"Reflections"

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Rom.12:12)

"A Christian is a person who decides to face and live through suffering. If we do not make that decision, we are endangered on every side. A man or woman of faith who fails to acknowledge and deal with suffering becomes, at last, either a cynic or a melancholic or a suicide...the Gospel offers a different view of suffering: in suffering we enter the depths; we are at the heart of things; we are near to where Christ was on the cross."

(Eugene Peterson/A Long Obedience in the Same Direction)

"The Master of the Sea"

How often I have felt overwhelmed in various storms and tempests......But God!

In the whelming flood.....He is there!

He is an ever present help in time of need who brings us to the haven of rest!

When I take my eyes off of Him, I sink in despair. He hears my cry of fear and graciously reaches forth His hand to lift me up.

This "hand" is often one of His children, who gives an edifying word in due season, a cool drink of water to a weary soul......He is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother!

"For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits end.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven." (Psa.107:25-30)

"When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, "It is I, do not be afraid." Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going." (John 6:16-21)

"Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee."

"All I Have is Christ"

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,....." (Phil.3:7-8)


I once was lost in darkest night,
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life,
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that you would own,
A rebel to your will.
And if you had not loved me first,
I would refuse you still.

But as I ran my hell bound race,
Indifferent to the cost.
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God's love displayed,
You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me,
Now all I know is grace.

CHORUS
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!

Now Lord I would be yours alone,
And live so all might see,
The strength to follow your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father use my ransomed life
In any way you choose;
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.

(Words and music by Jordan Kauflin)

"The Rock of My Refuge"

"Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law.......When I thought, my foot slips, your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.......But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge."
(Psa.94:12,18-19,22)

How grateful I am, an need to be more, for the gracious hand of God as He "Father's" me through this journey! He is faithful in love to bruise us when necessary, and to heal us when it is time. He is a true friend that ever speaks to us the truth and kindly encourages us with hope when we are cast down.......by turning our focus back to Calvary and in that still, small voice saying, "Behold your Surety and the Rock of your salvation"!

"Who are We trying to Please?"

"among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." (Eph.2:3)

We are, by nature, pleasure seekers. That is, our own pleasure. We live in a society that sanctions and applauds self-gratification at any cost or regardless of it's offensiveness to the God who holds our breath in His hand!

We live for what tastes good, looks good, sounds good, smells good, feels good......etc.

Sadly, the most prevelant way of life is the way of self and "the fleeting pleasures of sin." (Heb.11:25)

We are the measure and end of all things......or are we?

Why am I here? Why did God create all things, including you and I?

"Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." (Psa.115:3)

It is all for His pleasure. It is all for His glory and purposes.

I am here for Him!

"but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love." (Psa.147:11)

There was such a Man who lived such a selfless, God-pleasing life......"And he who sent me is with me, He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him." (John 8:29)

But, it is evident, that I cannot say this of myself......."I am carnal, sold under sin." I realize that, "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom.7:14/8:8)

I will never be able to make this flesh pleasing to Him or acceptable in His sight....I must look away to the One who is ever and always pleasing, for "without faith it is impossible to please Him." (Heb.11:6)

By faith in the God who is declared to be able to conform me to the image of His Son and that is working in me, "both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Phil.2:13), I can desire to please Him rather than myself!

Paul says of his own desire, "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." (2Cor.5:9)
and....."but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." (1Thes.2:4)

He also exhorts his readers and us, "Finally, then brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do more and more." (1Thes.4:1)

and finally, in his words to Timothy, he gives this council....."No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him".
(2Tim.2:4)

How contrary is the believers calling from what we are by nature and from what this fallen world espouses!!

We are His, the work of His hands, and the redeemed of the Lord........Lord, grant me a heart and a mind that desires to please you, regardless of whether my flesh is pleased or not!

May it never be said of us that claim the name of Christian that we were, ".......lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God....." (2Tim.3:4)

"Our Questioning God"

I was thinking today of one of the ways that God has dealt with humanity throughout history. He asks them questions. I know that He is omniscient and isn't looking for new, unknown information, so, why does He do it?

I believe it is to confront the individual with themselves! When we have questions posed to us, we are forced to stop and consider our state, our attitude, our motives, etc.

We are brought face to face with causes and realities that, are many times, unpleasant to face, but, if we are to be healed and furthered along in God's purposes, we must face them, and answer them honestly.

I recalled a few examples of such questioning by God in scripture:

"And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?"
(Gen.3:9)

"And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shall rule over him."
(Gen.4:6-7)

"And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here Elijah?"
1 Kings 19:9)

"And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?"
(Jonah 4:9-11)

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?"
(Mat.16:15)

".......Why reason ye these things in your hearts?"
(Mark 2:8)

"Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat?...."
(John 21:5)

and finally.....

"......Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"
"......Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"
"......Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"
(John 21:15-17)

So, the "question" is.......What question is God asking us today?