Conspicuous Provision

He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. 

Daniel 4:35

“Your change, Sir!” the cashier called.

Three cents? Not really worth going back for, Bill thought as he turned, saying, “You can put the three cents in the penny jar.”

“What about the other eighty dollars?!” she asked, bewildered.

“What?! I gave you a Twenty,” Bill responded, recalling the three Twenties he’d placed in his pocket that morning.

“No, Sir,” she said. “You paid me with this Hundred-dollar bill. See,” she adamantly replied, pulling the bill from the drawer to show him. He watched in silent amazement as she replaced the Hundred and counted out eighty dollars change.

Placing the money in his pocket he headed for his other two stops, wondering what had happened. He was positive he’d given her a Twenty, yet couldn’t explain the Hundred she’d produced. He thought of the “loaves and fishes” in Matthew 14, but quickly dismissed it, thinking, Why would God change a Twenty into a Hundred?

His subsequent stops provided the answer. Each of the two purchases was exactly forty dollars! Using the change from the Hundred to pay for them, Bill realized this was a lesson on God’s provision…and the supernatural extremes to which He will go to meet our needs!

†

Change a Twenty into a Hundred? Impossible! Right?!

That depends on how limited or unlimited your perception of God’s power is.

Today’s scenario is the account of one of my closest friends. I believe every word. Why? For two reasons. First…Bill is a godly man of great moral character and integrity; he does not lie. Second and more important…God is capable of doing what Bill claims.

Yet, even with scriptures that exhibit the limitless scope of God’s power and creativity, there is a greater propensity for us to doubt the validity of such claims than there is to believe.

When we were children we had no trouble believing what we were told. Sadly, our grown-up reasoning tells us that these kinds of things don’t really happen.

It is paramount, where the things of God are concerned, that we return to the childlike reasoning of; God said it…I believe Him…case closed.

Prayer

“Creator God, I want a simple, childlike faith, that believes in Your complete and omnipotent power. Help me believe. Amen.”

Even Now

You are the God who performs miracles;

Psalm 77:14

In the weeks since surgery had repaired his three congenital heart defects, two-month-old Nathan had failed to thrive, and was kept alive only by the machines his tiny body was connected to. Last night, the doctors had said, “We suggest you cut a lock of Nathan’s hair and take some pictures. We are going to remove him from life-support in the morning without orders to resuscitate.”

Yet, today’s cold gray dawn, and the doctor’s fatal proclamation could not dampen Ruben and Melinda’s faith, for God had spoken His truth into this critical situation as they’d knelt to pray in the hospital’s chapel last night. Emotionally and spiritually spent, Melinda had simply uttered, “Please, God…” And God had whispered, “Even now I perform miracles.”

Melinda had run to the Neonatal ICU to see what God had done. In truth, there had been no blinding light or instant healing. In its place was minor improvement.

“Don’t you think he looks better?” Melinda had asked the night nurse.

“Possibly,” had been the noncommittal response.

But Nathan’s ‘disconnect’ was postponed as the doctors concurred; “There are signs of improvement. Let’s see what happens over the next two days.” One month later, the Clarks, equipped with seven different medications, took Nathan home!

It’s been sixteen years since that day, and Nathan’s Gortex™ patches and reconstructive procedures have stood the test of time…and God’s promise, “Even now I perform miracles!”

†

Death is preordained (Hebrews 9:27), our time here is known only by our Creator (Psalm 139:16). When it hits close to home we are faced with our own mortality, and when it seeks someone we love we, like the Clarks, petition for a miracle, asking God to delay the inevitable. At that time, God will provide the miracle we ask for, or comfort us in its absence. Only God, in His infinite wisdom, knows which is best.

Regardless of the impending outcome, in each case, we should pray, asking for the supernatural believing that the God Who created us even now performs miracles.

Prayer

“LORD, grow in me a faith that believes in miracles, and trusts You even in death. In Jesus’ Name, amen”

To read more of Nathan’s story, go to Melinda’s blog at: http://whyibelieveinmiracles.blogspot.com/ Saturday, August 30, 2008

Nothing Is Something

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens.
Isaiah 40:26

Jill’s father turned his head toward her and quietly whispered, “It’s close to bedtime, kiddo. Five more minutes then we gotta land this spacecraft, and you gotta hit the books.” Jill’s passion for lying under the night sky had been passed on to her by her father. He saw relevance in his and his daughter’s stargazing.
His own father had not seen things that way. “Get in this house and get your homework done now!” he would scold. It seemed he couldn't understand his son’s fascination. He said the same thing every time. “There’s more to life than watchin’ stars, boy. Go do somethin’ worthwhile!”
“Well, Dad,” he whispered into the night, “as far as I’m concerned, watching stars is doing something.” He wished his father could have understood his interest. “And as long as Jill has a love for the heavens, I’m going to encourage her.”
A few minutes later, Jill squealed with delight. A huge green blaze had just arced from one side of the sky to the other! “Oh, Daddy, that’s the brightest shooting star ever! I’m glad we saw it together!” She couldn’t see his smile but could hear him say, “Me too, honey! Me too. Maybe someday you’ll get a closer look from space. You just keep lookin’ up.”

†

Doing things that to some appear senseless or serve no relevant purpose does not necessarily equate to doing nothing.
Not all of us are called to become astronauts, yet many of them had their interest piqued by watching the night sky. The stars are beautiful, and seeing a falling star fascinates each of us. You don’t have to aspire to be launched into space to enjoy the stars.
Just because we don’t see the value of something does not negate it. With an eternal perspective, seemingly meaningless things can have vast significance.

Prayer

“Lord, help me see the value in things that don’t necessarily interest me. Help me encourage others to seek the things that bring them joy in Your kingdom. Amen.”

Unnecessary Punishment

For Christ died for sins once for all…to bring you to God.

1 Peter 3:18 (author’s emphasis)

It had been a sleepless night, full of questions. Myriad thoughts wound their way through Mitch’s mind…and hopefully to a listening God’s ear. Around 5 am God whispered, “Your sin has received all the punishment necessary.”

Immediately Mitch’s mind argued, “I know Jesus’ blood covered my sin. But I keep making mistakes!”

“And?” God asked lovingly.

“I feel so careless. How can You still be pleased with me?”

“I was pleased with you before you awakened at 2:00 am when all this started, before you had any input in your day,” God gently chastened. Then He said, “You are Mine, and I am always pleased with you! You are looking for punishment that isn't coming.”

Knowing Mitch wasn't convinced, God set in motion a series of events to show His loving faithfulness.

Each devotion Mitch read that morning held meaning to each of last night’s questions…a song he listened to spoke of God’s unfailing love…and to settle the matter, when Mitch went for his morning walk, he encountered Tom, a brother in the Lord, who just happened to be working on the hiking trail in Mitch's remote area of the county! Their subsequent conversation spoke to the the heart of Mitch's doubt.

†

Many Christians suffer from a performance-based mindset. They believe God sees and judges them through their actions, and therefore is angry when they make mistakes, or pleased when they've done something good. In their mind there is no other option, no room for grace. They're mistakes require unmediated punishment, and they never feel wholly forgiven.

Mitch and Tom’s meeting that day was not by chance, it was divine in nature; God was leaving no room for doubt as to how He felt about Mitch. That divine appointment settled the matter in Mitch’s heart, and hopefully it's truth will find it's way into yours.

When Jesus died on Calvary’s cross it was for all sin…for all time! Not just for those of the past and present, and those in someone else’s future.

Yet, many of us still question how our sin can’t deserve further punishment.

The complete answer is deep, and not to be stumbled upon. As you come to the Father for answers, He will provide them…much as He did for Mitch. But rest assured, your performance has no effect on what God sees when He looks at you.

Prayer

“Although I don’t fully understand it, LORD, bring me to the knowledge that all my sin was atoned for on Calvary…and while I’m getting there, lead me in love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

By Invitation Only

Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.
Luke 14:15

She had not always been a popular woman. But today they were begging for an invitation to tonight’s party. Reporters lined the sidewalks by the gate, waiting for her to appear and bless them with an invitation. They stood for hours, waiting.
When the owner of the estate made her appearance, it was brief.
She smiled and read a short, prewritten statement: “As none of you responded to my prior invitations, I have invited a select group to dine with me tonight. My guests will be arriving momentarily. Please be considerate and allow them to pass. Once again, this banquet is by invitation only. Please do not attempt to gain entrance or you will be arrested, and I will press charges against you.” With that, she returned to the house.
Ten minutes later, limousines from every escort company in the city began pulling up to the gate. They provided proof of invitation and then drove to the large portico and presented their guests to the hostess.
To the paparazzi’s amazement, the guests appeared to be beggars and homeless people. The hostess had them chauffeured from their cardboard homes as though they were royalty!

†

In the blink of an eye, all invitations to the feast in the kingdom will be sealed and no more will be issued. The King will determine that the banquet should begin, and there will be no admittance to those who do not have a personal invitation.
Until then, God continues to issue an open invitation to any and all who would receive Him. Because of the blood of Jesus we have the right to RSVP, which is to tell the Host whether or not we plan to attend.
Those who respond will partake of all the goodness of the kingdom. They will be seated in a position of prominence at the King’s table.
And just like those in today’s story, there will be many who will be turned away, never having accepted God’s Son. Admittance to heaven is by invitation only. Have you sent your RSVP?

Prayer

“I gratefully accept Your invitation today, Lord. Thank You for sending Your Son to escort me to the dinner party. Amen.”

The Knife

Fathers, do not exasperate your children.
Ephesians 6:4

At fifteen, Allen had been trying to get his father’s attention for as long as he could remember. All he’d wanted was to play catch, a video game, maybe go fishing or something. He just wanted to do anything with his dad, but his dad was always too busy.
On an impulse, Allen took one of his dad’s special knives from his favorite collection and sold it to a kid at school. He couldn't tell you why he’d done it; all he knew was that he was angry at his dad.
His silent cry for attention went unchecked for several weeks until one day his dad asked, “Do you know where my knife is, Allen?”
“You mean the fancy hand-carved handled one in the case?” Allen baited his dad, a look of defiance on his face.
His father bristled at his insolence. “Where is it, Allen?” he demanded.
Allen continued the farce. “Yeah, I remember seeing it somewhere; now, where was that?”
“What’d you do with the knife, Allen?” his dad barked in response to Allen’s attitude. He concluded with a consequence-inferred declaration, “You tell me right now or so help me … ”
“I sold it! Okay?” Allen screamed, red faced, tears streaming down his cheeks. “So what? What’re you gonna do to me?”

†

Allen wanted what was rightfully his: love and attention from his father. And though his actions were misguided, he contrived to get his father’s attention any way he could.
When we fail to give our children our time and attention, they go elsewhere to assuage their hunger for these inherent natural urges. Many substitute drugs, alcohol, sex, and gang life—almost anything for the love they crave.
In the busyness of our society, our children quite literally are fending for themselves. We shop them out to the closest family member or friend to give ourselves time to fit one more thing into our already over-stuffed schedules, only to find them disconnected, pregnant, and in trouble with the law.
Make no mistake: there is no replacement for our time. Our children need not suffer exasperation. Give of yourself to those who matter most.

Prayer

“Lord, help me provide the love my kids need—in time and affection, in connectivity and bonding. In Jesus’ strength and Name, amen.”

Just be a Thistle

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

Luke 21:14

As I walked, meditating on how God uses us to spread the Gospel, I was prompted to ask Him how He intended to use me. As I meditated I became concerned about what my service to the Lord would look like. Since with me concern sometimes preempts worry, God took that moment to intervene, “Look at that thistle.”

Thistles intrigue me; spiny, perfectly rounded cones with that beautiful bloom, surrounded by sweeping tendrils that look so fragile. So when God said, “Look” I did so with fascination, asking, “Okay. What?”

“Where have you found these?” He asked.

“Pretty much from the East to the West,” I responded.

His next question was two-part, “How did they get there, and did they have anything to do with it?”

I realized He was painting me into a corner, “The wind and the birds scatter the seeds, Lord. And no, the thistle has no control over it.” Then before He could ask, I added, “And no, it doesn't worry about how it will propagate.”

“So why is it we keep having this discussion?” He gently admonished.

“Because I’m slow to trust that You’ll do what’s best,” I answered, knowing He wasn't quite done.

“Everything without self-will serves its created purpose. A life of self-will, yielded wholly to Me, can do the same.” Then He added, “There’s a lot less stress involved.”

What could I say? Kneeling on the spot, I committed to simplicity, “I pledge right now, LORD, to just be a thistle, leaving the seeds I bear in Your hands for the scattering.”

†

We should care about the witness we share with the world…we should not be concerned in the how or where of that witness.

Jesus, in today's text, instructed the Disciples to make up their minds ahead of time to not worry about what they’d say when tested, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through them. Having heeded Jesus' instruction, the Disciple's words carried power and truth.

This directive applies to our witness as well. A life wholly yielded to God, daily giving Him our cares and concerns, empowers us with confidence through His Holy Spirit. And then, just like the thistle, God can direct us to the people and places we are meant to witness to.

Prayer

“I've made up my mind, LORD. I’m Your thistle. Lead on. Amen.”