Trust and Thanksgiving

"The more intimate we are with Him the firmer our trust shall be." (Charles Spurgeon commenting on "I have found shelter in You, Eternal One" Psalm 71:1)

Interesting that physical or spiritual proximity does not indicate intimacy. Judas saw fish and loaves of bread multiply in his hands as he distributed to groups of 50 along with the other disciples. Can you imagine that experience?  The miracle?! The nearness of Jesus?! What it would do to your heart and mind?!

Though his hands were part of the miracle, His heart wasn't completely present and available to Jesus. The others in this band of followers weren't aware of Judas' problem.  While others struggled to connect the miracle to future challenges (Jesus reminded them "How many baskets of leftovers did you collect?"), Judas wrestled with deeper unbelief.

Reflect on the invitation to trust, look at your own hands and remember times the bread has multiplied (God has provided). Turn your heart to acknowledge, and to yield, to give thanks.  Take that step toward Jesus. Let trust take the place of doubt.

A Cure for Drama

One practical cure for drama is to enlist the support of a trusted friend.  Whenever they see you start (or enter) the drama, ask them to gently, yet firmly, let you know its happening. "You seem like you're getting amped up?"  "This is that thing you were talking about..." "I know that whole thing sounds crazy, but are you aware its happening...?"

Then make the decision to stop talking, stop texting, stop posting, stop tweeting. Fill those uncomfortable moments of silence with prayer.  "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me..."  Learn how to pray about the thing you naturally get tweaked by. Try it a dozen times and see what happens.

Adventurously Expectant

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. – Romans 8:15  The Message 

The baptism celebration was amazing; new life in Jesus!  A new beginning, coming out of the water...

But we can easily miss out on going forward, like a scuba diver retrieving from the waters what has died with Christ.  What are you tempted to pull back out of the water? Anxiety? Unbelief? Bitterness? Lies? Rejection? Drama? Lust? Pride? 

Take off the scuba gear. No need to tend that watery grave of baptism. You're a new creation in Jesus and the old nature has died. Time to move on with Jesus and with others, adventurously expectant.

Good News

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see –how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. –Psalm 34:8 The Message

Is the Good News really good? How good?  

Good enough to keep me coming back for more, every day? Good enough to occupy my thoughts?  Good enough to fill my heart with gratitude? Good enough to spill over into conversation? Good enough to cause me to yield, or to propel me forward?  

Yep!