Telling What You Know

And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard; the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Luke 7:22 (New American Standard Bible)

When asked by John’s disciples if Jesus was the One they had been looking for (the One promised by God to come as Messiah), Jesus chose to highlight the visible evidences of His earthly ministry. Every Jewish person knew these were the works that would mark the ministry of the Messiah. In a sense they added validity, authenticity, and credibility to the things Jesus said.

I love the progression of the miracles! The healing of the blind, lame, lepers, and deaf is climaxed with raising people from the dead and preaching the gospel to the poor. At first I wondered why the part about the poor having the gospel preached to them would be part of this miraculous passage. Then it occurred to me that when one hears the gospel and accepts the truths of the gospel the biggest miracle of all takes place. It is the only way for a person to have their sins forgiven, be reconciled to God, become a new creature, and gain eternal life in Heaven.

But I also saw similarities in all of the miracles. This reads like the Who’s Who list of rejected individuals of society. In Bible times these folks were considered the outcasts of society and unable to change their own circumstances. The blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf, and certainly the dead had no resources whereby they could improve on their conditions. Indeed they were poor! Jesus not only knew how to value them and see them as special individuals but He was able to do what society couldn’t. He was able to heal them.

His words to John’s disciples are meant for us as well. “Go and tell what you have seen and heard.” Whether it is your personal experience or that of someone else, God’s intent is that we tell what we know. He’ll bless our words as we tell others of His accomplishments.

Father, let me be found bragging on You today! Your Word is full of Your wonders and so is each day. Open my eyes and ears to it all! Amen.

When My Mind is Shaken

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled. 2Thessalonians 2:1,2 (New King James Version)

The believers at Thessalonica had become unsettled and disturbed because of false teaching. Someone had them convinced Jesus had returned and they had missed it. But what was disturbing them was a lie and Paul was used of God to expose the lie and reconnect them to the truth. His passion and desire for them was a mirror of God’s heart.

Like the Thessalonians, each of us have times when we become ‘shaken in mind and disturbed.’ There are times when various things agitate us, cause us to totter, over throw us, disturb us, or cast us down from our secure and happy places. What is it that shakes you up or casts you down? For me, it is any number of things. My world of calm, quiet contentment can take a nose dive when interruptions come, condemning thoughts surface, comparison to others enters, depravation shows itself, or any number of my heart issues are exposed. Anything that reveals my own emptiness and sinfulness can put me in a mental maze of turmoil. But I don’t have to stay that way. Paul’s answers to the Thessalonians become my compass and roadmap as well.

Later in verses 15-17, they are encouraged to stand fast and hold on to what they have been taught. It is a continual necessity! Each one of us must make it our daily practice to review and remember the many things God has taught us through His Word and through other believers. Those truths and principles have a stabilizing effect on us. But we must also allow God to give us the strength and comfort we need along the way.

Last night, I found it necessary once again to acknowledge the cavity of my own soul and ask for His balm of peace to anoint me. He began to reveal the lies I was believing and offered me the truth to counter them. A resettling came as I embraced His words. I then listened to music that once again filled me with a sense of His presence and person. Sleep came quickly and I woke with a renewed hope in the God of my journey.

I have long ago given up the naive belief that in this life I could live on a continual spiritual high where nothing touches or affects me negatively. The truth is that I possess a sin nature and the enemy of my soul is continually prowling and looking for ways to bring me down. But that is not the end of the story or even the complete picture. For above all that, my Heavenly Father walks with me, talks with me, and carries me. I am not alone…I am His.

Father, I am learning to call out to you more quickly and more often. I take comfort and delight in the fact that You hear even the faintest whispers of my heart. Amen.

A Love That Won't Walk Away

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3 (New King James Version)

Many (if not all of us) have known the sting of rejection. It is one thing to desire relationship with another person and never be given that opportunity. Try as you might, that person’s heart just never seems to open up to receive you. It is a whole other story when a person’s heart has opened up to you and embraced you as a friend. You feasted off the rich relationship and sensed the enjoyment went both ways. With them you felt safe, accepted, and celebrated. You were sure this was one of those relationships that was meant to last a lifetime. Some do! But some do not, as the person, for whatever reason, has a change of heart and you find yourself shut out of their life. The devastation alone is enough to send you reeling.

As painful as it is, I assure you, God brings much out of it. For me it has been a time of appreciating more fully the unchanging and unending love of God. Jeremiah’s words that God loves me with an everlasting love were broadened and deepened this morning when Isaiah expounded on them.

“For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused,” Says the LORD, your Redeemer. “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:5-10 (New King James Version)

I am resting and reveling in the truth that it will never be said of my God that He had a change of heart toward me. I don’t have to go through my day wondering if He still feels the same today as He did yesterday. While people (myself included) have feet of clay, He is my Rock! His immutability is my security and stability. He will never disappoint me, devastate me, or depart from me. I fix my heart and my eyes on that truth and live in confidence and freedom because of it. While the ache of a lost relationship still exists, His words to me this morning serve as a necessary balm to my soul.

Father, the departure of one individual has led me to see Your heart of love in a richer way. In no other can I rely so heavily on as You. Amen.

Crossing the Line

Acquaint now yourself with Him [agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you. Receive, I pray you, the law and instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart. Job 22:20-22 (Amplified Bible)

When I think of an acquaintance I usually think of someone I know on the surface level. We may talk occasionally in passing but are somewhat limited in our knowledge of each other. That is NOT what is meant when we are told to acquaint ourselves with God. It goes deeper. It means to be familiar with and know intimately. The results of such knowledge yield peace and reward. It also implies being usable and conformed. Wrapped within the context of all that is the necessity to trust and yield. The basis of my trust is found within a growing awareness of who God is and what God is like. As my knowledge is enlarged, my trust increases. And as my trust increases my ability to yield is forthcoming.

I am finding that just as growth is a process so is yielding. I have a will and a mindset that continually needs to be aligned with God’s will, ways, and Word. When there is hesitancy or straining it can usually be traced back to a trust issue. It is at this point that God and I must wade through the issues of my heart and determine where the trust is fractured and faltering. Is it an authority issue? Is it fear based? Is it a spiritual attack? Is it the embracing of lies? God knows the root of each distrust and is longing to help me find it and extract it. He wants me to once again joy in the fact that His ways and thoughts are higher than my own.

But I am finding that the enemy of my soul desires to distort and confuse the lessons God is diligently teaching me. Most recently I have seen this take place in the area of yielding. In the course of a conversation earlier this week, I realized I had crossed a fine line between yielding and resignation. Yielding is based on truth, trust, and choosing God’s plans and purposes over my own. Resignation is based on lies, fear, and hopelessness. Yielding brings peace and renewed strength. Resignation brings restlessness and an internal draining. Yielding is God’s desire. Resignation is Satan’s delight.

So what is it that God whispers to me this morning? “Yield but don’t resign yourself to limited visions and dreams for your life. I still have ‘much more to give you than this’. Trust me. I have not forgotten you. I have not left you. Meditate on all I have told you and shown you so far. Walk with Me.”

Father, You are not the author of confusion or resignation. Thank you that You stand ready to welcome me back each time I cross a line not intended for me. Amen.

Reining in the Impulsiveness

With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Psalm 119:10 (New American Standard Bible)

He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. Isaiah 49:10 (New International Version)

If I am not discerning, it is often easy to mistaken impulsiveness for God‘s nudging. There have been numerous times in my life when an idea would come to mind and without taking the time to search out the matter or even take it to God for clear direction, I have run full steam ahead in the wrong direction! Going through each day without consulting God is a haphazard and dangerous way to live the Christian life. But oh the joy that comes when I enter His throne room with an honest desire to know His will! Such was the case throughout last night and into this morning.

I had two different issues I was ready to move forward on until various sources encouraged me to really pray about my decisions and wait for clear direction from the Lord. They didn’t say whether or not they agreed with what I was considering, they just urged me to see what God would have me do. I believe God was revealing to them an impulsiveness on my part whereby I was acting independent of Him. I was assuming what sounded good and made sense to me automatically carried His seal of approval. Such childish faith on my part is what God desires to rein in and mature in me.

So, I did what I have learned is the wise thing in cases of uncertainty. I heeded their advice and began earnestly praying about my plans. Within minutes God began to give me insight into one of the two areas. I saw much of it was based in fear and a strong desire to “fix” things on my own. Lack of trust was abounding! As I continued to seek Him, He began to show me a much better way to handle the situation. His counsel continues to pour over me as He now has my attention.

The second issue was not put to rest until this morning. While there may come a time to proceed with the course of action, right now is not the time. There are too many variables involved that require His leading and guiding. I rest in the fact that what needs to be revealed will be revealed in His way and in His time. If I am to be His spokeswoman to another individual I will accept that position, but if not I will remain silent and yet fierce in prayer. I have sought Him. He has guided me and lead me beside precious streams of water. I rejoice!

Father, Your ways are higher than my ways, and Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. I trust Your wisdom and I follow Your lead! Amen.

His Dealings With Me

You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes. Psalm 119:65,68 (New American Standard Bible)

There are many aspects about God that I must take in and hold to without compromise. No matter what is happening in my life, no matter how I feel emotionally, no matter what people are doing or not doing, God’s character and actions are always above reproach. I see within today’s passage a view of the past, a view of the present, and a request of the heart.

Over my entire past it is imperative that I display this truth, “You have dealt well with me, O Lord!” It is not a matter of fairness or comfort. It is a matter of fact! God, in His wisdom, power, and presence has dealt with us out of love and righteousness. It is through His grid of truth that I must view the past events of my life. Even when life didn’t make sense, even when tears were a part of the day, even when there was the sustaining of wounds, I was dealt well with by almighty God Himself.

Presently, He IS good and He DOES good. He can be trusted and followed with abandon. Too often I want to define God by the things I see, hear, and experience, when all the while God is urging me to define those things through the truth about Himself. I may have questions and complaints I bring before Him but when I have finished I must make sure I give voice to the fact that He is good and does good. That is the healthiest default mode I can live with, because He is the only One who is all knowing, all powerful, and all present. No matter what my vantage point is, I cannot possibly see the whole picture, but God can. He alone knows how all the pieces will fit together. He alone knows the necessity of each detail. Some might call that blind faith, but I choose to simply call it well founded faith.

When I first saw the word ‘statutes’ I limited it to God’s commands. But the meaning behind that word is much richer. It implies God’s fixed order, requirements, set boundaries and limits, and what is appointed. God is not simply about laying down the law. He is also intent on guarding, guiding, and protecting us. Who better to receive instruction from than God Himself? And what better way for Him to teach me than through His word and the events of each day. He alone can be my interpreter and instructor! While I have known people full of wisdom, God alone is the source of all wisdom. I can do no better than to humble myself before Him and learn directly from Him.

Father, when I try to wing it on my own or seek only the advice of others, I flounder. I once again turn to You for the lessons of life. You know what today holds. May I therefore stand poised to acknowledge You and learn from You! Amen.

Ruled and Inhabited by the Best

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts……let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:15,16 (New International Version)

Have you ever been sandwiched between passages of Scripture? Last night a friend of mine readily reminded me of Philippians 4:8,9 with its list of things to think on….that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy. I was not surprised by her choice of verses nor of her continued place as a truth teller in my life! This morning, God is sandwiching me between that passage and the entire third chapter of Colossians. They are like bookends for my soul!

At times when I feel like the emotional roller coaster will never end, when I wrongly believe the thought patterns will always have the upper hand, when I just plain want to give up, God knows better and does better. He is placing huge billboards along the highway of my mind and adding neon lights so that I will not miss what He is telling me. In short, the message is this, “Pam, think on the right things. Let My peace rule and My word dwell in you.” I have heard it said that repetition is the best teacher and I am finding that to be true! Every time I come to the difficult points God keeps repeating the same thing. He is going to make sure I eventually get it! While I sometimes have to laugh at my own slowness in receiving His words, He is determined and persistent in offering them. That in itself strengthens me.

I am seeing two fertile truths in today’s verses that are the “how to” of changing my thought processes and hence my whole demeanor. Letting the peace of Christ rule in my heart means I let it be my umpire and guide. It will let me know what is safe and what is dangerous to think on. I will do well to let His peace take over and be my major influence. The repercussions of that decision will be astounding.

Letting His word dwell in me richly means I am letting what He says make itself at home in me. In other words, it gets free run of the place! His word is meant to take precedence over everything else. It is time I started allowing it to redecorate my soul……bringing in what is good and getting rid of what is harmful or unnecessary. This is going to require the memorizing of Scripture passages (something I have been lax in over the years). I plan to start with this third chapter of Colossians. At one verse a day I will have it “living in me” in its entirety in less than a month. I invite others to join me if they so desire. May we each be ruled and inhabited by His peace and His word.

Father, I stand in awe of You this morning. You have made Your message clear to me and by Your grace I receive it. Amen.