Thy will be done…

Posted on July 31, 2013 by LauraMac

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”  Proverbs 16:3

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

 

Both verses point to a heart that proclaims:  Thy will be done.

When our hope and trust is in God, we can place today on the altar, step back, breath deep, and trust God.  And then tomorrow… do it again.  One day at a time.  I may not know how it will all work out, but I know Him.  And He is more than enough.

As I stress, think way too much, and ponder the “what if…,” He says, “I’ve got this, Laura.” And He does.  I know He does.  Why oh why, then, do I so often snatch it right back?

There is great peace that comes in praying, “Thy will….”  And there is such great uneasiness, anxiety, and frenzied panic when I try to work it out (or worry it out) on my own.

Jesus, thank you for the serene, calming, peace, blessed assurance that comes in trusting you.  I commit (again) my life, my children, my marriage, my ministry, my friendships, my home, my finances – all to you.  I ask you to determine my steps today. I (once again) resolve to commit all that I do to You.

 

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If God Says Speak, Don’t Strike!

Posted on July 16, 2013 by LauraMac

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
“Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
Numbers 20:12

I’ve read Numbers 20 many, many times over the years and each time I’m left with a nagging sense of feeling like Moses got a bad rap. (pun intended).

After all, who could blame him for finally losing it?  He was given a bunch of whiners (too big to spank) to lead through the wilderness.  They were complainers, they were ungrateful, and they were quick to blame Moses—never acknowledging his many sacrifices and intercessions on their behalf.

Today it occurs to me – if I place the rationalization for my behavior in the context of horizontal relationships, I can always justify my sin:

  • I’m not as bad as so and so….
  • Well….she didn’t do what I asked….
  • He started it!
  • Am I supposed to just take it…?

Moses was able to extend grace to those people so long and so repeatedly because his focus was vertical – it was firmly fixed on God.

Once we go horizontal, we lose our anchor, our lock-in on the target, we spin out of control (I know at this point you are asking, “Geez…how many metaphors can she possibly squeeze into one sentence?!)

Like David, Moses’ sin was against God Himself.  Moses allowed his (justified) anger with people to trump the holy respect and awe that must be given to God.

How many times, I wonder, has my assignment been to speak, but I chose to strike?

  • …when I disciplined a child in anger?
  • …when I allowed emotion to trump logic in a disagreement with my husband?
  • …when I allowed a conversation to spiral downward to gossip and maligning someone’s character?

To speak and not strike requires a filling of the Spirit, a settled assurance that God sees my plight. A trust that He will work this out – defend my cause, bring about resolution, and restore what is broken.

To speak is a manifestation of the Spirit.  Spirit-inspired words are laced with the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

This is such a huge challenge when I have been wronged…or even more so when my child has been wronged. When someone else is clearly culpable, I have “license” for righteous indignation.  Oh, how we love to be right! It’s so easy to charge ahead with an entitlement to make the call, write the letter, get someone told – to roll in like a steam roller and flatten everyone in our path.

Sometimes we even resort to name calling like Moses in Numbers 20:10, “Listen, you rebels…”

Sometimes, I, too, just want to strike.  I feel entitled to strike.  I want desperately to strike.  I feel that I’ll blow a gasket if I don’t strike.  (An image comes to mind at this point of my mom’s pressure canner filled with seven quarts of green beans, the little knob on top jiggling away excitedly.)

God alone must be my release valve.  He can and will deal with my pressurized emotions if I come to Him.  He will always enable me to do what He calls (or NOT do what He has not called me to do!) This is especially true when every fiber in my being wants desperately to set someone straight (or as my mama used to say, “Jerk a knot in someone’s tail!”)

If God says to strike, then strike.  But if God says speak, we’d best be laying down the stick.

 

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Jesus: With Him or Against Him?

Posted on May 31, 2013 by LauraMac

I was blessed to spend a great week enjoying God’s creation in Estes Park, Colorado.  Such breathtaking beauty – our Creator displays His power and creativity there in a mighty way.

Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Ridge Road is closed during the winter months, but opened up on our last day there, the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.

Climbing 4000 feet, we saw the temperature drop 25 degrees, as we were treated to Rocky Mountain views that seemed more like a canvas painted by an artist than reality.  Splendor! Awesome! Majestic! I really can’t find words to describe the magnificence.  We drove above tree line, as each new view brought more delight.

We stayed on Trail Ridge Road all the way to Milner Pass, the Continental Divide.  I’m pictured here standing at the point where water must make a choice:  Pacific or Atlantic?  This is the line of separation:  water either flows west into the Colorado River, eventually reaching the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean….or it flows east to the Platte River and then on into the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

It occurred to me as I stood there that Jesus makes it clear that we, too, must make a choice.  Just as water cannot remain forever at Milner Pass, we, too, must choose.  Jesus made this clear:

“He who is not with me is against me…”
Luke 11:23a

 

Am I for Him or against Him?  Am I choosing my own way or His way?

I’ve learned that this is a daily, continual decision.  Choosing Him yesterday does not count for today’s choices.  I’ve also learned that no real satisfaction, joy, or contentment can be found apart from Him.

Jesus, I choose You for this day. Help me to flow with You, as you lead.  I don’t know the details or what lies ahead, but I know You.  And You are more than enough.

 

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Shouldn’t we always be nice?

Posted on May 23, 2013 by LauraMac

“Everyone is so nice here,” remarked Ginger as we returned to the car from another glorious hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.

We had just exchanged wildlife info with a total stranger:

Strange Man: “Did you see the big-horned sheep?”

Me:  “Yes! Did you see the big-horned owl?”

Strange Man:  “No! Where?”

Me:  “Just around the curve in the road.  Look for a huge tree and lots bird droppings staining the pavement.”

Our mutual enjoyment of the beauty of this place allowed us to let down our normal defenses.  Our joy was made complete by sharing it.  We genuinely wanted others (even strangers) to experience what we have.

And then it occurred to me.  The most precious things in life are enjoyed and cherished most when shared. And on the heels of this thought came another: I’ve been hoarding God’s love.

If I’m having a day (week…month…?) where I’m feeling the blues, generally dissatisfied, or my normally Technicolor world just seems sort of a drab gray, then perhaps I’m failing to live out my purpose.  Have I loved someone in His name?

The best way to reset my internal attitude is to outwardly bless someone else.  In short:  be nice.  And what nicer thing could we do than share the love of Christ?

Perhaps John understood this best:

“We write this to make our joy complete.” I John 1:4

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Holy Fear

Posted on April 27, 2013 by LauraMac

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.”

Hebrews 11:7

 

Noah acted on his holy fear when he built the ark.  This holy fear propelled him to act on his faith.  There is a huge difference between fear and holy fear.  Holy fear comes with faith, but plain old worldly fear is the opposite of faith.  Holy fear is prompted by reverence and respect for God.  It is our faith lived out.

I don’t think Noah was alone when he built the ark.  His audience included those described as corrupt and full of violence. (Genesis 6:12)  It is also likely that the corruption and violence in their hearts flooded out of their mouths in the form of mocking, derision, and goading of Noah.

It is indeed a challenge to obey God, but perhaps especially when we are being mocked for holding fast to our beliefs.

Which do you think was the greatest challenge for Noah to overcome to obey God:

  • Doubt that it would really rain?
  • Pride – what are people thinking?
  • Embarrassment and shame as he was taunted and made fun of?

I believe Noah kept his hands busy and his mouth shut.  He condemned his mockers, but it wasn’t with his words.  Hebrews 11:7 says it was his FAITH that condemned the world.  And because of Noah’s active, believing faith he was rewarded.  He became an heir to righteousness.

God asked Him to do something that really made no logical sense.  He was to build a boat to prepare for a catastrophe that the world had never seen.  Is it easier to obey God when He asks us to do something that makes logical sense, something that doesn’t bring shame or embarrassment, something that doesn’t make me stand out?

For the woman of God, holy fear trumps worldly fear…every time.

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Following Instructions

Posted on April 25, 2013 by LauraMac

“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”
Genesis 6:22

Do you enjoy reading the manual when you get a new gadget…or do you just jump right in and start tinkering and try to figure it out on your own?

When God decided to destroy the world, He extended grace towards Noah, as He provided very specific instructions for crafting an ark.  Lots of details were provided – the type of wood, the size for length, width, and height, and the number of floors.

We, too, have been given very specific instructions for life:  our manual is called the Bible. Often we make our situation much more difficult, challenging, uncomfortable, and exhausting by our refusal to follow God’s instructions.

We applaud Noah because of his obedience to God – verse 22 records that he did everything just as God commanded.

This is even more remarkable when we read Genesis 2:5-6 and realize it had never rained before! Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family …”

It required FAITH to build the ark.  Faith is believing God.  Faith is confidence in a future truth.  Real faith results in action.  Actions do not bring about our salvation, but actions prove our salvation is real.

Is your faith in Jesus Christ?  Do you believe He is the Son of God?  Do you believe He came to earth in bodily form, was crucified, and had victory over death – rising on the third day?  Do you believe He will return to earth?  Do you believe your only hope for eternity is to have a faith that believes in Him and puts your hope in Him?

The woman of God lives an active faith by obeying God’s instructions.

(Note — Topic for tomorrow:  Holy Fear)

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The Lamb of God

Posted on March 26, 2013 by LauraMac

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29b

 I’m reading through the book of Leviticus – the handbook, if you will, for the Jewish priests.  It is tedious, legalistic, and full of picky details on burnt offerings, grain offerings, fellowship offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.  Acts of omission and commission are labeled as sin.  Rules of sacrifice for the common members of the community are distinguished from sins committed by the leaders.

And then there’s the blood.

An innocent animal would die to atone for the sin of a human being. The act of laying one’s hand on the head of the animal would symbolically transfer sin from the sinner to the innocent.  The individual would then slaughter the animal and present it to the priest:

“Then the priest is to take some of the blood with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.”
Leviticus 4:30

The sacrificial system of the Old Testament was nothing if not bloody.  Words like gross, nauseating, and vulgar come to mind.

Considering the innocent animal sacrificed was often one raised, loved, and nurtured by the family from birth makes the sacrifice horrific and even some would say, cruel.

Why? Why would God require such a horrific act to atone for sin?

Because sin itself is horrific.  Our sin is ugly.  It is gross, nauseating, and vulgar.  The sacrifice needed to be horrific because our sin is horrific.

How easy it is for 21st-century, Western-culture believers to proclaim Jesus the “lamb of God” and the “once-for-all sacrifice.”  To truly grasp the grave and sobering significance of those words, we must go back and read Leviticus.  We must respect the powerful God of the Old Testament to fully embrace the loving sacrifice of His Son in the New Testament.

As I celebrate my risen Savior this Easter, I am rejoicing that He is the once-for-all sacrifice. I’m also remembering that it is my great sin that required a great Savior.

Jesus, I’m horrified by my own sin.  I acknowledge that my sin deserves my blood to be spilled.  I worship You today as the lamb without blemish – the lamb who took away not only the sins of the whole world, but MY sin.  I’m amazed and grateful as I consider that you died for ME.  Unlike the bull or goat or lamb killed in Old Testament times, You did have a choice.  You chose the Cross because you chose me.  I am so very, very grateful for my salvation. 

 

{Photo attribution:  http://infinitygoods.wordpress.com}

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Walking With God

Posted on March 22, 2013 by LauraMac

“Enoch walked with God…”
Genesis 5:24a

After the birth of Seth at the end of Genesis 4, Genesis 5 provides the lineage from Seth to Noah.  Essentially, we learn that each man lived, gave birth to a son, and died – the briefest of information about each man’s life.

Have you ever walked through a cemetery, looked at names and dates, and wondered about the people, their lives, what they looked like, how they lived, who they loved, and who loved them?  The dash between the date of birth and the date of death represents a lot of living.

In Genesis 5, most of Seth’s family –including himself – did nothing of noteworthy value other than have a son to carry on the family name.  But we do know that each must have taught the next generation about God.

We know because when we finally get down to Enoch in verse 22, we learn that Enoch walked with God.  In order to walk with God, Enoch had to KNOW God.  He must have learned from the generation before Him.

Though there is no evidence that his father, grandfather, or great grandfather –all the way back to Seth – actually walked with God, each father must have taught his son about God.

As mothers and grandmothers – are we walking with God and teaching our children to do so?  Are we settling for just telling them about God…or even just bringing them to church and trusting that other adults will tell them about Jesus?  It is our JOB to teach our children.  Perhaps we do that best when we don’t just TELL them, but MODEL it for them.

To walk with God requires action.  WALK is a verb – it can encompass an attitude of the heart, but I believe it also means we are found walking through the Word, walking in prayer, walking in loving acts of service to others.  Dr. James Dobson has said values are more “caught” than “taught”.  What are your children – or your friends, family and neighbors – learning from watching your walk?

The woman of God walks with God.

 

 

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Hope Restored

Posted on March 19, 2013 by LauraMac

“Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, ‘God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.’ Seth also had a son, and he named his Enosh.
At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD.”
Genesis 4:25-26

As the events of Genesis 4 drew to a close, perhaps Satan thought it was time to party – Abel is gone and he has Cain in his camp. The only living descendants of Adam have no need for God.

Does Satan really think he can snuff out God’s Genesis 3:15 promise?

In verse 25 – hope is restored, as Eve gives birth to a third son.  Seth means “granted” or another definition reads:  “to set, station, appoint.”  Seth is indeed the one appointed for the line through which Christ would come into the world.  The genealogy of Jesus found in Luke 3 includes Seth’s name.

We also see Eve’s acknowledgment of God’s gift of this third son: “God has granted me another child…”

And we see a huge contrast with Seth’s legacy compared to that of Cain.  Verse 26 reveals, “At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD.”

Where in your life and where in my life do we need God’s help?  What are we trying to do by muscle that can really only be done by God’s might?

Is it time to stop striving, stop doing…cease the fretting and hand wringing. — time to let go… and let God?

The woman of God calls on the name of the LORD.

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Heads up!

Posted on March 13, 2013 by LauraMac

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?
But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;
it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Genesis 4:6-7

Why was Cain angry?  Because he had been found out.  He had failed to deliver the required sacrifice. God could have doled out immediate consequences, but instead He lovingly confronts Cain – gives him an opportunity to repent and change course.

Let’s re-read the sober warning from the passage above:  … if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you…

It is God’s kindness and love that intercedes to warn us, to call us back.

God did not force Cain to obey –just as He didn’t force Cain’s parents to obey.  He permits Cain to choose to obey…or not.

Cain is in the driver’s seat.  The light changes to “yellow” – God’s words to him are a WARNING light.  Does he hit the brakes …. or push down hard on the accelerator and run on through?

You and I also have the benefit of a warning light from God.  As women of God, we have the illumination of the Holy Spirit and the light of His Word.  He shines the light on our path, revealing the danger.  Do we listen and heed His “heads up?”

Even in the midst of heading in the wrong direction, there is time to hit the brakes and make a u-turn.  God will show us the exit ramp – the “way of escape:”

 …when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out
so that you can endure it.
I Corinthians 10:13

 God loves us too much to leave us in our sin. Even in the midst of veering off course, He calls us back.

The woman of God heeds the Holy Spirit’s warning.

 

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