Living for the King

Philippians 2:13 - ...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

I'm amazed at how no matter where a person is in life, we are here for such a time as this. God has His Kingdom in mind. When we enter into relationship with the King of all kings we can know that He has brought us to this place for such a time as this.

The Book of Esther is chock full of suspense. It is filled with evildoers, unsuspecting people, a clueless king and an amazing woman. Esther shows how we can be here "for such a time as this."

I am seeing this play out in my own life, not that I haven't made some dents I may not even be aware of!

When we come into relationship with the Lord we can't help but influence someone somewhere...unless we live under a rock, which sometimes I think I do!! But He will use our lives, good or bad before Him, to be an influence. It's actually exciting when you realize it.

Many times it's not even about us; it's about someone else and especially about God and His will being done. If we choose to ignore to delve into a situation set before us, God's plan will still be played out...through someone else. But it is we who may miss out on something if we don't take hold of a circumstance (and most likely many).

Who wants to miss out on something good? We are called to be of service to God. I think sometimes we don't even know we are in His service if we are doing something out of the very depths of our hearts. It's just something we do without thinking. Yet I know there are times when I know I should do something and don't. And I'm not talking about filling bird feeders on a rainy day!

Oh, that the reality of what He wants us to do day to day would be so evident. Not for our own satisfaction, or pride, but that we might see a glimpse of what God wants to accomplish in someone else's life through us. But this would take away the awesomeness of God's glory in a situation.

We are nothing, can do nothing worthwhile, if God is not behind it. Our works are as filthy rags, we are told, and when in relationship with Christ what we then do has greater meaning because we do it for Him.

Look at it like this: We are created and born for a specific purpose. This alone should be exciting. It's God's specific purpose to start out. We begin our life doing on our own, to suit our own pleasures. We aren't yet understanding about God and His purposes. The purposes are borne out of our own desires...but He's still behind the scene for many. A day comes when the realization of Christ is presented to us. If we choose to change direction the things we do are more for Him, and eventually when we have a better understanding, all for Him. The closer we walk the more we do nothing out of selfish ambition or pride but just because...He is working in us.

We may not see the greatest reward here on earth, but we will in heaven. We will have blessings as a result of our good works but probably not what we would have expected. Oh, how He works to keep the pride under wraps! But we will find that living for the King is easier when we allow Him to do what He is best able to do, when we give Him control...and give Him the glory.

It comes as a defining moment...something purposeful...something called God's will...something that seems impossible but when "in God's will" turns out miraculous. It's our purpose on earth. It's a concept that is sometimes difficult to understand. It takes the only good work we can do...that of obedience...being in relationship with Christ. The greatest rewards come from doing this.

John 14:12 - Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

I Have a Headache!

Psalm 42:11 - ...I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

Yes, I have a headache. Those who read my blog whether frequently or not, or those who are tuning in for the first time, you must know that I often have thoughts swirling through my head and that's what happened this morning at church. I'm writing this blog Sunday afternoon and I have a headache from all that has transpired...oh, the thoughts swirling. But it's a good "yet shall I praise Him" kind of headache. So, praise God!

If you go to "Lord, Why?" you will know where I'm coming from...again. Again and again and again the Holy Spirit of God ceases to amaze me, thrill me, comfort me and definitely let me know in no uncertain terms He hears me, He knows my sitting down and my rising up; He understands my thought afar off (Psalm 139:2). Yet in my human mind, my human nature, I forget this. And I'm not the only one who forgets, believe me!

Pastor Rory Grooters spoke today on "Where's My Life Going?" and offered five things to do and remember while stepping into tomorrow (perhaps I'll write about them tomorrow). He spoke about seasons of life and ruts we get ourselves into, even in our Christian walk. When we first received Christ there was an excitement, a giddiness, that whole new world I've written about. But with most things, the newness wears off. Ruts might enter in. I was in a rut until I knew Jesus. Then I was on top of the world. But other ruts keep happening and I sort of have felt I've been in a rut again lately. I could equate my ruts to the creases on my aging forehead! He said that without purpose, guidance and direction we have no power, especially if they don't come from God.

What's that scripture about not worrying about tomorrow....? Oh, Matthew 6:34! God knows the struggles we go through and allows them to occur occasionally to strengthen us, draw us closer to Him, learn--yet again--to trust Him. (Well, there's something else I forgot that I've known...) Do not worry.... 

I've been wondering why and when I will see God at work in my life...or when I will see myself working out God's will. Pastor Rory suggested that we take it a day at a time and let God's will come to us rather than our looking or striving for it. When we meddle, when we think this is how it should be done, we undo God's work. We are told over and over not to strive. "Be still [don't strive] and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

To add to all this bombarding, my brain was our Sunday school class which briefly talked about prostitution and whoring! Yeah, really! And how does that fit in, you might ask!? Does God really talk about that?! Yes...when we hunger for significance. When we want recognition for something God has actually done through us. When we don't give Him the credit. 

We want to do something for so others notice us. We want to be noticed, like the Pharisees...see how spiritual I am. This is not what the Lord wants. As this teaching was going on my thoughts darted to these scriptures:  

So the last will be first, and the first last - Matthew 20:16. 

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble - James 4:6.

I must decrease so that He might increase - John 3:30.  

Proverbs 16:9 tells us A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps and Proverbs 16:3 says Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established. Do you see? When we are in right relationship with Him, God directs our steps whether we know it or not so we might as well give it to God in the first place rather than messing it up ourselves. Hmmmm. It's not about us, after all, it's about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and all they do in me. Not my striving, but my being guided, God's purpose and direction, not about what or how we plan on doing for God but how we allow God to use us to work out His perfect plan. Twice in Matthew 6, verses 6 and 18 it is said, your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly...and our Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Although these speak of praying and fasting in quiet manners rather than so everyone will notice, I believe it holds true for the works God planned for you. We need not brag about them for others to notice; God knows. And He will reward accordingly.

Our human nature needs to take a back seat and realize that His plans are greater than ours. Sometimes, I think, He puts us in a rut because we've tried to walk outside His will. And that rut, like I said, leads us back to Him. I will yet praise Him despite these ruts He allows me to fall into. Hopefully the next time I stumble into a rut, I will remember all this and be able to get out of it more quickly.

Huh, there was a time when I swore I would never ask "why, Lord?" But "Lord, Why?" was my question just the same. When will things happen? His answer was to wait...on Him. In His perfect timing...His directed steps when I submit to Him. Trust Him. I also believe that things happen that He doesn't always allow us to know...so we will not get a big head about it. Just my thought there. I think another scripture says it all, yet it is so contrary to our human response regarding needing that pat on the back:

1Peter 5:6-7 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Do Not Worry, Part ???

Matthew 6:25 - Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life...

I don't often just open the Bible and read what's on that particular page, but I did this morning. What a delightful word, again. A word I needed to hear. That's God, all right. He knows what we need when we need it and although this may seem a coincidence to some, He knew it was a word for me today.

Deep in my spirit there is a knowing that all things will be according to God's plan and I'm so thankful for that. There are times though I want to see things happen now. The waiting period has been long and I must cling to the very personal promises God has revealed to me in the Spirit. That is hard when the days since those promises have been many. But then to the Lord a day can be as a thousand years or a thousand years as a day. God has no time schedule. But living in this 24-hour-a-day rigid world we have makes my patience a thing to be worked on.

Psalm 126:5 - Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. My mind has been racing again, filled with tidbits of seemingly disjointed ideas. I sense they are all connected and one cannot be removed from another. Yet to make sense of them altogether makes me nuts! It's like one of those crazy dreams we all have where you know what you dreamed but you can't put any of it into words except to say, "I had this weird dream last night." I'm not saying I'm crying over this, but there are times when the burden is heavy and yet you know that when it's done there will be rejoicing...and you might even think, "Oh, for Pete's sake, why did I fret so?"

I think it's more a frustration. I need a word from the Lord. And He says not to worry about anything. He tells me to just give it all to Him and He will handle everything in His perfect way and in His perfect timing. That's such a comfort until I think, "but when is that perfect timing?" And then I can hear God saying, "Oh, for Pete's sake!"

I'm reminded in Matthew 6 that I am of more value than the birds of the air which God feeds. Feeding...he feeds me with His Word. His Words are soothing in the midst of these times. Oh, the peace that comes when you just sit back and thank God for His understanding of your situation, when you choose this day to again lay that burden, or burdens, at the foot of the cross...and determine not to pick them up again...today!

I know that little by little those things racing through my head will one by one be taken care of. I might not even recognize it until one day later. Or God might suddenly put it out before me and show me what I must do now! A word might need to be spoken or an action taken. Lord, just let my eyes and ears be open to see this and respond accordingly.

We are to be flexible to the will of God. We cannot say, not today, Lord. We are to be ready at any time, in season or out. That's called obedience. And as someone once said, patience is a virtue. Wait and obey, wait and obey. Ah, Jesus!

Jesus goes on to say in Matthew Chapter 6 that my Heavenly Father knows what I have need of. But we are to seek Him first. That's the most important thing in the lives of all people. To seek Him first. That first thought in the morning. Do you do that? Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night thinking of Jesus? Do songs of praise lilt through your head as you sleep and you awake praising God? You're missing out if that doesn't happen. Seriously, you are.

I'm so far from being perfect it isn't funny. But my heart is stayed on Jesus. He sees my imperfections through eyes of love since I received Him 12 years ago. Oh, how did I live without Him before? That was easy...it was my "non-knowledge" of God that got me through. Amazing how blind we can be until the Truth comes into our hearts and lives and awakens within us a whole new spirituality based on Jesus. And the work begins, the work of patience, not worrying and obedience, not always in that order.

There is only one way to the Father. When we find that Way we no longer need to fear...we might forget on occasion and become humanly impatient, but despite that there is at the end of that long string of racing thoughts a knot of peace that is tied so tightly just for you. That knot is Jesus if you have reached out in a moment of despair and grabbed hold of Him.

I'm thankful in a way for the disruption in my spirit sometimes (note I said sometimes). It helps me to realize I'm still alive! I'm still under God's wing, under His watchful eye. I know that when things come at us there will be a day when the Lord will shine when His plan has been set forth in whatever way. It won't be me who accomplished thus and so but His work through me. I'm thankful it's by His strength, whether it be a world problem or a personal one, that we come through. This happens so we cannot boast of our own accomplishments. That's why He's God and we aren't. God is who He says He is, He can do what He says He can do. We just need that mustard seed of faith, recall we have that when we grow weary. Let go of those things that we cannot do anything about and just let Him be who He is best at being...the one true God.

After writing all this I checked in on Oswald Chambers. He talked about friendship with Jesus through our own sacrifice and surrender to Him. He writes: We never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we abandon in every particular. Self-surrender is the most difficult thing - I will if . . . ! ... As soon as we do abandon, the Holy Ghost gives us an intimation of the joy of Jesus...and the thought of sacrifice never touches us because sacrifice is the love passion of the Holy Ghost...when the sacrifice is made with the eyes on Him, slowly and surely the moulding influence begins to tell. We sacrifice to and for Jesus. Giving up our burdens is a form of self-sacrifice, a form of love for Jesus, knowing He can do a better job in any circumstance.

Let me end with this. It is partly a work (renewing) left to do in me and partly a wonderful promise (the eternal rewards are greater). We may weep today, but we will rejoice tomorrow:

2Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Seasons Bring New Things

Isaiah 43:19 - Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

God is always doing a new thing. Our newly elected lead pastor, Rory Grooters, told us about the various seasons in our lives, in our jobs, our families, church, in nature...God is at work.

One thing begins, it ends and a new thing begins again. I thought about our church and the seasons I've experienced there. I tried to think back as far as I could to the beginning of our church based on the history I have learned about. We've had over 100 years of seasons in our church, mostly growth. But it doesn't start 100 years ago. It started over 6,000 years ago...years we can count...with creation and a God who is in control of the seasons in everything.

Without His creation none of us would exist. Bear with me as I put everything I heard Sunday into what I hope is some meaningful context.

Nothing surprises God. God's hand has been at work all along. About ten years ago the pastor I first knew in our church felt a call to move on which precipitated the need for a new pastor. One season ended both for our church and for our pastor and his family while an old and new season began for the pastor we were to receive. The new season for our church started well but ended with two divisions. Only God knows the reason why. They did not come as a surprise to Him. A once strong, 1500 member church a couple years ago has now dwindled to about 300. Seasons.

I am convinced that these divisions and the changes that took place over the past four years were necessary. As I talked with our interim pastor briefly yesterday he told me what I had believed all along...no one was at fault and we should not judge. In 1Corinthians 4:3-5 Paul told us that we should not judge ourselves or others or anything for that matter. God knows and when the Lord returns we will have a clear understanding why things happen as they do. 

With our church I have believed for a long time that God has been shaking and sifting us to get us to a very vulnerable place where the only thing we can do is stand as a congregation in faith and wait to see what He is going to do. That "word" came to me after several people I knew left after the first division. This was a word that came to us Sunday night as well. Like Gideon who had an army of thousands, God chose to pare it down to 300, sent Gideon out to fight his enemy with the only thing to do but trust that God would be their deliverer. It's always about God and what He can do. 

Seasons. New things. God takes the seasons in all circumstances to work out and work in. Shifting, shaking, raising up and bringing down are all part of the cycles. I believe we just need this so we don't become complacent. He is always wanting us to grow...and He is wanting us to rely on Him and glory in what He can do. It's all about Him.

Pastor Rory's second last sermon at his church two years ago was about Jumping Off Cliffs With God. He spoke about the faith it takes to just do as you know God is asking, without knowing what lies ahead, without clear vision, having faith only in Him. Pastor Rory pointed out seasons in his own life that he had gone through to get where he was. At the end of the sermon he told his congregation that God wanted him to jump off yet another cliff with Him, that he was to move on. He had struggled for five months with tears and sleepless nights because he loved this church family and had grown with them. Now God was asking him to leave for things unknown.

I say all that because while all that was happening in his life our church was undergoing our own struggles. God was preparing both our church and Pastor Rory for that new thing. Some will understand this because we know from experience how God sometimes chooses to work. Some might say it is nothing more than coincidence. With God there are no coincidences...He knows the beginning from the end and He's always working behind the scenes.

Pastor Rory described three things the Lord had revealed to him over the past two years about where he was headed. They all painted a picture both figuratively and literally about our church...as our struggles really began two years ago. These things made no sense to Pastor but he stepped out in faith and followed God's lead. It led him to our church. God is good!

The Lord is in the business of doing new things in our lives. They might seem torturous, frightening or exciting. We don't always understand why we are where we are at any particular moment. I for one can say that in the midst of something, a season change perhaps, it's easy to lose focus on God--for awhile. But He never let's you wander that desert too long without speaking a word of encouragement to get you back on track. In those quiet times He's strengthening so in the next desert experience you might recall how He didn't leave you stranded, how He came through for you...so the day might come when you will not lose focus but just praise God and trust Him knowing it's just another cliff to jump off of with Him.

I will end with a quote from Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest today! 

The greatest thing for us to remember is that we go up to Jerusalem to fulfill God’s purpose, not our own. In the natural life our ambitions are our own, but in the Christian life we have no goals of our own...We are not taken into a conscious agreement with God’s purpose— we are taken into God’s purpose with no awareness of it at all. We have no idea what God’s goal may be; as we continue, His purpose becomes even more and more vague...The work we do is of no account when compared with the compelling purpose of God. It is simply the scaffolding surrounding His work and His plan.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.