Another Test?

 

This morning came with mixed emotions. I was dreaming of a stage play about the gospel. The person in the role of Jesus was exceptionally realistic and the storyline was accurate and powerful. Then my hubby woke me to say he was leaving for the ER. He’d been having some unusual pain and called the health link, answered many questions, then was told to see a doctor within three hours.

That still, small voice whispers, “I am with you” but makes no predictions. My devotions offered this:

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29–30)

The first thing I noticed was the absence in that list of leaving a spouse. Family rifts over the issue of faith in Christ does not include couples. While the Bible encourages marriage with another Christian, it does give direction to wives whose husbands are not believers and so on, but leaving a partner for Jesus’ sake is not given as an option. Also, our vows say “in sickness or in health” married couples are to take that seriously.

Thinking that this could be serious and even deadly, it didn’t cross my mind to throw my hands in the air and give up. That alone encourages me. The Lord has blessed our marriage — through thick and thin.

The next thing I noted is that God promises that no matter what the gospel causes me to leave behind, the Lord will amply take care of the hole it might otherwise leave. House, siblings, parents, children, land… none of it will remain a loss. He will fill the gap. Even now, our grandchildren all live far away, but other children call us their grandparents.

Then I saw the verse for tomorrow. One word surprised me:

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:21–23)

All that God gives, leaders, the world, life in the present and future, and Christ of course, includes death. Most Christians I know are thankful for all those things, but pray that none of us experience death. We know ‘all are terminal’ yet death is not considered something that belongs to us, just as much as all else is ours. Few consider death as part of what we have because we belong to God.

Death is often seen as an enemy, but this passage says death is no longer a master but a servant. It becomes part of God's plan, a transition to the next life. Christians are not bound by the limitations of the natural world, including the threat of death. We have a new perspective on both life and death as they are now part of God's larger plan. Death is a defeated enemy.

My hubby may have nothing seriously wrong, but at our age, death is taking our peers and illness is a common complaint. Having a sound, biblical view is vital for peace of mind.

PRAY: Jesus, this unexpected event feels like a test to show me how I should think. It reveal some fears that pop up about what might happen next. You are always good and use all things for good. Enable my faith in You to be an anchor for my heart and mind and also for my dear hubby’s emotions and thoughts. May our words and thoughts trust and glorify You.

 (Later… best case scenario. The CAT scan showed a treatable issue and hubby did not need surgery or be admitted for more tests. He is back home. Thank You, Lord.)

Expecting comfort?

 

We just returned from a very short ‘mission’ trip. It had one high moment and the rest of it was uncomfortable, puzzling, and a stress on our comprehension. We knew our assignment was seed-planting and soon realized the ground was hard as cement. God made it clear that the only thing that softens it would be loving encouragement. A rebuke or even advice would only pound it harder.

Piper’s reading for today parallels our experience in telling how he felt when he encountered the challenges of obeying God. His assignments are not necessarily cushy and comfortable. He reviews John 20, Jesus with His disciples after the resurrection. They had all deserted Him and were not worthy to be called His brothers, but He called them that, said “Peace to you” and then said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)

Piper was moved by this in that these disciples had been hiding in fear, deserved to be rebuked, and “were just like me.” I can relate. On my assignment, He asked me to love the unlovable and I felt fearful and wanted to hide. However, He gave me incredible and unexpected (never mind undeserved) joy, the kind of joy that makes me fearless.

Piper then thought of Paul’s experience as a missionary for Jesus. This man described it:

… as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:4–10)

Who thinks missionary work is a glamorous life? Paul said, “as having nothing yet possessing all things.” And Jesus said,

Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29–30)

Comfortable Christian living is a false teaching in one sense. If I am willing to leave all to follow Jesus and to share the gospel, then I can expect opposition, even though the gain is incredible:

For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:21–23)

PRAY: Jesus, because I have You, life gives me everything needed, even joy in the mess of it. What can ruin that? Only my own sin can rob me of it. You also say: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5–6) We did sow the seeds. I may not see the harvest until I ‘come home’ but Your joy is already blessing my heart. For that, the struggles and discomfort fade and my prayers are filled with confidence. You always keep Your promises.

Trusting my Father

Yesterday a person was unkind toward me, not realizing it or apologizing. At first I felt sad for myself, then sad for that person because she obviously does not know the effect of her actions and often does the same thing to others. She also does not know Jesus, the Giver of wisdom and love.

This incident gave me a greater burden for the lost, for this person in particular but also for others who do the same thing toward people without realizing that their behavior is unloving. Besides, I’ve done the same thing and felt the sting of conviction and the shame of being unkind. This is something that the Holy Spirit can take care of in the right way and the right time. I need to trust God for this.

Today’s devotional talks again about the beauty of a healthy child/father relationship and how it illustrates the relationship of a Christian to our Heavenly Father. However, that comparison is not always the best.

USA statistics say 43% of US children live without their father. 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes. 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes. Statistics Canada are somewhat better with about 13% of children in fatherless households.

These children can suffer lasting damage such as poverty, dropping out of school, addicted to drugs, having children out of wedlock, or living a life of crime and ending up in prison. Being without a father or having a bad father strongly affects a child and strongly affects a child’s view of God.

My father was always there, and a good person. However, my parents were told I would not live past 16 so they spoiled me by providing most things that I wanted. When I became a Christian, I thought God would be like that. It was an adjustment to realize that He is not. Certainly He wants the best for me, but for a few years I had to learn that His best was not the same as my ideas.

Yet the marvel of God is that He does give all things to His children — all things that are good for us. Trusting Him means this:

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:21–23)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:29)

This isn’t about stuff. It is about being like Jesus, having the fullness of all that He is and bearing the fruit of the Spirit so I am joyful, at peace, contented, and loving Him and others. It means that I can trust Him to take care of my life, reputation, needs, emotions, desires, and ability to deal with whatever comes along. I’ve often called myself ‘God’s spoiled brat’ because His care is so totally undeserved and always a blessing and even a surprise.

He is a good Father. He actually is like my dad but instead of giving me what I want, He changed my wants! I don’t need to worry about physical needs or any other kind of needs. Holding His hand is enough to show me that all my riches are in Christ. He is enough.

PRAY: Jesus, it is good to be overwhelmed with a thankful heart. You supply all I need and the contentment to be satisfied with it. Yes, there are times when I feel left out, ignored, or neglected, but negativity comes from thinking the world’s thoughts, or wanting stuff that my old nature wants, or listening to the devil’s lies. Protecting me from my spiritual enemies and from errors in what I want, is the Father’s job and again, I’m thankful for His care.

All for all

Every now and then I catch myself envying a ‘super saint’ or comparing what I do to spiritual giants like Billy Graham or Elizabeth Elliot. The Holy Spirit usually reminds me that I’m not to do that and whispers these truths into my ear:

“If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we . . . Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Corinthians 10:7 & 12)

I learned this in another version that says those who do this “are not wise” yet comparing ourselves with others is so common that we do it almost unconsciously. Why does Paul say this comparison gives evidence of a lack of comprehension? The answer is in verse 7. Every Christian is a child of God. There is no hierarchy or measurement. We are His children by adoption, something God did. We are made kings and priests; God did that too. For all, our only ground of acceptance is Christ. All of us shall be like Him, perfect in righteousness and glory. As today’s devotional writer says, can there be any degrees in perfect glory?

God’s kingdom has no second-class citizens in heaven. His attitude toward us is illustrated in the attitude of Israel’s King David, called ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ Here is the story . . .

“Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:1–6)

David and his men prepared themselves for battle, but about one-third of his army were too exhausted to go on and stayed behind. David took the others, found the Amalekites celebrating their ‘victory’ and attacked them . . .

“And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, ‘This is David’s spoil.’ Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, ‘Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.’ But David said, ‘You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.’ And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day. (1 Samuel 30:17–25)

The New Testament affirms that this is the ‘rule’ in the kingdom of God; all belongs to all:

“So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (1 Corinthians 3:21–23)

This is humbling to me and I’m sure has the same effect on those whose ministry is prominent. We are sharing together all that God gives us.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve thought that Your favor is greater for those who work harder or become more prominent in Your kingdom, and then for belittling myself or feeling sorry for myself. The amazing truth is that all belongs to all. No matter my status in this world, or the opinion of others, in Your sight, all are equally blessed because Your blessing has nothing to do with who we are and everything to do with who You are. God’s grace has made it so.

Marital Delights

Often the theme of stories and scripts, a king marries a beggar or someone of less noble stature and by virtue of the union she becomes a royal person.

Sometimes marriages happen for convenience. That is, two people unite so one or both of them gain a profit or status of some kind. But marriage is not supposed to be for convenience. It is a sacred thing, a union between two people before God, a picture of a truth that is revealed in no other manner.

This mystery (of marriage) is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32)

I usually think of this image in terms of how I relate to my husband, since this passage uses this image to help women with that, but today I can see other depictions intended in this mystery.

For instance, I am joined in marriage with Christ, not only assimilated into Him and in the process of being made like Him, but I am one with Him, divinely united to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, given distinction above angels. That means I have a dignity that this ordinary sinner would not otherwise have.

Also, I am married to the crown of heaven, made an heir of all that belongs to my Husband-King. Christ gives me grace, privilege, justification and eventually glorification.

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:21–23)

This says that by virtue of my union with Jesus Christ, I may “have nothing, but possess everything” (2 Corinthians 6:10). All that He has, which is every good thing, is also mine!

This marriage is a protection. I am His and spiritually one with Him. If anyone tries to harm me, He is there receiving whatever they do. This is shown at the conversion of Saul/Paul who was persecuting Christians. When Jesus confronted him, He said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Whatever is done to His bride is done to him. This King will not tolerate his treasure rifled, His crown thrown in the dust, or His queen abused. His bride is the apple of Christ’s eye, and those who strike at his eye will answer for it.

Because these things are true, I desire to be with Him, in His Word, communicating with Him, participating in communion at the Lord’s Supper and looking forward to that eternal communion that will be mine one day. Then I will see Him fact-to-face and enjoy Him forever.

In Christ = all that I need

The phrase “in Christ” appears more than 440 times in the New Testament. One person explained it by opening a book and putting a piece of paper in between the pages, then closing the book. The paper is hidden “in” the book.

The idea of being “in Christ” is very important. When God looks at me, He sees me in that position or status. Because of Jesus Christ, I have a new identity. Because of Him, I have His life and am a child of God. This is declared in these verses…

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)

So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (Galatians 3:26)

Because this position or place was established by God “before the foundation of the world” then everything that happened to Jesus also happened to me. This is not about a physical event but about how my life is considered by God. He looks at me, like the paper in the book, and “sees” Jesus. Part of that view of me in Christ includes His death (how horrible), but it also includes His resurrection (how wonderful)!

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

This spiritual position is unseen by human eyes, but declared by the Word of God. When believed and received by faith, then what Jesus has becomes mine!

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:21–23)

This sweeping statement makes me shake my head in wonder. Paul is writing about those who are hung up about some people being better than others. He says God does not do that comparing thing because all of us share in all that He gives. Whatever anyone who is in Christ has is also mine — because I am also in Christ. 

I’ve no worries about eternity for I already have His life. If I struggle with sin, being in Christ means I can consider myself dead to sin. If I’m fearful about pleasing God, being in Christ means no further condemnation.

Lately I’ve felt inadequate to do much of anything or match my actions to ambitions. God says I have all that I need to do whatever He wants me to do for I am in Christ. 

What more do I need?!