How To Hear From God

In his 2^nd letter to the Thessalonians, Paul encouraged the church again to stand firm in the face of persecution. He urged them to “keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.” The Thessalonians heard from Paul both in person and by letter.

Likewise, we hear from God both in person and by letter. <<Click to tweet>>

Supernaturally, by the Holy Spirit, we can experience the presence of God. We sense His leading. We feel His peace. We are strengthened by His power. We can hear from God in person.

We also hear from God through the Bible, His love letter to us, His children. The words in the Word are “living and active.” They are not merely ink on a page. They speak directly to our hearts in miraculous ways.

The danger is when our relationship with God is unbalanced, focused on one OR the other. 

Chanukah Blessings!

photo: Jonathan Cahn of Beth Israel, Wayne NJ

Today is the first day of Chanukah which officially began last night at sundown. Chanukah was one of my favorite times growing up.

• Playing dreidel games!
• Eating potato latkes! 
• Eight nights of presents!
• Lighting the Chanukah candles! 

As the eldest child in my family, I lit the menorah candles. First, we lit the tallest candle (the Shamash). Then the Shamash lit the other candles from right to left, lighting one the first night, two the next, and so on for eight nights. As I lit the candles, I said the following prayer:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha'olam

asher, kidishanu b'mitz'votav, v'tzivanu

l'had'lik neir shel Chanukah. 

which means

Blessed are you, Lord our God, sovereign of the universe

Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

to light the lights of Chanukah. 

Little did I know that the menorah and its candles were a beautiful reflection of the Light of the world that was to bring me from darkness to light.

Lessons From The Storm

Matthew 14 opens with the horrific, senseless beheading of Jesus’s cousin, John the Baptist. In His grief, Jesus sought solitude and set out by boat to a remote, desolate place. But crowds of people, over 5000 men plus women and children followed Him along the shore. When Jesus landed at His destination, rather than criticize those who invaded His space, He had compassion on them. He saw their hunger and miraculously fed them multiplying a young boy’s lunch.

After this miracle, Jesus sent the disciples out in His boat while He went up the mountain to finally spend alone time with His Father. A furious storm arose, and the disciples struggled for hours until Jesus walked out to them on the water. Thinking He was a ghost, they were terrified, but Jesus encouraged them. Peter stepping out of the relative safety of the boat walked on the water toward Jesus, but seeing the wind, his faith faltered and he began to sink. Three words, “Lord, save me!” brought Peter into Jesus’s grip and back in the safety of the boat. And they marveled and worshipped Jesus.

Can this familiar story speak to us today? As I read and ponder this chapter, God has been revealing more and more to me. This Top Ten list barely scratches the surface:

How to Keep the Sabbath in a World That Never Rests

At a Leadership Conference I recently attended, I was challenged to consider observing Sabbath. It’s the fourth Commandment, and the one with by far the most instruction (Deut. 5:6-21) but unlike the other nine, for some reason, our present society considers it optional.

The word “Sabbath” simply means “rest.” In our overscheduled, workaholic culture, taking time to rest seems counter-productive. But in reality, the opposite is true. The conference leader, Pete Scazzaro said, “BEING with God precedes DOING for God.” And the purpose of Sabbath is to rest and BE with God.  

To read more about Sabbath and join me in the discussion, click on over to Circles Of Faith. 

How Can We Know God's Will?

The question of the day – most every day – for those who desire to follow God. How can I know God’s will?  Choices are not always crystal clear no matter how strong our desire to follow God’s plan. The Apostle Paul provides a clue in two of the choices he made.  

In Acts 16, Paul planned to go east to Asia but “the Holy Spirit told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time.” So he and his companions "headed for the province of Bithynia” (in the north), "but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go." Then that night, Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia in Greece (due west), “pleading with him, 'Come over here and help us.' So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, for we could only conclude that God was calling us to preach the Good News there."

Making those choices eventually landed Paul and Silas in jail where they sang worship songs and prayed, survived an earthquake, led the jailer and his family to faith in Jesus, and founded the church at Philippi and others on their second missionary journey.  

Later, on his third journey, Paul planned to go to Rome. He was arrested and appeared before the Roman rulers and would have been set free except for his appeal to go to Rome. After several years, he finally set sail, still a prisoner in chains. A storm arose so fierce that the sailors were terrified, but Paul the prisoner reassured them, "But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What's more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.' So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island."

After the shipwreck, Paul was on the island of Malta where he was bitten by a deadly snake which he shook off into the fire. So deadly was this snake, when he didn’t die, the islanders thought he was a god.

On his second journey, Paul did an about-face twice changing the directions of his travels, but on his third journey, he was resolute to reach his destination of Rome despite storm, shipwreck, snakebite and being a prisoner.

So here’s the question – how did he know? How did Paul know to give up his plans for Asia and Bithynia, while never giving up on Rome despite serious setbacks?

What would I do?

Would I have been willing to quickly abandon my plans because a dream indicated to go another way or would I stubbornly set my jaw and press on against God’s will for what I think I want?

Would I be resolute to journey forth despite storm and hardship or would I give up under the strain thinking something so difficult couldn’t be of God?

Honestly, I can’t say.

What I can conclude is this. Paul didn’t make these decisions according to the emotions he felt on any given day.

He didn’t make a list of pros and cons reasoning out the best plan to follow.

He based his decisions on a lifelong sensitivity to God’s leading.

In prison, he worshipped and prayed. He didn’t decide to develop a prayer life when hardship hit. This godly behavior in tough times came from a life of prayer and worship in the ordinary times.

Want to know God’s will in the difficult times? Get to know His will each day, whether there are big decisions to make or not. Spending time with Him in prayer and praise will increase sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.  There’s simply no shortcut or substitute.

  

Give thanks in all circumstances;  for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:12 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

http://pastorerickson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/apostlepaul.jpg

Do you struggle to know God's will sometimes? How can I best pray for you beloved? .

God Isn't

Many thanks to Jeanette Levellie for sharing today's post with you. Jeanette writes funny and she writes powerful. Here is one of her powerful posts:


As I look back on my journey of faith, especially our years in ministry, I've discovered some surprises about my Father. He discloses His heart to us by saying “I AM NOT” as much as when He declares, “I AM.” God isn’t…


Worried
The Good Shepherd is not afraid that if the economy fails, He won’t be able to supply your needs. His provision is based on His riches (Philippians 4:19), not global events or your employment status. Heaven is off limits to recession and depression. If you are God’s child and you’re a tither, He has promised to care for you. He won’t become angry if you are bold enough to remind Him of that promise. I think it would compliment the Lord that you are coming to Him instead of the government or Uncle Charlie.

Tired
When you approach your Father, asking the same favor for the three hundredth time, He doesn’t say, “Oh, you again? I have more important people and things to manage today.” He longs to have pity on you and show you favor. He rises to have compassion on you (Isaiah 30:18). Jesus said, “If you, a mere earthly father will give good things to your kids, how much more will your Heavenly Father give to those who ask Him?”

Offended
The Master of the universe doesn’t feel insulted when ungodly people take His name in vain, refuse to believe in Him, or twist His Word around to suit their narrow perceptions. It doesn’t distress Him if people try to explain creation by theories or attempt to prove He doesn’t exist. In fact, He laughs at them (Psalm 2:4). But, I do sometimes wonder if He cringes when His kids act worse than heathens, fighting among themselves. That may tick Him off…

Stupid
The God of all Wisdom knows more than all of us put together. I know it’s laughable to see it in print. Then, why do we seek His guidance as Plan Z instead of A? Why do we trust people’s word over His? He has all the direction we will ever need. When we ask, He promises to share (James 1:5). And don’t think He only speaks in church on Sunday morning between 9:30 and noon through a trained preacher. Open your Bible some Tuesday afternoon or Saturday morning and see what’s happening in His heart. 

Religious
The Lord of creation loves to surprise us by solving things His way, rather than how we’ve figured it out. He used a pimple-faced, sweaty teenager to kill a giant that had an entire army terrified. What unconventional method might He use to fix your problem?

Have you discovered other ways "God Isn't"?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A spunky, sometimes reluctant pastor’s wife of thirty-six years, Jeanette has published articles, greeting card verses, stories and calendar poems. She authors a bi-weekly humor/inspirational column in her local newspaper, and enjoys speaking to church and civic groups, offering hope and humor in every message. She is the mother of two, grandmother of three, and waitress to several cats. Find her blog, On Wings of Mirth and Worth, at http://jeanettelevellie.blogspot.com/

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Can You Top This?

Heading to my brother's home a few weeks ago, I passed a line of newspaper boxes. A closer look made me laugh out loud.

In the center was a box selling The Times,

with a sign stating  "No. 1 with Readers."  

To the left of The Times was a box selling The Trentonian,

boasting a sign declaring "AHEAD of the TIMES."

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Reminds me of some people I know - the "Can you top this?" syndrome:

"I had a such a busy day today. Couldn't even stop for lunch."

     "Well, my day was so busy, I didn't have breakfast, lunch or dinner."

"My daughter played varsity soccer."

     "My daughter was MVP in soccer, basketball and lacrosse."

"I enjoyed my trip so much, I took over 100 pictures."

     "Well, on my last trip, I took over 400 pictures."

"My mom was such a good cook, we never wanted to eat out."

     "My mom was such a great cook, she was featured in Gourmet magazine."

"My son was on the honor roll."

     "Well, my son was valedictorian."

"As a kid, we were so poor we didn't have paper to do our homework."

     "Well, I was so poor, we didn't have toilet paper."

You know people like this. As you start to share your story, their minds are only half-listening, just waiting for the moment to share their own better-than-yours story. They can be sad/sadder stories OR good/better stories OR funny/funnier stories. It doesn't matter. What matters is that that person's story tops yours in some way.

I imagine the people who lived in Corinth were like this. One-third of all the references of the word "boast" in Scripture can be found in Paul's two letters to the Corinthians. His many comments on boasting can be summed up like this:

• Love doesn't boast. But if you must boast, let it be about the Lord or about your weaknesses in which the Lord's power is glorified.*

Can you top that? ;)

*Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

*Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

*But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

For Such a Time as This

This post was previously published on 4/9/2009. I am sharing it to observe today's Jewish festival of Purim.

My friend, Dawn, shared with me about her experiences working an office where the boss is heavily into Scientology. This is not always easy as her values often contrast with his. He talks about the importance of being legal and ethical, yet his actions don't always follow his words. It is a delicate situation where she must abide by certain rules, yet not compromise her own values and standards.

This reminds me of the book of Esther. Growing up in the Jewish faith, I always loved this story and the holiday of Purim that we celebrated each March with many festivities. All the children dress up as a character from the story, come to the synagogue, march in a parade and eat such delicacies as "hamantashen cookies" (triangular cookies, traditionally prune-filled, based on the three sided hat of evil Haman.) Boys pretend to be King Ahashuarus (or Xerxes as the Gentiles say), Mordecai or the evil Haman. Girls would be Queen Esther... or Queen Vashti, if you wanted to be a rebel. 

One year, my mom made my sister and I the best costumes ever. We were the "Hamantashen Twins." Dressed in black leggings and turtlenecks with giant posterboard triangles sandwiched over our shoulders, we were an awesome sight to behold. We even won 1st prize - which was a pathetic coloring book that had dots of dried paint in it. If you put a paintbrush in water and touched it to the page, you could paint the picture. Well, we tried it, but without removing the page from the book. One drop of water spread, expanded the entire book and ruined it completely! So much for the grand prize! Oh, well, at least we had the glory!! Anyway, I digress - -

Esther had been chosen to be queen after the Queen Vashti was banished for disobeying the king's wicked orders. The king's advisor, Haman, hated the Jews and was plotting their destruction. Esther's beloved relative, Mordecai, advised Esther that she must approach the king and plead for her people's deliverance. When she told Mordecai that the king might kill her if she approached him uninvited, he responded "...And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" She heeded his advice, and with great wisdom and a little trickery, the nation of Israel was spared.

When we are faced with circumstances like my friend's that are contrary to our beliefs, who knows if God has placed us there "for such a time as this?"

- Perhaps we are there to shine our light in a dark place.

- Maybe God will open opportunity for honest sharing.

- Or we might be there just to pray for the people involved.

- He might ask us to speak up ("Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" Col. 4:6)

- Or He might want us to keep silent ("Even a fool, when [s]he keeps silent, is considered wise." Prov. 17:28) and make it a matter of prayer.

- If He wants us to speak up, "do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Mt. 10:19-20

But we can be sure this one thing - that as we seek His will, He will guide us. As the world around us gets darker each day, will you be ready "for such a time as this?"

Forget It! ... or Remember it??

Happy New Year!

On Jan. 1st, I updated my facebook status to read:
“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?" Is. 43:18-19

Seemed like the perfect verse to usher in the new year along with Paul’s words from Phil 3:13-14 “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Seems like starting a new year gives us opportunity to do a lot of forgetting.

Yet I also recall verses that tell me to do just the opposite – remember!

Repeatedly in Scripture the Lord urges His people to remember – His covenants with them, what He has done for them (and us), what they (and we) had been, how they (and we) angered God, how He forgave.

In fact, Isaiah himself who wrote “forget the former things” also wrote “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9

So what’s a girl to do?

Forget or remember??

Probably a little of both.

Alas, I find myself remembering things that have little value, hurtful things, foolish things, things that should be long forgotten. These are the things that Isaiah says to forget – “do not dwell in the past.” In Paul’s description of the race of life, these things are weights that drag us down and keep us from pressing on toward the goal.

What we are to dwell on, to remember, is the God that is like no other. The One who redeemed us when we were unworthy, the One who sustained us when we couldn’t go on, the One who grants us peace beyond understanding, the One who helps us to love the unlovable and who loves us unconditionally, the One who made us and REmade us.

The lyrics from one of my favorite bands Tenth Ave. North says:
    You are more than the choices that you've made,
     You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
     You are more than the problems you create,
     You've been remade.

     'Cause this is not about what you've done,
     But what's been done for you.
     This is not about where you've been,
     But where your brokenness brings you to

     This is not about what you feel,
     But what He felt to forgive you,
     And what He felt to make you loved.

     You are more than the choices that you've made,
     You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
     You are more than the problems you create,
     You've been remade.


So in 2011, what will you remember? And what will you forget?

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Phil. 4:8-9

 

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Christmas Myth-Busters

Despite pageants, stories and pictures to the contrary, there is no innkeeper mentioned in Scripture. Luke simply says it this way: “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

The image of a cold-hearted scoundrel turning away the holy family is a part of folklore, but not part of the scriptural record.

The "Bethlehem Inn" was not like the Holiday Inns of today. Usually, the first floor of an inn was a stable for the animals owned by the travelers who stayed in the rooms above. There was little privacy at normal times, probably none during the census. The most private area for people would be the "fragrant" space reserved for animals. It was an act of kindness for Mary and Joseph to be allowed to share of corner of the first floor to deliver their Child.

What other images are part of our memory, but have no foundation in Scripture? Do you picture Mary and Joseph traveling alone from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a hugely pregnant Mary astride a donkey, solitary figures in dark silhouette against a blue background? It's highly unlikely that they would be traveling alone. It wasn't part of the culture. Bands of robbers roamed the highways. The other family members of Joseph would also need to be in Bethlehem. How about Mary running to see Elizabeth? Again, unlikely that she would be traveling alone from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Speaking of travelers, the magi are often pictured alongside the shepherds in a nativity scene, when they actually arrived up to 2 years after the birth of Jesus.

Those are just a few of the images that inhabit our minds that are not based on truth. The Scripture is silent about some details, and so our ideas are formed by popular culture instead.

But there's plenty that Scripture is not silent about, and because of our familiarity with the story, we miss important messages. In Acts 17:11, Luke commended the noble character of the people of Berea when he said, "they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." I encourage you to search the Scriptures to see if what you believe is really true.

In your search, you will find nuggets there that will speak directly to your heart, words that you might have skimmed over in the past. I had this experience a few years ago when reading Luke 1. I knew that after her encounter with the angel Gabriel, Mary hurried to see her relative Elizabeth. I knew that when Elizabeth saw Mary, the baby "leapt in her womb", and Elizabeth declared Mary blessed and herself favored because of Mary's visit. And then, Mary began her "song". At least, I thought she did. I totally missed a little statement by Elizabeth that spoke volumes to me 2000 years later. "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:45 NLT

Maybe it was reading in a new translation (something else I recommend), but seeing those words made me realize how blessed I am simply because I believe that God will do what He says. I need nothing else to be blessed. That verse was there all along, but I had skimmed over it for years.

This year, the fact that hit me was that the angels were rejoicing, this despite the fact that the object of their eternal worship was wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a filthy animal feeding trough. They rejoiced because of the reconciliation between God and His eternally beloved creation, His people, and if God was pleased, so were they.

As you read these 4 chapters (Matt. 1 & 2, Luke 1& 2) this year, in your quiet time or with your family, won't you ask God to reveal something new to you?

I wrote a poem called "Mary Had A Little Lamb" which concludes:

For God did speak to Mary

And He spoke to Joseph, too.

And if you listen with your heart

God will speak to you!!

May He speak to You anew this Christmas!

Spring Break

The hubby, kids and I will be traveling to Florida next week for Spring Break.

Think - a geriatric version of Where The Boys Are.

I have previously shared with you my trite observations of this lovely southern state when I visited my folks last September - Why I Don't Live In Florida. But with our summer days largely spoken for with mission trips, cross-country camp and dance training, we decided to head south for Spring Break. Frankly, I'm rather honored that my college kids have agreed to spend their spring break with their parents. We're just so cool... 

We're flying out of LaGuardia, and I have been praying nonstop that there would be no geese around when we take off. I honestly have imagined our vacation spent on the wing of a plane floating in the Hudson River. I pray that our pilot is as skillful as Capt. Sully Sullenberger.

Once in sunny (and by sunny, I mean excruciatingly hot and humid) Florida, we'll be spending a few days with my folks and a few days at the beach. Please keep my dad and stepmom in prayer as he has been in and out of the hospital with prostate cancer procedures that have weakened him and stressed her.

And feel free to keep my hair in prayer. As some of you know, I have naturally curly (and by curly, I mean huge, intermittently frizzy) hair that expands with the humidity. I am powerless to fight it. And of  course, I hate the way I look when it's curly. Ladies, why is that???? We straighten our curls, and curl our straights.

But the humidity foils all our efforts. Ahhh - the great mystery - the very same humidity that swells my hair makes another's straight hair flat. Just like the very same boiling water will make an egg hard, but a carrot soft. So we must conclude - it's not the humidity nor the boiling water that is the problem, it is how we react to it! Likewise, a difficult circumstance will reduce one to tears, yet cause another to fortify her reserves. And so we must conclude - it's not the circumstance that is the problem, it is how we react to it. We can't always control the circumstance, but we can control how we react to things. To carry this a little further - When in hot water, we should be more like a coffee bean than the egg or the carrot because the egg and carrot react to the hot water, but the coffee actually changes the hot water. In it's brokenness, it infuses the water with its fragrance and substance and positively affects the situation. It creates an improved environment. I'll need to remember that this week :)

And so, my friends, as we speed along towards spring, may you have a blessed week, and I'll catch up with you on the other side!


Susan
ps - Speaking of mysteries and seasons, here's a favorite - Daniel 2:19-23
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king."

The Journey - part 1

I was privileged to spend Saturday with the beautiful women from Harvest Christian Fellowship NYC on their annual women’s retreat. The speaker was Jan Vance, a women’s ministry leader from Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA. It was a dynamic time of fellowship with the women and with the Lord. Over the next few posts, I’ll be sharing with you some of what I gleaned during the day.

At lunchtime, my tablemates and I had a deep discussion about how God required complete destruction of people, animals, even earth, in the days of Noah, Lot, Joshua and Saul. Later during Jan’s evening message, she mentioned this very thing. Ouch! My heart pierced, the Spirit's arrow embedded firmly in my right ventricle. I knew there was a message for me here.

God’s instruction to Moses in Deut. 7:16 was “You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God gives over to you. Do not look on them with pity and do not serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you.” Aha, the snare! God required the complete destruction of those who would set a fatal trap for His people.

God took care of the destruction for Noah and Lot. Joshua obediently took care of the destruction himself. But Saul, oh Saul, was only partially obedient. And, as Jan said, "partial obedience is disobedience."

Although Saul was instructed to "go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.” (1 Sam 15:3), he decided against it, keeping King Agag alive as prisoner and keeping the best quality livestock. When confronted by the prophet Samuel, Saul whined, "But I did obey the Lord (v. 20) to which Samuel replied,

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:

your burnt offerings and sacrifices

or your obedience to his voice?

Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,

and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,

and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,

he has rejected you as king.” ( Sam. 15:22-23)

Listen! (When God says "Listen", you better!)

-Obedience is better than sacrifice.
-Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft.
-Stubborness is as bad as worshipping idols.

Samuel eventually killed the king, but the damage was done. The Amalekites remained a snare to the Israelites for generations to come.

I often said to my children when they were younger, "Delayed obedience is disobedience." And now, God was saying it to me. He's asking me to completely destroy that which will ensnare me - attitudes, time-wasters, behaviors. Things that I haven't gone to bed with, but have been slow-dancing with.

How about you? Has God been asking you to destroy completely a potential snare? To take care of it now before it develops roots and is harder to deal with later? Delayed or partial obedience is disobedience. 

Susan

 

Rejection ... NOT!

On Tuesday nights, my small group and I have been studying Overcoming Fear. Each week, we focus on a different type of fear. Last Tuesday was the fear of rejection. We had a great discussion, but who knew it would be so timely? The next day, I received not one, but two rejection notices from publishers! 

And I'm not alone! Last week, a friend in our group received a rejection notice from a job she applied for. And another friend from this summer's writers conference received 3 rejection notices for her work. Must be rejection season!

Then, this week unbelievably, my inbox contained a devotion about rejection (from Proverbs 31 ministry) AND an email article for writers called "Rejecting Rejection". If you have been dealing with rejection, click on the links to be encouraged. God's timing always amazes me. How could He who keeps the entire universe spinning in perfection be concerned with our tiny wounded hearts?

But I submit to you that there is a valuable lesson to be learned from rejection. Jesus Himself was rejected (Isaiah 53:3). He was perfect, and even He was rejected. Can we expect anything different? Being rejected, He asked the Father to forgive them. When we are rejected, we are given an opportunity to develop Christlikeness, an opportunity that we would not have were it not for the rejection we received.

For most of my life, I lived in fear and never stepped through doors that the Lord placed before me. This year, I walked through the doors, even though it meant risking rejection. Playing it safe had kept me from moving forward. So even though I was rejected, I believe I was victorious just because I tried! 

While I am not embracing rejection, I am not rejecting it either. I am determined to use it wisely. I will not harden my heart. I will seek to improve what needs improvement. And I will trust that in God's time, His plan will be accomplished. His plan, not mine!  James tells us to consider it pure joy whenever you face trials ... because the testing of your faith develops perseverance ... so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (Jms 1:2-4) I'm not quite at the "joy" stage, but I am anticipating the benefits that He will bring to pass.

 The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

"For the LORD will not reject His people;

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Susan

He will never forsake his inheritance."

Psalm 94:14

Your Roots Are Showing

"But blessed is the (woman) man who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in Him.

(She) He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Once a month or so, my pup and I have "Grooming Day"! She visits the groomer, and across the street, I get my nails done. This Thursday was a triple grooming experience as I needed to have my hair done as well.


 I hadn't visited my wonderful hairdresser, Nina, since May. You can imagine the mess. I need regular touchups to cover the gray, but I had to confess that I had been cheating on Nina. I was using a product called Root Touchup which got me through the summer, but that only takes care of a small portion of my head. My roots needed real attention, and thanks to AnnMarie & Nina, on Thursday, they got it.

The Bible has something to say about our roots from a spiritual perspective. Jeremiah tells us that the woman who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him, is blessed. And it’s not just feeling blessed, it’s a blessing with tangible benefits.

(She) He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.

The roots of a tree planted by the water naturally grow in the direction of the water. They stretch out to be fed by the stream. They search for that life-giving source. They don’t wait for a gardener to show up with a watering can. Likewise, we ought to seek the life-giving flow of Living Water, the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to nourish us, not just depending upon a church sermon or Sunday School class to feed us.

It does not fear when heat comes;

The droughts in California cause the timber to be bone dry allowing a tiny spark to ignite a devastating fire. But wetlands have no fear of the fire. If we have partaken of ample Living Water, we need have no fear of the heat when it comes - and note, Jeremiah says “when” heat comes, not “if” it comes. We can be sure that heat will come, but if our roots are well watered, we will be like that tree standing firm.

its leaves are always green.

Years ago, my friend, Therese, and I sat in a car under tree near a streetlight for hours sharing our hearts. It was autumn, and we noticed that most of the leaves had fallen off the tree, except for one area of the tree near the light. The light kept the leaves on that part of the tree green and alive reminding us of our need to stay near our source of life-giving Light.

It has no worries in a year of drought

Why wouldn’t the tree have worries in a drought? Because it has stored up enough water to sustain it during dry periods. There is no doubt that we will have dry periods, too. But that is not a cause for worry. The Bible calls itself our spiritual food (milk and meat). I’ve heard it said that sometimes reading the Bible is like dessert, so delicious we could savor every morsel. Sometimes, it’s like cereal, a bit dry, but we eat to sustain us and provide building blocks for growth. And still other times, it’s like medicine. It may not satisfy our tastebuds, but it provides healing. Drought or not, we ought not to worry (Matt. 6:33, Phil. 4:6).

and never fails to bear fruit.

The by-product of abiding in the Vine is bearing fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is not like a gift of the Spirit which is given at the discretion of the Giver. Fruit is the consequence of obeying and remaining with Jesus, the Vine. An apple tree can’t produce more fruit by force or wishful thinking. No huffing & puffing on the part of the tree will result in more fruit. Fruit is produced on a branch that is firmly attached, is fed, watered and in the light . . . over a period of time.






One last thing about roots - the Bible tells us that we if we miss the grace of God, a bitter root can grow and cause trouble (Heb. 12:15) and that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). These are roots to be avoided because they will poison the tree.






The roots are what sustain the tree. No more root touchups here! Let’s make sure our roots are firmly planted, stretching toward living water, free from fear and worry, and bearing good fruit. Then we can be proud to say our roots are showing!






Susan

By Person AND By Letter

With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter. 2 Thess. 2:15 NLT
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Preparing for my Sunday School class last week, this Scripture verse caught my attention. We have been studying the letters Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, a church born in the midst of struggle. In his 2nd letter, Paul corrected their errors and encouraged them again to stand firm in the face of persecution. He urged them to “keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.” The Thessalonians heard from Paul both in person and by letter.
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Likewise, we need to hear from God both in person and by letter.

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Supernaturally, by the Holy Spirit, we can experience the presence of God. We sense His leading. We feel His peace. We are strengthened by His power. We can hear from God in person.
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We also hear from God through the Bible, His love letter to us, His children. The words in the Word are “living and active.” They are not merely ink on a page. They speak directly to our hearts in miraculous ways.
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The danger is when our relationship with God is one OR the other.

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I know some Christians who have an entirely experiential relationship with God. They rarely read the Bible. They don’t ever memorize Scripture. They attend Christian functions, listen to Christian radio and music, shoot off prayer requests, even serve in ministry. But they depend upon experiences alone to hear from God. Maybe a word from the pulpit or from another Christian hits a nerve. But without reading the Bible on their own, they are like a boat without an anchor. They drift along from experience to experience without any foundation. In the book of Acts, Luke tells us that he Beareans were considered more noble than those in Thessalonica because after they heard the word from Paul, they searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul was saying was true. Likewise, we must partake of our spiritual food (milk as babes, then meat) to grow into mature Christians. When we speak we use words, when God speaks, He uses His Word.
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I know other Christians who are scholars in the Word. They can cite verse and address and put myself to shame. But the danger here is that it is just head knowledge. An old tract was titled, “Missing Heaven By 18 Inches” because 18 inches is the distance between our head and our heart. We can store up much information in our brains, but if we lack love, we are just a resounding gong and will be lacking the other fruits of the Spirit - joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
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Today, would you join me and let's examine ourselves?

Let us always seek to hear from God both in person and by letter!
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Susan

Dive In!

While staying on retreat last March, our rooms had a beautiful view overlooking the bay.

We could see lots of activity among the geese as they swam and frolicked in the water.

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My friend, Connie, shared with me something that she had noticed about the geese.

She saw many of the geese diving down into the water even though there was ample food along the shoreline. She said that it must be that the food in the water is the good stuff. And so rather than settle for the easy way, the geese made the effort to dive down deep to get the better morsels. Just like we should dive down deep for the good stuff in God's Word. .

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Oswald Chambers said, "Good is the enemy of best." If we settle for what's good, we miss out on what's best.

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When it comes time for reading the Bible, sometimes we skim the surface rather than dive in to find deeper meaning. But the good stuff is down deep!

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When we learn that it was in prison that Paul said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" it means more than if he was writing these words from the comfort of his home.

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When we learn the meaning of the words in their original language, they take on new meaning. For example, the parts of the armor of God in Ephesians 6 include the "sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God." All the other parts of the armor are defensive (helmet, shield, etc.) The sword (God's Word) is our only offense. But the word for sword does not mean a large saber-type sword. No, it is a small sword, like a scalpel, to be used an instrument of healing removing that which is detrimental to our health, not as a machete to hurt someone.

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Down deep, we find the history of the times in which the words were recorded. And the geneologies that we so often skip over contain nuggets of insight, like the fact that there is a harlot (Rahab) in the line of David and Jesus.

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It's worthwhile to dive down deep to be fed spiritually on the Word. The Bible refers to itself as our spiritual food. Babies eat milk, not meat, because they can't digest it. But as they mature, they move on to meatier, more complex things. And so should we.

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Along that same line, we should not be discouraged if we don't understand some of what we read in the Bible. We just haven't grown to that point yet, but it's something to look forward to. What we don't want is to settle for less than best.

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The words from "Dive" by Steven Curtis Chapman say:

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I’m diving in,

I’m going deep

In over my head,

I want to be

Caught in the rush,

lost in the flow,

in over my head,

I want to go

The river’s deep,

the river’s wide,

the river’s water is alive

So sink or swim, I’m diving in

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There is a supernatural power

In this might river’s flow

It can bring the dead to life

And it can fill an empty soul

And give a heart the only thing

Worth living and worth dying for, yeah

But we will never know the awesome power

Of the grace of God

Until we let ourselves get swept away

Into this holy flood

So if you’ll take my hand

We’ll close our eyes and count to three

And take the leap of faith

Come on let’s go

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So friends, let's go! Won't you dive in deep with me and discover the amazing truths found in His Word.

Susan