I remember in Sunday school a few years ago someone commented that it was difficult to teach the Christmas story because it's been taught so many times and everyone knows it so well. I responded that the Holy Spirit often gives me new insight from a passage I thought I knew inside out. It's not always something I never knew, but it's often something I need right then - what is sometimes called a rhema word. It's the Holy Spirit reminding me of what God said (cf. John 14:26), bringing God's word alive in my life. I got such a word tonight at revival. Many times, tonight included, the lessons seems so obvious that I wonder how I missed them before. I think it's because the Word speaks to whatever we're facing, so our needs change as our lives change. I love how we can each get what we need from God's word, which might be something different for each of us from the same scripture, sermon, or lesson. Tonight's revelation was from Daniel 3, the passage popularly known by its setting, the fiery furnace. Pretty familiar story, right?
Once upon a time a king threw three men into a fiery furnace. When the king looked in the fire, he saw that the men weren't burning up, so he told them to come out of the fire. The three men came out and they were not hurt and they didn't even smell like smoke. The king praised the one true God that the men worshipped, promoted the men to better positions in his kingdom, and the men lived happily ever after.
Of course it's not that elementary, but sometimes we look at "the big picture" this way and miss important details. Think about how the story changes if you stop reading at verse 25, which says:
“Look!” [King Nebuchadnezzar] answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (NKJV)
What the preacher said tonight is that God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego not from the fire, but in the fire. He didn't bring them out of their predicament, but He was in it with them. In verse 23 we learn that they were bound when they were thrown into the fire, but in verse 25 they are free. They were in a situation that had killed others and should have killed them, but they were unharmed.
God is able to deliver us out of the trials we face and sometimes He will do so, but He is also able to liberate us while we're still in the midst of trying circumstances. So whatever your fiery furnace might be, remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and know that God is with you and that He gives you the power to live . . . unbound and unharmed, even as the fire continues to rage around you. Glory to God!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Matthew 10:30
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
What a great verse! Talk about attention to detail. It doesn't say our hairs are counted. It says they're numbered. If you see a few hairs in the brush, God knows exactly which ones they are. "There go hairs 27,950, 52,694, 84,103, and 90,293." (A quick Internet search says that most of us have around 100,000 hairs on our head.) God has numbered each hair on my head and your head. That tells us there's nothing He's not concerned about. So let your hair be a reminder of God's love for you!
What a great verse! Talk about attention to detail. It doesn't say our hairs are counted. It says they're numbered. If you see a few hairs in the brush, God knows exactly which ones they are. "There go hairs 27,950, 52,694, 84,103, and 90,293." (A quick Internet search says that most of us have around 100,000 hairs on our head.) God has numbered each hair on my head and your head. That tells us there's nothing He's not concerned about. So let your hair be a reminder of God's love for you!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
5 months?!
Almost 5 months since I've posted - augh! What kind of blogger am I? God is certainly speaking - I've even made notes about things I wanted to write - but my follow-through is lacking. Rather than lamenting, I will celebrate that I'm posting today. Yay for me!
I heard a sermon today based on Mark 4:35-5:1. It was a great sermon but what struck me the most isn't something the preacher said. It's something God showed me Himself. In verse 35 Jesus says, "Let us cross over to the other side." Then in verse 38 the disciples ask, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" That's how it appeared to them. Caught up in the storm, they forgot that Jesus had already told them that they would make it to the other side.
The first lesson for me in this is the freshness of God's Word. I've read these verses and heard this passage preached many times, but don't recall noticing this before. Though they didn't say it in quite these words, I've heard people complain about how they know all there is to know about certain familiar Bible events and get bored studying them again and again. Really? When we feel that way, all we have to do is ask God to speak to us and He will. Or could it be that He's speaking but because we think we know it all, we're not listening?
The other lesson I find is directly from the scripture. We may be tempted to condemn the people in the Bible. In this instance we might think, "They were the disciples. They spent every day with Jesus! Why were they so afraid? If I had been there, I wouldn't have been worried." I ask again, Really? I can't speak for you, but I find that I am more like the people in the Bible than I might care to admit. I may be knowledgeable about many Bible people and events. Perhaps I can recite a variety of Bible passages. But does my life reflect the things I claim to believe? Or like the disciples, do I allow myself to be overtaken by my circumstances and forget what Jesus has promised? How often do I respond to problems in my life with fear, worry, perhaps even panic? Certainly such responses are human nature, yet we are called to "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). "Grow(ing) in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) does not just happen. Isaiah 26:3 comes to mind: if we would have perfect peace, we must keep our minds stayed on God. We must choose to focus on Him rather than on our problems. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8) My problems don't fit those categories. Do yours?
I have a list of promises to share, but this post has gotten long and I've gotten hungry. :-) So I will end with only one and post the others later. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for our good, so in midst of our problems, we should look with anticipation to see what good God will bring forth.
In high school, we sometimes wrote stream of consciousness essays. Rather than being concerned with an outline, an opening, a conclusion, and other aspects of a "proper" essay, we were to write down whatever came to mind. As much as I try to make these posts make sense, I feel like the stream of consciousness style sometimes takes over. I enjoy thinking about and writing about God and how He speaks and works in my life. My prayer is that something in my musings is a blessing to those who read them. Thanks for reading!
I heard a sermon today based on Mark 4:35-5:1. It was a great sermon but what struck me the most isn't something the preacher said. It's something God showed me Himself. In verse 35 Jesus says, "Let us cross over to the other side." Then in verse 38 the disciples ask, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" That's how it appeared to them. Caught up in the storm, they forgot that Jesus had already told them that they would make it to the other side.
The first lesson for me in this is the freshness of God's Word. I've read these verses and heard this passage preached many times, but don't recall noticing this before. Though they didn't say it in quite these words, I've heard people complain about how they know all there is to know about certain familiar Bible events and get bored studying them again and again. Really? When we feel that way, all we have to do is ask God to speak to us and He will. Or could it be that He's speaking but because we think we know it all, we're not listening?
The other lesson I find is directly from the scripture. We may be tempted to condemn the people in the Bible. In this instance we might think, "They were the disciples. They spent every day with Jesus! Why were they so afraid? If I had been there, I wouldn't have been worried." I ask again, Really? I can't speak for you, but I find that I am more like the people in the Bible than I might care to admit. I may be knowledgeable about many Bible people and events. Perhaps I can recite a variety of Bible passages. But does my life reflect the things I claim to believe? Or like the disciples, do I allow myself to be overtaken by my circumstances and forget what Jesus has promised? How often do I respond to problems in my life with fear, worry, perhaps even panic? Certainly such responses are human nature, yet we are called to "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). "Grow(ing) in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) does not just happen. Isaiah 26:3 comes to mind: if we would have perfect peace, we must keep our minds stayed on God. We must choose to focus on Him rather than on our problems. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8) My problems don't fit those categories. Do yours?
I have a list of promises to share, but this post has gotten long and I've gotten hungry. :-) So I will end with only one and post the others later. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for our good, so in midst of our problems, we should look with anticipation to see what good God will bring forth.
In high school, we sometimes wrote stream of consciousness essays. Rather than being concerned with an outline, an opening, a conclusion, and other aspects of a "proper" essay, we were to write down whatever came to mind. As much as I try to make these posts make sense, I feel like the stream of consciousness style sometimes takes over. I enjoy thinking about and writing about God and how He speaks and works in my life. My prayer is that something in my musings is a blessing to those who read them. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Every One Matters
What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matthew 10:29 NLT
Yes, I know "everyone" is a normally a compound word, but I separated it on purpose just this once. Every one of us, each person matters to God. Because we are striving to be like Him, people should matter to us too. Certainly our friends and family matter to us. Probably so do the people at church and maybe our co-workers. But what about the cashier in the fast food drive thru or the person who delivers our mail? What about the person who asked for our spare change or the one who cut in front of us in traffic? What about that person who gets on our last nerve, the one we go out of our way to avoid? What about that person whose skin is a different color, the one who speaks a different language - whether down the block or on a differeng continent? Every one matters.
I've run across a couple of interesting efforts in this vein that I want to share. The first one is The Homicide Report, a blog on the Los Angeles Times web site. Check out the story that was broadcast on NPR's All Things Considered to learn more. Secondly, I know someone who gets the Department of Defense news releases via email. When a soldier's death is reported, she searches online, hoping to find a photo of the soldier or an article about him or her. Also, she says a prayer for those the soldier left behind.
Each effort is making note that these lost lives matter. One seeks to make people aware while the other is more personal. I was touched by both. And while I appreciate what is being done, I can't help but think that we must find ways to let people know that they matter while they're still alive. But how do we do that? First, we can pray. This is how we can impact people near and far, individually and collectively. Next, we can be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and willing to follow His lead. While you may be destined for an audience the size of the L. A. Times readership, it may be that the smile you offer someone is just what they need, the first bright spot in their day.
One last thing: be kind to yourself. You matter too. Love others as you love yourself, remember?
Yes, I know "everyone" is a normally a compound word, but I separated it on purpose just this once. Every one of us, each person matters to God. Because we are striving to be like Him, people should matter to us too. Certainly our friends and family matter to us. Probably so do the people at church and maybe our co-workers. But what about the cashier in the fast food drive thru or the person who delivers our mail? What about the person who asked for our spare change or the one who cut in front of us in traffic? What about that person who gets on our last nerve, the one we go out of our way to avoid? What about that person whose skin is a different color, the one who speaks a different language - whether down the block or on a differeng continent? Every one matters.
I've run across a couple of interesting efforts in this vein that I want to share. The first one is The Homicide Report, a blog on the Los Angeles Times web site. Check out the story that was broadcast on NPR's All Things Considered to learn more. Secondly, I know someone who gets the Department of Defense news releases via email. When a soldier's death is reported, she searches online, hoping to find a photo of the soldier or an article about him or her. Also, she says a prayer for those the soldier left behind.
Each effort is making note that these lost lives matter. One seeks to make people aware while the other is more personal. I was touched by both. And while I appreciate what is being done, I can't help but think that we must find ways to let people know that they matter while they're still alive. But how do we do that? First, we can pray. This is how we can impact people near and far, individually and collectively. Next, we can be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and willing to follow His lead. While you may be destined for an audience the size of the L. A. Times readership, it may be that the smile you offer someone is just what they need, the first bright spot in their day.
One last thing: be kind to yourself. You matter too. Love others as you love yourself, remember?
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Father's Day
Today is supposed to be a happy day. And in a way it is. Though my memories of my dad are few, they are filled with activity and laughter and fun. And so today I thank God for my daddy and the ten years he was in my life. But I can't think about my dad and me without thinking of other dads and children. First is David of course. As little as I recall, he probably remembers less since he was only six years old when daddy died. I hope he has some happy memories as I do. Next I think of Kelly. She was an adult when her dad died, but it saddens her to think of all he is missing in her life as it continues without him here. Then I think of Denise, who knows who her dad is but has no relationship with him. I wonder how often they see each other and what that is like for her. I think of Eric, who met his dad only twice and probably doesn't know or care to know where he is. I think of Lee, who has probably never met her dad and perhaps never will. I think of Mel and the hurtful things done by her dad to their family. I think of Lawrence, whose son died just a few weeks ago. Certainly there are many people whose Father's Day will be happy, and for that I am grateful. But the focus of my thoughts and prayers right now is those who may not have a happy Father's Day.
Keeping with the theme of this blog, where is "God speaking" in all this? First, for those of us who had Godly fathers, I am thankful for them and their influence in our lives, which we feel even if we can't list specific things they taught us. Also, we miss them but we see God's love and faithfulness as He comforts us. As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4: "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." There is God speaking again! He comforts us "so that we can comfort others." So those of us who know what it's like not to have a father should perhaps look around and see what we can do for another who hasn't a father.
God bless those people who step in and become like a father to those who don't have one. Whether it is a relative, a family friend, someone from church, or even someone who starts out as a stranger (e.g. a Big Brother), thank you for these people who see a need and seek to fill it.
Some of our earthly fathers chose not to be a part of our lives; others were taken by circumstances beyond their control. Whatever the reason they are not with us, our heavenly Father is different. He is always with us and always will be. He states it unequivocally in Joshua 1:5: "I will not leave you nor forsake you."
For those who are saved, our sadness should remind us that this world is only temporary. Our true home is in God's eternal presence and that's what we're looking forward to. Romans 8:18 says, "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." Actually, read through verse 25. Good stuff!
Finally, for those who aren't saved, some of them figure that if a heavenly Father is going to be like their earthly father, they don't need Him. My prayer for them is that they will come to know God the Father, His love, and how much better life is with Him in it.
Keeping with the theme of this blog, where is "God speaking" in all this? First, for those of us who had Godly fathers, I am thankful for them and their influence in our lives, which we feel even if we can't list specific things they taught us. Also, we miss them but we see God's love and faithfulness as He comforts us. As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4: "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." There is God speaking again! He comforts us "so that we can comfort others." So those of us who know what it's like not to have a father should perhaps look around and see what we can do for another who hasn't a father.
God bless those people who step in and become like a father to those who don't have one. Whether it is a relative, a family friend, someone from church, or even someone who starts out as a stranger (e.g. a Big Brother), thank you for these people who see a need and seek to fill it.
Some of our earthly fathers chose not to be a part of our lives; others were taken by circumstances beyond their control. Whatever the reason they are not with us, our heavenly Father is different. He is always with us and always will be. He states it unequivocally in Joshua 1:5: "I will not leave you nor forsake you."
For those who are saved, our sadness should remind us that this world is only temporary. Our true home is in God's eternal presence and that's what we're looking forward to. Romans 8:18 says, "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." Actually, read through verse 25. Good stuff!
Finally, for those who aren't saved, some of them figure that if a heavenly Father is going to be like their earthly father, they don't need Him. My prayer for them is that they will come to know God the Father, His love, and how much better life is with Him in it.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Spreading the Gospel
As I was leaving the concert hall tonight, a man was standing on a step ladder in the grass preaching. I heard someone comment, "I can't believe they let him do that!" But to me that was a positive comment because it means she heard what he was saying. Was what he was doing right? Definitely. Was his method unorthodox? Perhaps. Was there anything wrong with it? I'm still thinking on that one but my initial answer is no.
Think about the places Jesus preached. The Sermon on the Mount was presumably preached on a mount. :-) When he fed the 4,ooo and the 5,ooo, they were in a field or by a lake...or in a field by a lake. In Acts 1, I think the disciples were preaching in the public square. And didn't John the Baptist preach in the desert? This is interesting; I'll have to look at the venues of some Bible sermons. But back to my topic.
Step Ladder Man (SLM) is a bold witness for Christ. I like that. I need to be that. SLM is taking the message outside the walls of the church to more of the people who need to hear it. Sometimes I think we don't do enough of that.
As I listened to him, I thought of the verse that says the Word will not return void. Later I thought of the verse about the Holy Spirit bringing things to our remembrance. I often think that for those who have been to church or otherwise heard the gospel but haven't been saved or have strayed away, a line of a song or a fragment of a familiar verse is enough to start them on their journey (back) to Christ. That's why I think even if no one stopped to listen to all SLM had to say, what someone heard in passing was exactly what they needed to hear.
I said a prayer for him and for all the passersby who would hear him. I gave him a thumbs-up and smiled as I walked to my car.
Think about the places Jesus preached. The Sermon on the Mount was presumably preached on a mount. :-) When he fed the 4,ooo and the 5,ooo, they were in a field or by a lake...or in a field by a lake. In Acts 1, I think the disciples were preaching in the public square. And didn't John the Baptist preach in the desert? This is interesting; I'll have to look at the venues of some Bible sermons. But back to my topic.
Step Ladder Man (SLM) is a bold witness for Christ. I like that. I need to be that. SLM is taking the message outside the walls of the church to more of the people who need to hear it. Sometimes I think we don't do enough of that.
As I listened to him, I thought of the verse that says the Word will not return void. Later I thought of the verse about the Holy Spirit bringing things to our remembrance. I often think that for those who have been to church or otherwise heard the gospel but haven't been saved or have strayed away, a line of a song or a fragment of a familiar verse is enough to start them on their journey (back) to Christ. That's why I think even if no one stopped to listen to all SLM had to say, what someone heard in passing was exactly what they needed to hear.
I said a prayer for him and for all the passersby who would hear him. I gave him a thumbs-up and smiled as I walked to my car.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Another car story
It's been almost 8 months since I posted to this blog! I've had this story in mind ever since I shared the last one.
For 11 years I drove a 1986 Honda Civic. Toward the end, I started having some problems with it. I knew the time was coming when I'd have to replace it, but how would I know when that time was? And my biggest worry: how would I afford a car payment? Being a financial person, I had played with my budget, trying a variety of scenarios, and none of them looked like I would be able to get a car. One day on the way to work, my car died. Just like that. I was driving south on Research Park Boulevard (I think it was still called Rideout Road at the time) not far from Madison Square Mall and I felt it lose power. I coasted to the side of the road. Did I have a cell phone then? I can't remember, but I think I did because I don't recall walking across the road. Perhaps I called my brother... I don't know, but I called someone to come get me and I left my car on the side of the road. I decided then not to fix my car again. It was time to get another one. Which I did. I got a brand new Honda Civic! I financed it for 5 years. As excited as I was to have it, I seem to recall sitting at my desk at work in tears, still unsure of how I would pay for it.
Well, God came through again. I made the payments with no problem and was even able to pay extra sometimes. The car loan was paid off in less than 5 years.
The point of these two stories - the point of this blog, I guess - is that God speaks to us in different ways. He fixed my car situation both times, in one by giving me the money to pay what was needed and in the other by taking care of what I was supposed to pay. So when we pray, we need to truly "take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there." We must trust Him to work things out in His own way and in His own time. If we had the answers, we wouldn't need Him, now would we? But we don't (have the answers) and we do (need Him).
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
For 11 years I drove a 1986 Honda Civic. Toward the end, I started having some problems with it. I knew the time was coming when I'd have to replace it, but how would I know when that time was? And my biggest worry: how would I afford a car payment? Being a financial person, I had played with my budget, trying a variety of scenarios, and none of them looked like I would be able to get a car. One day on the way to work, my car died. Just like that. I was driving south on Research Park Boulevard (I think it was still called Rideout Road at the time) not far from Madison Square Mall and I felt it lose power. I coasted to the side of the road. Did I have a cell phone then? I can't remember, but I think I did because I don't recall walking across the road. Perhaps I called my brother... I don't know, but I called someone to come get me and I left my car on the side of the road. I decided then not to fix my car again. It was time to get another one. Which I did. I got a brand new Honda Civic! I financed it for 5 years. As excited as I was to have it, I seem to recall sitting at my desk at work in tears, still unsure of how I would pay for it.
Well, God came through again. I made the payments with no problem and was even able to pay extra sometimes. The car loan was paid off in less than 5 years.
The point of these two stories - the point of this blog, I guess - is that God speaks to us in different ways. He fixed my car situation both times, in one by giving me the money to pay what was needed and in the other by taking care of what I was supposed to pay. So when we pray, we need to truly "take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there." We must trust Him to work things out in His own way and in His own time. If we had the answers, we wouldn't need Him, now would we? But we don't (have the answers) and we do (need Him).
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
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