"Tunnel Vision"

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".  2 Corinthians 4:17

When it comes to trials, most people have "tunnel vision".  The dictionary defines tunnel vision as: the tendency to focus exclusively on a single or limited goal or point of view. We tend to see our trials with limited vision.  We see them as strictly an attack of the enemy, or we see them as just how life is, or we see them as something to be delivered from. 

Weeks ago, we talked about seeing things from God's perspective.  Our trials should be viewed from HIs perspective, not through tunnel vision.  Yes, much of what we go through is an attack of our enemy-- he comes to steal, kill and destroy.  Yes, also, some things that happen are a natural part of life.  And, yes, again, who doesn't want deliverance-- after all we want easy comfortable lives.  But there is another perspective, a broader field of vision we should have when going through trials.  We should see them as a time of transformation in us.  After all, the Lord works all things together for our good.

When a lump of clay is thrown onto the potter's wheel, spun around and pounded, the end result is a beautiful vessel fit for service.  When a piece of metal is placed in the silversmith's crucible and heated and reheated, it is purified and out of it comes a precious metal that is of great value.  When a fruit tree is pruned and the dead parts cut away, it is then able to produce more and better fruit.  When an oyster gets a grain of sand in its shell, this irritant causes a beautiful pearl to be formed. 

Whatever you are going through, don't look at it through tunnel vision.  Look at it through a broader lens.  What you are going through is not just a trial, it is also producing in you an eternal glory, the Fruit of the Spirit, and a transformation that causes the image of Christ to be stamped in you.  

Have a great day.  Trials are to be viewed through more than tunnel vision. 

"Grace All Day"

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me".  2 Corinthians 12:9

When I woke up this morning, I looked at the clock and it read,"5:55".  Immediately, I thought to myself-- grace, grace, grace.  (The number five is the number that represents grace.)  I haven't been able to get away from that thought this morning.  I believe the Lord was speaking to me as soon as I awoke about grace.

Grace is not only God's unmerited favor on our lives, but it is also His loving and merciful kindness, good will and divine influence.  The fact that it was the number five three times made me think of the three primary times of day-- morning, noon and night. 

I believe the Lord wants to encourage us in the fact that no matter what we face today, no matter what may come our way, regardless of what may rise up against us, all day long the grace of His presence, the grace of His goodness, the grace of His loving-kindness, the grace of His favor, the grace of His wisdom and the grace of His mercy will be there for us and with us. 

So, whatever comes your way today-- pain, grief, frustrating situations, fear, a fiery trial, etc.-- remember that God's grace will be there for you.  It will lead and guide you.  It will hold you and uphold you.  It will envelope you and give you the peace and strength that you need to walk through the day, the whole day.

Have a great day.  God's grace is here for you all day long.

"Another Social Club?"

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching".  Hebrews 10:25

The other day I read a survey that was made among Christians who were asked, "What criteria would a church have to meet in order for you to attend it?".  The top four questions/answers they gave are:
1)  It would have to be a place where I can find friends.
2)  Is it a place where I feel free to be myself-- safe from judgment or condemnation?
3)  Will being there add value to my life?
4) I want a place where my life matters because I am cared about.

I understand the concerns these people had.  We all want to be acknowledged, loved, accepted and find relationships that are genuine.  But I noticed there was something missing.  Where was Jesus?  Everything pointed to "I/Me/My".  The answers were all about the individual and satisfying something in them and for them.  Yet, that "something" was not of a spiritual nature. 

What is our motive behind going to church?  Why do we bother to make the effort to go if it is all about what we need and want?  Don't get me wrong, I strongly believe in going to church.  I believe that this is where we should seek out relationships.  As Christians the people we associate with should be of "like precious faith" and we should be "equally yoked" with them.  Church is the place for that to happen.  But if that is all that church is about, or all it is to you.... then join a club, you can find that there.

The church is supposed to be a place where we can encounter God corporately.  Jesus called it a "house of prayer".  He called it "His Father's house".  It is God's house.  It is a place where He is acknowledged.  It is a place where we can grow spiritually.  It is a place where we can hear the preaching of the Word and be refreshed, exhorted, corrected, instructed and strengthened.  It is a place where my spirit man can be ministered to so that I have what I need to be able to go back into the "battlefield" of a sin-sick world and bring hope and life to them.  It is a place where I receive encouragement to keep "fighting the good fight", to keep "pressing toward the mark", to keep "running the race".  It is a place where I can be embraced by others when the battle has been too hard and I have taken a "hit". 

Church is designed by God to be a wonderful place of encouragement, healing and restoration.  We should go to church.  We should be part of a church.  But we should remember that the church is not just another social club or gathering.  It is God's house and we should go for the right reason-- Him.

Have a great day.  Church is more than a social club.

"A Place Called Praise"

"Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion".  Psalm 114:2

The word Judah means praise.  Praise is a sanctuary.  Praise isn't just something we do.  It isn't just words that we speak.  It isn't just something verbalized.  It is a "place".  Our praise provides a place for the Lord.  The Bible tells us that He inhabits the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3) Your praises form a place for the Lord to come and inhabit.

The Psalmist said that he would bless the Lord at all times; the praise of the Lord would continually be in his mouth.  When?  When things were going well?  When things were perfect?  When he was at peace?  No, not only in the good times of life, but at all times-- including the bad times.

When you are going through trials, problems, temptations and difficulties, the enemy of your soul wants to steal, kill and destroy you.  He wants to steal your praise.  He wants to stop you from praising the Lord.  He wants to get you to murmur, complain, be negative, and speak words of fear and defeat.  He knows that your praise will bring the Lord's presence closer so much so that He will dwell in the midst of those praises. 

It is easy when things are going badly to withhold our praise.  Praise is the last thing we want to do.  But it is the greatest thing we can do.  It will cause the enemy to flee.  It will hold back the destruction.  It will calm the storm.  It will settle the anxious heart.  It will lift the heavy burden.  It will cause the dark clouds to roll back.  It will bring peace because it brings the Prince of Peace near to you. 

So don't let your circumstances cause you to withhold praise from the Lord.  It is the most important thing you can do.  Don't look at the situation but look at the One who can make the situation work together for your good.  It may not be easy to praise Him in the storm, but it is necessary if you are going to make it through the storm.  Praise is a sacrifice.  You are going to have to press on and do it by faith--not feelings.  Praise Him even if you don't feel like it. 

Have a great day.  Praise is a place that we prepare for the Lord to inhabit. 

"Separated Fellowship"

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".  Romans 8:38,39

Nothing separates us from the love of God.  He loved us and demonstrated that love for us while we were still sinners by sending His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die for our sins.  So, what we do or don't do is not what makes Him love us or stop loving us.  He is going to continue to love us anyway.

But if we sin, that sin will separate us from His presence.  It will separate us from close, intimate and personal communion with Him.  It will place a wedge between us and Him.  It will cause us to run from Him instead of running to Him.  It will cause us to hide from Him instead of drawing near to Him.  The guilt and shame and self-condemnation will hold us back from our relationship with Him.  This is what happened to Adam and Eve.  When they sinned, they ran and hid from God.

If you have sinned, yielded to temptation and fallen.  Confess your sin.  He is faithful and just to forgive you.  Repent of what you have done.  Repentance is two-fold.  It involves turning from your sin and turning to the Lord.  We see true repentance in the story of the prodigal son.  He turned from the pigpen and turned to the father.  In this story we learn what repentance means through the prodigal son, but we learn what true love and forgiveness is through the father.  The father loved him; therefore, he ran to meet him, he embraced him, he welcomed him back into relationship and he restored him. 

The Lord loves you, even if you "mess up" or sin.  Because He loves you, He does not want there to be any division between the two of you.  Because He loves you, He wants unbroken fellowship with you.  Therefore, you can rest assured that if you will repent and turn back to Him, He will forgive and embrace you.  Why?  Because He loves you.       

Have a great day.  Nothing separates us from God's love, so don't let your sin separate you from fellowship with Him.  Repent of it.