This is a question that I have been personally walking through with God.  As I experience the difficulties of life and seeing others walking through tragic times, it has caused me to really examine this simple truth that should be a “no brainer” question. 

Is God enough as you struggle with the ongoing pain of losing a loved one?
Is God’s provision enough when you lose yet another job?
Is God’s presence enough when your integrity is questioned based upon lies that were told about you?
Is God’s grace enough to cover my sins and, are His redemptive powers enough to deliver me from those same sins?
Is God’s approval of how I live my life enough when others don’t value my efforts?

This list could be endless and I’m sure if you are honest, you could add to it.  The obvious answer is YES, of course He is enough!  I can even speak those words and fully desire to believe them, but making it a reality? Well, right now it is a journey God and I are taking together.  The timing is interesting though.  When I signed up, months ago, to write the blog for this week, I knew I’d be writing about Easter activities to do with your children that share the true meaning of Easter or writing a continuation of an evangelism testimony that I recently gave due to the large number of responses I’ve had in regards to that.  Never in my mind, did I think that I would be vulnerably writing about a journey that God and I are currently on.  But God knows all things and sets all things in motion, so He knew that I would reluctantly be writing about this topic instead of the other two topics that would have been easier and even more comfortable. 

When I’m struggling with something, I try to start with what I know to be true in a situation, then move from there to what I’m questioning.  Many times, what I already know to be true answers some or all of my doubts or questions.  Within this area of God being enough, I can logically know that He is because I can read it in His word and His word is truth.  Psalm 4:3 says, You can be sure of this:  The Lord set apart the godly for Himself.  The Lord will answer when I call to Him.  I also know that God is enough because I have experienced this truth several times in my life previously.  I can look back in my prayer journals, which serve as my stones of remembrance (see Joshua 4:1-9) and see how He has proven Himself faithful in the difficult times in my life, even when at the time, I had no hope of how He would prevail.  Second Corinthians 1:8-9 says, We think you ought to know dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia.  We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die.  But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 

So, after establishing this foundation, I’m currently in the process of flooding myself with His truth, so that I can move from logically knowing this Truth to experientially knowing this Truth.  When I refer to flooding myself, I mean I am actively seeking Him, by any and all means possible, to provide me evidence that He is enough.  I’m constantly praying for Him to reveal this truth to me.  I also pray that He would show me more and more examples in His Word that I can cling to, which He faithfully does.  I continually listen to Christian music (loudly) and have focused on songs like:  How He Loves, Strength of my Life, Remade, Praise You in this Storm and Someone Worth Dying For.  In response to my prayers, He also provided a godly friend for me who exemplifies what Ecclesiastes 4:12 says.  A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. With her, I can honestly and vulnerably express daily my thoughts, concerns, and doubts.  She has been given much wisdom from God to be supportive and encouraging, but also challenging when she needs to be.  We’ve also started a prayer journal where we share scripture with each other and pray for one another like we are instructed to in James, Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

I’d love to tell you that this journey is over.  I’ve even voiced to my friend, that I’d like to fast forward through this struggle.  She didn’t think that was wise and it is obviously not His plan.  But, recently, I have been able to experience small victories and revelations, through Him, and am trying to remain in a teachable place.  One thing that He has revealed to me is that I will never think He is enough if I don’t realize how much He loves me. In Lamentations 3:22-24, it says that through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: Great is Your faithfulness.  “The Lord is my portion.” says my soul, Therefore, I hope in Him.  I am ever doubtful that I will be able to fully comprehend His love for me, but at the same time if I can be more sensitive to looking for evidences of His love, I can’t help but ironically question, my previous question: Is He enough?

As I reflect on my daily walk with the Lord, one of the areas I openly confess I can struggle with is anxiety. In particular, I have found work-related deadlines and constant change are frequent contributors to my anxious feelings. Other factors include raising teenagers, paying for college, caring for aging parents and coming to grips with the fact that I too am getting older! Maybe you can relate?

By one definition, anxiety is a displeasing feeling of fear, worry, uneasiness, or dread. I have to assume it is a common experience for mankind because God’s word is not silent on the topic and addresses it clearly. Meditating on His word is a great antidote to anxiety. Many verses are applicable, but one in particular I have taken great comfort in is Philippians 4:5b-7.
“The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When I am confronted with my anxious thoughts, I am comforted knowing that my Lord is near. He is not far off tending to other more pressing issues. He is right here with me, ready to help. Also note that in everything we are to present our requests before the Lord in prayer. Did you catch what He said? Everything. I take great hope in knowing that there is not a single difficulty or trial that does not escape the sovereign knowledge of my Lord. And I am to come with a grateful heart. Gratitude to God is to accompany all true prayer. And in His wise and loving response, God gives me what I really need during my anxious times…peace! Our God is good and He promises us peace that combats our anxious thoughts. Note that this peace of God will guard your heart and mind. The word guard is a military term meaning “to keep watch over”. God’s peace guards believers from anxiety, doubt, fear and distress.

I like how Dr. John McArthur in his commentary states that the peace of God is a God-given inner calm that is promised to the believer who has a thankful attitude based on unwavering confidence that God is able and willing to do what is best for His children.

In closing, I am reminded of the words from the old hymn What A Friend We Have In Jesus:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Maybe you are struggling with anxiety. If so, my hope is that you will find the God-given peace promised to you in scripture as you turn over your thoughts and circumstances to the Lord in prayer.

What do you want to become when you grow up? That’s the question you are asked over and over again growing up. For a time, I wanted to be a police officer, fireman, astronaut, or any other hero that had my attention for a while. When I was in middle school, I could draw the best Garfield or Snoopy out of anyone in my class, so surely I was to become an artist when I grew up! When I got into high school, I loved math and figures; so naturally, I would become a math teacher. Leaving for college, I realized that I loved budgets and finance and number crunching, so off I went to become an accountant. While in college, I followed God’s leading toward vocational ministry. Even then, though, I realized that my vocation didn’t define what I’m to become.

I’m to become like God.

That seems almost arrogant to write. However, that is exactly what we’ve been called to do. As a Christian, I have been made new through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. As a part of that transforming process, we have been designed to model the character of God. Check out what we find in Ephesians 4…

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Whether I’m a police man, a math teacher, or youth pastor my goal is the same… to become like the creator. Now, don’t get me wrong. My goal is not for power or prestige. My goal is to model the character of God by living the way He would. Fortunately for us, He has given us a model in the form of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2 charges us to imitate Christ. It’s in Him that we find our belonging, our purpose, and who we are to become.

The process of becoming like Christ is a never ending process. It’s a lifelong journey of living out what we find in Scripture to model our lives after Him. No matter where we are on this journey, may we all recognize together that our primary goal is not to become a teacher, an artist, or an accountant (fill in the blank with your occupation). Our primary goal as a follower of Jesus Christ is to become like Him. May that be what defines us.

I am of an age where I remember the alternating altar call songs that were predominately popular – a few years back. One week it would be “Just As I Am” and the next it would be “I Surrender All”. I got to thinking about the word “surrender” which prompted me to review the words from this very old hymn.

All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

Refrain:
I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessèd Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now

All to Jesus, I surrender
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine

All to Jesus, I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me

All to Jesus I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
O the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory, to His Name

I suggest that we should let these words wash over us anew; not just a repeating of words to a song repeatedly sung years back, but rather with an embracing of the commitment and joy that is being expressed. I confess that surrendering myself so completely might give me some initial apprehension; to freely give of all that I have, to forsake worldly pleasures. However, this is our call. Am I ready and willing to release the “things” in my life and even my mindset into His hands? As part of God’s family and members within our body, we will be asked to surrender things we might hold dear, as we together follow the Lord’s leading and strive to impact our community and world as an Ambassador for Christ. Am I willing to release, not just some financial resources, but also my preferred plans or way / view of ministry? Our finite minds sometimes struggle to grasp or comprehend the infinite given in exchange as we release or surrender. Have you now noted some of those exchange items; Belonging, Holy Spirit, Love, Power, Blessings and most significantly Salvation.

One of the Webster’s definitions of surrender is – to give oneself up, as into the power of another; to submit or yield. The day is coming when all will surrender, bend the knee and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. Sadly, many will not bow in joy, but rather dread. I have already placed my life eternal into the hands of my Lord, and now my desire is that – “I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

Thank you Jesus. Glory, Glory to Your Name!

Steven

As we read and study the book of Acts, there is a compelling and beautiful picture of the young church in chapter 4:32-35.

Their fellowship was pure. They had all things in common, and much grace was upon them all. Every member’s need was met, no-one claimed any of his possessions were his own. There was harmony and unity. I cannot think of a better illustration of biblical fellowship.

Notice however, the turn of events in the opening word of chapter 5. “But a certain man named Ananias…”. Suddenly with one small word, ‘But’, the purity is shattered, the harmony is broken, the unity is spoiled.

Often simple words like ‘but’ have a deep significance, not in and of themselves but in the context in which they are used. In the case of this word its significance is derived from the things which follow, as in Acts 5.These things which qualify the word are not always negative, as we might think.

In Deuteronomy 4 we have a good example; “There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deu 4:28-29)

Moses is warning against idolatry. He tells the people of Israel that idolatry will result in captivity, slavery and dispersion. The prospect of captivity is not good he tells them, “There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone…”. But if from there you seek the Lord…if you look for Him with all your heart”.

Moses is telling them that there is no circumstance so difficult, no failure so deep, no breach so wide that if they repent, God He will restore.

Consider Luke 9:61, “… I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Jesus believed that once the man was back amongst family his resolve to follow Jesus would wane.

In Jesus day ploughing had to be done during the harsh cold of winter, with the temptation to leave it to another day and shelter in the warmth of the house. Ploughing calls for endurance, and a constant focus ahead, not behind. By inference so does following Jesus.

What is the relevance for us?

What follows ‘but’ in your life? What stands in the way of following Jesus? This is the very thing we need to overcome. Some temptation, some habit, some indulgence, some relationship which has the effect of sapping our resolve and diminishing our faith, some area of our life marked ‘private’ where Christ is not welcome, something we dare not sacrifice for the King, at least not yet.

“ I will follow you Lord, but…” But what?