Matthew 7:11 - So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?
We've all received gifts for birthdays and Christmas that we really didn't want, right? We are grateful for the thought people put into them, but sometimes we want to say, "Uh that's really not what I wanted (or asked for)." While we all would hope that wouldn't be our thought process, it's okay to admit that we are still human and it does/will happen sometimes.
How about when God orchestrates something we really weren't expecting (or wanting)?
At my last job, things were going downhill fast. It was quickly becoming an unbearable and extremely stressful place to work. Over the last couple of months I was there, I was starting to look for something new. I knew that God had better plans for me, and that I wasn't meant to be there forever. I prayed about it and asked for God's guidance and direction, but didn't really get many answers other than to keep looking.
Then I got the news that they were restructuring/reorganizing and that my position was being eliminated, and it was my last day. While I was trusting God's plans for me, that really wasn't how I was expecting Him to work things out.
On the drive home that day, I was praying and I said to God, "You know, I probably would have handled that whole thing differently. I wouldn't have done it that way." In other words, if it had been left up to me, I would have left on my terms after I found something new.
Now before you start thinking that I was questioning God or demanding that He did things my way, that wasn't what I was doing. I was simply saying what was on my heart. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? God knows our hearts, so if we aren't confessing what's on our heart it's kind of pointless. It's like making a Doctor's appointment and then telling the Doctor that nothing is wrong. I have no problem accepting His will for my life, because I believe the Bible and passages like this one above from Matthew. Jesus is telling us that God will give us greater than we could expect.
In the book of Isaiah, God tells us that His thoughts are nothing like our thoughts and His ways are far beyond anything we could imagine (Isaiah 55:8). That was exactly the message I received on that drive home that day. God wasn't necessarily rebuking me for what was on my heart. He was reminding me that He does have great and mighty things for me, and He will reveal them to me when He is ready. More importantly, He will reveal them to me when He makes me ready for them.
After spending the last 4 months (and counting) off work, I have seen and felt God working in me to draw me closer to Him. These last few months have been a great sabbatical for me to become closer to the One who always has my best interests in His heart. My stress levels are non-existent now, except maybe when I drive (come on it's California freeways - baby steps).
I believe that He wanted me to get some healing and repairing and some more intimate time with me before He sends me back out in the world in whatever may come my way. And you know what, I'm perfectly fine with that. It may not have been how I would have handled it, but that's a good thing. It may not have been what I was asking for, but thank God it was exactly what I have needed.
Dear Abba Father, thank You for so much. It is impossible to put into words just how grateful I am that Your thoughts and ways are so much higher than mine. I know I sometimes feel like I know what's best for me, but thankfully You DO know what's best for me and there's no need to question that. I pray that I will never question Your working in my life even when I don't understand it. I know You will show me what I need to know when I need to know it. I pray that I will always trust in Jesus' promise that You will always give much better to those who ask. While I may ask or want certain things to happen, I want Your will to be done Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Big Shoes To Fill
Joshua 1:9 - "This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua had some pretty big shoes to fill, don't you think? His boss had just died, and not just any boss. Moses was pretty tight with God. The Bible tells us that Lord buried Moses Himself (Deuteronomy 34:6). Whether the passage literally meant that God did it personally, or meant that He sent an angel to tend to Moses burial isn't the important part. The important part is that God didn't leave it up to the Israelites to do it. He took a personal interest in making sure Moses was taken care of. I'd say that's a pretty tight friendship, wouldn't you?
Now that Joshua's boss and friend was gone, he was given the charge of leading God's people into the Promised Land. While Joshua had the background and training as a military leader, this was a big step up for him. Think he might have been a little nervous, perhaps even unsure of himself? I think so. Who wouldn't be?
God tells us the things He does for specific reasons. Every word that comes from Him has a purpose. He doesn't do idle chit chat. Whether we understand the specific purpose of God's instructions at the time we receive them is another story; sometimes we realize it later. But God's words always have a useful reason behind them.
When I read these first nine verses of the Joshua 1, I see God trying to build up Joshua's confidence. I also hear God telling Joshua all he needs to remember to lead God's people in the way that God wanted him to.
Three times He reminded Joshua to be strong and courageous (verses 6, 7, & 9). Twice God told him that if he followed Moses instructions that were received from God, He would be successful (verses 7 & 8). That was God's way of intentionally showing Joshua that He chose him, He had confidence in him, and He had already given him the instructions he needed to add to his already great military experience and training. All he had to do was follow them.
The beauty of all of this, is that God does this for each and every one of us. The Bible is God's gift to all of us, and it shows us how to prosper and succeed in all we do. God also takes the time to intentionally show us that He has specific plans for each and every one of us. God doesn't want us to be something we're not.
Some of us may have had the type of parents or bosses who tried to make us clones of themselves. The kind of parents that said, "You have to do this because you're my child and that's what's expected of you." Or the type of boss that said, "I need to you to do this like so and so did, because that's what works." I was blessed that I didn't have those type of parents, but I have had those types of bosses in the past.. And I have struggled to try and fill anyone's shoes but my own.
God didn't make us clones of each other. He didn't make mankind a one size fits all. He made us all individual and unique. He gave each of us a unique calling on our lives to serve His Kingdom and His people. He didn't give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but He told us to be strong and courageous. He wants us to embrace our uniqueness and be obedient to His call on our lives. And when we do, He promises to make us successful and be with us wherever we go.
All we have to do is be who He created us to be.
Dear Abba Father, thank You for making me the unique person I am, and for loving me regardless of my shortcomings. I know that I have not always been obedient to Your call, but You have never left me in the dust to fend for myself. You have always been there, even though I didn't realize it. I am grateful for Your mercy and grace that continues to develop this work in progress until the day of completion. I pray for those that are trying to fit some mold that others have told them they are supposed to be. My prayer is that they will realize that they only need to be who You made them to be, because You took the time to intimately form them, and You have a unique and perfect plan for their lives. I pray they will respond to Your Holy Spirit speaking to their hearts, and be strong and courageous to obediently follow Your call for their life, and not the world's call. I pray we all do. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
Joshua had some pretty big shoes to fill, don't you think? His boss had just died, and not just any boss. Moses was pretty tight with God. The Bible tells us that Lord buried Moses Himself (Deuteronomy 34:6). Whether the passage literally meant that God did it personally, or meant that He sent an angel to tend to Moses burial isn't the important part. The important part is that God didn't leave it up to the Israelites to do it. He took a personal interest in making sure Moses was taken care of. I'd say that's a pretty tight friendship, wouldn't you?
Now that Joshua's boss and friend was gone, he was given the charge of leading God's people into the Promised Land. While Joshua had the background and training as a military leader, this was a big step up for him. Think he might have been a little nervous, perhaps even unsure of himself? I think so. Who wouldn't be?
God tells us the things He does for specific reasons. Every word that comes from Him has a purpose. He doesn't do idle chit chat. Whether we understand the specific purpose of God's instructions at the time we receive them is another story; sometimes we realize it later. But God's words always have a useful reason behind them.
When I read these first nine verses of the Joshua 1, I see God trying to build up Joshua's confidence. I also hear God telling Joshua all he needs to remember to lead God's people in the way that God wanted him to.
Three times He reminded Joshua to be strong and courageous (verses 6, 7, & 9). Twice God told him that if he followed Moses instructions that were received from God, He would be successful (verses 7 & 8). That was God's way of intentionally showing Joshua that He chose him, He had confidence in him, and He had already given him the instructions he needed to add to his already great military experience and training. All he had to do was follow them.
The beauty of all of this, is that God does this for each and every one of us. The Bible is God's gift to all of us, and it shows us how to prosper and succeed in all we do. God also takes the time to intentionally show us that He has specific plans for each and every one of us. God doesn't want us to be something we're not.
Some of us may have had the type of parents or bosses who tried to make us clones of themselves. The kind of parents that said, "You have to do this because you're my child and that's what's expected of you." Or the type of boss that said, "I need to you to do this like so and so did, because that's what works." I was blessed that I didn't have those type of parents, but I have had those types of bosses in the past.. And I have struggled to try and fill anyone's shoes but my own.
God didn't make us clones of each other. He didn't make mankind a one size fits all. He made us all individual and unique. He gave each of us a unique calling on our lives to serve His Kingdom and His people. He didn't give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but He told us to be strong and courageous. He wants us to embrace our uniqueness and be obedient to His call on our lives. And when we do, He promises to make us successful and be with us wherever we go.
All we have to do is be who He created us to be.
Dear Abba Father, thank You for making me the unique person I am, and for loving me regardless of my shortcomings. I know that I have not always been obedient to Your call, but You have never left me in the dust to fend for myself. You have always been there, even though I didn't realize it. I am grateful for Your mercy and grace that continues to develop this work in progress until the day of completion. I pray for those that are trying to fit some mold that others have told them they are supposed to be. My prayer is that they will realize that they only need to be who You made them to be, because You took the time to intimately form them, and You have a unique and perfect plan for their lives. I pray they will respond to Your Holy Spirit speaking to their hearts, and be strong and courageous to obediently follow Your call for their life, and not the world's call. I pray we all do. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Not Them Too?!
John 4:27 - Just then His disciples came back. They were shocked to find Him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do You want with her?" or "Why are You talking to her?"
Although the Apostle John didn't write it here, I believe there was probably at least one of the disciples, if not more, that was thinking, "I know He told us to love everyone, but I'm sure He didn't mean them too. Not the Samaritans."
But why wouldn't He mean them too? Isaiah told us that the heir to David's throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world (Isaiah 11:10). I'm not a geography whiz, but I'm pretty sure that when Isaiah said 'all the world', he was including the next door neighbor of the Jews.
How about today? Ever stereotype someone because of what they do (or don't do), or what they believe (or don't believe)? I would venture a guess to say that a significant majority of us do. Well if our goal is to be true disciples of Jesus, what's our reasoning for stereotyping, or even worse, not accepting others? Stereotyping is something that humans do. Not accepting someone is from the enemy.
I have caught myself, more than I care to admit, saying to myself, "He couldn't have meant them too." Paul talked about this when he said, "Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory" (Romans 15:7). Now, while a man may have written those words with a pen, they are there because God wanted them there. Sort of like Paul was taking dictation for God.
Paul also said, "Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:6). Now, I'm not a math whiz either, but I'm pretty sure that when he said 'all of you', he was including every single person. That's a tough one sometimes though, isn't it? I mean everyone?
What about the one who did (fill in the blank)? Or that guy I saw (fill in the blank)? Yeah...they would be included in 'all of you'. They would be included in 'all the world'.
For those that know me, I have a bit of a patience problem. I'm really impatient with people in general, but particularly those with whom I have labeled in a particular way. When people seem to be lacking common sense, I tend to lose it pretty easy and give up on them. That's a problem. That's something I have been working on, and will be continuing to work on for some time to come. When I catch myself getting frustrated, which is easy to do, I have to force myself to pray through it. I have to remind myself that of that really key part of Romans 15:7 where Paul said, "Just as Christ has accepted you."
(Side Note: If we are ever having a conversation where we are not agreeing on something, and you see me start to grit my teeth, please stop and tell me to stop and pray. The teeth gritting is when I am starting to get upset).
I'm sure there are more than a few million times where God was 'gritting his teeth' with me. But He didn't give up on me. He accepted me long before I invited Him into my heart. A quote that is often attributed to Abraham Lincoln says, "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." Whether or not Lincoln actually said that doesn't matter. The point is that we should be striving to be on God's side, and let Him decide who we should be loving and accepting, because He is always right. The great thing is, He has already decided. He did say 'all the world', didn't He?
Dear Abba Father, thank You for reminding me that there is still work to be done for my patience. I beg Your forgiveness for my many sins, and for falling short in my love for everyone as You have commanded. I am grateful for Your mercy and grace which You freely give so that I may continue to love and serve You and all of Your children. I pray for continued strength today and every day to follow Your commands wholeheartedly and without putting my own two cents in. I also pray for those that are struggling with this same issue. For whatever reason, they have trouble accepting others that may sin differently than themselves, or they fall short of their own personal standards for whatever reason. My prayer is that since we are not qualified to judge by any standards, only You are, and Your standards are perfect, I pray that we will all leave the judging up to You, and do more accepting. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
Although the Apostle John didn't write it here, I believe there was probably at least one of the disciples, if not more, that was thinking, "I know He told us to love everyone, but I'm sure He didn't mean them too. Not the Samaritans."
But why wouldn't He mean them too? Isaiah told us that the heir to David's throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world (Isaiah 11:10). I'm not a geography whiz, but I'm pretty sure that when Isaiah said 'all the world', he was including the next door neighbor of the Jews.
How about today? Ever stereotype someone because of what they do (or don't do), or what they believe (or don't believe)? I would venture a guess to say that a significant majority of us do. Well if our goal is to be true disciples of Jesus, what's our reasoning for stereotyping, or even worse, not accepting others? Stereotyping is something that humans do. Not accepting someone is from the enemy.
I have caught myself, more than I care to admit, saying to myself, "He couldn't have meant them too." Paul talked about this when he said, "Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory" (Romans 15:7). Now, while a man may have written those words with a pen, they are there because God wanted them there. Sort of like Paul was taking dictation for God.
Paul also said, "Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:6). Now, I'm not a math whiz either, but I'm pretty sure that when he said 'all of you', he was including every single person. That's a tough one sometimes though, isn't it? I mean everyone?
What about the one who did (fill in the blank)? Or that guy I saw (fill in the blank)? Yeah...they would be included in 'all of you'. They would be included in 'all the world'.
For those that know me, I have a bit of a patience problem. I'm really impatient with people in general, but particularly those with whom I have labeled in a particular way. When people seem to be lacking common sense, I tend to lose it pretty easy and give up on them. That's a problem. That's something I have been working on, and will be continuing to work on for some time to come. When I catch myself getting frustrated, which is easy to do, I have to force myself to pray through it. I have to remind myself that of that really key part of Romans 15:7 where Paul said, "Just as Christ has accepted you."
(Side Note: If we are ever having a conversation where we are not agreeing on something, and you see me start to grit my teeth, please stop and tell me to stop and pray. The teeth gritting is when I am starting to get upset).
I'm sure there are more than a few million times where God was 'gritting his teeth' with me. But He didn't give up on me. He accepted me long before I invited Him into my heart. A quote that is often attributed to Abraham Lincoln says, "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." Whether or not Lincoln actually said that doesn't matter. The point is that we should be striving to be on God's side, and let Him decide who we should be loving and accepting, because He is always right. The great thing is, He has already decided. He did say 'all the world', didn't He?
Dear Abba Father, thank You for reminding me that there is still work to be done for my patience. I beg Your forgiveness for my many sins, and for falling short in my love for everyone as You have commanded. I am grateful for Your mercy and grace which You freely give so that I may continue to love and serve You and all of Your children. I pray for continued strength today and every day to follow Your commands wholeheartedly and without putting my own two cents in. I also pray for those that are struggling with this same issue. For whatever reason, they have trouble accepting others that may sin differently than themselves, or they fall short of their own personal standards for whatever reason. My prayer is that since we are not qualified to judge by any standards, only You are, and Your standards are perfect, I pray that we will all leave the judging up to You, and do more accepting. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Missing Something
1 John 4:20 - If someone says, "I love God," but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
How easy is it for us to be so focused on our relationship with God, and leave out our relationships with His people? If we claim to know and love God but we don't bother to know and love God's children, then we are definitely missing something.
Jesus told us to focus on two commandments to love God and love others, because as He said they are equally important (Matthew 22:37-40). If they weren't equally important, He wouldn't have said so.
When my last marriage ended, I told myself that I was going to only focus on my relationship with God for awhile, and if God wanted me to have any other relationships, He would make it clear to me and would change my heart as only He is capable of doing. I don't think it's a bad thing to want to be focused on our relationship with God, but not at the expense of other loving relationships with those that God loves. I said He would make it clear to me. He did. It's all over the Bible, I just chose to only focus on certain other parts. That was a critical area that I have been coming up short in.
We've all read about man's fall in the Garden of Eden, when Eve was deceived by the serpent about what God intended for them. I remember once hearing a Pastor talking about this section, and he pointed out something that I had never really noticed before at that time. Throughout the first 2 chapters of the book of Genesis, God is referred to as Lord God. This would indicate that He is not only God the Creator, but also Master (Lord).
Satan never denied that God is the Creator, but he refused to accept His authority as Master. In Genesis 3:1-5, the serpent only refers to Him as God. It wasn't a typo by the writer of the book, it was intentional on the part of the serpent.
The Apostle John said, "But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8). If I claim that I love and follow God, but I am ignoring my brothers and sisters, I missed the mark. God wants, and more importantly deserves, complete obedience. He doesn't want us to be half way. He knows that we will fall short and make mistakes. He doesn't expect or demand perfection. But when we stand up, dust off, and continue on, we need to stay 'all in'.
Jesus said in the book of Revelation that He doesn't want us to be lukewarm (Revelation 3:16). He also warned us that not everyone will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father (Matthew 7:21). What's the will of His Father? It starts with loving God and loving others.
Dear Abba Father, thank You for Your Word the Bible. Thank You for the instructions that You give us throughout that show us how to live our lives for You and Your Kingdom. I pray that I will always be all in for You despite my stumbles along the way. I don't want to miss out on anything. I pray for those that are only going half way. My prayer is that they will be reminded that You don't want for anyone to be lukewarm, but for us all to be all in and on fire to serve You, Your Kingdom, and Your children. I pray that we all will stay on fire for You, Lord God. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
How easy is it for us to be so focused on our relationship with God, and leave out our relationships with His people? If we claim to know and love God but we don't bother to know and love God's children, then we are definitely missing something.
Jesus told us to focus on two commandments to love God and love others, because as He said they are equally important (Matthew 22:37-40). If they weren't equally important, He wouldn't have said so.
When my last marriage ended, I told myself that I was going to only focus on my relationship with God for awhile, and if God wanted me to have any other relationships, He would make it clear to me and would change my heart as only He is capable of doing. I don't think it's a bad thing to want to be focused on our relationship with God, but not at the expense of other loving relationships with those that God loves. I said He would make it clear to me. He did. It's all over the Bible, I just chose to only focus on certain other parts. That was a critical area that I have been coming up short in.
We've all read about man's fall in the Garden of Eden, when Eve was deceived by the serpent about what God intended for them. I remember once hearing a Pastor talking about this section, and he pointed out something that I had never really noticed before at that time. Throughout the first 2 chapters of the book of Genesis, God is referred to as Lord God. This would indicate that He is not only God the Creator, but also Master (Lord).
Satan never denied that God is the Creator, but he refused to accept His authority as Master. In Genesis 3:1-5, the serpent only refers to Him as God. It wasn't a typo by the writer of the book, it was intentional on the part of the serpent.
The Apostle John said, "But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8). If I claim that I love and follow God, but I am ignoring my brothers and sisters, I missed the mark. God wants, and more importantly deserves, complete obedience. He doesn't want us to be half way. He knows that we will fall short and make mistakes. He doesn't expect or demand perfection. But when we stand up, dust off, and continue on, we need to stay 'all in'.
Jesus said in the book of Revelation that He doesn't want us to be lukewarm (Revelation 3:16). He also warned us that not everyone will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father (Matthew 7:21). What's the will of His Father? It starts with loving God and loving others.
Dear Abba Father, thank You for Your Word the Bible. Thank You for the instructions that You give us throughout that show us how to live our lives for You and Your Kingdom. I pray that I will always be all in for You despite my stumbles along the way. I don't want to miss out on anything. I pray for those that are only going half way. My prayer is that they will be reminded that You don't want for anyone to be lukewarm, but for us all to be all in and on fire to serve You, Your Kingdom, and Your children. I pray that we all will stay on fire for You, Lord God. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
Monday, October 27, 2014
I'm Kind Of A Big Deal
Luke 12:8 - "I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God's angels."
I don't know if you're aware of this, but I'm kind of a big deal. To Jesus that is. Now, before you start to think that I'm getting a big head or being obnoxious, YOU are a big deal to Him as well. We all are.
To state the obvious, when Jesus was on earth, He liked to have an audience. While He certainly retreated into seclusion to have intimate quiet time with God, and He definitely spent quality time teaching His disciples, I think He definitely loved to have an audience.
Isaiah told us, and Paul reminded us, that it's not possible for us to fully comprehend just how much God really loves us (Isaiah 64:4; 2 Corinthians 2:9), passages like this one from Luke's Gospel give us an idea. But that's part of the beauty, too - it's just an inkling.
Remember when King Xerxes honored Mordecai (Esther 6). He had Haman put Mordecai on one of the kings horses, wearing one of the kings robes, and paraded him around the fortress shouting that this was what the kind did for someone he wishes to honor (Esther 6:7-11). Couldn't you see Jesus doing that for us in the presences of God's angels in Heaven? I sure could.
In Luke 15, Jesus' parable of the lost coin tells us, "There is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents" (Luke 15:10). Similar to Jesus' parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), Jesus wants to honor us for our steadfast faith in Him.
Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that when we get to Heaven that it's going to be all about us, because it's not. It's all about our worshiping our Lord and Savior and Creator. But I do believe that there is certainly going to be some celebration and Jesus will honor us for our faith in Him. I think He is excited about honoring us in the presence of the angels. Why is He excited? Because it's in the Bible. To quote a movie I recently saw, "Now those words are in red, so they're important." Reading passages like these ones from Luke 12 and 15 definitely reinforce my love for and encourage my faith in the One who died to save me.
Jesus told us that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13). How do I know that I, and all of us, are a big deal? Because God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:16-17). He orchestrated everything so that we could spend eternity in Heaven with Him. So He could acknowledge and celebrate us in the presence of God's angels. I think that makes us a pretty big deal to Him.
Dear Abba Father, thank You for loving me. Thank You for making everything work together for Your good and perfect plans of redeeming me to You. Thank You for the ultimate sacrifice You gave so that I could spend eternity with You in Heaven. Because You want to acknowledge and celebrate me in Heaven, I will gladly and with a full heart, acknowledge and celebrate You while I'm here on earth to anyone that will hear. I pray for those that believe they are unlovable. For those that believe there is no way You could ever forgive them for what they may have done, much less believe that You would want to save them and bring them to You in Heaven for eternity. I know what it's like, because I have been there myself. My prayer is that Your Holy Spirit will stir in them and convict their heart to the point that they see that they are wrong. I pray they will finally start to see that You do love them with a love that could never be fully comprehended on this side of Heaven. If I can be used by You to reach out to these people for Your Holy Spirit to work through me, I am Your servant. Let me be a lamp that shines Your glorious light to anyone You choose. In the precious name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray this. Amen!
God Bless!!!
I don't know if you're aware of this, but I'm kind of a big deal. To Jesus that is. Now, before you start to think that I'm getting a big head or being obnoxious, YOU are a big deal to Him as well. We all are.
To state the obvious, when Jesus was on earth, He liked to have an audience. While He certainly retreated into seclusion to have intimate quiet time with God, and He definitely spent quality time teaching His disciples, I think He definitely loved to have an audience.
Isaiah told us, and Paul reminded us, that it's not possible for us to fully comprehend just how much God really loves us (Isaiah 64:4; 2 Corinthians 2:9), passages like this one from Luke's Gospel give us an idea. But that's part of the beauty, too - it's just an inkling.
Remember when King Xerxes honored Mordecai (Esther 6). He had Haman put Mordecai on one of the kings horses, wearing one of the kings robes, and paraded him around the fortress shouting that this was what the kind did for someone he wishes to honor (Esther 6:7-11). Couldn't you see Jesus doing that for us in the presences of God's angels in Heaven? I sure could.
In Luke 15, Jesus' parable of the lost coin tells us, "There is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents" (Luke 15:10). Similar to Jesus' parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), Jesus wants to honor us for our steadfast faith in Him.
Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that when we get to Heaven that it's going to be all about us, because it's not. It's all about our worshiping our Lord and Savior and Creator. But I do believe that there is certainly going to be some celebration and Jesus will honor us for our faith in Him. I think He is excited about honoring us in the presence of the angels. Why is He excited? Because it's in the Bible. To quote a movie I recently saw, "Now those words are in red, so they're important." Reading passages like these ones from Luke 12 and 15 definitely reinforce my love for and encourage my faith in the One who died to save me.
Jesus told us that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13). How do I know that I, and all of us, are a big deal? Because God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:16-17). He orchestrated everything so that we could spend eternity in Heaven with Him. So He could acknowledge and celebrate us in the presence of God's angels. I think that makes us a pretty big deal to Him.
Dear Abba Father, thank You for loving me. Thank You for making everything work together for Your good and perfect plans of redeeming me to You. Thank You for the ultimate sacrifice You gave so that I could spend eternity with You in Heaven. Because You want to acknowledge and celebrate me in Heaven, I will gladly and with a full heart, acknowledge and celebrate You while I'm here on earth to anyone that will hear. I pray for those that believe they are unlovable. For those that believe there is no way You could ever forgive them for what they may have done, much less believe that You would want to save them and bring them to You in Heaven for eternity. I know what it's like, because I have been there myself. My prayer is that Your Holy Spirit will stir in them and convict their heart to the point that they see that they are wrong. I pray they will finally start to see that You do love them with a love that could never be fully comprehended on this side of Heaven. If I can be used by You to reach out to these people for Your Holy Spirit to work through me, I am Your servant. Let me be a lamp that shines Your glorious light to anyone You choose. In the precious name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray this. Amen!
God Bless!!!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Some Help You Are...
Job 19:2-3 - How long will you torture me? How long will you try to crush me with your words? You have already insulted me ten times. You should be ashamed of treating me so badly.
Job had been through a pretty rough time (to say the least), and his "friends" weren't being helpful at all. How many of us have people like that in our lives? More importantly - why?
Chuck Swindoll points out, "Unfortunately, people like Bildad still roam around wrecking others with their potent, verbal weapons." But what happens when we're the ones wielding those potent, verbal weapons?
We have all been given various gifts to serve the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven while we are here on earth. Those of us who have been given the gift of encouragement most often do so through their words. When Job's friends first showed up after His tragedy struck, we are told that they went to Job to comfort and console him (Job 2:11). Being able to comfort and console someone is definitely a gift from God.
But then they opened their mouths, they were anything but comforting and consoling. Paul tells us that the gifts Christ gave to the church are to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church (Ephesians 4:12). He also told us to let everything we say be good and helpful, so that our words would be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29).
Bildad certainly missed the mark here. Job said that he had insulted him 10 times. How many more until Job just hauled off and belted him? For me, I think Job lasted 8 more times than I would have. And that's the problem, isn't it?
Recently, I said something to someone that could have hurt their feelings. When I first said it, their initial reaction was that they were hurt. My response was, "If I hurt your feelings, I'm sorry. If you're joking about it, I'm not." After knowing them for my entire life, there was a couple of problems with what happened. First, why didn't I know whether or not I hurt their feelings? And second, why should that even be a question in the first place? As it turns out, they were only joking around that they were upset to make me feel guilty.
But the thing is, I still feel guilty about it. The fact that the potential for my words to hurt their feelings was there is the problem. They should have never came out of my mouth to begin with. So how do I fix this? I ask for forgiveness. Not only from them, but from God. While they weren't upset, I still have to ask them to forgive me for even raising the possibility of hurting their feelings. Whether or not they are a believer doesn't matter.
I also have to ask God to forgive me. I have to ask His forgiveness for not using the gift He gave me for building someone up. I used it for breaking down. I need to ask Him to continue to work in me to change the way I think by transforming my mind (Romans 12:2). I am beyond grateful for the lesson I have learned from this, because it has allowed me to see where I am still lacking in my walk with Christ. The fact that God put this on my heart today, shows me that He still desires to continue His work within me until it is finally finished (Philippians 1:6). While I know that He is willing to forgive me, the fact that what I did breaks His heart is a problem for me. I have to do better, and by the power of His Holy Spirit I will.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You! Thank You for convicting me of where I still fall short, and showing me what I need to keep working on. I know that I will overcome my shortcomings by the power of Your Holy Spirit as long as I continue to trust and obey You and the work You are doing in me. I ask for forgiveness for not using the gifts You have given me properly, and I pray that by Your instruction, I will be salt and light to those who need to see You, and not a bitter pill that people desperately try to avoid. Thank You for continuing Your work in and through me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
Job had been through a pretty rough time (to say the least), and his "friends" weren't being helpful at all. How many of us have people like that in our lives? More importantly - why?
Chuck Swindoll points out, "Unfortunately, people like Bildad still roam around wrecking others with their potent, verbal weapons." But what happens when we're the ones wielding those potent, verbal weapons?
We have all been given various gifts to serve the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven while we are here on earth. Those of us who have been given the gift of encouragement most often do so through their words. When Job's friends first showed up after His tragedy struck, we are told that they went to Job to comfort and console him (Job 2:11). Being able to comfort and console someone is definitely a gift from God.
But then they opened their mouths, they were anything but comforting and consoling. Paul tells us that the gifts Christ gave to the church are to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church (Ephesians 4:12). He also told us to let everything we say be good and helpful, so that our words would be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29).
Bildad certainly missed the mark here. Job said that he had insulted him 10 times. How many more until Job just hauled off and belted him? For me, I think Job lasted 8 more times than I would have. And that's the problem, isn't it?
Recently, I said something to someone that could have hurt their feelings. When I first said it, their initial reaction was that they were hurt. My response was, "If I hurt your feelings, I'm sorry. If you're joking about it, I'm not." After knowing them for my entire life, there was a couple of problems with what happened. First, why didn't I know whether or not I hurt their feelings? And second, why should that even be a question in the first place? As it turns out, they were only joking around that they were upset to make me feel guilty.
But the thing is, I still feel guilty about it. The fact that the potential for my words to hurt their feelings was there is the problem. They should have never came out of my mouth to begin with. So how do I fix this? I ask for forgiveness. Not only from them, but from God. While they weren't upset, I still have to ask them to forgive me for even raising the possibility of hurting their feelings. Whether or not they are a believer doesn't matter.
I also have to ask God to forgive me. I have to ask His forgiveness for not using the gift He gave me for building someone up. I used it for breaking down. I need to ask Him to continue to work in me to change the way I think by transforming my mind (Romans 12:2). I am beyond grateful for the lesson I have learned from this, because it has allowed me to see where I am still lacking in my walk with Christ. The fact that God put this on my heart today, shows me that He still desires to continue His work within me until it is finally finished (Philippians 1:6). While I know that He is willing to forgive me, the fact that what I did breaks His heart is a problem for me. I have to do better, and by the power of His Holy Spirit I will.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You! Thank You for convicting me of where I still fall short, and showing me what I need to keep working on. I know that I will overcome my shortcomings by the power of Your Holy Spirit as long as I continue to trust and obey You and the work You are doing in me. I ask for forgiveness for not using the gifts You have given me properly, and I pray that by Your instruction, I will be salt and light to those who need to see You, and not a bitter pill that people desperately try to avoid. Thank You for continuing Your work in and through me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Going Half Way
Romans 12:8 - If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
I have a bad habit that I have struggled to overcome. I have a tendency to only do things half way. The bigger problem I have is that I get bored with things (rather easily) and then look for something else to entertain me and occupy my time.
I have to be careful about this, because I don't want it to affect, or rather infect, my spiritual life. The last thing I want to do is get bored in my walk with Christ.
God didn't go half way for me, or for any of us, and I have no excuse to be anything but all in for Him and His Kingdom. He sacrificed His only Son for me.
I'm reminded of the story of the rich man in Mark 10. He was happy to point out all the good he had done. But Jesus knew his heart, and told him that he wasn't quite there yet, because he had been holding something back - his possessions (Mark 10:17-22). The point of this isn't about selling everything I own, the point is not holding back from sharing the gifts and talents that God has given me.
I believe that I have been given the gift of encouragement. God loves to show His sense of humor, doesn't he? Anyone who says God doesn't have a sense of humor is wrong (look at the platypus...). For those who know me, they know that I don't like people. I really don't. I don't have patience and tolerance for people, and I tend to get annoyed very easily (especially when I'm driving).
But the funny thing is, God put it on my heart a couple of years ago to go back to school and major in Psychology and Human Resources Management. For someone that doesn't like people, what's that all about?! But God loves people. He knew about my love for learning and understanding, as well as my desire to help people better themselves. I mean He gave me that love after all. That was His gift to me. I may not have realized that I had it at the time, but it has become very obvious to me now.
God also put it on my heart to take a class in Life Coaching last year. After spending over a year without coaching anyone, I was ready to blow it off. Suddenly, I had two life coaching clients. I say suddenly, but we all know that God doesn't do 'suddenly'. He had it planned that way from the beginning.
The point is, how easy is it for us to give up on things when we become bored or disenchanted with them, because they aren't happening the way we envisioned them? For the first 34 or 35 years of my life, I was becoming an expert on giving up. I became skilled at going half way and then getting bored and stopping. God has not only blessed me with the gifts He has given me, but He has also been working to transform me into a new person by changing the way I think (Romans 12:2).
He is trying to do that with all of us. We just have to let Him. While it's very easy to give up and give in to selfish plans and desires, the beauty of letting God work in our hearts and through our lives, is that His only desire is to transform us into the perfect image of His Son Jesus Christ. But that work takes time. Paul reminded us that we are all works in progress that will not be completed until we meet Jesus (Philippians 1:6). That may feel like it is too long to wait for some, but man it will be totally worth it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing patience with me. Thank You for the gifts You have given me because of Your unfailing love for me. I pray that I will remain steadfast in my love for You and Your people, and use the gifts You have given me to help build up the Body of Christ in whatever way You want me to. I pray for those that struggle as I have with only going half way. My prayer is that they will take some time to reflect that while they aren't what they should be, they are much better than they used to be, and that is because of Your amazing grace, mercy, and love that is born of Your desire to bring us all into perfection on that final day. I pray they will come to You with a renewed heart to serve You and Your Kingdom with love like a fire that could never be put out. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
I have a bad habit that I have struggled to overcome. I have a tendency to only do things half way. The bigger problem I have is that I get bored with things (rather easily) and then look for something else to entertain me and occupy my time.
I have to be careful about this, because I don't want it to affect, or rather infect, my spiritual life. The last thing I want to do is get bored in my walk with Christ.
God didn't go half way for me, or for any of us, and I have no excuse to be anything but all in for Him and His Kingdom. He sacrificed His only Son for me.
I'm reminded of the story of the rich man in Mark 10. He was happy to point out all the good he had done. But Jesus knew his heart, and told him that he wasn't quite there yet, because he had been holding something back - his possessions (Mark 10:17-22). The point of this isn't about selling everything I own, the point is not holding back from sharing the gifts and talents that God has given me.
I believe that I have been given the gift of encouragement. God loves to show His sense of humor, doesn't he? Anyone who says God doesn't have a sense of humor is wrong (look at the platypus...). For those who know me, they know that I don't like people. I really don't. I don't have patience and tolerance for people, and I tend to get annoyed very easily (especially when I'm driving).
But the funny thing is, God put it on my heart a couple of years ago to go back to school and major in Psychology and Human Resources Management. For someone that doesn't like people, what's that all about?! But God loves people. He knew about my love for learning and understanding, as well as my desire to help people better themselves. I mean He gave me that love after all. That was His gift to me. I may not have realized that I had it at the time, but it has become very obvious to me now.
God also put it on my heart to take a class in Life Coaching last year. After spending over a year without coaching anyone, I was ready to blow it off. Suddenly, I had two life coaching clients. I say suddenly, but we all know that God doesn't do 'suddenly'. He had it planned that way from the beginning.
The point is, how easy is it for us to give up on things when we become bored or disenchanted with them, because they aren't happening the way we envisioned them? For the first 34 or 35 years of my life, I was becoming an expert on giving up. I became skilled at going half way and then getting bored and stopping. God has not only blessed me with the gifts He has given me, but He has also been working to transform me into a new person by changing the way I think (Romans 12:2).
He is trying to do that with all of us. We just have to let Him. While it's very easy to give up and give in to selfish plans and desires, the beauty of letting God work in our hearts and through our lives, is that His only desire is to transform us into the perfect image of His Son Jesus Christ. But that work takes time. Paul reminded us that we are all works in progress that will not be completed until we meet Jesus (Philippians 1:6). That may feel like it is too long to wait for some, but man it will be totally worth it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing patience with me. Thank You for the gifts You have given me because of Your unfailing love for me. I pray that I will remain steadfast in my love for You and Your people, and use the gifts You have given me to help build up the Body of Christ in whatever way You want me to. I pray for those that struggle as I have with only going half way. My prayer is that they will take some time to reflect that while they aren't what they should be, they are much better than they used to be, and that is because of Your amazing grace, mercy, and love that is born of Your desire to bring us all into perfection on that final day. I pray they will come to You with a renewed heart to serve You and Your Kingdom with love like a fire that could never be put out. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
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