One of the reasons people miss out on an intimate faith in Jesus is, because they allow their fears to loom larger than His presence. We look back at the disciples and judge their faith (or lack of), but the fact is we are not much different than they are. We have experienced God at work in our lives; He has answered prayer to impossible situations; we have glimpsed His power around us, yet, we still lack faith when the next big trial slams us.
In Mark 4:35-41, the disciples experienced Jesus commanding and calming the storm on the sea; in Matthew 5:1-20, they encountered the most evil site: a demon possessed man abusing himself horrifically. This man was not only possessed with a demon, but a legion of demons: 6000 of them in one body! Can you imagine? Jesus in his matchless power cast these demons into swine and they all went into the sea to drown. In Mark 5:21-43, the disciples witnessed Jesus healing a hemorrhaging woman and bring back to life a dead twelve year old girl. The disciples themselves were given authority by Jesus over unclean spirits. (Mark 6:7). And lastly before the one event that revealed their hardened heart, the disciples set their eyes on the miracle of Jesus feeding over 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. (Mark 6:33-44). We ask ourselves, how could anyone ever lose faith, fear trouble, and not trust in Jesus after these?
After feeding the 5000, Jesus instructed His disciples to “…go ahead of Him to the other side of Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending away the multitude…” (Mark 6:45). Jesus sent His disciples on ahead across the sea to the other side, without Him. This seems very simple and effortless. I mean, some of them were fishermen, surely this would be easy. But what most people don’t understand is what was in the minds of these disciples every time they crossed the sea. What baggage of fear were they bringing in their hearts that made crossing the sea so terrifying? Reading an insightful article from That The World May Know website (http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=2754) about the Sea of Galilee, I discovered what the baggage was that harbored the hearts of the disciples. It explained their deep fear and reason why they were so incredibly afraid every time a storm arose on the sea.
In summary, the sea did not have a positive light. The Jewish people were culturally desert nomads, not seafaring natives. The disciples grew up hearing seafaring stories: monstrous beasts rising up from the depths, the sea was the place Baal went to battle with Yam, the sea god, the sea was a place of judgment (the flood of Noah and Jonah thrown into the deep). The sea represented a place of evil, evil spirits, the terrible dragon, Leviathan (which represented the pagan nations), the home of wickedness, doom and chaos. This belief would have even been more confirmed after the disciples watched Jesus cast the legion of demons from the Gerasene demonic into the swine that drown, where? The Sea! Which sea? The one they were crossing, alone, without Jesus. The first time the disciples crossed the sea, Jesus was with them. This time, Jesus sends them on their own. I commend the disciples for going; this in itself took courage. Let’s find out what happens:
“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, "Take courage ; it is I, do not be afraid." Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped ; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”(Mark 6:45-52).
One of the biggest lessons to be learned from this passage is “Jesus’ presence is always with us. And in His presence we are safe.” We see this first in this passage when Jesus is on the land, alone, praying. He can see His disciples, straining at the oars as the wind was beating against them. Jesus is always watching closely, no matter what the trial may be, He is watching and praying. I ponder, what was Jesus praying? The passage doesn’t say, but I believe He was praying for His men. He may have been praying that their faith would be tested, yet completed. I believe that Jesus was more concerned about these men releasing their baggage and embracing faith in His power, than their safety on the sea. Not that their safety wasn’t important, but their hearts were elevated higher.
At the right time, Jesus graces His presence on the sea, walking in victory over the deep. His intention was only to supply them with His presence, not interfere with their struggle, at least not at first. When His disciples couldn’t grasp fully the lesson to release their baggage, He came to them in the boat. But the interesting part in this scripture is that the disciples did see Jesus. Unfortunately, their fear loomed larger than the truth that stood before them; they saw a ghost and did not recognize that the One walking on the water was their Savior. Isn’t this like us, our fears will be so great, we don’t even see Jesus in our midst; our hearts, like the disciples, are hardened by our own fears. We end up missing the opportunity for intimate faith in Him. The disciples allowed all the stories and their fears learned growing up to become their focal point on the sea. Jesus wanted them to let it go; stop giving their full energy and time to this defeatable fright. He desired full faith in Him, the One they followed.
Jesus, seeing that His men had suffered enough, He got into the boat and said to them, "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid." In essence, Jesus was saying, “My presence is here, do not be afraid. You can rest, because I AM.” Notice how the storm stopped in this passage vs. Mark 4:39. Jesus spoke to the storm in Mark 4:39, and the sea and wind obeyed Him. But in this passage, it was His very presence that stopped the storm. We underestimate the power of our Lord in our lives.
We have the very same power living in us. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, His power resides in us by His Holy Spirit. His presence is with us at all times. We are graced with it, protected by it, empowered by it, and encouraged by it. We have the ability to turn away from the ghost that fears us and cling closely to Jesus in our midst.
We all have fears that look like a scary ghost in our lives. For me, the fear of being alone without my husband has been mine for years. My grandmother, married twice and engaged a third time; she lost all three to death. My mom divorced at a young age and never remarried. She was alone raising her children. These terrified me as a young child and spilled over into my adult life. It almost kept me from even getting married.
However, God allowed me to face this ghost head on in Hilton Head, Island. While on vacation this past year, my husband was rushed to the hospital near death due to acute pancreatitis. The first four days were touch and go. I watched him lay there, lifeless, unable to embrace me, comfort me and tell me all was going to be okay. I had to come to terms that this might be the end. The ghost was scary. It would have been easy to focus on the ghost and crumble, but instead I chose to embrace my Savior. I resolved that He was with me even if the end of this beautiful marriage was at hand. I pressed into my Savior. I chose intimacy with Him and He became my comfort. His presence overwhelmed me with love and power to go forward. Thankfully, as with the disciples, He saved me. He calmed the storm in my life and healed my husband. I am able to rest not only in the sovereignty of my Jesus, but also in the arms of my husband. I took a stand and chose to see Jesus, not the ghost!
What or who is your ghost? What keeps you so afraid that you can’t embrace the power of Jesus? Don’t forget that the Great I Am walked on the water, in victory over the deep; He can also walk in victory over whatever fear that ails you. Trust Him. He’s worth it!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Twelve Years of Joy and Twelve Years of Pain: We All Need Jesus!
Mark 5:21-43 gives a great illustration of twelve years of joy and twelve years of pain, both culminating to one great need. We find a woman who has been suffering an illness for twelve years in which has led her into poverty and a status of dishonor. Then we find a twelve year old little girl, daughter of a wealthy honorable synagogue official, suddenly take ill and die.
A woman who has been living in pain for many years while simultaneously, a young girl is giving joy to her parents. Quite a contrast between the two. The bottom line in both of these lives is they needed Jesus. Regardless of social status, financial situation and health condition, we all need Jesus. And we need Him to be so much more to us than just a booster, healer, and financial manager. We need a Savior that completes our hopeless situation with everlasting life in the arms of our Heavenly Father. We need His healing for all eternity!
While what I have just stated is so true, there was one word that stood out to me in this entire passage: daughter. We find a man who loves his daughter and is seeking help from our Savior. A father’s love sends him on a desperate mission to find Jesus. This was risky for this father, because he was a synagogue official. He publicly came out of concealment and asked for help from the very person whom the religious leaders were opposed. That took courage and it took a deep love for his own. If we truly love our children, we as parents, will go out on a limb for them, risking all for their well being, their safety and their future. Jesus understood the risk this man was taking.
As this father walked along the road with Jesus, eagerly awaiting the miracle he was hoping for, Jesus was interrupted by a woman of lower class, a cast-away of society, and a person of insignificance. And what does Jesus do? He stops. What? He stops in the midst of His mission to help a high class official’s daughter in order to reach out to this woman.
I can feel the officials impatience, his urgency to get on with their journey to his daughter at home. I can hear his thoughts, “We don’t have time for this person. She’s a cast-away, leave her. My daughter is important. What are you doing, Jesus?” He may have not had any of those thoughts, but it would not surprise me if he had. There are many, today, who would have had those same impatient feelings.
This woman has already been healed of her illness, but Jesus wants to do more for her. One of the things I love about the character of Jesus, is he is not an impatient man; He takes the time for complete healing in the lives of people. He knows His identity: the most powerful God.
What does Jesus say? He calls this woman of low class and great illness, “Daughter…” He could have called her “Woman.” But no, He called her “daughter.” How did this emulate complete healing? Remember, this woman has lost all her money, her dignity, and her hope. She feels like a cast-away. But Jesus, being complete in His love, calls her "daughter."
Jesus first of all came to all of God’s people, poor and rich, of good standing and not so good, for the cast-away and the elite. And each one is His child. From the Hebrew meaning, this affectionate word means, “acceptable to God, rejoicing in God's peculiar care and protection.” He was saying so much more to her and to the official watching. When He called her daughter, He communicated the message that she is acceptable to God. In that moment, Jesus healed her identity. Worse than physical pain, is a damaged identity. Jesus healed her from the inside out: complete healing!
What I love about Jesus is that He teaches all in His presence, not just one. The woman was receiving but so was the official. In all of this man's impatience, he heard Jesus say, “daughter.” I believe that he learned at that moment: Jesus understood the feelings of a father. He understood his anxiousness, his fear and his desperation. We see this when Jesus turns to him and says, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” (Mark 5:36). Jesus, sensing his disbelief, gave him this encouragement.
I can hear a new thought come to this man's mind, "If Jesus can care for this woman with 'God’s peculiar care and protection,' maybe He can do the same for his little girl." Certainly, he knew that healing his daughter at this point in her illness would take a special, peculiar type of healing that could only come from God! It's important to note that the official’s daughter is also Jesus’ daughter, acceptable by God and able to rejoice in the same care the older woman was able to find peace. The man choosing to believe, continued on his journey with Jesus. In his choice to believe, he and his wife were reunited with their little girl. Likewise this man's identity was healed in a different way. He realized that no matter what status he or the other woman was from, they both needed Jesus! It is not stated, but most likely in this experience, this official became a follower of Jesus.
Each woman reading this blog can take away from this message the hope that Jesus loves you just like a daughter, “acceptable to God, rejoicing in God's peculiar care and protection.” Each woman on this earth has certain needs, differing backgrounds, special worries, joys and dreams; the hopeful thing in it all, is that none of them are beyond Jesus' peculiar care and protection. In His special way He reaches out to us and helps us feel loved and cherished. Our identity, no matter how poor or how rich, we are His. Did you hear that? Say that out loud, "I am HIS!"
You and I are His special daughter! When all else seems to reject you, demean you, frustrate you, fear you, stop! And say out loud, "I am HIS, acceptable to God, under the peculiar care and protection of my Savior, Jesus!" For you are His daughter! Rejoice in His special care and His mighty protection for you. You are acceptable to the Maker of heaven and earth, the One Who can save, the One who is able to do whatever He desires. And get this my dear friend, His desire is to care and protect you in the very way you need!
A woman who has been living in pain for many years while simultaneously, a young girl is giving joy to her parents. Quite a contrast between the two. The bottom line in both of these lives is they needed Jesus. Regardless of social status, financial situation and health condition, we all need Jesus. And we need Him to be so much more to us than just a booster, healer, and financial manager. We need a Savior that completes our hopeless situation with everlasting life in the arms of our Heavenly Father. We need His healing for all eternity!
While what I have just stated is so true, there was one word that stood out to me in this entire passage: daughter. We find a man who loves his daughter and is seeking help from our Savior. A father’s love sends him on a desperate mission to find Jesus. This was risky for this father, because he was a synagogue official. He publicly came out of concealment and asked for help from the very person whom the religious leaders were opposed. That took courage and it took a deep love for his own. If we truly love our children, we as parents, will go out on a limb for them, risking all for their well being, their safety and their future. Jesus understood the risk this man was taking.
As this father walked along the road with Jesus, eagerly awaiting the miracle he was hoping for, Jesus was interrupted by a woman of lower class, a cast-away of society, and a person of insignificance. And what does Jesus do? He stops. What? He stops in the midst of His mission to help a high class official’s daughter in order to reach out to this woman.
I can feel the officials impatience, his urgency to get on with their journey to his daughter at home. I can hear his thoughts, “We don’t have time for this person. She’s a cast-away, leave her. My daughter is important. What are you doing, Jesus?” He may have not had any of those thoughts, but it would not surprise me if he had. There are many, today, who would have had those same impatient feelings.
This woman has already been healed of her illness, but Jesus wants to do more for her. One of the things I love about the character of Jesus, is he is not an impatient man; He takes the time for complete healing in the lives of people. He knows His identity: the most powerful God.
What does Jesus say? He calls this woman of low class and great illness, “Daughter…” He could have called her “Woman.” But no, He called her “daughter.” How did this emulate complete healing? Remember, this woman has lost all her money, her dignity, and her hope. She feels like a cast-away. But Jesus, being complete in His love, calls her "daughter."
Jesus first of all came to all of God’s people, poor and rich, of good standing and not so good, for the cast-away and the elite. And each one is His child. From the Hebrew meaning, this affectionate word means, “acceptable to God, rejoicing in God's peculiar care and protection.” He was saying so much more to her and to the official watching. When He called her daughter, He communicated the message that she is acceptable to God. In that moment, Jesus healed her identity. Worse than physical pain, is a damaged identity. Jesus healed her from the inside out: complete healing!
What I love about Jesus is that He teaches all in His presence, not just one. The woman was receiving but so was the official. In all of this man's impatience, he heard Jesus say, “daughter.” I believe that he learned at that moment: Jesus understood the feelings of a father. He understood his anxiousness, his fear and his desperation. We see this when Jesus turns to him and says, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” (Mark 5:36). Jesus, sensing his disbelief, gave him this encouragement.
I can hear a new thought come to this man's mind, "If Jesus can care for this woman with 'God’s peculiar care and protection,' maybe He can do the same for his little girl." Certainly, he knew that healing his daughter at this point in her illness would take a special, peculiar type of healing that could only come from God! It's important to note that the official’s daughter is also Jesus’ daughter, acceptable by God and able to rejoice in the same care the older woman was able to find peace. The man choosing to believe, continued on his journey with Jesus. In his choice to believe, he and his wife were reunited with their little girl. Likewise this man's identity was healed in a different way. He realized that no matter what status he or the other woman was from, they both needed Jesus! It is not stated, but most likely in this experience, this official became a follower of Jesus.
Each woman reading this blog can take away from this message the hope that Jesus loves you just like a daughter, “acceptable to God, rejoicing in God's peculiar care and protection.” Each woman on this earth has certain needs, differing backgrounds, special worries, joys and dreams; the hopeful thing in it all, is that none of them are beyond Jesus' peculiar care and protection. In His special way He reaches out to us and helps us feel loved and cherished. Our identity, no matter how poor or how rich, we are His. Did you hear that? Say that out loud, "I am HIS!"
You and I are His special daughter! When all else seems to reject you, demean you, frustrate you, fear you, stop! And say out loud, "I am HIS, acceptable to God, under the peculiar care and protection of my Savior, Jesus!" For you are His daughter! Rejoice in His special care and His mighty protection for you. You are acceptable to the Maker of heaven and earth, the One Who can save, the One who is able to do whatever He desires. And get this my dear friend, His desire is to care and protect you in the very way you need!
Friday, January 21, 2011
God, Don't You Care That We Are Struggling?
The disciples said to Jesus, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). Jesus, sound asleep, in the stern of the ship seemed to give the disciples the perspective that He didn’t care. Did they not learn that in Him, they could rest, regardless of the storm?
How many times have we asked God the same question? “God, do You not care that I am going through this divorce? That I’m lonely? That I’m depressed? That I lost my job? That my child has turned against You? That I have this illness? That my finances are straining my ability to live? Lord, do you not care? It can seem like Jesus is just sleeping during these tremulous times of our lives. Now, think about this: If Jesus can sleep through the storm, it must mean that the storm is not that big of a deal.
When I can’t sleep at night, it is because I’m worried about something; I feel like I don’t have complete control over a situation; I feel threatened. Adversely, when I do sleep well, it is because I feel in control, confident and at peace about where things are in my life. If I can feel these things, then certainly Jesus can.
Jesus’ inactivity does not mean He does not care, or can’t do anything about it; it means He is in complete control. So, why can’t we rest when He does?
In our attempt to escape our circumstance, we strive for God to show us a sign, provide relief or make a way out. Is this wrong to want out? We are human, so our normal tendency is to desire the direction that is less painful. But being children of God, we need to take the road that’s more fruitful. Fruit comes from trails like struggles, pain, uncertainty, difficulties, loneliness, and even illness.
Jesus’ disciples at this point had seen Jesus teach with great authority, cast out demons, heal the sick, and rebuke the Pharisees. Their confidence in Jesus had grown, but was quickly withered when they saw a storm; they expected, yet, another great sign to increase their confidence in Jesus. When none came, they lost their faith in Him because their faith was in what He did, not Who He was.
Sadly, it was after Jesus hushed the storm, stilled the water, they began to ask the right question, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” They moved from the what to the who. Jesus was giving them the opportunity to grow in their very own problem of seeing and not perceiving, the hearing and not understanding.
Jesus had just taught the multitudes in parables prior to this event. After speaking to the multitudes, the disciples asked Him about the meaning behind the parables. Jesus said, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but those who are outside get everything in parables, in order that while seeing they may see and not perceive; and while hearing, they may hear and not understand lest they return and be forgiven.” (Mark 4:10-12). Jesus had given the disciples the ability to perceive and understand. What was holding them back?
The disciples struggled with the same problem as the multitude, seeing Jesus through the sin of no faith. But being chosen, Jesus took them on the journey of a storm to teach them to perceive and understand. It is in this ability to perceive and not just see and understand and not just hear that our faith is increased.
We tend to look at the surface of things. We even tend to listen without truly hearing what is spoken to us. We are a transit, external, hectic and distracted society. It’s easy in this kind of environment to only hear and only see. And it’s easy to look for the way out, relief, and a quick fix to our problems and not look for lasting transformation. This way is certainly not fruitful.
Jesus reprimanded His disciples with, “Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith? (Mark 4:40). “Timid” means “cowardly and fearful.” God does not call us to a cowardly fearful faith. He calls us to a faith of power and strength. This faith renovates the soul vs. reprieving us from the circumstance.
The only thing we should fear is The One who can destroy both body and soul. We fear and tremble only at the Words of The One who is sovereign. We are not to fear the trial, the enemy or the words of this world. The one thing that the disciples learned in this passage is that Jesus was more than just sovereign over wisdom, illness, demonic depression and over false teachers; they learned that He was Creator and sovereign over all He has made, and that included each one of them. This also includes each circumstance they encountered on their walk to intimacy with Him.
I have often wondered how the disciples’ faith would have grown even more if they had decided to lay down and sleep, while riding out the storm, instead of freaking out in fear, demanding a sign or relief. Where would their faith had been if they had decided to rest in the Savior’s rest? I wonder if they wouldn’t have gained a greater perception and understanding of His Sovereignty?
When the storms of life hit us, we need to choose to trust in Who Jesus is, not just in what He does. The truth of the following passage, Proverbs 3:19-24, gives us direction:
The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid ; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
This passage, “…let them not vanish from your sight…,” means don’t lose sight of the sovereignty of God’s power and who He is. God tells us “…keep sound wisdom and discretion.” Look back, keep at the forefront of your mind Who God has been to you over the years and how He has blessed you and helped you. Why would He stop now?
Instead of fearing the enemy of storms, walk securely in His promises and take confidence in His Character. He will keep your foot from being caught, meaning He will not keep you in this circumstance forever; once the circumstance has taught the lesson intended, it will lift. In this kind of faith, your sleep will come easily, your rest will be sweet even in the midst of the storm. The good news is: we can rest in the Savior’s rest, because we can trust in Who He is not just in What He does?
How many times have we asked God the same question? “God, do You not care that I am going through this divorce? That I’m lonely? That I’m depressed? That I lost my job? That my child has turned against You? That I have this illness? That my finances are straining my ability to live? Lord, do you not care? It can seem like Jesus is just sleeping during these tremulous times of our lives. Now, think about this: If Jesus can sleep through the storm, it must mean that the storm is not that big of a deal.
When I can’t sleep at night, it is because I’m worried about something; I feel like I don’t have complete control over a situation; I feel threatened. Adversely, when I do sleep well, it is because I feel in control, confident and at peace about where things are in my life. If I can feel these things, then certainly Jesus can.
Jesus’ inactivity does not mean He does not care, or can’t do anything about it; it means He is in complete control. So, why can’t we rest when He does?
In our attempt to escape our circumstance, we strive for God to show us a sign, provide relief or make a way out. Is this wrong to want out? We are human, so our normal tendency is to desire the direction that is less painful. But being children of God, we need to take the road that’s more fruitful. Fruit comes from trails like struggles, pain, uncertainty, difficulties, loneliness, and even illness.
Jesus’ disciples at this point had seen Jesus teach with great authority, cast out demons, heal the sick, and rebuke the Pharisees. Their confidence in Jesus had grown, but was quickly withered when they saw a storm; they expected, yet, another great sign to increase their confidence in Jesus. When none came, they lost their faith in Him because their faith was in what He did, not Who He was.
Sadly, it was after Jesus hushed the storm, stilled the water, they began to ask the right question, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” They moved from the what to the who. Jesus was giving them the opportunity to grow in their very own problem of seeing and not perceiving, the hearing and not understanding.
Jesus had just taught the multitudes in parables prior to this event. After speaking to the multitudes, the disciples asked Him about the meaning behind the parables. Jesus said, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but those who are outside get everything in parables, in order that while seeing they may see and not perceive; and while hearing, they may hear and not understand lest they return and be forgiven.” (Mark 4:10-12). Jesus had given the disciples the ability to perceive and understand. What was holding them back?
The disciples struggled with the same problem as the multitude, seeing Jesus through the sin of no faith. But being chosen, Jesus took them on the journey of a storm to teach them to perceive and understand. It is in this ability to perceive and not just see and understand and not just hear that our faith is increased.
We tend to look at the surface of things. We even tend to listen without truly hearing what is spoken to us. We are a transit, external, hectic and distracted society. It’s easy in this kind of environment to only hear and only see. And it’s easy to look for the way out, relief, and a quick fix to our problems and not look for lasting transformation. This way is certainly not fruitful.
Jesus reprimanded His disciples with, “Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith? (Mark 4:40). “Timid” means “cowardly and fearful.” God does not call us to a cowardly fearful faith. He calls us to a faith of power and strength. This faith renovates the soul vs. reprieving us from the circumstance.
The only thing we should fear is The One who can destroy both body and soul. We fear and tremble only at the Words of The One who is sovereign. We are not to fear the trial, the enemy or the words of this world. The one thing that the disciples learned in this passage is that Jesus was more than just sovereign over wisdom, illness, demonic depression and over false teachers; they learned that He was Creator and sovereign over all He has made, and that included each one of them. This also includes each circumstance they encountered on their walk to intimacy with Him.
I have often wondered how the disciples’ faith would have grown even more if they had decided to lay down and sleep, while riding out the storm, instead of freaking out in fear, demanding a sign or relief. Where would their faith had been if they had decided to rest in the Savior’s rest? I wonder if they wouldn’t have gained a greater perception and understanding of His Sovereignty?
When the storms of life hit us, we need to choose to trust in Who Jesus is, not just in what He does. The truth of the following passage, Proverbs 3:19-24, gives us direction:
The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid ; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
This passage, “…let them not vanish from your sight…,” means don’t lose sight of the sovereignty of God’s power and who He is. God tells us “…keep sound wisdom and discretion.” Look back, keep at the forefront of your mind Who God has been to you over the years and how He has blessed you and helped you. Why would He stop now?
Instead of fearing the enemy of storms, walk securely in His promises and take confidence in His Character. He will keep your foot from being caught, meaning He will not keep you in this circumstance forever; once the circumstance has taught the lesson intended, it will lift. In this kind of faith, your sleep will come easily, your rest will be sweet even in the midst of the storm. The good news is: we can rest in the Savior’s rest, because we can trust in Who He is not just in What He does?
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Who is My Brother, Sister, and Mother?
And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He (Jesus) said, “Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:49-50
What is the will of the Father? Fulfilling the very roles He has called us to fill. For me: wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, minister, counselor, leader of leaders, who aid in transforming the hearts of parents and children for the Lord and for each other. Fulfilling these roles not only causes us to do the will of The Father, but they also bring Him great glory.
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Did it ever occur to you that when you cook a meal for your family, you are doing the will of Your Father? Did it ever occur to you that when you make love to your spouse, you are doing the will of your Father? Or when you spend time listening to your spouse about their day? Or show each other respect, honor and love? Or when you put your spouse above your children? When you go away for a weekend and give each other special devoted time?
Did it ever occur to you that when you stop your busy life to see your child’s game, help them with their school work, help them with their laundry and their chores, speak to them with words of peace, grace and mercy, build them up in the Lord, you are doing the will of your Father?
Did it occur to you that when you give your parents a call, spend a few hours with them one afternoon, that you are fulfilling God’s Word? Adversely, when we do not honor our parents of old, we invalidate the word of God. Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees for their lopsided view of doing the will of God:
For God said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH. But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," he is not to honor his father or his mother .' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. Matthew 15:4-6
Did it ever occur to you that when you accept people into your home, feed them, visit with them, share God’s word with them, that you are doing the will of your Father? Or when you make your home the place where kids and teens hangout? Or when you put aside having the neat and perfect home in order to meet the needs of people, you are doing the will of your Father.
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;
I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
naked, and you clothed Me;
I was in prison, and you came to Me.” Matthew 25:35-36
We can have this misconception that the will of the Father is only sharing the gospel, serving the poor, and teaching the Word, even to the neglect of our very important roles in our life. While all these things are His will, He desires these to be done in the midst of the very positions He put us here on earth to fulfill.
For me, God has called me to share the gospel, serve the needy, teach the Word in the midst of being a wife, mother, teacher, daughter, sister, friend, minister, counselor and leader. What roles did God call you to fill? How are you fulfilling them to His glory?
The food we eat sustains and gives energy to our life. It makes it possible for us to fulfill these roles that God has given us. And yet, it wasn't earthly food that Jesus looked to for the sustaining of His mission; the bountiful that sustained him was doing the Will of His Father in heaven.
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. John 4:34
What is the will of the Father? Fulfilling the very roles He has called us to fill. For me: wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, minister, counselor, leader of leaders, who aid in transforming the hearts of parents and children for the Lord and for each other. Fulfilling these roles not only causes us to do the will of The Father, but they also bring Him great glory.
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Did it ever occur to you that when you cook a meal for your family, you are doing the will of Your Father? Did it ever occur to you that when you make love to your spouse, you are doing the will of your Father? Or when you spend time listening to your spouse about their day? Or show each other respect, honor and love? Or when you put your spouse above your children? When you go away for a weekend and give each other special devoted time?
Did it ever occur to you that when you stop your busy life to see your child’s game, help them with their school work, help them with their laundry and their chores, speak to them with words of peace, grace and mercy, build them up in the Lord, you are doing the will of your Father?
Did it occur to you that when you give your parents a call, spend a few hours with them one afternoon, that you are fulfilling God’s Word? Adversely, when we do not honor our parents of old, we invalidate the word of God. Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees for their lopsided view of doing the will of God:
For God said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH. But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," he is not to honor his father or his mother .' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. Matthew 15:4-6
Did it ever occur to you that when you accept people into your home, feed them, visit with them, share God’s word with them, that you are doing the will of your Father? Or when you make your home the place where kids and teens hangout? Or when you put aside having the neat and perfect home in order to meet the needs of people, you are doing the will of your Father.
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;
I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
naked, and you clothed Me;
I was in prison, and you came to Me.” Matthew 25:35-36
We can have this misconception that the will of the Father is only sharing the gospel, serving the poor, and teaching the Word, even to the neglect of our very important roles in our life. While all these things are His will, He desires these to be done in the midst of the very positions He put us here on earth to fulfill.
For me, God has called me to share the gospel, serve the needy, teach the Word in the midst of being a wife, mother, teacher, daughter, sister, friend, minister, counselor and leader. What roles did God call you to fill? How are you fulfilling them to His glory?
The food we eat sustains and gives energy to our life. It makes it possible for us to fulfill these roles that God has given us. And yet, it wasn't earthly food that Jesus looked to for the sustaining of His mission; the bountiful that sustained him was doing the Will of His Father in heaven.
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. John 4:34
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