Tag: #christianblog

TRAGEDIES

Do you sometimes question what God is doing in your life especially when tragedies come along?  Do you cry out to God asking, “Why are you doing this to me?”

The book of Job shares insights into a good way to view and handle tragedies in our life.

 

The forty-two chapters of the book share the story of a wealthy, upright, and faithful man, Job.  Satan, the accuser, was roaming the earth seeking whomever he could destroy.  God and Satan were conversing:

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”  Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life.  But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”  “All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.”  –Job 2:3-6  (NLT)

We learn Job lived a blameless, holy life and had much respect for God.  His life embodied integrity.  Satan was sure he could get Job to curse God if he sent tragedy to his life.  God had faith in Job, and His only request was Satan could not take Job’s life.

++++++++++++

Job owned a large number of oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels, and servants. They all perished tragically through attacks, lightning strikes, and a tornado.  All of his children also died.

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.  He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”  In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.  –Job 1:20-22  (NLT)

Job, honestly acknowledged his pain and grief, yet exemplified faith. Despite all the “things” in his life being taken away, Job praises the name of the Lord and does not blame God for any of the tragedies!  He persevered and did not get angry with God.

Photo courtesy of Lewis_Satini under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

Satan inflicted painful sores, from the soles of Job’s feet to the top of his head, in another attempt at getting Job to curse God.

His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”  He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.  –Job 2:9-10  (NIV)

Even Job’s wife believes Job should curse God.  Job stands firm in his faith, knowing God is with us through the good and the bad. Under no circumstance would Job give in to curse God.

++++++++++++

 Three of Job’s friends told him he was suffering because of some sin or evil in his life. Job remained steadfast in his resolve to God. Job knew God was still in charge, despite the tragedies happening in his life.

At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth.  He said: “Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived…”  –Job 3:1-3  (NLT)

Job sinks a bit into despondency listening to his friends, but Job refuses to curse God.  Instead, he curses the day of his birth.  He reasons the bad things happening are simply God’s will.  God is still faithful and good.

 ++++++++++++

The ending chapters of Job are conversations between God and Job, occurring in a storm.  Through this, Job experienced God’s presence in his suffering.  Ultimately, God blessed the latter part of Job’s life even more than the first because of his faithfulness.

Then Job replied to the Lord:  “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”  “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.  Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”  –Job 42:1-2; 5-6  (NIV)

Job remained faithful and trusted God, despite any circumstance in his life.  Not once did he blame God for the bad.  Job’s faith was in God, who he knew had the power to do anything and everything in his life.  He shows us how to persevere through any tragedy, knowing that everything works for the good of God.

 

Photo courtesy of Sapphire Dream Photography under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

Did you notice Job, not even once, asked

WHY the tragedies were happening?

 

Job modeled

“WHAT can I do with this tragedy? 
HOW can I glorify you, God, in this difficulty?”

 

 

May these lessons from Job’s life be a source of encouragement for you this week~

  • Live with integrity, knowing God is working in every situation, whether it is good or bad.
  • Acknowledge the tragedies in your life, rather than pretending they aren’t there.
  • Try praising the Lord and not blaming Him for the tragedies.
  • God is present in both the good and the bad.
  • Do not curse God for what happens in life.
  • Look for God’s presence in the storms of life.
  • God’s purposes always prevail.
  • Remain steadfast in faith and trust in the Lord.
  • Focus on “WHAT can I do with this tragedy?” and “HOW can I glorify God?”

 

 

I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help!’ You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ –Lamentations 3:55-57 (ESV)

DO NOT CLING

Do you sometimes read or hear a familiar Scripture passage, and suddenly you see something you never noticed before?  I had one of those experiences with this story about Jesus’ resurrection.

 

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.  She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.  “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”  She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.  “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”  “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).  “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.  –John 20:11-18  (NLT)

 

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on the first day of the week while it was still dark. She was prepared to anoint and ready Jesus’ body for entombment.  Mary was surprised and distraught to see Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb.  In desperation to find His body, she was willing to do whatever it took to find Him.  Much to her surprise, Jesus, in His resurrected state, was right in front of her.  She recognized Him once He said her name. What deep love she had for Jesus.

 

  • Jesus cast seven demons out of her.  (Luke 8:2)  She experienced Jesus’ life-changing power in her life.
  • Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus and helped support His ministry.  (Luke 8:3)  She wanted to help spread the Good News of Jesus to others, as well as grow in her relationship with Jesus.
  • She was present at the foot of the cross at Jesus’ crucifixion.  (John 19:25)
  • Mary saw where Jesus was laid in the tomb.  (Mark 15:47)

 

Can you see Mary Magdalene’s fists clenched, holding on tightly to Jesus’ cloak?  Mary dearly loved Jesus and did not want to let Him go.  Isn’t that just like when we lose someone near and dear to us?

 

What are some possible reasons Jesus said this to Mary?  Jesus understood Mary was scared and afraid to lose Him again, but…

  • It was important for the disciples to know He was alive, just as He foretold.  Mary Magdalene, the person Jesus first appeared to, was given the task of sharing the news of His resurrection with the disciples.
  • He knew Mary would still have opportunities to visit with Him before His ascension into heaven.
  • Death brings a change in relationships with people.
  • We can’t hold on to the old. We always need to be growing and changing.
  • If we have clenched fists, we can’t give or receive anything new.
  • Jesus knew Mary could not rely solely on His physical presence. Once He ascended, the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, would be our access.

 

  • …sharing the Good News of “I have seen the Lord?”
  • …recognizing the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life?
  • …unclenching your fists to give and receive new blessings?

 

  • …know Jesus calls us by name.
  • …live in peace, knowing we are never alone. Jesus left us the Holy Spirit.
  • …know we have the same Father and God that Jesus does.

 

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.  –John 14:16-17  (NLT)

SACRIFICE

Does it seem like your faith, trust, and love of God are tested almost daily?  How well do you fare in obedience to the Lord?  God provides a great example for us in the man Abraham.  It is powerful to see how Abraham’s obedience foreshadows Jesus’ obedience to God in one particular story.

 

Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.  “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”  “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”  –Genesis 22:1-2  (NLT) 

Abraham and Sarah were barren and childless until they were in their 90’s, way past childbearing years, when God blessed them with the gift of Isaac.  After waiting so long for a child, imagine you hear God say to offer that child as a burnt offering to the Lord. Would you be obedient? Continue reading “SACRIFICE”

AGONY OF SUFFERING

Does it bring you comfort to realize Mary, the mother of Jesus, understands what it is like to watch a loved one suffer and endure trials in this life?  Her heart must have broken seeing Jesus beaten, scourged, and left to die hanging on a cross.   Mary watched first-hand the agony of suffering Jesus endured for your sins and mine.

In thinking about Mary, it brought to mind many I know who are experiencing the agony of suffering with their children.  They are watching them deal with cancer treatments, mental illness, making life choices, and heart issues at a young age.  We all have those we know dealing with the agony of suffering. Continue reading “AGONY OF SUFFERING”

ALWAYS WITH YOU

One of my holy places is a retreat house that overlooks a beautiful lake.  It is a place I spend different weekends in ministry helping in the dining area, as well as personally attending retreats.

 

 

I missed ministering there last year, especially for extended weekends, because of the pandemic.  They were able to open up for some day retreats back in the fall, which I attended. I was fortunate to attend two Lenten retreats within three weeks.  How could I not take advantage of the blessing of spending alone time with the Lord and soaking up the beauty of the grounds? Continue reading “ALWAYS WITH YOU”

DECEIVING

It was a beautiful sunny morning in March as I headed to church.  I was surprised to see the thermometer said 14 degrees.  I enjoyed the crisp air and sun as I walked briskly to the back door of the church.  Running into a facilities man who was vacuuming the dirt and ice melt from the carpet right outside the door became a God moment.  As I arrived at the door, he finished and came inside.

He asked me, “How is your life?” which is a question a former pastor of the church used to ask.  I thought that was an interesting spin on a familiar question.  I thought how encompassing the question is, and for some reason, I felt full of gratitude for everything in my life. Continue reading “DECEIVING”

THE LORD’S PRAYER

A friend recently reminded me of this simple yet powerful thought, which led to these thoughts this week.  It is something I find myself repeating frequently, along with thanking God for providing.

 

 

I am sure you recognize that verse, a line from the Lord’s Prayer. Continue reading “THE LORD’S PRAYER”

THE LIGHT

This scene is quite familiar to me as it is what I keep my eyes on much of the time as I am working out with an exercise video.  My spirit is refreshed and working out is better when the sun shines through the window. I tend to focus on one of the crosses you can see in the window.  At the same time, I listen to different church services to keep my mind thinking about the important things. This makes the exercising go by faster.

 

 

One day a “light bulb” turned on in my head, and I had a little revelation as the sun was shining through.  Now, I actually see a two-fold message. Continue reading “THE LIGHT”

THE HEART

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  –1 Samuel 16:6-7  (NLT)

This passage reveals what is most important to God.  God cares most about our hearts, the condition of our hearts!  His thoughts and ways are different from ours.  Don’t we, as humans, often put our emphasis on our looks, careers, how much money we have, or compare ourselves to others? 

God is telling us the outward things about us do not matter to Him.  Continue reading “THE HEART”

GOD’S AGAPE LOVE

I have been immersed in experiencing God’s great love for me recently, which is overwhelming at times.  With February being a month noted for love and with Valentine’s Day just a few days ago, I figured this topic was apropos for this week.

If I asked you the following questions, what would you share?  As you read these thoughts, be thinking of how you would answer these questions.  I would appreciate hearing your answers, which you can share in the comment section below.  We can help each other learn and grow through our sharing.

 

 

 

Continue reading “GOD’S AGAPE LOVE”