When Job Prayed for His Friends

You've probably heard the story of Job. Most people have, even those who aren't in church circles. It's the story of a very wealthy Middle-Eastern businessman. We don't know exactly how much land or other holdings he had, but in livestock alone he would be worth well over $5m today.

He lost it all to terrorists and natural disasters in one "perfect storm" of a day, then he got sick, really sick. And to top it all off, his wife told him to just give up and die. What a woman, right?!

Then he had these three "friends" who came around to "comfort" him. Chapter after chapter of the historical book named after him are devoted to their words of "wisdom." The discourse goes back and forth, and finally God Himself speaks.

And all of a sudden, we see that Job is again healthy and wealthy, but even more than before. What a great ending to a tragic story! What happened? How did it all turn around?

We find the secret in Chapter 42: "The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold." ( Job 42:10 NASB).

So Job prayed for his friends, then God  took care of Job. Sounds like we're responsible for more than just ourselves, doesn't it? It sounds like we're supposed to be very intentional about one another's needs. It sounds very closely related to the Golden Rule.

We find this principle echoed in the letter of Paul to the Philippians: "If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand" (Php 2:1-4 MSG).

If I could encourage you towards one thing, it would be this:

Let's turn our attention to the needs of others. It not only lifts our spirits, but I'm convinced that our Heavenly Father is blessed when we do this.

Peace,


Davina

What's Your Confirmation Number?

The story goes, that a young man, setting out on his first trip alone, arrived at the hotel where he had reserved a room. The clerk had no record of his reservation. "What's your confirmation number," she asked. The young man had no clue what it was. So he had to pay for the room. Again.

From that point forward, when he made a reservation, guess what? Right! He had his confirmation number! And as luck would have it, one day he again found himself standing across from the hotel clerk, who had no record of his reservation. This time, however, he had the confirmation number. He quickly began to tell the clerk how it was going to be, because he had proof that his room was paid in advance. He said, "I don't care what you have to do, you'll get me a room!" And he got his room.

How often do we pay again for something that's already been paid?

We worry, when Jesus said, "Peace I give to you," (John 14:27).

We try to earn healing, but Jesus paid that bill 2000 years ago (1 Pet. 2:24).

Or the biggest one of all, we try to earn salvation by our works (Eph. 2:8-10). This is my personal favorite, and it is my all-time #1 confirmation number!

So how do we use our confirmation number?

Again, let's compare it to the natural. When the young man was faced with a situation that challenged whether his bill was paid, he became more forceful. He didn't give in and say, "Well, I guess this is just the way it's got to be. I don't know why." NO. He used his confirmation number to demand what was rightfully his.

Warning: you may not want to do this with a ton of people around, or run the risk of getting some pretty questioning looks, but ...

When we have any circumstance or situation that challenges what God has already confirmed is rightfully ours, maybe we should, #1 Know the Word, and #2 Use the Word. Say it out loud. Forcefully. As many times as it takes to see results.

I have a prayer book called Scripture Keys for Kingdom Living - it's a good reference for many different things that can challenge us. There are other books that have scriptures for various maladies and challenges. Or we can always dig out the nuggets of the Word on our own.

My point is this. God has given us His Word, full of confirmation numbers, for every situation.

Why not use it?!

Peace,


Davina

Never Too Late

Warning: The contents of this post are painfully self-disclosing!

This morning, as most days, I wrote out my goals for the day:

1. Hydrate (5+ bottles of water) & limit sweets (1).
2. Remain calm/no negative language.
3. Encourage Mark.

Well, I wrote a little note of encouragement & put it in the jar. #3 done!

Then I went to work. Goal #2 down the drain.

Which was shortly followed by Goal #1 (second half).

Later on this afternoon, I realized that, even though it wasn't on this list, my daily habit-in-the-making of writing an original work was also as yet unfulfilled.

So here I am, at the least productive time of my day (I'm a severe morning person), writing a blog post.

Why?

Because it's never too late.

It's never too late to start over. It's never too late to keep a promise. It's never too late to decide to follow Christ. It's never to late to develop a plan for that business idea you've carried in your mind for years.

I watched a precious young lady earlier this evening as she was baptized again, after following a destructive path that all but destroyed her. But she is beginning again, making a fresh start. And I'm so proud for her! And if she falls again, all she has to do is to get back up again.

I've heard that all we must do in order to be successful at a thing is to get back up one more time than we fall. Sounds really simple, too simple, doesn't it? Maybe so, but I'm willing to try.

How about you?

Are you willing to get up again?

Peace,


Davina

Many Called, Few Chosen

Many are called, but few are chosen (Matt 22:14).

This is a fairly well-known verse of scripture. Have you ever stopped to think about its meaning?

Jesus had "large crowds (Matt 4:25) following," He had about 70 that were sent on a special mission (Luke 10:1); and we all know about the 12 disciples, and the three who were in His inner circle.

What was the deciding factor - how did the three get to the honor of being "chosen" for His closest group of companions?

Let's forget, for a  moment, that Jesus was God wrapped in flesh, and knew the end of all things from the beginning. Jesus WAS and IS God made flesh, but He was also very much man. He chose to be one of us, to live as we live, suffer as we suffer, and be limited by the bonds of flesh as we are. He had aches and pains. (Some of my friends laugh at me because in my mind, Baby Jesus was not the glowing, non-crying, pristine baby in a nice clean manger; He was a human baby, whose home and bed were among the animals.)

Anyway, maybe Jesus "called" a bunch of people. Maybe that was the first prerequisite: be willing to follow. Then after that, some of them grew tired of following, some had no depth of commitment, others probably had to leave and go take care of family business. (Sounds a little bit like the parable of the seed on the pathway, among thorns, and so on, doesn't it?)

The point is this. Many WERE called.

They had some "proving" to do, before they were "chosen."

Just my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours.

Peace,


Davina

The Power of Practice

It was an "AHA!" moment, for sure.

I wish I could remember whose email I was reading, so I could give credit, but what I do remember was the challenge. The writer said, in effect, that what separates the pros from the posers is that the pros are consistent. I thought, simultaneously, "AHA!" and "Well, duh!" That's just so simple. But why do I often miss this little principle? So I set a challenge for myself: to write every day.

I've heard story after story, as I'm sure you have, of the athlete who rises in the wee hours each and every morning, to begin her 4-hour workout; or how about the musician who practices relentlessly every evening, while his friends are out having fun?

So I've been a poser, not a writer.

And so, I have begun, again, to write. It isn't always on this blog, but it's always some form of original writing outside of my normal journaling. Sometimes it's a blog post, sometimes a poem, or if I'm at my keyboard, maybe it's a song. I won't say these creations are always works that I wish to share, but the main point here is the practice.

Remember that old adage, "Practice makes perfect."? Well, I'm human, and I don't think my writing will ever be flawless, but a less-used definition of perfect (which happens to be the same one often used in the Bible) means "complete, full-grown." So, yeah, I think my writing, over time, can be "perfect," in the latter sense.

I've had to change some things in my life, like my alarm, my thoughts (it isn't always easy to think of something to write), and my time spent on social media. It's amazing how much more I get accomplished these days, when before, I thought I didn't have time to write. Now, it's almost addicting to see how much productivity I can squeeze into my waking hours!

I can hear some of you screaming, "Balance!" And you're absolutely correct - we must maintain balance, get plenty of rest, exercise, and relaxation. This things are vital to the healthy, whole person. But my personal experience tells me that we too often go overboard on the R&R in the name of balance. Remember, God worked six days and rested one, as did our ancestors, daylight to dark.

One more, yet unexpected, observation about this writing binge. I have noticed my creativity is growing. Not only is the writing itself coming more easily; my mind seems sharper overall. And innovative ideas are once again coming to me, that have nothing at all to do with writing.

All because of a challenge from someone I've never met, and my decision to take that challenge.

What about you?

What is it, that you need to "practice?"

What are you waiting for?


Peace,


Davina

Between the Promise and the Promotion

We've all been there.

We've heard the voice of God, maybe in our quiet place, maybe through a friend or a song, but we know when it happens. Something inside clicks, and we know, unmistakably, that we have heard His voice, and we hold on to the promise He gave at that moment.

Then reality sets in. Life happens. And we begin to wonder if we really did hear Him speak. We wonder, "Maybe it was just my imagination. After all, I don't see anything happening. If God really spoke to me, wouldn't things be better by now?"

Well, what about the children of Israel in the wilderness? Or Jesus Himself? Jesus heard the voice of God - it was a spectacular event. The Spirit of God descended on Him, and a thunderous voice from Heaven confirmed that He was the Son of God, and that God was pleased with Him! Wow, what an event!

Then immediately Jesus was sent where? Into the wilderness, where the enemy taunted Him with, "IF you are the Son of God ... IF you are ..." All Jesus had to go on was the last words of His Father, "This IS my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." But Jesus endured the wilderness, kept His faith, and won His battle. Only then, did He begin His ministry.

We see this pattern in the lives of Joseph, King David, all the great patriarchs. Why should we be any different?

Is it possible, that the reason we don't see the promotion, is because we give up on the promise?

If you've given up, it's not too late to renew your faith. Remember those children of Israel? What happened when they gave up? They just went around the mountain ... again. But the promise was still there, in hibernation. Eventually, they made it to the promised land.

Will you?

Don't give up!

Peace,


Davina

The Power of Intention

There's something about being intentional.

I remember reading Napoleon Hill's Outwitting the Devil, where he goes into depth explaining drifting vs. intention. That book made a huge impact on my life.

Yesterday I noticed the power of intention in my husband.

We moved into a new house in Abilene on November 2 this year. Having given away a lot of our furniture just before we moved out here (in a travel trailer) in December last year, we have been sitting in a "pretty big empty" (M.A.S.H. fans will get this) as far as furniture goes. We've been looking, as it were, for inexpensive furniture to put in this house, as the kids are visiting after Christmas. Our looking consisted mostly of my husband finding an item on Facebook or Craigslist, sending it to me or telling me about it, and my saying, "Yeah, that's nice."

So yesterday, he became very proactive. He got up with the intention of finding a dining table and chairs. He decided to go out, look until he found, and buy. And this is exactly what he did.

When we make up our mind to accomplish a thing, we generally do it. It can be losing weight, finding a piece of furniture, or writing a blog post. I wonder, as I write this, are there forces beyond our control that we activate when we make a decision to do a thing? I don't know, but I do know that when we make a decision, we activate OURSELVES, and all the power that God has put inside of us, to accomplish that very thing.

So what are you waiting for?

Make a decision.

Take action.

Go!


Peace,

Davina

Connecting With Aliens?

The title caught my attention. “How to Connect with Millennials.” I didn’t read the article, though - maybe I should have – but I wondered, “Why?”

Not, “Why should I want to connect with them,” but, “Why would I assume that connecting with them is any different than connecting with someone else?”

I mean, it isn’t as if they’re some alien life form, and we have to figure out how to get inside their brains, like President Whitmore in the original Independence Day, somehow curious but terrified of their capacity to wreak havoc on everything around.

No. They’re just people.

Again, I ask, why do we focus on the differences?

Remember that popular saying smattered all over shirts and wristbands a few years ago, “What would Jesus do?” That’s a great question to ask, but honestly, it can be a little difficult to visualize exactly what Jesus would do. You know, we’ve never really seen him in the flesh, so how do we know exactly how he would interact, what his mannerisms were, or how he would approach someone, physically? What was his body language? We can assume, but visualizing this can be challenging.

(I have another approach. We have a great friend named John. Everybody calls him JJ. And everybody loves JJ. From children, old folks, and teens, to 30-somethings, and yes, even millennials. I can see JJ, because I HAVE seen him, smiling, shaking hands, hugging, making eye contact, and shooting the proverbial bull with anyone and everyone! He is a true joy to be around. So when it comes to connecting with people, many times I think to myself, “What would JJ do?” Maybe you have your own “JJ.”)

But whether it’s people of a different generation, color, political views, or socioeconomic status, they’re just people. And people want to know that you see them. They want to know that you hear them. People want to feel important, and to know that they’re loved.

I know we all tend to gravitate towards our own “kind” (yours truly included). We sit with the same people at church, go to lunch in our little “cliques”, and hang out on weekends with those who make us feel most comfortable. And there’s nothing wrong with that; in fact, we do well to choose our friends wisely, because we become who we surround ourselves with.

But, what if, occasionally, we purposely added a little variety to our lives? What if we decided to spend time with “those” people on the opposite side of the political spectrum? What if we truly listened to opposing opinions, without trying to convince the other person of our own correctness? What if we shared a meal, a pew, an hour, with someone out of our norm? Do you think that maybe we’d be enriched? Encouraged? Do you think that maybe the other person would be?

So, I dare you! Connect with someone outside your normal circles!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Peace,

Davina

We Are Not as Different as We Think We Are

So, we are NOT as different as we think we are. We tend to think in differences. Why? Because our differences make us feel special.

 

And we absolutely SHOULD feel special. We should recognize that God "threw away the mold" when He made each one of us. Every single person, from Adam and Eve, all the way through the pages of history, to you and me, every single one is unique. You are His handiwork, a masterpiece of eternal significance. You are the ONLY YOU there will ever be! When we pause to consider that there have been well over 100 billion people on this earth (estimates vary), and that every single person is different from the next, this is a staggering testimony to the creativity of a limitless God!

In today's world, however, many times we focus so much on these differences that we allow them to become divisive. I think it would benefit us to explore all the ways in which we are alike.

Such is the purpose of this post.

A few months ago, I met and began partnering with a mission-focused community of Christ followers in Abilene, Texas. It is not a partnership I would have ever imagined, and let me explain why.

You see, I was raised strict Assembly of God, and have long gravitated towards churches where the music was loud (the more guitars and drums on stage, the better), the preaching was intense, and the praying was loud AND intense!

Now, I should probably point out, that this Abilenian community is a Church of Christ. From my understanding of the Churches of Christ, the music is subdued (usually a cappella), the preaching is methodical, and the praying is subdued AND methodical!

This Assembly-of-God girl is the lead worship minister at Hope Church of Christ.

You may ask, "How's that workin' out for you?!"

Honestly, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

How can this be? How can we get past the differences, and work together towards a common goal?

First of all, we have much in common. We love Jesus. We love our families. We enjoy having fun. We like to eat (a lot!). We love one another. And we all want to feel loved and significant. And this is just for starters!

Secondly, at the risk of sounding contradictive to myself, we DO recognize our differences. There is even the occasional lighthearted tease. There is no eggshell-walking, but a healthy mutual respect.

Finally, and most importantly, is that we have a common goal. We are seeking to know the Lord, in a deeper way, to be led by the Holy Spirit, wherever He leads. We are pursuing God together, and Helping Others Pursue Eternity.

Just a quick rabbit-trail here for my fellow worship leaders...

Why is it that so many of us have such a tough time serving the vision of our leaders in the church? From style of music, to platform dress, to "sloppy-wet-kiss" or "unforseen-kiss?" How many worship leaders have outside jobs, where we serve the boss? Whatever he or she wants, is fine and dandy, whether we're serving up alcoholic drinks or selling used cars. Why is it, then, when we walk into the church, we think it's ALL ABOUT US? If it has anything to do with money, then let's examine our hearts. If it has anything to do with ego, then let's examine our hearts. If it has anything to do with anything, let's examine our hearts. If we cannot serve, we cannot lead.

Back on track now, to the purpose of this post.

Next time you see the guy on the street, at the coffee shop, at your house of worship, at your job, or in Walmart, I challenge you to see that person as one who has many things in common with you. See a brother, a mother, a student. See one who shares the same needs and desires, the same pains and brokenness.

Really see. See one who bears the image of God.

Connect.

Smile.

Love.

...(God) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth (Act 17:26).


10 (You) have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity (Col 3:10,11,14).

We are not as different as we think we are.

How have you connected with someone who's different from you? When was the last time you made friends with a perfect stranger, for no other reason than to get acquainted? Your comments are appreciated.

Peace,


Davina

At the Table With the King's Kids

Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth (2Sa 4:4).

Can’t you just see this? Saul and Jonathan are dead, but there is still war between the two kingdoms. Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth – let’s call him Sheth, for short. Sheth’s nurse heard that Saul and Jonathan had been killed, and she was now afraid for Sheth. In her hurry to get out, and undoubtedly rushing Sheth, “Come on! We’ve gotta go! Now,” he fell and became lame. Remember, Sheth was five years old, running, with his nurse, for his very life. And he fell, and was crippled.

So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons (2Sa 9:11b).

So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet (2Sa 9:13).

Fast-forward. David, now King, wanted to find someone, some remnant, of Saul’s household, that he could bless. He found Sheth, brought him to Jerusalem, and fed him like one of his own sons! When seated at the table, Sheth looked like any other son. His legs didn’t work, but you can’t see a person’s legs under the table.

What can we learn from this passage about Sheth?

Vulnerabilities. I think it’s sadly interesting that Sheth was five years old. Five-year-olds are supposed to be learning to hop, skip, and turn somersaults! How devastating to be crippled at five!

A five-year-old is also becoming more self-aware, as well as becoming more social. How many times have we heard of people who have been severely emotionally or psychologically scarred around the age of five? Too many times. Way too many times. If the enemy can recognize and prey on us and our children’s volunerabilities, we should be even more vigilant to recognize and prepare for his schemes.

Eating Like a King. Despite Sheth’s handicap, he was sitting at the King’s table, eating all the finest foods. Not to mention, he was rubbing elbows with the King’s sons, and with the King! We can only imagine the dinner conversation – remember they were in Jerusalem, which means “Teaching of Peace.” David, the “man after God’s own heart,” would have instructed the boys on how to guard their hearts against lust, how to worship, how to remind themselves of the goodness of God when they were feeling down & out … all the things that he had learned from his own experiences. What an exciting opportunity for growth!

Have you ever found yourself surrounded by greatness? Maybe it’s at church, in the business world, or even in your own family? I have, more than once. Sadly, I have not always mined for the nuggets that were available to me, through people that God had placed in my life. As long as we were all “sitting at the table,” so to speak, no one could see my disabilities. But when it came time to get up from the table, I was, like Sheth …

Crippled. When dinner was over, and the boys began to rise and leave the table, Sheth was reminded of his inadequacies. As long as he was seated, he felt equal. But what about going out to war? He couldn’t. What if they wanted to get up and go play a game of football? Again, he was left out.

What has the power to cripple us?

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:37-39).

If nothing can separate us from the love of God, and if we OVERWHELMINGLY CONQUER (KJV says we are “MORE THAN CONQUERERS”) , then what can possibly cripple us? The only thing

that has the power to cripple us is a little four-letter word.

FEAR. I’ve heard it called, “False Evidence Appearing Real.” I don’t know who came up with that description, but it’s very accurate.

So, how to we deal with fear? We don’t. We simply receive the Love of God.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear… (1Jo 4:18a NASB).

See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are… (1Jo 3:1a AMP).

It’s as simple as turning on a light switch. Just let Him turn on the light of His love, and fear is immediately, intensely, and completely eradicated!

Don’t be a cripple at the King’s table. Be an overwhelming,”more than” conquerer!

You Do Not Have an Anger Problem

I’ve had a few opportunities over the past couple of weeks to become angry.  Really angry.  A couple of times, I gave in to those opportunities.  It was not pretty.  I think I resembled something like the female version of Yosemite Sam.  On one of those instances, I even went to bed angry.  I know better.  (Thank God for grace!)

I finally started questioning the things that had upset me, basically stepping outside of my own emotions, and looking objectively at each of the situations.  What did they have in common?  Was there a pattern?  Were these random occurrences, or was there a possibility that I was being tested in some area?

And guess what?  There WAS a pattern.  It WAS a time of testing.  Once I understood what was going on, I actually laughed out loud!  When the next test came, I hung up the phone, and announced to the enemy (not the person on the phone, but the evil one behind the attack), “Bring it on, loser!”  I’m really glad I was alone … some people might think I’m a little nuts!

Here’s the point.  No one can MAKE me angry.  IF someone else can MAKE me angry, or sad, or happy, for that matter, then that person is in control of me.

So why do we become angry?

Anger is one of two instinctive responses to fear.  The other is to run away.  It’s called, in psychological terms, the FIGHT or FLIGHT response.

Fight-or-flight response, response to an acute threat to survival that is marked by physical changes, including nervous and endocrine changes, that prepare a human or an animal to react or to retreat. The functions of this response were first described in the early 1900s by American neurologist and physiologist Walter Bradford Cannon (Britannica, 2016).

Anger, then, is not the problem; it is only a response, a symptom.  The real problem is fear.  When there is a threat, real OR perceived, anger is a natural response.

YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ANGER PROBLEM

Do you have a fear problem?

The good news is, we have NOTHING to fear!!

The Apostle John tells us in 1 Jn. 4:18 that there is no fear in love, because perfect love completely drives out fear!

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written, ‘FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.’  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:35-39).  If the Apostle in this passage could be assured of God’s love to him, and write such words, in the middle of the persecution that they were enduring, why can’t we?

Jesus Himself told the 12, whom He had just appointed as Apostles, and to whom He had just given authority over unclean spirits, diseases, and sicknesses, ““Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul…” (Matt. 10:28)  He told them, “You will be tortured, but DON’T BE AFRAID!”

Our final word of encouragement comes from the Old Testament, a verse that is one of my personal favorites:  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

The Lord is with you.  Regardless of your circumstances, regardless of what the people in your life may do or say, regardless of what hurdles you may face, you do not have to fear!  Be strong!  Be courageous, because THE LORD IS WITH YOU!

Peace,

Davina

Works Cited

Britannica, T. E. (2016, April 13). Fight-or-flight response. Retrieved from Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/topic/fight-or-flight-response