Why is this happening?

2 Corinthians 1:9 – Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Why is this happening?

There are times in life that we sit down dumbstruck and wonder why. Logic and reason are out the window. Common sense waved bye a long time ago. We hold more questions than answers and try to make sense of the mess. Why is this happening? Sometimes patent spiritual answers bring more tilted heads of confusion than nods of agreement, but perspectives do carry a lot of weight.

Jesus was asked about the man born blind, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus said, “Neither, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” (John 9)

When atheists and non believers want to blame God for ills and wrongs – birth defects, natural disasters that kill innocent, murders, rape, genocidal injustice – the answer, “this happened so that the power of God might be displayed,” is not always an easy pill to swallow, nor should it be the patent answer in these things.

So, why is this happening? – I don’t know, but again, perspectives carry a lot of weight.

Do you believe God is for you or against you?

Paul, met a lot of opposition and difficulty in spreading the gospel. In one instance he said, he was under so much pressure and strain that he knew death was imminent. But it didn’t happen. It was one of those teachable moments in life. He felt the sentence of death, but dependence upon God was the greater lesson. And even if death occurred, God is a God who raises the dead.

His perspective changed everything. If death was his sentence at that moment, he was ready. His dependence on God was not weak, but since death did not happen, the greater lesson was that God could rescue him from that terrible moment.

So again, why is this happening?

The answer is not always finding out the why. Why was this man born blind? Why is the great pressure and threat of death happening when I’m doing such a good thing? Why do bad things happen to good people?

The answer is our perspective. Will you let the power of God be displayed? Will you rely on God despite any problem?

Lord, life is so confusing sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t trust You. I don’t know why things happen in this world the way they do, but I pray that Your power might be displayed. I don’t know why my life is so difficult sometimes, but I trust that You will deliver me. You are a God who raises the dead.

WATCH OUT, COP!!!

 Matthew 7:15 – Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Watch out!

I believe I am one of the greatest drivers on the road. The police, my family, and every other driver would disagree – but genius is often derided. I’m aggressive, but cautious. I’m careful, but adventurous. I’m fast… that is all.

Although I have hawk eyes, my wife thinks it’s necessary to warn me every time she sees a police car. She yells, “COP!!!”, which scares me so that I slam on the brakes. (Nothing suspicious happening here officer, just slamming on the brakes.) Her intent is to warn me – so that I won’t get a ticket and insurance premiums stay low. But nothing like a good startling scream of warning. Honestly, my foot may inadvertently push to the floor without me knowing. I get lost in thought or music on the radio and I become oblivious to the speed law I may be breaking. The jolt of “COP!!!” is sometimes just the thing to get me focused again.

As believers, we must be on guard, we must be on alert – and ready to yell, “COP!!!” or “WATCH OUT!” whenever we see the need. There are ideals, philosophies, dogmas, mantras, personal agendas, and just downright false doctrines that constantly challenge the truth of the Word of God.

Jesus said there would be ferocious wolves in sheep’s clothing whose aim is to trick us and get us off track. These false prophets are salesmen selling a product that’s toxic. Watch out!

This toxic product comes in so many forms and so many ways – which subtly chips away at the value and power of God’s truth. It’s hard to list all the ways which these false prophets peddle their poison – but just start with every technology portal there is – Internet, Facebook, Twitter, TV, Music, News, etc.

Be on guard and know the truth,  John 8:32 – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Lord, help me to be on guard and not let any false doctrine and anything that doesn’t come from you get hold of me. I want my eyes on You and Your truth. Help me to scream out when I see the need. Help me to watch out not only for myself but for others that may be swayed by what is not real.

No matter what!

Habakkuk 3:17,18 – Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in God my Savior.

No matter what!

I wonder how many times you’ve given up. We all have our – That’s it! – moments. We’re pushed too far, too much, too long, and we’re done. We may have come to the breaking point of our temper, last nerve, frustration, aggravation, humiliation – and we throw in the towel, but we should never come to that point spiritually.

I have quit so many things in my life I can’t keep track. I tell a story of when I started a job as a telemarketer. First of all, there is nothing remotely in me that looks or sounds like a salesman. I am the worst. So, to say the least, telemarketing is not my thing. But I didn’t realize that about myself until later in life. I started the job as a telemarketer. I sat down at the desk, called the first number and began to read the script – hang up. I called the second number, two lines into the script – hang up. I turned to find the administrator in the room full of phone salesmen. I asked where the bathroom was – I left the room and never came back. Not the most glaring – light of the world – moment for me.

The pressure was too much. I was way out of my comfort zone. The logical thing was to bolt. We’ve all experienced those moments, but our spiritual resolve has got to be stronger.

We live by faith, not by sight, comfort, or anything else. So what we experience in life, we have to respond with faith.

No matter what happens in our walk with God, no matter what we experience, no matter how we hurt or sorrow, no matter the pain or frustration, no matter the abundance or lack, no matter what – we must resolve to trust God.

Lord, I trust You no matter what. I know that life will bring a lot of things I don’t like or want, but I still trust You. I live by faith in You, not by what I see or experience. Nothing will ever change the fact that You have saved me by grace and I am forever changed. 

Today is the day!

Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 27:1 – Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Tomorrow is another day to begin again.

We comfort ourselves with thoughts of tomorrow. We hear musicals in our head of little Annie singing. We know that there is a possibility, a maybe, a what if on the horizon of tomorrow. But it’s a comfort that may not come.

I’ve never been much of a 5 year plan sort of guy – maybe to my detriment. I’ve never been much of a fly by the seat of my pants guy either – maybe to my detriment. I guess however you live – by your day planner calendar or by whims and winds – you have to recognize the Sovereignty of Almighty God.

Some may argue making plans show wisdom and foresight. Some may insist they are prisons that bind and confine. But either way, God in His Providence and Omnipotence makes the final call.

His purpose cannot be ignored. His will cannot be shoved to the side. He who created all we see by the breath of His power, who set the elements in motion and boundaries for the sea, who set the stars in place and lit the sun on fire – His plans and purpose will prevail.

Tomorrow is a day of uncertainty, but that shouldn’t bring fear. Hope is the day God has given us today. Make the most of the opportunities before you now. Make your plans if you must, but the Lord has the final say of your day planner.

Today is a new day to begin. Today is a day that He has made. Trust in His Sovereignty for tomorrow.

Lord, whatever tomorrow holds, I know that You are in control. Today is the day that You have given me, help me to live it to the full. I don’t take for granted the blessing of today. I give it to You for Your glory.

Cereal and coffee – aisle 2

2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

We search and search.

From the time we rise out of bed, to the time we lay back down, our day is filled with routine and ritual. Our minds and bodies may go through the motions of our daily habits, but our spirits are searching. We look for truth. We long for substance that we can hold that brings purpose. We seek out that intangible something.

What makes all the difference is where we search.

I think I hit the Publix near my house 7 times a week. Kristian and I put things on the grocery list but something is always forgotten or let off. I’ve been known to have the list in my hand and come home with a trunk full of plastic bagged groceries, nothing of which is from the list. The pharmacist even knows my name (Don’t know if that’s good or bad). I know Publix well. I know where everything is, I know every aisle – so I know where to search.

The juice and produce – aisle 1. The cereal and coffee – aisle 2. The crackers – aisle 4. The canned vegetables – aisle 5. And of course I know where the chips and sodas are – aisle 9. Other Publix stores are not the same. Walmart is not the same. I know where things are in the store I shop.

When we seek to satisfy the desire and longing our spirits have with anything else other than Christ, His Word, His Spirit, and His power, we end up lost and unsatisfied. The fulfillment our heart cries for is filled only by God and His divinity.

We search and search… and find with Christ.

Lord, I seek You daily. I need You daily. My heart cries, my spirit searches – may I find contentment and fulfillment in You. Guide me as I search You out. If my heart strays, get me back on track.