Trials
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Monday, May 15th, 2023
I asked several ladies (about 17) who they saw as a triumphant woman in the Bible. I then asked them to be involved in the Mother’s Day special this past Sunday. Seven agreed. My devotions over the next several days will be the ones they chose.
May 11- Lady #1- Mary of Bethany
Lady #2- Tamar- Story found in Genesis 38
Judah had 3 sons-Er, Onan, and Shelah. He found a wife for Er named Tamar. But Er was wicked and the Lord put him to death (we are not told what his wickedness was). By custom, Onan was to marry Tamar. He knew the offspring would not be his so he spilled his seed on the ground (v.9). That was wicked and he also was put to death. That left Shelah to eventually marry Tamar. Judah convinced Tamar to wait, but Judah held back until finally Tamar figured “enough is enough.”
After Judah’s wife died, he was going to visit friends and Tamar heard about it. She dressed disguised herself and enticed him. She bargained for his ring, his cord and his staff as proof he would keep his word on bringing her a goat as payment for her services. Tamar conceived, and when Judah was told, he was going to have her burned to death. He changed his tune when she sent the ring, the cord, and the staff as proof of who the father was. She eventually had twins-Perez and Zerah. Perez is listed in the lineage of Jesus.
What an interesting story on so many angles! So unpredictable. Right smack dab in the middle of Joseph’s story. In chapter 38 it was Judah’s recommendation that they sell Joseph into slavery instead of just killing him. You know…out of sight out of mind. And why not make a little profit while we are at it? Judah was not an upstanding man. But his life was changed after this encounter with Tamar.
Sometimes unexpected events change us. Good and bad. Sometimes our lives are never the same. Nothing is ever wasted in God’s classroom. I’m reminded of Romans 8:28. I’m also reminded of James 1:2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Let’s learn from every experience that God moves in ways we don’t often expect.
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God's Plan, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Trials
Tuesday, May 9th, 2023
I think one of the most common questions asked by both those who believe and those who don’t is, “Why me?” It is likely most, if not all of us, have asked that at one time or another in our life.
“Taking it on the chin” is not easy. Suffering is never easy. It gets worse as the suffering lingers. It gets worse when we see suffering as a punishment or as “God is getting even with me for something bad I have done.” The bottom drops out of our lives and we begin to wallow in self-pity, or worse, languish in despair. We begin to see no end to our pain, no end to the dead end road we are on, no end to the endless circle our life seems to be taking.
Do you mind if I take us in a different direction for a moment? Perhaps instead of asking, “Why me?” we should start asking, “What now?” I heard Joni, a quad since her teen years, express it that way. Instead of languishing in pity, maybe a more productive question would be, “Now that this has happened to me, how should I react?” Maybe a better response would be to ask ourselves how we should react to this trial, this suffering, this test I am going through?
Here’s an example I recently read: In 1953, a fledgling business called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and de-greasers for use in the aerospace industry. The original secret for WD-40-which stands for Water Displacement 40th attempt-is still in use today. Its most recent net worth was 1.3 billion.
Let’s ask an obvious question: what if they had stopped at #39 and gave up in defeat? What is Joshua and the children of Israel had stopped at Day 6 or even Day 7 walk-around #6? They would have missed #7 and the opportunity to watch the walls of Jericho fall.
We are told in Isaiah 40 that those who wait/hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Don’t wallow in pity. Use this as an opportunity to grow.
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God's Plan, Leadership, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Story, Suffering, Trials
Tuesday, March 14th, 2023
- May I make a confession to you? You are saying, “Yes, of course. Let’s have the dirt.”
Sorry. You are going to hear dirt, but nothing that you haven’t heard from thousands of others. Here it is:
I. AM. A. MESS.
Not that you will ever see it. No siree. You’re crazy if you think I’m going to show it. But trust me: I’m a mess.
And so are you.
Now you are probably thinking, “Speak for yourself bub.” But, please, hear me out.
There is a story I suspect many of you have heard or read. It is the story of a tapestry-a beautiful, fine-looking piece of art. Every piece in place. Every stitch, every strand of yarn is right where it needs to be. Now…turn it over. What do you see? A mess. Yarn, string, fabric going everywhere in one big, tangled mess.
Now, turn it back over. Chaos to sublime. Chaos to order. Ugly to beauty.
So yes, I am a mess. Inside me is chaos, a real jumble of wires. It is called and made worse by sin. I know this verse is overused, sometimes misused, and sometimes nothing more than a picture on a wall or some “Jesus junk” (as Keith Green used to call it), but the words ring true: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” To get the real strength of that verse you MUST read the ones which follow. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer.29:11-13) (ESV)
The real truth is that God does bring order out of chaos. He does take messed up, tangled lives and makes them something beautiful. A song from years ago said, “He makes beauty from ashes.”
Let Him take your mess and your chaos and replace it with order and beauty.
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Tags: Christian Living, Forgiveness, God's Plan, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Sin, Story, Trials, Truth Telling
Wednesday, March 8th, 2023
Perhaps you have heard the story of the distraught, sad man who went looking for help. He found a local pastor who was willing to sit down and listen. His sadness and pain was obvious as he unloaded his sadness. The pastor just listened. After some time he realized this man needed a good dose of laughter. So he told the man, “You need to laugh and relax. I hear there is a well-known comedian in town who is really great at making people laugh. I suggest you go hear him.”
After a moment of silence, the man said, “I am that comedian.”
I’ve heard that story several ways, I suspect you may have. Comedian. Clown. Entertainer. Any way you shake it, it says the same thing.
But here is a greater truth: Happiness does not equal joy. They are two separate entities, totally devoid of each other in reality. Happiness is dependent on circumstances; joy is in spite of your circumstances. If things are going well-financially, socially, family, job-happiness abounds. But have a glitch in one of them and happiness is like a bird let out of a cage.
Joy? It’s different. All chaos can be breaking out around us. Loss of job. Financial downturn. Wayward child. Fickle friends. But at the core is joy. It’s not because you are happy those things are happening to you. Joy comes-and is determined by-what is at the core of your being. Perhaps a better word is not what but WHOM. The person who follows Christ may not like what is happening; may struggle with pain to nth degree; but that person knows WHO controls it all. That brings joy in spite of the circumstances, amidst the pain. That is why James can write: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…” (1:2) (ESV)
Seek joy not happiness. Happiness is fleeting; joy is permanent.
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Tags: Christian Living, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Story, Suffering, Trials
Monday, March 6th, 2023
This past Saturday afternoon Jo and I went with some friends to see Jesus Revolution. It has surprised many pundits at the box office, taking in more than they ever predicted or maybe even dreamed of. My purpose here is not to give a review but to make a point about one of the characters.
The movie is about the early “story” of Pastor Greg Laurie’s search for meaning and hope in a world gone mad (some things never change do they?). It was a lesson though that Pastor Greg learned many years later-far removed from those Jesus Movement days-that sticks with me. On July 25, 2008, Greg’s son, Christopher, died in a car accident he was responsible for. As you can imagine, Greg was devastated beyond words. I have 2 daughters and I simply cannot imagine the grief and pain I would feel if they were taken from this life.
But through his pain, Greg received some great words of wisdom from his mentor, Pastor Chuck Smith. Smith said,
“Don’t ever trade what you know for what you don’t know.”
With that in mind, what do I know?
- I know that God loves me.
- I know that God wants what is best for me (even though I can’t see it).
- I know God has a plan for my life and knows the end of my days.
- I know God has promised to never leave me or forsake me.
- I also know God doesn’t always give me what I want and sometimes I have to wait for His answer.
Sometimes God doesn’t answer prayers as quickly as I want or would like Him to. But He will not let me down. Delays are not necessarily denials. Sometimes we have those dark nights of the soul.
So…the next time you or I feel abandoned; the next time you or I feel alone; the next time you or I feel God is not listening “Don’t ever trade what you know for what you don’t know.”
I heard it said recently: “Feelings are a great check engine light, but a terrible GPS.” Don’t trust your feelings. Trust the ONE whom you know.
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Tags: Christian Living, Faith/Feelings, God's Plan, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Story, Suffering, Trials, Trust
Thursday, February 16th, 2023
“Come to Jesus and everything will be okay.”
“Come to Jesus and you will have everything you need.”
“Come to Jesus and you won’t have any problems.”
There is a teaching in today’s “Christian” world that is false. Some swear by it; some swear at it. Some say it is misleading; some say it will lead you to new heights. I think a correct word for it would be Heresy.
That teaching? God wants you healthy and wealthy and if you just “speak it with positive confession” good will come (aka “name it/claim it”). One of the side trails this heresy takes is in saying, “Everything will be okay; you will have everything you need; and you won’t suffer.”
I heard recently that Kenneth Copeland, one of the biggest purveyors of this garbage, once told his daughter-when she came home from school saying she was sick-“No you aren’t. We don’t talk like that in this house. Speak health.” He tried to pull that off with his cardiologist. He now wears a pacemaker. Another one’s wife just died of cancer. Another one’s baby was not raised from the dead and after 9 days they finally decided to bury her.
In Mark 4 there is a story of Jesus and His disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. A storm comes up, and it is so strong these sea-hardened fishermen are scared to death. So they wake up Jesus who is asleep in the boat and He calms the storm.
So many thoughts float through my mind as I think of that story.
- Why were they so afraid? A: This had to be one doozy of a storm!
- “Did Jesus know the storm would come? A: Yes. This whole scenario was part of His plan of teaching them more. He had taught about the parable of the sower; what it means to be a light; the importance of planting seed. This is going to be one big lesson!
Perhaps the most important lesson of all-and it applies to us as well- is what we see in Mark 4:35-“Let’s go across to the other side.” (ESV) Key words: other.side. There was no ifs, ands, or buts about it. There was no “If we get through the storm which is about to come we will get to the other side” or “Guys, no problem. Smooth sailing ahead because I’m in the boat.”
Again, I say it: other. side. That was the promise. What was not promised was smooth sailing, even with Jesus in the boat. But therein lies the lesson: we will get to the other side-trouble or no trouble-because Jesus is in the boat with us.
Let me close with this: Expect trouble. But also know that Jesus is in the boat with you and will bring you through the storm. You can anchor your life on that.
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Tags: Christian Living, God's Plan, Jesus, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Scripture look, Suffering, Trials, Truth Telling
Thursday, February 9th, 2023
I’m not much of a science person, or a math person, or a “this mathematical principle if used here will solve this problem” kind of person. I got left in the dark when science and math genes were handed out. 🙂 It seems strange then, I guess, that my favorite TV show of all time is MacGyver. I know it was just television, but his ability to solve things with his mind-and seemingly at the drop of a hat-astounded me. The later version was even more math/problem oriented than the original (and yes, I liked that one also till it got a little “weird”). Anyway, I can remember him using or stating a principle that even I can remember hearing when I was taking the class: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
My intention in this devotion is not to delve into that statements truth or untruth…as if. For the record: it is true (so they tell me).
I want to apply it to prayer. We often say, “God will answer your payer-in His way, for His glory, and in His time.” That doesn’t make waiting any easier, but it does leave us something to think about.
If God has perfect timing (and He does), why do we get so bent out of shape when we have to wait? Let’s think about this. If every action has an equal and opposite reaction, what would happen if God does answer our prayer according to our time table? Who knows what domino effect could take place if it was? Maybe, just maybe, God overruled something that could have messed up the space time continuum. 🙂 Seriously, what if God answered how we wanted and when we wanted and all chaos broke loose in our lives?
Some prayers are answered right away. But some prayers-because of the sovereignty and omniscience of God-are not. And that turns out to be a good thing because the ONE who knows us best loves us the most.
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Tags: Christian Living, God's Plan, Ministry, Opinion, Prayer, Questions, Reflection, Trials, Truth Telling
Tuesday, January 31st, 2023
One of the heresies today of so many false teachers is what is called the “health/wealth” gospel or the “name-it-claim-it” teaching. I’m guessing many of you know exactly what that aberrant teaching is: God wants you healthy and wealthy. It is your divine right to expect it. All you have to do is “name it and claim it.” Speak it out loud. Claim that whatever it is you want is yours and you get it.
I cannot begin to tell you how that turns my stomach. They twist Scripture to have it say what they mean. “Ask and it will given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened” is just one of the Scriptures they butcher. It is used a proof-text for their false thoughts.
They tell people to speak cancer away. Speak poverty away. Want that car? Claim it. Again, I cannot tell you how much that makes me cringe. Meanwhile, they get richer and richer; live in multi-million dollar mansions; wear designer clothes and $1500 tennis shoes on stage. Say what?
All while followers of Jesus die in droves in third world countries from ill health. All while followers of Jesus live under the sword of a pagan dictator or under the threat of rogue bands of vigilantes coming after them due to their faith. All while followers of Jesus are dying from cancer, or live under the specter of Alzheimers, or Parkinsons, or MS, or a wheelchair for life.
Trials, hardships, sickness, prolonged illnesses, even death are all part of living on this planet. It is the result of sin and the last I looked, the statistics for that were 1/1 have that disease. It follows that death has that same stat.
We may have trouble seeing it, but trials and difficulties can serve as a catalyst, a springboard, to new growth and a season of immense blessing from God. “Count it all joy” is what James said (Js. 1:2). The next time something happens that wants to knock you flat or even succeeds in doing that, let’s praise Him for His presence and strength to bear up under it.
And yes, I’m preaching to the choir.
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Tags: Christian Living, God's Plan, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Suffering, Trials, Truth Telling
Thursday, December 29th, 2022
Welcome to what will probably be the last post on “Shadow” for 2022. There will be a lot of reflecting over the next few days about 2022. The highs and lows. The victories and defeats. What I will call the woulda, shoulda, coulda’s.
But along with reflecting on 2022 (the past), there will also be some pondering about 2023. No one could have guessed what all 2022 would bring, nor can we guess what 2023 will bring. I won’t lie-I do wonder. Will my health hold up? Will that knee they say needs replaced “someday” find its “someday” in 2023? Will I be able to erase even more debt in 2023 (I only owe on 2 things at the moment-my house and truck)? Will the church thrive? Will Jo and I be able to celebrate our 50th in June? So many questions…not one answer…
Except…
I don’t have to know. God does. And since he has never failed me yet, I’m pretty confident He won’t in 2023.
I read about a lady named Charlotte Elliott. She suffered a physical disability for years and on the night before she was to participate in a fund-raiser for higher education, she was a mess. She tossed and turned all night with doubts and worries. She felt inadequate. The next morning she went to her desk and penned these well-known words: “Just as I am, without one plea/ But that they blood was shed for…”
Take note of Genesis 17:1. It says, “I am God Almighty (El Shaddai); walk before Me.” The Hebrew term, El Shaddai, can mean “God who is sufficient.”
I don’t know what 2023 holds. None of us do. What I DO KNOW is El-Shaddai, God Almighty, is sufficient to enable me to weather any storm.
“Father, may I trust You no matter what, as the One who is sufficient.”
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God, Opinion, Questions, Reflection, Story, Surrender, Trials
Monday, December 12th, 2022
One of the seemingly strangest Christmas songs we sing is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” The history of that song is mind-blowing. The relevancy to today is uncanny.
The poem was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He was a child prodigy. He started school at age 3 and was reading classical literature and writing stories by age 6. At 19 the college graduate (my note: yes you read that right), became a professor at Bowdoin College. He married in 1831 but several years later his first wife became ill and died. It took seven years before he recovered enough from his loss to remarry. He soon found fame and fortune as a result of renewed vigor. He fathered five children as well as writing classics like The Song of Hiawatha and The Courtship of Miles Standish. However, at the height of his fame and wealth and status, tragedy struck again. His wife died while lighting a match that caught her dress on fire. And then the Civil War hit and his oldest son went to fight for the Union Army. On December 1, 1863 he received word that his son has been severely wounded and may be paralyzed for the rest of his life. He hated the war and what it did to his family and how it divided the country. On December 25, 1863 he sat down and wrote the words to the poem which John Baptiste Calkin put to music ten years later. {Source: “Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas”-Ace Collins-pp. 81-85} (edited by me to fit)
I suspect many of us could have written that poem. The loss of a spouse or a child. The dissolution of a marriage you had poured your heart and soul into. The despair from a seemingly endless war. Loss of a job and income. Long-term health crisis. The drift of a child or a loved one into an immoral lifestyle or an addiction. The list of “sorrow-makers” is endless.
Despair is knocking on the door, but those who are Christ-followers do not have to give in to despair. One of the poem’s final stanzas says, “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men.” {Ibid-p.83}
That is a promise from His Word. If you feel despair rearing up its ugly head and kicking you around, don’t give in. God is there. Ask Him to come alongside you in a very real way (He is already there in the Person of the Holy Spirit). He has promised His comfort any time you need it.
May you know His peace and presence this Christmas season.
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Tags: Christian Living, Lifestyle, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Suffering, Trials
