Awesome Works

On April 23, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 145: 6

They tell of the power of your awesome works – and I will proclaim your great deeds.

It is my turn to proclaim God’s mighty and great deeds. This goes back to the Word of the Day entitled Fingerprints. Fingerprints was about how God takes care of so many details in our lives, many of which we never would have known to pray about. It is the blessing of God which follows us around looking after us. So today I am going to tell you one of the stories which inspired that devotion.

I have been having work done at my house. Because of that I needed to move things out of the way of the contractors. One day I carried a load to the storage unit. While there, I received a phone call. Most of the time I was unloading, I had on my headset and was on this call. My attention was a bit more on the caller than on what I was doing. That night, when I went to bed, I realized I did not remember putting my fold up futon in the storage unit. I remembered taking it off of the cart but not putting it away.

The next day, I went back over to the storage unit and didn’t see it anywhere.  I opened up my unit and, indeed, it was not there. I went to the office and spoke with the attendant who said she didn’t know of anything like that left out or turned in, but recommended I call and speak with the manager. The next day I called and the manager said there was nothing turned in like that. I figured it was gone and just hoped it would bless someone.

Each night when I went to bed my thoughts were haunted by that futon and I tried to remember what happened. I also worried about what else I might have left out. It’s been two months now. Recently, I went back over to the storage unit. As I walked to my unit, I went down the adjacent hallway. To my extreme surprise, laying there in the hallway was my futon, but not only my futon but my camp mat, kayak bag, and a vacuum cleaner. Are you kidding me? Father preserved my possessions for me for two months. No one took my things. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. I didn’t see any of those things when I went back to my unit right after it happened, but there they were right in the hallway.

I have no explanation other than that God is great. It is amazing to me. I promised God not to be so distracted next time and to keep my mind on what I was doing. Mostly, I praised Him. Now you know one of the reasons I wrote Fingerprints. Father is out there taking care of my life when I am oblivious to my actual needs. I am so sorry the unsaved don’t know Him and don’t have Him to help with all the things life tosses at us. It sure is good to have a Father who is paying attention and looking out for us. Amen and praise God!

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Thinking Time

On April 22, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Philippians 4: 8         TPT

Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.

I should have sent this verse long ago in light of the challenging year we have had. This verse is a key not only to enduring challenging times but to rising above them. I chose the The Passion translation because it tells us to keep our thoughts continually fixed on that which is honorable, pure, respectable, kind, etc. That is an important element. It is so easy to let our thoughts, and our words for that matter, slip into the negative, detrimental, unkind, critical, facetious, etc. We really must set a guard over our lips and focus our attention on speaking and thinking those things which edify and encourage.

The NASB uses the word lovely, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable . . ..” These words create a high standard. God doesn’t want our thoughts wallowing around in the gutter of negativity, conflict, and destruction. It isn’t healthy for us and those thoughts, and subsequent words, are harmful to society. We are supposed to keep our thoughts to those things “that are excellent and worthy of praise.” If a thing is not worthy of praise, it should not be taking up time and space in our minds and spirits. It is like introducing a cancer into your spirit. You don’t want that.

You know, when we were kids, we were told that if we couldn’t say something nice, we shouldn’t say anything at all. I think the adults got that from this verse. If it isn’t praiseworthy, don’t say it and definitely don’t fix your thoughts on it.

We have been through a crazy year, a year unlike anything we have experienced before. It has been such a challenge at every level of existence. It is time, now, for us to pick up the pieces and restore nations and communities. We descended down into pits and wallowed far too much into muck but now we have fought our way out of the pit and back onto level ground. Do not allow ongoing challenge throw you back to the ground. Lift your eyes to heaven and let your thoughts, words and actions glorify God.

If it wouldn’t annoy you, I would write this Word of the Day in all caps to emphasize how important this is. I know how challenged your heart and spirit have been. I know how you’ve wanted to lash out at someone for all the indignation you feel you have suffered. We have all been frustrated and angry. That’s on us. However, we have a God who is love and kindness. Therefore, to fuel our recovery we must meditate on thoughts which are congruent with His character. We must stop tearing each other down, pointing fingers and complaining. We really must devote ourselves to prayers for others, kindness and charity. Let us heal and coalesce. Do not let your heart continue in dark thoughts or anger. Let your thoughts be of light and love. Consider the needs and concerns of others and make those a priority, even over your needs and wants. I know that sounds crazy but that is what the Bible tells us to do (Philippians 2: 3). And may the light and life of Jesus keep you.

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It Ain’t Over Yet!

On April 21, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Genesis 37: 5

Then Joseph had a dream.

When God gives you a dream, you have to hold on to it with both fists. In truth, when God speaks to us, or shows us a dream or a vision, we expect to see it begin to unfold immediately. Why does he give us a vision of our future or a promise of prosperity and a good life without immediately putting the plan into action? I think the answer goes back to Jeremiah 29: 11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

The emphasis should be placed on the word, “hope.” Joseph had several dreams in which God communicated Joseph’s purpose. He saw himself being elevated above his brothers and even above his father. The dreams were clear and they encouraged and excited Joseph. You have had one of those dreams too, or a word from God. The very next thing that seems to happen is that you are flung down into a pit.

You know the story of Joseph. From the pit he went into slavery. However, the blessing was on him and he prospered his master. Although he found favor with his master, the next thing Joseph knows, he is in prison. From the pit, to slavery, to prison Joseph must have been wondering about the great promises from God. “Did God lie to me? Was He wrong? Have I done something wrong and frustrated the purpose of God in my life?” These are all the same questions we have asked when the vision from God looks nothing like our life.

The story of Joseph is good reading, but it is not in the Bible just to make a good Bible story. It is there to encourage us when our lives are in the pits. I am sure Joseph had his moments of doubt, but he hung onto the promise of God and believed despite his circumstances.

The facts don’t count. When we are in bondage, bowed down with the weight of life, we need to hold fast to the dream God has given us. There may be days of doubt, but we need to remind ourselves that God is not a man that He can lie. He will deliver us to the promised land. When you are feeling like life is the pits, and you wonder where God has gotten off to, remember Joseph. God fulfilled every dream and saved the nation of Israel through Joseph. He became the second most powerful man in Egypt behind Pharaoh. Not bad for a slave boy.

Don’t give up! The story isn’t over yet!

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Freak Out!

On April 20, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Lamentations 3: 41

We raise our heart and hands toward God in heaven.

I well remember the first time I went to a Charismatic church. I was the guest of a friend. It turned out that she and her husband attended the same church as someone I greatly respected. I wonder if she chose our seats intentionally because this man that I admired was right in my line of sight as I looked to the podium.

Imagine my horror when, during the praise and worship, my eye noticed movement and turning towards the movement saw that my “hero” had his hand raised towards heaven. I think God must have nailed my shoes to the floor because, though I was freaking out at this rock and roll church, I couldn’t move.

That church shook up my life. There were lots of people who raised their hands or swayed. There was probably even someone dancing somewhere. As much as it alarmed me, there was something there that, though I couldn’t identify it at the time, drew me. That first service mortified me, but you know what, I began driving over an hour every Sunday to attend services there. When the Associate Pastor started his own church, I went with him. To this day, he is the pastor of my heart. His ministry changed my life forever.

It is funny to remember how alarmed I was at my mentor raising his hand in church. From that initiation to becoming a founding member of the Associate Pastor’s new church is an interesting contrast. And yet, it was the most normal thing of all. I am glad my friend took me to church. Even though it challenged everything I thought I knew, I ultimately found truth and freedom, and after all, that is what we all seek. Just be warned, the truth you need may be cloaked in unusual raiment.

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Exploding Heart

On April 19, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 145: 1

I will exalt You, my God, the King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever.

How nice. Then again, how dry, tamed and devoid of emotion. Per usual, I took the verse from the New American Standard Bible. Now, see it from one of my other favorite translations, the God’s Word Translation, “I will highly praise you, my God, the king. I will bless your name forever and ever.” That is a bit better, I would say, but when you know more context for this psalm you might still question the uninspired choice of words. This psalm is a “Song of Praise by David.” It sure does not sound like David. Now, allow me to share the Passion Translation’s rendering of this verse, “My heart explodes with praise to you! Now and forever my heart bows in worship to you, my King and my God!” There you go! That’s better. Those words sound like David.

The NASB is my preferred version, but I use many Bible translations in order to get at the fullness of meaning. Today’s verse is one of those times when the NASB needs some help. It shows our stoic, rather constrained, British Biblical heritage. David wasn’t a western thinker though. He was a man who poured out his heart to God in hundreds of songs. He praised God with his entire being, singing and dancing with abandon. I think David would make me a bit uncomfortable. I quite like the restrained nature of some church’s worship. I must ask, though, is it really worship and can it qualify for praise. I find, too, as time goes by, I find myself less satisfied with it and will even admit it feels a bit stifling. Don’t get me wrong, I am not ready to dance like David, but I do find myself wishing I could.

Many of us would criticize people who praise like David. They make us uncomfortable. We used to condemn them as “too emotional.” I have begun to question myself in this regard because we are discussing praise to an entity who describes Himself as what we would define as an emotion, Love. Maybe Yahweh is emotional. Maybe Jesus is. We seem to have made this verse over in our image. We praise God with our hands in our pockets while David danced so energetically that he danced his clothes off. I am certainly not ready for that, but I bear in mind that God called David a man after His own heart. Then I think about how David praised God and sang love songs to Him. Thus, I begin to question my style. Maybe Father would like for my face to look more like there is feeling behind my words.

David could not refrain from shouting and singing. He couldn’t hold still because his heart was bursting with his love of God. There is no way I can criticize him for that, even if I am secretly glad he isn’t standing right next to me in church. Maybe someday, I will praise like David. Maybe someday the whole church will lose its inhibitions. Then perhaps we will all shout and sing our praises to God!

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Released to Grace

On April 16, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Luke 6: 37

Do not judge.

Do you want to move from law and condemnation to grace and mercy? I can help you with that and I want to because being the keeper of the law is burdensome. Judgement exacts a price. It taxes your spirit, but it is also dangerous to your physical health so let’s set you free!

Spiritual Law – You cannot give away what you cannot receive.

People who judge others tend to be people who are hard themselves. If a person has difficulty receiving grace from God for themselves, they will tend to be rough on others. Though they may be nice people, lovers of God, their lives have a tinge of bitterness. You will often see a harsh edge to them. It seems to come from nowhere but there is a source, and it is self-loathing. They expect near perfection of themselves and transfer that rigidity to others. Now, the funny part about it is that they don’t always seem to be super self-critical. They sometimes give the impression of being self-impressed. None the less, what is needed is the fullness of grace and, indeed, it is the thing we all need.

I have noticed that some of the most critical people are the folks who seem to have their stuff together. The people who know they are a mess or have come from messy situations are so grateful for the grace of God that they tend to be a little less critical of others. They have a self-awareness that remembers the messy condition they were in before Jesus touched them. Those “Holier than Thou” people have cleaned up well, perhaps better than the rest of us. The strain of their judgments, though, is killing them and they deserve to be free. The critical spirit is a cruel task master.

We can become so wedded to the law that we fail to move in love. Our judgments precede us, rather than the love of God. As I wrote earlier in the year, it is easy to be judgmental because people are fallible. We are all one step away from doing or saying something stupid. So, when we look around us, opportunities abound for judgment. Here is the thing though, it is a crippling of our own spirit. Were we to actually forgive and accept ourselves, we would find ourselves less likely to judge others. If we will accept the grace and forgiveness the Father offers us, then we gain the ability to extend the same to others. It is our own self-condemnation that makes us so judgmental. If we will love ourselves and let the Father love us, if we will accept the love He has for us, then we can love others despite their shortcomings.

Our place is not to judge. We learned that from Jesus. What we may not have understood is that he gave us that advice to protect us, not others. It is our spirits which he was concerned about. He and Father want to share all their love with us, to hold us in their arms letting us know that we are accepted. When we allow them to fully love us, we will have love enough for our fellow human beings.

Grace and blessing to you in the beloved name of Jesus!

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Grace & Judgment

On April 15, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

John 3: 17

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

Many of us know John 3: 16, but Jesus went further with his declaration of purpose. This idea goes along with the pronouncement that grace and truth are realized in Jesus. Judgment is an anchor around our necks, one which Jesus is here to free us of. Being judged is no fun but being the one with a judgmental spirit is just painful.

Grace means you are free to move from laws to principles. You are free to accept people  even when someone sets a foot awry. The law is very strict and it is judgmental. Law tends to be black and white. It is not gracious and kind. It takes people to add that gentility and forgiveness. Forgiveness and grace flow from the Father. Acceptance and understanding are beyond law concepts. That is not to say that we should pay no heed to the laws of the land or God’s laws. It is to say that grace is the ability to see beyond the law to the greater principle of serving one another in love. Grace does not mean lawlessness. It represents a higher degree of behavioral deportment. The law did not require Jesus to heal anyone. In fact, the law forbade him healing on the Sabbath. Grace, truth, mercy and the love of God required Jesus to show compassion.

Judgement was, and is, easy. The Pharisees did not need to lift a finger to condemn the sick or criticize Jesus.  The law required nothing of them.  Strict adherence to the letter of law would have left the sick in pain and torment.  It also condemned Jesus. The Pharisees were so stuck in their judgments that they could neither receive nor administer grace. Law and judgment are evil twins. If we, as a body of believers, lean towards law, then we will also find ourselves quick to judge. When we, on the other hand, are full of the grace of the Lord, we find it easier to minister forgiveness and understanding.

Tomorrow – part 3 of Moses’ Law and Jesus’ grace.

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