Tag Archives: faith

Seeing and Believing

Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. Then the father realized that this [his son’s healing] was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his household believed.
John 4:50, 53, NIV*

I was always amazed at how this father, some sort of royal official, could accept Jesus’ abrupt dismissal and promise of healing and just go. He was an important person, probably used to special treatment. He came to Jesus begging for his son’s life—already something beneath his position—and he’d asked Jesus to come with him.

Jesus didn’t even send one of His disciples along as a representative!

The man’s strength of faith made me miss a deeper point until now: Jesus originally told him, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders…you will never believe.” (John 4:48, NIV*)

I never understood why Jesus would say this here. After all, the man wasn’t demanding a sign like Jesus’ opponents so often did. He was pleading for his son’s life.

The man came because he wanted something. But it wasn’t until he received that miracle that he was open to receive the full package of who Jesus is. To move from believing what He could do to believing who He truly is.

To see what the miracle actually meant. It testified that this itinerant Rabbi could command the power of God.

How many times do I come to Him for what He can do for me—for what I want Him to do—instead of for Who He is?

Father, You invite us to come boldly, and to bring our prayers, petitions and praises. But too many times they’re the only reason I come. You didn’t reconcile me to Yourself just to listen to my prayer list. You drew me back into fellowship with You. Relationship. Sometimes the needs are huge. But my need of You is central. If you were to never answer another prayer, I’d still need to be in Your presence.

∞

Let “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” by Paul Baloche, be our song and our prayer today.

Hanging Out With Jesus

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After this [turning water to wine at the wedding in Cana, Jesus’ first miraculous sign] he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.” John 2:12, NIV*

What an innocuous verse to catch the imagination! But think about it: what would it be like, spending a few days hanging out with Jesus?

He’s not crossing words with His adversaries, He’s not offering signs to people who need convincing, He’s not teaching the multitudes.

He’s probably teaching His disciples, but I expect it’s in relaxed conversation. There are probably laughter and jokes. Casual conversation and quiet times.

Whether He’s talking one on one, sitting in companionable silence, speaking in a group, I imagine each one present feels they’re valued by Jesus.

When He makes eye contact, that’s clear. When He listens it’s clear, even if what He says next challenges them to see the familiar in a new way.

I need to think about this as I go through today. What would it be like to hang out with Jesus between the public events?

That’s most of my life: ‘between public events’.

And He’s here. His Spirit lives in me. What might I discover if I tuned in and remembered He’s with me? Some teaching, as He challenges and redefines my perspectives and perceptions. Hopefully a greater sense of His presence, and of the value He places on me and on each one I meet.

Father, there are no words to thank You for drawing me to Yourself, for saving me and adopting me into relationship with You. For valuing me and seeking me out. I praise Your goodness, mercy and love that have placed Your Spirit in me as a deposit, keeping Your promise to never leave me. Open me to His leading, so I can be shaped into who You’ve designed me to be.

∞

This week’s song is the old hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour”, (Text: Annie S. Hawks, 1835-1918; Music: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899. I really like the way Jars of Clay sing it here.

High Calling Blogs Network

Expectant Prayer

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On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2:1-5, NIV* [Read the whole story at Biblegateway.com.]

She doesn’t ask Him in so many words to do something about it, nor suggest how He solve the problem. She just brings Him the need. And I think it’s implied that she has a trust that He not only can but will meet it.

These verses remind me today that simply bringing Jesus the need, in quiet trust that He will want to meet it, is a valid form of prayer.

Whether the Spirit leads us with specifics in prayer, or we bring requests like Mary did here, or whatever the form(s) of prayer we use, let’s each be reminded to come in an attitude of expectant trust: He cares, He’s interested in our needs, and He has the power to meet them.

Loving God, thank You that You want us to pray: to praise and enjoy You, to confess, to bring needs. Sometimes you show us specific requests to make. Sometimes, like Mary, we simply mention our concern. Help us to always come in an attitude of expectant trust. And we praise You that You care, that You’re interested in our needs, and that You have the power to meet them.

This week’s song is the old hymn, “I Must Tell Jesus,” written by Elisha A. Hoffman, sung here in fine Southern soul style by Candi Staton.

Finishing Well

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For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6‑7, NIV*

These things Paul tells us at the end of his life—they’re what mattered most to him. These are his marks of success, and the things he was afraid he’d fail in. His daily, yearly, lifetime goals. The goals he’s trying to pass on to Timothy.

I don’t think he’s being smug here. He’s satisfied, and perhaps relieved. Failure would have devastated him, but failure is a constant danger. Being human, he may have slipped a bit, but he stayed the course. And he’d say it was because “I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ” (Philippians 4:13, NIV*)

He did it by relying on Jesus’ strength, and by keeping his focus. What’s my focus on any given day? To serve God, or just to deal with the tasks at hand? His opportunities, or my duties?

Father God, remind me whose I am and help me focus on Kingdom priorities. Let my life count for You.

∞

Our song this week is “Lord, Reign in Me,” by Brenton Brown.

What Will Jesus Say?

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In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:1-2, NIV*

I’ve read these verses before, and always focused on Paul’s charge to Timothy. This time, I saw the word “judge”.

My first response was a sense of reassurance: it’s Jesus as Judge. I trust Him. 1 John 1:9 and other verses promise His verdict for those who’ve accepted His salvation will read, “paid in full”.

On second thought, I realized it won’t stop there. Will I hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? (Matthew 25:21, NIV*)

Or have I been wasting my time, coasting, doing my own thing?

So many things take me back to Proverbs 3:5-6. Be sure God is directing. Spend time with Him daily. Trust and obey.

I can’t let the fear that I might mess up make me not step up, when there’s an opportunity. Nor can I believe the lie that pictures a stern God shaking a finger.

I need to trust His grace and forge ahead. Out of love, not out of dread or obligation.

Father God, thank You for reminding me I am accountable to You. Sometimes I forget I have limited time and opportunities, and I waste them. Thank You for Your grace that forgives and empowers. Grow in me a willing, trusting, obedient heart. Help me be a good, faithful child of the King.

∞

Jason Gray’s song, “More Like Falling in Love,” points us back to the motivation we need if we’re going to serve our King.

Be Still, My Soul

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I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131: 1b-2, NIV*

This is one of those psalms God uses to remind me to draw nearer to Him, to learn to abide in Him. After He nudged me through 2 Timothy about needing to steep in His presence, I shouldn’t have been surprised to see these verses show up in my daily reading calendar.

Two more gentle invitations to abide arrived in my in-box, posted on other blogs. At Under the Cover of Prayer, Judith Lawrence’s post, “Contemplatives Without Cloisters,” lures me with the promise of ongoing communion with God, even amid life’s ordinary routines.

“The call is to prayer, to be at one with the Sacred at any and every given moment of the day or night.”

Meanwhile, at Other Food: Daily Devo’s, Violet Nesdoly posted “Walking with God”:

“When we walk with someone we go in the same direction. We move at the same speed. A walk conjures pictures of conversation and fellowship along the way. It is exercise non-strenuous enough that we don’t tire quickly — a relationship for the long haul.”

Violet’s post includes a selection of quotes from Andrew Murray. This one stirs a longing in my spirit:

“Abiding in Jesus is not a work that needs each moment the mind to be engaged, or the affections to be directly and actively occupied with it. It is an entrusting of oneself to the keeping of the Eternal Love, in the faith that it will abide near us, and with its holy presence watch over us and ward off the evil, even when we have to be most intently occupied with other things. And so the heart has rest and peace and joy in the consciousness of being kept when it cannot keep itself.” (Devotional Classics: Andrew Murray George Müller Collection [Andrew Murray Collection, Kindle Edition], Location 847)

Father God, Creator, Sustainer, my spirit longs for this awareness of “being kept when it cannot keep itself”. Only You could plant such a desire, and I thank You for it. You are also the only one to fulfill it. Help me do my part and learn to walk with You. Help me not to waste time fretting about things that are Your responsibility. Help me rest in You, securely held in Your keeping. Help me trust and love You in complete faith.

Note: Ann Voskamp has a beautiful post today at A Holy Experience: “Three Ways to Really Enter into His Rest Right Now”

∞

“You Are My Hiding Place,” by Selah, lets me reflect on God’s trustworthiness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co6HXUN19AY&feature=related

Of Tea and Spiritual Maturity

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You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1, NIV*

I often read pages of Scripture before something nudges my spirit. Other times the same verse catches me for days.

This is one of those times. Today I’m looking at the “be strong in” segment of this verse.

Hot tea steeps in 3-7 minutes. Sun-brewed tea takes 2 – 5 hours. Refrigerator tea steeps 6 hours or overnight. One starts with boiling water, the others with cold.

If we’re the water, the steeping time depends on our temperature—how much heat we’ve been exposed to before we come to Jesus.

As water that hasn’t been heated enough to boil, I’m drawn to the sun tea image. Not that I can go sit in the sun and relax, but as I go through the day, can I keep that spirit-focus to be held in His Light?

Tea has an optimum strength, depending on the variety and on the taster’s preference. Leave the bags in too long and it’ll get bitter. Not so with us.

Steeping in the Lord’s grace takes a lifetime.

Father, help me rest in You—steep in Your Spirit and Your grace. Let it change and flavour me as I learn to abide in You. Quiet me, remind me, draw me ever nearer to Yourself. Cradle and sustain me until You brew me into that which You’ve designed me to be.

∞

This week’s song is “If I Could Just Sit With You Awhile,” written by Dennis Jernigan. I’m glad I found the version sung by Todd Agnew on one of his early indie CDs. Please ignore the typing issues in the video. I work with what’s available on YouTube.

Grace for Today

Christoverts, Unite

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…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1b, NIV*

I’m writing this on Monday, after a three day writers’ conference and a Sunday packed with church, Fathers’ Day celebrations for my husband and for our fathers—and an extended family barbecue on my husband’s side that included relatives from out of town. Some of these folks I’ve met before, some are new to me.

My husband’s uncle died last week, and we’ve gathered to support the immediate family and to work through our individual and corporate loss. Today we’ll be together for visitation and another meal. Tomorrow will be the funeral. And then the hard part will come: learning to live without a man who loved well.

I am not a people person. Groups drain my energy. But it’s not about me. I need to be a support and a comfort, especially these next few days.

As I prayed this morning and committed this crowded day to God, I reminded myself that He is my strength. When I opened my Bible, what did I see but this verse from Paul’s letter to Timothy? I’d highlighted it in the past, and it jumped right out at me in living orange.

He is so good to each one of us.

I’ve been thinking that as Christians we don’t have to be limited and labelled as introvert or extrovert.

I will find my identity from now on as a Christovert. Since I’m inventing the term, I’ll set the pronunciation: the ‘i’ is short, like in ‘Christian’, not long as in ‘Christ’.

Father, thank You for being so near to us, so ready to encourage each of us in ways perhaps only we will recognize as from You. Thank You that we don’t have to rely on ourselves. Help us draw our strength from You. Help us to be Christoverts.

∞

Our song this week is “The Solid Rock (My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)”, presented here by Amazing Worship:

Janet Sketchley

Writing Christian Mysteries & Suspense

Tag Archives: faith

Seeing and Believing

Hanging Out With Jesus

High Calling Blogs Network

Expectant Prayer

Finishing Well

What Will Jesus Say?

Be Still, My Soul

Of Tea and Spiritual Maturity

Grace for Today

Christoverts, Unite