It was last year, Ma Belle had died, arrangement had been made, a memorial service had been planned. But there was one day when Papa asked what we were all thinking,"What do we do today?" It was a day where there was nothing left to do, it was a day to simply sit with sorrow. A day to reflect on the life of the one you love but also a day to simply feel the emotions that come with grief.
I think the Saturday between the day Jesus died for man's rebellion and Easter was a day set aside to simply reflect on what had just happened. How interesting it is to me that the Sabbath was the day after the crucifixion. On the Sabbath every thing was to stop there was to be no activity. With nothing to do there was no way to escape the depth of sorrow Jesus' followers must have felt.
The book of Jeremiah tells the story of the price that was paid for rebellion against God. Before they had ever entered the Promised Land they had been told, "You shall therefore keep the whole commandment that I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land that you are going over to possess."(Deuteronomy 11:8) Deuteronomy had also told what would happen if the people rebelled against God. Jeremiah was the weeping prophet who lived during the time when the punishment for rebellion that had been foretold came to pass.
Jeremiah also wrote Lamentations. "Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the LORD inflicted on the day of his fierce anger."(Lamentations 1:12) To lament is to passionately express grief. I wonder if when the disciples were lamenting on that Sabbath after Jesus died if they thought about Isaiah 53?"He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom me hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Lord Jesus, I do not like to pause and sit with sorrow. But it is only when I stop long enough to sit with sorrow and truly feel the darkness of the night that I can know the joy that comes in the morning. "My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:20-23) Lord Jesus You are the Bright Morning Star.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
The Mustard Seed and The Mulberry Tree
I prayed with apostles, "Lord, increase my faith." When I did I realized that what Jesus said to His apostles was meant for me as well. "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you.'"( Luke 17:6) And now I am officially confused!
The reason I wanted to ask for more faith in the first place is because I recognize something isn't working. When I read the Bible I see that when I put my faith in Jesus there was salvation from the penalty for my sins but there also should be a salvation from the presence of sin or sanctification daily taking place. This is why I'm asking for more faith I obviously don't have enough or I'd be experiencing more victories over my sin nature...right?
As I thought about the power of faith the size of a mustard seed I began to ask myself some questions. The first thing I asked myself was what exactly am I putting my faith in? That was when I realized that often I was not putting my faith in Jesus but in something I thought might comfort me when I messed up(sinned.) Sometimes I put my faith in programs to help me manage my sin. Both of these would bring a little relief but it never lasted very long and in the end I was worse off than before. I just kept finding myself more and more entangled.
When I looked for a picture of someone who had experienced a little bit of faith that had showed great profit I remembered the woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had put her faith in the physicians. She suffered much at their hands, spent all that she had and not only did she not get help she'd grown worse.
What did her faith look like? Because she believed that Jesus could help her she was willing to seek Him out even though she was considered unclean because of her condition. This stubborn sickness of hers that had plagued her for twelve long years reminded me of the sin that caused me to ask for more faith. She didn't have enough faith to call attention to herself but the faith she had was so strong that she believed that if she could only touch His garment she would get well. She reached out her hand touched His garment and, "Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction."(Mark 5:29)
Lord Jesus, today I ask You not for more faith but instead help me see what I'm putting my faith in. In every area of my life show me what it looks like to fully trust You. I want the kind of faith this woman had and I want to hear you say to me what You said to her. "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over." (Mark 5:34)
The reason I wanted to ask for more faith in the first place is because I recognize something isn't working. When I read the Bible I see that when I put my faith in Jesus there was salvation from the penalty for my sins but there also should be a salvation from the presence of sin or sanctification daily taking place. This is why I'm asking for more faith I obviously don't have enough or I'd be experiencing more victories over my sin nature...right?
As I thought about the power of faith the size of a mustard seed I began to ask myself some questions. The first thing I asked myself was what exactly am I putting my faith in? That was when I realized that often I was not putting my faith in Jesus but in something I thought might comfort me when I messed up(sinned.) Sometimes I put my faith in programs to help me manage my sin. Both of these would bring a little relief but it never lasted very long and in the end I was worse off than before. I just kept finding myself more and more entangled.
When I looked for a picture of someone who had experienced a little bit of faith that had showed great profit I remembered the woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had put her faith in the physicians. She suffered much at their hands, spent all that she had and not only did she not get help she'd grown worse.
What did her faith look like? Because she believed that Jesus could help her she was willing to seek Him out even though she was considered unclean because of her condition. This stubborn sickness of hers that had plagued her for twelve long years reminded me of the sin that caused me to ask for more faith. She didn't have enough faith to call attention to herself but the faith she had was so strong that she believed that if she could only touch His garment she would get well. She reached out her hand touched His garment and, "Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction."(Mark 5:29)
Lord Jesus, today I ask You not for more faith but instead help me see what I'm putting my faith in. In every area of my life show me what it looks like to fully trust You. I want the kind of faith this woman had and I want to hear you say to me what You said to her. "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over." (Mark 5:34)
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The Unseen Bridge
Sometimes when the day begins and I am confronted by all the situations over which I have no control I feel overwhelmed. But when I am afraid for myself or those I love I look in faith for the unseen bridge. "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."(Psalm 56:3) As I walk across that bridge I am delivered from fear. When the eyes of my spirit focus the person and promises of Jesus Christ I begin to find healing and wholeness for all the broken places in my life.
When I read the gospels I see that there are two kingdoms. There is the Kingdom of the World and there is the Kingdom of God and they are in conflict. The collision of these two Kingdoms can cause me to feel distressed and I can see no way of escape but there is a bridge. "In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."(John 16:33) Once again I choose to trust the promises of Jesus and find myself set free from the shackles from the Kingdom of this World walking across the bridge of faith I find healing and wholeness and peace even though there is still tribulation in this world.
Sometimes I am blinded by pain either by my own pain or the pain of those around me. Sometimes when I am confronted with evil I am blinded by fear. I become paralyzed and I cry out with the blind beggar in the Gospel of Luke, "Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me!" Like the beggar I hear my Savior say,"What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord,' I cry,' I want to regain my sight!" He speaks to me again through the words of Scripture,"Receive your sight your faith has made you well." I open my eyes and see again the bridge that takes me from where I am to where He is and my heart is full of praise and I begin again to follow Him.
But what do I do when I see the Kingdom of this World taking captive those I love. What about those who have become caught in the demon's snare and cannot cross the bridge of faith do I go ahead without them? I want to believe that there could be wholeness and healing for them but the pain of their suffering fills my mind and leaves room for little else. "Jesus!,' I cry with man in Mark nine,'If you can do any thing, take pity on us and help us.?" I hear the rebuke in Jesus' voice when He says,"If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes." With a broken heart I bring what little faith I have and say,"I believe; help my unbelief!" My faith is so weak and inadequate but the One in whom I place it is able to save, to heal and to make whole. With the eyes of my spirit focused on the person and promises of Jesus Christ I walk across the bridge hand in hand with those I love and we find healing and wholeness and salvation.
Lord Jesus, I am reminded again today that it was Your cross that made the bridge that took me from the Kingdom of this World to the Kingdom of God. Help me today as I choose to live my life based on Your promises. Help me to find in You the healing and wholeness and peace that only You can bring.
When I read the gospels I see that there are two kingdoms. There is the Kingdom of the World and there is the Kingdom of God and they are in conflict. The collision of these two Kingdoms can cause me to feel distressed and I can see no way of escape but there is a bridge. "In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."(John 16:33) Once again I choose to trust the promises of Jesus and find myself set free from the shackles from the Kingdom of this World walking across the bridge of faith I find healing and wholeness and peace even though there is still tribulation in this world.
Sometimes I am blinded by pain either by my own pain or the pain of those around me. Sometimes when I am confronted with evil I am blinded by fear. I become paralyzed and I cry out with the blind beggar in the Gospel of Luke, "Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me!" Like the beggar I hear my Savior say,"What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord,' I cry,' I want to regain my sight!" He speaks to me again through the words of Scripture,"Receive your sight your faith has made you well." I open my eyes and see again the bridge that takes me from where I am to where He is and my heart is full of praise and I begin again to follow Him.
But what do I do when I see the Kingdom of this World taking captive those I love. What about those who have become caught in the demon's snare and cannot cross the bridge of faith do I go ahead without them? I want to believe that there could be wholeness and healing for them but the pain of their suffering fills my mind and leaves room for little else. "Jesus!,' I cry with man in Mark nine,'If you can do any thing, take pity on us and help us.?" I hear the rebuke in Jesus' voice when He says,"If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes." With a broken heart I bring what little faith I have and say,"I believe; help my unbelief!" My faith is so weak and inadequate but the One in whom I place it is able to save, to heal and to make whole. With the eyes of my spirit focused on the person and promises of Jesus Christ I walk across the bridge hand in hand with those I love and we find healing and wholeness and salvation.
Lord Jesus, I am reminded again today that it was Your cross that made the bridge that took me from the Kingdom of this World to the Kingdom of God. Help me today as I choose to live my life based on Your promises. Help me to find in You the healing and wholeness and peace that only You can bring.
Monday, March 25, 2013
A Haunting Question
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."(Colossians 1:15-19)
"Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know?(Proverbs 30:4)
Even though all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell Him, "He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken , smitten by God, and afflicted. but he was pieced for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."(Isaiah 53:4,5)
The hands that held the wind and wrapped the waters in a garment took the bread the night before He died gave thanks and broke it. After the bread was broken He gave it to His disciples and said,"Take and eat; this is my body."(Matthew 26:26) Can it be that I am offered Communion with the image of the invisible God, the one who ascended to heaven and came down? The very hands that that established all the ends of the earth were pierced for my transgressions and upon Him was the chastisement that brought me peace.
Lord Jesus, You came, You took my sorrows and carried my grief. You told me that I have access to the throne of God through Your sacrifice. But You also said,"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"(Luke 18:8) This is my prayer please let me be one who remains faithful to the end.
"Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know?(Proverbs 30:4)
Even though all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell Him, "He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken , smitten by God, and afflicted. but he was pieced for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."(Isaiah 53:4,5)
The hands that held the wind and wrapped the waters in a garment took the bread the night before He died gave thanks and broke it. After the bread was broken He gave it to His disciples and said,"Take and eat; this is my body."(Matthew 26:26) Can it be that I am offered Communion with the image of the invisible God, the one who ascended to heaven and came down? The very hands that that established all the ends of the earth were pierced for my transgressions and upon Him was the chastisement that brought me peace.
Lord Jesus, You came, You took my sorrows and carried my grief. You told me that I have access to the throne of God through Your sacrifice. But You also said,"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"(Luke 18:8) This is my prayer please let me be one who remains faithful to the end.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
When I Grow Up
"What do you want to do when you grow up?" I remember adults asking me this question when I was a child. I was never sure how to answer it. Then I began asking myself the question, "What do I want to do when I grow up?" I kept asking myself this and then one day when I was in my thirties I realized I was grown up and I needed an answer. When I was in my thirties I finally dared to voice my dream of being a speaker and a writer.
The truth is the dream I had had been slowly forming inside me but I was afraid to voice it because it seemed so impossible. What I wanted to be when I grew up stemmed from what I believed was my Spiritual gift of encouragement. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."(1 Peter 4:10) In my thirties I began to get invitations to speak but what about writing would that ever be possible?
Thirty years have passed since I dared to verbalize my dream of being a speaker and a writer. I have wondered if this desire of mine would ever be realized. I have discovered that while seeking to be a good steward of the gifts God has given me and wanting to use them to serve others, others have used their gifts to serve me. This has been humbling but it has also served to keep the focus in the right direction. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 4:10,11)
The problem I encountered in my desire to write was that ever since I was child I struggled with dyslexia. From my earliest childhood memories I had been taught that I was deficient in my ability to express myself correctly. Yet morning after morning I received messages of hope and comfort from God's Word, messages I longed to share with others.
I believe now that even my struggles were part of God's gift to me. I believe that they were part of His gift to me, "in order that in everything God may be glorified." Instead of being self-sufficient God blessed me with two very special friends. Ruth who has used her gifts to edit and Esther who has been using her gifts to put my writings in book form.
Lord, thank You for giving me Your word. Thank You for daily filling my life with the comfort and the courage I find in Your word. Thank You for giving me the privilege of being part of Your plan to share that encouragement with others. Thank You for bringing other people into my life to make that possible. Thank You for redeeming my weakness and making them windows of You grace.
The truth is the dream I had had been slowly forming inside me but I was afraid to voice it because it seemed so impossible. What I wanted to be when I grew up stemmed from what I believed was my Spiritual gift of encouragement. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."(1 Peter 4:10) In my thirties I began to get invitations to speak but what about writing would that ever be possible?
Thirty years have passed since I dared to verbalize my dream of being a speaker and a writer. I have wondered if this desire of mine would ever be realized. I have discovered that while seeking to be a good steward of the gifts God has given me and wanting to use them to serve others, others have used their gifts to serve me. This has been humbling but it has also served to keep the focus in the right direction. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 4:10,11)
The problem I encountered in my desire to write was that ever since I was child I struggled with dyslexia. From my earliest childhood memories I had been taught that I was deficient in my ability to express myself correctly. Yet morning after morning I received messages of hope and comfort from God's Word, messages I longed to share with others.
I believe now that even my struggles were part of God's gift to me. I believe that they were part of His gift to me, "in order that in everything God may be glorified." Instead of being self-sufficient God blessed me with two very special friends. Ruth who has used her gifts to edit and Esther who has been using her gifts to put my writings in book form.
Lord, thank You for giving me Your word. Thank You for daily filling my life with the comfort and the courage I find in Your word. Thank You for giving me the privilege of being part of Your plan to share that encouragement with others. Thank You for bringing other people into my life to make that possible. Thank You for redeeming my weakness and making them windows of You grace.
Friday, March 22, 2013
When Life Causes You to Panic Seek Shelter
I recognized the sound of panic in my daughter's voice. "Where are the papers!" This is a scary question to be asking when it's time to fill out your tax forms. However, my granddaughter's response made me smile. She said, "Mom, don't you think God knows where your paper's are? Have you asked Him to help you?" The night before they had gone to a class together and had heard, "Fear is an insult to God."
I would like say that I know nothing of that sudden overwhelming fear that causes me to respond to life in an hysterical or irrational way but it I were to say this I would be lying. Life has a way of exposing my lack of being in control. It can be in small things like loosing keys and W2 forms or it can be big things like the loss of someone I love. Yet, I see in the Bible a different response. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trails of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2)
When I meet, "trails of various kinds" they not only expose my vulnerably they also expose the idols I run to to find comfort. I don't always realize I'm turning to idols because in my panic I just want relief. But the relief my idols bring is temporary followed by an even greater since of being out of control.Then I remember, "God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings."(Psalm 36:7)
In nature a baby chick is a picture of helplessness. A hawk could swoop down, a snake could lung up, and the unprotected chick would be gone. However, when there is danger the mother hen opens her wing to gather all her chicks. This is a symbol of faithful self sacrificing love. In a similar way I am invited to count it all joy because when the tests of life come they cause me to seek the shelter of God's wing. "He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4)
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all the times I run in panic frightened by the trails of life seeking comfort and protection in things other than You. I remember Your admonition to Jerusalem when You said, "How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!" I choose today to find refuge in the shelter of Your wings and find my joy and comfort in Your faithful love.
I would like say that I know nothing of that sudden overwhelming fear that causes me to respond to life in an hysterical or irrational way but it I were to say this I would be lying. Life has a way of exposing my lack of being in control. It can be in small things like loosing keys and W2 forms or it can be big things like the loss of someone I love. Yet, I see in the Bible a different response. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trails of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2)
When I meet, "trails of various kinds" they not only expose my vulnerably they also expose the idols I run to to find comfort. I don't always realize I'm turning to idols because in my panic I just want relief. But the relief my idols bring is temporary followed by an even greater since of being out of control.Then I remember, "God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings."(Psalm 36:7)
In nature a baby chick is a picture of helplessness. A hawk could swoop down, a snake could lung up, and the unprotected chick would be gone. However, when there is danger the mother hen opens her wing to gather all her chicks. This is a symbol of faithful self sacrificing love. In a similar way I am invited to count it all joy because when the tests of life come they cause me to seek the shelter of God's wing. "He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4)
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all the times I run in panic frightened by the trails of life seeking comfort and protection in things other than You. I remember Your admonition to Jerusalem when You said, "How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!" I choose today to find refuge in the shelter of Your wings and find my joy and comfort in Your faithful love.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
I Gave Myself a Gift Today
I gave myself a gift to today. When I read, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace...(Job 22:21) I lifted my eyes to heaven. When I did I saw the one who is high above all nations whose glory is above the heavens. The LORD my God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth. I saw the one, "who raises the poor from the dust and lifts the the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people." (Psalm 113:5-9)
I gave myself a gift today. I traced the love of El-Shaddai through the pages of the gospels and found His love more than enough to settle all my fears and bring me peace. I saw the Christ wearing the crown of thorns silently paying the price of man's rebellion. The thorns that came when the love of God was rejected. I acquainted myself with the truth that the love of God was far greater than my sin.
I gave myself a gift today. Through the eyes of Daniel I gazed into the heavens and, "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like the son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."( Daniel 7:9-14)
I gave myself a gift today. I acquainted my with the love of God by looking in His word and with John, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"(Revelation 21:1-4)
Lord Jesus, on the night that You were betrayed when You broke the bread that symbolized Your body broken to take away my sins You gave thanks. Now it is my turn to give thanks. Thank You for not counting equality with God a thing to be grasped. Thank You for coming to earth with the message, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."
I gave myself a gift today. I traced the love of El-Shaddai through the pages of the gospels and found His love more than enough to settle all my fears and bring me peace. I saw the Christ wearing the crown of thorns silently paying the price of man's rebellion. The thorns that came when the love of God was rejected. I acquainted myself with the truth that the love of God was far greater than my sin.
I gave myself a gift today. Through the eyes of Daniel I gazed into the heavens and, "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like the son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."( Daniel 7:9-14)
I gave myself a gift today. I acquainted my with the love of God by looking in His word and with John, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"(Revelation 21:1-4)
Lord Jesus, on the night that You were betrayed when You broke the bread that symbolized Your body broken to take away my sins You gave thanks. Now it is my turn to give thanks. Thank You for not counting equality with God a thing to be grasped. Thank You for coming to earth with the message, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."
Friday, March 15, 2013
God Sees When We Are On Our Knees
I received a call this week from a friend asking me to come see her. Something had happened in her life that made her feel as if the foundation of her world was shaking. Although it doesn't always happen the same way, life often shows us how vulnerable we are. Suddenly, we find we are not in control. The world tilts, we loose our balance and find ourselves on our knees.
King Asa was a man who who began his reign in Judah by trusting in God and commanding Judah to seek the LORD. When he was confronted by an army of a million men and 300 chariots Asa's response was to cry out to the Lord his God, "O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you." (2 Chronicles 14:11) So how did the Lord respond? He came to Asa's aid and brought him victory.
But in Asa's thirty-sixth year of reigning something happened, Asa lost his balance. Fear of the enemy brought him to his knees. But this time when the circumstances of his life humbled him he looked to man and to and not to God for help. In fact Asa took the silver and the gold from the treasures of the house of the LORD and sent them to the King of Syria. Asa recognized his vulnerability but he forgot to rely on God.
God responded to Asa's lack of faith by sending a prophet to him with this message, "The eyes of the LORD run to and fro through the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards him. You have done foolishly in this, from now on you will have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9) Asa's sense of fear and vulnerability had brought him to his knees but he had failed to use this as a position of prayer. Because he failed to be put his confidence in God and he chose to trust in what he could see instead of the LORD he no longer experienced the strong support of God.
Heavenly Father, fear and vulnerability often cause me to find myself on my knees. Help me to use this position to seek You in prayer. Help me remember that, "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears toward their cry...The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:15-18)
Monday, March 11, 2013
And He Took the Blind Man By the Hand
I don't know what caused him to loose his vision, but one day he could no longer see the light and he was plunged into darkness. He was from Bethsaida and he heard the rumors about a man who could do miraculous things but of course he himself had not seen any of these miracles after all he was blind. He couldn't see but he could hear the arguments of those around him some believed but most doubted what they saw.
His friends could do nothing to take away his blindness. They grieved over his loss of vision, they watched as he stumbled in the dark. But then they met Jesus and hope was born. Though they could do nothing to heal their friend they brought him to the one could and they begged Jesus to touch him.
Jesus received their friend and took him by the hand and led him out of the village, out of the place where so many miracles had already been done and yet where there was so little faith. He took him by the hand and led him because he was blind. But what happened next must have startled the man because Jesus spit in his eyes and laid hands on him, "He asked him, 'Do you see anything?'"(Mark 8:23-25) What he saw was men who looked like walking trees. It wasn't until Jesus touched him a second time that his sight was fully restored.
The fact that his vision was restored in stages seems to fit with verses that follow in Mark when Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" Most only had a partial vision of who Jesus was. Sometimes I feel like that blind man when I have experienced painful things in life that seem to plunge me into full or partial darkness and I find myself groping for the hand of Christ. Other times I have brought those I love whose vision has been wounded and can no longer see. I bring them to the Christ and beg Him to touch the ones I love and restore their sight fully.
Lord Jesus, You are the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer. Thank You for receiving me for taking me by the hand and leading me to a place where I can see You for who You really are. Thank You for welcoming me when I bring others to You who have lost their ability to see. I cannot heal them but You can.
His friends could do nothing to take away his blindness. They grieved over his loss of vision, they watched as he stumbled in the dark. But then they met Jesus and hope was born. Though they could do nothing to heal their friend they brought him to the one could and they begged Jesus to touch him.
Jesus received their friend and took him by the hand and led him out of the village, out of the place where so many miracles had already been done and yet where there was so little faith. He took him by the hand and led him because he was blind. But what happened next must have startled the man because Jesus spit in his eyes and laid hands on him, "He asked him, 'Do you see anything?'"(Mark 8:23-25) What he saw was men who looked like walking trees. It wasn't until Jesus touched him a second time that his sight was fully restored.
The fact that his vision was restored in stages seems to fit with verses that follow in Mark when Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" Most only had a partial vision of who Jesus was. Sometimes I feel like that blind man when I have experienced painful things in life that seem to plunge me into full or partial darkness and I find myself groping for the hand of Christ. Other times I have brought those I love whose vision has been wounded and can no longer see. I bring them to the Christ and beg Him to touch the ones I love and restore their sight fully.
Lord Jesus, You are the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer. Thank You for receiving me for taking me by the hand and leading me to a place where I can see You for who You really are. Thank You for welcoming me when I bring others to You who have lost their ability to see. I cannot heal them but You can.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Why Did Jesus Spit?
"Pay attention to the texture of the Gospels," the teachers said. At that point my mind began to wander. I thought about the verse that mentioned that it was so crowded that people were trampling on one another. I thought about how Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit when asked for a sign from heaven that He was who He said he was. However, what captivated my imagination was when the Gospels said Jesus spit on the blind man.
"Shawn spit on me!" I was angry. I wanted to know if my grandson had reported this insult. There are few things that show contempt as clearly as having someone spit on you. So I wondered why would Jesus spit on the blind man?
I think Jesus was spitting at the blindness and not at the man. When Jesus had healed Peter's mother-in-law the Scripture says, "And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her." (Luke 5:39) If Jesus could rebuke a fever couldn't he also spit at blindness.
Jesus, "took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid hands on him, he asked him, 'Do you see anything?'"( Mark 8:23) The man was from Bethsaida where Jesus had done many miracles and yet the people had remained blind to the truth of who Jesus was. Their blindness had fulfilled the prophecy that they would have eyes but would not see. But Jesus took this man out of the crowd. He took him by the hand, He spit at the blindness but He laid His hands on the man. Jesus laid His hands on this blind man twice. Jesus opened his eyes and restored his sight.
Jesus, I too am surrounded by people that do not believe. Every where I look I hear them denying the truth of the Gospel. Thank You for taking me by the hand and leading me away from the crowd. Thank You for healing me from contemptuous blindness that refuses to see who You are. Thank You for not just partially giving me sight but for fully restoring my vision so that I can clearly see who You are.
"Shawn spit on me!" I was angry. I wanted to know if my grandson had reported this insult. There are few things that show contempt as clearly as having someone spit on you. So I wondered why would Jesus spit on the blind man?
I think Jesus was spitting at the blindness and not at the man. When Jesus had healed Peter's mother-in-law the Scripture says, "And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her." (Luke 5:39) If Jesus could rebuke a fever couldn't he also spit at blindness.
Jesus, "took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid hands on him, he asked him, 'Do you see anything?'"( Mark 8:23) The man was from Bethsaida where Jesus had done many miracles and yet the people had remained blind to the truth of who Jesus was. Their blindness had fulfilled the prophecy that they would have eyes but would not see. But Jesus took this man out of the crowd. He took him by the hand, He spit at the blindness but He laid His hands on the man. Jesus laid His hands on this blind man twice. Jesus opened his eyes and restored his sight.
Jesus, I too am surrounded by people that do not believe. Every where I look I hear them denying the truth of the Gospel. Thank You for taking me by the hand and leading me away from the crowd. Thank You for healing me from contemptuous blindness that refuses to see who You are. Thank You for not just partially giving me sight but for fully restoring my vision so that I can clearly see who You are.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
A Piece of a Puzzle
I bent down and picked up the little puzzle piece, the edges were partly convex and partly concave. The smooth side had splashes of color that had never sat beside each other on any color wheel. By looking at that solitary piece I had no idea how it fit into the bigger picture.
She called me on the phone and asked me to pray for her daughter. I listened without speaking what could I say? The story she shared with me made my heart constrict. All I could see from my vantage point were the since less edges and the clashing colors so I did the only thing I knew to do. With hands held open I joined my friend and we lifted her daughter in prayer before the God of Heaven.
Again and again I read in the gospels Jesus' admonition to not worry, not be anxious and not to be afraid. The problem I face is that I don't understand so many things I encounter and my confusion often causes me to be afraid. Jesus told his disciples, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
In order for the fear to go away it needs to be replaced by the understanding that we have a Father in Heaven whose good pleasure is to give us the kingdom. But not just an understanding, it needs to be more than that, it needs to be trust. Trust that causes me to bring all my confusion to God in prayer believing that the puzzling pieces of my life somehow fit together in a bigger picture that can only be seen from Heavens perspective.
Lord Jesus You came to earth with a message that there is a Kingdom of Heaven. You taught me not to be afraid but to trust Your love for me. When life becomes confusing and I am tempted to be afraid help me remember that my life is part of a bigger picture and that it it's the Father's good pleasure to give me the kingdom.
She called me on the phone and asked me to pray for her daughter. I listened without speaking what could I say? The story she shared with me made my heart constrict. All I could see from my vantage point were the since less edges and the clashing colors so I did the only thing I knew to do. With hands held open I joined my friend and we lifted her daughter in prayer before the God of Heaven.
Again and again I read in the gospels Jesus' admonition to not worry, not be anxious and not to be afraid. The problem I face is that I don't understand so many things I encounter and my confusion often causes me to be afraid. Jesus told his disciples, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
In order for the fear to go away it needs to be replaced by the understanding that we have a Father in Heaven whose good pleasure is to give us the kingdom. But not just an understanding, it needs to be more than that, it needs to be trust. Trust that causes me to bring all my confusion to God in prayer believing that the puzzling pieces of my life somehow fit together in a bigger picture that can only be seen from Heavens perspective.
Lord Jesus You came to earth with a message that there is a Kingdom of Heaven. You taught me not to be afraid but to trust Your love for me. When life becomes confusing and I am tempted to be afraid help me remember that my life is part of a bigger picture and that it it's the Father's good pleasure to give me the kingdom.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Exploding Chairs and Misplaced Trust
I didn't know a chair could explode like that! I knew the chair was old and I had warned him not to rock back and put all his weight on the two back legs of the chair but I didn't think it would explode. I was reminded of this indecent when I thought about the consequences of misplaced trust.
God tells Isaiah to comfort His people. In order for them to find comfort in Him they needed to recognize His greatness. "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighted the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?" (Isaiah 40:12,13)
The problem that the children of Israel had is that they had put their trust in idols and like putting trust in a faulty chair the results had been disastrous. I have experienced this in my life as well. The result of my misplaced trust has often caused insecurity and fear because the thing I was trusting in failed me.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."(Isaiah 40: 28-31)
Lord Jesus, expose the things I'm trusting in that cause me to be afraid and insecure. Help me to find comfort and security in Your strength and Your love for me and help me share that comfort with others.
God tells Isaiah to comfort His people. In order for them to find comfort in Him they needed to recognize His greatness. "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighted the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?" (Isaiah 40:12,13)
The problem that the children of Israel had is that they had put their trust in idols and like putting trust in a faulty chair the results had been disastrous. I have experienced this in my life as well. The result of my misplaced trust has often caused insecurity and fear because the thing I was trusting in failed me.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."(Isaiah 40: 28-31)
Lord Jesus, expose the things I'm trusting in that cause me to be afraid and insecure. Help me to find comfort and security in Your strength and Your love for me and help me share that comfort with others.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Holy Communion
I need what's being offered maybe other's don't see a need for it but I do. I know who I want to be but the pressures of life offer me a mirror in which I can see the reflection of who I really am. But there is someone else who sees my true need and He responds by offering bread broken for me. The Great Physician offers me healing. He invites me to have communion with Him because He in love chose to enter into my brokenness and have communion with me.
I need what's being offered maybe other's don't see a need for it but I do. "And Jesus answered and said to them, 'It is not those who are well who need a physician but those who are sick. I have come not to call the righteous but sinner's to repentance.'" (Luke 5:31,32) In order for me to be made whole Jesus had to be broken. "The Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body which is broken for you.'"(1 Corinthians 11:23-2)
I need what's being offered maybe other's don't see a need for it but I do. I look around me and see a broken world. I see hurting people, broken promises and broken dreams. Jesus came as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief he took the chalice filled with suffering and drank from it. But that's not where it ended He also offered something in return, "This cup is a new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
I need what's being offered maybe other's don't see a need for it but I do. What is being offered? "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) With hands that tremble I take the bread and hear the words, "This is my body broken for you. Take and eat." My heart is crying as I take the cup and hear, "This is my blood shed for the remission of your sins. Take and drink." Through this act of communion I receive the love of God, experience the touch of the Great Physician, and remember the promises of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, I receive with a grateful heart the gift of love you've given me. Because You were willing to be broken I find wholeness. Because You were willing to enter the kingdom of darkness I can enter the Kingdom of Light. Please help me to share this truth with a broken hurting world that the Redeemer and Savior has come to have Holy Communion with us.
I need what's being offered maybe other's don't see a need for it but I do. "And Jesus answered and said to them, 'It is not those who are well who need a physician but those who are sick. I have come not to call the righteous but sinner's to repentance.'" (Luke 5:31,32) In order for me to be made whole Jesus had to be broken. "The Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body which is broken for you.'"(1 Corinthians 11:23-2)
I need what's being offered maybe other's don't see a need for it but I do. I look around me and see a broken world. I see hurting people, broken promises and broken dreams. Jesus came as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief he took the chalice filled with suffering and drank from it. But that's not where it ended He also offered something in return, "This cup is a new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
I need what's being offered maybe other's don't see a need for it but I do. What is being offered? "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) With hands that tremble I take the bread and hear the words, "This is my body broken for you. Take and eat." My heart is crying as I take the cup and hear, "This is my blood shed for the remission of your sins. Take and drink." Through this act of communion I receive the love of God, experience the touch of the Great Physician, and remember the promises of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, I receive with a grateful heart the gift of love you've given me. Because You were willing to be broken I find wholeness. Because You were willing to enter the kingdom of darkness I can enter the Kingdom of Light. Please help me to share this truth with a broken hurting world that the Redeemer and Savior has come to have Holy Communion with us.
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