The Fire that Set the World Aflame

This morning, my reading was in Acts 2. When I read the verse about "tongues of fire," the image of my own tongue came to mind. I pondered how a flame might look like a tongue, decided it was a bit of a stretch, and turned to Blue Letter Bible for help. The word is glōssa and literally means "tongue." 

I finally realized that the phrase "tongues of fire" is a kind of holy double entendre that describes both appearance and function. The tongues of fire literally looked like dancing flames. I imagine they looked a little like the flame at the end of a hand-held lighter. They metaphorically set the world on fire with the power of the words spoken. 

After Jesus ascended into heaven, His closest friends gathered together and devoted themselves to prayer. This was not a hold-hands-in-a-circle-and-everyone-say-a-sentence kind of prayer. 

They went to their place of prayer and continued to pray until something happened. They probably didn't expect tongues of fire to descend from heaven, but they were ready for anything because they'd been on their knees before the Father for days on end. 

When Peter looked around and saw new, fiery tongues being given to everyone in the room, he probably realized he had a new tongue, too. What do you do with a fire-tongue? Speak fiery words. That's exactly what he did. 

He walked out of the prayer meeting and spoke to the people who had assembled outside. His words were filled with passion and power, fueled by the flame of God's Spirit, and they changed the world.

Every foreigner in Jerusalem heard the truth of Jesus proclaimed in their own language. Three thousand men believed and were baptized that very day. After the Pentecost celebration, those new believers went home to Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome. There were Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Cretans and Arabs among them. 

That morning, the news about Jesus was limited to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas of Israel. A few days later, it had spread around the world as those present that day carried the fiery words back to their families and friends.

To emerge with such power that everyone who hears you speak is overwhelmed with the truth of your words seems impossible. It is, unless we're willing to stay on our knees until the power of God descends, unless we're willing to let the fire of God's Spirit flow through us, regardless of the consequences.

The same Spirit is available to us. The same power can be ours. The same kind of opportunities can come our way as those the first century church experienced. 

To have what they had, however, we must be the kind of disciples they were. They stayed on their knees until God moved, lived in community, loved all, and demonstrated that love with their actions. When persecution came, they clung to their faith and were willing to die for it.

What they didn't do is hurry through prayer, fill their lives with busyness, put their families and activities ahead of God, or keep one foot in the world and a toe or two in the kingdom of God. 

They were all in. 

If we want what the first century church had, we must be willing to adopt the priorities they had. Love God more than anything. Love your neighbor as yourself, and do it with deeds, not just words. 

It's time for us, the 21st century church, to take a look back at what's possible, take a look inside us at our reality, and take a look at the future to decide how we want to live. Will we be content with this modern version of fake-church that so many of us live, or will we embrace Christ with our entire being and live as He intended?  

The abundant life is a Spirit-led life. It's big and bold and fun. Sometimes it's hard, and painful, too. Most important, though, is that it worth it. 

Do we want abundant living or not? It's a decision we all must make, so choose well. A lost and perishing world depends on us.

"But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words...'" Acts 2:14 nasb

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When the Grass Seems Greener But It's Really Not

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#pentecost 

Letters on the Judas Rock

One of the most unusual things I've seen this trip was in an out-of-the-way church on the Mount of Olives. It was adjacent to The Grotto, and filled with beautiful artwork. 

Some of the paintings appeared to have been restored, while others were nearly obscured beneath centuries of grime. 

I made my way around the room, looking at the paintings, and finally arrived at a kind of enclosed shrine. Inside, there was a large rectangle of rock encased in glass. 

The Judas rock.

It was (reportedly) the rock on which Judas was standing when he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. A narrow opening under the top covering was just wide enough to allow a piece of paper to slip through.

The rock was covered with randomly scattered money and hastily written notes.

I stared at the slips of paper and money and wondered why there was a shrine to the betrayer... 

Why would anyone identify with Judas? Why leave letters on the Judas rock? Why leave money?

I struggled with this for days. Did people think Judas could answer their prayers? That the money would redeem their sin?

It took me a while to come to the conclusion that no one wants to identify with Judas. The problem is that we already identify with Judas because we, too, are betrayers. 

We, too, put our focus on money, things, success, prestige. 

We, too, put what we want before the call of Christ. 

We put pleasing ourselves before our relationship with Christ. 

I include myself in that corporate "we," for, though I hate to admit it, I still put my own desires before Jesus. My first thought is, all too often, what I want in a particular situation, rather than what Christ wants. 

I usually find my way to seeking God's will, but that first burst of "Leanna worship" is a betrayal of the higher call to the will of God. Neither dollars nor letters of contrition can change that. 

Only the grace of God is sufficient. 

It's the greatest paradox that our Holy God would exact the price for our sin from Himself, but He did, and He offers that redemption to all who will receive it.

What can wash away the stain of sin? The black shroud of betrayal? Nothing. Nothing but the blood of the spotless Lamb of God. 

Today, let's choose to love God first and love others as we love ourselves. In so doing, we live as those who have been redeemed. 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post, The Rocks That Rocked the World

Please help extend our digital reach by liking and sharing this post.
#Jesus

The Battle Plan of Jesus: Fighting with Love

I started November with a plan to write about something for which I was thankful every day. The turmoil of the election derailed that plan. It has felt as if  we are in a battle of anger and words. 

Today, I'm turning my attention away from the Great Divide and toward the battle plan of God. Admittedly, it's not a typical battle plan, but it's no less effective for it's unusual nature. We'd do well to adopt the strategy for our own.

Jesus was in Capernaum, just starting out his public ministry. He had been invited to read from the Scriptures. The book of Isaiah was handed to Him, and He chose to read from Isaiah 61. The passage was His mission statement, He told the listeners. It was the reason He came.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor... " (Luke 4:18 NASB)

Matthew Henry, a late 1600's theologian, wrote: "having defended himself against the devil’s assaults, he now begins to act offensively, and to make those attacks upon him, by his preaching and miracles, which he could not resist or repel." 

Jesus defended himself successfully against the devil's temptations, but a battle is not won with defense alone. Defeating an enemy requires a strong and effective offense as well. 

In this passage, we see Jesus' offensive plan against the kingdom of darkness begin to unfold. His five-pronged approach was one of the most unlikely offenses imaginable.

The first prong was to preach the gospel to the poor.  It's not likely Jesus meant only the poor in money. He is also poor who has mountains of money but is estranged from our Lord. Jesus came for those who are poor spiritually, as well as those who are financially poor.

Jesus came to release those held captive to sin, held in bondage from poor choices and the power of evil. He offered freedom for all those who would accept Him as Savior. 

In order to accept that freedom, a recognition of the need for a Savior must come first, so Jesus included an attack against spiritual blindness in His battle plan. 

Jesus came for sinners, of which I am chief. It's what the apostle Paul said, and it's true of me. If we're honest, it's true of all of us. 

Today, let's turn our eyes away from the turmoil, away from the Great Divide, and toward our Savior. Ask Him for the sight to see our own hearts as He sees them, then allow Him to make whatever changes are necessary. 

If we're going to fight, let fight as Jesus did, who chose love as His weapon and freedom from sin as His objective. He out-loved His enemy, and we should, too.
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In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: If We Know Better, We Should Do Better
If you'd like to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841
photo above is sunrise over the Sea of Galilee
#Jesus #loveothers

If We Know Better, We Should Do Better

One of the details to which authors have to attend is their brand. If you've read many John Grisham books, you know he writes legal thrillers. Often, the underdog overcomes the "big guy" because of dogged determination. When he wrote "The Unpainted House," he went "off brand" and sales plummeted.

I have a "brand" for my novels, too. I write about ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the midst of crisis because of the power of Christ in them. Prayer plays a big part in every one of my stories. The three novels currently in edits all have that same theme. The story lines are vastly different, but the truth conveyed is the same. 

In a way, my brand is the "why" behind my writing. 

I realized this morning that John had a "why" behind his writing, too. In chapter 2 of 1 John, he uses the same phrase nine times. "I am writing to you because..." He has written to convey certain truths and spelled it out to be sure his readers didn't miss them. 

1) "I am writing... that you may not sin." (2:1)
2) "I am not writing a new commandment... but an old one..." (2:7)
3) "On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment..." (2:8)

(The old/new commandment is about loving your neighbor. If you don't love,    
you're in the dark. If you love, you're in the light.)

4) "I am writing... little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name' sake..." (2:12)
5) "I am writing... fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning... (2:13)
6) "I am writing... young men, because you have overcome the evil one." (2:14)
7) "I have written... fathers... because you know Him who has been from the beginning." (2:14)
8) "I have written to you, young men, because you are strong... the word of God abides in you... you have overcome the evil one." (2:14)
9) "I have not written... because you don't know the truth, but because you do know it..." (2:21)

It may seem like too much sugar for a nickel, but looking at all nine "I have written's" helps us see the point of John's writing. 

He goes on to say, "See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us..." (3:1) and "when He appears, we shall be like Him." (3:2)

John was writing to believers who were dispersed abroad. They understood that Jesus had given them forgiveness for their sins and power over the evil one so that they could resist temptation. The problem wasn't so much what they were doing, but what they weren't doing.

The problem was love. It was in short supply.

One day, John told them, we'll see God face-to-face and we'll understand about His great love for us. We'll become just like Him, and we will have a great love, too. In the meantime, we should cultivate love. We should actively work at loving others. In fact, if you don't love the brethren, John said, you need to reevaluate whether or not you belong to Christ.

Those are hard words to hear in these difficult times, but they are no less true. We are to love our neighbor as our self, and particularly to love our fellow believers, but we don't. Instead, we have a tendency to act just like the world... backbiting, gossiping, speaking ill of others, arguing. Where's the love of Christ in all that? No where.

Today, let's take a close look at our own lives. Are we loving as Jesus loved? We know better, but are we doing better? 

If we're honest, we all have room for improvement. For once, let's take a deep breath and make a fresh choice. Let's choose love. Hold our tongue, stifle our comments, and choose love.

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God; and such we are..." 1 John 3:1 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Living Like We Were Worth It
If you'd like to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841
#love #Jesus

Living Like We Were Worth It

My son, Ryan, is the most precious human in my life. Every drop of blood, every millimeter of sinew in his body is precious to me. If there were something I could do to keep him safe, I'd do it. I'd lay down my life for him. 

There's no one on earth for whom I'd lay HIS life down, however. 

What I can't comprehend is that God loved us enough to allow His Son to die for us. I don't think we're worth it, but God did.

Ponder that truth for a moment. 

God thought we, a band of sinners, were worth saving, worth the blood and suffering of His Son.

If that doesn't fill you with wonder, read it again.

Peter, writing to the church dispersed abroad, said wise words about this very topic:

"And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourself in fear during the time of your stay upon earth knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:17-19 nasb

It cost God more than any of us would be willing to pay to purchase us out of our sin-slavery. We should remember that as we go about our lives, and live accordingly. 

God bought us with the blood of His Son. 

This truth should be burned into our souls so that it's never far from our consciousness. It should inform both our words and actions. Before we speak (or write), we need to consider, "Did Christ die so that I can communicate in this way? Did God give His Son for me to do this? Does it honor Him?" 

If not, then don't do it.

It's that simple.

We were bought with a price. We are to glorify God in all that we do. All that we say. All that we think. 

Christ didn't die for us to live like the world. He died to set us free from the sin of this world. Today, let's let the truth of Christ's sacrifice set the tone for our every word and deed. Let's live as if we were worth it. 

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Simple Truth of How Healing Begins

If you'd like to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841

#truth #Jesus

After the Election: What to Do When It's Hard

The daffodils in the photo are my "better days are coming" flowers. During one of the most difficult times of my life, a friend gave me a pack of bulbs for Christmas. They were to remind me that God is constantly doing things we can't see. 

I planted those bulbs in faith that God was at work. Every spring since then, I've had daffodils in ever-increasing numbers. They're a constant reminder that God doesn't always flaunt His efforts. Sometimes, He brings out His best when life looks the darkest.

That's what He did with the cross. 

When Jesus was arrested, the future looked bleak for His followers. The situation deteriorated that dreadful night. Things went from bad to worse. Jesus was tried, sentenced, beaten. Nothing was enough to satisfy the mob. Nothing but death.

The enemies of God thought they'd won. What they didn't understand was that nothing could defeat Him. God was mere days from revealing the best gift He ever gave.

On the morning of the third day, the stone moved. Jesus arose. The victory over sin and death was won.

And it still is.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He bought our freedom from death and sin. When He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, He assured us of the victory, if we want it.

The problem, I'm afraid, is that we're fond of sin, and we don't always want victory over it. 

Jesus spent His last hours praying for those who would follow Him. He was praying for us. You and me. The thing He most wanted was for us to be unified. To demonstrate to the world that the love of Christ can unify a disparate people and make us one. It would be so attractive to the world, Jesus prayed, that people would be drawn to Him.

Well, that was the plan. 

It would work, if we would do our part. People will never be drawn to Christ if we take offense at the words of others, if we fight back, if we indulge in backbiting and arguing. So let's stop it. 

Just stop.

It's not necessary to respond to every hard word that's said, to every mean thing that's done. It's not necessary to respond to every hateful thing that's posted on Facebook.

What about turning the other cheek is hard to understand? 

When someone does something that stings, let it go. Don't respond. Don't hold on to it. Forgive. Move past it.

Act like Jesus. Love like Jesus. Choose what Jesus wanted... unity in the body of Christ. Love that astounds the world.

Opinions don't matter. Even opinions about our recent election. Love does.

When His people behave the way Jesus said to behave, He will take those actions and make something beautiful. 

It may take a while. It may not be evident for a long time, but, like my daffodil bulbs, He will bring something good from this very hard time. 

Choose love.

"...for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one, even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. John 17:20, 21 nasb

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Like and share this post to help extend my digital reach. Thanks!

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Waiting For the Invitation to Change

If you'd like to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841

#Jesus #love

What We Should Do if We Want Answered Prayers

I love the "ask and it shall be given you" verse. Lots of people love it, claim it, depend upon it. It's like a shiny gold coin on the sidewalk. We want to grab it and keep it safe, to pull it out when it's most needed.

"Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you " Matthew 7:7

As I read those words today, I realized they were spoken toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount. There's a good bit that comes before the asking and receiving. 

The "part that comes before" is not an accident. Jesus spoke as He did intentionally, so we'd do well to take a closer look, just in case we want to do any asking.

The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes, then "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matt. 5:16

There's also the call to right living with right motives, in "... unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:20

Jesus talked about our thought life and the sins we commit in our minds. He addressed how we respond to our enemies and those who are unkind to us, our relationship with our Heavenly Father, our prayer life, fasting, generosity, and worry. 

Just before He talked about asking and finding, He covered the issue of judgmental, critical spirits. "First take the log out of your own eye," He demanded. Matt. 7:5

After all the other issues were addressed, Jesus moved to the topic of answered prayer. It was "after" for a reason. If we want the kind of answered prayers Jesus promised, we have to take to care of those issues covered in the first part of the Sermon on the Mount.

I'm not saying that God refuses to answer the prayers of those with unconfessed sin. If He waited for sinless people to pray, He'd never get to answer any prayers. 

The truth is that our relationship with our Heavenly Father matters. Prayer is a two-way conversation. If we're estranged from our Lord, because of ongoing sin, we can't expect to have a compelling conversation with our Heavenly Father. 

If we want a vibrant intercessory prayer experience, we need to focus first on relationship. 

Seek His face, not just His hand.

Today, let's ask God to do a heart-check and show us anything that needs to  change, then allow Him to heal our "log-eye" disease, clean up our lamp so light can shine, and transform us into the image of Christ.

Let's seek His face, not His hand. When we do, many of those "problems" will fade into insignificance and we will be able to ask for those things He most desires to give.
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Sure-Fire, No-Fail Cure for Whining.
#prayer 

A Different Kind of Prayer Work

A room full of supplies, the night before the festival

I recently coordinated the children's activities at the local community festival. It may seem like an unconventional place for prayer warrior work, but I pray in advance for opportunities with those who rarely, or never, enter a church. 

In between the jumping house and the chicken croquet station, I had one of those few-second opportunities to reach out a bit for the cause of Christ. A young boy and his mom arrived and, as I often do, I squatted down beside him, introduced myself, and asked his name. 

"Jonathan." 

"That's a great name," I said. "Did you know your name comes from the Bible? Jonathan was the good friend of King David." 

His eyes widened. "Wow."

"Yep. Jonathan was willing to risk his life for his friend. He saved the king's life. Boys who are named Jonathan should grow up to be brave, and wise, and loyal. They should recognize the King and serve Him. Like Jesus. He's a king, too."

As we talked, a grin spread across his face. "My name is friend of the king." He looked up at his mother. "Hey, Mama. I'm friend of the king."

It was a brief encounter with a child that had never heard of King David or his friend, Jonathan. I wasn't sure he'd heard of Jesus, either. With those few seconds, I tried to plant a seed deep in his heart that, with the right care somewhere down the road, may yield a harvest.

A little later I heard him talking with his grandmother, who had joined them. "Hey, Mimi, I'm Friend of the King. Did you know that?"

It wasn't a traditionally evangelistic seed, but it was an opportunity, never the less.

As we go, in church and out, let's pray for opportunities to scatter seeds of truth far and wide, then pray for our Lord to grow the harvest. 

What seeds have you planted this week?

"...and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth." Acts 1:8 nasb 
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Demolishing Strongholds and Choosing to Be Free
#evangelism

Craving Miracle Bread

An interesting thing happened after Jesus fed the multitude with the loaves and fishes. The crowds started tracking Him down like a pack of hound dogs. They were determined to be where He was. 

When they found Him, they were full of sweetness and light. "Oh, Rabbi. When did you get here?" As if they hadn't rowed across the Sea of Galilee at breakneck speed to find Him.

Jesus wasn't fooled. He knew they weren't there to hear good words of truth. They were there to eat bread and fish. He didn't pull any punches.

"You seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Don't work for food that perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life." John 6:26-27

Jesus knew two very important things about the crowds. Their motivation for service and their secret desires.

They weren't impressed when a broken body was restored or a broken life was transformed. They didn't care about the people to whom Jesus ministered or the signs and wonders that set people free. 

They wanted Him to do a miracle that benefitted them, to satisfy their own cravings with Miracle-Bread.

I wonder, sometimes, why we come to Jesus... Do we want the freedom for which He has set us free? Do we want to worship Him because of His goodness and holiness? Do we care about a lost and perishing world? Or do we simply want blessings for ourselves and our loved ones?

What is it that impresses us? What is the motivation behind our service? 

If we care about a perishing world, if we love the King of Kings, if we cherish the freedom He has so dearly bought, we will respond with acts of concern, love, and obedience. We will serve as He served. Love as He loved. Give as He gave. We may not be as effective, nor as whole-hearted, but love will prompt us to serve.

In case you're wondering, if our love for Christ doesn't prompt us to serve, there's something wrong. 

Today, let's ask ourselves a few hard questions and dig for the answers. 

How can the world tell we love Jesus? By words alone or by our actions? 

Why do we follow Him? For the blessings (for ourselves or our children) He can give or because of our love for Him?

If our answers aren't what they should be, let's pause now to realign our priorities with Christ's. Let's ask Him to bind our hearts and minds to His. Let's crave the Bread-Multiplier, and not the bread.

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Water-Walker in the Night 

#motivation #Jesus

The Water-Walker in the Night

It happened like this. Crowds were following Jesus in hopes of seeing another miracle. Miracles are, of course, very cool, and the story is good for retelling for years to come. 

Some people came because they wanted to find the Messiah. Most people came because they just wanted another good story.

On this particular day, Jesus had done a bit of heavenly mathematics. Subtract loaves from boy. Add thanks to God. Divide the loaves and fishes. Multiply the food so it's more than enough.

Twelve baskets were left over. People were thrilled. This was the kind of King for which they'd longed. They determined to make Him King by force.

They didn't know it yet, but you can't force Jesus to do anything.

He withdrew to the mountain to talk to His Father and get away from the people who were determined to mess up God's plan.

The disciples were used to Jesus and His mountain treks, so they climbed in a boat to go to Capernaum. It was dark and windy, and it had been a long day. They rowed for three or four miles before they saw something strange. 

A man. Walking on the water.

They didn't know what to think. They'd never seen a man walk on water before, and it frightened them, especially as the water-walker drew close to the boat.

I imagine they turned away from their fear, but Jesus knew them, and their fears.

"It is I," He said. "Don't be afraid."

They looked up and recognized Jesus. I imagine them saying, "Oh, Jesus. You frightened us half out of our minds. Come on in this boat." 

They moved past their fear and were willing to receive Him.

I've read that story several times recently. Every time, I wonder if I would have been willing to receive a water-walking Savior. Really. Even if it looked like Jesus, I might have said, "Just keep on walking, Jesus. We'll meet you in Capernaum. If it really is you." 

Not His disciples. They knew Him. They wanted Him with them.

They were willing to step past  their fear, the one thing that kept them from letting Him in their boat, and invite Him aboard.

I wish we always responded like the disciples did that night. Quick to move past fear (and all the other things that separate us from Jesus) and invite Him into our boat, our lives, our situations. 

Generally speaking, we always have at least one thing that gets in our way. Whether it's fear, or control, or pride, or stuff, something gets in our way of abandoning ourselves to Jesus.

Imagine for a minute what life would be like if we relinquished control and let Jesus fully invade our lives. There wouldn't be a dull moment. When He walked the earth, Jesus was full of adventure, and He still is. He made the water His floor. He transformed time and distance. 

Jesus made exciting things happen. He still does.

Today, let's choose to be willing. Willing to let our Water-Walking Savior into our boat. Willing to let Him take control. Willing to let Him direct the destination of our lives. 

"But He said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' They were willing to receive Him into the boat an immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going." John 6:20-21 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Miracle-Making Master

#Jesus #Christian 

The Miracle-Making Master

I can't help but laugh out loud. I wrote yesterday that it was my last post about miracles for a while. This morning, I read John 6 and saw a topic I wanted to write about. As I opened my computer, I realized it included another miracle. 

This sounds crazy as I write it, but I actually turned back to my Bible to find another topic. Then, I realized something profound. 

As long as I'm writing about Jesus, I'll be writing about miracles... because His very presence on earth, as deity wrapped in flesh, WAS a miracle. His actions were filled with miracles. 

The restitution for my sin with His blood is a miracle. 

His resurrection is a miracle. 

His forgiveness is a miracle. 

As His followers, we are miracles. Miracles of grace.

The Christian faith is a miracle-filled relationship with our Miracle-Making Master, King Jesus.

That truth alone should fill us with hope.

Tomorrow, I'll write about the no-miracle story that's jammed full of miracles. For today, let's savor the fact that we have a God who can get it done. Whatever is needed, He is able. 

He's the Miracle Maker.

Do you need healing? He can handle it.

Do you need reconciliation of a relationship? He can restore it.

Do you need peace in the midst of a tumult? He can provide it.

Do you need freedom from the bondage of sin? He can fill you with it.

Whatever you need, in whatever situation you find yourself, He can give it.

Today, let's take all these needs of ours that we've tried, and failed, to fulfill, and give them to Jesus. Let's lay them at His feet, take our hands off them, and surrender to His will. His way. 

He is able, so take courage today. Jesus can help us. Jesus alone.

 "Now to Him who is able to do  far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." 

Ephesians 3:19-20

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photo above is of the traditional site of the empty tomb of Jesus.

In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: Missing Miracles and Choosing to See
#miracles

Missing Miracles and Choosing to See

After Friday's post about The Day Time Stood Still, I had an interesting response. People in the room at the time the miracle happened replied, "I never knew." People who stood in their chair and sang "Victory in Jesus" told me, "The Holy Spirit was so strong in that room, but I completely missed the time part." Even someone outside the room had the same experience. She enjoyed the singing, felt the Spirit, and missed the miracle of time.

In my book, The Clay Papers, I wrote about an elderly woman, a potter, with advanced Alzheimers, who had not touched the clay in quite some time. One afternoon, she sat down at the potter's wheel and threw several perfect pots. She was coherent and rational for a brief stretch of time. 

There were tears in the eyes of three adults who recognized the miracle of the moment. Ryan, then just a child, played at her feet and never noticed something unusual had happened.

He was only a young boy and he didn't know her baseline. He couldn't know how different she was in the moment.

The people in the room during the time-miracle didn't have watches or cell phones with them. They didn't know about the schedule, or our concerns.  They couldn't have known about the moment.

Their comments have caused me to wonder how often I miss miracles. How often we all do. 

God is at work around us all the time. We can accept that, in a general sense. When we don't "see" His work, or see it but don't recognize it, we tend to assume He's doing nothing. We'd be wrong about that.

Our failure to see God at work in no way limits His ability to move in a miraculous and supernatural manner.

Ponder that for a moment.

We're missing the good stuff.

I don't think I'd want to know about everything God's doing in the entire universe. It would be too much to comprehend. A bigger glimpse of what He's doing around me would be nice, though.  

Today, many of us will attend church services. We'll sing, and read our Bible, and listen to a sermon. We'll wait until time is up and leave to go home. We may, or may not, sense the Spirit of God. We may, or may not, leave equipped and changed for the week ahead. 

It depends, at least in part, on our willingness to be equipped, to be changed.

We could do church differently. 

We could do life differently. 

And we should.

Instead of being content to check off items on our spiritual to-do list, let's ask God to invite us into His adventure. Let's actively seek Him and the places He's at work. 

We'll have to change. Go places Jesus would go. Spend time with the kind of people Jesus did. Reach out as He reached out.

So let's do it. Let's step outside of our comfort zone and ask God to let us in to the fun. Make our prayer, "Let us join in where you are at work today, Lord."

I can tell you what will probably happen, because I've prayed that prayer before. He'll let us be a causal observer, but that won't last long. He'll invite us into the fields to help with the harvest, and hat's where the real fun begins.

Today, let's take a step into a deeper relationship with Christ and experience the great fun of seeing God at work.

"For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 nasb

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Can We See Miracles Every Day? Yes, We Can


p.s. - This is the last post in our miracles mini-series. If you want to share some of the miracles you've seen, let me know. I'll happily do a blog about them.
#miracles #Christian

Can We See God's Miracles Every Day? Yes, We Can

I've written about miracles every day this week. You might think, reading the blogs, that I see miracles every day. 

You'd be right.  

One of the reason I see miracles is because I look for signs of God at work around me. Henry Blackaby, in his now-classic book, Experiencing God, encouraged his readers to "find where God is at work around you and join in with what He's doing." We can't join God's work if we can't find it. We can't find it if we never look with expectation.

Think back over yesterday. Look at your day with fresh eyes. What miracles did you see? 

Here's a portion of what I saw God do yesterday: 

1) Reconciliation between two believers who finally found common ground. There hadn't been open animosity. Instead, there was distrust, dislike, and envy. God swept it all away. 

2) A concert of prayer offered freely by fellow believers during a time of great need.

3) Answered prayer that was sent in such a specific and clear way there could be no doubt. (I prayed that, in a meeting, someone would make a specific request if I was to proceed, and they did. Word for word.)

4) When the games and prizes for Blue Springs Day were nothing more than stacks on my screened porch and a list on a piece of paper I couldn't keep up with, I was completely overwhelmed. I hadn't announced my need to anyone except God. My friend, Edith, offered her help. In three hours, we'd enjoyed a meal together and completely organized the entire project. 

5) Sam was able to eat his entire dinner without any choking, swallowed every bite without trouble, and ate everything on his plate. (This is a huge miracle) He ate it at the same rate Edith and I ate, which is an even greater miracle.

6) I have a comfortable house, an intact roof over my head, electricity, internet, food, central air and heat. (They may not seem like miracles to us, but ask anyone in a third-world country. They are.)

7) One of our missionaries was frustrated and upset about a situation. She emailed me yesterday. "I need a miracle right now."  My coworker and I stopped  and prayed for her. We didn't even know the need, but God did. Before I could read the next email, the missionary sent a new message. "God did it!" Her problem was completely resolved in an instant. (To be perfectly clear, this miracle was in no way related to Leanna. We cried out to God, He heard, He answered. Miracles always begin and end in God.)

Once I started making my list, I realized I could go on and on. (Yes. I'm director of intercessory prayer for a mission-sending organization, but only one of those miracles was because of my position.) 

God is at work around us. If we don't see the evidence He leaves behind, it's not His fault. Our responsibility is to open our eyes and look for Him.

You may be asking, "Is this possible for me?" Yes. It is. 

The Christian faith is not a series of rules to be followed. It's a relationship to be embraced. 

When we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, we enter a relationship that is more vibrant and alive than any of our relationships on earth will ever be. If we are faithful, that relationship will grow sweeter as the days go by. 

Are you experiencing God at work around you? If not, ask Him to show you what changes you need to make. Ask Him, too, to open your eyes. 

What about you? How have you seen God at work around you this week? What miracles have you seen? Comment below or message me.  I LOVE hearing about the wondrous acts of God (big or small). Feel free to share.

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 nasb
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photo above is of a sunrise over the Sea of Galilee, and it's a miracle that I was in position to see it.
In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Day Time Stood Still
#miracles #Christian