God is faithful and his grace to us in Jesus comes when we need it. I don't know why life can seem so hard, and why I can be so fearful. I seem to be going through a season of fear right now, and I suspect it's related in part to the fact that I am more in prayer lately for people. It is evident that when more of God's light comes into our lives, the enemy's darkness can pursue us. But that helps us to become more dependent on God, and certainly more humble. More cast on him.
I find it wonderful that in answer to prayer God gives us the grace we need when we need it. It is like Scripture says, a multifaceted grace, and applies to whatever need we have. But it's answered in accord with God's will, and not our own will, or what we think we need, though we most certainly can ask and should ask in specifics. And we can be thankful for our strong sense of need, and realization that we do need him.
What have you learned on this that you would like to share with us?
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
the unknown
On our journey in Jesus there is always the unknown and fear which we can wrestle with over that. It may not be over just the general unknown, since none of us know all that will happen today or tomorrow, much less the following year, or decade. But it can be over problems and trials that have come and hit us, and make us wonder what is next, imagining at times, the worst case scenario.
This is not to say that the worst case scenario such as a loss of job, or even death, will not overtake us. But it is to say that God is with us in Jesus to see us through, so that on the other side we come out looking more like Jesus.
That is so to the extent that we trust in God through Jesus, and hold on to God's promises. As God bound himself with an oath to Abraham which meant that if God didn't see his promise to Abraham through, a promise that to Abraham seemed less and less likely, then God would destroy himself. We can rely on God's trustworthiness, and that he will fulfill all his promises to us given in Scripture, through Jesus, as we simply commit ourselves to him.
Our faith may indeed be small, weak and wavering, but like a wobbly tire at the top of the hill as it begins to go down, becomes straight, steady and gains momentum, so God can help us to become strong and steady in our faith, even through the hard times. So that like Abraham of old, our faith will be a part of who we are, unshaken and unsettled by life's inevitable changes and trials.
This knowledge can help us face the unknown when we're not sure of what lies ahead. We need to put our faith in God through Christ, and commit our way to him, knowing that he is faithful and will see us through as we seek with others in Jesus to follow him.
What would you like to add to this?
This is not to say that the worst case scenario such as a loss of job, or even death, will not overtake us. But it is to say that God is with us in Jesus to see us through, so that on the other side we come out looking more like Jesus.
That is so to the extent that we trust in God through Jesus, and hold on to God's promises. As God bound himself with an oath to Abraham which meant that if God didn't see his promise to Abraham through, a promise that to Abraham seemed less and less likely, then God would destroy himself. We can rely on God's trustworthiness, and that he will fulfill all his promises to us given in Scripture, through Jesus, as we simply commit ourselves to him.
Our faith may indeed be small, weak and wavering, but like a wobbly tire at the top of the hill as it begins to go down, becomes straight, steady and gains momentum, so God can help us to become strong and steady in our faith, even through the hard times. So that like Abraham of old, our faith will be a part of who we are, unshaken and unsettled by life's inevitable changes and trials.
This knowledge can help us face the unknown when we're not sure of what lies ahead. We need to put our faith in God through Christ, and commit our way to him, knowing that he is faithful and will see us through as we seek with others in Jesus to follow him.
What would you like to add to this?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
God's goodness
God is good. We have that to rest on from Scripture and in Christ.
That truth and all attending truths, one getting probably even more at the heart of everything: God is love, these truths should help us through difficult days. Sometimes we have to live in the midst of troubles without and fears within. True of me for the past several days, actually.
But God is good. We can see it in Providence, that is in God's blessings in our lives. The sunshine-filled blue skies with the green Spring-ing to life trees. What beauty! The warmth in the air, the birds singing.
Strength for another day. The desire to know God and his will in Jesus. To follow Jesus. To love God and love our neighbor. All gifts out of the goodness of our Creator.
I want to learn well during the hard times. They exist for a reason, and like all else can be used by God in our lives for our good. And I thank God for all his goodness to me, to my brothers and sisters in Jesus, to all people, and to the world.
"Your kingdom come, Father. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
What signs do you see of God's goodness in your life? What helps you through the difficult days?
That truth and all attending truths, one getting probably even more at the heart of everything: God is love, these truths should help us through difficult days. Sometimes we have to live in the midst of troubles without and fears within. True of me for the past several days, actually.
But God is good. We can see it in Providence, that is in God's blessings in our lives. The sunshine-filled blue skies with the green Spring-ing to life trees. What beauty! The warmth in the air, the birds singing.
Strength for another day. The desire to know God and his will in Jesus. To follow Jesus. To love God and love our neighbor. All gifts out of the goodness of our Creator.
I want to learn well during the hard times. They exist for a reason, and like all else can be used by God in our lives for our good. And I thank God for all his goodness to me, to my brothers and sisters in Jesus, to all people, and to the world.
"Your kingdom come, Father. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
What signs do you see of God's goodness in your life? What helps you through the difficult days?
Saturday, May 09, 2009
walking by faith
Walking by faith and not by sight in the context of that Scripture passage, means that we anticipate the promise of being present with the Lord in our present condition apart from him, and the new home we will have. Perhaps the passage speaks of the intermediate state between death and final resurrection, but it certainly speaks of an existence after death. And as N.T. Wright expresses it, we as Christians are destined for a new "life after life after death." Meaning resurrection of our bodies.
Too often I live as though I want to hold on with all my might to this present life, almost as if that is all there is. Of course it is faith to say it is not, because one can go only on promises allegedly received from God through Christ. Though there are evidences both external and internal for believers of the validity of faith in Jesus.
It's not as though we shouldn't see death as an enemy. It is not God's intention for humanity, and indeed Jesus by his death destroyed death. While we don't want to fear death, since we know it doesn't have the final word because of Jesus, we most certainly don't welcome it, either. Except for those who long to pass on, experiencing disease or the end of life.
To have new covenant faith as given to us from the New Testament, we need to learn to live with a future orientation. We need to see that already the future in the new creation has broken in, even into this world in Christ, its completion in fullness to be known in the resurrection of our bodies and of all creation through Christ.
I need to do this by continuing to focus not on this old world which is passing away, but on the new world, evident to us by the indwelling Spirit, with the promise that that Spirit will give life to and raise up our bodies, just as Christ was raised from the dead. What has begun now will be perfectly fulfilled in an even more dynamic existence. This old, decaying creation will paricipate with God's children in a new creation which we both live in now and await.
Of course those who insist that all reality is only what meets the eye, are not going to receive any of this. Such include atheistic science and a rigid naturalism which actually rules out any god and whose hope and practical belief is that science eventually will explain everything. And maybe indeed science will end up with some explanation of everything, though one should never imagine that any knowledge in such endeavor can be complete and final. And even if it could be, we Christians believe there's more to life than meets the eye.
This is important for us all, and in my case it is good in fighting against recurring anxiety bouts. While we want to live responsibly in this life, yet we want our existence here to be lived out in view of the life promised to us in Jesus, begun now by faith and through the Spirit.
Both in my thinking and most certainly in my walk, I am especially in process on this as you might gather from this post.
Would any you have something to share from your own thoughts and reflections on this? Or anything related?
Too often I live as though I want to hold on with all my might to this present life, almost as if that is all there is. Of course it is faith to say it is not, because one can go only on promises allegedly received from God through Christ. Though there are evidences both external and internal for believers of the validity of faith in Jesus.
It's not as though we shouldn't see death as an enemy. It is not God's intention for humanity, and indeed Jesus by his death destroyed death. While we don't want to fear death, since we know it doesn't have the final word because of Jesus, we most certainly don't welcome it, either. Except for those who long to pass on, experiencing disease or the end of life.
To have new covenant faith as given to us from the New Testament, we need to learn to live with a future orientation. We need to see that already the future in the new creation has broken in, even into this world in Christ, its completion in fullness to be known in the resurrection of our bodies and of all creation through Christ.
I need to do this by continuing to focus not on this old world which is passing away, but on the new world, evident to us by the indwelling Spirit, with the promise that that Spirit will give life to and raise up our bodies, just as Christ was raised from the dead. What has begun now will be perfectly fulfilled in an even more dynamic existence. This old, decaying creation will paricipate with God's children in a new creation which we both live in now and await.
Of course those who insist that all reality is only what meets the eye, are not going to receive any of this. Such include atheistic science and a rigid naturalism which actually rules out any god and whose hope and practical belief is that science eventually will explain everything. And maybe indeed science will end up with some explanation of everything, though one should never imagine that any knowledge in such endeavor can be complete and final. And even if it could be, we Christians believe there's more to life than meets the eye.
This is important for us all, and in my case it is good in fighting against recurring anxiety bouts. While we want to live responsibly in this life, yet we want our existence here to be lived out in view of the life promised to us in Jesus, begun now by faith and through the Spirit.
Both in my thinking and most certainly in my walk, I am especially in process on this as you might gather from this post.
Would any you have something to share from your own thoughts and reflections on this? Or anything related?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
when afraid
The fear factor is a plague which can hit us in any number of ways in this life and world. It is a major tactic of choice by the enemy. One that can come on me in a moment seemingly out of nowhere. FDR for good reason said that we have nothing to fear, but fear itself. Though of course that was only true in context of what FDR was talking about. By itself it's really not true.
But for good reason there is no command more frequent in Scripture than the command, "Be not afraid." Over and over again we need those words to our hearts and minds. That is why we need to keep going over and over, time and again all of Scripture. It's all there for a reason, even if we can't figure out why, for everything we find there. But it's a story, the Story of God. A story that is ongoing and for us to keep living out now, in Jesus.
What do you do when you're afraid? Of course we should pray. We should turn to God anew and afresh. Reading God's word, and committing ourselves to follow God through Jesus by the Spirit and in community with others who so follow, all this in mission to the world.
One thing I do besides is get busy. For me that can mean any kind of work. But especially reading. I set myself to read and learn, or just breathe in a part of life from a writer. Though most of what I read is theological and exegetical, apart from a special interest I might have in something. This seems to help me. Though I would emphasize what helps me the most is to read God's word in a prayerful, pondering way (or keep listening to it, as I do also daily).
Talk over your fears with your spouse, significant other, or a good friend. That too can help, as they listen, maybe share some thoughts they might have, and pray for you. I again appreciate my wife in this regard.
We need God's help to get a better perspective, and above all, faith. Faith of course involves a better perspective which can enable us to rise above our fears. But I have often found I can't wait for such faith, or an escape from my fear. I just have to move on in faith, in spite of the fact that I am afraid, or feel lost. That is a major way I overcome my fears.
What would you like to share on this which might be helpful for us? Or anything?
But for good reason there is no command more frequent in Scripture than the command, "Be not afraid." Over and over again we need those words to our hearts and minds. That is why we need to keep going over and over, time and again all of Scripture. It's all there for a reason, even if we can't figure out why, for everything we find there. But it's a story, the Story of God. A story that is ongoing and for us to keep living out now, in Jesus.
What do you do when you're afraid? Of course we should pray. We should turn to God anew and afresh. Reading God's word, and committing ourselves to follow God through Jesus by the Spirit and in community with others who so follow, all this in mission to the world.
One thing I do besides is get busy. For me that can mean any kind of work. But especially reading. I set myself to read and learn, or just breathe in a part of life from a writer. Though most of what I read is theological and exegetical, apart from a special interest I might have in something. This seems to help me. Though I would emphasize what helps me the most is to read God's word in a prayerful, pondering way (or keep listening to it, as I do also daily).
Talk over your fears with your spouse, significant other, or a good friend. That too can help, as they listen, maybe share some thoughts they might have, and pray for you. I again appreciate my wife in this regard.
We need God's help to get a better perspective, and above all, faith. Faith of course involves a better perspective which can enable us to rise above our fears. But I have often found I can't wait for such faith, or an escape from my fear. I just have to move on in faith, in spite of the fact that I am afraid, or feel lost. That is a major way I overcome my fears.
What would you like to share on this which might be helpful for us? Or anything?
Monday, January 12, 2009
theology and experience
I was just reading in this book on the Holy Spirit on how John Wesley's theology came in part out of his experience, not only dogma, or doctrine. I know enough of John Wesley to know he didn't live on experience, yet experience was important in his faith. There is the Wesleyan Quadrilateral of faith: Scripture, tradition, reason and experience. They all play their part, though the part of Scripture for Wesley was primary, it being the word of God. Surely they are listed in logical order with experience at the end.
But while Scripture is primary, tradition following for good theological reasons, and reason as God's gift important within this commitment- experience coming in last doesn't mean it's not essential. "Taste and see that the Lord is good," makes it an essential. It does no good to only say I believe in this and that, in God's truth revealed in Scripture, in Jesus and in creation. Though a faith commitment including intellectual assent to what is said in God's word is essential for our experience. But plenty of people hold to a nominal intellectual assent, but have nonetheless failed to take the plunge of really experiencing for themselves the truth and reality of what they profess, or say that they believe. Indeed it sometimes is a struggle even for an "established" believer like myself. It matters not what I'm facing, if indeed I put my trust in God through Christ. This can seem like a leap of faith, and God knows our weaknesses. God accepts with favor our sincere faith, even when it is weak and vacillating at times. Though God wants our faith to grow, and this can be especially so through the challenge of the dark times.
Let's taste and see for ourselves that the Lord is good. The rest of that passage goes: "Blessed is the one who trusts/takes refuge in him." For me this oftentimes in my past, and now in the present over a certain matter, is crucial. Nothing is more important, nothing at all, than really following through and living in this reality that is ours through faith in God through Christ. We have God with us by the Spirit to help us. I'm doing a little preaching this morning at myself.
What would you like to add to these thoughts?
But while Scripture is primary, tradition following for good theological reasons, and reason as God's gift important within this commitment- experience coming in last doesn't mean it's not essential. "Taste and see that the Lord is good," makes it an essential. It does no good to only say I believe in this and that, in God's truth revealed in Scripture, in Jesus and in creation. Though a faith commitment including intellectual assent to what is said in God's word is essential for our experience. But plenty of people hold to a nominal intellectual assent, but have nonetheless failed to take the plunge of really experiencing for themselves the truth and reality of what they profess, or say that they believe. Indeed it sometimes is a struggle even for an "established" believer like myself. It matters not what I'm facing, if indeed I put my trust in God through Christ. This can seem like a leap of faith, and God knows our weaknesses. God accepts with favor our sincere faith, even when it is weak and vacillating at times. Though God wants our faith to grow, and this can be especially so through the challenge of the dark times.
Let's taste and see for ourselves that the Lord is good. The rest of that passage goes: "Blessed is the one who trusts/takes refuge in him." For me this oftentimes in my past, and now in the present over a certain matter, is crucial. Nothing is more important, nothing at all, than really following through and living in this reality that is ours through faith in God through Christ. We have God with us by the Spirit to help us. I'm doing a little preaching this morning at myself.
What would you like to add to these thoughts?
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
"Indiana Jones - fear" from L.L. Barkat
While I don't completely buy into the words: "There is nothing to fear but fear itself", fear operates in mostly a detrimental way in people's lives. Unhealthy fears.
L.L. takes us to the time when she sits with her love watching Indiana Jones in his death-defying last crusade. She makes it plain that this is not her! That she is one who has been given to protecting her life. Understandable when you read what has preceded this time in her life, in the earlier chapters. But paralyzing, and growth stunting, just as she says. She explains how well she identifies herself with Jonah in wondering how she would respond to her stepfather if he was alive today. If she was able to invite him to faith and he repented would she have open arms for him? I can understand her reticence in that and appreciate her vulnerability as well as commitment to the grace of God in Jesus, to work through such questions.
I too have been held back by unhealthy fear in my own life. It has held me back from doing many of the things I could have done in following the sense of call I had from God. I was too often wrapped up in trying to avoid that which might hasten my death. Too busy worrying about dying to really live. My fears took on many faces, but the face of death was the one that haunted me the most.
Thankfully as I'm now in my fifty-third year, I have come to accept much more the inevitable (as long as Jesus tarries). This has freed me more than I can imagine, in ways I've already become accustomed to. So when I do fall into some pit of paralyzing fear, and it still does happen, I especially hate it, and while learning to carry on better than in the past, as well as get out of it sooner, I know it's not of the truth found in Jesus. Better to die living than to live in a fear which takes the life right out of us. I know all too well what I'm talking about, and even at this moment in recalling this, I feel something of the same inner dread and turmoil which used to plague me off and on, regularly.
L.L. gives us on a most interesting look at Jonah. Jonah, whose name means "dove" was called by God to go on a peace mission to a people who not only were enemies of Jonah's people, Israel, but were dangerous enemies, known for their cruelty. L.L.'s venture of guessing that what plagued Jonah through this story was fear, the fear of losing his head or his "wings", seems more and more plausible to me as I consider the story. And at least it's a good application possible from this story.
L.L. points out how Jonah may have thought, at least subconsciously, that he might be that dove cut up with blood flowing, for an offering. And the story goes from Jonah fleeing from death to learning the hard way that there is no safety for God's servant except in God's will and in his hand. And really no sure escape from death by one's own efforts, either.
Of course the One who swallowed the cup of death for us so that we would never have to take that cup of ultimate, final death ourselves, is the One who is with us, telling us over and over in Scripture, "Be not afraid." "How truly brave Jesus was to face the hardness of death and loss, with love and grace to draw him onward. I pray for love and grace to draw me onward too." (page 73)
This is a delightful chapter and one in which most interestingly L.L. unfolds a helpful take on the story of Jonah. We can better see that the same God of this Jonah who is so like us, is our God as well. And that he will see us through, yes even us, just as he saw Jonah through in spite of himself.
We shouldn't forget the "discussion questions" in the back. Here are two of them:
"Hebrews 2:15 says that Jesus has freed us from the fear of death. What might this mean, especially since a Christian may still express fear of dying? Are there different aspects of the fear of death?
"Peacemaking is often viewed as a 'soft' mission as opposed to the 'hard' mission of war. Considering the story of Jonah, do you agree that peacemaking is a soft mission?" (page 157)
What would you like to add to the thoughts on this chapter?
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
5. Sword in the Stone - resistance
6. Howe's Cave - baptism
7. Palisade Cliffs - doubt
8. Holding Pfaltzgraff - inclusion
Next week: Chapter 10: "Old Stone Church - love"
L.L. takes us to the time when she sits with her love watching Indiana Jones in his death-defying last crusade. She makes it plain that this is not her! That she is one who has been given to protecting her life. Understandable when you read what has preceded this time in her life, in the earlier chapters. But paralyzing, and growth stunting, just as she says. She explains how well she identifies herself with Jonah in wondering how she would respond to her stepfather if he was alive today. If she was able to invite him to faith and he repented would she have open arms for him? I can understand her reticence in that and appreciate her vulnerability as well as commitment to the grace of God in Jesus, to work through such questions.
I too have been held back by unhealthy fear in my own life. It has held me back from doing many of the things I could have done in following the sense of call I had from God. I was too often wrapped up in trying to avoid that which might hasten my death. Too busy worrying about dying to really live. My fears took on many faces, but the face of death was the one that haunted me the most.
Thankfully as I'm now in my fifty-third year, I have come to accept much more the inevitable (as long as Jesus tarries). This has freed me more than I can imagine, in ways I've already become accustomed to. So when I do fall into some pit of paralyzing fear, and it still does happen, I especially hate it, and while learning to carry on better than in the past, as well as get out of it sooner, I know it's not of the truth found in Jesus. Better to die living than to live in a fear which takes the life right out of us. I know all too well what I'm talking about, and even at this moment in recalling this, I feel something of the same inner dread and turmoil which used to plague me off and on, regularly.
L.L. gives us on a most interesting look at Jonah. Jonah, whose name means "dove" was called by God to go on a peace mission to a people who not only were enemies of Jonah's people, Israel, but were dangerous enemies, known for their cruelty. L.L.'s venture of guessing that what plagued Jonah through this story was fear, the fear of losing his head or his "wings", seems more and more plausible to me as I consider the story. And at least it's a good application possible from this story.
L.L. points out how Jonah may have thought, at least subconsciously, that he might be that dove cut up with blood flowing, for an offering. And the story goes from Jonah fleeing from death to learning the hard way that there is no safety for God's servant except in God's will and in his hand. And really no sure escape from death by one's own efforts, either.
Of course the One who swallowed the cup of death for us so that we would never have to take that cup of ultimate, final death ourselves, is the One who is with us, telling us over and over in Scripture, "Be not afraid." "How truly brave Jesus was to face the hardness of death and loss, with love and grace to draw him onward. I pray for love and grace to draw me onward too." (page 73)
This is a delightful chapter and one in which most interestingly L.L. unfolds a helpful take on the story of Jonah. We can better see that the same God of this Jonah who is so like us, is our God as well. And that he will see us through, yes even us, just as he saw Jonah through in spite of himself.
We shouldn't forget the "discussion questions" in the back. Here are two of them:
"Hebrews 2:15 says that Jesus has freed us from the fear of death. What might this mean, especially since a Christian may still express fear of dying? Are there different aspects of the fear of death?
"Peacemaking is often viewed as a 'soft' mission as opposed to the 'hard' mission of war. Considering the story of Jonah, do you agree that peacemaking is a soft mission?" (page 157)
What would you like to add to the thoughts on this chapter?
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
5. Sword in the Stone - resistance
6. Howe's Cave - baptism
7. Palisade Cliffs - doubt
8. Holding Pfaltzgraff - inclusion
Next week: Chapter 10: "Old Stone Church - love"
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
"Sword in the Stone: resistance" from L.L. Barkat
The fear factor looms larger than life sometimes, even for us in Jesus. I mean a being afraid out of our wits, or just an uneasy sense of fear- hard to pin down for sure as to its true meaning. I've been there more times than I can count as a Christian, for years constantly in and out of it. And now when it grips me, I can still be unnerved at the time. Though I've learned better how to resist the enemy behind it.
As L.L. continues to share from her journey in Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places, we find her, along with her mother and sister, being tracked down by her stepfather. This time he was hunting them, not the deer he had so commonly shot. And L.L. was sure that if they were found, he would shoot. She was gripped and shaken in fear. Some committed Christians from her little church came to their apartment and prayed for them, and over time those dark and threatening clouds dissipated, and L.L.'s fears were gone. She never heard from her stepfather again.
As those in Jesus, we're called to be strong in the Lord, put on the full armor of God and pray. As we resist the enemy, he is the one who flees because of God's ongoing salvation in Jesus. With a simple decision of faith (like Martin Luther when aware of the enemy's presence) or in prayer over time (like Daniel had to), we can see God take the sword from the stone, so that all the power of the enemy is as nothing. Jesus himself is praying for us (also here), so that even if the enemy's darts do get through to us, we can in faith recover, and stand against the devil's schemes.
L.L. in a memorable way, weaves her story in with the truth of God's word in Jesus, for us. You won't be sorry to get the book and read it for yourself. It is simply a wonderful telling of someone who is as real as you and I in her struggles and life, along with the God who in Jesus is present for us, to put all fear to flight.
What would you like to add to this from your own story, or any thoughts on this you'd like to share with us here?
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
Next week: chapter 6: "Howe's Cave - baptism"
As L.L. continues to share from her journey in Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places, we find her, along with her mother and sister, being tracked down by her stepfather. This time he was hunting them, not the deer he had so commonly shot. And L.L. was sure that if they were found, he would shoot. She was gripped and shaken in fear. Some committed Christians from her little church came to their apartment and prayed for them, and over time those dark and threatening clouds dissipated, and L.L.'s fears were gone. She never heard from her stepfather again.
As those in Jesus, we're called to be strong in the Lord, put on the full armor of God and pray. As we resist the enemy, he is the one who flees because of God's ongoing salvation in Jesus. With a simple decision of faith (like Martin Luther when aware of the enemy's presence) or in prayer over time (like Daniel had to), we can see God take the sword from the stone, so that all the power of the enemy is as nothing. Jesus himself is praying for us (also here), so that even if the enemy's darts do get through to us, we can in faith recover, and stand against the devil's schemes.
L.L. in a memorable way, weaves her story in with the truth of God's word in Jesus, for us. You won't be sorry to get the book and read it for yourself. It is simply a wonderful telling of someone who is as real as you and I in her struggles and life, along with the God who in Jesus is present for us, to put all fear to flight.
What would you like to add to this from your own story, or any thoughts on this you'd like to share with us here?
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
Next week: chapter 6: "Howe's Cave - baptism"
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
difficulties
Difficulties of all kinds readily come into our lives. And some of them can be over major issues, though actually in a certain way, they're all important. Our first reaction tells us much about ourselves. Hopefully we can see that reaction change over time througb our growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
Difficulties give us an opportunity to grow in ways we probably would not have, otherwise. We may not see that at first, only shirking in fear or lashing out in anger- even if only to ourselves over at what has hit us. But in time, usually a short time, we can begin to see the good that can come out of it, as we seek to find and do the will of God for us in Jesus.
We do this through prayer and the meditative reading and pondering of God's word, Scripture. And through seeking to follow through in living that out. And doing so with a renewed dependence on God and interdependence on one another in Jesus.
What have you found to be true about difficulities, that can help us?
Difficulties give us an opportunity to grow in ways we probably would not have, otherwise. We may not see that at first, only shirking in fear or lashing out in anger- even if only to ourselves over at what has hit us. But in time, usually a short time, we can begin to see the good that can come out of it, as we seek to find and do the will of God for us in Jesus.
We do this through prayer and the meditative reading and pondering of God's word, Scripture. And through seeking to follow through in living that out. And doing so with a renewed dependence on God and interdependence on one another in Jesus.
What have you found to be true about difficulities, that can help us?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Advent and fear
Fear paralyzes us and makes cowards of us all. I speak here of fear as in cowardice, turning me into a numb skull so to speak.
We read in 1 John that perfect love drives out fear, and this has been, in my life, a rather perpetual problem- even if not so much as of late. Though it did return very recently for an unwelcome visit.
But when God comes on the scene in the Person of his Son, he does so in a sense that ends up driving out the fears of those prepared to receive this gift. The shepherds were terrified at the angel of the Lord appearing to them, but they end up running to the manger and finding the baby Jesus just as the angel had told them. They were not fearful, but excited and active in a new found faith.
Fear as in cowardice is never of God. This fear paralyzes us- just the opposite of what God wants to do, though right down the alley of the enemy of our souls. We need to ask God to let us see the cause of fear and then repent of it. It is almost always unbelief in letting ourselves be taken in by the problem, whatever problem it is, so that it becomes larger than life. Larger in our minds, even than God!
Instead, we need to hear God's word to us in Jesus. And run to the manger, acting in faith.
Fear should not be a factor in our lives in Jesus. Let's remember the Christmas story in light of this. In spite of the different reasons that various people in it could have been stymied by fear, they responded in faith to God's voice, and acted accordingly. We see the end of fear and the beginning of something new taking hold of them, and of us. And not letting us go, as we have something in Jesus that the world cannot give or take away.
(in case you don't understand some of my posting times, you might say it's UK time, or just any time I feel like posting- since I have to get up so early on the morrow)
We read in 1 John that perfect love drives out fear, and this has been, in my life, a rather perpetual problem- even if not so much as of late. Though it did return very recently for an unwelcome visit.
But when God comes on the scene in the Person of his Son, he does so in a sense that ends up driving out the fears of those prepared to receive this gift. The shepherds were terrified at the angel of the Lord appearing to them, but they end up running to the manger and finding the baby Jesus just as the angel had told them. They were not fearful, but excited and active in a new found faith.
Fear as in cowardice is never of God. This fear paralyzes us- just the opposite of what God wants to do, though right down the alley of the enemy of our souls. We need to ask God to let us see the cause of fear and then repent of it. It is almost always unbelief in letting ourselves be taken in by the problem, whatever problem it is, so that it becomes larger than life. Larger in our minds, even than God!
Instead, we need to hear God's word to us in Jesus. And run to the manger, acting in faith.
Fear should not be a factor in our lives in Jesus. Let's remember the Christmas story in light of this. In spite of the different reasons that various people in it could have been stymied by fear, they responded in faith to God's voice, and acted accordingly. We see the end of fear and the beginning of something new taking hold of them, and of us. And not letting us go, as we have something in Jesus that the world cannot give or take away.
(in case you don't understand some of my posting times, you might say it's UK time, or just any time I feel like posting- since I have to get up so early on the morrow)
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