But Wait...There's More!!!

No matter how much or how little we watch television, almost all of us are familiar with the commercials that feature a voice blaring from the television screen telling us about some "amazing TV offer" that we simply do not want to miss.  After the announcer has thoroughly explained why we simply cannot live without their product, just when we think he or she is about to close the deal, we hear the advertising phrase of the century, "But wait....There's more!!!"

God tells us in Philippians 1:6 that "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."  That's good news for all of us--those of us who think we've got it going on so well that we can't get any better, and those of us who are still just trying to get something (anything!) going on in the first place!

This passage reminds us that no matter what stage or season of life we find ourselves in, God is not through with us yet and will not be through until the day of Christ Jesus, that is, the day Jesus returns.

So, even if you've read the bible all the way through several times, wait...there's more!  Since God's Word is alive and operative and sharper than any two-edged sword, we can read the same passage many times, yet get a different or deeper illumination that will allow that Word to speak directly to us in ways we never thought possible.

If you've been pastoring or leading for many years and you feel you've done all you can do, wait...there's more!  After you've done all you can do and you're ready to give up, that's when God can finally have room to do all that He can do, which is exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or imagine--and some of us have incredible imaginations!

If you've finally decided to start attending church regularly, but you still don't see a major change in yourself or your situation, wait...there's more!  Sitting in a church pew does not constitute a relationship with God.  It's a major first step.  Visiting someone in their home is a major step toward spending time with them, but you could be sitting in someone's home everyday and not really relate to them.  Build on your church attendance with daily prayer and scripture reading.  Attend a bible study or Sunday school class.  If we were trying to get to know someone we were attracted to and interested in, some of us would be borderline stalkers, showing up at every place we knew they would be.  It's no different if we are really interested in having a relationship with God.

If you're in the middle of a storm or a difficult time in your life, just wait...there's more!  There's more to the story of your life than the difficult chapter you're currently in.  We have to remember not to place a period where God has placed a comma.  All difficulties are followed by a comma, which means that everything that precedes the comma is only a prelude, not the grand finale.

God is the author and finisher of our faith.  Whatever He begins, He finishes--and finishes well.  Whatever God started in you, don't fight it, let Him finish it.  And, remember, just because we think or want God to be finished with a chapter in our life doesn't mean that it is finished.  So, just when we think things can't get any better or any worse, look for God to step in and say, "But wait....There's More!!!"

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

What's the Problem?

Whenever we visit a doctor or counselor, we often go through the perfunctory greetings and chit chats, but pretty soon the real question emerges, "What's the problem?"  Even when we get a massage, the massage therapist will ask us about any "problem" areas that might need special attention.

We understand that no matter how healthy we eat, how much we exercise, or how much we try to care for ourselves, at some point, we will run into a problem that requires professional assistance.  When we allow Jesus Christ to be Lord of our lives, for some reason, some of us think that all of our problems will automatically disappear.  Our knowledge and application of God's Word in our lives will give us renewed minds and strength to help us to have less problems or perhaps different problems, but in no way are we guaranteed a problem-free life on this side of glory. 

In fact, Jesus said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

A recent devotional reading from The Word for You Today included a quote from Dr. Theodore Rubin that explained, "The problem is not that there are problems, it's expecting otherwise; it's thinking that having problems is the problem!" 

When we measure our Christianity by the wrong standard, we think that saved folk aren't supposed to have or encounter any problems.  We especially think that preachers and pastors are not supposed to have any problems.  But, we forget that God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. 

For example, I had hoped that my idiosyncracies and my impulsive responses to others' idiosyncracies would disappear once I accepted the call to ministry.  Both have greatly improved and are steadily improving, but not gone.  So, I continue to "press toward the mark" as I allow the Holy Spirit to transform me daily for the Kingdom's sake.

Whether the problems we encounter in life are those that we created or those that come our way, we cannot use them as an excuse for not "studying to show ourselves approved" by God who has charged us as followers of Christ to the work of "confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

Also, we can't allow problems to shake our faith in God or in ourselves as Christians, for God challenges us to "...glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience..."(Romans 5:3)  God may not cause problems to occur in our lives, but if He allows them to occur, it must be for the good.

So, the next time we encounter a problem, let's remember that having problems is not the problem.  The issue is our response to problems.  When we allow our problems to draw us closer to God, the author and finisher of our faith, we learn to trust Him through our problems.  When we recognize that God still loves and uses us in spite of our problems we'll stop holding on to our problems and turn them over to God, the only one who can solve them. 

Once we've turned our problems over to God, in a sense, we don't have them anymore, God does.  So... if everytime we look at our problems we see God at work in them...what's the problem?

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Out on a Limb

Have you ever taken time just observe the beauty and wonder of nature?  When we take time to really look intently at creation, God is truly evident all around us.  When we take time to truly listen intently to creation, God speaks to us in subtle ways.

Earlier this week, I was gazing at the beauty of a large tree when I noticed a strong rustling of the leaves way on the top of the tree.  As the branches began bouncing and swaying, I looked and saw a squirrel scurrying around on the outer limbs of the tree.  I had never seen a squirrel that high up or that far out on a tree limb.
The branches of the tree appeared to be solid and strong, but the limbs, however, were quite...limber.  They flexed and bowed with every move of the squirrel.

I wondered why the squirrel would forego the safety of strong, rigid branches and run about on a tightrope of slender, bending limbs.  I got my answer when I saw it scurry to the very end of a limb, spin around and begin chomping gleefully on an acorn.  Gnawing at the acorn with the speed and intensity of a chainsaw, the squirrel appeared completely oblivious or unconcerned about the danger of being perched up so high and out so far.  In fact, it promptly proceeded to run out on another limb, though that time its search was unsuccessful.

Unfazed, the squirrel continuing going out limb after limb until it struck gold.  I don't know much about acorns, but based on the actions of that squirrel, I assume that the acorns still dangling on the limbs were far tastier than the ones that had fallen on the ground.  That squirrel had apparently calculated the cost and decided that in order to get what he loved best, he had to go out on a limb.

God loves us so much that He sent Jesus Christ to go "out on a limb" to reach us.  He calculated the cost and decided to go out on a limb by leaving His throne to walk upon this guilty sod.  He went out on a limb for us when "for the joy that was set before Him [He] endured the cross...." (Hebrews 12:2)

WE are that joy that was set before Him, a joy that could only be redeemed by going out on a limb.  Jesus actually went out out on two limbs, one vertical, representing His descent from Heaven to earth.  The other limb, placed horizontally across the vertical limb, is symbolic of Him stretching His arms wide to give up His life for us and to receive us into His arms. 

Are we willing to follow Jesus' example and go out on a limb for Him?  What about our lesson from "Mr. Squirrel" to stop scrounging for scraps here on the ground and recognize that the greater things in life are high above?

Today, let's move past the fright and into the delight of going out on a limb for the Lord.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Riding Through the Storm

Not long ago, I shared with you how God has helped me to learn the power and joy of "singing in the rain." Well, little did I know that it was a lesson designed to prepare me for "riding through the storm."

If we think about it, most of our lessons in life are not an end unto themselves.  They are building blocks.  One lesson provides the foundation to support the next lesson, and so on. Think about it this way, God's system of education provides vital information for practical application to strengthen our preparation for supernatural elevation into our God-given destination!

Last week, God used a powerful storm that soaked almost the entire East Coast to vividly illustrate and demonstrate incredible lessons for me and several other women.  We had gathered at a beautiful beach house right on the water in the Outer Banks area of North Carolina expecting to have fun in the sun and lounge along the sandy shores.  But God...had other plans.

It rained heavily almost the entire trip, starting with my five-hour drive through blinding rain.  It rained the heaviest right when I started crossing the last bridge to my destination.  The rain was so blinding that I experienced a "white out," something I thought only occurred in snow.  The car in front of me "disappeared" into a white mist and the only thing I could see were the dotted lines on the pavement marking my lane.  I wanted so badly to stop, but there was no stopping, especially with a huge tractor trailer not far behind me.

All I could do is stay focused on the guide lines (!) that had been laid out to keep me in my lane.  I could only see a few at a time, but it was all I needed to make it to the other side!

I expected the storm to lift the next day, but God...had other plans.  Not only did the storm continue, it grew worse!  I checked the news and saw dreadful reports about the record-breaking storm and ensuing floods that wreaked havoc up and down the East Coast.  In spite of the reports, and in spite of our location right on the water, we experienced no flooding at all.

In fact, one by one, the Lord led me and each of my "beach buddies" to venture out in spite of the weather. We came face to face with waters that roared and foamed, yet we did not fear.  God only allowed the waters to reach a certain point on the beach, and then they were forced to return.  We saw God's incredible power and saving grace all at once.  At times God had us to stand firm in the face of the storm, other times, we were inspired to keep moving forward through the storm. Either way, we learned not to run from storms.  And, we also learned to appreciate the beauty in storm clouds and foamy waters, which all have their place in the majesty of God's creation. 

When it was time for me to drive home, guess what?  The storm had passed over!  God blessed me with a sun-filled, peaceful journey back, in contrast to the stressful, rain-soaked struggle I endured on the way down.  Instead of getting angry at the irony of seeing the sun only as I left the beach, I rejoiced in knowing that I learned to see and feel God's presence while riding through the storm.  A classic Yolanda Adams song says it best:

"While riding through the storm, Jesus holds me in His arms.  No, I'm not afraid of the stormy winds and the waves.  Though the tide becomes high, He holds me while I rise.  I found safety in the Master's arms, while riding through the storm...."

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen