Open Wide!

We have all likely seen (or been) that parent who, in an attempt to get their fussy, distracted baby to eat something, tried sneakily coaxing their little one, ''Open up wide, the airplane's coming in for a landing!''

Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Babies kinda have a mind of their own.

(cute kid!)

The thing is, for babies (and for all of us), it's difficult to receive anything when your mouth is closed.

I wish my 3-month old would catch onto that concept. Sometimes when he is hungry and frustrated, it is literally impossible to nurse him because although his mouth is open, he is crying too hard to suck. I feel bad, knowing that I have what he wants and what he needs is available to him, but he is too caught up in his own irritation to receive it.

Those of us who are parents know that there is a difference between a baby crying to communicate with us, and a cry of anger.

My child knows that I can satisfy his hunger, but he doesn't yet realize that I do it out of love and that he doesn't need to demand it from me. He gets impatient pretty quickly, which makes him unable to enjoy what he actually needs.

But can I really blame him? Don't I often do the same thing?

In Psalm 81:10 God extends an invitation: ''Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.'' He is the Giver of good gifts Who is ready to extend grace. Why do I feel like I need to force it from Him?

At times my mouth is wide open, but not to receive. Instead, my mouth is filled with complaining or self-pity. Instead of resting by my heavenly Father, trusting Him to provide me with what I need, I'm busy fighting for my ''rights'', thinking I somehow have to convince Him to give.

A baby who still nurses can be demanding. A weaned child, on the other hand, knows that they will receive what they need and is simply satisfied in being.

''But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.''

Psalm 131:2 

Would you say you are ''weaned'' - content, trusting, patient, delighting in His presence? Or do you find yourself striving, pleading with angry cries for what you want? Remember, we are welcome to approach God with confidence, ''so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need'' (Hebrews 4:16). He wants to give.

Today, friend, let's ''open up wide'', knowing that our Father ''knows what we need before we ask him'' (Matthew 6:8).

Praying you experience His provision in the way you need it today!

Knowing His Voice

Leading...protecting...disciplining...carrying...providing. The job of a German Shepherd.

No, not a 4-legged furry animal, but a real German man whose job is shepherding. I was privileged to meet one this week.

I was at our ministry base (located at the edge of a village nestled in the hills) and about to head home for the afternoon break when I heard the sound of bleating. I rounded the corner and saw not just one “baaa-ing” sheep, but 480 of them walking the path up to a hill! And at the front of the flock, a young, friendly, gentle man, leading them to fresh pasture.

What a sight! Once they made it up the hill they spread out and began grazing. The young lambs loved exploring, and the faithful sheep dogs were ever on watch to keep the flock together. Meanwhile, we visited with the German Shepherd.

This man literally knows all 480 sheep individually and can recognize their faces. And they know his voice! I caught this video clip of him simply saying “Come, come!” and calling them together when it was time to move onto greener pasture:

What if hearing our Good Shepherd’s voice was so simple? In John 10:14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” Notice in the video that the shepherd didn’t have to shout, and only repeated his invitation once. Just after turning my camera off, I noticed two little lambs left behind in the field. They had been too busy with their faces in the grass, eating, and then looked up at each other, as if suddenly realizing, “Oops, I think we missed something!” They skipped off to catch up with the rest of the group, with those of us observing encouraging them, “Come on little guys, follow the voice of your shepherd!”

What amazed me was the sheep’s obedience, despite not knowing where their shepherd was leading them. They simply trusted his voice, and even if they were enjoying eating or drinking or resting, as soon as he called, they came, knowing something better was ahead.

Are we that obedient when our Shepherd calls? It can be hard to obey if we don’t know that our Shepherd is GOOD. But He is.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.”

His goal is to care for us - to lead, provide, protect. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Is. 40:11)

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’” (Rev. 7:17)

Two babies had been born to the flock just that morning, and the German shepherd left them in the previous pasture with their mother since the lambs couldn’t walk yet. So he didn’t venture far with his flock, but he accepted his responsibility to lead, to provide.

And he indeed had a staff in his hands - ready to protect, defend, and discipline if necessary. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11).

That is how good our Shepherd is - laying down his very life for us so that we could live in abundance, not lacking anything. He knows where good pasture is; he guides us along the best paths. He anoints us with healing oil, and removes the burrs that get attached to us when we choose to wander off on our own.

And our responsibility? Simply to listen to his voice and obey. You don't have to strain to hear it; you already know it. It's the voice that first called you to Him, inviting you into relationship and offering the gift of salvation.

Praying, friends, that you will receive what you need from your Shepherd today: guidance, refreshment, provision, rest.

Because He Is I Am...

Having been sent by Yahweh with the command to confront Pharaoh and rescue God's chosen people, Moses timidly asks the Voice coming from the burning bush, "Who should I tell them sent me?"

God answered Moses: "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

In Scripture, God reveals Himself as the Great I Am. What deep, powerful characteristics there are in God choosing to reveal Himself through that name!

Consider the following "I Am" statements, from the beginning of the Bible to the end:

"I am your shield, your very great reward" (Genesis 15:1)
He's our Protector.
 
"I am God Almighty" (Gen. 17:1)
Nothing is impossible for Him. 

"I am the Lord your God" (Ex 20:2 - Ten Commandments)
He is worthy of our love, respect and obedience.
 
"I am compassionate" (Ex 22:27)
 So very thankful for a God who is slow to anger.

"I am holy" (Lev 11:44)
Therefore we are called to reflect His holiness too.
 
"Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10)
Sometimes just knowing that He Is is enough.

"I am always with you" (Ps 73:23, Is 41:10)
Never alone. Ever.

"I am the first and I am the last" (Is 44:6)
He will be faithful to bring to completion that which He has begun.

"I am faithful" (Jer 3:12)
 A God who never breaks His promises, Who is always true to His word.

"I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matt 11:29)
And He offers for me to exchange my heavy burden for His light yoke.

“I am willing” (Luke 5:13)
Perhaps one of the most powerful "I Am" statements in Scripture - He is willing to heal, willing to hear, willing to help.

“I am the bread of life" (John 6:35)
I can be fully satisfied from Him alone.

“I am the light of the world" (John 8:12)
In His presence, darkness must flee.

"I am not of this world" (John 8:23)
His thoughts are higher than mine.

"I am the gate" (John 10:7)
He is interceding for me; He Himself is the Door through which I can approach the throne of grace.

“I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11)
Protecting, guiding, feeding, disciplining, teaching.

“I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25)
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow... 

“I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6)
He doesn't just point out the way; He Himself IS the Way and invites me to follow.

“I am the true vine" (John 15:1)
And oh, the possibilities of what I too can be when I abide in Him...

“I am the Alpha and the Omega...who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1:8)
 Always. Eternal. Everlasting. Without end.

"I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" (Rev 1:18)
My God's not dead; my Redeemer lives!

Image Credit: Christian Post

So if God is the Great "I AM", what does that make me?

Because He Is, I am...

One of the greatest mysteries of faith is the spiritual reality that we are IN Christ. Our lives are now "hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). And at the same time, Christ is in us (Col 1:27). Jesus said He was one with His Father, and also said that we are in Him ("I in them and you [Father] in me", He prayed in John 17:23). So if Jesus is in us, and the Father is in Him, that means God is in us! This happens through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit. 

The Great Yahweh Who introduced Himself as "I AM" enables us to also be.

Did not Jesus say that WE are the light of the world, the salt of the earth? Are we not commanded also to be holy? Does Scripture not proclaim that because He lives, we also may live? Are we not also called to be faithful, compassionate, and willing?

These are things that God IS, and that we are also called to be. Made possible because we are in Christ, and He is in us. Like a bottle filled with water in the ocean - floating in the very substance it contains.

Image Credit Peter Bennett

This encourages me that I can love, because I have "God is Love" dwelling within me.
I am reminded that I can serve, because the One who took a towel and washed His disciples' feet lives in me by His Spirit.
I never need to be short on wisdom, since I have the Spirit of the Creator who spoke the universe into existence taking up residence in my heart.
I am able to show mercy, I can teach, prophesy, heal. I can, because HE IS.

Jesus working through me, building His kingdom using my hands and feet and voice.

Who is the "I AM" to you, and Who do you need Him to be through you today?

"And take up the shield..."

Hundreds and hundreds of years ago, between 100 and 200 A.D., these stone walls were part of the "Limes" - a Roman wall of military defense that ran along parts of their empire. Thirty thousand soldiers were stationed along the Limes, controlling traffic between the Roman provinces and the area inhabited by Germanic tribes. It lasted until the late 3rd century when they surrendered the Limes due to pressures within the empire, and violent raids by Germanic tribes.

 

My husband and I got to visit this heritage site yesterday, which is now a tourist area in southern Germany. The remaining stone walls are enclosed in glass; nothing special in and of themselves, but one could picture the "Kriege" (wars) that took place on those plains, Roman soldiers positioned in 900 watchtowers along the wall to defend their empire. 

And how did they defend themselves? With these Roman pieces of armor, of course!

These weapons are modern, but were created to intentionally resemble the weapons from long ago as closely as possible. We were allowed to take a try at resembling Roman soldiers, too...

 

 

As I did my best to hold up the 8 kg (approx. 16 lbs) shield, I was overwhelmed by its hugeness. No wonder David felt unfit to fight when Saul dressed him up in armor way too big for him! Add a heavy helmet, tight belt, long sword, and a few other necessities to the whole outfit, and you're set to go! 

My thoughts drifted to Ephesians chapter 6, and the 6 words that I have so often read, have underlined in my Bible, and stored in my memory: "in addition to all this, take up the shield of faith...." Why? Because with it, "you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." These thick shields, made from 3 layers of wood, bound with leather, and sealed with metal, can definitely do some serious flaming-arrow-extinguishing. 

As I noticed how it was big enough to duck behind, I thought of how faith should also be big enough to cover our entire selves, our whole life. Faith isn't a small, wimpy bunch of good wishes that we pull out when we realize there's flaming arrows coming our way. No, it's much, much bigger than that. Faith is a state. We dwell in it, behind it, under it...prepared for when the attacks do come (because we know they will), knowing we are protected.

My husband and I have walked through something in the last couple of weeks that reminded us of the power of the shield of faith. When things happen unexpectedly, when circumstances don't turn out like you'd hoped or expected, when dreams appear to be broken and you're left in pain, take up the shield of faith.

 

There's a psalm (and a song) that says "You are my hiding place." The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, and Christ is our security.

Psalm 32:7
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

The shield of faith is big enough to hide ourselves behind. We don't hide out of fear, but hide in the shadow of His wings, dwelling in Him, our resting place, knowing His grace is enough. Faith knows that God is good and that I am loved. Always. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11).  Faith distinguishes the flying arrows of doubt, insecurity, and hopelessness that the devil would try to aim our way, and shields us from his attacks, at the same time opening the door for miracles to happen. Just like it did for the woman who was healed of bleeding and the once paralyzed man who got up and began dancing in praise to God because he BELIEVED that his circumstances weren't too difficult for Jesus Christ.

Jesus himself warned us, "In this world you will have trouble..." Our posture should be one of faith, prepared for attack because we know this earth is still groaning for full redemption, but confident in our Lord who has "overcome the world." Therefore we can take heart, and take up our shields of faith...

Swing sets and Monkey bars...

A couple weeks before we left for Germany, I babysat two little girls and took them to the park. Little did I know that God had a lesson to teach me by being with them for an hour!

The younger one, two years old, took me by the hand and led me to the swing set. I asked if she wanted to swing but she said no, so I sat down on the swing instead. Giggling, she pushed me from behind and I lifted my feet off the ground so I would move a bit. I dragged my feet in the sand as the swing went backwards so I wouldn't knock her little body over. Meanwhile, the older sister, three years old, had wandered off to the monkey bars. Soon I heard her soft but excited voice, "Kristyn, can you lift me up?" I went over and hoisted her up so she could reach the bars, and held her all the way as she crossed the ones ahead of her.

I had to smile as I thought of the differences in the two girls' personalities––one thinking she was helping me have fun by "pushing" me on the swings, and the other one having fun, but knowing she needed my help. But then I thought...which one of those sisters am I more like? When it comes to my relationship with God (who may not be my babysitter, but he is my Protector and Provider), how do I act with him?

Often I can be like the two-year-old, thinking that I am doing a favor for God, when in fact I am trying to move Someone who is bigger, greater, stronger and more wise than myself. But what I want to be like is the three-year-old, acknowledging that I need my Heavenly Father's help for every step that I take, every challenge that I face. The way the three-year old acted is a good picture of faith. She could have determined that since she couldn't do it by herself, it wouldn't be worth it. Instead, she used every ounce of strength that she had, while at the same time relying completely on me. That is what faith is––not sitting back passively, thinking that God will simply do everything and we can just relax. Nor is it striving on our own strength, refusing to acknowledge that we simply can’t do life alone.

I’ve been reminded every day since being here in Germany that it is not by my strength, nor by my power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that I am able to do what God has called me to (Zechariah 4:6). The days when I fail to acknowledge this are the days that I get the most easily frustrated.

In life, we need to be like the older sister, asking our Heavenly Father to "lift us up." I read Psalm 61 the other day and love verse two, which says, "lead me to the rock that is higher than I." If we are drowning or overwhelmed, we need to find safety, security, and shelter in something that is Higher than ourselves, namely, Jesus Christ––our Solid Rock. To do so isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of maturity.

Maybe this song can be an encouragement to you, a reminder of our Father who is "King over the Flood."

{http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHATCAvlqQA&feature=related}

Carrying Twigs

The other day I was walking home from downtown and stopped to observe a bird building its nest. It had in its beak a twig about three times as big as itself, and it was trying to fly up to the tree. It would flutter its wings and get a few feet up into the air, but then landed back down on the snow pile again because it wasn't strong enough to carry the twig. It was almost like it was embarrassed to try in front of me. Whenever I looked at it, it just froze; when I turned away, it would try again. I had the urge to go over and break the small branch in half so it'd be easier for the bird to carry. But then I was afraid I might scare the bird away, or that I would break it into too small of a piece so it wouldn't be helpful for building the nest. So I ended up just walking away and coming home.

But the image stuck in my head, and I figured God might have something to teach me through it. The next day in class Matthew 11:28-30 came up, and I got it. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

God revealed to me that I'm like that little bird. The saying "don't bite off more than you can chew" becomes more real when I consider this picture. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to carry something that's way too big for me. It's heavy, it's awkward, it's a burden. But usually it's necessary, it's a building block for my life, character, and ministry, like the twig was for the bird's nest. And God, in his grace, usually does one of two things. Maybe he'll come up to me and break my twig in half so it's easier for me to handle. But I don't find that that happens very often. God usually has a purpose for me to walk through whatever I'm walking through, and he doesn't just "let me off the hook" when things get tough. Usually, he'll respond in another way...Jesus comes up beside me, puts the other end of the twig in his own beak, and flies with me up to the tree! He helps make my burden lighter. 

The rest that Jesus offers us isn't a rest that makes us passive or disengaged. Resting in him does not mean that we have no responsibility. Oswald Chambers says about this verse, “‘...and I will give you rest’--that is, ‘I will sustain you, causing you to stand firm.’ He is not saying, ‘I will put you to bed, hold your hand, and sing you to sleep.’ But, in essence, He is saying, ‘I will get you out of bed--out of your listlessness and exhaustion, and out of your condition of being half dead while you are still alive. I will penetrate you with the spirit of life, and you will be sustained by the perfection of vital activity.” Rest means that we can cease from our own striving and walk in Christ's vital strength.  As we wait (not passively, but with hope and anticipation) upon him, he will renew our strength by joining us in carrying the burden. 


Praying that you find true rest for your souls in him, 
-Kristyn & Mogi 

Rest

I've heard this verse a hundred times, but something struck me this morning. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Usually I think of this rest in terms of being relieved from stress, a break from work, peace, etc. 


But there's something deeper. 


Look at the whole thing in its context (Matthew 11):

 ²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

   ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus said that no one can know the Father unless the Son reveals him to them. So my immediate plea is, "Lord, reveal him to me!" And right away, there's an answer. "Come to me." When Jesus invites us to come to him, he tells us that we will find rest for our souls. He's saying in essence that when we come to him, we can stop striving. We don't have to look for answers. We don't have to figure everything out. Christ is the source of revelation and he invites us to learn from him. What a gift! But it requires coming to him. 

There are many unknowns in mine and Mogi's life right now, but we are ever grateful that we can come to Christ and find rest. His will may seem mysterious, but he does want to reveal it to us. He desires that it be in the context of relationship.

May you find rest for your souls this new year as you continually come to Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...