God KNOWS and SEES Everything - that is BOTH Terrifying and Comforting

My grandmother lived through the depression and that made an impact on her all of her life.  Even after she had become a doctor and finances were not really an issue she still saved and kept everything.  One of my favorite things to do when I visited grandma was to sneak away into some of the rooms and look through the drawers and closets.  I would spend hours sorting and looking and wondering at all the stuff. Much of it was new and still in boxes.  One time as I was exploring I came across a beautiful pocket watch.  Without thinking too much about it and without asking I stuck the watch in my pocket and took it home. I had the watch but I never showed it to anyone because they might ask where I got it.  After a number of years being hidden away I lost it.  Years went by, and I seldom thought about it.  But then when I was 19 years old I went into missionary training and then on to Ecuador to serve for a couple of years.  During this time God was doing a serious work in my heart.  I remembered the watch and was overcome with guilt.  I tried to ignore it.  After all nobody knew what I had done there was no way that anyone would ever find out.  Yet the quiet inner voice of God kept on speaking to me in my conscience and would NOT let me rest. Finally I wrote grandma a letter telling her what I had done and asking her forgiveness.  She wrote back a gracious letter telling me she forgave me. She went on to say that the pocket watch did not matter but a clean conscience did. The fact that God knows everything and is everywhere present is both terrifying and comforting.  Let’s look at some verses from Psalm 139.  

Psalm 139:1-4 (NLT) O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. [2] You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. ...[4] You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.

David tells us that God knows everything we DO as well as everything we THINK.  We are reminded that God knows every single WORD we say BEFORE we even say it.  That is the TERRIFYING part of this.  When I sin in thoughts, words, or actions I am sinning in God’s presence.  He knows about it. I cannot hide my sin from Him. God KNOWS all things and we cannot hide anything from Him.

Psalm 139:5-6 (NLT) You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.

God has all knowledge and He is present everywhere.  So these words can be a comfort to us. I believe that the Lord is saying I will go in front of you leading and guiding you.  And I will also go behind you protecting you and keeping you safe. Further comfort is found in the imagery of God placing His hand of blessing on our heads.  That God would care for us even when He knows where we have been and what we have done it absolutely remarkable.  Yet God extends His Mercy  and Grace to us even though He knows how sinful our motives and actions really are.

PRAYER:  Lord God thank You for Your quiet voice of conscience.  Thank You for the guilt that you bring when we have sinned.  Lord God thank You for the Comfort of Your Mercy and Grace.  Thank You for the Comfort of Your presence even when we wander away from You.  Thank You that Jesus came to Save NOT to Condemn us.     

IS DISCIPLINE TRAINING OR PUNISHMENT?

When I was in high school I willingly endured torturous training and discipline.  Everyday for about 3 hours I would run up down stadium steps, lift weights, run wind sprints, do suicide and fourth quarter drills until I was exhausted.  I hated it - and yet I loved being able to play into the 3^rd overtime during a game and not be tired.  Our coach was a man who believed in discipline - and he was deadly serious about it.  And anyone who was not serious about the discipline necessary to play ball for him did not make the team.  As I was reading in Hebrews 12 the thought that God disciplines His children came through clearly. 

Hebrews 12:5-7 (NET) And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s DISCIPLINE or give up when He CORRECTS you. [6] “For the Lord DISCIPLINES the one he loves and CHASTISES every son he accepts.” [7] Endure your SUFFERING as DISCIPLINE; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not DISCIPLINE?

I think that in the past I have interpreted these verses through the eyes of a child who has been disobedient and is suffering punishment.  Certainly punishment for wrongdoing can be part of God’s discipline. The word chastise (vs. 6) means to punish.  Verse seven reminds us that many times discipline comes in some form of suffering.  So in God’s Word discipline also means to correct and instruct.  There are times when God is not punishing rather He is shaping and molding us through His discipline.

Speaking of human parents the writer to the Hebrews says...

Hebrews 12:10-11 (NET) ...they DISCIPLINED us for a little while as seemed good to them, but HE does so for OUR benefit, that we may share His holiness. [11]  Now ALL DISCIPLINE seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it PRODUCES the fruit of peace and righteousness for those TRAINED by it.

Good parents do their best to discipline their children, but God like the perfect parent -OR- coach brings DISCIPLINE into our lives SO THAT there will be a harvest of godliness in our lives.  Once I started seeing the things God brought into my life as an incentive for growth rather than punishment it changed my perspective. I was much more willing to embrace those hard things because they were for MY good.  The discipline my coach forced on me trained me so that I could play at full speed all the way to the end of the game.  God TRAINS us through the discipline of painful things SO THAT we will be able to FINISH the race which He has place before us WELL. (Heb. 12.1-2)

PRAYER: Lord God, please help me to remember that all the things You are doing in my life is for my benefit and good.  You want me to bring You honor and glory by the way I think, speak, and act.  Lord, I long to finish each day well - in a way that really does honor You.  Help me to see the hard things that come along as part of your discipline in MY LIFE to strengthen me and encourage me.  Thank You. 

HELP.....

Have you ever felt like a turtle sitting on fence post?  All of us find ourselves in situations when we realize we are in deep trouble without help. I found myself in that situation and I felt like I was stuck floundering with no help in sight as we were trying to finish all the things that needed to be done for our daughter’s wedding.  But it ALL got done.  How?  A whole bunch of friends and family gathered round and helped in countless ways. And as they lifted me off that fence post the overwhelming thought that filled my mind was THANK YOU. 

Maybe you have felt that same way in your walk with the Lord.  A time when it was all was dark - when there was NO HOPE - when it felt like the end was near - when you just wanted to give up.  But in crying out to God He gave hope and help and lifted you to solid ground. 

Psalm 40:2 (NLT)  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

The response to that should be Praise Worship - thanksgiving to God for ALL He has done...

Psalm 40:3 (NLT)  He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what HE has done and be amazed...

It is amazing how our perspective changes AFTER help has come.  The turtle that is lifted off of the post can scurry away safely.  For me there was no need to be anxious - there were many people who helped set things up and take them down afterwards. I was humbled and THANKFUL. 

Paul’s reminder to us is that everything we do in life can be done in a way that brings Honor to the Name of Jesus.  And as we do whatever we are doing it should be done with a heart full of thanksgiving to God. 

Colossians 3:17 (HCS) And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

We may feel like a turtle on post - in desperate need of help.  But we are never alone, and God will give us the help that we need if we will Trust and Him and continue to be Thankful.

PRAYER:  Lord God - thank You for good Friends and Family who have been so encouraging and helpful.  But thank You most of all for the way You work in every situation.  Thank You for taking the hard things, the difficult tasks and using them to make me look to You for Your Help and Strength.  Thank You for helping me see that I am never sitting on a post all alone.  

IS THERE ANY HOPE OR ONLY DESPAIR?

What do we do when the worst possible thing takes place?  How do we feel when we wake up and realize it was not just a horrible nightmare it really did happened?  If you have ever heard the words “I’m sorry it is cancer” or if you have had a close family member or friend commit suicide.  Then in a small way you have a sense of what Jeremiah was describing in Lamentations chapter three.  Jeremiah had preached and prophesied to nation of Judah telling them over and over to turn away from idols and to turn back to God. He warned them again and again that God’s judgment was coming.  He told them that captivity and death were waiting.  But the people did not repent - and the horrors of war, captivity, and death overwhelmed them.  Lamentations is Jeremiah’s description of those dreadful and difficult times. He describes clearly what he has seen and what he is feeling.

In Lamentations three Jeremiah is brutally honest about what has happened to the people of Israel. He speaks passionately of the horrors of the invasion and the captivity.  These are the writings of an eye witness who is heartbroken over what has happened to Jerusalem.

Lamentations 3:1-2  I am the one who has seen the afflictions that come from the rod of the LORD’s anger. [2]  He has led me into darkness, shutting out all light.  (NLT) 

Jeremiah shares the depth of what he is feeling. God has poured out His wrath on me.  He has led me into utter darkness there is NO Light and absolutely NO HOPE.   I have felt God’s wrath - His anger has been directed against me. He has brought me into utter darkness.

Lamentations 3:7-8  He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains. [8] And though I cry and shout, he has shut out my prayers.   (NLT) 

Listen to the emotion - God has built prison wall around me - there is NO ESCAPE.  He put me in chains, and even though pour out my heart to Him but He refuses to hear my prayers.

Lamentations 3:10-11, 20  He has hidden like a bear or a lion, waiting to attack me. [11] He has dragged me off the path and torn me in pieces, leaving me helpless and devastated.       ...[20] I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.   (NLT)

God has ripped me in pieces like a savage lion.  He has left me helpless and devastated. Jeremiah has seen the horrors of the destruction of Jerusalem.  The slaughter of people and slaves being dragged away to Babylon.  He says he will NEVER FORGET this horrifying time.

But then suddenly in the midst of all the horrors of death and destruction there is a huge shift...

Lamentations 3:21-23  Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: [22]  The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. [23]  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. (NLT)  

I DARE to Hope - What?  How?  In the darkest times Jeremiah had ever face he stopped and focused once more on God and His FAITHFUL Love. Why?  Because he knew that God’s Love and Mercy never end.  But how can all of this be God’s love? How can these horrible things show His mercy?  Jeremiah accepted the fact that the people of Israel deserved judgment.  He had warned them and preached to them.  He called on them to TURN BACK to God but they refused.  The Faithfulness of God was seen in that He chose to discipline His people rather than to give up and totally destroy them.  Even in the darkest moments with the horror of all that has happened Jeremiah believes that God will keep His promises and restore His people.  God’s Mercy will replace His judgment.  This is Jeremiah reminding himself that God is just and merciful. 

PRAYER: The words to this song by Stuart Townend are a great reminder and prayer.

There is a hope that lifts my weary head a consolation strong against despair
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit, I find the Savior there
Through present sufferings, future's fear, He whispers 'courage' in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms, And they will lead me home.

There is a hope that stands the test of time, 
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die, And every longing satisfied.
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul, For I am truly home. 

ARE YOU NUTS?

When I was in high school someone challenged me to read some missionary biographies.  I remember as I read about Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot, and Helen Roseveare and the things that they went through as missionaries that I was stunned by their faith, courage, and perseverance.  I was in awe and wondered if I could ever be like them.  Yet down deep inside there was always doubt and fear.  I was sure that I could never do those kinds of things or be that kind of person. Sometimes I still feel the same way when I read some of what Paul wrote in the New Testament.

2 Corinthians 12.10 "That’s why I take PLEASURE in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (NLT)

Paul, what do you mean you take PLEASURE in weakness, insults, hardship, persecution, and trouble?  Are you nuts?  Why in the world would you find any pleasure in those things? It makes a lot more sense to try to avoid those things, to do whatever is necessary to steer clear of them rather than to embrace them. The first two words of vs.10 give a hint as to why Paul felt this way.  They take us back to the context in the previous verses.  Paul had something very serious and perhaps even painful that he was dealing with. So in vs. 8-9 he said "Three different times I begged the Lord to TAKE IT AWAY.  Each time HE said, MY grace is all you need. MY power works BEST in weakness..." 

So Paul took the hardship that he was facing, that he found extremely difficult to handle, right to God and asked Him to take it away. God's answer was “you need this Paul because MY GRACE is seen most clearly in you when you are WEAKEST and dependent on ME.”  At that point Paul tells us “that is WHY I take pleasure in these things.  Because when I am weak, when I cannot do this alone, when I am powerless and unable to do the next thing, that is WHEN God's Power is really comes through.  That is when God works in my weakness to give me HIS Strength.”  So what does Paul do?  He embraces and takes pleasure in whatever the hardship or struggle may be.  No matter what he is facing he moves forward TRUSTING God to give him the ability keep on going.

PRAYER: Lord God, I confess that I do NOT DELIGHT in hardship, persecution, weakness, or insults.  Most of the time I fight against those things.  Lord Jesus, please help me to stop trying to do everything I can do to get out from under these things and help me to embrace them instead.  Help me to pause and ask for Your for Wisdom, Your Strength and the ability to DELIGHT in You and whatever You bring into my life.  Lord I cannot do this without Your Power; please help me.

CONFESSIONS FROM A QUIET TIME LOSER

What is a quiet time loser?  A loser is defined as “a person who fails frequently or is generally unsuccessful.”  I have struggled in the past with having some kind of a quiet time.  It has been hard for me to set aside a regular time when I could be alone with God.  The more I struggled the guiltier I felt.  They guiltier I felt the more pressure I put on myself.  The more pressure I put on myself the sooner I failed.   

I really wanted to be like David to focus my heart and soul on the Lord day and night.  To be able to ...delight in the LORD’s perfections and meditate on Him Ps. 27.4.  But I had no idea how to do that. 

I had been told all “godly Christians” have a “daily” quiet time.  So when I tried and then failed I felt discouraged and defeated.  Please understand I wanted to spend time with God.  But nothing I tried seemed to work.  I tried all kinds of tricks and all kinds of programs.  I tried booklets that had questions to answer.  I tried reading through the Bible in a year.  Everything program I tried eventually ended up in defeat and I felt like a quiet time loser. 

At one point I was convinced that all I needed to do was read 20 chapters a day. It went really well for the 1^st week and then fairly well for the 2^nd week but the third week was very, very difficult.  Finally I realized I could not sustain it and I gave up in utter defeat. 

Finally someone encouraged me to read LESS rather than more.  They suggested that I read through a book of the Bible but to only read a small portion.  I was encouraged to read with the goal of hearing from God NOT with the goal of getting through the chapter or the book.  I also learned to take whatever I had learned or heard from God and turn it into a prayer asking God to make that truth a reality in my life. 

I set my sites on having a quiet time with God 4-5 days a week.  I kept a record of the days I read to hold me accountable to me.  Over time this became something that I enjoyed and really looked forward to.  Not because I “had to” but because I was wanted to. 

If you can identify with this struggle - let me encourage you.  You are not a loser. That is the voice of the enemy. Do NOT Give up keep on seeking after the Lord.  

I also want to encourage you to consider trying one of our Quiet Time Journals.  You can see the descriptions of them on our Facebook page: Walking Together With Jesus.  If you have any questions please send me a private Facebook message and I will be happy to reply. 

Foundations of LAW and ORDER have Collapsed

Sin and disease are ugly.  To see a friend or family member struggling with cancer or some incurable disease is to see just a bit of what the fall into sin has done to our world.  We live in a fallen world and we see that fall vividly portrayed in the hatred and animosity that seems to have become much more common all around us. As a result evil, sickness and hardship impact all of us in some way. There are times when I wonder if there is any hope?   David asked that question many times in the Psalms so we know that it is not a new question? Let’s look at these verses together.

Psalm 11:2-3 (NLT) The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. [3]  The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

We don’t know what prompted David’s words in this Psalm.  But we know that many times in his life he faced difficulties and hardships.  There were times when he must have thought those who were evil were taking direct aim at those who were seeking to live for the Lord.  When he was hiding from King Saul, who was trying to kill him, he must have wondered if it would ever end?  In this Psalm he goes on to say that the very foundation on which law and order were based had collapsed.  Watching the news, hearing about the decisions made by our courts, and laws passed by our government left me wondering exactly the same thing that David expressed at the end of vs. 3.   “What can the righteous do?”  I know we can continue to pray for revival - we can continue to share the gospel - we can continue to shine brightly into the darkness.  But is that all?   NO, there is always HOPE with God....

Psalm 11:4, 7 (NLT) But the LORD is in His holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.   ...[7] For the righteous LORD loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.

I Love this reminder that the LORD is in His HOLY temple -AND- that the LORD STILL RULES.  Whatever difficulties David was facing, no matter how bleak things seemed he knew God was still Sovereign.  He accepted the fact that God was still in Control, He was still Ruler over all.  David also reminds us that God sees everything that happens good or evil.  God examines both the godly and the wicked.  The fact that God is Righteous and LOVES Justice is a great reminder.  Things may have gotten seriously twisted in this world and it may appear that evil is winning on every front - but God STILL REIGNS.  Someday all things will come to an end.  Until then on a daily basis I need to remember God still Rules - He still Loves Justice - and some day we will see Him.

PRAYER:  Lord God, please keep me from losing heart. Help me to live each moment of the day remembering that You STILL REIGN.  Please, Lord, help me to honor You by surrendering my own heart to Your control moment by moment, day by day.  

TERRIBLE HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY

Because I was seeing new cracks in the bricks and drywall I had someone come and look at the foundation of our house.  He pulled out his laser level and did his measurements.  Then he let us know the house was slowly sinking especially at one end.  He gave us an estimate on what it would cost to fix the foundation.  Suddenly it was a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day”.  I had been praying about this problem for over a year asking God for wisdom to know what to do.  I knew there was a problem and that at some point we might have to do something.  But I guess I was hoping that maybe we would not need to.  After work I came home in a subdued frame of mind.  Just before bed I realized I did not have my phone.  I looked all over the house and then drove back to the church to look in my office, and it was nowhere to be found.  My “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” got worse.  My calendar, address book, and many other things are now on my phone and it is the only number where people can reach me away from the office. That night as I went to sleep and every time I woke up I asked God to help me find my phone - and help me to decide what to do about the foundation of our house.  The next day as I was reading my Bible these were the verses I read. 

1 Peter 5:5-7 (NET) ... all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. [6]  And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under His mighty hand [7]  by casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you.  

God makes a couple of things VERY clear.  He hates and OPPOSES those that are proud or arrogant.  However, He gives grace to those who are humble.  Peter says humble yourself... by casting all your cares on Him.  When we choose to lay all our worries and fears on God what we are saying is I cannot handle this - I trust YOU, my God, to care for me.  We are accepting the fact that ONLY God can handle ALL our worries, doubts, fears, stress points, or triggers.  Humility admits that God is big enough to handle anything and everything that we are facing. Rather than focusing on our fear or our stress, by prayer we turn them all over to God.  We know He cares and we know He has the power to act.

 PRAYER:  Lord God, keep me close to You.  Help me resist Satan’s attacks of worry, doubt, and fear.  Please help me to come humbly into your presence with those things that weigh me down.  Help me to Trust You to do ALL that You have promised to do.  Help me to change my focus from my fears and doubts to Your Promise to strengthen and help and care for me. Thank You Lord. 

(PS- I did find the phone the next day in another part of the church and a structural engineer gave us the all clear on our home. PTL)

The Treadmill or Recliner ~ Let GO and Let GOD

Let Go and Let God.  The first time I heard that phrase I thought there it is that is the answer that is exactly what I have been looking for.  I don't need to strive and work and try harder and harder to DO things to please God.  So I let go I kicked back and did NOTHING.  After all that is what LET GO means right?  I had been living on the treadmill striving and struggling to somehow get my walk with God right - NOW I was sitting in my recliner no problem Let God.  The problem was that I was NOT doing anything.  We can NEVER live the Christian Life in our own strength or by our own efforts.  We will FAIL.  But if we think sitting back and doing NOTHING will help us grow we are DEAD wrong.  Let's look at these verses together.

Colossians 2.6-8 (NET) Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives IN Him, rooted and built up IN Him and firm IN your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

We are saved by Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and His death for us.  That means we put ALL our faith and trust in the Forgiveness He offers us.  We cannot do ANYTHING to save ourselves it is ALL about God’s grace.  But once we are saved the process of walking with the Lord Jesus on a daily basis does take thought and effort on our part.  It is still by FAITH just as you received your salvation CONTINUE to live or walk IN Him.  HOW?  Our roots go down into Him as we take time to be in His Word. (Blessed is the man who DELIGHTS in God's Word Ps. 1.1-3).  If our roots are IN Him and we trust Him for the strength and grace to keep going.  We will be building on the foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word.   spend with Him helps us to build on that  foundation and we continue to process of growing in our relationship one brick at a time. Like any relationship it cannot happen without conscious effort.   If we are rooted and built up in Him the result is a FIRM established Faith.  Anytime I struggle and doubt I can trace it back to a failure to DELIGHT in God’s Word. 

Growing in our faith will include an OVERFLOWING thankfulness.  Have you ever felt like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh?("good morning if it is which I doubt")  If find that in my own life if I stop and think BEFORE I complain I can always come up with something to be thankful for.  At the very least - I can be thankful that I do not have to run on the treadmill forever to earn my salvation or even to keep my walk with God fresh and growing.   

Let Go - yes let go of trying to EARN my salvation I cannot do that.  Let God - well yes I NEED God's grace to save me but I also NEED God's grace to sustain me.  But that will take continuing effort to DELIGHT in His Word and it will take continuing to BUILD my relationship with Jesus Christ a day at a time brick by brick on the firm foundation which is Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to find that balance between TRUSTING  You and the Effort which I need to put in.  Help me to remember that my Relationship with You will take time and effort.  May I learn to Delight in Your Word and in spending time with You.  Thank You Lord God for Your Saving Grace and thank You for Your daily Sustaining Grace.

WEALTH - DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!

Whenever I sit down to pay the bills - there is always a sense of hope that maybe there will be a little more left over this time.  Paying bills is one of my least favorite things to do.  But it is also a constant reminder that I need to be careful HOW I spend the resources we have.  It is so easy in our culture to simply throw it on the credit card and if we can't pay it off when that bill is due we merely let it ride.  Part of the problem is that we do not want to say NO to ourselves.  We would rather say yes and then deal with the economic consequences later.  That is why these verses are such a challenge.  Because even as I struggle to pay bills I understand that I have so much more than most believers in the world.

1 Timothy 6.17-19 (NLT)  Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. [18] Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. [19] By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

Wealth, riches there is very real DANGER in having more than you need.  It is so easy to slip into thinking you are the reason that financially you are doing well.  Paul addresses that by warning the rich NOT to become arrogant and TRUST their money - INSTEAD they must trust God.  After all it is God who gives us ALL we NEED for our enjoyment.  The implication in that is that if I do not have enough money to get the latest gadget or toy or laborsaving device then I don't need it.  I am supposed to remember that God has given me what HE knows I need for enjoyment.  That may require me thinking through more carefully the things that I enjoy.

Paul goes on to say that they should USE or INVEST what God has given to them. They are supposed to be doing good with the resources that God has entrusted to them.  They should be generous and ready and WILLING to share with others. 

The Last reminder is for us to see that this world is temporary and that ALL that we have here cannot compare to the wonder of heaven.  It is a reminder that this life is NOT all that there is.  

 

I Love these quotes - great reminders of the DANGER in pursuing wealth.

"Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share. No matter how much money you have, your life should demonstrate that God controls the wealth that He has placed under your care." NLT Notes

“Though riches come, and riches go, don't set your heart upon them.  The fields of hope in which I sow  are harvested in heaven.” A Keys

PRAYER: Lord God help me to see clearly ALL the different ways that You have blessed me so that I can fully enjoy them.  Help me to think more about how to be generous and share with others than about how I can accumulate more stuff. Help me Lord to see that this life is an investment NOT for here but for Eternity.

 

IT IS WHAT IT IS???

So the news was NOT what I wanted to hear.  I wanted the Doctor to say you can stop wearing the boot and resume normal activities.  Instead I heard think LONG TERM - months not weeks.  And I had such good plans - none of which included being forced to wear a brace or boot long term.  What do we do when we get bad news?  How do we handle serious disappointment?  Yes I KNOW God uses hard things - hard times - to strengthen us, shape us, and form us more and more into the image of Jesus Christ.  But.......  I have said for years the phrase "it is what it is" as a statement that some things you just cannot change. But too many times - for me - that has become a statement of fatalism... oh well I cannot do anything about it so I have to accept it.  Those were some of my thoughts before I read these verses.

1 Thessalonians 2.16-17 (NLT)  Now may OUR Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God OUR Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, COMFORT you and STRENGTHEN you in every good thing you DO and SAY.

After I read these verses today - I had to stop and confess. I have been complaining and by my complaints (subtle as they may have been - being expressed mostly in my thoughts) I have been questioning God’s plan for me.  But these verses remind me that MY God gives Grace and Eternal Comfort, and WONDERFUL HOPE.  Not because the circumstances have changed or gotten better from MY perspective.  But because He gives Comfort and Strength each and everyday. He gives the ability to DO and SAY good things no matter what the circumstances may be.  The question is will I look for those GOOD things that He wants me to do?  Will I seek out ways to SAY those GOOD words that need to be said?  Because the comfort and strength He promised seem to be connected to a willingness to DO and SAY the good things to which He calls us. 

So instead of saying "it is what it is" maybe I need to start saying "God KNOWS what He is doing."  I certainly believe that on a biblical and theological level.  But I need to believe it on the everyday - I have to wear this brace for an extended period of time - level. 

PRAYER: Lord, God thank you for Your comfort and strength especially during hard and challenging times.  Lord all that I am going through comes from Your hand for a good purpose.  Please help me to keep in mind ALWAYS that no matter what is happening I can still DO and SAY good God Honoring things.  May I hang onto the TRUTH that YOU KNOW what You are doing. 

NO ONE CAME - EVERYONE DESERTED ME

If you have ever felt totally alone - you know it is a very hard and difficult thing to go through. When I was a single missionary many years ago there were periods of time when I felt completely alone.  I was in a city of over a million people - but there was no one with whom I could share my fears or longings.  The danger for me was to become self-focused and to think only of my self.  Becoming self-focused NEVER helped me grow in my walk with Jesus or help me to love and serve others. 

I wonder what it was like for Paul alone in that Roman prison at the end of his life...

 2 Timothy 4:16 (NIV) At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.  

NO ONE came to my support...  everyone deserted me...

I can certainly FEEL the depth of what Paul is saying.  He was left entirely on his own with no support - where were the Christians from the church in Rome?  How does Paul respond?

May it not be held against them...    What?  That is the last thing I expected to hear from Pau; - No One came... Everyone deserted me...  BUT Lord God please do not hold this against them. What an example of how to pray for others even those who wronged us or who have hurt us. 

2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV) But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.

NO ONE came...everyone deserted me...BUT the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength...

What an amazing testimony to each of us who are struggling.  This is what we must do especially when we FEEL like we are ALONE.  We must remember we are NEVER ALONE. The Lord the Sovereign God of the universe is ALWAYS with us He is right there at our side.  And just as Paul trusted God for His presence and strength - we too can know that the Lord WILL give us His STRENGTH if we turn to Him when we are lonely, feel abandoned, or feel full of fear and doubt. 

2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV) The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We do not know for sure - but it is possible that Paul was eventually executed at the end of this imprisonment in Rome.  That is why these words are so powerful The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack... HOW? He was convinced that his future was secure he was trusting God to ...bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Whether set free to continue to serve the Lord or being executed for the gospel Paul saw the Lord’s hand in ALL of it and was counting on the Lord to STAND by him and to give him strength.

PRAYER:  Lord God - thank You that You are ALWAYS with me whether I feel alone or not YOU are there.  Please Lord help me to grab onto that TRUTH and never let go.  Lord when I struggle and I am tempted to focus my thoughts on myself HELP me to look to You - to Trust You - and to keep on loving and serving others.

WRONG.... AGAIN!

NO Sunday Services... Not some thing I enjoy saying or doing. From a selfish perspective it means doing a lot of things to get the word out (changing voice mail messages, sending - emails, Facebook messages, and text messages). However, the hardest part is wondering if this is the right decision... should we try to meet anyway?  Is it going to be as bad as they say?  What about the ice in the parking lot?  At some point a decision has to be made and then you live with it.  But I do miss meeting together... there is something precious about God's people gathering to honor and worship Him as well as encourage and serve each other. 

As I thought about that this morning I thought about several friends of mine who live and work in very dangerous - closed countries.  They are there for the sake of the Gospel - they are there because they long for others to know Jesus.  So they risk their lives and families everyday.  Many of them CANNOT meet with other Christians especially openly. So as I read the next chapter in my normal reading today these verses took on new meaning for me:

2 Corinthians 4:11-13 (NLT)  Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. [12]  So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. [13]  But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”

Paul’s situation was so dangerous that he said we FACE DEATH everyday WHY? For one reason - that others may know Jesus and have eternal life.  These verse reminded me of Carol’s nephew who was killed last year because he was living and working openly as a Christian in a close country.  His deepest desire was to see young men and women become disciples of Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 (NLT)  All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. [16]  That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. [17] For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [18]  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Why would you take your wife and children into dangerous place to live and work?  Paul said he did it for the BENEFIT of those who had NOT yet experienced God’s grace.  He said He would NEVER give up no matter what he was facing no matter what the hardship may be.  WHY?  He saw that the painful present struggles would be overshadowed by the wonder and glory of the gospel the joy of seeing people’s lives changed for ALL eternity.  So we FIX OUR GAZE - or focus - NOT on the hardship or the painful struggle - but on the things that CANNOT be seen... on eternity and our Lord Jesus.  As we do God WILL Receive More and More Glory and that is what it is all about. 

NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET... what would that really be like.. Not just the roads are slippery... or I'm too tired... or it is too much hassle to get ready and go.  But if I meet with other believers I will be in DANGER.  Some of my friends would do anything to be able to be at a Sunday service with other Christians.  But the best they can expect is to quietly carefully worship with their family praying for the day when there will be MANY Believers because of their sacrifice.

PRAYER: Lord God, help me NEVER to take for granted the wonderful privilege of worshipping YOU with others - free from fear of any kind.  Please Lord encourage and strengthen my Brothers and Sisters who are in real danger everyday because they are Serving You.  Please LORD help them see the REALITY that what they do WILL have Eternal Results.

DISCIPLINE - WHO NEEDS IT?

When I was in high school I went through some pretty heavy discipline.  Everyday for around 3 hours I would run the stadium steps, lift weights, run wind sprints, do suicides and fourth quarter drills till I was exhausted.  I hated it - and yet I loved being able to play into the 3^rd overtime during a game and not be tired.  Our coach was a man who believed in ultimate value of DISCIPLINE - and he was serious about it.  And anyone who was NOT serious about the discipline necessary to play ball for him did not make the team.  As I was reading in Hebrews 12 the thought that God brings His DISCIPLINE into the lives of His children came through clearly. 

Hebrews 12:5-7 (NET) And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s DISCIPLINE or give up when He CORRECTS you. [6]  “For the Lord DISCIPLINES the one he loves and CHASTISES every son he accepts.” [7]  Endure your SUFFERING as DISCIPLINE; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not DISCIPLINE?

I think that in the past I have interpreted these verses through the eyes of a child who has been disobedient and is suffering punishment.  Certainly punishment for wrong doing can be part of God’s discipline the word CORRECT means to rebuke and CHASTISE (vs. 6) means to punish.  But the word DISCIPLINE can also mean to nurture, correct and instruct.  The hard part is that the FORM the Discipline takes many times is the SUFFERING (vs. 7) that we go through. 

Contrasting Parents and God the writer to the Hebrews says...

Hebrews 12:10-11 (NET) ...they DISCIPLINED us for a little while as seemed good to them, but He does so for OUR BENEFIT, that we may share His holiness. [11]  Now ALL DISCIPLINE seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it PRODUCES the fruit of peace and righteousness for those TRAINED by it.

Good parents do their best to discipline their children but God like the perfect parent - OR - the masterful coach brings DISCIPLINE into our lives using it to TRAIN us SO THAT we will have a harvest of godliness.  Once I started seeing the things God brought into my life from that perspective - I was much more willing to see them and embrace them as for MY good.  The discipline my coach force on me trained me so that I could play at full strength all the way to the end of the game.  God TRAINS us through the discipline of hard and painful things SO THAT we will be able to FINISH the race which He has place before us.  (Heb. 12.1-2). 

PRAYER: Lord God please help me to remember that You are doing all things in my life for my benefit and good.  Lord, I long to finish each day well - in a way that really does honor You.  Help me to see the hard things that come along as part of your discipline in MY LIFE to strengthen me and encourage me.  Thank You.

FEAR IS A TRAP - FEAR IS GOOD - ???

Have you every worried about what some one else might think?  Of course not Christians are not supposed to worry - we are only concerned.  Let's be honest - call it whatever you want - but anytime we think more of what a person may think about us rather than what God thinks about us we are on shaky ground. Let's look at these verse.

Proverbs 29.25 (NET)  The FEAR of people becomes a SNARE, but whoever TRUSTS in the Lord will be set on HIGH. 

Proverbs 9.10 (NET)  The beginning of wisdom is to fear the LORD, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.

"If you fear what people might do or think that controls your life. Fearing people is like being in a TRAP there is no freedom no security.  Being set on high is a military term: it is to find a defensible position a place of safety and security. It is to have the high ground a fortress that cannot be breached." NET Notes 

When we put ALL our Trust and Confidence in God that is what sets us free and gives us safety and security. The choice is ours: will we give in to fear and doubt and allow our confidence in God to drift away? OR will we turn away from the TRAP of seeking the approval of men?  When we put ALL our hope in God - when our Confidence is in Him then we do not have to fear the opinion of men.  When His opinion is what REALLY matters most in our lives then we can be free from the snare of FEARING the opinion of men. 

The Contrast between FEAR of men Pr. 29.25 - and the FEAR of the Lord is huge. A different Hebrew word is used in Pr. 9.10 it means worshipful submission, reverential awe and obedient respect.  If we are scared of men it is a trap.  But if we truly FEAR the Lord that will mean we will NOT be scared of the opinions of men.  We will put our confidence and trust in God alone.  We will submit to Him and Obey His Word.  We will weigh every opinion of man against God’s Word.  And we will stand on God’s Word.  

PRAYER: Lord, help me to turn to You in Confident Trust no matter what I am going through no matter what others may think or say.  Help me to Trust You and to Trust Your Word above all things.  May what you think of me matter more than anything else. 

YOU WANT ME TO COUNT WHAT?

There I was laying on the table waiting for the technician to try to stuff me head first into that tiny metal tube.  Yep you guessed it I was getting an MRI.  For the most part I am not claustrophobic but there is something about being stuffed into a metal tube and being told not to move that give me all kinds of abnormal feelings.  And as the started to push me in and I had to roll my shoulders in because they would not fit and when I opened my eyes and saw the top only an inch or two above my nose my feelings were screaming at me - this is awful you will never be able to put up with this.  At that point I had a choice - I could lay there and say over and over in my mind I hate this - when is this going to be over?  Why does that awful machine have to be that close to my face?  OR I could change my focus entirely.  Admit to myself that though I would rather NOT being doing this - it had to be done.  So rather than let my feelings rule and make me panicky, fidgety, or even ornery I started to focus my heart and mind on something completely different.  I closed my eyes and started to review verses - then I tried to remember words to praise songs - then I prayed.  I did not do any of those things exceptionally well but I was able to make it through the test.  Don’t get me wrong I am not going to sign up to get this done again anytime soon. But there was a change in me.  The moment I looked to God and sought His help rather to focus on my feelings and the external situation things changed. Let’s look at these verses...

PSALM  13:1-6 (NLT)   O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? [2] How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? [3] Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die.  [4] Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!" Don't let them rejoice at my downfall. [5] But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. [6] I will sing to the Lord because He has been so good to me.

What we Feel in NOT always the Truth.  Feelings that we experience are not always based on the reality or the truth of a situation. Once when I was visiting an elderly person it became very clear that all they could see in their life at that moment was the bleakness of their surroundings and the hopelessness of their situation.  I tried to give some encouragement but finally I challenged them to stop and honestly evaluate the what was happening in their life.  They needed to honestly look at ALL that was happening around them and then to start a Blessings List.   I wanted to change their focus from circumstances and feelings - to God.  The challenge was to start to remember the TRUTH that God is ALWAYS with us.  In this Psalm David complained for four verses then stopped - and stated the truth in vs. 5.  The Truth is that God is a God of UNFAILING LOVE. Then he goes on and makes two statement of purpose based on that truth.  David says “I trust in” that amazing love of God’s which never fails. “I WILL sing” about the Lord’s GOODNESS to me.  Wow what a contrast.  All because of a shift in his focus. Rather than focus on his feelings - he focus on the Truth of God’s Love and care for him. The old song reminds us to focus on God in this way.

            Count your blessings, name them one by one,

            Count your blessings, see what God has done,
            Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
            And it will surprise you what the Lord Has done.

PRAYER:  Lord God, help me always to remember the TRUTH... You are a GOOD GOD.  Help me to count my MANY BLESSINGS, before I start to count the troubles I am facing.   Amen.

Do NOT be SQUEEZED!

When I get my hair cut I sit in a chair and allow the barber (Carol) to do what she needs to do.  She does not want my active participation in the process. She wants me to sit still and to do only what she tells me to do turn your head, lift your chin.  She wants me to do what she is telling me to do.  She wants me to be a passive recipient of what she is doing rather than an active contributor to this event.  My dentist says the same thing - sit still and let me do my work.   Being passive is a good thing in a dentist chair - or - the barber chair.  However, being passive is NOT a good thing when it comes to our interaction with our world - our culture.

Romans 12:2 (HCS) Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

What does it mean to be conformed? Conform is defined as: to do what is accepted -OR- to be or become similar in form, nature, or character. When you conform to something it means that you accept what is happening and do not try to stop it or fight against it in anyway.

The word Paul uses here has a passive sense to it.  It is as if  the world it trying to shape us in a direction DIFFERENT than what God wants - and we allow it to happen.  It is being PASSIVE as apposed to being ACTIVE in our pursuit of God.  I love how JB Phillips translates this verse:

Romans 12:2 (JBP)   Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

So as a Christian - one who is seeking to grow in my walk with the Lord - what must I do so that the world DOES not conform me or SQUEEZE me into its own mold?  I must be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind.  HOW?  That takes God’s Word and the Holy Spirit working from the inside out - changing my heat, my mind, my motives, my attitudes.  If I want to change - if I do NOT want to be molded by the world - then I MUST be Transformed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  If I want to walk in a way that is worthy of Jesus and His sacrifice for me - I will NOT be passive - I will NOT let the world squeeze me into the shape it wants.  Instead I will pursue the Lord through His Word by His Spirit with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please keep on using Your Word in my life.  Holy Spirit please keep shaping me through Your leading and Your Word.  Lord, God do not let me become passive in my walk with You.  Please keep on drawing, and prompting me into a deeper walk with You.

I DO NOT NEED THE INSTRUCTIONS …

Have you ever thought that you did not need the instructions that came with the item you had just purchased?  So you set them aside and started to assemble the item only to discover you had made a mess of it?  I've been there and done that - eventually I had to take it ALL apart and start over. If that is true in general why do we think we can make our lives work apart from God and His Word? I was talking with some one a few years ago and trying to encourage them to start reading their Bible.  They said things were going badly in their life and that they really wanted to change.  I encourage them, challenged them, and offered to meet with them.  But in the end they did not pursue their relationship with God and eventually they drifted away.  Making the extra effort of seeking out instruction - pursuing God through His Word seemed to them - too high a price to pay.  So they did NOT make the investment of time and effort necessary. Or to say it more strongly they DESPISED God's Word and the difference it could have made n their lives. To despise something is to hate it it or dislike it very strongly.  Look at what Proverbs says about instruction.

Proverbs 13.13 (NET) The one who despises instruction will pay the penalty...

Do I REALLY want to GROW? Am I willing to pay the price SO THAT I will grow and mature in my walk with God?  It is impossible to grow in our Faith apart from a willingness to be IN the WORD of God.  By that I mean way more than just daily devotions.  That is the base and the starting point.  But it cannot end there.  I must VALUE God's Word enough to study it - to study it with others - as well as to learn with others as I take in the teaching of God's Word.  Do I take time to THINK about God's Word - MEDITATE on it looking at it from every angle?  Do I make the effort to try and memorize or learn those verses that I want to impact me?  This Proverb reminds me that if I do not seek to learn and grow I am DESPISING instruction and I will pay the price negatively.  So if we are NOT getting into God's Word regularly - if we REFUSE to listen to instruction from God's Word and godly people who want to pour into our lives then we WILL pay the PRICE in our lives. 

PRAYER: O Lord, please keep me close help me to be IN YOUR WORD - help me to receive instruction from those who are seeking to impact other with YOU WORD. Please Lord God help me NEVER to despise instruction.

WAKE up CALL -OR- CHANGE of FOCUS

(THOUGHTS ON THE CHURCH BEING BURGLARIZED)

The burglary of our building last Sunday took me completely by surprise. I was very troubled as I pulled up to church and saw a small group waiting outside for the Police to clear the building.  I became even MORE troubled as I walked with the Police officers into every room trying to see what had been stolen or damaged.  We had planned a very unique service for that day - special baptism, ordination service, Mexico team testimonies and yet this had changed everything.  OR had it?  The question was did it catch God by surprise?  The answer of course is NO.  So as I sat their Sunday morning and we were getting ready to start the service... I was trying desperately to stop asking questions and simply WORSHIP God.  After all NOTHING had changed.  God was STILL God - God would still KEEP His Promises.  As I have been privileged to be at the Moody Bible Instituted Pastors Conference this week I have had the chance to Re- Focus.  Yes I have been on the phone with Janet at the office and the insurance company - but my heart, and soul, and mind have been challenged to FOCUS on God who is never caught by Surprise.  Here are some thoughts that may encourage you as they did me in light of last Sunday’s events.

1 Samuel 17:8, 10-11 (NLT) Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. ...I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.

Goliath an enemy of YAHWEH the promise making and promise keeping God of Israel was taunting the Israelites.  Challenging them to fight and disrespecting their God.  The response of King Saul and Israelites - of course they focused on God and sought His strength and help.  WRONG - they were terrified and did NOTHING.  For forty days the taunting and disrespecting of the God and Israel went on and neither the king nor any of his men called out to God.

David arrives with a NEW perspective - he was NOT seeing the giant he was seeing the POWER of Yahweh.  God had protected him in the past and David expected God to protect him in the FUTURE.

1 Samuel 17:37 (NLT) The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!...

David heads out to FACE Goliath TRUSTING in God’s Power...

1 Samuel 17:41-47 (NLT) Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt...  Am I a dog, he roared at David, that you come at me with a stick?  And he cursed David by the names of his gods.  ...David replied to the Philistine, You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies - the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you... and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!  And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

Goliath with all his power, strength, and sneering contempt was no match for David, a stone, and the God of Israel.  Saul and his soldiers saw a giant - David saw God.  Saul and the armies of Israel had been paralyzed by FEAR of men - David was full of the FEAR of the Lord and as such could go and face Goliath and be victorious.  WHY?   The battle was the Lord’s - He was in control of every part of it including the trajectory of one stone slung by a shepherd.  What an amazing awe inspiring God we have.  He is Worthy of ALL of our worship, adoration, praise and thanksgiving. Even in midst of troubled times - Our God is KING - He is Sovereign over all things and we can REST completely and totally in HIS promises.

PRAYER: Lord God thank You that NOTHING - is beyond Your comprehension - nothing is beyond Your control.  Thank You that not one thing, not one word, not a single action or attitude ever catches you by surprise.  Lord I want to submit to You - Your plan and I long to see things around me always with Your Promises in view.