Unable To Do It Ourselves

And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” Matthew 19:16

Ask any number of people how to get to Heaven and the answers will be varied. Some would say to live a good life….keep the ten commandments. Here are some thoughts I have heard from people. Join a church, be baptized, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, live in such a way that your good outweighs your sin, pray, give your money to a church, read your Bible, sacrifice things in your life. We are a society of self sufficiency. We see life as pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps and working toward success. It is in our nature to live independent of God and His ways.

But what is wrong with thinking we can do something good enough to earn a place in Heaven? The premise is wrong! For one, a person’s view of God is such that they think He is saying, “Heaven is a wonderful place and you must do something to impress me enough to let you come here.” They think they must EARN a place there. By hard work and good deeds they hope they have given God enough reason to let them in.

Another problem is they have a wrong view of themselves. They think they are capable of doing enough to get them into Heaven. That maybe if they haven’t lived a horribly sinful life or committed a heinous crime they stand a good chance of getting in on their own merit. They may see the good life of an individual and assume those actions are what make Heaven a possibility for them. They feel they have tried their best and surely that will be good enough for God.
Allow me to address the first thought pattern. God offers Heaven as a free gift! He knows we could not produce enough good in our life to obtain it for ourselves. The Bible says we are saved by grace, not by works, because if it were by works we would spend eternity bragging on ourselves. It also says that all our righteousness (good deeds) are like filthy rags. No one will be in Heaven because of their own goodness. Jesus’ death and resurrection paid the price for our way to Heaven. If it could be earned, He would not have come in the first place.

Secondly, the idea that my good cancels out my sin is like saying, “All the times I drove at the speed limit should impress the judge enough to do away with my speeding ticket.” Or “All the times I have paid for items should cause the policeman to simply ignore the one time I shoplift.” How absurd! If this world does not operate on such a premise, what makes us think God does?
Yes, there is a Heaven and yes there is a way to get there. It is through Jesus.

Father, if it were up to any one of us to get ourselves to Heaven we would fail. It is not a matter of our good versus our bad. It is a matter of accepting Your offer of salvation as a free gift. Once that is done, may we live out the rest of our days here for Your honor and glory. Amen.

My Ultimate Helper

My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2

I love Scripture that reminds me of who God is and what God is in relationship to my life. Psalm 121 gives me four aspects of God that are encouraging and refreshing to read. He is my Helper, my Keeper, my Protector, and my Guard. Talk about feeling surrounded and safe!!!! As His child, some of my most basic needs are to be loved, cared for, nurtured, and wanted. If I am seeking to get those needs met independent of God I am in for disappointment, heartache, and sorrow.

To think that the One who comes to my aid is the One who created heaven and earth. Anything I bring to Him shrinks in comparison to the magnitude of His creation. I often jokingly will tell someone, “Yes, God divided the Red Sea, brought water out of the rock, raised the dead, defeated vast armies, and much more…..but what I am bringing to Him is a BIG problem.” Laughter erupts because of the absurdity of such a statement!

Isn’t it interesting how certain individuals can come to our aid and just their presence relieves us? For instance, seeing a fireman when there is a fire, seeing a policeman when a crime is about to be committed against us, seeing a soldier (from YOUR nation) when the enemy has moved in? Those are just a few examples but none of them can compare with the presence of God in ones life. His attributes of being all-present, all-power, and all-knowing put Him far above any human source of help.

I am coming to realize that His help (while always available) does not mean life will automatically go my way, that dangers will disappear, or that heartache will cease. But when I go through a storm or a valley He is able to preserve my soul and spirit. Though my outward life may be filled with difficulties, He is able to bring peace and safety to my internal world. It does not mean there will be no tears. It means I will be able to shed those tears on His shoulders and in His arms.

I long to live in a perfect world with perfect people and perfect situations….but that is Heaven. While I am living my days out here, I am learning to take refuge under the shadow of His wings.

Father, Your many invitations to come to You show me where to turn throughout my day. As my helper, keeper, protector, and guard, You quiet my heart amidst any difficulty. May I always rest in You. Amen.

Hindrances to Imitation

Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you? Matthew 18:33

Have you ever found it difficult to forgive an individual for an offense you had against them? What if someone owed you a certain amount of money and you knew there was no way they could ever repay you? What if someone did something to you that caused wounds and years of pain to you? Sometimes we are able to handle forgiving small offenses but the bigger the offense the harder it tends to be to forgive them. Why is that? Why is it that we hold so tightly to bitterness, unforgiveness, and revenge?

Part of the answer lies in the fact that we have a misunderstanding of what forgiveness is and what it isn’t. We are holding off the forgiveness and holding on to the grudge because of what we think it will mean if we actually let go. Let me give you just two misconceptions we often have. Forgiveness says that what that person did was okay and forgiveness says there are no consequences to that person. If this is you and it is causing you to bind yourself in bitterness allow me to mention a resource that may be helpful. Christine Wyrtzen speaks on this subject of forgiveness and has a CD entitled LONG LIVE THE KING. It can be ordered by going to her website, http://www.daughtersofpromise.org/. She offers a wealth of information that will help you get started on the road to forgiveness.

But along with that I would encourage you to take the time to read Matthew 18:21-35. It is the gripping account of someone who was extravagantly forgiven but chose to continue to walk in unforgiveness toward another person. It contrasts the heart of God with a heart of ingratitude and coldness. It is such a striking story because it causes me to see myself when I can receive something from God and yet refuse to display the same attitude and action toward another individual.

God’s intent is not that we would simply be the recipient of His love, mercy, grace, patience, and forgiveness but that we would be extravagant in showing those things to others. This is only possible as we see what He has done for us and then ask Him to empower us to do the same.

Father, You have shown me Your heart innumerable times through your acts toward me. Create in me a heart like Yours. Reveal to me my walls of resistance for imitating You to others. Amen.

It Took a Second Touch

Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. Mark 8:25

A blind man is brought to Jesus for healing. Jesus takes him by the hand, leads him out of the city, spits in his eyes, lays His hands on Him, and then asks him what he can see (Mark 8:22-25). After reading many accounts of instantaneous healings, one would expect perfect 20/20 vision. But this man’s vision was still with distortions. Jesus then lays His hands on his eyes a second time and he is then able to see everything clearly. The uniqueness of this second touch miracle has gotten my attention this morning.

I am near-sighted. Actually, I would be considered legally blind without the use of contacts or glasses. To read a book without my aids would require holding it just inches from my face. For all practical purposes I could not function outside my home if left on my own to see. And yet for years I lived with a type of blindness that was worse….spiritual blindness.

I knew Christ as Savior but failed to see so much truth about Him. My view was distorted and it caused me to live my Christian life in the dark so to speak. In the spring of 2004 God touched my spiritual eyes and I began to see things about Himself that I had never seen before. I have spent the past couple of years taking in truth that has revolutionized my life, my thinking, and my person. But God knew my “healing” was not complete. There were still some distortions. He knew that while I was taking in truth and it was filling me with excitement and passion for Him, I was still not fully taking it in. Learning truth and embracing truth are two different things. I was still living my life with a lot of mental assent.

What God had to do was show me some reasons for some core beliefs I was still holding to. As soon as I could admit to Him and myself my own continued blindness He opened my eyes fully! And all the truth I have been taking in is now sinking in! I am living with a freedom I never knew before. It is changing everything for me. With joy I spend my days going, “OH! Now I see!” Praise Him!

Father, I thought my vision had been corrected, but my healing was not complete. The fog has been lifted and the focus is clear. Thank You for a second touch that has made all the difference in the world to me! Amen.

The Power of Persistent Prayers

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once. Matthew 15:28

There is much I still don’t understand about prayer. But what I am learning is precious. It is meant to be a dialogue between my Father and me… not a one sided conversation where I do all the talking. The answers to my prayers are determined by my faith as well as by God’s sovereignty and wisdom. But most recently I am learning that prayer really can stir the heart of God and bring Him to the point of action. Many times God will not move until someone prays.

This was the case with a woman who spoke to Jesus (Matthew 15:21-28). She was not a Jew. She came to Him on behalf of her daughter who was demon possessed. She wanted healing for her daughter and her dialogue with Jesus is fascinating. This is a persistent woman. She presses past Jesus’ silence and first spoken words. She reminds me that many times what appears to be the final answer is really an invitation to keep asking. If she had walked away after the first exchange or even the second exchange her daughter would have remained in her possessed state. But because of her determination she touched the heart of God and Jesus gave her what she desired. Her daughter was healed.

This woman had a view of prayer that I want to see in my own life. God is showing me that often times my view of Him can hinder me from having a powerful and effective prayer life. Do I see Him as a God of love who desires to be extravagant with me or do I see Him as stingy and cold? Do I know in my head that all things are possible and yet resign myself to the feelings that He just doesn’t want to act on my behalf? Am I more inclined to pray safe prayers that I know He’ll say yes to or will I dare to risk and ask Him to do the impossible? Am I expecting to hear “no” more often than “yes?” Have I even begun to take Him up on His invitation to approach Him at any time for any reason?

Persistent and passionate in prayer? May God not only show me my true view of prayer but may He radically transform my personal prayer life.

Father, I have so much to learn when it comes to prayer. May it not be so complicated I grow discouraged and may it not be so hit and miss that I see little results. Help me to come to You with boldness, sincerity, and trust. Teach me! Amen.

From Faith to Fear and Back Again

But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:30,31

Circumstances have a way of overpowering our ability to trust. What we see with our physical eyes and experience in our day to day living can wreak havoc with our walk of faith. But more so is the power of our interpretation of what things mean in our life. It is the entrance of “possibilities” that can open the door to fear and slam shut the door of faith. After all, Peter stepped out of his boat and on to the water in the midst of a storm and in the presence of Jesus. Neither of those things had changed when he was moved from faith to fear. It takes mere seconds for our mind to go from strong faith to extreme fear. If we do not come against the fear it will take over and we will find ourselves sinking in the midst of a storm.

For each of us the “wind” that we see and become frightened over can take on many different forms. It may be the opinions of others as they question what we are doing. Their look of disdain and verbalized negative responses can be like hurricanes to our soul. It may be a medical diagnosis that changes the entire scope of our life. It may be the loss or change of a job that causes the fear of financial instability to blow us over or take us under. The unknown and what ifs of this life are gales that continually blow for each of us.

We would do well to allow Jesus to ask us the same question He asked Peter, “Why did you doubt?’ Or in a more present sense, in the midst of the storm and the grip of fear the question might be, “Why are you doubting?” What is it that has suddenly obscured my vision and opinion of Jesus? What looks more powerful to me than Him at the moment?

The answer to the fear is always to reclaim and proclaim the truth of who God is and what God can do. When the enemy tries to tell me that He will abandon me, neglect me, or leave me on my own, I must fire back at him what I know to be true. Regardless of what I see and how I feel.

Father, it is easy to doubt You because of the hardships in life. Help me to constantly review the truth of Your power, character, and presence. Amen.

Faith Amidst Tears

Therefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:18

Well known Bible teacher, author, and speaker, Beth Moore had a statement that has stuck with me ever since I read it. She made it a point to say that our faith needs to be built on who God is rather than what God does. Her explanation was that if it is built on what God does we will be in for a roller coaster ride of a Christian life when God does not respond and act the way we want Him to act. Whereas when it is built on who He is, that never changes and we have something to hold to that is solid.

It was that reminder and truth that I took with me as I drove to a local hospital to visit a friend earlier this morning. There are times when we face the difficulties and heartaches of life and know that God alone is the One who will comfort in ways we cannot. After battling some years of infertility and finally becoming pregnant with twins, my dear friend called this morning to let me know she had lost the girl twin at 20 weeks. As I drove to the hospital my mind raced for answers only to be reminded that my faith must be built on who God is! I cannot describe for you what it is like to step into a hospital room with a young couple filled with grief and yet holding tightly to their genuine faith in God. Just a few feet from her bed was little Haley no bigger than my hand yet fully developed! As I rested my hand on her little body I had to remind myself that God now held her spirit.

God alone helps us to minister to people when we find ourselves in situations with which we cannot relate having never been through their particular ordeal. He faithfully and gently nudged me to share two truths with her. First of all, I let her know her grief, tears, and questioning were not an insult to God. They were emotions He understood and did not want her to shut down that part of the experience. She has much to process in all of this as well as a continued pregnancy with little Jacob. May she know His shoulder is available for her tears and sorrow.
Second, I reminded her that we can trust who God is even when He doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we had hoped. We may never know the “why” but we can rest in the fact that He is still a good, loving, and faithful God. At this time, God holds my friend, her husband, and their unborn son securely in His hands.

Father, tears are to be expected at this time and trust in You is what will see us through! You are who You say You are! In that we rest. Amen.