Putting Your Big Toe On The Line

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 3:30 AKJV

Today I am walking in the garden. Fall is the time when the apples are ready for the picking and pies are ready for the baking. As I stroll up to my garden’s apple orchard, which is located in the center of my heart’s garden, my mind goes back many years to another garden. Eve too stood before an apple tree. God did not suggest that she refrain from eating from the tree of good and evil. However, God did explicitly say in no uncertain terms, “Do NOT eat from the tree of good and evil.” Yet, there she was standing before the tree, gazing at the beautiful apples and all the while imagining the sweet taste of the delicious apple.

Maybe Eve considered just picking the apple and putting it in her pocket so that she could enjoy looking at it any time she wanted to. Okay, I know she didn’t have a pocket, I’m just saying…she might have…if she did have one. Eve might have reasoned that God had said, "do not eat", but he did not say, "do not pick" the apple. The thought of picking the apple might have gradually become more and more appealing to Eve. Perhaps she toyed with the idea that she would just walk around the garden and run  her hand over the smooth peel. Maybe she would just  hold the apple up to her nose so that she could smell its sweet aroma. If she had done all of those things she might have also said to herself, “so far so good.” Some would say that she was simply window shopping. Others might say that she had her big toe on the line.

Flirting with an opportunity to sin is very risky. It is a very dangerous line to have our big toe on! As we know, Eve crossed the line and now the picking, the rubbing, and the smelling progressed into full blown sin. After the first sweet crunch, Eve may have thought, so far so good. But the moment she swallowed that very first bite that delicious apple immediately turned sour in her stomach as she swallowed the apple of disobedience.

I remember that when I was a child my mother would accuse me of putting my big toe on the line. I would get as close as I could to disobedience without disobeying. This was very upsetting to her and she usually verbalized a very stern warning. The funny thing is that when I had children, they dared to do the same exact thing. Putting their big toe on the line was a common occurrence in our household. Who would have ever guessed that now my grandchildren do the same exact thing! Does the human spirit so desire disobedience that this desire repetitively passes from generation to generation as far back as our original mother Eve? We so desire to have our own way, to be in charge, to be what we consider wise, that we choose to disobey. Time and time again we walk up to the line that God has drawn and place our big toe on the line. We wonder just how much we can get away with before we find our self in the position of compromise. We must never underestimate compromise because it is just a heartbeat away from the shameful sin of willful disobedience.

Today I am looking up at the apples that are hanging from the graceful branches of the apple trees and then I look down and stare at the dusty pathway. I bend over and draw a line in the dirt. My next move is to place my big toe on that line. This object lesson is clear. The Master Gardener comes up from behind and startles me a bit. Jesus roles his eyes at me and says, “Paula, you know this is not the way to holiness and then he walks away.” That’s it! No additional warnings or threats of what will happen if I cross the line. Why doesn’t he just grab me and pull me away? Instead, he walks away and clips a rose for the lapel of his robe. Hmmmm! Really, I guess that puts the "apple" in my court. I can pick the apple off the tree or I can choose to walk away. As I back off I decide to sit for awhile on the bench and ponder today’s garden lesson.

My first thought is I really don’t know much about holiness nor can I claim very much progress in my life as a result of applying what I have occasionally learned. My life continues to be full of opportunities to practice obedience to the voice of God. I always have many occasions to willingly choose to jointly work with God as he works to change me from the inside out. I know that if I am to walk the path of holiness I must listen to the Holy Spirit, hear and heed his warnings. When I bow in obedience to the whisper of the Holy Spirit I am doing my part in the joint effort of God helping me to climb higher in my walk of faith. I hear the command. It is not a suggestion. It is a command directly from the mouth of God, “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2 NIV

One thing I know is that God expects me to walk in the way of holiness. God expects me to have high morals; God wants me to be a woman of integrity. God wants me to walk away from in sinful behavior and deliberately choose to obey his instructions. He wants me to practice less of me and more of him. John the Baptist said it well, “I must decrease, so he (Jesus) can increase.” I must choose to walk the path of holiness so that my life will bring glory to my Father in heaven.

I do not enter the quest for holiness void of instructions or example. The Bible is my guide book for living a moral life and Jesus Christ is my example of consistency in doing the will of the Father. As I pursue holiness I do not have the luxury of compromise. God demands simple obedience one issue at a time. The message is clear. I must decrease so God can increase. Less of my will and more of God’s will.

Why then is obedience so hard? In this life it is the never ending battle between my human flesh and my  spirit. I know what is right yet I choose wrong. I do this because I am self-centered instead of God-centered. It is plain and simple; sometimes I love my sin more than I love God.

Loveingly, the Master Gardner comes and sits beside me. I talk and he listens. I confess to him that I struggle with many self-centered thoughts. I admit to the Master Gardner that sometimes I am more interested in getting my own way than doing his will. I tell him that I know this behavior grieves him. I own up to the fact that at times I am flippant and I demonstrate a nonchalant attitude. Jesus, forgive me when I offend you in this way. Now my eyes fill with hot steamy tears and I say, “God, why can’t I have enough faith to accomplish holiness in my life?” Then God speaks and I listen. “Paula, my child, you do not accomplish holiness by drumming up faith. I accomplish holiness in you through your obedience. Sometimes this takes a great deal of effort on your part to walk away from temptation, or to pick up the right attitude, or to keep your mouth closed. You must call on my Holy Spirit for help in your time of need. You need to decrease in your self-centered ways so that I may increase in your life. I want you to be God-centered. I assure you my child that less of you will be more!”

I find comfort in knowing that God is so gracious. He does not seek perfection but he does look for improvement. I remind myself that man looks at my outward appearance and progress but God looks down deep into my heart. I also think it is possible that I may be too hard on myself. I am not to live defeated but rather walk in joy knowing that I am doing my best. I can always be better and do more but God knows when I am really pursuing holiness and he also knows when I am not the least bit interested. He also takes note when he sees my big toe on the line. Satan is also aware when I place my big toe is on the line. God hems me in and sets boundaries for a reason. It is his way of protecting me. Just like Eve, when I get to close to crossing the line I open myself up and set the stage for temptation to first beckon and then for failure to overcome me as I give in to crossing God’s line of protection. So the lesson to learn is DO NOT even think about putting your big toe on the line. Quickly turn in the opposite direction and run straight to Jesus!

Questions:

1. When was the last time your big toe was on the line?

2. Recall that situation. What happened?

3. Is your big toe on the line today?

4. Do you feel yourself flirting with compromise?

5. Has Satan showed up yet?

6. If you are a Christian who is pursuing holiness, what should you do?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I confess that  I am often tempted to put my big toe on the line. Today I find that I am tempted to flirt with compromise regarding _____________. I know that my reluctance to run away from temptation is because I really want what is on the other side of the line. There are many reasons why I want to cross the line. Sometimes I am angry and I want to get even, Other times I am hurt and I want to hurt back. Often I am tempted to satisfy my lustful appetite for ______________. Father, I shamefully admit that at times I love my sin more than I love you. God, when a compromising thought enters my mind please help me to run from the sinful temptation straight to you. Father, I do desire for there to be less of me and more of you. Thank you God that victory can be mine because your Holy Spirit lives within me and you have said that greater is he that lives in me, then he (Satan) that is in this world. Help me Lord to pursue holiness one "yes Jesus" at a time as I endeavor to be obedient to your boundaries of protection.

It is in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

God Wants Another Piece of My Heart

“But we all,

with open face beholding as in a glass

the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image

from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV

One of my favorite childhood memories is working jigsaw puzzles with my family. After all of the pieces were turned over face side up, we then began the task of working the straight edge pieces that would form the shape of the puzzle. It was great fun watching the puzzle picture come into view piece by piece. I still remember my older brother Bob tapping each piece he placed with his fingernail, signaling another victory for his ability to find and place missing puzzle pieces. He also liked to hide one piece in his pocket so that he could be the one to put in place the final piece of the puzzle. In spite of his teasing as we worked the puzzle, I still enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles with him and I have enjoyed passing this activity on to my children and grandchildren.

Today I am thinking about the fact that our heart is very much like a jigsaw puzzle. When we ask God to come into our life, God begins to work on our heart. God first removes the dark shroud of sin from our heart. God then works all of the blood red edge pieces of our hearts puzzle to form the perfect shape that he has planned for our life. Even though we have been forgiven there is still much work to do in our heart. The sin that separated us from God is gone, but the sin that comes from our sinful nature still needs God’s sanctification process. As we walk with God, he exposes many sinful pieces of our heart’s puzzle. The light of God’s love now shines on our heart as he begins the process of  identifying  and revealing each sinful puzzle piece of our heart’s puzzle.

It is God’s desire that we will allow him to replace each piece with a new piece that has been stamped in the image of his character. My part in working the puzzle of my heart requires me to surrender to God every sinful piece of my heart’s puzzle that he lovingly asks for. When I hand him the piece of the puzzle that he is asking for, he stands ready to replace that missing piece with a piece that resembles a godly characteristic. My entire life my heart’s puzzle will always be a work in progress. The exact picture of the puzzle has not yet been revealed. I am anxiously waiting to see the finished picture that will be unveiled in heaven. God promises me that when I get to heaven, as I search for my face to appear in the puzzle I will be pleasantly surprised to see the face of my Savior, Jesus Christ. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV

Over the years I have gone through the painful experience of relinquishing to God many pieces that make up the puzzle of my heart. Sometimes it takes me years to pry out the piece that God is asking for. You see, every piece of my heart has a specific word written on the face of the puzzle piece. Words like selfishness, pride, anger, hurt, greed, deceit, and gossip. Sometimes there are pieces that remind me of a bad habit, a wall of protection, a spirit of unforgiveness, a desire for revenge, or unkind words. Some of the more difficult pieces to relinquish to God have been a spirit of irritation, a judgmental spirit, and the piece that screams fear. There is also that reoccurring piece that says control. This piece is especially hard to surrender as it stubbornly clings to the wall of my heart.

I have found that when I am able to surrender to him the piece of the puzzle baring the word hate, he replaces it with another piece that has love written on its face. When God asks me to relinquish to him the piece that has fear written on it, he then takes that piece and replaces it with a piece that reads trust. He takes the control piece and taps in its place a piece labeled surrender.

Every time I release a specific piece of my heart’s puzzle to God, it seems that God will then immediately go after another piece of my heart. Day after day God continues to ask me for additional pieces of my heart’s puzzle, one ugly piece at a time.  It is God's desires to replace each sinful piece of my heart’s puzzle with his words of grace. God wants to replace irritation with compassion, judgment with mercy, and impatience with patience. God wants to replace fear with trust, pride with humility, and anger with his peace.

The truth is God always wants another piece of my heart. He will never take it but he lovingly waits for me to hand it to him. As God removes each piece I hand him  he always replaces it with a new piece that is a perfect fit. I wish I could say that once trust is in place it remains there forever and that when fear is removed I always live in perfect peace. I wish I could say that once God removes a puzzle piece of irritation that I would always exhibit compassion. The fact is there are multiple pieces each labeled with a sinful word. There is a puzzle piece for every situation I will ever encounter in this life. I am in constant need of a puzzle working partner who is a Master. Jesus is the one who will help me work the puzzle pieces of my heart into a picture of his perfection. Every situation, every circumstance, every relationship, every encounter, and every hurt will always need the touch of Master puzzle worker’s hand. Jesus also  stands ready to make sure that a good puzzle piece that is already in place does not become loose and break away. If forgiveness, trust, love, kindness, joy, or peace becomes loose and about to disconnect, Jesus is standing by ready to help me safely secure that piece of my heart’s puzzle back into its proper firm position. I must always listen to his voice of love that warns me when I am about to dislodge a piece that is representative of his goodness and full of his grace.

The knowledge that God always wants another piece of my heart is one of my greatest blessings! My deepest longing to be more and more like Jesus Christ. One by one, God continues to ask me to willingly surrender every piece of my heart puzzle that does not reflect his image. This is his holy process that is changing me from “glory to glory.” As I mature in my faith it is my desire that more and more of the pieces of my heart's puzzle would remain intact. I pray I will not struggle so hard and long as I move toward surrendering every piece that he asks for. I want to willingly pry each sinful piece from my heart and open handedly quickly place each piece in his competent hand.

I believe  when we walk with Jesus and listen to his voice and obey his commands the picture on our heart's puzzle is becoming more and more beautiful. Someday our life on this earth will be over and we will meet Jesus face to face. At that point I imagine Jesus will pull from his robe pocket the very last piece of our heart’s puzzle. As he taps the last piece of the puzzle in place he will smile and say, “It is finished!” and then he will welcome each one of us into heaven for all eternity.

Questions:

1.Do you find that you are always in need of a replacement puzzle piece?

2. Do you try to work your heart’s puzzle alone?

3. Are you blessed by the fact that because of Jesus’ great love for you he always wants another piece of your heart?

4. What specific piece is Jesus asking you for today?

5. Will today be the day you will surrender that piece of your heart’s puzzle to him?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Forgive me when I become upset and frustrated because I see you standing in front of me with an open, outstretched hand asking me for another piece of my heart’s puzzle. There are times I do not want to surrender the piece I love! When you take away those pieces you are taking away my face, my image, and my will. On the other hand, I am so glad that you love me so much that you are never satisfied with an incomplete puzzle. I am blessed to know that you always want another piece of my heart. Help me Lord to walk through my life with you by my side. As we sit in the garden together show me the next piece of my heart’s puzzle that you want to replace. I am well aware of times when life catches me off guard and throws me for a loop; please guard the puzzle of my heart. Do not allow any of the pieces that you have already replaced to become disconnected. Firmly hold those pieces in place. Protect my thinking so that I do not allow Satan to dislodge the pieces that you have lovingly changed. Help me to look to you for strength that will enable me to surrender to you the damaging puzzle pieces that I still cling to so tightly. Jesus, I thank you that because you love me you will never stop asking me for yet another piece of my heart.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

Storms of Destruction May Lead to Brokenness

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and he brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;

the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,

and he guided them to their desired haven.”

Psalm 107:28-30 NIV

Today I am remembering a storm that blew through the beautiful garden of my heart not so long ago. The sky was so blue and then out of nowhere the storm clouds began to gather. It was storm of massive destruction. The storm caught me off guard and pounded me with raining tears that could not be comforted. As the winds of this storm blew through my garden it uprooted trees that had been in place all my life. It turned over pots that contained memories that were precious. This storm of devastation left not only broken tree limbs but a broken heart.

I am happy to report that the storm has passed. I no longer have tears. God has healed my broken heart. It has not ended as I had hoped but I have forgiven. I so wish I could say that it has also been forgotten, but only God can take the sin in our life and cast it as far as the east is from the west, to be remembered no more. My memory still carries the scar from the experience but God has applied the balm of healing to my near fatal wound.

For me life was good. I had a beautiful home, a wonderful husband, good children, an amazing church, and did not want for anything that I truly needed. The garden of my heart bloomed with love, joy, and peace. Then boom! Out of nowhere Satan ravaged my garden and left emotional havoc on every pathway and in every nook and cranny! The sun went dark in my garden as I groped to find even one rose of love, or a daisy of joy, there was not a single peace lily to be found. Satan, in one fell swoop managed to orchestrate a storm in my life that smashed nearly every pot of beautiful flowers in my garden. This brokenness was more than I thought I could bear.

In the past, when I would sit with the Master Gardner, he would warn me to cut back bushes of pride. He had suggested that I trim away dead branches of selfishness that were found on the trees in my heart’s garden. He told me to thin out the tall perennials that waved suggestive messages of invasive control. My past had taught me to be judgmental and those thoughts had taken a tight hold in my life and had become root bound. I was warned that roots in that condition hinder further growth. The Gardner had shown me vines that needed trimming because they were not bearing fruit. Oh yes, I had been warned, there was still so much work that needed to be a done in the garden of my heart. Regretfully, I did not heed the warning.

Then one beautiful day the destructive storm pounded down on my emotions. My heart was broken as a result of this storm and a darkness I had never know before descended upon my garden. The good news was that the garden of my heart was not beyond repair. I looked up and allowed the light of Jesus to shine into my heart’s garden. You see, with Jesus in our life, life is never hopeless. When we look to him he begins the restoration needed to restore all that needs to be restored. He pulls up and casts out all that is useless and ugly and in its place he plants hope and peace.

There were many lessons I learned from that storm. I am certain that God used my lack of obedience to his suggestions as a spring board that began the process of breaking the things in my life that needed to be broken. I know that God is all powerful and is always capable of preventing these devastating storms of life. But sometimes God allows, and quite possibly arranges the details of our life as a means whereby we may be broken. I was beginning to understand that God is able to use the tools of loss and personal failure to bring about positive change in my life. I am amazed that God loves me enough to attempt to stamp out sinful behavior in my life. My self confidence always seems to push God away; however, personal need always draws me to him. I have learned that God created me and he knows my potential. He knows the plans that he has for me, plans that will give me a hope and a future. I am thankful that God loves me enough to continue to prune me even if it results in painful trials and destructive storms in my life.

When I choose to resist God he usually applies more pressure. My willingness to surrender to God lessens the pressure. I remember one particular struggle that seemed to hang around forever. After a very long time I ultimately surrendered my circumstance to God. I chose his will over my will. Past experience tells me that I usually do eventually surrender my will to God’s will. Lately, when I have been faced with a new storm in life I have been consciously praying, “God, I think I will go straight to surrender because I know that is where I will end up anyway.” The older I get the less I want to struggle with God. I am learning that there is no contest in wrestling with someone who always wins. I am finding that I’m getting too tired to fight. I am realizing that I crave the peace of God more and more. I am beginning to love God more than I love having my own way. Struggling with God always robs me of peace and joy.

As I look back on my life there is a strong personal timeline that tells me that God is not my enemy. This timeline marks for me God’s faithfulness in the past and his faithfulness today. Why then, would I struggle with trusting  him with the future? Even in my darkest of days God has positioned people, circumstances, opportunity, sermons of encouragement, and songs of praise to lift me up and set me free from the darkness of every storm. I know that God breaks me not to teach me a lesson but rather to give me a purpose. At the end of the storm I always find a rainbow reminding me of his faithful promises of love and that love strengthens my walk of faith and gives me eternal hope.

It almost goes without saying that many of the storms of life come because we live in a fallen world.  We often find our self in the midst of a storm as the direct result of another person's sinful behavior. Tragedy also comes from natural disasters. Those storms have nothing to do with our disobedience. Death is also an unexpected storm, yet without a doubt, although death is natural it still leaves us standing in the middle of a storm of change and grief. Today I am making a personal note that the next time brokenness comes into my life, I hope it will be from something that is beyond my control.  I don’t want to experience the natural consequence of brokenness because of my repeated failure to listen and obey God or my anger or unforgiveness, nor do I want it to be because of my pride or my need for control. I don’t want it to be because I forge ahead of God because I am too impatient or afraid to trust the one who holds my future.

Questions:

1. Has God ever changed you for his glory through the brokenness in your life?

2. Are you currently experiencing a storm of destruction in your life?

3. Is God asking you to surrender your emotions or your need for control into his capable hands?

4. Has God been faithful to you in the past?

5. Do you believe that God is all that you need and will be more than enough in the future?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Help me not to despise when brokenness comes into my life. Rather, help me to surrender my life into your gentle hands for redirection, comfort, and peace. I ask that you still every storm in my life. I know that you hear the one who cries out in their trouble. Father you are the one who guides me out of my distress. Father I believe with all my heart that you are able to still the storm to a whisper and hush the waves of this sea. I will pray and I will expect your calm to come to my life until this storm passes over. God, help me to be sensitive to your voice. I want to learn to obey you sooner opposed to later. Help me God to receive with joy the purpose that you have for me as a result of every storm. God, I want to thank you for all of the wonderful times in my life that you have positioned people in my life to help me, teach me, and to guide me in your ways. God, I even want to thank you for the times of brokenness in my life. Why do you love me so much that you would even bother? God, I know there have been relationships in my life that were in need of repair, but out of that brokenness you repaired me! Lord I have grieved, but as you promised, you comforted me with the oil of gladness for those who mourn. God, you know there have been many times in my life when I wondered how I would make it, but you God have always sent the needed bread. Thank you! Why me Lord? Why are you so good to me? You are all that I need and more than enough.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Why Do We Suffer?

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

Most of us understand that if we do a certain thing or behave in a certain way there will be natural consequences. Still, it is especially hard to understand why bad things happen to good people. The ugly truth is that sometimes individuals are in the right place, but unfortunately, at the wrong time. Other times the sin of another person affects us as well. Crimes occur just because evil has entered the hearts of humanity, and natural disasters come unexpectedly and are out of our control.

Understanding suffering requires us to take a walk back to the closed and guarded gate of the Garden of Eden. You do remember that it was because of Adam and Eve’s sin that we have temporarily lost the privilege of living in that perfect garden. Because through one man, Adam, sin entered the world and now we cannot enjoy what God originally created for our well being, safety, provision, and enjoyment. However, it is through another man, Jesus Christ, that we who love and accept him will gain permission to enter back into the perfect sinless garden of heaven when we exit this earth.

Therefore, because of sin, suffering is a part of this life. All of us need God to help us through difficult times. After Jesus conquered death and went back to heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of every believer. Before Jesus returned to heaven, he told his followers that in this world they would have trouble. Jesus promised that he would neither abandon nor leave us without instruction, comfort, power and peace. He told his followers that he must return to heaven so that his Spirit could come and live within the heart of every believer.

As a man, Jesus could not be everywhere at the same time. But, he promised his followers that after he returned to the Father, he would send the Holy Spirit to earth to be with all believers every moment of every day. The Holy Spirit would be available and on the job without a single interruption of time or space. The very Spirit of God would come and permeate, fill, and abide at the very center of our spiritual being. Our body would be his temple. The Holy Spirit would be our very present help in trouble.

Jesus kept that promise and we who love him are able to participate in a sweet fellowship that is known only to those who belong to him. This personal fellowship is hidden from the eyes of all those who do not seek to know their Creator and refuse to reach out in simple faith and ask Jesus Christ to come into their life. God has extended an open invitation to all mankind to participate in this “special” fellowship but at the same time this fellowship excludes all who refuse to believe.

We also know that God is able to make good things happen even in the midst of a bad circumstance. Even though suffering is a part of this life, it is wonderful to know that our suffering will never be void of value. Those who experience suffering often become more compassionate. Because of their experience, they are now equipped to understand, help, and comfort others who may be experiencing the same type of suffering they have experienced. "…the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

Through trials, we come to the realization that we cannot endure the hard edge of life in our own strength. We become acutely aware that we need God’s strength and comfort to get us through hard times. It is through suffering that we learn to trust God.

God also uses our suffering to build our character. God uses the trials in this life to shape us into His image. If we trust God, most of us exit our adversity as a changed person. Our faith becomes stronger, we learn to be more compassionate, more tolerant, more merciful, more patient, and we become a more trusting child of God. We also become a recipient of God’s faithfulness and love. It is for those changes and gifts we can always be thankful.

When we suffer, it provides an opportunity for God to show up in our lives. God’s faithfulness is amazing! When we share with others how God provided, comforted and sustained us, we become an incredible witness to the power and faithfulness of God. This type of witness always brings God glory. God also receives glory when we remain faithful during our trials. Yes, bad things happen to good people, but it is so wonderful to know that Jesus has prayed for you and for me “…Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you… that your faith may not fail.” Luke 22:32a NIV

God uses our unfailing faith during trials to bring him glory. God does not seek glory in the same way we humans do. God is not a prideful glory seeker. No, God seeks glory so that the lost world will recognize him. God does this because he is so in love with his lost creation. God wants to get us all back home safe and secure. For that reason, God uses our suffering for his glory. It is an opportunity for others to see that glory and desire to find and follow Jesus.

Even though it seems that some people never suffer I am sure they do. No one has the perfect life. God is always looking for opportunities to work in every person’s life and bring about positive change. God wants to bring about change in our life that will make us look more like him. God created us in his image and he does not want that image to be blemished in any way. We blemish God’s good name when we blame him for our trouble. When we refuse to trust God in our suffering, and when we live our life defeated by the troubles we encounter God is not glorified.

People who do not know the Lord may seem successful and happy but they are still searching for meaning in life. Men and women masquerade behind a false set of world values. Some shout, “Look at me, I’m successful, I have it all together, life is one big party!” Yet, behind closed doors, their life may be quite different. God uses even the trials of discontentment and loneliness, disappointment and rejection as a means of offering opportunity for people to come back into a loving relationship with him. Running back to the Father is the only way that anyone can enter the perfection of heaven and enjoy the Heavenly Father forever.

There are many reasons why we suffer. The unchangeable truth is that God cares about all that concerns us. Only a god void of love would allow us to breeze through life without pain and suffering. Our God wants us to know we are in need of him and he wants to rescue us for all eternity. Heaven holds many rewards for those who remain faithful during their times of suffering. God is faithful to us and we must in return be faithful to him!

Questions:

1. Are you baffled when good people suffer and those who do not honor God seem to be living life free of adversity?

2. Are you having difficulty understanding your current trial?

3. As you suffer will you dare pray, “God, make me better, not bitter?”

4. Can you name one good thing that has come out of your suffering?

5. Do you know someone who is suffering something that you have experience in the past?

6. Would you be willing to send a note, speak words of comfort to that individual, or maybe just listen as they share their pain?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

There have been days that I could not eat or sleep and days that I could not get out of bed. Some days I did not even want to go on living. Somehow, you rescued me! I know you have suffered more than I have or ever will. Help me to get my eyes off myself and give me the strength and desire to comfort someone else who is in need. I thank you that your Word says that I need not go through this devastating trial alone. Help me to seek your comfort, wisdom and strength during this difficult time. Lord, I pray that my attitude will indeed bring glory to your name as I walk this road of suffering. Jesus, it is my desire to remain faithful to you. I pray that through this suffering I will become a better person. Please protect me and guard my mind so that I will not become a bitter person. Jesus, I choose to believe you are going to use my hard times for my personal good and your glory. Thank you for being a God of comfort and a God who sustains me each difficult day. Jesus, I am moved to tears to know that you are praying for me that my faith will not fail. This knowledge is one more reason I am falling deeper and deeper in love with you! Thank you that all that concerns me also concerns you.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

Trials Are Three Dimensional

“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

Psalm 30:1b NIV

Today I am realizing that often I see my trial in only one dimension. I see it from a self-centered vantage point. What is this doing to me? What is this costing me? Why is this happening to me? Why did this have to happen? What is God trying to teach me? When will I stop suffering? Sometimes I am so busy suffering that I fail to realize that others who are close to me are suffering too.

God I know that you also have a part in my suffering. God you are loving and compassionate. When your children hurt you also hurt. You are sad because we are so sad. Today I am remembering that some of Jesus’ dearest friends were Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. Jesus had been in their home many times. They had talked, eaten together, and Mary had worshiped Jesus by anointing his feet with a costly perfume.

Then one day Lazarus became ill. Jesus was not in Bethany, so Mary and Martha sent word for Jesus to come and heal Lazarus. The message was, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Lazarus’ sisters had complete faith that Jesus was able to heal their brother, who they deeply loved. But to the disciples surprise and Mary and Martha’s shock, after Jesus received the news about Lazarus being sick he deliberately delayed his journey to Bethany two more days!

The truth was that Jesus could have healed Lazarus from afar just as he did the centurion’s servant. Luke 7:1-10 But instead Jesus chose to delay going to Lazarus. It was a delay of love. Jesus knew that healing Lazarus would be wonderful but he also knew that raising him from the dead would be glorious! And so Jesus waited. Mary and Martha waited. Lazarus waited and then he died waiting!

In John 11:11 Jesus is speaking to his disciples regarding Lazarus. Jesus referred to Lazarus their friend. Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” Jesus was speaking of death, not sleep. When Jesus arrived Mary and Martha greeted him and reported that he was too late. Lazarus had died. Then the sisters begin to convey to Jesus in no uncertain terms their disappointment. Mary and Martha perceived that Jesus had failed them. The sisters were grieved to the point of tears that Jesus hadn’t bothered to show up in a timely manner and because of that fact, Lazarus had died. John records that Jesus then went to Lazarus and was deeply moved in spirit and troubled and in verse 35 John records that, “Jesus wept.” Plain and simple Jesus cried, not because Lazarus had died. Jesus wept because his friends Mary and Martha were hurting and grieving. Jesus wept because he had compassion. But then Jesus wiped away his personal tears because it was now time for him to shine. He was about to do what he came to do. It was show time! It was glorification of the Father time! Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” and he did.

Our trials are three dimensional. Of course, our trial involves us. Secondly, our trial involves others who care about us. Thirdly, our trail always involves our loving Heavenly Father. I think it is important for us to learn that we are not alone in our trials and suffering. We may feel that God is far away but in reality he is as close as the air we breathe and he weeps when we weep. His sweet Spirit resides inside of those who belong to him and he stands ready and able to help us in our time of need.

I must also remember that my trials work for my good. My trials are a beautiful sign of God’s love because he can use my sorrow and brokenness to create something beautiful in my life. It is through brokenness that God develop godly character within me. My trials offer a unique opportunity for God to orchestrate amazing things in my life. My personal desire is always for a favorable outcome to my problems, but a happy ending is not the issue; the issue is my surrender to God’s Sovereignty, his purposes, and his glorification.

God also uses my trials to accomplish his purposes. I have noticed that at the end of any trial God’s glory is the cherry on my sundae, it is the icing on my cake, it is the exact moment when I can finally surrender my will to God’s will the burden is lifted and I can now celebrate. I do not celebrate the sorrow but I do celebrate the fact that I have placed my sorrow in God’s capable hands. It is a holy moment when God shows up in all of his power and glory and my life is changed. My circumstances may remain but my wrong assumptions and bad attitudes are smashed, my anger melts, my fear is gone, and my chains of self pity and personal disappointment fall off.

After great loss, grieving is necessary for God to bring healing into our lives. During grief God is always near even when we cannot feel him. Slowly, we begin to feel God’s comfort as we move away from the tragedy. I don’t believe that God expects us to be able to be thankful for the tragedy that has left a hole in our heart, but I do believe that he wants us to eventually position ourselves so that we can give thanks for what we are becoming as a result of our personal loss. God always wants to fill the gaping holes in our life with himself and the end result is always his glorification and our healing.

When we are finally able to openly express genuine gratitude for God’s faithfulness to us during our trial God is glorified! It seems that God mysteriously allows others to recognize any positive attitudes in our life that speak of God’s love, goodness, and faithfulness. Often others make silent observations that are hidden from our eyes and ears. We may never be aware that another person has taken note of the way we are responding to God. Unbeknown to us, when our words bless God then he is glorified and his purposes are accomplished in the hearts of others.

Oh that I could embrace this truth at the onset of every trial. How wonderful it would be if I could understand this so well that I did not become angry, argue, and try to bargain with my Heavenly Father. How I wish that I would never spend a single day in the cellar of self-pity and depression. Oh that I would not panic but rather get totally alone with Jesus and stay there until I hear his voice. Lastly, to be able to quote in perfect surrender, the words of Jesus, “Father, not my will but your will be done.” But for me it is usually a process as I work through my brokenness and loss.

Today I can’t help but realize that God has a very huge part in all of my trials. I know that my trials affect me in a very up close and personal way. They cause me sadness, they leave me lonely, they create fear within me, and they often cause me both physical and emotional pain and suffering. But God’s Word says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV

So when does the suffering end? When is the heartache over? When does God show up on my behalf? God does not show up, he is already there. We are the ones who must show up. We must join him in our suffering. We must allow him to minister to us and begin the healing process. God’s glory shines when all of his purposes are fulfilled. Sometimes I find that I must wait for God’s purpose to be fulfilled in the life of the one I love. In marriage, two have become one, so sometimes I must wait on my mate and he must wait on me. I suffer when my children experience trials, but I must wait for their obedience to God.

Others are always watching and they gain strength when they see we are trusting in the sovereignty of God. When all of God’s purposes are in place and all things are ready, then God shows up at another location and puts on a spectacular display of his heavenly glory. We may perceive that God is late in coming to our aid but God is never even one second late in delivering his glory! Our joy is especially sweet when we come to the end of a very long and dark tunnel. When we experience an answer to a long awaited answerer to prayer the answer is indescribably joyous! “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. “Psalm 30:1b NIV

I must remember that God’s glory is not contingent upon my happiness. Sometimes things do not turn out as I had hoped. Other times I couldn’t be happier! Answers that make me happy are indeed reasons for celebration. But the truth is I must be able to agree with Job and say, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:21b NIV

Questions:

1. Does today find you in the middle of a trial?

2. Have you considered that you are not alone in you suffering?

3. Do you become frustrated as you wait for God to deliver you from your trial?

4. Have you considered that perhaps all God’s purposes have not yet been fulfilled?

5. Are you ready to trust God regardless of the outcome?

6. Have you ever witnessed God’s glory at the end of a long trial?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Today I am suffering because of ______________. I now know that it is important for me to consider that others may be suffering as well. I see that just as you were with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, you are also with me. It leaves me speechless when I realize that you weep with me. I confess that from my perspective here on earth I sometimes see death as the worst case scenario, when in fact; it is the beginning of an everlasting life of joy for those who belong to you. I thank you Jesus that my trials are not for punishment or to teach me to shape up! You said that trials would be a very real part of this life. Jesus, help me to remember that Satan is always ready to attack me and convince me that you have forsaken me. I pray that I would fix my eyes on you. Help me to know that what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal. God I confess that I am weak but I know that you Lord are strong. I pray that you would empower me with your words and your grace so that I can say with Job, blessed be the name of the Lord. God it helps me to know that I do not stand alone in my suffering. I thank you for family and friends that stand close by to listen and comfort me. Jesus, I absolutely love that you, are the third dimension in my suffering. Last but never least, Jesus, you are my comfort, my peace, my joy, and my hope. Thank you for weeping with me during these difficult days.

It is in your name I pray. Amen

The Waiting Room

“How gracious he will be when you cry for help!

As soon as he hears, he will answer you.

Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity

and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more;

with your own eyes you will see them.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,

your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,

“This is the way, walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:19-21 NIV

Have you ever sat in a doctor’s office and waited? Have you ever sat in a hospital emergency room and waited? Have you ever called someone on the phone and they ask you to wait while they finish a previous call? Have you ever had to wait in a customer service line? Have you ever waited for food in a restaurant and thought that it would never arrive? Have you ever had to sit in traffic and wait for the road to open up so that you could continue on to your destination? Waiting is nerve wracking and it tries our impatience to the limit! We tap our foot, we watch the clock, we crane our necks, and then we take aspirin and antacids to ease our physical discomfort that is caused from the stress of waiting. Sometimes we even fall asleep waiting for our need to be met.

My question today is how in the world could God ever consider that waiting is good for us? Doesn’t he know that it makes people crabby, gives us headaches, sets our nerves on edge, tightens our muscles, and makes us feel unimportant? Waiting flips on our anger switch, makes us roll our eyes and gesture, and allows things to come out of our mouth that are less than godly? The fact is we pray and most of the time God says, “Wait.”

To me it seems like a contradiction that God would say that he will be gracious to us when we cry for help and that as soon as he hears, he will answer us. The truth is that God is gracious to us when we call. He hears our prayer immediately and even before we finish praying the answer is released in heaven. The answer may be "yes" right away! Or "no"... not in this lifetime, or it could be "wait" because all things are not ready.

I understand the yes and the no answers but I really don’t get the waiting. What things must be made ready? How can I make sure that I am ready for God’s answer? One way I can get ready is to make sure my will is aligned to God’s will.  I must also have an attitude that is willing to accept God's will for my life even if it is not what I had hoped for.

How I wait for God’s answer is also important. Do I wait peacefully or do I wait impatiently? God's Word says that my heart must trust and not doubt. My obedience is also important. Has God asked something of me that I am ignoring? If God says go, I must go. If God says stay put, I must stay put. If God says give, I must give. If God says pray, I must pray. If God says take a risk and trust me, I must be a risk taker. If God asks me to do something out of my comfort zone, I must obey.

The answer to my prayer may also be waiting for me at the end of my obedience.  I pray and while I am praying God releases his answer to my prayer. If I procrastinate or refuse to be obedient the longer it will take for me to receive God’s answer. Sometimes I wonder how many blessings I have missed simply because I neglected to obey.

It is quite possible that there are answers to my prayers that are setting on God’s heavenly shelves with my name on them. So what is the delay? Maybe it is my lack of obedience or my doubt that is holding things up.

We are to ask and then believe. We are to listen and then obey. Obedience requires listening for the silent gentle whisper of God and then acting upon what we have heard. If I am concerned that my prayer is not being answered in a timely manner, then perhaps I need to spend some time with God allowing him to speak to me through my thoughts, through his Word, or through new desires that he places within my heart.

Often God gives us a desire to minister or to serve. Sometimes there is a place that he is nudging us to go or a nagging thought to contact someone. When God puts people and opportunity in our path but we refuse to connect with that person or investigate the new opportunity we may be missing out. Yes, God is more than able to immediately drop what we pray for in our lap and sometimes he does, but most of the time he wants something in return for our asking. He wants to know that we love him enough to go out on a limb and trust him. Waiting on God provides the perfect opportunity for us to trust God. Go ahead, ask God for what you desire and then ask him what he would have you do next.

It is important to consider the fact that sometimes all things are NOT ready, especially if it involves another person. Each heart involved must be positioned for God’s answer. Often one person is ready but the other person is not ready. Events must take place, people's paths must cross, and opportunities must become available before God can deliver the answer. But make no mistake; all of our prayers are God's work in  progress! Each prayer has been received in heaven and God is processing each and every one of our prayers while we wait. So we wait with a smile on our face. We wait in quiet confidence and trust.

Even though I know that God goes before me sometimes I find myself in the waiting room of adversity and affliction as I wait. But God's Word tells me that I must stay alert because God may send me a teacher that will open my eyes, or God may whisper from his Word assurance and direction, but for sure God’s Word says that in due time, whether I turn to the right or to the left, my ears will hear a voice behind me saying, this is the way walk in it. The only thing that remains is my trust while I wait.

Questions:

1. Are you waiting on God for direction or for an answer to prayer?

2. As far as you know, have you been obedient to all that God has asked of you?

3. Do you regularly ask God for his wisdom and direction in your life?

4. Are you just asking and listening for the voice behind you?

5. If you are still in a waiting pattern with no direction from God do you find that you are waiting in peace or waiting impatiently?

6. Have you considered the possibility that God’s answer is contingent upon the obedience of another person, or perhaps the availability of a location, or for a door of opportunity to open?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I thank you that you are real and personal. I know without doubt that you hear my prayers. I do realize that some prayers cannot be answered quickly because they depend upon another person’s obedience.  I know that you do not force obedience on anyone and so I must wait in quietness and trust. Father, this week I want to consider the very real possibility that I may lack obedience regarding ___________. I have heard your voice from behind me saying this is the way walk in it, but I am fearful and I now see that I lack trust. I confess that I am afraid that you may ask something of me that I do not want to do, or you may have someone for me that I do not want, you may ask me to go somewhere I do not want to go, or you may have an opportunity that I think is too hard. I worry that I will not be up to the task of doing what you ask and so I continue to sit back in my “not so easy” chair and fret over unanswered prayer. God forgive me. Holy Spirit, please come to my aid and give me your confidence, your power, and your strength so that I will be able to step out in unconditional faith and simply trust you. I know that real trust never knows the future, real trust does not have all the pieces to the puzzle, and real trust does not demand all the answers ahead of time. Help me God to reach down deep within my spirit and choose to pick up trust and joyfully be obedient as I wait expectantly  for your perfect answer. I thank you that your perfect answer is on the way.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.