Within the last two years, two of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer. One lost her battle with the disease a few weeks ago, and the other is still fighting. Sometimes, as a friend, I feel pretty helpless. It's really hard to know what to do. However, recently, the Lord's given me a new perspective on how I can help my friends the most, when I feel the most helpless.
In Mark 2:1-12, Scripture tells us that Jesus had returned to Caperneum and was "in the house." When people found out, "immediately, they gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them not even near the door." It was a packed house with standing room only...literally. The place was filled to capacity.
Or so they thought...
People kept coming to see Jesus, including four men (at least) carrying their paralyzed buddy on a mat. When the men got to the home and found no way in, they didn't take "no" for an answer. They were desperate and determined for their friend to see Jesus; so determined they wouldn't let anything stand in their way...including someone's roof! I'm not kidding. If you haven't read this story before, please read it. It's so heart-wrenching to imagine the desperation on the part of the friends when they realize they couldn't get their friend to Jesus, and it's so exhilarating to picture them not giving in to circumstances - to what seemed to be impossible - but instead devising a plan to reach their goal. They were determined their friend WOULD see the Savior - no matter what.
I wonder if Jesus stopped preaching when the dried mud began to fall. I wonder if the owner of the home stood in amazement as piece by piece, part of his roof was destroyed. Do you think there was an uproar within the group or was it deathly still? Scripture doesn't tell us. However, It does tell us that when the men had "broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying."
The next part is one of my favorite parts, and the whole reason why I'm writing this blog at 3:16 in the morning! Scripture says that "when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven you.'" There's a lot of meat in that verse, including the fact that Jesus fulfills the ultimate desire of the paralytic, before He fulfills the physical desire, but what I want to focus on is this - whose faith caused Jesus to act? Was it the faith of the paralytic? Look at it again: "When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven you.'"
Did you see it? Scripture states the faith of the man's friends prompted Christ to act. I'm sure the paralytic had faith in Jesus, as well - which is why he went along with his friends lowering him down through the roof! But in this passage, Jesus was compelled by the faith of this man's friends, so much so that He acted on his behalf and healed him both spiritually and physically.
Since the Lord showed me this passage, I've determined to be a better friend - the type who brings my friends to Jesus for spiritual and physical healing. I've determined not to give up hope, even when all the circumstances and test results say different. I've determined to believe that the God of the universe is big enough to act on behalf of my friends for their ultimate good...and mine, too!
Dearest Jesus, thank You for my friends. Thank You that You have placed me in this life to encourage them and in turn, be encouraged. Thank You that You care more for them than I do. Help me, Lord, to purposefully be a better friend - to always bring my friends to You in prayer and cover them with Your protection, provision, and care. Thank You for their healing...both earthly and ultimate. You are our glorious Prize and the Lifter of our heads. Thank You.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Me - On Being Grumpy!
My head is pounding. My back is aching. My eyes hurt. Yes, I'm sick - and so are three other people in my house! I woke up this way, and regardless of how much medicine or Vick's Vapor Rub I bathe myself in, I'll go to bed this way tonight. It stinks to be sick...and I'm sad to say that most of the people around me know how much I hate to be sick, because my actions and attitudes tell it all. You see, on occasion, when I feel this bad, I decide that it's okay to have a pity party - a party which includes me being miserable and making everyone else around me feel the same way.
I started thinking about my grumpiness today at lunch, rationalizing that because I feel bad, it's okay to be a little less tactful with my tongue. That is, until I began to think about Christ and how He responded to His own discomfort. He was beaten. He was bruised. He was pierced through for my transgressions. He was crushed for my sin. (Is. 53:5). And yet He uttered not a grumpy word. He was oppressed and afflicted, led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth. (Is. 53:7) Jesus didn't sin in the midst of His incomprehensible discomfort...and neither should I in the midst of my head cold.
Jesus, help me today to live as You lived, here on this earth. Help me to keep my mouth closed and my heart open to You. May my minimal discomfort only draw others to You. I love You, Jesus. I love You.
I started thinking about my grumpiness today at lunch, rationalizing that because I feel bad, it's okay to be a little less tactful with my tongue. That is, until I began to think about Christ and how He responded to His own discomfort. He was beaten. He was bruised. He was pierced through for my transgressions. He was crushed for my sin. (Is. 53:5). And yet He uttered not a grumpy word. He was oppressed and afflicted, led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth. (Is. 53:7) Jesus didn't sin in the midst of His incomprehensible discomfort...and neither should I in the midst of my head cold.
Jesus, help me today to live as You lived, here on this earth. Help me to keep my mouth closed and my heart open to You. May my minimal discomfort only draw others to You. I love You, Jesus. I love You.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The "I" in Me
Growing up on a farm, I've come to see gardening as something precious. I vividly remember my daddy walking the fields when I was a kid. Row after row, he'd stop and look...stop and look. I always wondered why he did that. Now, I know. I do the same thing in my own garden - looking for signs of life...for signs of death...for those nasty little critters I've come to dislike SOOO very much.
One day during the gardening season last summer, a friend stopped by to bring me some sweet potato plants. Of course, I HAD to show him my garden. Later that day, I called him for some advice. During the conversation, he said that the plants in my garden were beautiful, but the reason I wasn’t seeing much fruit was probably due to over-fertilization. I simply needed to cut back. He said, "This may sound ugly, but the plants have to think they are dying before they will produce any fruit." In other words, I'd been feeding my plants SO much that they were content and happy to put on new growth...without giving me anything to show for it!
We're like that, aren't we? We’re happy and content to be comfortable. We want to be well-fed, well-watered, and have just the right amount of sunshine, so that we can grow and grow and grow and be seen as the biggest, most beautiful plant in the garden. However, if we shower ourselves in comfort, we'll never produce any fruit for the kingdom.
The very thing that produces fruit in our lives as Christians is not comfort. It's death. Jesus explains this principle by using a parable of the natural world. He said "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Just like the grain of wheat that falls to the earth has to die to bear much fruit, so I have to die to myself, in order to produce "much fruit" for Christ.
Now, that doesn't come naturally to me. Dying to myself has to be a decision of my will, because what comes natural to me is to feed the "I," in me. "I" wants what it wants, and it wants it now! "I" wants to be comfortable. "I" wants to be first in line at the grocery store. "I" doesn't want to change the poopy diaper. "I" wants you to do it! "I" wants to let someone know when "I" is unhappy and angry. "I" wants to retaliate when someone wrongs me, instead of letting Christ be my Defender. "I" wants to be patient and loving to those "I" loves...not to those "I" doesn't know! The funny thing about "I"is that it never does anything to produce fruit for Jesus. It just produces more "I."
And that's what people see. If "I" were the one that paid the ultimate price for my life...if "I" were the one that removed my sin and made me free....if "I" were the one to live again, so that I could live eternally in heaven...if "I" did all of that for me, then it wouldn't be so bad to let people see the "I" in me. HOWEVER, "I" didn't do all of those things...only Jesus did. In other words, people don't need to see more "I" in this world...they need to see more "Him."
Jesus, help me to die to myself today and put others first. Help me not to allow my own selfishness to rob me of producing fruit for Your kingdom. May my desires and wants be those of Christ's. Amen.
One day during the gardening season last summer, a friend stopped by to bring me some sweet potato plants. Of course, I HAD to show him my garden. Later that day, I called him for some advice. During the conversation, he said that the plants in my garden were beautiful, but the reason I wasn’t seeing much fruit was probably due to over-fertilization. I simply needed to cut back. He said, "This may sound ugly, but the plants have to think they are dying before they will produce any fruit." In other words, I'd been feeding my plants SO much that they were content and happy to put on new growth...without giving me anything to show for it!
We're like that, aren't we? We’re happy and content to be comfortable. We want to be well-fed, well-watered, and have just the right amount of sunshine, so that we can grow and grow and grow and be seen as the biggest, most beautiful plant in the garden. However, if we shower ourselves in comfort, we'll never produce any fruit for the kingdom.
The very thing that produces fruit in our lives as Christians is not comfort. It's death. Jesus explains this principle by using a parable of the natural world. He said "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Just like the grain of wheat that falls to the earth has to die to bear much fruit, so I have to die to myself, in order to produce "much fruit" for Christ.
Now, that doesn't come naturally to me. Dying to myself has to be a decision of my will, because what comes natural to me is to feed the "I," in me. "I" wants what it wants, and it wants it now! "I" wants to be comfortable. "I" wants to be first in line at the grocery store. "I" doesn't want to change the poopy diaper. "I" wants you to do it! "I" wants to let someone know when "I" is unhappy and angry. "I" wants to retaliate when someone wrongs me, instead of letting Christ be my Defender. "I" wants to be patient and loving to those "I" loves...not to those "I" doesn't know! The funny thing about "I"is that it never does anything to produce fruit for Jesus. It just produces more "I."
And that's what people see. If "I" were the one that paid the ultimate price for my life...if "I" were the one that removed my sin and made me free....if "I" were the one to live again, so that I could live eternally in heaven...if "I" did all of that for me, then it wouldn't be so bad to let people see the "I" in me. HOWEVER, "I" didn't do all of those things...only Jesus did. In other words, people don't need to see more "I" in this world...they need to see more "Him."
Jesus, help me to die to myself today and put others first. Help me not to allow my own selfishness to rob me of producing fruit for Your kingdom. May my desires and wants be those of Christ's. Amen.
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Purple Monsters
It’s 2:30 a.m. – so why am I sitting at a computer, instead of dreamily sleeping in my bed?
I’m scared…well, not so much any more. I had a nightmare - the kind with big purple monsters who stick their heads out of the closet and scream, “Boo!” Actually, my dream was a little more graphic than that, but for the sake of the younger readers and my own unwillingness to “go there” again, purple monsters will work perfectly!
It’s no wonder I had a bad dream. I accidentally fell asleep between my 4 year old and my 10 year old…on a twin bed. Now, I don’t know how long it’s been since you have slept between two people on a twin bed, but let me assure you, it’s not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Needless to say, I woke up with my heart racing, my mind reeling, and my eyes trying to adjust to the light to make sure the purple monsters were just a figment of my imagination. Thankfully, I was right. It was just a dream, but the reality of the dream left me fearful.
I got up, tried to “shake it off,” and headed to the bathroom to wash my face. It was there that an old familiar “Friend” came to calm my nerves. When I am afraid, I will trust in You (Psalm 56:3). I memorized that Scripture several years ago, and it has brought me great comfort many times, especially in the wee hours of the morning.
As I quoted that verse to myself, the overwhelming feelings of my impending doom, stopped. My heartbeat returned to normal. My mind drifted back to reality, and my eyes stopped darting to and fro in search of purple monsters.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Interestingly enough, the Bible doesn’t say that we will never be afraid. Fear, in its purest form, is a good emotion. God put it within us to keep us safe – to keep us from leaping off three-story buildings, just because we are sporting a new Superman cape. We need to pay attention to our fear. It was designed to be a healthy thing. However, when that fear begins to consume us and affect our lives in a negative way, something that God has put in us for our own safety, actually becomes a threat to our well-being.
If it were up to me, I would bubble-wrap my kids, so I'd never have to worry about them falling off a swing or wrecking their bicycle. I'd buy my husband an armored vehicle, so I'd never have to be concerned about him being involved in an accident. I would systematically put padlocks and security devices all over my home, so I wouldn't have to think about unwanted invaders. But regardless of how much I tried to control the outcome of every area of my life, it just wouldn't work. I would never be able to control it all.
That's where a lot of our fear stems from. We know we can't control it all. We know bad things happen. The question is, as a Believer, how do we handle them when they do? What do we do when we find ourselves smack in the middle of an incredibly fearful situation and have no control over the outcome? What do we do with the purple monsters in the closet?
We trust.
We make a decision of our will that God is worthy of our complete allegiance, even when we’re fearful. We trust that God is able to deliver us, if He chooses to do so in a way other than what we'd like. We trust His love for us and His heart towards us. We trust that He knows what’s best…that He sees the entire picture, even when the purple monsters are so big they're bulging through the closet doors.
Tonight before writing this, I chose to trust my God. I chose to trust His love for me. I chose to trust His knowledge of the right paths for us to take together. I chose to trust His willingness to hold my hand, as I walk those paths…even though my heart is pounding and my palms are sweaty. I chose to trust He knows where He’s taking me and why. I chose to trust He has His glory and my best interest at heart, even if I can’t see it at the time. I chose to trust my God…for He is my Great Shepherd…and I am His sheep.
With that said – or written, as it is the case – good night, my friends. It's way passed my bedtime!
Dearest Father, help us not succumb to our fear, but conquer it through Your Word and our trust in You. Show us Your presence as we walk through difficult times…as we wonder why we’re on the path that You have placed before us. And help us to remember that You and You alone know what’s best for us…even in the scary stuff. We trust You, Father. We trust You.
I’m scared…well, not so much any more. I had a nightmare - the kind with big purple monsters who stick their heads out of the closet and scream, “Boo!” Actually, my dream was a little more graphic than that, but for the sake of the younger readers and my own unwillingness to “go there” again, purple monsters will work perfectly!
It’s no wonder I had a bad dream. I accidentally fell asleep between my 4 year old and my 10 year old…on a twin bed. Now, I don’t know how long it’s been since you have slept between two people on a twin bed, but let me assure you, it’s not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Needless to say, I woke up with my heart racing, my mind reeling, and my eyes trying to adjust to the light to make sure the purple monsters were just a figment of my imagination. Thankfully, I was right. It was just a dream, but the reality of the dream left me fearful.
I got up, tried to “shake it off,” and headed to the bathroom to wash my face. It was there that an old familiar “Friend” came to calm my nerves. When I am afraid, I will trust in You (Psalm 56:3). I memorized that Scripture several years ago, and it has brought me great comfort many times, especially in the wee hours of the morning.
As I quoted that verse to myself, the overwhelming feelings of my impending doom, stopped. My heartbeat returned to normal. My mind drifted back to reality, and my eyes stopped darting to and fro in search of purple monsters.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Interestingly enough, the Bible doesn’t say that we will never be afraid. Fear, in its purest form, is a good emotion. God put it within us to keep us safe – to keep us from leaping off three-story buildings, just because we are sporting a new Superman cape. We need to pay attention to our fear. It was designed to be a healthy thing. However, when that fear begins to consume us and affect our lives in a negative way, something that God has put in us for our own safety, actually becomes a threat to our well-being.
If it were up to me, I would bubble-wrap my kids, so I'd never have to worry about them falling off a swing or wrecking their bicycle. I'd buy my husband an armored vehicle, so I'd never have to be concerned about him being involved in an accident. I would systematically put padlocks and security devices all over my home, so I wouldn't have to think about unwanted invaders. But regardless of how much I tried to control the outcome of every area of my life, it just wouldn't work. I would never be able to control it all.
That's where a lot of our fear stems from. We know we can't control it all. We know bad things happen. The question is, as a Believer, how do we handle them when they do? What do we do when we find ourselves smack in the middle of an incredibly fearful situation and have no control over the outcome? What do we do with the purple monsters in the closet?
We trust.
We make a decision of our will that God is worthy of our complete allegiance, even when we’re fearful. We trust that God is able to deliver us, if He chooses to do so in a way other than what we'd like. We trust His love for us and His heart towards us. We trust that He knows what’s best…that He sees the entire picture, even when the purple monsters are so big they're bulging through the closet doors.
Tonight before writing this, I chose to trust my God. I chose to trust His love for me. I chose to trust His knowledge of the right paths for us to take together. I chose to trust His willingness to hold my hand, as I walk those paths…even though my heart is pounding and my palms are sweaty. I chose to trust He knows where He’s taking me and why. I chose to trust He has His glory and my best interest at heart, even if I can’t see it at the time. I chose to trust my God…for He is my Great Shepherd…and I am His sheep.
With that said – or written, as it is the case – good night, my friends. It's way passed my bedtime!
Dearest Father, help us not succumb to our fear, but conquer it through Your Word and our trust in You. Show us Your presence as we walk through difficult times…as we wonder why we’re on the path that You have placed before us. And help us to remember that You and You alone know what’s best for us…even in the scary stuff. We trust You, Father. We trust You.
Friday, February 18, 2011
What's Love Got to do with Ice Skates and a Faux-Hawk?
Yes, it's the "Love Month," but that didn't do it. Valentine's Day didn't do it. My husband's birthday didn't do it. Nope. My deep thoughts on love this month stemmed from - if you can believe it - some snide remarks a child made about my son at the ice skating rink. This older, obviously more experienced skater, was wearing hockey skates. He took one look at my child wearing ice skates and smarted off, "Hey, you've got the wrong skates." Obviously, Alex's skates weren't "manly" enough for him.
Then, as if to add insult to injury, he made a comment that my son's new hairstyle made him look like a bird - in front of his friends. Alex had been thrilled about his "faux-hawk" earlier that morning, but came off the ice covering his head with his hood and trying everything he could to flatten out his "crown."
I'll bet you're wondering how in the world that made me think about love. Well, in all honesty, the child's statements didn't make me think too much about love at all. What I really thought about was how to get out on the ice and tell that boy a few things about his skates and his hair, which was by the way, too short for a faux-hawk!
I digress.
Instead, my deep, intense ponderings began during a family devotion, the day after this happened. We were discussing God's love for us and how we could truly love others in that way. Still thinking about the day before, Steve asked, "Well, Alex, how could you have shown him love?" There was silence. Being the Momma Bear that I am, I suppressed the feelings of anger rising within me and sat quietly waiting to hear what my little one said - all the while thinking, "Well, it probably would be best just to tell this young man that my son liked his hair the way it was and walk away." Yes, that would have been fine, but that wasn't the right answer.
A few seconds later, my husband said something that still rings in my ears and resonates with my heart on every level. He said, "What you could have done is say,'Well, I like my hair this way. By the way, you're hair is pretty cool, too.'"
I got hit right between the eyes with that one. You see, too many times I think that I am loving someone...that I am exhibiting Christ-like behavior, just because I DON'T respond when they "push my buttons." And I am...in a way. But if we're really talking about loving others the way Christ loved us, I think we have to take it further than just "not responding." Christ DEMONSTRATED His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God put His love for us into action. He made a decision of His will to "act out" His love...regardless of the present circumstances or the eventual outcome.
You know, I can't predict what will happen the next time Alex meets this young man. I can, however, predict what will happen when I do. I will love him. I will choose to encourage him, despite his potential to discourage my son, yet again. I will choose to fight how I feel, and bless, instead of curse. I will choose to pray for him and do good unto him, regardless. I will choose to love him, as Jesus has loved me.
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You that you love me fully and unconditionally. Teach me to love the way You do...regardless of the situation. Teach me to be intentional about my responses to those around me. Glorify Yourself through Your love of others, through my life. Praise You, Father...Praise You.
Then, as if to add insult to injury, he made a comment that my son's new hairstyle made him look like a bird - in front of his friends. Alex had been thrilled about his "faux-hawk" earlier that morning, but came off the ice covering his head with his hood and trying everything he could to flatten out his "crown."
I'll bet you're wondering how in the world that made me think about love. Well, in all honesty, the child's statements didn't make me think too much about love at all. What I really thought about was how to get out on the ice and tell that boy a few things about his skates and his hair, which was by the way, too short for a faux-hawk!
I digress.
Instead, my deep, intense ponderings began during a family devotion, the day after this happened. We were discussing God's love for us and how we could truly love others in that way. Still thinking about the day before, Steve asked, "Well, Alex, how could you have shown him love?" There was silence. Being the Momma Bear that I am, I suppressed the feelings of anger rising within me and sat quietly waiting to hear what my little one said - all the while thinking, "Well, it probably would be best just to tell this young man that my son liked his hair the way it was and walk away." Yes, that would have been fine, but that wasn't the right answer.
A few seconds later, my husband said something that still rings in my ears and resonates with my heart on every level. He said, "What you could have done is say,'Well, I like my hair this way. By the way, you're hair is pretty cool, too.'"
I got hit right between the eyes with that one. You see, too many times I think that I am loving someone...that I am exhibiting Christ-like behavior, just because I DON'T respond when they "push my buttons." And I am...in a way. But if we're really talking about loving others the way Christ loved us, I think we have to take it further than just "not responding." Christ DEMONSTRATED His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God put His love for us into action. He made a decision of His will to "act out" His love...regardless of the present circumstances or the eventual outcome.
You know, I can't predict what will happen the next time Alex meets this young man. I can, however, predict what will happen when I do. I will love him. I will choose to encourage him, despite his potential to discourage my son, yet again. I will choose to fight how I feel, and bless, instead of curse. I will choose to pray for him and do good unto him, regardless. I will choose to love him, as Jesus has loved me.
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You that you love me fully and unconditionally. Teach me to love the way You do...regardless of the situation. Teach me to be intentional about my responses to those around me. Glorify Yourself through Your love of others, through my life. Praise You, Father...Praise You.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Life Lessons from Little Ones
This happened several years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.
The weather was awful. It was storming outside - so much so, that I would not have been surprised to see Dorothy and Toto floating by my kitchen window, accompanied by a lion, a scarecrow and a shiny tin-man.
We were supposed to be going to a friend's house that day, but because of the weather, I decided to postpone our trip. I was disappointed, but not half as much as my daughter. She had been waiting for DAYS to go to Raleigh to see her friend, and the thought of not going was not an option. So, KK went right to the Source and simply asked God to make the rain stop.
Not wanting her to be upset when the rain didn't magically cease, I started a "spiritually-mature" conversation with her about how God may choose NOT to answer her prayer in the way she desired. Can I just tell you how embarrassed and ashamed I felt a few moments later, when the rain stopped and the sun burst forth from behind the clouds as if to scream, "I'm Back!" KK ran in the room and said, "Mommy, I prayed that God would make the rain stop, and He did. Now we can go to Andrew's!"
The sad thing is...I didn't expect it to happen. I didn't expect God to stop the rain. But KK did. She fully expected the storms to stop, just because she asked...even when all she could see was wind and rain.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Somewhere along the line as an adult, I forgot that. Oh, I believe Him. I believe that God is. It's the part about Him being a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him that I seem to have trouble remembering.
Young children don't have that problem. They trust God will be a Rewarder. They don't need to see the answer in front of them, before they believe something to be true. They have a keen sense in knowing that God delights in honoring their requests, no matter how simple or insignificant they seem to us, as adults. Oh, to be more like them in our faith.
Today, Father, we seek You and believe that You desire to be our Rewarder. Thank You for the lessons You teach us through Your precious ones. Help us to pay closer attention to their simplicity of faith. May we please You with our faith today, as we diligently seek You and as we wait anxiously to see You answer.
The weather was awful. It was storming outside - so much so, that I would not have been surprised to see Dorothy and Toto floating by my kitchen window, accompanied by a lion, a scarecrow and a shiny tin-man.
We were supposed to be going to a friend's house that day, but because of the weather, I decided to postpone our trip. I was disappointed, but not half as much as my daughter. She had been waiting for DAYS to go to Raleigh to see her friend, and the thought of not going was not an option. So, KK went right to the Source and simply asked God to make the rain stop.
Not wanting her to be upset when the rain didn't magically cease, I started a "spiritually-mature" conversation with her about how God may choose NOT to answer her prayer in the way she desired. Can I just tell you how embarrassed and ashamed I felt a few moments later, when the rain stopped and the sun burst forth from behind the clouds as if to scream, "I'm Back!" KK ran in the room and said, "Mommy, I prayed that God would make the rain stop, and He did. Now we can go to Andrew's!"
The sad thing is...I didn't expect it to happen. I didn't expect God to stop the rain. But KK did. She fully expected the storms to stop, just because she asked...even when all she could see was wind and rain.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Somewhere along the line as an adult, I forgot that. Oh, I believe Him. I believe that God is. It's the part about Him being a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him that I seem to have trouble remembering.
Young children don't have that problem. They trust God will be a Rewarder. They don't need to see the answer in front of them, before they believe something to be true. They have a keen sense in knowing that God delights in honoring their requests, no matter how simple or insignificant they seem to us, as adults. Oh, to be more like them in our faith.
Today, Father, we seek You and believe that You desire to be our Rewarder. Thank You for the lessons You teach us through Your precious ones. Help us to pay closer attention to their simplicity of faith. May we please You with our faith today, as we diligently seek You and as we wait anxiously to see You answer.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord...
Why? Is God who He claims to be? Is He able to be trusted? Is He capable of handling our lives? If your soul screamed "YES!" to these questions, as mine did, then let's trust Him. Let's believe Him. Let's know that He will not fail us.
...with all your heart...
He wants everything we are. He wants the whole heart - the damaged pieces, the hiding places, the insecurities. He wants it "all."
...And lean not on your own understanding.
Our flesh fights this. We want to lean on what we know. We want to hold fast to what we can see, on what we understand to be real. BUT God says we are NEVER to put our trust in what our frail little minds can comprehend. There's no way we can understand fully YET. One day we will know fully, just as we are fully known (I Cor. 13:12), but for now, we're told to not trust in our thoughts or emotions or circumstances. Instead, we're to put our trust in Him and what He says in His Word.
Acknowledge Him...
It's our duty and our privilege to bow and "bend the knee" when God the Father comes into our presence. He is our King...our Ruler...our Lord. His presence is not to be ignored, but honored - and we do so, by acknowledging not only His presence in our lives, but His leadership.
...in all your ways...
It's all or nothing. He desires our total attention - our total allegience to His authority in our lives - our complete and unconditional surrender.
...and He will direct your paths.
What a promise from the God of the universe in Whom there is no deceit - He will direct our paths.
Lord, I trust in You will all my heart. I choose not to lean on what I think to be truth or feel to be right, but instead acknowledge You as my God and my King. I surrender to what You have planned for me, and I "bend the knee" to You. Thank You, Father, that as I do this in every area of my life on a daily, minute by minute basis, You promise that You will direct me. I don't have to worry about where I'm going in life, for You're leading me and guiding me. Thank You for Your promise, Jesus. Amen.
Why? Is God who He claims to be? Is He able to be trusted? Is He capable of handling our lives? If your soul screamed "YES!" to these questions, as mine did, then let's trust Him. Let's believe Him. Let's know that He will not fail us.
...with all your heart...
He wants everything we are. He wants the whole heart - the damaged pieces, the hiding places, the insecurities. He wants it "all."
...And lean not on your own understanding.
Our flesh fights this. We want to lean on what we know. We want to hold fast to what we can see, on what we understand to be real. BUT God says we are NEVER to put our trust in what our frail little minds can comprehend. There's no way we can understand fully YET. One day we will know fully, just as we are fully known (I Cor. 13:12), but for now, we're told to not trust in our thoughts or emotions or circumstances. Instead, we're to put our trust in Him and what He says in His Word.
Acknowledge Him...
It's our duty and our privilege to bow and "bend the knee" when God the Father comes into our presence. He is our King...our Ruler...our Lord. His presence is not to be ignored, but honored - and we do so, by acknowledging not only His presence in our lives, but His leadership.
...in all your ways...
It's all or nothing. He desires our total attention - our total allegience to His authority in our lives - our complete and unconditional surrender.
...and He will direct your paths.
What a promise from the God of the universe in Whom there is no deceit - He will direct our paths.
Lord, I trust in You will all my heart. I choose not to lean on what I think to be truth or feel to be right, but instead acknowledge You as my God and my King. I surrender to what You have planned for me, and I "bend the knee" to You. Thank You, Father, that as I do this in every area of my life on a daily, minute by minute basis, You promise that You will direct me. I don't have to worry about where I'm going in life, for You're leading me and guiding me. Thank You for Your promise, Jesus. Amen.
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