in my personal life, I spent some time contemplating the cross of Christ. You see, as we read in this week’s passage God promised to cleanse the people of their sin and to give them a new heart. Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, the surrendering of His life for ours is God’s method of heart replacement.
Left to our own devices, we would try to fill our lives with new stuff - cars, clothes, recipes, furniture, whatever. For a while, those things might make us feel better, might mask the tight feeling of a hardened heart - but the feeling will not last. The search for a heart replacement will continue in a sometimes vicious cycle. Only Jesus can cleanse us from what separates us from God. Only Jesus can give us the new heart we need.
Best of all, because Jesus - the Son of God, paid the unfathomable price warranted by the cross, we can have a new heart as a gift. The remembrance of His death and the celebration of His resurrection will soon be here, so spend some time contemplating Jesus and the cross.
If you haven’t already accepted the gift of a new heart, now could be the right time to get one. The new heart will not guarantee smooth sailing in this life, but it does make new our relationship with God, it grants us an abundant life that allows us to really love and it comes with a warranty that will last for eternity.
A Prayer
Father, only You can make things new. Only You can make us new. Thank you for sending Your Son who willingly paid the price for our heart replacements. Help us to use our new hearts as you would have us use them. In the name of Jesus, the giver of new hearts, Amen.
Monday, March 18, 2013
All We Need is Love
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s command and remain in his love. …This is my command: Love each other.”
John 15:9-10, 17
“Love, love, love all you need is love, love is all you need” that’s what the Beatle’s sang. I am not a Beatle’s fan but as I was thinking about today’s passage these words of the song came to mind. Perhaps we could change them to read: Love, love, love because of Love, all you need is love.
Jesus loved his disciples because He was loved by the Father. So He wants his disciples to love others because He has loved them. Earlier in his Gospel John shares similar words from Jesus “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
The Greek word translated as love is agape - it is defined “as the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies. For the humans who live in this world, the command to love one another can be a tall order.
Spring is at hand, trees are blooming and soon some will bear fruit. The branches of fruit trees cannot bear fruit without the roots that nourish and water them. We cannot love as we are called to love without Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If we are to love as Jesus loved, if we are to love because Jesus loved, we must stay close to Him. We must live by His example.
Love, love, love - Yes, all we need is love - God’s love. This week as He fills you with His love, show that love to others, especially to those who are hard to love. By that others will see God’s love and you will bear the fruit you are meant to.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the love relationship you have with Your Son. Thank you that Your Son loves us so much, even when we are undeserving. Help us to love as we have been loved. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
John 15:9-10, 17
“Love, love, love all you need is love, love is all you need” that’s what the Beatle’s sang. I am not a Beatle’s fan but as I was thinking about today’s passage these words of the song came to mind. Perhaps we could change them to read: Love, love, love because of Love, all you need is love.
Jesus loved his disciples because He was loved by the Father. So He wants his disciples to love others because He has loved them. Earlier in his Gospel John shares similar words from Jesus “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
The Greek word translated as love is agape - it is defined “as the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies. For the humans who live in this world, the command to love one another can be a tall order.
Spring is at hand, trees are blooming and soon some will bear fruit. The branches of fruit trees cannot bear fruit without the roots that nourish and water them. We cannot love as we are called to love without Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If we are to love as Jesus loved, if we are to love because Jesus loved, we must stay close to Him. We must live by His example.
Love, love, love - Yes, all we need is love - God’s love. This week as He fills you with His love, show that love to others, especially to those who are hard to love. By that others will see God’s love and you will bear the fruit you are meant to.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the love relationship you have with Your Son. Thank you that Your Son loves us so much, even when we are undeserving. Help us to love as we have been loved. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Show Us
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5
There are times in life when the cry of our hearts should be simply show us Lord. Show us your love, your strength, your plan, your path, your mercy, your grace - show us.
We live in an ever darkening world and even those of us who call ourselves by the name of Christ can sometimes find ourselves wondering in the shadows, unsure of where we should go, what we should do or what we should say. Those are the moments and seasons of life when we need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us because He will be faithful to make clear the path even if it is just one step at a time.
Not only will He show us, He will give us everything we need to take the step, speak the words and do whatever He has called us to do. He will be our courage if we need it. He will grant us His wisdom and He will be our light.
Where are you today? Do you need new direction - ask Him to show you. Do you need to show mercy and grace - ask Him to show you. No matter what you need or where you are in the journey - take heart and be hopeful because He will show you, guide you and teach you everything you need to know, when you need to know it.
This week ask Him to show you what you need to see, show you what you need to do, show you what you need say and when He does… just do it.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that you are ready to show us what we need to see, teach us what we need to learn and give us what we need to do Your will. Help us to ask when we are uncertain. Be with us, give us hope. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
Psalm 25:4-5
There are times in life when the cry of our hearts should be simply show us Lord. Show us your love, your strength, your plan, your path, your mercy, your grace - show us.
We live in an ever darkening world and even those of us who call ourselves by the name of Christ can sometimes find ourselves wondering in the shadows, unsure of where we should go, what we should do or what we should say. Those are the moments and seasons of life when we need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us because He will be faithful to make clear the path even if it is just one step at a time.
Not only will He show us, He will give us everything we need to take the step, speak the words and do whatever He has called us to do. He will be our courage if we need it. He will grant us His wisdom and He will be our light.
Where are you today? Do you need new direction - ask Him to show you. Do you need to show mercy and grace - ask Him to show you. No matter what you need or where you are in the journey - take heart and be hopeful because He will show you, guide you and teach you everything you need to know, when you need to know it.
This week ask Him to show you what you need to see, show you what you need to do, show you what you need say and when He does… just do it.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that you are ready to show us what we need to see, teach us what we need to learn and give us what we need to do Your will. Help us to ask when we are uncertain. Be with us, give us hope. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Through the Looking Glass
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12
At some point in our lives we all have a day when we get out of bed look at ourselves in the mirror and think… it would just be better to climb back into bed and pull the blankets over our heads. One look and doubt about our value, our purpose creeps in and we haven’t even faced the world yet. We make the choice not to hide and go out into the world where our reflection can become even more clouded. The world has very definite ideas about how we should look and act and if we are living against the current that reflection can really beat us up.
Today’s passage from Paul’s love chapter reminds us that the mirrors in our lives do not reflect who we really are. Imagine that the mirror we gaze into in the morning, the one that reveals the wrinkles, dark circles under our eyes and the graying hair, is actually a two way mirror. On our side we see our flawed selves, the self the world has turned us into. The reflection that says we are not worthy, we have little value. On the other side of the mirror God is looking at us just as intently.
He sees a different version of us. He can see beyond what the world has made us to be. He sees beyond what we are and how we look. He sees beyond our flaws and sin. He sees us as He created us. He created each of us perfect to fulfill the purpose he has given us. He sees our value and He loves us.
As we race toward the solemn observance of Christ’s passion and the celebration of His resurrection, remember that His sacrifice was made because He loves us and He wants a vibrant relationship with us.
As Paul says today we see only a reflection. Someday we will look Jesus in the face and see who we really are in the glow of His glory. We will see what He sees and he sees us as beautiful and more than worth the price He paid to restore us.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that You see through what we see when we look in the mirror. Thank you for giving us value and beauty. Until we see you face to face, help us to catch a glimpse of who we are in you the next time we see our reflection. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
1 Corinthians 13:12
At some point in our lives we all have a day when we get out of bed look at ourselves in the mirror and think… it would just be better to climb back into bed and pull the blankets over our heads. One look and doubt about our value, our purpose creeps in and we haven’t even faced the world yet. We make the choice not to hide and go out into the world where our reflection can become even more clouded. The world has very definite ideas about how we should look and act and if we are living against the current that reflection can really beat us up.
Today’s passage from Paul’s love chapter reminds us that the mirrors in our lives do not reflect who we really are. Imagine that the mirror we gaze into in the morning, the one that reveals the wrinkles, dark circles under our eyes and the graying hair, is actually a two way mirror. On our side we see our flawed selves, the self the world has turned us into. The reflection that says we are not worthy, we have little value. On the other side of the mirror God is looking at us just as intently.
He sees a different version of us. He can see beyond what the world has made us to be. He sees beyond what we are and how we look. He sees beyond our flaws and sin. He sees us as He created us. He created each of us perfect to fulfill the purpose he has given us. He sees our value and He loves us.
As we race toward the solemn observance of Christ’s passion and the celebration of His resurrection, remember that His sacrifice was made because He loves us and He wants a vibrant relationship with us.
As Paul says today we see only a reflection. Someday we will look Jesus in the face and see who we really are in the glow of His glory. We will see what He sees and he sees us as beautiful and more than worth the price He paid to restore us.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that You see through what we see when we look in the mirror. Thank you for giving us value and beauty. Until we see you face to face, help us to catch a glimpse of who we are in you the next time we see our reflection. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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