Taste and see...

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

This is a strange verse. How do we “…taste and see that LORD is good”? One of the ways that helps me break this verse down, as I think about it, is to meditate on what Jesus said as He shared the Passover meal with His disciples before His crucifixion.

As Jesus broke bread, He said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV). Then, as He shared the cup of wine, He said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV). Here Jesus is offering something more than physical nourishment for the disciples. He is inviting them to ingest God’s promise of forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life through His death and resurrection… the very life of Christ.

Jesus’ is our refuge. He is the blood over the doorway of our hearts that repels the death angel. He is the ark that shields us from the floods that rage outside. He is our hope when all hope seems lost. He is our light in the darkness.

But we must taste of Him. In order to experience His “goodness” we must receive the bread and wine… His body broken and blood poured out for us. It is only when we taste His mercy, forgiveness, and love that we can truly see just how good He is and how blessed we are.

So many times, however, we want to pay our own way, or we choose not to come to the table because we feel unworthy. But God calls us to come, not because of our worthiness, but because of His great love. We do not earn this meal. It is given freely, and its benefits are only realized as we receive it as it is… a gift, undeserved and given out of unconditional love.

Partaking of this divine meal our souls are nourished as we are filled with the experiential knowledge that nothing can separate us from God’s love… not even our sins, failures, and unworthiness. It is His love that sustains us. It is His love that frees us from fear’s grip. It is His love that enables us to live as Christ in this world.

So, today, let’s come to the table of grace and receive the goodness of the Lord. Let’s remember His faithfulness, love, mercy, and forgiveness. Let’s remember that it’s because of His great love (and that only) that we have forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. He’s waiting for us. Will we wait on Him?

“WAIT and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].”
(Isaiah 55:1 AMP).

my comfort

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. (Psalm 119:50 NIV)

Jesus said in this world we WILL have trouble… affliction and suffering. But He also promised us a comforter, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of Comfort. What brings hope to those who trust in God in the midst of suffering? What brings hope, to those who lean on God, and strength to carry on when situations change for the worse? It’s the Promise. It’s the promise that we are not alone in our struggles. It’s the promise that God Himself is on our side and has given us something that no one in heaven, earth, or hell could ever take from us…His love and promise of eternal life.

The world gives ample opportunity to test this promise of comfort and peace. It tests it through circumstances seen. It tests it through situations that, on an earthly level, would scream, “Despair!” yet in the midst of utter hopelessness hope arises and breaks through the darkness.

For those who trust in God and put their hope in His Son, Jesus Christ, He grants the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. It is His Spirit that reminds us of eternity. It is His Spirit that reminds us we are not bound by this world. It is His Spirit that reminds us we are in this world but not of it.

So how do those with faith in God rest in this peace? How do the children of God rest in this comfort? This happens as the Promise is tested. Yes, it is the very circumstances that hinder faith that also inspire it. For every struggle, every hardship, every pain, God has made available His Comfort. There is no circumstance that is void of His ability to provide peace and comfort. For every suffering there is a Savior. There is One who bore our shame and shared in ALL of our sufferings. He, Jesus, will never leave us nor forsake us. He is with us always and has gone on to prepare a place of rest for us. It is this promise that allows us to be a light to world, showing all creation that there is more to life than “this life.” We live today because we know we will live tomorrow. We trust today because we have a hope that goes beyond this world. If the earth was destroyed, we would still live. We have a hope, and in this hope we have peace…a peace that God has given and the world can never take away.

the need

Today is my “Newsday.” This is where I write about… a news story. Go figure. Honestly it’s not my favorite topic since the news that’s out there generally drags me down. Anyway, I’ll give it a try.

Today’s story is taken from Channel 27’s (ABC) website. In one sense it’s good news yet, at the same time, very disturbing. The story happened yesterday at East High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin where two teens, both 17 years old males, were arrested for plotting an attack on their school… much like the attack at Columbine seven years ago.

The good news is their plot was thwarted. The bad news is there was a plot that needed to be thwarted. Police, who raided the youths’ homes, found a myriad of weapons and other paraphernalia… all related to inflicting damage to property and people alike. Along with the gear, police also found suicide notes. The two teens are currently being held with charges pending. Incident averted… emotions accosted.

Reflecting on this story, I wonder, “Why?” Then again, I wonder, “Why not?” I mean, here we are, living in a society that devalues life and glorifies death. In another article, I found there is an internet video game based on the high school shootings at Columbine. Yes, two teens are being glorified as cult heroes for… killing others and themselves. Honestly, I think there is a reason for these outbreaks. I believe, on a heart level, these youths are crying out for the very thing needed by all people… acceptance, love, and being valued for who they are.

Kids are literally willing to die to be valued. “Look at me! I’m somebody!” It’s a cry that screams out of youth everywhere. It’s the same cry that fuels the rage that manifests in these acts of violence and hopelessness. In trying to gain a sense of well-being and control, they forfeit their very lives as well as others. Dear God, how do we address something so deep rooted… so painful?

These youth need something to live for… instead of die for. Personally, I believe that only comes as they experience the love of God shown through those who bear the name of Christ. It comes from a people who are willing to value and honor those who the world says are unworthy of value and honor. It comes as the children of God reach beyond their warm homes and venture into the cold streets of despair and hopelessness.

What can we do? Instead of just putting another check in the offering plate, ask God, “Would you send me to be a light to someone in darkness?” Then be ready to accept His call. Are you ready? He is, and so are they.

Love is one of the Christian’s secrete weapons. It’s what melts the coldest heart. It’s what motivates the weak to feats of strength. It’s the healing balm that is needed for a culture looking for hope, love, and acceptance in a world that offers fear, hatred, and rejection.

What would have made this story a “good story” is if, instead of the police, a group Christ followers would have reached out to these youths, touched their souls and loved them into the Kingdom. What would have been awesome is if these teens would have been able to share that, like the Apostle Paul, God’s love stopped them from completing their plan of terror. Then again, maybe it was the prayers and love of God’s people that kept yet another tragedy from happening.

Events like Columbine and the failed attack at Green Bay are not going to be resolved by government programs and even the allowance of prayer in schools. What will turn the tide is when the children of the living God step up to their God-given mandate to love. Love the unlovely, love the outcast, and love those forgotten by the lime light. Am I saying not to pray? No way, we can’t love without seeking God for the empowerment of His Holy Spirit. What I am saying is we can’t wait until prayer is popular or accepted by society in order to do it. In the same vein we can’t wait until loving others is popular either. For Christ did not come into this world to be accepted by it, but to offer hope, love, and acceptance to a fallen and desperate people. These fallen and desperate people are those around us who do not know the love the God shown through Jesus Christ. How will they know Him if they do not see Him and how will the see Him unless we go in His name?

Father, please open our eyes to the hurting around us. Empower us to love those who feel unloved, unvalued, and unwanted. Heal our own wounds of feeling these ways as we heed your call to apply healing oil on the wounds of others. Fill us with your love as we in turn pour that love and hope out to those around us, especially the outcast and hurting. Amen.

This is faith

When all looks dark, look for the Light.
When questions overwhelm, look for the Answer.
When the impossible screams, “Never!” reply, “Possible!”.

This is faith.

Look to the Light.
Look for the Answer.
Look for the Possible.

Light
Answer
Possible

Rest in His LAP… today!

Blind faith

As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.
(Mark 10:46 NIV).

I love this story! Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was along the roadside… begging. It was how he survived. He had no qualms about it. At this point he was far beyond pride. He was use to calling aloud, “Alms for the poor! Alms for the poor!”. He did not care what people around him said for he knew if his cries for mercy pricked one heart he would eat that day. Sneers and sarcasm bounced off this blind man. He knew what he had to do to survive. He called out for mercy… unrestricted and unabashed.

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing his way, something rose up in his heart. He knew Jesus was able to heal the lame, open deaf ears, and even give sight to blind eyes. Could this be his moment? Gathering every bit of strength he had, Bartimaeus shouted with what seemed like a war cry, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus heard the cry. Many types of cries touched Jesus’ ears. Some evoked feelings of compassion and mercy, some of sorrow, while others evoked a feeling of unrestrained joy and excitement. I believe this beggar’s cry evoked the later. This was a cry of faith. This blind beggar wasn’t sheepishly asking but fearlessly requesting the services of the Great Physician. The sound of faith caught Jesus’ ear and drew Him to Bartimaeus.

Meanwhile, those around Bartimaeus rebuked him and told him to be quiet. But like a warrior, unhindered by the cries of battle, the beggar pressed on toward his destination. Then, the word came… “He’s calling you.” Those who tried to hinder Bartimaeus now stood still and quiet as he jumped up, threw off his beggar’s coat and blindly felt his way to Jesus.

So, as the rest of the story goes, Jesus healed Bartimaeus. His blind eyes were healed as well as his heart… for not only were his physical eyes opened but also his spiritual eyes. As he beheld the true Light of the World, Bartimaeus made a decision that day. He chose to follow this man from Nazareth… unhindered and unabashed.

As I read this story, my prayer is that God would grant me the same faith Bartimaeus had… a faith unhindered by the scene around me. I pray God would take my beggar’s coat that has defined me as worthless and undesirable. I pray that I would not be hindered by the crowd as I shout the words, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Oh Jesus, grant me the hope of knowing You are passing my way today! I choose to follow You and love you all the days of my life. Amen.

Awesome God!

“God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!” (Psalm 68:35 NLT).

God IS awesome! His presence can evoke an extreme sense of delight while at the same time produce an overwhelming sense of dread… hope and horror, faith and fear. The prophet Isaiah had such an experience through a vivid vision of God seated on His throne, in His sanctuary. In the vision, Isaiah was overcome by God’s holiness. In God’s presence, Isaiah realized his unworthiness to stand before the Holy One and, in agony, cried out in this woeful state. But God did not leave him in this state of woe, fear, and dread. Instead, He sent an angle to cleanse Isaiah’s “unclean lips” and prepare him to accept the next revelation of God’s awesomeness… His love and invitation to co-labor with Him.

This awesome call would not have been possible if Isaiah did not witness the fear and dread of the Lord. Isaiah would have tried to fulfill the call in his own strength if he did not realize the fact that he, in and of himself, was unfit for the call. The awesomeness of the Lord is not only in His holiness, but also in His love, mercy, and willingness to call forth the weak things of this world to carry the unveiled glory of His presence. Isaiah’s willingness to accept the call was based on his response to God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love. Isaiah knew he was forgiven much and, in response, demonstrated His love and gratitude for God by accepting His call to “…go…”

God, who created the heavens and earth, is the same God who chose to reveal His presence through weak, broken vessels (that would be us). He does this to show that He is a god who is not hindered by His creation but instead empowers His creation (those who place their trust in Him) to walk the heights. This ability (grace) is not based on their (our) circumstances and limitations but on His strength and power which sustains those who trust Him. In all this, we can declare once again with a loud and confident voice… God is truly awesome!