Just A Little Bit…
Are things going just the way you planned?
I’m guessing each of us smirked or exhaled ‘no way’. Now I know not everybody lives by a plan, an agenda, a ‘this is the way it should be’ idea. But I’m thinking most of us have this picture of the perfect life, or at least ‘it’s supposed to be this way’ life.
Most days much of the world would settle for just a little less chaos. And that’s what we do, we settle. This is not a pep talk about striving or becoming, this is filling up on what can be, what is.
In the book of Mark in the Bible there is the story of man whose son needed some serious help. The man had heard of Jesus and found a way to bring his boy to Him. When Jesus spoke to the man about his son the father finished his plea with “But if you can do anything, take pity on us.” (Mark 9:22b NIV) What happens next is me – you, each day in the uncertainties of life: “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24 NIV)
So here we sit letting the enemy stir up fears, letting worries swirl. And answers, God’s answers, not ours, are only a prayer away.
When we lay it out for God and think only the answer we seek will be enough, we forget our big God has so much more. What we need to fill up on are the promises that never fail. He fills us up with the Holy Spirit and we find all His promises: love, joy, peace. Fears can’t steal our peace, tragedies can’t squelch our joy, and our longing hearts overflow with real love.
Help our unbelief. Just a little more trust. How? Laying down ourselves before God, praying with all our might, hugging His Word tight, holding on to real hope. Not the kind that, in this world, is elusive – but the kind that comes from faith and is oh so genuine. Faith – a gift from God – it’s never a matter of not having enough, it’s a matter of exercising it. Choosing this day, at this juncture, to say I believe, I trust, I can’t see the outcome, but I can trust my God.
So how much faith do we have? If we can answer: “just a little bit more than the day before” – we have all we need. And if we can’t – it’s ours for the humble asking.
Lips to Give…
A friend said she makes her list then asks God what His agenda is – instead of bless her list, she asks what on this list is Your agenda, so it can be blessed.
Mouth hanging open. Simple. (I think I’m slow.) Yes, of course, in our own way we do this – but really, how about making it that transparent? Not what we feel must be done, not how we think we should pray for someone. What, Father, do You want done – how do you want me to pray for them?
“The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7 NLT)
His instructions revive us. His decrees make us wise. When we’re counting up the tasks, maybe we should count on Him. Funny to think this is how long God’s list for us is: “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never counts against him.” (Romans 4:8 NIV) In Jesus all sin is removed, nothing left to count, to put on the list.
In that case, since we are given such amazing grace, maybe we need to spread it around. Yep, I want to yell at the guy doing work on the house when he botches it. Grace says: we all make mistakes – don’t yell, ask if he can fix the part that didn’t come out right. “The lips of the righteous nourish many.” (Proverbs 10:21a NIV)
Nourish versus starve. Quick retorts, anger unchecked – those lips starve.
When agenda overshadows compassion, grace is lost. Yes, Father, here are our lists. You know we have much to do in this hurried world. Don’t let us miss the beauty, the hurting, the others frazzled just like us. Let us rest in the truth that if we follow Your list, then everything that we worry didn’t get done, won’t really matter. And as Ann Graham Lotz said in a prayer once: “Open our lips to give Jesus.”
Let our lips and our agendas reflect the God who is beyond time and the God who holds us secure.
You Are Qualified…
Thirty-four years – celebrating a life together. As strong ocean breezes toss my hair, I wander back in time.
Years ago a prideful young man and a selfish young woman found a grace-full God and determined they would live a life with God at it’s center. It sounded so easy back then. Many lessons have been learned. Many rough edges have been smoothed.
This is how you spend thirty-fours years together: “being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11 NIV) (confession: God brought it all, we were so naive).
Ever feel no strength, no power?
Us too. Many times money was way short, moods were dreary, and never enough hours in a day for all to be done. The presence of other believers, the prayers of many, and the unrelenting love of a glorious Savior saw us, and sees us, through all things.
Just what is the purpose of prayers for those God puts in our path? “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 NIV) But for those prayers and God’s grace, pleasing Him would not be on the radar for we are all self-centered. And bearing fruit – that of patience, kindness, goodness – those are hard to come by in the struggles of life. Only by way of God.
Whether you are single, five years or fifty years into your marriage – this world is going to fight against any relationship working out. For we are told to grab ‘happiness’ not to spread it. We are told to protect self not sacrifice for others.
Know why it takes a life time to know God? Why eternity is ours who believe right now but the fulfillment of it is yet to come? Because it takes a life time to learn that in all things, at all times we are to be: “joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:12 NIV)
You – me, we are qualified to make a marriage, parenting, friendship be all it is supposed to be – not because of anything we bring to it, but because God has set in our hearts His Holy Spirit making all things possible and working all things for the good of those who love Him.
Growing Up…
Recently I discovered I had made a mistake that bruised my ego in many ways: I looked foolish, like I had no attention to detail – and it could have caused some real problems. Oh how hard it was to fess up to the error. And then the anguish and problems it caused the one who had to take care of it, made me want to run and hide.
Years ago I would have had a hard time even confessing it and I would have had a string of excuses why. I feebly offered a reason, which sounded ridiculous even as I said it. But grace was poured out. Instead of anger and ‘how could you’ there was ‘give me the info, I’ll take care of it’ – and afterwards it was like it never happened.
Hmmm, is that our reaction? How much grace do we pour out – or at least sprinkle here and there?
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2Corinthiiians 9:8 NIV)
And He does – from the moment we realize our pitiful, selfish ways right on through the moment of salvation and then every day thereafter – so much grace overflows. So how about us? If grace flows through us, do we keep it just for ourselves? Is it possible that it abounds so that we might share a little?
Growing up is a life-long process. Some never do. Without the Holy Spirit right there in us, it’s impossible to leave selfish ways behind and become who God created us to be. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1Peter 2:2 NIV) Crave a life that reflects Him, a life that rests in Him, a life directed by Him. He is our very breath and sustains us.
Have children (adult or at home)? Have co-workers? Have a spouse? Have relatives? Have contact with other humans? They will disappoint us, and us them – a little grace goes a long way. And this great gift of grace that we don’t even have to work for, makes way for all to grow up – up towards Him. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2Peter 3:18 NIV)
What is Unseen…
This life is all about changes – for a girl who doesn’t like change, it’s a bit unsettling. Ask my husband. I can live in the same house all my days and be content, order the same thing at my favorite restaurant and laugh through the meal like it’s the best ever. But take me out of my element and smiles fade.
And yet I see the hard of this world and know things need to change. A few thousand years separate us from once perfection. Only the first man and woman knew what it was like before the downward spiral we now find ourselves in. They were also the first to trust that the God who they intimately knew would somehow make a way. Hope.
Hope – still sustaining us all these years later and assuring us there is still perfection for those who believe. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)
You and I can’t see beyond the dark curtain of guns firing randomly from hotel rooms or hearts failing and leaving us alone. But we can be certain that God is never caught off guard and glory is being made from it all. Don’t let lies tell you God can only use good deeds – there is no evil act too powerful for God not to bring forth greatness we can’t fathom this side of eternity.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2Corinthians 4:16 NIV)
As much as change will accompany all our days, we can rest in the one thing that never changes: God’s love for us and that He has made a perfect way. The same God who made endless galaxies and tiny tree frogs – who set in motion changing seasons and hearts longing for no more tears – is the same God who holds all our brokenness and is making wonders beyond anything we can imagine.
No we don’t see how He does it, that’s where faith comes in – and He even gave us the faith. He provides it all and He reminds us to “Fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2Corinthians 4:18 NIV)
Re-Do…No DIY Here
Too many times I need a re-do – my attitude, my words, my actions, even my thoughts.
There’s mom-guilt, forgot to say thank you guilt, bad judgement guilt, selfishness guilt – and the list goes on. So wishing we could re-do: wipe out the things we wish we had known better than and erase the things we did know better than.
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2Corinthians 5:17 NLT)
What – we do have a re-do? Belong to Christ – guilt can be gone…and we can have a new attitude, kinder words. Can have now, will have in eternity. Now is a choice. We have the Holy Spirit in us and He is ever true and present. We can be made new now but we have to cooperate with God, we have to say no to self – yes to Jesus. Let go of guilt that imprisons us – instead of just burying it – and be set free.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
Stand firm – that’s our part – but like a toddler learning to walk, God takes us by the hands and helps us toddle ever closer to standing our ground in Him. The more we live in His freedom the more the old life is gone. Oh someday we will toddle right into His waiting arms, for now He wants to show us the way.
“Jesus answered ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6a NIV)
So, yes, you and me, we do need a re-do – and the great news is, we get one. The moment we say ‘Yes’ to Jesus, the re-do begins and someday it will be complete. In the meantime, all those trying times, all the things we regret, all the changing that will happen – that’s how it is here. We grow more through our weaknesses than our strengths. In our strength it’s all about us, in our weakness we learn it’s all about Him.
Yes, Father, re-do us and help us let worry, fear, regret, and guilt be removed as far as east is from west – let us live in our new life that has already begun. (No DIY here.)
Today…
With calendars chock-full weeks ahead of time and what seems like an endless list of special days (birthdays, holidays, national who knows what day) we tend to live in tomorrow. So much to be done, to look forward to or to dread.
Sometimes I’m guilty of looking at the days as a check-off list. Got that birthday cake made, sent that card, made that call – check, check, check. I think that is the enemy’s strategy, make life one big check-off list and humans are too busy to see the wonder and thank the Creator. Get them fearful about what tomorrow may bring and there’s no time to rest in the care of the Protector.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” (Matthew 6:34 NIV)
Each day has enough trouble but also enough awe and miracle. Sunrises, clouds over a hot day to cool it down, babies crawling, apple picking and so much more. Sure peek at tomorrow’s schedule but then let’s lose ourselves in this day, in this moment. This is the day the Lord has made – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NIV)
Living in tomorrow started in the garden. Eve wanted to control circumstances, to know like God knows, to be in charge. But only God has walked all the tomorrows and faith is all about trusting that our times are His. He knows the number of hairs on our heads – He knows the joy and the sorrows. He knows that someday faith leads right into eternal joy. He wants us to know that too – and assures us that living for Him moment by moment gives the peace that passes understanding.
A perpetual calendar sits on my desk – the past few days have started in with the author saying what he is thankful for alphabetically, then it’s my turn. Today was the letter C – his was chocolate, mine was clouds. Oh I could have been spiritual and said Christ or emotional and said children – but I chose the clouds outside my window. I choose to live today and to remember:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV) He’s already done all the checking-off, today will you choose wonder?
With All My Heart…
Marriage – a pledge to love despite obstacles and with all your heart. Parenting – we commit to meet their needs and love them with all our heart. Friendship – requires a lot of work (and a good one is worth it) – and needs our whole heart.
Hmmm, most of the time I love my husband with my whole heart – until he makes me mad then we’re guilty of letting it wane a little. I adore my children – but sometimes I just want to shake them when I see the pitfalls they could avoid. My dearest friends are a source of strength and I care deeply for them – but still I let them down at times.
What is love with one’s whole heart? “[Jesus] answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27 NIV)
That’s a tall order – good intentions. Do any of us do it perfectly – no not one. However, we have a pattern to follow: Jesus opened wide His arms and loved us with all His heart – dying that we can live forever and ever. That’s whole heart love.
So how do we die to love God? Our neighbor? Die to self. When my hubby makes me mad, it’s all about me if I’m honest. And so it is with every relationship. A little dying to self could bring a whole lot of life to our weary world. It’s the same in our relationship with God. When we surrender ourselves and accept Jesus, we die to the ways of the world and come alive to the ways of God. No perfection expected, because Jesus is the only perfection we need. And little by little He will help us to love with more and more of our hearts.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)
Our understanding sees with eyes that can’t see our friend’s heart or our child’s either. Knowing that God does, we can trust that all He has planned for them He will bring about. And the most comforting truth: God loves us with an unfailing love – all His heart. Because of that: “I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.” (Psalm 86:12 NIV)
5 Reasons to Live Like a Hurricane is Coming…
Because there is.
You, me – ready or not – will face storms. Some come with 100+mph winds with days ahead warnings. Others blindside us – knocking the roof off our fears and exposing them.
This past week, those of us in the path of Irma, emptied grocery shelves, sat in gas lines, and checked on neighbors. Storms do that – spur us into action. But there’s only so much we can do. The real test of any storm is trust. Is my trust in my preparations or in the God who speaks to the winds and rains?
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:28-29 NIV)
The best preparation is a heart that knows God. Trust that if the storm passes, praise goes to Him. And if it hits, trust that He’s right there in the midst.
Long before the storms of life hit, this is one check list to make sure of:
- Know Jesus as Savior
- Spend time getting to know God
- Live life to please Him
- Know with confidence that in the worst storm, He loves us and will never leave us
- Speak faith to fears even in the howling wind
A list like this is a life long pursuit, never perfected. But, amazingly, each baby step leads to the next one.
“For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory.” (Psalm 149:4 NIV)
All other preparation, all other sources of help are empty if THE Source isn’t our confidence. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)
Real storm prep starts in our hearts.
Choose Belief…
Spending a week (or more) sick can bring a whole new perspective.
Why are we surprised each time when we go through the inconvenience, pain, and agony of the common cold/flu/whatever is going around – that we come out on the other side with a soul rest we desperately needed? I hate getting sick: it messes up my calendar, nothing gets done that should, I worry I’m spreading it to family. Then a week or so later I realize that by not being able to think clearly (or at all) my brain might actually be ready to hear God’s whispers.
At the beginning of this still-not-over but-much-better round of yuck, I lay in bed begging: ‘God just lay Your healing hands on me, I’m supposed to be watching my grandson, I’m supposed to be doing many things’. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. A day or two later: ‘God, really, this can’t go on, I need Your healing now.’ Yes, I actually told Him ‘now’. So grateful He just smiles and thinks ‘Paris, Paris p-l-e-a-s-e let me be in control’ (since He is anyway).
Funny how when we feel good, have what we need, think we’re in control it’s easy to say ‘Oh yeah, I trust God in all things’. Honestly, how long does it take to grow up and mature in God to the point that you don’t see in the mirror a little girl saying ‘now’, (hands on hips optional)?
In Max Lucado’s book Glory Days (excellent by the way) he tells of a father who lost one of his children to a freak accident. Six years after the incident they happened to meet. Hurting no less for the loss, the father testified as to how he’s made it through: “Faith is a choice.” Max said this about Jesus followers:”When forced to stand at the crossroads of belief and unbelief, they choose belief.”
“We live by faith, not by sight.” (2Corinthians 5:7 NIV)
And so on the worst night of my illness when the pain in my cheeks was so bad I wanted to pass out, I passed words into the throne room of heaven ‘Father, You have seen me through all things and I am certainly not as miserable as the poor people in Houston are right now. I can’t even imagine their pain and suffering. I trust You to work out things for me and pray great things for Texas in the aftermath. In Jesus Name, Amen’
Was I healed in the morning – no – but the pain was gone and I found a great doctor at the local urgent care – and my spirit was renewed. Today I CHOOSE BELIEF in the great I AM.
parisrenae 