Light Bursting Forth

"And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]."
                                                                John 1:5




Christmastime is my favorite time of the year! I love the music and church services, as well as the decorations and choosing little gifts and blessings for others that will bring a smile to their faces. I love the baking and get togethers and spending time with all the people we love the most. Greater than all of these, however, is the remembrance of our Savior and how He chose to bring us the greatest gift of salvation by entering into our very dark world as The Light of the World.

When I look at our world today, it makes me wonder how similar things are today (in terms of darkness) as they were 2000 years ago. Does our degree of violence parallel that of the Roman soldiers?  Or, does the degree of intolerance for Christians today match that of the early church? Most importantly, does the disdain that the average man has for God compare to that of the time in which Jesus was born?

While we cannot know for certainty, what we do know is that the darker the world gets, the brighter the Light can shine. Even simple kindnesses and courtesies stand out today that would have been taken for granted not that long ago. Our world is rapidly changing around us, which fully gives believers the opportunity to shine brighter than was previously possible.

While it is sometimes difficult to fathom, we are truly blessed to be living in the times that we are. The apostle, Luke, tells us that "many prophets and kings longed to see what you see and they did not see it, and to hear what you hear and they did not hear it" (Luke 10:24). We are literally watching Biblical prophecy occur and are now the closest generation to the second coming of Christ!

This means that today we now have more opportunities spiritually than we have previously had. To appropriate all the promises that God has given to us, we have to "stand firm and hold fast" (2 Thessalonians 2:15) to our faith and not allow discouragement to seep in.  As we keep our eyes on Jesus and on His Word, He is our Spiritual Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4) that keeps us firmly planted, even in these turbulent times.

Jesus is the Only Light of this world.  He told us that we, also, are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). His Light shines in and through us no matter what may come against us. While darkness tries to invade through sickness, death, pressure, and lack, we know that, with God, there is always Light and there is always hope. Light pierces the darkness and no matter how daunting our circumstances may appear, Light always wins when we trust in God.

Often, God may allow difficulties and trials so that others (who do not yet know Him), will see His mighty hand work and move on our behalf. The prophet, Isaiah, tells us that "The people who walk in darkness will see great Light; those who live in a dark land, the Light will shine upon them" (Isaiah 9:2). This, to me, is both the beauty and the miracle of Christmas.

If, today, you are wondering where the Light in your life has gone, or you are feeling like darkness has come in like a flood, look up! This is definitely the time and the season where God is igniting life and light. Just as the world desperately needed the birth and Light of Jesus 2000 years ago, this is also a time when the world cries out for it daily. He came in the form of a babe to bring salvation then, and  today He heralds the cry of a King and warrior to any who would hear. He still longs to bring to all the precious gift of salvation.

It doesn't matter what people may have said or done in your life. The only thing that truly matters is that we see and hear Jesus and that we continue to allow His Light to flow through our lives.

If life throws you a curve ball.... Shine on!

                 If a loved one veers off the path.... Shine on!

                              If darkness comes in like a flood..... Shine on!

                                        If Jesus should tarry...... Shine on!

                                                     If you have more questions than answers..... Shine on!

                                                                If others stand against you.... Shine, Shine, Shine on!


              IF WE JUST KEEP SHINING, HIS LIGHT WILL BURST FORTH!!!
                                               (Be patient; It is a promise!)

For The Love

"People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering... Now, let us acknowledge the wonder of our physical incarnation-- that we are here, in these particular bodies, at this particular time, in these particular circumstances. May we never take for granted the gift of our individuality."
                                                            St. Augustine




When I look at the current state of our country, I am compelled to pray for yet another reformation. We are in desperate need of an awakening that would cause our nation to once again rise and honor God and love and care for one another. Instead of factions and groups causing more dissension and division, it would sure be nice to see us come together and unite for the principles and standards that God set for us long ago.

It is heartbreaking to witness so many that are filled with hatred and determined to spew their venom on anyone who will listen to their rhetoric. It has, in fact, now escalated to the extent that violence has become commonplace and free speech is restricted. Evil has been elevated in the marketplace and truth and goodness are in jeopardy of being quenched.

For us, as believers, the anecdote is love. Jesus spoke of these times and He said that "everyone will know My disciples [by their] love" (John 13:35). We will never win the battle or the war raging on our culture if we do not genuinely exhibit the fruit of the Spirit and not engage in the lesser things.

If we really understand that we are living in the end times and that God has placed us here with purpose, we could begin to change the world in the ways that God has purposed for us to do. All of this begins and ends with the love of Christ. When God told us that people would know we are His disciples because of the love we have for each other (John 13:35), that was both a challenge and a commandment.

Jesus teaches us that love is both a decision and it is an action. That means that it can be inconvenient and sometimes even impossible to do in our own strength. Yet, God never leaves us ill- equipped for the task at hand. He empowers us to give out what He first gives to us.

One of the obstacles we deal with as believers is that the enemy of our souls is a master of illusion. He taunts us to focus on what we can see with our own eyes, rather than understanding the worth of our own soul, as well as the souls of those around us. He tempts us to get caught up in the frustration of loving those around us who are difficult to love, rather than genuinely serving them and praying for their salvation.

Too often and too easily we give up, rather than pressing in and understanding God's heart in a particular situation. We opt for convenience and what feels good instead of facing the obstacles and challenges that stand in the way of either exhibiting the love of Christ or becoming more like Christ, or both. I mean, let's be real, there are some people that exasperating on a good day. However, our lives have more meaning than to acquiesce to the pressure of not being everything that God has called us to be. If we are submitted to God's will, it will truly be "the love of Christ that compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14).

If we had to narrow it down to one reason why this country has not experienced revival, I think it all comes down to the issue of love. For quite a while, the Church in this country taught its members to be more main-stream and to fit in with the culture around us. Many people did, and, in the process, we only became more like the world, losing our saltiness and light.

Paul warned us that "in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, and unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, without self-control, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

We can see this both within and outside of the Church. It all boils down to one thing-- what is it that we love? Is it success, or notoriety, or significance from those around us? It is acknowledgement, or praise, or admiration we seek? Or, is it truly to live a life that is pleasing to God and eternally valuable to every person within the sphere of our influence? If the latter is true, then it can only be achieved by knowing how loved and valuable we are to God and then becoming distributors of the love He so lavishly bestows upon us.

Every one of us have people in our lives that desperately need to see and experience the love of God. We forget sometimes that that is what we are here to do. Look around... I'm sure you will see people who are sick, elderly who are homebound, single Mom's, young Mom's, difficult classmates and co-workers, children without parents, teachers who are overwhelmed, people who are hurting, men and women in jail, neighbors who are lonely, and even family members who would never ask for help, but genuinely have a need. There is no thing that is more Christ-like than to see a need, and then respond, in action, to meet that need.

Ask God to show you who needs the most help, and then ask Him to help you love them even more. Don't be surprised if they are the most "prickly" people because these are the ones who have been battered by life but have too many walls to ask for help. These are the ones who are crying out to see God's love and mercy in their lives. Rick Warren says, "Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature."

To spread love horizontally, we have to first receive it vertically. We do this by trusting God with our whole heart (Proverbs 3:5-6), seeking God with our whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13), and loving God with our whole heart (Deuteronomy 6:5). We pursue the things that God approves of, which is a "godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11).

Martin Luther's true message to the Church was one of repentance. That message is also desperately needed today. In America, we have strayed away from daily repentance and somehow believe that loving others is optional. It wasn't 500 years ago, and it is not today.

When the church in America distinguishes itself by love, we will see revival. It begins individually and then spreads like a wildfire. The world desperately needs to see the love of Christ and to experience it firsthand. This is when they will understand how much God loves them and the reason the church is here on planet earth. It is definitely for the Love!


    "The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now."
                                                                Rick Warren

Bigger Than Your Circumstances

"It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts."
                                                       Isaiah 45:12




These past few weeks have been a whirlwind for me. Brent and I dropped our youngest off to college (over 1500 miles away, but who's counting) and then returned home to Naples, Florida for a few days, only to evacuate because of hurricane Irma. My sudden empty nest had to quickly be deserted before I could even fully process the emotions I felt from dropping off my baby in a town as large as Boston. It was hard to even wrap my mind around all that we were experiencing.

Sometimes life can feel like it is careening out of control and, in times like these, it can be hard to find your footing. There are even circumstances that make us feel like we have been sucker-punched and it is hard to catch your breath. The unexpected happens and in a nanosecond our security becomes elusive and we find ourselves reeling from the impact.

These are the times when you find out just how deep the roots in your life dwell. If they are shallow and not grounded, it is easy to become fearful and anxious. If they are moderately deep, there will be intermittent times of peace and clarity that are sometimes interrupted by chaotic thoughts and worry about what is to come. If, however, your roots are deep, you will see the core values and belief systems that cannot be shaken under any circumstances. In other words, you know beyond a doubt that God is bigger than your circumstances and that His Word promises that He will make a way, even when it would seem that there is absolutely no way to be found.

As followers of Christ, our goal is to ultimately have unshakeable faith in God and to know that no matter what we face, He is bigger. Even though the continuum of difficulties can range from everyday stressors to life-changing grief and loss, it is still possible for us to grow in God's grace and move from shakiness to a faith that is unshakeable and able to stand and withstand the storms of this life.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, the apostle, Peter, did just that. God gives us a firsthand glimpse into Peter's growth beginning in the gospels, transitioning to the book of Acts, and then followed by the two letters that Peter wrote. As Peter walked with Jesus, he learned how to cooperate more and more to position himself into a place of alignment with God's will and purposes for his life.

His name began as Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter, which means "a stone" (John 1:35-42). The name Simon typifies his humanness and his old nature as clay, but, by the time Jesus finished working in him, he became "a rock" that was able to withstand much more than he did in the beginning. Peter and Paul were the two leading apostles of the early church and Peter's assignment was to strengthen his brethren (Luke 22:32) and to tend to the flock (John 21:15-17).

There were many lessons that Peter had to learn along the way in order to grow stronger in his faith. What started as a denial of the Messiah ultimately ended in his knowing the "living hope" (1 Peter 1:3) that only comes from knowing God in an intimate way. His knowledge was transformed from a mental assent to a heart knowledge that not only rocked his world but also the world around him for all future generations.

His story and his message in his letters are to encourage us today. Peter grew in: accepting and receiving the love of God,  knowing that God had chosen him, submission to God, and in confidence and security that God is All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and sovereign. His discernment matured as he understood how to stay alert and avoid temptation and to lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and protect him. He pursued holiness and kept his eyes on the Lord, rather than on his circumstances. He was prepared to endure persecution for the sake of Christ and he was connected in love and service to the local church.

When I survey Peter's growth in faith and dedication to the Lord, I realize that I still have a long way to go in my own faith. Too often, I pray and ask God to change my circumstances instead of looking at them more introspectively to learn what it is that God may be trying to teach me. Max Lucado says, "The circumstances we ask God to change are often the circumstances God is using to change us."

God created a marvelous creation and He still sits on the throne over all things. He has a purpose and a plan in every detail of our lives and He is not finished yet. Philippians 1:6 says, "Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

If we allow our circumstances to become bigger than our God, then they have become our god. We must intentionally toss out anything and everything that tries to rise up in our hearts to replace the One, True, Living God. He, alone, is the One who deserves our attention, time, and worship. Not anything or anyone else... even our loved ones.

We truly can trust Him with whatever we have concern. So, today, what is bigger in your mind and heart than God? Be honest. Are you concerned with:
                                       a family member
                                       your marriage
                                       an illness
                                       a betrayal
                                       an empty nest
                                       your job
                                       an alienated relationship
                                       your future
                                       someone who doesn't know Jesus
                                       fear
                                       anxiety
                                       finances
                                       a wayward child
                                       grief
                                       loss
                                       natural disasters
                                       divorce
                                       or any other worry

If so, then take the time to honestly evaluate how unshakeable your faith really is. If you hadn't noticed, God is really shaking things up in the world today. Through the prophet, Haggai, God tells us, "'Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake and make tremble the [starry] heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations and the desire and the precious things of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor,' says the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:6-7).

This is not the time to lose heart because God is preparing to return and fill His house with glory. He has a purpose and a plan in everything that He allows in our lives because He is intentionally shaking out everything that is not in alignment with His purposes. Within the church, God is preparing a people to carry the weight of His glory and accomplish His purposes in the earth.  At times, it can seem incomprehensible to us, and yet, He is busy behind the scenes preparing things that are better than we can even imagine. Trust Him to grow and strengthen you in this season.

The more we see shaking, the more we should confidently know that He is preparing an unshakeable kingdom for us. We should listen to God's Word and obey and pull in closer to Him as our refuge. Take every burden and concern to your Heavenly Father and know that He will handle it better than anything we could do. Rest in the confidence that whatever He allows the outcome of your situation to be that it will be used for His greater glory and our good.  He loves you beyond measure and has promised to take care of us. He is always good and definitely bigger than anything we may face!


"Dear children, you belong to God. So you have won the victory over [your giants], because He who is in you is greater than he that is in the world."
                                                               1 John 4:4

Thoughts from an Irma refugee....

For the past four and a half years, I have been blessed to call Naples, Florida my home. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and life there is peaceful and serene. A typical day is met with sunshine and palm trees, with pelicans and seagulls sailing calmly through the air and dipping into the gorgeous ocean to obtain their sustenance. Dolphins play in the expanse and people relax on white, sandy beaches.  Many people call Naples “paradise” because there are so many gorgeous places and aspects to living there.

All of that began to change on Monday. Suddenly, there was a mass rush to every Walmart, grocery store and gas station. Water was sold out on Monday, and there were long lines to get gas and building supplies. The usual laid back pace there became frenetic and worried. People scrambled to get supplies for the imminent hurricane, even though, at that point, it seemed it was poised to hit the East coast.

Still, most people who live in Florida become somewhat immune to impending hurricanes because that becomes a part of living in a place that is dubbed as paradise. You watch and prepare but deep inside there is a confidence that things will be fine and return to normal shortly. And that his what most people in Naples were doing.

On Tuesday, Irma shifted course slightly and now it began to look like it might hit in the middle of the state and maybe on the West coast. The pace quickened and some people began to make plans to leave. I happened to fall into this group because I would be traveling with my parents and my Mom had just had surgery and would be more challenged in her travel plans.  It occurred to me as we were leaving what a gorgeous day it was. We were able to book a hotel room in Valdosta and by 2:30 pm, we were on the road. Thankfully, we averted the heavy traffic that would begin the next day.

We drove the rest of the way to Tennessee on Wednesday, and that’s when things got dicier for residents in South Florida. At this point, the time to drive from Naples to Georgia (which usually takes 5 hours) began to take about 13 hours, and by Thursday the same distance took 19 hours. Gas stations began to run out of gas, and people had to wait for new supply to come.

I would really like to commend Governor Rick Scott for the amazing job he did on preparing the state for such an unimaginable catastrophe. He was very detailed and organized in his approach and exhibited exemplary leadership skills. He told Floridians in south Florida to finish up everything they had to do by 8pm on Friday because that is when tropical storm force winds would arrive on the scene. This is where the problem emanated.

Irma shifted again slightly to the West by Friday am and now Governor Scott had to evacuate Sarasota and Tampa. Highway I75 was so crowded that by noon on Friday no one else could leave South Florida because they would have been sitting on the expressway when Irma barreled in. Many people (including several friends of mine) thought they were prepared and thought they had time to evacuate but they did not. They had to remain in Naples despite their desire to leave.

Over 100,000 people ended up in shelters because time caught them in its grasp. Despite prudent preparedness, the clock ran out. Even though they thought they were ready, they really were not.

This makes me think about the storm on a more macular level, even on a spiritual one. The first verse I think of are words that Jesus Himself told us. He said, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” (Luke 21:25). I truly believe that Harvey and Irma are among the natural disasters of which Jesus warned us.
I think that, like the Southern Floridians, there will be many who will believe they are prepared for the return of Christ, only to find that the door has shut. In God’s mercy, He wants each one of us to be ready for His return. I pray that we can read the handwriting on the wall and be among those who are raptured up to the place that is the only true paradise!

My thoughts and prayers are with every Floridian and every victim of Harvey. Please know that God is with you and that His mercies abound even in the midst of the storm. Please know that He loves you more than you can imagine and that He prepares an eternal home for you, even now.

Love,
A Fellow Evacuee

Letting Go

                         "Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool."
                                                            Psalm 132:7




We all experience so many seasons in our lives, and, for me, this is truly a reflective one. Thirty-four years ago, I became a Mom for the very first time and have always had children under roof for the duration. This will be the first time in thirty-four years that I will not, as our youngest daughter, Abigail, is heading off to Boston for college. All my other children went to college close by, which was just perfect for me. This time, however, will be totally different and I am still trying to figure out the logistics of it all.

In my mind, I know this is an exciting time for Abbie and the perfect transition for her into adulthood. However, my heart does not yet know that. As we finish up this last week of having her at home, it is really hard not to feel a "pit" in my stomach and to continually fight the urge to burst into tears. Yet, I know that as hard as this transition may be, that God does have a good plan for our family and that I will learn to trust Him yet again.

"Letting go" is not something that comes easily for me. I really do not like change and I definitely do not like having my children thousands of miles away. All of my happiest memories are the ones where every family member is together at home and we all have the time to just hang out and enjoy each other's company. To me, this is what feels right and good and the way it should be.

However, it cannot always be this way. God has a plan for each one of our children, and, deep in my heart, I don't want to stand in the way of that. It's being caught in the tension of what is supposed to be and what I would really prefer to happen that creates a conundrum for me. It is in recognizing that God has a higher  purpose and calling that brings me to my knees and cries out for His comfort in the deepest recesses of my heart and soul.

When people use the phrase to "let go and let God", I don't think this means to passively just sit back and do nothing. For me, it is to let go of what my expectations are and to trust that God has a better plan. This holds true especially if I don't understand His plan or if it doesn't feel good to me. His thoughts are definitely higher and all His ways are perfect.

I must learn to take every thought captive and not allow myself to worry about the myriad of things that are beyond my control- like her tripping up a flight of stairs or falling down off of her lofted bed. I cannot focus on the blizzards in Boston or potential natural disasters that could occur. I steer clear of all the medical possibilities including meningitis from living in the dorm (even though we did get the vaccination!). I remind myself that I don't believe in aliens so she won't be abducted and that all of us have survived steady diets of ramen noodles. Mostly, I allow God to calm my nerves and assure me that she will make good choices, and in the event she does not, that He will still be there to guide her steps and light her path. Oh yeah, and He always has been...Oh yeah, and He even loves her more than I do...

Asking God for more patience sometimes seems like something I want to avoid, however, in situations that are going to last for a long time, we might as well have the patience to go along with it. Prayer is one way to develop this skill because we seek God and learn to wait for His answers. He will give us supernatural strength to change our perspective.

All of us have areas in our lives where we need to release our grip and trust God more. Some of us hold too tightly to loved ones, or job security, or fighting illnesses or potential divorce. Instead of fully trusting in God, we can trust in ourselves or others.  We can also hold back in our giftings or callings because we allow fear or doubt to take control. Sometimes it is easier to stick with what is familiar than to successfully transition into the new place that God has for us.

The  new place can look scary or daunting or unfamiliar. We may have far more questions than we do answers. Don't pull back, though. Keep marching forward, knowing that God is with you and He will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. He is good and He is faithful!

While every season in our lives may have its' own unique challenges, each one also has its' own unique beauty and blessings. That is where we focus our thoughts, remembering to thank God for every gift He gives. Sometimes He gives us the gifts in the midst of bounty and sometimes in the midst of the desert.

Focusing on Him and worshipping and trusting Him will yield the greatest harvest in our lives. He honors and blesses our sacrifices of praise the most of all. He is the best Father of all and He will never allow anything into our lives that He will not ultimately work together for our good.

If today you have a lump in your throat or a pit in your stomach, take some time alone with God so He can calm your nerves and obliterate your fears. He is bigger than our greatest challenge and worthy of our highest praise. Turn it all over to Him and watch what He will do!


"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
                                                        Isaiah 41:10

The Goodness of God

      "The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend."
                                                        Aiden Wilson Tozer




If we could visit heaven temporarily to interview its occupants today, I wonder how each one of them would define the word good. Would they limit the definition to only experiencing the pleasant things in life, or would there be a deeper consideration for the things that would ultimately yield an outcome and a fruit that is good? Exactly how would some of the heroes of our faith, like Isaiah, or Esther,  or Jeremiah, or Paul, or Mary ( the mother of Jesus) answer this question? Especially now that they have the advantage of only seeing things from an eternal perspective. Oh, how I wish we could conduct that interview today!

It has been said that hindsight has 20/20 vision. I believe that true clarity comes when we focus our gaze through the eyes of the One who created this world and its inhabitants. I honestly do not believe that even the heroes of our faith had complete understanding of the sheer goodness of God and the mysteries of His ways until they were nestled in eternity and could see firsthand both how good God is and how good the things He does really are.

This was the dilemma that plagued the life of Asaph, one of the authors of the Psalms. Asaph was a Levite and one of the chief musicians under King David. He composed Psalm 73, as well as eleven others. Psalm 73 tackles the age-old problem of why the righteous have to suffer while it seems as if the ungodly prosper. This nagging question created quite the conundrum for this worshipper who confesses that at one point he almost walked away from his faith.

Asaph's assumption was not unlike many believers in the U.S. today. He thought that if God was good then He would constantly pour out His blessings on the righteous and deliver all the trials and difficulties to the unbelievers. While there is an element of truth in this assumption, it is far from being complete.

Consider what the author of Deuteronomy tells us when he says, "And you shall [earnestly]  remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in you [mind and] heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).

The real problem that Asaph had was not the fact that he was grappling with hard truths. Rather, it was the fact that his perspective was distorted. Instead of hating the sin of the ungodly, he envied their success. He self-righteously believed that he deserved God's blessings and when they eluded him, he concluded that all his righteous living had been in vain. He erroneously assigned his suffering as emanating from God and he decided to throw one big pity party!

He over-generalized and he defined the goodness of God as meaning "health and wealth" for himself.  By the end of Psalm 73, however, he realizes that his definition of good was inherently wrong. For the first time, he begins to view it from the vantage of eternity rather than from the here and now.

His thinking was transformed and so was his definition of the word good. Originally he had believed that the word good meant the absence of pain, sorrow, difficulty, poverty, and poor health. After his heart and mind were transformed, he said, "But, as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works" (psalm 73:28).

If we could really have a revelation of the goodness of God, our lives would forever be transformed. Even if we understand that God is good, we must also understand that even the bad things that occur in our lives will be used for good. Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was delivered to him by a "messenger of Satan" (2 Corinthians 12:7) but God allowed this so that His strength could be witnessed through Paul's weakness. What Joseph's brothers intended for his "evil", God intended "for good" so that He could save the lives of many people in the time of a severe famine (Genesis 50:20).

God works all things for our good and for His glory. Many times we would write a different script when it comes to the story of our lives, but it is His script that ultimately is the best for us. Often, we just don't understand what the larger plan is. This is why we walk by faith, knowing in our minds and hearts that God's very essence is good and that that will be parlayed into the construct of our lives. 

A true life of gratitude will take the difficulties in our lives and use them to honor God. Our flesh may want us to run and scream, but the Holy Spirit gives us grace to bring God glory. Ann Voscamp says, "Giving thanks is that: making the canyon of pain into a megaphone to proclaim the ultimate goodness of God when Satan and all the world would sneer at us to recant."

Honesty and truth are required to truly praise and worship in the midst of a storm. So is maturity in Christ. We have to be willing to allow Jesus to show us where our perceptions are distorted and where are hearts have become hardened. Not one of us has a perfect heart, and the ones who think they do are the most deceived of all. They are the best at concealing what's really inside, even to themselves.

The wilderness is the place where God exposes our hearts. He also exposes the intentions buried deep within our hearts. It takes humility to understand that it is God's Word that we need even more than we need our daily bread.  It takes courage and faith to continue the course fully confident that even the wilderness will be used for our good. It takes wisdom from above to know that "all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) are like filthy rags"  before the Lord (Isaiah 64:6).  It takes commitment and love to know that God is right by our side even as we traverse a dry land.

God always has been and always will be good. He is good in the good times and He is good in the difficult ones. His mercies and grace are poured over us as we grapple with the difficult questions we face. His greatest promise to us is that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He will forever be with us and for us. We can lift our voice of praise while we wield a two-edged sword in our hands (Psalm 149:6).

Asaph's perspective was changed when he quit looking at the circumstances around him and started looking at the destiny before him. We also need to do the same. Steven Furtick says, "What would happen if you stopped asking, 'God, why am I going through this?' and started asking, 'God, what are you preparing me for?'" The answer to this question changes everything.

Praise God for who He is. Praise God for His goodness. Praise God for working all things together for our good. Praise God for what He has done. Praise God for what He is doing. Praise God for what He will do. Praise God for your destiny.  Praise God that He gives and He forgives. Praise God because He is good!!!!


                "Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises."
                                                            Psalm 47:6

Our God Is Faithful!

"Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God (El Emunah), keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments."
                                                      Deuteronomy 7:9


In this rapidly changing world in which we live, there is one constant and unchanging truth that we can literally take to the bank, and that is that our God is faithful and forever will be. We experience His faithfulness in greater measures the more we get to know  Him. Since He never changes, we can look back over the centuries and see that His faithfulness has continued throughout the generations. As we remember His love and mercy for us personally, we see a pattern emerge that speaks to the consistency and loyalty of His covenant in our lives. He is faithful, no matter what happens in this world or even how unfaithful His people may be.

The Hebrew word that is translated to "faithfulness" means "steadfastness, firmness, and fidelity". Oftentimes this faithfulness is attributed to God's Word. That is because no matter how long ago His words may have been written, they are still true for us today. His promises will forever be applicable to us because the very essence of His words are truth.

When God gave the commandments to the Jewish people, they took them so literally that they put little portions of Scripture into containers called phylacteries and placed them on their foreheads and left arms (Matthew 23:5). They also attached a small container of Scripture, called a mezuzah, to the front door and on every door in the house. Every time they passed through a doorway, they touched the mezuzah reverently as a sign that their house was a sanctuary for the Lord and a place where the Word of God is loved, obeyed, and taught.

In this time and in this culture, often we lose the importance and significance of these truths that have been revered historically. We become so immersed in the falsehoods of  our day that we forget that God will never change and can never lie. We may overlook the fact that God has never failed in the past (Isaiah 51:6) and that He was always true to His Word. If He said He would do something, He always followed through on what He said He would do.

We can trust His character even when we do not understand His timing or His actions.  He is sovereign, holy, and always good. These truths will never change no matter how chaotic our world may become. We get to know Him better by studying His Word, meditating on what He has done in our lives, and learning to follow His voice.

We can trust God's future faithfulness by remembering His past faithfulness in our lives.  It requires intentionality to remember all of the ways God has provided for us in the past, and answered our prayers, and delivered us from the things that have come against us. We can reminisce about how He worked things together for our good when circumstances seemed to scream the opposite. Confidence will arise as we rehearse all the good that God has woven into our lives and families, even at times when it didn't even seem possible.

God will give us confirmations of His faithfulness inn our lives. He can confirm through: His Word, other people, circumstances, and through the Holy Spirit who resides within us. We can learn to drown out other competing voices that would seek to derail us from the purposes of God in our lives. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice; I know them and they follow Me" (John 10:27).

It requires faith on our part to continue to trust God more deeply when the circumstances in our lives seem out of kilter. Faith is trusting God even before we see how He is going to work things out for us. Faith is standing on His Word and on His promises. As we witness Him bringing His promises to fulfillment in our lives, our trust in His faithfulness will grow.

We can trust Him:
                                In the midst of an illness
                               
                               With a Prodigal Child

                               When Others Betray Us

                               In a Troubled Marriage
   
                              When Our future is Uncertain

                              In Distressing Times
      
                              In Times of Need
                  
                              With Career Changes

                              In Times of Transition

                              In Hardships, Trials, and Affliction

                              In Major Life Changes

                              And, in anything else that this world may throw at us!


God's faithfulness will change us. George Macdonald said, "God's finger can touch nothing but to mold it into loveliness." We are transformed as we experience His protection, provision, love, and power in and around us. We are made new as we see God show up and deliver us, especially when we realize that it is completely undeserved.

God is faithful because He is love. He doesn't just love us, His very nature and essence are love. Demonstrating His love for us actually brings Him glory. He lavishes us with His sacrificial love, not because we deserve it, but because this is who He is. Faithfulness is the natural extension of the character of God who loves us extravagantly and unconditionally.

When we walk in faith and are faithful in return, this shows God that we are trustworthy. Especially in the times in which we live, God seeks out those in the earth who will be trustworthy to Him. For, there is no limit to what God can do if He finds one who is faithful and can be trusted.

Whether or not any of us are trustworthy, though, God still will be because He is good! His plans for us are good and they will prevail. When we continue to look to Him as the Author and Finisher of our faith, we know that He understands us better than we understand ourselves and that what He allows in our lives are the constructs for a beautiful story. Though the plot twists may be harrowing at times, He is always working on our behalf and, in the end, we will be eternally grateful for every part of our narrative. That is because our God is faithful!!!!


                               "God loves each of us as if there were only one of us."
                                                              St. Augustine

Strength In Christ

"Give strength to the hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness. Tell everyone who is discouraged, 'Be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, and He will save you!'"
                                                                     Isaiah 35:3-4




When a parent helps a young child learn how to walk, it is a collaborative effort that frequently involves encouragement and lots of do-overs. Time and again, the young child finds himself seated on his derriere without having gotten very far in distance (thankfully, they have pampers to buffer the blow). The parent lovingly tells the child that they can, indeed, have victory but that they must get up again and attempt it one more time. Trust is required for the wobbly toddler to want to venture out, yet another time, beyond the comfort of crawling that they have so adeptly learned. The child learns to find strength in the strength of their parents' arms and attentiveness.

Since all of us successfully learn how to walk in our formative years (unless, of course, there are physical limitations), it is a wonderful visual for us to see how God intends for us to draw upon His strength throughout our lives. The apostle, Paul, describes this process as he says, "I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works in me" (Colossians 1:29). In other words, we exercise our will as we rely on the will of God in order to make things happen. Both parties work in unison in order for the weaker vessel to be made strong in his or hers Father's hands.

Strength in Christ, however, in no way mimics the strength that the world tells us we should possess. It is not stoic or found by "picking yourselves up by the bootstraps". Instead, it is only found in our relationship with Jesus. It is found in the most unusual places like choosing the treasures found in God's Word, or in prayer, or in just an honest dialogue with God about your circumstances and your life.

John Piper uses the acronym of A.P.T.A.T. to explain how to find our strength in God, alone.  It is as follows:
          A. ADMIT (that you can do nothing)
          P. PRAY (for God's help in your situation)
          T. TRUST (a particular promise of God's help)
          A. ACT (believe His promises)
          T. THANK (Thank God for help received)

Of all of these steps, Piper says that trusting is by far the most important one. We do not pray for help hour by hour. Instead, we trust specific promises hour by hour. We meditate on them and speak them out loud. We remember that it is the blood of Christ that has given us access to these very precious promises and that we are a blessed people who can live our lives standing upon them.

His strength can become ours. Paul tells us that "in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. And, [since] you are in Him, [you] are made full and have come to the fullness of life [filled with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and have reached full spiritual stature]" (Colossians 2:9-10). In other words, He has already apportioned every ounce of strength for us that we will need each day.

It is His grace and mercies that are new each morning that ae poured out into our lives to supply our every need. We choose daily whether we will receive them or whether we will tough it out on our own. We choose daily whether we lean on Him for all that we need or whether we are self-sufficient and will be the lord of our own destiny.

If we have truly been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), we live by faith in Jesus who loves and gave Himself for us. We give. We love. And, we are free-- not only from sin, but also to do what God has called us to do. We are strengthened in our faith as we practice God's presence in our lives and believe that God is acting on our behalf. Even, when we cannot tangibly see it yet.

Especially when we are at our weakest points, Christ can be all the more stronger to us. Strangely, it is during these times that we get to know God in ways that we never could when life is going well. God's faithfulness shines ever brighter in these seasons where we find ourselves utterly without any strength. It is then that He is our strong tower and refuge in the storm.

We can learn what Paul did when God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This message of grace was God's promise of provision for every need we have and whenever we need it. There is an acrostic for grace that goes as follows:
                                         G- God's
                                         R- Riches
                                         A- At
                                         C- Christ's
                                         E- Expense

This grace is sufficient. There is never a shortage.  He will meet our spiritual needs, our material needs, our emotional needs, and our physical needs. If His grace is sufficient to save us, then it absolutely is sufficient to strengthen us in our times of suffering.

So many of our blessings come in the form of transformation rather than in the form of substitution. Often, we prefer to trade our difficulties with easier circumstances, but, instead, God changes us. He teaches us how to conquer our worries and our fears and trust Him to greater degrees than we ever have before. Our needs are met when we are transformed. After transformation, our trials work for us rather than against us.

What God may choose to give us during transformation is deeper insight and revelation as to what He is doing. We accept whatever gifts He gives and allow Him to accomplish His purposes. God always prepares us for what lies ahead before we even have any idea of what that might be. He is thorough and always the perfect parent- knowing when to let us walk, run, or even fall on our derriere!

Power increases in our walk when God's grace enables us to soar above our problems rather that to be weighted down by them. Our character is built and we become more like Jesus. We move beyond acceptance of our sufferings to having the ability to glory in them. Suffering then becomes our servant instead of our tyrannical taskmaster.

P.T. Forsyth said, " It is a greater thing to pray for pain's conversion than its removal." This allows the spiritual to take precedence over the physical. It trusts God's ability to balance burdens with blessings. It acknowledges that pride is a more evil dictator than any physical ailment. It understands that pain is not a barrier to effective service. And, it gives us the opportunity to truly rest in God's Word.

We find our strength in God when we trust in His will and depend on His grace. We find our anointing and callings as we mature in Christ and move beyond acceptance to power in Christ. When the full measure of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) resides in us, we will move and advance in the very strength of Christ! Be strong!!!


"Faith upholds a Christian under all trials, by assuring him that every painful dispensation is under the direction of his Lord; that chastisements are a token of His love; that the season, measure, and continuance of his sufferings, are appointed by Infinite Wisdom, and designed to work for his everlasting good; and that grace and strength shall be afforded him, according to his need."
                                                    John Newton, Hymnist

Sons And Daughters

"But when [in God's plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law, so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons (and daughters)[as God's children with all rights as fully grown members of a family]. And because you [really] are [His] sons (and daughters), God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba! Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son (or daughter); and if a son (or daughter), then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ]."
                                                                Galatians 4:4-7




Almost ten years ago, our family had the privilege of adopting a son into our family. Austin was twelve years old when he arrived at our doorstep and we welcomed him as one of our own. Because he was still young, we cared for him the way you would care for a child. Today, Austin is a fine young man who has completed his service in the military and is married to a beautiful young bride. Our relationship with him today is totally different than it was when he was still a child. While he has always been adopted and loved as one of our own, today he is treated as the mature young man that he has grown to be.

That is the message of the above verses. After we are "born again" (John 3:3), we begin our journey as children of God and then progress into becoming sons and daughters of God that are adult and mature and carry with us all the privileges of sonship. It has nothing to do with our chronological age and everything to do with our understanding of who God is and who we are relationally to Him.

It took time for Austin to understand his position in our family. There were lots of adjustments and explanations and reassurances. He had to be willing to get to know each of us and understand our hearts for him. He had to realize that he didn't have to prove himself to us or to earn our love. We were his family no matter what circumstances we might face together. This was a process that did not occur overnight and there were definitely growing pains along the way.

Our relationship with God evolves in a similar way. Initially, we are tempted to treat God as an impersonal Master instead of the Loving Father that He is to us. It takes us time to really know that with Him we are safe, we are known and loved, and that we are heirs of every good thing that God has appropriated for His sons and daughters. In fact, we are told that a son and a daughter of God is the owner of everything (Galatians 4:1).

A young child cannot manage and care for things the way that an adult can. Therefore, God patiently waits for us to grow up and mature. Many followers of Christ assume that they are mature but it requires the whole Trinity to develop us into true sons and daughters. A true son or daughter is one that has the same nature as the Father, whereas a child absolutely does not.

The apostle, Paul, tells us, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11). We must intentionally put away the things in our lives that are childish. This includes our thoughts, our emotions, our reasoning, and our actions.

When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, He will begin to teach us the parts of ourselves that are contrary to the nature of our Father. He will guide and instruct us and woo us into a genuine and loving relationship with God. Not one that is based out of legalism or fear, but, rather a relationship of unconditional acceptance and love.

It is love that will compel us to obey God's commandments and not fear. Once we really have God's love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), we desire to please God because of our love for Him. Jesus tells us, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15).

Once we are mature sons and daughters, then we also become heirs of Christ. That means that we not only have an eternal inheritance, but that we also can begin drawing from our inheritance now. We are wealthy beyond imagination and it is our Father's heart and desire that we begin to appropriate these blessings and utilize them to their fullest.

All of our riches are found in Christ. He has given us: the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7), the riches of His glory (Philippians 4:19), the riches of His goodness (Romans 2:4), and the riches of His wisdom (Romans 11:33). God continually cares for us and provides for us, and His resources never run out!


We are still waiting for the completion of our adoption of Christ and that will not be fully complete until Jesus returns and redeems our physical bodies. In the interim, we are placed on this earth that waits and groans for the completion of this process. Paul tells us that "[the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons (and daughters) to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship]" (Romans 8:19).

There is a glory that will be revealed in the future! Hallelujah! In the meantime, we are called to grow and morph into the very nature of Christ, as well as to appropriate the rights, authority, and privileges that are ours as sons and daughters of Christ. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness and to effect change in the world around us. As the world gets darker, we must get brighter! Together, we can shine a light that will illuminate both heaven and earth. After all, we are the sons and daughters of God!


                              Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's in the world!!!
                            
                            Happy Father's Day to the Greatest Dad in the World!!!!


"giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God's people) in the Light."
                                                       (Colossians 1:12)

The Purpose In The Wilderness

"Bare heights of loneliness.... a wilderness whose burning winds sweep over glowing sands, what are they to him HIM? Even there He can refresh us, even there He can renew us."
                                                  Amy Carmichael, Missionary








When we hear a sermon on the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, often we hear about how they extended their stay in the sandy Sahara far longer than they needed to. While there is truth in this assessment, what is often not preached is why they ended up there in the first place. We are not taught that following their success and liberation came an ordained time of testing and trials. We are not taught the purpose and power that is associated with a wilderness experience.


The "wilderness experience" is a term used to describe a difficult time in a believers life that is frought with trials, discomfort, and a lack of security or certainty. Life becomes devoid of pleasurable things and any source of encouragement seems depleted. Drought and lack are the supreme leaders and temptation and spiritual attack are the persistent land mines. The venues may vary anywhere from physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, or any combination of the above.


Often, the wilderness experience is what follows a "mountain-top" experience. Achievement and accomplishment are the precursors of wandering in the wilderness. It is not necessarily a sign of a believer sinning. Rather, it is an ordained season filled with purpose and resulting in increased power in our walk. Every step is foreknown; every stone is hewn lovingly by the Master's hands.


In addition to the Israelites, there are many others who walked through a wilderness experience. The prophet, Elijah, had one (1 Kings 19:1-9). And, so did Job. And, so did Paul (Galatians 1:17-18). And, most importantly, so did Jesus (Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1). It was God's grace that carried them through, and it will be God's grace to do the same for you and I should we find ourselves roaming unknown terrain.


Survival consumes the day to day thoughts and the flesh cries for deliverance from the pressures that press so hard.Perhaps the most distressing aspect of the wilderness is the knowledge that God is well able to change our circumstances and yet He chooses not to. Fear and doubt crouch at the door of our hearts and all that we once knew as true begins to come into question. 


What is difficult to see during this season is that God is actually the One who is leading the way. The book of Deuteronomy tells us, "And you shall [earnestly] remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in your [mind and] heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not" (Deuteronomy 8:2). In the process of testing us, God is: inviting us to a more intimate relationship with Himself, humbling us, proving us, and teaching us to elevate His Truth over the truth of our circumstances.


The wilderness becomes our "proving ground" and we reside there until we have released all that is not in alignment with His will and His ways. We reside there until we die to our flesh, our ideas, and our ways and completely heed the Word of God. We reside there until God fills us with His power and enables us to possess the Promised Land.


It is in the waiting on God that we begin to discover God's peace and joy in the midst of trouble. It is in the waiting on God that we mature in Christ. It is in the waiting on God that we learn to daily receive His mercies and His grace for the day at hand. We experientially learn that His perfect love casts out fear. We experientially learn that His grace is sufficient and carries all our burdens. Through these things, God is revealed all the more in our lives. The apostle, Paul, says that these hardships "show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7).


God fellowships with us in this place when we open our hearts to Him in purity. It is His grace that floods our dry desert place. It is His grace that refreshes us and renews us, despite our circumstances. When we surrender it all to Him and give Him our all, we begin to know Him and His heart even better than we did before. He prepares us and equips us for what He has called us to do.


If today you find yourself right smack in the middle of an unwanted wilderness, don't fight it. Relax and begin to learn the lessons and purposes for which God has you there. If you lean into it instead of resisting it, it will go better and quicker for you. Meditate on God's Word and on His goodness. Whatever area your struggle is in, find scriptures that contradict the truth of your circumstances. Meditate on them. Declare them. Believe them.


Remember, every person that was ever used mightily of God had to pay a dear price for that. But, I guarantee that if we coud interview them in heaven today, they would shout that every bit of it was absolutely worth it. Even more!


Stand secure against the lies of the enemy. Quote the Word back to him. If you do, you will see God's mighty deliverance on your behalf. If you do, you will truly understand the purpose and power in your wilderness experience!




                      "We all want Canaan without going through the wilderness."
                                                      Ravi Zacharias

Impossible!

                        "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
                                                                 Matthew 19:26




Right now, do you have a dream in your heart that supersedes your abilities or giftings? You know, a dream that is so big that there is no way that it could ever happen unless God shows up in  such a way where everyone around you would have no doubt that it could be only God. Do you pray about a God-sized dream that would extend His kingdom and bring others to know the Lord? Do you have  vision that extends beyond the natural realm and partners with heaven for the good of others and the glory of God?

If not, do not feel bad. Instead, seek God's heart and ask Him for what His vision for your life is. He most definitely has one and it is my opinion that too few of His children seek to find out what it really is. We too easily limit Him and what He wants to do because we are comfortable in our lives and, truthfully, we resist stretching beyond that comfort zone. Yet, there is so much more!

When you think about the times in which we live, it only makes sense that God would have an agenda that is far bigger than our minds can conceive. Honestly, it is His heart that all would come to a saving knowledge of Himself and spend eternity with Him. And that is only going to happen when we reach out to others in need. If you think about all the problems in the world, it is God who has the solution to them and we are the ones who get to participate in that solution.

The Lord said to Habakkuk, "Write the vision and engrave it plainly upon the tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read it as he hastens by" (Habakkuk 2:2). He was a prophet and probably a priest who led worship and he was awaiting an answer to a dilemma he was having. His dilemma was that God was using the wicked nation of Babylon to chasten the people of Israel, and he wrestled with Him so that he could understand. His name literally means "to wrestle" or "to embrace".

For a long time, he had been praying for a revival, but now it seemed that the opposite was occurring. Not only was there a national problem, but now Habakkuk struggled with a theological one. His query lamented that a holy God could use such a wicked nation and why wouldn't God just act and make all things right?

It was in this wrestling that God caused Habakkuk's faith to grow. He was learning to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord, and, eventually he would have understanding that could only come from above. God graciously responded and gave Habakkuk a vision that would turn his heart to one that worshipped and trusted in God. This vision also included the revelation of God's glory and would point to a time in the future where His glory would cover the earth (Habakkuk 3:3).


He was now completely on board and he prayed for God's work to be accomplished. He prayed and asked for God's mercy and took comfort in knowing that his people would not be destroyed. God spoke to him and reassured him "the just shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).

When you walk in the level of faith that believes for a God-sized dream, realize that fear is the thief that will try to rob you from seeing it to fruition. The enemy of our souls will try to deceive and torment for the sole purpose of wearing you down. It is his hope that you will get tired and give up your hope and faith. While he may be relentless, remember that God has already given us the victory in Christ. Do not give up!


Today, God is looking for His children who will live by faith and make His ways known to others. He is looking for those who are grappling with a problem in their lives to look to Him so that He can make known a solution that is far bigger than what your mind can conceive. He is looking for those who will give Him all the glory so that He can be glorified in the earth in such a way that many are drawn to Him.

God wants those who dare to dream and seek Him for a vision that will extend beyond our natural realm. Don't be afraid to wrestle with Him over the injustices in the world. Don't be afraid to wrestle with Him over the injustices in your life.

Just be prepared for what He might reveal to you because it will be more encompassing than you imagine.  It will require every ounce of faith that you possess. But, it also will make possible the things you thought were totally impossible!


               "Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse."
                                                      Philip Yancey



www.jewels-and-gems1.blogspot.com

Break The Box!

"And while He [Jesus] was in Bethany, a guest in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at a table, a woman came with an alabaster box of ointment (perfume) of pure nard , very costly and precious; and she broke the jar and poured the perfume over His head.

But there were some who were moved with indignation and said to themselves, 'To what purpose was the ointment (perfume) wasted? For it was possible to have sold this perfume for more than 300 denarii [a laboring man's wages for a year] and to have given the money to the poor.' And they censured and reproved her.

But Jesus said, "Leave her alone; why are you troubling her? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me [praiseworthy and noble]. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you will not always have Me. She has done what she could; she came beforehand to anoint My body for burial. And surely I tell you, wherever the Good News (Gospel) is proclaimed in the entire world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
                                                               Mark 14:3-9




It was six days before the Passover, which means the date was the Friday before the triumphal entry (John 12:1). This story is placed right in the middle of Judas' betrayal and the account of the plots to arrest Jesus. Mark does this to contrast the treachery of Judas and the religious leaders with the love and loyalty of Mary. It's as if the ugliness of their sins and actions highlights the beauty of her sacrifice all the more.

John tells us that this is Mary of  Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary was very close to Jesus and she loved Him very much. She wanted to express this love because He was going to the cross for her. She prepared His body for burial as she anointed His head and His feet.

Her sacrifice was lavish and expensive. At that time, spikenard was imported from India and a whole jar would have cost the equivalent of a whole year's salary. Yet she unashamedly worshipped and loved her Lord. As a result, Jesus commended Mary and willingly accepted her extravagant gift.

There was absolutely no other explanation for this unselfish act except for the true love and devotion that Mary had towards Jesus. Faith and love propelled her to give her very best and she was content with only His approval, knowing that he understood her heart and was blessed by her sacrifice. She broke the box and it is that sacrifice still today that blesses and continues to perpetuate a sweet aroma to all who remember.

Just as Mary of Bethany lived in a unique time in history, so do followers of Christ today. Whether we recognize it or not, we are very close to ushering in the Second coming of Christ. As we witness events in this world growing increasingly wicked, we, too, have the opportunity to shine brightly in contrast to the darkness around us.

Sacrifice seems to be a concept that eludes many. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word sacrifice means, "the act or ceremony of making an offering to God; something offered;  the act of giving up something for the sake of someone or something else, especially to help others". The Latin word sacer means "holy", so true sacrifice is that which is offered up to God typically for the sake of others.

In a "me-centered" culture, we somehow have lost the essence of sacrifice. Many habitually consider themselves and their nucleus of concerns as all that exists in this world. Yet, there is so much more! The extension of God's kingdom is paramount in this time and we would do well to focus on that.

If self is the focal point, then there is a barrier between our desires and the purposes of God. Imagine that the barrier becomes a box that self-contains and keeps out the truly important plans that God has for us. The box that houses our brains must be broken in order to shift from a mind that serves self to a mind that seeks to serve God. We were not placed on this earth to be consumers of Christianity; we were placed here to advance and extend the Kingdom of God. And that will not happen until we learn to effectively sacrifice unto the Lord.

Because God placed His Spirit within us, "His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue)" (2 Peter 1:3). This means that we are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10), and, as we mature, we exemplify more and more of the characteristics of Jesus. Therefore, each day we should reveal His beauty and grace in increasing measure.

We do this by sacrificing our time, service, praise, submission, and even our tears. We do this by realizing it is not about us. We do this by truly understanding the times in which we live and what we need to do in light of that knowledge.

Being Spirit-minded and mature is who we are called to be. Whatever journey God has given you to traverse, remember that every bit of it is designed to bring discipline and greater spiritual mindedness. This occurs so that we may share in His holiness and it will ultimately "yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

We have to think about the future and what it will be like 100 years from now. If it won't matter then, it shouldn't matter now. Thomas a' Kempis said, "Set aside the things of time, and seek those of eternity."

When the apostle, Paul, wrote, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according too the Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5), he was referring to our thoughts, affections, and desires. So, either we walk in unity with the desires of God or we find ourselves in rebellion to His will and His ways. Too many believers today think they are in unity with God, when, in fact, the very god that they serve is themselves.

There are three practical ways we can break the box of carnality in our lives:
               1. We fill our minds with God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16)
               2. We ask for the help of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:18)
               3. We practice the presence of the Holy Spirit, remembering He is with us always
                   (John 14:16)

We live in exciting times and I believe it is "all hands on deck". Not one of us are here at this time and season by chance, and not one of us have an insignificant role to play. We are chosen, called, empowered, and accompanied by an Almighty God. Like Mary of Bethany, all we have to do is to "break the box"!


"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most about the next."
                                                              C.S. Lewis

Resurrection Joy

"You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For Your dew [O Lord] is a dew of sparkling light [heavenly, supernatural dew]; and the earth shall cast forth the dead to life again [for on the land of the shades of the dead You will let Your dew fall]."
                                                                  Isaiah 26:19




Easter is a beautiful time of renewal and new life. It is celebrated during a season of new growth in the earth, where trees and foliage begin to awaken after the dormancy of a long winter. It is a new season of hope and joy and when you add to that the supernatural power of Jesus' resurrection, it is a time that should fill our hearts to overflowing. This, to the follower of Christ, is the very essence of our faith and God intentionally and divinely gives us this gift after the winter season.

This year, both Easter and Passover occur simultaneously. Passover is what happened to the Israelites when the angel of death passed over their homes because of the blood that was over the doorposts. The angel passes over that which has died and averts the judgment of God. This is a reminder to each of us that we are dependent on God for deliverance and that we are in constant need for renewal in our lives.

Jesus celebrated the Passover, but He also added to it the importance of His impending death and resurrection. The Cross, for believers, is what Passover was to the Israelites. Without Jesus' death and resurrection we would never have been saved or given the gift of eternal life with God. It is always is love and grace that provides a joyful way forward for those who are in Christ.

John Piper says, "The best news of the Christian gospel is that the supremely glorious Creator of the universe has acted in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection to remove every obstacle between us and Himself so that we may find everlasting joy in seeing and savoring His infinite beauty."

When Isaiah penned the prophetic words above to the nation of Israel, he was speaking to a people who were buried in the dust of their former glory. They had been hand-picked as God's chosen people but 70 years had lapsed since they really knew God or had heard Him or experienced the joy that only comes from Him. He spoke to their spiritual condition and admonished that this drought was about to end.

Restoration was in sight for these beleaguered children of God. Isaiah had already announced God's great victory over death (25:7-8), and now he was reassuring them that God would supernaturally give them life-giving dew to resurrect them from the dust. He assured them of the new life that would spring forth as a result of God's faithfulness.

God was indeed answering the prayers of the remnant that continued to seek after Himself. He offered them comfort and assurances of His promises and protection. Divine providence would provide the life-giving nutrients they needed to once again become the dynamic force in the earth that God had created them to be. He would resurrect what was dead and had been buried.

When God resurrected Jesus, He was assuring us that one day we, too, would be resurrected. It was a promise He gave that should daily bring us joy. The apostle, Paul, echoed this when he said, "Every time you plant seed, you sow something that does not come to life [germinating, springing up, growing] unless it dies first... So it is with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable and decays, but the body that is resurrected is imperishable [and immortal]" (1 Corinthians 15:36,42).

The point he was making is that the seeds that are initially sown when we plant grains are not the exact harvest that occurs later. The harvest is more beautiful than what was planted and it achieves the purpose and fruitfulness for which it was intended. The seed must break down and die, however, before this occurs.

This is why God requires that "You must be born again" (John 3:7).  Being born in the natural is not the same as being born again spiritually. God rejects the flesh but accepts the new life He gives to us spiritually. We have to die to our old ways of doing things and come alive to the things that God has ordained for us. In this, we conform to the image of Christ until, one day, when we are resurrected, we will bear the image of our Savior when we share in His glory.

Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal life. While we live in a culture that insists there are many paths to heaven, that is not what the Bible tells us. Jesus chose to leave His throne in heaven, endured much pain and suffering, and then forgave those that inflicted such horrific abuse. It is this kind of unexplainable, crazy love that God has for each of us, as well as the provision we need to spend eternity with Him.

God sent Jesus to us to die for a sinful people so that we sinful people could come back to life. It was love that was the catalyst and it will be love that completes the redemption process. Only God could take something this gruesome and turn it into something as beautiful as our salvation and eternal life in Him.

He does the same thing for us in our day to day lives. He takes that which is dormant or dead and He breathes new life upon it and uses it for His glory. When we are "crucified with Christ and no longer live [then] it is Christ who lives in us. The life we live now in the body, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loves us and gave Himself for us" (Galatians 2:20). Jesus died to give us this kind of resurrection life.

Because we are "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37), we can confidently walk in the newness of this resurrection life, knowing that we are: unconditionally loved, completely forgiven, fully redeemed, a new creation, and totally transformed from the inside out. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and gives us the gift of His indwelling power. Therefore, dead things must come alive in the name of Jesus.

This week, as you reflect on the beauty of what Jesus has done for you and made available to you, focus on any areas that need resurrection life and power. Let faith arise to believe that God will breathe on these places in our life and make them alive and powerful. Seek God in your prayers and petitions and remember that He is always faithful to complete what He has started.  This will bring the resurrection life and joy that Jesus provided for us long ago.


                                      HAVE A BLESSED RESURRECTION DAY!!!!!!