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Posts Tagged ‘faith’

Eternal Words of Jesus

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , , , , , , , on April 29, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Jesus’ words are eternal. Jesus’ message, then, is also eternal. No matter how one might interpret the passages in this chapter of Luke about the end times and whether or not the signs have already happened or will still happen… well, that’s not my point today. No, I just want to highlight the other aspect of this passage which is even more important: Jesus’ eternal words, in the face of the passing away of both heaven and earth, two distinct dimensions of life, will remain. Pure truth will survive. Love will stand. Mercy will triumph over justice. Light will shine brighter than any darkness. Hope and faith will remain.

It is indeed the new heaven and the new earth and that idea is beyond anything we can fathom.

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Consider the Lilies

Posted in Time Up to Pentecost, tagged , , , on April 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Luke 12:27-28
Consider how the lilies grow. …If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

Flowers are beautiful with no effort on their part. They reflect and express their true essence. There is a natural provision for them (and if not, they play their part in the cycle of life and death). Isn’t it likely that human beings would be loved and cared for by God?

Jesus identifies our inability to allow God to care for us because of our “little faith.” Since we don’t believe God will really care for us… or even more likely, we don’t like the methods or the determinations… we intervene. We decide for ourselves. There is a stark divide between what we “need” and what we “want.”

Most Americans want more than we have, despite the fact that by the standards of most of the world, we have more than enough. We have lost our ability to look within ourselves for our satisfaction. Jesus says, “…seek His kingdom” which is within. And there is our contentment, our provision, our hope, our joy.

Today my schedule is packed with external responsibilities like meetings, work, and kids. Here is my prayer: that I retrieve 30 minutes to be still, to look within, to celebrate the gift of life.

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Why Do You Doubt?

Posted in Lent, tagged , , , , on March 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

As much as God has done for me… why do I doubt? I think I know. It’s because I think/believe/fear the good things will stop. Some of it comes from my constant battle with condemnation: “you don’t deserve this,” etc. Some of it comes from old scripts, “you don’t appreciate what you have” (that’s my mother talking, in case you’re wondering). And some of it is my trust issues, “if I don’t protect/control this situation, it’s going to go downhill.”

God’s prophets, throughout the scripture, keep telling us to “remember!” We are to remember all the wonderful things God has done for us. And in this, our faith will be stirred. Our hope will be rekindled. Our trust will be buoyed. Our mind will be renewed.

Today, I will remember, keep my eyes on the Lord, and walk on the waters of fears.

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I Will Be Healed

Posted in Lent, tagged , , on March 9, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Mark 5:27-28
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

She pursued her healing. She reached outside the “box” of normal behavior for a woman and she touched the healer, the teacher, the prophet, the Lord. She believed her actions would make a difference. She believed He would have mercy upon her. Her only mistake was in believing that he wouldn’t notice. He sees our pursuit. He hears our prayers. He knows the heart.

Today, my body is feeling “iffy” with nausea and other unpleasantness. And so, I reach out to my healing God… I reach into the kingdom of God to touch His Spirit. Reach…. reach…. reach…

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Seek Confirmation

Posted in Lent, tagged , , , , , on March 4, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Luke 1:42, 45
In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!… Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

And all I can think about is that Mary, despite all that she had heard and seen and felt (in her own body), she still ran to her cousin, Elizabeth seeking wisdom, seeking confirmation. And there was no waiting for it. All was true just as she imagined it was. All was confirmed in a moment by Elizabeth’s proclamation before Mary could say one word.

And once Mary heard it, she received her confirmation … and she accepted it. From that day forth, I don’t believe she waivered about her role in birth of an man anointed by God, a king, the Messiah.

How often do we ask for confirmation and despite the giving, we ask again. That’s not persistence, that’s a chink in our faith. Forgive me, Father. I believe. Help me in my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

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Build Faith

Posted in Lent, tagged , , , , on March 3, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Matthew 17:19-20
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it [the demon] out?”
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Jesus gave the disciples everything they needed to drive out the demons, to heal the sick, to proclaim the gospel. Jesus gives us everything we need to do the same. There is only one thing lacking: our faith. Each person must determine in his/her own heart, mind & spirit, what is blocking the building of faith? Are we looking for a sign or a miracle before our faith can be exercised? Or doesn’t that fly in the face of faith? Mustard seed faith requires a leap… a leap beyond logic, 3 dimensions, and expectations. Mustard seed faith has abandon. Mustard seed faith requires total surrender. “Lift up your heads, O you gates [of the heart]; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” Ps 24:7.

Found this today in my mailbox, a quote by Jean Pierre de Caussade.

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Believe What You Ask For…

Posted in Lent, tagged , , , on February 28, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Matthew 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I think I’ve put too much emphasis on the last part of this sentence (“…and it will be yours”) and not enough on the middle “…believe that you have received it.” Now, I’m not an advocate for that 70’s “blab it and grab it” kind of faith, but I do think there’s a mindset that spawns trust. If I’m going to pray for/about something, do I or don’t I believe God is listening. Is God sovereign? Is God faithful? The answer is yes. So, why do I keep asking. Sometimes, it feels like there is a fine line between persistence and distrust.

The truth is probably closer to our disapproval of God’s answers. God doesn’t have a problem saying “no.” We have a problem with hearing it.

I think “believing what I ask for” includes believing that He is answering.

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