I was reading the first couple chapters of Malachi the last few days and it struck me to write about something that made me go "whoa."
When a verse makes you go "whoa" you know you have been hit in the gut and you want to just bow completely head to toe and say "Lord, I am so sorry," or "Lord, if I have done that -- please, please forgive me."
Here is the whoa moment.
Chapter 2 conludes this way in verse 17 : "You have wearied the Lord with your words.
'How have we wearied him?' you ask. By saying, 'All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them' or 'Where is the God of justice?'"
It made me think immediately of two specific things. When I hear pastors or proclaiming Christians say God is ok with homosexuality -- that it pleases him... Whoa. How wrong. I could write a book on that one, but I will not go further. Look up scripture on that one yourself. It's wrong because the Bible says so (I Timothy 1:10 is an example pure and simple).
Secondly the "Where is the God of Justice?" Whoa. I imagine this one has found me at fault at some point in my Christian walk. One person recently looked at a sick individual in her youth and said to me, "This is the only time I question God."
I have learned to not make that statement anymore. When we ask why -- it may feel normal, and it is. We are human and God says so. Read Malachi 2 and see the verses before this last one about the adulteress situation and the tears of "why." But God is mighty and sovereign. We must, we must believe it. We can ask why -- but not question his justice. He is just. When that murderer goes free from a sentence -- God is just. When that pedophile manages to escape the law, God is just. When politics control everything we do -- God is just. It makes him weary to know you believe otherwise. When you have an intimate relationship with the Creator through His Son, the last thing you want to do is make him weary. You honor Him. You may question. But You honor him. Dig deep into the Word today. Don't be afraid to dig deep. You will draw nearer to Him if you do. And you will find more of those verses -- as you grow -- that make you say "Whoa."
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi%202&version=NIV
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Content in a Christ-less world
Read Philippians Chapter 4
"Cry out, 'Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.' " -- I Chronicles 16:35
I admit I wasn't happy with the election a couple weeks ago. But before all of the supporters of our President throw bricks at me, let me say this is not a political blog.
I prayed for God's will and I am satisfied with whatever answer that may mean. Scripture talks about being content no matter what (Philippians 4:11). And so I must stick by that.
I could list all of the ways our country is failing -- my own home state is considering actions that will giving marriage a new definition. Nowhere in scripture is marriage defined the way so many states are changing it.
Still, I am content.
I know my Redeemer lives. I know my King is on the throne. I know who rules. And I know He will make justice one day and we will all -- even I -- will be judged for every action and decision and opinion. That is so very humbling. So because of that I will be content and trust in He that is within me.
What are you complaining about this week as we enter Thanksgiving? I know we addressed this in the last blog, but it must be a real problem for some of us because it keeps getting placed on my heart (I must be at fault for my own complaints!). So as I encourage myself here, I encourage you. I still do not want to complain. We may live among the God-less, but we have so much to thank God for. We may feel life is unfair, but this IS life. Our mothers chose life. Be thankful for that. You may feel alone and tired of being alone and tired of doing everything on your own. Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things THROUGH CHRIST. There is no other way, friend. So keep complaining as long as you depend on yourself. Read what Paul said to the Philippians and apply it to yourself.
And.. " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." -- Philippians 4:8
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204&version=NIV
"Cry out, 'Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.' " -- I Chronicles 16:35
I admit I wasn't happy with the election a couple weeks ago. But before all of the supporters of our President throw bricks at me, let me say this is not a political blog.
I prayed for God's will and I am satisfied with whatever answer that may mean. Scripture talks about being content no matter what (Philippians 4:11). And so I must stick by that.
I could list all of the ways our country is failing -- my own home state is considering actions that will giving marriage a new definition. Nowhere in scripture is marriage defined the way so many states are changing it.
Still, I am content.
I know my Redeemer lives. I know my King is on the throne. I know who rules. And I know He will make justice one day and we will all -- even I -- will be judged for every action and decision and opinion. That is so very humbling. So because of that I will be content and trust in He that is within me.
What are you complaining about this week as we enter Thanksgiving? I know we addressed this in the last blog, but it must be a real problem for some of us because it keeps getting placed on my heart (I must be at fault for my own complaints!). So as I encourage myself here, I encourage you. I still do not want to complain. We may live among the God-less, but we have so much to thank God for. We may feel life is unfair, but this IS life. Our mothers chose life. Be thankful for that. You may feel alone and tired of being alone and tired of doing everything on your own. Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things THROUGH CHRIST. There is no other way, friend. So keep complaining as long as you depend on yourself. Read what Paul said to the Philippians and apply it to yourself.
And.. " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." -- Philippians 4:8
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204&version=NIV
Saturday, November 10, 2012
I want to stop complaining
Read Exodus 34:5-7
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
I sometimes make a growling noise when I have had enough. When children fail to finish their meals or clean up their rooms...when someone repeatedly criticizes me or my work...when it rains and I have to carry loads of grocery bags in the house...when the phone won't stop ringing...when my to do list is longer than I like and their are STILL only 24 hours in the day...
Yes, I get angry.
I often find myself shouting in frustration. It seems to make me feel better. But do we ever consider anyone else when we get THAT angry? You know what I mean...the kind of anger where the warm air begins to filter inside our nostrils and ear canals. The kind that may began with a sigh and end with the slam of a door or someone crying.
In essence anger is disappointment in the unfulfilled. Someone was supposed to do something. Something should not have happened.
We are --as it says in Lamentations 3:42-- "contrary." How often do we shout at God because of displeasure in our current circumstances? The big stuff makes us angry. Our marriage failed. Our bank account is empty. Our job is gone. Our health is poor. So we get mad at the one we think made this possible or perhaps the one we think should wave a magic wand and "Poof!" it's gone.
How patient he is with us. He had every reason to get mad at the people in Exodus 34. All they did was complain about unmet expectations. Every time the Lord provided for them. We think our moment of peace and happiness must happen NOW. We are stiff-necked. Read the last verse in this passage...He still makes a way for them and they should have no choice but to praise Him. Do they? Read further into Exodus and see. Then ask yourself, how am I complaining to God? He is so good to us.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
I sometimes make a growling noise when I have had enough. When children fail to finish their meals or clean up their rooms...when someone repeatedly criticizes me or my work...when it rains and I have to carry loads of grocery bags in the house...when the phone won't stop ringing...when my to do list is longer than I like and their are STILL only 24 hours in the day...
Yes, I get angry.
I often find myself shouting in frustration. It seems to make me feel better. But do we ever consider anyone else when we get THAT angry? You know what I mean...the kind of anger where the warm air begins to filter inside our nostrils and ear canals. The kind that may began with a sigh and end with the slam of a door or someone crying.
In essence anger is disappointment in the unfulfilled. Someone was supposed to do something. Something should not have happened.
We are --as it says in Lamentations 3:42-- "contrary." How often do we shout at God because of displeasure in our current circumstances? The big stuff makes us angry. Our marriage failed. Our bank account is empty. Our job is gone. Our health is poor. So we get mad at the one we think made this possible or perhaps the one we think should wave a magic wand and "Poof!" it's gone.
How patient he is with us. He had every reason to get mad at the people in Exodus 34. All they did was complain about unmet expectations. Every time the Lord provided for them. We think our moment of peace and happiness must happen NOW. We are stiff-necked. Read the last verse in this passage...He still makes a way for them and they should have no choice but to praise Him. Do they? Read further into Exodus and see. Then ask yourself, how am I complaining to God? He is so good to us.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
If You're Happy and You Know It....
Read James 1:1-17
You know the song. "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands."
How about this?
"If you're happy and you know it, pinch your thigh"? OR "If you're happy and you know it, twist your nose."
Ouch! What on earth?!
I read a quote in a Billy Graham book the other evening that made me think on a deeper level. It was about happiness.
The quote was from King George V and it said, "Happiness is not doing what you like to do. It is finding you like what you do not have to do. "
Here is a valid example. I hate to exercise. Haaaate it. Yes, the extra "a's" are there for a reason. Read it again. But my tummy was getting wobbly. My gut was protruding. The rolls were looking like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Get the picture? Good.
Anyhow, I knew I had to work out. So what do I do? I get a video of the most difficult exercise trainer in the universe. I can do this. I get to end of the "warm-up" and fall on the floor. This woman is a wacko. (Yes I said wacko in a devotional). I then get up and try to do more. I then collapse on my couch and sob. I will just keep growing. I will just inflate to look like Michelin Man. Why not? I can't do this. I don't like to do this!
Know what?
I did it anyhow.
I have not lost a gazillion pounds and I still have some fat around my waist. But my arms are stronger. I could not do one push up four months ago. I now easily do 20. Go, me. :)
And I started running. I once again feel like I am going to die, and I hate it. But I will do it because I know ultimately it will make me healthy.
In James, the author says in verse two and verse three: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Yes, there is joy in pain. I mean real pain. Emotional pain, too. When you are at your lowest, who do you cry out to? When you are at your highest who do you forget? Most people ignore God when things are great. When we hurt we say "God, help me."
Here is something to chew on.
A man who is rich with things -- albeit material or lots of food, lots of friends -- he is happy, right? Or is he? I am not talking necessarily about money, though that is some of it. He ultimately feels empty and unsatisified and unfulfilled.
Look at James 1:10-11 "But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business." It is temporary. When we seek happiness in any area but with God it is temporary. Flowers are beautiful but they are not eternal. If the only way we get to God is in our misery how often do we need to rejoice when we are there? Every single time. We don't want to readthe Bible. We don't want to go to church. We don't want to do more than pray now and then. BUT -- if we do what we think we don't want to do the reward is greater. It is not a reward of having all your bills paid or meeting Mr. Right. It is a reward in knowing fulfillment.
I pray you will join me in the coming weeks as I write about this in this blogger devotional. I will put a link to the Bible verses at the conclusion. You too will see it hurts to "work out" but you will want to continue on when you see your arms are stronger and you can do those emotional "push-ups."
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:1-17&version=NIV
You know the song. "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands."
How about this?
"If you're happy and you know it, pinch your thigh"? OR "If you're happy and you know it, twist your nose."
Ouch! What on earth?!
I read a quote in a Billy Graham book the other evening that made me think on a deeper level. It was about happiness.
The quote was from King George V and it said, "Happiness is not doing what you like to do. It is finding you like what you do not have to do. "
Here is a valid example. I hate to exercise. Haaaate it. Yes, the extra "a's" are there for a reason. Read it again. But my tummy was getting wobbly. My gut was protruding. The rolls were looking like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Get the picture? Good.
Anyhow, I knew I had to work out. So what do I do? I get a video of the most difficult exercise trainer in the universe. I can do this. I get to end of the "warm-up" and fall on the floor. This woman is a wacko. (Yes I said wacko in a devotional). I then get up and try to do more. I then collapse on my couch and sob. I will just keep growing. I will just inflate to look like Michelin Man. Why not? I can't do this. I don't like to do this!
Know what?
I did it anyhow.
I have not lost a gazillion pounds and I still have some fat around my waist. But my arms are stronger. I could not do one push up four months ago. I now easily do 20. Go, me. :)
And I started running. I once again feel like I am going to die, and I hate it. But I will do it because I know ultimately it will make me healthy.
In James, the author says in verse two and verse three: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Yes, there is joy in pain. I mean real pain. Emotional pain, too. When you are at your lowest, who do you cry out to? When you are at your highest who do you forget? Most people ignore God when things are great. When we hurt we say "God, help me."
Here is something to chew on.
A man who is rich with things -- albeit material or lots of food, lots of friends -- he is happy, right? Or is he? I am not talking necessarily about money, though that is some of it. He ultimately feels empty and unsatisified and unfulfilled.
Look at James 1:10-11 "But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business." It is temporary. When we seek happiness in any area but with God it is temporary. Flowers are beautiful but they are not eternal. If the only way we get to God is in our misery how often do we need to rejoice when we are there? Every single time. We don't want to readthe Bible. We don't want to go to church. We don't want to do more than pray now and then. BUT -- if we do what we think we don't want to do the reward is greater. It is not a reward of having all your bills paid or meeting Mr. Right. It is a reward in knowing fulfillment.
I pray you will join me in the coming weeks as I write about this in this blogger devotional. I will put a link to the Bible verses at the conclusion. You too will see it hurts to "work out" but you will want to continue on when you see your arms are stronger and you can do those emotional "push-ups."
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:1-17&version=NIV
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