Monday, October 27, 2014

Uncomfortable


 
 
 
ISIS.  Persecution.  Torture.  Martyrdom. 

As I reflect on the cruelty being done around the world to fellow Christians in the name of a false god, I can’t help but think that we are missing it.  We go about our Christendom in such ease that we take it for granted.  We take our comfort for granted.  What we want is available in different shapes and styles throughout our city to where we custom fit our worship time into what feels good and what fits into our schedule. We have that freedom and safety to do so week in and week out. I thank God we have the ability to openly serve Him like we do.  I’m thankful we can do it comfortably without fear of impending danger.  I pray that never changes, but I’ve had to ask myself:
 
Am I too comfortable?  Am I too snuggled into my American Christianity that I forget?  I forget others that God so dearly loves.

As we dress up in our "Sunday best", let's not forget those who are being stripped, beaten, raped, and shamed.  As we sit on our cushioned chairs, resting our feet on padded carpet, let’s remember the chains that hold our sister, and the small, dark cell that imprisons our brother.  As we breathe in the sweet aroma of coffee and cocoa that is available for us as we freely hear the Word preached, let’s not forget those who are experiencing the scent of death as they near their last breath.  As we sing in one accord to Him who is worthy, let’s remember the horrific cries of those who are being tortured because of their love for the very One we are worshipping.  As we see our children happily skip off to their Sunday school classes, let’s remember those parents that are watching their child be maliciously killed for their faith in Christ.  May we “hear” the terror in those sweet children’s voices as they come face to face with monsters far more evil than the ones your child feared was under their bed.  
 May these tragic truths open our eyes to a world much larger than our air-conditioned four walls.  May our comfort make us uncomfortable.   May it serve as a reminder of the vast difference others are experiencing.  May it make us uncomfortable to the point that we begin to bear their burdens in prayer.  Uncomfortable to the point that we do not take our comfort for granted.  May it  cause us to press into God’s presence like never before.  Crying out for the strength, the comfort, the deliverance of a family we have not yet met.
Lord,  We know You understand the suffering that our brothers and sisters around the world are going through right now.   You relate firsthand with being tortured as Satan stretches forth his hands through willing men and women.   You empathize with the pain of losing a child.  We may have moments of sadness and shock when we hear the stories, but we can’t even begin to comprehend the horror they are truly going through.  Lord, help us.  Help us to feel their agony so that we are moved to pray.  Forgive us for getting so comfortable that we neglect bearing others' burdens. 

 
We pray for those who daily anticipate the possible visit from ISIS or other radical groups.  Give them the strength to stand true to their faith in You.  Help them to not be paralyzed by fear and deny Your name.  We pray that those who are called to martyrdom, that the hope of heaven would consume them in such a way that even in the midst of this gruesome turmoil, their spirit has peace in knowing they will be with You.  We also pray for supernatural deliverance for others.  Send Your holy angels to stop the evildoers.  Open up opportunities of escape for Your people.  We also pray for the persecutors themselves. May the blinders be taken off of their eyes that they may see the Truth and be set free.
May we not take the freedom we have to hear Your Word for granted.  While the surplus of Your Word is available, may we get so filled up,  and build such a strong foundation and relationship with You.  Should that day come that we too are face to face with such evil, may we never deny the faith, but be faithful to You even to death.   Amen.

"Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.."  Hebrews 13:3 NLT
 
 
 
… and all those around the world – with your prayers.


 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Matthew

 


My prayer for you...


May you never lose your smile or joy in the simple things

May your laughter never be muted

May you never allow anyone to silence your God given personality
 
May you never trade in your uniqueness for something ordinary 

May you never believe the lie that you need to fit in or be like somebody else

May you never replace your hugs and affection with walls

May you never use your words to hurt others

May you always be quick to forgive and quick to repent

May you never use your positions in life to control others but to lead with love

May you have a strong yet tender heart

May you know when to turn the other cheek and when it is your place to protect

May your spirit be sensitive to the voice of the Father

May you walk in the wisdom of God and not the wisdom of man

May you always have discernment with people and choices you face

May you have a hunger for God’s Word all the days of your life

May you be a fervent man of prayer

May you have a heart for the unsaved, the broken, and the hurting

May you never be judgmental or prejudice, but love people as God does

May you discover and walk out the work that you have been called to do

May you never doubt Jesus’ love for you

 And may you always stay on the path that leads to life…

Happy 7th Birthday, Matthew – a boy that I adore – a boy that has changed my life J

I love you and am proud of you,
Mom

Monday, October 13, 2014

Beauty


 

 
As the leaves rustle across the ground

 In the cool autumn breeze

I gaze at Your creation

Where Your beauty is clearly seen

 
I see Your beauty as the sun comes up
 
It’s written across the sky

As the sun warms me, I feel Your love

When nighttime settles, I wonder why
 

Why You choose to share such beauty

 With one who fails You every day
 
Though I fall short time and again
 
Each morning You meet me anyway

 
In the quiet moments I sit and think

 In awe of what I see

 As the wind blows by, I hear Your voice

 Whispering to me…

 
You notice the beauty around you

The intricacies through and through

But as splendid as this all appears

My beauty is wrapped up in you…


 

Monday, October 6, 2014

Love Your Neighbor


 
 
Is it merely a rule to live by?  Is it a way to prove our love for God?  Do we do it in hopes for a "blessed life?"  Surely loving others should be an attribute of those who say they love God, and there are indeed blessings in obedience, but ultimately all guidelines that God lays out for us are laced with an eternal purpose much bigger than ourselves.

The way we live our lives isn't only about us.  It isn't about being able to put a check mark on the clean conscience section of our Christianity.  It isn't even about hearing one day, "Well done, you good and faithful servant."  It's about people.  It's about every single person that God so chooses to cross our paths.  Starting in our homes with our spouse and children and stretching through every phone conversation, email exchange, and our day to day interactions.  All people.  We love others and do good because it is the right thing to do, yes, but also because in doing so it touches lives... for Him. 

When Jesus walked the earth, He presented a way of living among the people that reflected the Father.  This God they read about, this God they heard about... Jesus brought a visual of who that God was.  He came with a face to show He is a reachable God; making Himself available to all who called upon Him.  He came with skin to reveal He is a touchable God.  He came as a friend to confide in, and yet a servant that ultimately laid down His life for not only His friends, but for those who rejected Him.

We are called to do the same.  We are to put a face to the God we serve to everyone we encounter in life.  Our interactions with others is so far beyond doing right and being a nice person.  It is for the sake of THAT person.  We may never know on this side of Heaven what our influence will do, but it is so worth it.  Allowing God to shed His love upon others through us, what a privilege and responsibility to take seriously.

Think about this! Those who lowered the Apostle Paul through the window to escape the death threat on his life were actually letting down 13 books of the Bible! You never know the affect you have when you do something to help or encourage another... Your act of love could reshape one's entire future.  A generational domino effect!  :)

 

Friday, October 3, 2014

Pressing On



No matter what gets thrown smack dab in the middle of our "race" --  God's plan still remains intact.  Our purpose doesn't end at the rock in the road!  Our journey continues on to the other side.  All of the hurdle jumping and obstacle maneuvering develops character and endurance in us that becomes the needed strength for us to press on to the prize!
 
Father, even in the midst of the temptations and trials, we can have the confidence that You are working it all out for our ultimate good because Your Word declares it so.  We trust You.  We believe in Your love, a love that wants the best for Your children, a love that sees the end from the beginning, a love that doesn't see a situation in a temporal sense but by the eternal. 

We so often only see what is right in front of us; failing to remember that even when we can't see it You ARE working behind the scenes!  Help us, Lord, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus!   As our example, He endured the race that was set before Him even to the point of death.  What appeared, in the natural, as a tragedy was actually a victory!  Lord, help us not to limit our sight on circumstances, setbacks, or on a single chapter in our lives...  We commit to press on despite  the current "backdrop" in our race KNOWING that the scenery is going to change and ultimate victory is ours through Jesus!  Amen!
 

 
"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."  James 1:12
 
 "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."  Philippians 3:14 
 
 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28
 
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2