The Path Through Uncertainty

 

          Life is a series of uncertain events as noted in recent tornadoes, floods, and other disasters. We may make plans to pursue one thing, but circumstances beyond our control intervene. Sometimes we are sent in the opposite direction from where we thought we were headed. We all experience these things. They may be from a death, a serious health issue, a divorce, or a devastating financial loss.

          In our uncertainty, we may question God about our situation. Why did you allow this to happen to me? These tragedies are all part of our struggle between life and death. These uncertain times are used by God to draw us closer to Him. He wants us to place our trust in Him.

          Jesus never promised that our lives would be without problems and uncertainties. He did say, “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV)

          As we read the Bible, we find that Jesus went through uncertain times. The night before His crucifixion, He agonized over His impending death. He prayed that if it were possible, maybe there was another way. He was ready however, to do the will of His Heavenly Father.

          Jesus’ apostles and disciples faced uncertain times after His death. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit were they able to boldly proclaim His word even if it might mean their own deaths.

          We can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is with us. As we go through these times of uncertainty in our lives, we may have peace because of the presence of His Spirit in our hearts.

          “Charge them that are rich in this age, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy…” 1 Timothy 6:17 KJV

          The  Lord  is able to give you peace. Trust in Him.

New Beginnings

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ He is a new creation; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

We all like new things–the smell and look of a new car–a new house with all the possibilities to make it our own special place. Oh, and who doesn’t love a new-born baby–so helpless and soft. What might they become some day?

As time goes on everything begins to age. We get scratches and dents on our cars; the seats become frayed and torn. The house needs painted, and our appliances wear out. Even our bodies start to deteriorate, as our hair turns gray (or falls out) and our backs and knees start to give us problems.

In a spiritual sense, when we accept Christ, no matter what our age, we are like

New Beginnings

new-born babies. All the old sins  are forgiven, and we have a new slate upon which we may write each day. We do not need to be burdened down by yesterday’s transgressions. In 1 John 1:9 we find this promise:”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Cleansing is available when we admit that we have sinned and ask for God’s forgiveness.

As we pray, read God’s word and follow the leading of His Spirit, we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is alive in our lives and we can become more like Him.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for new opportunities for new beginnings and to become more  like you as we are faithful to follow your leading. Amen

1979 – The Year I Lost My Christmas Spirit and My Husband Found It

            Christmas had always been very special to me. I made a fuss decorating, sending cards, buying presents, and making tons of cookies. My husband, however, was more like Ebenezer Scrooge in The Christmas Carol.

            “Why send all those cards? Postage costs way too much. Quit buying all those presents for everyone and his brother. No, we can’t have electric lights on the outside of our house. Don’t bake all those cookies. We don’t need them.”

            My three girls and I begged to have a Christmas tree early in the season, but he would  cut one when he was ready. This usually tended to be rather close to Christmas Day. The couple of gifts that he picked out for me were purchased on Christmas Eve while the clerks were trying to close the stores. Oh, he enjoyed Christmas day, the good food, and visiting with family and friends, but he just didn’t have the spirit.

          In December, during buck season, my paraplegic brother broke his leg while transferring from his wheel chair to a regular chair. He wanted to look out the window to see the buck that my other brother shot. He developed a blood clot and a week later and on December 10^th, at the age of 47, passed away.

        My mother hadn’t been feeling well, but she refused to see the doctor while my brother was in the hospital. After my brother’s funeral, she had tests done, and the diagnosis was pancreatic cancer. She developed a blockage, and on December 17^th underwent bypass surgery.

            During this time, Christmas planning came to a halt with no cookies, no tree, and few presents being purchased. I went to work, came home, fixed dinner for my elderly Dad and family, and then drove to the hospital to visit my Mom. The Dr. told us that her condition was terminal, and this would be her last Christmas. My heart felt numb with grief. I couldn’t even think about Christmas preparations with Mom still in the hospital, and the death of my brother. My spirits sank to an all time low.

            My husband mentioned to me about cutting a tree. My response was, “I don’t care if we even have one.” My children were ages, six, thirteen, and fifteen. I knew I needed to make an effort for them, but I hadn’t the strength.

            A couple days before Christmas, I ran downstairs to do a load of laundry before going to the hospital. My husband came down, took me by the shoulders, and propelled me into the basement recreation room. There in the corner stood a Christmas tree that he and the girls had cut and beautifully decorated.

            I cried. I cried over the death of my brother, my mother’s diagnosis, and for the love of my Ebenezer, and my children in trying to help me feel better. When I saw the manger scene, a thought occurred to me—Christmas wasn’t about me, or my family’s dire circumstances. It was the birthday of my King. Despite my sadness, I could still celebrate. Christmas was about the love which God extended from heaven the first Christmas, when he sent His Son in the form of a tiny baby to become our Savior.

            Yes, I could still say…”God Bless us Everyone!”

            Oh, yes, my Ebenezer still gets a little ”scroogie” sometime over prices of gifts, postage, and outside Christmas lights, but that Christmas he too caught the true spirit of Christmas.

Does God Answer Prayers?

Does God Answer Prayers? 

            At the end of October it will be the eleventh anniversary of my sister, Dottie’s death. She died at the age of 58—much too soon. Sometimes, I forget she’s gone, and I think about picking up the phone to call her to tell her something, or to ask her a question. 

            The time of illness before she passed was very difficult for our whole family. The last month of her life, I stayed at her house to care for her two-year-old granddaughter, Vanessa, so that her daughter could stay at the hospital with her. 

            Many prayers went up to God for the healing of my sister from friends and family. Dottie loved God, and it was evident in her life as a servant of His. We both made decisions to trust Christ at the same church service. She was not only my physical sister, but my “sister in the Lord.” 

            We wondered why God didn’t answer our prayers. Sometimes I didn’t know how to pray, and I got on my knees and just looked up to God and cried. I am certain that at those times the Spirit of God prayed for me. Scriptures tell us in Romans 8:26-27 (LB), that the Holy Spirit prays for us –“with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words.” 

            In verse Romans 8:28 – we find these words – “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plan.” 

            When it became evident that she was not getting better and was experiencing much suffering, I asked the Lord to take her home. On the other hand, her daughters and husband were praying that God would spare her. 

            A couple of days before she died, she said to her daughter: “You are keeping me from going to heaven.” 

 At that point, I believe the family’s prayers changed to: “May Your will be done Lord. Do whatever is best for Dottie.” It is difficult to pray this type of prayer. But, when you know the person has peace with God, it is a bit easier to release them into His care. 

            Why does God not always answer our prayers the way we desire? It is because He knows what is best. He knows our end from our beginning. God’s word tells us that “Our days are numbered.” We can only see a minute part of His plan for our lives—for the rest of that plan, He wants us to have faith and trust in Him. 

            God does answer our prayers, as we pray in accordance with His will. The answer can be “yes, no, or wait.” 

Prayer: Lord, give us faith to trust you with our lives and the lives of those we love. Amen 

Blessings, Jan Sady

Behold the Lamb

Behold the Lamb of God – Jesus 

          The sacrifices offered by the priest in the Jewish faith included the shedding of the blood of animals. This sacrificial system was instituted by God. It was meant to point them toward the perfect Lamb of God, a Redeemer who would come. 

          We know that during their time of captivity in Egypt, the death angel passed over the homes of the Israelites who were instructed to put the blood of a lamb on their door posts. The Jews celebrate this event of being spared death by God. Jesus also celebrated the Passover with His disciples. Jesus made a new covenant when He gave His life as the ultimate sacrifice during this time of final remembrance. Christ’s followers now celebrate “The Lord’s Supper” in remembrance of His sacrifice. 

          When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John declared: … “Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) We find God affirming by the Holy Spirit… “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) 

          One of the significant events which happened when Christ died on the cross was the veil of the temple being split in two. Only the high priests were permitted behind that veil to offer sacrifices for the people. When the veil was torn at Jesus’ death, it essentially signified that we now have access to God in another way. 

          God’s word tells us that Jesus became our high priest. When He ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God. He makes intercession for us.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 2:1-3. 

          The priests died, but Christ our high priest continues to live. “But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 

          We find that under the old system sacrifices were repeated year after year. It served as a reminder to the people of their sinfulness and provided only a temporary covering always pointing toward the coming Messiah – the Lamb of God. Hebrews 10 tells us that it was a “shadow of good things to come.” 

          “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God…” Hebrews 10:11-12. 

          “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them who look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28 

          Aren’t you grateful that we are no longer under the sacrificial system for our sins, that by accepting Christ as our Savior, we have access to God thru His sacrifice? Jesus said: “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 

          “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world!”

The Pitfalls of Procrastination

The Pitfalls of Procrastination

Do you know anyone who procrastinates? Sure, you do, we all have a few “procrasties” in our blood.  I happen to know the President of the Procrastinator’s Club of America. Well, not really, but he certainly ranks pretty high on the list, and he gets my vote. He debates the situation to death—should I do this, should I do that, blah, blah, blah? Then, when he actually makes a decision and is in the midst of doing the thing, he begins to question if he is doing the right thing.

I have to admit that I’ve allowed a few opportunities to slip by because I kept laying the project aside thinking I had plenty of time. Then, when I finally decide I’m going to do the project, the deadline has passed!

 Or, what about that inspection on your car which was about to expire?  You were going to take care of it next week? Right? Forgot! The State police are sure to notice.

Some procrastination has devastating results, such as staying in your home when you are told to evacuate because of a flood, hurricane or wildfire. We’ve heard the sad news recently of people dying because they waited too long.

The same can be true in our spiritual life. We really did plan to start attending church, but, we’ve been so busy. Now, the children are teenagers, and they have no interest in the things of God. Your own spiritual life is a wreck because of lack of prayer and reading God’s word.

Perhaps, you’ve felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to put your faith in Christ, but you keep putting it off. God’s word in Hebrews 9:27 – “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

If we procrastinate too long, the decision will be taken out of our hands by death. (Do we know when that will be?) We will stand before the Lord and hear – “I never knew you.”

The good news is that if you are reading this – it’s not too late! Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) is one of God’s great promises: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Well, you may be thinking, this girl is laying it on a bit heavy…I don’t think so. I’m not procrastinating today about giving a witness to my faith in Christ, and this is my way of being that witness which God calls all of us to be who claim His name. There are countless people out there who are lost and without hope. Let’s be proactive and tell them the Good news.

Don’t get upset!

We are a nation of fretters, whiners and anxious human beings. I know because I’m one of them. It doesn’t matter whether we are fretting over something major, or someone jumping line at the grocery store, not having enough money for everything we want, the price of gas or someone cutting us off in traffic. We whine and fret; we get upset or distressed about many things. 

It reminds me of the children of Israel on their march to the Promised Land. Now, I’ll grant you, it was a long way, but hey, they did bring it on themselves by their disobedience and their lack of trust. 

God spared their families from the death angel, caused the Egyptians to ply them with all types of treasures, parted the sea so they could cross on dry land,  gave them free food, and shoes that never wore out. And, let’s not forget the nightlight so they could see where they were going. 

After all this, they looked longingly back to Egypt—to slavery. For what? Could it be onions and melons?  Then, they decided they were tired of the manna and wanted meat. God gave them quail, but he punished them for their whining. 

Perhaps, we are quick to jump all over the Israelites for being upset about insignificant matters.  But what about us? Aren’t we just like them? 

My friend Shirley purchased a lovely pair of eyeglasses from a local Chinese optometrist. After three months, the stem broke. She went back to the store, and the conversation went something like: 

“I’m very upset!” 

“Why you upset?” 

“I’ve only had these glasses three months, and look, they are already broke.” 

“Tsunami—get upset! House burn down—get upset! Cancer—get upset! Eyeglasses break—no get upset. I fix. You get back. No get upset!” 

There are times when we need to put things in perspective. What should we allow ourselves to fret and “get upset” about?  God knows our needs and circumstances better than we do ourselves. Many times He uses what we think is upsetting to cause us to turn to Him in prayer or to soften our hearts toward others. I think I need to take a lesson from the Chinese optometrist –“No Get Upset.” What about you? 

“”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV