God does things in surprising ways. Each time I am caught off guard by God's ways, I am chagrined to realize that I thought that He would act in a way I could predict.
But while He always does things in ways I would not have imagined, He also acts in ways so keeping with His character that I know immediately it is His doing.
Who would have guessed God would...
Bring down the giant Goliath by a child with a stone?
Part the sea to provide the way of escape?
Birth His son through a virgin?
Love us while we were yet sinners?
Surprise!
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
The perfect fit
God gives us two wardrobes.
One is the wardrobe of royalty. It is how those who are part of the King's household should dress: As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...(Colossians 3:12ff). This is what we are to wear when we are connecting and interacting with others in the family of believers.
The other is the garb of a warrior. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil... (Ephesians 6:11ff). This outfit is truth, righteousness, faith, peace. This is what we are to wear when we are facing the enemy of our souls.
God gives us both wardrobes to fit perfectly for each occasion. But sometimes we wear the wrong outfit. Sometimes when interacting with our brothers and sisters in Christ we try to show off our righteousness, assert our truth and glory in our faith. Then when we come in contact with sin in our lives we indulge ourselves with an abundance of kindness and patience or we make peace with the devil rather than standing firm against him.
SEE ALSO: ill fitting Blog
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One is the wardrobe of royalty. It is how those who are part of the King's household should dress: As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...(Colossians 3:12ff). This is what we are to wear when we are connecting and interacting with others in the family of believers.
The other is the garb of a warrior. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil... (Ephesians 6:11ff). This outfit is truth, righteousness, faith, peace. This is what we are to wear when we are facing the enemy of our souls.
God gives us both wardrobes to fit perfectly for each occasion. But sometimes we wear the wrong outfit. Sometimes when interacting with our brothers and sisters in Christ we try to show off our righteousness, assert our truth and glory in our faith. Then when we come in contact with sin in our lives we indulge ourselves with an abundance of kindness and patience or we make peace with the devil rather than standing firm against him.
SEE ALSO: ill fitting Blog
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Sunday, May 8, 2011
Goodness and Mercy
As a sojourner in life, sometimes I turn around to review my trek thus far. Some of the things in my past are joyous and some are comforting. However, some are hurtful and some are shameful.
But when I look behind me, at my past, what comes into focus are the twin rear guards, Goodness and Mercy. They follow me into the future, they cover my past. God has placed them at the back of the procession of my life so when I turn around and look at the things I have experienced, I see them through the veil of His grace.
"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life..." Psalm 23:6
But when I look behind me, at my past, what comes into focus are the twin rear guards, Goodness and Mercy. They follow me into the future, they cover my past. God has placed them at the back of the procession of my life so when I turn around and look at the things I have experienced, I see them through the veil of His grace.
"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life..." Psalm 23:6
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Overflowing cup
In the 23rd Psalm, verse 5, we read, "my cup overflows." Or as The Message renders it, "my cup brims with blessing."
I don't offer to God a bucket or a tub to fill. I offer him a cup and He then fills it beyond what it can hold. If I knew he was going to pour that much, why didn't I just grab a bigger cup? Then I would be able to collect more of what he gives, and less would spill out.
Unless of course, the spillage is part of the plan.
What if I offered even a smaller cup; what if it took even less for me to be satisfied? Would there be even more spillage, more to splash out onto others?
Maybe instead of praying as Jabez did, "Enlarge my borders," my prayer should be, "Reduce my container."
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I don't offer to God a bucket or a tub to fill. I offer him a cup and He then fills it beyond what it can hold. If I knew he was going to pour that much, why didn't I just grab a bigger cup? Then I would be able to collect more of what he gives, and less would spill out.
Unless of course, the spillage is part of the plan.
What if I offered even a smaller cup; what if it took even less for me to be satisfied? Would there be even more spillage, more to splash out onto others?
Maybe instead of praying as Jabez did, "Enlarge my borders," my prayer should be, "Reduce my container."
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Sunday, May 1, 2011
When the Lord is my shepherd
The well-beloved 23rd Psalm starts with an assumption: "The Lord is my Shepherd." It then goes on to describe what life is like WHEN the Lord is the Shepherd. The summary line is, "I have all I need," and then tells us what those needs are:
Honesty then requires this consideration, "WHO is my shepherd?" Because WHEN the Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. I do not want. I don't need a thing.
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- rest
- peace
- strength
- guidance
- protection
- comfort
- sustenance
- goodness and mercy covering my past
- life forever prepared for my future.
Honesty then requires this consideration, "WHO is my shepherd?" Because WHEN the Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. I do not want. I don't need a thing.
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Arming the enemy
When I choose to sin or give in to temptation, I hand the Accuser new arrows for his quiver. I arm him with the very fiery darts he will now hurl at me: Shame. Discouragement. Fear. Doubt. Lies.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Just Like He Said
"He is not here. He is risen. Just like he said." (Matthew 28:6)
I guess no one believed him, because no one was hanging around the tomb to welcome him back.
Hmm. Wonder what else He said that they (we) missed?
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I guess no one believed him, because no one was hanging around the tomb to welcome him back.
Hmm. Wonder what else He said that they (we) missed?
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Sunday, April 24, 2011
Looking in the wrong place
"Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?" asked the angels to the women at the tomb on Easter morning.
"Why are you standing there staring into heaven?" asked the angels to the disciples at the ascension.
May God send messengers to redirect me when I, too, have fixed my gaze on where I think He should be.
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"Why are you standing there staring into heaven?" asked the angels to the disciples at the ascension.
May God send messengers to redirect me when I, too, have fixed my gaze on where I think He should be.
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Saturday, April 23, 2011
He doth protest too much
“I am innocent of this man’s blood,” protests Pontius Pilate.
But despite his denial and self-proclaimed absolution, no one quite got it.
For through the ages,
generation after generation after generation,
the Church has declared
over and over over again
that Christ,
"suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried..."
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But despite his denial and self-proclaimed absolution, no one quite got it.
For through the ages,
generation after generation after generation,
the Church has declared
over and over over again
that Christ,
"suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried..."
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Friday, April 22, 2011
Barabbas 2
So, Barabbas,
where did you go
when the crowd cheered
and you walked away
free?
where did you go
when your life was restored
and your crime was excused,
forgiven?
where did you go
when his body hung high
and his blood poured out
for yours?
See also: I Am Barabbas
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where did you go
when the crowd cheered
and you walked away
free?
where did you go
when your life was restored
and your crime was excused,
forgiven?
where did you go
when his body hung high
and his blood poured out
for yours?
See also: I Am Barabbas
----------------------
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