Though never officially diagnosed, I always believed I was a bit
ADHD. Growing up I was the kid who fidgeted constantly. I would
tap my hands while reading a book, watching tv, etc... I moved
around when talking on the phone and could never sit still for
long. As a kid I was called hyper...as an adult, annoying!
I just always seemed to have "nervous energy" and was in constant
motion. I talked a mile a minute and could have given an auctioneer
a run for his money. For those who have taken the True Colors test,
I am a high Orange!
"Slow down", was something I heard a lot as a child. Well, ok--I
heard that as an adult as well.
When I preached I would walk around constantly and talk as fast as I
walked.
One friend talked to me about using concentrated movement when I
spoke. I tried to apply it with limited success. A management
course I was in the last couple years taught me a lot about
personality types, etc... It helped a bit. Then I had a "high speed
crash" and my life has never been the same.
A little over a year and a half ago I had a concussion--my 6th--and
it left me altered in some ways. Mostly in my speech and the speed
of my responses. I have been forced to slow down when I talk or
else I stumble over my words more. Sarah says that my speed now is
normal for most people but for me it feels as though I am swimming
through molasses! Yet this slower time has allowed me to process
more what is happening around me. Suddenly all of the stuff I have
been hearing the last couple years is jelling together. The
concentrated movement, the personality stuff and the concussion have
all combined to make a ....new Rick in some ways.
I am more contemplative, more aware, more reflective and at times a
bit more emotional than I used to be. The old "speedy" me crops up
from time to time but when it does, I usually say something
silly....like pointing at a snowman picture and repeatedly calling
it Santa Claus or telling my daughter to "have good", when she is
going to a friends house, instead of "have fun."
However, I take comfort in 2 verses. They have taken on new meaning
to me. One is found in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them." The other is found in 2
Corinthians 5:17 and says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is
a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
I am aware that my behavior and the way I interact with others has
changed somewhat. I am also aware that, as we go deeper with God
and press into Him more, He changes us as well. I believe that He
has used this concussion in a way that allows me to be more
dependent on Him. I am trusting that the change He is bringing
runs deeper than how I operate post-concussion.
Many want to change things in the new year, but the challenge is to
let God be the one to work the change in us.
Showing posts with label Just A Thought. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Just A Thought. Show all posts
8/21/13
One Foot in Front of the Other - Just A Thought #58
Perseverance.
I see that word and it brings up a lot of different thoughts.
Hard work.
2 steps forward, one step back.
Falling down...a lot!
Blood, sweat and tears.
Failure...more than once.
Christianity!
The Bible talks about perseverance and endurance often but there is a story I was reading in 2 Kings 5:1-19 that really resonated with me. Maybe it was because I am in a place where the idea of perseverance has become a reality. We live in a world filled with pain and hardship. In this world, we get glimmers of grace and hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
Recently I have had to persevere through some pretty significant issues. Like the man in the picture...it feels like a slog up a long path, one foot in front of the other.
It is how I have been living lately.
I won't lie, I wish our problems had instant solutions. In this fast-paced, answers now society, we don't like waiting for anything. Waiting for answers, healing, guidance, etc does not fit that plan. Yet that is what God calls us to do. To wait, to persevere.
So getting back to 2 Kings. Naaman was a mighty warrior of some renown. He was also a leper. Eventually he heard about a prophet who may be able to heal him. He traveled with many gifts and finally came face to face with Elisha. He wanted instant answers but was told that he had to dip seven times in the Jordan River. He got angry, not liking what he heard, and left.
Cooler heads prevailed and encouraged him to listen to Elisha. He went to the Jordan, dipped in seven times and came out healed!
I can so relate.
When I come to God, I don't want delayed answers. Like Naaman, I have sometimes gotten angry with the answers I did receive. I especially don't like it when the answer is to persevere.
Yet God's ways are higher than ours. He has a plan.
I can obey or kick against it.
I want to obey.
Which means I have to persevere at times. Times like now. I don't know how long it will be before we see the other side of this challenging time, but it doesn't matter. God is in control.
In the meantime, I will keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep my eyes on Him!
6/1/13
He Fights For Me - Just A Thought #57
My wife wrote this piece and gave me permission to post it here:
Our son's screams filled the air,
“You're killing me! Stop!” My efforts to remove a splinter from
his foot were not appreciated. I decided to stop until he could
regain his composure. Eventually we ended up putting him in the
bathtub to soak it, as it became evident that any further
attempts
would have to be delayed until he was asleep. CJ has very
instant
and intense emotional reactions, which means that reasoning with
him
just doesn't work much of the time.
I wonder if this is sort of how I
relate to my heavenly Father? Do I fight the processes by which
He
intends to make me whole? Do I surrender myself to His kind,
loving,
nurturing hand, or do I doubt His intentions towards me?
When I think about the way CJ's
emotional response works against him, and even hurts him, I
realize that the same applies to me. Though I may not
literally scream and kick, I think sometimes deep down, there
are
some negative beliefs which keep me from experiencing the
benefits of
His care.
Like my son screaming that I am
hurting him, my own inner turmoil keeps me from hearing God's
firm,
yet gentle commands: “Trust me. I will be here for you. Listen
to
me: I want you to cling to me. I am your safety and your supply.
I
won't leave you alone. I am your healer, your provider, your
rest...” Instead of realizing the safety provided in His arms, I
stay busy figuring out solutions, and pulling away from His
tender
touch.
“But now,
says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you,
O
Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you
by
name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will
be with
you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you
walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flame
shall
not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of
Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and
Seba in
exchange for your life. Because you are precious and honoured
in my
eyes, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in
exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you... '.” Isaiah
43:1-5
My son may not hear
me as I attempt to assure him that I am on his side, but it is
true,
nonetheless. Likewise, whether I choose to believe it or not,
the
truth remains that I have a Father who fights fiercely for me,
who
loved me enough to give his only son for me, who will be with me
always, and who waits for me to understand how precious I am to
Him.
2/1/13
God is...? - Just A Thought #56
Here's a challenge. When you see the phrase, "God is...?", how do
you complete that sentence? What were the first words that came to
your mind?
How you answered might say a lot about where you are right now in your walk with the Lord.
Did you say God is good?
I know many people who have said that. One person told me recently that they know He is good but they don't always feel He is good. Their head says yes, their heart says I don't know. The question becomes, does God have my best interest at heart? The truth can be pointed out through the Scriptures but when the rubber meets the road, do we truly believe it in our hearts and live it out in practice?
Did you say God is great?
What does that mean to you? Great at what? Or is great defined as "having considerable power?" If God is great, how does that effect the way we live?
Did you say God was loving?
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. (John 3:16) Do we feel that love? We may know that we are loved but do we really believe it? Do we live as though we know God truly cares about our needs?
All these questions and it all goes back to one thing in my opinion. Do we trust God to be the God of all? Do we believe He truly is fair, loving, kind and filled with truth, or is He only those things when we get our own way?
Proverbs 3:5 says we are to trust in the Lord with ALL of our hearts and not to trust in our own wisdom or way of understanding things.
We may not feel it, we may not truly believe it, but it does not negate this truth:
"For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100:5)
Be encouraged.
How you answered might say a lot about where you are right now in your walk with the Lord.
Did you say God is good?
I know many people who have said that. One person told me recently that they know He is good but they don't always feel He is good. Their head says yes, their heart says I don't know. The question becomes, does God have my best interest at heart? The truth can be pointed out through the Scriptures but when the rubber meets the road, do we truly believe it in our hearts and live it out in practice?
Did you say God is great?
What does that mean to you? Great at what? Or is great defined as "having considerable power?" If God is great, how does that effect the way we live?
Did you say God was loving?
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. (John 3:16) Do we feel that love? We may know that we are loved but do we really believe it? Do we live as though we know God truly cares about our needs?
All these questions and it all goes back to one thing in my opinion. Do we trust God to be the God of all? Do we believe He truly is fair, loving, kind and filled with truth, or is He only those things when we get our own way?
Proverbs 3:5 says we are to trust in the Lord with ALL of our hearts and not to trust in our own wisdom or way of understanding things.
We may not feel it, we may not truly believe it, but it does not negate this truth:
"For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100:5)
Be encouraged.
1/1/13
What Does Grace Look Like? - Just A Thought #55
When I look for an example of grace in the Bible, I invariably go to
the parable of the prodigal son as found in Luke 15:11-32. You
probably recall the story. Kid asks for his inheritance, leaves and
parties hard, blowing his money and life in wild living. He
eventually runs through his funds and a famine hits. He takes the
lowest of jobs and is so hungry he decides to go home and throw
himself at his dad's feet and beg for any work he has to offer. His
dad, seeing him coming, runs out to meet him with open arms and
celebrates his lost son's return.
Grace: Unmerited Favor.
I prefer a different definition.
Grace: Unconditional Love.
In this story, I see the unconditional love of a father. Dad could have turned his back and turned his son back out to the streets. He would have been justified. Yet love won out. His son turned from his past and returned to his Dad, who was ready to receive him. Unconditionally.
He not only welcomed him back; he threw a party. His other son got jealous and self-righteous. Dad wasn't having any of it. He had love enough for everyone but never shied away from speaking truth. He pointed out to his older son that this party was needed. The lost was now found.
Unconditional love.
Do we set aside our pride and "right to justice", to love our friends, family, neighbors and enemies unconditionally? God loved us enough to send His Son; Jesus loved us enough to die; can we love the people around us without reservation?
Grace - Unmerited favor; unconditional love; radical Christianity.
Grace: Unmerited Favor.
I prefer a different definition.
Grace: Unconditional Love.
In this story, I see the unconditional love of a father. Dad could have turned his back and turned his son back out to the streets. He would have been justified. Yet love won out. His son turned from his past and returned to his Dad, who was ready to receive him. Unconditionally.
He not only welcomed him back; he threw a party. His other son got jealous and self-righteous. Dad wasn't having any of it. He had love enough for everyone but never shied away from speaking truth. He pointed out to his older son that this party was needed. The lost was now found.
Unconditional love.
Do we set aside our pride and "right to justice", to love our friends, family, neighbors and enemies unconditionally? God loved us enough to send His Son; Jesus loved us enough to die; can we love the people around us without reservation?
Grace - Unmerited favor; unconditional love; radical Christianity.
11/1/12
An Act of God! - Just A Thought #54
I heard the term, Act of God, quite a bit this past
week. It was used in the media to
explain hurricane damage, floods and earthquakes. I even heard it used to describe a crane
being bent in half by the wind and dangling 750 feet (228 meters) in the
air.
Two things went through my mind while watching these broadcasts. One, I did not know so many people in the
media believed in God. Two, why does God
not get recognized for all the good things He does?
I know that an “act of God” is legalese for any act which is
outside human control and therefore not the responsibility of any individual or
corporation.
I also know it is always defined as a bad thing, like a
tornado!
God gets a bad rap!
I want to see God’s children redefine an act of God. Let’s take this phrase and turn it on its ear
because when I wake up each morning, I consider that an act of God!
“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained
me.” Psalm 3:5
I look out my window, see the sunshine and the rain, the
snow and the stars at night, and I see an act of God.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
“In his hand are the deep places of the earth, and the
mountain peaks are his. The sea is his. He made it, and his hands formed the
dry land.” Psalm 95:4-5
We take the good things for granted and blame God for the
bad. God did not create the chaos we see
around us. He provided a way out. (John 3:16)
We blame God for death, mayhem and destruction. How often do we thank Him for our very life?
The next time you walk outside; why not stop for a moment
and thank God for His mighty act of creation.
9/2/12
No Distractions - Just A Thought #53
"Dad! Don't talk to me when I am in town!"
It began with my two year old son playing in the yard. I was resting in the hammock and smiling as I watched him play throughout the yard with his little riding car. He had moved to the farthest edge of the yard and was fiddling with the back of his car. He was definitely in his own world.
I called out to him, "Caleb are you fixing your car?" He hollered out, "Dad!" and then marched back across the yard to finish his statement, "Don't talk to me when I am in town!" I am sure some parents might see that as disrespectful, but I saw something different.
I saw an intense focus.
Caleb was focused on what he was playing and by talking to him, I brought distraction, thus taking him out of the moment.
It began with my two year old son playing in the yard. I was resting in the hammock and smiling as I watched him play throughout the yard with his little riding car. He had moved to the farthest edge of the yard and was fiddling with the back of his car. He was definitely in his own world.
I called out to him, "Caleb are you fixing your car?" He hollered out, "Dad!" and then marched back across the yard to finish his statement, "Don't talk to me when I am in town!" I am sure some parents might see that as disrespectful, but I saw something different.
I saw an intense focus.
Caleb was focused on what he was playing and by talking to him, I brought distraction, thus taking him out of the moment.
Proverbs 4:25 says "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you."
I have found at various times in my life, when my focus is distracted, I take my eyes off of Jesus Christ and I stumble and fall.
When I keep my gaze firmly planted on Jesus Christ, when I focus on Him day in and day out, my joy is firm, my faith refreshed, my strength renewed. When I seek God with my whole heart, I find that nothing seems impossible because we serve a God of the impossible.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
6/1/12
Asking for Wisdom - Just A Thought #52
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."(James 1:2-5)
I was reading James tonight and this verse struck me. I have always struggled with counting it all joy when I am in the midst of a trial. (work, home, faith, etc.) Somehow I find it hard to say, "Oh joy, a trial!" However, reading past that, I also noted that these trials produce patience and we are also told to ask for wisdom if we lack it.
Patience and wisdom. Those two words started rattling around in my brain. These are two key items I need when I am encountering a problem, a trial or a temptation. I need the patience to respond in His time and way. I need wisdom in how to proceed next and how to avoid the problems in the future.
We are also told that we will be blessed when we endure temptation. I don't think I have heard enough sermons on endurance. I want to get out of it quickly, not endure it.
All of this led me to James 1:19 which says that we should to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. Being swift to hear and slow to speak is what I recently told a group of management course students I wanted to do more of. I've been working on the slow to anger part for awhile. Looking at James, I see that I need patience, wisdom and endurance as well.
Obviously, none of this is possible without the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
So Father, I ask for wisdom.
What are you asking for?
3/31/12
I wonder if Jesus... - Just A Thought #51
Spring is in the air and I am feeling a bit...restless. Not in a, dissatisfied with life, type of way. More like an, I need a new challenge, type of thing.
I have been wondering and praying about what might be next. Is this God stirring my pot in order to prepare me for something new or is God just stirring me to be ready for what He is doing right now? I don't feel like it's time to change jobs, towns, etc.
I feel like it is a time of new challenges. I do have some exciting stuff happening this summer and most of it is new opportunities. Maybe that is all it is.
All of this has me asking some other questions as well. Ones that have been stirring my thoughts. I don't have a lot of answers, the ones I have I don't want to share. Occasionally I just like to brainstorm, reflect and contemplate....
Things like....
I wonder if Jesus ever took a "mental health" day?
How disappointed is God by our church dis-unity?
Why do we want grace for ourselves and yet judge the sins of others so harshly?
What part of "loving our enemies" is so hard to get?
Why do we rank sin?
Should we not focus on the log in our own eyes first?
If Jesus loved the world enough to die for it, why are we afraid to love the "neighbor" that He died for?
What would happen if we as Christians focus as much on evangelism as we did on protests, legal actions and petitions?
These and other questions rattle through my mind.
Mark 12:30–31 says, "'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
I am coming to the realization that if I am passionate about obeying these two commandments my worldview will be blown wide open. If I love the Lord with all of my being and love my neighbor (the sinner I judge so harshly) as much as I love myself, I can look forward to Spring as time of new beginnings. A new depth in my relationship with God and a new heart for the lost.
Going back to the new challenges, maybe it's not so new after all. Maybe the challenge is to obey what He has already said we should do!
I have been wondering and praying about what might be next. Is this God stirring my pot in order to prepare me for something new or is God just stirring me to be ready for what He is doing right now? I don't feel like it's time to change jobs, towns, etc.
I feel like it is a time of new challenges. I do have some exciting stuff happening this summer and most of it is new opportunities. Maybe that is all it is.
All of this has me asking some other questions as well. Ones that have been stirring my thoughts. I don't have a lot of answers, the ones I have I don't want to share. Occasionally I just like to brainstorm, reflect and contemplate....
Things like....
I wonder if Jesus ever took a "mental health" day?
How disappointed is God by our church dis-unity?
Why do we want grace for ourselves and yet judge the sins of others so harshly?
What part of "loving our enemies" is so hard to get?
Why do we rank sin?
Should we not focus on the log in our own eyes first?
If Jesus loved the world enough to die for it, why are we afraid to love the "neighbor" that He died for?
What would happen if we as Christians focus as much on evangelism as we did on protests, legal actions and petitions?
These and other questions rattle through my mind.
Mark 12:30–31 says, "'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
I am coming to the realization that if I am passionate about obeying these two commandments my worldview will be blown wide open. If I love the Lord with all of my being and love my neighbor (the sinner I judge so harshly) as much as I love myself, I can look forward to Spring as time of new beginnings. A new depth in my relationship with God and a new heart for the lost.
Going back to the new challenges, maybe it's not so new after all. Maybe the challenge is to obey what He has already said we should do!
12/29/11
A One Word Resolution - Just A Thought #50
Compassion sent a challenge out to their bloggers this week to seek the Lord for a word for 2012 instead of making a New Years Resolution.
Literally, ONE word.
If the Lord was to give us one word for 2012 what would it be?
I knew mine before I was even sent the email from Compassion. The Lord gave me that word a few weeks ago...and it began with a dream! Actually, it began in January of 2011!
2011 has not been a good year at work. Staff went out with injuries and illness, clients were--how shall I say it--not on their best behavior, and things just seemed to snowball from there. At home my son broke his leg and shortly after he was back to good health, my daughter broke her arm! Not to mention my own health issues this year and some stressful church issues. I thought I was going to end 2011 in the fetal position, sucking my thumb and waiting for the bad things to go away!
Then I had the dream. It began with a tornado off in the distance. It looked so far away that my wife and I decided it was no threat and we went to sleep. We awoke to sirens blaring and when we looked out the door, we were in the eye of a tornado! We never felt it hit us, but once we woke to what was going on, the destruction was all around us. We began praying for safety and praying for the tornado to stop. The more we prayed, the smaller the tornado became. Finally, the tornado vanished and we saw clear skies everywhere.
I feel like my word is the one God gave me when I awoke from this dream! PRAYER.
I have been chewing on this for weeks and praying harder than I have in some time. I feel like the storms are shrinking...though they are not completely gone yet. So I will keep praying. Funny (scary) thing is, prayer has always been the area I have felt the weakest in my walk with the Lord. So this journey will be interesting, but I look forward to 2012 and all that God has planned for me. I am holding on to this word (prayer) and the Scripture God has been speaking to me all through the fall, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
I know that prayer does not always make the bad things disappear, but it does give us peace in the midst of the storm.
Prayer and the Word. Yeah I look forward to 2012!
So what is God speaking to you for the New Year?
Literally, ONE word.
If the Lord was to give us one word for 2012 what would it be?
I knew mine before I was even sent the email from Compassion. The Lord gave me that word a few weeks ago...and it began with a dream! Actually, it began in January of 2011!
2011 has not been a good year at work. Staff went out with injuries and illness, clients were--how shall I say it--not on their best behavior, and things just seemed to snowball from there. At home my son broke his leg and shortly after he was back to good health, my daughter broke her arm! Not to mention my own health issues this year and some stressful church issues. I thought I was going to end 2011 in the fetal position, sucking my thumb and waiting for the bad things to go away!
Then I had the dream. It began with a tornado off in the distance. It looked so far away that my wife and I decided it was no threat and we went to sleep. We awoke to sirens blaring and when we looked out the door, we were in the eye of a tornado! We never felt it hit us, but once we woke to what was going on, the destruction was all around us. We began praying for safety and praying for the tornado to stop. The more we prayed, the smaller the tornado became. Finally, the tornado vanished and we saw clear skies everywhere.
I feel like my word is the one God gave me when I awoke from this dream! PRAYER.
I have been chewing on this for weeks and praying harder than I have in some time. I feel like the storms are shrinking...though they are not completely gone yet. So I will keep praying. Funny (scary) thing is, prayer has always been the area I have felt the weakest in my walk with the Lord. So this journey will be interesting, but I look forward to 2012 and all that God has planned for me. I am holding on to this word (prayer) and the Scripture God has been speaking to me all through the fall, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
I know that prayer does not always make the bad things disappear, but it does give us peace in the midst of the storm.
Prayer and the Word. Yeah I look forward to 2012!
So what is God speaking to you for the New Year?
11/1/11
Martha, Mary and Lazarus - Just A Thought #49
Martha, Mary and Lazarus
How do you come to Jesus Christ?
I was looking at the various mentions of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in the new Testament this week and I found an interesting parallel between how they approached Christ and how we Christians approach Him today.
Let's just look at the various examples. You have Mary, whom we find at one point sitting at the feet of Christ. She came as one ready to learn at the Master's feet. (Luke 10:39) Mary also came to Jesus to anoint Him with oil and to wash his feet with her hair. I see this as an act of worship. (John 11:2). When her brother Lazarus died, Mary came out to Jesus with tears in her eyes. He called her and she responded She told Him that if He had been there this bad thing would not have happened. (John 11:32) Some of us, like Mary, come to worship Jesus--to listen to Him. We seek Him with our whole heart. Other times we may come to Him with accusations. (Why weren't you here?)
Martha also came to Jesus. She came in frustration, wondering why she had to do all the work! (Luke 10:40) When Lazarus passed away, Martha went out to Jesus with the "If" statement. If you had been here, this would not have happened. Yet she also believed He could do anything, though she was also confused by His statement that Lazarus would rise again. (John 11:21-24)
Finally we have Lazarus who came at the call of Jesus. He was dead and came to life when Jesus called him.
So how do you come to Jesus? Do you come like Mary, Martha or Lazarus? Are you feeling dead inside and needing to feel the life giving call of Christ? Do you come with questions or accusations? Are you frustrated? Maybe you are coming just to Worship! The neat thing about the way that each one came to Jesus was that He had the perfect response. He spoke truth, He spoke to the need. He had compassion and He restored those in need of restoration.
When you come to Jesus, He will meet you where you are and lead you the rest of the way. Step out in faith. Come! Don't think it will all be easy though. After Lazarus was restored to life, the chief priests sought to kill him to stop his testimony! Life with Christ is not easy in this world, but it is thrilling!
How will you come to Him today?
How do you come to Jesus Christ?
I was looking at the various mentions of Martha, Mary and Lazarus in the new Testament this week and I found an interesting parallel between how they approached Christ and how we Christians approach Him today.
Let's just look at the various examples. You have Mary, whom we find at one point sitting at the feet of Christ. She came as one ready to learn at the Master's feet. (Luke 10:39) Mary also came to Jesus to anoint Him with oil and to wash his feet with her hair. I see this as an act of worship. (John 11:2). When her brother Lazarus died, Mary came out to Jesus with tears in her eyes. He called her and she responded She told Him that if He had been there this bad thing would not have happened. (John 11:32) Some of us, like Mary, come to worship Jesus--to listen to Him. We seek Him with our whole heart. Other times we may come to Him with accusations. (Why weren't you here?)
Martha also came to Jesus. She came in frustration, wondering why she had to do all the work! (Luke 10:40) When Lazarus passed away, Martha went out to Jesus with the "If" statement. If you had been here, this would not have happened. Yet she also believed He could do anything, though she was also confused by His statement that Lazarus would rise again. (John 11:21-24)
Finally we have Lazarus who came at the call of Jesus. He was dead and came to life when Jesus called him.
So how do you come to Jesus? Do you come like Mary, Martha or Lazarus? Are you feeling dead inside and needing to feel the life giving call of Christ? Do you come with questions or accusations? Are you frustrated? Maybe you are coming just to Worship! The neat thing about the way that each one came to Jesus was that He had the perfect response. He spoke truth, He spoke to the need. He had compassion and He restored those in need of restoration.
When you come to Jesus, He will meet you where you are and lead you the rest of the way. Step out in faith. Come! Don't think it will all be easy though. After Lazarus was restored to life, the chief priests sought to kill him to stop his testimony! Life with Christ is not easy in this world, but it is thrilling!
How will you come to Him today?
9/1/11
A Selah Moment - Just A Thought #48
I have started this post a few times already. I just can't seem to describe what it is I was feeling this past year. Let me try one more time.
AAUUUGGGHHH!
Yeah that works. Do you ever feel like that? Work, family, just life in general can seem to pile up to the point where you feel like screaming. At times, I feel like that metal ball in a pinball machine, bouncing all around, off the sides and just when you think you may be coming to a place of rest, you get smacked hard and start the whole process over again!
Maybe that's why I have been drawn to the Psalms lately. This past year, I felt God really talking to me about letting some things go. Nothing major. More like saying no to things, cutting out some of the distractions, just setting priorities. I was in a bit of a winter season.
As much as you would like it to, life doesn't slow down. Yet in reading the Psalms, I find my heart being renewed. The Psalms are awesome because there is so much going on. David and the other psalmists express a lot of emotion. At times it's like a roller coaster in the midst of the Psalms. Up and down, lamentations and praise. Then there is something more...a word found 71 times in the Psalms.
Selah.
When coming across this word in the Psalms, the reader is invited to pause and to meditate or reflect on the message. At least that is what has been happening to me. I come across Selah and I stop and re-read the passage. I reflect on what is being said. I meditate on the Word.
Selah.
My life feels like the Psalms. Up and down, lamentations and praise. Yet in the midst of all of it, I feel God calling me to rest. To slow down and reflect. To pause. A friend called it a Selah moment. I like that.
No mater where you are at right now, I invite you to take a Selah moment with the King of Kings!
Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!"
Just A Thought
AAUUUGGGHHH!
Yeah that works. Do you ever feel like that? Work, family, just life in general can seem to pile up to the point where you feel like screaming. At times, I feel like that metal ball in a pinball machine, bouncing all around, off the sides and just when you think you may be coming to a place of rest, you get smacked hard and start the whole process over again!
Maybe that's why I have been drawn to the Psalms lately. This past year, I felt God really talking to me about letting some things go. Nothing major. More like saying no to things, cutting out some of the distractions, just setting priorities. I was in a bit of a winter season.
As much as you would like it to, life doesn't slow down. Yet in reading the Psalms, I find my heart being renewed. The Psalms are awesome because there is so much going on. David and the other psalmists express a lot of emotion. At times it's like a roller coaster in the midst of the Psalms. Up and down, lamentations and praise. Then there is something more...a word found 71 times in the Psalms.
Selah.
When coming across this word in the Psalms, the reader is invited to pause and to meditate or reflect on the message. At least that is what has been happening to me. I come across Selah and I stop and re-read the passage. I reflect on what is being said. I meditate on the Word.
Selah.
My life feels like the Psalms. Up and down, lamentations and praise. Yet in the midst of all of it, I feel God calling me to rest. To slow down and reflect. To pause. A friend called it a Selah moment. I like that.
No mater where you are at right now, I invite you to take a Selah moment with the King of Kings!
Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!"
Just A Thought
7/1/11
Walking Forgiveness - Just A Thought #47
I have been thinking about forgiveness a quite a bit lately. What does it look like? Am I living out my faith and forgiving those who I feel have wronged me? Am I following the commands of Jesus to forgive "seventy times seven?"
One thing I know for sure and that is, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace," (Ephesians 1:7)
If His blood can wash away my sins and He has shown me His amazing grace, how can I then judge others for the wrong they have done to me?
Jesus himself asked God to forgive those who were crucifying Him! "And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments." (Luke 23:34)
Of course I am not Jesus and I'll tell you what, it is hard to forgive someone who has burned you...sometimes more than once. I have struggled with forgiveness more than I care to remember. I can relate to Peter asking Jesus how often we should forgive someone...and in the past, found the response of Jesus hard to swallow. "Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus makes it pretty clear here that there is no cap on forgiveness. He is still forgiving those who were never born when He was crucified!
Forgiveness is made even more clear to me when I see these verses in Mark: "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.] (Mark 11:25-26) This sounds like we shouldn't be holding grudges....it says if YOU have anything against anyone, FORGIVE!
Sometimes offering forgiveness means we actually have to humble ourselves and let go of our pride! The "I am in the right and justified" attitude just doesn't cut it. Neither does taking on the offense of others.
In this world we are going to get hurt, stepped on and abused! Do we let the enemy rob our joy or do we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and remember that He forgave us much, so how much more should we forgive others? I know, you've been hurt badly...so was Jesus. I know you were in the right...so was Jesus. You have every reason to be angry...so did Jesus.
Yet He chose to die so that you AND the person who hurt you could experience His forgiveness.
I'll leave you with 2 verses I am chewing on right now. May they speak to you as you think on this topic.
Romans 12:18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
James 1:19, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;"
Are you walking out forgiveness?
One thing I know for sure and that is, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace," (Ephesians 1:7)
If His blood can wash away my sins and He has shown me His amazing grace, how can I then judge others for the wrong they have done to me?
Jesus himself asked God to forgive those who were crucifying Him! "And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments." (Luke 23:34)
Of course I am not Jesus and I'll tell you what, it is hard to forgive someone who has burned you...sometimes more than once. I have struggled with forgiveness more than I care to remember. I can relate to Peter asking Jesus how often we should forgive someone...and in the past, found the response of Jesus hard to swallow. "Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus makes it pretty clear here that there is no cap on forgiveness. He is still forgiving those who were never born when He was crucified!
Forgiveness is made even more clear to me when I see these verses in Mark: "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.] (Mark 11:25-26) This sounds like we shouldn't be holding grudges....it says if YOU have anything against anyone, FORGIVE!
Sometimes offering forgiveness means we actually have to humble ourselves and let go of our pride! The "I am in the right and justified" attitude just doesn't cut it. Neither does taking on the offense of others.
In this world we are going to get hurt, stepped on and abused! Do we let the enemy rob our joy or do we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and remember that He forgave us much, so how much more should we forgive others? I know, you've been hurt badly...so was Jesus. I know you were in the right...so was Jesus. You have every reason to be angry...so did Jesus.
Yet He chose to die so that you AND the person who hurt you could experience His forgiveness.
I'll leave you with 2 verses I am chewing on right now. May they speak to you as you think on this topic.
Romans 12:18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
James 1:19, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;"
Are you walking out forgiveness?
6/1/11
Stepping into the unknown - Just A Thought #46
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.
What is God calling you to do today? What about this week? Next year? Even when we know the plans He has for us, at times, it feels like a big, huge leap of faith. Let's be honest, stepping out in faith can be downright scary! Obviously we need to pray about the things we feel He is calling us to do. Yet, when we know it is God, why do we hesitate?
Is it because we are stepping into the unknown? If we knew where He was taking us or what would be required of us, we might hesitate or even pull a Jonah and run the other way. I know I have felt like doing that before. When Sarah and I felt the Lord calling us to launch Main Street Christian Fellowship, I wanted to hop on the next boat to Tarshish! Actually I didn't really have a destination, I just wanted to run.
Why? I was a bit fearful of stepping out into the unknown. What if we did this and it failed, flopped, etc. What would people think? I really had not thought about what God would think if I failed to obey!
God wants us to step out in faith. To trust that He has everything under control and is aware of what will happen and what is required. Psalm 31:15 says, "My times are in your hands."
I think that's very important to look at. Do I trust that He has everything in His hands? Can I trust that God is God and that He has everything under control? I know the questions that run through my mind. What if? What if (something bad happens; I fail; I look foolish, etc.) are all questions that if we are honest have probably crept up when we feel God is asking us to step out in faith.
Maybe He is calling you to move...or worse for some of us, to stay where we are. Is God calling you to a new project or to drop a current one? Can you trust that He has your best interest at heart?
Stepping into the unknown is scary but well worth the adventure. You might fail. That's ok. Remember that His strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9)
What is God calling you to do today? What about this week? Next year? Even when we know the plans He has for us, at times, it feels like a big, huge leap of faith. Let's be honest, stepping out in faith can be downright scary! Obviously we need to pray about the things we feel He is calling us to do. Yet, when we know it is God, why do we hesitate?
Is it because we are stepping into the unknown? If we knew where He was taking us or what would be required of us, we might hesitate or even pull a Jonah and run the other way. I know I have felt like doing that before. When Sarah and I felt the Lord calling us to launch Main Street Christian Fellowship, I wanted to hop on the next boat to Tarshish! Actually I didn't really have a destination, I just wanted to run.
Why? I was a bit fearful of stepping out into the unknown. What if we did this and it failed, flopped, etc. What would people think? I really had not thought about what God would think if I failed to obey!
God wants us to step out in faith. To trust that He has everything under control and is aware of what will happen and what is required. Psalm 31:15 says, "My times are in your hands."
I think that's very important to look at. Do I trust that He has everything in His hands? Can I trust that God is God and that He has everything under control? I know the questions that run through my mind. What if? What if (something bad happens; I fail; I look foolish, etc.) are all questions that if we are honest have probably crept up when we feel God is asking us to step out in faith.
Maybe He is calling you to move...or worse for some of us, to stay where we are. Is God calling you to a new project or to drop a current one? Can you trust that He has your best interest at heart?
Stepping into the unknown is scary but well worth the adventure. You might fail. That's ok. Remember that His strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9)
11/1/10
If We Do Nothing, Nothing Gets Done - Just A Thought #45
The world seems to be falling apart at times. You turn on the news and hear major stories of crime, abuse and other sordid events. Commercials show starving children and play heartfelt music with the intentions of getting you to give money to the latest charity or disaster relief.
It would be so easy to stick our head in the sand and ignore the trumpet calls of help! Even easier would be to toss some money at the problem to massage our consciences. Our minds tend to rest easier if we can pay someone else to help fix the problem.
If it was only that easy.
Giving money to the latest project may help solve a problem half way around the world and it is something I believe we should do as we can afford it. However, this does not release us from our obligation at home.
People are dying and going to hell.
People are hurting, worried, lonely and bitter.
They need Jesus Christ....they need you! You are the hands and feet of Christ to a hurting world. It isn't that hard to invite a stranger out for coffee or to open your home to someone in need. It isn't hard...but it is uncomfortable.
Yet, nowhere in the Bible does God call us to a life of comfort. He calls us to love with action. (1 John 3:17-18). He calls us to set aside the "I" and to look out for the interests of others. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)
Lives are changed when we step out of our comfort zones and reach out to those we meet on a daily basis.
I find God is challenging me to step out of my comfort zone more and more each day. I want to allow God to make me a life-changer? What about you?
It would be so easy to stick our head in the sand and ignore the trumpet calls of help! Even easier would be to toss some money at the problem to massage our consciences. Our minds tend to rest easier if we can pay someone else to help fix the problem.
If it was only that easy.
Giving money to the latest project may help solve a problem half way around the world and it is something I believe we should do as we can afford it. However, this does not release us from our obligation at home.
People are dying and going to hell.
People are hurting, worried, lonely and bitter.
They need Jesus Christ....they need you! You are the hands and feet of Christ to a hurting world. It isn't that hard to invite a stranger out for coffee or to open your home to someone in need. It isn't hard...but it is uncomfortable.
Yet, nowhere in the Bible does God call us to a life of comfort. He calls us to love with action. (1 John 3:17-18). He calls us to set aside the "I" and to look out for the interests of others. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)
Lives are changed when we step out of our comfort zones and reach out to those we meet on a daily basis.
I find God is challenging me to step out of my comfort zone more and more each day. I want to allow God to make me a life-changer? What about you?
8/1/10
Crawling Backwards - Just A Thought #44
My son is learning to crawl. Now 6 months old, he is endeavoring to move across the floor. I have watched his progress with interest and cheer his every little victory.
It started with his getting his arms out in front of himself. Then, a few days later he got his knees under himself. He started rocking back and forth and the legs moved, then he scooted and crawled--backwards!
Of course we got a chuckle out of this.
He now is going forward a couple inches--and going back a couple feet.
I was sharing this with a friend who reminded me of Paul's comment in Romans 7:15, "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."
Now, Paul was talking about sin, not learning to crawl. However, watching my son struggle to go forward over and over, I can really see the point. When he keeps going backward, he begins to get more frustrated, more persistent. One day, not too far in the future, he will get it. Everything will come together and he will begin crawling, which will open up a whole new world for him, both good and bad.
Thinking on this Scripture though, I am reminded how my faith walk has imitated my son's faltering attempts at moving forward.
I know where I need to go. I know what God has laid before me. Yet, sometimes the things I want to do, I don't. It seems I go backwards; I struggle; I falter.
Of course I have the hope found in Romans 8:1. I know that I am IN Christ Jesus. Therefore, I don't have to stay in that place of struggle. I can relax in Christ Jesus. I can lean on Him, focus on Him and let Him guide my steps.
My son needs a helping hand to crawl and walk right now. I need that, too. I need Christ to hold my hand and lead me forward. I just have to be willing to trust.
It started with his getting his arms out in front of himself. Then, a few days later he got his knees under himself. He started rocking back and forth and the legs moved, then he scooted and crawled--backwards!
Of course we got a chuckle out of this.
He now is going forward a couple inches--and going back a couple feet.
I was sharing this with a friend who reminded me of Paul's comment in Romans 7:15, "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."
Now, Paul was talking about sin, not learning to crawl. However, watching my son struggle to go forward over and over, I can really see the point. When he keeps going backward, he begins to get more frustrated, more persistent. One day, not too far in the future, he will get it. Everything will come together and he will begin crawling, which will open up a whole new world for him, both good and bad.
Thinking on this Scripture though, I am reminded how my faith walk has imitated my son's faltering attempts at moving forward.
I know where I need to go. I know what God has laid before me. Yet, sometimes the things I want to do, I don't. It seems I go backwards; I struggle; I falter.
Of course I have the hope found in Romans 8:1. I know that I am IN Christ Jesus. Therefore, I don't have to stay in that place of struggle. I can relax in Christ Jesus. I can lean on Him, focus on Him and let Him guide my steps.
My son needs a helping hand to crawl and walk right now. I need that, too. I need Christ to hold my hand and lead me forward. I just have to be willing to trust.
7/1/10
Grumble, Grumble - Just A Thought #43
"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:24-28)
So, how was your day?
Paul had some really bad experiences happen to him, wouldn't you say? However, you'll notice he didn't stay there. He acknowledged them, but he didn't stay there. It would have been very easy for Paul to have wrapped himself in the misery of past experiences. I would have been tempted to. Yet Paul looked beyond that. In fact, in Philippians 4:8 he said this:
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
Are we more focused on what has happened in the past or who holds our future?
Too often we wrap ourselves up in our bad experiences and wear them around like a badge of honor. People try to talk to us and we unpack our misery and display it like items at a gift shop. "Hey, look what so and so did to me!" or "Listen to this; you won't believe how this person spoke to me!"
Paul wrote many of the letters we read in the New Testament while sitting in jail!
Can we be content even when things DON'T go our way? (Philippians 4:11-13)
I am not saying we can't talk about our bad experiences. We have to be real. We can be honest about the bad stuff. However, we should be more focused on the LIVING GOD!
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I want to be honest. I have a hard time not grumbling when things don't go my way. It's not easy. My natural tendency is to mutter and complain when bad stuff happens. I have to literally choose to rejoice. When I do, I find my mind focusing again on Christ and not the circumstances.
What kind of choice are you making?
So, how was your day?
Paul had some really bad experiences happen to him, wouldn't you say? However, you'll notice he didn't stay there. He acknowledged them, but he didn't stay there. It would have been very easy for Paul to have wrapped himself in the misery of past experiences. I would have been tempted to. Yet Paul looked beyond that. In fact, in Philippians 4:8 he said this:
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
Are we more focused on what has happened in the past or who holds our future?
Too often we wrap ourselves up in our bad experiences and wear them around like a badge of honor. People try to talk to us and we unpack our misery and display it like items at a gift shop. "Hey, look what so and so did to me!" or "Listen to this; you won't believe how this person spoke to me!"
Paul wrote many of the letters we read in the New Testament while sitting in jail!
Can we be content even when things DON'T go our way? (Philippians 4:11-13)
I am not saying we can't talk about our bad experiences. We have to be real. We can be honest about the bad stuff. However, we should be more focused on the LIVING GOD!
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I want to be honest. I have a hard time not grumbling when things don't go my way. It's not easy. My natural tendency is to mutter and complain when bad stuff happens. I have to literally choose to rejoice. When I do, I find my mind focusing again on Christ and not the circumstances.
What kind of choice are you making?
6/1/10
The God Who Jumps Through Hoops! - Just A Thought #42
The Bible records a vast number of names for God: Jehovah (Psalm 83:18), Foundation (Isaiah 28:16), Comforter (Jeremiah 8:18), Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6) and Refiner (Malachi 3:2) are just a few.
One name I have never found is "The God Who Jumps Through Hoops." Yet it is this name that many seem to want to call Him by. You'll meet these people when they want a healing, a blessing, a relationship or something they feel they deserve or need. When God does not perform for them in their desired timing, they began to question God or become more demanding. It is not that God will not heal or bless. He does this. However, I have noticed a certain type of attitude when it comes to our wants.
I have heard people say, "If God does NOT heal me, He is a liar." Scriptures get cut down to their barest minimum and are twisted to support their version of what God should do. "Well, it says God healed their sickness but He is not healing mine!" People act as if God is a puppet on a string, here to do our bidding. However, when reading the Word, I can't find this version of God anywhere.
It boils down to a selfish attitude. We want what we want when we want it. In other words, we want to be God! He should do things our way! We want to be in charge and have God fulfill our version of life!
Yet, in the Scriptures, just as often as God healed or moved, He remained silent. He stayed His hand. He let events unfold according to His plan. I am encouraged by Hebrews faith chapter. I have heard many sermons on Hebrews Chapter 11, and they are used as proof of God's blessing and protection as we persevere and seek Him. Often overlooked are the final 5 verses of that chapter, which talk about saints being tortured, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, slain, destitute, afflicted and tormented! They are also praised for their faith.
So, the next time you think about demanding God move, remember that if He does, it may not be in the way you expect. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9). Can you still maintain your faith if your prayers do not get answered in the way you wanted?
One name I have never found is "The God Who Jumps Through Hoops." Yet it is this name that many seem to want to call Him by. You'll meet these people when they want a healing, a blessing, a relationship or something they feel they deserve or need. When God does not perform for them in their desired timing, they began to question God or become more demanding. It is not that God will not heal or bless. He does this. However, I have noticed a certain type of attitude when it comes to our wants.
I have heard people say, "If God does NOT heal me, He is a liar." Scriptures get cut down to their barest minimum and are twisted to support their version of what God should do. "Well, it says God healed their sickness but He is not healing mine!" People act as if God is a puppet on a string, here to do our bidding. However, when reading the Word, I can't find this version of God anywhere.
It boils down to a selfish attitude. We want what we want when we want it. In other words, we want to be God! He should do things our way! We want to be in charge and have God fulfill our version of life!
Yet, in the Scriptures, just as often as God healed or moved, He remained silent. He stayed His hand. He let events unfold according to His plan. I am encouraged by Hebrews faith chapter. I have heard many sermons on Hebrews Chapter 11, and they are used as proof of God's blessing and protection as we persevere and seek Him. Often overlooked are the final 5 verses of that chapter, which talk about saints being tortured, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, slain, destitute, afflicted and tormented! They are also praised for their faith.
So, the next time you think about demanding God move, remember that if He does, it may not be in the way you expect. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9). Can you still maintain your faith if your prayers do not get answered in the way you wanted?
5/1/10
Between the Psychic and the Porta-Potty - Just A Thought #41
This past week I found myself taking part in a food drive for the Salvation Army. The drive was being put on by a traveling carnival that was set up for a couple days in town. As I pulled up they showed me where to set up, which was beside the porta-potties and across from the psychic. (Insert cheesy joke here!)Sadly, I saw a couple Christians heading into the psychic to have their palms read or tarot cards laid out for them. The lady promised 90% accuracy in foretelling your future! I found it very sad that believers would violate God's Word by willingly seeking advice from someone practicing acts that God clearly condemns.
From psychics to horoscopes it seems people have no problem consulting others for wisdom that only God can give. It's not just wisdom though, I know quite a few believers who want to see how close they can get to the line of sin while touting their "freedom" in Christ. I think if you are looking for the line, you are already on the wrong side of it.
Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness? Can Christ agree with the devil? Can a believer share life with an unbeliever? Can God's temple contain false gods? Clearly, we are the temple of the living God. As God said, "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." The Lord says, "Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you." (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
We are called to resist the evil of this world. We are not called to compromise, to give in, to surrender to the cares of this world. We should act more like Joseph fleeing temptation. Remember, he ran from it, leaving his cloak behind in his hurry to get away. (Genesis 39:1-11) I have never found a Scripture telling us to see how close we can get to sin while still resisting. I have never seen a Scripture where God tells us to seek His wisdom from a horoscope or a psychic.
We need to actively resist temptation. Christ, living in us, has given us the ability to do that. Let's not dabble with the things of this world. God's ways are far superior to any "wisdom or good things" the world has to offer. When we follow through with what 2 Corinthians says above, then God has promised to call us His own. "The Lord Almighty says, "I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters." (2 Corinthians 6:18)
4/1/10
All By Myself - Just A Thought #40
I am reading through the book of John again. This is definitely my all-time favorite book in the Bible. Anyway, as I was reading the story of the woman at the well (John 4:6-42) I was struck by the story and it got me to thinking about my relationship with the Lord. Here we find Jesus at the well, and He has this whole discussion with the woman about living water and thirst. He speaks truth into her life and she is profoundly changed by the event. She is so impacted by meeting and talking with Jesus that she leaves her water jar, the reason she was at the well to begin with, and goes back to the to her town and says to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" (John 4:29)
Who knows what else this woman told the people? The Bible doesn't give all of the conversations. Some probably knew her (or her reputation) and some might have just been attracted by all the hubbub. For whatever reason, they came. Her testimony was powerful enough that many came to believe in Him. (John 4:39)
The people who came out to see Him asked Jesus to stick around. The Bible says He hung out for a couple days. Here is where it got interesting for me: "And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."" (John 4:41-42)
See, some believed because of her testimony but they still had to encounter Jesus personally. I think it holds true today as well. We can share our stories, our sermons, our life. Many will believe, but they can't live on our faith. They need to encounter the Savior for themselves. They must have a personal, vibrant, real relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We can raise our children in a Christian home, but one day they will move out. They will need to have their own personal relationship with God because kids won't survive living on their parents faith. Neither will our spiritual children that we lead to Christ; they must meet Jesus personally. Will we let them go to let them grow? Will we cover them in prayer as they walk through the valleys and the mountains, imparting wisdom, yet not stepping in to rescue? It's very natural to let a child begin to make their own choices as they age and to move out on their own when they are ready. Whether it is our natural children, or spiritual ones, their greatest need may not be our physical or emotional support, but our prayers for Christ to meet them where they are at. It is in His presence that they will find out that what we have told them about Him is true.
Who knows what else this woman told the people? The Bible doesn't give all of the conversations. Some probably knew her (or her reputation) and some might have just been attracted by all the hubbub. For whatever reason, they came. Her testimony was powerful enough that many came to believe in Him. (John 4:39)
The people who came out to see Him asked Jesus to stick around. The Bible says He hung out for a couple days. Here is where it got interesting for me: "And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."" (John 4:41-42)
See, some believed because of her testimony but they still had to encounter Jesus personally. I think it holds true today as well. We can share our stories, our sermons, our life. Many will believe, but they can't live on our faith. They need to encounter the Savior for themselves. They must have a personal, vibrant, real relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We can raise our children in a Christian home, but one day they will move out. They will need to have their own personal relationship with God because kids won't survive living on their parents faith. Neither will our spiritual children that we lead to Christ; they must meet Jesus personally. Will we let them go to let them grow? Will we cover them in prayer as they walk through the valleys and the mountains, imparting wisdom, yet not stepping in to rescue? It's very natural to let a child begin to make their own choices as they age and to move out on their own when they are ready. Whether it is our natural children, or spiritual ones, their greatest need may not be our physical or emotional support, but our prayers for Christ to meet them where they are at. It is in His presence that they will find out that what we have told them about Him is true.
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