The Joy of the Lord

8/31/2020

John 15:11 “That My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

What does having the joy of the Lord mean? It is a giddy feeling or happiness? Is it that feeling of being blessed or having a prayer answered? Chambers writes, “The joy of Jesus was the absolute self-surrender and sacrifice of Himself to His Father, the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do.” Wow! How many times have I related joy with surrender and self-sacrifice? I think this happens most often when you take on a role of parent or sometimes caregiver. There are definitely joyful moments in those situations, but it is rarely complete joy. True there is self-sacrifice, but I am not sure about surrender. Usually the caregiver takes on a role of capability and strength, not surrender. I know when I was both caring for my son when he was young, and helping to care for my mom after she suffered a stroke, I felt like I had to be the warrior and protector. Surrender was not a part of my vocabulary or thinking.

There is a song that proclaims “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” This is certainly not a joy that is about being happy or contented, it is about having complete faith in God and submitting to His will; for through Him comes our strength. Our joy comes from being rightly related to God. Jesus wanted each of us to have this joy of surrender. Chambers asks, “Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy into me?” Have I? Certainly, overthinking and worry will steal this kind of joy from my soul, because it does not leave room for abandonment to God. So in this time of trial, I can find joy in my relationship with God. It is the only way.

Light of the Son

8/30/2020

Luke 10:19-20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not…but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Do we need any other reason to rejoice than to know we will spend eternity with our Savior? There is nothing we can ever do that makes us worthy of this miraculous blessing other than yielding to the call of God. Nothing that we do on this earth, any work or good deed through service, matters in this way at all. Our relationship with Jesus is all that matters, and all else in our lives stems from our closeness with Him. When we are connected to Jesus and seeking His will, doing anything and everything for Him is the most natural occurrence in the world. We cannot even imagine doing otherwise.

Chambers writes, “The snare in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service, to rejoice in the fact that God has used you. You never can measure what God will do through you if you are rightly related to Him. Keep your relationship right with Him, then whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water through you, and it is His mercy that He does not let you know it.” This is such a powerful thing to think about. When I ask for God to use me, and I am on fire for Him, do I force myself into situations that I should not be a part of? Do I take control of the work that I am supposedly doing for God? When God uses me because I am connected to Him, doesn’t it feel more natural, like breathing? Can I even conceive of the God of the Universe placing me in someone’s life or a situation on His behalf? I cannot even process such a thing. This is why I think Chambers is correct when he says God shows mercy by not letting me know. The victory is never mine anyway, but always belongs to the Father. Is it not truly the most humbling experience ever to be used by Him in even a small way?

Chambers warns against putting an emphasis on service. He writes, “The loadstar of the saint is God Himself, not estimated usefulness. It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him.” What, in my human frailty, can I actually do for God? Isn’t it Jesus alone that gives me any meager portion of strength and vision to live for Him in this world? Jesus alone should always be my loadstar, guiding me continually to live and give my best for Him. I must always be guided by the Light of the Son.

Unutterable Trust

8/29/2020

John 11:40 “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God.”

We all operate in faith every day, even though we may not always be conscious of it. We have faith that we will wake up in the morning, our jobs will still be there when we arrive, our cars will run when we start them, our families will be safe, and our homes will still be standing when we get home after a long day. We have faith in other people, in medical science, in our financial institutions, and in our technology. We have faith in a myriad of things in this life, but the single most critical area of faith is that of belief in God the Father, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit Who dwells among us.

Chambers writes, “Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual.” I agree, although after yielding to the call of God, faith seems like the most sensible thing ever. Where would I be today without my faith and relationship with Jesus? I shudder to think of it. I have seen the Lord’s hand in my life always, no matter the circumstances. I have experienced the deep peace, love, and healing that can only come from God.

Chambers also says that, “Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict.” I believe this is true, because I have not only experienced it myself, but have seen personal trials bring many people closer to God and into a deeper and abiding faith. The more I lean into God and trust Him with everything, the more I cannot imagine walking through this life any other way. Can I explain this metaphysical connection with my Savior to another person so that they too seek God and yield to Him? No. I can share my testimony, of course, but the true power of God’s love, mercy, and grace is in His Holy word, so I must share the good news of the Gospel. It is through reading and hearing the Word of God that the mysteries of faith are revealed, and a seed that is planted can grow. It is only  when a person comes to the foot of the Cross of Jesus, confesses all to Him, and trusts Him above all others, that this most precious of journeys begins: that of a relationship with the Almighty.  Chambers writes, “Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.” Amen and Amen!

Nourishment for the Soul

8/28/2020

Luke 11:1 “Lord, teach us to pray.”

Jesus’ response to this was what is called The Lord’s Prayer. I was raised to say this beautiful prayer, and I am so grateful. It is truly the model for all prayer. It is at once immensely profound yet incredibly simple. It first lifts praise to God and His holy name.  It yields to His will being done on earth and in heaven. It asks for no more than daily bread, not riches or fame. It seeks forgiveness and the power to forgive without exception. It requests safety from temptation and a liberation from evil.

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be the name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

When I pray, do I use this as my example? Do I come reverently before my Holy Father? Do I wander in petition and intercession where my asking far outweighs my thankfulness? Am I contrite? Do I pray for the strength to forgive those who injure me but do not seek forgiveness? Do I ask for the strength to overcome temptation and evil of every kind? I think I can certainly do better in all of these areas when I come before God in prayer.

Chambers puts forth the idea that a man will suffer if he does not pray, but then questions that concept. He instead writes, “What will suffer is the life of the Son of God in him, which is nourished not by food, but by prayer.” Prayer is our connection to Jesus and our spiritual nourishment. I know for myself that the less I pray, the less connected to Him I feel. The division never comes from Him, for He is always there waiting for me. Amazing Grace.

In life, we often pray out of desperation because life is not going well. We could be experiencing illness, financial problems, relationship issues, or any form of crisis, and come in prayer only when worry and anxiety take control. We can, however, talk to God about everything all the time. He should be the most important One in our lives; the One we confide in about all, and the One we listen to most intently. I love the take Chambers has on the result of prayer. He writes, “It is not so true that ‘prayer changes things’ as that prayer changes me and I change things.” Certainly God answers our prayers every day, but it is the life transformed through yielding and prayer that is the most powerful thing in all the world.

The Lord's Prayer - Jackie Evancho 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg2AsS4CErM 

Obey the Light

8/27/2020

John 12:35 “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.”

How much of my life is spent walking in the light? How often during my daily routine am I seeking out God and His will? When I get a vision, do I leap boldly in faith and do what God wants of me? Do I refer back to past inspirational moments given by God as accomplishment enough, or am I always seeking His direction on my journey? Do I fight the darkness with Holy Spirit power?

Chambers cautions, “Beware of not acting upon what you see in your moments on the mount with God. If you do not obey in the light, it will turn into darkness.” I feel this so deeply. In recent months, I have received what I believe is divine inspiration on several occasions. I have felt God prompting me to do certain things so strongly that I begin shaking with excitement. Unfortunately, when I share these concepts, I get thwarted easily by other people’s opinions. What Chambers says is true: when I do not act in the light, the darkness comes. I lose the exhilarated feeling I had and, after just a short while, the vision grows darker and darker. As I sit here, I am wondering why I consult anyone but God about these insights. I have always been a pleaser, wanting validation and affirmation for ideas or paths that I am led to go down, but isn’t inspiration and vision from God enough? When He illuminates something so clearly for me, why do I need anyone else to see what I see? When God calls me, I should always listen and step out on faith, no matter how unqualified I may feel. As my pastor says, “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”

Why do I seek anyone else’s sanction but my Saviors?

Peace in the Storm

8/26/2020

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.”

Peace is a difficult thing to hold onto during this current period of time. The tempest rages all around us both globally and personally. I know that once I grab onto a bit of peace, a squall will come and knock me beneath the raging waters again. Alas, this peace is not one that endures, for that is only found in my God.  When I am being pulled under by worry or distress, I reach out and find Jesus’ hand is lifting me up, and I find peace on the shore once again. When unrest happens, Chambers encourages, “Then look up and receive the undisturbedness of the Lord Jesus.” I love that Jesus is Peace as everything is erupting all around me. His undisturbedness is almighty, and is shaken by no person or situation; He freely and lovingly gives me the peace that passes all understanding when I focus on Him and not the whirlwind around me. I cry out in the storm, my tears mixing with the rain that falls, I call out to my Savior, and I hear “Do you trust me? Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.” Amazing grace.

There is no room for worry in my relationship with my Savior. The more my eyes are focused on Jesus, the more peace will invade my soul, and keep me from being ravaged by the tempest.

Hope Darst – Peace Be Still

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIpGiz3SfQ

My Lord and My Friend

8/25/2020

John 15:15 “I have called you friends.”

How wonderful it must have been for the disciples to have Jesus call them friends. He was their Master and Teacher certainly, but He also loved them. In verse 9, He told them that just as His Father loves Him, so too does He love them. Just before that, He taught them about the vine and the branches, that the only way a branch produces fruit is to be connected to the vine, and of course, that vine is God with Whom my connection must always be. Later in chapter 15, He also tells them they will be persecuted just as He has been persecuted, but also that He had chosen them to be out of the world and its ways. In the middle of these teachings, Jesus gives them this command in verse 12 and 13: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus not only laid down His life for the disciples, but for you and me as well; His sacrifice was for all people.

It is true that each lesson Jesus taught is at once timeless and timely, and certainly applies to every believer. When I really examine my walk, though, I need to ask myself some questions. How am I at loving others? Am I willing and ready to lay down my life for my friends? Am I so self-absorbed by what is going on in my personal life that I have neglected the people around me? Do I only love those who I find loveable? Am I producing fruit or sacrificing for others joyfully?

Is Jesus and His friendship enough for me, or am I still flirting with the world? Am I living by the Bible and its commands, or am I being tossed about by the raging storm? Where does my devotion lie? Can others see the light of Jesus’ friendship in me? Chambers again gives a vision of what true friendship with Jesus looks like: “It is a friendship based on the new life created in us which has no affinity with our old life, but only with the life of God. It is unutterably humble, unsulliedly pure, and absolutely devoted to God.”

I am, as always, a work in progress.

Rightly Related

8/24/2020

Matthew 7:9 “Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?”

Today, Chambers is challenging me to right the wrongs in my life, as these hinder me from walking fully in the light as a child of God. Have I not paid a debt, but I am asking God to provide something financially? Have I withheld forgiveness from someone, yet expect mercy? Have I been unkind, yet expect kindness? Is my prayer life stunted because I have an unresolved issue with another? In my prayer, I must be rightly related to God. If I am so, would I persist in these acts that do not glorify Him?

I can detect when I am out of alignment with the will and word of God. Unfortunately, stubbornness and pride often get in the way when it comes to these delicate areas of my life. Am I not justified in my injury when someone hurts my feelings? Don’t I have the right to not give an offering or pay a bill if I am struggling financially? I don’t need to love the person who has hurt someone I love, do I? There is no wiggling out of anything when I am a faithful child of God. He gives no caveats for my human frailty in any of these areas, and expects me to be Christ-like always. When I come before Him in prayer, I must do so with confession for my sin, for unrepentance creates a chasm in my soul. Chambers writes, “If we turn up the index, we will see very clearly what is wrong—that friendship, that debt, that temper of mind. It is no use praying unless we are living as children of God. Then, Jesus says—‘Everyone that asketh receiveth.’” A difficult standard to live up to for sure, but I am always supposed to be living up to my utmost for His Highest.

Different – Micha Tyler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFT0zoKQWaM

In Secret

8/23/2020

Matthew 6:6 “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and…pray to the Father which is in secret.”

If you have not yet seen the movie War Room, you are really missing a powerful piece of media. No spoilers, but there is a certain character that takes this verse and applies it literally to her life. After seeing the movie, I started going into my closet and praying. I call it “my chapel”, and in it hangs a beautiful cross my sister gave me for my 40^th birthday. When I enter and shut the door, the whole world goes away and it is just me and God. I cannot express the power of closing myself off to the rest of the world and being still before the Lord. Time loses all meaning, because I can never tell if I am in there praying for ten minutes or forty minutes. It is a place where I can just be still, be grateful, intercede for others, and listen to God. My chapel is the place where I feel completely free to be exactly who I am, and share everything with my Savior.

Chambers writes, “Prayer is an effort of the will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that conflicts is wandering thoughts.” I have often heard people say they struggle with regard to prayer over the years, and have also experienced it myself. Many say they struggle to focus during time with God. I have even heard ministers admit to this. Has the act of going into a private, quiet place to be with God become largely a thing of the past? Is our busy, crazy, uncertain world pushing out quiet time with God? Chambers adds, “We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful prayer.” I know for me, having a special place where I can close the door and block everything out certainly helps me focus on prayer. Making that time essential in my day is the number one thing for me. I know I can pray and come to God at any point of the day or night with every praise and petition, but it is those quiet moments within my chapel, when it is just God and me, that I cherish the most.

“Unless the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on the wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.”

                                           ~Oswald Chambers

Amen and Amen!

Insecure

8/22/2020

Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water…but He…Shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.”

I continue to struggle, but where does my faith and trust go when all I see is the storm raging all around me? Chambers writes, “I indeed am at an end, I cannot do a thing but He begins just there—He does the things no one else can ever do.” This is something that I am always counting on, especially in my family’s situation today. Everything is out of my control in my life right now except for my actions and reactions, and even those become an issue when fear and exhaustion sets in. This is always true of course, but so many circumstances presently surrounding our lives are unstable. Living in the moment is a constant battle because the future is filled with questions of which way to go and what path to take. We have been here before, like most people, but at this stage of our lives it all feels a bit more daunting. I must admit that I am feeling insecure. The only certainty in life right now is the care, mercy, and love of my Savior. The truth of His protection and provision is what gets me through the moments of darkness and doubt. Am I worthy of being baptized by the Holy Spirit, or His love that keeps me at peace? No, I will never be; it is only through God’s grace that this miracle can happen. I put all my faith and trust in my God, for He can do all things; when I am weak, He is strong.

Note: The leaf picture was taken today. It is an unusual time for  such a change to take place, yet it is reflective of so many things that are uncommon in today's world. In it, can I still see the beauty? 

Unconscious

8/21/2020

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

I have written before that I prefer the idea of yielding to Christ instead of deciding for Christ. Chambers writes, “He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him—a very different thing.” “Make a decision for Christ” has become a common phrase, but the word “decision” also connotes some kind of power attached to it; it implies that I have weighed the evidence and formed a conclusion that this is the correct course of action. Yielding, however, means to surrender or relinquish control. I wonder if the former is why we may struggle with pride in our Christianity. We take an ownership because of the decision, and often focus on strength and victory instead of a poorness (humility) in spirit because of a yielding to the Savior. We are very conscious of our Christianity, when perhaps it should be the most unconscious thing about us. How wonderful would it be if we could get to a place where our faith is so deeply and internally connected to Jesus that we can just be His disciples without any trappings? What if we yielded to Christ so completely that our words and action are the only things needed to reflect Him in the world?

Chambers writes, “Which are the people who have influenced us the most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had not the remotest notion they were influencing us.” How amazing a thing it would be if God’s children were so unaware of themselves, so unconscious of our faith, so deeply connected with Him, that nothing else mattered.

Rest

8/20/2020

Matthew 11:28 “And I will give you rest.”

 What does rest mean to you? Sometimes we look at rest as having good nightly sleep patterns. Sometimes we think of vacation as the time for rest. Sunday is considered a weekly day of rest in the Christian tradition. These are all true, based on both a physical and mental winding down, and are usually very welcome times of respite.  

We are living in a time of global fear and unrest where we are prohibited from joining together in worship. We are being kept from friends and family for the sake of the greater good. Even our smiles to others are shrouded behind regulated mask wearing. It is a time of insolation, and isolation like most of us have never experienced before. We were taken out of the hustle and on-the-go existence that we all knew before this insidious virus took over. This intensely quiet life we are all living can paradoxically bring unrest. The anxiety can either draw us nearer to Jesus in faith or pull us away by fixating on the tempest. Chambers writes, “Whenever anything begins to disintegrate your life with Jesus Christ, turn to Him at once and ask Him to establish rest.”

I think we are all looking for comfort and rest now more than ever, but it is a different kind that is needed throughout the chaos that is raging all around us. It is a deep rest that happens in the spirit. This profound rest of the soul can only come from seeking Jesus in all things, no matter the circumstances. It comes from releasing all the things that are out of our control to Jesus, and allowing our minds and spirits to be quieted before Him.  It comes by drawing ever closer to the Savior in prayer and gratitude for every breath and every moment.

This song is one from my youth, and is so beautiful. Listen to it and let the peace and rest of Jesus wash over you.

Be Not Afraid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjbnWhXJOT4

Arrows of Truth

8/19/2020

Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me.”

Once again, this study hits me directly with its arrows of truth. Chambers writes, “God means us to live a fully orbed life in Christ Jesus, but there are times when that life is attacked from the outside, and we tumble into a way of introspection which we thought had gone.” Today this exact thing happened with me. I severely tumbled into a ferocious fear mind that I have not experienced in nine years. As I have shared before, Covid-19 is the perfect storm for someone like me. The infectiousness of it and the self-isolation are two real triggers. I can usually pray my way through the anxiety when I start feeling overwhelmed, and find that special miraculous peace from God. Today though, the destroyer won and I lost my faith footing. The circumstances surrounding this attack may not have given anyone else a moment’s pause, but for me it was my undoing. The destroyer has been pulling on so many threads the past six weeks, and this one wound up unraveling me. Not easy to admit, especially when you write a daily faith blog, but it is my truth.

Chambers writes, “Self-consciousness is the first thing that will upset the completeness of life in God, and self-consciousness produces wrestling.” Whap! This is the reality of my illness to its very core. He adds, “Self-consciousness is not sin; it may be produced by a nervous temperament or by a sudden dumping down of circumstances.” Bam! Yup, that is exactly what I and many others are living through right now. Where my husband and my son can stay positive, live in the moment, and look ahead to the future in full faith, I am constantly battling. It is my cross to bear, but God wants me to carry it gracefully and endure in faith. When I look for Him reaching out through the darkness, He is always there, but sometimes I close my eyes tightly, clench my fists, and give in. Even though I fail miserably, God always shows me the way back to Him, thankfully. Today He gave people dear to me words of wisdom and love. Amazing grace.

A closing word from Chambers, “Anything that disturbs rest in Him must be cured at once, and it is not cured by being ignored, but by coming to Jesus Christ.”

Keep Me In The Moment _ Jeremy Camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhnJXDGfPiE

Which Path?

8/18/2020

Luke 18:23 “And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.”

This rich ruler walked away from Jesus and from the promise of eternal life. This verse talks about his sorrow, because he was not willing to give up his worldly riches. How many times in my own life have I followed a similar path? How many times have I felt or heard the Holy Spirit leading me away from a worldly stronghold in my life, only to ignore the charge and be left full of guilt and sorrow? I can certainly say it has happened more times then I like to admit. These times bring out the willful child in me. The things that Jesus asks me to give up or give away are often difficult, but if I am devoted to Him I should not hesitate to do so. Chambers writes, “…undress yourself morally before God of everything that might be a possession until you are a mere conscious human being and then give God that. That is where the battle is fought—in the domain of the will before God.”

As a believer, I am not guaranteed an easy stress-free life or one without sacrifice. Although my salvation was given freely, afterward there is an expectation of conduct. The Bible states very clearly that I should love God, love others, and focus on God above all else. Can you imagine how transformative it would be if I truly walked in faith every minute of every day? Isn’t that what I am called to do? Like the rich man who walked away, do I also walk away from Jesus even though I know Him? Also like the rich man, all that can ever lead to is sorrow.

Comeuppance

8/17/2020

Luke 18:22 “Yet lackest thou one thing; sell all that thou hast…and come, follow Me.”

I have just received a spiritual comeuppance. As I have shared before, recently my husband lost his job. This has mostly been a time of fervent prayer and resting on God’s provision and grace. There is so much darkness surrounding the events that brought us to this place, and sometimes I get caught up by it all. So today, I started to get the “it’s not fair” mindset and “how can we fight back?” strategizing again. I am not proud of these machinations, but I will confess to them. Then I sat down to write. The verse today is from the passage where Jesus is answering a rich man about how to get to heaven. Jesus tells him to sell all he has, give it to the poor, and follow Him. Then He goes on to say in verse 25, “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Quite a picture He painted with those words.

So, I am duly rebuked. I was starting to focus on money and what is just in my eyes instead of immediately lifting the situation up to Jesus. In my flesh I want justice and retribution, but this is never where my heart and thinking should be, no matter the struggle. God expects more from me, but never forces the point. He wants my faith and obedience no matter how difficult it may be in my human frailty.

Chambers writes, “Jesus did not seem in the least solicitous that this man should do what He told him, He made no attempt to keep him with Him. He simply said—Sell all you have, and come, follow me. Our Lord never pleaded, He never cajoled, He never entrapped; He simply spoke the sternest words mortal ears ever listened to, then left it alone.” The man did not give up his wealth to follow Jesus; instead, he walked away unwilling and deflated. The man would never know this side of heaven what he gave up. He chose the temporal over the eternal.

What about me? Do I want to devote myself to Jesus, or put importance on what the world calls me to focus on? Do I truly believe that God’s words and leading will bear fruit, and am I willing to wait on His timing? Am I willing to give up all I have and follow Jesus? In my own strength, this can never be, but I am a child of the Almighty through Whom the improbable and impossible will occur.

Verse 27, Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Faith over Knowledge

Happy Birthday J.R.

So glad you joined the fold.

8/16/2020

John 10:3 “He calleth…by name.”

“The soul is in danger when knowledge of doctrine outsteps intimate touch with Jesus.”

                                                          ~Oswald Chambers

Today is the birthday of someone who has been a part of our family for over 40 years. He is an extremely smart and highly educated man. He was raised in the church, but in his pursuit of science, he lost his way for a while. My husband, Randy, and he used to have conversations about many things including God and faith late into the night when they were together. He was very knowledgeable about many world religions, as well as Christianity, but considered himself an agnostic. He is married to a dear sweet Catholic lady, whom I love very dearly.

This man, outside of any witnessing by Randy, his wife, or me, started praying and meeting with Monsignor Connolly, the leader of a nearby church. This man was also very highly educated, so they spoke the same language. It was through these meetings that he came to know Christ, and was confirmed in the Catholic Church. Randy and I were blessed and honored to be the only other people in the church besides the priest, him, and his wife. The power of the Holy Spirit in the church that evening was the most profound I have ever experienced in my life, and it still brings tears to my eyes. God called this man by name, and sent the perfect person into his life to guide him to truth. Amazing Grace.  

We must be vigilant not to let any certain doctrine interfere in our relationship with God. This is what the Pharisees did. They were certainly learned men of the church who knew the doctrine more than anyone else, yet they were also blinded by it. They were in the presence of the Savior of the World, but could not hear His words or see Him. He only brought fear to their lives because of the authority from which He spoke, yet all they did was doubt.

Coming to Jesus is not about education or intellect, for it takes a knowledge of the heart and a turning of the soul alone to yield to Him. It takes true contrition and an acknowledgement of the price Jesus paid for our sin. This is the beginning of faith, and of the most awe-inspiring journey you will ever know.

“…Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

Heart Problem

8/15/2020

John 3:7 “Ye must be born again.”

Right before I sat down this evening to write, I read a very bold Facebook post from an old friend of mine and Randy’s. He recounted a story of how the actor Steve McQueen had finally met Billy Graham after watching Billy’s crusades on TV for a long time. Steve shared this with Billy, “I used to drink to forget my guilt after you preached. I wanted what you preached but wasn’t willing to pay the price.” There is certainly a price of confessing my sin and leaving the things of this world behind, but it is nothing compared to the price Jesus paid on the cross for me. Thankfully, Steve eventually did yield to Jesus before his death at the age of 50.

Our friend also wrote about how there is not a Jesus problem in our world, there is a heart problem. Steve had it, I had it, even Billy had it. We all have a heart problem until we come to the foot of the cross and recognize the price that Jesus paid our sin. We cannot just have a historical knowledge of Jesus, but there has to be a deep soul and heart connection, a yielding to Him. I prefer the word “yield” to “decide”, because I feel that a decision puts too much of the power in my hands. Yielding is about recognition of who should come first and honoring that. God, of course, should always come first.

Chambers writes of being born again, “The new birth gives a new power of vision whereby I begin to discern God’s rule. His rule was there all the time, but true to His nature: now that I have received His nature I can see His rule.” Things of God come into focus when you start to read His Holy Word, pray earnestly, worship Him, and boldly share the Good News of the Gospel. These all can result in a true and abiding relationship with Jesus after yielding to Him as your Lord and Savior. He is always there waiting for you.  

Chambers says the following that I found so simple and yet very powerful. “To be born again means that I see Jesus.” Amen and Amen!

Loving Correction

8/14/2020

Hebrews 12:5 “Despise not the chastening of the Lord, not faint when thou are rebuked of Him.”

 I sometimes end a post with the words, “As always, I am a work in progress.” Today I say these words at the start, because even when I believe I am being vigilant, the destroyer pulls on just the right thread to unravel me. If my armor is not secure, I can easily be thwarted. This evening, my armor slipped, and I let fear in where my faith should have been. Thankfully, God uses those around me to bring me back to trusting in Him. My son actually encouraged me to read my own words from just a few days ago, and my husband prayed with me. As I sat quietly with my head in my hands, the Holy Spirit took over. The times that I am most fragile, when I give into fear, are the same times that I feel the Lord’s rebuking. Forgive me Lord for my lack of faith, and thank You for never giving up on me.

Hebrews 12:4-6 (NIV) “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten the word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses a son? ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and so not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.’

Chambers asks, “Am I prepared to let God grip me by His power and do a work in me that is worthy of Himself?” God will keep stretching me and growing me through my journey until He is firmly on the throne of my life. Releasing all my areas of sin continues to be a process for me, but God will never release me from His mercy and love.

And I offer again…as always, I am a work in progress.

Quench or Ignite

8/13/2020

1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.”

Holy Spirit power is the most amazing thing to experience. I have found that the closer I walk with God, the more guidance and inspiration I receive. The more I listen, the more I hear. The greater my focus is on Jesus, the more attuned to the Holy Spirit I become. The still small voice of the Spirit leading, directing, and comforting is a powerful encounter. Chambers writes, “The checks of the Spirit come in the most extraordinarily gentle ways, and if you are not sensitive enough to detect His voice you will quench it, and your personal spiritual life will be impaired.” These words are so true. Whenever I allow myself to be lured away from concentrating on God, I cannot hear the Holy Spirit and can easily fall into confusion. This is exactly where the destroyer wants me to be, confused and unfocused.  

The verses that contain the excerpt used by Chambers expand on this charge. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-22, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. So not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” If I follow this and other charges in the Word of God, and make it my focus for everyday living, I will gain the discernment that comes from the Holy Spirit. The most amazing moments come when I get out of the way, am still and focusing on my breath, being grateful, and listening to the still small voice. Living in the world it would certainly be easier to quench the Spirit and stay safe from scorn and persecution, but as God’s creation, we are ordained to have our spirits on fire for Him!

Faith over Fear

8/12/2020

Matthew 8:26 “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?”

Boy, does this verse resonate with me, as a person with OCD I have a very active fear mind. This is a constant battle for me, but the closer I draw to God, the less fear I experience. This has been my truth since my diagnosis 10 years ago. There is a popular saying that goes, “Faith and fear cannot reside in the same space.” I think about this a lot. I also have two plaques in my house as reminders of that say, “Let your faith be bigger than your fear,” and “Pray more worry less.” I know I have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating; “fear not” is said 365 times in the Bible. Obviously one for every day of the year, so I think God really meant us to pay attention to those words. I, alas, fail on this front often. My fear is rarely for myself but usually for those I love.

Chambers writes, “There are stages in life when there is no storm, no crisis, when we do our human best; it is when crisis arises that we instantly reveal upon whom we rely. If we have been learning to worship God and to trust Him, the crisis will reveal that we will go to the breaking point and not break in our confidence in Him.” Where is my confidence in the uncertainly and unrest of our current world? Relying on those in power certainly does not bring comfort, it actually can induce more fear. The only One who can bring me peace and comfort during this time is God, and the only way that happens is through complete and total faith in Him.

In Matthew 17:20 Jesus addressed His disciples when they asked Him why they could not drive a demon out of a young boy. He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you and say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Just a small amount of faith, if it is honest and true, can move a mountain, so of course it can conquer any fear I may have. The closer I become to Jesus, and the more my faith and trust in my Savior grows, the more strength I receive and the less fear I feel.

So, during this time when fear is being worshiped as an idol, I will keep focusing on God and walking in faith.

Jordan, Jericho, Bethel

8/11/2020

2 Kings 2:12 “And he saw him no more.”

We are all on a journey. I always say to people that walking through this life is so much easier and more joyful with God than without Him. It is also a blessing that God sends people into our lives that walk beside us for support and encouragement. In today’s lesson, Chambers is discussing how sometimes there are periods when we must walk alone, with only God and no one else. In 2 Kings 2, Elijah and Elisha are journeying together to Jordan, Jericho, and Bethel, all the while being reminded by others that Elijah would be taken up to Heaven. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and it was granted. After Elijah was taken up to Heaven, Elisha had to walk that same journey back alone, but he did so with the power of the Holy Spirit.

There comes a time in all of our lives when we lose the support and wisdom of someone who has been our mentor or confidant, our Elijah. We then will have to also learn how to journey alone, and it is at this point that we find out how true and deep our faith in God really is. Will we, at that time, be able to take all the wisdom and knowledge we have acquired and stand firm in our faith? Chambers called Jericho the place of being mentored, Jordan the place of separation from fellowship, and Bethel the place that will bring you to your wits’ end and the beginning of God’s wisdom. God’s hand and guidance is on us at every part of our walk through this life; we just need to trust in the truth of His mercy, grace, and love. Chambers writes, “Put into practice what you have learned with your Elijah, use his cloak and pray. Determine to trust in God and do not look for Elijah any more.”

Not long ago, I was blessed by God bringing a lovely young woman into my life. She had come to a crossroads and was looking for some guidance. We both attended the same church, but we did not connect that way. God brought us into each other’s lives through the organization I work for, where she was very involved as a volunteer. We started meeting for tea at a funky little place near where we live. At our first get-together, we talked for four hours. God had opened the door wide, and we felt a kinship right away. After a couple more tea times, I invited her to come to the Sunday school class I attended. She agreed, and that following Sunday was introduced to the most wonderful group of loving, kind, wise, mature Christian women I have ever known. They all loved her right from the start just like I did, and she loved them in return. She began studying the Bible, listening to Christian music, and becoming a prayer warrior. She and I were getting closer, and we cherished our time together.  Then BAM! The Covid-19 lockdown hit. Our tea times stopped, our church had to suspend all classes and services, and the governor enacted a “stay home to stay safe” order. It was hard all the way around, but I was finding myself missing my new adopted daughter terribly. This sweet soul in her Christian infancy now had to journey without any of her “Elijahs”, and she did so beautifully. She has walked with God in such a powerful way and been a source of encouragement and strength for others, especially me. Like Elisha, she is walking her Jericho, Jordan, and Bethel with full faith and trust in her Savior. It is an inspiring and beautiful thing to see. Love you M.S.

Suffering

8/10/2020

1 Peter 4:19 “Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing”

“No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not.”                                                                                ~Oswald Chambers

Right now, I am having a chronic issues with my left knee. I can walk okay, but it stiffens up after I sit down for just a few minutes. It is painful and takes a lot out of me by the end of the day. Am I suffering? A little I guess. Would I choose to suffer with this pain? Nope, never. Would anyone choose to suffer mentally, emotionally, or physically? I highly doubt it. Yet, we all experience affliction of some sort in our journey through life. The question is, what do we do with our suffering?

God allows us to go through travails, and in my life it is these times that draw me closer to Him; it is the refining fire. I have experienced times when I have felt the support and love of fellow believers, and alas, there have also been times where my brothers and sisters in Christ pulled away. The one constant during these times of anguish was always my Savior. These times can weaken faith or strengthen it. I can live in a state of asking why or a state of trusting. (It is, of course, also common to start with the why and move to the trust.) The more I can lean on and rest in Jesus, the more apt I am to learn the lesson wrapped in the trial; the life-giving marrow inside.

Being there for another who is suffering is what we are called to do, but we cannot walk through those times of distress for them. They must also learn to lean into Jesus, and to choose God’s will through the trial. What we can do is be a compassionate ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and a prayer warrior for those around us. We can also share times when we have suffered and God has seen us through to the other side. In my life, the most profound blessings come when I am able to share what Jesus has carried me through. The single most important thing, however, is that we share the truth of the gospel, for it is every believer’s purpose in life. “For it is God who works in you to will and act to fulfill His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

The Bookmark

8/9/2020

John 11:41 “Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.”

When do I pray? Am I in constant conversation with God, or I am easily distractible? I know I can come to God with anything and everything, but is going to Him always my first response? I have had God answer my prayers immediately, and I have had God answer my prayers over time; but He always answers. Chambers writes, “God always hears the prayers of His Son, and if the Son of God is formed in me the Father will always hear my prayers.” These are comforting words indeed. Again, we know that Jesus is the bridge.

Sometimes we may feel that God is too busy for the minor happenings in our lives. I mean, the world has a lot of hurt and heartache right now, and many people need His healing hand. Yet even within these turbulent and uncertain times, God hears even our smallest prayers. The thing we must do is develop a habit of inviting Him in to every situation, whether big or small.

Just this morning, my husband decided to take some times to go out on our front porch and read for a while. In his book was a beautiful leather bookmark with encouraging words about being a man of God. After opening the book, he thought he placed the bookmark on the small table next to him, but when he was ready to put his book down, he reached for the bookmark and it was gone. Perplexed, he began to look all around, moving the cushions and furniture. Our son and I came out to help him search to no avail. My husband knew it had to be somewhere, so after coming in for a few minutes, he was ready to look again. I encouraged him to take some quiet time to pray for God’s help. After a few minutes in quiet prayer asking God to reveal where the bookmark was hidden, he lifted the cushion of his chair (where he and I had already looked several times), and he saw it immediately. When we talked about what had happened, he confessed that he had originally asked God to help in that quick and frenzied way we do when we are a bit frustrated, but it wasn’t until he was still and focused that he received an answer.

I share this story to express that we can come to God with even the smallest request, for He is always listening and always caring. He has time for us because he is not constrained by it. God is omniscient, eternal, and all powerful, and He is limited only by our own thoughts of Him. So, we can come to Him with anything that is on our hearts, whether it is finding a beloved bookmark, or asking for comfort and healing for a beloved person in our lives. Nothing is too small or big for our Savior.