Devotion Believer's Lament

I know that my redeemer lives … He lives to hear my soul’s complaint” CW 154

“My soul’s complaint.” That is an interesting phrase. Too often, we think of things being “well with our souls.” The thought that a soul can have a complaint is interesting. David’s words in Psalm 13 come to mind:

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart? (New International Version, 2011)

David expresses a sense of isolation, and even, betrayal. His heart his heavy; his soul complains. People have often called such a cry, a lament. A lament may have the sound and feel of betrayal and abandonment.

It has been suggested, however, that a believer’s lament is actually an opportunity to engage with God in making sense of things gone wrong in an effort to find resolution and hope. Even though there are unanswered questions and there is the existence of evil and injustice, the Lord is still good.

A Christian lament is grounded in the hope of future reorientation.

Consider the 7 words of our Savior as he spoke from the cross: “My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?” “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” There is lament. There is empowerment. There is hope of future reorientation.

To sit with suffering is to also find a companion in this life. The harsh realities of this life will wage war on our faith in Christ. We have one who fights in our stead, however. He knows our laments and sings with us, even in those moments. That is because Jesus never forgets the pain of the hearts he has bought.

The Easter hymn, “I Know My Redeemer Lives” is based on a statement from the life of an Old Testament believer named, Job. Job knew heartache. His soul complained. He lost everything in a single day. He cried for all his 10 children. Dead in a day. Dust and ashes. Sores and sadness. Seven days of silence.

And yet, Job lamented with hope. Through the eyes of faith, he saw the Lord usher in a “new day.” And his believer’s lament was transformed to a litany of praise: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the Earth!” (Job 19:25)

Our laments are also litanies. Our cries for help in this life are grounded in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which empowers us in faith because we have a promised, final reorientation to our heavenly home!

Prayer

I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; he lives my ever-living head. Amen.

Nonsense? The Empty Tomb

But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.” Luke 24:11

We seem to live in a world plagued by doubt and confusion. And Easter Sunday was no exception. St. Luke tells us that some faithful ladies brought back a confusing report from the sealed tomb: “Jesus was not there!” What? That sounds like nonsense. Angels? Empty tombs? Missing bodies? It all seemed like “crazy-talk” to the other disciples. Utter nonsense.

The disciples either forgot Jesus’ promises or they doubted his promises. It was more likely a mixture of both.

This applies to our clinical therapy as providers who serve with Christian Family Solutions. We strive to offer answers, guidance, and healing to people who are hurting; people plagued by a world of doubt and confusion. Without Christ being centered in the midst of such therapeutic work, we hope to only offer healing for just this life. In the end, that would also be nonsense.

Now, there are people who would think that integration of Christian faith into therapy is also nonsense. Some might even dare state it is dangerous. And yes! To those who doubt Christ, the gospel does seem like nonsense.

Christ removes all doubt and fear, however. His resurrection is the ultimate proof. We believe that the risen Christ is present, alive, and active in our work as therapists. Solid, evidence-based therapy married with sound, Christ-centered theology makes good sense. It provides a trajectory for lasting healing and hope. And that is the furthest thing from nonsense. We seem to live in a world plagued by doubt and confusion. And Easter Sunday was no exception. St. Luke tells us that some faithful ladies brought back a confusing report from the sealed tomb: “Jesus was not there!” What? That sounds like nonsense. Angels? Empty tombs? Missing bodies?

It all seemed like “crazy-talk” to the other disciples. Utter nonsense.

The disciples either forgot Jesus’ promises or they doubted his promises. It was more likely a mixture of both.

This applies to our clinical therapy as providers who serve with Christian Family Solutions. We strive to offer answers, guidance, and healing to people who are hurting; people plagued by a world of doubt and confusion. Without Christ being centered in the midst of such therapeutic work, we hope to only offer healing for just this life. In the end, that would also be nonsense.

Now, there are people who would think that integration of Christian faith into therapy is also nonsense. Some might even dare state it is dangerous. And yes! To those who doubt Christ, the gospel does seem like nonsense.

Christ removes all doubt and fear, however. His resurrection is the ultimate proof. We believe that the risen Christ is present, alive, and active in our work as therapists. Solid, evidence-based therapy married with sound, Christ-centered theology makes good sense. It provides a trajectory for lasting healing and hope. And that is the furthest thing from nonsense.

Prayer

Christ Jesus, thank you removing our doubts and fears by your resurrection from the grave. You have overcome sin and unbelief. Help us to trust in your promises as you equip us to help others. Be present, dear risen Savior, in our efforts to bring your healing and hope to a hurting world. Remind us that no word from you or work carried out for you is ever nonsense. You alone have the words of eternal life. Amen.

Devotion - Good is Good. Man with Dog - christiantherapisthetwork.com

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31a

National Puppy Day is on March 23. Apparently, it was established as a way to bring awareness to the inherent goodness pets brings into our lives as well attention to the fact that many animals still live in cruel conditions, notably dogs. There is something naturally good about a dog. There are many essentially good things in creation even though it is subject to this fallen reality. Now you may have your preferences and you are allowed your choices. For example, you may be very dogmatic about your canine’s characteristics or you may hold a ferocious catechesis towards your feline’s frisky features. And that is all good.

Let us focus on the goodness of a dog for a just a moment. Why is it that dogs make such good companions for people in crisis? What is it that makes a dog ready made to provide needed support to those in need? They are naturally attuned to human the condition. Now, some may reflect on that thought and offer the jaded reply that dogs are just being conditioned to a response.

That may be true. It is a conditioned response, however, because God conditioned that response. That is because God is good.

What is good? Are there things that can still be good even though we live in this world of sin? God is constant in his goodness. He is impeccable in his providence. The God who gave his Son for all is also the one who still provides the sun to shine and the rain to fall.

The quiet loyalty of a dog serves as a gentle reminder that God is good. And there are still many “goods” in life that we can turn to remind us of our Savior’s abiding love. What a wonderful exercise to share with a client in crisis or a couple in need. Walk that person through a survey of life and help them to find gratitude in the “goods” of God — in his impeccable and predictable and regular everyday mercies.

Martin Luther has been quoted as saying this about the loyal goodness of a dog: “The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the commonest.”

Our Lord God made his greatest gifts the commonest. In love, God has fashioned you in the likeness of Christ. You are now made new. The Lord God looks at you through his Son, Jesus, he sees what he has made, and it is very good.

It is also very good how we are now able to express this newness of life. What beauty lies in the common, shared gift of compassion! How soothing are the caring words of a loved one or the support of an empathetic heart! With common, regular, consistent love, God still provides the world with good. And you, dear friend, are one of them.

Prayer

O, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Amen.

Devotion - guilt - fresh start

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

New and Improved

Sometimes you see that little stamp on a product via a new marketing campaign to try to sell the product.

Some years back Coca-Cola came out with a “new and improved” version of Coke. It went over about as well as a led zeppelin (and not the band!) Coke soon went back to it’s “original version” of this beverage and the new and improved version was shelved-literally!

When it comes to people there is a refreshing and vital change that comes to each of us as Christians through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. That is what the great Apostle Paul is referring to in the passage above. Paul would know.

Paul himself would need to take advantage of God’s gracious “sinner protection program” in which he would pick up a new identity (and a new name!) through faith in Jesus. Saul (his former name) who caused many Christians to go into hiding, because of his relentless persecution of the Christian Church would himself be found by Jesus and granted a “brand new start” by grace.

This is good news for us who have committed the same old, same old sins (cf. Galatians 5:19ff) and thus deserved the same old, same old punishment: Eternal condemnation in hell!!! Now, because we have “passed away with Christ” (cf. Romans 6:8) we will pass over to a new existence-to live with Jesus forever in glory. What a glorious and welcome change!

Because we are “new” through the renewing and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, the healthy changes that are needed in our lives are limitless. In fact, we have access to a “host” of spiritual gifts that the Spirit of God works in us: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22ff)

New and improved (made perfect even!)-through faith in Christ. Now that is a refreshing change!

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all that you have done for me-so that, through faith in you, I could have a fresh start. Help me daily to live for you by dying to sin until that day that I pass away/pass over-to live with you forever in glory. In your name I humbly and thankfully pray. Amen.

Spanish version: En Español

acceptance

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

It’s called “Radical Acceptance”-and it’s encouraged when you simply have to acknowledge that “it (my present situation) is what it is” and that you are powerless to do anything about it.

The Apostle Paul had finally come to a place of needing to radically accept that there was nothing he could do about the “it” that had been plaguing him and that he had been desperately trying free himself from in his life. He had done the right thing: going to the LORD to ask for liberation from “it.”

Isn’t it interesting that we don’t really knew what “it” was that Paul was so mightily struggling with? Do you suppose that our gracious God through this silence is inviting us to insert our own malady into the equation-if only to console ourselves in the fact that we are not alone in our sufferings and struggles?

We too can come to a place of “sweet surrender” (acceptance) in trusting that our gracious God sometimes permits us to continue to bear a “heavy cross” for our ultimate benefit and blessing. And while we may never understand “why” in this world, we can still trust that His plan will always work out for our eternal good (cf. Romans 8:28)

Just consider the thrice prayed request of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane that went unanswered (at least in the way he had hoped it would be answered). He had pleaded with His Father three times for Him to remove the dreadful cup of suffering he was about to drink (cf. Matt. 26:39-44) Aren’t you happy that God in essence said “no” to removing His son’s bitter suffering-so that we would not have to face separation from Him for all eternity?

“You can let it make you bitter or you can let it make you better”. You have probably heard at least a version of this old saying. With God’s help we can learn to radically accept the will of God as we put our trust in Him to use even bad to serve as a blessing for his children in time and for eternity.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your willingness in accepting your Father’s will for you-so that I might be set free from the damning load of sin I had placed on myself. Help me now to “radically accept” through faith whatever your plan is for my life and to trust you to use it in a powerful way for my good and for your glory. It’s in your name that I ask it as a I trust I am being heard because of your perfect access to the Father. Amen.

Spanish version: En Español

Trust - In Him All Things

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 1 Colossians 1:17

Ever had someone try to encourage you by saying, “Hang in there!”? They no doubt meant well. But if you stop and think about it, that is not very good advice to offer someone, especially if they are going through struggles in this life!

The implication behind the phrase is that I have to do something to hold everything together for myself. How exhausting that would be! Imagine trying to hold all the molecules in your body together, trying to hold yourself down to the ground so you don’t fly off of planet earth. Yikes! Is it not the same when it comes to holding together a troubled marriage or failing health or mental illness?

Thankfully, as Christians, we have come to know that Someone else is holding everything together-including us and including everything in our lives! That someone is Jesus.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us (paraphrased), He was here before anything existed. In fact, we know he took part in our Triune God’s amazing work of creating our universe and everything in it. Another Apostle named John, points out, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that had been made.” (John 1:3)

Jesus actively participated in creating our world. He was even part of creating gravity! That is impressive-especially when we consider that we are rotating (with respect to our planet’s center) at approximately 1,000 miles per hour (at the equator) even while we are revolving around the sun at 67,000 miles per hour! (Are you dizzy yet?)

In addition, our solar system whirls around the center of our galaxy at 490,000 miles per hour! Without gravity, we would go flying off of planet earth. And, without God intervening into human history, (because of our sinfulness), we would be flying off to hell!

And so, the One who “co-created” gravity-would come under his own law of gravity (and God’s moral law too!) He took up temporary residence here on planet earth-to fix the problem created by our many failings to keep God’s law. In his letter to the believers in Galatia (4:4) Paul reminds us… “…God sent his son…born of a woman, born under law-to redeem those under law that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

How does our God “hold us together” when it comes to the terrifying things that happen to us while in this life? He gives us faith in Jesus. We become grounded-through faith in a God Who loves us and a Savior Who came into our world to make us right with God. Jesus is such a “stabilizing force” in our lives! We recall what he tells us, “no one can snatch them (his sheep) out of his hand. (cf. John 10:28)

So why not let go? Let go of your fears and worries. Let go of your troubles and cares. As the saying goes: “Let go/Let God”. Your Savior would “hang in there” for you-literally… while hanging on a cross to pay for your every sin! We have a BIG God Who saved us in a BIG way because of His BIG love for us in Christ. Don’t “hang in there”. Let go!

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus-for “hanging in there” while hanging on a cross. You could have come down from that cross. Instead you endured the wrath of God so that I could come under his favor and blessing. Be with me today and every day. Keep me from anxiety and fill my heart with your peace. It’s in your holy name I ask this-knowing you alone give me access to God. Amen.

Spanish version: En Español

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

“This is going to sting, but it will ultimately make you better.” I hate getting shots. But sometimes getting a shot is “just what the doctor ordered”. A tetanus shot, for example, is way better than the alternative-getting tetanus (otherwise known as lock-jaw)!

Our great physician of the soul, Jesus, explains to us that living as Christians in this world is “going to sting”. You can expect that being a follower of Jesus is going to bring trouble for you, not entirely unlike how he experienced trouble in this world. After all, “a disciple is not above his teacher” (cf. Luke 6:40)

In a strange sort of way, we can join another “crazy apostle” (named Peter) who could actually rejoice in his sufferings and even find something beneficial in enduring trouble: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (I Peter 1:6-7)

So, suffering for being a follower of Christ only serves to validate that you belong to him? Exactly. And trouble can be used by God to refine us in our faith and make us more eager to leave this world? It certainly can and often does.

It’s a little like how eagles operate with their offspring: Eagles are known to put all kinds of sharp items (like thorns and sharp rocks) in the bottom of their nests. Then they cover all these nasty things up with soft downy feathers so that when the little eaglets hatch they are very comfortable…at first. But, as the little eagles grow and get closer to the time they will need to fly off and live on their own, the mother will pull feathers away-making it less and less comfortable to stay in the nest.

In II Corinthians 4:17 the great Apostle Paul writes, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Notice his “eternal perspective” on trouble. Trouble is “light and momentary” especially in relation to the “heavy and permanent” punishment we have earned for ourselves by sinning against God!

Jesus, our Savior, experienced trouble because of all the “trouble making” we had done in breaking God’s law. And His suffering was far from “light” as He bore the sins of the whole world on his sinless shoulders while suffering hell on the cross.

Relax, this is only going to sting for a little while!

Prayer

Thank you, LORD Jesus Christ-for the unimaginable suffering you willingly endured as my sin bearing substitute. When it comes time for me to depart from this place, make me ready and willing to gladly “fly off”-to be with you forever in heaven. In the meantime, help me to keep a proper perspective on trouble and to endure it patiently and without complaining as I eagerly await your certain return. Amen.

Spanish version: En Español

self esteem

The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.”

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6:11-16

Have you ever heard of “self-actualization”? Self-actualization is all about finding out what your potential is and realizing that potential by being/becoming “all you can be.” According to Abraham Maslow it is the highest level of psychological development…when basic physical and psychological needs have been met.

In the situation with Gideon we might describe what could be called “God-actualization”. Gideon sees himself as an “insignificant nobody who isn’t going to amount to anything”. He feels completely helpless and hopeless for help from the LORD Who from his perspective, has abandoned his people.

That’s not what God sees! God sees him as a “mighty warrior” whom He will be using to rescue His people from the hands of the enemies (the Midianites). Notice what he is told, “Go in the strength you have…” (vs. 14) The LORD Who had made him knows he has the strength to “pull off” what will be an amazing feat-defeating the massive Midianite army with only 300 men!

The world invites you and me to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps”-through self-actualization. As Christians we have come to understand through the Gospel that it really is about “God-actualization”. What God has done by actually becoming a man in order to do what we could never do on our own is ultimately what saves us.

God raised up another even greater Hero Who would be judged and condemned and seemingly defeated by the enemy in a “sneak attack” on death itself. After standing under God’s righteous judgment and being punished in our place Jesus would stand triumphant as a conquering hero over the grave. We will come to fully realize this when we die and join our God forever in heaven.

Our great and gracious God Who saved us continues to work through us now and to bless us with gifts and abilities which we can actually use to serve Him and others He has placed into our lives. Go with confidence-the LORD is with you, mighty warrior!

Prayer

Lord, I know you have a plan for my life. Help me to be patient as I come to realize your plan and the direction you would have me take. Bless me to follow your will with trust and faith which You provide through your Word. In Jesus’ saving name I pray this. Amen.

Get of the merry go round

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7

“Hang in there!” Has anyone ever offered you those “encouraging words”? They no doubt meant them to offer you encouragement. But maybe they had the opposite effect. To “hang in there” puts the focus on you and your ability to help yourself by holding something tightly-like when that merry-go-round got going too fast when you were a child so that you had to hold on “for dear life” just to survive the ride!

Did you realize that we who live on planet earth are actually moving about 67,000 miles per hour (by the time you figure in revolutions and rotations of our planet…). It’s no wonder then, that we become anxious from time to time! Our heads can be spinning while we ourselves are spinning like that “tea-cup ride” at the local fair.

When life is moving a little too fast, remember who is in control of all things, who was able to cause the winds and the waves that had been raging uncontrollably to become completely calm (Mark 4:35). He’s the same One who left his peaceful home in heaven behind, to ride it out with us here on earth, and to give us something to eagerly look forward to enjoying, when this ride we call life comes to an end.

He understands anxiety and even “sweated it out” in a Garden called Gethsemane where he would cast his anxiety on his heavenly Father (three times!) and put himself into his Father’s caring hand to carry out his will for the good of all mankind. It was there, in that garden that he was so anxious that his sweat was like drops of blood (Luke 22:44). His name is Jesus Christ and boy does he care for you!

He who did not want you to be anxious about what is going to happen to you when you die, is also interested in anchoring you firmly in this life when storms arise. He’s there for you. He understands anxiety. And he already took care of your greatest fear in life. With Jesus “on duty” you don’t have to “hang in there”. He would hang in there on a cross so you could know that it’s o.k. to just let go!

Prayer

Lord, you invite us to “be still” and to know that you, the great “I AM”, are in control of all things. You have promised to see me through this life and to be with me when storms of life rage all around. Fill my heart with peace to “let go and to let God [YOU]” work everything out for my eternal good. I pray this to you because you obviously care for me! Amen.

anxiety

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-33

Cornelia Arnolda Johanna ten Boom is credited with the statement, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed; If you look within, you’ll be depressed; If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.”

“Corrie” ten Boom was an amazing Christian. She and her sister were placed into a WWII concentration camp for trying to help Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust. She survived. Her sister did not.

Peter was doing great (even walking on water!)…until he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked around and saw the terrifying circumstances that surrounded him. Those circumstances began to swallow him up.

C+P=E

Circumstances plus Perspective equals Experience

This is one of our “tricks of the trade” to help people to cope with what’s going on in their lives is to invite them, when they can’t change their circumstances, to change their perspective which will inevitably change their experience.

If they can’t change their situation (circumstances) they can change how they choose to see themselves in their situation-and that will change how they experience what they’re dealing with.

If I know that I’m not walking alone through life and that God has a plan and purpose for everything He permits to happen in my life (and that He promises to help me handle whatever happens in my life), it makes all the difference how I experience life.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He will see you through the storms until you’re safe with Him “on the other side”. He is with you always-until you will always be with Him in heaven!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to fix my eyes on you and not on the storms that come “crashing in on my party” all the time. Take away my anxiety and fill me with peace as I put my trust in You. Amen.