Who My LORD Is

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Let all that I am praise the Lord.
O Lord my God, how great you are!
You are robed with honor and majesty.
You are dressed in a robe of light.
You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;
you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind.
The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants.

You placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved.
You clothed the earth with floods of water, water that covered even the mountains.
At your command, the water fled; at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.
Mountains rose and valleys sank to the levels you decreed.
Then you set a firm boundary for the seas, so they would never again cover the earth.    Psalm 104:1-9 (NLT)

Lectionary texts: Job 38:1-7, 34-41, Psalm 104:1-9, 25, 37c, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45

This week’s lectionary texts speak to me about the power of my LORD. They are texts that, for me, speak best as I look up into the changing sky. As I watch the clouds move, the sun rise and set, the stars too numerous for me to count, I am reminded of my worries and concerns and my spirit is assured as I open my hands and release those to the Creator of all I see and do not see.

Job 38 begins God’s response to all that Job and his buddies have said about Job’s situation. Now God reminds them of how little they actually know.

Hebrews 5 reminds me of how even the “holiest” of us cannot come into the presence of God by our own offerings and sacrifices. It is only through Jesus, our High Priest anointed by God, that we are admitted into the Throne Room of God.

And then in Mark 10, I follow the stumblings of my fellow disciples who ignorantly believe that their relationship to Jesus elevates them to a possible place on the adjoining thrones of Jesus. And here is where I drop to my knees and consider my own mind set.

It is good to hear and receive the love of my Father God. It is good to meditate on how much He loves me and His love has no conditions. He gives and gives and gives His love. BUT it is also good to consider that the ocean that can rock my world with a Class 5 hurricane – fits in the palm of my LORD’s hand. The hurricane that seems so overwhelming is but a whistle. And so I am sitting here considering our relationship and I am humbled and I weep that we have a relationship!

My Redeemer Lives written and sung by Nicole C Mullen

 

 

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Be Careful What I Ask

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”    Mark 10:17 (HCSB)

“Good Teacher, what must I do to keep from just dying? I want to get to heaven and live forever.”

It’s interesting to me that Luke calls this man a ruler and Matthew calls him young. The ever efficient Mark identifies him as just a man. I’m going to go out on my usual limb and speculate that most of us have never asked this question. We don’t think about dying much. We try hard not to, I think. But today, let’s come together and accept that we all will die – unless Jesus comes back sooner. That would still leave the question of: What do I do to make sure I end up in heaven?

I have a birthday coming up this month. I love birthdays. I love birthday celebrations. I like getting unexpected presents. I’m comfortable with all that because I love giving birthday presents. So if I get a gift for my birthday, I know I will be giving that person something on their birthday and I will try to make sure it is a thoughtful, loving gift that will convey how much I love and care about them.

Jesus’ gift of eternal life isn’t something that I can ever balance on the scales of gift giving. The price is more than I can ever repay. Jesus’ conversation with this man isn’t about paying a price for the gift of eternal life. It is about acknowledging that he is given this free gift even now through no payment of his own.

That “messes” with the balance scales that I have in my own mind. I used to think this passage about the man selling all he owned was about sacrificing for God. A sort of “pay back” for His gift of eternal life. I don’t believe that is what Jesus is doing at all. Jesus is telling the man to get rid of everything that is more important to him than his relationship with God.

“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.”    Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT, my emphasis)

What is more important to me than my LORD? Is it my family? My children? My spouse? Is it my job? My reputation? Is it my wealth? My security? Is there anything in my life that if God asked me to leave it behind and go or do something for Him, would I turn away in sadness like the man? If you quickly said, “No, there is nothing.” be careful, dear friend, because God may test your answer for truth.

“Are you proud of that big house and those two cars, Jody?” – I found out I can live without them if I have Jesus.

“Are you proud of your reputation as a nurse, Jody?” – I found out I can live through a malpractice suit, because what Jesus thinks of me is all that counts.

“Are your children living out your dreams or are they following Me?” – I found abundant life even through the death of my child but I freely admit this was my greatest struggle but it was also God’s greatest work in my life. And I now trust Him more when I see my children and grandchildren struggle, knowing that He loves them so much more than I do and will bring them through.

Truly I tell you that allowing Jesus to answer not necessarily the question I ask but the one that needs answering is a life changing moment and will bring with it a crossroad. As Joshua said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

“Yes,” Jesus replied,“and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.”     Mark 10:29-30 (NLT)

Great reward – along with persecution. All is “good” because my good Teacher is there with me every step of the way. Step of faith to trust Him and give to Him what means the most to me so I can give Him both of my hands and my heart to hold.

LORD, I Give You My Heart written by Rueben Morgan, sung by Hillsong Worship Team

 

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Jesus’ Attitude

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from November 17, 2010]

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.    1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NLT)

“household of God”. Other translations call it “God’s family”. “Family”. Does the word bring pictures to your mind of the Waltons? The Cleavers? Most may not know who those families are! They were families that lived together in unity. Today we have The Simpsons and the Modern Family and Dallas as role models. Not good. But even with God as the ‘head of the household’, I’m afraid that as a member of His family I would have to describe us as more like the Family Feud than Father Knows Best! (That was another utopic family!)

‘Family’ is one of those tricky concepts that is wonderful and perfect on paper but sticky and imperfect in practical application. God has given us precepts that show us how we ought to conduct themselves in God’s household but too often my eyes are looking out for myself and my requirements for daily life and so my place in the family becomes a territorial battle! Churches are fighting and dying for reasons that may be stated as having to do with serving God the right way but have more to do with conducting worship or church business in the image and likeness of individual members.

Warning! Before you begin reading, this passage is for me and for you! No one is exempt!

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.     Philippians 2:1-16 (NLT)

Now that’s a long Scripture but worth reading a second or third time. As head of our household, God gave us His Son as an example of humility and right focus within the family. He is not asking anything of me that Jesus did not walk through, even family relationships. Jesus’ natural brothers and sisters were no more or less than mine. They stayed as far away from Jesus as they could. They thought He was crazy. But James, Jesus’ brother, was one of the first to see Him post-resurrection. His ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’, the disciples, did not wear shiny halos all day and pluck harps on clouds. They were real people with ‘fleshy’ desires and sharp tongues! Peter, James, and John slept when He needed them to pray with Him. Peter denied he even knew Jesus. They all ran away and hid like frightened children in a secret room for fear they would be killed, too.

Yes, families are tricky things. I am grateful that my husband has placed God as head of our household. When I have concerns or I’m unhappy, I know Who to take my complaints to! When things are going well, I know Who to thank! I talk to God about my family. I trust Him to change me so I can be a quiet witness to them.

Let’s go back now and read again the passage from Philippians. May it marinate my heart today.

Grandma’s Hands written and sung by Bill Withers

Note: I chose this song today because as a grandmother, I have become very conscious of the example and influence I can have – or not – for good or for not good. I have gotten some Holy Fear about my example. 

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Servant Like Jesus

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprint from June 19, 2009]

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. 12:10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; 12:11 not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12:12 rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality. 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 12:18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 12:19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 12:20 Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

12:21 Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.     Romans 12:9-21 (WEB)

This has been a week in which I have been meditating on the whole of my life, considering what I am to be about and what I am notto be about! In this passage, Paul the great orator speaks his words firmly and yet so beautifully.

Love should be expressed truly whether to my husband or to a complete stranger. I am to always be real. When my heart is focused on Jesus then I will find myself able to express compassion to “even the least” so naturally and sincerely.

The next verses roll off Paul’s pen like poetry. It almost seems to have a cadence to it. I wonder if Paul repeated this to himself throughout the day. Did he become saturated with the mind of Jesus so that these characteristics flowed from him? And now it is time for me to soak in these words. Read verses 9-13 again. If I speak those words every morning, commit them to my heart, I wonder how different my day might be?

And then Paul brings the big hammer and says I should BLESS – truly speak blessings – on those who hate me! This is a sincere blessing, not a sarcastic, said through gritted teeth blessing!

Instead of zooming through my life, I need to listen and be aware of the opportunities that God brings into my life. When there is a moment to rejoice – savor it! When there is a time of sorrow – do not ignore it! Both are essential to good health and a balanced life that acknowledges joy and sorrow in this God-given life.

Verses 16-19 speaks to my pride. Jesus was the most “right” person and yet He did not have to argue every point or win by the world’s way of thinking. He laid His hand down on the cross and asked the Father to forgive us for what we have done – because we did not know. Even at that moment, Jesus was teaching and giving all that He had. Jesus chose to lay down His life. He shows me how to do that. He shows me that in the end – just as Paul said – vengeance – even judgment – will be the Father’s to execute. No matter what comes or who comes in my life – it is for God to take care of the evil. Never do I lower myself to that level! Striking back at evil is only adding to its weight. Keeping my focus on what is good (Philippians 4:8) takes all the steam out of evil and leaves it lying in the dust.

Jesus said that I am a branch on His vine. (John 15) I allow my roots to sinker deeper into that which is Jesus – a servant. My heart becomes a servant heart. My life gives glory to God.

Make Me a Servant – Maranatha Singers

 

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Not Forsaken – Not Forgotten

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?     Psalm 22:1 (NIV)

Lectionary texts: Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22:1-15, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31

Psalm 22 could be the outline for Jesus’ path through Calvary. I hope you will take time to read it this week. While some might focus entirely on the outline, I am comforted once again that Jesus has not asked me to walk any path that He has not already walked Himself.

God can seem very far away. When things get really tough, God can seem very far away. I have cried and cried in desperation, believing God to be either deaf or disinterested in what I am going through. I don’t know if this is true for you but many times the reason God seems far away is that my focus is totally on me. I am looking inward and seeing only my pain and my answers for the situation (that aren’t happening) and so of course everything and everyone else is far away! When I’ve cried myself out and begin to listen, it is then that some answers, options, peace, assurance, all that God has wanted to pour out through His Spirit to mine, come to me. And, yes, like a good parent, God wants me to grow up and mature in my faith. But Father God is also loving and so He does not want me fearful. “Listen, Jody.”

Even though I am only a “worm”, God has proven His faithfulness. The psalmist says in verse 6 that even though he is scorned and despised by others and feels like a worm, not human, that he is counting on God to rescue and deliver him since God “delights” in him. I was watching a TV show the other night in which a dad moved his daughter into her dorm room at college. Both dad and daughter were struggling with their separation. Just as he was about to walk out the door, she asked, “Dad, I know it isn’t necessary but will you do it one more time for old times?” Dad looked puzzled for a moment and then got a little smile. He walked over, bent down and looked under her bed. “No. No monsters,” he said. They hugged and he left. My Father God has taken down some monsters in my life. I know that if God tells me I am in the palm of His hand that hurricane winds may blow and floods may come but my LORD will never allow me to be taken from His hand. He will be with me whether I must go though rebuilding or whether this is my time to die.

And I will praise my LORD. Now sometimes my praise has begun in faith. I don’t always feel like praising God. But if I start in faith, it doesn’t take long to “get it” that I have much to praise and thank Him for! The psalmist, beginning in verse 22 (after our lectionary text!), states that he will praise because he knows that God has not despised or scorned him. The psalmist shows the way of Godly prayers: despair to victory. My friends if you remember nothing else from this devotion today, hear me clearly when I share with you: never, NEVER stop praying until you reach that place of peace, assurance, and have let go of the burden that you are carrying. That may take more than a 5 minute prayer. And, for me, that is Satan’s biggest weapon, as he tries to distract me or tell me I don’t have time to spend just praying. Think about how you feel when you started the prayer and how you would feel if you walked out of your prayer time without that weight. Would it be worth 30 minutes of your day? Yes, it is worth it to me, too! It may also mean that I have taken a step of faith and made a conscious choice to leave it with God. I tell you that if we leave our burdens with God, He will take care of them.

I’m Trading My Sorrows written and sung by Darrell Evans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXi5iq1zAl4

 

 

 

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Who I Am

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, so Jesus went into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table. A sinful woman in the town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So she brought an alabaster jar of perfume and stood behind Jesus at his feet, crying. She began to wash his feet with her tears, and she dried them with her hair, kissing them many times and rubbing them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who asked Jesus to come to his house saw this, he thought to himself, “If Jesus were a prophet, he would know that the woman touching him is a sinner!”      Luke 7:36-39 (NCV)

Jesus does know who is touching Him. When I cry out to God, when I reach out to hold His hand, when He puts His arms around me and holds me tenderly and fiercely, Jesus knows just who He is touching. I am a sinner. I am a sinner who is touched by His perfect grace.

It is often thought that this “sinful woman” was a prostitute. “Big” sin. “Dirty” sin. Do I think the “kind” of sin matters to God? If it did, I’m thinking that the sins that steal His glory or misrepresent Him or injure one of His children would be BIG to Him! (See Proverbs 6:16-19 for the things God hates. Sexual sins, including prostitution and homosexuality isn’t listed but pride and lying are! Ouch.)

What my sin is becomes secondary to the fact that I am a sinner who can do nothing to save myself. And that is what Jesus came to do. Living with sinners, touching sinners, dying for sinners. Dying for me.

I remember the night that Jesus touched me so vividly. Every time I remember it, I weep in gratitude and joy. I had never felt such unconditional love before. In those moments, I more than saw and felt Jesus. We were one. I wanted to draw back for an instant because I knew how unworthy and disgusting I was in His presence. But I also knew what Jesus was thinking and feeling – and it was nothing but love. I needed Him and He was there. Maybe you’ve had such an experience.

Another friend of mine has told me that she has always known the sweetness and beauty of Jesus’ love. It has always been a part of her life. But she also says that she has times that help her to understand my experience when she feels the weight of her sin and then Jesus comes and forgives and that intimate relationship is restored.

And so I am thinking about my Alabaster Box today. It is filled with all my thanks and praises. There are “moments” of thanks and “fireworks” of praises. I don’t want to hoard my praise but let it run over like tears run down my face. Let’s not solemnly hand our Savior a pretty box with a pretty bow but let us open our hearts and allow our love to spill out, unconditionally, just as His love spilled out on us.

The Alabaster Box written by Janice Sjostran and sung by CeCe Winans

 

 

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Staying on Course

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

So we must be more careful to follow what we were taught. Then we will not stray away from the truth.               Hebrews 2:1 (NCV)

My husband and I had a bit of discussion about this passage of Scripture from this week’s lectionary (Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12). Hebrews is a difficult book for me to write devotions. It covers very complex thoughts. And then there’s understanding those thoughts!

The lectionary texts I think are trying to get me to understand that Jesus is LORD (Chapter 1). He is fully and completely God. There isn’t some hierarchy where the Father or the Spirit has more power. Jesus is God. Jesus while here on earth was also fully human. He was made a little lower than angels, just as I am. And yet at the same time, everything, all was put under His control. Do I understand all of that? It’s a concept bigger than my human brain. It is part of what I take on faith.

Which leads me to the majority of our discussion last night. How do I stay steady or “on course” about what I believe? How do I avoid the deception of false or inaccurate teaching? Jesus and Paul were both very vocal about how I should be careful not to be deceived by those who would tell me what I want to hear or who are just, frankly, false teachers (Matthew 24, 1 and 2 Timothy). Even with good intentions, a person may speak or teach something in error. Even the best pitcher in baseball does not always throw strikes but on occasion misses the plate or the strike zone.

Do not close my mind and spirit. Avoiding inaccurate teaching does not mean living in a closed spiritual closet. A questioning mind is one that will seek the truth. A closed mind believes it has already found its truth and so holds tightly to the “comfortable”. Jesus spent most of His ministry making all those He met un-comfortable with what He taught. He said He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). But it was the scope of what the Law was and was not that troubled Pharisee and disciple alike. God’s Kingdom was coming but it was not going to happen by overthrowing the Roman government. Murdering someone is sin but so was killing them with my tongue.

In my own life, “Take up your cross and follow Me” has gone from being just an encouraging disciple-cry to being a difficult concept to live in my daily life. I have learned that the cross I have been given doesn’t always look like it could be hanging around my neck on a gold chain. My cross may look more like it belongs on Calvary with blood and nail marks.

My faith is alive and evolving. The Bread and Living Water that Jesus provides, feeds a living, growing faith.

Meet with Believers. Meeting with Believers is vital to provide the “iron” of refining, keeping me from being caught in the deception of my perfect beliefs. If my voice and my spirit is the only one that I hear, then I am hearing only a singular, limited voice and I am in danger of fulfilling Jesus’ warning of “the blind leading the blind and both falling into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14).

It is in disagreeing with other Believers that I take the time to think and study about why I believe as I do. I have certain authors that I read their books knowing that I am not going to agree with everything they say. I also know them to be men and women of God who are seeking Him and working well to build His Kingdom. I read them because they challenge me and they always encourage me to look to God’s Word and His Spirit to test what I am reading.

Remember there is grace. One night, several weeks after I committed my life to Jesus, I was sitting in a meeting and a wonderful minister was teaching. He referenced a specific Scripture (I don’t even remember the specifics any more) to make his point. I turned to that passage and was reading along – and stopped. “That isn’t what this says!” I thought. The minister’s point was good. It was a good passage of Scripture but it didn’t mean what he was saying. I was “growing up” and learning to listen to my spirit connect with God’s Spirit for what He was saying. I won’t always “get it right”. I am human like that minister and just like every person who is reading this. I hope that my devotions challenge you to think and study and check God’s Word and ask His Spirit to speak to you.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are so slow to understand. By now you should be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the first lessons of God’s message. You still need the teaching that is like milk. You are not ready for solid food. Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby and knows nothing about right teaching. But solid food is for those who are grown up. They are mature enough to know the difference between good and evil.        Hebrews 5:11-14 (NCV)

Let’s get still before God today and ask Him to teach us. Let us study His Word with the hunger of a child who craves what their parent has prepared for them. And let us meet together to share this Fresh Bread and Living Water.

Be Still My Soul written and sung by Russ Taff with The Imperials (1983)

 

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There is Love

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to trick him. They asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered,”What did Moses command you to do?”

They said, “Moses allowed a man to write out divorce papers and send her away.”

Jesus said, “Moses wrote that command for you because you were stubborn. But when God made the world, ‘he made them male and female.’ ‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body.’ So there are not two, but one. God has joined the two together, so no one should separate them.”       Mark 10:2-9 (NCV)

This is a passage that if you are divorced and Christian, it is difficult to go to God and say, “What about me, Jesus? What do I do?” In the interest of full disclosure, especially for those who don’t know me personally, I am divorced and I have remarried. I’m going to share with you today some of my story and what I’ve learned.

Is divorce ‘right’? The Pharisees notoriously asked questions that they hoped Jesus would answer in such a way that would show His lack of knowledge of the Law and go against tradition. The question was a weapon; Jesus saw it as an opportunity to teach God’s truth and maybe even get in a rebuke to the Pharisees as a side benefit.

Divorce was never in God’s original plan. He saw His covenant between a husband and wife as a gift from Him to two of His children. But this fallen world is very corrupt and our hearts are hard. And so divorce was created to dissolve what was no longer (or maybe never was) God’s covenant.

When a marriage doesn’t last. I believe most Christians go into marriage with a conscious belief that it will be forever. Most of us know that the divorce rate in the Church is the same as it is outside the Church so we know that marriage isn’t “easy”. We just figure it will never happen to us otherwise why would we ever do it. What I did not realize was the battle and the hard work that marriage was going to require. From all three parties involved in this covenant. Now I knew that God would hold up His end of the deal faithfully but there’s where the “knowing” ended. And so there is where the unraveling begins.

  • God in the center of the marriage. If God is not the one that you as a couple turn to every day, then you are walking on slippery ice. This was the root of the downfall of my first marriage. We were both Believers, went to church, and were “good” people. But our decisions, our relationship, our every day life and even a crisis were handled by us. The only time we prayed together was at meals. Is it easy those first times to suggest prayer and reach out and hold hands and pray together? Nope. In the philosophy of this world it may even seem silly or dumb. But if you are faced with job jeopardy, illness, child rearing – don’t you want to ask advice from someone really wise?
  • Intentional, daily “work” to build your relationship. It’s not a 50-50 deal but 100-100 deal. There’s no excuse like “high pressure job” that gives a spouse a “pass” from helping their partner in little and big ways, remembering special occasions, creating special occasions, and listening. You may have days when life is crashing down but I know couples who have had to deal with long-term illness and the one who is ill is still able to look for ways to encourage their mate and be a helpmate. They are working together to navigate through this life. And your children need to learn early in their lives the importance of marriage and see how their parents treat each other and spend time together, without children.
  • A marriage is worth saving. (Note: An abusive, life-threatening marriage is not part of this discussion. Get out and get you and your children safe!) When (not if) a marriage hits a tough stretch, push in closer to God. This is not the time to give up. It is the time when grace and mercy are needed in huge, God-given quantities. And He will provide. I have four friends who went through “seasons” in their two marriages that by anyone’s evaluation, they would have walked to the court house and been done. But with prayer, much work that included God-amounts of grace (undeserved love) and mercy (undeserved forgiveness) these two couples are married still today. Victoriously married today! When they were too weak to hold on, God held them. Do we really want Satan to rack up more points at the expense of our marriage and children? NO! Then fight back! “Humble yourself under God’s hand and He will lift you up!” (1 Peter 5:6)

What next? If you are divorced, then begin with forgiveness. No divorce is one-sided. It was so easy to identify my husband’s part in the divorce. But one day when I was weeping out my hurt to God, I heard Him say, “Jody, I do want to forgive you.” What??? Me??? And God gently but firmly brought to my mind times when I had the opportunity to show His love instead of criticism, speak His truth instead of yelling, and teach, not self-righteously, but in humility what He was teaching me. Oh I wept then for sure. But it was the beginning of my healing and my living in victory after divorce. I believe there was also a period of grace when my marriage could have been restored. Sadly, that did not happen. I am so grateful to God that my former husband and I were able to speak forgiveness to each other before he unexpectedly died five years after our divorce.

Next, know that you can live with joy and victory without marrying again. It can be very hard in the first years to be alone. And if you have children, it is more difficult. But I truly believe, both from my own experience and many others who have shared their experience, that it is vital to come to the place where you know that Jesus is all that you need. That may sound like a Sunday School sound byte – but it is the truth. Because in a “God marriage”, your spouse is not responsible for your happiness. God is. And you are not responsible to make your spouse happy. That’s God’s job. Learn to have your day-to-day joy come from God so that if it is God’s plan for you to marry again and your spouse does something that brings a smile – that’s just extra blessings!

Divorce happens. Our hearts are stubborn. Divorce doesn’t have to happen. We as Believers should be part of the Spiritual Health Team that promotes healing when injury occurs. We should create an environment that doesn’t condemn a couple with troubles but restores. There should be small groups for couples to study God’s Word, pray together, and encourage each other. Start one! You don’t have to be a counselor. Just be willing to be used by the Counselor.

The Wedding Song written and sung by Paul Stookey

 

 

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Power: I Surrender

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Lord, I give myself to you; my God, I trust you. 
Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies laugh at me.
No one who trusts you will be disgraced, but those who sin without excuse will be disgraced.

Lord, tell me your ways. Show me how to live.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me, my God, my Savior.
I trust you all day long.
Lord, remember your mercy and love that you have shown since long ago.
Do not remember the sins and wrong things I did when I was young.
But remember to love me always because you are good, Lord.          Psalm 25:1-7 (NCV)

I had a planned flight a few months after 9/11 and I remember my children saying with some rolling eyes that “if Mom is on a highjacked plane, you can bet she’s going to do whatever it takes to take out the terrorists!” I have been known to kick out a few figurative walls in my life.

I am now not only hearing Jesus’ teaching but I am seeing the truth of His teaching that when I surrender, His power comes. Surrender is not a point of weakness but of strength. Throughout the Bible I read that when a person finally stops trying to do things their way or chooses to surrender their will to God’s, that God steps in with power and perfection of His way to bring about victory and great blessings on His children.

Joseph. Given dreams by God and Joseph attempts to assert his leadership over his older brothers in his time and his way. That did not work out well for him. It took being sold into slavery, elevated to leadership and then imprisoned again before Joseph got the message to let God proclaim the time and way for him to assume his leadership. I can picture myself in the prison with Joseph wondering if this was all his life was going to be. Had he messed up before God so much that he couldn’t be forgiven?

The disciples. While Jesus was with them, I read a few times when the disciples were jockeying for position on who was the greatest and offering Jesus advice on how to establish His Kingdom. The unbelievable horror and events of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension put the disciples into hiding in a locked room in Jerusalem. Jesus told them to wait on His Spirit but I suspect that none of them had any idea of what that meant. They just knew they were frightened and too weak to take on the Roman government and the Jewish leadership. And then came the power of God that has not decreased in over 2000 years!

Paul. Oh, my brother Paul! He is one of many in the Bible that gives me so much hope for my own relationship with God! In 2 Corinthians 11 – 12, Paul gives me his “credentials” that can explain how in man’s eyes he could be seen as great. And then he pulls the plug on the ego trip when he says that God afflicted him so that he would be weak, because only in his weakness could God show the full extent of His power! And so Paul tells me where to live when suffering and trials come into my life – live on my knees!

Even Jesus. Yes, even Jesus wanted to be sure that I saw through His example that my weakness is not a sign of defeat but, in fact, the place where Satan had better run. Luke 22 graphically relates the humanness of Jesus as He cries out to God about what is to come. As the bloody sweat pours from His body, Jesus surrenders to God’s will. Jesus shows me that surrender may not come easily; it may not come initially with contentment but God is faithful to give me the courage and peace I need.

“Teach me and guide me, LORD. I trust You.” Sometimes “I trust You” is all that I can say. Sometimes what I am going through makes no sense and I cannot see how it will end, if ever. All I know, based on our years in our relationship, is that I can trust Him. He has brought me through before and He will do it again.

“Please forget my sins. And remember, LORD, to always love me. Not because I deserve it but because You are my Father and You are good.”

Breathe on Me written and sung by Darlene Zschech (2000)

 

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Still My Hope

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil …

One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.

Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Job 1:1, 2:1-2 (NLT)

Lectionary texts: Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Psalm 25, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-26

The book of Job is often quoted but seldom completely read. Like many passages in the Bible, when read in context, it isn’t always uplifting – on the surface.

Chapters 3-37 of the 42-chapter book, records the discussion between Job and his three good buddies, Zophar, Bildad, and Eliphaz. This is the part where it’s easy to take verses out of context and quote them.

Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him … Job 13:15a (NIV)

Now that sounds really good. Job, even in his continued suffering, proclaims that he hasn’t given up on God’s goodness. Right? Well, actually Job’s friends have just given him several “reasons” on why he is going through these trials. Primarily they suggest that Job must have done something to incur God’s wrath and so Job tells them that he is going to go to God and argue his case that will prove he doesn’t deserve these calamities. Job is going to convince God on how He should be handling this situation! It’s no wonder that in Chapter 38 the LORD essentially tells them all to “Shut up!”

So if I want the summary of Job, I could read Chapter 1-2 and then pick up with God again in Chapter 38 through to the end. And here is where what I am reading is not necessarily what I want to hear.

This is Satan’s playground. Satan says that he has been traveling all over the earth watching what is going on. 1 Peter 5:8 says that prowls around like a lion looking for some unsuspecting prey to destroy. The suffering, disease, and consequences of bad choices and sin are all opportunities for Satan to inflict more pain, more damage. He loves it!

God does have a choke chain on Satan. Job 1:12 and 2:6 has the LORD giving Satan permission to “mess with” Job. That’s hard to read. My loving Father is giving the enemy, the accuser, the devil permission to inflict pain and suffering on one of His children. And nowhere in this book, even at the end, does Job receive a divine revelation as to the “why” of these trials. But God also limits what Satan can do. In Chapter 1, God says Satan can destroy Job’s possessions (of which in those days, children would have been part of that) but he can’t touch Job himself. In Chapter 2, God tells Satan he can attack Job but he can’t kill him.

God wins the war. Thanks to my several thousands of years of hindsight and relationship with Jesus, I know that God has won the war with Satan and one of these days, I will see that pond scum destroyed. Frankly, I am looking forward to that! In the meanwhile, there are many battles with “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) for us to go through and this is where I find the gold nugget in this book.

Like Job, I may never know or fully understand the “why” of my trials and sufferings but I can choose to listen to my LORD and hold fast to Him. Well-meaning friends and family may sympathize and attempt to explain God’s ways to me, the reasons behind my suffering but it will be in my own intimate time with Him that I will find the courage, the peace, even His love that brings me to the place where I say, “Though He slay me, my hope is still in my LORD.”

In Christ Alone written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend (2002), sung by Newsboys

 

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