Category Archives: Knowing Him

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April 10, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Church & Worship, Joy, Knowing Him, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

DIG INTO GOD

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People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” [Luke 18:15-17 (MSG)]

Earlier this year, our son’s family visited us with their 20-month old son and his three-year old sister. I recently looked through photos from their visit and recalled how entertaining it was to watch the children play. They enjoyed every new thing encountered and were determined to learn new skills. Whether it was climbing the monkey bars, dressing the dolls, riding the trike, pushing the doll stroller, frosting cupcakes, setting the table, making sand castles, being chased by waves, or playing in the pool, they attacked each activity earnestly. Of course, there were moments of frustration and a few tears, but the little guys never abandoned their exploration of the world around them. The youngest even figured out how the locks on the lanai doors worked; fortunately, the doors were too heavy to open, but he tried anyway. Nothing deterred the children’s quest for knowledge. Interested in everything around them, there was never a moment of boredom; they eagerly approached each day as an adventure waiting to happen.

I wondered why we adults are so easily bored, prone to discouragement and world-weary. How many times have we said “Been there, done that,” “Tried it, didn’t like it,” “Same old, same old” or something similar? Unfortunately, sometimes that attitude carries over into our faith and church life. We often blame our pastors, worship team, choice of music, organist, band or choir when our relationship with God wanes. If we’re missing out on having glory moments with the Lord, it’s not their fault. We’re the ones responsible for keeping our faith alive and interesting, not them. If my faith is lifeless, if my worship experience lackluster, if my prayer life dull, or my Bible study boring, I have no one to blame but myself and my attitude. A relationship with God is never unexciting or monotonous. We, however, have to do our part to keep it going; we need to approach God with the eagerness of a child.

I didn’t have to prod my grandchildren to discover the world around them; they were keen to learn. Hungry for everything that life has to offer, they eagerly met each day with enthusiasm. If we crave those glory moments with our Lord, if we’re hungry for a deeper faith, if we have an appetite for the Holy Spirit, we need to bring that same childlike enthusiasm to God’s table. It’s not our fellow Christians’ job to spoon feed us and it certainly isn’t God’s. Everything we need is right in front of us: worship and serving opportunities, Bibles and Bible study, prayer, praise music, and our church family. We, however, need to pick up our spoons and dig in zealously the way a child does a bowl of ice cream! Better yet, get out a shovel and whole-heartedly dig in the way a child does when digging sand castles at the beach! Every day with God is truly an adventure waiting to happen; we just need to dig in!

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. [Matthew 5:6 (MSG)]

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. [Ephesians 4:15-16 (MSG)]

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April 7, 2015

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Bible Stories, Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, God's Promises, Holidays & Holy Days, Knowing Him, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets

WILL WE RECOGNIZE HIM?

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. [John 1:10 (NLT)]

?????????????????????????????The Gospel of John tells us that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early that Sunday morning only to find it empty. Puzzled, upset, and thinking that someone had stolen the body of Jesus, she started to weep. When she saw a man, thinking he was the gardener, she asked what had been done with Jesus. It wasn’t until He spoke to her that she recognized the Lord.

Luke tells how, that same day, while walking to Emmaus, two of Jesus’ followers were talking about the crucifixion and the week’s events. Frightened and disturbed by the confusing news, a man joined them as they walked. The two, preoccupied with their sadness and disappointment, failed to recognize Him. It was not until Jesus sat down with them, broke bread and blessed it, that they finally recognized their Lord.

These men and Mary Magdalene were Jesus’ followers, yet they failed to recognize him at first. Were they so blinded by their grief or so focused on their disappointment that they couldn’t see their Savior? Were they so preoccupied by their troubles that they failed to see their solution in Jesus? Did they miss seeing Jesus simply because they weren’t looking for him? Was it because, in spite of Jesus’ promises, they weren’t even expecting him?

If we ever hope to experience Jesus’ power and hope, we must remember to look for him when we are grieving, disappointed or troubled. I wonder how many times I have seen Jesus and failed to recognize him, never realizing He was right beside me all of the time.

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. [Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)]

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March 30, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, God's Grace & Love, Joy, Knowing Him, Peace of God

WHAT JOY IN PRESENTS?

The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory. There I’ll be when troubles come. He will hide me. He will set me on a high rock out of reach of all my enemies. Then I will bring him sacrifices and sing his praises with much joy. [Psalm 27:4-6 (TLB)]

3-24-15 presentscropwebA recent television ad for insurance shows two women talking. One asks, “Did you know that genies can be really literal?” The scene shifts to a man polishing a small lamp while cleaning out his garage. In a puff of smoke, a genie appears and asks, “What is your wish?” The unsuspecting man’s reply is, “A million bucks!” Instantly, he is surrounded by an enormous herd of deer. This scenario reminded me of childhood discussions I had with friends. We’d debate about what we would request if, in an astonishing bit of luck, we discovered a magic lamp or managed to free a genie from a corked bottle. Of course, we decided the wisest wish would be for three more wishes, always being sure to ask for three more before using the last one.

David, however, had the right idea. Instead of desiring an unlimited number of wishes and treasure from God, he said the only thing he truly wanted was to be in God’s presence. If he remained in God’s presence, David knew that everything else would fall into place. He acknowledged that troubles would still come his way, but knew that, in God’s presence, he would remain untroubled by them. In God’s presence, David would experience joy; after all, isn’t joy what all of us want? We will never find joy in fame and fortune or presents from a genie; we will, however, find joy in the presence of God.

Trying to be happy without a sense of God’s presence is like trying to have a bright day without the sun. [A.W. Tozer]

Heart, body, and soul are filled with joy. …You have let me experience the joys of life and the exquisite pleasures of your own eternal presence. [Psalm 16:9,11 (TLB)]

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March 21, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Joy, Knowing Him

LAUGHTER: THE BEST MEDICINE

The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. [Psalm 145:14 (NLT)]

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. [Psalm 146:8 (NLT)]

wildebeest 1-cropwebThree days ago, I published a devotion titled “Let the Healing Begin.” Immediately after its posting, I got an email from a friend who is recovering from painful knee surgery. “How timely,” he wrote. “Yesterday, while attempting to bend/kneel down and hook up the hose to vacuum my pool, my surgical knee gave out – and in an attempt to keep from falling in the pool, I pulled/tore the hamstring in the opposite leg. Laying on my back by the pool I thought, ‘Well, at least I didn’t break an arm or bang my head!’” He added, “The good news: my hamstring hurts more than the surgical knee so, I have kinda forgotten about the knee pain! It’s all relative! :-)” In spite of my concern for him, I laughed at his funny narrative. I then said a quick prayer for my hurting friend and thanked God for His precious gift of humor and laughter.

There are some people who question whether God has a sense of humor and laughs. I have no doubt that our funny bone comes from Him. Since we are made in God’s image, it is logical to believe that if we have a sense of humor, so does ostrich 094webHe; if we can laugh, He does, too. Anyone who’s heard a child’s laughter knows that delightful sound could only come from a loving God. Moreover, to make sure we always have something about which to laugh, He gave us creatures like the wildebeest and ostrich. Seeing those remarkable animals, however, isn’t necessary for laughter once we take a good look at our own lives and the various pickles in which we find ourselves. I, for one, frequently find myself in pickle juice so there is often a reason to laugh!

God is the one who lifts us out of despair and gloom and he often does that with laughter. A God-given sense of humor, however, never laughs at the expense of others; it’s not sarcastic or mocking nor is it crude, crass or cruel. A sense of humor gives us the ability to see, appreciate and express what is funny or amusing about a situation, especially when it’s our own. God’s gift of humor is necessary for survival because, without some laughter at our human predicaments, all that is left is tears.

In responding to my friend, I thought of the “big three” that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 13:13: faith, hope and love. While reminding him to keep his sense of humor, I suggested that we all need to add a fourth item to that list of attributes of Christian life: laughter. Of course, I also made the recommendation that he consider hiring a good pool man in the future!

A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It’s jolted by every pebble on the road. [Henry Ward Beecher]

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. … For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. … A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. [Proverbs 15:13,15,30 (NLT)]

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March 16, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Faith & Hope, Holy Spirit, Knowing Him, Temptation & Sin

THE DEVIL NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” [Luke 4:9-12 (NLT)]     

Satan seeks out those most susceptible and appeals to them. Alone and weak from hunger after forty days in the wilderness, Jesus was vulnerable to temptation and Satan exploited his needs (just as he does ours). Rarely does temptation wear a label identifying it as such. It may be wrapped in a pretty package and even, as Satan did, use scripture to support it. Jesus recognized Satan and his offers for what they were and refuted each temptation by returning to the word of God.

Our character is continually being tested by the temptations in our lives. Satan doesn’t even take off on Sunday; he’s busy “twenty-four/seven/three sixty-five.” How then can we resist? Like Jesus, we must rely on God’s word for guidance. Knowing scripture, however, isn’t enough. After all, even Satan knows scripture. We have to live our faith and follow God’s word. We must pray for guidance. We must stand strong in our commitment. Finally, we must be alert and learn to recognize temptation when it stands before us.

Lord Jesus, may your Holy Spirit keep us alert and strong as we face the continual temptations and challenges of daily life. Stay with us; guard, guide, and reside within us.

“Abide With Me” [Henry F. Lyte (1847)]
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. [Luke 4:13 (NLT)]

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March 10, 2015

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God's Grace & Love, Joy, Knowing Him

TOTALLY IMPARTIAL

For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. [Deuteronomy 10:17 (NLT)]

When my father-in-law was a salesman, he would occasionally encounter buyers who wanted special favors, gifts or even kick-backs to purchase his product. Grandpa always refused. He knew that if a buyer would accept his bribe, the untrustworthy man would probably accept his competitors’ bribes as well. Fortunately, God isn’t like those dishonest buyers. What kind of god would we have we could buy or bribe our way into heaven? What kind of god would we have if he only granted forgiveness or salvation to the highest bidder?

My uncle used to call me his “favorite youngest niece.” I always felt so special, being his favorite, even when I realized that I was his only “youngest” niece. My sister, of course, was his favorite “eldest niece!” He was an impartial, yet loving, man. God, like my uncle, is loving and fair and everyone is His favorite, as well. There are no “teacher’s pets” in His classroom! What kind of god would we have if he had favorites: those who were prettier, smarter, funnier, or more talented? What kind of god would he be if he allowed his favorites to adhere to different guidelines or push their way to the front of the line?

Thankfully, our God can’t be bought. After all, what could we possibly give Him that isn’t His already? Fortunately, our God doesn’t play favorites either. He disciplines and forgives, blesses and loves each of us each as if we were His favorite and only child.

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. [Saint Augustine]

Remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites. [Ephesians 6:9b (NLT)]

Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites. [Colossians 3:25 (NLT)]