God's Unrelenting Mercy

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Read Jonah 4: 1-11

Jonah had a problem with God that many of us have today. Jonah could not grasp God’s unrelenting grace, mercy, and compassion for ALL people. The pagan people of Nineveh lived in wickedness giving in to idolatry, prostitution, and witchcraft. Jonah grew up fearing the Ninevites and wanted to see God destroy them. So when God called Jonah to preach to these pagans, he ran away. Jonah did not want non-Jews (Gentiles) to receive God’s favor and blessings. The Ninevites were “those people.” Eventually, Jonah went to Ninevah and the people were open to God’s message and they repented. God responded in mercy by canceling his threatened destruction. God’s compassion sent Jonah into what I call a “hissy fit!” He became angry, complained to God, and decided he’d rather die than see the wicked Ninvetites forgiven. He then ran away again to sit under a shelter to sulk and wait to see what would happen to “those people.” I guess Jonah was certain God would listen to reason. God had other plans for Jonah. We read in our passage today of God’s object lesson for his reluctant prophet. Jonah was more sorry that the plant God sent to provide him shade had died than he was for the spiritual darkness the 120,000 Ninevites were living in. God desires for all people to come to him, to trust him, and to be saved. He wants us to take the message of God’s love and mercy to all people, even “those people.” Who are “those people” today that you need to extend mercy, compassion, and forgiveness to?

Meditate on Jonah 4:2 today: ...You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Thank God for the times in your life when God has been gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love, and did not send calamity for your wrongdoing.

Here Am I

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Read Isaiah 6:1-8

In our passage today Isaiah shares how God called him to take on a new and most challenging task, calling the nation of Judah back to God. The first five chapters of Isaiah record the sinfulness of the people of Judah, including greed, arrogance, drunkenness, injustice, oppression and murder. Because of their complete failure to follow the commands of God, judgment would be brought on them through foreign aggression. God would use surrounding nations to punish Judah. In our reading today God allows Isaiah to see a vision of Himself. In it, God is sitting high upon a throne in the temple that Solomon had built. Seeing the Lord, listening to the angels, and watching the smoke fill the building, Isaiah realizes that he is sinful before God.  A seraph simply comes to him with a symbolic live coal, touches his lips, and announces his forgiveness. Then God asks for volunteers!  “Who will go? Who will be a messenger to the nation of Judah?” We hear Isaiah respond to the call. “Here I am. Send me.” While most of us have not had this kind of dramatic experience with God, we all experience “God sightings” when we see the goodness of God acted out in both small and great ways. How willing are you to share how you’ve seen God at work in your life? Can you do as Isaiah did and share God’s good news?

 Each day this week look for ways to share how God is working. Be ready to share one thing about God’s goodness in your life.

God Is...

Monday, April 23, 2018

 Read Psalm 139:1-10

The pagans of the Psalmist David’s day worshiped impersonal gods, and these pagans believed their gods were even hostile or indifferent to man. However, David knew he served a deeply personal God who examines our heart and knows everything about us. The opening verses say, “He searches and knows me.” We serve an omniscient God who is all-knowing, limitless in his knowledge.  Verse 5 tells us our eternal God goes before us and follows us placing a blessing on us. We read of our incomprehensible God in verse 6 who is beyond our understanding. This doesn’t not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known. And in verses 7 and 8 we learn we can never get away from the presence of our omnipresent God. He is near and far, and high and low. Give thanks for our good creator God who is omniscient, eternal, incomprehensible, omnipresent, and is always with us wherever we go.

 Psalm 139 is filled with examples of the attributes of God. Take time today to read the entire chapter and identify the characteristics of God and then acknowledge his power and presence in your life.

Sisterhood

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Think for a moment about your women’s networks. I look back over my life and can trace my history by looking at my girlfriends.

There were my neighborhood and school girl friends: Becky and Theresa. 

There were my church friends: Janet and Pam and Liz and Debbie.

Then there were my college friends: five of us - Susan, Brenda, Sandy, Sharon and me.  We sang together throughout college and after.

Then there were my teacher friends: Dee, Sherrie, Phyllis, and Francis

There were my single friends like Paulina.

Now there are my Christ Church friends and girl, do I have friends - a whole sisterhood of friends, women who will pray for me and laugh with me and generally do life with me.

I just can’t imagine life without friends.

In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, researchers asked participants to stand at the base of a steep hill and estimate how tough it would be to climb. Those standing with a friend judged the climb to be less steep compared with those who were alone.

Another study on the importance of showed the survival rate of women with breast cancer. It found that those women who had a strong, supportive circle of friends outlived by many years their counterparts who lived in social isolation.

A study from Harvard Medical School showed that the more friends women have, the less likely they are to develop physical impairments as they age, and the more likely they are to lead a contented life. The study also showed that not having friends is as hurtful to your health as being overweight or smoking cigarettes. The researchers examined how well the women functioned after the death of a spouse and found that even in the face of this major life loss, women with close friends with whom they can share their burdens fare better than women who lack close friendships.

Do you ever get so involved in your busy life that you don’t take time to nurture your friendships? Look at these reasons to do so:

1 1.   Friendships can reduce stress.

A UCLA study suggests that women respond to stress with a flow of brain chemicals that cause us to make and maintain friendships with other women. The hormone oxytocin is released as part of stress response, and in women, oxytocin triggers an immediate desire to seek and maintain relationships in response to stress. Imagine that! Stress encourages us to bond with other women!

22.   Friendships provide accountability.

Having a community of women that you share your goals and dreams with keeps you accountable to yourself. We all need affirmation to keep us going!  

33.   Friends lengthen your life.

Research supports the finding that having a network of social contacts helps people have longer, healthier, happier lives. When you live your full of a sense of purpose, you wake up every day with something to look forward to.

44.  

Friends support your goals.

Good friends encourage you to keep keeping on. They help you meet your goals instead of hindering your efforts.

Having a sisterhood is good for our mind, body, soul, and spirit. So many reality shows are devoted to unhealthy female relationships. They depict women arguing, belittling each other, gossiping, and tearing each other down. A true sisterhood is nothing like this. I encourage you to nurture your friendships, lift up other women, and focus on the good in others.

Let’s hear it for the sisterhood!

Strength in High Places

Monday, December 14, 2015

The prophet Habakkuk was troubled and confused about the corruption he saw all around. Habakkuk urgently cried out to God for help.  He asked God why evil people prosper while the righteous suffer. God answers, telling the prophet that although it seems as though the wicked triumph, eventually they will be judged, and righteousness will prevail. God promised Habakkuk that in his time all things would be taken care of.  The prophet moves from doubt to faith as he begins to trust that God works in all things. The book of Habakkuk concludes with a prayer of triumph as Habakkuk has a new understanding of God’s power and love.

Habakkuk declares that although the fig trees may not have blossom, there may be no grapes on the vines, the crop fails, the flocks die, and the cattle barns are empty, he will rejoice in the Lord.

If you are suffering through a difficult time, can you still trust that God is in control and working on your behalf? Habakkuk realized that even though life around him was crumbling, he knew that God would give him strength to persevere. You can know the same truth. When nothing makes sense in your life and troubles seem more than you can bear, God will still give you strength to make in through. Habakkuk likens this kind of strength to a deer treading on the heights.

 
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 (NLT)

Let’s look at other versions of this verse:

 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (KJV)

The strength God gives is so surefooted it is compared to that found in a deer’s feet. A hind is a doe. A doe is equipped to get up on those high ledges. Habakkuk says God will make my feet like deer’s feet: Habakkuk thought of the deer running about on the high hills, never losing a step and never falling. More than that, the deer dance and leap along the hillside; they are full of life and joy. God provides stamina to endure hardships and energy to walk on high ledges like a deer. God gives His followers surefooted strength through difficult times so that we can come confidently through the most challenging of circumstances.  We like the deer can run across rough and dangerous terrain.

God wants our faith to lift us to new heights with him. God wants to equip us for high places. What are your high places? What are the most difficult circumstances? What areas of life challenge you most? What areas of responsibility are the most daunting to you? Know that God will give you the strength of a surefooted deer and will allow you to walk forward with faith and courage and confidence.

Watchman and Watchtower

Monday, November 23, 2015

Today we are concerned about the horrible acts of violence and murder that are taking place around the world by Islamic extremists. Some wonder how a good God can allow such atrocities to exist. I am reminded that the prophet Habakkuk questioned God about similar atrocities he witnessed from the Babylonians as they attached Judah. Let’s see what we can learn from Habakkuk.

Habakkuk was saddened by the violence and corruption he saw around him and he poured out his heart to God. The book of Habakkuk is the prophet’s dialogue with God. Habakkuk was appalled by Judah's violent acts, evil, misery, destruction. He was also appalled that God tolerated this wrong. Habakkuk saw a dying world, and it broke his heart. He asked questions of God that we often ask:

 If God is good, then why is there evil in the world? And if there has to be evil, then why do the evil prosper? What is God doing in the world?  Why do the wicked seem to be winning? Habakkuk did what often we are afraid to do. He boldly and confidently took his complaints directly to God. Then we see in Habakkuk 2, the prophet waited patiently for God to reply.

I will climb up to my watchtower
    and stand at my guardpost.
There I will wait to see what the Lord says
    and how he will answer my complaint. Habakkuk 2:1

The watchman and watchtower are often used by the prophets to show an attitude of expectation. They are images of Habakkuk’s attitude of patient waiting and watching for God’s response. Stone watchtowers were built on city walls or ramparts so that watchmen could see enemies and messengers approaching their city while still at a distance. Watchtowers were also erected in vineyards to help guard the ripening grapes. Habakkuk wanted to be in the best position to receive God’s message. What are concerns we have today that we should take to the watchtower – things that we need to wait on an answer?

The NIV says in verse 1, “I will station myself.” Station means stay put. It means, ‘I'm not moving.’ It means, ‘I’m going to be still.’ ‘I’m going to sit here and I am not going to move until I hear from you, God.’

How well do you wait?

David says there are three things to do as you wait –

• Wait quietly -- “I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” (Psalm 62:5 NLT)
• Wait patiently -- “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Psalm 37:7 NLT)
• Wait expectantly -- “I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised.” (Psalm 105:5 LB)

Sometimes our best act of faith is not to try to answer life’s hard questions, but to reflect instead on the character of God.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8

These four attributes are mentioned over and over in scripture.

• Gracious
• Compassionate
• Slow to anger
• Rich in love

When we begin to wonder about God’s presence in the world during times of crisis, let’s remember that we serve a sovereign God who is ultimately in charge of this world. Let’s say these things out loud when you are having trouble and the world seems against you.

• God is love.
• God is good. He’s good all the time.
• God is just.
• God is holy. In the Greek, to be holy is to be righteous – or to be right. Wouldn’t our lives be easier if we realized that God is always righteous?

Prayer:

Abba Father, Lord of All, O Lord our God, our Holy One, you who are eternal.  We often struggle with what we see in the world. We’re troubled by wars and rumors of wars. We’re heartbroken by images we see of hurting people throughout the world. We often cry out as Habakkuk did, ^“Must I forever see these evil deeds?  Why must I watch all this misery?”  We want to know where you are. Help us to remember our thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways our ways. We know you are a sovereign God, one in total control of all things past, present, and future. Nothing happens beyond  your knowledge and control. At the same time, you give us free will. Help us Father to choose wisely for we know that decisions we make will affect not only us but many others. We also know you are a God of grace. Your grace extends to those who have not earned it. It is undeserved favor. Help us to be still and know that you are at work that you keep your promises, and that you are good and you are love and just and holy. Amen.

Be Silent Before God

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Being silent before God teaches us to rest in Him and enjoy His presence. It gives us an opportunity to meditate on who he is – to stop focusing on ourselves and our own activities. 
    ...let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk 2:20
Occasionally when we sit before God in silence we hear Him speak through thoughts or remembered Bible passages. Solitude is a spiritual discipline.

In her book Sacred Rhythms, Ruth Haley Barton describes solitude as a place, both a place in time and a physical place. She says, “solitude is a place inside myself where God’s Spirit and my spirit dwell together in union.”

Solitude is the most basic spiritual discipline. Silence and solitude are very connected.

Silence = letting go of our inner distractions.

Solitude = letting go of our outer distractions.

It is often hard for us to totally unplug and listen to God. Our culture discourages solitude. Culture wants us to always be doing. I suffer from “frenetic doing.”  It’s hard to unplug. These are some of my “noisy” distractions:

·         Phones

·         Technology

·         Email

·         Friends

·         Family

·         TV

·         Computer

·         Radio

·         interruptions

Exodus 14: 13-14 tells us The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still. What in this verse comforts you?

Let’s look at how busy Jesus was. He had more to accomplish in 3 years of ministry than any of us will accomplish in a lifetime. He was changing the world. Jesus consistently found time for solitude and encouraged even commanded his disciples to experience solitude. Imagine the daily life of Jesus for the 3 years of his ministry. He taught, healed, preached, traveled, told stories, dealt with demons, dealt with Satan, was surrounded by crowds of people, settled disagreements among his followers. It was often very challenging for him to get away.

• He spent 40 days in the desert alone before launching his ministry. (Matthew 4:1-11)
• He spent the night alone in the hills the night before he chose the 12 disciples. (Luke 6:12)
• When he learned of John the Baptist’s death, he left in a boat to a “lonely place apart.” (Matthew 14;13)
• After feeding the 5,000 he went into the hills by himself. (Matthew 14:23)
• After healing many people, he went to an isolated place to pray. (Mark 1:35)
• When the 12 returned from preaching and healing, Jesus instructed his disciples, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:31)

What are some steps into solitude?

Be intentional. Set aside a time and place and spend at least 10 minutes in silence and solitude. Assume a comfortable posture. Select a scripture verse to focus your mind. Then choose a simple prayer to express your need for God.

Be aware of your body, mind and soul. Know when you are weary in body, mind, and soul. Recognize your need to rest in God’s presence. Take deep breaths and allow yourself to relax. Ask God to quiet your mind. Confess to God anything that is weighing on your soul.

Resist distractions. Commit your regular time to God.

Listen for God’s voice. The more quiet time you spend with God, the more you’ll learn to recognize his voice. As you spend this time, pay attention to how God speaks to your spirit. The Holy Spirit will give you comfort and direction only as you’re able to hear it.

Bless others. Use the love God shows you in your solitude to be a blessing to others. Speak and act in love as you serve others.

Prayer: Ask God to quiet your mind. Confess to God anything that is weighing on your soul. Spend time in silence and active listening.

To hear my related lesson on Habakkuk, click here.Habakkuk 2