Monthly Archives: June 2015

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June 9, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Grace & Love, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Temptation & Sin

FALLING DOWN

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. [Romans 3:23 (NLT)]

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. [1 Corinthians 10:12a (NLT)]

Thrilled to finally get back on my bike after several weeks of prescribed inactivity, I was cruising along and in the zone. Suddenly, I looked up to see a person walking toward me, head down and ear phones on. Thinking I was reaching for my bell to warn of my approach, I ended up braking—hard. The next thing I knew, my bike and I were sprawled out in the muddy gutter. I had been having so much fun on the bike that my brain had simply gone on vacation.

Muddy, battered and bruised, I sat on a rock and nursed my wounds. I compared my morning’s tumble with the many times we fall into sin. When we stop paying attention to our surroundings, it’s easy to end up in a spiritual gutter. Even though we’ve been warned to stay alert for the enemy, we just barrel along, enjoying ourselves, “doing our thing,” and not noticing life’s hidden hazards. If we’re not watching for temptation, we’re taken by surprise when it comes our way. Before we know what happened, we fall and end up in sin’s sewer. I wanted to blame my fall on the walker but I had only myself to blame—I should have been paying attention. It’s that way when we sin; like Adam, we want to blame someone else, but we’re the only ones responsible for our actions.

Sitting there, bleeding and filthy, several people stopped to ask if I needed help; they were truly good Samaritans. Because I’d already asked my husband to come get me with the car, I thanked them and sent them on their way. The last time I had a bad fall, I wasn’t so smart. Insisting I was fine after a tumble down a ski run, I refused any assistance. Unfortunately, I’d broken ribs and torn ligaments in my knee and deciding to ski to the bottom was both prideful and foolhardy. This time, at least, I knew enough to admit I was hurt. When sin has knocked us down, it’s difficult to acknowledge that we’re in trouble and need help. We don’t want to concede that we’ve screwed up. While there may not be someone offering a helping hand, God is always there for us no matter how far we’ve fallen nor how dirty we’ve gotten. The problem for most of us, however, is admitting that we’ve fallen into a mess that we can’t clean up on our own.

Looking back on the morning’s misadventure, I’m incredibly thankful. The consequences of my fall are just some sore muscles and a nasty case of road rash. No car happened along as I went sprawling out into the road and, other than my bike’s bell, nothing is broken. We rarely get off that easy when we sin; sin’s consequences can be extremely painful and even fatal.

Once safely home, I got angry with myself. Our day’s plans were spoiled because of my stupidity. But my tears were not going to get me a do-over on the morning’s ride; the damage was done. When we’ve sinned, we also tend to beat ourselves up with guilt and remorse long after we’ve confessed and been forgiven. As far as God is concerned, however, our sins are over, done with, and gone; it needs to be that way for us as well. We should learn from our mistakes but must be willing to let go of the replays and shame. As for me, I’m sorer but wiser! And, if it’s all the same to you, God, could the inspiration for tomorrow’s devotion not involve blood and bruises?

Satan is the master distracter. He is always working to keep us off track in our walk with God. [Joyce Meyer]

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. [1 Peter 5:8a (NLT)]

The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. [Proverbs 11:5 (NLT)]

 

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June 6, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Peace of God, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

AWESOME DEFENSE

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I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. [Daniel 9:4 (NLT)]

Today I did something healthy and never had to leave the comfort of my La-Z-Boy chair! No, not chair aerobics or isometrics—I spent time in Bible study, worship and prayer. As usual, after spending quiet time with God, I had an incredible sense of awe. According to the University of California, Berkeley, that sense of awe can lower my levels of cytokines, some sort of “pro-inflammatory” proteins that raise my risk of depression, heart disease, type-2 diabetes, arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. Apparently, other research has found that feelings of awe can also enhance creative thinking, keep me from feeling pressured and rushed, and “inspire profound personal transformation” (which I think is pyschospeak for improve my attitude.) It seems clear that a sense of awe leads to positive emotions and positive emotions go hand-in hand with good physical and mental health.

The cytokine study mentioned losing oneself in magnificent music, beholding amazing vistas, enjoying artistic masterpieces, or meditation as awe-inspiring activities. But, we don’t have to listen to Handel’s “Messiah,” visit the Grand Canyon, go to an art museum, or practice TM or yoga for a sense of awe. Worshiping God is just about the most awe-inspiring activity there is! For added health benefits, whenever you participate in any of the other suggested activities, be sure to remember they are only possible because of our awesome God and say a prayer of praise and thanksgiving!

God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! [Psalm 68:35 9NLT)]

Who is like you among the gods, O Lord— glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? [Exodus 15:11 (NLT)]

The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne. O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? [Psalm 89:7-8a (NLT)]

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June 5, 2015

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Challenges & Difficulty, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Joy, Prayer, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Worry

IN THE DARKNESS

Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy! [Philippians 4:4 (NLV)]

Hear my prayer, O Lord! Let my cry for help come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble. Turn Your ear to me. Hurry to answer me in the day when I call. For my days go up in smoke. And my bones are burned as with fire. My heart is crushed and dried like grass. And I forget to eat my food. I am nothing but skin and bones because of my loud cries. I am like a pelican in the desert. I am like an owl of the waste places. I lie awake. And I feel like a bird alone on the roof. [Psalm 102:1-7 (NLV)]

moon-ACLwebI woke at 2:00 AM and limped to the bathroom for some Advil for my aching foot. Returning to bed, I knew my foot would feel better, if not that night then surely in the near future. God willing, I’ll be back to power walking within a few months. But, as I lay there, I wondered how many people were also awake and hurting that night, but hurting in a way that couldn’t be helped by a few ibuprofen. How many people see no end in sight for their pain and anguish?

Why such dark thoughts in the middle of the night? At Bible study earlier that evening, several people had asked for prayers for loved ones suffering from depression and, as often happens when serious depression is discussed, the topic of suicide also arose. While we’ve all been sad, depression is far more than just a bad case of the blues. Depression is when that sadness becomes so persistent that it interferes with everyday activities and adversely affects someone’s life. A complex illness, it has many contributing factors including grief, genetics, medications, illness, a history of being abused, and personal problems. I’ve watched family and friends suffer from serious depression and mental illness, some to the point of hospitalization, and I imagine they might describe it as a living hell.

Since we’re told to live lives of praise and joy, I don’t think God wants us to live a life of despair and agony. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and both mental and physical afflictions are part of it. We may not find the word “depression” in the Bible but anguish and despair can be found throughout its pages. I think Job was depressed and, at some time or another, so were David, Hannah, Jeremiah, and Elijah. Their depression didn’t mean they’d lost their faith any more than having cancer or diabetes means we’ve lost ours. Accepting Christ doesn’t mean we get a vaccination making us immune to any illness, least of all depression.

Lying in bed that night, I knew there is little any of us can do to alleviate the anguish of the mentally ill. We can, however, support Christian mental health services, be compassionate and supportive to both the ill and their families, and offer our heartfelt prayers.

Father in Heaven, I cannot begin to fathom the agony suffered by the mentally ill and the distress their illness brings to their loved ones. Protect them from the pitfalls, like addiction or homelessness, that so often accompany mental illness. Reassure them of your presence, lift their hearts, and guide them to healers so they can get the support and treatment they so desperately need. Give them the gift of hope and peace and restore them to health. Fill the hearts of their families with love, empathy, patience and understanding and help them to trust in your power and might.

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I plan what to do in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will those who hate me rise above me? … But I have trusted in Your loving-kindness. My heart will be full of joy because You will save me. I will sing to the Lord, because He has been good to me. [Psalm 13:1-2,5-6 (NLV)]

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June 4, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Nature, Prayer, Thanks & Praise

DIFFERENT ANSWERS

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But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. [Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT)]

We’d gone out to the bird sanctuary expecting to see dozens of beautiful birds enjoying the easy pickings in the remaining lake. The winter was dry and the summer rains have not begun so the last of the swamp’s lakes is disappearing, making it like catching fish in a barrel for the wading birds. Imagine our surprise when, instead of a shallow lake covered with water lettuce, we found only mud and, in place of herons, storks and egrets, we encountered dozens of black vultures enjoying the remains of the stinking fish in the muck. It certainly wasn’t what we expected and not really what we wanted, but it was amazing nonetheless and we were thankful.

We don’t always get what we expect, as a story making the rounds of the Internet aptly illustrates. A distraught mother, anxious to get back to her sick child with medicine just purchased at the pharmacy, discovered she’d locked her keys in the car. Seeing a coat hanger on the ground, she picked it up, straightened it and struggled to figure out how to jimmy the door. “Please God,” she prayed, “Send a policeman to help.” A rough looking man strolled by and asked if he could assist. Within moments of her explanation, he’d deftly unlocked the car. She hugged the man, thanked him for being so good to her, and told him he was God’s answer to her prayers. “I’m not good; I just got out of prison for car theft,” the ashamed man replied. “Praise God,” the woman responded, “He even sent me a professional!” God answers prayers, just not always in the way we expect Him to. Sometimes, however, His answer is even better than we imagined!

While writing this devotion, I thought of Emily Perl Kingsley’s essay “Welcome to Holland” which beautifully describes the experience of raising a child with a disability. I remembered a woman from our church who, like Kingsley, had planned on Italy and ended up in Holland; her son is mentally challenged. At an age when most young men are going to college or getting jobs, he still believes in Santa and Mickey Mouse. At a time when his parents expected to have an empty nest, he is incapable of flying away on his own. Does his mother complain? Not at all; she speaks of how blessed she is to have such a beautiful son so full of love and wonder—a son who has brought her great joy. God answered her prayers for a child but in an unexpected and different way. Her journey, while unlike than that of her friends, has still been a good one.

I’ve never arrived in Holland after purchasing a ticket for Italy; nevertheless, like everyone else, I’ve had prayers that were answered in unlooked-for ways. Occasionally, we get vultures instead of egrets, car thieves instead of cops, or a disabled child instead of an honor student. Sometimes we get what we’ve asked for and sometimes we are given something entirely different. It’s not necessarily bad; it’s just totally unexpected. We just need to accept God’s provision, trust in His love and wisdom, and thank Him for our many blessings.

Sometimes God doesn’t give you what you want not because you don’t deserve it but because you deserve better [Anonymous Internet wisdom]

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. [Romans 15:13 (NLT)]

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June 3, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Love & Works, Money & Wealth

RESCUE AND REDEEM

Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. … He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him. [Psalm 72:1,12-14 (NLT)]

hands-cropWEBIn Psalm 72, David, by now an old man, penned a prayer for Solomon who would soon become king. It may well have been David’s last psalm. In it he asked God to help his son to rule the kingdom justly and compassionately. “Rescue” and “redeem,” “help” and “pity” – these are pretty serious requirements, yet this is what a good king will do for his people. This is what Jesus, our king, did for us. Moreover, this is what we should do for others.

God cares for the poor, the oppressed, the weak and needy. He expects us to care for them, too. We need to consider how we can reach out to these people with God’s love. Like a good king, we can’t ignore their plight. The government we choose helps determine their fate. Do we remember the poor and oppressed, weak and needy when we vote? Do we remember them when we pass by the Salvation Army’s kettles at Christmas time? Do we remember them when we make our offerings at church? Do we remember their needs when we pray? Do we volunteer at a shelter or hospital or charity re-sale shop? Do we support missions with donations of supplies and money? Do we open our checkbooks freely for those who need our financial help? Do we open our hearts? Do we reach out our hands? Jesus was in the rescue and redeem business; are we?

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. [Isaiah 63:9 (NLT)]

Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things. Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen! [Psalm 72:18-19 (NLT)]

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June 1, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Money & Wealth, Obedience, Thanks & Praise

WE DIDN’T DO IT ON OUR OWN

The Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of slavery in Egypt. I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you their land. I told you, ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now live.’ But you have not listened to me.” [Judges 6:8-10 (NLT)]

God made it quite clear: the Israelites were not to worship the Amorite gods, yet they fell into a life of disobedience and idolatry. With such a concise and simple prohibition, why did the Israelites fail to obey God? Had they forgotten who freed them and fed them, gave them victory in battle and led them to a “land of milk and honey”? Perhaps they had and they began to think they had accomplished everything on their own. Lack of gratitude can be a dangerous thing. For the Israelites, it meant that they suffered for seven years at the hands of the Midianites; homes, crops and livestock were destroyed and Israel was on the brink of starvation. Let us never make the mistake of worshiping the false gods of self, fame, or fortune. While we enjoy the blessings of this life, we must never forget who made them all possible.

However, if you do not listen to me or obey all these commands, and if you break my covenant by rejecting my decrees, treating my regulations with contempt, and refusing to obey my commands, I will punish you. I will bring sudden terrors upon you—wasting diseases and burning fevers that will cause your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your enemies will eat them. I will turn against you, and you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you! [Leviticus 26:14-17 (NLT)]