“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer (What a Friend We Have in Jesus Hymn #279).”
Our oldest and closest friends are the sweet treasures of life. Mine goes back to eight years of age. We did what all friends should do: had sleepovers, dressed alike, played games, and talked on the phone until our parents told us to hang up.
Peer relationships are said to have as much, or in some stages of life, more influence than family or any other type of relationship. Jesus serves many roles to us as believers. An important and intimate role he plays, is a close friend. He proclaims, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends (John 15:15).”
Through friendships, you have each other to experience similar joys and trials. We essentially have someone to walk through this scary world called life. Jesus yearns for us to seek his counsel. He has experienced hardship and temptation, like we do on a daily basis. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are- yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).” There is no better life to emulate. Friends often act the same and make similar choices. Jesus hopes that we will live by his example.
At the beginning of my adult life, my family was presented with a challenge. I remember talking to my best friend on the phone, and she offered to come and comfort me when it was very late into the night. I have never felt more love from a friend in my entire life. This is beyond friendship. This reminds me of the type of relationship that our Savior and friend has laid before us. Jesus has offered his love. He has offered his guidance. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).”
Monday, March 23, 2009
"Walk this Way"
When I was growing up, my mom used to walk me to school every morning and pick me up in the afternoon. I only lived a block away from my elementary school, but when I was young it was a scary thing to walk to class on my own. By myself I could have encountered “stranger danger.” Or, I could have been tempted to walk in the street or be tardy for class. My mom knew of all these things, so she faithfully walked me to school until she knew I was ready to walk alone.
We often hear people use the phrase, “God will not give us anything we can't handle.” This is referring to the encouraging passage in 1 Corinthians 10:13 which states, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” It is probably safe to say that many of us have faced trials in our lives that have seemed overwhelming. We have questioned God if this is something that we are supposed to be able to handle.
Jesus also struggled with temptation and he sought God's guidance as a way to stand up to it. Luke 22 depicts Jesus at the Mount of Olives with his disciples. He instructed them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation (Luke 22:40).” Jesus demonstrates the example of what we should do so we do not fall. He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:43-44).”
When I think about the memory of my mother walking me to school, I see the illustration of God's protection. He holds our hand as we walk this scary world, but yearns to see the day when we are able to stand up to it on our own. When I walked alone to school, I was able to meet the challenge because my mother had guided me. Just as prayer is God's guidance. What trial can you earnestly pray about, so God can strengthen you and watch you stand up to it?
We often hear people use the phrase, “God will not give us anything we can't handle.” This is referring to the encouraging passage in 1 Corinthians 10:13 which states, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” It is probably safe to say that many of us have faced trials in our lives that have seemed overwhelming. We have questioned God if this is something that we are supposed to be able to handle.
Jesus also struggled with temptation and he sought God's guidance as a way to stand up to it. Luke 22 depicts Jesus at the Mount of Olives with his disciples. He instructed them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation (Luke 22:40).” Jesus demonstrates the example of what we should do so we do not fall. He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:43-44).”
When I think about the memory of my mother walking me to school, I see the illustration of God's protection. He holds our hand as we walk this scary world, but yearns to see the day when we are able to stand up to it on our own. When I walked alone to school, I was able to meet the challenge because my mother had guided me. Just as prayer is God's guidance. What trial can you earnestly pray about, so God can strengthen you and watch you stand up to it?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
"Deserving Discipline"
Sitting in a corner, loosing our favorite toy, being grounded and having a curfew. These are familiar stages of the “dreaded discipline” that many of us experienced as a child. It is what we grew up with, and it is what we did not always seem to understand.
However, some children do not have the privilege of receiving discipline. Permissive parenting happens to many children, and the effects are damaging. Inconsistent rules, neglect, enabling behaviors and even abuse are taking place at this very moment. Unfortunately, these children typically grow up with no concept of authority and no appreciation for rules or boundaries.
When we receive discipline, it means that someone wants to invest their time into us for our own good. Our Heavenly Father, the Holy and Mighty One, has created an intimate parent-child relationship from the beginning of time. “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son (Hebrews 12: 5-6).” The LORD wants to discipline His children, because He will not let us be neglected. He will not be disengaged. Our Father wants to shield us from the world and provide us with the love and knowledge to make good choices that will better our lives.
It is heart breaking to see children that are wrapped in confusion. They fend for themselves and do not know the difference between right and wrong. They have not grasped that correction can come from compassion. God does not want us to experience this inconsistency. He has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).”
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).” How does it make you feel to know that our great big God takes time each day to mold us into His precious creation? How does He correct you? How does He show His love to you on a daily basis? Believe in your heart that you deserve His discipline.
However, some children do not have the privilege of receiving discipline. Permissive parenting happens to many children, and the effects are damaging. Inconsistent rules, neglect, enabling behaviors and even abuse are taking place at this very moment. Unfortunately, these children typically grow up with no concept of authority and no appreciation for rules or boundaries.
When we receive discipline, it means that someone wants to invest their time into us for our own good. Our Heavenly Father, the Holy and Mighty One, has created an intimate parent-child relationship from the beginning of time. “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son (Hebrews 12: 5-6).” The LORD wants to discipline His children, because He will not let us be neglected. He will not be disengaged. Our Father wants to shield us from the world and provide us with the love and knowledge to make good choices that will better our lives.
It is heart breaking to see children that are wrapped in confusion. They fend for themselves and do not know the difference between right and wrong. They have not grasped that correction can come from compassion. God does not want us to experience this inconsistency. He has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).”
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).” How does it make you feel to know that our great big God takes time each day to mold us into His precious creation? How does He correct you? How does He show His love to you on a daily basis? Believe in your heart that you deserve His discipline.
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