Called to Suffer

 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus..." — Philippians 2.5

Jesus was born to suffer & die. His wouldn’t be a particularly easy or even “happy” life. Many people used Him while being extremely ungrateful.  He didn’t always get to have a break when He wanted one. He was misunderstood more often than not. His life wasn’t fair, at all. He literally faced discouragement at every turn. 

And we’re called to be like Him, to follow in His steps, to suffer & die like He did (not necessarily including physical death, but possibly even that too).

“That I may know [Jesus] and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own” (Philippians 3:10-12, ESV).

We have the awesome privilege of suffering with Jesus, even unto death. Before my accident, these were some of my very favorite verses! I used to love meditating on them, and I longed to live these verses out - although I had literally no idea what that might mean, and the past several years have been far more than I bargained for while not immediately jumping out at me as one fulfillment of these verses in my life. 

Then today while folding laundry and rocking my seven-month-old to sleep and pondering last night’s discussion with our connect group from church and trying to view my life’s sufferings through the lens of opportunities to fellowship with our suffering Savior, it hit me. Wham! God has not only given me many, many opportunities to fellowship with Him in His suffering - but He has also given me the opportunity to fellowship with Him in His death! 

I know, I know, my brief death (at the scene of my 2012 car wreck, before the ambulance crew resuscitated me) wasn’t anywhere close to the beautifully glorious and full-of-purpose Cross of Christ. My death was nothing spectacular. And yet, it’s still true that God has graciously allowed me to share both in His suffering AND IN HIS DEATH during my earthly lifetime! How many people can say that?! It’s an honor and a privilege. 

God, please help me remember the great Christian call to suffer & die with You the next time something doesn’t go my way!

Break to Blog on the Bible’s “Fear Not” Verses

I won't make any new posts to this blog after the first of the year.

Ínstead, every day in 2015 I'll study one of the "fear" verses in Scripture in an effort to conquer the fear and anxiety that make up one of my biggest struggles.

Because this also happens to be a major struggle for many other people, I'll write and post a new devotional every day (so help me God). Here's the new address, w/
the January 1st devotional already posted:

Neither Be Thou Dismayed

Sweeter: Incredible Interview w/ Katie Davis!

Sweeter: Is the Trinity Biblical?

"It's not," said some respected friends of mine (friends that I still very much respect) when I mentioned it recently. "What about the verses that talk about the Godhead?" I asked. "Well, 'the Godhead' is just another term for 'the Trinity,'" came the answer. I said, "But there are verses in the Bible that refer to the Godhead." "Are there?" they asked doubtfully. I said, "Yeah, like in Romans 1. . . ." But I didn't know any specific verses, so we moved on and started talking about something else.

But then today I looked it up, and here they are:
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9).

What would the Holy Spirit be if He wasn't part of the Trinity?
"Hear O Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4).
The Father is God (Matthew 6:8, 7:21, Galatians 1:1).
Jesus is God (John 1:1-18).
The Holy Spirit is God (John 15:26, Mark 3:29, 1 Corinthians 6:19).

What would the Holy Spirit be if He wasn't God?
The Scriptures refer to the Holy Spirit as a 'He,' not an 'it' - this makes it clear that He is a person.
There is never any suggestion that He is an angel. (If you're thinking 'spirit' always means 'angel,' then you have to assume that God Himself is a mere angel - "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
Or maybe you're saying the Holy Spirit is just another way of talking about the Father/Spn duo? I'm sorry, but I would just have trouble understanding that one; but I do know I can be a bit slow at some stuff these days, so who knows?

Sweeter: Thoughts on the Thanksgiving Takeover

Long ago, when this girl was young, Thanksgiving might well have been the ultimate holiday! I remember decorating windows with autumn-leaf window clings, listening to pilgrim-stories, dressing up as a pilgrim, sharing a literal feast with my family, and giving thanks to God and to my family for blessings from the past year.

Later I heard wind of some kind of shopping-thing the day after Thanksgiving. Momentum seemed to build over the years until this shopping started to majorly overshadow the holiday. People went out earlier and earlier, until this year many people actually hit the stores Thursday evening!

Don't worry; I'm not going to say that it's always a terrible thing to do Black Friday, or even to have a family tradition of doing it together. I'm not even saying it would always be bad to go buy something on Thursday.

But let's step back for a minute and look at the big picture, the 2 kingdoms at war in our world. Where might they stand on this whole thing?

Well, I don't really feel like God ever got in a fight with anybody over any deal. "For God so loved the world that He gave" (John 3:16). And - thanksgiving is something He wants us to have a LOT of. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

On the other hand, black is dark. The powers of darkness are selfish, ungrateful, and consumer-oriented. Somehow I don't think evil forces were ever too happy with a whole day being set aside to thank God. Since 2 Timothy 3 tells us that "men shall wax worse and worse . . . in the last days," I'm expecting Black Friday to keep gaining ground until it eventually overtakes Thanksgiving entirely - with most people, anyway.

Sweeter: Free E-copy of Passport Through Darkness!

Get it here:

 http://www.makewaypartners.org/free-ecopy-of-passport-through-darkness-2014/

Sweeter: Dealing With Anxiety

"Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me. So the best defense against worry is staying in communication with Me. When you turn your thoughts toward Me, you can think much more positively. Remember to listen, as well as to speak, making your thoughts a dialogue with Me.

If you must consider upcoming events, follow these rules: 1) Do not linger in the future, because anxieties sprout up like mushrooms when you wander there. 2) Remember the promise of My continual Presence; include Me in any imagery that comes to mind. This mental discipline does not come easily, because you are accustomed to being god of your fantasies. However, the reality of My Presence with you, now and forevermore, outshines any fantasy you could ever imagine.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:22–26)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21)"

~ Sarah Young, Jesus Calling devotional for October 17

Sweeter: Give Me Jesus

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

And when I am alone
Oh and when I am alone
And when I am alone
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

And when I come to die
Oh and when I come to die
And when I come to die
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

~ Negro spiritual

Sweeter: You Are More Than Enough

God has been teaching me the tough lesson of this song lately. And yes, He IS more than enough - even when I don't act like it. . . .

"All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

"You are my supply, my breath of life
And still more awesome than I know
You are my reward, worth living for
And still more awesome than I know

"And all of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

"You're my sacrifice of greatest price
And still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King, You are everything
And still more awesome than I know

"And all of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

"More than all I want, more than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know, more than all I can see
You are more than enough

"More than all I want, more than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know, more than all I can see
You are more than enough

"All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
And all I have in You
And all I have in You is more than enough

"All of You is more than enough for all of me"

By Chris Tomlin
Published by Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Sweeter: Jesus Is a Lion

We know the phrase: Lion of the Tribe of Judah. But have you ever stopped to think about the fact that our Heavenly Friend is a Lion?

He's a Lamb, too, of course; but we know that part pretty well. It fits the man represented in most of our modern portraits of Him: a gentle guy with white-white skin and girls' hair, who blesses little kids, teaches good morals, and passes out free lunches. A meek and mild lamb, somebody who is entirely safe. But is that Who Jesus is?

“Aslan is a lion - the Lion, the great Lion."
"Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"
"Safe?" said Mr Beaver Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

Jesus was okay with danger to Himself. Why? Because looks are deceiving, and He knew His Father had everything under control! I'm sure the Cross looked awful, but He could endure it by looking at the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

It's time we learned to be okay with danger and unpleasantness, too. Psalm 84:6 says that when God's people pass through the valley of Baca, we make it a well. So the not-so-nice parts of life, the parts that make us say, "Why?" - God intends for those very parts to become wells from which we find refreshment. When we embrace the valleys, passing through them instead of searching frantically for some way around them, then we can actually learn the lessons God has for us. And one day, either here or in Heaven, we will thank Him for those very valleys!

What valley does He have you in right now?

The "Take Care of Yourself" Delusion

We've all heard these words. Most of us have probably even said them. I picture a group visiting Grandma in a weatherbeaten farmhouse; and when they leave, she kisses each one on the cheek and says, "You'uns take good care of yourselves, y'hear?" She means well, and I have no fault to find with her. What I will say is this: This is one piece of advice you should never, ever follow. It's self-defeating. Why?

The song goes like this:

 "Love is like a lucky penny.

Hold it tight, you won't have any;

Give it away, and you'll have plenty -

You'll end up having MOOORE.

Love is something if you give it away,

Give it away, give it away.

Love is something if you give it away; 

You'll end up having more."

God is the best Father and takes perfect care of His children, so we don't have to worry about that part. Now, I didn't say that we will understand or like everything He does. We often won't understand, and will even frequently dislike it. But that's just cause we're the finite humans that don't know much. "We'll understand it better by and by."

Jesus said the two most important rules are to love God, and to love each other.

So leave yourself in Father's capable hands. Then get out there and forget yourself in loving people!

Be a Donkey

No, really -
I'm serious!

"Carry" Jesus for the world to see,
like the donkey that carried Him
on Palm Sunday.
And like that donkey,
you may hear people shout, "Hosanna!"
But always remember -

every Hosanna is for 
the Jesus you carry.

Is Your God Silent?

PSALM 115

2 Why should the Gentiles say,

“So where is their God?”

3 But our God is in heaven;

He does whatever He pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,

The work of men’s hands.

5 They have mouths, but they do not speak;

Nor do they mutter through their throat.

8 Those who make them are like them;

So is everyone who trusts in them.

9 O Israel, trust in the Lord;

He is their help and their shield.

12 The Lord has been mindful of us;

He will bless us.

In the past, when words came into my head and I knew the words were not my thoughts or the devil's voice, I would say, "It was like God said this or that." However, the Holy Spirit is a real, live Person - not an idol! So He has a mouth, and He speaks. Imagine if the Scriptures used my old phraseology: 

Jeremiah 1:7 - But [it was like] the Lord said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' 

For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak."

Hosea 1:2 - When [it was like] the Lord began to speak by Hosea, 

[it was like] the Lord said to Hosea:
“Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, 

For the land has committed great harlotry 

By departing from the Lord.”

Jonah 4:4 - Then [it was like] the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Acts 22:10 - So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And [it was like] the Lord said to me, 

‘Arise and go into Damascus,
and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’

Crazy, right? Our God is in Heaven~ If He wants to tell us something, then He has the ability to actually tell us, believe it or not! He's big like that! :) A couple pf recent messages I've gotten from God - 

I was praying about something and said, "God, there's just no way!"
He said, "I AM the Way!"

I was very discouraged about something in November, 

and really crying about it (I'm not normally a crier). 

God said, "Are you forgetting something?
What'd you tell those kids at camp all summer? 

I think you need to give yourself your own testimony."

So I did; and when I got to the part
about all our problems being only temporary, then I knew! 

The things I was concerned about at the time were truly only temporary; 

they would not be problems for me in Heaven (they aren't even problems now!).

Ok, Sure - I'll Die With You. . . .

"Then Jesus said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead. . . . Let us go to him.' Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with Him'” (John 11:14-16).

The Jews in Lazarus' area of the country had just tried to stone Jesus, and now He wanted to go back? Doubting Thomas was very loyal. Perhaps it was he who led the other disciples in accompanying Jesus; perhaps they had all been hanging back fearfully.

But we know the end of the story. We know that they had nothing to fear. The temptation can be to shake our heads at these 1st-century Christians and think, "Just trust Him already! He knows what He's doing!"

But don't we serve the same God? Isn't it just as true today that He's doing what He knows is best, and that one day we'll agree with Him?

The Love Test

How do you think you would do?
Here's how it goes: First, read 1 Corinthians 13 to discover God's definition of love.

Love suffers long and is kind;
love does not envy;
love does not parade itself,
is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely,
does not seek its own,
is not provoked,
thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never fails.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8a).

Then read it again inserting Jesus' name wherever it says "love." The one Person Who always expresses love perfectly!

Jesus suffers long and is kind;
Jesus does not envy;
Jesus does not parade Himself,
is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely,
does not seek His own,
is not provoked,
thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Jesus never fails.

The final step in this test is to read the passage a third time, this time inserting your name wherever it says "love."

_____ suffers long and is kind;
_____ does not envy;
_____ does not parade himself,
is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely,
does not seek his own,
is not provoked,
thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
_____ never fails.

Be honest now. . . . How did you do?

Man the Giver?

The passage in Luke 18 continues. depicting man as the great giver (?!).

And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 

And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” 

But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” 

Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 

So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:24-30).

You can't out-give God. 

Man is not the great giver; our generosity does not even begin to overwhelm the One Who came up with the idea in the first place and gave us everything we have and everything we try to give and feel so good about ourselves. 

Teach Me Thy Way!

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!
Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!

Thirsty?

 

John lived in the wilderness and baptized in a huge river, the river Jordan. And right after Jesus was baptized in that same river, God led Him into the wilderness to be tempted.

This seems typical of the Christian experience. A lot of times, life can feel like a wilderness. However, God always has a river for us!


"Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools" (Psalm 84:6).

It's IMPOSSIBLE! Really?

"Don't the Bible say we must love everybody?"
"O, the Bible! To be sure, it says a great many such things; but, then, nobody ever thinks of doing them. You know, Eva, nobody does."
~ Uncle Tom's Cabin

Sunrise, Sunset

I've been thinking. . . .

Jesus is the Son, right? And His death is a beautiful thing for lots of us, isn't it - perhaps THE most beautiful thing? And the earth was dark when He died, and it was very early morning on Sunday - at the time of sunrise - when He rose from the grave.

So what are sunrises and sunsets if not pictures of the most beautiful story ever told? A beautiful daily reminder . . .