For Glory

 'Praise be to his glorious name forever; 

may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen.'

~Psalm 72:19~

Why do you talk about God? Not when, who with, or even how often (Matthew 6:5). WHY?

Speaking out about beliefs is a big deal, and we can easily become loud about it. Our focus shifts to 'See? This is what I believe, see!' We do a good job of standing up for ourselves and fellow believers applaud us for that. Support that in itself is not bad... as long as it doesn't overtake our greater purpose.

'The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains' ~Philippians 1:7~

'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.' ~Philippians 2:3~ 

I've asked myself many times WHAT that looks like. How do I approach my testimony or carry out my discipleship in earnest? Then a picture came to mind two nights ago whilst researching neurological disorders. Musicians. 

By minute, hour, and year, musicians work their fingers to the bone to set off the perfect notes from their instrument. And people listen; the bass, the strings, the woodwinds... even to a guitar strummed on a street corner. Sure, some may watch their fingers zing like lightening or the uniform flip of a composition page. Bottom line though, they hear the result. It's what they walk away with; and remember.

The instruments are the means to this explosive art, but outside the musical experts, people don't gather to gawk at the taught strings or polished wood. The audience seeks to become completely engrossed in the symphony- a 20 piece, 50 piece, or 100 piece orchestra, all equal ONE piece of masterful and moving music. 

Such is the same in our discipleship. We don't want people's eyes on us, but attuned to the music. Hear the message of God' s love because that's the whole point of talking about Him. I don't want people telling me what a great writer I am. I want your attention drawn toward God...

                John 3:16                    John 14:6                 Hebrews 1:3               Hebrews 3:6

Once you notice Him, you won't even remember me. That's what I want.

'For God, who said "Let light shine out of darkness" made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ,'

~2 Corinthians 4:6~

Pushback

 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." God has stated (Hebrews 13:5)

"Why have you forsaken me?" the Israelites, King David, and others- including JESUS- cry out in the Bible... the first of countless Christians to do so. We quote this question because that's how low we feel at times. Driven into the loneliest of corners from all sides. In pain and frustration, all we're left with is our limited knowledge, space, time, and understanding.

Because we ARE limited. 

Not that we ever want to admit it or acknowledge how weak we are. But that's what a relationship with God is... love, based on trust.

"I will never leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8)

The certainty of this verse rests on its source. An all-knowing God. Knowing it's okay to yell, cry, and even to question. That it's alright to move ahead without all the answers. That it's okay if you let something else lead the way.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)

Searching the Sky

~Psalm 139:7-8~

 I took a drive this evening.

I was looking for this month's full moon, dubbed the 'Strawberry Moon'. It sounded cute and something different outside the eerie Harvest moons I'm used to seeing. Peak illumination due at 9:08, I set off. I saw a heat-muted sky as another summer sun was setting. Soft, pillowy oranges, pinks, and a deepening blue... clouds clinging to the last reflections of the day's melting rays.

Yet, no moon.

I couldn't find it... correction, I couldn't see it.

But I know it was there, due to years of constant evidence, agreed upon across countless cultures.

I can't see God. And right now- for a long while in fact- I haven't been able to see what He wants next for my life. By the end of this post, I'm still not likely to know. All I do is move forward, following a Father who loves me.

Such seasons are like searching the sky, as I did tonight. You don't always spot what you're looking for or hoping to find. But you know it's there.

With God it's the same backing of evidence, witnessed and recorded by dozens of ethnicities across decades. So that even centuries later, we can remain certain of what we're searching for. Even when we can't see it.

Why does that certainty matter? Because, while I don't have the answers, the search remains rooted in a God who certainly loves me... and you!

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 

for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

~Proverbs 1:5-6~

  

I Will Pray

'Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.' ~Colossians 4:2~

"I will pray for you."

What do you think it means when someone says that to you? You hear it from loved ones, friends, or a random person you've bled your heart to for the past half hour.

My personal take: Yes, I'm going to take more of my time to think about you. I'm going to speak on your behalf; back you up before the Creator (whom already cares deeply about you).

This is the standard I hold myself to. 'Never be lacing in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.' (Romans 12:11-13)

Why? For Christians, prayer is our adamant communication with God. It is the countermeasure for everything our sinful, broken (beautiful) world throws at us:

'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~Philippians 4:6~

'Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him... And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well... Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.' ~James 5:13-16~

Prayer is the highway where we spill our feelings, desires, and thanks toward God. They are spontaneous, yet concentrated. Solitary, while practiced (and encouraged) in partners or groups. Sometimes spoken, sometimes not even whispered:

'In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.' ~ Romans 8:26~

However, when we fall to our knees (or press our forehead to the steering wheel, clutch a pillow to our chest, or smile with tears through our closed eyes), it's not just us we're lifting up. Those around us, seen and unseen.

'Be joyful always, pray continually ; give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18~

'But I tell you; Love your enemies (those who curse you in other translations) and pray for those who persecute you.' ~Matthew 5:44~ 

I disclose the agony of prayer to to steal from the joy and hope of its spiritual intimacy, but to more fully paint its picture to those we pray for. And to you, yes YOU, I leave this much more:

'I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope in which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints...' ~Ephesians 1:16-18~

'I will pray for you'... what's your definition of that? 

'And pay in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.' ~Ephesians 6:18~

So Selfish!

 

'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'

 ~Romans 8:28~

Even in the face of this assurance, people can, will, and do argue how selfish God is. How dare He! Everything goes by his will, his plan, his course of action (Romans 12:2b). Doesn't He care about us? Being the creator, shouldn't caring about our desires be a no brainer? 

Have you looked up the word 'selfish'? It means being devoted only to oneself; primarily concerned with one's own benefits, beliefs, welfare, etc.

God is indeed driven by purpose, his purpose as we can relate to. For work, for family, for self-fulfillment, we understand what it is to reach each day for the endgame. But there is an important detail to remember with this- the anchor of any of God's motives and plans. Which is OUR needs!

'Blessed is the one whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty' 

~Job 5:17~

This is spoken to JOB. The same Job who lost everything! His property, his wealth, and all of his children. Actions that all revolved around this man's ability to trust in God's purpose. A purpose that is lead by a singular love for His child.

So why does something so loving and selfless come across as self-centered? Because, well, we are the child. And a child's understanding is always pigeon-holed of their parent's discipline, restrictions, and the ever-resounding 'NO!'.

'A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.' ~Proverbs 29:15~

God sees the needs for our hearts, minds, and bodies- the ones we can see and more vitally, those we can't see. Our biggest need is an eternal life and relationship and Him. For believers, this is where all roads lead. The rough part is remaining on these roads and remaining assured of where they lead;

'Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble till a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.' 

~Psalm 94:12-14~

We are human; we have ideas about how life should go. But, we are humans loved by the One who is always picturing the best life for us! 

Connections

If you've ever attended church or Sunday school, you've undoubtedly been asked the question, 'What's your favorite verse?'

Maybe even 'what's your favorite book in the Bible?'

I've got nothing against these questions... their answers have become somewhat automated at this point; Galatians 2:20, the Psalms, and Colossians 3.

I could go the predicted route and probe you to ask 'why' is this or that your favorite, but I'd rather talk about the books or passages that AREN'T your favorite. The other passages and books of the Bible that don't immediately catch your eye or pertain to your life experiences (for the moment anyway). Because, when you look hard enough, you'll find that the Bible speaks its message in more then one place. Attesting to the careful planning God put into His words for us.

A common thing I do in my Bible is put like-minded verses in parentheses, if I spot a connection between them. (Psalm 37:3-9 and 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4) This could mean that they have a similar message or parable, talk about the same event, or are even word-for-word references to one another; an easy occurrence since much of the Old Testament is quoted within the New Testament.

Psalm 37:3-9... Notice the verbs used in deepening one's relationship with God

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4... How do the words connect back to the passage in the Psalms?

You might be thinking that''s quite a stretch, or 'you're reading a little too much into this don't you think?' To an extent, I have. I can dwell and overthink on things for months, if need be. And I've reversed my perception of God's Word in several areas over the years. But that doesn't mean that I consider making, and searching for a better understanding of God Word any less important.

God knew what He was doing, when those words left His mouth and wormed into His disciples' ears. He knew how He wanted every verse to relate to one another, yet stand out and remain distinct in our Christian lives.

He knew because He was sure of what He wanted... to connect with US!

Color Me Christmas

 

Hey... did you know that I LUUUUUVVVVVEEEE Christmas?

The lights, the snow- oh, you beautiful snow- the cookies, and singing. And of course, the colors. 

Christmas tends to follow a four-part harmony of colors, each representing a heavenly aspect to the season:

Red = Love

Gold = Joy

Green = Hope

White = Peace

It didn't take long to designate which theme I want to focus on this yuletide year!

'Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.'

~Psalm 32:11~

Many minds probably jump to the conclusion WHAT is there to be joyful about? But, let's rephrase that... HOW can you choose joy this Christmas? We've still got twenty days to find out. I will, however, start off with my favorite holiday jive!

Disclaimer: I have had a blog for years and just now learned that I can do this.