Owner and Controller

I told you that this book was going to challenge me:

"God owns all things, whether we recognize it or not. But life becomes much clearer--and in some respects much easier--when we consciously recognize it. The question isn't whether we theoretically allow God's ownership. The question is whether we've deliberately transferred the ownership of ourselves and all our assets to him. Have we invited him to be what Scripture says he is--Creator, Owner, and Controller of us, family, possessions, and 'our' money? Have we extended the invitation again after we've forgotten and taken things back into our hands? This self-surrender to God is the beginning of true stewardship...

Not only does God own everything, God controls everything. Again, the implications are enormous. I don't have to own everything. I don't have to control everything. It's in better hands than mine. When catastrophe strikes, I can honestly adopt the posture of John Wesley when he said, 'The Lord's house has burned down. That means one less responsibility for me.'" (Money, Possessions and Eternity, pps. 156-157)

While this book is certainly speaking to me about giving God control over finances, I'm also being challenged to recognize His sovereignty in every area of my life. I was reminded of this as I read this passage this morning:

For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die. While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord. (Romans 14:7-8)

I often need to be reminded that I--and every area of my life--belong to God. It truly does bring a sense of freedom in recognizing that my life is in God's hands. As Alcorn said, His hands are far better than mine.

Do you find it easier to see God as owner and controller of your material possessions and finances rather than of the intangible parts of your life, such as relationships, family or health? What do you have the harder time yielding control over, the tangibles or the intangibles?

Praise Preceding Deliverance

As I read through the Old Testament, sometimes I am stunned by the Israelites' lack of faith in trusting a God who delivered them time and time again. It seems that there are so many stories of God rescuing them from their enemies, only to have them doubt His ability to save the next time trouble comes their way. But then I read other stories of God's chosen people humbling themselves, seeking His favor and fully trusting Him for His deliverance.

The other day I read the story of Jehoshphat, king of Judah. With Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites rising up to make war against Judah, rather than panicking or trying to bribe his enemies, Jehoshaphat led his citizens in a time of fasting and seeking the Lord. Realizing that the little army of Judah was too small and powerless to overcome the massive army of enemies coming toward them, Jehoshophat turned to the only One who could deliver them--God Almighty. Through a message from a man named Jahaziel, God promised deliverance from their enemies in a way that the army of Judah would not even have to fight. I'll pick up the Scripture there:

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value--more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah to this day. Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lutes and trumpets. The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side. (II Chronicles 20:21-30, emphasis mine)

I find it interesting that the first group of people sent out ahead of Judah's army was a group of men who sang and praised God, and that when they sang, that is when God took action against Judah's enemies. They praised God for victory before it even occurred, and I wonder if God would have brought about deliverance if they had not praised Him.

Now I think about my own reaction to God delivering me from my enemies. Like the Israelites, I have times where I trust God completely, and then I have times where, despite all the times He has rescued me, my faith wavers and I wonder if He'll come through for me yet again. This story of Judah's praise of God preceding victory teaches me to give Him praise at all times--not just after He's brought me through a difficult time, but even in the midst of that difficult time, when I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I know someone who often thanks God for things yet undone. Rather than asking God to "please" take action, he begins by thanking Him in advance for taking that action. I'd never heard anyone else pray that way before, and through the years as I've heard him pray in that manner, it's encouraged me to thank God for what He's promised to do, even before He does it. I find that my attitude and stress level are so much calmer when I'm focused on praising God and trusting Him for the victory, even in the darkest of times.

Too Much Worrying about God's Will?

Do we spend too much time trying to figure out God's will, rather than obeying Him? And can we really know His will in making decisions in our life?

I've known people who were so concerned with trying to figure out God's will for their life in making certain decisions that they were practically immobilized, figuring that taking no action was better than taking the wrong action. Certainly, the Bible reveals God's will regarding how He wants us to live as His children. But do we waste time trying to figure out where He wants us to live, or which job He wants us to take, or which Sunday school class to attend?

Here's an interesting take on discerning God's will:

"The preponderance of biblical evidence suggests that we should not worry at all about whether or not we've correctly discerned God's will for our lives. The whole idea that you could miss God's plan by buying the wrong house or choosing the wrong job is completely missing from the Bible. You never see Paul or Daniel or Joseph or Ruth worrying about missing God's will, and they were thrown into situations that might make them wonder. Paul was shipwrecked, tortured, and stoned. Daniel was taken into captivity and thrown into the lions' den. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery; then he was wrongly accused of rape and thrown into prison. Ruth's husband died, and she became an exile in a strange country.

God is most concerned that we love Him, that we follow Him in obedience. He is fully capable of reaching down at any time in our lives and moving us wherever we need to be to accomplish His will. He sent an angel to tell Philip where to go to meet the Ethiopian eunuch, then mysteriously took Philip away when that task was completed. He directed Paul both through dreams and through his various arrests and imprisonments. But this divine direction is always His to worry about--never ours." (The Single Truth by Lori Smith, pps. 42-43)

What are your thoughts on the subject?

Big Prayers

How big are your prayers? I have to admit that mine have become somewhat mundane lately.

However, after listening to Andy Stanley's message, Asking Big, I've been challenged to change my prayers. Click here to listen to it. (Scroll down to the message from 1/7/07, "Asking Big".) Special thanks to Jon Owen for the link to Stanley's messages.

Ringside Seat

Over the past few days I've felt like I've had a ringside seat to witnessing God doing some powerful things in the lives of my friends. It's been an exciting experience. In one case, He moved quickly--much, much more quickly than anyone anticipated. In another case, He's bringing about some reconciliation after several years of prayer.

In both cases, it is evident that it is God who is orchestrating all of this. As always, His timing proves to be perfect, even when it seems to be much longer than what we would prefer.

I am so thankful to have this view of Him at work in the lives of so many. It reassures me that He is likewise at work in my life, perhaps doing more behind the scenes right now, but I trust that one day His plans for me will come center stage for all to see. Whatever He brings about, I know that He is glorified through it.

May God open your eyes today to see the work that He is doing in and around you!

Confession Time

Do you ever wish you had do-over days? I do, especially when I realize that I've screwed up. Friday was one of those days for me. As I mentioned in an earlier post, when I'm stressed out at work, I find myself struggling to maintain a good attitude toward my co-workers. Well, Friday was one of those days where I let stress get to me.

That morning I had to call a co-worker in for some assistance. He works in a different department and I don't deal with him much, but on the rare occasions that I do, I don't look forward to it. He has a personality that is very diferent from mine, and very different from most of my other co-workers. Sometimes the way that he conveys things makes it seem like he is talking down to us, and that rubs me the wrong way.

On Friday morning I asked him a question and he gave a response that just flew all over me and got my water hot. Now, deep down in my heart, I am sure that he meant it to be joking, and not mean and sarcastic (as it sounded to my judgmental ears). In retrospect, I should have chalked the comment up to this person just having a different sense of humor, and let the comment go and forget about it.

But, no, I had to go and tell a couple of co-workers about his comment and how it peeved me off. At the time, it felt good to vent and blow off that steam. But I quickly began to feel guilt over my reaction. I can't control how this guy speaks to me or my co-workers. I can't control it if he comes off acting and sounding like a jerk at times. But I can control my response, and I'm ashamed to say that my response was sinful. Not only did I harbor a bitter reaction to the guy, but I gossiped about it with other co-workers.

Of course, the things that tend to offend us most often are characteristics or habits that we ourselves have. I have a tendency to be sarcastic and quick witted, and my responses, while meant to evoke laughter, can sometimes inadvertently offend someone. So that makes it even worse that I don't cut this co-worker more slack, when he was probably just aiming for a quick laugh as well.

Yesterday I was talking to a friend about the need to extend grace towards people who hurt us. This morning as I thought about that particular discussion, God gently but firmly chided me for not exhibiting grace towards this co-worker. Once again I fell prey to opening my mouth when I should have kept it firmly shut.

And so my request for prayers at work continues...Although I can't have Friday back for a "do-over", I am thankful that God's mercies are new every morning, and that tomorrow can be a much better day than Friday was.

Money, Posessions and Eternity

Several years ago, a friend gave me a copy of Randy Alcorn's book Money, Possessions and Eternity, with the request that after reading it, I pass it on to someone else. There is much about the book that I do not readily recall, but it is safe to say that the book challenged my thinking on the subject of money and possessions in relation to God.

Years later, I've had a renewed desire to re-read the book. Of course, the copy that I was given has been long since passed on (to whom I don't even remember), so I bought a new copy. The new one has been recently updated and revised by Alcorn, who wrote the first edition in 1988.

It's a lengthy book--400+ pages, not counting the included Bible study and index. I'm a pretty speedy reader, but knowing the weightiness of the subject, I have a feeling it will take me a while to wade through it. And I fully expect to once again be challenged in the area of finances.

Over the past few years, my views on money and material things has definitely changed. While I can't say that I always think this way, I do at least think more often about how everything that I have is a gift from God and ultimately belongs to Him. I am merely a steward of what He's put in my life. As I grow older (and hopefully wiser), the responsibility of that is becoming more real to me.

I just began re-reading the book last night, and as I read through it I'm sure I'll be sharing some thoughts from the book as well as my own thoughts on the subject with you.

The Best Laid Plans

At work we're gearing up for our biggest statewide meeting of the year, which will take place next week. We're all in full-tilt crazy-busy mode, keeping the copier humming as it churns out multiple reports and meeting agendas and flyers. It seems that as soon as I get one thing checked off my to-do list for this meeting, another rears its ugly head.

As if I don't have a full enough plate doing things for my own committee meeting, I am also in charge of designing and printing multiple newsletters, flyers, etc. for our registration packets. Believe me, there is a LOT of designing and printing involved in this meeting. And just when I thought I had everything reasonably under control, late this afternoon one of my co-workers told me about a brochure that he needs designed and printed by--uh huh--Tuesday. At that point I wanted to hide under my desk or, better yet, run away and hide somewhere they can't find me.

I'll admit that I don't always handle stress well. I usually can maintain a good attitude, even though my plate may be full, when I'm the one deciding what gets put on the plate. But when others start adding their own projects to my plate, then I find myself getting short with others, or "venting my frustration" to other co-workers (which is a nice way of saying complaining).

How quickly I forget that I am not at my job to be served by others, but rather to serve others. I am there to help our organization in whatever way possible, even if that means putting aside my plans for the day and my to-do list in order to help my co-workers. Some days that is much more difficult to remember--and do--than others.

Tonight as I drove home from work, I confessed my sin of selfishness and having a rotten attitude when it came to others asking for my help at work. I don't want to see tasks or requests that come my way unexpectedly as being interruptions, or resenting them because they're not in my game plan. That's the wrong attitude to have. Truly, I need to see each day as being God's game plan for me, and to accept whatever plans He has for me that day.

With only three more days of work left until we leave for our meeting, I'm anticipating that the temptation to worry and stress out and complain will become even greater. Please pray that I'll maintain a peaceful, generous attitude throughout the days leading up to and the days of our meeting, and that I will humbly submit to God's plan for my life each day.

The God of Abundance

I go through spells where I really enjoy the company of others, and other spells where I'd rather be left alone and have time to myself. I'd estimate that I like to spend about 50 percent of time interacting and socializing with others, and the other 50 percent of my time by myself.

Lately I feel like I've spent more time by myself than usual, mostly of my own choosing. Work has become pretty busy and I find myself craving alone time at the end of the day or on the weekends. The past few days, however, my desires to socialize have increased. In fact, I was feeling a little lonely, longing for someone to spend some time with. I prayed about this desire for time with others, and within 24 hours I had not one, not two, but three invitations to join people for a meal or to just hang out with them this week.

I would have been extremely grateful for just one invitation, but I think that God sent three my way to show me that He doesn't skimp on answering our prayers. Granted, there are times when our prayers go seemingly unanswered, or they are answered in a way that we did not expect (and quite frankly at times, in a way that we did not want).

But God is a God of abundance, not skimpiness. His resources are limitless. He can move the hearts of men and women at His choosing. I have no doubt that He prompted these people to call me and invite me to spend time with them. It was no coincidence that they all just "happened" to call after I'd prayed about it.

Often in my prayers I find myself asking for less from God, as if I'm afraid that He has a limited supply of whatever I'm desiring. How thankful I am for times when He reminds me that He is not limited by any means.

Prayer Walk

Today I had lunch with my friend Karla, who recently returned from a mission trip to Turkey. A young couple from our church will be moving there in a few months, and the primary purpose of the trip was to pray over various parts of the area in which they will be living, a sort of prayer "advance team".

As the group from our church went through various towns, they often broke into smaller groups and prayed together as they walked. To casual observers they may have looked as though they were simply having conversations with each other, but they were actually praying over the area and the people they came into contact with along the way.

Now that she's home, Karla has adopted the practice of prayer walking in her own neighborhood. If she sees a house for sale, she prays that it will sell quickly. If she sees children fighting in their front yard, she prays for peace in her home. This prayer walk has changed how she views the people in her neighborhood and other people that God brings along her path.

After talking with her, I find myself drawn to the idea of prayer walking in my own neighborhood. I don't know my neighbors very well, but perhaps this could be an opportunity for God to open doors to talk to them. There are several houses in my neighborhood for sale that I could pray for. There are young families and single parents and aging couples who live near me who I'm sure could use my prayers.

I'm quick to pray for people I'm close to, or who I at least have some passing knowlege of, but I haven't been so quick to pray for those I don't know. I find that there is a certain intimacy in praying for someone, even if that person is unaware that I'm praying for them. No doubt there have been countless times when I've been blessed by the prayers of someone who I didn't know was praying for me, and perhaps didn't know at all.

Let me encourage you to consider doing a prayer walk in your neighborhood, or around your church building, or your school, or work, or even the grocery store. Even if you don't know the person you encounter, and don't know what to pray for, trust that the Holy Spirit will direct your prayers. God knows what they need. And you will certainly be blessed, just as you are letting Him use you to bless others.

Decisions, Decisions

One of the blessings of living in the U.S. is the abundance of choices we have, whether it's career choices or restaurant choices or shopping choices or television channel choices. I've heard of people from former Communist countries or third world countries who come to the U.S. and are overwhelmed with the sheer number of choices presented at places like Walmart. Not only is there an overabundance of food, but a variety of food to choose from. I can only imagine the confusion someone from one of those countries might feel when trying to decide between whole wheat bread, white bread, white wheat, etc...

I readily admit that I often have trouble making decisions, so sometimes having so many options is not seen as a blessing for me. I can agonize over what paint color to get for painting my bathroom cabinet, or what coffee to order at Starbucks. It's ridiculous, really, how much time I spend (waste) on making decisions that in the long run are insignificant.

It's easy to become distracted by all the options available to us in nearly every facet of our lives. Even when it comes to choosing a church home--those of us who live in the so-called "Bible belt" typically have more choices for church-going than people in other parts of the country.

Sometimes I think the abundance of choices keeps us from really committing. There is always the possibility of "something better" down the road. For someone like me who can easily become overwhelmed by having so many options available, I'm not sure that having more choices is always a good thing.

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful to have choices in what I eat, what clothes I wear, where I work, what church I join. But sometimes I wish life were a little simpler.

What about you--do you find that having so many choices keeps you from making a decision and committing to it?

Seeking Savannah Suggestions

I am tentatively planning a trip to Savannah, GA this fall. I've never been before--any suggestions on places I should definitely include in my itinerary, as well as places to avoid?

One Man's Treasure...

I'm cleaning out closets and drawers in anticipation of a yard sale next weekend at my friend Aleah's. I am trying to be ruthless in cleaning things out and deciding what to keep versus what to sell.

As the pile of sale items grows, I am struck by how many of those items were things that I really wanted and paid good money for years ago. Now something that I may have paid $20 or $30 will most likely be sold for a couple of bucks or less. Items that once seemed so important have been relegated to the backs of drawers or top shelves of closets, out of sight and out of mind.

It's hard to believe that I have so much stuff. And, I must admit, it's somewhat embarrassing to realize that I have so much stuff that I no longer use or want.

At the same time, I'm reminded of God's graciousness and goodness in how He's blessed me materially. By most of the world (particularly outside the U.S.), I am considered "rich". The stockpile of clothes that I no longer wear, books I don't want to read again and household items that I no longer use is testimony to how much God has blessed me materially and financially.

Honestly, some things are difficult to let go of and be willing to put up for sale. Even things that I may not have used (or seen) in years. There is a voice in the back of my head that tries to convince me that I should hang on to certain items for nostalgia's sake, or that surely I'll find use for them again, even though I haven't used them at all for a long time.

If I'm not careful, the things that I own can become idols to me. I can find myself chasing after things, desiring to acquire more "stuff". I don't want to be like the rich young ruler in Mark 10, who went away sad because he was unwilling to part with his possessions in order to follow Jesus. Now, I'm not saying it's wrong to have money or material blessings--but when those blessings become more important to us than the Blessing-Giver, that's idolatry. So I have to check myself from time to time and remind myself that truly all I have belongs to God, and if He calls me to give it up--whether through a yard sale or donation to charity or giving to a friend in need--then I need to be obedient.