In the refiner's fire I'm beginning to melt,
Greater pain have I seldom ever felt,
As the heat increased in the melting pot,
And the pain intensified I cried out, "Stop!"
The pain is too great I can't take much more,
I can't understand what you're refining for,
While I seek relief you're turning up the heat,
I wonder if I will falter and crater in defeat,
This pain is certainly not what I had planned,
The shaping- molding - sculpting of your hand,
Your ways are mysterious but right I have to trust,
Keep on bringing on the refining fire if You must.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Peace Be Still
On planet earth chaos like a tempest sea abounds,
And the lack of faith of many believers abounds,
The clouds darken - the torrential rains descend,
While impotent prayers offered faithlessly ascend,
In the chaos Jesus stands knowing how we feel,
He authoritatively stands and speaks, "Peace be still!"
And the lack of faith of many believers abounds,
The clouds darken - the torrential rains descend,
While impotent prayers offered faithlessly ascend,
In the chaos Jesus stands knowing how we feel,
He authoritatively stands and speaks, "Peace be still!"
Persevering Through Seasons of Imprisonment
Sometimes we find ourselves in the dungeon of circumstances beyond our control much like Joseph in Genesis 39. We are trapped and there is no way out. We may feel we unjustly deserve those circumstances but could it be God has a purpose in the pain? [Ps 105:17-19] refers to Joseph in prison but with an interesting twist. Those verses refer to Joseph being sent to prison meaning he was appointed. Appointed by whom? God sent Joseph to prison. Joseph was afflicted and hurt and tested there. God had a purpose.
When we are in our own dungeons all we can think about is relief, how to escape, or how we should not be there. I love the truth that God was with Joseph even in prison. God was with Paul and Silas in prison too. Paul and Silas responded to being beaten and imprisoned by singing. [Acts 16:25]
Joseph saw evidence that God was with him for he found favor with the chief jailer and was put in charge of the other prisoners. This speaks two things to me when dealing with dungeon like seasons in life. First, he kept his focus on God. Second he focused on others.
One of the greatest things we can do when feeling imprisoned by our trials is to spend time praying for others. I spent time this morning praying for farmer friends facing drought conditions in west Texas. I prayed for a friend with cancer and for other heavy laden people.
When in a dungeon keep looking to God and keep looking around at others who are suffering too. Be God's means of love and help to them. One day the season of adversity will end. God will be there with you every moment of the season of adversity as well as the seasons when you are in the place of abundance.
When we are in our own dungeons all we can think about is relief, how to escape, or how we should not be there. I love the truth that God was with Joseph even in prison. God was with Paul and Silas in prison too. Paul and Silas responded to being beaten and imprisoned by singing. [Acts 16:25]
Joseph saw evidence that God was with him for he found favor with the chief jailer and was put in charge of the other prisoners. This speaks two things to me when dealing with dungeon like seasons in life. First, he kept his focus on God. Second he focused on others.
One of the greatest things we can do when feeling imprisoned by our trials is to spend time praying for others. I spent time this morning praying for farmer friends facing drought conditions in west Texas. I prayed for a friend with cancer and for other heavy laden people.
When in a dungeon keep looking to God and keep looking around at others who are suffering too. Be God's means of love and help to them. One day the season of adversity will end. God will be there with you every moment of the season of adversity as well as the seasons when you are in the place of abundance.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Failure
Have you ever failed at something? Painfully I watched one of our boys fail last night. He tried his absolute best but in the end he just did not perform. When he walked up to me afterwards I told him he did his best. I sought to build him up and let him know that I love him when he succeeds as well as when he fails. More importantly I wanted him to know that even though he failed that does not mean he is a failure.
We all fail. I feel that I have spent most of my life failing. I failed as an athlete. I have also failed as a youth pastor, evangelist, pastor, and an author. At least failure according to the world's standards. I did not get a division one football scholarship. I was not an All State or All American athlete. I have never served in a church with more than 300 in attendance. I have never written a best selling book. I cannot even say I have written a book that sold 10,000 copies much less 1 million.
Who determines failure. In an athletic competition winners and losers can be determined by the score at the end of the game or match or who finishes first at the end of the race. If a person does not come out on top does that mean they are a failure? If the businessman does not lead a Fortune 500 company but operates a modest business that provides for his family does that mean he is a failure?
If a man cannot provide a 3,000 square foot brand new home for his wife along with with a brand new luxury car does that make him a failure? If the father and mother cannot give their kids everything they want does that make them a failure? If the pastor prays his heart out, preaches with all his might trusting God for results, but never sees the church grow into a mega church did he fail? What about the young man or woman in high school who labor just to make the grades to pass. They never get any awards and they will not go to college. They work hard and will never have a job where they make lots of money. They will always work hard with their hands but does that mean they failed? What about the young man or young woman who stay late after practices to put in extra work, they run hard, lift hard, play hard but they will never be a state champion and they will not be a division one athlete. Did they fail?
Reason with me. We would all agree that certain people have been blessed with exceptional intellectual powers. These people excel in academic realms. We do not think of a person with average intellectual ability compared to a genius as a failure. We know there are certain individuals who have been blessed with rare athletic ability. We do not think of the local high school athlete running at a track meet as a failure compared to an olympic runner who breaks the world record.
Some people who have to win at all costs and achieve a measure of success in their professional lives are utter failures in their personal lives. They are immoral, alcoholics, drug addicts, and adulterers. Are these people really the true measure of success or do they fail?
It seems to me we need to reevaluate how we measure success. There are good people, no great people, hard working salt of the earth kind of people, who may be a great success in God's eyes but look like an utter failure to the world. There are women who do not look life fashion models to the world but are the apple of their husband's eyes and the pride and joy of their children. They live in relative obscurity but does that mean they are a failure? Their are children who never get recognized at an award ceremony but they are kind to other children and seek to be obedient to God, their parents, and others in authority over them. Aren't they a success in God's eyes and in their parent's eyes?
According to the world Jesus and Paul were failures. I think history has told a different story. Their lives are still impacting millions of people. Today I salute all the people who make society work but that have bought into the lie that they are a failure. I salute school teachers who come in early to tutor because they care about students. I salute the coaches who go the extra mile to guide and support those athletes who are in danger of falling through the cracks both on and off the field. I salute the small town ministers who love, give, and serve in small congregations most people have never heard of and live on a shoe string budget.
I salute the hard working house wives who labor endlessly to make a good home for their families. They cook and clean and serve. I also salute those working wives who put in a full day worth of work and still come home to cook and clean and serve. I salute single mothers who work hard to provide for her children and give them the best life possible even though exhausted and in constant stress.
I salute hard working husbands who come home dirty and tired after doing an honest day worth of work exhausted but still make time for the kids. I salute the owners of the small town cafes who cook more than just a recipe but cook with their hearts because they love their customers. I salute farmers that plow the fields and pray their hearts out for rain year after year. They work in the dirt and know more about faith and perseverance than many preachers. I salute ranchers who raise the beef we enjoy at dinner battling drought, disease, as well as oppressive heat and the bitter cold.
To all of these people and more you are successes. You add value to other people's lives. You are not a failure. Faithfulness is not failure. Finishing your course in life is not failure. Working with excellence at your craft is not failure. Be encouraged O faithful ones. God is glorified by your faithful labor and service.
We all fail. I feel that I have spent most of my life failing. I failed as an athlete. I have also failed as a youth pastor, evangelist, pastor, and an author. At least failure according to the world's standards. I did not get a division one football scholarship. I was not an All State or All American athlete. I have never served in a church with more than 300 in attendance. I have never written a best selling book. I cannot even say I have written a book that sold 10,000 copies much less 1 million.
Who determines failure. In an athletic competition winners and losers can be determined by the score at the end of the game or match or who finishes first at the end of the race. If a person does not come out on top does that mean they are a failure? If the businessman does not lead a Fortune 500 company but operates a modest business that provides for his family does that mean he is a failure?
If a man cannot provide a 3,000 square foot brand new home for his wife along with with a brand new luxury car does that make him a failure? If the father and mother cannot give their kids everything they want does that make them a failure? If the pastor prays his heart out, preaches with all his might trusting God for results, but never sees the church grow into a mega church did he fail? What about the young man or woman in high school who labor just to make the grades to pass. They never get any awards and they will not go to college. They work hard and will never have a job where they make lots of money. They will always work hard with their hands but does that mean they failed? What about the young man or young woman who stay late after practices to put in extra work, they run hard, lift hard, play hard but they will never be a state champion and they will not be a division one athlete. Did they fail?
Reason with me. We would all agree that certain people have been blessed with exceptional intellectual powers. These people excel in academic realms. We do not think of a person with average intellectual ability compared to a genius as a failure. We know there are certain individuals who have been blessed with rare athletic ability. We do not think of the local high school athlete running at a track meet as a failure compared to an olympic runner who breaks the world record.
Some people who have to win at all costs and achieve a measure of success in their professional lives are utter failures in their personal lives. They are immoral, alcoholics, drug addicts, and adulterers. Are these people really the true measure of success or do they fail?
It seems to me we need to reevaluate how we measure success. There are good people, no great people, hard working salt of the earth kind of people, who may be a great success in God's eyes but look like an utter failure to the world. There are women who do not look life fashion models to the world but are the apple of their husband's eyes and the pride and joy of their children. They live in relative obscurity but does that mean they are a failure? Their are children who never get recognized at an award ceremony but they are kind to other children and seek to be obedient to God, their parents, and others in authority over them. Aren't they a success in God's eyes and in their parent's eyes?
According to the world Jesus and Paul were failures. I think history has told a different story. Their lives are still impacting millions of people. Today I salute all the people who make society work but that have bought into the lie that they are a failure. I salute school teachers who come in early to tutor because they care about students. I salute the coaches who go the extra mile to guide and support those athletes who are in danger of falling through the cracks both on and off the field. I salute the small town ministers who love, give, and serve in small congregations most people have never heard of and live on a shoe string budget.
I salute the hard working house wives who labor endlessly to make a good home for their families. They cook and clean and serve. I also salute those working wives who put in a full day worth of work and still come home to cook and clean and serve. I salute single mothers who work hard to provide for her children and give them the best life possible even though exhausted and in constant stress.
I salute hard working husbands who come home dirty and tired after doing an honest day worth of work exhausted but still make time for the kids. I salute the owners of the small town cafes who cook more than just a recipe but cook with their hearts because they love their customers. I salute farmers that plow the fields and pray their hearts out for rain year after year. They work in the dirt and know more about faith and perseverance than many preachers. I salute ranchers who raise the beef we enjoy at dinner battling drought, disease, as well as oppressive heat and the bitter cold.
To all of these people and more you are successes. You add value to other people's lives. You are not a failure. Faithfulness is not failure. Finishing your course in life is not failure. Working with excellence at your craft is not failure. Be encouraged O faithful ones. God is glorified by your faithful labor and service.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
God Has A Will
Few things are more confusing for Christians than discovering and obeying God's will. In many ways we make it much more complicated than God ever intended. We read, pray, search for signs, have quiet times, meditate, and have endless conversations all in an effort to search for God's will.
Here is a truth we all need to latch on to. God wants us to know His will. In the Bible, when God wanted someone to believe Him for something or to do something, God took the initiative to reveal that will. He did so for Noah, Abram, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Elijah. He will do the same for us.
We can drive ourselves insane searching and searching when God is not ready to reveal His will. Over the years I have learned that if I really want to know God's will it will most likely be revealed in the context of reading and studying His word. If you want to know His will stay in His word.
I have noticed over the years each time God began getting my attention concerning His will certain scriptures would begin to surface over and over again. During a time He was getting ready to move me to a new church to serve as pastor Genesis 12:1-2 and Hebrews 11:8 surfaced repeatedly. I knew God was calling me to a new field of service. Another time God used Luke 9:23, Matthew 9:36, and Isaiah 6:8 over and over again. One time I heard one of these scriptures in a sermon by another preacher. One day one of those came up in a small group class and another time I read Isaiah 6:8 in a devotion book. They came up so many times I knew the Lord was getting my attention. They surfaced enough that God's message penetrated my heart and mind. It meant another change in ministry venues.
I have been meditating on Romans 12:2 in recent days. "And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, and perfect." The best way we renew our minds and have it transformed is by staying in God's word. When we do this day in and day out for the long term God will reveal His will.
There are two things we know for sure about God's will. In the Bible when God revealed His will people knew it was God speaking and they knew what God was saying. Noah knew God told him to build an ark. Moses knew he was supposed to deliver the children of Israel. Elijah knew he was supposed to have a show down on Mount Carmel. The same will be true for you. When God reveals His will in your situation you will know it is Him doing the communicating and you will also know exactly what God is calling you to do.
Until then keep seeking, be patient, and stay in His word. God has a will He wants to reveal it to you in His time.
Here is a truth we all need to latch on to. God wants us to know His will. In the Bible, when God wanted someone to believe Him for something or to do something, God took the initiative to reveal that will. He did so for Noah, Abram, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Elijah. He will do the same for us.
We can drive ourselves insane searching and searching when God is not ready to reveal His will. Over the years I have learned that if I really want to know God's will it will most likely be revealed in the context of reading and studying His word. If you want to know His will stay in His word.
I have noticed over the years each time God began getting my attention concerning His will certain scriptures would begin to surface over and over again. During a time He was getting ready to move me to a new church to serve as pastor Genesis 12:1-2 and Hebrews 11:8 surfaced repeatedly. I knew God was calling me to a new field of service. Another time God used Luke 9:23, Matthew 9:36, and Isaiah 6:8 over and over again. One time I heard one of these scriptures in a sermon by another preacher. One day one of those came up in a small group class and another time I read Isaiah 6:8 in a devotion book. They came up so many times I knew the Lord was getting my attention. They surfaced enough that God's message penetrated my heart and mind. It meant another change in ministry venues.
I have been meditating on Romans 12:2 in recent days. "And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, and perfect." The best way we renew our minds and have it transformed is by staying in God's word. When we do this day in and day out for the long term God will reveal His will.
There are two things we know for sure about God's will. In the Bible when God revealed His will people knew it was God speaking and they knew what God was saying. Noah knew God told him to build an ark. Moses knew he was supposed to deliver the children of Israel. Elijah knew he was supposed to have a show down on Mount Carmel. The same will be true for you. When God reveals His will in your situation you will know it is Him doing the communicating and you will also know exactly what God is calling you to do.
Until then keep seeking, be patient, and stay in His word. God has a will He wants to reveal it to you in His time.
Times of Testing
Every child of God goes through times of testing,
When sorrows mount like ocean waves cresting,
Times when the long sought answer is delayed,
When the burdens don't lift leaving us dismayed,
These times linger longer than we often expect,
Leaving us to doubt God and hold Him suspect,
There is a purpose in the testing and all the pain,
Just wait on God - watch - He will prove faithful again,
Tough seasons of testing hurt but they do not last,
One day you'll awake and the testing will be past,
Trust His heart even when you do not understand,
Even times of testing come from His gentle hand,
Do not give up but press on in faith that endures,
The testing will not last God's promise ensures,
God is working in you for His own good pleasure,
One day times of testing will be highly treasured,
Trust He is working an eternal weight of glory,
Writing the next chapters of your testimony story.
When sorrows mount like ocean waves cresting,
Times when the long sought answer is delayed,
When the burdens don't lift leaving us dismayed,
These times linger longer than we often expect,
Leaving us to doubt God and hold Him suspect,
There is a purpose in the testing and all the pain,
Just wait on God - watch - He will prove faithful again,
Tough seasons of testing hurt but they do not last,
One day you'll awake and the testing will be past,
Trust His heart even when you do not understand,
Even times of testing come from His gentle hand,
Do not give up but press on in faith that endures,
The testing will not last God's promise ensures,
God is working in you for His own good pleasure,
One day times of testing will be highly treasured,
Trust He is working an eternal weight of glory,
Writing the next chapters of your testimony story.
Running
Kids love to run for fun. They run inside the house. If they could they would also run up and down the hall ways at school. They run at recess. They run just for the fun of it after school. Athletes run for conditioning. They run to train for their sport. They run to get faster. They run for competition. Some run recreationally to stay in shape. They run to relieve stress, to clear their mind, and to compete in 5-K's and marathons.
None of those things are the point of this blog. I am more interested in a different kind of running. Call it emotional and spiritual running. Many people are running from something. Kids are running from a dysfunctional home. They are running from words that define them as worthless, stupid, and unwanted. Some spouses are running from a loveless marriage. Battered wives are running from another backhand across the cheeks or a punch to the stomach. There are children running from physical and sexual abuse. Employees are running from a dead end job. Others are running from reality trying to find some kind of escape in destructive behavior. Such behaviors only bring more sorrow and trouble.
There are people who live their whole lives running from their past. They can't outrun sinful choices. They cannot outrun the pain they have caused in others. They get up everyday and keep running from past mistakes, from past emotional wounds that continue to scar their psyche, and from past painful experiences. No matter how hard they run all their lives they never outrun their past.
Are you running from something? Jesus alone can set people free from their past. He forgives past sin. [Ps 103:12] He heals wounded broken hearts. [Ps 34:18] Forget what lies behind and run toward what lies ahead.
Now contrast those people running FROM something to those who are running TOWARD something. In the King James Version of [Ps 63:8] translates that verse as "My soul follows hard after God." Those who spend their days running toward God and running toward the call He puts on their lives are more well adjusted, more at peace, and able to live life with purpose.
As you awake today are you expending your energy trying to run from something? If you have been redeemed in Jesus Christ you don't have to run from your past. You don't have to run from your present. Put your eyes on Jesus and just run toward Him. Are you waking up today and choosing to run hard toward God? How you choose to run can make a huge difference. Where you run is important too. Choosing to run from something or toward something is important. Run toward God. Run toward Jesus all your life.
Run to Him when you are weary and heavy laden and He will you rest. Run toward Him in repentance when you sin and feel condemned. Run toward Him when you lose hope. Run toward Him when you have been wounded. Run to Him when the storms brew and rage and you need refuge.
None of those things are the point of this blog. I am more interested in a different kind of running. Call it emotional and spiritual running. Many people are running from something. Kids are running from a dysfunctional home. They are running from words that define them as worthless, stupid, and unwanted. Some spouses are running from a loveless marriage. Battered wives are running from another backhand across the cheeks or a punch to the stomach. There are children running from physical and sexual abuse. Employees are running from a dead end job. Others are running from reality trying to find some kind of escape in destructive behavior. Such behaviors only bring more sorrow and trouble.
There are people who live their whole lives running from their past. They can't outrun sinful choices. They cannot outrun the pain they have caused in others. They get up everyday and keep running from past mistakes, from past emotional wounds that continue to scar their psyche, and from past painful experiences. No matter how hard they run all their lives they never outrun their past.
Are you running from something? Jesus alone can set people free from their past. He forgives past sin. [Ps 103:12] He heals wounded broken hearts. [Ps 34:18] Forget what lies behind and run toward what lies ahead.
Now contrast those people running FROM something to those who are running TOWARD something. In the King James Version of [Ps 63:8] translates that verse as "My soul follows hard after God." Those who spend their days running toward God and running toward the call He puts on their lives are more well adjusted, more at peace, and able to live life with purpose.
As you awake today are you expending your energy trying to run from something? If you have been redeemed in Jesus Christ you don't have to run from your past. You don't have to run from your present. Put your eyes on Jesus and just run toward Him. Are you waking up today and choosing to run hard toward God? How you choose to run can make a huge difference. Where you run is important too. Choosing to run from something or toward something is important. Run toward God. Run toward Jesus all your life.
Run to Him when you are weary and heavy laden and He will you rest. Run toward Him in repentance when you sin and feel condemned. Run toward Him when you lose hope. Run toward Him when you have been wounded. Run to Him when the storms brew and rage and you need refuge.
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