The Good Fight

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

She’d left the house in a huff—the typical Sunday morning routine lately. Kids in tow, arguing, “If Dad doesn’t have to go to church, why do we?” She pressed on, angry and feeling defeated. This was a battle she no longer felt like fighting; she was ready to give up. 

“Are You watching, God? Do You care about my family? 

I hate fighting with Rick.” He’d been wounded at church years ago and refused to allow it to happen again. “Why did You let that happen, Lord? Don’t You care that he was wounded?”

As she pulled into the parking lot, she glanced toward the digital marquee in front of the church. Doing a double take, she looked back. Today’s message read, “I know sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, but I am watching. God.” Staring at the marquee as the message scrolled by once more, she sensed God’s presence and peace. “Give me strength, Lord.” she whispered.

†

We are never alone. Occasionally, when it seems He is nowhere near our galaxy, the God Who set the stars in the sky and calls them by name, kneels down and speaks ours.

Singlehandedly rearing children in the Lord was never God’s design. Many deal with spouses who would rather play nine holes, sleep in, or just relax and read the Sunday paper than attend church.

If you are one who is fighting this battle, remember that God is at work while you are being faithful for both of you. He wants you to know this is a battle for your children’s future and spiritual direction, as well as your spouse’s. When you choose to fight the good fight, you follow the exhortation in Galatians. Those who walk away from God must come back on their own. It’s called free will. But God says, “Do not become weary, for at the proper time you will reap the harvest.”

Prayer

“Lord, give me strength to continue this fight. Heal my heart and the wounds of those I love. Bring resolution to painful memories and restore us to complete spiritual health. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 

In Faith

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Matthew 21:22

Doug was in the first year of his pastorate at Faith Hill Fellowship. One of his responsibilities was facilitating a weekly drug-rehab meeting in the church’s basement. After loading a box of supplies into the back of the van, Doug, and his wife, Linda, climbed in for the ten mile trip to the church.

Doug noticed the gas gauge read empty. “That’s strange,” he commented.

“What’s strange?” she asked.

“I filled the tank yesterday, now it’s empty.” Realization dawned, “Somebody broke into the garage and siphoned our gas last night!”

“No way!” Linda wasn’t sure if she was more mad than scared over the sanctity of their home being violated.

Doug forced himself to focus on the immediate problem…he began to pray, “Lord, we need to be at this meeting. I ask that You restore what the thief has stolen. Please cause what gas is left in the tank to get us there. Amen.”

“You can’t be serious!” Linda argued. “We’ll never make it!”

“God’s word says that if we believe, we have what we ask for. I believe He’ll get us there,” he said pragmatically. So, pulling out of the garage, they put feet to their faith. As they drove the gauge never moved. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the church without incident. Opening the van’s back door to get the box, Doug was amazed to find a $20 dollar bill lying beside it. It hadn’t been there when he’d loaded the box! Besides stretching the gas, God had mysteriously provided for a tank of gas too!

†

Doug and Linda will never forget the way God answered their prayer. It is well they shouldn’t; it was answered exactly as they had believed for in faith!

Stories like Doug and Linda’s are not uncommon. Divine arrangements are no big deal for the Creator of the Universe. Our expectations, however, tend to lack unyielding belief. We generally give up before the manifestation.

God is interested in teaching us about His nature, and will go about doing that in wonder-filled ways that stretch both us…and our faith. Would you, in faith, be willing to ask, expecting His answer?

Prayer

“Lord, Your word says I should ask believing. Help me believe. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

 

Blindsided By Pride

Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart,

2Chronicles 32:26

Lisa loved to sing. And since she’d begun singing for Jesus, she enjoyed it even more. Her voice was amazing; her range unlimited. The sweet resonance in her voice produced a rarely-heard quality. It was as though every song she sang had been written for her. This was her passion, her ministry, and she’d always spent time in prayer choosing just the right song for each performance.

The accolades and compliments were diverse and well-deserved; “What a tremendous gift!” “You have such a wonderful voice!” “Oh! I wish I could sing like that!” her fans would say, appreciative of her talent.

And Satan, unwilling to leave Lisa’s service to God uncontested, began seducing her, “You don‘t need to pray about which songs you sing. God wants what’s best for you, doesn’t He? You should be choosing songs that showcase your voice, songs that expose your tremendous range and matchless talent.”

And so began a period of self-indulgence. Forgotten were the warnings of getting caught up in selfish ambition. In time the joy began to fade. In its place came complacency. And one night, during a performance, she forgot the lyrics, her voice cracked, and she fled the stage in humiliation and shame. Realizing she’d become proud, Lisa wept in regret. Moved by this revelation she repented, asking God to forgive her prideful heart, “I promise, Lord, if you allow me to sing again, I will do my best to never allow Satan to blindside me with the glory meant for You.”

†

Pride is seductive. It tells us how wonderful we are instead of reminding us from Whom our gifts come. Caught up in the applause, the temptation to focus on our gift instead of the Gift-Giver becomes strong. Instead of serving for God’s glory we become driven by the gift.

But thank You, Jesus, for not allowing us to remain there in our pride-induced ignorance!

King Hezekiah, moved by God’s wrath, saw his pride and repented. Should God expose us as prideful, we have only to follow Hezekiah and Lisa’s examples.

Prayer

“I’m more easily deceived than I want to admit, Lord. Show me when my pride is flexing its muscles so I can willfully bring it under control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

 

Reflecting Our Faith

…living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God…

Romans 12:1

Jake was learning to walk, and his parents, Olivia and Michael, couldn’t wait to witness those first few steps. Olivia held Jake from behind while Michael coaxed him, “C’mon Buddy!” The look on their faces showed both anticipation and anxiety. “It’s okay, Jaky, Daddy won’t let you fall; trust me,” he assured his son.

Jake took a tentative step, turned, and looked up at his mother, seeking reassurance. She smiled and echoed Michael’s words of encouragement, “Daddy won’t let you fall, Honey. Go ahead…walk to Daddy.”

Jake grinned, and letting go of Olivia’s hand, wove his way to Michael in a bobble-headed journey lasting six independent steps!

The subsequent mixture of tears and jubilation startled Jake, causing him to respond in confusion and tears. Michael lifted him to eye-level and smiled, saying, “Sorry, Jake. We didn’t mean to startle you. Everything’s okay,” Michael said, and tossed Jake into the air and caught him. This was one of Jake’s favorite things; his tears instantly turned to giggling and laughter. Michael stood him on the floor and said, “Mommy and I are so proud of you!”

“You’re such a big boy, Jake! You walked so far! And Daddy didn’t let you fall,” Olivia added, emphasizing the didn’t let you fall so Jake could make the connection between his fear, and learning to trust.

†

Paul’s letter to the Romans is a guide to Christian living; the learning curve between our faith and trust…and God’s ability to handle us with care. Paul invites us to live through the power of the Holy Spirit for Christ through faith.

Faith expresses itself through obedience; it always reflects what’s hidden inside. In our Spiritual infancy, we, like children learning to walk, are hesitant; we must assess the risk before submitting ourselves to Someone with which we have no history. We guard each step until we find we are on solid ground.

As we mature we learn to trust unreservedly. And once in true relationship, our lives become pleasing and holy, reflecting our faith.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, help me become a living sacrifice that others might see You though me. Guide and protect me as I renew the way I think about my life, lived for Your glory. Amen.”

 

Let Healing Begin

I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD…

Jeremiah 30:17

Shaun had fallen out of a tree in the vacant lot up the road and was literally covered with abrasions from falling through its branches. Deaf from birth, communicating where the worst pain was located was difficult.

“Maww!” he cried as Rachel dabbed the cuts on his face with antiseptic. He signed, S.T.O.P! She suspended treatment to determine what it was he was trying to tell her. “Nodahurt!” he blurted, while signing, m.y. b.a.c.k.

Turning him around, Rachel lifted his shirt to find a saucer-sized bruise, “Did you land on your back?” she asked.

“Es!” he answered, and then, “Rrrrok!”

Superficial abrasions forgotten, Rachel gently probed the injury. With each touch Shaun winced, “Unngg!” He repeated S.T.O.P!

Deciding a doctor’s visit was in order, Rachel explained to the situation to Shaun.

The look on his face said he wasn’t so sure he should have shown her. “It’s okay, Buddy,” she assured him, “the doctor will be gentle.”

Shaun quietly endured the doctor’s poking and prodding. Following an x-ray the doctor reentered the exam room and addressed Rachel’s concern, “Nothing broken, Mrs. Helms. Pretty deep bruise though. He’ll be sore for a couple weeks, but he’ll make a full recovery with no residual effects.”

†

At times we struggle to tell God where it hurts. Not because He doesn’t know where the pain originates, but because we’re not sure we want to endure the temporary discomfort of healing.

When we are wounded our immediate concern is to dull the pain. So we pull out the spiritual antiseptic, something we feel capable of applying ourselves, and dab lightly at the symptoms; that’ll take care of it we say, and off we go. And in the process the true cause of our pain is left unattended.

Treating the cause instead of the symptoms requires enduring God’s probing touch. Like Shaun, we must submit to examination. But God will not force us to confront our pain. Instead, He promises to be gentle, and invites us to let healing begin.

Prayer

“I know that You see my pain, LORD. But letting You touch it frightens me. Help me in faith and trust to submit to Your healing power. Make me whole in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

 

Kept By The Company We Keep

‘Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

1Corinthians 15:33

Reece was the new kid. He hadn’t been particularly popular in his former school, but he’d had some good friends. Longing for acceptance, he was letting his emotions override his good sense. He started hanging with a group of kids that didn’t have any respect for rules. Most of them smoked; something Reece considered foolish at best…stupid in light of the overwhelming link to cancer. They drank too. No matter they were all underage, it was cool, so they did it.

Need is a strong motivator, and Reece began tipping back a bottle or two to show himself worthy of their company. Soon he was popping pills from the Pharm Pond—the term used for the stash acquired from raids on their parents’ prescriptions.

In the span of a year Reece slid into a lifestyle diametrically opposed to his previous beliefs, becoming a person of interest with local law enforcement. On a snowy evening, Reece, with drugs on the seat beside him, tried to outrun police. Busy trying to scoop up his stash to pitch out the window, Reece looked up too late to negotiate the turn he was entering. The ensuing wreck left him a paraplegic. Not one of his so-called friends visited him during his six months of rehabilitation.

Reece accepted responsibility for his actions and was placed on probation for three years. During that time he re-discovered his relationship with Jesus, re-evaluated his choices, and decided never to settle for less than a true friend in the future.

†

Many have said, “I don’t have to do what they’re doing to be their friend.” The truth is, if we hang around them long enough we’re bound to adopt some of their habits, eventually compromising our integrity.

No one is exempt from temptation. The longer we passively resist, the greater the odds become that we’ll cave in at some point, doing the very thing that repulsed us before. The truth is we are kept by the company we keep.

Prayer

“I want to be wise about my friendships, Lord. Help me choose with wisdom for my future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

 

In His Sight

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere…

Proverbs 15:3

Shane crossed the finish line in second place; his best finish at this level! Runner-up at the premier event of the year in track and field was quite a feat; and he’d run a personal best to do it!

As he watched reporters gather-round the winner he felt a momentary twinge of jealousy. Second place is the first loser! ran through his mind. Just as quickly he felt God say, “You are not a loser! I know the truth! I saw what you did! You ran with your whole heart; you left nothing in reserve. Do not let the enemy steal your joy! Stand firm in your accomplishment and do not surrender to your flesh.”

A smile dawned, spreading until it covered his face. Shane raised his hands in triumph, index fingers toward Heaven in a victory declaration. A few watching responded with applause. Their response became contagious. Focus shifted from the first-place interview to what was now a full-fledged celebration! Shane had dropped to his knees, giving thanks to God for his athletic abilities.

Several reporters, so taken by his candid display of emotion, approached and asked the reason for his celebration, alleging, “How can you be satisfied with second place when you were so close to winning?”

Shane looked from one reporter to the other as he answered, “That’s what’s so great! I have never run a race so perfectly, and been so close! Watching him dig deep to beat me means I brought out the best in him too! What a wonderful feeling to know we both gave our all!”

†

Competition is meant to be healthy. To give our all is the most any of us can ever hope for, and order of finish should never be placed above personal accomplishment; only misguided ignorance rates placement above performance. Great effort is to be commended.

As God continually watches over each of us, He sees the good, the bad, everything we do, yet loves us unconditionally. We should remain conscious of His observation, conduct ourselves accordingly, and remember; He knows when we give our best.

Prayer

“I forget that You’re watching sometimes, LORD. May You always find what I’m doing as pleasing in Your sight. Amen.”