The Lord Is My Shepherd

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing..." Psalm 23:1

Time after time, the Lord speaks to me in observing sheep (and their shepherds). Some "reflective" thoughts as I look at this:

A "good" shepherd cares for his sheep much greater than a hireling does. 
He marks his sheep (ear tags or colored paint on their backsides).
He feeds and waters them well.
He stays with them in the storm.
I've seen shepherds gently carrying injured sheep. 
I've seen other shepherds rest on their staffs, keeping watch while their sheep feed in an abundantly green and still meadow.

Each Spring, our family still enjoys seeing all the new little lambs that frolic around. We look with anticipation for them as we see the flocks in fields when we drive about.

Romanian skies are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. God speaks loudly as I drive and watch sunrises, sunsets, streaks of clouds and light. Yesterday He gave blue skies and white puffy clouds, as a family member was laid to rest.

Thank You God for bringing me to this place, this beautiful Romania, and speaking through my very surroundings. Help me to remember to enter into your rest and allow you to bring me into it.

Psalm 23
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever."

by Coleen Jejeran, CCEA Missionary to Romania

 

Glorify the LORD With Me

"Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. 
I sought the LORD and He answered me;
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed."
Psalm 34:3-5

His face was radiant, his eyes wet, “Not only did God forgive me, but then He said, ‘Rise and walk’.

Her face was radiant, her eyes wide, “I didn’t think God could use me, but He is”.

His face was radiant, his eyes full of wonder, “He has taken all my sin, and just wiped me clean”.

Oh, how our small group exalted the name of the LORD together that night. Stories of deliverance; lives lived in forgiveness. All His children, turning their faces upward in unison.

We were sitting in a tight circle and I thought, I will stand next to these people in heaven someday. We will stand, side by side, and exalt His name together, forever.

FOREVER...
Shoulder to shoulder, our faces never covered with shame.
Shoulder to shoulder, our faces radiant in the light of his glory.
Shoulder to shoulder, delivered from all fears, crying out,  “Holy, Holy, Holy”.
Together, we will taste and see that the LORD is good!

Until that day, I stand next to them on earth, in this church, in this room, in this small, holy circle.
We  glorify the LORD.
We exalt His name together.
We turn our shameless, radiant faces upward and steep in this sweet foretaste of heaven.

TOGETHER.
We exalt His Name FOREVER.

by Jenna Masters

But God Meant It For Good

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

When we think on the promises of God, do we think about the promise that we will experience persecution? That we will suffer? If you are anything like me, that's the last promise we want to think about. It's the one blessing we want to avoid. But all the prior blessings in the Beatitudes lead up to this one.

When God accomplishes an attitude change in us where we have left self-desires behind and focus only on the matters of God, we are strong enough to face the suffering of persecution. I would offer an observation here. If we are not suffering persecution of some kind - if we are 'flying under the radar' so unbelieving family, friends, neighbors, and work colleagues do not notice us - perhaps there is an element of self-interest or self-preservation still at work in us.

"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
2 Timothy 3:12

Live a godly life. Isn't that what the BE-attitudes are all about? Live a life that glorifies God. Why does that bring persecution on our heads? 

"And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at the time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also," Galatians 4:28-29

From the moment Adam sinned persecution arose from the spirit of the world against the Spirit of God. Once God made His covenant with Abraham that the world would be blessed through his son, the child of the flesh became the adversary of the child of promise though neither child had yet been conceived. 

Ishmael was thirteen when Isaac was born. Traditionally, women weaned their babies when they were about three years old, so when Ishmael was sixteen Abraham threw a great party.

"The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had born to Abraham, mocking" Genesis 21:8-9

Isaac was insulted - mocked - before he'd had much chance to deserve it. The prophets, too, were examples to us of persecution for righteousness sake. Consider just a few:

Joseph: betrayed with intent to murder. Sold into slavery by his brothers because of jealousy. They meant it for evil, but Joseph later told them God meant it for good.

Moses: slandered by the people he came to help. They disagreed with him, questioned his motives, challenged his authority, and wanted to return to Egypt thereby giving up on God's promise. But God meant it for good.

David: fled for his life from the murderous attempts by the unrighteous King Saul. Though God had chosen him as king, David had to wait for God to vindicate him and set him on the throne. He was a flawed man, yet the promise of the Messiah came through him. But God meant it for good.

Daniel: torn from his family in childhood, was taken to serve in a cruel idolatrous government. Lived his life in godly integrity and survived several attempts to destroy him, the last one being in his 80's when he bore the sentence of execution in the lion's den. Divine intervention saved him. During his life he was the recipient of awesome prophecies regarding the future succession of world powers, the first and second comings of Jesus, and the final end times conflict. He was also a highly trusted advisor to King Cyrus when the order was given for the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple after the seventy years in exile. But God meant it for good.

Jesus: condemned to die by his own people - men who feared losing their power privilege and position. He was mocked, tortured and scourged before crucifixion and endured continued insults while he was dying on the cross. But God meant it for good.

Paul, Peter, the disciples and the early followers of The Way: persecution took the Gospel message beyond Jerusalem to the known world. Their persecution strengthened their souls, and brought comfort and salvation to others. But God meant it for good.

The force of persecution toward believers in Jesus Christ is becoming more obvious today throughout the world. Back in the first century A.D. Peter wrote,

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:12-14

I would be remiss if I failed to bring to mind Peter's admonition in the next two verses:

"Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name." 1 Peter 4:15-16

The spirit of this world hates the Holy Spirit of God and has ever tried to destroy Him - from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane to the Garden of believer's souls. The seal of the Holy Spirit upon us makes us a target in the world's eyes. 

Do you love God? Then you have the promise that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, will bring good out of your circumstances of persecution.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Knowing these things, how then should we live?

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:7-11

by Marilyn Allison

Blind Journey

"Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, 'Do you see anything?' And he looked up and said, 'I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.' Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly." Mark 8:23-25 (NASB)

I love how God takes a small portion of scripture and brings something new to light. How many times I've read this story and missed this small statement. "He brought him out of the village." The KJV reads, "He took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town."

Jesus could have touched the blind man right there in Bethsaida. The man's friends had brought him to Jesus for that very thing.

"And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him." Mark 8:22

Jesus chose to take the man's hand and lead him outside of the town before healing him. The story relates an instance of progressive healing. He could have healed his blindness with the spoken word. He could have touched him. But He chose to give him a little vision at first.

Jesus spit on the man's eyes, then lay His hands upon him. Pretty unorthodox. I like to think the DNA of Jesus was put upon (or into) the man at this point.

Now the man could see, but not clearly. Then Jesus touched his eyes, the point where he needed healing, and told him to look up. And the man was restored.

In reading this scripture, please don't miss what the blind man did. First, he came to Jesus. Next he allowed Jesus to take him somewhere he couldn't see. He trusted Jesus to keep him from stumbling over unseen obstacles. 

He submitted to being spit in the eye. The man and his friends had come to Jesus because of his reputation (aka testimony). They believed He had the power to supernaturally meet their desires, restoration of sight to the blind, They were desperate for this impossible need to be met. So, the act that would be seen by men as a curse, became the avenue of the man's healing.

The blind man stayed with Jesus until he was completely healed. He didn't settle for partial vision and be content with that. Then Jesus put His hands directly on the man's eyes and told him to look up. The man obeyed Jesus and his full vision was restored.

Oh, the blessing of walking with Jesus, of trusting Him to lead us safely "out of town," of submitting to the plan he has, even if it involves humbling ourselves. When we "trust and obey" the door to full restoration is wide open for us.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Jesus and the encouragement we receive from His examples in Scripture. Thank You, Jesus, for leading us out of the world, for revealing Yourself to us and restoring us. Oh, LORD, may we not settle for partial sight. May we cling to You through all the experiences in our lives until that day when full vision is restored and we see You face to face. Amen

by Marilyn Allison

Restoration

'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Several women in my life have experienced domestic abuse, both physical and verbal. It is impossible not to have compassion for them. My heart breaks, my spirit ebbs and flows to try and speak hope and life into their situation.  The church is divided on how to address this issue in many cases. 

I hashed out thoughts on this subject with one of my best friends. I voiced my struggle, “The hard thing is, it is easy to love the victim and want to help them…and we should! But, as much as it disgusts our human minds at times, Jesus died on the cross for the abuser, too. We are called to love and restore the abuser, not just the victim. THAT is the truth of how deep the love of Jesus is. THAT is the test of how much we look like him.” 

My friends eyes welled up as she pushed out the hushed words, “Jenna, when I hear you say that, I think of my abortion and...it’s like…I was that abuser. I was that murderer.” 

My eyes burned back tears. Oh, how I love her. My, godly, courageous, beautifully restored friend. Yes. We are all the abuser. We are all the murderer.  We are all that thief on the cross who needs saving. My best friend, who had carried the shame for so long, needed the people of God to love like Jesus and say, Come in, there is love here for you. There is forgiveness here for you. There is restoration. There is freedom.

Jesus can change anyone. No one on earth was excluded from the work done on the cross.  It hit me: If I feel disgusted that Jesus even offers salvation to vile offenders, then I have no real sense of who I was before Jesus saved me. Bill Hybels reminds us, “You have never looked into the eyes of someone who does not matter to God”.  

Seriously, I've used this quote many times to test my level of understanding of the love of Christ. I’ve held up photos of Hitler, looked into his empty eyes and said out loud, You will never look into the eyes of a person Jesus didn’t die for. There is no evidence that Hitler ever accepted this gift of salvation of course, but was it offered? Yes, by the work of the cross. I only go to this uncomfortable extreme because without it, how do we understand how deep and wide is the love of Christ?  How will we ever be able to understand the power of his blood on the cross?

Jesus paid it ALL.

"Jesus paid it ALL.
ALL to him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."**

Do I believe he has the power to do that? For me? For Hitler? For the wife beater down the street?

Are we intentional in seeking after abusers who want change, saying, There is hope for you! It is imperative that we crowd around the people they have hurt, offering them a safe place to stay. Let us not diminish our distinct, urgent call to aid and protect the abused, as well!

But then what of the offender? Do we never look back?

What if Ananias had not gone to see Paul after he was blinded on the road to Damascus? Here was a man who was overseeing the murder and persecution of Christians. Paul was an abuser; possibly a murderer.

God knew it would be hard for Ananias to believe such a vile man could change. He graciously spoke to Ananias in a vision instructing him to care for Paul because he was God’s ‘chosen instrument’(Acts 9:15). What if he had not been obedient to care for Paul? What if he refused to go heal him as God instructed? What if he did not believe God could restore a, man like that?

Without realizing it, Ananias was a huge catalyst in the spreading of the gospel and the writing of the New Testament - all because he trusted God’s power and was obedient.  He was one of the first people to offer Paul the tangible acceptance of Christ after his radical conversion, even referring to him as, brother.

There are two forces at work here. The most significant being the work of God Himself. God blinded Saul with his power. God must do the work to bring someone to repentance. Ananias had no power to bring Paul to faith.

The second is also the work of God, but, it is Him working through his people.   He used one of his people to give Paul back his sight. We have a role to play.  We must understand God has called us to participate in the restoration of others--no matter their offenses.

I think of my best friend and what a powerhouse of God’s love she is. God is moving and using her life in crazy, beautiful ways to bless others.  And it makes me think, "what would the kingdom of God look like without her?" The answer: not the same. Jesus crafted a role just for her. In His power, I foresee her moving mountains. I have no doubt God will partner with her to bring restoration to other women. She will have the honor of acting as an Ananias.  

What if she had been left to her condemnation? What if she had remained in the shadows and believed her name was ‘murderer’? What if Paul remained the same way?! What if Ananias never said to him:

"Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:17

Oh, Satan would have loved for Ananias to keep silent.  He wants all God’s children to remain blind to their divine purposes.  He wants us to keep our old names.

Remember, Satan is forever bound to his name, which means, ‘the accuser’. He wants us to be forever bound to our condemning names as well. We should not listen to him.

We should listen to one whose name means, “God Saves”; our precious savior, Jesus. He tells us the truth of who we are.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

Let us not be silent regarding this truth. Pull the people around you closer to the foot of the cross. Show them their new name carved into the wood. On the days they forget who they are, engage in the work of restoration. Take them by the hand and go back to the foot of the cross. Find your new names. Say them out loud. Praise God!

by Jenna Masters

**Jesus Paid It All, words by Elvina M. Hall, music by John T. Grape