"That Your beloved may be delivered. Save with Your right hand, and hear me." Psalm 108:6
In the above prayer the psalmist David refers to himself as the Lord's beloved. David seemed to grasp a truth that many of us have a hard time laying hold of. This man who had a heart after God, knew his relationship with his Lord was a tender loving relationship, he understood he was greatly loved and cherished. It is easy for me to see God as liking me, or caring for me, or even me and God being "BFF", but being the Lord's beloved is a bit beyond me. This truth of being the Lord's beloved may be hard to grasp, but it is a foundational truth that we all need to grow in. Is the wonder of His great love for you fixed in your heart? Do you know that God is crazy in love with you? There is no greater proof for His love, in that He gave His life for you. Take some time to ponder the fact that you truly are the Lord's beloved. As you grow in the marvelous understanding of His great love for you, I promise you will have an increase of peace and joy and strength. Oh how very much He loves you.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Fresh Hearts
"strengthening the souls of the disciples...." Acts 14:22
World War One had become a stalemate. Neither side was winning and they were locked in horrible trench warfare. The war had become a war of attrition, which is a slow grinding down process, until one side loses the will to fight or resist. I am absolutely convinced through experience, that attrition is a favorite strategy of the enemy of our souls. We all burden ourselves with a busy day to day grind which begins the attrition process. Then the enemy or the world throws in who knows what....a physical ailment, an unexpected bill, your child's school project, a discouraging word, fearful news, a looming pay cut, a funny clunking noise from the car, or any number of things. The daily toil can wear you down and weaken the soul. The above words from Acts 14 describe Paul and Barnabas' ministry to the churches they had visited. These shepherds knew that their disciples had been in tribulation and therefore needed their souls fortified. I love J.B. Phillips' translation of the verse, he says, "they put fresh heart into the disciples." I love the idea of the "fresh heart", because so often the daily onslaught leaves us disheartened, and unable to fight or resist. God's desire is to strengthen our souls and make us stout of heart. No doubt if Paul and Barnabas were passing through our town today they would look to put "fresh heart" into weary troops. They would set our hearts right in reminding us that our battle is not a stalemate. We have already won in Christ, the enemy is defeated and victory is assured. The proper heavenly perspective is crucial. If our eyes are fixed on the battle alone we will grow weary, but if we fix our hearts on the triumph of Jesus, we will be heartened.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...." Revelation 12:11
World War One had become a stalemate. Neither side was winning and they were locked in horrible trench warfare. The war had become a war of attrition, which is a slow grinding down process, until one side loses the will to fight or resist. I am absolutely convinced through experience, that attrition is a favorite strategy of the enemy of our souls. We all burden ourselves with a busy day to day grind which begins the attrition process. Then the enemy or the world throws in who knows what....a physical ailment, an unexpected bill, your child's school project, a discouraging word, fearful news, a looming pay cut, a funny clunking noise from the car, or any number of things. The daily toil can wear you down and weaken the soul. The above words from Acts 14 describe Paul and Barnabas' ministry to the churches they had visited. These shepherds knew that their disciples had been in tribulation and therefore needed their souls fortified. I love J.B. Phillips' translation of the verse, he says, "they put fresh heart into the disciples." I love the idea of the "fresh heart", because so often the daily onslaught leaves us disheartened, and unable to fight or resist. God's desire is to strengthen our souls and make us stout of heart. No doubt if Paul and Barnabas were passing through our town today they would look to put "fresh heart" into weary troops. They would set our hearts right in reminding us that our battle is not a stalemate. We have already won in Christ, the enemy is defeated and victory is assured. The proper heavenly perspective is crucial. If our eyes are fixed on the battle alone we will grow weary, but if we fix our hearts on the triumph of Jesus, we will be heartened.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...." Revelation 12:11
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The River Is Full
Psalm 65:9 "You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God if full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it."
I can still see the drinking faucets in my mind. These faucets were the most crowded place after the lunchtime recess at St. Joseph school. There were six all together, three to the right, and three to the left. The three on the left were for girls only, so this was forbidden territory, even for the most thirsty boy. One day I ventured over to the girl's faucet and was very surprised to find that the girl's water tasted pretty much the same as the boy's water. Unfortunately, a nun caught me committing this dastardly crime, and I had to spend the rest of the day kneeling next to my desk....but I digress. To a sweaty thirsty boy after the lunchtime recess, the water faucets were frustrating and disappointing. The line was too long, and there were way too many of us packed three across. But the real disappointment was when I finally arrived at the much needed water source. Due to poor water pressure and heavy use from all the thirsty boys, the water only came out in a trickle, and was warm. There wasn't much else to do, these were the water faucets, it was the only place to get water in the school. Remember this was before you carried a water bottle with you everywhere, mommy didn't put expensive store bought water in your fancy backpack with wheels. In fact we didn't have backpacks, we carried our books in our arms, with rocks, in the snow....but I digress. In John chapter four, Jesus spoke to a woman about spiritual thirst. He promised that whoever drank of Him would never thirst, and His water would become a "fountain of water springing up into everlasting life". We all know the letdown of standing in line at the world's faucet, slurping the warm trickle, and leaving dry. The Lord's promise is sure, "the river of God is full of water". His call to us all is to come to the river of life and freely drink, honest, you will not leave dry!
I can still see the drinking faucets in my mind. These faucets were the most crowded place after the lunchtime recess at St. Joseph school. There were six all together, three to the right, and three to the left. The three on the left were for girls only, so this was forbidden territory, even for the most thirsty boy. One day I ventured over to the girl's faucet and was very surprised to find that the girl's water tasted pretty much the same as the boy's water. Unfortunately, a nun caught me committing this dastardly crime, and I had to spend the rest of the day kneeling next to my desk....but I digress. To a sweaty thirsty boy after the lunchtime recess, the water faucets were frustrating and disappointing. The line was too long, and there were way too many of us packed three across. But the real disappointment was when I finally arrived at the much needed water source. Due to poor water pressure and heavy use from all the thirsty boys, the water only came out in a trickle, and was warm. There wasn't much else to do, these were the water faucets, it was the only place to get water in the school. Remember this was before you carried a water bottle with you everywhere, mommy didn't put expensive store bought water in your fancy backpack with wheels. In fact we didn't have backpacks, we carried our books in our arms, with rocks, in the snow....but I digress. In John chapter four, Jesus spoke to a woman about spiritual thirst. He promised that whoever drank of Him would never thirst, and His water would become a "fountain of water springing up into everlasting life". We all know the letdown of standing in line at the world's faucet, slurping the warm trickle, and leaving dry. The Lord's promise is sure, "the river of God is full of water". His call to us all is to come to the river of life and freely drink, honest, you will not leave dry!
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Tomb Is Still Empty
Every Easter we reflect on the empty tomb and are reminded, that in spite of all the difficulties of this life, all is well, for Jesus Christ is alive. But today is Monday, we are back to life, and life has a way of robbing us of the joy and confidence gained in knowing that Jesus is truly alive. Jesus' resurrection puts a new light on everything, and though I may not understand life's headaches, or the Lord's methods and timing, this I do know He is alive and reigning. I've discovered in my Christian journey that it is important for me to take a regular reflective pilgrimage to the empty tomb. In doing so my heart and mind get centered and stable. So, I know it's Monday, but the tomb is still empty. I know that bill is still hanging over your head, but the tomb is still empty. Your boss is a "#!$*%", but the tomb is still empty. He or she or they were mean to you, but the tomb is still empty. Those kids drain you and won't listen, but the tomb is still empty! The power of His resurrection is available to us every single day, may you find in it strength and joy.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Watch Your Words
Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones."
I was told a funny story of a brand new state of the art music center at a major city here in the States. Apparently this fancy opera house had an orchestra pit that could be raised and lowered by powerful lifts. These lifts worked on a wireless system and would go into affect with the push of a button. I don't know all the technical details, but the fact that this system somehow works using sound waves, caused a bit of a problem on opening night. At some point in the evenings performance a woman with a beautiful and powerful operatic voice, hit a certain note or pitch, that caused the lifts for the orchestra pit to spring into action. The orchestra was lifted into plain view, but not long after, the singer hit the same note and the orchestra slowly vanished. This happened a number of times during her singing, and soon the serious song became a comedy act. Laughter and applause followed every disappearance and reappearance of the orchestra. What a great picture, this woman with the power of her voice was able to lift up, and to bring down. The Bible teaches us, and warns us, that our voices have that very same power. The words we use can encourage or discourage, can bring joy, or dejection, can carry up, or carry down. Keep the picture of the orchestra pit in your mind as you speak. When speaking of someone, or to someone, are your words lifting up, or bringing down?
I was told a funny story of a brand new state of the art music center at a major city here in the States. Apparently this fancy opera house had an orchestra pit that could be raised and lowered by powerful lifts. These lifts worked on a wireless system and would go into affect with the push of a button. I don't know all the technical details, but the fact that this system somehow works using sound waves, caused a bit of a problem on opening night. At some point in the evenings performance a woman with a beautiful and powerful operatic voice, hit a certain note or pitch, that caused the lifts for the orchestra pit to spring into action. The orchestra was lifted into plain view, but not long after, the singer hit the same note and the orchestra slowly vanished. This happened a number of times during her singing, and soon the serious song became a comedy act. Laughter and applause followed every disappearance and reappearance of the orchestra. What a great picture, this woman with the power of her voice was able to lift up, and to bring down. The Bible teaches us, and warns us, that our voices have that very same power. The words we use can encourage or discourage, can bring joy, or dejection, can carry up, or carry down. Keep the picture of the orchestra pit in your mind as you speak. When speaking of someone, or to someone, are your words lifting up, or bringing down?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Name That Tune
Psalm 84:5-6 "Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it spring; the rain also covers it with pools."
Working retail management can a be grind, so I remember being very happy I hired a particular employee who was hilarious. This guy always kept me entertained, and his antics usually helped store morale. One game he would play was to hum or whistle a tune that he felt represented certain people walking around the store. He was good at it too, his song always seemed to match whoever might be wandering the aisles. Through the day the tunes would come out of nowhere, "Bad to the Bone", "Viva Las Vegas", "Mellow Yellow", and sure enough I'd look up and passing right in front of me would be someone matching that song. I don't remember him ever being mean about it, and it always brought his desired end, a shake of the head and a smile on my face. His little game did teach me something that I carry with me to this day. Wherever I go or whatever I do, I carry with me a song, or attitude, or vibe. The question for me is what sort of vibe am I giving off? As a Christian I carry my Lord with me, so wherever I am, ought to be blessed with His holy song or attitude. The above verses from Psalm 84 speak of this. The blessed of the Lord are passing through the Valley of Baca, and make it spring to life. The Valley of Baca is literally the Valley of Weeping. How amazing, a place of tears and lamenting becomes a place springing with life, because the blessed of the Lord are passing through. The psalmist often speaks of the Lord giving him a new song. This is a song of our loving God, a song that is holy, and right, and joyous, a heavenly song. As we pass through the work place, or sit in the food court, or wander the valley, may it be that whomever we pass will be moved to hum or whistle a new song, as they recognize our Lord's life in us.
Working retail management can a be grind, so I remember being very happy I hired a particular employee who was hilarious. This guy always kept me entertained, and his antics usually helped store morale. One game he would play was to hum or whistle a tune that he felt represented certain people walking around the store. He was good at it too, his song always seemed to match whoever might be wandering the aisles. Through the day the tunes would come out of nowhere, "Bad to the Bone", "Viva Las Vegas", "Mellow Yellow", and sure enough I'd look up and passing right in front of me would be someone matching that song. I don't remember him ever being mean about it, and it always brought his desired end, a shake of the head and a smile on my face. His little game did teach me something that I carry with me to this day. Wherever I go or whatever I do, I carry with me a song, or attitude, or vibe. The question for me is what sort of vibe am I giving off? As a Christian I carry my Lord with me, so wherever I am, ought to be blessed with His holy song or attitude. The above verses from Psalm 84 speak of this. The blessed of the Lord are passing through the Valley of Baca, and make it spring to life. The Valley of Baca is literally the Valley of Weeping. How amazing, a place of tears and lamenting becomes a place springing with life, because the blessed of the Lord are passing through. The psalmist often speaks of the Lord giving him a new song. This is a song of our loving God, a song that is holy, and right, and joyous, a heavenly song. As we pass through the work place, or sit in the food court, or wander the valley, may it be that whomever we pass will be moved to hum or whistle a new song, as they recognize our Lord's life in us.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Hate Sin
Romans 12:9 "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."
I have never been one to think much about germs, I know they are around me and can make me sick, but unlike some, I've never really made a big deal about them. I lived very happily in my insensibility toward germs, until our current cold and flu season hit. This year it seems like we are being bombarded with too much germ information. On television, on the radio, in articles, and even on billboards we are being warned on how not to catch, or spread these bugs. I have to be honest for the first time, germs are starting to creep me out. I think we are supposed to wash our hands a hundred times a day. To make sure you wash long enough, sing happy birthday or the alphabet song all the way through while washing. To keep from spreading germs, we have been taught how to sneeze, and how to properly dispose of tissues. The list of things we shouldn't touch is endless. Don't touch: door knobs, stair rails, counter tops, other people's pens, kitchen sponges, elevator buttons, cell phones, key pads, gas pumps, and never ever touch your own nose or eyes. I'm pretty sure it's alright to breathe in most places, except it might be best to hold your breath in elevators, airplanes, and public restrooms. As I'm writing this I'm fighting a cold, so I'm kicking myself for going out in public and breathing and touching things. There is a dangerous germ out there that gets too little attention, in fact I have never seen a public service announcement warning us how to avoid it. This bug spreads quickly and is devastating to all who are infected by it. You are all sharp enough to know where I'm going with this. That foul germ is SIN. Sadly we can feel more creepy about all the microorganisms that encompass us, then about the sin bug that abounds. God hates sin, and calls us to abhor it. Let us therefore be vigilant in cleansing, be wise in what we touch, and careful what we breathe in.
I have never been one to think much about germs, I know they are around me and can make me sick, but unlike some, I've never really made a big deal about them. I lived very happily in my insensibility toward germs, until our current cold and flu season hit. This year it seems like we are being bombarded with too much germ information. On television, on the radio, in articles, and even on billboards we are being warned on how not to catch, or spread these bugs. I have to be honest for the first time, germs are starting to creep me out. I think we are supposed to wash our hands a hundred times a day. To make sure you wash long enough, sing happy birthday or the alphabet song all the way through while washing. To keep from spreading germs, we have been taught how to sneeze, and how to properly dispose of tissues. The list of things we shouldn't touch is endless. Don't touch: door knobs, stair rails, counter tops, other people's pens, kitchen sponges, elevator buttons, cell phones, key pads, gas pumps, and never ever touch your own nose or eyes. I'm pretty sure it's alright to breathe in most places, except it might be best to hold your breath in elevators, airplanes, and public restrooms. As I'm writing this I'm fighting a cold, so I'm kicking myself for going out in public and breathing and touching things. There is a dangerous germ out there that gets too little attention, in fact I have never seen a public service announcement warning us how to avoid it. This bug spreads quickly and is devastating to all who are infected by it. You are all sharp enough to know where I'm going with this. That foul germ is SIN. Sadly we can feel more creepy about all the microorganisms that encompass us, then about the sin bug that abounds. God hates sin, and calls us to abhor it. Let us therefore be vigilant in cleansing, be wise in what we touch, and careful what we breathe in.
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