Fan Into Flame

Saturday, April 11, 2009

T.G.I.F. --Thank God It's Friday! (Do You Know Him?)

"... 'Look, the Lamb of God,
Who takes away
the sin of the world!' "
(John 1:29)
Thank God it's Friday! Thank God it's GOOD Friday!

Words fail to adequately express the significance of this day. On this very good Friday, we remember an unimaginable offering. A self-inflicted sacrifice. A Divinely designed death. A triumphant trial over sin and evil.

We remember the perfect Son of God, purposefully made flesh to dwell among us. Deliberately sacrificed to save us from eternal separation from the one living God.

And, in the darkness of this Friday, we anticipate SONday ... the celebration of His glorious resurrection and victory over death.

Do you know Him?

(Please note that there is a 20-second delay before the video's audio begins. If you're receiving the post via e-mail, click over to the website to view/hear the video/audio.)

" 'Now this is eternal life:
that they may know You,
the only true God,
and Jesus Christ,
Whom You have sent.' "
(John 17:3)
For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Fools for Christ

" We are fools for Christ ...
For the message of the cross
is foolishness
to those who are perishing,
but to us
who are being saved
it is the power of God."
(1 Corinthians 4:10; 1:18)
Today is April Fool's Day. I don't know the origin of this day, nor do I know why we are supposed to randomly trick, fool, and prank each other. Quite frankly, I do not really care to know because today, I am finding the state of the world around me to be no laughing matter.

I had not intended to write today, but the Lord gave me an assignment this morning, so I am obediently and expectantly sitting down to my keyboard.

My mind is swimming with knowledge that I wish I didn't possess today ... bits and pieces of others' broken lives are swirling around in my head. Death. Disease. Deception. Dissension. Details of things I wish I didn't know. Desperations that I wish I could relieve. Serious things. Life-and-death things. Heaven-or-hell kind of things.

And, in the midst of the burdens that I carry for these others--some of whom I know and some of whom I have never met--, I am feeling rather impatient with the foolishness of the world ... and many in it. Today, I am not in the mood to gladly suffer fools.

Yesterday morning, the Lord led me to Scriptures about wisdom and discernment, and I ended up in an online dialog with someone--whom I do not know--who did not appreciate my Christian views. After the fact, I received some information that explained her extreme vitriol. During the course of our brief communication, my spirit properly responded in love, but my heart cried out, "Is this the way you repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, your Creator, Who made you and formed you?" (Deuteronomy 32:6). Probably didn't help that just prior to this dialog, I learned that a friend's infant daughter died in the night of a brain hemorrhage after a valiant battle with a whole host of health issues. The entire few months of her precious life was spent in the hospital. Her family's faith was unshakeable through the unimaginable trial, and their witness for Christ, even in her death, revealed the depth of His love that dwells within them.

And, as I sit this morning, praying for the Lord to guide the writing of this humble servant, I am transfixed between the faith of those who remain firmly fixed in Christ, unflinching in the fire, (reference Daniel 3) and the foolishness of those who ... well, who don't. This morning, the Lord has me meditating on Scriptures about fools and foolishness, and, beloved, I. am. NOT. amused.

We're all foolish from time to time. I think of Samson (reference Judges 16), the strong man whose one weakness cost him greatly, even though he was set apart by the Lord from birth. I think of Moses, the chosen leader whose momentary lapse of wisdom cost him permission to enter the promised land, even though he otherwise faithfully obeyed the Lord all of his life (reference Numbers 20). I think of David, whose indiscretion and subsequent cover-up created heartache and pain for himself and for others, even though he was a divinely anointed man after God's own heart (reference Acts 13:22).

Our repentance restores our relationship with God, and the Lord uses the faithful in spite of our foolishness, but precious ones, my heart is most burdened today for those who are imprudently abandoning Him altogether. "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' " (Psalm 14:1a).

Time is short, my friends. Earthly, temporal pleasures and pursuits are meaningless, even if our intentions are good and our causes are noble (reference Ecclesiastes). Our earthly focus must remain on our eternal future; there is no time for judgment lapses or journey languishes. " 'For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.' " (Proverbs 1:32-33).

" 'My people are fools,' says the Lord in Jeremiah 4:22. "They do not know Me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding.' " Jeremiah responds, "O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; You crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. I thought, 'These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the LORD, so I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.' But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds." (5:3-5). See the rest of Jeremiah, as well the other Old Testaments prophets, for the consequences of that uniform--and high-ranking--folly and indifference.

" 'Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the Rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the Rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.' " (Matthew 7:24-27; see also Luke 6:47-49).

" 'At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the Bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The Bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the Bridegroom! Come out to meet Him!' Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the Bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with Him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' But He replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.' " (Matthew 25:1-13).

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the Truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man ... Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts ... They exchanged the Truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--Who is forever praised. Amen. ... Although they know God's righteous decree ... they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." (Romans 1:18-32).

"Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ... We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. ... But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise ... the weak things of the world to shame the strong ... the lowly things of this world and the despised things-- ... so that no one may boast before Him ... so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." (1 Corinthians 1:20-2:5).

"We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him'—but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 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. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 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. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:6-16).

Oh, beloved, praise God that we have the mind of Christ! Praise Him that we have the revelations of His Spirit! A royal eternal inheritance awaits us (reference Romans 8:17 and Galatians 3:29), but, for now, the world may see us as court jesters. That's okay with me, because as long as I live on this earth, I have opportunities to be a fool for Christ. I have opportunities--big and small, but all significant--to reach those for whom heaven and hell hang in the balance. And, to me, my beloved, that's no joke.

Precious Father, thank You for Your wisdom! Thank You for the divine inspiration and spiritual perception that you provide for those who are willing to assume it. Keep us discerning, precious God. May we always "be wise in the way [we] act toward outsiders, mak[ing] the most of every opportunity. Let [our] conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that [we] may know how to answer everyone" (reference Colossians 4:5-6). I pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Wisdom and Power of God (reference 1 Corinthians 1:18). Amen.

"Don't you know
that you yourselves
are God's temple
and that God's Spirit lives in you?
... Do not deceive yourselves
If any one of you
thinks he is wise
by the standards of this age,
he should become
a 'fool' so that
he may become wise.
for the wisdom
of this world
is foolishness
in God's sight."
(1 Corinthians 3:16-19a)

"I hope you
will put up with a little
of my foolishness;
but you are already
doing that.
I am jealous for you
with a godly jealousy..."
(2 Corinthians 11:1-2)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Power of Prayer

"The prayer of a righteous man
is powerful and effective."
(James 5:16)
Do you ever wonder if your prayers matter? If God hears them? And, if He does, if they really make a difference? I mean, considering that He is sovereign and all.

I used to. Wonder, that is. I prayed all the time, all throughout the day, about everything. But, even as I prayed, I wondered if my prayers really mattered. I believed that God heard them; I just didn't know if they made a difference.

Have you been there? If so, or, if you're there now, let me assure you and encourage you that your prayers do matter. God does hear them. And, yes, they do make a difference ... even under the reign of a sovereign God.

What the Lord has taught me over the years is that prayer is my privilege; it is a blessing, not an obligation. Prayer is powerful and effective, not a fruitless exercise. Simply put, prayer an ongoing conversation with an all-knowing, all-seeing, ever-present God. I talk; God listens. God speaks; I listen. And, the "I listen" part is the toughest--and most important--end of the dialog.

Ever been stuck with someone who monopolizes the conversation? Ever been face-to-face with someone who talks about "Me, Myself, & I" all the time, without thinking to ask about you? Ever spoken with someone who downloads a litany of complaints and concerns and then moves on to the next victim--I mean the next conversation? Exhausting, isn't it? Tiring. Wearying. Life-sucking.

When we pray, when we talk to Him, the most important part of the conversation is His response. And, we need to stick around to hear it. It may be "No". It may be "Yes". It may be "Later". (And, sometimes I wonder if it is "You have GOT to be kidding Me!") But, beloved, be assured that He does answer.

The Lord listens, hears, and responds to the prayers of the righteous, to those who are earnestly seeking Him, to those who are repenting and crying out to Him, to those who revere Him. The greatest example is Jesus Himself. "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One Who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission." (Hebrews 5:7).

Jesus was God in flesh, yet He still prayed to the Father. Beloved, meditate upon this side of the conversation, and then consider the answer the Father gave Him in response to Jesus' most earnest prayer! "Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.' He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.' Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.' Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. 'Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?' He asked Peter. 'Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.' He went away a second time and prayed, 'My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So He left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing." (Matthew 26:36-44; see also Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46).

All thanks, honor, praise, and glory to God for His answer that prayer! Otherwise, we would be doomed to eternal separation from Him.

Precious ones, I love the description of what transpired during this particular prayer, as recorded in Luke's gospel: "An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him." (Luke 22:43). Luke writes that Jesus was "in anguish", praying "earnestly" to the point that His sweat "was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (v. 44). Talk about prayer warriors! That was some zealous prayer.

And, beloved, although the Lord's will prevailed (and, again, praise Him that it did!), it encourages me to read that the Lord strengthened Jesus to receive His answer and endure His plan. Just reflect upon how passage from Hebrews 5 continues: "Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all Who obey Him and was designated by God to be High Priest in the order of Melchizedek." (v. 9-10).

Precious ones, there is so much be said about prayer; there is simply not enough room in one post to flesh it all out. And, today's writing certainly took a different direction that I had anticipated (which is a very good thing! Thank you, God!). Perhaps there will be additional posts on the subject; we will see how the Lord leads, but, as I close for today, I would like to leave you with some encouragement that I received from the Lord this week during my conversations with Him.

"I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. ... The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry; ... The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him."
(Psalm 34;
see also Psalm 55; 1 Peter 3:10-14)

Precious ones, the Lord's answer to your prayers may not be what you hope. But, you can be assured His answer is best. This side of heaven, we may not ever understand His response, but we can know for certain that He will strengthen us to live within it.

Precious Father, what a blessing and a privilege it is to take everything to You in prayer! It is so glorious--and so humbling--that You have given us complete access to You ... anytime and anywhere ... all the time and everywhere! I thank You for the ever-deepening intimacy that develops during our prayer conversations, and I thank You that even when I don't know what or how to pray, Your Spirit intercedes for me (reference Romans 8:26-27). I pray now and always in the name of Your Son, Jesus, "Who died—more than that, Who was raised to life—{and} is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for {me}" (Romans 8:34). Amen.

"For this reason
I kneel before the Father,
from Whom His whole family
in heaven and on earth
derives its name.
I pray that out of
His glorious riches
He may strengthen you
with power through His Spirit
in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you,
being rooted and established
in love,
may have power,
together will all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long
and high and deep
is the love of Christ,
and to know this love
that surpasses knowledge--
that you may be filled
to the measure
of all the fullness of God.
Now to Him Who is able
to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power
that is at work within us,
to Him be the glory
in the church
and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen."
(Ephesians 3:14-21)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

"Forsaking My Pace ..."

Monday, March 23, 2009

Hide and Seek

"Nothing in all creation
is hidden from God's sight.
Everything is uncovered
and laid bare
before the eyes of Him
to Whom we must give account."
(Hebrews 4:13)
As I reflect and write this morning, there is a bathtub on my front lawn. And a toilet. And a shower pan. And a pile of broken tile. There in broad daylight, for all my neighbors to see, the sun is shining on all the remnants from my master bathroom.

Today, there's a whole lot of shakin' going' on, but it's coming from inside my own house as two contractors (my new best friends!) demolish old cover-ups and lay a new foundation for fresh fixtures. This week will not be fun as we endure the dust, noise, and inconvenience of a much-needed renovation, but, oh, how I am looking forward to the end result!

Truthfully, the renovation is long overdue. For years now, we've been patching and covering up signs of some serious problems, whitewashing the inevitable, doing the equivalent of what my husband refers to as "putting lipstick on a pig". I'm really afraid to see what has been hiding underneath all the tile and drywall all these years! But, when the workmen break for lunch, I will most definitely run upstairs and take a peek.

Regardless of what horrifying things may appear, the good news is that I will now be able to see beneath the surface with new clarity and a fresh perspective. It will be an up-close view, unhindered by exterior decoration and excessive clutter.

The mess in my bathroom, I think, serves as a good analogy for the mess in my being. As a Christian, I must strive to be pure and clean from the inside out. Surface sanitation is not sufficient. Fully surrendering to Him requires stripping away my facade, digging deep below the surface, unearthing impurities lurking beneath my veneer, and throwing them out into the light of the sun ... and into the light of the Son. Only He can take my whitewash job (reference Matthew 23:25-28) and make it as white as snow (reference Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18).

During each season of my sanctification, as I continually surrender to the Lord's rebuilding project in my life, He reveals unexpected treasures, things that I previously couldn't see through the layers of muck that covered them. Each step of obedience on my part yields additional clarity. Additional clarity enables greater understanding. Greater understanding initiates increased responsibility. Increased responsibility furthers His eternal kingdom plan.

Precious ones, the time is coming when hasty and deceptive whitewash jobs will not withstand the judgment of the Lord, and soon, the proverbial lipstick on the pig will be revealed for what it is: pure hogwash (reference Ezekiel 13). " 'Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, 'Who sees us? Who will know?' '." (Isaiah 29:15; see also Ecclesiastes 12:14; Jeremiah 16:17, 23:24; Amos 9:3; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Timothy 5:24-25).

It's time to focus less on hiding our own mess and to concentrate more on seeking the Lord's wisdom, for "He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:22).

The Lord promises that " 'You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.' " (Jeremiah 29:13; see also Deuteronomy 4:29; 1 Chronicles 16:10, 22:19, 28:9; 2 Chronicles 11:16, 12:14, 15:12, 19:3, 30:18-20; Psalm 22:26, 27:8, 69:32, 105:3, 119:2, 10). And, beloved, His treasure is worth the search.

So, let's stop hiding. And, let's start seeking. And, let's prepare ourselves to receive His coming revelations.

Precious Father, thank You for the revelation of Your Truth! Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, "in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). I praise You for Your promise that though Your complete "revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false", and I thank You for Your encouragement that "though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay" (reference Habakkuk 2:3). In the meantime, precious Father, I pray to remain a pure and useful vessel for You, unhidden and in plain view before a watching world. I pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus, "for [I] died, and [my] life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). Amen.

"There is nothing concealed
that will not be disclosed,
or hidden
that will not be made known."
(Matthew 10:26b;
see also Mark 4:22,
Luke 8:17, 12:2)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

"SON Light in the Dark Night"

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Not Guilty ... by Association

"Then he showed me
Joshua the high priest
standing before the angel of the LORD,
and Satan standing at his right side
to accuse him."
(Zechariah 3:1)
For the better part of 20 years, I have suffered from chronic migraine headaches. My migraines begin with a shortness of breath, followed by a paralyzing and lingering pain on the right side of my shoulder, neck, and head. Just this week, I awoke on Monday with a migraine. Today is Saturday, and although the initial nausea and intense pain is gone, the stiffness, discomfort, and shortness of breath remain. In one dreadful instance, several years ago, the aftershocks lasted for over a month!

My head is so rarely completely clear, that I hardly remember what it feels like to function without pressing through the discomfort. As I've prayed through these debilitating headaches over the years, the Lord has led me to several Scriptures, but none have resonated like the one above from Zechariah 3.

As I mentioned, my migraines are always on my right side (with one exception in 2003). As I read Zechariah 3 last autumn, this portion hit me afresh: "Satan standing at his right side to accuse him".

Beloved, in the name, power, and authority of Jesus Christ, I rebuke Satan and any of his minions flanking and accusing me! We are free of condemnation in Christ Jesus. The righteous are innocent because of His shed blood. By association with Him, we are not guilty.

But, that doesn't stop our accuser. The big loser. Even if the enemy can not reverse the Lord's verdict, he will try to neutralize, paralyze, and terrorize us to the end. Try as he might, however, he can not condemn us. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2).

Jesus Christ, in His purity and righteousness as the Son of God, assumed every shred of our deserved condemnation, every bit of our warranted guilt, when He perished on the cross. And, He when He arose victoriously from the tomb three days later, we who live in Him were pronounced innocent ... not guilty by our association with the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Precious ones, let us live in that freedom! Let us not be depressed, oppressed, suppressed, or otherwise harassed by one who has no authority to judge us! Accuse as he may, the enemy is blowing hot air. "Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He Who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign LORD Who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment the moths will eat them up." (Isaiah 50:8-9).

As I clung to the Lord and sought His comfort and reassurance during this latest attack, He led me to Psalms 34 and 37. "I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. ... The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. ... The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry ... The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. ... Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34).

"... Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. ... For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. ... The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish--vanish like smoke. ... Those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. If the LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand. ... I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. ... For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever ... the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. ... The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. Wait for the LORD and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. ... The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him." (Psalm 37).

Beloved, I have prayed for insight into my headaches. I have pled for relief. I have begged for mercy, all the while considering those who truly live in chronic pain and disease exceeding the relative insignificance of my headaches. I have not yet received a reprieve, but I know that His "grace is sufficient" and His "power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Beyond that, I know that Christ Jesus and His indwelling Spirit are interceding on my behalf ... and on the behalf of all who put their trust and hope in Him. "... The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. ... Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans 8:26-27, 33-35).

Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. No one can prosecute us before Him. We are burning sticks, whom He has snatched from the fire. He has removed our filthy rags, clothing us in the richness of clean garments (reference Zechariah 3:2-5). We are free, and, soon, He will dwell among us. "He will wipe every tear from (our) eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain ..." (Revelation 21:4).

Beloved righteous ones of the Most High God, be free in the knowledge of your sentence and your status! No guilt; no guilty. No condemnation; no condemned. No accusations; no accused. Only innocence. Only innocent. By association.

Precious Father, thank You for being my Defender (reference Psalm 68:5-6), my Deliverer (reference 2 Samuel 22:2; Psalm 18:2, 40:17, 70:5, 140:7, 144:2), and my righteous Judge (reference Genesis 18:25; Psalm 7:8-11, 9:8, 50:6, 58:11, 72:2, 96:13, 98:9; Isaiah 11:4; Jeremiah 11:20; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 12:23). I trust in Your goodness, Your grace, and Your justice, and I long for the day when I will eternally dwell in Your house forever (reference Psalm 23:6). I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, for I know my Redeemer lives (reference Galatians 3:13-14)! Amen.

"... 'Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power
belong to our God,
for true and just
are His judgments...' "
(Revelation 19:1-2)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Son Light in the Dark Night

"The hour has come
for you to wake up
from your slumber,
because our salvation
is nearer now
than when we first believed.
The night is nearly over;
the day is almost here.
So let us put aside
the deeds of darkness
and put on the armor of light."
(Romans 13:11b-12)
Daylight savings time begins tomorrow. Tonight, clocks will spring ahead one hour. Tomorrow morning, people will be late for church. (Always happens to at least one of us, doesn't it?!) :-)

I love light. I am not a fan of fiddling with the time (either fall back or spring forward, and let it be!), but I do love the light. Lamps burn continually in my home, even in the daylight hours. My husband has stopped turning them off, because he knows I'll just turn them back on again.

Scripture records God as the creator of all light (reference Genesis 1; Isaiah 45:7); In His Word, the Lord also reveals Himself to be light itself (reference 1 John 1:5). Light exposes what darkness hides.

About a year ago, we replaced our single, outdated, ceiling-mounted, kitchen light box with multiple recessed lighting fixtures. Mercy! I had no idea how dirty my "clean" kitchen really was until I saw my cabinets, flooring, and fixtures under the illumination of a more powerful light. Beloved, what an analogy for our lives as Christians!

Through the eyes of an unilluminated world, we may seem pretty immaculate. Through our own dim vision, we may view ourselves as fairly well-kept. But, precious ones, spotless is relative perception, isn't it? I look okay with bare arms and bare legs in the soft lights of my dressing closet. But, if I see my same reflection in the revealing lights of a store dressing room, I will purpose to wear long pants and long sleeves even in the height of the summer!

The discerning of you realize that my purpose today is not to write about physical appearance. Rather, what the Lord has laid upon my heart is the condition of our hearts, relative to His. We can camouflage our flaws before the world. We can hide our dirt in the cover of darkness, and we can sweep away our sin into the dusty corners of our lives where no one thinks to look. But, precious ones, we can not hide our hearts before the Lord. "He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Let us not deceive ourselves into believing that our internal housekeeping is okay because it is better than someone else's standards. There is only one standard and one standard-bearer: the Lord Jesus Christ. " 'I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' " (John 8:12; see also 1:4-5, 12:46; 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 John 1:7). Viewing ourselves through the lens of a lesser light is deceptive, defeating, and, honestly, defying to the Lord.

Jesus Himself addressed this practice in Matthew 23: " 'Everything they do is done for men to see ... Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. ... You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.' " (Matthew 23:5, 25-28; see also Luke 11:39).

To the righteous, the Lord's light is pure, true, reassuring and welcome. To the wicked, it is harsh, invalid, disturbing, and unwanted. Regardless, man's attempt to manipulate the light is rapidly coming to an end.

Beloved, the night is nearly over; the day is almost here (reference Romans 8:12; 1 Corinthians 7:29; Philippians 4:5; James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:18). Light is illuminating the darkness. Truth is penetrating lies. The Son is shortening the shadows. And, soon, the righteous will dwell in the everlasting light of God's glory (reference Revelation 21:23). No adjustments. No fiddling. No darkness. No hiding. No more.

Precious Father, how I long to live in the warmth and truth of Your light! How I long for Your face to shine upon Me! Dear Father, there are so many Scriptures about Your light, and I want to meditate upon them all. I pray, Lord, that Your light penetrates all who stumble across this post. Illuminate their minds, O Lord, to perceive You. Open their eyes, O Lord, to see You. And, soften their hearts, O Lord, to receive You. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Your shining Son and " 'the Light of the world' " (John 8:12). Amen.

"There will be no more night.
They will not need
the light of a lamp
or the light of the sun,
for the Lord God
will give them light.
And they will reign
for ever and ever."
(Revelation 22:5)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Good Mourning

"The LORD ... said to me ...
'Oh, that their hearts
would be inclined
to fear Me
and keep all My commands always,
so that it might go well with them
and their children forever.' "
(Deuteronomy 5:28-29)
This morning didn't begin so well for my daughter. As she left for school today, she pulled out a "green slip" for us to sign. A green slip is not a disciplinary action, but it is an admonishment, giving the student and the parents fair warning that some assignment was uncompleted, some responsibility was unfulfilled, or some standard was violated.

The egregious thing about this morning's revelation was our daughter's calculation in presenting it to us just prior to leaving for school. It had been in her possession since Friday, but she neglected to mention it throughout the long weekend, during the time when we were reviewing her assignments, and before she had enjoyed her weekend privileges. And, it's not the first time she "forgot" to mention a green slip or substandard test score until the last minute.

We were not amused. As a matter of fact, her deliberate deception cost her all of her privileges for a period of time still to be determined by her dad and me. It also resulted in a parent-teacher conference scheduled for this Friday, initiated by my husband this morning after he drove her to school.

Is she a bad kid? No. On the contrary, she is a wonderful girl, who just happens to be in her first year of middle school. Oy vey. Some people say that this kind of thing is "normal" for preteens and teenagers. We say that nothing "normal" or "average" about the world applies to Christians. We say that nothing below the gifts, abilities, and expectations that the Lord has for her is okay. And, so, after exercising repeated mercy and grace, her actions have wrought her consequences.

We do not like to discipline her. We love her and want only the best for her. It hurts us to punish her. But, precisely because we do love and want the best for her, God requires that we teach her and discipline her when necessary.

I shake my head sometimes, lamenting and thinking, "Oh, child, child. What are you doing? If you'd just listen to us and heed our instructions, you'd save yourself a lot of grief. Your life would be so easy if you'd just live within our guidelines and do the right thing."

It gives me compassion for Jesus, and at least a tiny taste of how He felt, when He mourned over Jerusalem: " 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.' " (Matthew 23:37; see also Luke 13:34).

Jesus grieved over His people, lamenting their disregard for His Truth and love, bemoaning the knowledge of the corresponding consequences of their choices, wanting them to accept the relative ease, safety, and protection He provided. " 'Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.' " (Matthew 11:28-30).

I also see God's similar plea in the Scripture that begins today's reflection. " 'Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear Me and keep all My commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!' " (Deuteronomy 5:29).

Moses implored, "... be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). "Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. When the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, Who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the LORD your God, Who is among you, is a jealous God and His anger will burn against you, and He will destroy you from the face of the land. Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah. Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees He has given you. Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers, thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said. In the future, when your son asks you, 'What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?' tell him: 'We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD sent miraculous signs and wonders—great and terrible—upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But He brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that He promised on oath to our forefathers. The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.' " (Deuteronomy 6).

Sadly, we know that most did not fear the Lord, nor did they live in obedience to Him. That is another post for another day, but, suffice it to say that out of all whom the Lord saved from Egyptian bondage, only Caleb and Joshua inherited the promised land (reference Numbers 13:1-6, 30; 14:24, 30, 38; 27:65; 32:10-12; 33:50-56; Deuteronomy 1:36). The marked difference, specifically in Caleb as the Lord highlights, was a matter of the heart. " 'I have forgiven them ... Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw My glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times--not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated Me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.' " (Numbers 14:20-24; my highlighted emphasis).

Beloved, the Lord is mourning over us even now, calling us to return to Him with childlike (although maybe not middle-school-aged!) faith and trust, urging us to repent of our waywardness, wooing us to come clean, imploring us to release what we think we best for what He knows is best. Why do we insist on rebelliously and short-sightedly clinging to that which does not satisfy? The Lord has blessings prepared for us, but we can not receive them unless we are willing to walk through this earthly life on His terms. " 'Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.' " (Matthew 7:13-14).

That Scripture from Matthew reminds me a scene from the movie, Facing the Giants. It's one of my (and my daughter's) favorite scenes in the movie. In it, one of the assistant football coaches is helping train the new kicker, who tends to kick everywhere around the goal ... but never through it. "Listen son," the coach says. "You act like you're gonna miss before you even kick the ball. You're kicking it wide left and wide right. Anybody can kick it wide left and wide right. My momma can kick it wide left and wide right, but that ain't what's gonna get you home. You gotta kick it through the middle. It don't have to look pretty; it don't have to look smooth. It can look like a dying' duck, but the ball has got to go through the middle. You're gonna have to choose the narrow way, because that's the only way you'll get your reward. Now kick this ball through these pearly posts!" (My paraphrase. :-) And, if you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it!)

It is good that the Lord mourns for us; it shows His intense love. But, precious ones, we should be the ones in mourning. Let us lament the grief that we have caused to our loving Father. " 'Even now," declares the LORD, 'return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.' " (Joel 2:12-13).

As I close today's reflection, I remember that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the historical day of repentance beginning the Lenten season. How very appropriate. :-) (And, by the way, Katy is now home from school and working very diligently on her homework. She's not wearing sackcloth and ashes, but she did earnestly apologize for her lack of diligence and said, "Mom. I'm not fooling around anymore." Oh, that we could say the same to our Father!) May the new morning bring good mourning.

Precious Father, I thank You for Your mercy, grace, and love, and I ask Your forgiveness for the times when I stray to the left or to the right. I pray, Lord, to remain wholehearted in my devotion and obedience to You, and I ask for the guidance of Your Spirit to keep me on the narrow way. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Your perfect Son and my perfect Savior. Amen.

"Then those who feared the LORD
talked with each other,
and the LORD listened and heard.
A scroll of remembrance was written
in His presence
concerning those who feared the LORD
and honored His name.
'They will be mine,' says the LORD Almighty,
'in the day when I make up
My treasured possession.
I will spare them,
just as in compassion
a man spares his son who serves him.
And you will again see
the distinction between
the righteous and the wicked,
between those who serve God
and those who do not.' "
(Malachi 3:16-18)

For further reflection on this topic, see also ...

Saturday, April 11, 2009

T.G.I.F. --Thank God It's Friday! (Do You Know Him?)