Get Up…
Sometimes sleeping til the alarm clock goes off just doesn’t happen. Usually I’ll lay there trying to find my way back to dreamland. Lately I just give up and get up.
I’m thinking it’s a wake-up call and I’m finding the Caller knows what I need. Those things that I thought woke me up like a neck ache or a sinus headache disappear as I come into His presence, His Word, and prayer. I find more comfort in those than I ever did snuggled under covers.
There’s just something about listening in the quiet moments before the day rushes in. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33 CSB)
Some key words there: first, God and His righteousness, things.
First – not giving Him the leftovers of our time. It’s a heart thing. Putting Him first – and sometimes that’s not at 5am with Bible in lap. A busy mom may put Him first by looking at a verse on her phone as she picks up her waking infant. He asks only that we seek the important – Him – in all the ins and outs of the day.
God and His righteousness – not just checking off the ‘Christian’ I read the verse, listened to the song, prayed the prayer thing. Giving our hearts to Him in everything at all moments. Praying when He prompts us, focusing on pleasing Him, repenting when we blow it. We aren’t righteous – but we received His righteousness when we said yes to Jesus.
Things – like enough sleep, or not. Or like enough food, or gas, or cash for bills. I’ve been on the short end of all those – and yet here I am. It is sometimes because of the shortfalls we have the wonder of looking back and seeing His faithfulness. When we are faithless, He is ever faithful.
So as we head into the giving season, let’s bring our first gift to the Giver – ourselves. So deep is His love that our heart is all He wants. Just get up and give… “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NLT)
The Giving…
I’m in to reading then listening to old hymns these days. I didn’t grow up with them – because I didn’t grow up with Him. What I’ve learned is the soul’s need is timeless.
Today I listened to a refrain and thought about all of us. About going into the Christmas season and all the giving. This is the ‘giving season’ – at least that’s the intent. But the heart’s intent is what counts. And the heart of God – no one can give like that.
“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (Psalm 36:5 NIV)
So this old hymn’s refrain goes like this: “His love has no limit; His grace has no measure; His power has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!” (He Giveth More Grace)
The writer probably couldn’t say enough that God gives, then gives again, and doesn’t stop. And still we ask. And still He hears. And the more we take of all He gives (be it material or in our spirits) our thirst continues. Because all here doesn’t satisfy and because all we take of Him makes our longing for Him deeper still.
Yet what does the Giver get? Usually our leftovers – or maybe our desperate pleas. But He doesn’t ask for gifts or rituals or anything – but one thing. One thing that He formed Himself – our heart.
Ann Voskamp says it best: “And the greatest gift we can give our great God is to let His love make us glad.” Let’s remember the reason for the next few weeks – a birth long ago. A birth so phenomenal, so outlandish it still rocks the heavens and earth with its magnitude. The birth of a Savior – One who gives and gives some more and makes forever ours.
“How great is God’s love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth!” (Psalm 103:11 CEV)
A Day of Giving…
So here in America we set aside a day every November and call it Thanksgiving. Lots of big meals are prepared, shared from soup kitchens to lush mansion tables. Some bow heads and actually give thanks – to the One who has provided. While in other places football drowns out any thought of all this food coming from anyplace other than the supermarket.
How have we made a day of giving thanks into a time of harried families travelling, TVs blaring, and shoppers lining up outside department stores? Was a time when if you forgot the potatoes or the cranberries, there wasn’t a store that was open – it was more important that their employees were home with their family.
This is the post-Christian society we now live in. “God says, ‘I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD.” (Psalm 91:14 GNT) “But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers.” (Psalm 125:5 NIV)
So I propose that in the days leading up to Thanksgiving we start a conversation – with store clerks, people in line, and wherever we are. Maybe say Happy Thanksgiving – and even add on, I’m thankful for your help today – or thank you for the work you do. At least it would give pause for thought.
What if the wheels of progress dared to stop for a day and bosses thanked their employees for their services and employees thanked their bosses for their jobs. This is way too radical, right?
Back to reality. But it only takes a spark to start a revolution. Why do the current ‘revolutions’ have to be about things that are detrimental to life and well-being, to faith and family. How about the heart of America starts beating once again – and revolts against darkness and evil?
“Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11 NLT)
How about we insist the TV is silent while we share what we’re thankful for and then acknowledge Who has given it? How about we dust off the Bible and read about the Provider? How about a Day of Giving…not only thanks but of ourselves – to the God who gives us our next breath along with the turkey on the table? Radical.
A Covering…
Today’s temperature is struggling to stay in the sixties and the wind is blowing. Roll your eyes if you want, but this south Florida girl is shivering. Where’s the blankets?
There’s a new trend, supposed to help with sleep, with anxiety, and all kinds of things: weighted blankets. I picture a comfy couch, soft lights, and peace. The weight of the covering relaxing frayed nerves and tense muscles.
It’s a lot like God’s grace, love, peace. He covers us in them, the weight freeing us from the weight of our sin and the weight of the world. “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4 NLT)
I have a grandson who loves his blanky at bedtime (and when those shaky legs are trying to learn to walk). Shaky legs are ours as we learn to lean on and into living for God rather than for self. The world wants us to buy into things, into power, into government, into anything other than the freedom that’s ours when our comfort comes from the Comforter.
“God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.” (2Corinthians 1:3b NLT) I scooped up my two year old grandson recently when he hit the slippery floor and cuddled him til the tears stopped. I was his comfort as the hurt subsided. Our Father holds us right into eternity, no more tears or hurts forever.
So whether the temperature outside is freezing or sweltering, there is a perfect covering. One who covers all our shame, all our regrets. Who looks on us and sees the covering of Christ’s righteousness and smiles in love.
My prayer for those grandsons, for myself, and for you is that Jesus is who we reach for when everything appears to be too much. No more will we listen to the voices of criticism or doubt or empty promises. But we will listen the voice of the One whose love is a covering for all seasons.
Better His Presence…
Sometimes the most fun days are those spent sitting and laughing with someone we love. My hubby, my best friend, my children, and now grandchildren. Their presence making life sweet.
Sometimes a quiet, no-interruption day complete with breezes and mountains and a good book are the best.
It is amazing in this harried world with so much evil abounding that peace and joy are still ours to be had. And often they are found not in things but in people and in moments.
Recently heard a wonderful man of God who works in an area of severe Christian persecution. My heart resonated with two profound statements. The first was: “Better His presence, than His promise.”
Yes, we all want the promises and, as Christians, we have them, nothing can change that. The sweetest promise being that death is conquered and eternal life is ours. But do we want the promise more than we want the Giver? We are selfish by nature, so I’ll admit that I cling to the promises and when the going gets tough I cling to the Giver. I’m working on that. I want to cling to Him and long for Him – finding my waking hours seem empty if not for His presence.
“You will show me the path that leads to life; Your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.” (Psalm 16:11 GNT)
The second statement He made was essential. When asked over the years what his favorite version of the Bible is, he answered: “Open Bible is the very best version.” If our Bibles aren’t open, then we’re not learning from them. So if they gather dust it really doesn’t matter what version they are.
The more I study it, the more I learn. There are few books I re-read. Of those, even fewer I learn more with each subsequent reading. But the Bible, it has new messages, insight, help every time I open it. It is indeed a living manuscript. “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 HCSB)
As we head into the crazy ‘holiday season’, my prayer is we’ll start each of those crazy days requesting His presence and savoring His goodness. That before we read texts or posts we’ll open our Bible. Better His presence than any presents.
Love Better, Best
I’m learning what God has always shown, has always been. Love is not finite. It doesn’t have a limited capacity.
There’s a certain freedom the world just doesn’t get. Freedom that comes when we learn love is not a thing or an emotion – it is the infinite God. Without God we see the results all around us. Yet with Him all the turmoil and evil can’t touch us. Throughout the Bible we are reminded that love covers over sin, restores brokenness, brings healing – only His love through us could do these things.
With years has come wisdom to see beyond now. And that vision helps me sigh and lift my eyes heavenward. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 NIV)
Even if the shadows I once feared become reality, still they are not always. Always is not here. Always is a no ending. Always is love that says to our hearts ‘fear not’, ‘be still’, ‘trust’, and sometimes ‘wait’ and sometimes ‘no’.
This is the truth about always love: “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1Corinthians 13:7 NIV) We can’t always – but Jesus does always. The promise of eternity nullifies the power of sickness, death, financial ruin, homelessness, divorce, poverty, and whatever our sorrow is or may be.
Ellie Holcomb sings a beautiful song: You Love Me Best. She sings of a mother’s love, a father’s love, a spouse’s love – concluding that even when those are wonderful, God loves us better. I love my children, yet still I failed them at times. I love my husband, yet still I disappoint him at times. My mother loved me dearly, yet still it wasn’t enough.
Human love will never be enough. But it is a gift from God to share in a weary place called earth. Perfect Love is best and it is ours. Trusting in Him for the here and now sets us free to love without limitations. “But as for me, I trust in You.” (Psalm 55:23b NIV)
Timeless…
How easily, these days, we discard anything from the past. We rewrite it to suit what we want others to believe. We sequester what doesn’t fit our comfort. We call outdated that which is timeless.
We do it with people, history, science – and the Bible. But because we say something isn’t so, or is so, doesn’t make it true. All it does is show us for the foolish selves we are. “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” (1Corinthians 1:27 NLT)
Reading an old hymn written one hundred ninety-four years ago, I saw a timeless truth that gives great comfort to all generations who read it. Each verse building on the next and culminating with “faith to sight, prayer to praise”. Someday faith will be replaced with sight never again obscured. And prayer will be done, replaced with praise for all He has done and will do.
A new grandson was born just a couple days ago – we prayed long before his debut that he would come to know Jesus as Lord & Savior. From my perspective life is short, from that of child it seems like he has forever.
One great thing (among many) about being a grandmother, is that my grandchildren think I know more than their parents. Smile. But what I know isn’t what I want to pass on to them. Who I know – that’s what I want to pass on. “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His” (Psalm 100:3 NIV)
If I pass on the accumulation of all I’ve learned about education, work, talents, skills – I will leave them nothing worthwhile. But if I pass on to them wisdom from the Wisdom Giver, they will be rich. Because the hope that I have becomes theirs, then their children’s, and on through however many generations are left until Jesus returns.
Want to live forever? Only one way, know Jesus as Savior. Want future generations to know you? Only one way, share Jesus with them now. A timeless legacy.
Receive It…
How are you about receiving – gifts, praise, correction, criticism? For me, all of those are hard. For the sweet ones like gifts, I’m awkward, wanting the giver to feel special. For the hard ones like correction, oh I must admit I don’t like being wrong.
How about how we receive love, acceptance? I like those ones, warm and cozy. So when God lavishes that rich love of His on me, I’m arms open wide. But when He lays on a bit of conviction to show me my wrong thinking, arms crossed.
What is something you do well? For me, I like to think, it’s writing. Yet how wounded I feel when there’s constructive criticism. Maybe for you it’s singing, or cooking, or teaching, or ______? But how to accept that we don’t always get it right?
It’s the same with God’s love and correction. I want to have His love flow through me to others and I want to mature in my relationship with Him. But how often do I not receive, or maybe perceive, the instruction in His Word or the prompting of the Holy Spirit. “And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6 NLT)
Call out – that’s what changes everything. Just saying ‘Oh, Father’ usually changes my whole perspective. There are so many things Jesus tells us to receive: His love, grace, mercy. His provision, constant presence, truth. His peace, freedom, inheritance. Also His correction, rebuke, reminders.
When it comes down to it, we really don’t have all that much to offer. That’s an ego buster. But truth is, Christian or not, anything we have, we’ve learned from those who’ve gone before; wisdom from previous pioneers. Who we are is simple: children of God. As His children all we offer needs to flow from Him.
There is no greater honor than to be called by Him. A high calling it is – and so whether it’s love surrounding us at the moment, or a bit of much needed discipline, let’s receive it. For those He calls he also equips: “Now may the God of peace…equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20a-21 BSB)
Do Everything…
You can learn a lot from a two year old – about being brave, about trying.
I’m not one who likes to try new things. I like the routine of life. Sure, a vacation here and there. But don’t talk to me about eating a dish I can’t pronounce or backpacking in a foreign country. But a little guy just over two feet tall learned all about jumping in the pool and swimming to the side this summer. All about swinging high even if your tummy feels funny. And often he would say: ‘I can be brave with a little help’, as he was trying his new adventures.
Hmm – a little help. We’ve actually got a whole lot of help. The Holy Spirit in us, the Bible to lead us, the Son interceding for us. And this reminder: “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.” (1Corinthians 16:13 CSB)
Life will throw a lot of curve balls – during those times it’s easy to be alert. We try to shore up our faith. We seek courage and strength from God, from family and friends. But in the easy times? We tend to think we can coast along.
Evil and our own weaknesses don’t take holidays. In fact, when we’re in coasting mode is often when we can be most susceptible. On guard and alert to: not compromising, being aware that satan would relish tripping us up, that the motivation of many is selfish. Be courageous and strong by: praying, studying the Bible, being in the company of believers, living for Jesus not for self.
The very next verse says: “Do everything in love.” (1Corinthians 6:14 CSB) Not much wiggle room there – everything. The thing is, try as we may to be on guard and be brave, things aren’t always in our control. But in all the things of life, we are to have an attitude of love.
What does that look like? Something for us to ponder as we go about the mundane everyday and as we encounter the unexpected. Be alert, stand firm, be brave, be strong – but most of all do everything…in love.
Breaking & Prayer…
How broken our world is. Tragedy is reality for so many. And for those who watch from afar, do our hearts break?
In our own backyard do we not see how life is no longer precious – if it’s inconvenient. The unplanned pregnancy, the elderly failing body. Our world’s answer: bury them or throw them away. How have we come to this? How do we not weep? How are we not in fervent prayer – constantly?
Can we go the world over and extinguish all evil? Do we have the funds to fix every need? No, but we have a God who longs to hear our call. “He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” (Psalm 91:15 NIV)
Let’s cry out to God for those right in front of us and those half a world away. Let’s never say in our hearts that prayer doesn’t make a difference. To do so makes God a liar and Jesus a fraud.
For the Father calls us to prayer and there wasn’t one thing Jesus did on earth without praying. Many times the Bible says Jesus looked up, then prayed. From multiplying a few fish to feed thousands, to healing a blind man, and everything in between – Jesus prayed. So much more should we. “Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard Me.” (John 11:41b NIV)
My heart and head are learning new things. Much is accomplished by a steadfast child of God who prays. ““Prayer is not telling God what to do. Prayer is partnering with God to see that His will is done.” (Stormie Omartian)
You and I can’t make all the wrongs right but we can pray and acknowledge we serve a God who can and will work all things out. We have been given great power – the power to pray. Jesus’ disciples noticed that when Jesus prayed, miracles happened. There was power accompanying His prayers. Yet they didn’t ask Him for that power, they asked Him to teach them how to pray.
Maybe if we will break a little over all the hurt and heartache around us and call out to God, we will see miracles. But we’ll never know until we lift up our eyes and pray. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them.” (Psalm 34:17a NIV)
parisrenae 