Lent 2019 Day 31 “Quilts, Puzzles, & Life”

Fri

Apr 5

Psalm 107

Jeremiah 23:1-8

Romans 8:28-39

John 6:52-59

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+107%2C+Jeremiah+23%3A1-8%2C+Romans+8%3A28-39%2C+John+6%3A52-59&version=NIV

^{Romans 8:28-29} And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Have you ever looked over your life and wondered how all the experiences have worked together? Have you ever reflected on the things that excite you and the things that ignite you and wondered how they fit together? Think on the times you felt most confident and compare that to the times you felt most incompetent. Does either experience totally describe who you are? Who GOD is?

I hold today that life with GOD can be like a puzzle. Every piece has its own distinct shape. Each distinct piece is like an experience in life. The first time you were teased and the first time you were treasured are both pieces of the same puzzle. the first tear and the first cheer are parts of the puzzle called you. The challenge many of us face is figuring out how each piece fits in with the other. Adding to the complexity of this particular puzzle is we don’t have an accurate picture of what the puzzle is supposed to look at. Paul the writer of this text, wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that we see through a glass dimly. Our picture is incomplete, unclear. This can be frustrating.

In our text today from Romans 8:28-39 we get a confirmation that every piece will fit. GOD inspires Paul to see and say that in All things works for the good of those who love GOD who have been called according to GODS purpose. All things work. Imagine all the parts of an engine laying on the ground. You know they came from the same engine but they are disassembled. Sometimes just knowing they will fit gives us a bit of confidence to keep working on it. We do not quit because we know in the end it will work out. And so it is with the puzzle of life. As we continue loving and living GOD helps to put together all the parts of our spiritual engine and puzzle. How does GOD do it we a times wonder.

In response to that the text goes on to say that nothing can separate us from the love of GOD. We find that we are more than conquerors through GOD who loves us. Things work together. As you go and grow through this day and Lenten season, may you can greater insight into how all you have been through has helped to equip you for where you are going to. GOD is constantly working on our behalf and it would be premature to let one experience derail our overall progress. Langston Hughes once wrote, “Hold fast to dreams for when dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly”. In that same way I say hold on to your love for GOD, for nothing can separate GODS love for you.

PRAYER: LORD strengthen us when the pieces of our life look like they don’t fit. Help us to not grow weary in well doing even when there is no confirmation that we are having any effect. Heal our brokenness born from disappointment and despair. Thank you for your never failing love. AMEN

Point to Ponder: What is your greatest challenge? Are there any pieces of your life that you have chosen to forget and leave behind? Is now the time to ask GOD to show you how it fits into the whole of who you are.

Lent 2019 Day 30 “Going or Growing Through”?

Thur Apr 4

Psalm 69, Psalm 73

Jeremiah 22:13-23

Rom 8:12-27

John 6:41-51

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+69%2C+Psalm%C2%A073%2C+Jeremiah+22%3A13-23%2C+Romans+8%3A12-27%2C+John+6%3A41-51&version=NIV

Psalm 69: 1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
² I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. ³ I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

^{Romans 8:16} The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. ¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.                                                                                                                                  ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Going or Growing Through

Everybody has had “one of those days”. The kind of day that produces anger, anxiety, and even animosity. The kind of day that makes you want to lose your mind, up in here, up in here. The kind of day where you know you are close to the edge and all you want is not to lose your head. And then the unthinkable happens. The day becomes days and the days become weeks and the weeks… Now not only have you experienced pain, you are now experiencing suffering. Suffering is a pit with slippery walls that can’t be climbed. To you and all who know you it appears as if you are going through.

The writer of both the Psalm and the writer of Romans both tackle this life experience. How does one deal with life in the suffering zone? The Psalmist describes crying out till the throat is parched and still no answer. Sinking and drowning with no way out. Paul writes to believers in Rome experiencing similar conditions and says, ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. ¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. In other words suffering is real but it is not final. Whatever we are going through can also become what we are growing through. The suffering and pain can be the source of our strength and eternal gain. The sufferings of this present time cannot compare to the glory that shall be revealed in us. The sufferings serve like a buffer to a tarnished treasure. The rubbing hurts but it also brings out the shine. Without the rub there can be no shine. Not only do we go through, Jesus shows us that we grow through. In the end, we win.

Point to Ponder: Think about suffering. Who in your world would you describe as suffering? What challenges are you presently facing? Could lack of purpose and motivation be a form of suffering? What are you growing to?

 

 

 

Lent Day 31: All The Pieces Fit

 

^{Romans 8:28-29} And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Have you ever looked over your life and wondered how all the experiences have worked together? Have you ever reflected on the things that excite you and the things that ignite you and wondered how they fit together? Think on the times you felt most confident and compare that to the times you felt most incompetent. Does either experience totally describe who you are? Who GOD is?

I hold today that life with GOD can be like a puzzle. Every piece has its own distinct shape. Each distinct piece is like an experience in life. The first time you were teased and the first time you were treasured are both pieces of the same puzzle. the first tear and the first cheer are parts of the puzzle called you. The challenge many of us face is figuring out how each piece fits in with the other. Adding to the complexity of this particular puzzle is we don’t have an accurate picture of what the puzzle is supposed to look at. Paul the writer of this text, wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that we see through a glass dimly. Our picture is incomplete, unclear. This can be frustrating.

In our text today from Romans 8:28-39 we get a confirmation that every piece will fit.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8%3A28-39&version=NIV

GOD inspires Paul to see and say that in All things works for the good of those who love GOD who have been called according to GODS purpose. All things work. Imagine all the parts of an engine laying on the ground. You know they came from the same engine but they are disassembled. Sometimes just knowing they will fit gives us a bit of confidence to keep working on it. We do not quit because we know in the end it will work out. And so it is with the puzzle of life. As we continue loving and living GOD helps to put together all the parts of our spiritual engine and puzzle. How does GOD do it we a times wonder.

In response to that the text goes on to say that nothing can separate us from the love of GOD. We find that we are more than conquerors through GOD who loves us. Things work together. As you go and grow through this day and Lenten season, may you can greater insight into how all you have been through has helped to equip you for where you are going to. GOD is constantly working on our behalf and it would be premature to let one experience derail our overall progress. Langston Hughes once wrote, “Hold fast to dreams for when dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly”. In that same way I say hold on to your love for GOD, for nothing can separate GODS love for you.

PRAYER: LORD strengthen us when the pieces of our life look like they don’t fit. Help us to not grow weary in well doing even when there is no confirmation that we are having any effect. Heal our brokenness born from disappointment and despair. Thank you for your never failing love. AMEN

Point to Ponder: What is your greatest challenge? Are there any pieces of your life that you have chosen to forget and leave behind? Is now the time to ask GOD to show you how it fits into the whole of who you are.

Additional Scriptures:

Psalm 107

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+107&version=NIV

Jeremiah 23:1-8

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+23%3A1-8&version=NIV

Dreams

Langston Hughes, 1902 – 1967

Hold fast to dreams 
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.