This morning, I want to keep it simple. I don't want to answer my own questions and I don't want to send some random question out into cyberspace. Today, I just want to pray. Specifically, for those family and friends in my life who are struggling or facing something they can't handle on their own...
...like the one who is undergoing knee surgery this morning
...and the one who has to lead a Bible study, though she continually doubts herself
...and the one ready to have a baby any day now
...and the one who might be depressed and can't find a job
...and the one needs God to send a tenant for her apartment
...and the one who has to put her dog down this week
...and the one who desperately wants motivation, but doesn't know how to get it
...and the one who is trying to maintain her Christian testimony in college
...and the one who never knew how impatient she was until she had children
...and the one who is struggling to lose weight
...and the one who finds no satisfaction in his current job, but works there anyway
...and the one who is trying to fit into a new job
...and the one who hasn't quite figured out what "being saved" really means
...and the one who can't iron a shirt without her arm hurting
...and all the rest who need to know they are being lifted up to our Savior in prayer this morning.
"Faith is not believing in my own unshakable belief. It is believing an unshakable God when everything in me trembles and quakes."
"Praise be to You, Lord, for You showed Your wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city (Ps. 31:21).
"But Lord God, according to Your Word, these 'light and momentary' troubles of mine (in relation to eternity) are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
"So I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor. 4:17-18).
"I am still confident of this: I will see Your goodness, Lord, in the land of the living. I will wait for You, Lord. I will be strong and take heart and wait for You (Ps. 27:13-14)"
(Taken from Praying God's Word Day by Day, Beth Moore)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Peace So Far
Well, it seems to be working! As proposed in my last post, I'm taking all the time and energy I spent obssessing over my own health and circumstances and applying that to praying for others. It's amazing to see how the daily headaches subsided over the weekend and how I only encountered one "head-spasm" (or whatever they're medically called). I had a nasty headache last night, but I can label that one...though I won't since family might be reading this... :)
Anyway, God chose to have our speaker in church yesterday give a Gospel message. And though the specific gospel message doesn't really timely apply to a believer, I believe there is always something we can grasp from it, whether it be to use in witnessing to others or to apply to our own lives. This time, his message of storms and peace in life came through Mark 4.
Mark 4:35-41 New King James Version (www.biblegateway.com)
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
I found three things especially interesting about this passage and the way it was presnted:
1 -- This was after a long day of multitudes and teaching. Jesus took His disciples into the boat, possibly in an effort to "get away" for a bit. However, this is the God of the universe we're reading about here. He knew what He was doing and He knew there was a storm brewing overhead. I believe He took His disciples into the boat in the calm before the storm so He could teach them a lesson in peace and trust. After all, He knew their hearts were still a bit hardened and they didn't even know who He truly was at this point in His ministry.
2 -- When the storm is raging its fullest and the disciples are terrified beyond reason, Jesus wakes (yes, He was asleep) and says three simple words to the storm and 13 poignant words to His disciples. The storm only needs to be told to stop. The disciples were challenged in their fear and their lack of faith.
3 -- Even after this, they don't get it. (vs. 41)
We can look back at the disciples and think, "Why didn't they see Him for Who He was? How can they be so blind?" But then I have to stop and wonder why I don't see Him for Who He Is Now. I'm guilty of the exact same fear and the exact same lack of faith. And the next time a storm brews, I don't see Him for Who He Is. I panic. I run around, trying to bail water out of the boat. I look toward Jesus and wonder why He isn't taking care of this for me.
But when I stop and ask Him to help, He gladly rises to the occasion. Then He looks back at me and challenges me to come to Him sooner the next time.
It seems to be giving me more peace about my own health, when I focus on how God is working in the lives of those around me. I see Him work His hand in various other storms and I'm starting to trust that He will calm mine as well. I'm not fully there yet...I still have moments where I reach for the bucket to start bailing water. But I'd like to think that the God of the universe is also the God of my new nature. And that old nature is slowly dying away. Maybe she'll never be totally gone....at least not here on earth. Maybe she'll rear her ugly, non-makeup-wearing grey head every once in a while just to see what I'll do with her.
And maybe I'll put my bucket over her head and turn to the Storm Calmer sooner.
Anyway, God chose to have our speaker in church yesterday give a Gospel message. And though the specific gospel message doesn't really timely apply to a believer, I believe there is always something we can grasp from it, whether it be to use in witnessing to others or to apply to our own lives. This time, his message of storms and peace in life came through Mark 4.
Mark 4:35-41 New King James Version (www.biblegateway.com)
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
I found three things especially interesting about this passage and the way it was presnted:
1 -- This was after a long day of multitudes and teaching. Jesus took His disciples into the boat, possibly in an effort to "get away" for a bit. However, this is the God of the universe we're reading about here. He knew what He was doing and He knew there was a storm brewing overhead. I believe He took His disciples into the boat in the calm before the storm so He could teach them a lesson in peace and trust. After all, He knew their hearts were still a bit hardened and they didn't even know who He truly was at this point in His ministry.
2 -- When the storm is raging its fullest and the disciples are terrified beyond reason, Jesus wakes (yes, He was asleep) and says three simple words to the storm and 13 poignant words to His disciples. The storm only needs to be told to stop. The disciples were challenged in their fear and their lack of faith.
3 -- Even after this, they don't get it. (vs. 41)
We can look back at the disciples and think, "Why didn't they see Him for Who He was? How can they be so blind?" But then I have to stop and wonder why I don't see Him for Who He Is Now. I'm guilty of the exact same fear and the exact same lack of faith. And the next time a storm brews, I don't see Him for Who He Is. I panic. I run around, trying to bail water out of the boat. I look toward Jesus and wonder why He isn't taking care of this for me.
But when I stop and ask Him to help, He gladly rises to the occasion. Then He looks back at me and challenges me to come to Him sooner the next time.
It seems to be giving me more peace about my own health, when I focus on how God is working in the lives of those around me. I see Him work His hand in various other storms and I'm starting to trust that He will calm mine as well. I'm not fully there yet...I still have moments where I reach for the bucket to start bailing water. But I'd like to think that the God of the universe is also the God of my new nature. And that old nature is slowly dying away. Maybe she'll never be totally gone....at least not here on earth. Maybe she'll rear her ugly, non-makeup-wearing grey head every once in a while just to see what I'll do with her.
And maybe I'll put my bucket over her head and turn to the Storm Calmer sooner.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I Think I Got it Figured Out...
This is a follow-up to my last post...THE universal question. And though I appreciate all answers and suggestions given, both online and off, I've come to a conclusion. After much thinking and praying (and smirking...), I've been slapped upside the head with the answer. At least, the answer for me, for now...
Wanna know what I discovered? I was wrong. That's all it was. Here I was, working my tail off to figure it all BY myself, FOR myself, when it's not about me at all.
Last night was the first night of our kids' Kid's Club at a local Baptist church. It's sort of like Awana and they've been looking forward to returning since last May. Well, with my husband home sick, it was my job to get them there last night. The trick is, Julia, our youngest, never let me leave her in the nursery before. She's been getting better with the separation stuff, so I thought I'd give it a shot last night. I told her, the nursery worker, and myself that I needed her to stay so I "could go upstairs and be fed." It was about me and what I needed, which is all I've been about lately.
Well, she stayed...mostly...but that's not the point of my tangent. I made it upstairs with high hopes of spiritual insight and Biblical teaching and challenge, only to find out that Wednesday night is their prayer meeting. All we did for 20 minutes was share prayer requests, update previous requests, and share praises. Then we prayed for another 20 minutes. I was hopeful the pastor would open up the Word next when he simply passed around a little sheet that held prayer requests for their upcoming Revival Meetings. I had to then leave to get the crying Julia, but they were headed for another 15 minutes of praying for the Meetings.
God reminded me in that time that it's not about me. I've been so obsessed with getting MY stuff done, taking care of MY health, running MY agenda, that I forgot that my focus should be on others. This morning, He showed me these:
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. John 13:14
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Romans 12:15-16
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:2-3
This is not to say that I should ignore my health and not take care of my house. But I do need to stop obsessing about it all. God already knows the results of my CT scan, even if I don't. God knows which timeslot will open up for me to run a vaccuum later. I don't know how to pay for a project I'd like to get done, but He knows if I'm supposed to do it and if so, how it will come about.And I need to trust in that.
So, this morning I "purposed in my heart" to get up earlier, get back from the gym sooner so that I can spend time in prayer for those in my life and around me. I started a prayer journal to keep myself accountable and to see prayer answered. We had such a great time this morning, just focusing on God's power and strength in other peoples' lives.
And I'm going to really step out there and challenge any of you to do the same. We all often get so wrapped up in our own busy lives, that we think our situations are unique. They may be unique to us, but God wants us to remember that He's seen our circumstances before. WE are unique to Him, not our problems. He will provide what we need when we need it and our eyes ought to be on His provision in others' lives.
Otherwise, it's just too easy to make it all about "me." Will you join me?
Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Monday, September 17, 2007
A Universal Question...
Okay, I know...it's been a week since I've posted last and I have no excuse. Well, I have LOTS of excuses, but none of them good enough to waste time typing.
I have 5 minutes before I have to wake up my daughter and begin her day, along with the day of her two younger siblings. In that five minutes, I have a question for you, that is, the void in the universe where the internet goes when it's tired....
How does a person get it all done?
Seriously...how can I watch all these people get all these things accomplished and I don't even feel like I can keep up with my own self? I have a mental list of things I'd like to accomplish in a given day or week and I can't do it. For a while I thought I just wasn't doing it. I realized this morning I can't. Or at least, up until now I couldn't.
But why do I feel like I should still be able to? Why can't I get up early, get to the gym, get the dishwasher emptied, clean up the house after five people, three animals and a tank of fish, finish the laundry, get Annie off to school, keep the other two off each other and occupied all day long, get my writing done, get my internet work done, keep up with this devotional blog, lead worship for Bible study, get my Bible study homework done, make dinner every night, stay within a budget, get my projects finished around the house, get my knitting done, run my jewelry website, and not fall asleep on the couch by 8:30 pm???
I see plenty of other women running around getting all sorts of things done. One of my problems is that I compare myself. It's a nasty habit and I've had it for years. So that doesn't help...
The other problem is that I'm tired of the same old answers:
"God will never give us more than we can handle." Baloney. God will give us plenty, but we have to trust Him to help us handle it.
"You can do all things in Christ who strengthens you." "All things" doesn't literally mean "ALL THINGS POSSIBLE."
"Just give it over to God." That's the worst offender of all.
So, I ask...HOW do you give it over to God? People tell me to do it, but no one ever says how. How do I let God show me how to manage my time and what to cut out of my list and not have my protective-planner-of-a-self take over it again?
I usually answer my own questions in this blog, but I'm serious this time. It's just a question...
How do you do it and how am I supposed to?
I have 5 minutes before I have to wake up my daughter and begin her day, along with the day of her two younger siblings. In that five minutes, I have a question for you, that is, the void in the universe where the internet goes when it's tired....
How does a person get it all done?
Seriously...how can I watch all these people get all these things accomplished and I don't even feel like I can keep up with my own self? I have a mental list of things I'd like to accomplish in a given day or week and I can't do it. For a while I thought I just wasn't doing it. I realized this morning I can't. Or at least, up until now I couldn't.
But why do I feel like I should still be able to? Why can't I get up early, get to the gym, get the dishwasher emptied, clean up the house after five people, three animals and a tank of fish, finish the laundry, get Annie off to school, keep the other two off each other and occupied all day long, get my writing done, get my internet work done, keep up with this devotional blog, lead worship for Bible study, get my Bible study homework done, make dinner every night, stay within a budget, get my projects finished around the house, get my knitting done, run my jewelry website, and not fall asleep on the couch by 8:30 pm???
I see plenty of other women running around getting all sorts of things done. One of my problems is that I compare myself. It's a nasty habit and I've had it for years. So that doesn't help...
The other problem is that I'm tired of the same old answers:
"God will never give us more than we can handle." Baloney. God will give us plenty, but we have to trust Him to help us handle it.
"You can do all things in Christ who strengthens you." "All things" doesn't literally mean "ALL THINGS POSSIBLE."
"Just give it over to God." That's the worst offender of all.
So, I ask...HOW do you give it over to God? People tell me to do it, but no one ever says how. How do I let God show me how to manage my time and what to cut out of my list and not have my protective-planner-of-a-self take over it again?
I usually answer my own questions in this blog, but I'm serious this time. It's just a question...
How do you do it and how am I supposed to?
Monday, September 10, 2007
Gotta Change the Subject
Yes, I know there are still two chapters left of Ephesians, but my brain has moved on. Sorry, Paul, to just dump you off like this, but as I said when I started the book, we were doing Daniel in a new Bible study and the chances of switching were pretty good.
This new study in Daniel is going to be really good. We've only had one session so far and I find that this year, I struggle finding the time to do any homework. Last time we did a Beth Moore study, I was diligent in getting my homework done nearly every day. This time, I have a week to get 3 lessons done and I can barely do it.
On a soon-to-be-related note, I'm also in the middle of a big weight loss effort. Since January, I've lost 40 pounds and have at least 35 to go. In June, I hit a plateau. It's always so hard to push through those plateaus and now with this health stuff going on, I find it harder to push. I can't do aerobics...I have to watch how much I physically exhert myself...all food makes me sick so I eat anything... It seems easier to just put the weight loss on hold until I'm physically "healthy" again, then pick it up and lose the rest.
But get this...
Daniel 1:3-5, 8, 15 (New King James Version)
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles,
4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
It's so easy for me to find excuses. Then in our very first session, looking at the very first chapter of a book that is sure to overwhelm my mind, God shows me five little words. These words are just enough to make me hide my face. Here was Daniel, taken out of his own land, thrown into the king's home to study and he's given all the delicacies of the king's table. And Daniel has enough integrity and commitment to God to say "NO." He even challenges the eunuchs to test his appearance against the other men after the ten days.
Many would look at this passage and take it as a weight-loss challenge. "Wow--vegetables (and here, this means anything grown from sown seed...fruits, veggies, grains) made them look healthier and stronger. If he can do it, so can I!" And if that's what works, more power to you!
As for me? I'm going to take those five little words I've already highlighted..."Daniel purposed in his heart." It was a heart decision, not a mind decision. The excuses I find to not get my homework done is a mind decision. The choice to put weight loss on hold till health is figured out is a mind decision. But in my heart, I know that "In all things, Christ gives me strength." In my heart of hearts, I know I am capable of doing these things. I also know myself well enough to know that not doing my homework will stunt my spiritual growth, just as not watching my weight will only give me more to lose later.
I appreciate the heartfelt efforts of those I love to encourage me not to get overwhelmed and to take one thing at a time. But as of this moment, Amy purposed in her heart that these things are right for her to do. They may not be easy to accomplish, but my heart knows it is strengthened by Him.
Feel free to keep me accountable...
This new study in Daniel is going to be really good. We've only had one session so far and I find that this year, I struggle finding the time to do any homework. Last time we did a Beth Moore study, I was diligent in getting my homework done nearly every day. This time, I have a week to get 3 lessons done and I can barely do it.
On a soon-to-be-related note, I'm also in the middle of a big weight loss effort. Since January, I've lost 40 pounds and have at least 35 to go. In June, I hit a plateau. It's always so hard to push through those plateaus and now with this health stuff going on, I find it harder to push. I can't do aerobics...I have to watch how much I physically exhert myself...all food makes me sick so I eat anything... It seems easier to just put the weight loss on hold until I'm physically "healthy" again, then pick it up and lose the rest.
But get this...
Daniel 1:3-5, 8, 15 (New King James Version)
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles,
4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
It's so easy for me to find excuses. Then in our very first session, looking at the very first chapter of a book that is sure to overwhelm my mind, God shows me five little words. These words are just enough to make me hide my face. Here was Daniel, taken out of his own land, thrown into the king's home to study and he's given all the delicacies of the king's table. And Daniel has enough integrity and commitment to God to say "NO." He even challenges the eunuchs to test his appearance against the other men after the ten days.
Many would look at this passage and take it as a weight-loss challenge. "Wow--vegetables (and here, this means anything grown from sown seed...fruits, veggies, grains) made them look healthier and stronger. If he can do it, so can I!" And if that's what works, more power to you!
As for me? I'm going to take those five little words I've already highlighted..."Daniel purposed in his heart." It was a heart decision, not a mind decision. The excuses I find to not get my homework done is a mind decision. The choice to put weight loss on hold till health is figured out is a mind decision. But in my heart, I know that "In all things, Christ gives me strength." In my heart of hearts, I know I am capable of doing these things. I also know myself well enough to know that not doing my homework will stunt my spiritual growth, just as not watching my weight will only give me more to lose later.
I appreciate the heartfelt efforts of those I love to encourage me not to get overwhelmed and to take one thing at a time. But as of this moment, Amy purposed in her heart that these things are right for her to do. They may not be easy to accomplish, but my heart knows it is strengthened by Him.
Feel free to keep me accountable...
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Lunch Box Note
Ephesians 3:14-21 (New King James Version)
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (www.biblegateway.com)
Today is my oldest daughter's first day of school. I asked my husband to take off work since I was most likely going to cry from 8:30 to 12:15. This is all I've done for 5 1/2 years is take care of her. It's almost as if I don't remember the teacher and woman I was before her. And that's okay.
Paul remembers what he was like before Christ just enough to stay humble. He cares for the Ephesians like a parent cares for a child. He loves them almost like a parent loves a child. (It could never be the same.) And the end of Chapter 3 here is probably similar to many notes he has put in their lunch boxes before.
Annie has one in hers right now and she doesn't know it. It's a simple "I Love You" in pictures. (It is, after all, only Kindergarten!) But when we say "I Love You" to our kids, aren't we thinking what Paul is thinking? I know I was...
...may your Spirit be strengthened so you won't be afraid on your first day.
...may Christ dwell in your heart through faith so you won't worry.
...may you feel rooted and grounded in love.
...may you know the love of Christ which passes knowledge and feel comforted and confident.
...may you be filled with the fullness of God.
Now, it may seem a bit overkill for Kindergarten, but I'll bet any one of you have felt the exact same thing for your child at any given point in their lives. Well, this is life for me now and this is major. I want her to know how much her Savior loves her so that she will never lack for Spiritual confidence in this world. And on something as simple as her first day of school, I want her to know that Jesus and I are backing her up with any experience she may encounter.
In the movie, "Princess Bride," Wesley serves the young maid Buttercup and answers her every request with the phrase "As you wish." After a while, she soon realizes that what he's really saying is "I love you." I sure hope that every time I tell my kids I love them, that they know what that really means and how I could never explain it in a simple phrase.
Happy First Day of School, Annie!
I love you!
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (www.biblegateway.com)
Today is my oldest daughter's first day of school. I asked my husband to take off work since I was most likely going to cry from 8:30 to 12:15. This is all I've done for 5 1/2 years is take care of her. It's almost as if I don't remember the teacher and woman I was before her. And that's okay.
Paul remembers what he was like before Christ just enough to stay humble. He cares for the Ephesians like a parent cares for a child. He loves them almost like a parent loves a child. (It could never be the same.) And the end of Chapter 3 here is probably similar to many notes he has put in their lunch boxes before.
Annie has one in hers right now and she doesn't know it. It's a simple "I Love You" in pictures. (It is, after all, only Kindergarten!) But when we say "I Love You" to our kids, aren't we thinking what Paul is thinking? I know I was...
...may your Spirit be strengthened so you won't be afraid on your first day.
...may Christ dwell in your heart through faith so you won't worry.
...may you feel rooted and grounded in love.
...may you know the love of Christ which passes knowledge and feel comforted and confident.
...may you be filled with the fullness of God.
Now, it may seem a bit overkill for Kindergarten, but I'll bet any one of you have felt the exact same thing for your child at any given point in their lives. Well, this is life for me now and this is major. I want her to know how much her Savior loves her so that she will never lack for Spiritual confidence in this world. And on something as simple as her first day of school, I want her to know that Jesus and I are backing her up with any experience she may encounter.
In the movie, "Princess Bride," Wesley serves the young maid Buttercup and answers her every request with the phrase "As you wish." After a while, she soon realizes that what he's really saying is "I love you." I sure hope that every time I tell my kids I love them, that they know what that really means and how I could never explain it in a simple phrase.
Happy First Day of School, Annie!
I love you!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
The Purpose of the Mystery
Ephesians 3:8-13 (New King James Version)
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
In the last post, we talked about what the Mystery was. Paul reveals it here for both Jew and Gentile to read. The Old Testament had predicted that God's grace would come to the Gentiles, but the Jews couldn't fathom how. Now that Christ had come and fulfilled His purpose on earth, the mystery was revealed. In this next passage, Paul is explaining what his role in this mystery is. He knows he is not worthy of God's grace and that he was only chosen for God's work through God's grace. But regardless of his past, God chose him. Maybe because of his past, God chose him.
I'm a firm believer in "No Regrets." I believe that what a person has chosen to do in the past is part of what makes them who they are today. Our past experiences, tragedies, victories and choices make up our present nature. Many of us get stuck behind that past and choose to not let it go so that we can further God's kingdom. We remember our mistakes all too well and decide for God that we shouldn't be allowed to move past them.
Paul's previous way of life was certainly not "Saint-Worthy." He hunted down Christians and killed them. It was more than his job...it was his life's mission. And I don't think that God just chooses to look past this and say, "Well, you did this, but now let's forget that and do this now." I think God perfectly selected Paul because of what he had done in the past. Paul's comment in verse 8 is genuine. His humilty is nowhere near false. In I Timothy 1:15, Paul calls himself "the chief of sinners." He claims the "Worst Sinner of the Year Award" and knows exactly what he is capable of.
But he also rejoices in "the unsearchable riches of Christ."
He revels in "the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."
And he knows he has "boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."
And he knows that ultimately, the tribulations we go through--whether daily struggles or life upheavals--are for our glory in Christ. Despite our past, God has a job for us. And when life throws a curveball into that plan, how do we react? Do we panic and assume the job is over? Do we take a step away from God's plan to "just deal with this for a minute?" Or do we keep our eyes on Him, knowing that He selected us because of our past and wants us to use that for His glory in the future? We all know what we're capable of without Christ. But I think we get nervous and unsettled about the future because only God knows what we can be capable of in Him.
...we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
In the last post, we talked about what the Mystery was. Paul reveals it here for both Jew and Gentile to read. The Old Testament had predicted that God's grace would come to the Gentiles, but the Jews couldn't fathom how. Now that Christ had come and fulfilled His purpose on earth, the mystery was revealed. In this next passage, Paul is explaining what his role in this mystery is. He knows he is not worthy of God's grace and that he was only chosen for God's work through God's grace. But regardless of his past, God chose him. Maybe because of his past, God chose him.
I'm a firm believer in "No Regrets." I believe that what a person has chosen to do in the past is part of what makes them who they are today. Our past experiences, tragedies, victories and choices make up our present nature. Many of us get stuck behind that past and choose to not let it go so that we can further God's kingdom. We remember our mistakes all too well and decide for God that we shouldn't be allowed to move past them.
Paul's previous way of life was certainly not "Saint-Worthy." He hunted down Christians and killed them. It was more than his job...it was his life's mission. And I don't think that God just chooses to look past this and say, "Well, you did this, but now let's forget that and do this now." I think God perfectly selected Paul because of what he had done in the past. Paul's comment in verse 8 is genuine. His humilty is nowhere near false. In I Timothy 1:15, Paul calls himself "the chief of sinners." He claims the "Worst Sinner of the Year Award" and knows exactly what he is capable of.
But he also rejoices in "the unsearchable riches of Christ."
He revels in "the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."
And he knows he has "boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."
And he knows that ultimately, the tribulations we go through--whether daily struggles or life upheavals--are for our glory in Christ. Despite our past, God has a job for us. And when life throws a curveball into that plan, how do we react? Do we panic and assume the job is over? Do we take a step away from God's plan to "just deal with this for a minute?" Or do we keep our eyes on Him, knowing that He selected us because of our past and wants us to use that for His glory in the future? We all know what we're capable of without Christ. But I think we get nervous and unsettled about the future because only God knows what we can be capable of in Him.
...we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
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