August 2010 Archives
While They Were Speaking …
“He will not allow me to catch my breath, But fills me with bitterness.” (Job 9:18)
Do you ever feel like that sometimes? We call those periods “while they were speaking” seasons also taken from Job (1:13-19). They can be hard times to get through as you feel like everything is stacked up against you but, if you listen closely, you will sometimes hear God speaking as well. He may be silent for a time, leaving you to wonder why this dark time but He will appear. He longs to see you come through this full of joy and victory. His hand is not short. His timing just isn’t always ours.
If you’re going through one of those times now, I encourage you to look up. Your redemption draws nigh. If you are faithful unto death, He will give you a crown of life. Don’t listen to those on earth who are speaking, telling you all the bad things that have come upon you. Listen to the One who is speaking in the midst of your trial. He has not forsaken you and that is something we can be thankful for!
Sunday Reflections
I know most of you are reading this on Monday but I’m writing on Sunday evening after a wonderful day of rest, prayer and reflection. It was so nice to have some extra time with God today. I’ve been borderline exhausted and needed to be still and reminded that He is God. That seems to be the message of the year. He is God and I am not. My job is to trust and surrender to Him. As I do that, I will find that He does everything well.
The coming week promises to be hectic but I pray to stay in a place of calm surrender, knowing that God is in control and nothing will happen that He doesn’t already know about. I am at His command so, as long as I am in His will, He will take care of me. What a comfort that is!
He has truly been the best Father and Friend that I could have ever asked for. His blessings are innumerable. I pray that I will be faithful to praise Him the rest of my days.
God’s Love is Present
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
I was thinking this morning how God’s love is not past tense. He continues to love this world and to continue to reach out to those who don’t know Him or those who have strayed. He could so easily let us go but, for some reason beyond my understanding, God still desires fellowship with us. He still desires to snatch us from the pit of Hell. He patiently waits until we get to the end of ourselves. Then He says, “Give Me your burden. You don’t have to carry it any longer.” Why does it take so long to surrender?
I’ve seen how far sin can take a person but I’ve also seen God mercifully extend His hand to those who think they’ve blown it to where God can’t forgive them. Not a chance! “God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Thank You, Father, for being so merciful and longsuffering. Show me how to be your hands, feet and voice to those who don’t know You to help to loose them from satan’s grasp.
Follow Me as I Follow Christ
I was listening to a message yesterday where a man referenced the verse, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) He pointed out that, although we are still imperfect beings, we have an obligation to lead others to Christ. We can still strive to be the example. Yes, we may fail and have to repent but we have to keep getting back up and moving forward.
I think possibly the greatest hindrance to growth is the extreme self-focus which causes us to see our shortcomings and isn’t willing to take the steps necessary to attain the higher standard we know we’re called to. But I think that’s exactly what God is calling us to do. Being a leader is not a statement of perfection but there is a need for someone to set a standard and move forward accordingly.
Whether you are a parent, a pastor, a boss, or just a friend, there are people in your life who are looking to you for leadership. You will be an example to them whether you embrace that fact or not. The question is: what kind of an example are you? For myself, I want to be able to say to those around me, “Come on! Let’s go to that land. Follow me. I’ll show you the way. You may learn from my mistakes as we go but we’re going and, if you stumble, I’ll pick you up and help you move forward because I expect you to do the same for me.” Will you join me in the procession?
Growing Up
I view the Christian life as being similar to the physical life. When we first come to know the Lord, we are babies trying to find our way in this world. We’re dependent on our Father teaching us how to walk and how to respond to situations. As we learn to walk, we may fall at times but we quickly get back up and keep walking.
As we grow and mature, we are continually learning but we should know the basics. We should know by now how to walk; we just sometimes need to know which path to take on this road of life.
It’s frustrating to me how Christians who should be adults in their Christian life still act like they’re learning to walk. If they fall, they make excuses and it’s just like raising an overgrown two-year-old who never progresses past that stage. I’m including myself in those I get frustrated at. Life is too short to keep making the same “mistakes.” When we become adults, we should be among those who are bringing others into the Kingdom and are helping to mentor them. We are technically “children” of God but I’d like to see a lot more adult children who are beginning to work alongside their Father instead of taking so much of His time to keep bailing them out. We are capable of so much more than we’re willing to give. Take time to discern what God’s plan for your life is and then begin to fulfill that plan.
CD Review: The Answer (The Collingsworth Family)
Although it may sound amazing to some, The Answer is the first Collingsworth Family CD I’ve heard except for one I borrowed a couple years ago so I don’t know how it compares to their other projects but I found their style a bit different than I expected.
It started with a jazzy song, “I Shall Not Be Moved” followed by “Fear Not Tomorrow” which, to me, has a ’50s sound. Beautiful harmony, reminiscent of maybe the Andrews Sisters of that time period. Then it breaks into a worshipful chorus of “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.”
“I Could Never Praise Him Enough,” “I Want a Principle Within,” and “Oh the Thought That Jesus Loves Me” are more in line with the worshipful songs I’ve heard from the Collingsworth Family. “When the Roll is Called up Yonder” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness” are instrumental numbers.
Uptempo numbers include “I Know,” “Count Your Blessings Again” (which also has a jazz feel), “Bottom of the Barrel” The project ends so fittingly with “I Want Jesus More Than Anything.”
Anyone who loves the harmony and instrumentation of the Collingsworth Family will not be disappointed with this CD.
Reflecting
I think the hardest thing about writing a blog is figuring out what to title each post. Sometimes I have a definite message but sometimes I’m just sharing what God’s doing in my life and it’s harder to know what to title that without doing something boring like “Thoughts 1,” “Thoughts 2,” etc. 🙂
I can’t believe it’s been seven months since God launched Southern Gospel World for me. At the time I wondered if anyone would read what I wrote but I’m so thankful for each of you who come back to see what I’ve written. It’s a blessing to share my ups and downs but I pray you are able to see beyond this fallible human to a God who is still at work pouring out grace and mercy and redeeming lives. He is so worthy of all the praise we have to give and more.
I’ve been reminded the past couple weeks of the importance of focusing on Christ and on others instead of on self. I don’t know why the tendency is to turn inward when things begin to go wrong. Our first reaction should be to look up, to ask God what we can do better and, if we’re doing everything we’re supposed to be, we should be able to stand. I’ve had a hard time doing that lately but, if I’m going to win this race, that is exactly what I have to do.
I fall into self-pity very easily lately but God is bringing me out and reminding me that He loves me. His plans for me are greater than mine are for myself. He knows what I need. He loves me more than I can imagine. I just have to trust Him. I’m sure I sound like a broken record as you all are probably tired of hearing me say some of these things over and over but I guess I feel like if I need the reminder, maybe someone else does too. He is full of compassion and mercy but He also disciplines those He loves. I don’t always appreciate the discipline (okay; I never do), but if I receive it as coming from a loving Father, I become grateful because it’s the correction that causes me to get back on the narrow path that I’m supposed to be on before the grass started to look greener over to the side.
Thank You, Father, for not giving up on me but for continually reminding me how much You love and care for me. I love You too more than words can say!
Until Then
“But until then, my heart will go on singing. Until then, with joy I’ll carry on. Until the day my eyes behold that city, until the day God calls me Home!” ~ Stuart Hamblen
This week, I’ve been singing “Until Then” a lot. I sometimes find myself longing for Heaven but then I’m reminded there’s a lot of work left to do here on earth. We will have an eternity to vacation and get away from problems and stresses. At times, that’s definitely the appeal Heaven has for me but, if I truly long to please my Father, I can’t keep pining for what I don’t have. I must faithfully serve Him here until He is ready for me there. He can’t say “Well done” if my job is not done well.
So I’ll work until the work is done. I’ll sing until He calls me Home. I’ll reach out beckoning others to come and one day, I’ll hear Him say “Well done!” Oh, how I long for that day but, until then, I will enjoy the life He’s given me right here. Life may have its stresses and trials but they won’t worry me for I truly am sheltered in the arms of God!
Be the Body
I was thinking yesterday how much I long for the Body of Christ. There are many who claim to be a part of His Body but I don’t see many living like Christ instructed. I don’t see much servanthood or love flowing to others. I don’t see Believers preferring others above themselves. I don’t often see people taking the time to encourage others either. Maybe a quick “I’ll be praying for you” but not a willingness to give much of their time.
I look forward to getting to Heaven and seeing my loved ones who are already gone but, more than that, I treasure time with my Brothers and Sisters now. When we get to Heaven, we won’t need as much encouragement and uplifting as we need down here. Sure, it will be wonderful to worship together there but what a blessing to worship together down here, to pray together, to hug each other, or just to be there for each other. It’s easy for me to get busy too but I hope I’m never too busy to meet a genuine need or to be there to encourage someone who is having a hard time. You never know how important this may be for someone. Take the time to encourage someone today.
May My Desires Become His
“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
I’ve been thinking today how many of my desires God has granted me. I’ve often made the statement that God not only meets my needs but also grants so many of my desires. I don’t know why he loves me so much but I feel so special when He gives me something just because He knows it will bless me.
“Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:9-11) I rest in that assurance. My Father has proven time and again that, although He may not always give me what I ask Him, He doesn’t withhold any good thing from me. (Psalm 84:11) He knows what’s best for me and I know that is exactly what I will receive.
In light of that, I hope I’m never found complaining about my “lot” in life. God is not obligated to give me what I want but, as my will becomes His will, I know that is exactly what I will receive. Isn’t God good!
