Sunday, February 21, 2010

Our End All and Be All

God's Word . . . richness, perfection, completeness. No errors. No contradictions. It's all we need for where we are at any given time of our lives.

In Isaiah 55:11 God tells us that when He sends His Word out, it NEVER comes back void. We gain assurance in realizing that it has a purpose and that it WILL accomplish all that He intends for it to.

With that possible you can see how the victims of the Holocaust may have used Isaiah 61:3 as a lifeline in order to endure yet one more hour of horror . . . "To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His glory."

And how, when dryness has overwhelmed us, our hope springs eternal when we read Isaiah 58:11 . . . "The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

Instruction and teaching for building faith. Reassurance for strength. Promises for hope. How glorious . . . His Word is perfect for every occasion. We can praise - even in times of pain and suffering - because of the power of His Word.

The unbridled hope that is found in Isaiah 65:24 allows us to endure whatever circumstance we face . . . "I will answer them before they even call to me, while they are still talking about their needs I will go ahead and answer their prayers."

Hallelujah! His Word is never ending and ever lasting!

Only fools say in their hearts that there is no God. Psalm 14:1
I praise you, Jesus, our 'end all and be all' Fountain of Hope.
Amen and amen.
bo

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Dear God:

This morning I was lead to a passage in God's Word in which Jeremiah the Prophet was giving God a piece of his mind (Jer 20:7-10). It seems that a dilemma ensued for Jeremiah after he began sharing with his friends and acquaintances the insightful truths that God had revealed to him. As a matter of fact, Jeremiah's desire to share God's Divine Wisdom with them was so overwhelming that it wasn't long before the people around him got pretty tied of seeing him coming. Even old friends poked fun at him, ridiculed his ideas and watched for ways to get rid of him permanently. What was Jeremiah to do then but turn and cry out to the Lord.

Being honest with God. Openly giving Him a piece of your mind. Making sure that, in no uncertain terms, He is fully aware of all that's happening in your life. (AS IF . . .!) Defending yourself . . . for surely the Lord needs to know that you're not deserving of any harsh treatment. Jeremiah shows us that out of our humanness, all of us are inclined to complain and feel sorry for ourselves . . . but have you ever really stopped and thought about what God's reaction must be when we dump our inner most heart out on to Him?

I believe that we must gaze upon the face of God in order to envision His reaction to our outpouring. We must first know this God to whom we turn. We must know that He would never expect any more from us than He Himself would give. We must realize that He would never lie to us . . . so we must, therefore, be honest with Him. We must concede that His Wisdom encompasses the entire universe . . . not just our little corner of it. We must be willing to follow rather than take the lead.

With a humble and contrite heart we may now be ready to speak honestly with the Father. Respect is key when honesty is the goal. A teachable heart is key when understanding is sought. When love is the driving force I believe that we are sure to run head-long into arms that are comforting, merciful and compassionate. I am, therefore, utterly convinced that He delights to spend this intimate time with us. His heart is warmed in knowing that we eagerly run to Him as we desire to bear our souls in our moment of need.

Dear God:
Your Word tells me that You've already gone out ahead of me and fought the battles that are yet to come into my life. What comfort that affords my soul. Help me, Holy Spirit, to be honest and authentic with You. Help me to consider Your needs before my own. And as I show signs of my humanness, please Dear Lord, mold me into the person who seeks Your will above all else . . . in Jesus' Holy Name . . .
Amen and amen.
bo

Monday, February 8, 2010

Ten Commandments . . . or One

I've often heard people make comments about how the laws of the Old Testament don't apply to those of us who are New Testament Christians. I don't profess to be an expert where this is concerned but through the blessed teachers that I've encountered I have had an opportunity to learn that not only do the Ten Commandment Laws apply to us but Christ Himself has given us direction that clearly sets the bar higher for us than did the Old Testament Laws.

For example . . . in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught that above and beyond the law that was established in the Ten Commandments regarding adultery, He set the bar higher and simply defined adultery as any lustfulness of the heart. YIKES - I have little need to wonder whether or not an overwhelming desire to please 'ME, MYSELF and I' might be along the lines of what Jesus had in mind.

Again, the Ten Commandments tell us not to murder and although the majority of us are quite confident that we wouldn't fall prey to breaking this law, Jesus sets the bar higher for us as He mentions that we are subject to the same judgement whether murder or everyday anger is our 'crime'.

Well, recently as I studied these truths I was lead by the Holy Spirit to God's Word written in Romans 13:8-10. There I found that Jesus took all the laws, seemingly packaged them up nicely and summed up all of our responsibility in one command . . . "love your neighbor as yourself". 1 John 4:16 tells us that "God is love" . . . so when we love we are an extension of God.
17) As we live in God our love becomes more perfect.
19) We love each other because He first loved us.
It's not a choice . . . in order to be Christ-like we must love our neighbor.
It's a command and therefore we must obey . . . love your neighbor as yourself. Does it come as any surprise to you that the breakdown of self-esteem is so important to the evil one? If we're unable to truly love ourselves then we're unable to follow the one command that brings all of us together.

From before the beginning of time God knew that we would be sinners . . . and yet He allowed each of us to exist. Isn't that the most amazing thought? He KNEW that we would allow 'things' to become idols to us. He KNEW that we'd take His name in vain. He KNEW that our covetousness would be never ending AND YET HE CREATED US NONETHELESS! It's all about love. It's all about Him. And when we finally get it right we'll know that our part was to obey His command and thus be blessed beyond what we could ever fathom!

Lord Jesus, thank You for the perfect plan. Like the song says . . . Your love still amazes me. Oh how I pray Lord that the love I have for my neighbor would mirror that which you posses for each of them. In Your loving name, Jesus, and with the help of Your Holy Spirit, I commit to obey the perfect commands that You and the Father established long before time began.
Amen and amen.
bo

Sunday, February 7, 2010

In or Of

Maybe it's time for me to concede to the aging process . . . but wait a minute . . . I'm still the baby in my family so I think that I'll leave the 'getting older' to my siblings who have nicely mastered the art of aging but even if what's ailing me isn't old age, then at the very least, I have to admit that yesterday, after spending the day 'in the world', my rose colored glasses took a hit . . . let me explain:

With the onset of preparations at hand for my daughter's wedding, Sara and I embarked on our first outing to buy a 'Mother-of-the-Bride' dress. It came as no surprise to either of us that my wardrobe would prove to be her biggest challenge. Our first mistake was to step foot into a Bridal Salon on a Saturday afternoon. Overflowing with brides and bridesmaids and sales people and dresses everywhere . . . (hundreds of dresses - long ones, frilly ones, skimpy ones, frumpy ones . . . ) it wasn't long before this naive tenderling showed signs of being overwhelmed amidst the world.

Earlier in the day I had learned of a family man who had succumb to lust. Although at one time an avid follower of Christ, his life was now on a much different track. Amidst his shattered family, acceptance of the situation is being urged . . . for the sake of peace this will now be the new family norm. What a sad but all to familiar commentary.

Spend an hour at the local mall on a Saturday afternoon and see if you don't agree that the world is overdosed on lies. Check out the sights, the sounds, the smells that entice the unsuspecting senses of those who travel the corridors. Then remember that God's Word tells us that we are to "be in the world but not of the world". We are to live among 'un-Godly' people but not let their attitudes and weaknesses and influences tempt us.

But how, pray tell, is this possible. Each of us are at risk for the lies of the world, our flesh and the devil so what hope could any of us possibly have? If the truth be told shouldn't we all fold in fear of what appears to be the inevitable? No! No! and again I say NO for on the heals of my day 'in the world' the Lord brought me to His Word in Romans 8:31-39. There I found that Christ, having been raised from the dead "is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us." "So then if God is for us, who can ever be against us?" Reading in between the lines I see it saying - it doesn't matter what lies the world believes - our God is mightier than all the lies cast down since the beginning of time! Jesus Christ is interceding for us - how glorious! He's asking the Father to show us His mercy, provide His wisdom and to allow us His forgiveness. Truly, if God is for us we have all the hope we need to continue on. No lie can ever truly separate us from the love of God. Praise God HE is our hope!!!!!!!

Father God, we seek, Dear Lord, eyes that see only Your truths and ears that hear only Your voice. Draw us close to You Father so that we are not taken captive by the lies that are all around us. Renew in us, Lord we pray, an unquenchable desire to live and breathe Your righteousness. In Jesus' precious name we acknowledge that Your mercies, although undeserved, are more precious than we can fathom. Forever and always - we agape You.
Amen and amen.
bo

Thursday, February 4, 2010

An Elixir . . . What If?

The word 'elixir' came to me the other day and as you might guess I immediately envisioned tropical islands, sunny beaches and natives who were preparing exotic potions. Initially the true meaning of the word alluded me so it wasn't long before I found myself compelled to seek the help of our dear friend Mr. Webster. As I endeavored to understand the reality of the word, I found 'elixir' described as . . .
~ A substance held capable of changing base medals into gold and
~ A sweetened liquid used as a vehicle for medicinal agents.

As I pondered these meanings, I stopped and wondered . . .
~ what if God used people as that life changing base - that elixir - that substance that turns things into 'gold'? What would it look like if He rendered us capable of impacting the lives of the people around us in a way that would change them into His priceless treasures?
~ what if God somehow creates a sweetness within us in preparation of being a vehicle for healing someone's broken heart, their shattered dreams, or even their deflated self-esteem?
~ what if God's purpose for your life is to be an Elixir . . . indeed, what an honor.

There was a time in my life - a dark time - when the 'what if's' consumed me in a way that lead to isolation and panic attacks. I allowed no one to be an elixir in my life hence the darkness, but now - saved and full of the Holy Spirit - the very thought of being used by God as an elixir, and thus bringing Glory to His name, is nothing short of thrilling to me.

How about you? Is your walk preparing you to be used by God as an elixir? Are you willing for the Potter to mold you into a vehicle that may be used to bring healing to those around you? Do you realize fully the blessings that would flow through to you from such a willing spirit. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!!!

Father, the thought of being used by you as an elixir is humbling beyond belief. I pray that each of us would be willing to step out in 'mountain moving faith' as we seek to become elixirs by Your Divine providence. In the name of Jesus I pray that you might know the true desires of our heart as we give thanks for the guidance of Your Holy Spirit to this end.
Amen and amen.
bo