Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Mine! Mine! All mine!

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)


Yes, I hear that a lot in the childcare business. Pairs of hands holding on tight to one toy; glaring eyes, gritting baby teeth, straining little arm muscles. No way is either one giving up - even with my stern intervention! Having this certain toy is more important than any disciplinary or threatening look from  any other.

It reminds me of two different bible perspectives. In the verse shared at the top of this post, our dear Mary has chosen what is best and it will not be taken from her. Jesus is approving of her heart attitude in what she has chosen. More important than the best food or the cleanest house, more important - is that she spends time with the One she loves. Martha loves Jesus too, but her heart (and her attitude/focus which is reflecting what she sees as most important) is bent on perfecting the best of the best conditions. Setting the stage for a good time instead of just being in the good time - which is what just being in Jesus' presence is ...good.

Mary's tender heart toward Jesus and her desire to be with Him will not be diminished by things "to do". She will be rewarded by His attention to her. She has chosen what is best and it will not be taken from her.

Now, on the other hand, Jesus has a hold on you and will not, will not let you go! No one and nothing can snatch you out of His hand (John 10:29). There will be no childcare provider stepping in to break the two of you apart. I have called you by name and you are mine (Isaiah 43:1). Mine! Mine! All mine! Nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).

So unlike my two little toddlers who have much to learn about the world, we can be confident in the love of God that is above and beyond this place, and beyond what we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:19-21). And it is a forever and eternal holding on to you. Try as they might, there is no power that can take you away from His arms.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

May the peace of Christ ...

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:26-27)

My cats (yes, you can substitute the word “dog”). They seem to live in perfect peace without a care in the world. I never see them with a panicked look that says, “Where will my food come from later today and tomorrow?”, “Who will bring fresh water when the bowl runs dry?”, “Where will I sleep and stay warm?”, and “Who will clean out the litter box tomorrow and next week too?” Who? What? Where? !!

If you know anything about cats, you know this scenario is not how they live out their days. They lounge around, somehow knowing I will be there with food and water at the proper time, milk rings and mice, and belly rubs. All they have needed, I have lovingly provided. Sound familiar? But I am just a human taking care of my pets simple needs.

You say your problems are bigger than just eating and drinking? Well, God is bigger too! Is it illness? Is it financial? What do you fret over that steals your peace? God handles it and will handle it perfectly – full of great God-purpose and timeliness. Nothing is too difficult for God (Matthew 19:26). In God’s eyes, everything has been carefully, thoroughly planned out; sifted through. Allowed and disallowed through His all-knowing, all-perfect eyes and hands and heart. Trust Him. He is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made (Psalm 145:13).

Take it from my cats – and from holy scripture too:

And may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way (2 Thessalonians 3:16).




Monday, January 19, 2015

Make it all better!

 
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)


I've got a doctor's appointment coming up next week. Just the annual physical kind. But last year, she told me my "numbers" were climbing up and I really needed to start committing to a better diet and exercise routine. So month after month I looked at, reviewed, and considered the various diet and exercise programs available. And thought about what would "work for me". Because, after all, if I can't be comfortable doing it ... how will I ever be able to stick to it? I wanted to find that perfect balance between doing what I want and doing what they want. As you can imagine, my picking and choosing bits and pieces of a plan did not generate much success.

There is a plan that works. And if you want the outcome, you need to commit to the plan. And I'm not talking solely about diet and exercise. Look at the man in the story from the verse above. He's an invalid who can't seem to make it down to the healing waters "because someone else always gets there ahead of me. I have no one to help me (v.7)." I'm picturing Jesus really asking him, "Do you want to get well, and walk, and get a job, and be responsible for your life? Or is it just easier and lay there and wait for others to do things for you?

Cold? Harsh? Hear me out. How many of us want change - in our bodies, in our families, in our churches - but we don't want to do what's required? We can't expect change if we don't want to DO change.

The good news in this man's story is that Jesus heals him - and he doesn't even know who Jesus is and so does not express any faith in Jesus having the power to heal. Jesus heals in the midst of this man's lack of faith. How amazing is that?

But Jesus' healing comes with a warning: Stop sinning! (v.14) Stop the old habits. Stop the old attitude. If you want to be well, there is a way. You may not need a mountain of faith, but you do need Jesus. He has the power.


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Praise the Lord anyway

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)


I remember having a pin on my jacket that said "Praise the Lord anyway". It showed a picture of a cute little boy whose ice cream scoop fell off the cone and a puppy was eating it off the ground. The message is the same today. You hear it in Christian music lyrics and devotionals and Sunday morning sermons. No matter how miserable your circumstances seem to be, you are told to praise the Lord anyway.

I am reminded of some lyrics from and old hymn. It talks about trying to wait until you're all better before you come to the Lord. If you keep waiting until everything is just "so", you may never come at all. And I'm thinking that may be true of praising the Lord as well. Do we want to wait until everything is good and right and perfect before we praise Him? In a world that promises troubles (John 16:33), just how long do you think you will have to wait until it's an okay time to give thanks and praise? And how often do you think that opportunity will actually roll around? I guess when they say "Praise the Lord anyway" and "Praise Him in the storm" , they have a point. God has been at work bringing about good from every kind of circumstance since before creation. And He faithfully continues His work. Keep your eyes on the hope only our amazing, miraculous God can offer. He will bring about good - His mere presence brings that with a sense of security, protection, and peace as we trust in His everlasting love.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Quilts and Paperbacks

… all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). 
 
It's a cold, COLD wintry day here and I'm all in for a quilt and a good book. Who doesn't love a good book, right? Some suspense, some romance, some laughs and tears too. A real page-turner. You know, the one where you say you'll get up and do something at the end of this chapter, only to find out you can't put the book down - you have to know what happens next; you have to know how it ends. 
 
My life is a book. Its had its days of suspense, and romance. Lots of laughter and tears as well. I look back and see chapters I hate. Other chapters full of wonderful memories that I don't want to let go. Family members grow up and move on. People leaving for various other reasons. New relationships coming to join in on the next season of life. Bad times come and go. Good times come and go. And still, another chapter; another turn of the page. 
 
How are things in this chapter going for you? Whether good or bad, seasons of life pass. So here's where I could say: make the most of every day. Love the one you're with. Or something like that. But the truth is, all our stories have the same elements of love and mystery, good times and unknown times. But, much like Cinderella, our stories, despite some drama and pain and even hopelessness, our Christian story, we know, has a happy ending. We will be transformed. We will be found in time for a wedding beyond our wildest dreams. And days upon days of happily ever after. So don't stop reading. It promises to be a real page-turner. And happy is how it will end.  
 
 

Monday, January 12, 2015

If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times


 
 
 

It's like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).

I've told you a thousand times. Sure sounds like a parent. Or a childcare provider. I had this thought running through my mind last Friday when at was at work caring for two-year-olds. Seems like I am forever repeating myself: No running! No throwing things! No grabbing things out of others hands! By the end of the day, by the end of the week ... surely they should understand it by now! And these kids have been going to this daycare longer than I have. Surely they should understand the consequences of their choice to either forget or defy.

So this morning, when I was reading my morning devotional, it seemed as though the message has been the same for several days. Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5). Believe in Him (John 1:7). His presence (Matthew 28:20). His plan (Jeremiah 29:11). Don't worry (Matthew 6:25). Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17). His hand is on the future. When you read from the gospels, do you feel the same way? I've heard and read these miracles of Jesus a thousand times! Why do I need to read them again?

Because in many ways, in the ways of God, we are all like infants. So much to learn and incorporate into daily living. And some lessons are just harder to grasp. Will I give up on my little two-year-olds? Goodness, no! It will come. In time, after much repetition and some maturity, they will begin to understand and comply. The day will come soon enough when their childish behaviors will be exchanged for more mature ones. They will move on to the next set of lessons to be learned. The same can be said for us. In God's eyes, you too, are learning and growing, understanding and applying - the word of God - to your daily living. Don't give up. You are a work in progress.


 

Friday, January 9, 2015

Got'cha covered!

 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wood (Isaiah 1:18).

I’m sitting here watching big, fluffy snowflakes swirl around outside the windows. We have several inches now. Many people are bemoaning that fact. Bitter cold. Difficult driving. But the dead grass, the brown leaves, dried up twigs – are all covered up. And we are left with a blanket of pure white. Even the gray branches of the trees in the yard are dressed in white; every single little branch. Not one has been missed or overlooked. Everything – covered over in white.

So while I also can chime in with the rest about the drawbacks to all this snow, I am thankful for the wonderful reminder that my sins are covered up, every one, just like this landscape out my window. Whatever my sin has been: my dead, brown, old, dried-up sins – have all been covered.

How many snowflakes does it take to cover up the ground like that? How much God – grace to cover our sins? Guess what? The matter is settled as far as God is concerned. Whatever amount is needed – God’s got it covered!

Snow – bring it on!



Thursday, January 8, 2015

In God we trust

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love (Psalm 147: 10-11).

Technology can be so fascinating, can’t it? I mean, have you seen the latest news about this car that can parallel park all by itself? What a wonderful thing for those of us who struggle doing that! The car just takes over and backs itself into place. And then I heard someone questioning our responsibility should the car cause an accident. The “driver” wasn’t in control at the time so … how can I (and my insurance) be held accountable? Yes, new questions and wonderings come with this new concept of letting technology take control. Many of us are excited about it.

Yet, when we are asked to surrender control over to God, Who is bigger and better and wiser than man’s technology, we often aren’t excited at all. In fact, we can get downright disgruntled at having to give up control. “What? You want me to just sit here and watch Someone else do the maneuvering?”

Reminds me of the joke: $100 looks so big in the offering plate and not near enough when in the mall!

As Christians, we are asked to surrender it all to God. To trust in Him and Him alone. To remember and believe in His faithful character to know what lies ahead and know how to best handle whatever lies ahead. Kind of like letting the car maneuver into a streetside parking spot. It’s a miracle! Let God take control and perform a miracle for you!




Monday, January 5, 2015

Sinned ... now what?



I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His Name (1 John 2:12).

Whether someone points it out to me or I realize on my own through some scripture reading, I don’t want to know that I have somehow sinned. My first response is become defensive, justifying my behavior. Remorse should be reserved for some big sin, right? Surely I can reason and excuse my impulsive or thoughtless actions. But eventually the truth of the matter comes to light in my heart – I sinned.

But I am thankful for any time I am made aware that I stepped outside God’s will. I am thankful I am led by His Spirit to be remorseful. Thankful I can confess my sin to God and He understands. And thankful I can say I’m sorry to those I have hurt, and to God. I can be forgiven. By others. By myself. By God.

Jesus washes my sins away. Even if the “other” does not forgive, for the One Who truly matters, the sin is remembered no more.

We sin. But that is not the end of the story. Thanks be to God for the indescribable gift – Jesus and His cleansing blood. For recognizing sin, being sorrowful about it, and receiving the forgiveness God provides – is pleasing to the Lord. You will never know powerful wonderfulness of forgiveness until you surrender to it. Forgive yourself and others today.