Be Quiet

"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." (Exodus 14:14 NASB)

One of our computers is minimally responsive these days. It’s always busy--the hard drive is constantly whirring, and the cursor keeps spinning as if it’s caught up in an endless loop of processing. As long as it remains consumed with running background tasks, we cannot use it for our purposes.

When we are busy fulfilling our ambitions, pursuing distractions,  or tangled in worry--we become non-responsive to God. We get caught up in an endless loop of processing and striving. We try to figure out how to work things according to our agenda. As long as we remain consumed by worldly issues--daily tasks, relationships, diversions--we are of minimal use to God. Busyness and striving may make us feel relevant. It is natural to want to be noticed, heard, and appreciated. However, while we are occupied with defending, explaining, influencing, and demonstrating our knowledge, we become numb to divine promptings.

Be still and let God work. Wait on God to provide, answer, and take care of things. Be quiet. Allow God to fulfill His intended purpose through you and every circumstance.

The Branches

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 ESV)

The heart is the center of the human body. The circulatory system consists of many branches that transport blood back and forth to the heart for oxygenation. The aorta branches directly from the heart to supply blood to the rest of the body. If this main artery gets severed, the result is fatal.

Jesus is the main artery that directly connects us to the heart of God who supplies and upholds everything. We are the branches--secondary vessels in the supply chain. As long as we stay connected to Christ, His life blood flows through us.  Severed from Him, we can no longer accomplish our purpose. Everything we do becomes meaningless.

Lord, help me to abide in You, remain intentionally aware of You. 

The Benefit of Discipline

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” (Genesis 50:20 NLT)

I am disciplined when it comes to exercise. I run, lift weights, and practice yoga by choice. None of these activities are pleasant while they’re happening; it takes a long time before there are any noticeable benefits.

Voluntary forms of discipline like exercise, fasting, silence, and solitude are far from fun, but they can be productive. These habits can lead to right living, peace, and wholeness. Since  we get to choose when to start and stop training, these practices can be less burdensome than ones we have no power over. However, imagine you are taken prisoner by an oppressive government. You are starved, forced to do manual labor, and kept in solitary confinement. It would be much harder to see anything beneficial coming out of these experiences, because they are externally imposed against our will.

Both voluntary and involuntary discipline can bring about good. It all hinges on our perspective. If we succumb to despair, fear, and negativity, we become enslaved by our circumstances. However, if our adversity prompts us to turn to God, and we learn to depend on Him, it leads to a mature faith that is invaluable.

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” (Hebrews 12:11 NLT)

NOT on My Own

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 ESV)

The above verse has been my lifeline in tough times. I have chanted it like a mantra as I crawled through dark valleys of helplessness:
Yes, I have strength for all things because Christ empowers me!
Yes, I can make it through anything through Christ who infuses me with inner strength!
Yes, I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency!

I thought I had sucked all the marrow out of this verse, yet, today I got a new insight about it. There are several people for whom I pray regularly. I also try to give them advice and support. As I was stewing in frustration about the lack of positive results, a sudden thought occurred to me:
My loved ones are strengthened for all things because Christ empowers them.
They can make it through anything through Christ who infuses them with inner strength!
They are self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency!
NOT because I have what it takes to influence them with good advice! Their progress, their faith, their fulfillment is not dependent on me. I don’t have enough power to empower anyone. 
BUT Christ does. 

Choosing to Surrender

“When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’” (Acts 21:14 NLT)

It was a season of busyness, and I had been maintaining an unremitting pace of daily activities. I ignored my fatigue and pushed through in the name of diligence. As long as I had any semblance of control, I continued to work my plan. Then, I got injured; everything came to a standstill. When it became clear that I had no other choice, I surrendered to God’s will.

I pride myself on being a good student, but the lessons of surrender have been difficult:
-My ability to influence others is limited. Any results are temporary.
-The delusion of control can be damaging.
-I must relinquish my agenda before I can yield to God.
-I am powerless unless I am empowered by God.
-Absolute trust in God is essential.
-I must wait patiently and confidently. God’s timing may not match my timetable.

In His Name

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14 NIV)

I’ve been to a few land auctions just to watch the proceedings. Large parcels of land are sold to the highest bidder for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The auctioneers speak rapidly, and the bidders are quite subtle--a nod of  the head or a touch of a cap can signal the next high offer. Sometimes I see proxy agents who make offers while on the phone. These representatives are making bids for buyers who are not even present at the auction. The proxy agent has been given the authority to commit whatever the buyer has previously approved. The agent doesn’t have the money, but he is confident that the buyer will pay.

When we pray in the name of Jesus, we are interceding according to His directions. As representatives of Christ, we have been given the authority to make huge bids beyond our capacity. There is a certain amount of detachment that we have in the results, since we are merely go-betweens in this process. We stay in constant communication with God so that we know His will at all times. Mutual trust is essential. We must be committed and attentive to the Lord. We also have to be confident that the  One whom we represent will come through on His promises.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17 NLT)

I Need Thee

“I count on you from morning to night.” (Psalm 86:3 MSG)

I depend on oxygen to breathe, yet I rarely think about it. The only time I’m conscious of my need for oxygen is when I am under water. I can only hold my breath for so long before I have to come up for air.

We are dependent on God; some of us are oblivious to this truth.  Even though we are unaware, our need for Him does not diminish. Our appreciation for God is often proportional to our level of desperation. When we are drowning in adversity, we become conscious of our insufficiency. This makes us turn to God who is always near. The more we lean on Him, the more we understand Him. The more we acknowledge Him, the more we experience Him. The more we depend on Him, the more we realize our need for Him--every second, every hour, every day.

“I need thee every hour
Most gracious Lord 
No tender voice like thine
Can peace afford
I need thee oh I need thee 
Every hour I need thee
Oh bless me now my savior 
I come to thee
I need thee every hour
Stay thou near by 
Temptations lose their power
When thou art nigh.”
(Lyrics by Annie S. Hawks)

I Am Covered

“Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13 NLT)

Medical care is so prohibitively expensive these days. A serious illness could bankrupt most people who do not have insurance coverage. Whenever I need any sort of medical care, I’m required to submit my insurance information. Since I am covered under my husband’s insurance policy from work, I have access to health care benefits.

The cost of salvation is prohibitive. We are unable to acquire it by our own merit. Fortunately, the sacrificial blood of Christ covers all who trust in Him. We have access to a life with God because of this coverage. Even if we are stinky with sin, we are washed clean by the sacrifice of Jesus. We no longer have to stay far away. We can boldly approach God and ask Him for what we need. There is great power in the blood of Christ. We are cleansed, redeemed, and made holy because of His sacrifice.

Going Within by Going Without

“All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips...” (Daniel 10:3 NLT)

The Prophet Daniel describes going without certain luxuries for a certain length of time. There was a purpose to his asceticism. He was waiting for revelation from God. Daniel was rewarded with an amazing vision.

In our culture of indulgence, any form of voluntary asceticism is often viewed as pointless. Why should we deny ourselves of what is available? Fasting is similar to going camping. We leave the comfort of our sheltered life and bravely embrace the discomforts of living outdoors. We hope to experience nature and learn about ourselves in the process. Going without can allow us to go within--to a deeper level of understanding. Self-denial enables us to submit our egos. We are no longer masters of our own desires. As we humble ourselves, there is a natural detachment from wanting our own way in all things. When we disconnect from our appetite for distractions, pleasure, and comfort--we start sensing a deeper longing for something indescribable. We discover a yearning for God which has always been there, buried under everything else.

Persistent Prayer

“Pray all the time.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 MSG)

Some people say that they can stop communicating with their good friends for months or years and still pick up where they left off. I can’t. I have concentric circles of relationships. The ones closest to me know what is going on with me on a regular basis. I ‘do life’ with these people. They know my thoughts, fears, joys, and struggles. There are no breaks or gaps in these relationships. 

Prayer is the way we relate with to God. This connection has to be constant, with no intermissions. When we ‘do life’ with God, we are praying unceasingly. An atmosphere of reverence surrounds us, and we are saturated in God-consciousness. Our attitude is one of  dependence and thankfulness. We talk unabashedly,  asking the Lord for anything and everything. We wait in expectation and confidence, certain that He will not withhold any good thing from us. 

The Power of Song

“At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.” (2 Chronicles 20:22 NLT)

King Jehoshaphat knew that the battle he faced belonged to God. Thus, the king sent the choir in before the army. At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused infighting among the enemy. The Judeans won the battle by singing.

I have witnessed the power of song in my life. Lyrics of songs I have heard in the past come to my mind at the most opportune times. These songs give me strength and comfort. I am not a good singer, so I rarely sing in public. Yet, I sing often when I am alone.

Music is one of the most powerful ways to express God. Many people find it easier to remember words set to a melody than to memorize scripture. Songs are often written in a more personal language which makes them more accessible. God can use the right song at the right time to communicate to us intimately. We can sing before battles and after victories. We can lay out our emotions as well as our gratitude. We can allow God to empower us as He fills our lives with song.

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” (Colossians 3:16 NLT)

Praying Psalm 27

Lord, you are my source of light and sustenance

With you by my side, I’m fearless. 

You protect me from danger, 

So why should I be afraid?

When bullies attack me,

When evil surrounds me, 

I will remain confident in You.

God,  I’m asking You for one thing:

Let me live in Your presence, 

Contemplating Your beauty,

Studying at Your feet. 

Hide me in Your sanctuary

Hold me up above the reach of my enemies.

Teach me to sing and praise You 

I hear You calling me.

I’m seeking You. 

Do not reject me.

Direct me along the right paths,

Away from evil.

As I stick close to You,

I am confident I will experience Your goodness.

Litany of Trust

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3 NIV)

Some days, the trials we face can feel like an insurmountable pile of rocks blocking our path forward. Some are like giant boulders, too heavy for us to move; other issues may be smaller but numerous. When daily struggles threaten to overwhelm us, what can we do?

When life spins out of control, we become more conscious of our dependence on God. We can choose to be despondent or to trust God.
Like me, you may have a list of worries for today. Write them down, one at a time. Respond to each concern with a litany of trust.

I feel heavy about my relationships with ___
Lord, I trust YOU to handle this situation.

I don’t know what to do about ___
Lord, I trust YOU to help me figure it out.

I’m worried about ___
Lord, I trust YOU to take care of him.

What trials are you facing today? How will you respond?

Catching God Thoughts

“The LORD gave me this answer: ‘Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you...’” (Habakkuk 2:2 GWT)

I developed the habit of taking notes as a student. I would write down everything I could  and then go over my notes later to make sense of it all. Even now, I like to write down everything--grocery lists, goals, prayers, dreams, conversations with friends, insights from books, quotes, notes on speeches, chores I have to do, emotions, questions, experiences, lessons learned, travel notes, running logs, people’s names, gratitude lists, emails to friends, texts to myself, divine prompts, words to look up, etc. My mind is full of butterfly images, flitting from one thing to another. The actual act of writing gathers these wandering thoughts into cohesive insights leading to reflection and understanding.

Prayer allows me to set my mind like a net so I may catch the thoughts of God. Written prayers allow me to commit my concerns to God. Once I set them down on paper, I feel a sense of relief that I don’t get from merely thinking or verbalizing. When a prayer is answered, I record that too. This increases my courage and confidence in God. I also write down insightful dreams, conversations, and revelations. I don’t know if something is valuable or not when I am writing, but I also don’t want to miss out on God’s insights because I failed to take notes.

Here are a few tips from my writing practice. Have a small notebook and pencil with you, or use your smartphone and text yourself reminders. Don’t use scraps of paper that can get lost easily. Get in the habit of  jotting down anything that makes an impression, even if it seems silly, even if it doesn’t make sense at the moment. Take your notes to God. Ask Him to help you understand what You need to know. Write down these clarifications. Share them with others.

Obstacles vs. Challenges

“Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate.” (James 1:12 MSG)

I have many reasons to stop running. The one that concerns me most these days is exercise-induced asthma. Most days, I am fine, but some days, my airways constrict to the point where I can’t breathe or speak during running.

I can choose to look at my health issue as an obstacle or a challenge. If viewed as an obstacle, it would give me a reason to quit. Instead, if I can think of it as a challenge to be overcome, it could make me stronger.  I have seen people with severe disabilities who inspire everyone around them. I have also been around individuals who allow self-limiting thoughts to control them. It all depends on our perspective. 

Therefore, I remind myself of the thousands of people who are physically unable to walk, much less run. I thank God for my current physical health and entrust my lungs into His care as I lace up my running shoes. 

Opportunities for Ineffeciency

“While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through.” (Acts 20:2 NLT)

The Apostle Paul traveled on foot whenever possible. He would often send his traveling companions ahead by ship while he walked through rural areas on his way to city centers. This must have been inconvenient and inefficient.

Some days, everything we do seems inefficient.  Prayer seems fruitless with no visible results. Our attempts to encourage others seem ineffective. Our actions against social injustice seem unproductive. These everyday inefficiencies can be enlightening. Yes, we are inadequate. Yes, most of what we say and do has very little lasting value. Understanding and accepting these truths allow us to depend on God. Only by His power and fortitude can we finish the work assigned to us. Thus, let us not shrink from inefficiency or inconvenience. Instead, let us move forward with singleness of purpose, revealing the wonderful grace of God.

Assessing Value

“No more will anyone call you rejected.” (Isaiah 62:4 MSG)

My husband and I had to sell our first home due to a job relocation. The real estate agent assessed the value of our home by comparing it to the selling price of similar homes in the area. It did not match what we had in mind. Our home was much more valuable to us because we lived, loved, and made memories in it.

This is the way of the world. We assess our value by comparing ourselves to those around us. Are we as successful, intelligent, wealthy, beautiful, or admired as our neighbors? Do our kids measure up to other kids? Are our relationships as wonderful as our friends’ relationships? Are our acquisitions better?

This form of comparative assessment diminishes the true value of an individual. Our value cannot be determined by comparing external accomplishments, physical attributes, or temporal relationships. Our value is determined by our relationship with God. Even if we are rejected, abused, neglected, or invalidated--God loves us unconditionally. We are worthy because God lives in us, loves us, and works through us.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV)

Battery Low

“They follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:4 NLT)

Something really weird happened to me recently. I have rechargeable, wireless headphones which give vocal notifications when the battery is low. I use these headphones, mainly during running, to listen to podcasts and sermons. In the middle of a long run, I heard the following through the earpiece: “As the Bible says in Isaiah 40:31...BATTERY LOW.”

Well...this matched the way I was feeling at that moment--tired, drained, discouraged. I could have easily taken this as a sign to stop my run. Luckily, I was very familiar with Isaiah 40:31. It doesn’t say anything about low batteries.In fact, it actually says the opposite:

“Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT) 

We can either be misled by lies or led by truth. False messages always have some truth to them, plus, they usually match our feelings. This can give them more credibility than they deserve. Truth is not always pleasant. Often it seems counterintuitive, misaligned with our emotions and desires. In order to recognize the Voice of Truth, we must know God intimately and be very familiar with His words. He alone can give us the wisdom and discernment that we need to follow Him. 

Lord, make me so familiar with Your Voice and Your Word that I know the difference between truth and lies. Bless me with the discernment and strength to follow You.

Sharing Resources

“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” (1 Timothy 6:18 NLT)

My husband and I bought our first house when we were in our 20’s. The house came with a big yard and we didn’t really know much about yard work. Fortunately, our neighbor Rosalee, who lived across the street, was an expert. She was around 80, widowed, and did all her own yard work and house cleaning. Her home and yard were always meticulously maintained. Rosalee was very organized. Her garage walls were covered with pegboards where she hung up her gardening tools. She had drawn outlines for each tool on these boards, so she knew exactly where everything went. She had several different kinds of  shovels, spades, rakes, hoes, axes, saws, etc.  I had never seen anything like it before.  I didn’t even own a spade back then. Oftentimes, Rosalee would see me trying to do something out in my yard without the right equipment. She would call me over and lend me the right tools, but I wouldn't really know HOW to use them. Rosalee would watch me from her yard and motion for me to come back over. She patiently taught me how to hold the handle of a spade with both hands and push the blade in with my feet. She showed me how to clean tools and store them properly for the winter. Rosalee was rich in wisdom, experience, and patience. She was generous and ready to share her knowledge with a young neighbor.

We are all wealthy in different ways--money, opportunities, influence, boldness, courage, skills, power, freedom, time, energy, experience, wisdom, patience, discernment--all are riches that can be shared with others.  Money is a tool--just giving it away is not enough. People who have never had much of it may not know how to use it properly. They need guidance on how to spend, save, invest, budget, pay taxes, look out for swindlers, etc. Money can be used to help or hurt, to enable and empower people or to denigrate them. I think those of us who have been blessed with money have a great responsibility to those who have less. Let us be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.

Make Room

“Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth.”(Psalm 46:10 GWT)

When we commit our lives to God, the desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit germinates in our hearts. However, many of us are reluctant to empty ourselves completely. We want to be transformed, but we are unwilling to change. We want to be empowered, but we don’t want to give up control. 

The Holy Spirit is too expansive to share space with our egos. In order to make room, we have to let go of a lot of things. We have to surrender our plans, timetables, identities, and the desire to be in charge of our own lives. Commitment requires consecration. We cannot just speak words of dedication and continue striving to further our agenda. We must acknowledge that God is in control. 

Extra Helpings

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God.” (John 14:16 GNT)

A few years ago, I got a letter from my phone company saying I might be eligible for an upgrade on my internet speed. I almost threw it away, thinking it was junk mail. Luckily, I read through it and called the number on the letter for more information. The internet service provider offered to replace my modem and significantly increase my internet speed at no extra cost. I immediately signed up. I shared the good news about this offer with my neighbors, too.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to those who trust Him. Do we take the promises in scripture seriously? Or do we treat them like junk mail and carelessly toss them to the side? Let us call on God and ask Him for all the details of His plan. Then let us call all our neighbors and friends and share the good news.

Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and reverence for the Lord are gifts of the Holy Spirit. When we live in alignment with the Spirit of God, we are filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Who wouldn’t want extra helpings of these virtues?

“Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” (2 Kings 2:9 ESV)

Different Gifts

“He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.” (1 Corinthians 12:10 NLT)

I must confess, I have often wished for the gifts I do not possess. I’ve asked God why I cannot feel the Holy Spirit’s presence every time I pray. I want to ‘pray in the Spirit at all times’--but how can I do so when the Spirit doesn’t want to participate? I was complaining to God about this the other day, when I read the following:

“It was to us that God made known his secret by means of his Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God's purposes.” (1 Corinthians 2:10 GNT)

When I am meditating on scripture, I sometimes receive inaudible impressions that bring me clarity. I have always felt that this must be the Holy Spirit’s way of making things plain to me. He knows how I learn, so He teaches me through parables, drawing pictures in my mind, connecting the dots from truth to truth. I may not always sense God’s presence when I talk to Him, but I do feel that the Spirit enables me to listen and understand. Perhaps, this is how I am meant to pray in the Spirit.