Archive for March, 2011

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Knowing God’s Nearness Today

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Hi everyone! I’ll be hosting guest devotional bloggers for the next couple of weeks because I’m in Slovakia for a missions conference. Today’s post was written by Janet Sketchley. Her personal blog is titled, “God With Us: Finding Joy.” Thanks, Janet, for sharing your thoughts!  http://janetsketchley.wordpress.com/

Meet Janet!

Key Verse: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24, NIV

As I prayed for a friend who has serious health trouble, the Holy Spirit seemed to prompt me to ask the Father to reassure her that He’d be with her whatever the future brings, but also that she’d know His nearness today.

We all long for some kind of reassurance for the future – specifically that things will be fine – but God asks us to focus on today. That’s the whole “living in the moment” thing I’m still trying to learn.

Definitely, we need a solid faith that God knows what lies ahead and can deal with it, but we’re not in the future. We’re in the present. And as Jesus said, today has enough troubles of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Father, I’m so thankful that You know what tomorrow holds. Nothing will catch You off guard. Help me to trust the future to You and to live in the present – knowing You’re with me. Open my eyes to what you want to do through me today, who You want to touch. Help me enjoy Your company on the journey.

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God is our Friend

Monday, March 28th, 2011

For the next two weeks, I’ll be introducing you to guest bloggers because I’m in Slovakia attending a missions conference and unable to post. Today’s guest is Gina Unger, a gal I met at The Meeting Place ladies’ retreat recently. She glows with a love for Jesus. Thanks, Gina, for sharing your thoughts with us.

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It’s difficult to admit, but I haven’t always craved a solid, connected relationship with God even though I know I’ve needed it. Putting that confession into writing makes me sad.

Someone once told me that God understands when we don’t spend time with Him. He knows our position as busy moms with toddlers, and we shouldn’t beat ourselves up when we don’t pray or do devotions. When I mentioned this thought to my husband, he quickly countered my words. He pointed out that our friends understand when we’re busy, but they don’t want to be shut out completely. God is no different. He understands our circumstances, but He still longs to spend time with us on a regular basis.

With that in mind, I’ve started being more intentional about my relationship with God. I try to keep things fresh, and I vary my spiritual workout by doing things such as…

* Memorizing verses from the Bible. Doing so exercises my brain and keeps me engaged with God. It also causes those verses to come alive with new meaning for me.

Once upon a time I memorized Colossians 3:12-17. Verse 14, in particular, has remained with me ever since: “And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”  (The Message). After memorizing these words, I designed underwear with hearts on them so I’d be reminded of love every time I wore my “basic, all-purpose garment”!

* Reading a new God-centered book. Works written by authors including John Ortberg and Philip Yancey are always at the ready in our home.

* Writing poetry and songs to God. I also write devotionals that I share with my husband, and I draw pictures of what’s happening inside me. I present the finished products as gifts to God.

I know that being dedicated to and delighting in my friendship with God will have far-reaching effects. Making time for Him always pays off. In fact, it’s like a guarantee to help me get through the day! When put like that I think: Yes, of course I’ll talk to God today as a friend. I don’t want to leave Him hangin’ – wondering when our next conversation will be. Heaven knows I need all the help I can get.  We’ve got a relationship to build here, so let’s get going!

I hope the same is true for you because God wants to be your friend, too.

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Steps to Peace — Part 2

Friday, March 25th, 2011

Personal peace seems like a hot commodity in a topsy-turvy world. People want it, so they seek it in various places—relationships, alcohol, drugs, wealth, status, and even religion. Trouble is, the above might provide a counterfeit peace but it lasts only a short time. Then what?

Scripture is clear that Jesus Christ—the Prince of Peace—is the source of peace. If we want it, we need to enter a relationship with Him by confessing our sinfulness and acknowledging Him as our Savior. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid,” He said in John 14:27.

Entering a relationship with Jesus is the key to unlocking the door to peace. After that, we can take several practical steps when fearful thoughts enter our minds. These are found in Philippians 4:6—“Don’t worry about anything: instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” In short form, here’s what those steps look like:

* Don’t worry about anything. Easier said than done, right? Many of us spend a ton of energy worrying about things that never happen or that have already happened and cannot be changed. We allow the “what-ifs” to disturb our sleep and make us sick. God knows the negative effect of worry on our brains and our bodies, so He has provided a way to deal with it. He says we should…

* Pray about everything. With the Middle East in crisis and Japan reeling from the recent earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster, we might feel that God doesn’t have time for our piddly concerns. At least that’s what Satan would like us to believe. The truth is, God invites us to bring our requests both large and small to Him. “Pray about everything,” He says, “not just the concerns you deem earth-shattering.”

* Tell God what you need. Be specific. If you need a job with different hours to accommodate your family’s schedule, tell Him so. If you’re lonely and need a close girlfriend, tell Him. If you need a fresh idea for work or a special project, say so. Tell Him what you need and trust Him to answer in the way that He deems best.

* Thank God for all He has done. Many times in the Old Testament, God commanded His people to remember His faithfulness. “Look back,” He said. “Remember what I did for you and speak of these things to your children.” When we thank God for all He’s done in the past, we find courage to face whatever lies ahead.

Philippians 4:7 follows with a promise. “If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

There, you have it! The steps to finding peace are few and simple. Trouble is, we humans make them difficult because we get stuck on “don’t worry about anything.” You’d think we believe worrying makes us more spiritual or able to control our circumstances!

Question: What can you add to these steps for experiencing peace? How have you seen these steps prove true in your own life?

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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The Pathway to Peace

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

A couple of months ago, God placed a 30-something woman in the seat next to mine on a flight bound for Minneapolis. The woman slept for the first hour or so, but when she woke from her nap, she immediately engaged me in an amazing , God-ordained conversation. Here’s how it started:

“What do you do?” she asked.

“I write magazine articles and books, and I co-direct a non-profit organization that focuses on Eastern Europe.”

“You write? I’ve always wanted to write a book,” she said.

“Really? What would it be about?” I asked. The woman fell silent. She seemed stymied, so I gave her a prompt: “If you could write what’s on your heart, what would your message be?”

Her face lit up. “I’m on a personal quest,” she said. “I’m searching for peace. Have you found it yet?”

Wow. I shot an arrow prayer heavenward, asking for wisdom and the right words. I told her about Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and how He has enabled me to face very difficult situations with a confidence that’s impossible on my own. She asked numerous questions, and again, I prayed for right answers. Our conversation lasted until the plane landed and we parted ways. She didn’t place her faith in Jesus that day, but I know spiritual seeds were planted in her heart. God will water them and bring them to harvest.

Since that day, I’ve noticed several articles written about peace. Their titles usually read something like, “The Quest for Peace,” “Five Steps to Peace,” or “How to Find Peace in a Chaotic World.” Regardless of their title, their content is similar, offering readers specific strategies to find calm in the storms of life.

Sometimes those strategies are empty fluff; sometimes not. In my experience, I’ve found the most meaningful acknowledge Jesus as the gate leading to the pathway to peace.  Luke 1:78,79 confirms this:

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Jesus – the morning light from heaven – came to earth 2,000 years ago. Titled “the Prince of Peace,” He alone can grant us true peace in the midst of chaos. Granted, there are specific steps we can take to promote peace in our lives, but He is the foundation.

On Friday, I’ll list several specific strategies we can take to find peace. Until then, marvel in God’s tender mercy as shown through His sending the morning light from heaven to shine on us.

Question: What’s your secret to peace in the midst of a difficult situation?

Image: Sujin Jetkasettakorn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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The Supernatural Life

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Simeon was an old fellow living in Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s birth. Scripture describes him as “righteous” and “devout,” eagerly awaiting the Messiah’s arrival. It also says that the Holy Spirit was upon him. That, it seems, was the key to his living a supernatural life.  

Simeon was so filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit that his daily activities were governed by His direction. His meeting the infant Jesus was one such example: “That day (the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple according to the law), the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there” (Luke 2:25-27).

I have no clue how many years Simeon waited to meet the Messiah. And I doubt that he expected Him to show up as a baby. Nevertheless, he was at the right place at the right time and he recognized the Messiah because the Holy Spirit filled and controlled him.

My husband has been reading the book God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew. The author tells stories of the Holy Spirit prompting him to travel thousands of miles to deliver Bibles to locations within the Communist bloc. He knew the destination but not the specific person with whom he was to connect there. If he connected with the wrong person, he risked imprisonment. Time after time, he relied on the Spirit to show him the correct person, and he was never disappointed. That’s a supernatural life!

A supernatural life—that’s what I want. I want to be so in tune with the Spirit that I hear His whispers and recognize His nudges. “Go there…greet that senior lady in the white sweater. Ask if you can help carry her groceries.”  “Phone so-and-so. Tell her you’ve been thinking about her and ask what’s happening in her life.” “Write a cheque for that woman at church who’s struggling to pay her bills.” I long to be at the right place at the right time, recognizing the people who need encouragement or who need to be challenged in some way, and knowing exactly what to say.

High hopes, perhaps? Yes, especially knowing my human limitations. But I also know that God is able to perform this as I allow His Spirit to control me fully. Can you imagine what the world would be like if every believer moved in accordance with the Holy Spirit’s lead at all times?

Question: Have you experienced a situation in which the Holy Spirit obviously led? If so, tell us about it!

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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My Reason for Confidence

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

When people hear about our overseas ministry travels, they sometimes ask us, “Aren’t you afraid?” They refer to our traveling in countries where we don’t understand the language, we (as obvious foreigners) must be alert to the risk of pickpockets in trains and train stations, and driving on narrow tree-lined highways where passing slower vehicles feels downright dangerous to our North American driving standards.

Okay. I’ll admit occasional fear. I remember when one of our volunteer’s purse was stolen when we ate in a Hungarian hotel restaurant. Her purse contained her passport, her ID, and her credit cards. Our team was scheduled to return to Canada within a few hours of the theft, but she had to remain in Budapest for two additional days until the embassy processed her new passport. I felt fearful for her well-being, worried that the thieves would strike again because they knew this foreign woman—minus her credit cards—would now be carrying cash.

Overseas travel can have its scary moments, but really, how’s that different from life in North America? No matter where we live, fearful things happen—a doctor’s diagnosis flips our world upside down, an accident injures a loved one, a spouse walks out. The list is endless and leaves us facing a choice—let the fear consume us or rise above it with confidence.

How can confidence become our companion? Here are some verses that encouraged me recently. They’re from the story of Balak commanding Balaam to curse the Israelites. God, however, told Balaam to do otherwise. This is the message He gave Balaam concerning His people:

“No misfortune is in his plan for Jacob; no trouble is in store for Israel. For the LORD their God is with them; he has been proclaimed their king. God brought them out of Egypt; for them he is as strong as a wild ox. No curse can touch Jacob; no magic has any power against Israel” (Numbers 23:21-23).”

Reread these verses, one phrase at a time and ponder how they apply to you, as one of God’s children today. God has brought you out of Egypt—He’s freed you from the slavery of sin. He is with you and is strong on your behalf. No curse can touch you; no magic has power against you. This doesn’t mean that bad things won’t happen, but it means that God’s presence will never leave you and that He has promised ultimate victory despite the stuff that the enemy throws our way.

What’s my reason for confidence? No matter what happens to me, I’m a victor because God is the king of my life. No harm can touch me unless He allows it. And if that happens, I’m still in His care and He will somehow use it for my good and His glory.

 Question: What’s your reason for confidence?

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Airport Adventures

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Last night I flew home from Winnipeg after a wonderful weekend with the women from The Meeting Place. My flight was delayed in Calgary, so there I sat, recalling memories of another trip back in 2008. Today I’m taking the liberty of posting a story I wrote following that airport adventure like no other. Enjoy!

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Last week I flew to Florida and Indiana for two television interviews. In all my life, I’ve never played such a game of “Good News, Bad News.”

Monday’s flight from Seattle to Chicago went well. My connecting flight to Tampa, however, experienced maintenance trouble so I sat in the plane, at the gate, for 4 ½ hours waiting for the fix.

Meanwhile, my friend Peggy was to meet me in Tampa, take me to my TV interview the next morning, and drive me back to the airport. When I phoned her about our plane’s delay, she told me that she and her husband had both fallen ill so she’d made other arrangements for me. Visions of a happy chat went “poof.”

Peggy’s fever broke overnight and we were able to spend a few hours together after all. Unfortunately, when she dropped me off at the airport, I forgot my leather coat which I’d tossed on the back seat of her car. She was long gone before I realized it was missing.

I flew from Florida to Chicago and discovered that my connecting flight to Indiana was canceled. Fortunately, I was able to buy a bus ticket to my destination. Within a half hour of our departure, however, a blizzard blew in. The roads turned icy and visibility dropped to near-zero. My bus arrived in South Bend, Indiana five hours later (the trip takes 18 minutes by air).

I had a contract for a rental car at the airport but that agency’s counter was closed when I arrived. My only option was to go outside, coatless in sub-zero weather, and wait for a taxi. What did I find? An off-duty cabdriver parked outside, waiting for his wife. He drove me to my hotel, picked me up for my TV interview the next morning, and even lent me his winter jacket to wear en route.

The “Good News, Bad News” game continued when the interview ended. My flight back to Chicago was canceled. Like dominos, that would mean missing my connection to Seattle.

Fortunately, an earlier scheduled flight to Chicago was boarding as I approached my gate. The gal at the ticket counter said, “There’s one empty seat. You can have it.” I battled the freezing winds on the tarmac, boarded the plane, and breathed a huge sigh of relief. Two minutes later, the flight attendant approached me and said, “Sorry, this seat is inoperable. You have to get off.” And so I returned to the terminal where I sat for another 3 ½ hours, waiting for the next available flight.

It’s hard to believe all those events happened within a space of 48 hours. My interviews were about Moving From Fear to Freedom: A Woman’s Guide to Peace in Every Situation, and the entire trip gave opportunity to practice what I preach.

Through each potentially frustrating and fearful situation, one Scripture verse came to mind: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3) Rather than fixating on the annoyances and sometimes frightening circumstances of this trip, I chose to pray and praise along the way. And whaddya know – it worked! My confidence in God’s sovereignty was strengthened, and peace reigned. More than ever, I believe that focusing our thoughts on the character of God is the key to inner peace in the midst of the unexpected.

How about you, my friend? Are you experiencing peace in every situation? Keep your mind on the Lord. Trust in Him to see you through, and peace will be your reward.

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My Impossible Situation

Friday, March 11th, 2011

It began in January 2007 with an early morning phone call. The caller was a close friend, one of our former pastors. “Do you still sense that God has something new for you in ministry?” he asked.

“Yes,” my husband answered. (We’d sensed a change coming for two years already but had committed to waiting for clear direction from God before stepping out on our own).

“Then you might be interested in what I have to say,” our friend said. He explained that a U.S. based ministry called International Messengers wanted to expand into Canada and needed a director. “The job description fits you and Grace,” he said. “May I give IM your names?” And so began our adventure into the realm of the impossible.

As dialogue began with IM, we asked ourselves questions such as, “Will this ministry come with an income, or will we have to continue living on faith support? Where should we set up our headquarters? Will we find a house within our price range? What will become of our youngest daughter if she chooses not to move with us? What if we try to mobilize Canadian believers to get involved in short term missions but no one buys into it? What if we’re too old to handle the overseas travel well? What if we’re not really cut out for this? We’ve never ministered in Eastern Europe; what if we step out in faith and fall flat on our faces?”

Our questions focused on three areas—manpower, know-how, and finances. These were justifiable concerns, and I believe we were wise to ask them. However, we couldn’t allow the lack of obvious answers to hinder us from doing what God was telling us to do. The foremost question we had to ask was, “Is God speaking?” We believed the answer was yes, and that meant trusting Him for the details.

Was that easy? Heavens, no. We prayed a lot, asking God to provide for those three areas of need, and He answered. He showed us where to move and provided us with a townhouse in our price range. When our daughter decided to stay put rather than move with us, He taught me to trust her well-being to His care. He’s continually given us the energy needed for overseas travel and ministry. He’s provided financial support, and He’s drawn enthusiastic volunteers to fill our short term ministry needs each summer.

The first summer we had 14 Canadian volunteers work in Poland and Slovakia. The next summer, 19 volunteers went to three countries—Poland, Romania, and the Ukraine. And last summer, we grew to 34 volunteers who worked in four countries—Poland, Romania, the Ukraine, and Slovakia. Then our church offered us an office rent-free, which enabled us to move the IM Canada office out of our basement. To top it off, the Lord provided us with an administrative assistant.

Summer 2011 -- with team members and Polish friends

Four years ago at this time, we were asking all the questions I listed above. If we’d allowed fear to reign and said no to God’s call because it appeared impossible, we would have missed this opportunity to experience Him in new ways. Saying yes, however, meant tackling the impossible in His strength.

How about you? How has God enabled you to tackle an impossible situation?

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Tackle the Impossible

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

When we, as believers, sense God telling us to do something that seems impossible, what question should we ask in response?

(a)   Do we have the funds?

(b)  Do we have the know-how?

(c)   Do we have the manpower?

(d)  All of the above.

(e)   None of the above.

The correct answer is…..(e) None of the above! The only question we should ask is, “Is this God speaking?” If the answer is yes, then we can rest assured He has options (a), (b), and (c) under control. It’s our responsibility to obey even if the situation seems impossible and to trust Him to care for the details.

Too bad the Israeli spies thought otherwise. God commanded them to explore and later conquer Canaan, the land He’d promised to the Israelites (Numbers 13:2). The men explored, but they refused to conquer. Why? Because they focused not on God’s presence and promised victory but on the circumstances that seemed impossible.

The Canaanites’ size and their fortified cities, especially, frightened the Israelites. “We can’t go up against them,” they said. “They are stronger than we are! The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.” They ranted on and on, spreading their fear throughout the masses. No doubt they would have failed the multiple choice test.

God wanted the Israelites to tackle the impossible. So what if the Canaanites looked like giants? So what if their cities were fortified? Was God not bigger? Had He not promised to give the land to His people? Then the only question the spies should have asked was, “Is this God speaking?” If they’d obeyed and done what God had commanded, they would have saved themselves a few decades of wilderness wanderings.

Question: Has God asked you to do something that seems impossible? If so, what questions are you asking? Granted, Scripture tells us to be wise and not start building a house lest we’re unable to complete it, but it also tells us to walk by faith because without faith, we cannot please God. If God has asked you to tackle the impossible, then say yes. After that’s settled, ask Him to show you how He plans to accomplish His purposes. I’ll tell you a personal story in that regard on Friday.

 <p><a href=”http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=851″>Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>

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When Money’s not Enough

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Last night I turned on the TV to catch the late night news. On the screen I saw photos of two men’s faces, side-by-side. The commentator said, “Charlie Sheen and Muammar Gaddifi–what do these men have in common?” The commentator then proceeded to answer her own question. She said both men tend to rant illogically. She also said it appears that mental illness may be an issue.

Here’s a third commonality: Both men are filthy rich. Sheen earns $2.5 million for every episode of “Two and a Half Men” and his net worth is nearly $100 million. Gaddafi’s net worth is approximately $1 billion. That’s more money than most people can fathom. These guys can buy anything they want. Or can they?

Actually, no. Psalm 49:6,7 says, “They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.”

Sheen and Gaddafi might have more money than most, but their lives are a mess. They’ve hurt many people around them, and they’re doomed for destruction barring spiritual transformation. How will they find that transformation? Certainly not by buying it. No amount of money will purchase the redemption of their souls. Christ alone can do it for them, but it won’t happen unless they place their trust in Him rather than in their wealth or, in Gaddafi’s case, their military might.

“But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave,” says Psalm 49:15. That’s true for me and for all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Money’s not enough to save anyone’s life. It might buy a fancy new car, but it can’t bring inner peace. It might buy a beautiful house, but it can’t buy love to make it a home. It might purchase stylish clothing, but it can’t clothe me in the robe of righteousness. It can buy an expensive casket, but it’ll never purchase eternal salvation for the soul.

Here’s my personal challenge: As I see these guys’ faces in the media, what action do I take on their behalf? Shake my head at their craziness and misplaced trust? Or pray that they’ll understand how God has paid a ransom for their lives and place their trust in Him?

Question: God wants our trust to be in Him alone. Have you placed your trust in anything besides Him for happiness?

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