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April 3, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Nature, Temptation & Sin

Don’t Get Caught

lionsStay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. [1 Peter 5:8-9a (NLT)]

While in Tanzania, I was transfixed while watching a group of lionesses stalk zebras as the herd drank from a stream. Although the lions were concealed in the tall grass, periodically the herd would spook and run a few feet away from the water. The cool water, however, was too tempting and their thirst would bring them right back again. Meanwhile, the lions patiently watched and waited, gradually moving closer to the animals. We didn’t wait to see how this scenario ended but I have no doubt that eventually the lions got one of the zebras, perhaps a smaller weaker one or one who wandered away from the herd. The lions patiently watched for the zebra who lingered just a little bit longer for one last sip, the one who thought he wouldn’t get caught. If they weren’t successful that afternoon, the lions would be back at the watering hole the next day, vigilantly waiting to spring into action when opportunity arose.

Satan is equally as persevering and watchful as those lions. We must stay strong and alert, close to other Christians, be aware of temptation and never think we are invulnerable from Satan’s attack.

 

 

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April 2, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Prayer

Time for an “I” Exam

God, examine me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any bad thing in me. Lead me on the road to everlasting life. [Psalm 139:23-24 (NCV)]

Note to self: The Psalmist doesn’t ask God to examine anyone else’s heart or to fix anyone else’s soul, just his! Lord, keep me from expecting you to fix other people when I’m the one in need of repair.

Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again. Psalm 51:10 (NCV)

 

 

 

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April 1, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Thanks & Praise

He Was There at the Start; He’ll Be There at the Finish

I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you. [Isaiah 46:3b-4 (NCV)]

Thank you, O Lord, for your constant presence in our lives. You have watched over us and never tired of forgiving us time after time. You have carried us through both good and bad times and never tired of mending our wounded hearts. There are no secrets we can keep from you; you know us inside and out and yet you love us anyway. Thank you, Lord, for the knowledge that as gently as you carried each one of us into this world, you will gently carry each of us home when our time comes.

“I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry” by John Ylvisaker

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
To see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
With a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
To find where demons dwell.

When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
To whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
And you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme
From dusk ’till rising sun.

In the middle ages of your life,
Not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night,
Complete what I’ve begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
And you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been
With just one more surprise.

 

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March 31, 2014

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Bible Stories, Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Patience & Perseverance

How Much Longer, Lord?

God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles comes, but you will be patient. [Colossians 1:11 (NCV)]

Moses spent forty years shepherding sheep and then another forty years shepherding an unruly, ungrateful and (to use his words) “stiff-necked” people. Worse, a journey that could have taken about eleven days was extended to forty years because his people refused to enter the Promised Land when the opportunity first arose. Consider the monotony: forty years of setting up camp, breaking down camp, hearing the same complaints and settling the same arguments, not to mention eating the same food. Now, manna from Heaven is wonderful but forty years of it? How many times did he hear, “Are we there yet?” and, “Manna, again?” If anyone should have been disillusioned, frustrated, and incredibly weary, it was Moses. Yet, Moses hung in there! He is truly an example of not giving up when trouble comes.

Lord, how much longer? Sometimes it seems like no matter what I do, I just can’t seem to make progress. For every step forward, two steps are taken backward. It’s hard to remain enthusiastic when so little progress is made. Encourage me on my life’s journey. Don’t let me lose faith when things don’t go as planned and I have to take the roundabout route instead of the shortest way. Help me learn the lessons that are being taught as I travel the detours of life.

You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. [Hebrews 10:36 (NCV)]

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March 30, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

He Bails Us Out

When people’s steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with their way. If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord holds their hand. [Psalm 37:23-24 (NCV)]

A few seconds into my ascent of a steep Mayan pyramid, I realized I was going to be in trouble. Foolishly (and out of pride), I barged ahead. I knew the scramble up the steep rocks wouldn’t be the hard part for me; it would be the trip back down. I’m fearful of heights and the descent necessitated facing outward and seeing the steepness and height! I easily made it to the peak. The magnificent view took my breath away, not because of its beauty, but because of my fear of the return trip. As I neared the edge to make my descent, I felt the panic begin. I had gotten myself into this predicament but how was I ever going to get out of it? “One step at a time,” was His answer. God held my hand as I slowly sidestepped down the huge blocks of stone. Whenever I paused to look up to see how far I’d come or down to see how far I had to go, I would panic again. The pyramid seemed to get bigger and steeper with every step; I felt like I wasn’t getting any closer to the bottom. “Just keep going, you’ll get there eventually,” were the reassuring words I heard. So, I prayed, trusted God and took it one step at a time. I was okay, not happy, but okay. In fact, in spite of my fear, I found myself encouraging other hesitant climbers.

In our lives, we often charge ahead, knowing full well that we’re likely to end up in trouble. Over and over again, Lord, you have to bail us out of difficult situations. Thank you for being there; forgive us our foolishness when we should know better! Give us sense enough to recognize the difference between expanding our horizons and being fool-hardy or downright stupid! Thank you for holding our hands and guiding us back to safety, one step at a time. When we feel we’re not progressing, thank you, Lord, for making your presence known and urging us on. As you reassure us, thank you, Lord, for enabling us to encourage others we meet along the way.

See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. [Psalm 12:2 (NLT)]

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March 29, 2014

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Fruit of the Spirit, God's Promises, Peace of God, Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Worry

The Peace of God is Promised

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)]

When Paul told the Philippians to be sure to present their requests to God in prayer, it’s important to note that he never said they would get exactly what they’d requested. What they would get, he told them, was the peace of God.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. [Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)]