Sinkholes

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

In what turned out to be a short half hour window in an afternoon of thunderstorms, we visited the Umpherston Sinkhole.  This is just one of the natural attractions in Mt Gambier, South Australia.  It is an old volcanic area and its limestone foundation makes for some fascinating caves, sinkholes and the beautiful Blue Lake.This sinkhole has been made into an amazing garden with curtains of ivy flowing down from the edges.  There are seats to sit and enjoy its beauty and even a barbecue area behind the ivy.

The garden filled me with gratitude for the man who had originally thought to do something beautiful with what was just an old cave on his farm before the roof caved in, and thanks too for the people who have kept it looking good to share with the public.

I couldn't help thinking about it in the context of our lives which sometimes have sinkholes when stuff happens and life caves in bringing failure, disaster or disappointments.  We have a choice in those times to become bitter or better.  Even to pretend they didn't happen if you are ashamed of your failure.  But our sinkholes of life can become great experiences from which we can draw wisdom, understanding and growth in grace which can become a blessing to others.

If you are in a slump (or a deep hole) right now, have a think about how you can, with Jesus' help, make your sinkhole into a beautiful garden which can, at some future time, bring rest, strength and encouragement to others.  Or perhaps you can think about sharing your own failure at an appropriate time to encourage someone and help them up when they have fallen.  You could let them see behind your wall of ivy for not one of us is perfect and we shouldn't let people think we are.  We all need God's grace for our weaknesses, and bringing them to His light removes our shame.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you know the sinkholes in my life and the challenges that I face when I consider the things that brought them about.  Please help me to get your perspective and see that they can become a place of beauty and rest for the benefit of others in the future. Amen

Shelter

                                                                                                                               

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.  Psalm 119:114

It is a good feeling to be sitting safe and dry in our caravan this morning, with thunderstorms growling all around us and with, (so far), gentle rain falling on the roof.  We feel snug and protected, but we do hope that it will dry in the next hour so we can hook the van to the car for our 10 am departure.

When storms of life roll into our comfort zone we need a place where we can feel safe and snug; a place to retreat to in the fiercest gale.  Sometimes the lightning of life's storm comes with a mighty crack and makes us cringe as it did just now, bringing with it stinging hail.  We surely need protection and we need to know where to go for shelter.

That place is Jesus.  He wants to be our hiding place, a refuge in our personal storms, our comfort and shelter no matter what life throws at us.  We can come confidently to him because he has invited us.  He has said 'Come to me ALL who labour and are heavy with burdens', (Matthew 11:28), and he has promised, 'Call to me and I WILL answer you' (Jeremiah 33:3) and, 'I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5), and again, 'As your days, so SHALL your strength be' (Deauteronomy 33:25).

Your protection is there for every storm of life if you will just come to him.  But you must come and you must call.  He will not fail you.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I believe that you came and died in my place that I might have an open door to God.  I come now for shelter in my storm and I thank you that you are with me. Amen

Photo by Sandy Simmons

Thankful?

Giving thanks always for all things..... Ephesians 5:20

It has recently come to my attention (twice) in the past couple of weeks that I have somehow missed this verse in my theology. Oh dear how inconvenient!  When people have spoken about giving thanks for all things I have confidently pointed out that that is not what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches, but rather that we are to give thanks IN everything.  There is a bit of a difference there.  It's so much easier to give thanks in everything than for everything.

I have often thought of Paul and Silas singing praises to God while they were in prison chains, giving thanks in everything.  However when I revisit that I can see that they were giving thanks for their circumstances because they counted it a privilege to suffer for their faith.

But what of difficulties that befall us; things like health issues, financial difficulties, family crises?  If I give thanks FOR those things, isn't it as though I am attributing these difficulties as coming from God?  That doesn't seem right does it?  Though God is not the author of such things he does allow them to come to us through his filter of love and in a desire to see growth in us.  In Romans 5:3-4 Paul writes, "but we glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance character; and character hope.... "

What is your challenge today that you need to give God thanks for?  As you do it, remember also the truth that God is able to make "all things work for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.  He's doing a good work in us during those hard times when we yield to a spirit of thankfulness because we are only able to do that if we are trusting and relying on him and his strength.

Prayer:  Father, help me to thank you in the difficulties as well as when things are going well. I choose to trust that you are working these circumstances for my growth.  Amen

Confusion

 And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will . Luke 23:25

I have no particular current world situation in mind as I pen these thoughts, for there are many; some will no doubt come to your mind as you read.  As I read the account of Jesus' trial and sentencing, I imagined afresh the confusion in many minds as they watched this farce play out.

The crowds cried out for an innocent to be put to death and for a murderer to be released. What was Pilate to do?  His wife had warned him not to touch this man, she'd had a dream.  Yet not only was the crowd calling for his execution but the religious leaders were too. Pilate had power to make the call but he wanted to have the favour of the people. Finally he washed his hands of the matter he couldn't face and handed Jesus over to his own people.  Was it cowardice?  Who am I to say?  He did, however, have the last say through the customary written charge on Jesus' cross. He wrote "This is the king of the Jews", and he refused to change it when the people complained (John 19:21).

Can you imagine the confusion of his followers as they watched this play out; the pain and disappointment when Jesus finally died? Surely this could not be God's will, this man demonstrated his power over sickness, disease and death, wind and waves and so much more.  Why this waste? In hindsight we know it wasn't waste at all but the greatest gift ever given to the human race. Jesus gave his life, it wasn't taken from him.

We have all been touched by confusion at seeming injustice in our world.  We have cried out to God to protect his people, save our sick, bring justice, have mercy; then watched as our cry seemingly went unheeded and unanswered.  Why God, why? We know you have the power....

We may never know, and certainly never understand why such sad, even terrible things occur, especially to God's people.  But Jesus did tell us that 'in this world we will have trouble'  (John 16:33, Matt 24).  The word for 'trouble' can mean pressure, oppression, affliction, tribulation and distress.  Our trouble can take many forms, and when it comes we have the choice to remain in confusion, or to rest in the confession that Jesus has overcome the world.  This is not the end, it's part of the journey.  

The battle here on earth seems to continue but it has been won in the heavenlies; Satan does not get the final say.  If we choose to trust God's wisdom even when we cannot understand, our confusion will turn to peace.  The reason Jesus warned us that we will have trouble is so we that won't be taken by surprise when it comes, but rather rest in peace in the knowledge that he is still in control.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you that even when I am confused and troubled by things around me, I can rest confidently in your peace, knowing that, though the enemy may triumph for awhile, the final victory is yours.  Hallelujah! Amen

It's My Choice

......and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9b

In our crazy, fast-paced, and increasingly dysfunctional world, the word of  God continues to provide solid guidelines for healthy living.  For this I am so thankful.

For many years I have referred to a few verses in Philippians 4 as 'The Recipe for Mental Health', and today I feel the need to remind myself (and you), of this again. As the news and social media provide an abundance of serious, sad and negative words and images to fill our minds and thoughts, I find myself needing to combat this by renewing my mind with what God teaches is the recipe for true peace of mind.

It is too easy to be caught in a negative thought trap, so today I simply offer you a recipe that, if followed, will bring peace in these troubled times.  For if my heart and mind is tuned into union with Jesus Christ, I will know more clearly what His will is for me TODAY. And today is all he tells me to be concerned with.  Burying my head in the sand?  No, I choose to focus on the greater reality that he is in control and he is coming again and what he wants from me in a trusting relationship.

"...... whatever things are true, whatever is noble,  just, pure, lovely and whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ......and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9. That is a promise!

So, I sit and survey the bright splashes of colour of the pansies on my patio, a fading half moon the blue morning sky, fluffy clouds, new leaves bursting on the tree outside,  and a seagull soaring through the scene.  I feel His peace rise and my heart is filled with thanks and praise.

Prayer:  Father thank you for the beauty on my doorstep and the wisdom of your word.  Help me to set my mind on what will bring true peace today. Amen

Following

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

Throughout my years as a 'follower of Jesus' I have taken it for granted that I will not walk in darkness.   He says "whoever follows me".  I took that to be a blanket coverage from the time of my acceptance of Jesus as my Saviour.  No more darkness! As I read that verse this morning I have seen that Jesus' promise is conditional.  However, as I thought upon it I began to see it from another angle. The Apostle John, in his latter years wrote much about the importance of walking in the light and avoiding darkness (1 John 1& 2).  

I have known some 'dark' times when I felt far from God and some of those times have been when I have not been closely following Jesus.  To follow Jesus means to be tuned in to his Spirit and to be walking in fellowship and obedience.  I haven't always done that.  In those times I have given a foothold to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).  And once he gets his foot in the door it's easier for him to gain more access.

Darkness is uncomfortable for us once we have experienced the joy and freedom of Jesus' light and it comes as we move away from God and slip into sin.  The discomfort is meant to make us want to get back to God.  Darkness also comes as we slip into unbelief when difficult times come.  Sometimes we don't even know how we have grieved the Holy Spirit, but if we ask for His light to shine into our darkened heart, he will show us.  The Holy Spirit gently convicts us and when he does, our spirit wants to repent and walk in the light.

The psalmist obviously loved God yet experienced times of darkness when he wrote "Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" (Psalm 42,2b-3a).  He felt the oppression of the enemy and his was more than likely a physical enemy, but ours are spiritual enemies, that require spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).  He cries out to God, Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me;"  He recognises that it's through light and truth that guidance comes.  God's word is the truth we need to turn things around.  We are good followers when we keep the word of God central in our thoughts and on our lips.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  How true that is.

We live in a world of increasing darkness that desperately needs light.  As followers of Jesus we are the ones who can bring that light into the world, a light that cannot be hidden and a light that will shine more and more brightly until the 'full light of day' who is Jesus, comes (Proverbs 4:18).  Keep your light shining brightly, don't make room for any darkness because in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) and there can be no fellowship between light and darkness.

Prayer:  Jesus, light of the world, shine your light on any darkness in my heart today.  Help me to actively follow you and not give any foothold to the devil, but to hold firmly to your truth. Amen

Rest

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.  Psalm 127:2

So is this good news for those who want to sit back, put their feet up and do nothing?  No, that wouldn't be very satisfying at all, would it!  I think the key word I picked up on as I read this verse today was "anxiously".  Jesus enlarged on this in Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

So far as I know birds are not known for their anxiety, they just flit around and have fun.  They are totally care-free.  I haven't seen one sitting forlornly in a tree with droopy wings or singing a mournful song.  The thought is ridiculous to us.  The Father takes care of their needs. Isn't it interesting that Jesus compared us with birds, saying that we are of far more value than them, yet our Father in heaven supplies them with their daily needs so why would he not do the same for us.  Good question!  He didn't leave it at the provision of food bit.  He went on to speak about God clothing the lilies of the field and how he would do the same for us.

Remember Martha of the 'Mary, Martha and Lazarus family'?  Martha worked anxiously to provide food for Jesus and the guests (that would be me too), yet Mary sat at his feet and savoured his teaching and wisdom.  Martha was spiritual too but she was concerned more for the earthly needs of the people in her home than she was for their spiritual needs.  Jesus gently reminded her "Martha, Martha, you are concerned about the wrong thing.  My words are better than food." (My paraphrase.)

 If we feed our spirit, and develop an intimate and trusting relationship with Jesus, it will naturally follow that our anxiety level will decrease because we will be learning to trust more in him than in ourselves and our own ability to do the work and provide for our own needs.

Do you have a financial need today that you see is impossible for you to meet.  Will you invite your heavenly Father to help you to refocus your life and thinking on Him so that He may show himself mighty on your behalf. It's much more of an adventure that way, but you will find it enormously difficult, if not impossible, if you try to do it without being in vital relationship with him which brings rest from anxiety.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive my anxiety. Please help me to focus more on my spiritual needs so that I truly walk in a trusting relationship with you so that you can show yourself mighty on my behalf. Amen