When was the last time you prayed for someone other than yourself, and what did you ask God to do in his or her life? When was the last time you prayed for someone simply because they came to mind? In the hustle and bustle of our days, I believe we tend to miss tremendous opportunities to sow into the lives of others. It really doesn't matter who they are, whether we get along with them or not, it is a good thing to pray a sincere prayer of faith for somebody else.
I thought of that as I was reading through Paul's letter to the Colossians, who, when he heard of their love, wrote in part, "since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (1:9-11). I absolutely love that prayer, not only because there's no mention of material blessings, as important as those were, but primarily because Paul recognized the things that were most important in the life of the believer. Above everything else, we all need to be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. We all need to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in our knowledge of God. We all need to be strengthened with his might unto all patience. Yet, more times than not, we do not pray that prayer for ourselves.
How about if we all prayed for those things for someone else? I believe Paul's prayer reflected his earnest desire for his hearers. What is your earnest desire for the next person that crosses your mind? The next person you speak with? Regardless of whether the thought or sight of such a person causes you to smile or frown , why not pray for them? Just maybe, they could really use your prayers. And not only that, but someone reading this could very well be praying for you.
Friday, February 29, 2008
When God Says "Stop"
I stared at the phrase for a few minutes, allowing its truth to percolate in my mind. Profound in its simplicity, and deep in its theology, it simply said "Do not put a comma where God puts a period." As we saw previously, the 'period' indicates the end of a sentence, while the 'comma' indicates a pause, and from our phrase we see the speaker's intent: in the sentence of life, do not put a comma where God puts a period.
It is important that we understand that not every obstacle or negative experience we face is from the devil (Lamentations 3:8-11). The Psalmist captured the truth of God's sovereignty over our lives with the words, "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases" (115:3), and I am convinced that includes His willingness to stop us in our tracks if we're going in the wrong direction. In Psalm 37:23 we read, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD", and I agree with Bible Scholar Matthew Henry, who, on this portion of text, wrote, "By his grace and Holy Spirit he directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. He has all hearts in his hand, but theirs by their own consent. By his providence he overrules the events that concern them, so as to make their way plain before them, both what they should do and what they may expect. Observe, God orders the steps of a good man; not only his way in general, by his written word, but his particular steps, by the whispers of conscience, saying, This is the way, walk in it. He does not always show him his way at a distance, but leads him step by step, as children are led, and so keeps him in a continual dependence upon his guidance."
As believers, if we're not tuned in to God's frequency it's very easy to miss the periods. Spiritual insensitivity, and pride, can cause us to push past the 'periods' and pretend they're 'pauses'. Whether in the areas of our relationships, careers, choice of friends or a mate, when God puts up the stop sign it's foolish to persist. Our finite minds may be tempted to hold on to what may seem like a good thing, but we have to trust the wisdom of our God whose ways and thoughts far exceeds anything we could ever imagine (Isaiah 55:8,9). Our good is no match for God's best.
Are doors closing on what seem like sure opportunities? Does it seem like one disappointment after another? If we've sincerely placed ourselves in God's care, and as we allow Him to direct our paths, it's important that we lean not to our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5,6). When God says "STOP!", He knows what He's doing. May He grant us the courage to see the futility of our way, the grace to yield to His, and the wisdom to know the difference.
It is important that we understand that not every obstacle or negative experience we face is from the devil (Lamentations 3:8-11). The Psalmist captured the truth of God's sovereignty over our lives with the words, "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases" (115:3), and I am convinced that includes His willingness to stop us in our tracks if we're going in the wrong direction. In Psalm 37:23 we read, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD", and I agree with Bible Scholar Matthew Henry, who, on this portion of text, wrote, "By his grace and Holy Spirit he directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. He has all hearts in his hand, but theirs by their own consent. By his providence he overrules the events that concern them, so as to make their way plain before them, both what they should do and what they may expect. Observe, God orders the steps of a good man; not only his way in general, by his written word, but his particular steps, by the whispers of conscience, saying, This is the way, walk in it. He does not always show him his way at a distance, but leads him step by step, as children are led, and so keeps him in a continual dependence upon his guidance."
As believers, if we're not tuned in to God's frequency it's very easy to miss the periods. Spiritual insensitivity, and pride, can cause us to push past the 'periods' and pretend they're 'pauses'. Whether in the areas of our relationships, careers, choice of friends or a mate, when God puts up the stop sign it's foolish to persist. Our finite minds may be tempted to hold on to what may seem like a good thing, but we have to trust the wisdom of our God whose ways and thoughts far exceeds anything we could ever imagine (Isaiah 55:8,9). Our good is no match for God's best.
Are doors closing on what seem like sure opportunities? Does it seem like one disappointment after another? If we've sincerely placed ourselves in God's care, and as we allow Him to direct our paths, it's important that we lean not to our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5,6). When God says "STOP!", He knows what He's doing. May He grant us the courage to see the futility of our way, the grace to yield to His, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Responding to Love
Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and across every language and culture where the day is celebrated, people took the time to affirm and reaffirm love. Unless by mutual agreement to bypass the day's sentimentalities, not many relationships would survive where one person 'forgot' the obligatory tangible show of affection. Rightly or wrongly, regardless of the state of one's relationship, it is what is expected.
While February 14th is almost universally set aside for this purpose, the believer is in the unique position of hearing affirmations and reaffirmations of love every day. While whispers of "I love you" from our loved ones bring joy and delight to most hearts, God reminds us of this fact at different times during the days. Unlike human love, His love is unfailing and unconditional, even when we ourselves are unlovable. As we go through the hustle and bustle of our days, His ongoing faithfulness is a practical demonstration of that love. Through the prophet Jeremiah He reminds us, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you" (31:3, ESV). God wasn't just content on loving us, but like a good lover, He demonstrated that love in a manner that no one else could. In Romans 5:8 we read, "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us", and lest we fail to understand the magnitude of this love, Jesus, God in the flesh, told us, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Has anyone else done that for you lately?
It is not likely that anyone laid down their lives this past Valentine's Day to prove their love, but God gave us the ultimate gift as tangible proof of His love , His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Just as we found appropriate responses to the acts of love from our loved ones, so God's demonstration demand an equally appropriate response. I am reminded of the words from an old hymn:
"Were the whole realm of nature mine / That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine / Demands my soul, my life, my all."
That was the hymn writer's response. What is yours?
While February 14th is almost universally set aside for this purpose, the believer is in the unique position of hearing affirmations and reaffirmations of love every day. While whispers of "I love you" from our loved ones bring joy and delight to most hearts, God reminds us of this fact at different times during the days. Unlike human love, His love is unfailing and unconditional, even when we ourselves are unlovable. As we go through the hustle and bustle of our days, His ongoing faithfulness is a practical demonstration of that love. Through the prophet Jeremiah He reminds us, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you" (31:3, ESV). God wasn't just content on loving us, but like a good lover, He demonstrated that love in a manner that no one else could. In Romans 5:8 we read, "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us", and lest we fail to understand the magnitude of this love, Jesus, God in the flesh, told us, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Has anyone else done that for you lately?
It is not likely that anyone laid down their lives this past Valentine's Day to prove their love, but God gave us the ultimate gift as tangible proof of His love , His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Just as we found appropriate responses to the acts of love from our loved ones, so God's demonstration demand an equally appropriate response. I am reminded of the words from an old hymn:
"Were the whole realm of nature mine / That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine / Demands my soul, my life, my all."
That was the hymn writer's response. What is yours?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A Comma, Not A Period
Every now and again I receive a forwarded e-mail that contains something useful. This one, a PowerPoint slideshow titled "25 Beautiful Short Phrases", was really good. One of the phrases that 'jumped' out at me was "In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma, but never let him be a period." That, I thought, was one powerful phrase.
As I understand it, a 'comma' is a punctuation mark primarily used as a mark of separation within a sentence, while a 'period', also a punctuation mark, represents the end of a sentence. The 'comma' invites a pause, a short delay, and in applying this understanding to the phrase, it reinforced in my mind that in the life of the believer, the devil can cause all kinds of delay, but being neither the Alpha nor the Omega, our lives do not begin and end with him. The whole purpose of his delays are to provoke frustration and despair. Unanswered prayers, illnesses, family/relational conflicts, and job insecurity - these are just some of the weapons in his arsenal, and if we're not careful, we could become so weighed down by these things that we forget that it is not the devil who has the last word, but God. Delays (afflictions/persecutions) are inevitable, but we have the reassurance of the Psalmist, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all" (34:19).
Just as a comma cannot end a sentence, so the devil's delays should not end our faith in the God of our Salvation. The challenges in the journey should not sway us from our goal of reaching our final destination. Like Job we too can profess, "he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
No matter the situation, nothing is over until God says it's over. He alone has the last word. He's the only one qualified to put a period on any event in our lives. Everything else is just a comma.
As I understand it, a 'comma' is a punctuation mark primarily used as a mark of separation within a sentence, while a 'period', also a punctuation mark, represents the end of a sentence. The 'comma' invites a pause, a short delay, and in applying this understanding to the phrase, it reinforced in my mind that in the life of the believer, the devil can cause all kinds of delay, but being neither the Alpha nor the Omega, our lives do not begin and end with him. The whole purpose of his delays are to provoke frustration and despair. Unanswered prayers, illnesses, family/relational conflicts, and job insecurity - these are just some of the weapons in his arsenal, and if we're not careful, we could become so weighed down by these things that we forget that it is not the devil who has the last word, but God. Delays (afflictions/persecutions) are inevitable, but we have the reassurance of the Psalmist, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all" (34:19).
Just as a comma cannot end a sentence, so the devil's delays should not end our faith in the God of our Salvation. The challenges in the journey should not sway us from our goal of reaching our final destination. Like Job we too can profess, "he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
No matter the situation, nothing is over until God says it's over. He alone has the last word. He's the only one qualified to put a period on any event in our lives. Everything else is just a comma.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
"It Is Well"
Her son was dead. The miracle baby - born to her and her much older husband at a time when she no longer expected fruit from her womb. As a matter of fact, when Elijah had told her nine months earlier that she would embrace a son, she had replied, "O my master, O Holy Man, don't play games with me, teasing me with such fantasies!" (2 Kings 4:16, The Message). She didn't believe him. But in the very next verse we read, "The woman conceived. A year later, just as Elisha had said, she had a son." However, some years later, in what seemed like a cruel twist of fate, the child lay dead at home, in the same bed Elijah slept in when he was in that part of town.
She asked for an ass and with her servant, went hastily to Mount Carmel to meet Elijah, who, when he saw her in the distance, sent his servant to her with questions of concern - "Is something wrong? Are you all right? Your husband? Your child?", to which she answered, "Everything's fine", or as the KJV renders it, "It is well" (v.26). Didn't she hear the last question clearly? Nowhere do we read of a public mourning over the death of her only child. Her husband did not know the child had died; she had simply told him, "Don't ask questions; I need to go right now. Trust me" (v.23b). She had not told the neighbors, no expression of anger at God, but even as she laid the boy in the room, and despite her soul being in distress (v.27), deep within her was a quiet resolve that if she could get to the man of God, all would be well.
In verses 28-37, we see how after a series of events, the boy was miraculously brought back to life. But as this story ends with a mother and son reunion, we're individually challenged by a lingering question: How would you and I respond if God, in His Sovereignty, took someone or something from us that was very near and dear to our hearts? I have to admit, I really don't know.
When Horatio Gates Spafford received news from his wife that their four daughters were lost at sea, he made his way to his grieving wife. Later when the two met Dwight Moody, Spafford told him quietly, "It is well. The will of God be done." Spafford would later write the words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
What would you do? Could you say, and believe, those words?
She asked for an ass and with her servant, went hastily to Mount Carmel to meet Elijah, who, when he saw her in the distance, sent his servant to her with questions of concern - "Is something wrong? Are you all right? Your husband? Your child?", to which she answered, "Everything's fine", or as the KJV renders it, "It is well" (v.26). Didn't she hear the last question clearly? Nowhere do we read of a public mourning over the death of her only child. Her husband did not know the child had died; she had simply told him, "Don't ask questions; I need to go right now. Trust me" (v.23b). She had not told the neighbors, no expression of anger at God, but even as she laid the boy in the room, and despite her soul being in distress (v.27), deep within her was a quiet resolve that if she could get to the man of God, all would be well.
In verses 28-37, we see how after a series of events, the boy was miraculously brought back to life. But as this story ends with a mother and son reunion, we're individually challenged by a lingering question: How would you and I respond if God, in His Sovereignty, took someone or something from us that was very near and dear to our hearts? I have to admit, I really don't know.
When Horatio Gates Spafford received news from his wife that their four daughters were lost at sea, he made his way to his grieving wife. Later when the two met Dwight Moody, Spafford told him quietly, "It is well. The will of God be done." Spafford would later write the words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
What would you do? Could you say, and believe, those words?
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