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Feb

20

Mount up with wings as an eagle

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Who likes to wait? In this jet-set world, it seems like we’re in a hurry with no time to pause. Traffic lights slow us down; same for grocery lines, doctor’s office visits, lines at the bank… Ironically, there’s no time for waiting. Waiting for the Lord to answer prayers can sometimes feel interminable. Lord, please… Where are you? Meanwhile, we feel our faith waning in the waiting.

When facing an impasse in life, it might be fun to hitch a ride on the wings of an eagle and just sore ahead of our problems. Whether a road delay or a problem so insurmountable that we want to escape it, flying away on this awesome creature would be ideal.

It’s been said that an eagle soars upward toward the sun probably higher than any other bird. When a storm is brewing, an eagle can sense it. Rather than becoming spooked by the incoming storm or frustrated, it patiently waits for the wind to come and then uses it to fly high and above the storm. It often lives to an old age and, after shedding its feathers, grows new ones.

It’s like that for the believer also. When we’re born again into a new life with Christ, we are essentially new creatures. Metaphorically, we’ve shed our old feathers and now bear new ones.

As we wait upon the Lord, it’s a balance of trust and expectation. By his word, we are assured that like the stately eagle, our strength will be renewed. His grace and power will sustain us all the way to heaven. This kind of waiting is well worth the wait.

Feb

13

Safe in His arms

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The Lord promises his children that he will never leave them nor forsake them. It’s amazing that as small and insignificant as we sometimes feel, each of us is truly significant above and beyond measure in the eyes of our Creator, and his love for us will continue throughout eternity.

The Lord is always near to us and available for an early morning meeting or a late-night chat, as well as any time in between.  He can speak to us in various ways—through his Word and even in our dreams. Often, his communication comes in that still, small voice or prompting. It can come when we are alone or even in a crowd.

 It’s not always easy to hear his voice in a world filled with continual chatter and noise. With all that goes on in our lives, being still from all of the distractions is sometimes hard to come by.

To be still before the Lord and witness his presence is not always a physical position or something to do in the midst of a silent moment. To be still also means to let your ways yield unto his…to mentally put everything else aside and let the Holy Spirit lead us…carry us…guide us.

Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you, and I will deliver you ~ Isaiah 46:4.

 

 

Feb

07

Make a Joyful Noise

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What better way to communicate to the Lord than through prayerful and joyous singing. When a joyful surge of emotion wells up, it is often expressed through song. God’s word is full of verses that encourage believers to worship him through music.

Ephesians 9:15 says we are to speak to each other in psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16 says to let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Standing before the tabernacle at the tent of meeting as well as in the temple, cymbals, harps, lyres, and trumpets were all used to worship and glorify the Lord. The Levitical singers along with their sons and kinsmen together with the trumpets of the 120 priests, praised the Lord saying, He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Then the house of the Lord was completely filled with a cloud, signifying God’s glory filling the temple. How beautiful it must have been.

The word also says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. No matter the skill or tone of your voice or whether you can even carry a tune, God is honored when the sound you make comes from your heart.

Jan

30

Let it shine

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Is the purpose for a candle to be lit and then be placed in the closet or hidden under the bed? No, we raise it high and put it on a candlestick so the light may shine.

God’s word tells us to let our light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Oh, magnify the Lord with Me, and let us exalt His name together ~ Psalm 34:3

The psalmist, David, entreated the people to exalt the Lord together. In a trial while dealing with King Achish, David underwent a struggle for his life. Though he made a weak defense through his own efforts of feigning insanity to escape from him, David was certain the Lord was the cause for his deliverance.

Singing to the Lord, praying, praising, sacrificial acts of kindness, gratitude, teaching, preaching, sharing, and witnessing… all in the name of Christ are some of the ways to magnify the Lord. Lifting up his name is the least we can do for the loving savior whose light lives within us.

 

Jan

23

Don’t let your hearts be troubled

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It’s not hard to get caught up in fear. That intangible enemy lurks in places we don’t expect and can take control like a vice and not let go. Like a dog with a steak bone, fear can be stubborn and can bite and even hurt us at times. Though truly, what is fear and how can it control us? It can only if we let it.

Our minds can get ahold of a thought or an idea, and before we know it, the nugget of fear has grown into a mountain of despair and suffering. As fear is often irrational, we can let it take us down, or we can cast it off as just a mind game of Satan to get us off balance.

There is no one better than the Lord Jesus Christ to help us fight our fears and keep our balance. Should fear get in the way of our faith, we can tell fear to take a hike because we have something that trumps fear every time. We have the strength of the Lord, and he is mightier than any illogical construct we can imagine.

So, the next time fear greets us face-to-face and attempt to get the better of us, always remember that we have an advocate with Jesus, who is ready to defend and protect us even in our bleakest moments. Cling to Jesus through prayer and reading his word; they’re a powerful duo.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you ~ 1 Peter 5:7

 

Jan

15

His light

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Without God in the world, there would be no light. With God to provide the light to see, our paths remain clear to travel. While in the light and as we draw nearer to him, we can clearly see the obstacles in our way. When we walk in darkness, do we not stumble?

Even as we are sanctified, every day trials can get us off track, despite the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us. Our minds often race to quell the storms, and our immediate reactions to life’s situations can be fleshly and prideful.

In an effort to deal with what comes our way, the only thing that will steer us in the right direction and bring us peace is leaning on the everlasting arms. When confronted with tough times that draw out the worst in us, God’s word tells us to chill…be slow to speak and slow to anger because “man’s anger cannot accomplish the righteousness of God” ~ James 1:20.

When we put on Christ, we are renewed by and through the Holy Spirit. We have freedom now to be different from the world. Confronted with trouble? Pause. Take a deep breath and yield to the spirit inside with prayer…it goes a long way.

As the new year is upon us, let’s take our first steps of the year being fully clothed in Christ.

 

Jan

08

A gift from heaven

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Sometimes, it’s hard to accept a gift. When we’re handed something that’s unexpected, an awkward feeling kind of washes up, and we will sometimes blush and say, oh, you really shouldn’t have, or… oh, that wasn’t necessary!

Why do we do this? Is it a pride thing? I don’t need anything. Or an esteem thing that we consider gifts as some kind of handout?  It could also be that we just don’t like fruitcake and would rather hand that little round tin back to you, but it’s not always about us, and by balking, we might as well throw cold water on the giver.

On a grander and more exponential scale, ever wonder how God feels when the world balks at the free gift of salvation offered by his only begotten son? Oh, that’s not necessary, God. I’m good. It’s free? Oh, no, I need to work for my stuff. No such thing as a free lunch, right? You shouldn’t have!

      There’s a story about a gentleman and the little old lady. He’d once offered to help the woman with her overgrown yard and unsightly trees that she didn’t have the skill to remove herself. She didn’t want to put him out—embarrassed that it would be too much trouble—but this gentleman seemed most eager to do the work. He’d offered his gifts of time and talent, and she soon thought it good to allow him to do the work he’d wanted to do for her. While she could have balked and rejected his offer, saying it wasn’t necessary or no, that’s alright, instead she said, sure, thank you…that’s a lovely offer. By so doing, she didn’t rob the gentleman of the blessing of his giving.

      God’s gift to mankind is an even lovelier offer. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” Have you accepted the priceless gift of Jesus? It’s wrapped with an eternity of blessings including peace, joy, hope, and a glorious future.

Jan

02

Our times are in his hands

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Do you have a New Year’s resolution that you vow to keep? There are some who want to become a better person in the New Year. They’re committed to turning over a new leaf and start anew. This is an admirable goal to achieve. Is it doable? Sure, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is often weak. Are true grit and strength alone enough? How many times have these pledges dissolved by the first snowfall?

Before we were born again into the Lord’s family—sinners as we all are—we didn’t only turn over a new leaf—but a new heart. We can’t use the stuff of flesh to make better flesh; we need the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work. It’s not about us becoming a better person; it’s about becoming more like the Savior of the world. We can do “all things through Christ” who strengthens us by his spirit.

May this New Year be our opportunity to yield to God not just some but all of our heart’s goals, hopes, and dreams, so he may mold us into the image of his son. When we “delight in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our heart.” That is…because they will be His desires, too, and, ultimately, what is best for us.

Dec

27

Celebrating our savior’s birth

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The moment in time when Jesus arrived in Bethlehem as a baby, he was destined for a great mission. That he would leave his home in heaven for earth boggles the mind, and to come in the humblest means possible to begin his life in a feeding trough in a lowly stable is unfathomable.

Out of his humble estate, the baby grew to become prophet, priest, and King of Kings. His thirty-three years on earth created a mark in history that would be forever a turning point. For everything vile, despised, and eschewed by man, Jesus, our Emmanuel—God-with-us—gave his life. He became the sacrifice to bring all who believe in him into an everlasting fellowship with the Father. A gift to all men…and one that doesn’t stop giving.

We celebrate the savior’s birth today, this season, and in our hearts all the year through. Like the angels sang in their celebration on that fateful, joyous day, we, too, rejoice. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” – Luke 2:14

Dec

19

The Name above all Names

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Though we’re all familiar with the Christmas story, it still defies logic to comprehend an infinite God, who came to earth for our sake, yet was born of a virgin and lived a human though Godly life? Can you wrap your head around that?

Scripture tells us that Jesus was tempted, hungry, and that he identified with man’s sufferings. But to humble himself to endure such a lowly existence for the three decades he walked the earth is such a study in contrasts.

With our finite minds, it’s hard to conceptualize the awesomeness of the nature of Jesus. That he always was and always will be the great God of all Creation who loves us is too magnificent to fathom. It’s not so much a matter to consume and comprehend through logic but more of a respectful apprehending through our faith.

We celebrate the Lord’s birth this season as well as every day in our hearts because He first loved us. There are so many names for him because his being is so infinite, no one name can describe, define, nor contain Him.

For unto you is born this day a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord ~ Luke 2:11