Friendship

    There is a burden upon my heart in the area of friendships and those whom we share life with. Unfortunately, I have seen many times how jealousy, bitterness, anger, deceit and just plain factiousness have wrecked havoc in relationships with people I have known. It grieves me, because rather than giving praise to the Lord and holding each other accountable; there is war being waged against sisters and even brothers in Christ. (the brothers tend to be on the outskirts of this most of the time – one has to love the way guys often times avert this! I wish more women did the same!!!) Why is there so much time being wasted on frivolous things?  How will picking a fight, saying and unkind word, being jealous or holding a grudge help to further the kingdom of God? Those who call themselves Christians should be holding themselves in a higher standard!! Below are some verses that I believe shed light on the way we should conduct ourselves in the manner of friendship. ( I know I needed a refresher course on these principles) There is always room for improvement - by challenging one another towards kindness and goodness we in turn will have more meaningful relationships.

Galatians 5:22-26 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Job 6:14 “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty”

Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

Philippians 1:6-7 “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about you all because I hold you in my heart, for you are partakers with me of grace…”

Philippians 2:3-8 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross!”

John 15:3 “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

     I think God is very clear on the way we should treat others! Please think twice before being jealous, saying an unkind word or anything of the like. Remember it is not honoring or pleasing to God and we grieve Him greatly when we treat people in this manner! Rather, we should be uplifting one another and bearing one another’s burdens in true community.

Perseverance

Perseverance - Perseverance-Perseverance

  This morning I had read a friend’s facebook status that had this very word in it. Right there in an instant it hit me… this was the very thing I needed to remember. When all of life seems like its going wrong and positives are hard to see anymore this is the very moment to persevere!  It almost made me laugh out loud when I looked the word up – I knew what the word literally meant but I was just curious if this in fact was the key thing I had been missing lately. What I found was the very definition of the word is : “continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty  or with little or no indication of success. This was not exactly the definition I was thinking entirely – it was merely to endure the problem with enough dedication that there will be an end. However, "with little indication of success" was not exactly crossing my mind! This point goes much deeper than I realized. Perhaps, it should more appropriately, state "when there is little hope of success".

Hebrews 12:1-4 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”

    At this point, God revealed to me something in this verse that never truly hit me as hard as it is now. I have never had to shed blood for any problem I have had to endure. I think sometimes we as humans tend to look at ourselves with a sense of entitlement when we have endured problems – as if the world owes you or I something. This type of thinking can lead into a trap of self deception. The truth is Jesus has showed us the example to live by. We need not let the flesh interfere with the greater purpose for which we have been called.  There is a constant reminder we must keep at the forefront to have a fighting chance – that is adversity gives us the chance to grow.

Job 5:6-17: “For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground. Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside. The lowly he sets on high and those who mourn are lifted to safety. He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night. He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.  Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty!”

     In Job’s case, he did not understand why he was suffering which gives us a practical example of perseverance in action! Through his suffering Job’s faith had a chance to grow, but on the other hand, we must realize that God does not eliminate all hardship when we are following him closely, and good behavior is not always rewarded by prosperity. Reward for good and bad are in God’s hands and are given out in His infinite wisdom.

     Like Job, Jesus suffered greatly for no fault of his own. However, God used Jesus’ suffering to bring about the greater good for generations to come. This again reminds us that we can’t see the bigger picture. It is our job to persevere through trails and difficulties – after all pain can helps us grow. The enemy’s ploy is to get us to doubt God’s goodwill towards us!

    I made the point above about a deeper point being made- "with little indication of success" – when everything is crumbling around you: what will you do in that moment? Take on the example of Job and Jesus and fight the good fight or give in to self deception? Even I myself am feeling a sense of heaviness with this – it’s not an easy task!!! It takes all of the fundamentals of surrender and trust to a much deeper level.

Fairest Lord Jesus

     Today, I was thinking, while listening to one of my favorite hymns – Fairest Lord Jesus – where did this great song come from and what was the inspiration behind it. This was one of the first hymns I learned in church youth choir when I was 10 years old. I remember how the words moved me as I would try to imagine what it would be like to meet Jesus face to face! The ending of the song is, in my opinion, most powerful where praise and adoration is given. I think the best arrangement is by Point of Grace!  After all of these years have passed, I still have not forgotten how this song sprung up hope in my heart. Every time I hear it - I am transported back to that moment where I felt the joy and discovery of who Jesus is. These words depict Him as being the pinnacle of God’s creation – something worthy of celebration, honor and glory. It gave me comfort in a very difficult time in my young life to know He was bigger than all my problems! He is Lord over all things! Such a great reminder some 21 years later that no matter what - He is STILL bigger than any problem you or I face!!

       Unfortunately, I discovered there is little known about this great hymn- the writer and the exact origins are pretty much unknown. It is believed to have been written as early as 1607 by German Jesuit monks who use to chant the below set of words. Apparently, they were not allowed to sing. (Interesting tidbit – I might add) The lyrics were put to music in 1850 by Richard S. Willis. In addition, to not knowing who authored this hymn - the person who translated this work from German to English is also unknown!  It’s a mystery but what a beautiful one at that!

http://www.myspace.com/pointofgrace/music/songs/fairest-lord-jesus-28333102
(Click the play button on the page that pops up)

Fairest Lord Jesus

Ruler of all nature 

O Thou of God and man the Son  

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor 

Thou my soul's glory, joy and crown  

Fair are the meadows

Fairer still the woodlands 

Robed in the blooming garb of spring 

Jesus, Jesus is fairer 

Jesus is purer 

Who makes the woeful heart to sing 

Fair is the sunshine 

Fairer still the moonlight 

And all the twinkling starry host 

Jesus shines brighter 

Oh my Jesus shines purer 

Than all the angels heaven can boast  

Beautiful Savior 

Lord of the nations

Son of God and Son of Man 

Glory and honor, praise adoration 

Now and forever more be Thine 

Glory and honor, praise adoration 

Now and forever more be Thine 

Let God Lead

These last few months I have experienced a writer’s block. I am fairly certain as to what I can attribute this to. There have been some pretty heavy events for which I have had to endure as of late. It has been during this time that I have stepped back to reflect. I find it difficult to stay still in the face of trials. Maybe some of you who stumble upon this page feel the same way. I have found that being a problem solver has its strengths but it also can be a form of weakness. There is always a sense that something needs to be done, handled or figured out. However, it is interesting when I took a step backward to realize that by my constant need for something to happen – I may very well be inhibiting God from teaching me a very important lesson. It’s not for me to fix, handle or figure out. It’s the precise moment to be still and wait not moving a single step forward until God leads it. I never realized until recently how many times I jump the gun before God has a chance to show me. The thought occurred to me – am I missing the point all together? It’s not an easy lesson to learn. To get yourself out of God’s way and let Him lead you into deeper meaning and purpose. This lesson has many life applications – I am grateful for grasping and understanding them now!

Psalm 139:23-24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and LEAD me in the way everlasting!”

This has been an eye opening experience to ask God to reveal the grievous ways that I possess. Be careful what you ask God to reveal to you about yourself – He is the catalyst for serious change to occur in your life. If you allow God to do this work in you, He will purge the bad habits that inhibit you from achieving the most out of life. It requires you to get out of your own way first -- let God lead and you follow.

In my own spiritual journey as of late, I have experienced a strong personal battle. After I implemented the lesson of leadership I quickly find myself at odds with this very truth – a testing period, if you will. It is in these difficult moments where learning can be put into actual practice.

Psalm 143:10-11

                “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, O Lord preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!”

Lessons

Sometimes things don’t go the way we plan

The tides seemingly change before we think we are ready

Pretty quickly the scenery changes

All we once held on to seems less important 

It is that vital moment where you realize the truth of the matter

Wonder fills the empty spaces

There is only one choice to make – embrace

Despite the feeling that comes with leaving things behind

There’s always a growing hope in those who believe

Belief that isn’t based on fleeting feelings

Rather, a solid hope that there is something greater to live for….

It’s beyond ourselves and the selfish world we build around ourselves

It transcends us but is not beyond reason

It is the well spring of life

The very meaning of existence

Discovering Him who created the universe

Sheds light on the straight and narrow path

This paved way is difficult to follow

It requires sacrifice of all things to gain something so much greater in return

Purpose