Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

To Bring To Pass

    But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive
    (Genesis 50:20).

Joseph must have questioned the why behind his circumstances from time to time. Sold into slavery by his brothers, made a servant in a man's house and eventually sent to prison, being accused falsely. We look at some of the trials Joseph faced and we must confess that most of us are not sure how we would hold up under that. Most of us would have a hard time believing we could get through it at all, but then to look back on it and say, "God meant it unto good," how could we possibly say that? For though we see the potential within the evil for God to bring good, we are often blinded by our own hurt and pain to ever begin to see anything good in what has most assuredly done us evil.
There is little doubt that Joseph didn't lose hope and feel abandoned and completely alone. His heart must have broken when he was betrayed by his own--an experience that would surely kindle in most of us fires of anger and hate--fueled by years of enslavement and separation. Yet Joseph was not made bitter by his situation, but he was made better. And because of that God was able to use him in a mighty way to accomplish a purpose much larger than anything concerning Joseph alone.
How incredible! Yet, for many of us, we would sooner withdraw than to seek to find greater purpose in our place. We victimize ourselves and consider ourselves deserving of the bitterness we harbor, all the while ignoring how the bitterness is only hurting us and making matters worse. We turn our entire situation inward and grow more angry with each passing day, and then we convince ourselves that no one could possibly understand, and that no one is worthy of identifying with the pain we have felt. Granted, the pain was real and the hurt very personal. But, the bottom line is that we have a choice as to what that pain and hurt becomes. It can either be evil that remains evil--or it can be turned around by God to bring something that is good.
There is so much in this world meant for evil, and there is so much we will suffer as a result of that evil. But there is a God who is far greater, and there is a potential for good to be brought out from all things. We do not have to allow the evil to hurt us to the point of permanently stealing our joy. We do not have to allow the evil to imprison us in an eternal withdrawal and disillusionment. There is a victory that can come out of the worse circumstances, and a joy that can radiate from a wounded heart. All because God can take what some mean for evil, and use it to accomplish greater things.
Consider the things of this world around you that seem full of evil. It is so very difficult to look at these things in any positive light. These things are not positive in themselves and they are certainly not God's desire, yet God is still God--bigger than all of the evil things put together. If we truly believe that, then we must also believe that He can take anything bad and make something good out of it. We can believe that the bad choices we make or even honest mistakes are not above His abilities to move them to a good and perfect conclusion. And even what may seem at times as a life gone sour, is to God potentially sweet.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sometimes Miracles

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

A number of years ago, my wife and I were experiencing some tough times in our marriage. I was a new Christian and the changes that were taking place in me and my wife's relationship created a number of aftershocks throughout our lives. One Wednesday night, after a huge argument, I left the house to go to church. I fumed for the first couple of miles and finally calmed down enough to pray. The radio was playing softly in the background but did not occupy any real part of my attention--at least, not at that moment. My focus fixed on God and without being able to find anything else to pray, I simply said, "Lord, please do something with our Marriage." I had no sooner said that than I heard the voice on the radio affirm, "God can work a miracle in your marriage." The pain of the recent argument still clung to me, but somehow I found comfort in those words. Somehow I knew that it would all work out for the best.
The fact is and has always been that God can work a miracle in your marriage. He can work a miracle in whatever area of your life you have need. His miracles may not be a physical parting of waters as such that your eyes can behold His hand at work. Instead, His miracles can seem to you something even greater, a parting of the waters of your life, a working out of the barriers that separate you from the promised place--the place wherein you will experience healing of broken hearts and the mending of torn lives.
He is still the worker of miracles to them who believe, "to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." He is ready, willing and able to help us get through our rough times and rocky roads. He is faithful to go through the healing process with us, and He is more than able to bring the healing we need. He has so much more for us than what we see and so much more to give. His powerful healing ministry on this earth was only a foreshadowing of things to come. His healing of multitudes of those with physical ailments was outward and was a picture of a deeper healing of the soul that was yet to come--and certain to reach far more.
Now as for us, we have many miracles in our lives. Seen or unseen? It doesn't matter, really. The fact is that "we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God," and this is a continuing work of His in each of our lives. The miracle He said He would work in my marriage was one I did not fully understand. For I saw it like a work with an end, as though once things with my wife and I were better that His miracle was done. But His miracle has not ended. He continues to work things to the good for our marriage, as well as other areas of our lives.
What many of us may forget is that "God ain't done with us yet." And I know that makes many of us happy to know that He's not finished with us. His miracles are not a one time fix, they are a continuing process extended from the heart of a caring and loving Father. And we can always find our affirmation in the soft spoken words, in the miraculous parting of waters in our lives today, and every day.

[Soldier4Christ]

Spellbound

    Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18).

The supernatural realm is one which intrigues many of us. We seem drawn to the mysterious unknown and the possibilities that lie therein. But why do we seek the supernatural workings or seek something that is beyond this life? Is it because God is what we would call, "supernatural?" And with that, is what we are truly seeking simply Him, and because of that we feel a compelling toward the Person outside of our temporal existence?
Like any relationship gone bad, there seems to be a continual internal gnawing within us until we resolve what has gone wrong. As we are created to have a relationship with God it is only natural for there to be something within us that desires to draw near to Him. But sin has gotten in the way, has left us with a wanting of a right relationship with Him, and has blinded us to what is needed to find true fulfillment. For we know we do not find true fulfillment in the material things of this earth, or those things which seem natural and ordinary. Instead we find our greatest fulfillment in things that are not tangible (i.e. love, honesty, commitment, etc.), we find true fulfillment in that which is greater than the natural.
But sin being the blinding force that it is would lead us to believe that we are compelled by other things, and would sooner draw us away from God than toward. So some seek psychics and some mediums. Some find a "spiritual fix" if you will, within movies that portray magical powers or games that allow the person to pretend they possess great skills of sorcery. Some dabble in witchcraft and some in so called, "white magic." But few realize that what they are doing is sampling the forbidden fruit. For within their pseudo-spiritual endeavors (their false spiritual fulfillment), they let go of what is needed to be with God and chase after what makes them feel like they are their own god.
The lies Satan spoke in the garden have echoed through the ages. They tell us we can be our own gods and they deceive us away from the truth. They instill fear and insecurity with each of us so that each of us will try to find ways to feel secure and safe. In essence, we all try to find ways to be our own gods as we try to have control over our lives and our destinies. Some use money to bring a sense of control. Some use jobs, relationships, fun, etc., to bring them a sense of security. And some seek personal supernatural powers to give them a sense that they have a grip on life and its happenings.
But there is only one truth, and that is that only God is in control. Only God can bring to us the sense of security, and only God can fulfill our spiritual need. Seeking to find power and security through any other means only binds us--while seeking God is freeing. And when it gets down to it, what is being sought most is freedom. Freedom to be secure and to rest easy knowing that all is well.
We find in God our freedom. And as we are freed, or loosed, to live our lives here as little children, we are also loosed in heaven--finally able to find fulfillment supernaturally as we properly connect with our heavenly Father. As little children we depend on our Father, we trust Him to protect us, to watch over us, to provide for us and to love us. It is a life in which we no longer feel insecure, and therefore, we do not need to feel as though we must gain some power or control over life in order to feel safe. But if we fail to see that God is our freedom, and if we fail to trust Him, we have most assuredly bound ourselves as slaves to this current existence--and in so doing, have bound ourselves spiritually as well.
Many people seek many means in order to feel safe and secure. Some seek to possess some kind of special power in order to help them do it. It may be that the greater the sense of insecurity, the more seemingly "powerful" solution they will seek. The extreme end might be witchcraft; while the common end might be something as simple as job security. But let us know with a certainty that we cannot control our lives out of a fear of tomorrow, but must instead find peace by trusting in He who holds tomorrow.

[Soldier4Christ]

Do Good To Them

    But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same (Luke 6:27-33).

There have been questions that have arisen from times of personal pain of persecution. Questions that ask of God or others just where the line is drawn that determines how long we must endure the attacks of another. The careless acts of another toward us, intentional or not, are taken personal and we wonder where it becomes acceptable for us to perhaps retaliate, or at least pray that there own evil befall them. And we may even ask as Peter did, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?" (Mt.18:21).
There are those that you will come in contact with that will seem to have little care for you. They will hate and use you with little remorse. Or perhaps they will just simply be inconsiderate toward you as they seek whatever it is they are wanting. The natural response is to return evil for evil, for in so doing you will somehow feel that justice is served, or somehow vindicated as you see it as your right to strike back. Yet you and I are offered the alternative to our normal response through Christ's words, "Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you." And through Christ we are given all we require to address poor treatment toward us in a Christ-like way.
Nobody said it would be easy. It goes against everything in our flesh to turn the other cheek, to let someone walk all over us and to love them in return. In fact, many of us would argue against it, saying that God does not expect us to just let people take advantage of us. Yet, we may find it difficult to find any Biblical standard by which to affirm us in such beliefs.
Instead I believe we will find a standard unlike anything that can come from within the heart of man. It is a standard that makes no sense to the flesh. But we know that many of the things of God rub against the flesh and contradicts our so called, "common sense." But should we turn from God's standard because it does not make sense? May God help us not to, for we know that "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor.1:18). And so are many of the standards and things of God that are against flesh or beyond our understanding. Even so, to return good for evil is foolishness to the flesh, but through the wisdom of God that which seems foolish to the flesh is the very thing that astonishes those who do not know God.
The question is asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?" Or, "where do I draw the line?" and "Does God want me to just lie down and take it?" When the question should be, "What purpose is behind our returning love for evil?" Or "What can God do through that?" As we turn the questions away from self-interest toward a greater purpose found in God, we may then begin to find the wisdom of God. For as the love of God is demonstrated to someone who uses you, or hurts you or persecutes you; you may find that your greatest defense is found in your best offense--and your best offense is to be gracious to the ungracious, to be kind to the unkind, and to love those who are not loving. For we are told, "if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head" (Rom.12:20). And this is not as to retaliate, but that as we respond with love and kindness, the evil against us will die as it finds no where to go.

[Soldier4Christ]

Coming Down

    Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established
    (Proverbs 4:26).

Perhaps you have experienced one of those weeks or months. It was a time when it seemed that all the days ran together and as you looked back at it you wondered where all the time went. It was physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually tasking--and suddenly--it's all over. And now you can finally relax.
But how you come down from such an experience is often as important as how you go into it. We know that we often go into such a busy time by preparing ourselves in some fashion, and we build up to full steam as we get into it. Even if we jump into it, it often takes some time to really get in a groove. To consider being able to start out working at our peak is just unrealistic.
But the flip-side is a different story. Once the work is done, it is done. And then what? Do we come down slowly from the schedule that demanded so much? Most of us would probably say no. But what effect does that have on us if any? Is it possible that this could effect the way we respond to so much of our life throughout our day?
Runners often begin with some sort of warm-up--a period of time in which they prepare themselves mentally and physically to run. But after they run the race they do not halt abruptly at the finish line. Instead, they do a cool down. They give their bodies a time to recoup by slowly coming down from the tasking pace. To do otherwise can easily bring harm to the runner that will effect many aspects of their life.
As a Christian, it is necessary to keep our spiritual body, as well as the rest of our person, in a healthy state. We cannot ignore warming up to the work we must do in our lives, but equally so, we cannot ignore the cooling down. It is not good for us to stop abruptly from carrying a heavy load. Doing so will throw our whole person into a bit of a shock that can have side effects like ripples swelling out from the place a rock has just hit the water.
What are some of the side effects? One might be a change in routine that makes it difficult to pray and read our Bible. Another may be mood swings that are the result of the sudden changes, and boredom that results from the sudden increase in spare time. For each person there is sure to be something. Nevertheless, we each must find our way to come down slowly so as not to throw our bodies into a state of shock that will take more time to recover than what might have originally been needed.
We know what tipping the scales to quickly from one extreme to the other can do. It usually begins a cycle of quick ups and downs, from one extreme to the other, that seems to take far longer to come to a stable balance. But if the scale is adjusted slowly, balance is found more quickly.
As Christians, it is vital to us that we find balance in our lives. Sometimes that balance is tested by our time of busyness and heavy workload. Annual church events are a good example of such times. But lest the scales sway too quickly from one extreme to the other, we must be certain that once the work is done that we give ourselves a good cool off time. Because coming down should never mean hitting the bottom.

[Soldier4Christ]

It Is Well

    Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11).

    "When peace, like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul" (Spafford, 1873).

Is what is well with us now the same that will be well with us tomorrow? And how long shall what is well with us tomorrow truly last? We might be able to say that what is well with our souls is that which is to be throughout eternity, if in fact that which is eternal is what brings contentment to our present days.
What God may bring we cannot truly know. But as His will is accomplished we can find the ability to trust. And as we let go of our anxieties over what might be, we learn what it means to fully rest in Him. His peace comes upon us and it is a peace that transcends understanding. And so we find that within all things we are given the breath to say, "It is well with my soul." For we know that if God is in control, and He is, then we know that it is indeed well and will work to the good.
We seek that which is well within this life and we find it when we rest in Him. We lose sight of it when we seek after things of this earth that are empty--and simply are a chasing after the wind. We know that the only way to find the peace of "it is well" is to find it in our Lord. Yet so many of us still seek that which is "well" in other places.
Paul's circumstances changed frequently. Yet in the midst of it he found contentment and the peace to say "it is well." For he knew even in the tough times that God was still at work, and that God was bringing all things to their appointed place. The knowledge of this enabled Paul to know that all was well in the bad times, and in the good.
So let us seek to say "it is well." That our lives have meaning because God is, and that our circumstances find purpose in God's perfect will being worked throughout the good and the bad. It is well today because God is with us. It is well tomorrow because God is already there, and it is well here after because God is faithful. As we seek to find what is real within God, that which causes us to say, "it is well;" we find that the wants of this life are dim in comparison. They have little to offer us and they do not offer the peace and contentment that can only be found with God.
Circumstances may not be as we would have them. But through them we can know the peace of God. Transcending all the things that we consider, as we learn to say to Him that "It is well." And as one day we stand before our Lord, and He looks into our hearts and sees His peace; we shall know that we shall not be forgotten, once we hear Him say to us that "It is well."

[Soldier4Christ]

From Shame To Glory

    How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? (Psalm 4:2).

Perhaps the Proverb writer said it best when he stated, "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly" (26:11). Granted, none of us want to be considered a fool, but we must certainly recognize the times that we are foolish--times that we turn again and again to sinful acts or godless behavior and thinking. Within such times we play the part of a fool. For though we know the Truth, we are as those Paul speaks of, those "Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator" (Romans 1:25). Indeed we are those he speaks of when we willfully return to sinful folly.
One would think we would avoid sin altogether, in considering sin's harmful effects. For even as we return to our sin we also return to the results of our sin, and therewith we experience guilt, shame and disappointment in ourselves. Each time we sin the same sin we come back to the same confession of that sin. Each time feeling more and more foolish and feeling unworthy to approach God for forgiveness. The only redeeming beauty is that we find the Grace of God, for we know we do not deserve His mercy, yet we are given it freely. And even as we are forgiven we wonder how soon we will be back to square one--confessing the same foolishness to our wise and merciful Lord.
With all that in mind, how can we return to the sin that besets us and causes us pain? Perhaps it is because our minds and consciences are seared when we approach sin. The desire for that which is sinful becomes so persuasive that it numbs us to the reality of the aftermath--to the long-term effects of our momentary pleasure. Therefore we yield to the delusions of our momentary gods, and succumb to the lies as though we love the delusions of which we have become a part.
Perhaps if we could find a way not to allow the sinful desires to desensitize us, then we could cut sin off before it begins to take root. But how to do that may not be the easiest thing to discover. For though we would seek to remove ourselves from the results of our sin, we hunger for a way to sink our teeth into it. If we could, many of us would seek to find a way to have those sinful pleasures minus the sin. Yet we know that is not possible. Perhaps, then, we must find a way to change our desires.
It may look like a long hard journey to even begin to think to change our desires away from that which leads to sin. Yet, there is a way. For we know "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (Corinthians 10:13). Our answer, therefore, lies in the "way to escape" that God has provided.
How we accomplish that may be easier than we think, yet difficult to grasp. First we must not let the early stages of sin take root. We must recognize the temptation before the delusions set in that numb us to sin's realities. Secondly we must remember these words, "Lord, help me now!" Through this we recognize sin, our potential to be blinded to it, our possibility to fall to it, and our need for help to evade it.
But how do we stop the early stages of desensitization? That's perhaps easier than we think as well--we stop taking the drugs that desensitize us. We avoid the mind altering foods of this world and we fill ourselves with the cleansing fruits of righteousness. Then we can more clearly recognize sin and its effects before it sets in, and we will have greater difficulty succumbing to the delusion sin presents as we are unable to become as numb as we once could. Through this we no longer feel as a fool, we more easily can approach God, and we find joy in the fact that we are not turning His glory into shame. Instead, what was once your shame will become His glory through daily victory when you abide in Him.
It can be done!

[Soldier4Christ]

The Good Life

    These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11).

What do you think of when you think of the good life? What is the first thing that comes to mind? If the answer to that question is heavily influenced by our society, we might all first think about material possessions and wealth. We might see the good life as defined by good relationships, good health, popularity and beauty. But to stop and think about our relationship with God and His purposes can help us to draw conclusions based upon our understanding of who He is, and what He desires for us. But what does God want for us and from us? What is the good life according to Him?
Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11), and "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24). He has also said, regarding us, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). His desire for us is that we may find His joy in this life. The context of scripture tells us how this is done. We shall know His joy as we draw near to Him, listen to Him, obey Him, seeking His righteousness in our lives as we go, and loving Him and others along the way. To do as Jesus would do is wherein we find our purpose, contentment, joy, peace and fulfillment--to turn away from evil and embrace what is of God and to put aside selfish want and turn toward sacrificial love. Basically, we find the joy of God as we become like Him. Our greatest desire is then to follow Him more fully and our delight is in Him rather than self.
The Good life is found in God. But even as it is found it can also be lost. For as we would seek to follow Him, we may instead end up following false perceptions about Him. In Jesus' day, people had become burdened by their religious law of the day. Serving God was not a joy, but a burden. The intentions of many of the people were very good, they desired to serve God properly and above reproach. Yet, what they had been told they must do to serve God was far off from what God desired from them. Though the people were seeking to do what was right, they had been chained to religious do's and don'ts, and were missing out on what their relationship with God was meant to be.
In our day, much of the same goes on. People come to God but they still come to Him "naked and ashamed." Christ has covered us so that we do not need to be ashamed as we approach God. Yet, we clothe ourselves in our religious do's and don'ts because we are afraid He will not accept us otherwise. And when we come into His presence, we are unable to focus on Him because we are more conscious about how we are wearing our religion.
Simply put, we are still burdening ourselves with religious laws. We feel guilty if we don't and we feel guilty if we do. When all that is needed is a sincere spirit in us that seeks to love God and others. For if we truly love Him, we will seek Him, and obey Him, and follow Him. But we must stop trying to package our Christianity so perfectly--15 minutes of prayer, 30 minutes of Bible study, witness to one person each day, etc. The importance in any of these things is not the amount, but the spirit. For if we truly follow God we shall do plenty--we shall bear much fruit. But sometimes our good intentions move us in directions God does not intend us to go, and we choke the word in us, and it becomes unfruitful.
Each of us has a plan for our lives that God has set for us. Therein we will find our joy as we function the way God deigned us to work. Let's not imprison ourselves by forcing God's work in us to fit prefab religious laws, but let us instead inherit the joy He has brought to us, and the freedom we so desperately need.

    Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

[Soldier4Christ]

Faithful & True

    The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged
    (Dt. 31:.

There are days that we feel so far from God. Days when we feel like we speak into the air and are not even certain He is there. But as it has been said, "Hindsight is 20/20;" and looking back is often the place wherein we find the truth--the evidence that He has been there with us the whole time.

Flipping through the pages of my days that are behind,
I recollect the times I've spent with you.
No sweeter pleasures have I embraced, no joy that has compared
to what you bring in still and quiet times.
You look into my inward parts--my soul, my heart, my mind.
my needs do not escape Your caring eye.
Instead, Your heart is moved for me--your compassion comes alive
to bring to me what You know is what's best.
You speak to me throughout my day--instructing, leading, loving.
Your voice is honey drops from cloudless skies.
In everything you say to me--gently, softly, sternly
There's more than I will truly know, or ever realize.
Your grace is sufficient, Your peace far surpassing
Your mercy endures forever.
And even as many have said it before, let everyone echo these praises,
That you are God, the Alpha, Omega--You are the beginning--the end.
And no greater love is there like your own
to have laid down your life for your friends.
Flipping through the pages of my days that are behind,
I recollect the times I've spent with you.
And what I find inscribed upon the pages of my life,
Is evidence that you were there--signed: Sincerely, Faithful & True.

If today you cannot seem to hear His voice or feel His presence, look into your days gone by and look for the ways God has been with you. Sometimes the hurt or difficulties of your "now" will make it difficult to see the good and grace of God in your days gone by. But if you ask Him, He will help you to see His signature on every page of your life. He will show you where He has been with you and remind you of His love. Recalling where He has been with you in previous times will help you to remember that He is with you right now. In this you may find the very thing you need to press on.

". . .and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

[Soldier4Christ]

Perfume and Piety

    While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mt.26:6-13).

Imagine a Sunday like few others. You have prepared for worship by singing songs and praying, as well as the usual Sunday service preparations. You are bursting with joy, and why not? You have had a great week in your walk with God, you saw Him do some special things, and now you cannot wait to get to church and share it with others. During the song service, your enthusiasm can barely be contained as you worship God with all your heart. And then it happens. A cross look. A short remark. It would seem that something of what you said or did just did not set well with someone else. You were sincere. You were genuine. But you were not what another thought you should be.
It is sometimes hard to know what to do or how to respond in such a situation. Some of us might get angry, or feel sad and hurt. We might get defensive or even run away. But we should keep this in mind: that if we respond with the same genuineness and honesty that we held in our hearts before God, then He will hold us up before men.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It may seem odd to consider, but unfortunately it can often be ones own brothers and sisters in the faith who are doing the persecuting. Too many times does the rigid ruler of religious expectation cast judging eyes upon the innocent. The sadness is that a soft hearted, genuine person can often be crushed beneath the weight of assuming stares.
The woman who came to Jesus with the perfume probably gave very little thought to how what she did would appear. She simply wanted to follow her heart in serving her Lord. This does not mean that everything is fair game--as if to say, we can do anything with an appearance of good and label it as good. There are many things that are motivated by selfish want rather than a pure desire for the Lord. Nevertheless, it is not right that our good should be evil spoken of. Jesus quickly set the record straight and that was that. But one might wonder how it should be “set straight” these days.
Once again we should remember that we need to maintain a heart that comes to the Lord in spirit and in truth. We are not defending ourselves, but we are humbly serving God. If we are persecuted for that, we must let God bring things to light. He may do this through and advocate--like Jesus to the woman. He may simply give you a kind and gentle answer that will lay their suspicions to rest. Whatever the case, He will provide a way for the truth to be known and does not desire us to lose sight of Him in the wake.
We so often look on the outward appearances. We know that God does not look on the outward appearances, but weighs the motives of the heart. Pray that God will help us to be genuine in our service to Him, and that we will be able to spot the genuineness of others as they serve Him also.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jehovah-Jireh

    And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen (Genesis 22:9-14).

Many of us have heard of the faith of Abraham. In fact, in the mind of many Bible readers, Abraham’s name seems to bring to mind that very word--”faith”. He had left home and relatives to go to a new land that God would show Him. He trusted God to protect and care for him and his family, whether in strange lands or strange times. His heart beat for God. And God knew Abraham’s heart and his faith, and He never let Abraham forget that to him, God would always be Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord will Provide).

Many of us might look back on an interesting path that has brought us to where we are today. A path of faith? We have our moments it seems where that is the case, and perhaps to us, many more that seem to lack faith. But we are blessed to remember that God is in control. And though we feel at times as though we are running in circles, God is faithful to help us to get back on the right course. We simply need to try to follow Him with a sincere heart, and to the best of our ability.

Yet we know that our best may have a lot to be desired--we are not perfect. That is just another reason why we come to Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord will provide). We come to Him because we know that we do not know what we need to know to truly know His will and path for us--but He does know. We come to Him because we are truly poor in spirit, and once we recognize that we are poor in spirit then we can come to Him with knowledge of our need--realizing that He is the only one who can meet our need.

As Abraham had come to the place where God wanted Him, to do as God had commanded, he must have had his moments of doubts. Not unlike his descendants, the Israelites, who later would be freed from slavery only to wish to go back when their circumstances were far from favorable. None the less, Abraham proceeded with what God gave him to do, holding on to what he knew to be true--that God is faithful to provide.

For Abraham, a ram in the thicket met his immediate need. But it was not the first time, and it certainly would not be the last time that God would meet his need. There was a time when Abraham had been offered a portion of spoils of a war he helped fight to free his nephew, Lot from captivity. Abraham turned down the offer of riches, proclaiming that he would not have people saying that any man had made him wealthy, but that God alone had given Him what he had. This so there would be no doubt to any, Who had been the Provider of Abraham’s needs.

You may be in need today. It could be just about anything because we all have many needs, whether they are spiritual or physical, emotional or financial, or anything else--God is the Meeter of needs and He is as faithful to us today as He was to Abraham. He loves us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. And He is worthy to be trusted by each of us to always be our personal Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Will Provide).

[Soldier4Christ]

In His Hand

    Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care (Psalms 95:1-7a).

It is in the eye of the optimist that the glass is half full; and in the eye of the grateful that worldly poverty can be seen as a doorway to the riches of heaven. For many of us it may be much easier to see all that we do not have. Rather than thinking about what we have already, we turn our eyes to the next fleeting and often empty satisfying thing. But we know that if we can remove our eyes from what is not, and put them on what is, then we find that we have much to be thankful for and we see that all good things have been given to us by God.

    “I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving” (Psalms 69:30).

It is in the eyes of the grateful that selfish wants begin to fade; while personal needs are clarified along with the assurance that they will be met. For we know that God is faithful and that He “shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” It is in His faithfulness that we rest--truly rest--knowing that “all things work together for the good.”

    With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid” (Ezra 3:11).

Sometimes it is easy to praise God with all of our heart--and sometimes it is not so easy. Sometimes it is one of the hardest things to do. It seems that we cannot find the strength we need to get our eyes off of our cares; while we may even feel as though we are breaking beneath our circumstances. But if we can grasp the power of praise in the face of adversity, perhaps we can then find the courage to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb.12:2).

Praise and Thanksgiving have incredible effects upon the life of the believer. They draw us closer to God. They help us to see our situation in the proper perspective. They enable us to fix our eyes on the one Who has the answers, Who can comfort us, and Who cares for us. Jesus said that “the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Mt.13:22). But throughout the scriptures another truth is echoed for our encouragement as well: that praise is the instrument whereby we can rise above the care of this world, draw near to God, and find His peace once again.

To avoid worry: Our praises to God should exceed the pressures in our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

Watch and Pray

    Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: `Watch!'" (Mark 13:31-37)

Count the number of times you have heard talk of the end of the world. Revisit memories of sermons whose topics embraced the teachings of the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. For that matter, call to mind the themes of Armageddon you have encountered in a movie. And in all of this, consider the impact the “end of the world” has had on your life “today.”

As it is, we may discover that there is something missing in all of the “end of the world” talk--a long lasting effect. For it would seem that though so many of us believe that Christ will return, and that the prophesies of the Bible will come true, we seem to go on doing life as usual as though we won’t really believe it until we see it.

When God tells us over and over of the days to come, we can be sure that it is not His desire that we become worried and frightened and walk around in a constant state of a doomsday mentality. Yet we might be equally sure that it is not His desire that we take little notice at the familiarity of the subject--letting end times prophesies bounce off of us while we concern ourselves with the seemingly “more important things” of this life.

Jesus’ words to us are simple and direct, “Watch and pray.” He did not say to run or panic, to jump the gun and do something out of the ordinary as though He would be returning tomorrow. But, “Watch and pray.” “Watch,” for you do not know when your Master will return, and “pray” so that you do not fall into temptation.

When the servants of the house thought that their master delayed in returning, they began to give in to their evil desires. They began living life as though the Master would not be returning for some time. As they gave in to these thoughts, it became easier and easier to follow the desires of their heart. They soon behaved completely different than what they might if their Master was there with them.

How do we live our lives today? Do we watch in such as way that we consider the return of our Lord and that it could even be today? Are we ready to meet Him? Or do we have some ways that we behave as though He is not even around--things we know we would not do if He were in the same room with us (bare in mind that He is in the same room)?

We do not need to run frantic as though an asteroid is going to wipe us all out in a matter of a few hours. We are to watch--taking into consideration the coming return, living our lives as though there is a tomorrow, but maintaining a lifestyle that won’t embarrass us at His coming. We are to pray. The end of the world is certain, and yet there are so many who do not know the Lord. We need to pray that God will draw all people to Himself and we need to pray that we can be used by Him in doing so. We need to “ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Mt.9:38) so that when the end does come, there will be a lot more who stand with us, as we watch and pray.

    "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Mt.26:41).

[Soldier4Christ]

Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory

    Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods (1Chon.16:23-25).

A heart set afire by the passion of a cause. Eyes, stern and strong, adorn the face of the warrior. The soldier stands ready. Suited for battle and tightly gripping the necessary instruments of war, there is nothing left to do but wait.
 
    Dust that had been kicked up in the march had now settled, and at last it came--the trumpet blast that would be their signal. And when the anticipated command came, they let go the massive explosion of a shout that would drop the walls of Jericho to the ground.

    The Israelites had seen the Glory of God. And what they had seen was sure to be reflected in their eyes and shown in their faces for months to come. For they had witnessed what could only be described as a miraculous work of the Lord.

    A very familiar hymn tells us, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword. His truth is marching on" (Julia Ward Howe, 1861). In the eyes and faces of the witnesses to God’s work, His glory is reflected.

    After Israel had left the land of Egypt, and before they came to the promised land, Moses led the people and taught them to follow God. The Bible tells us that Moses would go into the tabernacle to speak with God, and that when He came out, the Glory of God shown on Moses’ face so brightly that he had to cover his face so that people could look at him.

    What glories of God have our eyes seen? His glories are what we are to bear witness of to the world. God’s Glories should be seen in our faces and reflected in our eyes in such a way that people who look at us can tell that we have been with the Most High. To be in the presence of God altered Moses’ appearance as such that people could not bear to look at him. For us, it still holds true that to come into the presence of the Lord means to go away somehow changed. And changed in such a way that it is noticeable to others.

    We all stand at different places in our walk with God. Some have an appearance as though they have been with God. They seem to be lights in the dark and sin-filled world. There are some as well who don’t seem to reflect God’s glory. It could be for a number of reasons. But no matter where we are we still have a long way to go. And perhaps today we can take a moment to examine what, or Who, is seen in our eyes by others. Do they see the Glory of God? Or do they see the cares of life? Can they tell we have been in the presence of God? Or is it noticeable that we have not?

Regardless of where we are or what is seen in us, we can be sure that all of us need even more of God to be seen in our faces, our eyes and in our lives each day. We each need to be transformed to the likeness of Christ. And we each can only be transformed by drawing near to God and dwelling in His presence.
 
God waits for us in the tabernacles of our hearts to meet with us and transform us as needed as we go into the days and the battles of our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

Coping

“My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" (Ps.42:3) I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" (Ps.42:9-10).

It’s hard to know the pain of another. We try to understand with every ounce of our ability to do so. We want to help--and yet, we do not wish to fill their ears full of empty promises and thoughtless cliché’s. To sit with them--is that enough? To simply be there--is that all we can do? We feel helpless, tongue-tied and awkward as we look into the eyes of a downcast and hurting soul.

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God” (Ps.42:5a).

Whether we are there for them or not, or if we sit by there side or kneel in prayer at their bedside, we can take confidence in knowing that they need not be alone. For to be certain, this time for them is perhaps one of the times they have felt the most alone. And what shall we offer to them in their loneliness? There is much to offer, and yet, the greatest thing we can give to them is prayer. And not just any prayer, but prayer that comes from love as we lift up our friend to the God who brings peace, the God who comforts, and the God who has promised "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Heb.13:13).

“By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life” (Ps.42:.

We can be sure that none of us are alone. The Lord watches over us by day, and “at night His song is with [us].” We can always draw near to Him and He will always draw near to us. At times it is simply a matter of us getting hold of His reality that is far above our circumstances--recognizing that His love and help is there for us even as it has been for many who have been where we are, who have fought as we fight, and who have faced similar fears.

“my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar.” (Ps:42:6).

We have our moments of sorrow, but we can have many more moments of Glory. There is one who would seek to deceive us and keep us down. He delights in our sorrow and blinds us to the possibilities--if we let him. The devil knows that if he can make us believe that there is no hope, that he has won. He can lie to us every day, but he cannot tell us who to listen to. Each moment of pain is a moment wherein we can remember the Lord. We can remember what wonderful things He has done for us and others, what He is capable of doing, and we can remember “that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” For in this life, there are few greater glories that we can see than that of the hope and the peace of God, somehow not quenched, but dancing alive within the eyes of the person who is suffering.

We shall all suffer, but even as Christ’s suffering was used to bring us to God, so also can our suffering in this life be used to accomplish so much more if we can find the strength to choose to let it.

    As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42).

    "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God” (Isaiah 43:1b-3a).