“I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Psalm 27:13-14
“A place calls to me from a long way off… I don’t know why – but HE does. When the time is right HE will make it clear and open the way. Until then I will walk with Him and wait.” I had typed those words into my Facebook status. I was feeling a bit frustrated by the lack of progress being made to actually get to this particular distant land and I needed to reassure myself that in God’s good timing it would happen, I just need to wait. I don’t really know why there is such strong pull to this place, there are a number of reasons I can think of – a dear friend that I desire greatly to share a hug and a cuppa with, while chatting about life and God. Maybe it’s the bits of a piece of fiction running about in my head or the distant ties to family history or the anniversary holiday that seems fitting for 30 years. Plenty of reasons, why I think I need to go, want to go and in the midst of all that there’s a little tug on my heart suggesting that there is something else calling me, something that is part of a divine plan that I can’t see yet.
Do you have a place calling to you from a long way off? As followers of Jesus many of us long for that day when we will see Him and be in the land of the kingdom, but for this too we must wait. This week’s passage closes one of David’s songs of faith and confidence in his God. David longs for nothing more than to “dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of his life” (Psalm 27:4) yet he knows that there is still trouble to come, but he will continue to trust and ultimately he affirms his confidence in God’s goodness and will wait for what the Lord has for him. Psalm 33 closes with a similar affirmation: “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” (Psalm 33:21). Even Paul encourages his Roman readers with similar words when he tells them: “Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:24-25).
No matter what you are waiting for, what is calling to you from a far off place, no matter how impossible a situation may seem, the same God that David trusted and Paul trusted and Moses trusted and Abraham trusted and Esther trusted and Mary trusted – is worthy of our trust as well and nothing is impossible for Him.
His timing is not our timing, so this week let’s just trust that He has an incredible plan for each of us – a plan that He will reveal step by step. Let’s settle into the walk, matching His pace and let us wait patiently for all He is going to do with us today where we are and one day in that distant land.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for leaving us with stories of others who have trusted in Your plan even when they didn’t know what was coming next or wanted things in their timing. Help us this week and everyday for that matter, to trust Your plan, to walk with you daily doing the things You have for us each day as we wait for those bigger things that are calling to our hearts, in that we can find joy and hope for the journey. In the name of Jesus, who is leading us to that distant land, we pray – Amen.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding & Victory
“…turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”
Proverbs 2:2-10
I was signing a book for a friend and wanted to note a Scripture passage about wisdom, because I believe this person is wise and lives well because of that wisdom. That’s how I stumbled upon this week’s passage. Wisdom, I believe is something so valuable, and yet not really valued in our world today, all you have to do is watch the news or listen to political candidates speak to know that wisdom is not something high on the priority list of most people.
Let’s race back in time for just a moment. King David is nearing the end of his life and names his son Solomon as the successor to the throne. History tells us that Solomon was still a very young man, likely around 20 years old when he became king. One night the Lord appeared to him in a dream to have a little chat. The conversation started by God telling him to: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5). Now I don’t about you, but if I was talking face to face with the Lord and he says me ask for whatever you want Me to give you - it would be really tempting to ask for the money to pay off student loans, or for the trip to Australia or maybe that he put the white double cab pick-up in my drive way. It would be really tempting but it wouldn’t be the best response to make. In that situation it could also be very easy, because of fear – talking to the Creator of the universe and all – to just say something like oh I don’t really need anything, just fine the way I am, also not the best response when speaking to God.
Solomon in his response acknowledges all the goodness the Lord had shown his father David, he acknowledges that it was because of God that he now sat on his father’s throne as king and he acknowledged that he felt inadequate for the task. Solomon could have asked for lots of things but he asks the Lord to “give your servant a discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:9). The Lord was pleased with his response – well because it was a really good response of course. So the Lord gave him a wise and discerning heart, and then because Solomon and chosen wisely in the first place all the other stuff he might have been tempted to ask for was given to him as well. Solomon would go on to lead the people of God through a time of great peace and prosperity, he is still known as perhaps the wisest man ever.
I don’t know what you are facing this week – maybe life is smooth sailing or you are in a storm. No matter what is going on, you can’t go wrong asking for a discerning heart – the Lord will give you wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to knowledge, understanding and victory – to a life of abundant living.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the examples you set before us in your Word. We know Solomon wasn’t perfect but when given the chance to ask for whatever he wanted or thought he needed he chose well, asking for Your wisdom. Help us to make the same request of You for a discerning heart, so that we can act justly and walk in your wisdom to the victorious and abundant life you have for us. Show us the best ways to share that wisdom, knowledge, understanding and victory with those around us. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Proverbs 2:2-10
I was signing a book for a friend and wanted to note a Scripture passage about wisdom, because I believe this person is wise and lives well because of that wisdom. That’s how I stumbled upon this week’s passage. Wisdom, I believe is something so valuable, and yet not really valued in our world today, all you have to do is watch the news or listen to political candidates speak to know that wisdom is not something high on the priority list of most people.
Let’s race back in time for just a moment. King David is nearing the end of his life and names his son Solomon as the successor to the throne. History tells us that Solomon was still a very young man, likely around 20 years old when he became king. One night the Lord appeared to him in a dream to have a little chat. The conversation started by God telling him to: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5). Now I don’t about you, but if I was talking face to face with the Lord and he says me ask for whatever you want Me to give you - it would be really tempting to ask for the money to pay off student loans, or for the trip to Australia or maybe that he put the white double cab pick-up in my drive way. It would be really tempting but it wouldn’t be the best response to make. In that situation it could also be very easy, because of fear – talking to the Creator of the universe and all – to just say something like oh I don’t really need anything, just fine the way I am, also not the best response when speaking to God.
Solomon in his response acknowledges all the goodness the Lord had shown his father David, he acknowledges that it was because of God that he now sat on his father’s throne as king and he acknowledged that he felt inadequate for the task. Solomon could have asked for lots of things but he asks the Lord to “give your servant a discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:9). The Lord was pleased with his response – well because it was a really good response of course. So the Lord gave him a wise and discerning heart, and then because Solomon and chosen wisely in the first place all the other stuff he might have been tempted to ask for was given to him as well. Solomon would go on to lead the people of God through a time of great peace and prosperity, he is still known as perhaps the wisest man ever.
I don’t know what you are facing this week – maybe life is smooth sailing or you are in a storm. No matter what is going on, you can’t go wrong asking for a discerning heart – the Lord will give you wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to knowledge, understanding and victory – to a life of abundant living.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the examples you set before us in your Word. We know Solomon wasn’t perfect but when given the chance to ask for whatever he wanted or thought he needed he chose well, asking for Your wisdom. Help us to make the same request of You for a discerning heart, so that we can act justly and walk in your wisdom to the victorious and abundant life you have for us. Show us the best ways to share that wisdom, knowledge, understanding and victory with those around us. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Friday, June 17, 2016
You've Got A Friend
It might surprise some of you to learn that when I was much younger and so, so much more foolish I thought I would a singer. I even took voice lessons for a couple of years, with this idea in mind. Eventually, I would come to the realization that I wasn’t cut out for that work. I did enjoy the voice lessons though. Of course there were the compulsory scales and vocal exercises but I got to pick what kind of songs we worked on; nothing too out there, lots of Barbara Mandrell, some Olivia Newton-John, Carly Simon and James Taylor. As I’ve contemplated on many of the tragic events, some private and many that have been in news of late, James Taylor’s song You’ve Got A Friend has been bouncing around in my head.
This world is a scary place to go it alone in. There are things pulling at us from every angle, telling us we’ll have all we need if we just… Telling us that this or that is ok, that if it feels good do it, sometimes telling us that being good is boring and that being just a little bad is exciting. Sometimes the people we should be able to turn to for solace, advise and love are just as messed up as we are and maybe more so. These days when the realization of the world’s lies hit us, it seems like we are prepared to hurt ourselves or someone else in order to make it better – it feels like the world has chosen to grab on to hopelessness and the result is disastrous. King David understood the pain of life on this planet, I think he would have been able to relate to the words in James Taylor’s song: “when you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand…Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there. You just call out my name and you know wherever I am I’ll come running.” David had been there, this week’s passage is just one of many examples of David crying out to God in the midst of difficult times and God being there with him, picking him up, dragging him out of the pit, the lies of this world cause us to fall into.
Scripture makes it clear that we all need authentic, intimate, face-to-face friendships to help us navigate life, to give us hugs and shoulders and a hand up. David assures us that in those times when it feels like your best and most trusted friends have abandoned you – there is still One who will be there all you have to do is call. The Lord, the God of the universe heard David’s call and He’ll hear ours too.
“Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend” and all you have to do is call His name. Make sure you share that good news with someone this week.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for hearing us when we call your name. Thank you at Your Son calls us friend. It’s good to know that you are ready to meet us at our place of need with your amazing grace and love. Lord, help your people lead the way toward transforming our world by authentically living out what Jesus called the greatest commandment – to love You and others, that way everyone can rejoice in knowing we’ve got a friend in each other and especially in you. In the name of Jesus, our friend and brother we pray – Amen.
This world is a scary place to go it alone in. There are things pulling at us from every angle, telling us we’ll have all we need if we just… Telling us that this or that is ok, that if it feels good do it, sometimes telling us that being good is boring and that being just a little bad is exciting. Sometimes the people we should be able to turn to for solace, advise and love are just as messed up as we are and maybe more so. These days when the realization of the world’s lies hit us, it seems like we are prepared to hurt ourselves or someone else in order to make it better – it feels like the world has chosen to grab on to hopelessness and the result is disastrous. King David understood the pain of life on this planet, I think he would have been able to relate to the words in James Taylor’s song: “when you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand…Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there. You just call out my name and you know wherever I am I’ll come running.” David had been there, this week’s passage is just one of many examples of David crying out to God in the midst of difficult times and God being there with him, picking him up, dragging him out of the pit, the lies of this world cause us to fall into.
Scripture makes it clear that we all need authentic, intimate, face-to-face friendships to help us navigate life, to give us hugs and shoulders and a hand up. David assures us that in those times when it feels like your best and most trusted friends have abandoned you – there is still One who will be there all you have to do is call. The Lord, the God of the universe heard David’s call and He’ll hear ours too.
“Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend” and all you have to do is call His name. Make sure you share that good news with someone this week.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for hearing us when we call your name. Thank you at Your Son calls us friend. It’s good to know that you are ready to meet us at our place of need with your amazing grace and love. Lord, help your people lead the way toward transforming our world by authentically living out what Jesus called the greatest commandment – to love You and others, that way everyone can rejoice in knowing we’ve got a friend in each other and especially in you. In the name of Jesus, our friend and brother we pray – Amen.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Lessons From Winnie the Pooh - Part 4
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God ne created him; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
Genesis 1:27 & 31a
A month of Winnie the Pooh inspired devotions comes to a close this week. The first week we looked at what being a true friend looks like. Next up was a reminder that Jesus will be with us always. Last week Christopher Robin wanted Pooh and us to remember that we are braver, stronger and smarter than we realize. This week’s quote comes from Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Pooh is getting ready to have a little bite of honey you see, but first a little exercise is order, rather than turn on the stereo (does Pooh have a stereo?) for music to exercise to he just sings a little exercise song to himself. One line of the song goes: “I’m short, fat and proud of that.” Pooh is a very authentic sort of bear, he is quite aware of where his short comings lie, but he seems to be quite comfortable in his own skin and that is something many of us can learn from.
This week’s passage takes us all the way back to the beginning to remind us that we have been made in the very image of God and that all that God made including us was good. I think what happens in chapter 3 of Genesis; messed up how the world sees us and we humans look at ourselves and others. See we are all pretty good at comparing our outsides with the outsides of others. Women are particularly good at it, but guys are not immune. However, God still sees us the way He made us and frankly He’s more interested in how we look on the inside anyway. Samuel one of God’s prophets is instructed for anointing the new king: “Do not consider his appearance or his height… Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Paul tells Timothy not to worry about his age (1 Timothy 4:12).
Real beauty – the kind of beauty that will last, comes from deep within, from a heart transformed by the mercy and grace of an amazing God. Sometimes, a beautiful outward appearance can hide a very messy life, a life filled with darkness and self doubt. I wonder if any of those “Beautiful” people ever look at us ordinary folks and wish they were more like us – probably so. This week I want to encourage you to be comfortable in your skin, whatever it looks like, whatever age it is, however is feels – God made you and that means you are great just the way you are.
Let’s join pooh in his song by making it our own. I’m (you fill in the blank) and proud of that.
A Prayer
Father – You have made us in your image and called it very good. Help us this week and every day after to be comfortable with whom you have created us to be. Help us not compare ourselves to some unrealistic idea the world has created. Most of all give us beautiful hearts, filled with your mercy and grace. Let our lives overflow with the beauty of compassion for those around us. Thank you again that a simple children’s story about a “silly old bear” and his friends can teach us that whether we are short and fat or tall and skinny, young or old we can be proud of who you have made us to be. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Genesis 1:27 & 31a
A month of Winnie the Pooh inspired devotions comes to a close this week. The first week we looked at what being a true friend looks like. Next up was a reminder that Jesus will be with us always. Last week Christopher Robin wanted Pooh and us to remember that we are braver, stronger and smarter than we realize. This week’s quote comes from Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. Pooh is getting ready to have a little bite of honey you see, but first a little exercise is order, rather than turn on the stereo (does Pooh have a stereo?) for music to exercise to he just sings a little exercise song to himself. One line of the song goes: “I’m short, fat and proud of that.” Pooh is a very authentic sort of bear, he is quite aware of where his short comings lie, but he seems to be quite comfortable in his own skin and that is something many of us can learn from.
This week’s passage takes us all the way back to the beginning to remind us that we have been made in the very image of God and that all that God made including us was good. I think what happens in chapter 3 of Genesis; messed up how the world sees us and we humans look at ourselves and others. See we are all pretty good at comparing our outsides with the outsides of others. Women are particularly good at it, but guys are not immune. However, God still sees us the way He made us and frankly He’s more interested in how we look on the inside anyway. Samuel one of God’s prophets is instructed for anointing the new king: “Do not consider his appearance or his height… Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Paul tells Timothy not to worry about his age (1 Timothy 4:12).
Real beauty – the kind of beauty that will last, comes from deep within, from a heart transformed by the mercy and grace of an amazing God. Sometimes, a beautiful outward appearance can hide a very messy life, a life filled with darkness and self doubt. I wonder if any of those “Beautiful” people ever look at us ordinary folks and wish they were more like us – probably so. This week I want to encourage you to be comfortable in your skin, whatever it looks like, whatever age it is, however is feels – God made you and that means you are great just the way you are.
Let’s join pooh in his song by making it our own. I’m (you fill in the blank) and proud of that.
A Prayer
Father – You have made us in your image and called it very good. Help us this week and every day after to be comfortable with whom you have created us to be. Help us not compare ourselves to some unrealistic idea the world has created. Most of all give us beautiful hearts, filled with your mercy and grace. Let our lives overflow with the beauty of compassion for those around us. Thank you again that a simple children’s story about a “silly old bear” and his friends can teach us that whether we are short and fat or tall and skinny, young or old we can be proud of who you have made us to be. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)