Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Planting Seeds

"He also said, 'This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."
Mark 4: 26, 27

     Seeds still in the packet have the potential for growth but are useless without sun, soil and rain, those provisions from God. Until a person opens the packet and scatters the seeds, there's no growth.
     If I read God's word but do not share it with others, I'm peering down into the seed packet, but when I write this blog, the potential is released, the seeds are scattered! I don't know who will read what I wrote but I do know God's word is the Bread of Life, a stream of Living Water that quenches those who hunger and thirst.
     Why would I want to keep that to myself?

A Fleeting Shadow

"O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath, his days are like a fleeting shadow."
Psalm 144: 3,4

     Each day, without fail, obituaries are printed in the newspapers across the world. Some have a photograph, some have lengthy accounts, others are brief. What mark did they leave? What difference did they make? Were they abusive or kind? Soft spoken or harsh yellers? How can God love each one so much that he sent his only begotten Son to keep them from perishing?
     From my perspective, my time is long, my life is important, things matter - but who will remember me in 75 years when my children pass away? Who will see my gravestone and think about me?
     "Only what's done for Christ will last."

He Knows Me

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you percieve my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord."
Psalm 139: 1-4

     It's an amazing thought that God knows my name, but he knows me better than I know myself. Why is he so interested in me that he would search my heart, becoming familiar with all my ways? To know when I sit or when I rise, he has to be right there with  me. He knows what I am going to say next! Uh oh. That's humbling when I think of some of the garbage that comes out of  my mouth. I'd rather only good things did, especially if he's listening.
     Lord, like a spouse, you see me with rumpled hair and morning breath and yet, you are faithfully near. The King of Kings sees me at my worst! If I were going to meet the President, I would have to buy a new outfit; I would not be seen in my cathair-covered robe and scuffed slippers, yet this is how God daily sees me through eyes of familiar love. He made me!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Step Out of the Boat

"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus."
Matthew 14:29, 30

     Jesus must've relished in Peter's impulsivity, his derringdo! What reckless courage he had to step out of the boat amid wind and waves. Perhaps it would have been "easier" on a calm lake with a still boat, but Peter wanted to be like Jesus. For an instant, he knew he could walk on water, too. What a spiritual high! His eyes, locked on Jesus' eyes, determined and shining until..."But when he saw the wind he was afraid and, beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" It wasn't the Law of Gravity that caused him to sink, it was fear.
     Jesus, give me a courageous heart that will take risks. May I possess an abandonment of fear, casting aside my own perceptions and inhibitions, locking on your gaze as I step out of the boat.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Wait Till Your Father Gets Home

"Wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts."
1 Corinthians 4: 1-5

     This reminds me of that old childlike feeling of knowing that I'm in trouble when mom would say, "Wait till your father gets home." My father's word was the final one; what chance did I have but to face the music?
     The definition of motive is "some inner drive that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way." What drives me to act the way I do? Who is seated behind the wheel? Stress? Vanity? Love or Fear? Seems to me I should allow my stalwart, unchanging Savior to drive because when I base my actions on emotions, I'm all over the road, crashing into things.
     Jesus, you died for me, betrothed be with your Spirit and entrusted me with your secrets. Help me to trust you as implicitly  as you deserve so that when my Father gets home, I will receive praise from Him, not scorn, shame or disappointment.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

My Birthday Card from God

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:16

     What a perfect verse to meditate upon on my birthday! God is a consummate author. Each person he creates is like a great novel, a history book. Before I was even introduced to my parents, God penned my life story, molding characters, injecting humor, peppering the plot with joy or tragedy. Painting my eyes an amber brown, he knew I would be tall, graced me with a love of words and nestled me in a loving, Christian home. The setting was the quaint village of Grand River where I walked to school, rode my blue bike and learned about him in Sunday School. He ordained me to be a daughter of his and loves me unconditionally.
     How can my birthday be anything but happy?

The Secret of Contentment

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4: 12, 13

     Most every day of my life, I have had plenty, but I recall a time when my food supply was reduced to a bag of rice and some crackers. I still had a place to live but lost ten pounds in a week. Was I cared for? Yes! That was also the time period when I delved into the Psalms; they became my comfort food. God got me through that time, honing my strength and sharpening my appreciation for faith and family.
     Just as Jesus was led into the desert, God knew I had some rough times ahead of me that would tear me down if I had not spent time in his presence. I am content just knowing that God's grace is sufficient for all my needs.

Like A Rock

"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousnes will never fail."
Isaiah 51: 6

     Chevy trucks are built like a rock, or so we're told, and diamonds are forever. Is anything really built to last for all eternity? In the verse above, God tells me to look up, down and all around. What I see is temporary. The sun will vanish? Even the earth beneath my feet will wear out like an old shirt? Everyone I know is as vulnerable as a fly at summer's end? Then what can I believe in, how shall I live?
     I shall live as an Easter person, laying up my treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, where thieves will not break in and steal. Just as the glory of the autumn leaves fade away, so will my body, but my spirit belongs to the Lord who never changes.
     "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." 

Jesus Heals

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the poeople. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them."
Matthew 4: 23, 24

     I wonder why Jesus healed? Why not just come to provide salvation, a way to righteousness with God? I believe it was due to his overwhelming love and compassion. How could he have stood before them to preach, overlooking all their physical woes, when he had the power to bring relief? Imagine how many people were stricken in those days prior to vaccination, medicine, wheelchairs, or prostetics?
     Now imagine the radiating joy that spread across Syria as formerly paralyzed people danced, those who'd been bent with pain now erect and smiling, those souls ravaged by demons now sane and happy? Jesus brought hope to a hopeless world, freedom to the oppressed "to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3)
     Praise be to Jesus who brings wholeness, joy and gladness to those who love him and call him Abba, Father.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

When Jesus Touches You

"A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, 'If you are willing, you can make me clean.' Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing' he said, 'Be clean.' Immediately, the leprosy left him and he was cured."
Mark 1:40-42

Imagine being a leper, having had no human contact since being inflicted, being estranged from family and friends, suffering through a disfiguring disease alone. Seeing Jesus, a flicker of hope fans into a flame through faith as you approach him, trembling. Will he shirk away, wrinkling his nose? Will he command you to keep your distance, as others have? No! Jesus, filled with compassion, reaches out his hand and touches you, just as you are, diseased, dirty and discarded. Immediately, your skin is rosy with health. Your burden is lifted by One stronger than yourself. You are a new creation.
The Bible says, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. While I was dead in sin, dressed in filthy rags, discarded by others, he laid down his life for me. I am a new creation.

Pay It Forward

"He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn will tell their children.  Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands."
Psalm 78: 5-7

My parents gave me music lessons, braces for my crooked teeth, food and shelter, a bicycle, games and toys, an education, unconditional love, vacations, laughter and joy, but all would be hollow without the faith in God they demonstrated. If I were mad, mom would remind me, "Don't let the devil get a foothold!" If I were worried, she'd say "Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you." Watching birds at the feeder, mom would sing "For his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me." My parents prayed during times of distress, praised through moments of joy, accredited their Creator for all things. They spoke of their faith, they taught their children, they prayed for each grandchild as they continued to live in Christ. They showed me the Way, the Truth and the Life so I may live with Jesus for all eternity.
I can't think of a more blessed childhood than that.