Tag: trust god

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A Wisdom That Surprises

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“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”— Romans 11:33

Think back to the last difficult situation you were faced with.  Or even the one approaching.  The uncomfortable conversation with a boss or employee.  The painful discussion you needed to have with your family member.  The awkward topic you decided to broach with your friend.  How much sleep did you lose over it?  How much worrying did you do?

How much prayer time did you devote to it?  And if you said to God, “I trust you to give me the right words and soften the other person’s heart,” did you then go back to worrying about it?

Or how about this: You prayed, you trusted and you saw God do something amazing.  Something you never expected.  A third option from the terrible two you had only seen available.

Asking for Wisdom

I’m working on this concept constantly these days.  Before going into situations that make me uncomfortable or ones where I might make a fool of myself (of which there seems to be many!) I’ve started praying for the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom.  And to help me to know when to keep my mouth shut.  

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” — James 1:5

James was spot on when he wrote this Holy inspired advice.  If you don’t know, ask God, who gives us wisdom.  He gives us that wisdom from His ever-flowing fount of His own wisdom.  A wisdom unmatched by any human being ever to have lived.  He gave Solomon his renowned wisdom simply because he asked for it.

“And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.” — 1 Kings 3:28

King Solomon’s subjects stood in amazement at his ability to resolve difficult situations.  His notable decision between two women claiming the same child revealed truth through an unexpected solution.  He decreed the baby would be cut in half and each piece given to each woman.  The real mother gave up her right to the child so the son would live.  She pleaded for his life.  Which told everyone to whom the child truly belonged.

Jesus’ Third Way

I’ve read that this type of resolution is called the “third way.”  I warn you if you look up that term you’ll find some wacky political ideas and unfortunate progressive Christian theories.  But hidden amongst those is Jesus’ “third way.”

What I mean by that is on at least four occasions Jesus was given an either/or question and he answered with a better, third option.  For example, in John 8, when the Pharisees presented the woman accused of adultery to Jesus, He was tasked with deciding to stone her or let her go.  It was a trap designed to reveal Jesus’ rejection of Moses’ law.  Instead, Jesus exposed their hypocrisy.  

“And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

It all ends with the men leaving in shame and Jesus forgiving the woman’s sin.  He tells her, “Neither do I condemn you.  Go and sin no more.”  

Jesus reveals His “third way” wisdom when asked about taxes to Caeser, the healing on the Sabbath, the man born blind and more.  His wisdom is shown in all its glory.  Options, which after hearing about them, seem so simple. Yet how often does God’s wisdom surprise us?

Weak vs Powerful Wisdom

We often quote Proverbs 3:7 – Do not be wise in your own eyes – yet we fall back on our own weak wisdom almost daily.  We forget to go to the fount and drink deeply.  We miss the opportunity to see God at work in miraculous ways.

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” — 1 Corinthians 1:25

Throughout the Bible and even in our own lives, we witness weak, apparently ineffectual people being used to further God’s kingdom.  David, the tiny son, chosen to lead a nation.  Peter, the brash and excitable fisherman, who God calls as His rock on which to build the church.  You and me – average people with average skills and influence who regularly make bad decisions – tasked to spread the Gospel.

How can this system ever be successful?  Because God is the engine.  His wisdom is the power source that lights up our conversations and opens hearts and minds.

That’s the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the people of the Colossian church when he writes:

“…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” — Colossians 2:2-3

Because of God’s wisdom, power and authority the Word of God comes alive and knits us together.  His wisdom resolves conflict, distress and pain in our relationships.  How can we not plug into that daily?

Trusting in Jesus is our third way wisdom.  In our churches, Bible studies, home groups, communities etc, putting our allegiance to Jesus first.  Loving each other despite our other differences and watching God work miraculously in each of us.

He Knows Better

Friends, my dad would constantly get stuck fretting over situations because he felt the need and burden to come up with the answers all by himself.  I once tried convincing him to go to marriage counseling.  He replied, “I know what the problem is already and your mom won’t go.”  To which I replied, “You only know the solutions your limited thinking can come up with.  Someone outside the situation with wisdom and experience will probably give you a better solution.”  

But like so many of us, he just couldn’t get past being wise in his own eyes.  And his married life continued to be a source of pain until the day he died.  We do the same when we come up with our plan then maybe ask God to make sure it works.  To pray that God fixes our difficult person the way we want them fixed.

Let’s make a commitment to trust that God is so much wiser than us.  To pray for wisdom be given to us from His great fount.  And sit back and watch His miracles and mysteries unfold.

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” — Revelation 7:12

Did you miss a 30 Days of Reverence post? Click here to see all of the ways we can revere our God and Savior!

Want more of God’s wisdom? Check out my series, 31 Days of God’s Wisdom today!

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Who Is Like You, O Lord?

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“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; “ — Acts 17:24

I recently heard Pastor Alistair Begg relate a conversation he had with a fellow pastor at a church conference.  As they walked toward their meeting room, the fellow pastor said, “Let’s head to the sanctuary.”  Pastor Begg replied, “There is no sanctuary.”  It left his friend confused because clearly there was a sanctuary – one like all churches have where we meet and worship God.

He went on to say that when the temple curtain was torn at Jesus’ crucifixion, God no longer dwelt there. Instead, He is found everywhere. He is no longer encountered only in one earthly place, closed off to all but a select few.

A Boxed God

Yet we humans love our little boxes and borders.  Church is where we “do God.”  Work is where we “make money.”  We love to define God in our human terms, making Him more like us.  Frequently untrustworthy, unloving or unforgiving.  We box Him up and retrieve Him only when needed.

But friends, God is so much bigger than our little boxes.  He is far grander than us humans.  He is transcendent.

“But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him?” — 2 Chronicles 2:6

We’ve spent many weeks looking at the character of God—all the reasons He should be revered and worshipped. He is merciful, patient, loving, forgiving, infinite, omnipotent, and so much more. Yet He longs to grow us into people who are more like Him. That’s a bit mind-blowing!

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”. – Isaiah 55:9

Even among my Christ-loving friends, I hear echoes of a god who “can’t.”  We forget to pray because we think we know best, or because we assume God couldn’t possibly understand our problem.  We place Him in our little box and open it only when absolutely necessary.

My dad, even as an 86-year-old man, lived with the “terrible twos” mindset: “I can do it myself!” It was one of the main reasons he remained so resistant to giving his life to Christ.  If my dad couldn’t do it or think of a solution then no one else could.  No doctor, no counselor, no mechanic, no one.  Least of all the human-like God he imagined.

A Higher God

“In practice men do not by any means always “love the highest when they see it,” and truth is not always a welcome visitor.” J.B. Phillips, Your God Is Too Small

We say we believe in the infinite and almighty God, yet when faced with a problem, we first tinker away at it ourselves.  And maybe after failing a time or two we begrudgingly turn to God.  And even then we come to Him with our list of suggestions!

I count myself among those who think too small of God at times.  I imagine Him more like a fallible human at times rather than the prefect, transcedent God that He is.

I’ve heard many a Christian woman comment that they struggle with the idea of God the Father because of their own imperfect human fathers.  They won’t cry “Abba” because they don’t trust Him and can’t understand His perfect love for them.  We make God more human instead of asking Him to make us more like Christ.

‘Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in praises, doing wonders?” – Exodus 15:11

Friends, there is no one like our God — no one.  And we can know Him only as much as He chooses to reveal Himself to us.  We glean from His Word and through His creation the pearls He has laid out for us. 

I have found that unbelievers who seem to hate God have dragged Him down to their own level of humanness.  They have stripped Him of His glory and holiness in order to sustain their own false ideas.

But when we see the God of the Bible—and I mean really see and study Him—we encounter an otherworldly, awe-inspiring God who entered our time to accomplish a great rescue of love.  So let us stop shrinking God down to our size. Let us meet Him as He truly is—holy, infinite, glorious, and far beyond all we can contain. And let that vision of Him lead us not to fear, but to worship.

 Our God by Chris Tomlin

Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You
None like You

Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes, we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You!

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God, our God




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The Lord Provides

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“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.  So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” Genesis 22:1-19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

The story in the Old Testament of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his God-given son is the cause of so much anxiety about God.  These scriptures have led to many deep discussions into the night by my friends, all mothers.  The horror of being asked by God to not only release a child to death but to also be the one responsible for that death seems unimaginable and cruel.  

It’s important to notice that Abraham didn’t go gleefully to the hill where the sacrifice was to take place.  In fact, you get the impression he was taking his time, slowly preparing the funeral pyre.  What he did go with was the ultimate trust that God would provide.  God had already provided for Abraham in many ways, not the least of which was resurrecting Sarah’s womb so they could have the very child he led up the mountain.

Commentators say, and I agree, that Abraham not only trusted that God would provide a substitute sacrifice but also that if one were not given, God would be able to resurrect Isaac.  Somehow, he had already developed the deep insight into Jehovah jireh, the God Who Provides.  

Complete Trust in the Provider

“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”   Luke 12:24

When the bill arrives or the diagnosis comes, do we trust God’s provision as fully as Abraham did?  Do we believe Jesus when He tells us how much more valuable than birds are we!  Or do we scoff at His words when He commands us:

“Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.”  Luke 12:22

I think we get a bit confused by His promises for provision.  While yes, God provided water from a rock.  Or miracles of a place to stay, a check to cover rent right when needed, or even a baby when we have been deemed unable.  Those are amazing experiences of His provision!  

Day to day however, we should be so thankful for the more mundane.  The physical ability to go to a job.  The job itself.  The education that got you that job.  The paycheck from which you can buy food and pay the mortgage.  The strength to wrangle your kids when you just don’t feel well.  That solution suddenly revealed to a nagging problem.

The idea of seeing our lives as being provided for by God was foreign to my dad.  He told me once, “I’ve done everything on my own, by myself.”  One day I finally pointed him to the many miracles when God intervened during his 80 years.  As I listed them all, my dad became quiet.  He had never reviewed his life through the lens of God’s provision.  He had never stopped to contemplate that someone “out there” was watching over his needs.

When we see the thousands of ways Jehovah jireh works in our daily lives we become people of thankfulness.  I believe we also become people who, in the name of our LORD, become providers for others.

Our Good Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”   Psalm 23:1

Friends, sheep don’t worry about what they are going to eat or where they are going to sleep.  They don’t even seem to worry about any dangers on the perimeter of their wooly lives.  They trust completely in their Shepherd.  That is the picture Jesus paints for us throughout the Gospels.  

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”  John 10:27-28

We are such independent people and being likened to sheep really rankles us.  That’s because our sinful nature begs and brags about doing everything ourselves. This striving without ceasing brings us separation from the God who loves you so dearly that He wants you to come to Him for all your needs.

Whatever worry is on your heart and mind today, bring it to God.  Bring it to the Father who is the giver of all good gifts.  I hope you will also ask Him how you can be a blessing in return.

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”   John 6:35

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The Consistent Mercy of God

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“But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!” Nehemiah 9:31

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”  Titus 3:5

A few years ago, I was asked to disciple a young woman who was new to our church.  I realized early on that as a result of her not knowing the Bible she also didn’t really know or trust God.  Wanting to give her what she needed, I asked which parts of the Bible interested her most. She answered, “I want to know more about the God of the Old Testament.”  Her reasoning?  She couldn’t wrap her mind around the idea that the merciful God she gravitated towards in the New Testament was the same as the wrathful one in the Old.

Now, some of you may think the same.  That olde God who destroyed whole cities and their entire populations certainly isn’t the same as the new God of mercy and love, correct?  

If you’re thinking that way, I encourage you to read the book of Isaiah.  Yes, you’ll find God’s anger and wrath in those scriptures.  You’ll also find his long suffering and mercy towards His people.

“Turn to the Lord and pray to him,
    now that he is near.
Let the wicked leave their way of life
    and change their way of thinking.
Let them turn to the Lord, our God;
    he is merciful and quick to forgive.
“My thoughts,” says the Lord, “are not like yours,
    and my ways are different from yours.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.” Isaiah 55: 6-9

After years of turning their backs to God, He still holds out his hand to His people imploring them to come.  To receive His mercy and love and rest.  In fact, the Old Testament is rife with God warning His people and then giving them another chance.  Of being disrespected and still promising green pastures for those who believe and trust in Him.  Throughout the Psalms we read of God’s unexplainable mercy to those who aren’t deserving of it.

“The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.”  Psalm 145:9

I mentioned in the last post about God’s love that the Old Testament is a love story.  A story between a God and His people.  He woos them, protects them, and shows endless amounts of mercy.  And when He’s finally had enough, He allows their actions to have serious consequences, mostly by the hands of pagan nations.  Yet in the Old Testament we also see God’s promise of the final mercy.  Isaiah chapters 7, 9 and especially 53 all prophesy of this hope and mercy to come—the Messiah.

Mercy Fulfilled in Christ

But the God of the New Testament shows no wrath, correct?  In this case might I suggest you watch the Passion of the Christ?  To whom does God show no mercy and why?  Jesus.  Our sins need to be taken to account in order to stand in front of a perfect God come Judgment Day. In the Old Testament he required frequent deaths of animals to partially cleanse the people of their sins.  In the New, He puts His Son through a terrible death so that we may obtain His ultimate mercy.

Understanding this truth became deeply personal when I was out walking one day. I began visualizing what Jesus went through before and during the Cross.  I wanted to feel as though I was there in person watching and agonizing with the disciples.  They didn’t know at the time why God required this to happen.  They were constantly confused when Jesus spoke of His impending death.  But we know why.

So I imagined the excruciating pain He experienced for me and broke down in tears.  Not just in the fact He was in pain. No, more so that He was in pain FOR ME to receive less than I deserve from God.

Got Questions has an interesting take on the concept of God’s mercy:

“Mercy is such an exceptionally complex concept that several Hebrew and Greek words are used to express the dimensions of its meaning. Synonyms like compassion, lovingkindness, favor, and steadfast love often appear in Bible translations to illustrate the idea of mercy. A brief biblical definition of mercy is “the gift of God’s undeserved kindness and compassion.”

You find all these synonyms in Jesus’ sacrifice.  They are spread throughout the Old Testament as well.  The Israelites were rescued out of Egypt and immediately started complaining.  And God gave them food and water.  They complained they didn’t have a king like other nations and He gave them King David.  They complained, we complain, they sinned, we sin.  And God gave us Jesus.  The most merciful act anyone could hardly imagine; To save us from eternal hell.

There’s a very poignant song performed by Steve McWirther called Come Jesus Come.  The chorus goes like this:

Come Jesus Come we’ve been waiting so long
For the day You return to heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need you right now come and turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn’t home
Come Jesus come

It’s a beautiful plea to God.  I recognized one day that although I was personally ready for the day of Jesus’ return a few of my loved ones are not.  It made me think of God’s mercy.  He is right now allowing His Word, in both the New and Old Testament to be shared; for the truth of His mercy to be received before He comes in judgment of all humanity.  Our merciful God is gathering all His people before the final days.  His mercy is not a past story or a future hope alone—it is an open invitation right now.

“Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

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Tasting God’s Goodness

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"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 2:1-3

When out walking the other day, I was contemplating the good gifts of God.  Gifts in which I yearn to be wrapped daily.  Peace, love and joy are a few that spring to mind.  Weirdly enough this pondering made me think of southern buttermilk biscuits.  Yes, biscuits.

For the past, I don’t know, 20 years or so I’ve been on this quiet pilgrimage to make and eat the perfect buttermilk biscuit.  A good spicy, pork gravy on top isn’t so bad either.  But that elusive biscuit keeps calling my name.  I’ve tasted many a biscuit from California to South Carolina and Texas to Missouri.  A few biscuits found their way onto my plate in Louisiana and Georgia.  None have met my dreams and expectations. 

I’ve made a number of attempts to make such a mythical biscuit.  I’ve even come pretty close with a famous lifestyle influencer’s recipe.  The process, which took a few days, included chilling various ingredients, grating butter, and what seems to be the most important part, carefully yet not over handling the rolling and cutting of the dough.  My neighbors were gifted much of my last batch which met with mouthwatering approval. 

Yearning for Goodness

So here we are, wondering what biscuits have to do with God’s gifts?  Well, let’s back up a bit.  In our sanctification journey we’ve looked at the importance of knowing who God is, who we are in God, and knowing God’s character and promises.  Then we took on the challenge of how trials take us down bumpy roads.  Yet, they lead us to greater trust in how all that knowledge comes together for our good.  This week we’re cooking up ways to live the life we yearn for each day.

So, let’s start this week with a question: What do you most want out of your short life here on earth?  What do you yearn for each day you wake? 

In the July 24, 2023 edition of CNBC’s “Make It,” therapist Charlotte Weber wrote of the nine things people want most in life.

  1. To be loved
  2. To be understood
  3. To have power
  4. To have and give attention
  5. To have freedom
  6. To create
  7. To belong
  8. To win
  9. To connect

If you answered my questions with yearnings such as a desire for marriage, children, money, or even the perfect biscuit, you could probably attribute any of those with something on Ms. Weber’s list.  But here’s the thing, her ingredients to attaining those nine desires are all temporary.  A spouse who loves you, a friend who understands, a situation where you have power and win.  Getting attention and belonging may last for a day, a month or a season.  And freedom?  From what?  There are rules everywhere we go!  None of these ingredients are bad or even frowned upon by God.  But they are temporary fixes.

My biscuit journey made me realize we make commitments large and small to the things of this world for which we yearn.  I had to submit to the rules of biscuit making.   And if I plan to fulfill my goal, I need to be obedient to that cause.  

Recipe For Tasting God’s Goodness

I want to give you a recipe for the big life goals Ms. Weber revealed which, when followed, last throughout eternity.  You’re probably not going to like it.  But it’s a recipe that been tested for literally thousands of years and those who have tasted it all agree it is good.  You might have guessed it — submission and obedience to God.  

"As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

Let’s be honest, when anyone talks about obedience and submission a little red flag goes up in our mind.  Unfortunately, so many Christian teachers and pastors these days seem to blame our lack of obedience to the Lord on our western culture.  Here’s a Bible pro-tip: humans have struggled with obedience since the third chapter of Genesis.  We need to stop blaming modern culture and realize it’s a human problem that spans all time and location.  The Israelites didn’t live in western culture yet I recall a few times where they had kings that “did evil in the sight of the LORD” and were found very wanting.

We do, however, love to compound our basic disobedience to God by being fearful of disobedience to man.  Nowadays that means we’re to be a planet saving, animal loving, anti-capitalists it seems.  We are asked are you using recycled containers?  If not, you’re killing the planet.  Have you given enough money to the homeless?  They are destitute because of you!  Have you ethically sourced your jacket?  If not, you’ve probably destroyed an entire rainforest.  The food you eat, the leisure activities you enjoy, the car you drive – you’re being called every day to submit to new worldly rules.  And if you don’t comply, then you can’t possibly be a good person and be happy!  How could you, you planet destroyer and animal hater? Submit to the modern rules and feel good about yourself!

You may throw up your hands and call the recipe for eternal happiness and joy impossible.  But as Christian author Kevin DeYoung writes in his great little book, Impossible Christianity, “When genuine discipleship becomes impossible, hell often becomes impossible as well.”  In other words, when we believe failure is the norm, we forget the reality of hell.

Lasting Goodness

And I don’t know about you but hell is not what I’m yearning for when I’m done here.  I also know I want lasting, deep peace and joy.  It’s true that what we all yearn for in the now will only be a shadow of what is to come in eternity.  Jesus reminds us that He knows we can’t do everything perfect and need to lean on Him all the time.  We seek holiness as a life goal and know it’ll take the Holy Spirit to do the work in us.  Urging us, teaching us, and even admonishing us.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

The world wants to tell Christians God’s only ingredient for the world is love.  They conveniently leave out that God is also to be feared and revered.  And separation from God, which is what Jesus was experiencing on the cross when He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” is what we call “hell.”

Our disobedience tells God we don’t revere Him and instead revere ourselves.  We want to be the author of our own recipe.  So, while we have declared our faith in Jesus Christ, we continue to turn away from the holiness He so desires for our life.  To the unbeliever it must be confusing to see us acting this way!  

This holiness is not impossible.  And while perfection may be our eternal goal, in all honesty we won’t achieve it here on earth.  But like my biscuit making we need to keep thirsting and hungering for it.  

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  Matthew 5:6

Next week we continue our look into obedience and submission, seeking the perfect recipe of holiness.

This week’s question: When you hear obedience and submission, what is your reaction?

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Day 29 Good Day

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Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:1-5
“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lordturn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26

I’ve heard a famous Christian teacher tell audiences this profound truth: “It’s one thing to see a miserable sinner but a miserable Christian is a tragic thing.”  While we all, believers and non-believers, have heartbreaking or difficult events in our lives, we have to acknowledge that the majority of our lives run from fun and exciting to dull and average.  Yet throughout it all Jesus followers should emulate the apostle Paul and be always searching and living gratefully for God’s ever presence in our lives.

This truth really hit home for me when I read Corrie Ten Boom’s famous book, “The Hiding Place.”  Her sister Betsie could find joy in God’s provision even in the darkest moments of a Nazi concentration camp.  Corrie, more of a like-mind with me, would roll her eyes when her sister would make joyous declarations such as, “Give thanks in all circumstances.  It doesn’t say ‘in pleasant circumstances.’  Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.”

As lights of the Lord reflecting out God’s love and goodness to the world, we need to be especially mindful of our outward attitude and appearance when events go awry in our lives.  Showing the world who we trust and who is working for our good. And when events turn to joy we need to give it all up to God in His bountiful mercy and glory.

I first heard this song about having a good day when I was visiting and caring for my two-year old grandson.  My daughter had shared with me Owen’s Spotify playlist so we could listen to his pre-school songs in the car.  You know, fun stuff like “icky sticky bubble gum” and the “wheels on the bus” played on repeat.  When this bright and joyous song came on in the car he exclaimed, “Mommy’s song!”  We sang along with vigor.

I asked my daughter about it later that day.  She explained they play this song every morning on their way to work and daycare to set the tone for the day.  To remember that with God in our lives it can always be a good day.  Because while the Lord has blessed us with breath and we acknowledge that the creator of the universe knows our very name, we can have a great day in every single way.  

Friend, I once thought this view of life was blind to the realities of the world.  Until the scales were taken off my eyes and the truth was revealed.  Emmanuel, God with Us, shines His beautiful light on us in all circumstances.  So play it loud and sing it like ya mean it. Because today can and will be a good day.

Click here to listen to today’s song: Good Day 

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Day 20 Nothing Left To Prove

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Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21: 25
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
    and his mercy is over all that he has made. Psalm 145: 8-9

If the New Testament verse sounds familiar today it’s because John 20 (yesterday) says something similar about the purpose of the Book of John – so people will believe.  Today’s verse is slightly different.  I love how the apostle John makes a point to say the number of miracles was so numerous the world couldn’t contain all the books written.  Imagine how many books there are in the world!  

Jesus kept proving over and over to the people He encountered and those that heard of Him that there was something different about this man.  As modern day believers we need to grasp that the books in the Bible are just a glimpse of the God of the Universe.  They are a taste to show us a few of the million reasons why we should believe and trust in Him.

The Bible is book about one being – God in three persons.  Over centuries, He had prophets, kings, and disciples write the biography of Him.  There is no other religion that follows a god who wants the people to know them like the God of Abraham, Moses and Isaac.  No other god who refuses to let us go.  Who sent, in effect, himself to be humbled and suffer and die for His people.

His mercy to all people is revealed as bountiful.  He is giving us plenty of time to turn to Him and acknowledge all the miracles He has performed in the past and even today.  So that we can live in love with Him for all eternity.  How many more reasons do you still need to trust in Him?

Click here to listen to today’s song: Nothing Left To Prove

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Enjoying Life’s Possibilities

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It’s been a great adventure studying Ecclesiastes with you! I hope you have enjoyed it — please share the series with your friends or catch up on what you missed. Click here for all of the Enjoy Life: from Meaningless to Meaningful posts!

I’m going to be completely honest with you, my friend.  Today’s post was to be what the British call “a bit of a fob off.”  You see, I had always planned to write the last look at Ecclesiastes after I returned from a 10 day trip to see my daughter and grandkids.  With a five month old infant and a two-year old who is obsessed with every sport, it’s now too difficult to continue writing when I visit and take care of them for eight hours.  Let’s just say this 59-year old grandma (Guga as I’m affectionately called) passes out from exhaustion about 8:30pm each night after a day of bottles, diapers, up and down the stairs, laundry, baseball, football, golf, hockey, and little bits of quiet snuggling in between.  I love every single bit of it.

So here I was back home ready to jump in to the wise words of King Solomon.  And I started feeling ill.  After just a few days home I became so delirious and short of breath that I caused myself a full blown panic attack one night thinking I was dying.  My husband managed to get me to the doctor where I tested positive for Influenza.  I can’t remember the last time I had the actual flu.  A flu that then turned into pneumonia — which is why I didn’t seem to be getting better. My hopes of feeling up to writing even a few lines were put way, way back on the burner.

But through the blessings of the Lord, I was put on new medications just yesterday.  I now have a veritable neighborhood pharmacy on my counter.  And although walking from one room to the next still seems a bit like I’ve tried tackling the 213.7 mile John Muir Trail with my friend Betsy, I can feel my body recovering.  So instead of “fobbing off” and writing a placeholder, here I am through God’s providence, jumping into wisdom and life and the wonderful meaning of it all.

However, many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness,for there will be many. Ecclesiastes 11:8

You see, even in my darkest moments when I was really sick I was remembering some important things about this life.  That I don’t know how it all works but God does.  Ecclesiastes 1 reminded us that although we are made in God’s image, He still is the ultimate creator and has more power and knowledge than we can ever hope to amass.

Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.  Ecclesiastes 1:10

I also allowed myself to ask why God doesn’t fix things immediately at my whim or even pleading?  Which, of course, reminded me of the famous Ecclesiastes 3 scripture:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens … a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3  a time to kill and a time to heal, Ecclesiastes 3: 1 & 2-3

After my 4am panic attack and my husband had calmed my breathing, I laid back in bed thinking, “Is this what it will be like in the end?  At my final moments?  Worried and panicked?  Clawing to hold on to one more day of this life?”  

When we looked at Ecclesiastes 9, we ran head first into the only truth no one can deny, no matter how hard they try.  “The same destiny overtakes us all.” (vs 3).  And yet we cling so hard and forget about the other truth the people of this world want to deny – we have hope for those who believe.  We have an eternal place where God has a plan for justice.  Where He has brought every single one of our loved ones, who also believe, to live with us forever and ever.  Nothing left behind but sin and strife and pain and death.

My friends, if we accept that death is our future and as Solomon told us in verse 9:12, “No one knows when their hour will come,” we must take all that he says in wisdom in his last chapters 11 and 12 to heart.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 6 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:5-6

It’s a message repeated throughout the New Testament.  Know God, love God, trust God, obey God.  We are not God and we can only know what is happening this very moment (and we can barely remember what happened yesterday!)  

There’s a trend on Instagram where very talented photographers stop every day looking strangers on the street and ask to take their picture.  The people (usually women) tell the photographer all the reasons why they are not worthy of having a photo taken of them.  One adult woman with fairly new braces said she would start smiling once her braces came off.  In what — two or three years?  And yet her braces-filled pictures were gorgeous! 

Are you waiting to smile until something better happens in your life?  Until the right person comes along?  The right job?  The right bank account?  That “happiness” seeking roller coaster that Solomon warned us about in Ecclesiastes 6.  It’s a joy killer.  It may look like seeking meaning but it all becomes so meaningless.

Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. 10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

Solomon tells us, “go!”  Try that new hobby or skill.  Actively seek out new friendships and opportunities.  Tell your friend or family member how much God loves them – today.  Stop waiting until you get to the point where there’s no longer time, but also remembering all along who you belong to – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Not hedonism as we looked at chapter 10 and the Right Side of Life.  That’s meaningless folly.  True joy, true enjoyment comes from knowing and listening to the Lord and stepping onto the narrow path.

I read a quote recently that went something like this:

Trusting God is like being married to adventure but if you are looking for an excuse, you will find one.”

In other words, if you truly trust in the Lord for His love and provision.  If you truly believe you are a beloved and beautiful daughter or son of God then He wants you to enjoy this short life He’s given you on this little blue planet.  

This ancient book of wisdom on the surface seems like the last place to go to for this inspiration.  I mean reminding us from beginning to end we will all die…a real party conversation killer.  But sprinkled throughout this truth are the six reminders to “Enjoy Life.”  Enjoy life while fearing the Lord and keeping His commands (Ecc 12:13).  King Solomon did a bit too much of the first and forgot the second until towards the end of his life.  He’s pleading with you hear his God-given words now.

I read this article by editor and founder Joanna Gaines in my most recent copy of Magnolia magazine.  I realized it was a great way to end this series studying Ecclesiastes and the meaning of life.  Especially for those of you who struggle with life’s changes, the good and the frequently not so good.  We may want to retreat, go back to the old.  We pray for God to remove the struggle and the pain.  And it might get us stuck.  Stuck in bad habits and bad relationships.  Stuck in not believing the God who created the heavens and the earth also has a plan and blessings waiting for you.  Stuck in the lie that your personal cycle of life will just keep plugging away, never changing and never ending.  Which keeps us far from the concept of joy and enjoyment.  Listen to this excerpt from Mrs. Gaines’ essay titled, “Space to See Possibility” (spring 2024).

When life swung, for the first time I didn’t hold my breath.  I stood tall.  I looked around.  I worried less what was changing now and instead looked forward to what it could give way to the next.  I asked myself, “What beautiful thing can come from this?  What did I learn that can carry me forward?  And I came to realize that it’s the aftermath that’s the most formative.  It was how we landed, how we let what was different be its own kind of beautiful.  It was how we reset, changed course, and believed in the goodness to come.”

As my head has started to clear from my illnesses – my dizziness is dissipating and my vision is clearing – I look back over how often I sought the Lord.  How often I thanked Him for seemingly endless boxes of Kleenex, soft sheets, a comfortable bed, doctors, pharmacists, drug inventors and scientists, friends, clean water, my husband and daughters, and more.  I pleaded but I didn’t know if I would be healed or when. I felt terrible yet, still I knew my life is good.  A life to enjoy even in the least enjoyable moments.  Because that’s what our faith gives us.  Head scratching, oppositeness from the world.  A life of meaning.

My friend, I hold out my hand to you asking you to join me on this great adventure called Jehovah, God, Jesus, Elohim, Holy Spirit.  Ask Him today, “What’s next?” and go enjoy.

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Repetitious Folly

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As a dog returns to its vomit,
    so fools repeat their folly.  Proverbs 26:11

We’ve all heard the famous quote, “The definition of insanity is making the same mistake over and over and expecting a different result.”  It must have its roots in today’s graphic version of the illogical idea of continuing to beat your head against a wall (or beating a dead horse).  My version of this wisdom was telling my softball players that if you keep practicing something the wrong way, you’ll get really good at doing it the wrong way.

I have to think there’s so many versions of this admonition because we humans struggle with both breaking bad habits and the fear of the unknown.  You’ve probably heard the saying, “It’s better to live with the pain you know than the pain you don’t.”  If, as a Christian, this speaks to you let me put what you are doing into a faith perspective.  You aren’t trusting God to take care of you.  God doesn’t desire for you to live downtrodden and joyless.  It’s why there’s proverbs like this one.  It’s why Jesus came to us.  He came to shake us up from our repeated follies.  It was time to take a different approach to life.

Jesus told us to stop hating our enemies.  Stop being filled with vengeance.  Stop viewing others within a hierarchy.  Stop giving over our bodies and minds to immorality.  Stop hoarding our wealth.  Stop being afraid.  Stop returning to our own vomit.  And start living for His Kingdom.  Start looking towards the New Eden.

My friend, if you feel stuck ask yourself what do you keep doing over and over expecting a different outcome? Turn your issue over to God.  Listen to His answer which will come either through His Holy Word or through the most unexpected way.  And then take new action.  Start a new habit.  One that God will infuse with joy and goodness.  

God, you know my habitual ways.  You have a better plan for me.  I lift up my repeated sins to you.  Please show me a different path and guide me with your Spirit.  Amen 

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Pursue Wisdom & Insight

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Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and to insight, “You are my relative.” Proverbs 7:4

The word “wisdom” can be found about 200 times throughout the Bible.  Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes are the frequent “go to” wisdom books for any Christian.  Proverbs teaches us how to treat people, the fear of the Lord, how to manage finances, how to behave in marriage, about laziness and greed, the importance of our words and so much more.  Yet how often, when we are seeking advice on our real world problems do you say, “let me look that up in Proverbs”?  

Is it because we think eh, it’s old world thinking?  Or maybe we just haven’t considered the Bible as a reference book for teaching and correcting.  We seek out a friend, look it up online, ask a counselor, read a self-help book, go to a seminar.  I would venture to say every single modern quandary has its answer in one of the wisdom books or even in Jesus’ own words.

The beauty of any type of proverb, which can be found throughout history in every culture, is that they are short, concise reminders of the way things are or even what happens when we go astray.  Like that favorite praise song that always seems to be on your lips, a few good biblical proverbs memorized can be constant reminders of say, when to keep our tongues silent or our wallets secured. 

God’s proverbs are never in conflict and can be trusted guides.  Read and memorized they are that gentle reminder by our sister in Christ.  I challenge you to take a sin with which you struggle and find one or two wisdom statements, or proverbs, and memorize them.  Have them in the forefront of your mind guiding you on the path God wants for you.

Friend, the thing about God’s desires for you are this: He, unlike others in our life, has no ulterior motives.  He loves you and wants the best for you.  His advice can be trusted without fail. 

Lord, I trust your advice.  Thank you for giving me a clear path.  Guide my every thought and steps today with your wisdom and insight.  Amen