May 29 - Because He Believed

Acts 9: 20-31

Like it or not, our past follows us. Humans tend to judge others on what they’ve done before. The famous quote, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior” carries a lot of weight.

This doesn’t mean that people can’t change. The Bible tells of many less-than-savory characters making bad decisions, who later become outstanding champions of Christ. Character transformation speaks to God’s ability to work miracles.

The fact that Saul became Paul is one of the most miraculous transformations in the Bible. Who’d have thought the angry persecutor would become one of the greatest Jesus supporters?! Today’s reading says that even the disciples didn’t believe it could happen. But then Barnabas stepped in and vouched for Saul. Barnabas believed in the Paul that Saul would become. He was Saul’s champion. Often, we just need someone to believe in us – to believe that change is possible.

Do you have a Barnabas in your corner or maybe you’re a Barnabas for someone else?

When our church started exploring the characteristics of a disciple, I thought of Barnabas. The name Barnabas means “Son of consolation or comfort/encouragement” which sums up who he was to Saul and who he was in Christ. Barnabas knew of the transformative power that comes to those who believe. “As you follow him (Jesus), you will find it changes the way you picture yourself and the way you imagine the story of your life.  Your heart, your mind, your hands, and your spirit will transform to be more like God’s” (Portrait of a Disciple, p. 7).

Our God is the God of transformation. Anything is possible. And because of God’s faithfulness in the past, we can predict with absolute certainty His unending faithfulness in the future.

Embracing a New Way - God's Way

Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity. (Psalm 51:8-9 NIV)

When I read through this Psalm, I am reminded of how little control I maintain over my life and my future. I may think my life is all together, that I am always in control, but truth be said out loud, I am so out of control it isn't funny.

There is a picture in my mind's eye of what I want tomorrow to look like. In an instant I am confronted with reality. The reality is, I don't know best, but God does. He sees the big picture and only He understands my true needs. 

As I prayed this morning, and scribbled in my journal those scripture verses that touched me, I came to realize I am not praying for God's will. I am assuming my will is best and I am focusing on those dreams and ambitions I dumped on my prayer-table over the years.

I made a decision a few weeks ago and I now recognize it as, 'me' controlling my future. And controlling this future in the way I want to see played out. I have been praying, but not listening with open ears. My heart and mind already focused on my dream, not God's response. I need to practice listening - opening myself to what God planned for me. I understand from experience how His way is best. These aren't just nice words, they are truth. Truth, something I need to invite more of in my life.

Is there something you are praying about and trying to control at the same time? Why don't we give up this behavior together? We can discover what it is like to hear God and to follow His plan and not ours. I want to find out. Are you with me?

Hope - Past, Present and Future

"But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But, if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:24-25)

This hope is salvation, it is a faith pregnant with anticipation and it is the anticipated time when Jesus will return and fulfill His promises.

The idea here is that we have been saved—that is not in doubt—but we have not yet experienced the full force of that salvation. I read this example: We are like the homeowner who has been told that her house is worth ten times what she paid for it. She knows that she has, at least on paper, entered the ranks of the affluent, but she does not yet feel affluent. 

She cannot take her equity to the store to make purchases unless she sells or mortgages her house, and she is not ready to do either of those things. Nevertheless, she enjoys knowing that her future has brightened because of the appreciation of her house, even if she cannot cash in on it quite yet. In like manner, we have been saved, even if we will experience the full force of that salvation only in the future—in eternity.

Paul’s word denotes not so much a quiet acceptance as a positive endurance. Salvation is past, present and future. It is past because we were saved the moment we believed. It is present because we are in the process of being saved, this is sanctification.

But at the same time, we have not fully received all the benefits and blessings of salvation that will be ours when Christ's new Kingdom is completely established. That's our future salvation. While we can be confident of our salvation, we still look ahead with hope and trust toward that complete change of body and personality that lies beyond this life, when we will be like Christ. (1 John 3:2). --Life Application Study Bible.

Romans 8:12-25

Grow and Go

Matthew 18:19 (NIV)
  "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

As Jesus was preparing those He loved for His departure, He shared words of encouragement. More than likely His friends were afraid, wondering how they would survive in the world without Him. He had become so important to them, especially after all the experiences they shared. Jesus prepared them for this day, He loved them into this moment letting them know He would always be with them.

Life was about the change for this chosen band of believers. They could sense it and wanted to keep things as they were.  How many times have I done the same thing?  How many times have I clung to the past while being forced into the future? My comfort zone is my safe place; it is where I am familiar and comfortable.  What's wrong with that?

Everything. When I keep myself tucked in my cocoon of comfort I am not growing or changing. If I stay wrapped up in my past how can I experience the future God has prepared? I must admit, thoughts and imaginings of that future are often what hold me back.  The future is different, challenging and I don't need that right now. How often have I cried out to God, "take me back? I don't want to step into tomorrow, I want to stay here."

The two verses I chose to write on today speak to me of God's love and commitment to stay connected to me always.  They instruct me to stay close to my brothers and sisters and God will make His presence known to me/us by His Holy Spirit. This is 'one-anothering', as Jesus intended it to be.

Jesus said, "Go, make disciples." I can't do that unless I actually step up and step out and GO.

Matthew 18:21-35

To learn more about this topic check out this workshop which will be offered next weekend.

Hope for a Future - Jeremiah 29:11

The verse for today is a favorite of many.  It is a verses that gives such peace to those struggling with life and battling the daily skirmishes tossed our way. I love to read the two following verses as well, for they have added meaning to my life.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13) 


This was the first Christmas since my husband's death, the first Christmas celebrating with him, and while it could have been very sad, it surprisingly was not.  At church service this morning we sang many Christmas hymns, then there was a short message where the pastor asked for people to share their testimony of Christ working in their life this past year, things they were thankful to Jesus for.  There were a number of beautiful, if sad testimonies shared.  I felt prompted to say something, but it wasn't my home church so I didn't feel right.

What I would have said was that I was so thankful to God for sending His Son Jesus, Jesus, who provided salvation for us by giving up His life.  This year as I celebrate without my husband at my side, the one who loved everything about Christmas, I was not struck by the loneliness but by the awesome God we serve.  I was imagining Dave having the ultimate Christmas party, almost like a behind the scenes party, where he was at Jesus' side, worshiping and praising to the highest extent.  This verse, Jeremiah 29:11 came to mind in the midst of these thoughts.

The hope of the future in this world is bright because of Jesus and the hope of a future in the next world is more than I can take in.

God Only Know... Genesis 32-33

Have you ever been afraid of the future? Has the unknown ever made you turn to God pleading for deliverance? My husband and I are in a season of waiting. Steve has been waiting for over a year to be ordained. We are not sure where God wants us and at times the waiting is scaring.

When we face an unknown future we have three options. Go back to where we came from, stay where we are, or keep moving forward. My husband and I have chosen to keep moving forward. We continue to serve God, knowing he has our future figured out. We pray for direction, but that doesn’t mean we stop serving as we wait for His answer.

Jacob didn’t know how his brother Esau would react to him returning. Through deception Jacob had taken his brother’s birthright and blessing. Afraid, Jacob turned to God and asked for deliverance. He also reminded himself of God’s promises and then chose to continue moving forward. With nothing else he could do about his brother, Jacob had to trust God with his future.

Trusting is not easy, an unknown future can be scary, but when we trust our future to the One who created time, we can move forward confidently knowing that the God who loves us is in control.

Read the entire passage on Biblegateway Genesis 32-33