Who is on the throne?

An important thought entered my mind this week that I’ve shared several times. It is this: In great wisdom and power, our God rules the universe; therefore, we can trust Him with our problems.

One dear friend struggles concerning her work situation. In caring for needy people, some of them resent and abuse her. Besides that, her family struggles to make ends meet. She knows that God can  help but why does He remain silent?

Another suffers from mental problems. This person knows God can remove those problems. Why do they persist? How can trials such as these seem ignored by a God who loves us?

When the Lord saw the evil in the world, He had Noah build a boat. His family was saved and the rest drowned. Then, much later as He saw the sinfulness of humanity, He sent His Son to die — that sinners might be forgiven and transformed. Why not when Noah was alive? Who can understand the plan and will of God, or His timing?

A mother longed for the conversion of her son and prayed with tears that he would not go to an evil city. He went, and there God converted him. Sometimes what looks wrong to us is right in the mind of God.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

Do I have any reason to question the wisdom of God? Does anyone? He rules the universe, makes seeds sprout and grow, fills the earth with food, teaches birds to fly south in winter, and a host of other amazing events happen because of His supreme power and grace. No child of His should worry about daily needs.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:30–33)

I read this morning how our enemy fills us with concerns to keep us from engaging in spiritual warfare to defeat his lies — lies that so easily cripple our minds and lives with worries about many things, all problems much smaller than ruling the world. Jesus conquered this “prince” who is already doomed when Jesus said, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” We get so tangled up in trying to rule our own lives that we too often ignore God or get frustrated with Him. Yet He is the One who has a better plan.

PRAY: Jesus, You are in charge. I often am mystified at the why of things, yet trusting You means that You are using all things, even those mysterious to me, for good in Your people, to transform our lives, to hopefully get us on our knees in total cooperation with Your plan to show a needy world this truth: “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) This is the work that corresponds to “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10) Forgive me and forgive all Your people who are so often side-tracked by our own will and desire to rule our own little kingdom, forgetting to listen and obey You, the Ruler of the universe. May Your will be done.

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.

Treasures?

 

Early in life I collected stamps. Later, it became pictures of Elvis Presley. After that, all I wanted to collect was information. Sometimes I save to my hard drive photos of art and fine quilts, just to look at and not possess because God has been teaching me something…

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19–20)

I’ve wondered if growing weaker in body and memory is the reason for wanting to declutter, but when I read these verses, I think that the folly of collecting stuff is basically, “I cannot take it with me.” When my father died, he left the only possessions he was using — his electric shaver and a bottle of aftershave in a small cardboard box.

I look around me: three computers and an i-pad, a smart phone, yards and yards of fabric, sewing equipment, books including a stack of cookbooks, kitchen stuff, a full pantry, a full closet, an SUV and a bike, and so on and realize if God called me home today, none of it, even the most used or most loved stuff, would go with me. Possessions are really not mine anyway. All of it is on loan and I’m to be a good steward of it.

In the OT, God’s people were given a far more valuable possession:

And the Lord said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. (Numbers 18:20)

What an amazing gift from God — Himself! This ensured that the Levites were content to live without any other possessions because in having nothing, they possessed all things, for God was their possession.

This remains true for God’s people now. Many NT verses speak of it, first concerning His supply of the necessities of life, but also all we need to serve and glorify Him:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31–33)

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3)

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)

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

All my physical possessions are supplied by God if I make seeking Him a priority. All spiritual needs are supplied by God as I serve Him. By grace, He gave me Jesus. By grace He supplies all that I need. I can only conclude that if I have any physical possession that I do not need or use, it should belong to someone else. Not only that, I learned from my generous sister that if I give something away yet eventually need it, God will somehow give it back to me. In other words, He is my resource, no one and nothing else.

PRAY: Jesus, it is easy to see that when my hands are full of my own things, I cannot fully grasp  possession of the things that are eternal. As today’s devotional says, only empty hands can grasp a gift, receive the filling and the gifts that You give. Forgive me for any glorying I have done over my possessions, physical or otherwise. May You enable me to be a good steward and wisely deal with anything that is not for me and could be helpful for others. You indicated that when my life is emptied, I am more able to receive what You want for me. I can get too distracted by my stuff. Give me wisdom for this decluttering task.

Having nothing yet possessing everything

Part of the spiritual gift of teaching is a strong desire to collect information so as to have it to pass along to others. While this means being good at trivial pursuit games and sharing household hints, its main purpose is knowing the will of God and the Word of God so well that cross-referencing and making connections is easy.

The downside or fleshy side of this inclination is collecting useless stuff. I noticed that last month. Some people collect spoons, or mugs, stamps, Avon containers, salt shakers, and all sorts of things that are displayed but without purpose. Today’s devotional points out that some “strive to get possession of certain experiences, some seek after ecstatic feelings, some try to make themselves rich in theological views and dogmas, some store up a long list of works done and results achieved, some seek to acquire illuminations or to accumulate gifts and graces” as if they will enhance their reputation with others and with God.

Paul wrote about events in his life and included his thoughts on collection/possession of stuff:

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 6:8–10)

Having nothing yet possessing everything seems like a contradiction. However, at this stage of my walk with Him, I’m beginning to understand. Having nothing means being emptying myself of all that I have, meaning my ideas, skills, wants, burdens, everything — so that I depend on Him for everything. That is, what I have has no value to me and can be released, set aside, useless to me and unable to fulfill any of my needs and certainly useless when it comes to help others or meeting their needs. Instead, He will supply. Paul means having nothing apart from God and relying on Him means I have everything.

Jesus lived by this principle. First He emptied Himself by being in the form of god but “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but made himself the form of a servant… and humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.” He had nothing, but lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. Of this, He said: “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27) He applied this to knowing what we need to know: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) This means I can put information into my head but don’t need to dote on my ‘collection’ for it is the Holy Spirit who brings it out when it is needed.

Paul emptied himself and said of it: “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 3:8) He knew that loss was a gain for he also wrote: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) and pointed to this attitude with lines like:

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, (1 Corinthians 3:21)

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

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)

The Apostle Peter had the same attitude. When encountering a cripple beggar, He said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6) He later wrote: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3)

Not only does God want me to rely on Him but also remember that His supply may come through His family, not collections or any of my means or devices. He says, “All who believed were together and had all things in common.” (Acts 2:44) Being interdependent is one more way to empty myself.


PRAY: Jesus, You know how independent I can be. I can handle most things, and I do rely on You for much of that, yet tend not to rely on others very much (except my dear hubby) but this idea of having nothing yet possessing everything includes a willingness to be served as well as to serve. You graciously accept the offerings of Your people. I need to be more like You.

Sufficient — no matter the problem . . .

Today’s devotional focuses on the first half of one verse: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul” (Psalm 19:7). MacArthur’s comments remind me of an old saying: “He who controls the definitions controls the argument.” This begs the question, what is the soul? 

Chinese Christian martyr Watchman Nee defined it as the intellect, emotions and will or volitional ability of human beings. Without Christ, our souls are dead to God yet still rule all of what we do. This is about self-rule and self-rule is God’s definition of sin:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

This is why the soul needs reviving or restoring. Sin keeps us from living as God intended, but the Word of God exposes that problem and corrects it. However, the soul resists. My thinking, emotions, and desires fear change at the very least, and digging in my heels can even go so far as to pretend to be ‘religious’ but still run my own life.

As MacArthur says, people doubt the power of Scripture in dealing with the deeper aspects of the human heart and mind. They say it might help “spiritual” problems but is inadequate for complex psychological issues. However, the best psychology can do is to modify external behavior. It cannot transform the root of it: errors in thinking, emotional reactions related to those thoughts, and the choices people make. Most are determined to have their own way, to look out for ourselves. Only the Word of God can change us at that deep level.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . .. since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God . . . . (1 Peter 1:3; 23)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

This is why the psalmist can call the law of the Lord “perfect” for there is nothing in it which would lead us into error or sin. It teaches me how to think:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

 . . . and it gives me welcome emotions including peace and joy, as well as the ability to choose love for God and others rather than to serve myself. This restoration of soul changes everything. It solves the problems that are created when God is ignored and I’m left to my own self-centered devices.

PRAY: Lord God, keep me focused on Your counsel regarding every situation I face today. I’m not feeling well so tempted to throw a pity-party and forget my attention to You and others. Make my choices pleasing to You.

PONDER: Read 2 Corinthians 9:8 and consider what all grace and all sufficiency and all things and at all times means and includes — as well as the results of having such amazing grace poured out on me!

 

 

All Things . . .

READ Ephesians 1–6

A neighbor related her belief in the sovereignty of God with such fervor that her deep conviction convicted me. How can I doubt Him when He is able to “order all things” and made His will secure? Today’s reading begins with those words:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, (Ephesians 1:7–11)

Ephesians is a favorite NT book, yet this morning I was so intrigued by those two words that I did a quick search and found enough to fill another book! “All things” appears 86 times in the ESV Bible, possibly more in the original languages. Many of those references are about the sovereign power of God.

For instance, in the OT, Genesis 24 begins with, “ . . . And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.” In 2 Samuel 23, He is said to “order all things” and 1 Chronicles 29 says “all things” come from Him, therefore whatever we offer to Him is really His in the first place.

Job declares, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2) and the Psalms say He puts “all things” under our feet, yet all things are His servants, not ours. Other passages speak of God who made “all things.”

The NT adds more of the same. Jesus said, “ . . . with God all things are possible” and of Jesus the crowds said, “He has done all things well.”

Significantly, Jesus said in Gethsemane: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36) God gave “all things” into the hands of Jesus. He has the power to do “all things” yet yielded that power to the will of God. This is the attitude God wants me to have concerning His sovereignty. I am powerless without Him, yet His power is available to me — but never apart from His will.

Romans 8 is well-known for two thoughts about all things. One is: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (8:28) The next verse reveals that the good purpose God speaks of is not health, wealth and comfort, but about being more and more like Jesus — including His submission to the will of God rather than doing whatever He wanted to do (Note, none of His will was sinful!)

The second thought is this: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (8:32) And these two verses are connected . . . the “all things” God gives us relate to the purpose of the “all things” He uses. That is, He wants me to have “all things” that will produce in me the image of His Son. If anything does not do that, He does not want it, and neither should I. As Paul says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12)

At least one more NT truth is expressed using this term:

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)

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3)

No matter what God asks of me, He will supply what I need to do it.

There are many more verses about “all things”— I could write a book! However, for today, I’m relying on God’s supply to give me what I need to do the things He puts on my heart to do, and rejoice in the fact that the He is my God — my source and resource for all things! Amen.