Yelling at God

"Can anything ever separate us us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?"
Romans 8:35

You ever have one of those days? One of those days where things just keep coming and it feels like the world is kicking while you are down. You know the expression - when it rains, it pours.

Do you ever get angry with God about days like those? What about something that happened that day? You ever just stop, look up at the sky, and yell "WHY!?!?!? God, what did I do to deserve this?!?"

I, much to my great disappoint, have. I have had my "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" moment. I literally said those words, and now, I am ashamed that I did. To say THOSE words for what, at the time, seemed like the worst thing that ever happened to me was the very height of hubris in my life.

Why, when bad things happen to us, do we turn on God? We should know better. Do we really believe, that despite all the things that the Bible says to the contrary, that when you serve God, things are easy? Look at Job, Elijah, David, the Apostles, and even Jesus. Were things easy for them?

Job lost everything. Elijah was being hunted and thought that he was the last of God's faithful. David was forced to run from King Saul, lost a beloved child, and was forced to run again - from his own son. The Apostles were all executed, save one, and they tried to kill him, too. Jesus, the very Son of God, was hated, persecuted, beaten, tortured, killed, and SEPARATED FROM GOD.

Compared to those problems, how small are our problems? And we still get angry and frustrated with God? I have heard it said that its OK to get mad at God, as long as you go talk to Him and get it sorted out. But do we really need to think that God is doing this to us?

Then a hand touched me and roused me to get up on my hands and knees, "Daniel, a much loved man," He said to me, "pay attention to what I'm telling you and stand  up straight because I have now been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood trembling. "Don't be afraid, Daniel," He told me. "From the first day when you made up your mind to understand, humbling yourself before your God, what you said was heard, and I have come because you spoke. The prince of the Persian kingdom opposed me twenty-one days, but then Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, and I have left him to oppose the kings of Persia and have come to help you understand what will happen..." Daniel 11:10-14a

There is opposition in this world right now, same as there was in Daniel's time. Bad things do happen to good Christians. The stronger the Christian you are, the more opposition will come against you. Don't blame God for you earthly woes. He loves you, He doesn't persecute you. Don't make that mistake. Give your purposes, your goals to Him, and don't be frustrated if they don't happen in your own timeframe. He will hold onto them, or He will replace them with something even better.

Sam

"He Highlighted Verses For Me"

Then they came to Jericho. And as He went out of Jericho with His disciple and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise. He is calling you." And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:46-52

As I read this passage in Mark today, He highlighted three phrases for to me. Take a look!

First - 'Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.'

Second - 'Be of good cheer.'

Third - 'What do you want Me to do for you?'

Our blind man in this example was just in the midst of his everyday 'blind begging' routine when he heard a big commotion as a large crowd approached. When he heard that it was Jesus he started crying out, trying to get His attention. The people around him tried to silence his cries for Jesus' attention but He ignored their warnings and cried out even louder. Jesus heard Him! even in the midst f all the 'large crowd' noise and commotion Jesus heard him, stopped and called him to himself. He offered a word of encouragement and then He asked him what it was he wanted Him to do for him.  Our blind guy asked Him for his sight. Jesus commended him for his faith and immediately he received his sight!

Take a look at what these highlighted verse spoke to me!

First: If your in the midst of something and you are calling out to Him; He always, stops and takes notice! He will always have ears to hear your call! His heart is to always, always, always, ALWAYS answer your call for help with a call to Himself!

Second:  He will always, always, always, speak just the right words to bring comfort, encouragement, and hope whether it is to a blind beggar beside the road, a boat full of scared disciples, (Matthew 14:27) or even a worried father who just received bad news about his daughter. (Mark 5:36) He will ALWAYS speak a word/promise that motivates our faith to ask and believe for answers!

Third:  His heart is always, always, always, ALWAYS to bless you and to meet your needs. He wants to know what you need.  James 4:2b '...You do not have because you do not ask.' His heart is that you talk to Him. Tell Him what you want Him to do for you. Its His question! He is the one asking it and He is waiting for your response. He is listening and it is His heart to meet your needs and to give you the desires of your heart!

A Little Like Joseph

Joseph rubbed his face. How? What? When? Where? His mind was a swirling whirlwind of questions. There were no answers. Only more questions.

And pain. Unmistakable pain in his heart.

"How did this happen?"

She wasn't there anymore. She had left hours ago. Joseph could still see Mary's broken face as she tried to explain that she was pregnant. She didn't stay long. Just basically dumped the news and left.

Joseph picked himself up off the floor where he had collapsed at some point. He started pacing.

What did he do?

He would have to divorce her.

The thought literally pained him, but what else could he do? She hadn't remained faithful to him, to their oath. He cringed thinking of how she would be treated by the people once word got around.

He genuinely cared for Mary. Maybe even loved her. He couldn't stand the idea of how she would be treated.

Maybe he could divorce her quietly. Yes, that's what he would do. Joseph stopped pacing and stared at the wall. She didn't deserve it, but he couldn't bare the idea of shaming her.

Despite the way she had brought shame to him.

Based on Matthew 1:18-19

"And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly." Matthew 1:19

I just want to start off by saying how cool this is.

Did I confuse anyone? Stay with me.

Let's think about this logically. Joseph didn't know that Mary had indeed remained faithful to him, and that the Child (Jesus) was supernaturally God's. So. If a man found out his betrothed, which in Bible days basically meant you were legally married in all ways except the physical, had cheated on him, there are some typical responses.

1. Pretend it never happened.
2. Murder.
3. Yell/scream and divorce the person in a very loud, awful way.

You don't see a person who is willing/wants to divorce the other person quietly because they don't want to shame them. You just don't see that. Joseph was concerned about what people would do and how they would view Mary. He cared about her reputation, not his own reputation.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Joseph. He was a cool guy. A good guy. Joseph didn't know at this point that Mary was pregnant with Jesus, the Son of God. Based on that, he had to be upset by anyone's standards.

Can people say about you, "Willey, a just man who is unwilling to put someone to shame."? It doesn't matter if the person deserves what you want to dish out. Your reputation is determined by how you treat another's reputation.

"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:12

How you treat the people who treat you like dog poo is important. It makes or breaks your reputation. I want to have the kind of reputation that points back to God. That shows compassion and care. Unwilling to shame others.

Like Joseph.

V. Joy Palmer

"Need Not Fear"

Today I have a quote for you. ... "Arise, and do not be afraid."

Can you tell me who said it? ... Also, Do you know to whom it was said?

This was one of many quotes I used in sharing a message at chapel with a room full of  kids today. It was also the one that no one in the room could identify.

How did you do?  Did you immediately know who said it and to whom? If so, congratulations! If not take a look at the following account and you'll see that Jesus said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." to His disciples at an event that was truly amazing.

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, brought them up on a high mountain by themselves, and was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for  us to be here; if you wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid."  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead." Matthew 17:1-9

Have you ever really stopped to consider how many people throughout scripture end up on their faces when God shows up? The disciples were no different. It says, that "Jesus was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him." They were filled with how awesome all this was but it wasn't until ... "behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 

God the Father showed up in a cloud and spoke and just that quick they fell on their faces! 

Out of all the quotes I used today to show these young people that the heart of the Father, Son, and Spirit, is to bless them; this is the one that has stayed with me all day long. I'm not really sure why.  'Arise, and do not be afraid." Its a pretty simple statement, but it is the statement that Jesus made to His disciples after the Father showed up and spoke! Maybe, that is why? Maybe its because I love the fact that it is the first thing Jesus said to them after the Father had ended His statement about Jesus with, "Hear Him!" God speaks from the cloud that had overshadowed them, reaffirms and authenticates to them both the person and the word of Christ, and then, He ends His statement to them with, "Hear Him!" 

Jesus immediately goes to them, touches them and says, 'Arise, and do not be afraid.'  

I love that Jesus' first words and His first actions are to bless them with both a touch and with the right words to reassure them that they need not fear the Presence of God.

Speaking Like Jesus

Archegos studied the man teaching them. He had heard rumors that his name was Jesus.

He studied Jesus some more. His clothing was simple. Not fancy, but functional. He didn't wear any extra adornments, just the basics. Jesus stood before a decent sized crowd, talking. No, that wasn't right. He was...teaching them. It was incredible.

Archegos had been amazed as he listened to the man. He moved around, and looked the people in the eye, like he could really relate to them. What was even more impressive was his authority. He didn't talk like a shy newbie. He didn't talk like a pompous know-it-all. He didn't stumble over words that were laced with uncertainty. He spoke with authority. Archegos had never heard anyone speak like that.

He blinked. He had never heard anyone speak like that! No one! Not ever! Archegos had been going to the synagogue with his family his whole life. He had grown up around Godly men, but none of them, not even the priests, Pharisees, or any other religious leader that he could think of had ever spoken with such authority.

Looking around, Archegos could see that he wasn't the only one to who had noticed the difference. The man seemed to posses some kind of Heavenly power. It radiated from him, and into the crowd of people.

People started to talk around him. Due to his dazed realization, Archegos had missed Jesus leaving, but he guessed that the trail of people moving away from the group were following after him. 


Archegos pointed in the direction that Jesus had gone. "Did you see that? Did you hear how he spoke? It was incredible!"

Based on Matthew 7:28-29

"And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes." Matthew 7:28-29

Isn't that incredible! The people noticed such a huge difference in how Jesus spoke. He taught with authority.

And the religious leaders of that day didn't.

Guys, we need to have that same authority in our lives when we talk about Jesus, God, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit. We need to be confident in who we are in our Lord. I don't want to be talking about how cool Jesus is in some lame monotone. Imagine someone falling asleep while you talk. What if you don't really believe the things you are saying? How does that look to people? Not good!

I want the people who hear me to be convinced that I know what I'm talking about. I want them to feel convicted, excited, and eager all rolled up into one. I want to speak with the authority of Jesus.

"So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11

V. Joy Palmer

"Has He Got Our Attention?"

Today I want to talk to you about a scene with two of my favorite people. Their names are Mary and Martha and we can find their story in Luke 10:38-42 This story is only five verses long but it still speaks to me every time I read it.

   Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
   And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.
   But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
   And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
   But one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Mary and Martha are two of my favorite people because the truth is I can relate to them! Sometimes I'm so much like Martha and I'm distracted by ALL the things that I need to get done. Other times I'm like Mary and ALL I want to do is sit and listen and spend time with Jesus even though I know there are things I should be doing. I'm like Mary in those moments when He is my only focus!

The thing is that both sisters loved Jesus! It says that Martha welcomed Him into her home. She welcomed Him into her home and when you have guests in your home you feel responsible to look after them, to make them feel welcome.  It also says that she had a sister named Mary who ALSO sat at Jesus' feet which implies that it was something that Martha did as well. Instead of staying there she got distracted with serving because the truth is its the thing we do. Don't forget that it wasn't just Jesus she welcomed in either. There were twelve other men that traveled with Him as well, so it was a crowd she was hosting! Is it any wonder that she got distracted and left His feet to serve? Wouldn't you? Don't we when we get caught up in work, family, friends, and of course, the big one, serving in our ministries?

Martha was working hard serving Jesus and the disciples when she realized she was doing all the work by herself. She looked over and saw her sister, sitting there, totally absorbed in the things Jesus was saying and next thing you know, she is focused on that instead of what Jesus is saying. And now? Now she is angry and feeling put upon. How about you? Have you ever got distracted from listening and next thing you know your 'worried and troubled' about others or even worse with them.  Martha's distraction caused her to be open to a root of bitterness towards Mary because she perceived Mary's listening to mean that she was being blessed in a way that Martha herself was missing out on.

The truth is that all too often we are like Martha. We love Jesus but get distracted with the things we have to do for others or even by what we see others doing.

Then there is Mary. There are times when, like Mary, nothing can drag me away from His presence. I love when, like Jesus said to, "I choose the one thing necessary" and sit and listen and I don't let life or what other people are doing distract me from hearing all He has to say. Did you know Mary isn't the only one who took time and sat and listened despite the tasks of the day? '...Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight. He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.' Mark 1:35 '...And when He sent the multitudes away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. And when evening had come, He was alone there.' Matthew 14:23 Jesus knew the importance of spending time talking and listening to the Father. There is a reason He was able to say, "...that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." John 8:28-29

We are all a lot like both Martha and Mary at different times of our lives and as we grow in the things of God we need to learn to spend more and more time listening at His feet and less time 'worried and troubled and distracted' by the world around us. The truth is He is the 'one thing' that matters most and by putting Him first everything else will fall into place and be taken care of! Jesus is our perfect example and He always, no matter what His day was filled with, took time to make His Father the focus of all His actions; whether it was in taking time alone with Him or any and all the ministering He did throughout the day. It was all about being and doing His Father's will.  

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:33-34 Taking a look at this illustration in the lives of Martha and Mary is a great way for us to ask ourselves, "Are we making Him 'The One Thing' necessary in our own lives the way Jesus did with His heavenly Father? Has He got all our attention or is it the world around us? Is He the focus of our day?"

"Broken"

  And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains ha been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.
  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and n the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
  But when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him, And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."
  For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"
  Then He asked him, "What is Your name?" And he answered saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many."
  And he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountain.
  And all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them."
  And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
  Now those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. and they went out to see what it was that happened.
  Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Mark 5:2-15

O Lord, we speak the healing word over each and every life that this message touches today!

Lord, we ask that as we speak this amazingly powerful word you would break every chain that binds.

Today as we speak forth Your healing word and as we speak Your most holy name into and over lives we ask that by the power of Your Spirit, Your people would be set free from anything that hinders them from being found in Your presence, whole and well and in their right mind.

Lord, the word we speak ...That name above all other names! ... Even in this moment, right now, we would stand in awe and watch as we say, "In the name of the Jesus Christ of Nazareth be set free! Be healed. Be whole!

Lord, we give You all the praise and all the glory as every chain that is tasked with the purpose of destroying life is broken! Right now, in this moment, Lord, we know that it doesn't matter whether it is a physical chain like sickness and disease, or a spiritual one that binds the soul; we know that by the power and authority of Your name its hold is BROKEN. Amen!

God Bless!!!

Staff of Snack Time Devotions