Saturday, November 30, 2013

We Have the Mind of Christ

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
Genesis 1: 1 & 2

"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us."
1 Corinthians 2: 11, 12

"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
1 Corinthians 2:14

     How did the world begin? Was there a Big Bang? Did we evolve from a lower species? How do you answer these perplexing questions?

    It is with sheer confidence that I can say evolution is foolishness. Those who do not believe that "in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," cannot believe it because they are lacking discernment from the Spirit. This same Spirit who enters the heart of each believer was there at the very onset of creation, "hovering over the waters." Those who have been born of the Spirit have access to the very thoughts of God!

     I do not even know the thoughts of my husband, after knowing him for twenty-five years, because I do not possess his spirit. But, praise be to God, the Holy Spirit dwells within me. I know how the world and all its inhabitants came to be because He tells me plainly in his word.

    

Dont' Be a Doubting Thomas

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But, when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."  (emphasis mine)
James 1:5 & 6

     God is more than willing to give generously, no questions asked. He doesn't stop to analyze why we're asking for wisdom, not does he delve into our past before giving. The only thing he's looking for is FAITH. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certian of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

     So, when I seek answers, I must not allow doubts to creep in. Satan's good at that. Even while I'm praying, he pokes my side and says in my ear, "You don't really believe that, do you?" Like a child, I must have faith. It can begin as small as a mustard seed, but if I truly believe God, never wavering, then I can walk on water, like Peter did.

     Look at Jesus, not at the waves.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Regrets

"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check."
James 3:2

    The book of James is thought to be penned by the very brother of Jesus. As he wrote about the power of evil speech in the third chapter, I wonder if he spoke from the experience of regret and shame? When Jesus walked the earth "even his own brothers did not believe in him." (John 7:5) Perhaps James ridiculed Jesus, along with the other scoffers.

     Imagine if you were one of Jesus' siblings? Would you have felt like James? Not only is Jesus the eldest, but he's perfect, too? After years of following in Joseph's footsteps as a carpenter, suddenly he goes off on some bizarre ministry? Maybe we would be skeptical too, not believing in Him.

     Thanks be to God that Jesus paid for our sins and remembers them no more. James evidently became a believer and author of the epistle. God is patient with us, not willing to let any of us perish so we don't have to let our regrets rule over us. Let Jesus do that instead!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Victory In Jesus

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
1Peter 2:9

     My 89 year old father has dementia. He is slow of step, his eyes are weak, he cannot hear well and he is confused about many things but he is a part of the royal priesthood, a citizen of a holy nation who has been chosen to walk in His wonderful light. To look at him in his flannel pants and his silly stocking cap, he seems like just an aged, ordinary man, but when I tucked him into bed last night (after convincing him that it was indeed nighttime), I asked him what he wanted to pray about. Without hesitation, he declared, "I'm glad I know Him. When I was in the War, I didn't know him then, but He knew me."

     With that declaration, the flannel pants transformed into the regal robe of Christ. The walker by the bedside became a scepter and the stocking cap, a crown. Recognized by God as his dear son, a joint heir with Christ, my father sings his praises in the wonderful light of grace.

     Dementia can't touch that! Hallelujah!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Full Body-Off Restoration

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
1 Peter 5:10

     An old rusty car sits in a field, forgotten, seemingly useless. It has seen better days.

     Sometimes, I feel like that - weathered by relationships, rusted by stressors of life, all the air is out of the tires and I don't feel like going anywhere.

     So it is that I take great interest in the verse above. God himself will restore me, making me better than I was before! Lovingly, he will rub out the rust and grime left by sin and struggle, replacing it with shiny strength and a steadfast Spirit. With Jesus behind the wheel, I'll be road-worthy, good for another 100,000 miles or 50 years, whichever comes first.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

The First Murder

"Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Genesis 4:7

"Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother, Abel?'" verse 9

"Cain said to the Lord, 'My punishment is more that I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth and whoever finds me will kill me.'" vs. 13, 14

"But the Lord said to Cain, 'Not so, if anyone kills you, he will suffer vengeance seven times over." vs 15

     The Lord's kindness and justice are so strongly evident in this story of the first murder. First, God warned Cain that something bad could happen if he didn't get a handle on his anger. Then, after Cain had killed his brother, God gave him a chance to confess his sin, but he lied. Still, after doling out his punishment, God showed love and mercy by placing a mark on Cain so no one would kill him.

     Cain still had to pay consequences for his sin, but God was watching over him. The same holds true for us. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but, while we were yet sinners, Christ laid down his life willingly for us. He became sin so that we could have eternal life. Thanks and praise belong to him!

Don't Keep Quiet

"Then the Lord said, 'The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievious that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.'"
Genesis 18: 20 and 21

     There were not even ten righteous people left in these two evil cities prior to their destruction so I wonder who was doing the outcrying? Perhaps a wandering caravan of merchants who couldn't believe their eyes? A string of appalled relatives? Perhaps the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah had such dastardly reputations that the city walls could not contain them? Whatever the reason, the important part remains: there were folks who were so disturbed by what they saw and heard that they cried out to the Lord. And He heard them!

     Sin matters! Selfish behavior fosters an entitlement agenda, thus bringing this response: "If it feels good, do it. After all, I am not hurting anyone."

     We all have a responsibility toward our fellow man. If we are concerned about something or someone who is going down the wrong path, we can bring them to God in prayer, like a memo that has ASAP stamped on it. We are our brother's keepers.

Believe it or Not!

     Reading some of the facts in the Bible is like reading those of Ripley's Believe it or Not. Here are some examples:

  • Giant slain by David over nine feet tall (1 Sam. 17:4)
  • Balaam's donkey verbalizes question (Num. 22:28)
  • Man's wife becomes pillar of salt (Gen 19:26)
  • Water pours from a rock (Ex. 17:6)
  • Red Sea parts in two; people walk on dry path (Ex 14:21, 22)
  • Worldwide deluge; one family survives (Gen 6:13)
  • Hungry lions tame around Daniel (Dan 6:22)
  • Three men, bound and fully clothed, survive fiery furnace; not one hair singed (Dan 3:26)
  • Virgin bears child (Luke 1:34)
  • Man dead four days walks out of tomb (John 11:44)
  • Cruicified man rises from dead (John 20:6,7)
     Now, the reader must decide: believe it or not? Just remember, the story is not over yet. This headline is yet to come:

     Jesus Christ descends from the clouds, surrounded by angels; every eye shall see! (Rev 1:7)

Believe it.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

God's Emotions

"The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain... But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."
Genesis 6: 5-8

      Imagine God during the time of creation, excitedly crafting the various animals, tropical fish, birds from the ostrich to the hummingbird, thousands of flowers, bushes and trees. The shiny acorn with its funny cap, the glassy curve of the cat's eye, the delicate velvety colors of the butterfly wing, squishy red berries on a verdant bush, chattering chipmunks amok underground. The Genesis account of creation just says that God proclaimed it all "good", but I would like to imagine his playful creativity, the smile on his face as his came up with such awesome things. Then, he placed a man in the paradise, hoping he'd love all he made as much as he loved him.

     So, you can also imagine the pain in his heart as this paradise became muddied with the smut of sin. "His heart was filled with pain." Out of all those people, only Noah found favor in his eyes. This makes me want to try harder to please God, to be one who would find favor rather than cause pain. After all, when I examine the work of his hands, I see the lovely gifts that he made for mankind. I do not want him to be grieved that he made me.

What are the Benefits?

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Psalm 103: 2-5

     I have never been crowned with anything. Probably my only remote chance at this honor was if I were elected homecoming queen in high school, but I was never considered for that. I watched the coronation of Queen Elizabeth on television and wondered what she thought of the thronging crowds, the pomp and circumstance, the responsibility. Living in a castle has its price.

     But check this out: God crowns me with love and compassion! And that is only one of the benefits I receive as his believer. Just as when a person accepts a new job, they want to know "what are the benefits?" Not only do I have the free gift of eternal life and salvation from hell, I have healing, redemption, love, compassion, good things, renewed youth and vitality.

     He loves the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, yet he also provides all these fringe benefits! Thank you, Dear Lord, for choosing me to crown with love. What others have overlooked, you see. I love you, too.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

My Super Hero

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron."
Psalm 107: 15 & 16

     I adore this Superhero description of what God can do! I can just picture the downtrodden masses huddled behind bars of iron, held in the grip of their nemesis, then God flies in out of nowhere, larger than life (maybe even wearing a cape!). With omnipotence, he breaks down what the strongest man in the masses could not, setting them all free from bondage.

     Don't we all desire someone stronger than we are? Someone wiser, more capable, always there when we need him, ready to leap tall buildings?

     What iron bars has he bent for me? What bronze gates has he cut through? Most importantly, he has freed me from Satan's prison of hopelessness. He has dressed me in the robes of righteousness and made me a daughter of the King. He eases my daily burdens as he hears my cries for help.

     He is my Super Hero.

What Defines You?

"Watch out! Be on our guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Luke 12:15

     I've seen a bumper sticker that said, "He who dies with the most toys wins." What do they win, I wonder, because it's also true "there are no u-hauls behind a hearse!" Naked we come into this world and naked we leave it behind so what do designer clothes and expensive handbags do for me?

     I like to watch "American Pickers." So many times, an older person will throw open his garage door and I gasp at the conglomeration of his stuff! He doesn't even know what he has and yet is reluctant to sell it because he has an emotional attachment to it.  How sad, that this person so long in the tooth holds on to rusty, dusty possessions like a life raft in a roiling sea.

     During my lifetime, I have been down to a box of rice, bankruptcy and living in the back rooms of a store, but I've also been blessed with prosperity and plenty. Inside, I am still the same person because I look to Jesus for the fulfillment of life. He never changes. His value never wavers with the stock market. His salvation is a free gift, yet you can't put a price on it. This is what defines who I am. I am Christ living in me.