Standing Strong

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.  But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. – 2 Timothy 4:16-17

Have you ever wanted to do something, but it seemed like nobody else wanted you to do it?  Maybe they weren't actively stopping you, but they also weren't supporting you?  Perhaps it was something you felt God leading you to do – starting a new ministry, working with a particular demographic, changing jobs, moving, financially supporting an organization, etc.  The possibilities are endless.  If this has ever happened to you, you're not alone.  The great missionary and apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, faced the same challenges.

In writing to Timothy he says that no one supported him when he shared the Gospel and some even abandoned him.  This gives the impression that some who were following Christ and working alongside Paul in his mission turned away from him.  Maybe you've experienced this – a close friend or relative that suddenly turned away from supporting you and the mission God gave you.  Don't lose heart. 

Consider Paul's response to this situation:

May it not be held against them. – 2 Timothy 4:16b

First, Paul didn't hold a grudge.  Easy to say, hard to do!  These people, some friends knowing the importance of this mission, abandoned him, yet Paul did not ask God to come against them or bring hardship in response to their desertion.  Instead, he asks that their inability to stand firm with him not be held against them.  He had compassion on them.

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength . . . 2 Timothy 4:17a

Second, Paul recognized and accepted the Lord's strength.  It can be easy to face these hardships and keep pushing on thinking, Fine!  I'll just do it on my own!  I didn't need your support anyway!  In doing this we forget Who called us to this mission in the first place.  God doesn't call you to something and leave you halfway to the finish line with no strength, no resources, and no help.  Recognize that the Lord called you to this and He will see you through, providing all you need to accomplish the goal He has set before you.

. . . so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. – 2 Timothy 4:17b

Finally, Paul carried on for the Glory of God!  Consider this – what if Paul had decided he was defeated and gave up?  Think of how many Gentiles, how many people, may have never heard the love of Christ.  What about your mission?  Who would miss out if you gave up?  The enemy will try to tell you that your mission is small and unimportant, that you're not really doing anything anyways.  I mean what difference could you actually make for the Kingdom?  Never believe this.  Your mission, no matter how big or how small you perceive it to be, is vital.  God created you for a purpose and a destiny laid out before the creation of the world.  There is someone waiting for you that they might hear, see, and experience the love of their Creator. 

Press on so that at the end you can say with confidence what Paul declared:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  - 2 Timothy 4:7

P.S.  Immediately after God spoke to me concerning this message I turned on my iPod and this awesome song from Big Daddy Weave came on.  It was so perfect and fit so well that I wanted to share it with you.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to find an audio or video file of this song.  So until I run across this, please enjoy the lyrics.  And I encourage you to try finding the song yourself to listen to!

My child I've hoped and I've prayed for this very day,

Since you were just a little one,

And oh how my heart swells with pride,

As I watch the man that you've become.

But this life offers no guarantees,

And though my time on this earth had to end,

I'm sure that your heart would know peace,

If you could just see where I am.

From here the race has been run and love's already won,

I see clearly the end and the start,

From here I'm cheering you on,

So live out each breath with all that you've got.

Oh, and know until I hold you close,

I'll be holding you dear in my heart from here.

I've seen your tears as you've waited alone,

Longing for the special one,

And now all the waiting is done,

As you gaze into her eyes seeing the reflection of love.

Life's road may seem rough up ahead,

And form now you see only in part,

So hold onto each other and know,

That there is an end to the dark.

From here the race has been run and love's already won,

I see clearly the end and the start,

From here I'm cheering you on,

So live out each breath with all that you've got.

Oh, and know until I hold you close,

I'll be holding you dear in my heart from here.

Heaven is calling and my heart keeps longing,

Looking so forward to the day,

When we'll be together forever in eternity,

Just you wait and see.

From here the race has been run and love's already won,

I see clearly the end and the start,

From here I’m cheering you on,

So live out each breath with all that you've got.

Oh, and know until I hold you close,

I'll be holding you dear in my heart from here, yeah, from here.

Remember

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. – Mark 14:72

Has God ever spoken something to you and then the next day, next week, next year you've completely forgotten about it?  Then something comes up and suddenly you remember everything He said?  I can recall doing that with a calling God made clear to me my freshman year of college.  At that time I felt God was calling me to the mission field, but I also felt certain that I was to finish school first.  I quickly got caught up in classes, majors, and future plans to the point that I forgot this calling.  It wasn't until I was accepted into Regent University's School of Divinity with a full scholarship that I suddenly remembered several years before when God told me I would be doing this.

For a while I wondered how I could forget something that significant for my life.  I found some comfort in the fact that I certainly was not the first to encounter this forgetfulness.  In Mark 14 we find the story of the last Passover Jesus celebrated with His disciples before His crucifixion.  At one point Jesus tells His disciples that all of them will fall away from Him.  It says:

Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown Me three times." – Mark 14:30-31

That very night Peter denied Christ three times just as Jesus said he would (Mark 14:72).  We might look at this passage and wonder how in the world Peter could have forgotten the words of Christ within the same day they were spoken!  But we must consider this in comparison to our own lives.  Peter had a lot going on.  His friend and Messiah had been arrested, those at the trial were obviously hostile towards Jesus and, in turn, His followers, and Peter was caught in the midst of all of it.  He proceeded without thought as to what Jesus had said.  He was so caught up in the situation and the speed with which life was happening in that moment that he acted without remembering first.

Was that the end of Peter?  Was he from then on forgotten, denied, and rejected because He forgot the words of his Lord?  No!  Emphatically no!  The book of Acts is riddled with the actions and words of Peter.  In Galatians 2:8 he is called an apostle to the Jews.  And let us not forget that he is credited with writing two books of the New Testament!  God recognizes that we are a forgetful people.  Consider this:  the word "remember" is used 166 times in the New International Version.  God is constantly telling His people to remember and even showing them ways in which they can remember:

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. – Genesis 9:16

Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.  Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.  – Isaiah 46:8-9

Perhaps you forgot something God commanded you to do, or not do.  Maybe it was a promise God made to you.  It could even be something God did in your life that you had forgotten about.  Take a moment to ask God to remind you of His word to you.  He is faithful to answer.  And never feel that you are somehow unworthy or rejected because you forgot what the Lord spoke to you.  Again, He is a faithful God, He created you, He loves you, and He still wants the absolute best for you.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. – John 14:26

Time and Time Again

Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.  ~ Psalm 34:17

No matter how many times we feel like we’ve failed, God is always waiting to come rescue us.  Even when we are in the midst of sin He has not forgotten us.  He’s listening and waiting for us to call on Him.

I’ve been reading in Judges lately and it’s reminded me how often the Israelite people turned against the Lord and followed the ways of the world around them.  They would do their own thing for a while, recognize the oppressions they were living under, cry out to God, and without fail He would send someone to rescue them.  Sometimes it didn’t take long for them to realize they were destined for more than they had and other times it took them centuries to figure it out.  Consider the Israelites in Egypt.  They were there living as slaves for about four centuries, that’s 400 years, before they cried out to God and He sent Moses to lead them out of captivity into the Promised Land (Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7-10).

In talking to Moses God says:  And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.  So now, go.  I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.  ~ Exodus 3:9-10

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been, or how long you’ve turned your back on God.  Not once did He turn His back on you.  When we cry out to God we can be assured that He hears the cry of His people and will send a way out.  He will rescue them. 

. . . You will weep no more.  How gracious He will be when you cry for help!  As soon as He hears, He will answer you!  ~ Isaiah 30:19

Before I am misunderstood I want to clarify that when we cry out to God He doesn’t erase the consequences of our actions.  We must still deal with those, but God will help us and will lead us in a new path of glory in His Will.  Consider the Israelites after leaving Egypt and coming up to the land of Canaan which God had promised to give them.  When they saw the people in the land they doubted God and refused to fight for it (Numbers 13:31-33; 14:1-4).  Their consequence was to wander in the desert for 40 years and that whole generation, except Joshua and Caleb who were obedient to God, never saw the Promised Land (Numbers 14:29-31).  Although the people were disobedient and had to face the consequences for their disobedience, God uses a prophet to speak these words about Israel while they were still wandering in the desert:

How can I curse those whom God has not cursed?  How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced?  . . . God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind.  Does He speak and then not act?  Does He promise and not fulfill?  I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.  No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel.  The Lord their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.  God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox.  There is no sorcery against Jacob, no divination against Israel.  It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, “See what God has done!”  ~ Numbers 23:8

Don’t be afraid to cry out to God.  Don’t let the enemy tell you that you’ve gone past the point of no return.  THERE IS NO SUCH THING!  There is NOTHING that can separate you from the love of God.  That is how much He cares for you – that while we were still in sin Christ died for us!  He loves you so much. 

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  ~ Romans 8:39

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  ~ Romans 5:8

I want to conclude with the lyrics to a song I recently discovered called “Glorify” by John Mandeville.  It so wonderfully expresses the love of the Father towards us and what should be the cry of our hearts as we come to understand just how abundant is His love:

And as much as I didn't expect it
There were tears when I looked in Your eyes
All the time that I thought You'd condemn me
Jesus, Your heart was breaking for mine

So I fall down in total surrender
As I drink in the mercy You are
For the rest of my life and forever
Lord, this will be the cry of my heart

Glorify
Glorify
Glorify - Yourself in me

(You can hear the full song at:  http://www.onlylyrics.com/hits.php?grid=11&id=1031826.) 

"For your first time you truly repent"

This past weekend a wonderful thing happened.  My cousin accepted Jesus as his personal savior!  :) 

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  ~ Luke 15:10

Just a few days after this glorious decision, he wrote this poem.  I was pretty blown away and wanted to share it with you:

As she stares with her scarlet eyes,
Her white face pale with dishonesty,
She finds humor as beauty dies,
And fills the gap with hypocrisy.

You open your mouth, you're voice is lame
You open your eyes, you see she's near
You open your ears, she speaks her name
You gasp for air, for she is fear

Your mind and body are screaming for help
For your first time you truly repent
She touches your skin as you start to yelp
You hear a voice, "your help is sent"

Closing your eyes, you're blinded by light
Closing your mouth, you're robbed of air
You open your eyes to a beautiful sight
He's smiling upon you, you're free of despair.

~ Michael Malendoski

Beautiful Feet

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. ~ Ephesians 2:4-5


A few days ago God dropped this verse into my heart. As I contemplated this, I realized that many of the people I pass along the street, in the store, at work, or elsewhere everyday are walking dead in their transgressions. They don’t know what it’s like to be “alive with Christ.” I was really convicted about what I’m doing to show these people the life that comes from knowing Christ. What am I doing to show them there is a way to life? That what they are living isn’t what was intended for them. After coming to an understanding of the question, God took me further to show me what I needed to be doing:

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. ~ I Thessalonians 2:8

I can tell these people about the love of Christ all day long, but what am I doing to show them this love? Can they see the love of Christ in my actions? I want to live in such a way that I am sharing my life with them, that I am making time for them. As my pastor taught tonight – time is something you can never get back. It is priceless. When you take time out of your life to be there for someone, to share a kind word, to show an interest in their life, and to love them, they take notice. They recognize that you are freely giving them something that you can never get back. It tells them you believe they have value, they are worth your time. They are worth those few minutes or hours.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:14-16

When you take that time for people, they begin to take notice of your actions and what makes you different from others who would walk away. Don’t hold back! YOU are the light of the world! Where light enters, darkness cannot dwell. We have the light of Christ that breaks through all darkness. We have the power to share that light with others, but are we taking the time to do that? Are we allowing our lives to be used to bring light to the darkness in others’ lives? Don’t put your lamp under a bowl, put it on its stand so that it can shine before all men!

Even as I’m writing this God is giving me the image of a lighthouse. Lighthouses are set up as beacons for ships at sea to know when they are approaching home and to guide them safely into shore. We are lighthouses! When we put our light up on its stand we serve as a beacon for those lost at sea, lost in the darkness where they can’t see the shore. We can guide them safely home.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" ~ Romans 10:14-15

No Carry Ons

[Jesus] told them: “Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic.” ~ Luke 9:3


I have some friends that travel internationally quite often. They’ve told me a lot of creative ways to get around the weight limits for check-in luggage and how best to get everything to your destination without having to pay extra. One of them frequently wears multiple layers of clothes on the plane so it doesn’t add to the weight of the check-in and she doesn’t have to shove it into her tiny carry-on bag! The only problem with this plan is how uncomfortable she is once she’s on the plane. With all this extra clothing she is either really warm or has to shed a few layers and hold on to them. Either way it causes an inconvenience and hinders her ability to have a nice flight. It’s the same way with some of the things we try to carry with us in our relationship with God.

Jesus spoke about some very tangible things that would hinder them, such as a staff, bag, bread, money, and tunic, but it works just the same with emotional baggage – fear, timidity, anxiety, pride, etc. The more we try to take with us on the journey the more weighed down we become. The harder it is to walk down that terminal to your flgith. When the crowds press in or the time is short, the luggage gets heavier and heavier. Perhaps you are at a time in your life where things are just tough. You feel like you’re caught in the middle of storm. Maybe finances are dwindling, relationships are going sour, things just aren’t going like you would have planned. The more baggage you carry, the more you try to hold onto, the harder it is to run into His arms. By holding onto all of these things you keep yourself in a mindset that says you can make it all better on your own. You are refusing to allow God to step and set your free.

When you accept Christ as your Savior, He releases you from your old life. You are a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. ~ Romans 12:2a

You don’t have to follow what the world around you is saying. Allow your mind to be renewed. God has a different plan for you than society does. When you step out in faith and release these things in your life (fear, timidity, finances, anxiety, etc.) you give Him the opportunity to step in and provide beyond what you could have imagined. It is hard sometimes to release these things when everything you have been taught by the world says you should not let go.  (This is a somewhat separate topic, but I feel like a lot people do this with unforgiveness.  If you are dealing with a past hurt that people around you say you have the right to hold a grudge or remain angry with this person, you need to release them.  Not forgiving them is only hurting you.  When you let go of that hurt, you allow God to step in and heal your broken heart.  It's hard to a heal the wound you hold open.)

Just a little further in the chapter we have the story of the five loaves and two fish (Luke 9:12-17). They were in a situation where they didn’t have anything with them to feed this huge crowd of people, but God provided a simple boxed lunch that Jesus blessed and used to feed everyone and still have leftovers. Many of us, myself included, feel we have to worry about things because that’s the only way we’ll receive what we need. We worry about finances because we think we have to figure out how to get enough money to take of ourselves. We worry about having enough food, clothing, shelter, etc. We serve a God who provides. When you give these cares to God He will provide beyond what you could have done on your own. By giving these things up we are telling God that we trust Him to see us through to the end. And, trust me, He does not disappoint!

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ~ 1 Peter 5:7

Rebellious Teenager

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. ~ Hosea 11:1-2


I read this passage and immediately thought of a parent calling to their young child. Perhaps this child is riding their bike in the street and they start riding in circles, faster and faster. The parent knows this is dangerous and calls for the child to stop, but they start going faster because they think they know best. You know what happens next . . . they fall and scrape their knee. The parent calls not to keep them from having fun or to take away the pleasure that comes from riding in circles, but because they know more about what could happen and have genuine fear and concern for their child. This is how God called Israel, but Israel, like this child, began moving farther from Him because they thought they knew what was best.

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. ~ Hosea 11:3-4

There have been many times when my parents have done things for me that I didn’t even realize. They gave me food to eat, made sure I had clean clothes to wear, and took care of me when I was sick. Things that, as children, we don’t recognize need to be done. That’s what God did for the Israelites and what He does for us. As our Father, He takes us by the arms to help us walk. Several months ago at a church service God gave me this wonderful image of a little toddler with her father. As she walked along on her own she swayed and fell. As soon as she fell her father held out his hands for her to take and walk. If you’ve ever seen a toddler walk, they do much better when holding someone’s hand. They are steadier and more confident in their stride. This is what God does for us! He takes us by the arms and teaches us to walk! He does all of this out of His love for us as His children! After all He’s done to help us, we sometimes push Him away, try to walk on our own. Even then, when we are acting as rebellious teenagers, He doesn’t turn His back on us and give us up as a “lost cause.”

How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God and not man – the Holy One among you. ~ Hosea 11:8-9

Just as a parent may get frustrated or disappointed with their child for turning away from them and making decisions that will be bad for their future, I feel God has these same feelings towards us. When we turn away from Him and engage in activities or thoughts that will cause us harm and pain, He is disappointed, but more than that, He is sad for us. He is sad because He knows what could have been. Even in this, He will not turn His anger towards us. He loves us:

They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the Lord. ~ Hosea 11:10-11

I think of the Prodigal son when I look at these verses. He took his inheritance, left home, wasted away everything he had, but in the end, knew that he could go home. He knew that even after everything, his father would give him a place to stay at least. He came expecting just to live as a servant in his father’s house, but his father restored him as his son, giving him all the blessings that went with that position. Even after we have turned from God, let go of His hand, and attempted to walk on our own, He is waiting for us to return home. After all this time of living for themselves alone, He reminds them He is there with His roar and they “come trembling.” I imagine the prodigal son was very scared to come home. He must have been very scared about what his father would do when he saw him. I would even imagine he may have been trembling slightly as he neared his home. But when he was hoping just to be allowed to stay with the servants, he was once again settled in his home!

You may have strayed from God. You may have forgotten that He was there to help whenever you needed Him. Today is a good day to return home! You don’t have to fear what your Father is going to say! He is going to open His arms wide for you!

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” ~ Luke 15:20

From the Inside Out

A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God. ~ Romans 2:28-29


God has been really convicting me lately about my motives. Too often I find myself doing things to glorify myself, not God. This may even be “spiritual” things like praying, reading my Bible, sharing my experiences, and more. There is nothing wrong with these acts alone. James says that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The problem occurs when your motives are tainted. When you are no longer praying, fasting, worshipping, helping others as an outward expression of you love for Christ. When you begin to do these things to glorify yourself, to gain approval from men (Galatians 1:10), you have lost sight of what is important. I think sometimes we do this without realizing it. Have you ever been at a worship service and you raise your hand during a song and then find yourself looking around to see if people saw you do that or wondering how many people noticed? Or perhaps you ask to pray with a friend, but you wait until there are other people around to see you being “spiritual.” As social beings we want to be recognized and admired. We want people to like us. Unfortunately, this can lead to tainted motives in the church. Listen to what Jesus said to the Pharisees about this:

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. ~ Matthew 23:25-26

Jesus is explaining that we can’t skip steps. Your outward actions are a reflection of the inside. Matthew 12:34 says, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” If your heart is filled with greed, envy, selfish desire, your life is going to show it. In order for your actions to be pure and pleasing to the Lord, you need to clean the inside of your cup.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:17

At this time David is, in a sense, raising money for the temple his son, Solomon, will build. He and all the people gave “freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord” (1 Chron. 29:9). David recognized that these people gave “willingly and with honest intent.” They gave as an overflow of their love for God. The first time I read this I found myself wondering what integrity really meant. Since this is what God is pleased with in a man’s heart, I wanted to know. The word integrity comes from the Hebrew word tom which means full, perfect, and simplicity. What a wonderful description of what Christ’s sacrifice does for us!

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. ~ Romans 4:7-8

We are covered by the perfect, redeeming blood of Christ. Our sins are washed away so that we can be perfect and holy in the eyes of God. He takes your brokenness and gives you wholeness.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. ~ Isaiah 61:1-3

When you look at your motives, if you recognize that God is not in the center of them, don’t despair. He gives you a garment of praise. He turns your ashes into beauty. He binds up your broken heart. Ask him to test you, to try you, to examine your heart (Psalm 26:2). He will reveal to you what needs to change and will help you do that.

Let your external actions be a reflection of who you are inside. A reflection of the beautiful child of God. A reflection of the love you have for Him. Don’t let your faith be a show for others, a ploy to bring yourself glory. Test your heart and ask God to help you fix your motives. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17

Breaking Free

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. ~ Philemon 15-16


Philemon is a very interesting book of the Bible. Tucked away between Titus and Hebrews, it’s often looked over. Being only one chapter, the probability of randomly flipping to it is quite small, but man does it have a message! In this letter to Philemon Paul is approaching Philemon on behalf of his new brother in Christ, Onesimus. See, Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who after being “useless” to him, ran away (verse 11). Paul explains that while this man may have been useless to Philemon before, he is now useful to both Philemon and Paul. Despite his desire to keep Onesimus with him, Paul is sending him back to Philemon (verse 12).

As I began writing this entry I was thinking of the message in verses 15 and 16. These verses really spoke to me as I read through the book because they talk about letting go of things in our lives so that God can bring them back to us better than before. Even though I believe this is still a wonderful message and we can take a lot from it, I’m being constantly reminded of how each of us is like Onesimus. Let me explain . . .

You and I were each born as slaves. In John 8:34 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” If you don’t believe you have sinned in your life I have news for you. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Each of us has sinned and has been a slave to sin just as Onesimus was a slave in Philemon’s house. As slaves we were useless. We couldn’t glorify God because we were too bogged down by the sins of our past and present. But, just like Onesimus, we escaped. We found freedom.

In my anguish I cried to the Lord and He answered by setting me free! ~ Psalm 118:5


So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed. ~ John 8:36

In Christ we are given freedom. No longer are you bogged down by the sins of your past. Jesus Christ took your place on the cross. He paid your debt. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 6:23) The law said the punishment for our sins is that we die, but our gracious, heavenly Father rescued us by sending His own Son to take our place. Praise God!

We see this parallel in a smaller version in the story of Onesimus in Philemon. Paul says, “If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back.” (Philemon 18-19) This is what Christ did for us. He looked to His Father and said, “Whatever they have done, charge it to me. I’ll pay the price.”

Onesimus was sent back to Philemon as a brother in Christ. Again, like Onesimus, we are no longer slaves, but family. We are children of God.

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. ~ Galatians 4:7

Not only are you no longer a slave, you are a child of the Most High! And not only are we children of God, we have a share in His inheritance. We are co-heirs with Christ! And as Beth Moore said, “We have a rich Father!” Praise Him from who all blessings come!

This is a gift. It is not something that is forced on us, but something we can choose whether or not we want to accept. What would you prefer? A life of slavery to sin or breaking free with Christ and accepting the amazing gift He has for you?  Once you are a child of God, the road doesn't end.  Just like any good father, He wants to bless your life in ways you couldn't imagine.  He has so much in store for us, we couldn't even comprehend if He revealed everything.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen.  ~ Ephesians 3:20-21

A Whole Shell

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ~Romans 8:15-16


I love to pick up shells on the beach. One day this past week I had the chance to take a walk along the beach and was truly excited about what shells I might find. As I walked along and picked up some shells and left others lie where the waves had washed them, I began to understand that we are like these shells. While all of them begin in the same place – the ocean – they are in very different conditions by the time they reach the shore. Some shells are chipped while others are completely shattered. I have yet to find a shell in all my years that was not at least chipped after being tossed around in the ocean.  All the shells have withstood at least some damage, some worse than others.

Look around you. This is the story of mankind. Some have been through situations that have chipped away at them. Then there are others who have faced circumstances that have left them shattered. Perhaps you need only look as far as a mirror to find one of these. But fear not! There is hope:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ~2 Corinthians 5:17

Christ offers to take your broken shell and make it whole once more! In Christ you are made a new creation. Where human hands could only attempt to glue the pieces back together or find similar pieces to fill the gap, God takes that broken shell and completely heals it. No duct tape necessary! Too often we, as humans, try to fix these broken pieces in our lives by filling them with things that will not satisfy. We try to super glue in approval from men to replace a need to be loved. We fill our bodies with foreign substances (alcohol, drugs, etc.) to fulfill a need to feel peace and joy. These are artificial. These are pieces from other shells that have been glued into our lives to make us look whole. But just as a shell that has been glued back together is fragile and full of cracks, so are the lives of those that turn to anything other than God to fill the void in their lives. There is no need for you to accept anything less than what you were meant to be, what you were created to be. You can be a new creation!

Freedom

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.  "We are your slaves," they said.  But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."  Genesis 50:18-20

Joseph has an amazing story!  He was beloved by his father, buy hated by his brothers. When his brothers sold him into slavery it must have been a horrible blow.  Then when he was wrongly accused of a crime by his master's wife and thrown into prison, it must have felt as though this was it - all he had to look forward to.  But God wasn't done with him.  He was brought up from that place and made second in command under Pharoah!  Talk about a rags to riches story!

God used this passage to really speak to me today.  His message was very simple, but life changing.  What others have intended for evil in your life, God can use for good.  I believe these "evil things" can be something that was done to you or choices you have made yourself.  But take courage.  No matter what these things are, God is going to use for good in your life to accomplish His goals, "the saving of many lives!"

There are so many of us that have made choices that we have later come to regret.  Choices that we may have even known were wrong at the time we did them, but we chose them anyways.  God is saying today that this isn't the end.  Your story isn't over.  Don't think He can't use even those choices you made that plague your memory, that cause you guilt and despair.  Our God is the God of miracles.  His thoughts are higher than your thoughts and His ways higher than your ways.  Nothing you do is "unsavable" or "unredeemable."  The blood of Christ covers ALL sin! 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.  Ephesians 1:7

Your sin is forgiven as soon as you confess Jesus Christ as your personal Savior (Romans 10:9-10).  God says your sin is as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12).  So don't let it control your life! Let me say it again - Don't let your sin eat away at you!  Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."  You make the choice.  You can choose to be "burdened again" by the sin in your life or you can choose freedom! 

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.  Romans 6:14

No matter what decisions you have made in your life or what has happened to you, recognize that God still has a purpose and a plan for you.  He will use those choices and experiences to glorify His Kingdom.  His love for you knows no bounds.  He will never leave you.  You may feel that you have made unforgivable choices, but remember we serve a kind, gracious, and forgiving Father who is waiting, ready to forgive.  You need only ask.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for [you] . . .   Psalm 138:8a