From a fellow blogger, Karenzai
Author: albertvredenburg
QUIET BEAUTY
The earth is an amazing place and quite diverse in its features. And there is always quiet beauty to be found. Spring, here in the Central Valley of California, is filled with blossoms and flowers. The abundant rainfall we experienced this season has made the surrounding hills alive with wild flowers. There is colorful beauty all around us. My back yard is no exception.
When I walk in my garden I find peaceful contentment. The fragrance of the flowers and their varied colors work into my soul and cause me to relax. I often feel closer to God. It dawned on me that I’m actually experiencing God’s nature in the midst of his creation. He made all of these wonderful things that I’m enjoying. In the very nature of God there must be quiet beauty.
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
THE RESURRECTION
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. “
Jesus is alive! He was raised from the dead on the third day. We celebrate Easter because everything that Jesus came for is completed with his resurrection. From his birth, to his death on the cross, and then his resurrection, the miraculous plan of God for our redemption was accomplished. For us we can be confident that life does not end in death because Jesus overcame death. God raised him from the dead, and he has promised to raise us. Eternal life is his gift to us.
I like Paul’s analogy in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 where he compares resurrection to the planting of a seed. You put a seed in the ground and bury it. If conditions are right, a living plant rises from the ground. What comes up is totally different in appearance than the seed you planted, but it has new life. When we die and are buried, our bodies as we know them are finished, but when we are resurrected, we’ll have a new body. Unlike the old body, our new body has eternal life which is God’s gift to us.
Jesus is alive! All that we hope for is centered on this truth. If Jesus is not alive than what do we have? Yet, he is alive, and our future is secured. Praises be to God! We are like little children standing in awe and wonder at what God has done for us. The greatest gift has been purchased, and it is now freely given to you and me. Oh what amazing things you have done, our holy and wonderful God, through Christ Jesus our Lord.
THE RESTORATIVE PROPERTIES OF EASTER
I find it always happens when I’m busy. You know. I’m busy working to accomplish my goals focused on the cares of this world. God begins to fade into the background as an abstract concept. It is very easy to ignore God for a time. Then Easter comes. “Oh, Hi God, I’ve been busy.” “I’m looking forward to eternity with you, but I have these things to take care of now.” It sometimes takes me the whole of Easter week to refocus to the reality of God’s presence.
When I’m busy, I’m full of pride and self-concern. From this position to the humble place of kneeling at the foot of the cross is a long distance. One of my favorite scripture for the journey is from 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” As I contemplate these words the tasks that so occupy my thoughts begin to fade. Though I don’t see Jesus physically walking down the street, the reality of the steps he took some two thousand years ago, and there eternal significance, loom before my mental eyes, and I’m transported to his place of sacrificial love.
As the week proceeds and I think about what Jesus did, that which I am busy about dwindles to its temporary, insignificant place in the light of Jesus’ death and resurrection. I can finally humbly kneel at the foot of his cross, and there I’m refreshed in my relationship with the God of creation. And oh what peace I find there. Burdens are lifted, and priorities are clarified.
I pray that the restorative qualities of this week of Easter celebration may find you and work an eternal transformation in your soul. Happy Easter!
WHY PRAY?
Have you ever thought why pray? God’s going to do his plan. He’s not going to alter it for me. It’s a place of frustration. I’ve been there. In relationships we sometimes give the other the silent treatment when we’re angry or frustrated with them. God is patient; he waits for us. When we break the silence it is often with an expression of that anger and frustration. God created humans. He’s not going to be surprised by this. However our communication with God is unlike our communication with our fellow humans because it is spiritual.
When I speak with others I use motions and expressions as do they. My communication is much more than verbal. I recently taught a lady from China how to drive in America. She spoke almost no English, and I speak no Mandarin Chinese. We were successful. She now has her license. Communication happened even without the verbal aspect.
The communication dynamic is much different with God. First, he already knows what we’re going to say, and he knows the motivation of our hearts that is behind what we’re going to say. This leaves us with no opportunity for sly manipulation of the conversation. We can’t read him as we speak, therefore no guile can be involved. The conversation is straight forward. His answer comes in his time from an all knowing perspective. This causes us to learn patience and humility.
So why pray? Communication is required in every relationship. The most important relationship we have is with our creator. We communicate with him through prayer. We have his word to help us grow in our communications. He wrote a whole book to help us. So even though I don’t always understand God, and I’d like answers now and according to my will, I know he knows best. I have learned to trust him.
One of the most beautiful pictures of our prayers is from Revelations 5:8.
“And when he had taken it (the scroll), the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”
If you are going through one of those times where you wonder “why pray”, I hope this has been helpful. Just remember, your prayers are incense in the throne room of heaven.
THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES CONTINUED
Last week I wrote about how the devil schemes against us through lies. The lies are often distortions of the truth that plant an idea in our heads. That idea can color every aspect of our life, and hinder us from experiencing healthy relationships. Let me give a simple example: “The reason you are treated this way is that you are not good enough.” The situation you are facing may easily support the lie. If you buy into the lie, and the subsequent reinforcement from the devil’s whispers, your entire life will now be tainted by the idea that you are not good enough.
Of course the lie can’t be true. You exist therefore God planned for you to exist, and Jesus died on the cross for you. You are good enough! But if you believe you are not good enough, it is hard to change your mind. The devil is winning in your life. The damage has been done, and you need healing. Only Jesus can heal this distortion and bring you to new life. Only Jesus restores our souls.
In the armor analogy found in Ephesians chapter 6, the only offensive part is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. The word of God tells us that God loves us. Use this fact against the lies of the enemy. Trust in God, and the shield of faith will extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Once you receive healing from Jesus put on the “Full Armor of God”.
THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
We have an enemy that we cannot see. This enemy is of the spiritual world. How do we defend ourselves? The ensuing list from Ephesians 6 tells us with this armor analogy:
The belt of truth
The breastplate of righteous
Feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace
The shield of faith (which extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one)
The helmet of salvation
The sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God)
These are to help us stand against the devil’s schemes. Let’s take a look at how the devil works.
In Genesis chapter three we get our first look at the enemy’s methods. He uses three devices. One, question the truth, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Two, dispel the truth, “You will not surely die.” Three, set a temptation, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God knowing good and evil.”
Here’s an example of how it plays out today. Everybody says that drugs are bad, but are they? You surely won’t become addicted. Look at all the fun your friends are having. You don’t want to miss out. Yes, the scheme is still the same, and we are just as vulnerable as Eve. The way these lies are communicated is through suggestions, whispers in the ear, or through someone who has already bought the lie. The devil is always scheming. The plan is to steal, kill and destroy (See John 10:10). He and his helpers are constantly busy. What lies and temptation is he setting before you?
I will continue this topic next week.
THE VALUE OF SUFFERING
I have been wondering about what value might be in my current suffering. My body is suffering through the aging process, and the trials and difficulties of life seem somewhat greater than in the past. I am a little overwhelmed. During prayer the other day, I felt encouraged to look in the book of 1 Peter. This is what I found.
In 1 Peter chapter 4, Peter reminds us that Jesus suffered in his body. Here are the first two verses of chapter 4 as they read in The Message:
Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from the old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.
I deduce from these words that my sufferings are helping me to get over myself, so to speak. They are setting me free from the blinders of self pursuit and opening my eyes to the broader purpose of what God wants. This passage is telling me the value of suffering. I find it comforting to know that suffering has value. It’s still suffering, nothing great about that, but there is an outcome that is valuable.
As I examine this idea of value in suffering, I comprehend the growth. I now see the hand of God in my provision more readily than I have before. My dependency on him has become more obvious. My eyes are more directed toward him. I am gaining from my suffering! Now I am encouraged. Walking through the current difficulties now seems a little easier. I will focus on God, and relax in his strength.
THE SOURCE OF LOVE
On Sunday we celebrated Valentine’s Day, the holiday of love. The word love stimulates a flurry of images, but what is love? When I first encountered love, I was willing to put aside all other things and become single focused. Love was about receiving. Now I know that love is giving as well as receiving. I have learned that love is caring for and giving to someone else. Love inspired me to step beyond self-concern and focus on the needs of another. Love is about relationship. Yet I wonder how love got into my heart. Where did it come from?
This whole topic has been stirred by reading 1 John chapter 4, and I think it provides answers for the above questions. The apostle John first tells us that Love comes from God (verse 7). In verses 8 and 16 he states that God is love. I conclude that the reason I have love in my heart is that God put it there. In verse 19 John says, “We love because he first loved us.” When I love someone, it is because God loves me. I am, though imperfectly, a reflection of his love.
The Apostle Paul clarifies for us what love is in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, “Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” Since God is love, these verses highlight his character. God loves us with these attributes.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) God made the eternal declaration of his love for us via the cross. The Bible tells us of his love, but on the cross he demonstrated his love. The great source of love has given his love to us in an irrefutable act. God loved us in this sacrificial way in order to restore our relationship with him. His command to us, love one another. May his great act of love grow and flourish in our hearts.
WHAT JESUS DID
A couple of weeks ago my wife was reading to me from Revelations chapter 5.
It starts:
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals”
As I listened to these words the significance of what Jesus did on the cross expanded from an occurrence on the earth to a universal, infinite event. Jesus’ work on the cross is pivotal in God’s plan for his creation, and Jesus alone is worthy to bring about our transition to eternal life. Jesus’ sacrifice has blossomed in my understanding to something awesome and everlasting. The cross will forever remain at the center of our existence.
Having this broader understanding has refreshed for me the coming Easter celebration. Everything for Christians is centered upon Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection. Nothing else can compare with this. He alone is worthy to bring to us salvation and eternal life. Everything of eternal significance rests on what Jesus did.
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