Bitter or Better?

I recently read this quote:

"In His own world He is content

to play a losing game."

-Way of Faith

I'm pondering this deep thought because of the counseling book, Shattered Dreams, by Dr. Larry Crabb--I've read it and am presently studying week six of the workbook. I have learned God's reasons why this mysterious quote is true.

The message of Shattered Dreams is this: Learn how to look through life's tragedies and see the lavish blessings God has for you. In this screwed up world our dreams will shatter. Actually Jesus guarantees shattered dreams when he says, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

The author wrote: "In this world, the dream of feeling as good as we want to feel will shatter. . . Shattered dreams will create the opportunity for God to work more deeply than ever before, to further weaken our grasp on our empty selves. They will also create the opportunity for bitterness and its children, defeat and immorality to develop. Bitterness carries us farther from the shore, into dark nights that never had to be. Brokenness on the other hand, allows us to relax in the arms that will bring us to shore, where a warm fire is burning and food has been prepared."

Through dealing with family tragedy of the loss of my brother and the aftermath of heartache that lessens, but never quite goes away, I've done it both ways--bitterness and brokenness. Bitterness makes me ill, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But brokenness has led me to healing. In God's mysterious, powerful ways, he uses suffering to convince us we are safe to let go and surrender completely in his arms so he can deliver us safely to shore. For some reason, us proud humans don't ever get what it means to surrender without suffering.

What about you? Have difficult, hurtful situations made you bitter or better? In what ways has suffering made you bitter? In what ways have you experienced the healing that comes from brokenness and become better?

Dear Lord Jesus,

You are content to play a losing game because you know the end of the story, which is eternal life beyond our wildest imagination. Your story includes free will which leaves us with choices. We can fight for our right to feel good and for things to be right while living here (and be miserable) or we can allow your Holy Spirit to use the pain of shattered dreams to help us discover our desire for YOU, to help us begin dreaming the highest dream. A dream of a vibrant, growing, joyful relationship with you despite any circumstances, bad or good. For we know and believe that in all things, You, God work for the good of those who love you, who have been called according to your purpose (Romans 8:28). In your precious name we pray. Amen.

Photo courtesy of christianphotos.net

Listening to God

But whoever listens to me will live in safety

and be at ease, without fear of harm.

Proverbs 1:33

Most of us talk away to God, rambling off requests for what we want and think we need. I'm not saying our prayers aren't legit, but even though I love to share ways to listen to the inaudible voice of God I still have to tackle a universal problem: when I pray, how often do I sit still and listen for the answer?

God commands us to "Be still and know that He is God." I don't think it is an accident that after God gives the incredible promise in Proverbs 1:33 (above), He follows with three big "Ifs" in Proverbs 2:1-4 to give us practical ways to be still and know.

1. My son (daughter), IF you accepts my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom apply your heart to understanding,

2. and IF you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

3. and IF you look for it as silver and search for it as for hidden treasure.

Then comes the thens. . .then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path . . . Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you (Proverbs 2:5-11).

Wow! Those are some awesome promises. How can you and I apply the three "ifs" to everyday life?

1. How do you accept God's words and store them up? Find a good Bible study and sit still long enough to do it. Right now, I'm doing the workbook inside the incredible book by Larry Crabb, Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Path to Joy. If you are already in a Bible Study, go a step deeper by doing word studies on some of the passages you are studying. I love my Strong's Complete Word Study Concordance, published by AMG. You can look up the text in Hebrew (Old Testament) and in Greek (New Testament) and learn the original meanings of the words God uses in His Holy Bible. The Hebrew and Greek dictionary in this Concordance is expanded and a wonderful asset to your studies.

2. How do you practically call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding? Besides shouting out to God in prayer, I started by asking trustworthy Christians lots of questions. Don't remain quiet because you think your questions are dumb. Ask anyway! And if your heart hurts from the trash this broken world dumps on you, cry with a professional counselor. I did and my healing has deepened and I'm much stronger than ever before.

3. How do you look for it as silver and search for it like treasure? For that you go back to number one again. Like searching for treasure, Bible Study is hard work. IF you want the promises above to become evident in your daily life. Don't give up! Keep studying! I'm praying for you all the way.

Dear Lord Jesus, Inspire us to make an effort to listen to you every day. We want to live in safety in this crazy world and be at ease, without fear of harm. In your precious name we pray. Amen!

How Birds Got Their Wings: A Parable

There is a fable about the way the birds got their wings at the beginning. They were first made without wings. Then God made the wings and put them down before the wingless birds and said to them, "Come, take up these burdens and bear them."

The birds had lovely plumage and sweet voices; they could sing, and their feathers gleamed in the sunshine, but they could not soar in the air. They hesitated at first when bidden to take up the burdens that lay at their feet, but they soon obeyed, and taking up the wings in their beaks, laid them on their shoulders to carry them.

For a little while the load seemed heavy and hard to bear, but presently, as they went on carrying the burdens, folding them over their hearts, the wings grew fast to their little bodies, and soon they discovered how to use them, and were lifted by them up into the air-the weights became wings.

Through God's call in my life of late to, "Come, take up these burdens and bear them," I've discovered the truth buried in this parable is one of God's favorite things to do in our lives. Since 2008 I've experienced one heartache after another, but without hesitation I can say they gave me wings and taught me how to fly. God takes the burdens of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose and works them into our lives for our good (Romans 8:28). As we discover how to use our wings and fly God woos us heavenward to soar above all of chaos and din of this earth.

And then I received an added bonus. As I studied Hosea this week I found the Old Testament version of Romans 8:28. Hosea 2:15: "There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope." Yes, our amazing, miracle working God loves to turn our troubles into a door of hope, our burdens into wings.

Let's pray!

Oh dear Lord Jesus, thank you for turning our weights into wings. Help us to obey your call to "Come, take up these burdens and bear them." You are a promise-keeper and you have said we shall mount up with wings as eagles (Isaiah 40:31). Continue to woo us heavenward each day. In your precious name we pray. Amen.

"Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon our shoulders.

-F. W. Faber

photo courtesy of christianphotos.net

A New Look at God's Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13

I took a new look at God's love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, this morning. To love other people the way God does, it may be good idea to follow His description of love and make some commitments:

Love never gives up . . . How about committing to be patient?

Love cares more for others than for self . . . How about committing to be kind?

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have . . . How about committing not to be jealous or envious?

Love doesn't strut . . . How about committing to esteem others above ourselves?

Doesn't have a swelled head . . . How about committing to lay down our pride?

Doesn't force itself on others . . . How about committing not to be rude?

Isn't always "me first" . . . How about committing not to be self-seeking?

Doesn't fly off the handle . . . How about committing to deal with our anger in healthy ways?

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others . . . How about committing not to keep a record of wrongs?

Doesn't revel when others grovel . . . How about committing to take captive our evil thoughts and turn them over to Jesus?

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth . . . How about committing to seek the truth?

Puts up with anything . . . How about committing to the sanctity of life?

Trusts God always . . . How about committing to remain surrendered to God?

Always looks for the best . . . How about committing to focus on the positive?

Never looks back, but keeps going to the end . . . Because God's love never fails, how about committing not to fail others, but when we do, rely on God's grace and mercy to cover a multitude of sins?

Dear Jesus,

We love because you first loved us. We are asking you to strengthen us by your Holy Spirit-not a brute strength-but a glorious inner strength that You will live in us as we open the door and invite you in. And we ask You that with our feet planted firmly on Your love will be able to take in with all of Your followers the extravagant dimensions of Your great love. Help us to reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives in the fullness of God and love others the way you love us. Your love changes people. In your precious name we pray. Amen.

*photo courtesy of christianphotos.net

It's All Right to be Human

"You human," two year old Aleson said. At first, I didn't quite understand, but as she twirled her mermaid doll, Ariel, around in her hands and repeated, "You human," I finally got it. I am a human as opposed to Ariel who is a mermaid. Little Miss Aleson is exactly right.

Sometimes this truth frustrates me, however, but my humanity never takes God by surprise. He understands who I am and why I do the things I do. He reminded me the next morning in my quiet time when I opened my Jesus Calling devotional. The very first sentence was in bold letters: IT'S ALL RIGHT TO BE HUMAN. Yes, it is all right for my mind to wander when I'm praying. He even forgives me when I worry needlessly and comforts me when I grieve.

I loved the promises in the last paragraph of my devotional that day the best: "As you live in close contact with Me, the Light of My Presence filters through you to bless others. Your weakness and woundedness are the openings through which the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines forth. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7) My strength and my power show themselves most effective in your weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

O Jesus, You have said to me that your grace--your favor, loving-kindness, and mercy--are enough for me. Your grace is sufficient against any danger and will enable me to bear any trouble with God confidence. You have promised that my strength and power are made perfect in weakness. For when I am human and weak, Your power rests on me. Amen!

*Personal photo of my precious little cousin Aleson.

The Refiner's Fire

I love the picture of God as the refiner. The Father sends the Holy Spirit, the flame (Acts 2), to perfect his saints in holiness. Our Lord knows the value of the refiner's fire. And when we learn how it's done we discover even more how much he loves us.

It is with the most precious metal that the refiner takes the most pains. God's children are most precious to him, he sent his Son to die for them. The refiner subjects the metal to the hottest of fires, because such fires melt the metal, and only the molten mass releases its alloy or takes perfectly its new form in the mold. He never leaves his crucible, but sits down and tends the fire ever so carefully. At the perfect time and heat the dross floats to the top and he skims it off. He then can look into the purified metal and see himself, and puts out the fire.

I found this poem that I want to share from my Streams in the Desert devotional about the One who shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver (Mal. 3:3).

He sat by a fire of seven-fold heat,

As He watched by the precious ore,

And closer He bent with a searching gaze

as He heated it more and more.

He knew He had ore that could stand the test,

and He wanted the finest gold

To mould as a crown for the King to wear,

Set with gems with a price untold.

So He laid our gold in the burning fire,

Tho' we fain would have said Him 'Nay,'

And He watched the dross that we had not seen,

And it melted and passed away.

And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,

But our eyes were so dim with tears,

We saw but the fire--not the Master's hand,

And questioned with anxious fears.

Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow,

As it mirrored a Form above,

That bent o're the fire, tho' unseen by us,

With a look of ineffable love.

Can we think that it pleases His loving heart

To cause us a moment's pain?

Ah, no! but He saw through the present cross

The bliss of eternal gain.

So He waited there with a watchful eye,

With a love that is strong and sure,

And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat,

Than was needed to make it pure.

O dear Jesus,

My life is in your hands. I know it hurts sometimes, but I do desire to be purified. I need not fear, for you have redeemed me. You have summoned me by name. I am Yours. When I pass through the waters, You will be with me; and when I pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over me. When I walk through your refining fire, I will not be burned; the flames will not set me ablaze. For You are the Lord, my God, the Holy One of Israel, My Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). You want the best for me. I praise you Lord, for your ways are mysterious and wonderful. I love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. In your precious name I pray. Amen.

Photo courtesy of http://www.christianphotos.net/

Listening Prayer

A "Listening Prayer" caught my eye in the journal I'm using. It's by A. W. Tozer, one of my favorite theologians. He said to . . .

Retire from the world each day to some private spot . . .

Stay in the secret place till the surrounding noises begin

to fade out of your heart and a sense of God's presence envelopes you . . .

Listen for the inward Voice till you learn

to recognize it . . . Learn to pray inwardly every moment.

What does it take to retire from the world each day to a private spot? For me, it took disciplined Bible Study to get me started. Now that I'm hooked on listening for the inward Voice, even though it's a fight some times, it's hard for me to go a day without retreating into God's presence.

Thinking about the wonderful, countless benefits of disciplined study makes me wonder why discipline gets such a bad rap. Is it because we don't like being forced? Or are we just lazy? It's a little of both, don't you think? On top of being stubborn and like sloths, we humans can conjure up more excuses as to why we don't have time for God than a pine tree has needles.

But if we do take the time to listen for His still small voice, the Holy Spirit will step in and teach us how to recognize God's voice and pray inwardly every moment. He promises to guide us into all truth and will bring glory to Jesus by taking what is Jesus' and make it known to us (John 16:12-15). In that private place there are unthinkable treasures to be found. Won't you join me as I fight off all of the excuses and distractions and carve out some time for listening prayer today?

photo courtesy of Christianphotos.net