Trust

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GOD DOES NOT ABANDON US

(Hebrews 13:5) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

When we go through a time of struggle, does God abandon us?  For example, a struggle can be with our faith, our situation, or our emotions.  There are many things we can struggle with in our walk with God.  I recently struggled through an emotional stretch.  At times, I couldn’t even feel the presence of God.  I eventually discovered, God was there all the time.  He was just waiting for the right time to help me.

As an object lesson on what I went through, I have a kitten story to share.  It helped me understand God’s timing, and why he sometimes delays his intervention.

I have three kittens growing up in my garage.  They are very cute, and their antics are quite entertaining.  They have now reached the time of introduction to the backyard.  While exploring the backyard, they have discovered trees. They’ve discovered that climbing trees is easy; getting down is much more problematic.  Two of them have worked that out, but the third one got scared and needed to be rescued.  Her first three climbs ended in a rescue mission.  However, on the fourth climb, I just pulled up a chair and watched her struggle.

She made at least a half dozen attempts, moved forward then backed up.  Finally, she made it.  Since then, I’ve seen her do another tree and come down all on her own.  The lesson has been learned.

 I think in my case, God pulled up a chair and watched.  He was right there to save me, but he wanted me to learn how to handle the situation.  I gained a great deal from the experience.  The best part was that I recognized God did not abandon me; he just gave me time to learn.

God never leaves us or forsakes us. He is always there.  However, he might just wait in the background giving us time to learn.

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HOPE IN GOD

(Romans 8:24&25) For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently.

 (Hebrews 11:1) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

(Romans 4:18) Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

If you say, “I hope it rains tomorrow.”  What are the chances that what you hope for will happen? Now, if the weather man says it’s going to rain tomorrow, and the radar map show a giant storm coming, you have a fair chance it will rain tomorrow.  You have put your hope in the weather man and what you have seen.  But, if the weather man says there is no rain possible for the next 7 days, and he shows you the radar map and there is not a cloud showing for at least a thousand miles.  Your hope is not likely to come about.  However, the weather man is not always right, and neither are we.  We need to hope in a higher power.

Hope, “to desire with expectation of fulfillment” (from Webster’s dictionary).  Our expectation of what we hope for is only as strong as our faith in the power behind our hopes.  Christians put there hope in God.  When we hope in God, we hope in he who is very patient.  As in the case of Abraham and Sarah, they waited well past their childbearing years for the son that had been promised to them. They waited in faith.  They hoped in God’s ability to do what he promised.  In faith, they believed God, and the promised son was born.

Faith provides confidence in what we hope for.  Faith is built when we seek God and find him.  That allows us to be confident in hoping for his promises. We can be confident that Jesus will return and make all things right. Two thousand years ago, he promised he would return.  In faith, we are patiently waiting. Our hope is therefore the assurance we have until we see him coming in the clouds.  Then we will no longer need hope, for what we have hoped for will have been revealed.  It is wise to hope in God. 

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THE CORD OF THREE STRANDS

(Genesis 2:18) The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Throughout our 44 years of marriage, there have been times when my wife and I have spent time away from each other.  We are currently in one of those seasons. My wife is away tending to a sick brother. I find it emotionally painful to be apart, but it is somewhat beneficial in that our desire for each other is heightened.  From the beginning God acknowledged that man has need for a companion.  Though not clearly stated, our companionship was never meant to exclude God.

Forty-four years ago, two sinners came together to form an intimate relationship.  Would this relationship last?  Ah, they had a distinct advantage.  They both had recently formed a strong relationship with their creator. From the start, God was at the center of their union. What that meant is that in hard, difficult times, they had God to turn to.  When times went well, they knew who to thank. 

So here I am sitting alone at my desk, and what is on my mind?  Gratefulness to God for this beautiful, wonderful woman he brought to me those many years ago.  God has been so good to us.  I am thoroughly convinced that God has been at the center of our successful marriage.

(Proverbs 18:22) He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

(Ecclesiastes 4:12) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

God’s presence in any relationship is vital, because with him you can form a strong bond. Thus, “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” In marriage his presence makes all the difference. 

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THE SEVENTH DAY

(Exodus 34:21) Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.

(Galatians 5:1) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

I chose these two scriptures for contrast.  From Exodus God says you shall rest on the seventh day.  In Galatians, the Apostle Paul tells us that we have been set free in Christ.  So, do we have to rest on the seventh day?

My answer to this question is: It’s no longer a “have to”; It’s a “get to”.  What I mean by that is the Law was a way to identify disobedience; we now live by faith.  In faith, I trust that God loves me.  His ways are now my desire.  I trust that when he says take a rest, it is advantageous for me.

The benefit of a seventh day rest is the opportunity to get closer to God and closer to our brothers and sisters.  There are many ways to get closer to God and our fellow believers.  Church is an obvious choice, but how about a walk in the park or down a country road with Jesus.  Maybe a cookout with friends and neighbors for fellowship.  The important goal of a seventh day rest is to first honor our creator.  He alone deserves our worship, and he alone loves us enough to die for us.  The other important purpose is to clear away the stresses and exhaustion of the other six days.

Observing the seventh day is not always possible, but it is always helpful.  I’m remembering that Jesus said the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.  God established six days of work and a seventh day for rest because he designed us and knew exactly what we would need. Mainly, he knew that we needed him.  He set aside a day of rest for us, so we could have the time to be nearer to him.

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THE PROPHECIES THAT PREDICTED OUR REDEMPTION

(Isaiah 42:6-9) “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.  I am the Lord; that is my name!  I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.  See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

Isaiah wrote around the years 740-700BC.  The accuracy of his prophecies has been proven time and time again, and he is considered to be the greatest of the Old Testament prophets.  Here in this passage, he quotes the words of the Father about the coming of Jesus his Son.  Our Easter celebration is about the fulfillment of the Father’s plan of redemption. 

As Isaiah predicted, Jesus brought to us the new covenant for the people.  He brought light to us who live in this sinful world, and he has set the captives free.  We have been released from the dungeon of darkness.  All this has been offered to the whole world.  And we are celebrating with our whole hearts.   

Jesus carried the sins of the world to the cross.  He died for our sins, and on the third day, the Father raised him to life in victory over death.  I can’t think of anything more worthy of celebration than this.  May our gratitude overflow as we celebrate our Savior, Christ Jesus – the Son of God.

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DO NOT FRET

(Psalm 37:7-11) Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.  A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.  But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. 

 Have you ever been scammed?  What a horrible feeling when you realize someone has stolen your money, and that they fooled you into giving it to them.  Well, the words from Psalm 37 tell us not to fret; the wicked will lose in the end.    

We are also instructed to, “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil.”  When the initial shock of our loss is over, we need to be careful.  The scammer can steal something much more valuable.  We can lose our joy, peace of mind, and even be plagued by unhealthy fear.  There is also the danger of falling into a time of hate and a desire for revenge.  To avoid these reactions, we need to turn to the Lord our God.

To fret means to worry, agonize, and struggle.  That means if we fret over our loss, evil wins a victory over us that can lead to all kinds of destruction in our lives.  But if we are, “…still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” He will guide us into personal victory over evil.  Those who are evil and refuse to repent will be destroyed. “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.”

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THE DANGER OF THE UNSAVED WORLD

(Ephesians 4:17-19) So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.  They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.  Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

Isn’t it interesting that the world around the Ephesian Christians sounds like the present-day world?  Think about the words “futility of their thinking”.  In our times there seems to be frequent opportunity to form the question, “what were they thinking”?  As you read through today’s scripture, I think you’ll find that the Apostle Paul clarifies why the thinking of the world of today is illogical. 

Paul wanted the Ephesians to be careful to not fall into the darkened understanding and separation from the life of God that was going on all around them.  The world has definitely not changed regarding its spiritual condition.  Therefore, Paul’s warning is as significant for God’s children today, as it was in his day.

The common statement, “we are in the world, but not of the world,”2 is relevant.  We are members of God’s eternal kingdom, and no longer of this fallen world.  We are the redeemed, so therefore, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into living as Jesus taught us.  Jesus said that we are salt and light to the world around us.  So not living as the unsaved world is paramount.  We cannot be salt and light for our neighbors, if we are living the same life as those who live in darkness.

2 see Jesus’ prayer in John Chapter 17

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 TO OBEY

(1 John 2:3-6) We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.  Who ever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.  This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

When you think about the word obey, what comes to mind?  Do you cringe or perhaps get defensive?  These are normal reactions from us humans.  We don’t like someone telling us what to do. In order for us to want to obey God’s commands, a relationship of love and trust must develop.  I found this truth to be very helpful while working with children.  First, build a relationship with them, and then classroom control will be much easier.   We are much more likely to obey God’s commands, if we first enter into a relationship with him.

John tells us that if a person says they know God, but they don’t do what he commands that person is a liar.  I had an exchange with a young man once that illustrates this truth.  I asked him how he was doing with the Lord.  His response was that he was doing great with the Lord.  I knew that he was intimidating others to gain what he wanted from them, and he was selling drugs.  I therefore knew that he was lying about his relationship with the Lord.  At least I knew how to pray for him.

What are God’s commands? Jesus gave us a simple answer to this question and that is to love God and to love others.  Obeying these simple commands is not that simple because it requires us to surrender our will to God.  We give God the center place in our lives, and he teaches us how to love others.  That is not easy, but it is the best way to navigate this life.

 When we let go and put our trust in God, life becomes so much sweeter.  That’s why the song says, “Trust and obey – for there’s no other way – to be happy in Jesus – than to trust and obey.” *

*Song: Trust and Obey – written by John Sammis

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SHARING THE GOSPEL

(Romans 10:14) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?  And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?  And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

I was taught the Bible throughout my childhood.  Sunday school teachers and pastors taught me the Gospel of Jesus Christ and offered me the opportunity to receive salvation.  As a child of the 1950’s, even in public school, I heard the words of the Bible and prayed to God.  I said the sinners pray several times, and I was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. You might say I was well schooled in the Christian faith.

After the Navy, I settled into family life and soon started attending church because it was the right thing to do.  When the pastor asked if I would teach the High School Sunday school class, I said yes.  It wasn’t long until I became the youth director and leader of the high school youth group.

The teaching from pastors and Sunday school teachers of my childhood gave me a firm foundation of Biblical knowledge. They encouraged me, and they lived the faith before me.  The seeds were planted, and they began to take root.  Stubborn as I was, I finally surrendered my life to the Lord and began to live fully for him. The faithfulness of those who came before me led me to the calling God had always intended for me. 

Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in both word and deed is God’s will for all his children. We share the good news and leave the rest to God.  He is faithful, and his timing is perfect.  (1Corinthians 3:6 NKJV, I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.)  We partner with God to bring salvation to the world.

 I’m reminded of this old-time hymn which seems to define our part quite clearly, “trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, then to trust and obey.”

 (Lyrics are from the hymn “Trust and Obey” written by John H. Sammis in 1887)

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ALONE WITH GOD

(Mark 1:32-37) That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.  The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.  He also drove out many demons, but he would not let them speak because they knew who he was.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

Jesus ministered all day; and then in the evening, the whole town showed up requiring more from him.  He must have been exhausted.  How did he refresh?  Well, he probably laid down and went to sleep, but before daybreak he got up and went to find a place of solitude to meet with his Father in prayer.

I always knew about my need for sleep.  In my youth, I thought I could skate by with little sleep, but it frequently caught up with me.  The need for prayer and time with the Lord wasn’t so obvious. It took a while before I recognized this need.  Over the years, the awareness of my need for prayer and time with the Lord has greatly increased.  

It is often hard to find time to refresh, yet even Jesus needed sleep and a time of prayer.  I know from experience that skipping sleep and prayer might seem to be the way to get things done.  I found out that without sleep and time with the Lord my effectiveness was seriously hindered.   When I was teaching, I found myself shortchanging my student because I needed sleep.  I also found myself grouchy and unloving.  I needed sleep; but most of all, I needed time alone with the Father to refresh my soul.

You may be living a hectic life.  Jesus did.  How do we refresh to be able to handle the next day?  Jesus showed us the way.  Sleep helps to refresh the physical body; the soul is refreshed when we spend time alone with our God.