Carrying Buckets

A good friend of mine whom I often turn to for godly advice and perspective once said to me, “Rick, God doesn’t need you to carry His bucket.” My dear friend was gently reminding me that God is still God and He doesn’t need my help to do God-sized tasks.

I can certainly look back on my life and point to times where I tried to operate in my own strength when Philippians 4:13 tells me I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Or the times when I bore burdens that Psalm 55:22 told me to cast upon the Lord and He will sustain me. Or more times when I was weary and pressed on when Matthew 11:28-30 told me that He will give me rest for my soul if I take on his easy yoke and learn from Him.

God does call us to do certain things for His honor and glory. The tasks He has called us to do always require strength and sustenance that only he can provide. The tasks also require that we take time to pause and rest. And learn. But God never calls us to do things that He hasn’t equipped us to do. And that includes carrying His buckets.

Venting to God

King David wrote many of the Psalms. He is called a man after God's heart. He loved to sing praises and offer up worship to the Lord. Yet when I read the Psalms, here are some of the themes I see: fear (Psalm 69), disappointment (Psalm 74), longing (Psalm 85), depression (Psalm 88), confusion (Psalm 102), sorrow (Psalm 137) and anger (Psalm 140). This tells me several things about God. One, He is intimately aware of our pain and our struggles. Two, He allows pain and heartaches into our lives to help us see our desperate need for Him. And finally, He desires for us to express our pain and sorrow to Him so that He can pour out his mercy and grace to comfort and heal us.

With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
(Psalm 142 ESV).

David wrote the Psalm while hiding in a cave from persecution. He cried out to the Lord. He knew he couldn't handle what he was facing without divine assistance. He knew the loneliness and desperation of his situation. He knew he was no match for his oppressors. But he also had rock-solid faith that God would deliver him and he was ready to praise his name. This is what someone who is after God's heart does.

Repressing our feelings keeps us in emotional bondage. Feeling our feelings and turning them over to God brings freedom. Go ahead and vent to God. It's okay. He knows. He cares. He can handle it. And He will.

When God's Wrath Is Your Comfort

A great pearl from John Piper that help us focus on the One who rights the wrongs:

"All of you have been wronged at one time or another. Most of you, probably, have been wronged seriously by someone who has never apologized or done anything sufficient to make it right. And one of the deep hindrances to your letting that hurt and bitterness go is the conviction — the justified conviction — that justice should be done, that the fabric of the universe will unravel if people can just get away with horrible wrongs and deceive everyone. That is one of the hindrances to forgiveness and letting grudges go. It’s not the only one. We have our own sin to deal with. But it is a real one. We feel that just to let it go would be to admit that justice simply won’t be done. And we can’t do it. So we hold on to anger, and play the story over and over again with the feelings: It shouldn’t have happened; it shouldn’t have happened; it was wrong; it was wrong. How can he be so happy now when I am so miserable? It is so wrong. It is so wrong!

This word in Romans 12:19 is given to you today by God to lift that burden from you. “Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God.” What does this mean for you? Laying down the burden of anger, laying down the practice of nursing your hurt with feelings of being wronged — laying that down — does not mean there was no great wrong against you. It does not mean there is no justice. It does not mean you will not be vindicated. It does not mean they just got away with it. No.

It means, when you lay down the burden of vengeance, God will pick it up.

This is not a subtle way of getting revenge. This is a way of giving vengeance to the one to whom it belongs. It is taking a deep breath, perhaps for the first time in decades, and feeling like now at last you may be free to love. I long so much for you to know the freedom to love."

Prophecy For Right Now

Revelation 2 and 3 comprise the letters to the seven churches. In these chapters, we find things the churches were commended for and things for which the Lord rebuked them. We find solutions for the problems they faced and encouragement for their faithfulness.

In the letters to the seven churches, we also find out a great deal about our Savior. Jesus know us personally; he knows our works and he knows the difficulties we have faced (2:2-3). He hates those who spread false doctrine and false prophecy (v.6). He is the One who existed from the beginning and will last until the end; the One who defeated death and came to life (v.8). He promises reward to those who persevere (v.10) He is the One who holds the truth that cuts through the lies of the enemy (v.12). He is patient with sinners, but will ultimately punish the unrepentant (v. 20-23). The Lord also sees through our vain attempts to look spiritual (3:1-3) and is actually even more appalled by lukewarm faith, than no faith at all (v.15-17).

To the faithful, he promises everlasting life and promises to be our advocate to the Father (v.5). He promises the faithful will be spared from future judgment (v.10). He urges us to repent of our sins and he will shape us into his image (v.19). But best of all, our Lord promises that if we respond to him, He will have a personal relationship with us and allow us to share in his Kingdom rule (v.20-21).

Godly Perspective for Hard Times

The trials we go through can be extremely painful, seem never-ending and feel completely overwhelming. Yet, as believers we know that because the Lord is all-powerful and always present that what we go through has passed through his loving hands. Therefore it is crucial that we have the proper godly perspective for the hard times we face or are currently facing. Dr. Charles Stanley offers these truths that we must grab ahold of:

• The Lord controls the timing and intensity of my trial.
• He has a specific purpose for allowing it.
• It may yield something in me that I presently lack,
• If I trust God with a joyful attitude, I'll benefit from adversity.
• Christ wants to demonstrate His ability to sustain me under great pressure.
• He walks with me every step of the way.
• Through the power of the Spirit, I'll come out of this trial victorious.

Plans For You

More times than I'd like to remember, I've surged ahead with my own plans and agenda and then asked God to bless what I was doing on the back end. Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of a much better way--- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Notice who has the plans and who they are made for. Notice the promised outcome. The Lord spoke these words through the prophet Jeremiah during a time when his people were in exile in Babylon. In the earlier verses, He urges his people to live where they are and be productive (v. 5-6), to pray for the land where they were in exile (v. 7) and to be aware of false prophets and not be deceived (v. 8-9). Then He promises to deliver his people home after their 70 years of exile has been completed (v. 10).

This passage of Scripture gives me great hope. God knows when I am in a dry season. He knows when I am suffering. He encourages me to keep on living and not let the present circumstances cripple me in fear. He commands me to hold to his truth and not be swayed by the lies of enemy and those who don't know Him. And best of all, He promised to deliver me safely home.

Patrick Morley, President of Man in the Mirror Ministries and a man who I respect greatly, shared these thoughts on how we can actually create our own gospel by surging ahead with our own plans instead of the ones that God has prepared for us before time began:

"When I became a Christian I already had a plan for my life. So when I read the Bible I was, in essence, looking for evidence to support the decisions I had already made. When I read a verse that went in the direction I was going in anyway, I would underline that verse--often memorize it. But when I read a verse that veered off in a direction I didn't want to go, I would figuratively smudge that verse off the page. Soon I was following the God I was underlining in my Bible. I had created a fifth gospel--Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Patrick. In due time God graciously and painfully rerouted me to the true gospel.

Jesus said, "The Scriptures cannot be altered" (John 10:35). Unless and until we accept the timeless authority of the Scriptures, we will never enter into the fullness of the "new creation." To read the Bible with an agenda is to seek the God we want. To surrender to the authority of the Scriptures is to seek the God who is. How many gospels do you have?"

Pre-meditated Murder

During a discussion today in Sunday school, a friend of mine said that the original sin in the Garden was pre-meditate murder on the part of satan. I've certainly had many thoughts about what Adam and Eve did in the Garden and the resulting devastation, but I must admit I never thought of it in terms of pre-meditated murder. But what an apt description.

What the enemy did was bring death upon the prize of God's creation. In John 8:44, Jesus himself calls him a murderer from the beginning. John 10:10 reminds us again that he comes to kill, steal and destroy. Because of his own banishment from the presence of God, the enemy knows that sin separates us from the Lord's presence as well; resulting in spiritual death.

Yet while satan is guilty of pre-meditated murder, we have a Savior who gives us pre-meditated salvation. The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14) so that all who received Him would become children of God (v. 12) and see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3).

The Power of Praise

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Camp out on this for a moment. We are to always rejoice; even if the situations and circumstances in our lives makes us want to do anything but rejoice. We are to pray without ceasing; meaning that our communication with God must be continual and constant no matter what we are going through or how we feel. We are to give thanks in all circumstances; even in the difficult ones knowing that everything passes through his divine hands and he promise to work all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

Hebrews 13:15-16 urges us to continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God because it is pleasing to Him. And sometimes offering up praise is a sacrifice because of how sin and suffering wears us down but our Lord knows how much we benefit from the power of praise.

My man Pastor Dan Downey knocked it out of the park again with his devotional, "The Precious Power of Praise". Look at all the things that happen because of praise:

Praise - Honors God! Praise - Undergirds faith! Praise - Brings deliverance! Praise - Is the voice of faith! Praise - Is the language of heaven! Praise - Sets the stage for God to move! Praise - Releases the angels to minister! Praise - Fuels joy, which is your strength! Praise - Knocks down walls of resistance! Praise - Stills the enemy and the avenger! Praise - Dispels darkness and depression! Praise - Must precede, not follow blessings! Praise - Gives God the legal right to help you! Praise - Brings the presence of God onto the scene! Praise - Is a sure sign of acceptance of the Word of God! Praise - Is the highway that faith moves its blessings down! Praise - Is calling those things that be not as though they were!

Claiming Promises

He promises to never leave us or forsake us. He promises to sustain us when we give him our burdens. He promises to give us renewed strength when we wait on him. He promises to deliver us from our afflictions. He promises to renew us and uphold us with his righteousness. He promises to give us anything we ask according to his will. He promises us abundant life. He promises us an undefiled inheritance. The Creator of the Universe promises all these things to those who love Him. I’m claiming these promises.

The God Who Can Handle It

A friendly reminder from my friend James Ryle:

God does not sit in heaven wringing His hands in anxious concern over the alarming state of affairs in our baffled world — He’s in charge. He is not clueless to the scheming of godless people who seek to build a society without His blessings – He’s in charge. And He is not rattled by the bloated plans of overheated brains for how we here can save ourselves, needing no help from heaven whatsoever. He’s in charge – and He can handle it.

So, whatever it is that’s going on in your life, know this for certain – it is well within His reach. He can handle it. That’s why you need to let Him.

When doubts arise and fears dismay, when foes oppose you and friends forsake you; when the bottom drops out and you are left holding an empty bag, and your castles all crumble while your dreams turn to ashes – He is the God who can handle it.

Trust Him, and hold tight to your faith in His faithfulness – for He will see you through it all. And when the storm passes, as it surely will, the new day will be filled with His presence, and with the endless possibilities He provides for you.

While others around you are falling in fear – you stand firm, trusting the Lord. He is the God who can handle it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

A friend of mine recently posted this on Facebook. What a great reminder that the Father loves us; even in our wretched, sinful state. Our only boast is truly in Him as his strength is made perfect in our weakness:

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow.

Victory and Freedom

So once we as believers have settled on our identity in Christ, what happens next? The same question can be asked of someone who has been set free. Pardoned. Spared the punishment they deserved. We think about people who have been set free from prison. Some effectively turn their lives around. Sadly, most continue to do the same things that got them into prison in the first place and will land them a return visit. This is why settling our identity in Christ is critical. It is the foundation that we must have and build upon. We are no longer who we used to be. The power of Christ within us and the new identity we have in Him allows us to walk in a different path. A path of victory.

My friend Dan Downey shares this powerful truth: "I am free from the law of sin and death, and I am under the law of liberty in Christ Jesus. I'm redeemed from the curse of the law, and no weapon formed against me can or will prosper. I'm a Blood bought child of the King, Jesus paid the price for my salvation and for my victory and I will have it. He sent His Word and healed me, and I receive it, I believe it, it's mine now, I take it by faith and I'm not letting go of it. According to Jesus' work at Calvary, and according to the proclamation of the promises that are in the Word, I declare myself a free man. For the Word says that he who the Son sets free is free indeed. So I agree with the Word - I'm free from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I'm going on with God and I will walk in the blessing of the Word, and I will fulfill the number of my days, and I will do the works that God has ordained for me to do. I walk in love, I walk in the power of the Spirit of God, I am anointed by God to live in victory, and I will have it."

Your Authority

Jesus said: "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19). Get a hold of this: you have been given delegated authority over the devil and his demons. They are under your feet. So you have the God given right to command them to take their hands off of your children (and your spouse and your friends). In fact Verse 20 reveals to us that these spirits are subject to us! Use your authority!!! ---Dan Downey

Like Peter

Of all of Jesus' disciples, the one who gets the worst rap is probably Peter. He made brash, bold declarations and then denied the Lord three times (Matthew 26: 69-75). Witness to the glory of the transfiguration of Christ, he wanted to make earthly dwellings for Him, Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:4); prompting a rebuke for God himself to be quiet and listen (v. 6).

So why then would Jesus look upon this uneducated fisherman who often engaged mouth before brain and declare that he would be the rock upon whom the church would be built (Matthew 16:18)? Because Peter knew exactly who Jesus was---You are the Christ, the Son of the living God---(Matthew 16:16). His declaration brought blessing from the Lord (v. 17) which should be a blessing and a lesson to us as well.

God isn't looking for the best and the brightest, rather He's looking for those who know and declare who the Lord is and seek Him with all they have. Has He found you?

He is in Control

I’ve gotten a true glimpse of the all-sufficiency of God’s
grace. When you don’t know what to do, don’t know what to say, don’t know what
literally the next day will bring, what a powerful truth it is to know that the
Creator of the Universe holds it all in his hands and he is working all things
for good. That’s right—all things for good. When I realize how desperate I am
for healing and restoration, the still small voice of the Spirit says, “Here I
am. I love you. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand. The Father loves you. He sent his only Son Jesus to
the cross to die for your sin. You are precious in his sight. You are a joint
heir with Christ. You are a partaker of the light. I came to give you abundant
life. I give you all power over the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy.
I am the truth and the life.”

Seek First

Several years ago, when I was nominated to be a deacon at Ogletown Baptist Church, I was asked to write a brief bio and provide my favorite scripture verse. What a difficult choice. So many terrific verses to choose from. Verses that strengthened me, verses that challenged me, verses that encouraged me. One kept coming back to me—Matthew 6:33---the one that I started this blog about.

I chose this verse several years ago because it spoke to me about where my priorities needed to be. It’s not just about putting God first. The word “seek” means to try to find or discover by searching or questioning. Nothing casual or passive here. The Kingdom of God is recognition that He is the creator of everything; the One who spoke the universe into existence. His righteousness is everything that is true, honorable, pure, lovely, commendable excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:7-9 tells us if we think on these things, the peace of God will be with us; the peace which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. All things added to you means that by seeking Him first, He will provide everything we need to live a life that honors and glorifies Him.

Seeking Him first is often easier said than done. Our flesh, which desires to do things our way, gets in the way. Seeking Him first is a daily commitment to prayer, being in the Word and worshipping Him. In fact we need to recall the words on the old hymn “I need thee every hour”. I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby; temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. I need thee every hour, in joy or pain; come quickly and abide, or life is vain. I need thee every hour; teach me thy will; and thy rich promises in me fulfill.