Since I was taking care of Dad on the night shift, I was up early on this first day of 2009. About 5 AM, I started to channel-surf through the cable news networks to see what was being reported for this new year. None were predicting good! That’s no surprise. Renewed conflict in the Middle East threatens to heat up the simmering pot of troubles for the Western world to a boiling point. The stock market that lost $7trillion (I don’t even understand that number, do you?) in value may have reached bottom but the financial analysts continue to warn of rising unemployment and a deepening recession. The President-elect, they warned, faces an up-hill battle to implement his economic program given the rising resistance of Congress to further spending. And on it went… one gloomy story after another.
Then, I picked up the Bible!
Here’s what the Lord says:
“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’" (Jeremiah 33:2-3, NIV) The Message says it like this: "Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own."
In 2009, God will do things that are beyond our wildest imagination! Do you believe that? I sure do.
The LORD is not necessarily telling us that He will do exactly what we want Him to do. He will do what is best for us… often in ways that we couldn’t or wouldn’t expect. We are often tempted to use God to further our agenda.
“God give me the money I think I need for that new project.”
“God, make my husband love me in a way that makes me a happier person.”
“Lord, make sure my job remains secure this year.”
“Heal me… comfort me… give me more…” are common lines in our prayers. We should be asking God for what we desire. He invites us to do that with confidence. James teaches us, “Tell God what you need.” Faith, however, accepts that God knows our need better than we do and what He allows us to experience is always for the best. His gifts are ‘good and perfect’ gifts.
Permit me to be very personal. One year ago on January 1, 2008, I had no idea I would walk with my Dad in the valley of the shadow of death for an entire year! For months and months, I have traveled to his home where I spend a couple of nights each week sitting at his bedside. Yes, in keeping with my desire, I prayed for his healing. The Lord did not do anything I asked or expected of Him in this situation! Instead, He gave me the opportunity to rediscover a relationship with my Dad that I have not known Him for two decades! And… this journey has also made me love the Lord more humbly and hopefully, with deeper faith. Is cancer and confinement Dad’s choice or mine? No! It was one of those things so far outside of my plans, it was beyond my wildest imagination. Most of us read that passage I quoted and we naturally think of “wondrous things” as fun, happy, and comfortable developments. The LORD’s wondrous things are for our ultimate good and for the good of His kingdom.
Disciple, God does have a plan for you and me! Our greatest joy is found in letting Him set the pace. He is a good God; not tame, not predictable, not bound to our limited perspective; but amazingly wonderful. So, "since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV)
Here’s a New Year’s blessing. Receive it as you pray for the faith to let God be God!
"I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen." (Ephesians 3:17-21, NLT)
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Before you turn the page
Prior to arrival of personal computers and online banking that make keeping a checking account in order so much simpler, I remember the end of the month chore called 'balancing the checkbook.' It seemed that there was always at least one check that was entered incorrectly, or some charge forgotten, that kept my balance from agreeing with that of the bank statement. I would go through my check register - line by line - looking for the error. If I didn't do the work each month, the job of reconciliation became a monster!
In a few hours 2008 will be in the rear view mirror as we speed on down the road of life. Before it's completely history, we would do well to take some time to make sure we close the books on this year with things in balance, with all accounts reconciled. Some questions that should be prayerfully and thoughtfully considered could include:
*Who needs to be forgiven, thanked, loved, accepted?
*What habits are helping to make me a better person and therefore should be cultivated, and, which ones are a drag on me spiritually or emotionally and need to be eliminated? *Are there gaps in my character that need to be addressed with discipline?
*What gifts has the Spirit given to me for which I should be thankful and that I must use for His glory?
*How did I succeed? ... or fail? ... and by whose measure?
If we refuse to engage in reflection and contemplative prayer (that which allows God to speak to us, rather than us speaking to Him) we will get stuck in patterns that quickly can become deep ruts that trap us. Remember that movie, "Groundhog Day?" (1993) In it, we are introduced to Phil Connors, (Bill Murray) a self-absorbed weatherman who finds himself re-living Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, PA over and over again. At first, he gives himself to selfish hedonism, but those choices soon cause him to be consumed with despair. Then, he starts to use his 'curse' to gain the skills he needs to help out others. He becomes a genuine hero.
Life can sometimes seem a lot like that film story! One day runs into the next, many seeming like a re-run of the day that went before. But, if we make the most of our opportunities and let God shape us with His hand, we drive away despair and begin to live with hope and joy as He promised.
Here's a word from the Word for us on the last day of 2008. May the Lord give us insight and wisdom to embrace the calling that is urged on us in it.
"I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;... Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:8-9, 13-14, NKJV) ___________________
Father, I am thankful for all that You have allowed to be part of life.
I thank you for forgiveness for my sin,
for the power and life of the Spirit that changes me,
and for the promise of the prize of life in your home.
As this year closes, I pray for the gift of insight;
that I will see my life through Your eyes.
Now, Lord, as we turn the page into 2009,
I pray that You will lead me to the choices that will make my life count,
that will cause me to be a blessing to this world,
and most importantly,
that will allow me to hear Your commendation.
These things I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ,
my Savior, my Lord. Amen.
In a few hours 2008 will be in the rear view mirror as we speed on down the road of life. Before it's completely history, we would do well to take some time to make sure we close the books on this year with things in balance, with all accounts reconciled. Some questions that should be prayerfully and thoughtfully considered could include:
*Who needs to be forgiven, thanked, loved, accepted?
*What habits are helping to make me a better person and therefore should be cultivated, and, which ones are a drag on me spiritually or emotionally and need to be eliminated? *Are there gaps in my character that need to be addressed with discipline?
*What gifts has the Spirit given to me for which I should be thankful and that I must use for His glory?
*How did I succeed? ... or fail? ... and by whose measure?
If we refuse to engage in reflection and contemplative prayer (that which allows God to speak to us, rather than us speaking to Him) we will get stuck in patterns that quickly can become deep ruts that trap us. Remember that movie, "Groundhog Day?" (1993) In it, we are introduced to Phil Connors, (Bill Murray) a self-absorbed weatherman who finds himself re-living Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, PA over and over again. At first, he gives himself to selfish hedonism, but those choices soon cause him to be consumed with despair. Then, he starts to use his 'curse' to gain the skills he needs to help out others. He becomes a genuine hero.
Life can sometimes seem a lot like that film story! One day runs into the next, many seeming like a re-run of the day that went before. But, if we make the most of our opportunities and let God shape us with His hand, we drive away despair and begin to live with hope and joy as He promised.
Here's a word from the Word for us on the last day of 2008. May the Lord give us insight and wisdom to embrace the calling that is urged on us in it.
"I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;... Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:8-9, 13-14, NKJV) ___________________
Father, I am thankful for all that You have allowed to be part of life.
I thank you for forgiveness for my sin,
for the power and life of the Spirit that changes me,
and for the promise of the prize of life in your home.
As this year closes, I pray for the gift of insight;
that I will see my life through Your eyes.
Now, Lord, as we turn the page into 2009,
I pray that You will lead me to the choices that will make my life count,
that will cause me to be a blessing to this world,
and most importantly,
that will allow me to hear Your commendation.
These things I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ,
my Savior, my Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
How many apples are in that seed?
The topic that you hear discussed everywhere is the state of our American economy. The DOW has declined about 30% in the last 6 weeks. Major corporations like GM and Chrysler are weeks from bankruptcy. Right across the street from my house sits a house that is in foreclosure. One does not have to be an analyst to realize that these are tough times. I lead an organization that relies on the generosity of others for operating funds. Though we are a relatively small church with a lean and trimmed budget, we still need to take in about $8000 a week to continue to serve our community as we presently do. When I look at our very limited cash reserves, I pray for wisdom in the decisions that are made about spending the Lord’s money and sometimes (I hate to admit this) I get afraid for the future!
In those moments, I hear the whisper of a spirit that I know is not the Holy Spirit urging me to cut ministries and/or trim missionary support so that we can “conserve the core.” That is exactly the wrong choice to make for it comes from fear and reveals a way of thinking called: a ‘scarcity mentality.’ When a person lets a scarcity mentality take over, he begins measuring the quality of his life by what he thinks he lacks rather than by what he has available to him. The perception of lack is born out of fear and where fear takes over, hoarding quickly follows.
Jesus urges us to live with an ‘abundance mentality!’ In this story He commends generosity that comes from faith that believes that God will provide. "Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” (Mark 12:41-44, The Message)
Nowhere in the Bible will you read anything about scarcity of resources! God designed the world to be full, rich, and replenishing! I don’t know who said it first, but it bears repeating: “Anybody can count the seeds in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in a seed!” The key to peace in these troubled times is a mind that thinks God-thoughts. Jesus promises to meet our needs; not our wants, not even what we think we need, but what He knows that we need. He says, "Why be like the pagans (those who do not know God – my edit) who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (Matthew 6:32-33, NLT) God promises to meet our needs and directs us to be generous, not from our abundance, but from what we have in our hand right at this moment.
By the way, a scarcity vs. generosity mentality is not just about money! We apply God’s promise of provision to our love, to forgiveness, to mercy – yes, to all of life. Make God your resource. Put Him first, and learn to give it away.
_________
Now, he was working in his garden when I happened by.
He waved me over with that look in his eye
and started breaking off some ears of corn.
He said, "Here, boy, today, this corn is just right.
"Boil it up for your supper tonight
'cause I've learned it's true what my pappy used to say.
Nothing's quite as good until you give it away."
If you want more happy than your heart will hold,
If you want to stand taller, if the truth were told,
take whatever you have and give it away.
If you want less lonely and lot more fun
and deep satisfaction when the day is done,
throw your heart wide open and give it away
There are two kind of folks, There's takers and givers.
There's gripers and complainers and big-hearted liv’rs.
It depends on how we choose to spend our days.
'Cause we can hoard up all we´ve got or give it all away!
Copyright – Bill Gaither
In those moments, I hear the whisper of a spirit that I know is not the Holy Spirit urging me to cut ministries and/or trim missionary support so that we can “conserve the core.” That is exactly the wrong choice to make for it comes from fear and reveals a way of thinking called: a ‘scarcity mentality.’ When a person lets a scarcity mentality take over, he begins measuring the quality of his life by what he thinks he lacks rather than by what he has available to him. The perception of lack is born out of fear and where fear takes over, hoarding quickly follows.
Jesus urges us to live with an ‘abundance mentality!’ In this story He commends generosity that comes from faith that believes that God will provide. "Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” (Mark 12:41-44, The Message)
Nowhere in the Bible will you read anything about scarcity of resources! God designed the world to be full, rich, and replenishing! I don’t know who said it first, but it bears repeating: “Anybody can count the seeds in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in a seed!” The key to peace in these troubled times is a mind that thinks God-thoughts. Jesus promises to meet our needs; not our wants, not even what we think we need, but what He knows that we need. He says, "Why be like the pagans (those who do not know God – my edit) who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (Matthew 6:32-33, NLT) God promises to meet our needs and directs us to be generous, not from our abundance, but from what we have in our hand right at this moment.
By the way, a scarcity vs. generosity mentality is not just about money! We apply God’s promise of provision to our love, to forgiveness, to mercy – yes, to all of life. Make God your resource. Put Him first, and learn to give it away.
_________
Now, he was working in his garden when I happened by.
He waved me over with that look in his eye
and started breaking off some ears of corn.
He said, "Here, boy, today, this corn is just right.
"Boil it up for your supper tonight
'cause I've learned it's true what my pappy used to say.
Nothing's quite as good until you give it away."
If you want more happy than your heart will hold,
If you want to stand taller, if the truth were told,
take whatever you have and give it away.
If you want less lonely and lot more fun
and deep satisfaction when the day is done,
throw your heart wide open and give it away
There are two kind of folks, There's takers and givers.
There's gripers and complainers and big-hearted liv’rs.
It depends on how we choose to spend our days.
'Cause we can hoard up all we´ve got or give it all away!
Copyright – Bill Gaither
Monday, December 29, 2008
On the Lord's side?
People were everywhere in our house for the last few days. A pile of shoes, large and small, was just inside our front door. Every room overflowed with bags, clothes, and coats. Who were these people? Our family! They came from their places to be at the home of Mom and Dad to celebrate Christmas together. As the years passed, my kids moved far apart – geographically and in their experiences, each one uniquely gifted; and yet, they are still ‘part of the family.’ We argue with each other, even criticize decisions others have made, but we are still ‘family,’ and those ties are strong! There is a tremendous sense of security that comes from being connected and knowing who stands alongside of us in ‘the family!’
This morning in my meditation in the Word, I spent some time with a passage in the Psalms. It speaks of ‘the LORD who is on my side’ and the security that comes from knowing to Whom we belong. Take a look. "If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. … Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8, NIV)
The Heavenly Father calls us into His family and there we find a home, an identity, security, and Someone who is ‘on our side.’ To attempt to buy His favor is a big mistake. To even think of earning a place at His table is an affront to Him! He is on our side because He loves us. We have only to receive His favor by faith! Genuine faith produces real life change and we become holy sons and daughters who love Him and live close to Him. The Word tells us that because we are ‘in the family’ even in times of trouble we are steady. "Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation." (Romans 5:1-4, NLT)
Christian, as I look in 2009, I see some rough water ahead for us! The simmering resentments in the world are ready to explode into more violence. The economic outlook is dark for America. Many of us face personal challenges and difficulties, too. Let us not forget that the “LORD is on our side!”
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. … When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor." (James 4:7-10, NLT)
______________
Who is on the Lord's side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world's side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord's side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side, Savior, we are Thine.
Who Is On The Lord's Side
Havergal, Frances R. / Reichardt, C. Luise © Public Domain
This morning in my meditation in the Word, I spent some time with a passage in the Psalms. It speaks of ‘the LORD who is on my side’ and the security that comes from knowing to Whom we belong. Take a look. "If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. … Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8, NIV)
The Heavenly Father calls us into His family and there we find a home, an identity, security, and Someone who is ‘on our side.’ To attempt to buy His favor is a big mistake. To even think of earning a place at His table is an affront to Him! He is on our side because He loves us. We have only to receive His favor by faith! Genuine faith produces real life change and we become holy sons and daughters who love Him and live close to Him. The Word tells us that because we are ‘in the family’ even in times of trouble we are steady. "Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation." (Romans 5:1-4, NLT)
Christian, as I look in 2009, I see some rough water ahead for us! The simmering resentments in the world are ready to explode into more violence. The economic outlook is dark for America. Many of us face personal challenges and difficulties, too. Let us not forget that the “LORD is on our side!”
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. … When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor." (James 4:7-10, NLT)
______________
Who is on the Lord's side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world's side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord's side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side, Savior, we are Thine.
Who Is On The Lord's Side
Havergal, Frances R. / Reichardt, C. Luise © Public Domain
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