… without ceasing…

One question in our small group Bible study was, “What makes you feel most loved: when someone says they love you, or when they do actions that show love?” Most in the group said both. A few cited one of the love languages from a book on that topic.

I’ve since thought about it and notice that one way I feel loved is when I’m standing alone in a crowd and someone spots me, their eyes light up and they hurry over to talk.

Today’s reading is about being delighted in God and how nearness to Him is “the only all-satisfying experience of the universe.” In other words, when I see or sense Him, my eyes light up and I rush to talk with Him. “Pray without ceasing” is a reality with constant conversation about everything with Jesus. This is not to make God feel loved but has the reverse effect; it makes me feel loved!

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. (Psalm 63:1–2)

David prayed this way while he was in the wilderness. He was called a man after God’s own heart and that indicates the way we were created to be. I am at my created best when I am longing for God and seeking Him. This can include obeying all His commands, believing all His Word, thanking Him for all His gifts, yet the essence of loving God is enjoying all that He is, delighting in Him, especially when desolation surrounds and life is not comfortable.

This past week was filled with stresses. Strokes and heart attacks in folks too young for such unexpected events. Friends needing financial help, one because of an injury, another because of an accident and unexpected insurance problems, and several who needed help with expenses. Two families were moving, one involving a very pregnant mom who is having her baby today, and the other a young father with many responsibilities besides moving. He was remodeling the house with only a few days to make it livable. We could not physically chip in but everyone involved requested prayer support. My hubby visited a friend dying in hospice care in another city. We had a family pet in surgery and not too happy about it, plus two major celebration events. Add to that some decisions with actions involving our own home.

Each event in itself was bearable, but all happening in a few days felt like too much for people our age! However, the presence of our loving God gave us the attitude and stamina needed, and of course He talked with us.

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)

PRAY: Jesus, Your presence made the difference in all events and the choices we made. Naps became extremely appealing this week, yet somehow You kept helping us with stamina and choices to do otherwise — move now and nap later. Truly You renew the strength of those who wait upon You — and a huge part of that is also delighting in You and that marvel of constant conversation. My gratitude.

Loving others is not about me

The Christians in Galatia had entangled themselves in a pattern of trying to establish their righteousness by keeping the Law of God. They didn’t say ‘We are saved by our own works’ because Satan knows how to put a lie into our hearts without being so easily detected. Only when Paul wrote to them was that lie exposed.

At least two major denominations teach that we are saved by grace, but only if we keep the law. Others put variations on this such as, ‘We are justified by grace alone, but sanctification comes by keeping the commandments.’ However it is phrased, both are trying to mix law and grace. In doing so, they deny the Gospel of salvation by grace alone.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)  

As I think about this, Satan can be even more subtle. He tells me that I am saved and being sanctified, but constantly is at me with stuff like “you are not good enough” or “try harder” pressuring me with the idea that pleasing God is about my performance.

Many people grow up with that idea. We want to please our parents and are praised when we behave. We want to please our peers and are accepted by them as long as we fit in. For me, it was pleasing my teachers by good grades and pleasing myself by accomplishments.

While obedience to God is the way to go, I need to be aware of my motivations. Who am I really trying to please? Who will get the glory in the end? Am I doing this for me because ‘me’ always likes to pat myself on the back?

Jesus came in perfect humanity not only to die for sin, but to show sinners what God intended when He created us. For Jesus, it was all about others. He fulfilled every law, every commandment, every ideal that God describes. This is how we express love to God by loving one another.

One of the ways to love others is this: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) This verse speaks of the law of Christ, but that law and that love is never about me or my performance. In other words, the love of Christ is not measured in how many pies I bake for the neighbors or how many orphans I support. It is measured by releasing all my I-wants to God and letting Him live out His live through me. It is living in the power of the Holy Spirit and doing what He says. It isn’t about what I want or my needs, but about caring for the needs of others because Christ takes care of me . . .

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus . . . .” (Philippians 2:1–5)

Just as the traits of others rub off on me when I hang around them, the mind of Christ becomes more and more evident as I hang around Him. I learn how to love by observing His lack of selfish ambition and conceit. He considers others more important than Himself. He listens to their hearts and meets all their needs. He loves and serves people, an expression of His perfection, not a way to gain it or prove it.

Bearing the burdens of others is not about worrying, or removing their responsibilities. It is sharing their load in whatever ways God has gifted me and blessed me with the resources to do so. By looking at Christ as the example, I see that love expressed in burden-bearing is also sacrificial. If I am in this for Jesus, it will cost me something rather than building up me or gratifying my pride. Just as He gives the description, the glory of love also always goes to its source — the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Jesus, Your Word is plain; we are to love one another. Because I have been born of God, You live in my heart and make possible that kind of burden-bearing love. This is how the world knows that God sent You. This also gives me confidence as I walk with You because this kind of love casts out all fear. This seems an odd prescription but I am thankful that Your remedies always bless Your people and glorify Your name!

Jesus loves me, this I know

Yesterday a friend suggested that I was too worried about the situation that is distressing me. She said, “Let it go.” She had the right idea, yet letting go, at least for me, requires a foundation. On what basis can I drop the problem?

It can be taken to Jesus, which I was already doing, but the burden would not leave me. It can be pushed aside by busyness, likely to produce ulcers. It can be dismissed as unimportant, which would calcify my heart. Nothing was giving me comfort. Maybe wanting comfort is selfish? Maybe this is a burden that God wants me to carry so that I will keep praying?

Today’s devotional verses and thoughts give me encouragement and something that lightens the load . . . 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:35–37)

Chambers says that while nothing can wedge in between the love of God and His people, things can mess up my fellowship with God. When that happens, it is almost always related to the original lie of the serpent in Eden. In essence, he suggested to Eve that God didn’t love her and didn’t want the best for her.

That lie hangs itself on my burden. The enemy suggests to me that God’s love isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. He isn’t interested in His people, His plans are more important than our feelings . . . yada, yada. Thinking this way puts dread in my heart for the future of someone I love — when I should have hopeful expectation.

For that person, for myself, the foundation of our faith is the unmerited love of God exhibited on the Cross of Calvary. We don’t deserve it and we cannot earn it. Love is the very nature of God. He is the reason we are more than conquerors, no matter what comes at us. The fact is that we would not even realize that we are victorious against these things unless they made their overthrow attempts. It is in facing overwhelming odds that we find out the power of God’s love to give us victory.

 . . . 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 4:5–7)

How can there be peace, even joy, in difficult distresses? Successful risk-takers know it. Those who jump on a wild horse and ride the beast know the joy of it. Surfers who ride that gigantic wave through to the end also know the joy of it. It makes sense that staying in a safe place means not knowing or realizing that the peace of God is possible even in the midst of tribulation, distress, persecution, and danger.

Chambers says we should not fight to remove our distresses — because in Christ we are more than conquerors in those distresses, not in spite of them, but in the middle, in the experience. I do not know the joy of the Lord in spite of burdens, but because of them. Paul said, “. . . In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.” (2 Corinthians 7:4)

After saying, “Let it go,” my friend said that the same God that loves me and wants what is best for me also loves the person I’m concerned about and wants the best for that person. In essence, she was saying that I need to pray, but more than prayer, I also must remember that God loves us. His love cannot be altered or removed in the experiences of life, monotonous or horrendous, ease or trials, nor when the devil says otherwise.

Solutions for wanting to quit

This process of downsizing is hard work, physically and emotionally. However, just when I’m tempted to grumble about it, God reminds me of the much larger task He gave Moses and the reaction Moses had when the load became too much for him. 
 

God told Moses to lead His people out of bondage in Egypt. At first, Moses was not excited about taking on the job. However, with the help of his brother, he went forward, eventually accomplishing what God asked him to do. Then, as the large company of Israelites traveled toward the land God promised them, they grumbled and wanted more than Moses could deliver. When this happened, Moses was ready to throw in the towel.

Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers? … I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. (Numbers 11:10-12, 14)

I remember more occasions when I felt like quitting. Some involved being let down by others for whom I was responsible. Or I had more work to do than hours in the day. Or I was constantly interrupted or thwarted to the point that I felt I would never catch up. Or there seemed no end in sight, no accomplishments either. Whatever the reasons, quitting became appealing because I feel incapable of continuing.

Today’s devotional reminds me that whenever God puts someone in any position of responsibility, He will both fit him for it and maintain him in it. I have the most incredible resource. Am I relying on Him? I need to ask myself some questions. 

Is this burden from Jesus in the first place? He said that those bearing a heavy burden need to come to learn of Him, for He does not impose burdens that are too heavy.

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)

When I am over-loaded, I must first check where that load originated. Did I rush unsent into it? Or did God send me and then I proceed to do it without relying on Him? Is there a change in His command? Have I added to the load by worry or grumbling about it? 

If the Lord’s burdens are light and mine have become heavy, unless I examine what I am doing and why, I am in danger of a thorough breakdown. If God called me to it, He promised the needed grace. This is true in every case. That means I can never fail as long as I cling to the living God. I will not run dry if I am drawing from Him. He said, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” (John 7:38) 

God’s solutions for over-worked servants are varied. Sometimes He removes the burden and takes it Himself. “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7. 

 Sometimes He lightens the load as Jesus said. He can do this in several ways. He might increase my strength. “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength…” Isaiah 40:31, or in Moses’ case, He divided the load.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone” (Numbers 11:16–17).

This is also a major solution for burdens in the Body of Jesus Christ. The New Testament says that none of us are to do God’s work as lone rangers. We must work together and help each other. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 

That means when the work becomes too difficult, I can and should call for backup, either in prayer or in extra muscle, or even both. But first, I need to talk to the Lord. He might come up with some other solution that I never even thought of!

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God, today I feel tired. The dust from boxes and paper is bothering my allergies. Grumbling is a threat. Lord, You are my Savior. Save me from the sin of complaining, and the temptation to quit. Show me Your solution to the burdens of this day. Thank You that You care and stand ready to offer help.

Need love? Try loving others!

The biblical definition of love that results in doing good things for others means that these are selfless actions. However, they also have positive results in the lives of those who love this way.
 

For one thing, doing good to my enemies changes my attitude toward them. While this has not been tested to the extreme (I haven’t many enemies), I cannot remain upset with someone that I am praying for or acting in ways that bless them.

I’m also to love other Christian and help them with their burdens. Normally, this is easy to do, but what if I am burdened myself? How can loving others be anything but an added burden? This passage in Galatians hints at God’s amazing wisdom in asking me to love others, no matter what.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. (Galatians 6:1–5)

Caring about the needs of someone else keeps me on my toes. That is, I cannot help anyone if I am not walking rightly with the Lord myself. From this passage, that includes being a “spiritual” person who is gentle and who “watches” myself so I am not tempted. That cannot be done without humility and self-awareness. Also, I am to examine my own self lest I think I am better than others. All these are beneficial to my own life.

The last line seems a contradiction from the first part. I can see how bearing one another’s burdens is part of loving my neighbor as myself (the law of Christ), but what about bearing my own load? What if I am weighed down and no one steps up to help me?

Today’s comments on this passage of Scripture are helpful. They explain the reasons why God might ask me to do this.

However perplexed you may at any hour become about some question of truth, one refuge and resource is always at hand: you can do something for someone besides yourself. At the times when you cannot see God, there is still open to you this sacred possibility, to show God: for it is the love and kindness of human hearts through which the divine reality comes home to men, whether they name it or not. Let this thought, then, stay with you: there may be times when you cannot find help, but there is no time when you cannot give help. (George Merriam)

If my problems and perplexities cause me to turn inward and focus only on my own needs, not caring about anyone else, then walking in love toward others is impossible. To turn this around, confession is necessary, but so is the power of God and obedience to His commandments. He cares about my needs, but I must also care about doing what He asks, no matter what is happening in my life.

At this point, I must make a distinction between what this means and what sometimes happens to people who tend to hide their own needs and burdens. Some will wear a perpetual Pollyanna smile to cover any sign of weakness or personal problems. A person that I know well was doing this for years. Eventually, he had a full breakdown and wound up in the hospital.

His “I’m fine all the time” attitude is not what this passage means by bearing your own burden. A spiritual person is also a transparent person. Having a spirit of gentleness is real, never a cover for anything else. Needing to watch myself concerning temptation is real too, because pride and self-deception go hand-in-hand. I cannot project any sort of “I’m fine” when I’m not fine because in those efforts to “look good” I easily can become out of touch with reality, as happened to my friend.

How can I bear my own load and at the same time bear the burdens of others? Only by taking all burdens to the Lord. He invites me to do that, particularly when the “one another’s” is not happening.

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)

If I, with burdens that I cannot bear, come to Jesus, He gives me rest for my soul. That is, my inner person is no longer concerned about the weight of that burden. He may not remove it, but He does want to exchange it. In love, He releases me to carry a different load, His burden. Simply put, it is the burden of loving His people, and that burden is light.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

Doing something for others because of the love of Christ and regardless of my own situation becomes an opportunity to be yoked with Christ. I can be a channel for His love. The weight of my own burden may remain, but it loses its ability to control me. 

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Lord, Your ways are certainly not like our human ways. We either ignore our own needs to help others, or cannot help others because our own needs are too overwhelming. You did neither. You went to the cross asking that the cup be removed (God, fix My need), but said, “Nevertheless, Thy will be done (But if You don’t, I will obey You anyway). By that great humility, Your love went to work in the midst of Your own pain, making eternal life possible for a dying world. In these verses, I hear You asking for that same attitude in me. I’m to bear the burdens of others, even when I have a burden of my own, for in showing Your love to them, they will be able to see You.