Windows of the Soul

Grace, Love and Fellowship

Grace, Peace, Love (2)
Originally uploaded by Ed Burton, daylily

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Christmas will soon be upon us. This year the kids are coming home, and for the first time in five years, we will all be together for Christmas. We are preparing for several celebrations and lasting memories together. We can hardly wait to see everyone, share meals, gifts, conversation, and enjoy the fellowship of being together.

In the body of believers, we can celebrate like this every day. As we read the verse above, we realize that believers in the new church at Corinth greeted and parted with beautiful words of grace, love, and fellowship. Words that bonded them together in unity, peace and friendship.

That sounds very appealing this time of year, when we often get so busy we forget the purpose of Christmas. We may be feeling so frazzled that unity, peace and friendship seem like an afterthought. The reason for the season, so to speak, can easily and quickly become lost in the hustle and bustle of activity surrounding Christmas.

My Christmas wish for you is that you take a deep breath and slow down. May you encounter the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit ~ especially this Christmas.

God’s grace is essentially His undeserved merit or favor bestowed upon us. May that grace – which Christ showed in his daily walk and obedience before God – be with you. May the love of God – evidenced in Christ’s birth, life and death – be with you. And may the fellowship of God himself be with you in your heart and mind through the Holy Spirit – keeping you in his continual love and presence, no matter where you are.

May grace, love, fellowship be yours today. Every day. And may God’s peace reign in your heart always, no matter what you may be going through. This is the will of God concerning you.

Selah.

Faith and Possibilities

Originally uploaded by Lala Lands

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20-21)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

The disciples had just asked Jesus why they could not cast out the demon as Jesus had just done. Jesus’ answer is above. Because you have so little faith. Jesus goes on to say that with faith a small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Nothing will be impossible.

Later, Jesus is answering a series of questions, one of which is, “Who then, can be saved?” And he answers, regarding salvation, “with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

It seems to me that the key in both verses is God. Faith – in God. If our faith in God is even as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible. With God. And yet salvation, is impossible for man alone, but with God, all things are possible.

Faith in God and His ability to do all things is the bottom line. Faith in Him is the crucible of possibility. There is a direct relationship between faith and possibility.

Trust God. Believe in Him and His promises to you. It will increase your possibilities.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we could ask or imagine. To Him be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.

Selah.

A Solitary Place

1996 Jocassee Quiet Solitude
Originally uploaded by anoldent

John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. (Matthew 14:12-13)

Bad things happen to good people. John the Baptist is a prime example.

What do we do when we hear about evil? When someone dies – maybe even is martyred?

First we listen. Then we take time to process it. We may need to withdraw for a while from people and go to a solitary place.

To think. Ponder. Pray. Forgive. Listen. Heal. Cry. Be restored.

Solitary does mean alone. But it doesn’t necessarily mean lonely. It is necessary at times to take time alone to hear our hearts, slow our minds, pray.

When life becomes death – whether literal or figurative – go to that solitary place. It is the place of restoration. It is the place of healing. It is the place to find God.

Lord, you showed us by example that there are times in life when we must go to that solitary place. May Your Spirit be with us when we go there. And may we find all we need to be restored, healed, and whole. May we find You there. Amen.

Give Thanks

autumn macros
Originally uploaded by jacob earl

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

I stopped in my tracks when I read this familiar verse the other day. We recall this verse every time we have communion in church. But something caught my eye this time ~ a lesson if you will.

Paul is passing on what he received from the Lord to believers at Corinth. On the night he was betrayed. I stopped right there. Wait a minute. Time out. Jesus was just betrayed. That night. On that night when Jesus was betrayed. Jesus did something. Set an example. Moved forward with his destiny.

He took bread, and gave thanks. Gave thanks. Then set the wheels in motion for the way in which we are to remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He said the bread is his body, which is for each one of us. Given us fo us. Do this in remembrance of me.

He gave thanks and served. He used the simple act of breaking bread as a way to remember, a way to recall his suffering, his servant nature, his life – given in sacrifice for ours.

If you were betrayed by a friend, would you be willing to move on that same night and give thanks? Serve your friends, including your betrayer?

We are reminded in the Word to give thanks in all circumstances. This is the will of God concerning each one of us.

This Thanksgiving we will have the opportunity to give thanks ~ many of us with our families and friends. Let’s take note of what we are thankful for, and be mindful that we are to give thanks in all things. Selah.

Amen.

As Gold

Purity
Originally uploaded by (TeeJe)

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 
My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (Job 23:10-12)

Ever seen a fake – or even a rip off of something? Like designer jeans, purses, jackets, watches? Even money? Once upon a time (for real) I worked as a bank teller. We had to know what real money looked like and felt like so we did not take in fake money from customers.

Just as we can often spot a counterfeit in material things, we must be careful in spiritual realms as well. God himself tests and tries our faith to see if we are ‘for real.’ He sends trials, tests and circumstances to see what’s on the inside.

News flash: what is on the inside will come out on the outside, especially when under pressure, difficult circumstances, or temptation. What is in our hearts will come out in our lives. And you can’t fool God. Neither can I. Nobody can.

Job had the ultimate test. And he did not understand why he was going through his own personal ‘hell on earth.’ He maintained his innocence. He kept God’s commands. He treasured God’s word. And he knew that God knew it. Job had no doubt he would withstand the gold test. He was sifted, and maintained that he would come out pure. Clean. Justified. Holy.

What about you? If you were tested by God, how would you fare? What’s on your inside (heart) that would come out (actions)?   ~For real.  

Something to think about.

LORD, when tested, may we come out as gold. May we consider our ways and keep them according to your perfect law.   ~Love.
Selah.

Believing

Glow
Originally uploaded by Jordan Lye

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:51,52)

My daily Scripture reading has me reading in the book of Mark. As I’ve been reading in the gospel this time around, things are striking me differently. The words are the same words I have read for years. Yet the things that are said, between Jesus and his followers strikes me as … different.

So Jesus is going about and happens upon this blind man. Actually, the blind man - Bartimaeus - called out to Jesus as he passed by.  Jesus – already accustomed to people crowding around, bringing the sick, the lame, those in need of healing - speaks to the blind man.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. Bartimaeus doesn’t answer – “Heal me.” He doesn’t say, “Make it so I can see.” He doesn’t say what he wants Jesus to do. He simply tells Jesus what he wants. “Rabbi, I want to see.”

And Jesus’ response? Not “Ok." Not “Alright, I’m going to put some spit and mud on your eyes.” Not “do this or that.” He says, “Go.”

Just “Go.” And then, “Your faith has healed you.” And immediately the blind man received his sight.

This isn’t the first time Jesus commended someone seeking healing for their faith. This isn’t the first time someone’s faith resulted in healing.

So, what is faith? The dictionary defines it as belief that is not based on proof. Just belief. And what is belief? Again, the dictionary tells us it is the confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof.

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith. Belief. It goes like this: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Believing before seeing.

What are you believing? Has your faith healed you?

Go … to the Source of all things and see if you find evidence of things not seen. Selah.

Evidence of God's Grace

tiny graces...
Originally uploaded by ms.lume

When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith …(Acts 11:23,24a)

Stephen had been stoned to death and the young church was on the run. They scattered to Phoenicia, Cypress and Antioch. And in Antioch, in particular, believers began telling the Greeks about the good news of Jesus Christ. The news spread to the believers in Jerusalem and they sent their ambassador, Barnabas, to them. Barnabas was a man of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. He encouraged the church in their faithfulness in sharing the good news of the gospel to the Greeks. Many were being saved daily.

What strikes me is the way the Scriptures describe what Barnabas saw when he arrived. He saw the evidence of the grace of God.

So, what is that specifically? Well, for one, the gospel was being boldly preached to gentiles in a new land. They were believing the gospel message and were being saved. Out of hardship – being scattered in connection with the persecution of Stephen – the church was growing and thriving.

Grace. The new church was exercising love, kindness, and mercy to serve one another. The Greeks were accepting the gospel, they were finding favor with God. And Barnabas, too, was sharing God’s grace with the new church by encouraging them to remain true to their faith. In this way, Barnabas dignified the church and honored God.

Is there evidence of God’s grace in your life?

Lord, may we find ourselves true to you in every way. May our actions be faithful, and our words be seasoned with salt, sharing with others your light and love. Amen.

Pray and Post

Clear and present danger
Originally uploaded by Mimi_K

Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. (Nehemiah 4:4-5)

They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. (Nehemiah 4:8-9)

Today's verse is Nehemiah 4:9, but I've included a few extra verses to give context.  Read the first part of Nehemiah 4 to see what's going on.  

What do you do when you are threatened? Go into a tizzy? Tell everyone you know of your problem? Worry? React? Before thinking it through? Run? Freeze? Or stop, pray, listen, step back and think?

It’s the same old story. Lately, I feel like I see this story played and replayed in real life. In the news. In my own life. In the lives of those recorded in the Scripture. In the lives of my friends. In the lives of my children. It’s everywhere.

So, what is it? Good versus evil.

Nehemiah set out to do something good. To rebuild the walls of his beloved Jerusalem. He even had the permission and support of the King. But he also had his detractors. They were instantly angry and incensed. They ridiculed the Jews. They insulted the Jews. And they plotted to destroy them.

So what did Nehemiah do? He (and the Jews rebuilding the wall) prayed to God and they posted a guard.

Pray. Some things in this life we cannot control. These are the things we place in God’s hands. We hand them off to God in prayer, trusting that God has our best interest at heart and will hear, protect and provide.

Posting the guard. This is the practical. This represents doing the things we can, the everyday things in the physical realm to protect ourselves from threat. For Nehemiah and the Jews, it was arming themselves with spears to protect themselves from attack. For me or for you – posting the guard in the practical realm of every day life may play out in any number of ways. It is as individual as our particular circumstance.

So – pray and post. And keep moving. Keep building. Everything of value will cost something.

Lord, may we come to you in prayer about everything – especially the things we cannot control. And may we post a guard – engaging the practical things we can do - in our lives to meet the clear and present danger of threats we encounter along the way. Selah.

War and Peace

Oasis of tranquillity before darkness falls
Originally uploaded by B℮n

Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. (Psalm 144:1-2)

War. Battle lines are drawn. We engage in battle every day in life. Life is basically a war zone. Much as we may not want to admit it, living in this world can be down right inhospitable.

The battle is basically between good and evil. Same old battle. And we must stand our ground every day. Actually, war is waged against us, as children of God. We are in the midst of a great battle. While Christ defeated death and the grave, and God has overcome our enemy, Satan, we still become engaged on a daily basis.

There are different kinds of battles. Battles with sin. Battles to occupy territory in our minds and hearts. Battles for power. Battles for position. Battles for influence. Battles against evil.

What are we to do?

The Bible is clear. We are to stand our ground. The LORD is the Rock of Salvation. He trains our hands for war – for battle. God Himself is our fortress - the place we go to for safety, and the place from which we gather to fight. He is our stronghold. He delivers. He protects. He is the ONE in whom we take refuge. He subdues our enemies. He brings them down and silences them.

War may be physical, and it may be spiritual. Regardless, it is ‘out there’ for the believer on a daily basis. Each day we face a battle field. Each day we must fight. Yet for the believer, the ultimate battle is won. How do we know? Because God is Sovereign in the Universe.

LORD Almighty, we are in the midst of a great battle. May we cry out to you as our refuge, our deliverer, our shield, stronghold and protective fortress. LORD, subdue our enemies under our feet. Because we are Yours. Amen. Selah.

A Life Well Written

Life is a precious gift. Don't waste it  
Originally uploaded by doug88888

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)

The purpose of the written record of the gospel of Jesus Christ is made plain in this verse. The story of Jesus is written for one reason. So that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ. The Messiah. The Son of God.

The people of Jesus day knew Jesus as the son of Mary and Joseph. They did not see anything particularly interesting about him. They made their judgments based on what they knew from the neighborhood.

But Jesus was more than that. Jesus was, is and always will be the Christ, the Messiah. The One the Scriptures pointed to. What is written plainly explains what happened and how it happened so that others may also believe. Once our believing in Jesus begins, we have our faith. This new faith – believing – gives us a whole new life in his Name.

Talk about a feather in your cap! Literally, Jesus puts life back in your hands, and accepts you where you are, and takes you to places you never believed possible.

The words written about Jesus do one thing vey well. The point us to Life ~ in Christ. To Abundant Life ~ for now and for always. Pick up The Book - The Bible - and see for yourself.  Amen.