Sitting here in the dark this evening with new little contraptions for my computer, I feel very guilty. Not that I got much, just a little set that has a plug in light, a mouse (I had no idea how much I missed one till it came with this set...), and a few other little cables which are universal. My guilt is not from the purchase- I actually got them for free with a camera we bought that was missing its USB cable. The guilt is in how spoiled we as Americans are. Here we bemoan out poor, pitiful plight as millions around the world live in true desperation from many evils. I am so grateful to God that He has blessed us in so many ways.
Have you taken time lately to thank God for your current situation? Perhaps you don't feel thankful right now.
Do you have two sets of clothes? Clean water? Did you have more than one small meal today of the same thing you get every single day? Do you have more than a ragged blanket to keep warm with when its cold and fight bugs off at night when its hot?
Thank Him.
Do you have the option of visiting a doctor? Can you obtain medicine when you are sick? Were you allowed the privilege of a high school education? Can you look up information when you want? Can you even read?
Thank Him.
Did you have the option of reading your Bible today? Do you have a single copy of a book of the Bible, let alone a whole Bible? Did you have to weigh the possibility of violence, rape, or death for the joy of worshiping with other believers? Have you have to choose between your God and your family?
Thank Him.
Dear gracious Father in heaven. Your great Name is Holy. Thank you for the blessings you have heaped upon me. You have given me abundance and comfort in a land which flows with milk and honey. Help us, faithful God, not to loose sight of You and the precious gift You gave us in the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, The Messiah. Help us to shine as bright lights in a dark world- do not let us grow dim. Help us to shine so bright, that others are blinded by Your Glory! Empower us with the strength to glorify Your Name, which is more than worthy. Grant us boldness to speak Your Gospel and wisdom from Your Spirit for how to reach those who are lost. I pray this in the power of the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
It's All About Timing
I started thinking today about some of the people I went to junior high school with. Our school was 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, so by the time you got to 9th it was a big deal, because you had a title: Freshman.
There was one guy in many of my classes all three years. He was really sweet and we had a lot in common, so we became very good friends. By our freshman year we had both started to “like” each other and all of our other friends figured we should start “going out”. (I love these terms. They never meant much of anything, but we sure thought they did.) However, he was very shy so instead of him asking me out personally, we just mutually agreed to go steady.
It ruined everything. He was so afraid of me then that he avoided me during break and lunch time. After a week of having no idea were he was hiding, I asked if perhaps we should break-up. He agreed and soon after we were back to being the best of friends.
As the last day of school approached we became a bit sad. We were heading to rival high schools, and knew we wouldn't be seeing each other anymore. I didn't want to say much knowing how nervous he got talking about relationships, so I figured I would leave it up to him. As the last bell rang of our last class I wrote off any idea that he had really liked me much at all as a girlfriend. Walking away, I was suddenly grabbed by the arm. He wrapped me in a hug and gave me a big kiss on the lips. With that he walked away, having never said a single word as I stood there completely dazed. Talk about a junior high John Wayne riding-off-into-the-sunset moment.
I still remember it though ;-)
When I thought about it today, I realized, that is how we so often are as Christians. Yes, I know this is a bit of a stretch, but follow me here. Let's say that our lifetimes are like my 9th grade year, and God sets us up to do something specific for Him during this lifetime. We may tell Him OK, but when it comes down to actually doing it we become afraid and back off. Rather like the two of us “going out” for a while and then breaking up. The silly thing is that, we became friends again afterwards, doing the exact same things that we would have been doing even had we continued to go steady. It just didn't have that title. God will use us to accomplish some of the plans He wants of us whether we acknowledge it or not.
The final kiss as I was leaving is like us getting up the courage to accomplish the task as we have one foot in the grave. Yes, it can be checked off, but not with the faith we could have. Do you really want to say to God, “Yes, I know you wanted me to trust you fully and do “X” sooner, but, hey, at least I did it.” No thank you. I want to be able to live a life were I obey Him as soon as possible. Not when I feel comfortable doing it.
I'm not saying that God wanted that boy and I to “go out”. Far from it. I just thought it was an interesting analogy. Are you scared to do what God has asked of you, and are waiting for when your fear to subside? Don't. If God wants you to do something, HE will give you the strength to do it.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness...” 1 Corinthians 12:9
There was one guy in many of my classes all three years. He was really sweet and we had a lot in common, so we became very good friends. By our freshman year we had both started to “like” each other and all of our other friends figured we should start “going out”. (I love these terms. They never meant much of anything, but we sure thought they did.) However, he was very shy so instead of him asking me out personally, we just mutually agreed to go steady.
It ruined everything. He was so afraid of me then that he avoided me during break and lunch time. After a week of having no idea were he was hiding, I asked if perhaps we should break-up. He agreed and soon after we were back to being the best of friends.
As the last day of school approached we became a bit sad. We were heading to rival high schools, and knew we wouldn't be seeing each other anymore. I didn't want to say much knowing how nervous he got talking about relationships, so I figured I would leave it up to him. As the last bell rang of our last class I wrote off any idea that he had really liked me much at all as a girlfriend. Walking away, I was suddenly grabbed by the arm. He wrapped me in a hug and gave me a big kiss on the lips. With that he walked away, having never said a single word as I stood there completely dazed. Talk about a junior high John Wayne riding-off-into-the-sunset moment.
I still remember it though ;-)
When I thought about it today, I realized, that is how we so often are as Christians. Yes, I know this is a bit of a stretch, but follow me here. Let's say that our lifetimes are like my 9th grade year, and God sets us up to do something specific for Him during this lifetime. We may tell Him OK, but when it comes down to actually doing it we become afraid and back off. Rather like the two of us “going out” for a while and then breaking up. The silly thing is that, we became friends again afterwards, doing the exact same things that we would have been doing even had we continued to go steady. It just didn't have that title. God will use us to accomplish some of the plans He wants of us whether we acknowledge it or not.
The final kiss as I was leaving is like us getting up the courage to accomplish the task as we have one foot in the grave. Yes, it can be checked off, but not with the faith we could have. Do you really want to say to God, “Yes, I know you wanted me to trust you fully and do “X” sooner, but, hey, at least I did it.” No thank you. I want to be able to live a life were I obey Him as soon as possible. Not when I feel comfortable doing it.
I'm not saying that God wanted that boy and I to “go out”. Far from it. I just thought it was an interesting analogy. Are you scared to do what God has asked of you, and are waiting for when your fear to subside? Don't. If God wants you to do something, HE will give you the strength to do it.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness...” 1 Corinthians 12:9
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Sheep Gate
I read something that caught my attention in Nehemiah the other day. This book of the Bible was written approximately 445 B.C. when the Jews were returning from Babylonian exile. The walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed and though some of the Jews had returned weren't being rebuilt. Nehemiah, who was the Persian king's cup bearer, received permission and supplies from the king to go and rebuild the wall. When Nehemiah arrived he had to encourage the people to begin this project, reminding them that Jerusalem was the Lord's city and they were His people. It was their right and responsibility.
The part that caught my interest though was Nehemiah 3:1. “Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.” This was the first section of wall mentioned being built for the protection of Jerusalem. Why, of all places, the Sheep Gate? I saw a note in my Bible that said this was the entrance for the sheep to be sacrificed to God, but that still didn't answer as to why this section was mentioned, and most likely built, first.
Then I thought of another Scripture. John 10:1-18 tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but it was verse 7 that stood out in my mind, “So Jesus said again, 'I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.'” That was it! The first, most important, and only way into God's Holy City is through Jesus Christ, our sheep gate. That is why it was built by the high priest. Because our great High Priest was going to built it for us. That is before anything else. That is most important.
Remember that as you go throughout your day. Without our Sheep Gate, we would be lost and devoured by the wolves. Everything else about Christianity is good, but without the sacrifice of Jesus, we are still outside the gate, no matter what land we are in or who we were born as; what church we go to or who our family is.
The part that caught my interest though was Nehemiah 3:1. “Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.” This was the first section of wall mentioned being built for the protection of Jerusalem. Why, of all places, the Sheep Gate? I saw a note in my Bible that said this was the entrance for the sheep to be sacrificed to God, but that still didn't answer as to why this section was mentioned, and most likely built, first.
Then I thought of another Scripture. John 10:1-18 tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but it was verse 7 that stood out in my mind, “So Jesus said again, 'I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.'” That was it! The first, most important, and only way into God's Holy City is through Jesus Christ, our sheep gate. That is why it was built by the high priest. Because our great High Priest was going to built it for us. That is before anything else. That is most important.
Remember that as you go throughout your day. Without our Sheep Gate, we would be lost and devoured by the wolves. Everything else about Christianity is good, but without the sacrifice of Jesus, we are still outside the gate, no matter what land we are in or who we were born as; what church we go to or who our family is.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
If Written One By One...
I was very excited to be able to read one of my Underlined Verses in church the other day. (Underlined Verses are the ones which have spoken to me enough to underline. There are too many to call them all favorite.)
“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25
I love this verse. It leaves so much up to the imagination.
I wonder if, as John wrote this, he thought about Jesus' sense of humor. Did He laugh a lot? Was He good at telling jokes, or one of those people who can never seem to tell it right no matter how funny it is? Did Jesus perhaps have a dry sense of humor, or did everything strike His funny bone? Was there a particular joke or story that John wanted to tell, but the Spirit didn't allow it in this account? My personal opinion is He played a few harmless practical jokes on the disciples over the years. I'll bet you Peter was easy to get.
What about Jesus' preferences? Was He known as the guy who loved fresh grapes, or a particular fish? Did Jesus have a favorite color? I wonder if He liked stripes on His robes, or plain cloth? We know He grew up the son of a carpenter, so did He like working with a particular wood best? Cedar, olive, acacia? Was Jesus a morning bird, or a night owl?
I also started thinking about the people they met. I'm sure there were many heart-wrenching stories John could have told us about. Perhaps there was a child or woman Jesus ministered to that always stuck out in John's mind. There might have been a particular look of joy, thanksgiving, desperation, or surprise on someone's face that summed up what Jesus meant to the people. Could John just not find adequate words to describe it?
We so often think of Jesus as fully God, that we tend to forget He was fully human too. It was not easy for Him to accomplish what He did for us, but He did it. We dwell upon and honor His sacrifice on the cross, but forget that He had to endure human life on this earth, under poor circumstances I might add, for 33 years. That's a lot of humanity.
Praise Jesus today not only for the sacrifice of His death, but for the life He lived for you. The life that you couldn't.
“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25
I love this verse. It leaves so much up to the imagination.
I wonder if, as John wrote this, he thought about Jesus' sense of humor. Did He laugh a lot? Was He good at telling jokes, or one of those people who can never seem to tell it right no matter how funny it is? Did Jesus perhaps have a dry sense of humor, or did everything strike His funny bone? Was there a particular joke or story that John wanted to tell, but the Spirit didn't allow it in this account? My personal opinion is He played a few harmless practical jokes on the disciples over the years. I'll bet you Peter was easy to get.
What about Jesus' preferences? Was He known as the guy who loved fresh grapes, or a particular fish? Did Jesus have a favorite color? I wonder if He liked stripes on His robes, or plain cloth? We know He grew up the son of a carpenter, so did He like working with a particular wood best? Cedar, olive, acacia? Was Jesus a morning bird, or a night owl?
I also started thinking about the people they met. I'm sure there were many heart-wrenching stories John could have told us about. Perhaps there was a child or woman Jesus ministered to that always stuck out in John's mind. There might have been a particular look of joy, thanksgiving, desperation, or surprise on someone's face that summed up what Jesus meant to the people. Could John just not find adequate words to describe it?
We so often think of Jesus as fully God, that we tend to forget He was fully human too. It was not easy for Him to accomplish what He did for us, but He did it. We dwell upon and honor His sacrifice on the cross, but forget that He had to endure human life on this earth, under poor circumstances I might add, for 33 years. That's a lot of humanity.
Praise Jesus today not only for the sacrifice of His death, but for the life He lived for you. The life that you couldn't.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sick
I've been sick the last few days. Why is it that when you're sick, it affects everything? Food tastes different- which is, nowhere near as good. Your sense of smell is gone, hearing is muffled, and talking is limited by a sore throat and coughing fits. Aching muscles and head make even the simplest tasks painful and annoying. It really does touch every aspect of your life.
As I sat here feeling miserable, I began to realize that my times of sickness are a great reminder of what sin has done to humanity. We are living in a sick world. Even non-Christians can agree with that. And the illness which makes it so miserable is sin. We see, taste, hear, feel, and speak with the affects of this sickness. I think we tend to forget that.
This is NOT the world as it is intended to be. This is a season in which we are passing through. We have been “sick” since the day we were born, so we can not imagine a world void of sin. But it will come. We have the hope and assurance of our chosen Savior, Jesus Christ. The only True Healer. Meditate on this today. Pray for the healing of those who have not accepted the blood of Christ to cleanse them. Pray for the Spirit to open their understanding to the fact that He took our sins/sickness on Himself so that we might be healed.
“Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” Isaiah 53:4-5
As I sat here feeling miserable, I began to realize that my times of sickness are a great reminder of what sin has done to humanity. We are living in a sick world. Even non-Christians can agree with that. And the illness which makes it so miserable is sin. We see, taste, hear, feel, and speak with the affects of this sickness. I think we tend to forget that.
This is NOT the world as it is intended to be. This is a season in which we are passing through. We have been “sick” since the day we were born, so we can not imagine a world void of sin. But it will come. We have the hope and assurance of our chosen Savior, Jesus Christ. The only True Healer. Meditate on this today. Pray for the healing of those who have not accepted the blood of Christ to cleanse them. Pray for the Spirit to open their understanding to the fact that He took our sins/sickness on Himself so that we might be healed.
“Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” Isaiah 53:4-5
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Peace
This morning I am sitting in an amazing little coffee shop named JoZoara that has a super-nice staff. It even reminds me of Alaska a little bit. Outside it's sunny and warm, while cool and shady inside. There is a large cup of hot tea in front of me with relaxing music playing in the background. I'm catching up on emails and blogs and have my Bible open next to me.
I'm at peace.
These are the times that it is easy to be at peace. Everything seems right in the world- At least for this moment. The problem with the world is that it seldom remains this way. Not long before Jesus' crucifixion, He warned and comforted the disciples. He knew they were going to run and hide. He said, “Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:32-33 He had also said to them earlier in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
So what kind of peace is this? Obviously, it's not a happiness or calmness which the world considers peace. I think Biblical peace is a secure knowledge and faith in God that He will work everything out in the end. No matter what the trial, He overcomes.
It is something we have to practice daily. Pray Philippians 4:6-7 with me today, “Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Let it is a comfort to us and a witness to this chaotic world.
www.jozoaracoffeeshop.com
I'm at peace.
These are the times that it is easy to be at peace. Everything seems right in the world- At least for this moment. The problem with the world is that it seldom remains this way. Not long before Jesus' crucifixion, He warned and comforted the disciples. He knew they were going to run and hide. He said, “Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:32-33 He had also said to them earlier in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
So what kind of peace is this? Obviously, it's not a happiness or calmness which the world considers peace. I think Biblical peace is a secure knowledge and faith in God that He will work everything out in the end. No matter what the trial, He overcomes.
It is something we have to practice daily. Pray Philippians 4:6-7 with me today, “Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Let it is a comfort to us and a witness to this chaotic world.
www.jozoaracoffeeshop.com
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