Expect Nothing from God

Nothing should be expected from the Lord. I was struck by that thought as I read the 1st chapter of James. Right there in verse seven it read, "For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord," James 1:7.

How often is that true in Christan life. I found myself expecting that the Lord should make this situation better. Fix it, dry my tears and show me a sign of His love. Why shouldn't He make the hard times go away? Trials and times of uncertionty is what the Lord speciaizes and fixing isn't?

Perhaps not, couldn't Jesus Christ called ten thousand angels to save Him on the cross. Our Lord didn't because He loves deeper than the ocean. God never stops loving us. His love is why trials are brought to our lives. When God brings us trials He is sending us a love letter. Saying "I can make you stronger through this". "People will see your love to me through you and I will be praised".

We protest though, we want to praise the Lord after the fact. Telling how good He was to repair our lives. God in His great show of affection loves us too much for that.

Favors cannot not be expected from God. His leading and love can be.

Who are You Working for?

I find it very easy to serve in mission work. Helping at the church potluck doesn't get much notice. Since however it's at the Lord's house it is serving Him. Working at a family's house earns lots of praise. Again the feeling of being a servant of God is felt. When the breakfast dishes need washing though it's just a chore. Meaning that time can be taken to check e-mail etc. Working at home doing things for mom are not serving the Lord. Therefore why bother to do a good job? My employer also my mother deserves the same dedication as the Lord does.

I found in my human nature I often forget who I'm working for every day. Our Lord Jesus Christ. Why wouldn't we all do a extra good job if the Lord was watching us? Well He is. You better be sure that He notices the job not performed to perfection. Yes the Lord Jesus Christ must be happy when we serve Him in ministry work. Pleasure is most brought forth when are always working for Him.

Who are you working for? Perhaps your boss? Or your parent. Remember as you do your tasks today, the Lord Jesus Christ is the one you are serving.

Note: This idea is not my own. My brother Arlen preached on this concept sometime ago. Just recently however I was convicted of who I was really working for.

Remembering 9-11

I awoke very groggily this morning as usual. Images on TV of Good Morning America were quite blurry. Sleepy I contemplated my options for breakfast. Today's date was not far from my mind though. September 11, 2008, September 11, 2001.

Seven years ago I started my morning the exact same way as stated above (some things don't change). However through my sleep filled eyes I saw a burning sky scrapper in New York city. I could care less, all I needed was my breakfast. Quickly though like so many Americans I began to realize what a horrible thing this was. Moments later my mom's trip to fly to Canada and visit relatives was canceled. Due to the fact all planes were grounded. Slowly it was sinking into my eleven year old mind. Something very horrible had happened our country. Throughout the day the TV was never off. Images were played again and again of the twin towers crashing. Grief played in me. Fear rested in my soul.

War started weeks later. Then the anthrax scares started. For me it was a beginning of a journey of my faith. Fear of death drove me to find an assurance that I really was saved.

Through the events of those dark months for America mom reminded me of the hand of the lord. There were Christians who by the grace of the Lord were delayed a few minutes that fateful morning. Those minutes meant life given to them by our Lord Jesus Christ. Then there was Todd Beamer and others who served the Lord for the last time on this earth that morning. No doubt heroes of the faith.

Do not forget America what wounded you. Remember that not only did 2,985 innocent people die on American soil on 9-11. 2,974 young women and men have died since then. Defending the land of the free. Do not forget the wives, mothers, children and families of our deployed and fallen soldiers. For them the sacrifice is great.

Do not forget the sovereignty of our Lord. Who's infinite hand was seen the awful day and still is seen today.

When I pray for the soldiers, the families of the soldiers, our president,. I pray I will not forget our Lord is always in control.

The Day I got a Sister...

I awoke the morning of my birthday hearing my mother sing “Happy Birthday”. Perhaps that was one of the few times I thought about my 18th birthday. More importantly on my mind was that my big brother would be getting married that day. Though he would never remember my birthday, he would give me the most special present. A big sister.

Wearing the blue satin bridesmaid dress I prepared to make my way down the aisle. Hoping I wouldn’t trip in the new heals. Thankful my hair do was perfectly in place thanks to a great deal of hair spray. I could hardly believe it was here. Seven months of waiting to know. Then 5 months of preparation. My brother was getting a wife and I had gained a friend. My future sister Mary had always wanted a little sister. I had always wanted a big sister. So when my brother found his match, inadvertently one was found for me.
My three big brothers stood as groom, best man, and groomsman. Oh they were all so handsome. I smiled at them as I walked down the aisle. Arlen the groom did not smile broadly, that was for his bride. Moments later Mary was standing before Arlen as “How great thou Art” was sung. Yes, great was our God that brought these two together.

Throughout the ceremony I could hardly contain my smile. This was my brother getting married. Hearing the vows with my own ears made it so very true. I fairly beamed as they were pronounced “man and wife”. Whirlwind reception later and they were gone in their hot mustang. Only a lifetime of memories was beginning. I would never forget the day I got a sister.

Our Lord is There

No! No! I thought this couldn't be true it just couldn't. Sadly it was, my brother called asking me if I had "heard the news" and I knew something was wrong. He talked to dad, little while later I found out "the news". A young man had been killed in a tragic farming accident. Leaving his wife of less than 3 years, his baby son. Many things I hear makes me sad. My eyes often fill with tears, but this time I sobbed. For the young wife now a widow caring for her son alone.
This young man like anyone that leaves this earth will not go without leaving a hole. Families around here are large and everyone has many 1st, 2nd, 3rd cousins. There are few that are not affected, he was my 3rd cousin. He was a song leader at the local Mennonite church. The same church where both sides of his families attend. I cannot imagine the grief the church is going through.
I don't need to imagine, nearly the exact some tragedy happened to our church several years ago. Trial of fire it was, the grace of our Lord brought us and the family through.
All of my uncles have been in farming accidents including my father. Several other people we know have also been affected by the dangers of the farming business. My mother has often said she chooses not to think of the "what ifs". Everything is in the sorviun hands of our LORD. Still I cannot but wonder why? Perhaps this is why,

Erwin Lutzer makes the statement in his book Your Eternal Reward, “We want life to be smooth, secure, uninterrupted. God has a different agenda. He is purifying us, testing us, training us so that we might be presented to Him as a pure church, ready to take our place sitting next to Christ on His throne.” That reminds me of another well read author, the Apostle Paul who writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 “For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”