God's Love

“Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations,  dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love.” (Romans 8:35 TPT)

Love is a topic I do not write much about. I find it hard to describe. I know I love certain people very much, but I can’t explain it very well. What is even more difficult for me is to know if I am unconditionally loved by those whom I love. 

God’s love is even harder for me to fathom. I read about it in Scripture, and I believe it to be true. Yet, I sometimes wonder...God, do You really love me? If so, why don’t I feel Your love all the time? Is there something wrong with my receptors? Are they damaged by troubles, pressures, problems, persecutions, deprivations,  and dangers? 

Scripture assures us that nothing in the universe has the power to diminish God’s love toward us. Whether we can sense it, feel it, or accept it, God’s love remains constant. 

His love is endless. 

His love is omnipotent. 

His love is forever. 

 

Treasure of Faith

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14 NLT)

One year, I met some new refugees from Africa who had moved to Iowa during the middle of winter. They were unaccustomed to the cold temperatures, ice, and snow. I told them that it would get better in a few months as the seasons changed, but that didn’t seem to comfort them at all. 

When our circumstances look awful, platitudes like: things will get better eventually, or time heals all wounds, or you’ll learn to cope--are not helpful. Scriptures about finding happiness in heaven are also not comforting in the midst of a crisis. 

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)

During adversity, faith is a treasure. It is like finding a buried chest of gold when you are in dire straits. Even the solid faith of a sincere friend can be strengthening when your own faith is flagging. Waiting on the Lord is difficult, especially when we focus on our circumstances. Uncertainty and fear about the future add to the discouragement. Yet, we can be confident in the Lord’s goodness in this lifetime. Faith is not based on what we see or sense, but on the trustworthiness of God. 

Daily Examen

“Don’t invite that insufferable tyrant of sin back into your mortal body so you won’t become obedient to its destructive desires.” (Romans 6:12 VOICE)

We found a tick on our dog recently. Our dog takes a medicine that prevents ticks from surviving after drinking the dog’s blood, but there are no such medicines for the humans in the house. If a tick latches onto our bodies, it could cause Lyme disease. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rashes. Ticks are small and tend to hide in the deep skin folds of our bodies, so they are hard to detect. During warmer months when ticks are prevalent, it is imperative to do a full body check daily for these sneaky bugs. This involves standing naked in front of a mirror and using a second hand-held mirror to check all the hard to see nooks and crannies. 

Evil is similar. Like sneaky ticks, sins latch on and hide deep within the recesses of our bodies and minds. They can be hard to detect, but their impact is destructive. Thus, it is imperative to do a daily scan for these insufferable tyrants. 

St. Ignatius came up with the practice of the Daily Examen--a prayerful reflection on the events, choices, and reactions of the day. First, you spend some time soaking in God’s presence. Then, you review the day for blessings and crosses. Ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to recognize sins. Carefully scan for moments in the day when you felt your heart drop--feelings of desolation, actions that may have hurt others. Take all of this to the Lord. Finally, ask God to help you be better the next day. By carefully examining our conscience each day, we can protect our bodies and minds from the insufferable tyrants of sin and the destructive diseases they bring. 

Prophesy

“I am glad for you to speak unknown languages, although I prefer that you would prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:5 CEV)

Matthew Poole, in his commentary on the above verse, describes prophesying as: "The power to open and apply the Holy Scriptures to men’s understandings and conscience." This is different from the predictions about the future and fortune telling that pass for prophecy in many circles.

“Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!’” (Ezekiel 13: 2-3 NIV)

Prophecy can be useful for the increase in faith and understanding. God grants this gift to some so that they may open and apply the Holy Scriptures to the conscience of others. Yet, this can be a tough ministry. When interpreting Scriptures, human reasoning always dilutes Divine insights. Each person’s experiences and biases filter through--whether you are a speaker, writer, reader, or listener. This can lead to false interpretations. Thus, it is imperative that those who take on the task of teaching pray for discernment and guidance. 

Lord, guide me as I write. May Your Spirit speak through me. Use me to open and apply Scriptures so everyone may understand You better. 

No Substitutes

“I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.” (Ezekiel 34:15-16 NLT)

When a teacher is absent, a substitute is often assigned to manage the class. Substitute teachers rarely make progress with students. Their role is temporary. They are not around long enough to bond or invest in the kids. In turn, the students may not respect or listen to substitute teachers. Consequently, not much learning happens. 

I often pray for good mentors to come into my life and into the lives of my loved ones. I imagine that positive role models can help us grow. I forget that human mentors are like substitute teachers. They cannot invest themselves in others the way that God does. And we rarely listen to them unless they say what we want to hear anyway. Consequently, not much learning happens. 

God has promised to guide, provide, and protect us Himself. He Himself will rescue the lost and bring back those who have strayed. The Lord will heal the injured and strengthen the weak...Himself. He may use other humans as tools, but He does all the work.

“The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63 NLT)

Non-Perishables

“Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.” (John 6:27 MSG)

At the beginning of the pandemic, most stores were completely out of non-perishable foods. People were hoarding rice, beans, canned foods, etc., in case of prolonged shortages. There was no point stocking up on foods that spoil in a few days. 

Most people spend their lives striving for short-term pleasures: food that is tasty but does not nourish, material possessions that fill up every available space but do not bring fulfillment, actions that garner applause but do not make a positive difference, experiences that are exciting but fail to satisfy. This is equivalent to stockpiling milk and bread for a long term. Don’t waste your energy striving for perishables. There is more to life than temporal pleasures. Stock up on that which is non-perishable, satisfying, fulfilling, and eternal. 

 

Human Nature

“Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.” (Romans 8:5 GNT)

Most weight loss programs focus on external, physical changes. They recommend foods that lead to visible transformation. We can see when there is extra fat around our waists, but we can’t see the plaque inside our arteries that may cause heart disease or strokes. Physicians who do invasive surgeries can see the effects of diets that are high in saturated fats. What is invisible externally is visible to these doctors. You would imagine that surgeons who are aware of these facts would follow healthy diets, but they don’t always do so. They, too, are controlled by their human nature. 

Those who live as their human nature tells them to have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. They become enslaved to their urges. Their minds are set on gratifying cravings. They are driven by their baser instincts. They are mainly concerned about the visible, physical realm. Anything that they cannot see or touch seems less real. Even those who have experienced the invisible, spiritual realm don’t always live in a different manner. They, too, succumb to their human nature. 

Those who live as the Spirit tells them to have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. They are no longer addicted to their urges. Their minds are set on higher things. They are motivated by nobler instincts. They don’t ignore or forget what they have glimpsed in the spiritual realm. This awareness influences their choices and overrides their human nature. 

 

Dr. Alexis Carrel

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT)

Dr. Alexis Carrel received the Nobel Prize in 1912 for his work in vascular anastomosis. Yet, something even more pivotal happened to him in the preceding years. Dr. Carrel was raised in a Catholic family but fell away from his faith. During his early medical career, he had the opportunity to witness two separate medical miracles. The first was an instantaneous cure of tubercular peritonitis. Dr. Carrel followed up on this case for several months, because he had a hard time accepting that there was not a scientific explanation to the patient’s recovery. The second miracle happened when Dr. Carrell saw the sudden restoration of the sight of an 18-month-old boy who was born blind. 

While the miracles are fascinating in themselves, what is more intriguing is this: Dr. Alexis Carrel remained an agnostic for 36 years after he witnessed and documented the first miracle. He could not bring himself to believe in anything supernatural. He thought of prayer as a natural, psychic force that may lead to inexplicable healing. It took decades for this skeptic to change his mind. A few years before he died, Dr. Carrel finally came back to faith. 

Why do some people take so long to be conscious of God? The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promises for guidance. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent, to turn themselves around, to change from indifference to faith. Yet, God waits patiently for each of us to choose Him freely, in our own time. 

 

Overflowing Joy

“Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” (Romans 15:13 TPT)

 

Susan is one of the happiest people I know. Her life circumstances are not easy. She has a debilitating autoimmune disease. She has a stressful job. And as a parent of four children, she has more than her share of trials and suffering. 

 

Obviously, the source of Susan’s happiness is not her external circumstances. God is her fountain of hope. He fills her to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as she trusts in him. The power of the Holy Spirit continually surrounds her life with His super-abundance until she radiates with hope.  Her life is ensconced in Jesus. She is so immersed in the presence of God that nothing seems to rob her joy.

 

Susan’s joy bubbles up and overflows onto anyone who speaks to her. For this reason, I am eager to communicate with her any chance I get. She doesn’t spout positive affirmations or unrealistic platitudes. Instead, she constantly points to the suffering of Jesus as an example to follow. She encourages others to accept God’s love and to trust His will. From anyone else, this kind of message would be depressing, but Susan’s authentic joy is contagious. After a conversation with her, I come away filled with hope and peace.

Miniscule Clouds

 

“A minuscule cloud, as tiny as the hand of a man, is ascending from the sea.” (1 Kings 18:44 VOICE)

After three years of drought, God’s word came to Elijah that rain was on the way. Elijah climbed up on a mountain and bowed down in prayer. He sent his servant to check for clouds, but there was nothing to report. Elijah kept praying and sending the servant back to observe for signs of God’s work in progress. After a while, the servant saw a miniscule cloud. As soon as Elijah heard this he knew change was in the atmosphere. That tiny cloud grew to cover the entire sky and there was a deluge of rain. 

What are we to do when there are no discernable signs that God is working? 

Do not despair. Do not be discouraged. Do not give up. Depend on God’s unfailing love. Continue praying in steadfast faith. Keep your eyes, ears, and mind open for God-signs. Do not discount even the most miniscule clouds. Thank God for every bit of encouragement. Praise Him for every tiny miracle. Trust in God’s providence. Wait patiently for the deluge of blessings. 

 

Leaning on Reeds

"You are expecting Egypt to help you, but that would be like using a reed as a walking stick--it would break and jab your hand. That is what the king of Egypt is like when anyone relies on him." (2 Kings 18:21 GNT)

A proper walking stick needs to be thick and strong enough to support your weight. You can’t just pick a random stick from the woods and start hiking. A weak stick can crack and make you lose your balance. Hardwoods like hickory and mesquite are most suitable for this purpose. They are durable and tough. A reed, on the other hand, would make a flimsy walking stick. It would break and jab your hand. 

“If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.” (Isaiah 50:10-11 NLT)

Leaning on worldly powers is like using a reed as a walking stick--it will crack and pierce your hand.  Those who depend on their own sufficiency and prowess, eventually end up in torment as well. Relying on the wrong person, authority, or idea will be harmful. Thus, it is imperative to be selective. When you need support, rely on God. Trust Him. Lean on Him. He is strong enough to bear the weight. He will not let you slip and fall.

Obedience and Submission

"Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22 NLT)

Do you obey the law even when the regulations don’t make sense to you? Take, for instance, traffic laws: Do you always come to a full stop at stop signs, even on empty roads? Or do you just slow down, take a quick glance for cop cars, and keep moving? Do you drive at or below the speed limit? Or does your speed depend on the other drivers around you? 

Whether it is traffic laws or authority figures, most of us are reluctant to obey and submit to anything or anyone these days. We would rather make up our own mind on what is appropriate. This attitude often extends to God’s directions as well. When we get a nudge from God to do something that goes against our agenda, what do we do? We question whether the message was from God or something our imagination cooked up. We ignore it, hoping it will fade with time. We delay and prevaricate. 

Disobedience was the original sin that separated humanity from God. Adam and Eve thought they could make up their own minds about what was good and evil. They were wrong. When we trust that God loves us and wants what is best for us, we are able to obey without reservations. A proper reverence for God enables us to surrender. Trust, respect, acceptance of God’s love, reverence, and submission are all pleasing to God. This is why obedience is better than sacrifice. 

 

Following God's Directions

“Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: ‘At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.’ He got up and went.” ( Acts 8:26-27 MSG)

Philip had a thriving ministry in Samaria. One morning, God directed him to walk on the desolate road between Jerusalem and Gaza. Philip did not hesitate. He got up and went. 

God had a plan and Philip had a part to play. On that stretch of road at that particular time, an influential Ethiopian was traveling by chariot. He happened to be reading a passage of Scripture. 

“The Holy Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and walk along beside the carriage.’ Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.” (Acts 8:29-31 NLT)

God instructed Philip one step at a time. First, it was to walk on a deserted path. Then, it was to go over and walk beside a foreigner’s carriage. Philip listened and obeyed. Even though it may have seemed unreasonable and inconvenient, he did not drag his feet. He did not lean on his own ideas. He followed God’s directions without question. 

Lord, when You ask me to do something, I pray that I would follow directions without challenging Your wisdom. Use me according to Your will. Also, bring the appropriate mentors into my life at the right time to minister to me and my loved ones. 

 

The Lost and the Wayward

“I will lead the blind on roads they have never known; I will guide them on paths they have never traveled. Their road is dark and rough, but I will give light to keep them from stumbling. This is my solemn promise.” (Isaiah 42:16 CEV)

Do you ever feel lost--uncertain on which direction to go? What do you do in these situations? Do you try to figure it out on your own? Or do you ask for help?  

Before the advent of GPS, drivers would stop at gas stations and ask for directions--well, at least some drivers did. Others kept driving around in circles or completely in the wrong direction. Asking for help requires humility. Admitting that you are lost or on the wrong track is difficult. This prevents many of us from seeking guidance.

God has promised to guide those who seek His assistance. When we can’t see where we are going, He will direct us. He will lead us down unfamiliar paths and through uncertain situations. When the road is dark and rough, He will light the way and keep us from stumbling. All we have to do is humble ourselves and ask for help. 

God, help us! Lead us when we are lost. Redirect us when we are going the wrong way. Open our eyes when we are blind. Free us when we are in bondage. Guide us out of the darkness and into YOUR Light.

The Simplest Prayer

“Whoever calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.” (Joel 2:32 MSG)

I’ve been studying the topic of prayer for a while. There are numerous books on the subject which include elaborate prayers. Scripture encourages us to pray unceasingly. Thus, I attempt to keep constant communication with God. I write out scripture verses in the form of petitions and have a daily prayer routine. 

All this might sound wonderful, but I must confess that my motives are not so pure. I am hoping to convince God to make my life more pleasant. My prayers are often centered on worldly concerns. Along with long petitions, I attempt to direct God in how to make things better. It is not as much ‘Thy will be done” as my will be done. 

“It is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

I must remember that God knows how to handle every situation. He doesn’t need my advice. I am His servant, not His solicitor. It is not my place to give Him directions. All I have to do is call upon the Lord trustingly, and He will rescue me. I don’t have to prove that I am worthy. Scripture says ‘whoever calls’ and that includes me. I don’t need to have long, complicated prayers. I can call out: “Help, God.” He shall hear my cry. 

 

God Signs

“Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” (Colossians 3:2 MSG)

A good friend of mine has been encouraging me to keep a written record of daily ‘God-incidences’--anything that encourages me in the moment as a sign that God is present and working behind the scenes. I have been trying to follow her suggestion. 

By writing things down immediately, I preserve the feeling of hope. I notice that what seems significant in the moment often fades in a few days. For example, I may read something that speaks directly to me and my situation. This brings strength and comfort to me, but the effect may not last. Or I may sense a shift in the atmosphere that points to Divine progress, but then the insight evaporates. 

Some days, I notice several little miracles. Other days, I am scrounging for something to write down. I am sure that God is always working. Yet, because I shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of me, I miss out. When I am preoccupied by earthly concerns, I am unable to recognize God’s presence and providence. I must look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ. I must learn to see things from HIS perspective.

Tug of War

“We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 VOICE)

I once watched an impromptu, tug-of-war game at a church picnic. The participants were sorted into teams. They lined up, grabbed their side of the rope, and pulled. There didn’t seem to be any particular strategy. The game was over in a few minutes.  They all laughed amiably and went back to grab more food. A few years later, I watched a game of tug-of-war between two professional teams. Each member had a specific position based on size. The strongest guy was at the back with the rope wrapped around his body. There was constant communication among the teammates. All the guys pulled in unison, digging their heels into the ground, and leaning back as far as they could. There was a practiced rhythm to what they were doing. This was a far cry from what I had witnessed at the church picnic. 

“The purpose of prayer is not to persuade or influence God, but to join forces with Him against the enemy.” ( S. D. Gordon)

The tug-of-war between good and evil is not like a casual game at a picnic. This fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked, spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. Through prayer, we get to join forces with God against the enemy. We must be strategic. We need to practice listening and working with God. Perseverance is key. Christ, our anchor, does most of the heavy lifting. Our part is to dig in our heels, lean back, and pull with Him until victory is won. 

Awareness of Malignancy

“Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.” (Ephesians 4:18 NLT)

A friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer recently. Up until the day before the discovery, he felt fine. Then suddenly, he felt sick, went to the hospital, got a scan done, and discovered he had a malignancy. Of course, we now know that he wasn’t really fine all that time. The tumor was growing and spreading, but no one was aware. 

There are diagnostic tests for physical malignancies but not for spiritual ones. What type of soul tumors are we carrying around unknowingly? Lumps of bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, selfishness, distrust, fear, self-deception, unbelief, greed, pride, contempt, and other sins can grow and spread until they block the pathway of Grace. We may feel fine. Our lives may seem functional. However, any malignancy that is left untreated will eventually stop us in our tracks. 

Lord, make us aware early of anything that is harmful to our soul. Help us to bring our iniquities to You for excision. Bring us to deep conviction and repentance. Forgive us and heal us. 

Lifeguard

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT) 

When life is going smoothly, it is like being in a placid lake on a warm day. You can wade waist deep in the refreshing water, enjoy yourself, and go back to the shore when you want. When you are going through adversity, it feels as if you are being carried by a strong current down a swift river. At first, you may try to swim or grab something to stay afloat. But eventually, you recognize your powerlessness. You can’t keep your head above water no matter how hard you strive. 

When you realize that your life has become unmanageable, what do you do? Do you try harder? Do you find a way to escape, distract, or numb yourself? Or perhaps, you fall into despair and give up. 

When you get to the end of yourself, surrender to God. Stop grasping at objects to stay afloat. Quit striving to stay in control. Let Jesus carry you in His strong arms. Trust in Him. Accept His help. Submit to His Power. Even in deep waters and strong currents, the Lord is a reliable Life Guard. He will not let you drown. 

A Responsive Heart

“I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands.” (Ezekiel 36:25-27 MSG)

A heart transplant is a major operation. A failing, diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart that has been donated by someone who died recently. Obviously, this is not a procedure that a patient can do on his own. 

Some of us develop unresponsive souls from years of hard living. Our spiritual arteries may be clogged from excess. For others, repeated trials may have made them bitter and insensitive. Whatever the reason, we cannot fix ourselves. Neither can our loved ones. Only God can, and He has promised to do so.

Lord, sprinkle clean water over us until we are clean. Wash all the filth away. Give us new hearts. Take away our hard, self-willed hearts. Put Your Spirit in us. Make us responsive to Your will.  

 

Juneteenth

“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.” (Galatians 4:7 NLT)

On June 19th, 1865, the people of Texas were notified that all slaves were free. This news came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after General Robert E. Lee had surrendered. However, those who were enslaved didn’t know, and their captors continued to keep them in bondage. 

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces.” (Galatians 4:8-9 NIV)

Many of us feel oppressed and powerless. Although we have heard the good news that we are no longer slaves, we still live in bondage. We submit to our baser nature and the miserable forces of this world. Like an addict, we go back to harmful hedonism. Evil wants us to think we are still indentured servants. The chains may still be around us, but they are no longer attached. We are free to be good, to do good, and to live meaningful lives filled with purpose. 

 

Rushing Ishmaels

“Despite God’s promise, years went by. Still Abram’s wife Sarai remained childless. But she did have an Egyptian servant girl whose name was Hagar. Sarai had an idea...” (Genesis 16:1 VOICE)

God had promised Abraham and Sarai a son. But years went by and they remained childless. So Sarai decided to take things into her own hands.

 “Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.”(Genesis 16:3-4 NIV)

This was not the fulfillment of God’s promise. Hagar had a son, Ishmael, from this union. Ishmael grew up to be a wild and rowdy man who was hostile to everyone. 

When God’s timing doesn’t match our expectations, it is tempting to take things into our own hands. A little self-initiative seems like a good idea. We imagine that God needs us to help things along. However, the results of our meddling can lead to new problems. In our impatience, we may end up rushing an Ishmael instead of the promised Isaac. 

Lord, help us to wait upon Your timing, even when it makes no sense. Grant us patience. Teach us to trust You.