Receiving joy in embracing every season

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to the one who pleases God. This also is vanity and striving after wind.
– Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

True enjoyment is a gift. It is a gift from God. God is the giver of good gifts. However, to pursue happiness, or feelings of joy, or enjoyment to its own end is a foolish endeavor. Not that there is anything wrong with happiness or joy or enjoyment…but these have their season. It would be like saying “I want the season of Fall to be all year round.” While this particular season is quite beautiful, (and quite honestly my most favorite season) it is also rather dead…and one will tire from it after awhile. So sadness too has its season, and mourning, and contempt. Though our human inclination is to avoid these seasons in favor of a more “pleasing” things…these too must exist and be lived through.

It is possible that sadness too is in itself a great gift. But sorrow can only be enjoyed here and now…for after this life there is no more…death too, a gift given us is for here and now (C.S. Lewis has some very interesting words on this idea of death as a gift)…as is marriage. Strange gifts given for a short time. Let us enjoy and cherish them as they last. May each and every season bring us closer to our God, the giver of good and perfect gifts.

Smooth Sailing

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may terry for the night but joy comes in the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
– Psalms 30:5-7

When life goes well it becomes easy to forget the Lord. “Smooth sailing” as some call it. The waters are calm and life continues business as usual…not taking notice that favor has slept below the deck. Then the storm comes, and we realize how small we are, how little control we have. We call in desperation to awaken favor that he may take control and captain our vessel through the torrent.

Must I forget my God when life goes well? May the Lord pilot my person even when things are good. May my God take control and lead my footsteps.

Father, it is not within myself to direct my steps. Lead me. Take me where you want me to be.
Amen

Rejoicing in greater power

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpants and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
– Luke 10:19-20

Both the powers of the physical world and the spiritual realm come under the powerful rule of a Christ-led heart. But Jesus takes the focus off of subjected authority to look at a greater wonder…the power of his sacrifice. Though Jesus had not died on the cross just yet at the time of this teaching, he speaks in a future/yet/present tense of what is to happen. It becomes rather easy to rejoice in that which causes us to marvel; but Christ calls us to look at and rejoice in that which we have yet to know…a greater understanding of his powerful love.

How can I rejoice in Christ’s love and sacrifice this day?

Lord bring me to a better understanding of your love. Refocus my heart toward your sacrifice…help me to rejoice in the things that you see as most important. Revive joy in this heart today
Amen

Hope Abundant

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. – Romans 15:4

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:17

In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. – Romans 15:17

Why is Paul proud of his work? Because through the power of Christ and the teaching of His words, hope is produced within the hearts of men. Not only is hope present but it becomes abundant through the Holy Spirit.

There is a lyric to the song “Higher” by P.O.D that goes like this: “So you can do what you want and say what you want, live how you want and die how you want…but this faith, has put my mind at ease. My soul is at peace and my spirit flies free.” When hearing this most recently, my soul took agreement; yes I am at peace with my faith. How many can truly say that? For I have found this hope…hope abundantly, real and freeing. This faith puts my mind at ease, I found peace, and my spirit is free.

Lord thank you for something to be proud about, I think so many times I find myself at fault and have not found a balance with your good work in and through me. Thank you for choosing me, thank you for the calling you have placed on my heart, thank you for the people that surround me.
Amen

A joy to those above

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. – Hebrews 13:17

To obey the authority God has put over man, is to be obedient to Him. So let the obedient heart be a source of joy rather than a wet blanket to the work of God.

It seems that some found over me have had a hard time being my leader. I must find a way to change this…perhaps when we get together next I will ask how I can be of better help. I want to bring joy to those above me in leadership. I know all to well what its like to have a person be the source of groaning. All the more this mode of joy serves to my great advantage, as those who lead above me are held to a greater account of vigilance over my soul.

Lord keep my heart upright with the authority that you have designated. Let my life be a joy to those who serve above me. Amen

Led to Shout

Scripture)

Many are the sorrows of the wicked but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

-Psalms 32:10-11

Observation)

Why does the upright shout out in joy? It is because they are engulfed in the Love of the Lord.

Application)

I know that the Lord is good. I must choose to trust…even when things are or seem illogical. This is when I will experience the overwhelming love of the Lord. Faith leads to trust, trust to love, and love to understanding.

Prayer)

Lord I thank you for building the faith inside that you have given me. It is a gift and not of my own doing. Help me to trust in your unfailing love. Surround me, lead me to shout in joy.

Amen

The Wedding Stage

Scripture)
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly at the bridegrooms voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase but I must decrease.
-John 3:29-30

Observation)
John’s disciples are looking at him with questions like: “who do we follow now?” John simply states what is true…the spotlight has shifted, he has played his part and now the focus is solely on the bride and groom. “He must increase but I must decrease.”

Application)
This world continues to look for the next big thing, the newest talent or artist that they might idolize; but this is not the life I am called to. As I continue to grow I am to be called away from the spotlight and allow for Christ to have the audience’s entire focus and attention. He must increase but I must decrease.

Prayer)
Lord, let the focus of my life be only on You, and those who look at me only see You. May Your presence increase in and around me while I allow for this shift of attention…may I decrease. Amen

Costa Rica Day 09

July 8 2012
God’s Word for the Day)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
-Ephesians 4:29

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is a slave or free.
-Ephesians 6:7,8

My thoughts on God’s words)
Larry was saying this evening that God is pleased of me. Many things like this have hit me sideways and my emotions toil within me. But as I am giving my heart completely, giving my all, the Lord fills and restores what was once stolen or lost within my soul.

I heard God when)
Ryan was speaking about “reaching up”. He gave the illustration of two mangos: one on the ground rotten and full of bees, and one found attached to the tree ripe healthy and good to eat. It is an exercise of energy spent to attain that which is holy and good. It is so easy to accept the “standard” the “easy” the “morally grey” but if our eyes are set on the things above, it becomes easier to notice the difference.

My words to God)
Lord I thank You for such a great day. Even though there was sorrow Your joy goes beyond all that. It is the strength that I cling to even when my strengths fade. All my life for Your glory Lord. May You be blessed in all we do here Lord Father. May Your heart be glad and full of joy as we worship You with everything. Amen

Events of today)
Lead kids church this morning with games, Simon says, red light green light, and making a rainbow with strands of beads. Was told three of the sisters there had lost their mom to cancer that morning and just found out at the end of service. This hit me sideways but God said to release the pent up emotions (I cried…and am tearing up while typing this as well). Went to Bill and Debbie’s church and sat with fellow missionaries. Before that we had lunch at B&D’s and I spent some solitude time in the treehouse praising God, asking for strength and praying for my spouse. After dinner we went to the youth/young adults at Bill and Debbie’s church. Ryan spoke, the worship was bilingual and we danced in worship together as one body at the end of the night. (what a blessing! I am assured I tasted a bit of heaven that night as we were all worshiping together)
-Bryan Switalski