Walking With Jesus

The Towel on the Floor (Part 2)

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’” (Isaiah 45:9 NLT))

In yesterday’s post we began to look at some of the deeper feelings that are aroused, often over seeming small things that trigger arguments or disagreements between people. Things that, at least in our minds, challenge some very core issues. Things like our value as a human being, our self-esteem, our ability to contribute meaningfully and in a manner that’s worthy of respect and/or recognition.

What’s at stake when two people disagree about almost anything, but especially over things which trigger a strong emotional response – i.e. politics and religion? If I lose a single chess match, I can chalk it up to I wasn’t paying close enough attention. But if I lose thirty straight times to the same person, might I conclude they’re just a better chess player? It doesn’t always have to be about me!

So, if the towel’s left on the floor, or my wife thinks I should get my own drink, are those really challenges to my worth as a person? Maybe not in my mind, but possibly in someone else’s. So, why is that even important?

Foremost, because as Jesus followers, our behavior should never bring into question the worth or value of another human being’s life. We should never intentionally belittle or negate another person’s self-image as if they aren’t also made in the image of their Creator, just the same as we are. If anything, we should heighten a person’s view of themselves while explaining why they are so valuable to God.

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But the sad reality is, too often we devalue our Savior by treating Him as though He is OUR servant, rather than we being HIS. We need to listen to our own prayers: “Lord, I’m sick, heal me.” “I’m poor, make me rich.” “I need _______, please provide it.”

Yes, of course, the Lord invites us to ask Him for “anything,” and His desire is that we grow in our relationship with Him so we can rely on Him and trust Him to provide everything we need to be everything He desires us to be. Yet, we’re too often greedy, not for what we “need,” but for the things we want and shouldn’t have; things that would actually be detrimental to our walk with Jesus. How so?

When we ask God for more provision so we can waste it on ourselves, when we haven’t yet learned the lesson He’s seeking to teach us in our current state. Or when we seek wellness when we haven’t learned what He wants to show us in our illness. Or when we desire a different job or different spouse or different _________ (you fill in the blank), when He’s put us in the exact place we’re in for a very specific purpose. But rather than learning and being grateful for the opportunity He’s provided, we whine and complain that it’s too hard or we’re just not strong enough.

Of course, we’re not! That’s the whole reason we’re in the position we’re in that’s so difficult. The issue is rarely the obvious “towel on the floor.” It’s the feelings of discomfort, devaluation, or rage that rises within us, that triggers those memories or fears or reservations we have about ourselves that we can’t face or with which we don’t know how to deal. And please hear me! There’s no shame in feeling those negative emotions.

The shame is not bringing them to the Lord and allowing Him to heal and restore you. As a Jesus follower, you’re a treasured and cherished child of God who has infinite worth, not simply because of who you are, but because of who your Father is. Bask in that sacred position and smile as you pick up that “towel.”

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Towel on the Floor

“They didn’t understand what He was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant.” (Mark 9:32 NLT)

In our aging, my wife and I don’t remember things so well and, too often, disagree as to what we don’t remember. You know the drill: “Why’d you leave the door open? Don’t you know the dogs got out?” Response: “I didn’t leave the door open. It must have been you.” There’s no constructive end to that conversation, so we’re learning to cut each other some slack.

Now, as we see an open door, or whatever the case may be, “Hmmm, the door’s open. I don’t remember doing that, but it really doesn’t matter, I’ll close it and that will be the end of it.” We rarely argue anymore, because most of the time, a few minutes into our argument, we can’t remember why we were arguing. So, we conclude, growing old together isn’t all bad. Between us we have about half a memory.

Seriously, a lot of arguments between spouses, friends, fellow believers in Jesus, and even with our “enemies” (which typically translates – “those with whom we disagree”) are based on surface things – or are they?

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Newly weds often get confronted with their spouses bad habits, such as leaving their dirty laundry or towels on the floor. While single, living at home, we too often assumed mom would pick them up, so it’s not uncommon for our wife to say some version of: “pick up the ________, I’m not your mother!” Of course, these too often become “fightin’” words. Why?

In a Family Life devotion by Janel Breitenstein, she wrote: “Rather than jumping to conclusions based on the “skin” of an argument, seek to understand what motivates your spouse. Because it’s probably not the towel on the floor.”

The “skin” of the argument is the surface stuff – i.e. “the towel on the floor.” But what’s motivating the argument? What’re the deeper feelings that are being stirred? It’s different with different people, but could it be the fear I’m being seen as just someone to “pick up after you? To handle your dirty ‘laundry?’ To not be seen as the capable person I am?”

Are you looking through “ME” and seeing someone to serve your needs? Am I not a person? Am I simply a means to a very selfish end for you? Often, our own insecurities rear their ugly head when we’re threatened to believe something about ourselves we don’t want to be true. Am I too overprotective of my own feelings? Am I not good enough to deserve better treatment? Am I not worthy of respect? Am I not valued enough? Am I not deserving of love? Does no one appreciate me simply for me?

These and a thousand other questions surface in unexpected ways, often over very small issues, such as “the towel on the floor,” but what’s the “red flag” that’s being raised when that happens? I remember, my first wife and I were newlyweds, sitting on our old, worn couch watching our little black and white TV, in our three-room apartment. I was very comfortable, so I asked if she would get me something to drink. Now remember, she was sitting by me, also very comfortable. So, she replied: “Are your legs broke?”

That was a defining moment for me, and us. She made it very clear that she was my wife, not my servant, which, honestly, I needed to know. But what kinds of other questions are really being raised in the arguments that ensue over very minor things? Let’s look at this more closely in tomorrow’s post.

Blessings, Ed 😊

God’s Glory, Our Joy!

“As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. (Galatians 6:14 NLT)

What brings your deepest satisfaction, joy? A job well done? Your child who is walking closely with Jesus? Feeling well after a surgery or long illness? Reconciling with a friend or loved one? The list is long, but for me in this season of my life, nothing satisfies or brings me greater joy than seeing God’s glory magnified and His holy name honored and exalted.

Paul’s declaration that he desired to never boast about anything except the cross of Christ, bears witness with my spirit’s longing and desire. While I’m confident each of us understands what “glory” or “glorious” means, for our purposes today, Strong’s defines them as: “the kingly majesty which belongs to God as supreme ruler, majesty in the sense of the absolute perfection of the deity.” And in reference to Jesus: “the kingly majesty of the Messiah; the absolutely perfect inward or personal excellency of Christ.”

Why is it important to know those things? Two predominant reasons: first, they are defined the same for God and for Jesus, the Christ, and, second, to the extent we are able to shed light on those definitions for others, especially those who don’t yet know and love Jesus, to that extent our joy is complete.

Glory can also be understood as praise, adoration, recognition, honor, dignity, worship. So, to the extent our lives declare Christ’s greatness and grandeur, to that extent our lives become living monuments of praise, adoration, and worship of the only true and living King, our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. That means that everything we do, say, or think has the potential of glorifying and honoring Jesus and making Him known, which in turn ignites our spirits and brings us joy.

For a fuller understanding of this whole idea of God’s glory equaling our joy, I encourage you to read John Piper’s book “Don’t Waste Your Life.” While I’ve sought for years to honor the Lord through my life, I never made the connection between His glory and my joy. Of course, on the proverbial mountain tops of spiritual experience, I had joy, delight, and desired to carry those moments with me forever. But it doesn’t work that way.

On some levels it’s like the joy, delight, and ecstasy of our wedding day. The bride never looks more beautiful and the groom is never quite so full of joy as he anticipates his new life with the woman of his dreams. But fast-forward a few months or years and a lot of things change. A few kids later and the wife isn’t quite as beautiful as on the wedding day, and “prince charming” isn’t quite the catch we envisioned he would be.

Unfortunately, we’re much too prone to do a similar thing with the Lord. Our feet hardly touch the ground for a while after we’re saved, but over time, we come back to earth and begin living our lives much like we always did. Yes, of course, we may go to church, read our Bibles, serve, and even pray, but for far too many, they’re still the center and focus of their universe.

Jesus too often becomes simply a convenience in an emergency and we’re really glad He paid the penalty for our sin and purchased for us a place in heaven, but from all outward appearances, our lives don’t look any different than the lives of our lost loved ones and neighbors. Where’s the joy in living like that? Certainly not in Jesus!

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Who Is My Neighbor?

“’Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?’ Jesus asked. The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’” (Luke 10:36-37 NLT)

We often remember the story of the good Samaritan, but we don’t always remember the context in which that story was told. An expert in religious law had asked Jesus a question, but, as we might say today, there was “method in his madness.” Just seeing his description as an “expert” should tip us off that he’s not there simply to ask a question, he’s there to try to trip Jesus up, to have Him say something that will bring doubt not only to what He says, but to who He is.

This man knew the law inside and out. It’s likely that he’d memorized great portions of Moses writings, so if Jesus even hints at something that isn’t in line with those Scriptures, he could call Him on it. It’s funny to me, from my present perspective, that this mere man thought he could catch the Author of those writings saying something out of line. “Whoa, wait a second! Didn’t you just say Moses wrote those words?” Yes, I did, but where do you think Moses got them?

Why is that important? Because we’re not so different than the “expert” with whom Jesus was speaking. Some who read these posts are students of God’s Word, as I am. We’re all students! We’re all still learning, and whether we choose to admit it or not, none of us have arrived, in terms of our knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

Yet, our behavior isn’t always guided by what we know, it’s too often motivated by what we desire. The “expert” with whom Jesus was speaking, though very knowledgeable, reveals an emptiness his knowledge couldn’t fill. All of his study, all of his hours of pouring over the sacred texts, couldn’t give him the satisfaction only a relationship with God could give. He actually asked the right question; he just couldn’t accept the right answer.

He knew he needed to love God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind, but in all his brilliance, he missed what that needed to look like – love others as you love yourself. We too often do the same thing. We want to love God fully and faithfully, as long as we don’t have to love people who do __________ or belong to “that” political party or denomination.

What was the point of Jesus’ “Good Samaritan” story? That we should love those who show mercy? Yes, of course, but there’s much more to the story. That expert in religious law, for all his learning, still despised the Samaritans. It galled him to hear Jesus say he should love “them.” But the truth is, that story isn’t just for a Jewish religious leader, it’s for me and you.

The real question is – Who is MY neighbor? Oswald Chambers had it right when he wrote: “If my heart is right with God, every human being is my neighbor.” Think of that young “hot rod” who cut you off; that shabby homeless person trying to sell you flowers at a stop light; the person holding the sign about the right to have an abortion; the lobbyist who favors the rights of those you don’t think should have the same rights as “us;” the politician who holds views you strongly oppose; and on and on we could go.

What’s my point? Simply this, as children of God we don’t get to choose who we love. And I’m extremely glad that’s the way it is. Why? Because I suspect if God was choosing us on the basis of who deserved to be loved and accepted, He would likely have passed over me… and you!

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

How Do You Want to Be Loved?

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.’” (Hosea 3:1 NLT)

When I think of Hosea, I think of a man who loved God more than he loved himself. How do I know that? Because he did what he wouldn’t have done, not to please himself, but to please God. He married a prostitute, knowing she wouldn’t be faithful to him. And after she was unfaithful, he paid a ransom to buy her back. Love always has a price.

The story of Hosea and Gomer is a picture of God and His “bride,” the children of Israel. It vividly illustrates how God viewed Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him, yet, His willingness to restore them and love them in ways that were very foreign to them.

Because of what Jesus did on the Cross, in paying the “ransom” for our sin, He illustrated a similar story in buying us back from the sin that held us captive. In my mind, love can only be understood as it’s demonstrated in real life, with real people.

We can tell someone how much we love them, but unless and until we demonstrate our love in tangible ways, it’s simply “lip service.” But the plot thickens because we give and receive love in different ways. Gary Chapman wrote a book entitled “The Five Love Languages,” seeking to show the different ways we express and receive love. The five “languages” were: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

What is your love language? Why is it even important to know that? Because many times our tendency is to love like we like to be loved. For example, if my love language is receiving gifts, it’s easy to assume that my spouse or person to whom I’m wanting to express love, will also love gifts, which may or may not be true.

And you may be thinking: “who wouldn’t like a nice gift?” Which is true and the gift may be well received, but what if their love language is quality time? The likelihood is very high that they would much rather you spend time with them than buy them gifts.

Lisa Lakey, in a Family Life devotional I read said: “I not-so-quickly learned that loving my husband required respecting how we differ in both the fantastic and somewhat uncomfortable ways. I learned that waking up far too early on Saturday (without grumbling) to fish at a lake two hours away spoke greater love to him than breakfast in bed. I learned that loving him means being patient when he is a little grumpy after a 16-hour workday. It means being forgiving, humble, and gracious. Even when I don’t want to, which is often. I get one lifetime with this husband of mine. So, I want to love him well.”

Isn’t that our goal as believers – to love God well by loving those in our family and spheres of influence? Isn’t love the characteristic that enables us to be most like our heavenly Father? Yet, how we love, in some ways and on some levels, is more important than that we love. How so?

No one knows us better than God, so He loves us very personally. He knows our “love” language and loves us in ways that are not only seen but felt. He loves us largely by putting people in our lives who will either perfectly demonstrate the type of love we most need to experience, or who most need to be loved the way we love to love.

Beginning with our spouse and family, but extending to our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others with whom we have contact from day to day, let’s not simply be desirous of being loved by them in ways that will be meaningful to us, but may we set our priorities on loving them as they need to be loved.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Holy for Heaven

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2 NLT)

What is God’s purpose for you? In other words, why are you alive? God doesn’t give us life without a purpose. If you’re alive, you have purpose. No one is accidentally born. Yes, of course, women get pregnant when they don’t want to or expect to, but while someone may have been unexpected or unwanted by their biological parents, there’s no such thing as an “accident” to God. EVERY child is wanted by God!

He knew you in your mother’s womb before your mother did. He created you, loved you, and had plans for you before you took your first breath. Though you may have been pushed away and discarded by those who didn’t want you – at birth and/or otherwise – God has never taken His holy eyes off of you and He desires to have you walk with Him in full confidence that you’re a loved and wanted child of God.

Security is a by-product of knowing you’re loved, cherished, and purposely and intentionally accepted as a person of worth. I’m secure, not necessarily and always in the person I am in the flesh, but I’m secure in the love of my heavenly Father because of who I am in Christ. I still think, say, and do things that frustrate and disappoint me, so I immediately take them to Jesus and seek His forgiveness, but I do those things in the security of His love.

Being “holy” has several implications for us as believers in Jesus. Holiness is both imparted and imputed by Christ. What does that mean? It means that we are set apart by our Savior for sacred duty. We are given all the “tools” we need to be all that God desires us to be. It would be cruel and certainly uncharacteristic of a holy God to ask of us something He knows we’re not capable of doing. So, He imparts, He gives us His Holy Spirit to walk with us, teaching, guiding, loving, empowering, and enabling us to live in a manner that honors and reflects the character and holiness of our Savior.

But He also imputes to us His holiness in order that we may be made ready for heaven, not by our own righteousness, but by His. Paul writes in Philippians 3:9: “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.” So, does this free us to live anyway we desire because we’re now “holy?” Paul writes in Romans 6:2: “Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?”

Just as hope begins in our mind, obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit also begins in our mind, in the way we think about ourselves, as well as how we think about our devotion to Jesus. If our attitude is: “I’m holy, so now I can carry on with my sinful, self-centered lifestyle,” our life becomes a contradiction.

We’re made holy, set apart by God, for the purpose of living FOR Him, not continuing to live for ourselves. To constantly be focused on our own pleasures and desires should raise a huge red flag. Repentance, which precedes the infilling of God’s Spirit who makes us holy, signals a turning away from sin and self, moving us in a direction towards God and His will, not away from Him.

Is that to say we’ll never sin again? No, but it does imply that we’ll sin less and less the longer we walk with the Lord. The more our mind is conformed to the will of God and to continuous thoughts of God in every detail of our lives, the more holiness of life will be evidenced and the more glory our lives render to the Lord.

A major reason we’re made holy in the first place is to prepare us for heaven. Remember Hebrew 12:14: “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Hope and Optimism

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.” (1 Peter 3:15-16a NLT)

As a Jesus follower hope is a multi-faceted confidence that centers in and focuses upon Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Hope isn’t simply “wishful thinking,” or an optimistic outlook for a positive outcome. I love what the author of the Hebrew letter says in Hebrews 6:18-19: “So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

In the days in which we now live we need hope, not just optimism. We need assurance that what we believe about life and our future is rooted in something eternal, not temporal. We need to put our trust in Someone who doesn’t lie and has never made a promise He hasn’t kept or for which He hasn’t given us full assurance that He will keep.

Being optimistic is well and good, but it centers and focuses on our everchanging mind. We tend to be optimistic until we’re not. Optimism is essentially positive thinking, which is good and certainly better than negative thinking, but it can’t be the foundation upon which we build our life. Yes, of course, we can “hope” in temporal things, such as the outcome of our surgery, or the success of our marriage, but the hope of which Peter and other New Testament authors write means: “joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation” that is anchored in “the Author of Hope, or He who is its foundation.” (Strong’s)

Hope, like optimism, can be for a negative outcome. For example, “I hope my son doesn’t break a bone in his gymnastics routine.” “I’m optimistic that the coming tornado will bypass our community.” But Christian hope is more than wishing for a positive outcome, it’s faith-based confidence in the One who owns our life and has our eternal future well in hand.

So, our hope is much more than: “I sure hope I don’t go to hell.” Our hope can boldly declare: “I know my Savior lives and is preparing a place in heaven and will one day soon come for me to take me to where He is.” Is that wishful thinking? Far from that, our hope is based on the words or our Savior who promised us: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

Foundationally, our hope is based on the credibility and truthfulness of the One who is the embodiment of all Truth, the Lord Jesus. I love the way Rick Warren describes it: “hope is passionate trusting.” We’re invested in the truth of, not only what Jesus says, but in who He is. Our eternal hope, as well as our hope in how the Lord will work in and through our lives today and every day He allows us life on this earth, isn’t rooted in our mind’s “optimistic” opinion, but in trust in the One who walks with us every step of the way.

Obviously, as God’s child, I’m very optimistic about my future, but based on the Word of God, I’m deeply saddened by the prospects of those who don’t know Jesus. Things are going to get a lot worse on this earth before Jesus returns. It’s never going to be easier or better for you than today if you don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus. If you’re not certain your sins are forgiven and you’re heading to heaven when you die, please watch this brief video and make certain while you still can. The Bridge to God | Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Safe Room

“I have given them Your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.” (John 17:14-15 NLT)

On May 20, 2013 the 2013 Moore tornado struck two public schools during school hours, the second of which was Plaza Towers Elementary. The winds peaked at over 200 mph, killing 24 people and injuring more than 200. Ron Hutchcraft mentioned this storm in one of his recent articles when he wrote: “I’m still thinking about the woman who got her kids from the soon-to-be demolished school just in time and reached her home just in time to get everyone into their recently-built safe room. It was all that was left when the storm passed by. I loved what she said about rebuilding her house. ‘I’ll build it around the safe room.’ That’s a good idea. Not just for a house, but for a life.”

Regardless of where you live, I hope you realize that a violent “storm” with extremely evil intent is roaring through our nations, cities, and homes today. This “storm” is claiming the lives of millions, among them are children and young people who don’t have a clue as to what awaits them until one unexpecting day, like the tornado that leveled much of Moore, Oklahoma, they are swooped away into the hands of men and women who violate them in ways most of our minds can’t even imagine. In light of the evil present in our world today, if the Lord doesn’t come soon, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.

In the verse above, Jesus used the word “world” (“kosmos”) which can refer to the literal physical world, but can also, refer, as Strong’s outlines: “the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.”

The world to which Jesus refers isn’t simply the sun, moon, stars, etc., but the underlying level of evil that permeates the life we live from day to day. We get glimpses in the news, but just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. So, as followers of Jesus, what can we do?

Like the family in Moore, Oklahoma who ran to their “safe room,” we must stand fast in the safety of our living Savior. And please don’t hear what I’m not saying. Knowing Jesus doesn’t protect us from many of the calamities of life, we can expect those. God uses our trials and troubles to build our faith. What I’m talking about is the security of our life in Christ.

We’ve got to know that if a stray bullet shatters our brain, or a “texting” driver plows into our car, or our heart stops without warning, or a tornado sweeps us up, we’re ready to close our eyes in death here and open them in the presence of the living Christ. We have no guarantees of even the next second, but if we have intimacy with Jesus, we can have certainty of our home in heaven, where we’ll be safe for all eternity.

It’s frightening, but necessary for us to know if we’re not walking faithfully with the Lord, that there is no “safe room” for us after this life, only the prospect of an eternity of torment away from the loving Savior who extends an invitation to come to Him, and who has His arms open wide to receive us. But if you miss Him on earth, there’s no second chances in eternity.

Read carefully the words of the great preacher C. H. Spurgeon: “Here is a rock to stand on, a safe resting place for those who trust in Jesus. As for you who do not trust him, your blood is upon your own heads! If you do not trust him, you have no part nor lot in this matter, you shall go down to your own punishment to bear it yourselves; the wrath of God abides on you; you shall find that the blood of Jesus has made no atonement for your sins. You have rejected the invitation that was given, and put far from you the cross of Christ, and upon your heads the pardoning blood shall never drop, and for you it shall never plead, but you must perish under the law, seeing you refuse to be saved under the gospel.” (C. H. Spurgeon Sermon No. 694, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 12, p. 318. {See Spurgeon_Sermons No. 694, “Sin Laid on Jesus” 685 @@ “11.”} {See GrkEng 3956})

If you don’t know the forgiveness of sin that only Jesus can provide, please click this link and find hope and help in Jesus today. The Bridge to God | Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.

Blessings, Ed

Listening for the Voices

“So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 NLT)

Troubles and suffering are common to mankind. No one is immune to natural disasters – hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, freezing temperatures, and many more – plus the stress of daily life in this world gives cause to fear and worry, but also, for those of us who are Jesus followers, heightened sensitivity to the needs of others.

We don’t often stop to think about how much our faithfulness may encourage and bless others. Have you ever been discouraged, but God brings to your remembrance a brother or sister in the Lord who is just so solid in their faith it encourages you to keep moving forward?

There was a man in a church I served who was that kind of person. John was a man after God’s own heart. He was in his 80’s when we met, but his faithfulness and leadership weren’t daunted by his age or physical condition. He served faithfully on the elder board and sang every Sunday he was able. It was my joy as his pastor to sit and listen while he went over his song before the service.

I won’t lie to you, I struggled serving that small church, not because of the people, but because of the oppressive spirits that seemed to fight against us. But listening to John’s beautiful, strong voice as he lifted praises to the Lord he loved with his whole being, encouraged me and nudged me ever closer to the Lord. Hopefully, you have a man like John in your life to lift your spirits and keep you looking heavenward as you face your daily struggles with life.

In one of Ron Hutchcraft’s recent devotions he wrote: “I was touched, too, by the directive given by the rescuers at the leveled Plaza Towers Elementary School. Knowing there were children in that rubble, the first responders asked everyone to just be quiet, ‘So we can listen for voices.’ That’s what I want to be better at; stopping the chatter so I can listen for the voices of people in trouble. They’re all around us, if we have ears to hear their cries. They’ve been buried by one of life’s violent storms. It’s easy to miss them if we’re running so fast we run right by them. God, help me listen for their voices.”

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John was a man who “listened for the voices” of those who were under the rubble of life’s attacks, so he could be a voice of encouragement and hope. We need those kinds of people in our lives, but we also need to be those kinds of people. We need to often ask the Lord to sensitize our spirits to those who are crying out around us.

When digging through literal rubble, every step needs to be taken with caution, because a wrong step could mean life or death to someone who is trapped. With no effort to be melodramatic, we need to step lightly in some of our circles of friends. There may be someone “trapped” under the unbearable load of an addiction or oppressive spirit that is choking the life out of their spirit.

Yes, of course, we can be critical and judgmental, after all, “they’re believers and believers shouldn’t act like that.” I once lived in my spiritual “ivory tower,” until Satan’s attack left me vulnerable after I was the one who had miserably failed. How grateful I was and am for people of God who can see through our faults to our needs, and extend a helping hand to lift us up, brush us off, and walk with us on our healing journey.

There’s far too much anger and hostility in the world in which we live. Let us, as friends of the One who loved so much He gave, be ever attentive to the voices of those who are crying out in desperate need of someone to help them up and to patiently and lovingly walk with them through their time of need.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

A Life Without Worry?

“So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing – except what kind of food to eat!” (Genesis 39:6)

Can you imagine a life without worry? If you can, that’s a great start to reaching your goal of a worry-free life. Worry is like a person mowing their lawn in 80 degree weather hoping they won’t freeze to death. You say: “That’s silly!” Yes, it is – exactly my point!

In the verse above, Potiphar, is the one who bought Joseph, Jacob’s youngest son, after he was sold to the Ishmaelite traders by his brothers. He was captain of the guard for Pharoah, the king of Egypt. Why would he place so much confidence in a young Jewish man? Because he proved himself worthy over time.

For those of you who are worriers, think about that for a second. Joseph was a complete stranger to Potiphar when he was purchased. Potiphar didn’t care if he was a Jew or a rubber band, as long as he did what he was told, but after a while Joseph proved completely trustworthy. Do you know anyone like that? I do. His name is Jesus, and He’s never failed me in any way, and I have full confidence He never will.

Jesus is completely trustworthy, innocent of any accusations, perfect, and absolutely without fault. He’s never told a lie and never will. He’s never made a promise He hasn’t kept or won’t soon keep. He’s never disappointed anyone who has placed their trust in Him. So, my obvious question then becomes, why wouldn’t you trust Him with your little, measly life?

David Powlison wrote: “Jesus promises that life is more than your worries.” A life riddled with worry is like trying to catch water in a rusty can with holes in the bottom. Even if you manage to catch some, it wouldn’t be advisable to drink it.

Jesus is the living water who alone gives life. To the extent you allow Satan to fill your mind and heart with worry about things that don’t really matter in light of eternity, to that extent you’re going to miss the blessings of fully trusting your Master and Friend.

So, what do you do with your worry? Are you sitting down? Hold on to something because this is heavy! You give it to Jesus! Is there anything He can’t handle? Of course, there isn’t! What are your “hot” topics that cause you the most concern? Money? Health? Lost loved ones? Relationships? Work? Whatever it is, rather than stew in your own “juices,” ask the Lord to give you the peace only He can.

After my divorce I struggled to find work. I searched far and wide, but the only door that opened was a sales position at an auto dealership. Training was painful because I had to share everything I made with my trainer. The low point of my life was when I opened the envelope with a check for my previous two weeks pay. After taxes and other deductions I had $19.26 to live on for the next two weeks.

I was driving a new Cadillac, provided by the dealership, but couldn’t afford the gas for it. I could have papered my walls with eviction notices, but God always made a way. I remember walking to the rental office, as I did most every month, trying to think of something to say that might prevent them from making me move. I literally had no money and no way imaginable to pay my month’s rent.

But as I opened the door to the office the young woman was smiling when she said: “Mr. Hager, you don’t have to worry about your rent this month, it’s been paid for you.”

Folks, I assure you, whatever your worry, Jesus has already taken care of it. Just relax, trust Him, and let Him work. It will build your faith and add years to your life.

Blessings, Ed 😊