One of the hardest things for us to do I think, is to wait. We as Americans generally like to get things done, and waiting is not one of our cultural strong points, although we have as a nation many strong points. We understand that God is not on our time table, and that He is not bound by our schedules. We understand, but to live that out is another matter. Answers to prayer that are slow in coming can give many of us a case of impatience, and if we are not careful will move us to act when God hasn't. I think if we would understand how great our God is, we would be able to rest while we wait on Him. The reason I say this is because of Abram in the Old Testament.
When he was 75 years old, God called him out of his country, away from his family and everything that was familiar. Abram went based only on a promise that God made to him. It was an extremely lofty promise. One of great prospering, world wide influence, and great fame. When he got to the land designated by God, God promised again that the land which Abram was on, and looking upon would one day belong to him and his descendants after him. One day. Abram kept traveling and as he traveled he experienced trials, made foolish choices, had conflict with his nephew and other family members, had to go and rescue that same nephew with his own small army. Still, there was no fulfillment of God's promise.
Then 24 years later when Abram was 99 years old God appeared to him again and revealing Himself as God Almighty. This is where we can find help for our impatience. We must realize our prayer is being answered by God Almighty. Almighty means all power. It follows then that there is no trial to severe that God cannot deliver us from. There's no sin to deep that He cannot forgive. No ungodly power on Earth or hell can stop His will for us from being accomplished. He is God Almighty.
Abram, now Abraham, was able to wait on God because he had an understanding of the Almighty character of God. He knew that the God who promised would be faithful in His own way and time, and he could trust Him to carry out His word. I think if we all had a better and deeper understanding of our Savior and God Jesus Christ, and that all power and authority has been given to Him, we would not be so inclined to rush ahead of Him as He leads us. We would learn to safely rest in His timing and trust His wise way of answering our prayers.
During this time of limited movement and stay at home orders, impatience can easily creep in. I'm feeling a bit cooped up even as I write today, and am ready for some of the restrictions to be lifted. Yet, I know that God Almighty is in control, and has it all in His mighty hand. I also know that God is going to show us all great things after this is all over. We will all be different and hopefully wiser for our experience in this time.
So, be patient! God is leading. Where? We will see very soon, but for now, we follow trusting in God Almighty alone.
Monday, April 20, 2020
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Acts One Ache
Sometimes in life, we're brought to the edge of our endurance. I don't mean as in some excruciating trial, just a period of prolonged stress, activity, or pressure. A person's job may be such that we can go for long seasons of activity and non stop pressure to get the project done, only to go on to the next one, and the next, and... It comes as no surprise then, that if we get caught in that cycle we soon get to the end of our natural energies and stamina. We might experience mild depression, sluggishness, a kind of malaise for life in general. Even those of us who are most dedicated to their job or calling, and genuinely love what we do can feel a sense of heaviness and maybe a sense of despair. The joy and satisfaction that we usually feel is somehow missing because we have depleted ourselves by a long stretch of hectic activity.
It is at these times that we have to remember that although God is infinite, we are definitely finite. He may have unlimited power, but we are most definitely limited. We need to take time to recharge our mental, spiritual and physical resources. Thankfully, we have an unlimited source of replenishment. He is God Himself, Who is the source of life for all, but especially for believers in Christ.
In one season of pastoral ministry, I had just passed through a very trying time. There was tension and some conflicts that I had to navigate through. The conflicts, church finances, teachings and training, long hours, over a sustained period of time finally caught up with me. I wasn't discouraged or ready to quit. There was no temptation at my door to which I was ready to succumb or anything like that. I was just emotionally weary. My prayer time was good, things were getting done, my family life was good, I was just weary. Finally one morning as I sat in my office staring somewhat blankly at some pictures I had received as gifts, I realized that I needed a touch from God.
Now, what I meant was not a pep talk or a good book, not a promise that might register in my mind while leaving my heart cold. I needed a touch, some supernatural action from God's Holy Spirit, that would lift the sluggish fog from my soul. I went to the front of the church to the altar, and prayed a simple prayer of confession. My confession was one of inability and weakness. I said, "Lord, what I need is a willing spirit." It didn't take very long to pray along those lines, as I acknowledged my inability to even want to continue. I just prayed out my need, that I didn't have the strength to even want to get better and go on serving. I need a willing spirit, was my prayer.
Soon the Spirit of God Who Jesus calls the Comforter, somehow came upon me and within me. It's hard to describe, even though I have had similar experiences a few times in my life. But the Holy Spirit came and filled my dried heart with encouragement and renewing. The sluggishness and weariness seemed to just dissipate as He filled me and seemed to touch the remote boundaries of my soul. I didn't want it to end, but after about fifteen to twenty minutes of prayer, confessing, rejoicing, thankful worship, I knew I was going to be OK.
Sometimes it is the supernatural touch of God through His Spirit, that brings the answer that even the best books can never bring. These are unusual days of limited movement, encroachment upon our liberties, financial pressure, unemployment. We, as Christ's church reach out to people with the hope of the Gospel. We serve as we are able. Yet we can be depleted in our energies.
Now as we have more time at home, we can get aside for sacred communion with our heavenly Father. He will find the way to sustain us and give us that supernatural visitation of His Holy Spirit. He promised we would receive "power from on high." He said that when our hearts are heavy or hurting, that we can receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us.
If you're feeling weary and sluggish, there is a place of refreshment. You may or may not have an experience like mine, but it doesn't matter, not really. What matters is, God, by His promised Holy Spirit, will find a way, His way, into your soul and you will undeniably know it is Him. You're encouragement will come, and will be tailor made for you.
So, if your soul aches today, take the time, make the time to seek Him. Refreshment is waiting for you to act.
It is at these times that we have to remember that although God is infinite, we are definitely finite. He may have unlimited power, but we are most definitely limited. We need to take time to recharge our mental, spiritual and physical resources. Thankfully, we have an unlimited source of replenishment. He is God Himself, Who is the source of life for all, but especially for believers in Christ.
In one season of pastoral ministry, I had just passed through a very trying time. There was tension and some conflicts that I had to navigate through. The conflicts, church finances, teachings and training, long hours, over a sustained period of time finally caught up with me. I wasn't discouraged or ready to quit. There was no temptation at my door to which I was ready to succumb or anything like that. I was just emotionally weary. My prayer time was good, things were getting done, my family life was good, I was just weary. Finally one morning as I sat in my office staring somewhat blankly at some pictures I had received as gifts, I realized that I needed a touch from God.
Now, what I meant was not a pep talk or a good book, not a promise that might register in my mind while leaving my heart cold. I needed a touch, some supernatural action from God's Holy Spirit, that would lift the sluggish fog from my soul. I went to the front of the church to the altar, and prayed a simple prayer of confession. My confession was one of inability and weakness. I said, "Lord, what I need is a willing spirit." It didn't take very long to pray along those lines, as I acknowledged my inability to even want to continue. I just prayed out my need, that I didn't have the strength to even want to get better and go on serving. I need a willing spirit, was my prayer.
Soon the Spirit of God Who Jesus calls the Comforter, somehow came upon me and within me. It's hard to describe, even though I have had similar experiences a few times in my life. But the Holy Spirit came and filled my dried heart with encouragement and renewing. The sluggishness and weariness seemed to just dissipate as He filled me and seemed to touch the remote boundaries of my soul. I didn't want it to end, but after about fifteen to twenty minutes of prayer, confessing, rejoicing, thankful worship, I knew I was going to be OK.
Sometimes it is the supernatural touch of God through His Spirit, that brings the answer that even the best books can never bring. These are unusual days of limited movement, encroachment upon our liberties, financial pressure, unemployment. We, as Christ's church reach out to people with the hope of the Gospel. We serve as we are able. Yet we can be depleted in our energies.
Now as we have more time at home, we can get aside for sacred communion with our heavenly Father. He will find the way to sustain us and give us that supernatural visitation of His Holy Spirit. He promised we would receive "power from on high." He said that when our hearts are heavy or hurting, that we can receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us.
If you're feeling weary and sluggish, there is a place of refreshment. You may or may not have an experience like mine, but it doesn't matter, not really. What matters is, God, by His promised Holy Spirit, will find a way, His way, into your soul and you will undeniably know it is Him. You're encouragement will come, and will be tailor made for you.
So, if your soul aches today, take the time, make the time to seek Him. Refreshment is waiting for you to act.
Monday, April 6, 2020
A Normal Response To An Abnormal Time
As I write this we are at the beginning a week that is predicted to be the worst week for illness and death because of the Corona virus that has been spreading around the world. It may be as the experts predict, it may not be. I for one, as I've implied previously have some misgivings about this entire scenario. There is no doubt that the virus can be deadly, and can trigger fatal reactions in people in certain age groups or with already weakened health conditions. I do not mean to make less of the condition of those so affected, or of anyone's loss to this virus. Nor do I encourage people to ignore the guidelines prescribed for us by those in authority. At this point, based on what we know, they are the best course of actions we can do to safeguard ourselves and perhaps contain the spread of this further.
"Based on what we know" is the reason for my misgivings. What we truly know about the virus and its effects and what is mere speculation seems to be a flimsy foundation for our response that is shutting down our nation, encroaching upon our freedoms, and creating fear and anxiety for many. The numbers and the facts do not warrant the kind of response we are being told to comply to. From what I understand, and to give our leaders the benefit of the doubt, I have heard them say they are planning for the worst and acting as if it will happen, in order to save as many lives as possible, just in case it does occur as the models suggest. I get that and can see the wisdom in that approach.
So whether the response is warranted or not what do we do as Christians? I think we do as we should be doing anyway. Romans 12:1 states, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." This encourages us to not be conformed to the worlds response of fear, anxiety, blame, political maneuvering etc. We are to be conformed to the image of Christ, not only for our own peace of mind and confidence, but for the sake of others who are bound by deep uncertainty or hurtful emotions.
We can now more than ever demonstrate where our confidence lies. We can show an anxious world that in Jesus we have a faith and a set of priorities that transcend the norm, new or old. We can show those who blame the President or others for what they did or did not do, that there is One in control Who is Lord of the vast universe as well as the microscopic realm. In our humble submission to Christ and His Lordship, even over this, we show people that in spite of our greatness as a nation, we are not God, and that,"In God we trust," had better be more than a slogan on our currency.
Christians can love without hypocrisy, cling to what is good, be devoted to brotherly love and give preference to others. Ours is a hope we can rejoice in, we can help meet the needs of those around us, and above all as we have more time at home, be even more devoted to prayer. These behaviors are spelled out in the rest of Chpt. 12 of Romans, and are the things that should be the norm for those confessing Jesus as Lord.
So yes it is an abnormal season we are in, and yes I may be skeptical about our prescribed response. Perhaps you are as well, but it doesn't have to dictate anyone's christian testimony or attitude. In fact, it should, in an odd, round about kind of way, enhance it.
"Based on what we know" is the reason for my misgivings. What we truly know about the virus and its effects and what is mere speculation seems to be a flimsy foundation for our response that is shutting down our nation, encroaching upon our freedoms, and creating fear and anxiety for many. The numbers and the facts do not warrant the kind of response we are being told to comply to. From what I understand, and to give our leaders the benefit of the doubt, I have heard them say they are planning for the worst and acting as if it will happen, in order to save as many lives as possible, just in case it does occur as the models suggest. I get that and can see the wisdom in that approach.
So whether the response is warranted or not what do we do as Christians? I think we do as we should be doing anyway. Romans 12:1 states, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." This encourages us to not be conformed to the worlds response of fear, anxiety, blame, political maneuvering etc. We are to be conformed to the image of Christ, not only for our own peace of mind and confidence, but for the sake of others who are bound by deep uncertainty or hurtful emotions.
We can now more than ever demonstrate where our confidence lies. We can show an anxious world that in Jesus we have a faith and a set of priorities that transcend the norm, new or old. We can show those who blame the President or others for what they did or did not do, that there is One in control Who is Lord of the vast universe as well as the microscopic realm. In our humble submission to Christ and His Lordship, even over this, we show people that in spite of our greatness as a nation, we are not God, and that,"In God we trust," had better be more than a slogan on our currency.
Christians can love without hypocrisy, cling to what is good, be devoted to brotherly love and give preference to others. Ours is a hope we can rejoice in, we can help meet the needs of those around us, and above all as we have more time at home, be even more devoted to prayer. These behaviors are spelled out in the rest of Chpt. 12 of Romans, and are the things that should be the norm for those confessing Jesus as Lord.
So yes it is an abnormal season we are in, and yes I may be skeptical about our prescribed response. Perhaps you are as well, but it doesn't have to dictate anyone's christian testimony or attitude. In fact, it should, in an odd, round about kind of way, enhance it.
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