Archives

Chaplain’s Corner – Bearing Fruit

May25

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you” (John 15:16).

As believers, we are called to bear fruit. The word “bear” can have a couple of meanings, even in this context. The word “bear” can mean “produce” or it can mean “bring” or “carry.” Either way, we know that it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can produce or bring fruit.

If we are bringing fruit, we must have gotten it somewhere. Since it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to bring the fruit, where did He get it? The answer is that the fruit comes from God, who creates everything.

When we attempt to describe God, we are trying to understand the “doctrine” or “attributes” or “characteristics” of God. Some of these characteristics are divine and incommunicable, meaning that they are shared only by the Trinity. Only God can be omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (always everywhere), and omnipotent (all-powerful).

There are other characteristics that God shares with his people because we are made in his image. These are his communicable attributes. Many of these are also fruits of the Spirit, meaning that when we as believers bear these types of fruit, we are bearing the image of God to those we meet.

The Bible lists nine fruits of the Spirit, so we are going to explore these, first examining how God exhibits each characteristic, then how we as his people can produce it in our lives to carry to others. The nine fruits are: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Understanding how God displays these characteristics will help us to know Him better and will help us to know how to please Him. It is so important to realize that while we might exhibit some of these qualities or characteristics on our own, the results will not ultimately be pleasing to God unless the Holy Spirit has empowered us, and we have dedicated the results to pleasing God.

For example, I could be the most self-controlled person on the planet. I could have a consistent daily schedule, never over-indulge in bad things, and never lose my temper—all characteristics of self-control. However, if I am not empowered by the Holy Spirit and dedicating the results to pleasing God, then what does any of that matter? And I would eventually wear out and “fall off the wagon” of self-control, because we know that our own power eventually runs out. Something would finally frustrate me or tempt me beyond my power to deal with.

Fruit on its own, disconnected from the branch and unused, will not last forever. Its value is in being consumed, in nourishing the one who eats it. The only way fruit will last forever is when its seed is planted and cultivated. Then it becomes like the plant that produced it in the first place. Therefore, fruit is more about what we do, and the tree is more about who God is. God is Love. When we plant seeds of love, love flourishes and becomes like God from which it came.

We need the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit to sustain us indefinitely. Everyone knows you do not grow an apple by stapling it to a tree. The fruit must be organically attached to the branch, which must be attached to the trunk or vine, so that the life can extend through the root to the fruit. It is impossible to effectively display all these fruits of the spirit– to carry them forward and exhibit them to others–unless we are abiding in Jesus.

How do we get the life-giving power we need? Jesus said, abide in me and you will bear much fruit. In the coming weeks, we will look at each of these characteristics of God/fruits of the Spirit. In the meantime, let us focus on abiding in Jesus, remaining in His presence through the Scriptures and prayer.

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Breathing

May18

“The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

One of the most sacred times I have ever experienced was when my precious grandmother passed away. She was eighty-six years old and had been an invalid for nearly ten years. Her daughters, including my mother, had cared for her during that time. I do not remember the situation that brought Grandmother to the hospital, but Mom called and said I had better get there if I wanted to see her before she died. I arrived and gathered with my family around this saintly woman who had mothered us all so well. She was unconscious and breathing shallowly. Her breaths became slower and slower until we realized that she had breathed her final breath, and she passed from this life into her eternal dwelling place with her Father in Heaven.

Every breath of her life, from her first in 1906 to her last in 1992 had been ordained by God.

I recalled this memory during worship service this past week as we sang the great worship song, “Great Are You Lord.”

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only.

I have long been intrigued by how God uses such ordinary functions in such extraordinary ways. He spoke Creation into existence. He breathed life into our bodies. Breathing is essential to life. Breathing is an autonomous function, meaning that you do not have to make a conscious effort to do it. You must think about eating and drinking, but breathing is automatic. We can only control our breathing to a degree. I used to be able to hold my breath long enough to swim a lap in a regular-sized pool. But at some point, our body will take over and force us to breathe (even if we are underwater).

We are alive because God breathed life into us. Only The Creator can give life:

  • “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
  • “This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it” (Isaiah 42:5).
  • “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:24).

God ordains the very duration of our lives:

  • “When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust” (Psalm 104:29).

God’s power is displayed by his breath:

  • “I will pour out my wrath on you and breathe out my fiery anger against you; I will deliver you into the hands of brutal men, men skilled in destruction” (Ezekiel 21:31).
  • “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life” (Ezekiel 37:5).
  • “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, with His breath he gave them the Holy Spirit:

  • “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven’” (John 20:21-23).

The Bible is God’s Word to us, written by people who were inspired by God’s very breath:

  • “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Foundational to our faith is knowing God and His attributes and understanding how we are related to Him. Just as our bodies belong to God, so does our very breath. He owns it all. And even more amazingly, He has given us the choice of how to use our breath. Just as God’s breath is powerful, so can our breath be powerful when we use it the right way. Let us not take breathing for granted. Let us give thanks to God and pray to commit our very breath to glorify our Father in heaven and His purposes here on earth.

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Trying

May11

“…try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10 ESV).

Isn’t it funny how you can read a passage many times, and each time you pick up on something different? I have been reading in Ephesians this month. It is one of my favorite books in the Bible (you may note that I say this about nearly every book that I am reading at the time). This time I noticed the word “try.” As an ambitious career person, I learned never to say “try,” as in “I’ll try.” As compared to “I’ll take care of it,” or “I’ll do my best,” using the word “try” implied some caginess, perhaps allowing for wiggle room, and in general did not sound like true commitment.

So, is that how we should interpret this passage? I decided to investigate this passage in other translations. Here are a few:

  • “Therefore, test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord.” (CEB) 
  • “…discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.” (HCSB)
  • “…proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (KJV)
  • “Learn as you go along what pleases the Lord.” (TLB)
  • “…as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” (NASB)
  • “…and find out what pleases the Lord.” (NIV)
  • “…finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” (NKJV)

What I found in common with all these passages is the necessity for action. All these versions use active rather than passive verbs: test, discern, prove, learn, find out. There is an implication that we should take the initiative to learn.

The other thing I found in common was that the object of the action is to please the Lord. Have you ever gone all out to do something for someone, and then they did not seem to appreciate it? It is like that dream of showing up late or for the wrong class. Or, assuming that because you like chocolate, everyone likes chocolate. We cannot know how to please someone unless we get to know them, and unless we understand their expectations.

Paul is writing to the Christians in the Church at Ephesus. He had established the church on one of his missionary journeys, starting with the Jews who worshipped in the local synagogue and then expanding to convert many Gentiles in that cosmopolitan city. It is clear that he loved this diverse congregation. He recognizes that they are growing in their Christian faith, building on many diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and customs to become united as one body in Christ.

Paul teaches many basic Christian concepts in his letter to these new Christians. But he is also teaching them how to learn for themselves. In a famous metaphor, he is not only giving them fish for their supper, but also teaching them to fish for themselves. He is telling them not to make assumptions based on their past experiences, and he is encouraging them to ensure that what they learn and put into practice will be for one singular purpose—to please the Lord.

Not only does Paul emphasize our purpose in taking action to learn what is pleasing to the Lord, he also provides a sense of urgency:

“Be very careful, then, how you will live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-21)

If you are looking for a place to start to “try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord,” I can think of no better book to read than Ephesians. It is true, it is proven, it is comprehensive, it is the inspired Word of God, written down by Paul in a very practical style. I really like how The Message translates Ephesians 5:10:

“You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So, no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.” (MSG)

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Remembering

May4

Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

The Reader’s Digest had an article on Memory recently which said that our memories are not as accurate as we think they are. This is an excerpt:

A revealing study by research psychologists Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris asked people simple questions about memory and then compared their answers with those of experts in memory research. The results show how far removed from reality the public’s beliefs about memory are. For instance, to the question “Is there a ‘video camera’ in your head?” 63 percent of people surveyed strongly agreed or mostly agreed that human memory “works like a video camera, accurately recording the events we see and hear so that we can review and inspect them later.” None of the experts—ZERO percent—strongly agreed or mostly agreed that memory works like a video camera. (From the January 2021 issue “Here’s How Your Memory Really Works”)

We can rewrite our memories in all kinds of ways. This makes sense. I have long been concerned about my memory because of my experiences with my own parents. My family has often commented on my dad’s ability to rewrite history. We all seem to have a different recollection of how certain things went down, and I have often wondered who is right. And my mother, bless her heart, suffered from dementia for many years before her passing. She just did not remember.

The ability to remember seems to be especially important to most of us, even though some of our memories are painful. The same Reader’s Digest article says this: “How important is your ability to remember the past and to draw on it to inform your next move? I’ll answer for you: It’s right up there with breathing and eating.”

An article from Harvard Medical School confirms this and goes on to say: “What causes some people to lose their memory while others stay sharp as a tack? Genes play a role, but so do choices. Proven ways to protect memory include following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check. Living a mentally active life is important, too. Just as muscles grow stronger with use, mental exercise helps keep mental skills and memory in tone.”

As is my usual practice, I went to the Bible to see what the Scriptures say about our memory, specifically the act of remembering.

Sometimes when the Bible says that God remembers, it does not mean that he ever forgot. It just means that it is now the right time to bring the matter to the forefront. Timing can be everything, such as

  • But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. (Genesis 8:1)
  • Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. (Exodus 6:5)

Remembering what God has done for his people in the past can give us hope for the future. Thankfully, we have the Bible to prompt our memory.

  • I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:19-23)
  • Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. (1 Chron 16:11-13)
  • I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. (Psalm 77:11)
  • They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. (Psalm 78:35)

If it is something important, then we should write it down.

  • Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” (Exodus 17:4)

Remembering is often a call to action:

  • Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Establish habits and regular actions to help us remember properly. (Exodus 20:8)
  • Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (Deuteronomy 8:2)
  • Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives, and your homes. (Nehemiah 4:14)
  • Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)

Reflecting, remembering, recalling God’s Word to us is vital in strengthening our faith and encouraging our obedience.

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. (Isaiah 46:9)

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Easter Is Not Over!

Apr27

“Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!” 1 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message)

As believers, we thrill to worship our risen Savior on Easter Sunday. And then, it is quickly back to “normal.” But when I really meditate on Easter, I realize that this is when I should be celebrating New Year’s, because Christ’s resurrection is what makes our new creations essential, our eternal lives possible, our place in the Kingdom of God real.

One of the reasons we do not experience the Kingdom of God as fully as we could or should is fear. Let’s face it, fear is the most frequent problem experienced by humanity, according to Rick Warren in his April Daily Hope Devotions, and because of that it is a common theme in the Bible. Rare indeed is the person who is not afraid of something, whether it is real or imagined. When I was young, I was deathly afraid of quicksand. (I know that is just weird; I attribute it to watching Westerns with my dad.) I was also a little afraid of my dad because he was the “enforcer” at our house. Mom always warned us to “just wait until your Daddy gets home.” I loved him, and I did not want to disappoint him. Now, one of my fears is disappointing others, and along with that a fear that they will not approve of me. Those are two different fears, by the way: the first one is more about my concern for others, and the other is more about my concern for myself.

“Do not be afraid” is mentioned 365 times in the Bible. Speaking of Easter, when the women went to the tomb on Sunday morning and found the tomb empty, the angel told them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, he has risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:5-6). And then when the women left to tell his disciples, Jesus himself appeared to them and said, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go through Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10).

Why were the women warned repeatedly about their fear? He who knows everything knew that they were afraid. But of what?

  1. They perhaps had been afraid that Jesus was not the Messiah after all.

But now, they had no reason to doubt or fear because here is Jesus, the resurrected Christ. “(Jesus) was declared with power to be the son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 1:4). Jesus is the son of God, He resides in our hearts, and “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).

  • Perhaps they had been afraid that if Jesus were not Messiah after all, that he–and they–would not have that glorious eternal life in heaven he had promised; that this mean existence was all there was.

But now, they knew that his promises of eternal life were real, “because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence” (2 Corinthians 4:14). And we have this same promise. This life is not all there is, and we do not need to fear death. We can look forward to eternal life in heaven with Jesus.

  • Perhaps they were afraid and grieving the loss of a beloved friend. They had spent three years getting to know him, and now his absence would leave a big hole in their lives.

But now, they knew that this beloved friend and Savior was restored to them. And we also know that Jesus loves us extravagantly and remains near to us. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Even when it seems like everyone is against us, we have his promise: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

  • Perhaps they just did not know what to do next. When Jesus was alive, they were following his lead. With his death, they feared the loss of their leader and lack of direction. They did not know who to go to with their fears and needs.

But now, their leader had returned, and they trusted that he would continue to guide them. “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

In this new year, let us resolve to live in the power of our risen Savior who has defeated the enemy once and for all. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2).

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Responsive Hearts, Step 5

Apr20

“Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life “(Mark 6:4).

I was blessed to have had parents who faithfully made church attendance a regular part of our lives. As such, I attended many worship services and was witness to many baptisms, which in the case of our church were immersions. I remember thinking how important Timothy’s mother Eunice was, because our preacher always mentioned her during baptisms. Each time he would raise someone out of the water, he would proclaim, “Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in ‘Eunice’ of life!”

I was relieved to finally solve the mystery of “Eunice,” to learn that the correct word was “newness.” I am continually awed to know that God can transform us, to make us new creatures. Only God is the Creator. Only God can make us new through the saving work of his son, Jesus, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. This verse is especially fitting for this week following Easter when we just celebrated the Resurrection. It is because of Christ’s work on the cross that we can be cleansed of our sin. The cross symbolizes death to sin, and death to death, so that we are free to live our Redeemed Lives in Christ forever.

This Lenten season we have been focusing on the heart, which we define biblically as “the ‘basket’ term for our mind, our will, our emotions, and our conscience.” We are describing the pathway by which our hearts respond and therefore change from rebellious to renewed.

The first step on the pathway is recognition, which means that we see our sin the way God sees our sin. Only God’s viewpoint is total objective as He is the standard of true righteousness.

The second step on the pathway is responsibility, a broken and contrite heart.

The third step on the pathway is regeneration, the act of the Holy Spirit transforming our hearts.

The fourth step on the pathway is repentance, turning away from sin and (re)turning to God.

The fifth and final step on the pathway is renewal.

Renewal is the objective, our destination. All the other steps are the means to achieve the objective. The goal of a responsive heart is restored relationship, renewed to something even better than before.  When Adam and Eve sinned, they lost their intimate relationship with God. They were banished from the Garden of Eden, and their relationship was broken.

God sent his Son, Jesus, to reconcile us back to him. Not by obeying the law, because none of us is righteous enough to be perfectly obedient. It is only through the perfect righteousness of Jesus, who paid the ultimate price of death on the cross, that we can be restored to our former relationship with God.

How can we be sure that God wants this restored relationship? He tells us in Ezekiel 36:22 that it is ultimately for His sake: “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.”

How can we know we are reconciled to God? When we hate our sin; when we hate what God hates and love what God loves. If we have a new heart, we have a new life. David has the nerve to ask for joy in Psalm 51. Where does that joy come from? From a renewed heart with God. “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

Paul speaks to us about our renewed hearts:

  • “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).
  • “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed” (Romans 6:17).
  • “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2).
  • “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The point of all these five weeks of devotions about our responsive hearts is to melt our hearts with the love of God for us. My prayer for you is that you will recognize and own your sin, that you will submit to God’s call on your heart and repent, turning to God. The first time you take these steps you are on the pathway. Daily, walk, confess, repenting, stay in God’s Word, and pray. In this way you are renewed and will continue to renew and strengthen your relationship with God, his son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. In this way you will walk with Jesus both now and forevermore.

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – The Prayer of a Desperate Heart

Apr13

“Abba, Father, he cried out, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Mark 14:36).

Have you ever been desperate for something? Are you desperate right now? Perhaps it is for healing for yourself or for a loved one. Perhaps it is for someone you know to receive Christ. Perhaps it is for reconciliation with a loved one, or a new home, or freedom from addiction. I imagine that many of you are desperate for something. I know I am.

We are in the middle of Holy Week. You probably know what this means. Holy Week replaces Passover Week in the Christian calendar. Passover represents a desperate time in Jewish history. The Israelites desperately wanted their freedom from the Egyptians, and God delivered them by sending the angel of death to the firstborn of every home, but the angel of death would pass over all the homes that had the blood of a lamb smeared over the door. (Exodus 11-12)

Jesus was in Jerusalem that week to celebrate the first Passover, and to become the sacrificial lamb himself. As divine, he knew his role. As man, he desperately wanted to avoid the pain and suffering he was sure to incur during his arrest, “trial,” and execution. We know this because of his desperate prayer on the cross “Abba, Father, he cried out, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”  To be sure, Jesus did not want the horrific physical pain he was going through, but even more, Jesus desperately wanted to avoid the hell of having God turn His face away from him.

Jesus gave us the Lord’s prayer as a model to follow. And it is a good one for our daily prayers. On the cross, Jesus gave us another model, a prayer for when we are desperate. 

1. Abba, Father, he cried out, everything is possible for you. We acknowledge the sovereignty of God and his perfect character. God is Great. God is Good.

2. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. We pray with all our hearts for what we need.

3. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. We commit ourselves to God whatever His answer.

A biblical example of a woman with a desperate heart is found in 1 Samuel, chapter 1.  Hannah was the wife of Elkanah, and by some measure, she had everything a woman in 1050 BC could have wanted. She had a husband with some standing, he was devout, and he loved her like crazy. But Hannah had to share this man with a rival wife, Peninnah.

Peninnah, the rival wife, had a bunch of children, but Hannah had not been able to have any children. We see from this passage that Peninnah was not gracious about it. “Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her” (1 Samuel 1:6). And in that culture, fertility was a sign of God’s favor. Peninnah probably gloated that she was in God’s favor and Hannah was not. Oh, how desperate was Hannah! Hannah was barren—the Lord had closed her womb. Their annual excursion to Shiloh was a source of grief, increased pain, even cruelty, year after year. Grieving her own lack of children, Hannah had a desperate heart. And note that just because Hannah was sad did not mean that she wasn’t a woman of faith. Nothing in biblical faith makes sad things not sad.

What did Hannah do? She prayed to God. I want you to realize how significant this was in her day. She was a woman in the house of God. A woman was the property of her husband. She probably should have asked Elkanah to go to the priest to pray for her. Yet she prayed directly to God. Why? Because she was so desperate. Total despair is where the Lord’s power can manifest itself. God brings good things out of nothing–out of our need, out of our desperation.

So, Hannah was in the sanctuary. This is where she takes refuge from the harassment of her rival wife and from her pain. And how does she go? In a weeping mess. “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly” (1 Samuel 1:10). Why does she do this? Because her faith is strong! Faith is not the strength of our hearts; it is the collapse of our hearts.

We live in a culture of covering up, not collapsing. The quicker you can cover up, you show you have it going on, right? But remember the prostitute at Jesus’ feet, the blind man by the road, the paralytic man on the roof, Jesus himself at the tomb of Lazarus. There are so many songs of lament in the Psalms, songs born of grief, pain, and tears. Psalm 56:8 tells us You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Our desperation is important to God.

Hannah is confident that she matters to God. It is not that she sees her barrenness and praises God anyway. We see in 1 Samuel 1:11 that she is using the same model for prayer that Jesus used on the cross.

“And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.’” She praises the Lord, she begs him for a son, and she commits her child to God.

1. Lord Almighty… She acknowledged the sovereignty of God and his perfect character. God is Great. God is Good.

2. …if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son…  She prayed with all her heart for what she desired.

3. …I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head. She committed her son to God.

This is not the end of the story. Once she prays, she gets up and her face is no longer downcast. She does not know the answer—it is not that the prayer was answered; it is that the prayer was offered. She gave her desperation to God. Her faith is in his character and not in his answer. She knows God is able to do anything, and she knows that he will do the good thing.

We read on to find that her prayers are answered. She has a son, and when he is three years old, she follows through on her commitment to give Samuel back to the Lord. She literally took her three-year-old son to Shiloh to be raised in the temple by the priests for God’s service. This is commitment to his will. She understands that everything she has belongs to the LORD. Hannah prays a model prayer she, she makes good on her commitment to God, and she praises the giver of all good gifts. “Then Hannah prayed and said: ‘My heart rejoices in the Lord….’” (1 Samuel 2:1)

Footnote: Hannah probably never knew that her son played a key role in the Old Testament. Samuel served as a major Old Testament transition figure as the last judge and the first prophet after Moses. God used him as a kingmaker to anoint first King Saul, and then King David, who is the direct ancestor of our Savior, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Just as Hannah probably did not know, we also may never know the long-term impact of our prayers, our commitments, and our obedience.

“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” (Romans 8:28).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Responsive Hearts, Step 4

Apr6

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17).

This Lenten season we have been focusing on the heart, which we define biblically as “the ‘basket’ term for our mind, our will, our emotions, and our conscience.” We are preparing our hearts for celebrating Easter. In the first devotional in this series, on March 2, we meditated on Psalm 103 to learn more about the heart of God. David was a man after God’s own heart, and we would strive to be the same.

We are describing the pathway by which our hearts respond and therefore change from rebellious to renewed during the remainder of these Lenten devotionals.

The first step on the pathway is recognition, which means that we see our sin the way God sees our sin. Only God’s viewpoint is total objective as He is the standard of true righteousness.

The second step on the pathway is responsibility, a broken and contrite heart.

The third step on the pathway is regeneration, a work of the Holy Spirit.

The fourth step is repentance. The definition of repentance is turning away from sin and (re)turning to God.

I never did any military drills, but I was in my high school marching band. I enjoyed marching and it was especially fun to perform an about-face. We would be marching at full speed down the football field, then when our left foot would hit the mark, we would abruptly spin around to begin marching in the opposite direction, without missing a beat. This is how I picture the act of repentance.

When Jesus began his ministry, following his baptism and forty days in the wilderness, his first words were “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  We have talked about recognizing and owning our sin. Our sin is actual treason against God, a rejection of God. David understood that he committed spiritual adultery before he committed sexual adultery. David did not lose the joy of his salvation because he sinned. He sinned because he had already lost the joy of his salvation.

When we have worldly sorrow for our sin, we run away from God. When we have Godly sorrow for our sin, we go running to him. We are the answer for worldly sorry, but God is the answer for Godly sorrow. God’s love is the cause of repentance; our repentance is never the cause of God’s love. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4.)

Repentance is a change of mind leading to a change in action. However, our hearts will not naturally take this action. We cannot turn to God unless he has regenerated, or transformed, our hearts. We must cry out to God like David did, taking responsibility for our sin, to experience the life-giving transformation of our hearts that leads us to repentance. Repentant hearts hate sin as much as God does. Repentance does not mean that we will not sin again, but when we stay close to God through prayer and reading the Bible, our hearts stay open to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that it is truly easier to avoid sin. However, when we do sin, we are quickly convicted to recognize, confess, and repent of our sin, returning to Christ.

David, even though he was a man after God’s own heart, was not sinless. Neither are we. So, what do we do when we find ourselves in sin? We do what David did: we repent. We pray for conviction of our sin so that we can repent and change. One of the most soul-searching passages in the Bible is Psalm 51, which David wrote after Nathan confronted him with his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband.

1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

5 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

As you meditate on this Psalm of David, pray for conviction and repentance, with the confidence that God will have mercy according to His unfailing love.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2)

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Responsive Hearts, Step 3

Mar30

“Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10).

This Lenten season we have been focusing on the heart, which we define biblically as “the ‘basket’ term for our mind, our will, our emotions, and our conscience.” We are describing the pathway by which our hearts respond and therefore change from rebellious to renewed during the remainder of these Lenten devotionals.

The first step on the pathway is recognition, which means that we see our sin the way God sees our sin. Only God’s viewpoint is totally objective as He is the standard of true righteousness.

The second step on the pathway is responsibility, a broken and contrite heart.

The third step on the pathway is regeneration.

What a gift is regeneration! Our knowledge of sin and our remorseful and broken hearts move us toward God, but we are not able to progress along the path to salvation unless God changes our hearts. Only God can transform our hearts. Scriptures provide several passages about the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

  • God tells Ezekiel (36:26-27): “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
  • Jesus told Nicodemus, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘Youmust be born again.’” (John 3:5-7).
  • And Paul told the Corinthians, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So, what are we to do? When we recognize our sin and our responsibility for our sin, then we pray like David did when he realized his responsibility for his own sin:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:1-2, 10

Regeneration of our hearts–an act of the Holy Spirit–is essential to our sanctification. And our ongoing examination of our hearts, recognizing our sin for what it is and owning it, is also essential to our sanctification. The Holy Spirit cleanses us and makes us a new creation in Christ, and our response to the work He does in us is to daily confess our sins and walk in obedience to His Word.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Responsive Hearts, Step 2

Mar23

“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8).

This Lenten season we have been focusing on the heart, which we define biblically as “the ‘basket’ term for our mind, our will, our emotions, and our conscience.” We are describing the pathway by which our hearts respond and therefore change from rebellious to renewed during the remainder of these Lenten devotionals.

The first step on the pathway is recognition, which means that we see our sin the way God sees our sin. Only God’s viewpoint is totally objective as He is the standard of true righteousness.

The second step on the pathway is responsibility.

Have you ever noticed when someone at a prominent level apologizes for something that went wrong—they say something like “Mistakes were made”? That is NOT an apology. That is not an admission of any personal responsibility.

  • Remember what Adam said when God confronted him about the apple: “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree.”
  • Remember what Aaron said when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai to find the Israelites worshipping a golden calf? Read Exodus 32:17-24 for a sadly amusing example of abdicating responsibility for blatant sin. And we are still dealing with the disastrous consequences.

“Maybe we say, I don’t know how that happened, it is so NOT like me!” Well guess what: it is just like you. Jesus tells us In Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”  Our reactions to our environment and circumstances reveal what is in our hearts.

Only a responsible heart will take ownership and therefore be broken because of sin. A broken and contrite spirit goes beyond confessing. Confession is rooted in the knowledge of sin. Contrition is personal responsibility for sin. David had a contrite heart. He wrote in Psalm 51:17 –

“My sacrifice, O God, isa broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”

In the literal sense, contrition means crushing. Have you ever had that realization of the crushing nature of your sin? Can you identify with David when he realizes the truth of Nathan’s charge against him, “You are that man!” Count the personal pronouns in Psalm 51 (I counted 36 times in 19 verses). This psalm was written by a man who took personal responsibility for his sin.

When we blame others, then nothing changes. But when we accept responsibility, we can run to God, begging for his forgiveness, and he will not withhold. This is the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of recognizing and owning our sin. Praise the Lord who is a loving and forgiving God.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

In Christ,

Judy