Transformed: From Anxiety to Consolation

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Where Is Your Abundance?

 

 

 

    

Luke 12:14-15

 

14 Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"  15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

NIV

Greed and gratitude.  These two are diametrically opposed to each other.  The world system constantly yells confirmation that greed is not only OK, but is our entitlement.  The Bible teaches for us to be grateful and satisfied with what we have.  How do we get the right attitude in an upside down world?

"A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."  Go ahead.  Chew on that for a minute!  The one who dies with the most toys does not win.  Not in God's  economy.  Having the latest technology, having the best collections, turning your home into a showplace...all of this is meaningless.  Yet, how many people spend their lives trying to do so?  To impress who?  Themselves?  Others?  God?  Certainly, God is not impressed.

On the altar of greed, many people sacrifice the tithe.  On the altar of greed, many people sacrifice their children.  Rather than spend time with their family, teaching the ways of God, many parents choose instead to get a nicer boat, a  bigger truck or upkeep a vacation home.  People spend decades working in jobs that they hate to get money to spend on things that will not satisfy and cannot last.  Things that will be hopelessly outdated in 2 years.

Things cannot satisfy. Possessions do not bring lasting joy.   I have never once stood by the graveside of a departed loved one and heard their spouse or family say, "He was a wonderful collector.  He spent all of his money on fishing."  The things that leave a legacy, are the things that matter to people.  Things that make people matter.

We all struggle with finding the right balance between enjoying the blessings of God and worshiping the blessings of God.  To get it right takes prayer and humility.  We have to remember that our lives are not defined by our STUFF!  Our lives are defined by the intangibles.  The way we treat people, the love we show, the kindness we demonstrate.    Our relationship  with God.  These things matter.

Let's strive to put our time and attention in the things that truly make a difference.

 

Dear Lord, You know the areas that I struggle.  Help me to see the world through Your eyes, in Your perspective.  Help me to see beyond the temporal, into the eternal.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

Plowing Ahead

  

 

  

 

Luke 9:62

 

62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

NIV

 

I grew up on a farm with my granddaddy plowing huge acres of land during planting season.  He  was a modern farmer, so he used a tractor to pull his plow.  But I never ceased to be amazed by how straight his rows would be without a set grid to follow.  Somehow he could look ahead to where he was aiming and plow nice, even rows, one right after another.  He did this by picking out a natural landmark on the other side of the field and driving straight toward it.  He kept his eyes fixed on the ultimate goal.  I never saw him driving along looking over his shoulder the whole way.  Nope.  He looked in the direction he was going. And it worked.

When Jesus used this agricultural analogy, He was talking about the old kind of plow powered by humans and animals.  But the meaning is the same.  If you are going to plow, you have got to look ahead.   To do otherwise, makes you unfit for the job you are attempting.  You cannot get where you are going, looking at where you have been.

There is a reason our Christian life is called a "walk with the Lord."  It is a progression of steps.  It is a journey that we walk out, day in and day out.  In order to succeed on our journey, we have to be committed to the process.  Whatever it may be.  Obviously, the primary application here is that a man was giving Jesus excuses about why he could not follow him until later.  The truth Jesus was stressing was that a person needed to commit to following, regardless of life's circumstances.  When we choose to be a follower of Christ, we sign on long-term.  For a lifetime.  There are no tours of duty.  It is one long, continuous mission.  It ends only at the grave, where we go out in our spirit to live eternally with Him.

People who make excuses usually never commit in the first place.  How many altar calls have convicted souls remained in their seats, bargaining with God.  First let me graduate high school.  Let me have some fun.  Then I will commit.  Later.   For many 'later' never came and they never committed.  Hell will be full of people who were "almost persuaded to follow Christ."

A second application is to people who begin their walk with Jesus, but when the going gets tough, they want to drop out and go back to where it was easier.  They want to avoid the hardships and return to an easier time.  Fruitfulness is now born in ease, but rather in adversity.  We must commit to follow Christ even when our field is overrun with roots and rocks.  Even when the plowing is bumpy, we cannot give up.  We cannot forfeit our destiny.

A final way I see this verse is as is applies to particular situations.  Some Christians commit a  situation to the Lord, believe for a miracle, and stand for a time.  But when the answer is long in coming, they give up on their prayer request.  They quit praying.  They quit believing.  They just give up, leaving their plow in the middle of the field, 2 feet from the end of the row.  If only we could see through God's eyes and know how  close we are to the end! 

When we commit a matter to God, we do not need to take it back.  We need to leave our burden, our desire, our hopes- at the foot of the cross.  We need to continue to trust Jesus to be our Source.

 

Dear Lord, I recommit to following you: For my life, for the purpose you have given me, and for the situations that I have asked you for.  I choose to set my eyes ahead and not behind.  Please forgive me for the times I have quit.   In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

Don't Be Afraid, Just Believe

 

 

    

Luke 8:49-50

 

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more."

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

NIV

You have been there, just as I have.    Life has dealt you pain, grief, sickness or discouragement.  Gathering your courage, you begin to seek the Lord for a breakthrough.  When all of a sudden... the situation gets even worse!

 

In the passage today, Jesus was on His  way to heal Jairus's daughter when He is diverted by a woman with an issue of blood.  She boldly approaches Jesus and grabs hold of his garment- and His power.  Instantly she is healed.  And Jesus is arrested. "Who touched me?" He demanded to know.  Then He begins a dialogue with the healed lady.  All to the detriment of Jairus' daughter.  While He stands there, taking care of the needs of this lady, Jairus' daughter died.

 

Jairus was there first.  He already had Jesus' attention.  Jesus had agreed to go to his home with him.  It appeared the miracle was on its way!  And then, there was a delay.  And the situation went from bad to worse.  What do you do when life seems to be a progression of bad reports?  Broken dreams?  Infirmity?

 

I love Jesus.  O, how I love Him!  But this passage makes me love Him even more.  How heroic that He can be in the middle of a miracle for one person, and recognize the discouragement in another.  He turns immediately and encourages Jairus' faith, "Don't be afraid, just believe..."

 

Sometimes  as we stand praying, in the very presence of Jesus, our life can take a sharp downward turn.  It is hard to wrap our minds around it.  It  is hard to understand why He allows things, especially things that we are praying about already.  It is hurtful when it appears He is answering everyone  else's prayers, but our own.  It is hard to be in need and see another rejoicing.  But it is what God expects of us.

 

Jairus' situation was dire indeed.  Hopeless, in fact.  But that is never the end of the story with God.  What are you facing today?  "Don't be afraid, just believe."  Don't be afraid, just believe...

 

No situation taxes the power of God.  He  strength and ability is without limit.  When you are in a battle, believe.  When the warfare increases, believe.  When your dream has died, believe!  Jesus cares about you and your situation.  He has not forgotten.  He will come through for you.  He will take care of you, either with a miracle, or with an infusion of grace.   Squelch your fear.  Do not speak your doubt.  Choose instead to summon the strength one more time to believe.

 

Jairus' believed and received his daughter back from the dead.  God is watching over the situations that concerns you and is speaking life into them.  All is not lost, child of God, just believe.

 

 

Dear Lord, help me to not be paralyzed by fear and discouragement.  Increase my faith.  Embolden me to believe as I wait to see your miraculous works on my behalf.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Love & Acknowledgement

 

    Ps 91:14

 

14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord , "I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

NIV

 

We, as a culture, are all about what we do.  When meeting someone for the first time it is not uncommon for one of the first questions that we ask them to be, "What do you do?"  This, of course, means "what do you do for a living".  We act as if someone's worth and value are wrapped up in what they do.

 

I have heard a powerful message from Joyce Meyer when she expounds the fact that we are "human beings" not "human doings." This means that we have inherent worth and value in the eyes of God completely apart from anything we do.  Human beings matter to the Lord because we are created in His image and for His glory.

 

Today's verse is one of those go-to verses when you are facing frightening circumstances.  It is a powerful reminder that God is faithful to watch over His own.  In this verse, in fact, it appears the primary "doing" is on God's side.  The part of the recipient?  Loving God and acknowledging His name.  That seems simple enough, right?! 

 

I have heard over the years all kinds  of formulas for getting God to answer prayers.  They usually involve claiming certain verses, taking faith steps, etc.  Although it is good to recall Scriptures, to pray Scriptures and to believe Scriptures, and even to do acts of obedience, still the action to perform it is on God's side.  He watches over His Word to perform in our lives an throughout the earth.

 

I believe that if we have a right heart, we will work for Jesus.  We will not do it to get anything out of the deal.  We will just serve because we love. Doing works of service are a vital part of the Christian life.  A natural outgrowth of a fruitful life in Him.  But the beginning and ending of it all, is found in loving God, believing, and acknowledging His Name.

 

Are you going through some stuff?  Relax, trust and love.   Rest in the Lord.  That is your part.  Taking care of you and your problem?  That's God's part.  And He is up for the job!

 

 Dear Lord, here I am.  I am here to love, worship and acknowledge You.  I choose to cast my care upon you and trust that you will take care of me.   In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

Faith in Fiery Trials

 

    

 

    

    

Acts 28:1-6

 

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

NIV

 

People are very fickle indeed. How they will interpret situations is pretty hard to guess.  In this passage of Scripture, the double mindedness of men is pretty easy to see.  When Paul  was bitten by the snake, they assumed him to be evil and deserving of death.  When it did not kill him,  just that quickly, they did a full 180-degree turn and decided instead that he was a "god".  Wow.  That was a huge leap.

So what can we learn from this story?  Many wonderful  life lessons are contained in this short account.  The first thing, and possibly the most important, is the truth that God protects His own.  Paul was on this island simply because of his ministry of telling people about Jesus.  He was being persecuted for his faith and God performed this miraculous sign on behalf of Paul. He allowed the snake to bite him, but not poison him.  We all bear witness that bad things happen to good people.  Godly  people.   Rain (pain and hardship) falls into the lives of all people.  But when you are a Christian, you can trust that God is watching over you, that He loves you, and that He will work it all out for your good.  This Bible is full of proof regarding these truths.

The second thing we can learn from this passage is the truth that people are watching our witness constantly and drawing conclusions from it.  Based on this one snake-bitten event, they drew two diametrically opposed conclusions: 1) He was a murderer;  2) He was a god.  We cannot necessarily sway how people will perceive our situation or our walk with God.  But we do need to make sure that we bear good fruit even in tough times.  And we need to keep our words lined up with our witness.  People are watching.  Our lives do not just belong to us.  When we give ourselves away at salvation, we are agreeing to allow our lives to be an evangelistic tool.  When life happens to us, it does not cancel our responsibility.

Finally, we can learn that when a bad thing happens, people can sometimes want to accuse us of deserving our circumstance.  People need to have a reason for pain, if one is not obvious, they invent one.  We must avoid being quick to judge.  We must be very careful in drawing conclusions based on partial information or at face value.  When trials come, so do the "friends of Job."  People will say the craziest stuff to hurting people.  Sometimes the comfort is as painful as the trial itself.  Pray for discernment and wisdom so that you can offer genuine comfort to the hurting.  To tell a bereaved spouse or parent that "God needed another angel" is not a comfort.  First of all, angels  are created being and humans do not become angels.  Second of all, it trivializes their pain and makes God sound selfish and cruel.  Of course, people say those things because they desire to help the person feel  better.  But when we are speaking to someone going through intense pain, we have to use an extra measure of mercy, wisdom and discernment.  Sometimes the very best thing we can say is "I love you.  I am sorry you are going through this."  Followed by a hug,  this is a one-size fits all comfort.  People need to know we love them. That we get that they are suffering and that we have come alongside them as best we can.

We all go through stuff.  The best of people can walk through the worst of circumstances.  We must choose to look for God in  our darkness and find comfort in His presence.

Dear God, I pray today for those walking through a fiery trial.  Please comfort and encourage them.  Send them helpful support, O God, and put a guard upon our mouths that we do not cause further pain.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

The Present

 

    

 

    

Matt 6:34

 

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

NIV

 

I firmly believe that if I could get a hold of this one verse that it would revolutionize my whole life!  I well remember in third grade seeing all of the multiplication tables.  I am not sure what the assignment was, but my "race-ahead" mind heard, "Learn all of them tonight."  I remember crying and fretting because it was too much to  learn.  My mother called the teacher and she assured her, "Of course not!"  Something in my mind always rushes ahead in time and borrows trouble from tomorrow.   Are you like that?  Or slightly less neurotic?!

Either way, I know most of us do borrow tomorrow's problems and bring them into today.  The problem with that, of course (!), is that the grace for tomorrow awaits us on that day.  When we look at tomorrow's problems with only today's grace, we are out-matched.  Rather, we should live in the present, working off of the grace that is provided today.

Often our fears for tomorrow are unfounded, and in anticipating trouble ahead, we fail to realize that tomorrow also holds its own blessings.  We must recognize that we are only promised today and must live in this moment.  Deal with today's troubles. Enjoy today's  joys. Refuse to live in the fear of the unknown tomorrow.  Greater joy awaits you!

 

Dear God, help me to lose the dread of tomorrow and focus on this day that you have given me.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

The Comfortless Soul

 

    

Ps 77:1-4

 

77 I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands

and my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;

I mused, and my spirit grew faint.

Selah

4 You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak.

NIV

What feelings does this passage of Scripture bring to mind for you?  If you are in a happy place, perhaps it seems a little bit like a downer.   If you are in a trying place, chances are, it sounds like someone has been eavesdropping on your own laments.

All of us go through seasons like this at some point in our lives.  Occasionally, we experience this sense of being overwhelmed more frequently, depending on our life situation.  Regardless of the circumstances, the Word of God brings great comfort.

The thing that makes this passage so beautiful to me is that it perfectly fits what I am going through.  I feel understood.  And knowing that Almighty God chose to make this a part of Scripture, shows how much He understands me and my feelings.  I feel less horrible as a woman of faith when I read this and recognize that other godly people struggle at times.  It takes away some of the isolation that we can feel in our pain.

This portion of Scripture does not go on to reveal the resolution to the Psalmist's concerns.  But it does demonstrate the importance of calling upon God in the day of trouble.  When we have no words to quantify our fears and pain, Jesus understands.  He is able to hear the groaning of our heart.   He can interpret the language of tears.  He knows more about what troubles us than we do ourselves.  I find great solace in serving such an intimate, compassionate God.

I have stretched out untiring hands to God.  Repeatedly bringing my petitions before Him.  Other times, frankly, my hands and my heart became tired. But still, I continue to reach out to the only one who can truly help me.  God is my Source, my Deliverer, my Strong Tower.  I have to call these truths to mind when I am floundering around, desperate for direction. 

When I cannot speak...  when life keeps me from closing my eyes at night...when my soul refuses to be comforted...still I must hope on in faith.  Even then, with my last drop of strength, I will use it to call upon Jesus, and to reach out for His right hand of assistance.  He will not forsake you, His precious child.

No one  lives in a sunshine bubble all the time. Darkness and tears find their way into everyone's heart.  When this happens, take the heart of the Psalmist.  Refuse to be denied until Jesus comes to your rescue.  Run to Him!  Bare your soul.  He can handle your feelings  and your disillusionment.

Dear God, words escape me.  You know all about it.  I need something from you, Lord.  I don't even know what it is.  Help me Lord, you are my hope!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Why Are You Breaking my Heart?

    

Acts 21:13

 

13 Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

NIV

 

Can I ask you a sobering question?  What have you given up for the Lord? What are you willing to give up for the Lord?  As I read this passage today, my  heart was pricked by these words.  You see,  as an average American, I recognize how far we have fallen  from this mindset within the church.  We have become so narcissistic, that we only choose to participate in things that are "up our alley."  We are only interested in the small groups centered around our interests, outreaches that sound like fun, and occasional acts of service, rather than a long-term commitment. (Now I know that some of you reading this are the exception, but the general attitude within our churches seems to be veering in this direction.)

Churches struggle to find workers to teach Sunday School, keep the nursery, and clean up after fellowships.  We have lost the heart of servanthood.  We want to be served, we want to be catered to and have our emotions fed.  In truth,  we  are a tad entitled.  (Ouch!)

When Jesus walked the earth, He made no demands for himself.  He did not require that people honor Him, rather He walked humbly and compassionately.  The early church followed in His footsteps, going about, witnessing, teaching, healing and encouraging people to do likewise.

In today's passage, Paul was returning to Jerusalem, facing sure death.  The Spirit of God had warned him several times of his impending fate.  His brothers clung to him, not wanting to lost this spiritual giant.  But his attitude was the same as Jesus.  I must go to Jerusalem.  I must be willing to die there.  Paul, like Christ,  did not cling to his own  life, but rather submitted himself to the whole of God's will for his life.

Thankfully, up to this point, few in America have had to make decisions to die for their faith.  The climate, however, is changing. We must have this same "all in" attitude.  Our lives are His, to do with as He chooses.  We  have a great distance to cover to go from a "me-first" attitude to an all-out abandon of ourselves to God's hands.  But cannot we at least begin the journey?  What would Jesus have you sacrifice to follow Him and be a servant?  The full tithe?  A week's vacation to go on a mission trip?  Committing to regularly teach in children's church? 

Dear Lord, I beg your forgiveness.  Cleanse me of my selfishness and self-centered  worldview.  Help me to see life through the lens of a servant.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.