As I contemplate the present (after six months on disability, my company is no longer obliged to take me back; a settlement remains unsure; lack of money has become a disturbing issue), and the future (there is little reason to remain in So Cal and a lot of reason to return to Idaho), I am once again reminded that there is much in life that we have little control over.
But much in life is also the result of our choices; we do indeed reap what we sow. I have made some awfully bad decisions over the years, and I have come to realize that far too often I came with them to God well after I had made the choice, looking for Him to somehow bail me out.
This time though, I am making an attempt to bring things to God BEFORE the choice is made. BEFORE I become mired in confusion and despair about how to deal with something I shouldn't have been involved with in the first place. BEFORE I wind up with more weeds to harvest. And wherever He leads, I pray that I will be willing to follow.
Giving our concerns over to God doesn't mean we can just ignore what is going on and we will miraculously be free of having to act. But it does mean acknowledging that the Lord is willing to guide us in the way He would have us go, and whether the path is smooth or rough, He has promised to be with us all the way. And indeed He is there right now, and we would do well to talk everything over with Him, beginning of course at the beginning.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 4:6,7
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Baby, You're A Rich Man?
One day on the way the Jerusalem, Jesus was confronted by a rich young man about what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus answered that the fellow knew the commandments of God, to which the rich man replied that he had kept them all of his life. Mark 10:21 tells us that our Lord, feeling genuine love for the man, went on to say that "There is still one thing that you lack...go and sell all of your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have inheritance in heaven. Then come and follow me." So the young man went away sadly, for he was very wealthy. Jesus then told His disciples that while it indeed difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom, nothing is impossible with God.
True enough, but what has that lesson to do with us. I'm sure that few among us would consider ourselves rich. But consider this, compared to the average person of Jesus' time, we are all rather affluent. Need an example? How much can you see from where you are sitting right now a whole lot of things that you could easily get along without. Things that would not only astound the people in our Lord's time, but might also surprise them that we have any real need for them.
Now it has been said that the message was for this particular man alone, because his "stuff" was getting in the way of his walk with God. But how many of us can find ourselves in the same situation? A dear friend recently quoted a well-known pastor in saying that if we are loath to part with things which God would have us give up, we do not own these things, but rather are owned by them. Does God really want us to part with any of, or all we have in order to serve Him? I don't know--that is between you and the Lord. But we would do well to consider what is truly important in our spiritual lives, and to never forget that we may well indeed be the "rich" that Jesus spoke of.
"...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
-Matthew 6:20-21
True enough, but what has that lesson to do with us. I'm sure that few among us would consider ourselves rich. But consider this, compared to the average person of Jesus' time, we are all rather affluent. Need an example? How much can you see from where you are sitting right now a whole lot of things that you could easily get along without. Things that would not only astound the people in our Lord's time, but might also surprise them that we have any real need for them.
Now it has been said that the message was for this particular man alone, because his "stuff" was getting in the way of his walk with God. But how many of us can find ourselves in the same situation? A dear friend recently quoted a well-known pastor in saying that if we are loath to part with things which God would have us give up, we do not own these things, but rather are owned by them. Does God really want us to part with any of, or all we have in order to serve Him? I don't know--that is between you and the Lord. But we would do well to consider what is truly important in our spiritual lives, and to never forget that we may well indeed be the "rich" that Jesus spoke of.
"...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
-Matthew 6:20-21
Saturday, May 15, 2010
When God Says No
"Lord, I have this great idea about what should be going on in my life. It would really make things better for me, for my loved ones, and of course it would allow me to serve you more effectively. Won't you please bless my wonderful plan?"
Let's face it--a good portion of the time, God's answer to our prayers is "no." So what's up? Is He mad at us? Are we being punished? Does He really care about us at all? Some times it can really seem that way. But we're dead wrong to think so. God loves us more than anyone else possibly could, and His love for us never changes, never dims, never is less that all the love He has to give.
So why do so many of our prayers seem to go unanswered, or answered "no." It's precisely because of that love He has for us. This may be a little hard to swallow, but much of the time we are seeking things that really aren't going to be good for us. We have this fleshly nature that can't help but think that it knows best. And a lot of our prayers aren't asking for God's will for us, but rather His approval for what we've already decided is the best thing we need. And believe this, my friends, He's not going to grace us with what isn't good for us.
So the question ought to be not why isn't God going along with what we are asking for, but are we truly praying for the guidance and wisdom of the One who knows All things. He knows far better than we about what we need, and the consequences of allowing us to trust in our limited understanding. Follow Him, dear ones, and in all things we will indeed be more than conquerors.
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
-1John 5:14-15
Let's face it--a good portion of the time, God's answer to our prayers is "no." So what's up? Is He mad at us? Are we being punished? Does He really care about us at all? Some times it can really seem that way. But we're dead wrong to think so. God loves us more than anyone else possibly could, and His love for us never changes, never dims, never is less that all the love He has to give.
So why do so many of our prayers seem to go unanswered, or answered "no." It's precisely because of that love He has for us. This may be a little hard to swallow, but much of the time we are seeking things that really aren't going to be good for us. We have this fleshly nature that can't help but think that it knows best. And a lot of our prayers aren't asking for God's will for us, but rather His approval for what we've already decided is the best thing we need. And believe this, my friends, He's not going to grace us with what isn't good for us.
So the question ought to be not why isn't God going along with what we are asking for, but are we truly praying for the guidance and wisdom of the One who knows All things. He knows far better than we about what we need, and the consequences of allowing us to trust in our limited understanding. Follow Him, dear ones, and in all things we will indeed be more than conquerors.
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
-1John 5:14-15
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Look To Him
Way back in my younger days, I had a go at becoming a dirt-bike rider. My little motorcycle wasn't very fast or powerful, but I got a lot enjoyment from riding out in the wilderness. I never got very good at it, but there was one thing that I learned rather quickly--if I saw a rock on the trail and focused on trying to avoid it, I would almost invariably run right into it.
The lesson I learned, at least out on the trail, was to keep my mind on where I wanted to go and not on where I didn't. Our walk with the Lord seems a lot like that. If there is something in life that we are desiring to get beyond, we would do well to start each day by asking God to help us keep our eyes upon Him, rather than excessively going over those things we don't want to do. I do believe we can trust Him to guide us around those things we wish to avoid.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
-Psalm 119:105
The lesson I learned, at least out on the trail, was to keep my mind on where I wanted to go and not on where I didn't. Our walk with the Lord seems a lot like that. If there is something in life that we are desiring to get beyond, we would do well to start each day by asking God to help us keep our eyes upon Him, rather than excessively going over those things we don't want to do. I do believe we can trust Him to guide us around those things we wish to avoid.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
-Psalm 119:105
Friday, January 1, 2010
Ditch The Resolutions
Well, we have come to another “New Year,” and for many it’s time once again to make some resolutions, most of which will be broken within a matter of days. Don’t get me wrong; I’m as guilty as anyone of following tradition and coming up with all sorts of things I should improve about my life. And the only one I can really remember following though on is to write the correct year on checks and such.
But this year, I’d like to suggest another plan—committing to follow Matthew 6:33. “But seek first to follow the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” As believers, it shouldn’t be about how we are going to “fix” ourselves, but rather that we allow the Lord to work in us.
Let’s face it, we can’t do much of Anything on our own, but in Christ we can do All things. Rather than set ourselves up to fail, let’s allow the Sprit to direct our lives and guide us to the improvements that we Really need.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
-Romans 12:2
But this year, I’d like to suggest another plan—committing to follow Matthew 6:33. “But seek first to follow the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” As believers, it shouldn’t be about how we are going to “fix” ourselves, but rather that we allow the Lord to work in us.
Let’s face it, we can’t do much of Anything on our own, but in Christ we can do All things. Rather than set ourselves up to fail, let’s allow the Sprit to direct our lives and guide us to the improvements that we Really need.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
-Romans 12:2
Friday, August 21, 2009
What's Really Church?
I would like to offer a comment on this saddening headline...
"Lutherans to allow sexually active gays as clergy."
Before we wonder what is going wrong with the "church" let us remember that the true Church is not an organization, a building, a bunch of people who call themselves something or other. It is the group of folks in whose hearts Jesus lives. Not those who claim to be following Christ, but the ones who are actually out on the road with Him, sitting in communion with Him, putting Him above all things in their lives.
As the mainstream denominations move slowly downward a few paces back from society, we should strive to move even closer to Jesus. Again, the sheep are never so safe as when they are close to the shepherd.
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it."
-Matthew 7:13-14
"Lutherans to allow sexually active gays as clergy."
Before we wonder what is going wrong with the "church" let us remember that the true Church is not an organization, a building, a bunch of people who call themselves something or other. It is the group of folks in whose hearts Jesus lives. Not those who claim to be following Christ, but the ones who are actually out on the road with Him, sitting in communion with Him, putting Him above all things in their lives.
As the mainstream denominations move slowly downward a few paces back from society, we should strive to move even closer to Jesus. Again, the sheep are never so safe as when they are close to the shepherd.
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it."
-Matthew 7:13-14
Friday, July 17, 2009
Seek Ye First...
I've been away from here for quite awhile because, frankly, things haven't been going so well. Health, job, family, finance issues--all have been causing me a lot of concern and, truth be told, I've been feeling rather down. Not to mention disappointed with God. What's going on with all of this? What is the Lord up to? Has he foresaken my mom and I? And much like Job, I've been getting a lot more advice from the brethren than I was really caring for. Good advice perhaps, but certainly not what I wanted to hear. I was hoping for a little more "poor Mark" instead of what actually might be some good things to be focusing on.
But what I am hopefully learning at last is that it's not about circumstances, but about God's promises. This isn't heaven. It's never going to be. And there are going to be trials, and tribulations, and times when God makes no sense. These too are some of the promises we find in His Word, and they are not easy ones. Yet we have to deal with them, and what it comes down to is faith.
You see, God has also (and more importantly) promised us that through it all, He is with us, loves us, and will never leave us. No matter what is going on, the Lord is working, and working all things for good. We can not only survive in this fallen world, but have His joy and peace by keeping Him first, coming to Him in prayer without ceasing, and following His lead. The trick (that is no real trick at all) is to keep our eyes on Him, remember that He knows what He's doing, and seeking His guidance in ALL things. The world never tells us that walking with Christ will be easy, but it will be for His glory and our great reward when we simply follow His lead.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
-Matthew 6:33-34
But what I am hopefully learning at last is that it's not about circumstances, but about God's promises. This isn't heaven. It's never going to be. And there are going to be trials, and tribulations, and times when God makes no sense. These too are some of the promises we find in His Word, and they are not easy ones. Yet we have to deal with them, and what it comes down to is faith.
You see, God has also (and more importantly) promised us that through it all, He is with us, loves us, and will never leave us. No matter what is going on, the Lord is working, and working all things for good. We can not only survive in this fallen world, but have His joy and peace by keeping Him first, coming to Him in prayer without ceasing, and following His lead. The trick (that is no real trick at all) is to keep our eyes on Him, remember that He knows what He's doing, and seeking His guidance in ALL things. The world never tells us that walking with Christ will be easy, but it will be for His glory and our great reward when we simply follow His lead.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
-Matthew 6:33-34
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
