Everlasting Father

“He will be called . . . Everlasting Father”

Isaiah 9:6

I loved my father.  He was a good, kind and loving man, and an especially doting father.  As a young child, I felt safe and secure around him, like he would always be there for me.  Until one day in 1999 the phone rang and my childhood fantasy came to a screeching halt.  He was gone. Suddenly and unexpectedly, he was gone and without as much as a good-bye.  My father had died.  He was a wonderful father, but he was not an “everlasting father.”

The term “everlasting Father” literally means “the Father of Eternity” or the eternal father; or the forever father.  Through this name God describes the purpose of the messiah’s coming into the world.  He would be a father forever, one who would never leave nor forsake his children.

This passage of scripture reminds us once again during this advent season that our Father is there for us through all the twists and turns of this human life.  That no matter what we are facing in this turbulent world, he is there for us encouraging us to cast all our cares on him for he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).  Our Father is there for us not just in this life, but also in the life to come, promising eternal life to all who would believe in him (John 3:16).  His love for his children is steadfast and it is everlasting.

The singer and songwriter, Chris Tomlin, reflects on the everlasting Father’s character through his song “Good, Good Father” by Housefires singing thus:

You're a good, good father, It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you, It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

If Christmas preparations have left you feeling "left out" and insignificant, realize that our everlasting Father’s nature is good and he is here with you.  You can depend on him to be there for you whether here on earth or beyond the grave, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Counting on his presence is not a fantasy, but a reality because God himself has said, he will be called “the everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6).”

 Father, someone is hurting today as they approach Christmas without the physical presence of their earthly father, I pray that they would find comfort in you as their everlasting Father and cling to your steadfast love.  Someone else is hurting because of the failures of their earthly father, Lord bring healing to their hearts and remind them that you are the Father to the fatherless. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mighty God

He will be called Mighty God, ....

Isaiah 9:6

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had several conversations with believers who shared that they have been experiencing intense persecution lately.  One young woman talked of feeling marginalized and silenced by colleagues at her place of work.  Another has been isolated by family members because of her faith.  Perhaps you can relate to these or other similar situations.  The truth is none of these circumstances should come as any surprise to those who trust in God and choose to practice his Word.  Speaking to his disciples in Matthew 24:9 Jesus said, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”  Again in 1 Peter 4:12-14, and 16 believers are reminded, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.…Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”  Persecution is part and parcel of the believer’s heritage in Jesus Christ.   

In these mean times it is important for us Christians to remember Isaiah’s prophesy concerning the child to be born.  He will not just be called a Wonderful Counselor, but also "Mighty God".  "Mighty God" means that this child will come as a powerful, undefeatable warrior, clothed with God’s strength and authority to conquer the kingdom of the enemy and to establish the Kingdom of God.  So no matter how weak and defeated one may feel in these mean times, Christians can gather strength by focusing on the character of this "Mighty God", who will come with the arsenal of heaven to put Satan in his place.

Christmas time reminds us to wait in expectation for Jesus’ return, and just as the people in Isaiah’s time were facing extreme darkness and looking for a political leader to free them from Roman oppression, today believers can look with anticipation for our Savior’s return because he will free his people from spiritual oppression and will dwell with them forevermore.  The writer in Hebrews 10:37 assures us he is coming, and will not delay.  I believe that we have not seen anything yet.  What we call persecution today is just the tip of the ice-berg. God is using these times to strengthen believers for what lies ahead, the “big leagues.”  Of this James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

If you are facing persecution of any kind today take heart because this word is for you.  First, remember, you are not alone in this trial.  Secondly, This Mighty God is your refuge and fortress, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).  Trust in him because he will do what he says he will do for you.

 Mighty God, in our weakness, you are strong.  Remind us again, as we contemplate the meaning of Christmas, that though you came as a little child, you came to us with all the power of heaven and conquered every spiritual battle that we have ever endured, are enduring or will ever endure.  Give us grace and strength to rejoice and be glad for the battle is already won.  Amen.

Wonderful Counselor

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

What’s in a name?  Some will argue, absolutely everything.  Names are very important to us human beings; and names are very revealing too.  Some of us name our children after those we love; others after those we admire or after those we honor.  There are believers, for instance, who will name their children after biblical characters because of certain attributes in those biblical figures.  Names reveal something unique about the bearer of the name.  Names may also reveal the parents’ hopes and aspirations for the child.  In Isaiah 9:6, God gives his son the name “Wonderful Counselor”.  This is especially significant because the Almighty God himself does the naming and the first name he assigns is “Wonderful Counselor”.

These are confusing times.  We live in a world ridden with ambiguities and contradictions, a world that has blurred lines.  Of this world Isaiah says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20).”  In times like this we need a counselor.  Not just any counselor, for I believe we have entered that time that Timothy describes thus, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3)”.  In times like these, we need a wonderful counselor who is not merely concerned about political correctness but rather one that will provide clarity and direction for life regardless of the consequences.

This is the kind of counselor that Isaiah prophesied about.  A counselor that is filled with God’s wonder, one that is capable of leading humanity into all truth (John 16:13).  As we prepare to celebrate Christmas yet again we have competing counselors urging us to want more, spend more, and indulge more in order to make this season wonderful.  The Wonderful Counselor is here to remind us that the season is already wonderful, not because of the things we will get on Christmas Day but because Jesus has already given us the most wonderful gift of all, eternal life. This counselor is here to remind us that the same God who brought such a wondrous story from a humble manger, is able to bring wondrous outcomes from the humble situations of our lives.  He is able to transform us from ordinary humans into heavenly beings.

Today we can seek his counsel concerning all the confusing messages and questions of our time, and we can trust his counsel knowing that his wisdom is both “wonder-full” and infinite.  

Dear Father, your name is above every other name.  We invite your presence to lead us and guide us through the Christmas season.  Remind us of the wonder you have accorded us that we might be called, Children of the Most High God.   Give us the wisdom to be humble listeners in this noisy time of the year; and show us how to honor you with our decisions we make about Christmas. Amen.

Go Sell Everything You Have

Jesus looked at him and loved him.  “One thing you lack,” he said, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.”

Mark 10:21

Christmas is almost here, and with it the impulse to buy, buy, buy.  Wherever you look, there are Black Friday deals, Cyber deals, electronic deals and all kinds of deals vying for our attention.  And then there are the strident voices on the airwaves inviting us to “Shop till you drop.”  The invitation is extended to us as the most natural conclusion to our annual Thanksgiving tradition of getting together, feasting at heavily laden food tables and being thankful for what we have.  The implication seems to be, “Be thankful, but shopping is what you are supposed to do before Christmas gets here, so everything will be perfect.” 

In Mark 10, we encounter a man, who by all standards is a man of stature and greatness in society.  He had obviously gone through life shopping to his heart’s content and seemed to have everything he ever wanted but in great humility he comes to Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?  Jesus tells him, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21)”.  In other words, give all your worldly possessions to the poor and then come, follow me.  But who does that?  We are all guilty of wanting more, buying more, and desiring more than we need.  The danger of our times is that the constant invitation to self-indulgence can cause us to become mindless consumers.  We can find ourselves imitating culture without any critical thought.  As Christmas draws near, I’d like to share a story I came across recently that might help refocus the way we prepare for Christmas.

There was a diamond expert who happened to be sitting on a plane next to a woman with a huge diamond on her finger.  The man eventually introduced himself to her saying, “I couldn’t help but notice your beautiful diamond.  I am an expert in precious stones.  Please tell me about that stone.  She said to him, “This is the famous Klopman diamond…one of the largest in the world, but there is a curse that comes with it.  The man asked, “What is the curse?”  “It’s Mr. Klopman,” she answered.

The true curse of any possession is its ability to steal our hearts and souls.  The rich young ruler was a good man in all respects.  He had kept the commandments since he was a boy, but he was greedy, he went away sad, because he had great wealth (Mark 10:22) and didn’t want to part with it, and this was the curse.  As you contemplate Christmas this year, what’s your curse?  You too may be a good person in all respects but does the thought of being counter cultural make you sad or uneasy?  Are you holding on too tightly to traditions and things that are a curse and therefore stand between you and eternal life?  Are you able or willing to give these up and do something different?  What will you do to ensure Christmas is as perfect as God intended?  What will you do to ensure that Jesus has his rightful place in your heart?  Remember that even now, his gaze is still on you, loving you.

The writer of the gospel of Matthew reminds us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19).”  Now, how will you respond to that impulse to buy more?

Dear Father, thank you for loving me and sending your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for me.  Thank you also for the blessed Holy Spirit who leads me and guides me into your truth.  Help me to live my life purposefully and to value what you value.  Give me the courage to be counter cultural when necessary.  This Christmas, I welcome you into my heart and my home.  Take your rightfuI place in my life and keep me at the center of your will.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

I Choose You!

Greetings! You are highly favored.  The Lord is with you.

Luke 1:28

It is a wonderful honor to be chosen to carry out a sacred task; but it can also be a troubling thing when you feel ill-equipped for the task.   Mary was troubled when the angel of the Lord appeared to her announcing that God had chosen to pull off a major miracle through her.  After all she was only a teenager with no life experience.  She wasn’t even married!  The Bible records, she was greatly troubled at the angel’s words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel reassures her with these words, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.”

You may not be accustomed to angels appearing before you, but you are accustomed to hearing God calling you to carry out his miracles to our world.   And perhaps like Mary, you have been afraid.  You have worried that you are not holy enough, experienced enough, mature enough and all the other one hundred excuses you’ve hidden behind in the past.  You are not alone; others have gone to the “land of excuses” before you.  Remember Moses (Exodus 4:10), and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5) and Elijah (Elijah 19:1-14) among many others?  They all felt ill-equipped for the task, but God “chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).”  He does it every time.

He chose Abraham and Sarah despite their advanced ages (Genesis 18:10); he chose Samuel despite his youthfulness (1 Samuel 3: 1-15); he chose Hannah though she was barren (1 Samuel 1-2:11); he chose Rahab even though she was a prostitute (Joshua 2: 1-21); he chose David even though he had committed adultery (Acts 13:22); and today he chooses you no matter what you have done or not done; no matter your age, talent or experience.  He chooses you to pull off his great miracle in this age even though you are weak and flawed; inexperienced and ill-equipped.  And his word has as much power for you today, as it did when he spoke to Mary.  God’s word says, “Do not be afraid, you are highly favored.  The Lord is with you.”

May you find the strength to choose him as you give the same response that Mary gave by faith, “May it be to me as you have said (Luke 1:38).”

Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible with you.  Today, I choose you.  Work in my life with your power; equip me for the task ahead and fill me with your presence so that I can be an effective ambassador for Christ.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

God is Our Fortress

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46:7

Wednesday, November 9, 2016, found many Americans and many other people across the world in one of these states:  Shocked, shattered, stunned, devastated, horrified, crushed, brokenhearted, saddened, defeated, depressed, fearful, angry, incredulous, speechless; excited, jubilant, triumphant, celebratory, happy, on cloud nine, pumped, thrilled, or elated. After pulling off a stunning victory against Hillary R. Clinton, Donald J. Trump was slated to become the 45th President of the United States of America. The news reverberated across the world like an earthquake bringing a multitude of reactions from various groups and certainly from you, and me. Since then, fear has gripped many minority groups across these United States and extremist groups appear to have become emboldened.  But do not be swayed by the noise of the multitudes, and do not get sucked in by what you hear on the airwaves because the God of Abraham, the God Isaac and the God of Jacob; the God we call our LORD God Almighty, sits enthroned in the heavenly places looking low upon the earth, seeing all, knowing all, unperturbed and speaking to you through his unchanging word (Deuteronomy 20:1).

Believer, it is easy for all of us to forget that it doesn’t matter who won this election or any other election, past, present or future, because God is still the one in control.  Our trust cannot be in chariots or horses, but rather in the name of the LORD our God (Psalm 20:7). It is he who establishes governing authorities and commands we submit to them (Romans 13:1). This same God who speaks from heaven is the Lord, your Savior; the one who promises to watch your going out and your coming in (Psalm 121:8); the one who says he will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5b). Trust in him, hope in him and be confident in him for he is your helper; so, do not fear; what can man do to you (Hebrews 13:6)?  Amid this deep confusion that threatens to overwhelm, he alone remains the steadfast anchor in the storm. The psalmist reminds you, “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.  When they breathe their last, they return to the earth and all their plans die with them (Psalm 146: 3-4).  Instead put your confidence in the God who knows the future.

So, put away anger, fear, discouragement and sadness; wipe away those tears and confront your disappointment with faith.  Place your hope for your nation and for your family in God. Praise your God and Savior even now (Psalm 42:11).  Like the psalmist, praise the LORD as long as you live; sing praises to him even with your dying breath (Psalm 146: 1-2) and pray for governments (1 Timothy 2:2) for it is the will of God.

And remember this, there is a way that seems right to a man, but it ends in death (Proverbs 14:12). Beware of those who boast about the future; for no one knows what tomorrow may bring, but we know who holds tomorrow and therefore we can confidently say (Psalm 46): 

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 

   the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
    He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shield with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.  

May his peace engulf you now and forevermore, and may he come down from heaven and heal our land and our world. Amen!

Patience in the Dungeon

… 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 40:31

Waiting is not easy.  For little children waiting is excruciating.  For teenagers, waiting is a minor annoyance and inconvenience.  For many adults, waiting produces impatience and anxiety.  We all want what we want as soon as possible.  Some of us want it immediately!  For the believer, waiting produces discipline and character, but no one likes to wait, and no one wants to wait in the dungeon.  The dungeon is damp and dark; it reeks of hopelessness and despair.  God however, wants us all to learn to wait; he wants us to have patience in the dungeon.  Are you in a difficult situation?  Have you prayed for release?  Has God asked you to wait?  Then be patient and do exactly that, WAIT!

In prison, Joseph learned patience (Genesis 39: 20-21).  The Lord’s presence was with him in that dungeon and God caused the prison wardens to show him kindness and favor.  Job, learned patience in the ash heap of his sickness (Job 2:9-10).  Even one, as intimate as his wife, could not persuade him to turn his back on God.  In the end, God gave him favor rewarding him with everything he had lost, and then some (Job 42: 10-11).  Abraham, learned patience in his tent in the desert.  After waiting a lifetime to become a father, God granted him his wish in the desert (Genesis18: 2-14).  Despite their advanced ages, God granted Abraham and Sarah his wife, a son.  David learned patience while he waited in the back of a cave (1Samuel 24: 1-22).  David had the opportunity to kill Saul who was pursuing him, but he did not do so.  He would not touch the Lord’s anointed (Vs. 10).  God granted him favor and a renewed relationship with Saul.  Jesus, waited patiently in a borrowed tomb.  Even though he was God and he had the power to free himself immediately, he did not do so, so that prophecy might be fulfilled and we might be reconciled to God the Father.

Friend, you don’t get to choose where you will wait.  You may have to wait in a hospital, in a dead-end job, in a court room, in a loveless marriage, in solitude, in financial limbo, in single-hood and in any other dungeon you find yourself in.  And I cannot say how your situation will turn out, but I know what will happen to you when you wait.  Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that: “…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.”  No matter where you wait, God will give you the strength to soar over those things and situations that pull others under.  So be patient and wait for him.

Dear Loving God, help me to remember that every trial that comes my way has already been known to you in advance. I know that you are with me. Teach me to be patient in affliction and to remember you are always in control, no matter what. Help me by your grace and mercy to be patient and to persevere in all circumstances, yes even in this dungeon.  I love you, Father! Amen

Are You Prepared?

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Who knew that three small oranges could turn out to be so valuable?  You see, on April 15th, 1912 the Titanic sank.  Those who built it had boasted that this ship was unsinkable.  The passengers who boarded it, believed what they heard.  As the ship began to sink that fateful day, a young woman found a place on a lifeboat that was about to be lowered into the North Atlantic.  Suddenly she remembered she needed something and begged to be allowed to return to her stateroom.  She was granted three minutes, and then the lifeboat would leave without her.

She raced across the tilting deck, through the gambling room where all the money had rolled to one side.  Once inside her room, she pushed aside her diamond rings; she ignored her expensive bracelets and necklaces and reached for three small oranges.  What mattered to her thirty minutes earlier had become worthless!  Death had boarded the Titanic that fateful day, turning all values upside down.  The young lady knew that her survival on that lifeboat depended on those three oranges.

Today you and I live in one of the richest and most powerful countries on earth.  There are those who swear that this country is indestructible; perhaps as unsinkable as the Titanic.  These are the ones who trust in their own workmanship.  And for the time being, we feel lucky to live here, just like those lucky people who managed to get tickets to board the Titanic.  To a large degree, despite the waves, we are sailing along smoothly and life is relatively wonderful.  Society has given us cues for success; a good education; a high paying job; promotions and titles; a corner office; a car and a large house and so forth.  These are the things we treasure today.  But dear friend what if a Titanic-sized tragedy visited our shores?  What would you depend on then?

Writing about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul summarizes the most important thus: “Faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  God wants us to be prepared for our descent into the lifeboat.  When our ship begins to tilt, (and may even now be tilting) we’ll need the right items in our survival bags.  When the time comes to disembark, will you be prepared or will you be laden down with all the perishable treasures of this world?  What does your life say about your values and about your readiness to disembark? 

Faith, hope and love; three small oranges are all you will need for the journey.  Choose wisely, so you are not left behind when the lifeboat leaves this sinking ship for safe harbor in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is all you need.

Heavenly Father, you are not willing that anyone should perish.  Help me to align my values to your values.  Remind me of the things that matter to you, so that I will not be swayed by the attractions of this world.  Help me remember each day, that I am an alien in this world so I will not get comfortable with the status quo and the values of this life.  Today, I choose faith in you; hope in your resurrection and love for you and for my fellow brothers and sisters.   In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Follow Me!

Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 4:19

It is quite a bold move to ask people to follow you.  And yet, in calling the disciples to follow him, Jesus did so again and again.  In Matthew 4:18, he says to Simon and Andrew, “Come, follow me, …and I will make you fishers of men.”  In Matthew 9:9, Jesus says to the tax collector, “Follow me.”  In Luke 5:27, he calls Levi, another tax collector with these same words, “Follow me.”  Today we see many modern-day leaders who also say, “Follow me.”  But should you?  Jesus could say “Follow me,” because he had proven he understood what it means to lead. 

Jesus earned the right to say, “Follow me,” because he understood what it meant to follow God.  He had modeled the behavior first.  Philippians 2:8 says, “Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men.  He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.”  Jesus emptied himself.  Yes, he emptied himself of all the crutches of leadership that we see today, namely; ego, pride, greed, hypocrisy, politics and grandstanding, desire for status, popularity, power, and money among other things.  Jesus took on the form of a bond-servant.  He served God as a slave serves his master, becoming obedient even unto death.  He did not take credit but gave God all the glory.  He did not promote himself but promoted God’s purposes.  He did not do it for power, but rather out of obedience to God.  He did not do it for financial gain, but did it for love of humanity.  And only after modeling the way of obedience and devotion to God, did he find the boldness to say, “Follow me.”

Recently, I listened to Chuck Swindoll, a well-known theologian and Bible teacher, talk about his own call to discipleship on the radio.  Many years ago, when Jesus said to him “Follow me,” he said he had sold everything he owned, and had added the proceeds to his life savings and then decided to give it all to God’s work.  It was $10,000.00.  But then he heard the Spirit of God say, “Is that all?”  So, he dug deeper, found a few more dollars and surrendered that as well.  But he still heard God say, “Is that really all of it?”  So, he threw in his family, immediate and extended, saying, “I surrender them to you,” and still God said, “Is that all?”  Finally, Swindoll said, “Lord, take all of me, my dreams, my passions, my time, my talent, take all of me and use me as you will.”  And at this point of complete surrender God said, “Now all these things belong to me, but I give them to you to use to honor me.”

Swindoll had to die to himself; he had to surrender all his wants, needs and desires to find the abundant life he longed for.  Today, God says to you, “Will you follow me?”  Before you answer think about this; have you died to all your needs, wants and desires?  Have you given up all your connections, possessions and selfish motivations?  Have you died to self?   Have you surrendered all for his sake or are you holding on to parts of you?

Secondly, consider whether you have earned the right to say to those around you, whether at home, at the office or elsewhere, “Follow me.”  Not “Do what I say,” but, “truly and willingly follow me even as I follow Christ.”

Dear God, give me the courage to shun the popular secular notion that we can live compartmentalized lives with one foot in the word and one foot in the world without consequence.  Teach me what it means to empty myself of everything that hinders me from following you fully.  Help me to mean it, when I say, “I surrender all to you.”  Then give me the boldness to extend an invitation to others to follow me, even as I follow you.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Confident Effective Faith

“He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Psalm 102: 26-27

 Faith, someone has said, is taking God at his word.  It is a holy reaction to the wondrous words of God.  It is knowing and trusting God’s word and believing he will do what he says he will do.  That same faith, “comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)”. 

Jesus had to leave the region of Tyre, and travel deep into the region of the Decapolis to meet the two men in this story; one was deaf and the other mute; both conditions present a significant communication barrier.  Jesus’ movement towards the two men, took intentionality and effort.  In response to the confident faith of the men’s friends, he removed the barriers and the two men were healed immediately.  Confident faith in God opens the gates, the opportunities and powers of heaven.  In fact, in the letter of James 5: 16, the writer says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person (the prayer of faith) has great power and produces wonderful results.”  God may not always remove the barrier “immediately” as he did in these situations, but he will provide the fullness of his presence and the strength to wait, endure or overcome any situation.

When you are facing a barrier in your life, start by exercising confident faith.  Know what God’s word says about your situation.  Jesus reminds the disciples in Matthew 17:20, “…if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."  Secondly, understand that Jesus is always moving towards his people (Psalm 116:2):  and he will do whatever it takes to meet you at your point of need.  Thirdly, continue to trust him and surround yourself with those who trust him (Matthew 18:20).  Next, don’t forget to pray.  Prayer is the spiritual sword that cuts down any barrier you face.  Finally, expect his divine touch in your situation, whatever that might be (Hebrews 13:5b).  This is the season of open heaven so ask for whatever you need in his name and wait in faithful expectation.

The children of Israel faced a barrier at the Red Sea; God split the waters, bringing them safely through on dry land (Exodus 14: 21-22).  Hannah faced a barrier to motherhood; she was barren. But God opened her womb and gave her a child, whom she named Samuel (1 Samuel 1:6).  Humanity was sinking in sin, a barrier that blocked us from a relationship with God, but Jesus conquered sin and death and reconciled us to God (John 3:16).  He is the barrier-breaking God who responds to confident faith.  He heals; he restores; he renews and he reconciles.  He’s been there before and he will go there again just for you, because he does everything well.  Don’t let the enemy or anyone else tell you anything different (John 8:44b).

Loving God, you do all things well.  You are Elohim, creator of heaven and earth.  Nothing is too difficult for you.  I commit to you my situation right now, believing you are already at work in it.  Here I wait, in faithful expectation for your answer.  My faith is in you and you alone.  Amen.

Get Out of Town!

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Wabush, a town in a remote part of Labrador, Canada, was completely isolated for some time.  But a couple years ago, a road was cut through the wilderness to reach it.  Wabush now has one road leading into it and thus only one road leading out.  If someone would travel the unpaved road six to eight hours to get into Wabush, there is only one way he or she could leave the town, and that is …by turning around.

Each one of us, by birth, arrives in a town called Sin, encumbered with the “Adamic” nature inherited through our ancestor Adam.  As in Wabush, there is only one way out of this wilderness.  One has to take the road built by none other than Jesus himself.  It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in this wilderness; it doesn’t matter what you have done; everyone must take the same road out of town.  But in order to take this road, one must first turn around.  Without this complete about face; without this change of direction called repentance, there is no way out of town.

Sadly, despite the warning signs of our times (Matthew 24:4-8;22-25), and despite God’s patience, many people choose to linger in the wilderness.  Others hang around the border (Joshua 24:15), an extremely dangerous to do.  Still others ridicule the warning, calling it a myth that only the feebleminded believe. All these responses result in loss of life (Genesis 19:26; Matthew 24:37-39).  God wants every man and woman to get out of town urgently.  There is only one way out (John 14:6), through Jesus Christ, who has already paved the way and purchased our ticket.  He did it on the cross at Calvary (John 3:16) and he did it for everyone.

Where do you find yourself today?  Are you still in the wilderness or are you lingering on the border with one foot in and one foot out?  It’s time to get out of town.  Do you know anyone that needs to get out?  Warn them.  Yes, really, warn them (Jude 1: 22-23). The Bible tells us that the end will come suddenly. “While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape (1 Thessalonians 5:3).”  It happened in Noah's time and the Bible says, it will happen again, when Christ returns like a thief in the night (Revelations 16:15).

Loving Father, thank you for your mercy.  You do not want anyone to perish, but that all come to repentance.  I commit my friends and family, who I now name…to your care.  Reveal yourself to them, that they might encounter Jesus as LORD and Savior.  I commit (re-commit) myself to you fully.  Give me the courage and the opportunity to share the Good News of salvation with those I meet today.  Thank you for showing me the way out of the wilderness of sin.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Rejection: Pathway to Grace

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

I John 2: 15-17

Rejection hurts.  The dictionary lists synonyms like: refuse, spurn, dismiss, turn down and decline for the word rejection.  When you are rejected, it means you are excluded and do not belong to a group.  Whether it is little children being mean at school, teenagers being cliquish, office workers sticking with their own kind, the boss ignoring you, a wife or husband divorcing you or members of a political party spurning you, or some other kind of marginalization, rejection hurts deeply.  In addition, rejection can scar one’s psyche.  But it doesn’t have to.

Jesus prepared his disciples for rejection telling them, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”  The same is true for believers.  We must understand that rejection is part and parcel of our lot as believers in a sin-sick world that does not believe Jesus is the Son of God.  In order to navigate rejection, we must look to Jesus for direction.  He loved those who rejected him; he prayed for those who falsely accused him; he forgave those who persecuted and crucified him and he loved us though we had sinned against him.  God’s word further instructs that by responding to those who reject us in love, we will be heaping hot coals on their heads and the Lord will reward us for our obedience (Proverbs 25:22).

Have you suffered rejection?  Does the pain continue to wound your spirit?  Look to Jesus.  He was rejected even unto death.  Your situation may be excruciatingly painful, but you have the opportunity to pray for those who persecute you and to forgive those who have hurt you.  You have the opportunity to grow in love and grace as you tap into God’s supernatural power that resides in you.  What the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good (Genesis 50:20).  Jesus triumphed over his enemies, and by your obedience you will too.  And though the world may continue to hate you and what you stand for, take heart, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Father, enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I may see you more clearly.  Thank you for reminding me that in this world, I will have trouble.  Give me the grace and strength, to forgive, to love and to pray for those who reject me for the sake of your holy name, Amen.

While We Were Sleeping

But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

Matthew 13:25

News commentators often report that America is one of the most sleep deprived nations in the world, while The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR) states that up to 70 million Americans cope with sleep disorders and as a nation, we spend up to 3.6 billion on prescription sleep medication!!!   And yet, despite our sleep deprivation, the devil has effectively lulled the church into a deep spiritual slumber, one that threatens our very existence, …but God. 

As I thought about this disheartening situation, I was reminded of the parable of the sower (Luke 8: 5-15).  In this parable, a farmer went out to sow his seed.  We know that some seed fell on the path and was trampled and the birds of the air ate it up.  Some fell on rock and withered for lack of moisture.  Others fell among thorns, grew up with it but eventually were overrun and choked to death.  And still other seed fell on good soil, and yielded a crop, one hundred times more than was sown.

In this space, between Jesus Christ’s ascension and Jesus Christ’s return, the parable comes alive for believers.  God’s word sown in our hearts and lives is threatened by so many cares, temptations, philosophies, life and faith alternatives.  It is while the farmer, is away, that we find all kinds of weeds, thorns, rocks and other seed-stealers swooping in.  America, history reminds us, was founded on Christian principles and yet looking at America today, one has to wonder, what happened to us?  But it’s not just America, it is humanity in general.  Looking at the news headlines from around our world today one has to wonder, what is going on?

Spiritually speaking, humanity has fallen asleep.  We have allowed our hectic schedules, plans, programs, appointments and secular-like thinking to tire us and lull us into a kind of spiritual stupor.  We may have trouble falling physically asleep, but the accompanying exhaustion of our merciless existence has lulled us into a deep spiritual slumber.   One that denies how far we have strayed from the path Jesus mapped out for us.

The Lord says to the disciples in Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”  Paul tells the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing….”   Jesus himself modelled a life of prayer, often pulling away to be alone with God, in order to find guidance, direction and strength to do God’s bidding.  Prayer is the prescription for spiritual slumber.  Prayer is the antidote that exposes the weeds, the rocks, the thorns that choke our spiritual alertness.  But how can we pray, when we are sleepy or sleeping?  Consider your own prayer life.  How would you rate it, vibrant or lethargic?

I stumbled upon a book published by Cleon Skousen (1958).  It is titled, “The Naked Communist.”  The book articulates 45 goals for America by communist Russia.  Here are some eye-opening goals:

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press.
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, and healthy.”
27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious crutch.”
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”
40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity, masturbation and easy divorce.
41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

These goals should be cause for pause.  Are you surprised that so many of them have already been achieved?   If you’re still wondering when all these things happened, or why they happened, they happened while the church was sleeping?  These goals were achieved while the church was overdosing on the spiritual "Ambien" of social religion.

But:  here is the good news:  The parable of the sower does offer hope.  Some of the seed fell on good soil, and yielded a crop one hundred times more than was sown.  Translation:  But God... there is always a remnant and therein lies our hope!  No matter what the state of the church might be today, Jesus has decreed, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18b).

Be encouraged, don’t give up.  God’s ways are higher than our ways and what he has decreed will come to pass.  In these days before the farmer returns for the harvest, ask God to help you stay alert, and to recognize the enemy’s lies in our generation.  Continue to read the word that it may be lamp for your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119: 105).  Then practice the word so the world will see your good deeds and glorify God in heaven (Matthew 5:16).  Besides, it is impossible to be spiritually lethargic, when your lamp is burning bright.

Dear Father in heaven, keep our minds and our hearts focused on you and on your Word, that we might gain wisdom for these times.  We pray for believers around the world; awaken us, Oh God, that we might be faithful ambassadors of your Word to a restless and seeking generation.  And may this Word that you have sown in us, continue to grow and yield a harvest of souls for your Kingdom.  Let it come alive in our homes, in our churches, in our work spaces, and in our relationships.  Stir us out of our lethargy and give us a faith that is relevant for these times.  Expose the enemy by the light and power of your truth.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

When God Seems Silent

I cry to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up but you merely look at me.

Job 30:20

There are times in our lives when God is active and present and we enjoy telling friends and family of the many wonderful things he has done for us.  However, there are also those times, when God seems silent; those times when our world caves in and we feel abandoned.  In the silence, it is easy to be afraid; to feel threatened and to feel abandoned.  Yet none of these things are true of the God we serve. 

Every child of God goes through different seasons of their faith, and the wilderness of faith is one of those seasons.  Elijah experienced it when Jezebel threatened his life (1 Kings 19:10); The children of Israel experienced this dry season while journeying through the desert (Exodus 14:11); The psalms are filled with laments and moments of desperation (38, 51, 86, 102), and even Jesus experienced such a season in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:40).  It should therefore not surprise us when we go through such a season in our own lives.  And yet time and time again many of us cry out, “God, where have you gone?”  This might be the season you are experiencing in your own life.

Job found himself in the wilderness, having lost absolutely everything when he cried out, “I cry to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up but you merely look at me (Job 30:20).”  Where was God?  Where was God when Job needed him most.  Where was God when Jesus needed him?  Where is God when you need him?  Where is God indeed when our nation needs him?  Andrew Peterson captures the desperation we feel in this silence in his song titled, “The Silence of God”:

It’s enough to drive a man crazy, it’ll break a man’s faith

It’s enough to make him wonder, if he’s ever been sane

When he’s bleating for comfort from thy staff and thy rod

And the Heaven’s only answer is the silence of God

When God seems silent, trust his word.  He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).”  When God seems silent trust his character.  He is Elohim the eternal one who was in the beginning, and will always be (Genesis 1:1).  When God seems silent, trust his creation.  It is evidence of his presence and his power.  When God seems silent, wait patiently for him (Psalm 27:14; 37:7).   The Psalmist reminds us, “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry (Psalm 40:1).” God eventually came through for Elijah, for Job, for the children of Israel, for his Son Jesus Christ and for many others throughout his word.  And no matter how long it takes, God is coming through for you too.

Loving Father, I am here in your presence waiting patiently.  Speak Lord, that my heart might not faint. Amen.

Who Are You?

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.”

Psalm 139: 14

We cannot genuinely know who we are, until we let go of all the worldly roles and labels that define us.  “Who am I?”  is a critical question that you’ve probably wrestled with at one time or another.  Are we who people say we are or are we who people say we are not.   What if they change their minds?  What happens to our sense of self?  Have the challenges and trials of life ever forced you to confront the question of who you are?  Are you currently struggling with a situation that’s forcing you to examine your identity in Christ?

For many of us, there are the usual flippant answers, someone’s daughter, son, sister, brother, mother, father, friend or some other role we play in the world.  These are essential roles, but beneath that surface, when it counts the most, who are you really?  Our celebrity dominated culture forces us to confront this question daily.  Many other systems of our world suggest that unless you are wealthy, beautiful, talented, successful or hold some fancy title, you are of little significance in this world.  And yet sooner or later life has a way of forcing us to confront this question of identity so that we might discover who we truly are. 

Perhaps you are going through this test at home, at work or in some other circumstance.  The answer is hard to come by until we can figure out whose we are.  When we grasp whose we are, we will then know who we are.  I thought I knew who I was in Christ until I faced deep humiliation recently when someone slighted me in a public gathering.  In the heat of the moment, I found myself grasping at my title, my role, my education and my family heritage, and all the other familiar crutches many of us turn to when our faith is tested, but these all fell flat until I turned to the word of God.  There I was reminded that whenever I am tested, I will find my answers in no one and nothing else, other than in my identity in God.  The psalmist who knows a thing or two about testing declares in Psalm 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.”  Whatever the world says you are, positive or negative, do not believe it.  Believe only what God’s word says about you.

In the good days and in the bad days, you too are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Whether you are an executive or a stay at home parent; in a salaried occupation, self-employed or unemployed; married, divorced or single; young, middle-aged or old; black, white, yellow or brown, thin or fat, you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  And as the psalmist says, God’s works are wonderful (filled with wonder) at all times, in all circumstances and in all places.  God has created us, male and female in his image (Genesis 1:27) and no title or status in this earthly life can compete with that.

You are a miracle, uniquely designed for his purposes (Ephesians 2:10).  You are his child loved, provided for and protected (Matthew 7:11).  You are his friend, called to dwell in knowledge of him, in his presence and his favor (John 15:15).  You are his disciple, called to walk in love, in obedience and in power (John 13:35).  You are an heir to the kingdom of heaven, called to share in his sufferings and in his glory (Romans 8:17).  You are everything God says you are, no more and no less.

Gracious and loving God, I thank you for who I am in you.  Remind me each day, and in every circumstance I face, that my worth is only in you.  Empty me of myself and increase your Spirit in me.  Give me the power to see me as you see me.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

What's the Point?

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher.  "Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless."

Ecclesiastes 1: 2

A few weeks ago, I was taking an evening walk at a park near my home when something caught my eye.  I saw a man playing fetch with his dog.  I would have thought nothing of it, except when I came back an hour later, the man and the dog were still in the same area playing the same game of fetch.  Over and over again he threw the ball, and over and over again the dog fetched it.  I exited the park wondering “What’s the point?  (Hold it dog lovers, I am getting there.)”  No doubt they would be there the following day, week, month and year playing this game of fetch all over again.  It all seemed so futile

Life can sometimes feel like a game of fetch.  You go to work every day bring back a paycheck, pay the bills and then you repeat the same process every day, every week, every year.  Sometimes the rhythm can feel like a game of fetch.  Perhaps you’ve found yourself wondering, “What’s the point?”  Maybe you’ve found yourself asking this same question about the other circumstances you face.  What’s the point of staying in a marriage where you feel alone?  What’s the point of staying in a job that aggravates your spirit and makes you feel like a worthless hired hand?  What’s the point of trying to patch up a feud with family members who don’t seem to care twopence about you?  What’s the point of reaching out to neighbors who want to be left alone?  What’s the point of living any longer when you are in unbearable pain and life seems so hopeless?  “What’s the point?” is a question common to humanity.

Solomon appears to ask this same question in Ecclesiastes even though he seemed to have it all.  This chasing after pleasure, wealth, power and even wisdom, Solomon says, is a mere chasing after the wind.  And there’s none better than Solomon to remind us of this truth.  After all, he had it all; 700 wives and 500 concubines.  In addition, Solomon had so much money that it is said, he would instruct his money counters to throw the small bills away.  And yet despite all these worldly possessions, Solomon declares it is all meaningless; mere vanity.  Even Solomon wrestles with the question, “What’s the point?”

That game of fetch seems pointless and repetitive until you consider the intimate relationship that exists between the dog and its owner.  The dog fetches the ball to please its owner.  Likewise, our lives can only make sense when we live in intimate relationship to God and stand in awe of him (Ecclesiastes 5:1).  Our lives can only have meaning when we are crucified with him, and the sole aim of our lives is to please him.  Like Solomon, you will discover that neither pleasure, wealth, power of wisdom will bring satisfaction.  Only an intimate relationship with God will.  Do not delay, make him the point of your existence today.

Father Almighty, you are the Alpha and the Omega; the first and the last.  Without you I am nothing, so reign in me today and every day.  Amen.

What Would You Do?

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

The ABC television channel has a program called “What Would You Do?” hosted by John Quinone’s.  Using hidden cameras, the producers of the program try to capture the behavior of ordinary citizens who are confronted by complex situations that require them to take action or mind their own business.  It is easy to become an armchair spectator who is shocked by those who choose to do nothing when a situation calls for action.  But what would you do if the hidden camera was turned on you?

Take an imaginary trip with me and consider this same question, “What would you do?”  Many of us wake up each morning with a clear sense of what each day holds.  Today is no different because we are going to be “busy.”  We are going to be busy at work, at home, getting children ready for school and busy with whatever else life throws at us.  But what would you do if in the midst of your “busy” day, you suddenly heard the sound of the trumpet and saw Jesus descending from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16) with his gaze fixed on you?  Think about it; would you be ready to go?  It sounds like a fairy tale doesn’t it?  It’s not a fairy tale, it’s the truth of God’s word.

Even though many pulpits have become silent about this topic, Jesus will come back in the same way, he went up to heaven (Acts 1:11).  In the meantime, we will face reality, complex dilemma’s and divine appointments that will require us to either take action or mind our own business.  We are not unsuspecting participants on a carefully crafted television show, but rather extraordinary beings (God’s handiwork), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).  In addition, we have the Holy Spirit, to help us and guide us into God's truth.  So perhaps you will come across someone in need; or you will notice an unjust situation at the office; or you will hear about a heartbreaking situation in your hometown or in some other part of the world.  When these things happen in the middle of your “busy” day, what will you do?

Matthew writes, that one day “The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” So make today count.  Discard the “busy” and instead choose to be focused.  Slow down, listen, acknowledge, affirm, reflect, pray and be available.  Don’t miss the opportunity to serve Jesus with skin on, and should he come today, you can joyfully and confidently say, “I did it all for you.”

Loving and Gracious God, I give myself to you today.  Use me however you will.  Open my eyes that I may see what you see, my ears that I may hear what you hear, my heart, that it might break where yours breaks.  Move my feet where you want me to go and use my hands to heal, not to hurt.  Fill me afresh with your Spirit and let me spread grace and hope in your Holy name.  And when you come, may you find me faithful, Oh Lord.  Amen.

Choose Your Gate

Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7: 13-14

Life is about decisions, and decisions have consequences.  Abraham decided to go upstream by obeying God.  He left his home and a comfortable, familiar existence to go to a new and unfamiliar land, that God would show him, and God blessed him (Genesis 12:4).  Moses decided to obey God, even though he was not very confident about his abilities to lead the children of Israel (Exodus 3).  Jesus made the ultimate decision when he came to earth in the form of man, doing God’s bidding even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).  These and many others chose the narrow gate that leads to life.

But then there’s Judas, who floated downstream when he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).  How about the rich young ruler who went away sad, when Jesus asked him to sell everything and give it to the poor and then follow Jesus (Matthew 19:21-22).  Then think about Lot’s wife who looked back and turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).  These characters and others who chose the wide path, floated downstream never to be heard of again.

Floating upstream is hard and painful work.  Floating upstream takes strength of character, commitment, heart and trust.  I watched the American women’s rowing team at the Rio Olympics recently and noticed these qualities in the women.  They chose a rhythm and a path and they stuck to it; trusting in the rhythm and in each other.  I saw how much strength they exerted into each stroke and I saw the sweat pour down their faces and backs.  They did not allow the early lead team to distract them, nor did they allow the cheering of the crowds to influence them, they had one thing in mind, to stay the course and row for the gold medal.  Their eyes and hearts were fixed on the prize and eventually they won the race!

Life is about choices.  Which gate are you choosing?  Broad is the gate that is filled with complacency, accommodation, opposition, and withdrawal from the responsibilities of our Christian faith. God’s word encourages you, me, all of us to choose the narrow gate.  The narrow gate is difficult and requires reliance and trust in the Holy Spirit.  It requires walking by faith.  His word exhorts us to run this race with our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and not to be swayed by the massive crowds floating downstream carried by the influence of this secular world.  We already know what happens to those who float downstream, so choose the narrow gate; choose the difficult gate that runs counter to this secular current.  Choose the gate that takes effort and perseverance while fixing your eyes on the prize.  Do not be deterred or distracted by those who succeed in their wicked ways (Psalm 37:7).  Whatever decisions you have to make this day, choose life because God in Christ has already chosen you and he says, if you remain in him as he remains in you, you've already won the race (John 15:4).

Loving and Gracious God, thank you for showing me the way of life through the choices you made.  Give me the strength to choose the narrow gate, to swim against the current of this secular world and to remember that you are always with me by the power of your Holy Spirit who lives in me.  I commit to you my choices today, may they bring glory and honor to you alone.  Thank you for choosing me.  In Jesus’ Holy name I pray, Amen!

The Promise Keeper

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.  And so through him, the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20

One afternoon two little girls were playing in the sand, when one said to the other, “I have 50 cents.”  The second girl responded skeptically, “I don’t think you do.”  The first girl clutched her fist tightly saying insisting, “I certainly do.”  So the second girl, challenged her, “Open up your fist, let me see your fifty cents.”  The first girl opened her fist slowly, while the other girl peered at her palm.  Suddenly she squealed, “I knew it, you only have 25 cents!”  Without missing a beat, the first girl replied, “You only see 25 cents, but I have 50 cents.  You see when my dad left for work this morning, he promised that upon his return he would give me another 25 cents and my daddy does not lie.”

The Bible is filled with the promises of God.  There are more than 3573 promises in all.  That’s at least 10 promises for each day of the year.  God’s promises are able to permeate every sphere of our lives.  In fact, they are ours through Jesus Christ.  You and I may not always experience the wealth and the depth of these promises because of our inability to comprehend such a deep mercy and love but they are available for each one of us by faith.  Sometimes we just have to wait while God perfects our character so that we are able to receive these promises with the right attitude.  Like the little girl in the story, waiting solidifies our trust in God, our Father, who is not a man that he should lie.

You may be struggling right now or you may be anxious and uncertain.  Whatever your situation, God has specific promises for you, most of all that through him, you may have abundant life (John 10:10).   The nay-sayers and the haters may challenge your belief and trust in God; the enemy may cloud your mind with doubt; those close to you may be skeptical about your faith, but you just hold on tightly to his promises for you in Christ Jesus for they are “Yes and Amen.” God will do just as he has promised.  In the meantime, walk by faith and not by sight because your God is a promise keeping God.

Father in heaven,  I thank you that you are a God who fulfills all your promises.  Today I choose to walk by faith, believing that your promises for me are already accomplished in Jesus Christ, my Savior.  As I walk in faith, make me an encourager of those whose faith is weak, so that they too may walk in your promises.  Amen!

Stewarding His Strength

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

Romans 8:26-27

I had been grieving for two weeks.  On this particular afternoon, I sat alone in a prayer room at my home church, hot tears coursing down my cheeks.  I was in anguish, exhausted and in shock.  The man I was planning to marry had just drowned in a swimming pool, and the news was too difficult for me to digest.  I felt completely alone in my pain even though I was an active and well-connected member of a megachurch.  Words could not contain my grief, instead, I groaned, the searing torment of my emotions gushing from deep inside me.

Suddenly, someone placed a hand on my right shoulder and gave me a reassuring pat.  I turned my tear-stained face towards the person expecting to see my senior pastor, and wondering why I did not hear the door open behind me when he came in.  There was no one there.  I was still alone, and yet the air had shifted in that room, someone was there!  I would bet my life on it.

Instead of fear, I felt strangely peaceful as a deep warmth began to spread from my shoulder (yes, the right one) to my heart.  I entered a deep calm and my mood shifted to a holy and quiet surrender to the gentle presence in that prayer room.  I cannot explain it, but I had an immediate sense that Jesus’ presence was in the room with me to reassure me that I was not alone and that he would be with me every step of the way in my grieving.  I knew that he was there to remind me of the hope that we have in him, through his resurrection.

I share my story to let you know, that the Holy Spirit is real, Jesus is real, our God is real.  This may be an extremely challenging time in your life, but it is also an opportune time for Jesus to help you.  In one of the darkest moments of my life he interceded for me and he can do the same for you.  If you’ve come to the end of yourself, let him take over and steer you where he wants you go.  Let go of the crutches, abandon the prayer formulas, abandon the plans and just be open and real about your situation then leave the rest to him.  You can’t, by your own power, change your situation, but you can open the door and allow God’s life-changing power to come in and change it for you through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Seek his face diligently and you will find him.

God of all comfort, I praise you today for who you are.  Your word says, you give strength to the weary.  Here I am broken and exhausted. Take over my life Lord, and lend me your strength.  Heal me of my weakness by the power of your Holy Spirit.  Empty me of myself, and fill me afresh with your Spirit.  I surrender my striving.  Have your own way in me and lead me in your good and perfect will.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen!