All Shook Up!

 The political chaos that has engulfed Washington, DC is tragic and unsettling, isn’t it? The uncertainty ripples out across America. My FaceBook™ news feed is filled with people ‘screaming’ at one another, accusing, blaming, calling for ‘justice,’ which usually means ‘what I think is right.’  Many of us hoped that the election, however it went, would bring about some easing of the angry rhetoric, but events of this week foreshadow more of the same.  Some of us hoped that the chaos wrought by COVID would be sorted out by this time.  But, yesterday’s news was even more alarming.

Many are all shook up by life’s tempests, caught in the maelstrom of these events, to say nothing of our own personal storms! I know this, dear friend: 
                    Times of conflict and confusion contain the seeds of change.

Tony Evans, pastor and author, observes that “God creates discontinuity in history in order to bring the uniqueness of his Kingdom to the forefront.”  Simply said, God uses the storms of life to remind us of His plans!  You may not like that statement. It might even infuriate you. “How can a loving God allow me to go through these things?” 

Consider the truth of this profound passage of the Word.  “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:25-29 NIV) 

Many of us have turned God into a “Moral Therapeutic Deity” who is supposed to comfort us, make us secure, and remove the challenges of life. It is true that HE is a loving Father, that HE desires the best for us. Sometimes that includes shaking up our world to remind us just how very dependent we are on Him, how little real strength we have to control life. In our world of climate controlled homes, insurance plans, pain-controlling medicines, clocks, and agendas, too many of us live for too long with the illusion we can be the 'master of our universe!'

When storms break over us, when pandemics rage, when our personal life falls to pieces, there is an opportunity to let go of the need to be ‘large and in charge,’ to turn to Him, to listen for the Spirit. Most genuine spiritual renewal occurs when life is all shook up!

Comfortable, well-fed people tend to slip into apathy toward the Lord, the kind described in the Revelation. “These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:14-16, NIV)  Spiritual apathy is an offense to our holy God who desires that we love and serve Him passionately.

Jesus disciples learned a powerful lesson when they were so ‘shook up’ they believed death was imminent. During a crossing of the Sea of Galilee a sudden squall blew. Waves whipped up, spilling into the little boat. They screamed at Jesus. "Don't you care if we perish?"   What He do? "When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!" (Mark 4:39-41, NLT)  

Their encounter with the power of God through Jesus made them even more fearful! The Bible says that they 'feared exceedingly.'  (The NT Greek is almost modern there - 'phobos megas' )  They were mega-afraid!   And, in that holy terror, they gained a new revelation of the identity of their Friend, Jesus.

Are you all shook up?

Let go of your need to try to control life. Cry out to Jesus. Confess complete faith. Pray the heart-broken prayer that a desperate Dad uttered to Jesus when all hope seemed lost- "Lord, I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief." (Mark 9:24) He is there, He is near.

Here's a word from the Word. If a storm is shaking your world today, give God, the Spirit, the opportunity to use it to renew your heart, to bring about His purposes. Trust Him!

"Look out! God’s hurricane will be let loose— my hurricane blast,
Spinning the heads of the wicked like tops!
God’s raging anger won’t let up
Until I’ve made a clean sweep, completing the job I began.
When the job’s done, you’ll see that it’s been well done." (Jeremiah 23:19-20, The Message)

____________

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

(The Isaacs sing this old gospel song of assurance. Enjoy!)

 

I don't know about tomorrow

I just live from day to day

I don't borrow from its sunshine

For its skies may turn to gray

 

I don't worry o'er the future

For I know what Jesus said

And today I'll walk beside Him

For He knows what is ahead

 

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand

 

I don't know about tomorrow

It may bring me poverty

But the One who feeds the sparrow

Is the One who stands by me

 

And the path that is my portion

May be through the flame or flood

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood

 

Ira Stanphill

© 1950 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

Run for the hills?

 

Like millions of Americans I tuned in the news yesterday and watched the chaotic events at the Capitol. A deep sadness swept over me, a realization of just how close anarchy and the terror it brings with it is to our lives.  A few months ago it was riots in the streets, burning and looting businesses. Yesterday it was literally ‘rage against the machine.’  The rule of law was challenged by people fed up, marginalized; whose anger was stoked by irresponsible political rhetoric.  It was made abundantly clear in yesterday’s insurrection that what we call a ‘divide’ in our nation is actually a chasm of the scope of the Grand Canyon. 

As I felt my sadness starting to morph into fear, I did what I have done my entire life: I prayed. These words of the Psalm reassured me of the One who is my Hope, my Rock.

“In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.
For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?

The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne.

He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.
On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice; upright men will see his face." (Psalm 11, NIV)

What a rich source of wisdom.  David says he will not run for the hills because trouble and danger would find him there, too. He acknowledges that when law and order break down, (the foundations are being destroyed) there is no security to be found in human answers. And, then, in an abrupt shift of perspective, he looks up! "But God hasn’t moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn’t changed. He’s in charge, as always, his eyes taking everything in, his eyelids unblinking, examining Adam’s unruly brood inside and out, not missing a thing. " (Psalm 11:4, The Message)

David’s hope, mine too, is the justice of the LORD. God is not fooled by empty religion. He is not duped by political machinations. He is just and will bring about justice. Our assurance is that we will see His face, that is, we can know Him and enjoy eternal life even as the world we live in is unraveling.

Today, will you trust Him again? 
Will you make Him your true God, the Center, accepting His grace shown through Christ Jesus?

Personal transformation that is created by a profound experience of the amazing love of the Father is available to all of us, received by faith.

IF you have never trusted Christ, would you do that today? In your own words, from your own heart, invite Him to reveal the depth of His love for you. In Christ there is reconciliation to our God, there is rest for our soul, there is hope for tomorrow’s tomorrow!  If you have loved Him a long time but are feeling the fear of the times, take time to renew your heart in quietness, to ask Him settle you with the revelation that “God hasn’t moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn’t changed.”

Here is a word from the Word. Own the promise today by faith!
"Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes." (Psalm 112:5-8, NIV)  Amen!

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There Was Jesus

 Every time I tried to make it on my own

Every time I tried to stand and start to fall

All those lonely roads that I have traveled on

There was Jesus

 

When the life I built came crashing to the ground

When the friends I had were nowhere to be found

I couldn't see it then but I can see it now

There was Jesus

 

In the waiting in the searching

In the healing and the hurting

Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces

Every minute every moment

Of where I been or where I'm going

Even when I didn't know it

Or couldn't see it

(There was Jesus)

 

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace

For forgiveness at a price I couldn't pay

I'm not perfect so I thank God every day

There was Jesus (There was Jesus)

 

There was Jesus on the mountain in the valleys

(There was Jesus) in the shadows of the alleys

(There was Jesus) in the fire in the flood

(There was Jesus) always is and always was

 

No I never walk alone You are always there

(Never walk alone)

 

There was Jesus (There was Jesus)

(There was Jesus)

 

Casey Beathard | Jonathan Smith | Zach Williams

© Anthems of Hope (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

CCLI License # 810055

Good morning, Dad

There are hundreds of ‘prayer’ rituals in various cultures and religions.  Some years ago, at the station where I frequently purchased my gasoline, I often heard a CD playing a man's voice repeating lines over and over.  Though in a language foreign to my ear, I could pick out the repeated syllables. One morning I asked the attendant about it. He said that it was his 'morning prayers.'  At the Western Wall in Jerusalem I saw Jewish men standing facing the wall, murmuring and rocking back and forth. Many slipped little pieces of paper bearing their petitions into the cracks between the stones. Tibetan Buddhists spin prayer wheels, cylinders on which prayers are printed, believing that the act of spinning the wheels is the same as saying the prayers. Many Christians adopt rote prayers which they recite at various times.

The heart of prayer is not just a ritual involving words.
We are, through Jesus Christ, invited to converse with our Father!

Jesus reminds Christians that God cares nothing for the quantity of our words. He desires to know our heart when we come before Him. "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, (those who do not know God) for they think they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:6-7, NIV) 

Over and over Jesus focuses our thoughts on our 'Father,' so that we will pray to a loving Person, not a frightening impersonal Power.  Paul teaches us that we are talking with someone who is our "Abba" (Daddy) when we pray.

Let me ask you simply- would you talk with your Dad in the same way that you pray?
Are your prayers humble and focused on the Father's love?
Is it your desire that He answer in a way that is best in His will?

When He was giving final instructions to the men to whom He was handing His work, Jesus was clear about the importance of their prayers. "The truth is, you can go directly to the Father and ask him, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. “I have spoken of these matters in parables, but the time will come when this will not be necessary, and I will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God." (John 16:23-27, NLT)

When we have received Christ as our Savior, we have complete access to the Father. So many Christians tend to pray only to Jesus, and that is just fine, however we need not avoid engaging with “Our Father in Heaven.”   Prayer includes conversing with and listening to the Father! Jesus is interceding for us all of the time. What joy.  But He also tells us that we should “Go to your Father for yourself, approaching Him confidently."

We don’t have to spin a prayer wheel, play CD’s that repeat prayer phrases, or go to some revered place to murmur certain words. Prayer is, for the Christian, an open heart before the One who loves us; sharing life with Him. And we do this with confidence because Jesus invites us to come ‘in His Name.’  

That means more than just saying “In Jesus’ Name” at the end of a prayer. We are made part of the family of God because we are saved, forgiven, and reconciled to our Father through the Cross of Christ. Our praying is heard because He has brought us home to the Father’s house.

Yes, friend, our Father is looking for hearts that hunger for Him, for people who love Him, for those who bring their petitions with faith to receive. Jesus tore away the ritualism that blocks fervent, effective prayer. Don't fall into that trap again, thinking that God can be impressed with your religiosity. Instead, as He taught, just 'ask, seek, and knock.' 

If you're sad, cry with your Abba.
If you're afraid, tell Him.
Share your joy.
If you need to shout, do it.
If you want to whisper, that's fine with Him, too.

Just don't ignore Him!
No Father likes to be forgotten until a crisis arises or a storm blows in. Offer Him your worship often. Seek His Presence every day. And, you will learn to pray in a way that honors His great Name.

Here is a word from the Word. Meditate on it, letting the truth become a foundation of your prayers. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him “Father, dear Father.” For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:14-16, NLT)

_________________

Good, Good Father
(a prayer song!)

I've heard a thousand stories
Of what they think You’re like
But I've heard the tender whisper
Of love in the dead of night
You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I'm never alone 

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

I've seen many searching for answers
Far and wide
But I know we're all searching for answers
Only You provide
Because You know just what we need
Before we say a word 

You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Love so undeniable I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
Into love love love

Anthony Brown | Pat Barrett © 2014 Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Common Hymnal Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Housefires Sounds (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

 

Praying through your doubts

In my youth I was convinced that when I was ‘mature’ (whatever that means) all my questions would disappear, replaced by utter certainties! I’m 65, have lived the Christian life for 5 decades, and still find myself wrestling with many why’s and what’s and how’s.  Ah yes, there is a foundation of faith that is solid but God’s ways still defy my understanding. That is as it should be for He is God – “Whose ways are higher than my ways.” 

A person who never deals with some doubt is probably not engaging with life, not processing God’s Word into his own experience. The deeper a person delves into faith, if we trust God radically, we find increased possibilities of experiencing doubt. Why? Because a life given to God, that seeks to be aligned with His will, leaves behind the safe and the tested, venturing to the world of the impractical, the realm in which we are 'walking in the Spirit.'

Questions are not terrible. They can lead us to an examined and tested faith that is able to withstand the stormy times of life that will come to us all.  Timothy Keller, author and pastor, says that "a faith without some doubt is like a human body without any antibodies in it.  People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic."  (Reason for God, Riverhead, 2008) 

I love that analogy to antibodies. We can live without them, but we are much more resistant to sickness because of them.  Each time our bodies fight off some virus, we gain strength for the next assault.

Doubts are disturbing! But, they also can help us to clarify our beliefs which, in turn, deepens our ability to trust God. Doubt and faith need not be adversaries.  As we deal with our questions it is important to consider the vastness of the wisdom of God, to reckon honestly with our own preconceptions, and to accept the limits of our experience.

That person who demands iron-clad proofs that fit within their ability to see, touch, smell, or hear will suffer from a  type of doubt that turns destructive, bitter, and cynical. That person who is humble, who will acknowledge that we cannot reduce all things to the simplicity of our own understanding is able to arrive at a position where he is prepared to live with the mystery and  - at the same time- choose to trust God in those things that he can understand.

In my spiritual experience, doubt is ultimately defeated by building from the broad issues of faith to the more defined ones.  I believe in the existence of God because, for me, the balance of evidence in this world points to a Supreme Being, a Creator. That is a broad statement that then allows me to take the step of considering the Scripture which reveals that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this world to reveal His grace and Himself to us. 

This leads me to trust Him and thus; I am a Christian.  That choice leads to consider the ways of life He taught and seeing how authentic Christians bring know personal peace, I choose to respond to His offer of grace and follow Him as a disciple. Do you see the pattern?

John closes his Gospel, which is a long argument for Christian faith, with a story of doubt overcome. 
As you read it, take note that Jesus did not condemn the doubter. Instead, he invited him to examine the evidence and make a choice!
"Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:27-31, NIV)

Are your prayers hindered by doubts about something that happened to you for which you have no explanation?
Are you angry at God at some deep level which hinders faith?
Are you unwilling to admit to your questions, thus avoiding intimately dealing with the Lord?

God loves that person who has an honest faith, whose mind is alive, who will wrestle Him. Ask the questions, not as accusations but as real inquiries. Allow for mystery.  Be a good student of the world, the Scripture, and yourself.  And, listen for the Spirit's invitation to faith.

Faith must focus on God. He is greater than all our questions.

Here is a word from the Word.  "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see." (Hebrews 11:1, NLT)  "So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Hebrews 11:6, NLT)

___________________

My Faith Looks Up To Thee

My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray;

Take all my guilt away.

Oh let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

 

May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire.

As Thou hast died for me,

Oh may my love to Thee

Pure, warm and changeless be,

A living fire.

 

While life's dark maze I tread,

And grief around me spreads

Be Thou my Guide.

Bid darkness turn to day;

Wipe sorrow's tears away;

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside!

 

When ends life's transient dream,

When death's cold sullen stream

Shall o'er me roll,

Blest Savior, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove.

Oh bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul.

 

Palmer, Ray / Mason, Lowell

© Public Domain

What changes me?

I sat down at the piano in the church sanctuary yesterday and played for a few moments - worshipfully! In that overflow of praise, my prayers for the day were grounded, my faith strengthened. In these chaotic and difficult days, I often choose to offer my worship to the One who is greater than all these 'light and momentary' troubles.  The best prayer begins with worship. Do you realize that?  We do not ‘bribe’ our God with our words of adoration! Worship, as a foundation of true prayer, changes us. 

Paul and Silas were doing wonderful things for Jesus when they were falsely charged and cruelly beaten. After this injustice, they were locked in an inner, dark cell of the jail in Philippi. Through their tears, they lifted their hearts together in worship. Luke tells us that  "Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening." (Acts 16:25, NLT)

Let that sink in. They were not crying and begging God for release. They were worshipping Him with songs.  The story goes on to tell us that the Lord sent an earthquake, shook the foundations of the prison, and their chains fell off.  Later that night when their jailer saw their great faith he trusted in Christ Jesus and a church was planted in that city that night. It grew out of a sacrifice of praise. Worship changes circumstances. 

Being human I know that we will be tempted to make a formula out of the story that goes something like this: “In tough times, sing three meaningful worship songs and wait for the miracle.”

No, that’s not the point of the passage.  Insincere praise, words of worship that are not heart-deep, are an affront to God. True worship begins with the humility to give up our demand for an outcome and then to radically trust God to hold us in His hands, come what may!

Worship may change our situation but it will always change us.  N.T. Wright says that "You become like what you worship. When you gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, you begin to take on something of the character of the object of your worship."   If we desire Christlikeness in ourselves, we will learn to yield ourselves to God, to bow in worship!  Do you want to be changed? Then, become a person who lives worshipfully.

God has always asked worship of His creation.
In the 10 Commandments, He says that there are to be no other gods, no idols, in our lives.  He owns our worship exclusively.
He wants more than the songs we sing on Sunday!

At the heart of all worship is this –
an act, a word, a song, an attitude that assigns worth to the Lord.
We can worship by caring for His Creation.
We can worship by loving those He loves.
We can worship by writing a poem.
We worship when we pray in faith, when we give our time and money to causes of His kingdom. 
We can worship by coming to Him to wait, wordlessly, in His Presence.

Worship is putting Him first, before all other persons, things, or possessions.  Worship is both an act of faith and a response of our heart.   Sometimes worship is a ready response much like that moment when we are moved by a great performance and join the audience in a standing ovation.  In those moments, we are so touched we readily praise Him!  And, more often, there are moments, like that night in the Philippian jail, when we worship Him out of obedience – a choice more than a response.

Worship pleases God.  Thus, all of evil will conspire to keep us from it. The devil is content to keep us pre-occupied with work, or obsessing about our appearance, or frantic to make things work. In those moments, when God is dethroned, we are standing before idols. IF we will turn, by faith, to say, “You are God, I am not,” in that humility there is worship.  There is a promise that Jesus made about those worshipful moments:  that if we "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, (giving worth to God) … all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33, NIV)

Will you worship?
Engage your mind and heart.
Borrow a Psalm, sing a song. 
Quietly adore Him.
Write a prayer of thanksgiving.
Pour out your concerns.
These are acts of worship.

The word from the Word says – "Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." (Psalm 29:1-2, NIV)

_____________

What A Beautiful Name

 You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ

What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great Your love was greater
What could separate us now

What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silence the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names

What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

 

Ben Fielding | Brooke Ligertwood © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055