"What are you doing? Why are you doing it?" - not just at this moment, but overall in your life. Are you 'killing time?' - frittering away day upon day watching TV and playing meaningless games? Or, are you living to make a Kingdom difference? That last phrase sounds so grandiose, doesn't it? But it is a question worth asking because we can fill up our lives with activities, be exhausted by all the running around, and yet have nothing in the way of significant results to show for all our busyness.
I read a phrase in the book of Acts this morning that caught my attention- I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. Here's the context. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem after narrowly escaping death at the hands of mob incited to riot as he was entering the Temple court supposedly with Gentile men who were not allowed in those restricted areas. He was held for two years in jail by Roman authorities who knew he really didn't deserve to be in prison, but who wouldn't free him because of political pressure from the Jewish religious leaders. Finally, he was called to make his defense. He recounted his experience, how he had become a Christian as a result of a vision of Jesus Christ that stopped him in his tracks on the road to Damascus. He told of his commission to take the message of Jesus, the Savior to the whole world, then he summed up saying, “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." (Acts 26:19, NIV)
Such is the power of vision! Paul lived on the road with discomfort, often persecuted by those who did not believe that non-Jews should hear the Gospel. He was arrested several times, beaten by authorities more than once. He worked to write the letters that now make up a large part of our New Testament, instructing Believers in the Faith. Why? Because he had vision, a transforming experience from God, that made him passionate about making a Kingdom difference in his world!
The word, vision, can, as I mentioned at the opening lines sound grandiose. There are those who hid their own ambitions and pride behind spiritual language, claiming they are executing a vision from the Lord, when they are just building their own little kingdom! That's not the kind of vision that pulled Paul through the difficulties that came his way. He heard from God, 'saw' Jesus giving him a commission, and obeyed- with all of his heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Note this well. It was not results that Paul used as his measure of success. If he had, he would have given up and gone back to making tents in Tarsus! He was a faithful servant of the Lord and that, to him, was enough! That is why when he was nearing the moment of his death at the hands of Roman authorities, he wrote to Timothy a message that celebrated God's call and his obedience. He didn't recap all the conversions that came about from his sermons. He didn't tell of the churches that he established across the Roman empire. Here's what he said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return." (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NLT) Obedience to the vision - that what mattered.
So what does God want from you?
Have you heard from Him - from the pages of Scripture, from the voice of the Spirit, in the circumstances He sovereignly directs around you?
Then obey the vision of Heaven and get about your service!
That's all that really matters in the end.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
The Place God Prepared for You
Every one needs an identity, a way to define and distinguish himself. Wow, did I ever notice this as I sat in two airports waiting for delayed flights yesterday. I saw some real characters: pink hair, knee high black boots with 2" soles, wild fashions that screamed - "Look at me! I'm alive and I matter!" Then there were the distinguished business types who announced their success and power with expensive suits and jewelry. Others 'announced' themselves with abrasive, rude behavior that probably resulted more from insecurity and the need to impress than anything else!
Robert McGee wrote about it in a book aptly called, The Search for Significance. I like that phrase as an expression of our universal desire to matter. From an early age, we ask - "Do I matter? Why am I alive? What makes ME a person that others will love and accept?" Yes, of course, this need for purpose and meaning is twisted by our sinfulness and becomes selfish, competitive, and destructive. Because we are sinful, fallen from God's image in which we are created; this need to contribute to the world in a meaningful way gets twisted into something ugly, competitive, and prideful. The search for significance is turned into a quest for approval often based on external 'proofs' of our worthiness- beauty, brains, strength, or wealth.
Under the influence of the sinful nature, our God-given desire to become creative, a person who is contributing something of worth to the world of which we are a part, twists into jealousy - 'why can't I have what he has,'- and selfish ambition - 'I must have first place.' The Bible says, "For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil." (James 3:15-16, NLT) Because of this, many Christians think that the answer is to squash the desire to be beautiful, to do something that stands out, to strive for excellence. What results are people who are boring, bland, sad- and frustrated, too! They become saboteurs that ruin the attempts of others to express themselves in a godly way.
Jesus says, "Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:15-16, NLT) I am convinced that Spirit-filled Christians should be at the fore-front, people who do whatever they do, at the highest levels. They ought to be the best musicians, the best teachers, the best plumbers, the best land-scapers... THE BEST... not just to prove their worth, but to show God's glory in the world! Let your light shine! In that same passage Jesus refers to the 'saltiness' of those who love and follow Him - meaning that they will be unique, a flavor in the world, a preservative.
Later in the New Testament, the concept of being gifted by the Spirit appears. In that familiar metaphor of the Body of Christ; we learn that ALL of God's children are gifted and that those gifts find maximum expression within the context of the Church. We do have a place, one that the Scripture says that God has prepared for us and equipped us to fill uniquely in our time, according to HIS purposes and plans!
Are you striving for recognition?
Instead of trying killing that need, how about asking the Spirit to make it holy?
Let Him work on humility and bringing ambition under His reign!
Ask Him to lead you to the place where you will fit; the place prepared for you in the purpose of God. Then, serve - praying for the gifts of the Spirit to make your contribution to the world something that brings joy, that makes a Kingdom difference, and that makes others say, "I see God in her! What a great God."
______________________________
The wind is moving,
But I am standing still,
A life of pages waiting to be filled,
A heart that's hopeful,
A head that's full of dreams,
But this 'becoming' is harder
Than it seems.
If there are millions
Down on their knees,
Among the many,
Can You still hear me?
Hear me asking, "Where do I belong?"
Is there a vision
That I can call my own?
I'm looking for a reason,
Roaming through the night to find,
My place in this world,
Not a lot to lean on,
I need Your light to help me find,
My place in this world.
Title: Place In This World
Author: Smith, Michael W. / Grant, Amy / Kirkpatrick, Wayne
Copyright: 1990 Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc. / Milene Music, Inc.
Robert McGee wrote about it in a book aptly called, The Search for Significance. I like that phrase as an expression of our universal desire to matter. From an early age, we ask - "Do I matter? Why am I alive? What makes ME a person that others will love and accept?" Yes, of course, this need for purpose and meaning is twisted by our sinfulness and becomes selfish, competitive, and destructive. Because we are sinful, fallen from God's image in which we are created; this need to contribute to the world in a meaningful way gets twisted into something ugly, competitive, and prideful. The search for significance is turned into a quest for approval often based on external 'proofs' of our worthiness- beauty, brains, strength, or wealth.
Under the influence of the sinful nature, our God-given desire to become creative, a person who is contributing something of worth to the world of which we are a part, twists into jealousy - 'why can't I have what he has,'- and selfish ambition - 'I must have first place.' The Bible says, "For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil." (James 3:15-16, NLT) Because of this, many Christians think that the answer is to squash the desire to be beautiful, to do something that stands out, to strive for excellence. What results are people who are boring, bland, sad- and frustrated, too! They become saboteurs that ruin the attempts of others to express themselves in a godly way.
Jesus says, "Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:15-16, NLT) I am convinced that Spirit-filled Christians should be at the fore-front, people who do whatever they do, at the highest levels. They ought to be the best musicians, the best teachers, the best plumbers, the best land-scapers... THE BEST... not just to prove their worth, but to show God's glory in the world! Let your light shine! In that same passage Jesus refers to the 'saltiness' of those who love and follow Him - meaning that they will be unique, a flavor in the world, a preservative.
Later in the New Testament, the concept of being gifted by the Spirit appears. In that familiar metaphor of the Body of Christ; we learn that ALL of God's children are gifted and that those gifts find maximum expression within the context of the Church. We do have a place, one that the Scripture says that God has prepared for us and equipped us to fill uniquely in our time, according to HIS purposes and plans!
Are you striving for recognition?
Instead of trying killing that need, how about asking the Spirit to make it holy?
Let Him work on humility and bringing ambition under His reign!
Ask Him to lead you to the place where you will fit; the place prepared for you in the purpose of God. Then, serve - praying for the gifts of the Spirit to make your contribution to the world something that brings joy, that makes a Kingdom difference, and that makes others say, "I see God in her! What a great God."
______________________________
The wind is moving,
But I am standing still,
A life of pages waiting to be filled,
A heart that's hopeful,
A head that's full of dreams,
But this 'becoming' is harder
Than it seems.
If there are millions
Down on their knees,
Among the many,
Can You still hear me?
Hear me asking, "Where do I belong?"
Is there a vision
That I can call my own?
I'm looking for a reason,
Roaming through the night to find,
My place in this world,
Not a lot to lean on,
I need Your light to help me find,
My place in this world.
Title: Place In This World
Author: Smith, Michael W. / Grant, Amy / Kirkpatrick, Wayne
Copyright: 1990 Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc. / Milene Music, Inc.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
It's dangerous out there!
The physician stared into the camera and said, "It's going to happen!" The story was about Bird Flu, the much talked about virus, that many researchers think will soon leap the barrier from birds to humans. Many doctors fear devastating death tolls! On ABC News, one doctor said he thought as many as 50% of humans could die! Now that's apocalyptic. Most don't put death rates that high, but many physicians do think that infants, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses could be at high risk IF the Bird Flu infects people.
Pondering the risks of living can be depressing. It can make you want to die. (Not really, but you understand what I mean, right?) Something all of us everyday puts us at greatest risk of injury or death. Yep, I'm talking about driving your car! Across these United States more than 100 people will die today in traffic accidents and thousands more will be injured, many seriously. Aneurysms, tumors, and metabolic disorders - are ticking away inside of many of our bodies at this moment. Pressure is building on fault lines deep beneath the earth's crust. When they snap, tsunamis and earthquakes will wipe out towns. Are you scared yet or should I keep going?
My point is that life is unpredictable. No matter how much we prepare, regardless of just how much caution we exercise, danger remains with us. That's one reason I am glad to be a Christian! Faith in Christ is not a guarantee that only good things will happen to me or to my family. That's foolish superstition. But, with faith in Christ, I know that my hand is held by the Father's hand, and faith teaches me that He knows how to guide me through or even around the challenges that are ahead of me on my road.
The grand cynic of the Scripture, the writer of Ecclesiastes, puts to words what many people think. "It's all emptiness," he moans. "Why get up in the morning? You work hard then you die and somebody else spends your fortune! You think that keeping the rules and being good will get you ahead in life and then the crook drives up in his Hummer, wearing diamonds." - Eccl. 6:12, 8:14 (not exactly his words, but a loose paraphrase) But, he doesn't remain in that place of despair. After pointing out the vanity of a life without God, near the end of his book Solomon sums up the best way to live in a world full of uncertainty, in circumstances that can produce hopelessness. "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV)
Why? Not so that He will reward us with a trouble free life, but rather so that we will live with meaning despite the uncertainties of our existence.
The New Testament adds a clearer understanding of the promise of eternal life, too. There we are reminded that what we experience NOW, isn't the end of the matters of life. "... in life and in death, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose, so that he might be Lord of those who are alive and of those who have died. ... Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.’ Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God." (Romans 14:8-12, NLT)
Yes, life is unpredictable. Trouble comes one day, success another! But, the person who walks with God remains faithful through it all because her goal and purpose isn't just to make it through the day. Rather, she purposes to please the Eternal Father, to patiently endure the trials and to keep her head in success, knowing that when the game is over, the real life for which God created her will have just begun.
Set your hope in eternity. Live joyfully, confidently, faithfully, fearlessly - because you know who holds tomorrow and who holds your hand!
________________
"When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun;
We've no less days,
to sing His praise,
than when we first begun!"
____________________________
Pondering the risks of living can be depressing. It can make you want to die. (Not really, but you understand what I mean, right?) Something all of us everyday puts us at greatest risk of injury or death. Yep, I'm talking about driving your car! Across these United States more than 100 people will die today in traffic accidents and thousands more will be injured, many seriously. Aneurysms, tumors, and metabolic disorders - are ticking away inside of many of our bodies at this moment. Pressure is building on fault lines deep beneath the earth's crust. When they snap, tsunamis and earthquakes will wipe out towns. Are you scared yet or should I keep going?
My point is that life is unpredictable. No matter how much we prepare, regardless of just how much caution we exercise, danger remains with us. That's one reason I am glad to be a Christian! Faith in Christ is not a guarantee that only good things will happen to me or to my family. That's foolish superstition. But, with faith in Christ, I know that my hand is held by the Father's hand, and faith teaches me that He knows how to guide me through or even around the challenges that are ahead of me on my road.
The grand cynic of the Scripture, the writer of Ecclesiastes, puts to words what many people think. "It's all emptiness," he moans. "Why get up in the morning? You work hard then you die and somebody else spends your fortune! You think that keeping the rules and being good will get you ahead in life and then the crook drives up in his Hummer, wearing diamonds." - Eccl. 6:12, 8:14 (not exactly his words, but a loose paraphrase) But, he doesn't remain in that place of despair. After pointing out the vanity of a life without God, near the end of his book Solomon sums up the best way to live in a world full of uncertainty, in circumstances that can produce hopelessness. "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV)
Why? Not so that He will reward us with a trouble free life, but rather so that we will live with meaning despite the uncertainties of our existence.
The New Testament adds a clearer understanding of the promise of eternal life, too. There we are reminded that what we experience NOW, isn't the end of the matters of life. "... in life and in death, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose, so that he might be Lord of those who are alive and of those who have died. ... Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow to me and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.’ Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God." (Romans 14:8-12, NLT)
Yes, life is unpredictable. Trouble comes one day, success another! But, the person who walks with God remains faithful through it all because her goal and purpose isn't just to make it through the day. Rather, she purposes to please the Eternal Father, to patiently endure the trials and to keep her head in success, knowing that when the game is over, the real life for which God created her will have just begun.
Set your hope in eternity. Live joyfully, confidently, faithfully, fearlessly - because you know who holds tomorrow and who holds your hand!
________________
"When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun;
We've no less days,
to sing His praise,
than when we first begun!"
____________________________
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Makrothumia
People and situations can provoke us, giving us occasion for impatience and even anger! OK, maybe not in your life, but it happens to me. Sometimes, especially when I'm rushed or fatigued, it doesn't take much to fire me up. It can be a little old lady who goes a little too slow in the fast lane. There are more significant fuels that feed the fire of my impatience, too. In that group I would put those people who whine and complain about life in general even when they have it good; those people who are constant critics that find fault no matter what is done or how well it is done; those people who do next to nothing for the group but freely express their opinions about how others should do the work; those who are thoughtless and who impose themselves on others with no sense of how overbearing they are.... yes, I need to stop now. It is not always people who make me impatient. Sometimes it is just hard to wait out the processes of the systems that I am part of in this world. I really like to get the job done, but that's not always possible.
I am sure you could make your own list of people who bug you, and that it would be different from mine. I am sure, too, that the things that make you want to quit would be different from my list. Why? Because we differ in experience, personality, and values. The Bible has a word for all of us in regard to this - Long-suffering. It's an interesting word that in our modern translations usually appears as 'patience.' The Greek(the language in which it was first written) text of the New Testament says that we need makrothumia! (mak·roth·oo·mee·ah) It's a compound word: makros which in terms of place means 'remote,' and by extension means long, long-lasting; and, thumos which refers to passion and anger. Together they indicate, in our idiom, having a very long fuse! The word also carries the meaning of steadiness and endurance.
One place in the New Testament where we find the word, makrothumia, or long-suffering, is in Galatians 5, in the list of those qualities which give evidence of the life of the Spirit in us. As we let God do the quietly miraculous work of transforming us into the likeness of Christ, we become patient, steady people. We finish what He calls us to start regardless of the people who provoke us along the way, in spite of situations that arise that would cause others to just give up.
There is a key to becoming a person of steady endurance, who is patient with people and life. That key? Vision! Without a vision, we end up just being reactors, bouncing off situations and circumstances, ping ponging through life! But with Spirit-inspired vision, we set our sight on the goal, take hold of the hope God puts in us and we stay the course, through Hell and high water.
I have a good friend named Phil who set out 6 years ago to build his own airplane!! No, not a model one, but a real one. Last night, he emailed me pictures of that beautiful bird with this caption, "my airplane flew tonight!" What an accomplishment. He spent countless hours alone in his garage setting rivets, tightening bolts, etc. When he first showed me his 'airplane,' all I saw was an aluminum tube. But, he 'saw' (the vision thing) an airplane and from his vision derived the inspiration to keep working, and working, and working. Today, he enjoys the fruit of his labor.
The Bible points to Jesus Christ as a Model for makrothumia! Take this word from the Word with you today. Pray for God, the Holy Spirit, to make it real - and when you're tested by one of those people who push your buttons, or by circumstances that resist your best efforts - let God develop long-suffering.
-- "Never quit! ... Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" - Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message
I am sure you could make your own list of people who bug you, and that it would be different from mine. I am sure, too, that the things that make you want to quit would be different from my list. Why? Because we differ in experience, personality, and values. The Bible has a word for all of us in regard to this - Long-suffering. It's an interesting word that in our modern translations usually appears as 'patience.' The Greek(the language in which it was first written) text of the New Testament says that we need makrothumia! (mak·roth·oo·mee·ah) It's a compound word: makros which in terms of place means 'remote,' and by extension means long, long-lasting; and, thumos which refers to passion and anger. Together they indicate, in our idiom, having a very long fuse! The word also carries the meaning of steadiness and endurance.
One place in the New Testament where we find the word, makrothumia, or long-suffering, is in Galatians 5, in the list of those qualities which give evidence of the life of the Spirit in us. As we let God do the quietly miraculous work of transforming us into the likeness of Christ, we become patient, steady people. We finish what He calls us to start regardless of the people who provoke us along the way, in spite of situations that arise that would cause others to just give up.
There is a key to becoming a person of steady endurance, who is patient with people and life. That key? Vision! Without a vision, we end up just being reactors, bouncing off situations and circumstances, ping ponging through life! But with Spirit-inspired vision, we set our sight on the goal, take hold of the hope God puts in us and we stay the course, through Hell and high water.
I have a good friend named Phil who set out 6 years ago to build his own airplane!! No, not a model one, but a real one. Last night, he emailed me pictures of that beautiful bird with this caption, "my airplane flew tonight!" What an accomplishment. He spent countless hours alone in his garage setting rivets, tightening bolts, etc. When he first showed me his 'airplane,' all I saw was an aluminum tube. But, he 'saw' (the vision thing) an airplane and from his vision derived the inspiration to keep working, and working, and working. Today, he enjoys the fruit of his labor.
The Bible points to Jesus Christ as a Model for makrothumia! Take this word from the Word with you today. Pray for God, the Holy Spirit, to make it real - and when you're tested by one of those people who push your buttons, or by circumstances that resist your best efforts - let God develop long-suffering.
-- "Never quit! ... Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" - Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message
Monday, March 13, 2006
God is good, all the time.
Do you try to make praise and thanksgiving a habit? Complaining comes so naturally, doesn't it? A teacher of mine once held up a piece of white poster board, 2' x 3' in dimension. On it he had made a small black dot, no more than 1/8" in diameter. He asked the class, 'what do you see?' You know the answer, right? We all saw a tiny dot! Not one of us mentioned the poster board! Why? We were looking for the anomaly.
So often we take note only of the flaws in life, don't we?
The smallest things irritate us.
The voice of the lone critic drowns out the voices of many who support our cause.
The one disappointing situation blocks our perception of the dozens of blessings!
But, we can choose to live differently! Yes, we can become encouragers, positive people who see reasons for praise. And, in this we find joy and reflect God's goodness to our world. Here's how: "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!" (Philippians 4:4-5, The Message)
The Spirit teaches us three principles that make consistent joy available to us:
1. We are God-focused, looking past the temporal problems.
2. We learn to live cooperatively with others.
2. We set our hope on Eternity and God's perfection that will come with Christ's coming as King!
We must stay intimately connected to the Lord, accepting that He has ALL things in His hands, that He is always working for our good, no matter what other people or even the Devil, for that matter, is trying to work against us. God takes the worst things in life, and as we trust Him, and works to bring purpose from them. Sound too 'Pollyanna-ish' for you? It's not just me saying this. It is God's truth. "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory." (Romans 8:28-30, NLT)
Be careful not to mis-read that passage. We are not told that everything that happens to us is wonderful. That's simply not true. Tragedies happen. Evil people try to destroy us. The demons of Hell try to frustrate God's plans and purposes. But, the Word tells us, God is greater- than the world (those systems that oppose His work), the flesh (our sinful nature that resists His will), and the Devil (that Liar who tries to deceive people into rebellion)! God, the Holy Spirit, is always at work, in us and in the circumstances around us, as we cooperate with Him, to turn those situations around. I know that begs the question, "well, why doesn't He stop those things before they happen?" That's the $million question that will have to wait for Heaven! Meanwhile, He teaches us to trust Him.
This week, choose JOY! Take those three principles of joyful living, outlined above, and write them down. Then, practice them.
Pray for God's help. You will find yourself feeling new peacefulness, new hope, and yes, joy. I believe that because God promised it.
Let's make a Kingdom difference, Believer, by rising above our circumstances on the wings of the Spirit.
______________________
God is good all the time.
He put a song of praise,
In this heart of mine;
God is good all the time.
Through the darkest night,
His light will shine;
God is good,
God is good all the time.
Though I may not understand,
All the plans You have for me,
My life is in Your hands,
And through the eyes of faith,
I can clearly see.
If you're walking through the valley,
And there are shadows all around,
Do not fear, He will guide You,
He will keep you safe and sound.
He has promised to never leave you
Nor forsake you, and His Word is true.
We were sinners so unworthy,
Still for us He chose to die;
Filled us with His Holy Spirit,
Now we can stand and testify,
That His love is everlasting,
And His mercies,
they will never end.
Title: God Is Good All The Time
Author: Moen, Don / Overstreet, PaulCopyright: 1995 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) / Scarlet Moon (Admin. by Copyright Management, Inc.)
So often we take note only of the flaws in life, don't we?
The smallest things irritate us.
The voice of the lone critic drowns out the voices of many who support our cause.
The one disappointing situation blocks our perception of the dozens of blessings!
But, we can choose to live differently! Yes, we can become encouragers, positive people who see reasons for praise. And, in this we find joy and reflect God's goodness to our world. Here's how: "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!" (Philippians 4:4-5, The Message)
The Spirit teaches us three principles that make consistent joy available to us:
1. We are God-focused, looking past the temporal problems.
2. We learn to live cooperatively with others.
2. We set our hope on Eternity and God's perfection that will come with Christ's coming as King!
We must stay intimately connected to the Lord, accepting that He has ALL things in His hands, that He is always working for our good, no matter what other people or even the Devil, for that matter, is trying to work against us. God takes the worst things in life, and as we trust Him, and works to bring purpose from them. Sound too 'Pollyanna-ish' for you? It's not just me saying this. It is God's truth. "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory." (Romans 8:28-30, NLT)
Be careful not to mis-read that passage. We are not told that everything that happens to us is wonderful. That's simply not true. Tragedies happen. Evil people try to destroy us. The demons of Hell try to frustrate God's plans and purposes. But, the Word tells us, God is greater- than the world (those systems that oppose His work), the flesh (our sinful nature that resists His will), and the Devil (that Liar who tries to deceive people into rebellion)! God, the Holy Spirit, is always at work, in us and in the circumstances around us, as we cooperate with Him, to turn those situations around. I know that begs the question, "well, why doesn't He stop those things before they happen?" That's the $million question that will have to wait for Heaven! Meanwhile, He teaches us to trust Him.
This week, choose JOY! Take those three principles of joyful living, outlined above, and write them down. Then, practice them.
Pray for God's help. You will find yourself feeling new peacefulness, new hope, and yes, joy. I believe that because God promised it.
Let's make a Kingdom difference, Believer, by rising above our circumstances on the wings of the Spirit.
______________________
God is good all the time.
He put a song of praise,
In this heart of mine;
God is good all the time.
Through the darkest night,
His light will shine;
God is good,
God is good all the time.
Though I may not understand,
All the plans You have for me,
My life is in Your hands,
And through the eyes of faith,
I can clearly see.
If you're walking through the valley,
And there are shadows all around,
Do not fear, He will guide You,
He will keep you safe and sound.
He has promised to never leave you
Nor forsake you, and His Word is true.
We were sinners so unworthy,
Still for us He chose to die;
Filled us with His Holy Spirit,
Now we can stand and testify,
That His love is everlasting,
And His mercies,
they will never end.
Title: God Is Good All The Time
Author: Moen, Don / Overstreet, PaulCopyright: 1995 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) / Scarlet Moon (Admin. by Copyright Management, Inc.)
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