September 13, 2010 Dissolved Into Strength

Every once in a while, I find myself in a place of absolute inability to function.  Whether it's my own fault or it's something that God is doing is impossible for me to tell, but I always come to the same conclusion: I am nothing without Him.  I could relate very much to this verse today: For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. 
2 Corinthians 13: 4

I decided a long time ago that there isn't any point in trying to do something in my own strength.  What little natural strength I have is easily used up, and what meager things I can do on my own are nothing compared to what the Lord can do through me.  I have learned (more than once) that the world goes on without me.  This can come as a big shock to anyone who has finally believed that "I am the only one who can be me and do what I do."  As true as this is, we still must accept that it is up to God to empower us.  He is Life, and there is no substitute for waiting on Him.

I see myself as a sailboat.  My gifts and talents are like sails.  When the wind blows I will go somewhere as long as my sails are oriented to being filled with the wind.  Just as in the natural world, sometimes the wind is just not blowing!  A sailboat cannot control the wind.  It cannot fake wind either. Why do we Christians think we have to fake the wind?  Do we control the wind?  No.  We don't control the Holy Spirit, and we do not fake His activity.  We just wait.  We actively wait, for at the first sign of movement, we get our sails hoisted and ready to be filled.

It is the times that I am forced to rest that I see how very weak I am.  I feel overwhelmed at the idea of doing any of the things I had previously been doing with ease.  How much I need the Lord!  There is no shame in this.  If Jesus accepted this place of total dependency on God, then it good enough for me.  In fact, it is the only safe place to be.  I am reminded, with force, to be constantly dependent on Him and His strength alone so that I do not fall into pride and self-will.  Stripped of all that makes me feel acceptable to Him, I discover once again that He loves and accepts me "just because."  Everything gets distilled down to having a relationship with God and a more pure desire to please just Him.  Of course, this is the place of inspiration, where exploits are born.

Questions to ponder:
Are you naturally a "be-er" or a "do-er"?
What word-picture would you use to describe the way God empowers your life?
Do you ever feel you are trying to "do" your life on your own?  What do you do about that?
Have you ever felt a sudden shift in how the Holy Spirit was moving in your life?  How did you feel about that?  What was your response to this change?

July 13, 2010 The Earth Trembles, The Trees Rejoice

King David and the Apostle Paul seemed to both have the understanding that the natural creation has an awareness of God and proclaims Him in a way that is unmistakable to man.  When the earth's quaking and the seas are roaring, it's because the presence of God is near-- He's getting closer.  Our response should be in accordance with this: acknowledge His mighty awesomeness, worship Him in the beauty of holiness, glorify Him and make thank offerings, and pray for deliverance from evil.  In the midst of all the shaking, we should be able to discern His nearness and rejoice along with the trees!  Nature is telling us something-- our salvation is at hand!

Nature also informs us of what is righteous and what is not.  Built into us is the knowledge of how God created us and how He created things to be.  He reveals His will in nature, and in our own being: spirit, soul and body.  As Paul states so powerfully, nobody has any excuse for doing things against nature and against God.  What people are doing these days truly follows the description in Romans 2, and it makes nature want to vomit.  

When humans "suppress truth in unrighteousness," they are given over to evil in a progression: a darkened mind, then a darkened heart, then darkened physical behavior.  It all starts with "exchanging the truth for a lie" and "worshipping and serving the creature instead of the Creator." Romans 1:25

If God gave people up to uncleanness and vile passions, I'd say that's part of His judgment.  Verse 18 says the "wrath of God is revealed from heaven."  I'm reminded of a a few others verses:  "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" James 1:20; and "If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me." Deuteronomy 32:41 and  "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord." Romans 12: 9 NASB  (caps were in the translation).  Paul said in prelude to that verse (I'm jumping ahead from our reading, I realize): "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:17-18

Jesus talked about cities that would have repented if they had seen His works (Luke 10).  Jonah's preaching brought the gigantic city of Ninevah to repentance in sackcloth and ashes (even though he was relishing the thought of their destruction).  That destruction is coming-- has already started in the people who reject God-- but it is up to us right now to shine forth the glory of God in a way that shows Who He Is.  Since God is enthroned in the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3) -- and true praise and worship makes way for the visible, brilliant presence of God-- then our proclaiming His praise would be one way of preaching the truth, and a way that darkened lives could possibly be enlightened again-- before it is too late.