He Gives the Ability

To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. Luke 1:74,75 (New American Standard Bible)

When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt it was so they could live out the truths of this passage of Scripture. It was an incredible rescue that demonstrated God’s power and protection for His people. The whole battle really was the Lord’s as they did not have to do any of the fighting themselves. After seeing the plagues, walking through the Red Sea on a dry path, and watching their enemies perish, what could possibly cause them fear in the future? How could they look at anything else they would come up against as “too hard for God?”

But Scripture is not meant to read as mere interesting historical facts. It is meant to come alive to me in applicable ways. Every time I open my Bible, God wants me to see that the stories are meant to fuel my own faith and affect change in my internal world which will result in change in my external world.

I must realize that I too have been rescued from the hand of my enemies. My biggest enemy being Satan of course. But there are other enemies I have been rescued from….habits, addictions, generational bents, insecurities, past woundings, etc….. Now while my mind knows this to be true am I living out the truth of it? Do my actions match up with my knowledge? Or do I metaphorically still abide in the hands of my enemies?

I am encouraged by the little word “grant” in this verse. It means to enable or allow the fulfillment of something. When I trusted Christ as my Savior, God not only gave me His Spirit but He gave me everything I would need to live the Christian life. That means that as His child I possess the capability of serving Him without fear and in holiness and righteousness. It is not a matter of mustering up the courage, holiness, and righteousness on my own.

So this morning I once again start with the premise that I am God’s daughter with all the kingdom rights, responsibilities, and privileges that come with that position. May the truth of that make a radical change in the way I walk through this day!

Father, doing all things through Christ literally means doing all things through Christ. Let me see You as my Enabler. Amen.

Hidden From Our Eyes

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41,42 (New American Standard Bible)

At one time Jesus spoke these words to Jerusalem and this morning He speaks them to me. I can hear Him saying, “If you had known in this day, but now it has been hidden from your eyes.” This life is filled with moments of seeing through a glass darkly. Countless are the stories that we don’t know the endings of yet. Oh, yes, we know that ultimately we will be in Heaven and all will be well, but for now, on this earth we don’t always know how things are going to turn out. Hence, we walk by faith and not by sight. We hold the hand and trust the heart of our all seeing and all knowing God. He alone knows the beginning from the end. He alone knows what lies ahead and the avenues He will use to take us to each point.

We are not alone. Many are the examples in Scripture of people who faced situations and didn’t know what God would do and how God would work. A few come to mind even now. Abraham ascending Mount Mariah with his son, Isaac. Moses and the children of Israel sandwiched between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. Joseph being led to prison. Ruth leaving the land of Moab. David being chased by King Saul. Esther standing in the courts of a palace. Peter in prison. Paul on the road to Damascus. In each case, God’s ways and thoughts were higher than their own. Even in their wildest dreams they could not have imagined what God had planned all along.

Such examples give me hope, for there are numerous “endings” in my life that are presently hidden from my eyes. I know what I would like to see happen. I know what I question will ever happen. Before my eyes actually see what God will do, there are lessons to learn, spiritual muscles to develop, “Thy will be done “ statements to be made, obedience to walk in, hands to open in yieldedness and submission, and a heart to daily draw closer to the One who can be completely trusted. Joy comes when my delight is found in knowing and following the One who knows what He has in mind for each of my situations and the day it will no longer be hidden from my eyes.

While I do not see all the endings of my stories yet, there are some things I am learning to see. Things such as: God’s faithfulness, forgiveness, provision, power, presence, fingerprints, ministry through others, and heart. He is lovingly enlightening the eyes of my understanding and safeguarding within me a teachable spirit. Praise Him!

Father, thank you that one day I will see it clearly. Until then may my eyes be fixed on You, the Author and Finisher of my faith! Amen.

It is a Process

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (New King James Version)

It is easy to become discouraged over the seemingly slow process of spiritual growth. I am learning (relearning) the truth that God’s work in me is NEVER at warp speed. It took years for me to grow physically, mentally, and emotionally, and it will take a life time for me to grow spiritually. The renewing of my internal world is a day by day process. Even though I am in a hurry, God is not. He wants it to last and to run deep.

He knows my tendency to just want to learn a lesson and move on. Many are the times I think, “Just give me the missing puzzle piece for this problem and I am good to go!” And my Father has to then take me aside and correct my faulty belief. He wants me to understand that each trial and difficult situation I face is not to be looked at as an individual puzzle that needs to be put together only to quickly move to the next one. The entire course of my life is a “puzzle” that God is masterfully putting together to bring about His portrait of beauty. Lessons learned from one experience will be carried over to the next. He does not waste time, material, or opportunities to teach me His tools for living.

While it is necessary for me to see this, it is also necessary for me to see things to avoid.

*Comparing my life with others. I must see that each portrait that God works on is unique and special. He makes no duplicates.
*Dishonesty. Hiding the truth or denying what is really going on inside my heart and head will not work. God requires truth in the inward parts and He will bring me to the point of honesty each and every time. This morning it was once again a matter of admitting to Him and myself my core beliefs about situations and individuals.
*Distrust. Nothing does more damage to my ability to follow and embrace Him with abandon than that of not trusting Him to do what He says He will do and be what He says He is.

May I, like Solomon, ask God to teach me the very things I am not skilled in.

Father, I so often come to You with an “all grown up” mentality but in reality I am still a child in many respects. Help me to learn and grow at the rate You know is best. Amen.

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.