Category: Christian Life

Christian Life · God's character · Godly Character Traits · trials

Jesus Sees You

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Mt. Arbel 1.jpg

The picture above is Mt. Arbel in Israel.  We had the privilege to drive up most of the way, then hike up to a high point when we were there recently.  As you can see, the views are incredible.  As I stood looking out towards the Sea of Galilee, my mind went to the passage in Mark 6 –

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

We don’t know what mountain Jesus went to to pray, but it could have been this one.  I pictured Jesus coming up to a place like this to talk to His Father, perhaps about the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 that had just taken place, and then also praying for the disciples, who were at that time out in the boat, getting ready to encounter a storm.

No matter if it was this mountain or another, Jesus could see them because He is God.  He knew they were rowing as it says in verse 48 –

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them:

Last week when I was on Mt. Arbel, I could see the water, but it was too far away for me to see people and they certainly couldn’t see me.  When the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee, they couldn’t see Jesus.  I wonder if they asked themselves where Jesus was?  Did anyone say, “Why didn’t He come with us?!”  It doesn’t matter, because

He saw them.  

He cared about their storm.

He came near.

When He came, He revealed Himself as Who He was – the One who had power over the storm.  He was the only One that could help them and He did, at just the right moment.

Do you feel today as though you’re in a storm-tossed boat?  Are you wondering where Jesus is?   Are you wondering if He’s forgotten you?  He hasn’t!  He cannot!  He is God.  He sees, He cares, and He is nearer than you even understand.

And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure…

Jesus comforted the disciples with His voice.  He encouraged them by telling them He was there.  You have His Word on it too – Hebrews 13:5  I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. See also  Isaiah 43:2 – Joshua 1:9.

The world and your flesh may say that Jesus doesn’t care, but you must turn a deaf ear, and listen to the Truth of His Word instead.

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Acknowledge His presence and watch to see what He will do as the God Who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above what you may ask or think.

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Christian Life

Close To God

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There is really no feeling like walking in the places where Jesus walked during His life and ministry on this earth.  While I was in Israel this month, I sought to let my mind go back to the times when Jesus walked the same paths I was walking.  As in the picture above, I touched the water he walked on, and imagined His sandaled feet passing over the road where I was stepping.  There’s nothing mystical or magical about it – I think the word would be sobering.  

It sobered me to think that He came.  He left heaven for a life that would be mocked, disbelieved, and misunderstood.

He came to heal, raise to life, provide bread miraculously, to touch, to care, and to love so much that He would be crucified for my sin.

That is a sobering thought that made me love Him even more.

As I walked through the Garden of Gethsemene and saw the Olive trees, I imagined Him praying for the cup He was about to drink while His disciples slept.  As I looked at Golgotha, I envisioned Him dying on the cross.  When I entered the Garden before the tomb, I saw Mary looking for her Lord and I heard Him call her name.

Does it take a miraculous meeting in the Garden to be close to God?  Does it take a trip to Israel to experience the blessing of His nearness? Of course not! Even when I am home in the states, He calls my name as I open His Word, just as He called Mary’s name in the garden.  He speaks to me.  He cares for me.  He provides for me.  He lives for me.

That is a sobering thought that should make us realize that He is near to us every single day as we walk in His Word, as we pray, as we think on Him and invite Him into every situation we face. This very same Jesus lives to change each of our lives!

Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Even if you never travel to Israel, He longs to be close to you, Friend.  Open His Word.  Talk to Him.  He is right there with you.  You don’t need an experience, all you need is a relationship with Him.

(Go here and click on “you can have a relationship with God.”)

This same Jesus wants to walk and talk with you today.  Are you listening?

When do you feel closest to God?

Lovingly,

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Christian Life

The Comfort of His Presence

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Imagine going to town this morning. You pull up to the red light and turn to see that the car in the lane next to you is someone that’s close to you – your husband, parent, pastor, or friend. You nod and wave, acknowledging their presence. The light turns green and you go on. When you arrive at the library to return your books, you open the car door and there’s that same person that was at the green light. They smile and watch as you go into the building. “I didn’t know we were going the same direction today,” you might think. You jump back in your car and head to the salon for your hair appointment. When you walk in, there sits that person again, reading a magazine. You laugh, perhaps, shake your head and walk into the room where your stylist is waiting for your arrival. Imagine that everywhere you went today that same person showed up. They didn’t threaten or frighten you, but you are very aware of their presence.

 What kind of difference would there be in your day today if you saw Jesus’ face in each of those scenarios? Think of it – at every turn, you see Christ. In the line in the grocery store, His gaze is on you. As you speak to your family, His ear is leaning your direction, listening. He is in the family room as you surf the Internet. He hears your conversations with your fellow employees. Would there be a difference in how you’d spend your day, in the things you would talk about, in how bold you would be to witness? I know it would for me, that’s why I often pray that the Lord would make me more aware of His presence in my life today, because He is there every single moment. Consider these verses:

Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
Psalm 125:2 – As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
Proverbs 5:21 – For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
Proverbs 5:21 – For the Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

Should this be a frightening thought for us? No, the more we come to know God, the more we understand Who He is and that He is there to be our Comforter, Guide and Friend.
Look beside you, and be comforted that He is with you there today and every day.
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Christian Life · Prayer

It Smells of the Lamp

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I have parents that haven been a quilting duo! My dad, the engineer mind in the family, cuts the fabric squares. My mom, the crafter, sews them together, then Dad cuts them again to get them perfectly square. Each square gets a heavy ironing before it’s sewn again. The picture you see here is that of the pieces being laid out to see where each one should go. After placing and replacing, they will take this up very carefully, row after row and stack it the way it needs to be sewn together. Of course after the batting and backing are put behind it there’s all the hand quilting to be done. Whoa! Many, many hours go into the making of a quilt! However, when it’s all finished it’s not only warm and cozy, it is a piece of art!

This week as I was studying Proverbs 31 I read verse 18 –

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night.

As I studied the last part of this verse, I learned that it was often said of an elaborate piece (of art, needlework, a literary work, etc), “It smells of the lamp.” That means that there were many long hours put into making that piece – so much that it even went into the night hours. You could tell by looking at it that it wasn’t done quickly; it took much labor and effort.

When you understand the hours of labor that a quilt takes you appreciate it all the more! When I look at the quilts that my parents have made for each of their children and grandchildren I am reminded of the sacrifice of time and labor that it took to make them. They “smell of the lamp.”

While I’ve pondered that phrase for the last several days, the cry of my heart to the Lord is that my prayer life would be what “smells of the lamp.” More and more I understand how weak I am and unable to do anything without God’s enablement and power in my life. Oh, that I would wake up in the morning with the burden to pray, go into the noon hour with prayer on my lips, enter the evening with a continued heart-cry to my God, and go to bed at night and be awakened to “turn on the lamp.”

Nothing else will go lacking if prayer is the center of my life. For when I am praying my needs are met, my steps directed, my thoughts established, my heart made right, and my burdens lifted. What a beautiful thing a prayer life like that would be.

Oh, God, may my prayer life smell of the lamp!
Christian Life · tongue

When You’re Slandered

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Four preachers met for a friendly gathering. During the conversation one preacher said,

“Our people come to us and pour out their hears, confess certain sins and needs. Let’s do the same. Confession is good for the soul.” In due time all agreed. One confessed he liked to go to movies and would sneak off when away from his church. The second confessed to liking to smoke cigars and the third one confessed to liking to play cards. When it came to the fourth one, he wouldn’t confess. The others pressed him saying, “Come now, we confessed ours. What is your secret or vice?” Finally he answered, “It is gossiping and I can hardly wait to get out of here.”

We laugh at that story, but the truth is, there are people who love to share things about someone with anyone willing to listen. If you’ve ever been the one being talked about, you know how hurtful those words can be. No one likes to think that someone is talking about them, because usually what is shared isn’t completely the truth. What can we do about it? Aside from approaching the person who is the gossip, we really can’t stop people from saying what they will. The answer to handling words from others comes from the Scriptures.

In Psalm 119:23 the psalmist says, Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. I read that in my prayer time a couple days ago and it hit me like a ton of bricks – this is the way to respond when others speak ill about you! What did the psalmist do when princes spoke against him? He thought on God’s Word. What might he have thought?

  • Psalm 56:9 Lord, I thank you that you are for me!
  • Psalm 73:25 Lord, you’re all I the approval I want.
  • Psalm 18:20 I thank you, Lord that you know my innocence and You will handle this for me.

There could be many other truths to meditate on when someone is speaking evil against you. What a blessing it is that the Lord knows and He cares. If we meditate on His Word instead of the gossip we will be encouraged instead of enraged, humbled instead of hurt.

If you’re going through a time of slander, be like the psalmist and run to the Word and think on its truths instead!

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