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.

Courage in the Face of the Unknown

   

Josh 1:9

 

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord  your God will be with you wherever you go."

NIV

I love, love, love taking a trip.  I enjoy the excitement and thrill of an adventure that lies before me.  I relish seeing new sights and exploring landmarks and natural wonders.  I almost enjoy speculating about what lies ahead even as much as the thing itself.  I research our destination, area attractions, free stuff, parks, and even unusual places to eat.  I build it up in my mind, and usually the activity lives up to my expectation.

 

For the conclusion to this blog, please join me at http://www.lacedwithgrace.com where I am spending the day.

 

 

 

Playing Offense

 

 

19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Sometimes I feel like I am lost at sea.  If circumstances go well that day, it is a good one.   If circumstances do not go well, it is a bad day. And  then I remember verses like this one.  I am reminded that I have authority.  I HAVE  AUTHORITY!!! I am not at the mercy of the world and what it throws at me, I am empowered by God to be on the offensive in my life, not just on the defensive all the time.  I can speak to situations, and see them change!  I can rebuke the enemy of my soul and require him to unhand me and my situation.  So can you!  Do you feel your inner man (or woman)  rising up with courage and boldness?  That is  what happens when we recognize who we are in Christ.

Jesus gave the early disciples, and later all believers, the power to go out in His Name and heal the sick, preach the gospel, and tangle with- and  defeat- dark forces.  The disciples, like us, were just human.  When they realized that it actually "worked", they were like kids with a new toy.  Woo hoo! Look what we can do in the Name of Jesus! Although that attitude is understandable, and not necessarily wrong, we can never forget that it is not about us.  It is about Him and His kingdom.  Rather than focusing on the power and authority that we have, we should, instead, focus on the fact that we are gloriously saved.  That help us remember our utter dependence on Him.  That truth causes us to recognize that there is nothing good in us that He has not provided.  He is so good to us!

Sometimes when we are given  a little authority, we have the tendency to let it go to our heads.  If we  are not careful we begin to feel like invincible big-shots.  Beware!  That kind of thinking can result in an our downfall, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."b  (James 4:6, NIV)

 

What are you facing in your life that you need to activate authority over?  Is the enemy attacking your finances?  Your marriage?  Your kids?  If you are a born-again child of God, you have the power and the right to command the devil to release your finances, your marriage, your kids and anything else that concerns you.  Do not live beneath your privilege.  Activate your faith today to be an  overcomer rather than a victim.

 

Thank you, Lord, for granting authority and power to us in Your Name.  Help me to have revelation of that authority and to use it in balance and in keeping with Your purpose for my life.  In Jesus' Name.   Amen.

 

 

Crying in the Depths

    

    

Ps 130:1-2

 

130 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord ;

2 O Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

NIV 

 

Today is just one of those days.  A day when the mountain seems too high to climb. My desire is to plop down in the grass at the bottom and never ascend.  Today is a day that makes life seem undoable, dreadful,  and a drudgery.  Today the trials of life seem to scream louder than the joys.  Do you ever have days like that?

 

The psalmist was having such a day in these verses.  A day in the pit.  A day in despair.  When those days happen, we cannot sit silently and hopelessly.  No!  We must cry out to God!  We must remind ourselves that He will hear our voice.  He will attend to our cry for mercy.  No matter what we face, we must cling to the truth that He is greater.  We can never forget that he loves us infinitely and His resources for us are without limit.   His mercy preserves us, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  (Lam 3:22, NIV)

 

It may look bleak, but God has not left the throne.  He is still reigning supreme and He has placed all of life's burdens and trials under His feet.   He has conquered them all. Because of that, we know that we will walk forward in victory.   We will come out on the other side.  We do have a glorious inheritance that nothing can take away.

 

Take a moment and commit the problems of your life to the Lord.  Unburden yourself at the foot of the cross.  His big shoulders can handle the weight that would crush you underneath.

 

  Dear God, I need you today.  I need Your strength, Your joy, and Your hope.  I need to see Your hand at work. I need a breakthrough.  A sign of hope to sustain me.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

Visible, Viable Faith

 

 

 

    

Acts 14:9-10

 

He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

NIV

 

What causes a person to be healed?  That is a question that many people grapple with. At one point, I spent a lot of time going through the gospels and Acts trying to uncover a pattern for healing.  What I found surprised me.  And blew some of my theological assumptions.

As I went through and marked the passages where Jesus or his disciples  healed someone, I found quite a variety of ways that it occurred.  Sometimes it happened because the sick person had great faith.  Other times it is because someone else had faith for them.   Still other times, it appeared to rely on the person praying for them. 

The means of healing varied also.  Sometimes a word was spoken, sometimes an evil spirit was rebuked, sometimes they were touched, and sometimes there was a faith action step required. (Using mud, going to the priest, etc.)  Sometimes a person came to Jesus or the disciples to seek out help.  Sometimes they just "happened" to be in the right place at the right time.  On other occasions, someone would be brought, or even someone would come on their behalf.  Some events even occurred  with the sick person miles away.

So what is the point of this discussion?  It is merely to point out that God heals and that the means, mode and participants vary. In today's verse Paul "saw that he had faith to be healed."  I love this!  Can someone else see your faith?  Can God see your faith?

I do not say this to put pressure on you to work a miracle on your own behalf.  That is not the point.  It all depends on the power of the Holy Spirit to work a miracle in your body, your mind, your spirit or your relationship.  It is all His working.  But our participation depends on believing Him.  Believing that He has the power to do it.  Believing that He loves you and wants to help you.  Believing that His power is still for today.  Believing is  your part.

Will this guarantee a healing?  I cannot give you a guarantee because God is Sovereign and not always predictable.  But one thing I can guarantee, you will never be sorry for putting your faith in God.   Because whether or not you get it like you want it, when you believe in Him, He grants you peace.  He gives you strength.  He carries you through hard times and sustains you. He cancels your sins and purchased eternal life for you.  We must have faith in Him, no matter what. 

Is your faith evident to others? Is there tangible proof in your life, your speech or your conduct that you believe?  God wants to perform so much more healings and acts than we are currently believing Him for.  Release your faith, "Stand up on your feet!"  In Jesus' Name, believe!

Dear Lord, I believe.  But help my unbelief.  Increase my faith.  Help it to be visible to You and to the world.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen. 

 

 

Living Radically in the Last Days

 

 

    

    

Acts 4:32-35

 

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

NIV

A couple of years ago I read the book Radical, by David Platt.  Indeed, that was a book that lived up to its name! It challenged me to take my role as a believer, and the words of the Bible quite literally.  Those teachings are pretty much diametrically opposed to the western mindset.  I must confess I had a hard time reading it, and an even harder time swallowing it.  Well-to-do people selling their homes and moving to the ghetto to win people for Jesus?  Not for the faint of heart, for sure.

Before you quit reading this blog, I will assure you that I am not urging you to do that today, at least, not necessarily. 

I have such a hunger in my soul for the church to go back to being the church.  I want to see the church universal be a replica of the New Testament, early church.  You know, when Christianity was in its infancy.  I long to see the zeal and passion for the Kingdom return.  I hunger to see the demonstration of the Spirit's might at the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.  I long to see the signs and wonders, and the jaw-dropping testimonies of lives healed and delivered from the pit of despair.  I want to see people healed of life-restricting ailments.  All of this is most assuredly for today.  How do I know this?  Because the same Spirit of God rests on us today.   The same mission and purpose stands. Jesus said that:

 

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  (John 14:12)

 

Where is the "greater things?"  Why are we not living up to our potential in Him? Why are we not living up to this promise?

I am convinced a good portion of the solution lies in today's verses.  The early disciples- and apostles- had heaven on their mind.  It was not a fringe part of their life, but rather the centerpiece.  The hub that turned their wheel was the Kingdom.  They were living in expectation of the Lord's sure return.  Are we?

They were so "set" upon heavenly things that their personal possessions meant nothing.  They were so focused on advancing the kingdom, that their brotherly ties to one another was greater than selfishness.

Now, I know that there are cults and sects that exist and live somewhat like these verses.  We have heard of their abuses and about women and children being owned, abused and oppressed.   We  have heard about false "Prophets of God" abusing people to exalt themselves.  That is a stench in the nostrils of God!  But have we "thrown the baby out with the bath water?"

I am not suggesting a commune.   Rather, what I am saying is, we need to return to living a lifestyle that has less ties to this world and more ties to the kingdom of God.  We need to be more concerned with winning souls than surrounding ourselves with material wealth.  We need to see our brother and sister in Christ in need, and actually care.  Care enough to do something to ease their suffering and make a difference.  Have we forgotten that we cannot out-give God?

Do today's verses convict you?  Does it show you that you are not living in the light of Christ's soon return?  Does it showcase some selfishness in the way you conduct your affairs?  If so, begin to ask God  what He would have you to do, to have maximum impact.  Time is short.  Are you doing enough?

Dear Lord, your Word corrects and reproves me.  Give me grace to be heavenly minded.  Bless those who read these words today- speak to their hearts.  Raise up Your church, in the middle of a carnal society.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.