Monday, April 28, 2008

God's Presence

GOD’S PRESENCE
Psalm 16:7-9
"Show me the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings."


New believers often wonder how to talk to the Almighty. They want to know He’s near.


The Lord has many ways to reveal Himself to His children. He made each person unique, so He approaches everyone differently. He knows what works in getting our individual attention, so He employs varies ways that succeed in flagging us down.


One way works for me, another way works for you.







If you seek the Lord, He will draw near to you. He’ll find a way where you feel His presence, and it is sweet. God speaks to his children. Do you believe that? He surely does. His “voice” is unmistakable. Those who hear Him, remember the message long afterwards.


God sends messages. Ever hear the term “the Lord laid it on my heart”? It is unwise to ignore God’s laying a burden on our hearts. Like Jonah, He’ll bug us until we give in and do what He’s commanding. Delaying to do what it is He’s telling us until a more convenient time is pointless. When He lays a message on our hearts, waiting for another time makes it too late.




We’ve missed His perfect timing.

God’s presence is seen through His Word. Meditating on Scripture unveils layers of meaning that were impossible to see the first read through. Sometimes a passage jumps off the page and slaps a person in the face. “Did you get that?” You can almost hear the Father say with a chuckle. Often His children feel His presence.



He knows how to ring our bell and speak directly to our hearts.



Taking the time to listen is another matter.


Take Home Nugget
The Father longs to share Himself with His children so we can find contentment, courage, and joy from Him. Remember, when we delay on acting what God lays on our hearts to do, that’s disobedience.


When we feel alone, not seeing God’s face,
He is nearby hearing, watching, reaching out.
Continue treating others with grace--
He’ll show something that erases all doubt.

Dedicated to L.R. Shanks, by J.D. Griffith





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Thursday, April 24, 2008

Forever Changed

FOREVER CHANGED
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
V.15: "And He died for us, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was aised again."


Where does it start?

When do people stop banging their heads against a brick wall and decide to do
things differently?

They know something in their life isn’t right.


The definition of insanity is to continue repeating what does not work. When God shakes people up and the ground moves under their feet, (or their lives are a mess, and it’s getting worse), they decide to make a change. The smart ones give Jesus a chance.
He welcomes everyone who comes knocking on His door.

Most consider giving their lives to Christ as the most life-changing event ever. They are right. Trials, tribulations and the drudgery of life weigh people down so much that they seek relief.
Jesus offers that—and so much more.

After accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, their lives are forever changed. The change is invisible on the outside, but their hearts are different. They gain assurance of eternal salvation, and a life changing view from one that’s worldly to one that’s eternal. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17).
No one sees these changes from the outside.

Their sin nature is replaced by the righteousness of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
No one notices this, either.

They are new creatures in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17). Other people cannot see these changes on the outside, but they walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4). Maybe some people who know them well will notice a brighter smile, a quicker step.

They “wear” a new self. (Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10). They may not realize this, but those who follow Christ will reflect His will and do His work in great ways.
How?

Their minds are renewed by God’s Word. (Romans 12:2).
They walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:19-25).
They will act in the wisdom of God rather than man’s wisdom. (James 3:13-18).
They will live in harmony with Jesus’ teachings. (Colossians 2:6).
New believers are new creations, and are ambassadors for the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
They have an eternal calling.
They who have Christ living within have the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27).
They press on to the goal of eternity with Jesus in heaven. (Philippians 3:8-14).

Take Home Nugget

The Bible urges kids and adults to stop their frenzied search for satisfaction in what the world offers. The life change that works is turning to Jesus. Is your life "working" well for you? What is a sure way to find lasting satisfaction?

My life is not working Lord,
Give me a fresh start.
I will read Your Word
Your wisdom there to impart.

J.D. Griffith

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Monday, April 21, 2008

Earthquake

EARTHQUAKE
Matthew 8:23-27. 28:1-10
Matthew 8:24: "Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping."

Mother Nature likes to play games. Have you ever felt an earthquake? The ground beneath your feet moves. You have no control over a moving earth. It comes on suddenly, and disappears as quickly as it came. It takes awhile before you trust the ground to be solid again.

Thunder cracks with a BOOM and your dog dives under your bed. What do fish do during these natural phenomena? People say animals are sensitive to Mother Nature’s forces. Birds don’t fly when a tornado is brewing. But God wants us to acknowledge we know who’s really in charge.

Jesus and His disciples were in a ship and Jesus fell asleep. A tempest raged, and the ship was tossed to and fro, waves splashing inside. His disciples woke Jesus saying, “Lord Save us; we perish!”

Can you envision the scene? Jesus sat up, rubbing His eyes. Looking around He heard the howling wind, saw waves splashing inside the boat, and felt the ship rock wildly. He must have smiled, looking at His disciples. Their knuckles were white holding on to anything solid, eyes bulging with dread—contrasting with Jesus’ calm.

Jesus might have giggled before asking them the question, “Why are you so fearful?” Then shaking His head, said, “Oh ye of little faith.” He might have sighed before rising. Holding out His hands to the raging sea, He commanded it, “Shush.”

Can you see the disciple’s faces now?

Silence. Ship floating smoothly in a peaceful sea. Jesus looking around. He might have quipped, “Everything OK now?”

Again, all eyes on Him.

He proved to them who is the Master of Mother Nature. They said to each other, “Who is He whom even the winds and sea obey?” Vs 27.

Two Marys felt an earthquake when an angel came and rolled the stone away from Jesus’ tomb. They saw him sitting on a rock looking at them as he said, “Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He has been raised,” adding, “See the place where He lay?” You can bet they were terrified.

Whenever life shakes a person, and the ground is not solid, where can we go to regain stability in our lives? We can run onto the lap of Jesus. He’s always ready with outstretched arms. “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

Take Home Nugget

Whoever named God’s creation Mother Nature was wrong. It’s all God! He teases our sensibilities with raging storms and quaking earth to show us who’s in charge. Jesus asked His disciples, “Why are you afraid?” He says to us, “Be not afraid. Be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:18).

No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.
Where do you go when your earth quakes?

Dedicated to Marjorie Lincoln Kugel
by J.D. Griffith


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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Waiting on God--Flip Side

WAITING ON GOD--FLIP SIDE
Psalm 27:14, Luke 4:1-13, John 3:14-18, 1 John 4:19
Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait dor the Lord."

“Can you wait one minute?” Your Mom snaps impatiently. “Your food is ready now, so sit down at the table.” If you think she’s impatient, you remember plenty of times you were impatient, too. Kids and adults all want immediate satisfaction to their demands. Someone labeled this “instant gratification”.

Imagine how God feels. He patiently waits for His children to invite Him into our hearts. He longs for us to love Him unconditionally as He loves us, and seek His advice so that He can lead us to victory.

The opposite of acting impetuously is waiting patiently. I am amazed at God’s restraint in our impatience. The more I learn about Jesus, the longer I study the bible, the more my observation of His restraint impresses me. God must daily choose to restrain His own power from annihilating us. God’s terrible insistence on human freedom is so absolute that He grants us the freedom to live as though He doesn’t even exist!

Why is God content on growing us slowly, in the mysterious way of increasing righteousness rather than avenging our reluctance? Only love can summon the response of love from human hearts. He could insist on pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence that show us His power to get His own way. But that’s not who He is.

The Bible lets us know that “wait” is more an attitude than an activity. Wait is a noun rather than a verb. To wait on the Lord is to trust Him. He knows what’s best. He will give us the desires of our heart. He is working all things together for good. He strengths our heart when we wait on Him.
Often, our nervous impatience forces us to DO SOMETHING when waiting for the Lord. That’s wait as a verb.

So the next time we stomp our feet in impatience on wanting something right now, we could remember God’s patience with us. His waiting for us to love Him is long-suffering (lasts a long time); the least we can do is wait on Him. (He’s usually getting ready to bless us when we honor Him by waiting for His lead.)

Take Home Nugget

Jesus won’t come until every person hears the Good News of the Gospel and has a chance for salvation. God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (Timothy 2:4). It’s not His desire that anyone be lost. He “longs for us to know Him”. (2 Peter 3:9). That includes you!

“Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31

J.D. Griffith

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Monday, April 14, 2008

Why Wait on God?

WHY WAIT ON GOD?
Psalm 27:14
“Wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Waiting does not make us happy. As our birthdays approach, it’s hard to wait on our party to celebrate with friends. When we’re promised a delight, it’s hard to not wish the days away before we receive that promise.

The Bible says we learn the most important lessons during these times of wait. The hardest classrooms are waiting rooms. Scripture insists waiting is a natural pause. A break in life where we’re given a rare opportunity to stop, listen and reflect. These delays in our busy lives are for our blessing—if we allow them to happen. Let’s consider five blessings, or rewards of waiting on God.

Discover God’s will and purpose--#1. He is working all things together for our good as we wait. This is not a tease, it’s a real promise. (Romans 8:28).

Receive supernatural physical energy and strength--#2. Our impatience drains us, but waiting on God is energizing. (Isaiah 40:31).

Waiting on God prevents our defeat--#3. Trusting on God’s timing ensures our victory and keeps us from impetuous reckless acts. (Proverbs 20:22).

Our faith is sustained--#4. Others may think us foolish, but waiting on God is the smart thing to do. We’ll see that we were saved from embarrassment. (Isaiah 29:23).

We are front seat witnesses of watching God at work-#5. Isaiah promises us in Isaiah 64:4, “God acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.”
What a promise!

While we actively wait, He actively works—on OUR BEHALF!

Take Home Nugget

Do you like to garden? Waiting on God is like waiting for your plant to produce good things to eat. Trying to short-circuit the harvest means the food is not ripe and tastes yucky.

Although waiting is hard, the time is not wasted. Sometimes God changes our circumstances as he prepares to deliver His answer to prayer. His delay sifts our motives and strengthens our faith. In choosing to wait, God rewards us with blessings both awesome and unexpected.

Whether a question or a need,
I pray to my God as a child to a Dad.
He goes into His garden and plants my seed
And when He harvests, my heart is glad!

J.D. Griffith
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Thursday, April 10, 2008

Daredevil

DAREDEVIL
Ezra 10:4
"Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it."

“I dare you!” A schoolmate yells in your face. You feel stupid, humiliated, scared. Am I a wimp? you think. The seconds tick away, kids gather around, watching. Out of desperation, you jump. You land safely away from the rocks in deep frigid water. You surface sputtering with cold, eager to get on shore. WHEW! That really took nerve, you admit to yourself.

But you jumped. You landed safely. You challenged yourself. You proved to the spectators that you aren’t a wimp. Sometimes acting on a dare works out well, sometimes it doesn’t. What’s the difference?

Consider the motive and the challenger. Is the challenger your friend—is the motive in your best interest? God often challenges His children to take risks. They frequently seem ridiculous, like accepting a kid’s dare. But the Bible is full of God’s dares for His beloved children to take risks. He guarantees success and is the best safety net anyone could want. God never promises us smooth sailing; He promises us a safe landing. God never fails, He never lies. He always has our best interest as His motive.

I call Ezra’s passage in 10:4, my “10-4” answer to God’s challenges. In CB radio, or HAM radio speak, 10-4 means OK. Thumbs-up. “Be of courage and do it!” When God offers His children a challenge, not taking the risk means disobedience. That’s a dare we daren’t refuse.

Noah built an ark when his neighbors jeered, “What’s rain”? He survived the flood; they all drowned. (Genesis 6:13-8:12). Abraham took God’s dare and left his native country. He had no idea where he was going, but God dared him to go to a “land He would show you”. (Genesis 12:1). Moses courageously agreed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. (Exodus 3). Where did David get the courage to battle the giant Goliath? (1Samuel 17:49-50). Daniel’s buddies Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego walked out of a fiery furnace. (Daniel 3). Jonah ran away from God’s call, and was swallowed by a fish. (Jonah 1-3). Peter walked on water. (Matthew 14:29).
Jonah learned what happens in not accepting God’s dare. It isn’t as risky as he thought, compared to disobedience. What is God daring you to do?
Take Home Nugget

Changing your life takes courage. Leaving comfort zones for what seems risky (to humans) feels ridiculous. When stepping out onto the water, prayer is our first port of call. “Man was not made for safe harbors.” A friend is fond of saying to me upon leaving, “Take risks.” Instead of the usual, “Take care.”

J.D. Griffith

“Lord, renew us even as we grow old.
Give us a zest for life and make us bold.”

Fred Bauer

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Monday, April 7, 2008

Intersections

INTERSECTIONS
Matthew 16:24-26
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for Me will find it."

Aaron saw his friend Ben stare at the test on the other side of him. He carefully erased his answers and quickly wrote in new ones. Aaron knew Ben copied those answers, and was sorry that he’d seen Ben do that. Now what will Aaron do?

The narrow road intersects the wide road all throughout our lives. As we observe our world, we pay attention to how others are living. Sometimes crossing over to the other road is tempting, and intersections that afford this opportunity crop up at every turn. This happens easily when hanging out with the wrong crowd. Backsliders are people who stray from following their faith, challenging salvation and giving into temptations.

Not everyone realizes the differences where these two roads lead. Each offers different delights. Their goals are diametrically opposed. In fact they are heading to opposite destinations.

The narrow road has delights of peace, contentment, eager expectation for the future. The person who has trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior is sealed for salvation by the Holy Spirit. This invisible, powerful presence steers the believer safely back onto the narrow road. At the very next intersection. It’s as close as prayer.

The wide, easy road offers delights of immoral living, no restraints, and selfish indulgences. People on this road enjoy being part of the “happening” crowd, the most popular—the ones who seem to have it all. But their joy is short-lived. As the material reward’s glitter dims, trouble abounds. Now someone on the easy road perceives the peace of those on the other road appealing. When this one crosses over to the narrow road, at the first surrender of self to good works, he flees back to the easy road.
The intersections are always close by. They’re mind-driven. And that which the eyes see steers the mind.

Each road’s travelers think theirs is the correct way. Each road’s travelers grow to feel at home on their chosen road the longer they’re on it. Only by walking with Christ on the road of godliness will we find the security and contentment we crave. What should Aaron do with his knowledge about Ben?

Take Home Nugget

The longer we’re on the narrow road, our delights grow into the supernatural. We witness awe-inspiring transformation of the ordinary, pride-filled humans into humble, loving ambassadors of King Jesus. Our minds grasp the truth of God’s Word, and hear Him speaking to us through it. These delights are not possible on the broad road. Won’t you commit to following Jesus, and Him alone?

Christ is still seeking disciples.
Won’t you pick up your cross and follow Him?
The contrasts are obvious—brilliant eternity
In heaven or an eternity that’s darker than dim.

J.D. Griffith

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Thursday, April 3, 2008

Threat vs. Warning

THREAT VS WARNING
Deuteronomy 4:32-40
V. 39: "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below There is no other. Keep His decrees and commands that I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may livelong in the land the Lord your God gave you for all time."

“God never threatens; the devil never warns.” Oswald Chambers.

Oswald saw a distinct difference between these words. Threats try getting people to do what we want, warnings try getting people to do what’s best in their interest. Threats seek to preserve power, while warnings seek protection from danger.

Satan wants us to see God’s warnings as self denial, a mean-spirited ploy to obey. But God’s warning is a statement of His love. His patience is obviously for our protection. He wants the best for His children. The evidence is found in the next phrase “that it may go well with you.” (Deut. 4:40, 12:28.)

Threats are designed to get others to do what’s in the speaker’s best interest. Satan whispers lies like: gratification comes from looking out for number one. He used doubt to coerce Adam and Eve to eat forbidden fruit. “Did God really say…?” Deceit: “You will surely not die”. Self-delusion: “You will be like God”. (Genesis 3:1-4). He made rebellion seem good, attractive. The same scams still work today.

In healthy relationships, people warn one another to avoid consequences of foolish behavior. In unhealthy relationships people threaten one another with punishment if demands aren’t met. Has anyone issued you an ultimatum? It doesn’t feel good, does it? Ultimatums are issued to preserve the issuer’s well being.

When interacting with others, it’s good to consider what’s behind their direction. Warnings are an expression of love; threats are made to control. Why would that person say that to me?

Take Home Nugget

We can withstand the clamor of the world’s seduction by donning the whole armor of God, (Ephesians 6:13-18) and immersing ourselves in His Word. By focusing our attention on knowing the Lord in all His fullness, believing His promises and obeying His commands, we can do battle with the enemy and stand firm.

The devil knows what rings my bell
And it’s hard to turn away and do what’s right.
Remind me when temptation’s lies do tell
So I’ll flee and live victoriously by Your might.

J.D. Griffith
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