Category: Faith

Your Burning Question & the “Wait Answer”

 

 

My Thoughts:

We all have that one (or maybe several) question we want an answer to, especially questions we want to ask God to His face. And some aren’t as pretty or nice as “Why was I an only child,” or “Why didn’t I get that job,” or the one the apostles asked right before Jesus ascended: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (v. 6 noted below).

Lifestyle worshiper, did you notice our Lord’s answer to this question? It appears to be another “wait answer,” doesn’t it? Not only does He command them to wait for the Holy Spirit’s power (in v. 4), He is now ‘making’ them wait for the answer to this burning question. (The way the Greek presents this question suggests that many apostles were asking this question, and they kept asking this question until He finally ‘answers’ them.) Again, to you, this may not be as burning a question as yours, but to them this was a burning question:  When will their enslavement & tyrannical occupation by the Romans end, and they become free….

To repeat, we all have very earnest, personal and profound questions that sometimes demand an answer, and after screaming them, all we hear is the echo of our own voice. But once the echo fades, and we listen a little more intently, we hear the gentle voice of the Lord say to us, “It’s not for you to know right…. Trust Me that I will work all this out for the Good.”

Brothers and sisters, this “Wait Answer” rarely satisfies, but I know that my faith is being strengthened on a much deeper level then it had been when the event that spawned the question transpired—When my ‘whiny’ “Why” was burped…. Perhaps would you join me in praying for one another to receive the Goodness of the Lord so that we can at least begin to accept the ‘Wait Answer’ to our burning question? I will pray for you….

Main Text: — Acts 1:6-7 — 6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

  I still have a lot to say to you, but you cannot bear it now. — John 16:12 (ISV)

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. —1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (NIV84)

  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. — 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ, I confess that there are many, many things I do not understand, and I am often paralyzed trying to figure them out or crippled in my screaming and demanding an answer. Forgive me for doubting Your Goodness. Create in me a clean heart so that I may walk in the Light as You are in the Light. Be my Peace as I receive Your “Wait Answers.” In Your Name, Amen. 

Pastor Mike

“What’s In a Job Title?”

 

Date: 12-31-14

Text: — Nehemiah 1:1 — O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Do not let your job title hold you back from fulfilling what the Lord has laid on your heart.

My Thoughts: 

Nehemiah closes off the first chapter with his job title, “I was cupbearer to the king.” Yes, he was highly trusted. He would taste the wine and the food before the king would eat it. He was the poison detector, if you will. A high risk job, eh? This means, on one hand, he was highly trusted, but on the other, highly expendable. I wonder if Nehemiah made friends in high places to prevent any poisonings; what do you think?

Many have pride in their jobs, but some live for the job title, the glamour of high powered titles like CEO, CFO, president, vice president, ‘pastor,’ reverend, etc…. But as Jesus said over his shoulder to the Pharisees, “Surely they have their reward” (Mt. 6:5 ESV).

As Lifestyle worshipers, we need not live for the job title; nor do we need to be held back by “it”. I have personally seen that janitors have a larger ‘pastoral’ role in some church settings than the pastor himself. So to all of us who feel expendable, take note of Nehemiah: Do not let your job title hold you back from fulfilling what the Lord has laid on your heart. He had the humility and the courage to act on the burden for his people. The Lord gave him favor with the king and with the people, and I’m sure that whatever situation we may find ourselves in, when the Lord prompts us to do something, He will not only empower us, He will also grant us favor with both those over us and those we will lead.

I pray this same confident blessing to you as you start this New Year with a renewed hope!

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

— John 15:15-17 (NIV)

   And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.”

— Luke 1::46-48 (NIV)

  For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

— 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)

Heavenly Father,  may I be faithful with the ‘job title’ You have placed on me. By the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, may I accomplish what You have designed me to do.  In His Name, Amen.

“Any Good Out of Winter?”

Date: 12-13-14

Text: — Luke 2:4-7 — 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Mary is rejoicing in spite of  the winter that she is about to experience because of the ultimate Good that is born.

My Thoughts: 

For some, using this winter analogy isn’t quite working because you like the season of winter—the snow, the skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. So when I ask “Can any good come out of winter,” your answer will differ a wee bit from the analogy….

With this in mind we must indeed ask ourselves: “Can any good come out of the winters of our lives?” Lifestyle worshipers, to really grasp this question, we must truly appreciate Mary, her faith and the culture in which she lived. An in depth  presentation is infeasible in such a brief devotion, but suffice it to say, we dare not minimize the contempt, ostracization, and ridicule she had to endure, perhaps most of her life because of this virgin birth miracle. Small villages have few secrets and a lot of gossip.

But the good that came out of this winter is the Good for the whole world. Does this speak to you as it does to me? Mary and her faith were willing to endure all this contempt, ostracization, and ridicule—beyond what could imagine—for the joy of being chosen to give birth to the Messiah. (See above passage.) I’m speechless…

Does this give you hope of good coming out of your winter? It does for me, and it gives me pause to praise the Lord. How about you? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

— Luke 2:19 (NIV84)

  Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, [Jesus] mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

— Luke 2:34-35 (NIV84)

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name….”

— Luke 1:46-49 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father,  You have blessed me with Goodness in and through this long, cold winter I’m in. The most precious blessing of all is Your presence. I know that You will never leave me nor forget about me. Praise Your Name that Christmas is coming! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“So You Want a Sign”

Date: 11-28-14

Text: — Isaiah 7:10-14 — 10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Just because it is unwise and immature to demand a ‘sign’ from the Lord, let us not go to the other extreme and fail to seek His face at all.

My Thoughts: 

“Lord, what do you want me to do? Show me a sign.” Perhaps you have never said this, but I have, and, yes, if we are honest with ourselves, it does sound a tad demanding. (Demanding the Holy One to respond? Danger close, eh?)

In the above passage, Ahaz didn’t do this. In fact, he knows very well that to ask for a sign—especially with the wrong motive or attitude—is putting “the Lord to the test” (v. 12). But this is not Ahaz’ issue. He is just being politically correct in his response to Isaiah, who is presenting the challenge. Ahaz’ real issue is that he hasn’t sought out the Lord in any matters. Instead, he has sought “wisdom” from the ways of the world—dark and nasty ways…. So, Isaiah confronts him in a very direct way….

Lifestyle worshipers, just because it is unwise and immature to demand a ‘sign’ from the Lord, let us not go to the other extreme and fail to seek His face at all. As we approach this Holy Days season, Let us be more mindful to seek the Lord Jesus in our daily tasks. Perhaps in this small way we can continue to keep Him in Christmas. Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

My heart says of You, “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. — Psalms 27:8 (NIV84)

  Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. — 1 Psalms 105:4 (NIV84)

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  — Luke 11:9-10 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ, like the little child rushing to greet his returning father, let my feet be swift to greet You. Forgive me when I become too busy and ignore You. Burn in me a quiet passion to daily seek Your face. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

PS—Follow my: “A Life Blog” @ http://vbcgjblog.wordpress.com

“Don’t Doubt in the Darkness”

Date: 11-26-14

Text: — Isaiah 7:10-14 — 10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Your winter may be dark and cold, but our Lord’s promise of Christmas is bright and warm.…

My Thoughts: 

A while back I was at a conference where I heard the keynote speaker, Neil Anderson, bring a message with the big idea: “Don’t doubt in the darkness what God told you in the light.” It was a message I needed to hear then…, and now.

Lifestyle worshipers, we all walk through some valley of the shadow of death. Some valleys are darker then others; some are longer, but no matter how dark the valley or long the night, the Lord’s promises are not diminished, delayed or detoured. He is right there with you. Your winter may be dark and cold, but our Lord’s promise of Christmas is bright and warm.…

I have often reminded myself (just the other day, in fact) about the story of the disciples getting into the boat. “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake” (Luke 8:22). He didn’t say, “let us stop in the middle of the lake and drown”; no, He promised they would get to the other side. Meanwhile, the Master took a nap and the sea boiled. The disciples entered a dark valley. The fishermen especially knew of the serious danger they were in: No wimps here.

Jesus said they were going to make it to the other side; He just didn’t say how or when. Brothers & Sisters, perhaps this story will encourage you to not doubt in the darkness what the Lord told you in the light? I know it does me. Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

—2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV84)

  Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

— 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope..

— Jeremiah 29:11 (ISV)

 Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me for doubting Your promises to me. We will make it to the “other side.” I know You are ‘in the boat’ with me. My confidence is in You. As I wait for Your promised rainbow to appear, strengthen my inner most being. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike