Hidden between the lines

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sinai, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Exodus 17:1

Discovered this little passage a while back. It’s the kind of verse I would  normally fly right over the top of. But something between the lines caught my eye.

It seems to be saying that sometimes, God intentionally leads us into dry places. Look at the context. The Israelites were following a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and it led them to a place where there was no water.

I’m not sure about you, but in my life, I have times I feel close to God. Other times, He’s light years away.

I love it when my time of devotions is sweet. God is speaking to me, encouraging me, giving me direction. I feel His presence in my prayer life.

But other times, just to be honest, I’m dry inside. Devotions are tedious. Prayer is laborious. Your time with the Lord is about as exciting as kissing your sister. (Sorry about that, Carolyn!)

Usually in the dry times, I blame myself. It’s my fault. I must be crowding God out of my life. He’s displeased with me for something I’ve done.  

But could it be that, like way back then, He is leading us into a place where there is no water?

See, it’s easy to live victoriously when everything is going well. Our faith soars when we are experiencing the blessings of God, when He is answering our prayers.

But during the dry times, all we have to hold on to is our faith. But the faith that really pleases God is the faith that remains strong when nothing is going right, when God is a universe away.

True faith evidences itself in the realm of the unseen.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

I don’t like the dry times but I have come to learn that in those times, God is often doing His greatest work in my life. And if I will remain strong in my faith, well, like in the days of the Children of Israel, a major gush is just about to happen.

 

Too much of a good thing

Never thought I’d see the day. I’m actually maxed out watching football. Must of watched 89 bowl games today. They had bowls I never heard of, in places I couldn’t find on a map.

And what’s with the blue carpet at Boise stadium? I kept trying to adjust the color on my TV. I mean, I’ve heard of blue grass in Kentucky but blue artificial turf in Boise?

My wife and I began the day with breakfast at a favorite coffee shop in Waikiki, the Wailana. We seldom go into Waikiki, it’s such a zoo, but the Wailana makes really scrumptious macadamia nut pancakes so we went early and beat the tourists. I drown them (the pancakes not the tourists) in a mixture of coconut and maple syrup Mmmm!

What? You don’t have coconut syrup where you live?

Spent some time reflecting on Oh-six. I lost my mother in April. She was ready to be with the Lord but it was still hard. Then our youngest left for college in August so it’s the empty nest for my wife and I.

What will Oh-seven bring? Can’t say. But I found a verse that jumped off the page. Think I’ll sort of adopt it for the coming year.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8

I can say from past experience, He has never failed nor forsaken me. You either. And He’s not about to begin now.

Let’s keep our faith and trust in Him.

Trust in the Lord with all our heart… in all our ways acknowledge Him.

If we will, He will direct our paths.

 

Who made the muck?

For every man must die. His breathing stops, life ends, and in a moment all he planned for himself is ended. But happy is the man who has the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the God who made both earth and heaven, the seas and everything in them. Psalm 146: 4-6

A few days ago, I watched a panel of “experts” debate the subject of evolution vs. intelligent design. As I listened to the evolutionists espouse their views, it occurred to me that it must be very depressing to be an atheist.

Think about it. Here you are, convinced that you evolved out of primordial muck. Now, after millions of years, you have reached the absolute height of the evolutionary process…. then suddenly…. YOU DIE! You cease to exist. It’s over.

Evolution has taken you as far as it could go. But it could not find a way to counteract aging. It could not overcome death. Worse yet? It could not find a way to continue your existence beyond death. You close your eyes and cease to exist. How depressing is that?!

As I watched the program, I found it amusing. Those who were arguing evolution got worked up. Their tempers flared. They hurled insults at the other side. And I thought to myself, if all you have to look forward to is a state of non-existence, why get so passionate about it? What difference will it make in the long run?

Today’s verse says,

“Happy is the man….whose hope is in the Lord his God, the God who made both heaven and earth….”

Now, that is something to get passionate about! That is something you can zealously defend.

Oh, and by the way, the passage answers another question the evolutionist must certainly ponder:

Who made the muck? 

 

The Gertilas, the Shirleys, the Derreks

There are many ways in which God works in our lives but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are His. 1 Corinthians 12:6

Sitting here at Starbucks, drinking coffee and spending time in devotions… it’s interesting the friends you see come through.

First, there was Gertila. Gertila is a widow, probably in her mid 70s. She is quiet, peaceful, gentle, just about the sweetest person I have ever known. She loves the Lord and she is a prayer warrior.

Then Shirley came through. Shirley is a real “Hallelujah” “Praise the Lord” kind of gal. Like Gertila, she too loves the Lord and she’s not ashamed to let the whole coffee shop know it. You go, girl!

Then there’s Derrek. Thirty something. Rugged, athletic, good looking guy. It’s a weekend night and he could be partying. But Derrek has more important things to do. He’s sitting in the overstuffed chair spending time in devotions. Talk about dedication!

Today’s passage tells us God works in each of our lives in different ways. He displays His power through each of us uniquely and individually so His eternal purposes can be fulfilled.

No two of us are alike. We come in different sizes, shapes, colors, nationalities, personalities. There are the Gertilas, the Shirleys, the Derreks, and God uses them all to accomplish His plan. To share the love of Jesus, so the whole earth will be filled with the glory of God.

Well, at least, the whole coffee shop!

 

No excuses

For since He, Himself has been through suffering and temptation, He knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and He is wonderfully able to help us. Hebrews 2:18

I am inspired by stories of people who have excelled, who made it to the top of their game though they started with little or nothing. An athlete or businessman, a world leader, one who grew up in poverty but rose to a position of prominence.

A favorite book on my shelf is “Gifted Hands,” the autobiography of Dr. Ben Carson, a world renowned neurosurgeon. Raised in the ghetto by a single mother, the odds were stacked against him, yet he made it to the top of his profession. His story inspires me to seek excellence.

I am also inspired when I read how Jesus faced the same human frailties we encounter, yet He was victorious.

…but (He) was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

Now, none of us are likely to reach a state of sinless perfection in this lifetime, at least I know I won’t. Still, we don’t have to fall into the trap of sin every time Satan sets a tripwire in our path. God has equipped us to live victoriously.

He has given us wisdom to know right from wrong. He gives us His Spirit to empower us. We have His Word to strengthen us against the enemy. He places others in our lives to watch over us, guard our blind spots. And He has given us His example to follow.

He has equipped us with everything we need to live victoriously. Yet if we do stumble and fall, He gives us mercy and forgiveness. Helps us back to our feet. And we move forward stronger and wiser than before.

So it’s up to us. We can make excuses for our shortcomings and stay in the ghetto, or we can  rise above, and live victoriously.

Let’s aim high. Set our sights on  things above. Let’s go for God’s very best!

 

God’s Smile

O God, in mercy bless us; Let your face beam with joy as you look down at us. Psalm 67:1

Isn’t it amazing to realize there is something we can do to put a smile on God’s face!?

What could He possibly be smiling about? Why do we brighten His day?

Well, for one thing, we are His children and He loves us.

Those of us who are parents, nothing makes us smile more than our children. They are our greatest joy. Not that they always make us smile. They can be our greatest grief.

But I love my children and any grief they cause is quickly forgotten when they show their love for me. When they are doing well. Working hard, playing hard. When they laugh. The bad times aren’t even a blip on the radar compared to the joy they bring.

And the real kicker? When I look at them, I see a bit of myself, and I smile. Or cry. But mostly smile. Nathan’s crazy sense of humor. Rachel’s compassion for those who hurt. Rebecca’s love of music and writing. All of them leaving their clothes on the floor.

Nope. The apples don’t fall far from the tree!

And as we are conformed into His image, He looks at us and sees a bit of Himself.

And He smiles.

Let your face beam with joy as you look down at us!

 

Peter, the lumberjack

Suddenly, there was a light in the cell and an angel of the Lord stood beside Peter! The angel slapped him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick. Get up.” And the chains fell off his wrists. Acts 12:7

The setting was Herod’s maximum security prison. James had been put to death and it pleased the Jewish leaders so Herod arrested Peter and scheduled him for execution the following morning.

He was in chains behind multiple locked doors, guarded by sixteen Roman soldiers.

I’m trying to imagine what was going through Peter’s mind. He must have reflected on the events of recent years. Only four short years ago, he was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, destined, he thought, to be a fisherman for life. Then Jesus said, “Follow me,” and life would never be the same!

Peter remembered the miracles. He remembered walking on water. He remembered Jesus calming the storm, healing his mother, feeding the five thousand.

He vividly remembered the crucifixion and the events leading up to it. How could he forget his betrayal of Christ?

But he also remembered the empty tomb, and Jesus on the seashore after the resurrection. He was there when Jesus returned to the Father.

Now, he is chained between two guards and in the morning, he goes before the firing squad. So what does Peter do? He falls asleep. In fact, he sleeps so soundly, the angel has to whack him on the side to wake him up.

Now, I don’t know about you but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be bagging Zzz’s, not on the night before I’m going to die. If I did doze it would be a light, restless sleep.

Not Peter. He is sawing some serious logs. It wasn’t the angel who shook the prison, it was Peter’s snoring!

Peter had no fear. He was ready to meet Jesus and he decided he might as well have a good nights rest before the reunion!

O Lord, may we have the faith and boldness of Peter, I pray. Amen.

 

24/7/365

She glanced over her shoulder and saw someone standing behind her. It was Jesus but she did not recognize Him… She thought He was the gardener. John 20:14,15

Mary Magdalene was standing at the tomb weeping because it was empty and she supposed someone had stolen the body of Jesus.

Interestingly, Jesus was standing right over her shoulder, in fact He spoke to her, but she mistook Him for the gardener. She didn’t recognize her closest friend.

Maybe her eyes were so full of tears she simply didn’t get a good look. But I suspect there was more to it than that.

I think she was so consumed in her sorrow she paid no attention to the one behind her. She was too caught up in her own emotions.

It makes me ask myself, when I am faced with a crisis, how often do I become so self absorbed that I fail to recognize Jesus standing over my shoulder? How often are my eyes so blinded by fear or pain that when He speaks, I mistake Him for the yardman?

Jesus promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. Through good times and bad… and especially in bad, He’s right by our side. 

Twenty four, seven, three sixty five. And an extra day on leap year, He is there.

 

Keeping it between the white lines

O Lord, I know it is not within the power of man to map his life and plan his course, so you correct me, O Lord, but please be gentle. Don’t do it in your anger or I would die. Jeremiah 10:23,24

The farther down life’s road I travel, the more I realize the futility of trying to make it in my own strength…. my own wisdom. I have way too many bumps on my head from hitting the wall, too many strawberries on my knees from stumbling and falling.

Thankfully, God is there to guide and direct. To provide course corrections along the way. And He does it gently if we call on Him often.

Driving down the H-1, I make constant itty-bitty course corrections with my steering wheel to keep between the lines. If I don’t, I’ll drift across the shoulder and then it will be the guardrail that corrects my course.

Calling on God often, spending time with Him daily, I allow Him to make innumerable small corrections in my life. If not, I will find myself calling on Him only in times of crisis and then enduring the pain of the guardrail.

O Lord, continue to perfect your will in my life, each and every day, I pray. Amen.

 

Mustard seed faith

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a tiny mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds but becomes the largest of plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter. Matthew 13: 31, 32

I’ve always been intrigued by the story of the mustard seed. Jesus once said if we have faith like a mustard seed, we can move mountains.

So exactly, what kind of faith does that little guy have? Well, let me go out on a limb (pun intended) and try to find out.

First, I’m guessing he has vision. He says, I may be tiny and insignificant now, but someday, I’ll be a tree! I read the Purpose Driven Life and I know God has bigger and better things in store.

But then, I’m thinking he also has courage. You see, as long as he stays attached to the branch, he will never amount to anything. Now, that branch is his security. He draws life from it. But if he wants to become a tree, he will need to let go. Venture out. Cut the apron strings.

This little guy is not afraid of adversity. He knows that to let go and fall to the ground means danger. He could be trampled. Mud thrown in his face. He says, “Bring it on!”

But one last thing, and I’m wondering if he knows about this. Before a seed can become a tree, the seed must first die. That is the hard part! 

Jesus said, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies it will be alone. But if it dies, it will bring forth much fruit (John 12:24).

So how does all of this apply to us today?

There have been times I have had vision. I’m sure you have as well. Maybe we had the courage to venture out. Weren’t afraid of a little adversity. But that dying part… whoa, let’s not talk about dying. We don’t want to go there.

Interestingly, I have found that sometimes, the things you want most in life, you must release. You must let go. And it can be like a death. But often, the vision simply cannot come to pass until that death process takes place.

I once read an article on the thee stages of a vision: the birth of a vision, the death of a vision, the fulfillment of a vision. I’ve seen it happen in my own life. I don’t know why it has worked that way, but it has. More than once.

The concept was personified in the life of Christ. God’s redemptive plan could not be fulfilled until Jesus gave His life.

That little seed has the potential to move mountains. I believe you and I can as well, if we have vision, courage, and a willingness to do whatever He asks, no matter how great the sacrifice.

So my prayer today is that you and I might have faith like that mustard seed. Full of vision. Willing to take risks. Unafraid of adversity. And if necessary, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to see His plan fulfilled in our lives. Amen.