Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Our Desperation

When was the last time you cried out to God in desperation? 

There have been numerous times I have cried out in desperation, whether it was for the salvation of someone, the healing of a relative, parenting wisdom in a crisis, or while caught in a terrible storm driving or running or climbing Pike’s Peak.

Sometimes it might seem like God isn’t listening, but He always hears and has a plan, just like when the Canaanite woman desperately called out to Jesus to heal her daughter.

Matthew 15:22-28          “A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him [Jesus], crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.’ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’ The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she cried. He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”  Matthew 15:22-28

Jesus used this time of desperation in the woman’s life to teach her, the disciples and us today some valuable lessons. So, the next time you and I are desperately crying out to God for help, let’s remember He may have several lessons for us to learn as we await His answer. He isn’t ignoring us, but there with us!

Alice

Proverbs 10:13 and 12:11

In lips of one being perceptive (bin) is found skill,
  And a rod to the back of one who lacks heart.

One serving his ground bread satisfies,
  And one hunting empties lacks heart.

These two proverbs are only linked in the use of the phrase, “lacks heart”. It’s a phrase that occurs in Proverbs eight times in the Hebrew (chaser-leb), a combination of Strong’s H2638 and H3820. This phrase serves as part of the definition of “heart” in Proverbs. People who behave or think in certain ways don’t have heart.

Heart, in this sense, can’t be the seat of the emotions, as is commonly used in English. It is more consistent with Scripture to consider it the “core” of a person, or their ability to continue in the face of adversity. This is brought out through these two Proverbs.

In the first one, Proverbs 10:13, one lacking heart is contrasted with one who is very perceptive in what they say (lips). The perception might be one who understands how words affect others, and they use that as a “skill” (chokmah). This positive statement would imply a positive use of words, not for manipulation. So, this person understands the power of words, and uses them to “heal”, or at least for good moral purposes.

The second Proverb, 12:11 contrasts two people pursuing different goals. The first serves his ground. This is one who sees himself as the servant, not master, so there’s an attitude difference. It does not require the resentment that a person from our culture would naturally feel. It doesn’t exclude it either. This person serves his ground, which is different than serving another person. In this instance, the service directly benefits the servant (which is kind of the point).

The benefit is that this person is satisfied with bread, a common Hebrew euphemism for food in general. The work serving the ground reaps the benefit of being fed. The obvious direct correlation between work and provision is what is contrasted with the next line, one “hunting empties”.

The problem with the person described in the second line is in what they pursue or hunt. The focus of their effort is “empties”, a plural Hebrew word (H2638) referring to empty holes or lives, literally or figuratively. What they are actively trying to achieve is without value. Perhaps this can be seen in one who collects things no one else wants and are therefore without value. They end their lives with junk. The “evil” in this has more to do with the opportunity-costs involved. In this contrast, they didn’t choose to pursue service to their ground. There can be other options which would better serve their Creator. Whatever they chose ended up being without value.

The result of this pursuit is an empty heart, in a sense. More accurately, they lacked heart altogether. If the sense of heart here is the ability to persevere, then the pursuit of empties robbed them of the desire to continue. They didn’t do anything because they couldn’t gain satisfaction with what they had pursued. They truly failed to realize that the problem was their choice of what to pursue. The result of such an end is a rod for their back. They are prodded, violently, into action, which they don’t “feel” like doing. Their heart isn’t in it. They don’t “feel it”. Which, in biblical perspective, gains them beatings.

So, the difference between the person of discerning speech and those lacking heart is the choice of goals. Once chooses to pursue work resulting in bread, and the other chooses effort resulting in…well, nothing. Perhaps the rod will inspire a different choice of goal. More likely it will result in resentment of activity. They will do the least in bitterness, receive the least in bitterness, and justify their bitterness without regard to the attitude difference.

These two proverbs serve as a challenge to me, because, left to my own desires and devices, I will tend toward the pursuit of things that do not result in food on the table. I want to fill my time with things that no one would pay me for or to do. They’re “hobbies”. But hobbies are not supposed to be the focus of a life. Whatever their importance, the focus of a life is for the One having given that life to begin with. What purpose our Creator has given us includes our “occupation”.

What empties have you pursued? How are you “serving your ground” these days? How can we encourage each other to greater pursuits?

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Our Doubts

Sarah was devastated last Friday! We found out her desk-mate at school came down with Covid, which meant she couldn’t go on the mini weekend trip we had planned as a family. After praying for wisdom, Joe and I decided he could still take the other 3 kids. I told Sarah we could plan some fun things at home together, but she doubted we would have as much fun. However, towards the end of the weekend she declared it was like we were on Mackinac Island! I was shocked and praised God for answering my prayers beyond my expectation!

God is with us in our doubts, disappointment and discouragement.

Matthew 14:25-33 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus graciously handled the disciples’ doubts. He can graciously handle our sincere questions and doubts, too. In fact, like with Peter, He can pick us up when we fall on our face due to our own doubts.

In what situation have you and I taken our eyes off Jesus and lasered in on the present circumstances? He’s ready to pick us back up as we turn our focus back to Him.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us as We Live Among Wickedness

 Wickedness abounds in our world. I don’t have to consume very many news articles to come to that conclusion. It’s on a global scale and among small circles of people. Last night Sarah shared how a teammate at gymnastics continues to speak cruelly (so Sarah emphatically told her to stop).

All this isn’t a surprise to God. Jesus said over and over this is how life would be here – the righteous living side-by-side with the wicked. Some of Jesus’s parables in Matthew 13 draw the same picture.

Matthew 13:47-50 ⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

God will bring justice in the end. Until then, believers will share the same lake with the wicked. We will both die physical deaths, but eternity will be vastly different!

When you and I are overwhelmed by the wickedness around us, lets review and cling to God’s eternal promises! Feel free to share some below.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in our Search for Understanding

A few weeks ago I was trying to figure out a customer request, but their question wasn’t clear. Fellow co-workers even had different thoughts on what the customer meant. After lots of research and re-reading the customer email a dozen times, I suggested we ask the customer for further clarification.  

Similarly, when the disciples were confused by Jesus’s teaching, they went to Him for understanding (instead of making assumptions based on their limited understanding).

Matthew 13:1-3, 10-15         That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed…¹⁰The disciples came to him [Jesus] and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” ¹¹He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹²Those who have will be given more, and they will have an abundance.  As for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ¹³This is why I speak to them in parables: …¹⁴In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. ¹⁵For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’”       Matthew 13:1-3, 10-15

As the disciples went to Jesus with their questions, He gave them greater understanding! He can do the same for you and me! If we start with a small understanding of God and DO use it, apply it, and seek to understand more, He will give us an abundance of His secrets (knowledge of Him, His purposes, and His wisdom)!!! On the flip side, though, if we don’t ever use it, apply it, or seek to understand more, Jesus says even what we already know and understand will be taken away (verse 12).

In the New Year, how will you and I set aside time to seek greater understanding of God’s secrets? He is ready and waiting to give us that next layer!

Alice

When You Don't Know Where To Go

 Uncertainties abound for me right now. I'm not even sure what to write. Usually, I write from what my Master is doing in my heart. I don't think that's such a good idea right now. Right now my hope is that my Creator is greater than my heart (1 John 3:20). I'm not sure what that means, though.

What I do know is that Jesus is King of kings, and Lord over all other lords. I know that Jesus' arrival within human history is the most historic event of that history. And I know that His death, burial, and resurrection is more than sufficient for any action on my part to separate me from my Creator. That much I know, and with that I can worship, I can celebrate this season, and I can praise my Creator.

If you know that, then you can worship, celebrate and praise as well. When we do those things together, we approximate the experience which will be ours eternally in heaven. I know that too. Because my Creator is precisely who He says He is through Scripture. And Scripture confirms these things.

Those things I know are the encouraging things for us, for you, for this season, They are the things that transcend trees, wrapping paper, and stockings. The things that are sure about the Savior are those things that begin in a stable and continue through a cross and empty tomb to the throne of our Creator. Truly, they begin with the words, "In the beginning..." and continue through "Amen! Come Lord Jesus!"

Celebrate, sing, pray, weep, laugh, and enjoy a glass of cheer. Eat, and share with those who have less. Drink, and bless those near and far. Forgive, and release those indebted to you.

Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!

Thursday Devotional - 2021 Rea Christmas Picture and Note

 

With many of you possibly taking days off next week, I thought I would include our Christmas card picture and note this week…

Studying Jesus in the book of Matthew (through Bible Study Fellowship), we all memorized Matthew 1:21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Sarah gets to join James and me for in-person BSF Tuesday nights! The twins get special time with my Dad those nights, while Joe works. 

Speaking of salvation, Edmund and Alexis became part of our spiritual family this year, before they were officially part of our earthly family! After re-signing stacks of papers and re-doing the entire adoption hearing, it was finally final in July!

James (3^rd grade) and Sarah (1^st grade) continued tennis lessons with my Dad and increased a level at gymnastics. James enthusiastically continued Spanish with my Mom, choir with his aunt and cousins, and (not as enthusiastically) piano with me. Sarah was on cloud nine for horse-back riding lessons with cousins! 

All four kids proudly completed several running races this summer and fall. They amazed Joe and me with their perseverance! Now, sometimes one of them asks me to go running (instead of the other way around).

I pray you enjoy time celebrating Jesus this season!!!

Merry Christmas!

Alice

Now What?

 Uncertainty is a great description for life. Whatever is alive has both potential and realization. All sorts of opportunities lay before anything alive, plants, animals, people, whatever. Regardless of the range of choice, opportunity, or possibility is always part of what lies ahead.

Sometimes, possibilities and opportunities that we see aren't what is realized. Often, as disciples especially, our Savior does the unforeseen. He makes the opportunity we did not see the next event. He can take what we thought impossible and make that happen. 

But we do have choice within all this. Often, it's a choice to either roll with it or fight it. Sometimes it's a choice to keep or give up. With our Savior, He usually wants us to give up, and the unforeseen event drives directly at that choice. What do I mean? Well consider a group of 120 people who, in the space of a few hours, grew to a group of about 3,000.

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:37-42 NASB

How many seats were there in the upper room anyway? They were probably cramped at 120, to be honest. Who has a house that can hold 120 people? That's not a house, it's a mansion. Now they have 3,120 (about). How do you speak to such a group without a sound system, mics, speakers, amplifiers, and so on?

What will these 3,000 do for work, now that they are staying in Jerusalem. Where will they live? They were "continually" breaking bread. That's a lot of bread. Where were they going to get that? Jesus fed 5,000 men, and then 4,000 men, but not daily. What has to happen here?

The ingathering of 3,000 souls is a lot of change to manage in a single day. I mean, it's great. But it's also overwhelming. There's certainly no going back to the old ways of doing...well, pretty much anything. Gone is the cozy upper room where everyone was feeling a sense of awe. Now it's feelings of overwhelm because not even 10% of the people fit in the upper room.

Luke doesn't record many of the problems, but he does record a solution they came up with for one of the problems in Chapter 7. The deacons were chosen because Jewish widows from outside Judea were being overlooked in the daily food distribution. So, they weren't solving these logistical issues perfectly, not at first. There was learning, growing, and adaptation that had to happen.

I think that's our challenge today. I'm not sure where to post this entry, honestly. Does it go in the Hub? If not, how does it get posted wherever it goes? Will our group exist in the new company social network? How will we adapt to the new environment? We don't know. So, what attitude should we have as we explore the way ahead?

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:43-47 NASB

Our Savior doesn't stop being amazing. He doesn't stop being sufficient, sovereign, or powerful. We, His disciples, can remain in awe of Him, we can remain together, contribute commonly, focused on the needs of each other, being of one mind (the mind of Jesus Phil. 2:5), and continue worshipping Him.

There's a way ahead, we just need to adapt to this new environment, and press on. Consider the creativity of the Creator of this universe, lying in an animal feed trough in a stable. The way ahead may be unexpected. Let's roll with it.

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Our Burdens

What burdens do you have right now? Does the Christmas season wear you down with all the decorating, family gatherings, missing loved ones, gift purchases, and Christmas cards? I know I feel way behind this year on what I “need” to do.

We don’t have to feel burdened. Jesus calls us to come to Him to find rest. It may include physical rest, but more importantly He offers spiritual rest and most importantly He promises eternal rest for our souls!  

Matthew 11:28-30 ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

As believers, we are yoked with Jesus. We can let Him do the driving. He knows where He wants us to go and how best to get there. He can also help us know what things on our plate we can cut out!

How will you and I take our burdens to Jesus this week? Then, let’s listen to and learn from Him to experience true rest this season!

Alice

Flaming Puns of Fire

 How would you describe the indescribable, and please be descriptive? Doesn't that sound like one of the modern tests our kids are facing these days? I don't miss taking the college placement exams, not at all. I'm pretty sure, though, that first sentence was the challenge faced by the writers of Scripture. In whatever way they were influenced by the Holy Spirit, every writer's challenge was to make what cannot be described in human language understandable to human creatures.

And so we have translations in English attempting to render in yet another language what had to be difficult to render in Greek when first written. Check this out:

And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:2-4 NASB

Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. Acts 2:2-4 HCSB

And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:2-4 ESV

Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:2-4 NET

They're not that different, and each of these translations worked very hard at being as literal yet understandable as possible. Even so, you can discern word choices among them. Even though the same word is used in Greek for the "tongues of fire" and "other tongues" of speech, notice how some are "languages" and some are "tongues". Was it a sound or a noise? What's the difference? 

But notice the similarities. It wasn't a rushing wind. It was a sound like a rushing wind. The tongues weren't fire, they were as fire. Luke is struggling to describe the indescribable using simile. Does the description of what they saw suggest itself because of the similarity between "tongue of fire" and "tongue of mouth"? Why the sound like but not of a rushing wind? Was nothing blowing around? 

You can sort of get a sense of what happened, but not entirely. We're still left grasping at tendrils of understanding, our imaginations struggling to fill in blanks. What would it have been like to experience the sound like that but see nothing blowing around except distributed "tongues of fire" that didn't burn. Think of it. Where else did someone experience fire that didn't burn? Perhaps a bush in the desert?

Wind that doesn't blow, fire that doesn't burn, and languages they couldn't possibly know. Regardless of the differences in modern translations, the similarities are striking, and challenging.

Putting ourselves in that room, trying to imagine the sight and sound, and trying to wrap our heads around what was and wasn't happening, that's where our differences evaporate. This passage isn't divisive, it's inclusive. It wasn't about excluding anyone of differing views, it was about unifying people from every language under heaven. 

The point was to bring everyone together to hear of Jesus' redemption offer. The child we celebrate this season brings together all peoples and offers to reconnect us to our Creator. We are called to gather around a manger and worship our Creator. And while we may all be different, mostly by design, we are also all redeemed, also by design. As with any gift, we are free to accept it or reject it.