Connecting Points

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Today’s Topic: He’s Always Seeking

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:176 (ESV)  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant…

As we come to the end of the longest chapter in the Bible, filled with praise, prayer, problems, and practical wisdom for maturing disciples, consider two culminating truths in the very last verse:

• All we like sheep have gone astray; every one of us has turned to his own way. (see Isaiah 53:6)
• The Savior is constantly seeking the lost. (see Luke 19:10)

What joy it brings to the heart of every child of God to know that the Savior is constantly seeking us when we wander. What blessing there is to be found in the words seek your servant. Is this not the heart of God?

My own heart is overwhelmed this morning with the indescribable joy the love of God that compels Him to seek and save the lost. You can hear His heart throughout the Scriptures:

• Ezekiel 34:6, 16 (ESV)
  ⁶  My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. ¹⁶   I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
• Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV)
  ¹²   What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? ¹³  And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. ¹⁴  So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
• Song of Songs 1:4 (ESV)
  ⁴   Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers.

From the very beginning of recorded history God has been seeking those who have wandered into sin.
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8-9)

What a conclusion to this majestic symphony we call Psalm 119. All of the music of the songs of praise and movements of prayer crescendo to this final chord – no matter where we go or what we do, God is seeking us!

My mouth bursts forth with songs of its own. My Jesus, I love thee, I know Thou art mine. For thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; if ever I love Thee my Jesus ‘tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree; I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Connecting Points

Monday, February 18, 2013

Today’s Topic: Everything Changes

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:169-172 (ESV) ¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to  your  word! ¹⁷⁰ Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. ¹⁷¹ My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. ¹⁷² My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.

After college I took a special interest in photography. Obviously I wasn’t very good at it or I would still do it. I bought a wonderful thirty-five millimeter camera with several lenses, and took to the prairies of North Dakota to take pictures. I love ducks and geese, and they were the subject of most of my photographs, although I did get some pretty good shots of a certain chick.

I soon learned that certain lighting conditions required certain settings on the camera, and that the final picture quality could be improved by using lens covers that altered the light. I had a variety of colored lenses that changed the image on the film and brought out certain features, colors, or qualities that I wanted enhanced. The goal was to make the photo look as much like what God created as possible.

Just like a camera, we also wear lenses on our eyes. We put on just the ones we think will make the picture of our life look better. We have telephoto lenses we use to look closely at the lives of others. We have wide angle lenses to help us see as much of life as possible. We put on colored lens covers to alter the real picture – lenses of denial, selfishness, and judgmentalism – in hopes that we will like the new look.

Many times no matter what lens we put on the camera the picture doesn’t improve.  We look for the lens of hope but we seem to have misplaced it. That’s when we finally cry out to God to change the picture.

The issue is that we haven’t tried the only lens we really ever need – the lens of God’s Word. Every picture of life, when seen through the lens of God’s promises and commands, turns out exactly the way God created it to look.

Just look at the words of the Psalmist today. His cries for understanding of the picture of his life are changed into praise from his lips as he begins to see the picture of his life through the lens of God’s word. His pleas for deliverance and a change of scenery are transformed into singing about the Word of God because through that lens everything looks right. Everything changes when seen through the right lens.

God wants us to see the picture of our life from His perspective, as He created it to look. The only way to do that is to see it through the lens of His Holy Word the Bible. Every detail of our lives, every event, every interruption, every hardship, every blessing, is His design to create a masterpiece of faith. We will only start to see its true beauty when we see it through His lens. Let’s stop trying to alter the photo to fit our preferences. Let’s enjoy the beauty of what God is creating in us – the life of Jesus Christ.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Friday, February 15, 2013

Today’s Topic: God Knows ALL!

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:168 (ESV) …for all my ways are before you.

It’s one of my favorite words in the Bible. It may very well be one of the least believed words in the Bible. That’s unfortunate, because it is a word that brings great peace and blessing to those who trust the God who said it. The word is all.

This week I began the yearly process of doing taxes. I have two filings to prepare – mine and a missionary friend’s. I began with his. On Tuesday I organized all of the materials, purchased the latest version of Turbo Tax, and loaded it into my computer. An evening dinner appointment postponed any further work until Wednesday.

I got an early start on my day off, and was making great progress until an idea came to me. In retrospect it was the Lord speaking to me. I began to investigate the options, and decided to use the chat feature in Turbo Tax to ask a tax attorney whether or not it was legal and ethical. After a 40 minute wait to get connected to someone, Gayle’s name appeared on my screen. I shared with her my idea, and she began doing research.

After another 30 minutes of conversation, she called me. We talked for 20 minutes, and during the conversation I discovered her interest in clergy tax law. Of all the representatives in their tax advice division, I got connected to the one person who loves doing minister’s tax returns. Not only did she have a solution to my issue, but gave me other non-solicited opinions and pieces of advice to help me on my personal return. By the way, my idea was correct, legal, and ethical, and not only did it save the missionary $500 but it will now save all missionaries in that organization as well because I called their ministry accountant and gave him the information.

All our ways are before Him! He knows and is in control of everything. EVERYTHING! Isn’t that what all means? So why don’t we trust it!

This morning, I chatted on Facebook with a friend from the Philippines. His desire is to become a teacher at the Bible College I visit, but he is short several credits from a public university to get his teaching credentials. When I asked him how much it would cost, he said the cost is $225 per semester. I told him I would pray for that amount for him. He immediately said he was going to register. I told him that would be a great step of faith. He then asked why, because had I not just promised him the money?

You see, he believes that when God said all He meant all. The fact that I would pray for it was his guarantee that the money would be provided. Where is my faith like that?

Now I’m not a proponent or even a minimal supporter of the prosperity Gospel, and neither is he. I do not claim to be able to name and claim, and I don’t believe there is any support to that philosophy in Scripture. But when the Lord gives us an unction to pray for something, and we are certain in our hearts that the Lord is the author of the request, is the delivery of the answer not guaranteed in ALL cases?

So chew on all of that this weekend, and ask yourself if you really believe in ALL God said.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Today’s Topic: MY HEART…MY WORDS

Today’s Text:  Luke 6:45 (NLT) A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

It’s heart day. Valentine’s Day is all about the heart, and the expressions of love that flow from its treasures. But rather than talk about the traditional Valentine’s Day love, I want to share a story that came to me from one of my cousins. I have changed the names and locations in the story, but the lesson of faith and love it teaches is an eternal one – the treasure of our heart is revealed by our speech.

I have heard it said that out of the mouth flows the condition of the heart.  Today, on the golf course, my husband and I were paired with Gene and Nancy to make up our four-some.  They were a very nice man and woman who were not married to each other, but were good friends.  Gene’s wife was caring for a grandchild and Nancy’s husband was recovering from kidney cancer, so they joined each other and us, for a game of golf.  Gene and Nancy were both nice enough people and they were a pleasure to play with…..at first. 

For first few holes we all exchanged small talk…where are you from…how long have you been wintering in the south…family…that sort of interaction.   I had taken notice early on in our conversations of their language and by the time we made the turn to the back nine…my heart was heavy.  I think that I physically winced every time I heard an off-colored story or the name of the Lord taken in vain.  Some of this, I am sure, stemmed from a bad habit or from a bad case of “lack of vocabulary”. 

Earlier that morning, in my devotions, I was moved to pray that I would see people as Christ sees them, hear people as Christ would hear them, speak to people as Christ would speak to them and that my heart would feel things the way that Christ’s heart feels things.  Big prayer!  Little did I know that the promise that I had made to God would get a TEST – a big one.

After listening to this language for the better part of three hours, I found myself becoming angry with them.  I wasn’t happy, at all, with our “pairing”. Why did God have to put us with “them”? When I play golf, my husband drives the cart with our clubs on it and I walk – usually joyfully singing and having a bit of a “quiet time” all by myself.  These PEOPLE were ruining my day.  I was not showing disgust on the outside, but on the inside I was fuming. 

Then, I saw it!  Then, I felt it!  I was not honoring God with my thoughts or feelings.  I was not feeling as He feels.  So, instead of anger, my spirit was moved with compassion and a prayer for Gene and Nancy that someday they would know this Jesus whose name they were taking in vain.  It was a good lesson for me.

Luke 6:45 says, “ a good man, out of the treasure of his heart, brings forth that which is good; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, brings that which is evil; FOR OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART HIS MOUTH SPEAKS”. (emphasis mine)

I also was thinking that this verse is not just intended for off colored stories and cussing.  Have you ever had a day that has been full of fear, anger and frustration?  I have.  What comes out of our mouths, more than likely, will mirror our attitude or what is in our hearts.  We say things that are not constructive and maybe even hurtful to the people we love or to co-workers.

Let’s remember, the next time that we find ourselves in a SNIT!…

OUT OF OUR HEART………..WE SPEAK.

Proverbs 15:2       Proverbs 15:28    Proverbs 16:23     Proverbs 18:21    James 3:1-18

Thanks for the reminder, Cuz. I wonder what my test will be today?

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Today’s Topic: Where is Our Treasure…Really?

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:162 (ESV)  I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

This morning as I drove in to work I heard a song on one of the Christian Radio stations in the area that captured my attention. It was a unique sound from a group I had not heard before, and the message of the song follows up on yesterday’s Connecting Points devotional.

Now I know that the subject I dealt with yesterday is not very popular or comfortable to deal with, and maybe you avoided it, but it is essential that we take the time to come before the Lord with this part of our lives. It is obvious to me that the Lord wants me to think more on it because He hit me with it first thing this morning through this song.

So without any other words on my part, here is the song. Read it, listen to it, and digest it. Let it truly take you to a place of confession and cleansing.

Simple Living

http://youtu.be/xX-a_ibnHB0

A rich young man came to ask of Christ:
‘Good teacher, will you tell me,
What must I do for eternal life?
I’ve kept your laws completely.’
‘Sell all you have, give to the poor,
Then heaven’s treasure shall be yours.’
How hard for those who are rich on earth
To gain the wealth of heaven.

Now Jesus stood by the offering gate
As people brought their money:
The rich they filled the collection plate;
The widow gave a penny.
‘Now she’s outgiven all the rest,
Her gift was all that she possessed.’
Not what you give but what you keep
Is what the King is counting.

O teach me Lord to walk this road,
The road of simple living;
To be content with what I own
And generous in giving.
And when I cling to what I have,
Please wrest it quickly from my grasp;
I’d rather lose all the things on earth
To gain the things of heaven.

Stuart Townsend, Keith & Kristyn Getty
Copyright © 2011 Thankyou Music & Getty Music

Connecting Points

Monday, February 11, 2013

Today’s Topic: What Excites You?

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:162 (ESV)  I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

When I was a 10 years old my family moved from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to the lower peninsula town of Oscoda. We lived in a church parsonage right next to the church just north of town. Across the highway was Lake Huron, and behind the house were woods with a small creek running through them. Next door to the north was another church, and in its back yard were small sand dunes left from an era when Lake Huron was much larger.

I will never forget the treasure hunting I would do in those sand dunes and along the edges of the woods. The reason was because I would find old arrowheads that had been carved out of stone. I wish I still had some of them, but they were all lost somewhere in subsequent moves.

How fascinated I was with imagining how they had been made, by whom they had been made, and how they had been used. Every arrowhead held a different story for me. I never grew tired of looking for another one, and I would be overwhelmed with joy whenever I would find one. Not only was it a treasure to find, but it held unending possibilities for my imagination.

I still find treasure today, and I still rejoice in it. Last month’s IRA report had treasure in it. I anticipate this year’s income tax return to have treasure in it. Sports heroes that get awards cause us to shoot off an immediate text and post to Facebook with varying levels of enthusiasm. And if our team just so happens to be playing in a big game, we jump and leap and shout for joy with every play that benefits us. We even start to cheer at harm that is caused to the opponent.

But I am discovering that the rejoicing I do over earthly treasure generally exceeds the rejoicing I do over spiritual treasure. Why is that? Why is it that we can jump and shout in a crowd of people watching a concert or sporting event, but we hold back from any visible display of emotion when worshipping Almighty God? When will the discovery of truth be to us as great a treasure as the discovery of material wealth?

Here’s one suggestion for us today. Count the number of text messages, Facebook posts, Tweets, emails, and phone calls you made yesterday. Now, count the number of all those that related to spiritual things. What does it reveal about where your treasure is? Did not Jesus say, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”? (Matthew 6:21)

I believe it’s time for a heart check. So here are some helpful verses to get us started on re-evaluating our priorities and treasures. Please take the time to read them carefully, prayerfully, and humbly. Ask the Lord to reveal any inconsistency in our heart so that He alone is our treasure and the reason for our rejoicing. Are you ready to discover some treasure?

Proverbs 2:1-10 (ESV)
¹ My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, ² making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; ³ yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, ⁴ if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, ⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. ⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; ⁷ he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, ⁸ guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. ⁹ Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; ¹⁰ for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

Proverbs 7:1 (ESV)
¹ My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;

Proverbs 15:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

Matthew 13:44 (ESV)
⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Luke 12:19-21 (ESV)
¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ ²¹ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:33 (ESV)
³³ Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 18:22 (ESV)
²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

1 Timothy 6:18-19 (ESV)
¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

And this final word of warning for us all from the brother of Jesus –

 James 5:1-5 (ESV) ¹ Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. ² Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. ⁴ Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. ⁵ You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

What a test this is – can we now rejoice at God’s Word like one who has found a treasure, or will we turn away from this challenge and return to the comforts of our own making?

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Friday, February 08, 2013

Today’s Topic: Three-Way Light Bulbs

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:159 (NIV) See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.

When I was a child, I remember thinking that three-way light bulbs were pretty cool. I can’t find any reference on the internet to when the first 3-way bulb was introduced, but it seemed like they were fairly new when I was a kid. Any of you that are older than me remember having them?

I was fascinated by the way you could change how much light came out of one bulb just by turning the switch. I remember the two 3-way lamps in the living room of our house, and how my dad would constantly ask if we really needed the light to be that bright. He loved saving money. I liked playing with the lamps.

Now they have dimmer switches for everything with infinite possibilities, but somehow it’s just not the same for me. You see, with dimmer switches, it’s too easy to just leave it on full and forget we actually have the ability to change the brightness. But with three-way switches, we have to go through all of the levels to get back to off, thus reminding us with each and every use of the opportunity for cost savings and mood creation.

I see a correlation to three-way lamps in today’s section of Psalm 119. Three times the Psalmist uses the phrase “preserve my life,” and each time a little more light is shed on our incredible relationship with our heavenly Father. Look at the three verses with me:

• ¹⁵⁴ Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
• ¹⁵⁶ Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to your laws.
• ¹⁵⁹ See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love.

Each time the Psalmist asks God to preserve his life, it is for a different reason, and each request reveals a brighter intensity of the relationship.

• Preserve my life because you promised to.
• Preserve my life because you are just.
• Preserve my life because you love me.

A thorough reading of verses 153 through 160 reveals that the Psalmist is in trouble. He is suffering at the hands of enemies who are persecuting him. He asks for deliverance and redemption. He asks for his life to be restored to a place of security. In the darkness of the day he remembers that there is a light that will surround him with safety if he will just turn it on. He reaches for the switch, and turns it on.

Preserve my life because you promised to, and you cannot break a promise.

After spending a few moments letting his eyes adjust to the light that now brings hope to his heart based on the remembrance of God’s promises, he turns the switch one more time.

Preserve my life because you are just, and everything is happening according to your laws. Those who break your laws are guaranteed to be held accountable to you, and those who live in righteous obedience to your laws will be rewarded.

He confesses those areas of personal failure to obey God’s laws, and the compassion and forgiveness that sweep over his soul restore his faith in God and His justice. The light shines brighter in his heart as he gives thanks for God’s grace and releases his plans for vengeance to the One who is the final Judge. He turns the switch once more.

Preserve my life because you love me, and I love you. Everything that has happened has been approved by your love for me to bring me to a place of rest in your arms.

The light can shine no brighter than this. If we are not content with the love of God, and turn the switch again, all will become dark. The promises of God bring some light. The grace and forgiveness of God bring more light. But the love of God is the full expression of His light to us. Jesus is the Light of the world, and when the Light of God’s love shines fully in our hearts, we need nothing more.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Thursday, February 07, 2013

Today’s Topic: How Near Is He?

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:151 (ESV)  But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.

A young boy was having great difficulty with math. He avoided it as much as he could. His dislike for it was a result of his initial inability to understand it, and as a result he chose to not even try any more.

After several meetings with school teachers and officials, the parents decided to enroll him in a private school where he could get more specialized attention. After only one day of attendance his parents noticed him doing math homework. Every day the first subject he talked about was math. They called the teacher to see what had happened, and she had no explanation other than the fact that he was determined to do well.

When asked by the parents why the sudden and drastic change in attitude and performance, he responded, “They take math really seriously at this new school. Right on the wall in the front of the class is a plus sign with a man nailed to it.”

 Trouble has a tendency to change our perspective on truth. The Psalmist was in that predicament as he wrote today’s verse. In the preceding verse, Psalm 119:150, he had written, “They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law.” His perspective was that the trouble was near. Then, in a moment of truth, he recognized that no matter how near the trouble, his Lord was nearer.

The Hebrew word translated near brings depth to our understanding of the nearness of our Lord. There are three contexts in which the word near appears:

• Near in location
• Near in relationship
• Near in time

What marvelous truths these are. Our Lord is ever-present with us. He will never leave us. His location to us is more near than anyone or anything else, for He is in us. By the regenerating and indwelling power of the Holy Spirit the Lord Jesus Christ lives in those who by faith in His sacrifice for sins are saved eternally. This is what the Apostle Paul refers to as our hope of glory – Christ in us! The Lord is near.

He is near in relationship, for by abiding in us we are in constant fellowship with Him. He cannot and will not forsake us, for we are His children by rebirth. We are heirs of all things in eternity with Jesus Christ himself, with all the rights of a family’s first-born son. Our heavenly Father honors for all eternity the birthright that was granted to us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Brother.

The Lord is also near in time. There is never a need to make a future appointment to deal with present trouble. Never do we have to stand in line to see Him, talk to Him, or hear from Him. And after hearing from Him, while we may wait on Him to do His work in His time, we do not wait for His presence to keep us constantly at peace. He is instantly available, immediately accessible, and intimately approachable.

The enemy may be drawing near. Trouble may be approaching. BUT YOU ARE NEAR, O LORD!

May this promise be our constant perspective, for it is truth!

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Today’s Topic: Ears of Love

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:149 (ESV) Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

Babies cry. It’s the only way they can communicate for the first few months of their lives. It’s God’s gift to them and to the baby’s parents. It’s hard for the parents to accept this gift at 3:00 AM, but nonetheless it is a gift. The love that the parent has for the baby looks hears the need not the annoyance. Love focuses on the person not on the imperfections of the communication.

This truth thrills my soul when I meditate on it from a spiritual perspective. Many times to my Father in heaven I am a crying baby, vocalizing nothing but murmurs and groanings. Yet with ears of love He hears my deepest need. He answers me according to His lovingkindness.

Charles Spurgeon writes this in his classic work entitled The Treasury of David, of which I am so blessed to have an 1884 second edition printing of all seven volumes in my office. Thank you Grandpa.

When God hears prayer according to his lovingkindness he overlooks all the imperfections of the prayer, he forgets the sinfulness of the offerer, and in pitying love he grants the desire though the suppliant be unworthy. It is according to God’s lovingkindness to answer speedily, to answer frequently, to answer abundantly, yea, exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or even think.

Our hearts long to know the surrender of our will to the extent that we fully trust the lovingkindness of the Father. Questions arise in our minds and are answered as soon as they are asked:

• When are we ever worthy of asking the Lord for anything?
• When have we earned the answer we seek?
• Are not all of our prayers to be voiced with this attachment – answer me according to your lovingkindness?
•  Is this not the only way we can be assured of any answer at all?

Father, teach us to pray with the humble cries of a child. Teach us that it is not in our abilities and perfections that we receive your grace and love, but in our brokenness that you hear us and extend your lovingkindness. Grant us the faith to understand that your love surpasses our weakness and inabilities, and that only good answers come from your heart, and only answers that come from your heart are good for us. Thank you for hearing us with your ears of love! Amen.

Connecting Points

Monday, February 04, 2013

Today’s Topic: Sleepless Nights

Today’s Text:  Psalm 119:147-148 (NIV)  I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. ¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

I’m blessed to be able to sleep very soundly. I find that I don’t sleep for very long in that state, but it’s very restful. I fall asleep fast, sometimes in the middle of sentences, and I don’t move much for the first four hours. After that anything can happen. There are no guarantees of sound sleep after 2:30 AM.

Most of the time I’m able to go back to sleep right away, but if there’s been stress in my life my mind starts racing as it looks for solutions. Sleep comes harder then. Worry can set up a stronghold more powerful than caffeine.

I am convinced that if we took a poll of our friends and family we would discover that sleepless nights are common. We would also find that the cause of sleeplessness is also common – the cares of life. We literally spend hours each week lying awake at night thinking about how to fix life’s problems.

Worry is not always the problem. I also don’t sleep well when I am exciting about something I get to do the next day. It’s especially bad if that event starts early in the morning, like a summer fishing trip. I might as well not even go to bed the night before, because all night I will be looking at the clock wondering if it’s time to go yet. Enthusiasm is an equally powerful stimulant.

The Psalmist admits to sleepless nights caused by enthusiasm. His early morning wake-up calls and his middle-of-the-night ceiling stares have nothing to do with worry, but rather with the enjoyment of time with his Lord and Savior. He confesses that he needs help, but his sleeplessness is not cause by his own problem-solving efforts or ownership of the issue. Instead, every time an issue keeps him from sleeping, he turns to the Word of God in which he has placed his hope. He even proclaims that he intentionally uses the times his eyes open in the night to meditate on God’s promises.

I have discovered the incredible blessing of sleepless nights when my mind is at rest in Christ rather than racing to find solutions to problems. I have discovered the incredible strength that comes from God even when I have had less sleep because my hope is in Him.

Saturday night I went to bed confident of what God had given me to preach on the next day at church. I had determined that I would not go to bed early, as I typically do on Saturday nights, and that I would not rise extra early to spend more time in the Word. I was sure I could sleep in because I was prepared. Or so I thought.

At 4:45 AM my alarm went off. I had not set it. I had not intended to wake up at that time. As I quickly reached over and shut it off to reduce the risk that Denise would wake up, my very next thought was this- “What do you want, Lord? There must be a reason you want me up this early.” I argued with His answer for only one minute, and then rose, got dressed, and headed to the office to see what He had planned. As I drove I looked carefully for any opportunities along the way that He had prepared for me. There was nothing – no accidents, no hitchhikers, and no stranded motorists. There was nothing out of the ordinary at the convenience store when I got my coffee. As I drove the last few blocks to the office I wondered what He was going to show me.

When I arrived and opened up my notes for the sermon, the Holy Spirit clearly revealed that there was more He wanted me to know. So for the next two hours I did more research, more praying, and more writing. It was an incredible time with my Lord before the dawn. I hadn’t even cried for help, but He knew I needed it and woke me to fulfill His promise of constant care for me.

As I reflect back on that early morning I now understand what the Psalmist means when he says his hope is in God’s Word and he meditates on His promises. Not once on Sunday – not early in the morning nor mid-afternoon nor early evening – did I ever feel tired or regret having been awakened by the Lord. It was especially significant to me that after being awakened, every thought of my mind was focused on what God’s purpose was for getting my attention. It was truly a time of walking fully in the Spirit of God.

How about you? What causes your sleepless nights, and what do you do with your time?

Pastor John