God's Echo

Have you ever listened to your voice echo? I remember standing between our house and the neighbors with friends and shouting to each other. We did this not because we were angry with each other, but just to hear our voices echo as the sound would bounce off the sides of our houses.

An echo is the repetition any sound caused by the reflection of sound waves bouncing repeatedly off a surface. As you know the sound of an echo diminishes with each repetition until the sound can no longer be heard.

This week you could say that I heard God’s voice echo. Only each time I heard it God’s voice grew louder! I think the Lord wanted to get my attention, and He finally did.

As usual I began preparing for the Sunday sermon on Thursday. I believe God spoke to my heart directing me to preach a series of messages on the topic of blessing in preparation for Thanksgiving, so I followed the leading of the Lord and put together an outline and then manuscript of the sermon I preached last Sunday. In my time of study I became convinced that God wanted us to know that we are blessed. The intensity of this grew as I spoke; I heard God’s voice echo through the services, “We are blessed.”

On the following Tuesday I was at a pastor’s prayer meeting. As we concluded our time of prayer we were directed to go and pray a prayer of blessing over other pastors who were there. As I prayed with one of my friends I felt the Lord tell me to share with him what I had learned about the word bless. God’s voce echoed again, but louder, “We are blessed.”

I shared with my friend the three words used in the Bible that are translated bless.

• The first word “barak” literally means “to kneel” as before a king or sovereign to receive something such as a reward, promotion or honor.
• The second word “eulego” means to speak well of a person or call upon God for a blessing; this is a compound word using the Greek word “logos” which means word, so the emphasis of this word is upon the spoken word of blessing.
• The third word “makarios” literally means supremely blessed, fortunate, well off, blessed and happy; this is a blessing that is not affected by circumstances but is an absolute reality.

I told my friend, “We have knelt before God and he has spoken His word of blessing over our lives. God’s word is never empty, so we are supremely blessed regardless of what may happen in our lives from day to day.” God’s voice was echoing loudly.

On Thursday I attended a pastor’s conference with Pastor Jack Hayford. That evening his message was a word of encouragement. He preached from Genesis 12:1-3 in which God blessed Abram (this text also just happened to be one of the primary references I used the previous Sunday). Pastor Jack’s message concluded his message saying, “God wants you to know, the deal is still on.” I heard God’s voice echo again even more loudly we are blessed!

I finally understood that God did not just want to communicate to the people of the church or others that we are blessed. God wanted me to know that I am blessed. Thank you Lord for being willing to echo your voice until I finally really heard you.

Does Your Vote Count?

It’s the morning after and I have awakened to see that what I feared has come upon us all. The Democrats have taken control of the House; the Senate is still up for grabs with two races too close. In Ohio we have a Democrat as governor. My list of woes could go on and on.

My purpose is not to talk politics. Whether you are like me this morning and disappointed with the election results, if you are happy with the change in government, or even if you just don’t care I have a thought for you to consider.

While the media and political pundits spin the results and offer their explanation as to why conservatives either stayed home or expressed their anger with the Republicans, I’ve settled upon one truth that endures regardless of who is in control of our government.

As I drove the kids to school I heard the following song on the radio. It filled my heart with overflowing hope.

You are my supply my breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward worth living for
Still more awesome than I know
All of you is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough.
(written by Chris Tomlin)

As Americans we get the government we deserve; we chose it. Yet regardless of what may happen to the economy, which judges may or may not be confirmed, how the war against terror is fought (or surrendered), or hundreds of other issues that effect our lives, one thing remains the same. God is more than enough!

David wrote another song that assures us that God is remains in control over all. John tells us that it is a song that will be shouted in victory when all is said and done. God reigns!

God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
Psalm 47:8 (NIV)

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Revelation 19:6 (NIV)

I can face tomorrow, and the next two years with government leaders I did not choose with the same confidence knowing that God reigns. The Lord reigns over the nations, and more importantly I have voted for Jesus to rule over my life today and always!

The "Sought"

How do you think about people who have not come to faith in Jesus Christ? What words do you use to describe them? And would you talk about them that way if they were sitting across the table from you?

We had an interesting discussion centered around this topic last night. Perhaps our most common description would be to call these people ‘non-Christians’ or ‘unbelievers.’ I often make such statements in sermons. The problem with these is that they set up an ‘us versus them’ mentality; you are either a part of our group or you are an outsider. Would Jesus draw such a distinction to build a dividing wall separating people he died for from feeling welcomed to be included in God’s forever family?

Some of our group’s images were even more divisive. These ‘non-Christians’ are also thought of as pagans and heathens; one went so far as to say he would call them idiots and morons. Doesn’t such thinking reduce these people to nothing more than “barbarians to civilize?”*

Another individual pointed out that these people are ‘spiritually dead,’ their eyes are blinded to the truth. Someone else chimed in that these folks are ‘pre-Christians’ or ‘potential-believers.' While these descriptions may not seem to be as offensive (and even have biblical merit) how would people react to being labeled in this way? Don’t these descriptions still create a chasm dividing us from people Jesus died to save? Does this thinking reduce people to a non-person status of being nothing more than “souls with ears?”*

Jesus was called “a friend of sinners” (Luke 7:34). Rather than excluding people, Jesus was building bridges to people so they might be included. Jesus described His purpose like this:

"For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost."
Luke 19:10 (MsgB)

Jesus told the parable of the lost coin, lost sheep and lost son which show how diligently these were each looked for and the celebration that occurred when they were found. Jesus is seeking the lost. God is the “Seeker”* and the lost are the “sought.”*

Yes as believers we are the ‘found’, but as we think of people as the “sought” we quickly see that dividing walls must be torn down because God’s purpose is to seek them out that they too will be ‘found.’

God wants us to join Him in seeking out the “sought.” This will require more than just a change in how we think about people who have not yet accepted Christ. Like Jesus, we too will have to become a friend of sinners.

*These terms come chapter 5 of Earl Creps’ book Off-Road Disciplines.

I don't know how to fix it . . .

Four years—nearly 1,500 days, that’s how long a friend of mine has been carrying around their anger hurt and resentment. Dave* recently sat down over a cup of coffee to talk with the person who had hurt him. During their talk Dave said there’s a lot of water over the dam we can’t get back; we can’t change what happened . . . It’s hard to start over; I just don’t know how to fix it.

I can identify with Dave. How can we ever hope to resolve conflict, to forgive those who have sinned against us? How can we begin again?

Today I sat down with another friend who like Dave was facing a conflict with someone—another Christian with ‘an attitude’. He asked me to come and pray for the two of them. As I went to this meeting I asked God how I should pray and what I should say. God directed me to the following words of Jesus.

"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend . . . Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."
Matthew 18:15-20 (MsgB)

It isn’t often that we connect what Jesus says here; we somehow think that Jesus is dealing with two different issues. On the one hand is church discipline and on the other is prayer. Yet this is not two different things at all. The two or three that Jesus says He will be in the midst of are those Christians who have had some kind of disagreement and hurt each other. When people who have been divided agree together in prayer, that’s when you can be certain that God will answer their prayers!

My friends are in the same place: they are both dependant upon God to do what they can’t. My friend Dave is right, he can’t fix it. But here is the good news: GOD CAN! And God will as two or three who have been separated from each other because of sin decide to agree together and ask God for help. What Satan intended for evil in their lives God works out for good. God heals the brokenhearted and gives them a new beginning (See Romans 8:28; Psalm 147:3).

I’m confident that God will help Dave to make a fresh start and find healing for his hurts. I know God will do the same for you if you’re willing to do what Jesus says.
* Dave is not his real name.

Circle the wagons

Not many of us were around during the days of westward expansion in the United States. The vast frontier lay before would be settlers holding anticipation and excitement together with the fear and uncertainty of the unknown.

Most folks made their journey west as part of a wagon train, which offered the experience of those who knew the country and the safety of numbers. As the wagons made the journey west they would come to camp each night and ‘circle the wagons.’ The circle of wagons not only provided security from wild animals but it also built community among the pioneers.

The same strategy would be used if the wagon train was attacked by Indians or bandits; the call would go out to circle the wagons. From behind the wagons the men could take aim with their rifles to defend their families and property. Circling the wagons created a safe place in an uncertain world.

How blessed the man you train, God, the woman you instruct in your Word, Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil, while a jail is being built for the wicked.
Psalm 94:12-13 (MsgB)

I don’t know about you, but I want to be inside God’s “circle of quiet.” Our lives are still very much like those of the westward pioneers with its uncertainty and difficulties. We are never promised a life without problems or ‘smooth sailing’ to borrow another metaphor. That’s why I’m glad I can ‘circle the wagons’ around my heart and find a safe place to rest.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that my day goes better when I have taken time to pray and read God’s word. These little things help to keep me safe within God’s presence—to move out under the direction of our ‘Wagon-Master’, to ‘circle the wagons’ for a time of peace and rest, or as a secure place of defense against the enemy.

We are on a great adventure. Ours is not a journey west, but to a far better place; heaven will be our eternal home. God’s wagon train will get you there. Circle the wagons around your heart and let God’s word train you for the journey ahead.

Busy, Busy, Busy

The last few days have had their share of challenges. By 8 o’clock Tuesday morning we had two inches of water covering our bedroom floor because the sump pump could not keep up with the falling rain. You probably have an idea how I spent my day . . . and the next day too.

Last night we met for our Bible study. As we shared prayer requests, I mentioned my challenges, but I did so giving thanks. While I had not planned to clean our bedroom it is drying out and even clean under the bed! Things could always be worse!

Our study concluded with the question, “What hinders you from living out God’s will and plan for your life?” My response was one word: BUSYNESS. With six kids and an occasional disaster, we always have lots of activity to keep us occupied. Sometimes the pace of life just doesn’t seem to let up; I respond to the urgent instead of God’s best.

This morning the house is quiet; the older kids are off to school and the boys are still sleeping. That’s when God put the pieces together for me. Things could always be worse and the pace of life won’t slow down just because it is, but He is still with me.

While Jeremiah was still locked up in jail, a second Message from God was given to him: . . .

Jeremiah certainly had it far worse than I did. Not only was he in prison, but his prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem was beginning to happen. If I had been Jeremiah I might have gotten lost in self pity and missed hearing God. Fortunately, Jeremiah was still attentive to God’s voice.

"This is God's Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: 'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.'”
Jeremiah 33:1-3 (MsgB)

The message given to Jeremiah goes on to foretell not only of the restoration of Jerusalem but also the promise of the Messiah—Jesus! If Jeremiah had focused on himself and his problems then he would have missed out on hearing of the hope and promise that was to come! God’s mercy was promised even as His judgment was being poured out.

So the next time you find yourself like me, overcome by difficult circumstances and/or your hectic schedule, remember: God will meet with you right there, if you keep your heart open to listen for His voice. Stop crying about your problems and take time to listen. Not only may God show you that things could always be worse, He may also reassure you of the good things to come!

Nightlights

I had forgotten what it was like to be afraid of the dark. Why is it that when the dark of night falls familiar things become creepy and strange, especially for a child?

Our kids have long since out grown the need to have a night light. With five year old Jake living with us, I suddenly remember what it’s like to be afraid of the dark. The first night he was here with us, we said our prayers and I tucked him into bed. As I reached to turn the light off in the room Jake said, “Will you leave the hall light on, Uncle Greg?” So now each night we turn on a nightlight to help Jake be secure through the dark night. Thankfully Jake sleeps soundly through the night and wakes each morning to a bright new day and a smile on his face.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about a bright new Day that is coming for all who believe in Jesus. Yet as we wait for that Day, we sometimes find ourselves feeling as though we are walking in the dark. The shadows grow long, and our heart is sometimes overcome with doubt and fear. That’s why Paul wanted to reassure the Thessalonians, and us, that the Day of Christ’s return is truly coming.

But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 (MsgB)

It does my heart good to know that we live under “wide open skies.” We don’t need to be afraid of the dark because we know we stand under the grace and love our savior Jesus Christ. God gives us confidence to stand—even when the day grows dark.

Living in northeast Ohio, I know what it’s like to live under gray skies. I’ve often said, “If you don’t like the weather, stick around it will change soon.” While our world may seem to be growing darker day by day, things going from bad to worse, it’s good to know that we live under God’s “wide open skies.”

Jesus has given us His Holy Spirit as a guarantee of the promises that are to come (see 2 Corinthians 1:22). The Holy Spirit is like our little nightlight that keeps us safe and secure through a dark night. I’m glad that I can have confidence that a bright new Day is dawning; Jesus is the coming soon!

Learning to Listen

This is a Pastor’s Pondering that will be remembered for some time; well at least it will be remembered by me. You see for the first time I’m not typing I’m talking! That’s right I’m talking to my computer and it’s listening to me, and it’s typing out what I say for me. This could revolutionize the way I do my work. And I thought spell check was great. Now I don’t even have to guess at how to spell a word, the computer just does it for me!

Now of course there are some glitches. The computer has to be trained to listen to my voice. But as I speak the computer listens and it learns to recognize my voice as I speak. What will Bill Gates and those people at Microsoft think of next?

So what’s the point of putting this into a Pastor’s Pondering, and why should you take the time to read this? I find it interesting that if we can train a machine to listen to our voice then shouldn’t we be able to train ourselves to listen to the voice of the Lord?

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice” (John 10:27). Yet some of us are pretty stubborn as sheep. We have a hard time listening to the voice of our Master. What can we do to improve our listening skills?

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)

I think Solomon makes it pretty simple. If we are to improve our skill at listening then we need to listen daily. It’s not good enough to think that we can just come to church on Sunday and then be able to hear God’s voice throughout the week. We improve our listening by listening daily.

Listening daily means we need to slow down and wait on God to speak. The Lord will speak to us, but how can we listen if we’re too busy lto listen because we are doing all the talking, or we are listening to our radios, tuning into the TV, or just a day dreaming? We need to stop what we’re doing and say, “Lord, I’m here to just listen to you.”

When we stop and listen we might just be surprised by what we hear. Lord I’m listening.

(By the way for those who are wondering computer got about 90% of this right. Not bad for the first time. )

Final Exams

Do you remember the last time you took a final exam? Perhaps you were in college, or maybe you haven’t taken a test since high school. Basically people respond to such tests in on of three ways.

[1] Some don’t make a big deal of it; they go on with life as normal and don’t worry about the test. Most individuals like this probably fail the test; they certainly don’t do as well as they could.

[2] Others know the test is coming but are busy doing other things. Then on the night before the test they ‘cram’ as much as they can into their heads to remember as much as they possibly can. This person doesn’t just want to pass the test, they want to do well, but their expectations aren’t high.

[3] Finally there are those who not only know the test is coming, but they work hard to prepare for the test. In class they will take notes and ask questions when they don’t understand; books are read and assignments are completed. Then prior to the test they review the material—some will even participate in study groups. Then the test is taken.

Ezra had committed himself to studying the Revelation of God, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truths and ways.
Ezra 7:10 (MsgB)

Ezra understood that it wasn’t good enough to just read God’s Word. God’s word required diligent study to understand its meaning and apply its truth to how you live your life from day to day. It isn’t enough to just know facts about the Bible. God wants us to obey His word; that’s the real test, not just to read it, but to do it.

Someone described the Bible like this:
Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth.

We will all one day stand before the Lord to give an account for our lives. This will be the ultimate ‘final exam.’ When that time comes and your life on Earth is over will you be prepared?

Legacy

She was ushered in with her three children followed by her extended family. She was dressed in black and too young to be a widow.

Susie and I attended the funeral of her friend from work. Jeff had suffered the last two years with cancer. His battle was now over. However, the cancer had not beaten him. It may have been the cause that ended his life here on this earth, but Jeff remained steadfast with his unshakable faith in Christ. With his last breath he was promoted from earth to glory.

Some might say thirty-five years is too short a time to live in this life. Yet Jeff made the most of the life time God had given him; he knew that everyone is given only one life to live (see Hebrews 9:27). Over 500 had gathered to pay their last respects, to honor a man who had lived so well.

I had only met Jeff a few times. The last time I saw him was at the OHVA eighth grade graduation. The cancer had taken a toll upon him; though noticeably weak Jeff did his job. He didn’t want special treatment just because he was sick. Like Susie, many others from the school had come to the funeral.

Many people stood to give their tribute to Jeff. Family, friends, former students and even his two former bosses all shared how Jeff had impacted their lives. He was “a man of faith,” “a gentle giant,” “a man of integrity.” His life had touched so many in such a short time. Sitting there my eyes filled with tears several times as I heard stories of His life.

Yet one moment stood out among them all in my mind. One moment that filled my heart with emotion. After all the tributes had been given a song was played; it was as though Jeff—who loved to sing sang this song for us all from the balcony of heaven.

The simplest of all love songs,
I want to sing to You
So I’ll let my words be few,
Jesus I am so in love with you
So I’ll stand in awe of You, Jesus
Yes, I’ll stand in awe of you.
So I’ll let my words be few,
Jesus I am so in love with you.

The spotlight had never really been on Jeff, and in that moment I knew who had really come to honor. It was Jesus who made the difference in Jeff’s life.

When I think about my life and the legacy that I will leave behind, I want to be remembered as a man who stands in awe of the Savior I love. Let my words be few; yes Jesus I love you.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Ephesians 6:24 (NIV)

Playground games . . .

What do you remember most about being a kid on the playground? Was it the swings or the monkey bars? Maybe you enjoyed the merry-go round or the teeter-totter. Was it playing tether-ball, four square or other ballgames?

I enjoyed all these things, but there was another ‘game’ we played that I remember more. It was a ‘game’ I didn’t enjoy because I was always one of the ‘losers.’ It was like king of the mountain and I was always pushed toward the bottom. It was the ‘pecking order game.’ Yet even as a ‘loser’ I still played the game and put down others who were younger or ‘inferior’ to me and my group.

Paul had to deal with the Judaizers who were boasting about how great they were to the church at Philipi. Paul even joined in their game and started bragging about how great he was too, but then he let the Philippians—and us too that it is the wrong game to play.

The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ.
Philippians 3:7-8 (MsgB)

We need to be careful not to think too highly of ourselves and boast about who we are and what we have done. We need to be careful that our past achievements and titles don’t get in the way of knowing Christ. God resists the proud; apart from Jesus I am nothing.

Are you still playing the ‘pecking order game’? I was in my heart. I came into the ministry eighteen years ago with the expectation that people would call me pastor. However, many people don’t. I never told anybody about it, but it used to really bother me. Over the years I have learned to lay down my aspirations to be known as ‘someone special’. I’m just Greg, and that’s all I need to be. I don’t want my lofty desires to be stand in my way of knowing Jesus better. No more playground games.

Rainbows

As I was driving this morning the sun was shining behind me and grey clouds were in front of me. Suddenly to my right appeared a rainbow. I thought to myself, “Thank you Lord for your promises.” With everything that our family is going through these days—immediate and extended—I needed the reminder that God is faithful to keep His promises.

You may remember when God first set His bow in the sky. Noah had just come out of the ark on Mount Ararat after being aboard with his family and his floating zoo for the last year. Noah built an altar and offered a sacrifice to the Lord, and God made a covenant with Noah and all living creatures that He would never again destroy the earth by flood.

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
Genesis 9:16 (NIV)

I’m glad God hasn’t asked me to be in Noah’s shoes. I wouldn’t want to have to clean up after the elephants, let alone all the other animals. So while our house may seem like a zoo from time to time, we are not dealing with anything like Noah’s floating zoo.

As we have welcomed Sam, Courtney and Jacob into our home—doubling the number of kids in the house since Chrysta and Gracie are away at college—the house is feeling a little full and loud, but our family is making adjustments. Everyone is pitching in with dinner for eight (“Eight is Enough”*), dishes, laundry, picking up, doing homework, etcetera, etcetera; things are off to a good start.

Still I’m glad for the reminder that God keeps His promises. Over the last year we have seen the devastation of flood waters with the tsunami and hurricane Katrina, but God has kept His promise to not destroy all the earth in a flood. And we have heard stories of survivors of these and other natural disasters who have acknowledged God’s help in their time of need.

God has not promised us smooth sailing; the Lord never said we wouldn’t go through hardship or difficulties. But He has promised to never abandon us to try to make it on our own. God has promised to meet all our needs, to be our refuge and strength. The next year may have its share of challenges, but God will be with us each step of the way.

*Ten will be TERRIFIC! I can’t wait for the girls to come home.

The Divine Artist

God is like an artist and our lives are the canvas upon which He paints. At times God uses a large brush quickly coving the canvas with paint and at others God is using a small brush to fill in the detail. And then there are the many colors on the palette. We all enjoy the days when the Divine Artist chooses the bright and cheerful colors, but then comes the days when God dips His brush into the shades of grey.

Yet regardless of the brush used or the colors used the Divine Artist always has in mind what He wants the painting of our lives to become when it is finished. In those moments when we don’t understand God’s choice of a brush or color, we need to trust the Master who can see the big picture.

In the pages of scripture we are able to stand back and admire the Divine Artist’s finished works. When we see the big picture in scripture, it can help us make sense of things we don’t understand in our lives from day to day.

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do; they'll complete the assignment I gave them. So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life. . . No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines—Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God."
Isaiah 55:10-13 (MsgB)

What is God saying? Well I think it’s fair to put it this way, “I’m the artist and I know what I’m doing, so trust me.”

When you look at Isaiah’s big picture you see God’s judgment with the consequences of sin intermixed with God’s promise of a redeemer who will save His people. Isaiah saw both God’s wrath and His salvation. Yet how easy it is for us to focus on one or the other and miss how they are connected to each other in the big picture.

As we live from day to day we may not see the big picture either. We see weeds, but God sees a mighty forest. God knows what He is doing. Trust Him to complete the masterpiece of your life.

Coming up empty?

We had an interesting discussion tonight at church. I shared a thought I had earlier this week and asked the question, “Am I the only one who reads their Bible only to finish reading and not have anything speak to me personally that it was only like empty words on a page?” Everyone agreed that they all had the same experience from time to time.

You have probably had the same thing happen to you. After reading three to four chapters of the Bible or more you finish with a blank stare and wonder if it was a waste of time. Shouldn’t God have made at least one of those verses come alive? We have all had those times when the words seem to ‘jump off the page’ and speak to our hearts personally. Why do we sometimes read our Bibles and come up empty?

I put that question to our group tonight. We had some interesting thoughts that are worth thinking about.

Miriam suggested that God is playing ‘hide and seek’ with us. It’s not that God does not want to be found by us, but that we aren’t looking hard enough for Him. God’s presence surrounds us; the Lord is always by our side. God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Our problem is that we don’t look—or listen—to know that He is with us. The Lord said, “You will seek for me and find me when you seek for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

I suggested that the problem maybe that we are just in a hurry. We have our ‘to do list’ and we want to be sure to check off our Bible reading for the day. God is not going to accommodate making Himself known to our ‘microwave-in-a-hurry-mentality.’ God said, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

At other times our problem might be that we are focused on the wrong things; the worries of life choke out the word of God (see Matthew 13:22). It’s like an old radio that would be tuned by hand; sometimes you would stop the dial and just hear the static between the stations. The radio signal is there—the music is playing, but we can’t hear it until we tune into the right frequency. Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says” (Revelation 2:7). We’ve all got ‘ears’, but lets make sure they are tuned in to God’s voice.

We also need to remember that God does not always speak to us in the same way. His word is “living and active,” so while the scripture we read during our personal devotions may not impact us at the moment, the Spirit can—and will—bring to our remembrance His word at just the right moment if we are listening.

Miriam was reminded of a time she was preparing for a Bible study, but just was not getting anything. She sat her Bible down and said “God you will just have to show me.” She then proceeded to make a cake; all the ingredients were in the bowl and she turned on the mixer, but nothing happened. That’s when the Spirit said to her, “Nothing will happen unless you are plugged in.” That’s when she knew what God wanted for their Bible study.

What do you think? Why have you missed out on hearing from God? What might you and I need to do to hear what God wants to say?

My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27 (MsgB)

Two Questions . . .

What is the greatest pain you have ever experienced? The physical pain I have gone through might seem trivial to others, still it has been my pain. My ‘8’ may only be a ‘5’ to you but it’s mine and I didn’t like it.

Throughout the course of my life I’ve discovered that emotional pain is more agonizing than physical pain. Some people carry emotional pain for years—even a lifetime. The emotional stress and pain my family and I have experience over the last several days is at or near the top of our ‘pain’ list. Personally it has felt like a death—only no one died. As hard as it may be on us as extended family, I can only imagine what it is like for Deb and Travis at the center of it all.

Now here’s the harder question. What good has come out of your pain? Sometimes we may be tempted to think nothing good could ever come from our pain, but God has promised to work all things together for good—even our pain. Already I can see the good coming from the crisis our family has endured, and I’m sure there is still more to come. Perhaps the greater the pain the greater the good God will bring out of it.

Someone has said, “God never wastes a hurt.” I believe that! Regardless of the pain—big or small—God wants to use it to accomplish His good purpose in my life.

I wonder—if we were to roll ALL of our pain and grief together would it even begin to compare to the pain Jesus experienced on the cross? More than physical pain, Jesus suffered the emotional pain of being abandoned by His friends, rejected by those He came to save and separated from God. Yet it was our sin that put Him on the cross. Jesus was innocent and free from guilt but He suffered and died anyway.

Out of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones," as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Isaiah 53:11 (MsgB)

Out of the greatest pain God has brought the greatest good—our salvation. Jesus endured the pain of the cross with joy because He saw the good that was to come. Maybe we should stop focusing on the pain and look for the good instead.

Who forgets who?

Have you ever felt like God has forgotten you? You’re not alone. Most of us have had times when we think God has abandoned us and we are all alone.

I would like to sit down sometime and talk with my baby sister about the way she felt the last year or so. I can only begin to imagine the emptiness she must have felt at times. When the truth came out she said many times, “I’m so ashamed.”

What was the cause of Deb’s shame? I know she felt guilty for the things she had done, but is there more to it? Is there more to our feelings of shame? Could it be that part of our feeling of shame comes from feeling as though God is nowhere to be found? Could it be that Deb (like we all have done in so many different ways) had tried to fill that empty feeling inside and yet even now is still wondering if God would fill the emptiness in her heart?

I think David knew that feeling when his sin had been exposed. Do you remember his prayer? “Oh God, don’t abandon me! Make your Spirit known to me again. Make my heart sing again with the joy of your salvation.” (See Psalm 51:11)

The nation of Israel had the same empty feeling when they were in Babylon. They questioned whether or not God still cared for them.

But Zion said, "I don't get it. God has left me. My Master has forgotten I even exist."
"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you—never.
Isaiah 49:14-16 (MsgB)

God will never leave us—never! It’s hard to imagine a mother forgetting her children, and yet it happens even for the best of mothers (just ask Susie). But not God, He will not forget us.

I think one of the hardest things for us to understand is that even when we feel like God has forsaken us, He is still right there. The empty feelings really shows us that we have forsaken God; He has not walked away from us—we left Him. God is right where you left Him. He is by your side waiting for you to take hold of His hand.

We Know . . .

As you can see today the Daily Bread takes on a new look . . . and a new title. Instead of Daily Bread you will receive Pastor’s Ponderings: Devotional thoughts from your’s truly.

Why the change? Well a couple of reasons. First, with all the changes that have taken place at our house, I did not want the pressure of the word “daily.” If you have not heard our family has grown. We are no longer just the “Ebie 7;” we are now E2 (E squared). The Ebies have taken in the three Epling kids and the excitement has just begun!

Second, Pastor’s Ponderings will now also be posted in my personal blog . This will now enable you to post your comments and thoughts online, now only for me, but for everyone who stops by. I hope you enjoy the new format.

Now today’s devotional thought:

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for us; the Lord says, “I have plans to prosper you and give you a hope and a future.” When God says He knows something, then there are some things that we can know as well. And because God tells us "I know" we can know these things with absolute certainty; God will not change His mind.

1. God loves us and has chosen us as His own.
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.
1 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV)
2. God is in control of our lives and will accomplish His good plan.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
3. God will hear us when we pray, and He will answer our prayers too!
And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.
1 John 5:15 (NIV)
4. We can be free from sin to live our lives like Jesus.
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:6-7 (NIV)

You may want to do a little personal study and discover some other things we can know. God's word is full of things that we can know . . . without a shadow of a doubt!