God is Doing a New Thing

At the start of each New Year God gives me a verse to meditate on. Below is my verse for 2013. It has encouraged, challenged, and strengthened me. And, can I just say, even though this promise was specific to the Israelites, He has also fulfilled these words in my life. I hope they bless you as well.

Isaiah 43:16-21 NLT
I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick. “But forget all that — it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed. I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world.

I noticed that God chose the most inhospitable place for His chosen people. He didn’t say he’d take them out of the desert, but do a new thing right there.

In our western thought and understanding we believe God’s favor is evident in His removal of us from the difficult and painful. It is evident from scripture His blessings come in the midst of hardships, dry times, and places of desolation. That’s why it takes a watchful eye. The Lord asks of His people – Do you not see it?

We tend to get distracted by the endless expanse of desert, rolling tumbleweeds and sparse vegetation. What are you missing with your limited view? Look up! Look ahead! God is trying to get your attention and He doesn’t want you to miss it.

You will not miss out. He’s patient. You just may get discouraged thinking the desert is all there is. Well, there’s a new path ahead and refreshment on its way. Just take your eyes off the sand and look to the horizon. There is new territory ahead and you won’t find it looking down or looking back.

* Wasteland – an area of land that is desolate or barren and not used. An environment thought to be spiritually and intellectually barren.

*Desolation – a feeling of loneliness and despair

Manure Happens!

During our anniversary celebration yesterday my husband and I got to talking about the recent sermon series. Our pastors are teaching through the agrarian passages in scripture, about what farmers know that we don’t.

Well, I don’t know how the use of animal poo became part of the cultivating process, but whether it’s cow, chicken, or pig, there is something in it that yields a healthier crop.

So, how do we respond when manure is dumped into our lives? Is it welcomed as the stuff of great growth potential? Do we, as James so ridiculously admonishes, count it all joy when the manure starts to fly? Do we recognize the Master Gardener and Farmer as simply doing his job by preparing the soil for a magnificent harvest?

This must be the devil! God make it stop! This isn’t working for me! I want out! I’m done! These are some of my responses.

But if we’re in this Christian life for the long haul then we have to accept the fact that manure happens. God is simply doing his job to strengthen and multiply his investment. Like any good agribusiness man he didn’t get in this to produce a failed crop. What he is cultivating is too valuable to the world. And if we truly want to be of value then we’re going to need to submit to his process.

I don’t know if the seeds turn up their noses at the prospect of spending their life surrounded by poo, but I’ve never seen them fight it. Silly analogy I know, but just think about your responses when it comes to the manure that happens in your life.

It’s only in breaking through the earth and feeling the cool breeze on your leaves that you’re able to obtain the perspective that God’s not out to get you, but to grow you.

This might seem like a strange topic for a couple celebrating their anniversary, but my husband and I were reflecting on our year of pushing through the manure. For those of you who’ve been following my blogs this last year, remember the grief series?

God is the Master Gardener and Farmer. He knows exactly what is needed to bring out the best in each of his plots of earth. So, maybe the next time the manure starts to fly you just might respond, “It’s planting season!”

You Were Built to Last

Anyone who has seen the movie “42”, based on the life of baseball great Jackie Robinson, will easily recall the line, “God built me to last.” Today as I read my Bible I came across Proverbs 10:25: When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. I couldn’t help but make the connection.

Robinson came up against prejudice, ignorance, hatred and more. He had a stubborn streak for sure, and yet I believe it was his faith that played a big part in his ability to withstand the pressure.

When people saw Jackie Robinson they saw a man in a baseball uniform, but it’s quite probable that underneath he was wearing his spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-17). And when he had done all he knew to do, he stood firm, knowing God had his back and forward was the only option, if he planned to win.

So, no matter what chaos is swirling around you draw strength from your Heavenly Father to stand your ground. He will be your refuge and ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1-3).

Where in your life do you need to stand up and say “no more”? I won’t allow the Enemy to advance another inch in the area of _______________ (you fill in the blank).

What promises are you claiming to get you through this rough time?

Which piece of armor do you need to focus on?

God built the righteous to last.

My Heart Cries Out

There has been so much heartache, pain, and confusion over the last six months. Through this storm I have clung to God like never before and found the hope and peace He promises. The devastation has produced a series I call Life Through Death.

If you have been following my blogs you may have noticed the morbid tone. And yet my aim has been to bring light to dark places for those who may be struggling as I. Intending to give hope that God specializes in bringing life out of our proverbially dead circumstances.

As Americans we don’t grieve well. Rarely do we sit in and with our pain, accepting what is. Instead we seek quick fixes back to the happiness that eludes us.

This series is written to those who are in the dead of winter, where there’s little sunlight, bitter cold, and the scarce promise of a happy ending. My reminder to you is that spring is on its way. Even though many things lay dormant, life is just beneath the surface. God is working.

Make Psalm 69 your prayer

Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.

But I pray to you, Lord,

in the time of your favor;

in your great love, O God,

answer me with your sure salvation.
Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;

Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up

or the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;

in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Come near and rescue me;

Father of Destruction / Lord of Life

When something goes wrong we tend to blame God, forgetting that we have an Enemy. Not just Christians. All of mankind is hated by a powerful enemy because of God’s grace shown toward us through the redemption provided in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Our Enemy has aliases:

Accuser Revelation 12:10 Deceiver/Devil Revelation12:9

Father of lies John 8:44 Satan = Adversary

Tempter Matthew 4:3 Thief John 10:10

Do you feel like your best efforts are being thwarted? You can never get your head above water? You are constantly taking one step forward and being shoved a mile backward?

You have an enemy bent on destroying your life; and in doing so your faith in God is the collateral damage. If you are always blaming God and never giving thought to another source for your calamity and dismay, then the Enemy wins.

Everyone faces hard times; these are called trials. Trials come to build our character, increase our endurance, and teach us compassion for others who suffer. (James 1: 2-4 & 2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When the Enemy levels an attack, his desire is to ruin any shred of faith we may have left.

Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Two things you need to know:
God is greater than your Enemy: the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world 1 John 4:4. This is a promise given to all who have trusted Jesus as their Savior.

God cares about your pain: This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:15-16

Life After the Death of a Child

Delving into my family history this week got me thinking about my uncle Robert who died at age six. I was only a little over two when that happened, but I do remember the subsequent years of grief that my grandmother endured.

There were the days at the cemetery, bringing flowers, and watching her sit and cry on his tombstone. Grandma would apologize through tears, deeps sobs, and low sighs.

I imagine Eve and Bathsheba knew this kind of pain at the loss of their sons. Eve’s story can be found in Genesis 4:1-16, 25-26. Bathsheba’s is in 2 Samuel chapter 11 and 12:1-25.

Before you read these accounts please hear this – do not insert yourself into these stories and see your loss as punishment. Mankind was never intended to die. The presence of death in the world is due to sin in general. We are at the eye of this vortex and at times there are innocent lives that get swept into the current.

Whether you give birth to more sons (Seth) or the wisest man who ever lived (Solomon), it doesn’t fix your heart. You still grieve for the one you lost. And the possibility of another loss is evermore real because you’ve already had the experience.

I don’t know what makes some women willing to try again and others say, “never again.” They both have their reasons and should be respected.

We don’t get a behind-the-scenes look at how Eve or Bathsheba handled their grief. Being flesh and blood women, not characters confined to the page, I believe they wept, sobbed deeply, and sighed. And life went on around them while they put their lives back together – one day at a time.

When have you experienced grief so great that there were no words?
What questions did you have (or do you have) for God?
How has your faith kept you going?

Hope Renewed Through Praise

I was feeling pretty low this week and God in the most practical, yet miraculous way let me know—He’s listening, He knows, and I am not alone. I was listening to K-Love radio, while in the car. Each time I got into my car there was a song about getting through the trials of life. All of them echoing the cry of my heart—I just want this pain to be over, how much longer, I will trust God anyway.

The song that resonated most was, Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns. This one line in particular:
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

These words brought Job to mind. I am not equating my circumstances with that of Job, but things don’t have to get that bad to realize life is hard. There are days I want to throw my hands up (usually not in an attitude of praise).

The story of Job is so familiar, I don’t think I need to delve into the details, but I will give these highlights:
He was a wealthy man
In one day he lost nearly everything
His wife did not understand his allegiance to God
Three friends and one youngster sat in judgment of his condition
God commended him for being blameless and upright

Job’s response: “Then he fell to the ground in worship.” (Job 1:20) That is rarely my response to God when I’m in pain. But I am learning.

Praise You In This Storm
Casting Crowns
from the album Lifesong

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

Chorus:
I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

What does it mean to you to hear, God is always with you? (See Matthew 28:20)
How does it feel to know that He holds your tears? (See Psalm 56:8)
When life is difficult, will you choose to praise Him?

Find the full text of the song and hear a sample at klove.com

Life From Dead Dreams – Joseph

The kinds of dreams that Joseph had pointed to the prospect of a charmed life. And this made his older brothers worried about their positions in the family. Their jealousy made them want to rid themselves of their father’s favorite, selling Joseph into slavery. (Genesis 37:19-28)

Certainly not a life characterized as charmed. But God showed favor on Joseph and he was elevated to a position of leadership in the house of his master Potiphar. That’s at least until Potiphar’s wayward wife decided to lie on Joseph, which resulted in his imprisonment. (Genesis 39:1-20)

God once again bestowed favor on Joseph and even while incarcerated he was appointed leader over all the prisoners. (Genesis 39:20-23)

When freed from prison Joseph’s integrity, dependence upon God (to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams), along with his practical skills and knowledge gained him the distinction of second in command of all Egypt. (Genesis 41:39-44)

Joseph endured many hardships that lead to the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20). With his position and power Joseph not only saved Egypt from the ensuing famine, but surrounding nations as well, namely Israel – God’s chosen people.

Joseph’s story demonstrates God’s ability to restore life, time and again, through harsh and unpredictable circumstances.

When you look at Joseph’s story you might wonder, “Why would God give him dreams of prosperity and then a life of slavery?” Providence is the word that comes to mind. God has bigger purposes in mind that don’t always involve our immediate comfort. Ultimately they are plans of hope and a future.

Encouragement: If you feel like Joseph – misunderstood, stuck, lied on, and mistreated. Look up to God for His interpretation of your story. He has a perspective that you don’t. If you ask He just might share enough of the details to give you hope to take the next step.

Providence – the wisdom, care, and guidance provided by God based on His foreknowledge.

Life Through Near Death

Strong, good looking, intelligent, and an impressive family lineage… Sounds like a candidate for The Bachelor. This description fits three young men we meet in the book of Daniel chapters one through three – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. What makes them even more attractive is their integrity.

Those in the royal court were impressed with them until their faith got in the way. Refusing to bow to any other god than “the God of gods” (Daniel 2:47) they came under threat of fire for their integrity and faith.

In Daniel 3:17 & 18 is their bold statement of faith, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Following this declaration they were thrown into a fiery furnace. And that is where God showed up.

And here is where our questions start to show up. You mean I could honor God with my choices, profess my faith in His abilities and still go through fiery trials? Absolutely! Because James 1:3 tells us, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Your trial could bring you to a new level of faith, but you will never know if you don’t go through.

How might your willingness to go through (rather than around) your trials change if you believed that God was up to something greater than the pain you are experiencing?

Maybe God can use your story to initiate another person’s faith journey toward “the Most High God”

What hardship has God brought you through that you now remember with a strange fondness?