time to listen

A few years ago there was a popular Christian song with a verse that started, "In the secret, in the quiet place."  It was about getting alone with God to know Him and to hear his voice. 

Elijah had to get in a place of quiet and stillness to hear from God. He had ran fearing for his life. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel threatened his life. He was frustrated, fearful, overwhelmed, and wanted to give up. He sat down and told God to just let him die.

After the earthquake, [there was] a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, [there was] the sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard the sound , he wrapped his face in his mantle (cloak) and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

1 Kings 19:12‭-‬13 AMP

Elijah recognized the voice of God in that gentle quiet moment. Elijah poured out his fear and frustration to God. He told God he felt alone and forsaken. God listened and then responded with instruction to go. Elijah still had work to do. God still had plans for Elijah. He was to anoint Kings and the prophet to take his place as spiritual leader, Elisha.  God also told him there were still seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal. He was not alone. He was encouraged.  God was right there in the stillness and in the turmoil. God was still leading and had direction for him. God sustained him, fed him, and gave him time to rest. He also strengthened him to keep going and to stand firm. God prepared him.

In 1 Samuel chapter 2 and 3, Samuel had been given to God at the young age of five. I cannot imagine how a small boy must have felt being left at the temple to serve.  I am sure Hannah explained it to him and comforted her little child as she promised to return yearly to see him. I wonder if he cried when she left. He probably wanted to make her proud, and did his best to help Eli. He knew his mother had given him to God.  Samuel was just a small boy when God first spoke to him. In the quiet of night, Samuel heard the voice of God calling him. At first he thought it was Eli. But when Eli discerned that God was calling the boy, he directed him to listen. Samuel replied,  "Speak, for your servant is listening." He learned to hear the voice of God in the quietness and stillness. God directed him, he learned his purpose. God prepared him.

During all the chaos of the last few months, several people have talked about realizing that their time had been so full, that important things had been left out. We were asked to stay home, and not go out. In this time, we have rediscovered the value of family and the value of our time. No longer hurrying and scurrying from work to business and place to place, we have maybe realized how much time we have wasted and given up for less valuable things.  One of the most important has been spiritually, we have realized we need time with God.

I know that God can take bad situations and still turn them into a testimony. He took Elijah's hardest time and turned it for his good. He took a small boy who was learning to serve, and gave him purpose. He is doing the same now. He allowed Elijah to end up hiding in a cave to get him to a place where he could hear and listen. He gave him to rest and time to commune with God; a time of intimacy.  He called Samuel in the quiet of night. I feel like this has been a similar time. God has taken a tough situation and has placed his people in a situation where they can have stillness and quiet. A time where they can hear and listen. He gave us an opportunity for intimacy with Him. God wants to prepare us.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 KJV

Have we taken full advantage of this time of quiet and really listened for the voice of God? As we begin to return to our church buildings, our places of work, and eventually back into the fray of living in this world, we need to realize, that God gave us time to be rested and refreshed, a time to listen and hear His voice, and a time to receive instruction.  Samuel and Elijah both received instruction and direction. There was purpose behind the quiet. There was strengthening and hope given for the future. Have we become prepared to face what is next?

We are going forward into a new phase of life, life after quarantine and COVID19.  We are going  to need that spiritual strength, purpose and hope that God has offered in this quiet time.  He knows what tomorrow brings and he does not offer us these gifts of refreshing and strength without a purpose.  I do not know what will happen over the next few months or years. I do know that God has given time to be restored and strengthened. We have had opportunity for intimacy with him. I pray I have taken full advantage so when I step out into the storm, I am strong enough to endure the fight, to stand strong in faith, to speak the Word of God. I want to know I have heard His voice speaking purpose and leading for me to move forward in His Kingdom work. I want to be prepared.  If you haven't taken time to listen for His voice, I encourage you to find a place of quiet, begin to pray, tell God what is on your heart, then listen. 

Be still and know I am God. 

Psalms 46:10 

forgiveness in the hurt

I have attended church my whole life. I go because I love God and I desire to honor Him with worship and obedience. I try to follow what I believe is instructed in His Word. In Hebrews 10:25 it says: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. We are part of the body of Christ and every part is important. (1Corinthians 12)  As the body we are connected and need one another. We are to love and protect one another. We are to lift up and encourage each other. It is very important for our spiritual growth and connection to be part of a community of believers.

We are part of the body, yet we are still human.  That human part can cause trouble for those in a particular assembly and for the body of Christ in general. I hesitate to go forward with this but God has been dealing with my heart on this subject. I have seen this happen many times and have experienced it several times myself. What is it? It is church hurt.  What do I mean? It is getting hurt by another member or even leadership in church. How does this happen? Well, it comes down to being human. We, as human beings, are not perfect, even in church. We can allow personal opinion, personal interpretation and pride to enter our hearts and our words and actions reflect this. We may lash out, we may speak hurtful words to others or about others, or we may even just misunderstand a situation.  There can be hurts that are caused intentionally and those that are unintentional. We are not being wise, nor obedient to God's Word when these matters happen or are left unattended. 

Those that intentionally are hurtful through words or actions are most definitely not obeying the commands of God.  Scripture tells us to love one another and be joined together in unity. We are to speak kindly to one another, not gossip, and avoid divisive spirits. If we are purposely hurting a brother or sister, we are allowing sin and participating in sin. This ought not be so. We are instructed to repent of sinfulness. We are to go to another in meekness and in a righteous way when we need to discuss a matter. Our words and deeds toward one another should reflect Christ in us. If we have failed in this respect, we need to make it right with those we have hurt and with God.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:35 KJV

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV

Now, we also have experienced unintentional hurt or misunderstandings. I know I have. We may have overheard a bit of conversation or allowed our own past or self conciousness to persist in telling us that someone said or did something. We may interpret incorrectly. We may be in the situation where someone assumes we said or did something. Misunderstandings lead to hurt.  We must be aware and prayerful when we realize this may be happening. We may need to ask a question or pray over a troubled feeling. We must be willing to forgive and also realize that Satan takes great pride in creating a problem when there isn't one. He can take a little thing and pour thoughts into our mind to distract and create a hurt because we listen to those whispers that say 'you aren't good enough,' or 'they don't really like you, you don't  fit in.'  These are the lies he likes to tell us. We should always be aware of these tactics of the enemy. He sows discord and hurt. 

If you have been hurt, intentionally or unintentionally, we also have a responsibilty. We are still responsible for our response to that hurt. The Word of God speaks to the hurting and broken. But most of all, we are instructed to forgive.  We are to forgive as Jesus has forgiven us. We are to be angry and sin not. He knows what it is like to be hurt, rejected, and betrayed. He experienced all of this himself. Yet, he forgives every single one of us. If we are to be Christlike, we are to forgive.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32 KJV

It sounds simple to say we forgive, but it is one of the hardest actions we take.  Forgiveness is a choice we must make and keep taking that action until the heart follows. Forgiveness takes a lot of prayer and more prayer.  I speak this from experience. We want to react out of anger and hurt. We want to punish, or walk away. But forgiveness means we not only say, 'I forgive,' but our hearts love and want good for that person as well.  

I read about Corrie Ten Boom. She endured great suffering and loss in the concentration camps of the Nazis. She survived and upon speaking to a group in Germany, she recognized a Nazi guard approaching her. That man asked for her forgiveness. She said that she knew she had to forgive, but in her heart she wanted to hate him and not do it. She prayed in that moment and asked God to help her to just take his extended hand. She knew she needed to at least take that action. In doing so, God not only helped her take his hand, her heart was flooded with love and forgiveness for the guard. She ended up embracing him with tears saying "I forgive you with all my heart!" She meant it.  This man had hurt her and her sister had died at his hand. Yet she was able to forgive. This story has always spoken to me of the mighty grace and mercy of God, not only for the guard, but for Corrie as well. They both were in desperate need of forgiveness. Forgiveness not only heals the forgiven, it heals the heart of the forgiver. We cannot remain unforgiving, for bitterness will be planted and grow. Bitterness will slowly choke and destroy a soul. 

If you have been hurt, you must find a way to forgive. Pray and reach out with forgiveness. The healing will come as you act on that forgiveness. 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:1‭-‬2 KJV

If you know someone who has been church hurt, we need to pray for them and reach out to them in love. We should restore them in love and care. We must be careful and considerate of these souls that need love and faith restored.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:17‭-‬18 KJV

Hurt happens in this life and in a church. We make mistakes. We also have Christ who is working on our hearts and drawing us closer. We are to love one another enough to be careful of one another as well as to forgive one another. We are to be an example to the world of the love of God by how we treat each other in the good moments and especially in the difficult moments. May we extend grace and mercy. May we always assume the best of others and give the benefit of the doubt.  May the love of Christ flow through us to one another.   May forgiveness become our first response to others. 

finding contentment

We are in the middle of uncertain times. I have never liked uncertainty. I am a long range planner.  I keep a calendar  and mark it well in advance. My kids know that I do not like it when they tell me they need to be somewhere or do something that was not on my calendar. It better have been planned for in advance!   I guess it is my way of feeling control and keeping down worry and stress.  But..... Here we are, in the middle of COVID19. Not one thing on my calendar or schedule is happening the way it was planned!  This has not made me happy, nor comfortable.  I like plans and certainty.  This is not it!  

I have had to let go of a lot of things and take one day at a time.  Do what can I do just for today. I have had to make tentative plans with contingency plans.  I do try to be flexible, but I find it a stress at times.  Why is this important? Well, I think God is trying to teach me just a little more , or maybe a lot, about how much more trust I need to place in Him. As I was praying and maybe even complaining a little, God reminded me of the the following scripture.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Philippians 4:11 NKJV

Ok, So I was not content in this state.   I was most definitely not content.  God reminded me that the contentment he has for me, comes by trusting Him in the middle of trials, in the good times, and in uncertain times. I do not really have any ability to control any of it anyway. He is really the One in control. He is all knowing and all powerful. He knows what the future holds. I do not have and cannot claim any of that ability. But I can place all my hope and trust in Him, and know He is handling it all.  

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God].

1 Timothy 6:6 AMP

There is an inner peace that comes with knowing God is sufficient and we can rest in knowing Him. It is actually godliness to have this contentment. So with much prayer amd repentamce, I am finding more peace and contentment in the middle of one of the most uncertain times of my life. God is still God. He is in control. He is my Savior and my Peace. He is our Provider and our Protector.  We have no reason to fear and stress when we really trust Him.  My calendar is set to the side for now, and I am content in the state in which I find myself. I cannot fully plan much, but I can count on my faithful God to be right there.  No worry, no fear, just content.  Thank you Lord for reminding me how much I  truly need you and working on me just a little more to make me more of what you intend me to be.