Ezekiel 33-34; 1 Peter 5

The calm after the storm. That’s where the Father meets you.

There’s a special moment in your life after a time of suffering, when your metal is soft and you are broken and teachable. That’s where God the Father brings a special kind of repair, strength and healing to your life:

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

It’s an easy moment to miss if you’re not looking for it. But make sure you don’t. When you experience suffering – that’s the time to be listening for Him. And when your pain eases, be sure your antenna is up, because something amazing – something defining – it about to happen, if you let it. It’s where God restores you to things you thought you had lost; It’s a place where God steadies you from your shakiness with a strength that comes only from Him; It’s a place where God reshapes you and recasts your vision for new purpose and possibilities…

That shaky place of relief and sometimes dread. That moment of uncertainty between waves of hurt. It’s a sacred meeting place with God the Father – that will transform you. Don’t miss it.

Have a Blessed Wednesday!

Ezekiel 30-32; 1 Peter 4

An old Peace Corps TV commercial showed a child getting a shot and coined the phrase “pain with purpose.” I don’t think most people view pain that way. But Peter has a message for us in times of suffering:

“Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

Suffering is an opportunity to prove the faithfulness of God. It provides a compelling backdrop for good works. And it is an opportunity to deepen our commitment to the one who suffered for us. Suffering shouldn’t freak us out. The book of Hebrews says that Jesus Himself was “perfected” (made complete) through the things He suffered. So it’s logical to assume that God will allow a certain amount of “perfecting” in our lives, too. Remember that He has given us promises to see us successfully through times of suffering – like this one from 1 Corinthians 10:13: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” The key to “suffering according to God’s will” is not trying to tough it out on our own, but “committing ourselves to our faithful Creator and continuing to do good.” That’s the real “pain with purpose.”

See you tomorrow!

Ezekiel 27-29; 1 Peter 3

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

How does God reveal His amazing mercy and patience? I’m not sure I like the answer. He does it through you and me. Anybody can be “like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble” towards people who respond in kind. But it’s the next verse that bothers me. I’m supposed to be that way towards people who do evil to me and insult me. And then God caps off the assignment by reminding me “to this you were called.”

This is what it means to be crucified with Christ – to relinquish my rights – even to common courtesy – in order to reveal the character of God to people who – for my money – don’t deserve it.

Then again, I didn’t deserve God’s amazing mercy and patience, either. And God doesn’t leave us without a glimpse of the outcome for our sacrifice. He says “To this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”  That sounds better. It sounds worth it. The result of acting like God when people are ugly to me – is a God-sized blessing. Now we’re talking.

Have a Great Monday!

Ezekiel 24-26; 1Peter 2

This chapter in 1Peter reminds me of the saying, “With great privilege comes great responsibility.” As believers, we have been given great privilege because of Jesus’ death (2:24-25), through which God gave us relationship with him and a secure eternal future. Likewise, we have the great responsibility of representing Jesus to the world.

I just love reading about the privileges God’s given us! Verse 9 says we are chosen by God and his very own possession, called into his wonderful light! Then, verse 21 draws the line in the sand… I have all these warm fuzzy thoughts, and then I read, “…suffering is all part of what God has called you to…” There’s the great responsibility!

It’s all part of God’s plan for his kids to suffer for doing the right thing. I guess none of us is unfamiliar with suffering in the human life. So why not worship God then, too?! Let’s cross that line in the sand and embrace our responsibility to live for God when it’s Showtime!

Ezekiel 22-23; 1 Peter 1

1 Peter 1:13 says, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

When was the last time that you just day dreamed about Heaven? For those of us who are trusting God to save us from hell, we are living in exile (1:17) on this earth. We are citizens of Heaven, and some day we’ll go home to a place of no fear, pain, guilt, or shame… Can’t you stand it?! If you’ve trusted in Jesus’ death and resurrection, this is your reality!!! Let’s nurture this hope on a daily basis!

If you’re like me, you’re facing some trials today. Maybe there’s an unknown circumstance right in front of you, blinding you from the hope of Heaven. Verses 6-7 are of great encouragement to me. Here, Peter explains that there is purpose to EVERY trial we face. If we allow God to stretch and grow our faith in the middle of tough times, it will bring eternal praise and glory to Jesus when he returns!! Your life today can make an impact that outlasts you! So join me and borrow hope from your future. Start a new habit today—dream about Heaven!!

Ezekiel 20-21; James 5

Five times in Ezekiel chapter 20 God uses this phrase:                                       “Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.”

And each time He says it in a different situation -                                                      #1: When you obey me, “Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.”  #2: When you experience the consequences of disobedience, “Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.” #3: When God brings judgment for disobedience, “Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.” #4: When you repent and obey Me, “Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.” #5: When I withhold judgment and extend grace, “Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.”

It becomes apparent in this Scripture that God will teach His people Who He is. We can choose to learn this the easy way, or the hard way. We can come to know God the approving Father, or God the Creator of consequences, or God the Righteous Judge, or God the merciful Forgiver, or the God of Grace.

Knowing God the easy way involves obeying Him. Knowing God the hard way involves consequences and judgment for disobedience. Obeying God – even when it’s tough – is easier than disobeying Him and dealing with consequences and judgment. Think I’ll choose the easy way today.

Until tomorrow.

Ezekiel 18-19; James 4

“Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

God throws down the gauntlet in James 4. It’s either-or. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t live in 2 worlds. Pal around with the world’s values and you’ve declared yourself an enemy of God. Don’t pal around with the world – and you become a marked person – one of “them.” The decision comes down to who you want to bet on for eternity – the god of this world, or the real, eternal God. The Apostle John helps clarify the issue. He says “The world is passing away, and it’s desires. But the one who does the will of God lives forever.”  This isn’t one of those issues you can put on the back burner. You and I will make a decision before this blog ends. Divorce the world and embrace God’s agenda, or keep flirting with the enemy – and become one. Don’t decide – and you just did. So why not take a few minutes as you begin your day and decide – again – who’s side you’re on? Think I’ll do that right now.

Have a good – and decisive – Thursday.

Ezekiel 16-17; James 3

It’s easy to underestimate the power of our words. James says they have the power to exalt God, and the power to destroy people. Our reality check usually comes when we feel the sting of someone else’s harsh words.

The best word filter I have come across is in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Jesus demonstrated that kind of wisdom in John 16:12 when the Disciples were feeling overwhelmed. He said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” Jesus left even good things unsaid – because the disciples weren’t ready to hear them.

The power of our words is expressed not only in what we say – but in what we leave unsaid. If we avoid unwise and unkind words, then our positive words will ring true and carry more weight. If we use words sparingly, our words weigh more. Like Solomon said in Proverbs 29:11,   “A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in until afterwards.”

Wow. It’s easy to forget how powerful – and how irretrievable – our words are. Serious food for thought…

Have a Blessed Wednesday!

Ezekiel 14-15; James 2

God has a conditional message about Himself in today’s Scripture.

If we seek Him while holding on to something we know is wrong, don’t expect Him to answer. He won’t look the other way. He offers forgiveness, not denial.

“When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the LORD will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’ “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!”

                                                                                                   Ezekiel 14:4-6

The writer of Psalm 66 summarizes this idea:

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”  

                                                                                                     Psalm 66:18

In the New Testament, God tells us to approach Him “in the Spirit”, and “in Jesus’ Name.” And He makes it clear we can’t “pray in the Spirit”, or “ask in Jesus’ Name” while grieving the Spirit or dishonoring Jesus’ Name. On the other hand, if God’s people – then and now – come to Him renouncing those things we know are wrong – getting on the same page with Him, then God is ready to hear:

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”  1 Peter 3:12

“Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”  1 John 3:22

“If my people which are called by my Name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

See you Tomorrow!

Ezekiel 11-13; James 1

“Pure joy.”

People spend lifetimes and fortunes in pursuit of it. In America, we call it “The pursuit of happiness.” James says that you can actually find “Pure joy.” But it won’t be where you are looking for it. You find it in the most unlikely place – you find it – when trouble finds you. We think  “Pure joy” comes from people or circumstances or things. James says you find it in a realization. It comes – from becoming. “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and ultimately mature and complete character” – That’s where you find “Pure joy.” Not exactly where you might have expected to find it. But then again, when has our God been in sync with human logic? My friend Byron Spradlin calls Him “The God of surprise.” So – next time you find yourself in a trial, don’t just see the circumstances. Keep one eye on the outcome – and surprise! You’ll get blind-sided by – of all things – “Pure joy.”

Have a GREAT Monday!