Archive for June, 2009

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The Mountains’ Maker

Monday, June 15th, 2009
Scenery from our room in Poland

Scenery from our room in Poland

My husband and I attended International Messengers’ annual conference in April. This year it happened in Poland. The view from our room was cut and pasted from a National Geographic magazine, I’m sure. The sunset’s pink glow on the snowcapped mountains nearly took my breath away.

Each morning while attending the conference, I gazed at the scene from my window and my heart was encouraged. Psalm 121:1,2 came to mind: “I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!”

The mountains stood like sentries guarding their territory. They rose with majesty over the terrain below. Their rugged appearance made them look invincible, like conquerors over anyone who dared challenge their heights. And yet, their strength was, and is, nothing compared to the might of the One who spoke them into existence.

This mighty One, the Creator who made the heavens and the earth, is He who holds us in His hands. He loves us, calls us by name, has divinely-appointed plans for our lives, and provides for us. He knows our needs. He bottles our tears. He hears our cries. And He promises to listen when we call on His name.

This mighty One promises that He’ll never let us stumble or fall. He’ll watch over us while we sleep. He stands beside us as our protective shade, He keeps us from evil, and He preserves our lives (Psalm 121:3-7). What more do we need to face our fears? What more do we need to embrace the future with confidence and joy?

Whatever your needs are today, my friend, remember the mountains’ majesty and strength. And then praise the mountains’ Maker for supplying those needs and being your strength.

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100 Huntley Street interview

Sunday, June 14th, 2009

I learned that “100 Huntley Street” aired the “Full Circle” interview on Friday. Click on this link to watch it.

http://www.100huntley.com/video.php?id=OWYXJvFacag

At the end of the interview, I told viewers to visit my website for free resources re: overcoming fear. I said to click on the little TV screen that says “free media giveaways.” Trouble is, my website was updated after the interview was done, and the TV is gone! So…click on “resources” instead and you’ll find them there.

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Breakfast on the Beach with Jesus

Friday, June 12th, 2009

The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. Surely they must have felt exhausted and defeated. But their discouragement didn’t last for long because – wonder of wonders – Jesus showed up and cooked breakfast on the beach for His buddies (John 21:1-13). What a glorious way to begin a new day!

I love the picture of Jesus that Scripture paints. It shows us that He was a friend, in tune with the needs of those He cared about and wanting to spend time with them. It also shows us that He was a servant. He called them to have breakfast, and then He gave them the bread and the fish that He’d prepared. “When the disciples got to shore, they saw that a charcoal fire was burning and fish were frying over it, and there was bread…then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.”

A few days prior, this same Jesus had been crucified and buried. Then He rose victorious from the grave, conquering death once for all. Imagine – He could have been celebrating His victory on a throne in heaven. Instead, He bent over a fire on the beach and fried fish for His friends.

What a picture of Christ’s divine humanity! What a model of humility! This picture moves me to gratitude for the privilege of serving a Master who cares for His followers as He does.

It also reminds me that, in the midst of the busyness of life, Jesus wants relationship with His followers. He wants us to slow down, to step out of the “busy boat,” and to spend time in His presence – talking, enjoying each other, discussing concerns and delights, and praying together. Do we respect His wishes? Do we spend time with Him as we would a good friend?

When life gets so busy that it threatens to crowd out our quiet time with Jesus, let’s remember this picture from John 21. Let’s recall Jesus waiting on the beach for His friends as dawn broke, with a meal prepared to meet their needs.

He’s waiting for us in the same way. We don’t want to miss it!

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100 Huntley Street Interview Aired Today

Friday, June 12th, 2009

I had a whirlwind trip to Edmonton, Alberta this week for three speaking engagements with Stonecroft Ministries. Had a great time with the women there, and with Lorraine Myrholm, the Canadian Executive Director. I’m thankful for each opportunity to minister with encouragement through God’s Word.

This morning I learned that my November interview on “100 Huntley Street” was aired today! Here’s the link if you want to watch it online at www.100Huntley.com.

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Peace Be With You

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

I posted a day early because I’m heading out of town for speaking engagements and not sure whether or not I’ll have email access while I’m away. Blessings on you, my friend. Here’s the next devotional…

Huddling in a room behind locked doors, Jesus’ disciples reeled from the events they’d just experienced. They’d witnessed their beloved leader being crucified like a common criminal, and now they feared for their own lives. The atmosphere was sullen, the mood grim. But not for long!

Suddenly Jesus – the risen and victorious Son of God – stood among His disciples! His first words to them were, “Peace be with you.” As He spoke, He showed them the nail prints in His hands and the wound in His side. Then He spoke again: “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19,20)

Why did He speak these words to His followers? And why did He show His wounds to them at that moment? Perhaps it’s because He recognized their shock and sorrow at His death. He also knew their fear of the future. He wanted to reassure them, to comfort and soothe them at their deepest point of need rather than leave them in their distress. His words and His wounds – visual evidence of His deep love for them and of His power to overcome all things – served that purpose.   

Let’s remember this encounter between Jesus and His followers when we experience situations that leave us feeling lonely, abandoned, hopeless, or afraid. Jesus is the risen and victorious Son of God! We can know His peace when we remember who He is and that His presence is with us.

Can you recall a time when He met you at your deepest point of need? How did He do that?

“Thank You, Jesus, for being my peace no matter what life brings.”

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Be an Encourager

Monday, June 8th, 2009

The drama in David’s life continues when his son Absalom decides to overthrow him. (Perhaps some counseling in conflict resolution might have prevented this mess). At any rate, David and his followers are headin’ out of town to escape Absalom and his henchmen. It was an emotional time – 2 Samuel 15:30 says the king and his followers have covered their heads and bared their feet to signify mourning, and they’re weeping as they climb the Mount of Olives. They reach the summit, physically exhausted and emotionally spent. And in the darkness of that moment comes a kiss from heaven…

“David was just past the top of the hill when Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, caught up with him. He was leading two donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a skin of wine. ‘What are these for?’ the king asked Ziba. And Ziba replied, ‘The donkeys are for your people to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is to be taken with you into the wilderness for those who become faint’” (2 Sam. 16:1,2).

Ziba – what a model of encouragement! He’s obviously tuned in to people’s needs and how to meet them in practical ways. The donkeys are for those who grow too tired to walk. The bread and summer fruit are for the young men, probably because they need strength for battle. The wine is to revive those who grow faint in the wilderness. And the raisins…well, those seem to be up for grabs. His thoughtful gesture likely brings huge encouragement to David and his followers, a reminder that they haven’t been forgotten. Someone cares about them in the midst of their despair.

As believers, we’re called to follow Ziba’s example. We’re surrounded by situations that provide opportunities to practice encouragement. Here are a few examples:

  • A neighbor, friend, or family member loses his job and financial resources run tight. We can help by buying groceries or gas.
  • Someone we know loses a loved one. We can encourage through practical acts of kindness such as a simple phone call to express condolences, providing housecleaning, supplying food, sending a card.
  • Someone we know has to move and needs help packing. We can encourage by providing that help.

The list of needs is endless…

  • A single mom needs help with yard work or with fixing her car.
  • A senior sits alone in the nursing home, staring out the window day after day.
  • Someone from your church family is hospitalized.
  • A woman would love to attend her church’s ladies’ retreat and would greatly benefit from it, but she simply can’t afford it.

No matter where we live or what our lot in life is, we can be encouragers. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to the needs of those around us and to give us willing hearts to bless them in practical ways as Ziba did with David and his followers.

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Recipe for Freedom

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Several playgrounds are located in the city park near our home. On sunny days they resemble human anthills. It’s interesting to watch these little people as they explore life. Some tots, depending on their personalities, are content to let their parents or caregivers hold their hands as they walk from toy to toy. Others resist, tugging and protesting until they manage to jerk free and run away. Some listen and obey when the caregivers tell them to stop; others don’t.

What happens? They may dash toward a swingset without realizing the possibility of being knocked by a swing already in motion, or they might dart towards the sidewalk, into the path of an oncoming bicyclist or rollerblader. They want to experience freedom, so they disregard their caregivers’ counsel and pay painful consequences.

These little people remind me of big people…

“Hold My hand,” says the heavenly Father.

“But I want to go a different direction,” we argue.

“Trust Me,” He says.

“But I don’t want to go where You’re leading!” We tug and protest until we manage to yank loose of the Father’s hand. Then we run where we please, thinking we’re experiencing freedom at its finest. That approach to life seldom works.

True freedom is found in obedience to God and His Word. We experience it when we trust His care and plan for our lives, recognizing that He knows best. “Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found…I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments” says Psalm 119:35, 45.

Want freedom? The recipe’s guaranteed – tuck your hand into the Father’s and stay close to His side.

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Fall or Flee?

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

My hero David fell. Why he wasn’t in battle with his men is anyone’s guess. Regardless, he rose from his afternoon nap and stepped outside to survey the city. And while he was there, he saw a knock-out gorgeous woman taking a bath on her rooftop. His gaze lingered, and his lust commandeered his brains. (2 Samuel 11)

The woman – Bathsheba – was married. The afternoon fling resulted in pregnancy and eventually led to her husband’s murder and the deaths of several innocent soldiers as David tried desperately to cover his tracks. It didn’t work; God saw everything, and He was not happy.

This is the stuff of which soap operas are made. It’s a story filled with unfortunate drama, fear, panic, lust, murder, and justification. But it’s also a story that carries a warning for those of us who think we’re better than David.

David was considered a man after God’s heart, and yet he fell into temptation and sin. If it happened to this godly man, it can happen to anyone. Thankfully, we’re all given a choice. When faced with temptation such as this or any other, for that matter, we can choose to flee – to beat it outta there as fast as our legs can carry us, like Joseph did when his boss’ wife tried to seduce him.

When we’re tempted to watch a video or TV show that’s questionable, we can turn it off and find something else to do. When invited to participate in juicy gossip, we can respectfully say we’d rather not talk about so-and-so behind her back. When tempted to take credit for something that someone else did, we can choose instead to defer all compliments toward the person who deserves them. When tempted to say something out of anger, we can choose to leave the room, take a deep breath, count to 10, and pray for self-control instead.

How should we respond when tempted? I believe Psalm 119:59 says it well: “I pondered the direction of my life and I turned to follow your statues.” David’s biography would have read much differently if, after catching his first glimpse of Bathsheba, he’d pondered the direction of his life and then turned to follow God’s statutes. He would have saved himself and many others a lot of grief.

Let’s learn from David’s life. When tempted, let’s not fall. Let’s flee and follow God’s statutes instead.

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Sovereign Lord

Monday, June 1st, 2009

If you’ve done Precept Bible Studies, you know to pay attention to words that are repeated in close proximity.  Such is the case with 2 Samuel 7:18-22, 28, 29. Over and over, David uses the title Sovereign Lord as he prays to God:

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, ‘Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving me a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord? What more can I say? You know what I am really like, Sovereign Lord. For the sake of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have shown them to me. How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you – there is no other God…For you are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to me, your servant. And now, may it please you to bless me and my family so that our dynasty may continue forever before you. For when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign Lord, it is an eternal blessing.’”

Were David’s repetitions simply a careless use of the words? Were they used thoughtlessly, merely filling in the gaps between words? I don’t think so.

I believe David addressed God as Sovereign Lord because he truly understood that aspect of His character. He used the title as a term of respect and honor.

I looked up the dictionary meaning of sovereign. It says, “king or queen; a supreme ruler; monarch; a person having supreme control; above all others.” When David called God by the title Sovereign Lord, he was acknowledging Him as King, supreme ruler, the One having complete control of his life. And he meant it.

Do we understand God’s sovereignty in our lives as David did? Do we give Him the rightful place as King? Do we allow Him to have complete control? When life takes a detour big or small, do we believe He’s in complete control?

Sovereign Lord – good words to ponder and assimilate into our spiritual life.

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