When someone speaks against God or the church, we may feel offence or fear. Obviously something important and dear to our hearts is being put down.

Some are quick to respond in defence of God or the faith. These responses may end up in arguments that lead nowhere. The response may be verbal, through writing, or through social media.
There is an internal fear that causes us to respond when someone speaks against God or the church. We fear that God’s name or honor may be defamed. Our own reputation may be on the line due to the attacks.
But why the fear? Could it be a lack of trust in God and his ability to handle his own reputation and that of his church?
I acknowledge the value of apologetics and how it can positively impact young minds that are truly inquisitive and impressionable. But here, I am referring to our personal reactionary response which possibly comes from fear.
The Psalmist has an interesting take on this. He sets the stage where nations and their kings are all set against God. They speak arrogantly against God. For God, it looks like there is trouble on every side, and the odds are stacked against Him.
God’s response is given quite simply and directly. “He who sits in the heavens laughts; the Lord holds them in derision” (Psalm 2:4).
This obviously implies that God sees the taunts and words of his enemies as simply comical. He is not at all worried about his reputation or his kingdom.
I suggest we take God’s approach. When you hear someone speaking against God or his church, let’s take a step back and think twice before responding.
*What do you think? Please leave your response in the comments section of this blog post by clicking here.

It was in Calcutta that the ethicist John Kavanaugh met Mother Teresa at her centre. He came there to spend three months and to get a clear answer regarding his future. When Mother Teresa asked him what she can do for him, he asked for prayer.

At that point, she asked him his request. Happily and longingly he said, “Pray that I have clarity.”

She was quick to reply “No. I will not do that.” Then she said “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.” Kavanaugh retorted that she seemed to have so much clarity – which is exactly what he wanted in life. But quickly she said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.*

Trust forfeits control and clarity. We work hard to devise a clear path to the plans we have for our lives. But life seems to ignore our plans and takes a path of its own. It goes completely out of our control. The steering wheel seems to turn on its own will. Then we see our plans in the “rear-view mirror.”

Job was a man who looked in his “rear-view mirror” and saw his plans left behind. Looking ahead, he only saw darkness, gloom, and death. But finally God broke through the darkness from above and gave him a new perspective. God said “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding” (Job 38:4).

He wanted Job to know that even if his life seemed to be completely out of control, God is the creator and holds everything in his hands.

So, what do you see in your “rear-view mirror”? Are your plans lying there all shattered with the broken pieces of your life?” Then when you look ahead what do you see? You don’t even want to think about it? Complete darkness? Now, its time to look up and trust God. He holds everything firmly in his hands.

One thing God asks of you is to trust him with your life: Your career, family, health, and all your dreams for the future.

Would you share what you see in your “rear-view mirror”?

Leave your response in the comments section of this blog post by clicking here.

*This story comes from Brennan Manning’s book Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God.

Several years ago we lived in Bangalore for two years. At that time, Shivaji Nagar was the place where we did a lot of our shopping for basic groceries and meat.

Once while purchasing meat I said to the man “give me something lean with less fat.” He looked at me with surprise and said “that’s the best part — why wold you want to remove it?” I said “are you serious? You really prefer the fat?” He patted his stomach with a big smile and said: “Meat is best with plenty of fat in it.”
I walked away with my purchase of lean meat with a bit of surprise. I realized what was of no value to me was of great value to that man at the meat shop. What some people consider a blessing may also be considered a curse for others.
In the book of Job, Elihu recognized this duality in relation to nature and God’s work when he said: “He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightening. They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the hapitable world. Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen” (Job 37:11-13).
Elihu used rain as an example to explain that God’s work in some people is seen as a curse while others see it as a blessing. Rain may cause havoc in a land with flooding, landslides, and other calamities. This is seen as a curse. Some people say “the gods are angry at us.”
But far away, some farmer may have been waiting for the rain in its due season. For him, it is a blessing. Then I remember the words of Elihu: “Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.”
Others around you are doing so well, but you feel like life is tearing you to pieces – a confusing place to be in. Maybe you’re wondering if God still remembers you. You’re wondering if God still remembers you. You’ve probably concluded that the “pieces” of your life can never be put back together again. God has a clear and definite plan for your life. To you and to others, life may not seem to be fair, but God is busy working on your life.
You see some good, lots of bad, and you are completely confused. But just remember: “Whether for correction or for …love, he causes it to happen.” You are God’s child and you are still in his plans. He is still working on you. Give him time.
What is God doing in your life right now?
Leave your response in the comments section of this blog post by clicking here.
 

The train from Bangalore was packed with passengers after our group of about sixty people entered with our luggage. A young man in his mid twenties was frantically pushing his way through this crowd and their luggage. As he made his way closer to where I was standing, I said to him, “Where are you going?” He said “My seat is on the other side and I need to sit down.” I said “Look, you’re not getting very far through this thick crowd any time soon.”

Just then the train jolted a bit and all the passengers were shoved to one side with the movement of the train. I saw this young man grabbing his leg with a painful expression on his face. When I asked him, he told me that for over two years he had been suffering pain from torn ligaments. He opened his bag and showed me all the medicines he had just purchased. For two years, he had been back and forth from one doctor to another. When I asked him if I could pary for him, he reluctantly agreed. After a short prayer, he was instantly healed. Soon, other passengers began tugging on my shirt, asking for prayer.

I was astonished at the response of the people and the extent of their needs. So many are in pain and in need of God’s touch. And it is this pain and brokenness that God uses to draw us to him. If it wasn’t for the pain, we may not realize our need of God. One of Job’s friends recognized this and said “He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity (Job 36:15).

That young man who was healed on the train is now a follower of Jesus. It took two years of pain for God to get his attention. His Ligaments were torn due to natural causes – God didn’t cause it. But God decided to show him mercy and kindness when he healed him. It was God’s mercy that drew him to God.

What are the situations in your life that show your need of God and his mercy? What are the ways in which God is drawing you to him?

Leave your response in the comments section of this blog post by clicking here.

It was a long night of hard work. They were quite experienced and knew their craft well, but each attempt proved to be of no use. Their hearts sank as they experienced failure after failure.

High Risk Increases Value
The survival of their families was on the line. The reputation of their business was at stake here. When all the fishermen came to shore, they will be the only ones with nothing to show for their work.

Failure Confuses the Emotions
They didn’t speak much to each other as they each felt the heaviness in their own hearts. This continued even through the time they were washing their nets after an unprofitable night of work.
Sometimes, God’s Ways Confuse the Situation Even More
After Jesus “borrowed” Peter’s boat in the most uncommon way, he made an unusual request. “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4b). It seemed more of a command than a request.
Obedience May Not Always be from the Heart
It must have been in total frustration that Simon replies “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will net down the nets” (Luke 4:5). This unusual request brought such an unusual catch of fish, that Peter was utterly shaken. How could such an impossible thing happen?
When God Does His Work, He May Shake us up Completely.
“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man O Lord” (Luke 4:8).    When Peter experienced the work of Jesus, he was impacted,  even to the core of his being.
Be Quick to Repent When God Shakes You up.
Job had a similar heart-shaking experience with God. This experience literally changed him to the core. He responded: “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
At what level do we know God? Do we know him well enough to shake us up to the core of our being? Or, is it just a passing acquaintance?
Give your response in the comments section of this blog post by clicking here.

When Bondage is the Norm
I’ve always wondered about those animals used for farm labor. They spend most of their days toiling under the hot Sun. Carying the weight of the plow and pulling the soil apart with all their might.

For all this hard work and effort, they are frequently rewarded with a lash of the whip. It is a similar plight experienced by various animals that are used for labor. But what about those animals in the wild that are free?
When Bondage is Unknown
When God rebuked Job for his lack of trust, this was one of the examples used. “Who has let the wild donkey free? Who has loosed the bonds of the swift donkey, to whom I have given the arid plain for his home and his salt land for his dwelling place? He scorns the tumult of the city, he hears not the shouts of the driver.” (Job 39:5-7)
But the animals used for labor have never known freedom. They have spent their entire life in captivity. This kind of life has become normal for them.
When Bondage Becomes Identity
For humans, God intended for us to be free. We were to have domonion over the whole earth. But one by one, our experiences and struggles have “enslaved” us. We have somewhat “acquired” much of the bondage that we face. In fact, for so many, their situations have such a strong grip on them that they cannot think differently. It is as if this has become their identity in life. They have never known anything different.
When Freedom Replaces Bondage
In the midst of this bondage and brokenness, God shows up with his mercy. His kingdom invades our “normal” situation of bondage and we get a glimpse of fredom.
Once we get a taste of that freedom, we are hooked. Of course, life becomes an even greater struggle of breaking out of our bondage and living in the freedom that God offers. Its a quest that continues throughout our lives, constantly moving towards more and more freedom in Christ.
Then one day we’ll reach home and know the ultimate freedom that God intended for us.
In which areas do you feel “bound” and need freedom? Share your experiences of tasting God’s freedom.
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