I remember learning a sort of proverb when I was a kid: "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Children try to believe what their elders tell them-- it's in their basic make-up to do so. But when their own sense of right and wrong contradicts what they've been told, it's very confusing. The old adage wasn't true, of course; it was a terrible type of denial, that instead of protecting me, left me very vulnerable to the injury of other people's words. Lying statements about a person, when undetected or undefused, go deep down into a person's psyche and erode like acid, or they can later go off like bombs, debilitating and even destroying them.
Today we came across the very short, and somewhat hidden statement about Jabez (if you don't at least skim the geneologies and other parts of the Bible you consider boring, you miss important nuggets, or even a best-selling book!). Here was an innocent kid being told over and over, simply by hearing his name, that he was a pain! (and possibly other words of a mother who had a bad attitude): "Come here, YouCausePain, and do these dishes for me. That's the least you can do to make up for the suffering you've caused!" Ouch!
As Christians, we tend to name our children truthful and empowering things, and for a good reason! God didn't change people's names for kicks-- He knew what names can do to people. Names, when well-chosen, can help a child reach his or her full potential in God. Parents should continue in that vein, speaking the truth in love over their children, as well as nurturing them in other ways. We're going to make mistakes, obviously, but if we discover we've said something hurtful or untrue, it is "best practice" to immediately ask a child's forgiveness and replace the untruth with the word of God. Children also need to be taught what to do when they are ridiculed and picked on, since everyone is at one time or another. Sensitive children, especially, can really be hurt by this and need reinforcement. The earlier we learn to receive God's comfort and allow Him to build us up with truth, the better.
We're not told how Jabez managed to become "more honorable than his brothers"-- God may have sent someone along to help him. Since we're told about his prayer, he must have early turned to God in his disappointment.
I wish this happened more often, but I have listened to the stories of many adults whose personalities were twisted and whose minds were warped by the things they were called as a child (along with other problems of their environment). We see, however, that if a person will call out to God in faith, He will take up their case, deliver them from evil, restore their personhood, and bless them in their life with His favor. Jabez even asked for a greater platform in which to testify of God's goodness. God was able to use for good what the enemy meant for evil. This is true for anyone who will turn to the Lord rather than remain in bitterness.
God was able to use the lying statements of the Jews about Paul to get him to an even higher platform. This could not have happened if Paul had buckled under the barrage of accusations being flung at him for years. It is extremely important that we learn to hear God's words over us, over our life and person. We have to believe Him and not the rest of the world, abusive or flattering as it may be. If there's ever a time of "tearing down" in our life, it probably has a lot to do with tearing down the ways we operate based on lies we've believed about ourselves. We can only reach our full potential if we are standing on the truth. God says of you:
"Rejoice, you who put your trust in Me;
You will shout for joy, because I defend you;
You will be joyful in Me, because you love My name.
I the LORD, will bless You, because you are the righteous in Christ;
I will surround you with My favor as with a shield." from Psalm 5: 11-12
Showing posts with label favor of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label favor of God. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010 How to Light Up the King's Face
"In the light of the king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain." Proverbs 16:15 The promises in this proverb are great, and they induce me to want to "light up the king's face." So, how to do this?? I want God's life and favor. I'm getting a picture of the glory cloud in the day of the latter rain! I think I would like to walk in His glorious presence in this time. Don't you?
Jesus' response to Thomas, after His resurrection, gives us a wonderful clue as to how to excel in pleasing Him: Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20: 29 When we believe His Word, even when it comes through others, we please Him. He can work through faith. Jesus didn't condemn Thomas for needing to have proof, He just indicated that he wasn't going to be as blessed as those who believed without seeing.
The Apostle John was one of the disciples who believed Jesus had risen without first seeing Him in the body. Later on in his life, he was given heavenly visions that showed Christ in His kingly glory, as well as many things about the future. This is a kind of blessing that I would like to receive! When we only believe what we see with our eyes, we certainly limit our spiritual vision.
When we love Jesus enough to obey Him, this is when our faith can work (Gal. 5:6). We don't get proofs of His Word, most of the time, until after we have carried out His Word. We just have to obey. If our faith doesn't operate without signs or proofs, then our love is small and we will end up being disobedient. This, of course, is a way to NOT please the Lord, and then we don't have the flow of favor we are hoping for.
I realize that some of what I'm saying here could be taken as if God shows favoritism: but giving favor and practicing favoritism is not the same thing. God doesn't have "favorite children." He gives reward and disciplines us depending on what we need at any given time. Really, His discipline is favor, it just doesn't feel like it at the time it's happening. All His children have His favor (and this means His "born-again" children, not just His human creation). He still blesses everyone with His overflowing goodness, even unbelievers-- "He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good." (Matthew 5:45)
Here's a verse that makes it clear that there is a way to "light up the king's face": "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 There's reward! Who doesn't like reward?
In order to diligently seek the Lord, we have to believe there is more than what we can see, and that God is desiring to give it. "Seeking" is looking for something we haven't found yet. If I were "seeking employment" or "seeking a soulmate," that means I believe there is a job out there that I could do, or a person with whom I could happily spend my life. I don't seek for things I don't believe exist.
The more I know God, the more I seek for Him, because He keeps telling me about things I haven't seen yet, things that are in Him. When I believe His Word-- whether I read it in the Bible, I hear it in a sermon, or the Holy Spirit whispers it in my heart-- I begin to "ask, seek and knock" for the thing I heard about. This is when I can receive. This is when I am blessed with that favor that was waiting right there in heaven with Christ.
The disciples were wonderfully blessed by having the opportunity to walk around with Jesus, see His miracles, and hear God's Word straight from His mouth. But we are even more blessed! Why? Since we don't have evidence of constant "seeing" and "touching," we have a greater opportunity to believe by pure faith (which is itself the "evidence of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1). Therefore, WE have the opportunity to "light up the king's face" with our faith in Him and His Word. This opens the door to greater blessings and favor than you or I can even imagine.
Jesus' response to Thomas, after His resurrection, gives us a wonderful clue as to how to excel in pleasing Him: Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20: 29 When we believe His Word, even when it comes through others, we please Him. He can work through faith. Jesus didn't condemn Thomas for needing to have proof, He just indicated that he wasn't going to be as blessed as those who believed without seeing.
The Apostle John was one of the disciples who believed Jesus had risen without first seeing Him in the body. Later on in his life, he was given heavenly visions that showed Christ in His kingly glory, as well as many things about the future. This is a kind of blessing that I would like to receive! When we only believe what we see with our eyes, we certainly limit our spiritual vision.
When we love Jesus enough to obey Him, this is when our faith can work (Gal. 5:6). We don't get proofs of His Word, most of the time, until after we have carried out His Word. We just have to obey. If our faith doesn't operate without signs or proofs, then our love is small and we will end up being disobedient. This, of course, is a way to NOT please the Lord, and then we don't have the flow of favor we are hoping for.
I realize that some of what I'm saying here could be taken as if God shows favoritism: but giving favor and practicing favoritism is not the same thing. God doesn't have "favorite children." He gives reward and disciplines us depending on what we need at any given time. Really, His discipline is favor, it just doesn't feel like it at the time it's happening. All His children have His favor (and this means His "born-again" children, not just His human creation). He still blesses everyone with His overflowing goodness, even unbelievers-- "He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good." (Matthew 5:45)
Here's a verse that makes it clear that there is a way to "light up the king's face": "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 There's reward! Who doesn't like reward?
In order to diligently seek the Lord, we have to believe there is more than what we can see, and that God is desiring to give it. "Seeking" is looking for something we haven't found yet. If I were "seeking employment" or "seeking a soulmate," that means I believe there is a job out there that I could do, or a person with whom I could happily spend my life. I don't seek for things I don't believe exist.
The more I know God, the more I seek for Him, because He keeps telling me about things I haven't seen yet, things that are in Him. When I believe His Word-- whether I read it in the Bible, I hear it in a sermon, or the Holy Spirit whispers it in my heart-- I begin to "ask, seek and knock" for the thing I heard about. This is when I can receive. This is when I am blessed with that favor that was waiting right there in heaven with Christ.
The disciples were wonderfully blessed by having the opportunity to walk around with Jesus, see His miracles, and hear God's Word straight from His mouth. But we are even more blessed! Why? Since we don't have evidence of constant "seeing" and "touching," we have a greater opportunity to believe by pure faith (which is itself the "evidence of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1). Therefore, WE have the opportunity to "light up the king's face" with our faith in Him and His Word. This opens the door to greater blessings and favor than you or I can even imagine.
Monday, May 24, 2010
May 24, 2010 "The Right To Remain Silent"
Do you ever feel a weight of glory in the Scriptures? Today I did. Just one little part of what Jesus said has so much glory in it that it is really overwhelming if you contemplate it. For instance, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:12-14
I find that my response to this kind of revelation varies depending on where I'm at in my life. At this moment, I'm feeling like worshipping Him because I just came in from praising Him on the keyboard, and His presence is here. It's hard to think of anything else except Him when He's around! What He wants right now is for me (and you) to get what He's saying here. He wants to do His works through us! How awesome is that???
When I'm hearing Him say, "whatever you ask in My name, I will do, so that the Father is glorified," I'm going to listen extra closely to see what is in the Father's heart. How does He want to glorify Himself in the Son today? Jesus is authorizing me to pray. I'm going to get my prayer answered, guaranteed. I'm going to wait and hear and pray.
I think we all feel like David did when we have a great victory, have our prayers answered, and experience the favor of God. Why not follow David's example in praise, no regard for our dignified appearance or what others are thinking? If we take Jesus at His word, we are going to have some great victories, do some awesome exploits, and be accompanied by the glory of God wherever we go. Jesus' motivation was to glorify the Father, and so should ours be. I do not want to deny Him before men by being afraid to praise and glorify Him freely in their presence. I feel this opportunity will come up more and more often. I relinguish my "right to remain silent." Praise the Lord!
I find that my response to this kind of revelation varies depending on where I'm at in my life. At this moment, I'm feeling like worshipping Him because I just came in from praising Him on the keyboard, and His presence is here. It's hard to think of anything else except Him when He's around! What He wants right now is for me (and you) to get what He's saying here. He wants to do His works through us! How awesome is that???
When I'm hearing Him say, "whatever you ask in My name, I will do, so that the Father is glorified," I'm going to listen extra closely to see what is in the Father's heart. How does He want to glorify Himself in the Son today? Jesus is authorizing me to pray. I'm going to get my prayer answered, guaranteed. I'm going to wait and hear and pray.
I think we all feel like David did when we have a great victory, have our prayers answered, and experience the favor of God. Why not follow David's example in praise, no regard for our dignified appearance or what others are thinking? If we take Jesus at His word, we are going to have some great victories, do some awesome exploits, and be accompanied by the glory of God wherever we go. Jesus' motivation was to glorify the Father, and so should ours be. I do not want to deny Him before men by being afraid to praise and glorify Him freely in their presence. I feel this opportunity will come up more and more often. I relinguish my "right to remain silent." Praise the Lord!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 6, 2010 The Seed of Blessing
I've always loved the story of Ruth and Boaz. Besides being a great study of ancient Hebrew culture, it is a powerful vision of the redemptive power of love. In Ruth's story, I see the law of increase at work, as words of blessing and acts of kindness are planted, growing into a harvest of favor and blessing. Ruth's words of blessing and acts of kindness towards Naomi, her mother-in-law, brought a harvest of favor to her through Boaz. Boaz's words of blessing and acts of kindness to his own workers, family, and Ruth, a foreigner, brought him a harvest of favor and blessing from God. Together, these people who loved God, knew His goodness, and followed Him in word and deed, brought forth the Seed of blessing into the world. Through them came the earthly lineage of Jesus.
Then we see Jesus, walking through Cana of Galilee. He had already blessed them at the wedding, where He did his first miracle. Again He blessed them with His words, "Go your way; your son lives." Wherever He went, He sowed words of blessing and acts of kindness. Whoever believed Him reaped God's favor. Look how much increase had come down through Boaz and Ruth!
We are part of this lineage of blessing-- through Christ we have been grafted in. There has been no end to the increase of His Kingdom by His word and His power. His word is planted in us, and by faith, we can also receive the blessing and give it. As our character is established in Christ and our obedience is built by training and practice, we should see the same power of God's favor coming from the words of blessing and acts of kindness the Spirit prompts us to sow. If we could only get a hold of how overly-abundant-beyond-all-we-can-think-or-ask God's favor is through Christ, there would be no lack of provision, no lack of the power of God.
Then we see Jesus, walking through Cana of Galilee. He had already blessed them at the wedding, where He did his first miracle. Again He blessed them with His words, "Go your way; your son lives." Wherever He went, He sowed words of blessing and acts of kindness. Whoever believed Him reaped God's favor. Look how much increase had come down through Boaz and Ruth!
We are part of this lineage of blessing-- through Christ we have been grafted in. There has been no end to the increase of His Kingdom by His word and His power. His word is planted in us, and by faith, we can also receive the blessing and give it. As our character is established in Christ and our obedience is built by training and practice, we should see the same power of God's favor coming from the words of blessing and acts of kindness the Spirit prompts us to sow. If we could only get a hold of how overly-abundant-beyond-all-we-can-think-or-ask God's favor is through Christ, there would be no lack of provision, no lack of the power of God.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
March 13, 2010
Reading the Luke account of the story of Zechariah's visitation in the temple, I saw a different scenario than I had ever seen before. Not that anything different happened, but I saw it in a different way.
The angel Gabriel says to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard." Luke 1:13. Gabriel went on to tell him that his wife Elizabeth would finally bear him a son. I had always assumed that Zechariah had been praying for that son; but then I realized that, since he was standing before the altar of incense in the temple doing his priestly duties, when "the whole assembly of the people was praying outside," vs 10 that his prayers were for Israel: that God would "turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God." vs 16.
If bearing a son had simply been a private matter for Zechariah and Elizabeth, perhaps Gabriel would have visited them at home. But the angel's visit to the temple during worship and prayer marked a significant turn of events for Israel. I don't think Zechariah would have been quite so terrified when the angel showed up if it was usual then for the glory of God to appear in the temple. This must not have happened to him before, and was unexpected.
I also don't think that Zechariah had an expectation of receiving an answer to prayer about finally having a son. His reaction to the news, and Gabriel's response to it, indicate that he had given up having faith about that. I think it was Elizabeth who had the faith to have her womb opened. Her statement was, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people." vs 25 I don't believe she had ever stopped entreating the Lord about her barrenness.
God's goodness and wonderful timing are showcased here, answering two separate prayers concerning barrenness: a woman's and a nation's. God had a plan to not only bless a righteous couple who served Him, but to prepare His chosen people to receive the promised Messiah and the redemption He would bring.
I see an application for us personally. When we see the trouble around us, and take our cities and nations before the Lord in intercession, He will find a way to make us part of the answer. It may just be that the long-awaited answer to the deepest longing of our heart is part of God's plan to bring His redemptive power to work in our own personal area of influence. Isn't God awesome?
The angel Gabriel says to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard." Luke 1:13. Gabriel went on to tell him that his wife Elizabeth would finally bear him a son. I had always assumed that Zechariah had been praying for that son; but then I realized that, since he was standing before the altar of incense in the temple doing his priestly duties, when "the whole assembly of the people was praying outside," vs 10 that his prayers were for Israel: that God would "turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God." vs 16.
If bearing a son had simply been a private matter for Zechariah and Elizabeth, perhaps Gabriel would have visited them at home. But the angel's visit to the temple during worship and prayer marked a significant turn of events for Israel. I don't think Zechariah would have been quite so terrified when the angel showed up if it was usual then for the glory of God to appear in the temple. This must not have happened to him before, and was unexpected.
I also don't think that Zechariah had an expectation of receiving an answer to prayer about finally having a son. His reaction to the news, and Gabriel's response to it, indicate that he had given up having faith about that. I think it was Elizabeth who had the faith to have her womb opened. Her statement was, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people." vs 25 I don't believe she had ever stopped entreating the Lord about her barrenness.
God's goodness and wonderful timing are showcased here, answering two separate prayers concerning barrenness: a woman's and a nation's. God had a plan to not only bless a righteous couple who served Him, but to prepare His chosen people to receive the promised Messiah and the redemption He would bring.
I see an application for us personally. When we see the trouble around us, and take our cities and nations before the Lord in intercession, He will find a way to make us part of the answer. It may just be that the long-awaited answer to the deepest longing of our heart is part of God's plan to bring His redemptive power to work in our own personal area of influence. Isn't God awesome?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4, 2010
I think we take God way too lightly! These readings today remind me that He is awesome in ways I don't really know, except to read about them in the Word. How would I react if I were standing before that smoking, shaking mountain with God speaking audibly in the fire, and a loud, loud trumpet blowing nonstop? But He hasn't changed!
It is wisdom to find out what God loves and love that, and what He hates and hate that. Jesus made it very clear. There is no doubt if we read the Word. If we have the proper fear of the Lord, we will study the Word and get to truly know Him. Then we will not be afraid to speak with Him and take refuge in Him. We will love Him and pursue intimacy with Him if we seek for His heart in the midst of the fire.
It is wisdom to find out what God loves and love that, and what He hates and hate that. Jesus made it very clear. There is no doubt if we read the Word. If we have the proper fear of the Lord, we will study the Word and get to truly know Him. Then we will not be afraid to speak with Him and take refuge in Him. We will love Him and pursue intimacy with Him if we seek for His heart in the midst of the fire.
Monday, January 18, 2010
January 18, 2010
I wonder how much of the "persecution" we go through is brought on by our own mouth and attitudes? Joseph ended up in a pit because of his, even though he had true dreams. Genesis 37: 5-8 My pride has brought me down many times-- and yet, God is faithful and performs His word. We may have to go through some rough stuff, though, to get us to the place where we can handle our dreams and visions.
If we know we have the favor of God (all His children do), we should help others come to the knowledge that they are favored as well, rather than acting like we are super special above others.
If we're seeing bad fruit in our lives, maybe we should check the tree it's coming off of. A root of pride is going to cause us to say things at the wrong time and with the wrong attitude. And it's our words that indicate our heart condition. Matthew 12: 33-37
There is no glory in being criticized, mistreated, avoided or outright rejected because of our own shortcomings-- no glory for ourselves or the Lord. But if we are persecuted and our hearts do not judge us, then we can say with David: "because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."
Psalm 16:8b
If we know we have the favor of God (all His children do), we should help others come to the knowledge that they are favored as well, rather than acting like we are super special above others.
If we're seeing bad fruit in our lives, maybe we should check the tree it's coming off of. A root of pride is going to cause us to say things at the wrong time and with the wrong attitude. And it's our words that indicate our heart condition. Matthew 12: 33-37
There is no glory in being criticized, mistreated, avoided or outright rejected because of our own shortcomings-- no glory for ourselves or the Lord. But if we are persecuted and our hearts do not judge us, then we can say with David: "because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."
Psalm 16:8b
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