A Miracle

COMMENTS

I recently had my bathroom remodeled.  It seems there should be a blog in that somewhere….

NOTES

It looks nothing like it looked a few weeks ago.  Which is weird.  The space is the same.  The shape is the same.  Even the vanity is the same, although it has new doors and drawers.  But the paint is a different color.  There are new towels and rugs.  The picture on the wall is different.  The mirror still shows my reflection, but it’s a nicer mirror.  How can something that’s still the same be so different?

That’s something like becoming a Christian, isn’t it?  I still have the same body—it’s still the same shape and size.  (Well, becoming a Christian didn’t change that—age did!)  But the inside is different.  When I look in the “mirror”, I see a new reflection:  I see myself as God sees me.  When I look at the “picture”, I see the world and my circumstances through His eyes; and that puts a different slant on them.  Those new wall colors and rugs and towels represent the new me on the inside—my “outside” may look the same, but my “inside” is new and fresh and vibrant and pretty.

The bathroom didn’t change overnight.  It took some time.  And although I was instantly new, all those changes in me didn’t happen overnight when I accepted Christ.  Just as I am continuing to make modifications to the bathroom (new light switches, etc.), God continues to “modify” me.  Eventually, the bathroom will be finished, just as I, too, will ultimately be complete. 

As I think about all of this, only one word comes to mind—MIRACLE.  It takes a miracle to change someone on the inside, to change them at their core.  Our God is in the miracle business, though; and if you allow Him to touch you, you’ll be different, too.  That’s a promise—HIS promise.

What is God’s greatest miracle?  Well, I guess we could debate that; but in my heart I truly believe that God’s greatest miracle is ME.

So many people look for signs and wonders
They miss the greatest miracle of all.
Well it's the miracle of sweet salvation.
That's when the God of heaven
Comes down to live inside of someone's heart.

And I believe in miracles.
I'm a miracle myself.
And I believe the good Lord hears
The ones who cry for help.
And after all that He has done for me
I believe, I do believe in miracles.
                                         --Miracles by Newsong

Separate

COMMENTS

God has recently been speaking to me, as evidenced by some of my posts, about my sin and His mighty work of salvation and purification.  He continued that theme this morning.

NOTES

I have a tendency to think of myself as okay, even good.  That’s easy to do when I get self-righteous and make the wrong comparisons.  That’s probably why He has pointed me so often lately to my sin, but He has never left me in that pit.  He always reminds me of His redeeming work.  He calls me to Himself and to righteousness.  One aspect of my morning prayer today was that He will work in me to purify me and make me more like Him.  He took me to 2 Corinthians 6:14b-7:1:

“For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?  Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?  What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?  What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said:  ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.  Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.  I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

When I’m not making one of my common self-righteous comparisons, I compare myself to Paul, desiring to reach his level of commitment to Jesus.  But that, too, is a wrong comparison.  Paul points me not to himself but to Jesus Christ.  Jesus is my standard.  Being like Him is my goal.

So, this morning, He issued me a challenge:  “Is your heart willing?  Do you really want to be like Me?”  If my answer is “yes”, He tells me in this passage what I’m to do. I’m to separate myself from this fallen world.  I’m not to be contaminated by the evil that rules here.  I have a choice.  It’s my choice.  I make the decision--choose to be influenced by the world or choose those things that lead to purity and righteousness.  If I am, indeed, “the temple of the living God” as He says here, my choices should reflect that.  I will make the right choices “out of reverence for God.” 

And, as always, He gives me love and encouragement in the form of a promise:

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my…daughter.”

(2 Corinthians 6:18)

Lord, help me to remember that as I make choices today—and tomorrow—and always.

I Am New

COMMENTS

There’s always something that I need to confess.  That’s very disappointing.  Perfectionist that I am, it seems that I should LEARN!  Why do I so often have to confess the same thing I confessed yesterday?  If I take the “glass half empty” approach, it’s very discouraging.  But wait!  God says the glass isn’t “half full”—it’s spilling over!

NOTES

It’s true that I disappoint me.  I long to be that servant of God who always hears, always obeys, is always holy and righteous.  The reality, however, is that as long as I am in this body, I will not, cannot be that person.  But, praise God, I am His; and He is at work!  My God is not a God of discouragement.  He is a God of hope and peace and joy and opportunity.  And although I often blow it, He forgives me and gives me another chance…and another…and another…and….  By the blood of Christ, He sees not the sinner but the saint; not the current me but the completed and perfected me.

As He so often does, He spoke this truth to me in a song.  This time it happened to be I Am New by Jason Gray.  Listen with me:

Now I won't deny
The worst you could say about me
But I'm not defined
By mistakes that I've made
Because God says of me

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I'm dearly loved
I am new

Who I thought I was
And who I thought I had to be
I had to give them both up
Cause neither were willing
To ever believe

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I'm dearly loved
I am new

Too long I have lived
In the shadows of shame
Believing that there
Was no way I could change
But the one who is making everything new
Doesn't see me the way that I do
He doesn't see me the way that I do

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I'm dearly loved
I am new

I am not who I was
I am being remade I am new
Dead to the old man, I'm coming alive
I am new

Forgiven beloved
Hidden in Christ
Made in the image of the Giver of Life
Righteous and holy
Reborn and remade
Accepted and worthy, this is our new name

This is who we are now...

Now, that’s a glass that’s overflowing!

Used in a Different Way

COMMENTS

Today, we’re going to discuss the word “used”.  It’s interesting that the same word can have so many different connotations.  My last posting discussed how God uses such an unworthy individual as I to do His work.  That’s a wonderfully positive “use”.  The use I’m feeling today, though, is anything but positive.

NOTES

It’s wonderful to feel used by the One True God.  However, to feel used by another human being is usually negative and disturbing.  Why is that?  To be used by God means that He values me.  When I’m used by other people, it’s usually because they value not me but the benefit they receive from me.  That puts a whole different spin on things.

I’m a nice person.  I’m not bragging, and I’m not saying I’m perfect.  I’m not saying that I’m never cranky or inconsiderate.  All I’m saying is that I was raised to be thoughtful and considerate of other people.  (Credit my mom and dad for that.)  It’s discouraging, though, when someone takes advantage of that “niceness”, uses it for his/her own benefit, and then has no time for me.  Fellowship and relationship aren’t a part of the mix.  I’m wanted for what I can give not for who I am.  They don’t want to spend time with me; they want the benefits they can derive from knowing me.

So, I’m faced with the decision of how to handle this.  What’s the godly thing to do?  I don’t believe that God has called me to be a doormat, but His Word tells me over and over to be kind and to forgive. 

I don’t yet have the solution to this problem, but I have no doubt that He has a way for me to deal with it and that He will reveal it in His perfect timing.  I’m up very early this morning because I awoke thinking about this and was unable to go back to sleep.  As I was praying, God showed me the following verse:

“Those who are treated badly for doing good are happy, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”  (Matthew 5:10 New Century Version)

You may be more familiar with the following wording of that verse from the Sermon on the Mount, one of the Beatitudes:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  (Matthew 5:10 New International Version)

God gave me the New Century Version (NCV) this morning because I never would have connected with the NIV.  I don’t feel “persecuted”, and I certainly don’t feel “righteous”.  But I do feel mistreated for doing good.  And what is God’s promise to me?  That I am (“am”, not “will be”) happy.  Honestly, I’m not happy about being mistreated.  I’m not happy that I’m going to have to deal with this situation.  But I am overjoyed that I’m a part of the kingdom of heaven!

“Depend on the Lord; trust Him, and He will take care of you.  Then your goodness will shine like the sun, and your fairness like the noonday sun.  Wait and trust the Lord.”  (Psalm 37:5-7a NCV)

Follow-up Note:

I almost didn’t post this because the Lord has healed my heart and allowed me to get past the emotions expressed above.  The situation hasn't changed, but I have.  He may have me say something, and He may not.  Either is okay with me.

The reason I feel led to post it anyway is because those feelings were honest.  That was truly the way I felt at the time.  You may feel that way about something, as well.  Satan loves to take our thoughts and feelings and blow them out of proportion.  In his hands, a hill becomes a mountain.  I encourage you to take it to the Lord and allow Him to apply His healing balm.  His “medicine” makes the boo-boo better!

Used, In Spite Of...

COMMENTS

When I look at my life, I see things that I’m ashamed of.  Things I wish weren’t there.  But, amazingly, I also see times that God has used me.  Why would He do that?

NOTES

As I read my Bible, I find story after story about people who have messed up.  Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Samson, David, Peter, Paul—to name a few.  How would you like for your sin to be recorded in God’s Book for all to read, generation after generation?  No, thanks!  Yet, each of these people were used by God in MIGHTY ways.  Many of them are listed in Hebrews 11, the famous “Hall of Faith”.

How in the world did that happen?  It happened because God sees our sin, but He also sees our hearts.  The heart that loves God and longs to please Him, to see Him, is a heart that can be used.  And so, He uses it.

Like the rest of the human race, I’m a mess.  I’m a sinner (the subject of my last posting).  When I look at my life, especially some particularly wayward times, I wonder why God would even want me.  I don’t see myself as a particularly promising specimen for the Kingdom of God.

Yet, God’s Word tells us that God looks at us differently than our peers look at us or than the way we look at ourselves:

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7)

And:

“Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, because we have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.”  (Jeremiah 31:34)

And, again:

“Happy is the person whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned.”  (Psalm 32:1)

What does all this mean?  It means that when God looks at me, He sees not who I was but who I am in Him.  And who I am in Him is one who can be used.  He has used me.  I’m not worthy of that.  I don’t understand it.  But the fact remains that He has done it.  That astonishing fact gives me great joy—and purpose!  Where have I sometimes been the most useful?  In areas where I have sinned.  Once again, I see Romans 8:28 at work:  “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.  Was my sin good?  Absolutely not!  Did God bring good out of it?  Absolutely yes!

So, maybe the title of this commentary is wrong.  My sin, in the Master’s hands, has been redeemed.  That which Satan longed to use to drag me down was used by God to lift others up.  He didn’t use me “in spite of”.  He used me “because of”.  Because of His grace.  Because of His mercy.  Because of His forgiveness.  Because of His love.

Answered Prayer

COMMENTS

Do you ever look back at a situation and, suddenly, realize that it was an answer to one of your prayers?  That happened to me this morning as I thought about something that happened yesterday.

NOTES

I messed up.  That email I got was simply laugh-out-loud hilarious.  So I laughed out loud and proceeded to forward it to a few close friends.  It was a little “off color”, so I included a comment that the receiver should let me know if it was offensive so that I wouldn’t send any future off-color missives their way.  The need to include such a comment should have been a wake-up call.

That happened night before last.  As I lay in bed, little pricks of conscience nagged me; but they were easy enough to ignore.  I suppose the Spirit was working on me as I slept because by mid-morning yesterday my conscience was in full-blown revolt.  I couldn’t think about anything else.  So, I surrendered.  I asked God to forgive me and determined to send an apologetic email to my victims as soon as I got home.

At that moment, peace came.  I sent the apology as promised and went about the business of the day.

Now, let me back up a step.  Recently, I have been bothered that the list of sins that I confess in my prayers has been so short.  I know that I’m far from perfect and that I’m sinning more than in those few areas.  So, I started confessing those “unknown” sins and asking the Lord to reveal them to me.  As I prayed this morning, God showed me that what happened yesterday was an answer to that prayer.  My conscience (the Holy Spirit at work!) bothered me so much because God was doing exactly what I asked—He was showing me my sin.

Three Bible verses came into play as God and I walked through this experience:

1. When I confessed to Him yesterday morning, God immediately brought Romans 8:28 to my mind.  That verse states that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.  So I prayed that He would use my sin for good.
2. I subscribe to a service that emails me a “Verse of the Day”.  This morning’s verses were Matthew 5:14-16.  The very first line I read was, “You are the light of the world.”  I’ve got to be honest:  that scared me to death!  A light is supposed to be pure and good.  That doesn’t describe me at all!  But I do WANT to be light….
3. Then, God, ever my comforter and encourager, reminded me of Philippians 3:12-14.  I close with that uplifting and reassuring thought from the Apostle Paul:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Death and Life

COMMENTS

The last six weeks have been very busy, but the Lord has also blessed me with moments of rest—which I badly needed!  For those of you who read my last blog, here’s a quick update.  My son’s wedding was beautiful and disaster-free ;-).  They’re a happy little family now, and we are very blessed.  My grandson came home from the hospital on the day of the wedding.  He was still in pain and too weak to attend the wedding, which saddened us all; but we were able to rejoice in the fact that he was home.  His recovery has been very slow, but he no longer has to have the IV antibiotics three times a day—a pill is so much easier to take!  Last week, his summer finally began; and CJ was thrilled to FINALLY be able to spend his days at the pool ;-).  God has blessed us beyond measure!

NOTES

Yesterday was a difficult day for two of my good friends.  Each experienced the death of a family member.  As I thought about each situation, I was struck by the contrasts.  One was an elderly lady, whose children are grown and on their own.  One was a young man with three kids still at home.  One experienced death after a lingering illness, near death numerous times only to rally again and again.  One was an accident, apparently in good health then suddenly seriously injured, lingering only hours before leaving this world.

There were, however, many similarities, too.  Both had their families around them as they died.  Both were strong believers.  As I thought about that last point, I was overjoyed that it was a similarity and not a contrast!

The greatest similarity, of course, is that they are both gone.  They have left their mortal bodies behind and, praise God, they are both rejoicing with their Perfect Savior in His Perfect Heaven!  Even as their families and friends grieve, God offers a source of joy and hope.  For their loved ones who have passed, there is no more pain, suffering, trouble, or sadness.  Now, they experience only joy and peace and love!  I venture to say that they wouldn’t return, even if they could.

I lost my own mother last year, and I can truthfully say that knowing the joy she is experiencing has protected me from the despair that I have witnessed in others; and it has sustained me with joy, peace, and, yes, relief that she no longer suffers. I pray the comfort and peace I experienced will fill the hearts, minds, and souls of these grieving families.

Our God is an ever-present God.  Even in the midst of difficulty, He is there, offering peace, comfort, and HOPE.  His Word is ever true:

“Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those Christians who have died so you will not be sad, as others who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and that He rose again.  So, because of Him, God will raise with Jesus those who have died.”  (1Thessalonians 4:13-14, New Century Version)

Just before my mother passed, the Lord brought to my mind the song Bless the Lord by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman.  I’ll leave you with the final verse:

And on that day when my strength is failing,

                               The end draws near and my time has come,

                               Still my soul will sing your praise unending

                               Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

                               Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul,

                               Worship his holy name.

                               Sing like never before, O my soul.

                               I’ll worship your holy name.

They’re singing!