Stand Up for Jesus

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:16–33)

Currently in our country and culture, all religions are allowed or tolerated. Only Christians are slipping out of that toleration in several ways. We cannot speak out against certain sins because this is now unlawful. While some ministries are admired, most of the time many non-believers consider us a bit weird or pay no attention to us at all.

As I read the above passage, I wondered if persecution is better than being ignored. When people protest truth, it is usually because they ‘get it’ but don’t want to hear it. No reaction at all could indicate a much harder heart. 

The point Jesus makes is that no matter how others treat us, He watches over us and as we continue to stand up for Him, He continues to represent us to His Father and promises His peace to those who rely on Him. 

Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 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.” (John 16:31–33)

Many tend to think that the worst persecutors can do is put us to death, but forget that death shoves us out of this place into eternal glory with Him. No wonder He asks if I now believe!

Jesus, there are days I want to leave this life and be with You. Usually I’m feeling sorry for myself. Far better to join You because my life or words have convicted someone, eventually even brought them to their knees, then to be comfortable and safe but those around me remain without faith and are denied by You. You do not author fear but love and a sound mind. Grant me the love, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit that others can hear and hopefully see a clearer picture of You. 

 

God and Dreams

 

A bad dream caused me to ask God for better dreams. I wanted to dream about Him. Last night, He answered. In the dream, He sent me on a trip of several destinations and several projects to do. I didn’t know that this assignment would take a week so packed nothing for the trip except my Bible and a notebook. By the second day, I realized I’d need a toothbrush and a few changes of clothes, to say the least. I told someone of my predicament and prayed. On the third day, in a city I didn’t know I’d be in, I retired to an assigned hotel room and there on the bed was all I would need for the rest of the trip. Who, how, and other details unknown, it was obvious God answered and assured me that no matter what my future held, He would supply.

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

The past few months have been like that dream. We have had so many unexpected blessings that I have lost count — but not the memories. Things fixed or done by people who came to do something else and ‘just happened’ to have the skill to fix them — at no cost. Finding just what was needed at just the right time. Meeting people that needed us, also at just the right time and having that need supplied to us for them by God's ‘riches in glory in Christ Jesus’ who always shows up with perfect timing and resources.

I’ve sometimes called myself God’s spoiled brat. Better to say, “that according to the riches of His glory He keeps granting me to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in my inner being” (Ephesians 3:16) and put the focus on the source rather than the results.

Yesterday I was thinking that my world could fall apart, that God could discipline me or train me using disasters, deaths, negative things. The news is always full of this stuff and besides that, we have unsaved family, some who are needy in spiritual and other ways, and my hubby, who could have retired fifteen years ago is still working and leaves next week for one of his several contract jobs. For me, the week ahead has two dinners (one I will cook and one to cancel), four meetings (two in one day, and one all day), and that gigantic to-do list and who knows what else. Worry comes easy — but only God knows what is ahead, and only God can tell me, in His Word and in my dreams, that He will supply every need, no matter what. I am a blessed brat.

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: Jesus, what do I say? Thank you are small words for such a ginormous and loving God. You know me. Your thoughts of what I need do not bounce around like silly putty. Your supply is  as certain and as perfect in love and grace as You are. Forgive the anxiety that keeps knocking on the side of my head and pour Your peace into my heart and mind. I love You. 

What I really need…

 

Every morning the news brings stories of great tragedies and often great nonsense. As I read Proverbs this morning, these verses touched my thoughts about some of this news and the motivations that cause it:

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15)
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. (Proverbs 14:18)
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. (Proverbs 14:30)

Some of the world’s leaders seem to think that they are above anyone else’s ideas. And there are people who believe everything they hear without checking out the facts. Otherwise social media would have fewer postings. On a larger scale, political leaders need to respect the advice of others without going off on their own and creating chaos. 

The last two speak to me as well. I can talk all day about how much work I have, but talking does not get it done. For me, ‘poverty’ is life without any accomplishments just as much as it is life without money or other resources. Talk will not do it for me or for anyone else. Sweat and effort are required.

Last night I was tired and feeling overwhelmed. While some of the things on that to-do list are self-imposed, it seemed I will not live long enough to deal with so many responsibilities. I felt quite stressed and prayed that God would grant me peace of mind. This morning the first answer was this, the verse for today on Logos:

And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

Then I read the one above from Proverbs 14, “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot” and hear the Holy Spirit telling me two things. One: Rest in the presence of the Lord and Two: watch my motivations for what I am doing. If envy is there, it will kill me.

This may seem like a simple thing to some, but anyone involved in creative activity is subject to the temptation of envy. I am a quilter. I belong to one large guild and two small groups. It is easy to fall into the sin of comparing myself with others in these groups. One of them praises me for my creativity and the other one makes me feel as if I don’t have much of it.

Comparing my work with others is not a great idea. It can inspire me to do well, move me to keep working, or make me wish I could do as well or better than they do. However, the NT says:

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. (2 Corinthians 10:12)

This verse is in a passage where Paul says he is humble yet bold, humble to not walk in the flesh yet bold in the power of God. He reminds me that the confidence I should have is that I belong to Jesus. I have weaknesses and strengths, yet they are of no account. I can only feel confidence in that I am doing what God gave me to do. Paul winds up saying:

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:17–18)

I’ve some clues that the people I sometimes envy also envy me. How silly we are. To each God gives gifts that He uses to bring glory to Himself. This means that all that is on my list may or may not be from Him, but getting it done isn’t so I can gleefully put a check mark on the list, but so He can somehow be glorified. Part of that will be the display of a tranquil heart, rather than a frantic feeling of envy that pushes me to try and do more than He asks.

PRAY: Jesus, forgive my sinful comparing — for it takes my eyes and motivations off You and puts me on a competitive mode that does not glorify You. Resting in You changes all that, and being content says far more about Your grace and power that winning a frantic race of accomplishment. Thanks for Your reminders and these words that change anxiety to peace. Amen.

Joy in listening for the next thing…

 

Years ago a friend and I attended a women’s conference featuring a well-known Christian missionary and author as the main speaker. At lunchtime, I suggested to my friend that we sit at an empty table and see who joined us. Long story short, that speaker sat at our table.

During lively conversation, someone asked her how she managed to get so much done in her busy life. She replied, “I just do the next thing — and I alway know what it is.”

This response told me that she also listened to the Holy Spirit for His instruction. From personal experience, I know that my old nature is not always that clear about what to do next. I can be easily confused or distracted, but when the Spirit is in charge, then her words made complete sense.

Today’s reading agrees. It says my part is simple; all I need to do is trust the Lord and follow what He says. He decides my day — when I wake up, the interruptions and interaction with others, who calls, and so on. I don’t have to plan.

However, this is not 100% for there are times when the “next thing” is planning. This move is one example. With so many boxes to unpack and decisions to make about what to keep and what to pass along, we didn’t sleep well. Too much on our minds. The Spirit gave me a solution: every night, write a plan for the next day, including regular activities such as worship, devotions and prayer, exercise, and even a menu for supper. It works. I know tomorrow before my head hits the pillow and do not need to stew about it then or when I wake in the middle of the night.

This is not the same as ‘taking matters into my own hands’ because doing this happens with a listening ear. Even though the Lord usually leads me with one step at a time, for this problem in life, He takes me ahead so I can rest. What a lovely Shepherd. I can rest in His plan and get things done without stressing over what is not yet done. There is no fear in following the leading of Jesus, for He is just as the psalmist wrote:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1–6)

This beloved psalm is often repeated yet living it provides a great experience. It uses words like not wanting and lying down, being restored, glorifying Him by righeous living, no fear even of death, being with me, being comforted by His protection and correction, overflowing blessing, goodness and mercy, and being with Him always. And most of all, finding these things true as I listen and do the next thing. His leading and control of my life is a blessing almost beyond description. With Him:

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:13)
Then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:6; 10)

PRAY: Lord, these days have been physically exhausting, yet rest for my soul. You know how to get things done without stress or feeling as if the burden is too great. With so much to do, I’d normally be anxious, yet listening to You for “the next thing” has deeply made a difference. I look around me at the order appearing out of chaos and bless Your wisdom and grace for allowing me to trust and follow You, and to do it with joy. Thank You.

Life is not a straight line…

Today will be difficult. We say goodbye to a friend who died in her sleep. No warning, too young, leaving husband and family in numbing shock as well as all who knew her. Even after two weeks, most of us have not realized the reality of what happened.

We knew her well. Her oldest lived with us while in university. The other daughter’s hubby handles financial matters for us. Their son has been on our prayer list for years. My husband and hers have breakfast together every few weeks.

To add to the pain of this loss, we just experienced the most wonderful family reunion that I cannot describe without awe for God. He graced us with His presence and even the many who are not believers still speak of the event with superlatives, not fully understanding what made it special but realizing it was a deep blessing.

And now we go to another extreme. I realize the Lord is in this too, but the feelings are not the same. Today’s reading reminds me that no height of spiritual blessing can absolve me from obedience and watchfulness. While I would like to dwell on the joy of the reunion, He wants me to share the sorrow of the bereaved. My stomach even churns with the swing from joy to overwhelming sorrow, from enjoying those deeply blessed to comforting those deeply grieving.

Yet the reading reminds me that Jesus is here in both extremes. He never stops wanting me to obey Him and never stops supplying what I need to do it:

… walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10)

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Colossians 1:29)

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)

It is folly to think that the heights of blessing will keep the enemy from trying to topple me from that mountain top. Usually his attacks are unexpected and differ from the last time he went at me. This past few days, the distraction has been physical as well as emotional. Praying this morning helped a great deal. Also my mom’s words, “We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it” often give motivation to simply trust God. If He wants whatever is happening, I need to accept it. If He doesn’t want it, that attack stops as He goes to bat for me.

In other words, I can fight, but it is a fight of faith not of effort, for my God fights for me, and therefore I can be at peace. The externals may not change, but again, it is the peace of God who makes this change inside of me.

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 4:6–7)

Understanding this peace may not happen, but experiencing it is a reality.

PRAY: Lord, even my devotions this morning were a turmoil and interrupted several times, but You are here with me and Your presence makes such a difference. Fill me with Your Spirit that I might glorify You today and not be absorbed today with the ups and downs of this past week. Thank You!

Peace in this messy world . . .

 

Current events are difficult to understand. While sin never makes sense when I am thinking in a godly way, the extent of it seems beyond rationale, even to a worldly mind. However, God uses today’s devotional to remind me of Judas.

Jesus picked him. Jesus knew this man would betray Him. He picked him anyway. Every choice and action Jesus made was in obedience to the Father. Regardless of the cost. When He was in the garden, He prayed, “Not my will, but thine be done.” He also said:

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)

Judas was part of God’s salvation plan. To die, Jesus must be arrested. To be arrested, someone would betray Him. Not that Judas was a robot, but God knew and Jesus also knew what this man would do. And God works all things together for His purposes.

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

God used this greatest evil, the betrayal and death of His sinless Son, to accomplish the greatest good possible — the redemption of sinners. The God who did that can also use wars, wildfires, slavery, crime even, to accomplish things I cannot see nor can I understand or make sense of.

This does not mean God is moving people around like pawns on a chess board, but it does mean in His sovereign will and plan, nothing will stop Him from accomplishing it. Just like nothing can stop Him from loving us:

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. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35–39)

Sometimes my prayer time is like the song — in the garden when the dew is still on the roses. Sometimes it is in a lineup waiting for something, or in a room full of people singing praises. Sometimes it seems more like being in a war room with Him, planning the battle and engaging the enemy. In these situations of personal prayer, does anyone know what I am doing? Not usually. It is only when the prayers are answered and I shout the story that the world around me realizes this hidden activity. If I, a mere mortal and a forgiven sinner, can do that in secret and something in the world is changed because of it, how much more can Almighty God be at work and we cannot see Him or see what He is doing?

What is going on in the world is like the psalmist said:

When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. (Psalm 77:16–19)

And the NT echoes the same faith in this unseen God who is at work . . .

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17–18)

PRAY: Lord Jesus, just as Noah didn’t fully understand why he was building an ark, I often don’t understand what is going on around me or why You ask me to do certain things. The world does not make sense most of the time, yet You are always active, always involved. Sin says otherwise — an excuse for doing what sin does — but knowing and realizing Your presence and love for this world, for sinners and for me, is a strong anchor. You keep me from drifting off away from the peace and joy that is within when my focus says on You.

READ: Isaiah 26:3-4. What are some ways to keep my mind on the unseen Lord and to keep trusting Him?