Category Archives: Trusting God

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February 23, 2016

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Plan, Knowing Him, Obedience, Salvation: A New You, Temptation & Sin, Trusting God

LORDSHIP AND OBEDIENCE

Steamboat ski area
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” [1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)]

The topic of study at SK8 church the other night was “Lordship and Obedience.” When the pastor mentioned the word “obedience” you could almost see the kids’ heels dig into the floor and their hackles rise. Submission to any higher power is difficult, especially if you’re a rebellious teen or young adult. Thinking of any restriction on us as an attack on our individuality and rights, however, isn’t limited to the younger generation.

That night, the pastor started with the easy word: “lordship” and its definition—a person who has authority, control or power over others and decides what is acceptable or not. One of the young men immediately understood exactly where the pastor was going with the lesson and shared his observation that lordship and obedience are two sides of the same coin—having a lord or master requires obedience if the relationship is going to work.

In actuality, from the very beginning of our lives, we’ve had to submit to authority of some kind. Parents say no to hitting your siblings, sticking forks into sockets, and drawing on the walls. Teachers tell us to sit at our desks, raise our hands, and study hard. Bosses require us to arrive on time, dress appropriately, and be conscientious. Landlords tell us we can’t have dogs and must pay rent promptly. Banks insist we repay our loans and not overdraw our checkbooks. Municipalities tell us to pay taxes, stop at red lights and obey parking regulations. Unfortunately, many of the young people at church that night had experienced difficulty with their earthly masters—they’d been kicked out of their homes, expelled from school, fired from jobs, evicted by their landlords or arrested by the local police. Regrettably, not all of our earthly lords and masters are worthy of unquestioning obedience—there are unstable parents, bad teachers, unethical bosses, shoddy landlords, greedy banks, corrupt governments, and dishonest cops.

There is, of course, one authority figure who is Lord and Master over all creation and worthy of our full submission: God! Unfortunately, it’s not just those young people who have trouble with this one. Many people think of obedience to our Lord and Master as an unwilling submission to an intolerant narrow-minded grouchy old man sitting on a throne in heaven rather than as our willing and eager submission to a loving father. Many picture God as restrictive rather than giving, punishing rather than encouraging, and angry instead of caring. But this is our God, a God who loved us enough to sacrifice his only son for our salvation—a God who has etched our names on the palms of His hand, knows the number of hairs on our heads, hears all of our praises and prayers and, if he had an iPhone, would have our photos on it. We have a Lord and Master, our loving Father, who wants only the best for us and knows exactly what that is!

The words succumb, submit, capitulate, acquiesce, yield, surrender, and concede all imply losing a battle of some sort but our relationship with God isn’t a battle of wills. If we turn it into one, we better understand that it is a battle we are destined to lose. God is relentless in His love for us and His determination to save us. Moreover, He is not our opponent; rather, He is our ally! When we cede control to God, we can’t lose—we can only win!

If God is the Creator of the entire universe, then it must follow that He is the Lord of the whole universe. No part of the world is outside of His lordship. That means that no part of my life must be outside of His lordship. [R.C. Sproul]

Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. … Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash. [Matthew 7:21,24-27 (NLT)]

Copyright ©2016 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.
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February 1, 2016

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Grace & Love, Knowing Him, Peace of God, Thanks & Praise, Trusting God, Worry

COMFORT ME

As a mother comforts her child, so I’ll comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem. [Isaiah 66:13 (MSG)]

9-26-15Family-WEBRecently, a new mother I know had to leave a restaurant in the middle of dinner. The sitter had called in desperation; nothing would stop the baby from crying and she was at wit’s end. I’ve had that happen both as a sitter and a mother. We’ve probably all had an occasion when there is a fussy baby and his mother isn’t near; it is not a good situation! The infant is passed around from person to person. The baby is sung to, bounced, rocked, jiggled, walked, patted, and even tickled; the binky is offered, diapers are changed, funny faces are made, and a bottle is tried. The adults try in myriad ways to comfort the crying baby but absolutely nothing works. In fact, the child usually gets more agitated the harder everyone works at calming him down. Then, miracle of miracles, his mother returns to the room. She reaches out her arms and cradles her child. Almost instantly, he quiets. These are arms he can trust; he knows he’s loved and that all of his needs will be met.

We are God’s children and, sometimes, we’re not much different from that crying infant. Something is wrong in our lives and nothing and no one can still our troubled hearts. Fortunately, God is like that mother; while other people, try as they may, can’t calm us or ease our fears, He can. When we let God’s arms surround us, He will bring us comfort. We just need to be still, feel His embrace, and accept His reassurance; we are safe and loved.

Thank you, Lord, for the life you gave us. Thank you for nurturing and sustaining us through the years. Thank you for the comfort you offer us, the caress of your arms as you hold us, the tenderness of your voice as you soothe our troubled souls, and your gentle touch as you dry our tears.

Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight! just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. [Psalm 119:76-77 (MSG)]

Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never. [Isaiah 49:15 (MSG)]

Copyright © 2016 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.

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January 25, 2016

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, God's Promises, Joy, Patience & Perseverance, Thanks & Praise, Trusting God

WINTER JOY

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? [Romans 8:38 (NLT)]

Steamboat Ski Area

As I stepped off the plane into biting wind and blowing snow, the shock of the bitter cold took my breath away. Having started the day at a balmy 70 plus degrees, I wanted to turn around, get on the plane and go back to where I’d been. The plane, however, wasn’t returning that night so neither was I. As I trudged across the tarmac, I questioned my sanity in leaving the warmth of southwest Florida for a stay in our Colorado home.

That first night in the mountains, I just wanted to go back. Once I traded my t-shirt for layers of fleece, my shoes for insulated boots, and my light jacket for a heavy parka, however, things improved. Once I saw the beauty in the aspens’ glistening hoarfrost, strapped on my snowshoes and enjoyed the snow instead of cursing it, and once I’d taken my first ski run down the mountain and embraced the wintery world in which we’ll live for the next two months, my attitude changed. Once I’d accepted and adjusted to where I was, I found joy in my surroundings.

We made the deliberate choice to spend part of our winter in the cold and snow but, sometimes, life drops us off in cold dark places not of our choosing. We end up at the funeral home, principal’s office, police station, or in the ICU. We find ourselves in cardiac rehab, divorce court, an Al Anon meeting, or across from an unsympathetic loan officer or angry boss. Bills pile up, loved ones get sick, tornadoes hit, accidents happen, children get in trouble, and dreams disappear. When those times occur, we want to turn around and go back to the way it was before—before sickness, bankruptcy, death, betrayal, or unemployment. God, however, does not offer return tickets to the land of before.

Several years ago, it felt like God left me in a cold dark place and I longed for the time before—before any of the bad happened, a time when everyone seemed happy and life was good. There was no going back, however, and it was fruitless to yearn for what had been but was no more. By trusting in God and His purpose, I surrendered my circumstances to him. Along with my tears were prayers and, with His guidance, I eventually adjusted my behavior, changed my expectations, stopped yearning for the before and looked with hope to the after. As for the after—while different, it’s possibly even better than the before! Granted, it didn’t happen overnight and it took more than wearing wool socks and long johns to get to a place of acceptance. It happened when I stopped asking God “Why” and started asking Him “What do you want me to learn from this?” It happened when I managed to find reasons for gratitude in even the darkest place. Eventually, out of the pain came not just acceptance but joy.

At some time or another, we all end up in cold dark places and enter a winter time for our souls. We need to find a way, not just to survive them, but to thrive in them. To do that, we must trust in the Apostle Paul’s words that while not everything that happens is good, God will bring good out of whatever happens. As difficult as that sounds, God will open our eyes to the good in the bad and we’ll find a way to have joy in all circumstances.

Thank you, God, for taking the broken pieces of our lives and putting them back together so they are stronger. Thank you for taking the cold winters of our souls and shining your love and light upon them, warming our hearts and enabling us to once again face life with joy.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [Romans 8:28 (NLT)]

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. [Philippians 3:1a (NLT)]

 

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November 25, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, God's Word: The Bible, Peace of God, Trusting God

STORM WARNING

Bryce, Utah
Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away. [Isaiah 28:16-17 (NLT)]

For the last two months, I’ve watched a heap of lumber at a nearby intersection transform into an enormous three-story “retirement resort.” Made entirely of wood, I can’t help but think about the Big Bad Wolf. You remember him—the fellow who huffed and puffed and blew down the Three Little Pigs’ homes until he got to the one made of bricks.

Here in southwest Florida, there are no wolves at our doors but we do get our fair share of huffing and puffing from tropical storms and hurricanes. Just because it’s been ten years since Wilma hit here doesn’t mean we’re not going to encounter another hurricane. In fact, some weathermen say we’re three years overdue for one. While nothing is actually hurricane proof, things can be pretty darn hurricane resistant. With proper design and construction, damage from storms can be greatly reduced. Our home, for example, is made of poured concrete and has hurricane straps anchoring its roof to the building.

Hurricanes aren’t the only threat to homes here. There’s a high risk of termite infestation and that building looks like a huge buffet for those hungry pests. Wood rot and mold in our hot and humid climate also jeopardize wood structures, not to mention the danger of fire. I’m sure the resort’s landscaping will be attractive, the interior design lovely, and stucco will be applied to the exterior. Nevertheless, while it may look well-built and beautiful on the surface, it will still be nothing more than an attractive pile of sticks. It might be able to withstand a tropical storm, like Fay with her 55 mph winds, but I doubt there will be much left if a relative of Wilma’s with her 125 mph winds returns (or if a family of termites take up residence).

What a building looks like on the surface is nowhere near are important as what it’s made of and who constructed it. That goes for people, as well; we need a solid base made by a good builder. Sooner or later one of life’s storms will come along to shake our lives. Without a firm foundation in God, without a life built on His word, without Jesus as our cornerstone, we’re not going to be able to stand strong against the tempests of life. We might make it through one of life’s cloudbursts like unemployment, but add debt, disease, or a death and you have the makings of a hurricane. Just as mold and termites threaten a poorly built home, infidelity, addiction or depression can gradually destroy a family. A life that isn’t built by God is vulnerable to attack on all sides. We’re not hurricane-proof—believer and non-believer alike will encounter major storms—but they don’t have to blow our lives apart. If God has been the architect and builder of our lives, we have nothing to fear. With Jesus as our cornerstone, we’ll be hurricane resistant and still be standing when the tempest has passed.

Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. [Psalm 127:1a (NLT)]

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. [Ephesians 2:23 (NLT)]

 

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November 24, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Challenges & Difficulty, God's Plan, Obedience, Trusting God

A CHANGE IN PLANS

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” … Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. [Genesis 12:1, Romans 4:20-21 (NLT)]

laughing gull - VB780webThis morning’ s news reported a federal grand jury’s indictment of a Utah man for making a bomb threat against a hospital last September. The false threat led to the hospital being evacuated and locked down for several hours. The man had nothing to do with ISIS or any terrorist group; he just made the threat to disrupt the hospital’s operations enough to cause the postponement of his wife’s scheduled C-section that day. He was in Idaho at the time and wanted the procedure delayed so that he could be present for the baby’s birth. Now, facing up to ten years in prison, it may be quite a while before he gets to enjoy that child.

While life rarely goes according to our plans, most of us don’t resort to bomb threats. Consider Mary—she was a carefree young girl busy with wedding plans when an angel interrupted her life with the message that, in spite of her virginity, she would have a baby. That certainly put a damper on the wedding plans and her relationship with Joseph. What about Noah—the farmer turned shipbuilder? Constructing an arc on the back forty and gathering a boatload of animals certainly interrupted his family’s comfortable life. Things were going well in Ur when Abraham and Sarah were told by God to pull up stakes and move miles away to an unknown place. Certainly Hosea wouldn’t have deliberately chosen a wife knowing she would be unfaithful to him, but that’s what God told him to do. Elizabeth and Zechariah had resigned themselves to being childless when she became pregnant. While a blessing, it had to be a challenge for the elderly couple—diapers and midnight feedings instead of quiet afternoons in the sun. Elisha was a farmer with a team of oxen, Isaiah a scribe, and Amos a shepherd; they hadn’t attended prophet school, but that’s what God called them to be. Andrew, Peter, James and John were fisherman and Matthew collected taxes; they all had careers when Jesus interrupted their lives and turned them into disciples. Paul, the Pharisee tent-maker, was on a mission when blinded on the road to Damascus and the persecutor of Christians became a preacher for Christ. None of these people asked God for a life change; it was God who called to them and God never asked any of them if it was a convenient time.

The Utah man who made the bomb threat apparently missed the important life lesson that the world does not revolve around us. But then again, while our behavior isn’t as extreme as his, we all have difficulty accepting that fact at times. God, however, has an uncanny way of reminding us who’s really in charge. One look at the lives of family and friends tells me that God continues his holy interruptions. Blessings, difficulties, challenges and assignments do not arrive according to our time schedules. God’s plan is not written for our convenience and we can’t call in a bomb threat whenever we don’t like His timing. Instead of God accommodating us, we are to accommodate Him and follow His plan, not ours. It may not be convenient or even what we wanted and we may feel ill-prepared or overwhelmed but, like those faithful people before us, we have to trust God and say, “Here I am, Lord!”

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” [Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)]

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38 (NLT)]

So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him. [Genesis 6:22 (NLT)]

 

 

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November 11, 2015

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Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Peace of God, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Thanks & Praise, Trusting God

PUT ON YOUR RED DRESS

Then everyone who believes in him can have eternal life. Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. [John 3:15-16 (ERV)]

Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” [John 14:1-2 (ERV)]

When you hear of my home going… Don’t worry about me. …Hey… I’m just another soldier, going home to be with the Lord. [Gospel hymn – author unknown]

While chatting with a friend, I mentioned how my little black dress has served so well at visitations and funerals. “Well, you better not wear that at my funeral,” she protested. “You better wear a bright red dress; I want a celebration!”

cardinal - CSS2592web“I’ve got a home in gloryland that outshines the sun,” goes the old familiar gospel song. If we believe that, why are we so somber when a believer passes away? Why the long faces? Of course, we mourn the loss of a loved one—their death leaves a void in our lives. I’m not trying to minimize the loss of life or diminish anyone’s sorrow. Life here on earth, however, is just the prelude to an eternal life with God. Rather than focusing on our grief, we need to celebrate the life our loved one lived and rejoice at the beginning of his or her new life. Although we’ve lost a friend or family member, Heaven has gained a new resident. The angels won’t be draping black crepe on the clouds when someone new arrives. They’ll be posting “welcome home” signs and hanging colorful streamers and balloons to celebrate another resident. Picture St. Peter busily painting a new number on the population sign at the Pearly Gates. As beautiful as God made earth, imagine how magnificent heaven will be. Moreover, it will feel more like home than any house in which we ever lived.

I imagine few in my circle, with the exception of my friend, would understand if I attended wakes and funerals in a brightly colored dress, so I will continue wearing the same black one. But, when our time is over here on earth, my friend and I have specific instructions—no dirges, just joyful songs of homegoing and no weeping or somber faces, just tears of joy and a little laughter. Ladies, when it’s time for me to go home, get out your red dresses and have the men come in their favorite aloha shirts!

Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now; I shall have gone up higher, that is all, out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal- a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body. [D.L. Moody]

We know that our body—the tent we live in here on earth—will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever. [2 Corinthians 5:1-2 (ERV)]