Simple Thoughts

In today’s world, as people take matters into their own hands, are self-sufficient, relying on their own ingenuity and know-how, is God in their purview? When troubles arise, are they able to comfort themselves?

I was challenged this morning, after reading a devotion by Anne Graham Lotz and her daughter, Rachel Ruth Lotz Wright. Do I call upon the name of the Lord? When things are going well do I give thanks to Him? When difficulties arise, am I able to still praise Him, even when I don’t understand? When I can’t see where He is leading, do I still call upon the name of the Lord and follow in faith? Can I say like David, “I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.”? (Psalm 18:1-3)

I pray as we all go through our day, every day, that we will “Call upon the name of the Lord, who is worthy to be praised!” Psalm 18:3

I’m sorry, what did you say? You want me to do what? Long, long pause before answering. Stepping out of my comfort zone is not easy. Saying “no” would have been the easy answer, but I said, “Yes.” Yes, I am available. Yes, I can be part of you women’s conference… as a presenter!

As soon as I hung up the phone, Satan went on the offensive. “You are not qualified. You only speak in front of children. What do you have to say that has any merit?” Satan knows my doubts and knows what to say to me.

But God! He is who I choose to believe. He is equipping my heart and mind with His truths. Every day now, for two weeks, in one form or another, He has given me His word, stories, devotions, family to highlight my topic that I will be presenting. He is there with me, giving me the words, the stories, the activities I want to use.

Saying “Yes!” was hard. Speaking in front of adults is scary. But as I pray and ask for Him to lead, my doubts begin to fade as God reassures me, “He’s got this!”

As a child, I grew up in the northern part of the country. As seasons changed, I looked forward to each season and the activities associated with it. Of course, it also involved work and tasks. As a Christian, as I grow in my faith, I am learning that we, too, go through seasons. Seasons of joy. Seasons of challenge. Seasons of grief. Season of waiting. How do we get through those seasons, both wonderful and challenging? Like a gardener who uses his/her tools: water, sunlight, soil, nutrients to nurture growth, we too have tools to weather these seasons: pray, read God’s word, worship.

When we are waiting on test results from the doctor. When we are anxiously awaiting news of a job offer in a season of unemployment. When we are mourning the death of a loved one. These weak and weary season are difficult. Even when words fail you, as you cry out to God, remind yourself that God is present. He loves and cares for you. He is eternal. He is holy. He is sovereign over the whole earth.

So, while you wait, while you grieve, while you seek, allow God to comfort your weak and weary soul. Breathe in. Breathe out. Steady your hands. Focus your thoughts on Him, not allowing your mind to be filled with doubts and fears. Turn on the worship music and as you sit in the quiet, allow the Holy Spirit to embrace every part of your being and pray.

Empty: containing nothing; not filled or occupied. (New Oxford American Dictionary)

Driving on a long trip, we are careful, not allowing our tank to get near empty. The delicious snack bowl enjoyed, now empty. The house, emptied of its contents, ready for the move.

Many ways to look at “empty.” But empty can be a good thing. To the Christian, it is the best news. An empty grave. Containing nothing. Not occupied. Jesus is not there. He has conquered death and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf. We serve a risen Savior. He is alive, preparing a place for us where we will praise and worship Him forever.

“The cross represents doom for sin and hope for sinners. It condemns sin and cleanses souls. The cross is where Jesus was crucified in our place and where Christ brings resurrection life to mankind. The bloodstained cross is gruesome to some, but the empty cross is full of hope.” Billy Graham

Celebrating Christmas just a few months ago, remembering the birth of Jesus. The virgin birth, the angels rejoicing, the shepherds being notified. The love of God in human flesh. Fully man and fully God. A Babe on a mission. To save those in need of saving. Me. You. Them. Separation from God. Restoration in our relationship is possible. God’s Divine plan in motion. Jesus lived a perfect life. Was in all points tempted yet never sinned. He gets us.

On this Good Friday, I pray you reflect on Jesus and this great act of love for you poured out at the cross. The gravity of that moment was not lost on me. Praise God He opened my eyes and I cried out to Jesus, “Save me! I repent. I love you. I want You, Jesus.” And in that moment, I became a child of God. The searching, the questioning, the listening all came to a head. And in a single moment, I had a decision to make. If not Him, if not Jesus then my destiny for all eternity would have a different path. Thank you, Jesus.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Planning a trip? Make preparations. Preparing for the arrival of a loved one or a new baby? Make preparations. Getting ready to move? Make preparations. When planned events happen in our lives, we make preparations. We make lists, do research, plan an itinerary. We don’t sit idly by or we won’t be ready.

This week is Holy Week. Those of you celebrating Lent look forward to the end of your 40 day fast. Others enjoy the church services this week focused on Jesus and His final week. No matter the day. No matter the season. No matter the upcoming holiday. As Christians, are we making preparations? For the coming of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Is our eternal destination secured? Have we unpacked and laid our burdens and sins at the cross? Galatians 5:24 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Have we followed the itinerary already ordained by God through Jesus as the only way? John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Have we done our research by reading scripture, seeing that we don’t have to “do” anything? Jesus has done it all! Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

We spend a lifetime making preparations. What about in the life to come? I pray that we all examine our hearts, 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” looking to Jesus as the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and decide today to follow Him.

Wowzer! Growing vegetables is not for the faint of heart or weak in spirit. It takes intentionality, research, determination, physical stamina and heart. I am in no way a gardener. I have tried and failed several times. Why now? My son and daughter-in-law have knowledge and find joy in gardening and it has become infectious. So here I am again, willing to try. Same seeds, more knowledge. More time and a willingness to learn.

How similar is our Christian walk. We come to Christ, to the cross, with nothing. We have laid our sins at His feet and in faith we take a step, then two, then three and so on into our new life in Christ. It takes intentionality, determination, knowledge of our Savior, and a redeemed heart in your walk. As a new Christian, I didn’t know much but I had a willingness to learn. My eyes were opened slowly. Jesus knew what my immature heart could consume, digest and hold onto. Years later, as I have matured in the faith, scriptures become more accessible as I learn how to retrieve them. Yet, I am not satisfied. I continue to want to know more. More of my Savior. More of the Bible and how God’s redemptive plan plays out in this 21st century.

This walk has not been easy. There have been droughts, storms, and periods of growth. Yet through it all, I said “Yes” to Jesus. Even when I didn’t understand. Even when I lost friends. Even when the world around me swirled. I allowed God’s word to drown out my worries, my anxieties, and the noise of the world. Like my plants that are growing under the care of me, the gardener, so too, do we as Christians grow under the watchful care of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him,  being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.”

Where do you find quiet time? Nighttime when everyone sleeps? In the early morning before the house wakes? Maybe you find it at midday. No matter when, it is important that we do. Let us silence our phones, close the door to interruptions and find the quiet. It is here you can meet with God. To pray. To ask questions. To make confessions. To search the scriptures. To find answers.

This is your one-on-one time with God. He wants this time with us. It is here we are refreshed, renewed to face the day. Not in our own strength or power but by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Do not think yourself weak when you need to retreat to a quiet place, for it is here you will commune with God. Find food for the soul and nourishment for the spirit.

Colossians 3:5a “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.” You know the phrase “lurking in the shadows.” Brings about a negative connotation, paints a sinister picture.

As a Christian, when we re-read Colossians 3:5a, we are reminded that we are human. We still have the ability to sin. We have our “pet” sins lurking within us, waiting to present themselves, ambush us at our weakest moments. It is at that moment that we have a decision to make. Do we pursue “that” sin or do we pursue Christ? Do we allow anger, greed, jealousy, pride, idolatry, lustful pleasures, drunkenness, selfish ambition to rule in our hearts? “The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground. And sometimes the hardest battles to win are our inner battles.” Warren Wiersbe

Or, do we fall on our knees and ask for forgiveness, mercy, strength, love and fill our minds with better thoughts. As redeemed children of God, we must rid ourselves of these. But not by our own power. We must surrender our will and submit to God’s authority in our lives. Willingly. Obediently. Happily.

I began this by asking you to be aware of the sin lurking within you. Let me finish by saying be an overcomer because of the Holy Spirit, not lurking, but living inside you. Giving you the victory in your weakest moments.

Rather than focusing on the sin, let us fully saturate our minds with the word of God that we may stand against the “wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

Colossians 3:1-4 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

I am sitting here this morning, drinking tea and listening to music. It is Sunday so God is first and foremost on my mind as I prepare to meet Him this morning. Praising His name through song and learning more of Him from the pages of scripture as the Pastor brings God’s message.

I sit here reflecting on what has brought me here today. My faith journey. My eyes opened to seeing myself, a sinner, trying to be good, do good, measuring up. But it will never be “enough.” The truth unlocked my heart and my soul rejoiced as I received the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A journey thus far with trials, joys, disappointments, maturing in the faith. Pressing on each day to learn more about my Savior and Lord.

I sit here thinking of my loved ones, who live like I once did, giving God acknowledgement on Sunday, trying to live that good life to gain acceptance from God and entrance into heaven. I pray for their awakening and a soul revival of coming to Jesus, one life at a time.

I sit here reading verses of hope, faith, belief in God. A covenant keeping God. Trusting in His promises that bring peace to my heart and calm to my life. This is just a few verses from the pages of scripture. If you are searching, are on your own quest to know more of Jesus, dive into the word, open the doors of a church, reach out to a loved one, email me. It is life changing. It is transforming into a new creation that seeks daily to love and know your Savior more and more. A life in Jesus is a life that leads to eternal life.

Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Titus 3:3-6 “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, “

John 14:2-4 “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Matthew 7:13-14 ““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Revelation 5:13 “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

Philippians 3:20-21 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”