Author: astherainandsnow

“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.” Acts 18:1,5 

Paul, staying with Aquila and his wife Priscilla, worked with them for 18 months in their tent making trade, but “was occupied with the word.” Through this chapter we learn that Paul “reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade,” taught the word of God and saw people believe and be baptized, reasoned in the synagogue at Ephesus, sailed to Caesarea where he greeted the church, went down to Antioch to teach, traveled “from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia strengthening all the disciples.” No matter his occupation, he was occupied with God’s word, and seized every opportunity to discuss, reason, speak, teach the word that had transformed him and gave life to all who would believe. (Acts 9:1-22)

What occupies my hours, my calendar, my energy, my affections, my thoughts, my heart? Do I define myself by my occupation for which I am paid or in which I volunteer? Work is what I might do, but if who I am is a child of God, then I should be occupied with His word–reading it, studying it, meditating on it, applying it, memorizing it, and sharing it however and wherever my Lord leads. It is this occupation that fuels all others.

Father, keep me absorbed and engaged in Your word, no matter where I am or what job is before me. May occupation with Your holy and powerful and living word inform all I think and say and do.

“These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.'” Jeremiah 29:1-2,4-7

Being captured by force and taken into a foreign land could strike anyone with paralysis, grief, or disdain, yet the Lord tells Israel not just to make the best of their exile, but to thrive in it. His sovereign plan would unfold. He would not abandon them in their pain and sorrow and He would use this time to teach them of Himself and to wean them from foreign gods. His ways are good, even when we see them superficially as disruptive, disconcerting, or even miserable.

When God plants us in a strange or uncomfortable place, an unfamiliar city that is our new home, a tenuous work situation with an incorrigible supervisor or where we are expected to do what is unethical, a diagnosis that turns all future plans topsy turvy, a seemingly impossible relationship, He says build, live, plant, increase, pray for the welfare of that hard place. Rather than chafe against where He has me, I am to press into it, invest in it, grow and bear fruit from it, pray that all good will result from it. And He gives His good promises to encourage me.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

Father, many are the plans of my mind, but it is Your purpose that will stand. Teach me abounding contentment and joy in any situation and every circumstance You place me. Your counsel stands forever, the plans of Your heart to all generations. O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure, and You will do them to the end. (Proverbs 19:21; Philippians 4:11-12; Psalm 33:11; Isaiah 25:1)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” “Good sense wins favor. Every prudent man acts with knowledge.” “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. A man of quick temper acts foolishly.” “The fruit of the Spirit is…patience” Proverbs 9:10; 10:19; 13:15-16; 14:16-17; Galatians 5:22

After hurricane Irma, many trees were greatly distressed, limbs cracked, torn, and twisted, leaves stripped or salt-water-wind-whipped brown. Had we removed them immediately, we would have missed out on seeing their rebound and fresh growth. It just took a while. Reacting quickly can not only get us into trouble, but can prevent us from seeing the better, wiser choice. Sometimes we need to step back and consider the bigger picture, or at least calm our emotions so we can respond with reason and grace.

I think of times I was asked to do something, and my first impulse was to say no, my plate is full. But the process of waiting on God and seeking his direction gave me fresh insight into new plans He had for me; sometimes that included ceasing another task I was involved with. Other instances have brought an immediate trigger of emotion, but waiting, listening to intention behind the words, taking a moment to think through what transpired, clears vision and understanding. It is always worth it to wait on the Lord and respond, not react. Nehemiah is a helpful model for measured wisdom. When he first got to Jerusalem, having heard only the report of his tearful brothers, he took time to assess the situation before making a strategy. When he was angry, he prayed before speaking; when opposed, he turned to prayer rather than lash back. (Nehemiah 2:11-18; 4:8-9; 5:6-9)

Lord, teach me thoughtfully to respond rather than react. Please give perspective and patience. May my only impulse be to weigh in with You, and wait on You. (Psalm 27:14)

“As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?’ And Jesus began to say to them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. Be on your guard.'” Mark 13:3-5,9

A handful of Jesus’s followers, marveling at the wonderful temple complex, are confused at His telling them the great buildings will be destroyed. They gather with Jesus for an intimate conversation and ask Him to explain. He is clear and loving in His response, preparing them for what was to come. The bad news of His impending death and resurrection, His absence from them, the persecution of believers and destruction of Jerusalem, is laced with the good news that His Holy Spirit would be with them, they could endure for His name’s sake with understanding, strength, hope, and security. He gave many details, but withheld some, adequately supplying what they needed to know and wisely measuring what would keep them dependent on Him.

How gracious and personal is our God to attend to our questions, wondering, fears of the unknown! He prepares us for what lies ahead by telling us the truth we need to know, warning us to be on guard, promising present love, power, and care. When we gaze at distant mountains, we see most clearly what lies just before us, but enough to know that there are valleys and peaks beyond. While He does not reveal every detail, God always gives enough; we are to absorb the insight He imparts and trust Him with the rest.

My Lord, when life presents conundrums, when I do not understand Your teachings or commands or ways or whys, keep me coming to You. May I close the door on worldly thinking, unfounded assumptions, and popular opinion, and hear You in private. Grant alertness and discernment to handle rightly what You reveal, and what is unrevealed that You know lies ahead.

“But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.” “The Benjamites, however, did not drive out the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the Benjamites. When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely.” Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:21,28

“Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, “Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?” “An enemy did this,” he replied. The servants asked him, “Do you want us to go and pull them up?” “No,” he answered, “because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.”‘” Matthew 13:24-30

There are some people, situations, besetting sins that make life difficult. I had a friend who once said, “I could be holy if it weren’t for other people!” But in this life, we’ll always have ‘rubs,’ will struggle against flesh and have to contend with those who disagree with or work against us. Just as adverse growing conditions makes tea flavorful, adversity in our lives refines, sharpens, smooths and sanctifies us, making our ‘fruit and flavor’ robust.

Walking into tares presents a challenge, because they scratch immediately and entrap you; backing out cuts your skin to bleeding, moving very slowly and carefully forward is the only way to free yourself. Paul’s sticking thorn taught him God’s sufficient grace, and living and growing with Jebusites in our midst, among prickly tares, is God’s intent to teach us that grace too. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Lord, give me Your attitude toward the Jebusites in my life. May my oppositions serve me, to make me more like You, rather than my falling to imitation, to their sway and consequent antagonism, discouragement, or distance from You. Strengthen my roots in You so I continue to grow undeterred, unentangled alongside the tares that would trap me in fear or idleness and choke my fruitfulness, my fragrance. Teach me to live for that glorious Day when all will be well.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Old tree roots tell of long, slow inclination. By instinct, they know to grow toward their life source, and by a stream, can send them deep. While the tree grows up and out, reaching for the sun, stretching its arms to its fingertips that grow lush leaves and fruit and blossoms, the roots must keep drawing up the water. Constant nourishment yields fruit in season; apart from water, the tree withers.

What Jeremiah describes as “trusting in the Lord,” David elaborates on as “the blessed man [whose] delight is in the law of the Lord. 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 1:1-3) 

As I busy my days in work, decisions, conversation, activity, and ministry, the tendency to rely on my own strength can lure me from my Source. I must enter those days reaching to Jesus, the living water, and constantly tend to my roots that they stay connected to God’s living word. Drought and heat will come. It is in the Lord Jesus that my sustenance and refreshment lie. He is my Lifeline.

O God, with You is the fountain of life. May I day by day draw nourishment from You, and never forsake You, the fountain of living water. (Psalm 36:9; Jeremiah 17:13)

“Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him. And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’  Immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:3,6-10

Paul was on a mission, to take the gospel with whom and where God led him. His spirit was attuned to His Master, and He followed with eager willingness and flexibility. He scooped up a new mentee, Timothy, who grew under his tutelage and became a strong leader. He traveled with a small company that included Silas and Luke, at God’s direction, giving up his plans for the divine ones, and he witnessed the Lord. Upon arriving in the Roman colony and leading city of Philippi, he waited some days and found his ministry not with the city leaders, but “outside the gate at the riverside,” with women. The Lord opened the heart of a woman named Lydia, and they healed an annoying slave girl; then they were dragged, stripped, beaten, and imprisoned. Not exactly a glamorous mission trip, and very likely not what they had anticipated, but a yielded servant knows his master’s voice, and rejoices in following.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.’ And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.”

God’s plans are always good. They may not look like ours, and they may lead us to unexpected, even unwelcome places. But when we follow His lead, we can rejoice that He is in charge of us and all the results of ministry.

Father and Guide, Your way is perfect and Your word proves true. Keep me sharp in distinguishing Your voice, and willing to heed it. And keep me singing no matter where You lead, knowing that even my song is used for Your purposes. To You be all the glory. (2 Samuel 22:31; John 10:3-5; Ephesians 5:19-20)

“For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened? If they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people.”  “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”  Jeremiah 23:18,22; Psalm 1:1-2; Mark 9:7 

How easy it is to stand in the council and counsel of the world. We hear a 24/7 drone of talk, “news,” experts, information, opinion, chatter that has been decided upon by an editorial board, that is repeated like a mantra until everyone listening thinks it’s gospel–and it is hard to break away, to think clearly and originally. Even music lyrics, or podcasts, or audio books, download into us words that are not the Word, and for enabling us to proclaim God’s (not man’s) counsel, are insufficient. At the transfiguration, “Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves”— and He invites us away to stand with Him today. It takes time and alertness, standing and seeing and hearing and paying attention, listening, to be able to take on Jesus’s mind and counsel.

As Jeremiah promises, standing with the LORD and soaking Him in permeates our words with His truth, His salt, His light and power. Acts 14 gives proof. “They spoke in such a way that a great number believed. They remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace. ‘We bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.’ They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. They declared all that God had done.”

Father, I choose to stand in Your council, in the heavenlies where You speak and show Yourself, that I might have salt in myself, take on Your mind, and speak boldly Your counsel of truth and wisdom. (Mark 9:50; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Ephesians 6:19-20; James 1:5; 3:17)

Since Eden, the eyes have tripped us up, and our culture preys on them with declarations of what we need and deserve: wrinkle-less faces, gray-less hair, plump-less bodies (but plump-full lips!), the smartest, easiest, trendiest, newest everything to wear, carry, drive, and use. The ploy of our eyes is that they attract us to the exterior. But God is concerned with the interior. His eyes see through our veneer, and He knows that how we adorn ourselves, what we say and choose and post and pursue flows from within. As a society, we tend ‘not to go there,’ preferring shallow “fine, thank you”s and smiling selfies, boasts of achievement and constant noise through bluetooth or earbuds, over contemplative care of our interior and honesty about our sins.

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. The things that come out of a person are what defile him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:6,16,21-23

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” We cannot be diligent enough. Uprooting these pervasive weeds by confession and renunciation as soon as they are recognized is a life-long practice as we follow Christ. God’s judgment in Noah’s time came because “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” and although we are being sanctified, until we see Jesus face to face we will struggle with our hearts of flesh. (Jeremiah 17:9; Genesis 6:5)

Lord, give me the courage to focus on my interior. Make me diligent to hide Your word in my heart, that I not sin against You, to guard and keep my heart with all vigilance as the wellspring of life, and to love You with all my heart. Create in me a clean heart, an undivided heart, and incline it always to You alone. (Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 4:23; Deuteronomy 6:5; Psalm 51:10; 86:11; 1 Kings 8:58)

Having heeded Jesus’s call to go with minimal belongings and teach and minister to people, and after being shockingly interrupted to bury John the Baptist following his cruel, capricious death, Mark 6 reports, “The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.^“ Jesus knew that from the outset, they needed to learn that ‘doing and teaching’ must be balanced by alone time with Him. “He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” 

Ministry can be exhausting, and grief is wearying. The press of constant demands, needs, crowds, and work to be done can frenzy our thinking and our days. The pressure of finances, health, family matters, aging challenges, strained relationships, keeping up with changing technology can weigh us down with stress, distracted minds, heart and body pain, and we lose sense of the necessity of leisure and rest. It is Satan’s ruse to make us feel indispensable, to strangle us with the need to be always available, to distort our perspective on who God is–by tricking us into being gods ourselves.

He Who often “took leave of them [and] went up on the mountain to pray” is the One Who bids us “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” It is He Who “is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.He restores my soul.” (Matthew 11:28-29; Psalm 23:1-3)

Lord, teach me to come away with You. My going and doing is meaningless and powerless if I do not take time with You, if I fail to rest with and in You. You alone restore my soul.