Breath-Taking Beauty

The grandeur of the Alps is something that cannot be contained in words or even pictures – although we have several pictures form a recent trip to Europe.  On a cloudy day it was impossible to see much of Mt. Pilatus from the base of the mountain not far from the town of Lucerne, Switzerland.  However, we decided to ride on cable cars up two levels and a gondola the final level just for the experience.  As we neared the top of the mountain we emerged from the clouds to a beautiful sunny day.  The splendor of God’s creation was unmistakable.  Our experience was a great reminder to us that “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1).  After returning to Lucerne our response was similar to the words the psalmist used to conclude the Psalm, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Handling Showers in Life

You have often heard the statement, “April showers bring May flowers.”  The ultimate goal in this expression is the loveliness of spring flowers that enhance the beauty of God’s wonderful creation.  By the same token, the beauty of springtime flowers only appears after the showers have come.  “Showers” or “rain” implies the absence of the sun and suggests something dreary or dismal.  However, there are a lot of positive aspects about rain.  Rain brings refreshment.  It cleanses.  It purges.  It brings nourishment to the thirsty land.  As a result, lots of good comes out of something that has even the smallest hint of negativism.

You will remember that in the Bible the Apostle Paul had what he called a “thorn in the flesh.”  Whatever that was, to him it was negative and he wanted to rid himself of it.  He says,  “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me” (II Corinthians 12:7-8).  He didn’t want the “thorn” but God gave it to him anyway.  God’s response to him was that into each life some rain must fall.  Some negative is not all bad.  Paul went on to explain God’s response to his request.  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (II Corinthians 12:9).

His negative situation – even though it contained “showers”, “rain” or “pain” – would become a positive experience because God would be exceedingly sufficient for him through it.  God’s power would be shown through Paul’s weakness.  Alice Hansche Mortenson penned a poem which helps us understand how some of the “showers”, “thorns” or “pain” that we go through can lead to things that are positive.  She writes,

Though prayers for healing seemed in vain, God helped me learn to live with pain;

To use the very thing I dread for closer walk with Him instead;
And how to lend a listening ear to those who hurt and shed a tear
Of sympathy, or press their hand—worth more because I understand.
Dear God, if that’s the only way You’d have me serve from day to day,
Please use this tiny cross of pain for others and for Heaven’s gain!

Maybe God wants to use the “showers”, “rain” or “pain” in your life in order to show His greatness and His glory.  Remember, God will be totally sufficient for you as you give yourself completely to Him. 

Madness or Unique Prize?

In Minnesota the month of March is considered one of the snowiest months of the year.  This kind of weather might be thought of as madness or maddening.  Some people like the snow but some people do not.  One redeeming quality of getting snow in March is that it will soon melt when the warmth of late winter/early spring emerges.

 

“March Madness” is an event that takes place in March when 64 collegiate basketball teams qualify or are invited to participate in the NCAA tournament.  In this single elimination tournament the teams begin play and one by one those who lose fall by the wayside.  The goal is to be the last one standing by winning every game and being declared the NCAA National Champion.  Of course, the winning team receives the coveted title and the trophy that goes with .it.  Some people like the tournament, but some do not.  To be the last team standing takes skill, dedication, hard work, persistence and patience.

 

In a gospel account, the Apostle Paul compared his life to an athletic competition when he said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).  He was not referring to “madness” but to a prize.  No one who follows after God looses, only those who do not pursue Him.  The prize he referred to was not just a trophy or a national title, but something much greater.  Notice: (1) The prize is a goal – therefore, we need to go after it; (2) The prize is obtainable – so we have the assurance that it can be reached; (3) The prize is something that God offers – it is His call to us; (4) The prize centers in God’s Son, Jesus Christ – it is through Him that we have a personal relationship with the God of the universe; and (5) The prize will require intense endeavor – for we need to pursue it.

 

As we launch into the spring season, what intrigues you the most – March Madness or the heavenly prize?  One might be fun to watch, but one is very beneficial for your life.  What do you need to do to keep your eye on the prize and strive for that which God has called you?  What might you need to do to turn some of the madness which you experience into the challenge to live a godly life?  Trust God and press on toward the goal.

Entering the Unknown - The New Year

We are already two weeks into the New Year of 2013 and we still do not know a lot of things about it.  What joys will be ours?  What difficulties will we experience?  How will we respond to the positives and the negatives?  Many years ago, king Jehoshaphat of Israel faced an army that was huge and powerful and about to anannihilate them.  In prayer, he came before God and said,   ”We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (II Chronicles 20:12).  What great advice and a wonderful example he gave for us to follow.  When the unknown is before us – whatever that may be – we should keep our eyes on God.  Here are a few reasons why we should keep our eyes on God.

1)    God is more powerful than any situation we may face.  “Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you” (Psalm 66:4).

2)    God is always ready to answer us and show us what we do not know.  “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

3)    God wants us to come into His presence at any time—even when we are weak and weighed down with concerns.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

So, how are you doing at facing the unknown in 2013?  Are you Unsure?  Tense?  Concerned?  Fearful?  Doubtful?  Discouraged?  Perplexed?  When faced with some of these feelings, try the Jehoshaphat solution.  Keep your eyes on God and commit yourself to trust Him.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Time to "Smell" Christmas

Shopping, gifts, trees, decorations, sound of the season music, program practice, snow and silver bells.  All of these things remind me of Christmas.  I dearly love Christmas; it is my favorite time of the year.  However, when I think of all of these Christmas-related events, I get overwhelmed with two words – “busy-ness” and “activity.”  Now to be busy and active is not bad; it is part of life.  But I am afraid that sometimes in our busy-ness and the hurry and scurry of Holiday activities, we tend to forget the real meaning of Christmas.

 
In an attempt to get people to take time to see things as they really are and to appreciate what is around them, the phrase, “take time to smell the roses” has been penned.  Maybe that is good advice for us this Christmas.  We need to “take time to smell Christmas.”  In other words, amid all the activities in which we are involved we need to take time to think about Jesus Christ, who is the real meaning of Christmas.  Here are a couple of ideas for your meditation and contemplation concerning the greatest Christmas gift that was ever given – the Lord Jesus.  Think about it.

• The angel of the Lord told Joseph that Mary would give birth to a son, “And you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
• An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and said, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

This year, I encourage you to take time to "smell" Christmas -- the real Christmas!.

Thanks Living

Thanksgiving is over.  Or is it?  Most people feel that on the annual Thanksgiving holiday they ought to be thankful, or at least show thanks in some specific way.  That is important, especially when we realize that the very word “thanksgiving” suggests the giving of thanks or making sure that we express our appreciation.  I’d like to suggest that as we look back to Thanksgiving that we let it remind us of one other thing – “thanks living.”  By that I mean that we should be so grateful and thankful to God for what He has done for us that we let that gratefulness show by the way we live our lives.  In the Bible, the Apostle Paul says this: "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (I Thessalonians 5:18).

When we give thanks in all circumstances we live in a thankful way.  By “thanks living” we show our appreciation for the personal freedom we enjoy in our country, including our religious freedom.  By “thanks living” we voluntarily submit ourselves to live according to the guidelines God reveals to us in His holy Word.  By “thanks living” we monitor the words that we say, so that those words are always encouraging and uplifting.  The significance of Thanksgiving cannot be underestimated – especially when we add to it our “thanks living.”  Will you join me in the transition from the Thanksgiving holiday Season to the Christmas holiday season by expressing thanks to God through not only the giving of thanks but by “thanks living?”

Tracking Progress

On a recent flight I enjoyed watching the “my flight” channel containing a moving map. This channel shows a number of different screens. First there is a screen giving all kinds of readings including current time, estimated time of arrival, local time at origin and destination, miles traveled, air temperature, ground speed, and distance traveled,. There is also a map of the land over which you are traveling with a small airplane icon showing the progress of the trip. Some people don’t pay much attention to these maps and information. Either they know where they are going, don’t care where they are going, or are not interested in seeing the progress that is made. However, as the plane begins to descend, everyone knows they will soon arrive and their destination and so they begin making preparation for arrival.

In life some people do not pay much attention to where they are going, let alone check their progress along the way. However, you often hear people comment about how the years seem to fly by. The older people are the more often this talk is heard.

Whether a person is 60, 70 or 80 years or more, times goes by very quickly. How do people know where they are going? How do they monitor their progress along the way? A quick look at the Bible will give information that puts all of this in perspective. Regarding the route a person takes Jesus reminds us – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Concerning the progress made along the way Scripture tells us we are to “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16-16). Regarding the destination Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Are you aware of your destiny? What gate have you come through and what road are you on? Have you been tracking the progress to your destination? Turn to God’s Word. It’s a great tracking instrument.