He Goes Before You

I don't know where you are at in your life. I don't profess to be some sort of prophet and call out people who are suffering from some disease or are in financial trouble or something. Wherever you are going and whatever you are going through, God knows. By faith, know he is going before you and will make a way. Trust him, not your feelings. He is faithful. 

God Turns

Psalm 114:7-8

God is so good, so gracious and awesome in his love for us. He says he will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5). His presence in our lives is both comforting and empowering. We will go through battles. We will fight the good fight. We will walk through the desert, the wilderness and valley of the shadow of death. But, he will be with us. 

But God does not just get us over. He turns rocks into pools and hard rocks into springs. In Exodus 17 the Israelites were in the desert and without water. (I won't go into the lesson that they complained to Moses rather than cried out to God here but if you're complaining rather than crying out; stop complaining and cry out to God.) The Lord had Moses strike the rock and water came out. Think about that. You can't dig for water in a rock. But God turns things that are not into things that are. 

You may be up against a rock, even a hard rock (on a side note: am I the rock, the hard rock that God must strike to bring springs of living water into my marriage or family?). Seek God. His presence will be with you. In his time he will turn that rock, that hard rock into a pool, even a spring. 

Tell Yourself the Truth, God is Your Fortress and Your Rock.

But the Lord has become my fortress,     
   and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

Psalms 94:22 NIV

David's view of God is so very vivid. So very real. The LORD, in David's experience, was a fortress, and the rock in whom he took refuge. When David was pursued by his enemies and he was feeling anxious, he found strength in the LORD, in remembering who God is. 

I can picture David as a boy, tending the sheep, all alone, with his rod and his staff. I am sure that many a time he felt anxious and afraid. It was during those times that he learned to call on God and trust him to be his fortress and the rock in whom he took refuge. When he sang his psalms he was reminding himself of the truth about the Lord whom he trusted. He learned that God could and would deliver him. 

When David was pursued by his enemies, even his own king whom he served, David remembered that God delivered him from the lion and the bear. He knew God. He told himself the truth about God when he was anxious and afraid. This is the lesson for us today. No matter the enemy, God is your fortress and the rock in whom you take refuge. We need to tell ourselves the truth about God. Say it with me now, "God, you are my fortress, my rock in whom I take refuge." 

In the Battle Be True

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Revelation 2:12-13 NIV

We don't really know the strength we have in Christ until we need it. Like Peter, who felt like he had the strength, found out he didn't, then discovered in the end he did, we need to look to Christ and remain true to his name. That's where our strength is! 

I'm pretty sure that most of us feel like Satan lives in our city. And our TV's. Christians have become the scapegoats for society. According to the world if you recognize sin you are actually demonstrating prejudice and hate. That's America. In many parts of the world Christians have been and are being martyred.  It's obvious that the enemy is turning up the heat and attacking with increasing animosity. 

We don't know what each day will bring. We do know that even though there will be trials and tribulations that Christ has promised to never leave us or forsake us. I believe that the perfecting of our faith is about being Christlike, not comfortable. Being true to his name means never backing down in our faith. Don't worry about if you'll have strength. Trust Christ for the strength you need today. 

Be Faithful, Not Afraid

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

I wish I could tell you that as soon as you decide to follow Jesus everything goes perfectly. It would be lovely it that was so. It's just not the reality of life as a Christian. We do have trials. We still don't see the end from the beginning. Painful things happen.

Yesterday, one of my best friends, who was the best man at my wedding, went to be with the Lord. He had been in a terrible accident several years ago that resulted in the loss of a lung and the use of one arm, not to mention nearly the loss of his own life. He was in constant pain. Before I got married we used to go to Rudy's Diner for breakfast on Saturday mornings. I remember many a conversation around why God would allow suffering. Eventually he healed enough where he could get around. He volunteered as a greeter in church. He learned to be faithful, even in the struggle. Now, he is part of that great cloud of witnesses. 

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Revelation 2:8-11 NIV

He Meets Our Need

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 

Hebrews 7:26 NIV

A few months ago I bought some hiking boots. They were low ankle style and a very good price. Since then I have used them several times and they don't quite meet my needs. Because they are a low ankle design I gather a lot of little rocks and things inside my shoes as I hike along. I think I need some hiking shoes that protect my ankles a bit more. I know this is a bit of a stretch, but, knowing Christ is not something we try and find out he doesn't quite meet our needs. He meets all our needs.

The author of Hebrews takes a great deal of time to explain the importance of Christ as our High Priest. I think it is very important that he reminds us that Christ meets our need. We don't come to him and suddenly realize he isn't enough. He is holy. He is our holiness. He is blameless, pure, set apart of sinners (us) and he is exalted above the heavens. His death on the cross, his intercession at the right hand of the Father, meets our need. 

Our need is to be reconciled with the Father, our Creator. Christ not only brings us back, but, he also keeps us. We are now part of the family, brought back home. He ever lives to intercede for us. He is right now...

Tested, Being Tested, Will Be TestedI

Praise our God, all peoples,

   let the sound of his praise be heard;

he has preserved our lives 

   and kept our feet from slipping.

For you, God, tested us;

   you refined us like silver.

You brought us into prison 

   and laid burdens on our backs.

You let people ride over our heads;

   we went through fire and water,

   but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Psalms 66:8-12 NIV

In a sense we go through three stages of our lives as followers of Christ. We are either being tested, have been tested or will be tested. No matter where we are in the testing process, God is faithful to be with us and bring us to a place of abundance. Remember, his testing is to refine us like silver so that we may be lights in the darkness of this world. So, whether you were just tested, you are being tested or you will be tested, God is with you and "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ"(Philippians 1:6b).

Don't Let Your Fears Stop

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Mark 6:50-52 NIV

I detect a bit of a theme these past few days: Don't let your fears stop you from trusting Christ. 

Sometimes it takes a little courage to step out in faith. It may be admitting you are a Christian in a very hostile environment, like your workplace. It might be a lot of things. You know. The Spirit of God is moving in you or will move in you to show you. 

Remember, when you are out there in the middle of the storm, when Jesus gets in the boat with you, it will all calm down. 

What Trial Are You Thankful For?

Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, 
   and he prepares the way, 
so that I may show him the salvation of God.” 
Psalm 50:23

On this Christmas eve I invite you to take a moment and remember something you are thankful for. Maybe you are in a line. You might be taking a moment between errands. Whatever you might be doing, remember and be thankful. Be thankful for the really easy things to be thankful for and also for the hard lessons that you needed to learn. Each tough lesson is a highway for the Spirit of God to move in your life. 

Do You Need Some Joy?

Then will I go to the altar of God,
   to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
   O God, my God.
Psalm 43:4

Once again David doesn't allow himself to be stuck in his emotions. He is obviously feeling depressed. But he knows that his joy and his delight is going to be found in God. 

I don't think David is trying to make a deal with God. He's not saying that if God rescues him then he will praise him. David is asking God to bring him to the place where God dwells, believing that God will, and when he gets there he will praise God for bringing him there!

What battle are you in? Where do you need his light and truth to shine? 

Father, send us your light and truth to lead us and bring us to your holy mountain. We put our hope in you believing we will yet praise you for your deliverance. 

Do You Need Some Hope?

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God.
Psalm 41:5-6a

The Lutheran hymn, "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" by Edward Mote* reminds me that Christ is my hope. I have been singing that song since I was a child when my mother and grandmother took me to church every Sunday. 

Sometimes - I lose my way a bit. 

                   - I get a little confused.

                   - I get anxious over things I can't understand or control.

                   - I sin.

                   - I'm disappointed in myself...

                   - I can't see my way out.

                   - The enemy is in full blown attack mode.

                   - I'm just tired...

Where ever you are at, it's time to remember, "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Christ is your hope. You will yet praise him! 

* http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh370.htm

Break Through the Wall

The One who breaks open the way will go up before them;
   they will break through the gate and go out.
Their King will pass through before them,
   the Lord at their head.”
Micah 2:13 (NIV)

Long before I was even a twinkle in my mothers eye, Christ went before me and died for my sins. Not just for mine, but for yours also! 

Christ, our Shepherd, knows what we are going through right now. He will make a way. He will break through whatever that wall is. With the Lord passing before us we will go through whatever gate is holding us in and pass through. 

Sometimes Rough Is Better Than Smooth

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body 
   and nourishment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:7-8 (NIV)

Back in the day I worked in construction. I worked for a guy who built the houses from the ground up, the foundation to the roof. I had just bought a new smooth faced hammer for things like nailing off decks. For some reason I was leaving "moons" (when you miss hit the nail and the hammer head makes a mark like a half moon in the wood) all over the beautiful redwood deck.

My boss walked up and said, "Is your hammer shaped like an egg or could it be your swing?" I laughed and told him the hammer was brand new. He asked to see the hammer, looked at the face of it, ran up to the road and started to hit the pavement with my brand new 28 oz. smoothed face hammer! He was rubbing it back and forth on the road when I grabbed it and asked "What are you doing? It's brand new!" 

He chuckled and explained, "Whenever you buy a new smoothed faced hammer, you need to rough the face up a bit to give it some grip on the nails. Otherwise it will just slide right off and you will make moons all over the wood."

Sometimes we try to keep things all smooth and nice and then God allows us to get roughed up a bit. Then we find that those trials help us get a grip on our faith just a little better. Like the marks on my hammer helping, God in his infinite wisdom, uses the marks of our trials to know him more and be useful instruments in the Kingdom of God.

Don't Let the World Intimidate You

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

I John 4:4 

First, a few thoughts on the greatness of God...

I know that the Lord is great,
   that our Lord is greater than all gods.
The Lord does whatever pleases him,
   in the heavens and on the earth,
   in the seas and all their depths.
Psalms 135:5-6 (NIV) 
God does what he wants, as he sees fit. Some people think they will call God to account for the evil and injustice in the world. According to the Bible God is the Judge and we will all answer to him. The evil and injustice in the world is the result of mankind's rejection of God and rebellion to his Sovereignty. 

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 
John 10:29 (NIV)
God is greater than all. All what? All everything, all anything. No person, no government, no belief will overpower or out think God. Every knee will bow, even those who impetuously deny and blame him.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.
2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NIV)
Sometimes all we will be able to see is the vastness of those who oppose us and our God. It may, at this time, look like the God haters are winning, but remember that the devil thought he won a great victory when Christ was crucified. But when Christ rose from the dead, conquering both sin and death, God forever revealed that he is greater than sin, it's sting which is death and Satan the accuser.  

  
The time we live in is definitely anti-Christ. One political party wanted to take the name of God of their platform during the last election. That can be intimidating, but greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.

Father, reveal yourself and your greatness to us as we seek to trust in you in this wicked world. May we shine like lights in the darkness! Praise be to you in us today!

Recognize Your Training

It is God who arms me with strength
   and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
   he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
   my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
   and your right hand sustains me;
   your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
   so that my ankles do not give way.
Psalms 18:32-36 (NIV)

There will be battles. My youngest son and I have been watching the History Channel and the world wars has been the subject. One of the observations I had was that great leaders, great generals prepare their soldiers, not just lead them. In the same way, Christ, our leader trains us. In a way each trial, each testing of our faith is a preparation for the next trial. 

Sometimes I think my problem is that I look at each trial as a depletion of spiritual energy rather than a training and strengthening of my inner being in Christ. Proper exercise may get me tired at the moment but, in the end strengthens me. Likewise, the trials Christ has brought me through prepare me and strengthen me for the battles ahead. 

Stop for just a moment and let the Spirit of God remind you of what your recent "training" has been...what has God been strengthening? Be careful to not get fixated on what you think the issue is but discern what you have been learning. I have been going through some trials/training and I have been fixated on the idea that I needed to learn to hold my tongue (which I do). But, that has not really been what I have been learning. My "training" has more to do with dealing with new challenges that put everyone around me in chaos. 

How are you being strengthened?

In the Fire, Not Out

But now, this is what the Lord says—
   he who created you, Jacob,
   he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom
   Cush and Seba in your stead.

Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)

"What's the worse that could happen?" Does that question send a shiver down your back? Does a list start to form in your mind? Is there a catalog of past disasters from your live that you can review? I don't know about you but, sometimes I feel like my life is Murphy's Law incarnate. 

The truth is that God doesn't promise that we won't go through hard times, he does promise to be with us. He does promise that we won't be swept up or burned as we pass through the waters and the fire. He create us, formed us, and redeemed us. 

I think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Because they would not bow down to the ninety foot image of gold they were condemned to death in the fiery furnace. The fire was so hot it killed the men who put them in the furnace. But, God was with them and they were protected from the flames. God was glorified in their trial. I will repeat. God was with them in the flames. 

What flames are you in right now? Know that God is with you. He created you, formed you, and redeemed you. He promises to be with you. 

Father, open our eyes to see you in the fire. Praise be to you in us today!

Is Your Trial God's Protection?

The living, the living - they praise you,
   as I am doing today;
fathers tell their children
   about your faithfulness.
The LORD will save me,
   and we will sing with stringed instruments
all the days of our lives
   in the temple of the LORD.
Isaiah 38:19-20

It's funny how some "tough" situations can be God's protection. When I first started teaching I was worried that some more experienced teacher might bump me out because of seniority. Finally, one of the veteran teachers said, "No one wants your job. No teacher who is from one of the "good" areas is going to want to come down here to South Central and teach." She was right. Although I got pink slips (saying my position was in danger) for my first few years, never once did I come even close to losing my job or position. God placed me in a class that no one else wanted. I was safe there. 

Where are you now? Are you in a tough position? Maybe a job or assignment that is not all that glamorous? Maybe God has you there to protect you. He definitely wants to reveal his faithfulness to you. Remember that  God's love for you is unfailing and his faithfulness is unchanging. Thank you, Lord!

Father, help us to trust you where we are at and thrive. Praise be to you in us today!

In Prison or Abundance God is God

Praise our God, all peoples,
   let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
   and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, God, tested us;
   you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
   and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads;
   we went through fire and water,
   but you brought us to a place of abundance.
Psalms 66:8-12 (NIV)

Thank you, Father, that even though our trials have been harsh and difficult you have been faithful to bring us through. Help us to remember that even though our own sins sting us, you still are faithful to provide a way out to freedom in Christ. Praise be to you that in the end you will bring us to a place of abundance and work all things for our good. Praise be to you in us today!

ARE YOU AFRAID OF DOING GOOD?

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." I Peter 3:13-15a

Sometimes we are afraid to live by faith. Afraid of what people might think. Afraid of having to explain ourselves. Afraid of being different. Afraid of failing. Afraid that God might let us down. 

Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15a). Sometimes faith seem foolish. Sometimes doing what we know is right in Christ may seem odd to those around us. It may even seem odd to us! But what others may think is not what is most important. Knowing that we are doing what God says is right is most important. How God views us is what counts and he sees us through the righteousness of Christ. That is why we should seek to please Christ, as our Lord. 

The wonderful truth is if we do what is right we will be blessed. even if we suffer for doing what is right, we will be blessed. 

Father, thank you for being Sovereign over all. Thank you that if we seek to live by faith and do what is right, in the end you will work all things for our good. Praise be to you in us today!

PASSING THE TRIAL TEST

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NIV)

A friend of mine struggled for a long time with the loss of his mother. He just couldn't believe that God let his mother die. It was a real barrier to his growth as a Christian. Until he came to grips with the ugly truth that because of sin we all die he found it difficult to trust God. 

Trials happen. Temptations will cross your path. Even Christ was tempted (Matthew 4). God does have a purpose for our trials. God's purpose is to mature us, to make us Christlike. 

Lately I have been going through a few trials that affect me and I have absolutely no control over them. All I can do is wait upon God. All I can do is trust that he is Sovereign and in control of everything. I can respond in love. I can respond with grace. I can act in faith. 

In the end, by his grace,  I hope for a crown of life. 

Father, help us to stand the test. Strengthen us in you. Praise be to you in us today!