He Will Prevail

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

1 Corinthians 2:5-8 KJV

It's interesting to think about the wisdom from God as hidden. Not all who hear it understand it. The Romans who crucified Christ, and those in the crowd who shouted for His death, did not know the hidden wisdom of God. While Christ could have revealed Himself in true form to all that day, He didn't. He allowed those blinded by the world to stay blinded, not understanding the hidden wisdom of God. "For had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord" and He would not have died in our place.

It is an interesting thing to think about: the Lord does not force us to obey Him. He does not force us to believe in Him. He does not make us to understand or follow Him. He will bless us beyond our wildest dreams if we do...

"But it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV

However, God will still make good out those who deny Him. What the Devil means for evil, the Lord can turn into something good. While He does not control the world like a puppet master, He does orchestrate the current situation into something useful.

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

Genesis 50:20 KJV

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28 KJV

The Devil may think he is winning when evil strikes, but in the end it is the Lord who is victorious. Our God has a bigger plan we couldn't begin to fathom. So take heart when trouble arises. He in all His righteous wisdom is sure to prevail.

Longing After Him

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

"My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"

Psalm 42:1-2 KJV

I am reminded of those lyrics inspired by this Psalm.

As the deer panteth for the water

so my soul longeth after Thee

You alone are my heart's desire

and I long to worship Thee

You alone are my strength my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

and I long to worship Thee

This is how we ought to strive for God everyday, every waking moment of our lives, just as He strives for us. We are the center of His attention from the beginning of creation. He gave everything so that we might be able to be with Him for eternity in paradise. Despite our downfalls He loves us without regard, unconditionally. If the Maker of the universe will go to such lengths to be with us, shouldn't we reciprocate? Shouldn't we strive to follow Him, to dwell in His midst, and be near Him?

When you have a crush it seems they consume your thoughts. They keep you up at night, and they occupy your dreams. When they are absent, the room feels empty and amiss. You become anxious like their is something you're missing out on somewhere else. Yet as soon as they walk in that all changes. Suddenly, you can't imagine yourself anywhere else. Just being there near them makes you happy. Their presence almost gives you a sort of high. You look for any excuse to be around them, and get to know them. You want to, no, you have to know everything about them.

This is how we should think about Christ. He is our first love, and the more we seek Him the more we want to be near Him. He should dwell in our conscious day and night, and through everything we do. He IS the fire that lights up the room, and without Him every room becomes dark. In His midst you find peace and unfathomable love. You find that you have to know everything about Him, and you relish every word recorded in His Bible. The moment you start seeking Him will be the moment you find you need Him in your life. All you have to do is open your heart and let Him in, every new morning.

Let us seek Him as He sought us...

That Which Is From Above

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

"And the fruit of righteousness is shown in peace of them that make peace."

James 3:17-18 KJV

Let us not seek earthly wisdom to further our own prosperity, but let us seek the wisdom that comes from above to further the Kingdom of God. For in the end this world and everything material will fade away. What is eternal is salvation. Let us therefore sow our time and resources into what will last. This wisdom from above cannot be obtained through earthly measures, but through the Spirit of the Lord. Let us therefore strive everyday to be more like Him, to think more like Him, to love more like Him, and to live more like Him. Let us strive to have the heart and mind of God.

Words of Kindness

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body.

"Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

"Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!"

James 3:2-5 KJV

Working in customer service can be a difficult job. Many times you deal with people talking to you disrespectfully, taking out their frustrations on you when you had absolutely nothing to do with their problems. Often they are mad at the world because someone wronged them, and now here you are available for them to yell at. Or sometimes they simply feel entitled and they see you as a "commoner". Regardless of how they speak to you, we don't have to give it back.

Perhaps you don't work in customer service. You don't have one of those jobs where, "the customer/guest is always right". The truth is, your "customer"/"guest" extends to your family, friends, coworkers, even the cashier at the market. Everyone you interact with on a daily basis is also in a way your guest. Do you think Jesus talked to the multitude one way, and then his Disciples a completely different way? What then would give us the right to think that we can talk to anyone with spite? Just because the cashier at Walgreens can't file a complaint to your boss and get you fired, it doesn't make it right to lash out at them.

So today, when you are conversing with people, let your words be spoken in kindness and gentleness. Despite the attitude others may give to you. Reply no in malice or spite, but in grace and patience. For that is how Christ would wants us to speak. Just how the thin leather of a bridle is able to guide about a horse, or a helm able to turn about a whole ship, so is your tongue capable of uplifting someone or causing destruction. It only takes a single lit match to burn down a forest. Likewise, a few choice words can lead to ruin.

Forever and Always

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's"

Romans 14:8 KJV

Our relationship with the Lord is eternal. It is not a fling that we pursue for a season, only to discard and pick back up again when it is convenient. He is always with us, in our hearts and in our midst. Through thick or thin, better or worse, sickness or health, death will NOT part. He is the groom and we the church the bride, for eternity. Though all will fade away, the glory of the Lord will be steadfast. By His side we will stay forever.

A Stark Contrast

I am continuously reminded of the world that lies beyond the North American borders. We lose ourselves in the comforts of this blessed country. We indulge in foods and entertainment that others could not even imagine. We who live "ordinary lives" are among the richest people in the world, and except a few pockets here and there scattered across the globe, so many live in  poverty. (This isn't to say we all have it good here. There are numerous tragedies on this very soil, but in general we do live more comfortably than others.)

The American dream becomes a stark contrast to what lies beyond a few southern borders, or just an ocean away. While we stress about driving through traffic or the line at Starbucks, others across the globe are struggling to feed their malnourished children or receive the treatment for tuberculosis. The sheer culture shock is why people are debriefed before and after going across seas. We are not mentally prepared for what lies beyond.

For years, my heart has been longing to reach such nations. I began studying at a community college for nursing, only to realize that my heart was passionate about pathology. I moved to Bozeman so I can finish my bachelor in microbiology. Ultimately, Lord willing, I want to get through med school and join Doctors Without Borders. While I am on the right track, it feels like it is taking too long. I wish I could walk out my front door now. I wish I could buy a plane ticket and fly to Africa. I wish I could find those refugee camps where Ebola and XDR-TB ravage the countryside. I want to help the inflicted, both researching in their lab and directly working with the people. However, I know that I would only be in the way if I went right now. I know I must first prepare myself.

You may ask, what can you do while you are still here? One could volunteer locally, or donate money to an organization, or at the very least keep these people in prayers. We can also gain a little perspective. While we are distracted by the "suffering" of a First World country (like trying to send a text when our battery is dying or passing the "idiot" who is driving too slow) let's remember that at the end of the day we will be climbing into a warm bed with a full stomach. Instead of naming off all the things that went wrong in our day, we should count our blessings and seek ways in which to bless others less fortunate. Don't turn a blind eye to the inflictions of the world. Here their cry and answer.

Ever Present

"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

"If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

Psalm 139:7-10 KJV

Despite our circumstances the Lord is always watching over us. Through the deepest and most treacherous valleys He walks with us. Like Jonah, who found himself in the belly of a whale, there is not any place too far or too dark where the Lord cannot find us.

"If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

"Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."

Psalm 139:11-12 KJV

The God we serve is omnipresent. He surpasses space and time. He holds the universe in His hands, and yet dwells in each of us who accept Him. No matter your tribulation, He is there. He is walking with you. He may not deliver you from your suffering, but He will stand by you and suffer with you. And in the morning when you wake up... He will be there.