Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Trusting Him...even more...
I feel like God is calling me to trust Him even more deeply than the day before. It's like this never-ending cycle, right? We begin to trust Him in one area of our lives and then He calls us further into the maze, to trust with stronger faith. If it's not your own issues, then it's something about your kids. Or maybe you've got some financial issues that are dragging you down.
Perhaps it's an ongoing battle with your spouse... because marriage seems to be a never-ending work in progress given by the Master as well. He's constantly shaping us into His service and His workmanship directly through the hands of our loved one. Will we trust God to make us more patient, less angry, more forgiving? Will we let that issue go, that's not really that big of a deal anyways?
The question we have to ask ourselves in all of these things is this: Is God faithful? If He is, then whatever we face, no matter how small or big, we know we can get through it. Do you believe it, daughter or son of the King? Do you really believe that God is faithful? Do you think He sees you during those quiet moments when no-one else can? I think He does.
Easier said than done though, right? That's usually where my struggle begins. I feel like God is faithful one day, but maybe not so much the next. I overcome a huge obstacle and then within days, I'm like: "Well God, how in the world are you going to help me with this next thing?" It's like I'm a child who has all my needs met... but constantly implores, "When's my next snack? I need one NOW...even though you just gave me one fifteen minutes ago!"
We know as parents that our kids' needs are always on the center of our minds. We readily intend to meet their next and most immediate need. But, sometimes their urgency makes us feel like they don't think we'll come through for them. When one of my kids comes running down the stairs yelling, "More chips pleaaaaaase..." you would think he or she had suffered from a severe form of starvation. The truth is, I'm constantly offering them food throughout the day; they could never feel starved in our family's home.
That's how God is with us as well. He meets our needs so abundantly. During His time on earth, Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10b). He goes on to say, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (v. 11). I mean, how can we waste even one second worrying about whether or not God is going to come through for us? He gave us His very own life!
He sacrificed everything for us. He heard the battle cry. He conquered the ugly grip of sin that enslaved us by nailing His own hands and ankles upon the cross. Sure...the Roman soldiers held the hammers, but don't you know His own power allowed the nails to dig into His flesh? In just one millisecond, He could have released the heavenly battalions and commanded the injustice to end. But He didn't. He hung on the cross so that you and I could be free.
When you feel like you can't really trust Jesus, picture a cross hanging in your own home. Would you get on it for someone else? And even if you would be willing to, have you been called to do that any time recently? Pretty sure your answer is "No." So the least you and I can do is this: trust our Savior...because He is trustworthy.
The Apostle Paul reminds us to hand our stresses over to God: "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6+7).
Maybe this post doesn't change anything for you. You're still strung out. That stressful situation still looms over you like a thundercloud. That bill still rests on your chaotic counter-top. Your kid still struggles with that same old issue. You still have to forgive your spouse for being grumpy this very morning.
But, here's the thing about Jesus. When you give Him a little, he takes it and multiplies it. So, start out small with three simple steps. First, take twenty seconds and talk to the Lord about it. Say, "God, this thing overwhelms me. Help!" Second, write down a few of the verses listed above on a sticky note and paste it somewhere to remind you of how He cares.
Third, lift your hands up to heaven as a symbol of how you're letting this stuff go. The issues that your family faces are outside of your control, but not outside of His. You can rest now because you are in good hands.
Perhaps it's an ongoing battle with your spouse... because marriage seems to be a never-ending work in progress given by the Master as well. He's constantly shaping us into His service and His workmanship directly through the hands of our loved one. Will we trust God to make us more patient, less angry, more forgiving? Will we let that issue go, that's not really that big of a deal anyways?
The question we have to ask ourselves in all of these things is this: Is God faithful? If He is, then whatever we face, no matter how small or big, we know we can get through it. Do you believe it, daughter or son of the King? Do you really believe that God is faithful? Do you think He sees you during those quiet moments when no-one else can? I think He does.
Easier said than done though, right? That's usually where my struggle begins. I feel like God is faithful one day, but maybe not so much the next. I overcome a huge obstacle and then within days, I'm like: "Well God, how in the world are you going to help me with this next thing?" It's like I'm a child who has all my needs met... but constantly implores, "When's my next snack? I need one NOW...even though you just gave me one fifteen minutes ago!"
We know as parents that our kids' needs are always on the center of our minds. We readily intend to meet their next and most immediate need. But, sometimes their urgency makes us feel like they don't think we'll come through for them. When one of my kids comes running down the stairs yelling, "More chips pleaaaaaase..." you would think he or she had suffered from a severe form of starvation. The truth is, I'm constantly offering them food throughout the day; they could never feel starved in our family's home.
That's how God is with us as well. He meets our needs so abundantly. During His time on earth, Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10b). He goes on to say, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (v. 11). I mean, how can we waste even one second worrying about whether or not God is going to come through for us? He gave us His very own life!
He sacrificed everything for us. He heard the battle cry. He conquered the ugly grip of sin that enslaved us by nailing His own hands and ankles upon the cross. Sure...the Roman soldiers held the hammers, but don't you know His own power allowed the nails to dig into His flesh? In just one millisecond, He could have released the heavenly battalions and commanded the injustice to end. But He didn't. He hung on the cross so that you and I could be free.
When you feel like you can't really trust Jesus, picture a cross hanging in your own home. Would you get on it for someone else? And even if you would be willing to, have you been called to do that any time recently? Pretty sure your answer is "No." So the least you and I can do is this: trust our Savior...because He is trustworthy.
The Apostle Paul reminds us to hand our stresses over to God: "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6+7).
Maybe this post doesn't change anything for you. You're still strung out. That stressful situation still looms over you like a thundercloud. That bill still rests on your chaotic counter-top. Your kid still struggles with that same old issue. You still have to forgive your spouse for being grumpy this very morning.
But, here's the thing about Jesus. When you give Him a little, he takes it and multiplies it. So, start out small with three simple steps. First, take twenty seconds and talk to the Lord about it. Say, "God, this thing overwhelms me. Help!" Second, write down a few of the verses listed above on a sticky note and paste it somewhere to remind you of how He cares.
Third, lift your hands up to heaven as a symbol of how you're letting this stuff go. The issues that your family faces are outside of your control, but not outside of His. You can rest now because you are in good hands.
Labels: Bible, faith, kids, parents, trust
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Trust God!
It is hard to trust God, especially when we pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and we still don't see His answer. But, God's word is a great anchor to cling to, especially when our feelings are letting us down.
Remember to trust God even when you can't see, hear, smell, taste, or feel the answer yet. Here are some verses to help.
Genesis 49:18 says, "I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!" If we're sure we have our salvation from the Lord, all of the other requests sort of fall into place. We might need help with our finances, our marriage, our children, or a host of other concerns; however, if we're sure we're right with God, it eliminates the biggest worry of all. Make sure you've got that cleared up first before praying, and praying, and praying, and praying for all of the other stuff.
Leviticus 19:4 says, "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God." Here's the problem with living in the twenty-first century. The world offers us tons of short-cuts. If you're stressed, have a glass of wine, or two, or three... to calm yourself down. The world also offers tons of medications for every ailment from worrying, headaches, obesity, or even fatigue. What about at least trying a few of God's remedies first, like getting fit, seeking Him in daily meditation, or simplifying your life so you can get rid of some unnecessary worries?
Another short-cut that the world offers is cheating. If you're having problems in your marriage, find someone else, someone who's funnier and more romantic. Maybe you've heard the one about it being okay to cheat financially. It's okay to fib on your taxes or to pay less for something by doing funny math because you're in a bind after-all. But, the truth is, these short-cuts are actually problematic because they lead us farther away from the true answer, which is God. Remember not to trust in the idols and gods that the world offers you. They're hollow and dissatisfying, while God on the other hand is the real deal.
Another convicting verse is Leviticus 20:6. It's pretty blunt and you might not think it applies to you, but here goes. “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community." Maybe you haven't been committing "spiritual prostitution" but have you been putting your trust in someone else rather than in God? Maybe you've considered another religion even because this Christianity stuff just isn't working out. Though it is tempting to trust in other people and in other sources of spirituality, there is only one true Source; it is the God of the Bible.
2Chronicles 13:18 reminds us that when we trust in God, we defeat our foes. "So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the Lord, the God of their ancestors." If we seek the Lord, we will defeat our enemies, which includes life's injustices and all that other bad stuff. That's because God upholds His end of the bargain. When we're on His team, we always win. The results might not always evidence themselves on this side of heaven, but remember that God will bring everything into judgment, including the unfair things in this life. Stay on His team; the scoreboard will reflect a win by the end of the game.
What if you feel that your life is too far gone? Well, think again. Isaiah 50:10 is such a cool verse. It says, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God." This verse offers a white flag of peace for your dark choices. Don't worry that you've messed up because we all have. Just get back on track by seeking Him. It's never too late. Don't let the darkness overtake you like a black-hole because there is hope.
One of my favorites, and probably one of yours as well, is Proverbs 3:5+6 which states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." We can try to figure it all out by ourselves or we can surrender it all to God instead. We have to trust Him again and again and again and again because He is trustworthy. He will direct our paths.
Remember to trust God even when you can't see, hear, smell, taste, or feel the answer yet. Here are some verses to help.
Genesis 49:18 says, "I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!" If we're sure we have our salvation from the Lord, all of the other requests sort of fall into place. We might need help with our finances, our marriage, our children, or a host of other concerns; however, if we're sure we're right with God, it eliminates the biggest worry of all. Make sure you've got that cleared up first before praying, and praying, and praying, and praying for all of the other stuff.
Leviticus 19:4 says, "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God." Here's the problem with living in the twenty-first century. The world offers us tons of short-cuts. If you're stressed, have a glass of wine, or two, or three... to calm yourself down. The world also offers tons of medications for every ailment from worrying, headaches, obesity, or even fatigue. What about at least trying a few of God's remedies first, like getting fit, seeking Him in daily meditation, or simplifying your life so you can get rid of some unnecessary worries?
Another short-cut that the world offers is cheating. If you're having problems in your marriage, find someone else, someone who's funnier and more romantic. Maybe you've heard the one about it being okay to cheat financially. It's okay to fib on your taxes or to pay less for something by doing funny math because you're in a bind after-all. But, the truth is, these short-cuts are actually problematic because they lead us farther away from the true answer, which is God. Remember not to trust in the idols and gods that the world offers you. They're hollow and dissatisfying, while God on the other hand is the real deal.
Another convicting verse is Leviticus 20:6. It's pretty blunt and you might not think it applies to you, but here goes. “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community." Maybe you haven't been committing "spiritual prostitution" but have you been putting your trust in someone else rather than in God? Maybe you've considered another religion even because this Christianity stuff just isn't working out. Though it is tempting to trust in other people and in other sources of spirituality, there is only one true Source; it is the God of the Bible.
2Chronicles 13:18 reminds us that when we trust in God, we defeat our foes. "So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the Lord, the God of their ancestors." If we seek the Lord, we will defeat our enemies, which includes life's injustices and all that other bad stuff. That's because God upholds His end of the bargain. When we're on His team, we always win. The results might not always evidence themselves on this side of heaven, but remember that God will bring everything into judgment, including the unfair things in this life. Stay on His team; the scoreboard will reflect a win by the end of the game.
What if you feel that your life is too far gone? Well, think again. Isaiah 50:10 is such a cool verse. It says, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God." This verse offers a white flag of peace for your dark choices. Don't worry that you've messed up because we all have. Just get back on track by seeking Him. It's never too late. Don't let the darkness overtake you like a black-hole because there is hope.
One of my favorites, and probably one of yours as well, is Proverbs 3:5+6 which states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." We can try to figure it all out by ourselves or we can surrender it all to God instead. We have to trust Him again and again and again and again because He is trustworthy. He will direct our paths.
