What would I do without the Weather Channel? Pretty much every day I logon to the website to look at the forecast for the day, mainly to help me determine what I'm going to wear. (During the summer I usually don't bother, though--the forecast is always hot, with chance of afternoon showers.)
I wish we had a spiritual forecast that we could look at each day. Wouldn't it be nice if we knew in advance that today would be partly joyful with a stormy encounter coming in the afternoon? Or that we'd need an extra measure of patience at night? Or that a front of temptation was heading our way around noon?
I suppose that's why Paul tells us to put on the FULL armor of God:
Ephesians 6:10 "A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. 13 Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere."
How often do I run out of the house in the morning without girding myself, preparing myself for the battles ahead?
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Friday, April 15, 2005
There Is a God...and I'm Not Him
I'm having a pretty good week. Several of my friends, on the other hand, are not. Some are dealing with problems and stress at work. Some are dealing with divorce. Some are dealing with loneliness and depression. Some are dealing with feeling distant from God.
My nature is to be a fixer--I hear about these problems, and my first instinct is to DO something. I want to be the encourager, the comforter, the supporter. And yet, those roles are already taken by someone far, far more wise and understanding than I am.
God, manifested through the Holy Spirit, is THE Comforter. Only He can truly provide the peace and love and joy and healing that the people in my life need. HE is the Source; I am merely a conduit (one of many) that He mercifully uses at times to help others.
I sometimes get frustrated because I feel inadequate to help. Someone very wisely pointed out to me recently that I SHOULD feel inadequate; it is in those times that only God is capable of providing help.
Slowly but surely, I'm learning to leave my friends and their struggles, hurts and trials in God's hands.
My nature is to be a fixer--I hear about these problems, and my first instinct is to DO something. I want to be the encourager, the comforter, the supporter. And yet, those roles are already taken by someone far, far more wise and understanding than I am.
God, manifested through the Holy Spirit, is THE Comforter. Only He can truly provide the peace and love and joy and healing that the people in my life need. HE is the Source; I am merely a conduit (one of many) that He mercifully uses at times to help others.
I sometimes get frustrated because I feel inadequate to help. Someone very wisely pointed out to me recently that I SHOULD feel inadequate; it is in those times that only God is capable of providing help.
Slowly but surely, I'm learning to leave my friends and their struggles, hurts and trials in God's hands.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
American Idol
It's official: I'm addicted to "American Idol." Okay, perhaps addicted is a strong term--I haven't been taping the "reveal show" on Wed. nights while I'm at church, and I haven't planned my schedule around it (not really, anyway!). But I've gotten into it more this season than I have since season two, when Alabama's own Ruben Studdard won it all.
There's something fascinating about watching these contestants get up on a stage in front of millions of viewers and belt out tunes, only to be ripped to shreds (for the most part) by Simon afterward. (I just thank God that Simon isn't the one I'll be speaking to on the day of judgment--can you imagine??).
After being raked across the coals by Simon last night, one of the contestants pointed out that at least he had the guts to get up there and try, whereas millions of other people were sitting at home. Ouch! Gotta at least give him credit for that. How often do I sit back and observe other's behavior and criticize them for something that I don't have the nerve to try myself? I can be pretty critical without realizing it sometimes.
Yes, God can even use "American Idol" to convict me...
There's something fascinating about watching these contestants get up on a stage in front of millions of viewers and belt out tunes, only to be ripped to shreds (for the most part) by Simon afterward. (I just thank God that Simon isn't the one I'll be speaking to on the day of judgment--can you imagine??).
After being raked across the coals by Simon last night, one of the contestants pointed out that at least he had the guts to get up there and try, whereas millions of other people were sitting at home. Ouch! Gotta at least give him credit for that. How often do I sit back and observe other's behavior and criticize them for something that I don't have the nerve to try myself? I can be pretty critical without realizing it sometimes.
Yes, God can even use "American Idol" to convict me...
Monday, April 11, 2005
We Are at War
I stopped believing in coincidences a long time ago. Have you ever been desperate for some inspiration or encouragement, and you open your Bible seemingly at random to the exact verse that you needed to read? Coincidence? Nope.
Or have you suddenly thought of a friend you hadn't spoken with or thought of in a long time, and later that day heard from them or heard that they were in need? Think it's coincidence? No again.
I think God uses what most people deem "coincidences" to get our attention sometimes. Saturday night at dinner at our friends' house, the conversation turned to spiritual warfare. We had a good long discussion and spent time in prayer about it.
Yesterday, Randy Harris was the guest speaker at our church. During the Sunday school hour he discussed spiritual warfare and being aware that there were evil players in this world, and also remembering that God has won the war for us.
Was it mere coincidence that in less than 24 hours we have that much discussion on spiritual warfare? No way. I believe that God's trying to open our eyes to spiritual warfare, whether it's simply being more aware that there are battles going on around us every day, or something more specific that He's trying to teach us.
How often I am fooled into thinking this is peacetime, when there's a battle raging. Thank you, God, for opening my eyes and reminding me that Satan is constantly on the attack. And thank you for being victorious over Him. Help me to live with a warfare mentality, and to remember that I'm on the winning side.
Or have you suddenly thought of a friend you hadn't spoken with or thought of in a long time, and later that day heard from them or heard that they were in need? Think it's coincidence? No again.
I think God uses what most people deem "coincidences" to get our attention sometimes. Saturday night at dinner at our friends' house, the conversation turned to spiritual warfare. We had a good long discussion and spent time in prayer about it.
Yesterday, Randy Harris was the guest speaker at our church. During the Sunday school hour he discussed spiritual warfare and being aware that there were evil players in this world, and also remembering that God has won the war for us.
Was it mere coincidence that in less than 24 hours we have that much discussion on spiritual warfare? No way. I believe that God's trying to open our eyes to spiritual warfare, whether it's simply being more aware that there are battles going on around us every day, or something more specific that He's trying to teach us.
How often I am fooled into thinking this is peacetime, when there's a battle raging. Thank you, God, for opening my eyes and reminding me that Satan is constantly on the attack. And thank you for being victorious over Him. Help me to live with a warfare mentality, and to remember that I'm on the winning side.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Scripture of the Week: Romans 15:13
My study of Romans continues...Thought this was a great prayer for all of us--who doesn't want hope, happiness and peace???
"So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
"So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Saturday, April 02, 2005
On Death
It's been a somber week in the world. First Terri Schiavo died, now the Pope lies near death as I write this. And don't forget the hundreds of people who lost their lives in Indonesia this week with yet another earthquake. Death and dying has been on the minds of a lot of people this week, perhaps a lot of people who haven't really considered death much before.
I'm not going to sound off on my views of the Terri Schiavo situation; honestly, I have mixed feelings about it. And it's easy for me to spout off "Here's what I would do in this situation", but it's not MY situation to deal with.
The point I do want to make, however, is that regardless of whether or not letting Terri die was the "right" thing to do, God can and does use this situation for good. Who knows how many people are now thinking about and talking about their own deaths with their loved ones--and more importantly, are thinking about LIFE after death? Maybe all the focus this week on death in the news has caused more people to seriously think about what happens after they die.
I believe that if Terri Schiavo had lived another 15 years, God could have used her to bring people to Him. And He can use her death this week to bring people to Him as well.
As Christians, we need to remember that, for us, death is not really a tragic event. That does not mean that it's not sad, or that we shouldn't mourn or be upset about it. But death is only the beginning of a new life, an infinitely more incredible life for us.
Remembering that should give us joy and hope in the midst of suffering. At the same time, it should give us an urgency to share the Gospel with those who don't know Christ, for whom death truly will be a tragic event if they are unsaved.
This is not easy for me to do. I struggle to remember all of this; so often I don't feel the urgency to share Christ with those around me who don't know Him. Perhaps all the attention on death and dying will give me a greater sense of urgency. Who knows how God will use all these situations to draw people closer to Him.
I'm not going to sound off on my views of the Terri Schiavo situation; honestly, I have mixed feelings about it. And it's easy for me to spout off "Here's what I would do in this situation", but it's not MY situation to deal with.
The point I do want to make, however, is that regardless of whether or not letting Terri die was the "right" thing to do, God can and does use this situation for good. Who knows how many people are now thinking about and talking about their own deaths with their loved ones--and more importantly, are thinking about LIFE after death? Maybe all the focus this week on death in the news has caused more people to seriously think about what happens after they die.
I believe that if Terri Schiavo had lived another 15 years, God could have used her to bring people to Him. And He can use her death this week to bring people to Him as well.
As Christians, we need to remember that, for us, death is not really a tragic event. That does not mean that it's not sad, or that we shouldn't mourn or be upset about it. But death is only the beginning of a new life, an infinitely more incredible life for us.
Remembering that should give us joy and hope in the midst of suffering. At the same time, it should give us an urgency to share the Gospel with those who don't know Christ, for whom death truly will be a tragic event if they are unsaved.
This is not easy for me to do. I struggle to remember all of this; so often I don't feel the urgency to share Christ with those around me who don't know Him. Perhaps all the attention on death and dying will give me a greater sense of urgency. Who knows how God will use all these situations to draw people closer to Him.
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