Who Turned Out the Lights?

Light is essential for Life.

Without the light and energy of the sun, the water cycle and photosynthesis processes would be halted – eliminating the oxygen we need to survive and the ability of plants to provide food. Without the Vitamin D provided by sunlight, our immune systems would be compromised, our bones and muscles would not function well, and our emotional well-being would suffer. Without a light source, we can’t find our way safely through the dark.

Jesus made a similar connection for our spiritual needs. In John 8:12, He said of Himself, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” I love the way The Message states this, “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.”

Sin (the wrong things we think, say, and do) separates us from the Light and Life God desires for us (Romans 3:23). In essence, we stumble through the darkness. But we don’t have to live this way. Christ’s death on the cross (and subsequent resurrection from the grave) satisfied our holy God’s requirement for the punishment of sin. When we accept this, as a free gift from God, we enter into a new relationship with Him (Romans 6:23). Christ takes up residence inside of us – our lives become His home (John 14:23).

We then get to broadcast His Light to our world. Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

But is our spiritual light dimming?

It seems to me, that whenever we (as Christians) discover something in opposition to our beliefs, our first response is a bold attack. Absolutely we must speak the Truth. But we must also “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) – this being evidence that we are “growing up”, or maturing in Christ. We certainly need the support of fellow believers when we take a stand for Truth. It can be a very lonely place. Often, however, I see us retreating into a “holy huddle” and removing our “salt and light” influence from a world that desperately needs it.

For example, I met a gal who works at a local business I frequent. One day she and her friend showed up at my front door wanting to talk with me about their faith. (Clearly, she and I are on opposite sides of the table regarding who Jesus Christ is – i.e. He is the resurrected, living Son of God – fully God, fully man – all at the same time. I know! It’s a miracle!!) God showed me a new person in my circle of influence who needed Christ. Since then I’ve learned that, like myself, she is a plant lover. So we started a “plant exchange”. And where does this occur? At this local business. It’s a simple thing right now. We’re building a relationship where I have the opportunity to be “light” in her world.

Turns out, the parent company has taken a stand on an issue that is in direct conflict with biblical teaching. I could choose not to support that business anymore; but, not only would I “punish” a franchise owner for something which he or she did not agree with, I would also lose the opportunity to build a relationship with an unsaved person who, clearly, God has brought into my life. I may not be “the one” who leads her to salvation in Christ, but I can plant seeds and water them. What message do I send her if I walk away from that opportunity?

When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus was eating dinner with “sinners,” His reply was, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Then He told them, “go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:9-13, emphasis mine). Yes, our sinful world needs to hear the Truth. The dying sinner, however, stumbling through the darkness, needs the Light, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ.

If we hide our light under a bowl, who will see it? In fact, the lack of oxygen will cause the light to be snuffed out. The Light of Jesus shining in our lives is essential for unbelievers to see God’s glory and experience Life in Him. When we balance Truth with Love, we can be named among those who “…will shine among them like stars in the sky as [we] hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16).

Don’t hide your light! Let it shine! Brightly!!

When Will He Get Here?

Waiting

My husband’s job requires him to travel abroad several times a year – usually for about a week at a time. Our family has a routine for his absence and subsequent pick-up from the airport. Recently he returned from such a trip, and so we made our trek to the international arrivals gate at the airport. For some reason all of us were missing him more than usual, and so our anticipation of his return was heightened.

He sent us a text that his plane had landed. Yea! He made it safely. (I breathed a sigh of relief.) Then we waited impatiently for each text that told us where he was in the process of making his way to the gate.

He flew in on a 747 this time, so it took a while for him to get off the plane and gather his luggage. In the meantime, one of my daughters began the litany of impatience: “Mom, how much longer? When will Daddy be here? It’s taking forever!” To which I replied, “Soon, honey. He’s on his way. It won’t be long now.”

The Easter season is a time of deep reflection. On Good Friday we remember the terrible, yet beautiful, sacrifice that Christ paid for our debt of sin. Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection – His victory over Death so we can experience Life. Thankfully, Christ gave us The Lord’s Supper as a commemorative act so we would make a habit of looking back – of remembering His sacrifice – more than once a year (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The last verse reminds us that in the same way we look back, we are also to look forward to His promised return. “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

But we are not to simply think, Oh yeah, He’s coming back. Won’t that be great? Like a child eagerly waiting for her father to come home, we are to long for Christ’s return. Lord, when will You get here? How much longer do I have to wait? I want to see You! In 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul says, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (emphasis mine)

The night before His death, Christ left His disciples with a great promise. He told them that although He would soon leave them, He would come back and take them with Him to the heavenly home He was preparing (John 14:1-3). Like children desperate to see their father after a long trip, we are to anticipate that day. It won’t be long!

Are You in the Secret Service?

The Bible Study I’m leading this year is on spiritual disciplines – using Jan Johnson’s  Spiritual Disciplines Companion:  Bible Studies and Practices to Transform Your Soul.  Today we are finishing the section on “Service & Secrecy,” which focuses on serving without others knowing about it.  Sometimes we can serve without a human soul knowing.  Other times, the one we serve does know.  But we don’t tell anyone else.

While reviewing my notes, I was reminded how difficult it is to keep a secret in our current culture, especially for those of us (ahem) addicted to Facebook.  We feel compelled to spill our every activity and thought into our newsfeed.  So when the Lord prompts us to serve someone secretly, we fight the temptation to let the world know.  And when we resist that temptation – often, the grateful recipient tells the world.

Recently I thought about secretly serving a friend of mine in a special way.  I had done something similar in the past, and “received Facebook accolades” for it.  I didn’t want that this time.  But it wasn’t appropriate to “do my thing” without letting my friend know where it came from.  So I passed on the opportunity.  Was that right?  Was it wrong?  I don’t know.  I do know, however, that I’m looking at my opportunities to serve differently right now – and reconsidering the appropriateness of posting even the sweet things done for me.

Whether between you and the Lord alone (or one other person), being privy to a secret is the essence of intimacy – something cherished.  We lose that treasure when we tell the world.

Do you have any secrets worth keeping?

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Matthew 6:2-4, 6 “So when you [serve], do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you [serve], do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your [serving] may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you … [and] when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

To Pray (aloud) … or not? That is the question.

Recently a friend asked for my take on whether or not we are supposed to pray audibly. It’s an interesting question.  I was reared in a home and church where praying out loud was the norm.  But many people do not have that experience.  They can be intimidated when they find themselves in a situation where others are praying aloud and it appears that they are expected to do the same.  Fear not!  There are many examples of both throughout Scripture.  I will share just a few here.

In the Psalms, we often read of people praying and praising the Lord verbally.

• Psalms 71:23 “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you — I, whom you have redeemed.”
• Psalm 95:1 “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.”
• Psalm 142:1 “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.”

Hannah, however prayed in her heart.  Although her lips were moving, her voice was not heard.  (I Samuel 1:13)

When Nehemiah learned of the devastation of Jerusalem, he was saddened, and it showed on his face as he served before King Artaxerxes.  The king questioned him about this and asked what he could do?  The next statement in Scripture says just this, “Then I prayed to the God of heaven and I answered the King …”.  Certainly this was a quick, private, “arrow prayer”.  (Nehemiah 2)

I am particularly encouraged by Isaiah 65:24, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” God knows my thoughts and my words.  Before I even form them, He is sending an answer my way.

It’s interesting to consider New Testament prayers.  Jesus scolded the hypocrites who loved to pray while standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  Jesus encouraged His followers not to be like them, but instead, to go behind closed doors and pray to their Father in secret.  (Matthew 6:5-7)

Other examples of New Testament prayers:

• Jesus prayed aloud in John 17.  It is the prayer He prayed for His disciples and all the saints just prior to His arrest and crucifixion.
• The Book of Acts records many examples of the early church praying together - about everything! 
• The apostle Paul wrote prayers in his letters to the churches.  (Eph. 3:14-21; Phil. 1:9-11; Col. 1:9-14)

Praying aloud in your own private time can be helpful.  For me – a very scatterbrained blonde – it helps me stay focused. When I pray alone silently, often my thoughts wander – usually in the direction of my “to do list”.  Also praying aloud helps me “hear” what I’m praying.  Sometimes I find that what I’m praying is not at all what I need to be praying.

Personally, I have been blessed by the public prayers of many.  My husband reminded me of when my grandmother’s husband prayed at our wedding.  He was a retired pastor and prayed a beautiful, eloquent prayer on our behalf.   It was clear, however, that he was oblivious to those around him.  He was in the throne room with his God – his Savior.  Those of us who listened sensed that.  We felt the very presence of God while he prayed.  I’ve experienced this a handful of times during the prayer times with my Bible Study ladies.  Prayer time is always special. But occasionally when we bow our heads and pray together (some aloud, some silently), there is the sense that you might actually be listening in as one or more of those precious women is “alone in her prayer closet”.  And I can’t count the number of times that I’ve been encouraged by a hand-written note with a brief prayer included.  I save these and re-read them when I’m in need of special encouragement.

I believe the Lord hears every prayer – whether silent or aloud, privately journaled, or written to encourage others.  He is omniscient – knowing our every thought.  In fact, in His eyes, our thoughts and our voiced words are one and the same.  Some situations call for praying out loud; others call for praying silently – secretly even.  

Regardless, we can be confident that, as Psalm 139:4 reminds us, “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”

My Crazy Azaleas – 2013

I am not a great gardener.  I love playing in the dirt, though, planting things and watching them grow.  I struggle with anything that requires acidic soil – like azaleas.  This particular bush makes me smile.  You can’t see all the detail – but there are hardly any leaves on it.  A couple of weeks ago you might have thought it was dead.  Today, however, it is bursting with colorful blooms.  I smile at God’s ability to take something that looks like it has no potential – and turn it into a masterpiece!

Pink freckled faces
Vivid, vibrant, electric
Smiling in the sun

Coffee, Tea … or He?

Last weekend I attended our church’s annual Ladies Retreat at Camp Tejas in Giddings, Texas. The facilities are wonderful. The rooms are beautifully decorated, the conference center is lovely, the grounds are expansive, with lots of activities. The staff is incredible! Really – a dream location. Our church has retreated at Camp Tejas for over 15 years and our ladies love it there. Some of the very nice amenities in their main meeting rooms include the assortment of teas they provide and the nifty coffee machines that dispense a variety of hot beverages. Admittedly, though, I’m a coffee snob. And as nifty as the coffee machines are – it’s not the same as my home brew. I love to have coffee (that I like) with my quiet time, so – I bring along a little hotpot and some General Foods International Coffee – you know the kind, ~Celebrate the moments of your life.~ I don’t drink GFIC on a regular basis, but I enjoy it occasionally. And in a pinch, it works for me.

Honestly though, for me drinking coffee is about comfort – not caffeine. I love the taste. I love the sense of peace and calm that comes from sitting in a quiet place with a steaming mug in my hands, inhaling its fragrant aroma, and tasting its deep, rich flavor. I like it black – no fancy, flavored creamers, no sweeteners.

At retreat I didn’t have that, just my coffee substitute. By about 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, I learned something. My GFIC coffee, as nice as it is, doesn’t have much caffeine – compared to what I drink at home.  As I was dragging my feet all day, I realized that my substitute is kind of whimpy.  I began to reflect on the qualities of coffee and its impact on my day.

• Real coffee is rich and strong.
• It provides a measurable amount of energy for the day.
• The warmth of the liquid is soothing and comforting.
• Without coffee, I feel like my quiet time is missing something uniquely special.
• Without coffee in the morning, I am grumpy.

Coffee adds a fresh dimension to my quiet time.  But can I have a meaningful quiet time (or even a good day) without it? If God asked me to give it up, I could. But it would certainly take some time to adjust. (By the way, He has not asked me to do this – at least not yet!)

My quiet times would be stale, however, without the Holy Spirit. And what He brings to my quiet time is irreplaceable.

Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” This may sound a bit hokey. But when you take time on a regular basis to quiet yourself and read the Bible, you develop a taste for the Lord’s words of love to you. And they are good!   He is ~richness worth a second cup.~

Indeed, He is strong!  In Ephesians 3:16, Paul prayed that God would strengthen them “with power in the inner man through His Spirit.” And Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”

The Holy Spirit gives me the strength I need to live each day, regardless of what it holds, and to do the things He has called me to do.

He is my Comforter! John 14:26-27 says, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit – the Father will send Him in My name – will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.  Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”

In these verses, the Greek word for “counselor” also means, “to comfort, encourage or exhort”. The Holy Spirit comforts me and gives me His peace.

He is my Teacher! The above verses also say that the Holy Spirit is my Teacher.  John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth …”

The purpose of my daily quiet time is for me to connect with the Lord and learn from Him –  to learn Truth from the Bible and to gain direction for my life.  This is the real deal.  And there is no substitute!

He gives Joy! Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

On days when I wake up a little “latte” and charge directly into my “to do list”, I find that often, I am grumpy and easily frustrated.  However, when I take time to be still and know that He is God, I start my day with Joy and carry it with me!

The bottom line?  Coffee is definitely tasty and delightful, enhancing our special moments; and substitutes don’t  provide quite the same thing.  But no amount of my favorite strong, rich, hot coffee can replace the power, comfort, and joy that comes from being in the presence of the Lord.

~What is the best part of waking up?      Filling [me] to the rim, with Him!~

Ephesians 5:18b-19 ” … be filled by the Spirit:  speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord.” 

I Have a Confession …

Several years ago I heard someone teach the following:  Once you are saved, you don’t need to keep asking God for forgiveness.  All of your sins are forgiven – past, present, and future.  When you do sin, however, you are to confess your sins, being thankful that He has forgiven them.

This did not settle right with me.  I had been “asking for God’s forgiveness”  for specific sins ever since I had been saved.  As soon as I got home, I started my own search for Truth on this issue.

Indeed – there are many verses that confirm this.  Colossians 1:13-14; 2:13-14; Acts 10:43.  All said, redemption carries with it the forgiveness of all of our sins.

And of course, 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we confess our sins to God, we know that we have His forgiveness – and cleansing from all unrighteousness.

Even though I became “settled” with this idea, I didn’t change the way I prayed. I continued to ask for God’s forgiveness as I became aware of the sin in my life. And I don’t think that was a bad thing. It’s really OK.

But now I have a new perspective. This week I was looking at Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter 1:6-7.  Nehemiah specifically stated, “I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.”  (NIV)

Reading that brought to mind the idea from some time before – confessing instead of asking for forgiveness.  So when I finished reading, I prayed and followed Nehemiah’s example of confession.  OUCH!  It hurt to actually confess my sin. It FELT different to confess.  “Lord, I confess that I ate that entire bag of chocolate covered almonds.  That was a lack of self-control.”  (oops!)

Confession is “agreeing with God”  – period.  In regard to sin, it’s agreeing with God that I blew it, that I “missed the mark.”

I talked this over with my family. One of my daughters said that “confessing is admitting you did something.”  My husband made the comment, “Asking forgiveness is about the other person granting your request. Whereas confession has nothing to do with the other person.  It’s you taking responsibility for your own actions.”  Both of them expressed excellent insight.

So, in my pursuit to be devoted to prayer, I’m changing how I approach presenting my sin before God.  I am now “confessing my sins” to God, and thanking Him that He is faithful and just, because He has already forgiven them.

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Addendum – March 4, 2013

When we accept Christ’s death on the cross as payment for our sin debt (Romans 6:23), we receive God’s forgiveness for all of our sins – past, present, and future.

That doesn’t mean that I believe we should never ask for forgiveness. Just the opposite, in fact. I believe that, in the same way we confess our sins to God, we are to confess our sins to the ones we have wounded – and then ask for their forgiveness. This puts us in a place of humility before them – a life lesson and an aspect of godly character that Christ wants displayed in our lives.