Quarantine Quiet Time April 23

Quarantine Quiet Time

I know it’s been many days since you have heard from me. To be honest, I have been struggling with fear, depression, and uncertainty. As a result, I have attempted to lose myself in my work.  Then a couple of days ago, I came across the concept of renting the Word of God – His precepts and promises. (Sister Chicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn). In my opinion, renting the promises of God means that although, I am seeking to memorize many verses of Scripture and reading faithfully, unless I lay hold of them for me and allow my focus to be on the Word of God, I am experiencing content without reality.  It was then I realized where I had allowed  my mind and heart to dwell and repented.

I have decided to start anew reading the Psalms of Ascent.  Those are the Psalms that we believe the Jewish people sang as they made their way to Jerusalem on the major Feast Days that they commemorated each year. These Psalms begin with Psalm 120 and go through Psalm 134.

Here are my thoughts from Psalm 120.  The Psalmist begins with the words, “In my distress, I cried to the LORD…”  These days of quarantine bring unwelcome thoughts to one who struggles with mild depression.” For the child of God, the best thing to do is to cry out to the Lord. He will answer … not by removing the quarantine, but most likely through His Word and the  the Body of Christ.  These ways include  but are not limited to the following: an encouraging email, a text from a friend, an encouraging Facebook post, and above all a promise from His Word, that we begin to own and not just rent.

The second thing the Psalmist notes is that the LORD rescues us from lying lips. This includes statements from the media, who knows what to believe?  I must take multiple conspiracy theories; again,  who knows what is true – what is actually a conspiracy theory? I have made the conscious choice to distance myself from social media. If I want to check it, I sent a timer and when it sounds, I am usually done. It is taking discipline, but oh how it is worth it.

The third thing the Psalmist bears out is that I must choose peace. I know I have peace with God because I trust in the finished work of Christ alone for my salvation. Now, I must seek and choose the peace of God and allow Him to drive fear from my heart. It’s a constant struggle, but one I am slowly learning in these days.

Will you allow Him to drive fear from your heart and replace it with His peace?

Trusting God in Uncertain Times Day 4

Trusting God in Uncertain Times

Day 4

March 25, 2020

Exodus 14: 15-31

In these verses, the LORD tells Moses to lead the Israelites in breaking camp. God’s command and His work that soon followed  were tied to His glory.   Moses is to raise his rod over the Red Sea, and we know the end of the story – it parted into two walls of water -one on the left and one on the right.  Meanwhile, the Egyptians, whose hearts God had hardened, had set out in hot pursuit.  The Israelites walked between the walls of water to safety on the other side. When the last Israelite was safe, Moses, again, lifted his rod and the sea closed. As it closed, it swallowed the Egyptian armies who were in hot pursuit of the Israelites.  As the Israelites stood on the other side, they saw their enemies destroyed. This would be a defining moment in the history of Israel as time and again, they would refer to this great act of God on their behalf. Verse 31 closes with the words “And the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and His servant, Moses.”

Many of us are sequestered in our homes as the COVID19-virus ravages our land and the whole world. These are days of great uncertainty, and many have lost hope. In many ways, this is a Red Sea moment in the lives of many. Will we trust God to deliver in His own way or will we crumble in panic --- hoarding, blaming, and giving way to depression and anxiety?  I confess that I have allowed depression and anxiety to creep in, and I constantly look to my Father for help.  Yet, there are others whose lives have been up-ended by COVID-19 – they have it or know someone who has. School children and their families have been forced to embrace isolation/home schooling, and I pray for them.   I, also,  try to constantly remind myself that my times are in His hand, my life is His to control, and He will see me through to the end of this virus or to the other side. The same is true for all those who put their trust in Him. In these days, that whatever God does is for His glory, and what is for His glory will ultimately be for our good.

Trusting God in Uncertain Times Days 2 and 3

Days 2 and 3 -- March 24, 2020

Trusting God in Uncertain Times

Exodus 14:1-14

Somehow my entry for yesterday was lost.  So, I’ll cover verses 1-14 today.  In the opening verses of the chapter, Pharaoh regretted his decision to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. He had just lost his free labor. So, he set out in hot pursuit of them.  It was a part of God’s plan – this hardening of their hearts.  This would be an opportunity for God to show His glory in yet one more judgment on the Egyptians.  In this coming great act of God, the Israelites would know the He was the LORD – the covenant God of His people. Yet, already the Israelites were showing hearts of unbelief and distrust. They cried out to the LORD as they saw their enemies approaching. They also turned their anger toward Moses.  They preferred the safety of slavery rather than the unknowns of freedom. Moses’ words are legendary. In fact, my often-cursory reading of this chapter led me to think that the Lord spoke the words in verses 13 and 14: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD’s salvation, that He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you” (Exodus 3:13-14 CSB).  Moses knew they stood on the cusp of seeing the mighty hand of God, even though the Egyptians were behind them and the might Red Sea in front of them. Yet, he says “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm."

I am aware that these words were spoken to Israel for that time in history. Yet there are takeaways for us today.  First, we see that God cares for His people. Second, we see that God is in control. He is directing these events to show Himself strong – to strengthen the faith of His people. Third, He is able to deliver, and He will.   As we seek to apply these to our lives in these times of uncertainty, we can trust His care.  Second, there is no need for fear. In fact, he has this situation firmly in control.  Third, there is no need for fear. I remind myself of this moment by moment.  I once heard it said that the Lord tells us 365 times in Scripture not to fear. My heart needs these words in these days of social isolation.  May I cling to His promises and find ways of encouraging others to do the same.

Trusting God in Uncertain Times Day 1

March 27, 2020
Exodus 13:17-22
After years of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites had been delivered by the mighty hand of God.  They
were marching off into uncertainty into who knows what?  In today’s passage, God leads them what might be considered the long way around. The short cut would have led them into almost certain war with the Philistine nation, causing them to turn back. Instead, He led them by  way of the Red Sea.  Unbeknownst to them, He would show His mighty power once again as He brought about their final deliverance – physically-from the land of Egypt. Yet, many would carry Egypt in their hearts – the delicacies and the privation.  Yet He was still with them; he never left His people.   His presence was evident in the pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  They had yet to see His ultimate act of deliverance – this would be an event that prophets would use as a reminder, an event that the Psalmists would use as the basis of praise. Even in times when they could not see Him, they could trust His character and know that He would never leave them.
In these days of social isolation, it is easy to forget who God is. When we see empty shelves, let us remember the God who delivers. He delivers us from self-seeking. He delivers us from fear. He delivers from disease either by sparing us, providing medical care, or taking us home to Heaven. May we not presumptively ignore the requests to remove ourselves from public contact except as is necessary for food, medical care, or to assist those in need, all the while keeping our distance.  He is the God-who-is-there. He is the God who sees (Jehovah-El-Roi). We will come through this stronger and hopefully more in love with Him.

God's Wonder

God’s Wonder

     The book Wonder was written in 2011, and the author, R. J.  Palacio was awarded the Newbery Award for it in 2012. Because of the sensitive nature of the content – and my own emotional state at the time, I delayed reading the book. Finally, in 2017, I was talking to a fellow educator who was reading Wonder for consideration as a part of her school’s curriculum.  As a result, I read it, too. I’m glad I took the plunge.

      For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story, Wonder is a work of fiction, but it has a powerful message. It’s the story of 10-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with a craniofacial malformation. To protect him from the bullying they feared he would encounter due to his less than normal appearance, despite repeated surgeries, his parents chose to home school him. As he approached fifth grade, they feared that his academic needs would exceed their capabilities and so they enrolled him in a nearby charter school. The head of school placed him in the care of three students. Unfortunately, his differences proved to be more than challenging for them, and so the feared bullying occurred. Yet, Auggie eventually rose to the occasion and proved himself to be truly a wonder.

     Palacio was asked how she came to write such a story and reported that it was born out of an encounter she and children had with a child who had a facial deformity, and rather than using it as teachable moment, she rushed her children from the scene.  Realizing she had missed an opportunity, she began writing the story that evening (https://www.npr.org/2013/09/12/221005752/how-one-unkind-moment-gave-way-to-wonder). It appears that title of the book is closely connected with a song by Natalie Merchant (http://www.nataliemerchant.com/wonder/); the lyrics may be found here (https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nataliemerchant/wonder.html).

It is here that Wonder becomes closely associated with my life. I was born with a neurological disorder (Von Recklinghausen’s NF!). It brought some physical challenges and some unusual physical appearances – one boy called me “the girl with the stretched head” when I was in elementary school. I did have coordination issues and wore a back brace for several years, and I often felt like “damaged goods.” In my young adult years, I began to be beset with severe pain, primarily headaches and balance issues. It seemed that the hydrocephalus that had been discovered in childhood was now causing more severe problems.  My parents had opted not to go for the shunt when I was a child because of the risks involved, but now the need for it was inevitable. So we had the necessary surgery.  As I lay in the bed recovering, a doctor on call stopped by to check on me. Incidentally, he was the one who had seen me when I was a child and had wanted to implant a shunt. Bear in mind that I was now over 30.

    He turned to my mother and began discussing my medical history. When he learned that he was the doctor who had initially suspected hydrocephalus, he asked my mother. “Well has she had a normal life?”

  

        Mom answered him, “Well, yes, she just completed her second Master’s Degree.”

        He replied, “Wow, I wish I had done the surgery when she was a kid. Everyone would have been amazed at what I had done with this kid who might have been disabled.”

        I remained silent, but as soon as he was gone, I turned to my mom and said, “That turkey!  Does he think he can take credit for what God did?”

       That’s where my connection to the book Wonder comes to play. When I read the book, it immediately resonated with me. One of the principles on which I hang my life is that I was made by God for His glory. Psalm 139:14 states, “I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “… most gladly will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  As I mentioned earlier,  Palacio notes that the title of her book was taken in part from song by Natalie Merchant:

                      “Doctors have come from distant cities, just to see me

                       Standing over my bed disbelieving what they’re seeing

                     They say I must be one of the wonders of God’s own creation …” [1]

    As I read this book, I was reminded that I was God’s wonder, created for His glory. There have been days filled with pain and frustration  at what I can’t do when I questioned the purpose and validity of my birth, and thought just maybe I should have been aborted. Auggie’s story and the truth of God’s Word, turned these doubts and questions to praise that my parents chose to give me life. On days, that I sense discouragement and frustration because of my pain and limitations, I will give praise that I have been chosen to be one of God’s Wonders. May He be “glorified in me at my expense.”[2]

---

[1] (https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nataliemerchant/wonder.html)

[2] Erwin Lutzer, Running to Win, March 2018.

Benchmarks of Belief

Benchmarks of Belief

Ephesians 6:17 bids the believer to “take the helmet of salvation.” Obviously, a helmet is a piece of clothing that protects the head. Zodiates says of Salvation, “it is the spiritual and eternal [possession] granted immediately to those who place their faith in Christ” (Key Word Study Bible, 1760). Thus, one of the functions of the helmet of Salvation is the protection of the believer from the attacks of Satan in regard to his or her assurance of Salvation (McArthur Study Bible). Satan longs to defeat each believer, thereby limiting his or her effectiveness in the Lord’s service. He may entice the believer into fleshly pursuits resulting in sin and the loss of testimony. He may simply plant the seeds of doubt regarding one’s standing before the Father, thereby rendering the believer powerless with regard to service. For whom Satan cannot disqualify by misconduct, he will seek to debilitate through doubt. I know, because I have experienced this tactic firsthand.

I John has often been regarded as the "Epistle of Assurance." Tucked within this letter to churches in Asia Minor are ten benchmarks of belief by which one may measure the genuiness of his or her salvation. A benchmark is simply “a standard by which something can be measured or judged” (www.dictionary.com). These benchmarks are provided to help the believer realize his or her assurance of salvation by noting the fruits of salvation that are present within his or her life. They may also serve to convict the one who merely has an empty profession of salvation. I challenge you to check yourself against these benchmarks of belief by asking yourself the following questions.

Benchmark 1: Am I walking in obedience, striving to keep God's commandments? (I John 2:3)

Benchmark 2: Do I love the members of the family of God? (I John2:10, 3:19, 4:7-8)

Benchmark 3: Am I growing in Christ likeness? (I John 2:6)

Benchmark 4: Am I drawn to those things that please God rather than those that satisfy the desires of my old nature? (I John 2:15-17)

Benchmark 5: Do I desire that God’s will be accomplished in and through me? (I John 2:17)

Benchmark 6: Do I practice righteousness? (I John 3:6-7. 5:2)

Benchmark 7: Am I growing in victory over sin? (I John 4:4, 5:4)

Benchmark 8: Am I experiencing answered prayer/ (I John 5:14-15)

Benchmark 9: Do I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? (I John 2:22)

Benchmark 10: Is there a time when I truly trusted Jesus Christ the Son of God as my Savior? Is my hope of salvation in Christ ALONE? (I John 5:11-13)

How do you measure up to these benchmarks, especially #10?

Please contact me with any questions.

At Last ... Christ Alone

At Last … Christ Alone

As I mentioned in previous posts, I was born into a family of God-fearing God-lovers. I realize that my description sounds like an oxymoron, but that is the best description I can give of them – they loved the Lord unabashedly and sought ways to please Him in the milieu of life. Although we seldom had family devotions, our lives were permeated with Biblical truth.  I mentioned earlier that as a preschooler, I prayed a salvation prayer and was baptized not long afterward.  The problem was that I got entangled in the notion that I had to do something to prove to God that I was worth saving, when he had already declared me worth it, when I trusted Jesus for Salvation.

I was like a person who given a mansion free of charge with lifetime rights to live there. Not only that, but utilities and food were providedfor that same time.  Additionally, she had vehicle service and clothes throughout her lifetime.  All her needs were met and many of wishes were granted. It was the life that many only dream of, and it was hers free and simple. Yet each month, she dutifully wrote out a $10 check to her benefactor to “help” with expenses.  How insulting, and yet that is how my relationship (or lack thereof) with God went. I tried to do everything I thought He would want to reimburse Him for my Salvation and hope it was enough. Therefore, around the age of ten, I began to have serious doubts about my salvation. Yet, I kept my struggles a secret, because good children did not doubt their salvation.

At age fourteen, I began to earnestly pray for assurance of salvation and then to talk about my doubts, but to no avail.  Everyone pointed to my goodness, and I became a self-righteous snob but still wondered if I could ever do enough to merit God’s favor. I kept praying for assurance and kept insisting that I be baptized but was dogged by doubts.  It was in 1986, while I was reading the Bible that I realized that Christ had died the death that I deserved to die, and I believed.  As I have grown in understanding – I realize that Jesus lived the perfect life I could never live (even though I tried) and that He died the death I deserved to die.  When I trusted Him, this was credited to my account. I am saved.  So, when was I saved?  I think this most likely occurred in childhood, but for some reason, I never grasped the meaning of grace. It took many years of struggle, but my God is wonderfully patient.

Today I am so glad that I have chosen to walk in grace and that my trust for my eternity and present relationship with God is in Christ alone.  I can put my head on my pillow at night and know that I am His and my eternity is secure. The past few years have been challenging, but this I know I never walk alone. My heart is fixed … my hope is sure… my eyes are on my Savior and my Lord.  What more can I ask? 

Are you sure?  If not, I would be happy to point you to my Savior.