Beyond My Reach

Have you ever made an attempt at something you wanted so badly to succeed that you found yourself grasping at straws? The feeling of not wanting to start over, or not being able to face failure can be overwhelming. To prevent these impostors overtaking our hearts we reach for anything to comfort our minds and calm our spirits. This is ironic in that "grasping at straws," means trying to find some way to succeed when nothing you try is likely to work.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian Church stated, "Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to the things which are before I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14). 

We reach for things that are temporal and satisfying to our natural affections. These things tend to be like moving targets. Today it is my finances, maybe tomorrow it will be my health. I am not attempting to down play the need for either but if we could just gain a focus on the things that will never move. The calling of God is without repentance. But as the people of God we can not walk into our calling without repentance. Reaching for that unmovable peace that can only be provided by relationship with God is a noble effort that will be both successful and worth all of the effort.

Know the Word

As the weather changes and the warm months return, outside noise levels increase. Earlier this week I came to a stop at a traffic light. I heard the sound of secular music coming from a car sitting in traffic with me. I noticed the music was so loud that it made it difficult for me to hear my own music playing inside my vehicle. Although I had my windows closed tightly, those sounds still bled through. I would have drifted into listening to the words of the song being played outside if I had not concentrated on the words of the songs playing through my own speakers.

I began to reflect on the situation. I notice that spiritually we are challenged by the very same things. The sounds of the world are all around us. Those sounds are sometimes so loud that they threaten to drown out the sounds of God's Word speaking to our hearts.  If we allow the sounds of the world to infiltrate our environment and we begin to listen, we will find that we no longer have the ability to defend against the tricks and stumbling blocks of the enemy. Sometimes our finances are stretched to a point of being insufficient. We may not always feel our best. We may even find that we have been stricken with sickness or disease. Our loved ones may continue to live apart from God. We must remember that we are considered the brothers and sisters of Christ (Mark 3:35). We are called the chosen (John 15:16). We have access to the promises of God through Christ Jesus our Lord (Gal. 3:16). And most of all, God is sovereign (1Cor. 8:4). He is in control of every situation that seems in or out of control to us (Matt. 28:18).

His Word says, to repent and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). These are the words that define who we are and how we are to present ourselves to a dying world. To be born again and no longer feeding the desires of our flesh. Being crucified with Christ, makes us aware of an old life and the acceptance of new life in Christ Jesus.  The Word of God in our hearts makes us aware of the dangers in the world and power to be protected from them. We must meditate (purposely think) on His Word day and night. When the sounds of the world began to ring louder than the Word that proceeds from our hearts we can do a few things to help us endure. We can increase the volume (Isaiah 58:1). We can remind ourselves that we know the Word even if we can't hear the music (Ps. 119:11).  And we can trust that the Word we have is able to keep us above and beyond all life's situations (Ephesians 3:20). Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not to your own understanding and He will direct your paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

Complete the Course

It was a cold winter morning. We were gathered outside in the early morning air. We waited anxiously for the formation to be called to attention; standing there shivering in thin sweat pants and a light jacket. While we were waiting the question traveled through the crowd, "How far are we running this morning?" One person would say, "I heard two miles." Another would chime in, "I heard five." No one really knew. All we could be assured of is that once we started we were expected to finish. It did not matter how far the finish line was from the starting point. A soldier is expected to complete the course regardless of the terrain or distance. Soon the company is called to attention. The instruction is given to turn, "right, face." And the run begins. With great anticipation we watch the turns and route choices to figure out how far we are going and as a result how long we will have to endure the climate before we return to the warmth of a shower and clothing more suitable for the temperature. Down the street towards the front of the post we go. If we turn left the only destination is off post into the streets of Mannheim to return 30 to 45 minutes later. If we turn right it is only a short time compared to the alternative. Fifteen minutes at the most. We follow the direction of the Sergeant in charge listening to the cadence and singing along to distract us from the conditions in under which we are subjected. We carry on only to pursue the finish at this point because there was no looking back.

Much of our Christian journey is marred by the questions, Where? When? How long? Regardless of the place, season or length of time we are encouraged to complete the course (Acts 20:24). Today we face a trial that has never been seen before, but we do know there is a finish line. The soldier is encouraged to look forward to an objective (Phil. 3:13). When that is done he is then expected to use his energy and apply his effort towards meeting that objective thereby bringing his course to completion (1Cor. 9:26-27). Believers have one goal. That goal is to get to the place in God that has been established in Christ Jesus, Heaven. We strive to be in His presence; having peace with God our Father which is obtained through Jesus' shed blood. This we know can only be done through faith. That is mark the Apostle Paul set before himself. That is the goal he placed before those who ran as he encouraged them to turn towards Christ and pursue the finish line of Heaven. The cadence of the Preached Word and the melodic sounds of the promises of God are enough to distract us from the conditions under which we exercise our faith. If we have repented of our sins and applied our hearts to faith, keep running. The end is nearer than it has ever been (Rom. 13:11). He is able to give the strength and endurance to complete the course He predestines for us all.

Make it Happen

Necessity, who is the mother of invention.

This quote by Plato, Greek author and philosopher, from his work The Republic has served as inspiration to many. Necessity is defined as, an imperative requirement or need for something: the necessity for a quick decision. Something weighing heavily on the heart with no visible means for a solution creates an opportunity to take action. There are fire stations in our communities because there was a need to have local emergency assistance. There are hospitals because there was a need to address sickness and disease. Shelter is provided for the homeless and programs are started to address the needs of our society. Each an idea born out of necessity. In the Word of God men were moved to address glaring issues but not in their own power or authority.  

(Mark 6:34-37a) And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat.  

The disciples of Jesus were able to see a potential problem. They approached Him in a proactive manner. They wanted to address the issue by sending the people away. Instead Jesus instructed them to take action. This situation opened the door to one of the most notable acts of Christ, feeding the multitude. Your concerns, the issues you see as potential problems have the power to present the God of all creation to a lost, hungry and dying people. That thing God has placed on your heart is not just an idea. It is an opportunity draw people to God through faith in Christ. Let us turn our hearts towards Christ in obedience and make things happen that will glorify His most holy name.

Be blessed.

Honoring Commitments

A FICO score is a measure of a persons credit worthiness. FICO an acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation was founded by Bill Fair and Earl Isaac in 1956. Today the FICO score  is considered accurate enough to determine the likely hood of an individual to pay back a loan. This score is generated by a history of past credit performance. If a person has been consistent with their payments and has done this over a period of time they have developed a history that suggests they are likely to make payments or to return the balance on time.

Acts chapter 4 closes with a description of the early church. The Apostles preached with power and the people gave of their substance. The Bible says those that had houses and lands sold them and gave so that everyone's need was met (Acts 4:34-35). They set a trend that defines the history of the early church. They gave that everybody would be on equal ground. There was no need to borrow because there was provision and all could come to the treasury and make a request. Chapter five opens with the introduction of a man and wife. Ananias and Sapphira were members of this church, but they were unwilling to make the same commitment. We are not told whether or not they had as much as the Rich Young Ruler. We are told they decided to keep back part of their proceeds. They were unwilling to embrace freewill giving. They conspired together to keep a portion for themselves. What they did not realize is that they were establishing their history. They were creating their credit worthiness with God. How could they be trusted with greater things if they were not faithful with the smaller less important things.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much (Luke 16:10). We build our relationship with God on a daily basis. He trusts us with the unsearchable truths that can turn a man's heart towards Him. How is you history?

Willing and Able

Isaiah 6:1-3

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory

After years of living in obstinance, I came to know God. Coming to God requires something of us. Being able to see beyond the natural and look into the spirit realm where a Holy God resides is not a human ability. This ability has to given by God (1Cor. 2:14). Isaiah, had an encounter after a good man died. After the death of Uzziah, Isaiah sought refuge in the understanding of an all wise and all knowing God. He began to look upward. As Isaiah looked to God he saw something. A very detailed description of the throne of God. And not just the throne, but those who attended the throne. Seraphim are angels. He saw how they looked and how they conducted themselves in the presence of God.

The description was of what they possesed and how they used it. They each had six wings. They covered their faces with two. They covered their feet with two. They used the two they had left to fly. I made and attempt to picture these heavenly creatures and compared them to the people of God. They had no ability to see or walk because they willingly surrendered this unto God for His glory (2Cor. 5:7-10).

I can't help but see the symbolism and the irony in these verses. The number six is the number of man. We as man rely heavily on these two abilities. Any person who for one reason or another does not posess the ability to see or walk is considered handicaped. The apostle Paul wrote both about seeing and walking because they are the first reactions of a selfwilled being. With our eyes we see and percieve. With our feet we move about from place to place without regard to God or having our steps ordered. The faithful are able to see God in His exhaulted state and to honor Him with their lives.

While Isaiah was there he heard the question asked: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah responded with the voice of an obedience servant. Isaiah was willing to surrender his sight and his ability to walk for the sake of pleasing God. We have to ask ourselves if we would do the same.

Growth Spurts

It's an awesome thing to watch children grow up. I look at my daughters today and say to myself, "I remember when they were just babies." I watched as my eldest daughter wrote her first paper in high school. I told her she would be asked to express herself in writing more often as she continues her education. She said she didn't mind writing as long as she got to choose the topic.

How much would we like to choose the things we deal with in our lives? Growing is not about being able to choose but being able to accept. We can not always determine what is ahead, but we must be ready to release the things that just don't fit us anymore. If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and savior, each day brings us closer to where we are going. Our narrow faith patterns get too small and we out grow the same old way of doing things. I know that pair of shoes fit so well. You would convince yourself they did not hurt your feet. You probably kept them longer than you should have. Those pants were too short but they were just what you were looking for when you bought them and you just can't seem to find another pair just like them in your size. I was fine when all I had to believe God for was health and strength. I liked praying just once a day. I still had time for everything else.

That's life. The Serenity Prayer states, "To accept the things I can not change and to have the courage to change the things I can." Acceptance offers the opportunity to release and courage presents the opportunity to embrace the new with all of its difficulty and struggles. As a child, sometimes we will have to grow into things. I am God's child and I thank Him for growth spurts. I bless Him for change and all of its challenges.