Get It Together!
O God, you are my God;
….I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
….my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
….where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NLT
John 8:21-30 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the biggest struggles that I have as a pastor is trying to figure out if I should say something or not and if I do, when I should say it. For example, sometimes people are out of line in their way of handling things. I really feel that they are headed into dangerous territory, but I also realize that I am fallible myself and don’t want to give them bad advice.
I’ve also been burnt when trying to help steer people clear of potential problems. Several years ago, a young lady I knew was getting involved with a great guy that I also knew, but at the time his divorce was still in the works – not because of our mutual friend but because that’s the way it was headed. I just advised her to be careful. She shared it with him, and he basically said for me to mind my own business and for some time only spoke to me on a professional level. Our relationship in time healed but it’s made me gun shy.
It’s hard in the church, too. By nature, I am not a confrontational person. I abhor conflict and, in my attempts to avoid it have probably caused as many problems as if I’d just taken the bull by the horns.
But look at Jesus in today’s passage. Now I realize that He and the Father were one, but He was still fully man. He is just so sure of Himself and there is not one ounce of hesitation when He says,
“I have many things to say and judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I say to the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him.” v26 AMP
I realize too that when Jesus was teaching His followers or working with the many who clamored for His attention and touch, He was spending time with His Father – late into the night and often way before the sun had begun to tint the horizon.
Jesus was able to pull it all together, just as He needed to. No wonder He was weary and worn…but that didn’t stop Him from doing all the necessary things that His Father had placed before Him. And obviously, Jesus knew just when and where to be to fulfill the Father’s will for every given day!
Lord Jesus, on this end of things I just don’t have it together! I need more focus…and that is totally on me. You are there to guide and direct. But many times, my head is just not in the game. My thoughts wander and I am far too easily distracted. All I can do is pray for Your strength and wisdom and that I will strive to be diligent in listening – really listening – to what You have to say to me. I give myself over to Your more than capable guidance. Amen.
June 28th, 2021, Mon, 9:31 pm
I’ve Got This!
A beautiful and meaningful time with family yesterday and a laid-back day today! Thank You, Father, for Your many blessings!
John 8:12-20 (<<click here to read the passage)
In many situations, there is nothing much worse than an ignorant individual telling experienced individuals what they are doing wrong. To multiply insults is to imply that they will talk with the experienced individual’s superiors about the incident because the ignorant individual has so much power and influence…at least in their own eyes. And more often than not, the superiors may be nodding their heads on the outside but rolling their eyes on the inside. Unfortunately, I’ve been in both positions and there’s not much one can do about it but grin and bear it…literally!
The audacity! The bloated self-worth and self-esteem! Windbags! And all that is really accomplished is a waste of time on everyone’s part!
Audacious and bloated fit the Pharisees to a “t”! They were in charge after all! The temple and all things of importance were in their more than capable hands. This young upstart most certainly did not know a lick about what He was talking about! And no matter what Jesus said, they weren’t about to listen or take to heart any of it! They knew better!
When the time comes for them to stand before God on that great day of judgment, they will see and fully understand the fools that they were. And at that point, there will be nothing they can say or do to get themselves out of the situation that they, and they alone, put themselves in! There will surely be Hell to pay for their audacity. Their only hope will be if they realized the error of their ways and acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, confessing their sins, and asking for the forgiveness, that He so freely extends to each of us, regardless of our transgressions!
I don’t think I mentioned it recently but why is it that on more occasions than I care to admit, I am right there alongside those infamous Pharisees?
Jesus! This is my life, You know?! I know what I’m doing! Yeah, I know when I accepted You as my Savior, I said You were in charge but…I don’t like what You are suggesting. I’m the one in the situation and I think that I should make the call. Thanks for Your advice and all but, I’ve got this!
Audacious and bloating fit me to a “t” in those times! My Creator knows best. I may not be so audacious as to verbalize those things or even think them so clearly and blatantly but, that’s my attitude far too often. And when I crash and burn, when my life is a mess, only then does it come into fresh focus that I was wrong. If I had just listened and followed His guidance the mess wouldn’t exist!
Lord Jesus may that title – Lord – not just be a word I use, but may it be a mindset I set forth and lifestyle I live day in and day out! You know best! You know everything about me and my circumstances. Help me to deliberately put my trust in You! Amen.
June 27th, 2021, Sun, 7:30 pm
Lilies of the Field
A beautiful day to be out and about, Father! Thank You for the exceptional companionship and the opportunity to enjoy our time together. I am most certainly blessed!
********
Tuesday, I had the opportunity to mow the grounds around the one church I pastor. It’s a good workout but not too overwhelming to accomplish. After I finished and loaded up everything, I took the time to stop and take a picture of a cluster of beautiful lilies growing vivaciously along a lovely backdrop of low-growing pine.
I think this particular variety is an Enchantment Asiatic Lily.
From what I understand, horticulturist Jan de Graaff took lilies that were considered delicate and temperamental at the beginning of the 20th century, requiring special conditions and exotic planting methods, and through hybridization helped make them a favorite garden flower. Enchantment was the first hybrid lily that he produced back in 1941. It was also the first lily to bear its flowers upright, rather than on drooping stems or facing outward on stiff stems. (Interestingly enough, most of this information is from his obituary published in the New York times in November 1989 – Jan de Graaff, Tamer of the Wild Lily… The entire obituary is a very interesting read.)
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus speaks of the birds and flowers. Here is the portion where Jesus spoke of lilies and wildflowers.
And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying… ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” vs28-34 AMP
After a meeting this past Monday we spoke of those lilies and weren’t really sure who had planted them but there they are blooming in all their glory. They shine brightly, blooms held high for all to see in praise of their Creator!
May they point us to our Creator as well and help us to realize that God gives attention to something so fragile, so delicate, clothing something so simple as a flower that will share its beauty for a few short days and then will not be seen until after their rebirth the next year.
God cares so much more about us! So, heed Jesus’ command, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Amen!
June 24th, 2021, Thurs, 9:54 pm
Bonfires
It’s been this way for years now, Father, but I never cease to be amazed that You are just a thought away and that You are always there to direct and guide my thoughts and actions. Unfortunately, I am not always receptive, but I can be, with a concerted effort on my part – and even then, You are answering my prayers and gently prodding me to stay close. All praise to my loving, compassionate Father!
John 8:12 (<<click here to read the passage)
One thing we have enjoyed several times over the years we have lived in our current home is bonfires. Through high school and a few times while in college Massey would coordinate an evening with friends. Pool time was a norm and we had to have food, of course. That would entail hotdogs, as well as, pizza and desert pie-iron sandwiches over the fire pit. S’mores were often on the menu, too!
But the culmination of the evening was often a bonfire! We have an area where we collect limbs, branches, and other yard debris that accumulates. We have several trees just on the parts of the lot we maintain, so it doesn’t take too long.
At the end of all the festivities, they would drag benches and chairs to a place where they could enjoy the warmth and view of the fire and talk into the wee hours of the morning. I think they really enjoyed it and bringing it up brings to mind fond memories for all.
Those bonfires put out quite a bit of light, but they were like a single match stroke compared to the brilliance of the sun, when we look at what Jesus shared in today’s passage.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT
Our bonfires guiding light was enough to get to the fire but as time passed there was nothing but a soft glow when they all headed in to head home. It would easily smolder through the next day, but Jesus’ light will shine for all of eternity! We never need fear it’s dwindling, or it ever being extinguished! He himself is the light and not in just a portion of land in little ol’ Morrow County. He is the light of the world!
If we follow Him, we will never have to walk in darkness again and where our fires died and lead to nothing of value, Jesus is the light that leads to life! Why pursue anything else? Jesus is surely all we will ever need! All praise to Him!
June 23rd, 2021, Wed, 9:34 pm
Forgiveness
A very productive day, Father, thank You for the strength and tenacity to see things through. I have spoken with You throughout the day as well and am so blessed by Your presence!
John 8:1-11 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the most amazing things about our relationship with Jesus is His forgiveness. At some point in the unknown future, sin, and its influence upon us, will be no more! (What a day that will be!) But until then we sludge through the sin and its consequences that engulfs our world – and sin’s presence here is by our invitation, mind you.
How many of us struggle day in and day out? Many can’t forgive themselves for the sins they’ve committed. Far too often, we have sin in our lives that, no matter how hard we try, we can’t seem to stand up against! Things that plagued us in our youth still haunt us in our adulthood.
Sin can be overwhelming but – and this is huge! – we can live a life where sin does not dominate us! When we yield control of our lives over to Jesus, and diligently maintain that intimate relationship in His strength and power, we can be victorious!
First of all, we can’t fool ourselves. The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes 7:20 reads, “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who always does good and who never sins.” AMP
The Apostle Paul states in Romans 3:23, “…all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God…” AMP
We are sinners from ages past to the indeterminant future. Our only hope lies, not in ourselves, but in Jesus Christ alone. The Apostle John in his first epistle encourages us with these words,
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT
My perception of God’s holiness versus sin for a long time consisted of the idea that sin could not exist in His presence. I realize that that is true but not in the way I thought it did. My mind went more in the direction of God standing with a lightning bolt in His hand and if I hadn’t confessed my sins to Jesus and attempted to come before Him, that lightning bolt would fly, and I would be nothing more than a pile of ash!
I came across another blog recently that shifted my perspective. (I can share it with you if you care to reach out to me.) In it, the author writes,
“…sin cannot be in the presence of God because whenever God draws near to sin, the raging inferno of His love and holiness washes all sin away. Sin crushes, enslaves, and destroys humanity, but it vanishes away into nothingness at the smallest touch of God’s blazing holiness.”
So, in truth, forgiveness – the touchpoint of God’s grace, mercy, and love – eradicates the sin that separates us from our Creator – our Redeemer!
In today’s verses from John 8, Jesus said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
She replied, “No, Lord,”
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” vs10-11 NLT
Was she guilty? Yes. Was it too much for Jesus to handle? Absolutely not!
Jesus didn’t run from the filthiness of her sin; he ran to it! He didn’t condone her actions – her grievous sin – but He loved her enough to forgive her – eradicating her sin – and sending her on her way with the admonition to “Go and sin no more.”
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV
June 22nd, 2021, Tues, 8:34 pm