So it's the time of year we pause to focus on the people and things for which we are thankful. I have watched with interest as people have been listing on Facebook their "thankful" list. It is definitely a positive action to recognize our blessings and things we often take for granted such as health, friendships, or our jobs. But I got kinda curious as to what giving thanks ought to look like from a Biblical perspective. And what I found is that not only is Thankfulness is an action verb but we are instructed on HOW to give thanks. I hope the next few minutes gives you a different perspective on Thanksgiving.
Psalm 100 is very brief but it spells out five ways to give thanks:
1. Shout triumphantly to the Lord. Yes, shout means shout. That poses a problem for many conservative evangelists. Shouting doesn't seem reverent or worshipful. But it is public and your faith in Christ should be public. We give a shout out to our favorite teams or people...why not your Savior?
2. Serve the Lord with delight or cheerfulness. My "do" people like this one! Here serve means to expend considerable energy or intensity in a task. So...we are expressing thankfulness when we serve others to the point that it sometimes drains us. I was really thankful I don't have a two year old after I served in the two year old room last Sunday. They were precious and hysterical to watch in action and I glad to enable a weary mom to attend Bible study. But, I was also glad to return them to their rightful owners. I have also served in teaching Bible studies and speaking at women's events where I had nothing else left to give when I was done. I found myself thankful for what I watched the Lord do in those situations that I could never have done.
3. Know that the Lord is God. To know means to acquire information by experience. What is your experience with God? Who is God to you? I have experienced the Lord not only as Savior, but also as Redeemer, Defender, Provider, Husband, and the list goes on. This knowledge has been acquired over time through daily life experiences much like growing an earthly relationship. Verse 3 says that we are His. Did you know that? Do you acknowledge it? When we acknowledge the One that created us and sustains us we are expressing thanks.
4. Enter His gates with thanksgiving. Enter means to come back from a prior point. Have you drifted far away? Has your relationship with God waned? If so, simply enter back into relationship with Him using points 1-4. He hasn't moved anywhere. Give a confession of thankfulness that He never left you.
5. Give thanks and praise His name. Sometime this week, instead of telling the social media world, sit quietly with the Lord and tell HIM your thankful list. I love when my children thank me for something - it tells me they acknowledge my sacrifice to provide it. How much more would it please our heavenly Father to hear our thankful list? Praise His name specifically. One day all will bow and acknowledge only His name - go ahead and start practicing!
But what if you are struggling to find your thankful list? For many the holidays are reminders of hurts, loved ones no longer with us, and struggles that threaten to drown us. You have to KNOW (#3) that your God is good no matter what. If you are searching for that, I challenge you to start slowly with #1 and work your way down the list. That word SHOUT in step 1 also means the beginning of a battle cry. Fight your battle knowing that God is for you and not against you. He wants to be all you need in this season. He's tough enough to take your hurts, doubts, and fears. Turn your focus off those feelings and onto Him instead.
As for me...my thankful list is pretty long, but know that I am thankful for You!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Blessed or Blessed OUT?
It seems recently everywhere I turn, the opportunity arises that I have to make a choice on how to respond to someone. This is a lesson the Lord taught me the hard way a while back, which means He's going to hold me accountable for this one. I KNOW what the correct response is when someone speaks harshly or unkindly to me, or treats me opposite of the golden rule directly or indirectly.
I also know what my flesh cries out to do: retaliate with words of my own or defend myself or my actions! But as my Pastor reminded me this morning: I can be filled with the Spirit or I can be filled with my stinky flesh - well, he didn't say stinky flesh - but that's exactly what it is when I need to be right or I need to get the last word.
But that is the direct opposite of what Jesus expects of me....in Luke 6 Jesus said to "love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who mistreat us." Then in Romans 12, Paul reminds us to "bless those who persecute us and bless and do not curse."
If you have ever been the direct recipient of someone cursing you, it is excruciating, frustrating, and certainly a source of anger. I know the normal human reaction to such treatment is BLESS someone OUT instead of just blessing them. Don't you know that is where that phrase of "blessing someone out" had to originate?
But instead, Jesus commands me to love and bless. Sigh. To be honest with you, when I first started practicing this I had to say, "Ok Lord, as an act of my will and because You commanded me, NOT because I WANT to, I bless "___________." And you know what? After a dozen or so times of this exercise, it got a little easier...kinda like when I exercised my physical muscles, they got stronger. Well, my blessing muscles got a little stronger too. As my blessing muscles got stronger, it got easier and easier. Not only did it get easier, but I started seeing a change in the mean person. That could ONLY be a God response to bending my will to His.
I'm not to the point where it is total instinct to respond this way to a mean person, but this exercise does quickly comes to mind. I have also been able to share it with my children when they run across mean people in their paths. Blessing instead of blessing out? Who would have ever thought the power that existed in just a simple blessing over someone?
So, if you find yourself in a situation with a co-worker, neighbor, friend, or family member where you just feel persecuted and treated unfairly, love them and bless them instead of what would be a normal response, and watch God do something amazing in your blessing muscle and in their reaction back to you!
I also know what my flesh cries out to do: retaliate with words of my own or defend myself or my actions! But as my Pastor reminded me this morning: I can be filled with the Spirit or I can be filled with my stinky flesh - well, he didn't say stinky flesh - but that's exactly what it is when I need to be right or I need to get the last word.
But that is the direct opposite of what Jesus expects of me....in Luke 6 Jesus said to "love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who mistreat us." Then in Romans 12, Paul reminds us to "bless those who persecute us and bless and do not curse."
If you have ever been the direct recipient of someone cursing you, it is excruciating, frustrating, and certainly a source of anger. I know the normal human reaction to such treatment is BLESS someone OUT instead of just blessing them. Don't you know that is where that phrase of "blessing someone out" had to originate?
But instead, Jesus commands me to love and bless. Sigh. To be honest with you, when I first started practicing this I had to say, "Ok Lord, as an act of my will and because You commanded me, NOT because I WANT to, I bless "___________." And you know what? After a dozen or so times of this exercise, it got a little easier...kinda like when I exercised my physical muscles, they got stronger. Well, my blessing muscles got a little stronger too. As my blessing muscles got stronger, it got easier and easier. Not only did it get easier, but I started seeing a change in the mean person. That could ONLY be a God response to bending my will to His.
I'm not to the point where it is total instinct to respond this way to a mean person, but this exercise does quickly comes to mind. I have also been able to share it with my children when they run across mean people in their paths. Blessing instead of blessing out? Who would have ever thought the power that existed in just a simple blessing over someone?
So, if you find yourself in a situation with a co-worker, neighbor, friend, or family member where you just feel persecuted and treated unfairly, love them and bless them instead of what would be a normal response, and watch God do something amazing in your blessing muscle and in their reaction back to you!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
I Messed Up...Again
I knew what I was supposed to do, but I got busy! I knew on Monday of last week that I was feeling the gentle pressure of the Lord to speak a word of encouragement to a "sister-friend" at school. I knew she had been through a tough, ongoing physical ordeal, and that I needed to just remind her that she has had in the past, and continues to have, an incredible impact on the lives of many of "our kids." (They become "your kids" when you spend 90 minutes a day with them for 18 weeks!)
But I got to work on Tuesday and immediately started putting out fires that could have waited...fires that I could have put out after I went and encouraged my friend. But I didn't. I was disobedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And there were consequences to my disobedience.
When I finally did make it by her classroom TWO DAYS LATER, she was emotionally distraught. She was in a negative situation that wasn't getting better. And I couldn't speak the words that I knew I was supposed to at that point. There wasn't room for the words she so desperately needed at that moment. And I KNEW I had messed up...and it hurt my heart. It hurt my heart to see my friend hurting - physically and emotionally. It also hurt my heart that I had disobeyed God when I KNEW what He told me to do.
I didn't intentionally disobey. I just got distracted. And distraction cost me the opportunity to bless someone I dearly care about, and it cost her emotionally. Yes, I did get to speak to her eventually and she was still blessed, but I missed it in the moment that she needed it most. Actually, the Lord was sending me to her BEFORE she got to such a desperate point, where I possibly could have prevented her meltdown. I know the Lord forgives me and He can clean up my mess, but I didn't give the Lord or my friend my best...just the leftovers.
I don't want the Lord to have to clean up my messes. Instead, I want to hear "Well done good and faithful servant." So, I'm sharing this with you so you won't make the same mess I did. If the Lord impresses on your heart to speak to someone, be gracious and give to someone in need, or to stop to help someone, don't delay! Do it immediately! Deuteronomy 28 reminds us that blessings will overtake us when we are obedient and likewise, curses are the result of disobedience.
Hmm...being blessed or being cursed? You don't have to think too long on that one do you? I would prefer to being overtaken by a blessing any day of the week. So...in an effort to make it up to my school friend - and to any of you that I have also missed blessing- please let me speak one over you now:
"The Lord bless you and protect you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace." Numbers 6: 24-26
Blessings over you my friend!
But I got to work on Tuesday and immediately started putting out fires that could have waited...fires that I could have put out after I went and encouraged my friend. But I didn't. I was disobedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And there were consequences to my disobedience.
When I finally did make it by her classroom TWO DAYS LATER, she was emotionally distraught. She was in a negative situation that wasn't getting better. And I couldn't speak the words that I knew I was supposed to at that point. There wasn't room for the words she so desperately needed at that moment. And I KNEW I had messed up...and it hurt my heart. It hurt my heart to see my friend hurting - physically and emotionally. It also hurt my heart that I had disobeyed God when I KNEW what He told me to do.
I didn't intentionally disobey. I just got distracted. And distraction cost me the opportunity to bless someone I dearly care about, and it cost her emotionally. Yes, I did get to speak to her eventually and she was still blessed, but I missed it in the moment that she needed it most. Actually, the Lord was sending me to her BEFORE she got to such a desperate point, where I possibly could have prevented her meltdown. I know the Lord forgives me and He can clean up my mess, but I didn't give the Lord or my friend my best...just the leftovers.
I don't want the Lord to have to clean up my messes. Instead, I want to hear "Well done good and faithful servant." So, I'm sharing this with you so you won't make the same mess I did. If the Lord impresses on your heart to speak to someone, be gracious and give to someone in need, or to stop to help someone, don't delay! Do it immediately! Deuteronomy 28 reminds us that blessings will overtake us when we are obedient and likewise, curses are the result of disobedience.
Hmm...being blessed or being cursed? You don't have to think too long on that one do you? I would prefer to being overtaken by a blessing any day of the week. So...in an effort to make it up to my school friend - and to any of you that I have also missed blessing- please let me speak one over you now:
"The Lord bless you and protect you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace." Numbers 6: 24-26
Blessings over you my friend!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Show You Love
Why is it that we so desire to love and to be loved? Is the desire for love really innate? Or are we taught it by Disney and Nicholas Sparks? Is there any possibility that there is a pure, true Love? Why do we believe that human relationships can fill the void we seek? Even if you go all the way back to Adam and Eve, and Adam's love was all Eve knew (it wasn't like that were a lot of men from which to choose!), Eve still went looking for something else.
Jeremiah 31:3-4 answers some of those of those questions if we dig into the real meanings.
"....I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness. Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, and go forth to the dances of the merrymakers." NASB
After spending time studying this I am convinced that just as there is no other God than Jehovah, there is no other Love like this one! To put this in context the Israelites had been taken in exile and Jeremiah remained with the remnant to minister to the broken and devastated few.
I don't know what your life has looked like the past, but I do know if you live long enough you will experience some sort of exile in your own life: whether it's spiritual, physical, financial, or emotional, we all endure some type of hardship that allows God to prove His love to us in that circumstance, if we only have the eyes to recognize the love! God's love could arrive in so many forms - a friend, financial assistance, peace in the midst of turmoil, even just a rainbow at the right moment.
Jeremiah describes God's love as everlasting - meaning perpetual. The only other thing perpetual like that in my life is laundry! At some point we might actually reach the bottom of the laundry basket, but we cannot possibly reach the end of God's love because it doesn't exist.
The Lord goes on in verse 3 to tell us that He has "drawn us with loving-kindness" This translates as be guided or directed with a focus on active involvement. It also can mean the dragging of an object along. Do you realize that there have been times in your life that you didn't even realize that God's active love was guiding you, protecting you, and nudging you gently along? And then, there are times when we are fully aware that God is dragging us into something or away from something. That doesn't always feel like unending love.
As I reflect back though on my childhood, my parents often prodded me along and then they also dragged me along or away from things that were not in my best interest, though I didn't understand at the time. God's love is much like that loving parent maneuvering us where He wants or doesn't want us to be. That is almost unfathomable in our human minds. Many have said they loved - and stopped - or never really did to begin with, or loved selfishly. But God doesn't. His love is a pure and unadulterated love. Who doesn't want or need to experience that type of love?
But, He doesn't stop there! God's love is so great that He doesn't only flood us with love, but He promises to rebuild what has been torn down in our exile. In verse 4, the word build translates as to form something new using previous materials. Dear One, God takes your mess that perhaps you or another created, and He tears it down and rebuilds your life the way He wanted it to look at along - in a way that reflects Him!
As a celebration to Him and His work, He tells us that we are to go forth with our tambourines and dancing! The idea of going forth means that we are to go with purpose! Our days shouldn't be wasted with nothingness, but they should be an intentional reflection of the power of God to save, heal, restore, and clean up the messes in our lives.
The dance is something else however...yes it means to dance (I'm picturing the Cha Cha Slide) but that word also translates as writhing in birthing pains. What in the world? Birthing a baby HURTS! And the pain continues until the mother is healed....hmmm....so perhaps we have to experience some type of pain in our lives in order for the rebuilding process to take place? Oh that we could learn of God's love just in the happy times, but my experience tells me that I learned far more of God's love in the pain...and more of His faithfulness in the healing and rebuilding.
So wherever this post finds you - hurting, healing, hoping....remember God's love is bigger, stronger, and wilder than anything else you can experience.
"I'm going to show you love in every language, I'm going to speak with words that need no form. I'm going to give you what you never had before." Jars of Clay - Show You Love
Jeremiah 31:3-4 answers some of those of those questions if we dig into the real meanings.
"....I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness. Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, and go forth to the dances of the merrymakers." NASB
After spending time studying this I am convinced that just as there is no other God than Jehovah, there is no other Love like this one! To put this in context the Israelites had been taken in exile and Jeremiah remained with the remnant to minister to the broken and devastated few.
I don't know what your life has looked like the past, but I do know if you live long enough you will experience some sort of exile in your own life: whether it's spiritual, physical, financial, or emotional, we all endure some type of hardship that allows God to prove His love to us in that circumstance, if we only have the eyes to recognize the love! God's love could arrive in so many forms - a friend, financial assistance, peace in the midst of turmoil, even just a rainbow at the right moment.
Jeremiah describes God's love as everlasting - meaning perpetual. The only other thing perpetual like that in my life is laundry! At some point we might actually reach the bottom of the laundry basket, but we cannot possibly reach the end of God's love because it doesn't exist.
The Lord goes on in verse 3 to tell us that He has "drawn us with loving-kindness" This translates as be guided or directed with a focus on active involvement. It also can mean the dragging of an object along. Do you realize that there have been times in your life that you didn't even realize that God's active love was guiding you, protecting you, and nudging you gently along? And then, there are times when we are fully aware that God is dragging us into something or away from something. That doesn't always feel like unending love.
As I reflect back though on my childhood, my parents often prodded me along and then they also dragged me along or away from things that were not in my best interest, though I didn't understand at the time. God's love is much like that loving parent maneuvering us where He wants or doesn't want us to be. That is almost unfathomable in our human minds. Many have said they loved - and stopped - or never really did to begin with, or loved selfishly. But God doesn't. His love is a pure and unadulterated love. Who doesn't want or need to experience that type of love?
But, He doesn't stop there! God's love is so great that He doesn't only flood us with love, but He promises to rebuild what has been torn down in our exile. In verse 4, the word build translates as to form something new using previous materials. Dear One, God takes your mess that perhaps you or another created, and He tears it down and rebuilds your life the way He wanted it to look at along - in a way that reflects Him!
As a celebration to Him and His work, He tells us that we are to go forth with our tambourines and dancing! The idea of going forth means that we are to go with purpose! Our days shouldn't be wasted with nothingness, but they should be an intentional reflection of the power of God to save, heal, restore, and clean up the messes in our lives.
The dance is something else however...yes it means to dance (I'm picturing the Cha Cha Slide) but that word also translates as writhing in birthing pains. What in the world? Birthing a baby HURTS! And the pain continues until the mother is healed....hmmm....so perhaps we have to experience some type of pain in our lives in order for the rebuilding process to take place? Oh that we could learn of God's love just in the happy times, but my experience tells me that I learned far more of God's love in the pain...and more of His faithfulness in the healing and rebuilding.
So wherever this post finds you - hurting, healing, hoping....remember God's love is bigger, stronger, and wilder than anything else you can experience.
"I'm going to show you love in every language, I'm going to speak with words that need no form. I'm going to give you what you never had before." Jars of Clay - Show You Love
Monday, December 24, 2012
When Mary Dropped Jesus...
A week or so ago I attended Colby's school recital. For the most part it was the normal telling of the Christmas story with Colby's class performing a play that intertwined the story with a sci-fi twist about traveling through time in an attempt to visit Bethlehem. The younger classes - preschool age- were used as the shepherds and angels in the Christmas story. One lucky little girl and boy were chosen to portray Mary and Joseph, and they were dressed in what you normally see little children dressed in these events.
As the play is progressing just as you would expect, the unexpected happened! Mary's head wrap fell off her head! So as any proper young lady would, she leaned over to pick it up. But in the process she forgot about the baby Jesus she was cradling in her arms! Baby Jesus (just a doll, not a real baby for those of you picturing a live nativity) landed up on the floor! But get this - when Mary realized what had happened she lost it! She began wailing (VERY loudly!!) uncontrollably and she was not to be consoled! Someone tried quickly to hug her, hand her the baby and assure her it was ok to go on with the play, but she was having none of it! Mary was devastated that she had dropped baby Jesus and they had to wrap her up and remove her from the play. Thank goodness the play was almost at the end!
But what about the lessons there if you ponder a bit...First...How often do we drop Jesus? I do it at some point everyday in my reactions, actions, or thoughts. Are we dropping Him now during the very season we are to be celebrating Him? Are we too wrapped up in gifts, travel, decorations, or cooking so that we cannot focus on Him and how He would have us to celebrate by worshipping and serving others? I realize it's Christmas Eve now, but make sure to pause sometime today to worship and if you feel led to serve by blessing a family in some way do it! Toby Mac keeps reminding me "You ain't living til you choose to give love, joy, peace to one of His!"
Second - when we realize we have dropped Jesus, what is our reaction? Do we come undone like Mary did, or do we just go about our day with an "oh well" reaction? Undone is good. Hopefully a reaction like that will keep us close and from dropping Jesus frequently. Our hearts should break when we drop the One who gave every blood drop in His body for us to have salvation, abundant life, grace, and mercy - the best Christmas presents anyone can receive.
In the Christmas story in Luke 2:25, Simeon was described as righteous and devout and He was LOOKING for Jesus. The Bible says he was looking forward to Israel's consolation. What a thought. Consolation. Maybe we should have told Mary in the play all she had to do was pick up her consolation. Maybe that's something we all need to hear. If Christmas is not a season of enjoyment this year, Jesus is your consolation. Just pick Him up, and if you by chance happen to drop Him along the way during the year, remember He will console you because He is consolation. Merry Christmas from a fellow Jesus dropper.
As the play is progressing just as you would expect, the unexpected happened! Mary's head wrap fell off her head! So as any proper young lady would, she leaned over to pick it up. But in the process she forgot about the baby Jesus she was cradling in her arms! Baby Jesus (just a doll, not a real baby for those of you picturing a live nativity) landed up on the floor! But get this - when Mary realized what had happened she lost it! She began wailing (VERY loudly!!) uncontrollably and she was not to be consoled! Someone tried quickly to hug her, hand her the baby and assure her it was ok to go on with the play, but she was having none of it! Mary was devastated that she had dropped baby Jesus and they had to wrap her up and remove her from the play. Thank goodness the play was almost at the end!
But what about the lessons there if you ponder a bit...First...How often do we drop Jesus? I do it at some point everyday in my reactions, actions, or thoughts. Are we dropping Him now during the very season we are to be celebrating Him? Are we too wrapped up in gifts, travel, decorations, or cooking so that we cannot focus on Him and how He would have us to celebrate by worshipping and serving others? I realize it's Christmas Eve now, but make sure to pause sometime today to worship and if you feel led to serve by blessing a family in some way do it! Toby Mac keeps reminding me "You ain't living til you choose to give love, joy, peace to one of His!"
Second - when we realize we have dropped Jesus, what is our reaction? Do we come undone like Mary did, or do we just go about our day with an "oh well" reaction? Undone is good. Hopefully a reaction like that will keep us close and from dropping Jesus frequently. Our hearts should break when we drop the One who gave every blood drop in His body for us to have salvation, abundant life, grace, and mercy - the best Christmas presents anyone can receive.
In the Christmas story in Luke 2:25, Simeon was described as righteous and devout and He was LOOKING for Jesus. The Bible says he was looking forward to Israel's consolation. What a thought. Consolation. Maybe we should have told Mary in the play all she had to do was pick up her consolation. Maybe that's something we all need to hear. If Christmas is not a season of enjoyment this year, Jesus is your consolation. Just pick Him up, and if you by chance happen to drop Him along the way during the year, remember He will console you because He is consolation. Merry Christmas from a fellow Jesus dropper.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Need a Piece of Peace?
When I was a little girl I always
remember my Mother saying she just wanted some peace and quiet. Now that I'm
an adult I SORTA understand what she was talking about. I understand that life
gets hectic, pressures mount, time and money is limited, and often people just
want more of us than we really have available to give them. Of course, I really
think she was talking about the noise level - but that still doesn't make sense
to me because I'm an only child!
Seriously one of the things I look
forward to most, is sitting in my pajamas in my chair with the candles (and
now the tree) lit, a cup of coffee, Bible, iPod, and eventually the newspaper. I can
sit there for two or three hours during the morning with no
trouble....peace....at least while the kids sleep. But that is a false peace
created by my own staging on Saturday mornings.
Sure, the Lord and I meet together,
but I set the stage with my props. And
my peace is usually over the moment one of my kids awakens. Not that it's a bad thing.
I'm sure we all advocate for our "quiet times" but the kinda of peace we all really need is the kind of peace that sustains us when our world is
crashing in on us. The kind of peace that we need when our future is very
uncertain. The kind of peace we need when we get an unfavorable health report.
The kind of peace we need when our job is in jeopardy. The kind of peace we
need when relationships that are supposed to be solid, get rocky. I think you
know what I'm talking about. This is the kind of peace I'm talking about. In order to obtain and cling to that type of peace there are a few things we need to know:
1. Peace is not meant
to be understood - just accepted and experienced.
Philippians talks of a peace that
surpasses understanding.....
Philippians 4 tells us that when we rejoice in the Lord, when we are gracious and remember the Lord is near, when we don't worry but petition the Lord with our requests and thanksgiving that:
"the peace of God which surpasses every thought ( or our understanding) will guard our hearts and minds."
If
you have not experienced this, it is almost impossible to explain, let alone
comprehend. When we have prayed in this manner Paul describes we become
enveloped in a peace that can only come from God. When life’s circumstances are the worst
possible, we still find protection from the world in the God of Peace. It is so
incredible that the Bible tells us we cannot understand it. How can you be
facing the worst situation in your job or marriage, with your kids or other family
members, in your finances, with your health – and still experience this
incredible peace. It is spiritual and straight from God – not meant to be
understand, just experienced. Kinda like math - I don't understand it, but I experience it. Trust me, peace is much better than math!
Peace translates as several different meanings in the original Hebrew and Greek. Some of my favorites are rest, quietness, exemption from the rage and havoc
of war, peace between
individuals,
of the Messiah’s peace, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through
Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, the blessed state of devout and upright men after death.
I think my favorite part is the exemption from rage and havoc of war. This doesn't just refer to political wars but our very struggles in our lives - the basic war between spirit and flesh. I can have peace over that. I don't have to understand it, just experience it.
I think my favorite part is the exemption from rage and havoc of war. This doesn't just refer to political wars but our very struggles in our lives - the basic war between spirit and flesh. I can have peace over that. I don't have to understand it, just experience it.
So - where did/does this peace come from? Let's go back to
the Old Testament to find out!
Isaiah 9:6 - "For a child will be born to us and the government
will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
2. Jesus was sent to us to BE our peace- not just as He saved us from our sin and to provide ultimate peace at death, but He came to BE OUR PEACE ONE DAY AT AT TIME while we live on earth.
This word peace here is "Shalom" and it is connected to the peace found in Philippians. Some have called the Prince of Peace to be known as The Tranquilizer (referring to Hosea where lion and lamb will lie together). How interesting to think of Jesus as my Tranquilizer - when my emotions are running amuck, when I'm tired, or upset with someone, or feel I have been wronged, or I'm just sad and disappointed. Whatever I need Him to be, Jesus IS. This is promise that was given through the propehcy. Now lets look at the manner in which God sent peace to earth and the angelic reaction.
2. Jesus was sent to us to BE our peace- not just as He saved us from our sin and to provide ultimate peace at death, but He came to BE OUR PEACE ONE DAY AT AT TIME while we live on earth.
This word peace here is "Shalom" and it is connected to the peace found in Philippians. Some have called the Prince of Peace to be known as The Tranquilizer (referring to Hosea where lion and lamb will lie together). How interesting to think of Jesus as my Tranquilizer - when my emotions are running amuck, when I'm tired, or upset with someone, or feel I have been wronged, or I'm just sad and disappointed. Whatever I need Him to be, Jesus IS. This is promise that was given through the propehcy. Now lets look at the manner in which God sent peace to earth and the angelic reaction.
Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth
to people He favors.
This is what the angels sang! They didn't sing of prosperity, health, or political freedom. They sang that Peace had arrived.
I love the words of Sara Groves in the introduction to Jars of Clay's "Peace is Here: Christmas Reflections." She describes the angels announcing the birth of Jesus as if they were bursting at the seams...that perhaps they had to beg God to let them sing to just one town, or small group of shepherds...that perhaps they promised it would only be a few of them and they would not blow the cover of the Christ Child. And then they sang.....Peace is here!This is what the angels sang! They didn't sing of prosperity, health, or political freedom. They sang that Peace had arrived.
The angels GOT it! They saw the entire picture and they KNEW the gift that had just been given to mankind. The interesting thing is that the Roman government had instituted a policy of "peace" but no government, even one as powerful as the Roman government, can dictate your personal presence of peace - either with God or with life in general.
3. What a government cannot do, God alone does.
Ephesians 2:14a - "He is our peace....."
The idea the language gives us here in the use of these particular nouns and verbs is the idea of joining together...specifically Jew and Gentile ...but also Jesus to us and us to Him.Jesus and Peace cannot be separated! So if you have Jesus, there is no question whether you have peace in your life or not! Now, you and I can make choices that make peace elusive or foggy! Sin does that and so does forgetting exactly what authority Christ brought to earth! Remember, of all the things the angles could have sang, they sang of peace because they knew how desperate mankind was and would always continue to be for peace, and they knew the gift God had just sent to the world.
4. And the Giver of all good things gave us exactly what we needed:
John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful."
In this simple statement - a normal greeting but also a
parting word - Jesus left a legacy for the disciples, but also for us. He didn't
just leave peace for them - He left it for me and you too. Sin is forgiven and
forgotten. He made and continues to make a way for us. He left us with precious
promises to claim: Romans 8:28, Psalm 27:13, and so many others of being with
us when we go through the fire and flood, never forsaking or leaving us, loving
us with an everlasting love and so much more.
This Christmas as we wrap gifts up with fancy trimmings and bows and place them under the tree, perhaps we should all take our favorite verses, maybe some of the above, or others you love or need to hear, and place them in a box under our tree to be opened Christmas morning. Then we are reminded exactly why He journeyed far to earth - how He was announced by the angels, and the exact gift He left us. Peace is here! Gloria!
This Christmas as we wrap gifts up with fancy trimmings and bows and place them under the tree, perhaps we should all take our favorite verses, maybe some of the above, or others you love or need to hear, and place them in a box under our tree to be opened Christmas morning. Then we are reminded exactly why He journeyed far to earth - how He was announced by the angels, and the exact gift He left us. Peace is here! Gloria!
[1]
Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s
Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[2]
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Lk 2:14).
Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[3]
Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader (Eph 2:14). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.
Monday, September 3, 2012
When the Answer is Nowhere in Sight...
My tenacious BSF (Bible Study Fellowship - for all my sweet, non FBC friends) class loosely nicknamed "Griner's Gutsy Girls," (really not sure where that came from,) has been intently focusing on learning about prayer. In fact we are doing a book study entitled, "What Happens When Women Pray." This book by Evenlyn Christenson has been around for decades, and is very rich in encouraging, motivating, and teaching women about the power of prayer.
But there is always one question we come back to: unanswered prayer. There could be so many reasons why God has not answered our intense, heartwrenching prayers. It could be something positive such as praying for something specific, and God has something better in store for our lives. This could be a job we think is good, but He's preparing us for an even better one. It might be that we are praying completely out of God's will (Lord, please let me hit Powerball tonight!) It might be that we pray half-heartedly, not really expecting that the Lord will answer, while we should be believing Him for all He promises rather than doubting.
And then there's the big reason we don't like to talk about because it's not sweet and sugary: SIN. Fact is, we ALL sin frequently, probably multiple times daily. It then becomes about what I do, or don't do, about my sin. I know that just sounded like I don't think Jesus is big enough to wipe away my sin clean away like Oxi-Clean and dry up my mess with a ShamWoW! But it is precisely the opposite.
Once I sin, I have to DO something with that sin - I have to own it and ask God to forgive it or else my prayers don't make it past my ceiling. And that takes time and effort - for me to own up and ask for forgiveness. This is such an important part of prayer and we so often skip over it. I'm convicted right now about being convicted! If we don't take time to admit and confess those sins, and then trust God to exterminate our sins, it's not that He WON'T hear our prayers, it's that He CAN'T. Big difference there.
Isaiah 50:1-2 says, "Indeed, the Lord's hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. But your iniquities (churchy word for SIN) have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen." Holman version.
Yikes! So most of us haven't committed sin that we consider gross sin like murder, theft, etc... And I can only speak for myself, but I KNOW how many times I have committed sins such as bitterness, jealousy, pride, selfishness, not being a good steward of money, gossip.....and I could continue to bore you with the list. ALL of those sins have to be removed however, for my prayers to be heard.
God gave me a great visual picture of this. My ten year old son, Colby, loves to play outside with his fearless friends. They build forts, ride bikes, get dirty in the marsh, play in the rain....you get it: boy stuff! When he is ready to come in from playing, if he is covered in the dirt and mud he LOVES to come hug me. While I love him desperately, the last thing I want are his grimy, muddy feet, and stinky smell in my house, let alone touching me. After he has hosed off a bit outside and then made it to the shower for a deep cleaning, THEN I am all about the hugs!
Do you see it? When WE approach God with stinky, smelly hearts, and messed up thoughts, He says, "Woah!!! Nope, you need to get cleaned up first!" Well, at least that's how He says it to me. I have to get my heart and head in the game, spiritually speaking, acknowledge and confess those sins, and then I can approach the Lord with my desires, requests, and petitions. Sometimes I may even have to call someone and beg their forgivness in the process. I so desperately need prayer in so many areas and I have so many friends with specific needs and requests that I don't have time to stay dirty!
So, if you have some specific prayer request hanging out there (or lots of them) that doesn't seem to be getting through the ceiling, and you believe you are praying aligned with the will of God, then do a self-check. You will be amazed what the Lord will bring to your mind for which you might need to ask forgiveness. He will often bring to me thoughts of a behavior or habit that needs changing; or perhaps my attitude needs adjusting about something.
Then the strangest thing often happens: once I get cleaned up, the Holy Spirit will usually direct me to pray specific requests from a different angle. It might go something like this: Suppose I am praying for a financial need for a friend. The Lord might respond back for me to pray a different way about the need - perhaps I am not asking for big enough results. Or, He may direct me to pray a specific Scripture over a need or a person.
If you are still with me this far, and I hope you are, I am praying that you find encouragement and motivation to seek the Lord with all of your being through prayer. Just don't forget to take care of business first! And if you show up at my house wth muddy feet, I will hose you down and then pray for you!
But there is always one question we come back to: unanswered prayer. There could be so many reasons why God has not answered our intense, heartwrenching prayers. It could be something positive such as praying for something specific, and God has something better in store for our lives. This could be a job we think is good, but He's preparing us for an even better one. It might be that we are praying completely out of God's will (Lord, please let me hit Powerball tonight!) It might be that we pray half-heartedly, not really expecting that the Lord will answer, while we should be believing Him for all He promises rather than doubting.
And then there's the big reason we don't like to talk about because it's not sweet and sugary: SIN. Fact is, we ALL sin frequently, probably multiple times daily. It then becomes about what I do, or don't do, about my sin. I know that just sounded like I don't think Jesus is big enough to wipe away my sin clean away like Oxi-Clean and dry up my mess with a ShamWoW! But it is precisely the opposite.
Once I sin, I have to DO something with that sin - I have to own it and ask God to forgive it or else my prayers don't make it past my ceiling. And that takes time and effort - for me to own up and ask for forgiveness. This is such an important part of prayer and we so often skip over it. I'm convicted right now about being convicted! If we don't take time to admit and confess those sins, and then trust God to exterminate our sins, it's not that He WON'T hear our prayers, it's that He CAN'T. Big difference there.
Isaiah 50:1-2 says, "Indeed, the Lord's hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. But your iniquities (churchy word for SIN) have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen." Holman version.
Yikes! So most of us haven't committed sin that we consider gross sin like murder, theft, etc... And I can only speak for myself, but I KNOW how many times I have committed sins such as bitterness, jealousy, pride, selfishness, not being a good steward of money, gossip.....and I could continue to bore you with the list. ALL of those sins have to be removed however, for my prayers to be heard.
God gave me a great visual picture of this. My ten year old son, Colby, loves to play outside with his fearless friends. They build forts, ride bikes, get dirty in the marsh, play in the rain....you get it: boy stuff! When he is ready to come in from playing, if he is covered in the dirt and mud he LOVES to come hug me. While I love him desperately, the last thing I want are his grimy, muddy feet, and stinky smell in my house, let alone touching me. After he has hosed off a bit outside and then made it to the shower for a deep cleaning, THEN I am all about the hugs!
Do you see it? When WE approach God with stinky, smelly hearts, and messed up thoughts, He says, "Woah!!! Nope, you need to get cleaned up first!" Well, at least that's how He says it to me. I have to get my heart and head in the game, spiritually speaking, acknowledge and confess those sins, and then I can approach the Lord with my desires, requests, and petitions. Sometimes I may even have to call someone and beg their forgivness in the process. I so desperately need prayer in so many areas and I have so many friends with specific needs and requests that I don't have time to stay dirty!
So, if you have some specific prayer request hanging out there (or lots of them) that doesn't seem to be getting through the ceiling, and you believe you are praying aligned with the will of God, then do a self-check. You will be amazed what the Lord will bring to your mind for which you might need to ask forgiveness. He will often bring to me thoughts of a behavior or habit that needs changing; or perhaps my attitude needs adjusting about something.
Then the strangest thing often happens: once I get cleaned up, the Holy Spirit will usually direct me to pray specific requests from a different angle. It might go something like this: Suppose I am praying for a financial need for a friend. The Lord might respond back for me to pray a different way about the need - perhaps I am not asking for big enough results. Or, He may direct me to pray a specific Scripture over a need or a person.
If you are still with me this far, and I hope you are, I am praying that you find encouragement and motivation to seek the Lord with all of your being through prayer. Just don't forget to take care of business first! And if you show up at my house wth muddy feet, I will hose you down and then pray for you!
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