Our Savior is Born!!

There are times in our lives when our best just isn't good enough. We can give our whole heart to something or someone and still feel like we've failed. What do we do with our disappointment and discouragement? The weight of our regrets can be debilitating, especially when it seems like we bear our burdens alone.

God's Word reminds us to "give all your worries and care to God, for He cares about you." (I Peter 5:7) If anyone understands the depth of our sorrows, it's Jesus. During this season of celebrating His birth, let's truly contemplate God's unfathomable love in sending His only Son to rescue us from sin and death. 

"He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all." (Isaiah 53:3-6)

I don't know about you, but the reality of what Jesus suffered for me moves me to tears. And so, as we consider the baby in the manger, let's remember why He came. Our Savior is born!!

A Challenging Time

I’ve been participating in an online Bible Study the past few weeks as we “shelter in place.” It has been very encouraging, albeit challenging. I am still processing a virtual discussion that the group had concerning idols.  

Idols were defined as “anything that consumes our thoughts and hearts more than God.” And after class, the dictionary confirmed that definition. Idol: Any object of ardent or excessive devotion or admiration. Ezekiel 14:30 says that, “men have set up idols in their hearts.” And so, I've been prayerfully considering the idea that excessive thoughts that preoccupy my heart and mind can be idols. 

Do you have a problem or concern that seems to constantly plague your thoughts? Perhaps you are dealing with health issues, financial instability, or a breech in an important relationship? Or maybe you have concerns about how COVID-19 will affect your family and friends? Are you consumed with fear and doubt? Is your inability to deal with your circumstances debilitating at times? Have you given up hope that God is going to provide a solution for your dilemma?  

Personally, I have allowed a particular problem to consume my thoughts for quite some time. The thought of this being an “idol” seemed a bit melodramatic at first. However, I confess that it has impacted my ability to cope with life and interact with those around me. It has also caused me to doubt whether God is listening to my prayers. In a recent chapter of the book in our online study, I was reminded of my need to “shift (my) focus from the circumstances and fasten it on the Person who has the power to do what He promised.” (Jennifer Kennedy Dean) 

God’s Word is full of His promises. And so, instead of “devoting” my time to worrying about the outcome of my problem, with God’s help, I will choose to take Him at His Word. I can trust Him because He has proven Himself faithful time and time again. It is the only way that I will find true peace in the midst of difficult circumstances. I pray that you will be able to do the same. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7  

If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?

We’ve been quarantined for about six weeks now. How have you spent your time? Hopefully you have a sense of accomplishment for projects completed, creativity reignited, and priorities reestablished. Or perhaps, like me, the successes touted on social media don’t necessarily reflect your reality. 

Knowing that over 50,000 people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19 is sobering and reminds us of our fragile mortality. For me, this fact combined with too much time alone with my thoughts has led to a lot of introspection. Granted, I had been working through some things prior to the pandemic, but being isolated seems to have intensified my self-evaluation. I don’t know about you, but the highlight reel of my life usually consists of glaring errors and the criticism of others. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but have a desire to be vulnerable in order to connect with others who might be struggling.  

How do you “set your mind on things above” (Colossians 3:2) when your ever-present reality seems to be stuck in a downward spiral of self-condemnation? As I continue reading Colossians 3:3, I find clarification: “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” No matter what my past failures or current circumstances may be, nothing can alter the truth that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) And verse 21 of that chapter is what I consider to be one of the most concise explanations  of what Christ accomplished for us on the cross: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  

And therein lies the answer to this seemingly overpowering sense of failure: I am the righteousness of God in Christ - God took my sins and shortcomings and nailed them to the cross! And so, if you’re feeling bogged down during this pandemic, I encourage you to “forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead, pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) God is for us! 

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? NO ONE. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:31-35; 37) 

COVID-19 Musings

Such a strange time in our world...people sick and dying. Some of us self-isolating, some of us continuing to work at jobs that are deemed "essential." Kudos to those in the medical field and others who choose to expose themselves to this virus in order to help others in need.

Needless to say, none of this has caught God by surprise. My prayer is that our society as a whole will turn to Him during this challenging time. He is truly our only hope. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear." Psalm 46:1-2

I'm writing this because I've been thinking a lot about isolation. When we lived in Alaska, it was brought to my attention that there were people in the local nursing home who never had visitors. In addition to that, some of them never came out of their rooms to participate in activities with other residents. Completely self-isolated, except for an occasional visit from a nurse or an aide bringing them food. Such a lonely existence.

It is my sincere hope that when this quarantine is over (unsure how long it will be at this time), we will consider people who live in isolation every day of their lives. Those in nursing homes, hospitals, shut-ins at home...so many in our communities who are lonely and craving human interaction. Let's commit to remember how it feels to be separated from our families, our neighbors, and the rest of the world. Remember how it feels to not be able to go to the store, eat out at a restaurant, have coffee with a friend, etc. This is the everyday "norm" for so many people.

I pray that God will give us empathy for their ongoing way of life and remind us to reach out with love and compassion. Make plans to visit someone the moment we no longer have to "shelter in place." I guarantee that you will be more blessed by reaching out than the person you visit! "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me." Matthew 5:40

No Shame

This morning, I was challenged by a favorite author of mine to write a letter to my younger self. It can be overwhelming to think of all that I would do differently, if given the chance. I usually prefer not to entertain these thoughts because of the weight of my regrets.

But what if we truly embrace the reality that God "has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalms 103:12) To comprehend what Christ did for us on the cross and walk in that forgiveness is the only thing that will set us free from our guilt and shame. I think that so often we understand that Jesus paid the sacrifice for our sins and we no longer have to carry the burden of guilt. But what about the shame? In my life, knowing that I'm set free from guilt doesn't always mean I don't still battle feelings of shame. Even those who have been victims of someone else's sin might have difficulty overcoming a sense of shame. I believe it's a ploy of the enemy that we continue to be ashamed of our past. If we truly believe that Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and shame, we need to walk with confidence in His finished work.

Are you often waylaid by a person, place, or thing that conjures up the memory of your offense? I challenge you to take that thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and replace it with scripture. Perhaps Psalm 103:12 mentioned earlier or Romans 8:1 - "There is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." I pray that God will reveal a powerful verse to you that will be the constant reminder you need to claim victory over your feelings of shame.

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:5

Unintentionally Self-absorbed

Here we are, one year into retirement, and I still feel like I've had "the rug pulled out from under me." Going from being actively involved in dozens of activities to sitting on the couch contemplating what life is all about has spiraled into a full-blown battle with depression. Adjusting to life in an unfamiliar place has brought about an intense loneliness and paradoxically, the tendency to withdraw and become more introspective. I'm beginning to realize that this results in being myopic in relationship to the needs of others...unintentionally self-absorbed.

We recently heard Louie Giglio speak. We've been inspired by his videos for years, but had never heard him share about his battle with depression. One thing he shared that spoke directly to my heart was his fear that if he recovered from his depression, he would somehow be a "dialed-down version" of the man he used to be. That was it! I have been feeling like retirement is forcing me to be a dialed-down version of who I was. Louie's next words were powerful. We aren't called to be a 100% version of ourselves, but 100% Christ-like - totally dependent on Him, resting in His finished work.

Louie shared that one of our most powerful weapons in the midst of depression is praise. "Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord! He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap." (Psalm 113:1 and 7) But remember that praising God in the midst of depression has to be intentional. I have also been learning to be intentional about looking for opportunities to minister to others who are lonely and hurting. "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

So many people attending Louie's event admitted to struggling with depression and even having suicidal thoughts when he asked for a show of hands. My prayer is that you will be encouraged, no matter what you're going through, remembering that God's "got your back." Please join me in being intentional to praise God and reach out to others who are hurting. "For You have rescued me from death; You have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in Your presence, O God, in Your life-giving light." (Psalm 56:13)

Your Weary Heart

Do you ever feel like you've given all you have to give? Like you've poured your heart out and all that's left is an empty shell? Does your heart feel weary?

Jesus has something to say about this in Matthew 11: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Imagine that! The God of the universe sees your weary heart and wants to exchange it for His rest.

I have been continually encouraged by Ruth Chou Simons (gracelaced.com) and I love her catch phrase: "Preaching to my own heart." When life overwhelms you and it seems like no one is there to encourage your weary heart, preach to yourself. God's Word is always there with truths to heal your soul.

God is our source of hope when we feel like we have nothing left to give. "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:9 Don't lose heart in doing good. Don't grow weary. I don't believe for a minute that God tells us to do anything that He won't empower us to do. If He says we shouldn't grow weary, then He will give us the strength to overcome our weariness.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 It's important to note that this verse follows Paul's confession, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (vs. 11) Even when I'm discouraged and feel like I don't have anything left to give? Especially then! Preach truth to your own heart!

Today, I'm preaching to my own heart from Philippians 4. It admonishes me to dwell on things that are true (vs 8) and comforts my weary soul with the knowledge that "God will supply all (my) needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (vs. 19)

I encourage you to read Philippians 4 and pray that God will encourage your weary heart today!