How Personal Are Your Prayers?

Throw your burden upon the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will never allow the godly to be shaken.

Psalm 55:22 

I love the way David gets descriptive in the Psalms.  He tells us to, quite literally, THROW our burdens on God's shoulders!  What happens when you throw something?  YOU HAVE TO LET GO OF IT!  When we throw our burdens, stresses, anxieties, struggles on His shoulders, He expects us to let go of them and leave them in HIS care.

Think about it...when we pray specifically about an issue, the burden becomes lighter.  Most of the time when we pray, we are so vague and general.  For example, "I have a meeting in the morning, bless me during that time."  How vague is that?  If someone said that to you, would you know what they wanted?  True, God knows everything, but He wants to make sure that WE trust Him with our burdens by our ability to voice them.  How about this: "Abba, I have a meeting in the morning that I am anxious about.  I want to make a good presentation, but You know how I have trouble with public speaking.  Please loosen my tongue and ease my mind so I can make this presentation understandable and informative.  Give me the words to say which will make the presentation interesting."

Give specific voice to your requests. Open up to God about what's on your mind and heart.  Give HIM all your cares, worries, stresses, anxieties, joys, happiness, celebrations.  Tell God everything without fear!

How Specific Should We Pray?

"This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’—let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.”

Genesis 24:14 

 

Abraham sent one of his servants to find a wife for his son, Isaac.  Now, this servant knew of the God of Abraham, and Abraham had told this servant that God would sent His angel ahead to prepare the wife for Isaac.  So off the servant went, wondering how he would be able to find the proper wife for Isaac and how he would not disappoint Abraham.

 

When he arrived at a spring, he prayed a VERY specific prayer:  "I will ask one of the young women for a drink from her water jug. IF SHE SAYS: 'Yes, have a drink, AND I will water your camels too.'" IF this happens, I will know that she is the one God has chosen.  This servant didn't even finish his prayer before Rebekah came for water.  The interchange this servant had with Rebekah was EXACTLY what he had asked God as proof.

 

The more I pondered this passage, the more I began to realize how many of my prayers were simply "small talk."  "Small Talk" are those niceties we say to one another, where we talk about the weather, the latest game, and nothing really of any substance.  I was reminded how much I dislike "small talk" when I had a truly in-depth conversation with a coworker.  We talked about things that actually made a difference, and it was FANTASTIC!  That is the kind of conversation I want and need to have with God!  Very Specific! Very in-depth!  Very Often! 

 

"Could You Be More Specific?"

When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

Matthew 20:32 

 

My Bride sent me to the grocer to get some butter.  That's all she said, "I need some butter."  Don't start groaning and rolling your eyes at me.  I went to the store, acquired her requested item, and upon returning from my safari, proudly handed her my trophy.  She stared at it for a moment.  Then she stared at my proud smile for a moment.  Then she said, "What is THIS?"  I told her it was the butter she asked me to get.  She then let me know that, not only had I gotten the wrong brand, but the incorrect size, and it was the wrong KIND of butter (I had no idea that there was butter, butter spread, with canola oil, without canola oil, with sea salt, without any salt, stump whooped, pig trodden, found on the roadway...the list was endless).  Needless to say, my pride of returning from the hunt diminished greatly.

 

The next time she asked me to venture forth to the grocer for an item, I took a picture of the item she requested, mounted my faithful Kia Soul, and Hi Ho Martian, returned with the correct item.  Why?  Because the description was specific!

 

Consider how we choose to pray....we are very VERY vague ("And Father, be with each of us").  And we are NOT very specific ("And heal the sick"). Look at today's verse, Jesus was passing through a town when two blind men heard Him coming. So they called out to Jesus to "Come help us!"  That's a pretty vague request, isn't it.  Help us do what?  Tie a shoe, cross the street, match your clothes, pick out a good food for your pet, the possibilities are endless.  That's why Jesus made a specific point to get more information by asking them, "What do you want Me to do?"

 

True, God knows what we need and what we want, but many times WE aren't so sure.  When we are specific, God likes that kind of conversation with us because we take the time to speak with Him on purpose instead of merely throwing up some vague afterthought few phrases so we can mark off "Prayed Today" on our card.  

 

The best conversations I have ever had were deep, specific, information, and reciprocal!  Let's start having deep conversations with God and you will see Him move mountains in your life!

The Art of Presence

When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

Job 2:12-13 

 

I held his hand as he drew his last breath.  I didn't want to let go of his hand.  My best friend in the world was gone and the pain was excruciating!  I could manage only tears, which burned like acid.  I could barely breathe, mainly because I didn't want to breathe any longer.  Then a nurse came in.  I figured he was there to tell me I had to leave, but he simply pulled up a chair, and sat with me without saying a word.  How long we sat, I couldn't say, but the comfort of someone who cared enough about the turmoil I was enduring to just sit with me brought so much peace.

 

Job's friends heard about Job's troubles (he lost everything, except his wife who told him to "Curse God and die), and they came to try to comfort him in his misery.  When they saw Job's misery, they tore their clothes, threw dust on their heads, and wailed loudly.  Then, they sat on the ground with Job for SEVEN DAYS AND NIGHTS.  And here's the kicker: "No one said a word to Job."  

 

My point is this, comfort does not require words!  As a matter of fact, two of the most inane things a person can say to one who is grieving...

*    "It could have been worse" - Yes, it could have been, but right now I don't care because THIS is the worst if could be. 

 

*    "I know how you feel."  - You know how YOU felt, but YOU have NO idea how I feel, because you are not me.

 

The best thing to be said, "I love you" and "I'm here" and then sit quietly...THIS is the Art of Presence!

Closer Than We Realize

How close do you think God is to you?  Think about it, God pledges His presence to His people over and over.  "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your great reward" (Genesis 15:1).  "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).  "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Think about this, God called Himself Immanuel, which literally means "God with us."  Then He became flesh in the form of Jesus, He defeated the grave, and He is still with us.  And now, God is with us in the form of the Holy Spirit!  

How close is God?  Closer than our next breath, closer than our own skin, closer than our own thoughts!

How Gentle Are You?

What does it mean to let your "gentleness" be evident to all?  Does it mean to be weak, soft, easily led?  Nope.  The Apostle Paul was not noted for being weak or soft or easily led.  He was known for his tenacity!  So what does he mean by "gentleness"?

The Greek word used here, and you know how much I like researching words, literally means "mature wisdom."  Mature Wisdom is levelheaded.  Mature Wisdom is tempered. It is not rash.  It is not quick to spout off.  Mature Wisdom contagiously calm.  The words of a gentle person can calm a rough situation.  The manners of a gentle person will draw others to act accordingly, not by loud proclamations our boisterousness, but in the calm way a person acts (usually without words at all).  It comes with understanding that God is in control of everything.

Paul is reminding us that we are to live in such gentleness.  We are to BE the calming assurance others need to experience and emulate.  Jesus is the prime example of a truly gentle spirit.  Remember when He was told that Lazarus was sick?  Did He panic and dash off in a rush?  No.  He calmly accepted the news knowing that God is in control.  Jesus is the example we need to emulate as well.

Let us learn to become Gentle, Mature, and Levelheaded.

Tailor Made

Don’t you see, you planned to be rid of me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.

Genesis 50:20 

Look at the life of Joseph, beloved son of Jacob:  

     *  His brothers didn't like him, so they threw him in a pit, then sold him into slavery, then they LIED to their own father about what happened.

     *  The person who bought him as a slave in Egypt happened to be a very powerful person.  Joseph went about his duties in such a way that God raised his reputation in the household and Joseph was put in charge of the household.  But his owner's wife didn't like the way Joseph didn't do what she wanted, when she wanted, so she LIED to everyone, especially her husband, and Joseph was thrown out of the house and into jail.

     *  While Joseph was in jail, he was a model prisoner, the head jailer put him in charge of the entire operation and gave him free reign.  Joseph even explained to other inmates about their dreams.  The other inmates, who worked for the king, told Joseph that they would get him released when they talked with the king.  And they forgot about him.

     * When the Pharaoh had a dream he didn't understand, suddenly Joseph was remembered by the former inmate and Pharaoh sent for him.  When Joseph explained the Pharaoh's dream, he was put in charge of the entire land of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.

     * Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to get food and had to face Joseph, who they had gotten rid of years earlier.  Eventually, Joseph told his brothers who he was and they were afraid and ashamed because of the way they had treated Joseph.

Pause here for a moment:  You may not like the way things are going in your life.  You may not think it's fair.  People may have treated you in ways you thought were unfair, unpleasant, and outright cruel.  They may have, as Joseph's brothers, tried to get rid of you.  Because of all this, you may feel depressed, useless, worthless...BUT remember, that God's plans for you have been tailor made JUST FOR YOU!  I guarantee you that Joseph didn't like all that happened to him, but wherever he found himself, he remembered that he worked for God!  

And God's plans for Joseph proved it!  Take your discouragement, your anger, your frustration, your hurt to God and LEAVE IT WITH HIM!  You will be amazed how God's plans for you turn out for your good and His glory!

   

"UGH....When WIll This End?"

You can make many plans,
    but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 

 

Let me ask you a question...'Are you tired of this quarantine yet?"  I have heard more and more people complain about having to stay home, being restricted from going to the beach or the mountains, not being able to go out to eat, the whole "not being able to" list.  Some have even decided they are going to do what they want regardless of the health risks simply because "no one is going to tell me what I can and cannot do."

You see, we love having the ability to make our own plans. James addresses our attitude in Chapter 4:13-14, "Look here, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?"  You see, OUR plans are like looking at a single tile.  God's plans are like looking at the entire mosaic (like the picture).

 

If you are like me, then trying to conceive of such a design from a pile of tiles not only makes my head hurt, but my brain begins to smell like bacon and I begin to see sounds.  But God not only sees the entire mosaic, He designed it and put it together before time was time.  God's plans sometimes include setbacks for us, but His design is such that EVERYTHING works out for our ultimate good. How awesome is it that we have such a loving Abba who takes such care of us?

Trust!

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it.

Hebrews 4:16

As a child, I enjoyed going to the circus.  The smell of peanuts roasting, the clowns creeped me out more than a little, the sounds of the music... But it was the acrobats that fascinated me the most.  They made everything look so easy, as they would swing out over the crowd and "fly" to their partner who would catch them.  It was mind boggling for a kid of 6.

One year on a school field trip we went to the circus and got to talk to some of the performers.  The strongman was HUGE and quite powerful.  But I wanted to talk to the acrobats.  When we got to their area, I asked how they were able to perform those amazing tricks.  The acrobat said, “The flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything.  I have simply to reach out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron.”  The flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him.”

Think about that,God is the catcher, and we are the flyers.  We trust.  Period.  We rely solely upon God’s ability to catch us.  And as we trust him, a wonderful thing happens– we fly!  Your Father has never dropped anyone.  He will not drop you.  His grip is sturdy and his hands are open.  Place yourself entirely in his care.  As you do, you will find it is possible, yes possible, to be anxious for nothing!

What A Day!!

He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 

 

I've lived through a number of years of Good Fridays and the one statement I've heard over and over is "It may be Friday, but SUNDAY'S a-comin!"  And it's true, Easter Sunday is the celebration of Christ's resurrection.  

 

A number of years ago, I was attending the 102 birthday of a wonderful lady.  She was spry, witty, and wasn't afraid to say what was on her mind.  Quite a few of her relatives and friends had gathered to celebrate her special day, but when she came into the room and everyone (including me) shouted "Happy Birthday" she shook her cane and in her loud gravelly voice said over the racket, "BE Quiet!  Don't come here celebrating my birthday!  Y'all have NO IDEA what I went through to get here, so sit down and be quiet!" She had a very valid point, none of us had any clue what she had endured to reach 102 years of age.

 

And yet the same concept applies to Easter as well.  If we become so "glory-eyed" about Easter that we sanitize all that Jesus had to endure on our behalf, (His arrest, His trials, His torture, His crucifixion) then we will discount the price Jesus paid for our sin.  When we forget what He went through for us, then Easter becomes just another day with pretty new clothes, and a tasty lunch.

 

Remember, once chapter does not a story make! 

"Rules, Rules, Rules!"

A few years ago, when I was in Carson-Newman College with Methuselah, part of the course requirement for public speaking was to register as pulpit fill for the local churches. For some reason, probably due to my church sounding name, I was asked to speak at a church that was "not on the main road." Seriously, it was, quite literally, well off the beaten path. Upon entering the sanctuary the first thing I noticed was the pungent smell of, for lack of a better term, old. The church was tidy and clean, the carpet and cushions appeared well maintained, but the smell was not only musty but overwhelmingly distracting.

Another thing I noticed were the rules of conduct on the back of the bulletin which laid out the "Thou Shalt Nots". For example, "Thou Shalt Not laugh! Church is serious business", "Thou Shalt Not Forget to give extra in today's offering since we have a guest speaker" (yes, it was really in the bulletin), "Thou Shalt Not sleep in church!" The list was quite extensive.

When it came time to speak, to be honest, I was about to offend a lot of people unintentionally. I began by asking, "How many of you came to church today?" Every hand proudly went up. I then asked, "How many of you brought church WITH you today?" Blank stares! I went on to talk about how church was not a building and it was not a bunch of rules, regulations, and rituals. Church is the relationship you have with Christ!

"For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die." - Galatians 2:19-21

You see, if all we had to do was keep some rules and regulations and perform a few rituals, God would have had no reason to send Jesus Christ to fulfill the law on our behalf. Because, through Christ we have freedom! I must confess that I think a few members almost had aneurysms when I expressed that freedom by taking my necktie off (I do NOT like neckties) and invited the gentlemen in the congregation to feel free to do the same. The elbows and glares from the wives were priceless!

But my point was this: God had a relationship with Adam and Eve, and Adam and Eve messed that up. God, then, still wanted a relationship with us so He has always reached out to us in love seeking that relationship. We continually took His gift and ground it through the "religious" machine and cranked out a list of rules, regulations and rituals. Then God sent Jesus to fulfill all the Law and established that RELATIONSHIP is what God seeks from us through Christ Jesus. Here's the best news of all, through Christ we have true and eternal freedom!

Will you take church with you today? 

One side note, I was not asked to deliver another sermon at that church.

Is There Peace In The Midst of Chaos?

"My soul finds rest in God alone."

Psalm 62:1

 

Today began as a typical day with my mind racing to remember what I needed to do, what to avoid, how I might be able to work more efficiently, remembering all the precautions to take in the midst of the COVID-19, and on and on.  

 

By the time I left home at 5:30 in the morning, my mind was buzzing.  I happened to look into the sky as I got into my truck and saw the full moon.  I stared at it for several minutes and felt all my anxiety begin to fade away.  God was reminding me that the moon is still there regardless of what is going on here on earth, because He's the one who put it right there where I would see it this morning.  The more I thought about it, the more clear it became: Regardless of what we see, feel, think, stress over...God is still in control!

 

Think about it, regardless of how panicked we become about the events we can see, God is still making sure the Sun still shines, the Moon still glows, the birds still sing, the flowers still bloom, and God's love is still strong.  As I drove to work, God reminded me that NOTHING can change His plans for us and NOTHING can take His love for us away.  When we focus on Him, our anxieties, stresses, worries, concerns will melt away.

 

Ponder That! 

Question of Authority

One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” “Let me ask you a question first,” he replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”
They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.” So they finally replied that they didn’t know.
And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Luke 20:1-8 

Have you figured out that the Scribes and Pharisees thought they were, not only wise and pious, but clever?  Jesus had just ridden into Jerusalem on the young donkey colt. Why?  If He had ridden in galloping on a horse, the Scribes and Pharisees could have gone to the Governor claiming Jesus was inciting the people to riot.  Instead, Jesus didn't just come in on a docile donkey, but to further prove His point, He rode in on a colt of the docile donkey, much to the irritation of the "Church Folk."

Jesus was teaching in the Temple and the people who heard Him were interested by His message, which further irritated the "Church Folk." So they come up with a plan to trick Jesus...they will ask Him by whose authority is He teaching His message, because if Jesus says His authority is His own, He will be discrediting Himself. HOWEVER, if He says His authority is from Heaven, then they can have Him arrested for blasphemy.  In their minds, it is a flawless plan.

So, they confront Jesus IN FRONT OF the people who came to hear His message and ask by what authority He is preaching and were probably chuckling to themselves at their own cleverness.  Jesus, however, completely derails their cunning scheme by asking them if John's authority to baptize come from Heaven or from himself.  The Scribes and Pharisees huddled us and began trying to salvage their scheme by telling Jesus that they didn't know where John's authority came from.  And Jesus told them He wasn't going to reveal the source of His authority either.

Jesus' authority came directly from God!  End of story!

There's This Town In Texas...

When I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3 

 

There's this town in Texas called "Uncertain."  If you think I'm kidding, Google it. It is a REAL place.  Some of you didn't believe me when I spoke of "Toad Suck, Arkansas" until you Googled it.

 

Think about this for a moment, with all that is going on in the world right now, how many of us live in our own "Uncertain"?  In fact, our uncertainty tends to lead us to the realm of doubt, stress, anxiety, and worry because we are uncertain what might happen. 

 

 There's an old adage that says, "If you want to know about the road ahead, ask the person coming back."  What does THAT have to do with anything? It's simple, God has already BEEN through our future and knows what will happen, so talk with Him.

"But what if.....?"

Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.

Matthew 10:28-29

 

The night before I was due to have my quadruple bypass surgery, I was not feeling exceptionally calm.  To be honest, I was terrified!  I tried reading my Bible, but just couldn't concentrate, although I "justified" that by blaming the nursing staff who came in frequently to check my vitals.  

 

One of the nurses took the time to stay and chat with me because he saw that I was upset (and my vitals apparently confirmed this). 

He said, "May I ask you something?" 

* I said, "Sure."  

He said, "Do you believe that book you're reading?"  

* I said, "Yes, of course."  

He said, "Then why are you so nervous?"

 *I said, "I could die!"

He said, "Yep, you could.  You could walk into the restroom, slip and hit your head and die. You could step off the curb and get hit by a bus. An airplane carrying an elephant could accidentally jettison the elephant which could land on you. Face it, we ALL are going to die. Our bodies weren't designed to live forever."

* I said, "You aren't helping.  I could die and what would happen to my family?"

He said, "You really DON'T believe the Bible then."

* I admit, I got a bit testy at that. "YES I DO!"

He said, "IF you do believe it, then you know that God will take care of everyone. We don't have to worry or be afraid."

 

Then he left me and my mind kicked into overdrive.  I really didn't have anything to fear or worry about. God has provided for His children since the dawn of time, why would He stop now? 

The news portrays grim situations.  That's what terrifies us, makes us afraid, and makes us nervous.  Yet God's word promises us that He loves us and takes care of us so we have nothing to fear.  Take precautions, of course, but don't let anything take our hearts off of God!