Marvelous God

“The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23).
When I am in a low season in my spirit God comes to me and lifts me up. He knows what I’ve been through the past year and He cares about the hurt and anxiety it has caused. He also knows that the cure for depression is not chocolate (believe me I’ve had plenty) or pasting a smile over my face. The answer to my weary heart is Him. It is turning my thoughts from myself and turning them to the Lord and how wonderful He is.
I look out my window this morning and see the sun brushing the sky with shades of pink and purple and I see the silhouette of the trees and hear the birds fill the air with praise and think, “LORD, You have done this, and it is marvelous in my eyes!” I look forward to picking up my granddaughter today to spend the week with us and I remember that a year ago I didn’t have any contact with her for several months and I think, “LORD, You have done this, and it is marvelous in my eyes!” I look at this pile of seminary books around me and ponder the opportunity to study and learn about His Word (for free!) and I think, “LORD, You have done this, and it is marvelous in my eyes!” I look at this sweet ministry of writing and teaching and remember when I had a breakdown and thought God could never again use this shattered woman and I think, “LORD, You have done this and it is marvelous in my eyes!” I look at my life, once lost in the pit of sin and the misery of my own foolish mistakes, now redeemed and full of hope and a future and eternal security, and I think, “LORD, You have done this and it is marvelous in my eyes!” And I look at the uncertainty of the future and think, “LORD, You will handle this and it will be marvelous!”
The Scriptures are replete with reminders to consider all that the Lord has done. It is the best way I know to recenter and refocus my mind and heart when life has delivered a hard blow. Beloved, what marvelous thing has God done in your life? Praise Him for it then trust Him to do it again.

When I am Weak . . .

The late Dr. Charles Stanley made a profound statement that has resonated with me for quite some time. “The prelude to great strength is great weakness.” I have always been open and transparent about my life, my failures, struggles, and weaknesses. Sometimes I think a little too transparent. But I do that for a reason. Well, two reasons, actually.
Paul said, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor 11:30). I am honest so that you will know that you’re not the only one with very human struggles. One of satan’s favorite ploys is to tell us we are the only ones who are suffering or struggling or stumbling. Everyone else has it all together, they are doing all the right things and they are wildly blessed – at least that’s what their social media shows. I am here to tell you that satan is a liar and I am exhibit A. Yes, me. The Bible teacher. I have hard things in my life. I get depressed and discouraged. I mess up on the regular. I’m not proud of it, but if being open about my life silences the enemy, then I will gladly “boast of my weaknesses.” For your sake.
Paul also said, “[The Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). I also share openly about my weaknesses so that I can boast about the power of God in my life – and assure you that the same mighty God holds you in the palm of His hand. Our author praised God for His comfort in troubles that allows us to comfort others in the same way.
I tell you about God’s provision for me so that you will trust Him to provide for you too. I praise Him for rescuing me so you will know that He will also rescue you. I rejoice in His forgiveness – the same forgiveness He offers to you, my fellow sinner. He is my Healer and yours. He is my Protector and yours. He is my God and yours. He is my Strength and He is yours. If He can save a wretch like me, He can surely save you.
You and I walk this dusty road together. We need each other, but most of all we need God. Because we are weak, but Beloved, He is strong.

This is Love

Christmas and love go hand in hand.
Love sent the Divine to earth (Gal 4:4).
Love wrapped the Baby in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger (Lk 2:6).
Love sang to the shepherds (Lk 2:14).
Love appeared as a guiding star (Mt 2:10).
But love isn’t just for Christmas.
Love welcomed the Promise of Israel (Lk 2:25-38).
Love searched for the lost boy for three days in Jerusalem (Lk 2:46).
Love made a home for a son that wasn’t his own (Lk 2:51).
And when the boy grew into a man . . .
Love healed the sick and raised the dead and freed the demon-possessed (Matt; Mk; Lk).
Love refused to judge (Jn 8:10).
Love rejected to devil’s temptations (Mt 4:10)
Love preached the Kingdom of God (Mt 4:17).
Love taught the truth (Matt; Mk; Lk).
Love willingly touched the leper (Mt 8:3).
Love calmed the storm (Mk 4:39).
Love made the blind see and the mute speak (Matt; Mk Lk).
Love spoke in parables that the people could understand (Matt).
Love fed the hungry (Mt 15:29-39)
Love walked on water and rescued a drowning man (Mt 14:22-33).
Love came for lost sons and daughters (Lk 19:10).
Love blessed the little children (Mk 10:13-16).
Love rode a colt into the city (Mk 11:1-10).
Love cleansed the temple (Mk 11:12-17).
Love washed filthy feet (Jn 13: 1-17)
Love broke the bread and shared the wine (Mt 26:126-28).
Love prayed while His friends slept (Mt 26:36-46)
Love restored a wounded ear (Lk 49-51).
Love stood before those who would judge and condemn an innocent man (Jn 18:1-19:16).
Love willingly took the blows (Mk 15:16-20).
Love bore the burden of the cross and the crown of thorns (Mt27:27-31; Jn 19:17).
Love felt the nails (Mk 15:24).
Love covered over a multitude of sins (1 Pet 4:8)
Love made sure His mother was cared for (Jn 19:26-27).
Love said, “It is finished” and surrendered His Spirit (Jn 19:30; Lk 23:46).
Love lay silently in a borrowed tomb (Mt 27:57-60).
Love broke open the grave ((Mt 28:2-6).
Love walked through the garden (Jn 20: 10-18).
Love cooked breakfast on the beach (Jn 21:12).
Love sent the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
Love is coming again (Rev 22:20).
Do you know why I always call you “Beloved?” It’s because God loves you with an everlasting, never-failing, eternal, divine and holy love. Don’t believe me? He planted and nurtured the seed that would grow into the tree that would become the cross on which His Son would die. For you.

Advent 2023: Waiting for Jesus

“Simeon’s Moment” Ron DiCianni

The old man shuffling through the temple courts was a common sight. You could tell exactly what time of day it was when Simeon came around. Same gait, same expression, the same sense of yearning. But today there was something different about him. He was excited, his eyes darted around and his feet moved as if every step was determined by a force outside of himself. Suddenly his weathered face lit up like a thousand candles as his arms extended towards a young couple. With Jesus cradled in his arms the old man began to speak in the sing-song voice of worship: “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Just then an old woman came up to the little group, her eyes bright with wonder and fixed on the infant in Simeon’s arms. “This is Him! This is the One! Oh, praise the name of the Lord – He has sent the Redemption of Israel!” Simeon smiled at Anna and nodded his head in agreement with her proclamation. They had both held tightly to the assurance that God would one day comfort and redeem His people and he was glad to share this glorious moment with his friend.

For the two elderly people, the baby was the fulfillment of a promise they had long held to and yearned to see. Simeon, filled with the Holy Spirit, had been assured by God that he would see the Hope of mankind before he died. Anna, widowed early in her life, had dedicated her years to worship, fasting, and praying for the Messiah to come. It had been such a long time – not just their lifetime, but hundreds of years for the oppressed nation of Israel. In the temple courts that day, their faith was rewarded and they received the child with great Joy.

How do you hold on when the promise of God is a long time in coming? Just like Simeon and Anna did – with faith. They never wavered in their expectations. They never stopped believing that every promise God made was as sure as His name – El Emunah, The Faithful God. Beloved, His name still stands today. You can wait in faith because God is still always and forever faithful. Christmas is the blessed proof that He will never fail to do what He says He will do.

Thanks Giving

The Ark of the Covenant, the one element of the Tabernacle that was God’s special dwelling place, had been captured by the Philistines.  David set out to bring the Ark home, and the people and their king were ecstatic.  They celebrated with sacrifices and offerings and Joyful thanks.  The king wrote a psalm: “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done” (1 Chr 16:8). With the Ark secured in its rightful place, David appointed priests and Levites to minister before the Ark, to present the daily offerings and some to guard the gate to the tent.

There was another important position to be filled: “With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, ‘for His love endures forever’” (1 Chr 16:41). Their sole responsibility was to express gratitude to the Lord who was again dwelling among His people.  They led the Israelites in songs and exclamations of thanks.

Did you know that you are also chosen to give thanks? You may not be a descendant of Aaron, the first high priest, but 1 Peter 2:9 says: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light.” If you are in Christ, you have been chosen by God to be His royal priest.  You have been given the special mission of leading your family, church, community, and nation in gratitude to the Lord who created you, sustains you, provides for you, and, most importantly of all, the One who saved and redeemed you and marked you for eternal life.  Being a priest of God is a high and holy calling.

As you gather with family and friends today, remember that God is with you in your celebration. And never forget that you are a priest chosen by the Lord to give thanks.  So give thanks, Beloved – today and every day. I pray you have a blessed and Joyful Thanksgiving friends.

Make Your Words Count

Pay attention to your words.

They have more power and influence than you know – for those around you and for yourself. Scripture even says our words influence God. Whoa! In Numbers 13, the Israelites send out spies to check out the land of Canaan – the Promised Land. They returned with a glowing report of bounty and a terrifying tale of giants. Only two of the twelve trusted God to give them the land. The people rebelled and complained, claiming God sent them out into the desert to die. God heard every word and He said, “As surely as I live, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: In this desert, your bodies will fall . . .” (Num 14:28-29). Their children would inherit the Promised Land after forty years of wandering, but their unbelieving parents would never see it.

Psychologists have long taught the power of self-talk – from the Little Engine that Could – “I think I can, I think I can . . .” to athletes who rely on “I can do all things through Christ” (Phil 4:13). The 23rd Psalm is David expressing his hope and confidence in the provision, protection, guidance, comfort, goodness, and mercy of God. And if you haven’t figured it out, worship is more for our good than the Lord’s. He doesn’t need reminders of who He is, but you and I do.

Your words also carry a lot of weight in the lives of others. Once again David shows us how to change the climate around us. In Psalm 40 he said, “I proclaim [Your] righteousness in the great assembly” (v. 9). “I speak of your faithfulness and salvation . . . Your love and Your truth (v. 10)”. David was careful to always speak about God. He kept the Name of the Lord on the tip of His tongue and His praises on His lips. That’s very different from the conversations we hear all around us. Even the conversations we hear at church.

You and I have the power to influence our hearts and minds and that of those around you. David said the Lord had “put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (v. 3). What if everyone around you heard you always speak about the goodness of God? Imagine how that would change your home, your workplace, school, and yes, church. Imagine the change inside you. Your words matter, Beloved, make them count for good.

Get Your Praise On!

I was rummaging through the Psalms this morning; it’s one of my favorite places in the Bible. My other favorites are Genesis through Revelation. I landed on a verse that piqued my interest: “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise” (Ps 138:1). The Holy Spirit highlighted the word “gods” – with a little “g.” There is a huge difference between God and god.

The first commandment in the Big Ten is “You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:3). Right off the bat, the Lord sets the highest rule. The word “before” is important. Not only does it mean above or ahead of but it also means “besides.” Not only are we not to hold any god in higher esteem than the Lord God, but we are not to have any god other than Him. He is it. The one and only. “There is no God apart from me . . . there is none but me” (Is 45:21).

But in this world, there are countless little “g” gods and the culture holds them up before us as if they are equal to or greater than the Sovereign God of Heaven and Earth. They are lost and under the influence – and authority – of the devil who is obsessed with taking God’s throne. So how do we counteract the world’s gods? Do we march in protest? Do we stand on the street corner with signs? Do we get into shouting matches with unbelievers? No.  Nor do we enact legislation that demands all people acknowledge God. According to our key verse, we praise the Lord. That’s it.

When the world comes at us with its false deities, we don’t confront and we don’t contest. We sing God’s praises. David wrote, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Ps 8:2). Praise silences the enemy. Wholehearted praise. Genuine praise. Praise from Joyful hearts. Praise from broken hearts.

Another psalmist wrote, “May the praise of God be in [the saint’s] mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands” (Ps 149:6).  If you know your armor you recognize the sword as the Word of God. The Word that is chock-full of praise. The lost world doesn’t need our judgment or rebuke. They need to hear us acclaim the glory of our God. Let’s go Beloved – it’s time to get your praise on!

God, I Don’t Understand

I looked up at the sky with tears on my face and said, “God, I do not understand this.” The situation was completely counter to everything I prayed for. I thought I had done everything He told me to do. Now this. The obvious question hung in the air – and in my heart: “Why?” I know you can relate. I’ve read your posts. I’ve heard you talking. You’ve cried on my shoulder, just as I cried on yours. Life doesn’t always follow our well-thought-out plans or our desires and passions. Our hearts are broken and our faith is shaken. And all we can do is ask “Why.”

I came across two passages in the Bible this morning that I believe can give us comfort. In Jeremiah, Israel was under oppression by their enemy. They had been captured and whisked away from their home. God declared His intent to rescue His people even though they had sinned against Him. But He would do it through a storm – “See the storm of the Lord will burst out in wrath . . . on the heads of the wicked” (Jer 30:23).

Much like the storm David endured in Psalm 18, His people would see the wrath of God. It would not be directed at them but it would still be a frightening ordeal. “The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until He fully accomplishes the purposes of His heart.” And then the word of comfort: “In days to come you will understand this” (Jer 30:24).

The other is in John’s account of Jesus’ final week. As He and His disciples we being served the Passover meal, the Lord knelt before each man and washed his feet. As He approached Simon Peter, the disciple questioned Him, in essence asking, “Why are YOU washing my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (Jn 13:6-7). The word in both verses is not just an “AHA! moment” but it is a profound knowledge that goes deep into the heart and soul.

What these Scriptures teach us, and what my own experience with God has proven is that He has a purpose for everything He does and everything He allows in our lives.  Every. Single. Thing. And one day you and I will understand. It will all make sense. We’ll look up to heaven and say, “So that’s what You were up to!” In the meantime, Beloved, will you trust Him?

Acts: A Winsome Witness

I remember a plaque on the pulpit of a church that said: “Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.” Paul said, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17). But we are wise to remember that sometimes we must “show” the word of Christ before we can earn the right to share it. Paul and Silas did just that. Please read Acts 16:16-40.

Paul and Silas angered some shysters who made money from a girl who was possessed by an evil spirit. They started a riot and the pair were stripped, beaten, flogged, and thrown in prison. They were kept in the innermost cell and bound with their feet in stocks. If that were you or I chances are pretty good we would be most unhappy. We certainly wouldn’t be in a holy state of mind.

But Paul and Silas did not allow their circumstances to determine their hearts and they spent the night “praying and singing hymns to God” as the other prisoners listened (v. 25). Suddenly an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. The prisoners’ chains were broken and the doors flew open. Not just for the missionaries, but for everybody (v. 26). That in itself is extraordinary, but the bigger miracle may be that no one ran away.

The jailer, expecting a mass escape, “drew his sword to kill himself,” but Paul assured him, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” (v. 27, 28). The jailer came to them trembling and asked “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v. 30). And they shared the gospel with him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (v. 31). The man and his whole household believed and were baptized in the middle of the night.

Someone said, “The greatest witness is to tell people you are a Christian and not act like a jerk.” I’ve met some Christian jerks. You probably have too. Paul talked often about “gentleness” in dealing with the world and Peter said, “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15). We have a powerful, life-giving message to share, but nobody will listen if it comes from arrogance and finger-pointing.

Beloved, are you a winsome witness for Christ?

When the Son Shines

Some time ago I was looking for a picture of a sundial to go with a devotional I had written. I’ve always loved sundials. I love the nostalgia of them, but I confess I prefer looking around at the clocks in my house or checking the time on my phone rather than walking outside throughout the day to see what time it is.  I saw several nice ones that were sitting in shady locations. That may create a nice ambiance, but what good is a sundial in the shadows? You have to have the sun to create the shadow to know the time of day.

The apostle Paul knew a lot about enduring the heat. In the opening words of his second letter (actually the third, but one letter has been lost) to the church in Corinth, he talked about the sufferings he and his companions had endured for the sake of the Gospel and the Name of Jesus Christ. “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death” (2 Cor 1:9). Sound even a little familiar?

Granted you and I probably haven’t dealt with the threat of death, but sometimes our struggles and heartaches and troubles are “far beyond our ability to endure.” (Thus endeth the supposition that “God will not give you more than you can handle.”) Life isn’t easy. It’s not meant to be. God does permit situations that put us under great pressure. Why? Paul continued, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (v. 9). It’s an opportunity for God to reveal Himself to us – and to others.

Paul said, “Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many” (v. 11). I know this one personally.  Our family has been in a very difficult situation, and many of you have joined us in prayer over the matter.  When God moves on our behalf, all our praying friends become praising friends.

Beloved, if you are in a hard place right now take comfort. God has placed you out in the heat and the sun so that He can show those around you who He is. When the Son shines on you, the world will know that it’s time to turn to the Lord.