I received a call today from someone with a real and immediate need. This person had been betrayed and hurt at a level deeper than most of us can comprehend. I don't want to go into detail but I promise that most people don't know the level and depth of this person's pain. This person called me and before they could get out the first word, all I heard were tears and sobs. They started telling me their story and I began to cry with them. This person is a Christian and couldn't understand how this could happen. And in the midst of our tears while I was giving them scripture that I hoped would comfort, God reminded me of a line from a Josh Wilson song that says "Life is not a Snapshot". This song was written out of a hopeless situation where God brought in hope.
God wants you to know that life is not a snapshot. So often, we experience pain that we can't comprehend and situations that we don't understand and we ask God "why?". In that moment of hurt, it feels like this situation can never be better than it is now. You may think "this is what my life will always be like because I can't imagine not hurting". Like the guy says in the video link above, if we trust God with our eternity why don't we trust Him with our now?
While my friend was crying, I reminded them that God loves a broken and contrite heart and He will be near them (Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17) and that Jesus said "...I will be with you always, even to the end of the earth" (Matt 28:20). I also told them that no matter how dismal this very moment seems, it's only a moment in time and God will provide healing; "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Jesus said "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9).
When we got off the phone, my friend was still crying and still hurting. I couldn't take my friends hurt away just like I can't take your hurt away. All I can do today is encourage you just like I tried to encourage this person. Please click the link above and hear and example of how a family put their faith in God even when everyone told them not to. I believe you will be encouraged just like I was. Please remember that when you are down, alone, upset, and broken God is always with you and He hears your broken heart crying out to Him if you let it.
God loves you and I do too! Merry Christmas.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Intention vs. Direction
On November 25th I wrote about good intentions. I think we all have good intentions of doing something good. I was talking with Jon Sweet yesterday at lunch and among the many various topics we discussed, Intention vs. Direction was one of them that kept me thinking long after we parted ways.
What gets you where you want to go? What gets you from point A to point B? Is it your intentions? Just because you intend to go to Nashville tomorrow does that mean you will be in Nashville tomorrow? If you intend to buy your best friend a Christmas present does that mean your friend will have a present from you under the tree? No, of course not. Just because you intend to do something doesn't mean it's going to happen.
Now, let's go one step further. If you intend on being a good person today, does that mean you will be? If you intend on getting up early to read your bible does that mean you will? If you intend to do the right thing, will you?
The fact is; you aren't getting to Nashville until you start heading that direction. You won't buy your friend a present until you go to the store (or shop on-line). You won't be a good person today if you don't learn how to be one. You won't get up early to read your bible if you don't set your alarm. You won't do the right thing unless you just do it.
The point is that the saying "hell is paved with good intentions" is true. How many people do you know that intend on going to hell? Now, how many people do you know intend on going to Heaven? See, no one wants to go or intends on going to hell. Anyone that believes in heaven intends on going there. But those intentions aren't enough. There must be direction. Just like our trip to Nashville, if we don't start heading down the path to get us where we want to go, we will never get there.
Therein lies the problem many of us have; getting started. We all have or have had intentions of doing something grand in or with our lives. Are there things that you have intended to do with your Christian life and you just haven't done? I know a lot of people that read this blog are over 25 years old. For those people, have you been the Christian that you "intended" on being when you were 15 or 20?
Luckily, this is a situation that is easily fixed. If you aren't heading where you want to go you simply stop, turn around, and start heading the right direction. For some, this will seem like you are actually going backwards and you are right. Here's a funny story to make my point. Some time back, Jon and I were going to Nashville to meet up with Kim and Brooke. We were heading down 321 and hamming it up as we pretty much always do. Out of habit, I took I-75S...to go to Nashville. Those of you who know how to get to Nashville know that I have messed up. We made it about 15 miles when I realized what I did. Well, there isn't a good shortcut to get to I-40W from where I was so my only option was to turn around and go back to 321 where I started and this is what I did. Once I made it back to where I started, I could continue to I-40W. Its the same way with our Christian walk. When we head down the wrong path, we have to return to our first love before we can do anything else for Him (Rev 2:4-6).
Intentions get you no where without adding direction to it. The Devil will make you feel good about yourself because you have such good intentions even though something always seems to get in the way and you didn't accomplish what you intended. He wants to see you fail and the best way to do that is to make you feel OK about not doing what you want because your mindset is "Well, I intended to do that but....(insert excuse here)".
Decide what direction to go and then go.
God loves you and I do too! Merry Christmas
What gets you where you want to go? What gets you from point A to point B? Is it your intentions? Just because you intend to go to Nashville tomorrow does that mean you will be in Nashville tomorrow? If you intend to buy your best friend a Christmas present does that mean your friend will have a present from you under the tree? No, of course not. Just because you intend to do something doesn't mean it's going to happen.
Now, let's go one step further. If you intend on being a good person today, does that mean you will be? If you intend on getting up early to read your bible does that mean you will? If you intend to do the right thing, will you?
The fact is; you aren't getting to Nashville until you start heading that direction. You won't buy your friend a present until you go to the store (or shop on-line). You won't be a good person today if you don't learn how to be one. You won't get up early to read your bible if you don't set your alarm. You won't do the right thing unless you just do it.
The point is that the saying "hell is paved with good intentions" is true. How many people do you know that intend on going to hell? Now, how many people do you know intend on going to Heaven? See, no one wants to go or intends on going to hell. Anyone that believes in heaven intends on going there. But those intentions aren't enough. There must be direction. Just like our trip to Nashville, if we don't start heading down the path to get us where we want to go, we will never get there.
Therein lies the problem many of us have; getting started. We all have or have had intentions of doing something grand in or with our lives. Are there things that you have intended to do with your Christian life and you just haven't done? I know a lot of people that read this blog are over 25 years old. For those people, have you been the Christian that you "intended" on being when you were 15 or 20?
Luckily, this is a situation that is easily fixed. If you aren't heading where you want to go you simply stop, turn around, and start heading the right direction. For some, this will seem like you are actually going backwards and you are right. Here's a funny story to make my point. Some time back, Jon and I were going to Nashville to meet up with Kim and Brooke. We were heading down 321 and hamming it up as we pretty much always do. Out of habit, I took I-75S...to go to Nashville. Those of you who know how to get to Nashville know that I have messed up. We made it about 15 miles when I realized what I did. Well, there isn't a good shortcut to get to I-40W from where I was so my only option was to turn around and go back to 321 where I started and this is what I did. Once I made it back to where I started, I could continue to I-40W. Its the same way with our Christian walk. When we head down the wrong path, we have to return to our first love before we can do anything else for Him (Rev 2:4-6).
Intentions get you no where without adding direction to it. The Devil will make you feel good about yourself because you have such good intentions even though something always seems to get in the way and you didn't accomplish what you intended. He wants to see you fail and the best way to do that is to make you feel OK about not doing what you want because your mindset is "Well, I intended to do that but....(insert excuse here)".
Decide what direction to go and then go.
God loves you and I do too! Merry Christmas
Monday, December 19, 2011
Layaway heros
I listen to K-love if I'm not listening to my ipod in my truck. One story that they have been reporting on a lot lately is how there are a lot of people across the country that are secretly paying off people's layaway accounts at places like K-mart and Wal-Mart. I thank God that there are people that have the means to help people and they are doing it.
I was thinking about what a great thing these people are doing and something hit me. These people are just obeying God (or simply helping people if they aren't Christians). God has blessed them financially and they are just doing a good work. It's sad that we live in a day and time where people helping people has become so news worthy. Isn't helping others part of "Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matt 22:39)? James 2:15-17 asks what good is it for you to pray for someone in need rather than actually doing something for them. Jesus told the rich young ruler that he needs to sell everything he owns and give it to the poor (Luke 18:22). God intends for Christians to take care of people. When we became Christians, we gave God everything which includes our money so it is His to tell us how we should use it. We gave Him our abilities so they are His to tell us who to help with them. We gave him our time so it is His to tell us how to spend it.
And then, of course, this got me to thinking about what I do to help people. Do I do enough with what God has given me to take care of someone simply because it's the right thing to do? Have I turned a blind eye to someone in need? How about you? Are you doing what God wants you to with your money, time, and abilities?
Of course we're not going to discuss what we do here because the bible tells us to not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing (Matt 6:3).
This is the time of year when most people do the most for those in need and I think that is absolutely great. I hope we all take part in these charitable events. I encourage you to look to help those in need all year. Remember, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17).
God loves you and I do too!
I was thinking about what a great thing these people are doing and something hit me. These people are just obeying God (or simply helping people if they aren't Christians). God has blessed them financially and they are just doing a good work. It's sad that we live in a day and time where people helping people has become so news worthy. Isn't helping others part of "Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matt 22:39)? James 2:15-17 asks what good is it for you to pray for someone in need rather than actually doing something for them. Jesus told the rich young ruler that he needs to sell everything he owns and give it to the poor (Luke 18:22). God intends for Christians to take care of people. When we became Christians, we gave God everything which includes our money so it is His to tell us how we should use it. We gave Him our abilities so they are His to tell us who to help with them. We gave him our time so it is His to tell us how to spend it.
And then, of course, this got me to thinking about what I do to help people. Do I do enough with what God has given me to take care of someone simply because it's the right thing to do? Have I turned a blind eye to someone in need? How about you? Are you doing what God wants you to with your money, time, and abilities?
Of course we're not going to discuss what we do here because the bible tells us to not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing (Matt 6:3).
This is the time of year when most people do the most for those in need and I think that is absolutely great. I hope we all take part in these charitable events. I encourage you to look to help those in need all year. Remember, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17).
God loves you and I do too!
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