..And Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

How can I please God? What does He require of me? I’ve been exploring the most basic answer to this question by looking at Jesus’ answer to the related question, “What is the greatest of all the commandments?” (See Matthew 22: 34-40) Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy (6:5) as He gave His two-part answer– Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself! He went on to say that ALL of the commandments and laws hang on these two concepts.

So today, I want to look closer at the last of these– Love your neighbor as yourself. In another gospel, we see that Jesus is challenged to clarify, “Who is my neighbor?” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010%3A25-37&version=NIV When we want to justify ourselves, or narrow the letter of the law, we often stall obedience by seeking to “clarify” God’s commands. Jesus’ words are broad, but perfectly clear– Love your neighbor as yourself–love the next person you meet; the person closest to you, as if they were YOU.

This doesn’t give us room to reject anyone or exclude anyone from our love, compassion, or respect as a child of God. Nor does it give us the right to live someone else’s life, or take away their God-given free will to think and act for themselves. I have been guilty of both offenses, and I don’t think I am alone.

Two of the great mistakes we make in failing to “love our neighbor” come through fear and pride. In the story of the “Good Samaritan,” we see two examples of a priest and a Levite, who fail to show love to their fellow Jew. They act in fear– fear of being the next victim, perhaps, but also fear of being inconvenienced or pulled away from their plans and purposes, and fear of being “defiled.” How many times do I let fear keep me from reaching out? How often do I fear that people, even God, will think less of me for associating with those who need help? Yet Jesus was known for interacting with sinners, lepers, and other outcasts. How can I act differently, and please God more than His own son?

The other great mistake I have made is to “love” out of pride. Sometimes, I think I have more wisdom, or more material wealth, or greater skills, and that it is my right to “help” my neighbor in my own way and at my own convenience. I think I know how they should live, what they should do, and what they need– more than they do; sometimes even more than God knows! But I cannot love where I am not willing to be humble. This is true with God, and it is equally true with others.

That doesn’t mean that I love others best when I let them take advantage to my harm or to their own harm. And it doesn’t mean that I must agree with them completely or deny what I know to be right. But it means that I must value their well-being and worth in God’s eyes as equal to (and often greater) than my own. It makes me feel good to “fix” someone else by fixing their circumstances, or demanding that they accept my help, but their greater need may be to take control of their own circumstances and attitudes. My need to be “right” or “righteous” or “charitable” needs to take a back seat to whatever their greater need may be. I need to listen more than I speak; wait when I would rather act (or vice versa); to take direction rather than give it; and to give advice rather than orders.

The Apostle Paul spoke at length about love:

13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. ⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13: 1-7 NIV (via biblegateway.com)

I can “care” about others; I can be generous; I can be knowledgeable; I can volunteer, and make sacrifices; I can “feel” deeply, and empathize with others– and still NOT love them. Conversely, I can disagree with them about a number of things, including their life choices, political views, and spending habits, and still love them as Christ loves them. I can love those who like me, or ignore me; those who hate me, as well as those who love me back. But I cannot do this in pride or in my own emotions and thoughts. This kind of love can only be sustained by the source of true Love– God Himself.

This is why it is so important to learn from Jesus’ example. His perfect Love casts out fear and pride, and allows us to see others (and ourselves!) in the proper perspective.

October 6, 2023 0

Heart, Soul, and Mind..

Jesus was asked many trick questions by people who wanted to discredit him during His ministry. One such query involved all the many commands of the law. “Which is the greatest?” With so many commandments, laws, rituals, and traditions, it would be difficult to pick just one. Which is more evil– lying, stealing, murder, idolatry?

But Jesus didn’t skip a beat. ³⁷Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 9Matthew 22:37 NIV) Jesus was actually quoting from Deuteronomy (Deut. 6:5), when God was giving instructions to the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land. Of course, Jesus, as part of the Triune Godhead, was actually present for these instructions– in fact, as the WORD of God, He may have been the very one speaking the same words hundreds of years before!

The first three of the Ten Commandments all involve this concept. “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me”–don’t give your soul (your very essence) to someone or something else ahead of Yahweh. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image”–don’t give your heart to worship anyone or anything that is created; instead, worship your Creator. “Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain”–don’t use your mind to devalue and defame the Sovereign Lord.

God is Sovereign. He is Supreme. And He IS Love– it is not just something He chooses to do. Love is part of God’s essence, and it cannot live and thrive without Him.

But this brings up two questions: If God IS Love and He created us, why must he “command” us to love Him? This is one of the great arguments people try to use to deny God’s Sovereignty, His Goodness, even His existence. A Good, Wise, Sovereign, All-powerful God should not need to command love and worship from His creatures, should He? And, if He “commands” love and obedience, how can we truly love Him? We can fear Him, obey Him, be ruled by Him, but none of that sounds like Love.

In theory, such questions seem daunting. But we have dozens of real-life examples of how such commands work. Every nation (and principality, and even every household) has rules and laws directing us how to behave and demanding respect for certain values. “Don’t sass your parents.” “Don’t deface or defile sacred spaces.” “Don’t litter!” We find it distinctly unsettling when we see children treating their parents with disrespect, malice, even abuse. Or when we hear of people whose hatred leads them to burn places of worship, or defile gravestones in a cemetery, or commit treasonous acts that lead to the slaughter of hundreds of innocent neighbors or fellow-countrymen. The planet groans under the strain of people who dump their trash in rivers or streets, or wantonly start wildfires or kill helpless animals.

God does not “command” our love out of weakness. He could DEMAND abject obedience–overrule our will; punish without delay or hope of mercy; force us to act as robots or machines–but He desires us to Love Him freely. His command is for OUR good–when we choose to seek Him, follow Him, Love Him in ever greater measure, we grow to be more like Him–Loving Him teaches us what Love is really all about!

The Law itself, the “command,” is NOT what pleases God or makes us Love Him. God’s purpose is not that we become ritualistic, legalistic, or weak-willed. He wants us to be joyful and live abundant and productive lives. But left to our own devices and our own “wisdom,” we will not achieve any of this. In fact, even with the law and commandments, we will still fall short. God’s love is such that He gave us an impossible command– love Him with our entire heart, soul, and mind– and then, He provided the only Way to make it possible.

It IS possible to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. It doesn’t require that we become hermits or ascetics, wasting away in a cave or mountaintop, starving ourselves and crying out day and night. It does require that we recognize that He is God, and we are not. It requires that we accept His mercy for the times we have strayed. It requires that we seek His counsel, and His correction.

We need to love Him with our heart–draw near to Him in worship and thanksgiving.

We need to love Him with our soul–trust Him to direct our lives, now and in the future.

And we need to love Him with our mind–learn to listen to His words, and to meditate on them; to think more about the things of God, and less about the things of trivial and temporary import.

October 4, 2023 0

Prays Hymn…

“Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our Blessed Redeemer…”
“Here I am to Worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that You’re my God…”

Have you prayed a hymn lately? Or maybe meditated on a single phrase from a recent worship chorus at Church? Music is often a language unto itself, and can be a great tool for prayer. Recently, I spoke of praying scripture. This is very similar, and in fact, many of the Psalms are both prayer AND scripture. There is something about music that can transcend words alone to communicate our thoughts, emotions, and even memory as we pray.

Just like praying scripture, there is also a temptation to use music to substitute for prayer, and we should seek to avoid that. But in general, music can be a great inspiration and addition to our pursuit of prayer. I find that hymns reach back through my memory to pull out great truths of faith that I can pray back to God, while newer worship choruses often capture emotions, including both praise and confession. At times, I have even used secular music, including love songs and the blues, to tap into emotions that I want to share with the One who loves me eternally and cheers me when no other can.

King David is the quintessential “singer/prayer” in the Bible, and his Psalms are wonderful to use. Many of them are still being put to new music and can be sung, as well as read or recited. But there are thousands of hymns, songs, choruses, cantatas, operatic masses, chants, raps, and more that can be presented as prayer. How?

Use whatever method fits you best– use the radio, an MP3, streaming service, CD, etc., to play a song, or sing it a capella; if you are a musician, you can play the song on your instrument and sing along or think of the lyrics as you play.
Go through one verse of the song over and over– or one line or phrase that has a particular meaning. Meditate on it before the one who inspired it. “A Mighty Fortress is our God…A Mighty Fortress are you, God… A bulwark never failing… NEVER failing…”
Do a “mash up” as you are singing one song another one may come to mind. Create a medley of personal worship. Some songs might even run into each other!
Don’t be afraid to add dance or movement. Clap along. Lift your hands. Sway.
If you are having trouble getting started, find a book of hymns or songs, or tune the radio to a station that plays good music.
Make up a song from your heart! Reach back into your memory for a children’s chorus (if you grew up in church). Change the lyrics to “redeem” a classic rock song (it sounds strange, but it is not impossible for most tunes!)
Make a joyful noise!– Don’t worry if you are not a great singer. God listens to your heart!

September 27, 2023 0

Tips for Praying Scripture

At least once each month, I want to give some practical tips I have learned that have improved my pursuit of prayer over the years. Today, I want to talk about praying scripture.

On its surface, praying scripture just means reading or saying Bible verses back to God. Of course, some Bible verses or passages lend themselves to this practice, while others do not. (Lists of genealogies in the Chronicles come to mind…) Sometimes, it requires that we change a pronoun or verb tense, or otherwise personalize the scripture, but we are echoing God’s “Word” back to Him in an act of worship. We may be echoing God’s literal words, or repeating words of worship spoken centuries earlier. Some examples:

“Lord, in the beginning YOU created the heavens and the earth”…(from Genesis 1:1)
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:8-11

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:10-12)

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6)

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139: 23-24)

Now to YOU who are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us, to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (taken from Ephesians 3:20-21)

There are some benefits of doing this, but also some pitfalls. First the benefits:

Praying scripture can help us when we just don’t know what to say. Sometimes, we are so burdened or so exasperated, or so overwhelmed with emotion, that our words are swallowed up. But a remembered passage of scripture may allow us to speak our emotions in a way that our own words cannot. Sometimes, scripture will give us a focus that we lack, allowing us to put aside distracting thoughts, as well.
Praying scripture can help us memorize or review scripture. It can be helpful to read scripture aloud as a prayer, or even repeat key verses as prayer. Sometimes, we will be studying scripture and it speaks to us in a way that causes us to stop and pray it back.
Praying scripture can keep our prayers grounded. When we are tempted to pray selfish, momentary requests, scripture reminds us of God’s majesty, sovereignty, and timeless nature. Scripture magnified God and puts our petty worries and desires in their proper perspective.
In a group setting, praying scripture can help others focus better, or inspire them to remember another scripture passage that relates to what you have just prayed!

There are many other benefits of praying scripture, but there are also a few pitfalls:

Beware of using scripture as a substitute for your own thoughts and concerns. It is powerful to pray the Bible as it relates to your own worship and emotions, but God doesn’t want to hear only the echo of His words– He wants to hear them coming from your heart, as well as your lips. The ancient prophets warned against those who used a form of worship that lacked conviction and submission to His will.
Don’t feel bad when you say a prayer that does not contain a direct scriptural quotation– praying scripture is a tool and a guide, not a ritual or requirement. Don’t feel arrogant or superior when you DO pray scripture– it is a tool and a guide, but it does not make your prayer more effective or more Godly than an earnest prayer without a scripture reference.
Don’t “cherry-pick” scripture to pray in a way that is out of context or goes against the overall flow of scripture. Two of the most overused and misused scripture passages are Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11. They are both verses of promise and encouragement, and certainly can be used in prayer. But in context, they are meant to encourage those who are in the midst of anguish and despair, NOT promises to make life carefree or answer a selfish desire for an immediate good outcome.

If you have never (or rarely) tried praying scripture, I hope you will incorporate this tool into your pursuit of prayer. Whether you use a print Bible, scroll through a list of verses on line, or draw upon memory, you will find God’s words to be uplifting, convicting, encouraging, and wholly sufficient as you pour out your heart to your Maker. And if you already use this practice, I hope these tips will help you remember to use scripture wisely and appropriately as you pursue and practice a closer walk with God.

September 15, 2023 0

Walk Humbly with Your God

I’ve been revisiting the prophet Micah’s words on how to please God. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 NKJV)

Today, I want to focus on the last of these three “requirements:” to walk humbly with your God. As with the first two, this last requirement may seem simple and straightforward, but it is much easier said than done.

Let’s break it down to its component parts:

WALK– this is another action word. “Being” humble, even acting humble will look good and may even impress others. But God requires that we walk in humility–daily, consistently, and deliberately act in accordance with our status vis-a-vis both God and our fellow human beings. And we are to walk– not run or sprint (or crawl)–steadily, not in fits and starts, not trying to outdo our neighbor, but not meandering without purpose, either.

HUMBLY–not in pride, but also not in false humility or in humiliation and self-loathing. The late, apologist, Ravi Zacharias, used to quote another great Christian apologist, Edward Musgrave Blaiklock: “God alone knows how to humble us without humiliating us and how to exalt us without flattering us.” We cannot walk humbly in our own effort or insight or will. We cannot allow others’ opinions to determine the worth that God alone has given us. And we cannot allow our opinions to outweigh God’s judgment about others. There is no place in our walk for prejudice, finger-pointing, or being judgmental. We CAN boldly speak truth about dangerous or unrighteous behaviors, but we should never place someone else’s bad behavior above God’s LOVE for them as a person, OR above the Grace He has to lavish upon them.

WITH–we will never walk where God cannot go, or will not find us. But we can choose to walk apart from God; to ignore justice and mercy, or redefine God’s commands, or reject God’s grace and wisdom in favor of our own “moral compass.”

YOUR GOD– we can believe ourselves to be walking humbly and justly in our own eyes; we can follow counselors or gurus, or “religious” leaders; we can make a practice of doing “righteous” actions, and still be practicing idolatry. We cannot please God if we don’t even know Him; we cannot walk with Him if he is merely an idea we aspire to worship. God does not want adulation from afar; He created us for intimacy with Himself and with each other. It pleases Him to be our Father– not our adversary.

Father, help us to walk humbly with you today– to enjoy the peace and fellowship of learning from You, practicing Justice toward others, delighting in Your Mercy, and resting in Your presence as we go through the day. Thank You for making it possible for us to walk with You, talk with You, and call ourselves “Your Own!”

September 11, 2023 1

He Hath Shewed Thee…

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God…
Micah 6:6-8 (KJV)

“What does God want from me?!” Ask a dozen people this question, and you will very likely get a dozen different (and even conflicting) answers!

Abject obedience? Memorizing a creed or list of rules? Shiny, happy, saccharine sweetness? Sacrifice? Humiliation or self-abasement? Blind faith? Isolation and meditation? Constant repentance and confession? A crusader’s militancy? Your answer reflects your relationship with and belief in God and His character.

But instead of asking a dozen people, you can ask God Himself! The prophet Micah does this, and receives a simple but startling answer– God requires three things: to do justly (or practice justice), to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. Jesus also gives us a simple answer in the book of Matthew. When asked by a lawyer, “Master, which is the greatest commandment?,” Jesus replies, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandment hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV) In giving this answer, Jesus was referring to writings He had dictated hundreds of years before to Moses (Deuteronomy 6:5, and Leviticus 19:18 respectively).

God is very clear– there is no single and measurable act we can do, no oath we can take, no quest we can complete, and no gift we can give that will, in itself, please Him. There is no magical number of times we must confess, or sacrifices we must make, or rites we must go through to be acceptable. But, as simple as the answers appear, it is impossible for us to meet the requirements on our own. We do not love God with all our heart, soul, and mind– we do not walk humbly with Him; nor do we do what is just, or love mercy toward our neighbors– we do not love others as ourselves.

Even though Micah wrote before Jesus came to earth, he proclaims that God “hath shewed” us how to please Him. His commands teach us His priorities and His character–God values life (Thou shalt not kill); He values family (Honor thy Father and Mother/ Thou shalt not commit adultery); He loves truth (Thou shalt not bear false witness) and Holiness (Thou shalt not have any other gods before Me/Thou shalt not make graven images/Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain). God loves those who trust and rest in His provision (Thou shalt not steal/ Thou shalt not covet/Remember the Sabbath). He is pleased to provide good things; He is a God of Love.

Jesus came to “fulfill” the law– to demonstrate both who God is, and how He wants to help us live life to the fullest. He also came to prove that the law, while good, is not a means to an end for us to please God.

I have a heart to explore this further over the next few days. I pray that what God has laid on my heart will draw me closer to Him, and that sharing it might help others to do the same.

September 4, 2023 0

Searching for the “Oh!”

I like to play Scrabble, and other word games. Sometimes, in order to make a certain word in Scrabble, you need to wait for an opportunity and a particular tile. It can be very frustrating to play when you have only consonants or only vowels. You need both to make most words. Vowel tiles are not worth as much as the consonants. And so most players tend to discount them. After all, if someone else has made a word, you can use the vowel from their word to make yours– sometimes. But sometimes, you really need a vowel in the right position to make your word. Sometimes, you need a particular vowel. The other day, I was hoping for an “o.” Instead, I had four “i”s! I could try to make use of the vowels I had, or lose a turn and trade in my “i”s for other letters– which might all be consonants!

Life is not a game of Scrabble. But there are times when we are looking for something to help make sense of life. It seems like whatever “hand” we’ve been given adds up to nonsense. We need an “o” to make it work. Deep down, though, I think most of the time, we really need an “OH!” We need to look beyond whatever we have, and see the wonderful things God has already done in and around and through us.

As I was driving to my doctor’s appointment the other day, it was hazy and cool for late June. It could have felt depressing or even oppressive. But I was listening to a song on the radio. The singer pointed out that God’s goodness, His Mercy, and His artistry are all around us in nature– the sky, the singing of birds, the colors of the sunrise or sunset, the majesty of trees or mountains, the comfort of a gentle rain–and suddenly, I found my “OH!” moment. Recent rains had brought a newer, deeper shade of green to the leaves, and had caused the corn and beans in the fields to begin springing up. The haze could not hide all the life and growth going on all around me. God’s magnificence was there for anyone to see.

Sometimes, I try to substitute an “I” for the “Oh!” Instead of focusing on the SON, I fall into SIN. When I look at what I have done, or the plans or dreams I have, it can fall short. I can’t make the stars shine. I can’t create a forest, or sing a song more beautiful than a babbling brook through a meadow of flowers. My best efforts with “i” aren’t worth much. But, OH!, what God can do! OH! What God has done! And it’s this same God who loves me and knows my name!

Are you having a “hazy” day? Are you looking around for something? Something clear, and beautiful, and worthwhile? Maybe, if you have an old Scrabble game, you could put an “o” tile in your pocket or purse to remind you to see the “OH!” all around you today!

²⁰For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. ²¹For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:20-21 (NIV)

June 28, 2023 0

Evidence of Things Not Seen

*Note: This was originally posted in August of 2021.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
Hebrews 11:1-2 NKJV via Biblia.com

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV via biblegateway.com

Prayer is an act of faith. Whether a prayer of confession, adoration, thanksgiving, supplication, or a combination of all these types, we pray to an invisible God. We do not see Him, but we acknowledge that He exists, and that He hears us when we pray. We also acknowledge that He forgives sins, is worthy of our adoration and thanksgiving, and that He cares about our needs and desires.

Faith is defined by the writer of Hebrews as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” There are many who scoff at this type of faith, claiming it is “blind faith.” Because we cannot see God, because we do not hear Him audibly, because we cannot touch Him–they claim that our faith is nothing more than wishful thinking or delusion. But our faith is actually “evidence” of God’s existence– not because we make a claim to believe, but because we act on and live out our belief. One brief prayer whispered in panic is not compelling, but a lifetime of praying and faithfully acting on the belief that God listens and responds–that is evidence that commands attention.

Sometimes, we become so familiar with the ancient stories of the Bible, that we discount the very real faith shown by the “elders.” Noah didn’t build a rowboat or even a trading ship– he built an Ark to withstand a flood he could not have imagined. Abraham left his home to go to a land God would show him– he had no map, or any way of knowing what awaited him. He lived as a nomad in tents the rest of his life. But what about his life before? He didn’t begin as a nomad and a wanderer. And there was nothing to suggest that he would ever become the patriarch of an entire nation/many nations. The shepherd boy, David, was told that he would someday be king. Yet he put himself in mortal danger several times, and refused to challenge King Saul in order to claim the crown. Daniel was certainly aware of the danger he was in over the course of his service to foreign kings, yet he stood firm in his convictions, when common sense would have had him compromise to keep his position (and his life!).

Faith (and praying in faith) doesn’t always some easily. We are bombarded with images and sounds that suggest that God does NOT exist, or that He does not listen or respond. I have prayed many times for people to be healed of cancer, only to see them die. I have days filled with stress or frustration, when my prayers seem to go unheard. Does this mean that my faith is void, or based on nothing more than a vapor?

Photo by Merlin lightpainting on Pexels.com

No, because faith is the evidence, not of the things I am seeing or experiencing now, but of things unseen. My perspective is narrow and distorted. I may see my friends’ deaths as the “end.” I may see my temporary trials as impossible obstacles and heavy burdens. I may see my past as a prison, trapping me in the bad choices I have made, or the hurts I have suffered. Faith is the evidence that such things, while they are real, and devastating, are not the entire picture, or the final word. Faith is the evidence that life is worth celebrating, even on the “bad” days. Faith is the evidence that God is bigger than injustice, or disease, or heartbreak, or death.

Faith isn’t “proof” of God’s existence for those who will not believe. But it is strong and solid evidence for those who are searching. When I pray for someone else’s health, I am not ordering God to do what I want. If He doesn’t answer with immediate or total healing, it is not because I don’t have enough faith or because He just doesn’t listen to me. Buy when I lift others up in prayer, I am acting on the promise that God will listen and act according to His perfect and sovereign character. I have seen miracles of healing; I have also seen miracles in suffering and even death. “Things not seen” often includes things outside of my knowledge or perspective– things that I can only see after I take steps of faith that take me out of my limited vision.

As I write this post, I’m having one of those “bad” days– frustrating, filled with stress and pain. And not just my own– I’ve had several friends and family members who are dealing with death, disease, job loss, broken family issues, and more. Two of my childhood classmates died within a week of each other earlier this month, while three families in our church are dealing with hospitalizations and a death. And that isn’t even covering the crises in Afghanistan, Haiti, Tennessee, and elsewhere– floods, persecution, earthquakes and hurricanes, upheaval, and more. Those are the things we see. Faith is not blinding ourselves to those realities. It is choosing to believe that there is much more that we do not see–that God is in control, and that He is capable of redeeming and restoring even the mess that surrounds us.

I sat down to write this post, and had to stop–my faith was taking a beating. But I prayed. I listened for that still, small voice that led me to revisit Hebrews 11. I phoned a friend. Small steps of faith, but God is faithful. He gave my faith a booster shot. He can do the same for anyone who comes to Him in faith.

June 19, 2023 0

How Great Thou Art!

“O Lord My God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made…Then sings my soul…” (emphasis added) When was the last time you spontaneously broke into the kind of wonder and praise that we find in this old familiar hymn? If it has been awhile, let today be the day that you joyously and loudly sing praise to our Awesome and Great God.

So often, I come to prayer focused on myself– my needs, my unworthiness, my circumstances. But prayer is the act of communicating with the One who is all-sufficient, all-worthy, all-powerful, and all-loving. As we pray, it will often happen that all the cares and concerns melt away in the wonder and insight that we are actually talking to GOD!

But there are times when we miss the great opportunity to fully open ourselves to the Glory and Majesty of Our Father. Yes, we communicate; Yes, He still hears us. But we fail to come away with the full blessing of having spoken WITH God. We speak TO Him; we even speak OF Him. But when we speak WITH God, we are in the presence of such majesty, that we are left beyond words! Our Soul Sings! Our Heart is overflowing! Our mind is overwhelmed with the concept!

Prayer is so much more than what we say; so much more than what we think. God is so much bigger, so much greater, so much MORE than anything we can describe, anything we can imagine! And THIS is who we approach when we pray.

If you have the opportunity, spend some time in nature today. Look up at the sky– clouds, stars, and the endless canopy of space– and let the Majesty of God fill your senses as you make time for prayer. If you cannot get outdoors, find a picture or film or website to remind you of the grandeur of God’s wonderful creation. And then, sing out, shout out, pray and praise the Maker of the Universe, and the Lover you Your Soul! This same God of the beginning is the God who was, who IS and who is to come! The same miracles He has done in the past, He will do NOW and through all time.

There is NOTHING too big or too difficult for God. There is nothing too small or unimportant for Him to do, either. And what He does, He does with Joy and in Love! He rejoices over every one who comes to salvation. He rejoices over every one who comes to Him empty and tired and discouraged– and He rejoices to give them rest, and hope, and strength for the journey ahead. He offers Grace and Beauty from ashes. He offers Eternal Life and Everlasting Peace!

And if that doesn’t make your soul sing, I don’t know of anything else that can!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

For more information about the hymn– its origins and meaning– check out this site: https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/how-great-thou-art/

May 15, 2023 0

Seasonal Prayers

It is supposed to be springtime in my neck of the woods. We’ve had two days of snow this week, chilly winds, and frost/freeze warnings. Fruit farmers are worried about losing the fragile blossoms that we need for apples, peaches, and cherries later this year. Many of the spring flowers are also in jeopardy. People are joking that we need to “unplug” springtime and “reboot” it, because it seems not to be working! The seasons seem “out of time.”

Sometimes our lives seem the same. We expect a season of growth or warmth, only to feel the cold winds, or we experience drought when we expected rain. Our prayers will change as the seasons come and go– young parents pray for patience as their days are hectic; aging parents pray for visits from their busy children and grandchildren. We go through seasons of success, seasons of stress, seasons of forced immobility, seasons of grief, and seasons of distracted activity.

Throughout the Psalms, David and the other psalm writers sang of woes and wonders, praises and problems– sometimes within a single Psalm! We have seasons of questioning, and seasons of confidence. Sometimes, we feel close to God; other times, we wonder why He seems so far away. Our “songs” and prayers will change over the course of our lives and according to our moods and circumstances– desperate, worshipful, even indignant. Yet God hears them all– He wants us to pour out our hearts in all seasons!

Our seasons may change, but God is Eternally Loving and Sovereign. Our moods and changing circumstances cannot remove us from His watchful eye or His tender care. Our momentary anger and doubt are not beyond His willingness–even eagerness– to forgive and redeem! God is Lord of all the Seasons– seasons of snow and sunshine; seasons of joy and sorrow. Even when our seasons seem “out of time,” we can lift our voices to a God who never changes.

April 19, 2023 0

Category: Worship