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Friday, September 19, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday's with Jesus #165
#165 "Run"
September 16, 2008
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18: 10)
"Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child". The source of that quote is unknown, but I believe that whoever wrote it knew something about running. Heroes of the faith like Moses, David, Solomon, and even Jesus Himself, knew how to run. Not running away from anything, but running to...
When hurricanes are coming we run to higher ground. In like manner, when life's storms are raging we must run to Higher Ground. [By the way, I have been on my knees for all you Texarkana girls...praying you are all safe and praising God that Ike didn't pack the whole punch he was expected to :) ]
When you wake up in the morning and the first thing you think about is the foreclosure of your home or the fact that you have to face another day alone...run. When you find yourself up in the midnight hour and your mind races over your fears for a child gone wild, how you're going to pay that bill, or the horrendous work day ahead of you at day's dawning...run. When it seems like all Hades has broken loose in your life, and all manner of problems beset you, and you feel overwhelmed, and your mind can't stop racing....run hard and run fast.
It kind of reminds me of Dorothy. The twister was imminent and Auntie Em and Uncle Henry had to close the storm cellar to save their own lives. But Dorothy was too preoccupied with her troubles and dawdling with Professor Marvel to get back home in time. She thought that the answer to all her problems was to run away. Because of that fateful mistake she ended up in Oz. I don't know about you, but Oz presented a whole lot of pretty creepy things if you ask me. Witches and wizards. Munchkins and flying monkeys. Things that defy your imagination. Confusion. Run away and end up confused in Oz. Run to...and end up safe.
One day when the apostles gathered with Jesus they voiced their amazement at all they had seen and done. They were witness to amazing miracles as well as horrible things, like hearing that John the Baptist had been beheaded. They were so swamped with people and their requests of Jesus that the Bible says they did not even have a chance to eat. (see Mark 6: 30-31) Right there, Jesus gave them the secret of running. And right there, He gives it to us too. "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (Mark 6: 31)
Rest and safety are found in no other place than in the presence of Christ. "In thy presence is fullness of joy." (Psalm 16: 11 KJV) "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe." (Prov. 18: 10) Running to God, presenting your requests before Him, with thanksgiving, gives you "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding". (See Phil. 4: 6-7) "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee". (Isaiah 26: 3 KJV) David knew it. Solomon knew it. The apostle Paul knew it. Isaiah knew it. Even Jesus knew it. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1: 35)
"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude]." (Romans 12: 2 Amplified Bible) The world's way is to run amok. To panic. To allow fear and confusion to govern the storm filled moments of our lives. We must entirely renew our minds and bring every one of our thoughts into captivity and make it obedient to Christ. (see 2 Cor. 10: 5) This is not a passive activity that comes by osmosis at the moment of salvation. We must actively train our minds to be renewed. We must actively participate in changing the way we react to racing minds, confusing situations and raging storms.
We must train ourselves to run.
I am presently working on this one right along with you. Let us, together, do some mind renewing and lots of running. When storms strike, let's say, "I've got to get to Jesus." Then run. When storms linger for longer than you'd prefer, and your enemy tries to discourage you, confuse you, and tempt you to give up, make getting to that quiet place with Christ your number one priority. There are days...seriously...that I can't get to Jesus fast enough.
Running to Jesus doesn't automatically make the storm go away. Remember? "Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child". Spending time with God isn't a magic wand that changes situations in a flash. There's no Wizard there. But the God of the Universe is there. The One who stills racing minds and hearts. The One who gives you His perspective and His peace. The One who gives you rest. After you've met with Him, the situations may remain the same, but you will never be the same again.
Welsh poet, Anna L. Waring will close us out this Tuesday morning:
"In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear; And safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here. The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid, but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed? Wherever He may guide me, no fear shall turn me back; My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing shall I lack. His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim; He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him. Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen; Bright skies will soon be o'er me, where darkest clouds have been. My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free; My Savior is my treasure, and He will walk with me."
Love,
Donna
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Monday, September 08, 2008
Tuesday's with Jesus #164
#164 "Election 2008"
September 9, 2008
"...be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (2 Peter 3: 17-18)
I usually stay away from political discussions. Apparently so do most of our churches. Today I just need to say what I need to say. Short and sweet. To the point. And in the infamous words of my pastor..."not judgin', just sayin'."
I must begin by stating the obvious. We are looking at an historical election year. It is unprecedented that a black man has been nominated for the office of President of the United States. It is just as unprecedented that a white woman has been chosen to run for the office of Vice President of the United States. And I say, Thank God! that we have come this far. We've come a long way!
That being said...I will make my few short and to the point points, and let you go.
First...Vote your values. Biblical values. Which candidate will defend the unborn, advocate for marriage between one man and one woman, and not experiment with the mangled bodies of aborted babies in the name of science? There are important issues at stake. Investigate your candidate's stand and determine if they are for or against the biblical mandates set forth by God.
Second...Yes, there is a crisis in our economy. Without a doubt. You are especially feeling the pinch if you live in states like Michigan, Ohio or Pennsylvania. That's a fact. But here is the question to ask yourself. Am I looking to man or to God to provide for my needs? Let me clue you in....God is not in recession. God is not experiencing a depression. God's bank isn't failing and God is not living in famine. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50: 10). The silver and the gold are His (Haggai 2: 8). He provides in the midst of famine. Just ask Jacob and Joseph. He provides water in the desert. Just ask Moses. If you are His child you are His heir and a co-heir with Christ. All that He has is yours. He is Jehovah-Jireh, your provider. God's people can prosper right in the middle of high gas and food prices. Right in the midst of failing banks and home foreclosures. Remember that "the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous." (Proverbs 13: 22) If you've seen T. Boone Pickens TV commercials you've heard him talk about the greatest transfer of wealth the world has ever seen. Well, T. Boone, you ain't seen nothin' yet!
Third...Neither candidate is the Messiah, the Savior or the One. Christian beware! Don't let any man deceive you into thinking that you need him. And beware of any man who will allow himself to be called by any of those names. A true man of God would say, "There is only One Savior, only One Messiah, only One, "One" and that is Jesus Christ!
Fourth and last...Pray. Oh, my dear friends, pray. God Himself said, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7: 14) I urge you to join me in 30 days of prayer for our nation and for this election. I invite you to visit www.thesoulofanation.com and sign up for the daily e-mail, and join James Robison and other Christians in 30 days of prayer for the future of our country, our families, and generations to come. Each day you will receive a reflection on an important current event, a passage of Scripture presenting a godly perspective, and a specific prayer for God's will to be done. God is our only hope and He is the only One who can heal our nation.
Many of you have been "Tuesday's" readers for quite a few years. I pray that I have earned your trust enough to receive what I have written with an open heart. If you don't agree...I still love you. But sometimes you just gotta say what you've gotta say. "Not judgin', just sayin'".
Love,
Donna
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Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Tuesday's with Jesus #163
#163 "Hush"
September 2, 2008
"But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him." (Habakkuk 2: 20)
Yesterday I hugged the young mother of a baby who died in his sleep without any explanation. Today, Gustav is wreaking havoc on my southern friends. (I'm praying for you precious "Tuesday's" ladies in Texarcana. May the Lord keep y'all safe in His care.) Better prepared, but devastating nonetheless, New Orleans is suffering once again. Only three years since Katrina. Now this.
A President blamed for not doing enough last time, fights today to do all that he can. Two candidates for his job make promises that they will probably never keep. Today we are uncertain who will be the next leader of the free world, and as gas prices rise and banks fail, our future as a nation seems just as uncertain.
Children in African villages stand in food lines today hoping for a bowl of nutritious soup to keep them strong until they stand in line again tomorrow. Their hungry parents, thankful for the food for their children, are starving themselves. Precious moms are kneeling at the graves of their children in Nicaragua. Children who died from the very thing that their bodies need to sustain life...water. Dirty, contaminated, disease-ridden water.
War in the Middle East. Smells like Cold War with Russia. A madman is ruling Iran and threatening to wipe Israel off of the map. China put on her best show for the world during the Olympics but the persecution of Christians never stopped. I don't mean to be Donna Downer on a Tuesday morning, but you get the picture right?
Closer to home, I am also tender to the "vicissitudes of life" that have hit your own personal world this week. Illness, divorce, financial mess, unfulfilled dreams, devastating losses and debilitating situations. Hearts weighed down with the anxieties of life. That's what Jesus called them in Luke 21: 34.
I have no answers. But I know the One who does. And my heart's desire today is that no matter what your particular pain, no matter what in the world is causing you anxiety and fear....there is One who knows, cares and has every answer that you will ever need. My heart's desire is that I can point you to look full in His wonderful face and rest.
In Habakkuk, Chapter 2, God Himself assures us that He "is in His holy temple". He is right where He always is. He hasn't left. He hasn't gone on vacation. He isn't taking a break. He is in complete control. I know it may not seem that way at times, but "fix your eyes on what is unseen, not on what is seen." (2 Corinthians 4: 18)
In the midst of it all, we can rage and scoff. We can cry and wring our hands. We can worry and be anxious or we can do what God tells us to do. Assuring us that He is where He says He is, He instructs us on our part. "..let all the earth (that's us) be silent before Him". The Hebrew word used here for "silent" means to "hush". Hush and stand in humble silence, expecting God's intervention. "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46: 10)
Sounds too simple? I'm sorry, but it's not complicated. God's Word to you today is "Hush. Be silent before Him. Be still. Have faith." If you think you have to do something, then go to His Word. Don't call your mama. Don't go see your best friend for advice. Don't watch the talk shows. Read His Word. Pray His Word. Have faith in His Word. Let the Sovereign Lord of All make sense out of all the senseless situations that surround you.
Being fully aware and not ignorant of all that is happening on planet Earth, I choose to plant my feet on the firm place my God has given me to stand. He has set my feet on a rock. (Psalm 40: 2) And I'm not moving! If you're looking for me, morning, noon or night, that's where you'll find me standing, with my feet planted on the same place. Won't you join me? There's plenty of room on my Rock. "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is shifting sand."
Max Lucado put it this way: There are days when "Hope is Hindenberged by crisis. You never leave the hospital bed or wheelchair. You wake up in the same prison cell, the cemetery dirt is still fresh, the pink slip still folded in your pocket, the other side of the bed still empty. [There are] divorce days, final-exam days, surgery days, tax days, sending your first-born-off-to-college days. [Might I had: hurricane days, war days, unfulfilled dream days, hunger days, death days] God made this day. He knows the details of each wrenching moment. He isn't on holiday. He still holds the conductor's baton, sits in the cockpit, and occupies the universe's only throne."
My Savior occupies the universe's only throne! I absolutely love that! I don't know about you, but that's good enough for me!
Love,
Donna
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