The author of the Lenten devotional I read today wrote, "Nobody can tell us what our unique relationship with God will be like." How true that is; yet reading the words gave me an "aha" moment. I wonder, do we lean towards believing that each one's relationship with God has to fit into some biblical cookie cutter? Does that belief lead us into judgment or criticism of another believer because their relationship doesn't fit some perceived mold?
Please don't misunderstand - God's word is THE foundation and the truth that guides and shapes our lives. The scriptures are our plumb line. We are instructed to test the spirits, to use our God-given discernment and not accept or follow a "wolf in sheep's clothing". We are to weigh the teaching we sit under against God's holy word. There are biblical instructions and boundaries for our own good and protection.
God knows our hearts, our weaknesses and strengths. He sees, in each one of his children, that true identity, or self, that he has created - the person he has called us to be. He is always working in us to clear away the "debris" that is preventing our true selves from coming forth. He wants to heal the wounds of that false self we so often live with/behind - that side of us we show to the world, fearful that if people really knew us they'd turn away.
As God looks at us through his eyes of love, he is calling forth that beautiful person he created. Like Lazarus being called forth from the tomb still wrapped in his stinky grave cloths, Jesus calls to us to come forth and live as the child of the King that we are. The ways in which he ministers his love, grace and healing to each of us is unique, just as each one of us is unique in all of creation. What a blessing to know that our loving God isn't expecting us to fit into some kind of pre-set mold or pattern for growth as a Christian but instead reaches out to each one according to the needs and condition of our hearts. He is oh so gentle and compassionate, tender and merciful, always loving as he works in us revealing his glorious creation to the world -- YOU.
How great is our God!
Thanks to Trinity School of Ministry for their 2012 Lenten Devotional http://www.tsm.edu/content/lenten_devotional_2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Tossing and Turning
What keeps you awake at night? Tossing and turning, restless, maybe shedding a few tears? The nighttime seems to be the worst for bringing up all the stresses and worries; our minds become full of anxious thoughts, what-if's. Our imaginations, seemingly on over-drive, can come up with the worst possible scenarios. Those hours of sleeplessness, worry and anxiety are so lonely; everyone else is sleeping peacefully; there's no one to talk to, to bring reason to those "midnight crazies".
But there is One who sees our tossing and turning. Consider these words from Psalm 56:8: You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? When David wrote these words he was in fear for his life, under siege. He was apparently afraid to the point of sleeplessness and tears. This mighty warrior was hanging on to his faith in God to keep from going under - from giving in completely to his great fear in this awful predicament. David reminds himself again and again that he can and will trust God. This I know, that God is for me. (verse 9)
Not only is God on our side but he is close enough to see - and count - our tossings and turnings in the middle of the night, to see our tears, to put them in his bottle. Our tears are so precious to God, they're not wasted. He doesn't look at our tears as foolishness or weakness; he sees and knows the depth of our pain or fear and tenderly responds to our crying.
The next time you're struggling through a long, lonely, fearful night turn to Psalm 56. Remind yourself, as David did, that God is with you and you can trust him with those things that are keeping you from sleep - stealing your peace. Read the words over and over until they become your prayer.
Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
all day long an attacker oppresses me;
my enemies trample on me all day long,
for many attack me proudly.
When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
All day long they injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They stir up strife, they lurk;
they watch my steps,
as they have waited for my life.
For their crime will they escape?
In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!
You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
Then my enemies will turn back
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
I must perform my vows to you, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
What If? More Thoughts on Joseph
Continuing my thoughts on Joseph's story, I can't help but wonder what it must have been like for him to experience all he went through. He fell far and he fell hard -- from the favored son, to the son thrown into the pit and sold off to be a servant in Egypt; from being part of a large family to being alone in a strange land. He spent 13 long years in obscurity, in loneliness, and, I would imagine, in doubt and confusion as to what his future could possibly look like. Would he die as an old man in this foreign prison, never to see his family again?
When his reputation as an interpreter of dreams landed him the "dream job" in Egypt, what must he have felt? He'd already been put in a position of responsibility in Potiphar's house but had another great fall from grace as a result of the deception and false accusations of his master's wife, a woman scorned. Could David believe that this time things would work in his favor? His track record was pretty shaky!
He had obviously learned a lot in all those years of servitude and imprisonment - learned where to place his faith and trust. His life had been redeemed, from the prison to prominence: paraded through the streets as second-in-command, people bowing down to him and honoring him. When was this going to come crashing down around him? How could he help but wonder? What if he hadn't heard God correctly and mis-interpreted those dreams? What if, instead of speaking God's words, he spoke his own? David serves Pharaoh through the seven years of plenty, storing up grain in the storehouses and preparing for the seven years of famine yet to come. What if the plentiful years continued and he ended up with storehouses full of rotting grain? What if he looked like a fool, or worse yet, a con man who wormed his way into Pharaoh's good graces?
When we know the end of the story we can easily forget that these are real-life people who had to live out their experiences day by day, trusting in their faithful God to fulfill his promises. They were just like us - often filled with worry and doubt, wondering how it would all end up. But because Joseph and the other heroes of our faith ARE just like us, we can draw faith from their stories. We need to remind ourselves that they probably did struggle with doubt and questions but God, again and again, proved himself faithful. The seven years of famine happened just as God had foretold and the people were provided for because of God's provision through Joseph. And that was only the beginning! We can't miss the bigger picture, the greater blessing: God's provision for his chosen people, his guiding hand as he moves his people into the land of Egypt and then through deliverance from Egypt into the promised land.
And that story continues, one that we can't begin to see or imagine. God's hand has brought us deliverance from the slavery of sin and into the promised land of his Kingdom. Even when we wonder how our story will turn out, even when the darkness might seem to be "winning", our God is faithful and is bringing to completion his work on this earth. We are part of that story.
When his reputation as an interpreter of dreams landed him the "dream job" in Egypt, what must he have felt? He'd already been put in a position of responsibility in Potiphar's house but had another great fall from grace as a result of the deception and false accusations of his master's wife, a woman scorned. Could David believe that this time things would work in his favor? His track record was pretty shaky!
He had obviously learned a lot in all those years of servitude and imprisonment - learned where to place his faith and trust. His life had been redeemed, from the prison to prominence: paraded through the streets as second-in-command, people bowing down to him and honoring him. When was this going to come crashing down around him? How could he help but wonder? What if he hadn't heard God correctly and mis-interpreted those dreams? What if, instead of speaking God's words, he spoke his own? David serves Pharaoh through the seven years of plenty, storing up grain in the storehouses and preparing for the seven years of famine yet to come. What if the plentiful years continued and he ended up with storehouses full of rotting grain? What if he looked like a fool, or worse yet, a con man who wormed his way into Pharaoh's good graces?
When we know the end of the story we can easily forget that these are real-life people who had to live out their experiences day by day, trusting in their faithful God to fulfill his promises. They were just like us - often filled with worry and doubt, wondering how it would all end up. But because Joseph and the other heroes of our faith ARE just like us, we can draw faith from their stories. We need to remind ourselves that they probably did struggle with doubt and questions but God, again and again, proved himself faithful. The seven years of famine happened just as God had foretold and the people were provided for because of God's provision through Joseph. And that was only the beginning! We can't miss the bigger picture, the greater blessing: God's provision for his chosen people, his guiding hand as he moves his people into the land of Egypt and then through deliverance from Egypt into the promised land.
And that story continues, one that we can't begin to see or imagine. God's hand has brought us deliverance from the slavery of sin and into the promised land of his Kingdom. Even when we wonder how our story will turn out, even when the darkness might seem to be "winning", our God is faithful and is bringing to completion his work on this earth. We are part of that story.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:27; Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Dreams
Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. (Genesis 37:5-8 ESV)
The story of Joseph is fascinating. Beyond the obvious trials and tribulations, successes and failures, sin and redemption aspects of the story are more subtle insights. As is true with Scripture, we can read the same stories multiple times and discover, on our latest reading, something never before noticed. Consider the passage above and the very familiar story of Joseph.
Joseph's brothers saw him as the spoiled, favorite son of their father and they hated him. As if that weren't enough, he relates to them two dreams which depict his brothers bowing down to him. Talk about adding insult to injury! We know what happens next - they've had all they can stand and plot to be rid of their annoying brother. Flash forward 11 years and Joseph is once again dealing with dreams - this time as interpreter for two fellow inmates in an Egyptian prison. It earns him a reputation which eventually is reported to Pharaoh. Joseph is called before the ruler to interpret his dreams.
In both of these instances (the prisoners and Pharaoh) there is one striking difference between Joseph's responses in Egypt and his dream-telling as a teenager in Canaan. At 17, Joseph's intention seems to be his own exaltation; as a much-humbled adult being held captive in Egypt, his intention is to glorify God, to listen for God's interpretation of these dreams. The result? Joseph doesn't seek his own glory yet God raises him up to be the second most powerful man in Egypt.
The lesson to us is clear on one level but there may be another message that can be overlooked. Joseph's dreams concerning his brothers were, indeed, prophetic words from God. As the story unfolds, his brothers do end up bowing before their brother, the high-ranking Egyptian official. But perhaps it wasn't something that was meant to be publicly revealed at the time Joseph had the dream. God had, indeed, given Joseph a glimpse into his plans but Joseph ran ahead of God, perhaps trying to make this glimpse of the future into a present reality. When have we been given a glimpse into God's plans only to jump in and try to shape, control or manage what we perceive to be our destiny? Have we ever been tempted to lord it over our friends, family or associates if God is leading us into a position of leadership or responsibility?
God is sovereign and that sovereignty is a great mystery. His plans and purposes are perfect. His timing is, indeed HIS timing -- not ours. Joseph suffered as a result of his brothers' sinful response - their hatred and mistreatment. But the years of suffering and imprisonment appeared to have had not only a humbling effect on Joseph but apparently shifted his focus from himself and his glory to the glory of God and obedience to his Lord. In Genesis 45:6, Joseph states, "It was not you who sent me here, but God." What man intended for evil, God used for good, working his purposes and plans on a far grander scale than anyone could have imagined --- most especially, Joseph.
In Matthew 23:12, Jesus says, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Wait on the Lord, watch for his guidance. What may seem to be an interminable wait, may very well be God's time of preparation and training for us in advance of a new ministry or opportunity.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
In 2 Samuel, there is a list of the Mighty Men that battled with and for King David. Their names are listed along with their deeds of great bravery and strength. These men are remembered for their fierce loyalty to their king, their unimaginable tenacity in the fiercest battles. One man "wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time". Another battled the Philistines "until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword". The other Israelites had fled the battle, this man stayed with his king and battled until he couldn't even let go of his sword, his hand was frozen in its grip. Incidents like these are listed throughout chapter 23. These were incredibly brave and loyal warriors who fought to the bitter end, to victory for their king. Their names are listed in the Scriptures to be remembered always. They were heroes.
What does that have to do with us in our 21st century world? We can read the Old Testament for its history and lessons of the faith; but we also read it to understand spiritual truths for us, for the ways it points us to Jesus. The battle we engage in as Christians may not look like hand-to-hand combat as in the days of King David, but our enemy is no less real and no less ruthless. Our battles are no less demanding. While we may not have battle scars that are visible or as a result of sword fights, we may suffer the scars of spiritual fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress or despair. Those scars, while not necessarily of a physical nature, certainly take a toll on our physical bodies. King David's Mighty Men were willing to draw a line in the sand, so to speak, signifying that here is where we stand, here is where we fight.
Are we willing to make a stand like that? In Ephesians 6, Paul describes our weapons and protection for the battle in terms of armor, swords, shields, etc. all the while knowing that "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." The battle is real and it is costly. I'm sure King David's warriors were exhausted - physically and emotionally spent after such incredible battles - but they were completely sold out to their king. They lived to fight with and for their leader, to take a stand. Paul exhorts us to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Four times in that passage are we told to stand firm. We are not left to our own devices in the battle against our enemy but we must be watchful and alert: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
On a personal note, I have been engaged in a very difficult battle - a difficult, personal, painful situation that has left me battle-weary. My "line in the sand" is to stand on God's word, to stand firm on what I believe to be true. That is my battlefield and has been at the root of my current struggle. I went to bed last night feeling as if I could barely breathe from the stress of the situation and woke up this morning feeling as if a weight had been lifted off of me. I awoke this morning to a new day, a new energy, a new strength. During the night, while I slept, my ever-present Lord was ministering, restoring, freeing me and strengthening me. This morning during my quiet time as I pondered this "renewal", I read Psalm 46. It was one of my scheduled readings today, a "coincidence". This is the verse that leaped off the page for me: verse 5 -- God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
If you are engaged in your own battle, feeling alone and cut off from God, know that his word is true, his promises are sure. He will never leave you or forsake you. God is [your] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) His eyes are always on his children; he's aware of your struggles, your pain, your weariness. He will never leave you to limp through on your own - he IS your strength and your shield, your light and your guide.
If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(from Romans 8)
What does that have to do with us in our 21st century world? We can read the Old Testament for its history and lessons of the faith; but we also read it to understand spiritual truths for us, for the ways it points us to Jesus. The battle we engage in as Christians may not look like hand-to-hand combat as in the days of King David, but our enemy is no less real and no less ruthless. Our battles are no less demanding. While we may not have battle scars that are visible or as a result of sword fights, we may suffer the scars of spiritual fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress or despair. Those scars, while not necessarily of a physical nature, certainly take a toll on our physical bodies. King David's Mighty Men were willing to draw a line in the sand, so to speak, signifying that here is where we stand, here is where we fight.
Are we willing to make a stand like that? In Ephesians 6, Paul describes our weapons and protection for the battle in terms of armor, swords, shields, etc. all the while knowing that "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." The battle is real and it is costly. I'm sure King David's warriors were exhausted - physically and emotionally spent after such incredible battles - but they were completely sold out to their king. They lived to fight with and for their leader, to take a stand. Paul exhorts us to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Four times in that passage are we told to stand firm. We are not left to our own devices in the battle against our enemy but we must be watchful and alert: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
On a personal note, I have been engaged in a very difficult battle - a difficult, personal, painful situation that has left me battle-weary. My "line in the sand" is to stand on God's word, to stand firm on what I believe to be true. That is my battlefield and has been at the root of my current struggle. I went to bed last night feeling as if I could barely breathe from the stress of the situation and woke up this morning feeling as if a weight had been lifted off of me. I awoke this morning to a new day, a new energy, a new strength. During the night, while I slept, my ever-present Lord was ministering, restoring, freeing me and strengthening me. This morning during my quiet time as I pondered this "renewal", I read Psalm 46. It was one of my scheduled readings today, a "coincidence". This is the verse that leaped off the page for me: verse 5 -- God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
If you are engaged in your own battle, feeling alone and cut off from God, know that his word is true, his promises are sure. He will never leave you or forsake you. God is [your] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) His eyes are always on his children; he's aware of your struggles, your pain, your weariness. He will never leave you to limp through on your own - he IS your strength and your shield, your light and your guide.
If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(from Romans 8)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
An Invitation
And he [Jesus] said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." Mark 6:31
Recently, I've had two wonderful opportunities to get away with Jesus for some rest, reflection and retreat. The first was alone and the second was with the women of my church. The first was more of a spur of the minute, gotta-get-away time and the second was a planned and organized retreat. But the most important part of both was the chance to listen, pray and gain some perspective. I was in dire need of some time to rest, to be still and know that He is God, to hear a word, a direction - to pray expectantly, waiting for answers - and I needed healing for my weary soul.
Jesus invites us to be with him, to sit with him a while -- he has so much to share with us. Sometimes, he speaks through silence. Maybe his voice is speaking to a place so deep in our spirit that we're not even aware and we just think it's silence. But silence in God's presence is a powerful silence, a healing silence, a restoring silence and not to be feared or turned away from. Perhaps silence prepares us for the word God has for us to hear or read - maybe silence is laying the foundation, preparing the "soil" for the holy "seeds" to be sown. As the psalmist writes, I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears (Ps. 34:4). Whether we hear through God's Word, rest in the silence, or hear that still, small voice speak to our hearts, God is faithful. He will answer.
Recently, I've had two wonderful opportunities to get away with Jesus for some rest, reflection and retreat. The first was alone and the second was with the women of my church. The first was more of a spur of the minute, gotta-get-away time and the second was a planned and organized retreat. But the most important part of both was the chance to listen, pray and gain some perspective. I was in dire need of some time to rest, to be still and know that He is God, to hear a word, a direction - to pray expectantly, waiting for answers - and I needed healing for my weary soul.
Jesus invites us to be with him, to sit with him a while -- he has so much to share with us. Sometimes, he speaks through silence. Maybe his voice is speaking to a place so deep in our spirit that we're not even aware and we just think it's silence. But silence in God's presence is a powerful silence, a healing silence, a restoring silence and not to be feared or turned away from. Perhaps silence prepares us for the word God has for us to hear or read - maybe silence is laying the foundation, preparing the "soil" for the holy "seeds" to be sown. As the psalmist writes, I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears (Ps. 34:4). Whether we hear through God's Word, rest in the silence, or hear that still, small voice speak to our hearts, God is faithful. He will answer.
- I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.I have set the LORD always before me; becausehe is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Youmake known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.(Psalm 16:7-8, 11)
- You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you "Your face, Lord, do I seek." Psalm 27:8
- For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3
- Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8
- The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:15, 17
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