"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord, "and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
One of the cries of my heart these days is that the Lord would give me His perspective on life. It's taken me a while, but I'm finally understanding that I don't always see things the way they really are. In fact, most of the time I don't see things the way they really are at all. My perspective is often clouded with my sin, my desires, my fears and my weaknesses. I need to see my marriage and my husband the way He sees them. I need to see my children (and my grandchildren) the way He sees them. I need to see my ministry, my calling and my purpose the way He sees them.
If I don't have the Lord's perspective then I will likely make decisions that are not in the best interests of myself, my family, my friends and my ministry. Most of all, I could easily make choices that cause me to miss out on God's best for me.
My husband enjoys watching old westerns on television. From time to time I like to sit down and slide into the "old west" for a few minutes, too. I especially get caught up in the situations where a group of settlers on their way west stop for a brief reprieve at a rugged old fort or an outpost. They often feel secure and protected within the gates of the fort until the young man way up in the look-out tower starts reporting on who is coming in the distance. What they see on the ground is often totally different from what he can see from his perspective. Even though they may feel perfectly safe at the moment, he knows if danger is just over the next hill and moving their way. Because of his position, the look-out guy has a much better understanding or perspective on their situation. If they listen to him, they can be prepared for what is coming.
In the same way, the trusted look-out can see if even beyond the danger that's approaching, the cavalry is pulling up behind them and help is on the way.
The spiritual connection is pretty clear, isn't it? The people within the fort would be pretty foolish to only rely on what they can see to make decisions about their safety and their future. They desperately need to trust someone who sees far beyond what they are capable of seeing.
Ask God for His perspective on your situation. He can see much further ahead than you can and He's on your side.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Jars of Clay
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us."' 2 Corinthians 4:7
2 Corinthians 4:7 is hands down my favorite scripture. Maybe it's because it very honestly reminds me of who I am--nobody. Nobody without the Lord Jesus, of course. I have read that in biblical times homes usually had a number of containers of various sizes, colors and materials. Different occasions called for certain containers. However, the regular clay jar was what one usually had the most of.
If you were expecting special guests you might want to use the more expensive containers from which to serve them. If it were just you and the family, the basic jar of clay would do just fine.
A very interesting note that I picked up on here; someone remarked that oftentimes folks would hide their most precious possessions--perhaps some precious stone or a little bag of coins in one of their many clay pots. It would be unlikely for a thief to think to look in one of the numerous jars of clay for a special treasure. Thus, the unassuming jar of clay often become the vessel that held that which was most valuable. It wasn't the jar that was of lasting value. It was what it contained--a treasure!
The spiritual application is obvious, isn't it? We are the jars of clay. The gift of knowing Christ (the Good News) and his Holy Spirit dwelling in us is the treasure. My Dad always says, "Remember who you are and remember whose you are."
Jars of clay. hmmm. Yeah, I like that.
2 Corinthians 4:7 is hands down my favorite scripture. Maybe it's because it very honestly reminds me of who I am--nobody. Nobody without the Lord Jesus, of course. I have read that in biblical times homes usually had a number of containers of various sizes, colors and materials. Different occasions called for certain containers. However, the regular clay jar was what one usually had the most of.
If you were expecting special guests you might want to use the more expensive containers from which to serve them. If it were just you and the family, the basic jar of clay would do just fine.
A very interesting note that I picked up on here; someone remarked that oftentimes folks would hide their most precious possessions--perhaps some precious stone or a little bag of coins in one of their many clay pots. It would be unlikely for a thief to think to look in one of the numerous jars of clay for a special treasure. Thus, the unassuming jar of clay often become the vessel that held that which was most valuable. It wasn't the jar that was of lasting value. It was what it contained--a treasure!
The spiritual application is obvious, isn't it? We are the jars of clay. The gift of knowing Christ (the Good News) and his Holy Spirit dwelling in us is the treasure. My Dad always says, "Remember who you are and remember whose you are."
Jars of clay. hmmm. Yeah, I like that.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Rainy Days and Mondays
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5
As my husband and I drove home from dropping one of our cars at the mechanic this morning we remarked about the fact that it is Monday and it is raining--again! I love living in New England and I love the rain but after a while something inside me longs for a glimpse of the sun again.
We reminisced about the old Carpenter's song, "Rainy Days and Mondays". Yes, that would put us smack dab in the middle of the 70's. I'll never forget the sad sound of Karen Carpenter's voice as she began the song..."Talking to myself and feelin' old. Sometimes I'd like to quit. Nothin' ever seems to fit. Hangin' around--nothin' to do but frown. Rainy days and Mondays always get me down..."
Even if you're an "Up" person, from time to time life can really get to you, can't it? Maybe it's a health issue, or a financial struggle, or a personal struggle involving your spouse or a child. Let's face it. We've all had those days when we just cried out to the Lord and said, "I can't do this anymore--it's too hard!" What do you think the Lord says when we cry out to him in that way? Does he say, "Don't be a baby," or "Come on. Pull yourself together. You're embarrassing us both!" No, I don't think so. He usually says something like this to me,"I know this is hard. I know you feel like giving up. But hold on to me--I will see you through this."
I love this verse in Psalm 42 because David is basically having a talk with himself. He's saying, "Why are you so down? Remember where your hope is. It doesn't feel like it now but one day you will praise Him for all of this!"
We sing a song in our church called, "I Still Run To You". The last part of the song says, "Though sometimes my mind's confused my heart still knows what's true: That you alone are faithful, the One that I run to. When all the world deserts me I still run, I still run, I still run to You."
Rainy days and Mondays will come and go. As long as our hope is Him--we're going to be OK!
As my husband and I drove home from dropping one of our cars at the mechanic this morning we remarked about the fact that it is Monday and it is raining--again! I love living in New England and I love the rain but after a while something inside me longs for a glimpse of the sun again.
We reminisced about the old Carpenter's song, "Rainy Days and Mondays". Yes, that would put us smack dab in the middle of the 70's. I'll never forget the sad sound of Karen Carpenter's voice as she began the song..."Talking to myself and feelin' old. Sometimes I'd like to quit. Nothin' ever seems to fit. Hangin' around--nothin' to do but frown. Rainy days and Mondays always get me down..."
Even if you're an "Up" person, from time to time life can really get to you, can't it? Maybe it's a health issue, or a financial struggle, or a personal struggle involving your spouse or a child. Let's face it. We've all had those days when we just cried out to the Lord and said, "I can't do this anymore--it's too hard!" What do you think the Lord says when we cry out to him in that way? Does he say, "Don't be a baby," or "Come on. Pull yourself together. You're embarrassing us both!" No, I don't think so. He usually says something like this to me,"I know this is hard. I know you feel like giving up. But hold on to me--I will see you through this."
I love this verse in Psalm 42 because David is basically having a talk with himself. He's saying, "Why are you so down? Remember where your hope is. It doesn't feel like it now but one day you will praise Him for all of this!"
We sing a song in our church called, "I Still Run To You". The last part of the song says, "Though sometimes my mind's confused my heart still knows what's true: That you alone are faithful, the One that I run to. When all the world deserts me I still run, I still run, I still run to You."
Rainy days and Mondays will come and go. As long as our hope is Him--we're going to be OK!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
I Need To Hear Your Voice
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27
As with all kids, when my children were young they would often find themselves in what to them were very "scary" circumstances. Perhaps a fall from their bicycle, a skinned knee, a finger accidentally closed in the door or a "monster in the closet" at bedtime. Even more terrifying for them (and for me) were the few times we got separated in a department store, a family picnic or playground. Panic sets in with children usually about the time they realize that no one who looks familiar is anywhere around and they know they need some help.
However, I noticed something very interesting when my children were separated from me--I usually discovered it long before they did. In fact, I was already looking for them before they realized that they needed me. I began calling out to them often before they knew they were lost. Because of that, they usually heard my voice long before they saw my face. The sound of my voice was such a comfort that it helped them calm down until they could see me with their eyes.
The spiritual lesson here is more than obvious, isn't it? Do you ever have those days when the enemy really does seem to be "coming in like a flood"? (Isaiah 59:19) Do you ever feel the need to cry out to the Lord, "I need to hear your voice!" Or as my children used to say, "I need you, I need you!" I have learned to do that more and more the older I get. And guess what I've discovered? He has started calling out to me long before I even realized I was working up to that panicky feeling. He already knew I needed to hear Him. His voice often sounds something like this: "It's going to be OK. I know what's going on better than you do. Don't make any quick decisions, don't panic. I really am still in control. Hold on to me."
As with all kids, when my children were young they would often find themselves in what to them were very "scary" circumstances. Perhaps a fall from their bicycle, a skinned knee, a finger accidentally closed in the door or a "monster in the closet" at bedtime. Even more terrifying for them (and for me) were the few times we got separated in a department store, a family picnic or playground. Panic sets in with children usually about the time they realize that no one who looks familiar is anywhere around and they know they need some help.
However, I noticed something very interesting when my children were separated from me--I usually discovered it long before they did. In fact, I was already looking for them before they realized that they needed me. I began calling out to them often before they knew they were lost. Because of that, they usually heard my voice long before they saw my face. The sound of my voice was such a comfort that it helped them calm down until they could see me with their eyes.
The spiritual lesson here is more than obvious, isn't it? Do you ever have those days when the enemy really does seem to be "coming in like a flood"? (Isaiah 59:19) Do you ever feel the need to cry out to the Lord, "I need to hear your voice!" Or as my children used to say, "I need you, I need you!" I have learned to do that more and more the older I get. And guess what I've discovered? He has started calling out to me long before I even realized I was working up to that panicky feeling. He already knew I needed to hear Him. His voice often sounds something like this: "It's going to be OK. I know what's going on better than you do. Don't make any quick decisions, don't panic. I really am still in control. Hold on to me."
Feeling better already? Me, too.
Monday, May 18, 2009
All My Ducks In A Row
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation of salvation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5
Yes, I must confess I am one of those. I often operate under that familiar lie from the enemy that I can't be truly happy unless and until all my ducks are in a row. You, too? Where do we get that anyway? I don't know that there has ever been a time in all of my christian life when all my ducks were actually in a row. I'm not even sure how many ducks I have!
If you've ever been a student of ducks for long, you realize that getting them all in a row is pretty much an impossibility. While you are off chasing one, three others pack up and head out in a different direction!
Maybe instead of trying to line everything up the way I want it to be, I would be better off realizing that God is the one who is really in charge of all the ducks anyway. I love this section in Romans chapter 5 that reminds me that problems (or ducks out of line) are simply an opportunity for God to teach me to endure. Oh boy, there's a word--endure--but that's for another day. His ultimate goal for me is strengthening my character and building up my confidence in this gift He has given me called salvation. One of his expressions of His deep love for me is the gift of His precious Holy Spirit. John 16 gives us the "job description" of the Holy Spirit. Verse 13 says, that he will guide us into all truth. That must include ducks and how to deal with them!
I love the quote from Corrie ten Boom that we shared in Women's group last week, "God has no problems--just plans!"
Hmmm. I like that.
Yes, I must confess I am one of those. I often operate under that familiar lie from the enemy that I can't be truly happy unless and until all my ducks are in a row. You, too? Where do we get that anyway? I don't know that there has ever been a time in all of my christian life when all my ducks were actually in a row. I'm not even sure how many ducks I have!
If you've ever been a student of ducks for long, you realize that getting them all in a row is pretty much an impossibility. While you are off chasing one, three others pack up and head out in a different direction!
Maybe instead of trying to line everything up the way I want it to be, I would be better off realizing that God is the one who is really in charge of all the ducks anyway. I love this section in Romans chapter 5 that reminds me that problems (or ducks out of line) are simply an opportunity for God to teach me to endure. Oh boy, there's a word--endure--but that's for another day. His ultimate goal for me is strengthening my character and building up my confidence in this gift He has given me called salvation. One of his expressions of His deep love for me is the gift of His precious Holy Spirit. John 16 gives us the "job description" of the Holy Spirit. Verse 13 says, that he will guide us into all truth. That must include ducks and how to deal with them!
I love the quote from Corrie ten Boom that we shared in Women's group last week, "God has no problems--just plans!"
Hmmm. I like that.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Day and Night Meditations
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:2
What a beautiful picture of what devotion to the Lord should be! The word meditate here is hagah which means "to reflect, to moan, to mutter to ponder; to make a quiet sound such as sighing: to meditate or comtemplate something as one repeats the words." Wow! There is no word for all that in our English language!
The Spirit-Filled Life Bible says that in Hebrew thought, to meditate upon the Scriptures is to quietly repeat them in a soft, droning sound, while utterly abandoning outside distractions.
I would dare to say that nothing is more precious to the Lord's ears than to hear His children repeating his words and letting them penetrate their spirit as they speak them. Conversely, I am sure that nothing is more repulsive to the enemy than to hear God's children speaking God's promises and declaring God's faithfulness.
When my kids were little and having trouble making right choices, I would often ask them, "Who loves you more than anything - God or the enemy?" Ofcourse they knew that God loved them. Then I would ask, "So whose side do you want to be on?" That one wasn't too hard either.
Delight in and meditate on his words day and night-- no matter what your situation. Don't wait for the feeling to motivate you, His word changes everything!
So whose side do you want to be on?
What a beautiful picture of what devotion to the Lord should be! The word meditate here is hagah which means "to reflect, to moan, to mutter to ponder; to make a quiet sound such as sighing: to meditate or comtemplate something as one repeats the words." Wow! There is no word for all that in our English language!
The Spirit-Filled Life Bible says that in Hebrew thought, to meditate upon the Scriptures is to quietly repeat them in a soft, droning sound, while utterly abandoning outside distractions.
I would dare to say that nothing is more precious to the Lord's ears than to hear His children repeating his words and letting them penetrate their spirit as they speak them. Conversely, I am sure that nothing is more repulsive to the enemy than to hear God's children speaking God's promises and declaring God's faithfulness.
When my kids were little and having trouble making right choices, I would often ask them, "Who loves you more than anything - God or the enemy?" Ofcourse they knew that God loved them. Then I would ask, "So whose side do you want to be on?" That one wasn't too hard either.
Delight in and meditate on his words day and night-- no matter what your situation. Don't wait for the feeling to motivate you, His word changes everything!
So whose side do you want to be on?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Hurry Up And.....Wait?
"...but wait for the gift my Father promised,.....in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."Acts 1:4-5
With the analytical mind of a physician, Luke describes to his good friend Theophilus the amazing events that occured following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. He begins by setting the stage for the awesome entrance of God's Holy Spirit into the picture.
The ragtag little band of 120 brothers and sisters likely didn't really have a clue regarding what they were about to be a part of. All they knew was that their Lord had given specific directions before he left. His directions weren't really difficult to understand. In fact, they could really be summed up in just one word.....Wait! Yep, that pretty much covers it--waiting. No mention of planning or strategy or worry--just wait. Not my favorite word. How about you?
If they didn't plan or strategize or worry while they waited, then what did they do? You guessed it--they prayed. Where do you think they learned that? They may not have been the theologians of their day but they knew what to ask for. In Luke 11:1 the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray..." We have no record of them ever asking so specifically for anything from Jesus as when they asked him to teach them to pray. Maybe they caught onto something that we still miss--Jesus' power came from his prayer time with the Father. Prayer unlocks the door that welcomes in the power of God.
Been directed by the Lord to wait lately? It's not easy, is it? Be committed not to plan or strategize or worry. Instead why not pray? It's likely that the Holy Spirit's power is waiting on the other side and your prayers will unlock the door for Him to move in ways you have not imagined.
With the analytical mind of a physician, Luke describes to his good friend Theophilus the amazing events that occured following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. He begins by setting the stage for the awesome entrance of God's Holy Spirit into the picture.
The ragtag little band of 120 brothers and sisters likely didn't really have a clue regarding what they were about to be a part of. All they knew was that their Lord had given specific directions before he left. His directions weren't really difficult to understand. In fact, they could really be summed up in just one word.....Wait! Yep, that pretty much covers it--waiting. No mention of planning or strategy or worry--just wait. Not my favorite word. How about you?
If they didn't plan or strategize or worry while they waited, then what did they do? You guessed it--they prayed. Where do you think they learned that? They may not have been the theologians of their day but they knew what to ask for. In Luke 11:1 the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray..." We have no record of them ever asking so specifically for anything from Jesus as when they asked him to teach them to pray. Maybe they caught onto something that we still miss--Jesus' power came from his prayer time with the Father. Prayer unlocks the door that welcomes in the power of God.
Been directed by the Lord to wait lately? It's not easy, is it? Be committed not to plan or strategize or worry. Instead why not pray? It's likely that the Holy Spirit's power is waiting on the other side and your prayers will unlock the door for Him to move in ways you have not imagined.
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