Lent: Day 39: Come to the Lord
Last August, my husband and I went to Seattle for a Christian counseling conference. The entire city was experiencing an “unprecedented heat wave” of 80-degree days, which to us felt like a welcome reprieve from the sweltering weather we’d been suffering in Tennessee. On the second to last day of the conference, we noticed another couple at our table smirk when the facilitator apologized yet again for the weather, and quickly struck up a conversation about our common hatred of humidity.
As it turned out, they were from Atlanta, and since we only had a few minutes to chat, the couple asked if we wanted to join them that night for dinner. They’d had reservations for their anniversary at an acclaimed waterfront restaurant for more than six months, but the wife assured me that she could call and get the hostess to add two more seats to the table.
What unfolded that night over dinner was nothing short of the gospel. As the sun melted into the water, our conversation went wide and deep, covering the vast terrain of our lives. We tasted grilled octopus and braised lamb shoulder and homemade pastas. When the entrees arrived, Patrick and I ordered the most expensive bottle of wine we could afford, hoping to offer a small gesture of gratitude to our new friends for sharing their anniversary reservation with us. I still remember looking at the price and wondering if we’d gone a little overboard. But this night was special; there was something providential about it.
Several hours later, I noticed the waitress drop a black folded book in front of our new friends. I elbowed my husband in the ribs hard—the universal wife-code for ‘get out your wallet!’—but it was too late. The check had been paid. A signature was already on the bottom of the receipt.
“But,” I started, embarrassed. “That was a really expensive meal. We wanted to…” I looked to Patrick for back-up. “…This was your anniversary!”
It’s hard to think of the extravagance of that night without imagining the extravagance of Jesus. Isaiah paints us a picture of the most opulent love—a free gift available to anyone and everyone. No one is excluded. No one is unwelcome. Our God says, “Come!” He prepares a table before us with food—not just for our bodies, but for our souls. And it costs us nothing. The view from that table will be magnificent because our host, our friend, is the Son of God.
Isaiah and Jesus invite all to come. But as the bride of Christ, we, too, can join in offering the invitation, which echoes from the Old Testament straight through the book of Revelation:
The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! Whoever is thirsty let him come and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
- Revelation 22:17
Let nothing keep us from joining in the feast. For as gracious as our God has been in His invitation, not one of us can fathom the goodness He’s prepared for us—for all who love Him—in the days to come (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Thanks be to God.
By Claire Gibson
Claire Gibson is a freelance writer and editor whose work has been featured both locally and nationally in publications including The Washington Post, and Entrepreneur Magazine. An Army kid who grew up at West Point, New York, Claire is currently growing roots in Nashville, Tennessee. She loves her husband, Patrick, and their dog, Winnie.
What does the Bible say about overcoming grief?
Grief is an emotion common to the human experience, and we witness the process of grief throughout the biblical narrative. Multiple Bible characters experienced deep loss and sadness, including Job, Naomi, Hannah, and David. Even Jesus mourned (John 11:35; Matthew 23:37-39). After Lazarus died, Jesus went to the village of Bethany, where Lazarus was buried. When Jesus saw Martha and the other mourners weeping, He also wept. He was moved by their grief and also by the fact of Lazarus’s death. The astounding thing is that, even though Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, He chose to partake of the grief of the situation. Jesus truly is a high priest who can “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15).
One step in overcoming grief is having the right perspective on it. First, we recognize that grief is a natural response to pain and loss. There is nothing wrong with grieving. Second, we know that times of grief serve a purpose. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” This verse implies that grief can be good because it can refresh our perspective on life. Third, we remember that feelings of grief are temporary. “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). There is an end to mourning. Grief has its purpose, but it also has its limit.
Through it all, God is faithful. There are many Scriptures that remind us of God’s faithfulness in times of mourning. He is with us even in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). When David sorrowed, he prayed this in Psalm 56:8: “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (ESV). The touching image of God catching our tears is full of meaning. He sees our grief and does not disdain it. Like Jesus entered into the grief of the mourners in Bethany, God enters into our grief. At the same time, He reassures us that all is not lost. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “be still” and rest in the knowledge that He is God. He is our refuge (Psalm 91:1-2). He works all things together for the good of those He has called (Romans 8:28).
An important part of overcoming grief is expressing it to God. The Psalms contain numerous examples of pouring out one’s heart to God. Interestingly, the psalmist never ends where he began. He may start a psalm with expressions of grief, but, almost invariably, he will end it with praise (Psalm 13; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 30:11-12; Psalm 56). God understands us (Psalm 139:2). When we commune with Him, we are able to open our minds to the truth that He loves us, that He is faithful, that He is in control, and that He knows how He is going to work it out for our good.
Another important step in overcoming grief is to share it with others. The body of Christ is designed to ease the burdens of its individual members (Galatians 6:2), and fellow believers have the ability to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Often, the grieving tend to shun others, increasing feelings of isolation and misery. It is much healthier to seek counseling, and group settings can be invaluable. Groups offer listening ears and helpful encouragement, camaraderie, and guidance in working through the grief. When we share our stories with God and others, our grief is lessened.
Sadly, grief is part of the human experience. Loss is part of life, and grief is a natural response to loss. But we have the hope of Christ, and we know that He is strong enough to carry our burdens (Matthew 11:30). We can give our hurt to Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We can find solace in the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Paraclete (John 14:16). In grief, we cast our burdens on Him, rely on the community of the church, delve into the truth of the Word, and ultimately experience hope (Hebrews 6:19-20).
Read the original article HERE
Overcoming Anxiety
Historians will probably call our era “the age of anxiety.” Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us. —Billy Graham
When Billy Graham wrote those words in 1965, no one knew how true they would be 50 years later.
At its best, anxiety distracts us from our relationship with God and the truth that He is “Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25). At its worst, anxiety is a crippling disease, taking over our minds and plunging our thoughts into darkness.
But God wants so much more for us than to walk through life full of fear, worry and anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything,” the Bible tells us in the book of Philippians, chapter 4, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Our instructions don’t stop there. The chapter goes on to tell believers exactly what we should focus on. And it’s not fear, terrorism, illness, death or evil.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9, ESV, emphasis added).
The first step to an anxiety-free mind is to give your life to Jesus Christ. Once you’ve taken that step, it’s important to fix your thoughts on Jesus and the promise that He is preparing a place for His followers in heaven (John 14:2-3).
Below are some resources meant to help you overcome fear and anxiety and live life the way Jesus teaches us—a life full of faith, truth, hope, peace and joy:
- 10 Bible Verses on Anxiety and Fear: What God’s Word says about being anxious.
- How Can I Deal with Crippling Anxiety? A response from BGEA staff.
- Is it Wrong to Take Medicine for Anxiety? Billy Graham’s Answer.
- The Cure for Anxiety: A timeless radio message from Billy Graham.
- 15 Quotes for an Anxious Heart: A collection of inspiring graphics to read, post and share.
- What’s Wrong with the World? A mobile-friendly page with Steps to Peace with God.
True peace comes from a relationship with Jesus. Choose peace with God today.
Read the original article on BillyGraham.org
Taking God with Me Wherever I Go
When I was a girl, I loved listening to Amy Grant sing. Her songs were so powerful, evoking deep emotions, bringing healing as she sang about things that resonated with me. We sometimes feel a sense of isolation and a haunting longing. It’s really just the desire to belong. Listening to Amy Grant’s songs, I thought someone else understood: what it was to be sad, to be happy, to want to cry, to celebrate. Last week I found myself having lunch with Amy Grant, and listening to her sing again, while she talked about her journey in life. It amazed me how decades had passed, and yet she still tracks with women like me as she sings about life’s ups and downs. Then she said something that really resonated.
In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God.
I realized that her ability to minister to women through music comes from a deep faith in the Lord Jesus. She has leaned on Him herself for years, and uses language and music to express how He has carried her through joys and sorrows. It’s the language that carries the power. Words. The Word.
Thinking about how to take God with me wherever I go, I have pondered the reality of practicing His presence. He is omnipresent. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. I know in my head that it’s true. He is the creator of the universe. But my heart and soul sometimes still feel alone. During a time of deep grief C.S. Lewis once said, “But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is in vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and the sound of bolting and double bolting inside. After that, silence.” I’ve felt that alone. But God IS with me, always. How do I take hold of that head knowledge and make it heart knowledge? It’s language that has always been key for me. It’s His word. The power is in the WORD.
“Is not my Word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29
I can practice His presence by meditating on His word. I can chase away fear when I speak His word aloud. I take Him with me by recalling verses I’ve memorized. When I am joyful, I try to recite praise from the Psalms. When I am lonely, I turn to Psalms of lament. When I am afraid, I speak His name aloud, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” Just the sound of His name is powerful.
There are so many wonderful scripture tools we can use. Bible verses appear in almost every medium. On my computer, on my coffee cup, on my phone. I’ve found that the slow process of soaking in His word, reading it every day, having it in my view throughout the day in myriad ways, has burned some into my memory. But I don’t have to memorize it. The discipline of reading it every day nourishes my heart. I have it with me wherever I go. I always have my phone. I keep a copy of the Psalms in my purse. That’s how I take God with me wherever I go. Because really, I am not taking Him with me, I’m just practicing His presence. Because He goes before me, beside me, and brings up my rear guard. That knowledge begins to seep from my head into my heart when I am intentional about the language of God. His Word.
C.S. Lewis later described emerging from his deep grief. He surmised that he couldn’t feel God’s presence when he needed Him most because he was consumed by his own thoughts. His self-focus drowned out the voice he really wanted to hear, “like a drowning man who cannot be helped because he clutches or grabs.” I want to take God with me always, or practice His divine presence, by thinking of Him wherever I go. I don’t want to clutch and grab only when I am desperate. I choose the discipline of carving out intentional time to read his word. Some days I fail. But His mercies are new every morning. So I pick up my bible and read when the sun comes up. Or look at my coffee cup verse. Or my phone app with scripture. His Word. And the Word was God. With me wherever I go.
Second Chances
Have you ever had a second chance before? I'm talking about any kind of second chance. For example, you escaped near death in a car accident or heart attack, or your parents gave you a "second chance" (probably 3, 4 or even 5 chances), a policeman gives you a "warning" and not a ticket. There are multiple ways you can receive a second chance.
I feel like God has given me many second chances! I've failed so many times and worst of all, I have failed God, but He continues to love me and give me second chances every day. When you ask Jesus into your heart, you are receiving a second chance! He will come into your life and transform it if you will let Him. God gives His favor to those that honor Him, love Him, and give Him glory. If you are not walking with God, how can you expect Him to bless you or give you a second chance?
God wants you to follow Him. Our hope is that AmazingGrace.Life will be a great a resource for you as you seek Him.