Where to Turn in Crisis

In the past few days I have spent much time communicating with friends who are in crisis situations; one with her child, one facing the possibility of cancer, and another who is dealing with the diagnosis of a disease that the doctor’s say has no cure but which may have devastating implications on her future quality of life.

In every case, I have gone to the Lord in prayer. I have called upon His Name, reminded Him of His word, and trusted in His character. I have been overwhelmed with the privilege of knowing God personally and sensing His presence. I have been filled with peace, and know that He is faithful. I delight in knowing His power and His love is being poured out toward these precious sisters who know Him and have served Him with their whole hearts.

I wonder how people face situations like these if they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and do not experience the power of His love. How do people deal with fear without knowing the one who conquerors fear? How do they face the unknown of the future without knowing the infinite God. What do they trust if not the secure promise that He has a good plan for their life?

What about you? Where do you go for help? Do you personally know the God who made you for relationship with Him? Where do you turn for answers? Have you experienced the love of the eternal Father and the comfort of His Holy Spirit?

Where do you turn if you DO know God? Do you still trust in things of the world or in human reasoning? Do you have a heart that instantly turns to Him, in the good times as well as in the challenging times? Are you experiencing all of God that you can? Are you living in His Presence moment by moment?

He makes the difference, not only in crisis situations, but in the big and small events of everyday life. He wants to be involved in every detail of your life.

I have talked in this blog about the lessons I learn though daily life. I have learned that we can only live one day at a time. We face each situation as they come along. We do not know the future for our personal lives, our family and friends, or our nation. We cannot control the future.

When crisis comes, we are faced with our own humanity, limitations and inability. But if that is all we understand, we can become hopeless. No human has the answers to life. No human has the power of life. Hope comes when we turn to God who is the giver of Life.

God reveals cures to mankind. God has given us some answers…but only those answers that He chooses to give to us. And if you read that and become angry, wanting to blame God for withholding information and revelation, then I challenge you to consider that He is God; we are not.

The nature of humanity is that when we have power or knowledge, we often take the credit, not giving the glory to God. But He is the source of all good things (James 1:17). In our humanity, we even can take things that He gives us for good, and use them for our own purposes and for destruction. God is wise in what He reveals and in what He withholds. He is also wise in when He gives and withholds. And all He does is for our good.

Where do you turn when hard times come? There is One who is always there. You may ask, “If God is there, loving me, why did this happen?” I cannot give you the answer to that question. But, I do know God and His faithfulness.

This is not simply "optomistic thinking." My confidence in Him comes from knowing Him personally for many years, and seeing Him work in my life in ways that are unmistakenly supernatural and from a loving Father.

We live in a fallen and less than perfect world. At the beginning of time, mankind chose to lean upon his own understanding rather than to trust God. That has been the nature of man, ever since. Much of what we have to deal with in life is a result of that fallen condition. But, out of His love, God has made a way for us to turn to Him, put our trust in Him, and experience His presence and guidance, no matter what our circumstances.

We each have a choice and a free will. Choose this day for yourself whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15). Choose this day, whom you will trust. You can turn to God or not.

He is there waiting for you to come. He is there, with forgivenes, love, healing, peace, understanding, and comfort. He knows everything about you, and He is FOR you, NOT AGAINST you. He is pursuing you with His love and presence.

Being "In Season"

Recently I removed all of the dead vines from the sugar pea crop we planted in early spring. They are dried up and no longer producing fruit. Why? Because they are out of season. The weather and atmosphere is no longer conducive to their bearing fruit. In years past, we have had sugar peas through June. However, this year, with temperatures of 90-100 degrees beginning in May, the plants could not hold up under the heat.

Have you ever felt that your life was out of season? Have you felt like you missed God’s timing? I have.

There have been times in my life when I would not let go of something…a relationship, a ministry, a position, title, work. All of those things were “in season” at one time. They were gifts or callings God had put in my life. They were blessed by Him and were part of His will.

But there came a day when He said to let go. It was God’s best at one time, but then was time to move on to move forward into the new season. That is often because our assignment in that place or in that role has been completed.

He uses each season to prepare us for what is ahead. He uses each gift for a purpose. He knows the timing of our lives and of His will and His plan. And if we remain beyond His call, the fruit of our lives can begin to grow sour, rot or shrivel up and die. And often when this happens, we wonder what went wrong.

Why does this happen? Why does the fruit not remain? Why does our work lose the freshness it once had? If the work is God’s call AND God’s timing, it will remain fresh. But if it is seasonal and has accomplished its purpose, then God wants us to move forward to the next work He has prepared for us.

We have a tendency to cling to what we know. We are either comfortable, or we are afraid of the unknown.

He constantly is changing us and our circumstances so that we can grow and mature. However, He, Himself, never changes. He does not have to grow. He “is.” And He is perfect. We are the ones in the process of “becoming.” God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). But earthly life is constantly changing. Those things that do not change and grow are mostly dead. He is wanting to teach, stretch us, grow us into maturity and into more abundant life (John 10:10). He knows what it will take to prepare us for eternity. And staying where we are, doing the same thing, the same way, and becoming complacent and safe is rarely God's plan. There are times when He keeps us in a place in order to build endurance and perseverance.

I must add here that if we give up on something before God says to, then we can abort the work and it never comes to fruition. There is a great danger in starting a good work God has ordained and then stopping along the way. Please know that just because something becomes difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable does not mean that God wants it to end. That may be the very situation or condition that will bring about growth and fruitfulness. Finishing strong is important and critical to doing God’s will.

The question is not how long do we stay with something. But the entire point is that God directs our lives and the timing of our lives as well. We do not. We are not all-knowing; God omniscient and knows all things. We do not have the master plan; He is the master planning and the one who created the plan for our lives. We do not have the answers; He does. We do not see the future; He IS the future because He is eternal and not limited by time or space.

If we seek to direct our lives according to our own desires and plans, we will easily become “out of season” and the works of our lives will dry up.

Seek God. Seek His plan alone. Diligently desire the timing of His will as well. His plans for you are for good and not for evil. They are for a future and a hope Jeremiah 29:11). Surrender to His love and goodness, and allow Him to direct your life. Then you will be instant in season and constantly bearing good fruit.

Rooted in Culture

Different areas of the country have different kinds of soil. Some have sandy soil, others have rich black dirt. And the composition and texture of the soil impacts what plants will grow, as well as the quality of the fruit produced.

The soil in our area of Texas is hard clay. It must be worked extensively before anything will grow. First we must break up the ground and then add compost, fertilizer, and sometimes sand or potting soil in order for anything to take root.

Each of our individual lives and perspectives have different kinds of soil also. We are rooted in the soil of culture.

Culture, as defined by Webster (Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, 1967, G. & C. Merriam Co, pg. 202), is: the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education; a particular state of advancement in civilization; the characteristic features of such a state or stage; behavior typical of a group or class.

Many people influence our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual education and training, and thus play a major part in the building of our personal culture which includes our morals, concepts and perspectives, our character, and our behavior.

Culture reflects the traditions and priorities of those who taught and trained us. Our character is either a reflection of those teachings and influences, or rebellion against those who tried to mold our ideas and behavior, or a combination of the two. As we grow up, we decide what values we will retain and what we will reject.

We most often associate "culture" with race or nations. But culture can be much broader. Within America, the north and the south have different cultural values. Even political parties have their own culture. Each family has its own culture which includes family traditions, values, and rules considered to be acceptable and proper conduct. The familiar family atmosphere is often our accepted “norm.”

When we experience situations that contrast or divert from our own cultural ideas and perspectives, we can either become defensive, wanting to justify why our values are right and acceptable, or we can open our minds to the fact that not everyone is just like us, and not every person believes what we believe or acts as we act.

There are unlimited kinds and numbers of categories of cultures: racial culture, national culture, gender culture, class culture, drug culture, professional culture, gang culture, church culture, sports culture, generational culture. Each culture has its own system of operation, language, set of rules and expectations, dress code, standards, prejudices, along with many other aspects, often unspoken but that are more obvious with close observation and participation.

Each culture has its boundaries, and sometimes it barriers. If you don’t know the language, the obvious spoken statements as well as the underlying and hidden meanings, you experience alienation from the cultural group. Cultures develop their own methods of communication, such as sign languages, facial and body expressions, acronyms. And each culture has a list of things, whether acknowledged or not, that are acceptable or unacceptable ways of operation.

I am learning many lessons from the study of culture. Most of all, I do not want to be blinded by my own concepts and ideas. Secondly, I desire that the ideas of each person I meet become tools that lead to relationship and deeper understanding rather than those differences being barriers or divisions.

I am a Christian. And recently I have become keenly aware of religious culture. Most religions, including Christianity, have sets of rules and expectations. Many of those traditions and expectations are not God’s making, but man’s ideas and traditions.

Our cultural perspective and ideas can become barriers to understanding other people, other generations, other nations and races. Rigid thinking and belief that our way is the best or the only way, excludes most of the world. We can easily be blinded to our own narrow-mindedness, which results in comparrison and becomes judgment or criticism. Comparison brings further alienation and division. That is the root of denominations.

These barriers rob us of unity and understanding of the truth that there is ONE BODY of Christ. We are not a pile of body parts, but are linked together. Yet, we often detach ourselves from others with whom God has called us to be unified. This is addressed extensively in 1 Corinthians 12, as we are told that not all parts of the Body are the same. No one part can determine that the other parts are not valuable or necessary. It is God, our Creator, who designed each of us and calls us to a working unity as ONE body.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philisophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8).

When Charlie and I travel to other countries, we pray that we will not teach anything cultural, but that God will give us His truth that is for ALL people. His truths and principles apply to every person that He has created, no matter where they live or what their cultural perspectives.

I am not advocating "universalism." I am not saying that any idea is valid if the person is sincere. God makes it very clear that He alone is the standard of truth, because He IS The Way, The Truth and The Life.

What I AM saying is that man's ideas are not the standard; God's are. If WE try to determine how people should believe, think, act or respond, we will never agree. The key to life is seeing from God’s perspective rather than our individual, earthly and limited perspective.

God tells us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), and reminds us that it is in knowing that truth that we are set free (John 8:32.) This is His instruction which enables us to see people with His heart.

Only as our minds yield to God’s ways, His Word, His truth, and His perspective can we begin to see beyond ourselves. As we come close to Him and experience the truth of His Word, we are humbled, and the pride of clinging to our own views is laid down at His feet. He fills us with His Spirit, His understanding, His love for others, and His wisdom. With His enablement, our hearts become unified with other believers around the world, believers from every tribe, every nation and every language. We become vessels of hope and of shared passion.

As we become deeply rooted in His Kingdom culture and perspective, we begin to bear good fruit. His Kingdom is the only culture that allows us to grow in Godliness.

Be alert and watch. Understand that Kingdom culture rooted in love is different from religious culture that is rooted in legalism and law.

I encourage you to look closely at the soil of your life. Ask the Father to show you any ideas or perspectives that you think are normal, but that are not in alignment with His Word of Truth. He will be faithful. When He shows you, as you submit those those thoughts and ideas to Him, He will transform your mind. He instructs us to bring…”every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:5). He wants to be soil of our lives. He desires to be intimately involved in our thought life, our attitudes and our actions. He wants to purify our character and all that flows from our heart and mind. He has the power to mold us to be more like Him and make us to be a partaker of His nature and character.

As our roots grow deep in the soil of His presence, He will break up the hard, prideful ground of our minds and hearts. He will nourish us with His Holy Spirit and Truth. We will produce Godly fruit in multiplied measure and abundance. His presence is the soil that produces spiritual life, not only in the future and in heaven, but now and on this earth.

What must I do to have eternal life?

You may be familiar with a story in the New Testament (Luke 18:18-27) about a very wealthy man who came to Jesus. He was called a “ruler.” He was a magistrate or a person with authority and influence, besides his wealth.

This man asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what shaIl I do to inherit eternal life?”

People all over the world are asking this question. They are getting different answers. Some are told to literally kill those who do not believe as they believe. Others kill with their judgments or accusations, their words, justifying themselves and comparing themselves to others. Some are working hard, doing good humanitarian works, trying to earn God’s favor. Many believe if they just live as a “good person,” God will reward them at the end of their life.

However it is imperative that we know what God says about eternal life and how we can obtain it. He alone knows the answer and He reveals the Truth.

First of all, Jesus questioned the young man who called Him “good.” The young man approached Jesus as a “teacher.” And Jesus was pointing the young man to God, who alone is good.

Jesus knew that this young man was relying on good works to bring him close to God. Jesus confirms what is in the man’s heart as he reminds the young man of the commandments. And the man affirms that he has kept the commandments since he was young.

Yet, we do not know why the young man was asking Jesus this question. Was he wanting affirmation that in keeping the commandments, he would find eternal Life?

Jesus had just told a story (Luke 18:10-14) of a man who kept the law, but who walked in pride. This man was a Pharisee, a religious man who studied the law, and taught law to others. The Pharisee stood in the temple praying “with himself,” thanking God that he was not like other men. He reminded God of all the good things he did: fasting twice a week and giving tithes. But Jesus contrasts the Pharisee to a sinner who was standing far off, not willing to lift his head toward heaven, and crying out for mercy. This man admitted to God that he was a sinner and needed God and God’s mercy. Jesus finished the story by commending the sinner who humbled himself and turned to God, rather than the man who walked in pride.

It is at the end of this story that the young man brings his question to Jesus. Perhaps his heart was touched, as he knew he had followed the law. I have often wondered if this young man, even after all the good things he had done, knew he was missing something. Did he sense that he did not have eternal life even though he followed the commandments? Jesus' teaching constantly pointed to His being the only way to eternal life with God (John 14:6).

Jesus told the rich man that he lacked one thing.

Do you look at those who have much more of the world's treasures and believe they have everything? Do you believe that earthly treasures are proof of favor with God? Do you ever feel that if you had MORE money, more things, more earthly possessions, life would be better or easier? Yet Jesus constantly looks at the heart, and sees what is lacking. The treasures of the world are not the answer to life. In fact, in James 1:9-10, we see that God does not look at earthly riches the same way we do. He is not impressed with ease and comfort, and He, Himself, lived without a place to lay his head. He knows what has lasting value and what does not. He provides what is truly needed for us to have LIFE.

Jesus told the man to sell all he had, all his earthy treasures, give it to the poor, and to come and follow Jesus. That is the thing the man lacked, and that would give him treasures in heaven.

I have heard it explained that this story teaches us not to love the things of the world. The rich man refused to let go of his earthly riches to gain eternal riches. His love for money and things was a substitute for a relationship with God.

God has called us to lay down everything, and surrender to Him. We are told many times and many ways, that if we love the world, we do not love the Father (1 John 2:15-1-7). The things of the world as passing away, but knowing God and having relationship with Him has eternal impact. It will never die.

Yet, we often settle for those things of the world that we think have value. God says, we cannot serve God and mammon – earthly riches (Matthew 6:24). We have to choose. God will not allow us to have a divided heart. We must forsake, lay down, all things to serve Him. Or we will forsake Him to love and serve earthly things.

God wants us to surrender all things to Him. That is not just a one time event, but is constant, as we our love for God increases and we are detached from the world. Asone of my favorite songs says, "And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace" (Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen Lemmel).

However, there is more to this story. The young man became sorrowful at what Jesus said. He was very rich.

Jesus saw his sorrow and told us that it is very difficult, in fact impossible, for rich men to forsake the world to enter heaven. Why did Jesus tell the young man to forsake the world if He knew it was impossible?

In the next few verses, we hear the rest of the story. Those hearing asked “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus answered, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

God knows that we cannot surrender in our own strength. We cannot lay everything down. We can want to surrender. We can try. But the nature of man is to cling to things he can see, to reason how to provide for himself, to do things our own way.

God is telling us that eternal life is not something we can accomplish. It is impossible for man. Even surrendering to His will is not something we, alone, can do.

How then can we have eternal life? It comes ONLY through trusting the God. It is possible for Him.

When we face situations that we know are impossible for us, we have a choice. We can either keep on striving to do things our way and try to control the situation or do what we think is best; we can become sorrowful and walk away, becoming hopeless and defeated; or, we can turn to God, and trust Him.

We have no indication that the young ruler turned to God. He faced the impossible, but we are not told the outcome. Perhaps it is not for us to know, but only to use as a sign post to examine our own lives.

What do you have in your hands? Are you holding on to something? Is it good works, knowledge and obeying the law like the Pharisee? Is it power, influence and wealth like the rich ruler? Is it your failures and your sin, like the poor sinner?

Out of His amazing love for us, God is constantly pursuing us no matter who we are, man or woman, rich or poor, black, brown or white, old or young. He wants every one of us to have relationship with Him forever, beginning now. The goal of His life and death was to provide a way for us to be with Him, for us to be forgiven, for us to have eternal Life. He alone has made the provision.

Whatever you are holding tightly in your hands, the answer is to turn to God and trust Him. He will do what is needed. Do not let your ability separate you from God. Do not let your inability separate you from God. Do not allow possibilities or impossibilities to keep you from God. Turn to Him and trust Him in all things. There is nothing He cannot do. Your faith in Him and His power is the link, the connection. Our work is to trust in Him alone, and receive all He has done for us. That is the way to eternal life.

Can ALL THINGS be used for good?

Last month I wrote about using what we have for God's purposes. Sometimes we have more than we think. Often we are the last to recognize and have confidence in our areas of giftedness, especially when it comes to our spiritual gifts. We are aware of our learned ability…to write, play an instrument, study and learn a certain subject such as a language. But spiritual gifts must be revealed and discerned by the Spirit of God. That is not always as easy for us to comprehend.

However, my thoughts today focus on those things we "have" that are not polished, educated, perfected, or when they are obviously not an asset to our lives and to the Kingdom. What if my life seems overloaded with something that is normally used for destruction, to damage lives?

Today when I look at my heart, I see only things I wish were not there. I see attitudes and feelings that I deem unusable or destructive. The strongest thing in my life right now is anger. I have been walking through a situation that I have no control over. The only thing I can control is my response to the situation, and recently I have not done a good job of that. The situation is wrong according to God’s Word and is hurting people I love. I have spent years dealing with the wrongness of this situation, praying for those involved, and seeking God’s help in allowing me to resond with forgiveness, power and love that only comes from His Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

The situation has become gradually worse and more painful, until a few months ago, there was a revelation that the depths of depravity were far worse than I had expected. Since that day, I have walked in sadness, sorrow and grief. But my sadness and sorrow have turned to anger.

So, when we face a situation like this, is it possible that even a heart full of anger can be useful? Of course it is. People use anger every day. They use it to destroy reputations, relationships, character, hopes,dreams, confidence, and even lives in some cases.

But I am not talking about destructive “use” of what is in our hands. One reason I am angry is because the situation has had such a destructive impact on lives. I don't want to do the same thing. Is it possible for this strong anger to be used for God’s purposes?

I believe it is possible. I am aware that the possibility of my anger being turned into something productive for the Kingdom of God is totally out of my ability. However, Jesus said that what is impossible for man IS possible for God (Mark 10:27). I am trusting Him to show me, to lead me, to guide me.

In Romans 8:28, God says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” ALL things? What about my anger? Does He really mean ALL things?

If you back up to verse 27, you read, “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” That tells me that no matter what my thoughts are or what is going on in my life, God Himself knows what is on my mind and He is praying for me, praying God’s will into my life. How amazing is that?

These scriptures are for me because I love God. I have answered His call to give my life to Him, so my desire is for His purposes and His will to be done. He is interceding for "the saints." Saints are not perfect people, but are those who love Him and seek His will in their lives.

Verse 29 shows us part of God’s purpose for His intercession “For who He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…”

God knew you and me before we were created inside of our mothers (Psalm 139:13-16). And His planned purpose for mankind, from the very beginning of time (Genesis 1:26), was and still is that we will be conformed to His image. God’s plan is for us to be like Him, to have His character and nature of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22). He desires that so much, that He has promised that if we love Him, then He will use every situation, every possible thing that comes into our lives, for the purpose of making us more like Him.

This past week I have not looked much like Jesus. My anger has been polluted. Some of it is about Him. Much of it is over injustice, wrongness, deception, rejection, lies, and peoples’ unwillingness to do what is right. But some of my anger is about me, about what I want and what I feel. And as a Christian, when I am angry, I then often feel guilty, telling myself that I should not have any negative feelings toward another person.

I know that He has forgiven me. But I want more than forgiveness. I want change. Just as coal, under pressure, can be turned into a diamond, or a grain of sand in an oyster, can become a pearl, I want to see those things in my heart be turned to something valuable. I am putting God to the test; I am holding Him to His word, believing and asking Him to show me how He can use even my anger, my sorrow, and even a wrong situation, for my good and for the good of those I love. I am trusting that as He intercedes for me according to His will, that He will use ALL these THINGS, including my emotions, wrong thoughts, lack of understanding, guilt, hopelessness and even my anger, for my good and use it to conform me to His image.

Another way this can be used for good is for me to pray, pray, pray. I pray for myself, with confession and repentance, and acknowledgement of God's desire and ability to "cleanse me of all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). I pray for all those involved in the situation, including those causing the problems. I pray for people I don't know, across our nation and the world, who are walking through similar situations. I especially pray for those walking through these kinds of difficult situations who do not know Jesus, and are trying to find peace without Him.

I want to know how God sees my heart and what He thinks about my feelings. I want Him to use this to teach me more about Him. I want this situation and my reaction to it to be redeemed and somehow turned to good. I want to defeat the enemy with my prayers and with my coming through this situation in victorious thinking and acting. Through all of this I pray for God to bring me into closer relationship with Him. Only a personal and powerful God can preform such a miracle.

An encounter with Mary, the mother of Jesus

I was young, with my whole life before me. I had many questions: How can one person be significant to God? What is His purpose and will for my life? How can I know what that purpose is? I know it sounds strange for a girl to have these kinds of thoughts. In Jewish families, the sons were considered to have the greater purpose, and the daughters were to grow up to be good, healthy wives and have sons. Eve, was the mother of our race; Sarah had purpose in the son of her old age; Rachael and Hannah grieved until they had sons. It’s not that I minded the idea of having children. But was there more to life?

I was a very ordinary girl in most ways. Yet, I spent much of my time thinking. My mother said I was a daydreamer, but I didn’t mind. Many times I felt that my pondering was a kind of prayer…though not the sort of prayers we were taught to say in Jewish homes. I wondered if God ever heard my thoughts and questions.

My name, Mary, means “myrrh,” which was incense used in the worship of God. Because of my name, I believed my life was to be spent worshipping God. But myrrh was also used to prepare a person for burial, and I wondered how that fit into who God created me to be.

The plan for my life was set before me. I was young and betrothed. Joseph was a good man. My father had chosen well, and I was not displeased. Joseph was gentle; a man of God – but, just how much a man of God I had not yet seen. He was talented, a craftsman, who knew wood and could use his hands. He would provide well for our family. My family had never been rich, but we had what we needed. I would soon be Joseph’s wife, and live a good life, and hopefully give him sons.

Then, one day…one day God… Have you ever had a day when God entered your life, and you were never the same again? That day my life was changed forever. It’s as if I had entered into another world or kingdom. I met God’s will face to face. I responded, and my life was never really mine again. It was guided by a different power. It’s hard to explain, unless you’ve experienced it.

It was an ordinary day. People were going about their lives as every other day. I don’t even remember what I was doing…but all of a sudden, right before me stood a being like I had never seen before. An angel. I was so afraid, I couldn’t move. He called me by name. He said the Lord was with me and that I was blessed among women. I didn’t understand. He must have seen my fear, for he told me not to be afraid; that I had found favor with God. Was this real? God’s favor was expected to rest on those who were mighty, rich, or even wise. But on me?

He told me I would conceive a son and would call him Jesus and he would be great and rule on the throne of David. He said the Holy Spirit would overshadow me, and the One to be born would be called the Son of God.

“How can this be? What does this mean? Nevertheless, let it be unto me, your hand-maiden, as you have said.”

I later thought: I stood face to face with an angel. He was talking about the God who created the universe, had set fire to a bush without consuming it, had delivered a whole nation out of bondage and had parted the sea so they could cross over on dry ground, and who made the sun to stand still. And what do I ask… “How can this be?” Of all the questions I could have asked! But he didn’t get upset with me; he simply said, “With God all things are possible.”

God of the impossible. What a mystery, yet a reality. God overshadowed me with His Spirit. It was as though I myself was in a womb of His presence. My life had entered the realm of the impossible, and I surrendered.

He would have to do the impossible…with my family. My mother had prayed all my life, like the other Jewish mothers, that her virgin daughter would be the mother of the coming Messiah. Would she believe it? And her friends? It is one thing to believe God’s word. It is another thing to believe it for yourself.

The impossible…Joseph.

New life was growing within me. What a miracle. I immediately went to stay with my relative, Elisabeth. She understood the impossible, being full of child in her old age. She said she believed God could do anything. And she understood who my child was to be. I was able to talk freely with her. We sought for wisdom together before I returned to my family.

Then, there was a quiet marriage to Joseph. With God nothing is impossible. Truly, he
proved that just with Joseph. My condition was punishable by stoning. But Joseph, too, had an encounter with God, and he knew this was God’s child. His love for God and for me became sacrificial.

He was a simple man, and felt the weight of responsibility for both me and this child. If he ever heard rumors, gossip, or accusations he never let on. I sometimes believed God chose me because He wanted Joseph as His son’s earthly father.

Herod called for a census, so we had to travel to Bethlehem. We were almost there and my time was near. There were no rooms in the town, and it was time. We were finally directed to a stable. There came the pain and the travail. I was away from home and family, with only Joseph, me, and the animals. And then the birth of a perfectly formed baby. He looked so human… He acted so human… He cried so human. Yet there lay the very presence of God. In this child was the hope of the world. Who would think that the burden of an entire world would rest on these tiny shoulders? The weight of government would be upon them.

Shepherds came, praising God and telling stories of seeing thousands of angels. Wise men came who had followed a star, traveling a great distance to bring lavish gifts for the child.

On the 30th day of his life, when we took Jesus to the temple for purification, an old man named Simeon took the baby in his arms, looked into heaven, and said that his life had now been fulfilled. He said, “I can go in peace… I have seen the salvation of the Lord and the Light to the Gentiles, and the Glory of Israel.”

A Light to the Gentiles, and the Glory of Israel? The Glory of Israel had dwelt in the temple, but had departed from Israel because of our nation’s sin. Now this child was being called the GLORY OF ISRAEL. I knew He was God’s child, but there was so much I didn’t understand.

Simeon looked at me and said, “This child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, for a sign which will be spoken against. Yes, a sword will constantly pierce even your own soul also, so the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts may be revealed.”

A sword…pierce my soul? What could he mean? A sign spoken against? Wasn’t this child to be a king? The Savior of the world? We had such joyful anticipation of a glorious future with the coming of the Messiah. Yet these words reminded me of the prophet Isaiah of long ago. Was it like so many other things about God… perhaps not according to man’s thoughts or ways? I wanted to ask again… “How can this be?” But I knew it would be as God intended, and according to the impossible.

I have often thought back and pondered these things… the angel Gabriel, Elisabeth and her son John, Jesus’ birth…the stable. The stable…kings were born in palaces. Stables were for lambs. I thought about the star, the shepherds, the wise men and their gifts, Simeon. Then in a dream, Joseph was told that we were to go to Egypt…a place that was bondage to our ancestors became a place of protection for us and the child.

Joseph and I both felt responsibility for training this child. We followed Jewish traditions in our home and Joseph spent much time teaching Jesus the law. I remember the time when he was twelve and got lost in Jerusalem. We were there to celebrate Passover. On the way home, we realized Jesus wasn’t with us or with our relatives. We returned to Jerusalem and it took us three days to find him. By then I was near panic. We had lost God’s Son. When we found him, I was so relieved. But I WAS his mother, and I scolded him. He looked at me with a look of wisdom beyond his years and said “Mother, didn’t YOU know I must be about my Father’s business?” I felt pain inside, that sword piercing my soul. I wondered how much he understood of His mission.

As I watched him grow, I knew in my heart that the day would come when he would leave. That’s true about every child. If you’ve ever had to let go of your child, I promise you, you have never been closer to God than when you gave that child up. He understands.

In Jesus there was submission to us as his parents, but it came with an inner submission to God. HE was always obedient, but I knew he was obeying a higher voice.

Many times the 700-year-old words of the prophet Isaiah stirred in my heart. I could easily grasp the words that God would give a sign and a virgin would give birth to a son. I knew its reality; I was part of the fulfillment of that prophesy of Almighty God. But there were other words that were more difficult, even painful, to try to understand concerning the Son of God.

One day, Jesus heard his cousin John was nearby, preaching, and He left home and went to find John. I thought back to my visit with Elisabeth, so many years ago before when neither of our sons were yet born. Her child, John, had leaped within her, and she called me the mother of her Lord. I knew Jesus had to focus on doing the Father’s will. He had a unique purpose. But little did I know what the next three and an half years would hold.

I heard of many miracles he performed. I saw some of the, like when he turned water into wine at the wedding of a friend in Cana, a few miles northeast of Nazareth. Yet, in our town, He could do only a few miracles. The people had seen him grow up in our house, and they did not believe who He really was. Their human reasoning kept their hearts from seeing and understanding; Jesus called it unbelief. It is possible to focus on what we can see with our physical eyes, or what our own mind thinks is right, and miss the Truth.

Jesus was a controversial man which of itself was not unusual in our days. But He was different. He didn’t claim to be a prophet who knew God. He claimed to be the Son of God. I knew who He was and where He came from, and yet at times I didn’t understand. The religious leaders were the ones persecuting him, and they had taught that a Messiah would come.

Only three years after he began preaching and working miracles, He was arrested.

I wondered if God had forgotten what He said about a King and Savior? Yet words of the prophet Isaiah came back to me, “He was despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter…He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken… …He poured out His soul unto death… And He bore the sin of many…

Surely God didn’t mean my son would be “slaughtered and stricken”? I had seen many times that God’s ways are not our ways, but I couldn’t imagine God allowing this to His Son.

Then came the reality of seeing Him beaten, almost beyond recognition, carrying a cross, going to his death. I stood helplessly at the foot of the cross, watching His life drain out. My heart was breaking. He was beaten, bruised, a crown of thorns, and then the nailed Him to the cross. My soul was pierced as never before. Again the question came to my mind, “How can this be?” I kept thinking this was a bad dream… or that God would do the impossible and bring Him down off the cross. Where was the angel? Didn’t God have the power to deliver His own Son from death?

I stood with young John who was flooded with guilt, shame, and sorrow, for having deserted his closest friend. And here before us, Jesus was dying. John was wondering how he could live with such guilt and grief. Then, in the midst of agonizing death, yet so consistent with His character, Jesus reached beyond himself and focused his attention on us. It was as though he was experiencing our sorrow, our struggle and our pain. “Mother, behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother.” In those last few minutes of His life, with labored breath, His concern was for us.

We heard Him say, “It is finished.” And He died.

I find it difficult to describe the next few days. All seemed final, hopeless. Death is so strong. Yet somewhere within me, something was stirring. The God I knew…the God of the impossible…what would He do?

On the third day, my friend Mary went to the tomb, but the stone had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty. She came back saying she had seen Jesus and talked to Him. He was alive. I dared to hope. We had seen Jesus raise Lazarus and others from the dead. It was becoming more clear. He had told us that He was the LIFE. How can life die? Then He appeared to us. It was true. God of the impossible had raised Jesus from the dead. Death did not have the final word. Life could not be quenched. The Joy of God had passed through the poverty of a manger, persecution of the religious, the torment of the cross, and He came through in victory. Jesus was the Christ, the son of God; Savior and Lord. He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. He was the way to the presence of the Father. He was all He claimed to be.

I had the unique privilege of carrying Jesus Christ, the Son of God within me...
TWICE. Once, He was birthed OUT of me. Once, He was birthed INTO me, as I received His Holy Spirit. He would never leave me again. Now I was fulfilling God’s purpose for my life, empowered in a new way. I was Mary, one called to worship to God.

Father God had a unique purpose for my life. He has a unique purpose for yours. I was an ordinary, humble girl who believed God, and surrendered to His will. Is there anything keeping you from surrendering to His plan for you? Are you willing to believe God will do all that He has said He will do? Will you grasp hold of the God of the impossible?

You will have tribulation and will face times when it seems that the final word has been spoken and all seems hopeless. As I stood at the foot of the cross, my emotions could see no further than the pain and agony of the moment. But, God is a God of resurrection. Death does not have power over life. God brings life to that which is dead. If you are in a situation that seems impossible, reach out to God who is more powerful than death.

There are times when the pain of life and rejection seems to control our lives. And often it is religious people who do the hurting. Yet, I heard Jesus, as He was dying on the cross, ask His Father to forgive even those who sentenced Him to death, thinking they were serving God by crucifying Him. Even in His painful death, He had no anger, vengeance or bitterness, only forgiveness. Can we do less? He gives us the power to be like Him and to forgive.

Will you celebrate the resurrection life by reaching out to God this day? He is pursuing you with all of His heart. He died on the cross so you could have eternal relationship with Him. Will you yield to the overshadowing of His Holy Spirit in your life? Allow Him to be born into you, and then revealed to and through you. Allow the Creator, who lavishly loves you, to take control of your life. Let God do what is totally impossible for you to do. Believe that He will fulfill those things He has spoken and promised to you. Now is time.

(This is my perspective of Mary, mother of Jesus, based on Luke 1-2; Luke 3:21-23; Luke 22:54, Luke 23:16-46; Luke 23:52-Luke 24:12; John 2:1-11; John 19:1-John 20:31; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 53; Genesis 4:1-2; Genesis 17, 21:1-8; Genesis 30:1-24; 1 Samuel 1:1-2:19 and other scriptures.)

The Miracle of Seed

Farmers talk much about “seed.” Seed is reproductive material. In planting our garden, my husband talks about the benefits of having heirloom seeds or hybrid seeds.

Hybrid seeds have been artificially cross pollinated. One of the interesting considerations about hybrid plants is that their seeds cannot be used to plant next year’s garden. According to Wikipedia, hybrid seed “…from the first generation of hybrid plants, does not reliably produce true copies, therefore, new seed must be purchased for each planting.” Hybrid seeds are also called “cloned” seeds.

Heirloom seeds, however, do have the potential to reproduce true copies. Seed from the fruit of this year’s heirloom plants can be saved and planted next year. Future crops will produce plants that bear fruit or vegetables that are true copies of the original.

In the Bible, in the first book called “Genesis” (or “Beginning”), we are told how God created all that exists. I find it interesting that a number of times in the Bible, God’s Word is referred to as “seed.” And in the Beginning, we are told that creation came about as God spoke.

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with seed in them, on the earth’; and it was so…and God saw that it was good.” “Then God said [to the male and female He had made in His own image], ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;...” (Genesis 1:11, 12, 29).

Seed produces plant that bears fruit that contains seed, that produces plant that bears fruit that contains seed. There is a cycle to reproduction. It is always amazing to me when I cut a tomato, cucumber or other fruit or vegetable and realize that each small seed inside has the potential to produce an entire plant which, in turn, would bear much fruit. The multiplication process that God placed within creation makes me stop and think about the unlimited, creative and infinite mind of God that planned every detail with divine purpose.

God not only put that reproductive ability in fruit and vegetables. He also fashioned mankind with “seed” and the ability to reproduce. The Greek word for “seed” is “sperma.” The word “seed” also often refers to offspring, or our children.

Four weeks ago, our youngest daughter had a new baby, Emmy Elizabeth. I cannot look at our grandchildren without considering the miracle of reproduction divinely designed by God. And His plan includes even the smallest details.

Our younger daughter has red hair. Her first child, Cella, has red hair (See family photo below). Cella looks like her mother, but many of her features resemble her father. God uses details of our makeup to create the “seed” that comes forth from us. It is part of that cycle. Many people have told our older daughter that she looks like me, and as many others have said she looks like her father. And yet, even with the resemblances, each of our children and grandchildren are a one-of-a- kind combination of traits and abilities. Even though they may look like their parents and have similar abilities, there is not another person in the world like any of them. Each is precious and unique.

God chooses those characteristics He knows will work together to form the new child exactly as He wants them to be. It all works for His purposes. In Psalm 139, He reminds us that He was forming us inside of our mother’s womb.

Every person alive was created by God’s design and perfect plan. That includes you. The writer of the Psalm, under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, says, “I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14). You were made by God’s design and there is not another person like you in the world.

With today’s technology, things are very different from when I gave birth to our children. I did not know if I was having a girl or boy until my baby was born. Modern machines even allow us to view the formation of the unborn baby. Long before little Emmy was born, a sonogram showed close up pictures of her body, her heartbeat, her kidneys and other organs, and her features – the perfect little nose, ears and rosebud mouth. The size of her bones could be measured and even her weight was determined. As I watched the sonogram, I saw Emmy yawn, and could see her put her tiny hand in her mouth.

Even though I had seen the sonogram, it was completely different to look at this brand new life only minutes after she was born. And now, only weeks later, we have seen her grow and change…far too fast for her Grammy.

This is our seed’s seed. This is our inheritance. Now she is a baby, but as she grows daily and develops, the prayers we have prayed for her for more than nine months will begin to take root. In fact, the prayers we have prayed for years over all of our grandchildren, which now include little Emmy, will bear fruit that will someday be evident in their lives.

Ever since God created the world his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made (Romans 1:20).

Seed. The miracle of reproduction. God must smile as we stand in awe and wonder, watching the process of life. All of these things are revelations of Him, His qualities, His nature, His attributes. Creation was intended to cause us to look to Him, understand His love, experience His Life and its eternal purposes. Our response to creation is to be humble worship, not of creation itself or of its processes, but of Him, the only God, our Creator.

What do you have?

Last summer, the Lord began to work something into my spirit. He used a devotional which talked about a man named Shamgar. Shamgar’s story is found in the Old Testament portion of the Bible. Our friend wrote:

“’Shamgar . . struck down six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. He too saved Israel.’ (Judges 3:31 NIV). One man, unarmed, against six hundred Philistine warriors! He used what he had – an ox goad, a wooden stick tipped with bronze that a farmer used to prod his work animals. A common farm utensil, not much at all, except in the hands of a determined and courageous farmer, resulting in a rousing victory that stirred the heart of a nation against its enemy.

An unusual story? Yes, but not an uncommon one in the Bible, and in everyday life. It sounds familiar to me – like Moses and a shepherd’s staff, or Gideon and his trumpet, or Samson and a jawbone, or David and a slingshot, or a boy with a small lunch of bread and fish. God’s story is about using ordinary people in extraordinary ways when they are willing to use what they have for God’s purposes and glory.

You may not have what you want; you may not have everything you need; you may not have what others have; you do have something that God can use. ‘God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well...’ (Romans 12:6-8 NLT). Remember, the key to doing all you can do is using all that you have.”

This concept, of using what I have, was brought back to me last night when a friend reminded me of the New Testament scripture in Acts 3:1-9 when Peter and John were going to the temple and saw a man who had been lame from birth. Peter says, (vs 6, NKJV), “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Peter had faith, authority, and firsthand knowledge and understanding of the healing power found in Jesus Christ. When Peter gave what he had, it changed the life of the lame man, who rose up and began walking, leaping and praising God, and became a testimony to others of the power and love of God.

My friend reminded me that I am to use what I have for God’s purposes. I cannot give what I do not have, but God wants me to share what He has given to me.

What do you have? Does it look ordinary or familiar like Shamgar’s farm tool? What is your special ability? The question is, “will you use what you have for God’s glory, even if looks like it is very small or not enough?”

You may think you have nothing of value. Please do not judge contrary to the Lord’s estimation. He is truth and He says He has given you gifts. He has given you faith. If your faith seems small, faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and it can grow as you seek Him and study His words. You can share what you do have with others, and as you do, it will grow and multiply.

There is something else you do have. You have a voice. If you know Jesus, you can use your voice to share Him with others, to pray, to encourage those who are discouraged. You can speak truth. You can help others turn their eyes from their situations to God by sharing of His character of love, forgiveness, and faithfulness and you can help bring them to a place of hope.

You also have 24 hours in a day. What do you do with your time? Are you spending it doing things that count for eternity? Are you using some of your time to serve others? Are you spending time praying and worshipping God with all of your heart? Are you spending time reading His Word, which brings strength and nourishment to our souls? Or are you investing your time in things that do not have eternal value but are worldly? We can use what we have for Him and His Kingdom.

The nation of Japan has been in my heart for years, but even more so for the past two weeks. I have a tremendous love for the people. Much of my time is spent on my knees praying for the people, for the lost, for the pain, fear, and grief of the people. I am also praying against potential nuclear devastation. I am asking God to work miracles in Japan.

Recently I heard someone say they would like to send money for relief for the Japanese, but added that they only had a little bit, as if their little would not be important to someone who has just lost everything.

God does not require us to give what we DO NOT have. But He does expect us to give what we DO have. He expects us to take whatever He has given to us, whether it seems great or small, and use it in obedience to His directions. When we do that, He is faithful to work in and through us to impact lives for eternity.

So, I ask you again. What do you have? Will you use it unselfishly for God’s glory, for His Kingdom and His purposes?

Take inventory of what you have. If you have things of the world in excess, repent if obtaining those things were your doing and not God’s. Then take what you have and commit it to God. He will show you what to do. And as you obey, you will be blessed beyond measure. The reward of walking in His will and being used by Him is, in itself, a blessing. He will use the ordinary to do the extraordinary is amazing. He will redeem what is needed. And He will use you to bring glory to Him. The fact that you and I, as mortal human beings, can bring glory to God is a miracle in itself.

My prayer for you, as it is for myself, is that we will use what we have and then be delighted at seeing God at work through us to provide for and impact the lives of those around us.

Deep-plowing the Ground

Spring has arrived in Texas. As I look out my office window at the tree line in the back pasture, I see that there are places where the tiny green buds are appearing on the trees and the redbud trees are blooming. Our plum, peach and apricot trees are flowering, and the wild flowers are beginning to appear.

We have been working the ground in our garden, getting ready to plant. I have noticed that it is very difficult to work hard ground, and almost impossible for anything but weeds to grow there. It is even more difficult to work the ground when there are rocks in it.

That is where my life has been for the past few months. I have been in a season when I felt totally empty, but realized I was only empty of the good things of life like peace, joy, strength, motivation. Instead my heart was hardened with grief, fear, apathy, anger and other such things that were stealing my life. When those things grow inside of us, they are more like cancers as they don't stay the same size like rocks do. They grow and consume us and have a way of choking out the good things.

When Charlie and I moved to the country, one of the first things we had to purchase was a tractor. The man who delivered our Kabota tractor walked the pastures with Charlie. He told Charlie that he needed to plow the pastures, and asked if he had a plow. The previous owners left an old plow in the back pasture. Charlie showed it to the man. The man said that it would work, but not very well. It would only plow up the first few inches on the top of the ground, and do a surface work. He told Charlie that he needed a "deep plow." He said that a deep plow would dig deep into the ground and break up the hard places, and at the same time, it would bring any large rocks to the surface so they could be cleaned out. Then he said that this kind of plow was originally not called a "deep plow," but was called a "repentance plow!"

That is what I have needed for my spiritual life...a repentance plow. So last week I made an appointment with a counselor. I spent five hours with her, and at the end of the time, the ground of my heart had been plowed up and the hard places had been removed. She was able to help identify the roots...those things that were causing the anger, hurts and fears that were robbing my spiritual life.

Sometimes we can't see the roots because of our emotions. Our feelings can be fed by lies that we have believed. In the New Testament gospel of John, we are told that when we know the Truth, the Truth, God's truth, sets us free. When His truth is mixed with our faith it replaces the lies and we are set free. That is what I experienced last week. Freedom from the lies is amazing. When the lies are removed and the truth takes hold, joy and peace and motivation and purpose return to our lives.

First I had to take an honest look at my life and my heart. I had to admit that there were hard places. Denying it only makes the situation worse. I then had to tell God that I knew the fears and lies were there. I had to make make the decision not to live that way any more. I also needed help from someone who could see beyond what I could see and who was not bound by the same things that were holding on to me. She, under the guidance of God's Holy Spirit, was able to help lead me to freedom. Sometimes we cannot do the work alone. God has made us as one body, jointly fit together. He has made the Body of Christ such that we need each other; each part is important. We are not to walk alone, so it is okay to reach out for help.

The result has been freedom, healing, joy, peace and a restoration to the place of strength and confidence that is truly LIFE from God. I encourage you that if you have places of hardness in your heart, deal with them...God's way. Be honest with God, and then allow Him to dig deep into your life and reveal truth, pull out the hard places, and bring healing, cleansing and restoration.

Now I am ready for a season of fruitfulness!