Focus on God’s Promise and Hope

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.”

Jesus replied,“Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”         Mark 13:1-2 (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters,we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.                 Hebrews 10:19-23 (NLT, my emphasis)

Lectionary texts: I Samuel 1:4-20, Psalm 113, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-8

I began reading the texts with I Samuel. I love the story of Hannah. Her petition to God is for a child. Those of us who have children and had no difficulties conceiving a child cannot understand her heartache. Most of us can identify with her relationship to Peninnah, however. We have known a snotty bully who enjoyed degrading us in order to make themselves feel more superior. Then there is the scene of Hannah, crying out to God straight from her heart that has the priest, Eli, thinking she is drunk. It might be compared to crying and speaking to God in “tongues” when under great duress in spirit, that can seem unintelligible to an observer. But I wonder if there is a significance that God seems to answer Hannah’s request, not when she is crying out in her anguish of feeling “less than” but when she dedicates her child, yet to be conceived, to God. It seems God’s answer comes not for the immediate concern but in a bigger Kingdom plan for a child who, dedicated to Him, will become His prophet.

And then there are the disciples who are dazzled by the Temple, man’s concept of God’s Kingdom. Jesus quickly destroys the disciples’ focus, which was the focus of most Jews – that Israel would overthrow Rome and rule as King David had. And Jesus goes even further and reveals to them that there will be “wars and rumors of war,” earthquakes, famines, and that is only the beginning. But Jesus says it is not the the beginning of “the end” but of birth. The old way of thinking will be destroyed and God’s true Kingdom will come. This is what most of us, His disciples, do not want to hear and allow ourselves to understand. The Kingdom that we will be a part of – isn’t here on earth. In fact,

“ … those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now – and never to be equaled again.” Mark 13:19 (NIV)

Psalm 113 and Hebrews 10 speaks of the hope and the promise from God that we have. God’s promise that we will be with Him again in Paradise because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Just as we participate in suffering as Jesus did, so we will also be a part of the glory that is to come.

Even now as I am writing this, wars and conflicts erupt and people will die. The end result of these conflicts may bring incomprehensible suffering. Hurricanes and earthquakes seem to strike and fulfill God’s Word that it will “rain on the just and the unjust.” The world economy could bring a fiscal depression that exceeds The Great Depression of the early 20th century. And through all of this, we have Jesus entreating us, just as He did His disciples of the 1st century, “Listen to Me! Look with your spiritual eyes and see the eternal Kingdom. That is My Promise and your Hope.”

Be Thou My Vision written by Dallan Forgaill (6th century Ireland) and sung by 4Him

 

 

 

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God is Enough

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from November 25, 2008]

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.     
Matthew 19:21-22 (NIV)

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.     Luke 22:60-62 (NIV)

God has been speaking to me a lot these last 10 years about growing up. It has been in my spirit many times in these last few weeks and so it has been a topic in these devotions. For the last eight years I have received the encouragement and discipline from God first…and then passed it on to you! 

Growing up is an adventure. It can be exciting. It can be painful. It can be those things for both child and parent! Strangely enough, today my thoughts as I read Scripture were not about me! It was about God and how He was looking at the rich young ruler in Matthew’s gospel, Peter in Luke’s gospel, and me in my story.

God gave me free choice. I believe it was the wrapping on every gift He has given me – from salvation to His wisdom. I have free choice to take His gift…or not. I have free choice to be obedient to His will and plan…or not. He must stand back and let me make that choice. He cannot and will not make me do anything.

Standing back and allowing my brothers and sisters in the Lord, even my children, choose God’s path without my – dare I say it? –interference – is not easy. If God is about free choice and wants His children to grow up then for me to step in – no matter how good the intentions – is disobedient and not God’s will for my life nor the one I love. But it is so hard! A good friend said true words when she admonished us to utilize “maximum prayer – minimum contact”!!!

September 21, 2004 will be a day forever burned into my life. Hurricane Ivan had blown through our home town leaving massive destruction in its wake. We live in a trailer and so we had stayed with friends for almost a week. On this day, we returned home to 50% power but grateful we had a home! We returned home in time…for our son, James, to die. I remember this day specifically because after battling cancer together for the past five years, I had to step back and watch James make this final part of this journey…without me. Maybe I caught a glimpse of God’s heart as He watched His Son make that journey to the cross alone. Maybe I could sense Jesus’ heart as He looked at Peter across Pilate’s courtyard. Maybe I can learn about the Father’s love as He watches me struggle with a sin that I do not want to give up. I don’t know. I just know that it was, without a doubt, the hardest, most painful 24 hours of my life.

If we weep over those we love while allowing them to forge their relationship with Jesus in the fire of adversity as a growing child of God, may we also receive His comfort because we know that He loves even more and better than we do!

Power of Your Love written by Geoff Bullock and sung by the Hillsong Worship Team

 

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Treasure Hunting

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said,]“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”        Luke 12:32-34 (NLT)

I have seen several movies of pirates in pursuit of sunken treasure chests. The adventure, danger, and romantic subplots make for a good afternoon with buttered popcorn and Milk Duds. And so I ask myself today what treasure would I pursue with the same intensity as a pirate after a chest of jewels? Would it be more attractive if it were a foot locker filled with nicely stacked $100 bills? Enough that I would never again have to wonder how to pay my power bill or when I would next be able to visit my children? That line of question tells me that it is not money in and of itself that I set as treasure but what can be done with the money.

Jesus says that I don’t need “stuff” or possessions. I want to consider His statement and give it a modern overlay of reality and wisdom so I can say that He didn’t really mean what He said.

“But I need a roof over my head and food on the table, Jesus!” Most of us would say that we haven’t heard God tell us to sell all that we have and become itinerant disciples like Peter and Paul. For myself, I’m not sure that I wouldn’t do a really good job of convincing my mind and heart that I was hearing incorrectly if He did. So let’s say that God did not actually tell me to sell all and I have a home and all that I need. I’m not wealthy but I don’t have to struggle. The question then, I believe, is do I understand that what I have been give is not mine but it is a gift from God that He expects me to use to build His Kingdom? Is my home one of hospitality and used to lift up and encourage others? When opportunities come to me to give to those who are in need, do I give my “extra” or do I give my all (Luke 21)? Maybe this Thanksgiving I could give a 20-lb turkey to someone in need and make do with a turkey breast at my table. Or invite a family to join me for dinner and send all the leftovers home with them and eat peanut butter myself for the next week.

“But You want me to give to those in need so I have to make money to give money!” Why do I want money? Do I make money to have the 2200 square foot home and the new car every two years? Does God say that I need these to do what He has called me to do? Or is He pointing to a 1600 square foot home and used car and the money saved could help a village build a school or support a missionary for a year? Do I ask God with my ears open to really hear? If I’m honest, not always.

“I tithe. I give offerings. That’s more than most people do.” I have never thought of myself as wealthy. I have had a job since I was 16 and have never lived extravagantly like the Kardashians. But I have always given to others without a conscious thought that I would be making a sacrifice. I remember a scene from Louisa Alcott’s Little Women: The daughters are excited to awaken on Christmas morning to find sausages, fresh baked bread, butter and jam on their breakfast table. Not an extravagant breakfast but they are told that their mother went to help a widow with five small children who live in a nearby shack. The girls reluctantly make the decision to give their breakfast to this family. It is a sacrifice because now they will be fasting. Have you ever done something like this? I have to wonder if I have missed a great treasure, a blessing.

What are the treasures in my heart? Am I asking God to open my eyes and heart to opportunities to bless others? Do I understand that I have much more than I need? Am I afraid that if I do not fill my barns with plenty of grain that there will be a time of famine that God will not provide for me?

[Jesus said in a parable,] “Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’

But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”           Luke 12:18-21 (NLT)

Each of us has a relationship with our LORD. Each of us has been given a path to follow and a mission in His Kingdom. Paul said we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-14). He means not to be afraid of “messing up” but to be open to do God’s will, not our own. To want God’s way more than our own.

Thanksgiving and Christmas. Seasons of giving. Let us give, not out of our “extra” and because it is the “right” thing. But let us open our minds and heart to the leading of God’s Spirit as He gives us the opportunity to give with both hands and so find the eternal treasure that Jesus spoke. And maybe, when December 26 comes, we will find that we want to keep right on giving, knowing we really can not out-give Him!

Give Thanks written by Henry Smith (1978) and sung by Don Moen

 

Posted in Luke | Comments Off on Treasure Hunting

Abba Over the Storms

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from November 5, 2010]

When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”      Matthew 8:23-25 (WEB)

I bet when the disciples followed Jesus in the boat they did not expect to be riding out a hurricane force wind in the Sea of Galilee. When I made the decision to follow Jesus, I did not expect to be riding through so many storms. I was looking for the rainbows and butterflies and harps propped on clouds. What really happened in my life was that the hurricanes came back to back to back. I had no absence of storms. I had the presence of an unequal-in-power LORD and Savior!

It doesn’t read like Jesus just nodded off. Mark’s gospel says that Jesus was using a pillow. It seems that this was a planned nap. There are times in my life when I have wondered if God has gotten distracted, or fallen asleep, and doesn’t know that I am desperate for His help! I do not hear Him. I do not see Him intervening and answering my need. Doesn’t God care?! I do not doubt that God can handle any situation. I am questioning His character!

Fear does that. When I am afraid, I allow what I know to be undermined. If God permits storms after I get on board with Him, does He care what is happening to me? Fear lets loose the doubts! And then my need for control kicks in. “Do something, LORD?!” “Fix this!” At the core of my fear is a loss of control. I think my life is spinning apart. I am so focused on the storm and the fear it has brought that I forget my history, my life so far, with God. The disciples in the boat forgot the healed lepers and the demons screaming over the cliff. I forgot how God took a woman with a crushed heart and made her whole. I forgot that in the darkest nights, God has been the guiding Light and strength to continue on the next day.

Fear is awful. It sucks me dry. I stop dreaming. What if the dreams are un-fulfilled? I am no longer willing to take a risk. I want the safety of a ‘sure thing’. In this case, a god who will become my ‘over-Protector’. Fear robs me of love. Love is risky. Fear robs me of giving. Giving (serving) has no guarantee of a payback.

Jesus tells me many, many times not to be afraid. Must be important. Some commentaries, who had people willing to count, say that Jesus said not to be afraid or fear over 20 times. Instead, Jesus said to have courage; to have faith.

Jesus woke up and stood up. He didn’t wave His arms or scream and shout. He reminded the disciples that it was all about faith in Him. Then He told the storm to Hush and the storm was silenced. Done. No fuss. No muss.

Are there storms in your life? With Jesus in your boat, the boat is not going to sink.

“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression [storms]; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”     John 16:33 (WEB, my addition)

Stand By Me written by Charles A Tindley and sung by Willie Nelson

 

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Election 2012

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good.       Romans 12:21 (NCV)

I am writing this devotion the morning of the election. I am writing it before I know who won – because, frankly, it doesn’t matter who wins between these two men. I know there are some people who read my statement and have just “un-friended” me! So if you are still with me, I hope you will read at least another 1-2 lines. It is important who I voted for. It is important because I prayed and obediently voted for who I believe God told me to vote for. And whoever wins, I will pray for him and believe that God can use him effectively for His Kingdom.

Jesus chose His first disciples not because they believed the way He did. Peter tried to talk Him out of going to Jerusalem, remember? Jesus didn’t even choose all “good and practicing” Jews. He sent, arguably, His best evangelist and teacher, Paul, to – wait for it – the Gentiles! Jesus chose disciples and who He uses not based on human, quanitative characteristics but on His insider knowledge. Jesus knows our hearts. He knows what He can do with our hearts. I daresay that whoever wins this election, like every president before him and all of us sitting out here making our judgments, he will not have a heart that is where God desires it to be. And I think the Oval Office makes a great crucible to refine a person, don’t you?

Only 43 men since 1789 have answered to the name, “Mr. President” (If you think I miscounted, remember Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms and that’s your history lesson for the day.) If I look at pictures of these men and compare how they looked going in and how they look even after two years, they all have aged. If that doesn’t pull at my heart and encourage me to pray, well I need to check my heart with Jesus even more!

Dwight Eisenhower was president when I was born. His predecessor, Harry Truman, had to make the decision to send an atomic bomb to destroy two entire cities in Japan. John Kennedy came close to a similar event in Cuba. Lyndon Johnson had the Viet Nam War. Jimmy Carter had 52 hostages to negotiate out of Iran. H.W. Bush had the 1st Gulf War and George Bush had terrorist attacks and the 2nd Gulf War. Barack Obama has economic crises here at home and, oh yes, some fanatical jihad guys who will do anything to destroy everything that the US stands for because – well just because it isn’t what they stand for!

The older I get … the more questions than answers I have. The more I study the Bible and build my relationship with God the more I find myself leaving my agenda and know-it-all attitude behind and lean on God’s ways. It’s hard. It’s awesome! It’s hopeful. It means that the future will have more hope in it … because I trusted God for it. And this is what I will pray for my president, whoever he is: that he will continue to grow in his relationship with God and learn to trust Him more. That he will learn to cry out to God first and lean on God’s understanding of any situation that comes across his desk.

All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves. Those who do right do not have to fear the rulers; only those who do wrong fear them. Do you want to be unafraid of the rulers? Then do what is right, and they will praise you. The ruler is God’s servant to help you. But if you do wrong, then be afraid. He has the power to punish; he is God’s servant to punish those who do wrong. So you must yield to the government, not only because you might be punished, but because you know it is right.     Romans 13:1-5 (NCV)

The song today is one that will be familiar to you all. But did you know that Irving Berlin wrote the song in 1918 while he was serving in the Army during World War I, the “war to end on all wars”? He stuck it away in a drawer. Kate Smith introduced the song to America on her very popular radio show in 1938 as the US was again preparing for another war. Take the time to watch this 50 year old movie clip that, with some updated clothes and cars, would reflect us again today. Near the end of the clip is Irving Berlin standing behind a desk with a future president sitting nearby reading a newspaper. Thank You, LORD, for blessing me to live in the United States of America. God bless our president with Your wisdom, LORD. May we humble ourselves and seek Your face, LORD, in all ways, every day.

God Bless America written by Irving Berlin (1918, revised in 1938) and sung by Kate Smith

 

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Gave it All

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus sat near the Temple money box and watched the people put in their money. Many rich people gave large sums of money. Then a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which were only worth a few cents.

Calling his followers to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow gave more than all those rich people. They gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had; she gave all she had to live on.”     Mark 12:41-44 (NCV)

Lectionary texts: Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Psalm 42, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44

This isn’t a devotion about tithing our money to our local church. Frankly I think Jesus’ attitude toward money was pretty straight forward. Money is inherently evil. It brings out deceit and manipulation possibly more than any single item in our culture. Jesus stated that I cannot allow money to become my Master (Matthew 8:24). When I allow the accumulation of it, the dispensing of it, and the use of it to become priority in my life above serving God and His children, then it has become my Master.

Jesus brings this story of the poor widow to me today to teach me about what it means to give all I have. I think it is no coincidence that it comes in the lectionary texts that span the week from our national election to Veteran’s Day.

Give my love. There have been several times during the last six months that I have wanted to “un-friend” people from my Facebook list. Their re-posting of half-truths and snide remarks about both presidential candidates has shocked me. And I don’t easily shock! And then I remember the apostle John reminding me that anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in darkness (1 John 2:9), so how can I reject my brother or sister because we disagree? I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit isn’t done convicting me yet! My prayer is that we disciples of Jesus Christ will remember to Whom we pledge our ultimate allegiance and that it is He who is on the throne of the Kingdom that will have no end – long after the kings and presidents of this world are gone.

Give my time. Now Jesus is stepping on my righteous toes as He brings His message to give all I have to an area that is more difficult to give up control. Much of my selfishness about my time is twisted up in not “wasting” time and so miss opportunities to further my own schedule toward my definition of success. Or maybe it is as simple as my time is something that I do have some control to say “yes” or “no”. And so as I talk to Jesus about giving all, I ask myself: Am I willing to give all my time in all the days of my life? Am I willing to be obedient to whatever Jesus asks of me even if no one else knows how I spend my time?

Give my life. The veterans that I recognize on this day each year are examples of what it means to give all in service. When a man or woman signs up to serve in the military, their life is no longer their own. Their time is no longer in their control. They have made the decision to serve their country before their own desires, even before their own family. And if asked to give their life, their answer is “yes”. To think that my decision when I signed up to serve in God’s Army would require anything less means I missed the fine print. My Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ, by His very example shows me that to be His disciple means I have given my life and it is not mine to control. I serve my LORD, obeying His desires before my own, even before my own family. And I am asked to give my life. It means that the span of my earthly life is for God to determine and how I transition to the eternal life that He has promised is in His plan for me.

I will be reading these passages more than once this week. Ruth trusted God as she lived in a land not her own with people who did not welcome her, despite her kindness toward her mother-in-law. Hebrews 9 continues the book’s theme that Jesus gave His all and so did it all, once and for all. Psalm 42:11 says,

Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again — my Savior and my God!

And this is where I am today. I give my all because my hope is in my Savior and LORD.

Take My Life & Let It Be written by Frances R Havergal (1874), sung by Chris Tomlin

 

 

 

 

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Mourning into Gladness

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

The Lord All-Powerful will prepare a feast on this mountain for all people. 
It will be a feast with all the best food and wine, the finest meat and wine.
On this mountain God will destroy the veil that covers all nations,
the veil that stretches over all peoples; he will destroy death forever.
The Lord God will wipe away every tear from every face.
He will take away the shame of his people from the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

At that time people will say,
“Our God is doing this! We have waited for him, and he has come to save us.
This is the Lord. We waited for him, so we will rejoice and be happy when he saves us.” Isaiah 25:6-9 (NCV)

[Jesus said,] “The Father gives me the people who are mine. Every one of them will come to me, and I will always accept them. I came down from heaven to do what God wants me to do, not what I want to do. Here is what the One who sent me wants me to do: I must not lose even one whom God gave me, but I must raise them all on the last day. Those who see the Son and believe in him have eternal life, and I will raise them on the last day. This is what my Father wants.”            John 6:37-40 (NCV)

Lectionary texts for All Saint’s Day: Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 27, Romans 6:3-9, John 6:37-40

This is a day in the Church year when those who have gone before us are remembered. During worship services often names are read of those who have died during the year. The grief in the room is tangible whether it has been two days or 11 months since the person died. We grieve for ourselves because the one we love isn’t there to talk to us, laugh with us, share the upcoming holidays one more time. The one who has died is certainly in a better place – but that doesn’t fill the hole that has been ripped in our lives.

These four Scriptures may be ones to mark in your Bible. Just write a little list on a page so that when you are feeling that “low” place and missing that person, these Scriptures are good ointment to gently smear over that sore spot. They aren’t sicky sweet platitudes but God’s promises and truths about His plan for us.

It will be a feast. I am a “foodie.” I love to cook for my family and friends whether it is a pot of homemade soup and some crusty bread or Thanksgiving dinner with all the favorites. God has all the best produce at His hand and He never burns the sauce! There will be laughter and more joy than any of us have experienced at any family reunion. I can’t wait!

There will be no tears and no shame. There are times that I think I can’t stop crying. I weep for the people devastated in disasters. I weep for children who are abused and killed. I weep for our soldiers and their families who give so much. I weep for friends who are battling cancer and must endure another needlestick and another trip to a doctor or hospital. I weep because I miss my children and grandchildren. But there is coming a time when I will smile and laugh and laugh and smile. That’s all.

And in all the ways that I have been disobedient to my LORD; I’ve missed opportunities to be His hands and feet or misrepresented Him to someone who so needed to see Him – that shame will be washed away like a rain shower bath in the purest of water. The way that I felt the night I was baptized, so clean and new, it will be like that, only better, all the time!

All that Jesus came to save and believe in Him will be there. All those who have gone before me to heaven and all those that I haven’t sat down at a meal with in so very long, they will be there. And there are no time constraints to our time together. It is forever. How long is that? Well, my simple, finite mind can’t really grasp that – but it means it will never end. And I believe we will do Kingdom work together, in harmony, forever and ever because God’s Kingdom will have no end!

So if you are thinking of some Saints today that you haven’t seen in awhile – take time to read these Scriptures, write them down so you don’t forget these good words, and listen to this song. It will all help you to keep on…

Keep Singing written and sung by MercyMe

 

Posted in Isaiah, John | Comments Off on Mourning into Gladness

Wisdom

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

My child, listen to what I say and remember what I command you.
Listen carefully to wisdom;
set your mind on understanding.
Cry out for wisdom,
and beg for understanding.
Search for it like silver,
and hunt for it like hidden treasure.
Then you will understand respect for the Lord,
and you will find that you know God.
Only the Lord gives wisdom;
he gives knowledge and understanding…

Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom.
If it costs everything you have, get understanding.            Proverbs 2:1-6, 4:7 (NLT, my emphasis)

I was looking at baby pictures the other day. I flipped to one and there was one of my grandchildren just WAILING! Face all twisted up, mouth open wide and even though it was a picture, my ears were ringing with the sound! And I saw myself for over seven years now, crying out to God, asking Him for what I needed. It’s a specific thing that I have been asking and asking and crying for. And looking at this picture it occurred to me that like this infant I was asking for what I needed but I was asking to fill an immediate need, not asking with the bigger picture in mind. An infant cries because it is hungry or wet or tired. The childish mind just wants and doesn’t understand or process that he/she needs what will help them grow in a way that results in strength and good health. So for me, I was asking for the right need but not with the intent that God had in His plan. I received His wisdom.

Too often as a Christian I may think that as long as I pray and go to church that I have “got it”. My eternal life is sealed and I can coast right on out of this world into the next. And that is an option. But it isn’t the best option. When I open myself up to God’s wisdom and understanding, I am telling Jesus that I not only want to be a branch on His vine, I want Him to prune and tend me so that I produce abundant fruit! I want more.

The writer of Proverbs says I am to search for wisdom. I must sweat, putting forth some effort and not just sit back on my padded pew waiting to be spoon fed some sip of wisdom. I may not want to accept this truth but what has come into my life through effort, taking the time to read and soak or practice diligently to learn a new skill are things that are treasures to me that have stood the test of time in my life and have become part of the foundation of who I am.

James assures me that if I ask for wisdom, God will give it generously (James 1:2-5). So why am I not the wisest person around? I have the same problem as Solomon. God was pleased that Solomon asked for wisdom and He gave it to Solomon generously. But Solomon began to turn to his own wisdom and reasoning and that is when life and kingdom fell apart.

This week there are many in the northeastern part of our country who are looking at the complete destruction of their homes and wondering what they are going to do and where is God in all of this. It is so hard to call out for wisdom and hear and understand God’s wisdom when we are in overwhelming circumstances. God’s wisdom can come to those in need through workers who are also bringing water and food. It can come to the volunteers who have left their own homes and traveled hundreds of miles to give aid. It can come in the darkest hour of night when everything else seems silent. God comes in a whisper like He did to Elijah (1 Kings 19: 9-13).

However we must “get wisdom,” let us believe and understand that wisdom is worth the effort and the most important thing. “LORD, give me Your wisdom.”

In Your Presence written by Lynn Deshazo and sung by Paul Wilbur

 

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Parent and Child

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from December 29, 2010]

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6 (NLT)

If you are a parent, older sibling that is raising a younger sibling, or mentor, pull up a chair and join me. Do your children look at you with pride? Or are most of their looks blank, horror, embarrassment, anger, hurt, disappointment? Do your children invite their friends home? Do your children complain because you never come to visit them or explain to you why your seven-day visit can only be four days because they are going out of town? Do they invite you to dinner in their home more than once a month? Do they leave their children with you?

God gives us His definite thoughts about being a parent. He shows us over and over what being a good parent is all about. I have shared before that when I did a word study on Father that it was eye-opening and healing to me. I learned so much about forgiveness and real love. I thought it was going to help me understand my own parents. And it did. But it also taught me about being a parent; finding the balance between encouraging and discipline.

Colossians 3:18-21. I included the verses on husbands and wives because we must be an example to our children in that area also. How I treat my husband will influence my daughter on how she treats her husband. Submission doesn’t mean door mat or that I have no opinion. It also doesn’t mean that I keep a score card! Read verse 21 slowly and several times. As parents we are not to frustrate our children with a list of rules and expectations that overwhelm them. I believe the frustration comes many times because parents ask from their children what they do not do themselves. They put on a mask of holiness but, as Jesus observed, they are “white-washed tombs”(Matthew 23:27).

Ephesians 6:1-4. Here Paul goes another step after the warning to “not exasperate” and says we should grow our children up in God’s instructions. That means we do not just tell our children what to do but we show them; lead them by our example. If I want them to love Jesus and follow His example, then they should see and know that is how I live my life.

Genesis 2:24. You might think this is a strange verse to consider but God said that a child shall leave their mother and father and become one with their spouse. Am I raising my child to leave me? Am I giving them the tools to make good choices and understand consequences of their choices when they are two so that when they are twenty they are not surprised that being rebellious and disobedient will lead them to pain and suffering?

When I did my word study, I read for months. That was over ten years ago and I haven’t quit reading. I haven’t quit because my heart aches for these now adults that are struggling in their marriages and in raising their own children. If children’s children are a crown to me in my old age, my crown is pretty sad because I did not raise their parents in God’s instructions.

I do not believe it is too late to make a course correction but the correction must be by truthful example. Let us be honest with our children. “I was wrong” is not a bad thing to say to your adult children. Let us encourage our children to study about “the Father” and learn to be a parent after His heart; desiring to live with Him forever.

Father, I Adore You by the Maranatha Singers

 

Posted in Proverbs | Comments Off on Parent and Child

Building His Kingdom

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

After this, the Lord chose seventy-two others and sent them out in pairs ahead of him into every town and place where he planned to go.    Luke 10:1 (NCV)

John the Baptist is the one Isaiah the prophet was talking about when he said:
“This is a voice of one who calls out in the desert:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord.
Make the road straight for him.’ ” (Isaiah 40:3)      Matthew 3:3 (NCV)

Jesus is still sending us, His disciples, out. He sends us ahead of Him into every place where He has plans to go. And He plans to go everywhere. Jesus has given us all that we need. His Spirit is within us; His gifts are there as He knows we will need. So what is preventing the harvest from being brought into God’s Kingdom?

John the Baptist kept it simple. He was told to preach about repentance, turning away from sin and man’s own way of doing things, and that is what John did. He did not try to make disciples that followed him but instead pointed them to the One who was to come. He didn’t sit down and develop a program or build a sanctuary so people could tithe and support him and the campus. He just did what he was told. And what did Jesus tell the 72 to do?

Get to work and do not be distracted. What is it in my life that I am passionate about? There is a reason I have that passion. God gave it to me and the gifts or talents to do it and do it with joy. The question that I have to ask myself is: What is more important – financial and career success or doing something that may not be as financially advantageous as it is satisfying to my spirit? Now these are not mutually exclusive things but I do believe that I must seek my life’s work with a mindset that is in “right relationship” (righteous) with what God wants me to be doing in His Kingdom? In other words, I can have a passion for teaching and gifts to do that and be a success but job choices should always be made, not with advancement in mind, but with how I can serve God and His children better. I must guard myself not to be seduced off God’s plan for me.

Work to produce Kingdom fruit. I know a wonderful pastor who has a passion for outreach and discipleship. He has a gift for exhortation and encouragement that God can use to bring His sheep into the sheep pen. He was given a church near a major university. It didn’t take much vision or discernment to see how God could use this congregation to reach out to the students – “Come for a free meal every Tuesday night and some fellowship!” and there would be mentors to help in studies or just share a cup of coffee and – wait for it – talk about their questions about God and life! No brainer, right? Nope, the church didn’t want to do that. They did a lot of “stuff” and were a “busy” church but they weren’t interested in producing Kingdom fruit but just inbreeding their own appetites. The pastor was soon moved – because God will not waste His resources!

Is what I am doing in my life producing fruit that will last for eternity? It is fine for me to share with my grandchildren about their familial roots but, more importantly, am I sharing with them about our Father in heaven and His work in our family? Is our church having fellowship dinners to slap each other on the back and spend time together or are we opening our doors with food and fellowship to bring in the sheep lost outside our doors?

Stay humble. When the 72 told Jesus about how demons submitted to them in His name, He cautioned them not to get all excited about what they were accomplishing but that they themselves were saved by the LORD. No matter what may be seen by human eyes as my accomplishments, I must never forget Who has really done the best in me. And on the other hand, no matter what isn’t seen by the world, no matter how un-successful the world may see me, my Father knows my deeds and will reward me accordingly. That can be so hard to keep working in God’s vineyard and do it without the encouragement and support of those you love. John the Baptist was by himself and thought to be one strange dude in his animal skins and dinners of bugs and roadside fruit. Jesus’ family thought He was crazy and came to bring Him home to come to His senses. They set the path of perseverance for me.

I’ve been a race to run. Jesus has sent me out with His name. I am on my knees today that I may be used by Him – an ordinary tool in the hand of an Extraordinary LORD. May I be found faithful for He is faithful to me.

Find Us Faithful written and sung by Steve Green

 

 

 

Posted in Luke, Matthew | Comments Off on Building His Kingdom