Prov 16:9 "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directh his steps."
Some time ago, we were preparing to take a little trip to visit family. Our intention was to get up early the next morning and be on the road by 5:00 AM or so. The evening before, a friend pointed out that I had a low tire and upon further inspection, we saw there was a nail in the center of the tread. It only made a slow leak and never went flat, so after filling the tire back up, I took my air tank with us on the trip. My original intentions were to go down through the Springfield, MO area, but since we had this tire problem, I decided to go a different route, expecting to find a place to repair the tire along the way. To make a long story short, I ended up driving all the way to our destination - 8 hrs away - with the nail in the tire. But, since we went a different direction, we missed out on the tornado that went right through where we would have gone, at the precise time we would have been there. God knew the storm was coming and directed us around it with the inconvenience of a nail in the tire. It would have been easy to get all upset over having to deal with the situation, but God kept us safe from the winds that blew and kept our tire up all the way. You just can't ask for more than that. We just need to be reminded that God has His reasons for allowing things to happen in life. So, let's just accept them and go merrily on our way, rejoicing in Him.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Okay, God. Let Her Rip!
Job 23:10 "But, He knoweth the way that I take: when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold".
There are some parts of the Christian walk that are easier to accept than others. I don't mind at all when God decides to bless me. I am thrilled to wake up to a beautiful day and see the sun rise as the birds begin to sing. On the other had, it is the times of testing that are a little more difficult to give in to. Invariably, when I do finally say "okay, God, do what you deem best", that I see just what He wants to do and sometimes can actually get excited about it. Notice, I said sometimes. There are several truths for us in this short testimony of Job, but we will look at only a couple. The first that comes to mind is that God knows his ways. Later, David would tell us in the first few verses of Psa 139 just how much God really knows about us. There he reminds us that God knows when we get up and when we sit down, as well as all of the activities of our day. Nothing comes as a surprise to God. Job also tells us that as we go about our daily lives, God takes the opportunity to put us to the test. He uses the example of trying gold, which takes a tremendous amount of heat to remove the impurities. In other words, no simple pop quiz, so to speak. Now it isn't the test that we should focus on, but rather the results of the trial. Job said that he came out as pure, refined God - very precious and very beautiful. This is just a reminder that those days of difficulty are not pleasant, but the result that God is producing is glory to Himself and is also very good for us. So, sit back and let God do His thing.
There are some parts of the Christian walk that are easier to accept than others. I don't mind at all when God decides to bless me. I am thrilled to wake up to a beautiful day and see the sun rise as the birds begin to sing. On the other had, it is the times of testing that are a little more difficult to give in to. Invariably, when I do finally say "okay, God, do what you deem best", that I see just what He wants to do and sometimes can actually get excited about it. Notice, I said sometimes. There are several truths for us in this short testimony of Job, but we will look at only a couple. The first that comes to mind is that God knows his ways. Later, David would tell us in the first few verses of Psa 139 just how much God really knows about us. There he reminds us that God knows when we get up and when we sit down, as well as all of the activities of our day. Nothing comes as a surprise to God. Job also tells us that as we go about our daily lives, God takes the opportunity to put us to the test. He uses the example of trying gold, which takes a tremendous amount of heat to remove the impurities. In other words, no simple pop quiz, so to speak. Now it isn't the test that we should focus on, but rather the results of the trial. Job said that he came out as pure, refined God - very precious and very beautiful. This is just a reminder that those days of difficulty are not pleasant, but the result that God is producing is glory to Himself and is also very good for us. So, sit back and let God do His thing.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
What Is Your Shield?
Eph 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
One of the most interesting stories in the Bible is the account of David slaying Goliath. It can be a very simple story if you choose to just look at the events themselves and a lot of people have used the expression of David defeating Goliath as a metaphor of the underdog coming out on top against unbelievable odds. But, there is so much more involved. One of the facts that few ever consider is that Goliath had all of this armor to protect him, which included a shield bearer. There was actually someone that went out in front of him, holding a shield to defend him, until he got into hand to hand combat. King Saul offered David the use of his armor, which was a rather ridiculous thing to do, since Saul stood head and shoulders about everyone else, and David was but a youth. This armor of Saul would also have included a shield, tho David would have to carry it himself. David tried on the armor and decided that he couldn't use it. Not, because it was entirely too big, but because he had not "proved it". So, David proceeded to do battle with the giant having only a sling and 5 stones he had picked up in the brook. It seems odd to the average onlooker that David would approach such a feat as this with no protection. But, what we find is that he indeed had a shield. It was one that the Holy Spirit would inspire Paul to write about hundreds of years later. It was the "Shield of faith" (Eph 6:16). David had not proved the protection that was made by man, but he had proved the protection provided by God. David did not stand before Goliath or the Philistines as a soldier of Israel, but as a soldier of God. He was not defending the ground that Israel possessed, but the Name of God that he possessed. No doubt there will be times when you will be facing giants and will need some protection. Will it be the devices made by man or faith in God. What is your shield in times of danger?
One of the most interesting stories in the Bible is the account of David slaying Goliath. It can be a very simple story if you choose to just look at the events themselves and a lot of people have used the expression of David defeating Goliath as a metaphor of the underdog coming out on top against unbelievable odds. But, there is so much more involved. One of the facts that few ever consider is that Goliath had all of this armor to protect him, which included a shield bearer. There was actually someone that went out in front of him, holding a shield to defend him, until he got into hand to hand combat. King Saul offered David the use of his armor, which was a rather ridiculous thing to do, since Saul stood head and shoulders about everyone else, and David was but a youth. This armor of Saul would also have included a shield, tho David would have to carry it himself. David tried on the armor and decided that he couldn't use it. Not, because it was entirely too big, but because he had not "proved it". So, David proceeded to do battle with the giant having only a sling and 5 stones he had picked up in the brook. It seems odd to the average onlooker that David would approach such a feat as this with no protection. But, what we find is that he indeed had a shield. It was one that the Holy Spirit would inspire Paul to write about hundreds of years later. It was the "Shield of faith" (Eph 6:16). David had not proved the protection that was made by man, but he had proved the protection provided by God. David did not stand before Goliath or the Philistines as a soldier of Israel, but as a soldier of God. He was not defending the ground that Israel possessed, but the Name of God that he possessed. No doubt there will be times when you will be facing giants and will need some protection. Will it be the devices made by man or faith in God. What is your shield in times of danger?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Another Day That The Lord Hath Made
Psa 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
When I went to the post office today I spoke to a man as we passed and we both began to comment on the beautiful day. He said "I hope you have a good day", to which I replied "on a day like today, you just about have to". On the way back to the office I began to think about our brief conversation. The thought that ran across my mind was that everyday is a day that the Lord hath made. Whether in sunshine or rain. Whether cool refreshing breezes or hot gusty winds. Whether you are warmed by the sun or chilled by the icy snow. It is still God's day and He gave us exactly what we need. So the question arises, do we always rejoice and are we always glad in it as the Psalmist instructs us? Probably not! In reality, we are more prone to complain about the bad days (bad as we see them) and less likely to be thankful for the good days (again, good as we see them). We talk about our kids today being an ungrateful generation. We are quick to point out that they expect the world to hand them anything that they want without having to earn it. And, that seems to be the way that we are sometimes with God. We have become so accustomed to God's blessings that we expect them to be there. Even if we aren't living a life of obedience, "God you owe me" seems to be our cry. So, when you wake up to another beautiful day, take a moment and rejoice. Let God know that you are ever mindful of His blessings. You'll be glad that you did.
When I went to the post office today I spoke to a man as we passed and we both began to comment on the beautiful day. He said "I hope you have a good day", to which I replied "on a day like today, you just about have to". On the way back to the office I began to think about our brief conversation. The thought that ran across my mind was that everyday is a day that the Lord hath made. Whether in sunshine or rain. Whether cool refreshing breezes or hot gusty winds. Whether you are warmed by the sun or chilled by the icy snow. It is still God's day and He gave us exactly what we need. So the question arises, do we always rejoice and are we always glad in it as the Psalmist instructs us? Probably not! In reality, we are more prone to complain about the bad days (bad as we see them) and less likely to be thankful for the good days (again, good as we see them). We talk about our kids today being an ungrateful generation. We are quick to point out that they expect the world to hand them anything that they want without having to earn it. And, that seems to be the way that we are sometimes with God. We have become so accustomed to God's blessings that we expect them to be there. Even if we aren't living a life of obedience, "God you owe me" seems to be our cry. So, when you wake up to another beautiful day, take a moment and rejoice. Let God know that you are ever mindful of His blessings. You'll be glad that you did.
Monday, May 11, 2009
All Is Forgiven When All Is Confessed
Matt 6:12 "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."
Several years ago there was a movie that was a big hit titled "Love Story". Most people probably don't know much about the movie, but there is a quote from the movie that became quite popular - "love means never having to say you are sorry". Now that time has passed and we have had a chance to think about it, I believe they were way off base. If anything, I think we should say "love means that we can say I am sorry", because we know that the one we have offended is ready and willing to forgive us. And when it comes to asking God to forgive us, it is even greater, because He loves us so much that, as His children, He has already forgiven us. Now before you begin jumping to any conclusions, lets take a minute and consider the whys and whos of forgiveness. In I John 1:9 we find that if we confess (ask God to forgive us) He is faithful to forgive us. Now the word confess there actually means to agree with. So confession is agreeing with God that what I did that the Holy Spirit is convicting me of , was in fact a sin. Now, since God has already forgiven me, then the asking for forgiveness is for my benefit, not God's. It puts me in right standing with God. The same idea carries over into the mortal world. When you have offended someone and you know it, then you really don't want to be around that person. So, your fellowship with them is broken. Even if they have already forgiven you, there is still the guilt factor that keeps you separated. Now, don't let another sin, pride, keep you from doing what is right. Remember, all is forgiven when all is confessed.
Several years ago there was a movie that was a big hit titled "Love Story". Most people probably don't know much about the movie, but there is a quote from the movie that became quite popular - "love means never having to say you are sorry". Now that time has passed and we have had a chance to think about it, I believe they were way off base. If anything, I think we should say "love means that we can say I am sorry", because we know that the one we have offended is ready and willing to forgive us. And when it comes to asking God to forgive us, it is even greater, because He loves us so much that, as His children, He has already forgiven us. Now before you begin jumping to any conclusions, lets take a minute and consider the whys and whos of forgiveness. In I John 1:9 we find that if we confess (ask God to forgive us) He is faithful to forgive us. Now the word confess there actually means to agree with. So confession is agreeing with God that what I did that the Holy Spirit is convicting me of , was in fact a sin. Now, since God has already forgiven me, then the asking for forgiveness is for my benefit, not God's. It puts me in right standing with God. The same idea carries over into the mortal world. When you have offended someone and you know it, then you really don't want to be around that person. So, your fellowship with them is broken. Even if they have already forgiven you, there is still the guilt factor that keeps you separated. Now, don't let another sin, pride, keep you from doing what is right. Remember, all is forgiven when all is confessed.
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