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Question:

“I live in fear that the Lord wont take me before any other loved ones…when does this fear become sin? Does it mean that I’m not really a Christian if I haven’t placed this fear fully in God’s hands?” Did you ever hear of such dilemma? Am I losing it?

Answer: 

No, you aren’t losing it. You would be surprised how similar your fears are with many others.

I think there comes a point in life where you just come to a place where God is enough – that you drink deeply of him and are satisfied fully in him. I see your fear as something common among Christ followers but something, nevertheless, not excusable. God doesn’t want you to live gripped in fear – why? – Because he deeply loves you. You can trust that he has your best interest in mind  regardless of who does and doesn’t “go first”.

It is the love of God that compels us to ‘let go – surrender’ and rest (abide) in His strength, power and wisdom. This doesn’t belittle or undermine the very real pain of losing loved ones but it does give you ability to navigate the pain in a way that reflects God as trustworthy in your life. In simple terms – find your rest, peace and strength in Christ alone. All other relationships are just an expression of His Grace in your life but they are not the ultimate source of your well being — ONLY GOD can fulfill that in you.

Drink Deeply of God – How? By taking all your temptation to fear and turning it into conversation with the Lord – and remember that conversation is both ways – not a monologue but a dialogue of talking and listening.

I trust this helps you.

All is Grace,

Pastor John

I read out of Acts 26 this AM – Paul conveying his conversion experience to King Agrippa.

The last sentence in verse 14 grabbed my attention.

Acts 26:14  - “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Three application points: ( A goad is a point, prick, stinger often used to prod stubborn oxen)

When we hurt the church we hurt ourselves. – Obvious

Not so obvious, and this is where I think it applies to me (us), we cannot resist what God has purposed for us to accomplish. Resisting the directive of God brings pain and no solution to the reason(s) why we are resisting his directive in the first place.  Obeying the directive of God usually involves COST (Sacrifice) but in faithfully following his directive (despite pain, cost, sacrifice) we experience the equipping GRACE and JOY of God.

I cannot resist the providence of God…by his grace I have no desire to do so. (Note: Paul saw and heard the visible resurrected Christ – ( a vision I imagine difficult to sideline and thus disobey).  I don’t need a visible appearance and audible voice from God to motivate me to obey — however, affirmations and confirmations from his written word, circumstances and people, whom I respect, help me to be content that I am indeed following God’s specific directive for me (us).

Check out this link to bring some more clarity to the “Goad” sentence. FAITH BLOG

PROCESSING PAIN

It is not uncommon for me to experience debilitating abdominal pain. Pain that radiates from my abdomen to my head and often comes with severe migraine, nausea, and muscle knots between my shoulder blades. I’ve asked God on several occasions to take it away and for now it seems as if this illness is here to stay. Although I do not like any aspect of this illness I have come to appreciate the lessons I’m learning in bouts of infirmity.

Here are a few lessons I’m learning:

• My deepest well being is not dependent on my physical health…but my spiritual rest in Christ.
• Pain teaches me empathy and compassion towards others.
• Prolonged physical pain empties me of myself…keeping my self reliance/independence in check.
• In illness I’ve pondered the brevity of life and have come to value my loved ones above all else – especially my wife.
• The land of gratefulness is where I want to reside …life is too short to carry the subtlety and brazenness of resentment.
• The Apostle Paul’s words sum it up for me; “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10)

Another insightful article: A Biblical Perspective on Chronic Pain and Illness