Psalm 131 Divine Discontentment

Psalm 131:2-3

I have stilled and quieted my soul…..

O’ Israel

(People of God)

Put your hope in the LORD,

Both now and forevermore.

Striving, discontentment, angst, stress…..

The Psalmist has found the cure.

The cure for all these………

And all else.

I like to call it Divine Discontentment.

Guys,

Please notice……

David does not say…

The LORD quieted my soul.

He does not say…

God zapped me….

And made me feel better.

He does not say…

God waved a magic wand

And all my problems……..

 Poof………they went away.

No, instead David tells us,

“I have stilled and quieted my soul”

“I have” ……..really?…….. ”I have”……….

Wow…..

He did it himself…….

And goes on to tell us how to do it…….

“Put your hope in The LORD”.

Divine Discontentment…..

Yes there are things in my life I am not happy with….

Yes there are circumstances I would like to change….

Yes I am working to make those things better.

And yet it is not me……..

But Christ in me.

His Goodness.

His Power.

His Love.

His……

And so……

My hope is in Him…..

For now……..And for……. what’s next.

No worries mate….

He’s got this…..

He’s got me….

No worries.

So what about it guys…….

As we do what we do today……

As we walk out into the life God brings our way…..

Will we……not can we…… But……Will we……

Will we choose to live from a deeper trust in our Heavenly Father?

Will we put our hope in Him and so……..

Live……..Yes…….. Truly Live.

Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit,

Stoke up the great desire in me today

To live in Divine Discontentment.

Amen

Psalm 124 Do You Really Believe God is on Your Side?

Psalm 124:1

If The LORD had not been on our side……

God is for us……

The Holy Spirit is with us…….

Christ is our……..

Friend,

Life,

Advocate,

Savior,

Hope,

Ever Present Help and….

Strength.

Our real enemy wants us to question these Truths.

Our real enemy sows mistrust.

Our real enemy would…….

Destroy us.

Guys,

When life is tough……

When you feel mistreated…..

When you have been betrayed…….

Please know……..

These things are not from your Heavenly Father.

And so, in the trials of life…….

You and I…….

We have a choice.

We can

Believe the lies….

Blame The One Who Loves us…

Bury ourselves in bitterness against His people and so…..

Barely exist in the misery our real enemy  means for us…..

Or……….

We can

Take hold of the Truth of our Good Father….

Trust in the leading of His Holy Spirit…..

Turn to our Savior and Friend Jesus…… and so…..

Thrive in the Abundant Life of Christ in us.

We have a choice……

Choose well.

Father, Lord Jesus, Spirit of the Living God,

Thank You for being for us.

Thank You for being on our side.

Amen

Psalm 49 But God.......

Psalm 49:13-15

This is the fate of those

Who trust in themselves……………..

They are destined for the grave

Death will feed on them……

But God

Will redeem my life from the grave

He will surely take me to Himself.

Where do you put your trust?

In your abilities or…………

In the One who gave them to you?

Certainly we are called to act intentionally-

To “work out” what Father has put in us…………

But God-

He is the One who takes all of my effort-

All of my abilities-

All of my cleverness………..

And works in these for His own purposes-

Good Purposes-

From a Good Father-

Who Loves me-

Who has redeemed me and………..

Who will take me to Himself!

Thank You Jesus

Amen

God is Good- All the Time.......Really?

It was early morning-

The sun was just coming into it's full glory through the window.
The blinds were drawn, but not closed completely.
Now in those ever so small openings-
The openings between each shade panel-
The brilliance of the new morning sun light beamed through-
Right into the eyes of my friend sitting just across from me.
Now this same sun light warmed the back of my own neck just a bit.
For me it was a pleasant start to a promising new day.
Not so for my friend as he first squinted-
Then turned his head awkwardly in an effort to escape his discomfort.
Finally-
After a bit-
My friend picked himself up out of his chair-
And moved to a new spot.

The same sun-

Pleasure for me-

Pain for my friend.

There are times and places in my life-

Where the Goodness of God really feels painful.

Maybe it's the only way though-
The only way I will move-
Move to a better place.

James 1:2 Count it pure Joy, my Brothers,

When you face Trials of many Kinds.

Holy Spirit,

Speak into my heart

The Truth of the Goodness of God

In all my Life.

Amen

Is God Really Good?

Have you ever been praying for someone- Maybe a friend- Maybe a family member- Someone who is sick- Maybe even in severe suffering- A good Christian person- Someone who clearly loves Jesus- Someone whose life exemplifies the Love of Christ- And yet God doesn't heal them. The pain and suffering continue. You know God could heal them- He could take away their pain with a word- Or even just a thought- And yet He doesn't. Is this God really good? Does He really Love us? Is He paying attention? Is He really able to do what we ask?

I am here to say Yes, Yes and Yes Again.

God is Good!

God does Love us!

God has not forgotten us!

God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine!

Now that last phrase from Ephesians 3:20-21 might be the key to the whole thing.

Could it be that even in the suffering of the one we Love-

Somehow God is doing more than we can ask or imagine-

Something that will bring this one or even many more...........

To Life

Could it be that even suffering is accomplishing Love and Life in that person and the people around them in ways that are not otherwise possible.

Remember when Jesus told his disciples about how He would suffer and die-

Peter's response was, "Lord this can not be".

Remember how Jesus rebuked Peter-

"Get thee behind me Satan-

For you have in mind the things of this world-

Not the things of God".

Please don't misunderstand-

I do not believe God is the Author of our pain-

I do believe it is good and right to pray for our loved one's healing and comfort-

But in all this we must always remember-

No.........More than remember-

We must get a firm grip on the reality

that God Loves People infinitely more than we can imagine.

Can we fall so in Love with Jesus

That we come to trust Him not only with our own lives-

But also with the lives of those we Love?

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit-

Triune God

I know many who suffer just now- Some Greatly.

I pray that You would have mercy on each one and the people who Love them.

I pray that You would bring comfort in their affliction.

I pray for physical healing where it will lead to a deeper trust in You.

Father in those places where I see no healing coming,

I pray that You redeem every ounce of pain experienced-

To the end of bringing Life.

I thank You for Your Love for each of these who are hurting-

I choose to trust You with their Lives.

Move in me and others close to those who suffer to become

Vehicles of Your Grace, Love and Mercy so that they might feel

Your Love

Through us.

Amen

Prayer, Life and Revelation

Have you ever wanted something- Pursued something with all your energy- Prayed for that thing- Hoping- Just hoping God would come through? Between Thanksgiving and New Years I spent no less than 30 hours sitting on a deer stand. I spent an additional 15 to 20 hours in preparation for or traveling back and forth to the woods. Now as much as I love the woods- The risng sun in the morning- The scene around me coming to life in ways no other man will behold that particular day- I have to admit that not seeing even a single deer was a bit discouraging. I went hunting primarily to kill a deer- At least to see deer- It is why I was there. It is what got me up at 5:00 am each morning- To brave the cold and sometimes rain. My greatest desire was to hunt down, outwit and kill a deer- The bigger the deer the better- Oh I pretended to myself that it was enough to be in God's wonderful creation- But in the end my disappointment revealed my true desires.

I could not truely be satisfied-

With anything other than what I wanted.

My prayers for the last few weeks-Maybe months-

Have included a request that God give me a greater desire-

A greater Love for Him-

A Love for Him that is greater than my Love for anything else on the earth- Or Beyond. I wonder sometimes if in answering that prayer- God must reveal those places in me where His rivals live-

There can be no confession or repentance-

Without there first being conviction.

God answers prayer for sure-

But what about when the prayers are at odds with each other?

Lord give me a Greater desire for You than anything else in this world-

Or Beyond.

Lord send me a deer this morning.

Maybe the denying of the lesser-

Contributes to the fruition of the Greater.

Psalm 37:4-5 Delight yourself in the Lord-

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord-

Trust in Him and He will do this.

Father in Heaven-

Thank You for answering the greater prayers.

Move in me to trust You and give me a desire for You-

A Desire that is truely greater than any other desire I have for anything else on this earth or beyond.

Amen

On Jet- Skis and Shared Suffering (Part One)

2003- A beautiful summer day on Lake Oconee- My sister and her husband had invited our family to their home on the lake for a day of fun and sun. There was swimming off the dock, there was eating- There was boat riding, there was eating- There was tubing, and well there was more eating- I tell you it's like a mini vacation anytime we can steal away and visit these wonderful people. The sky was blue, the sun was hot and the water had just the right tinge of coolness to bring delightful sensations of bliss as we drifted on floats off the end of the dock. Then there was the Jet-Ski. I had never ridden a jet ski before- The thought of zipping around the lake- A cool breeze in my face was....... Well........... I just had to try it. The ride was everything I imagined- There was the speed- A pure adrenaline rush- There was the sense of flying- Freedom and Danger all rolled into one-

It was a blast!

Our daughter Rebecca, who was 13 at the time- After seeing her dad cut the fool on that Jet- Ski contraption- Just had to give it a go for herself.

Didn't I do a blog before on how it was dangerous to follow Dad?

Anyway, after some brief instructions- Far too brief- She hopped on and away she went- Heading into a deep long cove- The intention was that she turn quickly back toward the main body of the lake- The turn never happened- And so she quickly dissappeared around a sharp bend in the cove. We could hear the engine of the jet-ski for only another moment or so before even that sound faded into silence. After another minute or so- Still no Rebecca- No Jet Ski sound- Nothing. How can I describe the feeling that came slowly at first- But more and more quickly washed over me in those moments.

She was gone-

My baby was gone-

Disappeared-

She should have been out of that cove by now-

Why had I ever let her- Where was she? What if.......... Panic, Fear and Dread sprang to life in my heart. Bill (my brother-in law) and I quickly jumped into his boat and began to ease back into the cove to find my lost daughter. He tried to reassure me- "The engine probably just cut out Charles" - Yes- that's what must have happened- The engine had just cut out- Rebecca would be there waiting for us around the next bend- Yes- the engine just cut out I told myself. By now every foot we crept forward in that narrowing cove- Not seeing my beautiful, precious daughter- Just made the fear grow in my gut- Like some sort of slow but powerful poison.

She had to be alright- We would find her-

She had to be alright.

Hebrews 2:14-18 (Excerpts) Since the children have flesh and blood, Jesus too shared in their humanity............ He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God............Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

I wonder now-

If as Jesus was suffering on that agonizing cross-

He not only carried the pain of my sin-

But He also carried the Suffering of that day-

And so many other days like it-

For so much suffering humanity.

I know that somehow He was with me that day-

Not just for comfort-

But also in my very suffering-

Agonizing there with me -In me

Maybe this is the key for us in enduring those brutal times-

Somehow, to draw on the Life of Jesus-

That Life now in us-

And so somehow to live out His Trust in the Father-

Even to the point of death.

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for identifying with not only my sin, but also my pain and fear.

Thank You for living through that time with me-

Thank You for carrying me in it.

Lord God Almighty help me to always come to my Jesus for all the Life I need.

Amen

Don't be such a Whiner or Striver or Whiner or Striver or............

My life is not as I would arrange it. My story is not as I would write it. I do not have the perfect job. My children don't follow my script for their lives. I don't have enough money to do what I want. My wife does not always cooperate with plans. I do not have the physical prowess or the body I would like to have. I do not have the status my ego craves.

Whine, Whine, Whine...............

What a whining little egocentrical fool I can be- Sometimes I whine so much I become disgusted with myself. Why can't I have more of a positive attitude?

Whoa...... Isn't that amazing-

I can even whine about what a Whiner I am!

So what am I to do? What is the cure for my condition? Maybe I should settle for discontentment- After all, It is what it is............Right? Maybe I should just resign myself to never having all I want. Or............ Maybe I should fight it- Maybe I should make my plans- Do everything in my power to manipulate them into being. You know the mentality don't you? I can do anything- I am the Master of my domain- If I can believe it, I can achieve it- How about shifting from......

Whine, Whine, Whine....................

to Strive Strive, Strive...........

Truthfully........

I've spent alottttttttt of time in my life striving-

And while it is definitely more productive than whining-

In the end-

All my striving has only led to a different sort of misery-

Certainly not the Life Jesus won for me-

The Life God meant for us.

Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples,

"If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross and follow Me.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for Me will find it.

It's time for a new way of Life-

Away with the whining and striving-

Away with all the complaining and manipulation.

It's time to take hold of the Great Paradox-

It's time to forget trying to write my own story-

It's time to forget trying to take His place as the center of the story.

It's time to die into Christ-

It's time to let His Life and Love be lived out through me.

More and more I am coming to see-

Little by little-

Bit by bit-

This is where I can find the life I long for.

Holy Spirit lead me deeper into Jesus today-

Lead me deeper into Life.

Amen

You Shouldn't Go Out There (Part 2)

It really seemed like a good idea at the time- You know- Fling caution to the wind- Go for it- Answer the call to Adventure and Wildness and......... Well.....................Life.

It is a strange thing to be floating upside-down in a kayak, in a rushing river.

So how did I end up there? Bottom side of my boat up- Thinking- If I don't remember that wet-exit thing- I'm Done.

Matthew 14:28-31 "Lord if it is you" Peter said, "Tell me to come to you on the water". Jesus answered, "Come". So Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind and the waves, he was afraid and began to sink.

Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him....."

Ignoring the instructor, I had paddled hard for the fast water- "The Chute".

I started fine- thinking I would ferry a bit into the chute-

Then peel out into the fastest part of the current to ride the whitewater the hundred yards or so down into the calmer river below.

Then...........

In the midst of the turn to peel out into the rapid, I had the oddest feeling that the boat was somehow beginning to slide out from underneath me.

It felt like slow motion, but insantaneous-

All at the same time-

And there was nothing I could do to stop it-

In that split second I couldn't see anything but the rushing water-

Panic and Desperation-

Both rushed in together to consume me-

Along with an angry river.

God's calls-

At one point in our lives we would answer-

We would fling caution to the wind-

For the promise of Adventure and Wildness and Life-

His Life-

A Life of Bold Enterprises of Faith and Love for the Kingdom.

Ah, but then something shook us-

Maybe the wind or the rushing water-

Maybe a bad experience or naysayers-

Maybe we even ended up sinking or upside down-

Lost in panic and desperation-

We took our eyes off Jesus.

It doesn't take much to lose heart-

To resign ourselves to a life of safety.

Ephesians 5:14 " Wake up, O' Sleeper-

Rise from the dead

and Christ will shine on you"

Do you hear it? Can you sense God's Call?

Can you feel the hand of Jesus reaching down to "Catch" you?

As you recognize Him on the shore are you ready to cast all else aside and throw yourself into the water again to get to Him?

He is waiting there and just like Peter-

He will give you a charge-

"Feed My lambs- Take care of My sheep- Feed My sheep"

It's time.

Father God, help me to recognize all Your calls to Life today- Help me to rise from my slumber and follow You into the Life You have won for me. Help me to cast the scales of callousness and defeat off my eyes and to see rightly-

Help me to see.

Awaken my heart again- the Good Heart You have created in me through the Love of Jesus.

Move in us all for the Courage to follow our Captain- Our Lord Jesus.

Holy Spirit lead us into all these things today- Deep into Jesus.

Amen