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When God Seems Far Away

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moon, night sky

Have you ever gone through a hard time and felt abandoned by God? Most of us probably have at one time or another. Maybe you’re there right now. Even though it may seem as if God has left you, He hasn’t. God is with you, whether you feel His presence or not.

Sometimes God can seem very distant when our questions or prayers go unanswered. However, the Bible says in Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” God’s purposes are beyond our understanding. We can’t begin to wrap our brains around all that He’s doing in our lives. Therefore, in moments of confusion, we need to put our trust in what we do know to be true, verses such as:

1)         God’s plans for me are for my good (Jeremiah 29:11).
2)         God is faithful in all he does (Psalm 33:4).
3)         God will fulfill His purpose for me (Psalm 138:8).

The next time your feelings say God isn’t paying attention to your concerns, tell yourself the truth: God sees, and He cares! In fact, it’s often during the silence that He’s working to bring about the help you need.

Our God is gracious, compassionate, and kind. He is forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who put their faith in Him and His Word. Though our emotions may be up and down, the Lord God remains the same. He is constant and steady. Those who put their trust in Him will not be disappointed!

The ABCs of Praise

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Alphabet Blocks, ABCs, ABC blocks

“You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!” – Psalm 118:28, NLT

On Thursday mornings, I lead a group at my daughters’ school called Moms in Prayer. A group of dedicated mothers and grandmothers meet to intercede for our teachers, administration, staff, and, of course, our children. Each week, we begin our 45-minute prayer time with praise. Then, we spend a few moments in silent confession, followed by thanksgiving and intercession.

Praise is one of the most important components of prayer, but, unfortunately, it’s probably the most neglected. Many people think they are praising God when they’re actually giving thanks to Him. Although both are necessary in the life of a believer, they are not the same. Praise is acknowledging God for who He is, while thanksgiving is offering words of gratitude for what He has done.

Think of how good it feels when someone gives you a compliment. That’s exactly what you’re doing when you praise the Lord! You tell God how great He is!

One way I like to praise God is by going through the ABCs. I speak out God’s attributes, character, or name for each letter of the alphabet. It goes something like this:

God, you’re…
A- awesome, amazing, the Alpha and Omega
B – beautiful, the Bread of Life
C – compassionate, the God of all comfort, caring
D – my Deliverer
E – eternal, excellent in all your ways
F – faithful, Father, friend, forgiving
(all the way to “Z”)

When you pray, be sure to begin with praise. Resist the temptation to rush right to your requests. Instead, worship the Lord, and exalt His holy name!

Make the commitment of Psalm 145:2 (NLT): “I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.” Give my ABC idea a try, and see what you think.

His Words Are Your Life

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airplane and sunset

“These instructions are not empty words – they are your life!” – Deuteronomy 32:47, NLT

I gazed longingly out the airplane window. My mission trip to El Salvador had been a wonderful, life-changing experience, but I was ready to be home. I missed my husband and daughters. I wanted the comfort of my own bed and was eager to get back into my daily routine.

As we approached the outskirts of Springfield, a field below caught my attention, not that there was anything special about it, but because I’d seen it before…about 15 minutes earlier. My heart sank. We weren’t preparing for landing. We were going in circles.

The plane continued to hover as the pilot waited for conditions to improve. After nearly an hour, he announced that we might divert to a nearby airport to refuel before attempting another landing. Tears filled my eyes. After traveling for two days, I was physically exhausted and emotionally drained. I couldn’t believe that we had come this far only to be rerouted. My destination was within reach, but I couldn’t get there. Circumstances beyond my control were keeping me from the joy of being with my family again.

I bowed my head and prayed: “God, You’re in charge of the weather. Please clear the skies so we can land.” Shortly after I finished, I heard the pilot’s voice on the intercom. I took a deep breath and waited for the verdict. As soon as he announced his plan, passengers cheered and applauded. A huge wave of relief swept over me, and I said, “Praise the Lord!” The sound of the landing gear being engaged was like sweet music to my ears. Within minutes, I was on the ground. I’d finally made it home.

Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should be living an extraordinary life – one that’s full of joy, packed with adventure, and characterized by victory. However, many Christians often get stuck in a holding pattern, much like I was that day on that plane. No matter how hard they try, God still seems far away. A deeper connection with their Creator eludes them. Frustrated, they wonder what they’re missing, and their motivation for spiritual growth wanes. Instead of moving forward in their relationship with the Lord, they end up going in circles, chasing contentment in things that don’t satisfy.

The missing ingredient, in most cases, is the Word of God, or, should I say, the commitment to read it on a regular basis. The pages of Scripture are not just nice stories for our occasional entertainment. As Deuteronomy 32:47 says, “They are your life!”

If you want to grow closer to God this year, decide right now to make his Word a priority. Be in the Word every day. By continually reading and meditating on truth, you will develop a greater understanding of who God is and experience the abundant life He has for you.

The God of Second Chances

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When I’m on my skates, things happen. Spiritual things. Not anything super weird or freaky. Just God’s voice speaking. Prompting. Convicting.

This past Monday was an unseasonably warm winter day here in the Ozarks. I took advantage of the sunshine by heading out to one of my favorite local trails. After about 15 minutes, I passed a young woman and immediately noticed her posture. Her head was slightly lowered, with her eyes staring at the ground. Her body language shouted, “I’m so sad!”

I skated on. A distant memory surfaced from last July. The same trail. Rollerblading. A young woman.

Nah.

Something else caught my attention, and I moved on to the next train of thought. Then, during my final mile, I saw her again. This time she was sitting on a bench. Same slumped posture. Same sad gaze.

I sensed that God wanted me to stop and talk to her. Yet, I struggled with knowing if that “sense” was really from Him. I said aloud, “God, how do I know it’s you? How can I be sure?”

I needed a visible sign and decided to “put out a fleece” like Gideon did in Judges 6. Therefore, my plan was this: If the woman was still seated when I passed the bench a second time, I would stop. If not, then I wouldn’t.

When I came to the turnaround point on the trail, I skated back in her direction. I saw the bench. I saw her on it. As I got closer, though, I saw her getting up! I decided to go for it anyway.    I said, “This may sound really strange, but I feel like the Lord wants me to tell you something. He wants you to know He loves you.”

She stopped abruptly, gave me a puzzled, almost angry look, and said with a thick accent, “You LOVE me? What the h— is that all about?”

“No, no!” I said, seeing her confusion as result of the language barrier. “God loves you. He wants you to know He sees your sadness, and He loves you.”

Then, she understood. She relaxed. She listened.

As I looked into her eyes, I also understood. The flashback from last summer came at me again, this time in full force. The young woman who approached me last July was the same woman standing before me. That day I had missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love with her. I had turned my back on a divine appointment. Yet, in God’s great mercy, He had answered my prayer for another chance. Little did I know, though, that the second chance would not be with another stranger, but with the very one He had sent my way the first time.

I was overwhelmed. All I could do was say, “Thank you, God,” as I talked with my new friend from Bulgaria.

(To read about my initial encounter, read Divine Appointment.)

Grace in a Laundry Basket

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Heaping Basket of Laundry

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” –  2 Corinthians 9:15

When my daughter asked, “What’s for breakfast?” I knew she wouldn’t be happy with my answer. Anticipating some resistance, I replied in a cheery voice, “Oatmeal.” Although I had expected a slight frown or a huge sigh, I was completely shocked at her response.

“Why can’t we have cereal or something else? Is there a problem with that?!” she said.

I was speechless. My daughter had never spoken to me in that tone of voice, nor had she ever uttered such disrespectful words. Taking a deep breath, I said in the calmest voice I could muster, “No, but there is a BIG problem with your attitude.

I explained that her behavior was unacceptable. Her punishment was two-fold: 1) she was grounded from playing games on the computer for a week (I knew that would hurt), and 2) she was to fold a heaping basket of clean laundry for me. My daughter sat on the floor and sulked, taking her sweet time with the clothes. Fifteen minutes later, it was time for school. She wasn’t even close to being done, so I said, “Just leave it. You can finish when you get home.”

Once I’d dropped the girls off at school, I went rollerblading to clear my head. I was upset that our morning started off like it did. As I skated, though, the Lord gave me an idea on how to turn a frustrating experience into a teachable moment.

When I got home, I sat on the living room floor and folded every piece of laundry. I wasn’t excusing my daughter for her rudeness or letting her “get away with it.” Rather, I wanted to give her a concrete example of a wonderful spiritual reality. After putting the clothes in their proper places, I placed a sign on the empty basket that said, “GRACE.”

Grace in a Laundry Basket

As soon as I my daughter walked into the living room later that day, she asked, “What happened to the clothes?”

“Do you see that sign on the front?” I asked. She nodded yes. “What does GRACE mean?”

She replied, “It means doing something for someone when they don’t deserve it.”

“That’s right,” I said. “Even though you didn’t deserve it, I folded the clothes for you. What you did was wrong, but I forgave you. I showed you grace. That’s exactly what God did when He sent Jesus to the cross. We deserved death, but Jesus took our place. He died for us and paid the penalty for our sin.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Eternal life is not something we can earn. We can’t make it to Heaven on our own merit.

I gave my daughter a gift she didn’t deserve. God gives us an even greater gift – eternal life! He extends salvation freely to anyone and everyone who trusts in Him. If you don’t yet know the Lord as Savior, you can. Today. Right now. God will wipe away your mountain of sin. All you have to do is believe and then receive His gift of grace.

How to Become a Christian

According to the Bible, if you want to become a follower of Christ, you need to:

  • A – Admit that you are a sinner in need of God’s grace.
  • B – Believe that Jesus came to this earth as the Son of God, lived a perfect life, died for your sins, and rose again to give you eternal life.
  • C – Confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness.

Following is a sample prayer for salvation. Of course, you should use your own words to talk to God, but this might help guide you:

“God, I acknowledge that I’m a sinner in need of your forgiveness. I’m sorry for the life I’ve lived. I repent of my sin (turn away from it) and choose to follow you. Your Word says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).” I believe you sent your Son, Jesus, to die in my place. I believe Jesus paid the penalty for my sin and that He rose from the dead on the third day. Today, God, I accept your gift of salvation. I declare that Jesus is now my Savior and Lord of my life. Thank you, God, for saving me. Thank you for making a way for me to have a personal relationship with you. I want all that I do to bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Look for Opportunities to Love

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bellefinds10bucks“Make the most of every opportunity.” – Ephesians 5:16, NLT

My oldest daughter, Isabelle, has a gift that never ceases to amaze me. No matter where we go, she always seems to find some kind of treasure on the ground. She notices things that the rest of us miss, and, most of the time, it’s money!

For example, this past summer we traveled to New York City to visit my husband’s parents. One afternoon we took the girls to Coney Island, and she found $10 on the Boardwalk!

Things like that happen all the time! Just a few weeks ago, Isabelle spotted a $5 bill near our car at a gas station. However, she doesn’t keep finding money because she is “lucky.” The reason she frequently makes such discoveries is because she looks for them. Her eyes are always searching for the next big find.

As believers, we must have our spiritual eyes open to what God is doing around us. Every day, we encounter people who need to be seen. People who are hurting. People who just want to be noticed and loved. Unless we’re looking, though, we won’t see them.

Today, I encourage you to find ways to share Christ’s love with others. Maybe the Lord wants you to pray with a co-worker or help a family in your neighborhood. Or, perhaps He is prompting you to have a spiritual discussion with a member of your family. Simply step out in faith, and trust the Lord to guide you. He will show you what to say and do.

When you ask God for such opportunities, you should expect them to receive them. Therefore, approach this day in anticipation of divine appointments! May the Lord go before you and prepare the way!

My One Word for 2013

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rejoice mugEach January since 2011, I’ve asked God to give me one word for the year, a word that describes a special work He wants to do in and through me. The first year, my word was SATISFIED. Last year, it was PEACE.

For the past few days, I’ve been praying for my 2013 word. I want to share how the Lord revealed and confirmed it, all in one day:

1) When I woke up Thursday morning, I had the word “REJOICE” on my mind. I distinctly remember seeing the word in my dream, although I can’t tell you anything about the context.

2) Thursday afternoon, I sat in the sauna for about 30 minutes after exercising. I had my headphones on, listening to our local Christian music station. One of the commercials was for a clothing store. I wasn’t really paying too much attention to it until the last sentence of the ad. The final word was REJOICE. I laughed, thinking it was odd, but still not really sure that was my word.

3) Later that night, I was scrolling through the hundreds of photos on my iPhone, and I came across this photo of my REJOICE mug. My friend, Bonnie, gave me the mug in September, after I spoke at the women’s retreat she organized. Little did she know that her present would hold much more significance than a simple “thank you.”

After having these three experiences in one day, I am convinced. My one word for 2013 is REJOICE, which means:

  • to feel or show great joy or delight.
  • to be glad.
  • to fill with joy.

I believe God gave me this word because He wants me to experience and express greater joy this year. Following are ways in which I can grow in this area:

1) To choose joy daily, recognizing that each day is a gift from God.

  • “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

2) To be filled with joy at all times, even in difficult circumstances.

  • “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice!”  – Philippians 4:4, NLT

3) To have a glad heart that encourages joy in others, which brings glory to God.

  • “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” – Revelation 19:7a

I encourage you to spend time seeking out a word for 2013 (for more information on the process, see the links above). Ask God to reveal it to you, and then wait patiently on Him. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get your word right away, either! The first year, I waited for more than a month. Remember, God is never late. His timing is always perfect.

2013 is going to be full of miracles and answers to prayer. I’m already rejoicing at the great things God is going to do!

Making Prayer a Priority

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“Pray continually.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

School supplies have hit the store shelves, so you know what that means: The lazy days of summer are coming to an end.

What’s the best way to prepare for the inevitable flurry of activity that’s just around the corner? By getting on our knees.

Prayer is what will get us ready for the busy season ahead. If we want God to work out His will in our families, businesses, churches, and ministries, then we must be intentional about praying on a regular basis. Henry Drummond, a Scottish evangelist, once said, “Ten minutes spent in the presence of Christ every day, aye, two minutes, will make the whole day different.”

Henry was right. I know from experience that when I fail to meet with the Lord first thing in the morning, the rest of my day suffers. On my own, I struggle with anger, impatience, and selfishness. However, when I connect with the Lord, meditate on His promises, and rely on His strength, I’m able to rest in His perfect peace.

To keep myself accountable in the area of prayer during the upcoming school year, I’ve decided to set aside a day each week to fast. I’ve chosen Thursdays, beginning August 23rd. I’d like to invite you to join me.

Would you be willing to abstain from one or two meals on Thursdays to pray for your children, grandchildren, other family members, and/or friends? If so, mark your calendar for August 23rd. I believe we will see the Lord do mighty, miraculous things as we seek His face and persevere in prayer!

Note: If Thursdays don’t work with your schedule, you can always choose another day!

God’s Calling vs. Your Calendar

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

Last December, while driving home from picking my daughter up at preschool, I spotted an elderly woman walking. Although bundled up in a heavy winter coat, she was obviously freezing, her face red and raw from the bitterly cold temperature and fierce wind. When I passed her, the Spirit’s prompting was undeniable. I knew God wanted me to stop. But, Lord, I have things to do! This is not very convenient! I thought. After listing a dozen reasons in my head as to why it wasn’t a good idea, I finally turned the car around and offered her a ride.

When Georgia climbed into my car that day, she also made her way into my heart. She’s a sweet lady with a great sense of humor. She likes stuffed animals, fancy clothes and hats, and VHS movies. Her favorite pastime is shopping at the goodwill store. She adores my daughters and reminds me often that Justin is the greatest husband in the world (she’s right!). Georgia, once a stranger, is now a friend. More than that, she’s become part of our family.

Drive down any street, and you’ll see a Georgia. In fact, you’ll see hundreds and thousands of them in any given day. People who are cold – not physically, but spiritually. People wandering alone in the world and fighting with all their strength against the harsh realities of life. God sees them, and in His infinite mercy, wants to rescue them. The thing is, though, He invites us to get involved. However, many times we’re too busy, too distracted, or too stubborn to make the move.

Are you willing to be inconvenienced for the kingdom? Yes, it will require some sacrifice on your part. You may even have to change your plans for the day. However, that’s a small price to pay when a person’s eternal destiny is at stake. If the Holy Spirit prompts you to help someone, do it. One act of kindness in Jesus’ name could yield great rewards. You might just make a new friend. Better yet, you might introduce your friend to the Savior. Nothing on your to-do list is more important than that.

*For more stories on my friendship with Georgia, see the “Her Name is Georgia” series in Devotions.

Trust Equals Rest

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”This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” – Psalm 91:1-3, NLT

It’s easy to say, “I trust You, God,” or even to sing the words in a worship song. But, what does it mean to trust the Lord completely? To rely on Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength?

I tell you what it doesn’t mean – writing a devotion on the computer at 1:30am. Even though I went to bed shortly after 9:00pm, physically and emotionally exhausted, I awoke a few minutes ago and couldn’t go back to sleep.

When it comes to trust, worry is not a part of the equation. For example, if I was truly at peace right now, then I would be in bed, instead of sitting at my laptop. My body would be relaxed instead of tense. My mind would be meditating on God’s faithfulness and truth rather than fixated on my circumstances.

After my husband and I assumed guardianship for Miss Georgia last week, I had no idea the scope of responsibility that would accompany our commitment. But, you see, therein lies the problem. I’ve trying to carry the weight on my own instead of letting the Lord bear the load for us.

Loving Georgia and caring for her requires wisdom and strength that I simply don’t possess. The good news is, though, is God knows exactly what Georgia needs. He created her. He understands her. All I have to do is seek Him daily, listen to His voice, and rely on His Spirit to order my steps.

Is there something in your life that keeps you up at night? A problem that causes anxiety in your heart during the day? If so, give it to the Lord. Stop fretting, and start living in freedom. Say to Him, “I trust You,” and mean it. Lift the heavy weight from your shoulders, and place it in the loving arms of your Savior.

Lord God, You are in control, so I don’t have to worry. Thank you for inviting me to cast all my anxiety on You. Take it all, Lord, and give me your perfect peace. I trust You.

What It Means To Know God

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Good morning! I’ll make this brief because I don’t have much time to write.

I need you to pray for me today.

At 1:30pm (CST), I will attend a court hearing that will determine what will happen to my friend, Miss Georgia. The hospital legal team is recommending that she become a ward of the state. My husband and I do not agree that this situation is what’s best for her. Therefore, we are filing a petition for guardianship.

We strongly believe this is what God wants us to do. God brought Georgia into our lives for such a time as this, and we cannot, in good conscience, walk away from this opportunity to help her.

A few days ago, I read a passage in Jeremiah that I can’t get out of my mind. In verses 15b-16, the Lord is referring to King Josiah and how he lived his life:

“He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is this not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.

Knowing God requires that we do what is right to help others, even when it inconveniences us. After all, the Bible says that whatever we do to the least of these, we are doing as unto to the Lord. (Matthew 25:40). I want to serve my Savior by doing what I can for Georgia.

Am I scared? Yes, a little. I have no idea what to expect. Sure, it’s a huge commitment and will require some changes in my already busy schedule. However, I’m also excited and thankful for the privilege of being chosen to help this precious lady. After all, this is what it means to follow the Lord and do what He would do. This is what it means to live by faith.

Thank you for praying. Pray for Georgia, too. God is working in her heart. Ask Him to unlock her mind so that she can understand her sin and need for salvation.

Lord God, give me boldness today by the power of the Holy Spirit to speak on behalf of Georgia. Thank you for Georgia and how you have taught me what it means to be clothed in compassion. Give Georgia’s attorney wisdom, and grant us favor with the judge. May your perfect will be done today. In Jesus’ mighty name, AMEN!

Her Name is Georgia, Part 10

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“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6
 
When Georgia called me from a pay phone, I knew she wanted company. I told her I’d meet her at her house in a few minutes.
 
Georgia began our conversation by stating, “It won’t be much longer.” She’s spoken to me about dying many times, but I usually don’t make a big deal of it. Once I commented, “Georgia, you’ll probably live to be 100!” No matter what I say, though, she’s convinced the end is near.

Although I’ve had spiritual conversations with Georgia in the past, tonight I was much bolder. I sensed the Spirit leading me to question her about eternity.

“Georgia, do you ever think about what will happen to you when you die?” I asked.

“I’ll be up there,” she said, pointing toward the ceiling.

“Why do you think you’ll go to Heaven?” I asked.

“I’ve been good all my life,” she said.

“Georgia, many people think that if you’re good, you go to Heaven, and if you’re bad, you go to Hell. That’s not true. The Bible says that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. You must tell God that you need Him and ask Him to forgive you of your sins.”

“I’ve never sinned,” she replied.

Wow, I thought. I couldn’t believe she actually said that. I was shocked.

“Georgia, everyone has sinned. Only Jesus was perfect. I make mistakes every day. When I do, I tell the Lord I’m sorry. I admit that I need His forgiveness. That’s what Easter is all about – Jesus dying on the cross to pay for our sins so we don’t have to.”

She thought for a moment and then said, “But I started going to church when I was in kindergarten and went all the time.”

“You can read your Bible every day and go to church every Sunday, but that won’t get you into Heaven,” I explained. “You have to know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. Not just know about Him, but really know Him.”

At this point, she changed the conversation. She began talking about her family and her past. After listening for a few minutes, I noticed most of her memories didn’t seem too pleasant.

“Georgia, when was the happiest time in your life?” I asked.

“I’ve never had that,” she said quietly.

I didn’t know what to say at first. I hurt for her.

“You were happy when you were teaching, right?” I asked.

“Oh, yes. I enjoyed the children very much,” she replied.

We talked some more, and soon it was time for me to leave. As I backed out of the driveway, Georgia smiled and waved. My heart was heavy as I drove home.

Miss Georgia is such a mystery to me. I’m fascinated by her, and yet I feel as if I only get bits and pieces of who she is and who she has been. I see a woman racked with years of pain, although I don’t know exactly what caused her suffering, nor do I understand the depth of it. Tonight, however, I caught a glimpse of intense sadness in her eyes.

Georgia may be right. She might only have two or three months left to live. Or she could be around for another 10 years. Either way, I must always be prayed up and ready for every opportunity to share truth with her. She needs Jesus. There’s no time to waste.