Encouragement for the weary

Today I am feeling blessed. Even though it is not Thursday, God has placed on my heart some encouragement to share. My scripture reading for today really just summed up so nicely some "wrestling with God" that I have been doing this week and I hope it is helpful to you.

S - Mark 6:1-7
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? (side note by this author: this is not Judas who later betrays Jesus) Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴ Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” ⁵ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. ⁶ He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. ⁷ Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

O - My first observation is that I find it remarkable that Jesus has lived 30 years before he started his ministry. He was "God with us" and yet chose to live a human life in a small town in Nazareth as a carpenter. I have always found this interesting and what I can decipher from the scriptures is God's timing is always perfect and Jesus knew when the right time would be to begin. Mary knew who he was because of his divine birth and yet she had been waiting all this time for her son to show the world "what he can do"...no one, not even his own mother, really understood what his ultimate purpose was, even as he died on the cross.

In this passage, Jesus has already begun his ministry and he is returning to his hometown with his disciples. The people that he grew up with actually are offended that he is saying the things he says and is performing miracles. They are having trouble seeing him for who he is because they are blinded by how they saw him growing up. It's not like he woke up on this 30th birthday and became the son of God. He knew who he was all along and waited before revealing it to the world. They don't know what to think of him and Jesus is amazed at their lack of faith!

Another observation about this passage is that Jesus was not discouraged by this lack of faith from his hometown and continued with his plan. From his comment, it's like he knew exactly how they would react but he went home anyway. Then, He sent out the disciples two by two. His plan for sharing his message was for the disciples to go in pairs. They were not meant to do ministry alone. On the journey the disciples were able to encourage one another and complement each other's strengths as they ministered to people.

A - This reminds me of the story of when David was anointed king as a young shepherd boy. No one that knew him believed that a young shepherd boy would be called by God to be king, nor did they believe that he could take down Goliath. One of my favorite verses from David's story is from 1 Samuel 16:7 - "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Jesus was amazed at the lack of faith in his hometown, although he was probably not surprised. They looked at Jesus' outward appearance and saw a carpenter boy.

For me personally, this applies to my life in a couple ways. First, it is kind of interesting to me that today we have a show like "The Voice" and we have a local girl from here in Houston (Cypress) that will have everyone in our area cheering her on because she is from our town. AND she won the whole thing!!! WOW! We can say "we know her!" when we don't really "know" her, we just claim her as one of our own. I wonder what would happen if it was like in Jesus time but with modern technology and someone from our high school or hometown went on national TV and started quoting scripture, healing people, and claiming to be the son of God. Would we have the same reaction as someone we could cheer for on a talent show? Would we react to the son of God the same way today as the people of Nazareth? Do we see someone's potential, or do we see who they have always been? 

Secondly, two nights ago my friend Linda was an encourager. Some may think I'm weird but I could literally sit and discuss "deep thoughts" for hours. There are not many that would do this with me, not even several of my family members. People get bored...want to change topics...get restless...etc. Perhaps she felt compelled because I was "wrestling with God" over something and she wanted to help. Linda just sat, and listened, and gave biblical advice and prayed, and listened some more. This went on for hours and it occurred to me that Linda made a CHOICE to give me encouragement and be a friend, even while I probably drove her a little crazy. Even while she may have been tired and annoyed with me inside, she chose to show me love and support instead as we talked through all angles of the topic at hand. The "deep thoughts" that Linda was helping me wrestle with God about was having to do with listening for God's voice, waiting, and not growing weary as we wait on the Lord. For me, I find it easy when a friend is struggling, to be an encourager and have a steadfast faith in the Lord that I even surprise myself with sometimes. But sometimes I need the same thing from a friend and I really get very hard on myself that I "need" it! And I definitely don't like to ASK for encouragement! I think I should be strong and I'm not. Linda was this friend for me and it was a significant conversation because it helped me realize exactly what this verse that I read today is about.

We will face hurdles in life and beat ourselves up for not being who we or others THINK we should be. People look at us and think "you can't do that" or we look at ourselves in the mirror and think "who do you think you are...you're not ever going to be/do _________". Sometimes we are our own worst critic. Sometimes we have someone in our life who always sees the negative or "realistic" side of things and it makes you doubt your abilities. Sometimes, in my case the other night, we are doubting whether we're walking the right path that God wants us to take or whether we are really hearing his voice, or whether we can even do what we think he wants us to do! Sometimes you have ALL of these bundled up in your brain and it makes one complicated mess! Wow, that's a lot of doubt right there!!! (I'll have to write another time on "renewing your mind" and how we purge negative thoughts)

So here's some encouragement for those of you that are weary. Jesus was not discouraged by those in his hometown that did not see him for who he was or who he was going to be for the people. They had little faith in his abilities. He did it anyway. AND he encouraged his disciples to go out in PAIRS and do ministry ANYWAY. We are meant to do what God is calling us to do, even if it seems like a temporary assignment and face discouragement and doubters, and do it ANYWAY. And we are not meant to do life alone. Are you trying to do life alone or do you have someone to be a "pair" with...someone that encourages you and helps you use your strengths. I would venture to guess that the natural answer for many is your spouse, a best friend or a parent. However, I think there are many that will NOT say their spouse/best friend/parent is an encourager and he/she does NOT help you use your strengths. Maybe you feel like you have no one like this in your life. Maybe you are feeling DIScouraged right now. I'm not recommending changing your spouse or your parents necessarily, although you might be able to change your friends??? Consider this...perhaps YOU can be the encourager in ALL of your relationships and I just bet, you will find someone that will be the encourager for you. If that is your focus, how you can go out and be an encourager, it will take the focus off yourself and I believe God WILL send you someone to be an encourager for you. And you can be an encourager for yourself. You can do what God is calling you to do ANYWAY, even when it's hard, even when you face obstacles, even when you face naysayers, even when you doubt your own abilities. Let's believe that "God equips the called" and be encouragers for each other! I have been this for Linda (which I am glad to say I have the opportunity to do on occasion) and she had a chance to do this for me. It's a beautiful thing when we can look past the negative in each other and look at the heart, encouraging each other as we do life together.

P - Dear Lord, please hear my simple prayer. May you help us to hear your voice, send us encouragers, empower us to BE an encourager and equip us to do what you are calling us to do ANYWAY. In Jesus' holy name. Amen!

Faith to move mountains

Three years ago, our daughter came to live with us from foster care. Seven months later we officially adopted her and we have been on a fabulous roller coaster ride ever since. I like roller coasters! Some find them scary but I enjoy the thrill and excitement. Sometimes, if it's a really "intense" one, I get nervous before I get on but that's part of the excitement for me...facing and overcoming the challenge/fear.

Our daughter just graduated from high school a few weeks ago and I have been thinking a LOT about what an amazing accomplishment this is! For her, she probably always knew that graduation was in her future. We knew it was in her future too but we weren't sure that SHE knew it was in her future. For several months she had pretty bad "senior-itis" and was tardy to school, not doing work, failing tests from not studying, not turning in major assignments, etc. I personally was a little worried that she was not going to push through, and would miss passing by only a few points. I asked some friends to encourage her and it actually made her MAD. They sent her cards and she threw them in the trash! Her reasoning was because it was "annoying" that they all used the same verse in Hebrews 12 that talks about "running the race with perseverance" when in reality it was because she thought we had doubts in her ability. I had always thought that she COULD do it, but I wasn't sure how strong her self doubt was and whether the gaps in her education had effected her self confidence. To me, there was a difference in CAN she do it and WILL she do it...basically verb semantics. But in the end she made it happen and we are SOOOOOO super duper proud of her!!!

All this got me thinking...I want to start up my blog again so I can write about some of these thoughts and challenges. I had decided to stop posting even as I have done my own devotionals, simply because of feeling the need/priority to focus on my family and new daughter, and wanted to eliminate anything in my life that took extra time and wasn't "essential". Now that things have slowed down a little, I'm going to return to share my SOAP devotionals, as well as various thoughts on what is going on in the world from a biblical point of view. My hope is that my writing will not only help me to continue to grow closer to God but that it will also be a blessing to someone else. This week I am sharing a devotional I actually wrote a month before we met our daughter. I was reading past writings and this seemed perfect for the "roller coaster" ride we have been on. It is amazing that this entry is on having faith to move mountains and I have seen very clearly how God has been at work in our lives for the last 3 years simply because we have tried continually to put our faith in HIM.

S - The scripture is from Matthew 21:21-22 (Holman Christian Standard Version - also known as the "Apologetics Study Bible")
²¹ Jesus answered them, “I assure you: If you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. ²² And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

O - Jesus says, "I assure you." He doesn't say "its a good idea" or "it will probably happen" or "I'll think about it." ASSURE is a strong word like a promise, or a guarantee. But Jesus is not asking the disciples, or us, to go around moving mountains, perform "magic" and impress people. He is making a point about our faith. Nor is He saying that we will get anything we want in prayer. He is asking us to have faith to do bold things in His name, things that may appear to be "mountains" in our lives.

A - Do I have faith to move the "mountains" in my life? Those obstacles that appear to be in the way of doing God's work, the work He is calling me to do. Do I ask God boldly and believe that He will move these mountains and make happen what needs to happen. I believe I often do have this kind of faith...more often in praying for others. I think I struggle with this for things in my personal life, doubting whether I am praying for real intentions or within God's will.

P - I thank you God that you have given me the gift of a strong faith to inspire others that need to believe you will move mountains. Remind me to have this same faith when it comes to matters of a personal nature. I sometimes have doubts because I wonder if I am praying selfishly or within your will. Remove the voice of the enemy that seeks to discourage my faith. May you keep him far from me. Will you use me to move mountains in your kingdom, for your glory?

Holy Week Thoughts

This week instead of sharing my regular SOAP devotionals I wanted to share some thoughts on Holy Week. Since I'm currently reading the end of Leviticus and the beginning of Luke, and wouldn't have the opportunity to write about the Easter story, I thought taking a diversion was the best way to focus on the importance of remembering God's greatest gift to us. Next week I'll be back to my regular routine.

S - Luke 24:35-49
"Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. He said, 'Peace be with you.' But the whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 'Why are you frightened?' he asked. 'Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!' As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his feet. Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, 'Do you have anything to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched. Then he said, 'When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.' Then he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures. And he said, 'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: "There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me." You are witnesses of all these things. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.'"

O - There are several eye witness accounts in the gospels of Jesus' appearance after his death on the cross and being placed in the tomb. I like this one in particular for several reasons:
1. He already knows the disciples are afraid, and that they think he is not real, that he is a ghost, and he tells them that he has a body, unlike a ghost would have. He also asks them to touch him. He knows that they are in hiding because of the Jewish leaders and His appearance to them in a locked room is powerful because of it's great testimony. How could 12 men in a locked room have the same hallucination? Why would they testify to this eyewitness account later and suddenly change their frame of mind when they feared for their lives?
2. He asks for food. Now this is my kind of guy! Let's eat is always what I say!
How could a ghost physically ingest food?
3. He restates what he's been telling them all along: look at the scriptures in the Old Testament (back then it was just the Jewish scriptures) and see what it says. It says he will suffer, it says he will die, and it says he will conquer death by resurrection on the third day. The Jews many times over had been looking for a different kind of Messiah, a warrior savior among them and they missed the message. He reminds them again what God spoke to his people in Isaiah 43:12, "First I predicted your deliverance; I declared what I would do, and then I did it - I saved you."
4. His final words in this passage are powerful because of what follows these events, recorded in the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament through the writings of Paul and other witnesses. He sends His Holy Spirit to be here with us on earth and there are many miracles that take place. His resurrection is not the end of the story, it's the BEGINNING!!! There will be more witnesses beyond these 12 men and many who are willing to give their life giving testimony to these things.

A - So how is it really that many still doubt or have different beliefs about who Jesus was and is?

The Jews believe that he was not the Messiah they were looking for...He died and the Messiah would have conquered the cross itself, never dying in the first place. In addition, the tomb guards told the Jewish community that the disciples stole the body from the tomb (they were bribed by the Jewish leaders) and therefore they believe that it was a hoax. But why would hundreds of thousands of people be willing to die for what they believe in? For what advantage?

The Muslims believe that God is ONE, and deny the Trinity...that God would not descend low enough to come to earth as a man...He is too great to walk among His people. They believe Jesus was simply a prophet. They believe that if we follow the Five Pillars of the Faith set before us in the scriptures, then God in His mercy will save us, if it is His will.

Buddhists also believe that we can achieve "enlightenment" by making the effort ourselves in following the "middle way", therefore there is no need for a "savior". Hindus believe that God is in all of us and in everything so there is not one path but many to finding God. Buddhists and Hindus believe in many lives lived over and over until we achieve a release from this "illusion" of material reality through union with "God".

To apply the study of this passage to our lives today, how can some not believe that what Jesus did was real? Eyewitnesses SAW for themselves Jesus perform miracles, raise people from the dead, heal the sick and cast out demons. They saw Him die and they saw Him out of the tomb and alive. If the disciples conjured up a scheme to begin a new "religion" in order to save face, then they had thousands of people in on this lie. Today, we may not have seen Jesus for ourselves or been witnesses to His story but I KNOW that Jesus is alive and is living today because He has changed ME. I do not have to SEE Him to know that He lives in me and gave His life so that I might live with God in eternity. Only God can be God - the creator of the universe, all good and all powerful, who can speak a word and move mountains - and yet because of His nature of not tolerating anything but goodness AND at the same time having an extreme love for US, His creation, found a way to come to earth in flesh and take the weight of our sin on His shoulders. He is God WITH us. He took our place. He paid the toll. We have received the greatest gift ever given and there is NOTHING we can do to EARN it, except to ACCEPT it.

P - I pray Lord today for those that have doubts and fears about who you are and the gift of life that Jesus gave. It can be confusing to some and I pray that the veil of unbelief would be lifted so that those that might read these words today would believe. I pray that if they still have doubts, they would investigate more and that through your Holy Spirit Lord, you would reveal to them that you are REAL and that you are ALIVE. I claim this truth for myself and I praise you that you would do this for ME! And those that don't see the need for a savior and that life is "just fine", I pray that you would show them Lord that life is better and more incredible when we invite you to be a part of it! I thank you that even today you have given me the desire and the opportunity to speak your truth through this blog and in other avenues so that others might claim this salvation for themselves. Hallelujah, Christ is Risen indeed!!! Amen.


If you would like to investigate more on the evidence for the Resurrection, read "The Case for Easter" by Lee Strobel. It is only 90 pages and I would be happy to loan you a copy if you know me personally. God's peace to you this Easter as we celebrate and remember God's greatest gift to us in Jesus.