The Hand Of God

“My times are in your hands;” Psalm 31:15a NIV

 

Many mornings I enter the garden from a chair in my great room. More often then not my hubby is in his recliner, across the room, entering his own garden. I like it quiet and he likes to share. He often gives me wonderful food for thought. This particular morning was one of those days. He mentioned how significant the hand of God is in our lives. Of course, that became the spring board for my thoughts for the next few days.

 

That same day I headed deeper into the garden with God’s Word in my hands. As I walked among the lilies, smelled the sweet sent of the roses, and found delight in the trumpet shaped petunias I saw anew the amazing hand of God, the creator. With each stroke of his creative fingers God adds magnificent color to his garden using hundreds of shades of heavenly paint. The hand of our creator is like no other hand.

 

Exodus 33:18-19, 21-23 Moses asked the Lord to show him his glory. God’s response to Moses was “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence.” (vs. 19) In (vs. 20) God said, “But, you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” (vs. 21-23) This is a beautiful example of God’s protection. As believers we so want to see his face, yet this life is not the time or the place. Yet, during difficult times we stand on Jesus our Rock and firm foundation. During trouble God places us in the cleft of a rock. This hard place in life is very real and we long again to see the face of God. In his grace, God covers us with his hand of protection. When all is safe, he removes his hand and we are blessed as we see his back as he passes by. We do not see his face but we see his glory in all its splendor.

 

I Chronicles 6:4 “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David.” Solomon, David’s son had ordered that the Ark of the Covenant be brought to the temple in Jerusalem. David had wanted to build the temple but his son Solomon was the one God appointed to do so. Now as a final act of completion the Ark was to be brought into the temple and placed in the Holy Place. How wonderful it is to know that it is the hand of God that accomplishes his perfect will through imperfect people.

 

“My times are in your hands;” Psalm 31:15a NIV This scripture reminds me that God holds my time in his hand. He knows the number of my days and he has a plan for my life. God has a plan to give us all a hope and a future. There is no safer place to be.

 

Jesus told the disciples that if they had seen him they had seen the Father. For three short years the twelve were privileged to see the very hand of God at work. They were hands that healed. They were hands that fed the hungry multitudes. It was the hand of God that reached out to Peter when he was sinking into the sea. Jesus lifted his hands toward heaven and prayed. His hands touched children and gathered them into his arms. He used the fingers of his hand to write words of rebuke in the dust. His hands turned over the money changer’s tables in the temple as he drove out the merchants who were making the house of God a den of thieves. Jesus, the Son of God used his hands to wash feet, break bread, and pour wine.

 

It was the arms of Jesus Christ that was stretched out so that his hands could be nailed to the cross. It was his nail scared hands that purchased our freedom from the curse of sin. The Word of God tells us that those who belong to him have their names engraved upon his hands. “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;” Isaiah 49:16 NIV

 

It was into the capable hands of the Father that Jesus committed his spirit in the final moment of his life. “Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46 It was after the resurrection; Jesus appeared to the disciples and used his hands to cook breakfast for them on the seashore. He later appeared to Thomas, who doubted that he had risen, still he allowed Thomas to see his nail scared hands. Jesus also offers us his hands to lift us up, pull us close to his heart, and help us in our times of fear, doubt, and even in our times of unbelief.

Because Jesus was obedient even to death on the cross, God the Father has given him a place of honor. Jesus now sits in heaven at the right hand of God and He is still using his hands on our behalf as he prepares a special place for us in heaven.

The hand of God is still outstretched to all humanity. It is not his will that any should perish but we must, like Peter, reach up and take hold of his saving hand of grace. It is not enough to believe that Jesus exists. We must go one step further and make it personal by grasping his hand. It is the hand of Jesus that offers us freedom from our sin. This is a free gift for all those who will believe that he lived, died, was resurrected, and is in heaven preparing an eternal home for those who love him.

It is important to understand that accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is not where it should end.  The sobering truth is that we are an extension of the hands of God. We not only reach out and take his hand we praise the works of his hand. We lift our hands in holy praise and we lay hands on those in the body that we love as we encourage them and pray for their needs and God’s blessing. We use our simple human hands to minister, to give, and to serve.

 

We have been led in the past, we are being led this very moment, and we will continue to be led by the hand of God all our days. When this life is over and it is all said and done, when we breathe our last breath, we too, like Jesus, will submit our spirit into the hands of God for all eternity. It seems that this morning in the garden I am overcome with the many facets of the hand of God. How precious is the hand of God? It is more precious than silver or gold, success and fame, or power and position. Precious, precious, simply precious!

 

Questions:

1. How is God’s hand leading you today?
2. Do you remember a specific time in your life when you experienced being under the hand of God’s protection?
3. Is God reaching his hand out to you asking you to follow him, obey him, or to trust him?
4. Are you allowing God to use your hands as an extension of his hands in this world today?

Prayer:

 

Dear God,

 

I stand amazed at all the works of your hand! Today I humbly reach up my hand to yours. Forgive me when I doubt that you are aware of my comings and goings. Forgive me when I doubt your love. Forgive me when I refuse to trust your loving capable hands. Forgive me when I forget to thank you for your hands that provide for me. How I praise you Father, that my name is engraved on your hands. I am so grateful that I am not just a simple string you have tied around your finger so that you can remember to take care of me.  It is comforting to realize that you know that a simple string could slip off a finger and be lost in the shuffle of life. No, your love and care is complete. Father I am in awe because you willingly outstretched hands on the cross for me. I am also blessed because you have branded my name upon your hands for all eternity. Lord, I am so grateful to experience this kind of boundless love. Without a doubt, I am in good hands!

 

It is in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The Clock Is Ticking

“As for man, his days are like grass,

and flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.”

Psalm 103:15-16 NIV

Not often, but sometimes I am up early enough to enjoy a sunrise and the glorious beginning of a new day. When I experience these early morning moments of joy I realize that God is the one who has given me a restful night of sleep and now he is blessing me with one of his many magnificent sunrises! I am also reminded that God has given me one more day to live. Will I make it to tomorrow? I never know, but this one thing I know for sure, the clock is ticking and my time here on earth is precious.

 

As I fix my eyes on the sunrise I dare to ask God, “How should I spend this day?” I know that each day has its own set of responsibilities. Some days are filled with just the plain ordinary routine of family and work; some days are filled with pleasures that come from the extraordinary and unexpected. Other days are purposeful as we set about to serve others who are in need. Still other days jar us with an element of surprise that is about to take us on an unwanted journey. But in simple trust I will choose today to set my face toward heaven and begin this day knowing that I was created for a purpose and that purpose is to worship God and to love others. Even if my minutes and hours do not accomplish what I set out to do, I know that I may plan my way but it is God who directs my steps. Loving God and loving others is what life is all about and I know that some days I do this better than other days.

 

Because the clock of my life is ticking I have been told that I must make every moment count. Count for what? God whispers, “Paula, the message is clear. Your life must count for eternity.” “But Father,” I reply, “my life is filled with so much. I do not have time to examine and scrutinize every single thing I do. Some days are filled with so many responsibilities I barely have time to breathe. What about the days when grief and sadness come into my life. How do I make those things count for eternity?”

 

Then my wonderful Heavenly Father gives me some suggestions to follow so I can live life well and finish strong. It is a plan that if acknowledged and followed will help me choose things that will count for eternity. This is a plan that will free my mind to think about my priorities. Are my priorities based on the world’s value system or are they based on God’s value system? The things that are based on God’s values are eternal. The things of the world will without a doubt pass away. Eternal works are noticed by God and stored in heaven for our future reward. Things of this world are unpredictable and are enjoyed only for a brief season. “As for man, his days are like grass, and flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” Psalm 103:15-16 NIV

 

Personally, I am very well acquainted with stress and frustration when I put too much on my plate. In God’s Word he has suggested to me that I step under the umbrella of his protection. Today God is reminding me of a few simple suggestions to follow on days when life is normal and on those days when life is stressful and draining. God has given me the Holy Spirit to minister to me in my times of need and instruct me in the way I should live. I know that if I ask God he will give me his perspective regarding my time.

 

Suggestions on How I Can Stay Under God’s Umbrella of Protection Regarding My Time

Suggestion #1 - Seek God and Worship Him

“Be still and know that I am God;” Psalm 46:10a NIV

 

Past experience has taught me that I experience the most joy in life when I am living as God intended me to live. I am learning that when I choose to seek God’s face at the top of my day I receive wisdom and strength for my journey. Of course, this is only God’s suggestion! It is always my choice.

 

Suggestion #2 - Evaluate How You Spend Your Time

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”Psalm 90:12 NIV

 

Time is a precious commodity. Life is short and precious. I must endeavor to number my days aright as I align my activities with God’s activities for my day. It is important for me to I learn to evaluate my schedule. It is easy to get rid of the things that do not interest me or the things I would rather not do, but it takes courage to get rid of things that are good. I must form the habit of asking God what would you have me put on my “to do” list today? My prayer is that I would learn to care about the things God cares about and become diligent about doing his bidding.

 

Suggestion #3 - Strive for Simplicity – Shake off the Unnecessary

“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1NIV

 

Striving for simplicity is a real spiritual discipline. I must seek to know God’s priorities vs. the many activities and plans I put on my plate. My plan often hinders my walk with the Lord and my service. I become so busy caring for my things and taking care of the unnecessary that I push God to the back burner. Many things that are good may not always be in my best interest. It is that hectic schedule that throws us into a stressful panic mode. Sometimes saying “no” to good things is the right thing to do.

 

Suggestion #4 - Practice Gratitude

“sing…songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16b NIV

 

Gratitude is always a plan that will boost my spiritual well being. It is pretty hard for me to be discouraged or discontent when I am shooting up prayers of gratitude to God. When I share my gratitude with others God is glorified. Uplifting others by sharing my faith in God and his faithful provision is of eternal value and significance.

 

Suggestion #5 - Serve God and Others with Gladness

“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2 KJV

 

Many of the mundane and routine things that fill my day can be laced with God’s love as I serve him and others. In moments of frustration I can look to Jesus for perspective. In moments of discontentment I can choose to practice gratitude. In times of selfishness I can choose to give of my time and even my resources.  As I make beds, unload the dish washer, or clean the toilet I can choose to serve others with gladness. I can be thankful that I am healthy enough to do my own work. If I wash and fold laundry, I can pray for the one whose clothes I am folding. If I cook a meal, I might consider making a double recipe, one to serve my family and a second meal to freeze and later share it with someone who may be in need of a little help from a friend. If I am doing the mindless chore of dusting or vacuuming I can pray. If I am shopping I can be God’s messenger by flashing a smile at those who serve me and speak words of appreciation to them. If I have lunch with a friend we can use that time to encourage one another or share what God is doing in our lives. I find that I am a busy person and if I do not guard my thoughts I can go through my day thinking about things I would rather be doing, or being discontent and angry that no one ever helps me, or complaining that I am not appreciated, or spend my time longing to be in a magical place somewhere far away in the sun! I have found that serving God with gladness does not come naturally; first of all the thought of serving God with gladness must be entertained in our mind and then we must practice making good choices until it becomes a habit. I wish I could say I do this perfectly, but I most certainly do not. However, I am pretty sure it is a suggestion worthy of pursuing!

 

Suggestion #6 - Make Time to Enjoy the Garden

 “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28 KJV

“And on the seventh day God rested.” Hebrews 4:4 NIV

 

What about rest and relaxation? God gave us one day for this and we need to take it! What is enjoying the garden? It is taking time to do things we enjoy, the things that bring us refreshment and restoration. This too can be done to the glory of God. The fact is I will only be able to serve God well if I am rested and restored! Oh, I may go through the motions but my attitude will usually need to be adjusted. I will not be able to be effective if I am worn out, tired, and stressed. When my life becomes too difficult I become resentful of my duties. Even Jesus knew when he had had enough. He left the crowds, sailed away, and was even known to take a nap! As I begin each new day I must be purposeful about giving myself permission to enjoy the garden. Let something that can wait until tomorrow simply wait! Forget staying on schedule for just a little while. Take time for a cup of coffee and enjoy reading a book for just an hour! Take a much needed nap, exercise, or take a walk.  In addition, schedule in a day ever so often to enjoy a hobby, lunch with a friend, and always make time to enjoy nature! God wants you to enjoy the garden. Ask God to help you discern between what is urgent and what can wait.

 

Suggestion #7 - Breathe In God’s Peace

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 7 NIV

 

Isn’t it strange that we must learn to lap up God’s peace? To continue walking through life without peace is like passing on dessert. God saves the sweetest for last. When we taste his peace at the end of our day we know we have lived our day under the umbrella of his protection. Peace is the check point for knowing if we have spent time worshiping and honoring our Master. We experience peace when we know we have been obedient. Peace is our reward for trusting God with all that is uncertain in life. We experience peace when we know we have loved others well. Peace comes at the end of forgiveness. All these things: worship, obedience, trust, serving others well, and forgiving count for eternity as we lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys. Heavenly rewards for selfless works well done. The clock is ticking and if you are like me, your heart's desire is to  live life well.

 

Questions:

1. Are you aware that your life’s clock is ticking?
2. What are the things that you are currently doing that will count for eternity?
3. When was the last time you did a priority check?
4. Does the lifestyle of simplicity intrigue you?
5. How can simplicity enhance your busy life?
6. Are you currently living under God’s umbrella of protection regarding how you spend your time?

Prayer:

 

Dear Lord,

 

Yes indeed, my clock is ticking and I want to live my life well. Help me to be purposeful about how I fill my days. Lord, it is my desire that all of my moments will pass under your watchful eye. Lord, I want to have eyes to see what must be placed aside and know what things must be picked up. Give me feet that will dance in gladness as I perform the most mundane tasks of life. Make me willing to go places I would rather not go because of the very real possibility that you may have an assignment waiting for me when I arrive. Give me sweet words for others all through my day that will point them to you. Father, I pray that you will begin to teach me more about simplicity and gratitude. Help me Lord to give myself permission to enjoy the garden so that I will be refreshed and restored, ready to do your work. Most of all Lord, I thank you for your sweet gift of peace that is experienced deep within my heart when I stay under your loving umbrella of protection regarding how I spend my time. Lord, forgive me for all of the times I have failed in the past. Give me your grace to move forward knowing full well I will not do it perfectly. Lead me daily as I press toward the mark of your high calling to worship you and love others. Help me to remember that life is short, the clock is ticking, and that I need to make the necessary adjustments in my life so my time  here on earth counts for eternity. Lord, fill my busy days with purpose and my tired nights with peace.

 

It is in Your Name I pray. Amen.

Eating From God's Banquet Table

 

"You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies."

Psalm 23:5 NIV

 

It is a beautiful day outside of the garden. This fine day finds me strolling through a beautiful city park. Gorgeous azaleas line the walkways. As I anticipate the nice dinner that my husband and I are soon to share in one of my favorite restaurants, I begin to recall some very memorable dining experiences.

 

Have you ever experienced a fine dining experience? This morning I am remembering a very fine dining experience I had when I was in college. I had gone with a group of friends off campus to a friend’s home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Before we headed back to school the youth pastor and his wife invited the four of us to their home for breakfast before we hit the road. To my surprise and pleasure, this fine lady had spread a beautiful lace tablecloth on her dining room table and had placed on this table her finest china and crystal. There were fresh flowers and she served us as though we were kings and queens! This was such an elegant breakfast setting that I couldn’t even begin to tell you how the food tasted. However, I do remember she served bacon and eggs from silver platters, grits and country fries from silver bowls, she poured coffee from a silver coffee pot; we drank orange juice from stemmed goblets, ate fruit salad from small crystal compote dishes, and enjoyed warm buttered biscuits.

 

In contrast, also remember my mother serving wonderful meals with delightful simplicity. Her best dishes were not fine china. They were purchased with S & H reward stamps that she received from the local grocery store. She then redeemed the stamps for casual dishes, one piece at a time until she had a complete set. Nevertheless, when she served super, she spread a simple table cloth and placed the blue and white Currier and Ives  dishes, paper napkins, and stainless steel flatware on the table with intentional care. The food was not elegant but it was way beyond delicious!

 

There have been many times when my husband has taken me to some very fine restaurants for dinner. We have not only enjoyed the beautiful setting and ambiance, we also dined on wonderful food. In addition, we have had the pleasure of paying a pretty hefty tab for all this fine dining!

 

Today it occurs to me that God has provided and prepared a banquet table for those who love him that far exceeds any of the above mentioned dining experiences. His banquet table is lovingly prepared each day by his almighty hands. His nutritious provision for me is well balanced with all that I need to do life well. There is plenty to eat today and more to come tomorrow and for that matter, I am invited to eat every day for the rest of my life. God’s banquet table is heaped with bowls, platters, trays and baskets full of love, joy, and peace. We eat his warm bread of life and drink his wine of the new covenant. Every morning there appears fresh new trays of sweet delicacies of compassion and mercy. Pitchers flow with milk and honey. The nutritional fruit of the spirit is available for the taking. God has provided all that I need for my spiritual health and I am daily nourished with patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control heaped up on platters from his bountiful pantry. All this and more is mine and yours free for the taking. All that is required of us is to willingly taste and see that the Lord is good!

 

In addition, God prepares all of this for us in the very presence of our enemies. In life there are often those on the sidelines that scoff at our beliefs. We receive negative comments regarding our testimony. A few non-believers create trouble for us simply because they don’t like what or “Who” we stand for. Most of these folks who are in our face seem to be very present, but for some reason they cannot see the banquet table that forms the backdrop of our faith. Others see it but have no desire to eat with us because the menu is not to their liking. Satan, the biggest enemy of all, certainly sees the banquet table but is angry because he is not allowed a single morsel. His goal is to lure us away from the banquet table with talk of a more delicious lifestyle. But we who have tasted and eaten from this fine banquet table know that God’s banquet table is the best place to eat in the entire world, bar none! So we who love him continue to feast with our Master daily at his table because we hear and respond to his call to “Come and dine”.

 

Questions:

1. Can you recall a fine dining experience in your past?
2. How do you think it compares to the fine banquet table Jesus has set for us who love him?
3. When surrounded by enemies, do you realize that you have an opportunity to dine daily with the Master and be nourished and fed all the good sustaining food you will need for whatever situation you are facing?

Prayer:

 

Dear Father,

 

What a precious thought. It is in the presence of my enemies or “the enemy” you gently call me away to an elegant place of splendor and say, “My child, let this go, come and dine. I have the table spread twenty-four hours a day. There is always a seat at my table for you.” Thank you Father that you want me to be nourished at your table with all good things so that I might live a healthy Christian life. Help me Lord, to visualize this banquet table waiting for me the next time I am caught up in trouble, slander, false accusations, and persecutions. I thank you Father that your precious Holy Spirit is standing by to escort me in an instant to my rightful place at your banquet table. Father it is my joy to know that I can eat your life sustaining food even in the presence of my enemies. Lord, in the past I have eaten amazing meals at your table, I have tasted, and you Father are indeed good!

 

In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

The Broken Bread and Poured Out Wine Has Risen!

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread,

gave thanks and broke it

 and gave it to his disciples, saying,

“Take it; this is my body.”

Then he took the cup,

gave thanks and offered it to them,

and they all drank from it.

This is my blood of the covenant,

which is poured out for many,”

Mark 14:22-24 NIV

It is Passover, three days before the resurrection. Jesus shares a last meal with the men he loved. I am a visual person so symbolism is meaningful to me. Both bread and wine were simple everyday objects Jesus used to teach a new truth. History was about to turn the page. There would be no more poor little sacrificial lambs to be sacrificed at Passover. Jesus, the Lamb of God was about to become the once and for all perfect sacrifice for sin.

 

Those who shared this meal had no idea what was about to take place. As they listen to the words of Jesus, they simply didn’t understand that when Jesus broke the bread it was really symbolic of an actual event that within just a few short hours would take place. His body would be broken and crushed almost beyond recognition. When they drank the wine they were clueless that this symbolized the crucifixion that would soon take place. They really didn’t know that within a few more hours every drop of his precious blood would be drained from his abused body.

 

Many of the disciples watched this hideous event unfold from afar, but John watched from the foot of the cross. As the women and Joseph of Arimathea prepared to lay the body of Jesus in the tomb I imagine the disciples might have started to put it all together. Bread – broken body, wine – poured out blood. But still, what did it all mean. Death was real. Hope was gone. Perhaps they remembered Jesus giving thanks for the bread and wine. Why would he do that? What about this event would give reason to be thankful? Poured out for many, what did that mean? How could this be happening? There was no rhyme or reason to this scenario. So they left Golgotha grieving and hopelessly distraught. They had so many questions and each question yielding no answer.

 

Then three days later Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and then in utter panic reported to the disciples that the broken bread and the poured out wine was missing from the grave! Again the eleven were faced with the hard fact that the impossible had happened. They had been witnesses to the crushed and bloody flesh! The crushed bread and poured out wine! No way could this report be true. In a foot race John outran Peter to the tomb. Without a doubt, the tomb was empty. John, “He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.” John 20:5-7 NIV

 

Why would someone steal the body and leave the burial linens behind. Who would bother in their haste to fold the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ face? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if just one thing over the past few days made sense?  The tomb was empty but why?

 

But isn’t it just like Jesus to meet us at our point of need, calm our fears, help us get passed our unbelief, and give us his peace? “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

 

What a glorious Easter message. The tomb was empty and he had risen! He has risen indeed! Their lives were now full of hope! Jesus had defeated death.

 

As followers of Jesus Christ we too are privileged to experience this joy and rejoice in our eternal hope. Imagine how different your life would be without this hope. Our lives would be distraught and hopeless. The message of our forgiveness would be incomplete. Even though Jesus is no longer on this earth he is seated at the right hand of God the Father. It is a place of honor because he was obedient unto death, even the death on the cross. He paid the price for our redemption and is waiting to receive us in heaven. He has risen! The broken bread and poured out wine is risen indeed!

 

Questions:

1. Do you relate to the disbelief of the disciples before they saw Jesus face to face?
2. Is there anything in your life that Jesus has promised you that you are having trouble believing?
3. Are you full of joy and hope because Jesus has risen?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

 

Please forgive my unbelief. I do believe that you are the risen LORD. However, I often doubt other things that you have told me in your Word. I confess that sometimes I loose hope in waiting for an answer to prayer. Sometimes I am fearful that you will not show up in my life or in the life of someone I love. How can I doubt you? If broken bread and poured out wine can recreate itself into a new resurrected body, how can I ever live in the realm of unbelief. I see Jesus, that with you I can believe that all things are possible! I want to thank you Jesus for your sacrifice and for the power of your resurrection. I now have hope because I know beyond all doubt that I too will be resurrected to live with you forever. Just like you Lord, I will also have a new body and a new eternal home. Because of your great power all things will pass away and all things will become new. You are my blessed hope.  Hallelujah! You are the risen Lord and nothing is impossible!

 

In Your blessed name I pray. Amen.

Gethsemane

“They went to a place called Gethsemane,

and Jesus said to his disciples,

‘Sit here while I pray.’

He took Peter, James and John along with him

and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.

‘My Soul is overwhelmed with sorrow

to the point of death,’

he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’”

Mark 14:32-34 NIV

Jesus had been to the Mount of Olives many times. Who knows exactly how many times he had walked through the garden of Gethsemane. I wonder if he loved it there. Was it a place of comfort? Was it beautiful? Did he remember the day he created this spot? Had he shared good times with his friends in this garden? Had he prayed here before? One thing is for certain, this night in the garden would be different. Although the place may have looked familiar, it was a place he had never been before. It was a lonely place of human sorrow to the point of death.

Luke writes that Jesus prayed in this garden, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:42-44 NIV

 

Mark records it this way, “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.” Mark 14:35 NIV  Jesus further states his confidence in his Father by saying, “Abba, Father,...everything is possible for you.” In prayer Jesus addresses his Father as, Abba, Father. That is an affectionate term much like a child calling out dear Daddy. It seems that Jesus in his humanness is pleading with the Father by reminding him that he is his precious Son. Jesus did not doubt the power of his Father as he boldly asks, “Take this cup from me.” Still almost in the same breath speaking words of surrender, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36 NIV

 

Matthew records that Jesus went deep into the garden alone three times to pray. It was in this garden that Jesus asked Peter, James and John to pray and keep watch with him. But their sleepy eyes kept closing. Perhaps they were mentally and physically exhausted from hearing all that Jesus had shared with them in the upper room. But Jesus knowing full well what was ahead pleaded with them two times to watch and pray so that they would not fall into temptation in the hours ahead. Even in his own distress the second time Jesus returned to the sleepy three he did not speak words of anger or disappointment. Picture this. Can’t you just see Jesus lovingly looking over their tired bodies and making a comment for all of us to read? “The spirit is willing but the body is weak.” Jesus’ words were not of condemnation but rather words of understanding because he knows that we, his precious children, are dust. What a reminder that we can accomplish nothing outside of the grace and power of our Maker.

 

It was in this garden that Jesus received the kiss of betrayal from Judas. Matthew’s account in chapter 26 says that upon meeting Judas, his betrayer in this garden, Jesus still called him friend. (vs.50)

 

John remembers and writes in chapter 18 that it was in this garden that Jesus willingly walked toward those who hated him. He went out to meet them and asked point blank, “Who is it you want?” He did not run, lie, or attempt to hide. He then openly admitted that he was the one they were looking for, Jesus of Nazareth, as he answered, “I am he.” John 18:6 NIV  It was in this garden that those who heard his confession of deity fell to the ground because they had heard the voice of God.

 

It was in this garden that Jesus asked a profound question to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?” Luke 22:52b NIV Jesus further commented, “But this is your hour – when darkness reigns.” Luke 22:53b NIV

 

It was in this garden that Jesus healed the right ear of the servant of the high priest after Peter, who in a fit of mixed anger and fear, had whacked it off with his sword. Luke 22:49-51

 

John notes that it was in this garden that Jesus spoke to Peter telling him to put his sword away then asked this question, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” John 18:11 NIV Jesus was so in love with his Father and he was willing to drink the bitter cup of surrender in order that he might glorify the Father.

 

As Jesus prepared to exit the garden he still continued to teach by speaking profound words with every step he took. “Put your sword back in its place, …for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” …and here’s the kicker! “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:52-54 NIV 

 

It was in this garden that all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:56b

 

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus modeled so much. He knew that he needed to be alone to pray in order to receive strength from the Father for the task ahead. Jesus modeled surrender to the Father, love and understanding for Peter, James and John, a word of friendship for Judas, mercy and healing for the servant of the high priest, and he was an advocate for peace. Jesus exhibited strength in the face of adversity, and he proclaimed his authority as God.

 

There is so much to learn from that horrible night in the garden of Gethsemane. I will never experience what my precious Lord experienced but I will without a doubt walk through my own Gethsemane, maybe once, or maybe multiple times. The rules are still the same today as they were two thousand years ago.

 

- Go to the Father for strength.

- Spend as much time in prayer as needed.

- Surrender to the will of the Father.

- Be understanding of friends if they are not always there to support you.

- Be ready to extend the olive branch of friendship to our offenders.

- Be merciful to others.

- Be a peacemaker.

- Draw on the authority and power of the Holy Spirit for moment by moment strength.

- Trust the Father.

- Obey the Father.

- Experience the inner peace that only the Father can give to each of us in our time of need.

 

Questions:

 

1. Are you in awe of the events of Gethsemane?
2. Do you see how you can learn from Jesus’ experience in Gethsemane?
3. Does your heart break for Jesus as he wept in the garden?
4. How can we ever repay the debt we owe our Savior?

We simply cannot. We are all lost souls dependent upon his grace. This Holy Week if you do not know the gift of God’s free grace, simply look to the cross and ask Jesus to forgive your sinful state and restore you to God’s kingdom. It is not difficult; it only takes desire and a simple step of faith.

 

Prayer:

 

Dear Jesus,

 

I thank you that you were willing to pray in the garden of Gethsemane for strength to do the will of your Father. I thank you that you surrendered to the will of the Father not your own will. Jesus I thank you that I am loved by you and that you loved me enough to die for me. I see more clearly now that this garden you most likely loved was not a lovely place on the night you were arrested. Being both God and man was not easy. As God you knew what the future held. You could look ahead and see every lash of the whip, hear every mocking comment, anticipate the pricking crown of the thorns. You knew there would be shameful moments of disgrace. You knew full well the pain that was to come from the tearing of your flesh, the stab of the sword, and the collapsing of your lungs. You knew that the blood would drain from your body and your flesh would be torn and broken. As the sacrificial lamb, you knew that in the end you would bear the massive weight of sin, the sin of the entire world and be forsaken by your Father.

 

As a man, surrender was not easy, forgiving was not easy, being betrayed and deserted was not easy, being falsely accused was not easy, being hunted like a criminal was not easy, it was all hard. I know that in your humanness you could have failed, but you loved the Father enough to be obedient unto death, even  death on the cross. And you loved me enough to die for my sin.

 

The truth is you could have run, you could have called ten thousand angels to your rescue, you could have disappeared into thin air, you could have refused to die, but instead you chose to obey your Father. Jesus you paid an enormous price for me. Thank you. Jesus, I want to live my life for you. I am so grateful for all you went through for me! Thank you, thank you, thank you Jesus.

 

In Your Name I pray. Amen

Knock Knock. Who's There?

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,

I will come in and eat with him and he with me,”

Revelation 3:20 NIV

Often in spring I find walking in the garden before the sun comes up is a bit chilly. But his morning I am prepared. I have slipped on my favorite old comfortable sweatshirt and filled my travel mug with steaming hot coffee. I really need to get alone.  I need solitude. No distractions. I am in need of hearing the voice of God speak to me.

 

The truth of the matter is I am often confused by my thoughts. Do my thoughts belong to me, or are my thoughts inspired by the subtle suggestive voice of Satan, or are my thoughts from God? I know from past experience, a busy hectic schedule surrounded by noise is not conducive to deciphering my thoughts from God’s thoughts. A prayerful time in the garden opens the door for the Holy Spirit to come into my mind and speak his words of truth to my spirit. God has promised me that he is always available and is already standing at the door of my heart knocking. However, his promise is contingent upon me making time to open the door and invite him in. God desires to come into my thoughts. He wants his thoughts to become my thoughts. This is having the mind of Christ. “Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 KJV

 

Frequently I am at my daughter’s home. Sometimes while visiting I become frustrated because her two children’s needs are so demanding that I might as well be invisible. I can talk and talk and talk, but she will not hear a single word. It is very much the same with Jesus. It does no good to open the door and let him in and then pay him no mind. The good news is that my daughter and I at times will sneak away for tea or a bite of lunch at a local restaurant without my two adorable grandchildren. Our conversation is focused and sweet. We make eye contact. She speaks and I listen. I speak and she listens. We laugh, share our hearts and receive strength from one another. This is also true when we invite Jesus in to eat with us and we share our thoughts in a loving two way relationship. I love to meet Jesus in a sweet time of prayer in the garden, because it is a perfect place of solitude, free of life’s distractions. It is here I can hear his voice.

 

Sorting out my thoughts is pretty easy because they are usually identified by selfish or self-centered motives. These “good ideas” are carefully wrapped in colorful paper with smiley faces and securely tied with a tight ribbon of control. My thoughts usually center on something I want or me asking God to get rid of something I don’t want.  Other times my mind is on what I think I need, something I want to accomplish, some way I want to serve, something I want to happen, or somewhere I want to go. I want to tell God about my plans and hope that they are his plans too. Often I discover that my plans have completely left God out of the loop. I am reminded that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD, determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV

 

Other times I hear the voice of Satan. His thoughts can be suggestive ideas that will seem to look good but will pull me away from God instead of drawing me closer to God. Satan also is a master of pouring on condemnation regarding my past failures. He loves to drag up old sins. He likes to remind me that I have failed before and I will fail again. But Jesus says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1 NIV Satan loves to tell me over and over again that I must be careful or I will get hurt or passed over. Satan wants me to wrap my mind around fearful scenarios regarding what I perceive could possibly go wrong in the future. I must never forget that he is the father of lies and that he can promise me the world and in the end I get nothing but heartache and continued discontentment! Satan’s goal is to get between me and the Father, whatever it takes!

 

I also remember that there have been times when my heart burned within me because I knew I was hearing the voice of God. Sometimes God speaks words of conviction, in order to bring about positive change in my behavior, but he never speaks words of condemnation to a believer. As followers of Christ, our sins have been washed away and cast as far as the east is from the west. We belong to him! Even his words of conviction are words of love because it is the desire of God to carry us on wings of love, higher and higher, bringing us closer to him. God’s words are words of love, comfort, wisdom, guidance, and promise. God never paints a picture of fear, he says; “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,” I John 4:18a  God is not a God of confusion. He is a God of peace.

 

God has given us his Word. The Bible is our road map to knowing the will and the heart of God. It contains the very words of Jesus. It clearly reveals the attributes of God, allowing us to part the clouds and look into heaven and see the character of the one who made us. The Bible, God’s Word, teaches us about the Holy Spirit, who lives within Believers. We grieve the Holy Spirit of God when we do not give him the place of honor that he deserves. I don’t understand how the Spirit lives within me any more than I understand how Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. I don’t understand how God created all things! But it is my faith in all of these things that is credited to me as righteousness. Without a doubt, it is not my righteousness, but the very righteousness of God that covers me though the blood of Jesus Christ when I believe.

 

Jesus said if we hear what the Holy Spirit says we hear the Father. We are not to divide God into three pieces because he is One God. But because he is God, he is able to manifest himself to mankind as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each manifestation provides for mankind exactly what we need in our time of need. The Bible reminds us, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” John 16:13-14 NIV Jesus also taught that those who saw him saw the Father. Therefore, if we know Jesus, we also know the Father.

 

I know that this day and every day, if I am to hear the voice of God, I must tune in to the whisper of the Holy Spirit. I must decipher my thoughts from Satan’s thoughts, and I must test all my thoughts for accuracy and consistency using the Word of God as my voice of authority. More time in the Word is needed, because if I do not know what is in the Word of God, I will not recognize the voice of God. If I do not know what Jesus taught, I will never know how he thinks? I will never be able to have the mind of Christ unless I am familiar with his thinking vs. the thinking of the world. I will never be able to rely on God’s promises unless I know what they are.

 

Reading the Bible is not designed to be a holy, legalistic ritual. It is a book that is divinely inspired by God, written down by men he trusted, and miraculously preserved for thousands of years so that we might be able to become his children, recognize his voice, and learn to follow him. I am convinced that God is speaking to me daily. I am also convinced that I am not hearing everything he says. Yes, it is possible that the Holy Spirit can be speaking to us and we miss hearing the message. The noise and distractions of the world are so loud that we can’t even hear ourselves think, let alone the Holy Spirit! This is why for me; I must make time to go to the garden and listen purposefully for the voice of God. I must read his Word, meditate on what it says and apply it to my life. I must tell God my needs and concerns, repent of the sin that constantly creeps into my life, and make time to thank him and praise him for being the amazing God he is. All of this is prayer.

 

When God knocks at my heart’s door and I open up the door for him to enter I learn so much! It is during these amazing times of learning my heart is stirred and burns within me. When this happens, we are passionately moved because the truth we are hearing is founded on the very Word of God. The words revealed to our spirit are clothed in authority because they are spoken by God himself. It is during this time of fellowship that our relationship with Jesus Christ also grows and we fall deeper and deeper in love with him.

 

Do not be surprised to find that after you learn something new and different, there will be a test. I am recognizing that it is during the test when I must pull up what I have learned and make a conscious choice to go higher with God by being obedient and faithful to what I have been taught through the Spirit. It is through our obedience and faithfulness during the test that God will always be glorified.

 

Hearing the voice of God doesn’t need to be confusing. First sort out all that is selfish and self-serving, then identify the lies and deception of Satan. Hear the voice of what remains and test it to see if it is based on the Word of God and his Holy character. If it does, embrace that truth, make it personally yours, and follow what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.

 

It is such a comfort to know that God will reveal his will to me when, where and how he chooses. I need to learn to listen for the voice of God. I am trying to remember that it is not my job to discover God’s will for my life, because that is not my problem! It is totally God’s job and his responsibility to reveal his will to me and he delights in doing so. He does this when we trust him for the future. Sometimes I am aware that God is working in my life and other times I am not, but one thing is for sure, I believe that God goes before us and prepares the way. I want to learn to confidently rely on God to lead me through my life by opening and closing doors. I must remember that closed doors are not to be despised but rather embraced as a gift of loving protection. Open doors are to be held in my arms as precious opportunities to be used for God’s glorification! Although God loves me and cares about all that concerns me the main focus is never me. It is always about God and what God is doing in my life to make me more like him or what he is doing through me. When you are pretty sure you have heard the voice of God leading you ask him for confirmation and he will always make it clear.

 

God usually doesn’t speak in paragraphs. Most of the time I find that he is a God of few words. Like me, you may already be familiar with his limited vocabulary. Wait, go, no, yes, be still, forgive, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, humility, surrender, mercy, and grace, just to name a few, but oh the impact when the voice of God speaks even one simple word. Remember he is knocking, let him in and listen for his voice and obey.

 

Questions:

1. Have you ever been confused as to whether or not God was speaking to you or if it was your own thoughts or worse yet, the voice of Satan?
2. Do you see value in getting alone with God in solitude so that you can decipher the voices you are hearing?
3. Are you comforted to know that God’s voice is not the voice of condemnation?
4. Do you feel a sense of joy in knowing that you can trust the voice of God because it is based on his Word and his loving, unchanging, and faithful character?

Prayer:

 

Dear God,

 

You are perfect in every way. You are Sovereign over all things. You are not the enemy. You are a God of love. I am amazed at all of the ways you call out to man. God, creation screams of your love. Jesus, you shout out to mankind, I came to die for your sin. I am the sacrificial lamb, look to me for redemption because the Father wants you released from the grip of sin. Holy Spirit, you knock at our hearts door and you say, let me into your mind. Let me help you climb higher so that you may see and recognize the love and power of the Father. God you have not left us orphans. You have sent us your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. God, those who do not know you cannot hear or feel the Holy Spirit, but for those of us who believe we know him because he lives within us. Yes Lord, you are perfect in every way. You have all of the bases covered. Your plan for my well being is complete. Forgive me God, when I let life crowd you out and when I am unaware that you are patiently waiting for me to listen for your whisper. Thank you for your loving conviction that calls me to go away to a quiet place and listen for YOUR voice so I can receive wisdom and instruction from you.

 

It is in your Son’s name I pray. Amen