Feb. 29....You know the way

John 14:3-4 “Where I am you also may be. You know the way that leads where I go.” (NAB)

“So that you may be where I am….you know the way I am going to take.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father,
Jesus tells us we may be where he is, and that it is his purpose in leaving to prepare a place for us. Jesus was going back to You, the Father, and by his sacrificial way of leaving, we would also be able to come into your presence, forgiven and made holy through Jesus. As long as he fulfilled your will for his life….died on the cross….became the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world….than the Way would be prepared for us. His Way, would become The Way for all to follow. I can understand why the disciples were confused! We have hindsight and the entire story…the Good News! All they understood was that Jesus was talking about leaving them just when it seemed support for him was building. His talk of preparing rooms for them and telling them they “know the way I am going to take”, must have seemed like gibberish to them! I can sense their puzzled faces and their questions. Thomas and Phillip try to get an explanation and he tells them “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” I’m sure this statement fell rather flat on their stopped up ears. It wasn’t “immediate” to them at this point. It had no relevance or reference to what they already knew at this point in time. It sounded like he was telling them that he would lead them “there”…the Way….but at the same time that he was leaving without them and was going to die. We don’t always understand your mysteries, O LORD, because we are so often several paces behind where you want us to be! As we begin to understand one thing, something new intrudes that we don’t yet make sense of . However, we have the scriptures to search for answers and we have the Holy Spirit to whisper meaning into our ears, and we have our Savior who has become all we need….the Way, the Door, the Life at the end of the journey. You will make it clear if we stick with Jesus at all times. Thank you for moments of insight and understanding. Thank you for the Way to be with You! Amen.

Feb. 28....I will come back to take you

John 14:3 “I am indeed going to prepare a place for you. I will come back to take you with me.” (NAB)
“It is true that I am going away to prepare a place for you, but it is just as true that I am coming again to welcome you into my own home.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father,
“It is true”….these statements by Jesus are very emphatic and bold. No doubt, no question, no wavering….these things are true. He makes two claims.

1. “I am going away to prepare a place for you.” Like speaking to a child, he explains that he will be going away. And like children the disciples want to question and protest his doing so. So he patiently explains that he has a reason,…..”to prepare a place for you.” He isn’t doing this for himself. He is already welcome in his Father’s house! He has always lived there and always will. He is going because it is necessary in order to insure that we will also be welcome there. He has to “prepare a place”….get our room ready. We can’t just move in, because our sinful dirty nature would be incompatible with the holiness of our destination. We couldn’t get in on our own. We need a Door to enter….Jesus. We need an invitation to enter….”Come”. As soon as Jesus “cleans us up” suitably we will have a room to more into in the Father’s house.

2. Jesus says, “I am coming again to welcome you into my own home.” Jesus is the welcome Son, the Prince of the household, the returning Lord. He can invite anyone to his Father’s house and they will be free to move in and stay. He has invited everyone! He has made room for all of us! He is standing there with his arms spread out in welcome….waiting for us. He will come and meet each of us and welcome us to his own home. He comes to us when we are open to receive him. He comes and waits for us to take his hand and allow him to bring us to his home. He won’t force us through the door. He won’t drag us in kicking and screaming. He will come and he will welcome us. We have to move toward him when he comes and step through the Door to heaven. “It is true!” No doubt! No arguments! He has done his part. He is waiting for us to say, “Yes, I want to go home with you!” Thank you, Lord Jesus. amen

Feb. 27.....many rooms

John 14:3 “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” (NAB)
“There are many rooms in my Father’s house.” (Phillips)
“There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home.” (MSG)
“In my Father’s house, there are many rooms.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,
Every child wants a room of their own when they are growing up. A place that is theirs alone. When we get married we want a shared room with our spouse. When we get older we may be alone again, or still have a spouse to share with, or we may be sharing with a roommate in a care facility. Jesus says that in Your house there are plenty of rooms. The family can grow as big as the world and You can find space for all of us. We don’t need to worry that we aren’t wanted or that we won’t have a room. Jesus “reserved” a place for each one of us when he died on the cross and took our sins. The room is there waiting for us and all we have to do is show up. We aren’t to exclude others. We are to bring as many as we can gather to come live with us. This is your house, your home, and you designed it to hold an infinite number. I don’t understand churches who try to exclude people. Jesus says come….there is room in my Father’s home for all of you. We have been welcomed by Jesus. We don’t have to worry about not being “good enough”….none of us are! Jesus has accepted us, pardoned us, cleaned us up, invited us to come home. It will be our home too, because we come with Him. Every Christian looks forward to the day they step over the threshold of “my Father’s House” and stands in your presence forever more. It’s a bit scary! We feel so unworthy. But we still want to come home more than anything…..and we want everyone we know to be there with us. There is a song I like by the St. Louis Jesuits:
“One thing I ask, this alone I seek,
To dwell in the house of the LORD all my days.
For one day within your temple heals every day alone
O LORD, bring me to your dwelling!” (based on Psalm 27)

Bring me home, Lord, to “your house with many rooms”! This is where I long to be! Amen.

Feb. 26....Trust God, Trust Jesus

John 14:1 “Have faith in God and faith in me.” (NAB)
“Hold on to your faith in God and to your faith in me”. (Phillips)
“You trust God, don’t you? Trust me.” (MSG)
“Trust in God, Trust also in me.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

Jesus is making it clear to the disciples that the trust they have in You, the Father, is the same trust they should have in Him. Over and over he tells them things like, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” or “if you know me you know the Father”. He wanted us to understand his relationship with You, the Father, and that everything he said and did came straight from You. He didn’t say, “you used to trust God, now trust me”. He wasn’t asking for a transference of allegiance. If we trust You, the Father, than we also trust Jesus Christ and it is the same. He is your exact representation. He speaks your words and does your actions. When Jesus is called “the Word”, it is singular. He isn’t a mouthpiece for words from many sources. He is the one and only Word that is from You. One source, no confusion. If Jesus said it, than You say it. We are to “hold on” to this faith in You and in Him. Keep it at hand. Keep it safe. Keep it secure in our hearts. Don’t let it get away. Why do we need to trust Jesus if we trust You? Jesus came to do something special and important just for us. He came to first live as one of us and experience all that we experience. He came to teach disciples and send them out to teach others, carrying “the Word” with them. He came to preach the Good News, to heal, to free prisoners, to give sight to the blind. It all comes together in his last acts on earth….dying on the cross, taking our sins and becoming a sacrifice for us, and rising up to take His place in heaven with You to intercede on our behalf. He gave us grace, forgiveness, everlasting life, if we trust in Him, just as we trust the Father who sent Him. So we must hold on to that special trust that leads to salvation and everlasting life. Trust in Jesus is the key, and He is the Door to your presence. Thank you! Amen.

Feb. 25....don't let

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” (NAB)

“Don’t let this throw you.” (MSG)

“You must not let yourselves be distressed.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father,
This is the beginning of the longer passage to be studied the next few days. Jesus makes a very clear and simple statement: “Do not let your hearts be troubled” Seven words that are the key to faith and trust. “Do not”…a command. In the Phillips it is more emphatic…”You must not”. This is important enough to stress it with a direct command. The next little word….”let”….has big implications. This is something we have control over. We can let it happen or not let it happen. “Let” implies our will being involved, a decision being made, or at least a lapse of conscious control over the matter. We have the will to not let it happen. Next are two words, “your heart”. The heart is where we usually have our feelings, our inner source of life, our intuitive leanings, our deepest emotions. Our heart tends to lead us based on our feelings and emotions. Our heart is actually our source of life. If the heart stops, the body dies. The heart pumps the blood that feeds the rest of the body including the brain. So our hearts are well worth protecting. We protect our heart with the “breastplate of righteousness”. Righteousness is right relationship with God. Being tuned to your will. Being in your presence. Abiding with you. What we don’t want to allow is for our hearts to be troubled. Our abiding in your presence and your will and right relationship with You must not be disturbed or troubled, or allowed to “throw” us, or distress us. We want a calm, serene, untroubled center for our lives. We want our heart pumping life to the body without any threat. Jesus becomes our calm center, the blood that feeds us, the will that governs us. When he says, “Don’t be troubled”, he means for us to rest or abide in Him and his solid safe presence. We choose to either “let” this happen or not. We choose Jesus and “let “ him be in our heart. He won’t let us be troubled, or distressed, or be thrown into confusion. Thank you, Heart of God! Amen.

Feb. 24....pour out your hearts

Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O my people! Pour out your hearts before him; God is our refuge.” (NAB)

Heavenly Father,

Most statements in the psalms are very personal…”my God”, “my refuge”, my strength”, etc. This verse speaks in the plural. A plea for the people to trust God at all times. The people are to “pour out your hearts before Him.” And the final affirmation that “God is our refuge”. You didn’t send Jesus just to save me. You sent Jesus to save the world. You sent Him to restore the relationship of every person on earth with their Father. Sometimes we need to step beyond our personal focus and see ourselves as part of a “people”. His “people” are those who believe in Him. They are the people who have recognized Jesus Christ as their Savior and accepted his gift of grace. You have become their “refuge”. If we truly see You as refuge, we should be willing to trust you at “all times”. We should be willing to “pour out our hearts” before You. As a people we have a call to come together so that our trust can be focused as one in the Body of Christ. If I pour out my heart, and every other believer pours out their hearts before You, what an outpouring of faith and love that would be! All of that faith and trust poured out together and blended giving witness and testimony to those not yet saved. All of that faith and trust focused in one outpouring of power and love serving as the Body of Christ. All of that faith and trust standing as a beacon of Light so that others will find the place of Refuge. How do we “pour out our hearts before Him?” By coming in prayer. By abiding in your presence at all times. By seeking and asking and knocking. By confessing and repenting. By honest examinations of our hearts, our motives, our choices. If we “pour out our hearts” before Him, than we have sought His presence. We are in the Refuge with all the other people who have come to seek, to find grace, to find hope, to find peace. “God is our refuge!” All of us! Everyone is welcome who chooses to come in. Draw your people home to You! Pour out our hearts! Amen.

Feb. 23....my hope, my trust from my youth

Psalm 71:5 “For you are my hope, O LORD; my trust , O God, from my youth.” (NAB)
"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign God, My confidence since my youth.” (NIV)

Isaiah 54:10 “My love will never leave you”
Heavenly Father,
This meditation feels very personal. “You are my hope….my trust….from my youth.” I grew up as a very shy child, totally lacking confidence in most things. But one way I always felt confident was in my faith. My trust in You didn’t change. My confidence in your presence got me through every situation in life. I relied on You in prayer and in practical ways to give me the “confidence” that I lacked. I look back on my childhood and see where you were always there, when I was afraid to talk to others. Every thought I had but couldn’t express aloud, went to you in prayers. Every action I couldn’t do on my own was helped by you. Every moment of fear and confusion was lived against the knowledge that You were with me, even when I felt all alone in every other way. You loved me and understood me. You protected me in many ways from harmful situations I faced. You gave me hope, always. When I was depressed or felt lost, I still had hope in You. I sang my favorite hymn:

”My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness,

no merit of my own I claim, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,

all other ground is sinking sand.”

Some part of me…the child in me…had a faith I’ll never totally understand the source of. I just knew You were there! Your gift to a shy, lonely child. I just felt hope always in my heart and the knowledge of your presence. You blessed me with faith as a child and sustained me in that faith all my life. Isaiah 54:10 says, “My love will never leave you.” I believe that! Your unfailing, abiding love has always been the source of my hope from my childhood, my youth, until now, and forever. Thank You! Amen.

Feb. 22....Trust in the LORD

Psalm 143:8 “At dawn let me hear of your kindness, for in you I trust. Show me the way in which I should walk for to you I lift up my soul.” (NAB)

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

The psalmist cries out for an answer to come “at dawn” or “in the morning”. He shows his trust rather than just stating it, by a willingness to lie down and sleep and wait for your answer to come in the morning. He asks for a new day, a new beginning, a new 24 hours of “unfailing love”. I’m consistently drawn to that phrase….”unfailing love”…..so much stronger than “kindness”! Your love is the only love that never fails, never falters, never changes, never is withdrawn! Unfailing means incapable of quitting, or losing power, or coming to a standstill. DOES NOT FAIL….pure and simple! David says, “for in You, I have put my trust.” We put our trust in something that won’t fail us. We put our trust where we are confident it will be sustained. David slept because his trust was in the unfailing love of a faithful God. Next he says to You, “show me”….maybe he is a Missouri native like me J David wants evidence from this unfailing source of love. Because he trusts You, he wants you to “show him”…..”guide” him….”the way I should walk (go)”. He has recognized your authority and power and supremacy as well as your love. Now he wants the answers. “Show me the way”. You have shown all of us the Way. Jesus Christ tells us….”I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”” Those things go together. If we follow Jesus (the Way) we find Truth and eternal Life. The “unfailing love” of the Father now has a name….Jesus Christ….and we call it “amazing grace.” David finishes with the words, “to You, I lift up my soul!” Like a cup waiting to be filled. He holds out his soul….his life, his will….and gives it to You to fill. Like a toast to One deserving great honor, he lifts his soul “to You!” To you be the glory, the power, the honor….forever! When dawn comes, so will you “unfailing love” and we will trust you and lift up our souls! Thank you, amen.

TRUST IN THE LORD
Each day as the dawn is breaking
Your unfailing love comes to me.
The darkness of night can’t steal it
Your love is an endless sea.

I put my trust in You only
I lift my soul up to You.
Show me the Way to follow
I give You my life to renew.

Trust in the LORD, He will not fail you!
Trust in the LORD and his unfailing love.
Trust in the LORD, He will have mercy,
Trust in the LORD, who sends grace from above.

(2-22-07)

Feb. 21....Let your kindness come to me

Psalm 119:41-42 “Let your kindness come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promises. So shall I have an answer for those who reproach me, for I trust in your words.” (NAB)

“May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise. Then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

“Kindness” seems like such a weak word for all you’ve done for us! We usually call it “amazing grace” and come closer to the truth. The NIV calls it “your unfailing love”….I like that. Love that never fails. Love that never quits. Love that is always there in every situation. Love that can’t be stopped. 

People can choose to ignore it or pretend it doesn’t exist. We can turn away from your love, but your love never turns away from us. We have to invite your love to “come to” us. You don’t force your love upon us. You sent your love as Jesus Christ to redeem us, save us, pardon us, heal us, forgive us, hold us, teach us, embrace us. Your promise of salvation came to earth. We can seek him out or turn our backs. 

We can listen or stop our ears. We can look at the cross and weep with both sadness and joy, or we can pretend it didn’t happen. We can rejoice at the resurrection or we can deny it. We can be changed, born anew, or we can cling to our old lives. We can fight to stay in control, or give up our control. Our choice. 

If we choose to “let your unfailing love come to me”, we will rejoice and we will then “have an answer” for everyone who doesn’t yet know you. We will have an answer to every important question, every problem, every aspect of our lives. The answer will always be the same….Jesus Christ….”for I will trust in your Word.”

 Jesus is the Incarnate Word spoken to enter our hearts and minds and lead us in the Way everlasting. Jesus Christ is the Word spoken for all eternity, for all mankind, for all things. Jesus Christ is the “unfailing love” of the Father given in promise. When we see this love, hear this love, feel this love, know this love in all things, we will always “have an answer”. Grace is truly amazing and can change every one of us. Thank you! Amen.

LET YOUR KINDNESS COME

“Let your kindness come to me”
Show me “your unfailing love!”
The promise of salvation given
When Christ came down from above.

Grace is the word of hope!….
Spoken for all mankind.
Jesus Christ has saved us
Our sins no longer bind.

He gave us brand new life,
He died to set us free
I now have an answer to give…
Since “your kindness came to me.”

(2-21-07)

Feb. 20.....In Him...rejoice!

Psalm 33:21 “For in him our hearts rejoice, in his holy name we trust.” (NAB)
“In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name”. (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

“In Him”…..our rejoicing is in You. We rejoice in our hearts because we have a God who is almighty….Omnipotent! We rejoice because we have a God who is higher than all things, bigger then all things, over all things, in and around all things. Our God is Omnipresent! We rejoice because we have a God who knows all things, who has a plan, who is wiser than all wisdom. Our God is Omniscient! Our God is holy. Our God is righteous. Our God is just. Our God is faithful. Our God is loving. Our God is merciful. 

Our God is 3-in-1…..Father Creator, El Shaddai, I AM!…..Son, Jesus Christ, Incarnate Word, Savior, Redeemer, Good Shepherd, Bread of Life, Light of the World, The Door, The Way, the Truth, The Life!…..Holy Spirit….Counselor, guide, Spirit of Truth, indwelling Presence of the One True God.

 Our God is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, our Tower of strength, our Cornerstone. Our God is Friend, Immanuel, Refuge, Hiding Place. “In his holy name we trust.” Our God may have many names, but he is One and he is holy. Our God’s names tell us who he is, tell us about him, point us to him. We call on your holy name and trust in You! The rejoicing in our hearts is based on all these names and more. 

We rejoice in the knowledge we have of You through your Word! We have no fear in this world that you can not conquer. We have no problem too big for You to handle. Our hearts rejoice!…in Him. In your holy name we trust! You gave us the name Jesus Christ to pray through, to come to You. You made us holy and clean through Him. You adopted us as your children through the holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. In Him we trust. In Him we worship. In Him we trust. In Him we rejoice! Thank you, O LORD God Almighty, Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word, and Holy Spirit Counselor within! Amen.

Feb. 19....a new song

Psalm 40:3 “And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God, many shall look on in awe and trust in the LORD.”

Heavenly Father,

This verse talks about how our changed heart and life becomes a witness to those around us, so that they too will “trust in the LORD”. When you rescue us and “set our feet on the rock” we begin to sing “a new song”. Our new song is about how you saved us. Our new song is about grace. Our new song is about being a new person….reborn. 

This is our witness, our testimony. I’ve always been concerned about this. What is my testimony? What is my “new song”? Did I fail to raise my children to be Christians because I failed to have or give my own testimony? I feel new. I feel saved. I feel changed. But it has been a gradual growth process my entire life. I don’t know when it began. I don’t know when I gave my heart to You. I never felt it was my own apart from you. My journey has been forward, backwards, sideways and even in circles, but I don’t remember a beginning! It is as if I was born in You when I was born.

 This verse says that “He put a new song into my mouth”. The song of faith I sing was put in me by You. I didn’t write it. I didn’t start it. Your songs have sung in my head all the life that I can remember. Draw the song out of me to be heard by those who need to hear. Your song has sustained me all my life. Draw the song out of me for others to “look on in awe and trust in the LORD”. Teach me to sing! Open the mouth of the mute! Move the “new song” from my heart and into my mouth. Let my thoughts, words, and actions be “a hymn to our God.” Use me for whatever you have prepared me for. Thank you for always being there with me and in me! Amen.

Feb. 18...cast your cares

Psalm 55:23 “Cast your care upon the LORD, and he will support you; never will he permit the just man to be disturbed.” (NAB)

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

“Cast your cares upon the LORD”…I have a mental picture of picking up all the “stones” of life….small pebbles to large boulders….and throwing them as far away as I can, but you are there to catch them and remove them from sight. I would never throw something at someone or on someone!

 I guess this is the problem. We feel that if our cares are heavy for us we don’t want to “cast” them on you either. Into a pit….or just away….yes, but “on the LORD”….no. It doesn’t seem right. It seems mean, unkind, unfeeling. Why burden you with our problems? We made the mess, we need to deal with it.

 But you have always been there to take our burdens, to lift them, to share them, to destroy them. You encourage us to “cast them” on you. If we throw them in a pit they are still there….just moved to a new location nearby….lurking. If we cast them on you we get a different result. You are the Rock! You are the Deliverer! You are Almighty! When our puny cares land on the Rock, they shatter and disappear. By casting them on You, we deal with them in a way that is permanent. We don’t just misplace them for awhile, we get rid of them for good! 

David wrote this psalm about the betrayal of a friend. We sometimes think our worldly problems are too small to bother you with. But the small problems stack up and become big problems….huge rock piles. You want our problems whether they are large or small, important to the world or just to us. Every problem distracts us from You. If we give you the problem, then we must come into your presence. Even if we “cast it on you”….it means you are there with us. You won’t let us fall. You won’t let us stumble over the pile of problem rocks that build up. You will destroy them and make our way straight and unhampered. You will support us and sustain us if we have to go rock climbing. The sooner we “cast them on you”….the smaller they are to deal with. Carefree….it’s a beautiful word that means the burdens are gone. Thank you for being there to “cast my cares” upon! Amen.

Feb. 17....straight paths

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; on your own intelligence rely not; in all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” (NAB)

“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.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,
There are 4 good statements here. 1. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.” This is what we all aim for….wholehearted trust in You, our God. We do trust and believe, but we allow the world to insert doubts and fears and worries that don’t need to be there. Giving all of our heart is our goal in faith.

2. The second statement is: “on your own intelligence rely not” or “lean not on your own understanding”. Our doubts and worries usually come from looking at things from a worldly perspective with eyes and minds focused on what we know from our own senses. We have to rely on faith….our inner sense….rather then our 5 normal senses. We can over-think any problem or situation. Faith steps in and relies on your intellect, power, faithfulness, love, justice, compassion, rather than our own. Our knowledge of you and your character becomes the basis for our actions and reactions. Trust…faith….rely on….believe…hope. All of these are more important than our own thoughts and opinions. When I write these words, I pray they are guided by your wisdom, your Holy Spirit, your insight. If they are just my words…they are worthless.

3. “in all your ways be mindful of Him” or “in all your ways acknowledge Him”. Our ways must become your way. Being mindful or acknowledging you in all things keeps us hoping and trusting. We must always seek your directions, your will, your guidance.

Finally, 4. “He will make straight your paths”. If we only have one source of knowledge, one source of wisdom, one source of leadership and authority, than we will have one path, one Way to follow. We won’t branch off on our own. We won’t stray. We won’t forge new paths. We will follow. We will go in one direction. We will aim toward one destination. You can show us the straight path…through Jesus…if we whole-heartedly trust you! Amen.

Feb. 16.....Confidence

Matthew 9:28-29 “Are you confident I can do this?….Because of your faith it shall be done to you.” (NAB)

“Do you believe that I am able to do this?….According to your faith it will be done to you.” (NIV)

“Do you believe I can do it?….You have believed and so it shall be.” (Phillips)

“Do you really believe I can do this?…..Become what you believe.” (MSG)
Heavenly Father,

Jesus asked a very simple question here: “Do you believe I can do this?” He didn’t ask if they thought he would do it….just if they had confidence that he was capable of doing it. To me this is important. When we ask You for things, we tend to start assessing the situation on the basis of whether You will be willing to give us what we ask at that moment in time. We are afraid to expect miracles, afraid of being disappointed if you say “no”. We hedge our bets. Our confidence becomes based on our expectations and wants rather than on your ability. 

The simple faith of a child is one that knows his parent can do anything! “My daddy’s bigger than your daddy!” “Daddy can fix it.” “I’ll ask my dad (or mom)….he knows everything.” Total confidence that the answer will be forth coming and will be the right answer. I always believed my earthly Father could answer any question….he knew it all. I expected an answer.

 That is what Jesus asks these blind men….”do you believe I can do this?” Do you expect me to have the answer? Do you expect me to have the power and authority? “Why come to me?” would be another way of putting this question. The men had already addressed Jesus as Son of David, which indicated they believed he was the promised Messiah. For blind men that was a big step in faith right there. In answer to his question they gave a simple, “Yes, Lord.” They were fully confident that he had the power and authority. This is the faith that Jesus rewarded. “You have believed, so it shall be.”

 I like the Message translation: “Become what you believe.” Jesus leaves it up to us. We become the person we believe He can make us be. If we have faith and confidence in Jesus… the person, the Savior, the Messiah, the King, our Lord and Master, the One with the answer to anything….then we will “become what we believe.” He has the power…we must have the faith to recognize it. Hope and expectation will follow this simple step of faith. Thank you for being who you are and helping me to be all you want me to be. Amen.

Feb. 15....Everything is possible

Mark 9:23 “Everything is possible to a man who trusts.” (NAB)

“Everything is possible to the man who believes.” (Phillips)

“There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen” (MSG)

“Anything is possible for someone who has faith.” (CEV)

Heavenly Father,
They sound like magic words, “Everything is possible!” A promise we want to believe with all our hearts. A message of hope that we grab onto when we are worried or in a great trial. Sometimes we hold too much to these first three words and don’t pay attention to the end of the sentence,…”for him who believes”…..”to the man who trusts”….”for someone who has faith”. 

It isn’t a trick statement. Jesus meant it when he said: “everything is possible”. God can do anything and God will do anything. But faith is necessary on our part. The word “faith” automatically indicates a source for that faith. Faith must be based on something or someone. Faith doesn’t exist all by itself without a reason. Jesus wants us to put our faith in Him. He always rewarded the faith of those who came to him and asked him for miracles. He always told them it was their faith that “made them well”. 

We have the Bible to tell us about Jesus….who he is, what he did, why we should trust him. The people he spoke to back then, had only the evidence of their eyes and ears, the hearsay of others, their hope for the impossible, their trust in their Father God in heaven. Jesus was someone new. Jesus was unknown. Jesus was “taking a chance”. Jesus was their last hope in most cases. They came to him, they listened to him, they begged for mercy. Jesus delivered them, helped them, healed them, redeemed them.

 It should be easier for us, because we have the evidence in the Bible to read. But somehow it seems harder. Our trust is also based on “hearsay”….second-hand testimony. We have to find Jesus and see and hear him! We have to come desperate and longing. We have to see him as our last hope! Our only hope! We have to believe that all things are possible if we trust him. Every day we must seek him and ask him to “help my unbelief” as we declare our faith in him. “I believe!” amen.

(Song #3)
EVERYTHING…….
“Everything is possible to the man who just believes.”
Everything will come to those who are open to receive.
God has given everything to those who seek his face
He gave us everything we need….we call it grace.

He gave us all his riches, he gave us all his love.
He gave us his forgiveness, and heavenly life above,
He sent his Son to die for us, and suffer in our place.
He gave us everything we need…..we call it grace.

Faith is all that’s needed….there is no need to doubt
“Everything is possible”….when we seek him out.
If we keep our eyes on him, we’ll surely win the race.
He gave us everything we need…..we call it grace.
(2-15-07)

Feb. 14....Go on believing

Mark 5:36 “Fear is useless. What is needed is trust” (NAB)
“Now don’t be afraid. Just go on believing.” (Phillips)
“Don’t listen to them. Just trust me.” (MSG)
“Don’t be afraid, just believe” (NIV)
“Don’t worry, just have faith” (CEV)

Heavenly Father,

This verse is in the story of Jarius’ daughter, who Jesus raises from the dead. Jesus says these words right after the men come to tell Jarius that it is useless to bother Jesus because his daughter is dead. Jarius had begged Jesus to heal his daughter and shown great faith publicly in this rebel teacher. He believed Jesus could save her. However, when these men come with their news, he must have begun to feel it was too late. 

It doesn’t take long for fear to overcome faith. Jesus must have looked him in the eyes as he immediately counteracted what the men said. I like the Message translation and feel it fits the story, “Don’t listen to them, just trust me.” Jesus knew Jarius had strong belief and he needed to get his attention away from the men and onto him. Jesus took the parent’s and 3 disciples into the daughter’s room and called her back to life. Wow!

He tells them not to tell this to anyone, but I wonder how the parents could keep quiet about such a thing? Jesus didn’t want to be just a miracle worker and healer. He wanted to change lives and he had a definite mission to accomplish. His words to Jarius were meant to grab his attention and his wavering faith. We can’t take our eyes off of Jesus for even one second. “Don’t listen to them!” The “thems” of the world are always there to whisper in our ear words of doubt and fear. Even well meant words of comfort can be words that take away faith. 

We have to keep on believing. We have to trust Jesus. We have to have faith even in the face of the world’s seeming defeat of our dreams. All is not as it seems in the world. The world tricks us and deceives us and discourages us. Jesus is always there. Jesus is truth. Jesus is in control. Jesus loves us and wants our trust. “Don’t listen to them!” We have to keep saying that and look Jesus in the eye and trust him. Sometimes that is hard, but Jesus rewards our faith efforts. “Give me more faith!” Thank you! Amen.

(This poem also came to me with a tune. I had 3 days in a row of “songs” come to me)

JUST GO ON BELIEVING

“Don’t be afraid! Just go on believing”
And trust in Him, he is your friend!
Shut out the world and look at Jesus
“Don’t listen to them,” and your worries will end.

He is our hope!…and our salvation
He heals our hearts and bears our sins.
He died for us that we might be forgiven.
“Just go on believing, and trust in Him!”

We can’t take our eyes from the face of our Savior
Or the world makes us doubt and worry sets in
He won’t let us down, or fail to have mercy,
“Just go on believing” and trust only in Him!

(2-14-2007)

Feb. 13....It's all right

Mark 6:50 “Get hold of yourselves! It is I. Do not be afraid.” (NAB)
“It’s all right, it is I myself; don’t be afraid!” (Phillips)
“Courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” (MSG)
“Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,
Another short verse packed with powerful images and meaning. The disciples were in a boat fighting the wind and waves. Jesus walks out to them on the water and scares them. They think he is a ghost. He speaks to calm them and climbs into the boat and quiets the wind. They were accustomed to storms on the sea. Several of them were fishermen. It was Jesus’ sudden appearance that startled and scared them. They didn’t expect him.

We often don’t expect Jesus to be in our lives and our problems. We go through life trying to do battle alone and solve our own problems. We need to expect Jesus to show up in our lives….even when we aren’t looking for him. If we have chosen to believe in him then we must also trust him. We must remember that he has promised to abide with us and in us. His appearance shouldn’t startle us. We should feel his presence and expect his help and know that he’ll be there.

I like his reassuring words in the Phillips translation: “It’s all right”. This is what we need to remember. With Jesus it is ”all right.” Nothing can harm us. Nothing can separate us from his love. This is what Paul states so wonderfully in Romans 8:37-39, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus said it here in much fewer words: “It’s all right, it is I, don’t be afraid!” He is with us. We can expect him to be there in all things. We can rely on him to show up at all times. We can hear him say….”It is I. Don’t be afraid”….24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “Take courage!” I want to be startled by your abiding presence always! Amen.

(This poem came to me in the form of a song. That doesn’t usually happen, but I can hear a definite tune to go with the words. Don't know if it is original and I don’t know how to write music.)

IT’S ALL RIGHT! IT IS I! DON’T BE AFRAID!

When the world is spinning faster, and our dreams are crashing down
When we see no hope for all the plans we’ve made.
That’s when we hear the Savior come along and whisper softly,
“It’s all right! It is I! Don’t be afraid!”

When the winds of tribulation swirl around us in confusion
When the waves of worry grow too deep to wade.
That’s when we see Him coming by our side to whisper softly….
“It’s all right! It is I! Don’t be afraid!”

We may be startled by his presence, not expecting him to show up
Forgetting that our debts in life he paid,
But no matter what the problems, Jesus shows up there to whisper,
“It’s all right! It is I! Don’t be afraid!”

I will trust him in the darkness! I will trust him in the light!
I will follow him ‘til in the grave I’m laid!
I hear my Savior calling me to come and live with him!
“It’s all right! It is I! Don’t be afraid!”

(Chorus)
It is I! Don’t be afraid!
I am with you every minute of the day!
Just hold my hand and walk with me,
I will always be beside you all the way.
(2-13-2007)

Feb. 12....help my unbelief

Feb. 12, 2007
Mark 9:24 “I do believe! Help my lack of trust!” (NAB)
“I do believe! Help me to believe more.” (Phillips)
“Then I believe! Help me with my doubts.” (MSG)
“I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief.” (NIV)
“I do have faith! Help me to have even more.” (CEV)

Heavenly Father,

This profound statement from a distraught father is something we have all echoed. It follows Jesus’ statement that, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” This father wanted desperately to believe enough to gain healing for his son. We all know this desperation in our lives. We all understand this paradoxical statement in today’s verse…..”I do believe….help my unbelief.” Which is it? Do we believe or not? We never feel confident that we believe hard enough, trust as fully as we should, have do doubts, expect our answers with hope based on our knowledge of your faithfulness. I wrote about this yesterday. How do we get past that “lack of trust” based on our knowledge that we don’t always get what we ask for, and we don’t always get an immediate answer, and we don’t understand where your will fits into the picture? Everyone of us cries in our heart, “I do believe!” We really do. We know You are our God and we are your people. We know Christ died for us and You have forgiven our sins. We know we are saved by grace. We know all of that and don’t waver, but when it comes to answered prayer, we often stumble. Then we cry that other cry, “Help me!” Here are 5 different ways to express that cry for help….”my lack of trust”…”to believe more”….”my doubts”….”overcome my unbelief”….”to have even more!” They all are what we pray for, what we cry for help with, what we desire. I want to believe so deeply, so completely, so perfectly that I know how to pray, just as I know my belief in Jesus Christ and my salvation. Prayer is our greatest tool, our greatest gift, our lifeline! I want to pray as Jesus prayed. I want to abide fully in my Father’s heart and have You abide in me! Abide in my prayers! “Help my unbelief!” Remove my doubts and confusion! “Help me to have even more!” In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

I DO BELIEVE
“I do believe!” the man cried out,
As he looked at Jesus’ face.
“Help my unbelief”, he said
As he sought the Savior’s grace.

We all have cried this cry to you,
We all have sought to find,
That perfect state of trust in you
That heavenly state of mind.

“Everything is possible
To him who first believes.
If you ask in faith in me…
You always will receive.”

My faith can’t grow without your help
Faith is from heaven above.
Abide in me and grow within
That I might know your love.

We do not fully understand
What treasures you hold in store,
But still we cry, “I do believe,
Help me to trust even more!”
(2-12-07)

Feb. 11...Whatever you ask

Mark 11:24 “I give you my word, if you are ready to believe that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you.” (NAB)

“I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

This verse in scripture causes our feelings to soar to the heights and plummet to the depths! A great promise….a hope: “Whatever you ask for…it will be yours”. We come to that promise in great desperation and times of trouble seeking things of importance to us….healing for ourselves or friends, salvation for family members who don’t believe yet, rescue from serious situations, safety, security, and more. But then we see the stipulation: “believe”….”if you are ready to believe”….and our hearts sink. We think we believe. We try to believe with all our hearts. We want to believe with no doubts….but the world is full of doubt and it infects us at all times. We know we might not see an immediate answer so our faith begins to waver a little. We began to hedge our bets, by adding that other mighty prayer: “Thy will be done”. It’s a good prayer, but we use it to cover our lack of faith when we pray for what we want. Now, no matter what the result…which means we doubt we’ll really get what we asked for….the matter is covered. It’s God’s will….or conversely it’s not God’s will….for us to receive this thing we deeply desire. We don’t always know what your will is, so we don’t know if we ask for the right things. Our faith wavers on this point constantly and weakens our prayers. I desire more than anything to be able to pray with great confidence and strong faith! I long to be in an abiding relationship with you that shows me clearly your will. I want to pour out my heart for the things I desire, and know that my faith has attained them as promised. But there is always the matter of “Thy will be done” that confuses me when I pray. I’m “ready to believe”! Help me discern your will in all things. Help me pray in faith. Help me know what this scripture really means! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Feb. 10...happy is the woman

Luke 1:45 “Blest is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.” (NAB)

“O how happy is the woman who believes in God, for his promises to her come true.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father,

Blest, blessed, happy…..the same state Jesus describes in the Beatitudes. A deep inner happiness, contentment found in a right relationship with You. We can’t truly be “happy” if we don’t seek this right relationship. Jesus gives us the clues to finding it in the Beatitudes….be poor in spirit, mourn our sinful state, be meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, be merciful, be pure in heart, be a peacemaker, endure persecutions. All of these things lead to “the kingdom of heaven” and fulfillment. Mary was blest because she was pure in heart. She found favor because she believed and trusted and obeyed. A clue here is in what I think of as “titles”: “she-who-trusted” or “the-woman-who-believes”. Each of us who believes and trusts in your words finds this blest state of happiness and fulfillment. When we trust, “his promises to her come true”. You never fail or disappoint those who truly love you and trust your words. When you make a promise to us, you always fulfill it. The scriptures are full of promises for us to “claim” as our own and trust you to fill. Your word never returns empty. It is a living thing flowing around our lives and coming to new life within us. You mold us, change us, shape us for your purposes when we allow you to do so. You make us perfect vessels for your will, just as you did with Mary. She trusted and became the one who could say, “all generations will call me blessed”. Her faith is respected and honored and her part as the mother who bore the Christ Child is one no one else will ever have. Blest because she trusted. Happy because she believed. Her choice is an example of how all of us should treat your words and promises. Help me to be blest through my faith and trust in You, O LORD! Thank you! Amen.

Feb. 9....Do not fear....God dearly loves you!

Feb. 9, 2007
Luke 1:30 “Do not fear, Mary, you have found favor with God.”

“Do not be afraid, Mary, God loves you dearly.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father,

As a Protestant I read these words about Mary with a somewhat different view than the Catholic author of my devotional. It is hard to know how to interpret her "blessing". Mary “found favor” with You. She was greatly blessed in a way, no other human ever will be. Her womb bore the heavenly Child, Jesus Christ. She carried God within her body for 9 months. Wow! Every mother knows how it feels to carry a living child within her. All women share this mystery of nurturing life. These words are spoken by the angel to Mary, when telling her what would happen to her. “Do not fear”…..Mary had much to fear in this message. She was unmarried and being told she would become pregnant. She would not be able to prove to anyone that she was still a virgin and that this was a miracle. She had no idea how Joseph would respond, how her family would treat her, what friends and neighbors would say, how the church leaders would react. She could be stoned! This required a great act of trust and faith on Mary’s part. I often wonder if I was misnamed. Mary is a name with a great spiritual heritage behind it, but also a great burden of expectation to live up to. Have I ever “found favor” with God? How would I have reacted to the angel? How strong is my faith? Would God choose me for anything? I guess I like the Phillips translation here better….”God loves you dearly”. No talk of finding favor. No hint of super human faith. No name to live up to. But just beautiful words of acceptance….”God loves me”. God didn’t plant a baby in my body to raise and become the Son of Man, but God gave his Son to die for me. God gave me his gift of a Son just as he did to Mary….Jesus Christ died for me. Jesus Christ loves me. Jesus Christ is my Lord and King! “Do not fear, Mary, God loves you dearly”. The message is clear for me just as it was for the other Mary. Thank you! Amen.

DO NOT FEAR, MARY……
I often wonder if I have the wrong name
Would God ever “find favor” in me?
Would my faith be as strong as hers?
When He looked at her what did He see?

The angel said, “Do not fear”,
And Mary accepted her gift
Not knowing what lay ahead
How her future fortunes might shift.

Her blessing was also a burden
What was given, was taken away.
How could she bear to watch Him die?
Did her heart break in two on that day?

Did she feel her “favor” was gone?
That maybe You loved her no more?
Did she ask You, “why, oh why?”
“I did all you asked me for.”

The angel said, “Do not fear”….
Words of hope amid the pain.
For what has been broken and died
Will live and bring life again.

Yes, Mary was given a blessing
She nurtured the “Light of the World”.
But You also gave me that blessing
When your plan for salvation unfurled.

Jesus arose from the dead!
Bringing grace and Life brand new!
And the angel is saying clearly
“Do not fear, Mary! God dearly loves you!”

(2-9-07)

Feb. 8....trust, walk straight, hope

Sir. 2:6 “Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.” (NAB)

(This book is only found in the Apocrypha and is not accepted as scripture by most Christians and I use it here only as a non-scriptural meditation that doesn’t disagree with anything from scripture.)

Heavenly Father,

Even though we don’t accept this book as part of our Bible, I see no harm in looking at these words. It lists 3 things we should do that make sense: 1. Trust God, 2. Make straight your ways, 3.) Hope in him. The promise here is if we trust you, you will “help us”. We need your help for all 3 of these things. We need your help to “trust God. Sometimes our faith is weak or wavering or doubts creep in, but with your help we remain trusting. A small amount of trust on our part reaps great reward measured in your help. This leads to more trust, stronger trust, greater faith. We are to “make straight your ways.” When we trust you, you lead us in the Way….Jesus Christ. Just as he obeyed his Father’s will, we learn to obey your will also. We pray that you will, “lead me in the way everlasting”. Our way must become your way, The Way, the everlasting Way of Truth and righteousness. We “make straight our way” by adhering to the narrow way, the way of Jesus Christ, the way to salvation and everlasting life. We transform our lives, and straighten out our path to match his life and way. We become more Christ-like with the Holy Spirit’s help. The third thing here is “hope”. We are to “hope in him”. Hope is faith in tomorrow based on the evidence of the past and is full of expectation of what we hope for. Because our God has been faithful, our hope is in his faithfulness. Because our God has been loving and merciful, our hope is in his love and mercy. Because our God has shown us salvation our hope is in that salvation through Jesus Christ. So we trust, make our way straight, and hope on the One who “helps us” in all things. A God of love, who keeps every promise. Thank you! Amen.

Feb. 7....stir up the nest and teach me to fly!

Deuteronomy 32:11 “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

Teaching us to fly. It’s a hard lesson. Most of us don’t want to leave the nest. That is why you “stir up” our nest and make us less comfortable. When we first seek and find you and discover the wonders of grace and being “home”, we never want to leave again! We are safe and secure and comfortable and just want to abide there in the soft nest of your love. But we can’t remain babies forever. You tell us to come like children….full of trust and recognizing your loving authority and obeying your commands and your will. You don’t’ tell us to remain children in our faith. A child grows. The eagle raises the eaglets until they are ready to fly. The eagle knows the right time. The eaglets have learned to trust the parent even when the nest is stirred and becomes uncomfortable. Flying is the next logical step. You have prepared us to fly. It is the natural thing for an eagle to do. If we are your children we will grow up ready to move forward in our faith…take the next step. Teach others? Serve in your name? Evangelize? Preach? Whatever our job in the kingdom is, you have nurtured us for it. When you “stir up the nest” it’s time to fly. We are scared and prefer to just sit and worship and hide. The eagle “spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions”. We aren’t kicked out of the nest to crash to the rocks below. If our wings of courage fail us, your wings are there to catch us. We “see” you hover above and below waiting to support us. When we tire, you carry us. Help me find my wings and learn to soar as you wish me to soar. Give me guidance and courage and support. “Stir my nest” and teach me to fly! Carry me when I fail. Thank you, Father, for your love. Thank you for wings to fly and your wings to catch me. Amen.

Feb. 6....a stilled and quieted soul

Psalm 131:2 “I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap.” (NAB)

“……my soul is a baby content.” (MSG)

Heavenly Father,

The moments that I spend here each day with your word is what this verse is about. “I have stilled and quieted my soul.” For a few moments each day I sit here with my soul, “stilled and quieted” in your presence. This is a time when I try to listen, to hear you speak to me. It isn’t easy for me to be “still and quiet”….my mind is always racing onward to other things. Writing these words helps me to keep my focus on You and your word.

 As a mother I understand this image of a baby, satiated and quiet in its mother’s arms. I loved holding my babies and watching them sleep peacefully in my arms. I always hated to put them down. Their sweet trust and contentment satisfied the mother in me. Is this what you seek of us? Filled children, leaning contentedly in your loving arms? 

We are so secure when we come to you and lean. We are at peace. We are at home where we belong. Why do we feel the need to leave your arms and “do something” all the time? 

Quiet and stillness are hard to come by in this world. We feel guilty when we seek quiet and stillness. We’ve been taught that we need to keep busy and “accomplish” things. Jesus often went away by himself to be with you. He knew the value of quiet and stillness in his Father’s arms. Especially when his energy was drained or when a hard task was coming. He drew strength from the quiet and still moments.

 We need to find the quiet and stillness for our souls even amid the hustle and bustle of each busy day. We can make time if we choose. I need this time each day. It is the most important thing I do each day. It doesn’t earn me any money. It doesn’t “do” anything for someone else. It is a selfish time, but a fulfilling time. Me alone, resting in your arms. Hearing your words. Thinking about them. Learning. Leaning. Secure. At Peace. Home. Thank you! Amen.

Feb. 5...Great matters

Psalm 131:1 “O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, not with things too sublime for me.” (NAB)

“My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

I’m having trouble with this verse…even in 4 different translations. I think what I hear it say is, “You are God, I’m not….I won’t try to do your job, but be content with what you give me to do and think about.” 

“My heart is not proud”…I would like to say and mean this, but like most humans I’m proud in ways I shouldn’t be. Pride is a sin that is hard to conquer. We are told over and over in scripture that we need to be humble….”the meek shall inherit the earth”….”he who humbles himself will be exalted”…”the least among you is the greatest”. Pride insists on its own way, on being in control, in having a say in matters. Pride makes us put our opinions and ideas and wants above those of others. Pride wants some sort of recognition. Pride puts “me” first.

 True humility would be the opposite….putting others first, doing without expecting recognition, listening to others, giving up control, not being in charge. Our world encourages us to be strong and independent and in control. Walking in the world and walking with God can be a real struggle. In the world we sometimes have to be in control, but with God we are never in control. 

We need to learn how to give God control over all of our worldly living. Seek, ask, knock…let God guide in all thoughts, all speech, all action. Follow him. When you follow someone, you are never in charge and have no reason to be proud. You can never say, “I did it”, but always that “He did it”. If we see our thoughts, words, and actions as following someone else’s guidance…the Holy Spirit….then the credit remains where it belongs. 

We leave the “great matters” and “great things” and the “things too sublime or wonderful” to the One who can handle all things. It isn’t our job to rule the world or manage the earth, we are just here to follow where we are lead by faith in the One who is King. Thank you! Amen.

Feb. 4....welcome the children

Luke 9:48 “Whoever welcomes this little child on my account welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me; for the least one among you is the greatest.” (NAB)

“…it is the humblest among you that is the greatest.” (Phillips)

“You become great by accepting not asserting. You spirit not our size makes the difference.” (MSG)

Heavenly Father,
Scripture talks about “becoming like a child” to find your kingdom. Now it says we must welcome or accept the children on “your account”. This is equal to welcoming or accepting you. Accepting you is accepting the Father. We are to draw in those coming to you with childlike faith. Each “child” who comes to you, including myself, is one of the Father’s children. We must welcome all who seek you and not turn them away or discourage them. Being “great” in the kingdom isn’t about who did the most things or gave the most money or prayed the most prayers. We don’t earn our way. We just come like little children, and we should welcome all the other children who are also struggling to come to you. We encourage, we help, we build up, we join together. The childlike, the humble, the “least among you”, are the ones who are “great” because they are giving up their will for yours and coming to seek you. Children believe that the treasure exists and can be found. They have fewer questions and more faith in the outcome. Instead of planting doubts in their minds or trying to trip them up or expose their innocence and childlike faith, we should nurture it. The ability to believe in the unseen is priceless. Heart knowledge is better then head knowledge. Saying, “I believe because my Father says it is true” is better then saying, “I believe because I’ve proven this is most likely to be the truth.” Welcome the “children”, just as the early disciples instinctively followed Jesus and trusted him without really knowing for sure if he was “the One”. They believed he was and they acted on that small kernel of belief until it became a certainty to them. Encourage the ones who seek him! Help anyone who wants to find the Savior. Let the children lead the way, because their childlike faith is the way to the kingdom. Make me childlike and simple that I might know you always. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Feb. 3....childlike vs. childish

Matthew 18:3 “I assure you, unless you change and become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of God.” (NAB)

“…unless you change your whole outlook…” (Phillips)
“…unless you….start over like children.” (MSG)

Heavenly Father,

Becoming childlike is not easy. We are usually berated for being childish once we are grown up. Generally this means someone doesn’t believe we are serious enough, don’t take enough responsibility, don’t take charge, fool around too much, etc. It is true that we don’t want to be childish….never growing up, never maturing and taking on the responsibilities of an adult when it is appropriate. 

However, being childlike in God’s kingdom is something different. It is the ability to become simple in our beliefs…to trust without proof, to follow without asking unnecessary questions, to listen and hear the authority of Jesus’ words by instinct, to know that we are in the right place whether the world agrees or not. Childlike faith accepts that someone else is greater, smarter, and in charge. We don’t have to do it all by ourselves. The responsibility lies with someone more capable and totally trustworthy….God! 

There is a Christian rallying cry that says, “Let go, and let God.” We trade our independence for God’s will. We admit we don’t have the answers. We admit that we are lost. We admit that we need guidance. We must “start over like children”. Wipe the slate clean and begin again like newborn children with a new Father and a new Brother, who will lead us and love us and teach us and steer us in the right direction. We must be new clay….pliable, moldable, able to change in the image of Jesus Christ. A new way to go, a new life to lead, a new beginning.

 The child in us must lift up our arms and wait for our Father to lift us up and carry us. Childlike---trusting, eager, willing, full of enthusiasm to get where we are going,. Come on! Let’s go! Show me! Change me! What next? A child looking upward and forward. Thank you! Amen.

Feb. 2....Like children

Matthew 18:4 “Whoever makes himself lowly, becoming like this child is of greatest importance in the heavenly reign.” (NAB)

(NIV and Phillips us the word “humble” and the MSG uses “simple and elemental”)

Heavenly Father,
Humility….something Christians strive for, but lose in the very act of trying. I think we fail to understand the word because we try so hard to be it. Humility has to be ingrained in our nature to be real. How is a child “humble”? The words used here vary from “lowly” to “simple and elemental”. We tend to see humility as something we do to make ourselves appear low or self-effacing to others. “You go first”….”I could never do that”….”Who me?” But somehow it doesn’t ring true in many cases…the harder we try the less humble we are. We are competing to be the most humble. Sort of an oxymoron situation. The previous verse says we “must change our whole outlook” (Phillips) and become like children. If we aren’t naturally humble, it requires a change of attitude. I think the word “simple” comes closest to explaining a child’s humility. Children are simple and direct in their relationships and their approach to most things. We don’t’ think of them as humble because their energy and thoughts are self-directed (this is what I want). But to seek your kingdom we need that narrow focus they have, that keeps digging and looking for the thing they want. While a child’s focus is on himself, at the same time he trusts easily and deeply those who show him love. When we, as children, recognize your deep love for us, we become devoted slaves to your will. We trust you. We depend on you. We turn to you. We seek your presence. We want to please you. This is a child’s simplicity or humility. A willingness to be led by someone they love and trust. They draw close to the source of love that warms their hearts and nurtures their well-being. Children have an instinct for recognizing genuine love. We need to change to where we follow our instincts and our hearts leading to what we sense is true and loving and right and don’t worry about whether we are in “control” or if we have proof”. Humility will lead us into an abiding relationship with you, our Father who loves us! Amen.

Feb. 1....Hidden Treasure

FEBRUARY THEME: FEAR IS USELESS

Matthew 11:25 “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, to you I offer praise; for what you have hidden from the learned and clever you have revealed to the merest children.”

Heavenly Father,

This passage is one of those where Jesus speaks about “hiding” things from some of the people….the “learned and clever”, in this case. I’m always a bit bothered by this idea. Why would You hide anything from any people? Why would You cause some “not to hear” as other passages imply? Isn’t grace for everyone? Jesus praises you for this, so it must be part of your love and wisdom. In this verse there is a second part….”you have revealed it to the merest children”. If children can understand it, how can it be hidden? Those who don’t understand are “the learned and clever”. I see this as all who don’t just accept your words in trust and faith and instead need to find a way to “prove’ them or to pick holes in them and only take the parts they like. Children are very receptive to learning. You tell them something with authority and they believe it. The more they know and trust the person who tells them, the more they firmly and completely believe what they are told. Jesus was thanking you for those of simple childlike trust, those who accepted that he came from you to teach them and to save them. As long as we “lean on our own understanding” and try to use our wits and cleverness to “prove” your words, we are missing out on the beautiful perfect relationship of trust we can have with our Father. I can almost hear a hint of exasperation in Jesus’ prayer, which follows his berating of those who would not listen to him. Sort of saying…”it’s a good thing there are some children around here to listen to me, because you so-called intellects are ‘missing the boat’ completely!” It isn’t that you “hide” your words of life….Jesus is there in the open for all to hear and see….it is that they remain hidden until we become childlike enough to listen . Children are always ready to search for treasure! Give me the map and let’s go!! Thank you Lord, for making salvation simple enough for children. Give me a child’s heart that I might find all your treasure! Amen.

THE FATHER’S LOVE IS A TREASURE
The Father’s love is a “treasure” waiting to be found.
We need not search the bushes or dig it from the ground.
He hid it in plain sight for all the world to see
Jesus Christ is the Father’s love, given for you and for me!

The scriptures are a treasure map
That leads to the Father’s throne
Grace is the “pearl of great price”
We seek to find and own.

If first we seek his kingdom
And his righteousness
All the grace of heavenly love
Will then our living bless.

So come like little children!
You’ll find it if you seek.
Follow the map, claim the prize!
It’s there for you to keep!
(2-1-07)