Obeying the Call

 God's call on Abraham's life was unusual. He was called to follow God to an unknown destination. We learn in [Heb 11:8] that he went out not knowing where he was going. He was called to leave family and everything familiar even though he did not know the intended destination. He would have to follow God every single day in order to get to God's mysteriously unknown final destination. 

It was a step of faith. Abraham obeyed God's call by belief in the call. God called him to go and he packed up and went. I can relate. Abraham obeyed even though he did not have all the details spelled out. That did not keep him from responding in faith. God's call trumped all the questions. 

Can you imagine Abraham trying to explain to his family what he sensed God wanted him to do. I am sure there were raised eyebrows. I am certain well meaning loved ones tried to talk him out of such a foolish venture. Abraham heard God. The call was clear. He resolved to follow through no matter what the outcome would be. He was abandoned to the will and call of God. 

Not everyone who sits in a church pew is abandoned to the will and call of God. Some have their heels dug in singing, "We shall not be moved." That is not my approach. I lived the past twenty-five years surrendered to God and His call. I confess there were some times I got it totally wrong. There were other times it did not make sense. Even a few times when people tried to talk me out of obedience by faith. They thought it foolish. God came through each time. 

To live surrendered to God's call means living with no will of your own. It means following God even when you do not understand. It means doing things that do not make sense to the casual observer. When God puts a call on your life it would be foolish not to obey. Can anyone say Jonah? 

The call of God can be so strong and irresistible that caution is thrown to the wind as people submit and obey. Remember this. God's call seldom leads to comfort. He leads us out of our comfort zones and pushes us to risky ventures. Remember David and Goliath [I Samuel 17] or Jonathan and his armor bearer attacking enemy troops just the two of them [I Samuel 14] or even Paul taking the gospel to hostile territories [Acts 14]. 

How do we know when God is calling? I heard the following in a sermon the other day. I thought it worth repeating here. 

G- Glory - if you obey the call of God will He get glory from your obedience?

O - Others - what are others counseling and affirming about your perceived call?

S - Scripture - can your call be backed up with scripture?

P - Prayer - have you bathed the call in prayer and have God's peace?

E - Evangelism - if you obey God's call will it lead to other people getting saved?

L - Lifestyle - will your lifestyle be in keeping with Christian character and conduct if you obey the call?

The Rabbit Foot

 People all over the world believe in good luck charms. One of those is a rabbit foot. I do not know how that originated. Good luck charms are certainly not what is on my mind this morning. I have a far different tale to share with you. One that in all my years of walking with God I have never seen before. His creativity and ability do not cease to amaze me. Let me tell you what happened to me yesterday. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays are pretty busy up here at Spring Creek when Pinnacle Christian School is in session. They use our facility. About 125 students and dozens of teachers descend on this place. A couple of years ago we relocated my office right across from the Pinnacle office. It is grand central station. When I need to study on those days I often use my old office we turned into the church library. That is what I did yesterday morning. 

Around mid morning I left to go make a pastoral visit. When I approached the glass doors I noticed a rabbit outside sitting right next to the door. On closer examination the rabbit sat on a white envelope. I was a little surprised at first. When I opened the door the heavy weight of the stone rabbit impeded the door opening as easily as it should have. My curiosity arose. I picked up the sone rabbit to see the envelope on the ground. I was again surprised when I noticed my first name handwritten on it. I placed the rabbit in the flower bed and placed and picked up the envelope. I had to next go to my house to get the car keys. It was only then that I opened the envelope. I thought it might have bee a letter of some type. 

I have no idea who went through all that effort to leave an envelope underneath a stone rabbit. Especially when I was only a few week away from those doors in the old office. Somebody drove up there, got out of their vehicle, laid the envelope on the ground, found and placed the stone rabbit on top because it was a breezy day. All of this make my curiosity arise. Somebody went through a lot of effort. 

I don't believe in good luck charms. Why should I when I walk with God. My hope and faith are in Him in each season of life. He is there in times of adversity. He is there in times of prosperity. He is dependable all times in between the two. He is trustworthy. He has demonstrated His faithfulness in my life over and over again. If you are a frequent reader of these posts you know that. You have read about the many ways God has come through for my family in astounding ways. I love to tell those stories. I digress. 

You may be wondering what was inside the envelope. It turned out not to be a letter to my surprise. There were five one hundred dollar bills in that envelope. Shocking. It is true that Brenda and I are praying for His provision in a couple of areas. I never suspected God would deliver His provision under a rabbit foot. It makes me smile and chuckle on the inside. He prompted someone somewhere to be His vessel of provision to us again. It is simply amazing. I glorify God because of this. I praise Him for helping us again. I exalt Him for hearing prayer and answering in a most unusual way. It was not good luck. It was good God. 

Send Me

One of the ways God speaks most clearly to me is through His word. I make my habit of reading through the Bible yearly and each year God uses different scriptures to communicate to me. Over the years some scriptures have become standing prayers. One of those is [Isaiah 6:8]. Isaiah responds to God's desire to send someone by asking God to send him. 

I was at a camp ground in deep east Texas the first time I saw it. He spoke to me again through that passage at a different camp ground outside Amarillo, TX on a prayer retreat years later. Over the years it has resurfaced many different times and and in many different places. Sometime in devotionals, books, and even in music. One morning a few weeks ago that verse showed up three different times in three different devotions I used for that day. That has never happened to me before. It definitely got my attention. 

This morning David Jeremiah referenced that verse in his message on television. I was busy getting dressed and almost didn't notice it. When he spoke those familiar words from that verse I immediately paid attention. I thought to myself God is up to something. Someone gave me a picture of that verse that sits on the wall opposite my desk. I see it everyday. It is fastened right below the C.T. Study quote, " 'Tis only one life and 'twill soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last." 

That verse  and quote go along with the theme of my life to live surrendered to God and to His will. To go anywhere to do anything at anytime. Life is a grand adventure when you choose to live that way. I gladly surrender to Him. He knows far better than I do what is best. 

We should live as sent people. People who go and do what God leads. I am thinking of a young man from the Borden family. You may recognize that name from the Milk company. The young man was in line to inherit abundant wealth in the family business. Only, God had other plans. God called that young man to go on the mission field. His father told him if he followed through with becoming a missionary that he would not inherit any of the family fortune. 

The young man followed through and went on the mission field anyway. He was sent by God. Tragically he died only a few months into his service. Most thought it was a waste of life. It serves as a powerful example to how God calls people to live. Totally surrendered. Available to be sent. Following God where He sends does not always lead to prosperity and success. It does not always lead to accolades. God sends people down risky roads and painful paths in the fulfillment of His mission at times. 

Here is the real issue. Is what Jesus did for us on the cross enough motivation for us to give Him our yes no matter what He calls us to do? It most certainly is. Each of us should wake up daily wanting God to send us. It most likely will not be on the other side of the world. It might be for some. Most people being sent might mean a trip to visit a neighbor, a shut in, or to a hospital to visit someone. It might mean taking on the assignment of teaching a class or volunteering in some organization. For a select few, being sent might require uprooting and going to a new location like Abraham was called to do in [Gen 12:1-2]. 

None of that should matter. We are called to live on mission for Him. Called to do whatever He requires of us. He has the right to interrupt our lives and to call us to do anything He desires. We are required to obey by faith. He is constantly sending people to do His work. Are we willing to be sent?

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

 In [Luke 11:1] the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. I find that same desire in me this morning. I've devoted the past four decades of my life learning about prayer. I have shelves in my office lined with multiple volumes on the subject. I have written two books on prayer. Prayer has been a common theme of these posts for years. I've devoted hundreds of thousands of hours to private prayer. 

I still find myself needing to ask the Lord to teach me to pray. Prayer is much more complex than most realize. It is also so simple a child can grasp it. Complex and simple. A recent survey I discovered reported most people pray an average of five minutes a day. I can believe it. There are problems much bigger than five minute prayers. 

I am fighting for a sick woman I used to pastor who has been in the hospital for nearly a month. Her body is wracked with pain and the doctors have not been able to diagnose the root cause. Tests have been run. Scans and MRIs. Even an exploratory surgery. None of those things have brought relief. So we pray. Deep intercessions. 

I am also burdened for a beautiful young woman I knew as a child. Her parents are dear friends to Brenda and me. I pray for that young lady to return to the Lord after years of rebellion. I've prayed for her years now. At times the burden has left. It returned heavily yesterday morning and today. Both of these issues take more than five minutes. It took up the bulk of my praying this morning. 

I find myself needing to learn how to pray more effectively. How to discern the voice of God. [I Sam 3:10] How to intercede. How to stand in the gap. How to believe for the impossible. How to pray with perseverance when the answer does not come immediately. [Luke 18:1] How to grow in faith. These are not lessons people can teach me. I can listen to sermons, read books, and listen to testimonies. I have done all of those things for decades. To really learn how to pray more effectively I must learn from the Master. He must instruct me. 

I can imagine if the people of God really had the same heart for the Lord to teach all of us to pray. What a tremendous difference that would make in our communities. I think I am safe in saying that for the most part we are a prayer less people. I know. There is that five minute praying. How many really want to dive deeper in prayer. To learn to intercede for other people in their grief, misery, misfortunes, and mountain sized problems. This is necessary. There are problems in people's lives and society that will not be solved by our programs and expertise. Only God's miraculous intervention will make a difference. 

People could be Christians for decades and still be in kindergarten in prayer. God desires that we advance and grow in prayer and faith. He longs for us to long to meet with Him. He wants to reveal great and mighty things we do not know. [Jer 33:3] He is the God who can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can think or ask. [Eph 3:20] He is the God who can do anything. [Matt 19:26] He is the God that shows up in the day of our troubles. [Ps 50:15] 

We all need the Lord to teach us how to pray. Like an eager student on the first day of school, I want to take my seat in the front row and soak up all He has to say. I want to enroll in the school of prayer and intercession graduating from kindergarten to advanced level courses. I want pray big prayers, pray with big faith, and see big answers to give God big glory. Lord teach me to pray. Lord, teach all us how to pray. 

Do It Again

 I am asking the Lord to do it again. Do again what He has done for me multiple times over the past forty years. What you might ask? I am asking the Lord incessantly to provide vehicles for my family. We got a call last night from Turner about his truck not running right. A generous man in the church did the equivalent of thousands of dollars worth of work on his truck this past summer donating his time. He told us that if he had not done those repairs he did not even think the truck would make it back to Lubbock. Now additional issues have surfaced. The engine is well worn past 200,000 miles. Most of the vehicles we drive are approaching 200,000 miles or are past them. Mine is fast approaching 300,000. It is time to replace rather than repair. 

Both Tanner and Tucker's cars are in bad shape. Taylor's truck has been broken down for months. Brenda and I both drive 21 year old vehicles. I'm asking God to replace them. He has done that for us repeatedly over the years. If I had the financial resources to buy vehicles, I would not even ask God. I have a deep conviction to not go in debt on vehicles. So, we have no other choice but to trust God to help us. 

He gave me my first miracle car in college. He provided the second miracle car not long after I began a full time traveling preaching ministry. Neither car was brand new. That did not matter to me. I did not ask God for brand new vehicles. Our third miracle vehicle came while in Paradise, TX through the generous provision of three different people. We were blessed with another vehicle in 2016 from a lady in the church we pastored. She drove it to church and gave it to us. A low mileage Lincoln Continental. 

I have testified about these numerous times. I do so again. God took faith and answers to prayer to a new level. In 2017 between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, we watched God provide 5 vehicles for our family in thirty days. The vehicles were a Toyota truck, a Hyundai Sonota, a Kia Optima, a Chevrolet truck, and a GMC Yukon. All those vehicles had high mileage on them when we got them. We have driven them for the past several years. Now it is time to trust God to do it again. Several vehicles with no debt. 

I know it sounds impossible. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! People have thought asking God for that back in 2017n was impossible the last time I prayed for such abundant provision. God did it before. I trust He will do it again. I labor in prayer like a woman in labor to give birth. Only I am giving birth to 5 miracle vehicles again. These are the mountains I believe God to move. He has done it before and in His time I trust He will do it again. 

HELP MY UNBELIEF

 Why are we as the people of God prone to doubt Him? We are not the first. Israel doubted God repeatedly no matter what they witnessed God do for them. Delivery from Egyptian slavery. Parting of the Red Sea. Providing water in the desert. The constant supply of manna. Sending quail when they complained of not having meat to eat. Driving out enemy nations in the promise land. They doubted again and again no matter how many times God demonstrated His faithfulness to them. 

Are we really any different from them? Each of us has seen God come through for us in challenging situations. Why are we prone to doubt when we encounter the next set of trials? Why do so many of us struggle with unbelief?  There may not be an easy answer to that question, but there is an easy solution to the problem. 

Read what Jesus said to a doubting man in Mark 9:23. "...all things are possible to him who believes." The guy's response in verse 24 should be our prayer as well. "I do believe; help my unbelief." 

That is the solution. A simple three word prayer. HELP MY UNBELIEF! How many need to pray that today as we awake to mammoth challenges. Instead of fretting in fear over things we have not control of, why not pray for God to help our unbelief. To strengthen a weakening faith. To undergird sagging trust. Is the current level of our faith large or little? No matter the answer we can all pray for God to help our unbelief. 

Life hits hard. It will knock you to your knees. The assaults of the enemy in spiritual warfare are constant and intense in nature. The financial demands are unceasing. Seems like we spend more but buy less in this economy. The money runs out faster by the end of the month, especially for those living on fixed incomes. What should we pray? Help our unbelief. 

Perhaps repentance is in order after reading [Mark 9:23-24]. Children trust their parents to meet their needs and help them through challenges. Why should the people of God not trust their Heavenly Father to do the same for them? No challenge we face is too difficult for Him. [Jer 32:17]

Lord, Make Me a Sailboat

 In the world of ministry, churches can be powered by personalities, programs, and profit margins more than the power of God. Just like a power boat with an engine. You put fuel in the engine and the motor ;can power through the waters wherever you please. This is not the case for a sailboat. A sailboat is completely dependent on the wind to move. 

My prayers is to be more like a sailboat. To hoist the sails of my pastoral and preaching ministry waiting on the wind of God to blow with power. Without the Holy Spirit I am absolutely and completely powerless. With the Holy Spirit blowing through the sails He can accomplish great things. I can do nothing without Him. [Jn 6:63] [Jn 15:5] 

Waiting on the wind of the Spirit to blow is both exhilarating and frustrating. Exhilarating in the fact that when He moves great things happen. People get saved. Lives are changed. Disciples are made. Churches and communities are transformed. The frustrating part comes when you wait for extended periods and that power is not displayed. Even though patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, many get impatient and want to make something happen. They implement a new program. They employ a new strategy and focus. This does not ensure the wind of the Spirit will blow and move powerfully. 

At this stage of life and ministry, I can see the futility in programs. I prayerfully hoist the sails and wait on the Lord to blow to propel me forward. To blow life and power into the preaching. To blow conviction into the lost who hear the message of salvation. To blow fire on the cold hearts of believers who have lost their first love. To blow peace on the anguished souls. 

All fleshly efforts will not profit spiritually. Talent, expertise, and creativity will not produce lasting fruit without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will. He is the source of power. [Acts 1:8] I want to tap into that power so God gets the glory. He alone empowers to produce abundant fruit that will last. His work endures. My sails are hoisted. I wait for His wind to blow. 

One other note, we do not know what direction the wind will blow. We may predetermine a course and He blows in a different direction. It is up to us to readjust the sails and go in the direction He propels us. That may mean charting a whole new course we had not planned on taking. God knows best. We can trust His leadership. So we hoist the sails and stay in His flow. Blow O wind of God and propel further than we can every take ourselves. 

Connecting the Dots

Last Sunday morning I preached from Colossians 4:3 about praying for God to open doors to speak about Jesus. I actually stopped in the middle of the message and prayed that for all in attendance. When the service ended a man approached me who is DPS Sergeant. He asked if I would preach the funeral for one of his trooper's dad who recently died. 

I have to confess my first reaction was not joyous acceptance. It is never easy to preach funerals for people you do not know. God has given me that opportunity numerous times. In fact, the last two funerals I preached I did not know the person. I dreaded it but accepted. I gathered some information on the deceased man and was relieved to discover the man was saved back in 2002. The whole week I dreaded the service though. I determined right from the start I would confess that I never met the deceased. I spoke very little of him based on the limited information I had about his life. 

Yesterday morning everything changed. The funeral was at 2:00 yesterday afternoon. While praying in the morning, I remembered my prayer from the pulpit about God opening the door to speak for Jesus. It suddenly dawned on me this was exactly what I asked God for. It also dawned on me several DPS troopers would be in attendance. I had the opportunity to preach the gospel message to people who needed to hear it. 

It changed my perspective and my attitude. Not only were there multiple DPS troopers in attendance dressed in uniform, but there were also several Texas Rangers law enforcement officers in attendance as well. I have never had such an opportunity before. God gave me the chance to clearly explain the gospel, sin, the reason we need a Savior and even to touch on themes of heaven, hell, and the second coming. All of that in about 20 minutes. Admittedly, some in attendance tuned me out by their body language. Some listened intently. I prayerfully sowed the gospel seed. I trust God to do the rest drawing people to salvation through Jesus Christ. 

I failed to connect the dots between what I prayed and what God did in response. Has that ever happened to you? Did that happen because I really did not believe what I prayed last Sunday morning? Was it because the answer came in the form that was not comfortable or expected? Or, was it because I got so busy doing other things it distracted me from making the connection? I do not have a clear answer to those questions other than I believe I sincerely had faith to believe when I prayed in the pulpit for God to open doors. I am thankful He did. 

I will long treasure that privilege of getting to preach before so many honored law enforcement officers. I am thankful for the opportunity. When you ask God for something, I encourage you to pay attention to what happens in the following days. God may answer your prayer in ways you did not expect. You might miss it if you do not connect the dots. 

Grateful in the Midst of It All

 There is a lady named Joan we met back in Seminole. That lady loves Jesus. She is serious about her walk with the Savior and prayer. When I would ask how she was doing no matter what she was going through, she always responded, "Grateful in the midst of it all." She radiated the joy of the Lord. Even though she faced numerous trials as a single parent. 

Paul writes in [Phil 4:4] to rejoice in the Lord always. He also wrote in [I These 5:18] in everything to give thanks for this is God's will in Christ Jesus. I have to confess that I read those verses for decades, but I could not say that I lived them. I rejoiced in my circumstances when they were great, and whined when things were not going the way I hoped. I gave thanks in the good times and complained in the trying times. I knew little of rejoicing and giving thanks when life was hard. 

Paul had a hard life. He suffered more than most. How could he endure all of it with joy? How could he still find reasons to give thanks when he lost his freedom and ultimately his life? Paul lived differently than most of us. His entire life after salvation was Jesus. I am not suggesting Paul did not sin. He wrote about his own struggle with sin in Romans 7. I am saying that Jesus made all the difference for Paul on a daily basis. 

While most of us find joy and thanksgiving in external things, Paul found joy internally in his relationship with Jesus Christ. No matter what happened to him on the outside the inside reality of Jesus Christ did not change. It did not matter when they beat him. Nor when they stoned him and left him for dead. It did not matter when he went hungry. When he was cold at night with not enough clothing to keep him warm. It did not matter that he was always on the move. He faced danger in every city. None of that not mattered. Jesus mattered most to Him. 

The difference Jesus made to Paul more than compensated for all the hardships. Paul wrote that he found knowing Christ of surpassing value compared to any losses he suffered. [Phil 3:8] He devoted his life to knowing Christ and making Him known to others. He also wrote in [Phil 4:10-12] that he learned to be content in all circumstances. 

Joy, thanksgiving, and contentment are choices. We choose to find joy in the Lord. Sure life is hard and things are not always pleasant. That is why people are not happy because that is directly tied to the happenings around them. Jesus is the source of joy and He does not change. There are always things to be thankful for as a Christian. Our salvation for one. We can never give enough thanks for that. There are other things as well like having access to His word to comfort and strengthen us. 

Joan learned the secret to joy and thanksgiving and that is why she could say she was grateful in the midst of all of it. May we follow her example. May Jesus continually be the source of our joy and the reason we are most thankful. 

Finished

 Have you ever known the satisfaction of completing a hard assignment. Cleaning the house. Mowing the yard. A long work project. You get a feeling of satisfaction when it is done. When the last bale is hauled out of the hayfield. When the last cow is worked. When the last paper is written. When the last wind spring is run. When the last dish is washed and put away. When the last load of laundry is folded and put in the proper place. 

I just finished a two hour work out. Muscles fibers strained. They ached. They grew fatigued, but I kept pressing on until I finished my goal. There were moments I thought the grueling torture would never end. On this side of it, I am glad I endured and did not give up. In the middle of it I wanted to do just about anything rather than finish that workout. Except to shop or eat chicken. 

Finishing is a habit. So is quitting. Jesus finished the work He was sent to earth to do by joyfully enduring the cross. [Heb 12:2] He said from the cross, "It is finished." [Jn 19:30] The hard assignment for dying for the sins of humanity was completed. He was not finished. He is seated at the right hand of the Father right now. His redemptive work was finished. 

Jesus finished the work He was sent to do. Do you have some unfinished project you started and put off for one reason or another? Did you start something and not follow through to the end. I talked with a guy yesterday who wants to go back to school to finish his college degree after dropping out. That has been thirty years ago, but not finishing nags at him. He is plenty intelligent enough to finish. 

There is a contentment for a project completed. Like when you remodel and the last bit of work is finished, and you can sit down to enjoy the final result. Brenda loves to sit down and enjoy her clean house after a day of housecleaning. I like to look out over a freshly mowed lawn to enjoy it before the grass starts to grow again. 

 Some things in life are easy to complete. You start and just like that you are done. I am thinking of a child's jigsaw puzzle. Easy peasy. Recently, at our marriage conference each couple was tasked with putting together a 60 piece jig saw puzzle. I have never put together such a puzzle in my life. Never interested me. Brenda excelled at the project while I offered little help. When I tried I inevitably matched the wrong pieces together and she had to undo them. When we lost I was done. Brenda was not. She had to finish that puzzle. I admire her for that. She is definitely a finisher. May we follow her example. 

Paul finished his ministry to the end of his life. [Acts 20:24] He was constantly on the move from town to the next. He labored hard and suffered much for the cause of Jesus Christ. Even after beatings and imprisonment he did not quit. He finished. May we run our face with endurance to our last day and last breath. [Heb 12:1]

Weary and Heavy Laden

 Jesus invited weary and heavy-laden people to come to Him to find rest. [Matt 11:28] Hearers were weary from all the oppressive religious burdens heaped on the Jewish people by the Pharisees. They could not live under the burdens. Neither could they sustain the heavy tax burdens placed on them by the Romans. 

There are weary people in our days as well. They work hard but cannot seem to get ahead. People work hard but the American dream is further out of reach than ever. Home ownership is no longer affordable for my sons without God's miraculous intervention. The price of groceries, everyday household items, and transportation have soared to all-time highs. Add to that the decreasing health of the American people, the corruption in the government, and the brink of world war only add to the weariness. 

Jesus invites people to come to Him and find rest. A few years ago, I was told that that students in one high school were on anti-anxiety medication in the highest number in the history of the school. I am sure that also is true in other schools and other sectors of society. People do not live in peace and rest. 

We are told in [Ps 46:10] to be still, or cease striving, and know I am God. People strive all the time. Constantly keyed up. Working and worrying feverishly. There is no rest. People look for all kinds of ways to find rest. Medication. Substance abuse. Sexual escapades. None of these provide the long-sought rest. 

Jesus offers rest. Peace. Repose. Nothing else can provide that rest. No matter the source of your weariness and heavy burdens Jesus will take it from you in exchange for His rest. Why wouldn't any people accept that trade? It is a no brainer. To give up things of which we have no control releasing it all to the One who holds the whole world in His hands. 

You have a choice. Live under stress resulting in ulcers, insomnia, and heart attacks. You have another choice. You can pray about everything, not worry about anything, and receive God's peace in your heart and mind. [Phil 4:6-7] Prayer or stress. Burdens or peace. Weary labors or rest. We have a choice. Which will we choose?

Grappling With Grief

 Grief is deep sorrow when somebody dies or you experience a loss. It is a pain you feel in the pit of the stomach. Grieving people will walk around in a daze unable to fully comprehend that someone they loved so much is gone. After the initial shock wears off, the grim reality sets in of a life without the person who died. 

Many grieving people have told me that the big events are tough like Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays. They are able to kind of prepare themselves for those events. The tougher things are the little moments that remind of them of the deceased like a movie, a song, a face in the crowd, or the smell of their perfume or cologne. These are more difficult to navigate. They blindside without warning. 

Experts say people go through stages in grief. The first stage is denial. This is the initial shock of losing someone. They are there one day and then they are gone. Their life is snuffed out. The shock can make a person numb even to the point of not being able to accept it. Phrases like, "I just can't believe they are gone," might be uttered in this stage. 

The second stage of grief is anger. This is when the reality of death and loss set in. The anger may be turned against God. Why did He let it happen. Why didn't He prevent the death? Why did He not intervene? Others might be blamed for the death and anger unleashed on them.  

The third stage is called bargaining. In this stage survivors may constantly dwell on what they could have done differently to prevent the loss. They will play different scenarios over and over in their minds and wish they had done things differently. They reason to themselves if they had just acted or reacted differently the person they love would still be alive. 

The fourth stage is depression. Grieving people may withdraw from normal social activities like church attendance and spending time with family and friends. In the depressed state a darkness settles in on the mind obscuring hope. There is little motivation to do anything productive. People just want to sleep and weep. Consolation from others is not able to be comprehended nor accepted. It may feel like the grieving person's whole world has ended. They struggle to find a reason to keep living. 

The final stage is acceptance. When Christians get to this stage they find peace to comfort and God's reassuring presence to mend their broken heart. They come to accept the fact their lives will never be the same. They have to learn to live a new normal. Very often a very lonely normal. 

Pictures are great for memories, but pictures cannot bring the loved one back. You cannot even tell what the person was thinking when the picture was snapped. Grieving people would trade all their pictures if they could hold their loved one again. 

Grief is real. People move through the different stages at different paces. It may take some years to work through all five stages. Others may work through them much more quickly. Each person must grieve in their own way and in their own time. Some grieve stoically. Others grieve hysterically. Neither is right or wrong. 

I like what I heard a pastor say in a sermon recently when ministering to a grieving person. SHOW UP AND SHUT UP. I heard it put differently in Bible college. Be present and pray. Grieving people do not need to hear cliches like, "They are in a better place." That is not always true if the deceased never trusted Jesus as their Savior. You don't have to say anything. Just show up with a hug and listen. Offer a short prayer of comfort. That is what they need. 

You know what else I have learned? Keep showing up. Watch this happen. When someone dies people show up in the preceding days with food, and offers of, "If I can do anything for you please let me know." Once the funeral is over or the memorial service is concluded, people go back to their lives. The grieving person can't go back to their life as it used to be. They may be forced to go back to work and bravely show up for worship. Things are different. Other people forget but the survivor still grieves. Time move on and people forget about the grieving person. The church should keep showing up. Like one widow did for her friend when her friend's husband died. She called that newly grieving widow every single day for an entire year. 

My wife is an amazing woman. A far better shepherd of people than I am. She keeps record of the date people died and the date of the funeral. She still keeps in contact with people and sends messages to the grieving well over a decade after the death of a spouse, parent, or child. People love her dearly for it. Brenda truly cares about people and feels their pain long after the person dies and the survivors try to put their broken lives back together. We should all follow her example. 

Yes Lord

 In [Matthew 9:27-34] Jesus asked two blind men a question. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" That is a question He asks us today. Our situations are all different. Our challenges are varied in size and scope. Our mountains are mammoth. This is not a question to take lightly. Jesus is asking each of us if we believe that He is able to do this. Whatever this is for you and your family. 

What is your this? For some it is health. For others it is finances. Some are pleading for open doors in a new job. There are those who cry out for restoration of a prodigal child or reconciliation of a fractured relationship. Everybody has a this. It is that one thing we need Jesus to do for us that we are incapable of doing for ourselves. To each of us Jesus asked the simple question, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" The word able is an important word. It means powerful and capable. This is not a theological theory question. It is a question of reality. 

How did the two blind guys respond? Two words. "Yes Lord." 

Now, how do we respond? Do we believe that Jesus is able to help us? Our faith filled response should be a simple, "Yes Lord." Yes Lord. An affirmation of faith. A triumph of trust over doubt and fear. A courageous statement of conviction. Yes Lord, we believe. We trust that You have the power to do anything. We believe for a bigger, better, and brighter future. Yes Lord. 

As you stand on a cliff of faith looking down at the risks and wondering if Jesus is able to help. If you do not believe you will take a step backward toward safety and security. If you have faith you will inch your toes over the edge with nothing but open air underneath. You will step forward courageously in faith. 

Which response defines your life? Yes Lord or no Lord. Yes Lord people are kingdom shakers and history makers. No Lord people are cowards who shrink back in fear and play it safe. Which one defines you?May we all be yes Lord people who believe God for great things. 

Fear or Faith?

 As the day unfolds how will we choose to respond? Fear or faith? There are plenty of opportunities for both if you choose. Things to fear are all around us. Look long and hard enough and you will find something that scares you. The price of eggs. The escalating price of everything. Disease. We even fear things that will never happen to us. 

It was just a year ago last Friday that the wildfires broke out and burned so much of the Panhandle. With that terror fresh on their minds, the predicted wind gusts up there today are forecasted to be as high as 70 mph. Definitely an opportunity to fear again. 

Or we can choose faith. Faith is the assurance of things of hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. [Heb 11:1] Two people can go through the exact same circumstances and one approach them from fear and the other approach them from faith. I read about such an incident this morning in [Matt 8:23-27]. A sudden storm arose on the sea while Jesus and the disciples were in a boat. Jesus slept. The disciples feared for their safety. How can that be? The same waves were toppling over the boat for both Jesus and the disciples. Jesus had faith that He was in the Father's hands of protection. The disciples gave into the frightening possibility of capsizing and drowning. Two responses to the same circumstances. 

How are we facing today? Things may be really tough and trying. It may be really hard sledding. The potential for dangerous devastation stare right in the face. Do we shake in fear and crawfish back in cowardice? Do we grab the shield of faith holding it firmly as we march forward in the battle? Faith can triumph fear. It really comes down to what you dwell on. 

Choose to dwell on God and His enduring faithfulness. There is not a trial that He cannot triumph over. There is not a sorrow that He cannot heal. There is not a financial need so large that He cannot supply easily from His abundance. Focus on God and faith will grow. Focus on faith promises and prayerfully watch what God can do. 

Fear is just doubt masqueraded. Repeatedly we're told in Scripture not to fear. Fear has to be replaced with faith. Faith will supplant fear. If we let it rule fear will overcome faith. So, which will it be? Fear or faith? Faith will usher in God's peace. Fear only leads to anxiety. 

Work Heartily

 Work can be a blessing and a curse. We learn from Genesis 3 that after Adam and Eve sinned part of the curse is that man would have to work for his food. On the other hand, God created us to do something. Some are farmers and ranchers. I met a saddle maker recently. He told me he can make anything out of leather. There are chefs who create culinary delights. Healthcare workers treat sick patients. Law enforcement officers maintain law and order to protect the people. Teachers invest in their students. 

The job title is not what is important. It is not even the magnitude of the work task. What we are called to do is to work heartily. [Col 3:23] That word heartily means to put your heart and soul into it. It does not matter what the task is. A student needs to put their heart and soul in studying. The mechanic needs to put heart and soul in repairs. The waiter or waitress need to put their heart and soul in serving customers. The Bible study leader needs to put their heart and soul in teaching their class whether it be a small group of toddlers or a large class of adults. The cashier needs to work heartily and efficiently getting customers through the line paying for their purchases. 

People do shoddy work these days. They do as little as possible to get a paycheck. They work only when they are watched by supervisors. When nobody is watching they don't do any work. They often have poor attitudes. This is sinful to the Lord. He demands that we do our work heartily. 

Many workers are under appreciated and under compensated. This impacts their work ethic. That should not be the case. We work for the Lord. The Lord sees and will reward our work. That reward might not happen in this lifetime. Work should be an act of worship. To do our very best. To offer our King our heart and soul work so that He is pleased. We may never be noticed for our work down here. We may be passed over for promotions. God will recompense in eternity. 

We need a total mind shift. Not to work for people down here, but to focus our work for the Lord. It is Him we labor no matter what the job might be. Washing dishes or waiting tables. Administering justice or administrating students at school. Performing for the school play or playing on the field in a ball game. God deserves our hearty work. Put your heart and soul into the task no matter what it is. 

Vision

 What is God's unique vision for you? Some people try to follow in other's footsteps mimicking their lives. Each life is uniquely and intentionally designed by our Creator. No matter how hard I try to be Billy Graham, I will never be like him or used like him. That was God's unique design for his life to reach millions of people for Jesus. 

I am convinced that each of us was created with purpose. See Psalm 139:14-16, Jeremiah 1:5 and Ephesians 2:10. Once God has revealed His vision to us we are responsible to live it out. The challenge comes when we want to compare God's vision for us to God's vision for someone else. We are not in competition with other's unique vision. God set the race differently for each of us. We are to run our race with endurance. Hebrews 12:1

God put you on this earth for something. He has an assignment for you. Susannah Wesley is not near as famous as her children. She had multiple children and raised them to fear the Lord. Two of her sons were used prominently while there is relatively little is known about the rest of the children. Her son Charles wrote a great many hymns. Her son John traveled England and the American Colonies preaching and calling people to Jesus. John is credited for starting the Methodist denomination and he and Charles for being instrumental in the First Great Awakening. 

Lottie Moon only stood about 4 feet 11 inches tall. Yet she fearlessly proclaimed Jesus in China like a giant. Today a missions offering is collected each year in her name. Her unique vision was to share Jesus with those who had not heard in a culture far different from hers. She tirelessly wrote letters back home to generate support for the work in China. 

Father Nash is very little known today. He was an associate of Charles Finney. Before Finney went to a town to preach revival meetings he sent Father Nash in advance. Nash would secure lodging and then started fervently interceding before Finney arrived. Finney got the attention because God's unique vision for Father Nash was to minister in the secret place where nobody saw his ministry. 

Sarah Havner is not a household name. Many preachers know about her husband. Sarah was married to Vance. Vance started preaching when he was only 12. He stood in a chair behind the pulpit to proclaim the Bible. He traveled the United States preaching in horse drawn buggy, trains, planes, and automobiles. Here is an interesting note. Vance never learned how to drive. Sarah did all the driving. Vance stood on stages in some of the most prominent churches in the land. Sarah sat quietly and prayerfully listening to her husband preach some of the same messages over and over again. She never had a home to call her home. They rented a home, but were seldom there because they were on the road most weeks of the years living out of suitcases. She never had children and yet was surrounded by children from all over the United States in church after church. Constantly changing scenery and meeting new people. Her unique vision was to help her husband live out his unique vision. 

The challenge is for each of us to live out God's unique vision for us. We each have a role to play in God's unfolding drama. Some are assigned lead parts. They will be displayed more than others and will get more notoriety from the crowds. Others will play support roles hardly noticed by the crowds, but known and appreciated by God. It does not matter what part God assigns us. We must play our part well and do it for the glory of God. Colossians 3:23 in fulfillment of His unique vision.