DON'T LET ME MISS THE GLORY

Moses had led the people out of Egypt, across the Red Sea. In Exodus, God commands Moses to go and take possession of the land of Canaan. God promised to send an angel before them and drive the enemy out of the land. Moses prayed, “God you know me by name and you say I have found grace in your eyes, but you haven’t let me in on exactly how you are going to accomplish the task before me. God tells Moses that His presence will go before him and he will be given rest. Moses continues, “God if you don’t go before us, don’t even bother sending us on up. And by the way how is everyone else going to know that you have commanded this thing and I have found grace in your sight?” True to form, Moses needed a sign. Moses asks God to show him His glory. God tells Moses He will make “all of His goodness pass before him.” God continues, “As my glory passes, I will shield you until I have passed and you shall see my back parts but not my face.”

I believe the “back parts” of God’s glory that Moses saw was all the wonderful things God had done up to that point. It would have been too much for even Moses to have seen all the future glory (the face) of God. I believe Moses saw the glory of the world being created, how God saved 8 people in an ark, how Abraham was led to a city whose builder and maker was God. Moses was reminded of God’s glory in the Egyptian plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. Then Moses began to understand that the God who had been faithful since creation could surely perform everything necessary to see His people enter the Promised Land.

If we are not careful, like Moses, we will begin to doubt and question the daunting task God has set before us. The Glory of God is passing by us as a witness that we are called, we have found favor in His sight and that He has equipped us for the journey. We can be so caught up in fear and doubt that we miss the glory. Today as God removes His hand and allows you to glimpse His glory be encouraged that the same God who saved you will carry you through; the same God that healed you as a child is still a healer. He is still a burden-bearer, a provider, a friend, and a comforter. Whatever you have need of, He is. God may not show you His face, the whole picture, tomorrow or even the next step but if you allow Him to lead, you won’t miss the glory.

PRAYING FOR OUR PRESIDENT

I watched, with pride, the swearing in of our 44th president. I experienced pride in being a citizen of the greatest country on earth. Pride in a country that allows each person’s voice to be heard in the form of a vote without coercion and fear. Pride in the civility of the transfer of power from not only one person to another but from one party’s ideas to the opposing party. I enjoy the pomp and circumstance. I tear up at the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner. I love the pageantry and symbolism at national events. That was on Tuesday; on Wednesday the government gets back to business and the changes begin.

President Obama was not my candidate, but he is my president and I am commanded by God to pray for him and the rest of the government. I refuse to follow the example set by the Democrats over the last 8 years. I will not spew hate and disdain that was directed at President Bush every day of his presidency. Although I am commanded to pray for him, I am not commanded to support his policies and ideas. As long as his policies line up with the Word of God, I will defend them against criticism, however, when a Presidential Order or other edict is issued that undermines the moral authority established by God, there is no defense.

President Obama went to work yesterday to overturn many of the orders signed by his predecessor. This is his right as president and most presidents do this on their first few days in office. We need to examine the orders that have been overturned to determine the tone he has established for his administration. For seven years, since 9/11, the United States has not experienced another terror attack on our soil. This was due to President Bush’s aggressive war and policies on terror. One of the first orders signed by President Obama is to close Gitmo and release terrorists into our state side prisons, giving them the same rights as American citizens. These are the citizens whom the terrorists seek to annihilate. There are other orders that have been overturned; making it more difficult to extract information from these same terrorists and gather intelligence from technology channels. Our image has become more important than our safety.

Another order that has been overturned is that of funding abortions in foreign countries. No longer satisfied with killing the American unborn, our tax dollars will now go to kill foreign unborn. Judgment cannot be far behind. God has been long suffering but the day is coming when those who have ordered the slaughter of the innocent will be harshly dealt with. President Obama’s signature on this document did not come as a surprise to America, it was promised during the campaign. Those who voted for him, preferring their own selfish desire over the protection of life, are willing accomplices to these murders.

Yes, I will pray for our new president. I will pray that before he makes too many more rash decisions that he will seek the Face of God, Godly counsel, and then prayerfully issue his orders. I pray that there will be a real revival in America that will raise up Godly men and women that will stand for right in the face of adversity. I pray that God will not lift his Hand of Blessing from American but that we will humble ourselves, pray and turn from our wicked ways. Most of all I pray that we will all examine our hearts and remove anything that is not like God. He is coming soon; we’ve got to be ready.

A WING AND A PRAYER; THEN CAME A SAVIOR

This week we witnessed a “Miracle on the Hudson.” Soon after takeoff a flock of geese flew into the engines of a jet. Both engines were taken out and the pilot had to make an emergency landing. As the facts began to come in, we learned that it was the perfect plane, the perfect pilot and the perfect place for a “miracle” to occur. This plane had been designed with special switches to close the valves in case of a water landing, thus preventing the plane from immediately filling up with water. The pilot was a veteran; a glider pilot with military experience who trained other pilots to handle emergency situations. The incident occurred at a time and in a place where the Hudson River could be used as a runway, helping the pilot avoid buildings and automobile traffic. The miracle was that all these factors occurred at one time so that not one life was lost. Once the plane was down, the drama continued.

Some of the passengers were able to get into inflatable rafts, many had on life jackets and others had grabbed their seat cushions to use as a flotation device. We saw pictures of passengers standing on the wings of the plane waiting to be saved from the slowly sinking vessel. Although the pieces had fallen into place, all those aboard still needed a savior. Ferry boats sped toward the disabled aircraft and began to take on passengers as quickly as possible. Ferry commuters helped the victims into the warm cabin, wrapping them in blankets and suit coats as they rushed toward the docks for medical treatment.

The media reported the varied accounts of the ordeal from several of the passengers. There were reports of an eerie quietness as seatbelts were tightened in anticipation of a crash landing. Others told of momentary panic as passengers attempted to get off the plane only to discover that the back doors would not open. One man said that water had filled the back of the plane up to the seats by the time he was rescued. The report that touched me the most was the report of one woman who stated that she held hands with her seatmates, prayed quietly, then climbed out on the wing. They were waiting for a savior on a wing and a prayer.

We live through the day, make preparation for tomorrow and plan for the future, in control of every detail. Suddenly, Satan sends up a flock of geese and our engines begin to sputter. The little power that we had is not enough to keep us flying at the needed altitude and we come in for a crash landing. The situation looks hopeless, but then comes a Savior. We may panic and see no way out but then comes a Savior. Sometimes all we can do is pray and climb out on the wing but then comes a Savior. I am so thankful that when I was limping along through life on a wing and a prayer, along came my Savior. Jesus has never let me crash, never let me down and always been there to rescue me every time I slipped. If you are out on the wing of life, reach out for the Savior, He’s been patiently waiting.

ICING ON THE CAKE

Have you ever heard people say things that make no sense at all? I don’t understand the saying, “Have their cake and eat it too.” It seems to me that the only use for cake is to eat it. And, why would someone give you a piece of cake and then be surprised that you didn’t leave it on the plate? Another confusing adage is, “She got her Just Desserts.” Now, I love dessert and having a meal of “Just Dessert” sounds like a heavenly banquet rather than a curse. Staying in the sweet treat vein, here is one that makes perfect sense, “That was icing on the cake.” Cake is wonderful on its own but slathered with icing, it’s like gravy on potatoes or fresh baked bread with butter. Get the picture?

God always provides the very things we need but sometimes He puts a little icing on the cake. As an update to my blog from yesterday, “When Do I Get Mine?” I would like to tell you about the icing God decorated the cake with. It was a couple of months ago that God reminded me that He is the source of all blessings. After repenting of my whining and praising Him for his patience, I went on with my wonderfully exciting life. It seems that when we have an attitude of gratitude God just can’t stop pouring out the blessings or as I would like to put it, “piping it out of Heaven’s pastry bag.”

We arrived home from Florida to foot of snow in our driveway and a broken snow blower. Wading snow up to our knees we made it into the house and decided to worry about the driveway the next day which was Monday. Steve left for work and I decided to little by little shovel my way to the street. Enjoying my second cup of coffee, I heard a motor running in our driveway. A neighbor was there with a 4-wheeler and a snow plow, clearing the snow, icing on the cake! The same afternoon, I stopped by the grocery store for last minute Christmas fixins. This was 3 days before Christmas, the store was a zoo and this is one place God is always trying to teach me a lesson in patience. Every checkout lane was packed so I decided to brave the self-checkout and hopefully get home sooner. As usual the self-scanner wasn’t cooperating and my groceries backed up on the belt. A lady behind me kindly asked if she could help me by bagging my groceries. By the time I had scanned my last item and paid the bill, my groceries were bagged and in the cart ready to be loaded in my car. I thanked the lady and told her what a blessing she had been. She had no idea she was icing on the cake!

I would also like to thank my sister Val, who around the same time sent a card letting me know she was praying for me; icing! Every call and email received from my brother, Mike, is always full of encouragement and kudos; icing on the cake! I would also like to say how much I appreciate my long distance friends, Tami, Suzanne, and Brenda. They are always sending unexpected encouraging words through their emails and on-line comments; icing on the cake! Of course the sweetest, gooiest icing of all is my husband Steve. His love and support has kept me going for almost 32 years, icing on the cake!

Thank you God for always supplying the cake and adding icing though I don’t deserve it. If you have some left in your heavenly pastry bag, I’ll take a rosette and a little more piping around the edges.

WHEN DO I GET MINE?

“I am so tired”, I cried during my morning devotions. “I can’t take another whiner”, I whined. “Where’s mine?” “When do I ever get some?” My kids won’t listen to me, the neighbor didn’t wave, our congregation is getting smaller and even the dog is sick. It sounds so childish and petty on paper, but this was my prayer, as tears ran down my face. It had been one of those weeks. Starting Monday morning at the Rescue Mission, I had delivered a message of encouragement, prayed and talked with people who are in unimaginable situations; every email was about someone needing prayer and the problems they were facing, every phone call was a downer.

The most dangerous time of the race had occurred. Fatigue had set in; I had hit the wall. This is the time when it is more attractive to quit then continue to victory. Believe me, the thought ran through my head. It seemed every time I tried to encourage one, two more needing encouragement popped up. “Lord, could you please put it in someone’s heart to call me?” A “thinking of you” email would be nice. Maybe there is someone besides Mom who woke up with me on their mind. But there were no phone calls, no pick-me-up emails, not even a card in the mail. Fortunately, I lingered in “prayer” that morning and God is always faithful.

That still small voice began to trickle through the self-pity. God reminded me that all He has is mine. Why would He send a substitute to bless and encourage me, when I can walk right in to the throne room for a personal audience with the King? Once again I felt that warm, comforting presence that only God can give. As I lingered in His embrace, the tears continued to flow, but this time they were a cleansing force, my praise overrode the whining and gratefulness filled my heart.

If you are feeling a little ignored today or feel like it’s time you “got yours,” remember “yours” comes straight from the Father. He loves you so much that a middle-man isn’t good enough to deliver your blessing.

A DIFFERENT OCCASION

My 4 year old granddaughter loves a party. She views every occasion as an opportunity for a party. Her parties always include cookies or cupcakes, candles, balloons, and fancy hats. These occasions are fun and create memories that we will look on with fondness for years. One of the definitions of occasion is a convenient or favorable time, opportunity, or juncture. There are other occasions in our life which may be pleasurable but the lasting effects do not illicit happy memories. These are the occasions to sin. Sin will always present you with the opportunity to partake at a convenient time, but we must resist sin and not make it occasion.

We are all familiar with the phrase, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Advertisers have turned our desire to sin into a great marketing tool. Have we been guilty of thinking that we can live a different life on vacation then we do at home? Our minds tell us that nothing is off limits because we are on vacation. We can dress differently, view suggestive programming, visit questionable places; this is our time to “let go.” Unfortunately, Satan has once again sold us a lie, “What happens in Vegas does NOT stay in Vegas.” I have never heard of anyone gambling away everything they owned and leaving the debt in Vegas. The clandestine affair follows you back home and destroys your family. Every time we take an occasion to sin, we create memories and the consequences follow.

The Bible warns of these occasions. Galatians 5:13 tells us not to use our liberty for an occasion to the flesh. I Timothy 5:14 exhorts us to guard our actions and give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. Romans 14:13 speaks of putting an occasion in front of our brother and causing him to fall. Thank God the Bible is not just full of warnings but full of promises. Galatians 5:13 continues, “But by love serve one another.” I Timothy 5 instructs us to follow every good work and the adversary cannot speak reproachfully and Romans tells us to seek peace and edify one another, thus avoiding an occasion for our brother to stumble. Finally, I John 2:10 says that if we abide in the light, there will be no occasion for stumbling.

Make an occasion of today. Bake cupcakes, light candles and wear party hats but make it an occasion to seek God’s will, edify your loved ones and instead of laying a stumbling block for your neighbor, lend a hand to help them step over it. Remember, what happens in Vegas will not stay in Vegas and what you do for God will for eternity.

NO EXCUSE MONDAY

Excuses, Excuses, you hear them every day. The dictionary defines excuse as a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise. I am amazed at the excuses we come up with to justify our behavior or lack of action. As a Mom, Department Manager and Pastor’s wife, I think I have heard every excuse in the book, but a new one pops up every now and then. One of my favorite excuses for not being at church is, “I had to stay home and put the groceries away.” Of course, my kids would have cleaned their room, made their bed, etc. but they were going to mess it up again anyway. As Phil used to say, “Mom, I really want to want to!” If you think about that one for a minute, the meaning will become crystal clear. My granddaughter, Mackenzie is at least honest with her excuse, “But Dad I don’t want to.”

Yesterday was the first Monday after New Year’s Day. Is it a significant day? Not really, but I call it “No Excuses Monday.” All of the excuses for why we cannot start making changes in our lives expire on this day. It is a new year, a new month, a new week; mentally it is the perfect day of the year to begin your makeover. Want to lose weight? NO EXCUSES! Want to rid yourself of a bad habit? NO EXCUSES! Want to read your Bible more? NO EXCUSES! Want to show more love and compassion? NO EXCUSES!

The Bible is clear about TODAY. It tells us today is the day of salvation, NO EXCUSES! We are not promised tomorrow, NO EXCUSES! We are to work while it is day, NO EXCUSES! For knowing the time, it is high time to wake from our sleep, Romans 13:11, NO EXCUSES!

If you’ve been dreaming about a new body and a healthier lifestyle, START TODAY. That neighbor you need to witness to, needs God TODAY. The problem that has been nagging at you over the last few months, give it to God TODAY. That nasty habit that has you bound, stop TODAY. It may be Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, but make this your NO EXCUSE DAY. Move into your new life of freedom from wanting to want, you will wonder what took so long.

UNDERSTAND THEIR END

When I’m feeling just a little envious of others, a little prideful of my experience with God or a little sorry for myself, the 73rd Psalm usually comes to my mind. I especially like to dwell on the 17th verse; “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” I find that meditating on that verse vindicates every unhappy circumstance of my life. Yes, I may have to suffer more than others, but understand their end. I may have to struggle to put food on the table, while others travel in jets, but understand their end. I may have to say no to some types of “fun”, but understand their end.

This morning, Psalms 73:17 popped into my head in reference to a posting on a social network. My first thoughts were of shock and disgust and a desire to banish them from my “friends.” After all, I want to keep my page pure and holy. I definitely don’t want to advertise websites that lead to destruction. As I began to think how far sin will take an individual, God began to speak to me using the last part of the verse; but understand their end. I realized that shock and disgust is not useful to God, but love and compassion can soften the hardest heart.

When Jesus hung on the cross, he suffered shame because He understood our end. Sin was disgusting to the holiness of God, but He understood our end. He said Father; forgive them, because He understood our end. Then He died for your sins and mine when He understood our end. When God understood our end, He went into action, for He was not willing that any should perish. It wasn’t vengeance that sent Him to Calvary, it was love and compassion.

Spend a few minutes today thinking about your lost loved ones, friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Understand their end without God and let love and compassion spur you to action. Take the time to plead the blood of Jesus over their lives and pray that their end will be changed.

OPPORTUNITY LOST (ALMOST)

January 1, the dawn of a new year, an opportunity for a fresh start; sure it is all a mental exercise, but half of the battle is getting ourselves into the right frame of mind. Many people say they don’t believe in setting a New Year’s Resolution, but I think it is because of their fear of failure. Every year I resolve to or as I prefer to say, set goals regarding personal improvement. They always include eating and weight reduction after the decadent indulgences during the holidays, but I also like to include economic and spiritual disciplines.

This morning during my morning devotions, I asked God to help me with what I consider my most important resolution for the year, allowing God to work through me every day. After praying and reading a biblical passage for the day, I was off to purchase the necessary props to help me with another resolution. Then it happened at the Wal-Mart deli counter.

I walked up to the deli counter with an absent-minded smile on my face. The smile was because there was no one else at the deli counter, the absent-mindedness because I was thinking about taking down all the Christmas decorations and what a relief it would be to finish that chore. I told the clerk I wanted a pound of smoked turkey and promptly receded into my swirling thoughts. Without missing a beat, the clerk said she couldn’t wait until 2:00 so she could go to the hospital to see her mother. For a moment, my mind couldn’t connect deli turkey, 2:00, and a complete stranger’s mother. Thank God at those times the Holy Spirit takes over. I asked why her mother was in the hospital. After she told me her mother was suffering with lung cancer and was having a very hard time breathing and I told her how sorry I was that she had to start the New Year in this way. She continued to tell me how scared and worried she was. I had enough presence of mind to ask her mother’s name and tell her I would pray for her. I took my packaged turkey from the counter, turned to move on to the cottage cheese, noticing the tears in her eyes and feeling pretty good about offering to pray for her and her mother.

As I moved down the produce aisle, I realized the Holy Spirit wasn’t done. I was reminded of my sincere prayer this morning to be a willing vessel. But, I was busy, I had decorations waiting to be put away, the store was so busy and I didn’t want to embarrass her. I continued to the dairy section, but the Holy Ghost wouldn’t leave me alone. This could be an opportunity, one moment in time to help a hurting soul. I frantically searched my purse for a church business card and hurried across the store to the deli counter. My new friend was nowhere to be seen. Kicking myself, I finished shopping, all the while praying for Joyce and her daughter, hoping that would soothe my stinging conscience.

Finished shopping, I entered the checkout lane. I could see my new friend assisting another customer at the deli counter. With card in hand, I passed up the check out, approached the deli counter and waited and waited. Finally, I gently told her I would not only pray for her, but offered Steve’s services as a minister and invited her to our Sunday service. I’m not sure if it will impact her in the way it did me, but I do know that if I had failed to be obedient, I would have missed an opportunity.

Opportunities have limited lives. Once the moment has passed, the opportunity may never present itself again. You may never get the chance to be in that situation, with that person and be the one God has appointed to speak words of hope. I will pray for Joyce and make it a point to frequent the deli counter as a follow up to a God-ordained opportunity that was almost lost.

THE GREATEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD

Have you ever wondered how “the other half” lives, wished your home, car or other possession was like a friend’s or desired any life but your own? We have all allowed our minds to explore the world of, “What if?” I have discovered in the last few months that the best life is the one I am living because as I submit to God, it is the one He created just for me. I have also found that the best church is the one God has placed me in and the greatest people in the world are those in my sphere of influence.

God has placed Steve and me in Saginaw, MI. It may not be the “armpit” of the nation, but it is far from the most desirable city in the Michigan, let alone the United States. Jobs are disappearing, homes stand vacant, awaiting foreclosure, and at least once a week the news reports another shooting victim. Poverty and hopelessness is on the rise, yet I see a beautiful city of great opportunity full of people with a great need for the revelation of Jesus Christ. He has called us to pastor a small church. Let me define small; 3 people beside Steve and I. Small; yes, but, he has placed the 3 Greatest People In the World in our congregation.
These are the people we have shed tears for, prayed over, rejoiced with, shared our heart and together celebrated each victory. Watching the spiritual growth in each one over the past year has been one of our greatest joys. God has used them at a moment of discouragement to call or email a testimony of encouragement. God has caused His love for them to be transplanted into our hearts; they have become part of our family.

As you travel down the darkened streets and peer into the warm light of a neighbor’s window, don’t forget that behind the light are trials and challenges that you cannot even imagine. The best home in the world is the cheery little house down the road that you call home. The church across town may have a great choir and thousands of members, but the best church in the world is the church where the pastor feeds you the Word of God and you can experience the Presence of God every week. Since time began and in the entire universe, God chose to place you in this place, on this date, with these people to live with, love and influence for Him. Remember, you are surrounded by the Greatest People in the World.