Soaring

 

Like a child flying a kite in a gust of wind, circumstances had me tugging at the string while my kite spiralled.

But a fresh study of Philippians chapter four accessed God's Spirit to show me how to harness and soar on the adverse wind.

It seemed too simple to make a difference -- like God's instructions that Naaman dip seven times in the Jordan river to rid himself of leprosy (2 Kings 5).

The simple choice of praising God in the midst of concerns got worry to work for, not against, me. It reminded me that my Creator cared and was powerful to intervene when I gave the situation to Him.  I started cooperating with the Master again instead of going it alone. It brought strength and a new perspective that used the resistance to climb higher. As I continued to praise, give God my concerns and expect His help, my kite steadied and climbed -- like an eagle.

I proved that worry depletes, but praise exhilarates.

Now I'm loving it as I look past what used to worry me into my Creator's eyes and experience Christ's peace.


For Your Consideration

Choose one of the following readings. Prayerfully read and listen for the Holy Spirit's revelation to you.

Philippians 4:6-8-- Replace worry with God's peace.
2 Kings 5: 1-15a-- An obstacle in executing simple instructions.
Isaiah 40: 27-31 -- All-knowing, God wants to renew us.

If you have forgotten God's power or lost sight of God's love, what renewed focus would help you mount up with wings as an eagle?

Has God given you some critical instruction that you might have dismissed as being inconsequential?

Weed Killers

Worry is a nasty weed.

Most of the time I am able to "take my thoughts captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and line them up with the scriptures to combat worry. But when problems stack, they can fertilize worry.

I can give in to despair or choose to do several things. Philippians 4: 6-7 (quoted in Today's Living Bible in italics below) gives practical help.

1. Don't worry about anything (v.6).
Impossible? Perhaps we could say, don't let worry grow. As soon as I'm aware worry is constricting my joy, I have to engage my will-- not my feelings -- to start God's weed killers.

2. Instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs (v. 6).
When I turn to the Master Gardener for help, I get to confer with Him about each of my needs and ask for wisdom. It's a choice I have to make every time worry sends out another tendril.

3. And don't forget to thank Him for His answers (v. 6).
Being mindful that God is trustworthy, I can confidently thank Him for His help. I need to consciously thank Him. There is nothing timid or whiny about this kind of praying.

4. If I do this, I will experience God's peace (v. 7).
Following the Gardener's advice brings God's peace. The weeds may not immediately disappear, but regularly following these steps will cause them to shrivel and die.

This peace God gives us is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand (v. 7) It keeps our thoughts and hearts quiet and at rest as we trust in Christ Jesus (from verse 7).

Lord, thank you for helping me get rid of worry. I much prefer Your wonderful flower of peace.   

For Your Consideration

What keeps your weeds from taking over your garden?

Is there anything that is keeping you back from applying the wisdom your Master has already given?

Meditate on each phrase in this passage and listen for what the Holy Spirit will say to you.

God's Comfort

If I let myself listen to multiple demands talking at once, I feel overwhelmed.  Despair joins the conversation, and they drown trust's voice.

In my small group I shared a complex situation for prayer. Instead of keeping me on the pedestal often reserved for pastors' spouses, the women responded with understanding and prayer. One new friend even stayed beyond the class, sharing her experience and the discoveries that helped her weather a similar season in her life.

Prayer, exercise, attending to her own needs, and cutting out activity that was good, but which overextended her energies: those were the lessons she shared.

Sometimes we need encouragement from sojourners who not only have survived the trenches but, there, have been transformed by the Lord. They can stand in the gap and minister God's comfort.

Thank you, Lord, for the dear people You provide to stand in the gap for me. Please continue to transform my life so my experiences will point to You.

For Your Consideration

"Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2, NLT).

"[God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us" (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT).

Remember a time when God encouraged you directly through His Word, or indirectly through a friend. Ask yourself what helps you share or withhold your problems.

Give God praise for the ability to share your burdens and find comfort from our dear heavenly Father.

Celebrate God's amazing grace in using our suffering to encourage others with His comfort.

Thanksgiving in Suffering

While he suffered, bed-ridden from pulmonary thrombosis, Dr Bill Bright wrote his last book, The Journey Home: Finishing with Joy.

When his doctor announced the grave diagnosis, Dr Bright said, "Thank You, Lord." Thinking that his friend was either in denial, or didn't understand the gravity of his situation, the doctor got quite perturbed with him and explained again how he would suffocate to death.

Dr Bright explained that he was quite aware of the pronouncement, but was living out God's injunction to give thanks in all situations.

I marvelled at how the Word of God, deeply embedded in his psyche and spirit through years of reading, meditation, memorization, and practice, rose up to equip him to face that horrible news.

The last public record from this outstanding man of God makes me read carefully. I am observing how the Word of God shaped everything: his family life, his ability to dare great things for the Kingdom of God, maximize his gifts, and glorify His Master and Savior -- even in suffering.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

How do you treat the Word of God? What influence does it exert in times of hardship/ suffering?

What influences you most, your senses, perceptions, or what God says in His word? How might those affect each other?

Power of Messiah's Resurrection

tp://dl2.cbn.com/cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/vod/MW131v2_WS" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="348">

My first encounter with Ron DiCiani's work was in a bookstore at Christmas. I spotted his painting of Simeon, eye's heavenward, tears streaming, holding the baby Jesus. I gazed at it and my own eyes pooled with fresh recognition of "Simeon'sMoment."

As you follow this link, perhaps Holy Spirit will give you fresh eyes so you can ponder the power of the resurrection.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33, NIV)

Now, you might take time to read that verse in context and ask the resurrected Lord Jesus to reveal some new nugget.

Lessons from a Four Year Old

                                                                 Image from http://www.free-stockphotos.com


On an early vacation morning, they walked along the Florida beach. Joyful discovery, fresh eyes, and happy simplicity gave her grandpa fresh lessons.

She saw beauty in broken things.

Pieces of shells that he would not have given a second glance drew Hannah's curious eyes and little fingers to study and appreciate.

How like our heavenly Father and unlike our quest for perfection. What joy that God's transforming eyes see us-- though broken -- and He affirms our beauty.

Just because you pick it up doesn't mean you have to carry it around.

Perhaps she inspected a clump of seaweed, intrigued by it's patterns. Maybe she put in in her bucket for a while, then decided it was time to dump it back on the beach.

Wisdom knows when to divest itself of baggage that is keeping us from exciting discoveries. We can ask God to help us empty our buckets: get rid of guilt, heal memories, close doors. The Holy Spirit helps us lighten the load. Then of course we sing!

If it's worth saying, it's worth singing.


I imagine Grandpa's delight in Hannah's desire to walk with him along the beach.  I expect he thoroughly enjoyed her melodies, her little voice translating conversation into song. Large and small footprints together, water lapping at their feet, joy spilling over into song, grandfather and granddaughter building memories in God's wide open space.

When we feel safe with someone big who loves us, we're free to sing. No fear of harm or criticism, no worry of being off key. Tuned in to Father's love and handiwork brings a wide horizon, a contented heart, and songs that bring joy.

Chip's and my friend, David Schramm, shared these marvelous insights with us. I pray that we all will take time to enjoy the children in our lives who can be huge conduits of God's joy. May the Holy Spirit give us eyes to see big lessons we can learn from God's little children.


For Your Consideration

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Luke 18:17, NIV)

Meditate on this passage. Listen to what the Holy Spirit might be revealing about being child-like in following Christ.

Letter To A Friend

My dear friend,


Your note struck home with me. Reminded me of times the accuser gets in my face taunting me with my own shortcomings.

The Lord reminds me that because we have experienced Christ's forgiveness and are journeying to freedom, we are truly bearers of good news.  If we had no struggles, we could not empathize with each other.

I pray that the Lord will help you STAND while He purifies you. I know it's hard... even excruciating at times. We need the LORD's protection to keep the enemy from gaining ground. The conniver would like to pummel us into the ground, tell us how worthless we are -- poor representatives of fabulous good news.

Humility and trust are hard lessons to learn.

HARD lessons -- but so worthwhile. They are gained by dying to our preferences and discovering Christ's power, humility, and faithful love.

I agree. This is not an easy journey. But the Holy Spirit faithfully teaches and reminds us we can't do it on our own. He loves to help us!! Praise Him.

Praise Him quietly.
Praise Him loudly.
Praise Him as you wash dishes.
Praise Him as you help with homework.

Praise Him as you love.
Praise Him as you are loved.
Praise Him when you feel unloved.
Praise from a broken and contrite heart.
Praise Him for He is WORTHY of our best praise.


May Christ's peace and transforming presence keep you from beating up on yourself.