"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Seems easy enough when I read it, but when life is rolling along and I'm riding a wave of stress, responsibility and strife, how can I always be joyful?
One of the things I am struggling with currently is my father's state of dementia. It makes me incredibly sad to be losing him in increments, to witness his confusion, to have him not recognize his wife of 61 years. Yet, I feel the Lord gently leading me along this road I do not want to travel. He reminds me that my father is a child of His and, hand in hand, He will lead him home where there will be no old age, no more sorrow, no fragmented minds. With joy and thanksgiving, I remember my dad's faith in God as he said grace at the head of the table. How it was his personal mission to make people laugh with silly jokes or by wearing his glasses upside down. I recall the halloween costumes he created or the science fair projects he helped us with. With joy, I thank the Lord that my dad has been of sound mind his entire life, making godly judgments, leading our family with a kind heart and a soft voice.
As my family experiences this disease together, we are meeting others along the way who are going through the same thing. This brings an opportunity to share our faith, to offer to pray for them, to show them that we truly can be thankful in all circumstances. Life is not easy for anyone, but we really do have so much that brings us joy.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
True Freedom
"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."
Psalm 119: 32
Jesus' death in payment of my sins sets my heart free from the burdens of guilt and regret. Only then can I, unencumbered, run in the path of his commands. If I didn't have the freedom of his loving redemption and restoration, then following the Ten Commandments would be a chore, a seeming impossibility.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." I need the Law, as does all of society; it is the barometer of abundant life. I also need Jesus to help me fulfill this Law in my heart. My love for him makes me want to do the right thing.
Psalm 119: 32
Jesus' death in payment of my sins sets my heart free from the burdens of guilt and regret. Only then can I, unencumbered, run in the path of his commands. If I didn't have the freedom of his loving redemption and restoration, then following the Ten Commandments would be a chore, a seeming impossibility.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." I need the Law, as does all of society; it is the barometer of abundant life. I also need Jesus to help me fulfill this Law in my heart. My love for him makes me want to do the right thing.
God is Not Dead
"I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand upon the earth. And, after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh, I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"
Job 19: 25-27
Oh, to see my Bridegroom with my own eyes! My eyes tear up and my heart's aflutter within me at the victorious scene described by the patient Job. Like him, I can say with stalwart conviction: I know my Redeemer lives. He will stand upon the earth someday and every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that He, and no other, is Lord. He will set everything straight and bring the justice that is so needed.
I think of the words of this hymn:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives my ever -living Head.
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there."
Go forth today in the joy and confidence that belongs to his redeemed! Have a great day!
Job 19: 25-27
Oh, to see my Bridegroom with my own eyes! My eyes tear up and my heart's aflutter within me at the victorious scene described by the patient Job. Like him, I can say with stalwart conviction: I know my Redeemer lives. He will stand upon the earth someday and every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that He, and no other, is Lord. He will set everything straight and bring the justice that is so needed.
I think of the words of this hymn:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
He lives, he lives, who once was dead;
He lives my ever -living Head.
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there."
Go forth today in the joy and confidence that belongs to his redeemed! Have a great day!
Sunday, April 21, 2013
All Eyes on Jesus
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."
Colossians 2:8
How many people think Christmas is about Santa Claus? Trees and ornaments are on display before Halloween as the business section in the paper prattles on about the importance of year-end sales. Does Easter mean buying a pastel outfit and eating chocolate rabbits? If that is what you believe, then your celebrations are hollow and tasteless. All the cheesy Hallmark movies in the world cannot demonstrate the true, unconditional love that is in Christ. It's His generosity, not Santa's, that we look forward to unwrapping, and it's available to ALL, not just the good little boys and girls. Easter is better labeled as Resurrection Day. Does the joy of the risen Lord leap in your heart as you celebrate his victory over death? When you are getting ready to leave this world, as we all will, I hope and pray that your beliefs are built on the Rock, not on the flimsy, saccharin traditions of the world.
Santa Claus will not meet you on the other side. Jesus will.
Colossians 2:8
How many people think Christmas is about Santa Claus? Trees and ornaments are on display before Halloween as the business section in the paper prattles on about the importance of year-end sales. Does Easter mean buying a pastel outfit and eating chocolate rabbits? If that is what you believe, then your celebrations are hollow and tasteless. All the cheesy Hallmark movies in the world cannot demonstrate the true, unconditional love that is in Christ. It's His generosity, not Santa's, that we look forward to unwrapping, and it's available to ALL, not just the good little boys and girls. Easter is better labeled as Resurrection Day. Does the joy of the risen Lord leap in your heart as you celebrate his victory over death? When you are getting ready to leave this world, as we all will, I hope and pray that your beliefs are built on the Rock, not on the flimsy, saccharin traditions of the world.
Santa Claus will not meet you on the other side. Jesus will.
Fear Not
"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4: 5-7
Bombings. Explosions. Gun control. Gay marriage. Abortion. Rape. Robberies. Shootings. These are words that evoke anxiety. Seems like I read about them every single day. And that's just in the newspaper! Add all the concerns on a personal level and it can cause illness.
How reassuring it is to know the Lord is near. He sees what's happening, he knows the news. Moreover, he has dealt with all of these things since the beginning of time yet he has peace! Peace beyond understanding that guards our hearts and minds from totally wigging out! To have that peace, I must turn it all over to Him in prayer, trust and believe.
So, fear not! The Lord is near.
Philippians 4: 5-7
Bombings. Explosions. Gun control. Gay marriage. Abortion. Rape. Robberies. Shootings. These are words that evoke anxiety. Seems like I read about them every single day. And that's just in the newspaper! Add all the concerns on a personal level and it can cause illness.
How reassuring it is to know the Lord is near. He sees what's happening, he knows the news. Moreover, he has dealt with all of these things since the beginning of time yet he has peace! Peace beyond understanding that guards our hearts and minds from totally wigging out! To have that peace, I must turn it all over to Him in prayer, trust and believe.
So, fear not! The Lord is near.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
What Impression Do I Make?
"Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1
At the end of any given day, if I could rewind a video of all I did and said, would I enjoy watching it? Would I share it with Jesus? Would He nod in approval as he saw me serve others in humility? Or would he cringe as I treated his people harshly with barbed words or gossip?
Sometimes, a parent might say to their child, "Do as I say, not as I do." That's because the parent knows their weaknesses. It's easier to tell someone else how to behave than it is to carry it out. Let's face it: we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God. But, as we surrender all to Jesus and ask him to lead us, we will make headway little by little.
Lord, grant me your temperament, your love for people, your grace. May I have the mind of Christ so that my words may show the fruits of your Spirit. I am deeply sorry for all the times I have mislead others.
1 Corinthians 11:1
At the end of any given day, if I could rewind a video of all I did and said, would I enjoy watching it? Would I share it with Jesus? Would He nod in approval as he saw me serve others in humility? Or would he cringe as I treated his people harshly with barbed words or gossip?
Sometimes, a parent might say to their child, "Do as I say, not as I do." That's because the parent knows their weaknesses. It's easier to tell someone else how to behave than it is to carry it out. Let's face it: we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God. But, as we surrender all to Jesus and ask him to lead us, we will make headway little by little.
Lord, grant me your temperament, your love for people, your grace. May I have the mind of Christ so that my words may show the fruits of your Spirit. I am deeply sorry for all the times I have mislead others.
Who's In Charge?
"To us, a child is born, to us, a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
The other day, I read an article in the paper about the ACLU making a school take down a portrait of Jesus from the wall. How feeble! Just as when Pontius Pilate thought he was lording over Jesus as he questioned him, these lame people think that, by removing this image, they remove Jesus' presence. Jesus will someday take his rightful place as Governor of the World and tell these folks, "You have no power over me!"
There will be no campaign, no election, when Jesus takes the government on his shoulders. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord. He has the dominion; there will be no rivals. And, he will post his portrait wherever he likes.
Amen! My Father rules.
Isaiah 9:6
The other day, I read an article in the paper about the ACLU making a school take down a portrait of Jesus from the wall. How feeble! Just as when Pontius Pilate thought he was lording over Jesus as he questioned him, these lame people think that, by removing this image, they remove Jesus' presence. Jesus will someday take his rightful place as Governor of the World and tell these folks, "You have no power over me!"
There will be no campaign, no election, when Jesus takes the government on his shoulders. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord. He has the dominion; there will be no rivals. And, he will post his portrait wherever he likes.
Amen! My Father rules.
My Conquering Hero
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:20
After Jesus was buried, so were the hopes and dreams of the disciples. Before his death, they'd been arguing about who was going to sit in the seat of honor. They could not keep their eyes open in the Garden of Gethsemane. They all, like sheep, scattered as their Shepherd was executed. Wrongly accused, convicted, beaten and crucified. All they'd believed in and followed for the last three years was gone.
However, death lost its sting as the tomb gave way to victory in Jesus' name! Their conquering hero walked among them, eating, conversing, cooking them breakfast in those forty days after his resurrection. Lovingly, Jesus reassured them before his ascension into heaven "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
This same promise is for believers today. We will never walk alone.
Matthew 28:20
After Jesus was buried, so were the hopes and dreams of the disciples. Before his death, they'd been arguing about who was going to sit in the seat of honor. They could not keep their eyes open in the Garden of Gethsemane. They all, like sheep, scattered as their Shepherd was executed. Wrongly accused, convicted, beaten and crucified. All they'd believed in and followed for the last three years was gone.
However, death lost its sting as the tomb gave way to victory in Jesus' name! Their conquering hero walked among them, eating, conversing, cooking them breakfast in those forty days after his resurrection. Lovingly, Jesus reassured them before his ascension into heaven "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
This same promise is for believers today. We will never walk alone.
By The Cross
"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
Colossians 2: 13-15
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding on a donkey, he was popular! The people formed a parade and shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." The Pharisees grumbled amongst each other: "Look how the whole world has gone after him." (John 2:19)
When I was a kid in school, I longed to be counted among the popular kids, but never had what it took. It would have been easy for Jesus to go off on this ego trip, accept a crown and crow about it. Yet, if he had, we'd only had a king for a short term in an empire that has since fallen. The name of Jesus would have been buried in obscure historical annals.
Perhaps, later that week at Golgatha, these same parade-goers who waved palm branches were at the foot of his cross, tsking and shaking their heads. What may have looked like weakness, lack of prowess or a poor decision to some actually became the salvation for many as Jesus completed his mission. By the cross, Jesus disarmed all the powers and authorities singlehandedly, for all eternity. His seeming "fall from grace" provided grace for a sinner like me, thousands of years later.
Jesus, from my heart I thank you for nailing my failures to the cross. You have triumphed over my foes; I cling to your mercy!
Colossians 2: 13-15
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding on a donkey, he was popular! The people formed a parade and shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." The Pharisees grumbled amongst each other: "Look how the whole world has gone after him." (John 2:19)
When I was a kid in school, I longed to be counted among the popular kids, but never had what it took. It would have been easy for Jesus to go off on this ego trip, accept a crown and crow about it. Yet, if he had, we'd only had a king for a short term in an empire that has since fallen. The name of Jesus would have been buried in obscure historical annals.
Perhaps, later that week at Golgatha, these same parade-goers who waved palm branches were at the foot of his cross, tsking and shaking their heads. What may have looked like weakness, lack of prowess or a poor decision to some actually became the salvation for many as Jesus completed his mission. By the cross, Jesus disarmed all the powers and authorities singlehandedly, for all eternity. His seeming "fall from grace" provided grace for a sinner like me, thousands of years later.
Jesus, from my heart I thank you for nailing my failures to the cross. You have triumphed over my foes; I cling to your mercy!
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