I've never been much of a history buff. Well, at least not until I got older and started homeschooling my children. Now, I can't seem to get enough. The "How's and Why's" of time are fascinating to me, along with the "Who's and What's."
So, it's no wonder when we started studying the book of Revelation a few Sundays ago, my interest in the history behind the book was piqued. I've been fascinated by what I have found about the man John the Apostle and the seemingly hopeless situation he was in.
You see, the Roman Emperor Domitian - who believed he was god and demanded to be worshiped in that manner - hated the Christians. Because of this, it wasn't a surprise that when he caught wind of John the Apostle and his teachings of Christ, he had the old man forcibly taken out of his home and dragged to Rome to undergo trial. The Apostle was convicted of not bowing before Domitian and ordered to be put into a vat of boiling oil.
"Wait a minute," you might say, "I thought John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his punishment?" To which I would say, "Yes, he was." "So how was he banished if he died in a vat of boiling oil?" you reply. To which I would say with a grin on my face, "Because he didn't die in the vat of oil. He walked out of it unharmed."
Now, this event is not recorded in Scripture, but it is recorded by other historians as fact. One of these historians, Tertullian, was known for his accuracy in recording historical events, so the miracle that happened in the life of John that day, is in fact, accurate history.
So how could a ruler, who wished to silence the Christian voice of John the Apostle, do so, if he couldn't kill him? The answer was simple. He would send John away from everything and everyone so that his testimony could be contained, and what better place for containment than an island!
Sounds like an evil plan, doesn't it? Yes, but what Satan and men mean for evil, God means for good (Gen. 50:20). He takes those things that threaten our very lives...the things that send us reeling emotionally...the things that isolate us from those we love...the things that seem utterly hopeless and then He uses them to accomplish His purposes in us. Do we see it at the time? Unfortunately, most of the time we don't. We tend to get bogged down in our lives, moment by moment and don't see the big picture. And yet, God takes those moment by moment circumstances and blends them together beautifully, creating a tapestry far more intriguing and wonderful than anything we could ever expect.
How do I know? Well, Scripture cites Truth after Truth of this happening, and Revelation is just one example. For instance, was it a good thing that John was taken from his home, put in a vat of boiling oil, and then exiled to an island? If you were here with me right now, you would hear me emphatically say, with both eyebrows raised, "YES!"
Sounds strange, doesn't it? But in John's "supposed" darkest hour, God revealed Himself the most! Let me repeat that...in John's "supposed" darkest hour, God revealed Himself the most!
Domitian's evil plan didn't stop John from spreading the Word of God. It didn't silence his voice. Instead, it created the avenue for the Word - the final chapter of the life of the Believer and the non-believer - to be birthed into existence. Domitian created the avenue for Christians in John's day, as well as Believers today, to have hope in the coming of Jesus. In other words, he shot himself in the foot...or cut off his nose despite his face...however you want to put it! What Domitian intended for evil, God used for good...much good!
So if you find yourself today, persecuted and uncomfortable...if you find yourself being bullied and badgered for being a Believer...if you find yourself today isolated and alone because of your belief in Christ, suffering at the hands of non-believers...Remember. Sometimes God reveals Himself the most in the "supposed" darkest hours.
Dearest Jesus, thank You for being my God...for speaking the most, revealing Yourself the most to me, during the "supposed" darkest times. You are awesome. You truly are.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
There's a Time for Everything...Even Grief
In the beginning, his name was Rocket. But as he grew into a 120 lb. blue tick hound/lab mix, we realized that the name "Rocket" just wasn't gonna work. So, he became Rocky - our big, lug of a pet.
He was a true friend. He listened well and always agreed with me. : ) He never retaliated if I snapped at him for almost taking my hand off while giving him a snack. All the kids lay on him at one time or another, and he just let it happen. He loved nothing more than to be with us...to be near us...to love on us.
He was a good dog. No. He was a great dog...loved by all who knew him. He scared those that needed to be scared and won-over those that could see past his huge size and deep, resounding bark.
The UPS people loved him.
My neighbors loved him.
My family loved him.
He was our Rocky. He was our friend.
So, today, I sit here on the patio, with tears brimming at the corners of my eyes wishing Rocky was in his normal spot at my feet. But he's not here. We had to say "goodbye" to him a couple of days ago, after 11 years.
"Belinda," you say, "you are normally so cheerful and carefree when you write. What is this? You are making me sad. Stop it!" I wish I could. It would be so much easier to brush off my heaviness and pretend that I'm not sad...but it's not time to do that yet. Right now, it is time to grieve.
AND THAT'S OKAY.
Losing someone or something that you love is never fun. As a matter of fact, death seems to zap all the fun right out of everything...at least for a little while.
Yes, it would be easier to pretend the sorrow didn't exist. I know some people do that. They choose to clench their jaws, tighten their "boot-straps" and go on...somehow thinking that tears are a sign of weakness.
But can I tell you, God doesn't see grief that way. He doesn't see it as something to push aside. As a matter of fact, God tells us in Ecclesiastes 3, to expect it to happen: "To everything there is a season a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; (v. 1-4).
God doesn't expect us to drop our grief like a burdensome trinket and then move forward. No, He has appointed a "time" for grief. How thankful I am for that today. How thankful I am that in His Word, God doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. He doesn't glance away when we get upset, pretending that everything will be okay. He doesn't tell us to jump up from our position of mourning and pretend that nothing really hurts us. Instead, He gets right in there with us, walking us through the trenches of sorrow and pain, healing our hearts with His gentle reminders of hope: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.
If you are in the first part of that verse...the mourning part...please remember, you won't be there forever. Allow yourself some "time" to mourn. Allow yourself some "time" to heal. Allow yourself some "time" to weep. It's okay. The laughter will come, my friend, as you allow God to heal your broken heart through your tears. And the dancing will come, as well...although some of us might want to opt-out of allowing this one to happen in public!
See, I'm not teary anymore, and I actually have a slight smile lifting the corners of my lips. I guess it was just time for a good chuckle.
Thank You, Jesus, that through You, I have hope...even in death. I have joy in memories and await the day when You will make all things right. I love You, Lord.
He was a true friend. He listened well and always agreed with me. : ) He never retaliated if I snapped at him for almost taking my hand off while giving him a snack. All the kids lay on him at one time or another, and he just let it happen. He loved nothing more than to be with us...to be near us...to love on us.
He was a good dog. No. He was a great dog...loved by all who knew him. He scared those that needed to be scared and won-over those that could see past his huge size and deep, resounding bark.
The UPS people loved him.
My neighbors loved him.
My family loved him.
He was our Rocky. He was our friend.
So, today, I sit here on the patio, with tears brimming at the corners of my eyes wishing Rocky was in his normal spot at my feet. But he's not here. We had to say "goodbye" to him a couple of days ago, after 11 years.
"Belinda," you say, "you are normally so cheerful and carefree when you write. What is this? You are making me sad. Stop it!" I wish I could. It would be so much easier to brush off my heaviness and pretend that I'm not sad...but it's not time to do that yet. Right now, it is time to grieve.
AND THAT'S OKAY.
Losing someone or something that you love is never fun. As a matter of fact, death seems to zap all the fun right out of everything...at least for a little while.
Yes, it would be easier to pretend the sorrow didn't exist. I know some people do that. They choose to clench their jaws, tighten their "boot-straps" and go on...somehow thinking that tears are a sign of weakness.
But can I tell you, God doesn't see grief that way. He doesn't see it as something to push aside. As a matter of fact, God tells us in Ecclesiastes 3, to expect it to happen: "To everything there is a season a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; (v. 1-4).
God doesn't expect us to drop our grief like a burdensome trinket and then move forward. No, He has appointed a "time" for grief. How thankful I am for that today. How thankful I am that in His Word, God doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. He doesn't glance away when we get upset, pretending that everything will be okay. He doesn't tell us to jump up from our position of mourning and pretend that nothing really hurts us. Instead, He gets right in there with us, walking us through the trenches of sorrow and pain, healing our hearts with His gentle reminders of hope: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.
If you are in the first part of that verse...the mourning part...please remember, you won't be there forever. Allow yourself some "time" to mourn. Allow yourself some "time" to heal. Allow yourself some "time" to weep. It's okay. The laughter will come, my friend, as you allow God to heal your broken heart through your tears. And the dancing will come, as well...although some of us might want to opt-out of allowing this one to happen in public!
See, I'm not teary anymore, and I actually have a slight smile lifting the corners of my lips. I guess it was just time for a good chuckle.
Thank You, Jesus, that through You, I have hope...even in death. I have joy in memories and await the day when You will make all things right. I love You, Lord.
Monday, May 26, 2014
A Lesson From the Movie Frozen...Well, Sort Of!
The lyrics read like this:
"Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don’t care what they’re going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway."
If you have a daughter - or son for that matter - somewhere between the ages of two and twenty, you have probably heard them sing these words at least four or five times in the last several months. I've even found myself singing them throughout the house...at least the "Let it go" part. By the time I get that out, my kids have run screaming into the other room, with their hands clasped tightly covering their ears.
The lyrics came from a movie called Frozen, and while the song has a catchy tune, with lifting lyrics and rhythms, I can't say that I agree with the song's intentions. Basically, the character singing the tune is spouting her new-found "freedom" by "blowing off" everyone that she ever knew and loved.
However, the first few words have become meaningful to me, but that's about it. So, I've decided to keep the tune and inject my own lyrics. See what you think:
Let it go! Let it go!
Can't hold on to it anymore.
Let it Go! Let it go!
Turn it loose and see what God has in store.
I can't win, if I try to hold on.
Take it out of my hands.
You've got control of this anyway.
Okay, so maybe it won't be a Top 40 on the radio, but I think you get my point.
My mom told me a while back that I just needed to let it go, and let God handle it. Of course, she was right, but harder said than done. I wanted to handle the problem. I wanted to control the situation, so that God could be glorified. Great motives, huh?
I finally came to the realization - or actually the Holy Spirit reminded me - that God doesn't need me to control a situation so He can be glorified. He needs me to get out of the way, so He can glorify HIMSELF!
Duh.
So, when you feel out of control...guess what? Let it go. Give it over to Him. Tell God what the situation is - He knows it anyway. Go ahead and tell Him what you would like to see happen in the situation, and then sit back and watch as He works out what He has planned. Now, sometimes that plan involves what you want to see happen, and sometimes it doesn't. Either way, if you and I are OUT of the way, allowing Him to work...He can get His glory, His way!
Let it go, my friend. Let it go - not in the Frozen-sense of the word...but in the Jesus-sense of the WORD.
Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted among the earth (Ps. 46:10).
And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? (Luke 12:25-26).
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done (Phil. 4:6).
Thank You, Jesus, that You have all things under Your control, even when I think life it cascading OUT of control. Thank You that I don't have to deal with it on my own...that You never expected me to. You merely ask me to trust that You have it all, right where You need it to be. I praise You, Jesus and look forward to seeing what You will do. I trust You. I really do.
"Let it go, let it go
Can’t hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don’t care what they’re going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway."
If you have a daughter - or son for that matter - somewhere between the ages of two and twenty, you have probably heard them sing these words at least four or five times in the last several months. I've even found myself singing them throughout the house...at least the "Let it go" part. By the time I get that out, my kids have run screaming into the other room, with their hands clasped tightly covering their ears.
The lyrics came from a movie called Frozen, and while the song has a catchy tune, with lifting lyrics and rhythms, I can't say that I agree with the song's intentions. Basically, the character singing the tune is spouting her new-found "freedom" by "blowing off" everyone that she ever knew and loved.
However, the first few words have become meaningful to me, but that's about it. So, I've decided to keep the tune and inject my own lyrics. See what you think:
Let it go! Let it go!
Can't hold on to it anymore.
Let it Go! Let it go!
Turn it loose and see what God has in store.
I can't win, if I try to hold on.
Take it out of my hands.
You've got control of this anyway.
Okay, so maybe it won't be a Top 40 on the radio, but I think you get my point.
My mom told me a while back that I just needed to let it go, and let God handle it. Of course, she was right, but harder said than done. I wanted to handle the problem. I wanted to control the situation, so that God could be glorified. Great motives, huh?
I finally came to the realization - or actually the Holy Spirit reminded me - that God doesn't need me to control a situation so He can be glorified. He needs me to get out of the way, so He can glorify HIMSELF!
Duh.
So, when you feel out of control...guess what? Let it go. Give it over to Him. Tell God what the situation is - He knows it anyway. Go ahead and tell Him what you would like to see happen in the situation, and then sit back and watch as He works out what He has planned. Now, sometimes that plan involves what you want to see happen, and sometimes it doesn't. Either way, if you and I are OUT of the way, allowing Him to work...He can get His glory, His way!
Let it go, my friend. Let it go - not in the Frozen-sense of the word...but in the Jesus-sense of the WORD.
Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted among the earth (Ps. 46:10).
And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? (Luke 12:25-26).
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done (Phil. 4:6).
Thank You, Jesus, that You have all things under Your control, even when I think life it cascading OUT of control. Thank You that I don't have to deal with it on my own...that You never expected me to. You merely ask me to trust that You have it all, right where You need it to be. I praise You, Jesus and look forward to seeing what You will do. I trust You. I really do.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Mother's Day - Not Just a Day to Remember Mothers
I awoke to smells of bacon, clanging sounds coming from the kitchen, and the scent of coffee wafting through the air. Boy, Mother's Day sure is wonderful!
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, anxiously awaiting the wonderful breakfast I knew had been prepared. My nose led to me to the kitchen where I saw oranges, bananas, apples, and grapes sliced and arranged in a chef-like manner on a glass plate. I saw the purple sunshades and straw hat that my little one had purchased for me, so that I didn't burn my noggin while out in my garden. I saw the large Twizzler my other child had purchased for my intense sweet tooth and a beautiful little plaque, written out by my daughter in purple marker, thanking me for being her mom.
What a day!
I gobbled up breakfast, and as I headed back into my room to get ready for church, something on the dining room table caught my attention. It was a myriad of pictures; pictures of my kids at various ages, all spread across one side of the table with a big "Happy Mother's Day!" written on a piece of purple tissue paper, slap dab in the center of the collage.
As I stood there, admiring the beauty of the presentation, my thoughts went back in time. I remembered the doctor telling me that I might consider "other options," because I might never have children. I remembered the little ones that I had, but never held. I remembered the heartbeats on the monitors and the hospital gowns and how awful I looked after delivery. I remembered the pudgy hands and feet of my kids, and how huge the thighs were of one of them! I remembered their first smiles...their great laughs...and then I thought about how big they are now - playing football and getting permits to drive.
I remembered how much God had done in my life and in the lives of the little faces splattered across those pictures. I remembered...
...And I was so thankful.
I stood there, gazing intently over each picture and the one thought that pervaded my mind was, "You have been so good to me, Lord...so good."
You know, I think rather than picking up the pictures and putting them away, I might leave them scattered on the table for a little while longer. Maybe that will help ME remember His continued faithfulness to me, when I can see it clearly...and even when I can't.
Thanks God...for the gentle reminder that You have been good and faithful, even when I have been not-so-good and faithless. Thank You that the way I feel has very little to do with Who You are...that You never change and that You have said You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank You for being My God. I love You.
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, anxiously awaiting the wonderful breakfast I knew had been prepared. My nose led to me to the kitchen where I saw oranges, bananas, apples, and grapes sliced and arranged in a chef-like manner on a glass plate. I saw the purple sunshades and straw hat that my little one had purchased for me, so that I didn't burn my noggin while out in my garden. I saw the large Twizzler my other child had purchased for my intense sweet tooth and a beautiful little plaque, written out by my daughter in purple marker, thanking me for being her mom.
What a day!
I gobbled up breakfast, and as I headed back into my room to get ready for church, something on the dining room table caught my attention. It was a myriad of pictures; pictures of my kids at various ages, all spread across one side of the table with a big "Happy Mother's Day!" written on a piece of purple tissue paper, slap dab in the center of the collage.
As I stood there, admiring the beauty of the presentation, my thoughts went back in time. I remembered the doctor telling me that I might consider "other options," because I might never have children. I remembered the little ones that I had, but never held. I remembered the heartbeats on the monitors and the hospital gowns and how awful I looked after delivery. I remembered the pudgy hands and feet of my kids, and how huge the thighs were of one of them! I remembered their first smiles...their great laughs...and then I thought about how big they are now - playing football and getting permits to drive.
I remembered how much God had done in my life and in the lives of the little faces splattered across those pictures. I remembered...
...And I was so thankful.
I stood there, gazing intently over each picture and the one thought that pervaded my mind was, "You have been so good to me, Lord...so good."
II Tim. 2:13 says, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful,
for He cannot disown Himself."
Those pictures were a reminder of His faithfulness to me. A collage of His proven care and provision in my life. They weren't just about His decision to give me children and provide the things that I needed for them, but reminders of the times that He was so very faithful, when I was so faithless.
Maybe you don't have pictures of kids to strew across your dining room table. Maybe you desired nothing more than to hold a little one in your own arms, and dread fills your Mother's Days or even Father's Days, for that matter. Can I encourage you to do something?
Find other pictures.
God's faithfulness spans across our entire lives, weaving in and out of our joys and sorrows...our wants fulfilled and desires never met. The Truth is, He has been faithful to you, my friend. Even if it looks just the opposite. Even if everything in your life right now is a bundle of turmoil. He has been faithful and is being faithful at this very moment...He really is - for even if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Thanks God...for the gentle reminder that You have been good and faithful, even when I have been not-so-good and faithless. Thank You that the way I feel has very little to do with Who You are...that You never change and that You have said You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank You for being My God. I love You.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Will the Real King of the Jungle Please Rise
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! They were everywhere...well, not exactly everywhere. They were all nicely tucked away in their enclosures.
The North Carolina Zoological Park is a great place to visit, if you have never been. Our trip last week as a family was the first of many, I am sure, for our seven year old. He has a deep love and respect for animals, and that trip just fueled his fire even more. It was so cool to watch him as he caught glance after glance of the creatures he'd only seen in books, up until this point. His little eyes would light up and "Whoa" was a common phrase out of his mouth. On his top ten list of animals to see on our trip was the lion, and when we got to the King of the Beast's enclosure, let's just say it was a little less than climactic.
I guess I expected to see the great animal sauntering around, showing off his mane and exhibiting his authority over all those in his presence. But what we saw was a big, lazy kitty cat, who didn't even lift his head off the warm ground to say "hi" to those who whooped and called at him, trying to get his attention. If there hadn't been a protective barrier in between us, I might have tried to sneak up and lie down beside the great beast, cuddling up to his warm body. It sure looked as though that would NOT have been a problem.
However, I know from my vast experience with lions (in books and on TV), that it would have been a disaster. This was no ordinary beast. This was a lion...the King of the Jungle...and he could lay around however and whenever he desired. And if you know what's good for you, you won't disturb his kingly sleep. If you do, he will not be happy, to say the least!
So, it's no wonder that I have "lion on the brain" today.
That's why while searching the Scriptures for God to tell me something to jot down, I thought it was very interesting that He led me to the Topical Index in my Bible to look up the word "lion." And yes, I found something VERY interesting; something I haven't noticed before.
In I Peter 5:8, Scripture tells us to "be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." But as I looked a little further, I noticed that in Revelation 5:5, Jesus was also described by the term Lion: "...do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
Now, I found that interesting...that both Jesus and the Devil would be compared to the King of the Beasts. It was actually quite unsettling for me, and I just couldn't let it go.
That's when I saw it.
Look back at I Pet. 5:8. Read it again.
It doesn't say that the devil IS a lion. It simply says that he prowls about LIKE a lion.
Contrast that statement with Rev. 5:5, and you will see that Jesus, on the other hand, IS the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Okay, so what's the big deal?!? Glad you asked, because I am thrilled to tell you! Satan, as he has from the very beginning of time, merely PRETENDS to be THE lion. He tries to push us into the proverbial corner and flaunt his power at us, shaking his mane and roaring to the top of his lungs to scare us into submission. His tactics are powerful and scary, but he IS NO LION.
Jesus, on the other hand, IS! He is the REAL King. He is the REAL Lion. He is the One Who really has the power. And when we are with Him, we need not fear the cheap imitation who prowls around, shaking his pitiful little mane and flaunting his big teeth. We need only to climb inside the enclosure and rest beside the One Who with just a glance, can cause the imposter to cower and flee from the presence of the real King and the little one He calls His own
I praise You, Jesus. You are the Almighty, Powerful, Lion of Judah. I praise You for Your power and Your Presence in my life. You are King, and I am Yours. I Praise You!
The North Carolina Zoological Park is a great place to visit, if you have never been. Our trip last week as a family was the first of many, I am sure, for our seven year old. He has a deep love and respect for animals, and that trip just fueled his fire even more. It was so cool to watch him as he caught glance after glance of the creatures he'd only seen in books, up until this point. His little eyes would light up and "Whoa" was a common phrase out of his mouth. On his top ten list of animals to see on our trip was the lion, and when we got to the King of the Beast's enclosure, let's just say it was a little less than climactic.
I guess I expected to see the great animal sauntering around, showing off his mane and exhibiting his authority over all those in his presence. But what we saw was a big, lazy kitty cat, who didn't even lift his head off the warm ground to say "hi" to those who whooped and called at him, trying to get his attention. If there hadn't been a protective barrier in between us, I might have tried to sneak up and lie down beside the great beast, cuddling up to his warm body. It sure looked as though that would NOT have been a problem.
However, I know from my vast experience with lions (in books and on TV), that it would have been a disaster. This was no ordinary beast. This was a lion...the King of the Jungle...and he could lay around however and whenever he desired. And if you know what's good for you, you won't disturb his kingly sleep. If you do, he will not be happy, to say the least!
So, it's no wonder that I have "lion on the brain" today.
That's why while searching the Scriptures for God to tell me something to jot down, I thought it was very interesting that He led me to the Topical Index in my Bible to look up the word "lion." And yes, I found something VERY interesting; something I haven't noticed before.
In I Peter 5:8, Scripture tells us to "be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." But as I looked a little further, I noticed that in Revelation 5:5, Jesus was also described by the term Lion: "...do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
Now, I found that interesting...that both Jesus and the Devil would be compared to the King of the Beasts. It was actually quite unsettling for me, and I just couldn't let it go.
That's when I saw it.
Look back at I Pet. 5:8. Read it again.
It doesn't say that the devil IS a lion. It simply says that he prowls about LIKE a lion.
Contrast that statement with Rev. 5:5, and you will see that Jesus, on the other hand, IS the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Okay, so what's the big deal?!? Glad you asked, because I am thrilled to tell you! Satan, as he has from the very beginning of time, merely PRETENDS to be THE lion. He tries to push us into the proverbial corner and flaunt his power at us, shaking his mane and roaring to the top of his lungs to scare us into submission. His tactics are powerful and scary, but he IS NO LION.
Jesus, on the other hand, IS! He is the REAL King. He is the REAL Lion. He is the One Who really has the power. And when we are with Him, we need not fear the cheap imitation who prowls around, shaking his pitiful little mane and flaunting his big teeth. We need only to climb inside the enclosure and rest beside the One Who with just a glance, can cause the imposter to cower and flee from the presence of the real King and the little one He calls His own
I praise You, Jesus. You are the Almighty, Powerful, Lion of Judah. I praise You for Your power and Your Presence in my life. You are King, and I am Yours. I Praise You!
Monday, March 31, 2014
He is With Us...and He is Our God
The text read: "Be kefir (careful) in the storm."
"What storm?" I thought and re-focused my attention to my coupon book. A few minutes later, while unloading my groceries into the car, I got another text. This one said, "Serious storm headed toward Alex." Another text immediately followed. It was a picture this time of a TV screen covered in reds and greens - a weather radar shot.
Now, THAT got my attention.
You see, our son was participating in a Disciple Now weekend at a church in Wendell, directly in the path of an on-coming tornado.
My heart began to beat a little faster. My mind started racing: Where is he now? Is he safe? Is he scared? Where is the tornado? Is it on the ground?
All the sudden, I stopped thinking and began praying. "God protect him. Cover him, the building he's in, the people he's with, with your protection." All the sudden, the crazy, bullet-speed type thoughts ceased and peace came. I no longer was worried about his safety. I knew whatever happened, God was in control, and it would be okay, even if it wasn't okay.
I put the car in drive and began heading home. It wasn't until I got home and started thinking about how horrified all those kids must be that the thoughts returned. My mind was flooded with how my own child must feel, being there without us...with people he didn't really know...in an unfamiliar place.
I wanted to be there with him. I wanted to tell him that God "had this." Most of all, I wanted him home and safe with me, and I wanted it NOW. Flurries of anxiety filled my head and again, I found myself praying. Except this time, it began with an apology to the Father. Because somewhere in my rant and rave, the Spirit spoke into my heart: "So you can trust Me with your child's safety, but you can't trust me to handle his emotional state?"
God was right - as usual : )
I don't have a hard time trusting Him with the Big stuff...the stuff I know that I have no control over, but I have an incredibly hard time trusting Him with the little stuff - the stuff that I think I can do something about - the things I think I can control if I have the chance.
And yet, regardless of the "bigness" or the "smallness" of it, fear is fear - sin - a lack of trust in the Father. Period.
Is. 41:10 says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
I love this verse. In it, God commands us not to fear. "Why?" you might ask. "Why should we not be afraid of the tornadoes and the bad weather and the emotional upheaval they cause?" Simply put - for He is with us. "Why should we not freak out and allow those crazy, random thoughts to fill our minds, causing stress and inhibiting rational thinking?" Again, simply put - He is our God.
God doesn't tell us not to fear, because it's really not as bad as we think it is. He doesn't try to gloss over the emotional upheaval and say that tornadoes are just little gusts of wind. He doesn't pretend that we have nothing to be afraid of as humans. Instead, He focuses our attention away from the things that cause us fear and re-focuses our attention onto Himself. He is with us. He is our God, and He is big enough to handle anything that is thrown OUR way.
He's letting us know that He is still in control, when everything makes us think otherwise. He is reminding us that nothing can touch us that hasn't been filtered through His hand first. He assuring us that He's "got this," that He hasn't left us alone...and never will.
Do yourself a favor. Memorize this verse. Place it in your spiritual arsenal to hurl against those fearful emotions, when they seem to be enveloping you.
Remember. God is your God, my friend, if you are in Christ - and He is WITH us.
Dear Father, thank You that you are my God...that You have never once thought about leaving Your child, and You never will. Thank You that You are always there and that You don't PRETEND that everything will be alright - You MAKE everything alright. You truly are my God. I love You, and I trust in You.
"What storm?" I thought and re-focused my attention to my coupon book. A few minutes later, while unloading my groceries into the car, I got another text. This one said, "Serious storm headed toward Alex." Another text immediately followed. It was a picture this time of a TV screen covered in reds and greens - a weather radar shot.
Now, THAT got my attention.
You see, our son was participating in a Disciple Now weekend at a church in Wendell, directly in the path of an on-coming tornado.
My heart began to beat a little faster. My mind started racing: Where is he now? Is he safe? Is he scared? Where is the tornado? Is it on the ground?
All the sudden, I stopped thinking and began praying. "God protect him. Cover him, the building he's in, the people he's with, with your protection." All the sudden, the crazy, bullet-speed type thoughts ceased and peace came. I no longer was worried about his safety. I knew whatever happened, God was in control, and it would be okay, even if it wasn't okay.
I put the car in drive and began heading home. It wasn't until I got home and started thinking about how horrified all those kids must be that the thoughts returned. My mind was flooded with how my own child must feel, being there without us...with people he didn't really know...in an unfamiliar place.
I wanted to be there with him. I wanted to tell him that God "had this." Most of all, I wanted him home and safe with me, and I wanted it NOW. Flurries of anxiety filled my head and again, I found myself praying. Except this time, it began with an apology to the Father. Because somewhere in my rant and rave, the Spirit spoke into my heart: "So you can trust Me with your child's safety, but you can't trust me to handle his emotional state?"
God was right - as usual : )
I don't have a hard time trusting Him with the Big stuff...the stuff I know that I have no control over, but I have an incredibly hard time trusting Him with the little stuff - the stuff that I think I can do something about - the things I think I can control if I have the chance.
And yet, regardless of the "bigness" or the "smallness" of it, fear is fear - sin - a lack of trust in the Father. Period.
Is. 41:10 says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
I love this verse. In it, God commands us not to fear. "Why?" you might ask. "Why should we not be afraid of the tornadoes and the bad weather and the emotional upheaval they cause?" Simply put - for He is with us. "Why should we not freak out and allow those crazy, random thoughts to fill our minds, causing stress and inhibiting rational thinking?" Again, simply put - He is our God.
God doesn't tell us not to fear, because it's really not as bad as we think it is. He doesn't try to gloss over the emotional upheaval and say that tornadoes are just little gusts of wind. He doesn't pretend that we have nothing to be afraid of as humans. Instead, He focuses our attention away from the things that cause us fear and re-focuses our attention onto Himself. He is with us. He is our God, and He is big enough to handle anything that is thrown OUR way.
He's letting us know that He is still in control, when everything makes us think otherwise. He is reminding us that nothing can touch us that hasn't been filtered through His hand first. He assuring us that He's "got this," that He hasn't left us alone...and never will.
Do yourself a favor. Memorize this verse. Place it in your spiritual arsenal to hurl against those fearful emotions, when they seem to be enveloping you.
Remember. God is your God, my friend, if you are in Christ - and He is WITH us.
Dear Father, thank You that you are my God...that You have never once thought about leaving Your child, and You never will. Thank You that You are always there and that You don't PRETEND that everything will be alright - You MAKE everything alright. You truly are my God. I love You, and I trust in You.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Life's a Little Like a Lawn Mower Sometimes
Spring is upon us. Okay, so there is actually a Winter Storm Warning that has crept back into the forecast for today, but the daffodils are blooming and the Bradford Pear trees are beginning to bud. Along with these signs of spring, come thoughts of gardens producing (or not!), flowers blooming in bright, beautiful colors and patterns in our lawns, and grass...and oh, the grass. Grass that needs to be cut and lawnmowers that spend more time in the shop than they do on our lawns. Are you with me?
Speaking of lawn mowers...
Have you ever thought about the fact that a lawnmower is just a big, hunk of useless metal that takes up space in your back yard, unless it has something to power it? Intrinsically, it has no power on its own. You can try to coax it to cut your grass. You can even slip it a twenty, but it won't budge unless it has something filling the tank.
It's THEN the mower becomes useful. The engine can be turned over and behold - this big hunk of metal begins to do it's job. Within a matter of minutes or hours, the mower accomplishes the purpose for which it was created - to cut the grass.
Let's pretend for a moment. Let's just say that I had company coming over in less than an hour and realize the grass has not been cut. I hurry outside, grab the lawnmower, pull the cord, the engine roars, and I go on my merry way. All of the sudden, my mower spits and sputters and the engine quits...reminding me that I forgot to fill the tank with gas. I go to get the gas can and alas, no more gas and no more time to go get some.
Being the mechanically brilliant person that I am, I decide that if I add a little oil and water to the gas tank, that should get the engine working enough to finish the yard. All of you who know anything about motors are shaking your heads in shame right now. You know that if I add anything else to the tank besides gasoline, I've got real problems. The engine won't start, and my guests will arrive, unable to see the driveway because of the forest of grass that blocks the view.
Translate that into our spiritual life.
II Corinthians says, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
Like it or not, we are the earthen vessels II Corinthians talks about. We are plain, useless, and powerless. The "treasure" that we hold within us has nothing to do with us. It is not our abilities or our talents or our even gifts we desire to give to the Lord. The "treasure" is the Spirit, Himself. The "treasure" is the power that works within us to show God to the world...that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
Unfortunately, I sometimes have issues with this. You see, I want to be the power behind the treasure. I want to "help" God fulfill His plans for me. I want to "add" something to my tank.
For example, rather than pray about what I need to do in certain situations, I have a tendency to go ahead and try to fix the problem in my own power. Rather than sitting and listening to Him tell me what I need to be involved in, I'd rather just jump in with both feet and feel important in my service. Rather than waiting for an answer to a question I have, I'll push forward, hoping things will work out for the best.
I will live in, and by my own power, trust my human abilities to fulfill God's purpose and plan for my life...while the whole time adding water and oil to my GAS tank. My intentions are good, but my energy is soon drained, and I am once again, left feeling very empty. I was never intended to fulfill God's plan for me. That's His job.
God said that the excellency of the power was to look like Him, not like us. So when we try to "help" God, the things we do and accomplish look more like us, than like Him.
So my advice to you and to me today? Be the thing you were created to be - a vessel - a clean, empty, useable vessel. And allow Him to be the power that lives within, does the work, and ultimately gets the glory for the excellence of His power at work in your life.
Lord, let me be just a vessel today and when I try to take glory for the power that is at work w/in me, forgive and remind and rebuke, if necessary. Thank You for the power that lies within!
Speaking of lawn mowers...
Have you ever thought about the fact that a lawnmower is just a big, hunk of useless metal that takes up space in your back yard, unless it has something to power it? Intrinsically, it has no power on its own. You can try to coax it to cut your grass. You can even slip it a twenty, but it won't budge unless it has something filling the tank.
It's THEN the mower becomes useful. The engine can be turned over and behold - this big hunk of metal begins to do it's job. Within a matter of minutes or hours, the mower accomplishes the purpose for which it was created - to cut the grass.
Let's pretend for a moment. Let's just say that I had company coming over in less than an hour and realize the grass has not been cut. I hurry outside, grab the lawnmower, pull the cord, the engine roars, and I go on my merry way. All of the sudden, my mower spits and sputters and the engine quits...reminding me that I forgot to fill the tank with gas. I go to get the gas can and alas, no more gas and no more time to go get some.
Being the mechanically brilliant person that I am, I decide that if I add a little oil and water to the gas tank, that should get the engine working enough to finish the yard. All of you who know anything about motors are shaking your heads in shame right now. You know that if I add anything else to the tank besides gasoline, I've got real problems. The engine won't start, and my guests will arrive, unable to see the driveway because of the forest of grass that blocks the view.
Translate that into our spiritual life.
II Corinthians says, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
Like it or not, we are the earthen vessels II Corinthians talks about. We are plain, useless, and powerless. The "treasure" that we hold within us has nothing to do with us. It is not our abilities or our talents or our even gifts we desire to give to the Lord. The "treasure" is the Spirit, Himself. The "treasure" is the power that works within us to show God to the world...that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
Unfortunately, I sometimes have issues with this. You see, I want to be the power behind the treasure. I want to "help" God fulfill His plans for me. I want to "add" something to my tank.
For example, rather than pray about what I need to do in certain situations, I have a tendency to go ahead and try to fix the problem in my own power. Rather than sitting and listening to Him tell me what I need to be involved in, I'd rather just jump in with both feet and feel important in my service. Rather than waiting for an answer to a question I have, I'll push forward, hoping things will work out for the best.
I will live in, and by my own power, trust my human abilities to fulfill God's purpose and plan for my life...while the whole time adding water and oil to my GAS tank. My intentions are good, but my energy is soon drained, and I am once again, left feeling very empty. I was never intended to fulfill God's plan for me. That's His job.
God said that the excellency of the power was to look like Him, not like us. So when we try to "help" God, the things we do and accomplish look more like us, than like Him.
So my advice to you and to me today? Be the thing you were created to be - a vessel - a clean, empty, useable vessel. And allow Him to be the power that lives within, does the work, and ultimately gets the glory for the excellence of His power at work in your life.
Lord, let me be just a vessel today and when I try to take glory for the power that is at work w/in me, forgive and remind and rebuke, if necessary. Thank You for the power that lies within!
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