Paradise Lost . . . Eternity Gained!

It was a beautiful day in paradise, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and all was right in the world.  The man and woman had no imperfections, no regrets, nothing to feel ashamed of, and nothing to be afraid of.  They were perfect.  Their world was perfect. 

They knew nothing of fear, self-protection or insecurity.  Nothing of brokenness, sorrow, or disappointment.  What must it have been like, this fairy-tale existence?  Knowing complete joy, peace, security and companionship with the One who had created them.

But very soon it would all change.  Their fairy-tale world would turn into a nightmare and the garden they were placed in to enjoy and cherish would vanish like a vapor in the wind.

While they were walking in this paradise land, gazing at the intricate design of the leaves on the trees, watching the animals frolicking in the meadow, listening to the birds chatter back and forth, a serpent spoke to the woman.  

He sensed her vulnerability, so it was no accident that he directed his question to her.  You see, he had been watching.   Waiting for the perfect time to begin the plan, he had so carefully been constructing, to defeat his Maker.  What better way was there than to attack His children?  He had thought through every detail, every word said, every possible response.  Now was the time to drive a stake through the very heart of God.

With one question, he placed a seed of doubt in the heart of the woman, called Eve, regarding her Creator.

“Did God really tell you, you couldn’t eat from any of the trees in this beautiful garden?”  The question drips with sarcasm and shame.  Questions left unsaid, march unbidden through her mind. Aren’t you better than this?  Don’t you deserve more? Is your Creator really holding out on you?

She quickly clears up the serpent’s mistake but the seed of doubt has been planted and it is in fertile soil.  The missile has hit its mark.

“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.  “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat.  God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”  (Genesis 3.2-3 NLT)

Then Satan begins his full on assault . . . while the man listens but never speaks.

“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.  “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”  (Genesis 3.5-6 NLT)

It doesn’t take but a little watering for this seed of doubt to grow and flourish.  She is easily convinced her Maker is holding out on her. 

She walks with the serpent and her man to the forbidden tree.  The fruit glistens in the morning sun, her mouth begins to water as she contemplates what a bite into this fruit will be like. The juice runs down her chin and she quickly offers one to her husband.  

He once again says nothing, and takes a bite of his own fruit.

In that moment fear and shame are born.

The woman was convinced.  She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her.  So she took some of the fruit and ate it.  Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and het ate it too.  At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.  So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.  (Genesis 3.6-7 NLT)

The whole human race would pay the price for their rash decision. From then on sin would be passed down from one generation to another.  Satan was the victor, or so he thought.

But God . . would have the last word.  He would be the final victor.  But it would cost Him dearly.  This one act set in motion God's beautiful redemption plan.  This impulsive decision did not catch God by surprise.  It was not unforeseen.  Satan's "grand plan" was only a little cog in the wheel of God's great rescue mission and at the heart of this beautiful restoration plan was love. 

Selfless. Unconditional.  Sacrificial.  LOVE.

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  (Romans 5.8 NLT) 

 

The Great Divide

http://www.freeimages.com/photo/grand-canyon-arizona-1193562

 

 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?     (Matthew 9:5)

Jesus asked this question of the religious leaders who were outraged that He would say to the paralyzed man his sins were forgiven.

These “spiritual” gurus had watched Jesus grow from a little boy into a man.  To them he was a snot-nosed, skinned-up-knees boy, born from a mother who had cheated on her husband and now was as an adult claiming to be God!  How dare this kid from Nazareth say, “Your sins are forgiven!”  In the words of Vizzini from Princess Bride, “Inconceivable!

It was a simple question, with a simple answer but one they refused to acknowledge.  The religious leaders rejection of Jesus’ authority, created a chasm in their hearts between who Jesus was and who they wanted Him to be.

And we are not much different than they, if we’re willing to admit it.  Often, the divide is long and wide between who Jesus really is and who we want Him to be. 

We want the love of Jesus, not His justice.  We want a comfortable Jesus, not one who pushes us into the unknown.  We want to trust God with our eternal destination, but refuse to allow His “interference” in our everyday living.

The simple fact remains, Jesus is God; able to heal the sick and forgive sins.  True followers of Jesus refuse to let their own desires define Him and allow Him to be the Jesus He is!

Lord, I confess my propensity to create You in my own image, rather than allowing You to be the God You are.  Open my eyes to Your truth, teach me Your ways and help me to follow You with a pure heart.  Amen.

Slippage

http://www.freeimages.com/photo/beware-of-ice-1444808

So you must live as God’s obedient children.  Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires . . .  1 Peter 1.14

Slipping happens in a New York minute.  I’m reminded of this especially this time of year because I live in the icy, snowy state of Michigan.  If I'm not careful, if I'm distracted or in a hurry before I know it I'm flat on my back on an icy driveway.  

Traversing icy walkways takes focus and concentration and this life with Jesus is no different!  It takes intentionality, determination and single-mindedness.  The call of our old life is strong.

But God has gifted us with the Holy Spirit, God himself living inside of us, who fills us with His desires and empowers us to live as obedient children.  We don’t have to do this on our own, in our own strength.  Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4.30 (MSG), “. . . His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself.  Don’t take such a gift for granted.”

We don’t have to attempt to live this life by ourselves but we do have to surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leadership.  Jesus said it best when He declared, “No one can serve two masters.”  There can only be one master in our life, it’s either us or its God.  We can’t have both.  We must let His Holy Spirit reign in our lives in order to experience victory.

However, it’s in the re-asserting of ourselves onto the throne when slippage happens. 

When we lose focus, become distracted with life, allow fear to dictate our choices, before we know it, we find ourselves flat on our back in the muck of our old life, our old habits, and our old way of living.  And we lay they’re wondering how this could’ve happened AGAIN.

We will never drift into this life of surrendered-living.  Just like it takes focus and intentionality to walk on the ice without slipping, it takes purpose, effort, and tenacity to live a life surrendered to the power of the Holy Spirit.  It takes work to keep from re-asserting ourselves onto the throne.  It takes fortitude and perseverance to keep from going back to our old way of life. 

It takes a heart that desires God more than anything else!
 

Living Stones

http://www.freeimages.com/photo/water-and-stone-i-1479973

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.  Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15.5

 

In music harmony adds dimension and fullness to the melody.  The beauty of harmony is its different parts working together to enhance the song; adding flavor and depth.

The same is true of the family of God.  It is not all the individuals doing and saying the same thing but all of them working together, each using their unique gifts and abilities to bring depth and dimension to the ONE purpose.

And there’s the rub.

Working together brings friction, conflict and tension.

We all are familiar with this chafing but often we fail to see the beauty that comes from this abrasiveness.  It is in the friction where beauty is born. 

Working together with other people who are broken and imperfect like us, is God’s beautiful design.  We are like rocks in a stream; bouncing, rubbing and polishing off each other’s rough edges.

So we welcome the tension, open the door to conflict allowing it to refine and perfect us.

If you find yourself in conflict with another follower of Jesus, don’t be surprised.  Remember, we’re ALL still in the process of being perfected.  Peter tells us, “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple . . . “ 1 Peter 2.5 (NLT)

Know this; God wants to use this friction in your life to polish you into a beautiful living stone for all the world to see!

Heavenly Father, I know you designed family.  It’s part of your plan but I confess there are times when I don’t like the pain that comes with it!  I want to run and hide.  I want to escape the hurt, throw it to the winds and be done with it.  But teach me to STAY.  To embrace the pain and see the beauty.  Amen.

 

Word for the Year

Last year around this time I wrote a blog post entitled, One Word.  I had been challenged to let go of New Year’s resolutions and focus on one word I sensed God wanting me to focus on in my life.  I chose, UNDIVIDED.  The verse I chose that centered around this theme was Psalm 86.11,  

               Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 

When I chose this word, I never dreamed how powerful it would be.  How God would constantly remind me of my heart’s desire.  How He would shape and form me.  Weeding out those places of impurity and dividedness in my heart.  How my heart’s cry every day became . . . “Give me an undivided heart.” 

The reason I chose this word, was because I could see myself so divided in my genuineness towards other people and God.  How jealous I was when someone would get what I had been longing for and how angry I would be that God wasn’t giving me what I wanted.    

I craved a pure heart . . . one that would genuinely rejoice over someone else’s success, without bitterness or jealousy raising its ugly face.   

And God did that and so much more!  He took me to places in my heart I never knew were divided.  Culminating in a confrontation by a friend that I was harboring bitterness towards someone who had hurt me long ago.   It led me to meeting with this person who had hurt me so deeply and sharing my hurt and struggle. Through that obedience God set me free.  It’s been a beautiful year, of soul searching, pain over my sin and joy at God’s gentle prodding and pruning. God has done an incredible work.  I’m ready to step out in boldness, looking expectantly at what God will do in my heart this New Year with my new word . . .

 

 

Psalm 118.6  The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear.  What can mere people do to me? 

               Romans 8:31  If God is for me, who can ever be against me?

Daring to follow wherever He leads.  Daring to take Him at His Word.  Daring to go where He wants me to go and do what He is wants me to do, no matter the cost.  Daring to share truth.  Daring to pray audacious prayers. Daring to trust. . .  

What will God do in my life with this word?  Only He knows.  I confess there is a part of me that wonders will I be brave enough for this word.  I can feel the fear knocking on my back door but I’m refusing to answer and I choose to walk in faith knowing God never calls me to anything that He won’t provide. 

What has God done in your life this past year?  What does He want to do in your life this year?  I’d love to hear about it!  Do you have One Word this year that you’re choosing to focus on?  I’d love to hear what it is and why you chose it.