Faith is strengthened in tandem

Has your world fallen apart lately? Some of us live in a perpetually broken environment. How do we cope? How do we live with the pain and heartache that life can dole out? Some of our pain may be self-inflicted, the result of poor choices and bad relationships. Some of our pain is through no fault of our own, but we find ourselves in the midst of it.

Be strong and focused - Sometimes we just have to tough it out and be OK with nothing being OK. But, if we want to come out on top, if we want to survive and eventually thrive, we need to recognize that God is faithful and He wants the best for us. There are things we can do while in the midst of a crisis. We can find someone to walk with us. Having a friend who will listen and who will pray for us will make a difference.

Don't go through it along - No matter what the struggle, it is easier to wrestle the giant with someone with whom you can tag-team. Job, the subject of our study, is in the midst of great trail. Job is not alone, he doesn't allow his sorrow to lead him into isolation. He is surrounded by community, his friends sat with him and silently supported him in his grief.

Whatever you are dealing with now, don't face it alone. Reach out to God who is faithful, even if our faith is faltering during this season, God is still faithful.  And then pray seek out someone who will come alongside and be your strength for a bit. Find a person who is safe to talk to and to pray with.

Allow God to speak into your heart during this time and listen for what He is saying, what He is teaching you. Write it down so some day in the near future and can go back and read and remember.

Romans 3:3-4 - God is faithful

The Sky is Falling

Acts 24:10-16

 

 

^“I do admit this to you: I worship the God of our ancestors by following that Way which they say is false. But I also believe in everything written in the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets.”      Acts 24:14 GNT

 

In the children’s story Chicken Little, the lead character of the same name, went around telling everyone that “the sky is falling” because an acorn had fallen on his head. He truly believed this was the case and acted accordingly, but of course he was seriously wrong.

 

Like Chicken Little, Paul had an event happen in his life that got his attention. On his way to Damascus, Jesus struck him blind with a bright light. As a result, Paul went around telling everyone about Jesus. And now, defending himself before Governor Felix, Paul claims to believe in the same God and the same Old Testament as those men who were accusing him of wrongdoing.

 

If Paul truly believed the same as his accusers, why is there such a dramatic difference in their lives?

 

God is at work in each of our lives to draw us to Him, to mold us into His image and to serve Him. How has He got your attention? What version of an acorn or a bright light has He used to accomplish this? How has God spoken into your life? And most importantly, how have you responded?

 

You may have heard the saying, “A man is only as good as his word”. The same is true of God, and God is always faithful to His word. That is why Paul trusted Him before Governor Felix. That is why we can trust Him.

 

“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.”        Jeremiah 29:11

 

God is faithful and because of that, His Word can be trusted. It was true thousands of years ago. It is true today for you and for me.

 

So, how indeed have you responded to the acorns and bright lights in your life? Do you run around saying “the sky is falling”? Or do you trust in the Living God of the Old Testament like Paul did?

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2024%3A10-16&version=NIV;GNT

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Acts.24.10-Acts.24.16

 

 

If you're not moving Forward, You're going Backwards

Nehemiah 9:32-38

 

Football coaches say stuff like this all the time. This mantra seems to be ingrained into them as they push their players to become better by continually improving. Urban Meyer was recently quoted as saying, “That’s my job – to push”.

 

Leading up to today’s passage, the Levites recounted how God had been faithful to the Hebrews over the centuries. He was always with them and never let them down. However, with all that the Living God did for them, the Israelites were constantly rebelling. They were as consistently inconsistent as God was consistently faithful.

 

Verse 33 says, “In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly”. Recognizing this, they made yet another promise to God to be faithful to Him.

 

Does that sound familiar to you? It does to me. There have been so many times in my life when I told God, “I’m never going to do that again”, only to turn around and do it again – not just once but over and over. What is it about human nature that does that? More importantly, what can we do to counteract it?

 

In Celebrate Recovery (a Christian twelve-step program at UALC), everyone is encouraged to have a sponsor and/or an accountability partner. That person is there to help push you to improve. But pride keeps us isolated and thinking, “I can do this. I don’t need anyone else”. But we do need others because we can’t change on our own.

 

“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed”.            James 5:16

 

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2

 

“See to it brothers and sisters that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the Living God, but encourage one another daily so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”             Hebrews 3:12-13

 

God is faithful. He is always with us. But we need someone to push us; to hold us accountable. A coach who will push us to be the best that we can be; to grow in our faith; to move us forward towards, and not go backwards from, our Lord Jesus.

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%209%3A32-38&version=NIV;TLB

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Neh.9.32-Neh.9.38

 

The Third Visit

2 Corinthians 12-13

　
Paul seems to have spent more time visiting, writing letters and probably praying for the Corinthian church than any of his other churches. In some ways, the Corinthians were his "problem child". In fact, 2 Corinthians was written because a group of men, who called themselves apostles, were bad-mouthing Paul despite all that he had done for the Corinthians.

These men were false teachers who were challenging Paul’s personal integrity and his authority as an apostle. That is why Paul is boasting about his hardships and suffering. In essence, he is defending himself to the Corinthians in order to validate his ministry and therefore his apostleship.

It would be easier for Paul to just quit or to give up on the Corinthians or to rationalize taking the easy way out of not confronting them. But he doesn’t do that. He cares too much for them. He loves the Lord too much. So he keeps reaching out to them. According to my study Bible, Paul wrote them four times and visited them three times. This is more than he did with any other church. Why? Paul answers this question himself.

"Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you." 12:14
If I was a Corinthian and read this it might bring a tear to my eye. Paul doesn’t want anything from them, but them. On the one hand that is very touching, but on the other hand it is kind of scary. Giving yourself is always harder than giving your possessions.

"Everything we do dear friends is for your strengthening". 12:19
Following this verse Paul speaks of expectations, both his and the Corinthians. He makes himself vulnerable by sharing his fears that when he arrives everything could fall apart. Despite his feelings he continues forward for his third visit so that the Corinthians might be strengthened.

Doesn’t God work in our lives in the same way? Doesn’t He keep drawing us closer to Him? Isn’t He faithful in our relationship with Him? Hasn’t He sacrificed much for us?

Even though we turn from Him. Even though we let others lead us astray. Even though we find sin more enjoyable than sanctification. He continues towards His "third visit" with us. And He doesn’t want our possessions. He wants us – every part of our being.

Therefore, don’t hold anything back. Turn it all over to the Loving God who gave His only Son for you.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%2012-13&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Cor.12-2Cor.13

Prayer is Laughing - OUT LOUD

Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV) 

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.    

You may be wondering why the title this week of Prayer is Laughing.  I had the same question as I read through many of the verses selected, some of which are light, but others that aren't.  The verses speak of trusting God, of Him fighting with and for us, of enemies waiting to devour us.

Chapter 39 opens with, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."  While the image of a muzzle on my mouth is humorous I am not laughing.

Turn to Chapter 40 and read, He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. I was grinning at this one because I written a note in the margin next to the word mire, the surname, Meyer.  That is my maiden name and I know it is family issues that that caused the pain we experienced--sometimes dragging that pain into adulthood.  There is a funny story about the word, mud, but that is for another devotion.

Chapter 41 addresses God sustaining us on our sickbed.  This Psalm also tells of our enemies whispering against us; vile disease, even close friends deserting us.  So, why should we be laughing?  It suddenly became very clear.  God is faithful.  When we face insurmountable life situations, God is bigger than all of them.  When doubting tomorrow's value, God is encouraging us to stay in the moment.  Tomorrow has enough worries of it's own, stay in today.

As Christians we can smile in the face of adversity.  As Children of God we can belly-laugh at today's troubles. Because we are saved by the Blood of the Lamb, there is no more reason for tears or fears. So, come on, through back you head and laugh out loud.  God is Faithful. God is good...ALL THE TIME.


Psalm 39, 40 and 41

Joel 2:18-27

I find myself searching God's Word for answers every day.  I am so conflicted during this season of grieving, that I can't seem to make a decision; at least not one I will move forward on without changing my mind a dozen times.  I am learning that God wants me to be searching His Word every day.  He desires that I come to Him with my problems and my pain.

Was there a time when you felt as if God didn't care or that He had left you hanging?  I am finding the Book of Joel to be filled with God's promises to always be there for us, no matter how we feel; to always take care of us no matter what situation is causing us pain.  God is faithful to forgive, heal, love and protect even when we have not acted in a manner deserving of this treatment.

Joel's assignment from God was to tell the people God wasn't going to put up with their behavior for long, and their behavior had consequences.  Joel also told the people about repentance, about forgiveness and about God's faithfulness and His compassion.  The last segment of Chapter two we find God answering the people and promising health, happiness, security and live everlasting, upon their turning to Him.  

As for me and you, take comfort; Truly, God will make all things right.

Read the Message version of Joel 2:18-27 at Biblegateway.com by clicking here.

or

Read the NIV version of Joel 2:18-27 at Biblegateway.com by clicking here.