Christmas Hassle: The Lord is Near

When circumstances look dire or just annoying, be suspicious. God is up to something good! A little over a week ago, I saw this first hand.

When I topped the hill at the entrance to the Costco parking lot, I was surprised to see it packed with cars. I mean Gee Whiz! It was Monday, November 28^th, not Christmas Eve. I had to park a good distance from the entrance to the giant box store. Thinking about the crowds of people that obviously came with all those cars, Not-Joy, what I call the wicked side of myself, started up with the doom and negativity dreading having to maneuver through crowded isles.

 My family can testify.  I have a history of frustration, discomfort and impatience with crowds of people. The noise, the oblivious shoppers who park there buggies on one side of the isle and stand in the middle of the remaining space so there’s no way to past them, quickly or otherwise, can prick easily annoyed Not-Joy who lurks  just waiting to spew her venom.

But I was faced with a decision, give into Not-Joy or was I going to “listen” to the soothing, calming leading of the Holy Spirit. “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.^[1]” Real-Joy won out. 

Allowing the Holy Spirit to do some correction in my thinking, I changed it to, “This is good to park out here. There’s a shade tree so Bear will be cool (this was the last warm day we had) and I’ll get more steps in, more exercise.  Thank you Lord for helping me to stay disciplined to the exercise I need.”

There was a bit of a crowd in the store.  People did block isles with their buggies, I was bumped a few times, but I was able to make my selections and head to check out.

Rounding the corner of the ‘nut isle’ I faced a crowd of people there divided into 5 or 6 lines.  Not-Joy was sorely tempted to get frustrated; but again, whispered in my thoughts “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.^[2]” Real Joy whispered in my thoughts, “Thank you Lord for your peace”.

Much to my delight, the lines started to move quickly. I was up to the checkout counter and handing over my card in less than five minutes.  The joy at such a simple action just bubbled out.  I looked at the cashier and Real-Joy said, “You know with all these people in here, y’all are doing a great job of getting folks checked out quickly.”

She smiled and said, “Thank you so much.” Pointing to a man standing over near the wall, she said, “See that guy over there. (I thought the grumpy looking one but didn’t say it.)He’s our boss.  Would you tell him that?”

“Sure, I’d be happy too.”

So I pushed my buggy over to where he was frowning in an intense conversation.

Again Real-Joy was motivated, “Excuse me. I just wanted to let you know that your cashiers, especially Anna, are doing a great job handling all these people and getting them out quickly.”

The grumpy countenance disappeared and was replaced by a relieved half-smile.  He exhaled loudly and replied, “Thank you so much for saying that! I really needed to hear that! Especially today.”

Real-Joy couldn’t help herself, “Merry Christmas!”

I left Costco with the groceries I needed but more importantly with great joy in my heart.  I was so blessed to see what how a gentle kind spirit motivated by the nearness of the Lord could bless a stranger or two.

I leave you with this encouragement. The Christmas season is stressful. Satan is just lurking waiting to trip up a belabored Christian to be ill-tempered and a failure at letting your “gentle spirit be known to all me”. Suppress that complaining spirit, take a breath every day, every hour or every minute and allow the peace of the Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit to calm you. Every sparkling ornament, every red bow, every present given or received, even the crowds of people are opportunities to remind us “The Lord is near”!

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^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Php 4:5.

^[2] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Php 4:5.

Wonder and Awe

“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” Ps. 34:10

Though the words were old-fashioned and beckoned the reader back to a time of more formality and simplicity, the message from the man to his wife penned in the 1600s had a clear focus that transcends time. It wasn’t full of praise for the woman nor tender words describing the love they had shared for almost fifty years; although the composition hinted that those feelings and memories were most certainly there.  No, it was a pen-point, arrow-straight laser-beam directive to focus on God, the great Provider.

The writer, Obadiah Holmes[i], desiring to aid his beloved Katherine, even after his death, reminded his bride of God’s goodness in allowing them almost 50 years together. He sought to bring to her attention that whether their circumstances were easy and prosperous or heart-breaking and arduous, it was God who had made goodness come from them.  It was God who had given them contentment and love for each other. Obadiah reminded her that all of those blessings and provisions were reasons to continue to seek God and praise him whether they be together on this earth or separated by death.

Obadiah challenged Katherine to consider or remember, many times to their wonder, how God had blessed them with provisions, financial and physical and even given them remarkable health and comfort.  It was his dying gift to his wife to give her comfort and encouragement when he was gone to be with the Lord.

“He has increased our store, sometimes to our wonder, …” (Holmes 1915, pp. 40-50.)

This challenge hit home. I began to contemplate all the blessings God had given me in the fifty-one years of my life, many of them so amazing, that I still stand in awe as to what God did. I am most amazed as to why He did them: just because He is perfectly good and loves me perfectly.

It’s a delightful exercise that elicits praise for our Savior and joy in our hearts! So you do it.  Start a list of the blessings in your life that cause your jaw to drop and your heart to sing. What better way to continue to celebrate the gift of the Son of God.

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·         [i] Holmes, James T. (1915). The American Family of Rev. Obadiah Holmes. Columbus, Ohio: private.

Why? God, Why?

Like many of you, I’ve been almost manic, checking the news to find out if there are any new developments following the terrorist attacks in Paris. There was one news story in particular that caught my attention.  It showed a church full of those mourning the losses. The pews were full.

 I can’t remember ever seeing news coverage that showed large numbers of people attending church in Paris. Until this week.  With gaunt eyes still reeling from their loss, they looked to be seeking comfort, praying and many seemed to be searching for answers as to why. Some most likely went to find a sense of connection with others whose lives had been ripped apart, searching for the sense of togetherness that comes from being with those who know exactly how they feel.

These people wanted comfort, answers and hope.  They sought to connect with their lost loved one by cards and flowers and candles and stuffed animals. They tearfully laid these gifts near the sight where their cherished friend, spouse, child or even a co-worker breathed their last.

There were so many souls in the same place, innocently living their lives cut down by evil.

Which begs the question: Why?

Why?

I’ve been in that place, the place where it just doesn’t make sense.  The place where all that kept me going was hanging on to God by my fingernails. My life was nothing but pain and frustration and questions.

I needed an answer.

Those who are living this nightmare need an answer.

There’s a text from God waiting to be read. God is not silent.

1.       How does God feel about those who inflict evil against the innocent?

“The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, He hates with a passion.” Ps. 11:5 (NIV) Nough’ said.

2.       How does God feel about bringing evil to justice? Deut.10 “¹⁷ For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. ¹⁸ He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien (foreigner) by giving him food and clothing.”  Evil inflicted on the innocent does not go unnoticed by the King of Heaven.

3.       Does God actually love people? John 3:16 ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (NASB) He loves every single person BEFORE they ever love Him.

4.        Why didn’t God stop this from happening? John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (NASB) Look at the word ‘whoever’. Some will believe; some won’t.  All humanity has a choice.  

We were created with Free Will. 

All people.

Even the ones who will inflict evil. 

 God would not be just if He withheld the right to choose from humanity, including those who harm others. Keep in mind: There are always consequences for the choices a person makes.  If that choice is evil, the Supreme Court of Heaven will bring justice to those doing evil.

5.       What now?

Isaiah 30:18

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him.

It’s your call.  God is waiting to have compassion on and give compassion to those who turn to Him. He’s fair and He’s a gentleman. And He's right next to you, waiting for you to let go.

It’s your call.

He's waiting. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Lord, I Just Can't Forgive! 2 Aids From God For Forgiving

At sunset yesterday the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur began; for Jews it is the holiest day of the year. In a nut shell this Holy time, from Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Jews are to meditate on the subjects of atonement, the covering over of sin, the reconciliation between God and man,^[1] and repentance, change in the hearts of men from sin and toward God.^[2] They are to seek forgiveness from those they have wronged, both people and God.

Confessing, repenting and seeking forgiveness is no easy task. But the other side of that two-edged sword is that of granting forgiveness. That can be one of the most difficult commandments to obey.  The abusive parent or spouse, the unfaithful spouse, the negligent friend, the thoughtless joke at our expense, the betrayal of a pastor, the rude clerk at the checkout, the hostile neighbor, the reckless driver almost causing an accident, even the criminal who violates us is some heinous way: and we are commanded to forgive them all?!

Jesus commanded repeatedly that we are to forgive others and are to seek forgiveness from others. His example is one of the ultimate forgiveness: forgiving when falsely condemned.  I don’t pretend to have this down pat and I think the Apostle Paul knew how difficult forgiveness can be when he instructed the Ephesians to forgive as Christ forgave.  “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”^[3]  So if we want to be right with God, we must forgive. But there are times when hurt and bitterness and blame are a bog from which we can’t seem to emerge. Even when victory is won and we place that hurt at the throne of grace and extend that forgiveness, we sometimes find that a few hours or days later, we are flat on our faces, once again in that quagmire of bitterness.

When the wrong doer comes, repentant (willing to change) and humbly confessing their actions, it’s a WHOLE lot easier to forgive.  However when the wrong doer doesn’t even recognize their actions as wrong much less seek our forgiveness, that is when the battle to forgive is the most difficult. But there is hope!

Surprisingly, the very word forgiving, which we are commanded to obey, is where we find this hope.

When you dig a little into the Greek grammar of the word forgiving, two empowering principles emerge:

  

1.    1.  WE ALWAYS GET ANOTHER CHANCE, EVEN WHEN WE FAIL!!! In this passage, forgiving is in the present tense. In other words you could add the words “Keep on” to forgiving.  That means it’s a continuous action. It not only covers the next action done against us, like getting cut off in traffic but it also covers the deep seeded hurt that keep bitterness bubbling to the surface warping our hearts.  Keep on forgiving! (Phil. 3:13) When I find myself once again, angry in my heart towards someone who’s wronged me, I must confess that bitterness and anger and forgive A G A I N!  (I John 1:9) Sometimes forgiveness is instantaneously while other times it is a process, a daily choice to forgive. And we may find we have to make that choice over and over again.

2.    2.  WE’RE NOT IN THIS BATTLE ALONE!!!! The second source of hope found is in the “voice” of this verb. It is a Divine passive verb.  What that means is the subject (the Christian) is being affected by our own actions (choices) as well as the subject is being acted upon by an outside force (the power of the Holy Spirit).  So yes, we must in obedience CHOOSE to forgive while simultaneously the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do just that.  We’re not doing this in our own strength.  God can and will give us a supernatural ability to forgive when we choose to forgive and seek His help in doing so. (Heb. 4:16)

So take heart, precious child of God.  The things God commands us to do are impossible in our own strength.  But with humility and dependence we can be victorious!

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^[1] Merrill Frederick Unger, R. K. Harrison, Howard Frederic Vos, et al., The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988).

^[2] E. McChesney and Merrill F. Unger, “Repentance,” ed. R.K. Harrison, The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988).

^[3] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Eph 4:32.

Looking Up

"And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.  And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day." Genesis 1:7&8

“God saw all that He had made and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

After weeks of depressive grey skies, the oppression of constant misting rain and days demanding woolen scarfs and down coats, I am finally seeing blue skies and warmer temperatures here in Georgia. Feathering across the azure expanses are wispy puffs of white clouds; the splash of color and sun is a welcome reprieve.  As I’m looking for all the things in my life that are very good, it was easy to see this one.  All I had to do was look up.

The psalmist wrote, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2, NASB95) Over and over again, in Scripture we read of God’s command to His child to look up.  Look up to Him for help and deliverance.  Look up and see His miraculously provisions.  Look up and worship the majesty of the Lord. Look up and see what’s He promises.

God’s creations point us to the Creator, and no creations are more effective than those cause us to look up: the expanse of the blue skies by day or the stars on a clear night, or mountains, majestic, rugged and breathtakingly powerful or a pair of eagles soaring across the expanses of the heavens. All of these dazzling displays of nature, God created and they are very good.

In God’s economy, everything His hand is in is created for multiple purposes: both tangible physical provisions as well as spiritual lessons and truths.  Looking up, the skies’ beauty is pleasing to my eyes and encourages my heart.  The perfection of the placement of the clouds by day and stars my night show me the great power and precise work of God’s designs. They are all beautiful and functional and instruct me in God’s character. 

Looking up, God’s faithfulness keeps the stars in place and moves the clouds to where they fulfill His functions for them.  This same faithfulness keeps me in place when I need to stand still and moves me when I have a function He wants me to fulfill.  Thinking of His faithfulness, the unknown of life diminishes in my mind’s eye.  I am reminded that His faithfulness not only is bestowed upon me, but is at work in the lives of loved ones whose choices nag my heart, tempting me to be fearful.  Looking up, I am reminded of God’s promise of provisions for me and my cherished ones no matter what fluctuations are produced by the economies of the world.

So as I look up to the sapphire dome dusted with puffs of white, I see God’s omnipotence and faithfulness alongside His artistry and beauty.  God’s provisions are not just practical but they are also many times, pleasing to the eye or palate or skin.  But regardless of the form of God’s supply, it’s His faithfulness that provides it.  And that never fails. 

Looking up to the heavens, “My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.” All I need to do is look up. All you need to do is look up. And keep looking up until God answers you.  Looking up, you will see what God has made, and it is very good. 

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ge 1:6–8.

It Was Very Good

“God saw all that He had made and behold, it was very good.” The simplicity and beauty of this verse strikes a chord with me. I feel the challenge that the Lord is placing before me: What are the very good blessings God has given me?   So for the month of January, I seek to notice and ponder and give thanks for these provisions.

In Genesis, Chapter One, we read that on day one, God created light which was separate from the darkness, thus forming the first day.  This makes me think of the sun, one of God’s creations that is ‘very good’.  I begin to ponder of all the good things that come about as a result of the sun’s warming, healing and brightening qualities.  It causes grass and vegetables and beautiful flowers to grow.  The sun kissed plant life nourishes animals that in turn nourish us.  When we get the proper amounts of exposure to sunlight, we feel better, sleep deeper and heal quicker from injury and illness.  We are happier, more optimistic and more creative when the sun shines through our windows or on our faces. When the sun is gone from the sky for night time, its brilliance is reflected off the moon.  The effects of the sun are still blessing us, as it makes us rest easier and sleep deeply.

The tangible and physical benefits of the sun certainly substantiate God’s assessment that this light is very good.  But also, there are the spiritual implications of the word light to consider.  Jesus is the Light of the World, illuminating the deceptions of sin, Satan and the world.  His light shows us the way to God’s path for our life thus bringing about a fulfilled heart.  God’s word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path. The wisdom and truth of God’s word stills our anxieties, calms our fears and gives us hope and encouragement in a way that nothing else can deliver.  Christians are designated as the light here on earth illuminating the lost to God’s saving grace. How wonderful it is that the beautiful, brilliant sunshine can bring all of these spiritual truths to mind!

So what else is good in my life? No, not just good, but ‘very good’. I look around the room and I see a cozy blanket warming my feet with a precious little black dog curled up next to me. I see a basket full of laundry, clean and warm clothes in colors and fabrics that please me.  I see my empty coffee cup and breakfast plate on the coffee table, evidence of consumed dark rich coffee and an egg sausage casserole.  Again both are provisions that not only meet my need but please my palate. 

Because all that God does and commands is “very good”, as I think on these blessings and seek to add more to the list, my heart sings in gratefulness, there’s a smile on my face and happiness in my soul.  Does He not command us to dwell on the things that are “worthy of praise”? When I give praise to God for what He has done, I am the one blessed!

As the laundry is begging to be folded and the dishes are waiting to be washed, the sun is shining through the windows brightening and warming the day.  And it is all very good. 

I'm Alone

I’m Alone.

Take a look at those two simple words and many images will come to mind. It could be the widow sitting in their favorite restaurant with silent tears grieving that he’ll never again share a meal with her. Even sadder it could be the divorcee’ thinking the same thoughts. It could be the shy awkward child on the playground surrounding by laughing children and none stop to ask her to play. It could be the popular teenage homecoming queen surrounding by her adoring friends and admirers nursing a cold heart that is never satisfied. It could be the young mother of four small children clamoring for her attention, leaving her no energy or enthusiasm for anything or anyone else in life. Or it could be the bride on her honeymoon with the man of her dreams but no purpose for her life wondering if this is all there is.

No matter what the description, we all find ourselves in circumstances which bring out the pang of loneliness.

Psalm 25:16–18 (NASB95)

¹⁶ “Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. ¹⁷ The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses. ¹⁸ Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins.”

King David understood far greater than many of us just how piercing the aloneness can be. He wrote volumes of Psalms that describe the many times he found himself alone, betrayed and alienated, facing life’s gravest moments away from the support of those who should have loved him.

God tells us that we were not designed to be alone.  

Genesis 2:18 (NASB95)

¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

Moses, the genius leader of the children of Israel, raised and educated with Egyptian royalty, cried out to God that by himself, he couldn’t handle the problems of 2 million Israelites. God’s answer was not to hang tough, muscle through and stop whining. Instead look at how those prayers were answered.

Numbers 11:17 (NASB95)

¹⁷ “Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone.

Each time one of His children cry out to him that their burdens are too great to bear alone, God hears their cries and answers their prayers.

So if you’re facing a time of being alone, facing life with no human support, cry out to your heavenly Father.  He hears the cries of your heart and wants to be your shelter in the storm. 

Are you alone, lost and don’t know where your salvation will come from? God is waiting to hear from you. Jesus Christ wants to be your Savior and your help.

Luke 19:10 (NASB95)

¹⁰ “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

The truth for all is that we were created to first have a relationship with God and then with each other. Our loneliness can never be truly solved unless God alone fills that void. It is our lost state that separates us from Him.

 John 8:32 (NASB95)

³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

John 14:6 (NASB95)

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Acts 16:31 (NASB95)

³¹ They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

So the starting place for the lonely one is to cry out to God, believe that Jesus Christ, His only Son, paid the penalty for our sinfulness, and that through faith in Christ, we are restored to a right relationship with God.

Once you have a relationship with God, seek to know Him better.  Get a Bible and find a church family.  You were not created to be alone, separated from God and others.  He’s the starting place for healing the heart that is broken in all of us.

Psalm 4:8 (NASB95)

⁸ In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.