Don't Forget!

New Year's Eve...a time we celebrate the ending of one year and the coming of a new one. The TV channels will be busy doing their "Year in Review;" most of which is usually discouraging, but sometimes there are some good remembrances thrown in there. It seems every time I go online or turn on the news, there is something bad that has happened or is happening: airplane crashes, hate crimes, killing, war, terrorism, etc.

As I look back on the year, it's easy to see the negative that happened. It's easy to lose focus and get discouraged. That's one of Satan's goals, right? To get me to lose my focus on Christ and look at my surroundings. This past year has been one of ups and downs, as it usually is for most people. I can choose to focus on the bad that happened, or I can look back and trace God's hand in my life. He's been there, and He is still there, although sometimes I have to look hard to see. Two of my three children came to know Christ personally as their Savior and follow in believer's baptism. It doesn't get much better than that! I'm so thankful to God for His work in their lives. 

Psalm 103:2-5

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Matt Redman has a song, 10,000 Reasons, that is a great reminder to praise the Lord even when things aren't going well. Casting Crowns also has a great one, Praise You in This Storm. There is always a reason to praise the Lord. There is so much He has done for me, none of which I deserve!

My friends, Satan is alive and well and moving about on this earth like a roaring lion, 1 Peter 5:8, BUT my God is also alive and well and moving among His people. He is still in control; Satan's attacks are no surprise to Him. There is coming a day when Satan and all the evil in this world will be crushed forever. There is coming a time when sin will be no more. Revelation 20-22 

I love the song, Sing to the King, especially the verse, "For His returning, we watch and we pray. We will be ready the dawn of that day. We'll join in singing with all the redeemed 'cause Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King!" What a glorious day that will be!

I encourage you today to take time to remember God's blessings and trace His hand in your life. I encourage you in the upcoming year to keep your focus on Him, who is still on His throne, ruling over all! 

Psalm 103:19 

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

The Greatest Gift Ever Given

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

I don't know about you, but I always find myself fighting an internal struggle at this time of year. All the busyness surrounding the season...did I get a gift for everyone? Will they like my gift? What if I got a gift my kids hate? For those who do Santa, what if the Santa gift is not what they asked for? Where did I put that gift again? Oh, no, I forgot about ______! Not only the gifts, but the Christmas cards, and all the baking that happens as well. This time of year can be extremely stressful! If I'm not careful, Satan uses all these distractions to turn my focus away from the One I need to be focused on.

I often find myself fighting to remember why I even celebrate Christmas. If Christ hadn't been born, there wouldn't even be Christmas. Even though it's believed that Christ was born at a different time, December 25 is the time set aside to remember His birth...the long awaited Messiah, for whom Israel waited for thousands of years...the long awaited gift of God to His people.

Without Christ, there is no hope, there is no peace, there is no forgiveness, there is no joy. There is no greater gift than God sending His own Son, who came to earth as a baby and grew into a man, whose sole purpose was to show God's love and take the punishment for my sins and yours, so those of us who accept His gift can enjoy eternity with Him.

Now, as believers, we find ourselves waiting once again...this time for Jesus to return, not to die, but to return as reigning King...for completion of the promise of a new heavens and new earth where there will be no more sickness, no more dying, no more pain, no more tears, where our every breath will be spent praising and worshipping the One who loved us enough to come to earth as a little baby and grow up to die for our sins, the One who reigns forevermore!

Galatians 4:4-5

When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 

Without Christ, life is meaningless. As you and I are hurrying around these last remaining days, let's remember, Christmas is not about the food and the gifts under the tree, it's about God's greatest gift given to you and me.

God's Perfect Timing

"Just wait a minute."

"I'm tired of waiting."

"Be patient!"

"How much longer do I have to wait?"

For you moms, "I can't wait for this baby to come!"

"I can't wait for this _______ to be over."

"Why doesn't God do anything about _______ now?"

Any of these phrases sound familiar to you? Waiting is hard. It's hard for adults and its hard for children. This time of year, waiting is especially hard as many children anticipate the gifts they'll be receiving.

According to online dictionaries, to wait means to remain inactive until something expected happens, to look forward to eagerly; to delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.

I don't think waiting has ever been easy, but in our "microwave" society, it has become increasingly harder. Society has programmed us to want things immediately; to want it done, and want it now.  "Why wait when you can have it now," seems to be the motto for many in this day and age. Yet in this day and age of instant gratification, I find there are often times when God tells me to wait.

Have you ever noticed how much more special or precious something is when you wait so long for it and it finally comes or finally happens? I have noticed in my life that I become more appreciative of the things I have to wait patiently for and they become more special to me. I have also noticed when I try to rush something, I miss out on blessings God could have brought along the way if I'd have been more patient.

God is not bound by time as we are, and that is one of the hardest things for my mind to grasp. I am so constrained by time in one way or another, it's hard to understand how there can be no "time" in God's eyes. What seems to be an "eternity" to me is probably only a snap of a finger to God. He certainly has a lot more patience than I can even comprehend.

2 Peter 3:8-9, Peter is writing in reference to the coming of the Lord.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Waiting is mentioned several times in the Bible. I won't list all the verses because you would stop reading before I even started, but I will list some of my favorites.

One of my favorite verses is found in Isaiah 40:31. I think it is so special to me because every time I read it or hear it, I remember by grandmother. My grandma struggled with MS for years. As time went on, she became bed ridden, and I remember her always talking about this verse and how she longed for the day when she would be with the Lord and she would be able to walk and run again.

I love reading through the book of Habakkuk. It is a short book, and worth reading. Habakkuk is struggling to understand why God is allowing the suffering and destruction that is occurring. Habakkuk shares his wrestling with God and how he questions God and His reasons. God responds to him that even though He is allowing Judah to be destroyed as a consequence for their turning away from Him, the nation that is destroying them will be punished. As Judah is being destroyed around him, he eventually comes to realize the precious blessing of experiencing God that accompanies faith and waiting.

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones , and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.  Habakkuk 3:16 - 19

Isaiah 30:18

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. 

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 37:7, 10

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes...A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

Isaiah 64:4

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. 

Waiting can be so difficult to do, yet the blessings that accompany it and the opportunity to experience God can be so precious if I am patient enough. I don't want to miss out on those blessings God sends when I wait patiently on Him.

As the song, While I'm Waiting, states, I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord, and I am hopeful. I'm waiting on You Lord though it is painful, but patiently, I will wait.

As I was looking around online, I came across a song by a man named Jamie Brown, who wrote it as an addition to the song Everlasting God. The words are written in the form of a letter from God. It is such a beautiful reminder of God's presence in my life even when it seems He's silent.

I am the God who formed the earth. I am the One who gave you life. I knew you long before your birth and I have never left your side.

I know your doubts, I know your fears. I know you're weary from all the years. You've waited for an answer. You've prayed with all your heart. You've wondered if I hear you. You've stared into the dark.

I am the everlasting God. I am your Father. I've redeemed you through my Son. He bore your burden. He knew your pain. He intercedes for you. He prays for you by name.

And I will do what's best for you, my love. I will work my perfect will, and I will lift you up. I am always faithful and I am always good. You don't always see it but it is always true.

Don't listen to the lies the Devil says. He is the accuser and I have conquered him. You are my beloved and I am in control. You can't always see it but I am on the throne.

One day you will see that I have worked all things for my glory and all things for your good. One day you will see me as I am, your everlasting Father, and your never failing friend.

And I know you don't always understand, but I give you a promise: your Father has a plan. Jesus gives you access. The Spirit gives you strength. I love you and I'm with you and will hold you while you wait.   

I love that last line; what a beautiful visual it creates, "I love you and I'm with you and will hold you while you wait."

"God has perfect timing, never early, never late. It takes a little patience and it takes a lot of faith, but it's worth the wait!" I can rest in His arms while I'm waiting, knowing that He never leaves my side and He will provide what I need in His perfect timing.

My Battle Fighter

1 Chronicles 20:15-17

He (Jahaziel, upon whom the Spirit of the Lord had come) said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow march down against them...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. O Judah and Jerusalem. do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'"

Exodus 14:14

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

"Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!" Hezekiah's words greatly encouraged the people. 

Deuteronomy 1:29-31

"But I said to you, 'Don't be shocked or afraid of them! The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw Him do in Egypt. And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.'"

The children of Israel provide a great example of what happens when God's children try to fight their battles on their own. There is a pattern all through the Old Testament where they would follow God for a while and then they would turn away from God and worship idols an perform other sinful acts. When they turned their backs on God and were living in sin, they lost many of the battles they fought because God was not fighting with them. However, when they were following God and walking in His ways, God helped them in their battles, and they were victorious. 

The battles I face in my daily walk may be internal, such as anger, bitterness, or rebellion or they may be external, such as health, finances, job, or relationships. So many times, I find I try to fight my own battles instead of allowing God to fight them for me. God is ready and willing to help me fight my battles; I need to be ready and willing to allow Him to do so. Sometimes that requires a great deal of patience on my part because God's timing is not my own. There are times when in the battle, God may call me to just be still and let Him do the fighting, but there are other times where He calls me to be an active participant in the battle. Either way, however, when God is fighting for me, I know who is victorious in the end. 

Sometimes God will send others along side of me to help me fight my battles. When Joshua was fighting the army of Amalek in Exodus 17:8-16, Moses had to hold the staff up in his hand. As long as Moses held the staff up, the Israelites were winning, but when his arms went down, they began to lose. When his arms became tired, and he could no longer hold them up, Aaron and Hur came alongside of him and helped him hold his arms up. There are times when I might need others to come alongside me in the battles I am fighting. There are times when I am needed to help someone else "hold up their arms" in the battles they are fighting. Paul, in Galatians 6:2, exhorts me to, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." 

There's not always a quick end to the battles I face, but I can take comfort in knowing I will experience victory in the end when I have God fighting for me and I keep my focus on Him. 

Charles Stanley has a great sermon titled, Fight Your Battles on Your Knees. The link will take you to the sermon notes if you don't have time to listen to the sermon, but I encourage you to listen to the sermon when you have time. God uses the battles in my life to mold me into the person He wants me to become. In his sermon, Charles Stanley says, "In a battle, you and I may lose money, pride, or control over a situation. But if the struggle brings us to the point of total surrender to the Lord, we will always win spiritually." The battles I face may not always end in the way I feel they should end, but it's how I end spiritually that matters...having a heart of total surrender to the Lord, ready and willing to do what He's called me to do; to walk the path He's called me to walk; to fight the battles He's allowed in my life; realizing that what happens in my life serves to make me more like Christ. 

I'm so thankful I have a loving Heavenly Father who will fight my battles with me and for me. He's already gone ahead of me and knows what I will face. I don't ever have to face them alone! 

No Excuses

1 Kings 18:46

The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

The story of Elijah on Mt. Carmel, 1 Kings 18, is one I've heard and read several times, yet this particular verse stood out to me as I read this passage in 1 Kings. There had been a drought for some time, brought on by Elijah's prayers to God. Elijah had just finished the challenge on Mt. Carmel in which God proved He was the only true God. Afterwards, Elijah told Ahab to go back and eat and drink because a heavy rain was coming. Elijah stayed on Mt. Carmel a while longer, and he told his servant to look toward the sea. He did this seven times, and the seventh time,  his servant said he saw a small cloud rising from the sea. Elijah sent his servant ahead of him to tell Ahab to get his chariot ready to go before the rain comes. As the sky grew black and the wind began to blow, a heavy rain came. Elijah was filled with the power of the Lord, with divine energy, so to speak and he ran a distance of about 20 - 25 miles, passing Ahab in his chariot on the way.

The power of God was displayed in Elijah's life because he was following the plan God had for him. He was obedient even when many were against him. When I am doing what God has called me to do, His power and strength will be displayed through me. There have been many times in my life, I have felt inadequate to complete something God was leading me to do. I tend to shy away at first from doing it, using my weaknesses as an excuse. Then, I am reminded through Scripture that when God calls me to do something, He also equips me to do it. It is through my weaknesses that God's strength and power shine. Paul realized this as he was struggling with the "thorn" God placed in his life. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, God told him that His (God's) power is made perfect in his (Paul's) weakness. Paul was able to say he delighted in his weaknesses because he was able to experience God's strength in those times, "...for when I am weak, then I am strong." The Bible has several other verses speaking to God's strength. I've listed a small sampling below.

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Philippians 2:13

...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

Hebrews 13:20-21

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

I love what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4. I've included verses 1-7 below.

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbeliever so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

I encourage you to read the remainder of 2 Corinthians 4. It is such an encouragement for those times when I get tired and discouraged. Paul says twice in this chapter to "not lose heart." The troubles I experience on this earth are only temporary and they "are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." This Christian life is difficult, but the end is worth it all.

When I'm in the center of God's will, doing what He's called me to do, I'm going to experience adversity like Jesus did and so many of the prophets in the Old Testament and apostles in the New Testament. Satan hates it when I'm obedient to God. Paul, in the verse above, tells me not to lose heart; to continue to speak the truth no matter what the response because it is Jesus I'm preaching not myself. I love that last verse where Paul refers to the gospel and God's light as a treasure within my "jar of clay," my plain, frail body. I am insufficient on my own. I cannot make it without God, even though there are many times I think I can.

If I want to experience God's power and strength flowing through me, then I need to realize my insufficiency and allow God to shine through my weaknesses. Elijah was obedient to God and he was filled with God's power and strength to be able to stand up to those against him. I need to be obedient to God no matter what others may think or say. Because God gives me everything I need to do what He's called me to do, I have no excuse to be disobedient!

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

I have really enjoyed digging into Psalm 23 this past month. The book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Philip Keller has brought a new understanding to this psalm as I have looked at it from the perspective of a sheep.

My master Shepherd, Jesus is with me all the way. Every step I take, He is there leading and guiding me to the paths I need to be traveling. The pathways of this life are difficult. It's not an easy road. I'm going to experience pain, grief, frustration, anger, disappointment, etc, but there is one thing I can always count on, and that is Jesus' love for me. He loves me enough that He laid down His life for me so I could spend eternity with Him. He has gone before me to prepare the way. He already knows what's up ahead and is ready to walk through it with me and even carry me at times when I don't have the strength to go any further. 

At times, I find I get frustrated wondering where God is or why He's doing what He's doing. I have to be intentional sometimes in getting my focus back where it needs to be. It's hard to praise God and thank Him in some circumstances, yet Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells me to "rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances." Why should I rejoice always? Why should I give thanks in all circumstances? Paul goes on to say because "this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." There are times when being thankful and giving praise is a sacrifice.  The psalmist in Psalm 116:17 refers to thanksgiving as a sacrifice when he says, "I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving."  Hebrews 13:15 says, "...let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise..." Continually praising God and thanking Him doesn't mean I'm going to be "happy" and feel "good" all the time. What it does mean, though, is that I can have a heart of gratitude and praise in the midst of the tears and difficult circumstances because I know that everything that happens to me serves to make me more like Christ. Becoming more like Christ will involve suffering. When I can praise God in the midst of those storms, those trials, I am offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise. I find as I praise and thank God in those storms, my focus is turned upward instead of inward at myself or outward at the world, and I begin to experience a peace that only God can give.

There is a beautiful hymn, written by Fanny Crosby, All the Way My Savior Leads Me that sums it all up. Fanny Crosby has such a beautiful testimony. If you are unfamiliar with her testimony, I encourage you to read it.

It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me. If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Savior. Fanny Crosby

Oh, what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't. To weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot, and I won't. Fanny Crosby

Chris Tomlin, has a more recent version of the song, All the Way My Savior Leads Me. Some of the words have changed, but it is still another beautiful song. 

I am so thankful for my Shepherd Who is with me every single step of the way. He knows my every need, and He provides for my needs in His perfect timing. He never leaves me or forsakes me. He is there to pick me up when I fall; He is there to heal my wounds; He gives me the strength I need when I'm too tired to continue; He is there to guide me back when I wander away. What a comfort that is! I am proud to say, as David did in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd!" I belong to Him and He is mine!