He's Still God

Last week, on Monday two bombs filled with nails exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and wounding nearly 200; several had to have limbs amputated.  On Tuesday, letters addressed to President Obama and to a U.S. senator were found to contain traces of poisonous ricin.  On Wednesday, there was a massive explosion that leveled a Texas fertilizer plant, leaving at least 14 people dead and 200 injured. On Thursday,  Illinois’ governor declared 38 of the state's counties disaster areas from rain (up to 5 inches in just more than a day -- on the Windy City area). Thursday night, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology policeman was killed and another police officer was severely wounded, allegedly by the suspected Boston Marathon terrorists.  A massive search on Friday for the two suspected terrorists, who happened to be brothers, ensued with a lockdown of suburbs around Boston that had never before been experienced.  "All in all it's been a tough week," President Obama said during a press conference.   As if these national events weren’t enough to make one wonder what was going on in our country, five young people were shot to death ( four of them execution style in one location with multiple shots to their heads) in my hometown.

During the entire terrifying week, the Holy Spirit residing in me said that God is still God.  Psalm 46 verses 1-2 and 10, tells us God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea… He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

I searched youtube for a song to minister to my heart and found Toni L. Wortherly’s song of hope that she wrote in part, in memory of her late grandmother, and in part, because she was in shock at some of the violence she had seen in the news.  She said “Some people, in times like these, wonder if God is still in control, but I know for a fact that He is in control and He still cares.    Here are the lyrics to her song He’s Still God.

In my despair, He holds my hand.  He’s still God even when I face the darkest hour.  He can still hear my cries.  He still holds all the power.  He’s still there even when it seems too much to bear.  Although I know life can be hard, I also know that He’s still God.  Seems I can’t turn on the news without a story of violence and slaughter. It seems like life is not even valued anymore, people are killing their own sons and daughters.  They are so self consumed and they don’t think of the victims they leave behind.  Just senseless acts with tortuous costs and it truly blows my mind.  Though it seems the enemy is too much to handle, though the devil may think he has won, I know in the end that my God wins, all these battles belong to the Lord.  He’s still God even when we face the darkest hours.  He can still hear our cries.  He still holds all the power.  He’s still there even when it seems too much to bear.  Although I know life can be hard, I also know that He’s still God.

For those who are letting satan use them, God is aware.  Psalm 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the

Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth.  Jeremiah 17:9-10 “I the Lord search the heart  and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct,  according to what their deeds deserve.” 

Yes, He is God, there no one like Him.  Isaiah 6:3 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” He’s still God.

He’s Just A Prayer Away

Last night I watched the movie “Letters to God” which was inspired by a true story of an eight-year old boy with cancer.  In the movie Tyler Doherty's walk of faith takes the form of praying via letters he composes and mails.  Tyler’s letters find their way into the hands of Brady McDaniels, his temporary postman who’s dealing with his own personal issues. Brady is initially confused and conflicted over what to do with the letters, but eventually develops a friendship with the Doherty family.    

This was not a feel-good movie – it was an encouraging, uplifting story about the impact of praying to a loving God and the galvanizing effect it had on Tyler’s family, friends and community because of Tyler’s belief and strong faith.  To Tyler, God is a friend, a teacher, and the ultimate pen pal.  The movie showed that while God doesn’t always answer the way we want, He does what is best.  

This movie blessed my heart because I’ve been touched by cancer through deaths of loved ones and the long-term survival of others.  I’m well aware of how a cancer diagnosis brings fear and can devastate families.  My sister’s husband died from cancer.  My other sister’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law died from the effects of cancer.  My dad, my brother-in-law, my friend’s teenage grandson, and a childhood friend have completed or are in the midst of completing cancer-related treatments.  My paternal aunt, my sister’s sister-in-law, and my childhood Sunday School teacher are all long-term breast cancer survivors. I’ve attended the funerals of friends from church and my neighborhood who lost their cancer battles.  In my former job as a regional Human Resources Director, I and my staff assisted employees with cancer obtain their long-term disability benefits.  Several eventually succumbed from the effects of their illness.    

In numerous prayer journals over the years (my letters to God), I’ve written the names of those I mentioned above.  Like in the movie, God didn’t always respond the way I hoped.  Some lives He prolonged and others in His Sovereignty, He chose to end here.  We don’t always understand what He is doing (For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts Isaiah 55:9).  I know that He hears us whether we translate just our thoughts, speak out loud, write out our prayers, or allow the Holy Spirit to speak on our behalf.  So I say, thank You, Father, for giving us the privilege of bringing our burdens to you and for the eternal home that Jesus has prepared for those who confess Him as Lord.  Amen.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans   Romans 8:26

SPOILER ALERT Patrick Doherty, Tyler's real father, wrote "Letters to God" after his son lost his battle with cancer.  Doherty admits "Letters to God" was, at first, just a "cool title" for a movie. It wasn't until after the death of his son and a year-and-a-half after the screenplay was finished that he found Tyler's real letters to God.  For more information about the movie, access these links: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/March/Letters-to-God-A-Movie-of-Hope/  http://www.letterstogodthemovie.com/

Why Am I Here?

Years ago I read Rick Warren’s book “Purpose Driven Life”, subtitled “What On Earth Am I Here For?” My pastor is conducting a bible study using this book, so I am re-reading it. In Chapter 3, Pastor Warren says “Living to create an earthly legacy is a short-sighted goal. A wiser use of time is to build an eternal legacy.” He reminds us that we “weren’t put on earth to be remembered.” We “were put on earth to prepare for eternity.” When I question why am I here, I have to acknowledge as Pastor Warren says, that one day I “will stand before God, and He will do an audit” of my life before I enter eternity. He says “God will ask two crucial questions: First, “What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?” and “Second, What did you do with what I gave you…all the gifts, talents, opportunities, energy, relationships, and resources?”

Yesterday, while reading my bible, I turned to 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and read how Paul could answer these two questions. Paul said:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (NIV)

In contrast, I have never been in prison, flogged, beaten, pelted with stones, nor shipwrecked. I haven’t been “constantly on the move,” in danger from rivers, bandits, Jews and Gentiles in the city, country, and sea, gone without sleep and food on my Christian journey. No, this won’t be my testimony when I stand before the Lord.

My testimony is that through my relationships as a wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend, neighbor, church and community volunteer I use every opportunity through His gift of teaching (Romans 12:7, Ephs. 4:11) to witness about Jesus Christ to everyone I encounter -- whether in person, over the phone, through written communication (cards, e-mail, blogging, Facebook), when driving my car, in the grocery checkout line, etc.  With His gift of helps (I Cor. 12:28), my husband and I use our financial resources to assist those in need and support His ministry.  With the energy He’s given me, I visit those in hospitals and convalescent homes and attend funerals to provide comfort. My life has not been and is not perfect.  Through my challenging tests, though different from Paul’s, I have learned beyond a shadow of a doubt who I am – a child of the Most High God; to whom I belong – to the Almighty God of the universe; and most importantly, why I am here – to fulfill my eternal legacy of serving Him until the day He calls me home. Do you know why are you here? If your answer is yes, what are you doing with Jesus Christ? Are you using what God has given you for the purposes for which God made you? 

Some May Find It Strange

Since New Year’s Eve, I’m attended a funeral or calling hours for nine people with only one as my relative.  There’s a funeral tomorrow for a classmate of mine.  The prospect of death has always been very real to me helping me embrace the fact that one day I’m going to make the same transition.   Hebrews 9:27 says “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

   

I don’t know when I first wrote my own obituary.  I know it was years ago.  I’ve had to update it over time, most recently to add the name of my youngest grandchild who was born in October.   My immediate family is aware of this strange quirk of mine.  Or perhaps it’s not so strange considering my maternal grandmother wrote her obituary years before she passed, and my mom gave her obituary to me a few years ago!

As each day passes, I am one day closer to breathing my last breath on earth.  Yet, I’m not concerned about it because of a decision I made when I was a little girl.  I didn’t get to choose my skin color and gender, who my birth parents and siblings are, nor where I was born.  God chose these things for me.  Since He never makes a mistake, I fully accept and embrace who I am.  While I did make some decisions that brought consequences to my life, some that were very good and some filled with grief and disappointment, the biggest and best decision I made was choosing to give my life to and follow Jesus. 

I might be frightened about the prospect of my death if I was clueless about what will happen.  Jesus told me I don’t have to worry because He has gone ahead of me to prepare the way.    John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am , there ye may be also.  2 Corinthians 5 teaches me I'm going to receive a new body.  That sounds good to me because of the physical changes I'm experiencing as I age.  Until the day of my transition, I have the Holy Spirit helping me through whatever comes my way.  John 16:7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.   Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, my Advocate, to take up residence in my heart when I accepted Him in my childhood.  I’m so grateful that Jesus knew that I would need the Holy Spirit to teach, encourage, protect, and intercede for me.  With the Holy Spirit, I can handle this life until my transition comes.  As one of my now deceased friend used to say “I can’t lose.  While down here, Jesus is with me.  When I die, I get to go be with Him.”  Nope, I’m not concerned about dying.  It’s a win-win proposition and not strange at all!

He Knows Me Best

When I was born, I entered the world as the daughter of my parents and granddaughter of my grandparents.  I had a brother, making me a sister.  My parents had siblings making me a niece.  Their siblings had children making me a cousin.  On the day I was born, I was surrounded with people who automatically loved me, some of whom I became close with over the years. 

I eventually became a mother, a wife, stepmother, an aunt, and an in-law with a heap of relatives through my marriage and the marriages of my siblings and children. I have the wonderful title of being a grandmother!  The family circle of people who know me has grown by leaps and bounds. 

As much as I am known by all of these people to whatever degree, none know me like the One who created me.  When I was born, I entered the world as a female Negro, a black person, an African-American, not by choice but by design by the Most High God, the all-knowing Father, Creator God.   There was a choice I made as an adolescent – to follow the One who created me.  Living by the choice I made to the One who created me supersedes EVERYTHING in my life.

Psalm 139:13, 15-16 tells me that God “created my inmost being…“knit me together in my mother’s womb,” God’s “eyes saw my unformed body”, I was made in secret in my mother’s womb, and  “all the days ordained for me were written in His book before one of them came to be.”   

As a mom, I think I know my children fairly well.  But because they live in different cities from me, I’m clueless as to what’s going on in their lives unless we communicate via phone, e-mail or Facebook.    

How well does God know me?  He has searched me and knows me.  He knows when I sit (who besides God knows that I’m sitting in my family room as I write this), when I rise (often my husband is not aware that I’ve left the bedroom), when I go out and come in.  God knows my thoughts before I become aware of them.  (Psalm 139:1-3).  He doesn’t have to call or e-mail me to find out what’s going on with me.  He knows more about me than I could ever put on Facebook!

God is familiar with ALL my ways.  The Message Bible says God knows “everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence.”  I can’t reach His knowledge – it is too high for me.  I cannot get away from Him.  “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:6-12)  Oh, how wonderful it is to be known by my God!  He knows me best!

What He Requires

Recently while at lunch with a dear friend, she commented all that is required of us (Christians) is the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20): Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (see also Mark 16:15).  I responded that He requires more than that.  Our chat prompted me to search His concerning His requirements for Christians. 

He requires our repentance.  From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt. 4:17). He requires us to love God and our neighbor as evidenced by His response to the Pharisee’s question “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”   Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:36-39; see also Mark 12:30-31 and John 13:34-35).

He requires that our light (actions) ought to shine in such a way that others will give God glory which reflects our love for God.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt 5:15-16).  

Loving God with all of our heart, soul and mind, requires us to seek His kingdom and righteousness and not to worry.   “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matt 6:25, 34).  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt 6:33, Luke 12:22-31).  

Loving God with all of our heart, soul and mind, requires us to: treat people the way we want to be treated, forgive others, and love and pray for our enemies.  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31). “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22, see also Luke 17:3-4).  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. … If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:43-44, 46; Luke 6:27-29)  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)   From the number of drive-by shootings and mass murders of family members committed these days, it’s obvious people are not forgiving others nor loving and praying for their enemies.

When we love God with all of our heart, soul and mind, we don’t stockpile possessions; we share what He’s given us and assist those in need. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Matt. 6:19-20, Luke 12:15).  In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable to His disciples about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, taking in strangers, and visiting the sick.  “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (vs. 37-40). 

When we love God with all of our heart, soul and mind, we can deal with others in love, not by judging or condemning them, to remedy what may seem like impossible situations.   “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:37-38).  “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.  But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector (Matthew 18:15-17). Years ago, a Christian spoke to me in private and shared her concern about something she thought I had said about her.  By her coming to me, just as the Word says, we talked it out and hare remained good friends.    

Sounds like too much?  This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands.
In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, (1 John 5:3).  We won’t have cause to worry as we:

·         repent of our sin while seeking His kingdom and righteousness

·         treat people the way we want to be treated

·         forgive  

·         love and pray for our enemies

·         confront others in love without judging and condemning

·         meet the needs of others by sharing God’s blessings while not stockpiling possessions

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them (John 14:23). Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9).

Full of Thanksgiving

This morning as I bowed before the Lord, I began thanking Him.  I thanked Him for waking me and my husband up with the ability to fully function.  I thanked Him for: allowing me to spend  yesterday out of town at a cottage with a pool with several of my former co-workers, my phone call last night with one of our children and the joy I heard in his voice for what the Lord is doing in his life, the news this week from a childhood friend that her cancer may now be in remission (a true testament of the Lord’s healing power), and my dad and brother’s move together to an apartment over the weekend.  With all the tragic news around the world, the number of grieving families I know, the serious illness of a close member of my family, as well as other issues, I am ‘full of thanksgiving.’ 

Normally during my devotional time with the Lord, I spend much time in intercessory prayer for those who are grieving, sick or injured, incarcerated, living in impoverished countries, homeless, jobless, having trouble in their marriage, for my family, friends, church, neighbors, youth and whatever or whoever else the Lord lays on my heart.  But this morning, I was simply ‘full of thanksgiving.’

No matter what we are going through, we can find something for which to thank Him.  When my grandson’s leg was broken a few months ago, I was able to thank God that the break was above the growth spot.  Had the break been a couple inches lower, my grandson’s growth would have been affected.  So I was able to praise Him for what didn’t happen.  This morning as I bowed before Him, I entered His gates with thanksgiving and His court with praise because He is good.  Are you full of thanksgiving today?  Have you entered His courts with praise?  Today, consider simply giving thanks to Him and praise His name!

Psalm 100:3-5

Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.