What About When You Run Out of Steam?

I took a couple of days off this week because I have been so tired lately – and because my house desperately needed some spring cleaning. We have been pushing hard at work since we came back from the holiday break. But I have also been emotionally tired. What do we do when we are more-than-a-day-off kind of tired?
Paul, who had every right to whine, also got tired. But he chose to look at his life from a different perspective. He wrote: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:7-9)
He acknowledged that his circumstances were hard – he was being pressed from many different directions by people with very different agendas. He was perplexed; he couldn’t understand why his own people were rejecting the Messiah they had so long sought. He was persecuted – his life was often in danger, his ministry was detested by the Jewish leaders and even by certain factions of the church. He was struck down – beaten and stoned more than once for his tenacious devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Despite all that, he refused to give in to misery. He knew no human could crush him because he belonged to the Lord. He reminded himself that his Lord and Savior would never abandon him, and had even come to stand beside him in prison (Acts 23:11). He knew that the Lord he served with all his heart would not allow him to be destroyed.
This is your testimony too if you are in Christ. You are not a victim—you are a victor! Yes, life gets very hard sometimes, but you and I need not give in to despair because our Lord will not let us be crushed or destroyed. He has promised to never abandon His own, not even in our darkest, hardest moments. Like Paul, we must learn to hold fast to Jesus and trust Him despite our circumstances or feelings.
Yes, I am tired, but the Lord promises to give me strength. Yes, I get overwhelmed, but He will carry my burdens. Yes, I feel weary, but He will sustain me. I can focus on my exhaustion and emotions, or my faithful Father. And I can take some time to rest. Isaiah declared “In quietness and trust is your strength” (Is 30:15). Beloved, get a little rest and trust in the Lord.

Doctrines of the Faith: God of Love; God of Power

We continue to look at the doctrines of the Christian faith, and the first matter we must settle is the reality of God. We have established His existence and His place as both Creator and Father. Today we will look deeper at God’s core characteristics in a verse from the pen of King David: “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving” (Psalms 62:11-12).
I have pondered this verse for a long time and wondered what was the one thing that God said for David to draw his conclusion. I believe the Spirit has given me a clue that goes back to a burning bush in the wilderness. I want to suggest that David is speaking of God’s self-declaration. When Moses asked His Name, the Lord replied: “I AM.” ( Ex 3:14). That was it. But it was enough.
But how did David figure out two things from one statement? Experience. The same way you and I do. When he was surrounded by enemies, his God came in power. When his heart was breaking, his Lord was tender. We need a God who is both. A God who is benevolent but powerless is no help to us in our time of need. A God who is powerful but unfeeling breeds fear that drives us away from Him.
We need to know God as His Word describes Him and we need to respond to Him as He has revealed Himself. We must trust His love for us as our Heavenly Father. We must also trust that He is able to help us in our time of need. Many see God as see God only as harsh and uncaring, but that portrays Him as a mean-spirited ogre. Still others see Him only as a doting Father handing out blessings like candy. That makes Him into a one-dimensional entity. That is not the God of the Bible. The Lord God is all-loving, and He is all-powerful. Not in perfect balance, but in perfect fullness. We can come before Him boldly because we are convinced of His love for us, and we are persuaded that He can and will come to our aid.
Beloved you are in the most wonderful place today – supported by the arms of One who is so mighty and awesome, and who loves you with an everlasting and consuming love.

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.

We Need One Another

Every person I know is struggling with something – family issues, health problems, financial difficulties, mental and emotional health, work and school. You probably found yours among that list.
Something else we all have in common is the need for encouragement. The Lord impressed on my heart at the end of last year that I need to focus on writing more messages of encouragement. I understand why. You need it and so do I. I was reading this morning in 1 Thessalonians and was caught by the sequence I saw in chapter 3.
Paul was in Athens but his heart was in Thessalonica and the church he had previously established there. Paul was concerned that the Thessalonians had abandoned their faith in Christ. He sent Timothy, his trusted friend and co-worker to both find out how they were and to “strengthen and encourage” them in their faith (v. 2). He did not want the church to become discouraged by persecution nor to be tempted by the enemy to give up.
When Timothy returned, he brought Paul “good news about your faith and love” (v. 6). They were “standing firm in the Lord” (v. 8). The Apostle was greatly encouraged! He thanked God for the Thessalonians and was strengthened in his own faith. Their lives were a testimony to God’s power and faithfulness. Paul was refreshed and able to endure the persecution and trials that surrounded him.
There is something wonderful about the family of God. We encourage one another. We hold each other up. We “speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Eph 5:19).. We share stories of God’s goodness in our lives. That is why I am so transparent in these devotionals – maybe a little too transparent. I believe with all my heart if you see God carry me through difficulties, it will give you hope in your own. Likewise, when you share what God is doing in your life, it gives me encouragement to hold fast to Him and keep pressing on.
Someone you know needs a word of encouragement today. It may be a family member, a coworker, a friend -it may even be me. Or maybe it’s you. I hope these simple words lift you up and that “you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Rom 1:12). Let’s support one another, Beloved. The three of us – you, me, and the Lord will get through this together.

The Protection and Power of God

One of my favorite Bible accounts is where Elisha and his aide were pinned down by the Arameans who had surrounded the city to capture Elisha.  The prophet’s aide saw the army with its horses and chariots and soldiers and cried to his master “O my lord, what shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15) 

Ever been there?  Me too, when all I could do was look at my life and cry, “O my God, what am I going to do?”  Elisha told his aide, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.  And “the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (v. 16-17).  The Lord’s army had encircled Elisha and stood between him and the enemy.  The man of God – and his aide – were divinely protected.

God has promised to take care of you – but it requires spiritual eyes to see Him surrounding you, standing between you and whatever difficulty is bearing down on you.  He goes before you (Deut. 31:8) and He is your rear-guard (Isaiah 52:12). You are surrounded by His unfailing love and faithfulness (Psalm 32:10; 89:8). 

But wait. There’s more. This is from a post I wrote seven years ago. God (and Facebook memories) brought it to my attention this morning. And then He brought something else. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). Who is “them?” “The spirit of the antichrist” (v. 3). The driving force of evil in the world and the enemy of God and His people.

Who is the “one who is in you?” The Holy Spirit. The indwelling presence of Christ. The very same Spirit that brought Jesus back to life (Rom 8:11). Do you understand what this means? Not only is the Lord God before you and behind you and all around you – He is also in you filling you with Jesus’ power and strength and wisdom and discernment and faith – “. . . everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). I don’t know about you, but that blesses my heart.

Beloved, whatever surrounds you today, whatever is bearing down on you, remember this, God has surrounded you with His presence and filled you with His Spirit. Now “Go in the strength you have” (Ju 6:14). His strength – and His victory.

When Jesus Prays

When life hits hard and difficult things come up out of the blue, one of the most comforting things I cling to is that nothing surprises God. I’ve had some doozies this year that have sent me reeling, but I look to my Father and know that He knew about it long before it came. His Word declares I know “the end from the beginning” (Is 46:10). In other words, God sees the outcome before it comes out. He knows how He will use the thing to “bring about what [He has] planned” (v. 11). Yes planned. Nothing comes to us that does not work within His plan.

Here’s something else that brings me tremendous comfort in those difficult seasons. While God is preparing, Jesus is praying. Just before His crucifixion, Jesus warned Simon Peter that satan was going after them. “Simon, Simon, satan has asked to sift you as wheat” (Lk 22:31). The “you” is plural in this verse, but when Jesus used it again, it was with a singular focus. “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (v. 32). The Lord had a plan for Simon Peter. He intended to use His disciple in mighty ways. But He needed to do some Kingdom work in him before He could do His Kingdom work through him. And He was going to use satan to do the sifting. (Did you know that even satan is under the Lord’s authority?)

Jesus could have sat Simon down and drilled him on how to overcome all that was coming. He could have given him seven powerful verses for standing firm in his faith. He could have preached a rousing sermon to inspire Peter. But He prayed. Because He knew what was coming and He knew what His friend needed.

I don’t know what hard thing you are facing today, or what you may face tomorrow or next week or next year, but I know Who does. I know your Father’s plan has already determined how it will be used in your life and in His purpose. He has planned the end from the beginning. And I know that Jesus is praying for you. Hebrews 7:25 says He is continually interceding for you.

Imagine if you could press your ear to heaven and eavesdrop on the throne room. Don’t be surprised when you hear your name. He knows exactly what you need for this day and this season. Be assured, Beloved, Jesus is praying for you.

Your God Will Come

I need a word this morning. I’ll bet you do too. This life can be tough. This world is a scary place sometimes. All you have to do is read the daily news and you will want to crawl under a rock and hide. Some of us are struggling with difficult family issues. Some of us are discouraged in our jobs. Some of us are facing health problems, or financial problems, or even car problems. Some of us are trying to pick up the pieces after physical, emotional, and spiritual hurricanes. Like I said, I—we—need a word.

God gave me the word we need this morning. It comes from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way, say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come . . .’” (Is 35:3-4). I can’t think of anything better to hold on to than knowing that God will come. He will come for the weary. He will come for the weak. He will come for the fearful. He will come for the lost. He will come for the sick. He will come for the persecuted. He will come for the lonely. He will come for the grieving. He will come for the poor.

He comes with sovereign power (40:10). He comes with gentleness (40:11). He comes with righteousness (Zec 9:9). He comes with healing (Mal 4:2). He comes with justice (Is 42:4). He comes with hope (Ps 10:17). He comes with peace (2 Thess 3:16). He comes with comfort (2 Cor 1:3). He comes with strength (Ps 29:11). He comes with Joy (Ps 30: 5,11). He comes with wisdom (Ps 25:8-9). He comes with love and mercy (Ps 31:21-22). He comes with help and deliverance (Ps 37:40). He comes with forgiveness (Ps 37:39.) He comes with grace (Rom 5:20).

Whatever your need, whatever your circumstance, God will come. How can I be so sure? Because His word declares it. His Son proved it. And His daughter has seen it over and over and over in my life. I may sound like a broken record but I will proclaim it till I draw my last breath: God is faithful. He will always be faithful because it is His nature.

I will leave you with the most encouraging words you will ever hear. It comes from the heart and mouth of Jesus. “Behold, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:12). And He will Beloved. Maybe even today.

The Secret to a Contented Life

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). This is the go-to verse for weightlifters, runners, and football players. In our minds, we picture strong muscles straining with all they’ve got until the victory is won. Tim Tebow often wore the reference as a reminder that true strength comes from the Lord. And that is a great thing to know. But is that what Paul was really saying?

At the time he wrote Philippians, Paul was in prison for the gospel. But he wasn’t looking to God for strength to break his chains; he was looking to the Lord for strength to endure them. The context of Philippians 4:13 is not of rippling muscles, but contentment. Paul said that he “learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” And his circumstances were devastating.

Discontent seems to be the culture’s favorite pastime. Despite how blessed we are, we always have something to grumble about.  It is also one of satan’s favorite weapons and he uses it to weaken our faith and diminish our witness. It is a bitter poison that eats away at us – starting in the deepest part of our soul and, if left unchecked, destroys our peace, erodes our Joy, and leaves us with stone-cold hearts (and faces that match). I know because struggled with a discontented heart for many years.

Here’s what I discovered, and I believe it is what Paul learned as well – you and I will never find true contentment in anything less than God. There is nothing this world can offer that can do it. No house is big enough. No bank account is rich enough. No relationship is strong enough. No job is fulfilling enough. I’ve tried to find contentment in all of them. Nothing satisfies but Him. The Lord makes my days sweet and my nights peaceful. He fills my heart (and my arms) with Joy. He gives me hope and strength. He gives me a reason to live and gives my life meaning. He surrounds me with His grace. He quiets me with His love. He is my Rock, my Light, my Fortress, my Provider, my Protector, my Counselor, and my Anchor. He is all I need and all I want.

Can you say that, Beloved? You can if God is your source of contentment. Trust me on this, you will never be satisfied with anything less.

Do You Love God?

My best friend turned me on to the stories of the martyrs of Christendom.  Martyrs are people who suffered persecution, and often death, for their faith in Jesus Christ. The first martyr was a man named Stephen, We’ll learn more about him on Monday. He died with the gospel on His lips and his eyes on Jesus (Acts 7:56). The history of the church is replete with men and women that “did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Rev. 12:11). People like Perpetua and Felicity, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Bishop Ridley and Bishop Latimer, Martin Luther, and on and on and on even to the present day. Tertullian wrote, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.”

But what enabled them to stand under such extreme abuse and the threat of death? And why did some give in to the demands and recant their testimony? What made the difference? We get a clue in the verse from Revelation above. And we find more in the book of James – who by the way was Jesus’ half-brother and was only converted after the resurrection (Acts 1:14). James wrote, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him” (Ja 1:12). What makes someone die for their faith? They loved God.

Consider Jesus’ words in John, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (15:13). The Lord was talking about the love of one Christian for another, but could it not also apply to the Christian’s love for God? If we count God as even a friend, but more than a friend, as our Creator and Father and Redeemer, should we not also be willing to lay down our life for Him? Did He not do the same for us? How, then, should we love God? “. . . with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). With your thoughts, desires, actions, emotions, intentions, affections, obedience, and yes, your physical body – which may even mean death rather than denying your Beloved.

God has already expressed His love for you and me at the cross. Men and women throughout history have returned His love with their own lives. I’ll leave you today with the question all believers must answer: Do you love God?

Road Trip!

We’re planning a fun day trip with Joy today in Poppy’s truck.  Every mile of our adventure will be powered by the combustion engine under the hood. That engine has two jobs: to take in fuel and to put out power. My husband will provide the fuel by filling up the gas tank and the engine will produce the power which will push the truck down the road.

Paul knew nothing about a combustion engine, but he understood the principle. He wrote, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Php 2:12-13). Do you see the principle? What God works in – you work out. God is at work in you through His Word and His Spirit – providing power, wisdom, strength, and righteousness. Your job is to take what He provides and work it out in your life.

He gives you His power to overcome the devil. You work out that power by “standing your ground” (Eph 6:13) against the enemy until he runs from you (Ja 4:7). He gives you His wisdom to make godly decisions. You believe His wise counsel and act according to His will (Rom 12:2). He gives you His strength to endure the trials so that you can persevere with Joy (Ja 1:2), knowing that God is working all things for the good (Rom 8:28). He gives you His righteousness so you can live a holy life. He gives you a way out of temptation, and you take it. He gives you His love so that you can love others – even those who are hard to love. He gives you His Spirit, and you work it out by living by the Spirit (Gal 6:16), being led by the Spirit (v. 18), and keeping in step with the Spirit (v. 25). He gives you His Word to teach, rebuke, correct, and train you in righteousness – you work it out by study and obedience.

You would think we were crazy if we jumped in the truck and expected to make our trip without any fuel to power the engine. How crazy is it to try to live godly lives without the truth of the Word and the power of God’s Spirit? Beloved, God is providing the fuel for holy living (2 Pet 1:3) – all you have to do is work out what He is pouring in. Get your motor running – it’s time to hit the road!