Devoted to Idols

I gave them my Sabbaths…their hearts were devoted to their idols. 

Ezekiel 20:12, 16

As Kenny read the passage from Ezekiel, memories from forty years ago came flooding back: Twelve-year-old Kenny had the sensation of being watched as he nonchalantly walked out of sight of his house. Once he was sure his parents could no longer see him, he trotted the half mile to the ball field. It was almost 2:00 o’clock. He was late!

He was greeted by jeers from his friends, “Where you been, Tanner? Mommy wouldn’t let you come out to play?” 

“Shut up! I’m here now! Let’s play!” came Kenny’s embarrassed response. 

Kenny’s parents forbid him to play sports on Sunday, saying, “Sunday is the Lord’s day. We honor God by resting from the need to accomplish things by working or pursuing our own pleasures.” How was he supposed to explain it to his friends when he didn’t understand it himself? How could having fun on Sunday be a bad thing? 

Back in the present, Kenny smiled as he realized he now understood his parent’s reasoning for entering God’s rest. 

†

We have quietly, yet steadily removed rest from the Sabbath. There’s just not enough time for us to sacrifice a day of work…or pleasure. ‘God really doesn’t expect us to do nothing for a whole day…does He?!’ we rationalize. Yet, God’s command has never changed—only our perception of it. 

One day a week God invites us to put aside those things we strive to accomplish during the other six. In His invitation we’re meant to find rest for our soul; a day of reflection and restoration. During this down-time He is able to show us which things are important, and which are not. In truth, we can accomplish more by resting on the Sabbath day, allowing Him to prepare us for the next six.  

Today’s scripture is controversial. We reject the notion that we are too busy, or are devoted to materialistic idols, but ask yourself, “What do I do on the Sabbath that I would have trouble giving up?” 

God can’t restore us spiritually if we fail to respond to His invitation by honoring His Sabbath. 

Prayer

“LORD, in today’s fast-paced world I have trouble slowing down. Show me what I covet above our relationship, and help me surrender it to You. Amen.”

Kinsman Warriors

So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”

Zechariah 4:14

Mitch and Lee frequently communicated during the day; mostly by text messaging.

Lee was Mitch’s nephew. He was also a seasoned cop.

Each morning Mitch lifted Lee to the Lord, asking that God give Lee wisdom and strength, with the accompaniment of supernatural protection so he could protect the citizens of his community. “Thank You, Almighty God, for always being conspicuous in Lee’s life. And for always speaking to him in ways he understands. Help him make the right decisions today. Show him things he needs to see, and give him discernment beyond his own. Infuse him with Your strength so that he can protect those You have placed in his care,” Mitch prayed.

As he carried out the duties of his vocation each day, Lee was aware that God would show him the things he needed to see, and speak to him about the things he needed to know. He knew that apart from God, there was no way he could make a real difference. “Thank You, Lord, for those who faithfully pray for me. Thank You for always watching my six. Help me see what’s really happening on the streets today. Surround me with Your warring angels, and use me to make this city a safer place.”

†

When in uniform, we immediately know that Lee is a warrior. But to look at Mitch no one would suspect that he serves God in the same capacity, because he fights his battles inconspicuously.

In today’s passage, the two olive trees represent Zerubbabel and Joshua, one a prince the other a priest; both endued with the gifts and graces of God's Holy Spirit. Although contemporaries, they were of different vocations. But both were mighty men of God.

The same holds true of Mitch and Lee. Both men were created for battle. And so were you. Like Zerubbabel and Joshua, you were created to serve the Lord of all the earth. And whether you serve in the sight of others, or quietly behind the scenes, you are no less integral, no more valuable. You are kinsman warriors.

Prayer

“Almighty God, fill me with Your strength and the fearlessness of a warrior. Watch over me as I engage the enemy on Your behalf. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Eye of the Storm

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:39

For various reasons, many had chosen to remain behind and ride out the storm. Yet as Katrina bore down on the gulf coast, those who had stayed were questioning the wisdom of their decision.

With wind and waves battering their house, the Cullison’s were wishing they’d left when their neighbors had. But it was too late; storm surge blocked the evacuation routes. They were destined to see this through to the end.

As the driving rain beat upon their shuttered windows, one thought became apparent; this was going to be a long day. Around 11:00 am the wind abated, the skies cleared, and they ventured outside for a look. The eye of Katrina had arrived.

The destruction was incomprehensible. Complete homes were gone; debris and wreckage littered the neighborhood. Only the fact that their house was situated on a low hill had kept the storm surge from their doorstep.

Knowing this respite would be brief they checked the exterior of the house and then returned inside to await the arrival of the back wall of the eye, and the rest of the storm. It was remarkable how such peace could exist in the midst of such fury.

†

The storms of life come with and without warning, beating relentlessly upon us. But, like the eye of a hurricane, there is a place where the winds and the waves are held at bay.

Jesus’ words brought peace to a perilous situation…and the hearts of His disciples.

In the poem, ‘The Eye of the Storm’, the author writes, “…the waves may be mountains, the fields battle planes, and the earth be immersed in a deluge of rains, yet the soul stayed on God may sing bravely it's Psalm for the heart of the storm is the center of calm!”

Our refuge and peace are found in the Person of Jesus Christ. For when our eyes are on Him, we are resting in the eye of the storm.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, speak to the winds and the waves in the storms of my life, and bring peace to my heart. Amen.”

He Hears Me When I Cry

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice…Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:1, 2

“Mooooom!?” echoed a young girl’s cry from the shallow end of the pool. Nancy instinctively turned her head toward the cry. Seeing Lindsay wasn’t in any immediate danger, she walked over the where her daughter was splashing water in the face of her cousin, who was doing the same to her.     

“Make him stop, Mom!” Lindsay complained. 

Nancy stifled a laugh, “If you don’t like it, stop splashing Shawn. And, Shawn, big boys aren’t supposed to pick on little girls, especially when it’s their younger cousin,” she admonished her nephew.  

With the situation settled for the time being, Nancy walked back to her chaise lounge and lay back down.

“Where’d you go?” Polly asked opening her eyes just enough to look in her sister’s direction.  

“I heard Lindsay hollering at Shawn.”  

“In this chaos?!” Rachel exclaimed. “There’s got to be two hundred screaming kids in that pool! How’d you hear Lindsay’s voice above all that noise?”    

“I guess my ears are tuned to hear my kids when they need me,” Nancy said. “You’ll hear your baby’s voice when he’s born, too,” she added, pointing to her friend's growing tummy.  

†

As a mother’s ears hear the sound of her child’s voice among a hundred other screaming kids, so is God able to hear our individual cry among the countless voices who cry out to Him.  

The Psalmist was so impressed by the turning of God’s ear to his cry of distress, “Then I called on the name of the LORD: ‘LORD, save me!’ ”, that he resolved to call on the LORD for the rest of his life. 

It is unfathomable to us that God can and does hear our voice even when millions, if not billions of voices are calling His Name at the same time. Omniscience and omnipotence give Him the ability to not only hear us, but enable God to minister to us intimately at the same time He is ministering to others. And although we may not totally understand how God works, we can rest assured that He hears us when we cry. 

  

Prayer

“I am amazed that You can hear me when I cry, LORD. Thank You for always listening. Amen.” 

How Big Is Your Vision of God?

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 

Isaiah 54:2, 3

A missionary from Bandung, Indonesia, Tanya was back for a family wedding. She had come to share with our congregation in this morning’s service. Her message was about God’s vision for us, corporately and individually. She began by asking, “How big is your vision of God? Did you come today expecting Him to fill you up? If so, what size vessel did you bring for Him to fill?” 

Using one of the church’s trash cans as a visual aid, she said, “This trash can holds much more than a drinking glass; both represent vessels that can be filled. So I ask again: What size vessel did you come with today? God will fill whatever you brought, but only an amount equal to our vision of Who He is. How big is your vision of God?”

She spoke about the beauty in Indonesia, the waterfalls, and how powerful they are. “If you came to get water from one of our waterfalls and you only brought a drinking glass it would be filled in less time than it would take to blink your eye. However, if you brought a larger vessel, like this trash can, you could hold so much more! God’s love and grace is like that waterfall roaring over the cliffs. There is more than we can hold, and it’s never-ending. So learn to expect more…and bring the largest vessel you can!”  

†

We, the church, are the City of Zion that today’s text refers to. Our hearts are occupied by God’s Holy Spirit. Isaiah’s prophecy of Zion’s future glory is ours. But in order for it to be of any use, we must tap into this Inner Source and His power.     

Everyone we meet, regardless of the image they portray, needs God’s love and grace because every heart is created by God to commune with Him. We can impact those hearts if we allow God to fill us to overflowing.   

To do this we must enlarge our tents (Make more room for God to fill). i.e.: come expecting to be filled by a larger than life God.     

Prayer

“Fill me to overflowing, Lord, so that I might leak into the lives of those You bring my way. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

The Un-reluctant Benefactors

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

As Marie left her mom and dad’s, her brother-in-law, Kenny, gave her a hug and slipped something into her hand. “It’s not much,” he said, with a look that conveyed there’d be no argument. “We figured you guys might be able to use it. And tell Mitch I don’t want to hear any complaints!” he added good-naturedly, knowing his brother-in-law would accept their gift, but might feel a bit uncomfortable about it.  

What Kenny and Irene didn’t know was that Mitch and Marie had made a house payment just that morning, and their checking account had a balance of only $4.25, a woefully insufficient amount to cover the two utility bills that were due for disconnect in three days.  

Mitch and Marie had prayed when making the house payment that God would provide a way to keep them from losing phone service. Thanks to their un-reluctant benefactors there was enough to pay both bills and fill the gas tank! Now they’d be able to go to church on Sunday! 

†

God does not intend for everyone to start handing out money. But He does expect us to extend a helping hand when He asks. God wants to know the answer to this question: “If I ask you to help your fellow man, are you willing to respond without reluctance?”  

Many of us have the means to, yet we hold on tightly to what we have, believing: “It’s my money!”    

The fact is…its all God’s to begin with. We are merely supposed to be good stewards of what we have.  

God is eager to bless others through generous hearts. That’s why He asked Kenny and Irene. They weren't looking to be blessed; they were looking to be God’s hand of provision. The wonder-filled part is that, although they’d have done it without God’s reciprocity, Kenny and Irene got blessed as well.       

Prayer

“Father, when I take inventory of the things I have I realize that You are generous, Your provision for my life is such a blessing. Help me hold on loosely to everything You’ve given me, and ready to pass it along at any given moment. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Agents of Prophecy

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Colossians 3:21

Dell was one of the smartest kids in school. He was also one of the most under-achieving freshmen Mr. Holman ever taught. Finding ways to engage the young man had proven a challenge.

Mr. Holman talked to Dell’s other teachers and some of his friends, intending to discover why someone so bright seemed to care so little about his future. What he discovered was disturbing. Dell’s father was a bully. Although he never touched Dell physically, he broke his spirit mentally and emotionally, spewing venomous curses at him, “You’re so stupid! You can’t even tell the difference between a spark plug and a fuel injector! What the hell is wrong with you?! You’ll never be a mechanic! You’re worthless!”

Knowing otherwise, Mr. Holman determined to show Dell who he really was. Over time, he was able to penetrate Dell’s protective barriers. Once inside, he spoke words of truth; words to edify and nurture; words of encouragement and support. By his senior year, Dell’s poor self-image had been replaced by one of hope-filled anticipation. His grades mirrored his intellect, and he began setting goals for the future.

†

Day in and day out the man who should have been encouraging Dell was beating him down. Dell, instead of looking toward a successful future in a career he could find pleasure and happiness in, aspired only to only survive and escape his father’s harsh treatment.

We are agents of prophecy. Our children hear everything we say. Not only do our words speak loud and clear, our body language and voice inflection have much to say as well. Make no mistake…children will become who we tell them they are.

Fathers, don’t make the mistake of telling your daughter, “Go change your clothes, you look like a whore!” or she just might turn to the streets for a father’s love.

Our kids go from stroller to SUV in less time than it takes to blink. We have only a small window of influence. We should look for every opportunity to invest wisely.

Sometime today, tell your children how smart they are, and how blessed you are to have them.

Prayer

“Holy Spirit, give me words of encouragement to speak over my children; help me build their self-esteem. And hold my tongue in times of frustration to keep me from discouraging them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”