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So, I am vaccinated against Covid-19. I had the Pfizer shots back a few weeks ago. I am now finding the face masks much more uncomfortable and I wish they were unnecessary, but they are still recommended. We are still in the midst of a pandemic and must continue to take precautions as the virus has shown its ability to mutate and proliferate through the population. On Friday, I attended a wedding, and later in June I am planning to attend a performance at my son’s school. Our school district has announced it’s high school graduation date - we are getting back to…”normal,” but hopefully with some lessons learned.
I continue to see Facebook memories of posts from 1 year ago. I was in a completely different state of mind. We were closed. We were very limited in our interactions with humans outside our home. Many people were working from home, the school year was 100% remote, restaurants were closed - it was a different time. Many people wondered if Coronavirus / Covid-19 was a plague. I asserted that it was not, but most certainly, I do not have the mind of God, so I can only speculate. My pastor, Steve Hogg, has been preaching a series from Exodus and last week he preached about the plagues sent to encourage Pharaoh to let God’s people, the Israelites out of bondage. Pharaoh didn't believe in God or His power - his heart was hard against God. God responded by sending plagues on him and all of Egypt to help Pharaoh see and realize who was in control. Pharaoh tried to bargain with God and sometimes he pretended he understood. As he resisted, the plagues became progressively worse. First the Nile River, the water supply for all of Egypt was changed to blood. Then frogs covered the land, were in the people’s homes. Then came the gnats. “All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats.” (Ex. 8:17) Between each plague, Pharaoh was given the opportunity to recant, to believe in God, to allow God’s people to go and worship Him freely, but he refused. In my pastor’s sermon, he explained that plagues can be personal, that we can experience our own personal plagues due to our disobedience. We can respond through repentance or by hardening our heart and continuing in disobedience. If we choose the latter, God may respond with another personal plague. This sermon made me think about the wonderings last year in regards to whether or not Covid-19 was (still is) a plague sent by God to discipline mankind. I ask you, if Covid-19/Coronavirus was a plague, in what ways has it changed you? We see in Exodus that Pharaoh did not heed the Lord’s call, which incited another plague. Scripture indicates that Pharaoh thought the plagues were a game. After the fourth plague, it states, “Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord, 31and the Lord did what Moses asked. The flies left Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not a fly remained. 32But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.” (Ex. 8:30-32) If we continue reading, there were six (6) more plagues to come. Maybe Covid-19 was a plague - if so, how has it changed you? What have you learned? Did you use the change of pace to read more into the Word of God? Did you begin to appreciate your family? Did you begin to pray more? Or did you harden your heart and remain unchanged? Surely you were touched in some way by Covid - maybe you experienced the virus first hand. In your illness were you driven to pray and as God for healing? Maybe you were not sickened by the virus, but you prayed for someone you love who was infected by the virus. Maybe you lost your job or experienced a decrease in hours, maybe you prayed that someone would answer the phone when you call the unemployment line. Maybe you prayed that the Lord would better equip you to teach your child at home. Maybe you lost a loved one to Covid and you don’t know if he/she was saved - maybe you don’t know the whereabouts of your loved one’s soul. Maybe Covid was a plague, what have you learned? How have you allowed it to change you? What could the Lord have been teaching you through your experience? Through the plagues of Egypt, God showed Pharaoh that He was the true King. Prior to 2020, you may have thought you were king of your castle, master of your own destiny, the one who controls his own life. Hopefully, Covid has shown you differently - that He is the Alpha and Omega, the Creator and Planner, the One who knows. I am sure there were other, more specific lessons for each person, but we all should now have some new perspectives. Amen. Have a wonderful week! Read something in the Word of God this week! Kim
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Sometimes I know exactly what the week’s message should be before the weekend, but at other times, I really have to pause and reflect. On Friday, I came home and changed to go for a walk so that I could reflect on the week’s occurrences, what we discussed in Bible study and the applications to my life. In hindsight, this should not have been necessary as the applications were very clear. The whole of our 2021, thus far, has been about moving. This week, on Monday, April 12, we finally moved into our new home! We could not be more excited and satisfied. Throughout the study of Genesis, I have felt as if Scripture has met me right where we were. When we read about Abraham and Lot deciding to separate amicably, we were making the decision to list. Our home and neighbors had become like family, after 15 years, but we thought a separation was best. Once the search for a new home became difficult, and we wanted to change our minds and stay, I was reminded of Lots’ wife who looked back and God turned her into a pilar of salt - we trudged on. When it became clear that we would not find a new home in time for a simple transition from one home to another, that was the week we read about Jacob having to sleep in the wilderness with his head on a rock. I cannot tell you the fear this mother had. My children said, “Mom, we’re going to be homeless if you don’t stop being so picky about a house. This place is also where Jacob found God (Bethel). Call me crazy to even notice this, but my addresses since leaving my parents’ home have been 8306, 576 and 286. Our apartment number was 306. That final 6 gave me confirmation that this was where God intended for us to be. We didn’t know how long, and prayed it would be short, but I felt better about it due to the address. While in the apartment, we read Genesis 27 in which Jacob deceived his brother Esau to steal his blessing, previously he had made an unscrupulous deal with him over a bowl of soup to give away his birthright. As Jacob’s story continued, in Genesis 29 Jacob works for Laban for 7 years in order that he be allowed to marry Rachel. At the end of the time, Laban deceitfully gave him Leah in marriage. When Jacob confronts him about this, he says he can have Rachel at the end of the wedding week, but must work another 7 years. While in the apartment, I was the victim of someone’s deceit. We see the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau after 20 years. Later Jacob’s youngest and favorite son, Joseph, is sold into slavery by his brothers. By the time we read this, we had a new home, well a home built in 1979, under contract, and I truly felt like I was a slave to the lender. They were heavily scrutinizing my banking accounts, questioning me, they wanted tax records from the past several years, paycheck stubs, employment verifications, etc. Ultimately, God reveals to Pharaoh in two separate dreams that Egypt would experience 7 years of plentiful harvest followed by 7 years of severe famine. Pharaoh, however, didn’t understand the meaning of these dreams on his own - he summoned the help of a Hebrew slave named Joseph who called on the God of Abraham to reveal the meaning of the dreams. Pharaoh was so alarmed by the revelation that he knew he needed to act fast and put someone in charge of developing a system to use the grain efficiently during the 7 years of plenty that they would not all perish during the 7 years of famine. He chose the 20-year enslaved Hebrew for the task. God moved Jospeh from slavery to Pharaoh’s top official. Two years into the famine, who came to buy grain but his brothers who had sold him into slavery, now 22 years ago! His brothers did not recognize him and he put them to the test. He wanted to know if they had changed. When he finally revealed himself, his words brought me to tears! He said, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” This passage brought me to tears because so often things happen in life that we do not understand. We endure things that do not seem fair. We suffer through times of less, times of loss, we hurt, and we grieve. We wonder why. This passage shows Joseph’s maturity in the Lord. He fully realizes the truth of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” On Friday, as I walked, I realized the same. Our two moves were for several reasons. One reason was to cleanse our pallet. My children had only experienced one home in their life and to move from one to another would mean constant comparisons. With our new home being older, something I wanted, this one would fall short. The boys love the house - they didn’t even fight over which bedroom would be theirs! I can now envision the previous owners of this house contemplating their move at the same time we were moving out of our house and praying a home would list at a similar price, as our move was not accompanied by a pay increase! When I first toured this property I noticed all of the shrubs inside the backyard fence which decreased the usable area of the yard. I thought about having someone come take it all down so that we could see and use the entire yard. By the time we closed and moved, I realized the folly of my thinking - those are pink, red, and white azaleas and they are blooming - my favorite variation of colors! These shrubs inside the fence have become the dogs’ happy place, they run behind those shrubs like they are in the wilderness! God is so good. I surrender. His plans are WAY better than mine! (About the address...This address does not end in 6... In Genesis we saw Jacob work for 7 years followed by another 7 years. We saw Pharaoh's dream that Egypt would experience 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. During the time we lived in the apartment, I found two 4-leaf clovers - I had never found one prior to these two! They say this means I will be lucky - I don’t know about that, but we are abundantly blessed! Seven is supposedly the lucky number. Seven is also the number of completion. 177 is our new address - we are complete and we will take it! Thank you, Lord!!!) Take time to reflect this week! Amen! Kim When I wrote Turn North, a 30-day devotional, I chose what I thought were 30 key Scriptures starting with Genesis 1:1, including OT and NT verses to offer a brief application segment for each. Some were common Scriptures, but others not so much. One common Scripture I wanted to include, but I couldn’t explain at the time was Romans 8:28. “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.” This is a common verse recited in times of trouble. It’s a common verse recited from the pulpit. There is even a song by Todd Galberth called “My Good.” I think this verse could use a bit more explanation as we can all think of things that happen, even this week, that we cannot fathom resulting in anything good. (1) First, I think it’s important that we not isolate one sentence from a passage. In the passage, Paul is writing about how life on Earth cannot and should not be compared with the glory we will experience in Heaven. (2) It’s also important to remember that what we consider good and what God considered good are not always the same things. (3) Our timeline and God’s timeline are also not the same - in Him a day can be like a thousand years, but for us we want things yesterday! (4) Sometimes we must be reflective to see the good in certain situations we experience. (5) Good always brings God glory. Good doesn’t mean our prayers are answered with a yes, necessarily, good always glorifies God. In Genesis, Joseph, the youngest son on Jacob was sold into slavery by his brothers because they despised him and were jealous of him. Twenty years later, after enduring many trials as a slave in Egypt, he was put in charge of all the land and was Pharaoh's right-hand-man. When his brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, because there was famine and Joseph’s grain in Egypt was the only grain there was, Joseph revealed himself to them saying, “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” (Gen. 45:5) It was twenty years before the good was realized. In Joseph’s reflection, God was glorified as having a much better plan than anyone could have ever imagined. This past week you probably heard about the shooting that took place in my city. A former NFL player went into the home of a prominent local doctor and killed him, his wife, two grandchildren, and an HVAC worker who was there. This kind of thing is shocking, unbelievable and terribly sad. We cannot fathom how God could possibly bring good from this. I’m not someone to say that this incident was a part of God’s plan--I don’t think God planned this, but I do think He can bring forth good from this unthinkable situation. The family released a statement that touched my soul and totally glorified God. I felt I didn’t even need to hear the rest of the press conference. “While we know there are no answers that will satisfy the question ‘why,’ we are sure of one thing: we do not grieve as those without hope. Our hope is found in the promise of Jesus Christ and we are enveloped by peace that surpasses all understanding. To that end, our hearts are bent towards forgiveness and peace, toward love and connectedness, toward celebration and unity.” As Paul states in Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” The deceased are now in the presence of God which is not even comparable to the life they experienced on Earth. This is good. The NFL player also killed himself. His brain will be examined for CTEs - damage due to multiple concussions. Much research into CTE likely paused during the pandemic, but this incident puts the need for more information back into the national spotlight - more good. None of this good lessens our anger or sorrow, but we should not lose sight of the good in every situation, and as time goes on, more good may be revealed. Many of you know that our family experienced difficulties locating a house to purchase in January and February. It was with a grudging spirit that we moved to an apartment until a new home could be found. It’s now been six weeks, and I have learned that we can live with less! We have lived on paper plates, 2 small frying pans, 2 pots, and 8 glasses; we have not used the dishwasher. The apartment came with a small washer and dryer, not the super capacity as we are accustomed - but our clothes have been clean! My husband and I have shared a single bathroom sink with no issues. The boys have shared a bedroom and both have survived - I don’t think I’ve heard any fighting. We have found a house and I believe it is the one the Lord intended for us to have. It is slightly smaller than our old house, but I have every confidence all of our needs will be met and we will love it! The good is that He taught us to live with less. We can use some of our newly found excess to bless others and glorify Him - that’s good! Romans 8:28 is not a simple Scripture to understand and it takes maturity in the Lord to see the good in all things. Know that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His plans are not our plans. Understand that good is not always immediately obvious to man, but by and by we may understand and be able to give God the glory, in all things! Amen. Thank you for reading! Glorify God in all you do! Amen! Kim  Photo by James Barr on Unsplash  Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash It’s Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday, as some prefer to call it! What a mighty long way we have come. Think back to last year when we were in the beginning phases of an unprecedented pandemic shutdown with no end in sight. So many things were unknown it was making us crazy. Now, millions of people, including myself have been vaccinated against the virus. The number of positive cases is down and many people, hopefully you, are able to attend church on this glorious Sunday the Lord has so graciously given to us.
Last year’s post on Easter was about how we must BE the church. We, people who know the Lord, cannot be shy about sharing the gospel as a year ago churches were not open. Today, many churches are open, but that does not lessen the need for those who know the Lord to share Him with others. It also does not decrease our need to demonstrate His presence in our lives. Jesus died that the sins of the world could be forgiven. He died so that we could have everlasting life. While today is the day that we celebrate why He died and rose again, let’s never forget that He lived so we might have life and have it to the full. To live life to the full means we don’t have to worry. It means we shouldn’t live in fear. It means we should not live with regret. To live to the full means we can have peace and joy while we remain on earth. We are surrounded by things on this planet that can unnerve. A few minutes watching the news can be stressful. And when we throw in a few of our personal issues thoughts of tomorrow can be overwhelming. No matter what it is - a child gone astray, job hours being cut, a spouse that seems dissatisfied - Jesus understands and He cares for you. Jesus asked, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” He was illustrating the fact that worrying is not beneficial. Rather than worrying, we should pray and ask the Father to intervene. Remember, when you pray, to yield to His will. His will is always perfect. His outcome may not be what we wanted, but it is good and it will bring Him glory. Jesus taught us to cast our fears on Him, and He would give us rest. Fear and worry work alongside one another. When we worry and don’t see resolution, it leads to fear of the outcome without our intervention. We must release that. We must understand that we cannot always intervene. Some things, many things, are out of our hands. We must yield to the Lord’s will and trust Him to work it out for His glory. Regret may just be a senseless emotion as no one can change the past. Jesus, however, has paid the price for our sins - past, present and future. If you regret the sins of your youth, when you give your life over to Him, He wipes the slate clean, it’s as if it never happened. Of course, if you hurt someone in your past you may need to reach out to that person to apologize and ask forgiveness. Jesus can save you from your sins, but your guilty conscience may need to be reconciled in human terms. If you pray and He leads you to ask someone’s forgiveness, He will also lead you to the words to use in so doing. Continue to pray about your regret and He will lead you out of this darkness. To live life to the full means we can live in peace. We don’t have to live with fear, worry or regret. To live to the full means He is our daily bread. We can live for today and allow Him to make the preparations for tomorrow. Last year there was great anxiety about the future as we felt so uncertain. Tomorrow is still uncertain - we may feel better because things are “normal” again, but tomorrow can still contain surprises - pleasant or unpleasant. Through Jesus, we know who holds the future and we can take comfort in that knowledge. I will close this Easter Sunday message with the words of Jesus, Himself. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Amen. Thank you for reading! Don’t be shy about sharing the Gospel of Jesus. Kim |
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