Son-Glasses

My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?  Psalm 119:82  (NLT)

The original KJV of Psalm 119:82 says, "Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?"  But I chose the NLT version to give you a mental picture of eyes straining, almost squinting, to see God's promises on the horizon.  

Have you ever been in a tunnel?  Living in the Virginia Beach area, I've been able to drive through several tunnels.  When I'm at the very bottom of the tunnel, my eyes can strain to look ahead, but the end of the tunnel is nowhere in sight.  All I see is the incline of the tunnel---up, up, up...sooner or later we've got to reach the end of this tunnel, right?   Um..is it me, or are these walls closing in a bit??   HA  (that was for added drama...I was just kidding.)  :)

Life is full of mysteries and tests that require wisdom in order to glean the lessons God is trying to teach us while we're in the "fog."  I've heard it said that "wisdom is like the defogger to the glasses in which we're trying to view our circumstances."   Let's take it a step further: "Wisdom is gained every time the Word of God is opened."  Hmmm... The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  Psalm 119:130 (KJV)  So...in order to keep our eyes from straining to see God's promises fulfilled, we need to stay in His Word, gain that wisdom, and apply that "defogger" to our "glasses" (i.e., our perception of things.) 

Staying in and BELIEVING in His Word = Automatic Light at the End of Your Tunnel.  Beware...Son-glasses may be needed, for the brilliance of His glory in your life will shine brightly when you exit the tunnel!

Oh Father, I need to see the fulfillment of Your promises on the horizon.  Please take these tired eyes of mine and cover them with Your wisdom.  With the veil of Your Word over my eyes, I shall no longer be BLIND!   Give me the eyes of Your dear Son, Jesus, in order to clearly see the world as You see it---in desperate need of a Savior!   For indeed, Father, out of all of life's trials and struggles, my main focus should be to draw closer to You, bring honor and glory to Your name, and praise You even in the storms....even at this midnight hour!  And what's this, Father?  You just reminded me--You are in the business of Midnight Miracles---setting captives free at all hours of the night.  Oh!   My "eyes" are squinting---but it's a GOOD THING!  I'm catching a "smidgy" glimpse of Your glory!  I think I need a pair of Son-Glasses to shield my eyes from Your wonderful glory!  Thank You, Father, for Your Word is TRUE!  Never changing, and All Sufficient! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Another Reason to Arise

Arise for our help, and redeem us
for thy mercies' sake.   
Psalm 44:26

Ever come to the end of your day and felt as if you'd been beaten to a pulp?  Feeling as if you were "still standing" or maybe not QUITE standing, but still determined to keep on fighting?   The determination to keep on running the race, even though so many obstacles have been thrown into your path, justifies the bruises and scrapes you've received.  You realize "from whence this is coming"---the enemy is trying to thwart God's plan.   Or...could there be another reason?  Could it be a test straight from the Lord, to check our determination?  Sometimes I'm not even sure, but it is helpful to remember that no matter what, the Lord does have to approve all things before they come into our lives.  So that means He is totally aware of what's going on!   Knowing this gives us hope!  He's watching...and thankfully He's in control too.

Earlier I had written about letting the Son rise in our lives before we speak to others about Him.  Here, in Psalm 44:26, we find a cry for Him to "arise for our help..."   Oh!  Another reason for Him to Arise!  Not only to shine forth His beauty and grace to others through us, but also ARISE for our help! 

Sometimes we encounter storm clouds....testing and trials roll in, and suddenly the Light of Jesus in our hearts is obscured.  If we're not totally prepared and fully "suited up" in the Armor of the Lord, we can be caught off guard by these sudden storms, and His Light is quickly obscured. . . Never fear!  There is hope! 

 
Of course we desire to let the Son shine in us so that others may see Him, but we also want Him to arise and redeem us in the event we find ourselves taken "aback" by the sudden onset of a "major storm."    Maybe a discussion ended up a little bit "too heated," or you're suddenly standing on a pile of rubble where your home once stood.  These types of situations can certainly obscure His light.  Thank God He understands we have this Treasure of Salvation in an earthen (leaky) vessel!  
 

Oh to have the refreshing waters pour down on us like rain, and restore our souls!    Dear Father, we so desire for Your Son to truly shine through our lives.  But how quickly we can find ourselves in the midst of sudden storms, being beaten down by hail, tossed around by gail-force winds, drenched by downpours of tears!  These situations can obscure the Son from within us!   We pray for You to ARISE for our help this very evening, and redeem us for THY mercies' sake!   You ARE mercy, Father.  Therefore we are surrounded by Your mercy!  This is plenty of reason for You to Arise and Redeem us.   Thank You for understanding..and how do we know this?  Because as the Creator of all sunrises, You sometimes bring clouds into the scene in order to reveal breathtaking colors at the dawning of the day!   Please use these clouds that once seemed to obscure Your light to ENHANCE the Son-Shine in our hearts!  Take OUR breath away as we see Your Son rise again tomorrow!   And by the way, as You take our breath away, breathe NEW life into us, by the Power of Your Sweet Holy Spirit!  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Wait for the Son to Rise

"Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him." 
Mark 8:30 (NIV)

"...Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead."   Mark 9:9b (NIV)

I was reading in My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers) yesterday about the Transfiguration (recorded in Mark 9).  Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain.  Mark 9:2 says that "after six days He led them up..."   I know that the number six represents the human aspect, whereas seven represents the number of perfection.   Thought that was interesting...keep that in mind.

So there they go, following Him UP the high mountain...if only they knew what awaited them!  After the struggle of climbing treacherous, unchartered territory while following Jesus towards the top, they finally reached the mountaintop and caught a glimpse of Jesus in all of His glory...not only Jesus...but He was conversing with two prophets of old...Elijah and Moses.  Peter was "sore afraid."  Yet, even while being scared to death, he realizes something.. "It is GOOD for us to be here."  He knew what they were witnessing was GOOD!   What he said next revealed the desire of his heart.  "Let's pitch three tents (shelters or habitations) for You, Elijah and Moses."   Next thing, a cloud envelopes them, and a Voice calls out, "This is My Son, whom I love.  LISTEN TO HIM."   Then SUDDENLY, as fast as this transpired, everything they witnessed vanished ..."all except Jesus."   They could no longer perceive the glorious wonder and splendor of Jesus!   No longer could they see Him conversing with the prophets. . .all that remained was "just Jesus"....Which makes me wonder, could this explain their immediate descent?   Hmmm.   They are "coming down" from the high ecstasy of having caught a glimpse of the Lord in His glory. When that glory has "been hidden again," they COME DOWN.   Don't we all though?

Inquiring Hearts want to Know

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psalm 9:9, 10

Okay...it's been one of those days.  I'm writing this on Monday night, but hope to post this for Tuesday's entry.  I just glanced at the clock..it's almost midnight...so it will be Tuesday when it's posted.

Anyway...Ever had one of those days when you wonder, no matter how much it seems like you are trying to live right, do right, seek Him, obey Him...things just DON'T GO according to the way YOU thought they should?   Ever been there?   I'm there.   Things just do not make a bit of sense.   I mean seriously.  What is going on?   I won't even attempt to answer that question.    I know that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  (Eph. 6:12)   But what are we supposed to DO about that?

Well, when things happen that we just can't make sense out of .. like your Air Condition Unit blows up, right after the Gas Furnace has been replaced. . . or the kids seem to keep arguing; or one of them is suffering from a disorder or disease....your husband is suffering in a dead-end job:  God wants us to get to KNOW HIM. 

What do You Have to Offer?

Remembering my time as a "K-4" teacher, often brings with it memories of such elementary poems and jingles that paint a picture of the innocent, impressionable minds that once were entrusted to me.   There was one poem in particular that we used to quote around Christmastime.   I'm sure you're familiar with it.

"What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part.

Yet what can I give Him?

Give my heart."

(by Christina Rossetti)

It is true---He wants us to give Him our hearts.  But, for a moment, let's take that a step further.  I believe that this "opinion of our hearts,"  if left at this level, is hazardous to our view of the Lord and His majesty, His awesomeness, and our NOTHINGNESS.  Therefore our WORSHIP of Him and the work we do for Him is truly lacking. 

The Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)   If we view our God in heaven, as Someone Who could remotely accept anything FROM US, apart from Himself, we have lessened Him, and subsequently brought Him to a level beneath the Almighty.   Prior to having His life breathed into us, there is nothing in us worth ANYTHING to Him.  

How to Fix a Fearful Heart

Okay....it's Saturday when I'm writing this...and to be awaken to the news of yet another powerful earthquake that struck, with a possible tsunami to follow just made my heart sink.  *sigh*   More Bad News.   

I know the Lord is reminding us that He is the One in control, and I really believe He's trying to get our attention.   He's coming soon.  No doubt.   The news of His arrival being announced by the blast of the trumpet SHOULD BE a welcome relief for God's children.   But honestly, how do you feel when you think of the rapture taking place?  Is this honestly something you are looking forward to?  
Does this give your heart a sense of peace and longing for His return ~OR~ do you feel a sense of impending D O O M???

I guess it all depends on the condition of our heart..and whether or not we are truly saved.   How's our relationship with Him been going lately??    Are we busy about the Master's Business, building His kingdom ~OR~ are we busy about our OWN business by building up a beautiful sand castle that is about to be washed away by an enormous tsunami!?!?  

White Sand

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness

of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."  

Daniel 12:3

Earlier this morning, my daughter asked me about Pensacola, Florida..which made me think, "Ahhh, the warmth and beauty of the white sandy beaches of Pensacola!  How I'd love to visit there one day!" 

Well, that got the wheels in my mind thinking.  Aren't WE, as Christians, supposed to be like "white sand?"  You may be wondering, "Tammi, where's this going??"   Let's take a trip to the beach, shall we?  :o)

Have you ever been to the beach around "high noon" on a cloudless day?   The brightness of that sand under your feet reflects the sun's light!   Remember how your bare tootsies felt with that warm sand squishing between your toes?  So therapeutic--not to mention the wonderfully smoothing effects on the bottom of your calloused feet.  (You see where this is going yet?)   We need to be reflecting the Light of the Son each and every day of our lives...S H I N E so brightly that others have NO MISTAKE that the brightness of our lives are due to none other than the Son!   When we do that, others will no doubt feel the warmth of the Son as well, right?  They SHOULD.  Do others see the Light of the Son and feel His warmth whenever they are near you?   They SHOULD.   If not, ask the Son to shine brightly in your life...ask Him to take away all the impurities in your heart so that others see only the purity and brightness of Him in you.  

From Darkness to Light

Last week our Pastor requested prayer for several members of our church family who are going through extremely difficult waters right now.  Some have lost all  hope, some have given up on God...and some are becoming bitter.   As I sat there, the Lord reminded me that I was "just there" last summer.  And yet, here I am, pulled out from that darkness and back into His light.   Did He want me to encourage these people to hang in there?   I'm willing to be a vessel in His hands, to do His will.  So, after church I asked Pastor if he felt that me writing a letter to share my experience and have him deliver it to the hurting ones would be a help?   Remembering what I went through, Pastor took me by the hand, and said, "Tammi, I think it would mean more to them if they heard it straight from you.  Would you pray about taking about ten minutes to share your experience within the next week or two?"   I told him I would.   That was last Sunday.  This past week has been spent in much thought, prayer and seeking the Lord's guidance.  What did He want me to say?   All I had to do was ask Him and seek Him.

Lord willing, I will be sharing the following notes with my church family tomorrow.  Please pray for the Lord to encourage the hearts of His children, and be lifted up.

From Darkness to Light:

Recently I found a prayer I had written last July. It ended with “Losing Hope Fast. HELP, Father. I’m sinking.”

Circumstances were overwhelming me.  From where I was “standing,” the surrounding conditions were distorting my perspective of life.  I had lost ALL HOPE and given up on God.  Looking back, I’m certain that I did NOTHING to bring myself out of that darkness!

But I wonder….why is it that God would allow some of us to be touched (or SLAM RUN OVER) by darkness of depression??  What purpose does this serve anyway!?   After all---God is light..and in Him is NO DARKNESS right??   I know I am His child and have Him within me..SO PLEASE TELL ME why does He sometimes pull the veil of darkness over me and remove the SENSE of His presence?

Last Sunday, I came home and asked the Lord to show me what He wanted me to say today. And He immediately answered prayer, when I opened a devotional called, “My Utmost for His Highest.”

Matthew 10:27 says, “Jesus says, ‘What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.’” Wow.   He pulled the veil of darkness over me to TELL ME something.    And that “something” is meant to be SHARED….when I’m in the light.  

He taught me a lesson for two different groups of Christians:
(1) Either you’re discouraged by the DARKNESS of your circumstances –OR—(2) You’re basking in the Son-shine of His presence.