What's God been teaching...Part 2

From last week’s devotion (scroll down): “We must know His Word thoroughly – so that we know the heart of our God – it’s all in there. We were made for heaven, not earth. It’s so easy to hold tightly to earthly pleasures and comfort, isn’t it, even if it means rejecting the sovereignty of God and choosing bitterness?”

This was bringing me to point #2 of how I would answer the title question.

If seeking comfort from what this world has to offer is our goal – and we build our life around that pursuit, trying to insulate ourselves from pain and discomfort – we’ll miss our calling. Now this is serious. Miss my calling? I surely don’t want to get to the end of my life, meet Jesus and have Him show me all I missed because I was all about me being comfortable here on earth. We are each created with a God-given need for comfort. It’s important! It shows up when we’re tired, bored, hurt, angry, and many other times. It’s our choice where we will seek the comfort we desperately desire. As women, I’m sure we can all relate to certain comforts we are drawn to – relationships (healthy and unhealthy), shopping, food, etc.

A few weeks ago, something happened that really put me in a bad mood. I mean, I knew my attitude for the day (and possibly upcoming days) was on the line. How would I handle the disappointment and frustration? Our enemy, Satan, wasted no time giving me options.

I thought a cute pair of sandals, especially if found on a clearance rack, would do the trick. Or would it be eating some really fattening foods that I know aren’t good for me – all day long? Yes! I liked this idea. Indulge! I knew I would feel better. At least for a few minutes. It didn’t take long before the other voice kicked in (see John 10). The Holy Spirit whispered a truth I had heard from a favorite speaker just a day or so before. Seek to the God of all Comforts in our time of need, not earthly comforts. He has everything we need.

Yes, that was the right answer. I took a moment right then to purpose in my heart that I would seek comfort from God and God alone that day. No chocolate, no shopping, no girlfriends. Just God.

Of course you know what I’m going to say next. He showed up. He always does. He reminded me of many, many attributes of God that are for me and for the situation. He sees. He knows. Nothing happens that He is not fully aware of. My job is to not throw a fit because I didn’t get my way. My responsibility is to accept both the good and the bad, the wanted and the dreaded, from God’s sovereign hand. To handle the negative with maturity and grace, trusting He knows what is best. Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.

I didn’t say it was easy. But I want to be a Daniel – to decide to honor God in every area of my life with resolve. To trust Him without reservation or hesitation. Even if I don’t understand it. No turning back – even if it gets tough. One thing I know for sure is that God honors those decisions.

The situation still hasn’t changed – but my attitude has. Had I fallen for Satan’s temptation, I bet the outcome would have been different. It would have been a rotten day and I would have felt guilty for indulging. Chances are, I probably would have sinned with my mouth and heart as well by sharing my bad mood with everyone who came along my path. Likely I would have been confessing sin by the end of the day. “It” (life) really is all about Him. And I want Him more than I want anything else. The cool thing about that is that He will give us more and more of Himself as we seek Him with all of our hearts not just on good days, but on the hard ones too.

2 Cor. 1:3, 4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

Did you notice the last part of the verse? It takes us right back to last week’s devotion. The challenge was to invest in others. God doesn’t waste a thing. When we go to Him for comfort and receive it, He expects us to turn around and give it to someone else.

This makes sense! Ask God to make you aware this week, girlfriends, of what earthly pleasures you might be depending on for your comfort. Now I’m not talking about air conditioning on a steamy day or sneaking a bite of chocolate before bed. I’m talking about subtle habits or even dangerous addictions that keep us satisfied enough to not go to God. Our world is full of people who don’t know any better than to seek comfort from “stuff”. We know better and can offer it to them. Don’t be satisfied enough. Want God more than you want anything else – and then go get Him! Be victorious!

Next week....#3

What's God Been Teaching You Lately?

Ever had someone ask you that question and you just don’t have the time or well-crafted words to seize the opportunity to answer it justly? I have, and I thought, since I haven’t written in a while I’d pretend you just asked it of me.

Before I begin, keep in mind these are random thoughts. If they somehow connect as you read them, it will be the ministry of the Holy Spirit to you. For sure.

Spend your life pursuing God and investing in people. If you do this, when the dark days of grief and pain come (and they will), God will raise you up. He’ll do it through His Spirit and through the people you’ve invested in.

Since last Wednesday night when I learned of the tragic death of Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest adopted daughter, I’ve been grieving. Back and forth between tears, prayers and wondering how they’re going to get through this. He and his family are experiencing crippling levels of pain and loss. God will get them through. How do I know this? Because they’ve built mountains of faith on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word. In my humble unsolicited opinion, I believe SCC to be the most godly, humble Christian artist with utmost integrity. (Just listen to any one of his songs or attend a concert to hear his heart and you’ll know what I mean. Each song reflects Steven’s deep and growing-deeper relationship w/the Savior and the truths he has discovered in God’s Word.) I’ve been reading updates on how they are doing from Steven’s manager, Jim Houser’s, blog. (http://www.stevencurtischapman.org/ - to read it all). Here’s one small excerpt:

“If you couldn't be here, the Chapmans have felt your love too. Yes, web stats are just numbers... but in this case they reflect love. In the first 24 hours after Maria's untimely death was confirmed, over 31,000 people shared their condolences; (now over 18,000) 225,000 people watched the Maria video; $100,000 donated to Maria's Miracle Fund, 715,000 people visited SCC.com's blog In Memory Of Maria; and Dale, our web guru, had to change the configuration of the site because traffic was so heavy it was literally crashing the server. 715k may not be a lot if you're U2, but in our music circles that looks a whole lot like 5 months of traffic in one day.” Not to mention hundreds who showed up at their church the first night and over 2,000 who attended the memorial service - italics mine.

Says a lot about a person, doesn’t it? Says a lot about how God has provided us love we can touch when we need it. Who says God isn’t here in the flesh? Oh yes He is.

Now that some of the hardest days have passed, I’m not worried about the Chapman family. I know they are going to make it. Long ago they put their faith and trust and HOPE in God. They’ve shaped their lives around a relentless pursuit of His Will for their lives. They will accept both blessing and pain from the hands of the Father. And, for sure, they will glorify God even in this.

Of course, the question has to be asked: Could that be said of me? Could it be said of you?

In order to secure the right answer, we have to believe God with reckless abandon. We must know His Word thoroughly – so that we know the heart of our God – it’s all in there. We were made for heaven, not earth. It’s so easy to hold tightly to earthly pleasures and comfort, isn’t it, even if it means rejecting the sovereignty of God and choosing bitterness?

This, of course, brings me to #2 (see the Holy Spirit really is connecting them) – but how much time do you really have today? And how much can we digest without forgetting what we’ve read? So, I’ve made an executive decision – this will be a 3-part series of devotions (as I still have 2 more big thoughts).

Lots to chew on today, ladies that I love. Don’t despair. Don’t lose heart. Your God loves you. Pursue Him all the way. Hold nothing back. He’ll show you that He’s worth it. And focus your life on sharing with others what He has taught you. The body of Christ – what an awesome thing!! We need each other in the triumphs and valleys. I’m grateful today for all those who have reached out the Chapman’s – and who have reached out to me in my times of need. I love you all. And I hope to be there for you when you need the arms of God wrapped around you.

And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day's problems; live in vital union with Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done. Col. 2:6-7 TLB

Here's all our family w/ Mr. Chapman last fall here in Syracuse!

May Days

For someone who loves words and has so many, I haven't written lately. It's been a pretty busy month.

• Something I've been dreaming and praying about for some years manifested itself. The first meeting of Women's Ministry Connect - "In Good Company" happened right here in my home. Area Women's Ministry Coordinators came together for breakfast, prayer, encouragement and strategic ministry planning. What a joy!
• Scott and I celebrated 18 years of marriage. We thank God for this gift and for maintaining our love for so long. Many, many more to come we pray!
• We travelled without the kids to Lancaster, PA to redeem a Christmas gift. We watched Daniel and Abraham and Sarah at the Sights and Sounds theater. It was wonderful! Highly recommended. Go when you can!
• Drew was inducted into the National Honor Society at Faith Heritage School. Proud mama and daddy! He got his permit the same day and now we have a full-time chauffer.
• We've grieved along w/the Steven Curtis Chapman family who lost their daughter last week. It's a journey of emotion even from here. Don't you love the body of Christ?
• I finished my new favorite book (that I bought for my boys) "Do Hard Things - A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations". Uh-huh. You can tell from the title, can't you? It's a must read. Written by teens for teens by Alex and Brett Harris. Get a copy!

Enjoying a low-activity week focusing on abiding with Christ. He is near and good. And I love Him so.

Long Time No Blog

Well, it's been over a month. Quite a few things have happened since I last wrote.

1. I had a root canal.

2. I had a physical (11 years overdue) and my first mammogram.

3. I went on a 2 week vacation in Florida w/Scott and the kids.

4. I turned 40.

The last one really was the "biggie". 40? How did this happen? One thing's for sure - it was fun! I enjoyed 2 surprise parties, 2 family celebrations and tons of great cards and gifts!

The greatest of all was a book that one friend and mentor gave me 40 days before the big day. In it, she had compiled devotional thoughts/pictures/memories/well wishes and prayers from all sorts of different people I've loved over the years. One each day - for 40 days. So many surprises!! Who can beat that? Wow did I feel loved. Do I feel loved.

When I finally got to the end I was emotional (i.e. I cried). I had savored every page each day for 40 days - never looking ahead and I knew I'd be in withdrawal when it was over. But I was floored by the simplicity of the finale. It was a table of contents where the author's names were listed under the title "Happy Birthday from all of us". Whew. Speechless. (if you can imagine that.)

What an incredible collection of past and present "investors". I wondered how there could be so many important people willing to take the time to give me the gift of words. And I'm talking meaningful words. And funny words. And God's Words. Undeserved for sure, but humbly and hugely appreciated. Perhaps it's one of the greatest mysteries I'll try to unravel.

Did I mention that I saw the movie Nancy Drew and loved it? I now realize she is a kindred spirit as I am a fellow sleuth. So don't try to get anything by me....I pick up on clues.

Back to my point, I consider this volume a gift directly (almost) from the hand of God. He knows when His children need encouragement. He creatively brings it to us in a way that will matter and speak loudly of His great love (i.e. blow us away). I certainly heard it. The crazy thing is that in my opinion, these "authors" are the ones that deserve the encouragement for giving so much to this life. For without God and without them - it would be nothing.

If you are reading this and were a contributor, it was the happiest birthday ever. And I love you.

If You Had Only Known

Last week to celebrate Palm Sunday, I read through each of the Gospel accounts of the Triumphal Entry. The day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a humble donkey. People laid out their coats for Him and waved palm branches chanting phrases we are familiar with but rarely utter aloud. “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord” and “Hosanna in the highest”!

While each gospel is similar, some details are different. The one that jumped off the page and grabbed my attention was in the book of Luke. Jesus was coming through town as I described above which made some religious leaders very nervous and uneasy. Check out Luke 19:38-42.

“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ He replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’ As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.’”

First, the fact that the people were making a lot of noise praising God for Jesus and His coming kingdom is exciting. Their day had arrived. The one they’d been waiting for. The Savior, right in their midst. Some knew it and did what comes naturally when the supernatural coincides with the natural – break out into praise.

One would think the religious leaders would be out in front of the parade. After all, they were the studied, the experts of the law of God, weren’t they? Why weren’t they participating at the very least? Instead, they were telling Jesus to keep the people quiet. I just love His response. My paraphrase – “better let them go – nothing can stop ‘em! If they don’t do it – you’ll have more happening than you’ll know what to do with.”

Secondly, Jesus’ response when overlooking the city of people He came to save, who rejected His message and His love. Jesus was so overcome with emotion that He wept. And those next words are powerful. What did He mean by “if you had only known on this day what would bring you peace.”? He meant that this moment was prophecy fulfilled! Daniel and Zechariah predicted this day. It’s so sad they didn’t see it – and weren’t looking for it. And because they didn’t, the dark consequence is that ‘now it is hidden from your eyes’.

What I see here are some practical applications for us. I’ll put it simply.

1. Know Scripture so that you know what’s happening in your world. When things come to pass as the Scriptures predict (and there’s still so much more to come, friends), let’s be expecting it – not caught unaware and then skeptical.
2. See with new eyes and fresh understanding that Jesus came to give us peace. You know that is what we are all looking for. No worries, no wondering, instead, a firm faith in God who is trustworthy.
3. The dangerous consequences that illumination is a window of opportunity which won’t always be open. If we choose not to see, we’ll lose the ability. He weeps when we choose not to notice Him or believe His Word.

Easter is a triumphant day. New life. Spring. Eggs hatching. Bulbs blooming. It’s all related. And it’s all because of Jesus. We celebrate Christ’s victory over the grave. We recognize His resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead. We, too, can live in victory over sin and death. That’s the whole point.

Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who lives in you.”

I pray that you will let loose this weekend and cry out “Hosanna” to your King. Call Him “blessed”! Recognize that He came for you. He came to give you peace. His gift is resurrection power living inside you to give you life – abundant life!

And He came to bring your friends and neighbor’s peace. They are looking for it. I hope they see it demonstrated in the life of every believer. Do they see the peace of God in your life? Peace that says we are loved and our futures are secure in Christ. Not dependent on works or prayers or effort.

So take a moment to offer Jesus’ gift to someone you know who is not at peace. Not with life. Not with man. Not with God. Someone who is a worrier. Someone who is trying to control every aspect of his/her life. Someone who lives in fear of the future or maybe even fear of the present or past. Bet you know someone, just like I do. We’ve got a glorious message to tell.

We’d better get moving – just like the ladies and the disciples at the tomb did when they realized that all He said was true! Remember what the angel said – “I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” Matt. 28:5-6