May 6, 2010

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:26-31

This week I have been honoring some women of the Bible leading up to Mother's Day. There are many incredible women whom God has used over the years to impact lives and shape cultures. How I thank God for the contribution of these godly females!

But this morning I want to take the privilege of honoring a contemporary woman of God. Today would have been the 88th birthday of Barbara's mother, Agnes Cummiskey. She has been in Heaven for almost four years now and we miss her. Certainly, you can't wish anyone back from Heaven. Would you leave Heaven to come back to this messed up planet? I don't think so!

Agnes perfectly typified the Proverbs 31 woman. She was beautiful, she was gracious, she was strong and determined, a devoted wife for 50 years, a model mother, a faithful church member, a talented contibutor in the work force, and a perfect mother-in-law.

For the sixteen years that Barbara was ill, her mother was her source of strength and stability during many painful and discouraging days. She was a rock despite the pain of watching her daughter waste away before her eyes. Her faith never waivered. There is always a strong bond between mother and daughter, but their relationship was exceptionally strong because of what they suffered together.

Barbara and I had the privilege of caring for her the last two years of her life so we got to witness the dignity with which she faced the loss of her physical strength due to spinal stenosis. She worried about becoming a burden to us, which would never happen. What ever adjustments were required in our lifestyle we gladly made. We saw it as a rare opportunity to repay her kindness and patience during Barbara's suffering.

We got to be at her bedside when she slipped into eternity. Just as she lived with grace, so she died. Our loss was Heaven's gain. She is now a treasure laid up in Heaven.

As many of you know, Mother's Day is a bittersweet holiday for those whose mothers are no longer among us. It will be tough for Barbara, just as today is. When someone lives so well and loves so deeply they leave a crater the size of the Grand Canyon in your heart. Time eases it but nothing erases it. We'll do Mother's Day without her, but we won't like it.

Today, on the anniversary of her birthday, we honor Agnes Cummiskey, a Proverbs 31 woman! She made God look good! She made faith look desirable. The world is a better place because she was here and Heaven is richer because she is there.

So, there is one less Porverbs 31 woman on this planet. Who step up to fill that gap? Will it be you? Will it be now? What will that require od you today?

May 5, 2010

"And they followed the lead of their own husbands. Sarah was like that. She obeyed Abraham. She called him her master. Do you want to be like her? Then do what is right. And don't give in to fear. " I Peter 3:5-6

How would you like to be remembered?

Four things are mentioned about Sarah and they are all good. I would be honored to have even one of them said about me. Let's review:

1) She obeyed Abraham

2) She honored him

3) She did what was right

4) She did not give into fear

Sarah, wife of Abraham and mother of the Jewish race, is memorialized in these two verses. Let's consider that as we continue our tribute to great women of the Bible.

Sarah was a half-sister to Abraham and ten years younger than him. She became his wife and then God called Abraham to begin a great adventure of faith that would eventually result in him becoming the father of a nation. Obviously, to accomplish that would require both of them. So the call of God came to them as a couple - a team. Abraham fulfilling the destiny that God called him to depended on her assistance. It wasn't just his calling it was their calling! For God's plan to be completed would require her to be in right relationship with God and to be right with Abraham. There is a lesson right there! You can't be at odds with your husband and be good with God.

This destiny to which God called them required them to live as nomads. They would be leaving the safety and security of their home and their families to wander in an unfamiliar land headed to an unknown destination. How many women would want that lifestyle?

Abraham and Sarah gave up everything they knew in order to gain possession of something that they had never seen and could only imagine. God had asked them to make significant sacrifices sight unseen. That meant both of them had to be in agreement together and with God.

Out of their sacrifice and out of their struggles came the nation that produced a Savior. If Abraham had not obeyed God and if Sarah had not yielded to Abraham, we might still be lost in our sins.

Abraham is the historical figure and the highly honored patriarch, but Sarah was the woman behind the man! From the womb of Sarah came a nation and a Savior and a spiritual kingdom that will never end!

Why?

Because she obeyed Abraham, she honored him, she did what was right and she did not give in to fear! Great women become great because they do great things.

What great thing will you do today?

May 4, 2010

"In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." I Samuel 1:10-17

The second godly woman we will honor is Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. Her name means "favored by God".

Initially that was not the case, however. She was the favored wife of Elkanah despite the fact she was barren. There was no greater shame for a married woman in that culture than being unable to bear children. It was a burden that nearly crushed her and certainly tested her faith.

One day during an annual feast she went to the tabernacle and was crying out to God with such earnestness that she was thought to be drunk by Eli, the priest. He began to chastise her for her totally inappropriate behavior. When she explained herself and her woeful situation, Eli blessed her and assured he that her prayer would be answered.

Indeed it was! She became pregnant and had a son she named "Samuel" - which meant "heard by God". Samuel went on to serve Eli and later became one of the great priests and prophets of Israel. He would be the one God used to choose David and later anoint him as king.

I want to focus on three things that are admirable about Hannah that modern women can emmulate:

1) She called upon God in her time of trouble. She turned to prayer rather than despair.

2) She promised God to consecrate the son to God if God would honor her with a child. If God would deliver her from her shame she would dedicate the child to Him.

3) When God answered her prayer and gave her the long-desired child she kept her word. God delivered on His promise and so did she.

Modern mothers would benefir from being women of prayer like Hannah. Peter reminds you to "cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you." Turn to prayer and don't despair.

Recognize that your child (children) as gift(s) from God. Like Hannah, you are a mother by virtue of a sacred contract with God. He gives life and you are to nurture and shape it.

Dedicate your child(ren) to the Lord. Give back to Him what He has trusted to you.

Hannah is a model for modern motherhood. Read the story. Learn the lessons. Live it out!

May 3, 2010

"But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:20-24

This week leading up to Mother's Day I want to focus on the great mothers of the Bible. It's kind of hard to do that without beginning with Eve. None of us would be here without her.

God made Eve from Adam and for Adam to be a "helpmate". Life is challenging and even more so when you tackle it alone. I find it a great tribute to women that even though Adam was intricately connected with God, He saw the need to create another "helper" or "soul-mate" for Adam. It almost looks as though God created woman to be a helper for man BUT ALSO as a helper for God!

I told my son the other day, "Next to God, a good woman is the best thing that can happen to a man." It has been true in my life. I think God would agree with that.

As happy and satisfied as Adam was with God it was God Himself Who recognized Adam needed something else - woman. She was handmade by Him to complete a perfect creation!

Eve, the first wife and the first mother was a marvelous gift from God! She was hand-picked and hand-made for Adam by God. She was God's gift to Adam and God's tool to help shape his life, grace his journey and lighten his burden.

Of course, we know how it ended. We know that the very same one who completed paradise eventually brought it down by her disobedience. So, she was the first and final perfect woman.

Still, women are one of God's great ideas! I am thankful that He created them. Not only have the played a HUGE part in the history of mankind, they have been key contributors in the development of the Christian faith and particulary in the local church.

Thank God for women! Thank God for the women in my life - my mother, my wonderful wife, my daughter, my daughter-in-law, my sisters, my grand daughters and the strong women in my church. I honor you. I bless you!

This is your week leading up to your day! May you know how much you matter!

May 2, 2010

An inspiring challenge from Max Lucado:

Take Goliath Down by Max Lucado


Goliaths still roam our world. Debt. Disaster. Dialysis. Danger. Deceit. Disease. Depression.

Super-size challenges still swagger and strut, still pilfer sleep and embezzle peace and liposuction joy. But they can't dominate you. You know how to deal with them. You face giants by facing God first.

Focus on giants—you stumble.

Focus on God—your giants tumble.

You know what David knew, and you do what David did. You pick up five stones, and you make five decisions. Ever wonder why David took five stones into battle? Why not two or twenty? Rereading his story reveals five answers. Use your five fingers to remind you of the five stones you need to face down your Goliath. Let your thumb remind you of …

1. THE STONE OF THE PAST

Goliath jogged David's memory. Elah was a déjà vu. While everyone else quivered, David remembered. God had given him strength to wrestle a lion and strong-arm a bear. Wouldn't he do the same with the giant? A good memory makes heroes.

"Remember His marvelous works which He has done" (1 Chron. 16:12). Catalog God's successes. Keep a list of his world records. Has he not walked you through high waters? Proven to be faithful? Have you not known his provision? How many nights have you gone to bed hungry? Mornings awakened in the cold? He has made roadkill out of your enemies. Write today's worries in sand. Chisel yesterday's victories in stone. Pick up the stone of the past. Then select …

2. THE STONE OF PRAYER

Note the valley between your thumb and finger. To pass from one to the next you must go through it. Let it remind you of David's descent. Before going high, David went low; before ascending to fight, David descended to prepare. Don't face your giant without first doing the same. Dedicate time to prayer. Paul, the apostle, wrote, "Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long" (Eph. 6:18 MSG).

Prayer spawned David's successes. His Brook Besor wisdom grew out of the moment he "strengthened himself in the Lord his God" (1 Sam. 30:6). When Saul's soldiers tried to capture him, David turned toward God: "You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble" (Ps. 59:16).

Invite God's help. Pick up the stone of prayer. And don't neglect …

3. THE STONE OF PRIORITY

Let your tallest finger remind you of your highest priority: God's reputation. David jealously guarded it. No one was going to defame his Lord. David fought so that "all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's" (1 Sam. 17:46-47).

David saw Goliath as a chance for God to show off! Did David know he would exit the battle alive? No. But he was willing to give his life for the reputation of God.

What if you saw your giant in the same manner? Rather than begrudge him, welcome him. Your cancer is God's chance to flex his healing muscles. Your sin is God's opportunity to showcase grace. Your struggling marriage can billboard God's power. See your struggle as God's canvas. On it he will paint his multicolored supremacy. Announce God's name and then reach for …

4. THE STONE OF PASSION

David ran, not away from, but toward his giant. On one side of the battlefield, Saul and his cowardly army gulped. On the other, Goliath and his skull-splitters scoffed. In the middle, the shepherd boy ran on his spindly legs. Who bet on David? Who put money on the kid from Bethlehem? Not the Philistines. Not the Hebrews. Not David's siblings or David's king. But God did.

And since God did, and since David knew God did, the skinny runt became a blur of pumping knees and a swirling sling. He ran toward his giant.
Do the same!

Let your ring finger remind you to take up the stone of passion.
One more stone, and finger, remains:

5. THE STONE OF PERSISTENCE

David didn't think one rock would do. He knew Goliath had four behemoth relatives. For all David knew, they'd come running over the hill to defend their kin. David was ready to empty the chamber if that's what it took.

Imitate him. Never give up. One prayer might not be enough. One apology might not do it. One day or month of resolve might not suffice. You may get knocked down a time or two … but don't quit. Keep loading the rocks. Keep swinging the sling.

David took five stones. He made five decisions. Do likewise. Past. Prayer. Priority. Passion. And persistence.

Next time Goliath wakes you up, reach for a stone. Odds are, he'll be out of the room before you can load your sling.

From Facing Your GiantsCopyright (Thomas Nelson, 2005) Max Lucado

May 1, 2010

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:" Psalm 37:3-5

All this week I have been sharing with you on the thought "either you control your desires or your desires will control you." As we come to the end of this study on temptation we are face to face with the fact that people usually end up doing what they want to do. Most people are driven by their desires. They don't have to be, but most are.

The key to controlling your desires is to forget about your desires and focus on what God desires.

In this Psalm the Psalmist tells you three ways to do that and we have talked about two of them:

Want God - "trust in the Lord and do good"

Worship God - "delight yourself in the Lord"

Today you will learn the third thing God desires - Walk with God - "commit your your way to the Lord"

In the Hebrew the word for "commit" is literally translated "roll". "Roll your way on the Lord" or in other words, "roll with the Lord". Since we don't roll, walking with the Lord is a good translation.

When God first created Adam, they walked together in the paradise of Eden. That fulfilled God's desire and made Adam happy, too.

It stands to reason that if God desired to love Adam and to be loved by Him, and if God created you with a need to love God and to be loved by Him, then wanting Him and worshiping Him and walking with Him should satisfy you both!

When God IS your chief desire, His desire is met and so is yours!

April 30, 2010

"Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:" Psalm 37:3-5

Everyone wants to know how to get God to give them the desires of their heart. Delight in the LORD seems easy enough! So, how does one delight in the LORD? There have been many fanciful interpretations of what it means to delight yourself in the LORD, but only one revelation of what this means is found in the Scriptures.

"Delight" here in Psalm 37:4 is the Hebrew word "oneg", which means "to treat as a delicacy." There are very few places in the Scriptures were the word "oneg" is used. Yet, because it is a rarity, it will help us solve a mystery. There is one place, and only one, where it tells us exactly how to delight in the LORD, even using the word "oneg".

This word used in the combination and context as it is here has the connotation of worship, which brings us to our second idea of how to desire God. We should WANT Him more that we want anything else on the planet. In the words of the Psalmist, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"

A second way He tells us we should desire Him is through WORSHIP. What does that mean?

Our word "worship" comes from to old English words "worth - ship" and literally means "giving worth" to God. What gives worth to God? Your devotion and desire! So, if you want to keep your desire above temptation make God the object of your chief desire. Honor Him with your emotion and your will.

Worship is so much more than what you often think. When you think about worship you may think about several songs an offering and a sermon. If worship is only a one hour per week deal with you, you will not give God the worth He desires - and deserves. Worship is a 24/7 and a 365 proposition. Worship is absolute devotion to God. As the Apostle Paul, one of the most devoted Christ-followers of all time, wrote: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."

If you want to strengthen yourself against temptation aim your desire - your wants and your will - at God. In other words, worship Him. Not just for an hour on Sunday, but live a life-style of worship. Live in His Word daily, that's worship. Walk in His ways daily, that's worship. Love your spouse and your children, that's worship. Give eight hours work for eight hours wages, that's worship. Whatever you do you do it as unto the Lord - that's worship. That is what He desires and therefore, what you must desire.

This is what the Psalmist meant when he said, "Delight yourself in the Lord". Will you take delight in Him today? Will you aim your want and your will at Him? How will you do that today?