When Life Hurts

Have you ever been chewing along on something delightfully yummy – when all of the sudden your teeth choose to bite the side of your mouth instead? “Ow,” you immediately wince with pain – and the moment is anything but delightful. Then, for some reason, the next week or so finds you continually biting the same sore place – causing more pain?

Or you whack your knee on that "poorly positioned" piece of furniture – at least its "poorly positioned" when the lights are out – and the bruise seems to attract other “poorly positioned” pieces – or car door's shutting – or child’s feet, and every time it hits that bruise the pains a little worse.

What about the hurtful words? “Sticks and stones may break my bones –but words can never hurt me. . .” Well, it may work for someone somewhere, but most of us don’t have a “thick enough skin” or should we say, “calloused enough heart” that nothing ever penetrates. Words do hurt. For some reason, it seems like hurts travel in “packs” like wolves – or “schools” like fish.

We aren’t going to get through life without pain. We have our “fallen ancestors” to thank for the introduction of sin into the beautiful, then paradise called earth. We too have partaken in the sin which always results in heartbreak. Sometimes we are hit with physical conditions simply resulting from the fallen world we live in, or dealing with circumstances we didn’t create, but find ourselves caught in – sort of like and actor or actress in a drama we didn’t exactly audition to be in. What then?

As I read in Mark one morning, something stood out to me like never before. I found the golden nugget in Chapter 5, verse 33. This woman had been through a life-time of struggle. Physically, there was no doctor who could help her. Her funds had been exhausted – as well as her emotions and her body. When she heard of Jesus she knew. He was her only hope.

She doesn’t give up easily – or just wait for Him to come to her. She was on a mission. Steadily she pushed her way through the crowd, thinking over and over, “If I can only touch the hem of His garment.”

Amazing faith! She wasn’t asking for “an hour with the Master,” she just wanted to touch his garment. Then, when her healing had taken place, and Jesus knew – He wanted to know who had touched Him.

This is what stood out to me. She was so afraid that she was trembling but she fell down before Him and told HIM, “THE WHOLE TRUTH.”

She didn’t try to run and hide, or sugar coat the incident. Right there, in the crowd, she opened up her heart and her mouth and simply told him the whole truth.

The pain we experience has one resting place – the heart of the Savior. He holds our healing or our grace – whatever we need lies in Him.

“Where is the healing when life hurts?

Where is the ointment for my pain?

Who can I lean on in struggle? Then, I recall – He’s the same.

Yesterday, He never failed.

Today, He’s there again.

And I can rely, He’ll be there tomorrow –

Changeless, my Savior and Friend.”

Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it With You

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”       Psalm 62:8

Who You Talkin’ About?

Life is a “motion picture” all of its own. Oh, it carries memories turned into “silent movies” of the days gone by, but the “here and now” is usually anything but silent.

People come with lots of things! Smiles, frowns, personalities, moods . . . Then, at a very young age, most of the time we parents hear something that thrills our hearts! Their FIRST word! Could be, “Mama,” or “Dada” or who knows what else, but we are soooooo excited – for verbal communication has begun!

Communication is a major part of who we are. We use about anything to get it done! Phone calls, e-mails, Face book, Twitter . . . the list at our fingertips is long, while the goal is singular – communicate.

Words are one of our most primary means of communicating. However, often words come out of our mouths before we stop to realize the effect they will have on us and others. What we say is very important. The Psalmist gives a prayer of his heart in Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Acceptable in His sight – wow! That prayer given and answered becomes more than “just a prayer” it becomes a lifestyle.

In Psalm 105 we are admonished to, “Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name . . .” What a way to lift our spirits. Think of all the wondrous things He’s done . . . again and again.

Across my mind comes a chorus I learned as a child:

“Let’s talk about Jesus, the King of Kings is He.

The Lord of Lords Supreme, through out eternity.

The Great I Am, the Way, the Truth the Life the Door,

Let’s talk about Jesus more and more.”

Some things aren’t worth repeating – it’s true – but one thing for certain, talking of the wondrous ways of our God makes our communication worthwhile. God Himself takes notice when we meditate on Him – and speak to others of how awesome and wonderful He is! How do I know . . . His Word says so! Take special note of the “take it with you” verses today . . . let’s lift up Jesus!

Take it With You

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heart them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I make them My jewels, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’” (Malachi 3:16,17)

For Every, "I Don't Know"

“What should I do about this?” “I don’t know, babe” came my husbands reply. . . and so I was left to ponder for a moment at my circumstance.

Walking to the hallway of the church someone met me with news that saddened my heart and left my mind wondering . . . “What do we do about this?”

Only One knew the answer . . . so we went to Him . . . together. Asking for HIS help, HIS intervention. We’ve been there many times before, and every time we go to Him, He is there.

He is our peace – He holds our wisdom – contains the strength to carry us when ours is gone – that’s our Jesus.

He’s the One to hold us up when the rest of the world has let us down. In the middle of the storm, He doesn’t abandon us – but sometimes leads us to the center before He leads us out – just so we can know and remember – He brings calmness wherever He is. The uncertainty of circumstances us teaches us just how CERTAIN He is – for when we look around, and everything else is shaking – He remains, the ROCK.

Every, “I don’t know” has an answer in “I Am.” Oh, yes. He is well aware of each detail of our lives. His care is deeper than any other. His love is more powerful than any other love – and reaches deeper into forgiveness than anything we have ever done. He is our God. He is I am

“What should I do about this?” Take it to Him and trust. He is the One with the Answer.

No one understands like Jesus;

He’s a Friend beyond compare.

Meet Him at the throne of mercy;

He is waiting for you there.

No one understands like Jesus

When the days are dark and grim.

No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;

Cast your every care on Him.

                                            John. W. Peterson

Take it With You

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”

Matthew 24:35

Come Hungry

Come hungry! Those two words suggest something else at the end of the invitation -- especially if someone is inviting you over to their house. You’re pretty sure they are going to make certain they have enough food of some kind to fill you up.

When I was a young girl, our family received an invitation to come to the home another family. We didn’t know them very well, and the time of day we were invited to come left my mother uncertain as to the purpose of the visit. Were we coming for dinner – or just to get to know one another better? She didn’t know, and thought it rude to ask. So, upon discussing it, we were convinced we needed to go ahead and eat something first, and then go.

As soon as we walked in the door we knew we were wrong! The table was beautifully set, and the aroma of a wonderful meal awaited us. How in the world were we going to eat another meal? Yet, we certainly didn’t want our hostess to have prepared all this wonderful food in vain! So, we kept quiet, and ate again. Full? You better believe it! We left EXTREMELY FULL!

As human beings, all of us possess an inner hunger – an inner thirst – a longing that needs to be filled. The invitation of our Lord to know Him carries with it the promise . . . when we hunger and thirst after righteousness we shall be filled. Yet we have to be hungering and thirsting after “right things” in order to be able to be filled with “right things!”

Just as our family would have enjoyed the meal so much more if we had gone hungry, so our souls and spirits can be fully satisfied with Christ when we choose to fill our lives with Him.

Temporal satisfaction is very deceiving. We laugh for a moment in sin’s pleasure, but soon find the emptiness and heartache its aftermath provides. We satisfy our thirst with yet another material possession – or fill our lives with legitimate, seemingly all important, things “to do,” but soon find ourselves in a rat race which never ends with the word fulfilled. The only way to end a day fulfilled is to live it in the fullness of Christ.

Are you hungry? He is the Bread of Life! Are you thirsty? He is the water to quench the inner thirst of your soul. He is everything to me – and will be to you too! Just . . . come hungry!

Take it with You

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

He is With You

Anybody ever had “one of those days?” We may not want to admit it, but all of us have had “days like that.” Otherwise – why would we smile and nod at each other in agreement when those phrases come out of our mouths? We don’t even need all the details – when someone says, “It’s been one of those days,” we quickly connect the dots that things didn’t go as planned – and weren’t exactly, “positive circumstances.”

Recently I read once again that it isn’t our circumstances that determine our outcome, but how we react to them. Truer words were never spoken, but I must say, I am so glad that even the Apostle Paul had to “LEARN” to be content in “WHATEVER” the circumstances! Two things about that excite me. First, as great and Godly of a man as Paul was, he still “grew” in grace. He still “learned.” Secondly, it is possible for me to gain the maturity, the stability, the growth until circumstances don’t have a “long-term” effect on the peace and joy of my soul! That peace and joy is rooted in the One who never changes.

The patience of God is amazing. He doesn’t leave us while we are learning, but is with us, teaching us to trust, encouraging us to overcome by the His blood and our testimony, loving us on “days like that.”

One morning I found myself having “one of those days” before I even swung my feet over the edge of the bed! Exhaustion took over, tears came, and my husband so wisely advised that I just “stay home and rest.”

Throughout the day, Jesus was with me in so many ways. He knew where I was, and why I was at this particular place in time. My two youngest boys were home, and somehow, one of them got hold of my older son’s iPod. They couldn’t figure out how to turn the thing off – and came bringing it to me. Would you believe, I couldn’t figure it out either – but, as I tried, this song came on that was straight from God – right what I needed to hear. I was still trying to figure the thing out, when the next one came on – and -- you guessed it, I needed that one too.

The valley wasn’t immediately over – but He was with me in the valley. I found myself singing with yet another songwriter – “Restore my soul in the valley – so that I might be worthy at last to stand with Thee on the top of the mountain. In the valley, restore my soul.”

Today, remember – HE IS WITH YOU! Wherever we are – restoration is His specialty and He never grows weary of teaching us to trust Him.

Take it with You

“Restore us , O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” Psalm 80:3,7,19

“Rude” or “Woo’d”

“Have you ever been wude?” My five year old son asked me seriously. “Rude?” I responded. “Well, I imagine I have sometime – although I certainly never try to be.”

“No, not ‘wude’ . . . ‘wude’ . . .” he continued – in earnest. “What?” I was certainly trying to figure out what he was trying to say – but not succeeding very well. Finally he said, with a grin that lit up his eyes, “You know, like with flowers. . . . “ “OH!” I laughed, “You mean like something wooing you?”

That was what he meant – and I was thoroughly surprised! How did he even know that word – or what it meant at age five? Upon inquiry, it had come for a kids video where an older gentleman was attempting to “woo” her widowed grandmother – and desperately trying to figure out what kind of present would be the best.

“You are way too young for that!” I quickly assured him. I couldn’t even believe he remembered that word at five. It’s not like it is used in common household conversation or anything.

After the laughter, this incident sent my mind retracing the steps of my childhood – remembering songs I had heard sung as a child and young person. Songs that used the term “woo” in a different sense. Used as a descriptive way to express our seeking Savior, wooing our hearts to come to Him, to know Him personally.

The word “woo” had synonyms like “persuade,” “encourage,” and “pursue.” Isn’t it amazing to think of Christ in this way? We turned our back on him, and yet in His incomprehensible love, he continued to pursue us – to “woo” us to Himself. He doesn’t offer us a bouquet of flowers – but gave Himself – the Rose of Sharon – to take our place for our sin!

Oh, yes. I have been, “wooed” – and in the words of an old song . . .

“I have made my choice forever ‘twixt this world and God’s own Son . . .

Naught can change my heart no never – He my heart has fully won. . .”

It’s written in “old English” and it for sure is an “old song” but the truth of its words is new again to me today. I have made my choice – FOREVER! As Anne Graham Lotz has been known to say, “Just give me Jesus!”

Take it with You

“. . . rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” John 14:6b-7

Rewarder

Respectfully I sat at yet another banquet. The weariness of my body made it difficult for my mind to capably connect with the speaker. Suddenly, across the screen flashed a scripture verse. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

The Holy Spirit reached through my weary mind to indelibly write upon my heart . . . “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” It isn’t a constant seeking without ever finding. He is a rewarder! He fills the longing of our heart – grants our deepest desires when we DELIGHT ourselves in HIM!

Delighting in someone or something brings a smile to the lips – joy to the heart. There is anticipation to talk with them, be with them, and hear what they have to say – share your joys, your hurts, your sorrows. You delight in them because you trust them, love them, and enjoy being with them.

The relationship we can have with Christ brings an intimacy only known from within. Scripture tells us when we worship Him; we worship in spirit and in truth. We delight in WHO He is. We are THRILLED at what He has done for us – and what He is doing. But our truest worship comes when we can successfully focus our eyes on WHO HE IS!

He doesn’t bait us to seek Him – and never allow Himself to be found. He doesn’t command us to have no other gods but He – and not reward our obedience. He is a Perfect God. Perfect in Love, in justice, in holiness – and forever above all.

When Jesus walked this earth He was a consistent rewarder of faith. Don’t you love the story of the men who literally “went through the roof” to find Him? (Mark 2:1-12) Their belief in who He was and what He would do for their friend ignited a passion that took them beyond all odds to get to Him. The crowd was too much for them to get “through” but they still found a way. Their faith was too strong – the need was too great – they had come too far to go back – whatever the reason, they would NOT be deterred for the reason they came.

Was Jesus amused at the response around Him when they literally came through the roof? I have no idea if He was amused, or amazed, but He was faithful. He responded to their faith by rewarding it. The man was forgiven of his sins . . . AND healed!

Make no mistake about it. Our God takes notice when we seek – He sees our faith – even as small as mustard seed. He sees, He smiles, and He rewards!

Take it with You

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son your sins are forgiven you.” (Mark 2:5)