Spring, Lovely Spring

Image via WikipediaThis is a post I wrote some years ago when I first started blogging. Having been away from my computer for a while, too long a while, I decided to search some old posts to find something that would get my creative juices flowing. And sure enough, I came across this post, perfect for the beginning of spring. I have repurposed it a little to make it more relevant.
                                                                                 
Spring is here! Isn't it wonderful the way God redecorates the landscape so there is always something new to grab our senses and delight our minds? I love the changing of the seasons. Maybe it's because I was born and raised in a tropical climate where there are only two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. It was only when I migrated to the United States that I experienced the four seasons. I remember the first time I saw snow, I was like a kid again, a grown woman making snowballs and throwing at my friends. Then fall came and filled me with awe, and still does.

There is beauty and purpose in every season. I don't mind the short, gray days and the naked boughs of winter because I know they don't last. The sun will shine again, tender green leaves will appear on those boughs and flowers will spring out of the ground. Perpetual summer or winter could not sustain life. We need heat and cold, moisture and drought in order to sustain life on this planet.

The changing of the seasons reminds me that:

1. God is faithful. He is always with us, whether we think of Him or not. Like a good parent, He is preparing our food, our comfort and doing all the extra little things to give us pleasure. Acts 14: 17 says, "... and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."


2. God is a God of order. Even though environmentalists speak of climate change, weather systems throughout the world remain well-defined. Spring comes faithfully after winter, summer follows spring and so on. We experience heat in summer and cold in winter. Hot climates remain hot and cold climes remain cold. Spring is always the season of birth and new beginnings, winter the season of death and decay.


3. God speaks to us through the seasons. Oswald Chambers says, "When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with ... the changing of the seasons." (My Utmost For His Highest). I couldn't agree more. The seasons of the earth reflect the seasons of our lives. Just as God rearranges the environment to suit His purpose, in the same way He arranges our lives into seasons so we can grow and develop into the spiritually healthy and happy beings He created us to be. Just trust Him, regardless of the season. 

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Speaking of the seasons of our lives, I would like to introduce you to my book Women For All Seasons, which uses stories of women of the Bible to show how God works in and through us in every season of our life. Check it out here.







     

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Should Christians Feel Hopeless?

As Christians, we are expected to be strong at all times. Those who know we are

Christians may look to us for wisdom, support and even guidance. But are we always able to give it? Do we always feel we have it all together and can take on whatever life throws our way? I don't think so. We Christians crumble under the weight of everyday pressure just as other humans. The Bible has several examples of mighty men and women of God who were sometimes ready to give up hope.

Job was one of them. After being tried by Satan and losing everything he had, including his children, "Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth" ( 3: 1). Notice he didn't sin, neither did he curse God, but he cursed the day of his birth. Meaning, he wished he'd never been born.

Have you ever felt that way? Are the pressures of life so overwhelming that you feel you cannot make it through another day? Jesus said, " In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer ; I have overcome the world" (John 16 : 33). The Bible also tells us, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8 : 37).

It's not easy to focus on God's promises when you are feeling hopeless, but know that as a child of God you are never alone. He  knows your thoughts from afar off. He knows the very hairs of your head and you can never flee from His presence. The psalmist said, 

 

     "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 

   If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  

 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  

 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 

  If I say , Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Psalm 139: 7 - 11.

Do you feel hopeless? There's no need. He is with you in all things. Here's a song to remind you of that.

 

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What Mask Are You Wearing?

Have you ever attended a street festival where the participants wore masks and you wished you knew who the wearers were? From religious rituals, as in Ancient Greece, to burial customs of Ancient Egypt, to modern-day costuming, masks have been around for centuries. Some are pretty, while others are downright hideous.


In this post, my focus is on the invisible masks we wear. They do not hide our faces, but they may prevent our true identity from being revealed almost as much as a physical mask does. Masks can be as varied as there are wearers - over- confidence, exuberance, aloofness, I- don't -need -you-mask, arrogance, anger, pride. The list can go on and on. Some people may wear a permanent mask in public, or they may change it, depending on the setting.

Wearing a mask gives you a certain amount of protection while you are with others, but just as the reveler removes his mask when the ball is over, you too have to remove yours when you are alone. What happens then? You may find it difficult to get rid of it. You may have become so used to wearing it you can't let it go.

The Bible gives us a chilling example of a man who wore a mask. He was Judas, one of Jesus' disciples, and a close friend. The other disciples couldn't see behind his mask of innocence. "Surely not I, Rabbi?" he asked when Jesus said one of them would betray Him. Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you" (Matthew 26 : 25). And when Judas kissed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane to identify Him to the Roman soldiers, Jesus said, "Friend, do what you came for" ( v 50).

Before this incident, we didn't hear much about Judas, but I think it would be fair to say that he was not a contented person, even up to this point. And so he hid his true self behind a mask. But Jesus saw through it, as clearly as He can see through yours and mine. He sees you when you are crying alone at night, and when you are laughing in public, pretending everything is all right. Contented people have no need for a mask.

The Bible tells us that one day, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" (Revelation 7: 17), but meanwhile, Jesus wants to remove that mask. He wants you to show your true self. 3 John 1: 4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." If you are wearing a mask, you are not walking in truth, you are deceiving yourself and others. Go to Jesus, and let him remove your mask today.

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The Meaning Of Easter

English: Resurrection of Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 
I pray that you are enjoying another Easter Sunday with family and friends. Here's one of my previous posts to remind you of the meaning of Easter.
Enjoy!

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die , even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15: 20 - 22).

 And so the journey to Calvary has ended. Jesus has been crucified, but now He is risen, as He said. And we too are alive in Him. That is the basis of the Christian faith. The empty tomb is a silent witness to the greatest event in history. We don't worship someone who died thousands of years ago, but Someone who is alive and is coming again to take us to rule and reign with Him.

Happy Easter!

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What Do You Pray For?

Prayer is the Christian's most lethal weapon, I'm sure all Christians will agree, but when you get down on your knees or lie between the covers what do you ask God for? Do you ask Him to help you find a better job, heal your sick grandmother, help you buy a house, car, pay your bills? God is our provider, isn't He? And He does care about our basic needs, so praying for all these things is all well and good.

However, as I lay in bed meditating on God and prayer, the Holy Spirit gave me a brand new revelation. He said that all my prayer should be encapsulated in one word: contentment. Then He reminded me of this scripture by the apostle Paul, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound : every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry , both to abound and to suffer need" (Philippians 4: 11-12) .

In this passage, Paul commended the church at Phillipi that they were once more able to continue caring for his needs, which they had ceased to do because they lacked opportunity. He was saying to them that he had learned to be content whether he was full or whether he was hungry. This was exactly what I needed, for lately I've been giving in to bouts of anxiety. When will I be able to retire? How long can I continue working the way I do? Will I ever fulfill my dream of being able to retire from my job and work from home? These thoughts and others like them do not make for a contented state of mind.

The Holy Spirit showed me that if I couldn't be content now, working at a time when a lot of people wish they were, I would not be content when I stopped working. If I couldn't be content here, I wouldn't be content there. It sobered me up and made me realize that by being discontented I was playing right into Satan's hands. I was allowing him to use me to grieve the Holy Spirit. In effect, I was saying to God, I'm   dissatisfied with you, I don't trust You to give me what I want, so I have to worry and fret and try to figure it out myself. That's a dangerous path to be on. It led the children of Israel to wander in the wilderness for forty years!

So, should we pray for the job, the house, the car, the healing? Absolutely, but when we pray for these things, let us ask God to give us contentment to wait on Him. Because when we are contented we are saying, God I trust You in this season of my life. I don't know how long it's going to last, but while I'm in it, I'm going to put on my hat, button up my coat and go out there and give it the best I have to give, because You are with me. You have promised "never to leave me or forsake me" (Hebrews 13:5) and I stand on your promises. God bless

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Just For Today

Just for today, Lord, I place myself totally in Your control.
I live, breathe and feel Your freshness and Your sweetness
There is no where I can go,
Nothing I can do or be
That  would take Your Presence from me.
I take my eyes off my dreams, desires, fears, cares,
Hurts, disappointments and appointments
And place them on You.

For You are my Lord,
My anchor,
My leader and my guide.
No matter what this day may bring
I rest securely in You,
Confident that You will see me through
For You have promised
To never leave me or forsake me
And your promises are always 'yea' and 'amen'.
Thank you, Lord, for today
And all that it will bring.

Why Young People Should Read Christian Books

Image via WikipediaSomething I read this morning in the Christian Small Publishers Associationon blog was both encouraging and discouraging. It came from a 2009 report by the Evangelical Christians Publishing Association (ECPA) which stated that sales of Christian fiction continue to grow. The numbers were 19% compared to 23% for Bibles. This shows that Christians are looking for wholesome Christian books to read for pleasure. But at the same time, the report showed that evangelical Christians in the 18-29 age range purchased a smaller number of books compared to all book buyers in that age group.

What could be the reason for this? Could it be that these young people are too busy with work and college life to have time for reading fiction? Or could it be that they are simply not interested in the material that is available? There are so many diversions to take a young person's attention away from things that are godly: movies, the internet, video games to name a few. A young Christian has to really love reading to set aside the time to read.

However, I couldn't help thinking about the dangers of young people reading books that are counter-productive to building godly character and which may even be dangerous. Books on pornography, killing, Satanism are some that come to mind. One of my co-workers, a devoted Christian, told me that she is very worried that her teenage son seems interested only in books on death and dying and the like. I think she has every reason to be worried.

The Bible says we are to "set out affections on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). If you are a young Christian, you are inundated with all kinds of messages on the job, in school, in the music you listen to, the movies you watch and the things you read. The enemy is out to control your mind and one way to ward him off  is to immerse yourself in the Bible and in Christian books.

I believe that Christian authors should focus on young people when writing and marketing their books. Our books should explore topics that are of interest to this group, and that will motivate and instruct them in living the Christian life. Marketing to clubs and organizations to which young Christians belong will be one way to get their attention. If you can think of other ways to get young people to read more Christian books, please let us know.

My Loaves And Fishes

I chuckled as I read the story of how Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed over 5000 people. I say over 5000 because the Bible account states that there were 5000 men, besides women and children. Anyway, what made me chuckle was when I thought of my oldest grandchild, Tyrique, and how he would have reacted had he been asked to give up his lunch. I could just hear his shrill pre-teen voice: “Why must I give up my lunch to feed all these people?”


Tyrique is almost twelve and like most boys around that age, he doesn’t want anyone coming between him and his food. Thinking about Tyrique reminded me of a Coca Coca commercial some years ago with Shaquille Oneil and a little boy much younger than Tyrique. Shaq had been playing and looked like he could use a drink and there was this youngster sipping a frosty bottle of Coke. Shaq approaches, looks at the Coke then at the boy. The boy looks up at this man-mountain and says in his best growl, “Don’t even think about it.” My Tyrique would have reacted in similar manner if Peter or John had tried to get his lunch.

The story may sound funny, but it takes on a deeper meaning if we try to put ourselves in the place of that little boy with the five loaves and two fishes. Would you have given up your lunch? On a hot day, in the middle of nowhere, with no money in your wallet? I asked myself the same question. What loaves and fishes is God asking us to give up so that others can be fed? What can we give to promote God’s kingdom here on earth?

Jesus said, “Forasmuch as you have done it to one of these the least of my brethren you have done it unto me.” The next time the Holy Spirit prompts you to give, or you see someone in need and you are in a position to help, don’t growl like the boy in the commercial, but give up willingly.

By the way, I did ask Tyrique what he would do in a similar situation. He smiled and said, “I know that story. I would have given them half.” Not bad. But God requires us to give Him our all. He didn’t hold back when He had to choose between His only begotten Son and us. He gave Him up willingly so that we could have eternal life. What are you willing to give?

He Is Life

Image via Wikipedia

He is Life! There’s no better way to describe the Son of God. He came down from heaven that “we might have life and have it more abundantly”(John 10: 10). Death and life are completely opposed to each other and therefore, whenever Jesus (Life) is present, Death has to flee. The Bible gives many references of Jesus as being 1) the Author of life, 2) Life, 3) the Giver of life and 4) the Restorer of life.

The Author Of Life

Peter said, “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this” (Acts 3:15). Jesus Himself spoke a lot about life. He said "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” v 24.

He is Life
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (14:6). The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us” (1 John 1:2)

He gives life

When Jesus walked the face of this earth, He gave life to all who came across His path. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it” (John 5: 21) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33). I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (John 10 : 28). For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him (John 17 : 2). So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit (1 Corinthians 15: 45).

He restores life

Remember Jairus’ daughter? (Mark 5: 35- 43). And Lazarus? (John 11 : 17-43) And the centurion’s servant? (Luke 7 : 9 – 10). And the widow’s son at Nain? What did they all have in common? Jesus brought them back to life. Why? Because He is Life, the Giver of life, the Restorer of life. Death is no match for Him. He said to Martha, Lazarus’ sister, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25). Even while He was on the cross He restored lives. “The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life” (Matthew 27: 52).

Do you need life today? You may well ask why do I need life when I’m alive? Well, Jesus came that we should all have eternal life. Not the temporary, mortal kind of life we now have, but eternal life with Him in heaven, where we shall never hunger or thirst or mourn or shed tears. Do you want that kind of life? I’m sure your answer is yes. But Jesus can also bring life to your circumstances. To your marriage, your finances, your home, your dreams, everything that concerns you. Give Him your life today and He’ll give you His - eternal life.