Encouragement

Loving others

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“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.” -Proverbs 25:20

I’ve been thinking about this quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He was a famous American poet, the most popular in his day and still considered one of the greats. But his life was filled with tragedy. His first wife died after a few short years through a miscarriage. Longfellow’s second wife died from burns she received when her dress caught fire. He was unable to write for a time after her death, devastated from the loss.

Most of us have no idea the struggles another is facing. Maybe our lives are so busy that we hardly stop to notice others and get to know the people around us. The sin of assumption is easier than the work of emotionally navigating relationships. It can be awkward, requiring a lot of patience and persistence. The grumpy cashier, an overbearing boss, a distant family member or a chronically depressed friend- compassion over condemnation is the desire of every hurting heart. How would I want to be treated when I’m a mess? How would Jesus respond? Some exteriors are harder than others because of past wounds perhaps. Jaded, those walls go up out of self preservation. It isn’t the Biblical solution, but easier to understand broken people (which we all are), once we realize this mode of survival.

In reading the Gospels I have noticed how incredibly patient Jesus is with the disciples. He doesn’t write them off when they don’t understand a parable, lack faith, or sin. The Lord Jesus is also compassionate toward the needy crowds. They wanted His time, His teaching, His miracles- it was never enough. Jesus’ heart went out to them because He saw they were like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord rebuked the religious leaders because He knew their thoughts and hardened hearts, yet even in this He restrained His hand. Jesus chose not to annihilate them on the spot, but dispensed mercy instead.

The Gospels highlight how complicated we are in our emotions, experiences and limited understanding. But the need is very simple. Every person longs to be seen, loved, accepted and understood. The only one to perfectly fill this demanding task is Christ Jesus. Once we belong to Him, He tells us to go be like Him to the hurting world. One way we can do this is to think the best of others instead of assuming their thoughts and motives for the worse. A gracious spirit can circumvent a whole hosts of relational difficulties. Even if a person is hard hearted, we know no one is beyond the Great Physician’s reach, not while they still have breath. This is the Age of Grace, which Christ commands us to imitate. Pray for those who reject you, who are unkind, or you sense need more encouragement.

God tells us not only to love those who are happy and easy to get along with, but the chronically downcast, the rude, the ones who annoy, revile, gossip, snub or persecute you. Jesus told Peter to forgive again and again (Matthew 18:21-22). It pleases the Lord when we notice the overlooked and love them with a smile or kind word. God desires for us to be merciful and forgiving rather than act like a Pharisee in outward worship. Patient and prayerful. Even if the one with a heavy heart or vindictive spirit never changes, the Lord is changing you by how you respond. Grace overlooks the thoughtless comment and learns not to take everything personally. More often than not there is something else troubling them that has nothing to do with you.

Jesus loved without condition. He saw people as they longed to be truly seen, like they actually mattered. This is the Christian’s template. It is only through the Spirit’s power we can supernaturally act against our human response to avoid and back away. So we learn to pray for His power to work through us, displaying the love of Christ to a hurting loved one, friend, or acquaintance. Our sphere of influence is the broken world Jesus commands His people to love.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15; Luke 6:27-38

To the Caregiver

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Most of the time caregivers are overlooked. Rightly so, the dependent needs our attention. Whether a person gives care to young children, the sick, the disabled, or the elderly, I had them in mind when writing this note of encouragement. Blessings on your day.

To the Caregiver

Someone needs to hear today

that their doing is

worthwhile.

It isn’t glamorous,

flashy or very exciting,

but someone needs you.

Your someone depends on

you.

What a gift to be

needed.

It may be draining

and wearisome and

monotonous.

And yet the gift

we give everyday

is in the giving of

ourselves;

the hands and feet

of Christ manifested

in our serving

the one in need.

Your service might be

for a season or lifelong,

but I want to tell you

-it matters.

How we care for the ones

given to us demonstrates

the love and patience

of Jesus

or becomes a

missed opportunity.

Keep moving forward

in moments of despair

or frustration.

God is there.

God is here.

He sees you

and leans in

when we ask

to operate in His

strength, not ours.

The Lord’s grace will be

enough

in your weakness.

Don’t lose heart.

The power of God

is demonstrated in our

weakness,

The love of Christ

displayed in our actions,

The Spirit comforts

and encourages us to

persevere

another day.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” -Isaiah 40:29

Psalm 27:13

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“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” -Psalm 27:13

I remember when I was young we would visit my aunt’s family in the neighboring county. It was only about a 45 minute drive, but it felt like forever. Car rides seemed so long back then. I don’t think my sister or I ever said “Are we there yet?” out loud, but I definitely thought it. Sometimes we are tempted to get impatient with the Lord’s timing, “why hasn’t He returned yet?” Perhaps we get restless with the monotonous landscape of our lives, or we just want quick relief from all the heaviness life throws at us. Are we almost Home yet? How much further until we get there?

David took comfort in the Lord’s future graces, learning to wait on the Lord’s plans, not his. By taking the long view he was able to serve God wholeheartedly in the present. His life, like all of us, is but a candle, easily snuffed out at the Lord’s command. While God had the shepherd king on earth, he was used by Him. The believer is an instrument of righteousness in God’s armory. He will sustain and keep His beloved children in their faith until it is made sight.

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Throughout this psalm, David’s confidence rests in God’s character and promises. He knows what God can and will do for him. In this verse, the king’s confidence extends even further by obtaining an eternal perspective. Will God always be good to him? Yes. Even when the narrative seems otherwise. Hardship and danger do not cancel out God’s goodness to us but provide a channel of trust in His sovereignty. The end result is always the Lord’s faithfulness. No matter our circumstances, an eternal view for the Christian is peace and freedom to live boldly now. We know how the Story ends. The interim is but a means to that end. When we close our eyes in death it isn’t the end, but the beginning of our forever with the Lord. The purpose of our lives is to be used as holy instruments in the Lord’s hands while He gives us time here on earth.

The land of the living that David refers to is our destination, our true Heavenly Home. While we pilgrim on earth, the children of God live among the children of the world. Wheat and tares must grow together until the harvest (Matthew 13:24-30). Then every eye will see the Lord’s glory and bow down. Yet it is only God’s children who will see the fullness of His goodness. It is a promise meant just for us. As if redeeming our dead souls from eternal Hell wasn’t enough, our gracious Father shares His love without end. Think of how much you love your children, grandchildren or spouse. God loves you exponentially more than the love we have in those earthly relationships. His fellowship will be sweeter because we won’t be burdened by spiritual warfare anymore. To be free from sin and a broken world is relief. To enjoy unbroken fellowship with the King of Glory is supreme.

The land of the living has no more night, death or sorrow. Those troubles are banished to Hell. King Jesus lavishes His grace upon grace over the redeemed, as God has promised in Scripture. Christ fulfilled this promise by laying down His life in the place of every Christian. The fullness of God’s promise will be brought to completion at the end of Time when Christ returns. Only believers forever taste and see that God is good. This world is not the end, but a gateway into either Heaven or Hell, depending on what or Who you are trusting to save you. Are you confident in where you will be for eternity? God will rescue all who belong to Him. Then one day, our eyes will close in earthly death and open in the land of the living. You are Home.

Grace upon grace,

April

“The earth is the land of the dying.” -Matthew Henry

Growing deeper: Revelation 21

I heard this song for the first time last Easter at my church and loved it. It’s a beautiful reminder of what the Christian has to look forward to. May it bless you too.

Psalm 27:11-12

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“Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.” -Psalm 27:11-12

God loves justice. One day, He will dispense perfect justice for all mankind and every wrong will be made right. For the Christian, this incomprehensible work was done for us at the cross. All our injustices toward God and others was laid on Jesus’ body. The price to pay for the Christian’s crimes was the life of the sinless and innocent Christ. This is the best news. The worst news is justice given to every unrepentant soul. God’s mercy is no more once their short lives end. It is then too late.

As David cries out for help against present enemies, he commits his life and circumstances to the omnipotent God. Throughout his life experiences, David is aware of God’s sovereignty over events and people. Therefore, his prayer is a plea and a confession of trust. When you know God is for you it doesn’t matter what lies ahead or who is against you. There is no one like God to trust so fully, His covenant of love over you securely. Keeping an eternal perspective when the dark waters rise is crucial. When the disciples were beginning to drown in the storm, Jesus challenged them over their lack of faith (Mark 4:35-41). Faith that the Lord is sovereign, good and victorious is the framework for peace filled Christians. If the Lord allows people or circumstances to slay us, it is only for a moment. This was Job’s cry when his livelihood, family, servants and health were taken from him (Job 13:15) because he knew this life is temporary.

God will not be mocked, therefore He will not allow His children to be mistreated in eternity. We do not lose even when all signs appear otherwise. Perfect justice will be executed by the God of Heaven and earth in His perfect time and way. David looks to God each time he is in distress. Yahweh is his protector, provider and teacher. The shepherd king does not rely on his own understanding, but looks to God for instruction (Proverbs 3:5-7). David’s humility to be teachable produces wisdom and spiritual maturity over his lifetime. When God leads our day to day, we are safe and victorious over anxious thoughts, fear and pride.

The Lord’s battle plans might look different than what we would expect, but believers who remember this will not grow easily discouraged. Keeping an eternal perspective is the key to live in the present with peace and joy. If your soul is kept in Heaven by God and your enemies will meet their Maker one day, what do you have to lose? We do not have to fear even death, because that too, is temporary. Death is only the beginning. Dearly beloved Christian, be confident in Who you serve, the time you’ve been given to faithfully live for the Lord without reservation, with a pure and holy passion.

Grace upon grace,

April

Psalm 27:7-8

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“Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of You, “Seek His face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” -Psalm 27:7-8

Does the Lord hear us when we pray? Is He ever too busy to listen? Are some of our cries not important enough? We may doubt whether God hears our prayers sometimes, and that is why it is crucial to answer our questions Biblically. God in Heaven will always bend an ear to hear His people’s cries and act according to His wisdom. This is God’s nature. The Creator ministers to the created without reservation. When David pleads for God to be merciful to him and answer his prayers, he is asking the Lord to be Himself. God is already merciful. This may mean at times that God does not act as we expect, but He is never wrong in His decisions. It is we who must adjust our expectations, trusting in His Sovereignty.

King David asks for the Lord to see his plight and act on his behalf. He doesn’t yet know the outcome of his prayer request, but David still responds to the Lord with worship. This is an example every Christian can pattern. No matter how God chooses to answer our pleas, the consistent character of worship should be the makeup of our hearts. We seek His face regardless of circumstances because Yahweh is the best refuge for any situation. Even when we don’t like how He answers a prayer- perhaps ‘wait’ or ‘no’ was given? How does the believer respond? What does that do to your faith? Shaken but not shattered.

When our faith is sifted through trials, we can have confidence that Jesus intercedes for us. He prays for our faith to stand firm, just like He did for Peter (Luke 22:31-32). When the dust settles and the shock wears off, the Christian can choose to grow bitter and jaded, or take their broken hearts back to the throne room of grace, crying for more mercy. More trust in His providence, more love to rest secure, more of God to find strength for another day. Perseverance of the saints is grace and mercy at work. The Spirit will bless the believing heart with this lion lamblike quality of humility, trust and boldness after the living God.

Bending to the will of God produces spiritual maturity. God is after a harvest in our hearts, using whatever means necessary for abundant growth. Pray and pursue. Trust and obey. These commands are woven throughout the entire Bible because it is for our good and God’s glory. Believer, you have the privilege of living before the face of the One who made you and saved you. He hears our heart cries. The Lord is most merciful.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Romans 8:18-34; Psalm 34:15-18

Consider His lovingkindness

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Consider the lovingkindness of the Lord today.

What has God’s strong arm accomplished for you? Eternal salvation. Praise Him!

Who is at God’s right hand interceding on your behalf? Jesus Christ. Praise Him!

How is God at work in your life this moment? Daily sanctification. Praise Him!

When will you behold the face of God, faith becoming sight? In earthly death. Praise Him!

Where is the Holy Spirit? In my heart forevermore. Praise Him!

Not by our merit, but of His great mercy.

Even if God were to strip away every temporal blessing He has given you and me, like Job, we would still have the Lord. The Lord is my Shepherd, He is all I’ll ever need.

The Lord “watches over the way of His saints.” -Proverbs 2:8

Grace upon grace,

April

The Tapestry Poem

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I’ve heard this poem before and recently read it in the Epilogue to ‘The Hiding Place’ by Corrie ten Boom. The poem is called, “My Life Is Like a Weaving” by Grant Colfax Tullar. I hope it blesses you too.

My life is like a weaving

between my God and me.

I do not choose the colors

He works steadily.

Sometimes He weaves sorrow

and I in foolish pride

forget He sees the upper,

and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent

and the shuttles cease to fly

will God unroll the canvas

and explain the reason why

the dark threads are as needful

in the skillful weaver’s hand

as the threads of gold and silver

in the pattern He has planned.

Our understanding is finite, His is infinite. We were never in control, God is Sovereign over all. He is perfect in love, we love imperfectly. Given the comparison in character traits, we are better off trusting the Lord with His plans for us rather responding in fear, anger or bitterness.

When WWII began in Corrie ten Boom’s city of Haarlem, the dogfighting in the sky kept her and her sister Betsie awake. They decided to go downstairs in the middle of the night for a cup of tea to calm their nerves until it was over. Finally, Corrie made her way back upstairs to her bedroom where she felt in the dark something sharp on her pillow. It was a 10 inch piece of shrapnel from the night bombings. She ran back to her sister and showed her in terror, what had been laying on her pillow. “What if I had still been in bed?!” Corrie exclaims. Betsie assured her there are no “what ifs” in God’s plan. Whatever He purposes for us, good or bad, we are safest when we are in the center of His will.

As the war progressed the ten Booms would later be arrested for hiding Jews in their home. The horrors of their experience in concentration camps are told in Corrie’s book ‘The Hiding Place’. From these events, she learns to forgive the humanly speaking, unforgivable acts of the Nazis. She even learns to love her enemies, setting up several homes after the war, as a rehabilitation center for those not ready to face the world yet. Corrie went on to travel the world telling others the love of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

She likely would not have chosen the tapestry of sorrow and loss weaved into her life, but God sees the overall picture. He took what was meant for evil and used it for good. Everything the Lord does, throughout all of history, has always been for His glory. Elisabeth Elliot once noted, “It is not what the Lord is doing TO you, but rather, what the Lord is doing FOR you.” Whatever He purposes for us in this life serves as an opportunity to refine our character into Christlikeness, and untether us from this temporary world. Author Sam Wellman who wrote the Epilogue to ‘The Hiding Place’ says, “Love triumphs over all afflictions. Our earthly sufferings only serve to make that which awaits us an even greater glory.”

Grace upon grace,

April

The day after Easter

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As you get back to your weekly routine, it would be easy to forget the day we just celebrated. Easter is in the books for 2023. Where has the year gone?! But I would encourage Christians to remember that Jesus is still alive, still on His Throne, still planning to come again. These truths sweeten our everyday lives in a way that is impossible for the unbeliever. The secular world just had a feast welcoming the season of Spring with bunnies, candy and dyed eggs (which are not wrong in themselves). And they have moved on, trudging into another work week. 

The shot of encouragement I want to leave you with today, is to remember God’s kingdom is forever. Did the angels sing to the Lord yesterday? Of course they did. Will they sing to Him today? And tomorrow? Yes. God is not dependent on our worship. He is glorified no matter what. Yet it pleases Him when we do bow down in humble adoration. A worshipful heart is a living sacrifice to our Abba, Father. The emotionalism and commercialism of Easter does not have to dictate the Christian’s worship.

Satan, our flesh and the world will threaten to undo us until we leave this earth. This confirms for me even more the spiritual realities at play all the time. There is a war going on for every soul. Imagine that. So just as God commanded Israel to remember how He rescued them from slavery in Egypt, did miraculous works in the wilderness, gave them the land of Canaan by driving out their enemies, we are also called to remember the day in history which changed everything. Jesus on the cross is not the end of the story. His resurrection isn’t even the end, but the beginning. Christians get to celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of King Jesus everyday. Easter is a way of life, not just a day. We are the ones who have been permanently forgiven, who experience the lovingkindness and grace of God into eternity. He knows our frame, that we are weak and forgetful people, which is why He gave us His Word to read, as well as the gift of the Holy Spirit. Read and remember. The day after Easter holds just as much awe and cause for worship as a specific day set aside on the calendar.

Grace upon grace,

April

 

Preservation and Power

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153″Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Your law. 154 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to Your promise. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out Your decrees. 156 Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to Your laws. 157 Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from Your statutes. 158 I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey Your Word. 159 See how I love Your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to Your love. 160 All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal.” -Psalm 119:153-160 Resh

The psalmist prays for the Lord to preserve him three times in this prayer. He asks God to preserve his life according to His promise, laws, and love. This octave is similar to the previous Qoph (vv.145-152). There are parallels in the writer’s petition, reflection of the wicked, and praise of God’s eternal words. Verse 160 emphasizes what is said earlier in verses 151-152, proclaiming God’s words as true and eternal. In both octaves the psalmist is in distress, petitioning for the Lord’s deliverance (vv.145-149/153-154). He is surrounded by the wicked, who are God’s enemies, in verse 150 and vv. 157-158. Whether these prayers were written over the same affliction or separate matters, I do not know. But the psalmist once again places his cause and trust in God’s hands. He is asking for the Lord to be his defense, Jehovah Maginnenu. 

The psalmist’s prayer and example are ours to imitate. His faith brings him to trust in God’s promises, His law, which demonstrates God’s perfect justice, and His covenantal love, which knows no end. The same God the writer cries out to is the same Lord whose strong arm rules with complete power today. If we ever need to be reminded of God’s transcendence and sovereignty, especially in a world where wickedness and confusion rule the day, look no further than the Bible. Like in the days of Noah, right up until the flood, evil seemed to be winning. There were 400 years of silence from God’s prophets before the Light of the World broke through. Then everything changed. Jesus came in the silence of night, unassuming, as a baby. The King is coming again but this time, all the world will know it. He will come as a warrior on a white horse. In the end, the psalmist’s prayer is fully answered in the future deliverance of God’s people at the end of Time. This too, is our great hope, as we look back on God’s past faithfulness, His present help and future graces.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Isaiah 40; Matthew 24:36-44; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Revelation 19:6-16

 

True Riches

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“Because I love Your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,” -Psalm 119:127

The psalmist pleads for the Lord to take action in the previous verse because he treasures God’s glory more than the riches of the earth. No gemstone or precious metal is worth comparing to the greatness of God’s glory revealed in His holy gift. God’s Word is the psalmist’s delight. As a believer grows in fellowship with the Lord, he will see the wisdom in God’s boundaries, His commands, in which we are free to roam. Pasture is good, but so are fences to keep us from harm. Whether it is an outsider who seeks our undoing, or we attempt to destroy ourselves in sin, God has laid out His commands as guideposts for staying on the narrow path. This is why Christians find God’s Word priceless. 

Keep to His way and you will be alert to steep cliffs, falling rocks, sharp twists and turns on your pilgrim journey. We can pray for a love of His commands and for the Holy Spirit to help us obey them. God is faithful to answer this kind of prayer since it is in line with His will. Loving the Bible leads us straight to what, or Whom, our hearts always longed for. God’s Treasure Map shows us the way to true life, eternal life hidden in Jesus Christ.

Grace upon grace,

April 

For further encouragement I wanted to share this song. I’ve been thinking a lot about Heaven lately. It isn’t a discontent with all God has given me here, but knowing something better awaits. Scripture directs our steps back to Eden, through Jesus Christ. Christian, this isn’t our home. Don’t drop your anchor here. We’re almost Home.