Trust

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 WHEN THE TIME HAS FULLY COME

(Galatians 4:4-5) But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

I have always been fascinated by the idea that God has a plan. This quote from Galatians 4:4, “But when the set time had fully come…” tells us that the timing of Jesus’ birth was planned.  Even today, in the midst of our daily life, God’s plan is unfolding. 

From the Christmas story, found in the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel, we can read the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. As you may recall, they were the parents of John the Baptist.  Zechariah was a priest; he and his wife Elizabeth were upright in the sight of God, yet they had been unable to have children.   In their daily life, they were faithful and trusted in God.  They desired to have a child, but they did not abandon God for his seeming failure to answer their prayers, even though they were both well along in years.

One day, at the appointed time, when Zechariah was ministering before the altar, an angel of the Lord appeared to him.  The angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John…” 

Have you prayed for something and thought that your prayer wasn’t heard?  Maybe, it just wasn’t the right time.  God has a plan that he is working out through history.  We only have a broad, very general insight into his plan, yet each of God’s children has a part in his plan. We are usually unaware of how we fit into his plan.  We just patiently trust in his infinite wisdom.  Don’t lose heart; stay faithful.  In faith we trust that God will complete his plan, and our part will happen as it should when the time has fully come.

Happy New Year!

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WAITING ON THE LORD

(Isaiah 40: 27-31)  Why do you complain, Jacob?  Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”?  Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Are you waiting on the Lord for directions? Are you getting impatient?  Dealing with our God who has infinite patience and knows all things puts us at a disadvantage.  We don’t have infinite patience, and we don’t know all things.  That’s where faith and trust come in.  I have found that waiting on the Lord is worthwhile.

If we wait on the Lord, we will be in his will for us.  I am a fellow traveler on this narrow road that God has set before us.  At times I have needed to wait, especially in my earlier years with the Lord.  I had to learn to put aside trying to find my own solution and continue to stay on the path set before me.  It wasn’t easy to let go and put my trust in God.

Through the years, there were times when I got impatient and took my own path.  I learned some hard and painful lessons.  This is when the Lord’s patience became apparent.  He allowed me to experience what it’s like to go my own way.  It wasn’t pretty, but it convinced me that waiting on the Lord is the way to go.

Now I actively seek God’s direction, and I wait for his answer.  I know what the alternative will cost me.  Waiting on the Lord is wisdom.  His timing is perfect timing.  As Isaiah says, “but those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strength”.

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THE UNSEARCHABLE MIND OF GOD

(Romans 11:33-36) Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out!  Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been his counselor?  Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?  For from him and through him and for him are all things.  To him be the glory forever! Amen.

As we read this statement made by the Apostle Paul, we are given the opportunity to stand in awe of the God we serve, and to recognize how far he surpasses our understanding.  Paul gives us a clear perception of our God.  

When I address God in prayer, I sometimes think I’m being too familiar.  I know God wants to be personal with his children, yet I’m talking to the creator of the universe.  This passage helps me to gain a better perspective and be in a more reverent place as I speak to God.

When people say things like, “why did God let this happen to me?”  I have only one answer, “I don’t know”.  Who can explain all that God does, or what God allows?  The scriptures lead us to know that he has an overall plan to bring about an eternal kingdom for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.  How the individual events of our lives are part of this is unknown to us. Only God knows.  His ways are not our ways. 

What God is doing far exceeds our ability to understand.  We surrender our way of thinking to his infinite wisdom and knowledge.  In some ways this is comforting.  Who would want to serve a god who didn’t know more than they themselves?  Our comfort rests in our faith – faith that trusts in his love for us.    To him be the glory forever!

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THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF LIFE

(Psalm 30:6&7) When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”  Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

Did you ever have one of those days when everything was going right?  The sunrise surged forth with glorious rays of light, and the sun shone bright throughout the day.  With the sunset you were praising the Lord for a wonderful day.  Apparently King David had a time when all was right with the Lord, but then came a time of darkness. He felt that the Lord had turned away from him.  So it is for us all, the highs and lows of life are inevitable.  We have good days, and we have bad days.  We have days of praise and days of crying out.  But, eventually, we remember, there is never ending hope in the Lord.

When life rains on your parade, look for the rainbow of promise.  In verse 8, David cried out to the Lord, “To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy…”  When the day brings dark clouds, we can patiently wait for the clearing, for there is always hope in the Lord.  Cry out to him. For even though you feel he has turned his face from you, He’s never far away.

God will never forsake us. Eventually, as with David, we come to a time of praise.  Verses 11&12, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.  Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”

A new day is coming; the dark clouds will be blown away.  When the dark clouds come, ask yourself, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

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BEING AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS

(Philippians 4:9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

Acts 9:1-19 tells the story of Saul’s conversion.  From there, he went on to bring the words of Jesus to many lost souls. Thousands were drawn into the kingdom of God.  After many years of ministry, he wound up a prisoner in Rome for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, as he became known, was able to confidently say these words to the people of the church he started in Philippi.  Here we are two thousand years later reading these words that give us direction and a distinct challenge.

As a Christian, when I read this verse it sends me into reflection.  The obvious questions I ask myself, “Could I say these words to anybody; should I be able to say these words to anybody?”  I have the New Testament which reveals to me the teaching of Jesus, what he said I should do, and how I should live out my life as a child of God, yet I know my life still falls short of fully following his teachings.  Paul not only knew Jesus’ teaching, but he also knew the battle that we wage against our sinful nature.  (See Romans chapter 7)

In Philippians chapter 3 verses 10-12 Paul makes this statement, “I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already attained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Jesus has taught me to love others, to forgive them, and be patient with them.  Trusting him and being content with his provision makes me a kinder more relaxed person.  However, I have not followed these lessons completely. The writers of the Bible have done their jobs in leading me to Jesus and teaching me his ways to the point that living in the Spirit is my heart’s desire, but the sinful nature is always waiting to trip me up.  Fortunately, the Holy Spirit gives me power to resist temptation, and my love for Jesus strengthens me. 

I’m ever improving as I follow Jesus.  I believe all of God’s children fit into the ever improving but not yet perfected category.  I guess we are all the not yet perfected examples of what it’s like to be a child of God.

 Could I say the words that Paul said to the Philippians?  Well, I’d rather just walk side by side as a brother in Christ, then to say follow my example.  Nonetheless, if someone wants to follow me, they will find me seeking the ways of Jesus, because that’s my goal. 

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JESUS – HUMBLE SAVIOR, MIGHTY WARRIOR

 (Matthew 28:18) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

In Revelations chapter 5, Jesus is called the Lamb of God, and he is also called the Lion of the tribe of Judah.  Now a lamb is a humble defenseless animal, whereas the lion is a ferocious king of the beasts. We have these two examples because God created them that we might understand the various aspects of his Son. 

When Jesus came to earth some two thousand years ago, he healed the sick, raised the dead, walked on water, casted out demons, and gave many other supernatural signs.  He taught the people and cared for them.  He did not wipe out all evil with a mighty hand.  He came as the Lamb of God and humbled himself allowing men to take his life on the cross.  Then God raised him from the dead.  His death and resurrection fulfilled his purpose for coming.  He paid the debt we all owed for our sins and set us free from the law of sin and death.

Jesus is coming back. This time he will come with a different purpose.  At his second coming, he will come as the Lion.  In Revelations chapter 19, we can read what that will be like.  Jesus will bring the long awaited for and patiently withheld judgement of God.  Those who have put their trust in Jesus and received his redemption will go on to eternal life. Those who have continued to indulge evil will be judged for their sins.  At that time Satin and his followers will be handed their final defeat.

Jesus the Lamb of God and Humble Savior came to spread God’s love and mercy to his created ones.  Jesus the Lion of the tribe of Judah and Mighty Warrior will come to bring God’s judgement to those who have rejected his love and mercy.  We shouldn’t take Jesus too lightly.  He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  It’s not too late to accept the offer of salvation he brought to us as our Humble Savior.  For those who have chosen to reject his offer, they will face him as the Mighty Warrior.  

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GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT

(1Timothy 6:6-8) But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

(Godliness – Devoted to God – having the divine qualities of God)

(Contentment – a state of happiness and satisfaction) 

  The Apostle Paul tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain.  In our consumeristic society it is hard to imagine being content.  But wouldn’t it be great to live devoted to God, have his divine qualities, and live in a state of happiness and satisfaction?  That would be great gain indeed.  Well, I think that will be our natural state in eternity.  Reaching that state here in our earthly dwelling is a challenge.  Paul’s instruction to Timothy here in chapter 6 helps us find the path to godliness and contentment.

In the first five verses of Chapter 6 Paul talks about how we should treat each other.  What I get from these verses is that focusing on the needs of others and letting God take care of us is the best way to Godliness and contentment.  Our lives should be entrusted to the hand of God whatever our situation.  It’s much easier to be Godly when we surrender to the fact that God is in charge, and trust him with our basic needs and social status.  Our position in life is a part of God’s plan for us.  It is okay to be where God has placed us.  He knows best.

(1Timothy 6:9-10) Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Here in verses 9 and 10 Paul gives the final clarification of what can distract us from Godliness and keep us from contentment.  The love of money, and therefore the things that money can buy, leads us down a path of discontent and away from God. 

So we find in these verses the means to gaining a godly perspective.  Having a Godly perspective will set us on the path to Godliness and contentment.

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GOD’S HEART FOR EVERYONE

(1 Timothy 2:3-6 NLT)  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.  For, there is one God and one mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus.  He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

God wants everyone to be saved – everyone to have the freedom Christ Jesus purchased for them.  Everyone is an all-inclusive term.  All of humanity has been covered. This is God’s heart for everyone.  We have an open invitation to turn to our creator and to enter his loving embrace as he welcomes us into his eternal kingdom.  Mankind has been given a choice, shall we continue to walk blindly into our future or turn to God?

My wife and I have a new puppy that is just about to turn ten weeks old.  She is delightful and fluffy, and she keeps us entertained with her antics.   Her name is Pearl, and she is what they call a golden doodle, a mix of golden retriever and standard poodle. In the two weeks she has been with us, we have fallen quite in love with this little creature.  Of course, she is a puppy.  Training, cleaning up messes and loud noises in the middle of the night are challenges we face with this lovely addition to our daily lives.  When I say training, I refer to her training us as well as us training her.

The other evening, while my wife was gone to a women’s meeting, Pearl and I were lounging on the back patio.  I was reading and she was chewing.  She came over to me for some pets, and I decided to bring her up to my lap.  To my surprise, she jumped out of my lap onto the concrete floor and landed awkwardly banging her head.  I was very concerned that she might be seriously hurt, but she was okay. 

Since I was in the groove of studying for what to write this week, it dawned on me that this incident had parallels to what I was planning to write about.  God’s desire is for us to come to him, and receive his peace and comfort, but often we go our own way.  We jump right out of his arms and wind up hurting ourselves.  Pearl looked up at me from her fall with an accusatory look, like it was my fault that she got hurt jumping out of my lap.  It’s amazing how often we look back and blame God for our self-imposed hurts.

God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, has offered us the opportunity to put our trust in him and walk in his way.  Everyone has this offer before them.  Should we receive his gift and stay in the comfort of his lap, or should we jump off and go our own way?  It’s our choice.

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BEING HONEST WITH GOD

(1 John 1:8-10)If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Being truthful before God should be the easiest communication of all.  As I wrote about last week, God knows every detail of what happens on the earth.  So we can’t hide anything from God, for he already knows the truth about what we have done.  But when we go before him, he wants to hear the truth from us.  The above scripture points out the results of truthfulness before God.  “He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.”   And then he will, “purify us from all unrighteousness.”

God is faithful, just, and he loves his children.  Our Easter celebration was for celebrating what he was willing to do to make our forgiveness possible.  His only begotten son was crucified on the cross to pay the price for our sins showing God’s love for us.  Now the door is opened for our return to fellowship with God our father.  Not only are our sins forgiven, but Jesus rose from the dead – demonstrating the eternal life that he bought for us. 

Our relationship with God is safe.  We can trust him with our deepest secrets.  He is merciful, forgiving, and kind.  His love for us is undeniable.  Can we be honest with God?  No one else deserves our honesty more. 

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JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

(Colossians 2:8-10 MSG) Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk.  They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything.  They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spiritual beings.  But that’s not the way of Christ.  Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly.  You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him.  When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too.  His power extends over everything. 

It is very common for people to intellectualize Christianity.  But no amount of study or discussion can give a person what Christ has to offer.  When you come to him, when you open yourself to him, then you’re on the road to understanding how God planned your redemption, and from that premise, you have the foundation to study and discuss the wonders of God’s world. 

No matter how intelligent a person considers himself or herself to be, their reasoning is flawed in comparison to the one who created the universe and all it contains.  It makes sense to first seek- out this all powerful and loving being we call God.  For knowing God is the beginning of wisdom (see Proverbs 9:10).  I began to make sense of this life when I surrendered my will to God and received Jesus as my savior.  I was given understanding that was unavailable before God gave me his Holy Spirit.  Then the words of the Bible became illuminated. The Holy Spirit guided me as I read , and I began to understand God’s truth. 

(1 Corinthians 1:20)  Where is the wise person?  Where is the teacher of the law?  Where is the philosopher of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Jesus is the source of wisdom and knowledge. It all begins with him.  Clear thinking isn’t found in the words of man, but it is found in the words of God’s son. For those who desire to have wisdom and knowledge, you will find them in Jesus.