journey onWord with us

Have you ever gotten to the point where you cried out, “I’m at my wit’s end!”? Those words have probably exited the lips of all of us. Sometimes our frustration comes from others, but often it comes from within. When our life hits a hard patch, it is good to know that we have someone who understands. However one of the difficulties we all endure is a willingness to share our real pain and frustration with anyone else. We often are embarrassed (what will they think of me), and at other times there is a sense in our spirit that no one really understands or cares. In my reading this morning I was reminded afresh of the One who cares and understands. Later, I had the opportunity to reflect on the old hymn of the church, “No One Understands Like Jesus”.

As you read this article, honesty is necessary. My assumption is that we all have internal and external battles. Our church masks often cover the real battles we face. But the truth is that we all have moments of being at our wit’s end. At the inevitable seasons of temptation or trial, we can be our own worst enemies. We all need others to understand us, and give good counsel. It is wonderful to have others in our lives to share struggles with, but “No One Understands Like Jesus”. Let me prove my point.

Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Our High Priest is Jesus, and He is fully God and fully man. He experienced the struggles of life just like we all do. In his life on earth, Jesus knew what it was to be tired, hungry and face intense temptation, yet without sin. I appreciate Warren Wiersbe’s counsel on these verses in his commentary. “After all, a sinless person would feel temptations and trials in a much greater way than you and I could ever feel them. Christ was tempted, yet He did not sin; and He is able to help us when we are tempted. If we fail to hold fast our confession, we are not proving that Jesus has failed. We are only telling the world that we failed to draw on His grace and mercy when it was freely available to us”.

We all know how frail we are, and what our wit’s end feels like. But in Christ, we don’t walk the journey alone. He sympathizes with us, and wants to help us. Remember, He understands. No matter what causes you to struggle, His desire is always the same: come to the throne of grace, receive His mercy and find grace to help. Let the last verse of an old anonymous poem sum up my thoughts.

Are you standing at Wit’s End Corner?
Then you’re just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of him who faileth not;
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved
But only at Wit’s End Corner
Is the “God who is able” proved.

In my preparation for writing this morning, my mind was full with potential topics. But a theme from 2009 kept coming to mind. It was one of those “I have never seen that before passages.” It was a Psalm of David that conveyed the Father gathering tears in a bottle. How could I have never seen or remembered reading that verse? An adventure of trying to understand Psalm 56:8 began. Words from Psalm 56 take us to a time when the Philistines seized David at a place called Gath. Even a quick read of the chapter will paint a portrait of the dire straits he was facing. Men were pursuing him, mercy was needed, and yet his words showed great trust. But what did he mean by tears in a bottle?

Psalm 56:8 (KJV)
Thou numberest my wanderings; put thou my tears into thy bottle. Are they not in thy book?

Psalm 56:8 (NIV)
Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll-are they not in your record?

Psalm 56:8 (MSG)
You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.

From the masterful work of Charles Spurgeon’s Treasury of David, we find words about the tears and the bottle.

“The custom in old times was, when a person was ill or in great distress, for his friends to go see him, and take with them a tear bottle. Then, as the tears rolled down the cheeks of the sufferer, they were caught in these bottles, sealed up, and preserved as a memorial of the event.”

Great care was shown for the sufferer. Greater care is shown by the Father when tears flow. David would have understood tear bottles and how they were used. Let your mind’s eye view a portrait of David in great difficulty, with tears running down his face. In your view of the portrait, can you see God’s tear bottle catching each drop? Understanding all the riches of Psalm 56:8 is probably beyond us, but viewing the landscape of God’s care can be easily seen.

Can you relate to tossing and turning through a sleepless night? Have you ever had tears fill your eyes when emotion overtook logic? In those moments, how did you view the Father’s care? Although you may have great security in your relationship with the Lord, often in those tear bottle moments you don’t picture the Father’s care, only the gravity of the current circumstance. But widening the view of David’s portrait gives us depth that can be taken from David’s life. I can see tears, a tear bottle and trust. Let the Word from Psalm 56:3-4 complete the picture.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

So in the most difficult of times, even when tears may flow and sleep may be hard, David has given us two fresh brush strokes that can be used on the canvas of our lives. Trust when logic would say otherwise, and praise when fear would be the normal response. Embrace the current landscape of you journey by realizing that David’s example can be followed. But far greater is the truth that in tear bottle moments, God cares deeply for you as He completes the portrait of your life.

When the next tear falls from your eye, remember the tear bottle.

Just last Saturday, I almost violated a principle that I had studied in Scripture that very morning. Plans were being made that would interrupt my already formed agenda for Sunday. Before thinking through what was happening, irritation started to well up in my spirit. Almost instantly a verse that I had studied that morning came to mind, and I was able to recalibrate my attitude. My momentary emotional reaction reminded me of how easy it is to stray from the very principles I hold dear. It also taught me how valuable it is to be in the Word every day, and that the Word of God works when we apply it.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

My instantaneous meltdown was created by the lack of a joyful spirit. Three days earlier I had written about rejoicing always, and just that morning had read the above passage, which contained the admonition to be joyful always. I am confident that you can relate to my frustration. It is often quoted that we should be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances, but most people would classify those words as wishful thinking. Sure, all Christ followers would like to live that way, but few really believe it can happen for them. However, to ignore these admonitions is to ignore the command God gave for the Thessalonian Christians, and for us as well.

As I interpret this passage, it is clear that the will of God is for me (you) to be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. Why would God, through Paul choose to command us to flesh out impossible principles? He would not! Then it is logical to believe that any Christ follower can live with joy (a deep-down confidence that God is in control), have a constantly recurring prayer life and a heart that is so anchored with Christ that thankfulness flows in any circumstance.

Our Father knows that every circumstance is not good, and that some are just plain awful. He is not asking us to deny reality. However, when our confidence is firmly in Him, joy and a thankful heart will come from our relationship, not the circumstance.  Because praying continually is so much more about a relationship. When you or I choose to deepen our communication with the Father, continual prayer will be a result. No one prays all the time, but communication between close friends is recurring. God knows that we need to keep our confidence in Him for our own good and His glory. He also has given an avenue to continually relate to Him. So the commands to be joyful, thankful and to pray are in fact reasonable, and the will of God for every Christ follower.

You and I will continue to have momentary meltdowns. We can quickly violate the principles that we hold dear. Our primary concern however should not be that we will fail along the journey. Of greater concern is that we determine to live out what we believe. God absolutely gives His followers the power to live with joy, thankfulness and a prayerful heart. Since I know you believe His Word, would you consider living today joyfully, thankfully and prayerfully? It is not about your circumstances, but about your focus…. on Him!

Happiness is such a fleeting emotion. It is not unusual to be on top of the world one day, and a valley dweller the next. Circumstances can, in a moment’s time, give us a jolt of emotional bliss or bring sadness to our spirit. We all know that life is not about happiness, but it’s a normal response to crave it. There is something in all of us that desires to have a good day, to hear good news, or just to feel good about life. Even the Declaration of Independence declares, that the “pursuit of happiness” is a right. Although we will never live a perpetually happy life, we can live a perpetually joyful journey. Happiness always is not realistic, but rejoicing always certainly is!

Our counsel to rejoice comes from a man who was a prisoner in Rome. Paul was under house arrest when he wrote the book of Philippians. He wasn’t a man just giving happy talk, but a man controlled by a true sense of joy that rose above any circumstance. It is one thing for someone in a good place to instruct others to rejoice, but it is far more meaningful to speak of rejoicing from prison. Under the inspiration of God, Paul gave the Philippian Christians words that still ring true today.

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

All believers in Christ have the same opportunity for joy that Paul challenged the Philippians with. He made his point with obvious impact by repeating the word rejoice twice. If joy were an emotion like happiness, then we could assume that the feelings of joy would come and go, just like happiness.

“But joy is not a feeling; it is the deep-down confidence that God is in control of everything for the believer’s good and His own glory, and thus all is well no matter what the circumstances.”
The John MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Philippians

It is sad but true, that most believers don’t live with a deep-down confidence that God is in control. I would be less than genuine to proclaim that I have mastered the choice to live perpetually with joy. Studying this passage of scripture shows that rejoicing was to be a continual, habitual practice. We can rightly assume that God, through Paul, told the Philippians to live with a heart of rejoicing. Is the challenge to, and opportunity for Christ followers today any different? I don’t think so!

Living with a deep-down confidence that God is in control leads to a life of rejoicing. Circumstances will not always be good, but God always is. Our problem is that we believe intellectually that God is in control, but refuse to personally experience what He has made available. Accept today by faith, that God’s design for you is a perpetually rejoicing heart. It will take choosing His truth over your emotions, but the results are worth it.  We may crave happiness, but what we really want (and need) is joy!

Adventures in traveling have become my new normal. I left last Tuesday with snow and a cancelled flight. I returned Friday to more snow. In between my snowy departure and arrival, there was an interesting trip from Raleigh, NC to Atlanta. I chatted with a man from Atlanta, and had a nice time talking about business, church, the Green Bay Packers, our families and just life in general. I received an email later in the week that upon his arrival home, he had communicated the story to a friend. This friend also happened to be a long time acquaintance with my wife and I. In fact my wife was once his piano accompanist at a church, and I had tried to hire him! How these two men in Atlanta ever connected that relationship I will never know. But I live by the principle that God is always up to something, and He was undoubtedly involved in this unusual encounter. I am not sure why this happened, but it caused me to reflect on God’s power to arrange circumstances when He chooses. He is just that powerful.

I am sure you have had one of those “it’s a small world encounters” also. You probably agree with me that God is powerful enough to create them. But most Christ followers live with a small view of God’s power internally. It is a shame that we neglect to avail ourselves of His marvelous power spoken of in Ephesians. Paul prayed that the Ephesians would understand the greatness of God’s power to all who believed.

Ephesians 1:18-19
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and the incomparably great power for us who believe.

Incomparably great power is available to all believers. Our common struggle is an unwillingness to appropriate what He has provided. We are too weak to accomplish His purpose in our own strength, and we are certainly no match for the attacks of Satan. But remember, if you are in Christ, His power is available to you…. today.! On my adventuresome trip, I read the following words by David Jeremiah. They fit our struggle.

The story is about lady who had a small house off the seashore of Ireland at the turn of the century. She was quite wealthy but a bit frugal. The people were surprised, then, when she decided to be among the first to have electricity in her home.

Several weeks after the installation, a meter reader appeared at her door. He asked if her electricity was working well, and she assured him it was. “I’m wondering if you can explain something to me,” he said. Your meter shows scarcely any usage. Are you using your power?”

“Certainly,” she answered. “Each evening when the sun sets, I turn on my lights just enough to light my candles; then I turn them off.” (quoted from Just Like Jesus, Max Lucado)

She had all the power she needed, but didn’t use it. Don’t we struggle with the same problem? When you and I avail ourselves of God’s power, things change. We don’t need more wattage, just more usage. It is as simple as blowing out the candle and turning on the Light. God wants you to understand His incomparably great power is available to you … now and always!

If we were to speak with complete honesty and full disclosure, there is no doubt that all of us would admit there are some individuals who are a thorn in our side, or a pain in the neck. It’s that person that always seems to get your goat. You find yourself going out of your way to avoid them. The issue even gets thornier when that special person is a member of your family. You repeatedly tell yourself, “I am not going to let him/her get to me”, but they always seem to push the right buttons. But as much as we struggle with people who are thorns in our side, I believe the bigger battle is with the thorn in our flesh.

It is easy to name those who irritate us, and it is very easy for us to identify the thorns in our flesh. We may not speak often of our thorns, but I believe we all have issues that are an irritant to us. There is almost universal identification among Christ followers with Paul and his admission of his thorn. Although his problem is not spelled out (many believe it to be an eye ailment), we understand why Paul would pray for it to be removed. There are times when we would do anything for our particular thorn to be taken away. But we must conclude that God knows best, and then glory in our own weakness as Paul did.

II Corinthians 12:7-9
To keep from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

God chose to let Paul live with his thorn when he could have removed it. Satan used it to torment him. In the Father’s design for Paul, He knew a thorn was needed. I can’t speak for you, but He knows what I need, and evidently a thorn(s) are part of His oversight. Satan wants to torment us, but God’s grace is as sufficient today for us, as it was so long ago in the life of Paul. No matter what thorn you seem to continually battle, there is grace for the moment, and the power of Christ is available.

Although I am not sure who will be reading this, sound logic tells me you struggle with a thorn in your flesh. You may even be a bit weary on the journey. Do not lose heart, my friend, grace is available. Paul embraced his weaknesses, and has been used for centuries to encourage those with thorns. In conclusion to my challenge, please meditate on the passage above in the words of The Message …

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into it’s own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness …

Enough said!

A physical trial has me focusing on a spiritual challenge and encouragement tonight.  As my body absorbs the adverse effects of the flu, my spirit is encouraged by my journey onWord.  In another of God’s great reminders to me that He is intimately involved in my life, our collective journey through the New Testament brought me to a series of verses in 2 Corinthians today.  Weakened in physical strength, I was reminded by scripture that He knows and He cares.

2 Corinthians 1:5 (MSG)
We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

While it is not my intent to use verses 3-5 in 2 Corinthians to draw a direct parallel to my physical discomfort, I believe it is purpose, and not coincidence that I, and we are confronted by these words today.  I took great comfort in the fact that their timing speaks to His care for me in my current situation.  And, at the same time, my thoughts are redirected to the larger truth of why I am comforted in any, and all of my trials and troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:4 (MSG)
He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

My flu symptoms will soon pass, and what then?  My (and your) life trials will reach the breaking point, and then find answer or divine salve, and what then?  At the foundation of God’s design is relationship, and praise God when we  are offered the opportunity to be His messenger of comfort in someone else’s life.

Please do not mistake my words as a solicitation of your sympathy.  And please forgive me for the brevity of tonight’s post.  But I could not remain silent when God so clearly blessed me with the reading of His Word today.  Come alongside me and take the challenge, and accept the encouragement that these verses in 2 Corinthians offer.

Accept freely the comfort that He, and those around you offer in times of discomfort and trial.  And then respond joyfully to the opportunities He provides to be a messenger of comfort in the lives of those around you.  What a great God we serve!  And how amazing is the truth that He desires a personal relationship with us!  A relationship that is true and real in both trial and triumph.

<< special note >>  I have included encouragements before to read on, join, or re-join us as we journey onWord through the New Testament.  And today’s blessing gives me pause to include another.  There have been so many personal blessings in the relatively few weeks since we began reading in January.  Don’t miss out in seeing God’s daily presence in your life reflected back in the words of scripture.  Read on, join, or re-join us today!

When is the last time you said “WOW”, I can’t believe God just did that. Although every Christian knows God is capable of moving mountains, experience tells me that most Christ followers don’t often sense that reality in their lives. We know from childhood the story of God stepping in for Abraham when he was ready to slay Isaac. Pastors paint great pictures of Red Sea moments, and all us of know about David slaying Goliath. But you may be thinking, “I wish He would just one time move a mountain for me.” Remember He knows about the mountains and He knows your life! As you read the attached words, decide that your role is a surrendered heart with a confident faith.

Saturday Night-WOW
“On as Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home.. It was about 10:00pm, but his wife didn’t answer the phone.

The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn’t answer, but decided to wrap a few things and try again in a few minutes.. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn’t answered before, and she said that it hadn’t rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.

The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that He’d used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he’d called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn’t figure out what the man was talking about. ‘Then the man said it rang and rang, but I didn’t answer.’ The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he’d intended to call his wife.

The man said, ‘That is OK. Let me tell you my story. You see I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, ‘God if you’re there, and you don’t want me to do this, give me a sign now.’ At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, ‘Almighty God’.. I was afraid to answer!’

The reason it showed on the man’s caller ID that the call came from ‘Almighty God’ is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!!”

I don’t know the origination of the story, or if it actually happened. It came as a forwarded message from my wife, which is the only reason I read it. But do I believe my Father may just step in that way? Absolutely! Has your faith become so diminished and dull that the expectation for supernatural intervention is like “yeah right”. Almighty God may not show up on your caller ID, but He knows just how you do need Him to show up. With a yielded heart, grow daily; with an expectant heart pray fervently and with a trusting heart understand that God will intervene in your world as He chooses. Let Jeremiah give us a great perspective of our powerful God.

Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

I don’t know how God may need to intervene in your life. But if your caller ID says Almighty God, answer. Remember nothing is too hard for Him.

Roses were the flower of choice this weekend. Restaurants and retailers alike enjoyed banner sales. Children prepared their valentine cards, and adults searched for a special card that most reflected their feelings. Love is in the air on this day every year. Thirty-six years ago I bought the first box of candy for my wife and started going steady (boy is that an old term) on this day. This year I was determined to get a meaningful gift that would reflect what she would enjoy. Through the years, my gifts and cards have not always appropriately reflected the way I wanted to honor her. To be honest, women are much better at cards and gifts. But the principle of Valentine’s Day is all about honoring those we love and care for deeply.

Romans 12:10(b)
Honor one another above yourselves.

Whether on Valentine’s Day or any other day, our goal should be the same. However noble it may seem, honoring others is never easy. To honor means that we are placing high value on another person. Intellectually, we all agree with honoring others by placing their needs above our own. In reality, our selfishness cries out for our own needs to be met above all else. It is certainly easier to focus on my needs before thinking about my wife, daughter and others. You probably feel the same. Valentine’s Day emphasizes once a year a principle that all followers of Christ can live out daily. Honoring one another above yourselves from Romans 12:10 doesn’t seem like just a request to me, but a command to be followed. What an opportunity!

Last week while traveling I was treated to an example of someone honoring another. After finishing an appointment, I was in search of coffee. I spoke to a nice lady who told me that there was none in that location, but she would get a cup for me. Little did I know she had to go to another building, and pay for the coffee! She practiced honoring me with no other motivation than a Christ-like spirit. We are all afforded opportunities on a daily basis to practice placing a high value on others. From my perspective, it takes a strong commitment to focus beyond our own needs.

Our ultimate example of honoring others is found in Christ. His life was lived for us. He left heaven’s glory to give His life for our sins. Mark 10:45 tells us that He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” For all who are in Christ, His example is our pattern for honoring others.

Today is Valentine’s Day and the focus will be on our loved ones, but tomorrow there will be others that need a cup of coffee, a kind word, or someone just to show them care and love. Our challenge is to look for the opportunities, and then be conduits of His love.

On Valentine’s Day, we all want to let others know how much we care. I would like to think that you and I could live with the spirit of Valentine’s Day all year long. And not just by honoring (placing high value) those closest to us, but by reflecting the very heart of Christ to everyone we come in contact with. I was touched by a simple cup of coffee, and others will be touched when we choose to honor them. Enjoy today, and keep caring tomorrow!

My travel experiences are beginning to amuse me. To call all of the things that happen along the way an adventure, would be an understatement. I accept the fact that many of my adventures are of my own making, but what happened Monday night was not. I had ridden with some friends from Ohio to South Carolina, arriving at their home shortly after 10p.m. They have a beautiful home, but upon entering we noticed that something was amiss. Water had started to leak from a pipe upstairs and was exiting the ceiling through a light fixture in their foyer. Simply carrying luggage in from the car immediately turned into stopping a potential catastrophe. I was amazed as my friend got his tools and headed upstairs. Before long he had cut into a wall, started removing copper pipes, used a blow torch and generally had everything under control.  You would be pleased to know that I accomplished my role effectively also. Using towels to dry the floor, turning the water valve on and off, and using my talents to hold a flashlight steady were my contributions to the project.

Do you ever feel like your life is just one adventure after another? Today it’s a leaking pipe, tomorrow a broken cell phone, and then a new set of challenges the next. That’s just life! The adventures are coming, and how we prepare for them determines our joy on the journey. For anyone who is a Christ follower, what greater preparation can we have than consistent growth through His Word? We can gain great insight through the counsel of others, reading good books or attending church and seminars, but nothing has greater impact than the truth of Scripture. You may think it rhetorical for me to write an article admonishing you to read His Word. But experience tells me that most believers in Christ know they need to read the Word, but often leave the pages unopened.  The reason my friend could effectively attack the water leak was because he knew how to use his tools. If confronted with a similar situation, my first response would have been…GET ME A PLUMBER!  In your adventuresome life, are you comfortable with the Tool that God has provided for you?

At Journey onWord, we will always be relentless in challenging you to be a student of God’s Word. There is nothing that can compare to getting to know God from His revelation to us. It is easy to study and read about God, but critical to hear from Him. Would you agree that perspective on your personal adventures will be clearest when viewed through the lens of Scripture?  Every day we are confronted with choices in life that are not easy. We need advice on how to handle them, and God in His grace has chosen to give us His perspective.  In the adventure you are current encountering, are you comfortable that you are in tune with His perspective? You can be!

You may be asking, “Why is He telling me to read Scripture? I know that”. My answer would be that I know of no other way to have a better perspective on life and its adventures. You and I have at our disposal the absolute truth of God’s Word to guide us in any circumstance. We can all present our excuses for not opening the revealed Word of God, but in truth there are no valid reasons. God has chosen to give us His Word, and He wants us to know it.  As I often say, “yesterday ended at midnight”, so today you can begin afresh in gaining His perspective.  There is nothing in your life or mine that can replace His counsel.

My friend’s example gave me a clear understanding on not just having tools, but knowing how, and being prepared at a moments notice to use them. In your life, God has provided you with an eternal, life changing Tool. Don’t be left holding a flashlight watching others live with joy on the journey. God’s Word is for you!

:: special note :: If you haven’t yet begun to read through the New Testament with us, join us today.  If you have just happened upon our journey site, here’s your invitation.  If you are current with us, Praise God, and keep going!  And if you began, but have lost touch, start back today.  We will be reading through the New Testament another few times before year’s end, so don’t be burdened by the urge to try to catch up.  Simply check the listing on the right-hand side of the site and begin with today’s reading.  Journey onWord with us, God’s Word is for you!