I heard a word today that I needed to hear -- and I didn't realize how badly I needed to hear it until I did. Our pastor preached today on Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:13-17) and the words from the Father: and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” We were reminded that, because we are in Christ, our heavenly Father speaks those same words to us. I am my Father's beloved child and he is well pleased with me. Those words brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to freeze time, sit with those words wrapping around me, and soak in that feeling.
And, you know what? I knew that already. I learned it on a much deeper level through the experience of writing the study on John's Gospel. The title of the study is the same title as this blog. This was the message the Lord wanted to get across to me and to the women who participated in the study. So why, today, did those words hit me with such force - albeit a gentle force?
The "force" (for lack of a better word) with which those words impacted me? That was grace. That was the Lord reminding me that he knows when I struggle, when I have big, difficult questions, when I wonder if I'm walking out this walk of faith in a faithful manner. That was the Lord looking at his daughter - the one that had a heavy heart this morning - and reminding her that she's loved. And not "just" loved, but pleased with that same child. Astonishing! That loving grace is what enables us to keep on going, keep on putting one foot in front of the other, even and especially when the road is really rocky. It's the grace that enables us to reach out to a brother or sister who's struggling or doubting and assure them that God looks at them as well, through his eyes of love.
Thank you, Thomas, for being a willing vessel for the Spirit to speak through this morning. And thank you, Lord, for reminding me and everyone else that needs that same word, that you will never leave us or forsake us. You are with us always, to the end of the age.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
New Year
For God is working in you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT
What will this new year bring? What kind of plans does God have in mind for 2012? Wish I knew! Or maybe not. In September I reflected on this very same verse but in a different context. (http://christsownforever.blogspot.com/2011/09/surprised-by-god.html) I was looking back at seeds God had planted along the way to prepare me for writing Bible studies. Now, on New Year's Eve, as I look ahead, I wonder what God has planned for my future - particularly the next 365 days (actually 366 days in this leap year).
For the first time in many years, my Bible study groups finished one study without a clear idea of what the next one will be. That seems significant in light of the fact that it breaks a pattern of so many years. Will my time and availability be needed for something different? Are there changes coming that will restructure my life? Only God knows. But I can rest in the knowledge that he is at work in me giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases him ---- whatever that is. I'm not walking blindly into this new year hoping to stumble through the days and months, reacting and responding to whatever is thrown at me. Instead, I know that I'm in a relationship with the One who knows my future and I will be prepared and guided along the way. I can wait on the Lord expectantly and confidently knowing that whatever 2012 brings, I'm not alone and I'm not left to my own devices. God is never surprised by what happens and if I'm willing to pay attention, listen and pray, I will hear his still, small voice speaking the words I need.
The NIV translates Psalm 25:14 this way: "The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them." Those to whom God revealed his promises throughout the Scriptures were ordinary people, just like us. They became significant or memorable because of God's relationship with them - not because of anything they did on their own or to their own glory. I might begin 2012 with my New Year's resolutions, a new reading plan for my Bible reading, a new determination to make a good start with better habits; but whether I keep my resolutions or not, God holds my days in his hands. When we seek God's face, seek to glorify him through our lives and service, come to him with all our brokenness, wounds, sins and questions, he is there with open arms. Being in relationship with the Living God is the most beautiful of relationships. His promise is to never leave us or forsake us, to guide our steps and to make his will and purposes known in and through our lives - to confide in us.
I pray that 2012 will be a year of new-found faith for those who doubt, a year of peace where there is unrest and chaos, a year of growing in the awareness of the love of the One who IS Love - the One who looks at us, his children, through his eyes of love and calls us his beloved.
What will this new year bring? What kind of plans does God have in mind for 2012? Wish I knew! Or maybe not. In September I reflected on this very same verse but in a different context. (http://christsownforever.blogspot.com/2011/09/surprised-by-god.html) I was looking back at seeds God had planted along the way to prepare me for writing Bible studies. Now, on New Year's Eve, as I look ahead, I wonder what God has planned for my future - particularly the next 365 days (actually 366 days in this leap year).
For the first time in many years, my Bible study groups finished one study without a clear idea of what the next one will be. That seems significant in light of the fact that it breaks a pattern of so many years. Will my time and availability be needed for something different? Are there changes coming that will restructure my life? Only God knows. But I can rest in the knowledge that he is at work in me giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases him ---- whatever that is. I'm not walking blindly into this new year hoping to stumble through the days and months, reacting and responding to whatever is thrown at me. Instead, I know that I'm in a relationship with the One who knows my future and I will be prepared and guided along the way. I can wait on the Lord expectantly and confidently knowing that whatever 2012 brings, I'm not alone and I'm not left to my own devices. God is never surprised by what happens and if I'm willing to pay attention, listen and pray, I will hear his still, small voice speaking the words I need.
The NIV translates Psalm 25:14 this way: "The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them." Those to whom God revealed his promises throughout the Scriptures were ordinary people, just like us. They became significant or memorable because of God's relationship with them - not because of anything they did on their own or to their own glory. I might begin 2012 with my New Year's resolutions, a new reading plan for my Bible reading, a new determination to make a good start with better habits; but whether I keep my resolutions or not, God holds my days in his hands. When we seek God's face, seek to glorify him through our lives and service, come to him with all our brokenness, wounds, sins and questions, he is there with open arms. Being in relationship with the Living God is the most beautiful of relationships. His promise is to never leave us or forsake us, to guide our steps and to make his will and purposes known in and through our lives - to confide in us.
I pray that 2012 will be a year of new-found faith for those who doubt, a year of peace where there is unrest and chaos, a year of growing in the awareness of the love of the One who IS Love - the One who looks at us, his children, through his eyes of love and calls us his beloved.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
plans for welfare [shalom] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
(Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice;
together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see
the return of the LORD to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted his people;
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God. (Isaiah 52:7-10 ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 ESV)
Friday, December 16, 2011
Revelation
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6 ESV)
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. (NLT)
In reading the description of John's vision in Revelation, we have to wonder what he must have seen. What did the Lamb look like that let John know it had been slaughtered? There must have been scars on the Lamb, horrendous scars from the fatal wounds. Trying to picture the Lamb with seven eyes and seven horns and visible signs of its slaughtering -- what a fearsome sight for such a gentle animal.
Two words that we would never expect to say in the same breath: fearsome and lamb. But that's the picture and reality of our Lord Jesus. He's the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. He's the Gentle Shepherd and the rider on the white horse named Faithful and True who, in righteousness, judges and makes war (Rev. 19:11). He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Words that are opposites of each other but in describing and naming our Lord, synonymous.
Jesus - Name above all names; beyond description, beyond knowing; yet he reveals himself to us that we may know him and in knowing him, know the Father. This mighty God reveals himself in love and humility. As a baby, born to bring life to the world; as a man, dying to bring life to the world; taking our sin and shame upon himself, bearing our scars throughout all eternity.
He is, indeed, worthy of our worship and praise:
"Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest."
(from The Book of Common Prayer)
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Gift
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2
Such sweet words of comfort and assurance. They're more than mere words of greeting at the beginning of Paul's letter to the Ephesian church. They are reality. I read these words today and sensed peace wrapping around me, settling on me, as I read and reflected on God's grace and peace. It was almost instantaneous, as if the verse had my name at the beginning. It does, you know. That's the beauty of God's holy word. I opened my Bible to prepare for Bible study tonight but the Lord had a word for me. Two words, actually: grace and peace.
Will we receive this gift? Will we be as excited to receive this one as we are the ones under our tree?
God is looking through his eyes of love at each one of us, speaking to our hearts, offering the greatest gift the world has known or will ever know. Will we receive his gift? Will you receive him?
Such sweet words of comfort and assurance. They're more than mere words of greeting at the beginning of Paul's letter to the Ephesian church. They are reality. I read these words today and sensed peace wrapping around me, settling on me, as I read and reflected on God's grace and peace. It was almost instantaneous, as if the verse had my name at the beginning. It does, you know. That's the beauty of God's holy word. I opened my Bible to prepare for Bible study tonight but the Lord had a word for me. Two words, actually: grace and peace.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and Peace
to me
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
It makes me think of a Christmas gift all wrapped up with the little gift tag marked "to" and "from". Very fitting considering the birth we celebrate at Christmas - the gift of grace and peace wrapped up in the form of a tiny baby.
Emmanuel
God with us
The Prince of Peace
God's gift of grace in human form
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
God's gift of Life and Light to a sin-sick world
Grace and peace
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
The gift of love
of grace
of peace
God is looking through his eyes of love at each one of us, speaking to our hearts, offering the greatest gift the world has known or will ever know. Will we receive his gift? Will you receive him?
Grace to you, dear child, and peace.
From God your Father and your Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Peace?
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:27 Amplified Bible
Does it happen every year at this same time? This feeling of something-not-quite-right? Holidays are difficult in the best of circumstances -- trying to get the house decorated, gifts bought and wrapped. Oh! Don't forget, it's Advent - I'm supposed to be spending more time reflecting on this holy season. Then there are just the normal list of things to do and places to go and people to see. sigh. Where is that peace?
I chose the Amplified Bible's version of the John verse above because of those words in the brackets: "stop allowing yourselves . . . do not permit yourselves . . . ." On the one hand, those words feel like another thing to add to my already full list - another "to do" even though in this case it's a "not-to-do". So, now I have to concentrate on not being agitated, disturbed, etc., etc. Again I ask: where is the peace?
Jesus says he is leaving us with HIS OWN peace, not something we have to muster up within ourselves. It's not a peace that looks like anything we see in the world around us, it's deeper and it's true peace. It's a peace that is in spite of what's going on around us.
Lately, I've been hearing that still small voice of the Lord calling me to come away with him, by myself, to a quiet place and get some rest. How important is that to me? How important is it to obey that voice? Do the appointments and responsibilities matter more than that request to come away with the Lord? Jesus wants my time and my attention and is calling me away from all these distractions to sit with him quietly and listen, to be restored, to once again live out of and into that peace that he's already given to me. Am I too frazzled to even able to be still?
This is not the way to welcome and reflect on the Incarnate Lord and his presence in our world and in my life. Or is it? The message of Advent is that the the Word took on human flesh and existence, came and dwelt among us - lived with us, as one of us. He knows what humanity feels like. He knows what it feels like to be pulled in every direction, to have places to go and people to meet. And in his humanity he taught us in words and action how to know his peace. Pay attention in the Gospel accounts of how many times Jesus went off by himself to pray. And, after sending the disciples out in pairs to do ministry, he greets their return and excitement by inviting them to come away with him and get rest. He, better than anyone, knows our need to rest with him and in him. He tells us that apart from him we can do nothing. He tells us about abiding in him. He showed us what that looked like as he abides in his Father, as he does nothing apart from his Father. Who am I to think I can do anything in my own power?! How arrogant! How foolish!
I'm looking forward to the days I have blocked off on my calendar to go away by myself. How wonderful to know that I'm not really going by myself and that I'm going at the invitation of the Lord Jesus - he's requesting my presence for some one-on-one, quality time. Ah.....there's the peace!
Does it happen every year at this same time? This feeling of something-not-quite-right? Holidays are difficult in the best of circumstances -- trying to get the house decorated, gifts bought and wrapped. Oh! Don't forget, it's Advent - I'm supposed to be spending more time reflecting on this holy season. Then there are just the normal list of things to do and places to go and people to see. sigh. Where is that peace?
I chose the Amplified Bible's version of the John verse above because of those words in the brackets: "stop allowing yourselves . . . do not permit yourselves . . . ." On the one hand, those words feel like another thing to add to my already full list - another "to do" even though in this case it's a "not-to-do". So, now I have to concentrate on not being agitated, disturbed, etc., etc. Again I ask: where is the peace?
Jesus says he is leaving us with HIS OWN peace, not something we have to muster up within ourselves. It's not a peace that looks like anything we see in the world around us, it's deeper and it's true peace. It's a peace that is in spite of what's going on around us.
Lately, I've been hearing that still small voice of the Lord calling me to come away with him, by myself, to a quiet place and get some rest. How important is that to me? How important is it to obey that voice? Do the appointments and responsibilities matter more than that request to come away with the Lord? Jesus wants my time and my attention and is calling me away from all these distractions to sit with him quietly and listen, to be restored, to once again live out of and into that peace that he's already given to me. Am I too frazzled to even able to be still?
This is not the way to welcome and reflect on the Incarnate Lord and his presence in our world and in my life. Or is it? The message of Advent is that the the Word took on human flesh and existence, came and dwelt among us - lived with us, as one of us. He knows what humanity feels like. He knows what it feels like to be pulled in every direction, to have places to go and people to meet. And in his humanity he taught us in words and action how to know his peace. Pay attention in the Gospel accounts of how many times Jesus went off by himself to pray. And, after sending the disciples out in pairs to do ministry, he greets their return and excitement by inviting them to come away with him and get rest. He, better than anyone, knows our need to rest with him and in him. He tells us that apart from him we can do nothing. He tells us about abiding in him. He showed us what that looked like as he abides in his Father, as he does nothing apart from his Father. Who am I to think I can do anything in my own power?! How arrogant! How foolish!
I'm looking forward to the days I have blocked off on my calendar to go away by myself. How wonderful to know that I'm not really going by myself and that I'm going at the invitation of the Lord Jesus - he's requesting my presence for some one-on-one, quality time. Ah.....there's the peace!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Planting and Growing
Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the LORD have created it. (Isaiah 45:8)
As I read this passage, I was struck by how many times the Lord's work is described in terms of planting, growing, watering, seeding, sprouting, etc. Not growing up on a farm and being unable to grow anything well in my yard (except maybe weeds), these metaphors probably don't speak as clearly to me as they might to someone who loves to get their hands dirty planting in their garden. (SO not me!) I guess It just means I have to ponder the verses a little longer than my gardening friends. So, I wrote this verse down in my notebook and read through it several times, read another translation and waited. What is God trying to tell me with this? I can't seem to leave it alone.
Another verse in Isaiah has particular meaning to me - Isaiah 61:3: "that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified." There's a long story that goes with my receiving that verse, but suffice it to say its meaning and impact has grown and blossomed (yes, I'm using farm-speak). As I sat with the Isaiah 45 verse, "my" oak tree passage came to mind. That tree is a planting of the Lord, not a planting of man. Over the years, that's the part that has emerged and spoken to me. We are God's creation, "planted" by him and therefore, cared for and nurtured by God so our "roots" grow strong, our "branches and leaves" are healthy and we grow into maturity.
As Christians, we sometimes experience times of spiritual dryness - that feeling of being disconnected, going through the motions, sometimes feeling like our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and not getting through. Just as plants cannot grow in dry, crusty soil and need water to thrive, we, too, need the refreshing Living Water to cleanse, nurture and refresh our spirits. In Ephesians 3, Paul prays that we may be "rooted and grounded in love". God is love. As we are rooted and grounded in Him - abiding in him - we are nurtured with the spiritual food we need to thrive and grow.
Imagine yourself, without Jesus, as a plant trying to grow out of dry, rocky, dusty soil. It's a pitiful picture. Now read the verse above. God is raining down righteousness on your thirsty soul. The soil around your roots is opening up to allow the rain to soak in and even changing its consistency as the rain revitalizes and transforms the dust into rich, life-giving soil. Your sickly, pitiful plant has been saved! You will not die of thirst and starvation. Your roots are stretching out to receive the nourishing rainwater and you are getting stronger and stronger. You get strong enough to grow into a mature plant, to begin bearing fruit. You are becoming a beautiful creation - an "oak of righteousness". You are a source of shelter and comfort for those who come near. You are able to stand firm against storms and wind because your roots are deep and strong. And the Lord created it. YOU are a planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
As I read this passage, I was struck by how many times the Lord's work is described in terms of planting, growing, watering, seeding, sprouting, etc. Not growing up on a farm and being unable to grow anything well in my yard (except maybe weeds), these metaphors probably don't speak as clearly to me as they might to someone who loves to get their hands dirty planting in their garden. (SO not me!) I guess It just means I have to ponder the verses a little longer than my gardening friends. So, I wrote this verse down in my notebook and read through it several times, read another translation and waited. What is God trying to tell me with this? I can't seem to leave it alone.
Another verse in Isaiah has particular meaning to me - Isaiah 61:3: "that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified." There's a long story that goes with my receiving that verse, but suffice it to say its meaning and impact has grown and blossomed (yes, I'm using farm-speak). As I sat with the Isaiah 45 verse, "my" oak tree passage came to mind. That tree is a planting of the Lord, not a planting of man. Over the years, that's the part that has emerged and spoken to me. We are God's creation, "planted" by him and therefore, cared for and nurtured by God so our "roots" grow strong, our "branches and leaves" are healthy and we grow into maturity.
As Christians, we sometimes experience times of spiritual dryness - that feeling of being disconnected, going through the motions, sometimes feeling like our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and not getting through. Just as plants cannot grow in dry, crusty soil and need water to thrive, we, too, need the refreshing Living Water to cleanse, nurture and refresh our spirits. In Ephesians 3, Paul prays that we may be "rooted and grounded in love". God is love. As we are rooted and grounded in Him - abiding in him - we are nurtured with the spiritual food we need to thrive and grow.
Imagine yourself, without Jesus, as a plant trying to grow out of dry, rocky, dusty soil. It's a pitiful picture. Now read the verse above. God is raining down righteousness on your thirsty soul. The soil around your roots is opening up to allow the rain to soak in and even changing its consistency as the rain revitalizes and transforms the dust into rich, life-giving soil. Your sickly, pitiful plant has been saved! You will not die of thirst and starvation. Your roots are stretching out to receive the nourishing rainwater and you are getting stronger and stronger. You get strong enough to grow into a mature plant, to begin bearing fruit. You are becoming a beautiful creation - an "oak of righteousness". You are a source of shelter and comfort for those who come near. You are able to stand firm against storms and wind because your roots are deep and strong. And the Lord created it. YOU are a planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
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