A remarkable series of events…

After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and. . . . he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar. . . .  therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 
And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “ ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:17–31)

Paul made choices as the Spirit directed and wound up sharing the gospel with many more people than he would otherwise. He risked the trip to Caesar and God blessed his obedience with many opportunities with people who otherwise would not hear about Jesus.

As I watch world and local news, much of it about tragic events and suffering, I know that what God is doing will not be aired, mostly because the average person does not see it that way. However, since these verses are true, I know that God is using hard events for good reasons.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)
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)

So whatever hits me and seems bad, hurts, brings sadness or great discomfort, God can use for good, but not just my good — if I imitate Paul. He experienced many hardship yet in it all, he told others about Jesus.

Oh Lord, enable me to be not only alert to opportunities, but to Your voice and follow up with loving obedience. The world is filled with sorrow and fear of death because so many have no idea what or when they will face trials or even death. Your news is good news — all because You died to set us free from guilt of sin and rose again to free us from fear of death. Oh the wonder of how You do it — using what we call terrible events.

 
 

Hard Choices?

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:5–11)

Since we moved (about 1 1/2 years ago) few days have been ‘normal’ in the sense that my to-do list was simple, no surprises, and early to bed. Today is no different except that the interruption to my plans happened before spending time with the Lord and being prepared for ‘whatever happens’ since it always does.

Reading the above verses describes a bit of how I feel, as if oppressed by the unexpected, but this psalm also gives the solution to this sense of being abandoned. This is a test of faith. Will I trust Him with this too, and give up my priorities even as I feel neglected and trade those important things for what seems like trivia?

Last night I dreamed being called out of a worship service to speak to an elderly man in distress. He seemed to be dying so I asked him if he was ready for that. He said no, so I quickly told him about Jesus, then walked away, as if that was enough. When awake, I could see the selfishness of my attitude in that dream.

Then when awake, someone asked me to do something and that same selfishness popped up. I felt cast down at needing to do an unimportant thing (to me) for the sake of someone else.

The solution: Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Sometimes hope is a choice. Praise is an obedience, and salvation seems a disconnect. Yet this is the Word of God for today. I must obey it even without seeing any reason or feeling any hope about the value of obeying.

Jesus, I need the hope You give. I have none of my own. You promise to use all things for my good. May this also be good for the person who asked me to give up my plans and do something so unimportant to me.

God cares about the details!

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” 
And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 
And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 
And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. (2 Samuel 5:17–25)

Two major lessons here for me. One is to ask the Lord about the challenges that lie before me. Do I fight them? Or do I not? Some of them involve others and that battle might be a training period for them and I need to stay out of it. Some may need supporting prayers. I cannot assume that all sickness needs healing or or every sin I see needs rebuking. I need to ask God if I’m to go to war and change things, or not.

The other lesson is more subtle, a battle plan that involves strategy and timing based on God's instructions and includes waiting. The first battle is about courage; the second is about deep trust and listening.

Yesterday’s sermon included instruction like these two. First a general encouragement to speak about Jesus to others; then more details about who to put in that category, then and suggestions for ways to do it and when. This message was out of a NT passage about winning the battle for souls, to me an obvious parallel to David’s OT battle against the enemies of God's people in a physical sense.

Jesus, I’m aware of the war for souls, and of the many ways those spiritual enemies try to thwart me from even asking You what to do, never mind doing it. Keep me alert to Your voice and how to fight so that You are glorified. Grant the details and keep my ears open and my whole being busy doing what You tell me to do.

When marking my x at the polls…

Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’ “Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved— for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian, and you have risen up against my father’s house this day and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.” 
And Jotham ran away and fled and went to Beer and lived there, because of Abimelech his brother. 
Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. (Judges 9:14–25)

This is a parable telling how choosing an unworthy person to be a leader is not a good idea. It is difficult to understand the details of this narrative, but various authors helped me see:

• A lowly bramble could destroy a noble cedar, just as the lowly-born Abimelech could ruin the lords of Shechem.
• We must not be deceived into judging the fitness of a man for any post by the eagerness with which he seeks it. 
• For myself, I need to never be motivation by self-seeking in any part of life. This is a low and dangerous sin that will bring harm to me and dishonor the Lord.
• But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:14–16)
• Weakness is better than selfish power as it encourages trusting in God’s strength. 
• Better have no king than a bad king. As a good government is the first blessing of a nation, so a bad government is its greatest curse. 
• Entering blindly into needless obligations will open eyes when these activities begin   to cause harm. 
• It is easier to confer power than to withdraw it from an ambitious person. 
• There is one King under whose leadership all people can be secure and rest: 

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. (Isaiah 11:1–5)

Jesus was mocked as King of the Jews, yet Revelation 1:5 calls Him “the ruler of kings on earth” who is seated on an eternal throne. Blessed are those who have positions of authority and who listen to this One who rules over them. 

Lord and King Jesus, ‘kings’ who do not listen to You are obvious, yet You are King and can use their decisions for Your purposes. You can set kings up and take them down. May leaders in this world fear You and pay attention to Your Word. May “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” This pleases You because You desire all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)

God knows what a stubborn heart needs

Recent OT reading reminded me of the laws protecting those who accidentally killed someone. For them, God provided cities of refuge where such a person could flee and be safe until given a fair trial. They knew their ‘crime’ was a sinful thing, but instead of dying for it, God had mercy. He knows that some sins are not willfully committed. 

Also some sins are not realized to be sins because of a lack of knowledge of God's will. This happens to those who are don’t have a salvation experience as well as to those who do. The Christian who fails to read the Bible may not realize the sin in some of their actions.

Piper quotes questions that seem rhetorical to those of us who know these truths, yet did his original readers have that knowledge? Is he rebuking them or informing them? Either way, he is saying that knowing truth changes behavior…

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:15–20)

While this points specifically to a sinful relationship with a prostitute, it can refer to any form of sexually immorality, and applies to other sins. God is asking, “Do you not know…” and if the reader knows these truths, then they should be fleeing such sin. 

As I read it, I thought of a familiar quote: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” The origin is unknown but it merits the question concerning Bible knowledge. Most Christians could say, “I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway” about some sin or other. The desire to run our own lives and go for what we think we need can be stronger than mere knowledge. 

This was in my mind yesterday too. To live out what I know is deeper than knowledge and deeper than will power, for we also have this stubborn fleshy ‘won’t power’ when temptation comes. Even though I know this …

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

… does not mean I will choose that way of escape. Nor does it mean the right choice will be made by others who know truth. Christians fall into the trap of sin because the desires of the old nature bombard them — not always out of ignorance or failure to remember that the temptation is offering a no-no. Either way, unintentional or a deliberate resistance to God, when the truth hits, all believers are offered a ‘city of refuge’ in the loving and forgiving arms of Jesus Christ.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

I read this verse, knowing how vital it is, knowing how important this truth is to spiritual growth, and am incredible thankful that the Spirit of God enables me to obey it. I’ve not always been willing. Choosing my way over God’s way brings consequences. From those, God shows me that His will is for my good. He is not a God with a big stick but with a big heart. Falling on my face by wanting my way, has taught me to drop my way, to say with Jesus, “not my will but thine be done.” Hard lessons. Just knowing the truth about Jesus and being set free from sin works the best in a heart that also knows the truth about itself.

PRAY: You are love and truth and all I need, Jesus. I know that in my mind, in my experience, in my heart. Hard lessons for this stubborn soul. Thank You for being so patient and so persistent.

God uses suffering…

 

As I watch my hubby struggling to move in any direction without severe pain, God is making me more aware of the need to be disciplined, not so much about moving my body but about not letting it dictate to me what I can and cannot do.

A few weeks ago, it was my turn. After few days in the hospital, God turned my focus by showing me how easily I can let the desire for personal comfort be an ambition. Had Jesus done that, there would be no salvation or the opportunity to be united to Him. He would never have gone to the cross if He put His comfort above obedience.

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. (Hebrews 2:10)

It works the same in our perfecting. We suffer and in that suffering we learn to let God have His way with us. He could use it to comfort us for another reason…

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. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:3–6)

This is how I learn empathy. If I am never sick, then I cannot understand the struggles of sick people, never mind feel their pain or comfort them.

But there is another lesson. God wants me to be perfected by suffering, meaning that I will seek the filling of the Holy Spirit and be bearing His fruit, including joy — rather than whining and feeling sorry for myself. I’m sure this is what Paul had in mind when he wrote:

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

My hubby knows that God is using this pain in his life. Both of us see how the Lord has used pain in the life of our friend B.T. He is joyful all the time, no matter what is going on in his body. He is a delight to be around because God has perfected his spiritual walk with suffering.

Most people complain, run to the doctor or pills or booze, to get it fixed rather than seek the will of God. How badly we need that “Not my will but thine be done” attitude that Jesus had.

As for me, taking care of him involves loving patience and help with what he is unable to do because of the pain. He will heal and yet the larger thing is that through this, God has a great purpose.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, give my hubby what he needs to trust You in this trial. I thank You that he can laugh even in pain and seek Your face and Your will for him. Grant him the ability to surrender to You and wait on You for the blessings to come. And give me what I need to encourage and care for him.

If only?

Having a vivid imagination can be fruitful, but also annoying. I’ve imagined myself as many great things that I will never be, like a singer or an actress. Some of these roles show my pride and vanity. I’ve also imagined myself blind so I would know what it is like to walk around my house without knowing what was in front of me.
 
The most significant question about why God made me the way I am is this matter of being easily distracted. Never diagnosed as ADD, but with all the symptoms and a lifetime of trying to stay focused. This scattered mind struggled with sticking to homework, getting any project finished, and once into a task, stopping to make supper or answer the phone.

When asking God, “Why have you made me like this?” He has never given me an answer that fed my ego. Most of the time I hear Him saying, “So you will trust Me” or something like that. The best explanation finally came in a quilting class.

The instructor asked class members to share things about ourselves and when my turn came, I said something about the difficulties of focusing. It happened that this instructor had training in counseling and came to me later with excellent advice. She told me to stop fighting that ‘problem’ and work with it, applying it to quilting and to other activities of life.

From this, I began to understand that God made me the way I am so I could do the things He wanted me to do. In a nutshell, He says:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Being easily distracted means I can drop whatever I’m doing to help someone in trouble, or to pray when prayer needs come to mind. It also gives me the ability to have many projects on the go. I can easily follow the thinking of others with the same problem.

The challenges have not gone away. For instance, the desire of my heart is always to pray after spending devotional time with Jesus. However, my to-do list or something else so easily distracts and pulls me away. I make excuses but know that this is vital and the rest of the day is filled with interruptions and so on — when I fail to focus on prayer. The worst part is that no matter how determined I might be even at this moment, in ten or fifteen minutes I could totally forget that resolve to talk to God.

My theology tells me this is a spiritual war. The enemy does not want me to pray so uses the way I think to take me into far less important activities. I could blame Satan, blame how I am made, but the Word of God persists in telling me to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) so those are excuses. Prayer is hard work. I’ve much else to do. Other excuses come to mind, but they are obviously not valid. The bottom line is:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20)

PRAY: This short prayer is not what You want from me, Jesus. There is so much need in the world, in our city, in our church and in family and friends. I cannot carry the burdens and know You want me to bring them to You. You are good and even though my mind is easily distracted, prayer lists, praying aloud, and walking while I pray do help me stay focused on this important task. Make me a prayer warrior that glorifies You, even though it seems this wandering mind is not capable to do any such thing.

The cost of obedience

 

Today’s devotional is about praise to God for those who instruct others in the Word of God and who set a good example. I’m thankful for my mentors. My mother and grandmother were believers, yet this task fell to an older woman in the local church who gave me study assignments and helped me understand the basics. After we moved from there, God sent many more mentors. Looking back, I realize my biggest problem was not gleaning crucial information but putting it into practice.

Paul knew this could happen. He wrote two reminders to Timothy:

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (2 Timothy 1:5)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14–15)

This young man had a sincere faith yet was timid and perhaps uncertain at times. Paul encouraged him to not only believe but do what he learned. Some of his instructions:

Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. (2 Timothy 1:8–9)

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:13–14)

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1–3)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:15–16)

Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil. (2 Timothy 2:22–24)

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. (2 Timothy 3:12–14)

Perhaps my problem with application is not a lack of personal mentors but that old bugaboo of thinking that because I knew the truths, knowing them was sufficient. That was sometimes intimidating to those who otherwise could have challenged my lack of obedience.

Yet God is faithful. In these past few years, we are in a local church that has many godly people setting fantastic examples of doing God’s will. I praise God for those who instruct and encourage righteousness, who teach others about Christ and how to live for Him. I’m also thankful that God can use anyone to be a mentor. One of my favorites was a young woman with several children who expressed the love of God in remarkable ways. Another is a young pastor who freely shares his struggle to obey what he knows and how God guides him in creative obedience.

PRAY: Jesus, today’s reading takes me to Hannah who was barren and prayed for a son, vowing to give him to You — and she did have a son and did give him to the current priest to be trained to serve. She then praised You for Your great power and wisdom, setting an example of what it means to let go of what is precious that others might grow in the grace and knowledge of You. (1 Samuel 1:1–2:10)

PONDER: Think about what obedience challenges me to give up. Broadly, it could be time, money, reputation, all sorts of things that would bring glory to Jesus and certainly not to me. Hannah gave up the child that she dearly longed for after God gave him to her. How does her example apply to my life?