streams

streams

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Painless Harm

“Someone went out to the field to gather some herbs and found a wild vine. He picked some of its fruit, enough to fill up the fold of his robe. He came back, cut it up, and threw the slices into the stew pot, not knowing they were harmful.” (2 Kings 4:39 NET)

During the recent solar eclipse, there were many media reports warning people not to look at the eclipse directly. Even a few minutes of looking at the sun directly can cause eye damage. However, since there are no pain receptors on the retina, there is no pain to alert you to the harm.  

Pain can be a useful warning system. When we touch a burning stove, we pull our hands back immediately. If we get sick while eating a certain kind of dish at a restaurant, we learn to avoid it.  When we encounter someone who has caused injury in the past, we remember the agony and stay away from him.  But there are many instances when there is no immediate pain. This lulls us into a false sense of security.  We remain complacent, unaware of the harm.

Lord, thank you for the lessons of pain. Teach us to heed Your warning system. Grant us the wisdom to stay away from things that cause permanent damage.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

My Delight

“Take delight in the Lord,  and he will give you your heart’s desires.” (Psalm 37:4 NLT)

I have a neighbor who enjoys daily bubble baths. She carves out time, every evening, to luxuriate in a tub of warm water and scented bubbles.  Personally, I do not find bubble baths to be worth the effort. However, I have found other ways to indulge myself. Every morning, I get a cup of coffee, find a quiet space, and immerse myself in the Lord. I savor His Spirit; I luxuriate in His presence; I enjoy His company.  

On many days, this feels like an indulgence. There are so many things to get done, so many other desires vying for attention. Yet, my heart craves this intimacy and remains restless when I pursue other pleasures. Nothing else brings contentment. Thus, I return to the One who restores me. I delight in the Lord. He is my source of refreshment and rejuvenation.  I remain with Him until my thoughts and desires conform to His will. His peace washes over me. All is well when I am fully absorbed in the Lord.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Spiritual Immunity

“They are loudmouths, full of hot air, but still they're dangerous. Men and women who have recently escaped from a deviant life are most susceptible to their brand of seduction.” (2 Peter 2:18 MSG)

Very few humans have the spiritual immunity to stand up to the powers of evil. The rest of us walk through life lackadaisically--unaware of the symptoms and virulence of wickedness. This makes us susceptible.  

The worldly are addicted to approval and pleasure. Like those who live in a crack house, we become habituated to degenerate behavior. We’ve seen and been around this stuff so long that we are not bothered by depravity.  Even if we move out and get cleaned up, the old lifestyle still holds a certain amount of appeal. It wouldn’t take much for us to be seduced back into the darkness.

“Better not to have started out on the straight road to God than to start out and then turn back, repudiating the experience and the holy command. They prove the point of the proverbs, ‘A dog goes back to its own vomit.’" (2 Peter 2:21-22 MSG)

Monday, August 28, 2017

The Contagion of Evil

Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.” (2 Peter 2:2 NIV)

Disease can be contagious; health is not. You are more likely to pick up infections from being around sick people than you are to pick up good habits from hanging around healthy individuals. Why? None of us would choose to be sick, but once we are exposed to a contagious illness, it is often outside of our control whether we get infected or not. On the contrary, we would like to emulate those who are physically fit. We have a choice in this matter. However, many of us are reluctant to make the necessary changes in behavior.

Evil is contagious; goodness is not. Depravity can contaminate wholeness a lot quicker than decency can influence wickedness. Why? None of us would choose degeneration; it is just what happens when we consort with evil. Like kids grasping the edges of a slippery slide, we try not to spiral down any further into degradation, but it’s hard to reverse our choices once we get this far.

Conversely, we admire those who are honorable and conscientious; yet, we find it difficult to emulate them. Ascending the heights of virtue takes effort and commitment. Yet, we cannot get very far on our own. We have to rely on God to protect and guide us through.  

Friday, August 25, 2017

Tolerating Evil

 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9 NASB)

Nobody is perfect. We have all done something or other that we are ashamed of in our pasts. We have had wicked  thoughts, said inappropriate things, and committed sins. Thus, it feels inappropriate to repudiate evil. Who are we to judge? Should we not forgive others? Isn’t tolerance a virtue?

According to the above verse, we are to abhor evil. To abhor something means to regard it with contempt or disgust. It is natural to recoil when you see a poisonous snake. It would be unwise to let it crawl on your lap. Smooth-tongued, double-dealing deceivers are no exception.

Tolerance of evil in the name of love is hypocritical. We become proponents of the lie, participants in the pretense. We cannot cling to both good and evil. Either we are shackled by our fondness for falsehood and depravity, or we are attracted to truth and sincerity. We must choose.


Thursday, August 24, 2017

Recognizing Evil

“But Jesus perceived their wickedness...” (Matthew 22:18 KJV)

How can we tell if something is truly evil? Malevolence is covert and shrewd which makes it hard to identify. However, there is often a pattern to the devilry. To those who are aware, the signs are unmistakable.

It’s like identifying the stench of a skunk; once you’ve been around it, you know when you smell it again. At first there may be just a whiff of puffery; perhaps a hint of pretension, depravity, and deception. However, if you get close enough--a miasma of wickedness permeates everything.


Like a snail who leaves slime in its path, an evil person consistently leaves destruction in his wake. All those who are close become victims of his vices. However, he will never admit fault, always blaming circumstances or others for the devastation. This self-deception is yet another subtle warning signal of wickedness.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Evil Among Us

"The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out.” (Jeremiah 17:9 MSG)

The recent wave of violence and protests by White Supremacists has evoked a sense of horror and confusion to many of us in America. How could a nation that fought Naziism and Fascism overseas now be propagating these evils? The stigma of bigotry and racism has diminished. Evil has always been with us, slinking in the dark, ashamed to express itself in decent company. Yet now it feels emboldened, because it is sanctioned by those in power.

One of the few benefits of unconcealed evil is that it brings everything into the light. It forces us to face what we would rather not face--that evil is real, it’s all around us, and it influences our thoughts and actions. These are uncomfortable and scary truths that we badly want to ignore. It’s like finding a cancerous lesion on our body and shrugging it off as something that has always been there.  Yet, deep down, our conscience tells us that something is off. Careful self-examination, even though distressing, is necessary. It is wise to remove the malignancy before it takes over our lives.


Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Beloved

“I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.” (Psalm 116:1 NLT)

The Bible abounds with verses about God’s love for humanity. God’s love is manifested in the details of His creation, His compassion, and His grace. God’s sacrificial, unconditional love was displayed on the cross. There is no questioning the intensity and consistency of God’s love.

How about our love for God? Do we love Him back? How do we show our affection? Do we want to spend time with Him, talk to Him, serve Him? Are we in an on-again, off-again relationship with Him, or are we consistent? Do we get distracted by other people and passions, or do we remain faithful to God?


I love You, Lord. I am aware of the intensity and depth of Your love for me; the knowledge that my love is exponentially reciprocated is reassuring. You are my beloved. I can gaze at you all day long, listen to your whispers, and enjoy your closeness. I’m eager to respond when You call. I shall cling to You and follow You. I feel safe with You. I am Yours and You are mine.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Smart Spirit

“The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. ” (John 14:26 MSG)

I don’t know how I managed to get through the first few decades of my life without a smartphone. These days, I check my phone almost every waking hour. I use the phone to stay connected to friends and family, listen to music, and read the news. I look at the weather app before I step outside my home. I read reviews before I make purchases. I use the GPS on my phone for directions to unfamiliar places. I use it as an alarm, a calendar, and an address book. I would feel lost and disoriented without my phone.

We have always had access to something far greater than all the technological devices that exist today. The Friend, the Holy Spirit, dwells within us. He makes everything plain. He reminds us what we know in our innermost parts. He gives us insights into truth. We have infinite wisdom and comfort within our reach.

Lord, teach me to consult Your Holy Spirit before I speak, before I make decisions, before I do anything.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Refocus

“When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you.” (Psalm 42:6 MSG)

When I feel agitated or despondent, it is a sign that I am  disconnected from God. My mind is fixated on my circumstances and my inability, not on God’s power and grace. I have developed a coping mechanism to refocus my attention. I have made up and memorized a list of characteristics and attributes of God from A to Z. As I recite these, silently, I feel a sense of peace and strength wash over me.

Available
Burden-Bearer
Comforter
Defender
Everlasting
Faithful
Good Shepherd
Helper
Indwelling
Jesus
Keeper
Light
Mediator
Near
Omniscient and Omnipotent
Protector
Quieter of the Storm
Reviving One
Spirit of Truth
Trustworthy
Understanding
Vindicator
Worthy
Xavier (Savior)
Yahweh
Zealous

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Awareness

Continued from last post...

“I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence. I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me...Look! Those who left you are falling apart!” (Psalm 73:22-27 MSG)

Last Tuesday, our entire neighborhood lost landline phone and internet connection for the whole day. Since many of us rely mostly on our cell phones for calls and internet, we didn’t even realize that there was a problem. The first neighbors who noticed were the ones who relied solely on the connection for all their internet needs.

How can we know when we are disconnected from God, if we rarely use our opportunities to connect with Him?

Do we communicate with God intimately, authentically, and constantly? Is He our primary mode of connection to everything else, or do we merely use Him as a back-up plan? Have we developed an awareness to His presence and providence?

Jesus has gifted us with the ability to recognize the Spirit of Truth. There was a time when we were disconnected, falling apart with every crisis. We are no longer unaware of the Lord’s presence. We don’t pull away when He takes our hand. Now we follow willingly as He leads us tenderly into a sense of wholeness, wellness, and peace.  


Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Empty Lives

“Apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)

My car has a remote key fob with a microchip that controls all the doors and the ignition. Last week I went walking with a friend on a trail. Since I didn’t have any pockets, I just held the remote in my hands as I walked. We walked several miles before we got back to our cars. I pressed the buttons to open my car, but nothing happened. I opened up the case to see what was wrong, and I noticed that the microchip was gone. It must have dropped out of the case sometime during my walk. Who knows how long I had been walking around with an empty shell of a remote?

Many of us go through our days with hollow souls. Just because so many others are doing the same thing, doesn’t make it any less futile. We hold on tightly to empty cases, imagining they are worthy. We walk around looking like we are still productive and useful, but we are just going through the motions, wasting time and energy. Disconnected from the Spirit of God, we can do nothing meaningful.


Continued in the next post...

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Making Space

“There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 NLT)

The Lord makes space for me. However, I often have difficulty finding room for God in my day. I used to devote the first hour of every morning to ‘quiet time’ with God. These days, my mornings seem very chaotic. I allow myself to be distracted. I let other things take precedence over my appointment with God.

What if God occupied all space, and our lives were little bubbles inside His vastness? When we know what we want and we feel competent in our ability to make things happen on our own, we don’t see any reason to bother with God. We float around in the delusion of self-sufficiency, until something happens to burst our bubble. Thus adversity, uncertainty, instability, insecurity, disappointment, fear, anxiety--all can make us open to the Spirit.

“Open up before God, keep nothing back; he’ll do whatever needs to be done: He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. Quiet down before God,  be prayerful before him.” (Psalm 37:6-7 MSG)

Monday, August 14, 2017

Aging

“Gray hair is a crown of glory.” (Proverbs 16:31 NLT)

I’m well on my way to a crown of glory. My hair is graying, and the rest of me is aging as well. Aches and pains are becoming more common. I need reading glasses to read fine print. I have difficulty hearing things, but I also complain about music being too loud. I can’t understand the lyrics to most of the current songs. I have trouble relating to younger characters in movies. I prefer to go out during the day and stay home after dark.


However, I have discovered many positive things about aging, too. My life is more authentic now that I no longer operate by other people’s standards. I recognize and avoid toxicity. I am more intentional about how I use my time and energy. I’m less inclined to get involved in other people’s drama. Experience has made me more resilient. I accept that change is inevitable and adaptation is imperative. I know how little I know. I am at peace with this. I am more grateful and less ambitious. I am aware of my powerlessness and God’s power. I am cognizant of my dependence on Him. I have learned to trust God more and more.

Friday, August 11, 2017

All-Knowing

“This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.” (Matthew 6:8 MSG)

The omniscience of God brings up more questions than answers. If God knows what we need before we even ask, why pray? If He already knows everything that will happen, is there free will, or are all our choices predestined?  

"God will not hold us responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination, and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal with these truths is to raise our eyes to God and in deepest reverence say, ‘O Lord, Thou knowest.’ Those things belong to the deep and mysterious Profound of God's omniscience. Prying into them may make theologians, but it will never make saints." (A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God)

God is All-knowing. We are not. This means that certain things will always be incomprehensible to the human mind. When we pray, we can forego the list of petitions and nagging reminders. Instead, slip into a state of  reverential intimacy. Acknowledge God’s omniscience. He is deeper and vaster than we can fathom.

"LORD, you know what's happening to me. Please step in and help me.” (Jeremiah 15:15 NLT)


Thursday, August 10, 2017

Detachment

“Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out. I want you to live as free of complications as possible.” (1 Corinthians 7:31-32 MSG)

Detachment involves letting go of our attachments. It is natural to want to hold on to our relationships, identities, wealth, comforts, privileges,  viewpoints, passions, etc. However, there are times when it becomes necessary to loosen our grip.

Oftentimes detachment is involuntary. We let go because we are powerless in the situation. We hang on to the ledge until our strength gives out, and then we are forced to release our grip. We have no choice.

Other times, we relinquish control even when have influence over the situation. This form of detachment is even more difficult. It involves trust. We may not be completely powerless, but we are willing to hand things over to a power higher than our own.  

Lord, show me how to detach from worldly cares and pursuits. Teach me to hand everything over to You in trust.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Receiving Service

‘“No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”’ (John 13:8 NLT)

One of my friends recently broke her arm. Her arm has been in a cast for weeks. Her loved ones have been helping her with personal tasks that she cannot manage on her own. She is usually very independent and physically active. Receiving help from others has been particularly challenging for her.

When Jesus offered to wash the feet of the disciples, Peter protested. He did not think it was appropriate for The Teacher to serve the disciples. To put this scenario in modern day terms, it would be like your boss giving you a pedicure. Most of us would have a hard time allowing even our friends to touch our feet.

I am one of those people who would rather give than receive. This sounds virtuous, but it’s actually more about pride and power than generosity. Obviously, washing someone’s feet is an act of submission, but accepting service from others also requires humility. If you, like me, have difficulty accepting help from others, humble yourself and practice receiving for a change. Here are a few practices I have incorporated into my life:
--When someone gives you something, be grateful. Don’t try to immediately think of ways to pay them back so you don’t feel indebted.
--Ask for favors when you need them.
--Admit neediness, ignorance, and weakness.

“Until we can receive with an open heart, we're never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help.” (Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection)

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Trustworthy

“Fearless now, I trust in God.” (Psalm 56:4 MSG)

I have never worried whether the sun would rise every morning. It has been reliable thus far. There are days when I may not see the sun because it is hidden behind clouds, but I am certain it is still there. During winter, when daylight is short, our star seems distant and negligent. But I know the sun doesn’t change; it’s merely my seasonal perspective that has shifted.

God is trustworthy, reliable, and unchangeable. Even when I can’t see Him, I can sense His light. Even during seasons when He seems distant, I know He is still near. I might need to adjust my mindset in order to recognize His presence.


Fear creeps in when I fail to acknowledge God. The more I attempt to rely on my abilities and my circumstances, the less I am able to sense God’s strength and nearness. I struggle to maintain control; I fail; I fall into despair. There is only one way to reverse this disorder: I must practice trust. I train myself to hand over more and more of my concerns to God. I make incremental changes.  Each day, I spend a few more moments leaning on the Lord than I did the day before. As my confidence in Christ increases, the bolder I become. I look forward to the day when nothing fazes me--when I can stand in the dark fearlessly, trusting in God completely.  

Friday, August 4, 2017

Intrinsic Growth

“What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NLT) 

There was a time when I was mostly sedentary. I sat most of the day, avoiding exertion as much as possible. I could not run even half a mile without feeling like I might faint. I admired those who were active and strong, but I wasn’t sure how I could be like them. Then someone told me about a program called Couch to 5k-- which trains people who spend most of their day sitting on the couch to running 5 kilometers. Their system is simple: you walk a few minutes, then run a few minutes. Each day you spend more time running and less time walking. Eventually, you learn to run continuously until you can finish a 5 km distance. This taught me a great lesson: incremental changes and persistence can get me from where I am to where I want to be. These days, I am training for a marathon--26.2 miles/42 km. The distance is far, but I know that if I spend more time running and less time sitting, I will eventually get there.


There are many, many areas in my life where I am far from where I want to be. I will just give one example here to clarify my point: I would like to be more focused on my intrinsic growth than on extrinsic events in my life. Right now, I spend the majority of each day focused on what is happening around me. I can sense the importance of interior development, but just like the majority of people, I get absorbed in worldly distractions.  The distance feels insurmountable right now, but I know I can make it. I just have to make incremental changes--spending a few extra moments every day focusing on my soul, and a few less on everything else.

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Abuse

“You must not take advantage of each other.” (Leviticus 25:14 NLT)

Do you take advantage of others? Do you allow others to abuse you? Do you stand by while your loved ones are being victimized?

Abusive relationships are often based on the oppression of certain individuals so that others may profit. Perpetrators often get away with mistreatment by using deception and excuses. They convince victims that what they are doing is justified--either the victim deserves it, or it’s harmless, and the victim is merely overreacting.

Most of us would not tolerate abuse if we could identify it and had the power to stop it. Thus, the first step is to recognize it.

Here is the dictionary definition of abuse: to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way; to use wrongly, to speak insultingly or unjustly.
Synonyms: exploit, impose upon,  manipulate, violate, fleece, maltreat
Antonyms: aid, assist, protect, defend, respect, cherish, honor

Are there people in your life who treat you with contempt so that they can feel better about themselves?

Do you exploit or manipulate others for your own pleasure?

Or are you investing in relationships where everyone is cherished, honored, encouraged, and protected from harm?