The Names of God - God, Which Hath Not Turned Away My Prayer

 God, Which Hath Not Turned Away My Prayer

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his mercy from me. 

Psalm 66:20 (KJV)

It has been said that God does not hear any prayer from a sinner except the prayer of repentance. This would go against everything that I have come to know about our Creator. How could He not hear? If He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground, or when a deer is born in the wilderness, He hears the prayer of a “sinner”.

This argument is disingenuous to me. Many Christians I’ve known over the years still refer to themselves as “sinners”, yet they profess to be saved. These same people also claim that God hears their prayers. You can’t have it both ways, in my opinion. Either God hears every prayer, or He hears none at all.

This line from Psalm 66 was written by someone who had experienced grace long before the new birth experience was ever provided through Jesus and His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father. The psalmist received answers to the cries made to God, and knew it was only by God’s mercy that he was still alive.

By uniting answered prayer and mercy in the same statement shows true humility. The false humility demonstrated by many professing Christians is actually rooted in pride. This psalmist realized it was God who chose to hear and chose to show mercy. I believe if more of us would approach prayer with this attitude we would see more accomplished by our prayers.

I realize in this format of brief comments on such topics which have been the subject of doctoral theses and countless volumes of books like prayer, you cannot fully cover every nuance. However, if you can get the first premise established in your mind, the rest might come a little easier. God is good, and His mercy endures forever! He will always hear our cries. Give Him a chance to hear yours. I think you’ll be surprised by the outcome. He is truly the God Which Hath Not Turned Away My Prayer. For that, I am eternally grateful

Desire

 Desire

Humans do nothing outside of desire. Even when being asked, directed, or ordered to do something, we respond out of our desire to either please the one asking, respect the authority of the one directing, or avoid the pain or consequence of disobeying the order. When I was in high school, my friend and I use to have conversations like the following:

“There are only two things certain in life: death and taxes.”

“Actually, that is not accurate. You don’t have to pay taxes. You could choose, instead, to be imprisoned for lack of payment.”

“And it you believe in the second-coming of Christ, you may not actually see death.”

“So, is there anything absolutely mandatory which we have to do regardless of any desire?”

“Yes. You must be conceived; otherwise, you never existed.”

“And, you must face judgement.”

Outside of these two things, everything we do is driven by desire. Even as a small child, although unaware of the conscious thought, we cry because we are hungry, sleepy, messy, etc. Once we become aware or our existence, we begin to develop our desire to the point of planning or scheming ways to obtain the thing desired.

As we mature, we become capable of controlling our desire-driven behavior by making conscious choices. The goals behind these choices are determined by our mindset regarding our moral standard, economic goals, relationships, etc. The unhealthy side of this results in choices driven by desires fueled by vices, fear, lack of self-control, low self-esteem, etc.

The difference humans have over many of the other animals is the ability to reason. This word is even a misnomer. Reason is defined as, “think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.” Much of human behavior is illogical due to desire. It causes us to make short-sighted decisions or spur of the moment choices. Most of these are harmless, but some result in life-changing moments.

The most important activity we can engage in is the process of taking notice of our desires. Whether you want to or not, you will move in the direction of your desires. However, you have the ability inside you to choose your desires; or at least choose the ones you respond to. We also have the ability to change our thinking when we realize our current desire-driven habits are taking us in an unacceptable direction. Steven Covey described these moments of becoming self-aware as a “paradigm shift.” Some call it “having an epiphany.” Regardless of the label, when these “ta da” moments come, they become an intersection in our life-journey. We have to make a choice which, by default, will eliminate other possible courses for our journey.

It takes courage to choose, but even not choosing is a choice. It means you will continue on the current path. Don’t live your life on autopilot. Make intentional choices. Live life on purpose. Enjoy the journey.

The Names of God - God Who Has Fed Me All My Life Long To This Day

 God Who Has Fed Me All My Life Long To This Day

And he blessed Joseph, and said: “God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” Genesis 48:15-16 (NKJV)

It is very difficult to offer someone a drink of water when your canteen is empty. You may want to help quench the thirst of another, but unless you have water to give, your deep yearning to help will be moot. The verse cited above is part of the record when Jacob (Israel) blessed his sons. Joseph came in and brought his sons with him.

Before Israel began the blessing, he stated the basis, or reservoir he is drawing from to bless his family. First, he declares the Godly heritage he received from his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. He then testified to the faithfulness of God in his life, where Jacob mentioned one of the names he uses for God: The God who has fed me all my life long to this day. What a powerful reality to know God has been with you your whole life.

Looking back on the life of Jacob, there were certainly times where it would seem God was nowhere nearby. But in the eyes of Jacob, whom God renamed as Israel, God was the one feeding him every day of his life. Israel had something to give when it came time to bless. He was not attempting to pour water from a dry canteen. Israel had an abundant supply which had sustained him every day of his life.

This is God’s desire for each of us. We are not orphans, left to try and find a way to survive. We are sons and daughters with an eternal heritage from which to draw; one born of grace and mercy, created out of a bottomless ocean of love. From this beginning, we can move forward through our life knowing we have unlimited supply to give away and never risk running low.

Israel could boldly declare a blessing over his son and grandsons because he had complete faith in his God because he knew first-hand the blessings and care he had received “all my life long to this day.” This same confidence is available to everyone. It starts with a correct view of who God is, and a correct understanding of His character.

If the god you serve doesn’t give you the confidence to bless others, please look again. Once you encounter “The God Who Has Fed Me All My Life Long To This Day” your life become a tree yielding fruit to nurture others, shelter from storms, and a blessing to others. This God wants to make sure you not only survive, but that you thrive to the point of helping others find their path into a life of being blessed, and being a blessing.

The Names of God - The Builder of All Things

 The Builder of All Things

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

Hebrews 3:1-6 (ESV)

Outside of The Church itself, the most important thing built on the earth is the human soul. Many places in scripture refer to people as houses to be built. The first exposure man had to “God’s House” was the tabernacle which Moses was instructed to build for the nation of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness, getting reacquainted with a God who loved them and chose them as His own. He had plans which involved them, but they had become distant from the very God who loved them so.

In an attempt to woo them back to Himself, God gave Moses The Law to show Israel how they should live in order to be in fellowship with the Creator. God also gave the design for a “house” in which He would come and fellowship with mankind via the high priest.

The New Testament describes The Law as a schoolmaster, given to show us the need for grace. Once Israel saw the standard God required, and their inability to keep The Law, they had to cry out for mercy. God met them there.

Once God showed His plan to reestablish the fellowship lost in The Garden, He continued working to establish a “house” which would remain forever. This was accomplished when Jesus came to earth; the Son of God became the Son of Man, the supreme sacrifice. “The Builder of All Things” was busy constructing a “house,” The Church, which was founded on Christ and His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right hand of the Father. This foundation is unshakable and will remain forever.

All of this “building” was done so that each one of us could be built into the image of Jesus. That is God’s desire for each and every person who has ever lived. So much so that God has predestined each of us to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus. He is the Master Builder, able to take any willing person exactly right where they are, exactly as they are, and from the first moment of turning toward God, they begin the journey of restoration into the fullness of why they were created. This is the essence of grace.

When you come to accept the offer God has made to everyone, one of taking what we have so He can give us all He has, we have started the journey of restoration, healing, being established, and becoming the “house” of God’s creation. God is the master at “flipping houses.” Let him work His plan in your life by simply turning over the deed to your soul so He can build you into a magnificent structure which will become a haven for others to find peace, rest, and hope for a new future.

Birth and Death

 Birth and Death

It’s been said that a baby changes everything. They are correct. At least, that was my experience. All three times. Everything changed. With a baby, there is time to prepare for change. Sometimes the news that you’re expecting is a shock, but you still have 9 months or so to get ready.

I also think a death changes everything. That has also been my experience. Unlike a baby, deaths are rarely expected. Even when one is on their “death bed,” you still never know when the actual end will arrive.

We humans take many steps to both prevent pregnancy and to conceive. Babies should be planned; at the very least, wanted. But humans also take extreme measure to prolong life. We exercise, diet, have procedures done, and a lot of other things so we will live as long a possible.

The real question for the rest of us is how we will respond. When babies are “accidents” do we treat them differently? It’s not their fault. They had no choice in the matter. They are literally a product of conception. (Please don’t hate me for using that phrase. I’m aware of the connotations.) They arrive hoping to meet a loving family which will allow them to grow into the potential given them at that moment of conception. It’s all about choices.

The news of death is never welcomed. Even when we say, “they are better off now,” speaking of heaven, suffering, etc., but they are still going to be missed. Who will step up to fill the void? Who will console the ones left behind? If you are the one left behind, how will you respond? Will your life also end because theirs did, or will you find a way to live your life in spite of the loss?

The extreme ends of response to these events can be similar. With a new baby, we can become selfish and not want to “lose our freedom” by being burdened with care for the newborn (which is almost constant). With a death we can become selfish by refusing to live without the loved one. Or, we can choose to be selfless. With the newborn, we can give ourselves over to caring for the child; to ensure that every need they have is met; to allow them to grow into all they can be. In the case of death, we can be selfless by choosing to live; to be a comfort to others affected by the death; to pursue the purpose which lives inside of you; to dream again.

“The Dash” is a poem about living life between birth and death – dates on the tombstone, separated by a dash – which is all the time we have. For the rest of us who were here before birth, and remain after death, have to determine how life outside of the “dash” of others will look. 

Before the dash we grieve if conception is delayed or worse yet, is impossible. We still live life. 

After the dash we grieve the life lived, but then have to find a way to make life work without the loved one.

Both are based on decisions. Hard decisions, but ones we have to make. Live or die. Pursue or quit. It will make all the difference.

Hope

Hope

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Proverbs 13:12a (ESV)

Nothing is more frustrating, to me anyway, than to have your expectations go unmet, or at least put off until later. When you have set your mind on something, then that something is either no longer available, or is temporarily unattainable, it causes a great sense of loss even though you never had it to begin with. You have your mind, and mouth, all set for a tasty treat. You arrive at the restaurant or store to finally satisfy your craving only to find out it is not available. Hope deferred.

When it comes to trivial things like your favorite ice cream or cola it pales in comparison to things that really matter, like relationships, employment, or personal accomplishments. When you run into a series of events which continuously push the desired thing further from your reach, it begins to take a toll on you, mind, body, and spirit. The writer of the proverb describes it as a “sick heart.”

In today’s vernacular we might say depressed, or at least despondent. Others might say you’re in a bad mood. Regardless of how you describe it, the feelings are very real. The unfortunate truth is that some decide to deal with the issue by simply giving up hope. In their mind they rationalize that if they never attempt anything, then they cannot fail. If they never have a desire for something it will never go unfulfilled. This is no way to live. In fact, I would go further by saying you are not living, just prolonging death.

Here is the promise we have, which is found in the second half of the proverb cited.

“but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12b (ESV)

If we can somehow gain the courage and the tenacity to try one more time, to keep hope alive regardless of the delay, we can eventually see the desire fulfilled, the goal achieved, or obtain the thing desired. If you feel the need to quit, please reach out to someone for help. There are always options. There is always another inning to play. You still get one more time at bat. Regardless of the strike count, stay in the batter’s box for the next pitch. It could be the one.

Here is another way to approach your own deferred hope. Try helping someone else with their hopes and dreams. In the process, you may find yourself in that place of fulfilled expectations as well. Together is always better than alone. Find someone to walk with in pursuit of hope.

Once fulfilled, you can become a fountainhead of hope for others. Show others who may be struggling that there is still hope. It is still worth the effort to push forward. The price of quitting is too high; for you and those around you. This is when you become the “tree of life” for someone else.

The Process of Mourning

 The Process of Mourning

The main thing I have learned about mourning is that it is a personal journey that is unique to the individual. I’ve seen the five stages of grief (mourning) described: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These are simply observations that others have formulated to describe what they have seen in others. It’s not a law or rule which must be observed. They often come in various orders and random times, or not at all. There is no prescribed pattern.

I’ve also heard people place time limits on mourning (grief), saying it lasts a year, sometimes more. This also is determined by the individual. Some can process loss much differently than others. It would be wrong to make assumptions on how someone should grieve (mourn). You cannot know what is going on inside the person based on outward actions or appearance. Stop trying. Be there for them. Support them with your words and actions. Treat them as a human with feelings rather than a grieving machine, going through its program.

The most powerful tool needed by those grieving (mourning) is a friend with no agenda. When your only concern is the welfare of the one in mourning, you become an indispensable part of the healing process. Speak truth, not opinion. Give support, not commentary. Listen. The most important thing is to show up; and keep showing up. Calls, visits, cards, texts, etc. are all ways you can “be there.”

Avoid the elephant-in-the-room question of, “How are you?” If you know anything about their situation, then you already know how they are doing. If you don’t how they are doing, don’t ask. Also, there is a tendency to avoid talking about the reason for the grief. If there was a death, don’t shy away from speaking of the deceased. They were loved and are still loved. That’s the reason for grief.

Invite them to do things. They may say, “No”, but ask them anyway. It’s a struggle for some in mourning to be alone, yet they don’t want to invade other people’s events or outings. Encourage them to keep living, to get out, to experience life. Make them welcome and safe.

Even though everyone is different and may experience mourning (grief) differently, find a way to let them know you are available, and then be available. You will be a blessing, and will also be blessed.