In “A Tale of Two Cities”, Charles Dickens has this to say:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way."
That is how I would describe the last eighteen months of my life. I know there are many of you who can relate to that as well. Along with the bad came all the good. Along with the foolishness came all the wisdom. Along with the faithlessness came all the faith. Along with the darkness came all the Light. With the discouragement came all the hope.
Through it all, there came a greater understanding of self …for that pain…I am grateful. Through all the discouragement…a new hope…a new direction. As God’s Word says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Everyday is a new adventure and has new potential to impact this world for the better. I want to be a good steward and a good servant to our God in Heaven with the time I have left on this earth. Phillipians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 9:24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain”.
Hebrews 12:1 “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”. We have to focus on this race…
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Winter
I know many of you can relate to what I’m going to say. The last eighteen months have been the worst and best. The best because I grew in understanding and the love of God. The worst because I had to go through a lot of heartache to get there. But….God is faithful.
Many of you have heard that some friends are for a lifetime, some for a season, and some for a reason. The last eighteen months, I learned that I sure didn’t have that one figured out. God knows who we need and when we need them. God is Sovereign and knows what will cause us to grow into the image of His Son. Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s joyful. It all comes together…….for our good and His glory.
I heard a great man talk about the seasons in our lives. He said we need to be thankful for the cold spiritual winters we have to endure. It is during winter that the bugs that damage our crops and parasites that drain the life from living forms are killed. It’s during those times that the flowers or “friends” in our lives are proven: “annuals” die and “perennials” endure. The “annuals” are for the “season” and for a “reason”. The “perennials” are for a lifetime.
Thank God for those times. It’s a purging, strengthening, resting time. It’s okay to be in the winter season. It may be lonely, but it is a necessary season set aside to rest from our labors and rest in Him. A season to increase communication with Him. A season of preparation for the Spring season. A season to get direction from Him, to get instruction from Him, to let Him prune us. It all takes time. Enjoy that winter blast. It has purpose. You have purpose.
Many of you have heard that some friends are for a lifetime, some for a season, and some for a reason. The last eighteen months, I learned that I sure didn’t have that one figured out. God knows who we need and when we need them. God is Sovereign and knows what will cause us to grow into the image of His Son. Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s joyful. It all comes together…….for our good and His glory.
I heard a great man talk about the seasons in our lives. He said we need to be thankful for the cold spiritual winters we have to endure. It is during winter that the bugs that damage our crops and parasites that drain the life from living forms are killed. It’s during those times that the flowers or “friends” in our lives are proven: “annuals” die and “perennials” endure. The “annuals” are for the “season” and for a “reason”. The “perennials” are for a lifetime.
Thank God for those times. It’s a purging, strengthening, resting time. It’s okay to be in the winter season. It may be lonely, but it is a necessary season set aside to rest from our labors and rest in Him. A season to increase communication with Him. A season of preparation for the Spring season. A season to get direction from Him, to get instruction from Him, to let Him prune us. It all takes time. Enjoy that winter blast. It has purpose. You have purpose.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Fruit and Roots
Just because a tree in the orchard isn’t bearing fruit, doesn’t mean it’s not part of the orchard. It could mean the tree hasn’t been planted long enough for roots to grow deep enough to bring nourishment to the branches to bear fruit. It could be it was just transplanted from another orchard, a greenhouse, or maybe a tree hospital…or whatever they may call it. We have to be patient with these trees. We may not see the fruit for a while. But, they’re still part of the orchard.
When the tree is big and older and not bearing fruit, something is wrong and needs to be investigated by those in charge of the orchard. There could be damage to the roots. There may not be enough sunlight. There may not be enough water. There may need to be some fertilizer for the roots. There could be something blocking the growth underground. There could be things that need to be removed from the ground and from the branches. A good pruning helps new life to come to the branches many times. Again, only the One in charge of the orchard can assign someone to prune the branches.
We are of the same orchard. We need to be patient. We need to pray. We need to help set each other free. As part of the orchard, we need to share our sunshine, water, and fertilize…even when fertilizer isn’t wanted. I believe that’s called correction and instruction in righteousness. But, there are some things another tree can’t do. The One in charge of the orchard has to handle certain things. He has certain assignments He gives to His helpers. He’s the Only One that can dig deep at the roots and remove what is causing the stunted growth. He’s the Only One that can dig below and find what damage may have been done to the root. Be led of the Spirit of God. Love endures all things. Love is patient and kind.
When the tree is big and older and not bearing fruit, something is wrong and needs to be investigated by those in charge of the orchard. There could be damage to the roots. There may not be enough sunlight. There may not be enough water. There may need to be some fertilizer for the roots. There could be something blocking the growth underground. There could be things that need to be removed from the ground and from the branches. A good pruning helps new life to come to the branches many times. Again, only the One in charge of the orchard can assign someone to prune the branches.
We are of the same orchard. We need to be patient. We need to pray. We need to help set each other free. As part of the orchard, we need to share our sunshine, water, and fertilize…even when fertilizer isn’t wanted. I believe that’s called correction and instruction in righteousness. But, there are some things another tree can’t do. The One in charge of the orchard has to handle certain things. He has certain assignments He gives to His helpers. He’s the Only One that can dig deep at the roots and remove what is causing the stunted growth. He’s the Only One that can dig below and find what damage may have been done to the root. Be led of the Spirit of God. Love endures all things. Love is patient and kind.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Roots
We’ve all heard that for a tree to be strong and stand against the elements, the roots have to be deep and strong. The roots have to get nourishment from the soil, the water, and the sunshine from the tree above. We’ve heard this so many times in parallel to our walk with the Lord.
This week as they tore up my driveway and are repaving it, I was observing some things related to tree roots and strength.
The reason I’m getting a new driveway is because the roots of this old fir tree literally raised tons of concrete about 6 inches in some areas as it continued to grow its roots. The roots broke all that heavy weight gradually over time and ended up cracking the whole driveway in many smaller sections. Now, the big root didn't reach all the way through the driveway. Because the one large root was grew so strong, the other concrete around it was broken up without much effort at the point of pressure.
1) As we grow stronger in the Word, we will be “rooted and grounded” in this life and, as the Apostle Paul said, “none of these things move me”. The storms will come, but we will stand strong because our roots are strong.
2) Because the roots are strong and continue to grow, they will remove “those weights that so easily beset us”. It will take time, but those pressing and weighty things in our lives, can be broken by our strong roots…the power of His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.
3) We are told to “break up that fallow ground” in our lives. At the area of the strong root growth, there was much resistance and weight on it. Once the root broke through that, the other areas were easily broken up around it. That weight had to be removed to get the other areas broken up as well. As we grow stronger, the job or breaking other areas up gets easier. We gain momentum.
4) And, just like the new driveway, “all things become new”. Remember, it’s all about process.
This week as they tore up my driveway and are repaving it, I was observing some things related to tree roots and strength.
The reason I’m getting a new driveway is because the roots of this old fir tree literally raised tons of concrete about 6 inches in some areas as it continued to grow its roots. The roots broke all that heavy weight gradually over time and ended up cracking the whole driveway in many smaller sections. Now, the big root didn't reach all the way through the driveway. Because the one large root was grew so strong, the other concrete around it was broken up without much effort at the point of pressure.
1) As we grow stronger in the Word, we will be “rooted and grounded” in this life and, as the Apostle Paul said, “none of these things move me”. The storms will come, but we will stand strong because our roots are strong.
2) Because the roots are strong and continue to grow, they will remove “those weights that so easily beset us”. It will take time, but those pressing and weighty things in our lives, can be broken by our strong roots…the power of His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.
3) We are told to “break up that fallow ground” in our lives. At the area of the strong root growth, there was much resistance and weight on it. Once the root broke through that, the other areas were easily broken up around it. That weight had to be removed to get the other areas broken up as well. As we grow stronger, the job or breaking other areas up gets easier. We gain momentum.
4) And, just like the new driveway, “all things become new”. Remember, it’s all about process.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
What Are You Listening To?
Critical self-evaluation. Our Enemy's accusation. Others' critical speculation. God's Word about our justification.
There should only be one of these we listen to and agree with. The only measuring stick is God's Word. He said we are justified through faith through His Son, Jesus Christ. He said our sins are covered. He said we are His kids...a royal priesthood. He said we are His workmanship. He said He has a plan, a future, and a hope for us. He said we are more than conquerors. He said we can come boldly to His throne of grace.........oh ya! GRACE! That's something we forget to tell ourselves in our evaluation. That's something other's forget to mention in their speculation. That's something the enemy doesn't include in his accusation. God's GRACE.....greater than all our sin! "Where sin does abound, GRACE does much more abound." It's not about deserving His grace. It's His gift just because He loves us. You can't earn it. His grace just abounds...whether we believe it or not...His grace abounds toward us.
We have to stop beating ourselves up. We have to stop wasting time. We have to stop walking in agreement with our Enemy. We have to stop thinking on critical self-evaluation, our enemy's accusations, other's speculation and start thinking about what God says about our justification. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. So think on whatsoever things that are pure, just, and of good report.....His Word about us is the "good report".
There should only be one of these we listen to and agree with. The only measuring stick is God's Word. He said we are justified through faith through His Son, Jesus Christ. He said our sins are covered. He said we are His kids...a royal priesthood. He said we are His workmanship. He said He has a plan, a future, and a hope for us. He said we are more than conquerors. He said we can come boldly to His throne of grace.........oh ya! GRACE! That's something we forget to tell ourselves in our evaluation. That's something other's forget to mention in their speculation. That's something the enemy doesn't include in his accusation. God's GRACE.....greater than all our sin! "Where sin does abound, GRACE does much more abound." It's not about deserving His grace. It's His gift just because He loves us. You can't earn it. His grace just abounds...whether we believe it or not...His grace abounds toward us.
We have to stop beating ourselves up. We have to stop wasting time. We have to stop walking in agreement with our Enemy. We have to stop thinking on critical self-evaluation, our enemy's accusations, other's speculation and start thinking about what God says about our justification. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. So think on whatsoever things that are pure, just, and of good report.....His Word about us is the "good report".
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Shed
I was cleaning out my shed the other day to reorganize, scale down, and get ready to move other things in for storage before winter. When I was compacting things, I had to organize tightly and to the ceiling. There were a few items that couldn't stand alone, or fit in some places because they were made of weaker material or were not in a convenient shape to store as organized as the other items. When I found little open areas, I was able to shove certain items into the holes and they were supported, able to stand up without leaning or falling.
The thought: this is supposed to be the Church. We are supposed to be so close to each other that we support each other no matter what shape we're in. There is no way the one that is weaker or of an inconvient shape should fall. If they are closely supported by all those around, they will not fall.
Of course, support means being there and available to support. Many "stronger" Christians don't sacrifice the time to be the support they should be. It's a sacrifice, but God has called us to "encourage each other in the Lord while it is called today". To stand, there needs to be support, i.e. encouragement and admonishment.
1 Thessalonians 5:
11Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
12Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
13And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].
Hebrews 13:3
13But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].
The thought: this is supposed to be the Church. We are supposed to be so close to each other that we support each other no matter what shape we're in. There is no way the one that is weaker or of an inconvient shape should fall. If they are closely supported by all those around, they will not fall.
Of course, support means being there and available to support. Many "stronger" Christians don't sacrifice the time to be the support they should be. It's a sacrifice, but God has called us to "encourage each other in the Lord while it is called today". To stand, there needs to be support, i.e. encouragement and admonishment.
1 Thessalonians 5:
11Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
12Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]--your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
13And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].
Hebrews 13:3
13But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Black Top
Did you know that the road commission doesn't order new black top down just because someone complained of a problem? They first get an official report stating there is repair needed or actually see the damage themselves and then investigate all areas that are in disrepair for that particular stretch of road. Sometimes the area can be fixed without laying down all new road, but many times, because of wear and tear of that stretch of road, many areas need repair. These areas have to be fixed before the new black top can be applied, otherwise, what looked so nice at first, will wear down into the old areas of disrepair. The new black top would look like the old road rather quickly because of continued use and "weight of traffic". They have to put down a good foundation before they can put the black top down.
Did you notice that "all" areas of disrepair are investigated for that stretch of road? And, did you notice that "they" investigate? This speaks to me of the ministry of the Body of Christ ..."they". This speaks to me of the wisdom and safety we find in a multitude of counselors ..."they". This speaks to me of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The road commission wants to make sure the road is stable before they invest all the money and time needed to put down the new black top. What if there was a sinkhole? Black top sure wouldn't do the trick there.
Sounds just like us. We want to do so much for the Lord and work in the Kingdom of God but we keep getting hung up. It seems we take one step forward and two steps backward. Many times we want the quick fix for our issues by covering them up and burying them so no one can see them. We don't want to let the Body of Christ help us heal. We don't want to get wisdom and counsel because it would reveal our "disrepair". We are content many times to go on with the familiar so no attention is drawn to the disrepair.
We all have areas that need repair. Sometimes we haven't allowed the Holy Spirit to heal us because it may be too deep and wide...too painful. Or, it may be pride in the way of asking for help. James 5:16 states: "Confess your faults (sins, hurts, etc.) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." Healing comes through confessing and then praying for each other.
God wants to do many new things in our lives. He wants to do abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). We may have learned more, grown deeper in our walk with the Lord, been used in a new area of ministry, but if we don't allow the Holy Spirit heal us, it won't be long before we're looking just like we did before. The same issues keep coming up and up and up. Those "weights" that so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us), will cause the disrepair to show through again. Let the Holy Spirit dig deep to heal those areas of woundedness so you will have a firm foundation for God to build you up for His Kingdom purposes and His glory.
Did you notice that "all" areas of disrepair are investigated for that stretch of road? And, did you notice that "they" investigate? This speaks to me of the ministry of the Body of Christ ..."they". This speaks to me of the wisdom and safety we find in a multitude of counselors ..."they". This speaks to me of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The road commission wants to make sure the road is stable before they invest all the money and time needed to put down the new black top. What if there was a sinkhole? Black top sure wouldn't do the trick there.
Sounds just like us. We want to do so much for the Lord and work in the Kingdom of God but we keep getting hung up. It seems we take one step forward and two steps backward. Many times we want the quick fix for our issues by covering them up and burying them so no one can see them. We don't want to let the Body of Christ help us heal. We don't want to get wisdom and counsel because it would reveal our "disrepair". We are content many times to go on with the familiar so no attention is drawn to the disrepair.
We all have areas that need repair. Sometimes we haven't allowed the Holy Spirit to heal us because it may be too deep and wide...too painful. Or, it may be pride in the way of asking for help. James 5:16 states: "Confess your faults (sins, hurts, etc.) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." Healing comes through confessing and then praying for each other.
God wants to do many new things in our lives. He wants to do abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). We may have learned more, grown deeper in our walk with the Lord, been used in a new area of ministry, but if we don't allow the Holy Spirit heal us, it won't be long before we're looking just like we did before. The same issues keep coming up and up and up. Those "weights" that so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us), will cause the disrepair to show through again. Let the Holy Spirit dig deep to heal those areas of woundedness so you will have a firm foundation for God to build you up for His Kingdom purposes and His glory.
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