Live In The However

How Will I Finish?

“Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste death but once.”~Julius Caesar

You know how I love a good quote. There’s something genius in the way a simple concept can be expressed through imagery created by words.

Think about how many times you’ve confronted death or defeat, yet how many times did you actually die? Hmmmm. I’m still here and—since you’re reading this—you are, too. J

The more important question may be: What does my life represent?

Am I a spiritual coward or has my Christian witness been strengthened because of my reaction to trials?

As with quotes, I love it when I “stumble” upon what I refer to as an (in)consequential word in the Bible.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

When the Apostle Paul contemplated his return to Jerusalem, he met with friends and fellow believers. They warned him of the dangers he faced, but the Holy Spirit had already enlightened Paul. He recalled his past hardships, counted the costs, and yet decided to forge ahead.

Paul chose to live in the however. We all have a however—things that threaten our quality of life or our very existence—illness, family strife, financial shortfalls, deaths of loved ones. Even so, we can still finish the race and complete the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. How much more does our testimony become enriched by trials than those who seem to glide through life unscathed?

I want to encourage you this week to take a few minutes and weigh your hardships against the full value of the gospel of God’s grace and then ask yourself:

How will I finish the race?

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If you have a prayer request, I’d love to hear from you. Either email me confidentially or share in the comments section so others can pray for you, as well. Please take a moment to check the prayer list and Jesse’s page above for updates.

We’ve been praying for a young mother, Courtney, who is battling a cancerous brain tumor. Please pray for Courtney as she travels to Duke in North Carolina for an MRI to check treatment progress. In addition to the surgeries she had last year, she is on chemotherapy. She takes two daily chemo meds and every two weeks she receives another chemo treatment of Avastin. Needless to say, the every two-month MRI is hard on Courtney’s nerves. Her sister posted this on her Caring Bridge site:

This Wednesday, we would once again like to ask you for special prayers for Courtney as she goes for her next MRI.  Her tests begin at 1:00 and conclude with an appointment with her oncologist at 3:30 for the results.  We are praying for a stable report or better yet, that God is improving and healing the tumor site in a miraculous way. Thank you in advance for those of you that are so faithful to pray for Courtney. That knowledge helps us get through these difficult days of testing and waiting for the results. 

Also, a new request for Patti, who is suspected to have lung or breast cancer based on initial diagnostic tests from hospitalization. She will return to the doctor on Friday for more definitive news. Please pray for her son and husband, as well, as they go through this difficult time of uncertainty.

Lift up your voice and lay your burden down 

God bless,

Laura

© Laura Hodges Poole

Make Me Thy Fuel, Flame of God

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20

Last week, Christians blogged, Facebooked, and tweeted Scripture, songs, poems, and thoughts on the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. On Easter morning, we reverently and enthusiastically worshipped, then hurried to family dinners, afternoon egg hunts, and of course—after-dinner naps.

Celebrating Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday is easy. As the sun set on Easter, I wondered where our hearts would be Monday morning in the wake of leftover ham, half-eaten candy baskets, and wrinkled church clothes tossed in the laundry.

Over two thousand years ago, on Easter Monday, Christ returned to work—His father’s work. He forgave Peter and then instructed him to “feed my sheep.” Among Jesus’ other activities was the Great Commission given to the eleven disciples.

We are His disciples now—with the Bible and Holy Spirit to instruct us.

"He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitable? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of 'other things.' Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is transient, often short lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul-short life? Make me thy fuel, Flame of God." Jim Elliot (martyred missionary)

Celebrating Christ’s resurrection revitalized me, as I’m sure it did many Christians. Beyond that, it’s a reminder of my rebirth each time I enter into God’s presence. Yet, as I grow deeper in my spiritual journey, I’m cognizant of the necessary steps to stay aflame.

If my flame gets diminished during dark moments, when I feel less enthusiasm or challenged beyond my human abilities, saturation with the Spirit’s oil through Bible study and prayer is the only hope for my flame burning brightly beyond Christian celebrations.

As we go to the Lord in prayer this week for each other’s needs, consider the condition of your flame and how it impacts those around you.

Though I don’t pray scripted prayers often, this simple one written by Jim Elliot has resonated with me through the years. Perhaps it will with you, too.

"Lord, make me a crisis man. Let me not be a mile-post on a single road, but make me a fork that men must turn one way or another in facing Christ in me."

If you have a prayer need, I’ve love to hear from you. Please leave your requests in the comments section below. You may also comment anonymously, if you’d like, or email me confidential requests.

·    My request this week is for the Petters family in Anderson, SC, where I live. The mom was killed in a car accident in Anderson over Easter weekend, and the father is in Charleston receiving treatment for leukemia. Their two babies, ages 6 months and 2 years old, are in the care of their grandparents. Please pray for God’s comfort and provision for this family.

·    Our song this week is by Christian singer Aaron Shust. Aaron’s newborn son Michael has Down’s Syndrome. Michael will have major heart surgery sometime in the next few weeks, when he has gained enough weight to make the surgery safe, unless his condition dictates it happening sooner. Please keep this little guy and the Shust family in your prayers.

Take a few moments to enjoy “My Savior, My God” before going to the Lord in prayer.

 (The winner of the book giveaway last week is TC Avey, who left a comment on “How Do You Kill 11 Million People?” Thanks to everyone who left comments last week to be eligible for the drawing. Stay tuned for future book giveaways.)

(In)consequential Words

As far back as I can remember, Jesus has been a part of my life. When I was mature enough, He became my Savior. I’ve read the whole Bible and studied it extensively during my adult life. Along the way, I discovered an amazing thing. No matter how much I study, there’s still so much to learn.

One of the nuances I’ve found in reading the Bible is probably common to most Christians. If I’m not careful, my eyes skim over words or phrases my brain deems inconsequential. In neurological terms, that’s referred to as chunking, the way we read silently versus reading aloud. It’s helpful in retaining the meaning/context of what is read.

However, I’ve found some gems in those seemingly insignificant words when I slow down and let the Holy Spirit lead me through passages. Writing verses in my prayer journal produces the same result. At times, I discover new meaning in passages I’ve read several times before.

One such place is Job 38:1 (NIV), “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm.”

It’s easy to skim over this opening verse to read the exciting wisdom God shares in the following four chapters. Those chapters are some of my favorite in the Bible, so I’ve read them several times.

Then, one day, the meaning behind verse one grabbed my attention. God answers us out of our storms! This is so true. When I go to Him on bended knee, in the midst of the worst trials in my life, He has answered me. He’s never left me hanging. He’s always comforted me.

Another passage is in Lamentations 3, when the writer describes his afflictions, bitterness, and gall. His soul is downcast, he says. You can almost hear him weeping. Then, in 3:21-22 (NIV), he writes, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

The word “yet” seems insignificant. However, look at the before and after picture. “Yet” is the turning point. “Yet” is where all Christians should reside—not in the afflictions and bitterness of life.

My last example is I Kings 8:59-60, taken from one of King Solomon’s prayers. “And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.”

King Solomon prays for most of the eighth chapter. It’s easy to start chunking phrases the further you read. However, one phrase leapt out at me in verse 59:

“…according to each day’s need…”

What a great promise in which to rest our worries!

Doesn’t God always provide according to our daily needs? Jesus admonishes us in Matthew 6 not to worry about tomorrow. Apparently, King Solomon held the same belief. He had experienced God’s grace for the people of Israel to supply their needs.

Are you looking for a promise from God in your life? Take a few minutes each day to earnestly study the Bible and then pray. You’d be amazed at the gems you’ll find when you do.

Did God Help Tebow Win?

Well, since everyone else is Tebowing, I thought I’d jump into the fray. The question has been bandied about all week: Did God help quarterback Tim Tebow and the Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers?

My answer: I have no idea.

I personally don’t think God gives a rip who wins a football game. However, He does care about His followers. He blesses those who glorify Him with their lives. Tebow certainly has done this. God also listens to prayer and answers according to what He deems best.

No doubt, there were Christians on both teams last Sunday, but none have been as vocal about his Savior as Tebow. He has been vilified by non-believers to the point where many other Christians might have buckled. Because of this persecution and his unwavering beliefs, millions of Christians around the country pray for his success.

Including me.

I didn’t pray for Tebow to win last Sunday. Instead, I prayed he would play his best, which means playing up to his ability and training. If he did this, win or lose, he could walk out of Mile High with his head held high, knowing he’d left everything on the field. Perhaps Tebow prayed a similar prayer.

Regardless, the Broncos win was inspirational—something sorely lacking in professional sports. Whether or not the Broncos beat the Patriots tomorrow night, I’ll again pray for Tebow and his teammates to play their best.

We’ll have to wait and see if their best is good enough to win.