Good? Or Bad?

The Story of the Taoist Farmer

A farmer had only one horse, and one day the horse ran away. The farmer’s neighbors came to console him and said, “This is such a terrible tragedy.” The farmer said, “Is it?”

A month later, the horse returned and brought with it two beautiful wild horses. The neighbors were so happy for the farmer and exclaimed, “Your horse has returned and brought with him two more strong horses! What great fortune!” The farmer said, “Is it?”

Later, the farmer's son was thrown from one of the wild horses and broke his leg. All the neighbors were very distressed. “This is such bad luck” they said.  The farmer said, “Is it?”

A war came, and every able-bodied man was drafted and had to go to battle. Only the farmer's son, because he had a broken leg, could not go. The neighbors congratulated the farmer saying, “Your son has been spared! This is wonderful!”  The farmer said, “Is it?”

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I have heard and read this story told in a few different ways. While I am not attempting to promote Taoism, the Christian idea it illustrates is important: We do not always understand why events occur in our lives and we are not always able to accurately assess if what is happening is truly good or bad. The Word tells us that God’s ways are higher than ours—His thoughts are as well. (Isaiah 55:8&9) Our minds do not work like His and because we are not omniscient (all knowing) we do not have the ability to assess the events in our lives from an eternal perspective. Our understanding is finite. However, in all that we don’t know, there is something that we can know! We can know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) We can know that He understands why things are happening and how they fit into His grand plan for your life.

See, the events that make us feel good are typically labelled as good and the ones that make us feel bad are typically labelled as bad. For example: the unexpected lay-off. Definitely bad, right? As children of God, I think we would do well to approach this type of circumstance with an “Is it?” type of attitude. This may not be bad perhaps if you’ve been timid about starting your own business and the lay-off was the “inspiration” that you needed to get started on a wildly successful venture.

We may not understand why or what is truly happening in our lives. But we know that, in the midst, the Lord will not leave or forsake us. He’s got a plan. We can rest assured in Him when our circumstances are…questionable.  

Encouraging One Another

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” Hebrews 10:24

We run in a fast-paced world. Our days are filled with meetings, transporting kids, homework, housework, volunteer efforts, rehearsals, negotiations, car repairs, and hosting out-of-town visitors. Throughout our day, we may come in contact with hundreds or even thousands of people. But how many do we touch? How many do we really connect with? Make eye contact with? I’ll take it a step further. How many do we speak a word of encouragement to?

I have a friend who, in the midst of every one of our conversations, manages to speak a word of encouragement to me. A word of affirmation. A word of support. Without fail! Some of us express our love to others through the “Love Language” called Words of Affirmation. It comes naturally to us to verbally affirm those we care for. For others of us, we communicate our love in a different way. But we all need those words from our brothers and sisters in the faith to be inspired and strengthened to keep moving forward in love and good deeds.

Today, will you make it your intention to speak words of encouragement to someone? May I challenge you to actively seek out at least three persons? And if that is like a cake walk to you, then challenge yourself to encourage even more people.

And let me encourage you. I’m proud of you for reading this. I’m proud that you are seeking God. It is a beautiful sacrifice that you are making. And I know that He is so delighted with you!

 

You can learn more about the 5 Love Languages by following this link: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

The Proof is in the Promise

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her! Luke 1:45

This was part of Elizabeth’s declaration when Mary arrived at her home and as John leapt within her womb. The Spirit revealed to Elizabeth exactly what was happening with Mary. The Spirit also reveals to us that the Lord has wondrous plans for us! We may not know all the details yet…but God is surely moving on our behalf.

What promise has the Lord made to you? We know He promises never to leave us or forsake us. We know He will supply all of our needs. We know He is the one who saves us from the power of sin and death. And He declares, explicitly, that He has great plans for us! (see Jeremiah 29:11) But, what else? Has He given you a vision for a business…a ministry…a unique invention? Has the Lord spoken to you about your children and how He will care for them? Have you heard a promise from Him regarding your health? Are you waiting to see it come to pass?

A couple of days ago we talked about labor pains being the indicator that something is getting ready to be birthed. Well, Mary, at this point, is not in labor…she has no proof except for a promise from God. And Elizabeth prophetically declares that she is blessed because of her belief in the word of the Lord. Is God’s promise “proof” enough for you that what He promised will come to pass?

Blessed are you, precious one, as you also believe that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you.

Submission

I just listened to a fun forum discussion regarding wives and the biblical mandate to submit to our husbands. I will not discuss that here. But what I will share are my thoughts as I was listening to the discussion. God is calling wives to submit even if the plan is not perceived to be the best. Note: I’m saying “not the best”. I am not saying “illegal” or “immoral”. I’m talking about submission when we simply THINK it’s not best.

It is difficult to believe that you know what is best but to carry out a different plan. To KNOW what is best and to CHOOSE something else is tough. To be willing to lay down your life for Plan A but to, instead, have to lay down your life for Plan B--that’s a tall order! Can I get any more extreme? Submission is tough but that is what we are called to. Well…

SUBMISSION IS NOT JUST A WIFE THING! As followers of Christ, we are called to submit to Him. ("Not my will, but Yours…") This is cool…as long as what He wants makes sense to me. As long as I also think it is best, then it’s no problem. But when I “KNOW” what’s best and He wants something else? When I’m willing to sacrifice everything for Plan A but He wants Plan B? Then it gets real deep during prayer time. It can get downright raw during morning devotions when my heart does not want to submit. The spirit is willing, but the flesh…it gets weak. Thankfully, when we accepted Christ as our Savior, He gave us the Holy Spirit. And along with the Spirit comes His love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (self-control). I praise God for this because if I am to submit, I may need to employ a few of these traits. :-)
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So, my dear ones, submit yourself to God because it truly is what’s best for you. Whatever that submission looks like – ultimately, it is unto God. And I know, because you are reading this, that honoring Him is important to you.

Submit and be blessed.

The Blessing of Labor Pains

“This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’”  Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

These verses have a very special place in my heart. A while back, in the midst of prayer and worship, the Lord spoke to me through these verses. In a very difficult season of my life, He encouraged me that a door which had recently closed did not represent an end (a death); but rather, the revealing of a new thing. It was the labor pains of birth. A new life was emerging! And in the face of this impending birth, I need not dwell on the past. I could, with excitement, look toward the future.

The wonder of seeing a clear path in the wilderness is as extraordinary as seeing water in the desert! But that is what God does – He makes a path where there is none and He provides life-sustaining substance in a place of lack. Our God is a wonder! And so it makes perfect sense that brother Paul reminds us that we are to walk by faith and not by sight—lest we miss the wondrous things God is doing!

Being Unequally Yoked...With a Believer

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14. The Word is quite clear about believers not being in close relationship with unbelievers. It makes no sense. There is no commonality. The righteous one is much more likely to be influenced by the unrighteous. There can be no foundational agreement amongst the two. The interests are divergent. The internal make-up of the two is contrary. The Word is very clear.

But what about the believer’s closeness (non-sexual intimacy) with another believer…one who is living in a manner that is significantly less than God’s best for them? I think a very similar principle applies. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul’s words encourage us “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” While this is commonly understood as referring to those who are non-believers, we can still take away the lesson: the children of God are not to keep intimate company with those who have turned their back on the righteousness of God: those who have chosen their own path over His—regardless of whether they profess to be followers of Christ or not.

This does not mean that we do not have any association with either non-believers or believers who are struggling (or comfortable) in their sin. This does not mean that we do not continue to love others and share the good news of Christ with anyone and everyone who will listen. We can still develop relationship with the non-believer. We can still develop relationship with the believer who has gone off into “left-field”. But this does mean that those we confide in, seek wise counsel from, draw strength from, engage spiritual conversation with, pray with—those with whom we are in intimate and transparent relationship, should be those who, like us, are trying their best to live a life that will honor God. (see Romans 12:1 & Philippians 3:14)

Please do not read the Corinthian passage as giving blanket permission for you to remove from your life anyone who isn’t “acting right”, so to speak. But you do have permission, even a command, to seek the communion found among the community of believers. To assemble together, to lean on one another, to walk together in faith. This will strengthen all other relational engagements you have. (Hebrews 10:24&25)

My encouragement to you is to “yoke-up” with some of those strong believers within your communities – at work, at church, at school, within your family – and be strengthened. This is God’s desire for us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It’s January 1 and some of us are saying, “Good riddance 2013!!!!” while some of us reflect on the last 365 days and would deem them to be some of the best days of our lives. What does 2014 hold for us? None of us know. But to His children, God says this: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. God has wonderful plans for our 2014. As we walk in faith with Him, He will show us His ways and His will, and He will begin to reveal to us His plans. Pretty exciting, isn’t it?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!