Harvest Time Up Ahead -- Keep Doing Good!

This blog inspiration is brought to us today by our good friend and mentor, St. Paul. His words are filled with hope for those of us who have been on the "do-good" tractor -- planting and planting, and we've been wondering if it has been worth it. Oh, but then comes Paul's firey voice cheering us on: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

It has been a tough row to hoe (speaking in planting and reaping terms) the last few years. Maybe you've gritted your teeth to stay kind and to bear it all. Or, you shut your eyes and put ear plugs in to deafen the harshness of the loud voices of the enemy. You may read these words and relate them to stuff going on in your family, or you may relate them to what's outside. Stones have been cast and angry voices raised. Hit and run proclamations. But we are still standing, somewhat stunned, but we're still here. We must not be done. It’s in times like these that retreat sounds so safe. Let’s go home, lock the doors, bar the windows and disconnect the doorbell. Gather up our stockpiled faith and ration out just enough to survive. It seems tempting to safeguard our hearts by taking them right out and sticking them in a steel encased safe. Then forget the combination.

But, then, our tried, tested and proven faith warrior friend, St. Paul -- who suffered great physical pain, was imprisoned, shipwrecked, mocked and beaten for his faith -- speaks again as a challenge and invitation: “Let us not grow weary of doing good." These words bring tears to my eyes, a lump to my throat. It's in this deeper, invisible place that sees the best in people, that reaches out in love, that keeps believing folks can change. This sort of hope has taken a beating lately. And as I type this blog, I talk to God about it and He replies "I understand."

I realize, He does. More than I can know, more than any of us comprehend. He knows what it is to love and love. To extend yourself so far that you are....oh, stretched out on a cross. Then we hear the words of St. Paul again: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Fixing our eyes on Jesus changes everything. Consider the perfect Man who endured such opposition from sinful men. Perhaps we are so disillusioned these days because we have been looking at each other. And we, mere humans, always fall short. We disappoint. We cave. But not Jesus.

So, we suit up and we keep doing good -- like Jesus. He is the reason we can stay in the race. Take the next step. Keep going. Keep believing. Most of all, keep loving. Not locked away, but the safest place for our hearts is entrusting them to the One who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. The One who does not grow weary. The One who, in the middle of all the noise and chaos and even danger, will never allow our hearts to be lost. So what do we do? We keep doing good -- harvest time is up ahead. I'm getting the biggest John Deere tractor I can find -- I'll need it because I'm not quitting. I'm going to love even more and expecting to reap a mammoth harvest! Care to borrow my tractor?

An Opportunity to Choose Great Joy!

Choose joy? When challenges and disappointments come? How can we count all this stuff as joy? You young’uns may not remember the old Hee Haw Show where the cast members sang this “miserable” song that went like this: "Gloom, despair, and agony on me; Deep, dark depression, excessive misery; If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all; Gloom, despair, and agony on me." Those poor old guys lived way below these words from the Apostle James: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2

I'm writing this blog from my precious grandson's experience last weekend. He had reasons to sing that Hee Haw song. I'm sure considering his troubles as “an opportunity for great joy.” was a stretch. You see, on Sunday, all dressed and ready to head to church, he went to his car….and his sweet-ride wasn’t there. My daughter gives these details: “Our son, Payton, had his car stolen this morning but I am so proud of his response to what could have been a very difficult morning. His response was: "Mom, I could be all upset and angry, but I choose JOY. I refuse to let this bring me down." His trunk was full of some VERY special possessions and our family fishing equipment, which...if you know my family, is PRECIOUS cargo. But instead of being "normal"...our boy chose JOY.

She goes on to share: “I don't know what you are going through, but today's brief, but powerful sermon comes to you from my son's own life experience today: "CHOOSE JOY!" "All things work together for good to them that LOVE GOD and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. And God, we pray for the people who stole his car and we ask you to forgive them and draw them into repentance. May they come to know you and the power of your resurrection!” Staci Wallace

So, there you go, Satan. Body-slam to you and all your little imps. Instead of Payton losing his joy, he sensed God speaking to him to take a deep breath and receive the encouragement of joy when he needed it the most. If we read this verse “Count it all joy” (James 1:2) as a stand-alone suggestion, it seems impossible to put it into practice. Yet, if we read the context behind it in Scripture, it takes on an entirely new perspective and begins to seem — with God’s help — doable.

James wrote that verse during a time when the Christians were facing insurmountable problems that had stolen their joy. But in their defense, these believers had justifiable reasons to have a bad attitude. They faced great persecution, unrelenting trials and sufferings — from murder to imprisonment — at the hands of Saul, who was zealous to destroy the church and anyone associated with Jesus. As a result, these Christians were in fear, mourning, confusion, and hopelessness.

Some fled their homes in fear for their lives. They lived in poverty, forced to scrounge for food to survive. Some were sick, and everyone was exhausted. They had every right to be negative and pessimistic. James acknowledged their suffering but also wanted to give them hope and encouragement. He told them inner joy could still be theirs, if they deliberately chose to take control of their thinking and change their attitude. He encouraged them to pause and refocus on their faith.

When life gets hard, it’s difficult to avoid letting a bad attitude take over our minds and rule our lives. We might not experience religious persecution as those first believers did, but let’s face it: people hurt us, the past haunts us, coworkers mistreat us, friends forsake us, spouses dishonor us, children don’t appreciate us, finances don’t support us, and our health doesn’t sustain us. James’ words can help us, too.

Our attitude is our choice and knowing whatever circumstances we face don’t have the power to dictate that “loser” attitude unless we let them. Although enduring problems with a smile and pure joy in our hearts can be difficult, doing so not only helps us become stronger believers, it opens the door for an attitude transformation. Our attitudes are an outward display of what’s taking place in our hearts. When our hearts focus in the right place, our attitudes will, too. The only thing we have to lose by choosing a positive attitude is a negative one.

Lord, fill us with a joy that can only come from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Somebody Else Will

A dear friend of mine is having quite the year. She has faced personal health issues and as the director of an active, vibrant ministry – was loaded up with leading it in a major event, and was tremendously successful at it, I might add. She has two children getting married this year (one this weekend), and has a full-time job -- not to mention all the other hands-on and necessary things she does for God and her family. She has been loaded up, to say the least. A few months ago, I campaigned the troops to get behind her in support. My personal attempts were meager. In the back of my mind, I thought “someone else” will help her because I'm loaded up, too! In fact, I heard of a couple of gals who were helping her which made me feel better.

Fast forward a couple of months when I saw my friend at church and asked. “How are you doing? How are the wedding plans? It won’t be long before it’s all behind you.” My famous last meager and inadequate words of solace. That night, Deacon Alex Barbieri spoke about “Somebody Else”. He explained: “Jesus was very hands-on with His disciples – teaching them about feeding a crowd with just a few loaves and fishes." The disciples seemed to always have self-doubt and were always asking the question: “What about us?” Jesus just kept influencing them by saying “You are up for the challenge. You are bold and courageous." Jesus takes our “measly” remnants to meet us wherever we are and whatever situation we are in. Don’t wait for Plan B. Use what you’ve got right now to help someone. It’s time you make a personal commitment. The DNA of Christians is called "service". Jesus said, ”If you follow Me, the bar is higher." Jesus was saying “Instead of SOMEONE ELSE doing it – YOU do it." There is someone who died and the family needs us. There are immigrants, prisoners, homeless and others who need us, but we keep thinking: “Someone else will take care of them!” Jesus is saying: “JUST DO IT!”

I couldn’t get that message off my mind and my heart. I texted my friend: “I’ve got a free day tomorrow! Can I come over and help you?” Her lightning fast reply was my assurance that I was hearing right. She invited me to come over and help her iron tablecloths for the wedding. Rather, than that, I picked them up and at my home I took care of the job so she had the time to do something else on her busy to-do list. It took me a couple of days for those thirty-one 144” tablecloths to iron and hang – which included my prayers for the wedding and the family. That was eight hours of blessing on both our parts. Tablecloths. A cup of cold water. In His name. Blessed.

This time it wasn’t “somebody else”. It was me. I’m so thankful I said, “Pick me!” Lord, help me to always have the time to sense your nudges, hear your call, see the needs of others and respond as your hands and feet. I want to be a “JUST DO IT” kind-of-girl for You and others, because You are a "JUST DID IT" Lord for me!

We Will, We Will Rock You

Have you ever felt like your circumstances were looming over you like a huge GIANT who was fierce, beyond your capability, bigger than life, and he was throwing every negative word of doubt and unbelief, imaginable, your way -- taunting, harassing, smack talking -- and, your faith was challenged like crazy?

If that sounds like some things you're going through right now, then the story of David and Goliath, is worth thinking about. David faced the giant, Goliath, who was taunting, harassing....and even smack-talking young David and the armies of Israel. I Samuel 17:37 & 46 describes young David's attitude toward the giant "Who is this Philistine that he should defy the Lord my God?" "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down...." David didn't allow Goliath's size, or words, get in the way of what he knew his God could do through him. He took on Goliath with just his sling and a stone and the giant was destroyed. The giant, and everyone else, was saying “He’s too big to hit”, but David was saying “He's too big to miss!"

That story, and David's words, speaks loud and clear to me: "What is this giant that could defy the words of my God?" I shake off those words of defeat and loss and replace them once again with the words of the maker of heaven and earth and the maker and healer of our bodies and our circumstances -- God's Word that says in Luke 1:37 "For nothing shall be impossible with God."

Now, let's get fired up and with God’s words of faith as our sling & with Jesus as our Rock, we face our giants TODAY, and say.....“Move out of our way or .....WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!"

Faith in God's Faithfulness

I'm a really strong chick -- not because life has been easy....I just got stronger with each challenge that came my way! As we get stronger, the struggles in life, that once were difficult -- are now a piece of cake. And no matter what our struggles are, God will never let it be too much for us to handle. Bottom line.....it's not OUR FAITH that gets the job done. It's our FAITH in God's faithfulness that gets it done! Now let's go bench press a hundred pounds!!

Got Giants?

Got GIANTS?? Encounter any this week? I'm sure the answer is "Yes!". I sure did. It's just a fact, we all encounter some incredible giants from time to time. They seem so big and powerful, and they taunt us – doing their best to make us run in fear. Wouldn’t it be nice if what came our way was just a simple challenge with a simple solution? But often, our challenges are SUPER-sized – humongous in stature and seem insurmountable. The story of the little shepherd boy, David, shows how insignificant we can look and feel, yet with God’s power, we can do what an entire army can’t do…..SLAY A GIANT!
What is it that causes fear in your life? What situations terrify you and plague your thoughts in the night? What problems loom over or taunt you like giants? Essentially, all problems are the same ugly giant and all answers to the taunts of the giant are the same REAL answers. Our line of defense against any giant comes down to two questions: “Who is my God?” and “How big is my God?” The thing about God is that He's bigger than any problem we have. With His direction and guidance, we can come through the toughest of situations. The Bible sums it up by asking, "Is anything too hard for God?" Once we get that…..then we can speak with the authority and conviction that little David had with his giant…… “I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you!”

Now let’s go get some faith stones and load up our slings against the giants and let them know WHO we are and Whose we are, and WHERE they’re going!!

I Believe I Can Fly -- If Dumbo Can -- So Can I

Yesterday, I posted "I believe I can fly!" Let's take it a step further. Do you remember Dumbo -- the Disney character that had huge ears? Other elephants ridiculed him, until he met Timothy Mouse that changed his perspective. Timothy convinced Dumbo that his little feather had magical powers that could turn his ears into wings. He created a sense of hope and expectation in Dumbo that was missing. The more Dumbo BELIEVED "anything is possible", the more Dumbo was convinced he could fly. Finally, despite the voices of opposition from the crows, Dumbo rose to the challenge and elevated his faith with courage. He turned his doubt into faith and turned those huge ears into an asset that helped him fly.

What changed for Dumbo? That brilliant little mouse helped Dumbo see that the power to fly begins in the belief that it's possible to fly. And the same with us -- when our hope rises, so does our perspective.

And what about you? What are the "ears" or "voices" that might be the cause for your discouragement, rejection or weakness? The voices of others who say you can't, or the voice of Father God -- that voice of TRUTH and FAITH, that says "With God, all things are possible"? With those "ears", we can rise above our challenges, our past, and those voices of opposition. Dumbo could fly. I believe I can fly…..AND I believe YOU can, too!