Do You Hear What I Hear?

A couple of evenings ago, while putting away laundry, I heard the strangest sound in our bedroom.  The best way I can describe it is that it was like the sound of scratching mixed with the sound of static.  Oddly enough, it sounded as if it were coming from inside the wall.  Now, we've had mice and squirrels inside our walls before, but this noise was distinctly different.  Uncertain what else to do, I called for Jason.

Evidently, he had heard the same sound that morning and had dismissed it, thinking it was coming from our neighbor's yard.  Now, he knew it wasn't, so he began to investigate.  He pulled the dresser out, peeking behind to see if he could identify the source of the noise.  I'm sorry to admit that my mind had already played out the worst possible scenarios.  What if it was a water leak that had been pouring away all day long?  What would that cost?  What kind of damage will it have done?  Shaking my head and assuring myself it wasn't water, my mind moved on to the next worst-case scenario.  It definitely has a static-like sound.  What it there's some sort of electrical short inside the walls and any moment now, the entire structure will begin to fill with smoke.

Anxiety is a thief.  It will steal our joy, our peace, and even our sanity.  It creates problems where they don't exist.  It takes everyday occurrences and the assorted odd situation and turns them into floods, fires, and devastating circumstances.  While working on the principles laid out in my book, Rise Up and Build, I have come along way in my journey toward freedom from anxiety and depression.  But this experience with the mysterious sound reminded me that anxiety doesn't take "no" for an answer.  It is determined and adamant to have its way.  In a matter of moments from the time I first heard the noise, my mind had conjured up the thought of losing our home and spending the rest of our lives homeless and destitute.  Good grief!

That's the way anxiety works.  It doesn't stretch the truth.  It stretches what we think might be true.  It turns our daydreams into nightmares and our lives into an endless sea of fear and dread.  It is often the source of discontentment and hopelessness.  And, I hate to tell you this, but it never takes a vacation.  I learned this the hard way.

Despite the urgings in my book to be on guard, ever watchful for the attacks from anxiety and depression, I let my guard down.  After working hard on building up the walls of protection in my life, I saw such significant progress that I evidently let my guard down.  I didn't mean to.  In fact, I didn't even realize that I had done so until I noticed the anxiety pouring in through small cracks in each of my walls.  It began as a stray thought here, a panic episode there and quickly escalated into an all-out battle for my life.  Now, I find myself like Nehemiah's crew--working to repair the walls with one hand while defending my life with a sword in the other hand.  Yes, anxiety is a formidable foe, and we must be on guard constantly lest it slips in unawares.

You would think it would be easy to resist anxiety.  After all, most of its predictions never come to pass.  For example, that horrible, dreadful, deadly noise in my bedroom that was undoubtedly rooted in some form of major electrical damage actually came from a bug.  Somehow, a curious and crazy insect had wedged its way between a picture and the backing of said picture that was hanging on the wall and gotten himself stuck.  The sound we were hearing was the bug flopping around, trying to escape its self-imposed prison.  I understand exactly how it must have felt!

Fortunately, for the bug, there was someone outside of its circumstance who could see and understand its predicament.  Jason adjusted the backing of the frame, allowing the insect to fall free from its captivity.  Praise the Lord, I, too, have Someone who sees and understands my situation and can set me free from my imprisonment.  His first word of advice?  Do what you know to do.  He's given me the keys to my prison.  He's taught me how to build and protect my walls.  Now, I need to do what I know and leave the results up to Him.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

What about you?  Is anxiety a formidable foe in your life?  Do you live each day in a prison of your own making?  If so, I encourage you to take the steps necessary to build up the walls of protection around your heart and life and to keep doing what you know to do.  God can set you free, but often He requires a little participation on our part.

Why not begin your journey to freedom from anxiety and depression with a free copy of my book, Rise Up and Build:  A Biblical Approach To Dealing with Anxiety and Depression?  It's free on Kindle through 11/30/17, so act fast.  But don't just download it.  Read it and follow it.  Use it as your guide to freedom, and stop letting anxiety ruin your life!

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. - I Peter 5:7

But I'm Already So Tired -- An Excerpt from Rise Up and Build Study Guide

Key verse: 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. - Galatians 6:9

Recommended Reading: 

Rise Up and Build: A Biblical Approach to Dealing with Anxiety and Depression pp. 27b-29a

Inspiration for the Day: 

Last night, due to my husband’s crazy work schedule and a sick doggie, I didn’t get much sleep. I don’t function well on little sleep—not well at all!

As I stumbled around the house this morning, I noticed several things. I was hungry, thirsty and achy. I had visions of chocolate donuts and Pepsi dancing in my head. I even told my husband, Jason, "I'd give my right arm this morning for some caffeine." I was joking, of course, but I can't deny the cravings were there.

As I thought about this, I remembered reading once how when our bodies are tired, they will crave other things to make up for the lack. My body wasn't really hungry or thirsty (although, I believe it was achy). My body was tired, and no matter how many donuts I ate or sodas I drank, my body would still be tired. Why? Because I'm not giving it what it needs. It needs sleep. Lots and lots of sleep! While food and drink may offer a temporary pick-me-up, they will not fulfill the deeper craving.

I wonder how many times we try to stuff our lives with things to fill the void, knowing deep down that only God can fill that emptiness. I'm not just talking about salvation, but even in the Christian walk, it's possible to meet our cravings without meeting our need. Our spirit craves time with God, but we're too busy to make that happen. Our spirit craves spiritual bread from the Word, but instead, we fill it with television and internet. It's no wonder something always seems to be missing. There's a place in our hearts and lives that only God can fill. It's time we stop trying to stuff it full of other things and start giving ourselves what we truly need.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Describe how you're feeling at this moment. Are you suffering physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually? Be specific.

2. Many people refuse to embark on a journey such as this because they claim they cannot spare the time, money or energy. How much is it worth to you to feel better? If you could purchase a guaranteed cure for your anxiety and depression, how much would you be willing to pay? If you knew for sure that every moment spent on your health was reaping good rewards, how many minutes per day would you be willing to spend?

3. Do you spend time and energy on things that are adding to your anxiety and depression instead of spending that time and energy on things that would remedy them? To what items, activities or people are you turning to fill the void in your life?

4. Are there “to-do’s” in your life that you are doing out of obligation or a desire for approval? Is removing these things an option? Make a list of draining activities you could remove from your life to make more room for the things that truly matter.

Action Step: 

Set a timer for ten minutes and spend that time creating a plan that will allow you to get more rest and still have more time for implementing the practices in the Rise Up and Build book to treat your anxiety and depression. This may require giving up some television or computer time, and you must decide whether it’s worth it to you. Be sure to create a plan you can stick with long term.

'Tis the Season To Be Better or Bitter

This time of year tends to bring out either the best or the worst in people.  For some, the joy of the holidays puts a smile on their face and a spring in their step.  They give more than usual, do more for others and live out the motto "Peace on earth, good will toward men."

For others, however, the rush and busyness of the season put a grimace on their face and a stomp in their step.  They're more selfish than usual, do less for others and live out the motto "Bah humbug!"  The difference, I believe, lies in a single aspect:  bitterness.

It's difficult to say what makes people bitter around the holidays.  There could be many roots to their resentment, but the outcome is the same--a Scrooge-like attitude and misery to everyone around them.

It's safe to safe we all understand that bitterness is wrong, and we must be careful because it is also VERY contagious (much like the upper-respiratory gunk that's been going around in this area for months now).  But, this morning, I want to help you see exactly how dangerous bitterness can be, and to do that, I want to look at a woman named Naomi.

Naomi's story is a sad one.  Forced to leave her home in Bethlehem, her family, and friends because of famine, she and her husband and two sons settled in the land of Moab.  Over the course of time, she lost not only her husband but both her sons as well.  Distraught over her situation, Naomi decided to return to her home in Bethlehem but urged her two daughters-in-law (Orpah and Ruth) to stay where they were.  After all, Moab was the only home they had ever known.  At first, both daughters-in-law refused, saying that they would instead accompany her to Bethlehem.  But after much protest, Orpah finally conceded to her mother-in-law's wishes.

Ruth, on the other hand, was determined to stick with Naomi.  It is at this point in the story that we realize just how bitter Naomi had become and how much her bitterness cost poor Orpah.  Take a look at what Naomi said to Ruth:  And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. (Ruth 1:15)

Orpah went back to her people.  Nothing wrong with that.  I'm sure she had family and friends in the area, so I see no issue with her staying.  However, it's the next statement that makes the jaw drop.

"She has gone back to her gods."  Moab was a heathen nation that worshiped many gods, none of which was Jehovah.  I have to believe that Elimelech (Naomi's husband) and the family continued to worship the one true God after moving to Moab.  That means Orpah had been introduced to the true God.  But in her bitterness, Naomi turned this poor girl away from the true God and sent her back to her false gods.  Could there be anything more tragic?

And it wasn't just Orpah.  Naomi was trying to force Ruth to do the same.  Evidently, she wanted nothing to do with these two young ladies.  Maybe they reminded her too much of her sons and what she had lost.  Or perhaps, in her warped frame of mind, she thought she was doing what was best for them.  It's hard to say, but what is abundantly clear is that Naomi's bitterness cost Orpah dearly.

We don't know how Orpah's story plays out because the Bible doesn't tell us, but I can't help but wonder how it would have turned out if she had accompanied her mother-in-law to Bethlehem.  How would her life had been different if she had spent the remainder of her days in a land where the true God was worshiped freely?  As we know, things worked out pretty well for Ruth.  So well, in fact, that we find her name in the lineage of Christ.  But what of Orpah?  Not only was she cast away, but she was encouraged to walk away from God.  How very sad!

Watch out for bitterness.  It may begin as a small seed and may seem harmless enough, but it can quickly entangle us in a snare of resentment and frustration.  Not only that, but we need to remember that our bitterness affects and influences more than just ourselves.  If we're not careful, those around us will pay the price for our resentment and frustration, just like poor Orpah.

So, I urge you, in the busyness of this Christmas season, seek to be better, not bitter.  It's best for everyone in your life.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; - Hebrews 12:15

One of the Most Overlooked Gifts

As I type out this devotion, it is the morning of Black Friday.  While some (perhaps you) are out in the cold, fighting for parking spaces and waiting in long lines for all the super deals offered by the stores, I am snuggled up with Barnabas on the couch in front of a roaring fire.  This is how I do Black Friday!

As I went through my morning routine of having my devotion time and then checking my email (most of which were ads of some sort for Black Friday), I began to think about the search for the perfect gift.  How much time, energy and money do we spend each year trying to find that perfect gift for the friends and family in our lives?  Probably more than we'd care to admit, right?  But as I thought on that this morning, I realized that we take for granted and downright overlook one of the most precious gifts ever given.  It is so valuable that its very name is a form of the word "gift."  Yes, I'm talking about the present.

Let's be honest.  How many of us miss out on the joys and blessings of the day because we're too focused on the past or the future?  Haunted by mistakes we've made.  Worried about what tomorrow may hold.  Looking back.  Looking forward.  Existing in the present but seldom living in it.  I guess it's one of the curses of living in such a fast-paced world.  We don't feel we have the time to stop and smell the roses or take a walk or lend a hand.  We rush through today only to get to tomorrow and repeat the frenzy.  Is it any wonder we're tired, stressed and anxious?  We weren't made to live this way.

Allow me to lay a little Kung-Fu Panda wisdom on you.  According to the wise old turtle, Oogway, "The past is history.  The future is a mystery.  But today is a gift.  That's why it's called the present."  Today is a gift.  The question is, what are we doing with that gift?  Are we enjoying it?  Are we relishing it?  Are we thankful for it?  Or are we too busy living for tomorrow that we barely notice it?

I've been working hard over the past few months to be more mindful of the present.  Simple things like enjoying my food rather than swallowing it whole and taking time to sit on the floor and pet the dog have genuinely impacted how much pleasure I find in each day.  It takes time and effort to live in the moment, but I believe it affects us far more than we realize.

If you feel like a hamster on a wheel, running hard but going nowhere, or life seems like a rut of routine and obligations, then you may be overlooking one of life's greatest gifts--the present.  Slow down. Take a breath.  Enjoy the moment.  After all, we can't change the past, and the future hasn't yet arrived nor is it promised.  So, let's live in today.  Let's take the time to notice each blessing and embrace each opportunity.  Let us not be so focused on tomorrow that we completely lose sight of today.  After all, it is a gift from God.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24

The Best Defense Is a Good Offense

A couple of days ago, I posted a devotion entitled, You Shall Not Pass!  Overall, I received great feedback from the post, but I also got an email that indicated I didn't do a very good job of explaining myself.  The point of the devotion was paying attention to our thoughts and turning them over to God before they created a stronghold in our minds.  I discussed the defense of our minds.

But as one reader pointed out, the best defense is a good offense.  If we are continuously filling our minds with God's Word, there will be little room for other thoughts to enter our minds.  This is a very good point that I failed to mention.  Meditating on the things of God, reading or quoting Scripture, and keeping an open line of prayer are excellent ways of keeping negative thoughts at bay.  The fewer evil thoughts we have, the easier it will be to defend against them and place them in the captivity of Christ.

That being said, it seems I may have also given the impression that the process of "standing up" to our thoughts can be done in our own strength.  If that is the case, I sincerely apologize.  By no means was that my intention.  The Bible makes it clear that without God, we can do nothing.  However, we can do all things through Christ because He gives us strength.  It is only through His power than we can win the war against negative thoughts.

I believe the main point the reader was trying to get across was that the best battle is one that never has to be fought.  In the case of our thoughts, our best defense is the proper offense of keeping our minds focused on God's Word.  Give thanks.  Offer praise.  Quote the Scriptures.  Stay in constant communication with the God of the universe.  As Philippians 4:8 tells us, "Think on these things."  If we do that, we won't face as many enemies in the form of negative thoughts.  Instead, we'll destroy them before they ever take shape.

I hope that has cleared things up, and I appreciate the reader who took the time to point out the omission in my devotion.  The last thing I want to do is to lead people astray by not having a clear message.  So, if anything is ever confusing to you, or if you feel I left something out, please don't hesitate to contact me.  I'm here for you, and it's vital that I be faithful to God's Word and that the message is always clear.  If it's not, I want to know.  Remember, iron sharpens iron!

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. - Proverbs 27:17

A Cart, A Cart, My Kingdom for a Cart! - A Repost

Today I had to pick up some supplies for a wedding with which I'm helping.  The trip was supposed to be relatively simple.  Pick up the wooden bases for the lanterns and some small flameless candles. . . and possibly some ribbon. . .and maybe some floral supplies if they were on sale. . . and. . . and.  As I entered the store, I had it in my mind that I only needed a couple of things, so I bypassed the shopping carts.  After all, I didn't need one for the few things I was picking up.

Unfortunately, a few minutes later, I was standing in the ribbon aisle with a box of candles under one arm, four lantern bases under the other, along with some rolls of burlap.  On each finger I was wearing a roll of ribbon, some sapphire, other emerald.  Knowing that I had better check out or get a cart, I decided to head to the register, but as I did, I noticed some raffia at a good price and remembered that I needed that as well.  I eyed the raffia and then the collection of stuff in my arms and wondered if there was any possible way to add the new item to my current load.  Thankfully, after shuffling some things around, I was able to grab the raffia, after which, I hurriedly made my way to the register before I dropped everything.

Naturally, the line was four customers deep. As I stood there, trying to wait patiently, I felt the ribbon shift.  I readjusted in an effort to secure the falling item, but in the process, I ended up with the sharp edge of the wooden bases cutting into my forearm.  I dared not shift again lest it all come tumbling down.  Finally, another register opened up, and I rushed over and dropped everything onto the counter.  My hands were cramped.  My arms had indentations all over them.  And as I exited the store, I eyed the shopping cart and wondered, Why didn't I just get a cart?  Even if I had only ended up with a few items, this entire experience would have been much more delightful.

You know, I often have the same thought in life.  I march along in my own strength thinking, I can handle this.  It's not that much.  But before I realize it, my arms are full and my strength is gone.  I find myself precariously trying to balance everything lest I drop it all.  I take on too much, and then I pay the price.

And all the while God, just like the shopping cart, is standing by, offering help to carry the heavy load.  His hands don't get tired, and they're big enough to carry whatever I need.  He doesn't get overwhelmed by the weight of the burden or bogged down by the immensity of the task.  He's there.  He's available.  All I need to do is ask, yet I find myself doing the very same thing I did with the shopping cart this morning.  I don't know if it's pride or stubbornness or what, but you would think I would know this by now.  God desires to help me.  In fact, He'll carry the entire load if I'll simply let Him.

So, as I end this post today, I am asking myself, "Why don't I let God carry my load?  Even if I only face small troubles today, the entire experience will be much more delightful."

Are you, too, carrying a heavy load today?  If so, may I urge you to call on the One who can lift any burden and carry any load?  Stop struggling and striving to find that perfect balance.   Give it all to Jesus.  Not only will He carry your burdens, but He will also carry you through those burdens.  He longs to help.  Will you disappoint Him?

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. - I Peter 5:6-7

You Shall Not Pass!

I know, I know.  You're probably thinking, What in the world does this have to do with anything?  I thought this was supposed to be a devotion.  It is.  I promise.  I could have described this epic scene from The Lord of the Rings to you, but I felt it would have a greater impact for you to see it for yourself (assuming you haven't seen it before).
I've been thinking about this movie clip for a few weeks now.  As I've already told you, the past couple of months have been busy, stressful and very non-routine.  I like routines.  I like schedules.  I enjoy having a plan for my days and seeing those plans fulfilled.  I'm not a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of gal.  Give me order, please!
But, I am not the author of my life, and invariably, things don't always work out the way I hope or plan.  In times like these, when stress and fatigue are threatening to overwhelm me, I have to heed the advice in my book, Rise Up and Build.  I have to guard my walls:  my thoughts, my words, what I see and what I hear.  I particularly have trouble with my thoughts, and I have to constantly remind myself of II Corinthians 10:5 which says, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  And that's where the above movie clip comes into play.   I see my thoughts as that fiery monster--mean, threatening, scary and relentless.  I see myself as Gandalf, standing before those thoughts and uttering the words in a somewhat calm but authoritative tone, "You cannot pass."  The thoughts seem momentarily stunned by my brave stand, but soon they are pressing forward again, intent on conquering me.  At which time, I summon up every ounce of strength I have and yell, "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"  Seemingly defeated, the thoughts fall away, and I sigh in relief and turn to walk away.  Big mistake!  Never, ever turn your back to the enemy.  If I'm not careful, I will find myself like Gandalf, defeated by the foe I assumed I had destroyed.

That's the thing with battling our thoughts.  It's not a one-time event.  It's a constant war, and we must be wary to never lower our guard.  The mind is a battlefield.  It is here that peace and joy are won or lost.  These constant battles decide whether we will live in faith or in fear.  So, it's imperative that we stay focused and never take our eyes off the enemy.  Not a single thought should be allowed to pass without a thorough inspection of its content and intent.  Those that are in tune with Philippians 4:8 may be allowed entrance.  Those that are not must be treated with a firm stand, "You shall not pass!" I used to think that bringing thoughts captive simply meant pushing them away or trying to ignore them.  I would find myself saying, "No, I'm not going to think about that" and trying to shove the thought deep into my subconcious (much like sweeping dirt under the rug).  But the problem with that is I didn't handle the problem; I only hid it temporarily.  For the issue to be properly dealt with, it must be addressed and handled.  That means recognizing the thought for what it is (a big, fiery monster out to destroy the abundant life God has promised me), refusing to allow it to remain, and handing it over to God, the only One who can really destroy it. Several months ago, I started a program on mindfulness.  The first session involved sitting quietly for three minutes and identifying thoughts as they came and went.  I can't even tell you how many thoughts passed through my brain in that three minutes.  The harder I tried not to think, the more ideas came to me.  It was an eye-opening experience because it helped me to see how inattentive I had been to what was going on in my brain. My challenge for you today is to guard your thoughts.  They can be dangerous and even deadly.  We must be on guard.  We must be tapped into our power source (God).  And we must be vigilant to continuously take a stand and boldly declare, "You shall not pass!"  For some reason, visualizing this movie scene helps me when I'm facing a particularly stubborn thought that is determined to find a hold in my brain.  Maybe it will help you as well.   Keep in mind that negative thoughts may not have a physical shape, but they are deadly enemies all the same, and we must treat them as such.  Don't give them an inch.  Don't give them access.  And whatever you do, don't turn your back on them.

What's Wrong With Our Churches Today? - Repost

Is it just me, or does it seem like our churches are dying?  What has happened to leave so many empty seats in the house of the Lord?  Why is it that churches with a record attendance of 3,000 are now struggling to reach an attendance of 300?  I'll give you a good idea of what I think has happened, and believe it or not, it can be found by taking a good look at King Ahab (you know, the wicked, wicked king of Israel).

And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. - I Kings 22:7-8

In the above passage, Syria was ready to war against Israel, so Ahab sought an alliance with Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah.  Jehoshaphat was willing to help, but he wanted to make sure the Lord was with them and approved of their actions, so he asked Ahab to have the prophets enquire of the Lord.  Well, Ahab did just that, only the prophets that were seeking God's will were not God's prophets.  Knowing Ahab's ways, they were more than likely prophets of Baal.  Nevertheless, they gave Ahab the green light from "the Lord," but Jehoshaphat wasn't convinced.

"Don't you have a real prophet of God that we can ask?" the king of Judah queried.  I would love to have seen Ahab's face at this question.  No doubt, his smile faded, but I must admit that his verbal response brings a smile to my face every time.  "Well, there is this one guy, but I hate him because he never tells me what I want to hear!"  Oh my goodness!  What a baby!  Once again, Ahab opened his mouth and displayed his immaturity.  Unfortunately, Christians do the same thing all the time, and that, my friend is what's wrong with our churches.

"Well, I used to go to that church, but the preacher made it sound like I was some big sinner because I like to smoke, so I just don't go there anymore."

"Yeah, I used to attend that church, but the preacher said something that really hurt my feelings, so we joined somewhere else."

"Sure, I'd go to church if the preacher didn't preach so much against sin.  I mean, good grief, can't he find something else to harp about?"

These statements may sound like exaggerations, but I promise you they are not.  I've heard them (and many more) with my own ears.  Now, I understand that God will sometimes move people to another church.  That's fine.  I also understand that sometimes the preacher will stray from preaching the Word of God and will begin preaching his own convictions and pet peeves.  In such cases, I urge you to find another church.  But, more often than not, the problem is not with the church or the preacher, it's with the immature Christian who, like Ahab, says, "Well, there's this one pastor, but I hate him because he never tells me what I want to hear." Hmm!

May I be very blunt for just a moment?  If the preacher is preaching the Word of God, and you're upset because it's not what you want to hear, where do you think the problem is?  After all, if the man of God is preaching the Word of God, and you don't like it, that means that you're upset with what God is saying.  If that's grounds for leaving and joining another church, guess what--You're either going to have to join a church where the preacher is NOT preaching the Word of God, or you're just going to get mad and leave that church too.  Right?

Christians, it's time for us to grow up!  If we don't like what God has to say, it is not God or the Bible or our church membership that needs to change.  It's us!  We need to change.  We need to grow up.  We need to stop worrying about our feelings and start thinking about what we can do to become better servants for Christ.

Yes, sometimes the truth hurts, but the truth will always set us free!  Keep that in mind the next time the preacher steps on your toes.

Are You Faltering or Fighting?

May I be brutally honest with you?  The past few weeks have been busy and somewhat discouraging. On a personal level, we lost Mitch, gained Barnabas and have spent the recent weeks dealing with sickness, training and all that is involved in getting a new dog (especially a young one).  Please don't misunderstand.  I love Barnabas, and he is making significant progress.  It's just been a lot to deal with.

On a professional level, I've been a vendor at three different events in the past three weeks.  Knowing that I had the meetings but uncertain how much I would sell (as is the case with every opportunity), I ordered nearly $200 worth of books to make sure I didn't run out.  With all three events combined, I sold a grand total of five books.  Yep, five!  I have another speaking engagement today to a group of school children, so I don't expect to sell much, but maybe I'll be able to earn at least a little bit of my money back.

To top it all off, as I was thumbing through my journal this morning, I came across my 2017 Goals.  Well, that was depressing!  I haven't met any of them.  The goal sheet included items like making enough money to support the family so Jason could stay home and keep the house while I made more time to write (which is something we would both love!).  Not even close on that score!!!!  There was a goal that I would have improved my health, lowered my blood pressure and stabilized my joints.  While there has been some progress in those areas, it's all a bit up and down.  Some weeks are good while others are not.  Also included in the list was that Mitchell's tumor would be healed and that his strength and stamina would be renewed.  I guess, in a sense, that is the case, but that's certainly not what I had in mind when I wrote my goals for the year.

It's discouraging to look back and feel that I've not lived up to my expectations over the past year.  It makes me wonder if I'm wasting my time.  What am I actually accomplishing with my life?  Some days, it seems we're stuck in a rut of just getting by.  Never enough money to accomplish the things that need to be done.  Never enough time to do the things we would truly enjoy.  Yes, sometimes, it feels like we're just going through the motions, but is that really living?

God promised us an abundant life, but for those of us in full-time ministry, some days, that seems out of reach.  It feels like it's our lot in life to simply give of ourselves and live in obscurity.  But when these feelings of self-pity and discouragement arise, I have to pay attention to the source.  Is it really the circumstances that have me down, or is it the echo of Satan's cries in my ear:  "It's just not fair"?  After all, God never promised an easy road.  He never said that faithfulness to Him would result in smooth sailing.  In fact, He declared just the opposite: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Have the past few weeks been rough?  Sure.  But is God still good?  Absolutely.  Is He still faithful?  No doubt about it.  Can I still believe He's working all things (even these frustrating circumstances) for my good and His glory?  Yes, even though it's difficult to believe at times.

In situations like these, it's so important to know and understand God's promises.  It is His truths that will serve as an anchor during life's roughest storms.  It is His faithfulness that will keep us from giving up and giving in.  But you cannot cling to what you do not know, so I encourage you to spend some time in the Word of God.  Dig out those precious promises.  Write them down.  Commit them to memory.  Hide them in your heart.  That way, when the storms come (and trust me, they WILL come), you'll be ready.  If the Word of God was Jesus' weapon of choice when dealing with difficult times and people, then I believe it's the best weapon of all.

Troubles arise.  Discouragement comes.  But they don't have to destroy us.  We can fight back through prayer and the promises found in the Bible.  And while our immediate circumstances may not change, our attitude and focus surely will.  And that makes all the difference!

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. - Isaiah 41:10

Where's the Pause Button?

On our way home from church Sunday night, Jason and I were listening to some music through the CD player in the car.  At one point, we began a conversation and, not wanting to miss the music, Jason reached to press the pause button.  Only he couldn't find it. "Where's the pause button?" he asked.  I looked and couldn't find it either.  We ended up shutting the radio off so we could have our discussion without missing out on our music.

Where's the pause button?  That question has resonated with me ever since.  Have you ever asked that question concerning your life?  Where's the pause button?  Things are happening too fast.  You need time to think, to plan, to breathe.  So many obligations.  So much stress.  Every day is like a merry-go-round spinning faster and faster until you find yourself crying, "Stop!  I want off!!!!"

I'll admit, I've felt that way from time to time.  In the midst of a busy week or chaotic schedule, I've found myself looking for the pause button.  After all, who could possibly keep up this pace?  It's exhausting.  It's frustrating.  And it's detrimental to our health.  But at the same time, who has time to take a break?  There's so much to do and so little time.  Stopping means losing momentum and precious seconds which add into minutes which add into hours and so on.  And so, we see only two choices:  (1) Let it roll or (2) Stop the music.  Neither is a good option.

With option one, we continue living like we're superheroes--faster, stronger, better.  We keep giving until we have nothing left to give, until we're a used-up shell of a life that used to be.  We burn-out and find ourselves in a place where we can't even help ourselves, let alone others.

Option two is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  We give up.  Maybe on our jobs or our families.  And sometimes, on life.  How many people have ended their lives when it could have been avoided if they had simply been able to find the pause button?  But they couldn't.  They were miserable and desperate, unable to see another way out.  So, they took matters into their own hands and ended it all.  If we're not careful, we could find ourselves in the same boat.

Exhaustion leads to faulty thinking and rash decisions.  Fatigue tells us there's only one way out of our hamster wheel of to-dos and obligations.  Weariness is a poor friend and an even worse counselor.  Before you find yourself in the company of this trio (or it could be that you already are), take my advice:  press the pause button.  It's there.  You merely have to be willing to use it.  I assure you the world won't fall apart if you take a few minutes to rest, but you will certainly fall apart if you don't.  We were not made to keep going like the Energizer bunny.  The Bible has a lot to say about rest, and it's always in a positive sense.  Even God rested, for crying out loud!  What makes us think we don't need to?

Where's the pause button?  It can be found in the quiet time alone with God.  You can find it in an afternoon nap or a few minutes of pleasure reading.  Life is busy and hectic, but sometimes we need a break.  And typically we'll find we can accomplish more when we're not so stressed and tired.  So, stop running for a little while.  Take a breath.  Take a nap.  Take some time for yourself.  Press that pause button.  You'll be glad you did.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28

Beware of the Company You Keep

Second Chronicles 23 and 24 tell the story of King Joash who followed the Lord and did many holy things for the Lord during his reign.  In conjunction with his friend and mentor, Jehoiada, the king destroyed the altars of Baal, set things right in the kingdom, and took up an offering to repair the house of the Lord.  Because of his loyalty and faithfulness to God, the people lived in peace and prosperity.

But take a close look at the last phrase in II Chronicles 24:2, which says, And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.  It doesn't say he did right all of his own days, but as long as Jehoiada was alive.  Why?  Well, if we read on, we'll see that Jehoiada (who was VERY old) died, and soon after, Joash fell into bad company.

Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. (vs. 17)  This verse sounds innocent enough, but to see what's really happening here, we need to finish the passage and read between the lines a bit.  We know that these princes were negative examples because the very next verses tell us, And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

After all his hard work and faithfulness to God, all it took was falling in with the wrong crowd to cause Joash to do a complete 180.  As if it weren't bad enough that he served other gods, the story gets worse.  Jehoiada's son, Zechariah, comes to Joash and tries to set things straight, but Joash refuses to listen.  In fact, he had become so hard-hearted and has fallen so far from God that he had Zechariah killed.

Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it. (vs. 22)

In the end, Joash paid for his wickedness with his own life, and his people also perished.  He led his kingdom to defeat because he made an unwise decision about the "friends" he chose to hang with.  What a sad story!

Unfortunately, the same thing still happens today.  I am thinking of a young man in our church who has walked away from God.  He was raised in a good Christian home.  For a while, he served the Lord in the church and hung around with good godly examples.  But one day, a new "friend" entered his life, and before long, everyone began to notice a change in the young man.  He became more distant and less excited about the work of God, which broke his parents' hearts.  But nothing could compare to the day that he left home, walked away from the church and moved out into a world of sin.  And it all began because he fell in with the wrong crowd.

This young man has not gone so far as Joash, but he is not living a life that is pleasing to God.  We, as a church and his real friends, daily lift up his name in prayer, pleading that God will do a great work in his heart and bring him back home.  I implore you to also pray for him.  I know his family would greatly appreciate it.

The point I'm trying to make is that people have a lot more influence on us than we realize, so we need to be careful who we hang around with.  It's true that one bad apple can ruin the entire bushel.  Beware of who you call "friend."  Joash should have been able to identify from the very start that these princes were bad news and did not share his faith in God.  That should have been an immediate turn-off.  Witness to them?  Sure.  Work with them?  If he had to.  But give in to them?  It should have never happened, but they made him feel good and said all the right things, and in the end, the entire kingdom paid the price.

Please, oh please, choose your friends carefully.  I don't want you to suffer the fate of Joash.

Praise Opens the Door to Blessing

November is the month of thankfulness (though why people feel they only need to focus on gratitude during this one month, I don't understand).  During November, Facebook members post a daily gratitude post, and Christian radio stations focus their selections of music on songs that deal with praise, worship, and thanksgiving.

As I listened to one such station the other morning, I heard a song that rubs me the wrong way.  I'm sure the author meant well, but every time I hear the song, I feel the need to turn it off because it aggravates me.  The verses talk about going through a trial, coming out on the other side and then being thankful.  Then the chorus talks about how he's thankful like Daniel after the lions, thankful like Paul and Silas after the jail and so on.  Well, I'm sorry, but that's just not Scriptural because these men weren't just thankful after the trial.  They were praising and singing during the trial.

Sure, it's easy to be thankful when the storm is over, and everything is "back to normal."  But true thankfulness is discovered during the storm, not after it.  And many times, it is that praise in the storm that creates the blessing and escape.  Just ask Jehoshaphat.

Second Chronicles 20 recounts one of my favorite stories in the Bible (though I probably have a hundred or more "favorites.")  Anyway, Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah, and he was in a royal pickle.  Several of the neighboring nations had joined forces and were heading toward Judah to destroy it and take the people captive.  Jehoshaphat, being a holy man, immediately took the problem to the Lord.  I encourage you to read the whole story, but Jehoshaphat's prayer can be summed up in his final words to the Lord: O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. (vs. 12)

We have no strength.  We don't know what to do.  But we're looking to you.  Wow, does that prayer sound familiar (only regretfully, I sometimes leave off the latter part)!  King Jehoshaphat knew they didn't stand a chance apart from God.  The battle was in God's hands.  And God answered Jehoshaphat's prayer, basically telling the king not to worry and that He would fight for them.  They only needed to stand still and watch what God would do.

Now, I want you to notice the king's response. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. (vs. 18)  As soon as they were done worshiping here, Jehoshaphat arranged the people and the armies of Judah to march out to the "battleground" where God had told them to go.  In the front of the procession, the king placed the musicians and singers, who led the people forth in song and praise.

Now, catch this, and pay attention to the wording: And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. (vs. 22)  When did God move?  When the people praised.  When did the people praise?  Before the battle ever began.  Before the victory was won.  Jehoshaphat prayed.  God promised.  The people praised.  Then God provided.

Based on the song I mentioned earlier, we have the mentality that praise is only necessary AFTER God works a miracle in our lives, but that's not what the Bible teaches.  And I dare say that we often miss out on the blessings that God has in store for us because we fail to praise Him in the storm.  We don't seem to realize that praise often opens the door to blessing, nor do we take into account that God is worthy of our praise whether He changes our current circumstances or not.

Let's be careful not to reserve thankfulness for only the month of November, but let's also watch that we're not holding back our praise until we get what we want.  God has already given us far more than we deserve.  If He never gave us another thing, we still couldn't thank Him enough for what He's already done.  But I'd like to spend every day trying.  How about you?

Excerpt from Rise Up and Build Study Guide

Key Verse: He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28 

Recommended Reading: Rise Up and Build: A Biblical Approach to Dealing with Anxiety and Depression pp. 7-14

Inspiration for the Day: Did you know that the original Chicken Soup for the Soul book was rejected 144 times before a publisher deemed it worth the risk to take on? Today, there are over 200 different Chicken Soup for the Soul titles translated into over 40 languages totaling in sales of more than 112 million books. As a writer, this is encouraging to me because I have faced my fair share of rejection. This account that I heard just this week reminds me what I need to do to go beyond rejection and to reach success. What's that? Persevere!

I don't know about you, but I give up on myself far too quickly and far too often. I try something, and when things don't work the way I planned, I try again. But after the fourth or fifth attempt, I label myself a failure and move onto the next task, always wondering what could have been accomplished if I had stuck with it.

Do you remember the passage in the Bible that says, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you? If you look at the root of the words in the Greek and Hebrew forms, you'll discover that this passage is not commanding us to ask, seek, or knock one time. The Scriptures bear the meaning of "ask and keep on asking," "seek and keep on seeking," "knock and keep on knocking." It's like the acrostic PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens. Don't give up when things don't seem to be working. Just keep trying!

What if Noah hadn't persevered through the ridicule of the people? What if Daniel hadn't continued despite the threat to his life? What if Jesus hadn't persisted up the road to Calvary? Whether it takes one rejection or a thousand, we mustn't give up.

Whatever you're facing today, you can find the strength to keep going. You may have to walk or even crawl, but keep pressing on. Who knows what the result may be?

Discussion Questions:

1. Can you remember a time you allowed your emotions to get the best of you and wound up in a mess? Describe the feelings that drove you to the point of giving up.

2. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, and without walls. What does this verse mean to you?

3. What is your initial reaction when people tell you to “Get over it" or “Let it go"?

4. Consider this: "The sad truth is that many of us are anxious and depressed because we've given up control of our emotions just as I gave up control of my truck all those years ago. It wasn't taken from us. We gave it up willingly whether we realize it or not." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? If you disagree, why?

5. Do you believe you can be free from anxiety and depression? Why or why not?

6. Luke 18:27 says, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. How does this statement comfort you as you begin the process of building the walls around your heart?

7. Have you ever had a burden like Nehemiah but been too afraid to do the thing you felt led to do? How did you deal with the fear? Did you accomplish the task or run away from it? Looking back, do you have any regrets?

8. What would you be willing to do to rid yourself of anxiety and depression for good? How much money would a cure be worth?

Action Steps:

1. Set aside some time to pray and carefully consider what you will do to rid yourself of anxiety and depression. Ask God to give you the strength to make whatever sacrifices are needed to be freed from this emotional bondage.

2. I highly recommend reading through the entire book of Nehemiah. This will give you a good feel for the story as a whole and help you to understand what was involved in the process of building the wall of Jerusalem.

Who Do You Think I Am? - Conclusion

We've reached the end of the titles of God in the Psalms without me even realizing it.  Yes, I could have expanded the study to include all the adjectives and descriptive phrases, but for the sake of brevity, I wanted to keep it focused on the titles themselves.  And, it seems we've reached the end.  Honestly, though, I can't think of a better term to end on than the one we discussed yesterday: "He in whom I trust."  If you think about it, it's only because God is all these other things that we can place our trust in Him.  What an awesome conclusion!

In fact, the book of Psalms has a beautiful conclusion of its own.  The last several chapters are all about praising God.  They speak of who God is, what He's done and what He is going to do.  It's like the Lord planned the book in such a way as to first explain precisely who God is so that we would find Him worthy of praise by the time (and hopefully long before) we reach the end.

For the sake of time and space, I'm not going to share with you all of these closing psalms, but I do encourage you to read them.  I would, however, like to post the final psalm as a means of concluding this study.  The title asks, "Who Do You Think I Am?"  Now, we know the answer to that question, and because God is so amazing, He deserves our praise.

Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. - Psalm 150

Who Do You Think I Am? - He in Whom I Trust

Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. - Psalm 144:1-2

"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him.  How I've proved Him o'er and o'er."  I stopped singing at that point because it occurred to me that I was lying through my teeth.  The fact was, at that moment, I wasn't trusting God at all.  I was fretting.  I was anxious.  I felt overwhelmed and all alone in my torment.  I needed help.  I needed answers.  But more than anything, I needed to learn to trust.

In Psalm 144:2, we find a term of God that is different than any other we have studied because whether we can apply this name is entirely up to us.  Every other title we've discussed has been a sure thing.  As Christians, God is our strength, refuge, fortress, deliverer, and so on.  It's non-negotiable.  It really has no bearing on what we do or don't do.  Obviously, it's up to us whether or not we plug into the power source that is God, but whether we do or not, God is still all of these things and more.

However, the phrase "he in whom I trust" is only applicable if we truly have faith in God.  If the psalmist had said that God was "he who is trustworthy," that would be a different story, for God is trustworthy regardless of our faith.  But the psalmist was very specific and insisted this title be more personal than all the rest.  So, while God is certainly trustworthy and has proven His faithfulness time and again, whether He is "he in whom I trust" depends on me.  After all, there's no getting around that personal pronoun "I."  It's not about "he whom others have trusted," nor is it about "he whom I should trust."  So the real question is, do I trust God?

I wish I could answer with a resounding "yes," but my actions and emotions indicate the opposite.  I wouldn't allow my worries to keep me up at night if I really trusted God.  I wouldn't fret over how to pay the bills or how to fit 20 hours worth of work into a 24-hour period.  I wouldn't spend so much time and energy feeling overwhelmed and uneasy.  I would be happier and more at peace.  So, do I trust God?  Evidently not, but that's not to say I don't want to.

How about you?  Is this title of God one that you can apply to your life?  Can you say, without a doubt, that God is "he in whom you trust"?  It's entirely up to you.

As for me, I may not be able to honestly sing, "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him," but I can and will continue to pray, "Oh, for grace to trust Him more."

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Goodness

Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. - Psalm 144:1-2

We all know that God is good, but we often fail to realize that God is goodness itself.  The word "goodness" carries with it the idea of mercy, integrity, uprightness, of good moral standing.  Where God is concerned, goodness is the characteristic that allows Him to show mercy and patience when we don't deserve it, to pour His love out on us even though He knows we'll take it for granted, to give to us knowing that we'll only ask for more.  In short, God treats us far better than we deserve.  And any good qualities we find within ourselves are all from Him.  In and of ourselves, we are anything but good.

In all my years of being a dog lover/owner, I have never been tested in the area of goodness like I have recently with Barnabas.  Our newest addition is a sweet, loveable little critter, but he definitely has some issues.  I've already told you about his anxiety, but he also has a stubborn streak like I've never seen.  As if that weren't enough, he has the doggie equivalent of ADHD syndrome.  All in all, he's a handful.

But here's what I'm really having a difficult time with.  The poor dog seems to have more mood swings than I do.  One minute, he's calm and peaceful; the next, he's running through the house like a wild animal.  One day, he seems to have learned the lessons from our training sessions; the next day, it's like we're back to square one.  One day, I see marked improvement; the next, I'm ready to give up!  I don't think I've ever felt so much at my wit's end with a dog.

I will admit there were a few times in those first couple of weeks when I thought of returning him.  I had already fallen in love with him, but he was proving to be more work than I had anticipated.  So, why did we keep him?  For one, as I stated, I love the crazy mutt, and love doesn't give up on someone when things get difficult.  Secondly, I see myself in Barnabas.  Unfortunately, I'm familiar with the anxiety, the mood swings, the difficulty focusing on one thing instead of being distracted by everything around me.  I understand what it's like to think I've finally learned a lesson only to discover that I made the same mistake again.  In my insecure pooch, I recognize my own lack of trust in my Master which causes me to act out in ways I'm not sure I'll ever understand.

You know how every parent prays their child will have a child just like them so they can experience the "joy" of raising such a young one.  Well, I'm not sure if my parents ever prayed that about me, but it seems that's exactly what happened.  My "child" is just like me, and I don't have a clue how to help him.  But I'm learning.  In fact, I'm learning by example.  My Master is guiding me by using my own life as a visual aid.  And today's lesson has helped me to realize how good God is.  Comparing myself to Barnabas, I can see how much goodness God has bestowed on my life.  He has been so kind, loving and patient.  He's displayed mercy beyond belief.  And no matter how troublesome I've been, He's never left me, forsaken me or given up on me.  His goodness endureth forever!

And now it's time for that goodness to flow through me to help another dear one who needs to be reminded that his master loves him, cares for him and will continue to work with him as long as it takes.  After all, that's what goodness does.

Who Do You Think I Am? - God of Gods and Lord of Lords

O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. - Psalm 136:2-3

God of gods and Lord of lords. Throughout the ages, man has created, served and worshiped a multitude of gods. From idols made of stone to famous sports figures, man has always held someone in high esteem and given that individual priority above all else. But no matter how often man may protest, there is none above God. He is the God of all gods, King of all kings, and Lord of all lords. No matter how important or impressive another might be, there is none more important or impressive than God, and He has the resume to back it up.

I think of Elijah as he challenged the prophets of Baal to a little contest. The rules were simple: (1) Call down fire from Heaven. (2) Witness the response of God (or false god, in the case of Baal). Elijah was even kind enough to allow the Baal worshipers to go first. They built their altar and cried to their god, but nothing happened. They begged, pleaded, jumped up and down on the altar and even cut themselves in an attempt to get Baal's attention. The result? Absolutely nothing. On his turn, Elijah ordered the altar wet down again and again. He turned his eyes to Heaven and humbly asked the God of all gods and Lord of lords to prove His power. He did! Not only did the fire consume the offering, but it also consumed the wood, the water, the rocks and everything else. And the winner is. . . (drum roll please). . .the Lord God! No doubt about it.

Time and time again, God has proven Himself more powerful, more wise, more loving, more compassionate, more holy and more loyal than any other so-called god. Even death itself could not defeat Him. Everything and everyone is under His command whether they like it or not. And one day, everyone will answer to Him. At that time, there will be no doubt in anyone's mind who's the boss.

I know we shouldn't compare ourselves with others, and there's no place for bragging when it comes to worldly possessions or status. Let's face it, we live in a day and age that thrives on "My car is better than your car" and "My house is more expensive than your house." It's sickening and has led many to max out their credit cards in an effort to "keep up with the Joneses." And still, they're discontent with their lot in life. It seems everyone is trying to one-up someone else, when the fact of the matter is we're all just sinners, some of us saved by the grace of God, but sinners nonetheless. None of us is any better than anyone else.

When it comes to God, however, I'll gladly debate with non-believers. "My God is bigger than your god." Why? Because it's not just my opinion. It's a fact. Name another God who can create entire worlds with just the sound of His voice. Tell me about another God who can make the sun stand still or the seas to part. Show me another God who can rise from the dead. Anyone? I didn't think so. There is none other like Him. He is One of a kind. He's the God of all gods and Lord of all lords.  And He's my God!

For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. . .Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. - Deuteronomy 10:17, 20-21

Who Do You Think I Am? - A Shade Upon Our Right Hand

The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. - Psalm 121:5

There are so many ideas and schools of thought about the phrase "shade upon thy right hand," but I'll do my best to keep this clear and concise, focusing on the main points.  First, let's discuss the word "shade."

Despite the fact that it's the first week of November, I sought the shade this morning.  After running my weekly errands, I decided to take Barnabas for a stroll before embarking on my own prayer walk. By the time I returned home with him, I was sweating like crazy.  Before I went on for my own walk, I changed into a short-sleeved shirt.  Still, when it came time for me to decide which route to take, I opted for the one with more shade.  Despite the cooler clothes, the sun was sweltering, and it felt like mid-summer to me.

A shade is a shelter.  Protection from the elements, particularly harsh elements that could do us harm. In fact, the next verse in Psalm 121 explains the necessity of shade. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  Consider where this passage was written.  I've never had the privilege of visiting Israel, but I know enough about it to know the sun's rays can become so intense during the day as to burn you in a matter of minutes while the very same night, the coolness of the evening can cause harm.  This passage reminds us that with God as our shade (both figuratively and literally), neither the sun nor moon will harm us.  In this respect, God as our shade is similar to Him as our refuge.  The term implies safety.

As for the phrase "right hand," there are two points to discuss.  First off, the right hand in the Bible signifies power and favor (with all due respect to you "lefties" out there).  Jesus sits at the Father's right hand.  What an intriguing thought that He also places Himself on our right hand.

Not only that, but the right hand is also the hand with which one would yield a weapon, meaning the shield is held by the left hand.  This leaves the right hand virtually unprotected, but once again, we see that God has all the bases covered, so to speak.  We know He is our shield, but He is also the shelter of our right hand.  He gives us the power with which to fight on the offensive while acting as our defense as well, shielding us from all sides.

The word "shade" can also be translated as "shadow."  What we can glean from this is that God is always as close as our own shadow.  No matter where we go or what we face, He's there.  At our right hand.  Closer than we can imagine.  And He never leaves us.

He's with me.  He's protecting me.  He's empowering me.  What more could I need?

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Keeper

The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. - Psalm 121:5

The theme of Psalm 121 is that of God as our protector, guide and preserver.  The word translated "keeper" is the Hebrew word, "shomer" which is used several times in this one short chapter.

Vs. 3 - He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Vs. 4 - He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Vs. 7 - The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
Vs. 8 - The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in.

God takes care of His people.  As if this weren't proof enough, the word "shomer" is used over 400 times in the Bible, in many cases speaking of God's actions toward His children.  In its most literal translation, the word means "to place a hedge about."  I like to think of it in the sense that God has me surrounded.

So often when we think of being surrounded, it's a negative thought.  Surrounded by the enemy.  Surrounded by broken dreams.  Surrounded by troubles and trials.  Surrounded by people who always want more than we can give.  Too often we lose sight of the fact that God is on every side.  He goes before us to light the way.  He walks beside us in companionship and love.  And He follows in our wake, guarding our back against the trailing enemy.  We are protected from all directions, and nothing will get to us unless God permits it.

But the central truth I want to remind us of today is that God's protection (keeping) goes far beyond physical foes.  His preservation of our soul encompasses protection from our thoughts, limiting beliefs and so much more.  Allow me to share just a few examples.

1) He keeps us in peace. - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)  Not only does God keep us from things, but He also keeps us to things.  He brings about peace in our hearts and minds when we make an effort to keep our thoughts focused on Him.  In that haven of peace, we are secure against the dangerous sway of emotion which often leads to anxiety and depression.

2) He keeps us from falling. - Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Jude 1:24-25)  Not only does God protect us from outside sources, but He offers security against our own fleshly desires and worldly ways.  Through the conviction of His Spirit (our conscience), He points out wrong actions and the consequences that are sure to follow and gives us the opportunity to make better choices.

3) He keeps us in His way. - For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (Psalm 91:11) - Not only does God prevent us from doing wrong, but He leads us in the ways to do right.  He opens our hearts to compassion for the needy.  He moves us to help others, to serve in whatever capacity He's enabled us and to follow His commandments.  That's not to say we're always successful, but we can be assured that He is continuously there guiding and urging us to do the right thing.

4) He keeps whatever we commit to Him. - For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (II Timothy 1:12)  I have given Jesus my heart and life, and I can trust Him to keep me safe.  When I commit my problems to Him, I can have faith that He will properly deal with them.  Whatever I give Him, I know, without a doubt, He will take good care of it.  After all, another definition of the word "shomer" is "to treasure or cherish."

Safe in the arms of Jesus--that's where we are today.  Safe in His tender care.  He is our keeper, and He is faithful to protect, guard and guide us.  We need not fear what we may face in this life because our Keeper is ever attentive to our needs.  He never slumbers or sleeps.  He knows.  He cares.  He's working.  And not only does He keep His children, but He also keeps His promises.  We're in good hands with Jesus our Keeper.

Who Do You Think I Am? - Our Song

The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. - Psalm 118:14

The message of this verse is critical.  How do I know?  Because it's written out for us three times.  Check it out:

The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. - Exodus 15:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. -  Isaiah 12:2

Strength.  Song.  Salvation.  We've already discussed the first and last of those, so let's talk about the Lord as our song.

When I think of a song, I think of gladness, rejoicing, and praise.  I realize some songs and melodies can bring us down, but overall, the word "song" is indicative of good things.  We say we have a song on our heart or there's a song bubbling within us.  Music has a way of setting the soul free and provides a beautiful outlet for praise and worship.  It is no accident there's a songbook in the middle of the Bible.  Music is essential and plays a vital role in our spiritual and emotional state.

One of my favorite references to the word "song" in the Bible is Psalm 42:8 which reads, Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

God's lovingkindness is with me during the day, and His song is with me in the night.  Let's break that down.  If God's song is with me in the night (the dark times of my life), and God is my song, then God is with me in the darkest hours.  Not only can I feel His presence, but He allows peace to settle deep in my heart.  There is no other explanation for why Christians can laugh and cry at the same time.  How else could we sing a song when our hearts are broken?  It can only be because God is that song.  He gives us Himself.

When we feel all alone.
When our dreams are shattered.
When the doctor shakes his head and walks away.
When the bills are due, and the bank account is empty.
When it seems everyone is against us.
When nothing runs smoothly.
When the days are long and the nights are longer.

God is our strength, meaning He'll give us the power to make it through.  He is our salvation, which tells us He will provide a way around or through our current trial.  And He is our song, meaning that no matter what is happening around us, we still have a reason to sing.  God is with us.  He is in us.  And He is for us.  He's worthy of a melody or two.

Sure, it may be dark from where you're standing, but last time I checked, your voice works fine without light.  So, open up and sing praises to God.  Don't know what to sing?  Never fear.  God will give you the perfect song when you need it most.

The Story of a Hero of the Faith

Today's post is quite different from my regular devotions. In fact, it's not a devotion at all but rather a challenge to each and every one of us. I would like to tell you about one of my heroes of the faith. This sweet lady has been like a second mother to me for the majority of my life. She has been my teacher, my mentor, and my friend. She and her husband have spent their lives serving the Lord through preaching, teaching, singing, playing the piano, hosting ladies' meetings and so much more. And for the past few years, this precious hero of the faith has been battling cancer.

The lady's name is Shirley Hughes, and if she knew I was writing this post, she'd probably have my hide. But I felt this story needed to be told, for Mrs. Hughes has been an inspiration to so many. Despite the cancer that eats at her body and destroys her health, she is happy, positive and always glorifying the Lord. That testimony alone brings shame to me when I think about how often I allow little aches and pains to steal my joy and gratitude. What I face on a daily basis is nothing compared to what she faces, and if she can continue to rejoice, then I should too.

But here's what really convicts my heart. Over the past several months, Mrs. Hughes has had one request to God. One would think that prayer would be for healing, but that's not what she has asked for. No, her prayer has been that God would allow her to live long enough to finish writing out the entire Bible. Yes, this dear lady has taken the time to write out the Bible—chapter by chapter, book by book. And some books she has written multiple times. But what touches my heart is that she did not want to leave this earth until she had finished that task which, if all went to plan, she completed in October.

When I think of this, I'm reminded of Solomon. When the Lord came to Solomon and told him he could ask for anything he wanted, Solomon displayed great character by praying for wisdom to guide his nation well. He didn't ask for money or fame, health or peace. He could have asked for anything, but he chose wisdom. As a reward for his good sense, God gave him what he asked for and many, many things he didn't ask for, including health and wealth and peace. In my mind, Mrs. Hughes did the same thing. She didn't pray for health or wealth. She asked for the time and strength to finish the work she was doing for the Lord, and I have to believe God will honor her for such an incredible display of spiritual wisdom.

Mrs. Hughes' latest test results are not good. Her numbers are up, and the cancer is continuing to spread. The doctors are suggesting another method of chemotherapy in the hope of sustaining her life. I cannot imagine how much this couple has been through, and my heart is overwhelmed at how strong they have remained through it all. So, this post today is both a challenge and a plea.

First off, I challenge each of us to be more like Mrs. Hughes. To stay positive in the face of adversity. To put God's goals and plans above our own. To keep our eyes on the Savior and walk in step with Him. Second, I ask each of you to please keep Shirley Hughes and her family in your prayers. God is the Great Physician, and if He so chooses, He can heal this dear lady. I know she is ready to go Home in the sense that she knows the Lord, but we're not ready to lose her. Will you help me pray?

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. - III John 1:2