"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before Him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,'Where is this God of yours?'
My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again— my Savior and my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.
'O God my rock,' I cry,'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies'” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, 'Where is this God of yours?'
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!" Psalm 42 NLT
Troubles surround us. Sin buries us in guilt and remorse. Pain wears at our spirit, soul, and body. The human condition. It's not always easy or fun. Our pain and conflict can take our focus off our strength and hope in Jesus Christ. It is so easy to become self-focused and lose sight of God. Sometimes we can even feel that God has lost sight of us.
The psalmist felt this way. He was overwhelmed with grief and pain. What did he do during this time? He admitted his feelings to God, others, and himself. He was honest. No minimizing the situation. No pretense. He made a conscientious decision to remember God's love and grace. No matter the circumstance, he knew that God's love was greater and he would be restored.
In the days we live in, it is crucial that we renew ourselves with confidence in the Lord. Not only is it important to be able to focus our own thoughts on God, but to be encourager's for one another.
Jesus promises to be with us in the trials of life. He gives us strength. Will we receive it? He offers us strength for today and a living hope for tomorrow.
What's your focus? What or who are you putting your hope in?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Equal Faithfulness
"Then the Master said, 'Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for His chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't He stick up for them? I assure you, He will. He will not drag His feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when He returns?'" Luke 18:8 (The Message)
The verse before this was about a widow who kept coming before this judge pleading for him to help her get justice from her adversary. This judge was neither a lover of God or of the people under his jurisdiction. She kept coming and coming until the judge finally said to himself, "I will grant this woman what she wants only to keep her from wearing me down." So it was done.
This is a parable that Jesus was telling his disciples. The passage you see here is the one where Jesus is telling us that God sees and knows and hears us when we come to Him in prayer. And He will come and save us from whatever our 'adversary' is.
But the last question. That stopped me in my tracks and I had to reread it a couple of times. Do you see what it is asking? Do you get the grasp of the deep, spiritual meaning of it?
This is how I interpret it. It is saying, at least to me, that we come to God, asking all these things--protection, salvation, wisdom, whatever--and He gladly comes and takes our needs and requests because He is our loving Father. And in a way, don't we expect Him to take care of them for us? After all, isn't that what He does? Isn't that what He says He wants us to do?
But what about us? Do we do the same for Him? Do we defend Him when others curse Him or use His name to curse something they don't like? Do we come and build Him up when others are trying to tear Him, His kingdom, His power, down? Do we assure Him of our love and faithfulness to Him in spite of our circumstances?
I just find it sad that, even before He knew us, He had to question our faithfulness. The sadder truth is that He did know us and already knew the answer.
In this case, let's prove Him wrong. I am asking this with total respectfulness. Let's prove to Him that He can trust us and that He will find us faithful to Him when He comes back to this earth. It's the least we can do, don't you think?
The verse before this was about a widow who kept coming before this judge pleading for him to help her get justice from her adversary. This judge was neither a lover of God or of the people under his jurisdiction. She kept coming and coming until the judge finally said to himself, "I will grant this woman what she wants only to keep her from wearing me down." So it was done.
This is a parable that Jesus was telling his disciples. The passage you see here is the one where Jesus is telling us that God sees and knows and hears us when we come to Him in prayer. And He will come and save us from whatever our 'adversary' is.
But the last question. That stopped me in my tracks and I had to reread it a couple of times. Do you see what it is asking? Do you get the grasp of the deep, spiritual meaning of it?
This is how I interpret it. It is saying, at least to me, that we come to God, asking all these things--protection, salvation, wisdom, whatever--and He gladly comes and takes our needs and requests because He is our loving Father. And in a way, don't we expect Him to take care of them for us? After all, isn't that what He does? Isn't that what He says He wants us to do?
But what about us? Do we do the same for Him? Do we defend Him when others curse Him or use His name to curse something they don't like? Do we come and build Him up when others are trying to tear Him, His kingdom, His power, down? Do we assure Him of our love and faithfulness to Him in spite of our circumstances?
I just find it sad that, even before He knew us, He had to question our faithfulness. The sadder truth is that He did know us and already knew the answer.
In this case, let's prove Him wrong. I am asking this with total respectfulness. Let's prove to Him that He can trust us and that He will find us faithful to Him when He comes back to this earth. It's the least we can do, don't you think?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Stickiness
"As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'
'Why do you call me good?' Jesus asked. 'Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’
'Teacher,' the man replied, 'I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.'
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. 'There is still one thing you haven’t done,' he told him. 'Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!'” Mark 10:17-23 NLT
When I read this passage it got me thinking. I've been on the same road as this man--have you? You try so hard to follow all the rules. Not only because you have to, but because of your love for Jesus, you want to.
So, here you are, thinking that you are on the squeaky street to heaven, when you run into Jesus. There He is, standing right by the side of the road, as if He is waiting for you. You're feeling pretty assured of your heaven bound position--so you ask Him--is there anything else I have to do?
Do you ever do this? Do you ever ask a question, thinking you know that answer? Do you think that the young man asked the question, thinking that maybe Jesus would say, "Oh, you are already so saved that there is nothing that you need to do", or something like it?
I think the young man was caught off guard. But what catches my heart was the part of the verse that I bold--Jesus felt genuine love for him. I picture Jesus standing there, knowing the young man's eager heart and true wishes, but also knowing the one thing that would hang him up--his love of riches. Jesus loved him for desiring to be with Him in heaven--but was saddened knowing that there was one thing stronger than the young man's love for Him.
Are you like that? I know I am. We try so hard and then there is this one last thing that just keeps hanging onto us like lint on a pair of black jeans or foxtails in your socks. You can shake and pull and even buy special gadgets to get rid of stuff we don't want on us and they are still there. Keeping us from our heart's desire--Eternity with Jesus.
There is only one gadget that you need in your life to get or keep the sticky stuff that we don't want in our lives away from us and I think you know what it is...you're right...Jesus.
Jesus just needs your open, willing spirit and heart to enter in and the rest, as they say, is history. Invite Him in. Give Him all your sticky stuff and don't take it back. Can you do that? Will you do that? Even if you have done it before, and for some reason, it's come back and stuck on you, give it to Jesus again. He will release you again and look at you with genuine love.
'Why do you call me good?' Jesus asked. 'Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’
'Teacher,' the man replied, 'I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.'
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. 'There is still one thing you haven’t done,' he told him. 'Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, 'How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!'” Mark 10:17-23 NLT
When I read this passage it got me thinking. I've been on the same road as this man--have you? You try so hard to follow all the rules. Not only because you have to, but because of your love for Jesus, you want to.
So, here you are, thinking that you are on the squeaky street to heaven, when you run into Jesus. There He is, standing right by the side of the road, as if He is waiting for you. You're feeling pretty assured of your heaven bound position--so you ask Him--is there anything else I have to do?
Do you ever do this? Do you ever ask a question, thinking you know that answer? Do you think that the young man asked the question, thinking that maybe Jesus would say, "Oh, you are already so saved that there is nothing that you need to do", or something like it?
I think the young man was caught off guard. But what catches my heart was the part of the verse that I bold--Jesus felt genuine love for him. I picture Jesus standing there, knowing the young man's eager heart and true wishes, but also knowing the one thing that would hang him up--his love of riches. Jesus loved him for desiring to be with Him in heaven--but was saddened knowing that there was one thing stronger than the young man's love for Him.
Are you like that? I know I am. We try so hard and then there is this one last thing that just keeps hanging onto us like lint on a pair of black jeans or foxtails in your socks. You can shake and pull and even buy special gadgets to get rid of stuff we don't want on us and they are still there. Keeping us from our heart's desire--Eternity with Jesus.
There is only one gadget that you need in your life to get or keep the sticky stuff that we don't want in our lives away from us and I think you know what it is...you're right...Jesus.
Jesus just needs your open, willing spirit and heart to enter in and the rest, as they say, is history. Invite Him in. Give Him all your sticky stuff and don't take it back. Can you do that? Will you do that? Even if you have done it before, and for some reason, it's come back and stuck on you, give it to Jesus again. He will release you again and look at you with genuine love.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Something To Hold On To
" For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything He does." Psalm 33:4 NLT
I love this passage. It gives me encouragement and hope. I can trust God's word. In a world that accepts lying and truth as subjective, God is a constant. If He promises to never leave me, I can trust him. If He promises living hope, I have hope. If He promises to give me strength, I have strength. I can trust what He does in my life, even if I don't understand it. I know that He is love, that is enough.
To know His word, I must spend time in His word. I can trust Him, because He is faithful. I know He is faithful not only because He says He is, but I have a relationship with Him. He has proven Himself to be loving and faithful.
What truth are you holding on to? How trustworthy is your truth?
and we can trust everything He does." Psalm 33:4 NLT
I love this passage. It gives me encouragement and hope. I can trust God's word. In a world that accepts lying and truth as subjective, God is a constant. If He promises to never leave me, I can trust him. If He promises living hope, I have hope. If He promises to give me strength, I have strength. I can trust what He does in my life, even if I don't understand it. I know that He is love, that is enough.
To know His word, I must spend time in His word. I can trust Him, because He is faithful. I know He is faithful not only because He says He is, but I have a relationship with Him. He has proven Himself to be loving and faithful.
What truth are you holding on to? How trustworthy is your truth?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Unconditional Love
"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, 'For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.' No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:35-39 NLT
I don't know about you, but these two paragraphs give me great comfort. Have you, like me, experience that love can be conditional? That people in your life can give or take away their love to you. You don't do what they want, and so they take away their love for you.
Our God is so gracious. He loves us no matter what. If anyone should show us conditional love, shouldn't it be Him? But He doesn't. Do you find that hard to accept? Have you been so conditioned that you are only lovable when you are a certain way?
I have. I find it very hard to believe, especially in the beginning. Now, I accept it, but I find that I have to fight the feeling of having to "earn" His love or to keep His love. He loves me NO MATTER WHAT. I don't need to be perfect or beautiful or do anything. There is nothing that I can do that will change His love for me. Even if I deny Him, He still loves ME.
Please know the same is for you. You are loved no matter what. Don't let Satan talk you into believing anything less. You can claim your inheritance in the Lord's love and care and graciousness for you.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:35-39 NLT
I don't know about you, but these two paragraphs give me great comfort. Have you, like me, experience that love can be conditional? That people in your life can give or take away their love to you. You don't do what they want, and so they take away their love for you.
Our God is so gracious. He loves us no matter what. If anyone should show us conditional love, shouldn't it be Him? But He doesn't. Do you find that hard to accept? Have you been so conditioned that you are only lovable when you are a certain way?
I have. I find it very hard to believe, especially in the beginning. Now, I accept it, but I find that I have to fight the feeling of having to "earn" His love or to keep His love. He loves me NO MATTER WHAT. I don't need to be perfect or beautiful or do anything. There is nothing that I can do that will change His love for me. Even if I deny Him, He still loves ME.
Please know the same is for you. You are loved no matter what. Don't let Satan talk you into believing anything less. You can claim your inheritance in the Lord's love and care and graciousness for you.
Be A Peter
"This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is good for you
and leads you along the paths you should follow.
Oh, that you had listened to my commands!
Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river
and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea."
Isaiah 48:17-18 NLT
When I read this, I get the picture of a Father that is bemoaning the fact that a child of His hadn't followed His instruction and now that precious child is reaping the consequences.
Is that what you are picturing? Are you that child? Have you been feeling your heart and soul being tugged at but you turned away and did what you wanted instead? Have you allowed fear and uncertainty to stop you from doing what you know your Father wants you to do?
Be a Peter! Stop allowing your humanity from keeping you from the peace and righteousness that your Father has planned for you and wants to give you so badly. Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the waves--as long as he was focused on Jesus and had faith in Jesus and himself, he stayed on top of the water. It's when he took his focus off of Jesus and starting doubting his purpose that Jesus had for him and gave into his fears, that he starting sinking.
If your Father in Heaven has faith in you, so should you have faith in you. God doesn't make mistakes! So give Him your fears and insecurities and watch what amazing things He will do through and in you.
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is good for you
and leads you along the paths you should follow.
Oh, that you had listened to my commands!
Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river
and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea."
Isaiah 48:17-18 NLT
When I read this, I get the picture of a Father that is bemoaning the fact that a child of His hadn't followed His instruction and now that precious child is reaping the consequences.
Is that what you are picturing? Are you that child? Have you been feeling your heart and soul being tugged at but you turned away and did what you wanted instead? Have you allowed fear and uncertainty to stop you from doing what you know your Father wants you to do?
Be a Peter! Stop allowing your humanity from keeping you from the peace and righteousness that your Father has planned for you and wants to give you so badly. Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the waves--as long as he was focused on Jesus and had faith in Jesus and himself, he stayed on top of the water. It's when he took his focus off of Jesus and starting doubting his purpose that Jesus had for him and gave into his fears, that he starting sinking.
If your Father in Heaven has faith in you, so should you have faith in you. God doesn't make mistakes! So give Him your fears and insecurities and watch what amazing things He will do through and in you.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Attitude
"Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though He was God,
He did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, He gave up His divine privileges;
He took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When He appeared in human form,
He humbled Himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor
and gave Him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 3:3-11 NLT
There's a lot to chew on in this passage. I'd like to focus on two points that have me "pondering" today.
Point 1. We are called to be humble, as Jesus is humble. He was humble to the point of death on the cross. Humility is not popular today. We have our pride. We live in a self-sufficent and self-serving culture. That in itself breeds pride. When pride is out of control, we go from confident to arrogant. We become judgmental, predjudice and self-absorbed. We dethrone God, and put ourselves in His place.
The Bible says that God actually opposes the proud and gives favor to the humble. The Bible tells us that if we humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, He will lift us up. Imagine God honoring you! God will defend, provide and bless you. The key? Humility. It is a decision of humilty to accept Jesus into your life. To admit you need someone or something greater than yourself. His name is Jesus. It takes humilty to humble yourself every day. To express your need and gratitude for His blessings in your life.
Point 2. Every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord. On the great day of judgement, we will all have to bow before Christ as Lord. But will we all bow before Him as our Lord and our Savior?
Jesus is offering you a life giving relationship. He loves you and gave Himself up for you. Will you invite Him into your life and circumstances today? Right now?
Will you be humble?
"But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior." Philippians 3:20 NLT
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though He was God,
He did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, He gave up His divine privileges;
He took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When He appeared in human form,
He humbled Himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor
and gave Him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 3:3-11 NLT
There's a lot to chew on in this passage. I'd like to focus on two points that have me "pondering" today.
Point 1. We are called to be humble, as Jesus is humble. He was humble to the point of death on the cross. Humility is not popular today. We have our pride. We live in a self-sufficent and self-serving culture. That in itself breeds pride. When pride is out of control, we go from confident to arrogant. We become judgmental, predjudice and self-absorbed. We dethrone God, and put ourselves in His place.
The Bible says that God actually opposes the proud and gives favor to the humble. The Bible tells us that if we humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, He will lift us up. Imagine God honoring you! God will defend, provide and bless you. The key? Humility. It is a decision of humilty to accept Jesus into your life. To admit you need someone or something greater than yourself. His name is Jesus. It takes humilty to humble yourself every day. To express your need and gratitude for His blessings in your life.
Point 2. Every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord. On the great day of judgement, we will all have to bow before Christ as Lord. But will we all bow before Him as our Lord and our Savior?
Jesus is offering you a life giving relationship. He loves you and gave Himself up for you. Will you invite Him into your life and circumstances today? Right now?
Will you be humble?
"But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior." Philippians 3:20 NLT
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