“The Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. Happy are all who wait patiently for Him” Isaiah 30:18 CSB
I purchased a new Bible the other day called the Apologetics Study Bible published by B&H and I love it! The translation is an easy read and the footnotes are great. For this verse the notes read:
“The prophet clearly indicated that Judah was sinful in relying on Egypt (30:15) and in rejecting God’s message to them (30:12-14). In view of this, it did not seem “just” for the Lord to have compassion on these sinful people (30:18).God’s justice in the OT, is not an abstraction, but an aspect of His covenant with His people. First, the nation will experience God’s judgment through the attack of the Assyrians, pictured as the collapse of a wall and the shattering of a jar (30:13-14). But once the people had suffered the consequences of their lack of faith, the Lord would “show you mercy” because the covenant grounded not in their obedience, but in His grace, still stood.”
Judah was a sinful nation. The beginning of Isaiah 30 reads: “Woe to the rebellious child!” Do you know any rebellious children? Were you one yourself in your earlier years or now maybe?
The scripture continues: “This is the Lord’s declaration. They carry out a plan but not Mine, they make an alliance but against My will, piling sin on top of sin.”
How many times do we set out our own plans knowing it is not really what God would have us do? How many times do we follow after our own lusts, our own greed, our own desires, and then wonder why we go through such turmoil when our plans fail? Every time we do something against the will of God, it will sooner or later fail; and hardships will follow. But during the hardships, if we watch closely, we will see that there is a lesson for us to learn.
It seems lately, many of us are experiencing more than our share of hardships. No sooner does the end appear for one; another hits and there we are back on our knees again. In all, I am certain that God is trying to teach us trust. Not trust in ourselves but trust in Him. He alone holds the keys to tomorrow. Without Him tomorrow never comes. He is the one who knows the best plan for our lives. No matter how clear we think we can see into the future, there will always be a blur. The Bible states we will not know the hour in which He will return, with that being true, how can we expect to know what tomorrow will bring? When we plop on our chariots and decide it’s time to take matters in our own hands, who are we trying to kid? We are not in control.
I have been working on a situation for about a year and a half now. I remember pulling up to a store, ready to buy something I thought I needed In order to help it happen, and on a bumper of a vehicle in the parking lot was a sticker that read, “Wait on the Lord.” Even though I saw it, I proceeded to do my own thing. Needless to say, my situation has not turned out the way I had hoped it would, and my efforts have brought much heartache. So now, finally, I am surrendering. I give up trying to do it on my own. If it is in His will, it will be. By His grace and mercy, I know He has forgiven me, and by His love He knows what’s best. I am waiting for His best.
Over and over scripture states that God is a merciful and gracious God. He cares about His people and wants the best for them. It also says that we have a choice whether to accept Him and adopt into His family or not. He never forces Himself on anyone. Revelation 3 says: He stands at the door and knocks; it doesn’t say He beats the door down. He is a gentle God. He is a loving God.
As I read the first scripture, I see that our Covenant as Christians is very much the same as in the OT. As many are, I am saved by the Grace of my Lord Jesus and His bloodshed on the cross. His sacrifice gives me remission of my sins and with that, the Word of God states that nothing can pluck me out of His hand. By Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary and in His Resurrection from the tomb, He now sits at the right hand of His Heavenly Father, forever praying for you and me. As we accept and believe in these truths, we enter into a covenant with Him, and therefore, along with justice, He also shows us much mercy and grace.
Thank God, every time I mess up and fess up, He loves, and forgives me. He understands my weaknesses, and loves me anyway. He knows my desires, He knows my needs. He doesn’t need me to intervene in order to get the job done. He knows what’s best for me and is faithful to give me just that! My job is to trust Him.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
God Uses Angels to Bless Those in Need
I spent some time in Tallahassee earlier this week. Jim had a meeting there and I took the day off to ride up with him. Most of my afternoon was doing what I love best, sitting in a chair at the local Borders cafe, sipping on a latte, books in hand, computer on lap, fingers to the keyboard. I had every intention of putting together my speaking material for our MOPS group later that week. As the mentor for approximately 40 young mothers, my presentation must be informative as well as encouraging; and I was on a mission.
As I approached the corner coffee shop I scanned the room. Since Tallahassee is a college town, I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought I’d find a nice, quiet place to study. The store was crawling with students hoping to find their own corner of solitude. Immediately my eyes spotted the nearly last vacant chair in the cafe. If I could get there quickly, maybe I could grab it before someone else did. As I made my way toward the chair, I noticed a man sitting in the one next to it. Our eyes met, making me a bit uneasy, but I thought to myself, “What could happen? We are in an open public place.”, so I proceeded, and am I ever glad I did.
As I got closer and placed my articles on the seat, we greeted each other, as I searched for an outlet. He kindly informed me it was behind the chair, I thanked him and acknowledged the temperature outside. His comment was: “It’s hard to use reverse psychology in this cold; I came here hoping to find some warmth.” Moved, I offered to buy him a cup of java, and that was the beginning of a very rewarding afternoon, at least for me anyway.
In our discussions we spoke much about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and angels. We spoke of the blessings I receive in serving as MOPS Mentor; and of the many hurting women in the world. We spoke of Vietnam and the things he saw, the pain he felt, and how hard it is to forget. We spoke of people in general, how very few give him the time of day. How, because of his appearance, or lack of it; those in fine business suits just brush him off as if he were a pesky fly. We spoke of how people need to be less judgmental and more encouraging, and how we should be mirrors of Christ rather than the opposite. We spoke of how great God is and how few acknowledge Him. We spoke of the fact that God does more for us than we give Him credit for; and that our country is better off than most, yet we appreciate our blessings the least.
We spoke of so much I can hardly remember it all; but I can still remember his unshaven face, his messy- more salt than pepper hair. I remember that his khaki jacket and grey pants appeared to be older than the hills. I remember his teeth that probably haven’t seen a dentist in several years and his soft, trembling voice that at times cracked, when he was thinking of what to say. I remember asking him if he was a professor and his answer, “No not any more.” I remember him telling me he had a journal and every entry he wrote began with God. I remember feeling his pain…
In three and a half hours, in the corner of that café; I felt the love of God evident in my life more than I have in the past several months. In one afternoon, my eyes were opened to the fact that no matter how much or how little a person has, no matter what pains or failures he’s experienced, no matter how lonely or blessed, if he chooses to focus his eyes on the prize, which is Christ Jesus; he’s better than blessed.
Bill thanked me several times for befriending him. When I asked if he believed God spoke to him, he said yes. He said he believed God spoke to him directly and sometimes through angels. I told him I agree. As he stood up and began to walk away, for an instant, I glanced down at my computer. When I lifted my head, and scanned the room, he was gone, as if he’d disappeared. There was so much more I wanted to say, so much more I wanted to do, but our time was up. I am certain he was real, I witnessed him eat a cookie and drink a cup of coffee; otherwise, I’d have sworn, he was an angel.
God knew I went to the bookstore on a mission, but He had other plans. He sent to me a lonely soul who needed a friend. In doing so, He and took my focus off my mission, and made His mission mine.
That day, God used Bill, to bring more joy and insight into my life than Bill will ever know. I can only hope God used me to bless him, as well. Though we went our separate ways and may never see each other again in this lifetime; without a doubt I am certain, we will meet again in the next.
As I approached the corner coffee shop I scanned the room. Since Tallahassee is a college town, I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought I’d find a nice, quiet place to study. The store was crawling with students hoping to find their own corner of solitude. Immediately my eyes spotted the nearly last vacant chair in the cafe. If I could get there quickly, maybe I could grab it before someone else did. As I made my way toward the chair, I noticed a man sitting in the one next to it. Our eyes met, making me a bit uneasy, but I thought to myself, “What could happen? We are in an open public place.”, so I proceeded, and am I ever glad I did.
As I got closer and placed my articles on the seat, we greeted each other, as I searched for an outlet. He kindly informed me it was behind the chair, I thanked him and acknowledged the temperature outside. His comment was: “It’s hard to use reverse psychology in this cold; I came here hoping to find some warmth.” Moved, I offered to buy him a cup of java, and that was the beginning of a very rewarding afternoon, at least for me anyway.
In our discussions we spoke much about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and angels. We spoke of the blessings I receive in serving as MOPS Mentor; and of the many hurting women in the world. We spoke of Vietnam and the things he saw, the pain he felt, and how hard it is to forget. We spoke of people in general, how very few give him the time of day. How, because of his appearance, or lack of it; those in fine business suits just brush him off as if he were a pesky fly. We spoke of how people need to be less judgmental and more encouraging, and how we should be mirrors of Christ rather than the opposite. We spoke of how great God is and how few acknowledge Him. We spoke of the fact that God does more for us than we give Him credit for; and that our country is better off than most, yet we appreciate our blessings the least.
We spoke of so much I can hardly remember it all; but I can still remember his unshaven face, his messy- more salt than pepper hair. I remember that his khaki jacket and grey pants appeared to be older than the hills. I remember his teeth that probably haven’t seen a dentist in several years and his soft, trembling voice that at times cracked, when he was thinking of what to say. I remember asking him if he was a professor and his answer, “No not any more.” I remember him telling me he had a journal and every entry he wrote began with God. I remember feeling his pain…
In three and a half hours, in the corner of that café; I felt the love of God evident in my life more than I have in the past several months. In one afternoon, my eyes were opened to the fact that no matter how much or how little a person has, no matter what pains or failures he’s experienced, no matter how lonely or blessed, if he chooses to focus his eyes on the prize, which is Christ Jesus; he’s better than blessed.
Bill thanked me several times for befriending him. When I asked if he believed God spoke to him, he said yes. He said he believed God spoke to him directly and sometimes through angels. I told him I agree. As he stood up and began to walk away, for an instant, I glanced down at my computer. When I lifted my head, and scanned the room, he was gone, as if he’d disappeared. There was so much more I wanted to say, so much more I wanted to do, but our time was up. I am certain he was real, I witnessed him eat a cookie and drink a cup of coffee; otherwise, I’d have sworn, he was an angel.
God knew I went to the bookstore on a mission, but He had other plans. He sent to me a lonely soul who needed a friend. In doing so, He and took my focus off my mission, and made His mission mine.
That day, God used Bill, to bring more joy and insight into my life than Bill will ever know. I can only hope God used me to bless him, as well. Though we went our separate ways and may never see each other again in this lifetime; without a doubt I am certain, we will meet again in the next.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Leave Your Cares AT The Cross
We hear the phrase “Give it to Jesus” around the church community, but do we really understand what it means? We know that holding on to things that cause us grief is not good practice, but we still do it. Not until we begin to see our circumstances destroy our life, do we wake up. Why is this so? Why does it take us hitting rock bottom; to change our ways?
I believe fear is the reason. Fear of getting out of our comfort zone, (even if our comfort is our enemy) our own little hedge of protection; and facing what is on the other side of the bush. For many the unknown is hard to face.
Last weekend our office staff went to an overnight seminar in Orlando. I had been only working at the office three short months and this was my first outing. Not quite sure what to expect, I was a bit nervous. The thought of being away from my own comfortable surroundings, was causing a bit of anxiety for me. You might be asking, “How old is she?” Well, to answer your question, I am old enough that it shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did and that’s that. As it happened, I went and all was fine. In fact, it gave me a chance to get to know the other girls better and my comfort level is better than before. Our next go round is in a couple of months and I’m actually looking forward to it.
Even though my situation was not a life threatening one, it did have its discomforts. Until I let go of my fears and took the bull by the horn, there was no way I was going to know the outcome. Same goes with you.
Letting go is never easy. As parents we are devastated when our children take their first drive on their own, or move to what seems like a million miles away. As adult children, losing a parent is devastating and even more so if we lose a child. As humans if our marriage ends in divorce or we lose a good friend, it hurts!
Carrying an addiction such as alcohol, substance abuse, pornography or even a bad attitude can be hard to bear. Stress and tension weigh on our shoulders and we wonder why our health is failing. What is it going to take to rid our lives of the things that are pulling us down, the very things we regard as our security blankets?
I have a prayer box that sits on my desk, a remnant from Blessings. This little box has a cross on the top and the words engraved on its side that read: “Give it to Jesus.” Whenever I find myself in a tizzy, worried about something I have no business being worried about, needing to change a wicked way or rid my life of a sin, I write it down, place it in the box, say a prayer and then leave it there. Not!
I, just like many of you, give it to Jesus one day and take it back the next. On one hand I give my children to Him and on the other I worry if they are warm or have enough to eat. On one hand, I trust that He is all I need to make it through, on the other I look for answers elsewhere. On one, I surrender my dreams, on the other I fret because they haven’t come true. What is wrong with this picture? If I am going to trust God with my life, I must trust Him with everything in every area!
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Prov 3:5-8 KJV
KJV
What does this passage say to you? To me it says this:
I can’t trust the Lord halfheartedly or try and figure things out on your own, and expect my circumstances to change. I must trust Him 100% and let Him do the work. To me it says I must call on Him in every situation not just the difficult ones, and He will help me and show me what to do. I do not know-it-all; I need His help with everyday things. I must let go of wicked ways in fear and love of God. How can I expect God to heal and make me strong if I am not willing to do my part?
If you are reluctant to let go of your security blanket, or move out of your comfort zone, in fear of what lies ahead, remember Proverbs 3. Trust in the Lord and He will direct your path. He will give you the strength you need to make it through. As you begin to leave your cares at the cross, peace will come and before you know it your prayer box will be empty, your life will be happier and your worries gone.
I believe fear is the reason. Fear of getting out of our comfort zone, (even if our comfort is our enemy) our own little hedge of protection; and facing what is on the other side of the bush. For many the unknown is hard to face.
Last weekend our office staff went to an overnight seminar in Orlando. I had been only working at the office three short months and this was my first outing. Not quite sure what to expect, I was a bit nervous. The thought of being away from my own comfortable surroundings, was causing a bit of anxiety for me. You might be asking, “How old is she?” Well, to answer your question, I am old enough that it shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did and that’s that. As it happened, I went and all was fine. In fact, it gave me a chance to get to know the other girls better and my comfort level is better than before. Our next go round is in a couple of months and I’m actually looking forward to it.
Even though my situation was not a life threatening one, it did have its discomforts. Until I let go of my fears and took the bull by the horn, there was no way I was going to know the outcome. Same goes with you.
Letting go is never easy. As parents we are devastated when our children take their first drive on their own, or move to what seems like a million miles away. As adult children, losing a parent is devastating and even more so if we lose a child. As humans if our marriage ends in divorce or we lose a good friend, it hurts!
Carrying an addiction such as alcohol, substance abuse, pornography or even a bad attitude can be hard to bear. Stress and tension weigh on our shoulders and we wonder why our health is failing. What is it going to take to rid our lives of the things that are pulling us down, the very things we regard as our security blankets?
I have a prayer box that sits on my desk, a remnant from Blessings. This little box has a cross on the top and the words engraved on its side that read: “Give it to Jesus.” Whenever I find myself in a tizzy, worried about something I have no business being worried about, needing to change a wicked way or rid my life of a sin, I write it down, place it in the box, say a prayer and then leave it there. Not!
I, just like many of you, give it to Jesus one day and take it back the next. On one hand I give my children to Him and on the other I worry if they are warm or have enough to eat. On one hand, I trust that He is all I need to make it through, on the other I look for answers elsewhere. On one, I surrender my dreams, on the other I fret because they haven’t come true. What is wrong with this picture? If I am going to trust God with my life, I must trust Him with everything in every area!
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Prov 3:5-8 KJV
KJV
What does this passage say to you? To me it says this:
I can’t trust the Lord halfheartedly or try and figure things out on your own, and expect my circumstances to change. I must trust Him 100% and let Him do the work. To me it says I must call on Him in every situation not just the difficult ones, and He will help me and show me what to do. I do not know-it-all; I need His help with everyday things. I must let go of wicked ways in fear and love of God. How can I expect God to heal and make me strong if I am not willing to do my part?
If you are reluctant to let go of your security blanket, or move out of your comfort zone, in fear of what lies ahead, remember Proverbs 3. Trust in the Lord and He will direct your path. He will give you the strength you need to make it through. As you begin to leave your cares at the cross, peace will come and before you know it your prayer box will be empty, your life will be happier and your worries gone.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Each New Year Brings New Resolutions
A New Year no doubt brings new resolutions. And with those resolutions, the old passes away and all things become new, right?
Things don’t change overnight, at least not in the world I come from. People don’t just flip a switch and everything is hunky dory. Change takes time and time brings change. It’s the whole cycle thing. We first are planted in the womb, then born as little babies, we grow to be toddlers, pre-teens, teens, young adults, adults (in mid-life crisis) and then, yes “living the life Seniors”! I have never known anyone born an immediate adult, have you? So why then, do we expect our toddlers to act like grown-ups, our teens to live like adults and our spouses to be perfect, all in one day? Why do we hold such high expectations of others? Why can’t we accept one another as we are in spite of our weaknesses? Is it really so hard to be kind and encouraging rather than scolding and abusing?
I went to return a gift today, that I had bought my dad for Christmas. It was something that he just couldn’t use so I offered to do what I despise, wait in the return line at Wal-Mart! The line was long and the employees no doubt were ready for their shift to be over, but Wal-Mart came through with my return, no questions asked. The cashier handled my request for a refund without a receipt, with kindness, care and a smile. Thanks Barbara!
I said all that to say this. In my rush to get to work, I mistakenly took 2 spaces in the Wal-Mart parking lot. After I did my business, as I was walking towards my car I noticed what I had done and thought to myself, “Wow, I took two spaces and didn’t even know it.” I shrugged it off as a mistake and kept walking. Upon getting closer, I noticed a note in my driver’s door. As I pulled it out, the paper tore and the signature of the writer remained in the handle. I began to read the note and was amazingly shocked at what was written. The note read something like this: “Why don’t you learn how to drive so someone else can have a parking space!” When I pulled the remaining piece out of the door in an attempt to see who wrote it, I realized the signature was not really a signature after all. It was rather, a derogatory name that began with dumb but didn’t stop there! If that was the author’s name, shame on his or her parents. Even on their worst day I can’t imagine giving any of our children such a name.
What is it about our world today? We can’t wait in line at the grocery without murmuring, we can’t sit at a red light without complaining, or park at the end of the lot without finding something to gripe about? Instead we should be thanking God for the money to spend, a car to drive and legs to walk with. Rather than sharing kind words of understanding we bark and growl ravenously at one another, as if we are fighting for our last meal. God help us!
Where is our love, where is our compassion? Have we forgotten what the scriptures say? Have we forgotten the greatest of all commands?
In Matthew the twenty second book and thirty seventh verse, Jesus responded to the lawyer’s question in this way: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” NISB
Who in their right mind if he loved himself, would murder an innocent child or take the life of a mother? Who would beat and rape an innocent woman for mere pennies? Who would rob a bank and torment an innocent teller? Who would slander his opponent and tear down his reputation all for a position of power?
Over and over, if you watch the news you find countless victims of such heinous crimes.
Why? In my opinion, it’s because there are too many people walking around lost and in need of a Savior. Likewise, there are many who have known Him and lost sight of who He really is.
2Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.”
So let’s talk real New Year resolutions…forget the diets and the promise to spend less. Forget the trip to the gym everyday and getting organized. Those are all well and good. Why not make a change that’s more important? Why not make a change of the heart? Let’s resolve to speak kindly, share abundantly and love unconditionally. Let’s go back to the Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.” Let’s become the new creature verse 17 talks about. Is that too much to ask?
Things don’t change overnight, at least not in the world I come from. People don’t just flip a switch and everything is hunky dory. Change takes time and time brings change. It’s the whole cycle thing. We first are planted in the womb, then born as little babies, we grow to be toddlers, pre-teens, teens, young adults, adults (in mid-life crisis) and then, yes “living the life Seniors”! I have never known anyone born an immediate adult, have you? So why then, do we expect our toddlers to act like grown-ups, our teens to live like adults and our spouses to be perfect, all in one day? Why do we hold such high expectations of others? Why can’t we accept one another as we are in spite of our weaknesses? Is it really so hard to be kind and encouraging rather than scolding and abusing?
I went to return a gift today, that I had bought my dad for Christmas. It was something that he just couldn’t use so I offered to do what I despise, wait in the return line at Wal-Mart! The line was long and the employees no doubt were ready for their shift to be over, but Wal-Mart came through with my return, no questions asked. The cashier handled my request for a refund without a receipt, with kindness, care and a smile. Thanks Barbara!
I said all that to say this. In my rush to get to work, I mistakenly took 2 spaces in the Wal-Mart parking lot. After I did my business, as I was walking towards my car I noticed what I had done and thought to myself, “Wow, I took two spaces and didn’t even know it.” I shrugged it off as a mistake and kept walking. Upon getting closer, I noticed a note in my driver’s door. As I pulled it out, the paper tore and the signature of the writer remained in the handle. I began to read the note and was amazingly shocked at what was written. The note read something like this: “Why don’t you learn how to drive so someone else can have a parking space!” When I pulled the remaining piece out of the door in an attempt to see who wrote it, I realized the signature was not really a signature after all. It was rather, a derogatory name that began with dumb but didn’t stop there! If that was the author’s name, shame on his or her parents. Even on their worst day I can’t imagine giving any of our children such a name.
What is it about our world today? We can’t wait in line at the grocery without murmuring, we can’t sit at a red light without complaining, or park at the end of the lot without finding something to gripe about? Instead we should be thanking God for the money to spend, a car to drive and legs to walk with. Rather than sharing kind words of understanding we bark and growl ravenously at one another, as if we are fighting for our last meal. God help us!
Where is our love, where is our compassion? Have we forgotten what the scriptures say? Have we forgotten the greatest of all commands?
In Matthew the twenty second book and thirty seventh verse, Jesus responded to the lawyer’s question in this way: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” NISB
Who in their right mind if he loved himself, would murder an innocent child or take the life of a mother? Who would beat and rape an innocent woman for mere pennies? Who would rob a bank and torment an innocent teller? Who would slander his opponent and tear down his reputation all for a position of power?
Over and over, if you watch the news you find countless victims of such heinous crimes.
Why? In my opinion, it’s because there are too many people walking around lost and in need of a Savior. Likewise, there are many who have known Him and lost sight of who He really is.
2Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.”
So let’s talk real New Year resolutions…forget the diets and the promise to spend less. Forget the trip to the gym everyday and getting organized. Those are all well and good. Why not make a change that’s more important? Why not make a change of the heart? Let’s resolve to speak kindly, share abundantly and love unconditionally. Let’s go back to the Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.” Let’s become the new creature verse 17 talks about. Is that too much to ask?
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