To Everything There is a Season

Living in Minnesota, we get to experience four completely distinct seasons.   As one season gives way to the next, the landscape changes and the way we experience life changes.  There are seasons in our lives as well: infancy, childhood, youth, adulthood, middle age, and old age.  Through all the chances and changes of life, as believers, we are comforted by knowing that God walks with us through it all.

The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes in chapter three tells us that there is a season and a time for every matter (purpose) under heaven.  Read this chapter and realize that every life has the destiny for good times and for bad times:  “a time to be born, a time to die; a time to dance, a time to mourn; a time of love, a time of hate; a time of war, a time of peace….”   When we experience loss and hardship, we ask God, “Why is this happening to me?” And the response comes back, “To everything there is a season.”  We don’t know for sure if God has predetermined our lives, but we do know that “all things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” [ Romans 8:28]   so no matter what trials you are going through, know that God is there with you, through it all, and be comforted by the love, grace and mercy that is God.  

Holy God, stay by me this day and every day, through the good and through the bad, and help me to trust in you completely for all things.  Amen

Jonah and the Whale

The story of Jonah and the whale is probably one of the best known stories in the Bible.  God asked Jonah to do something and Jonah didn’t want to do it.  Jonah tried to escape from God and you know how well that went.  In the end Jonah did what God wanted and behold…it was good all around. When God speaks to us, it is in our best interest to listen and obey.

How do you listen to God’s voice?  How do you know that it’s God speaking to you?  The only way to listen to what anyone has to say is to be quiet and give that person your full attention.  The best way to do that is through daily devotion because the most common way God speaks to us through the Word. As you read, something in the reading will touch your heart.  That is the Holy Spirit bringing something to your attention that you need to hear. It might not happen every time, but it will happen often enough. After you’ve read, spend some time reflecting on the message.  In your prayer time, take some time to be silent…to listen.  God also speaks to us through music, through the beauty of nature, through the love of family and friends. How do you know what you experience is from God?  The message will be full of  grace, love, light and truth.

Gracious God, help me to spend time with you each day, and help me to listen to what you are saying to me. Amen.

Courage

We live in frightening times.  Not since the Great Depression has our economic situation been so perilous.  Terrorists threaten our country and almost every other country on earth, and it seems as though we are in the midst of a holy war.  God calls for us to be strong and courageous; trusting God in all things. The Bible is full of examples of people in dire straits, people who trusted in God and persevered.

When we are faced with uncertainty, it is important to turn to God’s Word for promises of reassurance. There we can find words of hope and comfort. We can find peace for our troubled hearts. God promises to walk in front of us, beside us, and behind us as we journey through life. We are not to bury our heads in the sand, but we are to move forward, confident our ultimate companion is with us. 

There is no promise that we will not encounter hardship, no promise of easy passage, only the simple promise that God knows us; that God has a plan for our life; that God loves us and that nothing we do can separate us from that love.

Gracious God, help me to feel your presence in my life. Help me to draw closer to you and to trust in you in all things. Amen

Who? Me?

God has put a calling upon your life. Most likely our first reaction is no, not me. I’m unworthy to be called by God. I don’t have the “right stuff.” If God can see the potential in you, why can’t you see it? When God calls you, trust that you do have what it takes to accomplish God’s purpose.  

When Israel was looking for a new king, God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to see Jesse’s sons to choose the new king from among them. Seven of Jesse’s boys went before Samuel, and none of them were the one. Those that Samuel thought to be the best suited to be king were rejected. God said to Samuel, “the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." [1 Samuel 16:7]

What we take to be the model for success can be all outward appearance--all frosting and no cake. God looks at our “best heart.” God sees the potential in you and it’s up to you to trust that God will provide you with the tools you need to do the job.

Gracious God, give me the faith to move forward in your call, and equip me for service for the glory of your kingdom. Amen.

Choices

Today, it seems like the “still, small voice” of God is drowned out by our way of life. We are so busy trying to maneuver through our day that it is easy to lose sight of the truly important thing. We are all so busy trying to do our best, yet it seems that we can never do enough, and God becomes lost in the day- to-day static.  Are we prioritizing rightly?

In modern America, we are bombarded with choices. Just go to the market and pick any category: coffee, laundry soap, deodorant, shampoo… you name it and you can see that you have a lot of product to choose from. How about the choices on your television? There are hundreds of channels to choose from…a blessing and a curse. It’s the same with many things we deal with. How do we know which is the best choice?

After the death of Moses, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose this day whom you will serve.”  [Joshua 24:15]  We have the same choice to make: serve God or serve the world. This choice can be made as you go about your day. In the choices you make, ask yourself whom you are serving. Remember, you can be in the world, but not of the world.

Gracious God, guide my steps this day. May  you be a part of every word I say, and every choice I make. Amen.

Nothing's Impossible

When God told Abraham that Sarah would bear a son, Sarah laughed because she knew that she was too old to have a child. God made a promise to them, and Sarah thought she knew, better than God, what was possible. She didn’t know that with God, all things are possible. 

How often do we do the same? How often do we ourselves put limits on the power of God because we think we know, better than God, what we are capable of accomplishing?

On the Sea of Galilee, when the storm was rising and the disciples were afraid of drowning, Jesus said to them, “O ye of little faith, why are you so afraid?” The disciples knew they were in a perilous position, but they forgot who was with them. Though they had seen miracles happen through Jesus, they thought they were hopelessly lost. Jesus did the impossible and calmed the storm.

Whatever our situation, we need to trust in God to somehow make a way for us. Placing our lives in the hands of the One who loves us beyond measure gives us hope for the future. Investing fully in our faith can reap rewards beyond our ability to know. No matter what happens, because of Christ's sacrificial atonement for our sins, we know that we have the hope of a glorious future when our time on earth is over. 

Gracious God, help me to trust fully in your love for me. Help me to know that you are here and that with you, all things are possible.  Amen.

No Thanks God, I'll do it My Way

One of the most beautifully moving descriptions of who Jesus is can be found in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. In the beginning was the Word, He was with God, and he was God. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. Jesus offers hope and direction for the lost, the broken, and the weary. Jesus is life and light to all who believe. 

We are an obstinate and head-strong people. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember the aspirin commercial that showed a frazzled headache sufferer snapping back at a parent trying to help:  “Mother please, I’d rather do it myself!”  How often do we feel the same way when it comes to our faith life?  “No thanks God, I’ll do it my way.” How has that worked out for you? Why do we resist God’s call when the surrender to God’s will is so sweet.  The answers to life’s perplexing problems can be found in the Word. Spend time each day in the Bible; find a time each day to worship God through prayer and meditation. Moving towards a closer relationship with God is as simple as establishing that simple routine. John goes on to say that the light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.  Isn’t that what we need today?  A way to cut through all of the bad news of the day, the corruption we see in our society, the things that threaten to undo us?  Jesus is life, and Jesus gives light to everyone.

Gracious God, help me to draw closer to you through your Word. Increase my faith and my love for you and be with me as I go through my day. Amen