Excessive Celebration

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This week I celebrated my 40th birthday. My mom was here for the occasion. I ate cake for breakfast and enjoyed a glass of prosecco with dinner. Every moment of the day was filled with joy but I kept wondering why I don’t celebrate like that more often…

What else do we get this excited about?

Anniversaries. Baptism Days. Years Cancer Free. Promotions. Retirement.

Christmas. Easter. Pentecost. Thanksgiving.

We throw parties and sing songs and eat cake. But these events come around annually, seasonally, or sometimes only once in a life time.

One of my favorite stories of celebration in the bible comes from when the ark of the covenant is returned to Jerusalem. Did you know the Israelites actually lost the ark of the covenant that housed the presence of God containing the Ten Commandments, the Pentateuch (Genesis - Deuteronomy), a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded? They had turned the ark into somewhat of an idol carrying it around with them to battles - believing that the thing itself brought them victory instead of their God and then the Philistine army captured it.

Losing the ark meant the Israelites had lost the presence of God among them.

Eventually, the Philistines realized that having this icon was causing them a lot of problems. Not only did the statue of their god Dagon topple over twice, falling prostrate in a posture of worship toward the God of the Israelites, but they were also suffering a national distress of boils and an infestation of rats.

They decided to send it back and placed it on an unmanned cart drawn by cows. If the cows went one direction this was a sign that the Israelite’s God had defeated Dagon and caused their current situation. If the cows wandered aimlessly in the other direction, they would understand that their troubles has been unrelated to the presence of the ark of the covenant. Either way they were ready to have it gone.

Those cows made a bee-line for Israelite territory and arrived in a city named Kirjath Jearim where the ark and its contents remained under the care of a priestly family for about 100 years. Then, in his first year as King over all of Israel in 1003 BC, about 20 years after defeating the Philistine giant Goliath, David brought the ark to Jerusalem.

When the ark finally made its way into the city, David goes overboard, singing and dancing and making offerings to the Lord and sharing raisin cakes with the people - to the point of embarrassing his wife and and some say even making fool of himself… He celebrated excessively. (2 Samuel 6)

When is the last time you partied that hard for Jesus?

These days excessive celebration has taken on a different meaning - a flagrant foul in the end zone or maybe an upset tummy or an aching head in the morning.

David’s celebration was certainly scandalous, but not by today’s standards. His rejoicing was about honoring the one True God whose presence had returned to His people in the Ark of the Covenant, not overindulging or putting on a theatrical display, but pure unbridled worship.

David understood how important the presence of God was for their National safety and prosperity.

You and I, as baptized children of God, have His Spirit living inside us at all times. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit. So we can’t lose His presence like the Israelites did. That should give us something to celebrate - and not just on Sundays or high festivals or special occasions. But every single day of our lives - even unto death.

Lutheran funeral services tend to have a celebratory nature. When those we love die in the faith, we celebrate Jesus Christ’s victory over death and the resurrection we proudly profess with confidence. Death lost it’s sting (1 Corinthians 15:55) on Easter Morning when Mary found the tomb empty. The power of sin and death could not hold Him and His resurrection is our assurance that it will not restrain us either.

If in death we can find cause to celebrate, then nothing we encounter in life should have the power to cause us inconsolable sorrow either.

This is not to say that we will endure no sadness in our earthly existence. Even Jesus wept. But no matter what we face here on earth we know that Jesus has claimed victory for those who believe in Him.

Therefor, in everything let us rejoice in the Lord and give thanks for His grace (Philippians 4:4). We don’t have to be thankful for every circumstance, but we can remember that in Jesus we always have something over which to rejoice.

Instead of mourning, worrying, or complaining - exalt the name of Jesus.

Today, I want to encourage you to engage in excessive celebration regularly.

Dear Father, Thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit working inside me in this life and the resurrection and everlasting life to come. Help me to celebrate this with David’s unbridled joy every single day. When the circumstances of my life make it seem as though there is nothing to rejoice over, bring to mind all you have accomplished by Your Son for my sake. Amen.

The Best is Yet to Come

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I’m honored to be guest posting over on my friend Stephanie Adams’ site today. On her blog, she challenges women to get R.E.A.L. - Relationships through Encouragement, Accountability and Love. Here is day 3 of the 14 day Advent Bible Study Series she is hosting called Hope Is…

When was the last time you were deliriously happy?

When you graduated from high school, or were accepted to the college of your dreams. When you were promoted to a position you had diligently labored to achieve. Perhaps on your wedding day. At the birth of your child or grandchild. The moment the doctors declared your body cancer-free.

We wait for these milestone events in our lives with great anticipation and then celebrate their coming. Often we can hardly contain our excitement and long for those around us to share in our jubilation.

My husband and his closest childhood friend shared a saying growing up. They continue to remind each other through letters and phone calls not only when times are tough and as they pass into a new phase of life, but even during times of great joy.

Continue Reading

 

Expecting the Best is yet to come

 

For more encouragement please join the discussion on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Still Saturday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday.

6 Steps for Rebuilding After an Attack

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Beirut. Baghdad. Paris.

Less recently in Washington, DC, New York City, Boston, even right here at FT Hood.

These cities and countless others around the globe have been attacked by instruments of evil and the devastating destruction echoes to the farthest corners of civilization.

I don’t usually comment on current events.

Since I make every attempt to avoid the news, I feel there are others more qualified to cover these issues.

But today I feel compelled to share with you some steps for rebuilding after an attack.

I know things may feel out of control. Like uncommon violence has become commonplace. Or perhaps as if the forces of evil are winning. Or maybe we have even become numb to terrorism like we witnessed in Paris on Friday.

First, let me assure you that nothing we face is beyond God’s control. Every event in the news has been filtered through Our Heavenly Father’s loving hands before it touches our lives.

The bible records how God allowed enemy forces to destroy Jerusalem. His people failed to heed warnings brought by the prophets and refused to repent and return to the One True God. His Holy name could not be tarnished by their disobedience. Because of their faithlessness, in an ultimate attack of terror, He allowed His own city, it’s walls and His temple to be destroyed, as His people were carried off into 70 years of captivity in Babylon. During this time, the prophet Jeremiah shared God’s familiar encouraging message with the captives: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).”

What this means for us is that we must trust God’s absolute sovereignty to use any and all methods to work out His will among the nations - to believe His plans are for good even when it doesn’t seem like it.

With a proper understanding of this foundational principle we can skip ahead to what happened when the captives returned home. The wall that had once protected Jerusalem from invaders was in shambles, leaving the people vulnerable and frightened. When our walls have been breached and our security is threatened, we too, fear for our safety.

Nehemiah’s example during the rebuilding teaches us six steps to confidently proceed after times of destruction: Pray, Arm, Repent, Remember, Reassure, and Renew.

  1. Pray - before every major decision Nehemiah prayed for God’s direction and His protection. Scripture teaches us to pray without ceasing, to pray instead of worrying, and to cast all our cares on Him. It also assures us that every thing we ask for in accordance with His will is sure to come to pass. We pray for protection, direction, and provision because God is in charge. When we don’t know what to pray the Holy Spirit interprets our groaning and Jesus intercedes on our behalf.
  2. Arm ourselves with the Word - Nehemiah armed some of the people to stand guard on the wall as construction was being completed because surrounding nations were threatening to attack. The enemy will taunt us with doubt, fear, and temptation in trying times to draw us away from truth. Do not allow him to gain a foothold in your mind with his deceit. The Word of God is our offensive weapon against the forces of evil in this world. Jesus stood against the enemy in the desert with only the word of God. What is written is for our protection.
  3. Repent - A natural result of prayer and studying The Word is feeling the need to repent. This is what the Israelites did after Nehemiah and the Levite priests explained the Law of Moses to them. When we turn from our sins and toward God we open up new avenues for a closer relationship with Him. So, let us be blameless before our God, by repenting of our sin and standing on faith that the blood of Jesus covers them all. Repentance restores to us the joy of our salvation and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Convinced that God’s grace frees us from our sins, we eliminate one of the enemy’s key offensive weapons against us - guilt.
  4. Remember what God has already accomplished for us - Nehemiah used the words from Exodus: “our God will fight for us (Nehemiah 4:20)” to remind the people how God had saved their ancestors from Egyptian slavery, brought them through the Red Sea and into the promised land to encourage them to rally against the enemies that threatened as they rebuilt. This same practice gives us the courage to stand in the face of adversity. Consider all the things God has already accomplished - from the soul saving sacrifice of his Son on the cross to the daily bread we enjoy and everything in between. Let’s give thanks to God for all He has done for us.
  5. Reassure others with Truth - When we stand firm in our faith despite destruction others will notice. They will want to know what gives us the power to remain steadfast, and that opens doors to share the life-saving news of the gospel with them. By sharing God’s grace with those around us, we form allies in the battle against evil. We are stronger together.
  6. Renew our focus on the work of the Lord - When the Israelite’s enemies heard about the completion of the wall, “they were very disheartened in their own eyes for they perceived that this work was done by God (Nehemiah 6:16).” So, too, will our enemies be discouraged when they see how God has restored us after their attacks. Everything we do should be done as if for the Lord, because only what is done for Him will stand. If you ever feel as if your work is of little eternal consequence, I want to encourage you with this Oswald Chambers quote: “Prayer does not fit us (or prepare us) for greater works, PRAYER IS THE GREATER WORK.” We are all capable of powerful prayer.

So, you can see this is less a list of steps and more a cyclical process to continuously engage.

When we reach what seems to be the final step and find ourselves focusing on the work of the Lord, that returns us to our starting point of prayer. Continuously rebuilding on a foundation of God’s grace when evil attacks can also be referred to as growth.

Viewing trials as opportunities for growth is a sign of spiritual maturity.

When we battle our way back from destruction and rebuild together we will be stronger than ever.

The battles we face are not against flesh and blood. No matter how much it seems like it, our enemy is not ISIS, terrorists posing as refugees, or suicide bombers. We battle instead against spiritual powers in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

Our protective wall is not built with mortar and stone, but is the shield of faith established by the blood of Christ. God no longer inhabits a temple, but lives in the hearts of those who believe in Him. So to rebuild we must engage the full power of the Holy Spirit within us through prayer, studying The Word, Repentance, Remembering, Reassuring, and Renewing our focus on the Lord.

Our protective wall is not built with mortar and stone, but is rather the shield of faith established by the blood of Christ.

No matter what battles we face, we know who wins. The Victor’s purposes will not be thwarted and in the end, His holy name will be glorified in all the earth as we experience full and complete restoration in His Kingdom.

Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for peace and restoration in areas affected by terror attacks, strengthen and encourage the wounded and grieving as they rebuild on the firm foundation of Your Word. We pray for those who seek to escape the evils of their own country and find refuge in far-away lands, that You would be their strength, protection, and comfort. We pray that Your wisdom would guide the leadership of our nation and all those around the world who must make critical decisions about how to move forward and balance the decisions to both support and protect all of Your people. We pray for our Soldiers who have volunteered to stand on our walls in the physical realm to protect us. We ask You to give them protection, direction, and provision physically, emotionally and spiritually during, and after the battle. We pray also for the perpetrators of these attacks, that any future plans would be thwarted, that they would see You as we rebuild and might recognize You as the One True God and repent of their ways. We pray also for those of us in a rebuilding phase, that You would strengthen our faith, that Your Spirit would lead us to repentance and a closer relationship with You, that we would fight our battles in prayer and wield the sword of Your Word effectively, that You would give us opportunities to reassure others with the truth about Your grace, that You would help us call to mind everything You have done for us so that we might be brave in the face of adversity and renew within us a fervor for Your work, Lord. As we rebuild a strengthened and mature faith, help us to see how Your plans give us a future and a hope, not just for our days on earth, but an everlasting hope as we await our final restoration in Your kingdom. All these things we pray in Jesus’ holy and precious name, Amen.

For more encouragement please join the discussion on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Still Saturday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday.

Encouragement for When You Mess Up

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“Can we give him back now, Mom?”

This is what my youngest son asks every time our adopted dog Sheldon messes up. He has torn up the window blinds, eaten too many artificial flowers to count, chewed through my glue gun cord, deposited excrement on the upstairs carpet numerous times, unraveled nearly a mile of burlap ribbon, and consumed roughly a pound of grass fed organic roast beef - right. off. the. table.

Believe me, there have been moments when the thought of returning him has danced around in my head.

But my answer is the same every time: “No, honey, he is a part of our family now. We won’t just take him back.” (Read about how Sheldon was Rescued by Love here.)

Friends, God feels the same way about you.

I’ve been a Christian nearly all my life, but I spent a considerable amount of time in my late teens and early to mid 20’s thinking God had abandoned me because of my sins. I was convinced He couldn’t possibly love me with the way I behaved.

If you’ve been there, I have some encouraging words for you.

If God’s love and salvation were contingent upon our good behavior, none of us could stand before His throne (Psalm 130:3-4).

God loved us before we believed in Him (Romans 5:10). He saved us while were sinners (Romans 5:8). He knew every mistake we will ever make (Hebrews 4:13) before He sent His Son to atone for our sins (Hebrews 9:26).

Jesus’s sacrifice is all we need to be a part of His forever family.

Grace makes us His sons and daughters, not living well.

Sheldon didn’t automatically become the most obedient dog simply because we rescued him. I can tell he has misbehaved as soon as I walk through the door. He cowers at my feet, tucking his tail between his hind legs, looking anywhere but at me. I’m not going to take this mutt back to the shelter for his offenses, but I will spend some time and effort training him to be well behaved.

God already knows when we mess up. But when we come before Him in submission, humility and repentance, He is faithful to forgive us. He won’t banish us to a life without Him. He won’t abandon us. Even if we run away, He will never stop searching for us.

If you ever have doubts about your family status, consider the apostle Peter. He denied even knowing Christ three times to save himself from ridicule and punishment. Some would say this is the only unpardonable sin. But after His resurrection, Jesus went to Peter and gave him the opportunity to repent for each of his refusals by confessing his love (John 21:15-19).

We should not assume that God expects us to be perfect simply because we become members of His family. We are human and prone to sin. Our flesh will be in constant conflict with the call to holiness as long as we inhabit these earthly bodies. The energy wasted worrying that God will abandon us for our transgressions is better invested looking to Him to make us more like His Son every day.

Let’s rest in the promise that our adoption is secure, even though we won’t be perfected until Jesus returns.

Dear Father, Thank you so much for rescuing me and never sending me back. By your Spirit, help me to come to you repenting of my sins and assured that you desire my love more than my perfection. Remind me that your grace covers all my transgressions and Your love leads me to perfection in Christ Jesus. Amen.

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers,

nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 9:38-39

For more encouragement please join the discussion on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Still Saturday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday.