Grieving Losses?

 

Yesterday a friend and I discussed the losses of growing older. In my mind, it was the loss of ability to do anything well apart from Christ. I was thinking of what He said:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

In my friend’s mind, the losses were more like physical inabilities and mental acuity. Aging does affect the body and our faculties, however, I was not thinking about that so much. Yesterday, I read a long list of people who served God well into their old age. Last week I met a few people who are 90-100 and are going strong. Some have aches and pains but all had sharp minds.

Instead, I was thinking about serving the Lord only in the strength and direction He gives, and doing only His will and not my own. In other words, I was considering the loss of running my own life, doing what I thought was best, like making a mark in the world. The Lord has shown me the extent of human weakness is not mere physical or mental. It includes everything, even the abilities that I’ve had all my life. His Word says all of that is to be put off. Instead of relying on me or my talents, I’m to abide in Him, in weaknesses, but also in the things that could be called strengths.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:3–8) 

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)

These verses are not just about spiritual matters and Christian service. They are about who I am, my character and what I rely on for everything I do. I try to explain this, but discover that many Christians separate their lives into secular and spiritual, ordinary life and spiritual. How can that be? Who do I model when I’m visiting family or buying groceries? Am I not to be like Jesus in everything, not just when at a prayer meeting or doing something “spiritual”? 

The desire to run any part of my life is from my old nature. God’s design is that I be like His Son, who said, “Not my will but thine” even as He sweat blood. Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) and lived that out in suffering the loss of all the “good” things he could have gloried it — to gain Christ. He also said, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

Realizing the losses, such as the ability to plan my day my way, and so on actually reveals I trust me more than God. How silly is that! I feel the loss and sometimes look in the mirror and wonder who this person is for I am not the same as I was before. Even in my old age, I’m climbing a learning curve and sometimes struggle with the effort. Letting go of my will is a continual challenge and fills life with the surprises of realizing that God knows what He is doing!

PRAY: This week I obeyed You by sending a message to someone with info they needed. I expected a rebuttal or no answer at all but You surprised me with a positive response. Each day, doing what You say makes an incredible difference to time, effort, better use of the skills you give, and a greater sense of the importance of serving others. You remind me of that old cosmetic commercial where the woman said, “I’m not getting older; I’m getting better” only leave the “I” out of the last line. You, by the power of Your Spirit, never stop Your power to change, and do wonders beyond my imagination. 

No Excuses…

 

In thinking about what it means to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, the desire to be comfortable seems the most powerful issue for most of us, myself included. When illness or pain jumps in, my prayers are for healing and relief. I don’t want my body to suffer.

My old nature’s desires go deeper than skin. My mind wants to know answers, the bottom line of things. This results in impatience with God's timing and lack of trust that He even hears me. This is how my flesh thinks — too often.

Emotions factor in too, all the negative ones like sinful anger, fear, envy, hurt feelings, etc. As much as my old nature might want to be happy, that emotion is based on circumstances so I might be praying for all sorts of things that would make me happy.

Human desires to be noticed, praised, put first, have all I want (even call them needs), and that hunger to win prizes, perform perfectly, and get an A on everything comes from that fleshy nature too. The only way to overcome this me, me, me stuff is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and yielded to His control.

It is a daily thing, a moment by moment thing. If my cup is upright and He is poured in, the only thing that ruins it is sin, not mere outward actions (“But I’ve never murdered anyone”) but inner attitudes, expressed or not.

Piper writes about the importance of meditation on Scripture that stress the supernatural reality of my Christian life. He begins with: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) My mind argues that there are degrees of persecution but I cannot fool myself. If I were more public about faith, I could be a target.

Piper also says the Spirit-filled life is joyful with meaningful labor in the cause of Christ. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) This requires more than I can do. At my age, the flesh is too weak and tired to imitate it (some people try to do it in the flesh) so I can use that as an excuse to avoid the menial tasks and leave them to the younger people rather than seek the energy of the Spirit and do anything that requires more than my flesh can give.

The Apostle Paul puts my excuses where they belong. He said:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

All this reminds me that Moses was eighty when God put him to his most serious work. This link lists more who changed the world in their later life. My excuses need to be replaced by God's specific instructions. I’m not called to be a pastor or an evangelist, or anything that I’m not doing, only to daily walk in the Spirit and obey Him, whatever He asks me to do. No excuses or “yea, but” responses. I can confess my sin, but better to obey in the first place. As Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

PRAY: Lord, You whisper that making excuses can be a pride thing that addresses a selfish ambition to be more than I am and an attempt to explain why I’m not, but that dishonors You also. Your will for me is not the same as my prideful will for me. Instead of excusing it, I admit that I can want more for my own glory than wanting it for Your glory. Duh. Forgive all discontent and enable me to want only your will — so that You are glorified. Amen.

Grace Deeply Needed

 

Yesterday was a time of discovery and great heartbreaking disappointment. We got a first hand statement of bitterness and deep anger of a person against a parent. Our prayers afterwards did not erase the sorrow, which was not the reason for praying anyway. The rift is so deep that it seems impossible for even God to bring reconciliation and forgiveness. I don’t often cry myself to sleep.

Piper’s reading for today begins with this:

May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6)

He points out that there is nothing sad about sowing seed. It takes no more work than reaping. The days can be beautiful. There can be great hope of harvest. Yet Psalm 126 speaks of “sowing in tears.” It says that someone “goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing.” Why is he weeping?

The reasons could be many but the gist of this passage is that I am not to let sorrow or any other emotion or event in my life stop me from “speaking the truth in love” to whoever needs to hear it, even to the person whose outburst put such anguish in my heart. This psalm teaches the tough truth that there is work to be done whether I am emotionally up for it or not, and it is good for me to do it. Otherwise there will be no harvest.

PRAY: Jesus, the pain of this sadness is mind-numbing and filling my thoughts with jumble. Also thinking why nothing I can say will be effective or appropriate or even heard, let alone helpful. This is a description of my weakness? Or is it doubt in Your ability to use my weakness as an opportunity for Your strength to shine? All I can think is that I need to be filled with Your Spirit and the confidence to speak whatever You put on my heart, or the confidence to keep my mouth shut  — if that is what You ask me to do.

Loving them all…

The dad in a family that has become our family became a Christian in a country that does not tolerate Christians. His family beat him, nearly killed him. He fled to another country and lived there for a decade. He and his wife were able to work and bore three children before realizing they had to move again. Now in Canada, they enjoy the freedom of being able to worship Jesus without threat.

This persecution still happens in many places in the world. Jesus predicted it to the degree that even fathers would give their children up to death and children their parents:

And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. (Mark 13:12)

Being a child of God does not guarantee health, wealth, and a comfortable life. Not every family escapes it as our friends did. In today’s devotional, Piper uses the words of Jesus about children to point to my responsibility toward the children of God:

Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me. (Mark 9:37)

For me, the point isn’t that I’m to give particular care to youngsters who know God, but to His children of any age who believe in Him. I have favorites, but there are a few in His family that irk me for various reasons, or I don’t enjoy being around them for various reasons. God is using this devotional to speak to my sinful attitude.

Piper says: “The question is not whether caring for children is easy and safe, or whether they are responsive and thankful, or whether caring is depleting. The question is whether Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

In other words, I need to do what He says, and I cannot use any excuse such as ‘this is too hard’ because the Bible is clear. Not only did Jesus want loving attitudes toward little ones, but also adults, for we all are His children. Besides that, Jesus is still available to enable such love. The Bible says these truths for my situation:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14–19)
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:12–16)

PRAY: Loving others is always about being filled with Your Spirit, never about them being lovable. Certainly You do not find me lovable. Love is who You are and that should be who I am, in Christ. The love of Christ goes beyond knowledge and beyond reasons. I appreciate the depth of fellowship with many and am not thrilled about the lack of that with others, but You died for all — meaning my old nature died with You and You have given me the Holy Spirit to enable me to love Your children — all of them and all ages.

Tired on Tuesday. . . .

After a good day of worship and rest, Monday usually is a day of energy and accomplishment. Yesterday was like that, but then there is Tuesday, often a day of being sleepy and wanting to nap all day. I need this reminder:

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28–31)

This is a favorite passage, even before the years multiplied and I’m now a wobbly part of the generation now dubbed the “Silent Generation” born between 1925 and 1945. While seldom silent, I am often feeling without might, weary and exhausted. It reminds me that the Lord is here for me, even in my fatigue. He will renew my energy when renewal is needed.

God does not get tired. He does not have the limitations that I have, or even those weaknesses that sometimes hit young people as they try to run on empty. This era of being too busy has gripped us, particularly because technology and modern life are filled with so many opportunities that making a decision about what to do next, or what to do period, becomes a confusing and long list.

What is it about aging that adds to that? I once was able to do the physical chores in our home and in the yard, work at hobbies and interests, spend time with friends, do the shopping, and stay up late — all on the same day. Not anymore. Slow and steady? Sometimes only on Mondays. When I pray using this passage, soaring like an eagle isn’t part of what I would like. I’m content when the Lord renews my attitude, keeps me focused, and gives me the energy needed for the necessary tasks — and for the interruptions.

These verses also remind me that Jesus experienced all of this in Gethsemane. He bore the burden of all sin, a weight that is beyond my imagination. He sweat blood as He bowed before His Father and said, “Not my will but Thine be done.” When His physical and mental anguish come to mind, I’m ashamed of my pity-parties and complaints. And then I realize afresh that He, this suffering Savior, also promises sufficient grace every day. He gives me all the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical energy I’ll need to live out whatever He asks of me, like Monday, like Tuesday, like every day. I may feel depleted, but He asks no more than whatever He plans for me and will supply whatever is needed to do it.

PRAY: Jesus, You embraced the ultimate weakness and weariness of the cross. Your love bore all my burdens. I get weary yet You supply all my needs according to Your riches and Your great love. I can thrive in that love and nothing can separate me from it or You. Grant me all I need this frosty Tuesday. Amen.

The Perfect Gift

 

Last night’s Christmas Eve Service brought words like, “This was perfect.” I saw a young child and thought how perfect he looked. We bought some goodies yesterday that we thought were perfect. Obviously, God’s work and law are perfect as He is perfect. However, the definition of perfect can vary depending on who is defining it.

In Scripture this word “perfect” is used for all sort of things, including buildings. Each verse that uses the word must be considered in its context and how it aligns with other Scripture. The idea of perfection cannot contradict other passages. Those who study original languages say this:

perfect — adjective. being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish.
to perfect — verb. to make complete of its kind and without defect or blemish.
to be perfected — verb. to be or become in a perfect or consummate state with respect to a specific attribute.
perfection — noun. the state of being complete and without defect or blemish.
complete — adjective. perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities.
perfect thing — noun. anything that is without flaw or defect.
perfecter — noun. a person who brings something to completion without defect or blemish.
perfection — noun. the act of making something complete and without defect or blemish.
perfection — noun. an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept.

The New Testament depicts perfection or completion in terms of maturity or being fully grown into the design that God has for humanity. This means to be in the image and likeness of Christ, a designation only for those who are “in Christ” and part of His forever family.

The NT speaks of imparting wisdom to the mature: “Yet among the mature (perfected) we do impart wisdom…” (1 Corinthians 2:6) and it tells of power made perfect in weakness: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” ((2 Corinthians 12:9) Both verses strongly say that perfection is not being without a need for wisdom and having weaknesses. 

Paul, who seem to be the epitome of a complete and totally devoted believer, also said of himself: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12). He knew he was not yet perfect.

James calls for believers to “be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4) and other NT writers proclaim that we find perfection and completeness not in our own efforts, but “in Christ” who “by a single offering … perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14).

In other words, perfection is a goal but it is not obtained by my efforts nor will it show up in this life as a goal reached.

The Galatians tried and Paul told them: “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3) John encourages his readers with:

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:2–3)

From these verses and many more, I get the message that Christ is my perfection, that He is using all things to conform me to His image so that I think, talk, and live as He did, but I will not reach that level of completion until I see Him as He is. Further, no one can claim perfection in themselves for this is a gift from God. Jesus is not only the founder and perfecter of our faith, but abides in us to perfect our love for one another, and give us all that He is so we can glorify Him.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. (James 1:16–18)

PRAY: Every good and perfect gift arrived as a Baby — and today we celebrate Your birth and rejoice in God’s gift to us — Your perfections are mine, now and forever. Today my weaknesses and flaws remain, even as Your perfections work to transform me. Needless to say, any maturity that shows up is still a gift from You and not my doing. For the gift of You, I am so grateful!

In all my need, Jesus

Yesterday was moving day. We are weary and face a mountain-sized to-do list to sort and settle. This morning, the Lord gave me a simple yet profound Word to start the day with great joy. It began with praise for all that Jesus has done:

“As we look at the life of Christ and listen to His words, we can hear God saying, “I am rest for the weary…” With that, the Spirit led me to verses that verify that truth, then the remaining italicized truths from the reading:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30)

I am peace for the storm-tossed;

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

I am strength for the powerless;

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I am wisdom for the foolish… righteousness for the sinful;

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30)

I am all that the neediest soul on earth can want;

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

I am exceeding abundantly beyond all you can ask or think,

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— (1 Corinthians 2:9)

of blessing and help and care.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6–7)

PRAY: Jesus, what is left for me to say except praise to You and great gratitude. Your timing also, for this is what I need to remember this busy day!.

Christ makes the difference…

Today’s reading says we need to know who we really are in order to know how we ought to live. In Christ, we are God’s children, His heirs, and His friends. But there are more ID markers.

He also calls us His sheep. I’ve had sheep. They are easily frightened, follow each other and need a shepherd to keep them in green pastures! Yes, I often behave as a sheep, but am glad that He enables me to hear His voice and follow Him, my Good Shepherd.

Jesus also says of me that I will be hated by all for His name’s sake and must endure to the end.(Matthew 10:22) This means behaving with endurance, not giving up when life includes persecution.
Lest I complain or fear that possibility, Jesus suggests in a parable that He is to be “allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me.” (Matthew 20:15) I am His child and His friend, but I am also His possession. I belong to Him. Not only that, when I feel weak, useless, unable to do as He desires, He says:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Being His child, heir, and friend sounds like good news, yet Jesus is not ‘my buddy’ for He is my Lord and Teacher, and also His disciple who must live obediently to what He teaches me:

So Jesus said to those who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (John 8:31)

What does that look like? Abiding in Him shows up in the way I live and treat others...

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love…. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:9-10; 14-15)

These things are possible because Jesus lives in me. “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20) He changes my life because of the Holy Spirit who enables me to witness to the love and power of God…

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

And He enables the way I ought to live. While knowing who I really am is helpful, it is His life in me that enables the actions that I ought to have…

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. (Romans 15:14)

None of the “ought to” behaviors are up to me alone, but are the wonder of Christ using me to do His will, like a hand in a glove.

PRAY: Jesus, while the Bible does not use this metaphor, You are the hand in this glove and living as You desire me to live is all about You and Your amazing grace and power. I am so thankful that striving for excellence comes to even lazy and helpless people like me. You make the difference.

In God’s Care…

 

Today’s devotional reading gave me a vivid picture of God’s care. It said that His relationship to me is like that of mother holding me close when danger is near. My clinging to her does not make me any safer for my safety is in my mother holding me.

It is the same with God. His many precious promises are true and fulfilled in my life. Believing Him does not make them more true; they are true because of who He is, not because of my emotions or thoughts that I could be in trouble. Everything depends on Him being able to keep His promises. I can doubt them, or be fearful of what might happen, but that does not change the plan of God for me.

Even before he was saved, my husband would not allow our children to ‘what if’ or imagine the possibility of disaster or other events that may or may not happen. He insisted they deal with ‘now’ and even as a believer, he resists the ideas of those who ‘what if’ concerning the activities of God. For both of us, we trust Him and even with life’s challenges, we love Him and His surprises.

Last night I was overwhelmed with de-cluttering and downsizing. It is one thing to create two piles, but quite another to find people who will take the discard pile that is not worthy of tossing in the garbage. I have many books, unread and yet I cannot use all of them. So I asked God and He directed me to contact a person who runs a small library. She responded and said she would not only take all of them, but treat them as treasures. Load off my stressed emotions.

Anytime I began thinking God is not taking care of me, He often shows up with a surprise. It could be small, like the care of my books, but can also be huge, like the weather changes for the better, and every other detail of our July family reunion. Whatever is too much for me, God is always enough.

Because of this truth, Jacob could be generous and offer his brother a gift saying, “Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” (Genesis 33:11)

Because of this, the OT craftsmen building the sanctuary could say, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” (Exodus 36:5)

The OT speaks of God’s care in material things including food. The NT adds everything else and verifies that God is enough:

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, (2 Corinthians 3:5)
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Learning His total care in the small things means willing to be weak and needy in all things, even glad about it. Otherwise I might miss the grace and the glory of His keeping power. As today’s reading says, Jesus and the peace He gives is a garrison for my heart and mind.

PRAY: So much to be thankful for, even in disasters as well as the little surprises, the things that make me laugh, that our family in the Carolina’s are safe, and that You hear our prayers for those whose lives have been devastated. Help me cling to You in gratitude rather than in fear or worry. Jesus, You are enough.

Jesus is Enough …

Yesterday brought a contrast that still makes me smile. On one hand, I was upset at being charged a great deal of money for something I did not want or order. On the other, God had me give away a great deal of money to help someone else. The first issue is still not settled, but because of the joy the Lord gave me about the second event, I just shrug my shoulders at the first one.

Today’s reading is about encouragement vs. discouragement. As the author says, it is easy to say the world is a mess, or even that my life is a mess or point to other Christians and be critical of their shortcomings and failures. While the mess is there and watching the news can be a huge downer, Jesus says:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (James 1:2–4)

Some measure personal focus by a glass; is it half-full or half-empty? Others are either on or off, up or down, hopeful or downcast. We tend to be creatures of extremes. Yet I find that it is possible, in Christ, to be both at the same time. As a follower of Jesus, I can experience emotions opposite of what is normal for the events of life. For instance:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. (1 Peter 1:6)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7–8)

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

The negatives (or what I would normally think of as negative) are trials, grief, weakness, and losses, each having many variations. But in Christ there is an ability and a privilege to experience peace, hope, joy, a sense of God’s goodness and purpose, a deeper knowledge of Christ, even a different kind of grief at the death of loved ones. Jesus makes a difference.

In considering the whys and how’s of that difference, it seems mostly to be an eternal perspective, the opposite of “I want it fixed — now!” Trials produce patient steadfastness. I notice it when I am making a quilt. I used to grumble when a mistake had to be ripped out, but now think of it as part of the job and patiently pick out the erring stitches.

Weakness was also a pain, a kick to my pride, my desire to do all things well, not being unable in any way. The idea of being unable, or lacking power, or having some sort of impediment was not appealing, never mind a reason to boast, but God is teaching me that I am merely a limp and useless glove without His hand to move me… and to be glad about it, even boast that I’m only a hand.

I’ve lost much, everything from interests, opportunities, abilities, and most of all, family and friends. We have family that never return our calls, and family whose life was snuffed out way too soon. Grief happens, but in the grief, faith in the will and power of God sustains in ways that are unexplainable. He changes grief with His comfort becoming a fortress.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4–7)

PRAY: Yes, these things surpass understanding, yet Jesus, You are there in all of it and with me to make life an adventure and a joy, even with the struggles and mysteries of living it. Bless You always!

Facing Giants

 
Planning a family reunion that could involve up to a hundred people from various parts of the world is for me a huge task. I’ve felt like David facing Goliath at times, but the Spirit would not let me give up. I went searching for help and several volunteered, some that I did not expect, even one that his mother told me he would never come. These have become the stones in my sling when I began this task. Having never done anything close to it, I’ve felt small and unable — which is a good way to feel when taking on anything. The Lord keeps saying to me:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

This week, one of those ‘stones’ that volunteered showed me the faithfulness of God. In trying to trust Him, I’ve struggled, but with a cousin’s cheerful help, my feeble faith is being strengthened. We have not totally slaughter that huge task, but the plans made it seem less threatening.

Today I read of David’s attitude toward the giant that he faced. He talked to King Saul this way:

Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. (1 Samuel 17:34–36)

Through faith in God David conquered a lion and a bear, and afterwards overthrew the mighty Goliath. When that lion came to take out sheep from his flock, David considered it as an opportunity. If he had failed or faltered he would have missed this and other challenges and may never have come to be God’s chosen king of Israel.

Most of us do not consider the lions or giants that come into our lives are a special blessing from God. They seem more like enemies, threats, and at least an occasion for alarm. However, in David’s case, that threat was an opportunity from God in disguise. I know that every difficulty that presents itself to me, if I receive it in the right way, is God’s opportunity, even every temptation as well.

One writer reminds me that the OT tabernacle of God was covered with badgers’ skins and goats’ hair. This did not suggest there would be any glory in that place, but the Shekinah of God was manifest under that crude, even ugly covering. I need God to open my eyes to see Him, whether in temptations, trials, dangers, or misfortunes, or in huge responsibilities that I cannot do all by myself as mere coverings for God’s glory.

I also realized as we planned that not everyone will appreciate our efforts or even show up to this event. Another writer reminded me of Paul’s idea of service putting it like this: “I will spend myself to the last ebb for you; you may give me praise or give me blame, it will make no difference. So long as there is a human being who does not know Jesus Christ, I am his debtor to serve him until he does.”
Paul’s service is not love for men, but love for Jesus Christ. If I am devoted to the cause of humanity, I will be disappointed because so many are never grateful for anything. Yet if my motive is to demonstrate my love for God, no ingratitude can hinder me from serving others.

This writer even said, “I was before a perjurer, a blasphemer, an injurious person” — and that is true for me too. No matter how others may treat me, they will never treat me the way I once totally ignored Jesus. He serves me even in my selfishness and sin. With His attitude, nothing others do can change my determination to do whatever is required in serving people.

PRAY: Jesus, I realize a tiny bit of what is needed to bravely serve others in Your name is a big dose of Your great love. Open my heart to do this with grace and great faith in Your ability to use it to bring glory to Your name. Enable me to overcome all anxieties about responses or lack of responses and trust You to make of this family reunion a blessing both to You and to those who arrive and participate.

Discomfort’s True Purpose

In being very ill and in the hospital for a few days, I experienced something valuable; God uses what seems bad for good. The greatest example is Jesus. The worst evil that ever happened was His crucifixion — the best thing that ever happened was His death and resurrection that brought eternal salvation to the world:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16–17)

Compared to that, my experience is nothing, yet “bad” things can result in eternal good. I know of a boy who was trapped in a burning vehicle. The radio was on and a pastor prayed for the salvation of all who suffered and thinking he would die, that boy gave his life to Jesus. He was rescued, scarred for the rest of his days, but saved for eternity with Jesus.

I know a woman who decided to divorce her husband. She liked someone else but that didn’t work either and in her despair, Jesus came info her life. Her bad decision affected her eternal destiny. For these, but mostly because the Word of God says it, God’s love is at work even in trouble. He is the One who sends Jesus to us in our suffering:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; (Isaiah 61:1–2)

It says “all.” His power is not just for certain people but everyone who is poor, brokenhearted, in captivity of any kind, and who mourn. He wants me to be like that toward others also, not forgetting the “all” so I am not picky or a respecter of persons.

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

The very ones who need comfort most are not the strong-minded but the faint of heart, the weak. This goes two ways. If I am feeling like that, my comfort is from Jesus, fixing the problem, not in feeling stronger or more capable. Not that this allows me to curl up in a ball and quit, for the text says to admonish the idle. I am told to serve others even if my sense of weakness and being faint-hearted comes from doing so. That means both those served and those who He calls to serve them may experience this sense of being unable. We do not like it. I constantly need to remember what Paul heard from God when he prayed for his own weakness to be removed:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God’s grace is sufficient and because of that, Paul not only quit asking for his weakness to be ‘fixed’ but began to glory in it because it meant that the power he experienced was not his own but from Jesus Christ.

This is the glory of being a disciple of the Lord. He is far more aware of my weaknesses and inabilities than I am, and allows trials, like a bout with pneumonia, to show me how little I know about weakness. Not only that, He used the kindness of medical people to show me how little I know about comforting others who are weak.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Corinthians 1:3–5)

This applies to my attitude toward those who sin. I’m not to judge them but be like Jesus to them.  Some people refused to receive him, and when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. (Luke 9:53–55) He welcomed sinners that others rejected.

PRAY: Jesus, You are always on the side of sinners for whom You came to save. You died for us. Yes, many say NO to You, yet You always say YES to all who realize their need of You and turn toward You. May I always realize that weakness is an opportunity to experience Your power, and may my life demonstrate Your loving comfort to others, today and always.

Realizing helplessness

 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

I’ll say it again . . . I want the kingdom of heaven with no more sin, sorrow or pain; I just don’t like the ‘poor in spirit’ part.

Actually, it isn’t that bad, something like being a child without much knowledge or skill and willing to hold mom’s hand in strange places. It is something like walking into an art gallery and realizing that my efforts to paint are nowhere like those of the masters. It is like being lost and having to ask where I am and how to get to where I want to be. It is like talking to a physicist and realizing how little I know. It is also like all these things don’t bother me for pride is gone and I’m free to be childlike, helpless and humble, realizing that my Lord Jesus will supply all I need when I need it and I don’t have to whine or wish I wasn’t so destitute. It is realizing the power of God is here for me.

This is why today’s devotional can say “Poverty of spirit is a prerequisite to salvation and to victorious Christian living.” Jesus illustrates with this:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10–14)

To most, being ‘poor’ means something like the Greek definition: a person cowering in dark corners of city streets begging for handouts, without personal resources and totally dependent on the gifts of others. Yet Jesus says those who are spiritually helpless and utterly destitute of human resources are blessed. We rely totally on God’s grace for salvation and daily life, and are happy with this state of being. We taste heaven’s delights now and will experience its full glory later. Of course we are blessed!

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

For those who want heaven and its glory, the price to pay is not being ‘good enough’ but by recognizing I can never be good enough, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that is not nor ever will be the entrance requirement. Instead, it is being like the tax collector, like the child, like the beggar and the cripple, those broken in spirit and contrite of heart. Then God hears my prayers and comes to my aid . . . and then I am blessed with a taste of heaven and the certainty that I’m headed there for eternity.

Jesus, the enemy to such blessing is pride. Whenever I sense competitiveness or a desire to be the best, or even to do better, I need to remember that being weak is not a bad thing. It is evidence that I’m where I ought to be and assurance that You are hearing my pleas for grace, strength, and the ability to obey You. When I’m weak, I am strong as You say: “’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Not only Your power, but Your great joy! Just keep reminding me not to let this poverty become a focus that keeps me from obeying You, for “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

REMEMBER how God’s Word speaks of pride: Proverbs 8:13; 11:2; 16:5, 18–19 and be thankful when I cannot — rather than when I can.