Philippians 4:14 ESV
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
How great a blessing it is to have brothers and sisters who are willing to allow one to share one's burdens. Certainly we all have our own burdens to bear but to take on those of another is truly a good work.
Alone is possibly one of the most tragic feelings a believer can have. To feel that one cannot share one's burdens is a very sad feeling. Alone is a tough thing to feel, yet it is all too common among believers.
Yes, we know that He is always with us, but it was not His plan that He be the only one who is there for us.
Galatians 6:2 ESV
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
We are admonished to bear one another's burdens. This is not optional. This is an imperative. But sadly, it is one that is more often avoided than embraced.
We, Patti and I, are wonderfully blessed by folks who are willing to shoulder our burdens both in prayer and engagement. They may tire under the load but they never put it down. Even when their own loads are heavy and pressing they open their hearts and arms to ours. It is a great gift and a great part of God's plan for His people.
God does not tell us to "fix" the burdens of others, although if we can we should, but rather to "bear" them. The primary way we do this is by being willing to be informed of those burdens. Unfortunately there is little place or time in the life of the Church for such things to happen. Also, I think that we are afraid to know the burdens of others because they may impose some strong response on our part, some sacrificial response.
Knowing the burdens of another does carry it's own responsibility. If nothing else, it carries the obligation to really pray for them and WITH them. It is not the bullet prayer that is needed but the deep, knowledgeable, sincere and focused prayer. It means entering their battleground with petitions and supplications on their behalf. It also requires that we stay informed of their needs by staying engaged. It is a sad propensity for us to hear of a burden and then avoid it for fear we will be called to actually do something regarding it.
We can testify to the wonderfulness of having brothers and sisters who engage, stay engaged and do what they can to help bear the burden. Just the knowledge that we are remembered, especially remembered in prayer, is a comfort beyond price. That someone is carrying us to the throne of grace is indeed a great comfort, blessing and encouragement.
Philemon 1:7 ESV
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Even more....2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Even more.......
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
There is a "Why" to the comfort we receive from God and if there is a "Why" for that comfort there is a "Why" for the affliction as well. First, we have to understand and accept that as Jesus said, we will have tribulation in this world. It is a fallen, broken world, a far cry from what God intended. It is a sin ravaged world, warped and twisted, full of sorrow and woe. Until He returns ( Please God let it be soon!). We will suffer travesty and affliction. But affliction is not without purpose.
First, affliction proclaims the creation's brokenness, man's fallenness and the desperate need for a redeemer. It isn't how it should be! It must be righted but only God in Christ can right it. Second, afflictions are intended to demonstrate man's individual and collective need to be dependent upon God. Third, afflictions demonstrate God's mercy as He brings comfort in or resolution to our afflictions. Fourth, afflictions are intended to draw us to the only source of purpose and comfort.
Like afflictions, comfort has a purpose that is beyond simply easing our discomfort. The comfort we receive from God is intended to be passed to others in need, others suffering from affliction. It is a mercy that is to be extended beyond the recipient to the next person. It is to be shared abroad to His glory and honor.
Now for an aside. For over 20 years I have had the privilege of serving, "the least of these." From the homeless to the addicted to the mentally ill, God has allowed me to serve these oh so special men and women. Why? Simply put, because there is typically no ministry to them within the local church. Right doctrine and a correct worship style are important and good but if there is no ministry to the broken and hurting then the church is failing to fulfill her whole warrant. There is little, if any true pastoral ministry in most churches today. By "pastoral" in this context I mean Christ centered, Bible based, "out of the pulpit and on the front lines," ministry. I refer to the warrant to the church:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
That is not pulpit work, that is people work. That is the work of passing on that comfort with which God comforts us.
Enough of that "bunny trail."
You should understand that in this verse it does not refer to how God "got us through" the affliction but rather how God is comforting us "IN" our dynamic, on going, current affliction. We are comforted in the affliction we suffer NOW so we may comfort others in the affliction they suffer NOW! In this verse it is not about the affliction God resolved but it is about the affliction in my life that is unresolved in which God is comforting me. It is not, "I once went through that and God ......." but rather, "I am suffering X and God is comforting my by Y."
Certainly we can offer the comfort we received during an affliction that God has since resolved, but we are to be offering comfort even while we undergo an unresolved affliction. This is a dynamic, in the midst of the affliction offer of the comfort we are receiving!
It is getting out there in the midst of the pain and connecting with a brother or sister in Christ who is dealing with some affliction and connecting with them to share the comfort we are experiencing. It is not giving some testimony of a deliverance, but a testimony to active comfort in an active affliction.
But alas, we are taught in most local churches to not do this, to keep our afflictions (and comfort) to ourselves. We are not to disturb the nice neat order with our messy afflictions. Instead, we are typically sent out into the wilderness to find our own comfort, admonishment, encouragement, and help.
Pray brothers and sisters and pray hard that God will correct this short-fall in His churches. Are you in some affliction and are you receiving comfort from our loving God? Then pray that He will connect you with someone who needs you to share that comfort. Are you suffering some affliction? Then pray God will send someone in affliction who has God's comfort to share.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
There is a "Why" to the comfort we receive from God and if there is a "Why" for that comfort there is a "Why" for the affliction as well. First, we have to understand and accept that as Jesus said, we will have tribulation in this world. It is a fallen, broken world, a far cry from what God intended. It is a sin ravaged world, warped and twisted, full of sorrow and woe. Until He returns ( Please God let it be soon!). We will suffer travesty and affliction. But affliction is not without purpose.
First, affliction proclaims the creation's brokenness, man's fallenness and the desperate need for a redeemer. It isn't how it should be! It must be righted but only God in Christ can right it. Second, afflictions are intended to demonstrate man's individual and collective need to be dependent upon God. Third, afflictions demonstrate God's mercy as He brings comfort in or resolution to our afflictions. Fourth, afflictions are intended to draw us to the only source of purpose and comfort.
Like afflictions, comfort has a purpose that is beyond simply easing our discomfort. The comfort we receive from God is intended to be passed to others in need, others suffering from affliction. It is a mercy that is to be extended beyond the recipient to the next person. It is to be shared abroad to His glory and honor.
Now for an aside. For over 20 years I have had the privilege of serving, "the least of these." From the homeless to the addicted to the mentally ill, God has allowed me to serve these oh so special men and women. Why? Simply put, because there is typically no ministry to them within the local church. Right doctrine and a correct worship style are important and good but if there is no ministry to the broken and hurting then the church is failing to fulfill her whole warrant. There is little, if any true pastoral ministry in most churches today. By "pastoral" in this context I mean Christ centered, Bible based, "out of the pulpit and on the front lines," ministry. I refer to the warrant to the church:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
That is not pulpit work, that is people work. That is the work of passing on that comfort with which God comforts us.
Enough of that "bunny trail."
You should understand that in this verse it does not refer to how God "got us through" the affliction but rather how God is comforting us "IN" our dynamic, on going, current affliction. We are comforted in the affliction we suffer NOW so we may comfort others in the affliction they suffer NOW! In this verse it is not about the affliction God resolved but it is about the affliction in my life that is unresolved in which God is comforting me. It is not, "I once went through that and God ......." but rather, "I am suffering X and God is comforting my by Y."
Certainly we can offer the comfort we received during an affliction that God has since resolved, but we are to be offering comfort even while we undergo an unresolved affliction. This is a dynamic, in the midst of the affliction offer of the comfort we are receiving!
It is getting out there in the midst of the pain and connecting with a brother or sister in Christ who is dealing with some affliction and connecting with them to share the comfort we are experiencing. It is not giving some testimony of a deliverance, but a testimony to active comfort in an active affliction.
But alas, we are taught in most local churches to not do this, to keep our afflictions (and comfort) to ourselves. We are not to disturb the nice neat order with our messy afflictions. Instead, we are typically sent out into the wilderness to find our own comfort, admonishment, encouragement, and help.
Pray brothers and sisters and pray hard that God will correct this short-fall in His churches. Are you in some affliction and are you receiving comfort from our loving God? Then pray that He will connect you with someone who needs you to share that comfort. Are you suffering some affliction? Then pray God will send someone in affliction who has God's comfort to share.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
More 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
MORE....
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Comfort. A curious thing. What we are comforted by in affliction can be as varied as the afflictions themselves. Though the comforts God provides are "common" like the trials we face, they like our afflictions, are quite intimate and individual. Certainly, we may all be comforted by all the promises in the Gospel we are also comforted by unique and very personal mercies.
In affliction we need to examine not only the affliction but we need to examine or look for that which brings us comfort. The danger we face is in comforting the flesh instead of the spirit. We talk of "comfort" food which my make us feel better but usually does little for our health and certainly does nothing for our spirit. We need to be very careful to examine what comforts us and we need to begin by asking if indeed it is a comfort from God.
The world, the flesh and the devil will always seek to take advantage of us when we are under affliction. When we are weak and most prone to lean on our own strength and wisdom that unholy three will do everything they can to lead us into comforts that are really no comfort at all. They seek to trap us into accepting counterfeit comforts which only serve to make our affliction worse and lead us to feel even further away from the Lord.
God's comforts are not primarily about making us "feel" better but rather they are intended to strengthen our faith and bring peace to our hearts. God wants us to lean upon Him all the time and especially in times of affliction. Indeed, the very purpose of many afflictions is to bring us back under His care, leaning on His provision. His comforts are intended for our growth, our perseverance and not necessarily for us to feel better. If they are to make us "feel" anything, it is confidence, strength, hope, love, etc.
God's comforts are, well, godly. They are part and parcel of His holiness and our sanctificaton.
Jesus asks:
Matthew 7:9-11 ESV
Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? [11] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
This is as applicable to comforts as it is to any other prayer request we may make. Of course I would ask, which one of you, if his son asks for a serpent will give him one? In other words, there are times, and I suspect many times, when what we are praying for what we think is a "fish" is in truth a serpent.
James writes:
James 4:3, 7 ESV
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Comfort is not always about feeling better. That is a tough truth but a safe one. We have to pray hard that our hearts and minds will be open and receptive to the comfort that God would send and not demand what we believe will comfort us. We need, as I have said, to examine what we believe will comfort us to see if it is godly and according to His will.
Will it draw me closer to Him. Will it bring honor to His name? Will it contribute to my growing more like Christ. Is this a godly comfort,
In all affliction James' admonition is paramount:
James 4:7 ESV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
In affliction our only and best hope is to submit ourselves to God, accepting the affliction as from Him and seeking how we may glorify Him in it. This will go a long way to enable us to seek, receive and ackowledge the comfort He provides and not seek those comforts which are counterfeits, traps.
What comforts you? What do you seek in affliction? Do you cry out to God for the comfort He wants you to have, do you submit yourself to His will? What comforts you?
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Comfort. A curious thing. What we are comforted by in affliction can be as varied as the afflictions themselves. Though the comforts God provides are "common" like the trials we face, they like our afflictions, are quite intimate and individual. Certainly, we may all be comforted by all the promises in the Gospel we are also comforted by unique and very personal mercies.
In affliction we need to examine not only the affliction but we need to examine or look for that which brings us comfort. The danger we face is in comforting the flesh instead of the spirit. We talk of "comfort" food which my make us feel better but usually does little for our health and certainly does nothing for our spirit. We need to be very careful to examine what comforts us and we need to begin by asking if indeed it is a comfort from God.
The world, the flesh and the devil will always seek to take advantage of us when we are under affliction. When we are weak and most prone to lean on our own strength and wisdom that unholy three will do everything they can to lead us into comforts that are really no comfort at all. They seek to trap us into accepting counterfeit comforts which only serve to make our affliction worse and lead us to feel even further away from the Lord.
God's comforts are not primarily about making us "feel" better but rather they are intended to strengthen our faith and bring peace to our hearts. God wants us to lean upon Him all the time and especially in times of affliction. Indeed, the very purpose of many afflictions is to bring us back under His care, leaning on His provision. His comforts are intended for our growth, our perseverance and not necessarily for us to feel better. If they are to make us "feel" anything, it is confidence, strength, hope, love, etc.
God's comforts are, well, godly. They are part and parcel of His holiness and our sanctificaton.
Jesus asks:
Matthew 7:9-11 ESV
Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? [11] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
This is as applicable to comforts as it is to any other prayer request we may make. Of course I would ask, which one of you, if his son asks for a serpent will give him one? In other words, there are times, and I suspect many times, when what we are praying for what we think is a "fish" is in truth a serpent.
James writes:
James 4:3, 7 ESV
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Comfort is not always about feeling better. That is a tough truth but a safe one. We have to pray hard that our hearts and minds will be open and receptive to the comfort that God would send and not demand what we believe will comfort us. We need, as I have said, to examine what we believe will comfort us to see if it is godly and according to His will.
Will it draw me closer to Him. Will it bring honor to His name? Will it contribute to my growing more like Christ. Is this a godly comfort,
In all affliction James' admonition is paramount:
James 4:7 ESV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
In affliction our only and best hope is to submit ourselves to God, accepting the affliction as from Him and seeking how we may glorify Him in it. This will go a long way to enable us to seek, receive and ackowledge the comfort He provides and not seek those comforts which are counterfeits, traps.
What comforts you? What do you seek in affliction? Do you cry out to God for the comfort He wants you to have, do you submit yourself to His will? What comforts you?
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
I have always loved this verse. It has never ceased to be a source of encouragement and blessing to me as I deal with the day to day issues that surround the melancholy from which I suffer. But ya know, though it is a great passage it has to be understood within the individual context of our circumstances for its value to be truly appreciated.
The first thing we need to reflect upon is exactly how God is merciful to us in our affliction. Of course, the big thing is that it could always be worse than it is or it could be a different and more crippling affliction. We never understand this until we actually consider the possibility of a greater and more difficult affliction. I really believe that each persons afflicton is tailor made for their maturity, ability and need. There are no purposeless afflictions. Nor are they arbitrary or random. They are individual and specific to each of us.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Though our " temptation" or more accurately "trial" can be listed in a plethora of trials available, OUR trial is specific to US. As there are no cooky - cutter blessing and no recipes for endurance, there are no cooky - cutter afflictions. Each and every affliction is specific to the individual facing it. Each affliction is "special."
Trials are common to all men but our trial is our trial. It is packed in with all our "baggage" which gives it that unique flavor. Because of this a lot of the "encouragement" we're offered sounds terribly hollow. People lovingly seek to encourage us and it is a kindness but we always have the , "Yes, BUT....." in the back of our minds. It is, I believe, true that, " Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows but Jesus." They may have had a similar experience but MY trouble is MY trouble. Yes?????
We need to own our trials and know them as well as possible. They need to be prayerfully examined and not just accepted on face value. As we examine them we will see the dynamic of the trial...the components and secondary causes and we can then pray with greater wisdom and insight concerning them. Trust me, ignorant prayers, though acceptable, are not nearly as useful as prayer born out of deep and meaningful reflection. Especially concerning the trials and afflictions we face.
We do so need wisdom in affliction and we are promised that His wisdom is available for the asking. BUT when we ask we need to purpose to use it! It does us no good to ask and receive if we do not plan to do the wisdom work. That means we have to sit down, perhaps with pen and paper, and really consider our affliction within the context of our redemption and our abiding sin. I fear that this is the only way we can gain a solid and meaningful understanding and appreciation of the circumstances we find ourselves in. It ain't magical folks, it all takes our cooperator with the work of the Holy Spirit. This isn't about "works" but it is about "work."
I'm not done with this passage but will end this at this point to allow you time to prayerfully consider what has been offered here. I pray that you will grow in knowledge, understanding and appreciation of all God has done, is doing and will do in your life that it will glorify His name and bring peace to your soul.
Michael
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
I have always loved this verse. It has never ceased to be a source of encouragement and blessing to me as I deal with the day to day issues that surround the melancholy from which I suffer. But ya know, though it is a great passage it has to be understood within the individual context of our circumstances for its value to be truly appreciated.
The first thing we need to reflect upon is exactly how God is merciful to us in our affliction. Of course, the big thing is that it could always be worse than it is or it could be a different and more crippling affliction. We never understand this until we actually consider the possibility of a greater and more difficult affliction. I really believe that each persons afflicton is tailor made for their maturity, ability and need. There are no purposeless afflictions. Nor are they arbitrary or random. They are individual and specific to each of us.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Though our " temptation" or more accurately "trial" can be listed in a plethora of trials available, OUR trial is specific to US. As there are no cooky - cutter blessing and no recipes for endurance, there are no cooky - cutter afflictions. Each and every affliction is specific to the individual facing it. Each affliction is "special."
Trials are common to all men but our trial is our trial. It is packed in with all our "baggage" which gives it that unique flavor. Because of this a lot of the "encouragement" we're offered sounds terribly hollow. People lovingly seek to encourage us and it is a kindness but we always have the , "Yes, BUT....." in the back of our minds. It is, I believe, true that, " Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows but Jesus." They may have had a similar experience but MY trouble is MY trouble. Yes?????
We need to own our trials and know them as well as possible. They need to be prayerfully examined and not just accepted on face value. As we examine them we will see the dynamic of the trial...the components and secondary causes and we can then pray with greater wisdom and insight concerning them. Trust me, ignorant prayers, though acceptable, are not nearly as useful as prayer born out of deep and meaningful reflection. Especially concerning the trials and afflictions we face.
We do so need wisdom in affliction and we are promised that His wisdom is available for the asking. BUT when we ask we need to purpose to use it! It does us no good to ask and receive if we do not plan to do the wisdom work. That means we have to sit down, perhaps with pen and paper, and really consider our affliction within the context of our redemption and our abiding sin. I fear that this is the only way we can gain a solid and meaningful understanding and appreciation of the circumstances we find ourselves in. It ain't magical folks, it all takes our cooperator with the work of the Holy Spirit. This isn't about "works" but it is about "work."
I'm not done with this passage but will end this at this point to allow you time to prayerfully consider what has been offered here. I pray that you will grow in knowledge, understanding and appreciation of all God has done, is doing and will do in your life that it will glorify His name and bring peace to your soul.
Michael
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
When considering the providence of God, October 6, 2015
October 6, 2015
When considering the providence of God . . . .
Too vast the ocean, too many the grains of sand.
Such is the providence of God
Such is my reflection and consideration.
Trying to "count one's blessing" is a most frustrating endeavor.
Too vast, too many.
Neatly woven like a web, God's providence touches all, all the time.
There are no loose ends no blind courses
God's providence is a whole - complete and entire.
There are no "great" blessings there are no "minor" blessings.
,
They are all of one value, great beyond grasping.
Though not always in our view they are utterly purposeful and directive.
Those past are our guides and instructors.
Those present are our comfort and consolation.
Those future are our hope and joy.
Our perception of them, often sullied by indwelling sin,
causes us to rate them on a skewed scale feeding our self consumption and yet rebellious wills.
Surrender brings peace and comfort.
Trusting, when trust is hard, brings strength and growth.
We need be patient with ourselves as we learn to appreciate His providence and to see the value in the whole of it.
We need to see the whole of it. Though hard and demanding we need to do the work that helps us see the whole of it.
One does not look at a part of a portrait and see its beauty, one must view the whole.
When considering the providence of God . . . .
Too vast the ocean, too many the grains of sand.
Such is the providence of God
Such is my reflection and consideration.
Trying to "count one's blessing" is a most frustrating endeavor.
Too vast, too many.
Neatly woven like a web, God's providence touches all, all the time.
There are no loose ends no blind courses
God's providence is a whole - complete and entire.
There are no "great" blessings there are no "minor" blessings.
,
They are all of one value, great beyond grasping.
Though not always in our view they are utterly purposeful and directive.
Those past are our guides and instructors.
Those present are our comfort and consolation.
Those future are our hope and joy.
Our perception of them, often sullied by indwelling sin,
causes us to rate them on a skewed scale feeding our self consumption and yet rebellious wills.
Surrender brings peace and comfort.
Trusting, when trust is hard, brings strength and growth.
We need be patient with ourselves as we learn to appreciate His providence and to see the value in the whole of it.
We need to see the whole of it. Though hard and demanding we need to do the work that helps us see the whole of it.
One does not look at a part of a portrait and see its beauty, one must view the whole.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Freedom, Contentment, Presnce Part 5
Freedom, Contentment, Presence Part 5
Fini
Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [6] So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
"I will not fear, what can man do to me?"
The fear of man is probably one of the most common sins that keeps us from breaking through from covetousness to contentment. "What will other people think?" "What will others say?"
We covet the approval or others and we are not content to be different. We want to fit in, to be a part of so we fear not fitting in or being a part of. We fear what people might say to us and of us. We fear that if we truly plant our feet for God we will be odd - peculiar - and hence be maligned and rejected.
Uhhhhhh - what part of the cost of discipleship did you not get? Did no one tell you that being rejected and maligned was part and parcel of the Christian walk? Did no one tell you that you have to REJECT the world to gain heaven? Being His means you are none of the world's. We are to be in and not of the world - but the cost is great and it can be painful.
What can man do to you if indeed you begin to grow from covetousness to contentment? Reject you? And why would you want to be accepted by those who wouldreject your growth in HIm, those who even reject Him? Why do we need that new suit or that new dress? Is it because the old are not wearable any more? Are the old rent and torn and unmendable? Then perhaps we do NEED those new clothes. Do we need that new anything? Do we even need the "thing" we have?
Christ came for one, to set us free - free from the penalty of sin - free from the power of sin but not from the presence of sin. So He gave us His presence in the Holy Spirit as a counselor and comforter - one who comes alongside to help. But are we addressing those things in our lives for which we need His help?
We choose comfort over contentment and then we wonder why our walks seen so halting and short. We wonder why we do not have the wind for the long haul. We limp along.
We live lives of bondage and that bondage is by choice - the choice to follow our covetous desires and the common covetousness of our culture. We are "wanting" oursevles into shallow, weak and ineffective lives in Christ.we are making the links in the chain that binds us to this world and the ways of this word. And so the author of Hebrews adminishes us - indeed commands us:
Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [6] So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Only in centering and building our lives on the gospel can we ever hope to fe free of covetousness, bound in contentment and living out the presence of the Lord in our hearts.
Oh, will you not see and allow the Spirit to convict your hearts of the covetousness in which you have become content and are bound by the fear of man. Will you not let Him drive you to yur knees crying out for the freedom He provides? Will you not repent of and reject the covetousness and face the rejection of man for your efforts?
Oh Lord, have mercy on me, a miserable sinner.
Fini
Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [6] So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
"I will not fear, what can man do to me?"
The fear of man is probably one of the most common sins that keeps us from breaking through from covetousness to contentment. "What will other people think?" "What will others say?"
We covet the approval or others and we are not content to be different. We want to fit in, to be a part of so we fear not fitting in or being a part of. We fear what people might say to us and of us. We fear that if we truly plant our feet for God we will be odd - peculiar - and hence be maligned and rejected.
Uhhhhhh - what part of the cost of discipleship did you not get? Did no one tell you that being rejected and maligned was part and parcel of the Christian walk? Did no one tell you that you have to REJECT the world to gain heaven? Being His means you are none of the world's. We are to be in and not of the world - but the cost is great and it can be painful.
What can man do to you if indeed you begin to grow from covetousness to contentment? Reject you? And why would you want to be accepted by those who wouldreject your growth in HIm, those who even reject Him? Why do we need that new suit or that new dress? Is it because the old are not wearable any more? Are the old rent and torn and unmendable? Then perhaps we do NEED those new clothes. Do we need that new anything? Do we even need the "thing" we have?
Christ came for one, to set us free - free from the penalty of sin - free from the power of sin but not from the presence of sin. So He gave us His presence in the Holy Spirit as a counselor and comforter - one who comes alongside to help. But are we addressing those things in our lives for which we need His help?
We choose comfort over contentment and then we wonder why our walks seen so halting and short. We wonder why we do not have the wind for the long haul. We limp along.
We live lives of bondage and that bondage is by choice - the choice to follow our covetous desires and the common covetousness of our culture. We are "wanting" oursevles into shallow, weak and ineffective lives in Christ.we are making the links in the chain that binds us to this world and the ways of this word. And so the author of Hebrews adminishes us - indeed commands us:
Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [6] So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Only in centering and building our lives on the gospel can we ever hope to fe free of covetousness, bound in contentment and living out the presence of the Lord in our hearts.
Oh, will you not see and allow the Spirit to convict your hearts of the covetousness in which you have become content and are bound by the fear of man. Will you not let Him drive you to yur knees crying out for the freedom He provides? Will you not repent of and reject the covetousness and face the rejection of man for your efforts?
Oh Lord, have mercy on me, a miserable sinner.
Monday, March 18, 2013
How and who?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort. (2Co 1:3-7)
I would ask, How are you comforted and whom do you comfort?
I ask because today I was comforted by a brother who need of comfort is very real and constant.
As a "leader-sheep" we all too often assume we are to be care givers and we forget that we are also care needers. As we fulfill our calling to care for His sheep we all too often make the mistake of forgetting that we desperately need care as well.
When the Praetorian Guard was established in Rome one question predominated, "Who guards the guardians?" This is no different from what we as comfort and care givers need to be asking of and for ourselves.
I have come to realize that it is all too easy to think that as a leader-sheep I need to be above the fray. God has made it plan to me that this is a cruel deception and a very real danger.
Oh, I can feed myself but comforting myself and doing it well is just not effective if it is even possible.
I have found that I need others who from the comfort they have found in Him - pass that comfort on to me. I have found that it is a type of pride to see myself as a giver only and not a needer.
Father,
I thank you for the comfort You sent today through my brother. I thank you for the tears I shed in thanks and gratitude. i thank you for the boldness of my brother's prayer the the depth to which it touched needs I has not seen.
Father, keep this lesson in my ,mind and heart. Keep me from isolation and pride. Keep me open to the comfort You have for me from my brothers and sisters - AND enable me to be open and honest about my need and grateful for its being met.
Thank You for establishing Your people and for the comfort You provide from one to another.
Amen
Monday, February 11, 2013
Finger Thinking 021113
Today - something different.
We've looked at the struggles and the battles - the anxiety and fear. But in all of this - regardless of how heavy it gets we also need to hold on to the hope we have in Him.
Bottom line? We have the assurance of our home with Him. That's the big thing - and we can not allow our present trial and tribulations to take that hope from our hearts.
Jesus' teachings were pretty tough when you really read them - as are the teachings in the writings of the Apostles. Our redemption is the main and plain thing. That we have to keep our grip on. All we experience here is, I think, to make us long to be with Him, for His Kingdom to come, for His will to be done in all the creation.
I know - when you're broke or sick or undergoing any other trial it is hard to keep your eyes on heaven. It is very hard and I would not minimize your distress in any way.
But dearest one - we all have to fight that fight in one way or another. I am learning, especially from the Puritan writers, that rich or poor, well or infirm we all struggle to keep a grasp on our hope. It is good to know that His grasp on us is unrelenting.
As I discover the needs of others I am embarrassed by my focus on my circumstances. No, it's not a matter of, "others are worse off so quit whining." Rather I am beginning to feel a part of their struggles, their pain, their fear and anxiety. I am beginning to see more clearly the truth of His Word and the battle we are in. I am finding that I turn more to Him the more I see the needs of others.
We are not alone in our distress. We have others who struggle with us and for us. We are in the company of saints who have been called to demonstrate that He is worthy to be trusted. We can only do that when we trust Him - and sometimes He has to bring into our lives those conditions that take away everything we have trusted that is not Him.
But whether we are in distress or plenty our need to hope in Him - in our redemption - is never diminished. Job stated that even if God saw fit to kill him, he, Job, would trust/hope in Him. Great words but they bring us to the bare facts of the faith. We have been saved for Him and by Him to be His forever. We sometimes need to be brought to
the place where we are confronted by that truth to see whether it is enough for us or not.
Jesus told us to not fear those who can kill the body - I would expand it to include the "its" as well. He told us to fear that which can condemn our souls. Well, in Him we do not have to fear the condemnation of our souls and so, though it is a battle, we need fear nothing and no-one.
I know - bold words - but they are not spoken easily for their truth and power leave me with only Him - as though there was ever more anyway.
Father, I pray that we will be comforted by the hope we have in You. I pray that we will dare to look at the bottom-line of our hope and be willing to accept it. Father we need to learn to be content with our redemption and not just our worldly conditions. Father we need to be content with Your grace whatever we are living through.
Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters who are in need and I call out to You to give us all the knowledge that the impact of any need is relative to the strength and maturity of the individual believer. Knowing that, make us either seek the strong and mature believer for guidance and comfort or make us seek the weak and struggling believer to give guidance and comfort.
Father bring us to that one-ness Jesus prayed for - that one-ness He died for. Let us understand that if one part of the Body is injured and the rest of the Body ignores it or is unable to discern it - there is something very very wrong.
Father, give us big hope, big hearts and even bigger prayers so that we struggle alongside our faith family either in their presence or in prayer.
Help us Father, to know the joy of Your salvation even in the distress of being here waiting for You.
We've looked at the struggles and the battles - the anxiety and fear. But in all of this - regardless of how heavy it gets we also need to hold on to the hope we have in Him.
Bottom line? We have the assurance of our home with Him. That's the big thing - and we can not allow our present trial and tribulations to take that hope from our hearts.
Jesus' teachings were pretty tough when you really read them - as are the teachings in the writings of the Apostles. Our redemption is the main and plain thing. That we have to keep our grip on. All we experience here is, I think, to make us long to be with Him, for His Kingdom to come, for His will to be done in all the creation.
I know - when you're broke or sick or undergoing any other trial it is hard to keep your eyes on heaven. It is very hard and I would not minimize your distress in any way.
But dearest one - we all have to fight that fight in one way or another. I am learning, especially from the Puritan writers, that rich or poor, well or infirm we all struggle to keep a grasp on our hope. It is good to know that His grasp on us is unrelenting.
As I discover the needs of others I am embarrassed by my focus on my circumstances. No, it's not a matter of, "others are worse off so quit whining." Rather I am beginning to feel a part of their struggles, their pain, their fear and anxiety. I am beginning to see more clearly the truth of His Word and the battle we are in. I am finding that I turn more to Him the more I see the needs of others.
We are not alone in our distress. We have others who struggle with us and for us. We are in the company of saints who have been called to demonstrate that He is worthy to be trusted. We can only do that when we trust Him - and sometimes He has to bring into our lives those conditions that take away everything we have trusted that is not Him.
But whether we are in distress or plenty our need to hope in Him - in our redemption - is never diminished. Job stated that even if God saw fit to kill him, he, Job, would trust/hope in Him. Great words but they bring us to the bare facts of the faith. We have been saved for Him and by Him to be His forever. We sometimes need to be brought to
the place where we are confronted by that truth to see whether it is enough for us or not.
Jesus told us to not fear those who can kill the body - I would expand it to include the "its" as well. He told us to fear that which can condemn our souls. Well, in Him we do not have to fear the condemnation of our souls and so, though it is a battle, we need fear nothing and no-one.
I know - bold words - but they are not spoken easily for their truth and power leave me with only Him - as though there was ever more anyway.
Father, I pray that we will be comforted by the hope we have in You. I pray that we will dare to look at the bottom-line of our hope and be willing to accept it. Father we need to learn to be content with our redemption and not just our worldly conditions. Father we need to be content with Your grace whatever we are living through.
Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters who are in need and I call out to You to give us all the knowledge that the impact of any need is relative to the strength and maturity of the individual believer. Knowing that, make us either seek the strong and mature believer for guidance and comfort or make us seek the weak and struggling believer to give guidance and comfort.
Father bring us to that one-ness Jesus prayed for - that one-ness He died for. Let us understand that if one part of the Body is injured and the rest of the Body ignores it or is unable to discern it - there is something very very wrong.
Father, give us big hope, big hearts and even bigger prayers so that we struggle alongside our faith family either in their presence or in prayer.
Help us Father, to know the joy of Your salvation even in the distress of being here waiting for You.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Psalm 6:6
I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. (Psa 6:6)
Everyone who knows what this is like, stand up!
Now the Psalm goes on to express great confidence in God and His mercy and justice so we're not going to have a pity party.
But - this sighing and tears should not be uncommon in the life of the believer. We should be sighing and shedding teasr not only for our sins and our needs but for all those who do not have the comfort of knowing God and being His.
Oh, the verse struck me because of our hard times right now but God was gracious enough to not allow me to get stuck on me. I not only thought of all the redeemed who are suffering affliction and need but of the countless millions who live (or lived) in the utter darkness and hopelessness of being godless and rebellious.
Our problems seem as nothing compared to the problems the un-redeemed live with and will face. Imagine being in whatever situation you find yourself in and NOT having a loving and caring Father. Imagine believing that you're here and you die with no purpose or reason. Worse still (for me at least) imagine living believing that you were at the mercy - the utter mercy of fate (or whatever capricious entity you want).
Oh, I still weep for us and our affliction and need but I weep for others now as well. Why? Well - Jesus did. the shortest verse in the Bible reads:
Jesus wept. (Joh 11:35)
He wept even though He knewHhe was about to resurrect Lazarus. Why did He weep? Well, we'll probably have to ask Him later. But, He loved and He loved not just as the Son of God, the Redeemer but He loved as Jesus the teacher from Galilee - the guy.
Perhaps the thing I am learning the most recently is about the humanity of my Lord. The more I see it the more amazed and humbled and comforted I am. His Lordship and Savior-hood are indeed amazing - but to think that He was like you and I and He would weep for a friend - and for many many others - makes it OK for me to weep.
But, as I said - I have had to broaden the subject of my tears in His honor, for His glory and because He did.
Father let me weep but let me not simply weep for myself and my loved ones! Let me weep for the brothers and sisters who struggle with every thing from the common difficulties here to the catastrophic difficulties here. When I weep for me, open the arms of my heart to take in Your body and the lost as well. Let my heart break yet make my soul sing in Your grace for Your creation.
Amen
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
How are you doing? doxy/praxy
Has anyone really asked you how you are lately?
Has anyone asked after your prayer life or your Bible reading?
Has anyone really focused on your walk and expressed a concern to be part of your growth?
In your distress and affliction, has anyone come alongside to pray with you? Has anyone come alongside to hear your worries and struggles and to encourage and admonish you in His love and grace?
Just wondering. It seems to be a lost art of the Body.
Orthodoxy - right belief and Orthopraxy - right practice seem to have been split or at least just ascribed to head stuff and not hear stuff.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)
Though the context in which we find this verse has to do with a brother or sister who has stumbled I can't believe that it is limited to that. Afflictions, difficulties, etc. are all times of temptations to sin. Should we wait until the temptations has overcome a brother or sister before we begin to bear their burdens with them?
There is never any reason or excuse for a believer to be isolated and alone. Yes, I know God is with them always - but He has also provided human servants and called them to serve one another diligently, sacrificially and lovingly.
I have served the isolated for many years and their pain and anguish is a terrible thing. I've known that isolation myself and to be honest, it is indeed, if not a faith killer at least a faith smother-er.
We tell those in distress to "trust God," and we are right in that BUT we have to come to that uncomfortable place where we ask, "What is my role in God's work in this my brother's or sister's distress?" We have to ask, "What must I do?"
See, telling folks to trust God is good. But when you see a brother or sister in need do you just dump them on God's door step or do you ask God how you need to trust Him in reaching out to those in need? I know, having worked with a lot of isolated believers that, "Trust God!" sounds and feel more like, "Lot's of luck, you're on your own!"
Yes, I'll be honest enough to share that this comes not just from my experience with the isolated but from my own experience as well. I have known the pain and fear, the terror of hearing, "Trust God!" and getting a pat on the back. Yes, this is kind of a "soap box" for me and to a degree about me. But God has blessed me with the opportunity to "be there" int he middle of the mess with folks who needed someone - some human believer - to stand with them in the mess and hold them up.
We spend so much time and effort and money fighting the "culture wars" that we let our own wounded languish. Yes, we do need to confront the culture but I believe we only do that when we are the church Christ calls us to be. There is now very real need for the church to be the church - and by that I mean to follow the example of those early isolated believers.
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Act 2:44-47)
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Act 4:34-35)
Has anyone asked after your prayer life or your Bible reading?
Has anyone really focused on your walk and expressed a concern to be part of your growth?
In your distress and affliction, has anyone come alongside to pray with you? Has anyone come alongside to hear your worries and struggles and to encourage and admonish you in His love and grace?
Just wondering. It seems to be a lost art of the Body.
Orthodoxy - right belief and Orthopraxy - right practice seem to have been split or at least just ascribed to head stuff and not hear stuff.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)
Though the context in which we find this verse has to do with a brother or sister who has stumbled I can't believe that it is limited to that. Afflictions, difficulties, etc. are all times of temptations to sin. Should we wait until the temptations has overcome a brother or sister before we begin to bear their burdens with them?
There is never any reason or excuse for a believer to be isolated and alone. Yes, I know God is with them always - but He has also provided human servants and called them to serve one another diligently, sacrificially and lovingly.
I have served the isolated for many years and their pain and anguish is a terrible thing. I've known that isolation myself and to be honest, it is indeed, if not a faith killer at least a faith smother-er.
We tell those in distress to "trust God," and we are right in that BUT we have to come to that uncomfortable place where we ask, "What is my role in God's work in this my brother's or sister's distress?" We have to ask, "What must I do?"
See, telling folks to trust God is good. But when you see a brother or sister in need do you just dump them on God's door step or do you ask God how you need to trust Him in reaching out to those in need? I know, having worked with a lot of isolated believers that, "Trust God!" sounds and feel more like, "Lot's of luck, you're on your own!"
Yes, I'll be honest enough to share that this comes not just from my experience with the isolated but from my own experience as well. I have known the pain and fear, the terror of hearing, "Trust God!" and getting a pat on the back. Yes, this is kind of a "soap box" for me and to a degree about me. But God has blessed me with the opportunity to "be there" int he middle of the mess with folks who needed someone - some human believer - to stand with them in the mess and hold them up.
We spend so much time and effort and money fighting the "culture wars" that we let our own wounded languish. Yes, we do need to confront the culture but I believe we only do that when we are the church Christ calls us to be. There is now very real need for the church to be the church - and by that I mean to follow the example of those early isolated believers.
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Act 2:44-47)
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Act 4:34-35)
But - we're not there. We haven't been there or a long long time. Perhaps this is what we need to repent of. This is not "communism," it is fundamental "Christianity." If the church is not being the church how can God add to it - why would He want to?
Some of you are indeed doing what we find those early believers doing and may God encourage and bless you greatly. Some of you would rather not put yourself in the position of having to trust God enough to follow the example of the early believers.
The church is seen in these Acts passages taking care of its own. Did they ignore the needs of those outside? I don't know. What I do know is that regularly, sacrificially and faithfully the "saints" cared for the "saints," and God added to their number those who were being saved.
It is a thing worth praying about and seeking His guidance about and following His example about - it is a good thing, a biblical thing, a faithful thing.
Father, let me not become so fixed on my needs both real and imagined that I forget that I may well have what another needs. Let me seek Your guidance and the power to trust You to follow the example my early brothers and sisters set.
May your Bride be faithful to You and to herself. May she care for her own, trusting You to provide. May we all be appropriately convicted and concerned for the example we find in these early believers as they trusted you to provide for all through Your blessings to each individual.
Forgive me for seeing only my own need and affliction and forgetting that I am a member, a part of a Body and that You not only provide me with what need but You provide for me to help others in their need as well.
Dear Father - let the church be he church.
Amen
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Psalm 69:20
Psalm 69:20 ESV
Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.
Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.
Been their? Done that?
I read this and my heart was pierced. I felt the weight of loneliness and abandonment. It was so very painful.
But as I considered the passage I realized that my feeling wan't fact because I indeed knew that we were pitied (not negatively) and that we has many comforters. BUT - I did have to look.
It wasn't pity and comforters I have to look at but rather my sense of having none. I had to confess that my sense of abandonment - of loneliness - of despair we due more to my expectations than any lack of these things. I had to confess that my "feeling" was due to not seeing any hero on the horizon - not hearing the bugle call of the cavalry coming to the rescue. I despaired because of my expectations.
It is not uncommon or necessarily wrong to look to people for help as God does use His people to comfort and care for one another. But I learned that we have to look to Him and not cast about for His means - especially those means we think He should use. We have to keep our desires, our godly longings and needs focused on Him first, foremost and always.
I also realized that our burdens - just by their existence - were burdens to others. There are others who hurt and ache for us. They call out o God for us. They call out to God for more than we know - for us. Family, friends, other believers - even other believers we don't know or know vaguely.
I was doing business with someone I sometimes use for computer fixes. I was in a particularly sensitive place in heart and mind. I guess it showed because shortly after leaving their place of business I got an email from them. They told me they noticed I was troubled and asked me what was wrong. I was overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude.
Here was another believer I didn't know well who was sensitive to my need just through my countenance (and probably the Spirit ;-}). They not only noticed but were willing to take action by inquiring and asking and lifting us up in prayer. God's hand was in this, I have no doubt.
What's the point here? I was looking to friends, family, business associated (all believers) and God threw me a curve ball. He sent someone outside my circle who noticed, asked, pitied (in a good way) and offered comfort. I was amazed and grateful but it took a while for me to see the depth and breadth of this blessing. I am reminded of:
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (Psa 121:1-2)
We typically look to "the hills" for help when we should be looking to the Lord. This is common because the flesh is still active and it's a nasty habit. We look everywhere thinking we are looking to Him when we really aren't. We try to "figure out" how He is going to answer our prayers and we do this figuring in the flesh. We think of people, circumstances, fate, coincidence, all kinds of things that He may use - but we fool ourselves that in doing this we are looking to Him.
Like God's people all throughout history we begin to seek provision through or from someone or something other than God. Time and time again we see believers being enticed away from God to sources that offer no hope. It is, unfortunately, a common thing but a bad thing.
Our "hope," our "trust," is only in Him.
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (Psa 130:5)
Father, may Your Name be glorified by my trust in You. Forgive my casting about, forgive my seeking in the flesh. I believe Father - help me in my unbelief. As a little child I come to You for comfort and correction and like a good Father You have always taken care for me.
Don't let me forget all the past and even the present mercies Oh Lord. Help my mind and heart be focused on Your faithfulness and Your glory.
You alone know my true needs and only Your provision can satisfy. Calm my heart and still the voice of the deceiver - give me good strength and courage to wait upon You and the rejoice that it is You I wait upon. For You can never be unfaithful to Your Word and promise.
Comfort and strengthen us. Let us see Your hand and sense Your love for we are afflicted and we are weak.
Amen
I read this and my heart was pierced. I felt the weight of loneliness and abandonment. It was so very painful.
But as I considered the passage I realized that my feeling wan't fact because I indeed knew that we were pitied (not negatively) and that we has many comforters. BUT - I did have to look.
It wasn't pity and comforters I have to look at but rather my sense of having none. I had to confess that my sense of abandonment - of loneliness - of despair we due more to my expectations than any lack of these things. I had to confess that my "feeling" was due to not seeing any hero on the horizon - not hearing the bugle call of the cavalry coming to the rescue. I despaired because of my expectations.
It is not uncommon or necessarily wrong to look to people for help as God does use His people to comfort and care for one another. But I learned that we have to look to Him and not cast about for His means - especially those means we think He should use. We have to keep our desires, our godly longings and needs focused on Him first, foremost and always.
I also realized that our burdens - just by their existence - were burdens to others. There are others who hurt and ache for us. They call out o God for us. They call out to God for more than we know - for us. Family, friends, other believers - even other believers we don't know or know vaguely.
I was doing business with someone I sometimes use for computer fixes. I was in a particularly sensitive place in heart and mind. I guess it showed because shortly after leaving their place of business I got an email from them. They told me they noticed I was troubled and asked me what was wrong. I was overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude.
Here was another believer I didn't know well who was sensitive to my need just through my countenance (and probably the Spirit ;-}). They not only noticed but were willing to take action by inquiring and asking and lifting us up in prayer. God's hand was in this, I have no doubt.
What's the point here? I was looking to friends, family, business associated (all believers) and God threw me a curve ball. He sent someone outside my circle who noticed, asked, pitied (in a good way) and offered comfort. I was amazed and grateful but it took a while for me to see the depth and breadth of this blessing. I am reminded of:
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (Psa 121:1-2)
We typically look to "the hills" for help when we should be looking to the Lord. This is common because the flesh is still active and it's a nasty habit. We look everywhere thinking we are looking to Him when we really aren't. We try to "figure out" how He is going to answer our prayers and we do this figuring in the flesh. We think of people, circumstances, fate, coincidence, all kinds of things that He may use - but we fool ourselves that in doing this we are looking to Him.
Like God's people all throughout history we begin to seek provision through or from someone or something other than God. Time and time again we see believers being enticed away from God to sources that offer no hope. It is, unfortunately, a common thing but a bad thing.
Our "hope," our "trust," is only in Him.
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (Psa 130:5)
Father, may Your Name be glorified by my trust in You. Forgive my casting about, forgive my seeking in the flesh. I believe Father - help me in my unbelief. As a little child I come to You for comfort and correction and like a good Father You have always taken care for me.
Don't let me forget all the past and even the present mercies Oh Lord. Help my mind and heart be focused on Your faithfulness and Your glory.
You alone know my true needs and only Your provision can satisfy. Calm my heart and still the voice of the deceiver - give me good strength and courage to wait upon You and the rejoice that it is You I wait upon. For You can never be unfaithful to Your Word and promise.
Comfort and strengthen us. Let us see Your hand and sense Your love for we are afflicted and we are weak.
Amen
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Anxious? To be or not!
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
(Mat 6:27) KJV
How "powerful" am I really? Sometimes i find myself thinking I'm pretty powerful. That is a mistake! Not that i have no talents, skills of abilities but I forget who they come from and who makes them effective.
It's hard to keep in mind, when we are doing good stuff, that it is all totally dependent upon Him - totally - utterly - of Him.
I was once advised to; "Pray as though it all depended upon God and to work as though it all depended upon me." Not good advise! I now "Pray because it all depends upon God and I work (or try to) in utter dependence upon Him."
I can't help but think of Saul (later to be known as Paul). He was "the man" (or at least one of them) in the Jewish religious institutions. He knew god, the Law, the traditions and by his own statement he was "the man." All that talent and training and effort--etc. and he still went the wrong way.
I think, that among other issues, Saul depended upon Saul a lot. I think it was something he dealt with through out his life and ministry. This is common to most of us and yet we need to pray for a sensitivity to it or accept the thorn that reminds us of it.
As i consider this passage from Matthew and the issue of anxiety I am mindful of what James wrote:
Now if our lusts can cause such distress among us surely they will cause the same within us. I can't help but consider that this is a great source of anxiety within the individual believers life.
What if, in affliction I struggle with praying for God will to be done and/or my relief/comfort/rescue/etc. I struggle with the fact that God is glorified in my weakness - even in my affliction and yet I want it to be over. This conflict just adds to the anxiety i experience.
It's the, "not my will but thine," conundrum. I get anxious concerning His will and my will being - well - different. It's not easy! Certainly I do not face the same cup Christ faced but our "cups" are always BIG to us.
But, there is one thing I find comfort in even in the cunnundrum!
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
(Luk 22:42-43)
Two things here. First, Jesus did not hesitate to take His concern to His Father. He quite clearly asks for this "cup" to be removed. So I take that to mean I may do the same. It also means I need to be willing to pray the whole prayer with one addition --- that we may have missed.
I will also pray for God's strengthening whether by the appearance of an angel, the presence of an angel, direct from God or through the Word and the Spirit (not to leave out the Body).
Father,
You know my anxiety and fretfulness in the current circumstances. You know I want You to make them go away. You know my weakness - my fleshiness - my self-centeredness. You know much more of my struggle than even I do.
I want to run from the circumstance but I fear that I would be running from You as well. That I do not want to do. I have been there and done that and I know it is not good.
I would ask for Your strengthening and Your comfort. I would also ask You to show me You in all this. The enemies assail my heart and torment my head and I need to hear You more clearly.
I am sadly afraid - but I take comfort in my Savior's prayer and His surrender to You will for us. I want very much to do the same but my feet feel frozen and I grow anxious - very anxious. I want to ask You to "help my unbelief," for I can't pretend there is no unblief in my mind and heart. I believe - help my unbelief!!!
Anxious, to be or not to be. 012413 x
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (Jas 4:1-3)
Now if our lusts can cause such distress among us surely they will cause the same within us. I can't help but consider that this is a great source of anxiety within the individual believers life.
What if, in affliction I struggle with praying for God will to be done and/or my relief/comfort/rescue/etc. I struggle with the fact that God is glorified in my weakness - even in my affliction and yet I want it to be over. This conflict just adds to the anxiety i experience.
It's the, "not my will but thine," conundrum. I get anxious concerning His will and my will being - well - different. It's not easy! Certainly I do not face the same cup Christ faced but our "cups" are always BIG to us.
But, there is one thing I find comfort in even in the cunnundrum!
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
(Luk 22:42-43)
Two things here. First, Jesus did not hesitate to take His concern to His Father. He quite clearly asks for this "cup" to be removed. So I take that to mean I may do the same. It also means I need to be willing to pray the whole prayer with one addition --- that we may have missed.
I will also pray for God's strengthening whether by the appearance of an angel, the presence of an angel, direct from God or through the Word and the Spirit (not to leave out the Body).
Father,
You know my anxiety and fretfulness in the current circumstances. You know I want You to make them go away. You know my weakness - my fleshiness - my self-centeredness. You know much more of my struggle than even I do.
I want to run from the circumstance but I fear that I would be running from You as well. That I do not want to do. I have been there and done that and I know it is not good.
I would ask for Your strengthening and Your comfort. I would also ask You to show me You in all this. The enemies assail my heart and torment my head and I need to hear You more clearly.
I am sadly afraid - but I take comfort in my Savior's prayer and His surrender to You will for us. I want very much to do the same but my feet feel frozen and I grow anxious - very anxious. I want to ask You to "help my unbelief," for I can't pretend there is no unblief in my mind and heart. I believe - help my unbelief!!!
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
(Mat 6:27) KJV
How "powerful" am I really? Sometimes i find myself thinking I'm pretty powerful. That is a mistake! Not that i have no talents, skills of abilities but I forget who they come from and who makes them effective.
It's hard to keep in mind, when we are doing good stuff, that it is all totally dependent upon Him - totally - utterly - of Him.
I was once advised to; "Pray as though it all depended upon God and to work as though it all depended upon me." Not good advise! I now "Pray because it all depends upon God and I work (or try to) in utter dependence upon Him."
I can't help but think of Saul (later to be known as Paul). He was "the man" (or at least one of them) in the Jewish religious institutions. He knew god, the Law, the traditions and by his own statement he was "the man." All that talent and training and effort--etc. and he still went the wrong way.
I think, that among other issues, Saul depended upon Saul a lot. I think it was something he dealt with through out his life and ministry. This is common to most of us and yet we need to pray for a sensitivity to it or accept the thorn that reminds us of it.
As i consider this passage from Matthew and the issue of anxiety I am mindful of what James wrote:
Now if our lusts can cause such distress among us surely they will cause the same within us. I can't help but consider that this is a great source of anxiety within the individual believers life.
What if, in affliction I struggle with praying for God will to be done and/or my relief/comfort/rescue/etc. I struggle with the fact that God is glorified in my weakness - even in my affliction and yet I want it to be over. This conflict just adds to the anxiety i experience.
It's the, "not my will but thine," conundrum. I get anxious concerning His will and my will being - well - different. It's not easy! Certainly I do not face the same cup Christ faced but our "cups" are always BIG to us.
But, there is one thing I find comfort in even in the cunnundrum!
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
(Luk 22:42-43)
Two things here. First, Jesus did not hesitate to take His concern to His Father. He quite clearly asks for this "cup" to be removed. So I take that to mean I may do the same. It also means I need to be willing to pray the whole prayer with one addition --- that we may have missed.
I will also pray for God's strengthening whether by the appearance of an angel, the presence of an angel, direct from God or through the Word and the Spirit (not to leave out the Body).
Father,
You know my anxiety and fretfulness in the current circumstances. You know I want You to make them go away. You know my weakness - my fleshiness - my self-centeredness. You know much more of my struggle than even I do.
I want to run from the circumstance but I fear that I would be running from You as well. That I do not want to do. I have been there and done that and I know it is not good.
I would ask for Your strengthening and Your comfort. I would also ask You to show me You in all this. The enemies assail my heart and torment my head and I need to hear You more clearly.
I am sadly afraid - but I take comfort in my Savior's prayer and His surrender to You will for us. I want very much to do the same but my feet feel frozen and I grow anxious - very anxious. I want to ask You to "help my unbelief," for I can't pretend there is no unblief in my mind and heart. I believe - help my unbelief!!!
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