Expectations versus Reality

As we head into yet another Christmas season of celebrating the coming of God as a baby to mankind, I have a different perspective to offer. One I hope will make us all think.

At the time of His birth, life was rough. The Roman government could be cruel and unjust to those who were not citizens of the Empire. 

But, the people had a hope. Prophecy from Daniel told them the timing was right for the Messiah to come. They were looking for Him. They expected a dramatic change once He arrived. They thought He would obliterate the Romans and let the Israelites rule the land again.

But that's not what they got. They got a baby born to the wife of a carpenter in a small thought-of-as-insignificant town. A baby who grew up in a place that had a bad reputation. A baby whose life was no different from theirs - he worked a job, lost a father, and had to support a family. There was nothing from the time He arrived that met with the desire and want of the people of God.

Yet, this was God's plan. God came and showed His presence in a powerful way by healing, teaching and spending time with many people. He reached out to the rejected of Israel, to those who thought they were unworthy of God. Even some gentiles and Romans received His attention. He taught anyone who would listen -- explaining the heart of the law. 

He wasn't the warrior they wanted. And when He left, life was still tough and cruel. The Romans were still in charge, and in fact, things got worse for those who picked up where Jesus left off. This was what God wanted.

Do you have a trouble you want to disappear? Do you want God to come in and take away the pain? Do you want God to be a warrior somewhere in your life?

What if...He wants to spend time with you and show you some things? What if...He has other plans through this time? What if...He wants to use this time to reach people in ways He hasn't been able to reach them before?

Life has been tough this year. We have all been affected in various ways. God is here, let's listen. Let's allow Him to birth in us a renewed joy for His presence that comes like the birth of a baby.

Being Asked To Do The Unusual

Have you felt God asking you to do the unusual? Is it something others might think is crazy, or you think would drive others away? Is it hard to see what purpose would be served? Or, does it feel like He's asking too much of you?

Well, God is in the business of doing the crazy. Sometimes God calls us to do something that breaks tradition.

Don't believe me?

Look at John the Baptist.

He was the son of a priest. And not just any priest. His father, Zacharias, was chosen to enter the Holy Place to burn incense before God. His birth was even prophesied at that point, with many witnesses on the other side of the curtain.

At his birth, with bystanders all around, Zacharias sings a song of blessing and prophecy over him. (Luke 1) Those listening would have heard that John was the one who would announce the arrival of the Messiah. That's big.

With that heritage and call on his life, he would have been expected to learn the law in the temple, dress and eat a certain way, and basically follow in his father's footsteps. Did he? 

No.

Instead of wearing robes and eating priestly food - he wore camel skin and ate locusts and honey. Instead of working, teaching and learning in the temple area - he went to the wilderness and grew in the Spirit. Instead of baptizing people in the temple area - he went to the Jordan River and from there his ministry took flight.

What do you think John was thinking? Do you think he had an easy time stepping away from the norm? As he spent time with God in the wilderness, I'm sure it became easier and second nature to him. But the first step had to be tough to take. 

For me, one of the odd things God asked me to do years ago was to stand up when the rest of the congregation was sitting. The church was not accustomed to people standing when we were scheduled to be sitting. Standing was just not done. But the song being sung was worshipful, and God pressed me to stand. So I did. I was hesitant. I was nervous. And, most of all, unfortunately, I wondered what others would say. 

John got to the point that he didn't care what the temple authorities, who were watching him, thought. In fact, he called them vipers. (Matthew 3) The importance of what John did was to bring the heart of the people back to God - getting them out of the ritual centered habits and opening their hearts to receive the Word of God. He represented the Old Covenant and turned over the reins to Jesus the one who brought the New Covenant. 

I can't say that standing up in church during a spirit-filled song fits into a greater plan of God's... BUT... who knows? Each time He has asked, it has become easier. Now, it is more second nature to me and I don't worry what others will think or say.

Is God calling you to stand or to do something different from anything you've ever done? I hope you realize you are not alone. Do it, even if you're shaking in your boots. Who knows...maybe that one simple act is the key to something bigger in God's plan.

Fighting Fear

Are you feeling afraid right now?

Never before have we had a time when fear is felt by the whole world at the same time. It seems fear is attacking from all angles, and clinging to those it grabs a hold of.

Perhaps these "what if's" have floated through your mind. What if I hug someone or talk to them with my mask off, and I come down with COVID 19 and end up in the hospital for weeks or maybe die? What if my company cuts back more, and I have no income? What if I say the wrong thing to the wrong person and I end up in the middle of a brawl? What if the wrong person is elected president? 

I'm sure I've missed a view worries.

This fear can be so consuming it makes seeing straight difficult. It can be overwhelming and quickly steal one's breath. Almost like a tsunami attacking the soul and spirit. Things that never were a bother, are now.

Before we go any further, please take a slow deep breath.

Fear is not something that comes from God. It's a reaction we have when we look at circumstances from our human eyes. 

What if...we give all these things to God? 

He is the maker of peace...a peace that stands up to the fearful thoughts that want to rob you of joy and happiness.

But how do we get this peace and hang on to it? 

By looking up. By praying and telling Him what is a bother, what is a fear, what is troubling you? Then tell Him, "God, I trust you."

It may not be easy to say, but if you can do it, you will feel better. The fear will clear from your mind and spirit and soul. You'll be able to think clearly. You'll be able to sleep and rest better.

And if you are able, begin to thank Him for all that is happening. Thank Him for the good things that we are experiencing because we had to slow down and spend time at home. Thank Him because in the midst of a storm He will bring us calm. Thank Him for He has not abandoned us and remains our source of hope.

Biggest Questions Ever

Got some questions for you to ponder.

 

1     Do you believe that Jesus is the only way to enter heaven?

 

2    Do you believe that He is coming back so that everyone can see Him?

 

3     What do you want to be caught doing when He returns?    

Now What?

The COVID experience has taken many of us, me included, on a roller coaster of emotions and reactions. Some days have been easier to handle than other days. Tell me, where has your stress been felt? Too many people around? Not enough people around? For me, most of my stress battlefield came from the computer.

Sitting too long in front of a laptop is not what my body is accustomed to. I had to take action. Constantly adjusting my back and posture. Making sure I got up and walked around the house. Drinking water and eating meals to keep the body healthy. These all sound easy enough to do, but they were things that added to my stress level.

My trust over the whole quarantine has been in God. I had no fear in that regard. But, the daily challenge in front of the screen strained me. God’s peace has gotten me through many an hour. And, like everyone else, I have had to remind myself God has this, and good for heaven’s kingdom will come from it.

Even under this stress I tried to focus on the positive rather than the all-too-easy-negative route. Some things I witnessed made a positive focus easy. Watching the number of families out and about, walking, biking, playing together has been heart-warming. I love how this time has brought so many together. Hearing and seeing the church become united in praying against this pestilence is exciting. To watch the numbers of people turning to the church and God during this time has brought tears to my eyes many times.

As we adjust to a new normal, we see that this quarantine is not lasting forever. And as we return, we may experience a stress rebound affect, so to speak…the desire to run away or want to do nothing or even lash out in anger. Even with a positive attitude experienced during this time, we can still react to the release of stress.

Do we have a Biblical example of what to do? Yes.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah has just finished being part of a huge miracle in God’s destruction of the prophets of Baal. With all that energy exerted he allows fear to take over. He can’t go or give anymore and at the first sign of resistance, he runs away.

He finds a place to rest and sleep. Then God provides food for him. Elijah repeats these actions. And, once re-energized he begins to walk it out. At the end of that walk he talks it out with God. Then he was ready to go again, and God starts him off with a small task to fulfill.

We need to keep this in mind as we start life over again. Don’t be afraid to allow yourself to rest and eat a little before you ask God for directions in what to do next. Don’t be in a hurry to get back in the fast lane of activities. There’s no rush. What God has for you to do will come. And it may be a small thing. Just be willing to take the course  He has for you.

Straying From the Heart

Valentines is this week. We see hearts everywhere. Various forms of expressing love is all around us. I'm impressed by the thought that goes into some of these. Who will you show love to this week? Have you ever forgotten to love? Or, have you forgotten how much someone loves you?

I have often wondered how is it possible that a people could totally not remember that there was a God who loved His people so much that He brought them to Egypt to save their lives. They may have even known they were suppose to live there for 400 years, if their forefathers passed on the stories of old. But how could they have forgotten Him enough that they worshiped Egyptian gods as well. Is this even possible?

Then the leaders of this study reminded me that the Israelites were there 400 years. Looking back is always 20/20 hindsight, but if I look at it from today's perspective I get a totally different view.

Officially, the U.S. will be 243 years old this year. But, if you include the years of colonization and settlements then we are right around the 400 year mark. (410 from the founding of Jamestown.)

Just like the Israelites in Egypt, we too became a great nation with many riches and power. Of course, we had lots of infighting that has left a mark that remains even today. The saying that speaks of history repeating itself can sadly be seen in our country. We too have slowly forgotten the religious strengths and stands we had when we first arrived to this land.

For many, many years we have been known for being a God-fearing nation, but over the years we have embraced so many things that have pulled us away from our first drive. Now, we aren't too far from the Israelites. Sadly, I see it is possible to forget.

I hope that you and I will do what is needed to keep remembering who God is. He is our first valentine. And His love is never-ending. He is here for us. We only need to talk to Him and listen for His answer. The listening part is sometimes hard to wait for, but is so worth it when it happens. You know what I've said so many times in the past...there is always hope...in Jesus, with Jesus there is always hope to overcome whatever is in our path. He is the ultimate valentine gift.

Can't believe it. Second book in the series is coming.