Pause Before Reacting

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

That was the title and verse from a recent Proverbs 31 devotional by Lysa TerKeurst that I got in my e-mail.  It came at the most needed of times. 

I have begun to realize what Paul meant in Colossians 3:22-24:

²²Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

I find myself being more careful to guard my tongue, because I have seen “Christians” rip people to shreds for no reason whatsoever.  James 3 goes into great detail as to why Christians should watch what they say.  Harsh words shouldn’t be tossed about so lightly.  Not only can they destroy the respect someone has for you, they can destroy a part of the person on the receiving end.  And they can destroy your testimony if witnessed by a non-Christian.

Proverbs 10:19-20 (New International Version)

   ¹⁹ When words are many, sin is not absent,
       but he who holds his tongue is wise.

 ²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
       but the heart of the wicked is of little value. 

Proverbs 11:11-12 (New International Version)

  ¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
       but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

 ¹² A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor,
       but a man of understanding holds his tongue.

Proverbs 12:18 (New International Version)

  ¹⁸ Reckless words pierce like a sword,
       but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:4 (New International Version)

  ⁴ The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
       but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 17:27-28 (New International Version)

  ²⁷ A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
       and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

 ²⁸ Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
       and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Proverbs 18:20-21 (New International Version)

  ²⁰ From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled;
       with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

 ²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death,
       and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 21:23 (New International Version)

  ²³ He who guards his mouth and his tongue
       keeps himself from calamity.

 

Happy 64th Birthday, Dad. Miss you.

John Day 11: Triple Wow

Text:  Mark 9:2-10

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone.  There He was transfigured before them.  His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.  And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.  Let us put up three shelters (tabernacles – me) – one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud:  “This is my Son, whom I love.  Listen to Him!”

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.  They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

Stop and Consider

1.  Where has God taken you personally to transfigure your perception of Him?  What scenes, images, and memories attest to His total “otherness” – to His transcendence of man?

Shady Valley, TN

Shady Valley

Beaverdam Creek

Beaverdam Creek

Cades Cove – Great Smoky Mountains

Cades Cove

Life

2.  What could you do or practice more often to keep yourself reminded that, although He is near, He is far, far beyond us? Spend more time star-gazing with Austin, learn more about places on earth that people rarely get to see, but God does -

Praying God’s Word Today

Thinking of You transfigured before Peter, James, and John, what else can I do today but join them in facedown awe and reverence, worshiping You as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15) – the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by Your powerful word (Heb. 1:3).  Praise You, Lord, now and forever.  Praise You – praise you, Lord.

Help me to never just think of You as a pal, because You are so much more than that.  Let me slow down and take the time to get away from man-made things and out into nature to view the things Your hands have made and the wonders You have created.

John Day 10: Behind the Veil

Before I start this post, I have to say something.  It has been a while since I have posted due to various “busy-ness” that has been swirling around me.  When I opened my devotional this morning to start this post, I had to laugh at the title.  Last night was my Beth Moore Esther class, and one of the things she talked about was how God sometimes puts a veil in front of us so that we can’t know exactly what He is up to.  This devotional was about how He sometimes pulls the veil back and gives us a peek at His power.  Coincidence?  Hmmmm….

Text:  Mark 5:35-43

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler.  “Your daughter is dead,” they said.  “Why bother the teacher any more?”

Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

He did not let anyone follow Him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.  When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.  He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing?  The child is not dead but asleep.”  But they laughed at Him.

After He put them all out, He took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with Him, and went in where the child was.  He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).  Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old).  At this they were completely astonished.  He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Stop and Consider

1. Being in the same room with death has a riveting effect on anyone.  What do you think Jesus had in mind by asking Peter, James, and John here to witness this moment? I think He wanted to let them know that He was so much more than they could even imagine.
2. Is there anything you’ve given up for dead in your life, assuming it was beyond Christ’s power to reverse or transform?  How could He bring life into this very situation? There have been several times when I have felt that way – always in relationships that I thought could never be repaired.  God has taught me that He can heal hurts even when I can’t do anything to make it better.
3. Among other things, this is a lesson in keeping our relationships honest and authentic – our love expressed, our vows kept, our forgiveness current.  Is there anything in your life right now that another’s death could leave unresolved? There are some people in my family who never cease to amaze me with their callousness and self-absorption.  I would love to be able to sit down and talk about how this behavior hurts me and everyone else on the receiving end.  I know, however, that it would not do any good because these people refuse to acknowledge they have a problem – it is always everyone else’s fault.  Every time I have tried to discuss this, I am accused of being not understanding and of oppressing them.  I just have to do as Paul admonishes and, as far as it is in my power, to live in peace with everyone.  Sometimes it means keeping my mouth shut.  Sometimes it means saying a quiet word to diffuse the situation.  Sometimes it means removing myself from the situation.  I just have to trust that God will bless my obedience.  Jesus will handle the rest.

Praying God’s Word Today

Lord, just as You showed Your disciples, You are the One who destroys the burial shroud – the oppressive weight it presses down upon us – the shroud over all peoples, the sheet that covers all the nations.  You, in fact, have destroyed death forever.  And You will one day wipe away the tears from every face and remove death’s disgrace from the whole earth, for You have spoken it, Lord God (Isa. 25:7-8).  You give us freedom from everything that threatens to keep us in bondage, from everything that threatens to keep us from You.

Help me to always remember that.  Don’t let me dwell on past mistakes or hold unforgiveness in my heart.  I want to always live in Your freedom and never be in bondage to my past like some people I know.  I want to honor Your sacrifice by fully accepting what Your sacrifice enabled me to be – joyous, happy, forgiven, holy, righteous, clean, pure.

Updates Coming Shortly

Sorry for the LONG pause between posts. Work has been hectic, as has home lately. I will be working on posts soon. I have not fallen off the face of the earth.

John Day 9: Ambush at Dawn

Text:  Mark 1:35-39

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.  And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.  When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”

But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”

And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

Stop and Consider

1. Notice that these “companions” of Jesus had not been called disciples yet.  What do you think was still missing from their carton of character traits before they could legitimately be known as learners and pupils of the Messiah?  They did not truly understand that He was God in human form.  They still saw themselves as on the same level, as evidenced by the way they scolded Him for “sneaking away.”
2. What keeps any of us from putting higher value on the times we spend with the Lord in solitary places?  Most times we are too distracted to just sit and be with God.  We also have a hard time focusing on Someone we can’t see, so our minds tend to wander to other things.  We may not feel like we are accomplishing much since we can’t physically see, hear, or feel God’s response most times.  And to be quite honest, most of us would rather not spend time alone with God because if we really got to know Him, we would have to face the fact that we are simply living our lives for ourselves, not for Him.  We would have to be honest about disregarding His Word and His statutes and living life the way we want to, not the way He has called us to.  If we don’t really get to know Him, we can continue to pretend that He is the “big grandpa in the sky” that will just pat people on the head and say “there, there, it’s okay” when they sin.  That is SO not who He is.

Praying God’s Word Today

Dear Lord Jesus, I echo Your words to the Father as I approach Your throne today:  “I know that You always hear Me” (John 11:42).  And as I rise up to leave from this place, may I say with You again, “Father, I thank You that You heard Me” (John 11:41).  What a privilege to be welcomed into Your presence.  I never want to tread here lightly.

Help me to not become so automatic in spitting out regurgitated prayers that I don’t stop to marvel at the fact that You are actually listening and that You want me to be listening in return.  Teach me to talk to You as if You were sitting right in front of me.  Let me not worry about finding the “right words” or trying to sound holy.  Teach me to just talk to You as my friend and confidant.  You are already my Savior – now I want the relationship that comes next.  Lord, You know it all anyway, so help me to become open and transparent with You because I need that, not You.

John Day 8: Good for What Ails You

Text:  Matthew 4:23-25

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sicknesses and all kinds of disease among the people.  Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.  Great multitudes followed Him – from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Stop and Consider

1. Perhaps it would take other words than these to articulate the depth and specifics of your need.  Take this space to list what you’re going through and where you’re hurting.  I struggle with worry about finances and the future.  I also want to be in control and to know what is going on at all times.  I don’t like not knowing exactly what is going on.
2. Now think of others you know who are suffering physically, emotionally, or relationally right now.  What kinds of need are all around you today?  Worry and anxiety about careers and finances.  Grief over lost loved ones.  Misunderstandings between family members.

Key Beth Statement That Stood Out to Me

As Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.”

Praying God’s Word Today

Lord, the moonlight will be as bright as the sunlight, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter – like the light of seven days – on the day that You bandage Your people’s injuries and heal the wounds we have endured (Isa. 30:26).  Whether here on this fallen Earth or in the splendor of a new one, I know I will see the sun of righteousness rising with healing in its wings, and we will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall (Mal. 4:2).

Help me to always remember that nothing here on earth will last and that once we are in Your presence, everything will be perfect and we will no longer have any cares, hurts, or worries.  Help me to remember that the trials, cares, and pains of this world are no more than vapors that will pass away, never to be remembered or experienced again.

John Day 7: Scenes on a Sabbath Day

Text:  Mark 1:29-34

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.  So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her.  And she served them.

At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick, and those who were demon-possessed.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Stop and Consider

1. John was a human being just like you.  How do you suppose the sights and sounds of Jesus’ first miracles impacted him and other followers of Christ?  I think it would have awed and amazed them and made them want to be around Jesus even more and tell others around him.
2. Think about the last time you encountered someone who was suffering terribly.  What kinds of feelings did you have in response to their suffering?  Discomfort, empathy, wishing there was something I could do to help, thankfulness for my own blessings, sympathy, and some embarassment that I was experiencing blessings and answered prayers in my own life while they were wondering what was going on in theirs.
3. What would the world think if they could see the compassion that’s on display in Jesus’ treatment of people in this scene from Scripture?  Assuming they may not be reading it any time soon, how could we help them see it in some other way?  Sadly, most people would probably think He was after something or had an ulterior motive.  People are loathe to trust in the good intentions of others these days.  To help people see the love of Jesus, we have to be genuine.  We must be on guard of our actions and reactions so that we aren’t labeled hypocrites.  Again, this doesn’t mean that we turn a blind eye to blatant sin around us and just accept it as a matter of “personal choice” between that person and God, because Jesus NEVER did that.  It just means we have to “speak the truth in LOVE” at all times instead of just merely passing judgment. 

Key Beth Statement That Stood Out to Me:

Jesus doesn’t just love church.  He loves people.

Praying God’s Word Today

It’s only because of Your faithful love and mercy, O Lord, that we do not perish, for Your mercies never end.  They are new every morning, just as they were new on that Sabbath morning so many centuries ago.  How great is Your faithfulness, Lord God of glory!  You are my portion, says my soul, therefore I put all my hope in You (Lam. 3:22-24).

Help me to always remember that I need nothing except Your presence.  You watch over the way of the righteous.  You are a shield around me, Oh Yahweh; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.  Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge.  You watch over me and do not sleep.  You will keep me from all harm – You will watch over my life.  The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me.  Help me to realize that my purpose is to bring glory and honor to You.  That’s all.  Soften my heart toward people who blaspheme and smear Your beautiful Name.  Help me to see them as You do – to feel compassion on them because of their separation from You, because they do not know You.

John: Day 6: A Sheer Show of Strength

Text:  Mark 1:21-28

Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.  And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit.  And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone!  What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?  Did You come to destroy us?  I know who You are – the Holy One of God!”

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”  And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.  Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this?  What new doctrine is this?  For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”  And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

Stop and Consider

1. Why does God often seem to delight new converts with bold, visible displays of His glory, while trusting His older saints to follow with less flowery fireworks? I think it is because He knows that we respond emotionally to tangible things and experiences.  Once we trust Him, though, He shouldn’t have to “show” Himself.  We should be able to sense Him and trust Him by faith.  No, we won’t be able to sense Him all the time, but that is where we learn to walk by faith, and not by sight.
2. How dependent have you been on big splashes of emotion and spiritual splendor?  What tends to happen to your Christian fervor when things are quieter and more at ease? I have been too dependent on emotions and “feelings.”  Much too dependent.  I forget that emotions can’t always be trusted.  When things are quieter and more at ease, we tend to get that way, too.  We get comfortable and complacent.  We get lazy.
3. What kinds of temptations come along with being on God’s “side”?  What elements of our human nature must be watched like a hawk when we begin championing the way of Christ among our unsaved family, friends, and others? Pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, false piety, false modesty and humility, legalism, judgmentalism – all traits of Pharisees and those who somehow feel superior to others and start seeing themselves as “better” instead of merely “forgiven.”  Watching out for these things doesn’t mean that we stop championing the way of Christ 0r, heaven forbid, water down His message and compromise the statutes that God has laid out for us in His Word.  It just means that we need to do so with humility of heart and love of people.

Praying God’s Word Today

It is quite obvious, God, that I have not yet reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of this life You have given me, because it is You, Lord Jesus, who have taken hold of me.  So may I forget what is behind, reach forward to what is ahead, and pursue as my goal the prize promised by Your heavenly call (Phil. 3:12-14).  Help me be drawn to You and You alone, Lord, not just to what You do.

Help me to trust and never waver, even when I can’t seem to see You at work or don’t understand why You are allowing some things to happen.  Help me to reverence You appropriately and seek You even when I can’t sense You, for You have said that You will be found by those who earnestly seek You.  Help me to reverence You for who You are, not what You do for me.

God Will Be Gracious

I have a friend.

A good friend.

A best friend.

A friend I have known for almost 15 years and is practically family.    I won’t name names because she would be mortified (even though she knows I would get a kick out of it), but she knows who she is. 

We have literally been through EVERYTHING together, and sometimes it is uncanny how we end up going through similar things at similar times.  These past few years have been no different. 

We were both in places in our careers where we just either knew we really shouldn’t be or just really didn’t want to be.  I knew it was time for me to find another job, and she, though she loved her job, really wanted to be home with her kids. 

So we both prayed.  For ourselves and for each other.  For a long, long, long time.  We prayed for a sign from God.  Some type of answer one way or the other instead of just silence.  Yes or no.  ANYTHING but nothing.    I prayed for a big flashing neon sign, because I sometimes don’t do well with subtle. 

A few months ago I got my big flashing neon sign.  It came with an awesome new job (and, yes, I will eventually stop going on and on and on about it in the blog, but not just yet ) where I am surrounded by other people who love God and dedicate their lives to doing His work daily. 

And I was (and still am, if you can’t tell) very excited.  And I couldn’t stop going on and on and on about it.  And my friend was genuinely happy for me.  But I know her, and I know that deep down she was saying, “Okay, God, where’s MY sign!”  Because I would have been saying the same thing, except I probably would have told her to shut up about her great new job already if our places had been reversed.  Which is probably why I got my sign first.   

She is a much nicer person that me.   (But if that is ever used against me, I will make sure to delete it from the blog.) 

Anyway, my friend kept praying, and I kept praying for her, and I’m sure a lot of other friends were, too.  And guess what?

She got her big flashing neon sign.

Granted, it wasn’t the sign she was hoping for, but it was definitely an answer.  And it was a DOOZY.   

Which leads me to what prompted me to even post about it on my blog.  This morning during my quiet time I was reading in Isaiah and came to Isaiah 30:18-21:

God Will Be Gracious

Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you;  and therefore He will be exalted, and He may have mercy on you.  For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.

For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; you shall weep no more.  He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, He will answer you.  And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers.  Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. 

God knew what he was doing by making us wait it out – by making us go through adversity and affliction.  His timing is always perfect.  He knew exactly when to give us our signs (teachers) so that we would know the way to walk. 

But God answered my prayer in the way I wanted Him to.  And though He gave my friend a clear sign, His answer to her desire, at least at this point in time, was “No, that isn’t what I want for you.”  Why?  Only He knows.  My prayer now is that I will be sensitive to her disappointment (even as I hope that the sign she got will go a LONG way toward alleviating some of that) and not go on and on and on about what an awesome job she has.   I also pray that she will be accepting of the answer that was given and not just surrender to, but embrace the road God as placed her on at this point in her life. 

Love ya, girl.