Spending Time Together Makes All The Difference

Today I sat with a friend for nearly three hours as we caught up with each other and talked about the joys and struggles of the past year. There was a sense of really hearing and being heard from the heart as we talked with each other. Though we no longer live close to each other, our years of friendship and of knowing each other paid rich dividends as we spent time openly sharing. I hope he went away as encouraged today as I did, not because any problems were solved or questions were answered, but because we knew we could trust each other and we that we share a common walk with our Lord both in times like today and in our times of prayer.

Sarah writes today about our being still in the presence of God as He prepares us for our days. I am mindful about how after leaving lunch today I was encouraged by spending time with my friend, and then thinking how we have a friend in Christ who is so much closer. In Him we have someone who knows our every thought, who knows what lies ahead, and even has a plan for it which is not self-serving but includes our growth and our spiritual good. In talking today with my friend I had some new insights on how to better pray for him, but also some thoughts on how I might better walk through the struggles that lie ahead for me. This was not because he shared any shatteringly new stuff with me, but because he reminded me of what I already (for the most part) knew to be true and encouraged me in the continuing in them.

So it is with our time with God. Our time with God is so critical to our walk with Him. It is in these times when we really find our preparation and our direction for life. Like my friend, I can know without any doubt that He has what is best in mind (and not just good), and God is actively engaged in directing me toward it. But more than that, it is a time when I can just enjoy knowing Him and being close. The knowing and the being is so much more meaningful than the how and the why. Knowing Him as my God  who is all-the-time-everywhere-present means I am never alone whether I know how I will get through something or why it is happening the way it is.  Being secure in Christ as a fully-forgiven and accepted child of the Living God means that there is now no condemnation and that absolutely nothing can shake me from His hands, and that I truly do have a meaningful relationship with Him.

Tonight I am finishing the teaching of Romans 8 beginning with verse 31 and ending with verses 38 and 39, which read, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? … For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is so incredible and incredibly encouraging to know this about my God and His hand on me. It gives me courage to step out and trust Him for what He has in store, and when I am frustrated with the waiting to know that His plans and their timing are perfect.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (4/24)

Rest in the stillness of My Presence while I prepare you for this day. Let the radiance of My Glory shine upon you, as you wait on Me in confident trust. Be still and know that I am God. There is both a passive and an active side to trusting Me. As you rest in My Presence, focusing on Me, I quietly build bonds of trust between us. When you respond to the circumstances of your life with affirmations of trust, you actively participate in this process.

I am always with you, so you have no reason to be afraid. Your fear often manifests itself in excessive planning. Your mind is so accustomed to this pattern of thinking that you are only now becoming aware of how pervasive it is and how much it hinders your intimacy with Me. Repent of this tendency and resist it, whenever you realize you are wandering down this well-worn path. Return to My Presence, which always awaits you in the present moment. I accept you back with no condemnation.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

If The Lord Wills

"Not too many people dream of being average. Take a look at your fantasies, and you will probably find a quest to be noticed." --Ed Welch (Christian Counseling and Education Foundation, CCEF)

Why do we do the things we do? If you are like me the answer is really not that simple. It is often a mixture of a number of things like obligations and responsibilities, needs for provision and needs of the moment, desire and joy, seeking to be noticed or approved, fear of others or fear of loss, or …. But how much does your answer include what God’s desire for you might be in a particular situation?

In the Bible we see exhortations to things like diligence, perseverance, running as if to win, serving one another, and so much more. We also see a recognition that for those who are married, for instance, that we have divided interests such as to please our spouses.

In James 4:13-15 we read, Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

“If the Lord wills.” This is the key. And to know what the Lord wills means that we really do need to spend time before Him laying everything that faces us at His feet. We do this in the longer times when we spend time in prayer, reading, studying, meditation, and being still and listening. And we do this in those momentary ones when a situation quickly arises in the midst of walking. Sometimes for those who are used to saying “No” without thinking, you will need to say “Yes.” And, hard as it may seem, sometimes for those who are used to saying “Yes” you might actually need to say “No.”

Coming back to Proverbs 3:5-6, which truly is a guiding verse for me that I have grown in listening to but still nowhere near where I would desire, we read, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

And Scripture tells us that it is God who makes us adequate for the tasks He intends (2 Timothy 3:17). This applies to being the best husband or wife in Christ, or the best employee in Christ, or the best church worker in Christ, or the best neighbor in Christ. Regardless of the place in life or the situation ahead, we are told to do all things in Christ with the power that God supplies.

1 Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (4/23)

Keep your eyes on Me, not only for direction but also for empowerment. I never lead you to do something without equipping you for the task. That is why it’s so critical to seek My will in everything you do. There are many burned-out Christians who think more is always better, who deem it unspiritual to say no.

In order to know My will, you must spend time with Me – enjoying My Presence. This is not an onerous task but a delightful privilege. I will show you the path of Life; in My Presence is fullness of Joy; at My right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge – do not give me over to death. Psalm 141:8

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

My Sheep Listen To My Voice

A friend posted today that she was a bit short on birdhouses for the growing population in her yard. She asked if anyone knew where to get some inexpensively. I read hear post and thought, “Gee, I’ve got several kits left over from working with our Cub Scouts. I could make her a couple and do it for free.” The price had already been paid (for the materials), as a friend has frequently said. So I let her know she could have them and then I went to work.

Do you feel at times that God isn’t listening to you or you sense that maybe you can’t hear from Him. There is so much information flying around today, especially in the electronic media and in forums like Facebook where I miss so much of what is said. I miss because I only check in infrequently and I don’t scan backwards for the hundreds of things that may have been said. I miss a lot there simply because I don’t take the time to listen (okay, read).

We have a God that wants us to bring our prayers of all sorts to Him and to entrust Him with them. We have a God who has promised to hear the prayers of those who seek Him. And we have been given, if you have trusted Christ for your salvation, the Holy Spirit to work inside us and even to bring our prayers to our Heavenly Father especially in those times when we don’t even know what to say.

Romans 8:26-27 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We also know from Scripture that one way to hear from God is to get quiet before Him and to spend time in His Word. Today Sarah writes about our need to listen to our God.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (4/22)

Listen to Me continually. I have much to communicate to you, so many people and situations in need of prayer. I am training you to set your mind on Me more and more, tuning out distractions through the help of My Spirit.

Walk with Me in holy trust, responding to My initiatives rather than trying to make things fit your plans. I died to set you free, and that includes freedom from compulsive planning. When your mind spins with a multitude of thoughts, you cannot hear My voice. A mind preoccupied with planning pays homage to the idol of control. Turn from this idolatry back to Me. Listen to Me and live abundantly!

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

Fear Not

Today’s devotional by Sarah Young was not written this week, but it definitely could have been.  For the most part it could have been written any week because whether there is a large scale national or world tragedy or a personal one, there are always distressing events. We live in a world of distressing events, and we don’t have to look far to find them. The question is, how much are you going to let them occupy your heart and mind?

It’s not, however, like our mind is a whiteboard where we can wipe away any reference or thought of things we don’t want to dwell on, and then live in the denial of them. That’s not the answer.  In this world we have to walk through them and with people who have to do so also. But what are we going to let these situations do to our hearts and minds? Are we going to live in the fear of tragedies of all sorts? Or, are we going to walk through these events in the strength that Christ supplies with the peace that can only come from being at peace with God and subsequently knowing the peace of God?

God’s answer is to find our rest in Him and to know that He has us wrapped firmly in His hands fully aware of every detail and going before us (and behind) through them. We have no reason to fear, because the God who created and sustains everything is in control. As we are encouraged by Sarah today, take a break from the constant flow of news and tune in to the Word of God with His Spirit adjusting the volume. He can bring calm in the midst of the biggest of storms.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (4/20)

Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Hear Me saying Peace, be still to your restless heart. No matter what happens, I will never leave you or forsake you. Let this assurance soak into your mind and heart, until you overflow with Joy. Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, you need not fear!

The media relentlessly proclaim bad news: for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A steady diet of their fare will sicken you. Instead of focusing on fickle, ever-changing news broadcasts, tune into the living Word – the One who is always the same. Let Scripture saturate your mind and heart, and you will walk steadily along the path of Life. Even though you don’t know what will happen tomorrow, you can be absolutely sure of your ultimate destination. I hold you by your right hand, and afterward I will take you into Glory.

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was great calm. Mark 4:39 (NK JV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:2

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:23-24

Approved And Not Disappointed

Being disappointed with an outcome and God being disappointed with us are two totally different things. There are so many things in our lives that don’t turn out as we hope, and it is very easy to feel let down when this happens especially when it comes to how we may or may not have performed in that situation. We can look at them as failures or rejections, and then we can put this on how God views us.

But this is not how God views us. 2 Timothy 3:17 says that God makes us adequate for the things which He sets before us. 1 Corinthains 10:13 tells us that God is faithful to make it so that we can endure our trials and the struggle with those trials, framing them up with limitations. Romans 8: 28 tells us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purposes. 

Even when we sin and do things opposed to what we know to be right and honoring to God, we know that we have a God who has already fully forgiven and declared righteous those who have placed their trust in Christ and received His free gift of salvation.  So, whether it is our stumbling when trying hard or our stumbling when rebelling, we know that we have a God who does not give up on us, who has a purpose for our lives, and who will fulfill that purpose.

Sarah writes today about our feeling of worthiness, and the reality is that in ourselves there is not one of us who is worthy. But we have been made worthy because of the Lamb who was slain on our behalf and who reigns forever putting on us His glory as a done deal inheritance.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (4/19)

I love you regardless of how well you are performing. Sometimes you feel uneasy, wondering if you are doing enough to be worthy of My Love. No matter how exemplary your behavior, the answer to that question will always be no. Your performance and My Love are totally different issues, which you need to sort out. I love you with an everlasting Love that flows out from eternity without limits or conditions. I have clothed you in My robe of righteousness, and this is an eternal transaction: Nothing and no one can reverse it. Therefore, your accomplishment as a Christian has no bearing on My Love for you. Even your ability to assess how well you are doing on a given day is flawed. Your limited human perspective and the condition of your body, with its mercurial variations, distort your evaluations.

Bring your performance anxiety Me, and receive in its place My unfailing Love. Try to stay conscious of My loving Presence with you in all that you do, and I will direct your steps.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

I delete delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Psalm 31:16

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, Psalm 107:8

Peace In The Midst Of Terror

As I sit here rereading this devotional for the day I am also listening to the memorial service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. I am mindful in listening while reading that there are some at this service who are rallying to keep going because that is all they know, and there are some who deeply recognize that even in the greatest of human tragedies that there is a God who is sovereign and loving and good, a God who gives peace to those who know Him and hope to those who look to His protection.

Peace is truly a gift from God, and Scripture tells us that He is that only source of true peace. This world has nothing to offer in regards to this true peace. Scripture tells us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” The law, law enforcement, and judicial systems are given to protect us from those who don’t abide by the law, and our law enforcement officials will do their best to bring to justice those who perpetrate crimes on others such as happened Monday. But the law cannot change the heart, and it cannot prevent evil.

But for those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ and received His free gift of salvation there is the promise that God will change and conform their hearts, and that they can truly know His Peace even when everything else seems to be upside down.

Last night I had the privilege of teaching Romans 8:26-30 which includes the powerful encouragement that when stuff like happened this week happens and we might not even know how to pray, that God’s Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and takes our burdens and concerns directly to Him. And even in this, we know from Scripture that God is One, and that God the Father already knows these things and, according to Psalm 139, He is intimately acquainted with all of our ways.

We also read in this section of Scripture the assurance that our God works all of this ugliness and everything else together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We read that from before we were born that God knew and planned for our eventual glorification in Christ and all that He accomplishes in between

And then there is verse 31 which we will start with next week. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Yes, I am hopeful that those who were responsible for the bombing will be brought to justice. But more than that, I am hopeful that as believers reach out to others that these others might also come to know that there is a God who loves them and who wants to give them a fullness of forgiveness and an eternity of glory and full and complete victory.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (4/18)

Peace is my continual gift to you. It flows abundantly from My throne of grace. Just as the Israelites could not store up manna for the future but had to gather it daily, so it is with My Peace. The day-by-day collecting of manna kept My people aware of their dependence on Me. Similarly, I give you sufficient Peace for the present, when you come to me by prayer and petition with thanksgiving. If I gave you permanent Peace, independent of My Presence, you might fall into the trap of self-sufficiency. May that never be!

I have designed you to need Me moment by moment. As your awareness of your neediness increases, so does your realization of My abundant sufficiency. I can meet every one of your needs without draining My resources at all. Approach My throne of grace with bold confidence, receiving My Peace with a thankful heart.

Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much is he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’” The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little….Each one gathered as much as he needed. Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them. Exodus 16:15-20

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guide your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus….And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7, 19

Let us then approached the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Stop and Listen

James 1:19 reads, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;” It is one of many of my favorite verses. Its truth applies on so many levels of our lives. Most of us would immediately think of how it applies in our relationships with other people, especially when we consider the number of times we respond inappropriately to something said by someone else and one or the other and often both wind up getting angry.

But stop and think about this verse in terms of our relationship with God. James tells us to be quick to hear, and slow to speak. In this case something happens, whether it involves others or not, and our immediate urge is to respond with our emotions and without carefully considering what we say or do. This is so true in particular with those issues we’ve been through over and over again. We just react, and often that reaction is in some way regrettable. If we were to apply James 1:19 here and STOP before God, and seek His wisdom for the situation and His words and/or response, just imagine how things might change as a result. This does not have to be a long STOP. It may only be a split second, but in other cases it might be much longer. And sometimes, if the situation is pretty intense, it might be repeated stops. But if we find the stops to be regularly repeated in quick succession it might give us cause to ask if we really stopped in the first place to listen to God, or if we only coasted through the stop sign and we haven’t really listened.

The verse also tells us to be slow to speak. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” In being slow to speak we are to consider how God might have us respond, placing our trust in Him for both the process and the outcome.

Later on James tells us that our tongues are a restless evil, something seemingly untamable. This is true apart from the power of God to control it. When we practice stopping before God and seeking His response it often results in a calming to the situation, but not necessarily always on the part of the other person(s). The one thing it does do for us for sure is to bring us His peace and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

James 1:19, as well as Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 4:7 (all favorites) are reminders to me that I need to be aware of God in all things and rely on Him even for my responses and reactions. When I do this, whether it is a simple conflict or something severely wrong that may be happening, I remember that my God is in control and He has me firmly in His hands. This is very steadying.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (4/17)

I am training you in steadfastness. Too many things interrupt your awareness of Me. I know that you live in a world of sight and sound, but you must not be a slave to those stimuli. Awareness of Me can continue in all circumstances, no matter what happens. This is the steadiness I desire for you.

Don’t let unexpected events throw you off course. Rather, respond calmly and confidently, remembering that I am with you. As soon as something grabs your attention, talk with Me about it. Thus I share your joys and your problems; I help you cope with whatever is before you. This is how I live in you and work through you. This is the way of Peace.

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)