"For son treats father contemptuously,
Daughter rises up against her mother,
Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me." Micah 7:6-7
There is no one that needs me to tell them that we are enduring tough times. The news is filled the heinous crimes ideological extremists are perpetrating against humanity in general and Christians specifically in the Middle East. Planes full of innocents have been shot down in the Ukraine by one government that wants to overtake another. And in the bread basket of our own country, riots reminiscent of some of America's most turbulent times are playing out right before our eyes.
Times like these can seem so hopeless. One wonders what is the source of all of this conflict and more to the point, what is the solution? Why does it seem that war is so easily engaged while attaining peace is among the most difficult endeavors known to man.
Conflict is older than humanity itself. Though it may seem simplistic to the non-believer, Satan rebelled against God before we were created. Soon after we were created, humanity was influenced by Satan to also rebel against God. Not long after this, a man took the life of his brother and we have been warring against one another ever since.
Though we must deal with the conflict that exist between us, starting with that between ourselves and members of our own households, it is important to know that the struggle is larger than any of us. It is written that, "...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places," Ephesians 6:12. The age old battle between good and evil continues and we have become part of it. We are not, however, without recourse.
Beloved, though there are many things from the word of God that can be offered for our instruction and consolation, think on these three things:
"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:13-17
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-7
"‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" Matthew 22:37-39
One,
Lee
Showing posts with label challenging times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenging times. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
When Disaster Strikes 5/22/2013
"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same." Luke 6:31-33
Today I am mindful of the great tragedies that have befallen residents of Texas and Oklahoma last week. Much has been reported and is still being reported about the terrible loss of life and property including those elementary school students whose lives were taken by the horrific storms that impacted the area. I am likewise mindful of the proclivity we as human beings have to help one another in a time of need. The news reports showed that there were so many first responders trying to get in the area that they had to hold them off until they could clear a path for them. Organizations like the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team (http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/#!currentlocation/c10d6) reacted immediately and are already amassing volunteers, food and materials for the moment when volunteers are allowed into the area. Even members of our own congregation are in the process of packing up tools, coolers and materials to drive to Oklahoma and lend a hand.
Beloved, it is at times like these when it is most critical that we exemplify the love of Christ by being a part of the effort to provide relief to those who are suffering. Imagine what it would be like to have your whole world blown apart. Your first response would likely be to cry out to God for mercy and help. Should we not then be the presence of God when others are suffering? We truly have the ability to be the answer to someone's prayers.
While we may not all be able to travel to Oklahoma or Texas to hammer nails, serve food or lend a shoulder to cry on, we can help others who can by donating materials, the use of vehicles or tools, food and funds. And never let us forget the awesome power of prayer. I encourage us all to put ourselves in the position of those impacted and do what we would have them do if it were us. It may be that through the power of God and through our efforts, not only can a home be restored and a heart soothed, but it may be that souls can be saved. Through our love, some will see God.
Committed,
Lee
Today I am mindful of the great tragedies that have befallen residents of Texas and Oklahoma last week. Much has been reported and is still being reported about the terrible loss of life and property including those elementary school students whose lives were taken by the horrific storms that impacted the area. I am likewise mindful of the proclivity we as human beings have to help one another in a time of need. The news reports showed that there were so many first responders trying to get in the area that they had to hold them off until they could clear a path for them. Organizations like the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team (http://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/#!currentlocation/c10d6) reacted immediately and are already amassing volunteers, food and materials for the moment when volunteers are allowed into the area. Even members of our own congregation are in the process of packing up tools, coolers and materials to drive to Oklahoma and lend a hand.
Beloved, it is at times like these when it is most critical that we exemplify the love of Christ by being a part of the effort to provide relief to those who are suffering. Imagine what it would be like to have your whole world blown apart. Your first response would likely be to cry out to God for mercy and help. Should we not then be the presence of God when others are suffering? We truly have the ability to be the answer to someone's prayers.
While we may not all be able to travel to Oklahoma or Texas to hammer nails, serve food or lend a shoulder to cry on, we can help others who can by donating materials, the use of vehicles or tools, food and funds. And never let us forget the awesome power of prayer. I encourage us all to put ourselves in the position of those impacted and do what we would have them do if it were us. It may be that through the power of God and through our efforts, not only can a home be restored and a heart soothed, but it may be that souls can be saved. Through our love, some will see God.
Committed,
Lee
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
How to Handle a "Bad Day"-7/10/2012
The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;" Acts 16:22-25
Beloved, have you ever had a bad day? Think a moment about your worst day ever. Was it a situation that was completely outside of your control? Did it involve something you did? Was it public or private? Though it is important to understand the who, what, when and whys of negative things that happen in our lives, it is by far more important how we respond to such events.
Paul and Silas had what some would interpret as a very bad day as a result of doing the will of God. Their work was very unpopular with some people who reported them to the local authorities who in turn had them publicly beaten and thrown into jail without the benefit of any due process whatsoever. Anything remotely similar to this would be an extremely challenging situation for just about all of us. There is, however, more than one way to both look at and respond to "bad days," particularly as a child of God.
After having a similar day Peter in Acts 5:41 rejoiced that he was "counted worthy to suffer shame for his [Jesus'] name." To him, and his associates, it was not a bad day at all, but a good day of both obedience to the will of the Lord and the opportunity to share the gospel with all who heard it. This brings us back to Paul and Silas. Despite being in pain, prison and shackles, they did not bemoan their circumstance, but sang praises to the Father.
It may be counter intuitive to do such a thing, but not for the person of faith. As Christians we must grow into Job's faith who said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" Job 13:15. We must believe that according to Rom 8:28, "all things work together for good for them that love God and are the called according to His purpose." And we must remember that, "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" Rom 8:18.
As an epilogue to this passage, note that the other prisoners were listening to the singing. What a tremendous testimony! If they could continue to praise God under even the worst conditions, that could cause even the most avowed unbeliever to develop questions. Further, we know that the jailer and his family came to Christ as a result.
No, we may not look forward to or enjoy "bad days" but we trust God through them and praise Him for every one in which we draw breath.
Let us comfort one another with these thoughts.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;" Acts 16:22-25
Beloved, have you ever had a bad day? Think a moment about your worst day ever. Was it a situation that was completely outside of your control? Did it involve something you did? Was it public or private? Though it is important to understand the who, what, when and whys of negative things that happen in our lives, it is by far more important how we respond to such events.
Paul and Silas had what some would interpret as a very bad day as a result of doing the will of God. Their work was very unpopular with some people who reported them to the local authorities who in turn had them publicly beaten and thrown into jail without the benefit of any due process whatsoever. Anything remotely similar to this would be an extremely challenging situation for just about all of us. There is, however, more than one way to both look at and respond to "bad days," particularly as a child of God.
After having a similar day Peter in Acts 5:41 rejoiced that he was "counted worthy to suffer shame for his [Jesus'] name." To him, and his associates, it was not a bad day at all, but a good day of both obedience to the will of the Lord and the opportunity to share the gospel with all who heard it. This brings us back to Paul and Silas. Despite being in pain, prison and shackles, they did not bemoan their circumstance, but sang praises to the Father.
It may be counter intuitive to do such a thing, but not for the person of faith. As Christians we must grow into Job's faith who said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" Job 13:15. We must believe that according to Rom 8:28, "all things work together for good for them that love God and are the called according to His purpose." And we must remember that, "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" Rom 8:18.
As an epilogue to this passage, note that the other prisoners were listening to the singing. What a tremendous testimony! If they could continue to praise God under even the worst conditions, that could cause even the most avowed unbeliever to develop questions. Further, we know that the jailer and his family came to Christ as a result.
No, we may not look forward to or enjoy "bad days" but we trust God through them and praise Him for every one in which we draw breath.
Let us comfort one another with these thoughts.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Thursday, June 30, 2011
If Not Us, Who?-6/30/2011
"...contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 3-4
It should be no secret to anyone that Christianity is under attack. In fact the tradition of attacking our beliefs and our Savior has existed since he walked the earth, John 15:18-19. We have been told numerous times in scripture to expect this.
Most of us lead comfortable lives that are free from what we consider persecution. We have come to enjoy and rely on God's blessings so much that we have become complacent as a body of believers.
Prayer has been taken away from our children in school and we did not prevent it. The concept of marriage being limited to a man and a woman as it is in scripture is being set on its ear, state by state, day by day and we hide behind political correctness. During a time of tragedy when a gospel preacher was killed by his wife, the church was vilified by Nancy Grace who referred to us as a cult. We grumbled but watched. There are even efforts to have "In God We Trust" taken off of the currency and "one nation under God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance though we are a nation built on a foundation of faith. In fact, NBC edited out that portion of the Pledge as recited by some children during a recent national broadcast. If we are not diligent, it will all happen.
We must contend for the faith. We must stand up for what we believe in. Proof that the enemy is alive, well and active is all around us. We must remain vigilant. We must remain engaged. We must not allow ourselves to be pushed back into the catacombs where we would be forced to practice our beliefs in secret. We must protect the faith and advance the boundaries of the Kingdom.
If not us, who?
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
It should be no secret to anyone that Christianity is under attack. In fact the tradition of attacking our beliefs and our Savior has existed since he walked the earth, John 15:18-19. We have been told numerous times in scripture to expect this.
Most of us lead comfortable lives that are free from what we consider persecution. We have come to enjoy and rely on God's blessings so much that we have become complacent as a body of believers.
Prayer has been taken away from our children in school and we did not prevent it. The concept of marriage being limited to a man and a woman as it is in scripture is being set on its ear, state by state, day by day and we hide behind political correctness. During a time of tragedy when a gospel preacher was killed by his wife, the church was vilified by Nancy Grace who referred to us as a cult. We grumbled but watched. There are even efforts to have "In God We Trust" taken off of the currency and "one nation under God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance though we are a nation built on a foundation of faith. In fact, NBC edited out that portion of the Pledge as recited by some children during a recent national broadcast. If we are not diligent, it will all happen.
We must contend for the faith. We must stand up for what we believe in. Proof that the enemy is alive, well and active is all around us. We must remain vigilant. We must remain engaged. We must not allow ourselves to be pushed back into the catacombs where we would be forced to practice our beliefs in secret. We must protect the faith and advance the boundaries of the Kingdom.
If not us, who?
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Certainty in the Midst of Calamity-DD 1/5/2011
"Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, " You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matt 14:31
The apostles, who found themselves on a ship (at Jesus' direction) in the middle of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, were terrified. Jesus came walking across the water in the midst of this storm and Peter caught sight of him. Seeing this and having enough faith to believe he could also walk on the water if Jesus would just call him to the task, did in fact step out of the boat and on to the waves. Famously, however, he took his eyes off of the Savior and began to sink.
Beloved, it is easy to have an intellectual faith in God. This is the type of faith that says, "I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept him as my Lord and Savior...but..." There are many things we can do with this kind of faith, but it is insufficient to carry us all the way. When the waves rise and the winds increase, we tend to take our eyes off of Jesus and begin contemplating either how we are going to handle the situation ourselves or how it is going to consume us. We forget all about the fact that Jesus is present with us in the midst of our storm and that he has given us power over it.
Let us not be limited to an intellectual "half faith." Let us, "Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding." Prov 3:5. As he did with Peter, he will lift us above our circumstances and then take care of the circumstances.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The apostles, who found themselves on a ship (at Jesus' direction) in the middle of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, were terrified. Jesus came walking across the water in the midst of this storm and Peter caught sight of him. Seeing this and having enough faith to believe he could also walk on the water if Jesus would just call him to the task, did in fact step out of the boat and on to the waves. Famously, however, he took his eyes off of the Savior and began to sink.
Beloved, it is easy to have an intellectual faith in God. This is the type of faith that says, "I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept him as my Lord and Savior...but..." There are many things we can do with this kind of faith, but it is insufficient to carry us all the way. When the waves rise and the winds increase, we tend to take our eyes off of Jesus and begin contemplating either how we are going to handle the situation ourselves or how it is going to consume us. We forget all about the fact that Jesus is present with us in the midst of our storm and that he has given us power over it.
Let us not be limited to an intellectual "half faith." Let us, "Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding." Prov 3:5. As he did with Peter, he will lift us above our circumstances and then take care of the circumstances.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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