Waste Not, Want Not

Yesterday, our church had several baptisms.  One of the girls being baptized had been adopted into a lovely Christian home as a baby, but her health issues and biological parentage were something that could potentially be a discouragement to her. As my father was about to dunk this beautiful girl, he reminded her that nothing is wasted. 

Nothing is wasted.

It is super easy to say “I love Jesus!  He is so good to me!” when life is hunky-dory. But sometimes.  Sometimes life is just not okay.  It hurts and is confusing and seems unfair. Everyone faces situations that bring feelings of helplessness, discouragement, or anger. Scripture is full of men and women who faced these same emotions.  As in your life, sometimes the experiences that brought those feelings and questions were the result of the person’s own sin.

Jonah had to travel where he did not wish to go, but God used it to show him his stinky heart attitude. 

Paul had something that pained him physically, but the weakness in his body caused him to rely on the Lord in a deeper way than his own strength would allow.

Mary had to watch her son die a horrible death.  That loss brought about the salvation of the world.

You might not always understand why the Lord is allowing something to happen; it is even harder to understand when the trial is not a result of your own poor choices (struggling with debt, dealing with a divorce caused by your unfaithfulness, etc.).  You can be assured, however, that if your heart is turned towards the Lord, He will use that circumstance in your life for good.

We all have a choice when bad things (or consequences) happen.  Curse God or praise God.  Which will it be?  Cursing Him - complaining, fighting against the situation, having a nasty attitude, bitterness – might feel good for the moment, but it will not bring blessing. Praising Him – choosing to acknowledge His faithfulness and goodness, honoring Him with our words and actions and attitudes - will bring His peace and joy.

Think of the words of Job.  “Though He slay me, yet I will praise Him!”  What an example to follow!  What will you choose to do today in your hard situation?  Don’t waste the opportunities you have to praise God in every circumstance and you will never want for His peace and joy in your heart and countenance.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 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 4:16-18

Prayer:

Father, let my life reflect Your goodness.  Even when I am suffering consequences for sinful actions or poor choices, You are still with me and teaching me about who You are.  When I am suffering as a result of the sin of others, You promise to be my Defender.  When I am suffering due to original sin in the world, You say that you are my Healer and my Comforter.  Let me praise You in the midst of any storm so that Your name is glorified.  Amen.

Challenge:

What is happening in your life that makes you cry out, “Lord!  What are you doing?” or “WHY!?!”  First off, check your life for unrepentant sin.  If there is something there that needs to be dealt with, take care of it immediately!  That will not necessarily remove the consequence, but it will allow you to face it with grace and with the Lord’s help.  If your situation is a result of someone else’s actions, address the issue with them and give them opportunity to ask forgiveness and make things right.  If they choose not to, you must choose to walk in forgiveness and not become bitter.  If your trial is illness or loss due to a fallen world, allow the Lord to make His strength perfect in your weakness.

Jen G. 2012

Distracted by Worship

Distract: to turn or draw from any object; to divert from any point, towards another point or toward various other objects; as, to distract the eye or the attention.

King David was the master of distracting himself with worship.  Over and over in the Psalms you read his heart wrenching prayers.  He poured out his hurt and anger when friends and family betrayed him, his fear and frustration when people plotted to kill him or take the throne, his grief over his sin with Bathsheba and the final consequence resulting in the death of their child.  Each time, however, David returns to worship.  He never allows a prayer to end without reminding himself of the goodness and faithfulness of God.

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.”  BUT You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.  Psalm 3:2b, 3a

They confronted me in the day of my calamity, BUT the LORD was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. Psalm 18:18, 19

When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish... But You, LORD, are on high forevermore.  Psalm 92: 7a, 8

My days are like a shadow that lengthens, and I wither away like grass. But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your name to all generations. Psalm 102:11, 12

Life is not easy.  We are faced daily with our own sin and the sin of others.  It all affects us in some way.  We can choose to follow the lead of hurt and anger and confusion, consequently falling into a pit of depression or bitterness, or we can stand firm and declare "BUT GOD".  He is the final authority, not our circumstances.  

CHOOSE to be distracted by worship of the most holy God!

Prayer:

You, O Lord, are worthy of praise in every circumstance.   Allow me to be immersed in Your presence as I turn from the discouragement and schemes of the enemy.  Amen

Challenge:

There is a Psalm for every situation that might draw your attention away from the truth of God's character.  Gossipy friends, wayward children, depression, financial troubles, illness - there's a Psalm for that.  Find them and use them to pattern your own prayer times.  David did not hide under a rock or put on a happy face when trouble came around.  He faced it head on, called it what it was, and then reminded himself of who God is and what He has promised to His children.

Jen G. 2012

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Ebenezars (Memory Stones)

I Samuel chapter 7 records a time when the Lord delivered Israel from the Philistines. Verse 12 says,
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"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."

When we think about the spiritual training of our little ones, we want to do everything we can to surround them with atmosphere of faith that will become as natural as breathing to them. We take them to church with us, teach them the Word, play worship music in our homes, and pray with them. In this way, we show them that God is not only our Creator and Savior, but that He desires to be in every part of our lives, and cares about us in both the "big" and "little" things.

The Bible records several instances where people built altars of stone as a remembrance of what God had done for them. In Genesis 13, God made a promise to Abram, and Abram built an altar and called the place Beth-el--the House of God. In Genesis 28, Jacob slept with a stone for a pillow and had his vision of the ladder. He then took that stone and made an altar to the Lord.

Later, as the Israelites would pass by these places, they would say, "This is where the Lord [did this or that thing]." And, as Samuel said, "this is where the Lord has helped us so far."

We all have experiences like that, don't we? This is where the Lord healed Mommy. This is where God provided a job for Daddy. This is where the car broke down on a lonely highway, and God sent somebody by to help.

As my own children were growing up, they would ask from time to time, "Tell us again about when God...." and we would gather them together and tell them our own "faith stories." Stories about what God has done for Daddy and Mommy before they were born; stories about what God has done for them! It is wonderful and faith-building to hear of someone at church getting healed of cancer, or a miraculous provision of money for someone we know. But our very own family stories of faith are the ones that make altars that our children will return to in their own times of faith-crisis. And the ones about which they will tell their own children.

All eight of my children made an early confession of faith, and we rejoiced. But I have found that each of them (and us!) also had to have a personal encounter with God, as a teenager or young adult. This faith that they were "born into," must, at some point, become their very own. They must have their "own" story, their own Ebenezers. Rehearsing our family stories throughout their lives gives an air of expectancy for them: God has done things for Daddy and Mommy; He will do things for me, as well. Let me encourage you to relate your own stories throughout your day or week, as well as making a special time to share a number of stories. There is nothing that will make your daily troubles and irritations look small like a trip down Ebenezer Lane!

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for creating me, and loving me. Thank you most of all for the gift of Your Son, whom You sent to earth so that we could have relationship with You once again. Thank you for caring for me in all the big and little ways; the miraculous and the "everyday," which is much more miraculous than I ever realize. Help me to remember often, the places I can point to and say, "this is where God met me." Help me to be more vocal about them, and realize that these stories will eventually be part of the "faith of our fathers," for my descendants generations from now. Don't let another day go by without my telling my children something that You have done for me.

Challenge:
Find a time to gather your family for a "story-time." As you do this a few times, your children will not wait for one story to end before they say, "don't forget about the time..." Make a big deal when something new happens, and you can say, "now we have another story to tell."

Memory Stones - Purchase a large clear vase and a bag of glass vase stones or beach glass (Walmart or craft stores). Everytime the Lord answers a prayer or a faith story happens, drop a stone in the vase. This is a beautiful way to remember what God has done!

Barbara K 2009

Joy to the World!

I love the beginning verse to the BarlowGirl song “Hallelujah (Light Has Come):”

Mmmm, my baby, Heaven sent you to me

All the world’s been praying, Who will save?

A few lines later, the chorus begins:

Hallelujah, we’ve been found…

A Child is born to save us now

Hallelujah, Light has come

A Savior who will set us free,

The promise for those who believe.

Hallelujah, we’ve been FOUND. It is so incredible to me that the Creator of the universe cares that much for me. Little ol’ ME. The unbelievable fact is that He made the plan from the beginning. Even before Man fell, the plan was in place to restore us to Himself.

Think of that when you read the verses from Luke 2: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

If you have walked with the Lord for any length of time at all, you’ve heard the idea that Happiness is dependent on circumstances, but Joy is not hampered by them. You can have joy in the midst of the most “unhappy” circumstance. I think of the familiar verse “He will never leave thee or forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5) Just knowing that I can’t mess things up so bad that He gives up on me, or that no matter what I go through, I never, ever, EVER have to go through it alone—what a comfort, and what a source of JOY.

“and you shall call His name Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”

My beautiful sister lost her husband in August. We lost my father this year, as well. My husband’s sister went through a divorce this year which she did not seek. A friend’s son got his girlfriend pregnant. This Christmas will be difficult for all of them/us. But if I focus on *Him*, I can have JOY.

"Hallelujah, we’ve been found.” That cute little baby in the manger? He is “God with us.” An astounding thought that goes ‘way past Christmas and takes us into Easter and beyond.

I’ll finish with my favorite Christmas verse, II Cor. 9:15: “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.”

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for giving Your Son, in order to reconcile us to Yourself. It is an unbelievable thought, that indeed brings “joy to the world.” Help me, in the midst of the hectic season, to put aside my own circumstances, and remember what You have given to us, Emmanuel.

Challenge:

Yeah, the challenge is to find some TIME this week to “think on these things!” And, if this Christmas season is a little lean on “happiness,” think instead about Joy. Ask a friend to help you dwell on the good things that God has given you, and the promise that He is with you through this season, and beyond.

Advent – Week Three:

Theme: Shepherds (Joy)
Scriptures: Sun. Luke 1:5-13, Mon. Luke 1:14-17, Tue. Luke 1:18-25, Wed. Luke 1:39-45, Thu. Luke 1:46-56, Fri. Luke 1:57-66, Sat. Luke 1:67-80
Barb K. 2010



A Lesson from George

“Whatever tries us in any way, speak to the Lord about it.”

—George Mueller

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George Mueller was an evangelist in the 19th century who took care of more than 10,000 orphans in his lifetime. This man chose to live by faith and seemingly never wavered. He took every need he and his orphans had before the Lord, fully trusting and expectantly waiting for the provision God would provide. Mr. Mueller was quoted as saying that he never had an unanswered prayer in his life. I am sure that some of the answers that came his way did not take the form most would expect, but that did not stop George from joyfully thanking the Lord.

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:6-8

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These verses from Philippians are oft quoted in bad situations – a sick child, a broken car, a leaky roof. Do we really take them to heart? Do we seek the face of God in everything – coming to Him not only with our needs, but also thanksgiving for His as of yet unknown answer? Do we let the incomprehensible peace of God guard our minds or do we allow thoughts of worry and despair to flood over us? Do we think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy? Or, do we focus on the issue at hand and allow it to fill our minds, crowding out all the attributes of God?
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Nothing is too small to take to the Lord and nothing is so big that we should allow it to overshadow His greatness. I encourage you to speak to the Lord about whatever tries you in any way.

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Prayer:

Father, YOU are what Philippians 4:8 says for me to think on. Please help me to be aware of times when I am tempted to place concerns and worries above Your greatness and abilities. Only by focusing on You can I avoid falling into that temptation. Amen
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Challenge:

This week, when worries and concerns press in – no matter how big or small – choose to put your focus squarely on the Lord and His attributes. He is all that is good and true and praiseworthy. Spending time focusing on trouble is taking praise and adoration away from the One who deserves it. Refocus that attention!  Read a biography of George Mueller's life with your family.

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Jen 2010

Consider

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

Psalm 19:1-6

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Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the works of His hands. Simply looking at the sky allows us to experience the glory of God in all His majesty! The voice of the sky extends to every part of the world; there is no people group that has not heard what the skies proclaim - that God is on His throne and that He is the Creator of all.

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The Lord has allowed His creation to declare who He is, what He is, what He can do. For us to allow one day to go by without acknowledging the greatness of the Lord is unthinkable. Even if we are in the midst of a trial or great difficulty and there seems to be nothing in our lives that has the hand print of God on it, we can always look to the skies. They are a constant, ever present reminder of the God of the universe and His great love for us. He created something that shouts of His amazing love for His creation; it shouts in every corner of the earth, in every climate, in every war, in every famine, in darkness or daylight.
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When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4

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If we stop for just a moment and consider the work of God's fingers, the largeness of His miraculous creation, it should cause us to catch our breath and look at the smallness of ourselves. Think about it: the world goes on when a human dies, but the world can not survive without a sky. Yet Jesus died for us, the only part of His creation that does not continuously declare His mighty works and goodness. We should compete daily with all of creation to be the loudest voice praising God.

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Prayer:

Lord of all creation, I praise You for Your mighty works, Your faithfulness, Your patience and love for me. Please forgive me for not declaring Your greatness each day.

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Challenge:

This week, begin each morning with a look at the sky. Join with this vast creation in declaring the greatness of God. Read the following Psalms that reveal how awesome God is by looking at His creation. Psalm 148, Psalm 139, Psalm 104, Psalm 93

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Jen Gorton 2009