When We Are Scared

     Joshua took the place of Moses as the Israelites finally made their way into the promised land after 40 years in the wilderness. Those wilderness experiences in our own lives can leave us feeling lost, confused and filled with fear.

     Taking a step into the unknown future can be frightening. There are obstacles in the way and we can’t see our way around, over or through them. And we stop and ask, “Why me Lord?” or “Why them Lord?” or “How can we get through this Lord?”  The key word in all of those questions is, “Lord.” Keep Him involved in your questioning. Allow Him into your deepest fears. Ask Him to help.

    And somehow we find the courage to take another small step into the future. The path may change. The people we counted on may vanish. The outcome may still be unknown. But we choose to move. And Jesus? There He is within us with comfort, surrounding us with protection, above us with heavenly power. And our Father in heaven speaks to us just as He did to Joshua all of those years ago.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Lord our God,

You are with us wherever we go. Take away our fear and discouragement as we make the difficult decisions in life. Guide our thoughts to dwell and focus on You through it all.

In Jesus name,

Amen

When We Don't Understand

     The disciples of Jesus were Jewish men awaiting their Messiah. Their expectations for Jesus were for Him to rule and reign on earth. Jesus told them on more than one occasion what was to occur. Here is an example. This conversation takes place as they are journeying to Jerusalem for Passover, shortly before the death of Jesus. The disciples had been with him for nearly three years.

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going to Jerusalem and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him, insult Him and spit on Him. They will flog Him and kill Him. On the third day He will rise again.”  Luke 31-33

   Pretty clear, right? From this side of the cross it all makes sense. Did they listen and ask what it all meant? Here is their response.

The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them and they did not know what He was talking about.  Luke 18:45

     Not only did they not understand. Did you catch it? The meaning was hidden from them. Wow! Even the disciples would not understand God’s plan until after the resurrection. In fact all of the disciples scattered as Jesus was brought to the cross. All but one. John.

     Sometimes we want to run away when we don’t understand. We tune out. We try to escape from what is before us. God seems so far away. Has He deserted us? We thought He was the One. Isn’t He the One to watch over us and take care of us?

     God does watch over us. He understands and He offers hope. Can we listen and trust when we don’t understand? Will we run from His presence rather than wait patiently under His protective wings?

     Let’s bring it all to the foot of the cross where He took on all of what you are going through right now, right this minute. He rose again. And so will you.

Dear Jesus,

The stories in Your Word give us hope. Even those You were closest to on the earth ran from You. Don’t let us go when things get tough and we don’t have all of the answers. You do and we trust You.

Amen

Endings and Beginnings

     When we come to the end of ourselves and admit our need for a Savior, we may not see fireworks or feel a rush of emotion. But in that very moment, something so monumental happens that it is impossible to put into words. At that very born-again moment, when you ask Jesus to be your Savior, you are sealed and marked forever. Not only will heaven be ours one day; we have access to all of the gifts of the kingdom of God right now!

     Even though you don’t feel like a new person, that is exactly what you are! Read this verse with me:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

     The Spirit of Christ resides within you! If you have known Jesus for years, take a step back in time and think about the ways you have changed. Is there a softening in your attitude? Are you more compassionate? A bit more patient? Do you feel the pain of others in a new way? Are you convicted after saying a harsh word a bit more quickly? Do you seek and offer forgiveness?

     Jesus is working, even when we don’t notice. He never gives up. What is His goal? To change us more and more into His image. I can go for that! Don’t let your human nature fool you. Believe these words and trust in His work.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18

Jesus,

Keep transforming our lives into the new creation You see for us. Your glory will increase as our days move ever-closer to seeing you face-to-face.

Amen

Endings and Beginnings

     The end of Jesus’ earthly life marked the beginning of our resurrected lives. Jesus, the only perfect human ever to walk the earth became the sacred, perfect lamb. His humility, torture and pain took the world’s sin, all of it, and brought an end to it. Jesus spoke this truth before He gave up His Spirit.

When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.  John 19:30

     Those three words, “It is finished,” represent our redeemed lives. Our sins are forgiven, once and for all, past, present and future, the minute we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Remember that when you are discouraged, when you lose your confidence, when the world spins out of control. You are the redeemed child of the most high, sons and daughters of the King, loved and treasured, marked for heaven.

     The finished work of the cross brings us resurrected lives. Jesus rose again and so will we. His second coming will not be filled with His humiliation and destruction. It will reveal His full glory and majesty.

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father, Philippians 2:9-11

Dear Father,

One day the whole earth will view the glory of Your Son. We pray for those that do not yet know Him, to acknowledge He is Lord of all. One day every eye will see and every knee will bow. And at our death, life will begin.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Endings and Beginnings

     The newness of hope is calling your name. Do you feel it? The tingle of finding what matters in life. Yes, a new beginning filled with hope. Is there purpose for us? Is there a legacy? The image of God is within us. We were all made in His image, but our brokenness in sin separates us. It leads us to look in all the wrong places, to fill ourselves with all of the wrong things.

     I grew up with the baby-boomers in the heart of the city of Minneapolis. My high school class graduated over 600 people. Many from our class have died; several of them from the repercussions of alcoholism. What is it about removing ourselves from reality that makes us feel better? We look for relief and release and escape with the things that destroy.

So I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

     What would this year of new beginnings look like if we read the Word of God a few more minutes a day? What if we looked away from our phones more often and appreciated the wonder of creation and worshiped more? If we spend more time on our knees in prayer and listened to God? When Jesus touches our lives, He turns us and transforms us into His people on the earth. Be filled with the Spirit this year!

For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22

Jesus,

Keep us mindful of the Holy Spirit within us as we worship You, give glory to You with our lives and look for ways to be Your hands, feet, eyes and ears to those around us. May the Holy Spirit become stronger in us each day.

Amen

Endings and Beginnings

Both endings and beginnings enter our lives throughout the years, sometimes almost simultaneously. Last week we said our earthly goodbyes to my Uncle Hal. He was 91 and lived a good and healthy life. Both of our daughters recently bought their first homes. Their young lives will be filled with new beginnings this year.

     When we follow our emotions, life becomes a dizzy roller-coaster ride. In any given day, we can be brought to tears of laughter and fall on the floor in deep grief. We need an anchor, a steadfast foundation that cannot be shaken no matter what life brings, from the beginning to the end.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.  Hebrews 6:19

     We have access to the throne of God through Jesus. He anchors our souls and gives us a steady place to land no matter where our emotions take us. Give your feelings to Him today. He will steady your wandering heart with His love and never-ending presence.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16

Father,

Because of Jesus, we come with confidence to Your throne. We have an anchor through the uncertainties of life. Keep us steadfast with our anchor of hope. His name is Jesus. And in His name we pray.

Amen

Endings and Beginnings

     Another year has come to an end. Endings bring both a sense of closure and the hope of a new beginning. The end of a good book finds us clamoring for another. The end of cancer treatment gives us the anticipation of a renewed life. The end of one year gives us time to reflect on the one past and move with determination into the one ahead.

     What will this year bring for you? Are you peeking at it with one eye closed in dread? Are both eyes wide open with dream-filled hope? Are you impatient to get it over with or dragging your feet at what you have to accomplish? Are their shattered dreams lying in pieces around you? Is there a sense of satisfaction at a dream realized? Wherever you are right now, this very minute, I pray you will ask Jesus to set you on the path He determined for you long ago.

For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of the Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29

     Allow Jesus to guide your steps this year. Relaxing into the freedom the Holy Spirit brings, gives us renewed strength. He can rebuild dreams, bring hope where there appears to be none, take an ending and give it a new beginning. He will do it.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19

Father,

Take our hand and refresh us when we are thirsty. Guide our footsteps with determined strength when we are lost in the wilderness. And bring us closer to Your Son as He changes our hearts and minds to follow and reflect Him.

In Jesus name,

Amen