Persevering Faith

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Exodus 32:1

Aaron listened to the people and provided for them a golden calf for the purpose of worshiping the way they saw fit.

This story shocks and horrifies me. God had chosen Moses, and had gone to extraordinary measures to use him to rescue the Israelites from harsh turmoil and slavery. Yet, now they were turning their backs on the one safe, never-ending source of all they truly needed.

They had been beaten, bruised and worn out all their lives. When they came out of Egypt and began to see God’s miracles, perhaps they assumed a pain-free, comfortable existence at the snap of God’s fingers, like a Santa Claus or a vending machine. But that’s not life.

Surely, you’ve already reached the ‘punchline.’ We, too, so easily fall back into old ways when the going gets tough. We so quickly forget our amazing God whose provisions and presence are completely adequate and satisfying and whose timing is always right.

However, I would like to go further into this passage.

To begin with, Moses was called up to the mountain by God; by GOD! The people knew this.

But he was so long in coming back.

So long…..

What typically happens to people who get antsy, restless and demand to control their lives:
They give in to their lower selves.
They come up with their own plans.
They go ahead of God’s will.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel asked King Saul to wait seven days for him to come to Gilgal before beginning the prescribed sacrificial offerings. The seven days came and went, so Saul took it upon himself to go forward, his way.

Then Samuel arrived. “‘You have done a foolish thing,’ Samuel said. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.'” I Samuel 13:13.

The King didn’t ‘get it.’

As parents, once we set clear instructions for our children, we try to enforce the importance of obedience. King Saul should have been a better example, as all eyes were on him.

God wanted the Israelites to be His chosen people for the sake of preserving a Holy line to, one day, birth His Son.

For instance, in Exodus 35:1–3, if a person worked on the sabbath, the punishment was death! God’s guidelines were extremely clear. He was trying to teach His people to listen to His voice, even when the commands He gave seemed odd or exacting.

Samuel knew how imperative it was for Israel to have a king who would listen and follow instructions. Israel needed to practice these same skills. We all do! That’s why our children must see and experience their parent’s struggles towards passionately pursuing refined obedience.

Israel and Saul teach us to learn valuable lessons from their mistakes.

However, we fall into the same traps. “No, I want to make my own rules.” “I am being inconvenienced.” “God is taking sooooo long!” “My circumstances are becoming too intense. I MUST take control!“

People take too long. They don’t go as fast as we would go. God never seems to show up when or how we want Him to.

‘I’ take so long to change. But God isn’t in any hurry. He wants to know that I am willing and that I am moving forward in His direction and in His time.

The Covid-19 cure is so long in coming. Will we turn to the idol of complaining, fear and anxiety?

What should the Israelites have done during Moses’ prolonged visit with the Almighty? Could they have spent their precious time in prayer for him or in mutual service, learning more about trusting their Father and each other?

Hindered personal plans provide our own mountains to climb, making life strenuous and challenging at times. Think of some distractions that try to take us away from doing what is right on our paths to meet with God. How might we keep ourselves from being interrupted in our continuous, simple praises?

Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23) Patience helps us to succeed during inevitable, unmanageable delays.

When the obstacles are lifted, the joy of faithfully persevering through our long days and nights is absolutely exhilarating, pure and more fulfilling than any golden calf (or other gods we could turn to).

God is amazing!

He instructed the pattern for the tabernacle and later for the temple. These were places to worship and serve Him. He used precious stones, elegant materials and detailed plans.

Today, we, who are followers of Christ are the temple of God, the place where He dwells. We are being built and refined into precious spiritual stones. We are His elegant work, a people who are special to Him, a people who are learning to trust Him in times when our plans are postponed for a better time.

Father of All Wisdom, teach us in our limited lives. Take from us the weariness, confusion, fear and anxiety, the inward and outward wars towards one another, the golden calves of overeating, oversleeping, overplaying, and overuse of anything that separates us from you. Teach us to fall on our knees before a Holy, magnificent God and know that your purposes are greater than our timely plans. Build us into refined children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May we always listen to your voice and obey. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

PEACE in These Times of Trouble

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

And then there is The Passion Translation:

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”

My theme this week has been PEACE.

What is peace: lack of tension or having superior knowledge, good feelings or good circumstances?

Perhaps that’s the way the world would define it.

Yet, what the world has to offer is counterfeit, temporary, fake and even hypocritical peace, peace that offers me hollow promises and glittery, sparkling attractions that lure me to believe it’s assurances are full of goodness. What the world offers is a mirage, a lie trying to grab my allegiance and loyalty, when my energy and time belong only to the Father.

What God offers may seem, at times, harsh, cruel, ridiculous, scary, narrow, painful and difficult. But truly I must have eyes to see the peaceful treasures beyond what my senses feel.

In our troubling times, the current circumstances spread around the opposite of peace: panic, fear and worry. It keeps me up late at night with my stomach in knots and in nail-biting moments of chilling anxiety. I buy into that all the time. We all do, especially now in this pandemic. So the peace into which the world invites me simply feels good (More food, please so I can overeat. Give me an alcohol beverage. Help me numb the pain).

Perhaps Christ’s peace goes deeper than these things.

These other things are a distraction from what my higher mind should be dwelling on, which is prayer, worship, adoration, surrender and servanthood.

But I’m bored, weary and tired of the same four walls and of always having to be ‘on.’ And in it all, I must still be nice, sweet, giving and good.

A good reminder is to recognize that true peace comes from an obedient heart. In order to follow my Lord, I must constantly listen to His Spirit who guides me in all things. This is why peace can seem so painful (not peaceful) at first.

My heart must humble itself again and again. My mind is being refined to not always have to be right, better or always having the best answers.

Peace means I give into or accept unchangeable circumstances and not fight them as if I can fix and make all things right. With peace, I take a deep breath and become pleasantly creative. How can I make this day count? How might this moment be remembered forever?

God’s peace acknowledges and notices the blessings all around me, instead of concentrating on the bad stuff.

So are feelings not okay? Sometimes we get scared and maybe depressed at times. Maybe it’s normal in times like these. But peace is still knowing that God IS there and He will pull us through. He will never leave you. He will never leave me!

Peace is not the absence of depression or tears. Peace is a courageous willingness to push through it and praise God in it.

Peace happens when you take His answers of yes or no and still love Him, still honor His name and continue to move forward one step at time, one day at a time.

On Facebook, there for a season, was a page called Praise On Your Porch. They suggested going out on your porch every night to sing the designated song of the day. All over the world, we joined in, singing praises to our God. This didn’t last forever, but it was such a great idea.

How are you bringing peace to your corner of the world?

After the following prayer, I posted one of my favorite songs for you to learn and sing right now.

Lord Jesus, touch us, heal us, bring us answers during this anxious time. But whatever your hand gives, help us to be grateful and obedient to your calling to peace. Give us praising tongues and uplifted hands. Put a song on our lips to glorify your name in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wait till you hear the chorus of this massive choir! Join in!

Simple Act of Love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18

I have often wondered why there’ve been times in life in which my love for others seemed to falter. Maybe it was because of something they did or didn’t do for ME, something they believed contrary to my beliefs, or perhaps, it was their clashing personalities that earned my lack of feeling. So, I held up my head and kept going forward, leaving them in the dust. Now looking at this verse, I wonder if all along I was afraid of something, and my fears were getting the best of me, dwindling my capability of loving these precious souls around me.

What could I possibly have been afraid of? What power does fear have over love? Maybe I needed to pay attention to what was deeper in my heart than the fact that I felt stale and stuck. I needed to hone in, not on the other person’s defects, failings or differences but on my own failings in fear.

A person loves others by displaying acts of kindness and thinking of the other person more than himself. A person who is full of fear displays the opposite: He says in his mind, “I can’t do this.” “I can’t continue loving that person.” “It’s too hard for me.” “I’m too tired. I’m too small for this big task…too irritable, too angry, too sick of doing this, too selfish, too whiny or too busy.“

Maybe a person is afraid of getting too close to another person. He assumes that something bad is bound to happen to the relationship, and he will get hurt.

The Covid virus has set upon us a multitude of fears. Of course there is the frightening “will my loved one or I die?” But more likely, we are afraid the task of living together in isolation or that caring for someone who gets sick will be too much for us. All of it is mind-boggling to our senses. We are being bothered by more than we’ve ever dealt with before.

Yet, stop! What does LOVE do?

Love gives of himself freely from more than his own power. Love can dismiss the fears and believe in a greater God that lives within. Love gives, knowing that he will be overwhelmed at times and even hurt, at times, by that loved one. It is a part of love.

Do I believe this?

Mark 9:21-24 says, “Jesus asked the boy’s father [this boy had a spirit the disciples couldn’t drive out], “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’

Love is powerful. More powerful than anger, irritation and fear. It’s like a superhero that shows up at just the right time from some hidden place the ‘lover’ sets free.

Other people’s walls fill us with fear. But when we simply continue to love and let the greatest ‘Lover,’ God, handle the walls, He does a much better job than we can.

Love moves boldly, acting as if the other member is involved and participating. Love includes, has joy, looks out for, stands up for, overlooks offenses and refrains from pouting, gossiping or depression.

Love drives out fear. Love is the best way to live.

Father, help my unbelief in times my fear rises higher than my love. I love you, Father. I know that you love me. Feeling your love shining in my soul, I let it in and let it move me to love those people in my life who are hard to love. I’m not afraid of what man can do to me. I trust you. In doing these things, I believe this world can be changed from this simple act of love. I surrender my life to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Stay and Finish the Work

Nehemiah 6:3

“I am carrying on a great project…Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”

Nehemiah and the people who lived in Jerusalem were rebuilding the wall that had been destroyed during the Babylonian captivity. Everyone was working with all their might to finish this great project.

However, enemies in the city were wickedly conniving to thwart his plans. One day several of them, with sinister intent, enticed Nehemiah, saying, “Come meet with us in one of the villages.“

The Bible says their scheme was to harm him.

He responded, “I am carrying on a great project…Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?“

In other words, “Why should I get distracted with your plans for evil while I am engaged in important tasks for the Lord God.”

A wall around the city of Jerusalem was the people’s protection against the enemies on the outside. Nehemiah knew that if he stopped finishing this project and allowed himself to be distracted with the petty squabbles of petty men (inside the wall), the work would never get done.

I’d like to imagine, sometimes, that I am talking to anger or fear, the petty voices (enemies) that try to take over my head. I like to envision them calling to me and asking me to come ‘down’ and meet with them.

My answer to those who hide, waiting for me to step into their trap is: “Why should I stoop to your level and listen to your lies! I have important work to do, the work of a mighty God who leads my steps and guides my ways.”

Why should I stop…(I say to my enemies)?
What, in my life, must I stop to disregard the spiritual forces I oppose?

Stop entertaining negative influences (complaints, fear, hatred, anger, agitation irritation, frustration, sadness or other paralyzing thoughts). Stop being afraid of my future.

Instead, I choose to keep straining forward in worship to bow my head and entrust my life in prayer to my Heavenly Father (whom I need far more than anything else), to stay active in making my home an inviting place to live, to anoint it’s doors and members with God’s anointing oil, to cheer those around me, to creatively throw out excess of stuff, to be frugal, using and needing less, to need God more and hoard time with Him, to be alert to worthless time-stealers of TV and cards and to be a servant to those in need around me.

Stop being afraid of illness, fear of illness, fear of what illness might do to me or my loved ones. Stop giving into injury, physical discomfort or other distractions of the enemy. Feel the normal human feelings and process through it all. Then move forward.

Stop giving so much time and attention to ‘work’ that really isn’t work at all. The tasks we do for God is the only work that matters (cleaning toilets, dropping off supplies for a friend, providing for our family, counseling the downhearted or just listening to a sad heart is godly work. (Striving for success, perfection, beauty or power in the eyes of this world is not.)

There are other bothersome, opposing forces in our lives:

Lack of sleep is a killer (an enemy) for me. I can face my foe by not staying up late when I can help it or simply use the wakeful moments to pray. My wise choices are part of fulfilling the great projects God has for me.

There is also self-pity, anger and depression that call to me constantly in my circumstances. What voices call to you to come down?

Psalm 1: 1-2 say, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

This sounds like a man who is focused on God’s important work.

Lord, I want to choose to go UP wherever you lead me and not to descend to the place where evil dwells. I want to follow your ways, in my mind, actions, attitudes and motives. Help my trials to strengthen my faith instead of pulling me down to where the enemy alluringly calls my name. I listen for YOUR voice and your calling through all my labor. Let the spreading of peace and joy be a part of my greatest work here on earth. Father, help me to finish the work you have for me here. In Jesus name, Amen.

My Sacrifice and Covid

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17

An offering to God begins first and foremost in the heart. It is not at first a physical sacrifice, but a genuine desire to give something costly from the deepest places within. Arising from sorrowful conviction, the broken spirit is humble, tender, listening and teachable. A child of God has an open heart to hear God’s voice about his most inward, hidden sin.

Being broken is the realization of wrongdoing, an admission of guilt and claiming responsibility. It is an eagerness to do something about the sin, not just speaking sorry words from being caught.

The question is: are we truly sorry?

Broken has to do with a fierce expectation of major adjustments to my behavior, speech and attitude.

Broken accepts and doesn’t fight unchangeable circumstances and finds ways to be flexible, creative and positive.

King David wrote, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken and contrite heart…”

Sacrifice is not ease of life, not always vying for my way, not high expectations, but accepting whatever comes.

Acceptance is a sacrifice. Peace and joy are offerings to the Lord. Leaning on Him to meet all our needs delights Him, especially in pandemic days like these.

In sacrifice there is a calling to go higher. A person with a broken spirit has ears to hear the depths of his own heart. He understands there is always further to go in his spiritual walk.  He realizes he should never stay stuck where he is.

“But I have reasons for staying where I am!“

My truest thoughts tell me that NO reason is good enough to remain stuck.

The verse says that God does not despise the sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart. In Genesis 4, Cain gave a sacrifice that was unacceptable to God. Is it any wonder that my offerings must be genuine, sorrow-filled and generous. That’s why having a humble, repentant spirit is so beautiful to the Father.

Moving forward and not staying stuck in our sin is a way to acknowledge the One True God of all the universe. King David spoke to this Holy GOD. Who am ‘I’ speaking to when I pray? Do I think about this when I bow my knees to Him, or am I distracted, thinking about other things as I speak words into the air?

A contrite heart doesn’t stay stuck, but prays for rain (for good things to come). A contrite heart ‘prepares’ for that rain by getting busy with the important God-things at hand: simplifying one’s life, loving and serving one’s fellowman.

The results of having a broken and contrite spirit are many. One of the results is learning to refrain from having to defend ourselves, while not compromising who we are and who God made us to be. It’s pushing away our own arrogance and pride and promoting humility and gentle words.

Another result of brokenness is learning to take captive our thoughts and to have self discipline and joy in our trials.

So many good things are birthed from brokenness.

In light of a monster virus that has overtaken our whole world, what is our part in it all?

We must choose joy, confession and a broken, contrite spirit instead of fear, defensiveness and worry. All things God asks of me are health-promoting and spread faster and more efficiently than even the covid virus. And it has great, eternal (long-lasting) consequences.

This has become my goal in days that have become increasingly difficult and sometimes impossible.

Father, with you nothing is impossible. Your solutions are holy and right. I come to you and reveal the cries of my heart. Please forgive my wayward soul and bring me back into your presence. Take my brokenness, shattered into pieces with the sorrow I have for my sin. You’re the only one who can fully put me back together again (with your love and grace) to be a useful vessel filled with the strength of God. Show me the way to your glorious, shining light. Be a light through me for the world. Heal our world of physical ills, but even more, heal our hearts. Protect us from the evil one. In Jesus name, Amen.