Month: September 2017

I Have Sinned

“Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord .” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.” – 2 Samuel 12:13

If God forgives a man who was an adulterer and a murderer, and elevates him to king – why do you think God won’t forgive you?

“… EVERYONE who believes may have eternal life in Him.
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.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s One and only Son.”
John 3:15-18

I think that says it all.

I NEED You, LORD

There’s a hymn we used to sing in church, “I Need Thee Every Hour.” It was written by Annie S. Hawks in 1872, a song that we could all relate to if we just admit our losses and failures. See if you agree.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;

Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Oh, yes, I need Him to make sense of the chaos and difficulties, the stumbles and falters, the failures I experience. I was in many ways more fortunate than most. I had an earthly Father who believed and practiced following Christ to the best of his ability, and a mother who made sure we were fed and dressed and well-mannered. We attended church services every Sunday and Wednesday; our churches hosted guest speakers, often in week-long revivals, so we were exposed to Christians from around the world. I learned very early that I needed Jesus, and accepted Him as my Savior very early in my life. Even as I became an adult and made the choice to step into the temptations of the world, I knew in my heart Who was LORD. I have been reminded over and over in the consequences of my choices that God is Supreme. He pulled me out of the depths of sin and depravity more than once. For a season, I would acknowledge His Lordship, and then I would turn my back on my Savior and go my merry way.

It amazes me that He never gave up on me. I’m not proud of my choices, even knowing that the greatest men of the Bible succumbed to temptation as great as mine. It amazes me that God chooses to use the bruised and the broken to follow Him. I think that’s why these words of Annie Hawks resonate in my soul. These words, along with the hymn ” Just As I Am” touch me so deeply. God doesn’t care about our past, or our color, or our financial state, or our physical condition. He cares about ONE thing; He cares about our souls, our heart condition. That’s why, in the Old Testament, the priests made blood sacrifices; to cover the sins of His chosen people. That’s why He sent His Son Jesus, to make the ultimate sacrifice and to cover ALL of our sins, past, present, and future, when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior. It’s why Jesus sacrificed Himself. For YOU. For ME. If you were the only person who ever lived, Jesus would have done whatever He did, just for you.

Mind-boggling; simple, but hard.

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the Everlasting GOD, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.” – Isaiah 40:28 (http://bible.com/116/isa.40.28.NLT)

HALLELUJAH!

Wait

Once again, God nails it; He sends me exactly what I need.

“Wait for the LORD.” (Best advice EVER!) –

I don’t like waiting. I’m not very patient. We live in a world of instant gratification. We want what we want, and we want it NOW. Young adults want the big fancy house or apartment, with granite counter tops and all of the amenities. Children want their own phones and computers and televisions and electronics. When they are able to drive, they want their own car; a HOT car, not the parent’s car.

Adults aren’t setting any kind of example, either. A new car every few years (guilty!); credit cards that enable us to live beyond our means; divorces because we are no longer “in love” with our spouse – adultery is rampant, pornography is the norm. Look at the TV shows and movies that are popular. Disrepecting our parents and others is “cool.” We worry and fret over situations and circumstances that we have zero control over.

I am blessed to have my home and friends and family. Yet I find myself lacking contentment at times. There’s so much more I would like to do. Even after a lifetime of knowing that waiting on God is the best way, I still want what I want, now.

“Wait for the LORD….”

John puts it beautifully:

“In the beginning the WORD already existed. The WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD.

He existed in the beginning with GOD.

GOD created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.

The WORD gave Life to everything that was created, and His Life brought Light to everyone.

The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness can NEVER extinguish it.”

– John 1:1‭-‬5 (http://bible.com/116/jhn.1.1-5.NLT)

Does it get any clearer than this? Let’s try one more from Luke, the physician who followed Jesus and researched the story of His birth in order to give us a factual, historic accounting.

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the LORD appeared among them, and the radiance of the LORD’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

The SAVIOR – yes, the MESSIAH, the LORD – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

– Luke 2:8‭-‬12 (http://bible.com/116/luk.2.8-12.NLT)

Isn’t this the most insane, most beautiful thing you’ve ever read? Can you even begin time imagine what John and Luke are describing for us? When we take the time to wait for God’s impeccable timing, fabulous things happen. Mary relied on the LORD, when she was a young, pregnant, unwed girl…. because she recognized that God, the Almighty LORD, had given her the most precious gift. Joseph waited on the LORD, and took this girl and the baby she was carrying, and was rewarded by being the stepfather of the Son of GOD! The Bible is full of examples of people – ordinary, sinful, broken people – who waited upon the LORD and we’re rewarded. Joseph who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers; Abraham and Sarah, too old to bear children and yet they had a son; Rahab the prostitute; Noah and his family; king David and his son Solomon….. the list is too long to put it all here. Wait for the LORD..

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” – Psalms 27:14 (http://bible.com/116/psa.27.14.NLT)

Probably Going to Upset Someone…

Over the centuries, these verses have caused consternation and controversy among followers of Christ. It is not my intention to upset or offend; however, I am compelled to present my thoughts.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:1‭-‬2 NLT (http://bible.com/116/rom.12.1-2.NLT)

Many took these words to mean that they should separate themselves from the world, and live as hermits. Others joined like minded individuals and founded monasteries, where they could live in seclusion from the world, to study God’s Word. Like everything human, these became flawed institutions where men and women took the LORD’S instructions and perverted them. Please don’t misunderstand. Not every person became an extremist. That is, unfortunately, one of the flaws we carry in our humanity; the ability to take something good and holy and twist it. We ALL do it to some extent. There are many good and decent men and women who have taken the vows to become monks and nuns; many more who are truly committed to following the Lord than those who twist their vows into something ugly. Take for example the practice of self-flagelation. How, in the Name of all that is Holy, can harming ourselves be conceived as something our God would condone, or encourage? I think not. Paul addresses this in his letter to the Corinthians:

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 NLT (http://bible.com/116/1co.6.19-20.NLT)

Whether harming ourselves through self-flagelation, physically or mentally or emotionally, or doing it to someone else, it’s wrong. Just consequences for wrongdoing are necessary because of our sinful nature’s, and they (hopefully) help us learn right and wrong. Setting one’s self apart from the world for a time of mediation and study can be enlightening and help us find peace with inner turmoil. The key is to use the time wisely, and then to rejoin the world to be an example for Christ. If you go back to Romans 12:1-2, it is clear that we are to be a light in the world. We should be different from the world, discerning in our dress and attitude. Our minds and our bodies belong to God, and when we surrender our lives to Jesus, our souls then belong to Him as well.

“We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.” – 2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT (http://bible.com/116/2co.1.12.NLT)

“In Christ Alone” just came on K-LOVE radio, one of my favorite new hymns, recorded by Kristian Stanfill. We are God’s children through His Son Jesus, and it is through Him that we are able to live apart from the world while at the same time we live in the world. I believe that this is what Paul meant when he said not to copy “the behavior and customs of this world,” and not to seclude or exclude ourselves from it physically.

Again, just my thoughts.

Help!

Paul wrote this reminder: “And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “ – Acts of the Apostles 20:35 (http://bible.com/116/act.20.35.NLT)

How to decide where to help and what to give and what to do…. That is the question. A wise man told us, as Americans, the ‘what.’ John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. (https://www.jfklibrary.org)

Easier said, than done. There is so much to assist with today, between the record breaking hurricanes, flooding, draughts, tornados, earthquakes, and massive wildfires. I think every American has been affected in one way or another by all of these catastrophic events. Rising gas and material prices, possible food shortages; even if you have escaped these consequences (so far), most of us know people through friends or family, who are in one or more of the affected areas. I have people on both coasts and in Texas who are being devastated., and it’s difficult not to just load up the truck and take off. However, like thousands of others, I have neither the financial or physical means to do so. What does that leave us to do? The absolute, most powerful tool we have is prayer. Wonderful, glorious, time with our Father. First, we need to praise Him for His goodness, then we can ask the Holy Spirit to intercede and to comfort and protect our people.

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (http://bible.com/116/2ch.7.14.NLT)

Jesus also taught us:

“Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation. ” ” – Luke 11:2‭, ‬4 (http://bible.com/116/luk.11.2-4.NLT)

How do we help? We pray.

Diasaster

As I stand out in the backyard, it strikes me – again – how incredibly blessed I am. The weather is as close to perfection as it can be (except for the stupid pollen, which makes my eyes itch like crazy and stuffs up my head!) In spite of the physical and financial challenges, life is good. How can I wrap my head around the destruction in Houston, Puerto Rico, and the many other island countries in the path of hurricanes Irma and Jose? Then there are the fires raging in the northwest, with over 50000 acres involved so far. India, Nepal, Pakistan and southern Asia having massive rains and flooding, Yemen and other countries suffering a desperate lack of food and sanitation because of the bombing and fighting. Homeless and stranded people just trying to survive all over the world.

Makes my head hurt.

What can I, one human being without financial resources, do to help? There is one thing that every single person can do, regardless of our circumstances, good, bad, or indifferent. That one thing is perhaps the single most powerful and important thing we can do.

Pray.

“NEVER stop praying,” or as the NIV says, “Pray continually.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (http://bible.com/116/1th.5.17.NLT) And from the Apostle Paul: “….I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” – Acts of the Apostles 20:35 (http://bible.com/116/act.20.35.NLT)

Simple enough?

The ROCK

A reminder:

– – “Would you rather live your life as if there was a God and die to find out there isn’t, or live your life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is?” – – unknown author – –

No matter what is going on in my life, Jesus has to be my Rock, or I will fall apart. It’s hard to embrace this statement during the hard times, but embrace it we must.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord…” – – Joshua 24:15b

God, I pray for direction and discernment in all aspects of my life. Amen!

Promises, Promises

Our lives are full of broken promises. When I turned 5, I was supposed to get a pony for my birthday…. in my mind, at least! Instead, my Dad accepted the pastorate in a small town miles away and we had to move away from our little farm. How dare he! I’m very proud of my Dad for doing this, because he had to stand up to hisparent’s very strong objections. I didn’t get my pony; I got a father who had courage and conviction and a strong faith. People continued to disappoint me as I grew up. My first boyfriend went away to college and ended our relationship. At my college, my first roommates lied and snubbed me – I was naive enough to believe that they were going to welcome me and we would be friends. Not a promise, per se, but definitely an expectation. I broke, have broken, more than my share of promises. A marriage vow is a promise, and I went into my first marriage having received the promise of a faithful husband who would care for me, protect me, and stand by me.

With those promises all broken, it broke me, for many, many years.

Look at Cain and Abel, Noah, Enoch, Abraham and Sarah. (Read Hebrews 11 for the background). Issac, Jacob, Esau…. Job. The list continues, through the entire Bible.

“All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. ….. It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command. How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.” – Hebrews 11:13‭, ‬23‭-‬23‭, ‬32
(http://bible.com/116/heb.11.13-32.NLT)

God has promised that anyone who believes on the LORD Jesus Christ will be saved from eternal damnation and the fires of hell. Why should we believe that God will honor His Promises? The next time it rains, look for the rainbow. God created the rainbow as a sign to signify His promise to Noah that the world would never again be completely flooded, and it hasn’t been. God promised the prophets of old that He would send the Messiah to bear our sins, doing away with the need for a blood sacrifice. He sent Jesus, His Son – His SON – as the Messiah to die for the sins of the world, and to conquer death forever.

When I finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I accepted that I couldn’t fix me. I had to let Jesus and the Holy Spirit into my heart to begin the healing process. I’m not “fixed” by any measure, but I am getting better. In this world, I accept that life will continue to be a struggle, BUT I know, through faith, that whatever happens here, I will spend eternity with Jesus and many loved ones.

It’s HARD to keep our faith during struggles with broken promises. Broken marriages, lies and cheating, test our faith. Bosses and friends who lie and backstab, betrayal from all sides… these things are so difficult to see past when they are happening. All I can tell you to keep faith is to look UP, not down and certainly not around, and place your trust in God. We will be hurt in the life. We will be lied to and cheated on and betrayed by other people. We will lie and cheat and betray people at some point; it’s inevitable as humans. (Thanks, Adam and Eve!) The LORD will never let you down. He doesn’t lie or cheat or betray us – those honors go to the enemy, Satan.

Be thankful for the little things. Do you have food to eat? Toilet paper? Plenty of things to be thankful for if you just look. Pray. Pray often, praising God for our blessings (remember, LITTLE things count!) Pray, Praise, Thanksgiving.

EVERY Person

This might be the absolute best, most exciting verse in the entire Bible!

“But EVERYONE who calls on the Name of the LORD will be saved.” Acts of the Apostles 2:21 (http://bible.com/116/act.2.21.NLT)

Not just the elite of the world. Not only kings or queens or politicians. Not just the most wealthy or the smartest or the most educated. EVERYONE; ANY one. You. Me. The poor, the helpless, the hapless. The worst of the worst criminals can do it. It doesn’t cost us anything, so economic status is irrelevant. It doesn’t require any physical strength or ability, making Jesus available to the weak and the ill and the impaired. Skin color, age… non of these things matter. I’m human, and wildly imperfect, and it really bothers me that vile, wicked, inhumane people can be forgiven and saved. Pedophiles, adulterers, cruel people. They should be glad that GOD is their judge, instead of me. I know we all be judged according to our lives, and frankly, it’s a scary thought. I don’t pretend to understand how it will all come down; I rely on scripture to explain the Judgement of the LORD. We will all pay for our sins. Every person and every sin, from the the smallest sins of omission to the most egregious sins of commission.

“And I saw a Great White Throne and the ONE sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from His presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before GOD’S Throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. ….And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11‭-‬12‭, ‬15 (http://bible.com/116/rev.20.11-15.NLT)

How can we get our names into that book? Call on the Name of Jesus. Accept Him as your Savior and acknowledge Him as the One True God.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (http://bible.com/116/jhn.3.16.NLT)

“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to Life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at GOD’S right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:34 (http://bible.com/116/rom.8.34.NLT)