Mid-Week Message - Eternity Versus Our Instant World

"Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.  They will perish, but you will remain; they will wear out like a garment.  You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end."  Psalm 102:25-27 (ESV)  

One of my favorite memories of childhood is homemade ice-cream.  If you have never been through the process of making it the old fashioned way, you have missed a lot of fun and a lot of anticipation.  You have also missed a sore arm from cranking the handle to keep everything churning.  Sometimes we thought it would take forever before all of the ingredients turned into that frozen concoction of wonderment.  But, as all things do, the work came to an end and we were able to enjoy our tasty treat.  

These days we are no long accustomed to long waits.  Fast food restaurants line the streets.  No matter what we are hungry for, we seem to be able to find a drive-through window that will allow us to have it within minutes.  Even when we do our cooking at home we have appliances like microwaves, pressure cookers, convection ovens and insta-pots that allow us to quickly prepare what previously would have taken much more time.  

We are now used to quick beginnings and quick endings.  Rather than having to read a book, we can have it read to us by an audio tape.  If we want to learn a new skill, we can turn on YouTube and find a range of videos that will instruct us.  We communicate via email and Facetime rather than waiting for letters to travel through the mail.  We are even able to keep in touch with family and friends. or connect with others who share our interests, via social media.  

With the rapidity of events in our lives, it can be difficult to comprehend the idea of eternity.  Everything in our lives on earth has a beginning and an end.  Our lives begin at conception and end in death.  That's how we perceive it.  However, scripture teaches that death is not an ending at all, rather it is a transition.  

We serve and were created by a God who has always been.  He did not have a beginning and He will not have an end.  Although we can't really conceive of that with our human minds, it is the truth.  He is not bound by the need that we have to accomplish everything quickly.  Time never ends for Him so He has no reason to worry about deadlines or boundaries.  He has unlimited time to do whatever He chooses to do.  This means that when He created you and me, He was not hurried but was able to take His time to knit each of our cells together.  

Personally, I find great comfort from knowing that my Creator literally had eternity to plan and form me.  Psalm 139:14 says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."  He took great care in forming us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  He did so because He was preparing us to share eternity with Him.  When we transition from life on earth to life in Heaven, we move into the life that was always intended for us.  That is why it is imperative to protect our relationship with the Lord.  He is the only One who has known us from even before we came to be and the only One that has been with us every single second that we have drawn breath.  

His desire is for everyone to be with Him for eternity.  This was so important to Him that He sent Jesus to pay the debt of sin for us.  However, He also created us with free will.  He has given each of us the option of choosing the path we wish to take.  It is up to us to decide whether we want to walk the wide road, which leads away from Him, or the narrow road which leads to Him.  Shall we choose eternity with Him or without Him?  Just something to ponder on this week.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - God Knows

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit or stand.  When far away you know my every thought.  You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.  Every moment you know where I am.  You know what I'm going to say before I even say it.  You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head."  Psalm 139:1-5 (TLB)  

Have you ever wished you could read minds?  How much easier would communication be if we never had to wonder what the people around us were thinking?  The problem with it would be that we would know even the negative thoughts and be privy to things we would really rather not know.  Would it help our relationships or harm them if we always knew what was on another's mind?  

Good communication is of utmost importance with those that we are close to.  Marriage especially is deeply effected when the partners are negligent in sharing their thoughts and feelings.  It causes distance and misunderstandings when they are attempting to figure out on their own what is going through the mind and heart of their mate.  Counselors stay busy trying to unravel issues that could have been avoided with adequate communication.  

Another relationship that suffers is the one between parents and children. Especially when my daughter was a teenager, I longed for her to talk to me and tell me what she was thinking.  I would know she was struggling with something but I had no idea what.  It was frustrating because I loved her and wanted to help her through her difficult times but I had no idea what to say or do.  No matter how deeply we care for another person we will never be able to be as close to them as we wish to be because we do not have the ability to truly know their mind and heart.  We know only what they choose to share.  

Psalm 139 says that the Lord has examined our hearts and knows our thoughts.  His love for us is so great that when He created us he reserved for Himself the ability to know our every thought and feeling.  He knows what we think and feel and all the reasons why.  He knows what we are going to say before the words are ever uttered.  If He desires to be that close to us, what should our response be?  

Personally, I want Him to be honored by my thoughts.  I want Him to find a clean heart and honorable attitudes.  My desire is for Him to find love, sincerity, gratitude and humility when He draws near.  I want Him to know that His Word is sacred to me and that I seek to keep it.  I want Him to know that when I speak, the words will be honest and praise-filled.  Simply put, I want to be as close to Him as He desires to be close to me.  If I concentrate on fulfilling these desires then my relationships with others will be improved as well.  

Life happens to each of us daily and I realize it isn't always easy to keep the lines of communication open.  However, if we start with our relationship with the Lord, realizing that He has this intimacy with each of us and learn to share openly with Him, He will assist us in our relationships with our mates, children, friends, co-workers, etc.  I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful week.

Mid-Week Message - Expectations of Life

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  See his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil."  Proverbs 3:5-7  (NLT)

When we are young, we begin planning how we want our lives to go.  We start choosing which occupational path to choose, what type of person we think we want to marry, whether we want children or not.  And of course, in our minds, it all works out.  We sail through school and college, snag our desired job, have the perfect relationship and wonderful children who are well behaved and also sail through school and college and make the right life choices.  We live long, healthy lives and, when we are very old, pass away in our sleep, peacefully and quietly.  

Reality is quite different though, isn't it?  School may not go as well as we hoped.  Relationships come and go and our hearts are broken multiple times.  That chosen occupation may not work out.  We may find something we enjoy much more or, sadly, we may experience long times of unemployment while wondering how we are going to provide for ourselves.  Our children have minds of their own and go through their own personal struggles and often make wrong choices.  And our health surprises us by taking turns that we could never have expected.  

Life just doesn't follow our pre-laid out roads. There are so many variables that can alter our plans.  We encounter everything from small snags to great disasters.  Accidents, illness, divorce, layoffs, financial downturns and other incidents can create hardships that cause us to wonder what we did wrong.  However, gratefully, we also encounter great joys that fill our hearts and miracles that remind us that Someone else is in control and hasn't forgotten us.  These heavenly moments give us the strength to keep breathing. We are able to continue to put one foot in front of the other because we know that our Creator is still active in our lives and knows the way through whatever darkness we may be facing.

My favorite scripture is the second half of the 16th verse in Psalm 139.  There it says, "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Read that again.  Here we find the assurance that God is already aware of everything that we will face in life. He has already seen it and knows the outcome.  It is a reminder to stay close to Him because He is the one that knows the pathway we must walk.  He will be our guide.  As Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  He may only show us one step at a time, but He will see us to the end.  

For those who are going through any of life's struggles today, I want to remind you that you are loved with an everlasting love.  You are not alone, even if you feel that you are.  He was with you when your loved one passed away and He is with you now.  He knew when you would lose your job and how your needs will be provided for.  That errant child is also His child and He has plans for him or her that you may not be aware of but will lead them where they need to go.  He is the Great Physician who can heal all of your infirmities.  Your illness isn't a surprise to Him.  If you allow Him to, He will use even this for His glory.  

I have been told recently that I am sometimes too optimistic.  I assure you that I struggle too.  Some days are very difficult for me.  But my faith is secure.  I know that my Father in Heaven is on my side.  I trust that He was telling me the truth when He promised never to leave me.  If He loved me enough to send His son to die in my place, then He loves me enough to help me through whatever this day throws at me.  And He loves you every bit as much.  Rest in that.  God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - Not Perfect But Created Perfectly

 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16 (NIV)

As most young people do, I daydreamed about having the perfect life.  Once I became an adult, I would find the perfect job then rent the perfect apartment.  I would find a perfect husband, settle down and have perfect children, live in a perfect neighborhood and spend the rest of my life in the perfect happily ever after.  There was one large detail that I failed to consider though.  I, myself, wasn't perfect.

I went to a wonderful college.  Not perfect, but it certainly met my needs as far as education goes.  I met great friends there.  They weren't perfect either, but I loved them and still keep in touch with many of them today.  When I lived in an apartment during my last year, the air conditioner had continual problems and the upstairs bathroom floor sank down in one place.  It wasn't perfect but I have very happy memories of my times with the two women that I shared it with.  My jobs weren't perfect either.  In fact, during a couple of them I threw up every night because of the nerves I had about returning the next day.  They were extremely stressful.  But, they did pay my bills.  I didn't marry until the age of 33.  My husband was handpicked by the Lord just for me, and while he isn't perfect, I couldn't love him more.  We have one child and although as her mother I tend to think she is perfect, I guess she isn't in reality.  

I have come to realize that we weren't created to be perfect.  However, we are created perfectly.  God knew just what He was doing when He gave us our bodies and personalities.  He knew we would have weaknesses and that we would make mistakes but He also used those "imperfections" to teach us about Himself and to show us our need for a Redeemer.  Had He created us as perfect beings, what need would we have for Him?  

None of us are perfect.  Not physically, mentally, emotionally or even spiritually.  However, we are being perfected through our relationship with Jesus and one day, when we live with Him in Heaven, we will be perfect.  And what better way to say "thank you" than to spend eternity praising our Creator and Perfector?

This week will bring many reminders of just how imperfect we are.  I pray that you will be encouraged in the knowledge that being imperfect does not mean that you were not created perfectly.  Praise the Lord!  He knows everything about us and loves us still.  God bless you!

Mid-Week Message - A Significant Life

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."  Matthew 10:29-31  (NIV)

Stop what you are doing and come close.  I want you to completely tune in to today's topic.  Answer this question - how do you feel about yourself?  Think before you answer because I want you to truly examine your heart before you respond.  I ask this question because an alarmingly large proportion of those living today struggle with feeling insignificant.  This idea of ourselves can begin in countless ways but the end result is the same.  We wonder why we are even here.  

Notice that I include myself in this.  It is a battle I have fought for most of my life.  Sadly, we spend far too much time feeling as if we don't fit in and far too little time seeking, examining and acknowledging what our Father in Heaven has to say.  This must greatly please the enemy because when we are feeling sorry for ourselves our focus is not on the wonder and majesty of the Lord. 

One of the things you will see me write often is how intimately the Lord desires to be involved in our lives.  Psalm 139 tells us that He was with us in our mothers' wombs and saw us being formed.  It also says that all of our days were written in His book before we even came to be.  So important are we to Him that, as Isaiah 49:16 tells us, our names are engraved on His hand.  

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was born for you and me.  He left the beauty and perfection of Heaven to begin His life in a feeding trough.  He spent His life teaching about who He is, and declaring His love for us.  Ultimately, He was brutally beaten, belittled, spat upon and horrifyingly nailed to a cross and that also was for you and me.  He gave His life to buy our pardon.  So great is His love for us that He took upon Himself every sin that had ever, and would ever, be committed.  Nails had no power over the Savior.  The only thing strong enough to keep Him on that cross was love.  Then He fulfilled His greatest promise and rose again.  Even now He intercedes for us before the Father.  Does this sound as though He feels we are insignificant?

I am all too aware that each of us faces hardships of one kind or another and that it is easy to feel that nothing ever seems to change for the better.  We can feel isolated and that life is passing us by.  When we sit and focus on ourselves we open the door for the enemy to whisper in our ears that our lives count for little, that few people care about us and that we have very little to contribute.  

But, think about this....Almighty God, perfect in every way, chose to create this world and He didn't think it was complete without you.  He made only one of each of us, so it stands to reason that we each have a purpose.  You may never know how many lives you touch, how many hearts you impact.  Like in the movie "It's A Wonderful Life", if you or I had not been born then this world would be totally different.  Just consider -  our children or grandchildren would never have been born.  Do you think the world is a better place with them in it?  

We have to change our focus.  Spending more time in God's Word will fill our minds and hearts with His thoughts.  Reaching out will lift up others who are struggling too.  There is always a way to make a positive contribution.  Ask the Lord to reveal to you a talent you may be unaware of or how to better use one you are aware of.  Strive to bring joy to someone.  Even if you just impact one life, to that one person you may be the most significant soul on earth.  

I pray that we all might align ourselves with how Jesus sees us then find a way to share His love with as many other people as possible.  May your day, and life, be blessed.

Mid-Week Message - He Will Not Let You Down

"The Lord is my strength and shield.  I trust him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."  Psalm 28:7  (NLT)  

When we were young, we dreamed of being older.  Didn't we all wish for the time when we would be on our own, making our own decisions in life and be out from under our parents' control?  We dreamed of being able to do the things we wanted to do when we wanted to do them.  We idealized our future careers, dreamed about meeting our life partners and planned for how we would raise our own children.  We would be different.  We would do better.  How naïve were.

We had no idea what adult life was truly like.  We didn't know how onerous the responsibilities would be.  Not being able to see the future, we didn't have any idea what troubles we might encounter.  Our fantasies didn't include financial problems, job losses, caring for elderly parents, battling disease, worrying over addicted children or dealing with our own mortality.  We certainly couldn't have foreseen political unrest or a time when this nation would turn against those who put their lives on the line every day to protect us.  

The reality is that we have no way of knowing what tomorrow will bring.  I can remember my mother telling me not to wish my life away and to enjoy being young as long as I could.  Those were wise words that I did not understand at the time.  Now, how I long to go back and let someone else be in charge so that I can live oblivious to the problems that life inevitably presents.  Wouldn't you like that as well?  

Life is not just hard, sometimes it is too hard.  Many days we awake not knowing what our next step should be.  It may be that the money is not there to pay the bills or that our job may be eliminated. Maybe a marriage is on the rocks or a child is in danger.  There are so many possibilities that can be thrown at us.  What are we to do?  

Just as those who came before us had to do, we have to find away to cope with all we are handed.  Thankfully we serve a God who has promised never to abandon us.  Though we find ourselves weak and worn, He is strong and faithful.  He says that His grace is sufficient for us and that is a grand promise because much of the time that is all we seem to have to hold onto as we lift our voices and cry for help. 

Praise God that we have Him to run to!  There is nothing that happens in our lives that catches Him by surprise.  Psalm 139:16b says, "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  This is our assurance that before He even created us, He already knew everything that we would encounter.  He has walked the road ahead of us and knows how to lead us through whatever we are facing.  Though the way seems dark, He is the light that will guide us.  

Are you crying out for help?  He hears you.  Does it seem as though the help never comes?  I promise you that He is not ignoring your pleas.  He is there.  Listen for the gentle whisper of His voice.  Sing praises of thanksgiving, not because you see the answer, but because you know that He is in charge and will provide it.  Trust Him.  Believe Him.  Follow Him.  He will not let you down.  

Mid-Week Message - Nowhere to Hide

"I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!  If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.  If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me."  Psalm 139:7-10  (NLT) 

I ran from my mother one time.  One time.  I don't remember what I had done.  I was only maybe four years old at the time.  She came toward me to discipline me and I ran.  When she caught me, the result was far harsher than it would have been if I had not made the choice to run. 

From Daddy, I hid.  I always seemed to get in trouble soon after he left for work in the mornings.  My mother would say, "Just wait until your father gets home."  So all day I dreaded the hour that his car would drive up in the driveway.  When it did, I would hide in one of two places.  Under the bed, or in the closet.  I can remember thinking to myself that the closet was so dark that not even God could find me in there.  Of course, Daddy always knew where I was so hiding never worked.  I am so glad that he always knew where I was.  Not because I enjoyed the discipline that came after he found me but because of the security of knowing that he loved me and was familiar with where I would be.  

One day before he passed away, he and my mother were discussing his collection of business cards.  She asked him what would happen to them after he was gone and he said, "Karla will get them."  She said that I would probably just throw them away, to which he replied, "She'll keep them.  I know my daughter."  And, yes, I still have them almost sixteen years later.  

There is great comfort in the knowledge that our Lord always knows where we are.  As the scripture says, there is no where that we can go to be out of His presence.  One of my favorite quotes from the movie Buckaroo Banzai is, "No matter where you go, there you are."  That is true about God.  Whether we are in the depths of the ocean, upon the highest mountain, soaring in the sky or just hiding in a dark closet, He is there.  

Some days are dark and stormy.  Life can lead us down paths that we never even knew existed.  Fear, confusion, anger, depression, loneliness, addiction, illness, or catastrophe are just a few of the things we can face.  But we can also experience love, joy, peace or plenty.  No matter what condition we find ourselves in, no matter what is before us, we are not alone.  We are never away from His presence.  

Psalm 139 is my favorite chapter in the Bible.  There is so much reassurance of His intimate involvement in our lives, even from conception.  I encourage you to find a quiet place and spend just a few moments reading it.  Take the words in and hide them in your heart.  

I am grateful that I tried to run and hide from my parents because it taught me that they were always there, even when I tried to get away from them.  It was a precursor to understanding the presence of God, although His presence is far greater.  What a wonderful thing to know that I am never out of His sight, or out of His care.  Nor are you.  Ever.  May we all find great comfort in that knowledge.  God bless.