Nothing's Random With God

Today Sarah writes about the difficulties in our lives being firmly under God’s control and how they are being used by Him for our benefit and growth. At first I thought about keeping my thoughts private as every day during this past week and the next few are reminders of where we were just one year ago.

One year ago today I was in a meeting that was key in a series of events that led to a decision that Robin and I made a year from next Thursday. And as I searched out the impact of this meeting and the other events, conversations, readings, and even pleadings, we saw God clearly unfold for us our need to trust Him in taking a huge and difficult step. This past year has been a series of these steps one after another as we have continued to seek Him and wait on Him, learning more and more how important it is for us to rely on Him whether it has been in hopeful anticipation or for strength in disappointment.

During this season there have been plenty of times when I wanted to panic and think of ways to take things into my hands in order to speed God along. But the reality also has been that there was nothing more that I could think of to do that would accomplish this. It truly has been one of those seasons where He has been and continues to be our hope. And I am thankful that He has given Robin and I an enduring peace as we have waited on Him. We truly do not know what the future holds, but as a dear friend who called me today reminded me – we know who holds the future. Thank you Neva.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/10)

Do not resist or run from the difficulties in your life. These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them. View your problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Me.

When you start to feel stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me. Thus, your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us. Although self-sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom. Thank Me for the difficulties in your life, since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Accepted With Warts, Wrinkles, and Wanderings

I am so glad that my God chose me apart from any merit on my part or works that I had or will ever accomplish. I am thankful that He chose me with all of my flaws and all of the things that I would ever mess up. And I am thankful that it is Him that has promised to work in and through me to conform me into the image of His Son and make me adequate for His service.

Every single one of us makes mistakes, and every single one of us has our times even of rebellion. Beating ourselves up over them is a huge waste of time. God knows how to take all of this and turn it for His good. This is where we need to take our eyes off of ourselves and place our trust fully in Him.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/9)

Don’t be so hard on yourself. I can bring good even out of your mistakes. Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret. This is a waste of time and energy, needing only to frustration. Instead of floundering in the past, release your mistakes to Me. Look to Me in trust, anticipating that My infinite creativity can leave both good choices and bad into a lovely design.

Because you are human, you will continue to make mistakes. Thinking that you should live an error-free life is symptomatic of pride. Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses. Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on Me. I am able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes. Trust Me, and watch to see what I will do.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Hope For Those Blustery Days

"'And how are you?' said Winnie-the-Pooh. Eeyore shook his head from side to side. 'Not very how,' he said. 'I don't seem to have felt at all how for a long time.'"

A.A. Milne’s characters in Winnie the Pooh are an interesting look into temperaments. Eeyore is known for low expectations and possibly even a lower outlook on things. Yet, is that really (fictionally) how they really are, or just how he perceives and then acts on them? To him, life is a series of let downs with a few highlights spotted here and there, while all along we see that he has friends who care for him and his welfare deeply, though sometimes inconsiderately.

I think, as with most of the characters in Pooh, we can find things to relate to – that hit home a bit. And with Eeyore, it is on those days and maybe even seasons when we've had our hopes or expectations shaken.

For today Sarah wrote about not longing for an absence of problems, but to our God who makes it so we overcome in those problems. As I listened to Robin reading this out loud this morning I thought of Eeyore and I thought of 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 which reads,

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Our vision of things, even the things of God, is cloudy at times. It is for this reason that God has given us an incredible gift of faith and has called us to live according to that faith, a faith which is based in our trust for Him to do all that He has said. And we have no reason to doubt Him even when we can’t see the next step or curve in our road. This is because we know that our God is sovereign and powerful to accomplish what He intends. Along with this we then can be hopeful, both hopeful for today and His provision and watch care and hopeful for eternity which is settled with Him (providing you have believed in His Son, Jesus Christ for your salvation). And we know that it is His love for us that created us, restored us, justifies us, cares for us, and even glorifies us. The amazing thing is that God has given us all three of these – faith, hope, and love. But one day we won’t have to trust in what we do not see because we will see it firsthand. We won’t have to hold onto hope for that day, because we will be in it. And what will remain is experiencing the fullness of His love for all eternity.

So, when you have one of those “blustery days,” remember that it is our God who calms the storms and who can bring calm to our hearts.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/8)

Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth.

Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never lets go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world.

“I have told you these things, so that you in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Trusting The Trustworthy One

Today Sarah mentions Joseph as an example of one who learned to trust as he experienced evil and grew in grace. As we look at the life of Joseph one thing we will notice is that the trials he endured did not come to an end quickly, and even when his trials did end they were followed by others. He learned in all of them that God was working. God was working in things that did not seem to make sense in order to accomplish His purposes which made great sense. The very ones, his own brothers, who sold him into slavery would one day be the ones who would come before Him in order to purchase food for their continued survival.

And against any human inclination to get even or to allow bridges to be broken never to be rebuilt, Joseph reached out to them and gave them more than they had asked for or ever expected. Where once they came seeking help they were later raised to places of protection and rest.

Yet after Joseph’s death the people again fell into great distress only to be rescued by another man prepared and used by God – Moses. And so it was with the people of Israel, always needing a rescuer.  This pattern continues even today, except for one major thing. The Rescuer has come and they do not in large part recognize Him. Though the Rescuer has come to save people of all nations, most of the world does not recognize Him. From the line of Abraham and his son of blessing – Isaac, to Isaac’s youngest twin –Jacob, and through the offspring of one of the brothers of Joseph-Judah, would come David and then Jesus, the Christ – the Savior.

Can there be any doubt that God knows what He is doing?? We see throughout Scripture how He has worked in and through people to accomplish His good purposes, and He has promised to do so in us. What we have to do is TRUST and OBEY, trust Him to direct our steps as we obey His word and submit to the leading of His Spirit. And this means even in the ugly stuff.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/7)

If you learn to trust Me – really trust Me – with your whole being, then nothing can separate you from My Peace. Everything you endure can be put to good use by allowing it to train you in trusting Me. This is how you foil the works of evil, growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm you. Joseph was a prime example of this divine reversal, declaring to his brothers: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

Do not fear what this day, or any day, may bring your way. Concentrate on trusting Me and on doing what needs to be done. Relax and My sovereignty, remembering that I go before you, as well as with you, into each day. Fear no evil, for I can bring good out of every situation you will ever encounter.

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

God's List My List

Thirty-five years ago today Robin and I had our first date. We went out for a nice dinner and then I was to have her at a surprise birthday party at a certain time. My problem is that I am a planner, and when we finished dinner and still had quite a bit of time left until the party, I was faced with what to do next. So I pulled out my little spiral tablet and pretended that I had a whole list of things prepared which included getting a little bit of gas and making a check in the book, doing a couple of other things which I can’t remember and making a check, and making a check, and making a check. I was scrambling for how to occupy the time until time for the party. Sorry, I know. I once had a friend tell me that I had to be more spontaneous, and so I purposed to put “planned spontaneity” on my calendar.

I am more than a mental checklist person, I am a put it on paper and check it off checklist person. Maybe this makes me a good event coordinator, or rarely late, or ….. But it doesn’t make for being terribly relaxed at times. The big part of growth in all of this is that I don’t become as frustrated when I don’t complete the list or when I leave something off. I’ve also learned not to use a list for certain things. Today Sarah writes about the tyranny of the checklist and the importance of checking everything you do with God staying in constant contact with Him.

I must tell you that in spite of my list God had His plans, and that date 35 years ago today began an incredible relationship with the most wonderful woman in the world.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/6)

Do not search for security in the world you inhabit. You tend to make mental checklists of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life. If only you could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace. But the more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list. The harder you try, the more frustrated you become.

There is a better way to find security in this life. Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus your attention on My Presence with you. This continual contact with Me will keep you in My Peace. Moreover, I will help you sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not. Fix your eyes not on what is seen (your circumstances), but what is unseen (My Presence).

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Only One Master

Luke 14:26 uses the strong word of “hate” when it comes to comparing our relationships with others with that of following after God. It is a strong reminder that if you have trusted Christ for your salvation that God is our Heavenly Father, and His Only Son, Jesus is our Lord. We are no longer our own, we’ve been bought with a price.

But just who is it that bought us and who has called us to serve Him? Our God created all that we see including ourselves. He has loved us with an everlasting love and He has a good plan for our lives. Unlike so many others that we serve with mixed motives, our God’s motives are pure and right. Today Sarah writes about our serving only the Master.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/3)

You cannot serve two masters. If I am truly your Master, you will desire to please Me above all others. If pleasing people is your goal, you will be enslaved to them. People can be harsh taskmasters when you give them this power over you.

If I am the Master of your life, I will also be your First Love. Your serving Me is rooted and grounded in My vast, unconditional Love for you. The lower you bow down before Me, the higher I lift you up into intimate relationship with Me.  The Joy of living in My Presence outshines all other pleasures. I want you to reflect My joyous Light by living in increasing intimacy with Me.

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Revelation 2:4

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love… Ephesians 3:16-17

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

No Substitute For Prayer

“Your effectiveness, your productivity, your fruitfulness, the holiness of your life, the ministry that you have whatever it might be, the victory you have in your Christian life, you can link all of that to that intimate relationship you have with Almighty God through prayer. And you can do anything and everything else you want to and ignore praying, or make it a secondary something out there in your life, and I am going to tell you, you are not going to amount to much for God.”

These were the opening words to today’s In Touch message by Dr. Charles Stanley titled “The Battle of Prayer.” He goes on to say that, “Praying is talking to God and listening to Him. … There is no substitute in all of life for prayer.”

In Proverbs 3:5-6 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.”

In order to know God’s direction for our life we need to spend time with Him, and the way we do this is through prayer. As Dr. Stanley said, everything good in our Christian life is a result of our intimate relationship with our Almighty God, and as we spend time with Him he will direct us in all things. Sarah writes today about being on the path of God’s choosing which emanates from our spending time with Him and listening for His will and direction in our lives – living every moment in His Presence.

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (5/1)

You are on the path of My choosing. There is no randomness about your life. Here and Now comprise the coordinates of your daily life. Most people let their moments slip through their fingers, half-lived. They avoid the present by worrying about the future or longing for a better time and place. They forget that they are creatures who are subject to the limitations of time and space. They forget their Creator, who walks with them only in the present.

Every moment is alive with My glorious Presence, to those whose hearts are intimately connected with Mine. As you give yourself more and more to a life of constant communion with Me, you will find that you simply have no time for worry. Thus, you are free to let My Spirit direct your steps, enabling you to walk along the path of Peace.

“who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:25-26

“… To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:79