Living In Harmony with God

Reading in Romans today, I came across Chapter 12, Verse 16. “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” I began thinking about our worship band and how they work harmoniously to create a beautiful, pleasing sound for us and God. But, if one musician becomes proud and steps away from harmony, that beautiful sound becomes noise to our ears.

Paul is telling us to live in harmony with one another. However, this is not always easy to do. When we think of all the people we’ve encountered over the years, we have found some extremely difficult to harmonize with. But as Christians, that is exactly what we’re called to do: to love others even when it seems impossible.

Today, I’m asking God to help me to love others regardless of how difficult it may be. I ask for a humble heart so I can repay unkindness with love.

Our Capacities

Do we truly know our full capabilities? Who or what do we turn to when we become overwhelmed with life and our troubles and burdens are crushing us? At these times, we learn our limited capacities and realize we have worldly or Godly choices. The path to destruction or the way to righteousness? We must turn to our creator, whose capacities to serve and love are limitless.

 
As I finished the above paragraph, God planted another thought in my mind. The words I wrote are very reactionary. Why do we wait for trouble before talking with God? Wouldn’t it be easier to talk to Him, and when a problem comes, he’s already working on our behalf? The answer is yes. But how do people talk to a God they don’t even know? Those last 12 words are what this is all about, and I didn’t realize it until just this moment. Discipleship.
 
Have you ever wondered why, when missionaries go to third-world countries, they see things that are, by our standards, not humanly possible? What about the pastor who goes to the desert, prays, and fasts for ten days straight? How many of us think in our minds, “That’s not possible”?
 
Father God, show your path. Allow me to offer you my complete trust. Take away from my life those things that make me a hypocrite.

Created To Love

In many countries worldwide, people’s worth depends on their religious views. Some face prejudice, persecution, and even death, not because of who they are but because of their beliefs.

God did not create us to hate; he made us to love and be loved. He is always with us to help us through every situation. It doesn’t matter if they are good or bad times; God shares them with us. He is there to give us love and peace. We are created in His image, so it is our charge to do the same thing in return. Not only to God but to everyone we meet.

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35 | ESV

Lifelines

We all remember the game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”. We also remember that a player had three lifelines they could rely on to help them come up with the correct answer if they needed clarification on what it was. They could “phone a friend,” “ask the audience,” or take the “50/50,” which took away two wrong answers, only leaving the correct answer and one wrong answer.

For a game show, those are good lifelines to have. But we have the ultimate lifeline, which will always provide us with the best advice and answers. We have that when we seek God’s guidance about any issue.

While growing up, I trusted my earthly father, teachers, and friends for advice. And though getting advice from experts and loved ones is not necessarily bad, it’s best to put the final say in God’s hands.

“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.” Psalm 119:66 | ESV

The Bridger Builder

A few years ago I facilitated a DGroup with two fellow Deacons at my church. I shared with them one of my favorite poems. I don’t remember which Book in the Bible we were studying at the time but I’m thinking it may have been Mark 9:39 which reads “But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.”

Anyway, the poem is by Will Allen Dromgoole and it’s titled “The Bridge Builder” and as I read the Book of Mark today, I once again thought of this poem.

An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at even tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”

The day Jesus ascended to heaven, he left the world a better place; he gave hope to millions who had no hope. In leaving, he was able to fill all believers with the Holy Spirit. So although his close friends were sad he was gone, he now shared his gifts with any who chose by faith to believe in his name.

Thorns of Life

“And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” (Luke 13:10-13 | ESV) Now, Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath and was mocked by the rulers of the synagogue. But, I find another meaning to this story, one much closer to home, and I’m sure as you read it, you’ll find it close to you as well. Let me tell you about it.

Many of us know people in our lives who have chronic illnesses. I don’t know about you, but I can handle pain quite well; what I don’t do well is seeing a loved one hurting and being unable to help them stop hurting. I struggle here, as I’m sure you do as well. These are the times I feel helpless and vulnerable. God humbles me at these times, and I beg the pain to stop.

My wife Lisa has accepted her thorn and is stronger than I will ever know. She loves Jesus and doesn’t blame Him for what she goes through; she’s glad He’s there with her. She hates the mornings when she can’t get up to attend Church as she loves the fellowship and being with the Spirit of the Lord at Vision. But, she is so thankful that she can lie down, get her iPad, and worship and receive the same message we do online.

God allows things to happen that I can’t understand this side of eternity; none of us do. But at the end of the day, I trust Him as we all must. He’s my creator and knows precisely what He’s doing.

Remember God’s Blessings

It was another ordinary day, and I did not want to get out of bed. As you age, more of those days occupy your morning routine. I got ready for work, feeling just how monotonous life can be. On the drive to work, I exited Lizard Lick Road to I-87 South toward Raleigh. I immediately noticed all traffic was staying on the right shoulder, so I followed. There were no flashing lights, but I noticed a few cars stopped in the middle lane, and people were out of their vehicles talking. As I drove a few yards more, I saw a crumpled motorcycle and a man lying beside it. The accident had just happened, and nothing could be done for the man. At that moment, I began to pray for the man, praying he accepted Christ and was saved and asking God to accept this man’s soul into His house.

I realized that being able to wake up in the morning and go to work was a blessing and that each day should be cherished regardless of how hard life can be. I understand the importance of counting blessings, appreciating life, and expressing gratitude for God’s guidance. I also know how quickly it can all go away in the blink of an eye and that we need to be ready for when it does.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7 | ESV)

Father God, help us not to take our blessings for granted and to trust in you always. Amen!

God’s Steadfastness

Roughly 150 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska, is Denali National Park, home to North America’s tallest mountain, Mount Denali, also known as Mount McKinley. On days when clouds are not covering the summit, you can see the mountain 150 miles away. I’m reminded of the beauty of the mountain as it towered above the Alaskan Range.

I’m also reminded like the mountain; we can lose sight of God when the clouds enter our lives. Remember, though, like that mountain on a cloudy day, God hasn’t gone anywhere; he is steadfast. “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17 | ESV)

Heavenly Father, help us to remember you are always near and watching over us. We know you are with us even when we don’t see you. Amen!

Burdens and Trials

When the burdens become unbearable, it’s easy to feel abandoned and frustrated, and we want things to get better and become more accessible.

At my last deacons meeting, we engaged in powerful and honest prayer to God. These prayers were not polite nor scripted. The cries to God were from the heart and brutally honest.

Please continue to be honest with God. Pour out your heart daily so that He may refine it, thus allowing us to celebrate Him in difficult circumstances.