everywhere

Posted on January 9, 2004 by Dana

“Everywhere I go I see You”, Rich Mullins sang. Sometimes we feel that way… God is everywhere we look. We understand Jesus’ meaning of “abundant life”. “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light…”(Ex 13:21) Everywhere they went they saw Him… but then came Pharaoh and hundreds of chariots. “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?” the Israelites cried.(Ex 14:11)

Could they not see Him? Was He there? Did the assault of the enemy take away the presence of God? Could God be trusted through the chaos? Is faith possible in darkness?

We know the story. The Israelites were delivered through the Red Sea on dry land. The enemy was destroyed. The Lord triumphed in glorious power. Worship, singing, and dancing erupted among the people of God. “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you – majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them.”(Ex 15:11-12)

How easy it is to believe when the victory is won! “Everywhere I go I see You! I will worship You, Lord! You are my God!” But what will I do when the enemy is all around? What if I see no sign of the Lord? What if I’ve had no water for three days? What if my daily bread is getting monotonous? Will I grumble? Will I complain? Will I test Him saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”(Ex 17:7)

Jesus warns about darkness. He also gives hope. “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.”(Jn 12:35-36) “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”(Jn 14:44-46)

I learned yesterday that my cousin committed suicide. Darkness seems to be closing all around my family. Pray that we may know, even now, that God is everywhere.

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renew

Posted on December 31, 2003 by Dana

Though taught well all my life of God and His Son, I was close to thirty years old when the truth of the cross penetrated my heart with its power. “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”(John 12:32) He has drawn all men! The sin of every man hung with Jesus on the cross. The Lamb of God was sacrificed for us all. “He died for all mankind” can keep guilt at a distance, but “my sin put Him there” brings personal grief. Who does not want to repent when such realization comes? When we see the love of the Father and Son, we have little desire to continue in sin and rebellion, but my problem was that the power of sin was greater than my power to resist. Out of my own strength, I had no success. The harder I tried to follow God’s ways, the worse I seemed to be. But another truth of the cross set me free: “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”(Romans 6:6-7)

To believe what God has done through Christ brings new life. The old is gone; the new has come. We are not the same. But a journey lies before all God’s children and great is the temptation to put things out of order. Few talk of idols these days, but they still exist. The most loved apostle’s last words in I John give a warning to all: “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” A God who gives us choice, patiently asks, “Will you put all else aside and seek Me only?” When we answer, “Yes, Lord” another renewal comes. Stepping out of the boat… launching into the deep… walking by faith…freedom in Christ… life in the Spirit… friendship with Jesus… relationship with the Father… fellowship in the Body… such are the experiences and blessings of God’s children.

We know God desires to change us into the image of His Son, so I was a bit intrigued in April of 2000 when a visiting minister from India shared a strange message over the phone with Susan while I was out of town. “I had a dream about your husband last night. I believe God was saying that in four months Dana will be a changed man.” Four months later, the doctor uttered words that change any man or woman: “You have cancer.” Again I thank so many of you who prayed for me and served my family during difficult times. And I thank God who has given me health and precious time. I know I have learned much, but at the close of a year, I confess I am in need. The boldness I had when I was weak has faded a bit. The urgency of “God’s priorities”, knowing time is short, has lessened. The “fire” stirred up in the place of danger has cooled. Clarity has become a little hazy. Of all people, I have no excuse to be passionless or fearful or lukewarm or smothered by a world that tends to lull us to sleep.

So, what is my need? Not sickness, I pray. Not a re-doubling of effort. Not a pep talk from friends. I need the Mighty One who died on the cross and rose in victory to show me the way. He found me when I was lost. He humbled me when I was proud. He freed me when I was bound. He raised me when I was sick. He taught me when I was weak. He is what I need this year. I want Him to teach me to love as He does. I want Him to teach me to pray with confidence and faith. I want Him to show me how to stand in His holy armor against all the strategies of the evil one. I want Him to show me how to live day by day as a husband and a father and a teacher and a neighbor. I want Him to keep the cross ever before me and the world far behind me so that, in some way, I might bring Him glory. I want His zeal, His boldness, His wisdom, His compassion, His heart, and His Spirit. “Renew me, O Lord.”

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31

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how?

Posted on December 13, 2003 by Dana

“How will this be?” asked Mary after she was told the Christ would live in her. “I am a virgin! How can a virgin have a baby?” “Nothing is impossible with God,” the angel replied.

For a time, the salvation of the world hinged on a young Jewish girl bearing the Son of promise. The book of Revelation shows the strategy of the devil as he saw his coming destruction. “The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour the child the moment he was born.” (see Rev 12) Though God’s plan was not thwarted, we see there were spiritual battles beyond the earthly realm.

“How will this be?” we ask as the mystery of God is revealed through the hands of the apostles: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”(Col. 1:27) “I am a sinner! How can the Holy One dwell in me?” “Nothing is impossible with God,” we must be reminded. The birth of Christ had less to do with Mary’s role than it did with the Holy Spirit’s. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” was the greatest response Mary could give. So it is with us.

“I do not claim to understand, Lord, but I believe you have come to live in my heart. I die… You live… is this Your plan? Let me have Mary’s heart to believe you are able. Let me have Mary’s heart to surrender myself as Your servant. Let me have Your promise that as the devil tries to destroy what You are doing, You will complete what You have begun. May it be unto me as You will.”

The defeated dragon despises the Seed of the Son. He could not succeed against the Anointed One so he concentrates on His offspring. His time is short, so his tactics are ruthless. “Do not let the Seed take root. Choke out… dry up… steal, kill, destroy the Word.” Such are the instructions the devil gives his servants.

But we say, “The Lord is my strength, I shall not fear. It is not by my might nor by my power, but by His Spirit that I will be victorious. If He does not live in me, I can do nothing… but if He does live in me, there will be fruit. I will abide in Him… I will trust in Him… I will hope in Him… and I will be more than a conqueror. For no hardship or trouble or persecution or sickness or demon or anything else in all creation will be able separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Merry Christmas!

Thank you for continued prayers for my friend, Joe. He has had a turn for the better the past couple of days. God hears the prayers of His children!

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worshiper

Posted on December 5, 2003 by Dana

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23)

Read the ninth chapter of John to find such a worshiper. This is a story of grace… the story of all true worshipers. Though he was a familiar face, he was a nobody. Every day this blind man sat and begged as people occasionally theorized about the type of horrible sin that must have brought about his condition. But one day, Someone he didn’t know, put mud on his eyes and told him to go wash in a pool. When he did, he could see!

The ensuing trouble must have confused this man with new sight, but having never had much, being kicked out of the synagogue might not have been too painful. Over and over he told his story and over and over he was told his Healer had broken God’s rules. But no argument could overcome the truth. “He has to be good! I tell you, I’ve been blind all my life, but now I see! I say He’s from God!” For such a belief, he was ousted.

Upon hearing what happened to the poor man, Jesus searched him out to give a gift greater than sight. He gave Himself! “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ ‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said, ‘You have now seen him, in fact, he is the one talking with you.’ Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and worshiped him.”

Notice Jesus did not say, “Do you want to say thanks to the One who healed you?” Jesus was revealing a grander picture. “Do you want to see the One everyone is longing to see?” When the man believed in the Son of Man, he worshiped.

One day everyone will see the Son of Man, and all will bow confessing Him King. But what about today? I thank him for my health, but that does not make Him King. He deserves my worship whether I stay free of cancer or not. This week, my dear friend fights for his life in ICU. Is Jesus still King? My friend, a true worshiper, would say, “He can give or take away… blessed be the Name of the Lord.” Will I?

Lord Jesus, may we be the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

Joe McReynolds and his family would appreciate prayer at this time. Joe has been in the hospital with heart difficulty. After numerous tests and various theories, doctors think a virus has impacted his heart. He also has battled pneumonia. Please pray for Joe. In the same week, Matt McReynolds, one of Joe and Sybil’s sons, had major eye surgery for a torn retina. Please pray for swift healing to take place. Thank you!

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fish

Posted on November 22, 2003 by Dana

Several years ago, when my mom yelled, “It’s a miracle!” I was sceptical, as most are when they hear such a proclamation. But God had revealed Himself to my children while fishing on other occasions, so I listened to the story. It started when our nine-year-old daughter lost a fish. Hearing Kinsey sobbing, my dad laid his favorite fishing pole on the dock to console his granddaughter. A minute later, his pole was scooting across the wooden planks into the lake. Perhaps what happened next would not fit the technical definition of a miracle, but when I heard what preceded the “improbable catch”, I agreed with my mom’s assessment. My dad had given up hope of ever seeing his pole again so he became everyone’s assistant. In a little while, Kinsey thought she had another bite, but when she reeled in the hook, there was no fish. Instead, she had caught a fishing line. As my dad pulled in one side of the line, there was a good-sized catfish. When he pulled in the other side, he discovered his fishing pole. The hidden part of the story was that on the other end of the dock, Kinsey’s eleven-year-old brother, Taylor, had been praying, “Lord, please help Peepaw get his fishing pole back.”

Perhaps some wouldn’t have proclaimed it a miracle that a school of fish swam into the lowered net of the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, but when we know what preceded the catch, we realize God was in the picture. Jesus “called it” before it happened! “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” They found 153 to be exact. If they had carried a camera fishing, as Taylor does these days, I’ll bet the disciples would have taken a picture.

In 1981, some missionaries did have a camera and video-taped a miraculous catch of fish… I’ve seen the film! Don Stephens and his wife, Deyon, led a team of 175 young people to Athens, Greece to work on a newly purchased “mercy ship” that Youth With A Mission hoped to send all over the world. The ship was going to require an incredible amount of work to become seaworthy, but the young volunteers were up to the task. While many worked on the ship, the rest of the team went ashore to help and encourage victims of a recent earthquake. As the team labored, Don felt it would be pleasing to the Lord to enter a period of fasting and prayer. For forty days the missionaries scheduled groups to fast and pray for God’s guidance and for a great harvest for the Kingdom. As they approached the end of the forty days, some interesting things started happening. One day, 12 medium-sized fish jumped out of the water into a shallow tidal pool at the feet of one of the missionaries. He took them to the rest of the team and shared his strange story. A few days later, a large tuna jumped out of the ocean. Those not on “fasting duty” enjoyed some unexpected seafood. A few days later, a young lady was sitting on the rocks by the ocean, spending time with the Lord, when fish started jumping all over the place. She gathered 210 fish and some local Greek families collected over twice that number. But the greatest day was captured on video. Beginning at 8:00 in the morning, fish started jumping out of the ocean onto the land. The young people ran to get containers and spent forty-five minutes gathering fish… 8,301 of them. The local Greeks had never seen anything like it. Their conclusion: “God is with these people!”

God is with His children! He’s not just with us when prayers are answered in spectacular ways or when He surprises us with His wonders. He is with us always. In the good times and the bad. In the times of harvest and in the times of want. In the times of light and in the times of darkness. But sometimes… often when a child-like prayer is lifted in faith, He fills our net with more than we can carry. How it must tickle the Father to see a child-like response!

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter. ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” John 21:7

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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