In All Things ~ Don't Complain

I believe there are no coincidences in life ~ ever. I was driving down the road recently and something I had been reading about in the Bible just jumped into my head. And, I suppose, it was the parallel that was made in my mind and then in my heart that really got me to thinking.

I had been reading in the Book of Numbers about the Children of Israel and how God reacted to their complaining and murmuring as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. It displeased and disappointed Him that they didn’t trust Him enough to provide for them (Numbers 11:1). And it got me to thinking about when I complain - and how that must displease God. Frankly, it is an expression of disbelief toward God's order in my life. Complaining is unbelief in His Word ~ "For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). If I believe that the Lord is in control of my life and is working ALL THINGS for my good then I need to stop complaining and starting thanking Him for the plan He is working together for me.

Aw.... easy preaching and hard living you might be thinking. I’ll have to agree. But it was what came to my mind after that initial thought that caused me to really examine my heart. At first it was hard to remember but my thoughts began going back to different times in the past when I had given place to complaining and grumbling about my life. I remembered that when I started praising God for those "all things"(Romans 8:28) ~ when I began to show appreciation to God for guiding and leading me through this ole world despite the ups and downs ~ that those "all things" began to be taken care of in one way or another. (Psalm 50:14-15). A friend put it this way ~ "Grumbling and complaining only prolongs your agony. Praise moves God to change your situation."

Have you ever prayed for something so hard you can taste it? Well, that is where I am. And my heart needs to be right in order for God to move - however He may move. It won’t be easy but I’m going to try with God’s strength to be thankful in all things ~ it’s just the right thing to do.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings
Philippians 2:14

The Refiner's Fire

It might seem strange to tell you that this evening, at our special Thanksgiving service at church, I gave thanks for something that has been very painful for me this year ~ and at times I wasn't even sure I would survive it ~ that painful thing is God’s Refining Fire. Yet if it were not for this painful thing, I would not be on the journey I am on today.

Have you ever heard the song The Refiner’s Fire? I'm not even sure who penned the song ~ I first heard it on a music CD I purchased from the West Coast Baptist College Chorale Group. I reckon I’ve listened to the song a cazillion times ~ and each time it speaks to me. I know that I know that I know that to be more like my Lord ~ the refiner’s fire is most necessary in my life. Still yet I struggle with an aspect of the process ~ and it is worded well in the chorus of this song ~ "No matter what I may lose I choose the Refiner’s Fire." That is a hard one for me. And I’m not talking about material loss ~ but rather the loss of a precious loved one. Can I completely entrust my greatest earthly treasures to Him? Can I give it all - no matter the cost? I would like to think that I could and yet the thought does scare me. I do know this ~ the life within the refining process far far exceeds the life I once lived outside of it.

There burns a fire with sacred heat
White hot with holy flames
And those who dare pass through its blaze
Will not emerge the same
Some as bronze and some as silver
Some as gold, then with great skill
All are hammered by the sufferings
On the anvil of His will

I'm learning now to trust His touch

To crave the fire's embrace

For though my past with sin was etched

His mercies did erase

Each time His purging cleanses deeper

I'm not sure that I'll survive

Yet the strength in growing weaker

Keeps my hungry soul alive

Chorus ~
The Refiner’s Fire has now become my soul’s desire
Purged and cleansed and purified
That the Lord be glorified
He is consuming my soul
Refining me, making me whole
No matter what I may lose
I choose the Refiner’s Fire.

For He knoweth the way that I take, and when He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

Cathy ~ You Must Find Victory Within Yourself

This is somewhat of a long read ~ but it shows how God moves and I pray it can encourage someone.

I’ve been waiting for days, weeks, even months - waiting for something specific from God. I had told Him it would make it so much easier if He could scrawl His answer across the sky ~ or send me a letter in the mail. :) I found that the more I sought His face on this particular matter the more anxious, impatient, and even desperate I was beginning to feel.

This afternoon I had to run an errand for my mother. I drove to the store and as I walked the aisles I once again implored God for help in this very crucial matter that is uppermost in my mind. I can’t tell you exactly how "what happened" took place ~ I just know that it did. God spoke to my heart and I found myself saying out loud "Cathy, you must find victory within yourself." My mouth moved, said the words, and I believe God put them there. I had not even been thinking these words. And at that moment the oppression and loneliness that I had been feeling lifted from me. The impression was profound.

Now I can’t tell you that I knew exactly what that meant. All I knew was that God gave it to me. The lift of that heavy weight of oppression was so tangible. I knew this was my starting place ~ and I also knew where I had to go to begin searching for what God was trying to tell me. So when I got home this evening I began a word search in the Bible. I figured my work was cut out for me ~ with a term like victory ~ there had to be many citations. But surprisingly it occurs only 13 times in the Old and New Testament combined. And there were three citations that really stood out to me this evening.

The first citation is found in I Chronicles 29:11 which is King David’s "kingdom prayer." Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the Heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. This is considered one of the greatest prayers in the Scriptures. J. Vernon McGee puts it well ~ "It repudiates (refuses or denies) all human merit and declares human dependence on God. It reveals self-humiliation, confession, and dedication of self. It admits that all belongs to God." Human merit unimportant ~ dependence ~ meekness ~ confession.

The second citation is in Psalm 98:1 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. Matthew Henry says "The Redeemer has overcome all difficulties in the way of our redemption, and was not discouraged by the services or sufferings appointed him ~ let us praise Him." Praise God - He has overcome all obstacles ~ victory indeed.

The final citation is in I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Faith saves us and faith keeps us. J. Vernon McGee says "...and faith is the only way in which you and I will be able to overcome this world around us." This verse says that whoever is saved (whoever is born of God) will overcome this world. And it doesn’t say that we will overcome by fighting but rather by faith. God will do the fighting ~ in the same way that Joshua was to march around the walls of Jericho. His business was to believe God that the walls would fall down - his job was not to fight and knock the walls down. And so it is for us - to overcome this world by faith.

God burdened my heart ~ ‘Cathy - You must find the victory within yourself.’ Lay down any effort to fight this battle. Believe that God will fight it for you. For He knows all your infirmities and He has overcome the world.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I don't even know what the next step will be. I only know that I will overcome this situation with my faith. God is my victor.

A Sweeter Journey - Part III - Eureka

One night in church a light went on ~ it was so profound ~ kind of like I had just seen electricity for the first time. But this was no ordinary light ~ this was the light of the Holy Spirit once again nudging me and saying "This is what I’ve been trying to show you" ~ yeah, that kind of light. For those who follow my posts, you know that I read a book entitled Something More by Catherine Marshall.

Two things she talks about in the beginning chapters are 1) God is sovereign in all things, and 2) The golden bridge to the heart of God is that of praising Him in all things. And, if we will praise God in all things then we will see marvelous results ~ and God can do His perfect work through us. I made mention that I was going to give this a try ~ to simply be of a thankful spirit and praise God no matter what. I wrote those particular posts back in the summer. And I have to tell you that the results have been heart-warmingly awesome.

It hasn't been the easiest of tasks. It surely helped me see just how much I do complain ~ from summer heat to human rudeness. I’ve been telling the girls through out this spiritual experiment "It seems when we grumble and complain that things don’t get any better - they actually get worse. It also seems that when we praise God no matter what and are thankful in all things that life seems significantly smoother sailing." I actually made that comment again this morning.

So one Sunday night the preacher was talking about grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit. He said "One way that we grieve and quench the Holy Spirit, is when we are not in fellowship with others ~ like our church or family, etc. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us. If He is quenched then that guidance is not going to happen." That is about the time that the light really came on. I knew what I had been applying to my life. I knew what I had been telling my daughters ~ about praising rather than grumbling and complaining. I even knew that it was working. But I can’t tell you for sure that I knew ALL of why it was working ~ not until I heard that sermon. I found myself wanting to shout out "AHA" or "EUREKA" or some phrase like that when a great discovery has been made! I reckon it is a good thing I didn’t since the preaching was going on at the time. (Smiling)

I know that grumbling and complaining is wrong (Philippians 2:14 says Do all things without murmurings and disputings). I know that it is sin. And I know that sin quenches the Holy Spirit. But I don’t think I had really stopped to think about the ramifications when I complain and grumble (especially when it is about something that I might consider an injustice). Not only is the tone of the environment a negative one ~ but as well life is bumpier ~ whether that be the way others are toward me, the way I am toward others, and even the level of peace (or the lack thereof) that I can have in my heart and mind in dealing with life issues.

I hope I’m not stirring up muddy water here because this was really big for me to grasp and if it helped me that much I know it can be a help to others. This little experiment, that I began in mid-summer has had magnificent results. I’m not telling you that I am now problem-free. I’m not telling you that life is now a breeze and I'm skipping through life without a care in the world. I’m just saying that when we praise God in all things ~ no matter what ~ even if it does involve what we consider injustices against us ~ He is faithful to reward us with some peace, and joy, and contentment. He is faithful to correct those very problems that we have been grumbling and complaining about. Eureka!

Let The Redeemed Say So!

Today as I was reading Psalm 107 I was intrigued that at four different times the following verse is repeated ~ Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! J. Vernon McGee put it well when he said "If you are a Christian, tell others how good God is. God does not have many friends in court among the multitudes of people in the world ~ no champion, or defender, and few to testify on His behalf."

It is so true ~ and yet it was painful to read. God’s reputation so often is negative. He is seen as a god that will destroy rather than save. He is seen as a god that is difficult to approach ~ disinterested in human kind, difficult to please, and unloving. How sad that folk keep the one and only True God at arm’s length ~ viewing Him as a policeman of sorts simply waiting for them to mess up. If we are not praising God for his goodness and wonderful works then who will?

Believer ~ if you will stand up for our God, if you will praise His name openly and often ~ if you will ~ He will empower you and bless you beyond reason.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, who he had redeemed from the hand of the enemy.

Psalm 107: 1-2

A Sweeter Journey ~ Part II

I am continuing to repost writings from my old blog that I believe will be particularly helpful to those going through a struggle great or small. To follow is the second of a three part devotional that the Lord laid on my heart to write back in the summer.

I have been journeying through a book entitled Something More by Catherine Marshall. I first read the phrase “A Golden Bridge To The Heart of God” in her chapter on praising God. She writes “God steps in to change unhappy or even disastrous situations in our lives when we thank Him for the situation itself.” She goes on to reiterate the first theme (of which I posted yesterday) that this concept of praising can be true “only when we at last understand that God is ‘in’ every circumstance ~ good or bad ~ that He allows to come to us.” She further shares that growth comes when we take an “active step toward God who stands waiting for us at the center of the problem” ~ and the quickest route is via the pathway of praise.

Much scripture backs this up.

~ Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

~ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Many more could be sighted. Marshall goes on to give illustrations from the Bible of praise being the “hinge upon which great events turned.” One in particular was the account of Paul and Silas in prison. Their backs were surely raw and bleeding from the stripes laid upon them. Their feet were in stocks. City authorities were clearly against them. It didn’t look good. Acts 16 tells the account of how Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and placed in prison. In verses 25 & 26 it is recorded And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the excitement didn’t stop there. Not only was the jailer and his entire family saved, by morning all charges were withdrawn and they were free to go.

Praising God in the good times is something I can do quite easily ~ but praising God for the bad things is not something I have a lot of practice with. Catherine Marshall writes that the prayer of praise is the most powerful prayer of all. “It is a golden bridge to the heart of God. No human situation is too burdensome, no circumstances too calamitous for praise to bring as marvelous of results today as in Bible times.” So I’m gonna pray toward this end. I’ve actually already begun. Being a Christian for so many years and yet not really dealing as well with “things” as I should ~ I want to see change. I want to see victory in my life and in the lives around me. I figure this route far outweighs the more traditional ones I've tried ~ praying yet still worrying, praying yet still complaining, and even praying yet still not truly believing that He CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE. There is so much more that can be shared but that will have to wait for another time. May the Lord richly bless you!

A Sweeter Journey - Part I

I’m writing from a little country town in southern Kentucky where I was born and raised. The pace is slow here ~ and that’s just what I was in need of. Everyone goes through stages in their lives when they need to do some soul searching. Life tends to crowd out the voice of reason and it seems the only practical thing to do is to steal away to a quiet place ~ and my hometown has been just that.

While my trip is already more than half over, I’ve had many opportunities already to pray and study on God’s Word ~ and as I said “do some soul searching.” I’ve just really needed some affirmation that God is with me all the way ~ in all things ~ and that no matter what journey this life will take me on ~ that if I remain close to Christ and continue seeking His will for my life ~ that He will see me through the thick and the thin ~ that He will see me through seemingly impossible situations.

Since I arrived here I have been reading an old Catherine Marshall book that I found on my mother’s bookshelf. It is entitled Something More, and I must say it is seems to be just what the Great Physician ordered. Lately I have been discouraged about things in my life and in the lives of others. I admit that I have at times wondered what God planned to do about these “things.” You know the “things” I refer to, don’t you? They are spoken of in I Thessalonians 5:18 In every THING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Yep, those “things.” Catherine Marshall writes “Unless we do accept God in an all-inclusive “every thing” we can have no contentment.” She goes on to say “The news is that there is no situation ~ no breakage, no loss, no grief, no sin, no mess ~ so dreadful that out of it God cannot bring good, total good, not just “spiritual” good, if we will allow Him to.

I know it is true. I’ve preached it innumerable times to my children, my friends, and my colleagues when they’ve hit a rough spot in the road of life. But I’ve needed someone to remind me ~ that there is nothing that can happen to me without God’s knowledge, without God’s consent, without God’s participation as Savior. I suppose I have had a level of rebellion within my spirit as I have been dealing with these “things.” But God does not want me to harbor rebellion. We wants me to “lay down my arms”~ so-to-speak ~ at His feet. There must be a full surrender on my part ~ acknowledging that Christ is in complete control and that He has complete authority in all areas of my life ~ in particular these “things” that I need to be thankful for even though it is most difficult to be thankful for them.

It isn’t going to be easy but I greatly desire contentment in my life come what may. Are you struggling with something ~ carrying a weight that you shouldn’t ~ responding with a rebellious spirit. Take it from me my friend – it will only prolong the agony. When God is trying to get our attention we must lay it all down at His feet – all the hurt and the pain, all the agitation and disappointment ~ and let Him do His perfect work.