When Our Faith Rests on the Power of God

My spiritual comfort food is usually found in Psalms, the Major Prophets, the Gospels, or the book of James. Lately, as a discipline, I've been reading through the writings of Paul. Today, I landed on 1 Corinthians 2:5 and got stuck.

"that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." (1 Cor. 2:5 nasb)

The first part of this verse is easy to understand. We don't base our faith on man's wisdom. It's a good thing, too, because man's wisdom is not always quite as wise as we would hope. 

The second part is worth considering. 

Our faith should rest on the POWER of God. 

Ponder that for a moment.

The faith we say we have should be based on God's POWER. The word translated as "power" is dynamis, from which we get the word "dynamite." It refers to the inherent power of God to act in us, through us, and for us. 

It's the same power that defeated sin and death on the cross. It opened the tomb of Jesus to reveal folded bed linens, an empty grave bed, and a risen Savior.

This is get-it-done power that can handle any situation that comes our way. 

God's power wasn't "used up" when Jesus raised from the grave. It didn't run out at Pentecost. It wasn't depleted when the original disciples died.

God still has as much power as ever, and He'll manifest it through us, if we allow Him. He'll help us pray prayers through which He will work. He'll help us love the unlovely, serve the least among us, and humble ourselves. He'll help us keep going when the way is too hard.

What we sometimes forget is that the same power that allowed Jesus to still a storm, heal a leper, open the eyes of the blind is still present today. 

He still quiets the storms.

He still heals.

He still opens the eyes of the blind.

Our faith doesn't rest on past-tense power. It takes root and depends utterly on present-tense power. Power that's still available, still at work.

That fact changes everything.

When we put our trust in Jesus, we're trusting in the completed work of redemption on the cross, but we're also trusting in the ongoing power of God to do miracles, change lives, intervene in the matters of our everyday existence.

Wonder-working power is still available today.

So where is it? It's in places around the world where people are so impoverished they are desperate for a move of God. It's also right here in this country when believers reach out in faith and ask God for the impossible. 

How do we access God's power? For disciples, it's easy. Just ask. 

Being a disciple presumes that we've put our faith in Him and have a relationship with Jesus. It presumes we study Scripture, plant His Word in our hearts, and allow Him to cleanse us of sin, and that we pray to find what God wants in our situation. 

If that's not where we are, let's make the changes necessary to be a disciple. 

If we're a disciple of Christ, let's act like one. Pray as Jesus prayed. Expect what Jesus expected from God in answer to our prayers. Seek His will and ask accordingly, fasting for more power.

If wonder-working power is available to us, and it is, let's live like it, both in our words and in our deeds.

"that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." (1 Cor. 2:5 nasb)
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If you feel led to partner with me for the upcoming Middle East trip, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Caregiver Chronicles: When God Makes a Way

Caregiver Chronicles: When God Makes a Way

It's time to let you know about the upcoming schedule, and to ask for your help with prayer support.

I'm heading back to the Middle East next Tuesday. I'll be there for just over three weeks. Part of my time will be spent on a major writing project, but I'll also do some medical work while I'm there, and some teaching. 

This trip was scheduled long before Sam came to live at my house. When the tickets were bought, he was still able to walk around, drive his car, walk the dogs, and cut the grass. He can't do any of that now.

I tried to find someone who could stay in my home and take care of everything...dogs, horses, bunnies, house, and (most important) Sam. From the first time I mentioned my plan, the hospice nurse shook her head. "No one person can do all that," she gently suggested. 

"But I do it," I argued.

It took me a while to understand that I'm called to it, the responsibilities are familiar to me, and I'm accustomed to the routine. Despite all that, this is a huge responsibility, even to me.

"Let Sam stay at Hospice House," she recommended. His insurance would cover five days, but the remaining 20 days would be billed at $120/day. Yes. $2400. 

I live on a missionary budget. I couldn't possibly handle that expense, but I didn't know what to do. I cried many tears. I prayed. I cried some more.

Ultimately, Sam's responsible for himself. It took me a while to understand that. 

Since Sam, who has never owned a home or had a big bank account, couldn't afford to stay there on his own, I turned to my pastor and one of my friends. "Please pray," I asked them. 

They did more than pray. Dana contacted friends and fellow church members and told them of the need. She asked them to pray about sponsoring a day for Sam. 

My pastor contacted the church leadership and they offered to give $500 for Sam's care directly to Hospice House. 

Numerous people sponsored 1/2 or whole days. Not all the money that's been pledged is in hand yet, but it appears all will be paid by the first of next week.

God has made a way.

The body of Christ has, once again, hit a gram slam home run. In addition to providing for Sam, people have volunteered to do everything from cut my lawn to take care of my animals to house sit. Every physical need is met, both for Sam and for me.

There's one more need that still needs to be met. Prayer coverage.

When elderly patients are taken out of their environment, it's unsettling to them, even when it's a nice change. Sam needs your prayers.

When tired caregivers go abroad for weeks to write and teach and work, it's unsettling, too. I need your prayers as well. 

Because of security and internet connection issues, I may not be able to send updates via social media. I may or may not be able to post blogs daily. If not, when I return, I'll start back up as usual. (I've scheduled evening blogs for the duration already.) 

If you'd like to have updates via email, message me your email address and I'll add you to the list. 

Thanks in advance for your prayer support. We're depending on you to pray us through.

"...the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much," James 5:16 nasb

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If you feel led to partner with me for the Middle East trip, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When You Know Who to Call in Time of Need

When You Know Who to Call in Time of Need

The dogs pounced on my chest well before dawn this morning. They wanted to go outside, and they didn't want to wait. I staggered out of bed, still half-sleep, and headed downstairs with them. 

Fifteen minutes later, steaming cup of coffee in hand, I headed upstairs again, turning out lights as I went. Maggie was right beside me. Mamie, however, had stayed in the kitchen to eat. 

A few minutes later, I heard frantic barking downstairs. Mamie had finished eating and realized she was alone in the dark. She had done what she always does when she thinks she's been left behind. She barked until someone came to rescue her.

I headed downstairs and found Mamie in the middle of the great room, barking and looking toward the stairs with expectation.

I laughed, scooped her up in my arms, and headed back upstairs. Mamie, I thought, is a lot like me.

She sounded the alarm because she knew, from personal experience, it would bring help. I, too, sound the alarm in prayer because I, too, know, from personal experience, it will bring help. 

The promise that God will respond when we call on Him is tucked all through Scripture. God wants a personal, everyday relationship with us, but He is also there in time of need. 

~ "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15 nasb

~ "He will call upon Me, and I will answer Him; I will be with him in trouble,; I will rescue and honor him." Psalm 91:15 nasb

~ "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 nasb

When we don't know what to do, when we have trouble we don't know how to solve, we aren't alone. We aren't without help. Our Lord has promised over and over that only one thing is needed. Call on God. He will respond.

Are we going through a hard time? Call on God. 

Do we feel lost and alone? Call on God.

Do we face frightening decisions with no idea where to turn? Call on God. 

The same One who promises He will never leave us nor forsake us also promises to answer when we call. Only one thing is required. We must ask. It's that simple. 

We aren't alone, no matter how we feel. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords knows our name, cares about us, and answers when we call to Him. Every single time.

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Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Lingering in Grief to Learn the Lessons of Tragedy

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.
#prayer

Lingering in Grief to Learn the Lessons of Tragedy

For a time, it was my job to lower the flag. No one assigned it to me. I took it on because, in times of tragedy, lowering the flag to half-staff was tangible evidence of both our corporate grief and my own. It felt as if I was "doing something," when I saluted the flag and slowly drew it down.

Lowering the flag was an act of "lingering" with the grief, because there would, eventually, be a day when we raised the flag again. 

I hope we linger a bit with our grief this time, for there are vital lessons here.

The why of the Las Vegas massacre only matters if we learn from it, so examining all the factors in this horrible tragedy is an important task. Our objective, however, must not be to strengthen our own personal agenda, but to discern truth.

What precipitated this tragedy? Was an intervention possible? Would tighter gun control laws have made a difference? How did this man get the automatic weaponry he obtained?

I support the constitution, including the second amendment right to bear arms. I understand the desire to have weaponry for protection of family and home, as well as for hunting. 

This shooter, however, had considerably more guns than were necessary for hunting (for food) or for protecting himself in his home. He could have armed a small militia. 

I want to know how he obtained so much firepower and over what period of time. Does the gun registry trigger a flag for unusual purchase patterns? Does someone investigate these purchases? Could there be a way to anticipate a tragedy based on the kinds and number of gun sales to an individual?

The answer to those questions may help with regulation of arms, but they will never solve the real problem.

The root issue is not the gun on the shelf, nor the ammunition in the box, but the heart of the person holding the gun and loading the ammo. This was not an act of good; it was an act of evil. It was not the act of a weapon, but of a man with a weapon.

This shooter was a successful accountant and businessman. He was reportedly generous with friends and family, although no one describes him as warm and loving. How did evil take such control of his mind and heart that the actions of Sunday evening made sense to him? 

This evil didn't start overnight, and it probably didn't start in his adult years. His father was a criminal and incarcerated for his crimes. He was, in a sense, much like many of our children today, fatherless. If you don't think that matters, take a closer look at the impact of fatherlessness. It's huge. (the link leads to the research page of the National Center for Fathering. Please take some time to read through their data. It's staggering.)

33% of American children live in a home without their biological father. Does this seem like a good idea (or good situation) to anyone? Fathers, where are you?

What impact did the actions and absence of his father leave in this man's life? You can be certain that the impact was not positive, and also fairly certain that the impact of his father influenced the decisions that led to Sunday's tragedy.

Now, body of Christ, we must ask ourselves a serious, and very hard, question. Where was the church when these boys lost their father to incarceration? Why didn't a godly man see the need and step up to the plate? Did a community try to surround this family, or were they left to their own devices?

I'm pointing a finger at myself, too, and, yes, it's painful. When we know there's a problem and we do nothing to help, we become a part of the problem.

We have a dire situation here, Body of Christ, and we need to do more. An ever-increasing number of children are growing up without their fathers and without the ongoing involvement of a man of integrity in their lives. This should not be. 

Fathers, stay with your family. Men, reach out. Mothers, accept some help. 

Body of Christ, we must examine our priorities, make a plan, and follow it. 

Yesterday, I worked with a group of troubled teens, as I do a few hours a month during the school term. One of the pastors on our team made a shocking statement. "We're here for you and not just for one hour a month. When you have a ballgame, we'll be there. When you have an activity, we'll come. We want to support you and help you reach a different, and better, kind of life."  

Afterward, I asked him about it. "That's a bold statement. We have to be there now..." 

He smiled. "I already am." He attends every football game for the high school in his town, not because he has a child who plays (he doesn't), but because he's concerned for the young men on the field. He knows their names and he cheers for them on the field, and off. 

He's choosing a role in the lives of teenaged boys and walking it out with his presence, and not just at athletic activities. We can, and should, do this, too.

There are plenty of opportunities for involvement. From Boys and Girls Clubs to church outreaches in housing projects, there are countless ways to help. Children in the church and out are walking the hard road of life without their father, and we can make a difference. 

There's a lesson to be learned in this tragedy and it's much bigger than gun control. The solution is not more laws, (or not only more laws) but more flesh-and-blood involvement in the lives of kids who are trying to find their way.

Step up, body of Christ. We can make a difference, if we will. 

"Let love be without hypocrisy...not lagging behind in diligence...do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:9, 11, 21 nasb

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Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When Evil Abounds but Love is Greater

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.
#prayforLasVegas 

When Evil Abounds but Love is Greater

Sunday night in Las Vegas brought more shootings. More death. More destruction. More evil. More tears. More grief.

Hate and violence abound in this broken world, and they are relentless. It's easy to be overwhelmed. I'm reminded this morning, however, that Romans 12:21 cautions us against this very thing. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom.12:21) 

We saw Romans 12:21 in action yesterday after the shooting, and it was beautiful. People piled wounded into the back of trucks to carry them to the hospital when there weren't enough ambulances. Men covered women with their bodies to protect them. Law enforcement officials willingly confronted the relentless shooter in order to stop the killing. One person after another helped  in the midst of the tragedy.

A news person last night suggested we stop making a timeline of terror and start making a timeline of heroes, those men and women who rise above the occasion to do good. Great evil has been done, but this time, we also have heroes to celebrate. This time, we can, indeed, celebrate the overcoming of evil, rather than its triumph. 

There are times when President Trump's speeches seem a little awkward and oddly spoken to me, but yesterday wasn't one of them. I've listened to his remarks after the shooting several times, and I'm still surprised we haven't embraced his sweet words. I haven't included all of the remarks, but a limited transcript is here. I'm not sure I can express my thoughts any more succinctly:

"My fellow Americans... 

"To the families of the victims, we are praying for you, and we are here for you, and we ask God to help see you through this very dark period. 

"Scripture teaches us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. We seek comfort in those words, for we know that God lives in the hearts of those who grieve. 

"To the wounded who are are now recovering in hospitals, we are praying for your full and speedy recovery and pledge to you our support from this day forward....

"In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one, and it always has. We call upon the bonds that unite us: our faith, our family, and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community, the comfort of our common humanity. 

"Our unity cannot be shattered by evil, bonds cannot be broken by violence, and though we feel such anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that defines us today, and always will, forever. 

"In times such as these, I know we are searching for some kind of meaning in the chaos, some kind of light in the darkness. The answers do not come easily, but we can take solace knowing that even the darkest space can be brightened by a single light, and even the most terrible despair can be illuminated by a single ray of hope. 

Melania and I are praying for every American who has been wounded or lost the ones they loved so dearly in this terrible, terrible attack. We pray for the entire nation to find unity and peace, and we pray for the day when evil is banished and the innocent are safe from hatred and from fear...May God give us the grace of healing, and may God provide the grieving families with strength to carry on."

"It is love that defines us today, and always will" is exactly what Jesus taught. The commands of God can be summed up in one word: LOVE. Love for God. Love for others. Our love gives evidence of the God we serve.

Most of us cannot be in Las Vegas to comfort those who mourn, to provide physical care to the wounded. We can, however, still do something that makes a difference. Love where we are. Be the light in the darkness. Offer hope to those in despair. 

We don't fight hate and evil with anger. We fight with love. Rise up, love-warriors and demonstrate the love our Jesus first showed us. There will be someone in our paths today who is desperate for the love of Christ. Be sure to pass it on.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom.12:21)

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flag photo courtesy of free images.com 
Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When What We Say and What We Do Don't Line Up

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.
#prayforLasVegas 

When What We Say and What We Do Don't Match Up

I've started reading through the Pauline letters (the letters written by Paul). This morning, I'm in Romans. 

You may know the passages in the first two chapters. They're often quoted to justify condemnation toward certain lifestyles. Lest you misunderstand, I'm not embracing immoral lifestyles, just noting that "being filled with all unrighteousness" includes a lot more than sexuality. 

I may have oversimplified Paul's writing, but it seems to boil down to this: If what we say we believe and what we do don't line up, it's sin, and dishonors God. There will be consequences for it.

If we condemn someone for their sin, but we have sin in our own lives, we're judging. That's God job and He hasn't assigned it to us, so beware. 

In chapter 3 of Romans, Paul clarifies the issue. We're all sinners, whether we think we are or not. No matter how "good" we look to the world, we're still sinners in God's eyes.

None of us have enough righteousness to saves ourselves. Only the sacrificial blood of Jesus can redeem us, and then only if we put our faith in Jesus and the work He did on the cross. It's that simple.

Now comes the heart of the matter for those of us who call ourselves Christians:

If we say we follow Jesus, we're accountable for living the way He wants us to live. Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love our neighbor in the same way we love ourselves. If we're disciples of Jesus, we'll love in this way because it's what He wants. If we don't love this way, it's sin.

I know. It's an ouch for me, too. 

Today, let's do a little soul-search for the oft-unrecognized sin of lovelessness. How completely do we love our Lord? How completely do we love our neighbors? Can the world see God in us because of the love we display? if not, what do we need to change? 

If we want the world to see Jesus in us (and we do, right?) then we need to live so that He is evident. At all times. I have some work to do if that's going to happen. I guess we all do.

Why not let go of our sin and start loving BIG?  Let's get started today. 

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;" Romans 3:23-24 nasb
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Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: What to Do if You Don't Feel Like Obeying God

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

What to Do if You Don't Feel Like Obeying God

I've had a bit of obedience to do this week, and I haven't felt like doing it. It's been a struggle. It's a keep-on-going-with-the-hard, when what I want to do is enjoy the fall weather and have a break, kind of obedience, and I've struggled mightily. I've wept. I've prayed. I've fasted. 

Missionaries should always feel like doing what God says, right? Not necessarily. 

It's not "feeling like obeying" that's importance. It's actual obedience that matters.

Jesus didn't always "feel" like obeying God, either. 

His time in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion is a perfect example. He agonized. He sweated drops of blood. He seriously did not want to haul the cross through Jerusalem on His holy back, lie down while soldiers impaled his hands and feet with rough iron nails, and hang by those nails with all the sin of the world on his shoulders. 

"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Matthew 26:39

The redemption of the world, my redemption and yours, depended entirely on the willingness of the Son of Man/Son of God to push past how He felt and do what God said anyway. 

That's a scary thought, isn't it?

I wonder what depends entirely on my willingness to push past how I feel and obey...

In the midst of all my crying, praying, and fasting, I've tried to do what Jesus did. Obey anyway. Did it make me "feel" more like obeying? Nope. 

Discipleship is not about "if it feels good, do it," but about "if God directs, do it."

It's that simple. It's that hard.

James, the younger half-brother of Jesus, wrote about trials that are hard. The word he used for trials comes from the root word meaning "to pierce." The hard things we go through are to serve as a divine piercing through which all the "not-like-Jesus" can trickle out. 

Do we, then, fake a smile and keep pressing on? No. Jesus didn't fake a smile about the cross. He agonized, but He also prayed. He asked to avoid it, but He also surrendered. He didn't want to go, but He got up anyway. When the soldiers came, He didn't run. Instead, He stepped forward with "I'm your man" obedience.

How do we get through trials without losing our testimony? The same way Jesus did. We pray. We surrender. We obey. We keep obeying. At the end of the trial, we win the victory.

James listed a few actions that will help us along the way. 

1) Choose joy anyway. (James 1:2)

2) Take your eyes off the trial and put them on the outcome. (James 1:3)

3) Allow yourself to learn the lesson in the trial. (James 1:4)

4) Don't quit, even when it's what you want. (James 1:3-4)

5) If you need wisdom, ask God for it, not your well-meaning friends. (James 1:5)

This week, I've done what James suggested. It's what my fellow missionaries do all the time. I've chosen joy anyway. I've looked toward whatever I'll have learned at the end. I've pondered the lesson I'm being taught. I've persevered. I've asked God to show me the way. 

All those James-style actions didn't change my desire. They helped me obey, though, and the ongoing obedience has helped me persevere. Somewhere down this road, I'll be more like Jesus than I am right now, and closer to the holy perfection He desires for me.

Is it hard? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. Immeasurably so.

If our struggle, our question, today is whether or not to obey in something hard, the answer is yes. Do it. Even if you don't feel like it. Why? Because it's worth it in the end.

"And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and completely, lacking in nothing." James 1:4 nasb

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Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Worship in the Wilderness

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.