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.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
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)
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
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 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.
Monday, September 25, 2006
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!
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!
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