GOD KNOWS

The Lord giveth wisdom:  out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:6

 

Any amalgam of figures beyond basic sums and arithmetic has always been challenging to me.  When my counselor told me that in order to receive my diploma for a post-graduate degree, the final course I needed to take was Advanced Multivariate Statistics, I almost froze in horror.  I protested long and hard—“This is supposed to be the easiest class I have to take.  It’s my last,” I complained.  He had guided me so deftly for years, and here at the end he was putting my high GPA (grade point average) in peril.

I would like to say Dr. Grey was sympathetic but instead, I think he rather enjoyed my plight.  He tried to ease my discomfort by saying that the professor was someone everybody loved and that I would have no trouble.  (But somewhere behind all the protest, I think a smile lurked.)  I left his office wondering how I would ever make it through that final course.

I arrived early the first day of class in order to visit with the professor that “everybody loved” only to discover that her class load hadn’t permitted her to teach the course.  Instead, I was confronted with a very young man wearing hiking shorts and boots and very new to the faculty—someone who, obviously, had to prove himself.  I really was between what we in Texas call “a rock and a hard place.”

After the first class, with material which seemed vaguely familiar, I took my text home and began studying.  AND PRAYING.  Every page was read and re-read and prayed over.  God had created systems and numbers and ways of interpreting data, so I went straight to the Source.  And I went straight to Matt.  (That’s what our new professor told us to call him.  Not Dr. Matt… but just Matt.)  Every time he had office hours, I was there learning from him.  And I prayed.

Advanced Multivariate Statistics is not the only challenge I’ve had, but I learned through that and other similar lessons that I don’t have to lean on my own understanding when I’m in God’s will—that HE gives knowledge and understanding, being all-knowing and the creator of all things.  We do our part (studying, in this case), and he gives us everything we need to follow him and to do his will.  We must never allow circumstances to defeat us.  He either provides the way through or gives us the resources to resolve them or the grace to live in them.

In everything, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.  I AM NOT A MATHEMATICIAN, but I finished that class with an A.  Yea, God.

 

Father, thank you that you care about all our cares, even those that seem trivial to everyone else.  Strengthen our faith to trust you in all things and to stand still and to see your salvation.  In Jesus’ name.  AMEN.

TIME TO ASK

…ye have not, because ye ask not.  James 4:2  (KJV)

 

Someone has owed me money for a while, and I have been in a quandary about what I should do.  This person is a sweet friend, and I didn’t want to offend or to damage our relationship.  I prayed that God would remind him of his debt so that I wouldn’t have to.  I imagined various creative ways I could approach the issue.

Days passed, and God didn’t seem to be interested in jogging the memory of my friend.  Finally, I bit the bullet and sent a “gentle reminder” hoping my I-phone wouldn’t explode when the response arrived.  How foolish.  In milliseconds, the answer was in my hand, and the next morning the payment was at my door.  My friend has just forgotten.

I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage:  God will do what we cannot, but he won’t do what we can.  I wonder how many times I (and you) have waited for God to intervene in a situation when he wants us to use our common sense and move forward.  Most of the concerns that niggle at us are not complicated, but we let them build up until they become mountains.  Mountains that we’ve constructed with our own imaginations and assumptions.

While common sense seems not to be too common nowadays, God has given us an intellect that he expects us to use for his glory and our well-being.  I’m still in a sense of awe that something I dreaded worked out so smoothly.  I didn’t lose a friend.  He wasn’t offended, and I am learning that it’s essential that I participate in God’s answers as much as I can.

What about you?

 

Father, strengthen me when I’m reticent to speak out in a matter just because it concerns my personal business.  Remind me that in reaching out, opportunities for honest communication are provided.  Thank you for your patience.  AMEN.

STANDING FOR JESUS

But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.  Matthew 10:33  (NIV)

 

A new friend who works in a part of the world where terrorists operate said that they will knock on the doors of villagers asking them to name their religion.  If they say they are Christians, they have three options:  convert, pay an enormous tax, or leave.  If they elect to leave, they do not realize that groups of soldiers will be stationed on the roads leading out of the village to kill them as they flee.  Then my friend asked, “What would you say?”

O’Sullivan (National Review, April 24, 2013) determined after some historical research that “our present age is the Age of Christian Persecution.”  He looked at the early Church and the Church throughout time to make this determination.  I’d really like to think that the world is becoming a more tolerant and accepting place, but the facts dispute that.

The great question is what my friend asked, “What would you say?” if you were asked about your religion?  What would I say?  I would like to believe that we would all stand up for Jesus rather than betray him in a moment of fear.  Jesus said we are not to fear those who can kill the body (Matt. 10:28), but our respect is to be for the one who judges for eternity.

Perhaps we think we’ll never be in a position where we have to make a choice about standing for Jesus or denying him, but don’t we face that choice everyday with our words and attitudes and behavior?  Do our lifestyles betray Jesus for fear of our associates or social groups?  Or do we stand up for him in gentleness and love?

I think about Peter’s denial of Jesus.  On his final denial, Jesus heard him.   Luke (22:61, 62) records, “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”  I don’t ever want to cause Jesus that kind of grief.  Never.

 

Father, all of us have opportunities to stand for Jesus or for ourselves.  Give us boldness to be true to Jesus and strengthen all those who daily must make this courageous choice.  In Jesus’ name.  AMEN.

HOLDING HANDS

When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up–one on one side, one on the other–so that his hands remained steady till sunset.  Exodus 17:12 (NIV)

 

The Children of Israel had their fair share of battles (many of them self-initiated), but as they passed through the wilderness, they encountered the fierce Amalekites.  The enemy was engaged, and, as Moses stood on the mountainside overlooking the battle, he discovered that as long as he held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed.  But after standing a long time, he grew weary, and his arms began to sag.  That’s when his helpers, Aaron and Hur, stepped in, brought a stone for him to sit on, and held up his hands.  The Israelites won the battle.

We all need those Aarons and Hurs in our lives, those people who love us enough to hold our hands when we’re weary from the conflicts in our lives.  They are already there if we’ll only open our eyes.  God noted from the very beginning that it’s not good for us to be alone—that we need helpers (Gen. 2:18).  But in our individualized culture, we’re taught from birth that we must be self-reliant, and we begin to feel guilty when we reach out for help.

We build walls around ourselves, and our pride (We call it independence.) blinds us to the caring that waits to be accessed.  We say that we don’t want to be a bother to anyone when, in truth, we are all interdependent.  “No man is an island, entire of itself.” (Donne)

Let down the barriers.  It won’t be long until you’ll have the opportunity to be the help someone else needs.

 

Father, you told us to bear one another’s burdens.  We forget that our brothers and sisters are there for us when we need them.  Give us courage to allow you to help us through them.  In Jesus our Lord.  AMEN.

SONGS IN THE NIGHT

…Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night?  Job 35:10

 

Several nights ago I had one of those nights that we all experience from time to time.  For me, it was intense pain.  Determining my pain wasn’t fatal, I decided to wait until morning to call for help.  Even though I was suffering, I called on the One who brings us songs no matter what we call our darkness.  He was there, and he brought peace in spite of the pain.

For whatever reason, we’ve built up a strong dislike for darkness.  It seems almost inherent that from childhood we imagine the monsters who live in the darkness and who are waiting to do us harm.  Fairy tales foster that belief, and old houses with creaky floors affirm it.

But Solomon tells us that “The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.”  (I Kings 8:12)   Did you note that the reference quantifies the darkness as thick?  Thick, intense darkness.  To me that signifies that no matter how dark our circumstances, God is there.

What kind of darkness surrounds you?  Financial, relational, physical, emotional…?  You don’t have to wait until the sun comes up.  God is there.

 

Father, thank you for your comforting presence wherever we are in our circumstances.  We trust you to give us songs in our nights, and we await that joy that comes in the morning.  AMEN.

COMING TOGETHER

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?  Amos 3:3  (KJV)

Winston Churchill said that if two people agree on everything, one of them isn’t thinking.  On the other hand, Ruth Graham loved to quote Dale Carnegie who said, “When two partners always agree, one of them is not necessary.”  If that’s the case in our current environment, we must be doing a lot of thinking and needing each other because there seems to be very little agreement on anything.  However, only a blind and deaf person would say that’s true today.

How can we possibly walk (or live) together without unity?  Paul tells us that we should do all we can to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).  He doesn’t suggest that we compromise our beliefs but that we should be agreeable with all people.  We can determine that we will agree to disagree (if it’s possible).  We’re told to “have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; … they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone…”  (II Timothy 2:23).  God holds his children to a higher standard.

Is it necessary to be right in a discussion or to win an argument?  “…love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered…”  (I Corinthians 13:4, 5).  What difference does it make if our viewpoint isn’t praised?  If we’re not recognized as having Solomon-like wisdom?  The highest law is that of love, and love doesn’t fail.

Let us put aside our petty disagreements and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us.  Let’s put aside our ego-centrism so that we start putting God and others first.  This world would be a much more pleasant place, and I’m certain the Lord would be pleased.

Father, the rancor is getting out of hand.  Convict us to love and care for each other just as you love us—unconditionally and despite all our flaws.  In Jesus’ name.  AMEN.

GIFTS

…Unto one he gave five…, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability…

 

One day a rather humorless CEO called in his three top managers to discuss his upcoming trip.  As they sat around the massive mahogany table sipping French pressed coffee, the CEO began barking his instructions.  To the first man, he said, “I’m having our financial officer direct deposit $5,500,000* into your account.”  To the second woman, he said, “The financial officer is depositing $4,500,000* into your account.”  And to the last person, he said, “You will be receiving $1,150,000*.”  He continued, “I’ll be out of the country for quite a while, and you are to invest these funds. When I return, I expect all the funds with a profit.  Is that clear?”

Each of the managers contemplated how best to follow their CEO’s directive.  The first two were more comfortable than the last.  Finally, the day of reckoning came.  The boss came home and called the managers back to his office.  Again, they were all seated around the mahogany table drinking their specialty coffee when the CEO began, “Now tell me what you did with my money.”  The first manager said, “I put it all in equities and made five times as much.”  “Great work,” the boss replied.  The second manager replied, “I invested your funds in bonds, and I realized twice as much as you gave me.”  “Good thinking,” said the CEO.  The third nervous manager said, “I knew you were a hard-nosed financier, so I took the money and locked it up in my desk.”  At that, the boss was infuriated.  “You knew that I’m a shrewd investor and yet you took the money entrusted to you and locked it in your drawer?  For all this time?  Go get that money and divide it between your two co-workers.  YOU’RE FIRED.”

Of course, this is a contemporary re-telling of Jesus’ Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25.  It is not instruction for how to handle money but rather how to handle the gifts that each of us is given.  (For lists of those gifts, see Romans 12:3-9, Ephesians 4:2-12, I Corinthians 12:1-31, I Peter 4:10, 11.)  The gifts are given to us to bless and strengthen the Church, those brothers and sisters we have in the Lord.  And while we’re at it, they can be used to attract what one writer calls pre-Christians.  In false modesty, don’t downplay and underestimate what God has placed within you.  Your gift may be something that not everyone will see or notice or it may be something that must be done with an audience.  Whatever it is, you are unequivocally told to use it.  You may never know how significantly your talent touches another life, but obedience is the mandate.  If you choose not to exercise, or to hide, your gift, the whole Church (not the institution, but the Body) will suffer.

Take time this week to prayerfully determine what special gift God has placed in you.  Take it out of the drawer and dust it off.  Then begin to use it for God’s glory, the blessing of his people, and your gratification.  Not my words—God’s.

 

Father, in all honesty, you don’t need us, but you’ve chosen to include us in your great Church.  Embolden us to present to you those gifts you’ve given us to use as you will.  In Jesus’ name.  AMEN.

 

 

*These funds are conversions based on the average U.S. manager’s annual salary in multiples of 1, 2, and 5.