Trusting God for the Bigger Picture

Have you ever looked at what is happening in your life and wondered: "Lord, what on earth are You doing?"  Or prayed, asking Him to work in a situation, convict hearts, remove trials, then wondered if He was even listening or cares?  I am sure that we have all been there at different points in our lives; I know that I have.  It is comforting to note that just because we don't see the Lord at work in a situation doesn't mean that He doesn't hear you or care.  The Lord's answer to our prayers often comes in ways we don't expect.  I was reminded of that this morning when I was reading John 11 and the account of Lazarus.

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, 'Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.'

Here we see that Mary and Martha, being concerned about their brother, sent word to the Lord that he was sick.  I am pretty sure that when Mary and Martha sent the message to the Lord they expected Him to come right away and heal their brother.

But when Jesus heard this, He said, 'This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.' 

This is probably not at all what Mary and Martha wanted from the Lord, as we see from their responses later in the passage.  He promised that Lazarus' sickness would not end in death but would be for the glory of God.  How often it is that the Lord answers us in the same way!  I find the next part of this chapter quite interesting:

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. 

The Lord clearly states that He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  If He loved them so much, then why did He choose to stay two days longer?  Why wouldn't He answer their prayers immediately?  I have wondered this in my own life.  The Lord tells me that He loves me; why doesn't He answer my prayers?  Why does He wait so long to fix a problem, mend a broken heart, convict a lost soul?

Then after this He said to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to Him, 'Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?' Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.' This He said, and after that He said to them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.' The disciples then said to Him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.' Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.' Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, 'Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.' 

So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. Martha then said to Jesus, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.' 

"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."  Have you ever said something like this to the Lord?  "If You had only done what I asked You to do, then this would not have happened."?  I have; and when I think about how many times I have asked the Lord that question I find myself asking: "What right do I have to question the Lord?  Do I pretend to know what is best for me better than He?"  God is sovereign over all, He knows the end from the beginning; shouldn't that qualify Him as the One who knows what is best for our lives?

Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again. Martha said to Him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.'

Do you believe this?  That the Lord Jesus is the resurrection and the life?  That whoever believes in Him will live even if he dies?  This can seem to be a bit confusing.  How can one live when he is dead?  If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior then you have eternal life.  Our lives on this earth may end in death, but that death is only a doorway into the eternal life we have in Christ.  This is how we will live even if we die.

When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him.

Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to Him, 'Lord, come and see.'  Jesus wept. 

The Lord has finally arrived.  This is not the answer for which Mary and Martha had hoped.  Mary is asking the same thing that Martha asked earlier.  "Why did You not come earlier?  If only You had my brother would still be alive!" (my paraphrase)  Jesus, seeing Mary weep at His feet and those who wept with her, was deeply moved.  And Jesus wept.  Such a seemingly unimportant statement, yet it is perhaps one of the most comforting verses in Scripture.  The Lord loves each of us and cares deeply about the things we care about.  He doesn't stand by and watch as we suffer, unmoved.  You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? (Psalm 56:8)  Mary wept over the loss of her brother; the Lord wept with her.

So the Jews were saying, 'See how He loved him!' But some of them said, 'Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?'

So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, 'Remove the stone.' Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, 'Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?' So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.' When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth.' The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'

Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.

Sometimes the answer to our prayers comes in ways we do not expect.  When Mary and Martha asked the Lord to help their brother I am sure that they never imagined the answer would come this way.  And yet, which way brought more glory to the Lord?  To heal Lazarus right away?  Or to allow him to suffer and die that the Lord might raise him from the dead?  And as for Mary, Martha and Lazarus' walk with the Lord; which answer would cause them to glorify God the most?  It can be really hard to wait on and trust the Lord's timing.  We want the Lord to answer "Yes" every time we ask.  But there are times when He tells us to wait, as was the case with Mary and Martha; and sometimes He tells us no.  It can be difficult to accept the Lord's answer at times.  When we pray for the healing of a loved one and the Lord says no.  When we ask that the Lord convict the hearts of our unsaved friends/family and He says to wait.  The Lord sees the bigger picture and He knows what is best for us.  Our God is absolutely trustworthy; He is good all the time; and HE LOVES US!

Remember the former things long past,

For I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is no one like Me,

Declaring the end from the beginning,

And from ancient times things which have not been done,

Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,

And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’

Isaiah 46:9-10

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow?

As the time for my departure draws near I find myself contemplating my experiences at Adullam House. Indeed, the last three months have been life-altering.  I go home knowing that I am not the same person I was when I left.  But how does one put into words the way a child you came to bless reaches into your heart and blesses you instead?  Or convey to those at home the effect these precious little ones have had on my life?  I have been blessed beyond measure.

I have loved every moment of the time I have spent with these children; there are so many memories I will cherish.  While I have been attempting to put my thoughts into words I had Vicki (7) and Billy (6) advise me on what I should say.   Vicki suggested that I say “I had lots of fun with Vicki.”  Billy had a very similar idea: “We have lots of fun every day!”  It is true; we do have a lot of fun around here.  Of course some days are more exciting than others; like the day that Billy ran outside barefoot and stepped onto the wet concrete glue.  It took us the better part of the afternoon to get most of it off.  Even after all of that time he still had to walk around with paper between his toes to keep them from being glued together.  Thankfully his foot is fine now!  :-)  Every day is a new adventure; there is never a dull moment. 

While having fun is an important part of each day it’s the quieter moments that stick out most in my memory.  Having two-year-old Andrea curl up next to me on the couch; reading a bedtime story to India (4) and singing her to sleep; having a baby fall asleep in my arms; comforting a child that misses their mom; hearing the beautiful prayers of a child each night before bed.  These are the moments, both wonderful and heart-wrenching, that I will cherish in my heart.

At Adullam House we seek to minister to the spiritual, as well as physical, needs of each child.  The highlight of the last three months happened one day several weeks ago.  Vicki had been getting into a lot of trouble at school.  We were at a loss for how to improve her behavior; everyone was praying for her.  After about two weeks of continually coming home from school in trouble we finally had a break through.  She came home from school on good behavior; you can imagine the elation amongst the staff!  The very next day was my day off and I hadn't seen Vicki to ask about her day at school.  Later I saw her teacher, Siedah, and inquired about her day.  In answer to my question Siedah replied with: “You haven’t heard?!”  My heart began to sink, figuring that Vicki hadn't had a good day.  Tears filled my eyes as Siedah told me of how Vicki had accepted the Lord as her Savior that day!!  At that moment I knew that every minute invested in the lives of these children is a minute well spent.  This is what matters and I wouldn't trade one second of my time here for anything in the world.

When God Opens Doors

I have recently been struck with amazement at how God moves in the lives of His children; how, in very short space of time, He can so very clearly reveal His will.  Of this I can testify personally.  Only God could lead so clearly, so radically.  Technically it all began four weeks ago, though I can see God’s preparation long before…

Several months ago the Lord began to work in my heart, preparing me for His purpose.  Through a series of events that I will not detail the Lord brought me to a place where I felt willing to do whatever and go wherever He called me.  I had been praying that God would reveal His will to me; I was just waiting for His call.  Fast forward a few weeks and I was counseling at the Daughters of Destiny Conference (daughtersofdestinyconference.weebly.com).  My co-counselor was my friend, Bethany, whom I hadn’t seen in a while.  Over the course of the week she told me about how God had been leading her to spend three months in Alabama.  She was going to be working at Adullam House, a home for children whose parents are in prison.  At some point during our conversation she casually said that I should think about going too.  I laughed and said something about it sounding like fun, but I didn’t really think about it as a serious possibility.  I don’t recall thinking about it again until the last day of camp when I said to Bethany: “I’m seriously thinking and praying about Adullam House.”  Now, anyone who has helped with Daughters of Destiny (or any type of camp ministry) knows just how tired you get by the end of the week.  As usual, this happened to me and the barrier between my thought and speech was down.  :-)  So, when I made that comment to Bethany it was as much of a surprise to me as it was to her!  Until that moment I didn’t realize how much I had been thinking about the possibility.

In order for you to understand just how quickly God’s plan unfolded I need to pause here and give you a bit of a timeline.  I first heard about Adullam House sometime during the week of October 19^th.  On the 25^th, the day the conference ended, my family and I travelled from my home in southwestern Virginia to Gettysburg, PA for a 60^th anniversary party.  We then spent the following two weeks in PA and travelled back home Sunday, November 9^th.

On the ride to PA I looked up the website for Adullam House (adullamhouse.org) on my phone.  As I read everything on their website I felt more and more interested in being a part of their ministry.  However, being extremely tired and not able to think very clearly, I decided that I should commit the following week to pray about this possibility.  I wanted to be sure that my interest was not coming out of exhaustion or an “after camp spiritual high”.   As I prayed I felt God pulling my heart more and more in that direction; I just couldn’t get those babies out of my mind.  By Thursday, October 30^th, I was pretty certain that God wanted me to go.  Up until that point I hadn’t mentioned anything to my parents about my interest in going to Adullam House; I had wanted to be certain that God was indeed calling me to go before I set the ball rolling.  I was not at all sure what my parents would say, after all this was quite sudden.  But all of my nervousness was unnecessary; my mom and dad were very supportive of my desire to go and encouraged me to keep praying and look into it further.  (My parents are the bomb!)  Practically overnight going to Adullam House went from maybe to when.

On Monday, November 3^rd I called the folks at Adullam House with a long list of questions.  I believe that I expected at least one red flag throughout that conversation; you see, even though I felt that God was leading me to go I was still expecting Him to close the door somewhere.  The first time I expected the door to close was when I spoke to my parents; but God had kept the door opened.  The second was during that phone call; yet, once again, the door remained opened.  By the end of my phone conversation I could hardly contain my excitement; it seemed more possible than ever that I would be going.  The two most obvious doors had remained opened wide.  Even at that point I was still unsure if this was God’s will.  After all maybe God was just testing my willingness to follow Him, like He did when He asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son.  I then had a series of “tests”, things that had to happen before I knew that this was indeed God’s will.

The first test had to do with actually getting to Adullam House.  I had three possible options: Catch a ride with Bethany, drive myself, or fly.  Bethany was planning to leave November 10^th, stop by my house for a few days and drive to Alabama on the 12^th.  If I chose to go with Bethany that gave me only two days to pack and wrap things up at home; the other two options would give me the flexibility of choosing my departure date.  The latter two options made much more practical sense but I really didn’t like the idea of driving all by myself and was even less fond of flying down; I decided that I would call Bethany and tell her that I felt that I needed at least a week at home before I could leave.  I didn’t want her to feel like she had to change her plans to accommodate mine, and told her so.  However, her answer would play a big part in whether I went or not.  Much to my surprise Bethany was willing to adjust her departure date to include me.  We decided to leave November 15^th; here was yet another door standing open.

One of the things required by Adullam House in the application process is that all prospective “interns” have a written note from their doctor stating that they are physically and mentally capable of caring for small children.  Acquiring this note was going to be interesting, I thought.  You see, I was still in PA and would only be home for five days before leaving again and appointments at my doctor’s office are usually booked at least three months in advance.  The probability of being seen by my doctor was very slim.  I called the office in hopes that I would be able to just walk in and have my doctor sign the piece of paper.  Unfortunately, because I haven’t been to the doctor in years, I had to make an appointment.  My heart began to sink as the lady I was speaking with told me that they had no appointments for the week I was home; here it was, God was closing the door at last.  But wait!  She was telling me that they did have an appointment open for the Thursday I was home.  I felt that it was nothing short of a miracle; God was still saying go!

The last thing that I needed to happen before I would be 100% sure that this was God’s will was being able to get together with two dear friends.  I had promised them that we would get together in November after my life slowed down a bit and, since it was important to me, I really wanted to make sure that it happened.  After looking over the events of the coming week I had thought that Tuesday would be the best and only day that I could really meet up with them.  But because I wanted to make sure that I could see them I didn’t specify a day, figuring that I would just make it work whatever day worked for them.  I sent my friend, Emily, a text and waited for an answer from God as well as her.  She replied saying that Tuesday would be best for her and Hannah.  I don’t know why I was so shocked by her response, the Lord had been so obviously making everything else happen; why would I have thought that this would be any different?  Now I KNEW that God really did want me to go to Adullam House; I have never before felt so clearly called by God.

Essentially God brought all of this together, from the time I first started praying until the day I arrived, in 22 days.  Fourteen of those days I actually knew I was going and only five in which I was able to pack.  My head still spins when I think about how quickly everything fell into place.

My last week at home was really crazy; I was very thankful for all the experience the Lord had already given me in packing for a three+ month trip.  :-)  Everything had fallen into place so quickly that it seemed like I was just floating through the packing process; it felt so very surreal.  Even after putting my things into the back of Bethany’s vehicle it didn’t seem like reality.  I was going, and I knew that I was, but somehow it hadn’t hit me yet.  Even now, after being here for a whole week, it doesn’t seem real.  Every night I go to sleep half expecting to wake up in the morning and find myself in my room at home.  As I look back on the last three weeks I can hardly believe how the Lord brought me here.  He opened so many doors that, by my human estimation, should have remained closed.  I am so excited to see what God has in store for me these next three months.

I apologize to those of you amongst my family and friends whom I did not have the opportunity to personally tell this story; I really wanted to be able to tell each of you, but time flew so quickly.  I plan to use this blog to keep you all as updated on my activities here as I am able.  As the Lord brings it to mind I would appreciate your prayers as I seek to follow and serve our precious Lord Jesus here at Adullam House; my love to you all.

Renegades Redemption

Lysimachus spat vehemently in the direction of his masters retreating form.  The very sight of him caused the scars on his back to burn like fire.  How he hated him, hated slavery, hated his miserable existence.  Yet here he was, trapped in bondage to a cruel man with no way of escape. Many times he had tried and failed; each attempt more desperate then the last.  Now even that faint hope was gone.  He was a marked runaway.  On his neck he had fastened an iron collar which read: "My name is Lysimachus, I am a runaway slave.  Please return me to my master, Archelaus."  In addition to this he was made to wear shackles about his ankles as he worked and was chained to his bed every night.  How he longed to be free!
Freedom was something Lysimachus had never known.  He had inherited this bondage as a result of a debt his father owed when he was but a child.  After the death of his mother his father had come into heavy debt, he didn't even know the complete sum, and he had come to Archelaus for help.  When his father failed to recover the money he borrowed, Archelaus demanded that payment be exacted through labor as a bond-slave.  When his father died Lysimachus was left to work out the payment of the debt.  He spat once more, allowing his heart to be filled with venomous rage.  He would do anything to be free!
******
Archelaus had a host of friends, though no one knew how he had acquired so many.  He was not a pleasant fellow and was known throughout the land to be a cruel task-master.  Perhaps it was his silver tongue that drew people to him, but more likely it was his golden purse.  Frequently Archelaus would have one or more of his friends for an extended stay.  It was one such occasion that marked a turning point in the life of his most troublesome slave.
Being the proud, haughty man that he was Archelaus always made sure to show every guest his wealth and prosperity; this was best displayed, he believed, by the amount of slaves he owned.  One morning his most recent acquaintance came for a visit.  As they were walking about the fields the man noticed Lysimachus chained to his plow, sweating  profusely under the torturous rays of the midday sun. 
"What has that lad done to require such bonds?"  The man asked his companion.
"Him?  He is a worthless renegade!  Caught him attempting to escape half a dozen times!  I have half a mind to send him to the Colosseum in Rome!"  Archelaus replied with scorn.  He laughed as he continued,  "What a sport that would be!"
His companion didn't respond but stared pensively in Lysimachus' direction.  After a few moments of silence he finally spoke.  "I would like to purchase him from you, what price do you ask?"
Archelaus was flabbergasted, shocked into silence.  "Y-You... want t-to buy him?"  He stammered.  "Why he is a wor..."  He stopped short.  He was about to recount the utter worthlessness of this slave when he came to his senses.  This was a once in a lifetime opportunity!  He could be rid himself of the brat and make a profit at the same time.  Any slave with Lysimachus' record would never bring much at the market and that would be a grave loss.  The boys' father had owed him over 2000 denarii, no matter how troublesome the boy might be Archelaus would never part with him for less.
"I, um, er, as I was saying, he is worth a lot to me.  His bondage is to pay a debt which his father owed me.  It is a considerable sum; unless his debt is satisfied he must continue to work for me."
"Tell me the sum of his debt against you; I will pay it in full."
Archelaus was pleased by this response; this must be his lucky day!  Greed being the foundation upon which his fortress was built he determined to make the most of things. 
"The sum is, as I said a moment ago, one of considerable number!  His fool of a father lost all he had and came whimpering to me, asking for a loan.  Surely you don't wish to pay such a price for so worthless an object!  But, since I see you are determined to have your way the price of his debt is no less than 5000 denarii." 
The greedy man had no scruples about lying and didn't even experience the slightest prick of his conscience.  His friend looked at him intently for a moment.  He seemed to looked into Archelaus' very soul and read the truth behind his lie. 
"I will pay the price for his redemption."  The man said softly.
*****
Throughout the whole discussion Lysimachus had been steadily drawing nearer with his plow.  He had noticed the approach of the two men several minutes earlier and had done his best to ignore their presence.  He was just within hearing range when he heard his master say:
"Done!  Here he is now.  Would you like to inspect your property?  I am sure you will find him to your satisfaction..."
Anger mounted in Lysimachus and burned a hole in his already wounded heart.  They were discussing him!  The humiliation he felt was unbearable! 
"Open your mouth boy, show your new master what good teeth you have."
The angry humiliation he felt reached its boiling point and exploded his better sense.  Lysimachus looked up, his face filled with hatred, and spat in the strangers face.  No sooner had he done this then Archelaus raised his fist to beat Lysimachus back into submission.  Lysimachus braced himself for the blow, determined not to wince, when the stranger stepped between them.
"This boy no longer belongs to you; you have no right to touch him."
Speechless for the second time that day Archelaus stammered, "But sir!  He spat in your face!  He deserves to be punished!"
"The offense was against me and likewise the response is also mine."  The stranger turned and looked at Lysimachus, "You are forgiven, my child."
It was now Lysimachus' turn to be speechless.  What did this stranger mean, forgiven?  What sort of man forgives a worthless slave who spat in his face?
"What is your name, son?" The stranger continued.
"L-Lysimachus, sir."  He said, remembering his tongue.
"Lysimachus," the man said, "I know of the debt you owe this man.  Today I have purchased your freedom.  I would like you to come with me and be my son, but you are free to make that choice."
What wonder was this?  Was he dreaming?  Had he really heard what he thought he heard?  Freedom!  Could this be real?  What kind of man would want a slave to be his son?
By this time Archelaus had about all he could take of this man.  First he purchases the redemption of this slave for more than he was worth, then he forgives his offense and sets him free!  Surely the man was a loon!  No man in his right mind would set such a slave at liberty!
Lysimachus continued to stare at the stranger, mouth agape, dumbfounded.  Finally he managed to ask:
"Why, good sir?  Why would you set me free and want me to be your son?"
The stranger smiled, "My son, it is I to whom your father was indebted.  I would gladly have forgiven him his debt if he had only asked.  But, like so many he sought to pay his debt his own way.  I have seen your hardship and know your toil; will you not accept the gift I offer?"
What was he to say?  His life had been completely changed in a matter of minutes!  Could this day possibly get any better?  Then came the dreadful realization:
"Sir, I am not worthy to be called your son."  He hung head low in shame.  He knew the full weight of his sins and could not possibly accept what the man offered him.
"The gift is not conditioned by your merit but by your acceptance, my son." 
The love in the man's voice was balm to the boys wounded soul.  Hope fluttered again in Lysimachus' heart!  Could it be?  Could it really be true?  He could feel the wall of anger and bitterness melt away from his heart as the love of the stranger overtook him.  He would go and be this man's son!  He knew he could never repay him for this kindness but he would show himself worthy of this man's love, even if it took him the rest of his life!

The Burgundy Dress with a White Collar

"This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  James 1:27

Recently I have been thinking on this portion of Scripture, specifically on the last phrase: "Keep oneself unstained by the world."  It is such a simple statement, yet what does it mean to be unstained by the world?  The word "unstained" means: "to be free from dirt or stain," "without soil or spot."  As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are called to be set apart from the world; to be in the world, but not of it.  We are to be different, to be lights in a dark world.  But when we allow the things of this world place in our lives it is difficult for the world to see the difference.  Too often the testimony of a Believer is tainted by worldliness.  We cannot dabble in the world and expect to remain unstained.

When I was a little girl one of my favorite dresses was a burgundy and navy gingham with a beautiful white lace collar.  I remember proudly wearing it for the first time to meeting one Sunday.  That night I put it in my hamper and a few days later it went through the washing machine.  You can imagine my Mom's dismay when she realized that I had, ignorant of the ramifications, washed my burgundy dress with the white lace collar!  Of course the dress had bled and my collar was no longer white but pink!  My dear Mom painstakingly bleached the collar and removed most of the stains; but it was never the same after that. Because the white collar was sewn to the burgundy dress it could not go through the wash and remain unstained.  In the same way, if we are allowing ourselves to be "sewn" to the world we can not go through life (the "wash") and not be affected by the filthiness of sin.

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever."  1 John 2:15-17

It is so sad to see Believers taken up with the things of the world.  Indeed, the world is passing away!  This should move us to invest in things of eternal importance; to impassion us to see souls come to Christ!  It is my prayer that every Believer would see the immense importance in living a life that is set apart unto God, and God alone.  What a difference it would make in our world today if we as Believers were to set our hearts and minds completely on the Lord Jesus and be passionate about serving and glorifying Him.  I want the world to see the difference and to desire to have what we have in Christ!  Let's be different and make a difference for Eternity!

"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."  Colossians 3:1-3

Of Clean Slates and New Beginnings

Journaling Joules: An Ounce of Fiction with a Pound of Truth

Dear Journal,

Last night I was over at Marlene's house and we started talking about my cousin Jason.  She was telling me about a conversation she had with him at church a couple of weeks ago.  I had remembered her saying something to me later that evening, about having a conversation with him about me, but we hadn't had time to talk about it yet.  So, last night we finally had a chance to talk.  Apparently Jason was telling Marlene about how mean he was to me when he was younger and that he regretted it now.  He couldn't believe that I had forgiven him and he thinks that I am a great cousin!  I was flabbergasted, speechless, I couldn't believe my ears!  Truth is, Jason was an unholy terror and for a while I think I almost hated him.  He is my only cousin close to my age, so we were always expected to play together.  But Jason's idea of playing was picking on me.  He was always bigger than me, though I'm older, and he took great delight in tormenting me.  I can remember reasoning with myself in my head about how I loved my cousin (because I knew I should), but I didn't like him.  For a long time I harbored a great deal of bitterness towards him, because of the way he treated me.  Also, because my parents would tell me things like, "Just let it go", or "You need to have 'thick skin' and not let him bother you".  Whenever Aunt Maggie, Uncle Jay and Jason would come over to our house, which was quite often, I was always the one who was asked, or expected, to give in and let Jason have his way, so as to make peace.  Having grown up an only child, he was accustomed to having his own way in everything.  If anyone challenged his will he got really mad and made everyone miserable.  So for a while I was the "peacemaker" who was filled up inside with anything but peace.  Every time Mom and Dad would say, "I wish you two would learn to be friends", or even worse, "Your friends will come and go but your family will always be there; that means Jason!"  I had this argument in my head; I would think, "Why do you want me to be friends with him?  If he wasn't my cousin you wouldn't even want me to be around him!"  I thank God that I never vocalized those thoughts!  I've always been more of the one who would never blurt out what I was thinking, my conscience wouldn't allow it; but I did think those, and many more, awful things.  Thinking them and letting them fester and become "infected", I think, is as bad, if not worse, than blurting it all out.  There are many, many things that I regret, but thank the Lord, speaking those thoughts is not one of them.  It's been a long hard road, getting to where Jason and I are now, I can say honestly that we are friends!  It's still difficult and there are times when I feel like I'm faking, but God has already done a great work in my heart!  At times the old bitterness shows its ugly face, but the Lord has helped me overcome!  I don't really even know when it began, but when I made the decision to follow Christ with my whole heart was when I allowed Him to work!  Slowly, as I've grown in Christ these last years and as He conforms me to His image, the bitterness has disappeared!  There was no longer any room in my heart for it, when I let Christ reign in me!  That's not to say that now everything is "butterflies and rainbows", because it's not.  In fact, when they were over visiting the other day he made me so mad; all those familiar feelings of bitterness and resentment came rushing in.  I wish that I could say that I didn't allow them a foothold, but I can't.  I let those angry, bitter thoughts come in an visit for a while.  I was wrong to give in to the flesh like that.  I desire to "die to self", and to give up my "rights" for Christ's sake, yet sin runs deep.  I will always be amazed at how many times I fall and yet the Lord still forgives me, wipes my slate clean, and gives me a new beginning.  How I do look forward to the day when I will sin no more.  when the only thing I will do is bring praise, honor and glory to my Lord!  Not shame, disappointment and dishonor.  "Oh what a wonderful day that will be!"

Because of His Forgiveness,

Hadassah

Sometimes God Sends a Spider

This morning I could not get myself to wake up.  I went through the whole process of getting ready for the day and was still dragging when it came time for my morning devotions.  Even when I had finished my Bible reading I still struggled to scrape together enough energy to get going.  As I sat there in my favorite chair, feeling that I didn't even have the energy to get up, I asked the Lord to give me the energy I needed.  I had just barely finished uttering those words when, in the corner of my eye, I saw a SPIDER!!  I was out of that chair in a flash, the Lord used that spider to give me the energy I was sure I didn't have.

This story is very humorous, yet it has caused me to think about the different ways God answers prayer.  Quite often the Lord answers our prayers in ways that we do not anticipate.  When I asked the Lord for energy this morning I was expecting Him to give me a blast of energy or to take away my tiredness.  Instead the Lord sent a spider, something I "fear" and strongly dislike.  This was most certainly not what I had had in mind; yet I found myself thanking Him for sending that spider.

I can think of numerous times throughout my life when I have asked the Lord for something and He gives it to me through a trial.  Trials are usually unpleasant and undesired.  Most of us given the choice would rather not experience trials, but the Lord uses those trials to teach us and to draw us closer unto Himself.  James 1:2-4 is probably one of the first passages of Scripture that pop into my mind when I think about trials:

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

It is incredibly hard to understand how one could find joy in something unpleasant.  If we keep our hearts fixed on Christ, remembering that "the testing of your faith produces endurance," it makes the trials easier to bear.  No matter how impossible the trial may seem it such a comfort to cling to verses like these:

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.  ~  Proverbs 16:9

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  ~  Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.  ~  Deuteronomy 31:8 

No matter what we may face in life we can KNOW that the Lord Jesus Christ will be with us every step of the way.  The future does not surprise our Lord!  He has gone ahead of us and knows everything the future holds!  If you know the Lord as your Savior you can have this wonderful assurance (for more info please visit: A Free Gift).  We are told in Romans 8:38-39 that:

...neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And again in John 10:27-30:

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”

We are doubly secure, held in the hand of the Lord Jesus and the hand of the Father.  Absolutely nothing can take us out of our Saviors loving grasp.  Life isn't so scary when we remember that we are in the hands of the One who holds the future.  So next time you ask the Lord for something remember that He doesn't always answer in the way we would expect - sometimes, God sends a spider!

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  ~  James 1:12