In His Hands

          God just showed me something in the Gospel of Mark that was too good not to share. I've read the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 thousands of times before, and I've heard it preached just as many times, but I've never seen it in the way that God showed it to me tonight. First of all, the story begins in Mark 6:30-34. In this passage we learn that Jesus was tired and hungry. He just wanted to go off to a quiet spot and rest for a while with His disciples, but when He saw the 5000 people standing on the other side of the shore waiting on Him, He had compassion on them. A few verses earlier, in verses 1-6, we learned that Jesus had been in Nazareth where He couldn't teach or do any miracles because the people there didn't believe Him. But in this passage Jesus comes in contact with people who are spiritually hungry, and even though He is tired and hungry Himself, He doesn't turn them away. Jesus begins teaching them many different things, and later (v. 35-36) the disciples tell Jesus that He needs to send the people away so they can find their own food, but Jesus says no. When you trust Christ, and when you're earnestly seeking Him, HE WON'T SEND YOU AWAY HUNGRY! Jesus left Nazareth because the people weren't hungry, but He stayed with the 5000 until they were all filled! Whatever your need, God will provide. Just believe. He'll make a way where there seems to be no way.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." 

~ Matthew 5:6 ~

          It doesn't end there. It gets even better. Jesus took what little amount of food the disciples had (5 loaves and 2 fish), and He looked up toward Heaven and blessed it. Next, the disciples began distributing the food. Every other time I've read or heard this message, I've always imagined the disciples walking around with individual baskets passing out the food, and the food miraculously kept appearing in the baskets. But according to scripture, that's not what happened. According to scripture, Jesus was the one holding the food! Verse 41 says that Jesus broke the bread into pieces, and He kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. Jesus was the source of supply, and the disciples were just passing out what He offered them. When you put all you have in the hands of Jesus, THE BLESSING NEVER ENDS! As long as the bread stayed in the hands of Jesus, there was an endless supply! 

"Cast all your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you."

~ 1 Peter 5:7 ~

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus."

~ Phillipians 4:19 ~

We're Not So Different

          This week I've been reading about some of the Old Testament prophets like Amos, Joel, and Obadiah. The information I've found has fascinated me. I read that Amos lived in the same time as Hosea, Isaiah, and Jonah. Amos and Hosea worked together and traveled around preaching together. After Amos passed away, Hosea continued preaching, and Isaiah and Micah followed in their footsteps. It's possible that Isaiah and Micah may have even heard Amos preach when they were younger. This amazed me, because so often we imagine the people of the Bible as existing in this far off world completely separate from the world we live in. We never picture them as living their daily lives and interacting with one another. Instead, we imagine them to be these big "Holier than Thou" superhero Christians who we can't even compare ourselves too. What I read about these prophets showed me that we're not so different from them after all. The church is still the church, and God is still God - the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. These people may have lived in a different day and age than us, but they were still people going about their daily lives. They were people just like us, who devoted their lives to serving God and proclaiming His Word. Have you ever considered that the Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah's of the Old Testament are the Peter, Paul, and Timothy's of the New Testament and the Billy Graham, Rick Warren, and Steven Furtick's of our generation? Instead of viewing Martin Luther King Jr. as a historical figure, have you ever considered him to be a modern day prophet? Think about it... He was a Christian preacher who stood before crowds of people quoting scripture (In fact, he even quoted Amos 5:24 in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech), prophesying that he had seen the promised land of justice and racial equality, and eventually he was killed because of the stand he took. To this day he is still quoted and looked to as an influential leader despite the fact that, like the prophet Moses, he never actually got to step foot into the promised land. Consider Billy Graham, a contemporary of MLK, they even stood in the pulpit together. Have you ever considered him to be an apostle who preached to crowds of people and drew them to Christ, just as the apostle Paul did? Of course there are many other famous pastors besides these names I've mentioned, but all of these names are well-known. Not only do their sermons attract crowds of people, and countless lives have come to know Christ through them, but they also write words that encourage the church and seek to nourish spiritual growth - just as the men of the Bible did. If cameras existed in Biblical times, I imagine those "multitudes" Peter and Paul preached to would look something like this...

After all, they were just men of God proclaiming the Gospel to crowds of people, right?

          You see, we're not so different from the early church after all. The Bible is just as applicable today as it was back then. We need to start listening to and heeding the words of those (both past and present) whom God has called and sent to prophesy and share His Word. We need to get to work putting our faith into action and sharing the words we've been given ourselves. 

          So the next time you read the Bible, don't read it like it's a story about superhero's living in some far off distant land. Read it like you're there, in the midst of the struggle. Listen to the words and follow their direction, because you're not so different after all. The people who penned down those words were real people with real struggles, just like me and you. They lived ordinary daily lives, but they did extraordinary things because they trusted God. You can do the same. There's a reason the Word of God has endured for so many years - It's because it is just as applicable today as it was back then, and the words are just as true as they ever were. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is doing the same work in hearts today that He was back then. He can change you and use you, just like he did with the prophets, disciples, and apostles back then. God's work is not done yet. Keep trusting, and keep following His Word. 

What are we waiting for?

I've heard the phrase "Wait on the Lord" countless times before, but I'm beginning to question what exactly we're waiting for. I mean, the Lord is already here! He is alive and well. His body is in Heaven with the Father, but His Spirit dwells within us. Have we forgotten? I imagine us praying and talking about waiting on God - all the while He's pounding on the doors and windows of our hearts saying, "Here I am, I'm right here - let me out!" With the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we have power. He desires for us to use this power to draw others to Him, that's why He gave it to us. So why do we keep it locked away, hidden in the depths of our hearts. It's a free gift that we walk around bragging about having, yet we've never actually opened it up and used it for its designated purpose. It is the healing power of the body and spirit that we've been praying for - We're praying for something we already have! So many times we blame God. We pray for things and question why our prayers are never answered. It's because we're praying prayers that God already answered 2000 years ago when Jesus Christ arose from the grave. When He ascended to Heaven, He said that the Holy Spirit would be even greater than having His physical body here to walk and talk with. Why? Because the very same power of Jesus Christ - the power that healed the blind and brought the dead back to life - would dwell in our hearts at all times. It's a never ending fountain of water, a constant supply of nourishment, at our fingertips any time of the day or night. We are never without strength or comfort when the Holy Spirit is near. So why do we still worry and fear? Why do we proclaim to be weak when the Holy Spirit dwells within us? Our flesh is weak, yes. But our hearts are strong because of the Holy Spirit of the almighty God.  We should boast in our weaknesses and declare His strength. With His power, we can do all things. We are stronger than our sins. We are stronger than our sicknesses. We are stronger than death. Don't let the Holy Spirit go to waste. Don't live a defeated life. We have won! Live in joy. Live in victory. Let the Holy Spirit flow freely out of you - don't keep Him pushed away in the depths of your heart, hidden from the world. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ever think, ask, or imagine. Let Him work through you. We are the body of Christ on this earth. We are to be his hands, his feet, and his voice until He comes again. Let us do His will. Let us be transparent vessels of the Holy Spirit - not so that we can be seen, but so that the strength and power of God would be seen and magnified. He alone is worthy. May the world see, hear, and feel his love and mercy, grace and compassion, peace and joy, healing and comfort. May they see and know Him through the things I say and do, and the way I live my life. I want to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit. I want to be a vessel for Him to use and work through. I boast in my weaknesses, because He uses the foolish things to confound the wise. Holy Spirit, I pray that You rain down over our lives. Flood our hearts with your goodness until it overflows into our words and actions. Use us, Lord. We offer ourselves as willing vessels for you to use and work through. Move in our hearts and lives like never before. We need You, the world needs You. My prayer is that they see You through us. Let Your kingdom come. Let Your will be done.

Better

You know me better than I know myself,
Better than anyone else ever could.

The person I hide,

The person I really am.
The sins I conceal,
And all of my shame.
My past, My future,
The life I'm living now.
You know every twist and turn,
And what's coming around the bend.
You know why things happen the way they do,
And the reason for every stumble and fall.
You know me better -
Better than I know myself,
Better than anyone else ever could.

From my deepest darkest thoughts,

To the dreams of who I want to be.
My history, and all of my memories -
Though fading from my mind,
Are crystal clear in your eyes,
Because You know me better -
Better than I know myself,
Better than anyone else ever could.

You know my innermost parts, my innermost thoughts.

You knit me together, stitch by stitch, in my mother's womb.
You know the hairs on my head, and every defining feature of me.
You know every thought that's ever crossed my mind,
Every heartache, headache, and hurt I've ever endured.
You know me better -
Better than I know myself,
Better than anyone else ever could.

God, when I'm lost in all this mystery,

In all the chaos and confusion.
When I don't what to do or where to turn,
Will You remind me that you know me better?
You know me better than I know myself,
Better than anyone else ever could.

When I want things to change,

When I'm tired of the way things are.
When I don't understand why I am where I am,
When I'm worried about the future I can't see,
Will You remind me that You are in control -
Because you know me better than I know myself,
Better than anyone else ever could.

I don't know what's best for me,

I don't know what I need,
But I know I need You.
I know that You are better,
And I put my trust in You,
Because you know me better -
Better than I know myself,
Better than anyone else ever could.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears (Love was the Reason)

My Savior, My God, in human form.

I'm drowning.

Consumed by Your love.

Overwhelmed by Your grace

Captivated by the mystery of Your mercy.

Enraptured by the purpose of Your divine plan.

What is the purpose of Your plan?

My Savior, My God, in human form.

You became humanity.

You lived and You died.

You loved and You lost.

Anger and Anguish, Joy and Sorrow.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

What was the purpose of Your humanity?

I'm drowning in the tears You cried for me.

You wept in Your grief.

You grieved because I wept.

God, I'm grieved because You wept.

I'm unworthy of Your tears.

Father, why do You care?

Why did You love me when I caused You pain?

I'm drowning in the sweat You poured for me.

Overwhelming stress filled Your soul.

Stress caused by my overwhelming sin.

Heavy burdens and stress I couldn't carry.

Stress so severe it turned Your sweat drops to blood.

Father, why would You carry a load that wasn't Yours to bear?

Why did You carry me when my sins weighed You down?

I'm drowning in the blood You shed for me.

They whipped You, because You came to heal my wounds.

They cursed You, because You came to set me free.

They mocked You, because You came to redeem my life.

They ripped Your flesh, but I broke Your heart.

Father, why would You die for the selfish sinner?

Why would You come to suffer for sins You didn't commit?

My Savior, My God, in human form.

The agony You felt, was caused by the hand humanity dealt.

You gave us free will, in freedom we turned from Your will.

We followed the path You warned us against.

We stumbled and fell by our own foolish choice.

But You picked us up without hesitation.

You desired our love and You paid the greatest price.

The Perfect Son, forsaken by God, but never forsaking us.

Incapable of perfection, I couldn't pay the price.

Unworthy of redemption, but you paid no mind.

You saw past my misconceptions,

Past my shameful indiscretions.

What did You see in me that was worth saving?

The answer: You saw nothing good, just an empty vessel.

Denied by Your children, rejected by the ones You came to save.

You entered humanity, even knowing the price.

You gave us hope and the chance for a new beginning.

You lived a perfect life to show us the perfect example.

You gave us the freedom to choose, the freedom to love.

We choose to love You. We choose follow Your will.

Father, what was the purpose of Your blood, sweat, and tears?

Love was the reason.

Love was the reason you came.

Love was the reason you died.

God, You are Love, and Love is the reason I died and now live again.

******************************************************************************************

Scripture References

          - John 11:35 "Jesus Wept"

          - Luke 22:44 "And being in agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." 

          - Revelation 1:5 "...Unto Him that loved us and washed us from ours sins in His own blood."

          - Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."

          - Romans 7:18 "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing..."

          - 1 John 4:8-10 "...God is love. In this was manifest the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Beautiful in Time

          God has been speaking to me a lot through Proverbs and Ecclesiastes lately. One thing that has really stood out to me in my studies of the book of Ecclesiastes is the phrase "all is vanity... like grasping for wind" or as other translations say "everything is meaningless... like chasing the wind." Chasing the wind is a meaningless task, but sometimes there are moments in our life where it feels like that's all we're doing - running in circles, never really accomplishing anything, just grasping for something that's going to slip through our hands. Sometimes when we get caught up in these struggles and stresses of life, when we get down in a spiritual valley - we often wonder if everything really is meaningless. Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, and even he struggled with this. I've experienced this myself, especially being in college where I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my life. Am I ever going to accomplish anything, or is all of this time and money going to waste? I know God has me here for a reason, and I know He's preparing me for the future He has planned for me. But in the meantime, am I helping to build God's kingdom or am I just chasing after the wind?

          So what does the phrase "all is vanity" even mean? The Strong's Hebrew definition of vanity is "a breath or a gentle breeze." When I read this I was reminded of James 4:14 which says, "You don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are like a vapor that appears for a little while and vanishes away." Solomon was wise because he made many foolish mistakes. He chased after the wind by buying big houses, planting vineyards, having and lot of wives and concubines, etc. But once he recognized the brevity of life, he realized that those things are meaningless. All is vanity, all is fleeting - like chasing the wind. Ephesians 5:15-17 says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."

          Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has a hope filled plan and future for our lives, so we need to make the most of the time that He has given us. We need to invest our time in things of value, in things of worth, in things that will last - the things of God. These are the things that will help us to understand and fulfill God's plan for our lives. One of my favorite sayings of all time is "Carpe Diem" - Seize the Day. That's exactly what God is telling us in this scripture in Ephesians. He is saying, "Redeem the time" - seize it, take hold of it. Live life to the fullest, and make the most of every opportunity. Each of us was created by God for a distinct purpose. We are here for a reason, and each day that we are on this earth brings us one step closer to understanding why. We can't waste that time on the meaningless, passing things of this world. We need to seek God, seek His kingdom, seek His plan for our lives, and follow wherever He leads. Isaiah tells us that God's ways are higher than ours, and Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think. He has a plan and a purpose for all things. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

A time to be born, and a time to die.

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which has been planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heal.

A time to break down, and a time to build up.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh.

A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together.

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.

A time to get, and a time to lose.

A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rend, and a time to sew.

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

A time to love, and a time to hate.

A time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?

I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the word in their heart, 

so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from beginning to end.

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

And also that every man should eat, drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: Nothing can be put to it, 

nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

That which hath been is now, and that which is to be hath already been, 

and God requireth that which is past."

          This passage assures us that even in the moments of chaos, even when we feel like we're chasing the wind, like everything is meaningless - God is at work, and He makes everything beautiful in time. He requires that which is past, meaning even the hardest and darkest parts of our lives were necessary in order to bring us where we are today. There is a plan and a purpose for all things, all aspects of our lives, so we need to stop chasing the wind and start redeeming the time that God has given us. We need to make the most of every day, and use every opportunity He blesses us with to bring honor and glory to Him. 

*Things to Remember

1. There is a purpose for all things. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

          God is at work in every aspect of our lives, and He is working all things together for our good.

2. God makes everything beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

          God takes our brokenness and forms it into somethings beautiful which will understand in time.

3. He requires that which has passed. (Ecclesiastes 3:15)

          God uses even the lowest points of our life for a divine and necessary purpose.

Created & Formed

     Isaiah 43 is one of my favorite passages of scripture. I refer back to it often for encouragement in times of struggle. It is basically a love note from our Savior - a reminder of His redeeming love, His grace, His faithfulness, and His ever-presence in our lives. It exemplifies how great our God truly is. Please read it if you haven't already, I promise you will not regret it. Here are some of the highlights...

"...Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." 

(v. 1-2)

"For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior..." (v. 3)

"Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee..." (v. 4)

"Fear not for I am with thee..." (v. 5)

"I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea I have made him." (v. 7)

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servants whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior." 

(v. 10-11)

"Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand..." (v. 13)

"...I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen." (v. 20)

"This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise." (v. 21)

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." 

(v. 25)

     These verses are basically God telling us, "I love you, I chose you, and I'm here for you." We're reminded that we are loved and chosen by God. We're reminded that He is always present, and always working in our lives, always interceding on our behalf. But no matter how many times I read the same scripture, God always reveals something new and different to me each time. This week, I couldn't seem to get past the first verse. "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel..." These are usually the parts of scripture that I just skip right over and don't ever take a second glance. But I noticed something different this time. I usually just assumed that "O Israel" was referring to the children of Israel, God's chosen people. But what if that was not the case? Israel is also a biblical name, a name given to Jacob after he wrestled with the angel and was not overpowered. This verse is telling us that God created Jacob, and formed Israel. So what's the difference? Why is there a need to separate the two?
     I heard a story on the radio once, and it has stuck with me years later. If I remember correctly, the discussion was about unusual child names and the meanings behind them - or something along those lines. Well, one man called in and said that his son was named Israel. The father, who was named Jacob, said that all throughout the pregnancy they had been planning to also name their son Jacob. However, the man said that God reminded him of the fact that he changed the biblical Jacob's name to Israel, and that name change represented a change that happened within Jacob. He decided to name his son Israel, because God had made a change in his life, and he wanted his son to be the better version of himself.
     There was a difference. Jacob was created, Israel was formed. To "create" something means to bring it into existence. Just as God breathed life into Adam's nostrils, bringing him into existence. To "form" something means to arrange it, shape it, and mold it into something different. Like a piece of clay in the potter's hands, broken apart and formed into something useful and something of beauty. The day we are born is the day God brings us into existence. Genesis tells us that He created us in His own image. But the day we are born again, God makes us a new creation. He takes the broken parts of us and He forms, molds, and shapes us into something beautiful. This is a process that begins the day we accept Christ, and continues until the day He calls us home.
     The name Jacob means "supplanter" - one who wrongfully takes the place of another. Jacob was causing trouble and discord in his family before he even came into this world, literally. He stole his brother's birthright, and deceived his own father. Just like Jacob, we are born into sin. We were the ones in the wrong, but Jesus Christ stepped in and took our place. He bore the weight of our sins, making us new creatures. He changed our name to Israel, which means "perseveres with God." With God on our side, nothing is impossible. He takes our brokenness and makes something beautiful out of it. We are forgiven, We are redeemed, and no matter the circumstance - we will persevere! Because of God's sacrifice, we have the glorious hope of a promised land - a land without sin, a land without tears, a land without death.
     Here's something else to think about... Adam was God's son. He was created by God, and breathed into existence by God. His name means "man" or "earth" and that is exactly what His name represents - the fall of man, this sinful world that we are born into. Jesus Christ is also the son of God, His only begotten son. The word begotten means born. Jesus was not simply created and breathed into existence - He was knit together in His mother's womb. He was formed. And His name means "God with us" - He is our salvation from the sins of this world. He is our deliverance, our redeemer. It is through Him that we receive the hope of eternal life. It is through Him that we are able to be made new and receive new names. So with that said, who is your namesake? Are you an heir of Adam, or an heir of Christ? Is your name Jacob, or Israel? Have you been born again, or just born? Have you received a new name? Have you been created and formed, or just created? Today is the day of salvation. You can be made new today. When you accept Christ as your Savior He will give you a new name, and He will begin forming you into the person that He created you to be.