“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; Trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 14:1-3
The day had started out with the rumble of thunder and some rain – nothing really unusual for the mid-west. A text from a dear friend asking for prayer let loose a storm in my heart. I called with no real words to share – we spent some minutes fighting the tears we were sharing across nearly 2000 miles. My heart was breaking and my arms were simply just not long enough to reach her for a hug. We both knew, though that there was a divine comfort reaching across those miles and hugging both of us in a divine embrace.
This week’s passage from John’s Gospel is really about the reach of divine comfort. Jesus is trying to prepare his friends for what is about to happen. He tells them not to let their hearts be troubled, that no matter what they witness over the next few days, no matter how huge the storms in their hearts feel – He would be able to reach them, to give them peace, comfort and an amazing future in eternity.
In the Old Testament God told Moses and Joshua to be strong and courageous because He would never leave them. Jesus is telling his friends the same thing in not so many words, they would understand eventually. It is hard in the midst of the pain and loss this world often throws at us to understand the power of His divine comfort, but we can feel it when we need to – it will pull us into a hug that will get us through the moments, or the storm or whatever we are facing.
So this week no matter what you are facing – let not you hearts be troubled, the reach of His divine comfort will reach all the way to where you are.
A Prayer
Father, you see us and you know full well how this world can beat us up. You know how troubled our hearts can become and You encourage us to trust You – to trust that your Divine comfort will reach us. Thank you for the divine comfort that reaches us where we are and wraps us up in a hug that can still our troubled hearts if only for a moment. In the name of Jesus, our friend and comfort in times of trouble – Amen.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Stretched By Love
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12
I really detest anything having to do with Christmas before Thanksgiving, so imagine my surprise when as I was praying and studying for this week’s devotion when the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas popped into my head. Not one of my most favorite stories but I love the transformation that takes place in the Grinch when his heart goes from “two sizes to small” to “three times larger.” I also like how little Cindy Lou gives him the benefit of the doubt when she interrupts his thievery and even as he lied his way out of the situation. Her trust and the look in her eyes, in my opinion is where the heart change starts.
Paul along with his brothers in Christ had established a church in Thessalonica, but had to leave sooner than they would have liked due to the persecution they were facing. In Athens, Paul decided to send Timothy to check on the Thessalonians and encouraged by what Timothy has to say when he returns - pens his first letter to the church. In the majority of the letter he sharing how encouraged he is by the news and shares his desire to go and visit. In this week’s passage Paul is praying that the Lord would make their hearts grow in love, a love that would become so abundant that it would overflow into another’s lives and into the lives of the people around them.
That their hearts would become 3 times larger, 300 times larger with the love of Christ overflowing into everyone they encountered. Into the lives, possibly of those who may be persecuting them. Into the lives of people who were different from them. Into the lives of those who were separated from God by sin.
A bit later in the letter Paul reminds them to make sure their own lives are in order and that they are living lives pleasing to God, a sort of reminder that our actions can speak to the size of our hearts. This reminder seems to beg the questions – Are any of us in the position to cast the first stone? Is there something in our lives that needs to be removed or fixed before we dare tell someone else what needs to be fixed their life?
In the story, no one forced the Grinch’s two sizes to small heart to grow to three times larger – it was the spirit of the Who’s Christmas that drew him in and transformed him. We cannot change anyone, but if we love people with Christ’s love from faithful hearted stretched by that love, we can draw them to the cross where Christ’s Spirit can stretch their hearts and transform their lives too.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that your love for us stretches our too small hearts and fills out new hearts to overflowing. Forgive for the times when we forget all that you have done for us and withhold your love from the people around us who really need it. In those times when our own self-righteousness gets the better of us stretch our hearts with your love in a new way. In the name of Jesus who chose to love us when we were not worthy of His love – Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
I really detest anything having to do with Christmas before Thanksgiving, so imagine my surprise when as I was praying and studying for this week’s devotion when the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas popped into my head. Not one of my most favorite stories but I love the transformation that takes place in the Grinch when his heart goes from “two sizes to small” to “three times larger.” I also like how little Cindy Lou gives him the benefit of the doubt when she interrupts his thievery and even as he lied his way out of the situation. Her trust and the look in her eyes, in my opinion is where the heart change starts.
Paul along with his brothers in Christ had established a church in Thessalonica, but had to leave sooner than they would have liked due to the persecution they were facing. In Athens, Paul decided to send Timothy to check on the Thessalonians and encouraged by what Timothy has to say when he returns - pens his first letter to the church. In the majority of the letter he sharing how encouraged he is by the news and shares his desire to go and visit. In this week’s passage Paul is praying that the Lord would make their hearts grow in love, a love that would become so abundant that it would overflow into another’s lives and into the lives of the people around them.
That their hearts would become 3 times larger, 300 times larger with the love of Christ overflowing into everyone they encountered. Into the lives, possibly of those who may be persecuting them. Into the lives of people who were different from them. Into the lives of those who were separated from God by sin.
A bit later in the letter Paul reminds them to make sure their own lives are in order and that they are living lives pleasing to God, a sort of reminder that our actions can speak to the size of our hearts. This reminder seems to beg the questions – Are any of us in the position to cast the first stone? Is there something in our lives that needs to be removed or fixed before we dare tell someone else what needs to be fixed their life?
In the story, no one forced the Grinch’s two sizes to small heart to grow to three times larger – it was the spirit of the Who’s Christmas that drew him in and transformed him. We cannot change anyone, but if we love people with Christ’s love from faithful hearted stretched by that love, we can draw them to the cross where Christ’s Spirit can stretch their hearts and transform their lives too.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that your love for us stretches our too small hearts and fills out new hearts to overflowing. Forgive for the times when we forget all that you have done for us and withhold your love from the people around us who really need it. In those times when our own self-righteousness gets the better of us stretch our hearts with your love in a new way. In the name of Jesus who chose to love us when we were not worthy of His love – Amen.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Excuses, Excuses
“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’”
Exodus 3:11
A long time ago at a concert the singer told a story about a time when God told him to give away his most favorite guitar. He had one of those negotiation talks with God – but ended up giving that guitar away. More than a decade ago I had one of those moments with God. Lying in bed one night praying, because I couldn’t sleep, when I heard a voice say “get up and pray” – I responded twice that I could pray just fine lying there in bed – I ended up on my knees in the living room. The results of these two experiences later, but for now let’s look at one of these conversions that took place much longer ago.
This week’s passage is the beginning of Moses’ excuses conversation with God. A little background in case you are not familiar with the story of Moses. Born at a time when the Egyptian Pharaoh had called for all male Hebrew babies to be killed. Moses was kept safe and eventually would end up in the palace being raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. As a grown man he would kill an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave and have to flee his privileged life. Moses ends up working as a shepherd for his father-in-law. That’s where we pick up the story. Moses has a close encounter with God where God essentially tells him “I have a job for you – a job that your whole life has been preparing you for” and Moses starts making excuses.
This week’s passage is the first excuse “who am I?” I’m a nobody, a shepherd, a murderer, etc. As the conversion continues it is filled with God answering each of Moses’ “yes, but” comments. “But what if they don’t believe me? (Exodus 4:1). “But, I don’t speak well, I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10). “Please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). The end result - Moses’ goes to do what God has asked and God provides everything He would needs from co-leaders to provision in the wilderness.
I am sure God sometimes wishes that when He asks something of us we would just do it without argument or excuses, but I also think the conversation is important because by the end of it we want to do it and we have a better understanding of God and His desire to be with us in the journey.
What happened with the singer who gave away his favorite guitar – he received so many guitars as gifts he was able to find new favorite, plus give more away. What about my late night on my knees in the living room experience? I had the most incredible spiritual, up close and personal encounter with Jesus. If I had stayed in bed I would have missed it.
What is God asking you to do? What excuses are you making? Are you afraid? Not enough time? Not smart enough? A nobody? Too old? Too young. Let me encourage you this week have the conversation and if you have to make excuses do, but then choose to do whatever you are being asked to do – not only will you bless God and someone else, you be blessed in ways you can’t even imagine.
A Prayer
Father, thank you; for not just asking once. Thank you for letting us have that conversation with you about why we think we are not the right person for the job. Thank for providing everything we need for the things you have for us to do. Thank you that our obedience brings you glory and brings us blessing. In the name of Jesus we pray for wisdom and open hearts to hear your call – Amen.
Exodus 3:11
A long time ago at a concert the singer told a story about a time when God told him to give away his most favorite guitar. He had one of those negotiation talks with God – but ended up giving that guitar away. More than a decade ago I had one of those moments with God. Lying in bed one night praying, because I couldn’t sleep, when I heard a voice say “get up and pray” – I responded twice that I could pray just fine lying there in bed – I ended up on my knees in the living room. The results of these two experiences later, but for now let’s look at one of these conversions that took place much longer ago.
This week’s passage is the beginning of Moses’ excuses conversation with God. A little background in case you are not familiar with the story of Moses. Born at a time when the Egyptian Pharaoh had called for all male Hebrew babies to be killed. Moses was kept safe and eventually would end up in the palace being raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. As a grown man he would kill an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave and have to flee his privileged life. Moses ends up working as a shepherd for his father-in-law. That’s where we pick up the story. Moses has a close encounter with God where God essentially tells him “I have a job for you – a job that your whole life has been preparing you for” and Moses starts making excuses.
This week’s passage is the first excuse “who am I?” I’m a nobody, a shepherd, a murderer, etc. As the conversion continues it is filled with God answering each of Moses’ “yes, but” comments. “But what if they don’t believe me? (Exodus 4:1). “But, I don’t speak well, I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10). “Please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). The end result - Moses’ goes to do what God has asked and God provides everything He would needs from co-leaders to provision in the wilderness.
I am sure God sometimes wishes that when He asks something of us we would just do it without argument or excuses, but I also think the conversation is important because by the end of it we want to do it and we have a better understanding of God and His desire to be with us in the journey.
What happened with the singer who gave away his favorite guitar – he received so many guitars as gifts he was able to find new favorite, plus give more away. What about my late night on my knees in the living room experience? I had the most incredible spiritual, up close and personal encounter with Jesus. If I had stayed in bed I would have missed it.
What is God asking you to do? What excuses are you making? Are you afraid? Not enough time? Not smart enough? A nobody? Too old? Too young. Let me encourage you this week have the conversation and if you have to make excuses do, but then choose to do whatever you are being asked to do – not only will you bless God and someone else, you be blessed in ways you can’t even imagine.
A Prayer
Father, thank you; for not just asking once. Thank you for letting us have that conversation with you about why we think we are not the right person for the job. Thank for providing everything we need for the things you have for us to do. Thank you that our obedience brings you glory and brings us blessing. In the name of Jesus we pray for wisdom and open hearts to hear your call – Amen.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Help! I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up
“The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down”
Psalm 145:13b-14
I don’t know why but this week’s passage reminded me of that old television commercial for personal distress alarms. You know the one with the older lady lying on the floor, kicking her legs and yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” The commercial became a joke, but there is some truth in it. Sometimes we do fall – physically and sometimes spiritually – and we can’t get ourselves back up. David reminds us this week that God will be there to pick us up.
There are plenty of stories in the Bible about people who have fallen and wouldn’t have been able to get back up if God hadn’t stepped in. Peter’s denial of Jesus is one example. David’s time in the wilderness on the run from Saul another. Jonah’s time-out in the belly of a big fish still another. David really knew what it meant to fall once he had become king and decided to take something, rather someone who belonged to someone else. When David finally realized how far he had fallen he knew the only One who could help him up was his God. The woman caught in adultery that was brought before Jesus knew how far she had fallen, what she may not have known was that Jesus was the only One who loved her enough to help her up.
Plenty of stories about fallen people being picked up by a loving, compassionate grace filled God. A word of caution here – when we fall, God will pick us up, dust us off, forgive us and set us back on track but that doesn’t mean our lives all of a sudden become perfect. It doesn’t mean that we may not have to face the consequences of our fall. It does mean that He will be with us holding us up and helping us to clean up the mess we've made.
Then once we've been helped up, we are meant to use our experience with God’s grace to help others up who have fallen – because we've been there and understand.
We all fall once in a while – sometimes we can get up on our own and sometimes we start yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” If no one else is there to help Jesus will be.
A Prayer
Father, thank you; for being faithful in keeping your promises. Thank you for picking us up when we fall, for dusting us off and forgiving us. Thank you for going even further and helping us clean up the mess we’ve made on the way down. Thank you that we are never really alone. In the name of Jesus who picks us up we pray – Amen.
Psalm 145:13b-14
I don’t know why but this week’s passage reminded me of that old television commercial for personal distress alarms. You know the one with the older lady lying on the floor, kicking her legs and yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” The commercial became a joke, but there is some truth in it. Sometimes we do fall – physically and sometimes spiritually – and we can’t get ourselves back up. David reminds us this week that God will be there to pick us up.
There are plenty of stories in the Bible about people who have fallen and wouldn’t have been able to get back up if God hadn’t stepped in. Peter’s denial of Jesus is one example. David’s time in the wilderness on the run from Saul another. Jonah’s time-out in the belly of a big fish still another. David really knew what it meant to fall once he had become king and decided to take something, rather someone who belonged to someone else. When David finally realized how far he had fallen he knew the only One who could help him up was his God. The woman caught in adultery that was brought before Jesus knew how far she had fallen, what she may not have known was that Jesus was the only One who loved her enough to help her up.
Plenty of stories about fallen people being picked up by a loving, compassionate grace filled God. A word of caution here – when we fall, God will pick us up, dust us off, forgive us and set us back on track but that doesn’t mean our lives all of a sudden become perfect. It doesn’t mean that we may not have to face the consequences of our fall. It does mean that He will be with us holding us up and helping us to clean up the mess we've made.
Then once we've been helped up, we are meant to use our experience with God’s grace to help others up who have fallen – because we've been there and understand.
We all fall once in a while – sometimes we can get up on our own and sometimes we start yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” If no one else is there to help Jesus will be.
A Prayer
Father, thank you; for being faithful in keeping your promises. Thank you for picking us up when we fall, for dusting us off and forgiving us. Thank you for going even further and helping us clean up the mess we’ve made on the way down. Thank you that we are never really alone. In the name of Jesus who picks us up we pray – Amen.
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