The One We Turn To

And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. Luke 13:10,11

Eighteen years! Think of what your life has been like for the past eighteen years. Now imagine living your life doubled over and unable to stand straight up, walk straight up, or even sit straight up. Looking at the ground and people’s feet instead of at the sky and into their faces. Humiliation would mark your daily existence. All could see your condition and their responses would probably range from pity to disgust.

We are not told the age of this woman so we don’t know how old she was when it happened to her. We are not told the circumstances that lead up to her condition. But we are told a spirit was involved. At some point in her life she was open and vulnerable to this attack and the enemy wasted no time in seeking to destroy her life.

I imagine her internal world was filled with shame, resignation, and hopelessness. She was robbed of more than the ability to stand straight. She was robbed of value, normalcy, comfort, dignity, and all the things we take for granted. How many people would have stayed involved in her life? How many places was she able to go? And yet on the Sabbath day we find her in the synagogue listening to Jesus’ teachings. While some would choose to blame God and turn bitter, this woman is still found in a place of worship.

I wonder how many would read this account and admit they are still affected by something that happened to them many years ago. It might have been brought on by themselves, by a family member, by a stranger, or even by the enemy himself. It may have come through a choice they made or, like Job, it may have happened even in the midst of living right. Consequences of our own choices, other people’s actions, or satanic attacks are not reasons to walk away from God. They are the very reasons we need to draw close to Him and allow Him to redeem what is left. The question is, will we do it?

Father, may nothing in my life cause me to turn away from You, blame You, or distrust You. You are the only One who knows me completely, loves me fully, and can still bring beauty for ashes. Amen.

The Master Teacher of Each Day

I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. Psalm 119:102

When I taught school, nothing blessed my heart more than seeing students sitting on the edge of their seat taking in everything that was being taught. I took delight in their hunger to learn. And God takes delight in my hunger to learn from Him. Throughout Psalm 119, David continually asks God to teach him. There is no doubt he sits on the edge of his seat of life with a ravenous appetite to learn from the Master Teacher. He knows it is the most essential element to his life.
What strikes me this morning is David’s realization that it is God Himself who is his teacher! David was not only in love with God’s Word but he was in love with the God of God’s Word. His appetite was huge, his passion was deep, and his teachable spirit was profound.

God has the same desire for each of us. He notices when one of His children is longing to hear His voice. He sees the eagerness in their eyes, the thirst in their spirit, and the openness of their mind to what He has to teach them. He honors the short cries of their heart like, “Show me Yourself. Teach me Your ways. Let me know You better.” He is a God who wants to be known by His creation! His intent is that we go through each day taking in His lessons of life.

Whether I am reading His Word, sitting under a speaker, reading a book, taking a walk, listening to music, or doing any number of other things, God wants to speak to me and teach me valuable things. I don’t want to miss any of it! I want Him to be my primary Teacher. So even when it is another individual doing the talking or writing, I want to sense His voice coming through their words. And I see that happen every time I really connect with what I am hearing or reading. It is like an antihistamine for my spirit. My thinking becomes clear, the truth is very understandable, and I walk in confidence that God has just given me a one on one lesson!

God’s classroom door is always open. May I step in, take a seat, and drink in all that He has to say to me today. It will affect not only my thinking but my actions, attitudes, and words as well.

Father, You are the ultimate Teacher. I am ready to listen and learn in Your presence today. May I not miss a thing! Amen.

The Hand of the Lord

All who heard them kept them in mind saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him. Luke 1:66

Whenever I read the phrase ‘the hand of the Lord’ I instantly picture a hand like mine only larger. The word hand is used in many ways today. A person can be given a handout, a child can be a hand full, a person can offer a helping hand, we can have a hand in things. A grandmother in anticipation of the birth of a grandchild may say, “I can’t wait to get my hands on him.” That is far different from a person seeking revenge saying “Wait until I get my hands on you!” So I was curious as to what ‘the hand of the Lord’ meant.

In the Old and New Testaments there are many references to it and they mostly refer to God’s power, means, direction, nearness, guidance, and leadership. Hence, God’s intent seems to be to assist, empower, and direct us. The Lord’s hands involve provision, protection, chastisement, healing, comfort, or favor. He is a personal God who is deeply involved in every one of our life. As I become more aware of this, it changes the way I look at life…..at my life.

It is interesting to watch people’s responses to God’s hand in their life. Some harden their heart with an air of independence while others are fully aware of their need of Him. Some squirm under His hand while others find it a place of rest and assurance. It is trust versus mistrust. Much has to do with our understanding of who God is and what His character is like. If we view Him as One who is angry with us, out to get us, or disappointed in us we have a tendency to keep our distance. But if we learn the truth about God and His radical love for us we are drawn toward Him. His hand becomes something we welcome in our life.

May each one of us feel the weight of God’s hand on us today. May we be aware of His very presence and power in our life. And just like in the case of Zacharias’ son, may others see the hand of the Lord with us and wonder how our life will turn out.

Father, You formed me in my mother’s womb and You have continually kept Your hand upon me. May I not only sense Your hand on me but may I see Your fingerprints all over my life! Amen.

The Cure For What Troubles Me

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6 (KJV)

If I had to put this passage into my own words, it might read something like this, “Put full confidence in the Lord with your entire emotions, will, and intellect. Do not rely on your own interpretation of things. In every situation and part of your life know God and realize His presence, and He will definitely make the road you travel straight and discernable.”

This is such a common verse and there are times I say it with little or no thought. But in moments of doubt, fear, or apprehension I need it to be more than just a cliché to me. I need it to be my lifeboat on the storms of my soul. I need it to be my compass when I have lost my way. And like last night, I need it to be the words that rock me to sleep when I wake in the night with uncertainties racing through my mind.

For each of us, there are different reasons this passage of Scripture becomes a lifeline. It is usually an area that is out of our control and something that means a lot to us. Some of those areas might be the loss of a job, a serious health issue, uncertain future, important decisions, places of danger, family issues, or change in relationships.

God has given each of us the unique abilities to figure things out and consider our options. We love to brainstorm and see the best way to approach certain situations. There is nothing wrong with any of that. But when that simple exercise fills us with worry and causes us to lose sleep we have begun to live life far removed from Proverbs 3:5,6.

What this passage causes me to do this morning is review God’s character, power, and control. One way I do that is by reviewing incidents in the Bible of God’s intervention, direction, provision, and protection in the lives of His children. I belong to Him! And unless I am living in direct defiance of His will, I can be sure that each day He will straighten the path for me to walk on. This morning He quiets my heart and stills my fears with His words to me. I will go through the day digesting and embracing the truth of what He is saying.

Speak, Lord. I am listening. Amen.

The Cure for Cupidity

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 NIV

Have you ever made the mistake of defining your life by the many things you possess? Thinking you are what you have? A greedy person assumes that is how it works. The more he possesses the more he thinks of himself as important, valuable, successful, and a notch above others. Jesus makes it very clear that possessions do not define us and they should not be what we use to define others.

There are a couple of reasons for this. Possessions are external and temporary. They tell very little of what the person is like on the inside. Possessions cannot satisfy the deepest desires of our heart. Have you ever noticed how something can excite you for a time but all too quickly your attention is drawn toward the next thing you want? Greed causes people to live in a constant state of dissatisfaction, ingratitude, and discontentment. It tells them the answer is found in accumulating more, but the truth of the matter is obtaining more to find satisfaction is like pouring water into a bucket with many holes. God did not create us with the ability to be satisfied or defined by the things we have.

If I am looking to anything or anyone to satisfy me or define me other than God and my relationship with Him, I am in danger and headed for disappointment. How do I know if this is the case? My days will be spent looking at what others have and wanting it for myself. There will be a sense of restlessness. My happiness will be contingent on possessing it for myself. I will live with an overall feeling of dissatisfaction.

So what is the cure for the excessive desire to get more? Cultivating a heart of gratitude for what I presently have. Reviewing the truth that God defines me….not possessions or relationships. Setting my heart on those things which have eternal value. Coming against the spirit of greed with prayer and Scripture. Asking God to show me where I am presently living my life out of greed and repenting of it. In Christ there is a cure for cupidity.

Father, there are many things I long for. Change me! Amen.