Phenomenon

Have you ever seen so many strange phenomena in the sky as there are right now? I could have posted 100 photos like these—all taken from Facebook and from all over the world. Most of these are screenshots from

videos. Many are natural phenomenon like the red sprites…but the fact that they’re appearing so often and all over the world makes it newsworthy. I’m taking notice. Why? Because God said signs and wonders would appear in the skies in the last days. 

Keep looking up! You’ll see more and more strange phenomenon. And soon?  Jesus!

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” 

Luke 21:25-28

A Heart that Says “Yes” to God

Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. The angel, Gabriel, came to Mary and told her God’s plan…but gave Mary the choice of whether to step into this significant role. I know God doesn’t tell us everything about the future, but I believe somehow Mary understood the cost of this decision. And her acceptance of the plan almost cost her marriage to Joseph—until an angel shared the truth with him. It certainly cost her reputation.  Can’t you imagine the wagging tongues in Nazareth? 

Mary endured a lot of pain as the mother of God’s Son:

•Gossip about her pregnancy

•Disbelief of Joseph

•Conflict between her children (the perfect son vs. the not-so-perfect children

•The persecution of Jesus’ ministry and disbelief by many—including spiritual leaders

•Watching her son’s torture and crucifixion

But God also sent her a lot of encouragement:

•The encouragement of Elizabeth

•The shepherds hearing the angels proclaim Jesus’ birth

•Simeon declaring the arrival of the Messiah

•Anna declaring the arrival of redemption

•God speaking to Joseph in dreams

•The wise men worshiping Jesus

•Being a part of the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry

•The miracles

Mary was a normal human being. I think we see this in Mark 3. Jesus’ brothers and Mary came to where Jesus was. They (at least the brothers) had decided Jesus was out of his mind! As a mom, have you ever been caught in the middle of your children’s conflict? Our normal response is to “fix it!” I think Mary had come for that very reason. When Jesus was told his mother and brothers were outside, he said, “Who are my mother and my brothers? It’s those who hear the word of God and do it!” In that moment, He was saying everyone has a choice to say “yes” and follow him—even His mother and brothers. We know Mary chose to follow Him—she was a part of His ministry. But it wasn’t until after His resurrection that his brothers saw the truth and followed Jesus!

Mary was just like you and me. She was a sinner in need of a savior. The difference is that she was miraculously pregnant and gave birth to her redeemer. I like what Jack Hayford says, “Mary’s miracle is intended to be ours. We can all be pregnant with the promise of God.”

Have you said “Yes” to following Jesus? What promise has God given you? Did you know that every promise of God is filled with its own inherent power to explode into our circumstances? It is! God wants to take you on the journey of a lifetime—it may be full of highs and lows like Mary’s. But I think, at the end, your heart will be full of thanksgiving for how the hard things made you grow—and full of wonder and praise over each fulfilled promise of God. 

Anxious

Every time we pack a bag, Bear gets anxious. His big questions is, “Will I get to go??” And then when I begin packing his things, he gets so excited! The morning of the big trip, he watches to see if I fill his water bottle. When I do, he begins running in circles and then from one end of the house to the other, looking for a way of escape to make sure he gets in the car! He doesn’t begin to settle down until he’s about 30 minutes into the trip and has had a drink from his water bottle.  His anxiety spikes again as he begins to figure out where we’re going.  Call me crazy—but he knows! At least he knows if it’s Tulsa, Dallas, or Red River where three of our kids live. He recognizes their neighborhoods and begins yelping—wanting out of the car!!

Yesterday, as I watched his anxiety all over again, I began to see myself. I get anxious when God has me at a full-on stop! Has He forgotten me? Am I going to get to go into the world and affect His kingdom? Why am I still at home? And when I see movement, I wonder, “Is this it? Am I going to get to go? Can I share the love and good news of Jesus with the world? Or is everyone else going—and I’m left home again? As God picks up MY things and begins preparing them, I’m about to off rhe charts with excitement!  It’s for me! It’s for ME!!! 

Sometimes the better part of our walk with Christ is being still. But oh, how I chafe at being still. I should be content with spending intimate time with God. But I’m a doer—I love the action. And I don’t want to be left out on what God is DOING!!! I know each season is important. You’d think I’d have it down by now—but I don’t.  

I’m just like Bear—anxious to not be left behind!!

Choose Life!

This week, my sister sent a verse to me. We’d never caught one part of this verse: 

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live!“ Deuteronomy 30:19

Your choices never just affect you—any choice! There’s always a ripple effect. It will touch the lives of your family, your friends, your church—and on and on.  But the choice of what you do with God is the most serious choice. This chapter says that if you choose to love God and obey His commandments you will have life and blessing. If you choose to serve yourself or any other idol, you will experience death (forever) and cursing.  

The point I’d missed is that when you choose life…you’re choosing life for your children also. I know you’ve seen it. You’ve seen a family who just seems to be full of life! They’re not perfect—but they just stand out. And then you’ve seen those families and you worry about the physical and emotional safety of the children. The first set of parents chose life. The second chose death—and they’re passing it on to their kids. Every single person (including your children) have a choice. But how much easier is it for them

To choose God when they’ve had your example of choosing God?  

Know the stakes when you choose. You’re choosing God—or Satan. You’re choosing life—or death. You’re choosing blessing—or cursing. And your choices will be passed to your descendants. Your choices have an eternal consequence.  

Love Your Brother

Can you imagine a man killing his brother just because his own heart is evil and his brothers’ is righteous? That’s the only reason Cain murdered Abel. And that murderous spirit seems to be growing. In fact, God tells us not to be surprised when the world hates us. 

God tells us over and over in I John that it becomes manifestly clear who His sons are—those who live righteous lives and those who love their brother. 

There are several things John tells us about someone who loves his brother:

•He practices righteousness.  

•He has passed from death to life. 

•He loves others because God loves him. 

•He’s willing to lay down his life for his brother. 

•He meets the needs of his brother with compassion. 

•He loves in deed and in truth.  

•God’s love abides in him and has been perfected in him.  

Conversely, if we say we love God and don’t love our brother, God says we’re a liar. He also says we’re living in death and have a murderous spirit—and no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 

God finishes up by commanding us to love our brother. We’re COMMANDED to love our brother! Why? Loving our brother through thick and thin is evidence of a changed life. Sometimes it takes humility and grace to love our brother. Sometimes it takes tolerance and overlooking his faults. (We can’t change him…but we can love him). Sometimes, it’s just obedience because God commanded us to love him. And…how can we love the world if we don’t even love our brother?

Don’t let Satan fill your mind with murderous thoughts about your brother. Satan is, after all, the Accuser of the Brethren. Pursue your brother with love. Ask God what would say “love” to your brother. And then do it! Don’t just tell your brother you love him and then walk away feeling good about yourself. God says to love him “in deed and in truth.” Work at it. Labor over it. DO something to show your love. And do it in truth. Do it without pretense. Mean it…from the heart.  

Love. Your. Brother. 

Prowling Lion

Prowling Lion

There are some things we can learn from the physical world and apply in the spiritual world. When you face a prowling lion, here are things you should do:

•Do not run: Running triggers a lion’s predatory instinct to chase and attack. 

•Maintain eye contact: This shows the lion you are aware of its presence and are not a typical prey animal. 

•Make noise: Shout loudly, clap your hands, or wave your arms to appear threatening. 

•Back away slowly: If possible, back away slowly while maintaining eye contact. 

•Appear big: Stand upright, raise your arms, puff out your chest to appear larger than you are. 

•If it charges: Stand your ground, and try to intimidate it with loud noises and aggressive behavior. 

If Satan prowls, don’t run!!!  Stand firm. Humble yourself before God—but resist the devil. Make loud noises in prayer. Cry out to God! Make yourself BIG! You have authority over this enemy. Look him in the eye and stare him down. And stand firm again. 

This lion is on the loose and trying to intimidate, bully, control, manipulate, attack, steal your name and integrity, kill your church, and destroy your marriage. We CAN’T run from him!!!  If we do, he attacks and wins. We have to face him, look him in the eye, and defeat him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We can and should declare the Word of God and pray. We must stand in faith. 

God tells us over and over to “Stand firm.” So…let’s STAND FIRM!!

The Darling of Heaven

Have you ever paid attention to these words in “Worthy is the Lamb?” 

High and lifted up

Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

As we sang this song this past Sunday, it hit me! The Darling of Heaven was crucified. Jesus. The favored Son. The Beloved Son. All of heaven knew how loved He was, and yet…they don’t hate us! He died because of US and our sin. The angels in heaven knew His assignment was to restore US to the Father! You would think if the favored child had to die for us, the angels of heaven would hate us. You’d think the Father would be grieved. Instead…we’re loved. Wer’e blessed. We’re accepted. We’re favored. We’re CHOSEN! All of heaven watched the Darling of Heaven as He was crucified. They knew it was the Father’s will. And then as Jesus rose from the grave, they CHEERED! They knew God’s plan and path for us to come to heaven was complete. How can we not choose the Darling of Heaven?