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No excuses!

I redeemed you . . . I sent Moses to lead you . . . And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

(Micah 6:4, 8)

He doesn’t require a Master’s degree or a Ph.D.; He doesn’t even require a Bachelor’s degree!

Your résumé doesn’t impress Him.

He doesn’t care about beauty or physique, ability or talent.

He doesn’t care if you are disabled.

He doesn’t want or require perfection.

Paul had imperfections — imperfections he didn’t want. (2 Corinthians 12:-8) In fact, he begged the Lord to take those weaknesses from him, but the Lord didn’t. Paul didn’t use the imperfections as an excuse. He diligently persevered, running the race, serving the Lord, preaching the gospel, in spite of persecution and imprisonment. He wrote letters to the churches — epistles that teach us, guide us, direct us — all inspired by God. Paul kept the faith. James D. Smith III writes,

“To keep the faith is to put it mildly. Paul had done so in the face of jailings, floggings, death threats, murder attempts, and the constant anxiety for the churches he founded—not to mention what Paul called his ‘thorn in the flesh’—a chronic and debilitating weakness.”

And I complain about not having enough time to serve the Lord – about not feeling well. I want to let the younger women serve in capacities I once did. I’m tired. I have too much to do. My family needs all of my time.

Are you talented? Gifted? Confident? Beautiful? Perfect?

Or do you often feel insecure? Unable? Depressed? Too busy? Disabled?

Moses was disabled.

And he used it as an excuse not to obey God. God spoke to Him directly! Through the burning bush. God called him by name!

“Moses! Moses!” God said.

(We read about this in Exodus, Chapter 4.)

We might think, If God spoke to me directly, I would serve Him. I would do exactly as He asked.

Really? What has He said directly through His Word? (your burning bush)

“So now, go. I am sending you . . .”

God said.

Moses began his excuses: “Who am I that I should go? . . .Suppose I go . . . and they say,  ‘Who sent you? What is his name?’ What if they do not believe me?”

God answered every question. And God gave Moses a staff and showed Moses the miraculous acts he could perform with the staff! But Moses still was not convinced, nor was he obedient!

So Moses used his trump: his disability. “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to me. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

Oh, really? (As if God didn’t already know!)

The Lord God said, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will be your mouth and will teach you what to say.”

“Please Lord, send someone else to do it!” (Evidently Moses was thinking about his brother, Aaron.)

Moses’s brother Aaron was a gifted speaker – intelligent, refined.

But God used Moses.

God said He would help both Moses and Aaron speak and He would teach them what to do! God told Moses that he (Moses) would speak to Aaron and put the words in Aaron’s mouth! Then Aaron “will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth, and as if you were God to him!”

Imagine! Moses, the disabled one, is going to be God to Aaron!

Finally, Moses obeyed God and went to do what the Lord sent him to do – to rescue his own people.

I want the power of the Almighty God to be evident in my life! I want people to see God in me! I want God to teach me and let Him be my mouth!

And what does the LORD require of me? Does He require intelligence or degrees? Experience or an impressive résumé? Beauty or physique? Ability or talent? Perfection?

No, He requires me To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him.

If God speaks to you directly, will you obey Him? Will you do exactly as He asks?

Then listen to your burning bush – His Word!

“So now, go. I am sending you . . .”

God says.

And make no excuses! Because your disabilities don’t matter to God.

References:

Exodus 4:1-17

James D. Smith III, pastor of Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist Church and adjunct professor of church history at Bethel Seminary—West, both in San Diego, California, is an adviser for Christian History. Copyright © 1995 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian History magazine.

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Through the child, the angels are made known

I don’t begin to know how or why, but I do know that my little granddaughter, Kaylee (the one who lives with us now) sees angels!

The first time I realized that she saw angels was one night – the middle of the night! – when she climbed into bed with her Papa and me.

See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)

As she lay between us, squirming like crazy (while we tried to get back to sleep), she talked as though it were the middle of the day instead of the night! Then she began describing the angels she saw flying around her. I thought she might be frightened, so I said, “It’s probably your special guardian angel, Kaylee. Everyone has a guardian angel!” She wasn’t frightened.

“There are lots of angels, Nana. See?”

I didn’t see them. I just kept encouraging her to go to sleep!

“Close your eyes, Kaylee. And go to sleep, honey.”

She did close her eyes. “I can still see them, Nana.”

I turned toward her. She opened her eyes and said, “There’s one on your nose, Nana.”

 

At breakfast, I encouraged her to “rethink” the events.

“Your were dreaming about angels last night, weren’t you Kaylee?”

“No, Nana, I didn’t dream about angels. I saw angels!”

I tilted my face, smiling, “You were just kidding about the angels, weren’t you, Kaylee?”

“No, Nana. I really did see angels!”

 

Similar episodes have since occured, both in her own bedroom, as well as ours. But the episode that amazes me the most occured one night when many angels flew around the room. By this time, I had learned to pretend I was sleeping while quietly, I enjoyed her descriptions. She described the many as perhaps forty, which was more than the few at a time she had previously recounted. Suddenly, these forty angels stood perfectly still, forming a wall. 

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve us? (Hebrews 1:14)

I waited. Finally I asked, “Are they flying around again?”

“They’re still not moving, Nana. They’re holding still on the wall they’ve made.”

A few minutes passed.

“They’re flying around again, Nana.”

Have you not put a hedge around [her] and [her]household and everything [she] has? Job 1:10

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)

I don’t know the danger that was coming our way at 1 am that morning, or why those angels formed a wall of protection around us, but I prayed, “Thank you, God, for showing me, through the innocent eyes of my child, your awesome protection upon our family.”

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (Psalm 8:2)

 

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Really, Christmas is . . .

Christmas is for kids –

innocently believing in a Santa Claus. Believing that someone cares SO much that he wants to bring you a gift.

(more…)
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Things I’ve learned in the last week . . .

Things I’ve learned in the last week or so.

~~ ~~ ~~

1) Perils arise, but God is still God.

He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

He loves,

   He cares,

      He comforts,

         and He heals.

~~ ~~ ~~

2) People care.

They pray;

   they bring food;

      they write notes;

         they send gifts;

            they call;

               they send money;

                  they give hugs.

Sometimes  I’m surprised to experience this care.

Then I realize again that I don’t know it all.

~~ ~~ ~~

3) Pain is real, no matter what.

Someone may think your problem is not that big, but it’s big to you!

So it’s big to God.

I’ve learned to recognize the intensity of other’s problems.

~~ ~~ ~~

4) Many people have much greater burdens than I do.

Some have the Lord to help them through;

    some don’t.

I want to be the hands and feet of Christ to both–my hands extended in love and in prayer and praise, my feet running to meet their needs.

~~ ~~ ~~

5) Being a mother is joyful.

It is also painful.

It involves entrusting your child (and grandchild) to the Lord God. At Christmas, I am reminded how a young, innocent, virgin mother began learning to do just that.

This Christmas, I am observing my beautiful daughter entrusting – day by day – moment by moment.

I am thankful for motherhood and nanahood and a God in whom I trust.

~~ ~~ ~~

6) Christmas is one of the saddest times to suffer and endure.

~~ ~~ ~~

7) Christmas is one of the greatest times to remember why I suffer and endure. And to remember who suffered and endured for me, in my place.

(Look for my upcoming posting: Things I’ve learned about Christmas . . .)

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He will yet deliver Luke . . .

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

 2 Cor. 1:10-11

Indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves,

but in God . . .  2 Cor. 1:9

And we do trust in God.

 

 

He’s got the whole world in His hands,

He’s got the whole wide world in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands.

 

He’s got little tiny Luke in His hands,

He’s got the Mommy and the Daddy in His hands,

He’s got all the Greene children in His hands,

He’s got the whole world in His hands.

 

And how safe is that!! To be in the hands of God, the Father–to rest in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God! Kristen and Josh are resting in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God! Our entire family is resting in the unmerited, undeserved favor of God!

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Cor. 1:20

Will you speak the “Amen” with us? Will you agree in Luke’s healing? To the glory of God. Then we will join to give thanks . . . for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

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. . . to have a daughter like my Kristen

She taught me about true faith.

I saw it in her life.

I heard it in her prayers.

Her baby was sick.

I was overcome with worry.
She trusted.
 
I was frightened.
She believed.
 
I spoke words of fear.
She spoke the Word.
 

When is it? That your daughter grows past you in her relationship with the Lord? That you begin to lean upon her–for strength–to lean upon Him?

 

It is a wonderful thing–to have a daughter like that–a daughter like my Kristen!

 

All your [daughters] will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. Isaiah 54:13,17b

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…the joy is in having Him so near!

Wow! In our brief study of Romans 5: 1-5, I was overwhelmed by what God taught me through His Word and my study partners. How can we rejoice in suffering? I’ve gleaned from these honest ladies, and I’d like to share it with you:

Amy commented, “It really is JOY. Is it the happy, skipping, life is wonderful, kind of joy? NO. But.. It is the incredible joy of having that intimate, deep, dependence on, and relationship with HIM. When nothing makes sense . . .  when all is dark . . . when all seems lost . . . that’s when His light of peace and JOY penetrate your soul. Yes indeed, there is joy in suffering. The wonderful, incredible joy of holding hands, and being held by our Great, Loving, Compassionate Father.”

So the joy isn’t in suffering – the joy is in having Him so near.

Deb openly confessed from the depths of her heart, “I’m not rejoicing in my sufferings – I’m still waiting to rejoice.”

Why is it worth the wait? Why is it worth the suffering? Because of the end result.

Our passage shows the steps it takes: suffering > perseverance > character > hope.

The end result is hope!

Please read Deb and Amy’s comments in full – see the Bible Study posting, “Rejoice in Suffering? How?”

And  look for our next brief, online Bible Study soon. “The Word is near you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart.” (Romans 10)

 

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Pick up Those Jars of Clay!

Christmas Blog journal posting

 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  

2 Corinthians 4:7

Just imagine it! Imagine those clay jars, which have been placed around you, on the shelf, on the floor, on the table–placed there–for us–for you and for me! They’re free. And they’re filled with treasures.

 

 

I pick up one jar. It’s heavy. I’m hesitant. I’ve heard that the treasures are magnificent, but I’m still hesitant. I lift it and slowly begin to pour the content out! I pour it only on my feet. I’m hurting–it heals me. I’m grieving–it consoles me.

I become a bit more trusting, so I begin to pour it on my legs and arms.

I’m praising–it enables me.

I’m homesick–it comforts me.

~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~

The clay jar is still filled to the brim! But it’s not as heavy now! I lift it up, over my head.  I pour it out.

I’m famished–it fills me.

I’m thankful –it blesses me.

~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~

I don’t want it to end. I’m anxious–it fills me with peace. I’m suffering–it fills me with hope. The content–the treasure–saturates me!

And it never ends.

It never runs out.

~~  ~~  ~~  ~~  ~~

Today, pick up that jar of clay–pour out the treasure–saturate yourself with it–let it fill your mouth and penetrate your heart:

“. . . that is, the word of faith (I) am proclaiming”

Read about it in Romans 10:9-13.

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Rejoice in our sufferings? How?

Through him we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings (Romans 5:2-3b)

What?

If you are suffering, for whatever reason, you might join me in wondering

how in the world

can I

 ever

rejoice in my suffering.

In fact, it might even make you cry to think about it. Because when suffering, crying comes

easily

and often

to some of us.

(Crying is coming easily and often to me right now!)

This week, let’s read Romans 5:1-5. Then, in your comments to this short Bible study, discuss the word, “rejoice.” What does it mean?

Use your concordance to find other verses or passages that include the word “rejoice” or  “joy.” In doing so, narrow your findings to those verses or passages that might help explain the connection found in rejoicing and suffering. In other words, what does the Bible tell us about rejoicing (or joy) and suffering?

Please share your findings and ideas – then come back to comment on others.

Today is Friday, November 23. Let’s share and comment throughout the next week; then look for a new posting on this continuing study of Romans 5:1-5 on or about Friday, November 30.

I look forward to reading your comments, verses, passages, and ideas.

ps. When you make your comment (below), be sure to check the box or boxes to be notified when others comment on this same study. It’s all a good part of the study!

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We have this treasure . . .

And  God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts . . .

2 Corinthians 4: 6

Friends, Tuesday morning, after a heartbreaking Monday, after telling our grandchildren that Mommy and Daddy were in jail, and after a miserable night, I opened my Bible to Joshua 5:14b, to ask the Lord the question I have been trying to remember to ask  him every day, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Me!) Was I expecting something new? Something dramatic? Something unusual? As I flipped through the pages of my Bible, my eyes fell upon highlighted passages, post-it notes, and ink writings, smeared by time and wear. I read His promises–the same promises I’d been given in His Word before Monday’s sentencing–were true for me on Tuesday. The same God who loved me (and Ron and Amber and Jesse and . . .) before Monday’s sentencing loved me on Tuesday. And loves me today. And will love me tomorrow . . . and . . .

Do you see?

He doesn’t change.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Ron and I are heartbroken. But He is here with us.

Amber is hurting and lonely. But he is there with her.

Jesse is humiliated and broken. But he is there with him.

He will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5

You see, we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God . . . We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Why? Because we always carry around . . . Jesus!

 2 Corintians 4: 7-9

So, grab your jars of clay and go fill them with His treasures.

More to come . . .