Author: Lynden McGriff

Today’s Reading: Matthew 11 

Every day we are asked to be someone different. We are asked to be a parent. We are asked to be a sibling. We are asked to be a child. We are asked to be a spouse. We’re asked to be a friend. We are asked to be a coworker. We are asked to be a person.

In all these asking, we sometimes can forget or need a reminder of who we actually are. We are a child of God through Christ. That’s the one thing that we have to remember. When we lose sight of that, then we can try to play all the roles that society has put on us.

 But when we forget that we are our child of God, then we are confused and disillusioned. Even in this text of this passage, Christ and John the Baptist are seen differently through the lens of society.

 

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭7‬-‭9‬, ‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Many times we place so much effort on what the world and others think of us that…

We become depressed.

 We become anxious.

We become distraught. 

We become insecure.

 But through Christ, we are able to become more than our wildest thoughts.

 We have become strong … compassionate…  loving … fearless … beautiful individuals.

Let us look at ourselves this week as God sees us. Let us look at ourselves, as beautiful creations. Let us deafen the noise of the world and embrace our beauty in Christ.

Be  blessed

Today’s passage: Exodus 17

“Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭17‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I’m tired. 

I can’t go on.

When will this be over? 

These are some of the words and phrases that we say constantly when we are going through something or experiencing something that is not manageable. 

We are human. 

We are vulnerable. 

We are fallible. 

We get tired and frustrated and distraught. But in this passage, we see that God gives us the ability to persevere, but he also has resources that are there to help hold us up, Aaron and Hur. 

No matter what we’re going through God has sent support to us in the midst of our battles and our troubles.

 The thing that we have to do is to allow others to support us when we are in need.

 

Be Blessed

Today’s Reading: Acts 4 

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.  Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peter and John were two of the closest apostles that lived and were in close relationship with Jesus throughout his ministry, his death, burial and resurrection. 

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. – John 20:2-4

These two individuals were with Jesus or in close proximity to him at the crucifixion. They were the apostles that went to the tomb on the day of resurrection. They also were able to interact with Christ for the 40 days after he returned to earth. Peter and John  are some of the most prominent apostles that we have. 

At the beginning of their careers they were somewhat timid and did not know how to use the gifts that were given to them. But here in the Acts, we see that they have gained this boldness that transcends understanding. The boldness that they received is from the Holy Spirit. It is after Christ ascended in the Holy Spirit came to them that they had this boldness. 

One of the best things that we have currently is the Holy Spirit is available to each at one of us. The Holy Spirit is God the spirit. The Holy Spirit is the same spirit that was at the beginning of time; the same spirit that was at the resurrection of Christ; the same spirit that was working through the apostles. The same spirit is what we have available to us if we open our hearts and our selves to the Holy Spirit.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, and we accept the Holy Spirit and understand that Jesus’ purpose was to bring the reconciliation of the Holy Spirit to us through his blood. We are able to use the same spirit to become bold in the things that we do. The things that we do for the spirit and for raising the connection in relationship with God to others.

There’s three ways that we can be bold  to show God’s love to others.

 

Bold in the preparation 

Bold in the asking

Bold in the doing 

 

 

Be bold in the prep

Whenever we’re doing something, we have to have the confidence that what we’re going to do will be accomplished. We have to be bold in the preparation. We have to make a statement and know that when we make a statement it will be completed. When we have doubt and questioning, then that allows us to get into the scenario and not allowing the spirit to be the main purpose in the scenario.

Be bold in the asking 

Many times when we are asking for things, we take a timid stand. We take a stand of shyness. When asking we have to be bold and asking and assure ourselves of what we’re asking. When we are asking God for clarity, or for understanding, or for health, or for financial peace, or for anything, we have to ask within the knowledge that He is going to provide it for us. We cannot be shy when we’re asking God for things. It’s not being arrogant or overconfident. We’re just asking with the understanding that our Father is going to provide for us the things that we need and he’s already given to us.

 Be bold in the doing 

One of the most important aspects of everyday life is the follow-through. Many times we can prepare and we can ask, but we do not have the follow-through. When we have the follow-through, we are doing the things that God has in store for us. When Peter and John were approached by this beggar in this passage, they were bold and what they could do and what they were able to do. They did not shy away from telling the beggar that they did not have money, but they did tell him they didn’t have money and what they were able to do. 

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. – Acts 3:4-7

Many times we shy away from things that we can’t do and then we also shy away from the things that we can do. What we have to do is be bold in both. Be bold in our limitations and be bold in our strengths.  When we walk in the spirit, we can be bold without being overconfident or arrogant. We also can be bold at the same time being humble because we understand that God is using us to fulfill the needs and the wants and they ask of others.

As we go through this week, let us see how we can be bold in the things that we have. Let us see how we can be bold in the preparation and be bold in the asking and bold in the doing.

 

 

Today’s Reading : Genesis 45 

So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. – Genesis 45: 4-7

A cool, crisp pear. 

Several years ago, while on the mission trip I had the pleasure of speaking to a priest. While we were speaking, he was giving me a story about something that happened in his life. When he was younger, he had to work a very strenuous job. At  the end of the day of long work, his grandmother would give him a cool crisp pear.   This was a reminder of grace and love to him.

Throughout his travels, he would always have a reminder of this love in this compassion, a cool crisp pear. On a particular journey through a combat zone and devastation, he was on a bus in the middle of the desert. He had no food. He had no money and he sat by a stranger. After the two visited. As the stranger was leaving, he opened up his briefcase and gave the priest a cool crisp pear. It was a reminder of love and compassion.

Think about a pear.   A pear is something that is special and something that you cannot get all the time. You can get an apple anywhere, but a pear is special and it’s has to take time to be prepared.

Think of the life-cycle of a pear. You have to plant the seed. You have to wait for the seed to grow and mature. The tree starts to grow, it takes several years to produce fruit. Once they produce fruit, then it has to be harvested. Once it’s harvested, it has to be transported to the grocery store or to the market.   Once it’s there at the store, you purchased it. You can enjoy it. Many times we just enjoy the fruit, but we do not remember the journey process that it took to get to you. The pear had been prepared for you in the past so that you can enjoy it today.

In today’s reading, Joseph is reunited with his brothers. The brothers of Joseph were not kind to him. They were envious of him. They were jealous of him. They wanted him to die. They actually kidnapped their brother and sold him into slavery. They had expected him to die and not have his future fulfilled. Joseph was sold into slavery. He was put into jail.  He was almost killed. But God had seen the big picture. God saw the preparation in Joseph’s past to prepare him for the future.

When Joseph recognized his brothers, and understood their love and compassion for their father and youngest brother, he was overjoyed. He was excited to share his new statue in Egypt with his family. He was able to push past the hurt and the frustration that he had for them before. Joseph understood God’s purpose in his life. Joseph understood how his past had prepared him for this opportunity. Joseph understood how he could benefit his family in the midst of the hurt. Joseph saw how he could protect and provide for his family.

Many times in our past, we have a lot of hurts and pain.  We might want to hurt others because we were hurt. We might want to take revenge on others who have taken advantage of us. We do not want to forgive. But because of God‘s love that works in us we can see how God has perfected us through the transitions and through the trials that we have gone through. God has actually used those situations to make us stronger and to make us more resilient. It is not easy to go through life. It is not easy to go through pain. It is not easy to see things happen for others and not for ourselves. But when we know God‘s purpose for us and we walk in that purpose and promise then we have peace.

As we go forward due this week, let us look at our past. This is not a easy thing to do. It can be difficult. But once we understand our past and see how God has prepared us for today in our past. He has not allowed us to go through these things for no purpose. Just as it took a while for the pear to mature and to be presented to us from a long period of time. God has something ready for us today that he has prepared for us from our past. We have to ask God to reveal this to us and allow us to accept it when it is presented to us.

Be Blessed

 

Today’s Reading : Numbers 14

And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” - Numbers 14:6-10

 

Have you ever had an idea or a promise that you have held on for so long, only to see that it has been broken. Not by the giver, but the receiver.

Here is the  most powerful illustration of Numbers Chapter 14.  Imagine a couple has been together for several years. They have grown together and they have experienced life together. They plan on getting married. They go and look at rings. Then they have a long pre-engagement.  Then the groom proposes. But the bride does not accept the proposal. Both are broken,  both are dismayed.

This is the illustration that has happened in Numbers with God in the Israelites.  God has selected the chiefs of the tribe of Israel to go and view the promised land. This was to gain insight and to show them the goodness that is set up for them. The chiefs return back gives  a negative report.  Joshua and Caleb tried to persuade the people to come into the land that was promised. But the people revolt and they turn away.

One of the most touching aspects of this recount is God‘s emotions.

God is sad and hurt.

God wants to stop this hurt and pain by ending the people, but one of God’s best friends is Moses and Moses talks him out of the annihilation. Moses pleads to God and intercedes on behalf of the people. Because of Moses connection with God and his love for the people, God grants mercy.

This is not just any mercy, but a beautiful representation of the love of Moses and the love of God for the people.

The people rejected God to the fullness of their abilities for everything that he’s done for them. These individuals saw the promise and the miracles and still rejected God and wanted to return to their previous life.

Sometimes we have seen our promise and we are afraid of accepting it. Sometimes the things of the past are so comfortable that we cannot see passed the miraculous things in our everyday life that God has ready to give to us.

This is a true testament of God‘s strength and MERCY to us. At any given time, God could stop everything. He has the power to cease everything in an instant. But because of his love and MERCY, he gives us another opportunity. He gives us another opportunity every day. He gives us mercy every day. When we truly understand his mercy and his love, then how can we not give that same mercy  and love to others.

There are so many times that we want to return to our previous lives.

Our previous experiences.

Our previous bondage.

But God has given us the ability to see the promises that he has stored for us. He also has given us the ability through Christ to receive his mercy. Without Christ, we will not be able to receive his mercy.

As we go through this week, let us see if we can receive and give the mercies that God has given to us.

Be Blessed

Today’s reading : Jonah 2

I called out to the Lord, out of my distress,  and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried and you heard my voice.
3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas,
    and the flood surrounded me;   all your breakers and your waves passed over me.
5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head.
7 When my life was fainting away  I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you  into your holy temple.
9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving  will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay.
    Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.  – Jonah 2: 1-10

Germination  is the process where a stored life through metamorphosis forms into a living being.

As we are entering the Spring season and entering the season of Easter we can see the growth that is happening around us. A lot of the growth that we see is due to the revitalization of the plants that we have.

But there is a part of the spring cycle where seedlings have been planted and start sprout. This is the mysterious process of germination.

In Jonah Chapter 2,  Jonah is currently in the big fish. He has just been thrown overboard and swallowed by the fish.  Jonah had been in the fish for 3 days and this starts the connection  to the mystery of Easter, we see that both Jonah and Jesus go through a germination process. 

The stories of Jonah and Jesus are parallel and are intended to show the mysterious power of God.  In both of their stories, Jesus and Jonah are in the dark for three days and then they begin a new ministry.  In Jonah, the germination process is in the belly of the great fish.  In Jesus, the germination process is in the borrowed tomb of Joseph from Sundown of Friday to the Dawn of Sunday.  In this germination process, both of them are separated and isolated from everything else. While they’re going through the germination process, they do not know that they are being transformed. It’s something different.

Jonah has sacrificed himself on behalf of the ship that was going down in the middle of the sea. He sees that he is the answer to salvation of his fellow shipmates. Jonah sees that the only way that the chaos and the strife of that moment can be cured is by him sacrifice in his life.

Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. – Jonah 1:14-16

Jesus sees the chaos and the strife that was happening in the world. Jesus saw the absence of love and compassion and peace. Jesus came to sacrifice his life so that we similar to the shipmates would have peace.

The peace and  relief was not long coming for the shipmates. Once they knew what was happening, they tried not to sacrifice Jonah. The shipmates tried everything that they could do on their own terms to stop sacrificing himself. But in the end, Jonah knew he had to be sacrifice.

In the passage it shows us that as soon as Jonah was thrown into the sea, the Tempest and the hurricane stopped instantaneously.

Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. – Jonah 1:14-16

When Christ came and sacrificed himself on Good Friday, the Tempest ceased. The chaos and death stopped. There are still things that try to distract us from the peace and joy that the resurrection has given us, but we have to understand that it was already taken care of.

No matter what you’re going through. The victory has already been one.

Once Christ died on Good Friday, and the resurrection was happening on Easter Sunday, that victory has already been given to us. Let us reflect on how amazing that the mystery of the germination process that transformed Jonah and Jesus has given us peace in the middle of the chaos.

Be Blessed

Today’s Reading Psalms 1 

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It needs to be done now. 

When will happen? 

Why do we have to wait so long?

We want to know when things are going to happen and on our own time. We don’t want to wait for many things. We have not cultivated the ability to be at ease and be patient and wait to things to develop.  I’ve been guilty of this myself. I’ve tried to push the agenda to get things done quickly. I’ve tried to ask the right questions to see what people are going to complete task or start task. But God has his own time for everything.

In this passage, we see a critical statement… yields its fruit in its season. 

God has prepared things for us to be accomplished and to be fulfilled in His time. He set us up with a couple of prerequisites in order for his time to fulfill or bring our fruit to completion. There are three items that need to be in place so that we can see God‘s true power and fulfillment. The right location, the right nutrients, and the right time. 

Right location 

We have to be in the right place to be available for God‘s fruit to be produced. In the Psalm, the tree is planted by the streams. This is a location in which the tree has the stability and the resources that God has in store for it.

Right nutrition 

We have to be in the right place so that the resources and the nutrition that we need are available and plentiful. The passage says plural streams. This is multiple areas for resources. The tree will not lack resources to grow. When we are in tune with God‘s mission and purpose for our life and not listening to the noise that distracts us then we will be able to tap into these resources. These resources are unlimited. The resources will be brought to the tree. The tree does not have to move in order to grow. All the things that the tree needs will be brought to It. God will bring the things to you that you need to grow when you are ready to produce the fruit.

Right time 

The timing will happen when God wants it to happen. As we are getting ready for spring, we will start to see the trees producing leaves and fruits. But not all trees and all grass produce the fruits at the same time. There are different times for different fruits. They are different times for us to produce the fruits that God has to store for us.

An interesting fact that I recently found clarity on was the wet and dry seasons. I believe that this only happens once a year.  The winter is the wet season and the summer is the dry season.  But I have just recently found that the wet and dry seasons are more cyclical and more periodic. The wet and dry seasons can happen two times a year up to four times a year.  The weather can determine the growing season of these fruits.  God determines our seasons of fruit and growth if we are in tune with Him.

 

This passage shows us that God‘s wisdom is not based on a set time or a set parameters. God‘s wisdom comes when He has prepared us for the goodness that He has for us. Many times, earthly wisdom wants to set boundaries and time limits on growth. This passage has allowed me to reset my own expectations on myself and others. Hopefully that this passage and this reflection helps others to be able to reset their expectations on themselves and others as well.

Be blessed

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 9 

One question:  Ask what shall I give you?

When you review the life and the beginning relationship of Solomon and God it is a beautiful relationship. At the beginning of his reign,  Solomon had to focus and a plan for serving God.  Some of the  first things that Solomon carried out was to clear up the bad blood that had been done to his father David and done because of his father David. Solomon did have a discerning power with some of them, but when the statute of his decree was not performed, he was just.

Some of the theologians believe  that the Proverbs were created at the beginning of Solomon‘s reign.  Solomon became king when he was young, he was approximately in his early 20s. At that time and in our current time, individuals who are in their early 20s have not had a lot of experience and are considered not wise. 

One of the most redeeming character traits of Solomon is … his understanding of what he did not know. 

In the beginning of this blog, this is the question that God asked Solomon “what I shall give you?” – I Kings 3:5-6  I had always believed that Solomon asked God for something, but  instead God is asking Solomon for something. This is mind blowing.   God asked what Solomon wanted.  Is God gently asking us what we desire or want? 

Solomon replied that he wanted God to give him understanding to govern his people. Wisdom was given to Solomon as a way of instructing that people to learn the skill of how to love and to serve God.  Wisdom is not a law or commandment , but it is a gentle guidance to show us how to live.

God has given Solomon this information and wisdom to share in loving manner.  God is gentle with Solomon and Solomon is gentle with how he gives this guidance to us.

In today’s passage of Proverbs 9, wisdom is personified as a majestic lady. She speaks softly as she opens up her house and her life to others who are in need of shelter and rest and refreshment. She is open to everyone and does not discriminate.

In this particular passage, she gives some amazing advice that we can use daily.

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8 

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9 

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

12 

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Proverbs 9:8-9;12

Many times we want to help others, but sometimes those individuals do not want to help. 

We sometimes want to persuade someone to do something different and at the same time that person does not want to be changed. 

In this passage Wisdom is telling us to be cautious in our pursuits to help everyone.

As a pharmacist, I am trying to help my patients. I go beyond the call of duty to assist the patients. But sometimes the patients do not want the assistance or they will be upset that it’s not completed at the time or to their satisfaction.  

We can see this in our daily life with our family and friends. Sometimes we attempt to help our people, but the person that we are trying to help, does not want that help. 

We have to understand that it is hard for us to do it alone, and we have to seek the guidance of God to intercede and to help our people. 

Sometimes God does not want us to intercede to help our people. Other times, God is gently guiding us to help our people in the things that they need. 

But it takes our relationship with God to understand how to obtain this wisdom to help others or to be available when they want our help.

The understanding of wisdom is hard to grasp. Sometimes we do not feel that we have the ability to move in the direction that God wants us, but we have to be available for the insight and instructions. 

May we ask for grace to be able to assist and to wait until God allows us to use the wisdom he’s given us. 

Be blessed 

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 9 

One question:  Ask what shall I give you?

When you review the life and the beginning relationship of Solomon and God it is a beautiful relationship. At the beginning of his reign,  Solomon had to focus and a plan for serving God.  Some of the  first things that Solomon carried out was to clear up the bad blood that had been done to his father David and done because of his father David. Solomon did have a discerning power with some of them, but when the statute of his decree was not performed, he was just.

Some of the theologians believe  that the Proverbs were created at the beginning of Solomon‘s reign.  Solomon became king when he was young, he was approximately in his early 20s. At that time and in our current time, individuals who are in their early 20s have not had a lot of experience and are considered not wise. 

One of the most redeeming character traits of Solomon is … his understanding of what he did not know. 

In the beginning of this blog, this is the question that God asked Solomon “what I shall give you?” – I Kings 3:5-6  I had always believed that Solomon asked God for something, but  instead God is asking Solomon for something. This is mind blowing.   God asked what Solomon wanted.  Is God gently asking us what we desire or want? 

Solomon replied that he wanted God to give him understanding to govern his people. Wisdom was given to Solomon as a way of instructing that people to learn the skill of how to love and to serve God.  Wisdom is not a law or commandment , but it is a gentle guidance to show us how to live.

God has given Solomon this information and wisdom to share in loving manner.  God is gentle with Solomon and Solomon is gentle with how he gives this guidance to us.

In today’s passage of Proverbs 9, wisdom is personified as a majestic lady. She speaks softly as she opens up her house and her life to others who are in need of shelter and rest and refreshment. She is open to everyone and does not discriminate.

In this particular passage, she gives some amazing advice that we can use daily.

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8 

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9 

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

12 

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Proverbs 9:8-9;12

Many times we want to help others, but sometimes those individuals do not want to help. 

We sometimes want to persuade someone to do something different and at the same time that person does not want to be changed. 

In this passage Wisdom is telling us to be cautious in our pursuits to help everyone.

As a pharmacist, I am trying to help my patients. I go beyond the call of duty to assist the patients. But sometimes the patients do not want the assistance or they will be upset that it’s not completed at the time or to their satisfaction.  

We can see this in our daily life with our family and friends. Sometimes we attempt to help our people, but the person that we are trying to help, does not want that help. 

We have to understand that it is hard for us to do it alone, and we have to seek the guidance of God to intercede and to help our people. 

Sometimes God does not want us to intercede to help our people. Other times, God is gently guiding us to help our people in the things that they need. 

But it takes our relationship with God to understand how to obtain this wisdom to help others or to be available when they want our help.

The understanding of wisdom is hard to grasp. Sometimes we do not feel that we have the ability to move in the direction that God wants us, but we have to be available for the insight and instructions. 

May we ask for grace to be able to assist and to wait until God allows us to use the wisdom he’s given us. 

Be blessed 

Today’s Reading : Zephaniah 3

“I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant. I said, ‘Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.’ But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt…

“Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed…

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.”

‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭8‬, ‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Over the years, there’s been one  movie that has really captured the full aspect of emotion that has been a fan favorite of my kids, INSIDE OUT.

 

In this movie, it looks inside of the person’s emotional brain and  shows the core emotions: joy, fear, anger, disgust, and sadness.   There is a second movie where some of these emotions evolved to additional emotions: anxiety, envy, embarrassment, and boredom.  This parody of life really shows the complexity of emotions that we have and how to interact and how to manage emotions.

One of my professional friends gave me insight to the emotions that we all have.  We had a conversation about depression and the mechanism of depression. He gave me insight into depression theory.  Depression can be viewed as a societal suppression of our pure emotions that we are told not the express, but to suppress such as our grief, anger, fear.

 

On a daily basis we attempt to not feel certain emotions. We attempt to dismiss our fears. We attempt to dismiss our grief. We attempt to downgrade our joy. We’re not allowing our bodies to feel the extent of our emotions and become confused in ourselves.

In this passage, we can see that God actually has a complexity of emotions as well. In the first chapters, God is angry. He is giving the prophet his emotions and expressing his frustrations with the people. He is upset about the way that people have forgotten his generosity. God  is angry that he has given in a special place that they have reluctantly giving it away. But then in the last chapter, God shows his compassion. He shows how he loves despite the hurt,  He gives love.

We are reflections of God’s emotional self. We have similar complex emotions that God has given us and we also have the ability to show compassion through our pain and grief.  Throughout our lives, we will experience the highs and lows of different emotions. But we have to remember that examples God is given.

We all are capable of expressing our emotions, but we have to be able to do it in a matter that is gracious.  Let us ask ourselves if there is someone that is in need of our compassion that has caused us hurt in the past. 

Be Blessed 

 

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 3

1-3 This is why I, Paul, am in jail for Christ, having taken up the cause of you outsiders, so-called. I take it that you’re familiar with the part I was given in God’s plan for including everybody. I got the inside story on this from God himself, as I just wrote you in brief.

4-6 As you read over what I have written to you, you’ll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ. None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God’s Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order. The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I’ve been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board. – Ephesians 3:1-6

One of the biggest weapons that the enemy has against us is, isolation.

It is the use of isolation and loneliness and separation that the enemy allows us to forget that we are to be in community and to be strengthened by each other. Over the last several weeks and months, we have been inundated with the thought that we are separate and different from each other. The fear that we have been given has been exploited. But in today’s passage, we are shown that no matter how different we are, no matter what we go through, we all are in the same family.

In this letter to Ephesians, Paul shows us a much needed reminder, we are connected.  He shows that it’s not by accident or coincidence that God reveals to us our connections at the right time. 

We may look different, we may speak different, we may eat different, we may dance different, but at the end of the day we all are one family. 

We all have that same connection to each other. It is our differences that make us unique and make us exciting. It is our differences that make us stronger together. 

I may be a great cook, but I am not a great builder. My brother may be a great builder, but not a great cook. When we come together, we are able to lift each other up together with our differences and our unique traits allow us to grow together. We do not have to be envious of each other because of the other traits. We should be able to celebrate each other and to enjoy each other’s greatness and uniqueness to build us up together.

There’s a couple of examples that I was just given this week of how isolation can cripple us.

The first example is from a patient. While counseling her about medications and giving  her these reminders, she informed me that the past month she has had so many difficulties, and she doesn’t know how to make it. At that point, I gave her compassion and let her know that no matter what happens, “We are here to help you.”  

This is a critical point where another pharmacist could’ve browbeat her, but I gave her a soft hand of compassion and of love. And when she saw my compassion, tears started to flow. It only took 10 seconds of compassion and kindness to show this person that she mattered.

One of my friends  just shared a very moving testimony on his behalf. He is remembering the departure of his brother 10 years ago. He also shared the difficulties that he has experienced over the last month.   In his sharing, he opened himself up to connections with others. He was able to push past this isolation and by sharing the community is able to uplift him and give him strength.

It is hard to get out of isolation and out of our own mind. It is hard to become vulnerable to anyone. It’s hard to become vulnerable to your family, to your friends, to others. But when we have the love of Christ in us, we can become vulnerable. This vulnerability allows us to be strengthened. When we become vulnerable, we do not have to worry about the ramifications of someone using that to their own advantage. When we  become vulnerable, we allow Christ to strengthen us and protect us from others who would use it against us. 

That’s what isolation does is tries to keep you insulated from others’ love and compassion.

As we go through this week of love and compassion and joy, allow us to be more vulnerable and open to strength and for love and for mercy.

 

Be Blessed