Posts
From the color of your eyes and hair to the curve of your cheekbone; from your love of music, reading, or art to your enjoyment of sports; from the skill of your hands to the passions of your heart; every intrinsic special characteristic that makes you — YOU, was intentionally and lovingly designed by your Creator. You are His masterpiece; designed for significance and intended for a spectacular and enduring purpose.
Yet, too many of us fall short of that glory; never comprehending the meaning behind the triumphs and challanges of life. Our days are consumed with competing responsibilities; each demanding increasing amounts of time and energy. We lose ourselves and sacrifice our relationships to a frenzied cycle of activity and the endless quest for personal success. Meanwhile, we miss the very best life has to offer...our intended one-on-one connection with our Lord and Savior.
God speaks to each of us; reaching through our clouds of self-sufficiency and promising to replace the aching void in our lives with unspeakable joy and lasting peace. Have you experienced the transforming power of His embrace? Do you know that you are treasured by God? Regardless of how far from Him you may have strayed, the Lord cherishes you. He is standing near with loving attention focused upon you; asking you to turn and respond to His call; to fully realize the amazing purpose for which you were created.
Today, I encourage you to make that choice. Deliberately and consistently seek Him. Intentionally step close to Him until your heart is engaged with His every moment of every day. He will take you places you have never been and reveal to you wonders you could never imagine! Wishing you a life of glorious purpose!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
What If It Had Been Today?
Friday, October 11, 2008 could very easily have become a day immortalized by tragedy for my family. My husband, Jasper, and I were traveling from our home in Greenwood to Ridgeway, SC. With only 30 miles to go, we were looking forward to a relaxing weekend on the lake with friends whom we had not seen in several years.
It was a few minutes past 5 pm and so far the trip had been pleasant and uneventful. Traffic was moderately heavy and moving briskly as we drove along Interstate 20 East. We had just passed the Clemson Road exit and were approaching the 84 mile marker when I glanced at the clock. I was pleased to see we should arrive at our destination right on time and decided to wait just a few more minutes before calling our friends to tell them we were getting close.
A truck pulling a pontoon boat was traveling in the same direction immediately ahead of us and Jasper eased into the inside lane to pass. As we neared the rear of the trailer, I suddenly noticed a large white object rise from the back of the boat and come sailing straight toward the windshield directly in front of my face. A quick thought raced through my mind: that cushion is going to hit us but it should simply bounce off without causing any damage. Although I felt no fear, I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact just in case.
In the next instant, I was startled by a tremendous crash and my face and upper body were pelted by broken glass. Somehow Jasper managed to hold our car in our lane without swerving. “Are you okay?” He asked anxiously. I made a quick visual inspection. “Yes,” I whispered. Somehow, although I was covered with glass and could feel the sharp edges inside my clothes and even in my shoes, I didn’t have a scratch on me. I stared in disbelief at the gaping hole and splintered glass directly in front of me where an intact windshield had been only moments before.
Jasper quickly pulled alongside the driver and began blowing the horn to get his attention. When the driver glanced toward me, I pointed at my windshield and motioned for him to pull over. He immediately complied and Jasper carefully maneuvered our SUV onto the shoulder of the road and came to a stop in front of him. As Jasper approached the driver and assured him we were both unhurt, I called the highway patrol and examined our vehicle. There was significant damage to the windshield which extended to the roof of the car and the luggage rack on my side of the car. How could a boat cushion have caused such damage, I wondered.
Although I wouldn’t discover the answer until a few hours later, Jasper had already received an explanation from the driver. As we talked with the police officer and made arrangements for a wrecker and rental car, he repeatedly asked me, “Are you sure you are okay? If that had come all the way through the windshield you would have been killed.” I thought he might be exaggerating the danger just a little since it was only a cushion that had hit the car. Surely a cushion couldn’t come through the windshield I thought but still I was puzzled by the extent of the damage.
Later, once we were safely inside a rental car and continuing on our journey, I had a chance to ask the question that had been bothering me. “Jasper, how could a cushion have done that?” He looked at me in surprise. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” I asked.
“That wasn’t just a cushion. It was a seat cushion with a wooden bottom. You are lucky to be alive.” His voice cracked and he grasped my hand. “If that seat had hit the windshield at a slightly different angle, I would have lost you tonight.”
This information certainly put a different light on the situation. Yes, I realized, I could have been killed tonight. What does that mean to me? How do I feel about death when the possibility of my own demise comes this close to reality? What do I really believe will happen to me when I leave this earth? While the event raised questions definitely worth considering, I didn’t have to ponder the questions long because I already know the answers.
Would it surprise you to learn I did not feel alarm or apprehension but simply introspective? I felt as though God had kissed my forehead and said to me, “Not tonight beloved, but someday…” My emotions were a strange contrast of sharp longing for Him combined with thankfulness that I had been given more time to serve Him here.
Although I deeply love my family and friends and can’t bear the idea of being even temporarily separated from them, when my appointed day comes, I know I will face death without fear. Instead of dread, I will greet the end of this life with joyful anticipation because of the intimate personal relationship I share with Jesus Christ. I know Him and He has proven His faithfulness to me over and over again. I stand upon His promises to me and our history together, ready to go whenever He calls me home.
Based upon His incredible promises, what can I expect to happen to me after I die?
Because Jesus is Lord of my life, I know with certainty I am heaven-bound!
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord.’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
Considering the spectacular beauty and incredible complexity of our planet, heaven will be indescribable!
“…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Romans 14, verse 11 tells us “’As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’”
Even those who deny his sovereignty on earth will one day bow before Him as they are banished from His presence and sentenced to eternal torment. Because I have chosen to worship and serve him with my mortal life - the only opportunity we have to make this choice – my sins are forgiven and I can rest in the promise of Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” 1 Corinthians 8:1
Although I have sinned against Him greatly and have left a trail of regrets in my life, because I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, I can look forward to meeting God with joyous anticipation rather than dread and fear.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Because my Father defends me, I have no reason to fear!
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” 1 Corinthians 8:15
I will receive a new indestructible spiritual body!
“When the perishable is clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ’Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’”
1 Corinthians 15:54-55
I have surrendered everything to God and asked Him to make my life a love story to Jesus written on tablets of human hearts. Despite my human failings and weaknesses, in heaven I will receive rewards from a God who treasures me rather than punishment from a God whom I have rejected.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
In heaven, I will be reunited with Christian loved ones and all other believers to live forever in the amazing presence of Almighty God!
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God will be with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” Revelation 21:3-4
If you fear death because you do not possess the same security that permeates my life, allow me to leave you with one final thought:
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17
What if the unexpected and unavoidable
crashes into your life and
Today becomes Your day to meet God?
ARE YOU READY?
It was a few minutes past 5 pm and so far the trip had been pleasant and uneventful. Traffic was moderately heavy and moving briskly as we drove along Interstate 20 East. We had just passed the Clemson Road exit and were approaching the 84 mile marker when I glanced at the clock. I was pleased to see we should arrive at our destination right on time and decided to wait just a few more minutes before calling our friends to tell them we were getting close.
A truck pulling a pontoon boat was traveling in the same direction immediately ahead of us and Jasper eased into the inside lane to pass. As we neared the rear of the trailer, I suddenly noticed a large white object rise from the back of the boat and come sailing straight toward the windshield directly in front of my face. A quick thought raced through my mind: that cushion is going to hit us but it should simply bounce off without causing any damage. Although I felt no fear, I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact just in case.
In the next instant, I was startled by a tremendous crash and my face and upper body were pelted by broken glass. Somehow Jasper managed to hold our car in our lane without swerving. “Are you okay?” He asked anxiously. I made a quick visual inspection. “Yes,” I whispered. Somehow, although I was covered with glass and could feel the sharp edges inside my clothes and even in my shoes, I didn’t have a scratch on me. I stared in disbelief at the gaping hole and splintered glass directly in front of me where an intact windshield had been only moments before.
Jasper quickly pulled alongside the driver and began blowing the horn to get his attention. When the driver glanced toward me, I pointed at my windshield and motioned for him to pull over. He immediately complied and Jasper carefully maneuvered our SUV onto the shoulder of the road and came to a stop in front of him. As Jasper approached the driver and assured him we were both unhurt, I called the highway patrol and examined our vehicle. There was significant damage to the windshield which extended to the roof of the car and the luggage rack on my side of the car. How could a boat cushion have caused such damage, I wondered.
Although I wouldn’t discover the answer until a few hours later, Jasper had already received an explanation from the driver. As we talked with the police officer and made arrangements for a wrecker and rental car, he repeatedly asked me, “Are you sure you are okay? If that had come all the way through the windshield you would have been killed.” I thought he might be exaggerating the danger just a little since it was only a cushion that had hit the car. Surely a cushion couldn’t come through the windshield I thought but still I was puzzled by the extent of the damage.
Later, once we were safely inside a rental car and continuing on our journey, I had a chance to ask the question that had been bothering me. “Jasper, how could a cushion have done that?” He looked at me in surprise. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” I asked.
“That wasn’t just a cushion. It was a seat cushion with a wooden bottom. You are lucky to be alive.” His voice cracked and he grasped my hand. “If that seat had hit the windshield at a slightly different angle, I would have lost you tonight.”
This information certainly put a different light on the situation. Yes, I realized, I could have been killed tonight. What does that mean to me? How do I feel about death when the possibility of my own demise comes this close to reality? What do I really believe will happen to me when I leave this earth? While the event raised questions definitely worth considering, I didn’t have to ponder the questions long because I already know the answers.
Would it surprise you to learn I did not feel alarm or apprehension but simply introspective? I felt as though God had kissed my forehead and said to me, “Not tonight beloved, but someday…” My emotions were a strange contrast of sharp longing for Him combined with thankfulness that I had been given more time to serve Him here.
Although I deeply love my family and friends and can’t bear the idea of being even temporarily separated from them, when my appointed day comes, I know I will face death without fear. Instead of dread, I will greet the end of this life with joyful anticipation because of the intimate personal relationship I share with Jesus Christ. I know Him and He has proven His faithfulness to me over and over again. I stand upon His promises to me and our history together, ready to go whenever He calls me home.
Based upon His incredible promises, what can I expect to happen to me after I die?
Because Jesus is Lord of my life, I know with certainty I am heaven-bound!
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord.’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
Considering the spectacular beauty and incredible complexity of our planet, heaven will be indescribable!
“…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Romans 14, verse 11 tells us “’As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’”
Even those who deny his sovereignty on earth will one day bow before Him as they are banished from His presence and sentenced to eternal torment. Because I have chosen to worship and serve him with my mortal life - the only opportunity we have to make this choice – my sins are forgiven and I can rest in the promise of Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” 1 Corinthians 8:1
Although I have sinned against Him greatly and have left a trail of regrets in my life, because I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, I can look forward to meeting God with joyous anticipation rather than dread and fear.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Because my Father defends me, I have no reason to fear!
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” 1 Corinthians 8:15
I will receive a new indestructible spiritual body!
“When the perishable is clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ’Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’”
1 Corinthians 15:54-55
I have surrendered everything to God and asked Him to make my life a love story to Jesus written on tablets of human hearts. Despite my human failings and weaknesses, in heaven I will receive rewards from a God who treasures me rather than punishment from a God whom I have rejected.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
In heaven, I will be reunited with Christian loved ones and all other believers to live forever in the amazing presence of Almighty God!
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God will be with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” Revelation 21:3-4
If you fear death because you do not possess the same security that permeates my life, allow me to leave you with one final thought:
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17
What if the unexpected and unavoidable
crashes into your life and
Today becomes Your day to meet God?
ARE YOU READY?
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Trusting God
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-8
Life often seems to overflow with trials and challenges. Yet, even when there is no imminent threat on the horizon, many of us worry and fret over things we fear may happen. We live in dread of the "what ifs..." What if I don't get something I want with all of my heart? What if I lose my job or get sick or someone I trust betrays me? What if I lose a game, a relationship, a business contract, or a place on the team?
As we work on strengthening our relationship with the Lord, letting go of our desires and truly believing that God is in control; that He cherishes us; and will work all things together for our good despite what appears to be evidence to the contrary can be a difficult hurdle to overcome. Yet, while difficult - it can be done and the reward is undoubtedly worth the effort. When we reach a place in our hearts of total dependence on the Lord - we achieve true liberation! We learn to shift our desires away from the temporal things of the world to the real treasure God desires for us.
Imagine yourself resting securely in the palm of God's hand. As God considers the details and circumstances of your life, He deliberately arranges them for the purpose of nurturing your spiritual development. He knows the lessons needed to position you to serve Him effectively and how your choices of whether or not to claim these opportunities will impact your life for all of eternity. He knows what is best for you and He wants to bless you. However, since we tend to become distracted by worldly values and the many activities which compete for our attention, God sometimes finds it necessary to pry our fingers off of the idols we treasure in order to give us what we need. If you have ever witnessed a toddler throw a tantrum because he was not allowed to play with something his mother knew to be a danger to him, you can envision the way our reactions often appear to God. We waste precious time clamoring and crying over something that would only hurt us if we were allowed to possess it.
Whatever challenge is worrying you today, stop for a moment and ask yourself, "Is what I am convinced I desperately need in this situation something with eternal value or temporary value? Would God agree with my assessment?" and adjust your thinking about it accordingly. Either way, the God who laid the foundations of the earth, established the cycles of nature, and breathed life into your body is certainly capable of taking care of His beloved child. Resolve to make changes in this area today. Lay down the fears that are keeping you awake at night and your stomach in knots and entrust them to God. Just as the toddler eventually learns that Mom and Dad were right, one day all will be made clear and you will also understand how deeply and faithfully you have been loved by your Father.
Life often seems to overflow with trials and challenges. Yet, even when there is no imminent threat on the horizon, many of us worry and fret over things we fear may happen. We live in dread of the "what ifs..." What if I don't get something I want with all of my heart? What if I lose my job or get sick or someone I trust betrays me? What if I lose a game, a relationship, a business contract, or a place on the team?
As we work on strengthening our relationship with the Lord, letting go of our desires and truly believing that God is in control; that He cherishes us; and will work all things together for our good despite what appears to be evidence to the contrary can be a difficult hurdle to overcome. Yet, while difficult - it can be done and the reward is undoubtedly worth the effort. When we reach a place in our hearts of total dependence on the Lord - we achieve true liberation! We learn to shift our desires away from the temporal things of the world to the real treasure God desires for us.
Imagine yourself resting securely in the palm of God's hand. As God considers the details and circumstances of your life, He deliberately arranges them for the purpose of nurturing your spiritual development. He knows the lessons needed to position you to serve Him effectively and how your choices of whether or not to claim these opportunities will impact your life for all of eternity. He knows what is best for you and He wants to bless you. However, since we tend to become distracted by worldly values and the many activities which compete for our attention, God sometimes finds it necessary to pry our fingers off of the idols we treasure in order to give us what we need. If you have ever witnessed a toddler throw a tantrum because he was not allowed to play with something his mother knew to be a danger to him, you can envision the way our reactions often appear to God. We waste precious time clamoring and crying over something that would only hurt us if we were allowed to possess it.
Whatever challenge is worrying you today, stop for a moment and ask yourself, "Is what I am convinced I desperately need in this situation something with eternal value or temporary value? Would God agree with my assessment?" and adjust your thinking about it accordingly. Either way, the God who laid the foundations of the earth, established the cycles of nature, and breathed life into your body is certainly capable of taking care of His beloved child. Resolve to make changes in this area today. Lay down the fears that are keeping you awake at night and your stomach in knots and entrust them to God. Just as the toddler eventually learns that Mom and Dad were right, one day all will be made clear and you will also understand how deeply and faithfully you have been loved by your Father.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Wonder of Living in His Presence
I was very tired when I went to bed Tuesday night and expected to fall asleep immediately. Instead, I found myself contemplating a passage of scripture found in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “…He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…” As I considered the full implications of these words, I realized this scripture points directly to the root cause of much of the brokenness and heartache in our world today. Our hearts yearn for something meaningful that will last; something eternally significant. Yet, in the past 50 years, our culture has systematically stripped away even the pretense of "eternal” from everything we are simultaneously encouraged to value.
Consider this, eternal security cannot be found in:
Our jobs – people are employed as long as their contributions to the company exceed their costs.
Our relationships – commitment has been redefined as "I will be with you as long as I love you".
Our status and positions – You will be forgotten as soon as someone else’s nameplate appears on your desk.
Our appearance – youthful beauty and vitality are venerated while all evidence of aging must be hidden or erased.
Our possessions – a comfortable nest egg can vanish overnight with a sharp, unexpected drop in the stock market.
Our moral values – truth has become relative to the situation with no absolute right or wrong behaviors.
Our meaning – Since the world insists there is no God, boundaries have been removed, purpose has been made redundant, and hope has been lost.
Is it any wonder so many seek escape through drugs and alcohol, throw-away behaviors and suicide?
Realizing sleep was out of the question until I transferred some of these ideas from thought to paper, I quietly slipped out of bed and jotted down a page full of notes. It was after 1 am before I returned to bed. When I awakened Wednesday morning, my thoughts were once again preoccupied with this verse. I have learned to pay attention when God impresses a passage of scripture upon my heart in such a powerful way and fully expected to encounter this verse again at some point during the day. (It thrills my soul every time God confirms a message He has spoken to me in some tangible way!)
I eagerly opened my devotion books thinking it might be one of my verses for the day but it wasn’t there. After my devotion time with the Lord, I worked on a message for an upcoming speaking event until I stopped just after lunch to attend a visitation at a local funeral home. My brother-in-law’s sister was unexpectedly called home to be with the Lord this past weekend and I planned to meet my husband for the visitation. Although I wanted to support the family during their time of loss, I had decided to miss the funeral because it was being held in the chapel of the funeral home. I had not reentered this room since my son’s funeral service four years ago and I feared the emotional impact of revisiting the site of such intense pain and brokenness.
As I made the short trip to meet my husband, I began to reconsider my decision to miss the funeral. God revealed to me that this chapel was merely a room made of brick and mortar and had no power to hurt me. In fact, He has given both me and my son victory over this devastating situation and I felt convicted to claim that victory by confronting my fears. I resolved to do it and depend upon my Lord for my strength.
Later, as Jasper and I prepared to enter the chapel, I felt my heart begin to pound very fast but, otherwise, I was doing okay. I did not feel overwhelmed by grief as I had anticipated. Instead, I felt bathed in a peaceful confidence! We chose our seat and I was able to calmly examine the room while cherishing the special bond I will always share with my beloved son. The service began and just a few minutes later, it happened! The pastor opened his Bible and announced he would be reading from Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3. Is it possible to be expectantly astonished? Such a seeming contradiction best describes my reaction; especially when the passage he read aloud to us included verse 11!
Oh, my precious Lord and Savior! How kind, affirming, comforting and encouraging You are! If this was all He did for me on this amazing day, it would have been enough and so appreciated but there was more yet to come!
(If you were to ask either of my sons, “What one song did your mom sing to you as a child that you most associate with being held in her arms and rocked to sleep?” They would immediately respond You Are My Sunshine!
This singing tradition (not the rocking!) continued even after my boys grew into young men. Whenever I felt they needed some extra loving comfort or encouragement from their mom, I would ask, “Do you want me to sing You Are My Sunshine to make you feel better?”
Since my babies were now old enough to recognize their mom's serious limitations in the area of anything musical, this question always resulted in laughter followed by a hasty, “No thanks, Mom!”)
The funeral was preparing to end and I felt glad I had decided to attend. The first notes of the final song filled the room causing me to catch my breath! You guessed it - You Are My Sunshine! I gasped and my eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Can you imagine what it meant to me to re-enter the site of such heartrending pain and have my God wrap His powerful arms around me and love me like this?!
What kind of God cares so much for His hurting children that He is willing to walk with us through every trial regardless of how big or how small? What kind of God would bless my trust in Him with such abundance? What kind of eternal, unmerited love is this?
Just think, if I had chosen to bow to defeat and avoid the funeral service rather than obediently and trustingly claim the victory He has already given me, I would have missed His blessings!
What kind of God, indeed! He is exactly the kind you and I need and the only possible solution to the yearning for eternity He has placed in our hearts!
What about you? Are you bowing to painful challenges and accepting defeat when God is standing near; ready to deliver eternal victory into your hands? I invite you to claim His promises right now and prepare to receive the awesome wonder of His presence filling up all of the empty places in your heart! My prayer for you today and every day is that you never spend another moment anywhere except cradled in the arms of your loving Creator!
Consider this, eternal security cannot be found in:
Our jobs – people are employed as long as their contributions to the company exceed their costs.
Our relationships – commitment has been redefined as "I will be with you as long as I love you".
Our status and positions – You will be forgotten as soon as someone else’s nameplate appears on your desk.
Our appearance – youthful beauty and vitality are venerated while all evidence of aging must be hidden or erased.
Our possessions – a comfortable nest egg can vanish overnight with a sharp, unexpected drop in the stock market.
Our moral values – truth has become relative to the situation with no absolute right or wrong behaviors.
Our meaning – Since the world insists there is no God, boundaries have been removed, purpose has been made redundant, and hope has been lost.
Is it any wonder so many seek escape through drugs and alcohol, throw-away behaviors and suicide?
Realizing sleep was out of the question until I transferred some of these ideas from thought to paper, I quietly slipped out of bed and jotted down a page full of notes. It was after 1 am before I returned to bed. When I awakened Wednesday morning, my thoughts were once again preoccupied with this verse. I have learned to pay attention when God impresses a passage of scripture upon my heart in such a powerful way and fully expected to encounter this verse again at some point during the day. (It thrills my soul every time God confirms a message He has spoken to me in some tangible way!)
I eagerly opened my devotion books thinking it might be one of my verses for the day but it wasn’t there. After my devotion time with the Lord, I worked on a message for an upcoming speaking event until I stopped just after lunch to attend a visitation at a local funeral home. My brother-in-law’s sister was unexpectedly called home to be with the Lord this past weekend and I planned to meet my husband for the visitation. Although I wanted to support the family during their time of loss, I had decided to miss the funeral because it was being held in the chapel of the funeral home. I had not reentered this room since my son’s funeral service four years ago and I feared the emotional impact of revisiting the site of such intense pain and brokenness.
As I made the short trip to meet my husband, I began to reconsider my decision to miss the funeral. God revealed to me that this chapel was merely a room made of brick and mortar and had no power to hurt me. In fact, He has given both me and my son victory over this devastating situation and I felt convicted to claim that victory by confronting my fears. I resolved to do it and depend upon my Lord for my strength.
Later, as Jasper and I prepared to enter the chapel, I felt my heart begin to pound very fast but, otherwise, I was doing okay. I did not feel overwhelmed by grief as I had anticipated. Instead, I felt bathed in a peaceful confidence! We chose our seat and I was able to calmly examine the room while cherishing the special bond I will always share with my beloved son. The service began and just a few minutes later, it happened! The pastor opened his Bible and announced he would be reading from Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3. Is it possible to be expectantly astonished? Such a seeming contradiction best describes my reaction; especially when the passage he read aloud to us included verse 11!
Oh, my precious Lord and Savior! How kind, affirming, comforting and encouraging You are! If this was all He did for me on this amazing day, it would have been enough and so appreciated but there was more yet to come!
(If you were to ask either of my sons, “What one song did your mom sing to you as a child that you most associate with being held in her arms and rocked to sleep?” They would immediately respond You Are My Sunshine!
This singing tradition (not the rocking!) continued even after my boys grew into young men. Whenever I felt they needed some extra loving comfort or encouragement from their mom, I would ask, “Do you want me to sing You Are My Sunshine to make you feel better?”
Since my babies were now old enough to recognize their mom's serious limitations in the area of anything musical, this question always resulted in laughter followed by a hasty, “No thanks, Mom!”)
The funeral was preparing to end and I felt glad I had decided to attend. The first notes of the final song filled the room causing me to catch my breath! You guessed it - You Are My Sunshine! I gasped and my eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Can you imagine what it meant to me to re-enter the site of such heartrending pain and have my God wrap His powerful arms around me and love me like this?!
What kind of God cares so much for His hurting children that He is willing to walk with us through every trial regardless of how big or how small? What kind of God would bless my trust in Him with such abundance? What kind of eternal, unmerited love is this?
Just think, if I had chosen to bow to defeat and avoid the funeral service rather than obediently and trustingly claim the victory He has already given me, I would have missed His blessings!
What kind of God, indeed! He is exactly the kind you and I need and the only possible solution to the yearning for eternity He has placed in our hearts!
What about you? Are you bowing to painful challenges and accepting defeat when God is standing near; ready to deliver eternal victory into your hands? I invite you to claim His promises right now and prepare to receive the awesome wonder of His presence filling up all of the empty places in your heart! My prayer for you today and every day is that you never spend another moment anywhere except cradled in the arms of your loving Creator!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
God's Economy
The beginning of a new year is typically a time for reflecting upon the past year and making plans for the future. It is also a season many of us associate with tax return preparation and financial planning. Last night I finished plugging in all of my ministry sales and expenses for the year and realized that once again I was looking at a deficit; this one was almost twice the size of the one last year! Regardless of the frequency of speaking events or number of book sales generated, my ministry never even comes close to realizing a profit. Does it surprise you to learn that despite this poor financial performance, I feel like a raging success? Let me explain why.
My ministry work for the Lord could produce a profit if I approached it in those terms but I don't because my driving motivation is to share the wonder of living in His presence with others. Quite often, I must spend money rather than make money to take advantage of those opportunities. As I sat reviewing my profit and loss report last night, I realized by all secular standards my ministry is an absolute failure. Everything that flows in, flows right back out and then some! This violates every business principle I have ever learned. However, as I considered the thousands of lives that have been touched, the hearts that have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and the desperate who have told me they found a reason to cling to Jesus through my testimony of God’s grace, I began to experience the warm glow of success; not worldly success that breeds pride but rather the matchless gift of basking in His approval and the certainty that He is using me to make an eternal difference for Him!
My heart's desire is share with others His awesome power to overcome the debilitating forces of rejection and loneliness with a love that can never be lost; His supernatural ability to replace anxiety and depression with a peaceful joy that exists independent of circumstances; His matchless sensitivity to reach into the secret recesses of our hearts and transform the darkness into the radiant unquenchable light of hope; and His amazing grace that promises redemption to even the most heinous of sinners. When someone experiences the liberating power of His touch in the most secret places of the heart, it becomes quickly apparent that the love of Jesus is truly irresistable! Jesus is the only answer to this restless yearning that causes us to feel that something vital is missing from our lives. I know this because I have personally experienced the transformations described above! We were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16) and until we recognize this immutable truth and surrender to His purpose for our lives, true happiness will forever evade our grasp.
Satan would much prefer that we allow this inner restlessness to drive us toward passions and addictions that he can then use to destroy us. Searching for answers in all of the wrong places will always produce tragic consequences which are easily observable in the broken lives of those around us. My gratitude that God allows someone like to me to stand in the gap and bring His life saving message to others knows no bounds!
As I drifted off to sleep last night, I told Him, “Lord, your economy is certainly upside down from everything I have been taught about success but I am committed to following you and so grateful you provide me with the means to do so.”
This morning as I prepared to start the day, I silently asked my Lord to lead me to a place of encouragement in His Word that would underscore what He has taught me about His economy. (I didn't feel any reservations about the path He has chosen for me but absolutely love to receive His affirmations!) I decided to begin my private devotion time with Him this morning by checking to see what my "Verse for Today" was on my website. It was such a clear and powerful confirmation, I decided to share His message with you! Here it is:
Matthew 6:19-21 (New International Version)
Treasures in Heaven
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Once again, my God is faithful to encourage and guide me as I commit my heart to seek His face and walk in obedience to His will. I know my God is real and can do everything He says He can do because I talked to Him this morning. And...He talked back to me! I KNOW HIM! May you realize the full power of walking with Him today and everyday! Praise His Holy name!
My ministry work for the Lord could produce a profit if I approached it in those terms but I don't because my driving motivation is to share the wonder of living in His presence with others. Quite often, I must spend money rather than make money to take advantage of those opportunities. As I sat reviewing my profit and loss report last night, I realized by all secular standards my ministry is an absolute failure. Everything that flows in, flows right back out and then some! This violates every business principle I have ever learned. However, as I considered the thousands of lives that have been touched, the hearts that have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and the desperate who have told me they found a reason to cling to Jesus through my testimony of God’s grace, I began to experience the warm glow of success; not worldly success that breeds pride but rather the matchless gift of basking in His approval and the certainty that He is using me to make an eternal difference for Him!
My heart's desire is share with others His awesome power to overcome the debilitating forces of rejection and loneliness with a love that can never be lost; His supernatural ability to replace anxiety and depression with a peaceful joy that exists independent of circumstances; His matchless sensitivity to reach into the secret recesses of our hearts and transform the darkness into the radiant unquenchable light of hope; and His amazing grace that promises redemption to even the most heinous of sinners. When someone experiences the liberating power of His touch in the most secret places of the heart, it becomes quickly apparent that the love of Jesus is truly irresistable! Jesus is the only answer to this restless yearning that causes us to feel that something vital is missing from our lives. I know this because I have personally experienced the transformations described above! We were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16) and until we recognize this immutable truth and surrender to His purpose for our lives, true happiness will forever evade our grasp.
Satan would much prefer that we allow this inner restlessness to drive us toward passions and addictions that he can then use to destroy us. Searching for answers in all of the wrong places will always produce tragic consequences which are easily observable in the broken lives of those around us. My gratitude that God allows someone like to me to stand in the gap and bring His life saving message to others knows no bounds!
As I drifted off to sleep last night, I told Him, “Lord, your economy is certainly upside down from everything I have been taught about success but I am committed to following you and so grateful you provide me with the means to do so.”
This morning as I prepared to start the day, I silently asked my Lord to lead me to a place of encouragement in His Word that would underscore what He has taught me about His economy. (I didn't feel any reservations about the path He has chosen for me but absolutely love to receive His affirmations!) I decided to begin my private devotion time with Him this morning by checking to see what my "Verse for Today" was on my website. It was such a clear and powerful confirmation, I decided to share His message with you! Here it is:
Matthew 6:19-21 (New International Version)
Treasures in Heaven
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Once again, my God is faithful to encourage and guide me as I commit my heart to seek His face and walk in obedience to His will. I know my God is real and can do everything He says He can do because I talked to Him this morning. And...He talked back to me! I KNOW HIM! May you realize the full power of walking with Him today and everyday! Praise His Holy name!
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