Heart View…
Recently I watched a time lapse clip of earth from space. Captivating – but not so much the familiar continents and seas or even the cloud covers. What was fascinating was that – day or night – there was a halo of light circling the earth. I couldn’t help but think of Jesus the Light encircling us with His constant protection.
Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12b NIV)
I’m pretty good at beating myself up – how about you? Could haves and should haves – hindsight chastising me for my shortcomings. That’s us looking back – Jesus calls us to ever look ahead. What is past, He has redeemed. It was always His to redeem. Too much time is wasted and worry spent on what was – when what will be is what mends the darkness.
“The Word [Jesus] gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4-5 NLT)
When we find ourselves in the dark places of ‘what if’ and ‘oh no’ we must remember what we’ve learned in the Light. He came for us. He intercedes for us. His Holy Spirit indwells us. He is preparing a place for us. Where He is we will be also. What ifs fly and oh no disappears in the brilliant Light of the great I AM.
Just as marvelous as the window view of the space station is the window view of our little homes. We can see lightening crash and hear thunder roar – see bunnies scamper away and birds find breakfast – trees sway and flowers smile at the sun. All is wonder. A reminder that darkness is nothing on its own – for darkness is only the absence of light. And for all who seek after the Light, darkness fades until all that’s left is our everlasting heart view of our Savior.
“For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness.’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2Corinthians 4:6 NLT)
Is that all?
We pray – asking for healing, for finances, for brokenness, for relationships. Believing??
For God nothing is impossible – but don’t we pray like maybe He can’t/won’t? The truth is, for those who call on Jesus the Savior of the world: healing – if not now, then an eternally healthy body. Finances – may lose it here, but still rich beyond measure in the glory of all God has for us now and forever. Brokenness – being mended day by day, and some day the work will be so complete we’ll forget this. Relationships – restoration may not be in our timing, but the One who restores will make hearts and souls soar.
“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 NIV)
So is that all we’re asking for? The temporary-ness of earth? If only we knew what we have in the Holy Spirit. We are now, right now, filled with Christ through the Holy Spirit. And through Hiim every need is filled; the desires of our heart – a Christ filled heart – are ours. He’s waiting for us to ask Him to take us on His journey, not ours – ours is so ho-hum, His…we won’t know unless we ask and take His hand.
So what is the number one desire of every heart – Christ filled or not? It boils down to: L-O-V-E. We need faith, need hope, and want love. But someday: “In the end, when we are with the Lord in heaven, we will no longer need faith because faith will become sight. We will no longer need hope because all our hope will be fulfilled. But we will always have love, because God is love and we will be with Him.” (Stormie Omartian)
Jesus loved us enough to live among us, to surrender life for us, to rise again and intercede for us. Most of all to promise to always be with us – how? By giving us His Holy Spirit to be with us now and to never depart from us. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (1John 4:16 NIV read that whole passage 1John 4:13-21)
In all this I’m not saying don’t pray about the cares of your heart – I’m saying believe with all your heart He knows and it breaks His heart more than it breaks ours. His answers are perfect – and that is why we can count all this stuff joy. We don’t have to rely on happiness which is fleeting, because moment by moment He is doing the impossible. And that knowledge is all we need, for it is sure and trustworthy.
More…
Some things we want more of – some we don’t. Seems like everyone wants more money, more of what someone else has, more time. No one wants more heartache, more pain, or more wrinkles.
And yet more money is never enough. More of those we envy leaves us empty. And more time is out of our control. But much as we shy away from heartache, believe me I’m there with you, it is in this I call on God most. Pain gets our attention, often dropping us to our knees and seeking Him. Now the wrinkles – they show life was lived: smiles so many times the lines are permanent, love so deep the furrows of seeking another’s best are etched, and skin that’s no longer twenty-something is skin that a grandchild trusts.
“I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10 HCSB)
Abundance of vacation time, bank accounts overflowing? No, “an abundance of whatever you need in order to live the life of purpose God has for you.” (Stormie Omartian) Everyone wants to know their life has purpose – how empty we come up when we decide the purpose. How sweet when we surrender to His leading.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
What if we ask for more of His heart for the lost, more of His eyes to see the lonely, more of His Spirit to show us the way? Can the change of more of Him living through us effect eternity? Ours and others? These are the questions I want to ponder more. These are the longings He wants to give us an abundance of.
Funny how He works things: the more we get to know God, the more peace. The more we live life for God, the more freedom. The more we praise Him, the more He transforms us. You and me – we look different when more of Him is what others see.
“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more.” (Psalm 71:14 NIV)
Free to Serve…
America’s independence – hard fought and won by men and women whose hearts saw beyond serving an earthly king – who saw the freedom that comes with serving the King of kings.
Its seems like a paradox to say we are freest when we serve, but it is the very heart of following Jesus. Hearts are freed from guilt. Souls are freed from death. Hands are freed to give – to those we love, to those He loves – all the love He pours into us.
What sweeter verse than “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”. (Romans 8:1 NIV) No condemning for past mistakes, lies, let downs, thoughtless acts, selfish endeavors. No condemning for things we don’t dare speak of. No condemning for things we will mess up and do. Only grace.
Only grace can take a broken soul and pour in love and make it whole. Only grace can stop the storm inside and replace the fears with peace. Only grace working in us can enable us to stretch beyond our selfish ways and touch a life in a life changing way.
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.” (Psalm 84:11 HCSB)
Maybe all our hurting world is longing for is knowing that no matter the crush of circumstances, freedom from pain and guilt really exists. The kind of heroes the world needs are those who forget about self and tell another about Jesus. Any freedom defender – for country or for serving Christ – would agree with this great quote from Ann Voskamp: “The only way to live a truly remarkable life is not to get everyone to notice you, but to leave noticeable marks of His love everywhere you go.”
Noticeable marks of His love – only the Holy Spirit can work through us to live a life that marks others with His love. Oh let us be busy marking souls through the grace-full freedom that is ours.
Just Try…
Aren’t we all a little tired or tweets, likes, smileys, and thumbs up? The constant desire for more and the let down of not being ‘liked’ – by people we don’t even know. Maybe we need an ‘insincere love’ break.
Facebook posts get lost in the feed and thumbs up are forgotten – but what about an old fashioned handwritten note? A real phone call? Or how about a bear hug to show you appreciate someone? Maybe our technological advances that fill up our time are leaving our hearts a bit empty.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
No one walks this earth that doesn’t have the deep down longing to know they have value, that somebody cares. God knew we would need His love letter, the Bible, as our constant, but He also knows we all need a little encouragement with skin on. Throughout His Word He reminds us to build each other up. Even those that are difficult – He calls us to bless them. Even when we don’t feel like it – He tells us to try.
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (1Thessalonians 5:15 NIV)
What if we look the homeless man with the sign in the eye and share a smile instead of only a dollar? What if we hold the door for the elderly person, pick up the dropped car keys for the businessman, or tell the crying toddler’s mom she’s doing just fine? Or maybe we bring it all a bit closer home: kind words at the end of a busy day, patience for the rude neighbor, grace for remarks snapped at us?
God lavishes mercy, love, and grace on us – not to hold on to, but to flow out of us to the souls we pass by and the ones we dwell with. Oh how I need to remember to share the heart of Jesus our Encourager – or at least just try. How about you? Need a little encouragement?
If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
About Being…
Today’s ‘junk’ mail caught my attention – in bold pink letters it read: The Perfect Life Is In Your Future.
At first I rolled my eyes because the flyer was for a Senior Living Workshop. One, I can’t get into the whole senior thing because technically I’m not there yet (close, but not yet). Two, because I’m a ‘Boomer’, old is not part of our vocabulary. But then it struck me: whoever put this flyer together was exactly right, the perfect life is in my future. Is it in yours?
Don’t know about you, but I would not describe life in this world as ‘perfect’. There are wonderful sweet memories, and dear ones I love, but there has been and will be hardship, tears, and struggles. As the flyer indicated a perfect life is in the future, it can’t be right now. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2Corinthians 4:16-17 NIV)
We tend to measure life by a seven letter word: success. Ask seven different people to define success – get seven different answers. Ann Voskamp said “Success isn’t about being amazing, it’s about being obedient.”
Pause…call yourself a Christian and measure success this way: “This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome.” (1John 5:3 NIV)
Like it or not, this life is temporary. A lot of good word pictures describe it’s briefness: ‘a dash between two dates’, a vapor or mist that disappears quickly. But most ignore that though life is short, eternity is forever. And we are all created with eternity in us – where we spend it is the question. Eternally with God? Or eternally separated from God?
Success? It’s about being obedient and trusting God’s got this.: “So we 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)
Bigger…
Seems like bigger is better – paycheck, house, popularity. Children always want to be bigger. We pick the bigger apple or head of lettuce.
It goes back to Paul’s lesson: contentment. Ugh, that just doesn’t fit today’s world does it? The lesson is good, the premise is right on, the practice is…well, difficult.
We want more: more ‘likes’, more ‘friends’, more experiences. A constant quest to fill up to the top and overflow with – stuff, tangible things, proof we are okay. ” ‘Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.’ “ (Luke 7:41-43 NIV)
The bigger debt. That’s not something anyone is proud of having bigger. The truth is we have a debt we can’t repay. Try as we might, we mess up everyday. We can live this life trying to make things right or we can choose to let Someone step in for us and forgive us all those debts.
Debts of hurting those we love, not noticing those in need, living for self. Oh such good, sweet news: God’s grace is bigger than all our shortcomings, all our sins, all our wayward ways. Right there picking up our brokenness, mending our torn souls, being bigger than all we think we need.
“But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ “ (James 4:6 BSB) “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5 NIV) “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV) “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11 NLT)
So, seriously, who needs ‘likes’, worldly fame, the next big thrill? He gives us more of all that matters – more grace, more wisdom, more peace, more joy. Oh Father, lavish more of those on us. More of You – our God is bigger than everything.
Walking In…
Ever walked into the men’s room by accident? Only once, and thankfully, nobody there. Since then I double check the sign as I enter. Walked into an unknown situation lately? With stomach jitters and looking for the exit.
Many times we don’t notice where we’re going and many more times fail to invite God to walk into the unknown with us.
“So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14:29 NLT)
The story recorded in the book of Matthew tells of the disciples going across the water to the other side, they were making slow headway because the wind was against them. Taking most of the night they still were not there, when Jesus sets out to join them, walking across the water. When they saw Him they thought he was a ghost and were terrified. Peter was brave enough to call out ‘if it’s You, Lord, tell me to come to You’. Out Peter goes “But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. ‘Save me, Lord!'” he shouted.” (Matthew 14:30 NLT)
Although we’re often quick to fault Peter for taking His eyes off Jesus (part of the lesson) – the greater lesson is calling out to Jesus. First Peter calls out ‘tell me to come to you’ – then he calls out ‘Lord save me’.
Right there – in those walks into the unknown, call out. But there are two times: the first, before the unknown happens. Before the tragic illness, the broken relationship, the loss of job. Calling out by walking in His Word and in prayer.
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth” (Psalm 86:11 NIV)
And the second time? During the storm – in the hospital room, the confrontation, the mounting bills. Two simple words ‘Lord, save’. The saving may not always look the way we want it to, but the Savior is always there, lifting us up out the water we’re sinking in. Putting us back in the boat, safe in His presence, seeing us to the other side.
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me…And Your right hand will save me.” (Psalm 138:7 NASB) Walking in the light of His love.
Gradually Graduating…
Graduations make me sad – they usually mark separation. A child finally spreading wings, and off they go.
As a Jesus follower we all have an ultimate graduation day – only no longer a separation, but a reunion. A homecoming to beat all and words of affirmation like no other: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21 NIV)
We spend a lifetime preparing for graduation to eternity. But the preparation isn’t for a better position, a higher degree, or to make others proud. It’s about living on purpose, answering a higher calling, and finally finding humbleness.
Our classroom is life and the teachers are hard lessons. Late night cramming is done on our knees. Good grades are joy in the midst of life’s challenges and peace that passes understanding. There’s only one textbook, it’s filled with all the answers. The more we study it the more we learn. Every time we review it, there’s something new we missed before.
“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6 NIV)
We’re all at different points in our pursuit of life’s biggest graduation. Sometimes a new believer is a prodigy skipping preschool and heading right into college in their walk with the Lord. Sometimes a lifelong believer is still in kindergarten relying on the Teacher to show them one more time how to trust and give grace. Sometimes we have to repeat a grade or two.
The great news is God is the only one we’re accountable to and He isn’t keeping a grade book. Every time we lift up our eyes to Him, send up a prayer, fall on knees with no words, or pick up the Word and search it diligently He’s right there. Delighting in us at every turn, at every surrender. Each selfless act doesn’t gain us a higher mark, it gives us more peace. Each royal mess up doesn’t keep us from spending forever with Him, it helps us realize our dependence on Him.
We are instructed: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV) And with our fellow classmates “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24 NIV) Class of Forever, persevere.
…And In The Quiet
Life is all the time noisy. I even find myself turning on music to fill the somewhat quiet. This world has done a good job of making sure the din of noise drowns out any chance to hear the important.
Still, quiet can happen, in that time between laying our head on the pillow and sleep. It is in that quiet that we can hear. A calling to our heart, a stirring of our soul: “Come to Me”. Too often I think we choose to go over the list for tomorrow or recall the day just done.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:2-3 NIV) Since Jesus is our Shepherd maybe those green pastures are the times of stillness where seeking Him gives us ears to hear. Maybe the quiet waters are the refreshment His presence gives. And maybe He restores our soul from the loud and noisy of the day.
We used to go camping – a lot. It was a family of five on a budget best vacation deal. When the campfire died down and sleepy children began to nod off, I would look up at the night sky. The sparkle of a thousand distant lights seemed to enfold us on all sides. About that time the crickets would settle down and I would crawl into the sleeping bag feeling like the quiet was gently rocking me.
And in the quiet… I don’t hear an audible voice or get a major revelation. In those few moments is His reassuring presence reminding “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NLT)
And in the quiet… I don’t get the answers I need for all my problems. In that fleeting sweet time it is the Holy Sprit reminding “The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1Thessalonians 5:24 NIV)
God’s thoughts about us never stop, He’s always with us, we fall asleep and when we wake up we find He’s still right there. In the noise and in the quiet, He is faithful. “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” (Psalm 139:17-18 NLT)
parisrenae 