This story has been sitting in my notebook for weeks. Half written. Partial sentences. Unfinished.
To be honest, I’ve been resisting writing it.
I know that God is wanting me to share; to be transparent, but I’d rather not.
But then He reminds me of Jonah.
When my oldest son was a toddler his favorite story was the story of Jonah. So we read that one a lot. He liked the excitement of the big storm, the intrigue of the big fish that swallowed Jonah, and the wonder of how after three days the fish vomited Jonah onto the dry land.
What struck me about the story, however, was the embarrassment of it all. Did Jonah really think he could run away from God? And what about His anger with God over sparing the Ninevites?
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? Jonah 4:1-4
Right through to the end, there is nothing commendable written about Jonah. Yet God even takes the bad and used it for His good. Did you know that Jesus used the story of Jonah as a sign for His own resurrection?
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:38-40
On a side note: How many of us are like the Scribes and Pharisees and think in our hearts: “Unless God gives me a sign or miraculous experience to prove He has elected me I won’t believe in Jesus either?”
But I digress.
Back to the story of Jonah, the question is, would I be willing to write/share such a story about myself?
My answer was ‘No’ until I realized that the story wasn’t really about Jonah at all. It’s a story about God. It’s His story. It reveals His character and His glory and when we look at it in that light, Jonah fades into the background, as should we.
So here goes:
It’s Wednesday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m.
The house is a mess. The kids are racing around. None of us have eaten dinner and no one is remotely ready for bed.
Jason had just arrived home the day before from Cambodia and to celebrate his return after a month of travel and to satisfy his cravings for a real North American hamburger we had planned to go out for dinner.
But, as God would have it, an hour before we were planning to leave Jason’s pager goes off for a HAZMAT call. There was some kind of chemical spill at the local pool and help was needed. So we waited, hoping he would return in time so we could still go out for dinner but it wasn’t to be.
Calling to apologize and suggest just making something quick at home instead, Jason soon hangs up to continue his work at the scene.
Walking to my pantry, I marvel at the fact that I feel lighter. It suddenly doesn’t matter that we won’t go out to eat, or that I have to scramble to put something together for dinner, or that I will once again have to get all the kids ready for bed myself – and now even later than normal. The difference is, is that although Jason might not physically be here, he’s back home. Also, I don’t have to be the one to make the decision about waiting longer for him to come home or making something quickly at home – he did. Having someone to share the burden with feels good.
Right then and there the Holy Spirit convicts me.
If I had been feeling alone or burdened while Jason was away that meant one thing. I was a hearer and meditator of God’s Word, but not a doer.
I was not giving Him my burdens. Instead I was for the hundredth time trying to do things on my own, by myself, in my own strength, my own way.
And you know what the sad thing was: - I knew all the verses:
Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
But just knowing the verses isn’t enough.
The Bible says: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22
This means that I have to consciously, actively, daily, come to Jesus and give him my burdens. I should never try to carry them on my own but always take them to Him. He in turn will care for me, direct me and give me a peace that passes all human understanding.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Matthew 7:24-25
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13:17
And of course I realize there is nothing wrong about being thankful that my husband is back home and the Bible even says: Two are better than one (Eccl 4:9a) But that doesn’t change the fact that the One we are to give our burdens, our cares, our anxieties and our struggles to, is God. He is the One who cares for us and teaches us and loves us. He disciplines us and points us time and again to His Word.
How wonderful, how amazing, how great is our God! Mere words fall short.
Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Phil 4:20
Friday, April 28, 2017
Thursday, April 20, 2017
The Bread of Heaven
Nowadays a lot of emphasis is placed on eating healthy foods. Every day there are new articles about processed foods, GMO’s, and too much sugar and the dangers of an unbalanced diet and over eating. To be honest, I find myself second-guessing more and more what I feed my children. Maybe I shouldn’t give them cereal or waffles for breakfast. Who knows?
It’s not wrong to take good care of our bodies and make healthy choices, but still, could it be, that we’re overly focused on the temporal? Our bodies are slowly aging and ultimately will die, or be transformed in a moment when Jesus returns. (1 Corinthians 15:52) Our souls, however, will either live forever or be eternally damned.
Jesus says in the famous Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33
The good news about God’s Word is that there is nothing unhealthy or bad about it. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16
You also can’t overeat and will only get fat in a good way :).
Psalm 1:1-3 says: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
And in Jeremiah 17:5-8 it says: Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
So now we know it’s important to eat spiritual food, the more the better, and God promises spiritual health and fruitfulness to those who trust in Him and meditate on His Word, but lets back up a little. In order to be spiritually fed we need to believe who God is and what He says.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
And there is only one way to come to God.
Jesus.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6
If you are not a believer in Jesus you are abiding in the wrath of God. It’s a very scary place to be in. If you are not looking to Jesus as a substitute to pay the price for your sin you will have to pay for it yourself.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, 1 Peter 3:18a
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
There is nothing that will satisfy God’s wrath against sin except the perfect blood of Jesus.
Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9
That’s why there is something called everlasting punishment. Outside of Christ, God’s wrath can never be satisfied and therefore there is everlasting destruction for all those who refuse to obey the gospel.
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thesalonions 1:8-9
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. John 6:33-35
It’s not wrong to take good care of our bodies and make healthy choices, but still, could it be, that we’re overly focused on the temporal? Our bodies are slowly aging and ultimately will die, or be transformed in a moment when Jesus returns. (1 Corinthians 15:52) Our souls, however, will either live forever or be eternally damned.
Jesus says in the famous Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33
The good news about God’s Word is that there is nothing unhealthy or bad about it. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16
You also can’t overeat and will only get fat in a good way :).
Psalm 1:1-3 says: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
And in Jeremiah 17:5-8 it says: Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
So now we know it’s important to eat spiritual food, the more the better, and God promises spiritual health and fruitfulness to those who trust in Him and meditate on His Word, but lets back up a little. In order to be spiritually fed we need to believe who God is and what He says.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
And there is only one way to come to God.
Jesus.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6
If you are not a believer in Jesus you are abiding in the wrath of God. It’s a very scary place to be in. If you are not looking to Jesus as a substitute to pay the price for your sin you will have to pay for it yourself.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, 1 Peter 3:18a
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
There is nothing that will satisfy God’s wrath against sin except the perfect blood of Jesus.
Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9
That’s why there is something called everlasting punishment. Outside of Christ, God’s wrath can never be satisfied and therefore there is everlasting destruction for all those who refuse to obey the gospel.
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thesalonions 1:8-9
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. John 6:33-35
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Spiritual Malnourishment
Have you ever felt hungry? What do you do when you’re hungry? You eat right? It’s pretty simple.
What about spiritual hunger? Have you ever experienced that? I have. It’s this ache inside that won’t go away. You may try to appease this hunger with food or material goods but it doesn’t help. It often makes you feel even worse.
Most of us eat everyday. But do we have a regular diet of spiritual food? Jesus says in Mathew 4:4b Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
In January 2016 I was struggling. We had been back in Canada, the land flowing with milk and honey, for six months, but spiritually I was drying up. While in Haiti I had a regular devotional time with God, but in Canada, very quickly distractions began to infiltrate my life and my time alone with God began to slip. I spent less and less time in His Word and was unknowingly becoming more and more malnourished.
Then one day, God directed me to a book that challenged me to once again renew my daily devotional time with Him. Although very sleep derived due to a colicky baby, I obeyed and very quickly my life began to change. The daily sitting at God’s feet and eating of His Word, and listening to His directions revived me. As days went by, instead of sighing as my phone alarm buzzed at 6:00 a.m. I was excited to get up and spend more time alone in God’s presence.
The more time I spent with God, the more He revealed Himself to me and the more I loved Him. Day after day I carefully read through the book of Psalms and then felt God directing me to some less well-known books like Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Hosea. After I finished those I went on to study Ephesians, Acts and 1 & 2 Thessalonians. I then felt God directing me to Isaiah. To be honest I kind of looked up against it, as Isaiah is a long book and I thought it would be obscure and hard to understand. Was I ever wrong! The book of Isaiah is an absolutely incredible, beautiful book revealing a lot about who God is, and what He says, and how He deals with His people. It also has incredible revelation of Jesus, which makes it really hard for me to understand how the Jews could read that book today and still deny that Jesus is the Messiah.
Some of the verses I wrote down in my notebook this morning were these:
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. Isaiah 54:11-12
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
That’s just a few of the verses I was reading and mediating on today. Sometimes I feel like I should just copy the whole book into my notebook since there are so many beautiful, powerful passages! I’ve been study/reading/meditating on the book of Isaiah for three months now and I’m still not done.
So I urge you dear friends, maybe you are struggling, sick, hungry, not knowing that you are suffering from spiritual malnutrition. Drink the milk of God’s Word, then as you grow stronger, eat the solid food, let God teach you and grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
What about spiritual hunger? Have you ever experienced that? I have. It’s this ache inside that won’t go away. You may try to appease this hunger with food or material goods but it doesn’t help. It often makes you feel even worse.
Most of us eat everyday. But do we have a regular diet of spiritual food? Jesus says in Mathew 4:4b Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
In January 2016 I was struggling. We had been back in Canada, the land flowing with milk and honey, for six months, but spiritually I was drying up. While in Haiti I had a regular devotional time with God, but in Canada, very quickly distractions began to infiltrate my life and my time alone with God began to slip. I spent less and less time in His Word and was unknowingly becoming more and more malnourished.
Then one day, God directed me to a book that challenged me to once again renew my daily devotional time with Him. Although very sleep derived due to a colicky baby, I obeyed and very quickly my life began to change. The daily sitting at God’s feet and eating of His Word, and listening to His directions revived me. As days went by, instead of sighing as my phone alarm buzzed at 6:00 a.m. I was excited to get up and spend more time alone in God’s presence.
The more time I spent with God, the more He revealed Himself to me and the more I loved Him. Day after day I carefully read through the book of Psalms and then felt God directing me to some less well-known books like Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Hosea. After I finished those I went on to study Ephesians, Acts and 1 & 2 Thessalonians. I then felt God directing me to Isaiah. To be honest I kind of looked up against it, as Isaiah is a long book and I thought it would be obscure and hard to understand. Was I ever wrong! The book of Isaiah is an absolutely incredible, beautiful book revealing a lot about who God is, and what He says, and how He deals with His people. It also has incredible revelation of Jesus, which makes it really hard for me to understand how the Jews could read that book today and still deny that Jesus is the Messiah.
Some of the verses I wrote down in my notebook this morning were these:
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. Isaiah 54:11-12
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
That’s just a few of the verses I was reading and mediating on today. Sometimes I feel like I should just copy the whole book into my notebook since there are so many beautiful, powerful passages! I’ve been study/reading/meditating on the book of Isaiah for three months now and I’m still not done.
So I urge you dear friends, maybe you are struggling, sick, hungry, not knowing that you are suffering from spiritual malnutrition. Drink the milk of God’s Word, then as you grow stronger, eat the solid food, let God teach you and grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
“Thy testimonies evermore shall be
The perfect source of all my inspiration.”
Psalter 428:7
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