Knowing we are extraordinary because of the transforming work of Christ in our lives, and understanding are totally different things. It is difficult to live in God’s reality when earthly reality is buffeting us with disappointment, failure, misery, etc. I encounter so many people today whose identity is wrapped up in their performance or perceived success in the business world, either as an employee or business owner. I have been there too. “I don’t feel extraordinary.” “I don’t think God is hearing my prayers.” “I am making countless decisions and getting nowhere.”
Those are the thoughts and murmurings of Christians still willing to live as orphans. Christians refusing to receive the love, provision and plans of our loving Father. Romans 8:15 says that we received a “spirit of Sonship” when we live according to the Spirit and forgo living for simply ourselves.
You are extraordinary, a masterpiece! I bet you don’t wake up each morning and say that! Try it, though. Proclaiming God’s truth diminishes the power of the enemy’s efforts and the dismal influence of earthly circumstances.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “we are God’s workmanship,” that which was made by His hands. We’re worth more than a Picasso, Van Gogh, or Monet! We were set apart by the Master Himself.
God sees you as perfect. Ephesians 1:4 says, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.”
1 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
Where can you find God’s knowledge? In His Word. What is God’s knowledge? His promises.
We can forget how extraordinary we are when things aren’t going the way we planned. We can feel pretty ordinary and discouraged. But God is cheering us on to victory! Conditions like we’re in right now are meant to test and grow our faith. Either we’re going to believe and claim His promises and be extraordinary or we’re going to descend back into ordinary. Find a book with God’s promises listed in them. Start saying them out loud each day; mediate on them; actively receive them. Draw them to your chest like a child grabs a wrapped package at Christmas. If you do, you will stop feeling ordinary and start embracing God’s extraordinary purposes He has for you.
The truth is God gives you what you need to be extraordinary. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Are you going to rise up with wings like eagles or shrink back to destruction and fail to receive the inheritance in which you have been qualified to partake? The choice is yours. My hope is that you choose to let God make you extraordinary.
Say this: I have been blessed and given everything for life and good living.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
From Ordinary to Extraordinary
Do you ever feel inadequate for what you were called to do? We are not alone the apostles Peter and John experienced similar feelings of disappointment and inadequacy. Talk about having a bad few weeks. They witnessed the crucifixion of their beloved teacher and friend, Jesus. Within weeks of his resurrection and His commissioning of them, they were imprisoned and dragged before the Jewish assembly, the Sanhedrin and ordered to stop speaking about the death and resurrection of Jesus.
I imagine the thought crossed their mind whether or not the message was worth all of this discomfort and disdain. Perhaps they even wondered if they’d made the right decision.
However, Acts 4:13 says that while speaking in front of the ruling body of religious leaders the people looking on, “saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Unschooled, ordinary men made extraordinary by an extraordinary Savior for the purposes set before them. Peter and John were common fisherman. Fishermen were a dime a dozen and would never have been bestowed a seat among the elite and powerful in the Sanhedrin. Yet, here they were sharing the message of redemption and forgiveness of sin under earthly order where they would never have been privileged to speak in normal circumstances.
But they were God’s children consequently they were not bound by earthly order. Like Peter and John we too are under God’s order. Earthly order no longer has a hold on us.
Were these men trained and educated to speak and lay out doctrine in a systematic and logical way? No. From whom did they receive this ability? Where did they get their courage to stand before this council of religious leaders and elites and defend the resurrection of Jesus? There is only one answer my friends, from the Father who set them apart for such purposes.
You, too, have been set apart for His purposes. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you and a future.” Do you realize who is saying that to you? Someone who can actually deliver on it! Not a politician, not a spouse, not a parent, not an accountant, not a financial statement.
The truth is God makes us extraordinary when we accept the salvation He offers and allow Him to transform our hearts. When we receive this truth, we can leave ordinary behind and live extraordinary lives following the plans He has for us.
Say this: I am extraordinary because of the transforming work of Christ in my life.
I imagine the thought crossed their mind whether or not the message was worth all of this discomfort and disdain. Perhaps they even wondered if they’d made the right decision.
However, Acts 4:13 says that while speaking in front of the ruling body of religious leaders the people looking on, “saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Unschooled, ordinary men made extraordinary by an extraordinary Savior for the purposes set before them. Peter and John were common fisherman. Fishermen were a dime a dozen and would never have been bestowed a seat among the elite and powerful in the Sanhedrin. Yet, here they were sharing the message of redemption and forgiveness of sin under earthly order where they would never have been privileged to speak in normal circumstances.
But they were God’s children consequently they were not bound by earthly order. Like Peter and John we too are under God’s order. Earthly order no longer has a hold on us.
Were these men trained and educated to speak and lay out doctrine in a systematic and logical way? No. From whom did they receive this ability? Where did they get their courage to stand before this council of religious leaders and elites and defend the resurrection of Jesus? There is only one answer my friends, from the Father who set them apart for such purposes.
You, too, have been set apart for His purposes. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you and a future.” Do you realize who is saying that to you? Someone who can actually deliver on it! Not a politician, not a spouse, not a parent, not an accountant, not a financial statement.
The truth is God makes us extraordinary when we accept the salvation He offers and allow Him to transform our hearts. When we receive this truth, we can leave ordinary behind and live extraordinary lives following the plans He has for us.
Say this: I am extraordinary because of the transforming work of Christ in my life.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Worship and a Spoonful of Rhubarb Crisp
Recently I was enjoying a bowlful of rhubarb crisp at my mom’s house. The sour taste and silky texture of the rhubarb is a treat for many of us, a sign that warmer weather has returned for good.
Enjoying this treat, I began to wonder at the creativity of God for thinking up something so uniquely tasty and satisfying. I began to marvel at God’s goodness and His abundance, i.e. His willingness to create manifold flavors and textures for our enjoyment. As I contemplated my spoonful of rhubarb crisp, my excitement about the Lord grew. As I looked through the dining room window my rhubarb contemplation was punctuated with the exclamation point of a landscape in full late, spring bloom. The leaves on the trees had finally emerged in all different shades of green and burgundy. The flowers in the hanging baskets were lifting their blooms to heaven. It was if I was being engulfed by God’s tender arms of love. Taking in all the slight details was overwhelming. This was for me, for us.
I began to worship and praise Him for His goodness, His creativity, His generosity in sharing all of this with for our pleasure! (No, my mouth was not full of rhubarb crisp!) When we partake in His goodness, He is pleased. But how often do we neglect to see His abundance because we are focused on our definition of abundance. Or we hold back our worship because He hasn’t completed the picture with a new job, a significant other, a baby, a promotion, or any number of ephemeral circumstantial requirements that signify abundance until the next requirement presses its urgency upon us. As humans we have an insatiable appetite for comfort, security, and peace of mind. We look for them and find them in the world while failing to see that in Christ we have it all. The creation is God’s glory expressed through nature.
Each day we walk through life focused on the big picture, but missing the little details of God’s design. Inside the details is the hand of a loving Father who made life here much more bearable by creating fifty shades of green, four different seasons, different tastes and textures, nine colors of pink in a sunset. Most importantly, (and I might add a very big detail) He shared the gift of His Son’s life for each of ours. He is in the little details and He is waiting for you to enjoy all that He’s given. How can we doubt a God so good and capable of such amazing beauty? (And I’m not even going to get into the magnitude and complexity of the universe or the human cell!)
The next time you are struck by something as simple as a spoonful of rhubarb crisp, let yourself go and see all the other little details that God has placed in our view because of His immense love for you.
”When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4) What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5) You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and you crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5
Say this: God is in the details. I will open my eyes and see the work of His fingers in my life.
Enjoying this treat, I began to wonder at the creativity of God for thinking up something so uniquely tasty and satisfying. I began to marvel at God’s goodness and His abundance, i.e. His willingness to create manifold flavors and textures for our enjoyment. As I contemplated my spoonful of rhubarb crisp, my excitement about the Lord grew. As I looked through the dining room window my rhubarb contemplation was punctuated with the exclamation point of a landscape in full late, spring bloom. The leaves on the trees had finally emerged in all different shades of green and burgundy. The flowers in the hanging baskets were lifting their blooms to heaven. It was if I was being engulfed by God’s tender arms of love. Taking in all the slight details was overwhelming. This was for me, for us.
I began to worship and praise Him for His goodness, His creativity, His generosity in sharing all of this with for our pleasure! (No, my mouth was not full of rhubarb crisp!) When we partake in His goodness, He is pleased. But how often do we neglect to see His abundance because we are focused on our definition of abundance. Or we hold back our worship because He hasn’t completed the picture with a new job, a significant other, a baby, a promotion, or any number of ephemeral circumstantial requirements that signify abundance until the next requirement presses its urgency upon us. As humans we have an insatiable appetite for comfort, security, and peace of mind. We look for them and find them in the world while failing to see that in Christ we have it all. The creation is God’s glory expressed through nature.
Each day we walk through life focused on the big picture, but missing the little details of God’s design. Inside the details is the hand of a loving Father who made life here much more bearable by creating fifty shades of green, four different seasons, different tastes and textures, nine colors of pink in a sunset. Most importantly, (and I might add a very big detail) He shared the gift of His Son’s life for each of ours. He is in the little details and He is waiting for you to enjoy all that He’s given. How can we doubt a God so good and capable of such amazing beauty? (And I’m not even going to get into the magnitude and complexity of the universe or the human cell!)
The next time you are struck by something as simple as a spoonful of rhubarb crisp, let yourself go and see all the other little details that God has placed in our view because of His immense love for you.
”When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4) What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5) You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and you crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:3-5
Say this: God is in the details. I will open my eyes and see the work of His fingers in my life.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Feeling Like Jonah
Rebellion and pride were at the heart of Jonah’s problem. Can I be as honest about my own heart to identify my anger, reluctance to pray for those I have a hard time loving, and pride? It hurts me to say so but I am just as guilty as Jonah. He is a Biblical character I have identified with since a child.
Justice for me has always meant that those who do wrong will pay for it. I think Jonah thought the same thing. But there was one small problem; God asked him to warn the unrighteous, evil people of Nineveh that death and destruction would befall them if they did not repent of their actions and turn their hearts toward God. Jonah was supposed to offer them a chance at redemption and forgiveness. What did he expect was going to happen?
I think he expected they would continue along their wicked ways. When they didn’t he wallowed in misery about it. He wanted Nineveh to get what was coming to them. Justice would be served. They weren’t supposed to be let off the hook!
“But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. 2) He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home?” That is why I was quick to flee Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3) Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:1-3.
First, Jonah ran from God. Then, he reluctantly consented to God’s request to take His message of compassion and forgiveness to the corrupt culture of Nineveh. Then Jonah wished his own death rather than witness that regeneration of a fallen people. Why? No doubt pride had something to do with it.
Sometimes, we, too, can become so possessive of the gift of mercy and forgiveness given so freely to us that we use personal feelings towards someone to impact how we pray for them, if we even pray for them at all. We puff ourselves up for our righteousness, a gift freely given to us. Since we didn’t do anything to earn it we have no right to exalt ourselves for it. Pride is the culprit just as it was for the Jews who believed God’s love was for them alone and not for those who didn’t “deserve” it, i.e. the Assyrians. Judging the Assyrians for their wrong doing led Jonah to fall victim to the sin of pride and self importance which led to anger.
C.S. Lewis said that pride was a cancer. I agree. Pride leads open the door to other sin if we are honest. If we are not, it’s like feeding a tumor more malignant cells. Before you know it, it will have spawned other tumors and infected all areas of your mind, heart and spirit.
“Before a downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12.
God’s love and compassion are for all people, not those we think worthy. If God used that litmus test with us none of us would have ever experienced the redemptive love of Christ expressed through His death on the cross.
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Let’s be careful to watch our hearts and allow the Lord to search and correct them when we are in error.
Is pride keeping you from praying for someone? Is pride keeping you from forgiving someone?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24) See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:24
Say this: Christ set me free. I will not stand in the way of others experiencing the freedom and joy that I know through Christ.
Justice for me has always meant that those who do wrong will pay for it. I think Jonah thought the same thing. But there was one small problem; God asked him to warn the unrighteous, evil people of Nineveh that death and destruction would befall them if they did not repent of their actions and turn their hearts toward God. Jonah was supposed to offer them a chance at redemption and forgiveness. What did he expect was going to happen?
I think he expected they would continue along their wicked ways. When they didn’t he wallowed in misery about it. He wanted Nineveh to get what was coming to them. Justice would be served. They weren’t supposed to be let off the hook!
“But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. 2) He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home?” That is why I was quick to flee Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3) Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:1-3.
First, Jonah ran from God. Then, he reluctantly consented to God’s request to take His message of compassion and forgiveness to the corrupt culture of Nineveh. Then Jonah wished his own death rather than witness that regeneration of a fallen people. Why? No doubt pride had something to do with it.
Sometimes, we, too, can become so possessive of the gift of mercy and forgiveness given so freely to us that we use personal feelings towards someone to impact how we pray for them, if we even pray for them at all. We puff ourselves up for our righteousness, a gift freely given to us. Since we didn’t do anything to earn it we have no right to exalt ourselves for it. Pride is the culprit just as it was for the Jews who believed God’s love was for them alone and not for those who didn’t “deserve” it, i.e. the Assyrians. Judging the Assyrians for their wrong doing led Jonah to fall victim to the sin of pride and self importance which led to anger.
C.S. Lewis said that pride was a cancer. I agree. Pride leads open the door to other sin if we are honest. If we are not, it’s like feeding a tumor more malignant cells. Before you know it, it will have spawned other tumors and infected all areas of your mind, heart and spirit.
“Before a downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12.
God’s love and compassion are for all people, not those we think worthy. If God used that litmus test with us none of us would have ever experienced the redemptive love of Christ expressed through His death on the cross.
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Let’s be careful to watch our hearts and allow the Lord to search and correct them when we are in error.
Is pride keeping you from praying for someone? Is pride keeping you from forgiving someone?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24) See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:24
Say this: Christ set me free. I will not stand in the way of others experiencing the freedom and joy that I know through Christ.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Feeling like the Disciples
Wow! I couldn’t believe it happened again. I found myself scratching my head wondering when I would see our almighty God work; deal with the evil doers; do something miraculous to upstage the arrogant; swoop in and save the day! Hadn’t I been led to pray and ask God to come and deliver and vindicate me and certain others? Hadn’t I been led to dwell on His almighty power and claim it?! So where was the power? How come I wasn’t reading about miracles happening in regions of the world that needed miracles? How come the wicked were still prospering?! Humph!! I asked, “Lord, are you there? I want to see a display of your power. I’m beginning to get discouraged.”
Do we really need to see a display of His power to know that He is at work? If we do, we don’t know His character yet well enough. We need to have faith and not depend so much upon our senses for assurance that our Father is working.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Sometimes, our dependence upon seeing God’s power distracts us from seeing Him accomplishing His plans. I remembered the dejected disciples walking on the road to Emmaus on the third day after Christ had been crucified. They encountered a stranger they thought must have been living under a rock for the last week because they had to explain how their great prophet, Jesus of Nazareth, was unjustly hung to die on a cross.
These two men had reveled in Christ’s presence and power while He was alive. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.” Luke 24:19b BUT he was crucified, they continue. “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.” Luke 24:21 Their disappointment and disillusionment is palpable. They had expected that Christ, with His great power, would redeem them from the yoke of Roman oppression. But as far as they knew He wasn’t anywhere to be found. He’d been dead 3 days!! Where was the power He had spoken of? Wasn’t He the answer to the prayers of their ancestors, the promised Deliverer? Yes, but not in the way they expected.
They, like we, got caught up in seeing God display His power in ways that make sense to us. But that only limits God. If Christ had overthrown the Romans and secured the Jews liberty, where would that have left the rest of us? Liberation would have been a temporal solution to the Jews problems. Christ came to provide an eternal solution for the problem facing all of us!
“He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken! 26) Did not Christ have to suffer these things to enter His glory?” Luke 24:25-26. Then, as if they’d been living under rocks for their whole lives, He had to break down all that had been said of Him since the time of Moses.
The next time we are confronted with disappointment stemming from human derived expectations about how God is going to manifest His power , we need to remember the disciples who missed the beautiful, bigger picture for lack of understanding. God is accomplishing what He wants, the way He wants, when He wants. We cannot limit Him with our finite minds and miss His glory and power manifested in each day.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways my ways.” Isaiah 55:8
Do you trust God? Then you will believe He is at work even when it looks like He is not.
Say this: God is working out all things for good even when it appears He is not.
Do we really need to see a display of His power to know that He is at work? If we do, we don’t know His character yet well enough. We need to have faith and not depend so much upon our senses for assurance that our Father is working.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Sometimes, our dependence upon seeing God’s power distracts us from seeing Him accomplishing His plans. I remembered the dejected disciples walking on the road to Emmaus on the third day after Christ had been crucified. They encountered a stranger they thought must have been living under a rock for the last week because they had to explain how their great prophet, Jesus of Nazareth, was unjustly hung to die on a cross.
These two men had reveled in Christ’s presence and power while He was alive. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.” Luke 24:19b BUT he was crucified, they continue. “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.” Luke 24:21 Their disappointment and disillusionment is palpable. They had expected that Christ, with His great power, would redeem them from the yoke of Roman oppression. But as far as they knew He wasn’t anywhere to be found. He’d been dead 3 days!! Where was the power He had spoken of? Wasn’t He the answer to the prayers of their ancestors, the promised Deliverer? Yes, but not in the way they expected.
They, like we, got caught up in seeing God display His power in ways that make sense to us. But that only limits God. If Christ had overthrown the Romans and secured the Jews liberty, where would that have left the rest of us? Liberation would have been a temporal solution to the Jews problems. Christ came to provide an eternal solution for the problem facing all of us!
“He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken! 26) Did not Christ have to suffer these things to enter His glory?” Luke 24:25-26. Then, as if they’d been living under rocks for their whole lives, He had to break down all that had been said of Him since the time of Moses.
The next time we are confronted with disappointment stemming from human derived expectations about how God is going to manifest His power , we need to remember the disciples who missed the beautiful, bigger picture for lack of understanding. God is accomplishing what He wants, the way He wants, when He wants. We cannot limit Him with our finite minds and miss His glory and power manifested in each day.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways my ways.” Isaiah 55:8
Do you trust God? Then you will believe He is at work even when it looks like He is not.
Say this: God is working out all things for good even when it appears He is not.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Perfection of Life versus the Abundance of Life
Beginning in November last year I felt like I had been shaking off the dregs of a bitter season in my life. I was allowing the Lord’s Word to penetrate my heart; I dared to believe Him; I challenged the enemy to try and overcome the power of the Creator of the Universe. As I began to embrace the newness of life provided by a mindset set upon God’s will over my own, I reflected on why I struggled with faith in God and His love for me so much over the past couple of years.
As month after month would pass, little changed in regard to my businesses income, money in my bank account dwindled, my lifestyle changed, someone I loved terribly passed away and friendships were rocked. I questioned and accused God at every turn. “Is this how You show Your love?” “I do everything right and yet I suffer so.” “Is this the life of abundance You promise Your children?”
The clue lied in my last question. I had confused the perfection of life with the abundance of life. Perfection is a state we impose upon ourselves and others. It is bondage because it is unattainable on any level on this earth. I had my idea of perfection and my life wasn’t fitting that ideal. What I was missing was God’s abundance in every day as His child.
I realize now, I was more concerned with the perfection of life during this time. I mistakenly believed that if I did what the Word instructed all the things that I loved about this world would become part of my life, putting me back in a place of comfort. What I wanted wasn’t necessarily bad but where I tripped up was that I wanted them more than I did the Lord. I found more comfort in them than I did God. Anything that takes the place of God is an idol.
Psalm 103:1-6, “Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2) Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – 3) who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4) who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5) who satisfies your desires with good things so that your mouth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6) The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” (NIV)
While God promises to provide, heal, rescue, there are times when it appears His promises are delayed. But this does not mean we are lacking in abundance. I discovered really knowing the Lord meant fully surrendering to His timing, His plan, His ways and His thoughts. That is abundance!
Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.
9) As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (NIV)
John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (KJV)
Perspective changes when you take your eyes off of yourself and fixedly gaze upon Christ.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Lemmel
Say this: I will focus on the abundance of life given through Christ.
As month after month would pass, little changed in regard to my businesses income, money in my bank account dwindled, my lifestyle changed, someone I loved terribly passed away and friendships were rocked. I questioned and accused God at every turn. “Is this how You show Your love?” “I do everything right and yet I suffer so.” “Is this the life of abundance You promise Your children?”
The clue lied in my last question. I had confused the perfection of life with the abundance of life. Perfection is a state we impose upon ourselves and others. It is bondage because it is unattainable on any level on this earth. I had my idea of perfection and my life wasn’t fitting that ideal. What I was missing was God’s abundance in every day as His child.
I realize now, I was more concerned with the perfection of life during this time. I mistakenly believed that if I did what the Word instructed all the things that I loved about this world would become part of my life, putting me back in a place of comfort. What I wanted wasn’t necessarily bad but where I tripped up was that I wanted them more than I did the Lord. I found more comfort in them than I did God. Anything that takes the place of God is an idol.
Psalm 103:1-6, “Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2) Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – 3) who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4) who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5) who satisfies your desires with good things so that your mouth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6) The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” (NIV)
While God promises to provide, heal, rescue, there are times when it appears His promises are delayed. But this does not mean we are lacking in abundance. I discovered really knowing the Lord meant fully surrendering to His timing, His plan, His ways and His thoughts. That is abundance!
Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.
9) As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (NIV)
John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (KJV)
Perspective changes when you take your eyes off of yourself and fixedly gaze upon Christ.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Lemmel
Say this: I will focus on the abundance of life given through Christ.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Desperate Times
“I know God is near and His Son is walking with me but what do you do when you are scared that you won’t find a job or a means to support your family, much less yourself?”
This question stared out to me from the screen of my computer on a recent cold morning this past February and my heart went out to the writer. The writer was a Christian but struggling to believe in God’s goodness because the enemy was distracting him with anxiety creating a hopeless picture of his life. Admittedly, the writer had been in his own self imposed desert experience as well. As a small business owner the economy was bad, he wasn’t getting any younger and his lack of faith was impacting his greatest supporter, his wife.
I could relate on so many levels to what he was saying. This is what I wrote to the person who posed the question:
“ ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Romans 8:31.
My encouragement to you is to spend more time with the Father. Get to know His character so that you can be like a child, without a care, confident that your Father knows all about it!
God’s Word does not return void. In it is the ANSWER to all of our problems.
Think about whom God is – the Creator of the ever expanding universe. (Really! Spend dome time understanding how vast the universe is and how it is constantly expanding and you will not be able to contain your worship!) He also raised Christ from the dead. He heals even today! He promises to provide.
Psalm 23 says, ‘He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.’
My friend, claim that! Our Father looks upon you tenderly and wants to see you succeed. But you must exercise your faith and faith comes from hearing the Word.
I am in a similar line of work as you, my friend. For the last two years I have struggled to believe and argued with God about what He was allowing to happen to me. I was obstinate and refused to fully surrender my business and my plans to Him. And I have been a Christian since I was four!
The whole time I was fighting. He was there saying, ‘If you would only turn your eyes on me and rest in my power, you will find peace.’ I finally did surrender this past October. I tell you what, my friend, I am at rest! Business is slowly increasing. Yet even still I have a big financial issue looming and nagging questions flitting through my head, ‘What is going to happen? What am I going to do?’ But I claim God’s provision, wisdom and favor and I am able to rest knowing that He has the answer. Though not much has changed for me circumstantially I wake up every morning in awe of my Father; His love for me; His provision; His power; His perfect plan.
The name Elijah means, ‘The Lord is my God.’ When I hear bad news, listen to worldly wisdom of my non-Christian colleagues or look at the state of the economy, I say, ‘The Lord is my God! He is my strength, my shield and my fortress!’ (Psalm 18:2) All fear passes from my mind and is replaced with confidence.
It is a choice to believe!
God is for you! He is not against you! Claim it! Remember, faith is a verb too!”
Be encouraged friends!
Psalm 24:8 “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”
Psalm 25:10 “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.”
Psalm 27:13-14 “I am confident of this. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14) Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Say this: All glory goes to God! He looks out for His children! I will wait upon Him.
This question stared out to me from the screen of my computer on a recent cold morning this past February and my heart went out to the writer. The writer was a Christian but struggling to believe in God’s goodness because the enemy was distracting him with anxiety creating a hopeless picture of his life. Admittedly, the writer had been in his own self imposed desert experience as well. As a small business owner the economy was bad, he wasn’t getting any younger and his lack of faith was impacting his greatest supporter, his wife.
I could relate on so many levels to what he was saying. This is what I wrote to the person who posed the question:
“ ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Romans 8:31.
My encouragement to you is to spend more time with the Father. Get to know His character so that you can be like a child, without a care, confident that your Father knows all about it!
God’s Word does not return void. In it is the ANSWER to all of our problems.
Think about whom God is – the Creator of the ever expanding universe. (Really! Spend dome time understanding how vast the universe is and how it is constantly expanding and you will not be able to contain your worship!) He also raised Christ from the dead. He heals even today! He promises to provide.
Psalm 23 says, ‘He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.’
My friend, claim that! Our Father looks upon you tenderly and wants to see you succeed. But you must exercise your faith and faith comes from hearing the Word.
I am in a similar line of work as you, my friend. For the last two years I have struggled to believe and argued with God about what He was allowing to happen to me. I was obstinate and refused to fully surrender my business and my plans to Him. And I have been a Christian since I was four!
The whole time I was fighting. He was there saying, ‘If you would only turn your eyes on me and rest in my power, you will find peace.’ I finally did surrender this past October. I tell you what, my friend, I am at rest! Business is slowly increasing. Yet even still I have a big financial issue looming and nagging questions flitting through my head, ‘What is going to happen? What am I going to do?’ But I claim God’s provision, wisdom and favor and I am able to rest knowing that He has the answer. Though not much has changed for me circumstantially I wake up every morning in awe of my Father; His love for me; His provision; His power; His perfect plan.
The name Elijah means, ‘The Lord is my God.’ When I hear bad news, listen to worldly wisdom of my non-Christian colleagues or look at the state of the economy, I say, ‘The Lord is my God! He is my strength, my shield and my fortress!’ (Psalm 18:2) All fear passes from my mind and is replaced with confidence.
It is a choice to believe!
God is for you! He is not against you! Claim it! Remember, faith is a verb too!”
Be encouraged friends!
Psalm 24:8 “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”
Psalm 25:10 “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.”
Psalm 27:13-14 “I am confident of this. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14) Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Say this: All glory goes to God! He looks out for His children! I will wait upon Him.
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