Never Out To Lunch

Many times I've gone to the store, only to find a sign on the door.

 

"OUT TO LUNCH — BE BACK AT ONE"

At five after five I arrived, only to find another sign.

"SORRY WE’RE CLOSED — PLEASE CALL AGAIN"

There is one place this does not happen. The throne room of God is always open.

At any time I can call His name — because His love for me will never change.

The key to His storehouse I have received. The key is that I only believe.

  

I've gone to His throne many times and have never found Him "OUT TO LUNCH".

 

He never closes right at five; in fact, He's always working overtime.

        Little known fact about me: I find humor in strange places and various situations, and once my funny bone has been struck, it take me a little while to pull myself back together. Normally this would not be a problem, but I’m a teacher.  So, daily I see things, hear things, and often think things that send me into a laughing fit.  One of these things is the mistaken perception of the seventh grade mind that EVERYTHING is an “end of the world crisis” and demands my IMMEDIATE attention. (O.K. it’s only really funny the first 500 times. After that it’s annoying.) But, the other day I noticed in my wife’s classroom a cute little nick-knack I had not noticed before. (She teaches high school Math.)  It was an apple shaped chalkboard with numbers hanging off it. The message on the board said, “Take a Number: The Teacher is Busy”.

         After a long laugh and a few moments lost in the thought, “I need one of those — Nah, my students would not understand the message”. My mind turned back to reality, we see those “Take a Number” things at the Post Office, Department of Transportation, Ice Cream Shops, everywhere we have to stand in line and wait for service. The one place we don’t get this treatment is in prayer.

         God is always available. At this point, take a moment to consider the provision the Lord makes for our every need. He is always there to comfort, guide, protect, and supply. He has given us hope, and taught us not to worry because He is in control. Jesus taught saying:

"Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." — Luke 12:24-32 (KJV)

         Sometimes I feel like a seventh grader. EVERYTHING in my life becomes an “end of the world crisis” and I need immediate attention. Do you ever feel like that? The state of the world, the economic situations we face, the rapid and relentless changes in the work place, it is ALL under God’s watchful and skilled direction. I have no idea where you are today or what you are facing, but I do know I am facing a career change. I am trapped in the valley of decision. The two questions I struggle to answer are: Who is there that I should be fearful? What can be taken from me that is so central to my life? I am constantly reminded Job had his troubles, as I am sure you also suffer difficulties.  

         Growing up facing childhood, and later teenage challenges, my mother would say, "That's all part of growing up." What she did not tell me was we NEVER get to a place in our life and faith where problems don’t affect us. I have learned over time I can either trust God’s Word and be faithful to Him or I can allow the storms of life to drive me into depression. Wouldn't it be better for each of us to join the ranks of the faithful rather than joining the ranks of the depressed? The Psalmist wrote these words:

“I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” — Psalms 18:1-3 (KJV)

         The simplest advice is often the most difficult to follow but here it is: 1. Enjoy the blessings God provides. 2. Trust that He knows what He is doing; even if He does not choose to let you in on the big secret at the moment you want to know. 3. Remember He will reveal all things in His time. 4. Our “end of the world crisis” does not shock, surprise, or disorient God. Each event in our lives is designed for the purpose of bringing about His will. Wisdom to address the situations in our lives is the direct result of a trusting relationship with the Lord.

Daniel answered and said, “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.” — Daniel 2:20-23 (KJV)

         Although I'm not Daniel, there are some principles that have helped me through a few tight spots along the journey. Daniel prayed earnestly and sought God for the answers to every problem, and he was not afraid to show the world what he believed. For several years now I have been learning to accept, hopefully without question, the things God has allowed to happen in my life. And, eventually the reason is made clear. As my life stands now I am trusting God to develop those things within me that are recorded in 2 Peter Chapter 1. Yes, I know they are lifelong goals, and at times I seem to be caught in the self-control, and perseverance loop; if I don’t give up, God will continue to work in my life. The really good news is according to Peter, these belong to all who have obtained the same precious faith.

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 1:5-8 (KJV)

         You might easily recognize part of that list of attributes as the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. The Holy Spirit has been cultivating fruit in our lives since the moment we accepted Christ as our personal savior. The result of spiritual growth is a deeper more sensitive awareness to spiritual matters in daily life. One of these issues for me has been to recognize some of the demands God has made with regard to service. I'm not sure if I can really call them demands because He still honors my free will, but God asks for submission in three areas: Time, Testimony, and Talent. Each area demonstrates to the world around us how we live our faith. Each area demonstrates our level of dependence upon God to supply whatever we need in every situation. How frequently and fervently do we call upon Him? How deeply do we depend upon Him? Do we take God for granted in our lives? 

         God has promised never to leave us. He has promised to supply all our needs and our FAITH can access the POWER of God. Still, life is filled with circumstances that stress and pressure us. All these problems are the needling annoyances Satan uses to distract us from serving God.  Time is, for me, by far the most precious gift I have to offer God. The difficulty lies in all the others who are screaming for a moment of my time. Testimony, at least here in the finiteness of my empty mind, can be understood as free will offerings of both money and praise. My testimony is how the world judges the investment I am making in the “Kingdom of God”. What does my life say about the God I serve? How well do I represent the Christ of the cross? Do I “put my money where my mouth is”?

         The third aspect of our devotion and giving is: Talent — natural ability or giftedness used to accomplish a task. What an abstract and misunderstood concept. As Christians we often employ the excuse: “I’m just not talented in that area” to disqualify ourselves from service. Why is it so difficult for us to believe God desires to use us to bring glory to His name? I have observed many talented people and come to this simple conclusion — Talent begins as a spark of interest — Is fanned into a flame through continued practice — Becomes a raging bonfire through commitment and continued growth. God gifts those who make themselves available. God is never out to lunch and He will use anyone who will answer the call with a life available for service.

Problems...Problems...Problems

Job 13:15-17 “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. ¹⁶ “This also will be my salvation, For a godless man may not come before His presence. ¹⁷ Listen carefully to my speech, And let my declaration fill your ears.” (NASB)

Problems…Problems…Problems

The week is winding down, but the speed of the spinning “hands of time” seem to be revving up. The mounting demands placed on me by others, and the overwhelming flood of pain in my body has slowed my response time. And, now I’m feeling the pressure of not accomplishing the goals I set for myself.

Sound familiar?

More often than we would like to admit we blame our problems on outside sources. Sometimes God even gets the blame. Over-zealous Christians judge and point fingers and say, “Problems are the result of sin.”

That was not the case for Job, and it’s not necessarily the case in our lives.

Psalm 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. (KJV)

It is, perhaps a bit, presumptuous of us to declare ourselves righteous. So three questions can answer the issue from God’s point of view.

                Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior?

                Do you strive daily to live for Christ?

                Are you quick to repent when you fail?

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)

When we are overwhelmed, burning the candle at both ends, riding the PROBLEM-GO-ROUND with no apparent way to stop God is there waiting for us to listen to Him.

Job 37:14

Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. (KJV)

Exodus 14:13

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. (KJV)

God will deliver us…His love promises it…He does not disappoint.

Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (KJV)

Sea of Uncertainty

This is among some of my first explorations into writing and is from a month long devotional I have never published. The reason I share it today, simply: It follows the theme of re-establishing a vibrant relationship with God.

Lost in a sea

of uncertainty.

The cold wind

slices to the bone,

and here it seems

that only pain is

 known. Unable

 to see why I have come here, or what I am to do. Nothing that

I hear makes it any clearer. The fog is thick, but my compass

appears in fine order. Yet, nothing that I do ends the way I

plan. This storm blew up from nowhere; and minutes before

 it, hit my course was charted and well planned. The storm has

come and with it uncertainty;

why can't my course be clear

 to me? I do not

think I have forgotten

anything. I have not

misplaced any point.

Or, have I not done

something that is

important to the

sailing of my ship?

I am doing nothing

differently, still

nothing is the same.

No matter what I do; my ship

will not respond as it once did. Can someone tell

me what I have forgotten? Oh, yes I remember. Christ died for me.

         I've been a Christian for several years. The last few of those years have been increasingly difficult. It seemed that everything in my life was upside down. My Christian walk started smoothly, but as I pressed on toward the mark of the high calling, things became a little confused. My walk seemed to become cyclical and the same lessons reappeared again and again.

         As I continued in Bible study, I found that I was not the only one to suffer this type of circular walk. The Israelites have, through the course of history, always gone back and forth, round and round, up and down in their relationship with God. Even the disciples had problems with their faith. I guess I thought it should be different for me. After all, that was then and this is now. Everything in our society is instant.

         The issue we face is this: God does not change to fit society. We, as his children, are called to line up with His program; however, we are still under construction in matters of faith. The question, which shapes our lives, must be answered by a personal response to the word of God. Our faith will be expressed in our unique cultural context, but our response must reflect biblical truth.

         We must all learn the same lessons, exercise the same belief in God and His promises that any other generation has; however, modern faith will not re-establish ancient culture.  Our faith will reflect our life situations based on divine truth and personal relationships. It is one thing to know the Bible, and it is quite another to practice what the Bible teaches. When we begin to realize that this life is a Faith walk, and NOT a Cakewalk, or as we begin to practice all that the word of God teaches, we will learn the secret of the easy yoke. I must confess — I have not arrived at that destination yet, but I am beginning to work out my salvation. Uncertainty only comes into my life if I begin to doubt God cares and is involved in my life.

         We all act like spoiled children when the trial we face persists longer than we think it should. As I stated before, this is not a new problem. Just take a look at the reaction of Jesus' first disciples while they were making their way through the Sea. The story is recorded in Mark chapter four.

         Remember they had been with Jesus all that day and had heard Him teaching about the Kingdom of God. His closest followers did not even recognize His authority over the natural world until they had a serious, even life-threatening, problem.

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” — Mark 4:35-38 (KJV)

         Although the disciples asked the question we all need the answer to: “Do You not care?” Reading the rest of the story reveals the eternal truth: Jesus is concerned and will take action in all the events of our daily lives. This truth has brought me to understand in greater detail the passage beginning in Isaiah 43:16. God in the past moved with signs and wonders to come to the defense of His chosen people. Will He do any less for us today?

Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. — Isaiah 43:16-19 (KJV)

         There is not a single situation in our culture to which God will not, or has not already, provided the answer. God has continually worked at calling His people back into right relationship. And, that relationship is one of faith and trust. It is also a lovingly close relationship, as father and son. When we live out our faith in that relationship we are posed to experience life in a new vibrant way. The power and presence of God demonstrated within the context of our lives will refresh us, revive us, and clear up all our uncertainty.

"Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory." — Isaiah 46:12-13 (KJV)

         We have God's promises; isn't it time we begin to act on them? The only way we can respond is to dig deeper into the storehouse of God's wisdom, which is the Bible, spend more time in prayer, and believe God to move with supernatural power on our behalf. I am calling on any believer who wishes to see this society changed, for the better, to step out, lift high the banner, and join the spiritual battle. The battle for the minds and hearts on this generation is won or lost in our commitment to scripture, and relationships with God and fellow Christians.

         As we respond we must remember these four things. 1. Don't join the fight on the

Devil’s terms. 2. Don't get caught by the enemy of your soul fighting in the natural — This is a Spiritual battle. 3. Spend time with the Lord, and allow Him to direct your actions. 4. God has the wining battle plan.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. — 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (KJV)

            Spiritual battles are never won when they are being fought according to conventional wisdom. The problems of our society are spiritual; yet, we attempt to overcome them with weapons crafted in the natural realm. Rather than addressing the root problem — Sin, we boycott bookstores that sell pornographic materials rather than upholding the standards of righteousness, peace, and love. We resort to violence to overcome abortion. All of this is done while we misquote, and mishandle the word of God. For me it's too much, I need to rediscover Christ. I need to look back and find my first and greatest love. My mind is plagued with this one searing question. Why don't I understand the mission any more? The answer for me may be found in the fact that there has been no purpose in all my striving. Even now I am taking the first steps toward rediscovery. Will you join me on this journey?