FIRMLY PLANTED

Amos 9:15 “I will firmly plant them there in the land I have given them.”

I was recently watching a football game that was taking place in Chicago. There is a reason they call Chicago “The Windy City”. As the visiting team was preparing to kick off, the kicker placed the football on the kicking tee just the way he wanted, and then he turned his back to the ball and began walking back to his teammates. Within seconds, the home crowd applauded as the ball fell off the tee due to strong wind gusts. He put the ball back on the tee and turned around. It blew off again. This went on a couple more times and, with each time, the roars from the crowd grew louder and louder. Finally, the kicker summoned a teammate to come and physically hold the ball in place so that the game could resume.

I wonder if sometimes life kinda feels that way. Have you ever had your best laid plan fall apart due to an unexpected circumstance? I have, from time to time, felt like that frustrated kicker. Setting my plans, striving for my goals, working to make things happen. Only to have life bring up some “wind gust” and just blow it over. Much like the kicker, we must find the solution to accomplishing our task.

For believers, the solution lies in the hands of the one who fashioned our destiny from the beginning. According to Amos, God promises to “firmly” plant us into our destiny. The firmly, in this case, is an adjective which means “not likely to change; fixed; settled; unalterable”. God plants us within the framework of the promises He has given us and the destiny that is specifically ours. He does not lay us there. He does not cast us there. He does not flippantly point us in the direction. He firmly plants us there.

God’s promises are so sure for our lives that he places us so firmly that circumstances, in and of themselves, cannot move us. Just as the kicker had to summon another player to hold the ball, we must muster up our faith to hold us in place where we have been firmly planted by God. When the football tumbled over, the kicker could not say, “I’m not going to kick until the wind stops blowing” or “Can we move to another city?” or “I’ll just kick in another direction”. He found away to keep the ball steady.

Life may sometimes have a way of causing even God’s plans to look unsure to us. Trouble may come and the outcome may seem uncertain, but God is sure and He desires to place you firmly where you need to be. The next time the “wind blows” in your life, don’t pick up your ball and go home. Don’t doubt or fear. Don’t complain and grumble about the situation. Remember the promises of God. He gave them to you. In fact, he firmly planted you in a position to receive everything you’ve needed.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED

1 Peter 5:10 “the God of all grace…after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”

I wonder how many times we have looked back over a tough period of life with disdain. If you are like me, perhaps you try to never remember, hoping that by blotting it out of your mind, you can remove past hurts. It is true that some wounds, if left unattended, can fester and hurt for much longer than they should. One truth about suffering is this… “It will happen”. Another truth about suffering is this… “It will pass” (if we allow God to heal us). Suffering and trouble are parts of life. They should not be, however, a way of life.

So for the believer, the real question should be, “how do we deal with suffering?” Not just while we are suffering, but before and after those tough moments. Peter, speaking to Christians that were being severely persecuted for their faith, offers encouraging words. He reminds them that God is a God of grace. He goes on to not shy away from the truth of their suffering. Then he looks ahead to the future and the restorative power of God. In effect he is saying, “Suffering is real and it hurts, but it will end. And afterwards, God will restore you. He won’t just send someone with an encouraging word, but He himself will make you strong.”
In the example of Peter, we as believers should always look at suffering in the light of God’s grace. Let us strive to believe that our moments of suffering are but for a little while, in light of the power of God’s restoration for us. And that the strength that will be poured into us after, will far surpass the impact of the original suffering. Let us always allow God to make us better because of what we have endured.

One version of the text says he will “settle you”. I have so many times heard the phrase “calm before the storm.” I am so thankful that God works to bring calm after the storm in our lives. With our hearts fixed upon God, suffering will transition us into a moment of strength and peace and lead us into the next big thing that God has in store.

The following passage speaks volumes concerning the role that suffering may play in our lives as long as those moments are surrendered to God:

A Creed for Those Who Have Suffered

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey...
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise...
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God...
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things...
I got nothing I asked for - but everything I had hoped for;
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed!

-unknown Confederate soldier

FAITH OVER FEAR

Mark 4:40 “And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith.’?”

From where does fear originate? When do we start becoming afraid? Are we born with some innate fear that simply shows up in tough moments or is fear developed and cultivated over time? I don’t remember being afraid of much as a young child. Maybe the dark, but that’s about it. I don’t remember getting embarrassed easily. I don’t recall feelings of inadequacy. I do remember being willing to try new things. I do remember dreaming of great days ahead. I also remember jumping off porches onto trampolines, slides to monkey bars, and so on.

I have concluded that fear, especially spiritually speaking, is not a part of the person that God created. Paul taught Timothy that “God has not given us the spirit of fear…”(2 Timothy 1:7). So if it wasn’t there from the outset, where does it come from and when do we get it? In some cases, I guess, we become fearful due to past life experience. Recently, my youngest son came up with a fun game of jumping from one bed to the other in his bedroom. He did it for several weeks and each time we would stop him. But not too long ago, I heard him jump, then a thud, and a cry. When I reached his room, I found lying on his bed, bleeding from his forehead. A trip to the emergency room and three stitches, ouch! I haven’t heard him jump since. I believe he has learned some fear.

Isn’t it interesting how the enemy loves to use the “thuds” in our lives to teach us fear? Perhaps you were hurt in a relationship, and now you’re “afraid” to love again. Maybe you tried something and failed, and now you’re “afraid” to try again. Maybe you’ve been rejected, and now you’re “afraid” to speak up or offer your talents. No matter what circumstances introduced us to fear, it is certain, that fear lives and grows in a faithless atmosphere. When we lose touch with the truth of God’s love and providence for us, we become afraid.

In Mark Chapter 4, we find a definitive reprimand. In the aftermath of a terrible storm that could have capsized the boat and drowned them all, Christ asks “why are you afraid?” Then, he answers his own question, “You lack faith”. Make no mistake, they were in a storm and it was bad. Without Him, they probably would have perished. But the size of the storm meant nothing to Christ. It is like He is saying “faith abolishes fear”. You can’t live by faith and walk in fear. Let us all ask ourselves, “what I am afraid of?” Is it greater than God? Can it change what God has promised me? Can it separate me from His love? The answer is a faith-filled “NO”.

I don’t remember when I became fearful or what initially caused such fear. I do, however, know what causes me to live in fear,from time to time. Failing to walk in faith is scary. Let faith abolish your fear and face life with a new found peace and joy.

LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS

Exodus 20:6 “But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.”

The word “lavish” really got my attention in this passage. So, I looked it up. “to lavish” actually means “to expend or give in great amounts or without limit.” Knowing that, I see that “lavish” is a pretty cool word. I mean, I can think of lots of things that I would like to have lavished upon me. Money, compliments, promotions, and of course ice cream(maybe for you it’s cookies).

But when you look at the word in the context of God’s promise to his people, it is pretty powerful. He promises to “expend or give in great amounts or without limit” his love to us. Now, we know that God loves us. John 3:16 tells us that. We know that Christ’s work on the cross demonstrates powerful love towards us (Romans 5:8). But in this passage, lavish is a verb and it is an action that occurs, according to its definition, without limits. You could say it happens over and over and over again.

Now here’s the deal. He says, “I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commandments.” Does that mean he only loves us when we do right? Of course not. Read Romans 5:8 again. But he continually pours his love upon those who love him.

God clearly defines in Exodus 20 that he is a jealous god. Jealousy is an emotion that many of us can probably understand. No one likes to be ignored or taken for granted. We too are more apt to express love and affection to those who love us. Remember, God wants, more than anything, our love and devotion.

I can relate this to my youngest son. He is three years old and is challenged in communicating. We work with him daily to help him express himself. A few weeks ago, for the first time, he said to me, “I love you”. It was the sweetest “I love you” ever. In that moment I would have given him anything he wanted over and over again. I wanted to kiss him and hug him. I wanted to freeze that moment forever. Why? Because I am made in God’s image. I too lavish love on those who love me. It has helped me to understand what God wants for me. That for each of us, it is his desire to pour his love into our lives because he wants our love also.

Part of our love is demonstrated in our desire to follow his word and honor his commands. Jesus said, “if you love me, keep my words…”

There is one other blessing in this promise. It is a promise of generational blessing. To those who love and obey him, he will lavish his love upon us for a thousand generations. What an amazing idea. My obedience and love will bring blessing to my children and grandchildren. God is so good that his love and mercy truly endures forever.

REAL LIFE

Hosea 14:9 “The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them.”

In a world where political correctness is of the utmost importance, there has seemed to be increased conversation concerning the ways in which someone can connect with God. It seems that more and more people are offering the masses “options” on getting to Heaven. The media has perpetuated this ideology by making Christians out to be narrow-minded and judgmental. Recently, I had a conversation with a dear friend in which he challenged the concept in John 14:6 “Jesus said….no man comes to the Father but by me.” His idea was that living a good life in itself was pleasing to God and that by doing so one could get to Heaven. This, no doubt, is a very popular school of thought. But, as someone whose life has been transformed by the love of God, I just don’t get it.
Some will laugh at this, but when I was growing up they used to sing a song in my church that said… “once like a bird in prison I dwelt, no freedom from my sorrow I felt. But Jesus came and listened to me and glory to God, he set me free.” His love for me and his sacrifice for me is liberating. How can I not trust the one who set me free? I wonder why so many are looking for an alternative way to find God. Perhaps, it’s because of what God requires. In Matthew 22, when Christ was asked what the greatest commandment was, he said “love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” He requires me. He wants me to love him, to trust him, to follow him with everything that I have. That means that I cannot live for myself and still live for Him.
This freedom is a freedom to really live. Not a freedom to live as if there is no God and that my choices do not matter, but a freedom to live with the peace of knowing that there is a God who loves me. A freedom to live for God and trust fully that His path for my life is the best way possible. It is the kind of freedom that allows me to lay my head on the pillow every night and know that God is leading me into a life of blessing.
Hosea proclaimed that the paths of God are right and that we live by walking in them. Note that it does not say “live while walking in them”. It says “live BY walking in them”. It is walking after God’s purpose and direction that brings true life. The trouble may be our inability sometimes to line up the two points side by side. Sometimes living isn’t what we think it is. Living is not just pleasure. It’s not just a moment or a season. But living is about a lifetime. It’s about the good and the bad, the joy and the sorrow, gain and loss. Following after our own desires really gets tricky when things go sour. But the ways of God are true. They are sure. They are the same in the good and the bad. And the end result of following after God’s ways is a lifetime of really living no matter what comes your way.

A STIRRED UP HEART

Ezra 1:5 “Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders…to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.”

For whatever reason, lately, I have been thinking back upon my young adulthood. At the age of twenty or twenty-one, I had limitless dreams and powerful ambition. I had a wish list that seemed a mile long. I had mapped out such huge portions of my life. I wanted to accomplish some things by the age of twenty-five and others by the age of thirty. Looking back now, I apparently thought my life would be over by thirty-five because I left myself nothing to accomplish after thirty. Now, I am getting VERY close to thirty-five and the list isn’t complete. In fact, some of it never got started.
I can attribute some of that to unrealistic goals set by a young man who was unmarried, had no children, and had very little responsibility. I wish that was the only reason. But, to be honest, much of it is the result of dulled ambition and lots of excuses. As the years have passed, the passion has waned. Life kinda got in the way of living. At twenty-one, just talking about what I wanted to accomplish would get me so excited. My heart rate would increase. I would start talking so fast. It meant so much to me. In my mid-thirties, I have found myself just having less energy on many issues. I suppose it is somewhat natural.
Lately though, something has happened. I find myself in the middle of a project that is what I’ve always wanted to do. It has consumed much of my time and energy. But it is more than that. God has stirred my heart and reminded me of my passions and ambitions. By stirring my heart, he has reminded me of who I am. It has been a long time, since I have felt this way about anything. I can’t stop pressing towards the goal.
In Ezra, we find an account of those who had become complacent in their current circumstance. God’s people had been in bondage, without a place to worship God. It must have been discouraging. It probably was also all too easy to get accustomed to the way things were. As time passed, thoughts of the Temple may have come along less and less. But God stirred hearts. First he stirred the heart of King Cyrus, then, he stirred the hearts of the leaders. Thus, the process of rebuilding God’s temple began with a stirred up heart.
Sometimes, we all need a little stirring of the heart. No matter the reason for complacency -- failure, discouragement, stress, or so many others, God will revive our passion. What have you dreamed of doing for God? What have you wished for yourself? If you have not fulfilled those dreams, stay hungry and remain faithful. Time will pass without fail. However, time does not have power to steal our dreams. Allow God to stir your heart and see those long lost dreams live again.

Obedience - Take 2

Jonah 3:3
“So Jonah arose and went to Ninevah according to the word of the Lord”

If you simply opened the Bible and this was the first verse your eyes settled upon, you might think, “Wow, Jonah is so obedient.” But truth be told, it took some pretty intense circumstances to prompt Jonah’s obedience. That sounds all too familiar. It is true that throughout our lives, God guides and directs us in many ways. He speaks to us concerning various actions and decisions. I wonder how many times our first response to God’s voice is an absolute “yes”.
Have you ever said, “if I knew then what I know now”? I have said it or at least thought it so many times. When I was a child, my parents would offer advice on various life choices. This continued throughout my teenage years and young adulthood. Then, many of the things they would say, made little or no sense to me. As life went on, the advice they gave proved to be dead on. I realize(a little late in many cases) that they were trying to help me avoid some tough situations. Often, it was only after I chose my own path and failed that I followed their advice. I learned the lesson the hard way. Why did I put myself in that situation? Well, my childish way of thinking could not comprehend their years of experience and wisdom. I could not see their reasoning because I had not seen the life they had already lived. I could have avoided some tough times if I would have just listened the first time.
How true that is in my walk with God. Like in the case with my parents, I cannot begin to comprehend the mind of God. Isaiah 55:9 says “For as the heavens are higher than the earth. So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” I have found myself, so often, responding to God’s voice the same way that I responded to my parents as a child. I also often find myself learning lessons the hard way. No question, that God desires the very best for all of us. He lays out the plan for our abundant life. We must actually listen and obey, though.
Jonah learned this lesson in the midst of amazing circumstances. For us, it may be disappointment or failure. For Jonah, it was near death on a ship and what seemed to be certain death in the belly of a fish. But after God demonstrated mercy, Jonah got it right. Jonah went to Ninevah as God commanded. I wonder if Jonah ever said, “if I only knew then what I know now”. Much like Jonah, God will grant us a chance to get it right, to fulfill our destiny. For us all, eliminating the “drama” and responding to God the first time brings a life of abundance.