Part 1 of this blog about Job outlined the cosmic bet between God and Satan. Part 2 dealt with suffering's many struggles. Today we will look at the restoration of Job. Many of you probably already know how the story ends, but that will not be our focus. Because this blog site is all about "Turning Life's Lemons Into Lemonade," we are going to pay close attention to the process in which restoration occurs and identify the keys that unlock Job's troubles. Although the keys for Job might be different than our own, there is a process in which restoration unfolds, and those steps apply to us all.
Step 1: Continue to Seek God!
The first step in Job's restoration is that he continued to seek God. He did not allow his problems to pull him away from God, which is exactly what Satan would like. Both Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:7-8 tell us that if we will persistently seek God as a vital necessity with our whole heart we will find Him. I know some people think it is disrespectful to seek God with questions, but this is not true. Your questions and frustration do not threaten or anger God. He already knows what you are going to ask, how you feel, and what you need (Matt. 6:8). Just be honest with Him. He is big enough to handle it!
Job peppers God with questions throughout the entire book. Over and over Job struggles with questions that he is blatant with God about. Finally in chapter 38 God responds to Job's inquiries but not with an answer. Instead God has a slew of His own questions for Job. Those questions bring Job to a place of humility and a clear understanding that God is God and Job is not! Job acknowledges this fact when he says, "I now see I have rashly uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know" (Job 42:3). Although this is where God shows up and Job has his epiphany, THIS IS NOT WHERE JOB IS RESTORED. However, it is the first key in the process of Job's restoration ... restoration of the truth of God's sovereignty over his life.
Step 2: Search Yourself!
The second step in Job's restoration is that Job continued to search himself, and the more I study this out the more I'm convinced this step played a huge part in Job's joyous outcome. You see, sin may not be the cause of a problem, but sin can keep you in that problem! As I mentioned in Part 2's blog, the majority of Job's family and friends deserted him when trouble hit. The only friends who remained where ones that tried to convince him this was his fault ... some hidden sin, etc. Throughout Job's journey his friends said many things that made him upset. We know this because of Job's responses to them. Here are a few brief examples ...
1. "No doubt you are the only wise people in the world, and wisdom will die with you! ... I am not inferior to you." (Job 12:2-3)
2. "... wearisome and miserable comforters are you all! Will your futile words of wind have no end? What makes you so bold to answer me like this? ... if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you." (Job 16:2-4)
3. "How long will you vex and torment me and break me in pieces with words? ... you are not ashamed that you harden yourself against me and deal severely with me." (Job 19:2-3)
4. "Allow me, and I also will speak; and after I have spoken, mock on." (Job 21:3)
Do you sense Job's frustration? Can you imagine your own frustration? Is it possible that Job could have taken offense or became resentful toward his friends? The obvious answer is YES! The Bible never tells us if Job forgave them as he went or if he forgave them in one fail swoop, but I submit to you that Job was placed in a position to show mercy and forgive his friends. Thus, forgiveness became the second key to unlocking his misfortune.
Step 3: Obedience to God's Instructions!
The third step in Job's restoration was obedience to God's instructions and is closely linked to the second key of Job's restoration which is FORGIVENESS. Job 42:7-9 tells us that God was unhappy with Job's friends for not "speaking of Me the thing that was right," and He commanded them to take animals to Job to offer up a burnt offering that JOB is to pray over. Why Job? No where in this entire account is it stated that Job is a priest. But look what happens when we couple the "Forgiveness Factor" with these scriptures ... "When you pray, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him ... so that you may be forgiven" (Mark 11: 25-26). And "Pray for one another that you may be healed and restored" (James 5:16). Forgiveness opens God's ear to our prayers and puts us in a position to receive from Him. Job must have offered up the burnt offering and prayed from a forgiving heart because Job 42:10 says "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS ..." The Bible goes on to tell us that God restored double to Job of all he had lost.
Notice the order of restoration ... FIRST was Job's restoration with God. THEN came Job's restoration with his friends. LAST was the physical restoration of Job. So many times we get the cart before the horse. We are after the the deliverence, the healing, the solution to the problem. The Bible says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and THEN all these things will be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). God knows when we are seeking His hand instead of His face. Also notice that the restoration process begins WITHIN Job and moves OUT of him. It begins with a change of heart toward God, moves to a change in attitude and action toward his friends, and culminates in a physical manifestation of complete deliverence. 3 John 1:2 says "Beloved, I pray that you be in health and prosper EVEN AS YOUR SOUL PROSPERS." Our outward prospering is linked to our inward prospering. As I mentioned in my last blog, change in us always comes before change around us will, and no one can change us like God can.
Although Satan is the source of the lemon, that lemon puts you in line for promotion. "Instead of your former shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor you shall rejoice in your portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs" (Is. 61:7). When we are handed a lemon if we will continue to seek the Lord, observe His commands, and obey His instruction we set ourselves up for the double! God promises to restore the years that are lost (Joel 2:25), make beauty from ashes (Is. 61:3), and that those who sow in tears will reap in joy (Psalm 126:5). He is a God that does exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or even think (Eph. 3:20). Just look at what He did for Job!
The last thing I want to point out is the words of Job 16:21 "Oh, that there were one who might plead for a man with God and that he might maintain his right with Him ..." How fortunate and blessed we are to live in the time that Job speaks of! "For there is only one God, and only one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). Remember, Job is the oldest book in the Bible. These events took place long before Moses recounts creation in Genesis. Job didn't have a Bible! If Job could have such great faith in God, how much more should we have through the written word and shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? He is seated at the right hand of God the Father pleading intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). Because He suffered and was tempted, tested, and tried, Hebrews 2:18 tells us He RUNS to the cry of those who also are being tempted, tested, and tried. My friend, He was victorious. Let Him lead you to victory too!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
A Lemon Tree (Part 2, Suffering's Struggles)
Although we left Part 1 of this blog about Job with a warm, fuzzy feeling about Job's predicament we have to remember that he isn't privied to these conversations between God and Satan. He has no idea why these things have happened in his life. He does the best he can with the lemons he is handed. This is where the rubber meets the road so to speak. Quite possibly this is where you may be, and this is where we are going to see the similarities between Job's thoughts and feelings and our own. It's funny, as much as civilization has advanced since Job's day, human nature has pretty much stayed the same.
The central theme and main struggle for Job is why. If you've been handed a lemon you can already relate, right? However, Job's question goes further ... "Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper?" These questions are echoed throughout the book of Job. (Job 9:24, Job 10:3, Job 12:6, Job 21:7). I have met many people who have asked me this same question, and years ago I recall asking God this question myself. The two things God eventually showed me are- 1) We have to realize that from Satan's perspective the current status of the souls of worldly people is that they are lost. Why would Satan waste his time bothering people who are already going to hell? (Not to say he doesn't mess with the unsaved. He will steal, kill, and destroy from anyone he can). But ultimately Satan is after Christians to see them renounce God and become damned like he is. 2) Conversely, from God's perspective we know anything He allows in our life He has a plan and purpose for. Chances are what God wants to accomplish will require faith and trust in Him. Attributes only Christan's possess.
The secondary struggle for Job is his relationships with others. At the onset of trouble his own wife tells him to "renounce God and die" (Job 2:9). Talk about a supportive spouse! But that's another topic ... and perhaps a completely different blog! Anyway, Job has three friends who come to comfort him, but they keep insisting there must be some sin in Job's life that has caused this to happen. As humans we want so badly to feel we have control. We want to equate suffering with sin and convince ourselves that our good behavior will safeguard against affliction. So Job 7:20&21 and Job 13:23&24 finds Job contending with his friends and God about any hidden sin in his life. He even begins to wonder if it is a sin from his youth (Job 13:26). Finally in Job 19:4 we see him reject the notion of a hidden sin as the source of his suffering. He has come to the same conclusion many of us come to and that is the fact that we would know if there was sin in our life, and if we didn't certainly God would show us if we did.
Job also deals with alienation of friends and family members. We see this in Job 16:7 and Job 19:13-19. The lemon is many times too bitter for the people around us. Why is it that when we need the support of others most, we find ourselves alone? Maybe it's because of our own reactions to these troubles. Maybe it's because people feel uncomfortable and don't know what to say. But I think the biggest reason people flee in the time of trouble is because no one wants to be reminded of their own vulnerability to life. The more random the affliction, the more it scares people.
Through my own experience I've found that when we tend to lean on others too much, they will through varies means, be removed. For example, around the time I realized something wasn't quite right with my youngest son my mom was busy caring for my dad who was fighting cancer and my best friend was in the process of moving away. Isolation many times is an indicator that God is about to do a work in you. Embrace this time of teaching and correction because the truth is change in us has to come before change around us will.
Trials are a refining process. "When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold" (Job 23:10). "And I will bring them through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as gold is tested" (Zechariah 13:9). These scriptures remind me of the story of a woman who after reading Zech. 13:9 decided to go to a silversmith to find out exactly how silver is refined. She watched as the silversmith diligently kept watch over the silver, putting it in and taking it out of the fire. The lady thought, "Oh I see. Look how tenderly and lovingly the Lord watches over us while we are in the fire knowing exactly when we need to be removed." Satisfied with the conclusion she had reached she opened the door to leave, when suddenly she thought of one more question. "How do you know when the silver is completely refined?" The silversmith replied, "When I can see my reflection in it." Pretty powerful to ponder, isn't it?
"Oh, that the words I now speak were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!" (Job 19:23). I'm so glad they were! We can learn alot about times of trial through Job. The interesting thing is the number of times Job speaks truly incredible and prophetic words about his situation. Words of hope that rose out of a man put to the test. "I know that my Redeemer lives ... my eyes shall behold Him, AND NOT AS A STRANGER" (Job 19:25&27). As we read the last chapter of Job we see this is indeed the outcome. "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my spiritual eye SEES YOU" (Job 42:5). The process we go through when we are handed a lemon has the potential to lead us to a deeper understanding of God. A head knowledge that is replaced by a revelation of the heart and a more intimate connectedness with our Lord.
As one of my favorite poets, Helen Steiner Rice, wrote while closing a poem on the whys of suffering ... " I ask myself this and the answer is plain- If my life were all pleasure and I never knew pain, I'd seek God less often and need Him much less, For God's sought more often in times of distress. And no one knows God or sees Him as plain as those who have met Him on the pathway of pain."
Lord God, may the lemons in my life draw me closer to you.
* Next Blog "A Lemon Tree (Part 3), Keys to Restoration"
The central theme and main struggle for Job is why. If you've been handed a lemon you can already relate, right? However, Job's question goes further ... "Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper?" These questions are echoed throughout the book of Job. (Job 9:24, Job 10:3, Job 12:6, Job 21:7). I have met many people who have asked me this same question, and years ago I recall asking God this question myself. The two things God eventually showed me are- 1) We have to realize that from Satan's perspective the current status of the souls of worldly people is that they are lost. Why would Satan waste his time bothering people who are already going to hell? (Not to say he doesn't mess with the unsaved. He will steal, kill, and destroy from anyone he can). But ultimately Satan is after Christians to see them renounce God and become damned like he is. 2) Conversely, from God's perspective we know anything He allows in our life He has a plan and purpose for. Chances are what God wants to accomplish will require faith and trust in Him. Attributes only Christan's possess.
The secondary struggle for Job is his relationships with others. At the onset of trouble his own wife tells him to "renounce God and die" (Job 2:9). Talk about a supportive spouse! But that's another topic ... and perhaps a completely different blog! Anyway, Job has three friends who come to comfort him, but they keep insisting there must be some sin in Job's life that has caused this to happen. As humans we want so badly to feel we have control. We want to equate suffering with sin and convince ourselves that our good behavior will safeguard against affliction. So Job 7:20&21 and Job 13:23&24 finds Job contending with his friends and God about any hidden sin in his life. He even begins to wonder if it is a sin from his youth (Job 13:26). Finally in Job 19:4 we see him reject the notion of a hidden sin as the source of his suffering. He has come to the same conclusion many of us come to and that is the fact that we would know if there was sin in our life, and if we didn't certainly God would show us if we did.
Job also deals with alienation of friends and family members. We see this in Job 16:7 and Job 19:13-19. The lemon is many times too bitter for the people around us. Why is it that when we need the support of others most, we find ourselves alone? Maybe it's because of our own reactions to these troubles. Maybe it's because people feel uncomfortable and don't know what to say. But I think the biggest reason people flee in the time of trouble is because no one wants to be reminded of their own vulnerability to life. The more random the affliction, the more it scares people.
Through my own experience I've found that when we tend to lean on others too much, they will through varies means, be removed. For example, around the time I realized something wasn't quite right with my youngest son my mom was busy caring for my dad who was fighting cancer and my best friend was in the process of moving away. Isolation many times is an indicator that God is about to do a work in you. Embrace this time of teaching and correction because the truth is change in us has to come before change around us will.
Trials are a refining process. "When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold" (Job 23:10). "And I will bring them through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as gold is tested" (Zechariah 13:9). These scriptures remind me of the story of a woman who after reading Zech. 13:9 decided to go to a silversmith to find out exactly how silver is refined. She watched as the silversmith diligently kept watch over the silver, putting it in and taking it out of the fire. The lady thought, "Oh I see. Look how tenderly and lovingly the Lord watches over us while we are in the fire knowing exactly when we need to be removed." Satisfied with the conclusion she had reached she opened the door to leave, when suddenly she thought of one more question. "How do you know when the silver is completely refined?" The silversmith replied, "When I can see my reflection in it." Pretty powerful to ponder, isn't it?
"Oh, that the words I now speak were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!" (Job 19:23). I'm so glad they were! We can learn alot about times of trial through Job. The interesting thing is the number of times Job speaks truly incredible and prophetic words about his situation. Words of hope that rose out of a man put to the test. "I know that my Redeemer lives ... my eyes shall behold Him, AND NOT AS A STRANGER" (Job 19:25&27). As we read the last chapter of Job we see this is indeed the outcome. "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my spiritual eye SEES YOU" (Job 42:5). The process we go through when we are handed a lemon has the potential to lead us to a deeper understanding of God. A head knowledge that is replaced by a revelation of the heart and a more intimate connectedness with our Lord.
As one of my favorite poets, Helen Steiner Rice, wrote while closing a poem on the whys of suffering ... " I ask myself this and the answer is plain- If my life were all pleasure and I never knew pain, I'd seek God less often and need Him much less, For God's sought more often in times of distress. And no one knows God or sees Him as plain as those who have met Him on the pathway of pain."
Lord God, may the lemons in my life draw me closer to you.
* Next Blog "A Lemon Tree (Part 3), Keys to Restoration"
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
A Lemon Tree (Part 1, The Cosmic Bet)
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Monday, June 25, 2012
Divine Detours
In 2oo3, around the time my daughter was diagnosed with Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, I was diligently pursuing God. One of a parent's worst nightmares had become my reality, something was terribly wrong with my child and there was no clear cut treatment or prognosis. After persistently seeking, the Lord spoke something to my heart that He would later confirm word-for-word through my oldest sister ... "It's going to be okay. I'm going to use Hannah to touch people's lives." You can't begin to imagine the relief I experienced as those words infused me with a deep peace. I knew I had heard from God. However as time went on and months turned into years, I became angry even doubting what I knew I'd heard. My patience was running thin, and I wanted everything to be okay NOW! I was so caught up in the pain of everything I was missing out on experiencing with my only daughter that I no longer cared what God wanted anymore. Hind sight being 20/20 I realize something now that I didn't know then ...
***When God speaks a promise to your heart you better buckle up your seat belt and hang on tight. The reason God speaks promises to people is because He knows how difficult the journey ahead will be, and He knows you are going to need those words to get you through!
Of course God also speaks to us through His word. Maybe you have received a verbal or written promise from God, something that not only helped and encouraged you but spoke to you on such a level you knew it was for you. But maybe your circumstances don't seem to be getting any better. In fact, maybe your circumstances have gotten worse. If so, today's blog is for you.
One of my favorite people in the Bible is Joseph. He was one of the 12 sons of Jacob, the grandson of Isaac, and the great-grandson of Abraham. From a young age Joseph new he was special. For starters he was his father's favorite son, because he was Jacob's first son from the wife he loved most, Rachel and was conceived in their old age (Gen. 35:24, 37:3). At the age of 17, God not only gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams, He gave Joseph prophetic dreams concerning his own future. Genesis 37: 5&9 give account of these dreams that basically involved his father and brothers bowing down before him. ***BUCKLE UP YOUR SEAT BELT JOSEPH!!!
Needless to say Joseph's brothers didn't like him very much and conspired to get rid of him which resulted in Joseph being sold into slavery and shipped off to Egypt. There he was a faithful and hardworking servant to Potipher, but when Joseph rejected Potipher's wife's advances he found himself falsely accused of assault and thrown in jail! Joseph's situation has shifted from bad to worse. No one's bowing down to a slave let alone a prisoner! You think Joseph was tempted to get mad at God or second guess his dreams? I think so. Despite all this, he continued to do his best at every task appointed to him, and God was with him and gave him favor (Gen. 39:3&21). Due to Joseph's correct interpretation of the butler and baker's dreams, Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams and then assigned the task of preparing for a terrible famine. The Bible tells us in Genesis 41:39-41&46 that Joseph spent 13 years in slavery and prison in the land of Egypt before obtaining the status of "Pharaoh's Right Hand Man." In the end, Joseph's family was reunited and brought to Egypt to ride out the famine.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is another Biblical figure whom God gave a promise. In Luke 1:27-38 we read of the angel appearing to Mary. "Hail, O favored one! The Lord is with you! Blessed (favored of God) are you before all other women!" He proceeds to tell her how she will give birth to Jesus and "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of His reign there will be no end." Later in that same chapter Mary receives confirmation of this from her relative Elizabeth (vs. 42). ***BUCKLE UP YOUR SEAT BELT MARY!!!
While finishing watching "The Nativity" with my family this past Christmas, I was struck by something. The movie ends with Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus leaving Israel for Egypt as instructed by an angel that appeared in Joseph's dreams warning them about King Herod's search for the child in order to kill him (Matt. 2:13&14). Bible scholars estimate Mary to have been about 15 years old. Can you imagine? Can you put yourself in her shoes for even a moment? Here this young woman is far away from her family, and she's just given birth to her baby. Don't you think she was excited to get back home? For her mom & dad to hold their grandchild? To share in the joy that comes when a new member of a family is born? Instead she is being called away to a foreign land and has no idea when or if she will return home. Do you think it possible that doubts crossed Mary's mind as to how blessed she was while fleeing to Egypt? I do. If not then, it certainly had to pull at her thoughts while standing at the cross in which her son was dying on. And even though I think it possible Mary knew these things were to happen, it doesn't change the human nature of a mother. The words that angel spoke to her over 33 years ago had to have rung through her head and tore at her heart.
God spoke awesome promises to each of these figures and yet both of them experienced detours. These detours where not only complete and total deviations from the plans, hopes, and dreams they had for their own lives, they seemed to be in complete opposition to the very promises God had given them! However, unlike our own lives, we have the advantage of seeing the results of these detours. The purpose of Joseph's detour was to fulfill the promise God had given his great-grandfather, Abraham. In Genesis 15:5 and 17:5 God promises Abraham that his descendants will number the stars and that God has made him the father of many nations. The 12 sons of Jacob would become the 12 tribes of Israel. Likewise, the purpose of Mary's detour was for God to fulfill his promise of decades of prophecy about the one who would bring salvation to the world. Yes, although Joseph was forced out and Mary was led out, they were both called to Egypt, both led on a DIVINE detour. One to ensure the protection of a nation, the other to ensure the salvation of all mankind.
These examples show us that detours are designed to develop us and lead us to our destiny. Does God have you on a detour? Is it a divine detour? It can be. You want to know how? By trusting God with it. By saying, "God I'm not sure why I'm in this situation, but I know You know. I give this situation to you trusting that you work all things for good for those that love You and are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28)." Trust that God will do whatever work needs to be done in you in this season, and when the time is right He will call you out of your Egypt.
One last thing, don't think that because your lemon has you on a detour that you can't share lemonade in the meantime. Many times Christians think that because they are in the midst of trials they don't have a testimony to share yet. Nothing could be further from the truth! If you are a Christian your life should always testify of His grace and reflect His glory. And no where is that better displayed than in the life of one who's been handed a lemon and, because of their firm trust in the Lord, is choosing to make lemonade.
***When God speaks a promise to your heart you better buckle up your seat belt and hang on tight. The reason God speaks promises to people is because He knows how difficult the journey ahead will be, and He knows you are going to need those words to get you through!
Of course God also speaks to us through His word. Maybe you have received a verbal or written promise from God, something that not only helped and encouraged you but spoke to you on such a level you knew it was for you. But maybe your circumstances don't seem to be getting any better. In fact, maybe your circumstances have gotten worse. If so, today's blog is for you.
One of my favorite people in the Bible is Joseph. He was one of the 12 sons of Jacob, the grandson of Isaac, and the great-grandson of Abraham. From a young age Joseph new he was special. For starters he was his father's favorite son, because he was Jacob's first son from the wife he loved most, Rachel and was conceived in their old age (Gen. 35:24, 37:3). At the age of 17, God not only gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams, He gave Joseph prophetic dreams concerning his own future. Genesis 37: 5&9 give account of these dreams that basically involved his father and brothers bowing down before him. ***BUCKLE UP YOUR SEAT BELT JOSEPH!!!
Needless to say Joseph's brothers didn't like him very much and conspired to get rid of him which resulted in Joseph being sold into slavery and shipped off to Egypt. There he was a faithful and hardworking servant to Potipher, but when Joseph rejected Potipher's wife's advances he found himself falsely accused of assault and thrown in jail! Joseph's situation has shifted from bad to worse. No one's bowing down to a slave let alone a prisoner! You think Joseph was tempted to get mad at God or second guess his dreams? I think so. Despite all this, he continued to do his best at every task appointed to him, and God was with him and gave him favor (Gen. 39:3&21). Due to Joseph's correct interpretation of the butler and baker's dreams, Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams and then assigned the task of preparing for a terrible famine. The Bible tells us in Genesis 41:39-41&46 that Joseph spent 13 years in slavery and prison in the land of Egypt before obtaining the status of "Pharaoh's Right Hand Man." In the end, Joseph's family was reunited and brought to Egypt to ride out the famine.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is another Biblical figure whom God gave a promise. In Luke 1:27-38 we read of the angel appearing to Mary. "Hail, O favored one! The Lord is with you! Blessed (favored of God) are you before all other women!" He proceeds to tell her how she will give birth to Jesus and "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob throughout the ages; and of His reign there will be no end." Later in that same chapter Mary receives confirmation of this from her relative Elizabeth (vs. 42). ***BUCKLE UP YOUR SEAT BELT MARY!!!
While finishing watching "The Nativity" with my family this past Christmas, I was struck by something. The movie ends with Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus leaving Israel for Egypt as instructed by an angel that appeared in Joseph's dreams warning them about King Herod's search for the child in order to kill him (Matt. 2:13&14). Bible scholars estimate Mary to have been about 15 years old. Can you imagine? Can you put yourself in her shoes for even a moment? Here this young woman is far away from her family, and she's just given birth to her baby. Don't you think she was excited to get back home? For her mom & dad to hold their grandchild? To share in the joy that comes when a new member of a family is born? Instead she is being called away to a foreign land and has no idea when or if she will return home. Do you think it possible that doubts crossed Mary's mind as to how blessed she was while fleeing to Egypt? I do. If not then, it certainly had to pull at her thoughts while standing at the cross in which her son was dying on. And even though I think it possible Mary knew these things were to happen, it doesn't change the human nature of a mother. The words that angel spoke to her over 33 years ago had to have rung through her head and tore at her heart.
God spoke awesome promises to each of these figures and yet both of them experienced detours. These detours where not only complete and total deviations from the plans, hopes, and dreams they had for their own lives, they seemed to be in complete opposition to the very promises God had given them! However, unlike our own lives, we have the advantage of seeing the results of these detours. The purpose of Joseph's detour was to fulfill the promise God had given his great-grandfather, Abraham. In Genesis 15:5 and 17:5 God promises Abraham that his descendants will number the stars and that God has made him the father of many nations. The 12 sons of Jacob would become the 12 tribes of Israel. Likewise, the purpose of Mary's detour was for God to fulfill his promise of decades of prophecy about the one who would bring salvation to the world. Yes, although Joseph was forced out and Mary was led out, they were both called to Egypt, both led on a DIVINE detour. One to ensure the protection of a nation, the other to ensure the salvation of all mankind.
These examples show us that detours are designed to develop us and lead us to our destiny. Does God have you on a detour? Is it a divine detour? It can be. You want to know how? By trusting God with it. By saying, "God I'm not sure why I'm in this situation, but I know You know. I give this situation to you trusting that you work all things for good for those that love You and are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28)." Trust that God will do whatever work needs to be done in you in this season, and when the time is right He will call you out of your Egypt.
One last thing, don't think that because your lemon has you on a detour that you can't share lemonade in the meantime. Many times Christians think that because they are in the midst of trials they don't have a testimony to share yet. Nothing could be further from the truth! If you are a Christian your life should always testify of His grace and reflect His glory. And no where is that better displayed than in the life of one who's been handed a lemon and, because of their firm trust in the Lord, is choosing to make lemonade.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
God Needs a Pitcher
Perhaps the biggest "why me" question of all stems from this line of thinking ... "But I'm a Christian!" Ever caught yourself saying that? Yeah, I'm right there with you! Where did we get this notion that receiving Christ as our personal Lord and Savior meant we would have no problems and live happily (or lemonlessly) ever after? I'm wondering if part of the problem is that we tend to view salvation as an ending instead of a beginning. The typical church service primarily focuses on messages that "catch the fish", but if it stops there all you end up with is a smelly room! You and I might realize this but a brand new born again Christian doesn't. You don't just meet Jesus, give Him your heart, and that's it. How silly! You wouldn't view a meeting with a potential friend or mate this way, and yet isn't that exactly what has begun ... a new relationship? Phil 2:12 says we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." Heb 12:2 says Christ is "the author and finisher of our faith." 2 Cor. 3:8 says we are "constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another." All these scriptures, and many others, clearly depict a process of growth and change that stems from being saved. So salvation is the first step in the process. Then we enter a phase of being transformed into Christ's image, a phase that lasts for the rest of our lives.
Possibly another reason why we have this idea that Christians aren't supposed to suffer is the emphasis placed on being an overcomer, a conqueror, and triumphant in Christ. This is VERY true and yet can be VERY misleading. Look at all three of those words again. Don't they imply there will be something to overcome, something to conquer, a situation to triumph in? Undoubtedly Satan was defeated at the cross, but why would Paul spend the entire last chapter of Ephesians discussing the armor we are to use to fight the enemy if we didn't need it? Countless other places in the Bible direct us in how to overcome Satan ... Rev. 12:11 comes to mind. Let's let Jesus settle this issue, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace. In the world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE: but be of good cheer! For I have overcome the world! (John 16:33).
Imagine you have joined the Army. You enlist and take an oath to serve your country. It's peace time so you aren't worried about actually going to war. You go through rigorous physical, mental, and emotional testing and training. And then, unexpectedly, war breaks out. You are given your orders and they are tough. You are scared and possibly look for some loop hole to get out of that particular assignment. After much exhausted effort you realize you are stuck and have to serve. Now the decision is up to you, will you barely get by or will you be all that you can be.
I imagine you can see where I am going with this. Joining the Army is very much like joining God's Army. You have that initial encounter with Christ and pray for salvation making a personal commitment to serve Him. You attend church and read your Bible. You face a few small battles and begin to learn a little about spiritual warfare. You begin to experience the faithfulness of God. And then you are given a tough assignment. So tough you start to think, "This can't be from God!" You begin to come against this assignment with prayer, and you plead with God telling Him why you can't do it and pointing out all your inadequacies. Finally you come to the realization that, atleast for now, you are stuck and must serve where you've been assigned. You too have a choice to barely get by or to be all you can be. However you also realize that in order to be all you can be you need Him more than ever before.
It is important to remember that everyone who enlists in God's Army is assigned a mission. Eph. 4:11 tells us God appoints some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. We don't get to choose. He does. John 21:18 illustrates the fact that baby Christians get to choose but mature Christians are appointed . I often laugh about how some are called to the pulpit while others are called to the trenches! Why is that? Why doesn't God place all His people at Disney World having the time of their lives? Wouldn't everyone look at us and think "Wow, they are so special, clearly chosen people who are happy and carefree ... I want what they have!" The answer to this question is in 2 Peter 3:9 "not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance." If God desires all to be saved then it makes complete sense why all His people are not found in the same place ... or the same circumstances. How would we reach others for Christ?! 2 Cor. 1:4 says "who comforts us in every trouble so that we may also be able to comfort those who are in any kind of distress, with the comfort with which we ourselves were comforted by God."
As I was seeking God about my own calling, and not seeing at all how it related to my status as a "special needs mom", He showed me that indeed this was my assignment. Tracing God's hand back over my life ... my love for Him, my love of children, my desire to become a teacher, my love for the Bible ... I began to see how He has been preparing me for this all along. Then He began to show me the opportunities I had to minister healing for the past, joy for today, and hope for the future in so many lives. Of course God could send a pastor or another Christian to do this job, but who do you think someone like this is more likely to listen to ... someone who knows the Word or someone who has personally experienced the Word in a similar situation.
Have you too been handed a difficult situation and wondered how this was going to bring any glory to God ... what could possibly be the purpose for all this pain? Just remember, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THROUGH IT, YOU CAN'T MINISTER TO IT! Many times our ministry is born out of the pain of our experiences. We find we have a heart for people going through the same circumstances because we can identify with them.
So the question is, are we willing to be vessels God can use even if it means it may cost us something? No one willingly signs up for these tasks, but I believe the more sense that cannot be made out of a trial the more you can be assured of God's plan and purpose in it. Also remember that although it seems the lemon is robbing you of something, don't forget everything you are gaining from it. The gains may not be considered earthly blessings because they are not tangible, but they are heavenly blessings that are eternal. "You are the light of the world ... Let your light so shine before men" Matt. 5: 14&16. We are His light in this world , and He places us where He wants to shine for His glory. If your light has been placed in a difficult situation, He must have very high confidence in you. The light that shines the brightest is the one placed in the most darkness. LET HIS LIGHT SHINE THROUGH YOU!
Possibly another reason why we have this idea that Christians aren't supposed to suffer is the emphasis placed on being an overcomer, a conqueror, and triumphant in Christ. This is VERY true and yet can be VERY misleading. Look at all three of those words again. Don't they imply there will be something to overcome, something to conquer, a situation to triumph in? Undoubtedly Satan was defeated at the cross, but why would Paul spend the entire last chapter of Ephesians discussing the armor we are to use to fight the enemy if we didn't need it? Countless other places in the Bible direct us in how to overcome Satan ... Rev. 12:11 comes to mind. Let's let Jesus settle this issue, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace. In the world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE: but be of good cheer! For I have overcome the world! (John 16:33).
Imagine you have joined the Army. You enlist and take an oath to serve your country. It's peace time so you aren't worried about actually going to war. You go through rigorous physical, mental, and emotional testing and training. And then, unexpectedly, war breaks out. You are given your orders and they are tough. You are scared and possibly look for some loop hole to get out of that particular assignment. After much exhausted effort you realize you are stuck and have to serve. Now the decision is up to you, will you barely get by or will you be all that you can be.
I imagine you can see where I am going with this. Joining the Army is very much like joining God's Army. You have that initial encounter with Christ and pray for salvation making a personal commitment to serve Him. You attend church and read your Bible. You face a few small battles and begin to learn a little about spiritual warfare. You begin to experience the faithfulness of God. And then you are given a tough assignment. So tough you start to think, "This can't be from God!" You begin to come against this assignment with prayer, and you plead with God telling Him why you can't do it and pointing out all your inadequacies. Finally you come to the realization that, atleast for now, you are stuck and must serve where you've been assigned. You too have a choice to barely get by or to be all you can be. However you also realize that in order to be all you can be you need Him more than ever before.
It is important to remember that everyone who enlists in God's Army is assigned a mission. Eph. 4:11 tells us God appoints some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. We don't get to choose. He does. John 21:18 illustrates the fact that baby Christians get to choose but mature Christians are appointed . I often laugh about how some are called to the pulpit while others are called to the trenches! Why is that? Why doesn't God place all His people at Disney World having the time of their lives? Wouldn't everyone look at us and think "Wow, they are so special, clearly chosen people who are happy and carefree ... I want what they have!" The answer to this question is in 2 Peter 3:9 "not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance." If God desires all to be saved then it makes complete sense why all His people are not found in the same place ... or the same circumstances. How would we reach others for Christ?! 2 Cor. 1:4 says "who comforts us in every trouble so that we may also be able to comfort those who are in any kind of distress, with the comfort with which we ourselves were comforted by God."
As I was seeking God about my own calling, and not seeing at all how it related to my status as a "special needs mom", He showed me that indeed this was my assignment. Tracing God's hand back over my life ... my love for Him, my love of children, my desire to become a teacher, my love for the Bible ... I began to see how He has been preparing me for this all along. Then He began to show me the opportunities I had to minister healing for the past, joy for today, and hope for the future in so many lives. Of course God could send a pastor or another Christian to do this job, but who do you think someone like this is more likely to listen to ... someone who knows the Word or someone who has personally experienced the Word in a similar situation.
Have you too been handed a difficult situation and wondered how this was going to bring any glory to God ... what could possibly be the purpose for all this pain? Just remember, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THROUGH IT, YOU CAN'T MINISTER TO IT! Many times our ministry is born out of the pain of our experiences. We find we have a heart for people going through the same circumstances because we can identify with them.
So the question is, are we willing to be vessels God can use even if it means it may cost us something? No one willingly signs up for these tasks, but I believe the more sense that cannot be made out of a trial the more you can be assured of God's plan and purpose in it. Also remember that although it seems the lemon is robbing you of something, don't forget everything you are gaining from it. The gains may not be considered earthly blessings because they are not tangible, but they are heavenly blessings that are eternal. "You are the light of the world ... Let your light so shine before men" Matt. 5: 14&16. We are His light in this world , and He places us where He wants to shine for His glory. If your light has been placed in a difficult situation, He must have very high confidence in you. The light that shines the brightest is the one placed in the most darkness. LET HIS LIGHT SHINE THROUGH YOU!
Friday, June 15, 2012
I Can Handle an Orange!
Does this scenerio sound familiar? You are trucking along through life. You have hopes and dreams. You have worked hard and made right choices to ensure that life will be good, when all of a sudden life lobs a lemon at you. Why, why, why has this happened? Why wasn't it a lime, or a kiwi, or an orange ... I could've handled that!
IT'S NOT FAIR! Why is it that as far back as we can remember people have been telling us "life isn't fair", and yet when problems hit our life we find ourselves saying it anyway? Why is it that God doesn't seem to be concerned with what is fair? I think the first thing we have to realize is that fair is based on perspective and since every one's perspective is different what is defined as "fair" changes from person to person.
Consider this ... Is it fair that the mother of four children would miscarry her fifth child? What about the woman who is struggling to conceive even one baby? Is it fair that the other woman has four children when she has none? Or how about this ... Is it fair that a couple is dealing with the day to day challenges of raising a special needs child? What about the couple whose child has lost their battle with cancer, and they will never again care for their child's needs?
All these situations are clearly unfair. I don't use these examples to rank unfairness in people's lives (in fact I believe we travel down a dangerous road when we start comparing lemons!) Rather the purpose here is to illustrate how the filter through which we see every situation is tinted by our own experiences.
The bottom line is this, GOD NEVER PROMISED US FAIR, BUT HE DID PROMISE US PURPOSE. His purpose is only revealed when we are willing to exchange our plans for His knowing that He made us, designed us, and knows better than we do what is best for us. I think we can all agree that the most unfair thing we've ever heard is a man without sin bearing the curse of sin upon Himself to save all mankind. Thank you Jesus for your willingness to endure what was clearly unfair!
WHY ME? I want to preface this segment by encouraging everyone to seek the Lord about this question. The bigger picture of "why" pertains to all our situations, but the individual snapshots vary. What He calls one person to do will not necessarily be what He calls someone else to do. Because of this I'm going to personalize this segment to my own situation, but I do believe you can relate.
Why me, God? Why does my child have a disability? What possible good could come from this? I'm so thankful that when the questions came there were people around me who directed me to the word. I'm also thankful that because of my upbringing I had complete faith in the word. John 9:1-3 says "As He passed along, He noticed a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or His parents, that he should be born blind? Jesus answered, It was not that this man or his parents sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him."
First, let's define "manifested" ...
1. readily perceived by the senses, especially by sight. 2. easily understood or recognized by the mind. 3. to make evident or certain by showing or displaying. Let's focus on the third definition mainly because the term "displayed" also appears in our text.
What exactly would be God's purpose in "making evident or certain by showing or displaying" His workings in this man's life? Certainly the man benefited greatly by the power of God flowing through Jesus to heal him, but that's not all. The answer can be found in the word "displayed" which means "to put in full view, show off". God's manifested works were for those AROUND the man, that they would clearly see the working of God's power, the Glory of Almighty God, thus leading people to faith in Him. God works the same way today. We know this because Malachi 3:6 says "I am the Lord, I change not". 2 Corinthians 2:14 shows us another aspect of God showing off and putting His people on display ..."But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph (as TROPHIES of Christ's victory) and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere". We are His trophies!!!
Isn't it clear? Although you have been assigned the lemon and undoubtly learning from your lemon, the lemon is not meant for only you. It is meant for everyone around you. It is an opportunity for God to show up and show off in a way only He can! What an honor to be chosen by God to reveal His glory in the earth! My Hannah and Gabe have not been cursed by God. They have been chosen by God! I am in awe and brought to tears every time I think about it. This change in perspective has caused me to move away from a heavy hearted "why me" to a wondrous, humbling, and genuine expression of surprise toward God of "why me". Ask God to help you change your perspective, to see your situation as He sees it. He will. In due time you won't see that lemon as a bitter cross to bear but an opportunity to share lemonade with everyone you meet.
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Origin of the Lemon
As much as I want to jump right into the deep end going straight for the question we all ask ... why? ... I think it's probably best to back up and discuss where the lemon comes from. I realize this is going to seem more like Theology 101, but I think it is important to lay a solid foundation in which all the other truths will rest upon. So here goes ...
When God created Adam, Eve, and the Garden of Eden it was His desire to have a close relationship with His creation and to supply them with every good thing they needed (Gen.1:26-31). But as we all know Satan tempted Adam and Eve, and they succumbed to his manipulation, thus sin entered the world resulting in sickness, death, and all other aspects of the curse (Romans 6:23). Then as prophesied throughout the Old Testament beginning with God himself (Gen.3:15), Jesus came to redeem man from sin and bring us into right standing with God which brought us out from under the curse and into the blessing (Romans 5:19). *A complete listing of the curse & the blessing are listed in Deuteronomy 28.
The obvious question then becomes, Why do God's people still deal with sickness and other elements of the curse? (Again, we are dealing with the lemons life hands us not the jams we get in due to forbidden fruit!) This is a lengthy topic of which I will go into deeper later, but for now let's discredit the options that tend to plague our minds.
1. It IS NOT because He doesn't love you! (Romans 5:8)
2. It IS NOT because others are more blessed than you! (Acts 10:34)
3. It IS NOT because you have some horrible sin that God can't forgive you of! (1 John 1:9)
ALL THESE THINGS ARE IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO THE WORD OF GOD!
So clearly we see the source of the lemon isn't God, rather it is Satan. However, and here comes the twist, there is NOTHING that happens in our life that doesn't pass through the hands of God first. This point is illustrated very clearly in Job 1:8 and again in Job 2:3. In both instances God not only gives Satan permission to attack Job, He also points Job out and sets the boundaries of what can and cannot be done. (I realize this seems harsh but God had His reasons, some of which we will address later). So the Bible makes it clear that God has a hand in everything that takes place ... and of course He does! To deny this fact is to say that Satan knows more and is more powerful than God. This line of thinking strips God of being omniscient (having complete knowledge) and omnipotent (having unlimited power) which He absolutely is!
I say all this to say that truthfully I do not believe it is God's desire for us to focus on why something has happened (Phil 3:13) primarily because it is stagnant thinking. It paralyzes us in the midst of our storm and causes us to look backward instead of forward. Do yourself a big favor and CHOOSE to trust God's sovereign plan even when you don't understand it (Eph. 2:10). How precious our faith is in the eyes of the Lord! Besides, how much faith does it take to trust God in the good times? ... probably the same amount that it takes to love the lovable and forgive the forgivable ... not much! God is far more concerned with our character than our comfort. He wants us to grow, mature, and begin to resemble His son Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18). That requires us to be stretched, but as we begin to give thanks to God (1 Thes. 5:18) for whatever lemon we've been handed in life something amazing happens ... we begin to see the situation through His eyes and good starts to come from the bad until we can read a scripture like Deut. 23:5 and know we are experiencing it personally!
Deuteronomy 23:5 "... but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because the
Lord your God loves you."
When God created Adam, Eve, and the Garden of Eden it was His desire to have a close relationship with His creation and to supply them with every good thing they needed (Gen.1:26-31). But as we all know Satan tempted Adam and Eve, and they succumbed to his manipulation, thus sin entered the world resulting in sickness, death, and all other aspects of the curse (Romans 6:23). Then as prophesied throughout the Old Testament beginning with God himself (Gen.3:15), Jesus came to redeem man from sin and bring us into right standing with God which brought us out from under the curse and into the blessing (Romans 5:19). *A complete listing of the curse & the blessing are listed in Deuteronomy 28.
The obvious question then becomes, Why do God's people still deal with sickness and other elements of the curse? (Again, we are dealing with the lemons life hands us not the jams we get in due to forbidden fruit!) This is a lengthy topic of which I will go into deeper later, but for now let's discredit the options that tend to plague our minds.
1. It IS NOT because He doesn't love you! (Romans 5:8)
2. It IS NOT because others are more blessed than you! (Acts 10:34)
3. It IS NOT because you have some horrible sin that God can't forgive you of! (1 John 1:9)
ALL THESE THINGS ARE IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO THE WORD OF GOD!
So clearly we see the source of the lemon isn't God, rather it is Satan. However, and here comes the twist, there is NOTHING that happens in our life that doesn't pass through the hands of God first. This point is illustrated very clearly in Job 1:8 and again in Job 2:3. In both instances God not only gives Satan permission to attack Job, He also points Job out and sets the boundaries of what can and cannot be done. (I realize this seems harsh but God had His reasons, some of which we will address later). So the Bible makes it clear that God has a hand in everything that takes place ... and of course He does! To deny this fact is to say that Satan knows more and is more powerful than God. This line of thinking strips God of being omniscient (having complete knowledge) and omnipotent (having unlimited power) which He absolutely is!
I say all this to say that truthfully I do not believe it is God's desire for us to focus on why something has happened (Phil 3:13) primarily because it is stagnant thinking. It paralyzes us in the midst of our storm and causes us to look backward instead of forward. Do yourself a big favor and CHOOSE to trust God's sovereign plan even when you don't understand it (Eph. 2:10). How precious our faith is in the eyes of the Lord! Besides, how much faith does it take to trust God in the good times? ... probably the same amount that it takes to love the lovable and forgive the forgivable ... not much! God is far more concerned with our character than our comfort. He wants us to grow, mature, and begin to resemble His son Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18). That requires us to be stretched, but as we begin to give thanks to God (1 Thes. 5:18) for whatever lemon we've been handed in life something amazing happens ... we begin to see the situation through His eyes and good starts to come from the bad until we can read a scripture like Deut. 23:5 and know we are experiencing it personally!
Deuteronomy 23:5 "... but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because the
Lord your God loves you."
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