Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 82

The Church is Like the Mall Food Court

Have you ever noticed the international flavor of the food court at your local mall? If it’s anything like ours, choices abound from all over the world. Italian, Chinese, Tex-Mex, Japanese, and Cajun. It’s a veritable United Nations for the taste buds.

Diverse origins, unique spices, specific tastes, they each appeal to different shoppers and satisfy varied culinary desires. Yet each restaurant works together to enrich our mall shopping experience. Not only do they share the same floor space in the mall, they often share seating area, signage, and condiment kiosks. Together they are the food court.

Like the Church, the mall food court exemplifies unity within diversity. (Okay, I admit it. It is a bit of a “cheesy” example, but just go with it.)

Unified Diversity of the Body

Had the food court existed in the first century, Paul may have used it as an example himself. But instead, he was left with using the human body to illustrate the unified diversity of the Church. Here’s a taste from Paul’s writings.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NIV

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:3-7, 11-13, NIV

One for All

God calls the church to complete unity even as each member fulfills her unique calling within the body. In fact, God purposefully joins a variety of individuals together for the common good of the body.

When we each operate from our diversity to serve others the entire body will also be working as a unified whole to grow the body and build the Kingdom of God.

Different gifts from the same Holy Spirit. Different work for the same God. Unique individuals unified by our one Lord, Jesus Christ.

No one but our great God could have designed that!

What examples of diversity within unity do you see in your own church?

 

They can steal your clothes, but not your joy

Discarded clothes piled high on the dressing room floor around my feet. Why is it so difficult to find something that I not only like, but that also fits properly?

It was almost time to pick up my son from after-school football practice so this torture session had to come to an end very soon.  I just wanted to try one more size. Maybe I’d get to leave with a new pair of jeans. Taking my purse with me – safety always comes first – I hurried out to grab that one last thing.  I quickly ran to the jeans rack with store tags bouncing from both my shirt and my pants.

I couldn’t have been gone more than two minutes, but when I returned the dressing room was empty. I was sure I’d entered the right one, but checked the others close by just to confirm. No, this was the right one. Same stain on the carpet.

But the room was completely, totally empty. All of the clothes I had tried on were gone – no big loss – but so were the clothes I had worn into the store. Someone had taken my clothes!

I had to find my clothes fast. I ran out of the dressing rooms and scanned the floor for an employee, but there wasn’t anyone in sight. So I headed to the closest register and interrupted the sale in progress to report my missing clothes, emphasizing my time constraint. She didn’t seem too thrilled about helping me, but agreed to call someone.

After waiting a couple of minutes for someone to show up, I decided I had to take action. I would conduct my own search. If I didn’t find my clothes quickly I would just have to risk a shoplifting charge and pick up Mark in the ones I had on.

I checked the rack outside the dressing room where unwanted clothes get returned. Not there. Next I began to check the other racks starting with the ones closest to the dressing room and working my way out. It didn’t take long before I spotted them. My shirt and pants had been hung on a rack among clothes displayed for the customers.

They didn’t have price tags. They didn’t have security tags. But there they were.  Seriously.

My stolen clothes were found. A super-quick change later and I was in the car on my way to pick up Mark.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. Keep a close eye on your clothes in the dressing room. They can be stolen.

Other things can be easily stolen too. Bicycles. Wallets. Cars. Even your identity.

And we talk of our joy being stolen. But Jesus said the joy He gives us can never be taken away (John 16:22). That’s because the joy He gives us is based on eternal circumstances that can never be stolen or shaken or changed.

Our joy in Christ comes from the salvation He gives. “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).

Lasting, inexpressible, glorious joy! That can never be taken away! Hallelujah!

Have anything important ever been stolen from you? Do you feel vulnerable to theft? Is it reassuring to know that your joy in Christ is secure?

 

 

6 Reasons for Joy

Real, lasting joy is based on our circumstances.

Does that statement contradict what you’ve heard about joy in a Christian’s life?

You’ve probably heard that joy is different from happiness. More than likely, you’ve been told that “happiness” is a reflection of our circumstances, but we experience “joy” in spite of our circumstances.

Well, according to what I see in Scripture, that’s not entirely accurate.

Yes, the Bible says believers can – and should – be joyful even in the midst of life’s trials (James 1:2-4). Because God uses these difficult circumstances to refine our character and purify our faith, we can rejoice in His miraculous work of making us fit for His use.

Believers find joy in our eternal circumstances

But real, lasting joy is also based on circumstances. Wonderful, glorious, eternal circumstances. These circumstances don’t change with the economy or age or loss. The apostle Peter elaborates in his first letter:

 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9, NIV

6 reasons to rejoice

I spotted six specific “circumstances” Peter mentions that should fill us “with an inexpressible and glorious joy!”

New birth – We were dead in sin, but God has given us new life.
Living hope – God will resurrect believers like He did His Son.
Eternal inheritance – Jesus has prepared a place of eternal rest for us.
Protected by God’s power – No one can take us away from God.
Refinement of our faith – God even uses the painful things in our lives.
Love relationship with Jesus – We have an awesome Savior that loves us!

The main Hebrew and Greek words translated as “joy” in the Bible all have similar meanings. They simply mean “joy, gladness, pleasure, happiness” and are used as the opposite of grief and sorrow.  Scripture uses “joy” to refer to feelings that result from circumstances.

So what’s the difference between worldly joy and the joy believers can experience? The difference is which circumstances. The shifting, changing circumstances of this life produce joy that’s fleeting at best. But the eternal, spiritual circumstances, which are founded in a saving relationship with Christ, foster joy that cannot be overshadowed even by the harshest earthly circumstances.

Where does the world usually look for joy? Why can’t we trust our earthly circumstances to bring us joy no matter how great they may be?

 

 

Playing under God’s Watchful Eye

How often are we aware of God as we go about our day?

Right now I’m watching my grandson Micah play on the floor. Books and toys lay scattered all around the tile. He focuses on one item for a moment, tosses it aside, then moves on to another. He pulls up on the kitchen cabinet, attempts to pull a cookbook off the shelf, gives up, then sits down again and crawls off to pick up a book.

He looks over at me often and smiles. He seems to be saying, “Just want to make sure you’re still there, that you’re still watching me.” Periodically, he crawls over and “asks” to be picked up. He settles on my lap for a few seconds, then he wants down again. He crawls away towards a toy, but pauses halfway there to glance at me over his shoulder.

Yes, Nana is still here. Nana is still watching. Nana is close by, just in case.

Micah plays with his toys. Micah crawls around the kitchen. But every moment he is aware of my presence. Obviously he wants me there.  In fact, if I step out of the room, he gets upset. He cries. He looks for me. He wants me close. And he knows the difference.

While my eyes were on Micah, my thoughts turned to my heavenly Father. Am I as aware of His presence as Micah is of mine? Do I regularly seek Him as I go about my day? Do I acknowledge His constant watch care over me?

God watches over His children.

God never leaves our side.

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.  Hebrews 13:5, NIV

God knows our thoughts before we speak.

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. Psalm 139:4, NIV

God sees our every need and meets it. He anticipates our need even before we ask. (Matthew 6:32)

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19, NIV

God never takes His eyes off His children. His constant presence guards our welfare. He meets our needs. But how often do we acknowledge His presence? Do we thank Him for His constant protection and care? Or do we move through our day rarely even thinking of Him?

How can we foster awareness of God? What are some practical things we can do to acknowledge God’s presence throughout the day?

 

 

The God who Heals, Sees, Provides, Protects…

Many of us need healing in one way or another. Whether we face a physical, emotional, or spiritually “illness,” we long for God to intervene, to show His power, to fix things.  And usually we often wonder why He allowed this trial into our lives in the first place.

Recently, God taught me something new through a passage I’ve read many times (See Exodus 15:22-27). Don’t you just love it when He does that?!

Jehovah Rapha

The Israelites were fresh out of Egypt. Seaweed still clung to their sandals from the floor of the Red Sea. They had witnessed the miraculous power of God as their Deliver from a front row seat.

After three days of traveling through the Desert of Shur, the people got really thirsty. But when they arrived at Marah, they discovered the bitter water was undrinkable.  Of course grumbling and complaining commenced.

The people needed for the water to be “healed.” Moses cried out to the LORD. The LORD instructed Moses to toss a piece of wood into the water and it became sweet.  The people drank.

Physical need. God’s divine intervention. Healing.

Our need is an opportunity to experience God in a new way

God revealed Himself as “Jehovah Rapha” – God Heals – through the Israelites’ circumstances. If they had not needed healing then they would not have experienced God as their healer. If there had been no need, their understanding and experience of God would not have been expanded.

God often works through the circumstances of our lives to reveal His nature to us. In the midst of difficulties, we experience God in new and deeper ways. For instance, in illness, we experience the healing power of Jehovah Rapha. In trouble and loneliness, we discover that El Roi sees us, knows our trouble, and cares. (Genesis 16:13). And our needs are provided by Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:14).

Unshakeable Faith in THE Rock

These are just a sampling of the descriptive names for God in Scripture. Psalm 18:2, which is one of my favorites, is filled with beautiful words that help us understand God’s nature and ways toward us.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield, and horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I love, love that God is my Rock. Time and again He has proven Himself to be a Rock. He is my Selah, my firm foundation, my unshakeable place, my safe fortress.

In what ways has God made Himself known to you? What descriptive names of God have you personally experienced? I would love for to share experiences and/or Scriptures with us!Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

If You were Verbed

I learned a new word during Sunday night’s Super Bowl game.

“Kaepernicking”

Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has become a verb. “Kaepernicking” refers to the athlete’s iconic, celebratory, end-zone bicep kiss.  Although Kaepernick did not invent the upper arm lip press, he did make it famous.

“Kaepernicking” – Larry Brown Sports photo

Of course my favorite “verbed” athlete is Tim Tebow.  Call me sentimental, but I get emotional when I see pics of Tebowing high school students trending on Twitter. (By the way, “trending” is another “verbed” noun.)

“Tebowing” – Larry Brown Sports photo

The verb forms of Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow reveal what’s important to each of them.  The verbs show us something about the character of the Nouns.

According to Kaepernick, he started the bicep kiss in response to criticism over the highly visible tattoos on his arms. “Kaepernicking” visibly states that he has the freedom to express himself as he wishes.

“Tebowing” describes Tim Tebow’s practice of dropping down on one knee to thank God.  And he’s not shy about doing it in the middle of a NFL football game. “Tebowing” gives glory to God for the successes and failures.

What if you were “verbed?”

If what was important to you – your character, your priorities, the way you live your life – were summed up in one verb, what would it express?

I’ve been thinking about this since Sunday.  If “Kathying” began to trend, why would people do it?

I hope people would “Kathy” when they dug deep into God’s Word. Or when they shared the truth of His Word with others. Or when they slowed down to show God’s love to someone else. I would want “Kathying” to be a disciple of Christ in action.

To be honest though, “Kathying” might mean you sit at your desk in your pajamas until noon. Or that you visited Starbucks twice in one day.

“Kathying?”

God’s desire for me – and for you – is that we look like His Son. So ultimately, “Kathying” or “Youing” should remind people of Jesus.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

What about you? What do you hope your verb would represent? In reality, what might your verb express?

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What is love?

What is love? If you believe the movies, it’s defined by two beautiful celebrities locked in a passionate embrace. Our culture equates “love” with sexual attraction.

But that’s not real love. That’s just physical desire. And it’s fleeting at best. Like chocolate on a hot day, it doesn’t last long.

Why do we love? If you follow the example of our culture, we “love” to benefit self. We love those who deserve it or those who can help us in some way.

But that’s not real love. That’s simply shallow selfishness.

Our culture – and even ourselves – cannot teach us about real love. Only God can.

Real Love Defined

But God’s Word has the answers. The Bible defines love. The Bible tells us how to love, who to love, and why to love.

Real love is divine love. God calls us to love one another like He loves us (John 13:34-35). The Greek word translated as “love” is agape. It is love of volition, not emotion. We can choose to act in love toward another. Agape is also based on the character of the one acting in love and not the worth of the recipient. God loves us because of His perfect, holy nature, not because we deserve His love.

God loves us because of who He is not because of who we are. He loves because it is His holy nature to do so. That’s why God’s love is completely unconditional. It is based on His perfect self.

God’s love should be our example. Not our culture.

We love others because God loved us first. Even when we didn’t deserve it.

How to Love

This is a tall order. Jesus said we are to love each other like He loves us. Jesus gave His life for us. He put our needs ahead of His own and trusted the Father with the outcome. (See John 15:9-14.)

Who to Love

Jesus told us to love three groups of people. First, we are to love our fellow believers (John 15:12). Second, we are to love “our neighbors” (Matthew 19:19). Third, we are to “our enemies” (Matthew 5:43-44).

Huh. That’s sound like pretty much everybody to me.

Why we love

“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). We are to love others because God loves us. He made us in His image. He calls us to reveal the love of Christ to the world. He is a God of love and we are to be people of love.

Love others like God loved us. Big assignment. But we also have a big, loving God.

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16b

Love. God is our reason, our example, and our enabler.

What do you find the hardest about loving others as God loves you?

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Running with Weights

This guest post by Kari Scare was originally published on her blog “Struggle to Victory.”I’d like to thank Christina for sharing how the biblical truths in “God Is My Refuge” impacted her life personally.

When getting ready to run a 5k last fall, I saw a man wearing a weighted vest at the start line. I’m assuming he wore it for the entire race, but I can’t say for sure as my view from the back of the pack did not include keeping track of this particular individual.

Supposedly, running with weights can improve running time and increase endurance. Wearing weights while running should also burn more calories without having to increase distance or speed. For those of us who already struggle to complete a run of 5k (3.1 miles) or more, the idea of running with added weight seems, well, simply crazy.

In fact, in all of the races I have run during my 25 years of being a runner, this is the first person I’ve noticed wearing extra weights during a race. Most of the runners, especially the really good runners, the ones who run to compete, run with very little on their body. In fact, the front-runner almost always has the bare minimum allowable based on the weather.

As I stood waiting to run this 5k last fall and watching this weighted man who seemed quite eager to begin, I couldn’t help but think of Hebrews 12:1-2.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let  us run   with perseverance   the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,   the pioneer   and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,   scorning its shame,   and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In our physical lives, the idea of running with added weight seems foolish to most people. In our spiritual lives, however, most of us carry extra weight that prevents us from running the best race possible even though doing so is not only foolish but can prevent us from a strong finish.

In Kick Off the High Heals, Day Two of Week 10 in God is My Refuge, Kathy Howard expresses this issue by saying:

“Like the heroes of faith who have gone before, let us rid our lives of anything that keeps us from complete obedience to Christ. Maybe a sinful habit or unhealthy relationship prevents us from fully submitting to our Savior. Perhaps pride or selfishness keeps us hanging on to our own will and way.”

The weights I commonly carry as I run “the race marked out” for me include comparisons, fear and pride. And really, those weights show my failure (sin) to believe that Jesus is enough. It’s my failure to believe that He created me for a specific purpose, and that He will make that purpose come to fruition. It’s fear over my kids not following God instead of my having faith to believe God for their security. And it’s my pride that keeps me from asking for help and from admitting my dependence on Him.

But that’s just me. Perhaps the weights that entangle you are quite different from mine.

Looking further into this scripture, Hebrews 12:2 tells us where to focus after we’ve cast off those weights that trip us up, a focus that allows us to endure the race of our lives.

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.”

What does a focus on Jesus do for our ability to run with endurance? Kathy Howard puts it this way:

“Let’s turn our full attention to Christ and consider what He endured for us. His example will help us throw off any sin that entangles us and run freely toward the finish line.”

Just like any runner wanting to improve her speed or endurance or any other aspect of her running will look to the experts who have successfully gone before her, so too must we look to Jesus as we seek to improve how we run this race of life.

DISCUSSION: What sinful attitudes or selfish motivations or activities hold us back from following Christ in complete obedience?Share and Enjoy:[image error][image error][image error]

The Current of Circumstance

This guest post by Nikki Laven was originally published on her blog “Simply Striving.” I’d like to thank Nikki for sharing how the biblical truths in “God Is My Refuge” impacted her life personally.

It was a white flag kind of day. You know the ones. Where the current of circumstance is so strong you just want pull the cord for the floating device and hope for a tan as it carries you to a deserted island.

Because that’s what it feels like. When your child is sick, the dryer won’t dry, the toaster over-toasts, and the paper boy hits the only wet spot on your driveway. Then you discover your vehicle has issues and your cellphone is MIA and what was that loud crashing sound? Later you receive an email from someone who disagrees with you and as you listen to the news you wonder: how can some people live with themselves? When will they see and where are their mothers?!?

Finally, it was time to write the day off the books. Every muscle moaned as I slipped under the down comforter. I’m not sure if I was too wound up or too exhausted. Regardless, I couldn’t fall asleep and reached for the devotional on my nightstand instead.

Friends, it was as if God had orchestrated the entire day, building to this one event…

She invited me to read Psalm 73:12-26 and I found myself nodding furiously in agreement with the psalmist. He got it. He knew the days. The ones where no matter how hard you try, it’s never enough.

Yet he also knew how to deal with it. Whom to turn to when questions like what, why, or how start creeping in.

My heart began to slow while reading the author‘s thoughts:

“God wants us to take our questions, disappointments, and frustrations to Him. The process of grappling over our weary circumstances with God grows us spiritually and draws us closer to Him. The deeper the intimacy we forge produces comfort and fresh strength to keep going.

Our circumstances may not change, but God prepares us to meet them…Come into His presence. Bring your pain. Allow Him to strengthen your heart.”

Kathy Howard, God is My Refuge: 12 Weeks of Devotions

and Scripture Memory for Troubled Times

I closed the book and my eyes as I finally brought my day to Him. We talked about the moments I had wished for a do-over. I poured out my frustration over this and that and the other thing.

Friends, I talked to Him like He was my unconditional friend. Because He is…

How easy I forget that I’m not in this alone.

I don’t need to have all the answers, He does.

I don’t need any superpowers, He shares.

I don’t need to worry, He’s here.

And as I sat in the peaceful silence, my breaths grew deeper. slower. My heart warmed with each release. And I was reminded why He bids us to come.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

How about you, friend? Where has your current of circumstance taken you lately? How do you enter into His presence and accept His invitation to come? I’d love to hear.

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He is Still Able and He is Still God

This guest post by Christina Burrell was originally published on her blog “Butterfly Kisses and Tasty Dishes.” I’d like to thank Christina for sharing how the biblical truths in “God Is My Refuge” impacted her life personally.

For those of you who do not know our story, we lost a daughter in 2008, and we are currently in the midst of a very emotional adoption journey. (We were one of the families who were adopting from Russia.)

Our daughter who lives in Heaven was named Savannah Grace, and her story can be found here: www.caringbridge.org/visit/savannahgraceburrell

We have named the daughter we are adopting Emma Charity, and our journey to her can be found here: www.emmacharity.blogspot.com

This morning, I found myself on week four of Kathy Howard’s devotional which deals with “Healing”. Day 3 is called “When I am Weak” and the scripture reference is 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. The main focus of today’s lesson was verse 9. We named our daughter Savannah Grace because it means “abundant grace” and we clung to that scripture and the promise that “His Grace is sufficient for us because His power was made perfect in our weakness.” During the rough pregnancy as I dealt with the reality of Savannah’s fatal diagnosis, I desperately needed God’s grace and His power in my weakness. God did not heal our daughter on earth, but He healed her by taking her to be with Him. Would that have been my choice? No. But, do I trust Him? Yes.

So, four years after her death, God reminded me through today’s message that He remembers, He knows my grief, and His love for me is unending. I miss my baby girl daily, with some days being harder than others. The ache and longing are ever-present, but God’s grace and love are even greater and they give me strength to keep going. My sweet Savannah gets to spend her days dancing with Jesus – how I long for the day when I get to join them.

Today’s devotion was a sweet reminder to my heart that “In any situation, God may choose to physically heal or to respond with ‘My grace is sufficient for you’. Either way, He is seeking to work His purposes in your life. Either way, you can experience His power and His love. Either way, God is still God, and He is still able.” This last statement especially resonates with me right now as we trust and wait on God to bring our adoptive daughter home. He is still God; and He is still able; and He will bring our Emma home to our hearts. In His perfect timing, in His perfect way.

One of the Reflection questions in today’s lesson was “Can you think of any ways God has used this situation in your life or the lives of others to carry out His greater purposes.”

This question reminded me of all the “good” He has brought out of Savannah’s life. Because of my loss, I have a greater compassion and I have been able to pray for, listen to, and encourage other women who have lost children. As I have encouraged others, my heart has also received blessing and has been strengthened and healed even further. God used Savannah to teach me the depths of His love and the intimacy found in complete surrender to His Will. God is using our crooked and long journey to Emma to reveal His purpose, His plan, and the comfort we find in abiding in His peace.

My friends, His Grace is ALWAYS SUFFICIENT! I encourage you today to cling to Him. He is your Refuge in the storm, in the sickness, in the hurts, in the sorrows and the tears. He will not forsake you.

I love the song by the Maranatha Praise Band, “You are My Refuge.”



In what ways has God given you His strength when you were weak?

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