Wolves

I don’t know about you, but at times I feel like there is a war going on in my heart. I know it is the indelible imprint of sin; my broken nature. Galatians 5:17 tells us; 

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

To me this just beautifully describes the conflict; the constant struggle, the cosmic tension and brings to mind a story I recently heard about a grandfather trying to explain this to his grandson. In this story he tells his grandson that he feels like there are two wolves fighting in his heart; one full of anger and hate and the other full of love, forgiveness and peace. The grandson asks; ‘which one will win?’ And the grandfather replied; ‘the one I feed.’ 

Isn’t that so true...again if we look to the Bible I think we can find help. Philippians 4:8-­9 reminds us; 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

Father, God of Peace thank you that you are with us during this battle. And Father as we struggle during this conflict help us to feed the wolves of our hearts the whatevers of your word.

Grace and Peace!

God That Pursues

I have been spending a lot of time in Luke 15 lately. I love it when this happens. I keep getting drawn back to a passage to get more and more and more. I feel like the little girl on the AT&T commercial; “we want more, we want more.” 

This is a famous passage with 3 parables and most people probably recognize these encouraging passages. Lately, however, I am drawn to something more. I am drawn to this image that we have a God that pursues us, a God that loves us no matter what, a God that rejoices when we turn or turn back to Him. 

Of course we have the parable of the lost sheep; a story of the good Shepherd leaving 99 in search of the one lost sheep; the one gone astray. We have the parable of the Lost Coin; a story of the woman painstakingly searching, sweeping, seeking the one lost coin. And we have the parable of the prodigal son; the story of the rebel who turned away, squandered and ultimately realized his need of the Father. Each parable ends with great rejoicing, there is a celebration; because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost, and is found! 

There is so much more in these parables, but can’t you see the seeking, the yearning, the searching of our Great God? So encouraging, so no matter if we find ourselves wandering away, lost, or rebelling we can trust there is an amazing grace looking for each of us. 

I will end with the words from a hymn written by W. Spencer Walton:

In tenderness he sought me, weary and sick with sin, and on His shoulders brought me back to his fold again, while angels in His presence sang until the courts of Heaven rang. 

Oh the love that sought me! Oh, the blood that bought me! Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold, wondrous grace that brought me to the fold! 

Grace and Peace!

Shipwrecks

 Acts 27:23-­24 

Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 

Life can be so overwhelming; it can seem to be moving through one obstacle course to another. Can you relate to that? While I find myself with these feelings on a regular basis, there is something to remember...we have a God who is sovereign and in control. 

This God is also a God who loves and cares and will never let us perish. John Calvin once said: 

“Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.” 

Father I thank you that you are God and we are not! Thank you that you are our Pilot and nothing will ever separate us for your grace and love. Amen. 

Ephesians 2:10 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Grace and Peace!