We just lived through a doozy of a storm. The hardest part of it all is the hundreds of thousands of people without power. For me it meant that our home got down to 34 degrees in the coldest spot in the house after 48 hours of not having power. What was amazing about all of this is how God demonstrated his goodness to us.
It is always easier in retrospect to look back than it is in the moment to look up. But with the benefit of looking back I want to share some of the blessings.
1. You realize what is really important. I was willing and ready to leave the house behind so long as my kids and wife were warm and cared for. I realized what was really important to me!
2. You are primed to listen to the voice of God. As I struggled with the anxiety, I was ready and willing to hear. I was looking to hear. I was seeking God's voice, and this allowed me to hear lessons from God even in a Keys for Kids devotional shared at the house we were staying in.
3. You realize the blessings of the family of God. During and after we had so many offers for help it is a little overwhelming!
4. You see that your world extends beyond you. There were many people who helped from other states to get everything back in order. The way that God intended us to live is to help one another in times of need.
5. You are grateful for salvation. Even if all I had was taken away, there are things God has given me that cannot be taken away. And for these things you become grateful.
6. Worship becomes sweeter. The words of songs seem to stand out and have more meaning when you have gone through something. Worshiping with God's people on Sunday was that much sweeter!
And there are so many more that I could mention. But for the sake of time I will simply conclude with:
7. You realize that no matter what happens - God is good and brings good out of hardship and even tragedy.
"The Lord's been good to me, and so I praise the Lord for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed. The Lord's been good to me. Amen."
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Quick to Hear and Slow to Speak
"But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. . ." James 1:19 (NASB)
In a world in which we get so angry when we learn of a recent decision in government that disagrees with our position. In a world where we whine when we do not get our way. In a world where we get angry with authority and high school students can assault police officers and teachers and then go viral because the police officers stun them with tasers. In a world where we are divided by all sorts of barriers and choose to focus on the division instead of what has potential to unite us. In this kind of world the words of James almost seem to not make sense. And yet, James is here presenting this truth.
First of all I want to be fair to the text and remind us that he is primarily talking about our need to listen to the text of Scripture. We need to listen and become doers of the Word of God and not simply hearers only. And so when the word of God talks about blessing our enemies - we need to listen and do. When the word of God talks about kindness and love - we need to listen and do. When the word of God talks about taking a stand for what is right - we need to listen and do. When the word of God judges a behavior as evil - we need to listen and obey.
Sadly, so often we only choose one or two of those. So one half talks about love and tolerance but forgets the importance of obedience and absolute truth and authority. The other half talks about the right and wrong but fails to love in any meaningful way. And the two sides quickly degenerate into an argument that gets heated and eventually just gets posted on Facebook. And we missed the point entirely. Both sides (pardon the expression) need to shut up and listen to what God is saying to us. Both sides need to look at God's Word and allow it to develop them into maturity.
So the next time you are being drawn into an argument, stop. Ask God for wisdom. Search your copy of the Scriptures for what God might have already said about this and go out and obey!
In a world in which we get so angry when we learn of a recent decision in government that disagrees with our position. In a world where we whine when we do not get our way. In a world where we get angry with authority and high school students can assault police officers and teachers and then go viral because the police officers stun them with tasers. In a world where we are divided by all sorts of barriers and choose to focus on the division instead of what has potential to unite us. In this kind of world the words of James almost seem to not make sense. And yet, James is here presenting this truth.
First of all I want to be fair to the text and remind us that he is primarily talking about our need to listen to the text of Scripture. We need to listen and become doers of the Word of God and not simply hearers only. And so when the word of God talks about blessing our enemies - we need to listen and do. When the word of God talks about kindness and love - we need to listen and do. When the word of God talks about taking a stand for what is right - we need to listen and do. When the word of God judges a behavior as evil - we need to listen and obey.
Sadly, so often we only choose one or two of those. So one half talks about love and tolerance but forgets the importance of obedience and absolute truth and authority. The other half talks about the right and wrong but fails to love in any meaningful way. And the two sides quickly degenerate into an argument that gets heated and eventually just gets posted on Facebook. And we missed the point entirely. Both sides (pardon the expression) need to shut up and listen to what God is saying to us. Both sides need to look at God's Word and allow it to develop them into maturity.
So the next time you are being drawn into an argument, stop. Ask God for wisdom. Search your copy of the Scriptures for what God might have already said about this and go out and obey!
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