Monthly Archives: October 2014

BEYOND A FACTUAL CONNECTION

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”    (John 4:24)

Every show began with the same opening: “The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. This is the city. Los Angeles, California. I work here…I carry a badge.”  These are the immortal words of Sergeant Joe Friday, the fictional detective of the Dragnet series first presented on radio, then on TV, and later at the movies.  While conducting interviews with his partner – Friday displayed limited patience with the emotional rambling of some of their witnesses.  Whenever he had enough of their wordiness, he would look at the person and say – “Just the facts, ma’am.”

There are those who have contemplated whether we should be more direct in our prayers?  In Matthew 6: 7, we find this passage:  “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” One wonders if the facts alone are sufficient when it comes to fulfilling our faith journey. In the past few years, I have become friends with a gentleman who was a Veteran of World War II.  Through his time of serving and now in his nineties, he has encountered many physical ailments and life-threatening situations.  Recently he told me that while he practices Christianity and lifts up others in prayer, he claims to have never prayed for himself.  He says  he tries to live a good life and believes that in doing so, God knows what he needs and will provide. Now that’s the bare-boned facts, to be sure, but I believe his personal doctrine is a little awry from what is contained in God’s Word.  I doubt if the prayer God rejects is the one you pray for yourself.  I would rather think that it’s the one you pray with a heart full of arrogance and conceit that He will not hear. He doesn’t want us to be full of our self but instead be filled with Him.

While there are those who may feel it is selfish to pray for oneself or that they are unworthy of God’s attention, scripture reveals that He wants us to engage in a deep personal relationship with Him. One way to have that experience is through an active prayer life. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15). Jesus encourages us to simply ask.  While others rebuked a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus from bothering Jesus with his words for mercy, he persisted in his plea (Mark10:46-52). Jesus asked the man for specifics of what it was he needed. Of course, the obvious was that he wanted to see. With all we have come to know about Jesus, we can be assured that He already knew that.  However, the man’s sight was immediately restored not because of his many words but because of his faith.  God longs for us to come into His presence. In doing so, we acknowledge our dependence on Him as the source of our strength and healing.

It would seem, fellow sojourners, that our true connections with God increase through prayer, the study of His Word, and participation in worship.  Each of these have both a cognitive and an emotional component. The head compiles the thought processes with the understanding that God knows all that we need, everything that is going on in our life, and can predict what we will say even before we attempt to put it into words.  It’s the truth of the matter; just the facts. But our relationship with Him is not complete without the heart element during which we articulate our feelings and rejoice in all He has provided. These fulfill the spiritual connection and affirm our faith.  Remember Jesus understood the facts – he knew that Bartimaeus wanted to see.  But it was through the blind man’s passion and total reliance on Him that the healing occurred. We are encouraged to “Give your burdens to the Lord.  He will not permit the Godly to slip nor fall” (Psalm 55:22). So, in spirit and in truth, give whatever weight you are carrying to Him . . . He longs to replace it with a blessing.

REFLECTION: How does God’s truth free you from feelings of insecurity and inadequacy?  In what ways can the release of emotions help you develop a stronger spiritual connection? When you allow yourself to fellowship with the Lord in spirit and in truth, do you feel more complete in your relationship with Him?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., NOVEMBER 1, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

MANY CHANGES; ONE CONSTANT

“Everything is changing. My relationships are changing, my future is changing, my feelings are changing. My life is one big constant state of flux. I grew up scared of spiders, bees and dark corners in dimly lit basements. But this foe…change…it terrorizes me like nothing before.” (Katie McGarry)

When we are young, we frequently look forward to many changes in our life.  We anticipate new opportunities such as learning to drive or leaving home and living on our own for the first time.  As we grow older, we sometimes find the transitions in our life to be challenging, to say the least.  In speaking with a recent retiree, he told me that he made the decision to leave his company after nearly forty years because he was having difficulty keeping up with the many changes. On the other hand, I found a lady I knew to be more accepting as she described the changes that were occurring in her own situation.  She had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and after being presented with the various treatment options had decided to do nothing at this time. Her attitude was very refreshing, as she expressed, “I think that it’s all part of the journey I am suppose to experience.”

In nature, the process of change is anticipated. From the time they start blooming in the spring – some plants, including many trees, start to prepare for autumn when they will display their beautiful array of colors and then shed their foliage. The process begins in the summer months when leaves of certain plants produce excess glucose. This food is stored so that as the days become shorter and the production cycle is shut down, the harshness of the winter can be survived. In our own life voyage, we face change with more reaction and less preparation than does nature. In his book, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, author and pastor Charles Swindoll says, “I am glad God changes the times and the seasons, aren’t you?  Just think how dull things would become if He didn’t paint nature’s scenes in different colors several times a year.”  In his devotional book, he characterizes the changes in this manner: “Autumn: A Season of Reflection; Winter: A Season of Reverence; Spring: A Season of Renewal; and Summer: A Season of Rest.”

As we mature and become more set in our ways, the very idea of change and the accompanying uncertainties can increase our level of anxiety allowing us to feel downright fearful at times. Change can take away our sense of security and leave us with a mindset of doubt and discouragement  But for those who are on a journey with Christ, we do not need to experience this trepidation. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).  After all, if we really think about it – change is at the heart of the Biblical message.  The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians5:17).  One’s willingness to change sets the stage for God to be able to do something extraordinary in your life.

It is a far more healthy outlook if we are able to accept that change is a part of living.  Rather than being surprised by its arrival, we come to understand that it is a natural course of events. When we acknowledge that God is never surprised, is in control of everything, and always acts out of love for us – our viewpoint becomes more centered on what He is allowing to occur in our lives.  Therefore, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). For as we traverse along the journey, there will be many changes. But we can face them with the full knowledge that the One who is there to help us is the only constant we will ever have (Hebrews 13:8). And He alone is sufficient.

REFLECTION:  What are the primary obstacles in your path as you face the various seasons of change?  As you encounter the unknown, how do you attempt to control the situation? What would it take for you to exercise your faith and employ the philosophy, “Let Go, and Let God” ?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., OCTOBER 25, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

CROSSING A LINE IN THE SAND

“This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him.             Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.” (John 8:6)

According to early American folklore, Colonel William Barrett Travis was the command officer at the Alamo in 1836. While faced with a demand to surrender, it is alleged that he drew a line in the sand with his sword.  In doing so, he asked that those willing to remain and defend the Alamo to their deaths step across the line.  All but one crossed the line and stayed. Each of them died.  Over time, this story has remained a symbol for those who will stand for a cause as opposed to those who will not. Even today, whenever world leaders metaphorically draw lines in the sand with other nations – it represents a show of force to make it known that certain acts of aggression will not be tolerated. Likewise, companies often establish mission statements to define their purpose and institute policies down the line as a way to enforce that their employees uphold it.  In an attempt to strictly discipline their children, parents often set limit lines and propose consequences for disobeying them. And even churches draw lines in the forms of declarations and doctrine to indicate their standards and beliefs.

As new persons in the faith journey, one is often confronted with choosing between denying his former self and embracing one’s newfound faith (Matthew16:24).  The struggle often leads to the conflict of a blurred line in which one is faced with attempting to have one foot in the world and the other with God.  While in our heart we have a desire to follow Christ, our head tells us that if we completely do so – there will be things we have to give up.  As a result, some adopt an attitude that they will be committed to Christianity just so far, thus drawing their own line of conviction.  It doesn’t get any easier when we grow to be more grounded, faith deepens, and our path becomes more solidly defined.  The dare to ‘live like Christ within reason’ is always there.  And it’s the ‘reasoning’ that will sometimes make the journey difficult.  It’s as though we have a compass that points us in the right direction, but instead we choose to rely on our instinct and get lost as a result.

Our ‘true north’ must always focus on the teachings of Jesus. In John 8:1-11, Jesus publicly risks his life as he sides with a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery.  In doing so, he crossed the line by challenging the authority of the law in His day.  Instead, he embraced compassion, mercy, love and forgiveness.  He distorted the line even further by telling the accusers to cast the first stone if they were without sin in their own lives. Of course, no stone was cast.  In God’s Word, there are evident times a line in the sand was drawn and choices had to be made.  When this occurred, it was quite apparent that the choice differentiated between standing with God or opposing Him.  John said it quite clearly: “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you” (1 John 2:15).

So, fellow sojourners – it comes down to this:  We cannot straddle the fence, because we will eventually fall on one side or the other.  As followers of Jesus, we must understand that there is sometimes a line we must step across in order to stand with Him.  “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world” (James 4:8). It’s about becoming more like Jesus.  Less about me and more about Him. Now there’s a line worth stepping over.

REFLECTION:  Where do you draw your ‘line in the sand’ ?  Do your personal lines reflect truth contained in the Word of God?  When it comes to acceptance and forgiveness, have you drawn lines with others you have not dared to cross? What would it take to break down these barriers? What worldly characteristics sometimes inhibit you from becoming more like Jesus?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., OCTOBER 18, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”    Proverbs 3:5-6

A neighborhood friend came by the house while she was doing some yard work.  The neighbor had been out walking and was invited to sit down for a few minutes on the porch.  When asked about her family, the visitor began to open up about her daughter who is in college.  Apparently the daughter and several other students had been arrested on a theft charge stemming from a sorority pledge prank. The neighbor was worried that the charge would become part of a permanent record that could have implications for her daughter’s future.  Beyond that, she confessed that through this whole incident she had become quite angry at God. Trying not to be judgmental of her feelings – the host told her that while it was okay to be angry for now, hopefully she would come to realize that God was there for her all the time.

Have you ever been angry with God?  We are so conditioned to think in a “cause-effect” mentality that when things don’t fall into place as we anticipate, it’s often revealing who we hold responsible.  At times it comes in the form of personal guilt for not doing all we might have.  Or, we place the blame on something or someone else; in this case – God.  For those on a faith journey – church attendance, tithing, daily devotions, and good works are often attributed toward having success in certain parts of our life.  While we can be assured that God does bless us for these practices, we cannot then turn around and reject Him when our journey becomes problematic. We come to understand that just as every path is not paved with a smooth surface, God never promised that we would not have trials and tribulations in this life.  As a matter of fact, Jesus told us that if we followed Him that it would, in fact, be a difficult road: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Somehow whenever the journey appears to be manageable and running smoothly, it’s amazing how frequently we take personal credit for our accomplishments.  But when life becomes frazzled, we are tempted to move away from the source of the greatest comfort we can find.  It is during these times in which we are most vulnerable that we have a choice. We can harbor our resentment, blame God, and allow isolation from the One who can sustain us.  In doing so, we demonstrate a lack of appreciation for the peace and grace we are offered as persons of faith. “And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away (Mark 4:17).  Rather than ignore our emotions – we can simply talk to God and confess our feelings. When we do, we acknowledge our desire for His continued presence in our life. Paul provides this counsel: “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Eph.4:26).

So bottom-line, does God expect us to accept our situations where pain and suffering has occurred without question, without hurt or anger?  Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “Christian, remember the good of God in the frost of adversity.” God wants us to trust Him not only in the good times but especially through the bad. It’s not about finding fault, placing blame, or becoming angry.  He wants to shelter us in His loving arms.  The psalmist said, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).  It’s so easy to say we trust when things are going well and the path is clear, but God encourages us to really trust in Him in all we do not know.  When we walk through our darkest hours and try not to ‘lean on our own understanding’ – His light guides us to a place of comfort and rest. For His grace is all that we need (2 Cor 12:9) when our Life’s Journey is truly spinning out of control.

REFLECTION:  Do you remember a time when you were angry at God?  For what period of time did you allow that anger to remain in your heart?  Were you able to overcome your feelings and release them to God?  What did you learn for your next ‘out of control’ situation?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., OCTOBER 11, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)