December 2008
Week 1: Tired of Leftovers?
Week 2: What is not working in your life?
Week 3: Living from one Word to the next!
Week 4: Before you Put Your Lights Away
Week 1: Tired of Leftovers?
Did any of you get tired of leftovers last week? Our fried turkey was sumptuously delicious on Thanksgiving Day! My turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce sandwich was pretty good the following day. But, I found myself losing interest in turkey by the third day. I don’t even think chocolate covered turkey would have piqued my interest, and I certainly wasn’t interested in any of the 546,000 internet articles explaining inventive ways to use leftover turkey.
Our Thanksgiving meal served its purpose for a couple of days, but then, we needed something new, fresh, and different.
Many Christians are trying to live on leftovers.
When is the last time you received a fresh word from God? What, you might ask, is a fresh word from God? It could be insight, knowledge, wisdom, encouragement, correction, or teaching that comes from God on anything that is relevant in your life at the moment. What God revealed to you last week in His Word about one situation may not be the exact guidance you need for your different and current situation. It is spiritual laziness to haphazardly take one verse of scripture and attempt to determine, without consulting God, what you should do in every situation based on that one scripture.
Here is an excellent example.
David determined that he wanted to build a temple in which to worship God. It sounded like a no brainer, and because Nathan had seen repeatedly how God was with David, Nathan encouraged David to go ahead and build it.
“When King David was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, the king summoned Nathan the prophet. ‘Look,’ David said, ‘I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!’ Nathan replied to the king, ‘Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you’” (2 Samuel 7:1-3 NLT).
But, then, Nathan got a fresh word from God and realized his mistake!
“But that same night the LORD said to Nathan, ‘Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? Now go and say to my servant David, 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. … when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house-- a temple-- for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever’” (2 Samuel 7:4, 5, 8, 12, 13 NLT).
Was God with David? Yes. Nathan was correct on that, but that alone was not reason enough to proceed with building the temple. Matthew 28:20 confirms that God is with us as well. Does that mean we can, based on that one verse of the Bible, proceed with any and every good, spiritual, and logical desire that comes into our heart? Not without a fresh, applicable word from God on the matter!
Getting a fresh word from God requires some effort. One thing it involves is going to the source of the insight, knowledge, wisdom, encouragement, correction, and teaching in a prayerful manner. That source, of course, is the Bible. If you consider a circumstance, a word of advice from a friend, or even a dream, as a word from God, remember that a fresh word from God will never contradict what is in the Bible. Also, remember that the Lord, not a friend, or, in David’s case, an initially mistaken prophet, should give us our final confirmation. Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that God currently speaks to us through His Son.
Go to www.biblegateway.com and do a keyword search on “inquire” and “inquired” to see how many times David inquired or asked God for wisdom on a certain matter. An instance is also given where he didn’t inquire and the consequences were miserable.
I can relate to what Jeremiah said about this process.
“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight …” (Jeremiah 15:16 NLT).
What is the area in which you need a fresh word from God? It could be your job, your family, your finances, your health … Whatever it is, consider this. Are you trying to take one verse, passage, or promise from the Bible and apply it 546,000 ways - to every single situation in your life? I encourage you to get a fresh word - and you, like Jeremiah will discover the joy and delight of doing so!
Have a blessed week!
©2008 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved
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Week 2 - What is not Working in Your Life?
I once attended the Grand Opening of a church member’s produce market. I was eager to support their new business. Though it happened about 25 years ago, I still remember it clearly. The owner had taken great care to create an eye catching display with bales of hay on which he strategically placed his pumpkins. After obtaining some choice produce, I proceeded to drive out of the parking lot. Though I was applying pressure to the accelerator, the car seemed hung up on something and became increasingly difficult to drive. What was going on and why was my car not working as it should?
About that time, some men exiting the coffee shop next door began waving enthusiastically. Preoccupied with determining why my car was not moving forward, and unable to hear with the windows rolled up, I simply waved back, tuned them out, and directed my attention to applying more pressure to the accelerator. Finally, the car just stopped. At that point, I decided to get out of the car to determine what the problem was. It was then that I realized that that the waving men were trying to get my attention because the bumper of my car had snagged a bale of hay from the display. As I continued to drive, the hay became increasingly lodged under my car, and before long, I was dragging the owner’s display with me. The pumpkins which had been on display were now rolling all over the parking lot and into the busy street near the market.
Have you ever been oblivious of a message to which you really needed to pay attention?
Christmas is the ultimate example of the lengths to which God was willing to go to get our attention. Yet, still, many of us are more focused on our problems than we are on Him. Remaining secluded in our own little world with the windows rolled up makes it easy to stay oblivious to the Message we so desperately need.
Persisting in our efforts to handle the situation alone keeps us preoccupied and unaware of God’s voice. We frequently disregard His Message until nothing is working and we have no where else to turn.
This, of course, often creates consequences that will have to be reckoned with later.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
I encourage you to slow down, get still, and ask, “What is not working in my life?” And then say, “God, what are you trying to tell me?” - “Lord who or what are you trying to use to get my attention?” The Lord God has a better perspective on our lives than we do. Taking our past, present, and future into consideration, He comprehends the problem and the solution.
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar or pray in the King’s English to communicate with God. I know this is a busy time of the year, but the Lord has a message we need!
If you are truly receptive to His voice, I believe you will hear it.
Do you remember the message the angels brought at the birth of Christ?
“Then the angel said to them, "… I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10 NKJV).
Who is this message for? Luke 2:10 says that this message of great joy is for all people. That means it is for you!
I encourage you to really listen for God’s message to you, for, as we will see next week, God’s message is not only personal, but also very practical!
Have a blessed week!
©2008 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved
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Week 3: Living from one Word to the next!
One of my friends offered to drive me to a conference in Alabama where I was to speak at a weekend women’s event. While enjoying this opportunity to talk, we passed a sign which indicated we were heading in the wrong direction. My friend turned on her GPS and a very professional sounding voice directed us step by step to where we needed to be!
The Christmas story reminds us that Joseph came to the crossroads of decision more than once on his excursion which had already been recorded by the prophets. Each leg of the journey, God gave Joseph the guidance he needed.
God’s message to a very confused Joseph in Matthew 1:20 was that he should take Mary as his wife because the child she was carrying was conceived of the Holy Spirit.
After Christ was born, God warned an unaware Joseph (Matthew 2:13) that Herod would seek Jesus to destroy him. Therefore, he was to take the young Child and His mother and go to Egypt.
Once again, after Herod was dead, the Lord sent a message informing Joseph to move Jesus and Mary to the land of Israel of .
In each specific situation, God sent a word of instruction which enabled Joseph to keep moving in the right direction.
Whether you are confused, frightened, or even oblivious to what is ahead, it is reassuring to remember that God’s word is still very practical and that He has a Word for your specific situation. He may not initially give us all the information we need for every individual challenging situation we will face in this life. God’s guidance may come one piece at a time. This keeps us in the close relationship to Him that is so fulfilling, as we listen and respond each step of the way.
Considering the challenges ahead can get overwhelming, but a peace that passes all understanding settles in if we can simply learn to listen for God’s very practical direction for the current moment- and then act on it. We begin to experience the meaning of living from “Word to Word” when we know that we are where we are supposed to be, doing what we are to be doing, for that moment in time - until the next Word of direction comes.
Mary and Joseph were living out God’s plan, yet still faced challenges and obstacles.
We all do.
God's Word helped tham successfully navigate each one.
You and I can experience that, too!
What is confusing or troubling to you now? Ask God for His Word for this step of your journey, and then, head in that direction. Don’t worry about the end of your journey. Focus on the direction in which you should be moving. When you get to the place where you need another Word, trust that it will be there.
What a blessing that we can say with confidence …
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV).
©2008 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved
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Week 4: Before You Put Your Lights Away ...
The candlelight service I attend every Christmas Eve at our church is always one of the highlights of the Christmas season for me. It signals a nonnegotiable time when the holiday preparations of decorating, baking, and gift buying must come to an end. All of that is left behind as I step into a time set aside to worship and to ponder the greatest Gift of all - Jesus.
As the service came to a close this year, and candles flickered in the darkness across our auditorium, I was reminded of Micah 7:8 which says, “. . . When I sit in darkness, The LORD will be a light to me.”
Light is often taken for granted, but most appreciated when it penetrates the darkness. I remember celebrating the light many years ago when it replaced the darkness in our home two weeks after Hurricane Camille. I also recall rejoicing over the light that penetrated my spirit when I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior.
Once you have experienced the light, it’s only natural to want to linger in it and enjoy it.
At the conclusion of Christmas Eve service, my four year old granddaughter looked up at her mother and asked if she would sing Happy Birthday with her before they blew out their candles. So, they did. Oblivious to the hundreds of worshippers filing out of the auditorium around them, they lingered for a few more minutes as they sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and then blew out their candles.
Many are turning their thoughts now to after Christmas sales, taking down the tree, and putting away the lights. But before you do, take a few moments to linger in His light and celebrate His birth. It’s not too late.
Actually, you don’t have to leave “The Light” behind. You can experience Him all the time. How great is that!
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12 NKJV).
©2008 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved
