Life and Death

I will never forget sitting at the bedside of my friend's brother when he died; the scene was one of the ordinary visited by the extraordinary. Three of us were talking quietly when we realized that Richard's breathing was becoming more labored. We gathered around him, watching, waiting, and praying. When he took his last breath, it felt like a holy moment; the presence of God enveloped us in the midst of our tears over a wonderful man dying in his forties.
     Many of the heroes of our faith experienced God's faithfulness when they died. For instance, Jacob announced he would soon be " gathered to [his] people". Jacob's son Joseph also announced his impending death: " I am about to die," he said to his brothers while instructing them how to hold firm in their faith. He seems to be at peace, yet eager that his brothers trust that He with breathe our last breath, but we can ask God to help us trust the Lord.
     None of us knows when or how we will breathe our last breath, but we can ask God to help us trust that He will be with us. We can believe the promise that Jesus will prepare a place for us in His Father's house.
      Lord God, Your dwelling place will be with Your people, and You will be our God, wiping away our tears and banishing death. MAy it be so!
The Lord will never abandon us, especially at the time of our death.

Trial by Fire

Last winter while visiting a natural history museum in Colorado, I learned some remarkable facts about the aspen tree. An entire tree grove of slender, white-trunked aspens can grow from a single seed and share the same root system. These root systems can exist for thousands of years whether or not the produce trees. They sleep underground, waiting for fire, flood, or avalanche to clear a space for them in the shady forest. After a natural disaster has cleared the land, aspen roots can sense the sun at last. The roots send up saplings, which become trees.

     For aspens, new growth is made possible by the devastation of a natural disaster. James writes that our growth in faith is also made possible by difficulties. " Consider it pure joy," he writes, " whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its    work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

     It's difficult to be joyful during trials, but we can take hope from the fact that God will use difficult circumstances to help us reach maturity. Like aspen trees, faith can grow in times of trial when difficulty clears a space in our hearts for the light of God to touch us.

     Than You, God, for being with us in our trials, and for helping us to grow through difficult circumstances.

Trials and tests can draw us closer to Christ.

Bearing Good Fruit

The view from my airplane window was striking: a narrow ribbon of ripening wheat fields and orchards wending between two barren mountains. Running through the valley was a river-life-giving water, without which there would be no fruit.
     Just as a bountiful harvest depends on a source of clean water, the quality of the " fruit" in my life-my words, actions, and attitude-depends on my spiritual nourishment. The psalmist describes this in Psalm 1: The person " whose delight is in the law of the Lord...is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season". And Paul writes in Galatians 5 that those who walk in step with the Spirit are marked by " love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control".
     Sometimes my perspective on my circumstances turns sour, or my actions and words become persistently unkind. There is no good fruit, and I realize I haven't spent time being quiet before the words of my God. But when the rhythm of my days rooted in reliance on Him, I bear good fruit. Patience and gentleness characterize my interactions with others; it's easier to choose gratitude over complaint.
     The God who has revealed Himself to us is our source of strength, wisdom, joy, understanding, and peace. As we steep our souls in the words that point us to Him, the work of God's Spirit will be evident in our lives.
God's Spirit lives in His people, in order to work through them.

Image Management

To celebrate Winston Churchill's eightieth birthday, the British parliament commissioned artist Graham Sutherland to paint a portrait of the celebrated statesman. " How are you going to paint me" Churchill reportedly asked the artist: " As a cherub, or the Bulldog" Churchill liked these two popular perceptions of him. Sutherland, however, said he would paint what he saw.
     Churchill was not happy with the results. Sutherland's portrait had churchill slumped in a chair wearing his trademark scowl-true to reality, but hardly flattering. After its official unveiling, Churchill hid the painting in his cellar. It was later secretly destroyed.
     Like Churchill, most of us have an image of ourselves we want others to have of us also-whether of success, godliness, beauty, or strength. We can go to great lengths to conceal our "ugly" sides. Perhaps deep down we fear we won't be loved if the real us is known.
     When the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, they were seen at their worst. Because of their sins, God allowed their enemies to conquer them. But He told them not to fear. He knew them by name, and He was with them in every humiliating trial. They were secure in His hands and " precious" to Him. Despite their ugliness, God loved them.
     We will find ourselves less motivated to seek the approval of others when such a truly sink in. God knows the real us and still loves us immeasurably.
     God's deep love means we can be real with others.
Please read Judges 1-3 and Luke 4:1-30

Someone to Celebrate

Many manger scenes depict the wise men, or magi, visiting Jesus in Bethlehem at the same time as the shepherds. But according to the gospel of MAtthew, the only place in Scripture where their story is found, the magi showed up later. Jesus was no longer in the manger in a stable at the inn, but in a house. Matthew 2:11 tells us, " On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."
     Realizing that the magi's visit happened later than we may think provides a helpful reminder as we begin a new year. Jesus us always worthy of worship. When the holidays are past and we head back to life's everyday routines, we still have Someone to celebrate.
     Jesus Christ is Immanuel, " God with us" ( Matthew 1:23), in every season. He has promised to be with us " always." Because He is always with us, we can worship Him in our hearts everyday and trust that He will show Himself faithful in the years to come. Just as the magi sought Him, may we seek Him too and worship Him wherever we are.
      Lord Jesus, just as the magi sought You and bowed before You as the coming King, help me to yield my will to You and to follow where You lead.
     When we find Christ we offer our worship.
Please read Genesis 16-17 and Matthew 5:27-48

Listening To God

My young son loves to hear my voice, except when I call his name loudly and sternly, followed by the question, " Where are you?" When I do that, I am usually calling for him because he has been into some mischeif and is trying to hide from me. I want my son to listen to my voice because I am concerned about his well-being and do not want him to get hurt.
     Adam and Eve were used to hearing God's voice in the garden. However, after they disobeyed Him by eating the forbidden fruit, they hid from Him when they heard Him calling, " Where are you?" ( Genesis 3:9). They didn't want to face God because they knew they had done something wrong-something He had told them not to do.
      When God called for Adam and Eve and found them in the garden, His words did include correction and consequence. But God also showed them kindness and gave them hope for mankind in the promise of the Savior.
      God doesn't have to look for us. He knows where we are and what we are trying to hide. But as a loving Father, He wants to speak to our hearts and bring forgiveness and restoration. He longs for us to hear His voice-and to listen.
     Thank You, Lord, for Your love and care. Thank You for sending Your Son our Savior, to fulfill Your promise of forgiveness and restoration.
      When God calls, we need to answer.
Please read Genesis 13-15 and Matthew 5:1-26

A Multipled Love

When a woman in Karen's church was diagnosed with ALS ( amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), things looked bad. This cruel disease affects nerves and muscles, eventually leading to paralysis. The family's insurance wouldn't cover home care, and the stricken woman's husband couldn't bear the thought of putting her in a nursing home.
      As a nurse, Karen had the expertise to help and began going to the woman's home to care for her. But she soon realized she couldn't take care of her own family while meeting the needs of her friend, so she started teaching others in the church to help. As the disease ran its course over the next seven years, Karen trained thirty-one additional volunteers who surrounded that family with love, prayer, and pratical assistance.
      " Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister," said John the disciple ( 1 John 4:21). Karen gives us a shining example of that kind of love. She had the skills, compassion, and vision to rally a church family around a hurting friend. Her love for one person in need became a multiplied love lived out by many.
How might God use your talents and abilities to serve others in need? Ask God to show you how He wants you to use your gifts for His kingdom.
      Love your neighbor as yourself.
Please read Genesis 10-12 and Matthew 4