There's so much in this life to be fearful of: loving someone, because they may not love you back; rejection from family, friends, co-workers and even other Christians; public humiliation; being ignored, forgotten and used.

I don't want to be afraid of what others think of me, will do to me, or not do to me (Gal 1:10).

I don't want to be afraid of never being physically healed. I don't want to be afraid that my doctors may not always know exactly the right thing to do (Prov 2:6).

I don't want to be afraid of giving up on ministry opportunities or public services because of my faith and abandon to Christ and His Word. I don't want to be afraid of that phone call, text or email where someone tells me that I'm too narrow-minded of a Christian for their feel-good, man-centered ministry (Gal 2:20).

I don't want to be afraid of speaking the truth in love, just because it's not the truth someone wants to hear (Prov 27:5-6).

"I tell you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!"

~Luke 12:4-5 (ESV)

The only fear I want to have is for the Lord God Almighty. Not afraid to be near Him, but have a holy and awesome fear of Him—knowing who He is, what He can and has every right to do to me; yet He withholds evil and only gives me good, because of Jesus Christ.

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life."

~Romans 5:1, 10 (ESV)

Fear of God is the only healthy fear. All other fears are crippling. But the fear of God causes us to be humbled by His mercy and grace, while strengthening us to rejoice in His exceeding kindness toward us who are in Christ Jesus. 

The fear of God is sobering and brings any human being into right relationship with Him as we see Him as He is, and not as we would like Him to be (e.g., warm, fuzzy, feel-good, not-very-holy deity).

I want to let go of all my fears that inhibit me from fully living in the freedom Christ died to give me. I want to live in God's perfect love that casts out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment (1 Jn 4:18). And since I am in a right relationship with God; forgiven and free, why should I fear what man might do or take away from me? I shouldn't.

Therefore I resolve to:

"Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed His name. They shall be Mine says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up My treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."

~Hosea 3:16-18 (ESV)

Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

I remember.

Do you?

I remember where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing.

I just returned home from dropping my two precious sons off at their elementary school. When I walked in the door, I could hear the television on, with a newscaster's voice detailing a terrible accident in New York City, New York. My husband was sitting quietly on the couch, watching and listening intently as one of the Twin Towers was burning because an airplane had crashed into it.

It seemed surreal.

I stood there confused, "How can an airplane accidentally hit a building?" Just as I was thinking this, 18 minutes after the first plane crashed into the North Tower, I see another plane crash right into the South Tower.

This was no accident.

I wept and dropped to my knees and began praying. I prayed, wept, and watched. I listened intently to the newscasters and my heart broke for all those innocent people in the airplane, in the buildings, and for their families.

But it wasn't over.

At 9:45 a.m. another airplane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Just before 10:00 a.m. the South Tower of the World Trade Center came crashing down. Then approximately 30 minutes later, the North Tower fell. It was unbelievable and terrifying. There was fire, smoke, people jumping out of buildings—screaming and chaos everywhere. The whitish-tan plume of debris chased the people on the streets and covered everyone and everything in its path, with ashes.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed from the terrorists' attack on the World Trade Center Towers—125 were killed from the attack on the Pentagon—45 people were killed from the hijacking of United Flight 93. Due to some truly brave souls, this plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania because unlike the cowardly terrorists, the passengers on Flight 93, sought to save lives not take ruthlessly take them.

No righteous, no good, no courageous person takes innocent people hostage and forces them to play a cruel part in a maleficent errand. No soldier takes the lives of unarmed civilians.

The world is a mess.

That's really the simplest and most accurate way to put it. With such wicked terror groups like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS); Christian beatings, imprisonments, and killings in many parts of the world; and the beginnings of Christian persecutions in our country with the increased sympathy for immoral living—the world is truly a mess.

But thankfully, there is God.

God is sovereign.

God is good.

And thankfully, He doesn't govern His creation by the crooked and fickle standards of this world. No. Thankfully, God governs our world by His righteous, just, and wise standards. He governs every creature in accordance with His good and perfect will. And He governs, protects, disciplines, and sanctifies His children, by the power of His Holy Spirit that dwells within us. 

Therefore, we dread not the mess of this world, but we rejoice in the sovereignty of God.

Without the Gospel of Peace—the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the only Name in which anyone can be saved—without knowing God and being known by Him, there is no true hope, peace nor joy for anyone.

None of us are guaranteed our next breath. None of us knows our last day.

Only God knows.

This world could and would be a scary and lonely place to live in if not for the sovereignty, the kindness, mercy, and compassion of God. If it weren't for the Almighty's restraint on the evil of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 there would've been more casualties and more heartaches. And if not for God's restraint on evil more than 2,000 years ago, by sending His one and only Son to earth, to live a sinless life, die the cruelest death and resurrect, ascending in power and glory, there would be no hope of Heaven for anyone. There would be only pain, sorrow, and horror upon horror.

But because of God's great kindness and mercy, He didn't allow the evil of 9/11 to prevail. And He didn't allow the evil and captivity of sin to prevail either. Rather, in God's mercy and grace, He placed the punishment of our sins upon His Son and offered to His enemies (that would be all of us) the gift of eternal life through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ the Lord.

On 9/11 and more than 2,000 years ago, the Lord of hosts provided tangible comfort to despondent souls and aid to the needy and peace to the frightened.

As we remember what happened 13 years ago today, let us also remember what happened more than 2,000 years ago. Let us never forget how frail our lives are, and how gracious, powerful, and good God is—that He would send His one and only Son to die for us, so we can live for and with Him, now and forevermore.

I remember the terror and devastation of 9/11. But more so, I remember God, and the hope and life found only in Jesus Christ the Lord.

There are many (too many) days I have trouble just opening the Word and getting my day started with Praise and Quiet Time in the Lord. I know this isn't a popular thing to share, but it's an honest thing to share about my spiritual walk...or sometimes, lack thereof. Though I could keep this weakness of mine hush hush and only share my accomplishments, my highs and all my joys I have in Christ, I can't do that because it would be disingenuous.

When I remember I'll never be the wisest, kindest or most Christ-like person on this side of Heaven, I am both relieved and spurred on toward holiness (2 Cor 7:1, Eph 4:24, Heb 12:14). This may sound a bit strange—to feel relieved and encouraged by what makes me weak; but in Christ, these seemingly diametric concepts are actually harmonious.

So as not to misunderstand what our Lord Jesus means that we are made "perfect" in verse nine, let me digress for a moment. The Greek phrase used for "is made perfect" in this verse is, τελέω (transliterated, teleō); which means, to bring to an end, complete, fulfill. The verb τελέω is in the present, passive, indicative. This means "is made perfect" is spoken in the present tense (occurring now), in the passive voice (the Apostle Paul is the recipient and not the doer of the action) and in the indicative mood (Jesus Christ, who is speaking, is making a definitive statement).

Therefore, it's clear that Christ is neither telling the Apostle Paul nor any of us that we will, or can ever be "perfect" (without any sin or flaw) on this side of Heaven. There is only one Person who has ever and can ever live a sinless life, and that is the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now that we have the biblically accurate understanding of what Jesus was telling the Apostle Paul about being made perfect, let me clarify a second aspect of this passage. Jesus' power is made perfect, that is complete, fulfilled and most evident in us when we are weak. That doesn't mean that we supposed to go around parading our troubles or wallowing in our weaknesses so the power of Christ will be perfected in us. It means that when we humbly and truthfully recognize our limitations, whether physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually, then yield to the Lord and cry out for His help, we can more clearly witness the demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us to accomplish whatever God has called us to (Phil 2:13, 1 Cor 2:4-5).

"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

~Jesus the Christ (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV)

So on those many days, sometimes weeks and sometimes months I have a hard time just opening my Bible, I remember that God is fully aware of this weakness in me (Ps 103:13-14). And I rejoice in the supernatural help from Christ, who was tempted in every way to sin, yet was without sin (Heb 4:15-16).

When I admit my weaknesses before God and humbly seek His help, He immediately answers as He always does (Mt 20:34, Ps 65:5) and He helps me to remember how to worship, and why I so desperately need to commune with Him through reading, meditating and studying His Word.

It's in these moments, I remember why I've always called my time with the Lord, "Praise and Quiet Time"—because I always start with a song of praise, which moves me to open my Bible, and beckons me to bask in the quietness of communion with Him through "sitting at Jesus' feet" and listening intently to every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

Personally, I've found hymns are the best help for me because all hymns are either based on Scripture, or references Scripture. After I have my time of worshiping the Lord in song, I read the Scripture associated with the hymn, then read the entire chapter that particular verse is found in. The next thing I know, I'm in full blown worship; sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, in awesome wonder of how every one of His words illuminates my mind and soul.

"Lord, speak to me that I may speak in living echoes of Your tone;
as You have sought, so let me seek Your erring children lost and lone.

"O teach me, Lord, that I may teach the precious things You do impart;
and wing my words, that they may reach the hidden depths of many a heart.

"O fill me with Your fullness, Lord, until my very heart o'er-flow
in kindling thought an glowing word Your love to tell, Your praise to show.

"O use me, Lord, use even me, just as You will and when and where;
until Your blessed face I see, Your rest, Your joy, Your glory share."

~Hymn by Frances R. Havergal, 1872

(published in the Trinity Hymnal)

When was the last time I was astonished at the majesty of God?

When was the last time you were astonished at the majesty of God?

We're often astonished by so many things: breathtaking musical talent, incredible athletic ability, jaw-dropping acts of illusionists, amazing (and often humorous) animal antics and even the evil we see all around the world. I'm not saying this is wrong. What I'm saying is, are we more astonished by these creations, or their Creator?

We live in a generation deluged with information through news, videos and social media. With this influx of information it seems we've forgotten the most important aspect of communication—listening. We've forgotten how to stop and smell the roses, that is, linger on a thought and consider it in the light of the Gospel, rather than in the darkness of our own opinions, or that of others.

The things we mostly think about, talk about, share with others and are astonished by, proves what we value, and therefore, determines where we spend the majority of our time—in the Word or in the world.

If we, as professing believers, valued God more than this world, we would spend more time in His Word. And like Mary of Bethany, we would sit at Jesus' feet, that is, read Scripture, and listen intently to every word that comes from His mouth; with an increasing and fervent desire to know Him more in order to love Him better. I know this for a fact because there is nothing greater or equal to the LORD of hosts. And thus, there is nothing more astonishing than God and the things of God.

There should never be a time in a Christian's life where upon reading the Scriptures, we are not astonished. Even reading the genealogies is astonishing. You think not? Well, I encourage you to read and study them again. If you do, you'd find some astonishing facts about who's related to who and who gets to be included in the earthly genealogy of Jesus Christ.

The fact that we mere mortals have God's transcendent Word and can understand the eternal meaning, is in itself...astonishing.

"But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory...these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God."

~1 Cor 2:7, 10-12 (ESV)

Like the demon possessed boy in Luke 9, prior to salvation, we're all possessed by our own evil desires that thrust us to the ground: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of possessions (1 Jn 2:16). We all desperately fall short of the glory of God and wallow in our cesspool of sins; blinded by the idols we create for ourselves, whether by graven images or the imaginations of our crafty minds.

So the fact that a holy, righteous and just God takes notice of us in our putrid state, is astonishing to say the least. The fact that God chose me, a wretched sinner, before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-6), to call as His own possession, a daughter of the Most High God...is...astonishing! I know me. And I would've never picked me. But thanks be to God Almighty, like the demon possessed boy in Luke 9, there's a "But Jesus..." for me too. And because of this truth, I am eternally freed and healed from the captivity and penalty of my sins.

I am astonished at God's majesty I see daily in creation; like the bright and enormous stars that seem so small from where I stand. I'm astonished at God's mercy that sent His one and only Son as a propitiation for my sins and poured out His wrath on the sinless Christ instead of me (2 Cor 5:21). I'm astonished at God's compassion that remembers that I am yet but dust (Ps 103:13-14) and gives to me according to His wisdom and not according to my folly. I'm astonished at God's steadfast love and faithfulness that preserves me when I break faith with Him by sinning (Ps 40:11, 2 Tim 2:13). I'm astonished that God continually grants me the gift of repentance and forgiveness when I sin, because He keeps His promises (Phil 1:6).

I could go on and on about all that astonishes me about God, but I echo what the Apostle John recorded in the last verse of his gospel (John 21:25), "Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." And though it's impossible to list all that astonishes me about God, I won't stop doing it and sharing it with others (Ps 9:1-2). I can't help it (Acts 4:20).

This should be true for everyone who professes the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. There truly is, more than we can ever number, wonderful things that ought to astonish us about God. The question and challenge for us then is this, "Are we as often if not more, astonished at the things of God, as we are by the things of this world?"

If we spend more time with the Lord, through reading, mediating, studying, memorizing, praying and sharing His Word, I know we'll all be less cynical and critical about the world we live in, and more grateful for the astonishing Christ that lives in us (Gal 2:20).

"You have multiplied, O LORD my God, Your wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us; none can compare with You! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told."

~Psalm 40:5, ESV (emphasis mine)