Sometimes the rain we need comes through a severe storm.

I usually don't like strong storms and in many ways actually fear them. However, we've been going through a drought and need rain. I'm finding as I sit before a strong storm coming in that my desire for the rain it contains is outweighing my usual fear. I don't mind it coming through if it contains the rain we need.

Are we like that in our spiritual lives? If we find ourselves dry and stagnant and in need of refreshing, do we welcome the way in which the refreshing comes? Do we welcome it coming in a storm of life even if it's not what we would have chosen? Do we welcome and allow God to choose His way in this?

I want to be open to whatever God allows, and whatever way He chooses to perform the actions He deems necessary in my life to grow me in Him. I want to praise Him if that growth comes through regular seasons of rain, or if it comes after a dry spell through a strong storm. Both ways are His doing, both contain His work for my life. Will I welcome them both just the same?

I was reading today 1 Peter 4:14, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.” (NRSV) I can never honestly say that I have been “reviled” for the name of Christ. Indeed, I'm not sure I've even had so much as an insult thrown at me. Does that mean that the Spirit of God isn't resting on me? No. But it does mean that if or when this ever does happen, I can remember these words and remember the encouragement in them.

But what of the believers that have never read these words? They go about their day, and potentially have been insulted regularly for hours throughout their workplace. Some of them may come home without a job anymore. Some have been taunted at school. What if they had never read these words? Can you imagine the encouragement that they could receive after a hard day of taunts, to sit down and read that it was all because “the Spirit of God is resting on you?” That encouragement brings life, the life that comes from God alone. It is a spiritual life, and it is the living water that we drink, the water of encouragement and life that the Spirit gives. It is this river that then flows through us onto others. For the encouragement received from these words wouldn't stop with that believer, but he would then share them with his wife, child, or neighbor to also encourage them to stand strong through another day of torment, another day for our Lord.

“Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.” 1 Pet. 4:16 NRSV

Reading through the parable of the talents this morning (Matt. 25:14-30) left me questioning, how do you expand what has been given to you? The man who hid the talent wasn't criticized necessarily for his attitude, but more for his lack of expansion. He had returned what had been given to him, but it seemed the master desired expansion of that gift. And he had the ability to do so - it says in verse 15 the talents were distributed "to each according to his ability." So I prayed about how to expand what I've been given.

The first thing is to acknowledge what I even have, if I know what that is. If I know it, I shouldn't hide it with a false humility. But what do I do with that?

Later, I read John 13:3-5. Jesus knew what He had been given; He had been given all things, and He knew who He was. So what did He do with what He had been given? Did He "lord" it over the disciples (as He had told them before not to do)? No, He instead took the lowest position and served. He poured water on them, and washed them. He dried them. He restored them.

As Christians we know who we are. Like Jesus, we know we belong to God and will return to Him when our days here are over. And, like Jesus, we know we have been given all things through Him. So, likewise, what should we do?

We should pour out ourselves, and what we have been given to others. As I read this I realized it answered my question from earlier, for as we in humility pour out that which we've been given, it will be caused to expand. And that pleases the Master, our Lord.

In Philippians 2, it says Jesus gave up the glory He had in Heaven in order to come to earth to save us. He arrived as a baby, fully dependent upon the Father for His care. He humbled Himself to do so, just as we are to humble ourselves before the Father and become like a little child to enter the Kingdom. As Jesus was, we are to be born again into a new destiny, a better destiny, than staying where we are. He could have stayed in Heaven among the glory of God, but instead He humbled Himself and became dependent in order to enter into an even yet better plan, the plan of salvation for man. It was the more difficult road, the humble road of dependence for His care and destiny, giving up control and surrendering Himself, but yet it is the model we are to follow to enter the Kingdom as well. Like Nicodemus discovered, the crowd with the child was shown, and the writer of Philippians learned, humble dependence upon God for our destiny is the best plan and the one that leads us into Him forever.

The other day I was reading the discussion of Jesus with the Jews in John 8. The final question of the Jews is, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" To this Jesus replied, "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am."

It hit me when I read this that the verb "to be" is very foundational in God's declaration of who he is. When He said, "I AM" in revelation at the burning bush to Moses, that's all that needed said. Then here in John 8, Jesus references this once again in his declaration to the Jews. It's throughout Scriptures. The very basis of who God is, who He claims to be, and how He reveals to us these things of Himself, are all referenced to using the verb "to be."

And (this is the cool part), there is not one language I know of that doesn't have "to be" as the very central, most crucial verb in the language. I'm not a linguist, so there could be room for correction here, but it's amazing to me that when God divided the languages at Babel, He still included as the very core of each language the very verb that He needed to indicate just who He is.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is what is freely offered us through the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of Christ in light of the divide caused by sin between man and God. This is to say that although we as humans screwed up and did what didn't please God, He chose to offer a way to come to him again. He accepts us with open arms if we accept His terms of the offer. The offer is this: believe in my Son who I sent to die for you, believe I forgive you through Him and I will receive you freely. Those are the terms: believe in His Son. That is the offer: to be cleansed (forgiven of sin) and come into His presence. This is an everlasting offer, with everlasting terms. This can always be entered into at any point by anyone. He never changes, and will never change this, we only have to believe to receive.

And why would we want to do this? Who wouldn't want to be in the presence of and be friends with One who knows us inside and out, yet loves us, who knows our name, the number of hairs on our head, our thoughts, our concerns, out joys, and cares genuinely about each and every one? A One who offers unending love, unending joy, unending peace, a companionship and friendship that lasts forever, and who helps us to reach our fullest potential and our greatest destiny? Who offers advice, gentle correction, a close-knit family, and life eternally?

It does cost - it costs the anger of the world that will hate that we've entered into a perfect relationship that they have yet to discover and cannot offer themselves. That cost is worth it. His love, His forgiveness, His presence is worth it more than any other thing there will ever be.

Grace

Grace is the act of kindness of God towards man to forgive us of all our sins, yet it is so much more. It is His character. His character of graciousness, kindness, love, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, and fatherhood. Yet it is also His character of discipline, His stance against evil, His desire for holiness in each of us. It is the willingness of a Father to work sinful beings through forgiveness into the image and character of His beloved Son. That's Grace.

And this Grace He gives freely to anyone who asks for it, anyone willing to receive it. Yes, it costs us all to ask for this. We must give up our ways in this world and our desires of this life. But the beauty of it is that once we catch a glimpse of our life in this world in comparison to the Grace He offers, there is no turning back. His Grace is so attractive, so loving, so full of Life that we didn't even realize we were missing! And when He enters in and takes over, when He shares a piece of His Grace with us, there is nothing else in this world to desire, only Him.

So how do we receive this Grace from Him? We don't deserve it and we are awful, sinful people in the light of a perfect, holy God. Part of His Grace is making it possible for us to receive, by no act of our own other than the willingness to ask for and receive it. And by receiving His Grace we are receiving Him, for His character of Grace is who He is. It's not a one-time gift He gives. It's not something He pulls away or discards after awhile. It is a full part of who He is as God, and it will never disappear or diminish from Him because it is a foundational part of who He is as God. And He never changes. As the Scripture says, "He is the same yesterday, today and always." (Heb. 13:8) This includes His character of Grace, His forgiveness, love, compassion, kindness and goodness. These things will never change and His holiness and purity will always remain. That's good news for us who daily rely on that character to live.

Unity

Unity is a theme dear to God's heart. He created the earth with symmetry and a flow of life that fits together: animals eat plants, man eats animals, man becomes fertilizer for plants. None is left out.

In Himself there is unity. The Father loves the Son, the Son serves the Father, the Spirit makes Father and Son known to us. There's unity in that.

In the Body of Christ we were created for unity as well. Some have one gift, others another. All have a gift and have their place within the Body. Some serve, some enlighten, but none are left out, and all are to participate. When one person holds back on the gift they've been given, this unity is disrupted. The chain of edification is altered and disunity arises.

Even in suffering we are designed to be unified. "When one part suffers, all suffer with it." We are unified with this, and we are unified in God's heart with this.

Unity is important to God, or else the author that penned, "As far as it is up to you, do everything to maintain the unity of the Spirit," was sharing a falsehood of what's important to God.

So how do we maintain unity? We stay in touch with God's heart, loving what He loves, avoiding what He hates. His Spirit will lead us in this, as well as the Word.

We practice our gifts edifying one another. Use what we've been given to build into others and we'll find we're built into as well.

Pray for one another. By praying for God's will to be done in each other's lives we're practicing love, we're maintaining unity.

And, finally, love one another with the love that only comes from God. Without the love, unity will be destroyed.

Our hope when we pray is based in the character of God. When we pray, we know He hears us. (1 John 5:14) If we know He hears us, we know we will receive what we've asked. (1 John 5:15) We know He hears and gives because He loves us, cares for us, shepherds us, and is willing.

When we've lost sight of His character, we lose hope and we grow weary in praying. Our hope is based in His character. So when it says in 1 Pet. 3:15, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have," our response should be about knowing Him and His character, that He hears, knows, and loves us, and will respond when we ask. He is an interactive God, not a passive one.

"Do not grow weary in doing good." (Gal. 6:9) Don't lose hope; He's a loving God. (Romans 5:5 - This hope will never disappoint us.)

Many years ago I saw a vision (or perhaps it was a dream, I'm not really sure which). In this sight, I saw two armies. One was vast, organized, and powerful. It was marching straight ahead, focused on the task of defeating the other army. Then I looked at the other army whose front-lines were about to clash in battle with the first's.

This second army had focused ranks at the front. Like the first army, they were intent on what was ahead. But as my vision panned and I looked further back in the marching ranks, I was alarmed by what I saw. As the ranks progressed further back, the soldiers were discussing things among themselves and not focused on what was before them. Then, further back, there were those who were even fighting among themselves! Finally, towards the back of the ranks, there were those who were turned around backwards, wandering side-to-side, or gazing far away. They were not marching in ranks; they were clueless that they were even moving towards something!

That first, hideous, organized, and powerful army was that of our enemy, coming straight at the ranks of the Christians of the world. The Christians were organized and victorious on the front-lines of battle, but were unprepared and unaware as the ranks were further from what was ahead.

My passion, grief, and heart poured out the next couple of hours to the first friend I found. "We must do something! We must do something!" We must do something for those who are marching into the battle and are unprepared for what is to come. We must do something for those who are fighting at the front to keep them on their feet and treat their injuries. And we must do something for ourselves, who are also in these ranks, to be sure we are ready for what is about to come.

As time goes on, each portion of the ranks of armies will find themselves on the front-lines. The enemy was ready. Are we?

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power...Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world's darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world...you need to put on God's full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing." (Eph. 6:10, 12-13 NCV)

Ramblings on Grace...


Grace is a topic difficult to grasp. In the heart we can reiterate the congruencies of it throughout Scripture, know what it means to be in it, know what it is to accept it, and know that we can never earn it. However, in practice it's a whole other thing.

In our hearts the true acceptance of His Grace can be difficult to accept. We know in our minds what it is, but in our hearts do we practice it truly? I just this morning worked on a study that showed me my heart is off-kilter in this. I'm still trying to earn that which is freely given; still trying to make it so I don't have to receive it again. That's completely against Scripture! Grace is an ongoing, over-arching thing that covers us completely from the moment we enter into it throughout the rest of eternity. It can't be earned, it can't be avoided, unless, of course, we flat out reject it. We are fallen beings and it is by Grace we have been restored. It is by Grace we can approach our God. It is by Grace we are forgiven.

So why is it so hard to line our hearts up with our head? Why is it so difficult to grasp that which is never to be re-paid, indeed, never to be attempted to be re-paid? Is it our society that tells us we must earn everything and not accept anything freely? Is it the practice of a child trying to forever please a parent while failing again and again and again?

I've seen some examples in our life where we had to learn the lesson of free acceptance. Once was with my husband's Grandpa giving to him over and over from an abundance we didn't know he had. Another is when friends insisted I eat free at a restaurant even though I shouldn't have been the one to receive the free meal.

It takes humility to accept Grace. It takes humbleness to know that we've fallen and will never measure up. It takes humility to quit trying and to just receive.

I pray for that humility now.

When driving home from our trip, we decided to make a side excursion to find a Barnes and Noble to get a gift certificate for our cat-sitter. This led to a series of clues that finally led us to a mall. As we were leaving, Jason asked if I had overheard the conversation at the coffee counter. A girl had mentioned that the mall seemed deserted, probably because of all the tornado warnings out. The other lady had responded, “Yeah. But they're all canceled now.” That was our second clue, the first being the storm chaser that had passed us on I-80.

Leaving the area we tuned into a station for more information. This was helpful, because about a half hour later we had the opportunity to practice the terminology we learned in the storm spotters training we took earlier this spring.

As we watched the storm develop rapidly around us, we were able to recognize several classic parts, and when I thought I spotted some rotation, I didn't stick around to find out. I hit the accelerator and hurried from there, knowing we were in the location the trainer had told us not to be in these storms.

Scurrying away from there at slightly above the speed limit, we hit heavy rain - the front of the storm. It was then that I kept hearing peacefully inside, in response to my prayers, to slow down. Confused, I wondered why, since we were trying to outrun what was behind us. But we could also see some impressive storm clouds in front of us, and modified our route slightly. We seemed to skirt all activity the rest of the way home.

Upon arrival, we discovered there had been tornadoes and large hail in the areas West and East of us (we were heading North), and we saw on the radar that the thin storm line stretched from Missouri up into Wisconsin. It was a solid line, except for one part. There was only one gap - the one we must have driven through. My prayers turned to praises as I realized what God's directions kept us from.

Sometimes there are moments in life that put everything into perspective. These moments happen suddenly, spontaneously, and within a breath they challenge and change that which you knew and thought was important.

Take, for instance, a day at the hospital with a mom who's son was dying. No longer concerned about the lateness of bills, she asked, "What's only $1.50 more for a late fee compared to this now?" That put it all into perspective.

She didn't say stop living; she just agreed the mundane had now become unimportant.

This happens daily in lives throughout our world. What's a dentist appointment compared to a widow whose husband was killed for his belief? Or what about those in dark prison cells wondering if justice will ever be served? It is things like these that make us wonder what's really important in life - and, am I living for it? Am I living in a way that I'm making a difference in the important things, and not just the mundane?

Paperwork, bills, appointments. These are all necessary throughout life, but when something happens like a sudden loss of home to fire, or a life to an accident, the importance all but goes away, and we begin to question and treasure that which really matters.

For after a loss, one treasures the little things, like a friendly smile, a helping hand. A prayer offered in faith. A shoulder to grieve on. Or a friend who cares to bring a casserole.

And then sometimes, it is through these things, these tragic moments, that we realize the things of true importance: that there is a God who cares, there is a body who shows Him, and it is our name He knows. And we can know Him.

We can know Him in joy and in tragedy, in friendship and through hatred. We can know there is a God who cares, who loves, and whose desire is for us to know Him. His arms are wide open, even in the midst of everyday life and tragic moments. His love never leaves, forsakes or fades. It is everlasting.

And that is what matters most.

A few weeks ago I was telling God how I was feeling like I was out on a limb with many things. His quick response was, "At the end of the branch is where the fruit grows."

A few days ago I was struggling between desires of my heart and thoughts of my mind. In frustration I asked when I should just follow my heart. The answer came quickly. "Never." Then, after a pause, "Follow mine."

I will lead you as you ask.
I will make you wholly mine.
I will take you to the Cross.
I will show you Love Divine.

I will make you whole again
In ways you yet to know.
I will fully wash your sin
I will wash you white as snow.

So listen to these words of mine
Listen to them close
For in them dwells Love Divine
And in this you should boast.

A seeker once came to Me,
looking for some bread.
I instead gave Him Me,
risen from the dead.

So here these words you have them,
before you they are true.
Remember them when darkness comes
and I must rescue you.

Now rest your head before Me.
Give peace your weary mind.
For I have spoken this today
To show you Love Divine.

In Exodus 20, the first of the commandments is to "have no other gods before me."

In Matthew 22:34-40 Jesus says the greatest commandment is "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Luke adds strength - see Luke 10:27)

In Deuteronomy 30:6, the NCV version reads, "The LORD your God will prepare you and your descendants to love him with your whole being so that you will live." The NRSV renders this, "Moreover, the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live."

In John 3 Jesus speaks with Nicodemus and tells him that in order to see the Kingdom of God you must be born from above, born from the Spirit.

Scripture doesn't use the term "surrender" in terms of us to God. The only translation of the NLT, NCV, NKJ, NIV, and NASB translations (from a Bible Gateway search) that uses anything close to this is the NLT. Once this is in reference to surrendering pride. The other translations render things as "circumcise the heart."

The act of circumcision was an act of agreeance and joining into a covenant with God. To circumcise our hearts is to join in that covenant (the new covenant Jesus gave to us - see Luke 22). We offer our hearts to him and he circumcises us (according to Deuteronomy 30:6) causing us therefore to fulfill the command of Exodus 20 and doing what was discussed with Nicodemus in John 3. This covenant we enter into is a partnership between God and us. It is not one-sided.

So many times it seems we Christians talk about "surrender" as a place where we give ourselves to God and He does the rest. He does circumcise our hearts through the Holy Spirit (see Colossians 2:11), but we are now living in partnership, not slavery to Him. The concept of surrender is not biblical in that He doesn't take us over, instead it's an agreement and joining in in Him and who He is. That is the circumcision of the heart - a partnership. It is a joining in of us into His Life, into His will. Our hearts are aligned with His and we join in with Him as partners in ministry as He completes His works through us.

In the world of Christ there are those who say that we will never know when He is returning and so we wait flippantly for His return. Then there are those who say His return is imminent and they are so focused on it that they cannot function in anything else. But what does His word say? Jesus said to know the times. We cannot know the date, but we can know the times. And in those times we are to wait for Him eagerly, while still maintaining that which He has assigned us to. For some that's caring for other servants. For some it's doing the task of preaching, or healing, or sharing Him in the workforce. Wherever you have found yourself assigned, do it to His glory while still keeping an eye open and a lamp full and ready for His return. He is only like a thief in the night for those who are not watching. For the others it's like the man returning from a trip to servants who have been awaiting his return.

In the mountains of time there will always be nay-sayers. Those who say it cannot be done. Those whose view is limited and faith shrunken by the elements around them. That's why those who maintain faith despite the odds, despite those who say it can't be done, and despite the elements around them seem to be giants. Giants of faith in a way that is unreachable for the average Christian. However, God has not promised to be with some more than others. We are all His children on equal ground. That which is available to one is available to all. So those things promised by God for one is also for all. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "I am with you always." "If you have the faith of a mustard seed..."

Why is that last one harder to believe than the first two? Or is it? Is it easier for us to imagine God always with us, but harder to accept that He would act for us? I think it is those who have acknowledged and accepted that depth of His Love who are able to find the faith that seems giant-like. For it is when we are aware of His Love that we become confident enough to tell the mountains to move, to put on the armor of God in the face of evil, and to stand. To stand through all temptations and trials and to fall on our knees and acknowledge who holds the true power over us. It is when we have that awareness and acknowledge it that we can stand in faith, even when surrounded by nay-sayers and the craggy rocks of the mountains of life.

It is when we are grounded in Him that we fly, and are able to rise above those things that wish to bring us down. Maybe it is because we are soaring that we seem like giants to those still tied to the ground in the mire of their circumstances. I pray that I, like you, may be one who finds the faith to fly!

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you...

What is the kingdom of God?

It is like a little yeast that leavens the whole dough.

It is like a mustard seed that starts small and grows mighty.

It is like a treasure in a field that once found is worth trading everything for.

It is like a pearl of great worth.

Who enters it?

It is as difficult for a rich man to enter as a camel to pass through an eye of a needle. (But take heart, nothing is impossible for God.)

One must be born again from above.



Jesus spoke of the kingdom. He had His followers speak of the kingdom. He spoke with his followers of the kingdom during the forty days after He arose.

What is the significance of the kingdom?

It is God reclaiming His territory back from the devil. His territory that was handed over for the taste of an apple. His territory where we rightfully belong, but cannot enter without His Love. His territory that He ushers us into when we accept His blood.

He is King of this territory and always will be.