Persistent hearts

I have always loved the story of Elijah and Elisha.
God had performed miraculous works through Elijah. One would think he would be on a “spiritual high”. However, Elijah succumbs to a time of human weakness and “woe is me” that are all brought about by the threats from an evil woman named Jezebel. In the midst of voicing his self-pity to God, God gives him instructions of what he is to do next. Then almost as an afterthought God reminds Elijah he is not the only one left in Israel that has not bowed his knee to Baal, “7000 in Israel who have never bowed down or kissed Baal!” This chapter ends with Elijah calling Elisha to be his assistant (1 Kings 19).

(2 Kings 2) When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind (that in itself would have been an amazing sight to behold!!), three times Elijah told Elisha to wait while he went into three different towns. Each time Elisha replied that he would never leave Elijah’s side. At each of those towns a group of prophets met Elisha to ask him if he knew God was going to take Elijah from him that day. Elisha’s response was the same each time, “of course I know.” Elisha’s persistence is being tested.

Finally, Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him before he is taken away.  Elisha’s response is very similar to Solomon’s response when God asked him, “What do you want. Ask, and I will give it to you.”
Elisha: “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”
Solomon: “Give me an understanding heart so I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong.”

The similarities show hearts that are not self seeking but rather servant shaped and pliable. Both Solomon and Elisha were displays of God infused wisdom, power, and might because of their responses to a very powerful question.

I pray that if I’m faced with the choice Solomon and Elisha had that my heart would be bent for the blessings and good of others and not self motivation or proclamation. 
I pray I would be as persistent as Elisha in following Elijah, no matter how many places God tests my faith, to not give up and “stay put” but press forward knowing God’s promises are true and faithful.

Valuable and safe

The following is what an inmate recently shared in our Addiction Recovery Ministry Bible study at Cumberland County prison:

“This is how I view my incarceration. When someone has something that is valuable and precious to them they lock it in a jewelry box or safe to keep it safe.  I believe God has locked me in prison because I am valuable and precious to Him. He knew this was the only way to keep me safe.”

Wow! Pretty insightful! Amazing how we can view our circumstances when our minds and hearts are clear and open to correction and change.

What about you? Where do you find yourself today that perhaps God has placed you, maybe not where you desire, but to keep you safe?

“And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.” James 1:18b

Facing Envy and Bitterness

“Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.

But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.

And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.

“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.

Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.

So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.

But what a difficult task it is!

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

Yet:

I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:1-28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The problem with envy is we don’t really see into the heart of those we envy. Into the dark of the night when no one else is around them, when the parties are over and they are alone. We don’t hear their thoughts or see their fears or anxieties. We don’t experience the energy it takes to keep the story going or the fear of losing control. The fear of “losing the good life” that motivates to always be searching for the next dollar or the next “better-than-anyone-else.”

As with the author of this Psalm, we too can almost lose our footing. We too can question the presence, care, love, and the protection of God. “They don’t love or serve God! Why are they prospering...in perfect health and I’m not?” “Why have I given up everything and have nothing in return?”

Easy to do when our focus is on the “here and now”,  when we try to reason what is beyond our reasoning and comprehension. It’s exhausting and can lead us into the entangled path of bitterness.

Psalm 69 tells us:

• Those who trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches cannot pay a ransom to God for his life.
• The wise, foolish and senseless all perish alike and leave their wealth to others.
• Their forms will decay in the grave, but God will redeem my life from the grave.  (Psalm 49:8-9) Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and not see the grave.
• Don’t be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases, for he will take nothing with him when he dies. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. Death has no use for money or possessions!
• He will never see the “light of life”.

When we finally surrender and turn our thoughts, attention, and hearts back to the safety and peace of God’s sanctuary the lenses we are looking through change.

When we take our eyes off man and back to God...when we allow Him to search our hearts He will reveal the root of our struggles. Bitterness is it’s ugly name.

We remember we are only passing through this world. God has given us pleasures in this world to enjoy but not to define us. This is only our temporary residence and as beautiful or alluring it’s temptations are, it is nothing compared to what He has prepared for us in eternity!

May we say as David, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is. And so, Lord where do I put my hope? My only hope is you.” Psalm 39:4,7

At the end of the day I stand on the promises that are back by his name (Psalm 138:2):

“I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”

Standing Faith Cannot Be Forced

Isaiah 7:1-9 gives an account of King Ahaz of Judah at a time when his kingdom was about to be invaded and conquered by two other kings. The story opens with the names of all the kings involved but adds "However, they were unable to carry out their plan." The plot is then revealed as to why the plan never succeeded:

"The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.

Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Take your son Shear-jashuband go out to meet King Ahaz. 

You will find him at the end of the aqueduct that feeds water into the upper pool, near the road leading to the field where cloth is washed."

We can all relate to bad news. No one is immune from it. It is news we were not expecting or anticipating.  It catches us off guard. And like King Ahaz “...the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear”.  

Fear can either motivate us to action or paralyze us. 

It can blind us to truth so that we only focus on the circumstance. 

Our fear can infect others around. The people were looking to their King for direction and he was literally trembling in his boots!!

I LOVE that God knew exactly where Ahaz was!

• Aqueducts were not only a source of water for a city but also could be the place of compromise thereby allowing the enemy access to a walled and gated city.
• Perhaps Ahaz recognized this was the very place that needed fortified due to disrepair, or decay, or possibly neglect...which would only increase his level of fear. They just didn’t have time.
• Can you not see him pacing like a caged animal trying to bark out orders all the while failing in the composure department in front of his people?

I LOVE that God met him at his place of fear!

When we get a bad report are we so trembling with fear that we don’t see, or can’t see God meeting us in the place of our fear?

Our fear and trembling do NOT scare God away! He will meet us in the midst of our fear if we silence the voices around us and surrender our control to Him.

"Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn’t need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah. Yes, the kings of Syria and Israel are plotting against him, saying, ‘We will attack Judah and capture it for ourselves. Then we will install the son of Tabeel as Judah’s king.’ But this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“This invasion will never happen;

it will never take place....

As for Israel, within sixty-five years

it will be crushed and completely destroyed...

Unless your faith is firm,

I cannot make you stand firm.”

“Tell him to stop worrying.” When fear encompasses our thoughts and actions, we can’t think straight and see clearly. God’s encouragement is always on time but we can miss it due to trying to plan our attack.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-9 to not worry...instead pray about everything; be thankful; then we will experience God's peace in our hearts and minds.

• Peace is the opposite of fear.
• Hope is the opposite of despair
• Prayer is the opposite of worry

"Tell him he doesn’t need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers." Yes they are plotting against him, saying….BUT THIS IS WHAT THE SOVEREIGN LORD SAYS: 

• Burned out embers = NO POWER! Stop holding onto that which no longer has power!

"The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations

and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;

his intentions can never be shaken." Psalm 33:10-11 

• No matter what the voices around us are saying, what is God saying?

“Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”(NLT). Stand firm in some translations is "established". In the Hebrew this means "to support, uphold, be carried."

Standing faith will never be something that is taught or handed down but must be experienced. And this will only happen as we go through trials, hardships, and even times of seemingly silence from God. Standing firm in our faith gives us the confidence that God is supporting, upholding and carrying us through the difficult times in our life.

Faith...standing faith...is a choice.

Firm faith is a process.

Faith is foundational to our minds quiet, resting, and standing firm even in the midst of uncertainty.  In the midst of bad reports.

Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

So where are you with fear, worry, or anxiety? To whom and in whom or what are you placing your confidence? Unless your faith is firm in Jesus Christ, God can not make your faith firm. Cannot make you believe, cannot support and carry you if you do not allow him to.

STORY OF A FOOL, A HOT HEAD AND WISDOM 1 Samuel 25:1-38

1 Samuel 25:1-38

Every trial, every circumstance that comes into our lives gives us the unique experience of growth in our maturity or regression.  Our actions and reactions reveal the true character of our hearts.

David was called by God, "a man after my own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), yet David was not perfect.  David wrote the majority of the book of Psalms revealing his heart that was at times elated with praise and joy in God, at times revealed sorrow/depression, and at times revealed anger. David was a real Biblical character willing to be transparent before God and people and reveal qualities that we struggle with today.

In this account of David’s encounter with Nabal we can learn several lessons all the while relating our reactions at times with those of David’s.

I. Anger begets anger… never resolves anything

Every day we hear of crimes that center around anger.  Road rage, domestic abuse, child abuse, violence runs rampant because at the core of the action is anger resulting in a loss of control.

The book of James is a great practical book helping us to live in a world that is full of anger and revenge.  James 4:1-3 “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

In our story about David, he had a need and went to the person whom he thought would reciprocate the kindness because he protected his workers and flocks. But instead he was scorned and not appreciated by that person. Instead of walking away, asking and trusting God would provide, he let anger and pride  control his actions.

We all have the choice to give way to anger and the slippery slope it can lead us to or we can do what James says:

James 1:19-22 “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters:  you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word you must do what it says. Otherwise, you're only fooling yourselves.”

In the midst of a trial or temptation, how we respond will determine whether we grow and mature or if we remain stuck in destructive behaviors.  That's why James also says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

God is more interested in developing our character than keeping us comfortable in our old ways.

II. Wisdom soothes the ANGER beast

Proverbs 14:29 “people with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness”.  It is interesting that Nabal’s name meant “fool” and he apparently lived up to it.

Are you a Nabal when it comes to your responses?  David almost turned a trial into a temptation of murder! He allowed his emotions to lead rather that self-control and trust in the God who proved himself over and over again in David’s life.

The world we live in demands respect (respect is earned by the way we treat others never demanded).  The world we live in seeks revenge and retaliation (1 Peter 2:22-23 says Jesus “did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.  He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly”). Jesus could have called upon the creative, explosive power of God to destroy his torturers, but he didn’t (Hebrews 5:7-8).  Instead he PRAYED for his torturers while hanging on the cross.  This very example is self control!!

1 Peter 1:13-16 “So think clearly and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Thankfully for David, Nabal’s wife Abigail was the only one of the three of them who was thinking clearly and exercised self-control!

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”

If anyone would have benefited from David delivering his angry murder spree on Nabal, it would have been Abigail! From this short account we can only assume the neglect and abuse she encountered at the hands of an angry/selfish/wicked husband.

 But she wasn't just thinking about herself that day.  She saved all the men that worked for and were probably mistreated by a tyrant like Nabal.  Had she not intervened they all would have been dead by the end of the day.

I have a feeling Abigail had to intervene a lot for Nabal during the course of their marriage.  Nabal’s servant must have felt safe going to her knowing that she would listen and respond with wisdom rather than turn him into her husband for snitching.

III. Do all things with integrity

Abigail was a woman of integrity, how do I know this?  She took the blame that belonged to someone else in order to defuse a volatile situation.  She didn't lower herself to Nabal’s standards but rose above them.  She didn't sugar coat the truth about Nabal but implored David to also not lower himself to the standards of a wicked and ill-tempered man.

David responded to her wisdom and his anger was turned to gratitude and thanksgiving.

Wisdom and self control are the foundation for growth, maturity and moving beyond where we are now to a place of freedom and peace EVEN IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS.

"Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."

Colossians 3:13

We all become frustrated and hurt with our family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances and even complete strangers.

It is in those very moments we have the opportunity to live this verse before them.

This doesn’t mean we compromise our values or ignore and pretend problems don’t exist.

It DOES mean checking our hearts and doing what James said (and this wasn't a suggestion!)
"BE quick to listen...slow to speak...slow to get angry"

We can CHOOSE to walk in unforgiveness or choose to walk in forgiveness.

So whom do you want to be want to be today….Nabal, the fool; David, the hot head; or Abigail, the wise and self-controlled?  It is a choice each one of us makes multiple times throughout the day.

To fig or not to fig

The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it. (Mark 11:12-14 NLT)

A fig tree must have young roots already or it will be barren for the season.  The first figs ripen in late May or early June.  The tree in Mark 11:13 should have had fruit, unripe indeed, but existing.  In some lands fig-trees bear the early fruit under the leaves and the later fruit above the leaves.  In that case the leaves were a sign that there should have been fruit, unseen from a distance, underneath the leaves.  The condemnation of this fig-tree lay in the absence of any sign of fruit.

(Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, pg 434)

Jesus may have used this as an illustration of faith (see verses 20-27), but here are some lessons on fruit bearing in our lives:

1.  Be careful that we as his followers aren't "outwardly" showing green but fruit is non-existing.

     The religious in Jesus day loved to toot their own horns for the approval of others.  Their fruit was nonexistent because they were root-bound in tradition and law.  Oh they were producing leaves but without the seed in the fruit they would never multiply.  When they died, they took with them the ability to produce and feed (sow into) a future generation.

2.  Others should "see" our fruit before they even approach us to "hear" about our fruit or lack of.

      I personally never met Mother Teresa but her fruit exists today and will continue to be seen in generations that she selflessly invested in.  She once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

Jesus blew Nathanael away when he greeted him as a man of integrity.  He witnessed the fruit of Nathanael's beliefs before he heard it from Nathanael's mouth (John 1:45-51)

Anyone who has to boast about what they are doing will eventually be undone by their doing.  Our life should witness our beliefs.

3.  Life or death comes out of where we plant our roots (vs. 20)

     But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News...And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 1:23, 2:6,7NLT)

Having a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving is the food the soil of our hearts needs to produce fruit, which in turn produces life.

The apostle Paul knew this to be the key to a fruitful life.  Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. (Philippians 3:1 NLT)

Negativism, quarreling, jealousy, hostility selfish ambition, division, dissension...if this is the ground you and I are planting our roots then we will produce a one-time harvest of death. (Gal 5:19-21)

If, however, we choose the soil of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control then "there is no limit" to the fruitfulness and life we will produce. (Gal 5:22-26)

To fig or not to fig, the choice is up to you and me. 

God made us because he loved us!

"God made us because he loved us...

                    NOT God loved us because he made"

The first speaks of intentional and purposeful while the latter speaks of an afterthought or forced action.

So much of scripture supports the first rather than second statement.  Don't know about you but the difference makes a huge impact on my relationship with God, with his son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit.

  

My desire to love and honor him in all I do and say, to worship him as the only true God grows deeper each day as I understand he loved me BEFORE I was even born! Amazing!!

These are truths we can build our lives on and believe when those around us might try to convince us otherwise:

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! (Psalms 139:13-17 NLT)

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. (Ephesians 1:4, 5 NLT)

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. (Psalms 24:1 NLT)

Long ago the lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT)

We love each other because he loved us first. (1 John 4:19 NLT)

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:9, 10 NLT)

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 NLT)

I pray you find encouragement and hope in this truth today!  Nothing you do or will do, you are or will become, you believe or don't believe is the basis for God's love for you.  He loves you just because he loves you!