The grace of generosity

Giving is fun! Really, it is! When I write a tithe check to my church, send a donation to various causes, or give to kids who are going on a missions trip; it is one of the most joyous things for me. Getting little gifts for my wife is fun, too. It’s hard for me to resist a bunch of flowers when I’m at the supermarket. Giving time away is one of the more rewarding parts of my life, too. After a long morning at my desk, doing the administrative work of the church or studying to teach, few things are more refreshing to my heart than calling somebody who is lonely, or visiting someone confined by illness, or giving counsel to someone who is struggling through life.

There’s a man in our church who has discovered the joy of generosity. He’s given thousands of dollars to projects and people during the years that I have known him. He does so without fanfare or recognition, often slipping the money to me in a plain envelope with instructions about delivering it. Another woman, not a wealthy one either, sends several hundreds of dollars to the church every month to give to a family in need. Recently she wrote to me to say how much it meant to her to be able to bless others in that way despite the fact that her giving is done in secret and without acknowledgment.

I know others who are generous in spirit refusing offense, seldom speaking critically, offering encouragement. Even when they are misunderstood or maligned, their magnanimous heart absorbs the blow and returns a blessing!

Take a look at this passage from the Bible, as translated in The Message: “God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:7-11)
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Have you discovered the joy of generosity? It’s a way of life that flows out of an abundance mentality. Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, borrowed a Biblical concept and coined that phrase, “abundance mentality.” He says that it is a way of thinking that believes there are enough resources to share with others that leads to a life of generosity. He insists that generosity multiplies our resources rather than diminishing them. Jesus Christ said it first - "Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (Luke 6:38, The Message)

Here’s a word from the Word. As you read it, do not read it only as being about money. Let it speak to every part of your life. "Just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. … For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:7,9, NIV) That word, ‘grace,’ comes from the NT Greek word, ‘charis,’ which describes any act or quality that brings pleasure, joy, benefit, or delight. Our generosity is a grace, a gift designed to bring joy, that is modeled on the generosity of Jesus Christ, whose grace brought life to us!

I hope you find many ways to grace your world today, leaving a trail of people touched by joy, blessed by your generous spirit, to the glory of the One who first loved us! Amen.

________________

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Make Me A Blessing
Wilson, Ira B. / Schuler, George S.
Word Music Group, Inc.

© 1924. Renewed 1952 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

CCLI License No. 810055

Are you in the company of the committed?

“Strategic default” is the name of the game according to “60 Minutes.” Millions of American families whose homes are now worth less than the mortgages they took out at the height of the property boom 3 years, sometimes by 30 to 40%. And, millions are walking away, handing the keys to the house to the bank and abandoning their mortgage, even though they can afford the payments. They do the math and decide to let the bank take the loss. Is it the right choice? That was the question that Morley Safer asked of several homeowners in the program. Most justified their decision to renege on their mortgage contract with an argument of expedience; “Everybody’s doing it.”

Americans have less and less of a sense of commitment to most things other than their self-interest these days.

A college professor told me recently than up to 25% of his students don’t show up for classes, some even so bold as to email him in advance to ask if he will be teaching ‘anything important’ that day!

More than half of couples married this year will abandon their marriage vows when the going gets tough.

The corporate culture in the US is broken by self-interest, too. Neither company nor employee feel bound by any higher allegiance than to the almighty dollar. The ideas that a person should invest his life in building the company or that he can expect the company to keep him employed through lean times are quaint relics of another time.

Lack of commitment has found its way into the church, too. One of the more frustrating things about being a pastor of a local church is the ‘take or leave it’ attitude about church attendance which makes building a strong, serving Body a herculean task. On any given Sunday only about one half of those who call our church home, actually show up for worship. The ‘ties that bind’ are weak and growing weaker through this neglect of the Body.

Everyone of us is confronted with choices, big and small, everyday about commitment. Will we do the right thing, even when it is inconvenient or costly; or will we do what we believe is ‘in our best interest’ in the moment? A person of integrity keeps his word, even when it hurts. Proverbs asks the question: "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him." (Proverbs 20:6-7, NKJV)

Disciple, are you part of the company of the committed?
Are you daily decisions guided by principles larger than self-interest, that cause you to do the right thing even when it seems that ‘everybody’ is doing their own thing?
The faithful trust God wholeheartedly, looking forward to the Day when He will set right all things.
Here’s a word from the Word. May it challenge us to be faithful, trust-worthy people, who are committed to doing the right thing.
"Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things, you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? "
(Luke 16:10-12, The Message)

_________________

Lord, You have shown Yourself to be
Never changing, always faithful.
Lord, You have shown Your heart for me
The loving touch of a caring Father.
In ev'ry day that passes
And all the world's distractions,
Through seasons and life's changes,
You always remain faithful
To me with Your…

Perfect love, perfect love
Casts out all fear and shows me
That ev'ry word and promise to me
Will be fulfilled, will be fulfilled!

Faithful, You are faithful!
Faithful, faithful, faithful!
Faithful, You are faithful!

Faithful © 2000 Song Solutions Daybreak (Admin. in the US & Canada by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Eoghan Heaslip
CCLI License No. 810055

The End is Near?

“End Times” speculation is not a favorite subject with me. I am not much into apocalyptic literature. But recent events have made me think anew about the promise of the return of the Lord! The world’s economic system is so fragile, yet interconnected, that an economic hiccup in Greece triggered a 1000 point drop on the DOW yesterday. A collapse of the system could trigger terrible and bloody social unrest across Europe and perhaps even here in the US. The ancient enmities of the Middle East show no sign of abating despite the efforts of every American President in my adult lifetime! Oil is spilling into the Gulf, with a solution perplexing the best engineers. Earthquakes have shook the globe repeatedly.

Are any of these things completely new or unique? Not at all. But they should be a reminder to all that we are not gods and they do remind me of the Lord’s promise that all of human history is subject to His reign, that He will someday close the book, declare that this era is over, and bring all things into judgment! The ancient prophets called it ‘the day of the LORD.’

"See, the day of the Lord is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. … I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless." (Isaiah 13:11, NIV)

Does all this make you fearful? It need not do so, disciple; if your hope is secured by, as it should be, the precious promises of our Lord Jesus Christ! He reminds us that a world in turmoil is reason for us to look up with anticipation! “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:25-28, NLT) I do not even pretend to understand all that He meant! I’m no prophet, nor do I even think that we should try to apply each and every word to the headlines in the newspaper. But, I understand clearly the overarching story of human history that He sums up.

God reminds us that when we humans get too arrogant, He is still LORD. When we start to think that life will go on forever, He says that we are mortal and that history has boundaries He has defined. The declaration of judgment for all is not a terror to me. It gives me even more reason to serve Him, not from fear, but because I know my efforts for His Kingdom will be vindicated in that Day. Perhaps all the current shaking and rattling in the world will settle and a decade from now, peace and prosperity will have found us again. Or it may be that God is writing the epilogue of the Earth, soon to be published. That I cannot say. But, I can say, that “I know Who holds tomorrow and I know He holds my hand!”


I leave Jesus’ words with you. Own them for yourself and find peace.
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:12-14, NIV)
"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." (Revelation 22:17, NIV)

___________________

A parade began at Calvary,
And the saints of all the ages fill its ranks.
O'er the sands of time they're marching
To their King's great coronation.
And this could be the dawning of that day.

Nothing here holds their allegiance,
They're not bound by shackles forged of earthly gold.
Since that day they knelt at Calvary,
They've been pilgrims ever wandering
Just looking for a place to rest their souls.

O this could be the dawning
Of that grand and glorious day,
When the face of Jesus we behold.
Dreams and hopes of all the ages,
Are awaiting His returning.
And this could be the dawning of that day.

This Could Be The Dawning
Gaither, William J. / Gaither, Gloria
© 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management

CCLI License No. 810055

Who told you it was easy?

Few things cause me more grief (real sorrow!) than the legions of people who start strong with Jesus and fade from faith and practice a year or two later. As a shepherd of the Church, I feel some responsibility and yes, I take it personally. I should! After all, the Scripture says that I am "to watch over your souls, and (I am) accountable to God." (Hebrews 13:17, NLT) So, let me coach you with some strong words of advice about finishing this race well. I read the story of a middle- aged man who decided that he would run a marathon after seeing his daughter finish one. He was out of shape, had never run at all, much less done anything as rigorous as running a 26.2 mile race. But, inspired by his daughter's achievement, he wanted to match it. He began with a mile run. He felt like his chest was going to explode. Six months later, he finished a marathon! How did he do it?

Daily training- focus, conditioning, eating healthy foods, and getting rest. He was able to do what he intended to do because he trained his body in daily disciplined exercise.

The Christian life is a lived well only if a person is willing to make a sustained series of daily choices! No one will please God or become a mature saint with a hobby faith or a Sunday experience. We admire the great Believers whose lives are examples of faith, productive in terms of making a Kingdom difference in the world. Many of us say, "I wish I could do that" but our choice of priorities reveals a different desire. We don't do the daily disciplines, practice the habits that create the maturity of spirit and character, that lead to greatness. Said practically, if a person will not get to worship faithfully, contribute a portion of his income to God, practice forgiveness, participate in some kind of service that demands sacrifice and love, meditate and pray each day; is as incapable of doing great things for God as I am to run a marathon today!

I am not sure where the myth of the ‘easy Christian life’ developed, but it is just that – a myth! Real Christianity is a robust, demanding way of living that is not for wimps. That said, we need not be frightened of the rigors. God has given us daily disciplines to build endurance and maturity in us. They enable us to live mature and complete lives, full of the Spirit, that defeat the Evil One, that create loving spaces in a hate filled world, and that cause others to say, "God be praised!" Some people entirely miss the point of spiritual disciplines and worship them rather than the Lord. Daily prayer, regular service, continual Scripture intake are all means of opening up channels through which the Holy Spirit flows into our lives and begins His work of building real character. They are not, in themselves proof of spirituality or sainthood. Those who focus on the discipline instead of the Spirit they lead us to, are like those misguided ones who keep training, but never compete. Why train if you're not going to compete?

Ask God to give you a goal that's bigger than your present abilities, an 'impossible' vision. Then pray for the wisdom and courage to start small, to practice until you're matured, completed, enabled to do what that thing that you could only dream about before your training began. At the end of that race, there is a reward that is eternal, that does not tarnish, that no one can eclipse, or take away.

Have you focused your life around doing the will of God, on finishing well; or are you seeking to be comfortable today, to satisfy the demands and desires that arise in you right now?

God urges us to "leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God." (Hebrews 6:1, NIV) In short, “Grow up and get on with it!”
Here’s the wisdom of the Word about training. I pray it becomes your daily challenge.
"Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it." (1 Timothy 4:7-9, NLT)

_________________________



A suggested text for the how’s and why’s of spiritual disciplines

The Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster (link will take you to Amazon)

God's big handkerchief

When I pulled up my chair next to her hospital bed, I saw the track of tears down the sides of her face. Complications of cancer caused her to be confined to an extended care facility. "It’s a nice place, but it’s not home," she told me when I asked her how it was. When she tried to sit up, a grimace of pain creased her face, so she fell back onto her pillow. As we talked about her suffering, she told me about other hardships and the tears renewed their march down the side of her face. She told of a husband who walked out of her life when she had two preschoolers and a baby, saying, “Tell the kids I died.” With a forced smile, she tried to be brave, “But, it’s not all bad, is it?” As I reached out for her hand, tears were wetting my face, too!
Sin and Satan visit terrible suffering and continual pain on this planet that Adam sub-let to them with his disobedience. Yes, too, our choices bring unforeseen and/or unintended consequences that increase that pain. To be sure, it’s not all darkness. There is joy in knowing love, sweetness found in worship, the reward of creating something out of the chaos. And there is a wonderful, wonderful promise that waits for all those who know the Savior. When the struggle’s over, God will draw us close, pull out his big handkerchief, and dry our tears!

Well, maybe not exactly like that, but that is the mental picture that forms in my mind when I read this passage: "I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5, NIV)

There are days, disciple, when it simply hurts to be alive too deeply for words. At those times, we need to pray for protection from cynicism that turns us into ugly, mean people. We must trust in Somebody bigger than you or I to keep our faith intact. We can hope for that time when all the tears are wiped away. Gordon Jensen wrote a song with this memorable line, “God weeps along with man and takes him by the hand, tears are a language God understands.” Are the tears ready to fall today? Has the disappointment, the pain, the unrelenting struggle with the curse of sin nearly broken you in two?

Go ahead and cry. Find a place alone with Him and let the tears that fall become a wordless prayer for renewal of hope, for healing, for forgiveness. Then, give thanks for the grace to stand and the hope that He will, like the wonderful and loving Father He is, someday wipe every tear, and even the memory of those things which make you cry, from your eyes forever.
_______________

There is coming a day
When no heartaches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye.
All is peace forevermore
On that happy, golden shore.
What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see,
When I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace.
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

There'll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there.
And forever I will be
With the One who died for me.
What a day, glorious day that will be.
What A Day That Will Be
Hill, Jim
© 1955. Renewed 1983 Ben Speer Music (Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055

So, help me, God!

There is nothing we do as Christians that is more important than prayer; yet few of us pray well. We ALL pray, but often only in times of sheer desperation or out of a feeling of duty. Craig Groeschel, in a book with a title that grabs attention, The Christian Atheist, (Zondervan, 2010) writes that “sometimes prayer simply bores us. Our minds wander. In the middle of a conversation with the creator of the universe, I sometimes remember that I haven’t shaved the back of my neck in over a week or that we’re running low on toilet paper. Once I’m bored and distracted, I feel so guilty I don’t want to keep praying. Admittedly, when prayer becomes an empty, meaningless ritual, it is boring.” Most of us, if we are completely transparent, would probably have to say that we can identify!

We say, “Prayer changes things,” because it sounds right and feels good, but we wonder why many of our prayers are so ineffectual. Here’s the answer! We pray poorly because we do not pray ‘in the Spirit.’ The deepest, truest form of prayer is actually a work of the Holy Spirit working IN US. The Word teaches that we must " pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18, NIV) If you think that instruction only applies to charismatic or Pentecostal Christians, you have misinterpreted the instruction. It is not about ‘speaking in tongues’ or using a prayer language that bypasses our intellect.
Prayer in the Spirit is about entering into a place where God, the Holy Spirit, engages us and leads us to agree with Him and speak His will into this world.

Do your prayers rise primarily out of your mind, much like a conversation with your spouse, your child, or another person? When you pray, are you searching for words, like you would when making an argument? That’s how we most often pray. And it is one reason prayer is frustrating, for we - as Paul says - often ‘don’t know what we ought to pray for!’ He follows up on that by reminding us that when we pray in the Spirit, "But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will." (Romans 8:26-27, NLT)

Prayer in the Spirit is an agreement with the wisdom of God! Prayer in the Spirit is ‘seconding the motion’ that the Lord God has made!
When we go to prayer, we need to keep this truth present: The Spirit delights in helping us to pray! Jesus taught that the Spirit is our Helper, our Counselor (John 14, 16) Who is with us, in prayer, to give us assistance.
Our prayers are sometimes hindered by sin hidden away in our lives. He reveals it!
Our prayers are sometimes hindered by ignorance of the full situation. He knows it!
Our prayers are sometimes hindered by our physical body - sick or tired. He strengthens us!

Praying in the Spirit keeps us from focusing on the wrong things in prayer, too, for we are guided by the Mind of God. If we simply pray from our intellect, our prayers will have what I call ‘the aspirin effect.’ Aspirin is not healing. It deals only with symptoms, not with the issue causing us pain. If we only pray for what we can see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and discern with our own mind - we will be praying about symptoms in this world. If we ‘pray in the Spirit’ we will bring the power of God and His omniscience to bear on this temporal world.

I hope it is becoming clear as you think about this that such praying cannot be done ‘on the fly’ as we are doing a hundred other things, that it cannot be accomplished in 2 minutes as we are already getting our minds in gear for the day, that it cannot be achieved in the sleepy moments just before bedtime. It is both good and right to pray all the time! But, the deep, intimate, life-changing, world effecting prayer that is ‘in the Spirit’ will demand that we learn to wait in silence, that we work (yes, that is the word) with God to focus and discipline ourselves, and that we make seeking after Him a first priority of life.

Here’s His promise - "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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV) So, help me God and let us pray!

_________________

Be still, my soul;
The Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross
Of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God
To order and provide.
In ev'ry change
He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul;
Thy best, Thy heavenly Friend
Thro' thorny ways
Leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul;
Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future
As He has the past.
Thy hope, Thy confidence
Let nothing shake;
All now mysterious
Shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul;
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them
While He dwelt below.
Be Still My Soul
Von Schlegal, Katharina / Borthwick, Jane L. / Sibelius, Jean

© Public Domain

Wanna-be

A long time ago, just for fun, I bought a gaudy gold ring that was inset with diamonds. I paid just $19 for it. No, it wasn't 'hot.' (stolen) It wasn't real gold! The ‘diamonds’ chips of glass! But hey -- from 6 or 8 feet away, who could tell? It looks like the real thing, from a distance. Up close, the fact that it is a fake is obvious even to the untrained eye. There are plenty of imitations in our world. You can buy a pint of imitation vanillin flavor for the same price as a couple of ounces of real vanilla extract- but there is no comparing the flavor difference. You can buy an imitation Rolex watch on the streets of New York City for a few dollars, but a real one will cost several thousands.

I love real people. OK, perhaps you're scratching your head wondering, "What other kind are there? Fake people?" Yes, the world is filled with people who are just shells, images without substance, pretenders who work at hiding their true selves behind titles and tales; suits and surgeries. My heart breaks for these sad souls who have to work so hard to be somebody they are not, in vain attempts to gain the approval of people they don't even like.
Real people have integrity. They have worked at accepting themselves for who they are and are 'at home' in their own skin. They don't need to prove anything, play a role, or have rhinoplasty. (Look it up!) Real people know that they are not defined by the kind of car they drive or their job title. Real people can be difficult because they are so resistant to the games that people play. You can't manipulate a real person because she is not responsive to peer pressure. Then, too, real people live and tell the truth which makes some of us very uncomfortable. They won't pretend to see the Emperor's new clothes, they just acknowledge that he's naked!

(If you don't know that story you can read it at http://hca.gilead.org.il/emperor.html)
Being authentic is important for Christ’s followers! To be inauthentic is to be a hypocrite. That sin was the one which Jesus condemned more harshly than any other! When He interacted with the Pharisees, were experts in looking good while doing bad, He did not spare their feelings. Take a look at Jesus' outrage at these pious frauds.

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things." (Matthew 23:23-4, NLT)
"You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity." (Matthew 23:26-27, NLT)
Can you feel the indignation? We need to make that personal, asking ourselves if we have allowed ourselves to be ‘wanna-be’ Christians, better at pretending than being! Just reading those words makes me shudder!

Maybe you’re thinking- 'but if people really know me, they won't like me.' Mostly that is true if we do not like ourselves! If we believe that we are too fat, too thin, too dumb, too ugly, too shy, too tall, too short, too poor, too damaged – we will react to even imagined criticism with a defense, pushing people away, or demanding our own way too loudly! It’s great to be around a person at home in his own skin.

Perhaps you believe that you have be ‘just like _____________’ (you fill the name of some admired Christian) in order to be valuable to God, so you’re trying hard to become that person. The Bible is clear that you are a person God made to fill a specific place in this world. Nobody can be you and you cannot successfully become somebody else! Yes, extracting the pure gold from the ore can be a task. It requires supernatural work of the Spirit of God to be rid of the junk that obscures the ‘real me.’ However, if we refuse to let Him work on us, and choose inside to pretend, to fake it; we sin against Him. When we deal with the hurt, pain, failure, and disobedience not by covering it up, but rather by owning it and taking it to the Cross, the Christ who forgives also restores hope, and gives healing. There is no greater source of security than knowing we are God’s beloved, with a divine purpose to fulfill right where we are!

Are you a fake?
Let God love you to reality. He knows the ‘real’ you so why not admit who you are to Him, and then to yourself?

Real is a beautiful thing – truly!

________________

Heavenly Father, I need You to help me
to be content with my place, my work, my personality.
I feel pressure to be someone else, to look better than I actually am.
That pressure comes from those around me and
the little voice of insecurity inside of me.

Speak Your affirming love to me.
Help not to settle into my dysfunction, nor to love my sin.
Lead me to be a real disciple,
at peace with You through Christ Jesus,
honest to God, honest to Man!

Make me all that You have designed me to be,
in the garden where You have planted me.

For Your honor and glory, I pray,
In Jesus’ holy Name. Amen.

We Must be Better Lovers

In the chapel service yesterday at our Christian school, I talked about love. Ever try to talk about love to 120 children without giggles and nudges? Yet, in spite of all the self-consciousness that the word creates, even a little child understands real love and hungers for the affirmation that is found in receiving affection. Sincere love says, "You matter to me!" Though we hunger deeply for it, enjoy giving and receiving it, genuine Love is actually quite rare. Because love is so wonderful, the enemy of God and good works hard to obscure the real thing, to divert us from knowing love and being loving by offering ‘false loves’ to take the place of the love that is "of God."


At the top of the list of love substitutes would be sex. Our present American culture has so entangled sex and love that the terms are almost indistinguishable. Erotic attraction is a gift of God even though it is much abused and the source of many destructive temptations, but this love is not the highest or the most lasting kind of love.
Amazingly, religious zeal about the very Source of Love is quite effective in destroying love. How quickly we fall into loving our creed and/or ritual more than God Himself! Somehow we begin to believe that pursuing the love of God is about knowing ‘right’ things about Him. And tragically, love dies when Christians confuse being 'right' with knowing the life of the Spirit. Love perishes on the altar of orthodoxy so often, orthodox being defined as whatever 'we' believe to be true and right - Baptist, Pentecostal, Calvinist, Catholic, Sacramental, Charismatic. Paul wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy, encouraging him not to get side-tracked into being 'right' at the expense of being loving. "Don't let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don't help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith. But some teachers have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don't know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident." (1 Timothy 1:4- 7, NLT)

Ego can step in to frustrate the expression of love. There is an innate love of self that is healthy. Even Jesus tells us to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ If we come to despise ourselves, we become broken people, unhealthy emotionally and spiritually. But, self-love can never replace the love that is of God.
Believer, we can become better LOVERS and we must. God, in Christ Jesus, has loved us and from that 'first cause' has sparked in us the ability to love Him and others with abandon. Our high and holy calling, which also becomes a source of great purpose and peace is found in this word from the Word. Read it thoughtfully even though it may be familiar to you.

"My dear friends, we must love each other.
Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life.
We are now God's children, and we know him. God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him.
God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life.
Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us.
God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.
Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other."
(1 John 4:7-11, CEV)

Are you struggling with feelings of worthlessness today?
Are you tempted to try to find love’s affirmation in sex, expressions of ego, or fanatical religious practice?

Those things cannot heal your heart and secure your soul. Let God love you deeply today. By faith, receive the declaration that He loves you, not for your performance or pedigree, but because you are. Ask Him to help you to love someone else in that same way; not for their attractiveness or their usefulness or there intellect - but just because they are. Pay attention to a little child for a few moments. That will make your heart glad! Listen intently to a lonely elderly person in the supermarket aisle. Take on a volunteer task that makes someone's world a little brighter. In these ways, and hundreds more, we become lovers like God.

"There are three things that will endure-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT)

_________________

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Thy love,
Leading onward, leading homeward,
To my glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth,
Changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones,
Died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth,
Watcheth o'er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Love of ev'ry love the best!
'Tis an ocean full of blessing,
'Tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
For it lifts me up to Thee!
Amen.
O The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus
Francis, Samuel Trevor / Williams, Thomas J.
© Public Domain

Make me like Jonathan!

Friend. On my Facebook account there are 474 friends listed. Many of those are more like acquaintances, people I know professionally or from a distance. Some are more than acquaintances, but not actually what I would call a real friend. Some are close to my heart, people that I know well, with whom I share a mutual love and concern. The designer of Facebook was clever when he (or was it a team?) decided to call the connections made on the site ‘friending.’ When someone requests ‘friend’ status, it is a good feeling. Why? Because having friends is a good thing.

The story of David includes a sub-plot built around a prince named Jonathan, who was the son of King Saul, the expected crown prince of Israel. God decided to replace Saul’s family with a new dynasty beginning with David, but that did not bother Jonathan. The Bible tells us that from the first David and Jonathan an ‘immediate bond’ existed. (1 Samuel 18:1) Through the years, David greatly benefited from the kindness and protection of his friend.

When the king sought David’s death, Jonathan made an impassioned defense of his friend. “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?” (1 Samuel 19:4-5, NIV) David reciprocated Jonathan’s love by promising to care for his family when he took the throne, this in a time when the custom was to kill any surviving members of a previous ruling family to protect yourself from rebels!

What kind of friend are you?
Are you altruistic, caring even when it costs?
Are you an opportunistic friend, only befriending those who can bring some benefit to you in the moment?
Are you a loyal friend who speaks up in defense of another when gossip arises?
Are you a friend for all times, equally faithful when your friend is up or down?

Solomon cynically announces what we all know, "Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend deserts him." (Proverbs 19:4, NIV) What a contrast to the true friendship we are blessed to give and to find. A true friend "loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17, NIV)
Has a friend failed you?
Have a group of friends missed your expectations, not come through for you in the way you had hoped? Don’t give up on people! Don’t turn inward. It will sour your soul, make you miserable, and ultimately reduce the quality of your life. Instead, keep loving!

There’s a Jonathan for you! Finding that friend requires risk, openness, and giving friendship. And never forget the most loyal, true Friend – Jesus Christ! He knows you best and loves you most. Anchor your heart in that love. Be secure in Him and it will make you a better friend to others.

_________________

Who am I that You are mindful of me,
That You hear me,
When I call?
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How You love me,
It's amazing!

I am a friend of God!
I am a friend of God!
I am a friend of God!
He calls me friend.

God Almighty,
Lord of glory,
You have called me friend!

Friend Of God
© 2003 Integrity's Praise! Music
Vertical Worship Songs
(Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)

Israel Houghton
Michael Gungor

The Great Revelation

We live in what is often called "the Information Age." An torrent of words flow our way everyday from multiple sources. You are reading “CoffeeBreak” which indicates you are 'wired,' a part of the most amazing information development in human history - the Internet. It allows me to influence the thoughts of people far beyond the physical location of the pulpit from which I speak on Sunday. CoffeeBreak has subscribers in Italy, the Far East, Australia, and most of the USA. I don't write that to boast, but to illustrate a point. Many of those readers have no way to know what kind of person I am. They cannot evaluate the authenticity of my life to know if I really live the words I write.

The unregulated and largely unfiltered flow of words requires real wisdom and a measuring stick of truth. Disciple, our standard of Truth is the Holy Scripture. Are you a good student of the Bible, a person who genuinely loves the Word of God and reads it for all it's worth. Paul encouraged Timothy to remember the value of the Scriptures and he wrote: "Why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (2 Timothy 3:15-17, The Message)

"God-breathed" is a curious construction, isn't it? In many translations the word is "inspired." The Bible didn't fall down from the sky on parchment written by angelic scribes! Peter tells us that the human authors were "moved by the Spirit." They breathed the Breath of God and, in their stories and words, recorded His wisdom for us. To recognize the human means of receiving the Word does not, in any way, diminish its power in my life, but it does make it study a bit more complex. For example, to fully understand Paul's teaching letters we need to know something about the disciples to whom he first wrote his letters. Galatians, that wonderful letter about Christian freedom from religious regulations, was written to a church he had founded that had fallen under the spell of false teachers who were stealing the richness of Christ's grace from them. We can feel Paul's passion still after 2000 years as he asks, "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." (Galatians 3:1, NIV)

The way that we commonly hear the Bible used may actually diminish our ability to understand it. We hear a snippet here and a proof text there, little lines taken from their rich context and turned into a kind of pithy proverb to make a point. Yes, it is the common way the Bible is read and preached and used - even here in CoffeeBreak. It is true that we can excerpt passages and study them, we may even quote a phrase to underscore a point, but the best way to let the Scripture become the Gift of Truth to us which God intends - is to read it with understanding of context, with grasp of the story line, and with deep love for the One whose Breath makes the Words alive!

Let me encourage you to read the Bible as ‘God’s-story’! Don't read it to 'get something' out of it. Don't go looking for a proof-text to vindicate your pre-conceived idea. Don’t just grab for a passage to support your latest idea about doctrine. Read the Word with an open heart and discerning mind, with an invitation to the Holy Spirit to make it the ‘living Word.’ Be cautious about reducing it to mere nouns and verbs to be parsed. Keep a real heart of wonder at the revelations in it and a deep humility to accept them as instructive for life here and now. God will use those ancient texts to create wisdom in you, to shape your life in a way that pleases Him, as you come to love Him for the amazing, complex, Being He reveals.
Read your Bible again- for the first time!

_______________________

Are you hungry?

There are few things that stir up more happy memories for me than suppertime! In our house that is 5 PM, has been for years, and probably always will be. The smell of dinner cooking invites those at home to get ready to pull up a chair and enjoy a meal. If I have not eaten much throughout the day I look forward to supper even more with a real appetite.

Suppertime is associated in my mind with reconnecting with the family and swapping stories about the day. It was and is a bright spot in the day. There are, however, moments when suppertime is not inviting. If I’m having a disagreement with my wife, sitting down across from her is not what I want to do. If I had a large meal at lunch with a colleague, I have no appetite even for my favorite foods.

Jesus invites us to supper. Are you hungry? "I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you." (Revelation 3:20, The Message) Getting together with the Lord to be fed by the Word and nourished by worship, both with the church and individually, can be one of the best parts of our day or week. When we share the things that weigh us down with Him in prayer, it eases the burden, and changes us so we can meet the challenges. When we offer up worshipful adoration, it renews our hope and helps us to remember why we exist. When we meditate on the Scripture, we are made wise and filled up with soul food that keeps us strong for the journey.

But, some of us have no appetite for supper with Christ Jesus because we have filled our souls with other things or we have become a stranger to Him and thus unable to enter into a conversation. The Bible warns against allowing "your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life. " (Luke 21:34, KJV) Maybe it will make more sense from The Message: "Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping." (Luke 21:34, The Message) Soul hunger is universal! Just as our bodies require constant nourishment and develop an appetite daily, our spirits hunger, too. In the same way that we can temporarily satisfy our hunger with empty calories, and some do to such an extent that they lose their taste for meat and vegetables, we can fill up our spirits with endless pursuit of pleasure, games, and even more sensual satisfaction until our spiritual appetite for the true Food of Heaven is gone.

No one satisfies our soul hunger like Jesus Christ! The Word says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6, NIV) “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat." (Matthew 5:6, The Message) If you lost your appetite for worship and the Word, if you longer love the Presence of Jesus, a fast is in order. Nothing sharpens the appetite like a simple water and fruit diet for a few days! When we have tasted the goodness of the Lord once, we can renew our hunger for Him by laying off the ‘junk food’ that has stolen our appetite.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.


Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me; hear me,
that your soul may live." (Isaiah 55:1-3, NIV)

________________

Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people,
“Come and dine”;
With His manna He doth feed
And supplies our every need:
Oh, ’tis sweet to sup with
Jesus all the time!

“Come and dine,” the Master calleth,
“Come and dine”;
You may feast at Jesus’ table
all the time;
He Who fed the multitude,
turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now,
“Come and dine.”

The disciples came to land,
Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them,
“Come and dine”;
There they found their heart’s desire,
Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.

Soon the Lamb will take His bride
To be ever at His side,
All the host of heaven will assembled be;
Oh, ’twill be a glorious sight,
All the saints in spotless white;
And with Jesus they will feast eternally.
- Charles Widmeyer, Public Domain

Simmering with resentment?

Just a few moments into the conversation, it was clear that she had been hurt and was now simmering with resentment. Her tense face and quick responses revealed the anger she was trying keep under control, but you did not need a psychology degree to read her agitated state of mind. Her simmering emotions were moving toward a full boil!

My dictionary defines resentment as “feeling displeasure or indignation at (a person, act, remark, etc.) from a sense of injury or insult.” It’s not a pleasant emotional state nor does it generally lead to a good end. A resentful person often becomes hypersensitive and perceives harmless remarks as offensive, innocent people as adversaries. Resentment eats at our heart and unless we deal with it will have a detrimental effect on all of our relationships, by turning us into an angry, lonely person.

I have seen resentment build up and destroy a marriage turning a once loving couple into rivals competing for respect and power in their relationship. “He will never treat like that again,” she declares in her wounded state. He angrily declares, “I won’t be ignored for one more day!” I have spoken with employees who are sabotaging their relationship with their boss because they were passed over for recognition or promotion. Their resentment blinds them to the destruction they are bringing on themselves by continuing their grudge match with their supervisor. I have seen Pastors ruin their ministry at a local church because after working hard on a project that goes unappreciated they allow an offended heart to become full of resentment.

Disciple, are you dealing with an offense?
Has someone failed to show you the respect you think you deserve?
Has someone you care deeply about not reciprocated your love creating a simmering resentment?
Have you been discriminated against, held back, or passed over because of age, sex, or race?

The wisdom of the Word runs counter to most conventional advice on such matters. In His model prayer, Jesus taught us the importance of letting go of our offense: "Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us." (Matthew 6:12, NLT)
This directive comes to all of us, "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32, NLT)
In one of His most challenging words to us, Jesus says that we must "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (Luke 6:27-30, NIV) He makes no excuses or rationalization for resentment in our hearts, does He?

Let God become your defender. Give yourself to Him for vindication and recognition. He sees it all, knows it all, and promises justice; in His own time. We can take our disappointment, our broken heart, our indignation to Him; and we should! And, we leave it all there, with Him, asking Him to create a tender, gentle, loving heart in us. This is the paradox created by that choice of faith; with surrender of our desire to be right, we find greater peace. Is that difficult? Yes, it requires death to Self, silencing the screaming insistence of our mind that says, “I want my respect!”
Don’t let simmering resentment boil into full rage. Here’s a word from the Word. Meditate on it and let the beauty of His wisdom own your heart today.
"Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." (James 1:20-22, NLT)

T.E.A.M.

Do you ever get worn out, weary, and ready to quit? I think I heard that chuckle. Occasionally, we all do. Why? Because, a life that is goal oriented and purposeful requires continual effort. Lawns, homes, and hearts must be maintained or they go to ruin; and honestly, that work is tiring. That is why the disciplined have an advantage. If we step up to do what needs to be done today, the work is manageable. But, if today’s chore gets thrown onto tomorrow, right along with the tasks of that day, in short order a little procrastination can create a monstrous mess!


God gave Nehemiah the job of leading the Jewish people in an effort to take a pile of rubble that was once Jerusalem and to turn it back into a beautiful city. He was miraculously given all the resources he needed. But, Nehemiah had to provide the sweat! He planned the work, enlisted the laborers, and resisted his critics. Then, his work force started to tire. With their fatigue came demoralization. "Soon word was going around in Judah, The builders are pooped, the rubbish piles up; We’re in over our heads, we can’t build this wall. And all this time our enemies were saying, “They won’t know what hit them. Before they know it we’ll be at their throats, killing them right and left. That will put a stop to the work!” The Jews who were their neighbors kept reporting, “They have us surrounded; they’re going to attack!” If we heard it once, we heard it ten times." (Nehemiah 4:10-12, The Message) The people were worn out and ready to quit! This godly leader responded by addressing their concerns about security, renewing their understanding about why they were working so hard, and reminding them of the Lord’s promise and provision. What a man!

There’s a lesson in his story for us. It’s relatively easy to deal with the opposition that comes at us from outside ourselves. We learn to ignore critics and overcome unanticipated setbacks. But, when our strength gives out and we feel like we’re falling apart on the inside, it’s much more difficult to rally to the task. “What’s the use in going on?” we’re tempted to think. “It’s a thankless, hopeless, miserable mess that I can’t deal with any longer.” If that’s where you’re at today, reach out to somebody NOW. Yes, of course, you should pray and ask the Spirit of God to renew your strength, but you also need a Nehemiah, somebody who can help you to reclaim your sense of purpose, who can restore your connection to others who can give support. Wisely, Nehemiah said, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!” (Nehemiah 4:14, NLT)
God calls us to be part of a community because He knows life must be shared. "Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down." (Romans 12:15, The Message) Alone, we are quickly overwhelmed. Together, we can stand. It is not only for ourselves that we work; it is for our brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and homes.
An acronym that I remember often is based on the word-
TEAM: Together Everyone Accomplishes More!

Don’t forget that when you’re tired and ready to quit. Instead; reconnect, refocus, and find renewal.

__________________

Sometimes it's hard for me to understand
Why we pull away from each other so easily,
Even though we're all walking the same road.
Yet we build dividing walls
Between our brothers and ourselves.

The day will come when we will be as one,
And with a mighty voice together,
We'll all proclaim
That Jesus, Jesus Christ is King.
It will echo through the earth;
It will shake the nations,
And the world will see,
See that…

You're my brother, you're my sister,
So take me by the hand.
Together we will work until He comes.
There's no foe that can defeat us
When we're walking side by side.
As long as there is love,
We will stand.

We Will Stand
Taff, Russ / Taff, Tori / Hollihan, James
Word Music Group, Inc.
© 1983 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055

See Russ sing this song...   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=narXOiZP2U4

Facing Goliath? What do you see?

Standing 9 feet tall, carrying a spear that was 12 feet long with an iron tip weighing 15 lbs, his body encased in a leather wrap that was covered with metal scales, Goliath lumbered to the front line and roared his challenge at the army of Israel. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves!" (1 Samuel 17:8-9, NLT) Every day it was the same; he taunted and the men of Israel cowered. After all, who could meet such a freak of nature on the field of battle and succeed? It was an impossibility, or so it appeared to every reasonable man with military experience!

Jesse of Bethlehem woke up his youngest son and told him to take bread and cheese down to his three oldest brothers in the army. He arrived in the morning, as the army was assembling on the lines and just as Goliath came out to terrify them. Only David did not simply see a big man in armor. He saw and heard an insult to the Lord God of Israel. Faith rose up in him and he started asking questions. "Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26, NLT) His oldest brother, Eliab, tried to silence him, calling him an arrogant pup, a know-nothing kid.

But, you know the rest of the familiar story. David’s faith was contagious and King Saul agreed to send it out to meet Goliath. Even the giant mocked the shepherd boy until he felt smooth stone from the slingshot connect with his forehead and his last conscious thought must have been, ‘what happened?’

Disciple, perspective is important! David saw the same giant as a thousand other men, but he saw him through eyes of faith. Others saw a champion they could not defeat. David saw a man challenging God. God has a purpose for everyone of us. What’s yours? When we hear the Spirit’s commission, we can be sure that someone or something will show up to taunt us; “Do you really think that you can do this? You’re naïve, foolish, too young, too inexperienced, too …. (just fill in the blank).” Will we cower or conquer? That largely depends on our perspective, and whether it is informed by faith that flows from a daily conversation with God and truth of the Scripture. Pray often, "Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions." (Psalm 119:18, NLT)
Is your vision limited by the possible as natural life defines it, or do you see with eyes that are faithful to the supernatural work of a living God? We can only see as God sees when we are living near to Him, walking in holiness, and listening intently to the voice of the Spirit.

Here’s a word from the Word. I pray it will bring faith to you so that you will be prepared to meet the Goliath in your life with supernatural sight! “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:9-12, NLT)
____________________

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart;
I want to see You, I want to see You.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart;
I want to see You, I want to see You.

To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your pow'r and love;
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

High and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your pow'r and love;
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

Holy, holy, holy,
Holy, holy, holy;
Holy, holy, holy,
I want to see You.

Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Baloche, Paul

© 1997 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)

CCLI License No. 810055

When you’ve had enough

I’m a fairly strong individual, generally resilient, awakening each morning prepared for the challenges of the day. But the maelstrom that is ‘life’ these days is wearing me down! It feels like a I am swimming against the current, trying to hang onto hope while each day brings another announcement of more bad news. Friends send word of serious ailments. A couple of months ago, I had my own experience of hospitalization and recovery. The economic reports are gloomy and it’s not just ‘out there’ in some other region. People I care for are losing their jobs, even their homes. The endless political strife that fills the media is wearing on my mind, causing me to wonder if my country has a future.

“Ah, Jerry,” you say, “you sound depressed.” No, I’m just tired from pulling against the current. And, I know I’m not the only one in this state of mind! Many disciples of Christ are telling me, “I do not know how much more I can stand. I have had enough.” Those who work hardest, who pour everything they have into building God’s church and serving His people can become burnt out. It’s an emotional state that we see in a prophet who gives it a name – the Elijah complex. Elijah valiantly stood for God, taking on the king, challenging false prophets, and praying for his people. The great spiritual conflict reached a peak at Mt. Carmel, where he had his famous encounter with 400 prophets of Baal. He built an altar and so did they. Then, each called on his god to send fire from Heaven. In the end, Elijah’s faith was vindicated, but the struggle left him worn out! The Bible sums up the story like this: "Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life." (1 Kings 19:4, NLT) God ministered to the worn prophet with food to strengthen him, rest to refresh him, and renewal of faith in Divine providence! The Lord did not sideline the man, nor did He chide him for his complaint. He met him in his need.

That’s what all tired Christians can expect from their loving God! We need food for our souls, rest that allows us to recharge physically and emotionally, and renewal of our grasp of the promises of the Lord. He will provide those things for us, if we accept them from His hand. One of the reasons that we are commanded to take a day each week for worship, a day when we stop working, is because God knows we need rest. In that worship, we can find the strength to carry on. Then, too, we must know how to look up, waiting on the Lord. There is a kind of prayer that is silent, that is not wrestling with God for an answer, that is not focused on holding up another in need to Him. In the prayer of meditation, we simply wait for Him- filling our minds with a word from the Word – so that He can breathe new strength into our spirit.
When you’ve just had enough, when you feel like the very ground on which you stand is crumbling away, make a choice that seems counter-intuitive. Do less! Grow quiet. Wait! Here’s a word from the Word on which to meditate in such times.

"But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.


For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV)

_______________

I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He lifts me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay

He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear

I will sing - sing a new song
I will sing - sing a new song
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long? How long? How long?
How long to sing this song?

Oh Lord I wait, I wait on You
And I will sing, I'll sing this song
Oh Lord I wait, I wait on You
And I will sing, I'll sing this song

(from the 40th Psalm)

Forty (40)
Paul Hewson, Larry Mullen
CCLI License No. 810055

Safety in numbers

I love you, you love me, we're a happy family." Barney sings that line to the kids watching TV and we want it to be true. It's a corny expression of the importance of 'connectness,' but... we do need each other. We can only be all that God wants us to be when we nurture strong and close ties to other disciples. That is why the Enemy of God and His people works so intently to destroy or diminish relationships. Yesterday, I quoted from 1 Corinthians 12 where the Spirit illustrates our connection to others with this statement: "The way that God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part."



It not always easy to stay connected! Sometimes we just want to do our thing and go our own way, don't we? I had a difference with a brother who some hard things to me and about me. I'd like to be able to tell you that my first impulse was to listen carefully, to sort through his words searching for the truth. It wasn't! His criticism hurt, badly. His stinging words echoed over and over in my mind, like a looping tape. But, the Spirit of God is faithful, and helped me (eventually!) to work toward an honest consideration of what he had to say. As I gave up my need to be 'right,' God granted me peace. With that peace came the perspective that was necessary to evaluate his message, unpleasant as it was. Though this brother and I see the way God works with some difference, his perspective is important to me, and I hope mine is to him. We are both stronger for having each other 'in the Body.'


The natural result of that kind of conflict is to pick up our toys and move on. That's one reason in most American towns there are 20 different churches preaching nearly the same message. When difference arises, instead of doing the very difficult work of working through our disagreements and asking the Spirit of God to help us to remain 'one' in His love; we hit the road, off to do our own thing, learning little or nothing from conflict except how to avoid it, mask it, or worst of all - to employ tactics that allow us to 'win at all costs,' without realizing that we are destroying the work of God.
Never confuse the very real freedom in Christ that makes keeps us from being slaves to religious rules and regulations imposed on us by others with a libertarian attitude that says, 'Nobody's gonna tell me anything except the Holy Spirit!' (Please re-read the previous sentence, thoughtfully.)

As I wrote yesterday, our American love of independence mutates into a toxic virus when we bring it to church with us. That virus blinds us to the fact that we are interdependent by God's design, which is to say, "we need each other." The result of being a free-lance disciple with weak or non-existent commitment to the local church is that sins and weaknesses go unchallenged and thus, unchanged, in us.

People who have been Christians for decades are often still acting like infants because they will not consider any words that are unpleasant as possibly being true. Truth and love, they are in balance. That is why the Word teaches us to love the truth and to keep talking with each other about it! Notice the result of that extended conversation: "... we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."(Ephesians 4:15-16, NLT)
God means for us to enjoy the safety of numbers!
Proverbs pithy wisdom goes right to the core of the matter saying, "...victory depends on having many counselors." (Proverbs 24:6, NLT)
Get connected, stay connected - through good and bad, pleasant and unpleasant. That's God's way of getting you and me to 'grow up' in Christ.

And remember, when you're tempted to be offended, as I was, lighten up!
"Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused."

It's not just 'Jesus and me.'

We Americans love our freedom. We get to choose where we live, where we go to school, with whom we associate, our political philosophy, where we worship. We believe that we are self-reliant, strong, and independent. We admire the stories of rugged frontiersmen who made a new nation. The cowboy on the lone prairie is admired by every little boy, and secretly by not a few grown men. In more modern tales, we like stories of those who fight their way out of obscurity, beating the odds like Rocky Balboa. Like many myths, it’s only partially true. No one achieves his highest potential by living alone or only connecting with others on his own terms. The best lives are not lived by those who are fiercely independent, but rather by those who weave large webs of relationships with others.

As a young man I was quick to insist on my independence, resisting what I called ‘fetters’ of memberships and associations. Then the Spirit revealed, over time and through difficulties, the truth of the Word about being ‘in the Body!’ "The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other." (1 Corinthians 12:21-25, NLT) Is this just about my human body? No! The context makes is clear that the Lord is describing our mutual relationships in the church, our surrender to one another, our integral connections with each other.

No principle in the Word is more ignored than this one. In my three decades of Pastoral ministry I have felt the sting of disappointment too many times to count caused by people who drift through church after church. They bring amazing gifts and could be an incredible blessing but they won’t ‘marry’ the church. They hold themselves in reserve, resisting the kinds of relationships that would maximize ministry results and personal effectiveness. But, in contrast to these church wanderers, I have known some who have done exactly the opposite- staying with their local church through good times and bad. They endure misunderstandings that inevitably arise in all human interactions. They see leaders come and go and watch as their church shifts ministry and mission, all the while faithfully loving, praying, supporting, working. And, they become beloved people, steady as a rock, respected and admired by the community they have served! Instead of chasing the mirage of self-fulfillment, they choose to serve the Body, for Christ’s sake.

Steadiness is under-rated by those of us who live in a culture of novelty!

Disciple, have you been deceived by the myth of individuality?
Do you protect your ‘freedom’ and hold back your loyalty?
I would urge you to meditate at length on the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians. You will find that a cherished cultural ideal is at odds with the Truth of God. Love the Lord and His Body, the church. Tell Him that you will serve faithfully, pray earnestly, give sacrificially, and love completely. Oh, yes, there will be a chorus of voices that will tell you that such commitment is foolish, dangerous, and a way to lose control of yourself. The Word says that those choices lead to a strong disciple, supported by a strong network of disciples, whose spiritual gifts find maximum effectiveness.

Here’s a word from the Word, full of revelation of the potential glory of His church. May the Lord, the Spirit, release fullness into our hearts and minds.
"And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. … But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. … He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love." (Ephesians 4:2-3, 7, 16, The Message)

Get angry!

A person who cannot or who will not get angry is not likely to accomplish much with his life. Anger is a powerful motivator that brings about change. Oswald Chambers, in his book Spiritual Leadership, observes this. “Holy anger has its roots in genuine love. Both are part of the nature of God.” Jesus, the Son of God, felt anger and the Gospel writers recorded it for us. As he went to the tomb of his friend Lazarus, John tells us that he was ‘deeply moved’ (NIV) over the pain that sin and death brought. What he felt was anger! The Greek text (original language of the NT) there is a word that means ‘to rise up in anger!’ Mark tells us about His encounter with religious leaders who did not want Him to heal a man with a crippled hand because it was the Sabbath. "He looked them in the eye, one after another, angry now, furious at their hard-nosed religion. He said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out—it was as good as new!" (Mark 3:5, The Message)

If we love God, we will hate sin and what it does to others. We will get angry at those who oppress and exploit others. We will get angry at ourselves when we allow sin to be our master; angry enough to pursue holiness and transformation. Anger gets us up off our comfortable couch and causes us to sacrifice resources and safety to defend the weak, lift up the downtrodden, oppose those who do the work of the Devil! Passion describes both love and anger. Let’s pray for real passion to be part of our lives.

We must overcome the apathy that is so characteristic of so many American Christians who are emotionally obese, overfed by too much pleasure. Many expend all their emotional anger by talking back at their TV, or letting anger be wasted on frivolous causes! Pray that God, the Holy Spirit, will disturb you with the suffering that sin brings on this world and then that the anger rising in you will move you to leave safety and security behind and do something costly and effective for change.

Anger is, like any emotion, dangerous. Anger that is given free rein is like fire that spills out of the furnace. It will burn down our house, consuming us, turning us into fools. We need to reject any anger that arises out of our own sense of offense or that moves us in the direction of revenge. The Word reminds us “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry." (Ephesians 4:26, NLT)
Do you care enough for your brother to take up his cause?
Do you care enough for your sister to rise up to defend her?

"God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day." (Psalm 7:10-11, NLT)
"I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." (Psalm 7:17, NLT)

_________________

Father, I come to you to repent
Not for sins I committed, but for
Failing to do the things I should!

Help me to love beyond words,
To care enough to get angry,
To focus that anger on righteous causes,
And to pray, work, and give to make a change!

Holy Spirit, I am suspicious of anger
Because so often it is used selfishly,
Abused in the service of Self, and
Cruel in expression.

Give me a holy passion for those things
That matter deeply to You, and let me understand
The place of anger among the emotions You have
Given to me.
Jesus, move me to work like You did
For the least, the lost, the lonely –
That they might come to know ‘life more abundant’
Like I enjoy in You.
I pray this in your holy Name. Amen!

What did you expect?

Life is often complex. Sure, people say, “It’s simple, see?” But, as we all know that when we start to pull at the threads of a knotty problem, we find unraveling it is always a bigger task that it appeared to be at first. There is one straight forward principle that is quite simple. The Bible says, "You will always harvest what you plant." (Galatians 6:7, NLT) I walked past a small patch of bare dirt in my yard this morning and noticed little green shoots emerging. I was not surprised. About a week ago, I raked the soil and scattered perennial ryegrass seed on it, fully expecting that I would find grass growing on that spot. I counted on the amazing process of germination to produce green grass!

Are you planting seeds in life that will produce the harvest you desire?
God says, “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you." (Hosea 10:12, NLT) There are immutable laws of the harvest found in the Word. Many have preached and written about them, but let’s look at them again.

1. We reap only what we plant.
2. We reap in proportion to how much we plant.
3. We reap only after we plant.
4. We reap more than we plant.

The full context of the phrase I quoted in the opening lines is God’s declaration. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:7-9, NIV) What a joyous promise. What an encouragement to faithfulness! The Lord of the Harvest will bless our obedience!

What are you planting, disciple?
What do you expect to harvest?

There is a faith principle at work in this. The farmer takes part of the grain that could feed his family and puts it in the ground! It’s a sacrifice at that moment, and if the rains do not come, could be a loss, thus his tears. But, when God blesses the planting, those tears become songs of joy when the harvest comes and food is assured for another year! Thus we read, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:5-6, NIV)
Here’s a word from the Word. Make it your life guide today. "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. … Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (2 Corinthians 9:6,10, NKJV)
This principle is simple, see? Plant, then harvest.

___________________

Though it seems that your prayers
Have been in vain,
Though your faith the world would destroy,
Though your heart should ache
'Til it breaks in two,
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy,
For God is on His throne.
Though you've prayed 'til it seems that
Your heart would break,
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy!

They That Sow In Tears
Gaither, William J. / Gaither, Gloria
© 1964, 1965, 1975 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management

CCLI License No. 810055

Who are you really?

I’m ready to weep as I write today. I’m just overcome by the failure of integrity that is all around me. I recently learned of scandalous behavior by a leading member of a well-respected Christian institution that has gone on for a long time unchallenged despite being known. The Roman Catholic church continues to be rocked by reports of how bishops covered the criminal and immoral actions of pedophile priests, in not just a few instances. Our political world in these United States is so corrupt it is sickening. Many in office are owned by special interests and offer sweet inside deals to friends and supporters. Coaches, pastors, CEO’s – regularly are exposed as frauds in our news reports. What’s happening to us?

But, I must not simply wring my hands over the wrong-doing I see in the world. I must interrogate myself, challenge every motive, and throw open my life to the Spirit’s inspection.
Would my business decisions stand up to rigorous scrutiny?
Am I the same man in my private world as I am in the pulpit?
Do the values of my life match those I preach in my rhetoric?
These are questions I put to myself and prayerfully to the Lord.

I am not sinless! Oh, that I were, but, I am transparent and, when challenged, by the Spirit or others, I aim to deal with the gaps in character they point out to me. Why? Because I feel the awesome responsibility and privilege of bearing the Name of Christ as my first identity. Before I am a husband, a father, a pastor, or a friend; I am a Christian! I hear, loudly and clearly, the call of the Scripture that says "I … beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. … that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:1, 22-24, NKJV)

Disciple, we must not merely talk about being good. We must actually be good people, for God’s sake! If our claim of faith in Christ Jesus does not have a marked affect on our values, our manner of speech, and our daily actions, we are a disgrace to the glorious cause of Christ. Again and again, the Word declares that the life of the Spirit in us will produce a transformed heart and mind. Apparently for many Christians repentance has been abandoned in favor of cheap grace. With great gusto, they sing of God’s love and mercy while stealing from their boss and cheating on their wife. Or, they major on only a few areas of morality while ignoring issues that would touch their own lives. How easily some thunder about abortion or homosexuality, while they lie to their wife about the own fidelity!

Jesus’ most harsh criticism was reserved for the religious leaders who scrupulously tithed, kept the Sabbath, and wore the symbols of their holiness all the while ignoring the greed, dishonesty, and corruption in their own hearts. Read His word thoughtfully today, disciple. May they challenge you to a life of integrity that honors the Lord, to a life of transparency that aspires to be all that God desires of you while pretending nothing before Him or the world.
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees.
Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!
What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees.
Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too." (Matthew 23:23-26, NLT)
_________________

Take time to be holy.
Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always,
And feed on His Word.
Make friends with God's children;
Help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing
His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy.
The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret
With Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus,
Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct
His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy,
Be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive
Beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit
To fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted
For service above.

Take Time To Be Holy
Longstaff, William D. / Stebbins, George C.



© Public Domain

CCLI License No. 810055

“Comfort” food

Meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, hotdogs, hamburgers, and French fries - are often labeled ‘comfort food.’ They are simple foods that remind us of home, safety, and what we remember as simpler times in our lives. Most likely you have an item or two on your own list that bring back memories of a family time or a holiday gathering. These are called “comfort foods” because when we grow anxious about life and we seek a way to reduce our feelings of stress, we often turn to them. Food is one of the most common ways we treat our anxieties.

I know what stress and anxiety can do. At this time, there are a couple of large work-related decisions looming that weigh heavily on my mind. There is stress that is more personal as I carry the weight of responsibility for extended family. Some level of stress is common for all of us – bills that come due, deadlines for projects, people problems, work-related choices. And, all of this sometimes causes us to unconsciously seek to be comforted. That’s where the potential for big problems arises! Not only are our own emotions in play, there is a real Enemy of all that is good and godly who exploits, to any degree possible, our vulnerabilities. If we are unaware of his schemes, we can easily be led beyond the comfort found in a hamburger or a big piece of cake! Not only do we have to take control of our own impulses, we also must learn to deal with the devils that tempt us to sin.

Millions of people who enter a majorly stressful time in their lives detour into majorly dysfunctional or sinful behaviors, mistakenly thinking they will find comfort or relief. Their choices actually create greater difficulties. Overspending is a major temptation in our consumer culture. “Feeling down? Buy something!” is what many think and credit cards with big balances result! One recent day that was particularly full of pressure, I found myself wrestling with the irrational desire for a new car, despite already owning two nice vehicles! Some are tempted by some illicit sexual involvement. The news constantly reports the affairs of the famous and wealthy, those who succumb to the temptation that they can find comfort for their lonely, stressed heart with a sexual experience. Rage is another temptation. Ask those who lash out at others with abusive words or fists why they do it and you will often discover an individual who does not know how to find relief for stress.

Disciple, the Word urges us to be aware of the temptations that come our way and to look underneath the obvious symptoms for the real spiritual sickness. While it is wrong to blame all our temptations on the devil, there is the warning that we must not "unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!" (2 Corinthians 2:11, The Message) He can show up disguised as an "angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14, KJV) Don’t minimize his ability to twist the good things of life into a scheme for your destruction! Jesus Himself, during a time of stress and personal testing, was accosted by the devil who tried to get Him to misuse power, food, and even faith in God!

Be aware of your own weaknesses and develop strategies to keep yourself from falling into destructive patterns. If you know that you’re being tempted to eat too much, hide the desserts! If you know that you tend to fall into self-defeating thought patterns when you isolate yourself, get out and find a friend or become a volunteer at your church. If you become an angry, mean person go to a class and learn about what triggers those outbursts! God promises that His Spirit will be active in us, but we must cooperate with Him. We must learn about ourselves. If we do not, then we will become victims, instead of living as victors through Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Here’s a word from the Word. I pray that the principle it teaches about being aware of what’s going on behind the scenes, about having real discernment and understanding, will call us to maturity, self-control, and to lives that are controlled by the Spirit. "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God … This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. … You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:1-4, NIV)

Remember this promise and take it for yours, as you seek the powerful Comfort that is found in the Presence of God. "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols (false gods or comforts)." (1 Corinthians 10:12-14, NLT)

Broken, yet tenderly loving!

The book of Judges records a brutal time in the history of God’s people. Murder, lawlessness, and immorality were common. That book closes with this line, “everyone did as he saw fit.” In the middle of it all, there is a beautiful story of human love. It unfolds in the 4 chapters of the book of Ruth. Elimelech, his wife, and his two sons, Mahlon and Kilion, left Bethlehem during a drought, moving to the region of Moab. They settled down. The boys grew up and married Moabite women, named Orpah and Ruth. Ah, life was good.

Then, tragedy struck. First, Elimelech died, and shortly after the two sons. Three widows tried to make life work but eventually Naomi realized she needed to go home to her kinsmen in Israel. When she told her two daughters-in-law to stay among their own people, Ruth’s response was one of great love. “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” (Ruth 1:16-17, NLT)

When the two women settled in Bethlehem, Ruth took care of Naomi, working to provide for her. Eventually her sweet spirit caught the eye of a kinsman named Boaz, who took her in marriage and she became the great-grandmother of King David! Her love became known to all that region so that the man who would become her husband blessed her saying, “I’ve heard all about you—heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to live among a bunch of total strangers. God reward you well for what you’ve done—and with a generous bonus besides from God, to whom you’ve come seeking protection under his wings.” (Ruth 2:11-12, The Message)
This woman, who had been so bitterly disappointed by life, who was living in a strange land among people she did not know, could have become bitter, focused on herself, and full of complaint. Who could have criticized her? But, she chose to love and found healing and a new destiny in God’s plan.

Disciple, what will you chose to do when life batters you with disappointment or grief?
Will you shrivel into a little ball of misery or will you ask God to soften your heart and help you to be a gentle servant of those who are hurting around you?
Go ahead and cry! There’s no need to pretend that your pain is not real. Life hurts. Choices we make and the choices of others do not always bear the fruit we hoped for. So, will you become a cynic, a miserable person? Don’t! Take your sorrow to the Lord, not to accuse Him of unfaithfulness, but to find His comfort. Then, dry your eyes and go help somebody. You’re not the first to feel the loss that come with death, divorce, financial reverse, children who turn from you, or sickness. Life does not have to be defined only by our disappointment. Broken dreams are fertile soil in which the seeds of character and godliness can grow!

Take this word from the Word. Make it your mission statement for life.
"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. … It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead!" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 8-9, The Message)

____________

Ev'ryday they pass me by.
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care.
Headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides the silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share.

People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams
He's the open door.
People need the Lord
People need the Lord.
When will we realize
People need the Lord.

People Need the Lord

Phil McHugh © 1983 Shepherd's Fold Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) / River Oaks Music Company (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License No. 810055