Worshiping in Suffering

The other day I was in a worship service and what should have been an awesome time with God turned into a miserable time of me complaining to God. We were packed in this room, our chairs were super close and my legs and hips were just killing me. Instead of enjoying my time with the Lord, I couldn't wait for it to be over. When it was over, I was feeling empty, feeling like I really missed out on something great.

The next day was another time of worship and I had situated myself to be more comfortable. I was really enjoying the moment and I heard God say "so you can worship me now that your comfortable, but you couldn't worship me when you were suffering?" ... OUCH. He was so right. In my minor suffering I was so consumed with me and what I was feeling, what I was going through that I didn't worship God.

Shortly after that 2 Corinthians 23-27 was read:

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked

Now I don't mean to take Paul's words out of context or away from the point he was trying to make in the text. But what I saw in my head as I listened to this list of things that Paul suffered...was a picture of Paul praising and thanking God constantly through it all. Giving God glory no matter his circumstance.

I am so thankful for this lesson that the Lord so gracious shared with me. I'm thankful that He pointed out to me how no matter the circumstance I need to focus on Him. Brothers, we will face many trials, we will have to deal with suffering...some of us are going through a season of it now. I encourage you to be steadfast in the Lord, focus on Him and worship continually through it all. Don't waste your suffering, use it to come closer to the Lord.

Lists

I'm a person who likes lists. Give me a list of things to do, or a list of groceries needed and I'll work that list and get things done. When that list is done, give me a new list. I find control in a list well defined, self worth in a list well followed, accomplishment in a list completed. I like to compare my list to others list...how far are they compared to me, are they ahead of me, behind me...have they even started yet?

My favorite verses and books of the Bible are those that seemingly give me a list. Those defining what I should do and what I shouldn't do. I've made lists from verses in Titus: blameless, not overbearing, not quick tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, hospitable, loves what is good, self controlled, upright, holy, etc...

Having a list puts me in control. The problem with that is that Jesus has something else in mind. Jesus isn't interested in my list of things I am doing or not doing. Jesus is interested in my HEART. When I give him my heart, I mean truly give my heart to Jesus, HE does the work. He changes my heart...which alters and sets my behavior.


Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...

Colossians 3:10 - ...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Titus 3:5 - ...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Today I encourage you to give your heart fully committed to Jesus, give up your religious lists, and let HIM do the work in you. When we do...we truly find freedom and that is truly the good news.

Being Prepared

One of my favorite verses, a verse I've clung to the last couple years is 2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction."

Where I'm being challenged by the Lord today is what does "prepared" really mean? For me, being prepared meant that I was spending time reading the Bible, spending time praying and writing in my journal, attending church, reading books by other Godly men, listening to sermons on podcast, learning from every stream I could find to learn from. All good things to do.

The last couple months, I've slacked in the things I was doing that would match my idea of "prepared". I still did everything, but just not as much, sometimes going a few days without having my normal routine.

What's interesting, as I look back at the last couple months, I'm finding that through this time...God still used me. I also realized that even though I wasn't doing some things as much, I was still praying, and in some cases praying more than I had before. I realized that by reducing the "noise" of everything I was doing to be "prepared", that I was able to hear from Him more clearly and often. 

For me, today, what it means to be "prepared" has changed. Being "prepared" is about my heart not about what I can learn and cram into my head. Being prepared is being in submission to the Lord, hearing and doing what He is asking me to do.

Are you prepared? What does "being prepared" mean to you?

Hold onto hope...

Hebrews 10:23-24 - Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

No matter your situation, no matter the struggles you are going through...HOLD onto HOPE! Our Lord is faithful and trustworthy, He loves you and wants the best for you. Focus on Him and his promises.

Proverbs 11:25 - A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

There is power is helping others. When I focus on spurring on others, when I focus on refreshing others my problems diminish and my hope is strengthened.