“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:17)
Does the risk outweigh the cost? We all take risks throughout the day. Getting to work we might drive our cars or even ride a bike. We take a risk in believing other drivers are paying attention to the road and are safe. We take a risk when we apply for job. The risk is either we are going to be able to get the job or not. When someone asks how we are doing? We take a risk in being vulnerable if we answer truthfully and we allow the opportunity for them to get to know us. The risk is still out there how our response will be received. If it is received well, then we can possibly openly communicate with this person. If it is not received well the possible relationship ends in heartbreak and disappointment. Every day we take risks some are major while others we do without thinking. Does the risk outweigh the cost choosing. Not taking the risks can be harmful for us choosing not to apply for job and not make adequate income can lead us into not taking care of our basic need’s food, shelter, utilities, and transportation. If what we are risking does not allow us to take care of these four areas of our lives, then it does not outweigh the cost, and we should instead choose something else that would benefit us. There are several simple ways we can figure out if what we are doing is worth the risk. We should also seek to ensure that the risk does not cause harm to ourselves or others if it causes harm, then we should not do it. To figure out if we should do it, we can seek guidance from wise counsel like a pastor, a counselor, or even a mentor. They can weigh in on our situation and see if it is worth the risk. We can pray over the situation. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for what we should do in the situation. We can take time to fast and pray wait to hear clear direction from God. The right decision on what to do will come to you for your major decisions. Praying, Stacy Watkins
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“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is fierce in wrath. The Lord takes vengeance against his foes; he is furious with his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished.” (Nahum 1:2-3)
This verse can be kind of daunting the beginning is all about how God is a jealous God and will take vengeance on his enemies. However, if we believe in Jesus, we can look at this verse in a different light we can have comfort that God will avenge us. When I was in high school someone did something that was very hurtful and did not sit well with me. I have thought of all the ways I could hurt this person and get vengeance. I wanted this person to suffer as much as I had and buried eight feet under. The only thing I wanted to focus on is hurting them because of what they had done. This kind of thinking is not healthy and not helpful. The Bible constantly reminds us that vengeance does not belong to us but God. God says “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay. In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” (Deuteronomy 32:35) God will not leave the guilty unpunished for their crimes. Instead of seeking vengeance for those who have hurt us we can pray for them to make better choices, know Jesus, and even work towards reconciliation if possible. God knows all and sees all. True justice comes from him since he knows what is just and fair. If you have been harmed by someone pray for them. Trust God has seen what has happened and will act on it how he seems fit. He will enact justice in his perfect timing. Keep doing what is right and do not take vengeance in your own hands. Praying for you, Stacy Watkins Your arrogant heart has deceived you, you who live in clefts of the rock in your home on the heights, who say to yourself, “Who can bring me down to the ground”
It is way too easy to succumb to pride. To think that we are better than anyone else, we deserve something because of who we are, and even thinking that we are invincible no one can touch us. We never really know when we are struggling with pride because at the same time, we might get conflicting messages from friends saying “you do so much you deserve it” inflating each of our egos making us believe that we deserve something. While in the military I did a lot of volunteer work at animal shelters, after school programs, and various activities my superiors wanted me to be recognized as junior sailor of the quarter. I was nominated several times and did not receive the award. By the second time I was nominated I had gotten it in my head that I deserve the award more than anyone because I was the only one who SHOULD be awarded this honor. I had let my ego dictate and say that I deserve to receive recognition, honor, and a plaque. I do not deserve any of it. For it is only through God that I can do the work. It was pride that led me to believe that I should be awarded for the things that I loved doing. The wrong heart that believed that my friends who were also helping the community did not deserve to be recognized for their contributions and only I was worthy. Our hearts can deceive us and led us to believe that we are better than others, deserve more, and invincible. This is deceiving and not true. God is greater than any person on earth. No matter how great we may think we are God is greater. He can bring us down when we are filled with pride. Allow God to search your heart ask for help when needed, show you what your struggles are, and take steps forward to change. Walking with you, Stacy Watt This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true plumb, with a plumb line in his hand.
A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to ensure a structure is centered. It is used to make sure that everything is right, centered, and justified. It does this by finding the vertical axis pointing to the center of gravity. Everyone has their own concept of what is just, right, and even true. So many of us are quick to seek out justice ourselves when things do not go our way. We get angry and shout, break things, and even hurt people thinking that this is a right response. Today’s culture has a lot to say on what is right. The only problem with this is what was right at one time may no longer be considered right. Our concept changes over time when it comes to justice. Many laws are written by groups of people with different beliefs, backgrounds, educational degrees. Many of us are taught right from wrong but, it is based on how we each grew up, from mentors, parental figures, and those who influenced us. George Neumark wrote “If you but trust in God to guide you and place your confidence in Him, you’ll find Him always there beside you to give you hope and strength within; for those who trust God’s changeless love build on the rock that will not move” from the song If you but trust in God to Guide You. There are many different things today that we can look to for guidance for on what is right and even just. However, it is not true justice it wavers from time to time. God’s justice scale is true and perfect for he knows exactly what justice is, he knows people’s circumstances, their hearts, and his love never changes towards us. Though you may want to seek out justice for whatever wrong that has happened to you trust in God to continue to guide you through your situation. Praying, Stacy Watt “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!”
Every day we are faced with decisions to make. What time to get up. What are we going to eat for the day? What activities we are going to do for the day. Some decisions are harder than others for example the decision to make our bed in the morning after getting up compared to what job to apply for. The decisions that we make come with consequences if I don’t make my bed in the morning then later when I come home not only will the bed be unmade but, chores will probably not be done. If I apply for the job, I might get it and make more money. The harder decisions we do not have to make on our own we can ask trusted friends, seek a counselor or pastor, or even ask a mentor what the wisest decision would be to make when facing a difficult decision. We can even pray and listen to the Holy Spirit to guide us into the right decision. The harder decisions can have lasting consequences drinking and driving, staying out late and missing work, or even hanging out with the wrong crowd. These decisions can cost us more than just a few moments in the here and now. They can also have lasting effects on our future and make some other decisions a little more tough. Though they may be challenging to make take time to think about them and come to the decision that is healthy and right for you. Praying, Stacy Watt “And in the place where they were told: You are not my people, they will be called: Sons of the living God,” Relationships can be difficult and often challenging to maintain. Many of us have friends that we no longer talk to or spend time with. Family members because of our life choices that are not good for us stop talking to us. The choices that we make can strain relationships pushing them to the point of nonexistence. The people closest to us, our own family, can decide that they no longer want to be around us or even that we do not belong apart of the family anymore. We have heard tragic words of “You are dead to me” or even “You are no longer my son or daughter.” Leaving many of us abandoned and alone and even feeling unloved. Places can remind us of broken relationships the pain and the hurt that we once felt being torn from relationships that we once held dear to us in our hearts. For many of us we can avoid these places for years. The pain of returning can sometimes be unbearable. However, the same place can bring redemption. God takes the places that can bring us anguish and heartache and instead can bring redemption. Although, family and friends may turn their backs on us and say “we are no longer family” or even “You are dead to me” there is a God who says that you are his son and daughter. There is a God who loves you even when you are reminded that those who are supposed to be closest to you blood relatives want nothing to do with you. God sees you and loves you declaring that you are his child and will never leave you. Praying, Stacy Watt “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
We each have a job to do many times we can think that the job that we have is not important by saying “I am just…” or “I just do …” since what we do does not include a fancy title or are not famous. We can think that we are limited in our abilities because of the tasks that we are assigned. Often, we do not think that the task we are assigned can be an opportunity to bring someone joy or learn new habits and grow. Each person has a task to do which contributes to the overall goal of the company or organization no job is more important than the other for each has a different opportunity to influence people. We may work as a janitor at a hospital, but we can also brighten a patients’ day by greeting them and having a conversation with them. We may work as a dog walker but, may also at the same time be helping a family not feel stressed about leaving their dog home alone, you may be a gardener but, are truly helping an elderly person keep up with their yard when they cannot. The work we do is not “I am just…” but is our world of influence. Everyday there are several people we encounter at our jobs that we can influence. Our jobs are not just a place of employment but, a place to influence others and grow. The job we have may not be glorious but, every task that we are given we can influence the people around us and create a better environment. Praying Stacy Watt “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high”
Jesus Waiting is never fun. It seems like we are always waiting for something. Waiting for clothes to dry. If you are at the doctor’s office, you arrive early just to wait in the lobby. We wait to hear responses if we got a job or not. Life is full of waiting. Jesus told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high. His wait did not include a timeframe which makes it even harder. I love to plan things I love planners and have dates set ahead of time. Unfortunately, this is not how God works he does not give the timeline but tells us just to wait. I often think about this time of waiting for the apostles their savior had just died and ascended into heaven and they are unsure of what to do next but, he tells them to wait. I would have gotten restless and wanted to formulate my own plan or even left and came back. They were waiting for the promise from the Father. When the day of Pentecost arrived, their wait was finally over the Holy Spirit descended on them. Their wait was for something they needed and could not afford not to have. The things they were going to do they could not have done by their own strength they needed to be clothed with the Holy Spirit to speak boldly, heal the lame, speak truth, cast out demons, and even change from wrongful paths. When we decide to follow Jesus, he gives us the same gift the Holy Spirit. He enables to speak hard truths to a friend out of love, be bold and apply for a job when we have no prior experience, ask for help when we feel ashamed, and even take the first steps toward changing from harmful behaviors. Jesus knew for many of us today we are not able to do these in our own strengths we need help from someone who is stronger than us. He is there to guide, comfort, advocate, counsel, encourage, motivate, help, and change you. You do not have to do it alone. Praying for you, Stacy Watt Scripture: Isaiah 58, Matthew 6:1-18; 9:14-17, Acts 13:1-3
Types of Fasting (feel free to replace food with anything that will cost you comfort or pleasure):
Biblical Examples of Fasting
Suggested Reading:
Will you commit to fasting between now and Easter Sunday? Step 1 – Why Fast? Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal? For guidance? For healing? For the resolution of problems? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify what He wants you to take away from this time. “One of the greatest spiritual benefits of fasting is becoming more attentive to God – becoming more aware of our own inadequacies and His adequacy, our own contingencies and His self-sufficiency – and listening to what He wants us to be and do.” - Elmer Towns Step 2 – Commit How long will you fast? What will you fast? How will you increase your time with God? How much time will you devote to pray and God’s Word? Step 3 – Accountability Who do you trust? Tell them about your fast, not to brag, but so they can hold you accountable. Give them permission to check in with you and see how the fast is going. Your Fasting Plan Write it down:
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus Those are probably the most powerful words spoken by Jesus from the cross. They are also some of the words we might be able to most relate to. I know Job felt it, David felt it, and I know there are times I have felt it – abandoned or forsaken by God. But, how can that be? How can we feel that way when Jesus came to die on the cross for us? It just shouldn’t be! We typically feel that way when we experience or witness innocent suffering, when we or someone we know is the victim. It is in those painful moments we want to know why. Why did God allow that happen? Even if He didn’t cause it, He certainly could have stopped it? It is that inaction that often leaves us saying the same thing Jesus said – why have you forsaken me? I can understand our anger and frustration over the pain we often suffer as an innocent human, but to hear Jesus express those words is mind blowing to me. Then I realize Jesus, while divine, was also human. He had experienced the comforting presence of angels and the encouraging moments with His Father. He knew, better than we do, what His Father is capable of. Yet, His Father didn’t act. The Father didn’t spare Him the pain or the death of the cross. In that very hard reality we don’t have answers for our suffering but we have a God who suffers with us, who has joined us in our “victimization.” God isn’t watching from a distance, He is with us and angry right along with us. He too says, this isn’t how it is supposed to be! What we have to remember is the while the Cross is where we see the innocent One suffer and die while the Father doesn’t stop it, it is also the place where God the Father is making it right. It is a place for us to leave our anger and frustration, a place for us to let our pain die, and the place where we can see God is with us. Then when we are ready to let go and move with Jesus to the resurrection we can find new life and a new future. So, are you feeling like Jesus – forsaken and abandoned by God? Let’s God know about it. He can take our complaints. He will listen to our laments. But, don’t get mad and walk away, realize that He is with you in it. He is at working making all things new, making all things right. He did it with Jesus and He will do it with us. Hope is alive. Trusting in Jesus, Pastor Matt |
AuthorPastor Matt Huff leads Portland Central Nazarene Church. He loves being in ministry and seeing lives transformed by the power of Christ. Archives
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