Emmanuel-God With Us!

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:5

 As Christmas approaches we are reminded once again, that our God “Emmanuel,” came down from heaven, and dwelt among us.  He did not come as a conquering King, but as a baby, weak and defenseless.   Yet unbeknownst to the wise men and the shepherds, in that lowly manger, lay both the Presence and the Power of God.  God was with us, that quiet, starlit night, and he was about to radically change his relationship to humankind!

That same Presence and Power has continued to dwell with God-fearing men and women through the ages.  For instance, despite his human limitations, God chose to work through Moses, in setting the Israelites free from Egypt.  When Moses hesitated at the great responsibility before him (Exodus 4:10), God responded with these words, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” In other words, I will be with you; I will dwell with you.

After Moses, came Joshua.  Understandably, Joshua felt intimidated by Moses’ legacy.  How could he possibly live up to Moses’ legacy as a leader?  But God comforts Joshua with these words, “as I was with Moses, so I will be with you!"  Once again, God promises his Presence and Power to Joshua.

More than 400 years later, a young woman wrestling with her inadequacies and human limitations, would voice her concern, and disbelief that she would be the mother of Jesus.  “How will this be, “…  “since I am a virgin (Luke 1:34)?”  And once again, God answers, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”  Simply put, I will be with you and will dwell within you.

God’s words for Moses, Joshua, Mary and many stalwarts of the faith are also for us today. You may be the most ordinary, unconnected, unrecognizable person on the planet, but you serve a great God, and he is able to do extraordinary things through you too, if you would just say “Yes.”  This great God is not just with you, and within you, but he is also for you, so that whatever you do in his name, you are on the winning team and no one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.

Beloved, let this Christmas be a reminder that he came for you (yes, inexperienced, unconnected, and ordinary you), and he will never leave you, nor forsake you.  Acknowledge his Presence and Power within you and go do exploits for the Kingdom (Daniel 11:32), as you continue the work that helps transform his relationship to humanity.  Time is running out, so give the gift that matters.   He is coming soon!

Loving God, I acknowledge you Presence and Power within me.  You are the God that is always with me, within me and for me.  Fill me with that sense of urgency that drives me to do your will, while there is yet time.  Present me with opportunities today, to give the gift that matters.  In your holy name, I pray.  Amen.

Run Your Race!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7
 

Every runner knows that running a good race, takes discipline and hard work.  Among other things, a runner needs good nutrition, sufficient rest and practice, practice, practice.  Without these building blocks, one may as well take a seat on the grandstand and watch.  There’s another secret ingredient to winning a race, when the starting gun goes off and the race has begun, focus on the finish line, no matter what happens, keep your eyes on the prize.  That’s the end goal.  Avoid the temptation to look sideways or backwards at the other competitors.  They have their own race to run, and that mini-second glance, will only distract you from executing your own race.  It could even cost you the prize.  Ignore the roar of the crowd; ignore their taunts too.  This is not about them, it is about you and the goal ahead of you.  There’s a lane on this earth, marked out just for you.  Find it, and run your race.

Towards the end of Paul’s life, he says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  Is Paul referring to three different activities?  Of course not!  Just one; he is talking about his divine race of faith.  Paul reveals that this faith is worth fighting for; it is worth completing; and it is worth keeping to the end of life.  Many are the saints who have lost their lives throughout the centuries for this faith.  In the foreword to Christine Caine’s book, “Unstoppable (2014),” Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv writes, that running this race “involves faith, perseverance and possibly even danger.” On many occasions, Paul faced danger and rejection (Acts 9: 15-16; 1 Corinthians 15: 30-32; 2 Corinthians 4: 8-12; 2 Corinthians 11: 23-28), but he kept his eyes on the prize, and he finished his race.

How about you?  Are you running, the race you were born to win?  Are you moving towards the finish line at the pace God intended for you, or have you been side-tracked and distracted by the whistles and catcalls of the spectators?  Have you slowed down to pick up the souvenirs the crowds have thrown at your feet?  Or have you checked out of your lane because of the strains, the pains, the frustrations and exhaustion that have come upon you.  Paul did not cave in despite the exhaustion, and the danger he encountered along the way.  And if he could push through under those circumstances, we can do no less.

Now get this, you are not running alone.  You are part of a divine relay.  There are others who are waiting for you to hand off that spiritual baton.  So, run my friend, with the Holy Spirit fueling your fire and desire to fight and win.  Run, with your eyes focused on Jesus who is waiting at the finish line, as heaven’s grandstand cheers you on.  Whatever, you may be facing today, don’t let it distract you from the goal.  God is able to handle everything that concerns you.  Cast your burden on him, then get back in your lane, and run your race.  And as you run, remember these encouraging words from Hebrew 12:1-2:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Loving God, you have brought me this far, and I will not go back.  Give me the strength to run my race without fear of persecution.  I know that those who trust in you will never be put to shame.  I commit all the other runners to you, protect them and guide them in their race. Thank you for the victory that is already ours, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Let Us Pray

After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Mark 6:46

If anyone had a reason not to pray, it was Jesus.  After all he was God incarnate and had foreknowledge regarding all things.  He knew the outcomes of events and circumstances and still he prayed.  Jesus was known to pray early in the morning (Mark 1:35); he was known to pray at night, sometimes all night (Luke 6:12).  Jesus was known to pray before important events such as his baptism (Luke 3: 21-22) and after important achievements, such as when he healed the woman with an issue of blood (Mark 5: 30).  Jesus even prayed before he ate (Matthew 14:19).  In other words, Jesus prayed all the time.  He prayed without ceasing.

How is your prayer life?  Does it measure up?  I must admit, mine doesn’t.  Sometimes I am too tired to pray, sometimes the day is jam-packed, and the thing that goes out the window is prayer.  But here’s the challenging thing, Jesus prayed without ceasing, even when his day was jam-packed, and he even prayed when he was weary.  And because he prayed, success followed Jesus wherever he went, while the disciples often experienced failure (James, John, Peter and Judas etc..) because they did not pray.  Believing prayer made the difference.  Jack Hayford once wrote, “If we don’t, he won’t.”  And John Wesley said, “God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer.”

So, pray we must.  We cannot afford not to.  Satan understands the power we have through prayer and will do everything he can to trip us up and mess us up so there is no time left to pray.  Has your prayer life felt weak lately?  There’s a reason for that, your breakthrough is close, so lean in and ask that the Holy Spirit would help you to pray.  You must ask, believing that God wants to work in those areas of your life where Satan seems to be succeeding.  You must seek, believing that he will lead you to discover the deeper secrets of his word.  And you must knock, believing that you will overcome any obstacle standing between you and God’s provision for you.  Pray without ceasing, knowing that it is the Father’s delight to make a gift to you of his overruling power (Luke 12:32).

Wonderful Father, thank you for your readiness to release your overruling power in my life whenever I pray.  Holy Spirit come, help me to pray according to the Father’s will, so that I might experience spiritual success, even as Jesus did.  Amen.

Thank you God!

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Psalm 8: 3-4

Father, when I consider the vast universe you have created, the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, the earth with its rich vegetation, the deep mysterious forests, the majestic blue ocean, the lakes and rivers teeming with sea-life, the birds of the air, and the vast array of animals of every size and color, what indeed is humanity that you care for us? 

Thank you for creating us in your image (Genesis 1:27), and what a wondrous, incomparable image it is, this body, this mind and this soul uniquely constructed to glorify you.  Thank you, Lord, for placing us a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7), and yet denying us nothing, and instead elevating us to a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), to friends (John 15:15) and to co-heirs of the Kingdom (Romans 8:17).

Thank you, Lord, for the hard times, the lean times, and the mean times because they cause us to wait on you and trust in you.  We thank you for the heartaches, the tears, the persecutions, the confusion and doubt, because the testing of our faith produces perseverance, perseverance; character, and character, hope (James 1:3-5).

Thank you, Almighty God, for the good times, the joyful times, and the bounteous times because they cause us to praise you and testify to your goodness.  You alone, are our sun and shield.  Thank you for favor and honor, for open doors, for health, for purpose, for family, for friends and for love.  No good thing will you withhold from those who walk blameless before you (Psalm 84:11).

And when we feel unworthy Father, remind us yet again, not for what we have done or not done, but only for what he has done for us.  This wonderful Jesus, loving us, while we were yet sinners, freely giving up his life for us, that we might be reconciled forever to you, through the shedding of his blood, and the forgiveness of our sins. 

This Thanksgiving, I just want to say, “Thank you!”  Amen.

Wait for Him

…for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

Waiting for anything can be very difficult.  Waiting can make us uncomfortable, impatient, sluggish and complacent (as in the case of the foolish virgins), but waiting can also heighten our anticipation.  If you’ve ever tried to wait for the stock market to go up, or for the price of your favorite car to come down, or for your baby or grandbaby to be born or for grass to grow, then you know what I mean.

The believers in Thessalonica were young and impatient.  They were also experiencing persecution and were wondering, when Jesus would return.  They also had pressing questions about what would happen to their loved ones at death.  And while they waited, they tried to figure out the exact time of Christ’s return.  Paul reaches out to them, to let them know, that all their guessing was futile.  Christ’s return was as inevitable as the birth of a child, once labor pains have begun.  Paul tells them to understand the season they were living in and what it pointed to.

Dear friend, do you understand your season?  Do you know what the signs in our world point to?  Are you waiting for something and wondering why it is taking so long?  Could it be that like the Thessalonians you are wondering how much longer you must put up with the craziness of this world?  Are you wondering whether Jesus will ever return?  God’s word reminds us that Jesus will return suddenly, like a thief in the night.  Matthew 24: 40-41, reminds us that “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 

If Christ’s return is inevitable, then understand the signs and get ready.  Don’t worry about the date or time.  Get ready.  He has called us to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5: 13); the light of the world (Matthew 5:14); a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9).  Jesus died for us, so that awake or asleep, we will be reconciled to him and live with him.  He’s taken care of his part?  Have you taken care of yours?  Are you ready for his return?

Heavenly Father, here I am waiting for you.  I welcome your presence into my life now, even as I wait for the fullness of your return.  Help me, by the power of your Spirit, to be a faithful ambassador of your word; a wise steward of your gifts and a compassionate friend to your people.  In Jesus; name I pray, Amen.

Jesus: The Light of the World!

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” 

John 8:12

Light is a powerful resource.  Light helps crops to grow through the process of photosynthesis.  We use light (fire) to cook food for our nourishment.  Light illuminates our way on a dark night.  Light brings beauty to any setting.  Light bestows a sense of hope and wellbeing to humanity.  It would be difficult to do life without light.

Yet there can be no light without a power source.  Natural light comes from the sun; artificial light comes from a socket.  Each connection must be secure for the light to come through.  Heavy clouds will block the sunlight, while a loose socket will hinder electricity from flowing through, in fact it could endanger life.

In John 8:12 Jesus declares, “I am the Light of the world.”  The Pharisees found this statement baffling and even blasphemous.  They did not understand what Jesus meant.  With the “I am…”  Jesus was declaring that he is the power source; he is the ultimate response to any dark situations you may face; he is the only answer and the only hope that humanity should look to, to illuminate the way.

Beloved, amid this dark world, that seems to be getting darker with each passing day, look no further than Jesus, the Light of the world.  Plug into this source securely, because plugging in loosely will endanger your soul.  Many will not understand your faith stance; don’t worry about them.  They will think you are weak and naïve.  Pray for them.  They will find your faith baffling, just as the Pharisees found Jesus’ declaration baffling.  Continue to lift Jesus’ name up so that many will be drawn to him.

If you are facing a dark situation today, all you need to remember, to illuminate your way is that, on that dark day on the cross at Calvary, Jesus’ death brought life and light to a broken world.  Only he could do that.  Today, he alone brings life and light to your broken life.  He desires that you follow him in thought, in word, and in deed and you will never walk in darkness, because his light will completely saturate your life and deliver his peace to you.  Jesus, has declared, “I am the light of the world.”  Nothing and no-one can change that!

Dear Father, thank you for sending your Son, to be the Light of the world.  Thank you for his death and resurrection which has given me victory over sin and death.  Holy Spirit, help me to plug in securely into the Power Source so I can be light in this darkened and darkening world.  Amen.

The Lion of Judah

Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed.

Revelation 5:5

A few years ago, my son and I visited the Nairobi Game Reserve in Kenya, where we came across all kinds of animals, among them the magnificent lion.  We noted that there were four lions laying idly on rocks, seemingly unaware of the crowds mulling around the fenced enclosures with camera’s.  I remember, having a tightness in my stomach, the result of the nerves that gripped me at being that close to such a powerful animal.  I held tightly to my son’s tiny hand, so that he would not go too close to the fence surrounding the lions.  Deep inside, I knew that despite the fence, my internal system was tuned to “RUN!”

You see, despite the mild nature of those lions, I knew they were dangerous creatures.  I had been taught in elementary school, that lions are the king of the jungle.  One roar is enough to send a whole village diving for cover.  An encounter with a lion is often fatal.  The lion fears nothing, but is feared by everyone.  Even the other animals know their place in the presence of a lion.  And that morning, I knew my place in that National Reserve.

The Bible refers to Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5).  Often, he may seem as though he is doing absolutely nothing.  There may be times when he may appear to be absent or even harmless.  There are those who mock him as a figment of the imagination of people with weak minds; others consider him not as LORD, but as one of the many gods that they can choose to worship.  Even his arrival on this earth as a baby, has led many to believe that he is harmless and the crowds at the cross mocked him, because he seemed defeated.  And there might be times in your life when you wonder, “Why is he so quiet, so ineffective;  Why can’t he do something!!!!”  Perhaps that time is now.

I want you to know dear friend, that in the presence of the Lion of Judah, the enemy knows his place.  His internal system is tuned to "RUN" at the presence of the Lord.  The enemy knows more than you do, about the King of Heaven.  The enemy understands that the Lion of Judah has already prevailed; that at his name, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is LORD.  Satan is not fooled when Christ appears mild-mannered, instead he is terrified!  And he is terrified of you too because he knows of the power that lives in you; power that caused Jesus to rise from the grave.  Today, take up your authority in Jesus Christ and declare to the enemy God’s promises for your life.  And as you do, listen carefully to the sounds of victory as the Lion of Judah roars for you.  And let that roar remind you he has already prevailed on your behalf in any situation you are facing, or will ever face.

Loving God, thank you for the victory I have in you.  Thank you for the reminder that the battle is not mine, but yours.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Abandoned, Yet Held

Then he returned to the disciples and found them sleeping.  “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

Matthew 26:40

Have you ever felt abandoned?  Have your friends or family members ever failed to show up in your hour of need?  If we are honest, it happens more frequently than we would like to admit.  When we feel abandoned it is not a pleasant experience.  As a matter of fact it is painful.  Sometimes it may lead us to react with sadness, anger, or even with a “who cares” attitude.

In Matthew 26:40, Jesus was entering a critical stage in God’s divine plan for humanity.  The hour was dark and he was praying in the garden at Gethsemane.  If anyone needed prayer support, it was Jesus.  If anyone needed morale support, it was Jesus.  His mantle was heavy, his soul was consumed with sorrow to the point of death.  Jesus was about to be crucified and in his hour of greatest need, he found himself alone.

Where were his friends at the critical hour?   Where were the disciples who had kept him company over the past three years of ministry?  Where were the brothers and witnesses who had watched him teach the crowds with divine authority, heal the sick, feed the hungry, and resurrect the dead to life?  They were sleeping, and completely disconnected from his need.  As Jesus labored in the garden, agonizing over what was about to happen to him, those that should have been faithful to him; those that knew him best, were missing in action.  Three times Jesus checked on them, and three times, he found them sleeping.  That’s harsh! 

But beloved of the Lord, if Jesus, who is God incarnate was abandoned by his followers;  if he who loved us while we were yet sinners was let down by those closest to him, you will too.   Don’t be surprised if family members, friends or other believers  let you down.  You will be abandoned not just once, but repeatedly.  That's the bad news.

Now here is the good news.  In his hour of greatest need, Jesus turned to the ONE who would never leave him nor forsake him.  This same faithful God is available to you.  He will strengthen you when you are weak.  He will comfort you when you are disappointed.  He will be your companion in your hour of darkness.  He will give you peace when others desert you.  You don’t need an attitude.  You need God.  As Jeremy Camp sings in his song, Give Me Jesus:

               Give me Jesus;  Give me Jesus

               You can have all this world;  

               Just give me Jesus

If you have Jesus, you have all you will ever need.  Hold on to him, he will never abandon you.  You are safe in Him.

Father, I want more of you.  You are my shelter and my hiding place.  I know that in this world I will find trouble, but I am running to you, because you have overcome the world.  Let my spirit find rest in your love.  Amen.

Your Safe Place

(This devotion is from Our Daily Bread)

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

My daughter and I were arranging to attend an extended family gathering. Because she was nervous about the trip, I offered to drive. “Okay. But I feel safer in my car. Can you drive it?” she asked. I assumed she preferred her more spacious vehicle to my compact one so I responded, “Is my car too cramped?” “No, it’s just that my car is my safe place. Somehow I feel protected there.”

Her comment challenged me to consider my own personal “safe place.” Immediately I thought of Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” In Old Testament times, the walls and watchtower of a city provided warning of danger from without and shielding for its citizens within. The writer’s point is that God’s name, which stands for His character, person, and everything that He is, provides true protection for His people.

Certain physical places promise longed-for safety in moments that seem dangerous. A sturdy roof overhead in the midst of a storm. A hospital offering medical care. The embrace of a loved one.

What is your “safe place”? Wherever we seek safety, it is God’s presence with us in that place that provides the strength and protection we really need.

Dear God, thank You that no matter what worries and concerns we have today, when we think about You, we find safety in Your presence.

Angels in Charge

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways…

Psalm 91:11

In her book of Bible illustrations, Ruth Peters re-tells the story of a little boy who asked his mother if he could take his baby sister out to play.  She had just begun to walk alone and could not step over anything that lay in the way.  His mother said, “Yes, if you’ll be careful not to not let her fall.”  The man who originally tells this story says, I found them at play, very happy, in the field.  I said, “You seem to be very happy, George.  Is this your sister?”  “Yes sir,” he replied.  “Can she walk alone?”  “Yes sir, on smooth ground.”  “Then how did she walk over those big stones between here and the house?”  “Well, mother told me to be careful she didn’t fall, so I put my hands under her arms and lifted her up when she came to a stone so she wouldn’t hit her foot against it.” 

Beloved, the Bible declares that whoever trusts in God, whoever makes God their dwelling place, will be secure in him.  Trusting in God is more than mental assent, it is more than going to church and engaging in Bible study, it is even more than giving to the poor.  Trusting in God means living a life of absolute dependence and commitment to God, even when one’s life is falling apart.  It is daring to live a life that causes people to ask questions about the God you serve.  It is daring to believe that he will save you from the pit of fire; it is daring to believe that God will rescue you from the lion’s den; it is daring to believe that God’s promises for you will come to pass at whatever age he so pleases to fulfill them.

When Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, God commanded his angels to guard him then.  This same Almighty and loving God who watched over Jesus as he was tempted, will watch over you and will give his angels charge over every aspect of your life today.  The angels assigned by God will bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone.  But just as Jesus trusted in God’s word in that wilderness, you must trust in God’s word for you in your wilderness.  You must trust that God’s word for you is true even when everything inside of you is screaming for you to let go of him.

Like the little boy and his sister, God’s angels will be there to lift you up over the stony parts of life, lest you dash your foot.  Remember that as you shelter in God, he has charged his angels to lead and lift you over every difficulty that you are facing or will ever face.  You are not alone; you will never be alone; take shelter in Him.

Sheltering God, thank you for your loving presence which offers me protection from every difficulty I could ever face.  Thank you for the assurance that your angels are with me in the pit of fire and in the lion's den, and in whatever else I might confront today.  I ascribe majesty, glory and honor to you only, because you are worthy.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

When it Doesn't Work

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

Job 13:15

What’s a believer to do when Christianity doesn’t seem to work?  What’s a believer to do when pain, disappointment, depression, financial hardship, illness, persecution and a host of other problems invade one’s life?  What’s a believer to do when praying, confessing of sin, fasting and holding on to the word, appear to make no difference to the current struggle?  What indeed is a believer to do when all our Christian formulas fall flat?

Many heroes in the Bible found themselves confronting similar dilemmas; among them Job.  If anyone had the short end of the stick, he did.  Yet even in the throes of his suffering, Job held on to hope, and would not curse God.  Job continued to nurture his faith in God even as his problems mounted, and even as his wife and friends encouraged him to take matters into his own hands, by cursing God and dying.  In God’s time, faith won and his struggle was vanquished.

Job’s story reminds me of a story I once heard.  It is the story of an Eskimo who owned two husky dogs that he had trained as fighters.  He would roam from village to village encouraging people to bet on the dogfights he staged., One dog was darker than the other, so he took turns betting on either the lighter or darker husky to win each match.  Somehow, he always picked the winning dog and reaped huge profits.  Finally, someone asked him, “How do you always know which dog will win?”  The Eskimo replied, “Whichever dog I am feeding is the one that will win,” he replied.

As you confront life’s challenges this week, what will you feed?  Fear, anger, or disappointment?  When the formulas fail you, what will you feed?   Job teaches us to feed faith, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.”  Amid your struggle, choose to defend God’s goodness, his love and his mercy toward you.  Let those who bet on your demise be put to shame.  As the prophet Isaiah reminds you, “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear (Isaiah 59:1).”  He who created you, is always for you, even in the deepest, thickest darkness.

Jesus, remind me each day, not to walk by sight or by feelings, but by your Spirit.  Destroy all the false formulas that I have embraced and teach me to trust only in your word.  Remind me today, that greater is he that is on me than he that is in the world.  I declare my problems are defeated through the blood of Jesus Christ, my LORD and my Savior, Amen.

God Listened-God Listens

Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.”  God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her.

Judges 13:8-9

With all the shocking news headlines bombarding us each day, it is becoming difficult to find anyone who will stop and listen.  It seems that everyone has an opinion about everyone and about everything.  Civil discourse has become an ancient relic of yesterday, and listening has become an abandoned art from the past, left lying crumpled on the noisy highway of modernity.

The arena of listeners may be barren but God still listens.  He listened in the days of the ancient Fathers and he listens today.  When Manoah received word that his barren wife was soon to be with child, he prayed to God seeking instruction on how to raise the child and God listened (Judges 13:9).  Manoah said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born (vs. 8).” And despite what seems like unbelief, God sent the angel a second time to confirm his instruction to Manoah and his wife.  This same God is in control of everything concerning you.  You don’t need someone else’s opinion on the matter and you don’t need to be anxious about it either.  Go ahead and tell God about your problems, because he is listening and he wants to hear from you.  He is ready to confirm his promises concerning you during your barren situation.  He is ready to cut through the noise to get through to you.

Others may be too busy with their barren situations and with their opinion-sharing to truly listen to you, and you may be too consumed with unbelief to hear him, but fear not, God says in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  In other words, amid all the mean tweets and the noisiness of the airwaves; amid the roaring winds of hurricanes, rumblings of earthquakes and terrors of falling mountains; amid the cracking foundations of marriages and mutinous sounds of teenage rebellion; amid every barren situation and environment of unbelief, amid every disconcerting sound and unnerving movement in our modern lives, God is listening.

God is listening for the sound of your heart, as you open up to him and to his Holy Word.  God is listening for the sound of your voice, as you raise up your praise, your worship, your prayers and your petitions to his Holy throne.  God is listening for the sound of your footsteps, as you move in obedience towards him in response to his call upon your life.  And God is listening for the sound of your groaning spirit, as you prepare to give birth to his promise in you.  God is listening because he cares deeply for you.

Heavenly Father, you listened to Manoah; you listened to Moses; you listened to Job, to Hannah, to Elijah and to the children of Israel, and I know beyond a shadow of doubt, you are listening to me and to all those who call upon you today in Spirit and in truth.   I commit my situation to you and I thank you for your intervention by faith. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray.  Amen.

Relinquish Your Rights

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

From the time we are young, many of us are raised to advocate for our rights.  Some toddlers stomp their feet on the floor in anger demanding their rights, teenagers are in a hurry to grow up so they can exercise their rights, and adults sue each other day and night as they advocate for their rights.  Amid such a “rights leaning” culture, it can be challenging to remember that Christ has given believers another way; a heavenly example.

Paul reminds the Galatians, that he has been crucified with Christ.  Paul has died with Christ and he no longer lives, but the life he has he lives by faith in the Son of God.  Paul was willing to humble himself so that Christ would be glorified in his life. Even Jesus himself gave up his rights.  Philippians 2: 5-6 encourages Christians to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage (a thing to be grasped,….) rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant….”  If the apostle Paul, a servant of the Lord, and Jesus who is God were willing to humble themselves, how much more should we follow their example; we who have been washed in Christ’s blood and born of his Spirit?  Through baptism, the old man in us dies and we are raised to new life, and through the infilling of his Spirit, God transforms and renews our minds.

In the midst of a world that may be constantly trying to pull you down, it can be challenging to practice humility, but ask God for grace to exercise it anyway, because God’s word is very clear.  Luke 14:11 reminds us, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Are you dealing with a situation at home, at work or at church that has left you festering with anger?  Do you feel as though your rights are being trampled on?  Then do something counter-cultural, “humble yourself in the sight of the LORD that HE (not you, not your boss, not anyone else, but God) may lift you up (Luke 14: 10; Proverbs 25:7).”  The world may ridicule you, but continue to persevere in prayer because your situation is within the jurisdiction of his care and power.

Loving God, I relinquish my rights.  Give me grace to walk in genuine humility, not just today but every day.  Give me strength to esteem others as better than myself.  Fill me with your Spirit, that I might follow your example and bring you glory and honor in everything I do.  Teach me how to seek your approval rather than the approval of man.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

It is Time to Stretch

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided.

Exodus 14:21

One dictionary defines “to stretch” as to extend oneself to full length or extent.  If you’ve ever tried stretching yourself, you know that it takes some effort if you are doing it correctly.  Quite often it causes some discomfort to those muscles that are not frequently used.  However, the more we stretch, the easier it gets and the more fit one becomes, allowing one to do more than they could before.  I would venture to say, any kind of stretching performed regularly becomes second nature.  This is true of physical stretching, but also of spiritual stretching.

As Moses and the army of Israel approach the Red Sea, they are confronted by a major obstacle.  They must use a group of muscles they have never used before to overcome the situation before them.  At this point, the Israelites are frightened and crying out to Moses, their leader, to do something.  This is their normal reaction to any threat.  They can see Pharaoh’s soldiers bearing down on them on one side and the body of water, that is the Red Sea, on the other.  There is no way out.  They’re trapped.  The Bible describes the situation as dark.  A darkness brought on by the pillar of cloud.  In their season of trouble, the angel of God is before, behind and between the army of Israel.  In other words, God’s presence is positioned wherever his people need him.  As the Psalmist notes in Psalm 139:7, “Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?”

God Almighty, is present and orchestrating every move, but for the miracle to happen, Moses must stretch; Moses must exercise a group of muscles he has never exercised before.  Moses stretches out his hand over the sea (vs 21) and when he does the rest is history.  Dear friend, could it be, that God has allowed such darkness to come over your life for his purposes?  Could it be that the very thing you fear, is an instrument of his will?  Could it be that the huge obstacle before you is intended to extend your faith, and to lead you into the next level of your relationship with God? 

It is time to stretch your faith over your situation.  It is time to stretch your faith over that circumstance that causes your heart to palpitate with fear.  It is time to exercise that part of your faith that has lain dormant, so that God Almighty can do what he does best.  The same God who triumphed over Israel’s enemy is before, behind and between you and the situation you are facing.  His love has hemmed you in, but you must exercise obedience and stretch, and then wait and watch his mighty power work miracles on your behalf.  The more you stretch, the easier it will be to trust that he is in complete control no matter what the circumstances around you may look like, and that he will avenge every injustice and thwart every threat directed at you in his time.  Now stretch!

Heavenly Father, greater is he that is on me than he that is in the world.  Teach me to walk in obedience before you and to believe, despite my unbelief.  I know you are in control of my life and that you can perform any miracle without me, but thank you for inviting me to stretch my faith, and to participate with you in your story.

Hope in God Alone

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

When confronted with a decree that went against his conscience (Daniel 6), Daniel, got down on his knees three times a day and prayed, giving thanks to God.  Later, surrounded by lions in that den, Daniel had only one option, he knelt and prayed.  Daniel understood that whether he lived or died, his hope was in God alone.

When Hannah could not bear the shame and humiliation of her barrenness (1 Samuel 1:6) she prayed.  The Bible records that her lips were moving but her voice was not heard.  Eli thought she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:13).  Hannah understood in that moment of her desperation, that her hope was in God alone.

What desperate situation are you facing today?  Perhaps you are feeling cornered like Daniel, or empty like Hannah.  Maybe you’ve turned to friends, and their counsel has left you feeling judged and confused.  Or could it be that you have no friends and are feeling all alone?

Paul, writing to the Philippians says: do not be anxious.  Cast aside anxiety, that’s for unbelievers.  Instead, bring every situation to God in prayer.  Petition God as Daniel and Hannah did, with thanksgiving.  Make your requests known to him.  And when you have done so, you will have the peace you need.

There are many situations in the world right now that may have left you feeling cornered and anxious.  I encourage you to hold on to hope, but your hope must be in God alone.  It should not be in your boss, in your spouse, in your children or in your friends and relatives or anything else under the sun.  The only hope that matters is hope in the God of heaven.  God’s ear is inclined to those who fear, worship and hope in him.  He promises them the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).  May this hope and peace be yours today and always.

Loving God, my hope is in you alone.  I present to you these situations that I now name… (fill your requests here).  Grant me the peace that surpasses all understanding through Christ Jesus our Lord.  Then give me the strength to speak of this hope to those I meet today.  Amen.

He Chose You

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2: 9-10

As little children, we learn that to be chosen for the winning team is something special.  We are proud to wear the winning team’s jersey, participate in the winning team’s chants and attend the winning team’s events and celebrations.  So naturally, even as adults, everyone wants to be on the winning team.  It’s “cool” to be on the winning team and to receive all the attention, accolades, and trophies the world offers.  Often, members of the winning team bristle with muscle and dexterity.  In fact, their winning depends on it.

The truth is that being on the winning team comes at a cost.  There are many sacrifices that one makes to achieve excellence.  Being on the winning team comes with a whole set of responsibilities that the spectator does not have.  Those accolades come at a price: sacrifices, hours of practice and travel, injuries, discipline, and whatever else one needs to do, to deliver optimum performance.  Being chosen for the winning team can be an exhilarating experience, but also a lonely and isolating experience, and besides those shiny, coveted, earthly trophies can be stolen or lost or even worse, one may be asked to give them back.

Peter tells God’s elect that they are on heaven’s winning team (1 Peter 1:1).  Peter reminds them that they are a royal priesthood (set apart for special purposes), a holy (think pure) nation, God’s special possession (cherished and loved).  So far so good.  He urges them to be strong in their faith as they encounter persecutions that they might shine God’s light into the dark world they’ve left behind.  Heaven's winning team delivers not because of brawn or brain, but based on its relationship to God.

There’s a lot of darkness in the world today and God is calling believers everywhere out of this darkness onto his winning team.  God reminds his elect, that they have been chosen, but being chosen comes with responsibilities.  Beloved, you are on this winning team.  You are part of the royal priesthood, you have been called to walk in holiness, you are God’s special possession (adored and loved).  The world around you may be dark, but he has called you out of it into his light, that you may declare his praises.  As part of heaven’s winning team, God gets the glory, you do not.  You don’t get to parade the streets with your trophy in your hands.  Your trophy is imperishable, secured through him who first loved you.  You win through him, your ultimate Captain and your achievements are etched forever in God’s book of remembrance.  Sometimes the path might be tough, sometimes lonely, but rejoice today and be glad, Jesus has secured the win, your prize is secure and there are no take backs!

Father, thank you for choosing me.  Now give me the strength, discipline and wisdom I need to deliver for the team.  Thank you that my win is secure through you.  I give you all the glory.  Amen.

God's Plans For You

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 hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Have you ever set off on a path with high hopes and suddenly found yourself facing some trouble?  It could be as simple as driving from one destination to another, but somehow you find that you are lost and driving around in circles.  Or, it could be as complicated as a marriage that starts off with great hopes but runs into a sticky spot.  It could be something you have been praying for, but with each passing year, there seems to be no answer.  In those sticky moments, it is easy to give up and give in.

The exiles found themselves in a sticky spot.  They were God’s chosen people but disobedience led them into captivity.  They must have felt forsaken and forgotten in that foreign place, surrounded by a people who worshipped foreign gods.  What kind of plan was this?  What good could come from their current situation?  Amid their despair, the prophet Jeremiah brings them a message from God.  God’s plans for them cannot be thwarted by earthly circumstances; despite current appearances God’s plans are to prosper them, not to harm them.

Dear friend, this very moment you may be experiencing your very own “Babylon.”  The burdens and stresses of this human life have a way of weighing us down and a making us feel as though we are all alone, forgotten.  They have a way of making us feel as though all hope is lost.  They have a way of making us feel as though we are driving around life in circles with no destination in sight.  But here is the truth, what God has declared for his people endures forever.  And what he said to the exiles, applies to our situations as well, if we will only believe.  We may not see what’s ahead but God does, and many times we may not know why we have to wait for an answer for so long, but God does and he declares today, “I know the plans I have for you," … "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The children of Israel found God in that sticky place and you will too, if you keep your eyes fixed on him.  Trust God even now and hold on to his unchanging word.   No matter how strong the storm and no matter how long the wait, lean on him because he will not fail you.  Let his word anchor your faith as you wait for him.  He truly is a good, good father who keeps his end of the bargain.  His love for you is unconditional and your future in him is secure.

Dear Father, thank you for loving me, just as I am.  I know your plans for me are for good and not for evil.  Give me the strength and the faith I need to hold on to your promises for me.  I cast my eyes and my hope on you and not on the circumstances surrounding me.  In Jesus’ Holy name I pray.  Amen.

And Without Faith

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

By faith Abel brought God a better sacrifice than Cain did and was commended as righteous (Hebrews 11:4).  By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death (Hebrews 11:5).  By faith, Abraham when called to go to place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went (Hebrews 11:8).

Biblical faith is a firm conviction or firm persuasion in God and in his holy word.  Elsewhere someone has defined it as, “…the act whereby a person lays hold of God's resources, becomes obedient to what He has prescribed and putting aside all self-interest and self-reliance (emphasis mine), trusts Him completely. It is an unqualified surrender of the whole of one's being in dependence upon Him. It is wholly trusting and relying upon Him for all things. It is not just mental assent to the facts and realities of truth, it must come from a deep inner conviction, because dear friend, even the demons believe (James 2:19).  Our faith must transcend that of demons.

Are you walking by faith?  Have you truly put aside all self-interest and self-reliance?  Are you firmly persuaded that God is for you?  Are you convinced that Christ’s sacrifice has redeemed you from sin, once and for all?  Are you resting in the assurance that Christ, through his resurrection has conquered death on your behalf?  Are you obeying his call to walk in holiness as you journey to a place that you will later receive as your inheritance?  Have you taken ahold of all the resources of heaven as you walk in victory no matter what your circumstances?  Has your expression of faith transcended that of demons?

The Bible teaches that “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).  You cannot please God merely by works of service, even though these are commendable.  If you want to please God, “walk by faith and do not shrink back (Hebrews 10:38).”  Remember these heroes of the faith, did not even receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth (Hebrews 11:13).  God the Father is ready and willing to lavish this kind of conquering faith upon you.  It comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).  Are you studying the Bible daily?

Dear LORD, thank you for your Holy Word.  It is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.  Help me to grab ahold of it daily that it might nourish and strengthen my faith in you.  Remind me, lest I forget, that it is the sword that causes the enemy to retreat.  I want to please you Lord, with a faith that is completely surrendered to your will and to your way.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

The Power of Prayer

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray….”

2 Chronicles 7:14a

Someone has said that if you don’t brush your teeth for one day, someone might have a sneaking feeling that you have bad breath.  If you don’t brush your teeth for a week, then friends will start putting some distance between you and them.  However, if you go for a month without brushing your teeth, then it’s plain and simple, no one will want to be around you.  You will have no friends.  The same can be said for a Christian who does not pray.

Without prayer, Satan (yes, he’s real, not always at fault, but real) gains a foothold in our lives and begins to wreak havoc.  The lack of prayer begins to affect our thoughts, our speech, our desires, our actions and even our judgments as we are left exposed to the machinations of the enemy.  Good begins to look bad, exclusive and old fashioned; while bad begins to look good, inclusive and politically correct.  Jesus not only teaches us how to pray in Matthew 6:5-15, but on many occasions in the New Testament, he took time to pray to model to believers that we always ought to pray.  And in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul reminds the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing,” giving thanks in all circumstances.  Writing to the Ephesians in the letter to the Ephesians, chapter 6:12, Paul again reminds the Ephesian Church that their struggle is not against, flesh and blood but against the rulers, authorities and powers of this dark world. In other words, pray.  We cannot win spiritual battles with earthly weapons, we can only do so with spiritual weapons.

Dear believer, what do you see when you look around you.  Do you smell the sweet aroma of prayer that changes our world or do you smell something else, something akin to poor spiritual hygiene?  The drumbeat of hate, divisiveness and otherness seems to be increasing all around the world, even in our churches.  The culture of incivility is becoming the norm.  Even Christians seem to be falling prey to the divisive tactics of the enemy.  It’s us versus them.  It’s time to brush our tee…, ooops!  I mean, it’s time to pray.

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5a we have this warning: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Sounds familiar?

Yet here is hope, God also reminds us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, that “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. “Beloved, do not underestimate the power of prayer.  It is your most powerful spiritual weapon.  God has put it at your disposal 24/7.  Use it.  It is time to pray for our families, communities, nation and our world.  There’s only one posture that frightens the devil and his agents, a Christian kneeling in prayer.  We have seen how destructive he can be, now let’s make him quake.  Pray!

Father in Heaven, I need you, we need you, the world needs you.  Come in your mercy and intervene on our behalf.  Without you, we are destroyed.  Do not forsake us, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Instill in us a desire to obey your command to pray without ceasing.  Thank you for the help of your Spirit who intercedes for us before your Holy throne.  As we pray, destroy every stronghold of the enemy wherever it may be found, so that the world might know you are God and you reign.  Amen!

God Uses Broken Things

And he went out and wept bitterly. 

Luke 22: 62

In this era of camera readiness and selfies, it is common to put our best foot (best face) forward.  The internet is riddled with “perfect poses” and “perfect noses.”  But is this who we really are?  Where is the rest of the story?

I was critical of the selfie culture until recently when a friend offered to help me declutter my home.  As generous and as rare as this offer was, my immediate thought was, “No way, it’s a complete mess.  I’m not letting anyone see that side of me.”  As soon as this thought crossed my mind, it became clear to me that at one level or another, we’re all projecting our selfies on others.  We’re all inclined to put our best foot (best face) forward, and because of this human tendency, this is how we approach God.

Peter was not immune to this behavior.  He had told Jesus that he was ready to go to prison or death (Luke 22: vs 33), but after putting his best foot forward, he stumbled.  After denying the Lord three times, Peter was ashamed and remorseful he wept bitterly.  He couldn’t even do so near the people who were still sitting in the courtyard, so he “went out.” He decided to separate himself from the rest of the crowd.  Peter was broken, and weighed down under the heavy burden of conviction.  What Peter forgot, was that the Lord who created him already knew that he was flawed.  The Lord had even warned him prior, that he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed.

Sin and the accompanying emotions of guilt and shame have a way of driving a wedge between us and those close to us, especially those of the family of faith.  The realization that we are “broken,” ‘flawed,” and “inadequate” can cause us to “go out (separate, shut out)” physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. But God is in the business of using broken beings, messy beings, and imperfect beings.  Think Jacob, Moses, and David among many others.  God does not want our selfies; God wants us, just as we are.  Vance Havner (1901-1986) puts it this way: “God uses broken things.  It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume.  It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.

Dear friend, are you broken?  Then open wide and let God see every chip and jagged edge.  That’s how his light gets in.  This week, I am opening my garage.  No more selfies, because what happens in the physical translates in the spiritual.  And if an earthly friend can handle your imperfections, how much more will your heavenly Father do so, when you come to him in full honesty?

Gracious Savior, here I am broken, flawed and imperfect, but you knew that already.  No more hiding, and no more dodging; melt me and mold me in accordance with your will, so that I might serve you without shame or pretense.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.