September 28, 2018

Where Is the Love?

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

The venom spews from both sides. The comments are hateful, ugly, mean. I don’t care what side you’re on when it comes to the Kavanaugh-Ford issue, if you’re wearing the Christian label and spewing hate, you’re in the wrong.

Do not use Jesus to defend your words and actions. He was all about love. He was able to correct people and turn people toward God without condemning or shaming them. The only time Jesus got mad was at the Pharisees, the rule makers who were so busy thinking highly of themselves that they missed the Messiah.

Are you missing Jesus in all of this? Are you forgetting that when you claim a faith you don’t show you turn people away from Him? Are you remembering that it’s not about you?

Yes. It’s your opinion. You’re entitled to it. But don’t pull Jesus into the fray when you’re more concerned with your “values” than His. Jesus doesn’t need you to defend Him. What He demands of all of us is that we love people where they are.

Hate and love cannot co-exist in the same heart. It is possible to disagree with someone – even in the political arena – and not hate them. It is possible to give your viewpoint without using hatred as a weapon. If you can’t do that, then you should shut up because you’re making Jesus look bad.

This isn’t about taking sides. Sure. I have my viewpoint but it isn’t about what I think. God knows the truth and it will eventually come out. How do I know that? The light always exposes the darkness. (Ephesians 5:13; John 3:20)

Also, do not tell me or anyone else to pray for your opinion of the situation. Just don’t. It’s not about your will. It’s about God’s will. Do not presume to know what His will really is. That’s your pride showing and is nothing from Him. You don’t know what the best outcome is and neither do I. Pray for everyone and ask that God’s will be done.

I am so very sad about the anger and ugliness that permeate our country today. Don’t point fingers at others. Get that plank out of your own eye. And don’t throw a stone at someone else and use that as an excuse for your own behavior or the behavior of someone else. God doesn’t need your help, or mine, to deal with someone else’s sin. You take care of your own sin and He’ll take care of the sins of others.

Jesus told us to love people. If you can’t do that, if you can’t disagree with someone without spreading hate, then maybe what you really need is a heart check. Are you sure you have Jesus living inside of you? Are you positive your words come from the Holy Spirit? Are you without a doubt living for God?

Hate and God cannot co-exist. Before you share your “opinion” again, consider what you are sharing.

March 22, 2015

Stop Copying Others

 

When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

-- John 21:21-22

What is it that we are so intent on fixing ourselves by being like someone else? We are each unique, with a different path to take. Why can't we embrace that?

I do understand the need sometimes to research options and study what others have done. It helps us keep from making unnecessary mistakes and it helps us get a feel for what we like and what we don't. But there comes a point in time when you really have to push all that aside and do whatever it is that God has called you to do.

I realize it's easier to copy someone else than it is to spend time in prayer and reflection to determine God's will for your life. It also can be difficult to push aside our pride to admit that maybe we're headed in the wrong direction. That's especially true when what we're doing involves a group of people. We'd rather stay on the wrong path than admit we're on the wrong path.

We can't understand why other people, other churches, make it work. From the outside, the efforts of others look so easy. Maybe it really was. When we are in God's will, things have a way of falling in place. When we are putting Him first, He tends to clear our path.

Or maybe we just can't see the years of hard work that has gone into what seems easy and successful today. Remember everything starts with a dream but that dream almost always brings hard work before it brings success.

What is your motivation? You can't build success for God when you are doing it for your glory instead of His. And you can't draw people in when you're trying to draw people toward you instead of toward Him. Denial doesn't work. Neither do excuses. Remember that God sees the heart. What is your heart telling you?

None of us will ever take a perfect path to where we want to go. As much as we may want to follow God exactly right, we'll miss the mark again and again. But copying someone else isn't the answer. Look inside, find God's will for your life, and move in that direction instead.

January 14, 2015

What Is God's Will?

 

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

-- Psalm 16:7

What is God's will for your life? We know He wants us to walk in His ways. We know He wants us to love Him about all else and to love our neighbor as our self. But what about the specifics of your life?

Oh, yes. That gets a little trickier, doesn't it? It always amazes me how clearly we can see what other folks should be doing but we are blind when it comes to our own path. We get so caught up in our own wishes, and our own fears, that we can't see clearly.

The solution? Spend more time in the Word, opening your heart and mind to actually hear the Holy Spirit. Seek God's counsel. Then act accordingly.

Yeah. That's the hard part. Stepping out in faith. I wonder how many times we've told ourselves we are in God's will when the truth is it's just so much easier to stay where we are than to take a leap into something new?

Think of the women, and men, who stay in violent relationships rather than seek freedom. They tell themselves God wants them to honor their marriage vows, even when their very lives are at risk. It seems insane to us but sometimes the unknown is scarier than what we know. We have learned to cope where we are. Could we cope with a different reality?

Or look at those who stay in low-paying, dead end jobs. They keep talking about getting something better but they don't even try. Why? Because they've become comfortable where they are. They don't want to take a risk that it might not work out. But what if it did? Well, that's scary too.

God's will differs for each of us. It also changes through the months and years that make up our lives. When we seek God's will -- and we all should do so before we take action -- then we must be willing to do what He says. Even when it's scary. Maybe especially when it's scary.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

God Plants Dreams In Our Hearts

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. -- Romans 5:5

What are your hopes and dreams? What have you given up on? Where has hope died? What dreams have you lost along your life’s journey?

Many of us have secret dreams that reside deep inside of us. Or we have dreams that we believe are lost forever. We tell ourselves they don’t matter anymore. We are determined to be content where we are. But there’s an ache deep inside us for what will never be.

Lisa Harper, in her women’s Bible study on Malachi, suggests that we create a top 10 list of all those dreams we’ve almost stopped hoping for. Think about it. Really. Take a few minutes and consider your dreams -- or what’s left of them.

Yeah. What’s left of them. Because somewhere along the days of your life you have likely lost a few dreams. Some are gone because they simply ceased to be your dreams anymore. Others are gone because people and circumstances destroyed your faith in their possibilities.

I always smile when I think of childhood dreams that seem so silly now. A boy we adored and wanted forever. A career that never was right for us. A fantasy life that could never be real and would be boring if it was. We don’t want those dreams anymore.

But there are the lost dreams, the ones that reside deep in our hearts, but that we never allow to surface. We wouldn’t dare share them, not anymore anyway, because they are too fragile to withstand the glare of naysayers who sometimes surround us.

Harper suggests praying over those secret dreams and asking God to show us which ones might actually be our longing for the gifts God wants to give us. Perhaps our dreams involve special talents, given up for more practical concerns. Perhaps our dreams involve lifestyle changes that will lead us to greater fulfillment and God’s real calling on our lives.

God doesn’t plant dreams in our hearts without a reason. What we need to discern is whether those dreams are from God or merely a trap the evil one has set to lead us away from our real purpose. That’s why we need to pray and listen for God’s voice.

God loves us beyond anything we could ever imagine. He wants good things for us. And He plants seeds within our hearts that allow us to dream beyond what is obvious and reach for His perfect plan for our lives. Don’t give up on those dreams before taking them to your Father and asking Him to reveal His will to you.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Trust God With The Details

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go. -- Acts 16:6-7

Who controls your life? Maybe you’re one of those who control your own destiny. Or maybe a spouse or parent controls your life. Maybe it’s a boss, a company, the military, or even the economy.

Actually, it’s none of the above. God controls your life -- if you’re wise enough to give it over to Him to be used for His purpose.

Some folks just aren’t comfortable with that. Even Christian folks. Even, sometimes, pastors and other church leaders. It’s not that they don’t trust God. It’s just that they don’t trust God to do what they want Him to do. It’s like they feel they need to help Him out a little bit, just until He sees the light.

I know. It’s laughable and just so very misguided. God will do what God will do. Period. And most of the time I’m really glad about that because He truly does know best. When I get a little upset, it’s almost always when He’s calling me to do something I’d really rather not do.

Someone once asked me if I felt threatened when the former teacher of the Sunday school class I lead came to visit. Why would I? As I explained, God called me to teach the class. I wasn’t expecting it but He did it anyway. And I’ll teach it until He tells me not to. End of story.

Another man is determined to do good for God in all things. I watch him sometimes and I am amazed. He truly has a wonderful heart and is open to new ideas. Except that he wants to micromanage everything and everyone around him. It can’t last. He’ll burnout eventually. Unfortunately, that will probably come after he’s alienated other wonderful people.

It all comes back to each of us doing whatever God has called us to do. Not what God has told someone else to do.

That’s difficult to do sometimes. It’s that control thing. It’s really hard to let go and trust others to do things the way we want them done. We’re afraid that someone will drop the ball and we’ll be left with a mess to clean up. Truly, it sometimes happens that way.

But what about those times when everyone does his or her part and it all just comes together and God’s glory shines brightly? God is in control and He knows what He’s doing. Don’t just trust Him with the big things in your life. Trust Him with the details and let others do the same.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Replace Lies With God’s Words

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will. -- Romans 12:2

What are you not doing today because someone said you couldn’t do it? What are you doing today because of past labels that turned you into who they wanted you to be?

We are the products of our own desires, yes, but also we are influenced and directed by the many opinions of those around us. Someone decides while we are young that we are brainy or athletic or not too bright. And so we become because someone older and “wiser” said we were.

By the time we’re old enough to have dreams and aspirations for ourselves, the past labels are ingrained in us and those around us. So we follow the predicable path. We let others tell us how to live our lives. We quash our dreams in favor of more “realistic” goals, which is just another word for what others want us to do.

Where is God in all this? Is He in the labels others have pinned on us? Is He in favor of following the path others laid out for us? And do we even bother to ask God what He wants us to do with our lives?

Somehow it just seems easier to go along to get along, as the old cliché goes. But if God gave us a desire for something more, something different, something else than where we’ve been, then who are we to take a different path? And who are those around us to think that they know better than God?

It gets back to each of us having unique and special gifts that we are intended to use for God’s glory. No two people are exactly alike, including my identical twin cousins who were as different as they were similar. God has touched the heart of each of us, drawing us down a path of His choosing.

So how do we fight the expectations of others? How do we withstand the criticisms and putdowns that come when you select a different course? By renewing your mind so that God’s Words replace the criticisms and judgments of those around you.

Easy? Not even close. Psychologists call it “cognitive therapy.” We are called to confront the lies of our past and replace them with God’s truth. When we turn away from the world’s hold on our lives, God lights a path that clearly reflects His will for our lives.

Stop limiting yourself to the expectations of others. Your Heavenly Father created everything and He will help you do anything He calls you to do. What has He called you to do? Follow Him and let yourself soar to unimaginable heights.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Ask God First

“Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. -- 1 Chronicles 13:3-4

It seemed like a good idea at the time. David wanted to honor God and bring the ark back to Jerusalem. He had the very best of intentions -- except he didn’t think it through. He didn’t research and plan. And he didn’t ask God for advice and direction.

We all do that sometimes. We have a wonderful idea and we’re certain that God is on board with it and will bless it and us because, well, it is to glorify Him. Except we never really ask God what He thinks. We get so caught up in what we want that we lose sight of what matters -- God‘s will.

This is particularly frustrating when people keep insisting that they know best. God wants this, they insist, refusing to listen to anyone else. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a big believer in God making a way when no way seems visible. I’ve watched Him do it again and again. But only when it’s His will -- not mine or yours.

David learned that lesson. He was convinced that bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem would only bring blessings. He never considered that having God’s Presence among them would be anything else. Until David began doing it on his own.

As David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, the oxen carrying the Ark stumbled. Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God to steady it. And God struck him dead.

David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?”

-- 2 Samuel 6:9

So David sent the ark to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. And the LORD blessed him and his household.

And David learned his lesson. He eventually had the ark of God brought to Jerusalem -- by the Levites, whom God had chosen to carry the ark and minister before Him. (see 1 Chronicles 15) And everything went well. It usually does when we’re following God’s plan and His will.

Sometimes God calls us to move forward in His will and with His support. Other times God calls us to wait. His timing is perfect and if He tells us to wait, there’s a reason for it. God may want us to prepare, to research, to really know what we’re doing before we go forward in His name.

It’s easy to get a great idea to honor God and rush forward without thinking it through. It’s wiser to consult God and ask for His blessing, before attempting to do anything to glorify His name.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

God’s Word Teaches Us

“Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” -- Joshua 1:8

Sound words of advice, wouldn’t you agree? Especially since these words came directly from God. They were to guide Joshua has he led God’s people following the death of Moses.

I will never understand how people can claim to know what the Bible says when they’ve never read it. We’re so fortunate in this country that we have Bibles readily available. And for those who don’t enjoy reading, they can get the audio version. So many people in the world don’t have access to the Bible, or, if they do, they could be imprisoned or killed for possessing it.

Do you want God to speak to you? Do you want God to guide you? Do you want to know what God’s will is for your life? Then read the Bible. It’s the first place to look. The first place. Because it’s impossible to really know God without knowing what He says.

I know. We think we know Him. We do. We’ve asked Jesus into our hearts. We’ve been Baptized. Most Sundays we attend church. We’re believers. We are. We just don’t want to have to work at it.

Ah. There you have it. We view reading the Bible as work. One more chore in a never ending list of chores we face each day. It’s easier to veg out in front of the television. But it isn’t as memorable. And it won’t feed your soul the way the Bible will.

That’s the thing about the Bible. Once you start reading it, the story is simply amazing. It’s got it all. Feuds and murder. Great kings and horrible kings. Prostitutes and queens. Redemption and love. There’s a reason it is often called the greatest story ever told.

There are numerous versions of the Bible which makes the stories easy to understand. There are also Bibles with lots of footnotes for those of us with many questions. There really is no excuse for not reading and understanding God’s Word.

Yeah. It takes time. And commitment. There are plenty of reading plans out there to help you if you’re the type of person who needs structure. As for me, I did it the old-fashioned way. I started with Genesis 1:1 and read through the Bible. Then I did it again. And again. Because it is a good story and I learn something new every time I read it.

So what are you waiting for? You’ll never regret investing your time in God’s Word.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Trust God To Guide Your Path

“Whether we like it or not, we will obey the LORD our God to whom we send you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.” -- Jeremiah 42:6

We want to do God’s will. We want to hear His voice and follow Him wherever He might lead us. We do. Really. Until He tells us to do something we’d rather not do.

Fear has a way of bringing out the biggest doubts in us. We can’t believe that God would call us to do something that doesn’t make sense to us. We can’t understand how what God says could possibly be right.

Maybe we heard Him wrong. Maybe we were so busy talking that we didn’t hear Him at all. Or maybe we just didn’t like the answer.

The army officers who asked Jeremiah to inquire of God didn’t like the answer. God told them not to go to Egypt. God told them He would protect them and not to fear the Babylonians. They didn’t believe Jeremiah.

“You lie! The LORD our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt!” -- Jeremiah 43:2b

Yeah. They really didn’t like it when Jeremiah told them what God said. We’re that way with God sometimes. We pretend we misunderstood. We know He couldn’t possibly be calling us to do something so out of our comfort zone, so far from our level of expertise, so downright scary.

But He does. On a regular basis. Because it is in those moments when we are afraid and uncertain and don’t know which way to turn, that we turn to God. And He is there, helping and guiding us. God never calls us to do something without providing a way for us to do it.

The army officers couldn’t see beyond their fear and the size and might of the Babylonian army. They were certain they would die unless they went to Egypt. They trusted what they thought they knew rather than what God told them was the truth.

Their punishment for disobeying?

“So you can be sure that you will die from war, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going.” -- Jeremiah 42:22

How many times do we fail because we were too afraid to try? How many times do we turn away rather than trust God? How many times do we fail to reach our full potential, to reap all the blessings God prepared for us, because we never believed what He said?

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Give God Credit for His Help

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph. -- Isaiah 50:7

What did you give credit to God for today? You did give God credit for something, didn’t you? Because it’s impossible to have anything good happen, anything wonderful, anything amazing, without God.

It always amazes me that God is the first one many people blame when something bad happens or when they don’t receive what they want. But God is the last one who gets credit when good things happen.

How can that be? God is the creator of everything good. And, well, we sinners are the author of all the bad when we follow Satan instead of God. It isn’t fair to blame God for the bad. It isn’t right. But it happens all the time.

I am so thankful that God watches over me. It doesn’t mean that bad things don’t happen. Those things happen to all of us. But God is with me, protecting and strengthening me no matter the circumstances.

I try to always give God credit. Of course, not everyone believes. A week or so ago I drove a new vehicle from Jacksonville to my home. It’s about a five hour drive. The next morning the vehicle wouldn’t crank. The mechanics were baffled. It wasn’t the battery and the computer tests were going weird on them. They finally located the problem -- and were amazed that I made it home. I shouldn’t have, they told me. The vehicle should have left me stranded on the road.

I assured them that God had looked after me. One of the men just shook his head. I told him I was serious. I always ask God to take care of me and He did. To me, it was simple. I don’t know that I convinced that dear man, but maybe I planted a seed. Either way, I KNOW God is the reason I made it safely home.

Last year a dear friend was diagnosed with a horrible disease. She immediately asked for prayers and started treatment. It has been a rocky road but God has strengthened her and carried her when she was too tired and too scared to walk. She’s in remission now and praises God and all those who prayed for her.

Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. She isn’t cured. She’ll take medicine for the rest of her life. She’ll continue to suffer from fatigue and other side effects from the disease. But she’s alive and doing great. Brilliant light in the storm.

God cares for those who love Him and seek to do His will. So give Him credit for the good in your life. And turn to Him in the bad. Blessings flow no matter what we face -- so long as we keep our eyes focused on our Creator.

Monday, April 2, 2012

What Is God’s Will?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. -- Proverbs 3:5-6

How do you view God’s will for your life? There are many different views about this. Oh, we know that God wants only good for His children. But just how does His plan and our free will coexist within our beliefs?

Do you believe that God has written out your days and no matter what you do all He has written will happen? It sounds good, reasonable even. Until we remember that if we believe this, it means God also planned all the horrible things that happened. That doesn’t fit with God’s goodness and love.

God also gave us free will. That means God lets us mess up, even rejecting Him. So if God planned every detail of our lives, we wouldn’t have any free will. He would have predetermined our every move. We’d merely be puppets in His play. We can’t have free will and be puppets.

But what if God has a perfect plan for our lives, but we get free reign to mess it up? That would make sense. He probably looks down on us, sees the train wreck looming in the distance and tries to warn us. We, being stubborn and determined to go our own way, ignore God’s warning. So we crash, cry out to God, and turn toward Him. And He always takes us back. I will never, ever cease to be amazed by that.

It could also be that God has a general outline for our lives but let’s us write the specifics on our own. He guides us through His Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit and Christians in our lives. And, if we’re smart and listening, we don’t make too many bad mistakes.

Perhaps God’s will for our lives is more about our hearts than in the specifics of our choices. Maybe God wants us to care for people He puts in our paths, to live righteously, sharing and caring as we go through life. Maybe God means us to live our faith loudly so that others can see Him in our choices.

Determining God’s will for our lives isn’t always easy. Sometimes we know exactly what He wants and we want to do it. Other times we pretend we didn’t hear Him because it isn’t what we want to do. But I think we are most blessed when God calls us to something way out of our comfort zone and we step out in faith, following His lead and His will.

God doesn’t call us to live our lives in timid fear of what others will think. He calls us to follow Him, putting His teachings into active use in our daily lives. Perhaps the specific road doesn’t matter so much as the faith that leads to action. Maybe, in the end, that is is will for our lives.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Listen For God’s Will

So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. -- Colossians 1:9

Do you believe that you are living a scripted life authored by God? Or do you believe that free will gives you the pen to make your life what you choose? Or is the truth somewhere in between the two extremes? Does God have a plan for our lives but, knowing that we’ll fail and take wrong turns, know our lives will have a different outcome?

Most of us really want to know God’s will for our lives. We don’t always agree with what He wants, but we want to know. I laugh out loud at that. There are times when God has dragged me fussing and complaining to do what He wanted me to do. And He was always right. Always. It makes me wonder why I bother resisting when I know how it’ll turn out.

Have you ever had an experience like that? You know what God wants you to do but it isn’t something you want to do. Or maybe it isn’t something you feel qualified to do. But you do it anyway and then you understand what God wanted to accomplish through you. It’s awesome, isn’t it?

But things rarely seem so black and white. It’s usually a matter of agonizing over options and trying to decide what God wants me to do. I am my worst enemy in those situations. My mind races with options and pros and cons and I have trouble quieting it so I can hear God’s voice. Because for me the stillness brings answers.

A friend determines God’s will by how He opens and closes doors. Of course, she also is quick to point out that each major decision comes after much prayer and quiet time with God. Then she can see where God directs her path. When God supports something, doors open and the roadway seems smooth and easy. When God is against something, doors close and the roadway is bumpy and difficult.

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better. -- Colossians 1:10

We don’t often think of our doing God’s will as showing kindness to others. It makes sense. But usually we think in terms of ourselves and what we want. Oh, and what God wants too. But if we’re doing God’s will then we’re doing for others.

Following God, determining His will for our lives, means living as Jesus lived on this earth. Did He plan our lives ahead of time? Probably, just as any parent has dreams for His child. Did He know we would fail repeatedly? Without a doubt. But He also knows our hearts. God knows when we genuinely desire to do His will. And He knows when we don’t. Maybe that’s the key: listening to Him instead of ourselves

Friday, March 9, 2012

We Want. We Want. We want.

My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. -- Psalm 22:2

We pray and pray and pray. And the only answer we hear is silence. It hurts. Has God abandoned us? Has He stopped caring? Do we not matter to Him?

It’s hard not to be afraid. Gas prices keep going up. The economy, while better, is still scary. Earlier this week a local company announced plans to close. Hundreds will lose their jobs. That sort of thing reverberates through the communities around it. Add a few health issues, work stresses and other issues and that peace God promises seems elusive at best.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. -- John 15:7

Okay, God, I want … (fill in the blank here). Isn’t that what prayer has become for us? Oh, we thank Him for His blessings but we also are filled with requests. We have a list and we treat God as though it is His job to fulfill our desires. We forget that our lives are not about us. We forget that He is the Almighty God and it is all about Him.

Does He want good things for us? Absolutely. But we stop before reading the next verse, which says that Jesus’ disciples produce much fruit that will bring great glory to God. Perhaps what we should ask for are things that bring God glory -- and that’s what He will do for us.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” -- Luke 22:42

Sometimes God says no. It’s that simple and that complicated. It’s not about you. Remember that. Because it is about you too. If God would not spare His own Son a horrible death in order to save you and me, why do we expect Him to spare us the pains of this life?

But we do. We want an easy ride. It isn’t realistic. Life isn’t easy and to live without trials and pain just isn’t going to happen. God promises to carry us through the tough times. He doesn’t promise to keep them from happening.

God hears our prayers. He loves us unconditionally. He is with us always. Those are promises to hold on to, no matter how He answers

Monday, December 12, 2011

Be Joyful. Pray. Give Thanks.

Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

-- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What is God’s will for your life? Pastor Rob asked the congregation how many of us had ever really wanted to know what God’s will is for our lives. I don’t think any of us expected such a simple answer.

We believe God’s will is that we organize some big production. We believe God’s will is for us to make some grand gesture, perhaps on behalf of the poor. We believe that God’s will is that we do amazing things in His name. We think of those things when we consider what God’s will is for our lives.

But God’s will is that we be joyful. God desires that we keep praying. And God wants us to be thankful. Be joyful. Pray. Be thankful. So simple. And so profound.

What would happen if all Christians were actually joyful? More people would actually want to have some of that faith, some of that belief, some of that Jesus. Why? Because they would want some of that joy.

Many months ago Pastor Meghan spoke about what led her to a deeper faith. It wasn’t some grand revelation or major event in her life. She told us she looked around her home church and saw the people who really seemed to love the Lord and showed it during their worship time. He noticed the joy on their faces. She wanted what they had. And she got it. Because she sought it.

Pastor Rob told us a story of a woman who had been rejected by her own family. Her pastor didn’t know her story. He asked if a bear she was making was for her grandchild. She told him no and explained that the bear and others she’d made were for the children in her neighborhood. She’d decided that since she didn’t have a family, she needed to go out and adopt her own. And she had. Her life was filled with friends, adults and children, who were her family. She could have ended up sad and alone. Instead her life was filled with joy and love.

That’s the thing about joy. The person who gives joy to others, ends up getting more joy in return, Pastor Rob said. He’s right. It’s why volunteers often talk about getting more than they receive. There’s something joyful about helping others, doing for others, giving of yourself to others.

I’m not sure it’s possible to be truly joyful without embracing those around us. And can we truly be joyful without wanting to tell God, our Abba, our Father, all about it, singing His praises and praising His name? The more joy fills our lives and the more we sing God’s praises, the more thankful we become. It just works that way.

What is God’s will for our lives? To be joyful. To pray. And to be thankful. Sounds so easy. Give it a try. You’ll be amazed at the change in your life.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Seek God‘s Will Above All

“So I killed him,” the Amalekite told David, “for I knew he couldn’t live. Then I took his crown and one of his bracelets so I could bring them to you, my lord.” -- 2 Samuel 1:10

Don’t you just love it when someone does something “for you” that benefits them? The Amalekite was confident that taking news of Saul’s death to David would earn him a reward. After all, Saul’s death meant David was king. Finally. He obviously didn’t know David.

This man had waited years and years to become king. He had refused again and again to kill Saul, even though he’d had easy opportunities. The Amalekite misread the situation and it cost him his life.

We all have encountered people who are determined to do something good for us but that will really benefit them. A woman I know invited me to go on a trip with her. She had it all planned out. I’d pay half the expenses and we’d do exactly what she wanted to do. Plus, I’d get to drive. I was so lucky to have this opportunity. Really. She told me that. I just said no. Nicely. She still got mad.

These days I’ve got a pretty sharp radar going when people start telling me what I would like and what I’m going to do. I get really upset when someone tells me what kind of hairstyle I need, where I need to live and what I need to do in my life. Excuse me? Only God gets to tell me what I need to do or what I should do.

And He does. Regularly. And I try to always listen. I mess up now and again but I do try. I don’t listen too much to what other people say. They usually have an agenda. And sometimes that agenda goes against what God has told me to do.

That’s the key. What does God want me to do? What does God want you to do? God doesn’t just show up in the big moments. He’s there in the smaller moments as well. So ask Him if you should make that trip or that move. What does God think about your buying a new car or even getting a new hairstyle? He wants us to invite Him into the small moments of our lives. It draws us closer to Him so that when the big moments come, we already know He’s there.

　

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

God's Will Not Always Easy

"Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears."

-- Ezekiel 24:16

Why do we think that doing God's will is easy? Poor us! We can't imagine anyone blindly following God down a road that is bound to be unhappy. We think it should be easy. Oh, I'm not talking about illnesses and such. I'm talking about stepping out in faith when the next step looks pretty awful.

That's real faith. It's the kind of faith Ezekiel had. Can you imagine what he felt? He'd done God's will. He'd prophesied to the people. He'd been obedient. Then God took away his wife. God told Ezekiel He would and He did. Ezekiel's heart must have broken and, yet, he obeyed God. He did not mourn.

Or think about Hosea. He, too, followed God and did His will. God told Hosea to marry an "adulterous wife" who would have children born of her unfaithfulness. Excuse me? That seems like an impossible thing to endure. But Hosea did what God told him to do and God used that experience to show His people how much He loved them.

It isn't always easy to do what God tells us to do. People don't understand. They question our motives and actions, they think we're a little off and totally misguided. Yet who can say what God has spoken to him except the person who hears God's voice? We all must follow the individual path God has set out for us, regardless of the criticism or temptations.

We like to think that our time, our lives, are so much more difficult than those lives lived in earlier times. I don't think that's the case at all. We all face situations and choices that challenge us. We either go forth in faith or stumble and falter in our own will. Those are our choices.

I choose faith. It's scary sometimes and I don't always agree with God's plan. But I've learned that He does know best. No matter what I know that he'll turn the chaos around me into something good that will showcase His Glory. He is an awesome God! I will follow Him.

A Straight Path

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

I used to be someone who always needed to know where the road was going and how much time I needed to get there. I wanted to plan and prepare myself mentally and, sometimes, physically for any challenges or changes that came my way.

I'm learning to let go more and more, at least partly because my life is so out of control. I'm learning that I don't need to know where all this is headed because I know that God knows. He wants what is best for me and will lead me down the right path, even if I don't know it at the time.

It's part of giving control of my life over to Him. I know. He's always been in control. I was just the rebellious child determined to do things my way in my time. That never works. It just took my a while to figure that out.

There's a certain peace in knowing that my path is straight so long as I stay in His light. No matter what happens around me, I know that I will be okay.

Wisdom Ours For the Asking

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt...

James 1:5-6a

Sometimes my mind gets so scattered, torn between what I think I should do and what others want me to do. I can't decide what's right so I come across as wishy-washy or worse. I've learned that if I just go to a quiet place and talk to God, things tend to gain perspective. I lay out my question, frequently giving my thoughts, and then I wait quietly.

He always answers. Sometimes His answers come in His silence. Sometimes His answers are right in my face. Sometimes His answers are really not what I wanted to hear. Then comes the challenge -- to do what He says rather than what I want.

Time has taught me that He really does know best. He really does love me. And He really will always, but always, choose the path that in the end is best for me.

God's Will

My concern is not whether God is on my side. My great concern is to be on God's side. -- Abraham Lincoln

Sometimes we focus so much on bending God's will to our own that we forget that He knows what's best. He sees the big picture, so to speak, and knows what the future holds for all of us.

We tell God what we want. We want a new job. We want rain. We want sun. We want health and wealth and all the things our hearts' desire. But just as we wouldn't give a small child a bag of candy, we shouldn't expect God to give us everything we want just because we want it. So many times I've been grateful that He ignored what I thought I wanted.

We live in a fallen world. Sin is everywhere, no matter how good our intentions might be. Illness, death, poverty -- those are all part of this fallen world. God is our light and our hope. Our Creator. Our Father. It is when we do His will that true peace comes.