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It is Well With My Soul

“It is not too much to say that all real growth in the spiritual life-all victory over temptation, all confidence and peace in the peace in the presence of difficulties and dangers, all repose of spirit in times of great disappointment or loss, all habitual communion with God-depend upon the practice of secret prayer.” Author unknown.

Recently, my meditation readings have focused on peace-peace within, bold peace.  “Where there is peace, God is” said George Herbert.  Our minds are kept in perfect peace, when we focus on Him, not them.  Romans 12: 1-2, strongly encourages us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him.  Do not be conformed to the same manner of thinking, behaving and reacting to the world.  How can this be achieved?  Peace.

There comes a peace that even in the face of tremendous pain or challenges we can experience a peace that passes all understanding.  That peace is the peace of Christ, since he is the Crown Prince of Peace.  Peace is part of His divine nature, His essence. The Lord blesses his people with peace (Psalm 29:11).  It is Peace that rides along side us and hovers over us when we rest at night filling our soul and spirit with blessed assurance.  Peace gives us strength from day-to-day.  Peace strives to keep unity and does not create strife.  Peace is never anxious, because with prayer and supplication and thanksgiving, petitions, requests are made known to God, knowing full well He can handle it. Peace is the legacy Jesus leaves with his children (John 14:27), “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  Peace, glorious peace.  As this day unfolds, rely on that peace. Fill every corner of your mind with peace, knowing all is well your soul.

 

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day signals the first official day of summer. What are your plans for the day?  Going to a family picnic, or the pool? Maybe you’re off to do a bit of shopping, or going to visit with friends or loved ones.   Whatever your plans remember the reason for the day.  The purpose of Memorial Day is to salute those who fought and died while serving in the armed forces.

God established memorials early in mankind’s history.  Memorials are mental markers.  They help to recall the significance of an event.  They are also visible reminders used to teach and pass on history to the next generation.

So, pause for a moment to give thanks for servicemen and women for their sacrifices, and remember those still serving, including their families. And while you’re at it, please give thanks for those saints past and present who suffered, died, and offer prayers for those experiencing persecution right now for the gospel.  They also deserve our prayers for advancing the cause for Christ.

 

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Roadwork

There are different seasons in the Midwest: fall, winter, spring and construction.  Around Easter, provided the weather is just right, little orange cones start popping up along with lilies and crocuses.  Highway construction crews begin their annual process to repair our roadways, highways, and byways.  I got to thinking about our roadwork that occur within the different seasons in our lives.  In Matthew 7:13-20, Jesus tells the disciples there is a narrow gate to life, and few will find it.  There is also a broad way that many will travel on.  This one leads to destruction.  Isn’t it interesting how when we see the roadways ahead, instead of staying on through the narrow path, and we begin our own construction projects?  We try to broaden these roadways, creating our own little superhighway. There are those who tunnel under it [the narrow way], going underground hiding those sins which so easily beset us.  We create elaborate suspension bridges in attempts to go over it, trying to hold up the broken pieces of our life.  And if all else fails, we ignore the stop, caution, danger, and warning signs, hoping the challenges and/or difficulties will just go away, as we continue to ease on down the broad way.

However, our roadwork is flawed, and never sustains us. It cracks and crumbles from the imperfections, from the sin. And all our patchwork is flimsy bandage which won’t hold. It is like the man who built his home on sand which fell.  Unless, we choose to travel that narrow way, and seek the One who created the gate in the first place, the  consequences will be and are, broken, shattered, lost lives.

This season as you travel and see those little orange cones and merging signs, take a moment to remember that God does the best roadwork.  The job He does is flawless and will last throughout eternity.

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I’m Still God

The heavens declare my glory.  I’m still God.

My loved one has died. I’m still God.

I lost my job.  I’m still God.

My business is failing.  I’m still God.

This is our wedding day.  I’m still God.

Our daughter graduated.  I’m still God.

I went on a mission trip to Haiti.  I’m still God.

Our home was destroyed. I’m still God.

It’s a boy!   I’m still God.

My candidate won.  I’m still God.

The team lost.  I’m still God.

Dad doesn’t remember me.  I’m still God.

He ran away.  I’m still God.

They loved my new book.  I’m still God.

Lord,  I’m lost.  I’m still God.

Lord, thank you.  I’m still God.

God is still God regardless the common property of our everyday experiences. Whether delight or despair, triumph or tragedy God is and always be.   This knowledge should strengthen our faith that no matter the circumstance God is and will always be.

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His Guidance

Today, I need the guidance of the Lord to see me through this day.  I need to walk according to His steps, not mine.  I need to be receptive to His leading and his sweet call.  I need to close my mind to the sounds of this world, and listen for His voice.  One word utters to my soul brings clarity.   His clear voice reassure me that I’m on the right path, and the decisions to be made are underpinned by His wisdom.  Then I will experience the peace that passes all understanding.

Lord, I open my heart to you this day.

Open My Heart

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Humility Plus

A gracious friend recently shared she is studying and working on the spiritual discipline of humility.   1 Peter 5:5 [NIV] states,  “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”   Familiar with some works by noted author and theologian Jonathan Edwards, I reviewed an article he wrote on the subject, and found it to be in alignment with this passage.  Edwards stated that, “The man who is under the influence of a humble spirit is content with such a situation among men, as God is pleased to allot to him, and is not greedy of honor, and does not affect to appear uppermost and exalted above his neighbors.”  Humility is not arrogant, proud, exalted, it does not seek to be in the front row.  Humility is no respecter of person. It lovingly considers our status to be equal children made in the image of God.  Edwards summarized his article by pointing out that humility:

  • Seek for a deep and abiding sense of your comparative lowness before God and man.
  • Know God.
  • Confess your nothingness and ill-desert before Him.
  • Distrust yourself.
  • Rely Only On Christ.
  • Renounce all glory except for Him.
  • Yield yourself heartily to His will and service.

Self-examination and quiet reflection is designed to gain insights.  I certainly have and will continue to do so on the topic.  For in looking at this essential characteristic, I know I must continue work on being more humble.  Our culture does not extol this virtue.  Let’s face it, there are not as many stories shared about the truly humble.  Could you, at this moment name 10 people who you consider to be humble?  Who would be on your list?  Family members, celebrities, sport figures, politicians, historical personages, etc?  Right now millions of people around the world, myself included have spent precious resources developing and organizing information to promote themselves, their causes or interests.    Self promotion is the new normal, and much of it does not lend itself to being humble.   As children of God, we are instructed not to think more highly of ourselves.  Because there is an inherent danger in promoting a message, and being the messenger.   Even Jesus, at different times told those he healed to not broadcast who healed them to others.  Clearly, our Lord understands the insidious temptations involved, as well as our own self-interests.  He experienced it during his earthly ministry.  There were those ready to thrust Him into being a King even among his disciples.  But Christ came to serve.

In Isaiah 57:15, scripture tells us God inhabits the humble, and requires us to walk humbly with Him Mic.6:8.   Our Lord gave us the perfect portrait of humility when He emptied himself, and became a willing servant, even to the cross.  Picture the evening when he washed the disciples’ feet.  How could the Lord stoop to do such a thing?  Our Lord is always the benchmark. Humility speaks to us to open a space in our hearts for others.  The disciples needed an example, and now in this age there are many, many others needing real life examples of Christ-like humility.  When we perform our work with a humble spirit we bring glory unto the Lord.   No matter the occupation, season, calling or the recipient, it is to be carried out just as Jesus washing those feet.   Oh yes, humility is an essential part of the Christian experience, and it creates true servants of the most High God.

 

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Purpose

God told the prophet Jeremiah that before he was formed in his mother’s womb He knew the thoughts He had for him. God had set Jeremiah apart to be a prophet. He was purposed for a very particular assignment. An assignment with an expected (good) end. It is amazing to think how much God loves and wants for us. That even before our first heartbeat, God already has the best possible plans for us.

Throughout scripture you find stories of real life people who discovered their purpose. Whether it was to lead a nation, birth a king, warn individuals, provide protection, or bring salvation to the world, there was a specific, glorious purpose. Whether you call it destiny or purpose, you should take comfort in knowing God has it already laid out. His plans for us are the very, very best. Each plan specific and carefully designed only for you.  When you are feeling down, uncertain about the direction of your life, seek the Creator. Ask God, what are your plans for me? Help me to find them, Lord. And also say to God I am willing to do and go wherever. Then re-purposed “you” into the divinely designed vessel by God for an expected end.

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A little

“Put a little love in your heart” are lyrics from a popular song.   Singing and writing about love what does to and for us can catapult you to stardom.   A little love is never little. ” Love is patient, kind, ; love does no envy;love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8   Love creates family, children, community, businesses, organizations, and purpose.  It puts sparkle in your soul, and opens up your heart to include more.  Put a little love in your heart, and grow from little to large.

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A Gathering of Worship Artists

gath·er·ing n. [ gáəring ]

  1. assembly: a meeting or crowd of people
  2. cluster of things: a collection of objects
  3. collecting of something: the collecting of people or objects into a group

Saturday, I attended The Gathering of Worship Artists hosted by All Things Artistic Ministries, Inc. in Ypsilanti, Michigan.   This organization was founded to glorify God through the arts.  Its founder, Rev. Dr. Debby Mitchell shared the underlying theme of nourishing God’s people, and encouraging others to move beyond the fear of rejection to give their creative souls back to God.  He called us to worship Him in the beauty of His Holiness.  1 Thessalonians 2:4, “We are not trying to please men but God, who test our hearts.” [The Message]  We are to love God with everything – our bodies, mind and souls. Worship is a full-bodied activity.  Since we were made to worship God, so why not use those creative abilities, which He gave us, to do just that.  He gave us creative abilities, made us in His image, and yet our hearts shudder, and tremble at the very thought of using our creative abilities. Why?  For some it is fear that stops them, or lack of knowledge, encouragement or support, as well as lack of trust in the one who created us.  For others, the need to be seen and to please the call of man is the overriding factor. These mere smoke screens diminish those extraordinary opportunities, and moments which belong to Him.  We serve God, not a piece of flesh or metal.  When we fail to creatively express ourselves, we throw dirt in the face of God.

Deep within us is the need to create and show the beauty of life, and of our God.  We want to capture it, tell our story, and show how God touched us through our families, through nature, or through a life experience.    Worship through the creative arts, in all its various forms is to an audience of One.

At this event participants shared, and expressed their love for and to God through song, dance, artistic expression and in personal testimony.  It became a powerful re-affirmation to support and encourage each one another.

You may not be able to sing or dance, but there is something inside that is seeking a way to express love and appreciation to God for what He has done, and is doing in and through your life.  I encourage to find  the artistic way to thank God, and tell your story.

 

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The Grey

I recently watched a movie,” The Grey” depicting a story of survival.  The storyline was about a group of men survived an airplane crash in Alaska, but were pursued by a pack of big grey wolves.  One by one the wolves encountered and killed members of the group, except those who succumbed to the elements, until only the skilled hunter was left.  The final scene showed the hunter played by Liam Neeson surrounded by the pack.  As he prepared for the final battle, you saw him remembering his wife, father, and words from a poem his father wrote..”Live and die each day.”  He recited the words as he looked at his main pursuer, a huge grey wolf. Each staring at each other the hunter took a breath, weapons in his hands then the scene went black leaving the audience to draw their own conclusion to the end of the story.   I thought the enemy uses similar tactics on us.  The pack attacked in large and small hunting parties.  Sometimes the attacks were in the daylight, sometimes at night.  The enemy does the same.  Sometimes there are sneak attacks.  The  calm before the storm, then he strikes.  Sometimes the enemy stares you in the face taunting you, as if to say you aren’t going to win this fight.   But it is not true.  Jesus left us an inheritance…His last will and testament written with his precious blood.  He left us His all-consuming power, and glory.  He left us His peace that passes all understanding.  The enemy is powerless AGAINST JESUS.  He does pursue, and uses every weapon in his arsenal.  But he has already been defeated by our risen Savior who sits on the right hand in glory.  No weapon formed against us can prosper.  Each and every day we are to put on the whole armor of God to stand and look the enemy squarely in the eye and say take your best shot.  And he will take the shot, and fall down in defeat.  You will stand as the victor.  You win because of Jesus.   

Jesus defeated death and everything that will come against us.  It may be grey in your life today, but take hope and strength in your rightful inheritance, and in the knowledge that Jesus won, which means we have the victory.   “Be strong and very courageous”…Joshua 1:8-9