A Reason For the Mean

Acts 9:1-5

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest  and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.  And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

I watch a show called "Once Upon A Time" and you may be surprised to find that my favorite character is the Evil Queen, now known as Regina.  Yes, I know what you are thinking.  Why didn't you choose Snow White or Prince Charming or even Belle.  While they are all wonderful characters they don't have the one quality I have come to endear most about Regina, formally known as the Evil Queen.  They don't have a story of redemption.  I watched this character's story unfold week after week as the writers gave me more and more of her background story.  I learned what events caused her evil spirit to grow and how her past hurts blinded her to the way she was hurting others.  She has now changed for the good and I absolutely love it!  She is now using her power to help others instead of killing them!  Whew! What a relief this must be to all her fellow characters!

Yes, you know me.  I connect everything to the Word of God and aren't we supposed to?  I see many similarities between the character of Regina and the person of the apostle Paul.  Much like Regina, Paul was not always on the side of good and fighting for the "heroes" or followers of Jesus Christ.  Paul, like Regina, experienced a name change when his heart changed.  He was Saul, the enforcer and scholar practicing under the Pharisee Gamaliel, while the character of Regina was the Evil Queen practicing under the dark one, Rumpelstiltskin.   Both Regina and Paul were driven by a revenge on others which often ended in the death of those who they believed came against them.  Paul and Regina both experienced life changing events that helped them see how pointless their actions of evil really were.  This was when the change in both of them began to happen.  It was evident to all those around that something profound had taken place and they had changed for the good.

Paul now used his power and influence for good and to spread the gospel of Christ Jesus instead of using it to kill and destroy those who were Christians.  Like Paul, Regina stopped trying to kill the heroes and instead joined forces with them in hopes of finding her own "happy ending". The most ironic similarity has to be that as a Christian, Paul desired a happy ending as well.  Paul says in Philippians 3:14 " I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  His happy ending was being one with Jesus Christ in Heaven. 

 Today I pray for each of you to use your own redemptive story of salvation for good.  There is power in your testimony.  The devil will tell you there is shame but that is a lie!  Share your salvation story today and just watch what God can do.

Suffering? Really?

For to you has been given the privilege not only of trusting him but also of suffering for him.

Philippians 1:29 TLB

Just when I think I am doing so much better trusting the Lord with my life I come across another scripture where I am reminded of how being a Christian doesn't exclude me from suffering and hardships.  What is wrong with this picture?  Isn't being a Christian supposed to be all butterflies and rainbows?  You mean real life happens to those who surrender their hearts to Jesus?  Wow!

The fact is that God NEVER lies or deceives us.  We say all the time that we want to hear and know the full truth but in reality we really only want to hear what we desire to hear and nothing more.  The truth is sometimes harsh and cruel.  The truth is sometimes a reality we don't want to deal with because it isn't easy or enjoyable.

This scripture is a great example of God telling us the truth.  He wants us to know what is coming our way.  We have not only a "privilege" of trusting God but also of suffering for Him.  What?  Suffering for the Lord?  Why have we got to face that?  I have one answer and that would be...JESUS!  Think about it.  Jesus trusted and suffered for His Father so why wouldn't we be okay with doing the same?  I mean, Jesus DID die to save us from an eternity spent in hell, right?  

Suffering is never something we would choose but I can't think of anyone else I would be more willing to do it for.  If Jesus can save me, protect me, provide for me, bless me, and love me, the least I can do is trust and yes, suffer for Him, too!

A Step In the Journey

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Genesis 39:1–2

I can imagine that after all Joseph had been through up until this point in his story, he thought that God had surely brought him into a blessed place.  He was no longer treated as a slave in Potiphar's house but as the head of the household.  The scripture states that Joseph was "a successful man".  For a time I bet Joseph thought he had finally made it.  What a disappointing moment it must have been when Potiphar's wife began to chase after him and then after being rejected lied about him.

What a horrible day when Joseph was accused of making sexual advancements toward Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison.  How could this have happened if God was with him? He must have wondered, "Why did God bring me to this place if wicked people were going to come against me?" Well, I wholeheartedly believe that everything in God's plan, good or bad in our eyes, is meant for good.  God used Potiphar's wicked wife in order to take him to the next step in his journey.  Had he not been falsely accused and thrown into prison. Joseph would never had ended up interpreting Pharaoh's dream and become the second in command for all of Egypt.  

I believe the theme of this story is true in each of our lives as much as it was for Joseph.  God is with us all the time and we experience His favor upon us wherever we go.  At the same time, things are never perfect.  Things have happened to me that I cannot understand. for I knew I was where God called me to be. Remember, being obedient is NOT easy.  God will allow things to go in what we feel is a bad direction in order to redirect us to a place we would never had never dreamed of.  He will allow evil or wicked people to enter our lives in order to push us to levels we would have feared even attempting to reach for. had things continued to be a bed of roses.  So, the next time you know you are in the will of God BUT are still mistreated or even persecuted, smile and get excited for God may be about to move you to the next step in the journey.

How Much More

...what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:9–11

Caregiver, when I read these scriptures written by the disciple Matthew, I knew I must share what the Holy Spirit shared with me.  I fully envisioned caregivers.  First, we see a picture of a son asking his father for bread.  Many caregivers, much like myself, find themselves caring for a sick child or child with a special need.  Are we not going to do all we can to help them?  Will we not give them what they need to be the best they can be?  Sure we will!

 

Next it shows the opposite which is actually giving our children something harmful when they need our help.  We would NEVER do that so why then would we ever think those thoughts against our Heavenly Father?  I must be honest and admit that I struggle with doubts and worries constantly and for no good reason.  I know the faithfulness and the pure goodness of my Lord yet I allow the outside voices of the world orchestrated by the enemy himself to blur my vision.  

 

When I read verse 11 I am reminded that as much as I desire to provide and care for my daughter it can NEVER compare to what God feels for me.  I am brought to tears for this type of love and thoughtfulness is beyond my comprehension.  God is our ultimate caregiver and His desire is to care for you.  Never lose sight of that.  

 

Kick In the Teeth

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

This past week I had a "kick in the teeth" experience.  I was treated with disrespect in ways I had never encountered before.  When I read this quote by Walt Disney, I could totally relate.  

In life we usually avoid negative or hurtful situations when in reality they may be the very things that God is using in order to push us closer to our dreams and His amazing plan for our lives.  The thought of a confrontation or being treated wrong makes us cringe, when all the while those awful things just may give us the push we need to step out of our comfort zone. 

For me the experience I had, if I were to share it with you, would upset you greatly, yet I am thankful that it happened. Some of my closest friends and family were lifting me in prayer this past week and I could sense the coverage of the Holy Spirit and was able to stand firm in HIM!  What a joy to know that those who love me are praying angels around me and the strength of Jesus to fill me.  I also know that my "kick in the teeth" was an answer to prayer.  It was a confirmation in every sense of the word. 

Today I encourage you that when those "kick in the teeth" experiences come your way, be thankful instead of bitter or angry.  Know that God is using it as an opportunity to communicate His plan for your life.  What a powerful thought that God loves us that much! 

Now, Lord? Really?

"And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' Matthew 25:45

Yesterday was a VERY long day at work.  All afternoon I dreamed of sitting down with my family at my favorite local Mexican restaurant laughing and talking together. The temperature was 10 degrees as I walked to my car feeling as though the wind would literally cut through my coat and then me! I heard a text message come in as I reached the safety of my car.  When I read the message my sister explained that a friend of hers was stranded outside of Lynchburg and needed a ride to pick up a rental car in order to get home, for her car had broken down while snow skiing.  

I am keeping it real, as I always do, so I have to tell you my heart sank.  I remember feeling frustrated and mad because I knew I had to help this poor stranded lady but yet I was exhausted and had not eaten all day!  Yes, I had a poor pitiful me few moments.  BUT, then because I continue to read my Bible and listen to preaching from the Bible, the Holy Spirit began to speak this scripture to me over and over. "And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' Matthew 25:45 It is very clear cut, as Jesus always is.  If I had a negative attitude about helping someone else it was the VERY same thing as having one toward Jesus himself.  Whoa, now.  That changes everything.

The journey ended up being over an hour and 1/2 from our home but the entire way my family and I talked and laughed just as I had wanted with no distractions.  We didn't even turn on the radio.  Then when we picked up Beth and her daughter, Grace, the fun began.  To see the gratitude on their faces and to know that I would have wanted someone to do the very same for me overwhelmed my heart. We got them safely to their rental car at the local airport and all hugged goodbye as if we were all life long friends.  

My daughter asked me on the way home what made us go and help people we didn't even know when we were so tired and so hungry and it was such a long way to drive?  I quickly looked into her beautiful blue eyes and said, "Jesus".

Hard To Handle

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 1 John 3:11 NIV

Caregiver, I come to you today with a very tall order.  God tells us in 1 John 3:11 that, "We should love one another."  He didn't say just those who are kind and loving.  He said "one another" which includes everyone.  Sometimes the very one you are caring for is the one who treats you with malice or speaks hurtful words to you daily.  Maybe the one you care for blames you for the situation they find themselves in today and continually takes their pain out on you?  This happens more often than I would like to admit because hurting people hurt others and usually those closest to them first.

If the one you care for is a "hard to handle" patient, God still expects you to love them.  He still expects you to show His kindness and goodness even when it is not the instinctive thing to do.  Most caregivers never hear the words, "Thank you" or "I couldn't do it without you." or even "I love you."  Simple compliments or words or encouragement mean the world to us but are rarely heard by most. 

One think I have learned and I can share with 100% confidence is that God does love you and appreciate all you are doing for another.  God thinks you are amazing and what you are doing for another is seen by Him as you doing that very thing for Him!  You can trust God with your future and your feelings.  God really is your ultimate caregiver and always will be no matter what.