Category: awesome God

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Not Worthy, But Welcomed & Wanted

                                              Acts 10

 

     Acts 10 is an enormous blessing to me and to all who are not Jewish. It’s in Acts 10 where Gentiles are grafted into the family of God.

The cross is our beginning and the testimony in Acts 10 is our blessing. It is the fulfillment of John 3:16. For God so loved the world…….not just part of the world – the whole world – Jews and Gentiles. Hallelujah!!

God loved me so much that He did all this for me. I can’t wrap my head or my heart around it. I’m not worthy. And that is exactly the point.

None of us is worthy, but we are all welcome & wanted.

One of the main characters in Acts 10 is Cornelius, a centurion of a battalion. He was a commanding officer.

I am very familiar with command. My husband was a squadron commander of a C-17 squadron during 9/11. The weight of responsibility is quite significant. The actions and beliefs of a commander affect the troops under him or her. And so it was with Cornelius.

Cornelius feared God and his household also. He gave alms to the Jewish people, meaning he supported them perhaps mostly in a financial way. And Acts states Cornelius prayed to God continually. His lifestyle and beliefs would  have spilled over into all areas of his life. It’s merely speculation on my part, but from my military experience, I surmise he was an honest, fair, righteous and trustworthy commander. He would have been a commander that his troops respected and followed without question.

 I love that God noticed him, call out to him and commended him in verse 4. It must have thrilled Cornelius’ heart to have that from God, even though he was a Gentile. Extraordinary !!

Though unworthy, God chose Cornelius & Peter to usher Gentiles into God’s family. All who were there received forgiveness, the Holy Spirit and then were baptized.

Not worthy, but welcomed and wanted. God is just that amazing. God loves extravagantly. God is not prejudiced and He welcomes all.

The Jews are God’s chosen people.  Thank you God for choosing me too, and grafting me into your family. You welcome me and you want me even though I’m unworthy. Praise you……….both now & forevermore.

Peace & Blessings friends………………..

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He Knows Your Name

John 20: 16  Jesus said to her, “Mary!”  She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher)  NASB

In March of 2020, I moved from St. Louis to Louisville, KY.  This was a pretty big deal, but even more so at the beginning of a pandemic. 

I had left my support system which had been established for 11 1/2 years to start my life over – completely.  Daunting on it’s own.  Monumental and fraught with difficulty in a pandemic.  

Being the new kid, I was constantly introducing myself because no one knew my name. 

It didn’t take too long before I had some connection with neighbors met during walks in the neighborhood .  I was introduced to a few, very few, folks from church, but not for a couple months.  In each case, I said the same phrase – my name is…………

But there’s one person that didn’t need introduction.  Jesus.  He knew me before the move, through the move, and after the move.  He knows my name.  

I can prove that.  In John 10: 27 it says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,”   Indeed, I have been listening to His voice for a long time.  Best yet – He knows  me.  He knows the real me.  He knows my name. 

And in Isaiah 43: 1 it says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”    Wow – redeemed & called by name.  I’m known – I’m His.  

In the key verse, Jesus is speaking to Mary.  She doesn’t realize who He is till He says her name.  Can you even imagine what her heart experienced at that  moment?   Jesus, the one she saw die, was now calling her name.  Breathtaking. And – she was the first one He spoke to once resurrected.  The very first one – Mary – hearing her name.  

There’s something special about the connection of saying a name.  Just by the sound, it communicates so much.  

Tomorrow is Resurrection Day.  It’s an enormous celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.  It’s the reason we have hope.  And to think. . . this resurrected Jesus knows our name.  He knows my name!!   

That right there is cause for extraordinary celebration.  The Cross – The Resurrection – Jesus.  And He is saying your name – He is saying my name.  

Hallelujah !  What a Savior

Peace & Blessings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When Ordinary Snow Becomes Extraordinary

When the Almighty scattered the kings there, it was snowing in Zalmon.  Psalm 68:14  (NASB)

 

Snow . . . it’s one of my favorite things.  It’s so pretty and it quiets the world.  Have you noticed that?

One thing my late husband and I enjoyed was taking a walk in the first snow. Usually this was at night after dinner. It seemed like God had wrapped the world in cold cotton and silenced the noise.  It was magical and peaceful. 

Of all the times I have read through the bible and even more times the Psalms, I have never noticed the reference to snow. Of course I had to Google to see if it snows in Israel.  Was this a real thing?  Yes it is !  It snows in a few areas of Israel, particularly the north. 

Next I Googled Zalmon to pinpoint it’s location.  Zalmon is in the northern region of Israel.  The ruins of Zalmon are located directly south of Wadi Zalmon National Park.  So experiencing snow there is completely possible.  What a great discovery !  There’s lots of weather in the bible, but snow?  Yes – ordinary snow. 

Call me crazy, but I thrill to see ordinary things cited in scripture.  It makes me smile, and yes, chuckle, to read about snow in the bible.          Oh how God delights us as we read His word! Isn’t it extraordinary how He communicates deep truth as well as the joyful, ordinary things? God provides the perfect balance of heavy and light.  I love that about Him !

So what do we know about snow?  What would it have to do with scattering an enemy army?

Well, we know that in a snowstorm, visibility can be tough.  Snow also deadens sound, so verbal communication would have been challenging.  Also, depending on how much snow was on the ground, it could have been difficult marching on foot or traveling on horseback. 

Did God bring the falling snow to aid in scattering the enemy?  I think that’s a logical possibility.  Of course, this is just my imagining.  And while plausible, it could just be a statement of fact tucked into scripture. 

No matter what the truth of the snow reference,  I love seeing God in the ordinary. 

We don’t usually assign anything spiritual to ordinary snow. It’s usually an inconvenience to us.  It cancels plans and causes rescheduling.  For kids it means playing and hot chocolate. But what if God wants us to see Him in ordinary snow? 

Maybe God brings snow to make us smile at it’s beauty and hear laughter as kids build snowmen.  Maybe it’s to slow us down to enjoy time snuggling under an afghan, reading a good book. Maybe it gives us a leisurely morning in our PJs in front of the fire with an extra cup of coffee. 

After reading about snow in the Psalms, I don’t think snow will ever be ordinary for me ever again. 

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A Crutch or an Anchor?

At the end of 2020 – we all shared a collective sigh……………it’s been so much……too much. 

On the other hand, it’s brought out some very good things in people.  And – I am convinced we will never take certain things for granted…………………ever again.

  • Eating together at a restaurant.
  • Worshiping at church or going to a bible study.
  • Going shopping – not the targeted stuff we do now, but sauntering through a store just to look.
  • Singing in a choir.
  • Hugging…………………………oh my word – yes, the hugs we have missed.
  • Holding hands, touching a face, being close………….the communication of……..TOUCH!

The struggles we have been through cause me to think about what we are holding onto.

Over the years, I’ve heard people talk about faith and liken it to a crutch.  After losing my husband 6 ½ years ago, I am here to tell you and anyone who will listen – – – – – it’s NOT a crutch – IT’S AN ANCHOR !!!

God’s people have had their faith tested sorely this year. And while we are all tired and sad and struggling in one way or another, we are still standing…………….if our faith is truly an anchor. 

We’ve generally had a pretty easy time of things over the years – with a few major bumps in the road.  This year – the whole road is bumpy. It pushed us, tested us.  Do we really believe what we say we believe??? 

Scripture holds promises – precious promises.  And – we learn so much about God’s character in scripture.  But how well do Christians know scripture?  I don’t mean that we need to sound like we’ve been to seminary.  But what do you know for certain from God’s word, whether you can quote the address of it or not?  Have you had scripture you memorized because it was intensely personal to you? 

It’s all of this that we can hold onto right now…………….and it matters.  And. . . .it will matter, truly matter as we move forward in the days ahead.   

I heard Dr. Charles Stanley say that we need to “obey God and trust Him with the consequences.”  That’s so good.  Do we trust Him?  Do we firmly believe in His character?  He is always faithful.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  He’s the only one that will do that & oh by the way – never change.  Everything around us changes……………..He doesn’t. 

This brings me back to the crutch vs Anchor subject.

A crutch props one up to assist giving extra support.  An anchor is a reliable support, holds an object firmly.  One is temporary and may or may not be reliable.  The other is reliable and can hold firmly.  I don’t know about you, but I want the second one.  No matter what happens, I want something that’s sure, that’s reliable, that will hold me firmly while the storm rages around me. 

Jesus is my Anchor!  The hope, a know so hope, we have in Christ is sure, certain, reliable.  Hebrews 6:19 says – This hope is a strong & trustworthy anchor for our souls.  Hebrews 13:5 says – For God has said, I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.  (NLT)

That’s what I want.  That’s what I hold to.  That’s my Anchor.

As one who has gone through the top 2 experiences on the Trauma Scale – Death & Move – let me share a couple scriptures that have encouraged me and helped me maintain my focus.

Isaiah 41:13 – For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who says to you, ‘Fear not, I am the One who helps you.’ (ESV)  Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (NIV)

Horrible 2020 is done.  Welcome 2021 !  While it feels like a fresh start, we know everything isn’t going to be normal for quite awhile.  But God……………………oh yes, God’s got this.  He has not relinquished authority or command. 

So dear one, do you have a crutch or an Anchor?   Take time to examine your heart.  Where are you putting your hope? 

Now is the perfect time to seek God’s face and reaffirm that He is your Anchor – for  now & for always. 

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I Want To Be That Tree !

And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.  Psalm 1:3 NASB

 

Every time I turn around, something has changed.  Something is different.

So much has changed in our world!  Then I added moving to another state at the beginning of a pandemic. Friend, I don’t recommend it. It’s been a few months since my move and I’m still reeling from massive changes. 

Every one of us has been shaken to the core by the uncertainty and strangeness of everything.  It would be so much better if this was connected to just one thing at a time. But life just doesn’t work that way – ever.  No – it’s Every. Single. Thing.

But then God draws me to His Word. It’s there I find help and strength and security.

Aren’t the Psalms just the best when dealing with any sort of emotion?  It’s seriously my go-to every time life knocks me down or change is overwhelming.

In Psalm 1:3, the psalmist talks about a tree firmly planted by streams of water.  I want to be that tree!  A tree firmly planted has been around for years.  It’s weathered many storms and withstood parching heat as well as ice and snow.  No matter what has happened around this tree, it still stands.

Oh I want that to be me!  I want to have my roots so firmly planted in God’s Word  that I stand no matter what.  Whether it’s a death, a move, a devastating relationship issue, a pandemic or whatever, I want to be unshakable, firmly planted.

In the next verse of this psalm, I see where my roots should be planted.  Verse 2 says, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”  God’s Word………the deep, rich soil where my tree roots can penetrate, soaking up nutrients and fed by the streams of living water nearby.

Here’s where I have to ask myself some questions.  How much time am I spending in God’s Word these days?  Am I spending the majority of my time feasting on my phone? Netflix?   Are my roots planted more in temporal things or eternal things?

This causes me to remember Isaiah 40:8.  “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.”   And that brings me back to the firmly planted tree. 

So today I’m pausing to rethink my priorities, shift my focus, redirect my roots. God’s Word is right there on the little table by my chair.  When I sit there each morning planted in God’s Word, I can be that tree. Life will still hit me, but I’m going to be ok, not because of me, but because of God and His Word.  I can rely on it – today and forever.

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Every Part of My Heart

Oh Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you make righteous judgments, and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets…… Jeremiah 11: 20a

When you watch a magician, do you ever long to know the secret of the trick?  I do.  Intellectually I realize much of it is slight of hand, hidden elements or trap doors.  But the experiential, looking at it right now, in me is frustrated because I can’t figure it out.  I don’t have a clue.

The magician has mastered the covering of secrets.  He’s cloaked it all so well that no one can explain.

We do that too.  If we’re honest, there are deep thoughts and secrets buried in our hearts.  Perhaps some are awful things.  But I know in my own heart, some are often simply too personal to share. . . with anyone.

But God knows.  He sees. 

We’ve all heard that God knows “the thoughts and intentions of the heart”, taken from Hebrews 4: 12.  But did you realize that idea is expressed in other places in scripture?

Back in Genesis when Noah presented a sacrifice to God after coming out of the ark, we see that God looks on “the intent of man’s heart” in Genesis 8: 21.  In Samuel 16: 7, we see God telling Samuel that  “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”. And today’s verse says in the New Living Translation, “You examine the deepest thoughts and secrets“.

Everyone else around us would never know, but God knows.

That can be frightening when we harbor sin in our heart.  It’s more than a little uncomfortable thinking about God seeing those thoughts we work hard to cloak.  Scary…….guilty…….confession & forgiveness – the only way out.  And praise Him for that process !  He’s provided a way for that dark stuff to go away. . . forever.

But what about the other stuff?  The intense hurt.  The stark loneliness.  The fear.  The flood of tears held in secret.  The uncertainty.  The searching.  The doubt.

God sees all that too.  And instead of being frightened, we feel seen, understood, comforted and loved.

I’m glad God can see these things in my heart.  I’m glad I don’t have to work at hiding them from Him.  He will never judge me as others would.  He knows I’m dust.  He knows my weaknesses.  He knows it all and loves me just as I am.

Familiar phrase, but it seriously blows me away to think the God of the Universe would even want to look at my heart.  Do you get the magnitude of this deal?  Billions and billions and way beyond that – all those hearts stretching across past, present and future.  Every. Single. Heart. And He not only takes the time, but wants to look at my heart.

Yep.  It scares me a little to think He will find some secret sin I have forgotten or buried so deep even I can’t see it.  But I am so incredibly thankful to know He sees my struggles and wants to help me through them, loving me beyond what I can understand, but so desperately need.

So go ahead and be the magician of your heart with people around you.  But open your heart to the One that loves you no matter what.  No matter what deep thoughts and secrets He finds, He won’t beat you up.   He won’t kick you out of the family.  He will love you through every moment.  He will forgive.  He will strengthen, comfort and encourage.

He will love – because He is love itself.

That makes my heart feel better just knowing it’s true.  I hope it makes your heart feel better too.  

Lord – Only You know every part of my heart.  Thank you for loving me no matter what You find there.  Help me to be honest in confession.  And please give grace, comfort and love as we tackle the hard things together.  I would be so lost without You.  Thank You for never giving up on me.    Amen

 

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The Awesome Imposssibleness of God

Isaiah 43: 1-3

It’s mid-January in St. Louis.  The dead of winter.  Snow on the ground, 10-12 inches worth.

As I sit in my chair reading Isaiah 43 in the stillness of the morning, I can sense the Spirit speaking to my heart.  

You & I read our bibles looking for something to feed our heart, mind and especially our soul.  Some days it’s stronger than others.  Today is strong, focused, encouraging, bringing hope.

Do not fear is found many times in scripture.  I love that because I need to hear that lots.  You too?

Sp much has happened over the nearly 6 years since my husband’s cancer diagnosis.  I’ve clung to the words – do not fear – in countless situations.  And I still do.  

The description of intense turbulence speaks volumes.  Have you ever felt like you were passing through waters?  Crossing mighty rivers?  Walking through fire?  Can you feel the fear of drowning?  Of fighting the current & depth of a river?  Of enduring intense heat so afraid of being burnt to a crisp?

We all walk through circumstances or situations that make us feel this way.  It’s frightening.  We cry.  We tremble.  We stumble.  We sometimes fall. 

But God never leaves us.  The most comforting part to me in this scripture is the phrase – I will be with you.  Friend, neither of us is alone.  God walks us through the most intense turbulence – waters, rivers and fire, that seem impossible.

But God. . .another common phrase in scripture.  I use it here to show you the awesome impossibleness (new word) of God.

Impossible is where God starts.  I heard that from Christine Caine, a well known Christian speaker and founder of A21 and Propel.  Can you hear God speaking against the intense turbulence in your life?  In this passage He says – don’t fear the waters because I will be with you; don’t fear the rivers because they won’t overflow you; don’t fear the fire because you won’t even be scorched.  And why is this?  “For I am the Lord our God.”

I hope this makes your heart feel better.  It does mine.  God is going to be with me.  None of my turbulent circumstances or situations will do me in because I have the God of the universe, of all time and space, walking with me & in charge of every single moment of my life. Life sometimes feels impossible.       But God. . . . . . .

He has redeemed me! He has called me by name! He knows who I am! And He’s got this thing called life. . .and I trust Him.

Here in the dead of winter, at the beginning of a new year, I have hope and confidence for the future.  I know I’ll come to Isaiah 43 several times this year as the turbulence rises.  I need to remember God hasn’t forgotten me.  I need to remember I am His.  I need to remember the turbulence is no surprise to Him.  I need to remember there’s no reason to fear because He is the Lord, my God.

Maybe you need to remember too.  When you do, when your situation or circumstances become overwhelming, run to Isaiah 43.  Remember the awesome impossibleness of God.