God doesn't sleep

From the Word: Esther 6:1 “That night the king could not sleep…”

"Not when there is injustice. The King of Glory never sleeps nor does He slumber. He will bring justice swiftly for those who love Him. The devil is plotting and we are not unaware of his devices. Even more so the all knowing God. Will He not arise and carry out His good plan according to His mercies? Will He not see us in the court, dressed and ready for Him and extend his scepter to us? Will he not hang the devil on the gallows he meant to hang us on? Will He not bring us to His banqueting table and hang His banner of love over us?"

It is Easter weekend as I write this. So many thoughts and emotions come with this time of year. Beauty is all around as flowers are in bloom and for a few weeks in California we get to see green hills instead of brown ones. 

Even with all the beauty we are constantly reminded of the fallen world we live in. Just last week the headlines were "Shooting at an Elementary school." Sin and the devil are at work. They don't take a day off. We read that after Jesus overcame the temptation in the wilderness that the devil went away looking for an opportune time to trip him up. 

The good news is that God doesn't sleep either. In fact Jesus said that He and His Father were working from the beginning. God doesn't change and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! Jesus is alive and working on the earth. 

Jesus told a parable of a widow who went to an unjust judge to get deliverance. Eventually she did because the unjust judge didn't want to be wearied with her coming anymore. In the explanation of the parable Jesus tells us that we shouldn't give up either. God is not unjust! He hasn't forgotten you. Jesus ended his statements by saying that God would bring justice swiftly. 

Don't give up or give in. When you see the devil taking lives and sin destroying people press in to God. He isn't off taking a nap or an extended vacation. He is intimately involved in the events of the earth bringing justice, comfort, peace, healing and especially the good news of the gospel that Jesus took our sin on the cross and defeated death and the devil when he raised again to life! 

God loves you so much. Easter shows us that. The beauty of spring shouts that there is a resurrection and we can be made alive with Christ. I would encourage you to take some time to meditate on the story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Get into a Bible believing church and experience the wonderful presence of God. Tell God how thankful you are for His love and love on Him right back. Finally, take some time to pray for those who are bound by sin and the devil, that they would be delivered and experience the salvation and love of Jesus this Easter weekend as well. 

Day 165 - Not Even Close

"From the Word: Romans 8:18 is so poetic and powerful. I don't even consider the present sufferings to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. Suffering can't even be compared with glory. It's not even close."

So if it is not even close then why do I continue to compare? It's like someone from a distance holding up their finger and sizing up a mountain. "Look how big my problems are!" No, put your little finger at the base of that mountain and see how insignificant the suffering is compared to the massive glory waiting for us. 

Being in church for most of my life I have been in meetings that have gotten away from the leaders. Some jokingly have called it "Top that testimony". People have shared from platforms on microphones with a captive audience things that never should be shared. I remember one time in a meeting a young lady shared her sufferings with no resolve and it was like the breaking of a dam. Soon followed story after story of sadness and brokenness. Thankfully one of the leaders put an end to it but the damage was already done. Wounds were open and people were hurting. 

The only way to heal from the hurt is to look to the Healer. When we get focused on our goal (His name is Jesus) then the light ahead of us outshines the darkness all around us. 

Did you have a dad who wasn't there or who was but did the wrong things? Look to your eternal Father. Have people used and abused you and then left you high and dry? Look to the one who stays closer than a brother in Whom is true rest. Have you gone through pain and agony that no one should endure? Look to the one Who endured the cross that we should have carried and died on. 

It doesn't compare. Look up, your future is bright! 

How does having an eternal perspective change your view of suffering and pain? Are there other scriptures that talk about this? 

Day 138 - When Love Hurts

"I embrace suffering and problems and trials because Jesus did and I am following Him. It is an opportunity for the glory of God and the shaping of my heart. There is nothing in this world that I can't handle because God already knew it would happen…to me…and has given me the power of the Holy Spirit to endure."

We need reminders that with the life of following Jesus there will be suffering. Wherever He went we are going if we are following correctly. His road was one of sorrows, suffering and sacrifice and ultimately led to a cross and a grave. We now lay down our lives and take up our cross to follow Him.

Thank God for His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. We know that we can endure and that we will make it. In fact we can thrive in the midst of adversity. God will make a way and He will not allow our foot to be moved. He also will not give us more than we can bear.

Remember today that if you are going through pain and suffering that Jesus endured the same. There is a beautiful promise in Romans that says if we share in His sufferings we will also share in His glory. Love came in the flesh, Jesus. Love hurt, suffered and died. But love was raised from the dead and now gives us the power to endure and the hope of glory.

How can we identify with the sufferings of Jesus? What does it mean to take up your cross?

Day 41 - What's Better

"A thought from the Word. When David was amongst the Philistines he became someone who he would not have been proud of. He acted like a mad man, he lied constantly and raided towns murdering everyone to cover for his lies. Better to suffer persecution for righteousness than to have comfort in a compromised life."

The last line of this thought I wrote last year I believe was Holy Spirit inspired. How often do we have the opportunity to compromise for the comfort of not suffering? The flesh will happily dive in. The devil will lie and tell you it is okay and Jesus died so you wouldn't have to suffer. No, Jesus died to save me from my sins. Suffering is a part of Christian living. Why else would Jesus tell us to take up our cross and follow Him? The road to glory is marked with pain, sorrow and suffering. That shouldn't back me off of following though. God gives grace and the Spirit to carry us through every trial. 

David's compromises ended up getting him and his companions in trouble. While they were away their town was raided and their families and goods were taken away. David's men actually talked of killing him. Thankfully the Lord is gracious. David strengthened himself in the Lord and they pursued the enemy and recovered all. 

If you're sitting in compromise it is time to repent and pray the Lord strengthens you for the pursuit to regain what the enemy has stolen. Like David you will recover all. 

Have you been persecuted or suffered for not compromising? How do you stick to your guns when the temptation comes?