"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." ~Jesus
Praying with my young son once, he told Jesus he wanted to see some little birds. At the time, I thought it was a silly prayer as I prayed for much more "lofty" things. You know, salvation for the world, the end of hunger in my community, cure for cancer and all the other more "ecclesiastical" and "big" things.
A couple hours later, my three year old was standing on the couch looking out the window and giggling with glee. I sauntered over to see what he was so entertained by and there in the bushes not more than two feet from the picture window was a flock of the tiniest birds I'd ever seen. They were twirling around branches, fluttering at each other and pecking at berries. Primping and posturing, they put on a show that kept us in giggles for at least half of an hour. My heart rang with love for my heavenly Father who answers our prayers. I asked my son if he had thanked the Lord for his birds and he said, "Oh yeah, a long time ago." I joined him in thanksgiving and joyful praise!
Through this simple answer, I learned that no prayer is silly to God. I've prayed for a cat not to pee on the stove (again... or Dad will kill it!) and the end of a mole problem. I've prayed for the cure for funky smells in furniture and for sunshine to cure the blues. I've also seen people cured of cancer, others snatched from hell, and my community feed the hungry. No prayer is too small or too big for God. Certainly, no prayer is silly!
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." ~Jesus
Monday, August 26, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Seeing Miracles
Jesus answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."
I befriended a single mother who was working and going to school. Her life was one crisis after another and it seemed that I was constantly praying for her and her financial situation. At one point, she was actually making ends meet and feeling like she'd made it when her car broke down. She needed money to fix it. She told me she needed a miracle. I told her we needed to pray and she rolled her eyes. I prayed anyway and she received an unexpected bonus in the exact amount of the bill for the repairs on her vehicle. When I explained to her that God loves her and that Jesus was calling her, her response floored me. She sighed dramatically and said, "If only he would show me a miracle, then I would believe in him." Unable to contain myself I replied flatly, "Oh, the money wasn't enough?"
What sort of miracle would it take for a person to realize that God is real and unavoidable? How much answered prayer does it take? What a loving God I serve that continues to hold out holy hands to obstinate and blind people! I'm still praying for a miracle in my friend's life and it has nothing to do with the miracle itself and everything to do with eternity.
"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" ~Jesus
I befriended a single mother who was working and going to school. Her life was one crisis after another and it seemed that I was constantly praying for her and her financial situation. At one point, she was actually making ends meet and feeling like she'd made it when her car broke down. She needed money to fix it. She told me she needed a miracle. I told her we needed to pray and she rolled her eyes. I prayed anyway and she received an unexpected bonus in the exact amount of the bill for the repairs on her vehicle. When I explained to her that God loves her and that Jesus was calling her, her response floored me. She sighed dramatically and said, "If only he would show me a miracle, then I would believe in him." Unable to contain myself I replied flatly, "Oh, the money wasn't enough?"
What sort of miracle would it take for a person to realize that God is real and unavoidable? How much answered prayer does it take? What a loving God I serve that continues to hold out holy hands to obstinate and blind people! I'm still praying for a miracle in my friend's life and it has nothing to do with the miracle itself and everything to do with eternity.
"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" ~Jesus
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Empty Worship
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." ~David
In my private worship time today, my voice was steady and I didn't miss a chord. The words flowed and the music was a treat to play. When time was up, I set my guitar down, put away the music and left the room to get busy. It was halfway through a chore that I felt like something was missing. That still small voice in my spirit said, "What you did was not worship".
What I had done was practice my playing and singing. My mind had not been on God or even the words that I was singing. Thoughts were of how good it sounded and what chores I should be doing and just about every thing else but him. I had not been worshiping in spirit and truth. I had performed a good concert for my own entertainment.
Going back to my guitar, I went straight to the throne of God. I joined in the song of every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them and I sang to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. I sang the words of Revelation and gave him praise, honor, glory and power in, over and for my life. When I put down the guitar and went off to finish my chores, the music didn't stop. Praises and hymns just kept streaming past my heart and out my mouth. God had renewed my spirit and restored the joy of my salvation just like I asked him to! How cool is that?
"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." ~Jesus
In my private worship time today, my voice was steady and I didn't miss a chord. The words flowed and the music was a treat to play. When time was up, I set my guitar down, put away the music and left the room to get busy. It was halfway through a chore that I felt like something was missing. That still small voice in my spirit said, "What you did was not worship".
What I had done was practice my playing and singing. My mind had not been on God or even the words that I was singing. Thoughts were of how good it sounded and what chores I should be doing and just about every thing else but him. I had not been worshiping in spirit and truth. I had performed a good concert for my own entertainment.
Going back to my guitar, I went straight to the throne of God. I joined in the song of every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them and I sang to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. I sang the words of Revelation and gave him praise, honor, glory and power in, over and for my life. When I put down the guitar and went off to finish my chores, the music didn't stop. Praises and hymns just kept streaming past my heart and out my mouth. God had renewed my spirit and restored the joy of my salvation just like I asked him to! How cool is that?
"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." ~Jesus
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Eyes of Prayer
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed..." ~John
When it came time to pray in Sunday school, I would ask each of my students to pray for the person next to them out loud. All they had to do was pray that the child next to them would have a good week. We would all bow our heads and dutifully close our eyes. There were always the ones that peeked at their hands or glanced at their neighbors but I noticed that when they were being prayed for or praying, most of them would squirm uncomfortably and squeeze their eyes shut real tight. One week, I read to them the seventeenth chapter of John while they doodled. That first verse nudged me. I began praying out loud for each one in my class during the week with my eyes open.
The next Sunday at prayer time, I asked my students to keep their eyes open during prayer. I told them that Jesus prayed with his eyes open some times so I thought we would see how that felt. I then proceeded to pray out loud for each of them the prayers that I had been praying all week long for them and their families. I tried to maintain eye contact with each one of them during this exercise. Eyes would light up and some would roll shut. Some would watch others wiggle while being prayed for but when their turn came, they would clamp their eyes shut and assume a pained expression. There were lots of giggles and sideways glances as each one watched their friends receive my blessing and the blessing of a classmate. It sure was fun. You might say it was a real eye-opener!
"I have made you known to them , and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." ~Jesus
When it came time to pray in Sunday school, I would ask each of my students to pray for the person next to them out loud. All they had to do was pray that the child next to them would have a good week. We would all bow our heads and dutifully close our eyes. There were always the ones that peeked at their hands or glanced at their neighbors but I noticed that when they were being prayed for or praying, most of them would squirm uncomfortably and squeeze their eyes shut real tight. One week, I read to them the seventeenth chapter of John while they doodled. That first verse nudged me. I began praying out loud for each one in my class during the week with my eyes open.
The next Sunday at prayer time, I asked my students to keep their eyes open during prayer. I told them that Jesus prayed with his eyes open some times so I thought we would see how that felt. I then proceeded to pray out loud for each of them the prayers that I had been praying all week long for them and their families. I tried to maintain eye contact with each one of them during this exercise. Eyes would light up and some would roll shut. Some would watch others wiggle while being prayed for but when their turn came, they would clamp their eyes shut and assume a pained expression. There were lots of giggles and sideways glances as each one watched their friends receive my blessing and the blessing of a classmate. It sure was fun. You might say it was a real eye-opener!
"I have made you known to them , and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." ~Jesus
Monday, August 19, 2013
Glorious Joy
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you in me." ~Jesus
I imagine that the group of people listening to this prayer of Jesus' were having different reactions to his words. I wonder what aspect of it would have caused my spirit to grasp out. Reading it this morning, the verse above grabbed my attention. He has given me glory! Jesus said he did, so it must be true. A wellspring of joy bubbles up in me when I think about listening to his prayer and hearing the very son of God giving me glory before the Father! Of course, how could I not give it back? We're one and he's way more worthy of it.
A full measure of the joy of the Lord has been put within me because of the words that Jesus prayed that day. I can be one with the saints of ages simply because those words have endured and are written for me to feast on. The fact that I can read it centuries later makes me so grateful and fills me with glorious joy!
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" ~Legions of Angels
I imagine that the group of people listening to this prayer of Jesus' were having different reactions to his words. I wonder what aspect of it would have caused my spirit to grasp out. Reading it this morning, the verse above grabbed my attention. He has given me glory! Jesus said he did, so it must be true. A wellspring of joy bubbles up in me when I think about listening to his prayer and hearing the very son of God giving me glory before the Father! Of course, how could I not give it back? We're one and he's way more worthy of it.
A full measure of the joy of the Lord has been put within me because of the words that Jesus prayed that day. I can be one with the saints of ages simply because those words have endured and are written for me to feast on. The fact that I can read it centuries later makes me so grateful and fills me with glorious joy!
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" ~Legions of Angels
Friday, August 16, 2013
Never Alone
"Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." ~David
I am never alone. I am constantly aware that God is with me and I'm surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Like David, I know that if even my parents were to forsake me, Jesus would still be there. I haven't always taken comfort in that. There have been times when I wish that he would just leave me alone! I've learned that those are the times that I really need to be still and know he is God. He can't leave me alone. He promised he never would. It's perhaps the promise I cherish most and yet I find myself wiggling around uncomfortably at the thought of such intimacy. He sees my sin. Blah.
No matter how hard I try, I'm still a stinking sinner. No matter how clean I feel, I will always need Jesus to wash my feet. The fact that he is eager to clean off the dirt any time gives me joy. I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and they are cheering me on! Yes, I'm a dirty sinner but Jesus loves me and nothing can separate me from the love of God. Amazing grace!
"...For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~Paul
I am never alone. I am constantly aware that God is with me and I'm surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Like David, I know that if even my parents were to forsake me, Jesus would still be there. I haven't always taken comfort in that. There have been times when I wish that he would just leave me alone! I've learned that those are the times that I really need to be still and know he is God. He can't leave me alone. He promised he never would. It's perhaps the promise I cherish most and yet I find myself wiggling around uncomfortably at the thought of such intimacy. He sees my sin. Blah.
No matter how hard I try, I'm still a stinking sinner. No matter how clean I feel, I will always need Jesus to wash my feet. The fact that he is eager to clean off the dirt any time gives me joy. I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and they are cheering me on! Yes, I'm a dirty sinner but Jesus loves me and nothing can separate me from the love of God. Amazing grace!
"...For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~Paul
Thursday, August 15, 2013
One Word Lies
"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'no,' 'no'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." ~Jesus
Why is this such a struggle? What makes it so hard to say what you mean and mean what you say? I catch myself all the time saying "yes" when my head is telling me "that's a no". So out sneaks the one word lie. The problem with these one word lies is that they bring needless trouble to my life and unnecessary guilt. My body and my spirit were not created to bear guilt. Guilt entered the world with the act of disobedience in the garden of Eden. Guilt builds walls not only between us and God but between us and each other. It's a crippling emotion that can be hard to overcome so I choose to heed the words of Jesus and simply say what I mean and mean what I say.
It gets easier and easier to avoid planting that seed in my life. I still haven't gotten it completely right all the time but I'd rather practice integrity and repent when need be than feel guilty. The wall between me and God came down when Jesus took my guilt off me. I hadn't realized how heavy it had been and I certainly would rather not pick it up again! Especially, with one word.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." ~Jesus
Why is this such a struggle? What makes it so hard to say what you mean and mean what you say? I catch myself all the time saying "yes" when my head is telling me "that's a no". So out sneaks the one word lie. The problem with these one word lies is that they bring needless trouble to my life and unnecessary guilt. My body and my spirit were not created to bear guilt. Guilt entered the world with the act of disobedience in the garden of Eden. Guilt builds walls not only between us and God but between us and each other. It's a crippling emotion that can be hard to overcome so I choose to heed the words of Jesus and simply say what I mean and mean what I say.
It gets easier and easier to avoid planting that seed in my life. I still haven't gotten it completely right all the time but I'd rather practice integrity and repent when need be than feel guilty. The wall between me and God came down when Jesus took my guilt off me. I hadn't realized how heavy it had been and I certainly would rather not pick it up again! Especially, with one word.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." ~Jesus
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
New Insides
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
I was reminded this past week that if Jesus would have remained on the earth, he would have remained outside of me. The closest I would have gotten to having eternal life would have been to hug the physical body of an eternal man. Fortunately, he is also the truth so when he went and took his place on the throne of heaven, he sent his Spirit of truth. Now God can live inside of me. His flesh could only wash my feet, his Spirit can wash my soul. From the inside, God can and has given me a new heart. God is Spirit and I worship him in Spirit and in truth. His laws are written on my new heart and the life and love bubbles up like springs of water deep in my soul. Living water!
I was asked how life was treating me the other day and this verse flew into my head. Jesus is the life. I gleefully gushed, "Wonderfully! Jesus loves me!" I had to laugh at the perplexed look on the carpenter's face. He did manage to recover with a comment about mine being a great attitude. The attitude of Jesus. The attitude of the way and the truth and the life!
I have the way, the truth and the life. I have Jesus and I'm going to the Father. I'm skipping down the narrow path and drinking out of the river of life! How's life treating you?
"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." ~Jesus
I was reminded this past week that if Jesus would have remained on the earth, he would have remained outside of me. The closest I would have gotten to having eternal life would have been to hug the physical body of an eternal man. Fortunately, he is also the truth so when he went and took his place on the throne of heaven, he sent his Spirit of truth. Now God can live inside of me. His flesh could only wash my feet, his Spirit can wash my soul. From the inside, God can and has given me a new heart. God is Spirit and I worship him in Spirit and in truth. His laws are written on my new heart and the life and love bubbles up like springs of water deep in my soul. Living water!
I was asked how life was treating me the other day and this verse flew into my head. Jesus is the life. I gleefully gushed, "Wonderfully! Jesus loves me!" I had to laugh at the perplexed look on the carpenter's face. He did manage to recover with a comment about mine being a great attitude. The attitude of Jesus. The attitude of the way and the truth and the life!
I have the way, the truth and the life. I have Jesus and I'm going to the Father. I'm skipping down the narrow path and drinking out of the river of life! How's life treating you?
"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." ~Jesus
Saturday, August 10, 2013
The Magic Golf Ball
Today there is a memorial going on in Snowflake Arizona for a man I consider my father in the faith. Bill Robinson not only led me to Jesus, he taught me to golf. I'll never forget our first morning on the course.
There we were standing on the first tee box, hiding under the vast expanse of golf umbrellas, in a deluge. I was questioning the wisdom of starting what was sure to be a wet and torturous game on such a blustering morning. Bill never flinched. He rightly insisted that the rain would clear before the second hole. I had my doubts and knew quite well that he'd played in storms that whipped his umbrella inside out and required special raingear. He took his golfing quite seriously. Weather never stopped him from making his tee time.
It took some patience to teach me how to hit a little white ball with a metal stick in the direction that it was suppose to fly. I did multiple practice swings under Bill's watchful eye. "Pretend you're chopping wood" became my mantra as time and time again my frustrated swing was answered by a mocking ball still perched proudly on its little wooden stick . I swear they ducked when they saw my club coming! After a record number of strokes, we were at the second tee. Bill gleefully showed me to the ladies tee box and I happily teed off closer to the taunting flag. It was kind of him to allow me to play "girl rules" and pick up the ball and throw it every once in awhile.
The third hole went pretty smoothly. I zinged one off into the woods and a murder of crows took flight. Bill laughed and told me that if I hit one, he'd give me a "birdy" on that hole. I wasn't that fortunate. The thrashing continued and the divots were abundant. I really didn't think golf was going to be my game. It was not the relaxing walk-in-a-park-like-setting I had envisioned.
I'm not sure which hole it was but I was ready to throw in the towel, dry my umbrella off and head home to a consoling cup of coffee. We stood on a tee box with a mile of green in front of a lake. Yes, a lake. I turned desperately to my golfing partner and exclaimed, "Bill! I can't do this! It's going to go straight into the water and I could lose a whole box of balls on this hole!" His face took on a thoughtful look and he said, "No you won't. I'm going to let you use my magic golf ball. It never goes in the water. You'll see. Here." He handed me an ordinary ball. Needless to say, I was skeptical and unimpressed but I went with it because, well, it was Bill.
I stepped up to the tee with the magic golf ball and carefully pressed the tee and ball into the ground. I surveyed the shot with the motions that I'd seen the pros use on T.V. Although; I was clueless as to why they did them. It looked good, I suppose. I stared out over the water at the pond of green with a speck of flag at the far side of the water-trap and took a couple practice swings to loosen up. Chopping wood, not playing baseball. Smooth follow through, don't look at the ball or it hooks, arms straight all the way through the swing. I drew the club back and up and over my shoulder and let it fly. Smack! For the first time all game I was rewarded with the feel and sound of a full-on connection with the ball. I hit it! I hit it!
The magic golf ball made a line drive and with a loud KERPLUNK entered the lake about two feet from shore. Bill and I both sighed. Before we could exhale, we watched in utter amazement as the ball came shooting out of the water a good six inches from where it had gone in and landed with a dramatic half-roll onto the green not more than three feet from the pin! We were both so filled with laughter that it spilled out into the rest of the game. I got a true "birdy" on that hole thanks in part to a magic golf ball and a wonderful friend.
I'm certain that somewhere in Bill's golf bag is a ball tucked away. I just want to let you know that it's magic. I'm going to miss you, my friend. Hug Jesus for me and tell him I love him!
There we were standing on the first tee box, hiding under the vast expanse of golf umbrellas, in a deluge. I was questioning the wisdom of starting what was sure to be a wet and torturous game on such a blustering morning. Bill never flinched. He rightly insisted that the rain would clear before the second hole. I had my doubts and knew quite well that he'd played in storms that whipped his umbrella inside out and required special raingear. He took his golfing quite seriously. Weather never stopped him from making his tee time.
It took some patience to teach me how to hit a little white ball with a metal stick in the direction that it was suppose to fly. I did multiple practice swings under Bill's watchful eye. "Pretend you're chopping wood" became my mantra as time and time again my frustrated swing was answered by a mocking ball still perched proudly on its little wooden stick . I swear they ducked when they saw my club coming! After a record number of strokes, we were at the second tee. Bill gleefully showed me to the ladies tee box and I happily teed off closer to the taunting flag. It was kind of him to allow me to play "girl rules" and pick up the ball and throw it every once in awhile.
The third hole went pretty smoothly. I zinged one off into the woods and a murder of crows took flight. Bill laughed and told me that if I hit one, he'd give me a "birdy" on that hole. I wasn't that fortunate. The thrashing continued and the divots were abundant. I really didn't think golf was going to be my game. It was not the relaxing walk-in-a-park-like-setting I had envisioned.
I'm not sure which hole it was but I was ready to throw in the towel, dry my umbrella off and head home to a consoling cup of coffee. We stood on a tee box with a mile of green in front of a lake. Yes, a lake. I turned desperately to my golfing partner and exclaimed, "Bill! I can't do this! It's going to go straight into the water and I could lose a whole box of balls on this hole!" His face took on a thoughtful look and he said, "No you won't. I'm going to let you use my magic golf ball. It never goes in the water. You'll see. Here." He handed me an ordinary ball. Needless to say, I was skeptical and unimpressed but I went with it because, well, it was Bill.
I stepped up to the tee with the magic golf ball and carefully pressed the tee and ball into the ground. I surveyed the shot with the motions that I'd seen the pros use on T.V. Although; I was clueless as to why they did them. It looked good, I suppose. I stared out over the water at the pond of green with a speck of flag at the far side of the water-trap and took a couple practice swings to loosen up. Chopping wood, not playing baseball. Smooth follow through, don't look at the ball or it hooks, arms straight all the way through the swing. I drew the club back and up and over my shoulder and let it fly. Smack! For the first time all game I was rewarded with the feel and sound of a full-on connection with the ball. I hit it! I hit it!
The magic golf ball made a line drive and with a loud KERPLUNK entered the lake about two feet from shore. Bill and I both sighed. Before we could exhale, we watched in utter amazement as the ball came shooting out of the water a good six inches from where it had gone in and landed with a dramatic half-roll onto the green not more than three feet from the pin! We were both so filled with laughter that it spilled out into the rest of the game. I got a true "birdy" on that hole thanks in part to a magic golf ball and a wonderful friend.
I'm certain that somewhere in Bill's golf bag is a ball tucked away. I just want to let you know that it's magic. I'm going to miss you, my friend. Hug Jesus for me and tell him I love him!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Leperous Greed
The prophet answered, "As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." ~Elisha
What an exciting healing. An Aramean official had been cured of leprosy because a little girl had told her mistress that a prophet of God in Israel could heal him and he believed her. I've always liked this story in the second book of the kings. Naaman shows up with his horses and chariots to Elisha's house with pomp and pageantry to be healed in what he feels should be some sort of dramatic show and Elisha sends a messenger out to tell him to go swim in the Jordan seven times. He was furious. After getting the king of Aram to send a letter to the king of Israel and traveling with his army to the prophets house, he never was even given an audience but sent away like some leper! It's only after he listens to another one of his servants that he decides to do as instructed and is cleansed. I like Naaman simply for the way he trusted and treated his servants. He wasn't afraid to listen to their council.
The warrior and all his attendants go back to the man of God to reward him for the healing. Elisha refuses to take anything. How could he? Only God can restore someone miraculously. Elisha tells him to go in peace. How filled with joy Naaman must have been as he headed home. Given such a great gift and wanting to share what God had done for him with everyone filled him with excitement I'm sure. A much different spirit was broiling up in Gehazi, the servant of Elisha though.
Gehazi decides he should be paid so he beats feet after the parade and makes up a lie to get Naaman to pay him in silver and clothes. Naaman is eager to give it and doubles the silver. He even sends two of his own servants back with Gehazi to carry the stuff. Before they could be seen from the house, Gehazi takes the booty and dismisses the servants. He then tries to lie to Elisha. The prophet knew the truth though. How disappointing it must have been for Elisha to realize that his servant was a greedy liar: Someone willing to throw away the joy of seeing a miracle done for a sick man while grasping for silver and clothes. After all they had seen and been through together, I'll bet his heart ached for the man as he watched him turn white as snow with the leprosy of Naaman now eating his flesh. Sometimes it's so hard to watch someone you care about reap what they've sown.
"Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first."~Jesus
What an exciting healing. An Aramean official had been cured of leprosy because a little girl had told her mistress that a prophet of God in Israel could heal him and he believed her. I've always liked this story in the second book of the kings. Naaman shows up with his horses and chariots to Elisha's house with pomp and pageantry to be healed in what he feels should be some sort of dramatic show and Elisha sends a messenger out to tell him to go swim in the Jordan seven times. He was furious. After getting the king of Aram to send a letter to the king of Israel and traveling with his army to the prophets house, he never was even given an audience but sent away like some leper! It's only after he listens to another one of his servants that he decides to do as instructed and is cleansed. I like Naaman simply for the way he trusted and treated his servants. He wasn't afraid to listen to their council.
The warrior and all his attendants go back to the man of God to reward him for the healing. Elisha refuses to take anything. How could he? Only God can restore someone miraculously. Elisha tells him to go in peace. How filled with joy Naaman must have been as he headed home. Given such a great gift and wanting to share what God had done for him with everyone filled him with excitement I'm sure. A much different spirit was broiling up in Gehazi, the servant of Elisha though.
Gehazi decides he should be paid so he beats feet after the parade and makes up a lie to get Naaman to pay him in silver and clothes. Naaman is eager to give it and doubles the silver. He even sends two of his own servants back with Gehazi to carry the stuff. Before they could be seen from the house, Gehazi takes the booty and dismisses the servants. He then tries to lie to Elisha. The prophet knew the truth though. How disappointing it must have been for Elisha to realize that his servant was a greedy liar: Someone willing to throw away the joy of seeing a miracle done for a sick man while grasping for silver and clothes. After all they had seen and been through together, I'll bet his heart ached for the man as he watched him turn white as snow with the leprosy of Naaman now eating his flesh. Sometimes it's so hard to watch someone you care about reap what they've sown.
"Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first."~Jesus
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Passionate Love
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ~Paul
There is no gray area: You are either a new creation or you aren't. You are either for Jesus or against him. There is no wiggle room. No one can fool God even if they think they have successfully fooled others. This new creation has nothing to do with wanting to change habits or get happiness. In fact, it has nothing to do with our feelings at all. I had as much control over my being born of the Spirit as I did when I was born in the flesh. You are either alive in eternity or you aren't. It's between you and God alone. Once I did realize that I was a new creation in Christ, what freedom came from feeling loved by an all encompassing, passionate God!
There is a song that lyrics say, "He loves us with passion, without regret. He cannot love more and WILL not love less." I rest in the knowledge that God has chosen to love me with passion. A perfect love filled with forgiveness, peace and joy. Ask him for it, he'll give it to you too!
"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation." ~Paul
There is no gray area: You are either a new creation or you aren't. You are either for Jesus or against him. There is no wiggle room. No one can fool God even if they think they have successfully fooled others. This new creation has nothing to do with wanting to change habits or get happiness. In fact, it has nothing to do with our feelings at all. I had as much control over my being born of the Spirit as I did when I was born in the flesh. You are either alive in eternity or you aren't. It's between you and God alone. Once I did realize that I was a new creation in Christ, what freedom came from feeling loved by an all encompassing, passionate God!
There is a song that lyrics say, "He loves us with passion, without regret. He cannot love more and WILL not love less." I rest in the knowledge that God has chosen to love me with passion. A perfect love filled with forgiveness, peace and joy. Ask him for it, he'll give it to you too!
"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation." ~Paul
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Encouraging Talk
"After they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and viewed the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land the Lord had given them." ~Moses
It surprises me how easy it is to fall into the clutches of discouragement. To succumb to emotions of fear and disappointment and sink into the mire of discontent is a constant threat to joy. I've noticed that when I start sliding down that path, there is only one way that I can stop the avalanche. That is to draw near to God and listen really carefully to what he has to teach me. I've also noticed that one way to continue down the path to total discouragement and paralysis is to seek out the opinions of others.
That's probably why God had to keep reminding Joshua to not be discouraged over and over again. He has to keep reminding me too. I have to be cautious not to blurt out things that are not encouraging to others though. I have to make sure that my attitude and words don't stand in the way of what God has planned for them. I want to be a light not a stumbling block.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." ~Paul
Friday, August 2, 2013
Returning Peace
"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you." ~Jesus
There is nothing more stressful for me than to be in an atmosphere of conflict and strife. It snuffs the light right out of me and my mind goes into fortress mode. I've walked into places of business that just seethe with an undercurrent of hostility that fumes off the employees and chokes the air. Personally, I can't wait to get out of those places but one peaceful and friendly employee can change the whole experience. A household is similar.
It would be a real trial for me to have to live in a house where I was the only "man of peace". I can imagine what a blessing it would be for a peaceful person to have someone else's peace rest on them. How entertaining the conversations would be between such people. How sad it would be though to enter a home and not find a single like-minded individual; to have your peace return to you!
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." ~Solomon
There is nothing more stressful for me than to be in an atmosphere of conflict and strife. It snuffs the light right out of me and my mind goes into fortress mode. I've walked into places of business that just seethe with an undercurrent of hostility that fumes off the employees and chokes the air. Personally, I can't wait to get out of those places but one peaceful and friendly employee can change the whole experience. A household is similar.
It would be a real trial for me to have to live in a house where I was the only "man of peace". I can imagine what a blessing it would be for a peaceful person to have someone else's peace rest on them. How entertaining the conversations would be between such people. How sad it would be though to enter a home and not find a single like-minded individual; to have your peace return to you!
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." ~Solomon
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Sharing Shores
"The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown." ~Zechariah
I've been thinking about sparkly things lately. Jesus just came and took a dear friend of mine to heaven and a song keeps playing in my head. In it, the lyrics are, "I dreamed I went to heaven and you were there with me.We walked along the streets of gold beside the crystal sea. We heard the angels singing when someone called your name..." My mind has been camped out on the streets of gold beside the crystal sea. Every time I try to imagine it, the streets become strands of beach at golden hour and the water sparkles like a cut piece of crystal in sunlight. The colors of a sunset over the ocean and the captivating blue of the sapphire sea erupt in my imagination. Memories of walking the many shores that I've been on with so many wonderful people flows through my thoughts. Picking up treasured pieces of sea-glass, shells and rocks and sharing the thrill of discovering life in the water together floods me with praise for each of them. The jewels that sparkle in the land. My people.
Walking on streets of gold has no allure to me. It might as well be sand, I like the feel of it on my bare feet much more. Crystals, diamonds and other precious stones are rocks. The sparkle of an ever-changing ocean or an ancient cedar tree dripping with prisms after a rain are more jewels than any queen ever possessed. It's the people that are priceless. "I dreamed I went to heaven and you were there with me". I won't be looking around at the scenery. I will be gleefully watching my brothers and sisters in Christ receive their reward!
That's where my mind has been wandering. I've been getting a glimpse into God's glory by hearing the testimonies of the many people whose lives were changed simply by one man giving what he could. Thank you, my friend, for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.
"How attractive and beautiful they will be!" ~Zechariah
I've been thinking about sparkly things lately. Jesus just came and took a dear friend of mine to heaven and a song keeps playing in my head. In it, the lyrics are, "I dreamed I went to heaven and you were there with me.We walked along the streets of gold beside the crystal sea. We heard the angels singing when someone called your name..." My mind has been camped out on the streets of gold beside the crystal sea. Every time I try to imagine it, the streets become strands of beach at golden hour and the water sparkles like a cut piece of crystal in sunlight. The colors of a sunset over the ocean and the captivating blue of the sapphire sea erupt in my imagination. Memories of walking the many shores that I've been on with so many wonderful people flows through my thoughts. Picking up treasured pieces of sea-glass, shells and rocks and sharing the thrill of discovering life in the water together floods me with praise for each of them. The jewels that sparkle in the land. My people.
Walking on streets of gold has no allure to me. It might as well be sand, I like the feel of it on my bare feet much more. Crystals, diamonds and other precious stones are rocks. The sparkle of an ever-changing ocean or an ancient cedar tree dripping with prisms after a rain are more jewels than any queen ever possessed. It's the people that are priceless. "I dreamed I went to heaven and you were there with me". I won't be looking around at the scenery. I will be gleefully watching my brothers and sisters in Christ receive their reward!
That's where my mind has been wandering. I've been getting a glimpse into God's glory by hearing the testimonies of the many people whose lives were changed simply by one man giving what he could. Thank you, my friend, for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed.
"How attractive and beautiful they will be!" ~Zechariah
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