Your Provider Will Handle Your Situation

As I went to pick up Danny yesterday afternoon there was a wreck right before my eyes. The left lane had a line of cars stopped as someone was turning across traffic. Just as I drove by a small car rear ended one of those stopped cars. The mess was huge as I saw car parts fly off as though it was a toy. The front end of that car was demolished as it impacted the back of a pickup. I cringed at what I saw. I can’t be sure what happened but with the afternoon traffic always in a hurry to get home and the line of cars that was stopped it looked as though the small car’s drive had looked down or away for a moment. Just enough time to have a terrible impact on their day to say the least.

We all get in a hurry. Life is busy and we’re busy. We have things to do and places to go. We ask God’s blessing on our plans and then push things into high gear. Although we begin by watching carefully for God’s signal and stay alert for His guidance, we get busy. Then things get congested. We find we have lots of road hazards. One look away from the Savior and we have an impact we never wanted. Our faith gets derailed. Our hope gets demolished.  We were cruising along having a great time and yet we didn’t see the danger ahead that wants to impact our life in Christ. We get to thinking we’re king of the road when actually Christ is King of our entire life. Where we go, how we travel, who we see, even how we make a living and what we do with that living should be under His guidance. But we love to be in the driver’s seat.  

Then we find ourselves on the side of the road unable to move forward. We’re sidelined. It’s then that we have to know what to do so that we can get moving again.  We often pick up the phone and call our buddies, but they don’t have a wrecker big enough to pick up our mess. We survey the damage and discuss within our hearts what we’re going to have to do to get moving again. We plan and talk and discuss and fuss. But we’re still sidelined. The wreck’s impact has done its damage and we’re unable to move on.   

Until we talk to our Provider. When Jesus comes on the scene of the impact, our hearts are at peace again. His plan provides that we don’t ever have to take our eyes off Him, not for a moment. But He knows we’re going to have those lapses of the spirit where our mind plays a trick on us and we think we can handle it all ourselves. So miracles of miracles, He comes the moment we call on His Name. Even if we caused the accident ourselves, He will come to our aide. When others cause the collision He’s there to defend and protect us. When life throws things at us and we’re off the side of the road, He comes to our rescue.

Oh beloved, whatever situation you are in God is with you! You don’t have to figure this trouble out all by yourself. What looks like a demolition derby in your mind is actually another magnificent opportunity for God’s great love to come to your rescue. He gives second chances over and over again. These are teachable moments, sent into your life to remind you that He is the One who should do all the driving. And to remind you that you should never take your eyes off of Him. Wherever you need to be, He will get you there. He promises to guide you into all truth, into His will and into blessings and honor, glory and power when you let Him show you the way. The evidence may be clear that you messed up, you looked away, you got in an accident and someone’s to blame. But Jesus gathers you up when you call on His name.  You can learn not to take your eyes off Him and things will still happen but you will have peace because you have learned to look to Him for everything.

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you can call on Him whenever you find yourself in a wreck, whenever you can’t see the road ahead, whenever you’ve been impacted by sorrow, fear, regret, rejection, humiliation, sorrow, worry and more. No road hazard can keep you from receiving all you need from the Lord as you live in the light of His Word all the days of your life.

Psalm 103:11-14 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.  For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

Psalm 91:15 He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

Psalm 86:5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

Psalm 107:19-22 Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.  He sent out His word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.  Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.  Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving     and sing joyfully about His glorious acts.

Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith….

What's That Problem? Not a Disability!

A friend of ours has been dealing with issues arising from an accident that happened last fall. We talked recently and if he doesn’t get released from the doctor soon he may lose his job permanently. He doesn’t want to take disability. He enjoys working and providing for his family. But it may be forced on him anyway. We can’t plan our accidents. If we could most of us wouldn’t have them for accidents usually have some long ranging residual effects. Many of you can relate.

There are things that happen in life that we cannot do a thing about. We don’t choose the accidents that occur to us or around us. Nobody wakes up hoping for disaster. Of course not. We’re always caught unaware. We want to think the best, believe the best, hope the best.

But the situations, the accidents, happen nonetheless. And those situations can be used against us. The enemy of our souls wants to disable us spiritually. He wants us to believe that the accident is a totally disabling situation. He wants us to think that a broken heart means persistent depression. Or he wants us to believe that a lost job means we’ll be destitute always. He’ll whisper his not so sweet nothings into our ears through the rejection of others or the pronouncement of circumstances beyond our control.

If he can succeed, we will be permanently disabled. The mishaps of life compounded by the enemy’s lies means total disability. And that’s right where he wants all of us. A disabled Christian is very important this day and time. Disabled Christians can’t and won’t pray. Disabled Christians can’t quote scripture. Disabled Christians can’t overcome. Disabled believers are sidelined simply by the response to their circumstances.

We as believers do not have to accept the diagnosis of the enemy over our lives. Yes, there are going to be major collisions. There are going to be rejections, disappointments, disasters, and troubles. But our response to them makes all the difference on whether they become a millstone around our necks or a stepping stone to greater heights with Christ.

Oh beloved, are you feeling the effects of disability in your heart, mind or spirit? Have things gotten to you? Are you sinking in the quicksand of a misdiagnosis? Grab hold of Jesus! Has someone pronounced doom and gloom over you? Are you feeling the effects of injury to your heart and your spirit? Listen to the Lord. He is speaking His truth over your life as the Angel of the Lord encamps around you. No weapon formed against you will prosper. It’s time to refocus your attention away from injuries and onto the Lord! You are blessed, redeemed, and victorious. You are walking in the light of God’s Word and as you speak His Word over your life, the things that seem to control you and disable you will fall away. God’s Word is True. No one else can pronounce you unfit, unworthy or unusable. Your calling is without repentance and your worthiness is based solely on the Blood of the Lamb!

Rejoice, beloved, for God loves you and He’s for you and that keeps you able to walk in the light of His glory and grace!

Hebrews 12:2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Amplified

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.

Psalm 138:3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.

Isaiah 26:3-4 The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.

Jesus is the Centerpiece of Christmas

Our pastor was talking last Sunday about how hard it is to see the true meaning of Christmas in this day and time. From Times Square signage bought by American Atheists proclaiming that no one needs CHRIST this Christmas to the movies that talk only of elves and romance and presents, it looks as though Christ is being blocked out of the season altogether. 

But there are still manger scenes being erected in church lots and public buildings all over America. There are still people who know that Jesus truly is the Reason for the Season. I’m so thankful that when I walk the streets of our town a manger scene can be found in a storefront window. And Merry Christmas signs are still seen everywhere.

As I was thinking about my own collection of manger scenes and how I worked hard to make the lights on one display shine on the baby Jesus, God spoke to my heart.  How many nativities are set up where Jesus is behind the shepherd? As displays are observed is the manger itself placed outside the barn? Is the light shining brightest on Joseph or Mary or one of the Kings?  

If we’re not careful we will find ourselves settling for a personal faith that's been diluted by culture and other people's takes on spirituality. We’ll have a little Jesus off to the side of our lives and a lot of self-motivation and me right in the focal point. Only One King can be on the throne and only one Lord can be the center of our lives.  We will inevitably choose who is center – either ourselves or God.  We can even put family, work, spouses, friends and other things in the center but Jesus says He will share His glory, His rightful place, with no other.

God speaks again: If you will keep Me front and center in your life all other things will fall into place. As you look solely to Me for your needs, your wants and your desires you will find that I AM all you need.  When you put me off to the side of your life other things get mismanaged and become in disarray. Chaos ensues when you try to put yourself or anyone else but Me in the center of your heart and life. Feeling burdened by things or people or decisions or choices? Place Me back in My rightful place and see how it all will get back into focus.  I will redirect your path so that you can focus on Me everywhere you go.

Oh beloved, you are precious in the sight of the Lord. The Savior of the World has come and ransomed you from everything that can trouble you and seek to control your heart and mind. Look to Him for everything. Keep Him in the center of your life. His love and care are your nourishment. His Words are your guidepost. His precious promises are your reason for living. Don’t relegate Him to the background. Keep Him front and center and watch as He takes you where you could never go on your own and makes your life a shining example of His glory and grace.  He loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you want to keep your focus on Him all the days of your life.

Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven.

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.