That Which Releases

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7,8 (New American Standard Bible)

We all have them! Questions that baffle us and answers that elude us. I called a friend last night and asked her something, hoping she would know what I was failing to see. She knows me well and knows the present path I walk…stumbles and all. I wanted to see if she knew what was hindering me from letting go of some things I was holding on to. What was the “hook” that kept me connected to something I really did want to be free from and all the emotions that come from remaining linked to it? While she did not have THAT answer, she did agree to pray about it with me and ask God to reveal what I needed to know.

That is exactly what Jesus is inviting us to do in today’s verse. We asked and the answer came to me this morning within the first few moments of being awake. God let me know something I was not doing that I needed to start doing in order to be released from the past. In essence He said, “You are not praising Me or thanking Me. Start doing both and you will experience the freedom you crave.” The simplicity of His answer was amazing yet profound. It was a basic I had missed and yet it was the very thing that was necessary.

When I look back I can see some things that I did which were good to do. I grieved and felt my emotions. I admitted what was going on inside me. I stated the truth of what God was doing in my life. I read books and sat under wise counsel. I opened closed fists and identified areas of resistance. But I failed to do all of that out of a heart filled with praise and thanksgiving. Hence, the “hook” stayed in place. So what does that praise and thanksgiving look like?

It starts with acknowledgement of who God is and what God is like. Praising Him for His attributes and character. The Psalms are filled with such praises. Joined to that are a multitude of things to be thankful for, such as: growth that is coming, His purposes that are being fulfilled, lessons being learned, gifts of friendship, ministry to others that will come, His comfort, His strength, His presence, His peace, and a growing awareness of my constant need of Him. It is what will bring release and I am thankful for God’s reminder to me.

Father, I asked and Your answer astounded me. May my praise and thanksgiving to You abound! Amen.

God's Open Invitation

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (New American Standard Bible)

I am having one of those mornings when the questions are beginning to pile up in my mind and I am finding myself with few answers. It is times like this when I am forced to admit to myself that I do not have it all figured out and that can bring about an uneasiness within me. When things do not make sense to me I don’t always know what to do with them. When my thinking has been skewed I don’t always untangle the knots well.

I have come across verses from the Bible and sentences from books that I can’t seem to wrap my mind around. The concepts are coming up against some preconceived ideas and distorted thinking I possess. Allow me to list a few.

Jesus says in Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” From a human stand point, I don’t take rebuke well when it comes from another individual because it seems like condemnation. So when I read Jesus’ words I squirm with discomfort. Even though my head tells me it is for my good and growth, my heart cowers.

A number of sources I have read this morning warn against seeking the advice of others instead of looking to God. I struggle with the balance. While I know we are to encourage one another, I somehow think I am suppose to not need that and when I seek it I am doing something wrong.

I want to grasp the concept that someone can care about me without being involved in my life. Changes in relationships usually have a negative connotation for me even if I know it is for my own well being or part of God’s design for this present part of my journey.

Because I am so acutely aware of my faults and failures, I tend to not notice or acknowledge progress that has been made in my walk with God. I don’t always realize that even if I don’t see it, He does.

Yet, in the midst of my questions and inability to fully grasp the concepts, I am drawn to the words of today’s verse. I am invited to trust Him instead of depending on myself to get it all figured out and straightened out. In essence, He is saying, “You don’t have to understand it all to reap the benefits of living out of its truths. Trust Me and trust my principles. It is not a matter of you being able to do something or the people in your life being able to do something, it is a matter of knowing I can do all things necessary in your life. I am not expecting perfection or brilliance from you. As much as I am aware of your insecurities and failures, you must be aware of my Person, Power, and Presence. I will help you. Trust Me.“

Father, You know that I don’t understand. Help me to trust You. Amen.

Not Being Hearing Impaired

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Luke 14:35 (New American Standard Bible)

While here on earth, Jesus spoke many things to many people, but He knew not everyone would take in His words. He referenced this when He used the phrase “ears to hear.” He was not talking about the ability to hear sound. Anyone within the range of His voice could master that. What He was referring to had more to do with comprehending, acknowledging, embracing, and understanding what He was saying. Some would hear what He had to say and walk away unmoved and unchanged. Others would be a captive audience to Him and walk away forever changed. It would show up in their words, actions, and thoughts later on. The fruit would be evident.

Many people will sit in church tomorrow and there will be a variety of ear types. They will sit within hearing range of a minister’s voice but all will not really hear what he is saying much less what God is saying through Him. Distractions may abound in their head and the message will become a muffled sound to their ears. Some will not have the ability to take in the truths of what is being said because they have never had a spiritual opening of their ears by the Holy Spirit. They have never trusted Christ as their Savior and therefore remain spiritually deaf. Some will have issues with their pastor and refuse to believe God would ever have anything to say through him. Some will have such a distorted view of God that they long ago gave up hope that He would have anything to say to them directly. Some, through boredom, rebellion, or pride, stopped listening all together. Each lacks the ears to hear. They will walk away having not listened to or learned what God was so anxious to tell them.

Then there are those who will attend church tomorrow with ears anxious to hear God’s voice to them, because it is a daily practice for them already. Each time they open His Word, read a book, listen to a speaker, or hear a song, they ask God to speak to them through it. Their heart’s cry becomes, “Give me ears to hear you, Lord!” They are attentive and attuned to what He wants to tell them. The conversations are powerful, personal, and profound.

For decades I was “hearing impaired.“ I have since learned that I could possess ears to hear if I simply asked for them and then started listening. By God’s grace it is getting easier to distinguish the difference between my own thoughts, my Father’s voice, and the words of the enemy. That has been His desire all along for each of us!

Father, my ears need a touch from You each day. I want ears to hear and a heart that is receptive to all that You desire to tell me. May my face light up every time I know it is Your voice I am hearing. Amen.

Drawing Near or Pulling Away

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things. Luke 4:28 (New American Standard Bible)

Just a few verses earlier the people had their eyes fixed on Jesus, were speaking well of Him, and marveling at His gracious words. They were a captive and receptive audience. So why the sudden change? How could they go from being willing students to attempted murderers? What caused them to close off their hearts and minds to Jesus? He stopped saying what they were comfortable hearing and began telling them truth they refused to acknowledge.

Jesus gave examples of two times in the Old Testament when God chose to send His prophets and His intervention to individuals who were not part of the nation of Israel. Elijah was sent to a widow of Zarephath during a famine and the miracle of provision was realized in her life. Elisha was sent to a leper named Naaman and the miracle of healing took place. These were both non Jews. In the New Testament it was an insult to the Jews to think that God would act on behalf of the Gentiles. So Jesus’ insinuation that the Gospel would be given to the Gentiles because of the unreceptiveness of the Jews was too much for them to accept.

When God’s message and the circumstances of our life don’t turn out the way we want, how do we react? How receptive are we to what God is doing or saying when difficulties come our way? We often find that our preconceived ideas about life and God are revealed by the way we react to unpleasant times in our life. Rather than run to Him when the storms of life come upon us and seek to devastate us, people quite often turn away from Him in anger and refuse the only Source that stands ready to help them.

Throughout the book of Psalms, David voices his hurts, disappointments, and fears but never fails to proclaim God as his refuge, defense, shelter, and rock! No matter how difficult life got and no matter how cruel the people in his life could be, he realized God was the One he could count on, run to, and hide in. While he had no trouble verbalizing the problems of his life, he strengthened himself with praise to the One who held him in His hands. Even when confronted with his own sin, David instantly drew near to the One who could forgive him. What an example!

Father, give me a heart for You. May I be receptive to Your words and Your ways. You alone are my hiding place. Amen.

In Need of Help

I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me. Numbers 11:14 (New American Standard Bible)

The burden and responsibility of leading the children of Israel through the wilderness had become too great for Moses to carry it alone. He was wise to admit this to himself and God. God’s response shows me that is never His intent! We are not placed on this planet to live in isolation from the assistance of others. God did not say to Moses, “I am all you need therefore keep coming to Me. Look to Me alone.” Instead He enacted a plan whereby 70 men, from among the elders of the people, would receive the same Spirit Moses had and they would bear the burden with him. He would not have to bear it alone.

This serves as confirmation to me of the very thing God has been teaching me. While there are some things I am able to do alone with God, there are many times I need someone to come along side me and help. At present, I am not in a leadership position but that does not mean there are no burdens to carry. Each of us have them. God is reminding me this morning that He is willing and able to intersect my world with helpers and encouragers.

Last year, I faced the most difficult challenge of my life and for months I felt I was on my own to wade through the issues. I thought that was the way it was suppose to be. Hence, I struggled and made very little progress in the area of healing and restoration. It wasn’t until I opened myself up to receive the help and counsel of others that internal changes began to take place. It necessitated me trusting individuals enough to tell them my story and allow them to help me. I had to see that they were willing to get down into the muck and mire of my emotional heap and would not walk away or think less of me as a result of my opening up. Even now as we talk about the victories and struggles of this process, they listen, pray, speak truth, and let me know they know God will do everything necessary to finish what He has started in me. They celebrate with me each time God helps me turn corners and take steps. I need them and I am no longer afraid to admit it! Not only do I need them but I appreciate them as gifts given to me by a loving heavenly Father.

For any who find themselves “going it alone” I would invite you to ask God for individuals to help you. He will handpick the right one(s) and you will be astounded at how well He can match you up. It may be someone you already know or it may be someone you have yet to meet. Either way, when your paths cross you will KNOW it!

Father, the Bible is filled with examples of people helping people and so is my life. Thank you for how You do that! Amen.

Seeing My Need to Ask

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus’ words are encouraging me this morning like bookends for my spirit. Apart from Him I can do nothing and through Him I can do all things. In order to fully embrace those truths I must first realize my own internal bankruptcy. For unless I am absolutely convinced of my inability to do the very things I am told to do, I will live daily with an “I can do it myself” mentality that is futile at best.

I use to look at such things as loving one another, forgiving one another, preferring one another, encouraging one another, and so on, as things I was to somehow manage and muster up on my own. As long as I thought that was what God was expecting of me the pressure was on to perform. Yesterday became a wake up call to me that those things will not come naturally to me and will not be realized apart from Christ working in me. In order to see that, I had to be given a long, hard look at my own heart.

I came across a situation whereby irritation, selfishness, judging of another, and preferring myself over another all rose up within me and out of me. It was a moment of truth for me that was not pleasant to look at but led to a powerful revelation. I knew at that moment that I could change some actions but true heart change could only come through the Spirit of God and the Word of God. Asking for God to help me and do a work in me was what He had been wanting me to do all along.

Surely, God must have been delighted to finally hear me say, “I can’t do this without You! I cannot change my heart without You and I cannot live the Christian life without Your help!” Those words became the key to open the door to reliance and dependence upon the very One who said, “Come unto Me, seek Me, lean on Me, ask Me, trust Me, rest in Me, abide with Me, learn of Me, look to Me, and talk to Me.” I have been hearing His commands but missing His invitation all along. What He wants me to do is what He offers to help me do. Whether it has to do with my actions toward others, resisting temptation, breaking strongholds, purifying my mind, having right motives, or any number of things, I can do nothing apart from Him and all things through Him. Praise God! It is not about my personality, natural abilities, or temperament. It is about me seeing my need of Him and I do.

Father, I am shaking my head in amazement at the many times I have tried to live independent of You and thought I was doing the right thing. I joy in finally admitting I NEED You! Amen.

Taking Hold of His Feet

Suddenly, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings." The women came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Matthew 28:9 (New Century Version)

No other gospel book records this account. Women had been to the tomb of Jesus and heeding the words of an angel, were quickly heading to the disciples to let them know Jesus had risen from the dead. On the way, they are met by Jesus and their response has captured my attention. They take hold of His feet and worship Him. What they could do in a physical sense, I want to do metaphorically and it will necessitate several things.

Taking hold of Jesus’ feet takes place only as I humble myself and bow before Him. It entails closeness with nothing between Him and myself. To take hold requires empty hands whereby I am not holding on to other things including negative attitudes. It must be a priority. It is a place of submission, intimacy, openness, and reverence. Ultimately, it leads to worship, adoration, and praise.

I am broken this morning by the realization that it does not take much for me to release my hold on His feet and distance myself by my words, thoughts, actions, or motives. There are times my hands become soiled from sinful choices I have made, bruised with wounds I bring upon myself, tainted by the idols they have grasped, closed to the opportunities to reach out to others, and weakened by the continual harboring of trinkets and treasures. Yet, when I come to the place of reaching out to take hold of His feet once again, He does not recoil, back away, or despise. My confession and repentance is ALWAYS met with forgiveness and reconciliation. He will forever display the heart of the prodigal son’s father.

When I recently found myself at odds over some petty things, I asked the Lord how to make things right again. This morning He is letting me know the first step is to reach out and take hold of His feet. As I do that, worship will follow as well as further steps of obedience. His availability to me and acceptance of me have once again wooed me to Himself. At His feet I am not sensing shame, condemnation, or harshness. I am sensing His heart.

Father, You have shown me much about Yourself and myself this morning. Thank you for doing so in such a gentle yet profound way. Amen.