God's Will Revealed

"He who forms the mountains,

creates the wind,

and reveals his thoughts to man,

he who turns dawn to darkness,

and treads the high place of the earth –

the LORD God, Almighty is his name."

Amos 4:13 NIV

We hear a lot about God’s will and most of us spend a good bit of time trying to decipher what his will is. We are often confused. Are we hearing God’s voice or our own voice? Then add to that mix the voice of Satan and we really are bewildered!

 

When I really get serious about knowing God’s will, the garden is the place I need to go. Sometimes I can’t hear the voice of God because everything that surrounds me is so distracting that I can’t even hear myself think. When I finally go to the garden, if I don’t try to talk God to death, I might actually be able to listen for his voice and try to discern his voice from Satan’s voice. If the words I am hearing are convicting I know those words are from the Holy Spirit. But if the words I hear are words of condemnation, then I know they are from Satan. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1 NIV  If the words stir fear within my heart they are from Satan, but if the words I hear are bathed in love they are from God. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,” 1 John 4:18a NIV

 

Even though I know in my head that God speaks words of love and truth, many times my heart is not ready to receive those words. I often choose to ignore his words of conviction and many times I second guess his words that command me to go and do. As I walk in the garden today I am seeking to know his will but I am also tempted to argue with God because I fear he is asking me to move out of my comfort zone.

 

Because of my guarded approach to the voice of God and the prompting of his Holy Spirit, I am totally missing the beauty of the garden. Peace seems to be as elusive as the butterfly that flutters over the lantana. I am totally preoccupied with getting my thoughts delivered to the Almighty. I want God to listen to me and see a few things from my perspective. I want him to be keenly aware that I have limitations. I want him to know that I lack certain abilities, and that I am a woman who is often driven by fear. I guess God has forgotten that I don’t take risks. The truth is I already have an agenda that is full of my own desires and dreams. I am walking down the path that I have mapped out for success and I don’t have much time to dilly-dally around with God’s experimental programs. I remind God that I know myself pretty well and I’m sure I have my own best interest at heart and the best interest of my family is always at the top of my list. God needs to understand that my will and my plans for my life have little room for flexibility or change. After all, my plans are not so bad. I am simply in pursuit of happiness.

 

But then the Holy Spirit stirs within my spirit and I begin to soften. My response is less hostile but still controlling.  “God, if per chance I should decide to take note of your suggestions for my life I will need a plan. From where I stand, having this plan in writing would be great. I will need facts and an organized plan of action, complete with charts and graphs that indicate projected success results. I need dates. I also want a guarantee that I will be happy with the end results. Lord, I really don’t think this is too unreasonable. I am simply being responsible. God, you gave me a brain and I am trying my best to use it!”

 

Now that I have said my piece, I guess I owe it to God, at the very least, to listen to what he has to say on the matter. I’m sure after listening to me he will see my point of view and is most likely going to agree with me. After all, God loves me and I love him. Then God speaks, “Paula, take off your shoes, you are on holy ground.” Instantly, my constant chattering comes to an immediate halt. As I look around the garden, I observe that there is not a burning bush anywhere in sight. Again I hear the authoritative voice of God and his message is simple. “Paula, it is not your job to try to figure out my will, it is however your job to pay attention and trust me! It is my job to reveal my will to you. I AM the one who gets to choose when, where and how I will reveal my plan for your life to you. I will unfold the details to you little by little, day by day.” In a matter of seconds my know-it-all attitude begins to melt as I find myself standing before my Creator. I am without a doubt on holy ground. I am sure that it is God speaking to me. In a holy moment my one sided prayer goes from a “me talking prayer” to a “me listening prayer”. God seems to silently suggest that I take out a notebook because it might be a good idea for me to take a few notes. God also lovingly reminded me that just like Jonah, if I opt to disobey and step away from his will for my life there will be natural negative consequences and I will also be robbing myself of his blessings.

 

I ask God, “How can I recognize your revelation?” God answers. “Ask me to direct your life and I will. Trust me that I know what is best for you even if it involves a bump in the road or pain. Allow me to take away your old desires and replace them with my new desires. I want your will to become the same as my will. I will put opportunity and people in your path if you trust me. I will encourage you to end relationships and activities that do not fit in with my plan for you. I promise you I will do my part IF you will do your part. Your part is to seek me, spend time with me, trust me with every detail of your life, and NEVER forget that I am good. Even when it seems I am not good you must believe that I am. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will guide you every step of the way!”

 

My mind tells me that I most definitely want the will of God in my life and that I don’t want to be anywhere that God does not want me to be. At this moment, I’m pretty sure that hanging out in a place where God does not want me to be is not a safe place. But like Jonah, my emotions begin to tell me that trusting God’s plan for my future may not be what I consider to be in my best interest. Satan now shoves his big foot into the door of my heart and begins to suggest fearful worst case scenarios! Of course, all lies! However, the truth is, when we belong to Jesus Christ the major winds of change in our life are God blown. We can choose to walk directly into the wind in an attempt to change direction and escape the will of God or we can move ahead with our back to the wind. When we choose to be blown forward by the breath of God and lead by his Spirit we will experience a life of blessing. If we walk directly into the wind we will be blown and tossed about like a wave on the sea. There will be no firm foundation and we will trip and fall as we struggle to keep our balance.

 

I find that my emotions have always been tied to my specific plans. In the past when those plans failed I was devastated. I did not understand that failure can be a very important part of God’s plan for my life. Looking back, if some of those plans had been carried out according to my will those plans would have placed me in the middle of disastrous situations. God has always known the path my life would take from beginning to end and many times his “no” has been his hand of protection. Still, God has allowed me to make my own mistakes while all along he knew that he had a better plan for my life that was grounded in blessing. My failure to listen to the voice of God resulted in God delaying or withholding a blessing that he had set aside and reserved just for me. Sure, because of God’s loving heart, he blessed me in other ways, but what about the blessings I may have missed? How many blessings have I forfeited?

 

Even along the path of blessing, not all things are pleasing. It is a common misconception that if we belong to God and follow his plans for our life we will sail through life with a smile on our face and problem free. The truth is that being a Christian does not entitle us to a perfect life. There are no guarantees for a wonderful stress free marriage, model children, perfect health, or a big bank account. It would serve us well to remember that God is not a wishing well or a good luck charm! However, God is our strength, our comfort, our provider, our peace, and our hope for eternity. Our prosperity does not depend on what happens to us in this world. When we belong to Jesus our prosperity is firmly planted in heaven.

 

When God asks us to step outside the walls of “our plan” and follow his will we can be sure that he is already on site waiting for us. We discover and learn the will of God for our life as he reveals it to us one event at a time. I really have come to believe that God is in all that concerns me. He places me where he wants me to be, he causes the lives of other people to intersect with mine, sometimes he removes people and things from my life, he leads me to my place within the body of Christ, he orchestrates for my provision, he blesses me, and he always allows things to enter my life that will give me an occasion to trust and rely on him rather than myself. God has taken the knee bending trials of my life and twisted them around for my sanctification and his glory. All that Satan has meant for my harm, God has uniquely used to create something beautiful out of the sinful ashes of chaos. My brokenness has always been God’s perfect tool for changing my character, teaching me his mind, and redeeming and restoring my life.

 

When God wants to reveal his plan for our life he speaks to us in amazing ways. The Word of God is a vital tool that God uses to teach us who he is and how he thinks. We learn how to trust God by discovering his character and his attributes as we read his Word. Other times we hear the voice of God through godly teachers, preachers, mentors, writers, and musicians. Godly friends also encourage us and confirm what we know to be true. God speaks to us through our world. Creation sings of his love and care, and his provision and faithfulness. Believers also hear the voice of God through the promptings and conviction of the Holy Spirit. The Word tells us that the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells us only what the Father tells him. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:12-13 NIV

 

It is Satan who sows seeds of doubt, fear, inadequacy, and selfishness. It is the lies of Satan that attempts to pull Believers away from the will of God. Nothing pleases Satan more than to cripple the mind of a believer and by doing so he is able to make them ineffective for the cause of Jesus Christ! But Jesus can always get us back on track!

 

As God reveals his will to you through circumstances rejoice, give thanks and praise to him. Move forward in confidence knowing that God is going ahead of you clearing the path you take, opening doors and placing you in a position that will bring glory to him. God will always wait for just the right moment in time to reveal the next step of his perfect plan for your life. “For I know the plans I have for you, … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

 

If your path is currently unsure, dark, and lonely you can still give thanks. Not for what has happened to you but because Jesus has promised to walk with you in this place of loneliness. He has not abandoned you! His holy presence does not depend upon your emotional state being perfectly intact. Jesus has promised that he will sit with you as long as it takes for you to be able to move beyond the darkness. I have never heard a single Believer say they regretted walking with Jesus and submitting to his glorious will for their life. Even the Apostle Paul said that for him to die was gain! When we find ourselves in the middle of an undesirable situation we must still choose to believe that God has a plan. When we submit to that plan we will be blessed and God will be glorified.

 

We should not strain to know the will of God. We should simply be obedient to our “spiritual” desires and instincts. We should also look to God’s Word and believe his words to be true. Simple mustard seed faith is all it takes. We must set aside our logic, and our emotions. God merely asks us to move ahead each day, one event at a time, in simple obedience. We must train ourselves to keep our eyes open for God’s smallest of opportunities. When God tugs on our heartstrings we must respond in trust and obedience. God will reveal his plan for our lives when and how he sees fit. We need not fear the One who loves us and is always good! We only need to trust in his amazing goodness. Adversity, pain, suffering, and brokenness in life are necessary because these things create need in our life. Problems are gifts that allow us to trust God with our needs. Trusting God is our golden opportunity to see his glory unleashed!

 

Questions:

1. Have you ever struggled to know the will of God?
2. Are you relieved to know that discovering the will of God is not your job?
3. Do you see the necessity to intentionally tune in to God so that he can reveal to you his will for your life?
4. Do you see that God’s perfect plan for your life is an ongoing process to be revealed to you event by event?
5. How do you feel about God being the One who gets to choose when, where, and how he will reveal his plan to you?
6. Do you find comfort in knowing that your job is to pay attention, listen for his voice, trust him and obey his promptings?

Prayer:

 

Dear Father,

 

Let me be the first one to confess that when it is time for me to trust and obey I am not always smiling. Usually, I am anxious and afraid. Forgive me for not trusting you. Forgive me when I doubt your goodness. You are the one who knows my life from beginning to end. On the other hand, I remain totally in the dark regarding my future. Father, I want others to trust me, so why should it be so hard for me to realize that you too want to be trusted? Heavenly Father, perhaps the solution is simple; I need more of you and less of me. The better I know you and your reputation, the more I will continue to fall deeper in love with you. Then because of my great love for you it will be easier for me to totally trust you. Father, create within me a hunger to make this simple truth come alive within me. Lord, not my plans for my life but your plan for my life is what I desire to be divinely accomplished.

 

It is in your name I pray. Amen.

Complete On the Day of Christ Jesus

“…being confident of this,

that he who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion

until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6 NIV

 

Walking in the garden today is providing a bit of a challenge because where the sweet beautiful flowers bloom bees also tend to buzz. They especially love the lavender! The fragrant purple stems emit the most delicate perfume. This day I am blessed as I look toward the south gate of the garden. Off in the distance my eyes begin to feast on a beautiful field of lavender. Each stem is basking in the sunshine, swaying in the breeze, and offering up pollen to the dutiful bees that buzz back and forth.  Watching the busy bees from afar reminds me of an old television show that my two pre-school children use to love to watch.

 

In the Midwest during the 80’s there was a morning television show that captivated my two toddler’s attention. Romper Room had a small segment that taught good behavior. Everyday the teacher, Miss Barbara, pointed to a drawing of two bees. One was named “Do Bee” and the other “Don’t Bee”. The Do Bee song would challenge the children to demonstrate good behavior, while Don’t Bee song was about what bad behavior looked like. Somehow when I remember these two bees I see that Bee-havior is relevant today.

 

As a follower of Jesus Christ I must choose over and over again to be a good “Do Bee” and refrain from being a bad “Don’t Bee”. It makes me smile to realize that this very simple truth is what sets true followers of Jesus apart from the world and makes us good representatives of Christianity.

 

Sometime I feel discouraged that I do not do life as well as I would like to. For me, it has always been encouraging to know that God is not finished with me yet! It is a joy to know that I am a work in progress. I am so thankful that God does not give up on me and that he continues to be patient with me as he works for my eternal good. “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV I love knowing that when I fail, God does not make me take a time out in the corner of some dark room until I come to my senses. It seems to me that Jesus simply says, “Okay, you missed the mark. You have repented and I forgive you, so let’s try again. Simply get back up, dust yourself off and start all over again. Paula, If you will rely on me I am sure you’ll do better the next time you are tempted to do wrong. Remember, I have equipped you with my Holy Spirit to help you. Don’t forget to ask for my help in your time of need!”

 

It is equally important that I give others that same courtesy. I must be confident that if God has begun a good work in a family member or a friend, who is a believer, he will continue to work in their life just as he is doing in my life. Completion will not occur in any of us until the day of Christ Jesus. On that glorious day when each of us will finally behold him, it will be in that moment that we will be made just like our Lord.

 

We will be full of perfect love, filled with unbelievable joy, and be completely at peace. We will be perfectly patient, kind, and good.  Faithfulness and gentleness will take on new meaning. There will no longer be a need for self-control. But until that day, we remain simple jars of clay covered by the blood of Jesus.

 

On that day he that began the good work of salvation in me will bring it to completion. I will no longer need to face the daily choices of being a “good bee” or the consequences of being a “bad bee”. On the day of Christ Jesus my name will be found in the Lamb’s Book of Life because I have received God’s free gift of my salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. On this same day my sanctification will be finished and on this amazing day my glorification will be complete.

 

Until that day...

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Philippians 3: 12b NIV

 

Every Believer is a holy work in progress! Even on days when I see myself as less than perfect, I must remember that it is his grace that places me before Him as "perfect", never because of what I do or don't do, but always because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ that covers my sin, the sin that separated me from Him. Because of that I must remember that in God's eyes I am perfect. I am his precious child! Because of his great love for me, he continues to mold me and make me into his likeness. I am faced with daily choices that allow me to trust him, obey him, and imitate him. I do willingly choose to press on to take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of me.

 

Questions:

1. In what areas of your life do you find it the most challenging to be a good “Do Bee”?
2. Where do you most often find that your actions and responses are that of a “Don’t Bee”?
3. Do you find comfort in knowing that God is not finished with you yet?
4. Who in your life does God want you to be patient with and show mercy to because you are now aware that God is not finished with them either?
5. Are you relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to make you who you ought to “Bee”?
6. At times do you find yourself longing for the day of Christ Jesus?

 

Prayer:

 

Dear Jesus,

 

I do long for your appearing. Forgive me when I behave in a manner that does not glorify you. Forgive me when I am impatient with other believers. Sometimes the greatest challenge that I face is right within my family. Help me not to despise the challenges of my life because I know that you are working for my eternal good by using these challenges to change me from good – to better – to best! What a blessing to know that you are not a God who rises up in anger and enforces punishment but rather you are a loving God who is slow to anger and quick to forgive. Lord, I thank you that all your children are precious in your sight. Fill me with compassion and mercy for others. Give me patience for my own failures. Help me not to judge others because you Word says that I will be judged by the same measuring stick I use to judge others. Lord, I look to you for grace and mercy to run the race of life well. I pray that when my life is over, I will experience the joy of hearing you say, “Well done”.

 

It is in your name I pray. Amen.

There Is a Huge Crack In the Liberty Bell!

“Now the Lord is the Spirit,

and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV 

Our basic American freedoms are freedoms that many Americans hold dear. Our rights to worship, speak, write, assemble, petition, and bear arms are precious. While Americans are currently enjoying these valued freedoms there is a huge crack in the Liberty Bell.

 

The Liberty Bell rang in celebration of these basic freedoms over two hundred years ago. These freedoms, though still intact, are being severely scrutinized and attacked on various levels. As Americans, who love and cherish our freedoms, we must not be lulled to sleep. There is a very visible crack in our Liberty Bell and we who value our freedoms must sit up and take notice.

 

This serious and dangerous crack in the Liberty Bell is the result of many abusive agendas. It also comes from the lackadaisical assumption that citizens within the boundaries of America will always be free. There is a surprising number of Americans who lack interest in our country and are indifferent as to the direction our country is headed. True patriots are hard to find. Many Americans do not sing or stand for the singing of the National Anthem, they don’t salute the flag, they don’s support the military, and they don’t vote.  The Liberty Bell is also cracked because there are many who live in this country who appear to want freedom for all, but their main motivation and desire is built on selfish greed. Not all, but many appear to be working for the good of others, while basically they are only interested in a “feel good” feeling about themselves or what they consider to be their personal accomplishments as they work for those who they believe to be the underdog. We must also be aware that some Americans have adopted values that place them squarely in the camp of socialism. There is a crack in our liberty bell simply because many Americans are simply socialist at heart. Some are lazy and want to be cared for by the government. Others are individuals who want to control the lives of others. A free handout from the government is not how we love others; this is how we continue to enable others to continue to be lazy. There are always exceptions. In no way am I saying that one shoe fits all.

 

In the Bible, Paul admonished the church to help the poor and needy and to take care of the widows and orphans. If everyone loved others as much as they love themselves there would be no need for the government to minister to the needs of our neighbors. We would all simply help our neighbors. I fear that I fall miserably short when it comes to following this command of our God. Perhaps the government has given up on everyone voluntarily helping their neighbor, so many times they solve the problems at hand by freely taking from the pockets of working Americans and pass the monies out first to themselves, and then handing out the few remaining crumbs to those in need.

 

I take my hat off to those who after taxes, and before paying their bills, still find ways to be benevolent to others out of pure love. It is a beautiful sight to see people rise up and help when natural disasters strike. Many hearts overflow as they serve the homeless, the refugee, and work in third world countries. How we give is also important. Tax shelters don’t count! Neither does praise from the media. Jesus said that I am to give in secret so that my Father in heaven may reward me for what was given in secret. He cautions us against giving publicly and blowing trumpets announcing that we have given. Jesus says those who do so have already received their reward. How and why we help our neighbor continues to gouge the crack in the Liberty Bell even deeper if what is given is not given selflessly.

 

Our forefathers, who dreamed of and established our constitutional rights, based those rights on a Biblical understanding that all men are created equal and that the respect of God and his commands was essential. Our forefathers respected God and respected others. They invoked God’s blessing for this land and he answered their prayers because they worshiped him and loved others. We became a strong and respected country only because for generations we honored God and passed our respect of God on to the next generation.

 

Loving others does not mean that we support and give to everyone in all circumstances. We as a nation should be accountable for who we support and who we give to, and only give and support when the need falls within the lines of God’s laws and commandments. The Bible is our source for discovering both God’s laws and his commandments. Oh that those who rule would consult the source!

 

Most of the founders of this country were determined to serve God and to serve his people. They did not revolt against England and pursue freedom so that they might have prestige, a huge life long salary, and hundreds of perks along the way. They did not seek special privileges and exemptions that placed them above the law. They simply wanted the right to worship, speak, write, assemble, petition, and bear arms. There was no personal self-serving agenda. No, these guys worked for our freedom without pay and they valued freedom more than they valued their life. These men would not recognize this country today! Yes, my friends, there is a crack in the Liberty Bell and that which is enlarging the crack is huge and it is a very real and dangerous threat to all we hold dear.

 

The only true and lasting freedom that we have is our freedom that is grounded in our personal faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Religious freedom and all other freedoms may pass away, but our freedom in Christ Jesus is eternal. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV The Spirit of the Lord dwells within all believers no matter what country you call home. Because God has provided for us in this divine manner, we are free. Like any freedom, it was costly. Jesus Christ gave his life so that we might be eternally free from the curse of sin. Maybe we will not always be free to choose how we live, but we will always be free to choose Who we live for!

 

“You, my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 NIV If those who govern would choose to govern as God has commanded then they would govern and serve the people of this country in selfless love. As a people we should not use our freedoms to indulge in sinful actions of greed, prestige, control and power. If we would consider others more important than ourselves, then the freedom bell would ring loud and glorious! God would mend the crack in the Liberty Bell and he would heal our land. We would be a blessed nation and we would walk under the umbrella of God’s sovereign protection.

 

As we celebrate the birthday of our country I challenge you to embrace the One who makes us free indeed and ask him to move in all the hearts of those who are called by his name. “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV God is calling us to glorify the name by which we are called, His name. If we call ourselves Christians, it is our responsibility to repent of our selfish pride by humbly bowing before our Savior. When we only toss God an over the shoulder prayer asking that he might bless our country we do not understand the severity of the state of this nation. We must seek his face and then we must confess our sins. We must confess our greed, our pride and selfishness. We must confess all of the wicked practices that we find the citizens of this country indulging in. Only then is God obligated to make good on his promises. It is only then that we will hear from heaven. He will forgive our sinful practices and the worship of other gods. These are not gods of stone but they are gods that come from hard hearts. They are the gods of selfishness, self-righteousness, self-sufficiency, pride, lust, and greed. It is then and only then, that God will heal our land. His promise of blessing is contingent upon our obedient response to having no other gods before him.

 

Don’t pray that God would bless America but pray that he would heal America so that we will not suffer the consequences that are bound to come to this country as a result of our citizens worshiping of other gods. God is indeed a God of love, but he can not and will not tolerate the worship of other gods. He is a God who is jealous for the single devotion of his people. Such a loving God deserves no less.

 

One day Jesus was asked this question. “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28b-31 NIV

 

We are foolish if we think that this command applies only to Israel. This applies to all mankind. We must choose to align ourselves with the one and only true God. He is the God of all and his love encompasses the entire universe. None of us are able to keep these laws perfectly, that is exactly why we need the blood of Jesus Christ to atone for our sin. But I do know that it is possible for all of us to do a better job than we are currently doing. It begins on a personal level. These two commands are for the poorest of the poor and they rise to the ears of all who rule and govern this country. God expects no less from all those he has created.

 

“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b NIV  This does not let a single citizen of this country off the hook. We are a blessed people and much has been entrusted to us. Those who take an oath of office should not take their job lightly. Those who represent the people must also be mindful of following the commands of our God. They are citizens of privilege and they have been given much and because they have been given much, much will be required of them by God.

 

God has blessed our nation in the past. Are we still living under that cloud of blessing? If we continue to ignore God, he is not obligated to continue to bless this country. At times I fear his blessing has already been lifted. Will the blessing return? It is in the hands of ALL the people. Will we choose to follow God’s two simple commands? Do Americans even know what those commands are? Some do while others remain clueless or selfishly indifferent. Still others are mindful and seek to pray, respect, honor, and please God. They desire to see this nation established as one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. We would all be wise not to believe the greatest lie of this century, which is that... “We are the greatest country on earth.” Greatness is not found in the eyes of men but rather in the eyes and approval of God.

 

Questions:

1. Do you see that this country’s Liberty Bell has a huge fracture?
2. Do you see that selfishness and complacency is the cause of the crack?
3. Will you be counted with those who pray for God’s healing to this land?
4. Will you accept God’s challenge to follow his two commands of loving him above all and loving and caring for your neighbor?
5. Will you pray that you will develop personal accountability regarding how you reverence God and serve others?

Prayer:

 

Dear God,

 

Father I confess that most of the time I would rather do than pray! What a travesty. I join so many who hide behind my good works, acts of kindness, fancy words and empty promises. We as a people want our country fixed but seemingly we don’t know how to fix it. We blame others and do little ourselves. God, your Word is explicit and clear. The words of your son, Jesus Christ are simple to read but hard to live out. Father, forgive me when I brush your words aside. Forgive me when I put my hope for the future in a single person, a position, or a governing body. Help me to firmly set my hope in you. Father, only you can move in the hearts and minds of mankind. Lord I pray for revival in the hearts of those who lead this country. I pray that you would raise up leaders that honor your Word and worship you instead of themselves. Lord, I fear that I sound self-righteous, but I know that I too am an earthen vessel susceptible to breakage. It only takes a moment to blame others.  Am I the one who is neglecting to pray? Am I the one who is failing to give? Father, I pray that I will hear your voice and be willing to obey you. I confess that I am selfishly in love with myself. Above all, I desire to fall deeper in love with you and endeavor to love others as much as I love myself. I must decrease so you can increase. Send revival to the hearts of your people. Help me Lord to step out of my comfort zone and risk loving others.

 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Peace Be With You

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled

and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 NIV

“On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the disciples were together,

with the doors locked for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood among them and said,

Peace be with you!”

John 20:19 NIV

 

Some days my thoughts get the best of me. When I begin to think about the unknown it is easy to get anxious. Sometimes just for a minute or two, I take my eyes off of Jesus. When I do, that opens my mind up to all sorts of worst case scenarios. When I begin to focus on my circumstance I forget that God has a plan for my life. Satan is always lurking in the bushes of my hearts garden waiting for this exact moment to jump out in front of me and tell me I have plenty of reasons to be worried and concerned. He is quick to point out that if God loved me he would allow me to know what is ahead. Satan suggests that God hides the future from my eyes because the circumstances ahead are negative. Satan also suggests that worry is normal and is to be expected and embraced by someone who is as uninformed as I seem to be.

 

This day the Holy Spirit has checked me regarding this type of thinking. Still, I’m not sure I can work my way through this fear that is creeping into my mind unless I make a deliberate trip to the garden. So to the garden I must go.

 

The moment I enter the garden gate I began to feel the love of my Father. Still troubled I decide to walk the pathway hoping to clear my head of these negative thoughts. As always, the flowers are beautiful, the aroma is sweet, just like Jesus, and the sounds of the garden begin to fill my heart with joy. On one hand I am experiencing joy, but still I am tightly griping fear in the other. Walking deeper into the garden I discover a stream I had not seen before. I decide this will be a good spot for rest and spiritual refreshment.

 

As I study this beautiful little stream I feel the spirit of peace hovering over my being. It’s as if it is there for the taking, yet I am unable to open my gripped hand and grasp on to this aura of peace. The peaceful stream skips across the rocks and spills over onto the next rock in a joyful and playful pattern that is repeated over and over again. Then the Master Gardner chooses this moment to make himself visible to me as he peeks around from behind a large oak tree.

 

Jesus begins to speak. “Paula, take a lesson from this cool, rippling brook. It is flowing steady and sure. It bubbles and foams over with the energy of my love. It skips across the rocky road before it with sure faith and enthusiasm that will carry it down stream. It sends a peaceful message that gurgles, all is well.”

 

This teaching thrills my heart! I so want to live my life like this little stream, as I joyfully go about my day, skipping over the fears of life as though they are non existent. I want to feel God’s peace in a fresh new way everyday as it cools my hot anxious thoughts. I want to live this day and every day steady and sure knowing that God’s plan for my life will give me both a hope and a future. I want God’s love to bubble up inside me and fill me with the energy that comes from his love. I want my life to encourage others instead of being held hostage by Satan’s fear.

 

I decide that now might be a good time to move closer to the edge of the stream. Maybe if I scoot to the edge I will have the courage to take off my shoes and get my feet wet! So I move closer to the edge, being ever so cautious. And in a moment of reckless faith I pull off my self-centered, anxious shoes and plunge in to the cool, clear, water of God’s amazing care. In trusting faith I begin to experience a heavenly peace that only Jesus can give.

 

Now Jesus moves nearer and sits down next to me. He too removes his sandals and we set for quite a while. He begins to bask in my trust and I begin to relax in his peace. Then Jesus speaks. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”

 

I am reminded that after the resurrection of Jesus he appeared to his disciples who were huddled together behind a locked door of fear. Their circumstances had gotten the best of them. Their Lord had died. They were alone. They were grieving. They were fearful that they too would be arrested and killed. Then the unbelievable happened. “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you!” No more than the stone at the entrance of the tomb could hold him in the grave; neither could the locked doors of fear keep him away from those he loved. Jesus simply appeared in their presence. All they had to do was look up, see him, and believe in what was unbelievable. Jesus loved them, he cared, and he desired to be in their presence.

 

On this day when my own troubling fear was about to get the best of me, Jesus simply appeared by my side and whispered to me, “Peace be with you!” This was not a formal greeting or a casual greeting of “hello, how ya doing?” No, this was Jesus’ words of blessing to me because he loves me. Those words that were spoken to the disciples so many years ago are still relevant and comforting words for us today. We too can embrace those words with confident faith in the knowledge that God faithfully goes before us in all things regardless of how we view our circumstances.

 

Jesus is no longer with us physically but he is able to fill us with his peace. Not the type of peace the world knows, like good health, plenty of money, or a peaceful world, but rather it is a peace that surpasses our human understanding, no matter what lies ahead. The future may be unclear. But the peace of Jesus is real and available. Our part is simply to release our fear into thin air and open our hand and reach out to receive the peace Jesus desires that we experience.

 

Questions:

1. Is there something in your life that filling your mind with anxiety and gripping your heart with fear?
2. Have you considered the possibility that you may need a trip to the garden?
3. Do you find Jesus’ words in John 14:27 and 20:19 to be comforting?
4. Will you open your hand of fear and joyfully accept his peace?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

 

I confess that some days I get off the path that leads to your peace. I begin to focus on that which is in my face or I begin to fear what may be in my future. Forgive me when I get side tracked and open myself up for Satan’s lies of deception. Jesus, today I choose to give you my fear of ____________________. I know that you will always be more than enough. You are my helper, my sustainer, my refuge, my shelter, and my help in time of trouble. You are my rock, my fortress, and my strong tower of strength. You are the lifter of my head today and my hope for tomorrow. You are my joy and you are without a doubt my peace. I bow in humble gratitude today because I know you have my future all laid out in a perfect plan that will not leave me without hope. I am so thankful for your words that remind me that you have left me with your precious gift of peace.

 

It is in your name I pray. Amen.

Faith of Our Fathers

And he said to man,

‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom,

and to shun evil is understanding.

Job 28:28 NIV

 

I wish I could say that all fathers are wise, but life has taught all of us that this simply isn’t true. Some fathers are mean and abusive; others abandon their children, while others may live under the power of addiction. Other fathers are present and provide well for their family yet they are absent from the details of their children’s lives. On the other hand, there are many good fathers who love unconditionally; they are moral and upright men who possess knowledge and understanding. These fathers participate in the lives of their children and are able to guide them effectively and give them a foundation for life. In the first two of the pre-mentioned examples of fatherhood, both fathers lacked the same important attribute. They lacked wisdom.

 

In the Bible God informed man that he should fear him because the fear of him is wisdom and that wisdom is the springboard for understanding that each individual must reject sin. The fear of God is not the idea that God carries a big stick and hides behind a door awaiting our arrival so he can jump out and whack us on the head for being imperfect! No, the fear of the LORD is viewing God in reverence and giving him the honor and respect due his holy name. When a father fears the Lord he silently announce to his children that God is worthy of notice. He is also a father who teaches his children in word and deed that he respects and adores God. A man who chooses to shun evil, and submit to the Lord’s commands understands and demonstrates by is behavior that he is a godly man of wisdom.

 

If your father was or is a man who feared God, be thankful because your father has provided for you an accurate model of wisdom. Even in death these men continue to speak to us and teach us of a faith that is well worth having.

 

If you were not blessed with a father of faith you must realize that it is you who must now light and carry the torch of reverence and respect for God. As a first generation Christian, you must step up to the plate, be the example for your children, who will most likely out live you. Teach by example that the fear of the LORD is wisdom. Teach them to walk away from evil. Model your faithfulness to the one you adore.

 

Little eyes are watching, bigger eyes are learning, and wide open eyes see the respect and faithfulness you demonstrate. Faith of our Fathers! What a blessing! There is no better gift to have received from a father or to give to your children. This applies to moms as well. Our children learn what we live. They hear our comments, they see us roll our eyes, and they know our priorities and understand what we value.

 

Grandparents, heads up. You’re not finished yet. Use every opportunity to help your grandchildren find and follow Jesus. The payback will be when our children and grandchildren become wise themselves. “A wise son brings joy to his father, “Proverbs 10:1a NIV. In this life there is no greater joy than to know that our children and grandchildren walk with the Lord and that they understand that wisdom is respecting their Creator by keeping his commandments.

 

Questions:

1. Do you desire to be a father of faith? A mother of faith? A grandparent of faith? An Aunt or an Uncle of faith?
2. Do you see that the “fear” of the Lord is the key to being a person of wisdom?
3. How can you be more intentional in passing on your faith to those who walk within your sphere of influence?
4. Will you be obedient and choose to rise to the occasion?

Prayer:

Dear Father,

 

You are the greatest of all fathers! In you there is no fault found, no sin, nor is there any partiality among your children. Father you alone are worthy of my love, my reverence, my respect, and my worship. Father, I adore you! I submit to you my life. I realize that I am a person of influence. Father, I pray that my influence will be for you and your glory rather than against you. I desire that those who are watching my behavior will see Christ like attributes that will fill them with desire to not only be like me, but above all else be like you! Father, fill me with a holy “fear” of you. A fear that respects, reveres, worships, and bows in humility. A “fear” that lovingly and willingly chooses to submit to your commands. Father, like Solomon, I ask for wisdom. Give me your heavenly wisdom, the type of wisdom that makes good parents become great parents.

 

Jesus, it is in your name I pray. Amen.

The Whole Earth Is Filled With His Glory!

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Isaiah 6:3b NIV

 

Today in the garden I am far away in my thoughts. My thoughts carry me back to the week of creation. I am contemplating what it was like for the earth to be formless, empty, and dark? Only the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. I mean no disrespect as I imagine how it might have been. The God of the universe rolling up his sleeves, rubbing his hands together in excitement, and saying to the Spirit and the Son, “Let’s get started!”

 

Let me say right here I do not know if a day equals a thousand years or twenty-four hours, but I do know – that fact is neither here nor there! What is important is that I believe with all my heart that God is the creator and he is more than able to accomplish all of creation in a New York minute if he chose to do so! I do not have a problem with God’s timeline. More importantly, I believe that the Bible is inspired by God and its content is direct from the lips of God. His Word assures me over and over again of his greatness, his power, his glory, his creativity, his uniqueness, his holiness, and his desire to love his children and give them good gifts. Without a doubt, God created his masterpiece, our world and all that is within that magnificent creation.

 

Day One – God said, “Let there be light.”  Talk about words of action! God spoke light into existence. He then took his Almighty hands and broke apart, separated, the light into two pieces and one part of the light once again became dark. The light he called day and the dark he called night. I guess that moment of inspiration put a smile on his face!

 

Day Two – God said, “I have an idea, let’s make an expanse between the waters to separate the water from the water. I don’t know about you but I have never been able to separate water from water! But God knew just how to do it. He created the expanse and pushed the water under the expanse. He called the expanse sky. And to add to his delight he caused the sky to be an uncountable number of shades of blue and that sky reflected into the clear waters making the water reflect deeper shades of blue. I just love that creative twist!

 

Day Three – “God said, “What about creating some surface areas that are not wet? Perhaps he was already imagining what he would do with the dry surface areas and what he would do with the wet areas. So on that third day he said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let the dry ground appeared and he called it land.” Special note: the land was not wet nor was it muddy! That’s pretty amazing if you ask me. He called the water seas. What a time God must have had creating the boundaries between the land and the seas. Through his spoken words he scooped out basins and bowls to hold the seas and elevated the land around the edges. Furthermore, it worked! But he wasn’t finished.

 

God continued his work on the third day by God saying, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees with seed in it, and let’s make various kinds.” The rooted vegetation began to appear in the form of carrots, celery, onions, turnips, potatoes, parsnips, and so much more. After that, the vegetation with seeds began sprouting up. There were tomatoes, beans, cucumber, okra, squash, and peppers just to mention a few. Then he created the sweet tasting oranges, apples, peaches, plums, grapes, bananas, pineapple, melons, and more verities than I can name. I wonder if God took a moment to taste the fruit of his labor. Then with a wave of his hand the herbs and flowers began to appear. The color and the textures were marvelous! Incredible! Amazing! It was a sight to behold and the aroma from each floral creation was still waiting for Adam and Eve’s nostrils to breathe in the sensuous fragrance. I love that after each creation God stepped back, looked at the results, smiled, and gave himself a pat on the back and said to the Spirit and the Son, “this is good! We did an awesome job!” Then I imagined that they brainstormed and planned what this Holy Trinity would do next.

 

Day Four – God imagined lights in the expanse of the sky. The purpose was to separate the day from the night and they were to serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years. The lights were also to give light to the earth. So God created two great lights. The sun was the greater light to govern the day and the moon was the lesser light to govern the night. What order, what organization, what planning for what was yet to come! But a creative soul is never finished. I can imagine that just as God was about to wrap it up for the day, he scratched his head and with a twinkle in his eyes he said, I’ve got it! He dug deep into the pockets of his unfathomable resources and pulled out stars by the hands full and cast them into the sky! Believe it our not, they did not fall. Not a chance. As he hung each star in the sky, he looked at it and said only one thing remains, they need to twinkle! And he looked and saw that it was good.

 

Day Five – God created the great and small living creatures of the seas and the birds to fly across the sky. What an ingenious touch! We see this displayed in the color, the size, the texture, the uniqueness of each species. Where does this inspiration come from? Oh I remember, this inspiration comes from none other than a God who is infinitely more than our finite minds can begin to imagine. Therefore, because we can’t imagine it or create it our self, there are those who want to stamp out and shut down this amazing wonder. Humans create lies proclaiming that our world evolved or imagine that it banged into existence. What was the last big bang you experienced? I would guess it didn’t have any signs of order or beauty and was completely void of purpose.  But our holy God is Almighty and the whole earth is full of his glory! In addition the great “I Am” had the foresight to say be fruitful and multiply. So life still continues and will continue to exist on into eternity. Because of sin, the old will pass away but the new will be even more beautiful and amazing.

 

Day Six – I imagine that this day begins by God, his Son, and the Spirit enthusiastically walking the surface of the earth, filling the air with their presence, and agreeing to continue creating. This is the last day of creation so what will the grand finale be? God’s Word says, on the last day the land produced living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind. Not one class of animals but three types each with hundreds of species within its kind! It only takes one visit to the zoo for one to be inspired by the creative hand of God. As you watch and study each animal you begin to appreciate and celebrate the differences that are found in the animal kingdom. All created with a specific purpose.

 

Then the grand finale of creation! God said “Let US make man in OUR image, in OUR likeness, and let him rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over all creatures that move along the ground. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and told them to be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over it. God gave his earth to mankind. It is mind boggling to realize that it is our soul that has been created in the very image of our maker!

 

This morning I am imagining the fingers of God moving all about the earth during those six days of creation. I’m sure he smiled and felt pleasure as he created. Perhaps his eyes sparked and he clapped his hands in delight as his fingers would carve out a mountain range, or as he would pile rocks of all shapes and sizes on top of one another. What wonderful joy he must have experienced as his finger tunneled out caves and his hands scooped out valleys. Such elation as he created woodlands, and the plains. What pleasure he must have felt as he arranged for the streams to flow into rivers and the rivers to flow into the oceans. Then the Master created sandy beaches and the painted deserts, the rain forests, waterfalls, lakes, farmland, and rice paddies. He placed deep with the earth minerals and diamonds, precious stones, and natural resources. What about the universe beyond the earth? The planets, each one created with purpose and hung in place by God's design. What about the creation of gravity and oxygen? The body of man alone is a masterpiece. Sometime the outside is not much to look at, but oh the inside is a miracle! The brain alone is still an amazing unsolved mystery to mankind. In addition, the perfect order and beauty of each season is a vision of delight. It is the glorious Creator shouting to mankind, “Look, see, and feast your eyes on all that I have made. I am real and I love you! Come to me.”

 

Day Seven – On the seventh day God rested.

 

Our creator is back at work because he is not finished with us yet. He continues to change those who love him. We are a work of creation that is still in progress and one day we shall be like him! What a day that will be when we step into heaven. The creation that we are now privileged to experience is just a foretaste of what still lies ahead.  “…as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” I Corinthians 2:9 NIV

 

Questions:

1. Do you believe that our world was created by the Almighty God?
2. Which day of creation do you find to be the most amazing?
3. Do you see God’s hand of order as one day of creation built on the next day with all five days leading to the grand finale of man’s creation on the sixth day?
4. Have you delighted in imagining God’s pleasure as he created our world?
5. Do you wonder what amazing things God is preparing for us in the future?

Prayer:

Dearest Heavenly Father,

 

You are the Almighty God of creation. The whole earth is filled with your glory! I know beyond a shadow of doubt that all things were made by you. I praise you for your breathtaking works of creation. I praise you for the order and the beauty of all the seasons. I see your twinkling eyes of love in the twinkling starry sky. I praise you because  I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Thank you for your beautiful gift of creation that tugs at my heartstrings calling me to come close to you. At times Father, you seem so far away, but it only takes one look at a sunrise or a sunset for me to feel your love and know that you are faithful. Thank you for such a beautiful world to live in. Thank you for the new heaven and earth that is yet to come. I can only try to imagine!

 

With a heart of gratitude and in your Son’s name I pray, Amen.