Hindrances and Opportunities

And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

Have you ever been misjudged because of your background, family ties, or family history? Do you have people in your life who have a preconceived idea about you and nothing you say or do will change their thinking? They are convinced they know you through and through and are not about to let you persuade them otherwise. Be assured, Jesus understands because He faced the same thing among the people of His home town. While they were astonished and amazed at the miracles He had performed in other places and the wisdom He displayed in His teaching, they could not come to embrace the truth about Him. To them, Jesus was one of them, from a family who lived among them. To see Him as anything different, and especially to see Him as God come in the flesh, was offensive to them. What they saw and heard astounded them but what they THOUGHT hindered them from belief in Him. And that unbelief became the hindrance for any miracles being performed there. Oh, what they missed out on because of their ability to wrap themselves up in their own mindsets.

Some of you know what it is like to witness to family members and they stand in unbelief because they grew up with you. Their familiarity with you hinders them from hearing the message you desire to share. Don’t give up! Pray for their hearts to become receptive and their minds to open up. God has a way of working behind the scenes of their lives. Also pray that someone of influence in their life will step forward with boldness and share the gospel with them. For many of us, we will not be the ones to actually lead them to a saving knowledge of Christ. But we can know that God will use someone!

At the same time, we must realize that we are that “someone” in another person’s life. They have loved ones praying a bold witness would speak to them. We each come in contact with people on a daily basis. God has strategically placed us in our neighborhoods and workplaces. May we pray for opportunities to share Christ with them and then may we go in His power and might to take the opportunities as they come.

Father, I know You. Others in my life and sphere of influence do not know You. Today as the opportunity opens up help me to freely share Jesus with them….by my life, my actions, and my words. Amen.

When Unshakable Faith is Shaken

And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me. Matthew 11:6

Trials and difficulties have a way of revealing our true beliefs and also of clouding our view. I find it interesting that John the Baptist spent years preaching in the wilderness and baptizing in the waters of the Jordan River. He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” It was his mission to prepare people for the entrance of Jesus. He had no trouble standing up against the religious and government officials of his day. He had a job to do and he did it. Whether people accepted his message or not, he spoke the truth. He also had no trouble pointing out who Jesus was. When he saw Jesus approaching him, he proclaimed with strong conviction, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” His certainty was unshakable!

And yet later on, John is in prison and sending his own disciples to Jesus with one question. “Are you the one we are looking for or should we look for another.” I sense weariness in his question along with discouragement, confusion, and a faltering faith. It could be that John’s life did not turn out the way he thought it would. Maybe he thought he would be that voice crying in the wilderness and eventually just fade into the background. When the circumstances changed he needed reassurance that he had been on the right track all along.

When Jesus talked about not taking offense at Him, He was not only referring to being bothered or upset. He was also talking about not getting tripped up. He knows it is in our nature to second-guess ourselves, get disheartened, and lose sight of Him in the midst of trials and testings. If John the Baptist needed the reminders and encouragement, we surely do as well. It is too easy to experience the discomforts of life and the disapproval of people and come away with the wrong view of God and ourselves. Like John, there are times we need to refocus and renew our minds. Over the weekend I sought out the encouragement of a handful of people. They heard the doubts and fears behind my questions and they were faithful to help me see clearly what had become clouded. I thank God for each one of them. This morning I rejoice in my God once again! While my situation has not changed, what I am focusing on has!

Father, it is when I understand the least that I need You the most. I hold Your hand tighter because only You can see what is ahead. Amen.

Taking Him Up on His Invitation

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Jesus has many commands and promises throughout Scripture and this is one of my favorites. His is a continual invitation for each of us. It is imperative that I understand His desire is that I find the things I need in Him. When I come He gives! I am asking myself this morning, what is it that causes me to hesitate in coming to Him? Many things.

Sometimes it has been a misunderstanding of what the Christian life is like. I had the idea that it was possible in this life to live above pain, sorrow, hurt, disappointment, grief, loneliness, emptiness, and failure. When I would experience any of those things I thought I must be doing something wrong. This would lead me to deny they existed or minimize the effects they had on me. My rule of thumb was “Don’t share it. Just grin and bear it! In time it will go away!” Not good! God has had to bring me to the place of admitting to Him how I am really feeling and allow Him to comfort, encourage, and heal me. I have had to learn I am not a disappointment to Him for having the struggles. In love, He is inviting me to tell Him the truth so He can help me. I no longer need to hide from Him, fear Him, or cower in His presence.

Other times it has been because I have looked for substitutes. It seemed easier to turn to a person, read a book, listen to a song, or watch a movie. Those things can be helpful and sometimes God uses them in the process. But I am missing out on the ultimate Source of help when I fail to go directly to Him. No one knows me better, understands me more clearly, and is able to minister to me so deeply as God. He knows every issue behind my feelings and emotions. My cobweb of thoughts do not repulse Him, intimidate Him, or exasperate Him. The needs are there on a daily basis so the necessity to go to Him is on a daily basis as well.

So today I once again admit life is hard! Each day has its own sets of trials, troubles, and difficulties as well as joys, laughter, and delight. At least now I know where to go with it all. I go with openness, honesty, and expectancy!

Father, it is early and I already have things to bring to You. Thank you for the invitation and welcome mat. I know You will help me. Amen.

Stepping Into the Storm

When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea. Matthew 8:23,24

The dynamics of their day changed when the disciples climbed into a boat with Jesus. Following Him led to a storm in their life and I am being reminded this morning that many times it is no different for us in this present age. As believers we have a desire within us to know God on a personal, intimate level. For some that desire has been buried under years of religious activity, going along with the crowd, and making their outward life appear to be just right. But the desire is still there. It is that ache inside them that whispers to them when they are finally alone with their own thoughts. Something is telling them there has got to be more to the Christian life and they long to know what it is.

I use to have a pretty “safe” way to live my Christian life. It boiled down to a neat system of behavior. Go to church, get involved, keep the rules, do what was expected of me, keep issues at the surface, never question, blend in to look and sound like everyone else, stay away from anything or anyone that didn’t agree with what I believed, and at all costs don’t make waves! While it was a safe box to live in it brought no internal satisfaction, healing, direction, or connection to God on a personal level. God was not the One I felt comfortable talking to, His Word was not something I opened on a daily or even weekly basis, and an incredible sense of emptiness, loneliness, and condemnation engulfed me. That was the shore of my existence for decades. Could people tell it on the outside? No! But my internal world mocked me.

The day I climbed into my own “boat” with Jesus was profound. All was bright and sunny for the most part. But the storm eventually came and I had to learn what it means to trust Jesus no matter what the circumstances of my life looked like. While it would appear my life has come unraveled my soul finally knows what it is like to be in daily relationship with my heavenly Father. So let the winds blow, let the waves cover me, let the rains descend! I have no intention on going back to the shores of comfort. I would rather be alone with Jesus in the midst of a storm than be surrounded by multitudes in my own emptiness.

Father, You see every storm that approaches. Your presence, Your Words, and Your voice sustain me! Amen.

When Others Experience the Storms

For I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. Jonah 1:12

It is a difficult thing to face the storms in our life. Consequences for choices we have made can be painful at times. That is the case when we choose to sin and sometimes that is the case when we are striving to do what is right. Jonah was running from God and yet he was not the only one to experience the storm at sea. When confronted with the question as to what they should do, he told his ship companions to throw him into the sea and he gave voice to the bottom line of their predicament. The trouble they were experiencing was on account of him! The price of his choice to disobey God’s command was being paid by himself as well as others.

I think of the many Bible characters who faced hardship because they chose to follow God. The storms of persecution came not only upon them but upon their friends and family members as well. If a father was put in prison for his faith, his family suffered the loss of his presence, protection, and provision. The enemy would be quick to condemn his choices because of the suffering others were experiencing on account of him. In many countries today there is still persecution abounding. What is it like for the one whose passion for Christ has a cost to not only himself but for his family as well? If they do not live under the grace and mercy of a loving heavenly Father, they will very easily second guess their decisions. Watching others suffer because of our personal choices can add extra pain to what we are already experiencing.

This has been the story of my life for the past seven months or so. My husband is facing the darkest and most difficult days of his life as a direct result of choices I made in relationship to my walk with God. It was easier when I was the only one paying the price for my decisions. It is much harder to see him in the midst of the storm. I have no doubt God will bring us out on the other side in complete victory. But I also know the enemy will use every thing he can to get us discouraged, doubtful, and disheartened. Every day I have two choices. I can choose to let God define this time for me or I can choose to let Satan do the defining. I choose what God says!

Father, You are the only Anchor in the midst of this storm. Help us to hold on to You like never before. We seek Your glory, Your honor, and Your deliverance. Amen.

Seeing Fruit and Victory

And He caused His people to be very fruitful, and made them stronger than their adversaries. Psalm 105:24

Although these words were spoken in regards to Israel, they are God’s intention for His children today. As believers, they capstone two very essential qualities He desires to be evidenced in our lives…fruitfulness and victory. Both must come out of a life that daily connects with God and lives in intimate relationship with Him. This morning I am asking myself how well I am doing at bearing fruit and being stronger than my adversaries.

When I think of fruit on a tree I see something that can nourish others as well as show that the tree is alive. I want my words and actions to nourish others and to show them that I am alive in Christ. Sometimes we limit “bearing fruit” to leading others to Christ. While that is certainly important (and thrilling when it happens) it is not the only thing that constitutes fruit in the life of the believer. Any conversation or interaction with individuals that shows them an aspect of God is a way of sowing seed that will eventually result in fruit. May God help us to see the moments in each day when we are able to show others who He is and what He is like by our lives.

When I first saw the phrase “stronger than their enemies” I immediately thought of the verse that says, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Satan is obviously our number one enemy but not the only enemy. Strongholds, addictions, generational bents, sins, certain people, over whelming circumstances and a host of other things can be our daily adversaries. Those things which can cause us to stumble are not suppose to have the victory over us. Through Christ we are MADE stronger than all of them. But many times we don’t know our own strength and we don’t live as if we are stronger.

The key is in the two words “caused” and “made”. It is God who is working in us to make this verse a reality in our life. He alone can reveal to us what is hindering either one from being true for us. This morning this verse becomes not only a challenge but a promise!

Father, may fruit and victory both be evidenced in my life on a daily basis. May Christ be seen in me! Amen.

Deliverance From Within

You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. Jonah 2:6b (New King James Version)

What a proclamation of deliverance! While Jonah’s pit was both that of disobedience and then near death, we too know what it is like to be in a pit. I think of Bible characters whom God brought out of pits. Joseph was in the pit of prison, Moses was in the pit of the wilderness, Ruth was in the pit of widowhood and famine, David was in the pit of adultery, murder, and fear, Paul was in the pit of persecution, etc…

For most of her life, my mother battled the pit of depression. I have known family members who battled (and still do) the pit of alcoholism. I have a friend who battles the pit of loneliness and rejection. Several close friends are presently in the pit of illness. For 30 years I was in a pit of emptiness. These pits are not places in which anyone wants to be. They are uncomfortable, difficult, and lonely. But we have a God who is faithful to deliver!

I find myself wondering about circumstances that some dear people endure and it appears their deliverance may not be seen in this life time. What do I do with this verse in that case? I realize there is still deliverance. God can still deliver them from despair, discouragement, hopelessness, bewilderment, and feelings of abandonment. For I remember that Jonah spoke these words while he was still in the belly of the fish…not when he was standing on solid ground!

What is your plea this morning? If you are lonely, God is present! If you are empty, God is the One who can fill you! If you are afraid, God is the One who comforts! If you are in need of forgiveness, God is the One who invites you to embrace His forgiveness! I find that for most of us, the torments of our internal world far surpass what we are experiencing on the outside. Mental anguish, heartache, regret, loneliness, and fear are not always seen by others but they are what we can find ourselves experiencing.

Jesus still says to each one of us, “Come unto Me and I will give you rest!” While the outward circumstance may continue for a season, I know that I can experience rest and peace of mind even in the midst of any storm. I can proclaim with Jonah that God has delivered me from the pit of my internal world.

Father, Your invitations to me abound! I come to You this morning to find my rest. Amen.