Luke 4:16-21
What a POWERFUL MOMENT!! I wish I could have been there. Here he was - reading scripture of a prophet who foretold His coming. I love where He finished reading and says to them, "Today scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." He was the Savior they had learned about all these years. It didn't end well - that's the sad part. These people couldn't accept what He said. Here was the opportunity of a lifetime that God had sat before them and they couldn't see it for what it was.
I don't blame God for His anger with the people of Israel as described in Genesis. Here's the difference... although there was judgement in Genesis, God still brought a Savior, Jesus. And even when rejected, He still carried out the plan. It is because of this intense love I am in relationship with Christ. Love that has surpassed all time despite human logic that would have squelched it long ago.
Could I be capable of that love? Only by the power of the Spirit within me - not in my own strength. My love has the ability to hang on when it should let go. God's love brings freedom - my love often has strings and expectations.
God, thank you for showing pictures of your love in scripture. I learned that the power of Your love, Your plan will not be hindered by humans. I learned that You will continue to reveal yourself to us even when we reject You because the power of Your love is so great. Teach me to love as You love with freedom, not expectations. Transform my way of thinking so its more in line with You.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
A Starting Place
Reading from Gen 42... here's the highlights
vs 4 - Jacob didn't send Benjamin with his brothers to get grain - He was afraid.
vs. 21-22 - Brothers reflect on what they have done to their brother Joseph. They think this is the consequence for what they did. "So now there comes a reckoning for his blood." (vs. 22)
vs. 28 - They realize there is money in their bags and they are afraid "What is this God has done to us?"
vs. 35 - They realize all the money is back in their bags. vs 36 - Jacob their father says "All this has come against me."
The sons try to talk their father into letting them take Benjamin back. Jacob resists and time passes. So much time that they run out of grain again.
Chap 43:2 - Jacob tells the boys to go back and purchase more grain. When they remind their dad they need to take Benjamin, in anger and fear he sad "Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?"
Jacob finally relents and sends them back with Benjamin. But Jacob is beside himself. The chapter ends with the brothers led into Joseph's home. They are put at ease when they tell the servant about the money and he tells them that money was supplied by God.
When Joseph came out he was struck with emotion at the sight of Benjamin. He had to go back to his chamber and he wept. He pulled himself together, washed his face and came back out. When he served them, Benjamin had 5 times the portion of the other brothers.
Things I took from this passage:
1. The past can cause us to act in fear and prolong the journey we are on. What if Jacob would have sent Benjamin in the first place - would reconciliation have come sooner?
2. The brothers believed all this hard time was reckoning for what they have done. If they could have seen what God had in store. They suffered great fear and anxiety. They didn't ask God for help - they were going to take on the punishment themselves. They didn't have God's peace or His timing because they didn't acknowledge Him.
3. Delaying to do what we know needs to be done only depletes our resources more. Jacob let his fears rule and so much time passed that they ran out of grain when in reality they coud have gone back for more resource a couple of times in the time they delayed. What are we doing to stall and delay the inevitable? What are we not trusting God for and trying to do ourselves? Lesson - don't let the chaos and confusion keep you from doing what you need to do to get to the resource.
4. God is a God that restores. He was already working when Joseph put the money back in their bags. He was already working with the brothers and dad when they ran out of grain in the first place. God doesn't restore halfway and this money restored for their journey was just a glimpse of what he was planning to do for them. I love that even this first glimpse of His generosity toward them scared them. If they only knew then what they would find out later.
5. Lastly, we see a picture of the love Joseph has for his own. It was likely the love and compassion Joseph felt for Benjamin that allowed him to forgive the other brothers. Sometimes all we need is that unwavering starting place to bring us to the place where God wants us. What is that starting place I can hold onto to begin this journey? For me, its remembering that the God who said He will... Will.
vs 4 - Jacob didn't send Benjamin with his brothers to get grain - He was afraid.
vs. 21-22 - Brothers reflect on what they have done to their brother Joseph. They think this is the consequence for what they did. "So now there comes a reckoning for his blood." (vs. 22)
vs. 28 - They realize there is money in their bags and they are afraid "What is this God has done to us?"
vs. 35 - They realize all the money is back in their bags. vs 36 - Jacob their father says "All this has come against me."
The sons try to talk their father into letting them take Benjamin back. Jacob resists and time passes. So much time that they run out of grain again.
Chap 43:2 - Jacob tells the boys to go back and purchase more grain. When they remind their dad they need to take Benjamin, in anger and fear he sad "Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?"
Jacob finally relents and sends them back with Benjamin. But Jacob is beside himself. The chapter ends with the brothers led into Joseph's home. They are put at ease when they tell the servant about the money and he tells them that money was supplied by God.
When Joseph came out he was struck with emotion at the sight of Benjamin. He had to go back to his chamber and he wept. He pulled himself together, washed his face and came back out. When he served them, Benjamin had 5 times the portion of the other brothers.
Things I took from this passage:
1. The past can cause us to act in fear and prolong the journey we are on. What if Jacob would have sent Benjamin in the first place - would reconciliation have come sooner?
2. The brothers believed all this hard time was reckoning for what they have done. If they could have seen what God had in store. They suffered great fear and anxiety. They didn't ask God for help - they were going to take on the punishment themselves. They didn't have God's peace or His timing because they didn't acknowledge Him.
3. Delaying to do what we know needs to be done only depletes our resources more. Jacob let his fears rule and so much time passed that they ran out of grain when in reality they coud have gone back for more resource a couple of times in the time they delayed. What are we doing to stall and delay the inevitable? What are we not trusting God for and trying to do ourselves? Lesson - don't let the chaos and confusion keep you from doing what you need to do to get to the resource.
4. God is a God that restores. He was already working when Joseph put the money back in their bags. He was already working with the brothers and dad when they ran out of grain in the first place. God doesn't restore halfway and this money restored for their journey was just a glimpse of what he was planning to do for them. I love that even this first glimpse of His generosity toward them scared them. If they only knew then what they would find out later.
5. Lastly, we see a picture of the love Joseph has for his own. It was likely the love and compassion Joseph felt for Benjamin that allowed him to forgive the other brothers. Sometimes all we need is that unwavering starting place to bring us to the place where God wants us. What is that starting place I can hold onto to begin this journey? For me, its remembering that the God who said He will... Will.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Those Rough Days
Jonah 1-4... I read this while we were on vacation in Sun River. I have to admit that I had a smirky smile on my face as I read from Jonah that day. You know you've had one of "those days" when you are going through a series of decisions and events and you wonder "How in the world did I end up here?" I'm pretty sure that Jonah felt that way as he found himself in the belly of the whale.
It's in "those times":
1. We realize that God can or will orchestrate our lives to bring us either to a time of crisis or reflection. Jonah was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and 3 nights. Plenty of time for God to allow Jonah to see where he was at and where he needed to go.
2. God doesn't intend to make us stay in hard times any longer than we need to. In verse 7 it says that Jonah remembered the Lord and God heard his prayer. He renewed his commitment to the Lord and it wasn't long after that God delivered him from the belly of the whale.
3. God doesn't change His mind. This cracked me up. Jonah wasn't long out of the whale's belly when God again reminded him of what he was to do. Jonah had been selected to deliver a message to the people of Ninevah and He hadn't changed His mind. Do you suppose Jonah was saying to himself "Really God? Do you have any idea the week I've had?" It's the same process we all go through when we've gotten off track - just get back on track and keep going.
4. God hears our prayers even when we are walking in disobedience. Vs 7 says Jonah prayed (I remembered the Lord) and his prayer came to God in His Holy temple. He's not as far away as we think in the tough times. He is waiting for our attitudes to adjust or for us to acknowledge our need of Him. This paints a picture of a true and loving Father. One that says "I'll just wait until you straighten up and recognize you need Me, but I am right here and ready to receive you when you are."
God rocks...
It's in "those times":
1. We realize that God can or will orchestrate our lives to bring us either to a time of crisis or reflection. Jonah was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and 3 nights. Plenty of time for God to allow Jonah to see where he was at and where he needed to go.
2. God doesn't intend to make us stay in hard times any longer than we need to. In verse 7 it says that Jonah remembered the Lord and God heard his prayer. He renewed his commitment to the Lord and it wasn't long after that God delivered him from the belly of the whale.
3. God doesn't change His mind. This cracked me up. Jonah wasn't long out of the whale's belly when God again reminded him of what he was to do. Jonah had been selected to deliver a message to the people of Ninevah and He hadn't changed His mind. Do you suppose Jonah was saying to himself "Really God? Do you have any idea the week I've had?" It's the same process we all go through when we've gotten off track - just get back on track and keep going.
4. God hears our prayers even when we are walking in disobedience. Vs 7 says Jonah prayed (I remembered the Lord) and his prayer came to God in His Holy temple. He's not as far away as we think in the tough times. He is waiting for our attitudes to adjust or for us to acknowledge our need of Him. This paints a picture of a true and loving Father. One that says "I'll just wait until you straighten up and recognize you need Me, but I am right here and ready to receive you when you are."
God rocks...
A Father of Example - My Gift from God
This week marks the 8th anniversary of when my Dad died. He suffered bravely through pancreatic cancer and went home to be with the Lord on July 26, 2003. This one's for you Dad. I love you.
Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good and what the does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to have kindness and to walk humbly with your God."
This was my Dad's favorite verse. I didn't know it until he passed away and we were making funeral arrangements. As I reflected on my Dad's life - he really did live out this verse and lived a simple life that pleased God. My Dad's greatest pursuit was to know God and His Word and to live his life to please Him. It wasn't a pursuit of personal greatness, wasn't a pursuit of wealth, it was truly a day to day pursuit of God. Seeing himself in light of God's greatness, realizing his need of a Savior, being grateful for God's love and work in his life, and working to live his life as an example to others.
Thank you God for my earthly father, Donald William Cross - I will be forever grateful...
Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good and what the does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to have kindness and to walk humbly with your God."
This was my Dad's favorite verse. I didn't know it until he passed away and we were making funeral arrangements. As I reflected on my Dad's life - he really did live out this verse and lived a simple life that pleased God. My Dad's greatest pursuit was to know God and His Word and to live his life to please Him. It wasn't a pursuit of personal greatness, wasn't a pursuit of wealth, it was truly a day to day pursuit of God. Seeing himself in light of God's greatness, realizing his need of a Savior, being grateful for God's love and work in his life, and working to live his life as an example to others.
Thank you God for my earthly father, Donald William Cross - I will be forever grateful...
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Organizer of the Event
2 Chronicles 16: 7,9,12
vs. 7 "...Because you relied on the King of Syria and not the Lord, the King of Syria has escaped you."
vs. 12 "...yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord but sought help from physicians."
vs. 9 "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him."
I picture someone in charge of a large event - a walkie talkie in hand briskly walking around looking for problems and issues that can arise, ready to solve them. Someone you could easily go to if you needed directions or if you needed assistance, even offering to walk you over to the place you are trying to find. If I went over to just an attendee of the event, they in no way could help me like the organizer could. If I needed something in an emergency they wouldn't have the resources available to give me everything I needed. The organizer would have planned for potential needs that came up. He would have resources and pull to get me what I needed. In this picture that organizer is my Lord and the big event is my life.
So what that tells me is you have known since the beginning of time, those weeks when I'm going to have one of "those" weeks. You have a plan and a way out. You are equipped and ready to give me all the support I need. You are not worried and you may be wondering why I am because You have everything under control. You know the way out of this crowd of chaos and You know what I need to solve the problem I'm facing. You have all the resources available and all You have to do is call it into existence. I can have peace in my circumstances because I am with the organizer of the event. I am safe in Your presence.
Sometimes I feel like I'm lost in the crowd at a chaotic event. In those times, I don't feel safe and with all the chaos I don't see a solution. With every turn it feels like I am even more lost and I feel like I'm losing track of the things I care about. Your word promises strong support. I believe I will find the Lost and Found station and soon I will be reconnected with who I care about. Away from all the craziness of the crowd, I will be able to hear myself think again. If I am injured, there will be a First Aid Station next door where I can get my injuries attended to. You have already thought of what I would need today. The resources are already in place - I just have to keep walking until I find them. I trust there will be signs along the way to help me find what I need. There will be places of refreshments and even benches to sit down and rest along the way.
The crowd may be loud and chaotic. It may take longer than I anticipated, but You have already planned it all out and I don't need to worry. I just need to trust You. You know what I need and You will never let me down. Thank you for being my strong support today. I love you Lord.
vs. 7 "...Because you relied on the King of Syria and not the Lord, the King of Syria has escaped you."
vs. 12 "...yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord but sought help from physicians."
vs. 9 "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him."
I picture someone in charge of a large event - a walkie talkie in hand briskly walking around looking for problems and issues that can arise, ready to solve them. Someone you could easily go to if you needed directions or if you needed assistance, even offering to walk you over to the place you are trying to find. If I went over to just an attendee of the event, they in no way could help me like the organizer could. If I needed something in an emergency they wouldn't have the resources available to give me everything I needed. The organizer would have planned for potential needs that came up. He would have resources and pull to get me what I needed. In this picture that organizer is my Lord and the big event is my life.
So what that tells me is you have known since the beginning of time, those weeks when I'm going to have one of "those" weeks. You have a plan and a way out. You are equipped and ready to give me all the support I need. You are not worried and you may be wondering why I am because You have everything under control. You know the way out of this crowd of chaos and You know what I need to solve the problem I'm facing. You have all the resources available and all You have to do is call it into existence. I can have peace in my circumstances because I am with the organizer of the event. I am safe in Your presence.
Sometimes I feel like I'm lost in the crowd at a chaotic event. In those times, I don't feel safe and with all the chaos I don't see a solution. With every turn it feels like I am even more lost and I feel like I'm losing track of the things I care about. Your word promises strong support. I believe I will find the Lost and Found station and soon I will be reconnected with who I care about. Away from all the craziness of the crowd, I will be able to hear myself think again. If I am injured, there will be a First Aid Station next door where I can get my injuries attended to. You have already thought of what I would need today. The resources are already in place - I just have to keep walking until I find them. I trust there will be signs along the way to help me find what I need. There will be places of refreshments and even benches to sit down and rest along the way.
The crowd may be loud and chaotic. It may take longer than I anticipated, but You have already planned it all out and I don't need to worry. I just need to trust You. You know what I need and You will never let me down. Thank you for being my strong support today. I love you Lord.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Words worth repeating
Proverbs 21:9 and Proverbs 25:24 - SAME Verse
"It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house with a quarrelsome wife".
Ouch! But I understand... who wants to live with someone picking at you? The picture of this wife is someone with a scowl on their face, a critical word on their lips and ready for a fight. Someone who sees the negative in everything including her spouse.
In contrast I think of the Proverbs 31 woman. Vs. 11 says - the heart of her husband trusts in her... she does him good, not harm. Vs. 26 says - she opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
So who am I versus who I want to be? I know at times I have been and can be woman in the verse above. I'm not proud of that and do not want to go there again. It doesn't feel good. It accomplishes nothing - in fact it tears everything I care about down.
I want to be the woman that her husband has no doubt how much she loves him. I want our home to be a refuge for him and my family. I want my words to build him up and let him know I believe in him. That I see all the possibilities and plans God has for him. I want to be an example to my girls of how to love their future husbands.
Where do I start? By loving him. By reflecting on his strengths and not his weaknesses. By appreciating the role he has as head of our family and not trying to take his authority from him. By serving him in our home. It's intentional. Yes, there is a risk to love, but by serving my husband,loving him, recognizing him as head of our home - I am serving my Father in heaven who will never fail me.
"It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house with a quarrelsome wife".
Ouch! But I understand... who wants to live with someone picking at you? The picture of this wife is someone with a scowl on their face, a critical word on their lips and ready for a fight. Someone who sees the negative in everything including her spouse.
In contrast I think of the Proverbs 31 woman. Vs. 11 says - the heart of her husband trusts in her... she does him good, not harm. Vs. 26 says - she opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
So who am I versus who I want to be? I know at times I have been and can be woman in the verse above. I'm not proud of that and do not want to go there again. It doesn't feel good. It accomplishes nothing - in fact it tears everything I care about down.
I want to be the woman that her husband has no doubt how much she loves him. I want our home to be a refuge for him and my family. I want my words to build him up and let him know I believe in him. That I see all the possibilities and plans God has for him. I want to be an example to my girls of how to love their future husbands.
Where do I start? By loving him. By reflecting on his strengths and not his weaknesses. By appreciating the role he has as head of our family and not trying to take his authority from him. By serving him in our home. It's intentional. Yes, there is a risk to love, but by serving my husband,loving him, recognizing him as head of our home - I am serving my Father in heaven who will never fail me.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Redemption
Redemption is the word on my mind today. As Christians it is a word often used, but I don't know how well we understand it.
For those of us who have BIG THINGS in our past I believe redemption is key to our understanding of who we are in Christ. It is recognizing God's forgiveness and the salvation He gave us simply because He loved us and wanted a relationship with us.
Without redemption we are still walking scarred, flawed, remembering with clarity our failures and feeling that we are one decision away to returning to our old life.
I was trying to think about what redemption might look like. At first I thought of a purse. The compliment to the perfect outfit that God has given us. But then I thought how we could easily put down the purse and walk away without it... that won't work.
Then I thought that redemption could be a shirt. It's a gift, something we put on and people can see it. But still, as discouragement comes we can decide we are no longer worthy of the gift God gave and take it off - revealing the scars and identity of the past.
Now listen - I am not a fan of tattoos (think you will all look really silly when you are 92 with those things on), but this is the picture that I believe best represents redemption. It's a conscious decision to put it on. It's personal and it's permanent. It is something that God intends for us to keep with us forever. It is not temporary but even more than that, it reflects WHO's we are. Anyone can get one, but it does come at a price, but the ultimate price has already been paid.
Come to Jesus and He will change your life forever. His grace is sufficient for you.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,"
Ephesians 1:7 ESV
For those of us who have BIG THINGS in our past I believe redemption is key to our understanding of who we are in Christ. It is recognizing God's forgiveness and the salvation He gave us simply because He loved us and wanted a relationship with us.
Without redemption we are still walking scarred, flawed, remembering with clarity our failures and feeling that we are one decision away to returning to our old life.
I was trying to think about what redemption might look like. At first I thought of a purse. The compliment to the perfect outfit that God has given us. But then I thought how we could easily put down the purse and walk away without it... that won't work.
Then I thought that redemption could be a shirt. It's a gift, something we put on and people can see it. But still, as discouragement comes we can decide we are no longer worthy of the gift God gave and take it off - revealing the scars and identity of the past.
Now listen - I am not a fan of tattoos (think you will all look really silly when you are 92 with those things on), but this is the picture that I believe best represents redemption. It's a conscious decision to put it on. It's personal and it's permanent. It is something that God intends for us to keep with us forever. It is not temporary but even more than that, it reflects WHO's we are. Anyone can get one, but it does come at a price, but the ultimate price has already been paid.
Come to Jesus and He will change your life forever. His grace is sufficient for you.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,"
Ephesians 1:7 ESV
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