Narrow the Gap

Often we are blinded to the vastness of the gap between our words and actions. It is a gap that when attempted to be traversed by those we love is certain to cause injury or death to those relationships. We all have gaps. Rather than asking our loved ones to traverse those gaps, let's attempt to narrow and close them. Be real. Say what you mean. Mean what you say...

Persistence

Mark 10:46-52 "And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." I love the persistence of Blind Bartimaeus. He knew the One Person that could fix his chronic problem of blindness was Jesus. He knew Jesus was passing near. He knew this was his chance to be whole, to finally be rid of this thing in his life that had caused him so much distress. He knew that if Jesus chose to heal him, his life would be forever changed. So, what did he do? He cried out to Jesus to have mercy on him. When others tried to get him to be quiet, probably embarrassed at the open show of faith and desperation -- he cried even more! I love that. Can you imagine the thoughts of the naysayers? "He's had this problem for so long. If God wanted to heal him, he would have already done it!" or "This man is such an embarrassment to us. God is not interested in touching lives of people like him!" or "He keeps complaining about his problem. Why doesn't he just accept that this is his lot in life and learn to be content?" "Man, this guy is such a power-sucker!" Oh, I'm sure we could all think of more comments along these lines that we have heard and -- gasp -- even said or thought ourselves! So, what is the issue or issues in life that seem to be a recurring theme for you? What is your persistent ailment? I encourage you, friend, never give up. When you think you have exhausted all your options and you yourself are exhausted, and when everyone around you seems to be encouraging you to sit down and be quiet, cry out "all the more a great deal" to Jesus. In faith continue to call upon Him for healing. Never give up. Never, ever give up!

Another Fuzzy Funny

Judson: Can I have dessert?

Mom: What do you want?

Judson: What do we have?

Mom: One cookie, lots of candy.

Judson: I'll have lots of candy!

Overwhelming Odds

I just love this about God -- He loves doing the "impossible". Every time I find myself facing a situation with some sort of impossibility involved, I can go to any number of places in the Bible and find that this is most often where God works. Otherwise, I guess it would be too easy for us to take credit for working out a situation. The story of King Jehoshaphat (what a name, huh?) in 2 Chronicles 20 is one of my favorites. Here is this king who is suddenly faced with the news that a huge army of Judah's enemies is heading their direction with the intent of destroying Judah. How does the king respond? "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." Then he reminded God (in front of the whole nation) of some very important things..."art thou not God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee...O our God, wilt though not judge them, for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee." If you read on, you will find the story ends well. God does prove Himself once again. In fact, Judah was instructed this way, "Tomorrow go ye down against them...Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you." Judah's response? "Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD." I really can't comment further on this.

What is the giant, the overwhelming situation you are facing today? We all have them from time to time -- sometimes seemingly all the time! I encourage you to respond just as Jehoshaphat did: fear, seek the LORD, and proclaim a fast in the manner God leads you. Entreat the Lord, and see that He delights to show Himself powerful on our behalf and for His Great Name. Then, when He does give you victory -- and He will -- don't forget to respond with humility and worship. No room for pride when God mercifully intervenes in our lives! Can you even wrap your mind around the fact that the God of the universe, Creator and Sustainer of all life would intervene? Thus I end up here again... "What is man that thou art mindful of him?"

Battle

My family is facing a huge challenge right now. I desire so much to see God's power prevail. I know He is bigger than anything we face. My verse for today is 2 Chronicles 14:11, "And Asa cried unto the LORD his God and said, LORD, it is nothing for thee to help, whether with many or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD God; for we rest in thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee."

Sowing and Reaping

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. - Galatians 6:7-9

Most of us have seasons of sowing to the flesh. Unfortunately, those seasons often reap corruption that can affect the course of our lives. It is not an accident that these principles of sowing and reaping and not being weary in well doing are side by side in scripture. Two observations I have made. First, those of us who have had seasons of sowing to the flesh have many occasions to potentially grow weary and faint as we seek to sow to the Spirit in the midst of the corruption we have reaped. God does redeem us. God does make all things new. God does not necessarily erase the consequences of our sin. King David is an example that comes to mind. David's life was forever altered after his season of sowing to the flesh. Yet, David recognized God's holiness and righteousness. He did not grow bitter and angry with God, but rather continued to call upon him and draw near to him. Thus, in spite of David's season of sowing to the flesh and reaping horrible corruption in his life and the life of his family, at the end of David's life, God was able to say that he was a man after God's own heart. For those of us in this situation in our lives, may we strive to have that said of us as well. We must not grow weary.

On the other hand, some have purposed in their hearts from a young age not to sow to the flesh. They are sowing to the Spirit with much fervor. This path, too, is difficult. This requires much strength and much endurance. This is definitely not the path of least resistance, but the promise remains -- in due season you will reap the fruit of the good seed you are sowing. Never bend, never turn, never give up or give in. Fight the good fight and be a Daniel in this world! Having lived with the consequences of sowing to my flesh, I can say without a doubt that you will never regret avoiding the additional pain from reaping corruption. I encourage you to continue to stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Great is your reward in heaven, dear friend!