Month: May 2018

When you run out of resources and find yourself in desperate circumstances, to whom do you cling? 

Some of us have a tendency not to ask for help. Either pride holds us back (we think we can do it all), or we don’t know where to turn….

I remember times in my life when I thought I could handle a situation by myself. I tried to solve the problem but ended up frustrated and disappointed. This mindset “I can do it alone” strategy was a sign of my spiritual immaturity. 

When we don’t grasp the hands of God in times of difficulty, it’s easy to forget who is the source of our blessings. Inevitably, we find ourselves completely lost. 

The temptation to forget God is always present — even when we are having the time of our lives.  When life is comfortable and pleasant, do we stop and thank or even think of that one person who has us on his/her mind at all times?

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

Whether in times of bliss or depression, God invites us to cling to the Lord Jesus and daily place ourselves at the foot the Cross, experiencing the death and life of Jesus. As Peter Scazzero says in his book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, “The invitation is to go to the cross daily alone, while we’re suffering with our losses (job, marriage, home, health or loss of a loved one).” 

The invitation also stands in times of gladness, to thank Jesus for providing the forgiveness of sin for all those who believe in him. He paid the penalty for the sins that we committed in our ignorance, and even the ones which were deliberate. When we willingly receive what was done for us on the cross, the cross becomes our resting place and that is when we are born again. Our new life becomes the answer to Jesus’ prayer on the Cross “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:34)

As we immerse ourselves in God’s love and cling to his promises, the result will be not loss, but rather gain — a fulfilled life, the life that God intended for us.

While “holding fast” to the cross, we will be able to experience God’s power resting upon us. Our part is to go forth and tell the story of the lamb who takes away the sin of the world. 

 (Psalm 63:8) “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”

 

There are many great women who have changed and influenced the world around them with their hard work. But when it comes to understanding a particular woman’s heart, her immeasurable love and strength is unfathomable. God has designed her heart mysteriously.

Everyone has a different definition of a woman’s heart – Hallmark cards, books, and movies come close to describing the nature of her heart but somehow miss the mark. This woman is called Mother. What is a Mother’s heart? Who can understand her tender heart? Not even the father of her children can understand her. Another mother might come close to understanding but she has not found anyone who cares enough to see her true self – where love resides, and shows itself through her actions or her smile. The only one who can really understand her at the deepest level is the designer of her heart, God himself. God has given her the joy of smiles and laughter as well as tears to shed whenever she needs to cry. He is the one who counts every teardrop. She prays without ceasing and relies on His promises, because He is the source of all her blessings. Never underestimate the power of her prayers.

Any woman who keeps her covenant with the Holy God will grow in righteousness, and God will develop within her a pure heart. We all know the story of Mother Mary in the Bible – the mother of Jesus, who was characterized by God as “Highly favored” (Luke 1:28) The angel appeared to Mary and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” Indeed Mary was a righteous woman and blessed by God as the one chosen to be the mother of Jesus. But Mary was still an ordinary human used by God in an extraordinary way. She recognized that she needed Jesus Christ as her Savior, just like everyone else. People praised her because she was given the blessing of giving birth to the Messiah. But how different is Mary’s heart from ours as a mother? There is no difference. She was in tremendous distress when Roman soldiers tortured her son by nailing Him to a cross. She was standing there as it happened. I cannot imagine the agony she went through watching Him, who had no sin, lay down his life for the sin of the world. What grieved her heart the most was to see the suffering of her innocent son. He was found guilty of loving us. As He was hanging on the cross, He asked His disciples to comfort her.

Mary sets the example for us. Some believe that Mary can hear our prayers and she prays on our behalf. But Jesus is our only advocate in Heaven. Mary directed her worship, praise and adoration to God through Christ Jesus alone. Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is His name” (Luke 1:46-49).
Since we are celebrating the Heart of a mother this week, let us pray for all mothers – whether you are a mother or not, and whether your mother is with you or not, ”May the Lord our God bless you [her] with the love of your [her] children, patience, wisdom, faith, and may He be gracious to you this Mother’s Day and everyday of your life and use you for His purposes in an extraordinary way. In Jesus precious name, Amen!”