Tag: Divine Presence

Today’s Word Is ANXIOUS

Tue-May-19-2020

“Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

What are we doing when we “anxiously look about”? It might be that we are looking for another solution because we don’t like what we’re being told.

There is a story about a man on the side of a cliff who has his foot on a loose rock, and he is clinging for dear life. He yells upward, “Help! Is anybody up there?”

The answer comes in a deep voice, “This is God! Let go and I will catch you!”

The man is silent, wondering what to make of this voice. So, he finally yells again, “Is anyone else up there?”

Trusting God sounds easy … but many times it’s not that easy. If you are suffering from anxiety, you probably can identify with this particular definition … It has been said that “the root of anxiety is a loss of control.”

When our world or a certain situation is out of our control, we may struggle to find any way we can to regain some control. But we can trust the one who has ultimate control. If we exercise our faith, then the Scripture “I am your God” is a good enough answer in any circumstance. Let me repeat that … “I am your God” is a good enough answer in any circumstance. “Do not be anxious about anything …” (Philippians 4:6)

It doesn’t seem like it could be that simple, but it is amazing what repeating a statement of faith like Isaiah 41:10 can do. First, we put ourselves into a calmer state of mind. “I am not going to fear, because God is with me.” We tell ourselves, “I am going to stop looking anxiously about me to find my own solution. I am going to look to God, because he is my strength and my help.” Then we repeat as many times as it takes … “God will uphold me with his righteous right hand.” Then we let God speak peace into our hearts.

[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)

I do love it when I call upon the Lord, and he says, “Peace! Be still!” And I experience that real peace of God flowing in and filling my inner being, and I become completely calm.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is FULFILLMENT

Thu-May-14-2020

“Making money can give you a sense of achievement but only Making a Difference will give you a sense of Fulfillment.” – RVM from India

Ron Hutchcraft, a well-known speaker and author, shared that as he was raising his children, he would send them off to school with these words: “Go MAD!” They knew that those letters stood for “Make A Difference,” and they did just that, touching the lives of other kids at school in a positive way.

One theory of personality proposes that there are three basic human needs: Acceptance, Security, and Significance. I think there are folks who feel increasingly restless, empty, or unfulfilled the further along life goes because they have been spending most of their time and energy worrying about and concentrating on acceptance and security. But as the above quote proposes, this may help with one’s sense of achievement, but it does not necessarily provide that sense of fulfillment and significance that we all need.

Instead of struggling mightily with any lack of acceptance that we feel, we should settle it by affirming the truth that God does accept us fully, and the death and resurrection of Christ is sufficient evidence for that. There is a great sense of peace in this. I remember personally embracing this earlier in my life – I am accepted. Any rejection I have experienced since then, I have been confident in dismissing it as having no power over me.

As for the second need – that of feeling safe and secure – there is plenty of evidence from God through Scripture that he is watching over me. Psalm 121 (see below) assures me that he is “keeping me” and “preserving me.” This has caused me to conclude that there is no mistake I can make that leaves me unprotected. There is only one fatal mistake in life – that of rejecting Christ as Savior. Nothing else I could possibly do would leave me vulnerable. There will be consequences from mistakes and sins, but they are all forgivable, and based on Romans 8:28, they become part of the pattern of my life that works for my good and becomes part of who I am. What’s the worst that could happen – well, I could die – but then I would go to heaven – and that’s good. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Moving on – if I am settled that I am accepted and secure, then my other need is to be significant in some way. I want my life to mean something. This is my destiny, my purpose, the great joy of life – that I could make a difference in this world – to someone, to many, who knows how many or in what way?

Do you have it settled that you are fully accepted and secure in Christ? Then you can concentrate on the need for significance. Ask yourself, “With whom am I making a difference?” And before you answer that, remember that the Holy Spirit is our guide in how we do this. After all, sometimes the manner in which we help others is not necessarily healthy – meaning not toward a godly purpose. Sometimes we are not helping, but enabling, such as pacifying others without leading them toward the Lord. If we checked with God first and told him how we propose to help in a certain situation, he might reply, “Now why would you want to do that!!” Better to ask the Holy Spirit up front for guidance on whom to help and in what way.

This is the path to fulfillment – being guided and used of God to touch the lives of others. The call today is for action to use our lives making a difference. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”  (Galatians 6:2) Then, when we pray, we may share our joy with the Lord over what we have done – and he would answer back, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

A good way to start the day – I am going to “Go M-A-D!” – Make-A-Difference!

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Today’s Word Is MARGIN

Wed-May-13-2020

“Margin is the remedy for people who’ve run out of time, energy, confidence, and courage.” – Tim Kimmel

When you type a document, you have “margins,” because you don’t want to push the text all the way to the edges of the paper. So why do we push ourselves to the edges of our limits? Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a great book entitled Margin to address this issue. One good excuse not to read it would be to say, “I don’t have any free time to read a book that would teach me the importance of free time!”

Here’s a biblical example of the principle … Exodus 18:13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.”

Was the work Moses was doing important? Absolutely! But we can’t do everything! The issue here is not just about resting and Sabbath, it is about overextending ourselves to the point where we live without breathing room. And why do we need some excess space? Because it is in that space that we interact freely with God.

Do you get your work done with time to spare? Do you take time to sit and relax? Do you have unfulfilled dreams waiting while you busy yourself with things that rob you of other things God wants you to enjoy? Do you ignore people because you have too much to do?

Luke 10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Our fast-paced world drives us toward overload. And often there are so many things available to us that we can’t resist saying “yes” to more than we can handle. Very often we need to say “no” to something good, so that we can say “yes” to something excellent. This helps to create the “margin” we need for spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

By the way … It sounds like I have this under control in my life … I don’t … It has been one of my greatest struggles … so this devotional thought is also a confession. I need better balance in my life. And I need God’s help with that every day.

Margin is the space between our load and our limits and is related to our reserves and resilience. It is a buffer, a leeway, a gap; the place we go to let God refresh us, to heal, to reflect, to recharge, to focus on the things that matter most. Creating margin for ourselves is a good thing.

Receive a breeze of freshness today,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is DESERTS

Tue-May-5-2020

“Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is the LORD, and exult before Him. A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.” (Psalm 68:4-5)

There is a saying that “God helps those who help themselves.” Of course, he does. He also helps those who don’t help themselves, those who can’t help themselves, those who do right, those who make mistakes, those who sin, and even those who think they don’t sin. The only reason I can think of that God wouldn’t help someone would be their defiant resistance – “Leave me alone, God!” – And even then, he would wait patiently for the opportunity.

One of God’s primary desires is to help those who cry out in need. We tend to get caught up in determining who does and doesn’t deserve help. But not so with God – he knows the whole story – we don’t. Do you remember the movie “Bruce Almighty”? When God gave Bruce the chance to “take the helm” and decide who to help, when to help, how to help – it was a disaster. No human can do that. I think Bruce discovered that God loves people, and that he helps because of this great love.

Yet, there are certain self-righteous folks who get so tired of people who keep messing up, that rather than help, they prefer to deliver a lecture. The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is their way of saying, “I’ve had enough of you.” But it is not biblical to ascribe our impatience to God.

King David disobeyed God many times, doing foolish and selfish things. If you or I were the one he called on for help, he would probably get on our “last nerve.” But God doesn’t have a last nerve – his goodness, patience, love, and forgiveness are without limit.

The great love of God is revealed by the fact that he is a pursuing God. He is not just sitting there watching. He is on the move. He “rides through the deserts.” If you are stuck in a desert kind of place in life, God is in the desert with you. He wants you to trust him, hang onto him, receive rest from him. He wants you to know that he is good. Together with him, you will make it through the desert.

If your present situation makes you want to cry out for help, then be reminded that God is there – and he hears. The book of Deuteronomy repeatedly talks about helping “the strangers, the orphans, and the widows.” This is one of God’s great passions – those who cry out – those who have no help – those who get ignored or are told they are not worth helping.

The fatherless are those who feel like they do not belong to anyone, not only because they had no father growing up, but also because they have just failed to connect, to bond with someone, and they feel like an orphan. If that is you, then God will be your father, and validate your right to be who you are.

And the widows, in biblical days, were at a huge disadvantage. If there were no children to take up the slack, or extended family to “adopt” her, then she lived a meager life. There were laws that compelled the family of widows to take care of her. But it often took a judge to help her out, to make the family step up to the plate or to find someone who would provide for her. Still today, they are vulnerable in our world.

Let us “Sing to God, sing praises to His name.” Let us “exult before Him,” that he would “ride through deserts” for us.

And in his Name, may we help the strangers, the orphans, the widows, and all those who call upon God in their time of distress.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is PERCEPTION

Wed-Apr-29-2020

A few years ago, one of my colleagues at the hospital was reading my daily devotional about the word PEACEMAKER. But being in the cardiology department where “heart talk” is common … well, let’s just say that this person mistakenly read the title as “Today’s Word Is P-A-C-E-MAKER.” How funny!

Think about it … sometimes you can “see” something that is not there … and fail to see what really is there. For instance, back in the early 1990’s, while pastoring in Brainerd, I had thick, curly hair … yes I did. It was not natural, but I was getting it permed for a period of six years. Years later, after I was back to my normal short, dark (but greying) hair, I would occasionally run into people from that church in public … and they didn’t even recognize me! I would say, “It’s me … Mark … remember? … your pastor?” And their eyes got wide as it dawned on them that it was really me.

This misperception also happened on the Sunday of Jesus’ resurrection. Several disciples were meeting together in the upper room, trying to sort things out. This included not just the “eleven” disciples, but other close followers. There were reports of angels and resurrection from the women and decisions by Peter and John to go check it out at the tomb.

Somewhere in that confusion, waiting for answers, two of the followers, one of them named Cleopas, decided to get started on the 7-mile journey to their home in Emmaus for the night, not knowing yet if Jesus was really alive. Little did they know that Jesus had two important appearances he wanted to make before he headed to the upper room to see the disciples. First was to see the two Mary’s, and then on toward the road to Emmaus to catch up with the two men on the road, who had left the meeting early, and were dejected. “[They] were talking with each other about all these things … [and] Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:15-16)

I believe we all have those times when we are so shocked, so hurt, so distraught and puzzled, frozen with disbelief at the turn of events, that we cannot for the moment get ourselves to think straight. In this kind of moment, Jesus showed up … unexpectedly. Most of you know the remainder of this story, so instead of repeating it here, I will place it at the bottom of this page. In short, the two men were telling this stranger that they had hoped Jesus was the “One,” so Jesus told them the prophecies and teachings they needed as reminders.

It is so, so, so important for us to know the story, the truth, the Word, as thoroughly as possible. And if we do, just as Jesus came to those two men, the Holy Spirit will come to us to remind us. Let us not be one of those who survives on a-sermon-a-week … or a-class-a-week at church. We must “study” the Word, know the story, the ways of God. Then, the Holy Spirit can use the storehouse in us to lift us up.

When you are struggling, as the two men going to Emmaus were, it is easy to miss what is there or fail to perceive what is real. If something puzzles you or creates doubt in you, it might just be a matter of perception. Someone else might see things differently. Don’t be afraid to ask. And don’t be afraid to believe something spiritual or miraculous in nature (like a resurrection!) when your earthly perception thinks it can’t be true.

And finally, I remind you that this blog has two goals … for God to bless you through me and for God to bless others through you. This is the principle of “blessed to be a blessing!” As well as being blessed today, how can we bless someone else?

What do you do if one of your coworkers, friends, family, or others are distracted by a personal issue, such as despondence or frustration? They might not see the obvious and need you to come alongside them and remind them of God’s story in their lives. Jesus didn’t criticize the disciples for their failed perception. He just spoke truth for a while as they were walking, and finally their eyes were opened.

By the way … I love that moment when the two disciples recognized Jesus at their home while he was “breaking the bread” at their table. I wonder if they immediately thought back to walking with Jesus, and wondered, “How did I not know it was him?” (I’ve said things like that … you have too.) And then the clue they missed came into their minds … but of course … “Our hearts burned within us!” Jesus’ presence was setting us on fire inside … I need to remember that … He was with me and I didn’t perceive it!

May you perceive with clarity!

Chaplain Mark

The Gospel of Mark Mentions the Walk to Emmaus (Just after Jesus sees Mary)

Mark 16:12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Walk to Emmaus

Luke 24:13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Today’s Word Is DISCOURAGED

Tue-Apr-28-2020

“Disappointment is inevitable, but discouragement is a choice.” – Dr. Charles Stanley

We have every reason to be disappointed sometimes, as we are human, and disappointment is a natural emotion. But we do not have to let disappointment become discouragement, because faith in God makes discouragement avoidable. Do you believe the Scripture and the promises of God? Then you have a constant source of encouragement from the Holy Spirit, plus more from others who care about you.

The French word for “heart” is “couer,” and this relates directly to the words encourage and discourage.

Encouragement … means having “heart” put into you.

Discouragement … means having “heart” taken out of you.

In the Kingdom of God, no outside force can overpower the Spirit of God that is within you and remove all the “heart” from you. Your heart is Spirit-filled to be motivated and empowered.

But … we do get discouraged sometimes, so why is that? It starts with being disappointed, and that is natural and happens to everyone. But then … we have a choice … am I going to focus on the problem and “allow” (give my permission) for this disappointment to take some “heart” out of me … or will I lean into God and let him put more “heart” into me?

You will overcome a great hindrance to your faith and growth if you will accept the fact that … as Charles Stanley points out … discouragement is a choice. We see the obstacles and get scared, rather than seeing God and taking courage.

As Americans we have been somewhat conditioned to think that we can’t help being the way we are. If you think about it, this is equivalent to giving up control of ourselves and letting the world and circumstances turn us into what they want to. Yes, we have basic personality characteristics which remain with us throughout life. But the truth is that regardless of what we are like today, we can change by submitting ourselves to God and allowing him to transform us. God does his part and we do ours.

We can undergo this transformation by not choosing discouragement at times of disappointment. Jesus endured far greater disappointment and suffering than we ever could. So, think of him, as the Scripture says …

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:3)

In times of disappointment we can catch ourselves and make a declaration  … “I may be disappointed by what has happened, but I will not get discouraged, because my God is bigger than my problems.”

Look around. Sometimes you can see the discouragement in someone’s eyes or body language, hear it in their tone of voice, or sense it in their attitude or conversation. My tendency earlier in life was to think that the way to help them was to solve their problem so the disappointment goes away, and the discouragement is avoided. But if we are always fixing the problem, they are not learning how to keep disappointment from becoming discouragement. They are learning that God is not the solution, the “fix” is the solution.

This is not to say that I should never help anyone. But I do have a responsibility to ask myself, “Am I pointing people toward Christ or toward me?” Is there someone who needs your encouragement today? Take the time. Put some “heart” into them.

Have a blessed day!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word is BLAME

Mon-Apr-27-2020

I have ministered to many, many people who are looking for someone or something to blame for the difficulties they are going through. We often want to tell this person the wonderful verse from Jeremiah 29:11 that says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Many people know this verse and are encouraged by it. It sounds like it is especially addressed to someone who is not prospering or has been harmed, or perhaps someone who feels like the future holds no hope. By this verse we are reminded that God is not the one who is the perpetrator of the terrible things that happen in our lives. I am thankful that I did not grow up blaming God for things, but some people have developed the tendency to accuse him of doing them harm. These are the ones who resent this verse. It seems to them to be a false promise.

Perhaps they feel as though they have been lied to. They do not see prosperity or a hopeful future. Rather, based on their terrible lot in life, they have become weary of relying on hope, and now would rather get a secondary satisfaction out of finding someone to blame.

If you are one of those, I suspect it is because you may have had more than your share of difficulties, tragedies, and abusive or harmful circumstances. It seems unfair and maybe you direct the blame toward God simply because you can’t think of anyone else to take it out on. After all, he’s the great “fixer,” isn’t he?

The path to overcoming this resentment involves reinterpreting our expectations of what life is meant to be like. We must admit that no person will escape difficulty at some time. And at those points, would we be willing to let someone comfort us, even though they do not fix the problem? If we cannot release our problem in exchange for warmth and acceptance, this is an admission that all of life is about “me” and essentially a declaration that I cannot be satisfied, since life will never go perfectly for me or anyone. I am thus waiting for the impossible.

Jeremiah 29:11 is not about a formula for success by which we become happy when good things finally start to happen. It is more about a relationship with a loving God who meets us in the middle of the ups and downs of life and walks us through them. The hope and the future of which God speaks is that of being loved and accepted. This is hope … that I will make it. I don’t have to know “how” I will make it, but only that God will never forsake or abandon me. At those times when we may feel disappointed or even abandoned, the Scripture says this,

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

This is describing the Captivity of the Jews in Babylon. The great truth is that God heard their cry and came to them. No nation, no evil, no bad thing can keep us in its grasp forever when we belong to God. We keep seeking him “with all our heart.” Notice that the promise to restore their “fortune” is not so much about wealth, but rather he said we would “bring them back” to their original place with God.

Did God put you in the places of difficulty or “captivity”? So it seems, by this Scripture. But remember, the Old Testament is a story of learning what God is like, and we learn by experience. Would reading an explanation of restoration teach us well enough? Not for me. It is by being in the place of captivity, feeling the despair, longing for being home and at rest that I learn by experiencing, internalizing, and claiming the beauty and victory of restoration and peace.

This is God’s plan for a hope and a future, that he goes with us into our wildernesses, allows our pain and struggle to teach us, and then restores that which was lost.

I cannot blame God for letting me learn the hard way. And I thank him that the great gift of his presence is my hope and my future.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is AFRAID

Wed-Apr-22-2020

The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

These are rhetorical questions … meaning you should know the answer without having to be told! Whom shall I fear? The obvious answer is no one. Of whom shall I be afraid? No one, of course.

Well, wait a minute … There is this phrase in the Scripture about the fear of the Lord. It means to respect and revere him. The old Bob Dylan song says … “It may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody.” The fear of the Lord means that he is the one you serve, and that you therefore have no fear of the devil. Fear of the Lord is a good thing.

In order for you to answer that you fear no one … you will have to be able to say that you fear, respect, submit to the Lord. If not, you’re on your own, and you definitely have a lot to fear in this life without God’s protection. In other words, fear God alone, or suffer with the fears of everything else. Charles Swindoll once said that as he got older, he came to be unafraid of anyone, their opinions, their criticism, and their attitude of superiority, all because of his fear of the Lord.

When God is your light, your salvation, your stronghold. … you won’t have to be afraid of anything or anyone. It is a life-changing transition to move from fear-based to faith-based living. Fear-based living creates a sense of being unprotected. There are constant thoughts about what might go wrong.

Fear is a sign of unbelief. Remember the disciples in the boat? And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26) Notice he did not say “no faith,” he said, “little faith.” Do not panic and think that having areas of little faith or of unbelief indicates you are not saved. Many Bible characters, and many people today, have degrees or moments of unbelief. It does not necessarily mean the opposite of salvation. It may just indicate an area of your life in which you need God’s help to cast out some darkness and let God’s light come in. The father of a boy possessed with demons asked Jesus for help. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) And Jesus immediately cast them out. I have said the same thing that father said a number of times in my life.

As for fear, if the Bible says, “Do not fear,” then fear is sometimes not just an emotion, but a choice we make, and we are told not to choose it. Fear freezes your growth. Fear robs you of blessings. Fear keeps you from blessing others. Fear invites the enemy to control areas of your life.

When these areas of fear are overcome, you will live with greater confidence. Your faith rises up to remind you that nothing can destroy you, no matter how bad it might seem. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:35,37)

Faith-based living, “fear-less” living involves a trust in what the Apostle Paul said … “my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

There are TV commercials and movie lines that talk about “no fear,” but they are more about striking back at an unfair world. This promotes an attitude of defiance, self-protection, and pride. When the Scripture says, “no fear,” it is about fully trusting and living at peace with God. That has a much different feel to it than boasting about “no fear.” You can experience that you are no longer afraid of what anyone or anything can do to you. We can again make that declaration today … or if you have never done so, declare it for the first time … I am not afraid; I will not live in fear.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is TEMPLE

Tue-Apr-7-2020

In the Old Testament, the Temple represented the presence of God as the center of the faith community. There was an outer court where people gathered, an inner court or Holy Place where sacrifices took place, and an innermost room, called the Holy of Holies, where the Spirit of God dwelt. In this innermost place was the Ark of the Covenant, a large golden chest, which contained a golden pot of manna from the wilderness, Aaron’s wooden rod which budded, and the tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments.

Cloth partitions divided areas, including an enormous high and thick cloth surrounding the Holy of Holies. This was the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would go out from there to do Kingdom work in the land where God needed it.

By the time of Jesus, the Temple had become a marketplace of vendors selling various animals to be used for sacrifice, as well as various religious trinkets. Activity was especially great during Passover. And during the final week of Jesus’ life, he entered this commotion to right a wrong.

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:12-13)

The problem was that the hearts of the leaders were not right. In modern Western thinking, we consider that getting your heart right with God is about confession, attitude, positive thoughts, good intentions, and right beliefs. In the Jewish culture, the heart was a symbol of your will (your decision-maker). Thus, if someone wanted to check out whether your heart was right with God, they wouldn’t ask you what you believe, they would look at what kind of decisions you make, and what kind of activities are going on in your life. It was a contradiction to say that you loved God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and with praise and worship, and yet your life reflected something else.

Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple signified that what was going on in this Holy Place was not consistent with their faith. What was believed about the meaning of the Temple did not match up with what you observed when you were there. The next verse after the cleansing of the Temple says this, “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.” (Matthew 21:14) Now that’s what is supposed to be going on in the Temple!

On the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, great storms and earthquakes took place. And during this violent weather, a strange thing happened. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. (Matthew 27:51)

My friend Charlie tells me this is the reaction of God to those who hated his Messiah so much that they would be the perpetrators of the crucifixion. The Jews had two practices that indicated their objection to something that was wrong. First, if there were someone making false claims or spreading bad teaching in the public places of discussion, listeners would bend over and pick up a handful of dirt and toss it in the air. (We would be more likely to “boo” them in our day.)

Second, if something blasphemous was said, they would tear their clothing. When Caiaphas the High Priest was interviewing Jesus, and Jesus said, “You say that I am,” (meaning the Messiah), Caiaphas stood and tore his robe in half, “top to bottom” (Matthew 26:65).

Well, when God tosses dirt in the air (earthquakes) and rips his clothing from top to bottom (the curtain in the Temple), he does it in a big way!!

What happened that day was that the Holy Spirit left the Temple in Jerusalem, and 50 days later at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to live in the hearts of believers. And that’s what happens to us when we repent, believe, and receive salvation … the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. Your spirit comes alive by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. (1st Corinthians 6:19)

My wife had a revelation several years ago, in which it came to her that Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple is a reminder to us that we, too, need to keep the new temple (our lives) cleansed. Just as Jesus got rid of those who robbed the Temple of its holiness, so we must get rid of those things which rob us of the peace, joy, and good things of God. We look to see if the activities and atmosphere of our lives reflect the faith, love, and worship which dwells in and sounds forth from the holy place called “me.”

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is COMMON

Thu-Apr-2-2020

“The Lord prefers common-looking people. That is why he made so many of them.”  ― Abraham Lincoln

Growing up I had a struggle with self-worth. It took me decades to overcome that. I lived under the misconception that I needed to fix myself, and that somehow by becoming perfect I would gain acceptance. There would be no reason for anyone to dislike or reject me. What I needed to learn was that common people have a mixture of strengths and weaknesses, all of which we must embrace.

I am just me. You are just you. We are somehow both unique and yet common. We are not invincible, but more like clay jars that wear out, or get cracks and chips. The scripture calls this a good thing, because it helps us to be humble and yet confident.  Such an attitude leaves us open for God to pour his Spirit and power into us.

“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” – The Apostle Paul (2nd Corinthians 4:7)

Give God thanks for things about yourself that you discover going through your day. If something reveals your fragile nature, don’t curse it. Think of it as another aspect of the tapestry that is you. What seems to us to be flaws in our makeup are really what makes us unique and interesting.

Give thanks that God has blessed a common person like you. Acknowledge that you don’t have to be “special” or “worthy” or “talented” in some way in order to earn God’s approval. Affirm that even though you are fragile, God has stored a life treasure in you. He has a purpose for you and can keep you from falling apart as you use your treasure to touch and bless others.

There is a story about a young girl who takes two clay jars hanging on the ends of a pole and carries them across her shoulders to the well every day to fetch water for the family. One of those jars has a crack in it. On the journey back to the house, water drips slowly from that broken jar. The result is that the neighbors all notice and enjoy the fact that the flowers on that side of the path are always more beautiful.

Others are blessed by our commonness and our vulnerabilities. They are all part of the treasures of God within us. We should appreciate these things about each other, because through them is shown the power of God to use the ordinary to do extraordinary things.

It’s not so bad to be a “cracked pot.”

Have a blessed day,

Chaplain Mark