Signs

As human beings, corrupted by the sinful nature, faith does not come naturally to us. It is only a supernatural act of God that enables us to believe in things we cannot see.

Faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1) At the same time, I think God often gives us 'signs' to confirm, strengthen, and encourage our faith.

For me, there are three basic 'signs' that I love to remember.

1) Creation is the sign of God's existence.
Anyone who spends even a few minutes studying nature must soon conclude that the vastness and intracacies of creation never could have just "happened." There must be a Creator who designed and made all these marvelous things!

Paul expressed this idea that God's existence is evident in His creation in the book of Romans.
"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Rom. 1:20)

Whenever you feel doubts creep in and wonder if God is there, just step outside and look around. You will see everywhere the sign of His existence.


2) The cross is the sign of God's love for us.
Also in Romans, Paul wrote this:
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8)

Only a powerful, divine love could have kept Jesus on that cross...taking my punishment, enduring the pain I deserved, laying down His life for me.

If I ever start to feel like maybe God doesn't love me, all I have to do is look at the cross. There I see the greatest possible sign reminding me that, indeed, I am deeply loved.


3) The resurrection is the sign of God's goodness.
In 1 Corinthians Paul wrote,
"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (1 Cor. 15:19)

If this life is all there is, then we can easily argue that God is not good. There's too much pain, heartache, injustice, and suffering in this world to justify a good God.

But the resurrection is our guarantee that this is just a temporary residence. For those of us who know Jesus as our Savior, we have the promise of an eternity of perfection with Him! The resurrection reminds us that one day God will make all things right. Every injustice will be taken care of, every evil destroyed.

In light of Jesus' resurrection, death is no longer an enemy, but a gift. Because of the resurrection, we are not stuck in this sin-cursed world forever. We won't just "disappear" when our bodies die. No, we will be brought into a new life - we will be made perfect!

The message of the resurrection often leads me to weep with joy! It is so full of meaning and gives us many precious promises to hold onto.

Anytime you wonder about God's goodness, spend a few minutes meditating on the resurrection. I guarantee it will completely change your outlook!


I think it is incredibly gracious of God to give us different 'signs' to remind us of what we know is true, to encourage us to press on in faith.

In Psalm 86:17 David wrote,
"Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me."

Daivd didn't ask for a sign for himself. No, he had already received God's help and comfort by faith. Instead he asked that God would give a 'sign' for his enemies to see.

Those who don't know Jesus have many of the same 'signs' we do - creation, the Bible, etc. But perhaps what they need is one more 'sign' - again described by Paul.

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory...." (2 Cor. 3:18a)

Read that verse again slowly.

We are a 'sign' to others of God's glory! Isn't that an amazing thought? Praise God for this awesome privilege!


May you be encouraged today by the 'signs' God has given you. And may you be a 'sign' to those around you of our glorious God!


Question:
What other 'signs' have you seen that encourage your faith in various aspects of God's character and work?
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Satisfied

Psalm 63 is one of my favorite passages in the whole Bible. I read it often and continue to pray that God will make my heart more like David's.

Today when I read this passage once again, the Lord directed my attention especially to the concept in verse 5.

"(v.3) Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you... (v.5) My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."

David's soul was satisfied in the love of God, "as with the richest of foods".

To me this presents a picture of someone so "stuffed" from a good meal that they couldn't possibly eat another bite. They are so full that they don't want or need anything more.

Am I that way with God?
Am I so full of His love for me that there's not even a single empty crevice inside me?
Am I truly satisfied in Him so there's nothing left in me crying for somethig else to satisfy me?

Honestly, this seems impossible to me. But Jesus said, "With God all things are possible." (Matt.19:26)

So...
I don't have to be healthy...to be satisfied in my soul.
I don't have to be married...to be satisfied in my soul.
I don't have to be productive...to be satisfied in my soul.
and on and on...

My soul can be satisfied - completely full and overflowing - in the love of my God.

Oh Lord, make it so.
Amen.

the Changer

In John White's series, "The Archives of Anthropos" (similar to the Chronicles of Narnia books), he talks about the "Unchanging Changer" - his description of God.
I loved this concept when I read the books, but I don't think it really hit me until today.

- Only GOD can change things...anything, all things. -

I think intellectually I knew I couldn't change circumtances, but somehow I was still trying to change others, to change myself, to "change the world."

The reality is I can't change circumstances.
I can't change other people.
I can't even change myself.

Oh, I can try. I can exert my willpower and do things a little differently for a period of time. But I can't truly CHANGE myself.
Only GOD can change me. Only God can change my circumstances. Only God can change other people.

Isn't it fascinating that the only person who can change things is the One who never changes?

On the one hand this concept is frustrating. I have to learn to accept this truth - I can't change a thing.
On the other hand, this is freeing - I can ask God to change all things! -- me, circumstances, other people...anything!

And I can trust Him to change what HE wants to change in the way HE wants to change it and in the time HE wants to change it.
He has been patiently working over years and years to change me. He will continue patiently working to change other people over the years. He will change circumstances as He knows is best.
And one day He will make everything right and there will be no more need for change ever again! Hallelujah!

The Unchanging Changer is our Rock, our Hope, our GOD.
Amen.

Not Now

Don't you love it when God gives you one of those "Aha!" moments? I had one just this morning.

I was reading a passage I've probably read a hundred times before, but this time a verse jumped out at me.

“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

How many times have you asked God,
"What are you thinking?"
"Why would you do this?"
"What's going on here?"

Did you know He already gave you this answer? “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

You might be surprised to know where I found this verse. It's from John 13, when Jesus was washing the disciples' feet. Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet. That's when Jesus said, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Instead of saying, "Ok, I trust you," Peter came up with a better idea - wash all of me!

Don't we do the same thing? When we don't understand something God is doing, we refuse to submit to the Lord, or we tell Him we have a better plan.

In those times when God doesn't make sense, what does He desire from us?
Trust
Submit
Do it His way
Trust

That's what Jesus wanted from Peter. I believe that's what He wants from us.

I don't think this verse is necessarily a promise that we'll always get an explanation from God or always understand what He's doing. But I do think it gives us a helpful principle. Many times God asks us to trust Him Now. And to wait for understanding to come later.

And when it comes, we'll know that it was worth the wait. =)

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Engaged

...Before you start doing cartwheels, this post is not about a marriage engagement.

This post is about being engaged - fully present - in where we are, what we are doing, and who God is...RIGHT NOW.

I believe it was Jim Elliot who said, "Wherever you are, be all there."
This is a phrase that has stuck with me through many years. It's something I aspire to, yet something that seems so elusive, so difficult to put into practice.

At present, my reality is the four walls of this room. About once a week I leave the house to go to the doctor. Otherwise, my life is inside. It is small. It is hard to be all HERE. I'd rather take a trip down memory lane, to better days. Or dream about the future and what possibilities it might hold.

Yet, HERE, in this place, is where God has put me. This is where He wants me to be. This is where I need to be engaged. If there is a secret to consistently living life this way, I haven't found it yet. But I'm trying to start with this verse:
"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Ps. 118:24)

I know my Lord has the best plan for me. I know I am exactly where He wants me to be. I know He always does what is good.

So here I am. Rejoicing in today.

Proud Aunt

Have I ever mentioned that I have the most adorable nieces and nephews in the world? =) They're also SO sweet to their Aunt Joanna! They pray for me, and draw me pictures, and just cheer me up with their tender hearts!
Here are some pictures of a few of them.