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!!!!!!


                               

Providence, Power, and Grace

"He raises up the poor out of the dust and lifts up the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with nobles and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and He has set the world upon them."
                                                               1 Samuel 2:8




Blessings come in every shape and size. Often, they can be obscure and hidden from our sight. What we might view as a trial or a challenge could simultaneously be the biggest blessing in our life when it is held in the loving hands of our Heavenly Father and transformed into the very gift that will forever bless our hearts and alter our testimony. God has absolute power over all things, and, in His providence, He intertwines His grace to display His glory in unprecedented ways.

This is the lesson that Hannah learned. Her eyes were opened to see that the very God of Providence was also the God who created the heavens and the earth. Both nature and providence melded together by a force far greater than our minds can conceive. This union yielded awe and wonder from the recipient of God's marvelous grace.

Her very name means "gracious" or "graciousness" or "favor". She was the favorite wife of her husband, Elkanah, who was a Levite of one of the most honorable tribes of Jacob's offspring. Hannah was loved and treasured by her husband and their lives together were abundantly blessed, with the exception of one desire. More than anything, she longed to bear a son to carry on her husband's lineage and legacy. For a season, she felt like her life was anything but blessed.

Possibly through the urging of Hannah, Elkanah married another woman named Peninnah. This new wife gave him several children while she goaded Hannah whenever she could. It wasn't enough to be grateful for the gifts God had given to her. She also had to cruelly and repeatedly rub it in to the woman who held the affection of he husband's heart.

Despite the afflictions and persecutions that shrouded the beginning of her marriage, what Hannah probably didn't see at the time was that God was using these difficulties to forge a character that would forever bless the world. She was set apart to the Lord and she slowly learned how to daily receive the grace that was needed in order to rise above her circumstances. Her soul found peace and she cried out to the Lord both day and night.

The contrast between Hannah and Peninnah displays the differences between the weak and the strong in the earth. Often, the strong ridicule and mock the weak, but God hears and rescues the "Hannahs" in the world. God's heart is stirred when we humbly cry out to Him. He uses our weaknesses to accomplish great things!

Her husband tried unsuccessfully to fill the void in Hannah's heart. He said to her, "Hannah, why do you cry? And why do you not eat? And why are you grieving? Am I not more to you than ten sons?" (1 Samuel 1:8). He attempted to fill a heart that gaped from perceived loss and sorrow. He tried to do what only God could do, but it was to no avail. In fact, his efforts only provoked more anger and retaliation from Peninnah. Jealousy was stoked within her and she lashed out her fury fire at every opportunity.

Years passed and Hannah's pain intensified. As her persecution persisted, her burden got heavier. it got so bad that Hannah referred to herself as "a woman of a sorrowful spirit" (1 Samuel 1:15). It seemed there was no way of escape from this journey of self-reflection and mourning. Despite desperately desiring for her circumstances to change, she ultimately surrendered to the monotony of misery that was her life.

Although it was the providence of God that had temporarily shut Hannah's womb, she did not pull back from her relationship with Him. It was prayer that brought her solace. It was her faith that sheltered the pain in her heart. Even in her seeking God, however, she was rebuked by Eli, the priest, who thought Hannah had been drinking. He did not understand that her pain was so great that she could not utter a word. Her prayers connected directly from her heart to God's because there were no words that could adequately convey the distress that she felt.

Despite Eli's rebuke, Hannah opened up her heart to him and shared the petitions and pleas that she had made to the Lord. She had learned how not only to receive God's grace, but also how to give it to others. As she opened up her heart and trusted him with the weightiness of her burden, her sorrow suddenly began to dissipate. He said to her, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:17). She received this as a promise and her faith began to soar again.

Her sorrow turned to jubilation and joy when she realized that God didn't even need her words in order to give her the desires of her heart. At long last, God answered her prayers and her long awaited son was born. She named him Samuel, which means "asked of the Lord".

The song that Hannah sang to God would also become the song that inspired the Virgin Mary to sing to the God who keeps His promises (Luke 1:46-55). Both of their songs embrace the majesty, power, holiness and grace of God. Both women could see that the work God does in the earth supersedes our limited knowledge and understanding. Both women marveled in the truth that blessings often come through brokenness. Both women recognized that the providence, power, and grace of God yields a three-fold cord that impacts the world eternally.

Your story isn't over. The ending may not yet  be apparent but please know that when God is in the middle of it, it has no choice but to end well. May we humbly yield to the One who sees all and who does know the end from the beginning. Embrace every blessing, and not just the ones that look good to us!


"And His mercy (His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and the afflicted) is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age."
                                                              Luke 1:50

Eyes On The Prize

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: by no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the prize, where God is beckoning us onward- to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."
                                                              Philippians 3:12-14




The apostle, Paul, was not one to back away from competition. Before his conversion to Christ, he lived a righteous life, obeyed the law, and defended the faith of his fathers. He became a religious zealot, well-versed in Jewish history, the Psalms, and the works of the prophets. He knew how to dissect scripture and then use that to defend or prosecute those who broke the law. He became a lawyer and probably was a member of the Sanhedrin ( the Jewish Supreme court), which ruled over Jewish life and religion. It was his zeal and competitive nature that led him down the path of violence and extremism.

He was probably present at the trial of Stephen and then attended his stoning and death. He held the garments for those who did the stoning (Acts 7:58) and then heard Peter share the Gospel afterward. This agitated Saul and he became even more determined  to eliminate all the Christians in that time. He was now really on a mission and "He began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison" (Acts 8:3).

That is, until the day that he met Jesus face to face on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus. Right before he had started on this 150 mile journey, he had asked the high priest for permission to bring any followers of "The Way" back to Jerusalem so that they could be thrust into jail. He was brimming with murderous rage for these people he could not understand. People, he thought, that impeded his cause.

Enter the King of kings. Jesus said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"  To which he responded, "Who are You, Lord?" Immediately, Jesus says, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:4-5).

From this moment until forever, Paul's life was radically changed and transformed. In the short-term, he lost his sight and became dependent on his friends to meet his needs. In Damascus he met a man named Ananias who prayed for him and explained to him his vision of Jesus. Saul received the Holy Spirit, regained his sight, was baptized, and immediately began proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God. He became known as Paul.  His transformation would allow others to later refer to him as "the Apostle of Grace".

He now had a new mission, vision, and purpose. His eyes were fixed on Jesus and he could now run the race like never before. He transitioned from religiosity to relationship with the One who had died just for him. Suddenly, he could hear the upward call resounding in his ears and he was determined to run and fight with the utmost of love and determination. No one or nothing would deter him from accomplishing all that God had set before him.

Paul went on to spend time in Arabia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria, and Antioch. He took three missionary journeys and wrote 13 letters that became books of the New Testament. He spent the remainder of his years proclaiming the Risen Christ to the Roman world, often at great peril to himself. Ultimately, he died a martyr's death in the mid to late 60's in Rome.

Through devotion, Paul learned how to keep his eyes on the prize and how to win the race set before him. He concentrated on Jesus and what was important so that he could become even more proficient in his calling. He didn't try to do a thousand things. Just like an athlete who excels in his game, he focused on his specialty, which was proclaiming the Risen Christ to a skeptical audience. That is why his labor still bears fruit to this day.

Paul also looked to the future. He did not dwell on his past failures or even get side-tracked by the opposition of the day. Instead, he "forgot those things that were behind" and did not allow them to influence or affect what was important and had eternal impact. He broke the power of his past and used his power for the future.

Determinedly, Paul says, "I press", which means to "follow after".  He allowed God to work within him and to work through him. He understood that it is God who matures us and strengthens us. Paul was pressing towards the goal, realizing that when he attained it that he would also receive a reward for it. That is not to say that we work to attain heaven by our own efforts. It  is to say that Jesus will crown our efforts when He returns. Paul understood this distinction and the determination required to press forward.

Paul also had spiritual disciplines that helped him to stay focused. This means that he obeyed the "spiritual rules" that God outlines for us in His Word. He said, "Any man who enters an athletic contest practices rigid self-control in training" (Philippians 3:25). Later, he says, "No contestant in the games is crowned, unless he competes according to the rules" (2 Timothy 2:5). It is possible to lose our rewards if we disregard the rules that God outlines for us for our safety.

Like Paul, God has set a race before each one of us. We each have a sphere of influence that we can share the Gospel with and minister to. It is God that empowers us and gives us strategies to accomplish His purposes. If we are devoted, look to the future, determined, and disciplined, we will hit the mark and receive the rewards that God has apportioned for us. All the while, passion pulsates in our hearts and we are keeping our eyes on the prize, which is Jesus!


"Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, who is the leader and the source of our faith and is also its finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
                                                         Hebrews 12:1-2, AMPC