Trust me

A few days ago I found myself telling my son the same words I heard from my father several years ago. We were talking about Christmas, presents, and wish lists when I finally told him: “Will you trust me to get you something I believe you’ll like even if it’s not on your wish list?”

Many Christmas ago I was getting very excited about the season and about getting a present I really wanted: a big doll with big beautiful eyes. I dreamed about that doll and imagined myself holding her and playing with her. I really wanted that doll. As Christmas neared and I studied the boxes under the tree, I could tell the doll wasn’t one of the presents. It was a pretty big doll and most of the presents were smaller. One day while I was talking with my father, I mentioned again how much I wanted that doll. He finally said, “well, I can give you the doll or give you what I already bought you.” I got quiet thinking about what he had just said. Now I was curious, but I also wanted that doll. Then my dad said: “ Will you trust me to get you something I believe you’ll like even if it’s not on your wish list?” I gave my dad a big smile, hugged him, and told him that yes, I would trust him. How could I not? He was my dad. He loved me. I knew he would give me something I would enjoy. My problem though is that now it was even harder to wait for Christmas!

After what seemed like an eternity, Christmas Eve arrived and the time to open the presents. Finally my dad picked up a box from under the tree and placed it in my hands. It was my present. I knew it wasn’t the doll, but what could it be? I quickly unwrapped that box and when I finally saw what was inside, my eyes got bigger than the eyes of my desired doll, and my smile almost could not fit my face. My dad had given me a computer! My very first computer. I still remember it well. It consisted of a keyboard that I connected to the TV and a tape player with tapes filled with interesting “apps.” I was overjoyed and got to spend lots of time typing, playing games, and creating my own computer programs. It was so, but so much better than that doll I thought I wanted so bad. I was so glad I had decided to trust my father and wait for what he had for me instead of pressing for what I thought I wanted. What he gave me was way better than what I could ever imagine!

Our Heavenly Father asks the same question to us: “do you trust Me to give you something I know you'll like, even if it's not on your wish list? Will you trust that in my love, I will put in your life only what you would want if you could see it through my eyes?” Matthew 7:11 explains how God gives good gifts to His children. In Malachi 3:10 God asks us to trust Him with everything we have and He will open the floodgates of heaven, pouring unmeasurable blessings upon us. In our human vision, it’s easy to think that what we want is the best for us. However, God wants us to trust Him with all our heart, rest in Him, not pushing our way for what we think is best, but trust that He will always give us what we truly want and need. Will you trust in God? He’s your Father. He loves you. Your true strength comes from fully trusting in Him. (Isaiah 30:15.) And when you experience the results of trusting in God, you will be amazed at how perfect God’s gifts are. They are better than anything you can ever imagine! Then I believe that you too will experience smiles that will barely fit your face. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5,6

Thankful for the fleas!

https://philmoser.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/ravensbruck-prison.jpg

“Thank you God for the fleas,” said Betsie in her prayer during that first day on Barracks 28. In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom explains how the barracks they were assigned to at the concentration camp during World War II, was infested with fleas. For Corrie, of all the things to be thankful for, a living space infested with fleas was not one of them. However, as time went by, the women living on Barracks 28 learned that the fleas were indeed a blessing as the German soldiers would not dare go inside such a place. The flea infested barracks gave the women the freedom to read Corrie’s little Bible that God that had so miraculously hidden from the Germans. Freedom to read the Bible in a German concentration camp. How grateful they all were for the fleas!

As I was reflecting on the many blessings I am grateful for, I started thinking that the Bible tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. This means I am to be grateful for the good things and for the bad. This is not easy as I don’t like to suffer, but that is what God expects of me. I need to be thankful for the “fleas”.

My mind went back to Corrie and Betsie ten Boom and their attitude of gratitude in a concentration camp. I can’t even imagine how awful that time must have been. Having to be forced to work, not knowing when your last day would be. At any moment the soldiers could come and lead the prisoners to an awful death inside the gas chamber. To find gratitude in the midst of that seems unreasonable, yet they were thankful for the fleas.

What about the apostle Paul when in jail with his companion Silas? They did nothing wrong, but share God’s love with others. Yet jealousy caused the Jews to lead a revolt and Paul and Silas ended up being thrown into jail. At any moment they too could be put to death. Yet in the middle of the night, in that cold prison cell, all they could do was sing praises to God. They were thankful for their “fleas.”

Have you heard of the Waldensian Christians? They were a group of people who remained faithful to the God of the Bible when the rest of the world fought to remain faithful to the traditions of men. Countless of these followers of God were persecuted and brutally murdered. Many escaped and found refuge in the mountains and caves of Italy. While enduring merciless persecution, many are the  accounts of them praising God in the refuge of the mountains. They were thankful for the “fleas.”

Horatio Spafford, the author of the well known hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”, suffered unimaginable loss. While still trying to cope with the pain of his young son’s death, his business suffered tremendously during the great Chicago fire of 1871. Looking for some normalcy to their lives, the Spaffords decided to travel to Europe. Horatio sent his family ahead of him while he remained behind to take care of some business, but the boat in which his family was traveling had an awful accident, and Horatio’s four daughters died. Only his wife survived. It was when traveling to meet his grieving wife, over the waters where his daughters had recently died, that Horatio penned the words to the beautiful hymn. In the middle of unimaginable pain, he was able to be thankful for the “fleas.”

So what “fleas” do you have to be thankful for? I was thinking about events and struggles in my life this past year. Sickness, divorce, death, divisions, families struggling, separation, bullying, and friends turning away from God just to name a few. How can I feel gratitude for the bad things that cause me so much pain and suffering? How in the world can I be thankful for “fleas”? Yet this is what God wants me to do. The only way I can think of is by leaning on the One who told me to trust Him in everything and to be thankful in every circumstance. With Him I can learn to focus on the positive and not on the negative. With Him I can have a peace in the midst of the storm that passes all human understanding. With Him I can learn to fight the battles that surround me. With Him I can overcome temptation. I can walk through the valley of the shadow of death knowing that I am not alone. He’s walking with me. God, who promised me strength, will help me do all things. Even the ones I feel are impossible. Not only is He the Giver of all the good things in my life, but He’s also the One who can work all things, even the bad ones, for my good. Thank you God for the "fleas."

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

I Thessalonians 5:18

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17

“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

 

The Freedom of Forgiveness

I’m reading the book of Leviticus. When was the last time you’ve read Leviticus? Often it’s not a book in the Bible we naturally navigate to, with all the rules and regulations of life during the early stages of the nation of Israel. I hadn’t paid attention to that book in a while, so I thought it was time to check it out again. And what a beautiful book…

After instructing the people of Israel on the building of the Sanctuary, God went on to explain all the sacrifices and offerings that were to take place in the daily service of the temple. There were to be sin offerings, fellowship offerings, guilt offerings, thank offerings, and the list goes on. Leviticus explains in detail how each animal or grain offering was to be made and for what reasons. At first all I could think was how grateful I am that the sacrificial system was done away with Jesus at the cross. I mean, I would hate to have to kill an innocent animal for the wrongs I commit every time. However, as I read all the details on how God required each offering and sacrifice to be made, I started to see something else. Something about God. Something beautiful about God. You see, none of those requirements were meant to be just a burden on us. What God was trying to teach us through the people of Israel back then, is that sin is an awful thing, but God made a way to deliver us from sin and its eternal consequences. Those words in the Bible are also there to teach us how important it is to ask God for forgiveness of our sins, which are really a broken relationship with Him. Confessing our sins restores that relationship.

After realizing the beauty of God’s forgiveness for our sins, I looked out my window at the mountains in the distance. I wanted God to know how sorry I was when my relationship with Him gets placed second to everything else in my life. I want to always be in close relationship with Him. He wants it and I need it. I also wanted to bask in the assurance that God is there to help me in this journey. He makes me realize how far I go sometimes from Him and how He draws me back with His love and forgiveness. As I looked through the window to the distant mountains, a verse from Psalm came to my mind. “I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1,2.

If you have gone far from God, if He’s become secondary in your life, or if you’ve realized He hasn’t been a part of your life in a while, don’t ever think you can’t go back to Him. He loves you and wants you. He’s made a way for you and for me: Jesus. Jesus is the way. Through Him we can be sure of being forgiven of any wrong we’ve done, no matter how bad we think it was. All you have to say is “God, I messed up. Please forgive me.” I encourage you to close this page you’re reading and  talk with Him right now. Close your eyes and experience the freedom of knowing you are infinitely loved and have been forgiven.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I John 1:9

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!" 

Psalm 51:1,2

 

Wonderful Exodus 31!

I am so grateful for Exodus 31:1-11. After reading chapters 25 through 30 where God describes all the things that needed to be done in order to complete the Tabernacle, I was wondering if Moses was feeling a little overwhelmed. I know I was after reading the descriptions of every article that was supposed to go into the tabernacle. Make the ark of the Covenant this way, and cut the curtains the other way, face the tent this way, and make the priestly garments this other way. Phew! It was a lot!  But this morning I read Exodus 31, wonderful chapter 31, where God tells Moses that he was not to do all that work alone. In fact, God was equipping especially chosen people to do everything with skill and wisdom. Bezalel was chosen to make all kinds of artistic designs with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, and Oholiab was chosen to help him. Moreover, God was giving all the skilled workers involved in the work of the temple, the ability to do well everything God had commanded.

What an amazing promise. God didn’t tell Moses to do all that work and then let him figure out how to do it. It was God’s special work and He was going to make sure everyone had everything needed to go a great job, thus glorifying God in every little detail.

How wonderful to know that when God asks us to do something, He will give us all we need to complete our assignment with success.  A few months prior He had given Moses the task of freeing the Israelites from Egypt, but sent Aaron to help him. Even Moses’ father-in-law Jethro was used to give great counsel to make Moses’ work lighter. Now God was sending all kinds of skilled workers to complete the temple just as God had instructed.

It’s amazing to notice how true this is in my own life. God has been there for me and given me everything I needed for the tasks He has asked me to do. When He asked me to move to a different country far away from my family, He provided all the resources and people to help me through that time. As He has called me to be a parent and a wife,  in spite of my many shortcomings, it’s comforting to know that He is helping me daily to be there for my family. And as I hear Him asking me to embark on a new adventure with Him, I know I will never be alone and will be thoroughly equipped for the job at hand. I don’t have to fear!

God may be calling you to a special work. It can be to go somewhere as a missionary, or to become a parent either through birth, adoption, or foster care. He may be calling you to go back to school or change your careers. Perhaps He is asking you to do a special work at your church, neighborhood, or your community. Whatever He is asking you to do for Him, whether big or small, know that God will give you absolutely everything you need and send all the help you need to do a great work for Him. You have nothing to fear!

“Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”
Psalm 144:1

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6

Hot Air Balloon Ride

It was one of those very busy mornings trying to rush out of the door, so I could get on time to where I needed to be. Already somewhat stressed, I got in the car and joined the many others who seemed to be going to the same place at the same time as me. The traffic was insane! It took several turns just to get through one traffic light. It’s very difficult to wait patiently when one’s in a hurry! I looked at the sea of cars in front of me, on the opposite lane, and to the rest of the city in the distance. There were cars everywhere. Hundreds, thousands maybe! So many people on the road at that same time of the morning busy starting their day, some going to work, others going to school, and yet others probably heading back home after working all night. I should’ve picked a different time to have to leave the house! Rush hour is almost always stressful.
As I contemplated the scene in front of me, my eyes were suddenly directed upwards. Way up, above the morning madness, a couple of hot air balloons gently rode the beautiful blue sky. Completely unaffected by the traffic around me, they slowly moved through the air. I thought how quiet it must have been to rise above the morning chaos and quietly enjoy the amazing mountain views and watch the sunrise from above. As I watched the contrast between life on the ground and life in the air, the words of a song came to my mind:

"There is a quiet place,

 Far from the rapid pace
Where God can soothe my troubled mind.
Sheltered by tree and flow’r,
There in my quiet hour
With Him my cares are left behind.
Whether a garden small,
Or on a mountain tall,
New strength and courage there I find;
Then from this quiet place
I go prepared to face a new day
With love for all mankind.”

A quiet place… I couldn’t help but take a deep breath and start talking with God. In the middle of the rapid pace, I can always find rest in my Savior. All of a sudden I could feel the stress melting away and I enjoyed the time alone inside my car to speak and listen to my best Friend. It was as if I had gone on my personal hot air balloon ride, and quietly enjoyed the rest of my commute looking at the beautiful mountains, the glorious sunrise, and the hot balloons gently riding the high air. I too became unaffected by the morning chaos.

Our world is getting crazier and crazier. People are so busy with so many things, it’s mad chaos every day, every time. We are constantly on the go! God knew beforehand that we would be easily tempted to join the mad rush and live life on the fast lane. He also knew that doing so would be detrimental to our lives in many different ways. That’s why the Bible is filled with counsel for us to go to Him and rest in Him. To stop running and simply be still. To be so quiet that we can see the work of God around us, which gets easily missed when we are so busy.

I encourage you to get on that personal “hot air balloon” with God and go for a ride. Enjoy the cool breeze on your face and the quietness of the moment away from it all. Get refreshed and recharged. Seek His wisdom and counsel for your life. Simply enjoy the company of One who is filled with love for you and can gently change your life for the better. You can do this at any time. It’s nice to begin the day with Him, but we can always go to Him for rest…even during morning rush hour in the big city.
 

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Mark 6:31

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

 Matthew 11:28

Praying for a stranger

The conversation was small at first. We talked about the weather, what we did for a living, and life in the big city. We had met by chance and I thought shortly I would be on my way continuing with my errands. I was wrong. Before I knew it, he was telling me his life story and what was in his heart. He was in pain and he talked freely. With tears rolling down his face he shared with me, a stranger to him, the emotional suffering he had been going through for the past year. I listened attentively wondering what could I do to help. I asked questions and we talked for longer than we both probably expected at first. I finally asked him what his thoughts on God were. With so much stress in his life, this gentleman was in desperate need of Christ. I think my question caught him by surprise. Stuttering his words, he just said he didn’t go to church. I told Him I believed God could help the pain in his heart and that I would be praying for him. We continued talking and after a while we decided it was time to part ways. Of everything we said during our conversation, he made sure to thank me for praying for him.

I left wondering if I would ever meet that man again. Unlikely. This city is so big, with so many people. The chances of both being in the same place at the same time again were slim, but I decided to pray for him. I couldn’t even remember his name, but God and I talked about him often. I asked God to give that man strength, comfort, and the amazing peace that changes everything. I didn’t know if I would ever see the results of my prayers, but it wasn’t about me anyway. One of God’s kids was in pain and needed Him desperately.

I must shout to the world that my God is an amazing God! In His wisdom and love, He allowed me to get a glimpse of His work in this man’s life. Unexpectedly I saw him again. He recognized me and gave me the biggest smile I have ever seen! The conversation was short, but enough for me to see God at work. There was joy in the man’s face. He was happier and at peace. The outlook on life wasn’t as gloomy as when we had previously met. He said he had decided to be more positive and take one day at a time. We ended the conversation with him saying, “I feel great!”

The joy in my heart was so big I think I had a smile on my face the rest of the day. I was so happy for my new friend. What amazed me even more, and this happens so often, is that his life hadn’t changed much. In fact he still had all the same problems he’s been having, but his attitude and outlook in life had changed. Instead of feeling helpless and discouraged, he felt strong and had a clear mind to make the important decisions he needed to make. He had hope!

I thanked God for His amazing work in this person’s life and for the blessing of seeing the transformation. How incredible! I may not see this gentleman again, but I know God is taking care of him. Oh the power of prayer. What an amazing tool of courage and strength God has graciously given to us. It solves everything. Even if it doesn't change our circumstances, it always changes our hearts and that's what truly matters.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted  

and saves the crushed in spirit." 

Psalm 34:18

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'"

Matthew 11:28

 

Cleaning up our mess!

I was driving through town the other day thinking about a situation a friend had just asked me to pray for. As I was intensely reflecting on all the details and asking God to intervene, I spoke out loud: “What a mess God. You have to fix this!” Humanly speaking the situation seemed completely out of control and there was no way out. In fact, the more people tried to fix things, the worse the situation became. One thing I knew though: God could take care of everything because for Him nothing is impossible! Even after we make a big mess of life, God can fix it if we let Him.

I just finished reading the book of Genesis. Have you read Genesis lately? Talk about a big mess, beginning with the biggest of them all when Adam and Eve decided to eat of the fruit God had asked them not to. Then there was Abraham who kept hiding from others the fact that Sarah was his wife and who had a difficult time waiting for the son God had promised him. Isaac must have learned from his parents because he did something similar with Rebekah. Then there’s Jacob. Oh Jacob! He really wanted to have the birthright of the first born son, so he deceived his own father in order to receive it. Of course that made things even worse and he had to run from home. His life was a complete disaster! Then the deceiver was deceived and Jacob was tricked into marrying his uncle’s two daughters, which caused many family problems as long as both sisters lived. And even after Rachel died, her son Joseph was loved by the father, but hated by his own brothers. The hatred was such that they had all the intentions on killing him, though they ended up selling Joseph as a slave instead. Of course they couldn’t tell their father what they had done, so they covered their actions up by telling Jacob that his beloved Joseph must have been eaten by a wild animal. Poor Jacob and poor Joseph. And if things weren’t bad enough for him as a slave, Joseph ends up being put in prison for something he didn’t do.

What a mess! These were God’s chosen, His special possession. He had great plans for these people, but they kept getting in the way, doing their own thing, and carrying their own plans trying to fix their problems. However, their lives and the lives of others just kept getting worse. What amazes me is that the God who says that “all things work together for the good of those who love Him,” was able to transform these people’s bad decisions into incredible blessings. In the end, Abraham became a friend of God; Jacob the deceiver became Israel because God prevails; Joseph became second in command over the whole land in Egypt, which enabled him to save his brothers, the rest of his family, and a whole nation  from famine. Because Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and his sons loved God, decided to follow Him no matter what, and believed He could help them, God picked up all the broken pieces, all the bad decisions, and all the consequences from those bad decisions, and transformed them into something that brought glory to His name. A happy ending. Wow! How amazing!

I talked with my friend this afternoon and she shared some of the things God has been doing in her life. Slowly she is getting a little glimpse of His work and that’s enough to give her strength to press on.

Wherever you are in your life, know that God is at work and will take care of you. You may have made lots of poor decisions. You may be suffering because of other people’s bad choices. Whatever your case, know that if you remain in God’s side, He will pick up the mess you are in and transform it into something amazingly beautiful! He did it for His people long ago, He's doing it for my friend, and He'll do it for you too.

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!"

I Samuel 12:16 

"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." 

Psalm 34:7