Devastation & God's Glory

It has been awhile since I posted last.  Last time it was about tsunamis and earthquakes, today about tornadoes.  The irony . . . Scripture is very clear that this these natural disasters will increase in the last days, and here we are.


part of our neighborhood


One of the tornadoes that destroyed the South last week came within one hundred yards of my house.  Miles was at home when it hit, and our home was miraculously spared.  The only effects we felt from the storm on our property:  a branch about three inches in diameter is partially off a tree (and we are surrounded by trees); without power for about an hour; and without cable and internet for about a day.  I even drove through quarter to golf-ball sized hail for fifteen minutes, and I don't have a single dent on my car.  I felt almost guilty as we later drove through our neighborhood and then through the south side of town that was destroyed.  But I have been given ample opportunity to give God glory . . . maybe that is why God was so gracious to us . . . Everytime someone asks about how we survived the storm, I start with, "only by the grace of God ... literally!"


part of the south side of our town

Today for some reason, I didn't start that way.  I was describing how miraculously untouched we were, and the lady said to me, "My goodness, you must be in good standing with Someone up there."  I then said, "Literally & Absolutely! If it wasn't for Him, we might have lost it all!"  God deserves the glory from all of this. 

I knew feeling guilty that we didn't have any damage wasn't right, but He has shown me how much He has done for me.  We've been able to serve alot of people bkz we haven't been stuck at our own house trying to clean up.  Some neighbors have used our fridge & freezer so their food didn't go bad.  Some neighbors have used our shower bkz they have no hot water.  We have donated & delivered food, organized donated items, listened to stories, cried with people, prayed for people and with people.  Every time I have encountered someone who has experienced devastation, I feel so helpless and inadequate.  I say to them, "I don't know what I can do for you, but I can pray.  I will pray for you."  Most of them said "thanks . . . that is the best thing you can do." 

It has taken me some time to begin to wrap my brain around some of my own emotions surrounding this devastation, and I'm not there yet . . . but serving people and showing them the Savior is the best thing we can do. 

Please keep praying for the victims of the 2nd deadliest tornado in US history, and Remember that He is still in control!

There's not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,

And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;

While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;

And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.

(from I Sing the Mighty Power of God)

Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and God

My favorite geographical location in all the world is a beach.  I can, and have on many occasions, sat on the beach for hours just taking it all in.  There is nothing like the beach.  The sound of the water overpowers most everything else.  I love to swim in the ocean.  The feeling of freely swimming in something so powerful is amazing.  It is like learning to trust God.  He is awe-ful, but I am unafraid because I trust Him.  The power of that water is awe inspiring.   I love to just sit and watch the water come in and go out.  If at any point, God decided to, He could intervene, and the tide wouldn't work like it does.  The water would break loose, and completely devastate the earth.  It happened in Genesis, and God promised to never completely destroy the earth again by flood. I can sit with confidence on the beach, in awe of the mighty power of God that He keeps restrained.  It is His mercy that keeps the water where it is supposed to be. 

This morning when I woke up hearing of an earthquake off the coast of Japan which caused a tsunami.  One of those times that God did not keep the water restrained.  My first concern was a friend in Guam.  Then as I watched the videos on television, I sat in awe of the devastation.  The pictures from a plane of this 30 foot wave that wasn't dying down like most waves do before they reach the shore.  The wave hits the shore, and moves everything in its path like twigs in a river.  I saw one scene of a tractor trailer just picked up and floating around like it was an inner tube.  Dozens of cars and houses just picked up by the water and moved across the farmland like lava.  I watched in silence for a long while.  The fear that those people must be experiencing! 

Yet the Lord brought me back to Who He is. He is the Almighty God.  He reminded me of His mercy, of His holiness, of His love, of His wrath, of His protection.  Psalm 46 began running through my mind: 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (46:1-3, 10 NASB)

Who knows why God allowed this earthquake, tsunami, and devastation . . . but honestly we all deserve to die.  It is His mercy that He extends to those of us unaffected.  I hope that we are all reminded of God, His power, His Lordship, His holiness, and most of all His mercy. 

My heart and prayers are with those suffering from the devastation.  God, I pray that You would be with them, and they would search for You.

Praying in Faith

So how do we pray in faith?  I find it difficult to find the balance in praying in faith believing that God is going to do something and praying in faith that God's will is primary.  I'm finding that I pray selfishly (and why not, selfishness has completely infiltrated my life . . . sorry for the sarcasm).  Somewhere I went off the path . . .

I want to pray confidently that God will answer my prayer.  I want to pray confidently that God is in control, but since I am not God (for which I am so grateful), I don't know His will. 

I had an email conversation with a godly man about this topic to help me get my head back on straight, and here is what I've learned. 
1.  Praying in faith is not about having faith in the request coming to pass, but having faith in the God to whom we pray.  TV preachers and pentecostals are constantly preaching the "name it & claim it" theology, and that is what this is.  This actually looks alot like "I'll tell God what to do."  I AM NOT GOD.
2.  A big part of praying is for the pray-er to have his or her will conformed to the will of God.  This is a big deal.  I find that when I am just reflecting on what God's perspective might be on the situation that I am quickly given that truth.  God wants me to see things from His perspective, and so when I ask, He gives that  to me.  The tough part is submitting to that contentedly.
3.  The Bible is clear to let us know that we don't always get what we want.  This was confusing to me, especially living down here in Church of God country where "Name it & Claim it" is a popular prayer. But when I think about it . . . again, I'm not God.  He is.  Parents know the difference between what their kids want and need.  Sometimes parents give them things they just want, but many times they don't.  The same is true with God.  He knows what we need and what we just want, and sometimes He gives us what we want.  But He always gives us what we need. 
4.  Prayer is not designed by God to be a means by which we twist His arm to get what we really need or want.  Prayer is a means of communion with Him & our means of making our requests known to Him.  This is where I have really missed the boat.  Prayer is communion with God.  It is a time to "be still and know that He is God" (Ps. 46).  It is a time to get to know Him and learn how to hear Him. 

God, help me to learn how to hear You better. Help me to learn to pray in faith well.  I need to walk through life and listen closely. 

Worship

I think I've developed a skewed sense of worship.  What is worship?  Is it singing songs?  Is it being in a church building singing with a group of people or reciting liturgical sayings?  Is it running up and down the aisles laughing or yelling out to God?  What is this thing we call worship?  It is paying respect or reverence to God (in this case). 

I've found that worship is not a natural occurrence for me or anyone else for that matter.  It can become more natural for Christians, but it isn't a natural occurrence for us as humans.  We would much rather whine & complain.  I wonder if that is why it is referred to as a "sacrifice of praise"?  I'm kidding a bit, but who knows.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:15-16

I've been reading The Prayer that Changes Everything (OMartian), and I've been learning alot about worship.  It isn't singing with a bunch of people in a building, even though that is what most churches call it.  It is giving respect and reverence to God.  It is focused on God, not on me.  Many of the so called "worship" songs sung in the building and on Christian radio are focused on me and my experience.  But worship removes the focus from me, and forces me to focus on God. 

Recently, I've been struggling to remember that God is good. That He really does have my best in mind.  Unanswered prayers will naturally speaking elicit anger at God whether we admit it or not, unless you have learned to worship God in the midst of it.  Unanswered prayers have elicited hopelessness in me, but I wasn't worshipping God in the midst of it.  So God is teaching me to worship Him, and I'm using what He has showed me before to do so. 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world (by whining & complaining), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (I need to worship instead). Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will (His will is for us to praise Him). Romans 12:2 NIV

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

So as I wonder why God isn't answering my prayers (because He really is answering them, just not how I want Him to answer them), and I get discouraged, I need to turn my face toward Him and praise Him for who He is and for His promises.  Find things to praise Him for.  Like the other night our HVAC went out.  I could have complained about it being cold.  Instead I was grateful for a person we didn't even know who offered us his kerosene heater.  I was grateful that the electric bill wasn't going to be as high.  I was grateful that we only had to replace parts of the HVAC, not the whole thing. Most importantly, I was grateful that He knows what I'm going through, and He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider . . . and I started worshipping.

“‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8b NASB

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. Revelation 4:11 NASB

Will you love Jesus more?

This is an old song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean, but I am always convicted by it.  Here are the words to the first verse and chorus:

I feel quite sure if I did my best I could maybe impress you, with tender words and a harmony a clever rhyme or two. But if all I've done in the time we've shared is turn your eyes on me, then I've failed at what I've been called to do there's Someone else I want you to see.

Will you love Jesus more when we go our different ways? When this moment is a memory will you remember His face? Will you look back and realize you sensed His love more than you did before? I'd pray for nothing less than for you to love Jesus more.
 
As I sit here in my office reading hundreds of discussion board postings by my 201 students in my 6 classes, I am mesmerized by the opportunity and need for the love of God to infiltrate our world.  I've worked in a "Christian" workplace for most of my life, and part of my desire to move to a "secular" workplace was to carry out the Great Commission.  I've even found that there are so many people who know the Lord that just need to be encouraged to follow hard after Him even in difficult circumstances.  So no matter where I am, I need to be spreading Christ's love.  I know many people have obeyed this command and been a huge encouragement to me. 
 
I am not responsible for their salvation, but I am responsible to show them the love of God.  So I need to always be checking my motives and reactions.  I need to always be loving, kind, gracious, and gentle.  I pray that the line that I bolded above will not be reflective of my time here on earth.

Lies

While I regarded God as a tyrant I thought my sin a trifle; But when I knew Him to be my Father, then I mourned that I could ever have kicked against Him. When I thought God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have ...rebelled against One who loved me so, and sought my good.  C. Spurgeon

I spent some significant time in 2010 fighting the thoughts that God wasn't good.  Satan was on the attack, and he took something very good and twisted it (as he is so good at doing) into thoughts of God not being good.  A year ago, I would have laughed at you if you told me I would entertain thoughts of God not being good, but I underestimated Satan's deceitfulness.  I'm glad that I'm seeing God more kind and good these days.  It is helping me recover spiritually.  Lies like that are poison to our souls.  Always be on guard to Satan's tools.  He is tricky, and it can cause some serious issues if you fall prey to him. 

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17

Hope in 2011

God has been getting my attention over the last few days.  Here are a few quotes I've come across that have come across my attention: 

"Is your perspective ego-centric or theo-centric?  You centered or God centered? It does matter." (Brian Smith, a friend)
". . . in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, . . . " Titus 1:2
"Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but taking God at His word." Evans (don't know which Evans, sorry)
"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith, is the end of anxiety." George Mueller
"You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings." (Cowan, I think)
"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever,
For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock." Isaiah 26:3-4
 
Hope must be in the Lord.  If I hope in anything else, it is only false hope.  I've spent a year thinking I was hoping in the Lord, but finding out that I really wasn't . . . hence why 2010 was such a rough year.  But I asked the Lord to increase my faith a little over a year ago, and He did it.  As as you see by the possible Cowan quote above, that is never easy. 
 
So 2010 was a tough year, but I believe that my faith has increased, and I try to keep my hope in the Lord. 

My hope is in the Lord

Who gave Himself for me,

And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.

Chorus

For me He died,

For me He lives,

And everlasting life and light He freely gives.

No merit of my own

His anger to suppress.

My only hope is found in Jesus’ righteousness.

Chorus

And now for me He stands

Before the Father’s throne.

He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.

Chorus

His grace has planned it all,

’Tis mine but to believe,

And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.

Chorus

(Norman Clayton)