Warrior God

“The LORD will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.” (Isaiah 42:13 NLT)

Christ is often portrayed as a gentle shepherd, a humble teacher, a suffering victim. We don’t think of him as a powerful warrior.  Thus, we may pray for compassion, mercy, guidance--but, rarely do we ask God to fight our battles. Instead, when we are afraid of the darkness, when we are tired from the daily struggles, we succumb to discouragement. Like a soldier who has lost confidence in his general, we defect and surrender to the opposing side.

BUT, our God is a mighty warrior who knows how to fight. He is armed and skilled. We must acknowledge that God is our commander and put our complete confidence in His power and strategy. Only then will we be able to let Him lead the battle and fall in line behind Him.  

“O LORD, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.” (Psalm 35:1-2 NLT)

Lord, fight our battles--both internal and external; defend us against all evil.

Deferred Hope

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12 NLT)

Lord, for years I have been asking You--that You would reveal Yourself in ways that we can recognize, that You would heal us of all physical, mental, and spiritual illnesses, that You would guard us from evil, that You would guide us, comfort us, and strengthen us.

My heart feels heavy with deferred hope. How long must I wait, Lord? Why are You so slow?! I have been counting on Your promises. I am confident in Your ability, but your timing doesn’t make sense to me. Yes, I feel discouraged and impatient!

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3 NASB)

Lord, I need help while I am waiting--regular updates on how You are working, renewed strength, fresh hope, constant reassurance. Please...

God Spark

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38 NLT)

Since I live in a rural area, I often burn our yard waste in the back yard. After every storm, I gather up the fallen tree branches and place them in a pile. The debris won’t burn by itself. I pour lighter fluid on it and then throw in a lighted match. Once the fire is started, I keep tending it--moving unburned branches and twigs toward the center, and making sure the fire burns steadily until everything is burned.

We can gather up our experiences as kindling--but God has to spark the fire. Without the Holy Spirit’s anointing, our circumstances are just a pile of debris--useless deadwood. But once the power of the Holy Spirit enters into the situation, what was mere rubble is transformed into something purposeful.

Lord, may your anointing fall upon the broken fragments of our lives. May Your Spirit spark a fire in us so that everything we experience becomes fuel for Your purpose.

Absolute Dedication

“Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus.” (My Utmost For His Highest, by Oswald Chambers)

Whether we realize it or not, we are completely dependent on God. We might act as if we are taking care of ourselves and our loved ones, but this is merely a vain illusion. Once we admit that we are reliant on God, the choice of absolute devotion makes more sense.

If we were completely dedicated to Christ, what would our lives look like? Can we still work at our jobs, care for our loved ones, and relax at the end of each day? Or, would we have to give up everything and become missionaries or join a monastery?

When we are constantly listening for God’s instructions, when our thoughts, words, and actions are influenced by God--then, we are living God-centered lives. On the other hand, when we are motivated by cultural expectations and consumed by earthly preoccupations--our focus is diverted, and our hearts are no longer tuned into God. Dedication is more dependent on intention and attention, and less on location. Whether we are at work, or at home, or living in a monastery--we will have to deal with uncertainties on a daily basis. Continually handing over these vulnerabilities is an essential part of absolute dedication and communion with God.  

Managing Your Inheritance

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” (Ephesians 1:18 NIV)

Pray for enlightenment. Imagine that God resides in a room within your soul. Ask him to turn the lights on and invite you into this space. Listen while he shares His perspective and wisdom.

Pray that you may know the hope of His calling. Ask God to help you perceive and respond to His call. Be confident that He has a purpose for you. Expect to hear from God. May the spirit within you be animated by God’s voice, so that you can live according to His purpose.

Pray that you may use your inheritance. We have been given access to God’s resources. However, most of us don’t have the spiritual maturity to understand this inheritance. Thus, we use only a fraction of the power that is available to us through Jesus Christ.

Lord, help us to see you, hear you, touch you, trust you, know you, and love you.  May we be animated by your Spirit and live according to Your purpose.

Romantic Husbands

Sometimes I watch stupid TV when I’m on the treadmill. It gives me an excuse to unleash my mid-workout crankiness by yelling at the TV.

So, the other day, I’m sweating and huffing away--and here comes a contest for the ‘Most Romantic Husband Award.’ As the husbands line up like pageant contestants, their wives explain how romantic their men are. Most of it centers around  fancy dinners, exotic trips, elaborate surprises, and lavish gifts. Since when did romance become so materialistic?

I know a man who supports his wife as she battles cancer. Every few weeks, he drives her over a thousand miles for treatment. He has stayed strong and stoic while having to watch his wife in pain. Now, THAT is romantic!

I know another man who was basically disowned by his family for marrying the woman he loves. For the last 18 years, he hasn’t talked to his parents, siblings, cousins, or old friends. He pours all his love into his wife and kids. Now, THAT is romantic!

I know men who raise their stepchildren as lovingly as they raise their biological children. I know men who sacrifice their dreams and ambitions to provide their families with stability and security. I know men who consistently stay involved, even when relationships get messy. Now, THAT is romantic!

Crossing Thresholds

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

Think back on a trial that you have gone through--something that was beyond your capacity to get through on your own--a time when you overcame the temptation to drown in bitterness and despair and are now stronger for it.

Tribulation threshes us, separating the superficial from the meaningful.  Suffering can lead to endurance--increasing our capacity for pain. Perseverance strengthens our character, which, in turn, allows us a better understanding of God’s character--which is pure love. Experiencing God’s unfailing love leads to confident expectancy in God’s goodness. Once we make it over the threshold of despair, we can enter into this expanse of hope. And then, “We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” (Romans 5:1-2 MSG)

H.O.P.E

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 NIV)

Joyful in hope--Joy is the awareness of God’s grace and love. Joy, trust, and hope are interrelated.  Many of us equate hope with optimism. But the hope that is based on God is much bigger than positive thinking.  When we hope in God, we are trusting in God’s goodness. We wait in anticipation and confident expectation that God will work out His purpose.

Patient in affliction--Patience is the ability to wait while God is working. Imagine yourself in a waiting room of a hospital while a skilled surgeon is working on your affliction. Whether you pace back and forth or sit still won’t affect the outcome one bit. So, don’t be agitated. Be still and know that God is in control.

Faithful in prayer--Be consistent, committed, and connected to God. Have confidence in God. Communicate every concern. Listen for instructions. Express gratitude. Expect goodness.

H.O.P.E.-- Hold On to God; Pray Expectantly.

Joy

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11 NLT)

Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is limited by earthly circumstances, whereas joy goes beyond the natural. It is a supernatural gift from the Holy Spirit. Even though we have access to joy, oftentimes we choose to ignore it. Instead, we reach for the momentary gratification of pleasure, pride, approval, or acceptance. Or, when we are in pain, we opt for instant justification in the form of anger, resentment, bitterness, irritation, impatience, and indignation. Joy requires us to let go of our rigidly-held ideas and embrace The Divine.

Joy is limitless, boundary-less, uncontainable. It springs from within the spirit realm and overflows into physical reality. Joy is the sense of well-being and blessedness that permeates our soul as we become aware of God’s grace and unconditional, unfailing love.

Unfailing Love

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” (Psalm 143:8 NIV)

Lord, may I sense Your unconditional, limitless, inexhaustible, faithful, unrelenting, trustworthy, persistent, and constant love every day. I entrust every aspect of my life to You. You are dependable. You’ve always been there for me. You are like the air that surrounds me from the moment I was born. I often take you for granted, but I can’t survive without You. Sometimes, I stubbornly hold my breath and refuse to depend on You. Other times, I panic and can’t breathe in enough of You.

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life...” (Psalm 23:6 NLT)

Lord, you are our constant guardian, guide, caretaker, provider. You are always attentive, caring, and responsible. You will never neglect or abandon us. Even when we wander away, You will pursue us. We are securely swaddled in Your unfailing love.  

Set Things Right

“Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right. Do what’s best.” (Matt. 6:7 MSG)

When I pray, I ask God to make everything and everybody alright. I want health, peace, prosperity, freedom from suffering and pain, wholeness, comfort, happiness, love, stability, and security. I assume that God wants the same things as I do. But maybe what is acceptable from God’s perspective is different than my ideas. Even though I try not to conform to the world, my vision is inadvertently influenced by my environment.  

“Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 GWT)

Lord, I continually ask you to make things okay, but, according to my expectations. Change my perspective so that I can accept whatever is acceptable to You.

Mother-In-Prayer

“Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.” (Acts 20:32 MSG)

I don’t know if I will ever be a Mother-in-law, but I have already become a Mother-In-Prayer. Let me explain. Over the years, I ‘adopted’ a bunch of boys and girls for whom I pray regularly. Most of them are young adults now. I lift them up to the Lord as they struggle through the challenges of each phase of maturity.  I rejoice when they make it over each obstacle; I feel pain when they fall down.

Prayers for these ‘adopted’ children flow effortlessly from a peaceful part of my heart, whereas the pleas for the son I have birthed are often weighted with worry and fear. I find it easier to release other people’s children to God.

Being a Mom-In-Prayer is wonderfully satisfying. Here is short prayer I use:

Lord, I’m turning  ____ over to you. Make him into the person YOU want him to be. Give him everything he could possibly need to be set apart for Your purposes.

Fault Lines

“Cleanse me from these hidden faults...Don’t let them control me.” (Psalm 19:12-13 NLT)

Most earthquakes happen around fault lines which are deep cracks on the earth’s crust. Many of us are unaware of the hidden fault lines within us.

I’ve got some cracks that are as big as the San Andreas fault line in California! These fractures have been made evident to me from previous upheavals. Yet, I’m sure there are even more hidden faults lurking below my surface. I feel devastated when these flaws take control and affect those around me.

However, earthquakes can also reveal treasures. Gold, quartz, and other precious minerals are often found along fault lines. Similarly, there are precious truths about ourselves that are uncovered along our fractures. In our brokenness, we discover grace; in our weaknesses, we find God’s strength; in our suffering, we find empathy for others. God builds our lives--taking our fault lines into consideration, while also revealing the treasures buried deep within us.  

“May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NET)

Pressing Buttons

The basement level of our house is mainly my son’s domain. He does most of the regular cleaning for this level--vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, etc. But dusting is not part of his routine. One morning, while he was at school, I decided to do some intense dusting. I wiped down all the furniture, electronics, and musical equipment. During this exuberant cleaning, I unintentionally turned some knobs and pressed a few wrong buttons on the electronic equipment. I wasn’t sure how to fix it...so I left it alone. I wondered if I should just completely give up on dusting electronics. Luckily, when my son came home, he was able to reset everything.

I have had similar experiences with people. I tend to be intense in my relationships and friendships.  Sometimes, I unintentionally push sensitive buttons and hurt someone’s feelings. Even though I want to undo what I have done, I don’t know how. When this happens, I feel like withdrawing from everyone and becoming a recluse.

I wonder if this is an inevitable part of all relationships? When I have been friends with someone for a decade or more, I tend to know their sensitive spots. (Mostly because I have pressed it, and they have protested.)  Because of these experiences, I find it expedient to let my friends and family know where my own land mines are buried. Relationships would be easier if we all just let our loved ones know our sensitive spots up front!

"Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people." - Carl Jung

Doormats

Most people have doormats near their front doors that say: Welcome.   I’ve often thought of getting one of those funny doormats that say: GO AWAY. I am highly selective about who I want in my home. I find uninvited visitors to be an imposition. So, I wasn’t too thrilled when I read the following sentences:

“We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a “doormat” for others.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest)

My current, snarky attitude is a long way off from being a welcoming doormat for anyone. I am reluctant to allow others to wipe their feet, smear their dirt, and walk all over me!

Jesus became a doormat--abused, stepped on, imposed upon--all to wipe away our sins as we entered into God’s presence. So, can I not also welcome others to scrape their mess onto me as they approach God?

I’m not willing to be a doormat just anywhere, but only in the house of the Lord.

Exterminator

“You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.” (Psalm 17:3 NLT)

If you have ever had any pests in your home, you know they are most active at night. In late autumn, I often hear scratchy noises coming from our attic. We put out rodent bait, and it seems to solve the problem. I’m not sure if the mice are just lying dormant for the winter, or if they actually take the poison and go looking for water as the product label claims.

Scratchy noises from the attic are not the only thing that keeps me up from sleeping peacefully. Most nights I wake up around around 3 or 4 am--usually after some disturbing dream. I wake up covered in sweat, as if I have been wrestling inner pests all night. I force myself to stay in bed until 5 am. I drift in and out of consciousness. I wonder if God is examining my heart and exterminating my sins?

“You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.” (Psalm 91:6 ESV)

False Selves

“Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?” (Luke 9:23-27 MSG)

These verses remind me of what Thomas Merton said about our true and false selves. The false self is the illusory persona that we present to the world--the roles we play, what we do, what is validated and recognized. Unfortunately, most of us spend so much of our energy and time playing our roles that we never become familiar with our authentic, naked selves. Our true selves are who God intended us to be--our true purpose and identity. Embracing our true selves requires surrendering our false selves.

Recently, I renewed my driver’s license online. When I got my new license in the mail, it came along with instructions to destroy my old license. I couldn’t bring myself to shred the old one, even though it was expired. Instead, I put it away in my fireproof safety deposit box. That little card had confirmed my identity for several years, and I wasn’t ready to give it up. Now, if I had gone to the driver’s license office, I would have had to give up my old card in order to get my new card. But since I was in control this time, I decided to keep both.

We may want to know our true selves, but we are reluctant to give up our false selves. If we have a choice, we would like to have both. Our public personas have served us well over the years. If we take off our masks, if we show our make-up-free faces, if we reveal our nakedness--it might not be socially acceptable. Yet, we have to surrender our expired identity to have access to our true identity. And even if we have the most popular masks, play the most acceptable roles, wear the most desirable make-up and clothes--what’s the point if we aren’t being our true selves?  

Frayed Connections

“Such a one does not keep his hold upon Christ, the Head, from whom the Body, in all its parts nourished and strengthened by its points of contact and its connections, grows with a divine growth.” (Colossians 2:19 WNT)

Laptop power cords can get frayed with careless usage. Most of the time, charger cables get worn out around a couple of main areas: near where they plug into the computer or where they plug into the power source.  Breakage in either area makes the cord useless. If caught early, damaged cords can be repaired by binding the wires together with electric tape. If the wires have come apart completely, then they will have to be soldered back together.  

Similarly, in order to be channels of God’s power and grace, our points of connection have to be strong. Our communion with God, the source of power, has to flow freely. Our relationship with those to whom we are ministering must also stay intact. If noticed early on, strained relationships can be reinforced with extra binding. In later stages, some soldering, melting, and fusing might be necessary.

Holding on to Christ is essential, for without Him we are powerless. Nourishing and strengthening our points of contact with God and with others allow us to be good conduits for God’s grace.

Spirit Light

“‘This is my promise to them,’ says the LORD. ‘My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I put in your mouth will not leave you. They will be with your children and your grandchildren permanently,’ says the LORD.” (Isaiah 59:21 GWT)

On frigid winter days, I’m hesitant to go outside. The wind and cold temperatures are uncomfortable. Bulky clothing prevents me from moving freely. I’m afraid of  getting into a car accident while driving in snow or ice. I become housebound--limiting my access to sunlight, people, and opportunities. Thus my need to avoid discomfort, powerlessness, and fear keeps me from functioning effectively.

God has promised that His Spirit will be within all of us permanently. Yet we can’t always sense this Spirit. Thus, we operate from a superficial, human mindset. We are reluctant to access the light that is available to us. We can’t express the thoughts and words of the Spirit when we aren’t exposed to them. Our desire for comfort, control, and security prevents us from facing the Spirit Light.

“Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God’s bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness. But God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2 MSG)

Dealing with Regrets

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Heb. 11:1 NLT)

If I could go back into my past and start over, there are several things I would do differently. Yet, I know that this is impossible. I try not to get bogged down in regret and despair.

Looking back can be useful when it is used to formulate the next step forward. Examining the immediate past is often more valuable than reminiscing about previous phases of life. Think back on yesterday or last week--what would you do differently today or this week?

Ask God to point out anything that needs changing. Expect guidance. The Holy Spirit will enable you to move forward in alignment with God’s will. Recalling how God has worked in the past gives us the confidence to hope. Faith leads to trust, and trust brings a blessed assurance that everything is in God’s capable hands.

Divine Influence

“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” (Proverbs 29:25 MSG)

How can we always operate under God’s influence and not be swayed by human opinion? From our human perspective, it is often difficult to differentiate between what is worldly and what is godly.

What we need is a filter that blocks out the pollution, but still allows divine inspiration. Like those people wearing face masks in the big cities of China--we still have go about our everyday lives, but maybe we could  inhale less of this world’s exhaust fumes.

Can Trust in God be the filter that separates human opinion from divine influence? When we inhale and exhale through trust, we are less likely to internalize the pollutants. Sure, we might seem goofy to others who are walking around without protective masks; and, yes, it is uncomfortable at first, but the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term inconvenience. Trust in God protects us from being disabled and exhausted by human opinion.

Hope for the Helpless

“Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.” (Psalm 10:17 NLT)

Recently, I was visiting an old Catholic church filled with beautiful artwork. I kept noticing images of Mother Mary, watching helplessly, as Jesus suffered.

At some time or another, we have all experienced feelings of powerlessness as we watched our loved ones suffer. We want to reach out and do something to comfort them. But often, we are unable to do anything other than stand by helplessly.

I think there is value in knowing that someone cares enough to witness your suffering. Private pain can be unbearably intense. It feels invalid and distorted. It is often compounded by shame and hopelessness. During times of adversity, I have found comfort in having even one person who empathetically listens to my anguish and fears.

God hears our cries of helplessness. Yet, most of us can’t sense His comforting presence. We need human hugs; we need words we can hear; we need to know that our pain is legitimate, and that we aren’t just crazy. Even when we are mere witnesses to those who are in pain, we can still be tangible manifestations of God’s grace, validation, and comfort.