FreeTruth

Alina was seven years old when the eye doctor she'd had her whole life noticed that her left-eye retina was detached. She'd had issues with this eye since birth. It was stricken with glaucoma congenitally, and was virtually blind from her earliest days. At one, she underwent surgery at the hands of one of the world's best eye surgeons to relieve the pressure and salvage the eye, though not its sight (BTW-pictures of the inside of Alina's eye from that operation have been seen across the world by people attending this doctor's lectures on eye surgery. Undoubtedly, the inside of Alina's eye is one of the most famous eye insides in the world!).

But as if blindness in the eye was not trial enough this new report in her seventh year was not good. A detached retina leads to screaming pain, the only remedy for which is removal of the eye and the implanting of an artificial eye, a trial on top of her other trials that we simply longed that she would not need to bear.

She was sent to the Wills Eye Institute in Philly, where surgeons tried to laser-rivet the retina back in place just to keep it there so it would not cause any more problems or pain. But a week after surgery when we followed up at the doctors, they grieved to report that the surgery had not worked. The retina was still detached, and they did not have any real clue what to do next. They told us to return in a week and they would give us any options they might suggest.

We'd been praying all along, as had hundreds of friends, family, and perfect strangers (who loved and trusted the same Savior we did). So we prayed on for God to save Alina's eye. Seven days later we returned to Wills Eye and awaited the doctors' advice. They took her in, examined her eye, and then hurried out to tell us what they had found: the retina was re-attached. That's right: that which was humanly, naturally and physically impossible and therefore unheard of, had happened. The retina had returned to where it belonged "on its own" and there it has stayed to this day.

In this case our doctors were humble and honest enough to say, and they do to this very hour, that they have no explanation for what happened except that it had to be a miracle. It was God. Retinas do not re-attach any more than the mute talk or the deaf hear or a dog flies. It just does not and can not happen.

But it did.
Friends this is the hand of God.
God is; God cares; God moves; God heals; God saves eyes.

And by the way: God saves souls too. He saves them from hell, from sin, from bondage to fear and drugs and anxiety and depression and anger and soul-hollowing despair. God saves eyes to remind us that He is God and that He is a Savior whose arm is not so short that it cannot deliver (Isaiah 50:2).

I invite you today to come afresh to Him to seek His salvation of your soul from your sin and need, for your joy in your God.

Labels: Blessing, Faith, God's Blessing, Prayer

"Let us tell to coming generations the glorious deeds of our God" (Psalm 78:4).
How God provides!
Morning by morning new mercies we see.

If you want further evidence of this be sure to read Peter and Brooke's testimonies responding to yesterday's post. Then read on here.

One Friday afternoon in the spring of 2000 Gayline and I spent a few minutes discussing our car situation. Once again we are not the type who sit around often talking about such things (it had been years since our last such conversation), but this moment seemed to demand it. You see, we had a Chrysler "K" car, which, as my old readers will remember, was not a particularly stylish make. Besides, our "K" was arKaic (sorry). It was old and it seemed diseased; at least it looked leprous. And of course most of all it was a mechanical mess; we weren't sure how long the old leprous thing would keep running.

So the talk revolved around whether to try to get another car. But how? We could pay cash for one, except that we didn't have the cash. We could pursue a second income, but in doing so we would have to neglect both family and church needs. We could borrow money for one but we really wouldn't have the money to pay it back. We could charge it on a credit card, but we just didn't think it wise to do life that way. We could beg for one, but I wasn't sure how that would reflect on the reputation of my Father above. We could steal one, but I wasn't sure how the morning headline "Local Pastor Caught Hot-wiring BMW" might affect church attendance and community good will. So we decided to pray and wait on the Lord.

We didn't have to wait long. Forty five minutes later the phone rang and on the other end of the line a friend asked if I was home. Since he had called me at home, it made no sense to deny it. He then asked if he could swing by to show me something, to which I of course said yes. Ten minutes later he pulled into the driveway in a car I did not recognize which turned out to be a one year old like new vehicle of which he had taken possession through a business deal.

Getting out he asked me if I thought our family could use a car like this. Unsure of what he was getting at, and inwardly wrestling with how to tell him that no matter how good of a car or deal it might be, we probably would not be able to afford it, I hesitated. "Yes, I'm sure we could," I replied tentatively . He said "Good!" and reaching into his pocket he pulled out the key, placed it in my hand, and said, "It's yours!"

A gift. Free. No costs. No payments.

It turned out that there was another option besides the paying cash, getting-a-second-income-and-neglecting-family-and-church-in-the-process, borrowing, charging it on a credit card, begging from others, or stealing alternatives I'd thought of: God could just give us a car. In fact, God could foresee months in advance the need for a car that we would have that Friday afternoon and long before that day set in motion a business deal for my friend that would end up including a car thrown in, a deal that would end up being closed on this particular Friday so that he would come into possession of the car the very day we were forced to talk about our need for a new one so that he would actually be driving our new car to our house while we were talking about our need for it, so that it could be delivered within 45 minutes of when we discussed that need so that we would have one more opportunity to experience God's jaw-dropping love in action.

"God knows even before we ask," Jesus said (Matthew 6:8). So why ever panic (Matthew 6:25-34)? And why not pray, and then wait and see what God does?

Two questions:

Does God always act so quickly? No, God's children often have to wait what feels painfully long as their Father makes sure not only to provide for their needs but also, in the process, to build their character. Sometimes to teach us patience, God drizzles His blessing over a long period. Other times to teach us awe, He sends a quick downpour! Be thankful for both.

Does God advocate passivity when it comes to our needs? No; if a man will not work neither shall he eat, He inspires His apostle to tell us (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

But here's the truth: if you are a Christian who works as hard as you can at a God-honoring job which He has provided, working with strength that you know comes from Him and which you daily and prayerfully depend on Him to give; and if you work hard without sacrificing time with God or commitment to the other priorities of life (like church and family), making sure never to neglect the kingdom and righteousness of God for the sake of work or physical concerns (Matthew 6:33), and if you still have needs that go beyond what your income can meet, then it's time to pray and wait on God to do His wondrous deeds.

Don't start by thinking about how you can work harder or borrow more or swing a better deal.

Start by asking your heavenly Father, and waiting on the good hand of the One Who provides.

Then, when He does provide, whether it be by drizzle or downpour, be sure to be amazed and grateful and in awe of Him.

And finally be sure to tell this and the coming generations of the wonders done by your God.

Labels: Blessing, Faith, God's Blessing, Prayer

I've only got a short post today because I want to ask for more reflections on yesterday's entry. I'm interested to know what further experiences or insights or questions you may have about living life by faith in the way described yesterday. What do you think/feel about it? Does it raise any concerns? What experiences of remarkable provision have you had?

Let me prime the pump. Awhile back, I had a rare moment in which I actually had a craving for a certain style of shoe, a kind of upgraded moccasin-type look. I mentioned to Gayline that maybe my next pair of shoes could be that style. Within a week someone gave us a bag of hand-me-downs, at the bottom of which was a pair of size twelve shoes, just the size I needed and style I wanted. No one but Gayline and God knew about this desire/need. But clearly even before I asked, God was making provision.

About 4-5 years later when that pair of shoes was worn out I mentioned to Gayline around Christamastime that if the kids wanted to chip in and get me another pair for Christmas, I'd be cool with that. Three days later someone gave us another bag of hand-me-downs and yes, in the bottom of it was another pair of the same style shoes provided for me. And yes again, only God and Gayline knew of the need.

Twice, separated by 4-5 years, in response to a single comment about shoes, and to bless our simple reliance upon Him, my Heavenly Father heard and answered and gave manna/moccasins from heaven.

So, have you had this kind of experience? If you can't think of many do you think it's because you haven't received them or haven't noticed them?

Go ahead: click Commments; type your thoughts in the box; type in the key letters/word; click anonymous if you'd like(if you're willing type your first name in the box with your comments; it's more fun that way); and then click to post your comments.

Friends: take time to see and taste the manna today.

Labels: Blessing, Giving, God's Blessing

Late Saturday was spent trying to make my back yard presentable for a BBQ on Sunday afternoon. As I wrapped up my labors I realized that my patio was covered with dirt but that I had no broom adequate for the task. So as has become my way of life, I thought Godward in the moment and wondered how my Heavenly Father might provide me with a good broom to get this done.

Sunday morning arrived and since I was not preaching I decided that I could spare the energy to take our dog Heidi for a walk; something I had never done on a Sunday AM before. And what do I find in the neighborhood, but buried curbside under a pile of garbage a high quality sturdy patio broom. I threw it over my shoulder with heart rejoicing in God and headed on home.

You might think this a happy or lucky coincidence, but I know it to be the hand of God. After all it's the kind of thing that's happened hundreds of times in our family's life ; too many times to be unguided coincidence.

Sunday afternoon I talked with my son Tim who, with Brooke, had just moved into a new place. T and B are living examples of a couple sold out to Christ and the church, and choosing to live simply so that they might aerve and give liberally to the cause of the gospel. So needless to say I'm confident that God will provide their every need, too .

Anyway, TW mentioned that he would be needing a desk for his office at home (he works three days a week from home). I told him--partially joking, but with real faith, that on my way over to visit him in his new home, I'd be looking for God to provide a desk. We laughed--not a laugh of unbelief, like Sarah in Genesis 18:10-12--but a laugh of knowing, trusting glee. We knew that if not within the next hour, somehow and sometime God would provide.

Within the hour, as Gayline and I drove down Rt. 37 to T and B's here's whatI see: a desk on the side of the road, being thrown out by others, being provided by God. Gayline and I loaded it up, and delivered it to T and B, not one hour after the need had been made known.

Folks, this is God. I could fill up a hundred blog posts giving examples of God's care of us in meeting needs in stunning ways (the two I've mentioned are but small and inconsequential examples!). Whenever we drive and walk and pray and decide on how needs in our life are going to be met, Gayline and I look for God's provisions. Call me a scrounger or call me a man looking for manna from heaven. As best I know my heart, the second description fits me more closely than the first.

I am aware that God loves to provide in amazing ways. He's done it so often for Gayline and me that we've come to see it as the norm, not the exception. I could tell of cars provided, shoes from heaven, cancer treatments prepared beforehand, clothes given, furniture supplied, bills paid, a daughter's retina reattached by miracle, food delivered, and a whole lot more.

It would blow your mind. But then, that's what God loves to do: blow our minds. He loves to do things that make us stop and wonder and worship.

What has He done for you lately? I'm sure He's done as much for you as He has for me, or anyone else who's walking faithfully with Him. Stop and notice, and it'll fill you with wonder!

Labels: Blessing, Giving, God's Blessing, Promises of God

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)
GOBL Living is not a typo. It's my Bible margin shorthand for God-Blessed. This year in my reading through the Bible I've noted all the times God's blessing is mentioned. This morning I completed Numbers 6, so far finding 40 references to the blessing of God. I'm not counting other synonyms like God's favor. That would add in another 2-3 dozen allusions to the kind, joy-giving, gracious acts of God in behalf of those He loves.

And I'm still only in Numbers. I haven't even begun the happy parts of the Old Testament, and am not even near the NT yet! I'm getting the distinct impression that the Bible is about a God who loves to bless his people. That means He loves to give gifts that bring joy and a deep inner sense of wholeness and fullness to human hearts.

Maybe this is because He Himself is the Happy God--the One most blessed and full of joy (Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 11:31; 1 Timothy 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:15). All told I think I recall there being over 90 references to the happiness of God in the Bible (check out John Piper's The Pleasures of God, at desiringgod.org for an incredible study of this truth).

Because God is happy--the blessed One--He loves to bring joy to those He loves. Blessing to us is the overflow of the blessedness of His own heart. In Numbers 6, Aaron asks God, in the famous Aaronic Benediction, to shine His blessed and blessing face upon us. And that's what He always does.

Notwithstanding recent trials; notwithstanding pipes busted and bank accounts pillaged and nest eggs depleted and jobs lost and cancer diagnosed and marriages ravaged and kids wayward and sons gone, The Blessed God is blessing His children.

It is so hard to see it in the middle of the storm, in the throes of the calamity, in the pit of grief--but God is always moving about seeking to bless those He loves (2 Chronicles 16:9). And this is true even in the tears. Often God's sweetest blessing comes while we're in the agonizing grip of soul-draining, gut-wrenching grief. Whenever God breaks the heart it is to bless the soul.

That is not cliche. It is truth, and there are no exceptions to this rule. It is truth tried and proven by countless believers through the years; truth being proven by those in trial this very hour. While I have seen much suffering in recent days, I have also seen at least glimmers of hope, little flickers of faith and whispers of blessing in even the most grief-stricken among us. This is the faithfulness of a blessed God Who blesses us.

Dear suffering friend: God is going to meet you in this hour. He is going to lift your eyes. He is going to restore your soul. He is going to bless you with moments in which you see and know and love, and know that you are loved by, Him.

His blessed face will shine on you today. May you know with joy that it does.

Labels: Blessing, Grace