Fix It, God!

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

 

Teaching my four-year old grandson to tie his shoes was quite a challenge. He struggled for several minutes but eventually was able to get “one rabbit in the hole” before his attention turned to “Max and Ruby” on television and the lesson ended. But it brought back memories of another shoe tying experience as school nurse many years ago.

 

            I was in my office when a mom of one of our first graders came in, obviously frustrated. She looked at me and demanded “Nurse Nancy, I have a problem and YOU need to fix it now.” Notice that she was the one with the problem but I was the one she had decided needed to fix it. So I said “Well, Mrs. Smith, what’s the problem?” And she said “It’s my daughter Megan. She refuses to learn to tie her shoes.”

 

When I asked what she had done to help her daughter so far, she replied “Well, I show her how to do it but she screams and refuses to even try. She throws her shoes at me and crosses her arms and yells at me to get out.” I couldn’t resist asking: “And what do you do then?” She seemed surprised at my question. “I get out, of course!” she replied.

 

To me the problem could be fixed within about 10 minutes, I told her. She was very excited and said “How? Tell me how!”  (Can I mention that it was the middle of January and we were having some pretty nasty weather?) I continued “I would put Megan’s shoes on the front porch and put Megan on the front porch. Then I would tell her she can come in when she ties her shoes as I shut and locked the door.” 

 

Honestly, does that not make sense to you? Made sense to me. But Mrs. Smith obviously didn’t think so because she began yelling “I can’t believe you would ever suggest anything like that! YOU don’t have a heart!” I thought to myself: “And YOU don’t have a brain.” (Yes, it was a thought for which I later repented.)

 

How many times am I faced with a tough situation and immediately pray “Fix it, God!” without seeking His will from His Word? And then, when I finally do seek His will and He answers me, I don’t like what He speaks to my heart. Maybe He whispers “You can do it, Nancy” or “Wait, Nancy” or “Keep on doing what you are doing and be patient, Nancy” but that’s not what I want to hear. Too often, I know what God wants me to do . . . I just don’t want to do it.

 

Instead, I want HIM to instantly get rid of the trial by either removing or solving the situation or changing the person that I have a conflict with or . . . you get the picture?

We must learn to seek His face first, in any and all situations. And when we do that, we have to be willing to listen to His answer . . . and to obey. Oh the lessons I have learned when trials have come and I have focused on the Lord and listened to His voice.

 

Resist the urge to cry “Fix it!” to God and instead trust Him to guide in His Word through whatever situation you may be facing . . . including shoes that refuse to be tied!

 

Father, so many times I ask you to fix a situation or problem in my life instead of seeking your will or direction. Please guide and direct me through each trial so that I may grow and mature as a follower of Christ. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• What is your immediate reaction when faced with a trial?

 

• Do you want it “fixed” instantly or do you ask God to show you His will?

 

Apply

• When a trial confronts you, meet it head on with a short prayer of “Your will, your way, Father.”

 

• Journal a list of all the previous trials you have had and how God answered your prayers each time. Then praise Him for His faithfulness.

 

Power

• James 1:2-4 (NIV) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

• Psalm 55:22 (NIV) “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

 

• Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

Reality Check - Who's In Control?

 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

 

 “He’s going to college, Lord – COLLEGE!!! What if he meets the wrong people? What if he doesn’t study and loses his scholarship? What if someone hits him over the head and takes his money? What if he doesn’t match the right shirt with the right pair of jeans? What if? What if? What if? Calm and reason gave way to unreasonable in a matter of seconds. Ever been there?

 

Well, I was. Our oldest child was heading to a college only about 40 miles away. To me it might as well have been across the country, the sea, and on a completely different continent. I realized that I was worrying and fearful, but isn’t that on a mother’s job application? “Must be able to worry and be fearful on demand.”

 

However, something happened. The worry and fear that I entertained with a cup of tea and two cookies became a never-ending 8-course meal. Those two sins (and they ARE sins) kept popping up in my mind. I had allowed common sense and sanity to become an obsession with my son leaving when the Lord decided He had had enough.

 

One evening I was praying about the move away from home when the Lord spoke quietly but firmly to my heart: “Nancy, I’ve checked and the college he is going to is within my territory. It’s on my beat. It’s on my shift. I do not need a map. I KNOW where it is, Nancy. And I love him.” Talk about a reality check!

 

It was easy for me to trust the Lord with my son’s life when he was right in front of me and living in my house. But the minute I saw that he was going to be out of my control, I lost control and became a maniac. Every Scripture that I had memorized about a Father who is in control, knows all things and protects us was replaced with doubt and a franticness that threatened to consume me.

 

What had happened? I had allowed Satan to creep in and steal my confidence in my Father. Instead of praising the Lord for my son and asking Him to guide and direct as he moved in a new direction in his life, I focused on the situation and not on the Source of strength and power.

 

Instead of realizing that no matter where my son was, my Father was in complete control, I had somehow thought that I was the one in control and that my son’s success or failure in life would solely depend on his living under my roof where I could keep an eye on every move and every decision. So what did I do?

 

I got on my knees and asked my Father to forgive me for not trusting His plan and protection for my son’s life. My heart cried out “He is yours, Father. You have entrusted him to me for this time on earth and I trust you to do your will in his life.”

 

Would you believe that my son did just fine at college? He did. Would you believe that the Lord watched over him and directed his path? In every way, yes. And would you believe that Satan still tried to sneak into my thoughts and convince me that, without me at the controls of his life, my son was destined for one horrible problem after another?

 

Oh, yes, he tried. But each time Satan whispered his lies, I focused on a Father who says in Isaiah 43:1” . . . Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (NIV) He knows my son’s name and He knows your name, too.

 

God has created us, His children, and wants to take care of us and to direct our lives every day. Hand every situation in your life to the One who is in control of heaven and earth, sky and sea, and yes, of your life and mine. The Creator does not need directions to your home. He simply needs permission to enter your heart and take control.

 

Father, you are in control and I am not. Nothing happens in my life that does not first pass through your hands. I trust you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• What is your first reaction when you feel you are not in control of a situation? Is it worry or prayer?

 

• Do you have a prayer warrior who will hold you accountable when you begin to worry over problems instead of placing them at the feet of Jesus?

 

Apply

• Every morning, pause for two minutes and give the Lord your day Ask Him to help you trust Him with everything you will face and praise Him for His answers.

 

• Write down Scriptures on index cards that encourage you to trust the Lord and tape them around your home. As you memorize them, make new cards and repeat.

 

Power

• Psalm 27:1 (NIV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

 

• Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV)

 

• I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (NIV)

 

Know Your Opponent

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

I Peter 5:8 (NIV)

 

The football game was the most important one being played that season. If our team won, they would advance to the state championship. If they lost, their season was done and they would go home. Both teams were strong and talented and rivals for years. And both wanted to win badly. The game went back and forth with outstanding plays and scoring.

 

But, ever so slightly, a difference in the defense of our team began to shine until it became obvious to everyone who was watching: one of our players seemed to be able to anticipate almost every play the opposing quarterback was making and was able to tackle time and time again for a loss of yards for the opposing team. It made the difference in the game and our team won.

 

In the post-game interview, the coach explained what had happened. “I think their coach thought I was reading his plays but I wasn’t. I had one young man who spent every evening last week going over the film of this team. Josh studied their quarterback and began to recognize a pattern. The quarterback had a habit of tilting his head or stepping a certain way if he was going to throw a pass or run the ball. Josh recognized that because he had taken the time to dig deep in those films to learn how the other team operated. And it paid off because he was prepared by knowing the opponent.”

 

It always pays to know your opponent, or as it says in I Peter 5:8, your “enemy.” And our opponent – our enemy – in this world is Satan. We are in the battle OF our lives FOR our lives. Just as football requires a lot of gear to be worn for protection, we Christians must wear protection in our battle with Satan. However if you notice in Ephesians 6:13-17, along with all the gear we need to wear, our one weapon is the sword of the spirit: the Word of God. But it’s all we need!

 

Josh could have thought about the game all week and hoped it would turn out okay; instead he was disciplined enough to prepare himself off the field so he could battle the other team on the field. As Christians, we too must be disciplined (self-controlled) and learn how the enemy can attack so we can do battle spiritually.

 

And the one place we will learn about the evil Satan has planned for us and how to do battle is by being in the Word. God’s Word. Truth. Every day. By learning to recognize Satan’s possible attacks, we will be like Josh and the football game – alert to every move of the opponent and prepared for battle and victory.

 

Father, thank you for giving us your Word as a weapon against Satan. I want to dig into it every day so I will recognize the moves of the enemy. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

 

Reflect

• What spiritual opponents are you facing in your life?
• Do you feel like you are prepared for battle? Why or why not?

 

Apply

• Journal for a week how much time you spend in the Bible and a time of prayer with the Lord, gaining strength from God’s Word and encouragement to you.

 

• Compare that to the victories over sin and Satan that you had during the same week. Determine whether you need to increase your Word time to increase your victory outcome.

 

Power

• I Peter 5:8 (NIV) “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

 

• Ephesians 6:17 (NIV) “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

 

• Romans 12:21 (NIV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

  

Leaving home for Home

 

 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14: 1-3 (NIV)

 

It had been a year to the day since my sister had passed away from cancer. I sat in my usual church pew - south side, four rows from the back –trying to focus on the picture over the baptistery of the cross and Jesus with His arms outstretched.

 

 My heart ached for her loss – not just for me as her sister but for her husband, daughters and grandchildren. I could not contain the tears threatening to break through or the knot that began to swell in my throat as it had so many times those past several months after saying goodbye to Mary.

 

“Help me with this heartache, Lord.” I silently begged. “I miss her so much!”  And as He often does when His children call His name, the Lord whispered to my heart this wonderful thought:

 

"On this day a year ago, you were preparing for Mary to die. But I was preparing for her to live! You were sadly expecting her to leave the earth but I was eagerly waiting for her to arrive in heaven."  I could just imagine our Father shouting "Get ready! My child Mary, my precious servant, is coming soon! Be prepared for her arrival!" as angels hurried to have her mansion ready.

 

We see the death of loved ones as a loss and it certainly is – for us. We mourn the fact that we will not talk to them again here on earth . . . we miss smiles and laughter and hugs and their very presence with us.

 

But our Father views the death of His children as something entirely different. He welcomes them Home. He ushers them into His presence. He puts His arms around them and showers them with love and compassion. I have no doubt that as my sister stepped into His presence, Our Father declared for all to hear: “Well done Mary, my good and faithful servant! Welcome Home!”

 

Amy Grant sang it very well: “In a little while we’ll be with the Father. Can’t you see Him smile! In a little while we’ll be Home forever . . . in a while. We’re just here to learn to love Him. We’ll be Home . . . in just a little while.”

 

Father, thank you for loving us for an eternity…for wanting us to live with you…for not only building our heavenly Home with your hands but for celebrating as you bring us into your kingdom! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Do you ever get caught up in the everyday craziness of life here on earth?

 

• Does that cause you to think more or less about our eternal Home?

 

 

Apply

• Thank the Lord each morning for your temporary home away from Home.

 

• As you give thanks, ask God to place people in your path who need to know about your eternal Home.

 

Power

• John 14: 1-3 (NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

 

• I Corinthians 15:55 (NIV) “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

 

• I Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV) “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

The Silence

“When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” 

Revelation 8:1 (NIV)

 

The discouragement on my friend’s face was visible the minute she stepped out of her car and walked up to meet me on the porch. She had called earlier and asked if she could come by.

 

“What’s going on?” I asked her as I gave her a hug and invited her into the living room. She shook her head. “I just need to talk. I am so frustrated right now, all I want to do is cry” she continued and then shared a situation that, in spite of her prayers for several years, only seemed to have become worse and not better.

 

“I’m beginning to think that, no matter how much I pray, it’s not going to change a thing. It’s almost like whatever is going to happen will happen, prayer or not,” she confessed through tears of discouragement.

 

Have you ever felt that way? Uh huh. Me, too. But Revelation 8:1 gives us a totally different picture about how much prayer means to God. In Chapter 8 of Revelation, John is describing what he is seeing in heaven after the seals have been broken on the scrolls that tell about human sin, violence and God’s judgment. And then he shares in verse 1 that “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”

 

Silence in heaven? We know there is praising and singing and activity without end and yet John says heaven was completely quiet for 30 minutes. Why? What happened? If you continue reading verses 1 through 5, you will find that the reason it is totally silent is that someone is praying and all of heaven has stopped so the prayers of the righteous can be lifted up before God.

 

I know we get caught up in looking at everything happening around us and wonder “Do my prayers really matter? Do they matter to God? Does He even hear me?”

          They matter. And in Revelation they matter enough to God that He stops everything going on in heaven for 30 minutes so prayers can be lifted before Him. Our prayers are heard. And they are answered.

 

So don’t stop praying! Don’t stop going before the Lord with your concerns and problems and please don’t stop lifting up your unsaved loved ones to Him. Your requests are important enough to the Almighty Creator that He commands silence in heaven just for you.

 

Father, thank you for listening to our prayers because the requests and praises of your children are important to you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

                                                                 R.A.P. it up . . .

 

 

Reflect

• Have you ever felt like your prayers weren’t really being heard by God?

 

• When that happened, did you keep praying or decide it didn’t really matter?

 

 

Apply

• Make a daily time – if even just for a few minutes – when you are silent before the Lord.

 

• Then lift your prayers and praises to Him, knowing that He commands silence because of the importance of your prayers to Him.

 

Power

• Revelation 8:1 (NIV) “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”

 

• Psalm 145:18-19 (NIV) “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”

 

• Proverbs 15:29 (NIV) “The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”