How Do You See God?

"Soon afterward Jesus went with His disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed Him. A funeral procession was coming out as He approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. 'Don’t cry!' He said. Then He walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. 'Young man,' He said, 'I tell you, get up.' Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother." Luke 7:11-15 NLT

This story really touches my heart. It speaks to me of God's heart toward us. This poor widow had not only lost her husband, now she had lost her son. Her only son. She was in dire straights. There were no welfare or social service programs back in Jesus' day. The widow would be at the mercy of those around her. She might have to beg. She could be swindled or taken advantage of. She was heart broken.

Enter Jesus. He surveys the scene. He realizes the widow's situation. His heart is overcome with compassion. He touches her dead son. There were no coffins. That is how the translators rendered the text. In fact, the boy's body was laying on a stretcher. Jesus now, according to the Jewish law, becomes unclean by touching a dead person. He doesn't seem to mind. With the authority only He has, Jesus raises the boy to life!

How do you see God? Is He waiting to get you? Is He disappointed with you? Does He barely tolerate you? I think that we misunderstand God. He is love. His desire is only for our very best. We don't know anything more about this widow and her son. They may or may not have become followers of Jesus. We just don't know. And it doesn't seem to make a difference to Jesus. His love for the mother and her son was unconditional. No strings attached.

Please understand, God loves you. He delights in you. His desire is to spend eternity with you. So, how do you see God?

Butterfly Feelings

"I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I praise Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness; for Your promises are back by all the honor of Your name." Psalm 138:1-2 NLT

Something wonderful happened this weekend. My brother Zack gave his heart to the Lord. It was a long time coming but what rejoicing!

And that got me thinking. Do you remember when you first made your decision? Did you have that butterflies in your stomach feeling? That excitement like you knew something new and wonderful was happening, yet nervous about what that all meant?

You couldn't get enough--you read your Bible every chance you got, you attended every small group you could find and fit in your schedule. You were consumed.

But as time goes on, the feeling mellows out. You don't do as much--your schedule gets too full with life to fit in Bible reading times, small groups, church. The love is still there, it's just that the excitement isn't there anymore.

Wouldn't it be wonderful the be in the stage that Zack is now? Everything is still new and fresh and exciting. It can be you know. His promises are true and always there--it's us that have allowed our feelings to become tired. Like any relationship, we need to work on our part to keep it true and valid.

My prayer for Zack is that he never loses that "in love" butterfly feeling stage. That his walk grows stronger and stronger with each passing day. That he finds something new and exciting each and every time that he opens his Bible. And that is also my prayer for you.

What a gift my Lord has given to me. Now not only is Zack my brother of the flesh, but now he is also my brother of the spirit! Thank you Jesus!

"As soon as I pray, You answer me; You encourage me by giving me strength." Psalm 138:3 NLT

Life's Balance

"O God, I beg two favors from you;
let me have them before I die.
First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say,
'Who is the Lord?'
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus
insult God's holy name." Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT

I dream big. There are times when I get tired of the struggles of life. Like you, I have bills and I worry about how I will be able to pay them. So I make a plan of attack. I could do this, I could do that. I could cut this out. Then I dream crazy thoughts of winning the lottery--then all my worries would be over! OK Lord, I'm ready, bless me!

God doesn't do it that way. Instead of me planning my solution, I should be allowing the Lord to be planning my solution--my life--for me. He knows my needs before I am even aware of them. He knows the solution, the dream, the plan, that will best suit me and my life.

I want the easy way out. But sometimes the less easy is the way that we learn the lesson we were suppose to--those are the times that God's sovern care comes to light. God knows the perfect balance of easy/hard--poverty/riches. And you know, it is true, sometimes when the road is too smooth, we do tend to forget that we are NOT the ones in charge, paving this road. It's our heavenly Father.

How do you tend to deal with the rough roads in your life? Do you worry, fret, stress out? Or do you accept the comfort that you can release this situation to the Lord with the knowledge that He will do with it what is best for you?

In life everything needs to be in balance. As in your diet, if you have too much sweets and not enough protein, your body will react badly. And who knows that balance best in your life than your Heavenly Father. Just humbly ask Him to please guide your life the way He's planned it to be. He will gladly honor your request.

Our Guide

"Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations. For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and He will guide us until we die." Psalm 48:13,14 NLT

I used to be a horseback tour guide. I would take people on guided saddle trips. Some were day long trips, others were overnight. People put their confidence in me and my ability to keep them safe while we were in the wilderness, and get them safely back to the stables.

I know what it feels like to put your life in the hands of someone. We have lived in and around Yosemite National Park for 20 years. Yosemite is the rock climbing capital of the world. I can think of times when I was climbing. I would be shaking, scared, not sure where to place my next foot or hand. I would hear the reassuring voice of the rock climbing guide directing my moves, encouraging, and supporting me.

The psalmist describes God as a fortress of protection and constant guide for us. We do not have to face life and death alone and without hope. When we choose to place our lives in the hand of Jesus, He will protect and direct us...for eternity.

What mountain are you trying to climb? What fear are you facing? What danger looms over you? Put your faith and confidence in our living and eternal hope, Jesus Christ!

Purpose

"For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News." 1 Corinthians 1:17 NLT

This verse really ministers to me. In fact, I find it very freeing. I appreciate what Paul is saying. In full time vocational ministry, it is very easy to get overwhelmed. A pastor can forget what he or she has been called to do. The next thing you know, your working at a lot of different things and burning out. The same can be true for all of us. We can do too much of a good thing and not be doing the God thing.

It is important that we discover our purpose. What are we gifted at doing? Then, what are we called to do? For example, two people may be gifted at being pastors. But what about their calling? One may be called to pastor a large church in Chicago, the other is called to pastor a biker church in Detroit. Two people may be called to teach. One teaches a seniors Sunday school class, another mentors street kid's.

Understanding our purpose enables us to enjoy our calling, serve with passion and effectiveness. Sometimes we have to rearrange our lives to free up time and energy to do what God has called and equipped us to do. Pray and ask God to show you what he plans for you to do. Don't feel guilty about saying no to something that is a distraction.

What has God called you to do with your life? what are you doing? What is getting in the way? What are you going to do about it?

It's Not All About Me

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. don't look out only for our own interests, but take an interest in others, too." Philippians 2:3-4 NLT

Do you know someone like that? Someone that always is thinking about themselves and trying to keep the focus on them? They call, they have all the drama. They have to tell you all they are unhappy about. Someone did this to them. They don't get to go to places that their friends get to go to. The story could go on and on. Do they ever ask how you are doing?

God wants us to be servers. To think of others. We are important and we need to take care of ourselves, but when your whole focus is on what is in this for me--why can't I have--I deserve that too--we're in the danger zone of selfeshness.

Instead of waiting to see what people are going to do for you, why don't you try to do for them. It is amazing how your attitude can change. God challenges us to serve one another. It's good for the spirit and the soul.

When we figure out that the world wasn't created to center around "me", that looking out for the happiness and well-being of others is a more rewarding pursuit, I think we would be a more satisfied, complete human being.

"Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13 NLT

Treasures

"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:21 NLT

The world is full of treasures. Treasures from the past, of the present, and even the future. But what about you? What do you treasure? Do you treasure things of this world, or do you treasure things of God's world?

It's easy to fall into the trap of the world and treasure worldly things. We need this, we need that, the latest gadget, the most money-making IRA, the best security system to protect all our treasures, the list could go on.

But what about the treasures in this world that aren't materialistic? How about the treasures of family, friends, faith and love? How about the treasure of cherished memories, first kisses, walks on beaches, strolls in the rain? The treasure of relationships restored that once were broken, of forgiveness of a wrong done, of a wonderful laugh shared, of comforting a stranger, bringing the gift of salvation to someone?

I'm sure you know this, but our Lord is very wise. He knew that we are a people that like to put value on things and the things that have most value to us, is where our hearts tend to be loyal to. So, He is advising us that it is very important to treasure the correct things because treasuring the wrong things, will lead us to desiring wrong things.

So, what do you treasure? Pray to your Lord to help guide you to treasure the things that He wants you to and put aside the things that are not from Him. He will treasure that request.

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths will eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven..." Matthew 6:19-20 NLT