Philippians 4:13

If you've been exposed to church circles for any amount of time perhaps you've heard this scripture thrown around a lot. We see it on facebook posts and on various sites. WE tend to use it to talk ourselves through to victory - and its application is broad. I am not sure we understand it in context though.

 A quick look at the preceding verses lets us see some of the apostle Paul's heart. He states in these verses that he had learned to be content  in whatever circumstances he found himself in. Although he gives very little detail, he says that whether he had plenty or had little it was enough. He also says that he was content whether his stomach was empty or full... and that these extremes were manageable because Christ in him gave him strength to face each situation.

 The context of Phil. 4:13 is not just taking a dive off the positive side of things and trying to make every thing into a facade of ease. But rather it is saying that there's no room to stress; if things get tough it's His strength that will carry us through - and it will pass! And when things are going well - it's still His strength that will carry us through. And this too shall pass!

So no matter what we are facing today - both good and bad, He can effectively carry us through. Our struggle then is to learn how to rely on Him, not in the difficult times - that's when we call on Him most, but learning how to rely on Him in the good times as well.  Rely on Him today - no matter what you are facing easy or difficult! Don't for get Him on the good days!!

It's So Simple, Really!

Last night I was conducting a Bible study via skype and there were some questions asked about the old Law and if they are all applicable. She asked if there would be a big difference when she gets over to the New Testament, since she's presently reading the Bible all the way through. Immediately I thought of two or three scriptures in the Old Testament that are what I call sums it all up passages.

 We took a look at Micah 6:6-8. Micah is meditating on what God requires. He asked rhetorically if God is pleased when we bring Him rivers of oil, or if we present before Him thousands of rams...And then he goes on in verse 8 to talk about what is pleasing to the Lord...

 do justice
love mercy
walk humbly with your God...

 And that about sums it up! For many caregivers we literally cannot do all the religious things like going to church, singing in the choir....etc. For us, and anyone else who wants to live a life humbly before our God this lets us know how much simpler it is than what we've made it. It's not the religious activity that gets the attention of His heart...it's our heart's activity toward Him. And that's much simpler than trying to jump through all the religious hoops to be pleasing to Him.

 Relax today in knowing that He isn't instituting a whole lot of rules that must be followed before we can reach Him. He's actually reaching out to us and waiting for us to get simple enough to just come...

Hidden In Christ

When I was a teenager we memorized Galatians 2:20 for a missions project we were doing. I am not sure we really fully understood it. I'm not even sure that I can completely grasp it now! I'm okay until I get to the part about I no longer live....
But over the last few years as I have struggled with the loss of my life as I gradually was molded into a caregiver's life I think I started to understand it better. As caregivers our needs are not last; and for many of us our needs don't even make the list! (you know what I mean!!)We have turned down jobs, vacation opportunities, social engagements and pretty much traded in our lives to care for the one we love.

 I'm thinking that caregivers can understand this concept of being dead, yet alive, and living in Him. As a caregiver what life we have is totally wrapped up in our loved one's life. Every aspect of our day is pretty much dictated by their needs. This even includes entertainment such as watching television, our time to get a bath, eating etc. But isn't that the simplicity of living in Christ, of being hidden in Him?
 As a believer who is dead to this life and alive in Christ every aspect of my being is dictated by His needs, not my own. That really makes it simple for me to understand...as you care for your loved one today think about two things if you will: one - that you are ministering His love to your loved one and two - you are gaining an understanding of being dead to yourself but alive to Christ!

When I Fall

Ever have those times where it just all caves in on you all at once? Emotions run away from you while you get sucked into the huge black hole of the circumstance? (maybe it's just me!) Faith begins to wane and it seems like there isn't a big enough shovel to dig yourself out....ever been there?

 What's the worse part of it all is how quickly the enemy can come in and start throwing stones of condemnation at us while we are down. He tries to make us think that we are faithless because we haven't been able to change the circumstance. The next step he takes us on through the course of logic is hopelessness..like it's never going to be better or different...and we fall deeper and deeper into the emotional despair. Then he quickly picks up more labeled stones to try to get us convinced that we are not worth God's effort...he attacks our self esteem...until it seems there's not even enough strength to cry out!

 And then the most amazing thing happens - as quickly as it all hits - He washes it all away. Maybe He uses a phone call, a devotion, a song...But somehow surprisingly and instantly He lifts us out...

This is where Micah 7:8-10 kick in.  Do not gloat over me my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord Himself will be my light. It's not so much about where we are today - because battles will rage - it's more about the whole picture. God does not sit up in heaven with a big stick waiting for us to show some weak little sign of disbelief so that He can condemn us and say Yeah, I knew you couldn't do it... And He certainly doesn't jump on board with the enemy to beat us down in those moments of doubt...He patiently waits for just the right opportunity to lift us out...

 We cannot give completely in during those deep dark moments that we feel so far away from the real world..even though we cannot sense Him at all sometimes...He is there patiently waiting for us to gain strength and sometimes giving us the strength to care enough to search for strength! But He is there...waiting...He is here...He will take up our case!

Caregiver's Fog

Ever just have a day (or series of days) where it's like you're walking around in a fog; it can be so dense you almost feel like you have to remind yourself to breathe? Those are the days where we just function to take care of our loved ones. It doesn't have to be the result of anything specific that happened...just a process that seems to recur every so often because of the day to day life of caregiving.

 After being in the caregiver's fog for a few days it just sort of lifts, doesn't it? And sometimes it is the smallest action on the part of another that causes it to go away: a simple phone card, a note in the mail - it doesn't take much for the fog to descend, but it doesn't take much for it to drift away either! And the funny thing is that it is just gone and the song in our heart returns...no warning either way - the song is gone, there's the fog, the fog is gone, there's the song! (you really aren't crazy! - it's the caregiver's cycle of emotions!!)

 As the fog started lifting for me this morning I had this one song, a simple chorus, that began running around in my heart. I didn't invite it, wasn't even looking for it; and I certainly didn't expect it. Just out of nowhere from the midst of the ascending fog came this old chorus from Psalm 27:14: Wait on the Lord and be of good courage He will strengthen your heart...

So that is what I plan to do at least for today... care to join me? We can wait on Him to strengthen our hearts one more time...for one more day - that's all we get at one time anyway!

Measuring Fruit

Sometimes (not all times) life can seem so barren, dry and unfruitful! It's can be difficult to see past our own four walls. If we are not careful we can focus on our own situations so much we fail to see that there is a world of hurting people out there. And yet all of us share His same promises for provision, peace and comfort. Perhaps it's because of how we used to measure fruitfulness.

Many have measured fruitfulness by church activities. But I have never seen a plant get up and go somewhere else to produce fruit, they produce right where they are planted. And we are to be planted in Him. That is where we will produce fruit. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 2:20) and notice that all the fruit produced although easily observed - is not tangible. Our fruit comes from His indwelling - not from the things we do!

Be assured that He will work in you to produce His fruit -  Isaiah 51:3 says this: The Lord will comfort Israel again and make her deserts blossom. Her barren wilderness will become as beautiful as Eden- the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found there. Lovely songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.

I believe that during this time of perceived barrenness, He is working in us to bring forth much fruit for the kingdom of God. It's just not what the religious world expects but if I remember correctly Jesus walked contrary to the religious world! Rejoice today - there is no barrenness in the heart of one who serves Him fully.He turns our deserts into a beautiful garden!

Transparent Faith

I love the raw honesty of some Psalms. And Psalm 13 is just that; the psalmist David is just pure and honest with his feelings before God. I had a friend one time who couldn't understand how I could express my frustrations with God to God. I had two points to make about it: One - He already knows; and two He is big enough to handle it!

And this raw transparency is what I find in Psalm 13. It seems that David vacillates between total frustration with the situations in his life and his pure trust of the Lord. Did you ever feel that way? One moment I find myself singing all the woe is me  songs and the very next rejoicing in His faithfulness!

 David begins Psalm 13 by sharing his overwhelming feelings of abandonment by God. Of course that's one of those forbidden topics in the church...but it is  a real feeling sometimes. But we, just like David, will work our way through it and find faith once again. In the final verses of the psalm David is resting in the lovingkindness of the Father once again. And in the very last phrase he states that he will sing to the Lord because of His dealings.

 Today I think I will make this my choice as well. I will turn my thoughts to His faithfulness, His provision, His lovingkindness and grace...and I will sing!

The Chase

  This morning, I was reading about Benaiah in 2 Samuel 23. He was one of David's mighty men, and these three or so verses are all we kn...