Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 28, 2014

Posted under

God's Promises, Nature

PROTECTING THE NEST

mockingbird - IW072aawebBut this is what the Lord has told me: … The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will hover over Jerusalem and protect it like a bird protecting its nest. He will defend and save the city; he will pass over it and rescue it.” [Isaiah 31:4a,5 (NLT)]

Most birds don’t appear very intimidating, so unless you’ve seen a mockingbird defend its nest, this verse from Isaiah might not seem terribly reassuring. Several mocking birds live in my neighborhood and I enjoy listening to their delightful songs. This is nesting season, however, and the bird with the beautiful songs now has a loud aggressive rasping call that is used to harass any other bird or person that ventures near its nest. This little bird will even give chase to birds over twice its size just to keep its nest safe. A mockingbird family has chosen to nest in a shrub just a few feet from my lanai. As a result, whenever I go out, one of the parents will sit atop the screen and screech down at me. It harasses me non-stop with the bird version of, “Stay away from my babies! Stay away from my home! Go away, go away!” It gives me great comfort to know that God promises to love, defend and protect me like a bird protecting its nest!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 27, 2014

Posted under

Challenges & Difficulty

The Perfect Storm

One day he and his disciples got in a boat. “Let’s cross the lake,” he said. And off they went. It was smooth sailing, and he fell asleep. A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake. Water poured in, and they were about to capsize. They woke Jesus: “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” [Luke 8:22-24a (MSG)]

Our lives become chaotic and difficult with the diagnosis of a chronic or life-threatening disease, the loss of a job, a loved one’s death, or a car accident. When a family member sinks into depression or addiction, when unexpected and overwhelming expenses occur, when a marriage fails or the weather destroys our homes, life takes a terrible turn. If we have to face only one crisis (or even two) at a time, we usually manage to muddle through with faith, prayer and God’s guidance. Sometimes, however, our lives go from bad to catastrophic when those troubles combine. Through no fault of our own, chronic misfortune plagues us and we find ourselves in the midst of a perfect storm of adversity. Like the disciples, we’re certain that we’ll sink in the troubled waters.

Father, at times it seems as if our lives are going to capsize and we’ll drown in our troubles. Calm us when the storm hits; forgive our lack of faith when we try to bail ourselves out instead of turning to you. Help us trust that you will strengthen us while you quiet the storm. Reassure us that if our boats capsize, you’ll teach us to swim!

Getting to his feet, he told the wind, “Silence!” and the waves, “Quiet down!” They did it. The lake became smooth as glass. Then he said to his disciples, “Why can’t you trust me?” Luke 8:24b-25a (MSG)]

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 25, 2014

Posted under

Prayer, Trusting God

Who’s on Your Speed Dial?

Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. [Psalm 105:4 (NLT)]

Do you remember the “Seinfeld” episode about one’s placement on the speed dial of someone else’s phone? Following a bad date, Jerry discovered that his name had moved from seventh to ninth position on his girlfriend’s phone. “This speed dial’s like a relationship barometer,” was his conclusion.

Our pastor told the story of a church council that was dealing with a rather vexing problem. In fact, there was so much discord that the survival of the parish was at stake. During a particularly contentious council meeting, the minister suggested that they pause for some prayer. A stunned church elder responded, “Good Heavens! Has it finally come to that?”

My point? Who is first on our speed dials? Is God the first one we call with our problems or the last resort when all else fails? If He’s not number one, there’s something wrong with our relationship. Let’s keep him in first place and remember that, if we chat with him daily about the little things in our lives, it’s much easier to hand him the big problems when they arise.

Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness. [H. Jackson Brown, Jr.]

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. [Colossians 4:2 (NLT)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 24, 2014

Posted under

Faith & Hope, Trusting God

If Jesus is the Answer, What is the Question?

Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. [Matthew 20:32 (NIV)]

It appears that Jesus asked anywhere from one hundred to over three hundred questions in the Gospels, the number varying because of the many different Bible translations. Let it suffice to say that Jesus asked a lot of questions and didn’t give those many answers. He certainly didn’t ask questions because he needed an answer. Since He was God, he knew all the answers! He asked questions because he wanted us to know the answers.

Those questions were not just for the disciples or the people of Galilee and Judea; those questions are for us today. They are as relevant in the 21st Century as they were 2,000 years ago. Whenever we come upon one of His questions in the Gospels, we need pause to consider our own personal answer before reading the rest of the passage. What do we want Jesus to do for us? What are our concerns and why are we filled with doubt? How much faith do we have?

He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?” [Luke 24:38 (NIV)]

“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. [Luke 8:25 (NIV)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 23, 2014

Posted under

Bible Stories, Forgiveness, Obedience

Casting Stones

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” …

[Jesus] said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” …

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” [John 8:4-5,7,10b-11 (NIV)]

Because none of the Pharisees or scribes were without sin, none dared to lift a stone against this woman. There was one person present that day, however, who was completely without sin: Jesus. Yet, he didn’t cast a stone; instead, he was filled with mercy. Lack of condemnation on his part, however, doesn’t mean that Jesus condoned or excused her sin; in fact he tells her to sin no more. We must never confuse God’s forgiveness and absolution of our sins with toleration of them.

Lord, remind us all to reflect on our sins before condemning others. May we always remember that you expect us to change our lives and leave our sinful ways so that we can walk in your holy way.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [John 3:17 (NIV)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 22, 2014

Posted under

Bible Stories, Obedience, Salvation: A New You, Temptation & Sin

What Will it Be: Dust or Ink?

Lord, hope of Israel, those who leave you will be shamed. People who quit following the Lord will be like a name written in the dust, because they have left the Lord, the spring of living water. [Jeremiah 17:13 (NCV)]

 “…This woman was caught having sexual relations with a man who is not her husband. The law of Moses commands that we stone to death every woman who does this. What do you say we should do?” …

But Jesus bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger. When they continued to ask Jesus their question, he raised up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her.” Then Jesus bent over again and wrote on the ground. [John 8:4-5, 6b-8 (NCV)]

I’ve always wondered why and what Jesus was writing on the ground that day when the adulterous woman was brought to him. What is the reason for the inclusion of this detail? The IVP New Testament Commentary Series sheds some light on this incident. It was unlawful to write on a Sabbath or holy day (and this was likely the last day of the Feast of Shelters.) One could, however, write in the dust. By writing only in the dusty ground, Jesus showed that he knew religious law.

That tells me why Jesus was writing in the dirt, but what could he have been writing? The IVP Commentary speculates that Jesus could have been writing the words of Jeremiah and/or the names of the woman’s accusers. Since they were Pharisees and teachers of religious law, they would all have been familiar with Jeremiah’s warning. They knew they were sinners and that those who sin against the Lord would soon be forgotten; their names would blow away like the dust. We will never know why or what Jesus was writing that day but, as for me, I want indelible ink (not dust) used to write my name in God’s book.

But you should not be happy because the spirits obey you but because your names are written in heaven. [Luke 10:20 (NCV)]

The glory and the honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing unclean and no one who does shameful things or tells lies will ever go into it. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter the city. [Revelation 21:26-27 (NCV)]