Teach Me

Psalm 119:66
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.

Having read this scripture it has me thinking about my life. The different things I would like to do. The things I want to do. The things I know I should do but haven’t done. And I am reminded of the words of God towards David. “A man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” (Acts 13:22)

I want a heart like David. I want to love God so much that everything I do is screened through that window of love. I want to love Him more. I want to know Him more. I want to obey Him more. I want to do what He wants me to do and I want to do it with all my heart and inner most being.

My heart cries “Teach Me.” Fill my heart with such a hungered passion to know You and Your enduring word that nothing satisfies this craving but You. Empty out all the worldly distractions and replace them with your Holy Spirit and your Holy Word. Teach me knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

Teach me that I may know good judgment; that I might form reasonable plans to present before you. Teach me, that my life might be a testimony of your great love!

Teach me, that I may be a light in this darken world, that others might be drawn to this light and enter into your everlasting love and heavenly kingdom.

Teach me, for my ways are wicked and my thoughts are only of me. Teach me, that I may teach my children what You mean to me.

Teach me, for I believe in your commandments.

Captive Heart

Ezekiel 33:11
“As I live” declares the Lord God, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”

I watched the History Channel last week while I was home sick. It had a documentary called Stalking Jihad. It told the tale of two American missionaries to the Philippine Island, Martin and Gracie Burnham, who were taken hostage by al Qaeda terrorist Abu Sayyaf on May 21, 2001, and the American government’s effort to locate and free them. The kidnapping took place months before the events of September 11, 2001. Once these events occurred, the pursuit of the terrorist holding the American hostages took a more fervent role.

The documentary focused on the efforts of the American government, but continued to relay the human struggle of captivity. Of all the captives taken that fateful night, only the missionaries remained unharmed. The other captives were raped, killed, or eventually released for ransom. The documentary showed the Burnham’s struggle for survival. I was awed by their faith, by the respect they had for the terrorist, by their willingness to share their food or care packages that found their way to their remote locations, by their continued prayers at night, and their continued trust in the Lord. My only thoughts were, could I be as faithful if I were placed in a similar situation?

Having read this passage in Ezekiel I now see a different side to this story of captivity. For over a year, God gave the terrorist, the wicked, a chance to “turn from his way and live.” The Burnham’s submission to captivity, their love in sharing, and their prayers in captivity, all were opportunities for the terrorist to turn from their wicked ways; to see the everlasting Light and Truth; and to know a loving God who cares for all of His creation.

It is easy to pray for someone who appears to be God fearing. But it goes against reason to pray for the wicked; to pray for anything but his demise. It goes against reason to pray for the bully, the child abuser, the murderer, or the person dabbling in witchcraft. Why waste “the fervent prayer of a righteous man” on such as these? They have chosen their path of life. They have seen the evidence of God in all creation and in their surroundings.

But according to God’s very own words, He takes “no pleasure in their death.” He is the Creator of all creation; heaven and earth; man and woman; birds of the air and beasts of the field. It all is His creation – the work of His very own hands. He loves it all!

Even a human artist loves his creation, his artwork, his music, or his poetry. As imperfect as the human artist is - he still loves and admires his creation. Nothing is more pleasing then to see others admire his handiwork, or see the joy on their face as they understand the depth of love that went into each creation.

Yet God’s love is perfect. God’s creation is perfect. God’s pleasure is perfect. God’s sorrow is perfect. God “takes no pleasure, no delight, in the death of the wicked.” He desires that none should perish, no not one.

We believers, saved by this same God, need to truly understand God’s heart here. He loves the wicked as much as the righteous. He loves the murderer as much as the redeemed. He loves the drunk, the child abuser, the selfish, those lost in a false religion just as much as you and I.

How dare we not pray for them! How dare we keep God’s love and not share it with them! How dare we remain silent about the greatest gift of all - LIFE over eternal, never ending, tormented death!

O Heavenly Father, I am continually awe struck by the depth of Your wisdom and love; and the understanding of my wretchedness. Precious Savior and Lord, write these words on my heart, my head, my hands, my feet, and my lips. May all my thoughts and actions reflect these written words. That You “take no pleasure in the death of the wicked", but rather "they turn from their way and live.” For I once was lost, but have been found, You saved a wretch like me. Open my eyes to see Your love for the wicked. Open my ears to hear the cry of their heart for You, O God. Open my lips and speak loving words of salvation that draw them to You, my Savior and Lord.

(A brief video interview of Gracie Burnham http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3001437239292144492 )

Seed of Love

While driving home tonight I was blessed with one on one time with my ten year old daughter. She talked about her school day, her friends, her likes and dislikes, and other girlie things. She talked about growing up and wanting a horse. She talked about singing and a singing competition and who she would like to sing with this year. Then the conversation lead to difficult people and how others can “stand being around them.” Not to be confused with “cannot” stand being around them.

My reply started with the verse in Romans 5:4-5, “…suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” God will plant a seed of love in your heart and He will grow it to the point where you can love others. You can love the unlovely, the friendless, the mean, the selfish, the hurting, and those that are difficult to be around. Yet you will still have enough love left over for those you truly love. God’s love is everlasting, it is faithful, it is true, and it is pure.

She said, “Yeah I think that God has given me a love for horses.”

I told her that is where this “seed of love” begins. God gives you a small seed of love. He waters it, cultivates it, and begins to create in you a love that is more than it once was. Through the caring, nurturing, and giving of that love God will branch it out to others. Pretty soon, you will have a love so deep, so wide, so high, and so long, you will not be able to contain all the love that “God has poured into your heart.” It will grow to a size you never imagined and it will accomplish things never thought of. You will discover a love and a passion for things once feared or forgotten. You will discover a love that will stand firm in the face of persecution; that will bring boldness to your determination of faith; it will cause you to forget the things of the past and press on towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. You will accomplish simple tasks with joy, you will accomplish difficult tasks with determination, you will accomplish God’s purpose for your life, because His sacrificial, undeserving love has been poured into your heart and it compels every action, every breath, and every step you take.

Matthew 13:32 says, “It is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.” Are you allowing God to water the “seed of love” in your heart so that He can use you for His utmost glory?

Heavenly Father, may we fall on our faces before Your endless love. Cause us to look deep into our heart at the “seed of love” You have placed in us. Lord, open our hearts to your nurture, care, and love so that You may grow in us a “mustard seed” of love for others to perch on. May this “seed of love” persevere through the heartaches and difficulties of life. May it deepen its roots and take hold of the everlasting living water that sustains us in the storms and deserts of life. May every stretch of our branches remind us that it is You growing inside of us and You who loves others through us with such compassionate determination and faith. To God be the glory for great things He has done.

Awake in me…

Song of Solomon 5:2
I slept but my heart was awake.

No more needs to be said to the sleepy heart. Wake up! Wake up and hear the voice of the Savior. Wake up, and come into His presence. Wake up, and see it is He that brings what you need. Wake up! Call to Him in the dark, in your moments of despair and loneliness. Wake up! Tell the world of His saving grace. O sleepy heart and lazy body, wake up!! Spend those precious moments with the King. Wake up, and be refreshed in the morning. Wake up!

Heavenly Father, though my heart is awake and listening to you, my sleepy body longs to be in your intimate presence. Precious Father, cleanse me of the dirt and mud that clings to me and weighs me down. Remove the clods of pride, gluttony, selfishness, and laziness that have found a finger hold on me. Open the water falls of heaven and bathe me in your refreshing rain of forgiveness. Wash me clean and fill me with your bread of life. Quench my thirsty soul with your living water. Fill my dark heart with your love so bright; a flame so warm that all the world may know You. Fill me to overflowing so that I may carry Your love, Your light, wherever I go.