Secure In His Love

 "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields them all day long, and they rest between His shoulders."

Deuteronomy 33:12

 

There is a story that Jesus tells in Luke 15 about a flock of sheep. There are 100 sheep in this flock, and one of them is missing. Jesus asks those who are listening what they would do if this was their flock of sheep. Would they leave the ninety-nine to go look for the lost one?

 

Assuming their answer is yes, He speaks of the joy they will experience: "When he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.  Then he calls his friends and neighbors and says, 'Rejoice with me! I have found my lost sheep.'"

It's not difficult to identify Jesus as the shepherd. He calls Himself the Good Shepherd in John 10.  "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me...I lay down my life for the sheep."  The greater mystery in this story lies with this question: Who are the lost sheep?  Jesus identifies them as sinners who need to repent. But that can be difficult to define.

Or maybe I should say, that can be difficult to define accurately. I think we're all pretty good at pointing out "sinners who need to repent".  The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were good at this too and did it often. In fact, it was their disapproval when Jesus was welcoming and eating with sinners that prompted Jesus to tell several stories about "lost" things: sheep, coins, and sons. But what was it about these things that made them lost?

Simply put, they were not where they were supposed to be. It wasn't so much about behavior as it was about location. The sheep was alone—away from the shepherd. The coin was missing. It wasn't where coins were usually kept, so its value was in jeopardy.  And the sons?  One was away from home, away from his father and his whole family.  And the other?  He was there in body, but not in spirit. He was living in his father's household, doing what was expected of him, but he wasn't enjoying it.

We generally label those we call "sinners" by their behavior. But I don't see Jesus identifying them in that way. It's not about what they are doing or not doing; it's about where they are.  Is the sheep close to the shepherd or out of his sight? Is the coin in a treasured place, or is it missing? Is the younger son near his father or far away? And is the older son near his father in a physical sense but distant in his heart?

Jesus isn't really teaching about lost sheep or coins or sons. He's using them as illustrations to teach about something greater. And He wasn't teaching the "sinners", He was teaching those who saw themselves as "righteous".  If He would have spoken more bluntly, I think He would have said, "These people you call sinners are coming to me and listening.  I'm excited about them!  I'm welcoming them with open arms because that's why I'm here!  They understand what I'm saying about God's mercy and love.

But you? Not so much. I want to be excited about you too, but I can't. Not yet. Not until you understand My love. Not until you change your thinking (repent). Not until you get to where you need to be. Not until you let Me rescue you."

In Deuteronomy 33, God says, "My beloved ones rest secure in Me. They rest between My shoulders."  They are at rest.  They are at peace.  They are near Him and secure in His love.

They have nothing to prove. No where else they would rather be. And no fingers to point, because they have their eyes on their loving, merciful, and faithful God.  They are His, and they are loved, and that's enough.

 

 Photo courtesy of freeimages.com

The Worth of Losing Everything

 

 

I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

 

Philippians 3:8

 

Giving up things is hard.

Whether it's forced or voluntary, sometimes we just have to let go: Bad habits we need to break; Interests and activities we don't have time for or are taken from us; Relationships; Jobs; Homes; Lifestyles; Freedoms--yes, even in America.

We don't like it. We avoid it wherever possible. We fight tooth and nail to keep what we have and cling to our comforts, our way of life, even our vices that aren't really good for us. We know it, but still...

One time when a great crowd of people was following Jesus, He spoke these words:

"Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciple."

With a bit of word study, I learned the phrase "everything you have" can not only pertain to one's possessions, but also one's being. Jesus wasn't just talking about giving up riches or material goods, but also oneself: My way of being, existing, living.

We've all learned a lot about that during this pandemic, haven't we? Time with others. Time for ourselves. Jobs. Security. Rest. Personal freedoms.

Whether we put on a mask for the benefit of others or because it's mandated, it's uncomfortable. It itches, fogs up our glasses, feels claustrophobic, and hides the smile we try to put on, even in the midst of our own discomfort.

Our way of life has changed. And for the most part, the changes, and even the benefits of change, were not our choice. And while choosing to follow Jesus is entirely an act of free will, a personal choice I have made, the terms of that choice are not without cost. Following Jesus is all about surrender. Giving up my way of life and being, for His way. Giving up my agenda, for His. Letting go of what I want, for what He wants.

And yet, I did it, and I continue to do it. (Following Jesus is a daily choice, not a one-time decision.)

Why would I do that? Why would I give up my way for someone else's way?

Because God's way is better.

Not always easier or convenient or comfortable; but better. More beneficial; More satisfying; More rewarding; More productive; More purposeful.

In His words about the cost of following Him, Jesus warns these wanna-be disciples they may not be up for it, even insinuating they may fail: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you...Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?"

Thanks for the pep-talk, Jesus.

But hold on. Jesus finishes his message by declaring His words are for "whoever has ears to hear", a distinction Jesus gave to those who were really listening. Not only to His words but also the heart of God. He wasn't talking about failure or defeat coming to those who choose to follow Him and give up their own ways, but rather the cost of not following. Independence, self-sufficiency, pride, thinking I can make it on my own and fight my own battles and gain the whole world by giving up my soul? Foolishness!

But surrender to a mighty God? Giving up my ways for His ways? Love over selfishness? Peace over strife? Joy over despair? Faith over doubt?

Pure gold.

On another occasion when Jesus was with his closest disciples, He spoke these words:

"Everyone who has left their home or family or livelihood for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will truly know Me and My Father. But many who cling to what they have will find they have nothing, and those who have let go and humbled themselves will lead."

If Jesus is telling you to let go of something, let it go. And if something has been taken from you--perhaps many things, it's okay. Jesus will always give you what you need, and even if you have to wait for awhile, the reward for your trust and patience and faith will be so great--you won't even believe what He does.

 

Photo courtesy of freeimages.com

Scripture taken from: 

Luke 14:28-35

Matthew 19:29-30; (paraphrase mine)

Children of Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light.

Ephesians 5:8

 

(An oldie but a goodie...originally published in July, 2010, but good for these gray times.)

 

My husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this week, and we went to our favorite place: Cannon Beach, Oregon. Our first date was there, and we also spent our honeymoon in the small coastal town along the picturesque Oregon shore.

This year we spent our anniversary enjoying the beautiful beach with our three children. The weather was mostly good, but being the Oregon Coast, it varied from day to day. From sunny and warm, to sunny but windy, to overcast and fog; we had it all, including a bit of misty rain one morning, but we had a great time, and I took lots of pictures, as usual.

I transferred the photos to our computer when we got home. Some of them were taken with blue skies, while others were mostly gray. Gray sky, gray water, gray sand. I was tempted to discard those, but one of them caught my artistic eye, and I could see it had the potential to be much more.

 

 

With a little creative photo editing, the gray clouds and gray water could become a hazy purple or blue, like when the morning light first illuminates the sky. Or it could glow with the colors of a muted sunset that gives a pink or orange hue to the skyline. 

 

 

You can see the results, and the way we look at life, circumstances, others, and ourselves can also be viewed through different filters. It may be a bleak picture with the unaided eye, but as children of light, we can have a different view.

 

In Luke 11:34, Jesus says, "The eye is the lamp of the body. When your eyes are good, the whole body will be filled with light, but when your eyes are bad, darkness prevails."

 

Gloom. Despair. Hopelessness. The outlook is bleak and gray, like an overcast sky...but that's just a limited human view. With God's help, a beautiful picture can emerge.

 

When I am feeling discouraged, afraid, hopeless, unloved, insignificant...I ask God to give me a different view. To help me filter things through the light of His love. His truth. His ways. His beauty. His goodness.

 

Seeing the light fills me with light. Hope. Joy. Peace. May we live as children of light, for our Father is glorious--even on a cloudy day.

 

 

Luke 11:34, paraphrase mine

Freely You Have Received; Freely Give

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 

Hebrews 12:28 (NKJV)

 

In the book of Matthew, Chapter Six, we read these words of Jesus. He was teaching His disciples how to pray, and He told them to ask God the Father, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

What comes to mind when you think of God's Kingdom? What do you think this kingdom is like? Imagine you work for an advertising agency and you need to come up with a good ad campaign for the Kingdom of Heaven. What would you say about it? How would you make it sound enticing so others would want to be a part of it?

Jesus, in a sense, was given this task by His Father. He sent Jesus to earth from the heavenly Kingdom realm to show us what it was all about. If you study His teachings and observe how He lived, as we can read about in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you will see He lived a different kind of life than the average Jew living at that time.

Some were super-religious and went by a bunch of rules in order to appear more righteous than others, more devoted to God, and better than everyone else. Other people were greatly oppressed by the religious leaders, society, and the government--many by all three. Still others were somewhere in the middle: not overly religious, nor poor and helpless. This is the category many of the disciples fit into. They were working-class, ordinary Jews who had businesses to run and families to feed, and they encountered Jesus along their life-journey.

But Jesus had a similar message for everyone. In a nutshell it went something like this: "The Kingdom of God is near, and it's for you. Come and receive God's love, find forgiveness for your sins, and follow Me. I'll show you what this Kingdom is all about."

He healed the sick, the lame, the deaf, and the blind. He raised some from the dead. He delivered others from demons. He multiplied a boy's small lunch to feed everyone who had come to be close to Him. He calmed a storm on the sea. In other words, He cared about people and met their needs. He spoke about love and giving, and receiving what God had for them. In fact, receiving what God had for them was the very means by which they could also display God's Kingdom to others.

There is too much to get into here, and I encourage you to read about Jesus for yourself. To look closely at how He lived and what He taught and how He showed God's love: how He "advertised" God's Kingdom. And to consider what may be lacking in your understanding of it.

The writer of Hebrews reminded the early Jewish Christians of this Kingdom. In Chapter Twelve it says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart...Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy...you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

The word for thankful in verse 28 can also be translated as "grace". Thankfulness is a part of grace...being grateful for what God has graciously given us, but I prefer the NKJV and other versions that simply use the word grace here, because I think it more accurately describes what the writer was trying to say.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Of the many words Jesus spoke to His disciples, there is one phrase that I believe summed up His teaching. He said it before sending them out to preach the message of God's Kingdom themselves. He had already demonstrated His methods of "advertising God's love", and He sent them to do the same:

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Matt. 10:7-8)

Freely you have received; freely give...

In other words, "Since you have received so much...show grace to others; this is how you truly serve God...understanding everything He has done for you and showing that same love, forgiveness, and hope--freely, graciously, thankfully."

To give, one must first understand, receive, and see the glory of God. Do you? Have you received all of it? Not just enough to get by, but to be consumed with His love? To be a walking advertisement of what His Kingdom is all about?

 

 

 

I live in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. I have lived here most of my life, growing up in Oregon and now residing a few hours north in the state of Washington. It's a beautiful part of the country, known for picturesque coastlines, lush forests, green valleys, snow-capped mountains, rivers, high deserts, painted hills, farms, orchards, and agricultural fields, along with rain and crisp, clean air. The rain creates much of the area's beauty, and in the regions west of the Cascade Mountains, we get a lot of it. Sometimes we wonder if summer will ever arrive, and often it doesn't until after the 4th of July. We enjoy blue skies and sunshine for two months, and then the rain usually returns about this time of year, mid to late September.

This year our summer was cut a bit short due to a Labor Day windstorm that pulled smoke from wildfires in the east into our western valleys. The strong winds also knocked out power and started a fire less than ten miles from our home. The wind carried the fire quickly and swirled more smoke into the air. Heroic firefighters were able to contain the fire and keep it from reaching our town, but many fires in Oregon and California have been too large to stop, sending more smoke our way that filled our skies. It looks like a foggy, overcast day that completely blocks the sun. But it's not clouds; it's smoke that makes it difficult to breathe. We've been advised to stay indoors as much as possible and wear the highest grade of masks if we must go out. Weather forecasters say we need two things to get the thick smoke layer out of our skies: rain and wind, and hopefully we will get some tomorrow. (Prayers please!)

 

 

If you live near any wildfires right now, you know that feeling of stepping outside, unable to take a breath of fresh air. And during this time of COVID-19, you've likely experienced the same if you've had symptoms of the virus or worn a mask. Breathing is one of those things that's easy to take for granted, until we can't do so normally, and then we realize how vital it is to our being.

But this isn't a blog about fires or the pandemic. I'm concerned about your health and air quality wherever you are, but even more so I wonder: Do you ever feel like it's hard to breathe--not from an illness or your physical surroundings, but in life? Has oppression or trials or relationships or anything else ever hindered your ability to make it through a day, a week, a year? You may feel that way about 2020. Isolation, loneliness, stress, fear, boredom, strained relationships... It's a tough time for a lot of people, and if you're one of them, you're not alone. But even without a pandemic, life can be so challenging, heartbreaking, and confusing.

As I was thinking about the weather forecast and hoping for the much needed rain and a bit of wind to blow the smoke out of here, I thought of how we need the same spiritual "elements" to refresh and restore us when life gets tough. Jesus said to the woman at the well who was weary of life and deprived of love, "If you knew the gift of God and who I am, you would ask me and I would give you living water." (John 4:10) He was offering her more than a drink of water that could quench her thirst, He was offering her a new kind of life of spiritual abundance and freedom.

Later when Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure from this world, He promised to send the Holy Spirit. "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth...Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:16-17, 27) 

 

The "Holy Spirit" can also be translated as the Holy Breath (or Breeze) of God. He is our source of life, the very air we breathe to give us spiritual aliveness--resurrection from the things that bring us down and make us feel lost, defeated, or overwhelmed.

I am currently praying for rain and a nice breeze to restore our beautiful state and give us clean air to breathe once again. But I constantly pray for something else even more. For your spiritual life to be overflowing with the love of God--the living water that will satisfy your soul, and the holy whispers of truth that will lead you to places of peace, restoration, and joy.

 

 

 

 

John 4:10, paraphrase mine.

Choosing To Love

 

 

The Apostle John wrote, We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16)

Love is not something we manufacture ourselves. Human nature is bent toward selfishness. Love is a choice, and sometimes that choice is easy, but other times it's not. In fact, it might seem impossible to love certain people at various times.

But choosing to not love doesn't make life easier; it makes it worse. Over time a lack of love for others will take its toll on our hearts and minds, and even physically. Hate, anger, holding grudges, and having a general feeling of unrest: these emotions cause stress. It's not good for us.

When others hurt, annoy, or infuriate us, what are we to do? We may or may not be part of the problem, but either way, a solution is possible--a way to cope with strained relationships, impossible people, our own short tempers and selfish hearts.

We have come to know and to believe the love God has for us... These words of John follow a directive he gives: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

He's pointing us to a greater love. Not mere human love that can be picked up and discarded at will, but Divine love; God's love. Love that remains through the highs and the lows. Love that can endure all things.

He goes on to say, If we love one another, God abides in us. Jesus used similar words: "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love...love one another just as I have loved you." (John 15:10,12)

 

 

Choosing to love is the secret to abiding. Receiving God’s love and passing it on to others: It's the very means by which we connect fully with God and have fellowship with Him.

Loving others in our own strength and humanness is indeed impossible in many circumstances. We can't do it, or it’s an ongoing struggle. But we can ask God to remedy our inability to love fully and unconditionally. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do.” (John 14:13)

 

“Change my heart, Jesus.”

 

“Help me to believe you love me, Jesus.”

 

“Help me to love others the way you love me, Jesus.”

 

 

This is how John was able to say, I have come to know and to believe the love God has for me. He asked, and he received; and he called himself, The disciple Jesus loved. (John 13:23)

 

 

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.

Scripture taken from (ESV)

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from 1 John 4

“My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work." John 4:34

What would you have to say about 2020 so far?

It's hard to believe it's already July. Once March hit, the days and weeks seemed to run together. It hasn't been too bad though. I've been able to have more time with my husband and children. My book readership has doubled with so many having more time on their hands. And my daughter was able to graduate from college and find a teaching job for the upcoming school year. Life is more uncertain than usual, but God is still good.

These times in our world actually remind me a lot of the time of Jesus as told in the Gospels. People were suffering from incurable diseases, many were mentally unstable, the religious elite were lording their views over everyone else, political divisions were strong, and many of the common people were poor, helpless, and oppressed.

Jesus said they were like sheep without a shepherd. He was able to heal many, give sight to the blind, feed the hungry, free people from demons, and liberate those who were being oppressed--not with military force but His teachings that taught them to think differently about God, others, and themselves.

He could speak truth and show love and tell great stories, but He also had to rely on the Spirit to move in people's hearts and wait for them to recognize their sin and the great love God had for them. Even with all the miracles He performed, many were skeptical of His true identity and teachings.

There was a man who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus' disciples to be healed, but because of his unbelief, they couldn't do it. When Jesus hears about it, He says, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?"

And we all know what the religious elite thought of Him: So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath (by healing a man on that day), he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God. They accused Him of blasphemy and ultimately ordered His death.

Jesus was often the center of attention in great crowds, in both positive and negative ways, but in John 4 we see Jesus in a rare moment where He had a solo encounter with someone. He was traveling through Samaria, a region of ethnically mixed people. Jews did not normally associate with them and avoided the area whenever possible, but Jesus takes the route willingly and sits down to rest at Jacob's Well in the heat of the day. While His disciples go to the nearby village to get lunch, a woman comes to the well to draw water, and He talks to her.

She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?"

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

They continue their discussion, and the woman discerns He isn't an ordinary man, but a prophet, and Jesus reveals His even greater identity of being the promised Messiah. And for reasons that aren't entirely clear, the woman is convinced and runs into town to tell everyone about Him.

When His disciples return with the food, they offer Him some and strongly encourage Him to eat, but Jesus replies with what I imagine as amused joy.

“I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” 😆😂😆

The disciples are confused, wondering if someone else brought Him food. 😕❓😕

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

"You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest!" 😄😄😄

Are you that thrilled about doing the will of God? Of fulfilling the purpose He has given you?

Personally I don't believe Jesus had a lot of these moments--times where He was able to not only delight in His mission of sharing the truth, but also in the woman's belief.

For the most part, as the prophet Isaiah said, He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.  I don't believe this divinely inspired prophet was only referring to the trial and crucifixion Jesus would suffer, but as a daily way of life. Many were amazed at His teaching and eager to be healed, but we don't see a lot of transformation taking place. And at the end of three years of ministry, He only had about 100 faithful followers.

But He wasn't focused on the results. He was focused on what His Father was asking Him to do, and that brought Him joy. That was His food. That's what sustained Him.

Whatever it is that God is asking you to do--the special life-calling and gifts He has given you or the day-to-day opportunities you have to bless others, let your joy be in the work itself, not the results. The harvest will come sooner or later and make you giddy with happiness and fulfillment. But each day can be a time of feasting in the Kingdom--being a part of something that tastes and fills and satisfies like nothing else in this world.

In these times, the fields are indeed ripe for harvest. Don't be distracted by the strong opinions of others, arguments, and endless rhetoric. People are hurting, confused, worried, weary... The needs are so great.

Perhaps your "food" will involve you continuing on with what you've been doing for years, or maybe it will involve you doing something new. But whatever it is, take joy in it, and don't let anyone or anything take away from simply doing the will of God. For you are God's unique creation, fashioned after Jesus, so you can do the good work He planned for you long ago.

Scripture taken from Mark 6:34, 9:19; John 5:18, 4:9-11, 13-14, 32, 34-35; Isa. 53:3; NLT

Ephesians 2:10, paraphrase mine

Photo courtesy of Pixabay