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Locked In

Have you ever had a period of time when you were afraid, really afraid?

Maybe you fought during a military conflict. Maybe you have faced a traumatic life-threatening illness or lived with a loved one who has. It could be that you have had to face severe weather conditions that threatened your life and your home or serve as a first responder.

Then you know the intense fear that the disciples were feeling less than one week after the resurrection of Christ. Life for the followers of the Lord was still very pensive. They huddled together behind locked doors.

They knew the Romans were spreading rumors that they had stolen Jesus body to make it look like He rose from the dead. If pursued by the soldiers the disciples could be killed on the spot. The mob that had rioted and cried “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” was only now beginning to disperse in Jerusalem but who were they among so many.

Living daily with all this apprehension, life was not normal and who knew when or if it ever would be again. This was the life of the disciples and this was their mindset in John 20. We see them first on the day of the resurrection.

” The day was Sunday, and that same evening the followers were together. They had the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” 20 As soon as he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the followers saw the Lord, they were very happy.

21 Then Jesus said again, “Peace be with you. It was the Father who sent me, and I am now sending you in the same way.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:19-22 ERV

But not all the disciples were there. Thomas was missing. A week later Jesus appears to them again. They are still behind locked doors and Jesus greeting is the same – peace!

“A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!” John 20:26-29 ERV

What is it that has you behind locked doors? What has your focus? Do you feel alone and abandoned? What has robbed your peace? Thomas needed to see the physical before he was willing to believe that Jesus was still there, still in control, still in a place of power.

Jesus words to Thomas are addressed to us, ““You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!” We’re the ones who are in the place of believing without physically seeing.

One week after Easter, I want to encourage you – Be not afraid. Peace be with you, you have been given the Holy Spirit and He is the comforter, the helper, our advocate!

We have Jesus’ word, it does not fail – we are blessed!

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Wisdom and Success

The last two years that we were on the mountain we saw firsthand the result of hungry woodpeckers on our check-in station.

It often had campers asking us if someone had been shooting at the building in the winter months. No, just the woodpeckers retrieving their dinner of larvae and small insects from the wood siding.

Now, this year in the desert we are experiencing something different. Each morning we hear the sound of a rapid pecking, almost like the noise a nail gun makes, coming from the metal roofs and air conditioning units around us.

Woodpeckers!

We laugh and talk of the tremendous headache it must give them as they try to peck at the metal. Are there really that many bugs that draw them to the metal structures and draw them away from the trees?

Inquiring minds want to know – so, this morning I did an on-line search to see if I could find the answer. I found this answer on the avian control website.

“Woodpeckers peck wood for food, but they will also commonly drum away at plumbing vents, TV antennas, satellite dishes, drain pipes, gutters, chimney caps and metal poles or signs.

So why do they peck metal? Woodpeckers will drill their beaks on metal to attract a mate or establish their territory. 

The hard metal reverberates, making the sound carry farther than simply pecking on wood. Aluminum siding provides great amplification to carry their mating-song, so they often attract these feathered percussionists.”

I’m not sure who conducted that research but who am I to argue? If this is the case I need to ask another question. What type of cushioning must the Lord have put in their neck muscles to keep them from having a concussion or an extreme headache?

But before you wonder where I am going with this observation let me explain my thinking. There is an old saying that goes something like this, “I sometimes feel like I’m hitting my head against a wall”.

We work and we stress trying to figure out answers and solutions to questions and problems beyond our scope. Many times we repeat the same actions day after day with no success. Frustration and stress result.

Are we just making a loud racket or are we achieving a desired end?

“Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure. 5 Then you will understand what it means to respect and to know the Lord God. 6 All wisdom comes from the Lord, and so do common sense and understanding. 7 God gives helpful advice to everyone who obeys him and protects those who live as they should.” Proverbs 2:4-7 CEV

Seeking God’s wisdom and counsel will keep us from foolish ways and unproductive adventures.

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

When we start our day seeking the Lord and His counsel it will keep us being like those silly woodpeckers who are banging their beaks against a wall.

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As Long As I Live

Such a definitive phrase – as long as I live. All encompassing. Total commitment.

Those are the words I found this morning in Psalm 146. I am uncertain of the age of the writer of this Psalm, but I do know this, they had encountered first-hand the mercy and goodness of God.

“Shout praises to the Lord!
With all that I am,
    I will shout his praises.
2 I will sing and praise
the Lord God
    as long as I live.

3 You can’t depend on anyone,
    not even a great leader.
4 Once they die and are buried,
that will be the end
    of all their plans.

5 The Lord God of Jacob blesses
everyone who trusts him
    and depends on him.
6 God made heaven and earth;
he created the sea
    and everything else.
God always keeps his word.
7 He gives justice to the poor
    and food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free
8     and heals blind eyes.
He gives a helping hand
    to everyone who falls.
The Lord loves good people
9     and looks after strangers.
He defends the rights
of orphans and widows,
    but destroys the wicked.

10 The Lord God of Zion
will rule forever!
    Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 146 CEV

This is a psalm of blessing, of healing and hope. It’s a psalm of provision and protection. This is a psalm, a song as it were, of the faithfulness of God, not to just one individual but to us all.

It’s for friends and strangers, widows and orphans, the imprisoned and the poor. It’s for everyone.

Everyone!

Join me and the writer of this Psalm and say, “As long as I live I will sing and praise the Lord”.

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Uncontestable

We all learn through repetition. This morning I was reminded of a lesson the Lord has taught me throughout the years and it bears repeating.

Years ago, a movie came out that I watched a number of times, A Knight’s Tale. There was a lesson in that movie that has stuck with me. A knight dies and one of his servants takes his place in the jousting tournaments. He has to produce papers of nobility in order to compete. His papers are forged. As the story goes, this knight begins winning many of the events and advances to the final games. He is discovered as a fraud and about to be beheaded when a man steps from the crowd to validate his standing as a true knight. The man removes his hooded cloak and declares

“I am the king and as such my words are uncontestable.”

Boy, that phrase burned in me like a fire!

As someone who struggled with low self-esteem words like these gave me hope and affirmation. Father God and Jesus Christ, King of Kings, attest to my heritage. What they say about me, trumps anything else. Their word is uncontestable!

“The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. 15 The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, “ Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-15

“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us.” Romans 8:31

“But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9

“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.

19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21

Satan is referred to as the “accuser of the brethren” in Revelation 12 however what God says about us supersedes any accusations that he may bring.

Walk free from accusation. Walk in who the King says you are – it is without contestation.

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Easy & Light

There are some here around us that are preparing to head back north. It takes quite a bit to get their homes ready to be closed for the summer. The last few days its been quite warm and that’s only added to the weightiness of the chores.

Others of you are in the midst of securing new jobs and that, too, is a heavy undertaking. Any major life change can be a struggle.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The yoke in Jesus’ day linked two oxen together. They could work together to plow a field and the task would be lighter for both of them. Do you see the picture this paints?

But then Jesus goes on to say to “learn from me”. Jesus was referring to a time of training when a younger, less developed and mature ox was being trained to the plow. When the yoke went across its neck and shoulders the weight of the yoke would fall on the stronger, more mature. The stronger ox would be the one carrying the weight of the burden and the younger was just learning to walk the straight line through the field.

That’s what Jesus is asking us to do with Him. He wants us to be linked to him; He carries the load and we learn to walk the path that He walked. In every situation, Jesus turned to His Father and put the cares of the world in the Father’s hands. Even when it led to His death. Jesus didn’t try to figure it out in His own earthly mind but He brought every thought captive to the will of the Father.

“Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 NLV

Some of you are facing real struggles today. Jesus is calling you to “Come unto to me all you that are weary and heavy laden. I WILL GIVE YOU REST”.

Link up with Jesus today – rest is waiting.

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Time to Sing

Beautiful morning – the doves are cooing, finches are singing and the quail are talking. Perfect time for sipping my coffee and praising the God of all creation.

I’ve been asked a number of times how much time I spend reading God’s Word each day and my answer is the same. “Each day varies. I read until I hear God speak to me something that I can live by that day.”

Oh, I’ve had times when I’ve sat down and read chapter after chapter because it was on some Bible reading chart somewhere and then closed the book and gone my way completely unaffected because I couldn’t remember what I had read – just words on a page. And then there have been the times when I have read one or two verses and it has changed me completely. In those times, I know that God is speaking directly to me.

That’s why watching the birds and hearing them sing in the morning means so much to me.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. 30 If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? It’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small!” Matthew 6:25-30 ERV

Reading the Bible is a two-way conversation between the Father and His child. Sometimes when we talk to our kids we know they haven’t heard a word we’ve said. It’s been good council, but they’ve been distracted or focused on other things and they just don’t listen.

Then there are those times when our kids ask our advice and are ready to listen. We can share life experience, memories and impart our knowledge to them. Those times are so sweet!

The same holds true for God and His word. The answer to every question is contained in this book and He’s waiting to share. That’s why these verses in Matthew are so important to me.

There have been times, more than I care to remember, when I worried over what we would eat and where we would have our family live but God in His faithfulness always provided! Sometimes the provision came from the generosity of friends, other times were almost miraculous.

God provides!

The birds singing each morning is a reminder to me of the Father’s faithfulness and love. I hope you have a song in your heart this morning – it’s time to sing!

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Great Joy

This was a weekend of great joy!

Our children blessed us with a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration and it was wonderful! Our oldest daughter is quite the party planner and she saw to every little detail. It was the first time in years that all our family had been together. Kids, grandkids and great – my mother’s heart was full and running over.

Dave and I aren’t the same young couple that said I do 50 years ago but the meaning of those words has never been stronger. I do promise to love you, I do promise to be your support and strength, I do promise not to leave, I do promise to keep you in the center of my heart and my prayers.

Like all older married couples life has given us up’s and down’s. A few we wondered how we would ever get through but God’s grace and time saw things change. Never give up on God’s abundant, amazing, flood of grace! There are promises from His word that have strengthened us and given us hope when we our hearts were broken.

So let me ask you this, are there things in your life that appear to be impossible or nearly impossible to change? Maybe not impossible but highly unlikely? Give them to the Lord – place them under His control.

God has a way of changing the impossible!

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

I’ve learned over the years that part of that changing process begins in me. I have to begin to see things differently and have to get past being offended or intimidated. I have to be willing to change. The Father wants my heart to conform to His.

A boy was brought to Jesus who needed to be healed. The father had some doubt. He knew Jesus could do it but he wasn’t sure Jesus would.

“Jesus said to the father, ‘Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father shouted, ‘I do believe. Help me to believe more!’” Mark 9:23-24 ERV

Sometimes we just need to be honest with God, recognize our own weakness and limitation and then say “Help me believe more”.

Jesus’ own disciples doubted on many occasions. There were storms to overcome. Jesus calmed the storms and brought peace. He wants to do the same in our lives. Whether you’re married 50 years or 5; unmarried and facing a new career or move – God is faithful!

With God all things are possible!

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Great Expectations

As I’m sitting here this morning it’s not yet dawn. The early morning sky is still dark – stars and the moon give light but there is no glow of dawn.

I put myself with the women who are preparing to go to the tomb. They are anxiously waiting. This is the one last act of love they can do for the Messiah, their friend.

As they place the cloth and the spices needed for burial in a basket there are muffled sobs. Tears still flow freely, only to be wiped away with the brush of the hand. The apostles, Peter and John are there also.

Now, it’s while it’s still dark they are off to tend to the Master’s body. On the way they discuss how they will move the stone away from the opening. I’m not sure if they knew the religious leaders had stationed soldiers at the tomb or not.

“It was the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene came to the grave early in the morning while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been pushed away from the grave. 2 She ran to Simon Peter and the other follower whom Jesus loved. She said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the grave. We do not know where they have put Him.’ 3 Then Peter and the other follower went to the grave.” John 20:1-3 NLV

What they had expected to find that morning wasn’t there. Jesus’ body was gone! Had it been stolen? Peter and John left, leaving Mary alone at the tomb with her grief. Everything she expected to do that morning was no longer valid – her last act of love was incomplete.

She sobs!

Then she tells her heartbreaking story to the angels. “He’s been taken away and I don’t know where they have taken Him”. She also repeats it to the man standing in the garden.

What happens next shakes me to my core every time I read it.

“She said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have taken Jesus from here, tell me where you have put Him. I will take Him away.’ 16 Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned around and said to Him, ‘Teacher!'” John 20:15-16 NLV

Jesus called her by name. And when she heard him said it, she knew immediately he was Jesus! 

No longer was she experiencing unfulfilled expectations – no, she was filled with a living hope.

“Mary Magdalene went to the followers and told them, ‘I saw the Lord!'” John 20:18 ERV

In our time of heartache, when all our great expectations have fallen away, we will hear the voice of the Savior, speaking out our name.

There’s no need to stand crying at a tomb of empty dreams. We have a living Savior who calls us by name!

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The Day Was Silent

If you had been a follower of Christ at the time of the crucifixion this day would have been silent.

There was no familiar greeting of friends, no smiles, possibly hugs and sobs and the questions – those haunting questions.

Could I have done something to stop the terrible beating and crucifixion? Are they coming for me next? I’ve spent the last three years following a man who is dead and gone? Where do I go, what do I do?

We know they weren’t prepared for the possibly of a resurrection. In fact, the women were preparing the spices which were a part of a proper burial. They had plans of going to the tomb the next morning.

These were apostles, disciples, family and friends in mourning. The day was silent!

But not so for the religious leaders who had been responsible for Jesus’ arrest, beating and crucifixion.

“The next day, the day after Jesus was killed, the head religious leaders and the proud religious law-keepers gathered together in front of Pilate. 63 They said, “Sir, we remember what that Man Who fooled people said when He was living, ‘After three days I am to rise from the dead.’ 64 Speak the word to have the grave watched for three days. Then His followers cannot come at night and take Him away and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ The last mistake would be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:62-64 NLV

In their fear, they sent soldiers to the tomb to seal it and guard it. At the tomb there was silence.

In hell there was a battle raging.

“When you were dead in your sins, you were not set free from the sinful things of the world. But God forgave your sins and gave you new life through Christ. 14 We had broken the Law many ways. Those sins were held against us by the Law. That Law had writings which said we were sinners. But now He has destroyed that writing by nailing it to the cross. 15 God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLV

Christ fought to free us from the power of sin. He fought for our redemption. He defeated the powers of hell!

“The Law could not make me free from the power of sin and death. It was weak because it had to work with weak human beings. But God sent His own Son. He came to earth in a body of flesh which could be tempted to sin as we in our bodies can be. He gave Himself to take away sin. By doing that, He took away the power sin had over us.” Romans 8:3 NLV

In the silence of that day all hope seemed lost but in reality hope for the salvation of all the world was birthed.

The angels had heralded His birth. The silence reverenced His death.

Let’s take time today to be silent, not in fear, but in gratitude for our great gift of salvation.

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Shaking in the Wind

Yesterday afternoon we had friends stop by for a visit. It was so good to see them, we always enjoy our time with them.

Somewhere in the conversation we began to talk about hurricanes and tornadoes and the fierce winds that come with them. This morning that conversation ties in with my Bible reading.

“When news reached the royal palace that Syria had joined forces with Israel, King Ahaz and everyone in Judah were so terrified that they shook like trees in a windstorm.

3 Then the Lord said to me: Take your son Shearjashub and go see King Ahaz. You will find him on the road near the cloth makers’ shops at the end of the canal that brings water from the upper pool. 4 Tell Ahaz to stop worrying. There’s no need for him to be afraid of King Rezin and King Pekah. They are very angry, but they are nothing more than a dying fire. Ahaz doesn’t need to fear” Isaiah 7:2-4 CEV

I’ve seen those trees shake in the wind. And there are times when I have felt fear that has shaken me to my very core. I know, you have too!

There are no words to express the sense of relief and comfort that come from hearing the Lord’s voice say “Stop worrying, there’s no need to fear”.

I struggled for years with fear. Fear of unknown circumstances, fear of people’s opinions, fear of failure. I remember being on a camping trip and we were warned of bears in the area – that brought a whole new kind of fear.

Fear can be immobilizing.

“ Late in the afternoon, when the breeze began to blow, the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. So they hid behind some trees…10 The man answered, ‘I was naked, and when I heard you walking through the garden, I was frightened and hid!'” Genesis 3:8&10 CEV

Fear was one of the first emotions that Adam and Eve experienced in the garden after they sinned. The first was shame followed by fear. Fear has been used by the devil for a very long time.

Ever since that time, God has been saying to mankind “Do not fear”! I know I have told you this before but it bears repeating, Bible scholars tell us that there are approximately 365 verses that tell us not to fear or to be worried.

God wants us to live a worry-free life. He wants us to face our fears and say like King David said:

“The Lord is my light and the One Who saves me. Whom should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom should I be afraid? 2 When sinful men, and all who hated me, came against me to destroy my flesh, they tripped and fell. 3 Even if an army gathers against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war rises against me, I will be sure of You.” Psalm 27:1-3 NLV

When we see trees blown by the wind let it serve as a reminder to us. Stop worrying, do not be afraid.

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