Understanding the Bible

January 11, 2024January 11, 2024

Hope in the Dark: Hope Series #25

These are the darkest months of the year and many are floundering emotionally. Including me. I already struggle with seasonal darkness and occasional depression, but right now I’m going through what many believers call a dark night of the soul. We’ve been praying more than two years for my daughter’s healing and it feels like God’s not there.

In December 2021, she contracted covid, which developed into pneumonia. And she’s never been the same.

My daughter has gone from being a physically fit mother of three in her 30’s, to a person who spends most of her time in bed, in constant pain. And no one can find a solution. She’s been to every kind of doctor and tried treatments and supplements. There have been a few tentative diagnoses, like long covid, toxic mold, and POTS, but no relief from the symptoms. In the meantime, she’s in constant pain, exhausted by the least exertion, her heart beats too fast (even when laying down), she struggles for breath, and cognitive issues make it difficult for her to form and express thoughts.

My baby is in pain and I can’t fix it. I have to trust her to God—praying that she and her husband’s hope will not die. That their faith will remain strong, even in the dark. And that their children will see and learn a deep trust in God, even when, as yet, there is no relief from the pain and mounting medical bills.

Maybe you’re there too. You or your loved one are in a dark night and wonder how much longer you, or they, can hold on.

It’s helped me to read biographies of Christians who’ve either been healed, or received a more perfect answer from God. I’ve read about Catherine Marshall, Amy Carmichael, C.S. Lewis, and Joni Eareckson Tada, and I am humbled by their stories. They’re honest about how they ricocheted back and forth between quiet faith and railing at God in despair. Some great movies based on people’s lives also encourage me—“Miracles of God,” “Heaven is for Real,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “I Still Believe.” Especially when not every ending is tied up in a pink bow, and yet are full of hope.

So why does God allow good people to suffer? Why is my daughter, who was steeped in ministry, now confined to bed in excruciating pain? Why are you, or the one you love suffering without relief? The book of Job from the Bible helps a lot. Job was given insight into a world beyond ours—the spiritual realm—where there is a constant battle going on for the souls of men. There we learn that God allows Satan to cause us pain and suffering sometimes, in order to prove and strengthen our faith. But God will never let Satan go too far. It’s up to us to trust God knows what He’s doing, even when we cannot see behind the curtain.

God’s Word gives me hope to keep believing, because I know He’s the only One who can make things better.

The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

Prov. 10:28

In this world, both believers and unbelievers suffer, but only those who trust in Jesus have the promise of heaven, where there will be no more tears or pain, or separation from God.

Hope deferred [delayed, overdue] makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Prov. 13:12, brackets mine

Maybe you feel like it’s long past time for God to answer your prayers. His lack of response makes you wonder whether He really is a loving God.

You’re not alone. For centuries other Christians have wondered this too. But have realized that even when the pain seemed unbearable, God was in the dark with them. There is no hope anywhere else but in Him. Jeremy Camp has learned this in his own experiences and expresses it well in his song “Out of My Hands.”

Please contact me if you would like me to pray for you. And leave a comment if you have a praise story that would encourage others.

February 3, 2023June 20, 2023

Hope for When You’ve Blown It: Hope Series #3

He had talked to his mom about Jesus so many times. And every time she said, “No, it’s too late for me. He doesn’t want me after all I’ve done.” It didn’t matter how he pleaded and tried to reassure her God was just waiting for her to accept Him. That He loved her and wanted her. But she wouldn’t budge. Then this son and his wife got the call they had dreaded.

A neighbor hadn’t seen his mom for a while and began to wonder if she was okay. So the police did a welfare check and found her sitting in her chair, dead. She had been there for days. She died alone, in bitterness and despair. When all the while, Jesus longed for her to come to Him and receive His love and forgiveness.

This is the worst kind of tragedy!

If you think you’ve committed the unforgivable sin and God won’t accept you, I want to you to know that’s a lie from Satan. Here is the truth. The only way God won’t forgive you is if you continue to harden your heart to Jesus’ invitation, and don’t ask. He said, “Come to me,” and He means it.

Come to Him in prayer
Believe Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins
Ask Him to forgive you and lead you in a new life
Live each day in His love and direction
Get to know Him by reading the Bible and hanging out with other Christians

Jesus told His disciples to forgive others who wronged them seventy times seven if they asked (in other words, an infinite number of times). Then why would He refuse to forgive us, as long as we ask sincerely? God doesn’t hold grudges like people do, or experience bitterness, regret, guilt, or distrust. There is hope when we’ve blown it! No matter how many times.

“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 unless otherwise noted).

“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you” (Psalm 13:3-4).

God cares about the pain we suffer, even when we’ve caused it ourselves. Think about this example from the Old Testament. After the Israelites had returned from seventy years of captivity in Babylon because of their idol worship, they went right back to sinning.

God had repeatedly told them not to intermarry with the people in the land who worshiped false gods. He knew if they did, His people would be tempted to worship along with them (which included offering children in the fire to the god Molech). Yet, they married women who did not know God anyway. When the Israelites realized what a great sin they’d committed, they were truly sorry and wanted to make it right. They dared to hope: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel” (Ezra 10:2).

The only way to make it right with God was to send away their foreign wives and children. How heart wrenching it must have been! True repentance isn’t just saying you’re sorry, it’s turning around and doing what is right.

God does not call us to do that today. If we’re married to an unbelieving husband or wife, God does not want us to divorce them. If we become a Christian after we marry, or our spouse decides they no longer want to follow God, we’re supposed to stay married, unless our partner chooses to leave.

“If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him…But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace” (2 Corinthians 7:12-15).

Of course, we can avoid a lot of pain and sorrow by not dating or marrying a nonbeliever in the first place. Obeying God today also means not living together or having sex unless you’re married. Our culture tells us otherwise, and even many churches are saying this is okay, but God has not changed His mind. He knows impurity will pull us away from our love for Him.

No matter what sins we have committed, however, God has promised He will always forgive us, and make us new.

Ask Him now. Admit your fears to Him; tell Him everything. He already knows anyway. Ask Him what He wants you to do, and then do it. He will give you the strength.

This song by The Afters offers encouragement for those of us who’ve blown it. Which is all of us.

November 18, 2022November 18, 2022

A New Nighttime Ritual

Have you ever read a passage or verse in the Bible and started to meditate on it, then have the Lord stop you short and give you a completely different message than what you first thought? That’s what happened to me this morning. I’ve just started the Old Testament book of Micah, and verse one of chapter two spoke to me:

“Woe to those who plan iniquity,
to those who plot evil on their beds!
At morning’s light they carry it out
because it is in their power to do it” (Micah 2:1, NIV).

I began to respond in my journal. I was thinking how easy it is to do the wrong thing when we have the power (or ability) to do it, whether it’s getting back at someone who has wronged us, stealing, lying and so much more. But just as I put pen to paper God spoke to my spirit.

You may not be planning evil, my child—coming up with wicked plots to hurt others. I know you want to please Me. But when you lay in your bed at night and allow worry, discouragement, or anger to fill your mind, that is what you will speak and act on in the light of day. When you say disparaging things about yourself, and beat yourself up instead of speaking promises from My Word, you wallow in self-defeat. And that depletes the confidence I want you to have in Me. Instead, memorize and repeat My truths of comfort, instruction, and encouragement that will energize you for the next day.

My heart did a double take!

I don’t know if you’re like me, and it takes your brain a while to settle before you can sink into blissful sleep. But my mind bounces all over the place—reviewing (analyzing) how I did that day, praying for those who need Jesus, or are struggling; the hurting, the confused, and the angry. In the dark, as exhaustion sets in, my focus is not always on how big God is to meet these needs, but how big these problems seem to be. And this diminishes my faith.

Through this one little verse, God challenged me to start a new bedtime ritual. Micah spoke these words to call God’s people to repentance; they really were plotting and planning evil! But for Jesus followers who truly want to live victoriously for Him, I’ve stated it in positive terms:

Blessed are those who plan to hope and trust in God,
who strategize how to show His love to others as they lay on their beds!
At morning’s light they will begin to speak and act on those thoughts,
because He will work through them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is what I want to focus on as I drift off to sleep each night—hope, faithfulness, love, forgiveness, truth, victory, and a life of joy in Christ, even when circumstances feel dark and confusing.

Each of us prepare our minds for the day ahead by what we focus on as we drift off to sleep. What is your nighttime ritual? Is God calling you to make a change?

April 14, 2022

A Cripple for Dinner With the King?

Have you ever felt unworthy of the sacrifice Jesus, the Son of God, made for us? I certainly have. He gave himself freely to be tortured, mocked, and crucified so we could be free from the penalty we deserve for our sins. He did it before we wanted Him, or even knew about Him. Easter is a love story beyond anything we could possibly experience or dream up.

This morning I read one of my favorite stories in the Bible that mirrors what Christ has done for us. It’s the little-known account of a guy named Mephibosheth (I’ll call him Phib for short). His story is especially appropriate for us at Easter. When his father Jonathan and grandfather King Saul were killed in battle, Phib’s nurse panicked and picked him up to run. But she accidentally dropped five-year-old Phib and he became crippled in both legs from that day on.

Years later David became king of Israel and wanted to keep his promise to his best friend Jonathan. So he asked if anyone was still alive from Jonathan’s line that he could show kindness. In the first place this was highly unusual—for whenever a new family came to power, the new king always wiped out any members of the previous dynasty, to avoid an uprising. In the second place, it was unheard of for anyone blind or crippled or deformed to enter the king’s presence. But King David not only decided to give Phib back his family land to provide for his needs, but generously invited him to eat with him at the table. Not just once, but for life!

“The king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, ‘I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table’” (2 Samuel 9:9-10).

Phib instantly advanced from being a cripple, in fear of his life, to an honored guest at the King’s house! Isn’t that what Jesus does for us?

We’re all crippled by sin. And the actions of others sometimes wound and disfigure us. We are not fit to enter God’s presence; He is perfect and holy. But instead of seeking to destroy us as His enemy, the King has sought us out to take care of us. God promised Abraham He would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and that He would bless them. And all who have chosen to trust in Jesus have been grafted into Abraham’s family line!

So, this Easter, as you go to church to celebrate our risen Lord and Savior, and sit down to a big meal with friends or family, picture yourself as Mephibosheth. You and I, crippled and broken as we are, have been invited to dine with the King! What wonderful blessings are ours at Easter, and every day of the year.

Happy Easter to you!

photo by Jed Owen, Unsplash

November 25, 2021

Three Reasons to Sing in Bed

Thanks to a verse from the psalms, I have a new idea on how to start and end each day.

Thanksgiving is almost here and I’ve been trying to focus on being thankful each day this month. It’s an uphill fight, not that I don’t have loads to be thankful for, but because I’m having a hard time finding Thanksgiving anywhere. As soon as Halloween is over, everyone seems to skip directly to Christmas without stopping for a breath. Christmas movies, Christmas music, and Christmas lights appear, along with Christmas candy and gifts for everyone on your list (and of course the “much deserved” treats for the shopper along the way).

Thanksgiving gets only a nod. There aren’t even any specifically dedicated songs of Thanksgiving on Christian radio or in church. Other than ingredients for the traditional feast and a few decorations, we pretty much move right past this vitally important holiday. I know three holidays, three months in a row can be a lot to get excited about. But why miss one that can mean so much to us spiritually?

My theory is, we’re much better at eating, dressing up, partying, eating some more, and giving and getting mounds of presents, than showing gratitude. Me included. Don’t get me wrong, I love decorating, feasting, and presents, but I believe it is extremely important to pause and reflect on all the ways God has blessed us. At least one day a year.

Since I easily fall into complaining when everything doesn’t go my way, I try to practice this year-round, with a 3×5 reminder in my Bible to list 10 Things I’m Thankful For each day. And when we have days off or are traveling together, my husband and I take turns listing our ten items. Talking about them magnifies our gratitude even more.

That’s why my favorite part of Thanksgiving is when I pass out three candy corns to each family member and we take turns telling three things we’re thankful for. This represents the scarcity of food during the pilgrim’s first winter in America, when they purportedly had only 3 kernels of corn apiece. I can’t wait for this! And now, thanks to a random phrase from Psalm 149, I’m trying something else to practice grateful worship.

Psalm 149:1-5 says, “Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people….For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.”

That’s interesting, I thought. I’ve never noticed that before. I know singing has tremendous power to lift our spirits and elicit praise, but I never thought about singing in bed before. Sometimes, I go to bed or wake up with a song playing in my mind. But I’ve never put voice to it. It’s hard to sing from your diaphragm when you’re laying down.

So why would the psalmist invite God’s people to sing in bed? I found three reasons in this passage:

The Lord takes delight in His people.
He crowns the humble with victory.
It’s an honor to belong to God!

First, God delights in us. He loves it when we praise Him with others or singing to the radio in our car. So why not in the privacy of our own bed?

Second, out of gratitude for the victories He has given us. When we humbly seek Him, the Lord will help us conquer fear, addiction, bitterness, grief. So why not sing Him a nice praise song?

Third, no matter how hard the trials we face in this life, it’s an honor and privilege to be His children. We belong to Him. He is our Father, Shepherd, Guide, Comforter, Provider, Healer—our very life and breath! And He is preparing a place for His faithful people to live with Him in heaven.

I’ve been trying this—singing softly to myself before my husband comes to bed. The other night I started humming while we were both getting ready, and he surprised me by joining in. Morning is harder, my croaky voice doesn’t want to wake up and be cheerful, but as the notes rise, so does my spirit. Afterall, it’s not for show, but for Jesus.

I challenge you to try this. What other reasons can you and your family think of why we should sing in bed? How about singing a song with your kids as you tuck them in. Sing when you lay down, and when you awake. I’d love to hear how it changes your attitude of gratitude through each day and night to come.

I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

November 5, 2021

Come into the Shelter of God’s Embrace

We live in a world full of trouble and strife, yet with God, we can find shelter—a place where we’re safe from harm. This was the perfect theme for our Fall Women’s Retreat. We compared Psalm 91 to passages from all over the Bible, discovering the wonderful ways God shelters us. Even when we have to go through troubled times, He protects our hearts and minds and walks through difficulties with us.

We began with introductions and what we each hoped to receive from the weekend. With four younger women, two “middlers,” and three “more experienced” ladies, our needs varied. Single, divorced, married with children, and widowed—each of us needed God’s shelter and a refreshing from His Word. And He most definitely supplied! We explored five reasons why we need sheltering: for physical safety, healing, emotional safety, time away for training, and being apart from others for study and prayer.

We ate a lot, laughed, filled up on inspiring and challenging scriptures, cried, ate some more, walked, played games, and worshiped. The weather was crisp and the Ranch alive with vibrant fall colors.

Our three sessions on Saturday focused on Psalm 91.

Session one: Sheltering in God

How does He care for us and what are we supposed to do?
Why is resting in God dependent on our willingness to dwell in Him?
He covers and protects us like a mother hen. How does it feel to be so very loved?

Session two: God’s Got Me 24/7

If the words of this psalm are true, then why do Christians still suffer from disease, tragedy, and disaster?
Letting scripture interpret scripture, we looked to Isaiah 43:1-3 and Daniel 3:10-29
Can we still trust in God, even when we do have to go through the fire?

Session three: God’s Promise for Believers

What is God looking for in His people?
What are the rewards if we do these things?
How do we know and acknowledge His name?
How has God answered your cry for help recently? (I wish I could tell you all the great stories each of these women told of God’s incredible provision through some very tough times!)

Sunday morning worship was a perfect ending for the retreat. We sang songs about God’s sheltering love to videos with lyrics and beautiful images (thanks Marlie and Kourtnie for getting them on the television screen). My favorite was “Shelter” by Vertical Worship! Tears flowed and we ended, clean and blessed. After that, we looked at a few examples from the Bible of people who sought shelter. If you’d like to join in the blessing, here they are:

Exodus 9:18-21—those who had faith to believe God and sought shelter were saved

Deuteronomy 32:36-39—false gods offer no shelter

Psalm 27:1-5—David sought God’s shelter in every difficulty

Psalm 31:19-20—God will protect us when people falsely accuse

Psalm 55:6-8—David’s version of “Calgon, take me away!” when you need an escape

Psalm 61:1-4—God provides a high Rock (tower) of escape when we are overwhelmed

Isaiah 58:6-11—we are called to give shelter to others as God has cared for us

Jonah 4:5-11—can we take shelter in God’s provision and not care about others?

Matthew 17:1-5 (also Mark 9:2-7; Luke 9:28-35)—it’s easy to want to stay with Jesus on the mountaintop, but He has work for us to do

Revelation 7:13-17—there will come a day when God’s faithful ones will be forever in His sheltering presence!

I hope you’ve enjoyed joining us long distance. Hopefully next time you can be there in person. Our time there was too good not to share with more than just our small group. If you believe in Jesus and are following Him, these words of comfort are for you. Take heart in them and praise God today for His wonderful care.

April 3, 2021

Why Did Jesus Die?

The people of Jesus’ day were divided whether they were for or against Him. The chief priests and religious leaders were jealous of His popularity. The people who excitedly welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday expected Him to wrest power away from Rome and declare himself King. But when He didn’t, many turned against Him. Less than a week after shouting “Hosanna, praise to the King,” they screamed “Crucify Him! ”

Isaiah 53:4-5 predicted the Messiah would give himself as a sacrifice for all, but that people would see His death as a punishment for His own sins, not ours: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Was Jesus a helpless victim in this plan? Not at all.

During His three years of ministry, He preached with authority: “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law” (Mark 1:22).

He cast out demons with authority: “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him’” (Mark 1:27).

Demons acknowledged His authority: “‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’

‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly.‘Come out of him!’ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek” (Mark 1:24-26).

Jesus declared His authority to forgive sin: “I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mark 2:10).

And He gave His disciples authority over the powers of darkness and sickness: “Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits… They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (Mark 6:7, 12-13).

Jesus declared His intentions ahead of time: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep….No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:14,18).

When men mistakenly thought they had power over Jesus, He set them straight: “So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’

‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.

‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.

Again he asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’

‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they said.

Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.’This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: ‘I have not lost one of those you gave me.’” (John 18:3-9)

When Pilate thought he had power over Him, Jesus assured him he did not: “‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said. ‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’

Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above’” (John 19:10-11).

After Jesus demonstrated His power over death, He explained to His disciples why no one could keep Him in the grave: “‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem’” (Luke 24:44-47).

Jesus sent His followers to continue His work until He comes back to gather His children home: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 18:18-20).

That is why Jesus came; that is why He died. He has set all who will believe in Him free from the bondage of sin. If you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, go in the unquenchable authority of Jesus Christ, and spread the Good News:

HE IS RISEN!

February 5, 2021

Consider What’s Inside

You can’t always tell what’s inside just by looking at appearances. For instance, this knobby fruit doesn’t look too promising for consumption. It’s a gorgeous red, but inside could be bitter, slimy, sticky, poisonous, or, sweet and delicious. You just don’t know until you open it up.

Inside this mysterious red orb are edible seeds, called Theobroma cacao in Greek. Translated, this means “food of the gods.” Many people would agree that is the perfect description for the many forms of chocolate made from this fruit.

This is true of people too. At first glance we might not be attracted to the person in front of us. He or she might not be stylish, or smell of designer perfume. They might be too loud or talkative, too quiet or shy, or too laid back or energetic for our taste. But once we get to know them and see what is inside, we often find delights comparable to the delicious aroma and flavors of chocolate.

God encourages us not to judge people on what we see at first glance. When God sent him to anoint the first king of Israel, Samuel thought he had him pegged. He certainly looked like king material:

“Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.’But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:6-7).

Like Samuel, we may be immediately drawn to the outside package of a person, only later to discover they are without substance on the inside—no moral fiber. Sometimes beautiful women and handsome men do not develop kindness, patience, compassion and other godly qualities, because so much emphasis has always been given to how great they look on the outside.

Both of my daughters were beautiful little girls, who grew into beautiful women. People always complimented how they looked, but not on their character. So, I worked extra hard to notice when they showed kindness, leadership, compassion, honesty and other inner qualities. I didn’t want them to grow up thinking their only value was in their outside package.

God has created such a wondrous variety of beautiful people—in all colors, sizes, shapes, and personalities. And He sees the hidden attractiveness in each of us. If we ask, God can give us insight to know how to discover and nurture that splendor in others.

Oh Lord, you know our thoughts and intents, our faults, our dreams. And you look on us with LOVE. Help us look beyond outward appearances in others to where true beauty lies. And let us cherish one another, bringing forth the qualities you value most—character of the heart.

January 27, 2021

Consider What God Has Done for You

I believe each of us longs to be unique and special—one of a kind—in some way or another. Yet, at the same time, we want to be like everyone else. We want to stand out, but not too much. We want to be different, but part of the crowd. It’s an age-old struggle.

The people of ancient Israel were proud to be God’s chosen ones: descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; rescued from Egyptian slavery by Moses and a powerful, miracle-working God. And yet sometimes, like many pastor’s kids, they just wanted to be like everyone else.

When the nation first formed, they had no human ruler; God was their King. But the Israelites looked around and felt like they were missing something. God’s prophet, Samuel, tried to explain how a human ruler would disappoint and exploit them. Unlike God who freely gives His children all they need, human kings, even the best ones, have needs of their own. They are tempted by power, lust, and wealth.

But the people wouldn’t listen. “‘We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles’” (1 Samuel 8:19-20).

The Israelites wanted to follow someone they could see.

Christians today struggle with this as well. We want to please God. We want to think and behave differently than the world. However, there’s still a part of us that wants to blend in. If we’re honest, our hearts are divided. Sometimes it’s easier to follow a person we can see and touch—even if only through the media—than the unseen God we must follow by faith.

Thankfully, God does not always give us what we ask for, or demand. But when He does, He lets us know the dangers involved. God told Samuel to appoint a king for the people, and to let them know what their disobedience would cost. But, also, like a loving Father, the blessings that would be theirs if they carefully followed these instructions (1 Samuel 12:24):

Don’t turn away from the Lord
Serve Him with all your heart
Don’t pursue worthless idols
Fear God; serve him faithfully and wholeheartedly
Consider what great things he has done for you

We are in great danger when we invite anyone or anything else to sit on the throne of our heart. Or when we seat ourselves in God’s place.

The progression begins with a simple turn of the head, to look at something compelling, beautiful, or alluring. Without a thought, we look away from our King.

Once we’re distracted, we may continue to serve God, but only halfheartedly. Just going through the motions.

Eventually, we begin to pursue other gods—people or things that cannot satisfy or love us. Worthless, temporary, destructive.

How can we stay focused and serve our God wholeheartedly? By pausing regularly, daily, to consider what great things He has done for us. Even though this world is full of heartache and struggles, we have reasons to praise God. Jesus provided a path of hope for us. He broke the chains of sin and death that seek to keep us in bondage. Jesus paid the price so we do not have to suffer in despair. And He is preparing a home in heaven for those who worship only Him.

His reign has already begun. Is He your King?

Something to consider.

January 19, 2021

Consider the Generations Past

We don’t value our elders nearly enough. We tend to assume our generation is somehow smarter than the one before us; that our parents or grandparents couldn’t possibly understand the stresses we face today. When we don’t consider their counsel and wisdom, however, we miss a vast resource available to us.

“Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you? Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deuteronomy 32:6-7).

My grandparents are gone now, but they had amazing stories to share. I’m so glad I asked my two grandpas to record their life stories before they passed on. Grandpa Aebischer in a weak and wobbly voice, Grandpa Johnston in a deep and gravely one, told how God led them in family decisions, business ventures, provided for them through the depression, and gave them wisdom in relationship dilemmas.

I think about the lives my parents have lived and how faithful God has been to them through good and bad times. Too often I forget they have much to share: how they came to faith in Christ, how He has gotten them through the heartaches of life, how they learned to trust Him, how God has miraculously rescued them. And even how He has helped them grow through their mistakes.

God led my dad to his music career at just the right time and just the right place. When the old work truck stalled on the tracks as a train barreled toward him (with Mom and grandpa watching helplessly from the other side), Dad prayed in desperation and the truck roared to life. When it looked like my dad was going blind and the doctor offered no hope, he and Mom prayed and God stopped his eyes from getting worse. I love Mom’s stories about when she first gave her heart to Jesus, how He provided a way for her to get her Master’s degree; how He has directed her and continues to speak to her from His Word.

God has been saving, teaching, healing, comforting, and guiding since Adam and Eve walked the earth. When is the last time we considered asking for our parents’ personal stories? I know it’s been a while since I have. I need to hear more. They’re a wealth of inspiration!

If your parents are not followers of Jesus Christ, there are men and women around you who have experienced God’s touch on their lives. They would be thrilled to tell you what He has done for them.

The scripture above says: Remember. Consider. Ask. Remember how good God has been to you in your own life. Consider the wonders he has done in the generation before. Ask them to tell their stories.

In turn, we need to be prepared to pass our stories on to the next generation. That’s how we pass on our faith. I love the Bible stories about Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Joseph, Mary, Elisabeth, Paul and all the rest; I can’t wait to meet them in heaven and hear the details! But there’s something especially powerful about hearing about the goodness of God from people we know personally.

Something to consider.