My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. (Psalms 63:8)
Praise the Lord that He lifts us up! When we are weak, it is then that He will be strong. Rely upon the Lord your God for He is your strength, defence, and guide in all your ways.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Holy Spirit and Going On with God
The Holy Spirit and Going On with God
Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:2-3)
The work of the Holy Spirit is required for people to start out with God through new birth and justification. The Holy Spirit must also be at work in believers if they are to go on with God in growth and sanctification.
The opening portion of our present Scripture passage uses a question to address our starting out with God. "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" The answer to this question is obvious. No one could ever have the Spirit of God come to indwell them on the basis of their performance before God's law. Only the "hearing of faith" could ever cause that. The Holy Spirit came to live in us when we heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and believed in Him. At that time, our sins were forgiven, we were justified (declared not guilty, righteous in God's sight), and we were born again by the Spirit. All of this marked our beginning with God. All of this involved the work of the Holy Spirit on our behalf.
The closing words of the passage use two additional questions to apply this issue of the Spirit's work to our going on with God. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?" We who are the children of God began with Him "in the Spirit." Now, it would be spiritually senseless to think that we could progress with God "by the flesh." Surely, we agree with the Lord that we could not produce our own spiritual birth into His family. We had to be "born of the Spirit" (John 3:6). Certainly, we want to agree with God that we cannot manufacture our own spiritual growth, that is, be "made perfect by the flesh."
The Lord desires that we mature and develop in this new life in Christ. Such growth in Christ is a spiritual matter. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh." The resources that we have all received from our earthly parents are of the flesh. These natural capabilities cannot develop us spiritually. The perfecting process (becoming increasingly like the Lord Jesus Christ) necessitates the Holy Spirit's working in us. Remember, the means God used to start us out with Him (to justify us) are the means He uses to grow us up in Him (to sanctify us).
O Holy Father, I humbly admit that I have foolishly thought, at times, that I could produce godliness in myself through my own best efforts. Lord, I see that I need Your Spirit as much for spiritual growth as I did for spiritual birth. As I seek You through prayer and Your word, please take me on with You in growth and sanctification by the work of Your Holy Spirit, through Christ, I pray, Amen.
Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:2-3)
The work of the Holy Spirit is required for people to start out with God through new birth and justification. The Holy Spirit must also be at work in believers if they are to go on with God in growth and sanctification.
The opening portion of our present Scripture passage uses a question to address our starting out with God. "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" The answer to this question is obvious. No one could ever have the Spirit of God come to indwell them on the basis of their performance before God's law. Only the "hearing of faith" could ever cause that. The Holy Spirit came to live in us when we heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and believed in Him. At that time, our sins were forgiven, we were justified (declared not guilty, righteous in God's sight), and we were born again by the Spirit. All of this marked our beginning with God. All of this involved the work of the Holy Spirit on our behalf.
The closing words of the passage use two additional questions to apply this issue of the Spirit's work to our going on with God. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?" We who are the children of God began with Him "in the Spirit." Now, it would be spiritually senseless to think that we could progress with God "by the flesh." Surely, we agree with the Lord that we could not produce our own spiritual birth into His family. We had to be "born of the Spirit" (John 3:6). Certainly, we want to agree with God that we cannot manufacture our own spiritual growth, that is, be "made perfect by the flesh."
The Lord desires that we mature and develop in this new life in Christ. Such growth in Christ is a spiritual matter. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh." The resources that we have all received from our earthly parents are of the flesh. These natural capabilities cannot develop us spiritually. The perfecting process (becoming increasingly like the Lord Jesus Christ) necessitates the Holy Spirit's working in us. Remember, the means God used to start us out with Him (to justify us) are the means He uses to grow us up in Him (to sanctify us).
O Holy Father, I humbly admit that I have foolishly thought, at times, that I could produce godliness in myself through my own best efforts. Lord, I see that I need Your Spirit as much for spiritual growth as I did for spiritual birth. As I seek You through prayer and Your word, please take me on with You in growth and sanctification by the work of Your Holy Spirit, through Christ, I pray, Amen.
Therefore I will
Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7)
Bolster your faith! Call out to the very Lord of the heavens for strength! He will surely hear you! Ask of Him a measure more of faith and He shall surely grant it. He is the Lord of all and delights in blessing His children with every good thing!
Bolster your faith! Call out to the very Lord of the heavens for strength! He will surely hear you! Ask of Him a measure more of faith and He shall surely grant it. He is the Lord of all and delights in blessing His children with every good thing!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
But ye [are]
But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9)
As Christians, we have the tremendous privilege to be called "God's own possession." Although we were once lost with no identity as a people, we have come to know the excellent mercies of God. He has brought us together as a holy nation, set apart for His glory. For we certainly have become property of the almighty King, that we may proclaim His goodness and righteousness to all people.
As Christians, we have the tremendous privilege to be called "God's own possession." Although we were once lost with no identity as a people, we have come to know the excellent mercies of God. He has brought us together as a holy nation, set apart for His glory. For we certainly have become property of the almighty King, that we may proclaim His goodness and righteousness to all people.
The Holy Spirit and Starting Out with God
The Holy Spirit and Starting Out with God
"Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…You must be born again." (John 3:5-7)
The new life that allows us to start out with God comes through a spiritual birth provided by the Holy Spirit. "Unless one is born of…the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Just as man must be physically born into the human family, so man must be spiritually born into God's family. There is no other option. That is why Jesus said, "You must be born again."
The reason spiritual new birth is a necessity is because "that which is born of the flesh is flesh." Natural human birth can only produce a natural life. Becoming a child of God involves a supernatural life that God alone can provide.
When Jesus came to secure our redemption, He was generally rejected. "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him" (John 1:11). Nevertheless, some realized that He was Messiah, the Anointed King and Savior sent from the Father. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).
Believing in Jesus' name involves trusting in His person and His work. It encompasses relying upon who He is, what He says, and what He has done and can do. Such faith brings a unique new birth: "Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). This birth is from God. It cannot come by inheritance or genetics through our human bloodline. It is not available through an exercise of our human will. Neither can we have it pronounced upon us by some religious leader.
The Lord desires us to walk in a heavenly, spiritual life, not a mere earthly, human existence. Only a birth from the Spirit of God could bring us this type of life. "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." All genuine spirituality must come from a work of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. This is true concerning our starting out with God in new birth and justification. "You…were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11). We will see in subsequent meditations that this is true concerning our going on with God in growth and sanctification.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for making me Your child through faith in Your Son, Jesus. I praise You for the new life Your Holy Spirit has brought to me. Help me to understand from Your word that the entire Christian experience is to be as supernatural as being born again was. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
"Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…You must be born again." (John 3:5-7)
The new life that allows us to start out with God comes through a spiritual birth provided by the Holy Spirit. "Unless one is born of…the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Just as man must be physically born into the human family, so man must be spiritually born into God's family. There is no other option. That is why Jesus said, "You must be born again."
The reason spiritual new birth is a necessity is because "that which is born of the flesh is flesh." Natural human birth can only produce a natural life. Becoming a child of God involves a supernatural life that God alone can provide.
When Jesus came to secure our redemption, He was generally rejected. "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him" (John 1:11). Nevertheless, some realized that He was Messiah, the Anointed King and Savior sent from the Father. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).
Believing in Jesus' name involves trusting in His person and His work. It encompasses relying upon who He is, what He says, and what He has done and can do. Such faith brings a unique new birth: "Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). This birth is from God. It cannot come by inheritance or genetics through our human bloodline. It is not available through an exercise of our human will. Neither can we have it pronounced upon us by some religious leader.
The Lord desires us to walk in a heavenly, spiritual life, not a mere earthly, human existence. Only a birth from the Spirit of God could bring us this type of life. "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." All genuine spirituality must come from a work of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. This is true concerning our starting out with God in new birth and justification. "You…were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11). We will see in subsequent meditations that this is true concerning our going on with God in growth and sanctification.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for making me Your child through faith in Your Son, Jesus. I praise You for the new life Your Holy Spirit has brought to me. Help me to understand from Your word that the entire Christian experience is to be as supernatural as being born again was. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Holy Spirit Giving Life
The Holy Spirit Giving Life
"It is the Spirit who gives life"…[God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.. (John 6:63 and 2 Corinthians 3:6)
The Lord's new covenant of grace is a covenant of the Spirit: "[God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant…of the Spirit." Any approach to God other than by the Spirit results in spiritual deadness.
People need life, initially and continually. We need it initially, because we were spiritually dead due to sin and guilt. "And you…were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh…and were by nature children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:1-3). The only remedy for such spiritual death is spiritual life. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
People also need life continually, "for the letter kills." If we were left to our best efforts after we were given new life in Christ, we would be struggling under a human performance bondage of rules and regulations. That is spiritually deadening.
Jesus came to earth to offer people fullness of life. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus taught that if we looked to Him for our spiritual nutrition, we would find ongoing life. "And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life'" (John 6:35). Jesus did not refer to Himself as a leader establishing a new religion. Rather, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'" (John 14:6). When the early disciples were freed from prison, they were not told to recruit members to a movement. Instead, they were instructed to "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life" (Acts 5:20).
The life Jesus provides is His life expressed in and through us: "Christ who is our life" (Colossians 3:4). That life produces a lifestyle marked by His love, His joy, His peace, His wisdom, His courage—and whatever else is of His holy character. The new covenant of His grace holds forth this life, and the Holy Spirit delivers that life into humble, trusting hearts. "It is the Spirit who gives life."
Lord Jesus,You are my life. I have no other hope or source for finding true life. I praise You for Your patience with me when I try to produce a Christlike life by rules and regulations. Lord, just as You gave me life initially, please flood me now with new measures of Your life, as I humbly rely upon Your Spirit, Amen.
"It is the Spirit who gives life"…[God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.. (John 6:63 and 2 Corinthians 3:6)
The Lord's new covenant of grace is a covenant of the Spirit: "[God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant…of the Spirit." Any approach to God other than by the Spirit results in spiritual deadness.
People need life, initially and continually. We need it initially, because we were spiritually dead due to sin and guilt. "And you…were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh…and were by nature children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:1-3). The only remedy for such spiritual death is spiritual life. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
People also need life continually, "for the letter kills." If we were left to our best efforts after we were given new life in Christ, we would be struggling under a human performance bondage of rules and regulations. That is spiritually deadening.
Jesus came to earth to offer people fullness of life. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus taught that if we looked to Him for our spiritual nutrition, we would find ongoing life. "And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life'" (John 6:35). Jesus did not refer to Himself as a leader establishing a new religion. Rather, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'" (John 14:6). When the early disciples were freed from prison, they were not told to recruit members to a movement. Instead, they were instructed to "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life" (Acts 5:20).
The life Jesus provides is His life expressed in and through us: "Christ who is our life" (Colossians 3:4). That life produces a lifestyle marked by His love, His joy, His peace, His wisdom, His courage—and whatever else is of His holy character. The new covenant of His grace holds forth this life, and the Holy Spirit delivers that life into humble, trusting hearts. "It is the Spirit who gives life."
Lord Jesus,You are my life. I have no other hope or source for finding true life. I praise You for Your patience with me when I try to produce a Christlike life by rules and regulations. Lord, just as You gave me life initially, please flood me now with new measures of Your life, as I humbly rely upon Your Spirit, Amen.
He shall send
He shall send from heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. (Psalms 57:3)
The believer has three persistent enemies in this world: the devil, the wicked, and his own wicked nature. God has promised to deliver His people and trample their enemies. And so He shall! The devil's day is dawning—his time is soon come! The wicked shall be brought low and judged righteously for their lives of iniquity! And the Lord has already begun to tear the sin nature from the very being of His people! Praise God for His forbearance and His ultimate victory!
The believer has three persistent enemies in this world: the devil, the wicked, and his own wicked nature. God has promised to deliver His people and trample their enemies. And so He shall! The devil's day is dawning—his time is soon come! The wicked shall be brought low and judged righteously for their lives of iniquity! And the Lord has already begun to tear the sin nature from the very being of His people! Praise God for His forbearance and His ultimate victory!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
For the Lamb
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17)
Christ has made good His claim of being the good shepherd. He has led us from the land of death to the holy city, the great Mount Zion, to green pastures. He has led us to calm waters, to the river of life everlasting! He has been faithful to draw us from the valley of death and install us upon thrones of glory in the city of life!
Christ has made good His claim of being the good shepherd. He has led us from the land of death to the holy city, the great Mount Zion, to green pastures. He has led us to calm waters, to the river of life everlasting! He has been faithful to draw us from the valley of death and install us upon thrones of glory in the city of life!
Friday, February 18, 2011
And he said,
And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. (2 Samuel 22:2-3)
My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your protection, for being the Rock that I can stand on! Show me where I am to walk. You are so awesome and mighty! Thank you for Your great salvation.
My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your protection, for being the Rock that I can stand on! Show me where I am to walk. You are so awesome and mighty! Thank you for Your great salvation.
And he said,
And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. (2 Samuel 22:2-3)
My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your protection, for being the Rock that I can stand on! Show me where I am to walk. You are so awesome and mighty! Thank you for Your great salvation.
My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your protection, for being the Rock that I can stand on! Show me where I am to walk. You are so awesome and mighty! Thank you for Your great salvation.
Friday, February 11, 2011
And the ransomed of the LORD shall
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:10)
Soon He comes, the Lord of hosts, to judge the nations and bring to light a new heaven and a new earth! All joy will be eternal. All sorrow shall be no more! The children of the Lamb will march forth as princes of the holy city. And so we now join the cry of yearning, "How long O Lord? How long?"
Soon He comes, the Lord of hosts, to judge the nations and bring to light a new heaven and a new earth! All joy will be eternal. All sorrow shall be no more! The children of the Lamb will march forth as princes of the holy city. And so we now join the cry of yearning, "How long O Lord? How long?"
Friday, February 4, 2011
Trusting God or Who I Am
Subj: Trusting God or Who Am I
by P. De Veaux
When I first got saved, well actually when I returned to the Lord and after a year in a baptist church, I joined a pentecostal church. That was after months of prayer. The congregation at the baptist church was nice. The problem was the God they portrayed was sometimey and maybe-ish. Maybe he would help you, maybe he wouldn't - depended on how he was feeling that day. Maybe he would protect you - maybe he wouldn't, just wait and see what happens. If your circumstances didn't improve it meant, he didn't feel like helping you. After almost a year of that theology, I was ready to give up. What was the point in serving a God who evidently didn't have any power and if he had any power i couldn't trust that he would use it to help me. But by His grace, the Holy Spirit lead me to pray "Father, if this is all theire is to being saved - what's the point? I don't need a sometimey God, I need a real God so if there's more to this than what I'm seeing and hearing, please show me.' During the next two months, God took me to several pentecostal services where the Hloy Spirit was moving and His presence was tangible. I realized I needed to be in those services regularly. But I loved my church and couldn't bring myself to leave them. Until the Lord said to me one Sunday, as I stood at my post as usher in anguish because the Spirit was being quenched, the Lord said to me 'Choose you this day who you will serve'. I said, not a problem and told my pastor I had to go. They weren't happy, but I felt my spirit soar! In the pentecostal church I discoverd that God really did work in the lives of people today. That He didn't stop healing or delivering folks, that the devil could be vanquished when he showed his self. I discovered that as a child of God, Jesus had actually given me authority over the wiles of the devil. I witnessed the power of God, of the Holy Spirit not only in the lives of others, but in my life. I can't settle for living any less. After I left the baptist church, I had asked God what the problem was, why didn't believe He would help them, He told me that the congregation there was as the Word describes them - they have a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. My inner man rose up when I read the letter from Kate's mom. I felt like nobody believed God would do anything for her. When we pray - what are we saying - are we asking God to heal her according to His word? Or are we trying to sound humble by saying "Lord, not my will, but thine be done'? Doesn't Jesus admonish us in Phillipians 'Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgivng, let your request be made known unto God?' There's no stipulation of 'not my will' on that. In plain english, that verse says to me, if you want something, asks God and give Him thanks while you're asking. I learned that God does say Yes and 'here, you can have it' or 'wait on it'. So starting today, I'm praying more specifically, and when my intellect runs out of words, I let the Holy Spirit ask for me. Some of the old songs need to be sung again 'there is power, power wonder working power in the blood of the lamb!' Why receive communion if you don't believe it means anything more than sipping juice and eating a piece of cracker? His body was broken so that ours can be whole, His blood was shed so that His life can flow through us. Christ IS my righteouseness, I am accepted before God by Jesus' righteousness - not any goodness of my own. That was the Pharisees problem, and still is - trying to be accepted by God according to their goodness, and not by faith in Jesus'. 'On Christ alone, I place my trust...' not in any goodness or obedience of mine, but in the shed blood of Jesus I stand. Pray for the body, that we would believe that Jesus sacrifice was the one by which we have all the promises and gifts of God. Love you (just had to vent to somebody)! =
by P. De Veaux
When I first got saved, well actually when I returned to the Lord and after a year in a baptist church, I joined a pentecostal church. That was after months of prayer. The congregation at the baptist church was nice. The problem was the God they portrayed was sometimey and maybe-ish. Maybe he would help you, maybe he wouldn't - depended on how he was feeling that day. Maybe he would protect you - maybe he wouldn't, just wait and see what happens. If your circumstances didn't improve it meant, he didn't feel like helping you. After almost a year of that theology, I was ready to give up. What was the point in serving a God who evidently didn't have any power and if he had any power i couldn't trust that he would use it to help me. But by His grace, the Holy Spirit lead me to pray "Father, if this is all theire is to being saved - what's the point? I don't need a sometimey God, I need a real God so if there's more to this than what I'm seeing and hearing, please show me.' During the next two months, God took me to several pentecostal services where the Hloy Spirit was moving and His presence was tangible. I realized I needed to be in those services regularly. But I loved my church and couldn't bring myself to leave them. Until the Lord said to me one Sunday, as I stood at my post as usher in anguish because the Spirit was being quenched, the Lord said to me 'Choose you this day who you will serve'. I said, not a problem and told my pastor I had to go. They weren't happy, but I felt my spirit soar! In the pentecostal church I discoverd that God really did work in the lives of people today. That He didn't stop healing or delivering folks, that the devil could be vanquished when he showed his self. I discovered that as a child of God, Jesus had actually given me authority over the wiles of the devil. I witnessed the power of God, of the Holy Spirit not only in the lives of others, but in my life. I can't settle for living any less. After I left the baptist church, I had asked God what the problem was, why didn't believe He would help them, He told me that the congregation there was as the Word describes them - they have a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. My inner man rose up when I read the letter from Kate's mom. I felt like nobody believed God would do anything for her. When we pray - what are we saying - are we asking God to heal her according to His word? Or are we trying to sound humble by saying "Lord, not my will, but thine be done'? Doesn't Jesus admonish us in Phillipians 'Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgivng, let your request be made known unto God?' There's no stipulation of 'not my will' on that. In plain english, that verse says to me, if you want something, asks God and give Him thanks while you're asking. I learned that God does say Yes and 'here, you can have it' or 'wait on it'. So starting today, I'm praying more specifically, and when my intellect runs out of words, I let the Holy Spirit ask for me. Some of the old songs need to be sung again 'there is power, power wonder working power in the blood of the lamb!' Why receive communion if you don't believe it means anything more than sipping juice and eating a piece of cracker? His body was broken so that ours can be whole, His blood was shed so that His life can flow through us. Christ IS my righteouseness, I am accepted before God by Jesus' righteousness - not any goodness of my own. That was the Pharisees problem, and still is - trying to be accepted by God according to their goodness, and not by faith in Jesus'. 'On Christ alone, I place my trust...' not in any goodness or obedience of mine, but in the shed blood of Jesus I stand. Pray for the body, that we would believe that Jesus sacrifice was the one by which we have all the promises and gifts of God. Love you (just had to vent to somebody)! =
I will instruct thee and teach thee
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalms 32:8)What a wonderful promise! Because of our Father's remarkable love and grace, He assures us that He will be our teacher and will continually keep His hand upon us forevermore. God is able to direct and guide us through any surprise or difficulty! May we rejoice in the promise of His sovereignty and greatness! May we find tremendous encouragement in the confidence that He is always with us!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Please join us in prayer
Sherman's words brought me to tears. Such a powerful message and really ananswer to my struggle with praying for Sara and for Kate. The news thattheir families have received are messages of doom, essentially. I foundmyself halted in my tracks. Obviously God is going to take them long beforetheir natural lives should be. Obviously that is His Will. Whypray....what do I pray...how do I pray. This has been a huge struggle forme over the past few weeks.Before the most recent diagnoses, it was easy to pray for healing. It waseasy to ask God for strength for them and their families. But it is all tooreal that Sara, at the very least, is going to not be a survivor. I feltlike the Coyote in the Roadrunner cartoons. I was climbing down the ropeand find myself suddenly out of rope.I agree that we should pray for Kate and for Sara. It is right that we prayfor Sam also. Thank you, Sherman.-----Original Message-----FSubject: RE: Kate McRaeHi Ruth..,I know you hurt for Kate and her family as if she and they wereyour own. Moments like this try to make us doubt God more and trust Himless...For Kate, her Mom and Dad, the whole family in a moment like this thereare no words to comfort... only prayers filled Tears and lament to God..Kate's circumstances makes me think of the only time in Sam'slife when she asked me "why can't I walk?" I had always feared thatmoment, and when it came, it broke me. It crushed me. It forced me tosee how weak and powerless I am to do anything for her. My strength, myintellect, my sheer will is nothing. They are beyond futile...Since I've come to know Christ, the more I experience Him, theless there is for me to fear..., except (I discovered) when it came toSam. The older she gets, the more my fears and concerns seem to grow.Once Sam's question was out in the open, I discovered that it wasn't theonly fear that wants to do battle with me. I discovered there is ahallway of fears regarding Sam. The hallway begins with Sam's question.At the other end of that hallway is the fear of the answer that God willnot heal her in my or her lifetime. Throughout the hallway there aredoors that lead to my fear of all the things and people that being inher wheelchair vulnerable to that I can't protect her from or guardagainst. I've discovered that my fears usually speak to me in whispers,softly, persistently. They are stirred and awakened by circumstancesand only when I try to ignore them or fight them do they seem to screamto get my attention. They seek my attention with the expectation that Iwill align my heart and mind with them. They want me to surrender butthey're willing to reach a compromise if I stop resisting. It's easy tohear them when I can't hear God. I wish God would shout sometimes; itwould be easier to hear Him over their whispers. But God has nevershouted at me, even when I wished He had. Perhaps it's because I'm notable to withstand his shout or even His talking more loudly...Someone said that God is always talking to us, just that He usuallyspeaks to us through our circumstances more than anything else... I'mnot sure I like that (even though I think there's more truth to it thanI'm ready to admit). Still, I've also noticed that when I'mintentionally trying to listen for one thing, somehow my ears seem tobegin tuning everything else out except the thing I'm listening for orto, maybe that's why God whispers.I had been hoping that God would heal Sam before she could everask the question..., He didn't..., He hasn't. I have hoped that somehowin her asking through tears that broke my heart, that it would have thesame affect on God's heart and provoke God to answer her and grant herrequest, our request..., my request. My response to Sam was the same asKate's father. I can't recall ever getting mad at God (honestly), but Ifelt it in that moment. From a hindsight, I'm glad God isn't provokedout of broken heart...Still, Kate's circumstances opens the flood gates for me. Thefears and hurts all flow down to one question about why does God choosenot to do something(a good thing), when He is perfectly able to? Whydoesn't God do this one thing when He's done other things that seem sotrivial by comparison? Please, why won't He heal Sam, heal Kate, andbring peace, comfort and joy to Kate's mom? Why make us bear it? Why?I'm thankful that He carries us through our difficulties and hurts, butdeliverance from them would seem a lot better. If the answer doesn'tbring about what I want does the answer matter?...Despite the reality,I don't believe that God purposes us for such hurt even though it seemsto find us. I "feel" Sam and Kate have been singled out.. Of course I knowit's not true, yet sometimes I feel that way. I know Jesus can heal Samand heal Kate, despite my doubt that he would do it for me. Despite mydoubting, He's answered me so many times for so many things. Right upuntil this moment I was willing to trade all of those answered prayers,if he would enable Sam to walk. But at this very moment, I realize oneof the prayers He answered was giving me Sam with the Spirit and heartthat is in her. I prayed for Sam before she was ever born, before Iever got my driver's license. I prayed that God would give me such adaughter..., and answered me with one.., and then two! Neither came inthe time or way I anticipated, expected or imagined.In Sunday school we read the passage where Hezekiah has beentold to get his house in order because he was going to die. Hezekiahwept, and asked God to give him more time and God did. There's more tothat story. It goes way beyond Hezekiah and the more I dwell upon whatwe talked about, I find myself in deep waters, especially when it comesto Sam and Kate's life. God hasn't granted my request, Still since Sam is still here, for somereason I feel He expects me to be persistent in asking, if for no otherreason than the fact that I haven't heard Him say He wouldn't. So I do.It's been twenty years, and I'm still praying. Through the course oftime He has taken me from fearing what His answer is going to be topursuing hearing what His Will is. I'm not sure but I think I'mbeginning to learn that the answer from God is only a part of what Hiswill is, not the conclusion.No matter what the answer, I trust God. I trust God with Sam. I trustGod's Will for Sam. At that moment I had no other choices (that weregoing to change her circumstances). I can choose to trust my will forSam instead. I can chose my strength, my might, my power, my wisdom...If it wasn't for her circumstances rendering me completely indefensible,helpless, weak and powerless..., I probably would have. I K-N-O-W that God can and will do for Sam, what working legs cannot,what my strength and might cannot. I "KNOW" this now and I knew thisthen. The truth is, I don't know that in that moment I would have beenable or strong enough to choose God's Will, without His help.., the helpof my Pastor, your help and the help of the rest of my brothers andsisters. God has helped me and you've helped me every day for the pasttwenty years.Perhaps we (the whole church on Sunday or tonight at the pastor's house,or at the church if the house becomes too crowded) to come together asone with this specific purpose in mind: to pray, fast and lament to Godon Kate's behalf and her family. To cry out to God as one, with oneheart, of one mind.To everyone, whether you are present with one another or not we togetherand present in Spirit; in your reading and hearing of Kate's news withand by the Spirit that God has given us through Christ may we lift upour voices as one.Subject: Kate McRaeThis is the latest from Kate's mother:Never have words been more difficult to pen. Never have our hearts feltthe angst of pain quite like today. I hoped to never write these words.I prayed that our hearts would never feel this torment. However, today,we received devastating news. There are new spots on the MRI, at leastone on the other side of our daughter's brain. The all too familiar feeling of nausea followed by haziness settled overour bodies. We vasalated between bouts of sobbing and looks ofdisbelief. We felt trapped in a horrific nightmare until the sound ofsmall sobs shook us loose. Our sweet Kate was huddled up on the tablesobbing into her arm. Her little body shook for about half an hour.Tears of pain, and fear letting loose. She was scared. Our baby wasscared and all we could do was hold her. Through the tears Kate slowly got out the words, "why". "Why daddy, why?Why hasn't Jesus healed me?" The sound of heartbroken sobs all thatcould escape from her daddy's lips. Crys of pain.I have rarely felt angry this past year and a half. About every otheremotion under the sun, but not very often anger. Today I was angry. Ihad promised Kate we would swim with dolphins together. We had dreamedof Hawaii together. We have so many plans. And yet now this. Words couldnever detail the hurt. So tonight we sit in disbelief, or horror may be more accurate. We hadgone into the MRI very hopeful. She was making gains on all ends. Shehad no obvious symptoms. We had one of our favorite anesthesiologistsfor the scan. She held Kate in her arms and sang to her as she held themask over her face and put her to sleep. I was so grateful she cared formy baby. After the MRI we saw her again. I struggle not to try andinterpret everyones body language after a scan. However, her eyes werewatering. She said it must be allergies. My heart suddenly felt the icygrip of fear, what if something was seen. I tried to dissuade thefeeling, the panic, for the next few hours. Our meeting with the neurosurgeon relayed the devastating news. We crieduntil the meeting with Kate's oncologist.Tomorrow the tumor board will discuss her scan and the best way todetermine wether or not it is definitely cancer. Most likely Kate willbe undergoing a PET scan as soon as possible. They will also bediscussing the best possible route for us to take if it is tumor. Theywill be contacting institutions around the country for open studies, andanything that could possibly hold some hope for treating a recurrance. We are crushed. Kate is heartbroken. And we need God's miraculousintervention. Please pray. Please ask others to pray for our sweet baby.I know she is one child among many battling. But she is our daughter,and she is a sister, and a niece, and a granddaugther. Please pray thatGod would spare her from this disease. Please. Please pray that after further investigation they would determine it notto be tumor. We understand the likelyhood of that is slim. But pleasepray. Please intercede on our behalf.Things will be moving quite quickly, we hope, as if this would be tumor,time is not in our favor.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
WAITING FOR REDEMPTION
WAITING FOR REDEMPTION Romans 8:26-27 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+8:26-27Dear Father, who knows my secrets,Help me to wait patiently for my redemption. Thank you for givingme your Holy Spirit to make up for the inadequacies of my body andspirit. I know not how to pray as I should, so I praise you foryour Spirit, who takes my inexpressible groanings and lifts them tothe Lord Jesus, thus sharing in his intercession for me.I thank you that the Holy Spirit searches out the remotest crannyof my heart, knows me in a way that I cannot even know myself, andexpresses to you what I wish that I could say but cannot. Howwonderful! How loving!Thank you, Lord, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Hallelujah.Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you again!In the name of Jesus and with the support of your Spirit I come toyou, with gratitude for doing these things. Amen.
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