God of Wonders

Can God do the impossible? Does he? Abraham would say "Yes!"
(Romans 4:16-22)

Enjoy!

God of Wonders

Stand and Fight

In my time with the Lord recently I was praying about our church. There are a number of good things going on and we have so many wonderful folks that are involved. Yet there has been a sense that something isn't quite right. Not something terrible, mind you, but just "off."

As I prayerfully pondered this I thought about Ephesians 6 and its section on spiritual warfare. I turned there and as I read I felt that the Lord was speaking to me. Paul writes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

He says we are to do three things.

1) Be strong in the Lord. This reminds me of David when he and his men had returned
to Ziklag only to find that it had been raided. All their families and belongings had been taken away and the men were so distraught "they spoke of stoning David; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). To be strong in the Lord is to put your confidence, your trust, in Him.

2) Put on the whole armor of God. We are in a battle and God has not left us without protection. But its up to us to use it. A few verses later Paul tells us about the armor: the belt of truth--truth and truthfulness have a way of holding things together; the breastplate of righteousness--the breastplate was also called the heart protector. Guarding the heart (its emotions, impulses, desires) and lining it up rightly with God is so important; gospel footware--this implies readiness to witness, but the footware also gave secure footing. My security is in the gospel, in Jesus, not anything else in this world; shield of faith--God's promises; helmet of salvation--protecting our minds and being able to think in a clear headed , God-honoring manner; sword of the spirit--the word of God. It is critical to this battle (see Matthew 4:1-11); prayer--but of course!

A person might use the armor of God as a prayerful check-list. As you walk through the list you may also find that the Spirit convicts you of things. For example, as you pray about truth he may remind you that you weren't truthful with a friend and need get that right. Or that you have believed a lie and need to reject it, choosing that which is true. Determine to do so, or your armor may have a chink in it.

3) Stand against the schemes of the devil. So many of the devil's schemes have to do with lies. It's simple. If he can get a person to believe a lie then he can influence their life in that area. Some of the schemes the devil uses include the lie of self-sufficiency and also "the optionals". For example, that church is "optional", or that praying together is "optional". You get the idea. It's not that these things give a person eternal life, it's that they are an important part of the eternal kind of life.

As I talked with the Lord about all of this I realized that a very real possibility for sensing that something was "off" with Cornerstone was the fact that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle. It may be that we aren't "off" but actually "on" and that the demonic forces are standing against us. If that is the case, then we need to stand against them.

Would you pray this way on behalf of Cornerstone? Put your confidence in the Lord, prayerfully put on the armor of God and then stand against the schemes of the devil. Asking the Lord to bind him and to bring his schemes to naught.

Pray on!

A God Thing

Here's something from New Orleans to think about. (Author Unknown)

Coffee at CC's

The other morning I wanted to surprise my husband and take him to a new park. On the way we were going to stop at a new Starbucks. About 20 minutes later we reached the end of the road. I realized we had missed Starbucks, and I had no idea how to get to the park. UGH! My surprise was ruined. Knowing we would not find the park and still thirsty, we headed toward the Starbucks we usually visit. We were just about there, when I changed my mind and wanted to go to a local coffee shop called CC's instead. My husband was quickly frustrated at the change of plans, but drove us there anyway.

As I walked up on the sidewalk, I noticed a cell phone upside down on the curb. I stepped over it while saying, "Hey, there's a cell phone on the ground." In all honesty, I probably would have walked past it. But my husband went back and picked it up. The display read "7 missed calls." We looked through the numbers missed and decided to call the most recent missed call. A guy answered and said "You found my phone!" We told the man what coffee shop we were at and he met us there. He thanked us for finding his phone. We also had an opportunity to share with him that we had moved to town to help with Hurricane Katrina relief, and that we are working through Castle Rock Community Church. As we walked away, my husband said, "That was a God thing." My thoughts exactly. It was no coincidence that we left at the time we did. It was no coincidence that we could not find the Starbucks or the park. It was no coincidence that I chang ed my mind and we went to CC's coffee shop. And it is no coincidence that we parked in the exact spot that we did. I have no idea what effect us finding the phone or talking to that man had. But I do believe it was a "seed" planted in his life.

Life lesson: When God interrupts you, when you are running late, when things aren't going how you planned, when you can't find your destination, look for the divine appointment God has set before you. Forget your schedule, look for the person sitting beside you and be sensitive to what God wants you to do. There's a divine appointment waiting for you!

Seasons

Fall is such a glorious time of year. As I write this I can see our big maple trees with their leaves at various levels of change. I don't see any leaves showing off their vibrant green from the summer, but there are still clusters of dull green in the midst of of the golden colors of fall. They are quite beautiful this year and have begun to carpet our lawn with those leaves they have dropped already.

As I have watched the colors of this fall, it has caused me to think a little about seasons. Spring is the season of new life and hope. Summer the season of developing fruit and vegatables. Late summer and early fall the season of harvest. While winter is the season of rest. Did you realize that the seasons reflect the cycles of grace, not only in nature, but in life? The seasons are the annual cycle whereas the 24 hour period we call a day also reflects the cycle of grace.

Like the calendar year which begins in the middle of winter (the season of rest), the day starts in the middle of the night (also the season of rest). The morning is the time of waking to find that life is already happening around us, like spring, and then we move into the "fruitful" period of the day. Coming home in the evening to relax (the "fall") and then sleep. The cycle of grace begins again.

It's interesting to look at the cycles of grace that God has built into the world and to see how we fight against them. We "force" plants to flower and bear fruit at times other than their normal cycles. We make people stay up all night working so that others might be able to run to the store to get something. We have a hard time with grace. Not just saving grace ("I'm too proud to receive something for nothing!") but living grace. Perhaps that is why God said that on one day of the week we are to refrain from work. Perhaps he knew that without his clear direction we would run ourselves ragged?

Sabbath is part of the cycle of grace for living. But unlike time and the seasons, it's a cycle that we can participate in or not, based on our choice. Most of us opt out of it. A simple definition of the term "Sabbath" is "Stop!" Stop working your fingers to the bone for one day. Stop chasing money or projects or distractions. Stop long enough to realize that your value, your worth, as a person is not dependent upon how much you do, own or work. You value is in being. You are valuable because God created you.

Personally, I like harvest time. I want to bear fruit all the time. No breaks. No rests. No let downs. I mean, if I were really spiritual it would be like that, right? If I abide in Jesus, the vine, I'll bear much fruit (John 15)... all the time. I suppose it partly depends on which definition of fruit you use, but even the vineyard goes through the seasonal cycles of grace. Even Jesus got away for rest.

Try taking a sabbath this fall. A day (or a part of a day) where you just stop. Don't plan anything. Just let the day happen. Enjoy the colors of the leaves. Take a nap. Enjoy a hot cocoa. Curl up in Abba Father's lap and just be. Maybe He will whisper in your ear, "Now that's more like it!"

Enjoy!

Leave a Comment

Part of living in community is the willingness to receive feedback, comments and critique. Fortunately a friend let me know that because of my settings people would need to become a member of blogspot in order to leave a comment. My mistake! I've since changed the settings so that you may leave a comment regardless of being part of blogspot. Write away, post those comments, and enjoy!

Abraham

He may be long gone, but his influence isn't. He's called the Father of the Faith for good reason. His faith came first, then came works, circumcision and finally (430 years later!) the law. In Romans 4 we learn that we are made right with God the same way he was. Who was this man?

Abraham

You Have A Calling!

Have you wondered about what God might have in store for you regarding world mission? Have you wondered how your calling might fit into that? Intervarsity's mission conference, URBANA will focus on that this December. This event occurs every three years and has been going on for over 60 years.

Over 20,000 people will attend from around the world, and you could be one of them. Check it out! But be careful, it just might change your life.
Urbana 2006

Making Peace

Here's a thought provoking article about the Amish response to murder and what it might teach about making peace. Whether you agree or disagree, give it a read and give it some thought. Enjoy!

What if the Amish were in Charge of the War on Terror?

Wildfire

Paul has spent two chapters painting a clear picture of why God's wrath is being revealed. Here he explains how God has dealt with it. Good news from Romans 3:21-31.

Wildfire

The Butte

I live in an area of the Inland Northwest called the Palouse (Pah-loose) after a tribe of Native Americans that once lived here. It's a place with rolling hills and fertile farmland. Lots of farmland. People from the coast often lament the lack of trees and water when they visit, but as is so often said about the desert, the Palouse has a beauty all its own. It's just that, like the desert, it can be easily forgotten.

What prompted me to think about this was that my wife and I drove 10 miles out of town to Kamiak Butte for a bit of a hike. The north face of the butte is covered with pines, brush and a variety of plants with the neat affect of causing me to feel like I'm in the mountains instead of the rolling hills. As we hiked I was telling the Lord how much the mountains mean to me and how they minister to my soul. There's just something about the wilderness that I find soothing, like the ocean is for many of my coasty friends.

When we crested the butte I had a wonderful view over the Palouse and something came to mind about how there is only one other place like it in the world according to geologists. And that place is in France. That gave me reason to pause. Here I am in a place that has a beauty unlike anywhere else in the world (except a region in France) and I was grumbling about it not being the mountains.

The Spirit of God began to whisper to me. It isn't wrong to enjoy the mountains or for them to hold a special place in my life. But too often I overlook the wonder of where God has me at the moment. Perhaps I need to find the joy of where I am?

But where I live is where my struggles live as well. That's one of the reasons the mountains are so refreshing. When I'm in the mountains I leave those struggles behind. When I'm skiing or camping I don't think about the financial pressures or the people that get under my skin. It's truly a get away. But a "get away" becomes a "return from" at some point and that's when I can struggle.

What I came away with from my encounter with the Lord on the butte is that here on the Palouse there really is much to enjoy. An amazing variety of shades of green in the spring. The golden hues of grain in the summer. The brilliant colors of fall and the wonder of a fresh snowfall in winter. I just need to take a moment and look.

The same is true for my life in general. Yes, there are difficult people, but I also have a lot of wonderful people in my life. Yes, I need to take out the garbage, but the garbage indicates that God is still providing. I just need to take a moment and look.

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Exclusively Inclusive

Paul wraps up his argument that all have sinned and makes his transition to the next part of the good news: because all are in the same sinking boat, all have access to the same rescue. It truly is good news!

Exlusively Inclusive
(Romans 3:9-24)

Is God Fair?

In Romans 3 Paul addresses some charges that have been leveled at him. The underlying theme is that Paul is misrepresenting the character of God and thus brings up the question, is God fair? Though not exhaustive, hopefully this sermon gives you some good food-for-thought. Enjoy!

Is God Fair?

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Privileged People

Here's the fourth message in the Romans series. Paul is working his way to the main point that regardless of how we compare with each other, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... even the privileged.

Privileged People

Good People

In Romans 2 Paul moves on from talking about "bad" people to those who would be considered "good." While the bad people know what they are doing is wrong, they are at least consistent when they encourage others to do the same. The "good" people however, think that because they say what others do is wrong, it excuses them when they do the same things. Check out Paul's answer to that!
Good People

Bad News

This is the message on the second half of Romans 1. It opens with Paul saying that the wrath of God is being revealed against all ungodliness. Which is why the gospel is needed. Check it out.

Bad People

Cider Press

Over the past few months I've felt under pressure on a variety of fronts. It seemed as though whenever I turned around there was some kind of problem to deal with. Sometimes it wasn't a bad problem but in fact something good. Yet it came with its own version of "positive stress." When a friend asked how I was doing I described how I felt by comparing it to an apple in a cider press. Getting squashed but hopeful the resulting cider will be good.

Two of the pressures included my kids. One had surgery and the other was to leave home for the first time. Both were good things, but they came with their own measure of stress. Fortunately the surgery went well and my son is healing in a good manner. As for my daughter, her leaving home meant traveling to Australia. Her first international trip and all on her own. I am excited for her and this new stage of life, yet it was also difficult to let go of my little girl. She arrived safe and sound (in spite of going through LAX) and is loving all-things Australian.

It was in the midst of the stressors, perhaps at their peak, that I was spending time with the Lord and reading in Matthew 4 about the temptation of Jesus. Talk about a time of stress! He was in the wilderness without food or companions for 40 days and Satan shows up to tempt him.

As I read the account I paused to prayerfully consider what the Lord might want me to learn from Jesus and how he handled the stress. As I looked at his responses to Satan's temptations some things struck me.

"Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Jesus truly meant this. That life is lived fully only when a person is in intimate, conversational relationship with God. This means listening to God. Something I don't do very well, but especially when there's pressure.

The next thing that I noticed was that when Satan tempted Jesus to prove his identity by throwing himself down in order to get the Father to protect him, Jesus said "don't put God to the test." Now I realize there are a lot of ways to put God to the test but I think that the main point is that a person is trying to make God do something. For me that temptation occurs in prayer. I try to use the right words or say the right things in hopes of getting what I want. This attempt at manipulating God gets ratcheted up when the pressure is on. Which is not to say that I should not pray during hard times, just the opposite. But that when I pray I need to simply ask. Honestly, straight-forward, ask. In doing this I communicate my desires to God but without trying to manipulate him. Its respecting who he is.

Finally Satan gets right down to it and promises Jesus the world if only he will submit to and worship Satan. Jesus' response? "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God , and serve him only." Worship, then service.

In my journal I wrote these four things out as an acronym to help me remember it: Listen; Ask; Worship; Serve (L.A.W.S.) Kind of corny, perhaps, but it has helped me in the past month to get my focus where it needs to be when I feel the cider press pushing on me.

First Impression

Here's the first message of the series I'm doing from Romans. As Paul introduces himself to the believers in Rome he makes it clear that he is passionate about Jesus Christ and the job that Jesus has given him to do.
First Impressions