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The Lord's timing

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 14, 2016
In the light of Barbara’s continuing mental confusion (she will be transferred to the psych ward today for observation), the following excerpt from EDIFIED was helpful, reminding me I can and must trust God in all of this.
 
“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Psalm 50:14,14
 
In spite of a heavy downpour, I arrived at the Detroit airport in good time for my flight back to CT. After a week of teaching in Texas and another in Detroit, I was ready to get home.
At the gate it said the plane was on time; in fact it was sitting right there at the end of the ramp. However, at boarding time, an announcement was made that there would be a half hour delay because the crew was late. Then another delay–and another and another.
Each delay was further little adventure with Jesus, a chance to praise and trust. It turned out that the many thunderstorms of the day had stranded our crew on the runway in Columbus, Ohio for four hours.
They finally arrived and we boarded. The pilot then announced that our take off permission had expired and a new one needed to be printed. That took half an hour. Then came another announcement that they couldn’t find a machine to push us away from the gate. That took another 20 minutes. Then as we got out on the run way, the pilot stopped and shut off the engines, announcing that we were number 40 in the line to take off, but because of poor weather no planes were being allowed to leave at the moment. Half an hour later the engines started again and we crept to the front of the line and took off.
All this time my cell phone was not working for some reason, so during the last wait I borrowed my seatmate’s and called Barbara to tell her of the delays. Unbeknownst to me, she then wisely called the friend who was waiting to pick me up and told him to go home, as it was unclear when or if I would arrive. So when I got to CT more than four hours late, there was no one to meet me.
Well, this was a further adventure with Jesus; I prayed for wisdom and borrowed another passenger’s cell phone to call Barbara (there are no more pay phones at the airport!) and she said a neighbor would come to pick me up. Now comes the interesting part.
The fellow whose cell phone I’d borrowed came and sat next to me. His plane to Chicago had been cancelled because of the storms, so he was waiting for a hotel shuttle. In the course of our talk, he told me he had two sons, 6 and 8, both of whom had muscular dystrophy. This meant that by the time they are 10, they will be in wheel chairs, and would have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years. I asked how he handled that.
“At first I was angry with God, but after a couple of years saw that was not working, so have now turned back to him. I go to church, but don’t get much out of it. I’m not sure how to proceed there.”
We then had a wonderful talk about God, salvation and reading Scripture. At the end of our talk he eagerly took a brochure on salvation and then made a very insightful comment. “Now I know why my plane home was cancelled and why your plane was late—that made it possible for us to meet and for you to help me!” Pretty amazing that this seeker recognized this significant “Jesus sighting” in both our lives!
The delays and frustrations of our lives are not random and meaningless. God is at work orchestrating events for our protection and growth as well as to provide opportunities to speak into the lives of others. Our praise in the midst of uncertainty prepares our hearts and minds for the chance to be an instrument in God’s hands as we offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving (Psalm 50:23), getting up the shield of faith.
 
Prayer: “Lord, help me to live in the larger reality of your orchestrating power at work within and around me. Help me to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving for whatever comes, thereby honoring you and opening the way to join you in what you are doing. Amen.”
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Victim, Victor or Vector

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 13, 2016
“Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.”
Psalm 86:1,2
 
While reading in my journal, I came across notes from a message I heard from the leader of the “Hands of Hur” ministries. He talked about how we can have three reactions to a situation. We can be a victim, a victor or a vector. Joseph in the OT was all three. 
 
When he was thrown into the pit by his brothers, he was a victim, focused on “poor me.” Genesis 42:21 says, “…he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen”. A victim allows his circumstances and suffering to define him. He has a very narrow, self-centered view of life.
 
A victor has moved beyond that to a trust in God, freeing him to serve more whole-heartedly. When Joseph was working in Potiphar’s house, he was a victor: he gave the right responses and triumphed in each situation, even resisting the temptations of Potiphar’s wife.
 
A victor lets his successes define his life. God is there, but He is not the center of the victor’s existence. Joseph told Potiphar’s wife that everything was in his hands, that he was the greatest in the house and, by the way, that he was obeying God (Gen. 39:8,9). The focus was on himself and his accomplishments, not on God. This continued while he was in prison, as he told the other prisoners how he could interpret dreams rather than giving God credit.
However, when he stood before Pharaoh, Joseph had become a vector, an arrow pointing the way to the True Victor. A vector is one whose life is centered on God, who points others to God, not to success or comfort.
 
A vector’s life is defined not by his suffering, or by his victories, but by God’s relationship with him. When asked if he could interpret dreams, Joseph said, “No, but God can” (Gen. 41:16). And when he gave the interpretation he said, “God has chosen to show Pharaoh what he is about to do.” Joseph leaves himself entirely out of the picture, pointing all to the Lord of all. He had been truly broken, learning not to trust himself, but to fully trust God.
 
Paul expounds on this concept in Romans 8:37 in which he tells us we should be MORE than a conqueror, more than a victor, pointing us to the possibility of being a vector, a signpost to God for all those around us.
 
In each difficulty, disappointment or danger that comes into our lives, we can be a victim, a victor or a vector. A lot of what determines which one we’ll be is how we cultivate our first love for Christ in meeting with Him each day in worship, confession, reading the Word and prayer. Are we cooperating with God in doing this?
 
Prayer: “Lord show me where I am acting like a victim or victor. Bring me to repentance and help me to live as a vector, focused on you and helping others to look to you. Praise you now for the help you will give. Amen.”
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Light in Darkness

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 12, 2016
Today’s reading in EDIFIED! is perfect for me.
 
“My soul finds rest in God alone.” Psalm 62:1
 
The Puritan writer Burroughs says that contentment is not what we have when looking back, able to see what God was doing through a difficult time. It is being at peace in the midst of difficulty and suffering without any visible clue as to what our Shepherd is doing, and in that knowledge vacuum resting in Him.
 
Knowing the character of God is enough. He whose wisdom created the world, made the human body and gave man dominion over the earth; He who did not give up when Adam sinned and twisted the whole of creation; He who secured salvation at huge personal cost, and loves us to the end, He is trustable when all else is hidden from our understanding.
 
Knowing You, Lord God, the great Yahweh, holy, glorious, entirely other, hater of sin, lover of the sinner—to know you is enough to give us contentment when everything goes wrong, when we suffer pain, when we are mistreated, when we fail and are, humanly speaking, hopeless.
 
Contentment is knowing the wisdom of your mind. You, O God, are the One who created the micro world of subatomic particles, who set the laws that govern their states. You made the molecules, formed the elements and brought out of them all we see, from microscopic animals to stars a million times bigger than our sun. You who have done this have enough wisdom to bring into my life what is right. I can trust you.
 
Contentment is knowing the power of your right arm. You, Lord Jesus, spoke and created all that we see, with its incredible variety, beauty and vastness. You hung, spun and run the earth. You ride, guide and hide the winds. You hold, mold and unfold events. You send, bend and end history.
 
Never defeated, never stretched, never inadequate, your power is immeasurable. In you we can trust.
 
Contentment is knowing the patience of your will. You have a plan, you will reveal it at the pace you know to be best. You will not rush, you will not be late, your timing is perfect. When nothing appears to be happening, you are at work on deep levels, persistently, patiently, powerfully bringing to pass events and conditions that will move history to the conclusion you have determined. We can trust you in your timing.
 
Contentment is knowing the greatness of your love. You are Agape Love itself: the commitment to act for the good of others, no matter how they may react. The wonder of your rich, deep, powerful, unending, gracious love is an ever-growing joy as we walk with you, learning of you from your Word, from your works, from your way.
 
Your strong, careful, overwhelming love is revealed in the goodness you give us daily: in being so kind when we give you pain with our sin and selfishness, in the grace you offer us moment by moment when we so often spurn it in pride. We see your love in the kindness you exercise in your correction of our stubborn and self-centered hearts. We can trust your heart of love.
 
As we climb the golden staircase of your grace, care and love, knowing you more and more each day, we can be content in you and in whatever you bring, whatever we suffer, whatever we lose, for you are good.
 
Prayer: “When all is meaningless, when all we do seems foolish, when pain obscures our vision, still our hearts to know your heart of love and grace. Help us then to rest in contentment. Glory be to you, the Great God of contentment, worthy of all worship and wonder and trust. Amen.”
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Humility

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 11, 2016
(From my last prayer letter; See prayer request at end)
 
Humility is a word we mention a lot, but it seldom gets defined.
One viable definition is this: “Agreeing with God.” In fact, this is what the Greek word translated “confess” means. And the word translated “virtue” in 2 Peter 1:5 also has the idea of agreeing with God.
 
Pride is the opposite–thinking that we know what is right, defining good and evil ourselves. This is what Adam did in eating the forbidden fruit.
 
Humility is abandoning that self-centered thinking to embrace God’s opinion about everything. In fact, that is also what it means to fear God: caring very deeply what He thinks, standing in awe of His wisdom, knowledge and power so much that we obey Him whether we feel like it or not.
 
The one time Moses failed in his humility was when he reacted as he wanted: instead of speaking to the rock to get water, in anger he struck it, thereby stealing honor from God.
 
Most of us would like to be humble, but If we are honest, we only selectively agree with what God has to say. The rest of the time we elevate our intellect above His Word. For instance, how often have I gone ahead and said something negative even after the Spirit has warned me not to! I decide that giving a zinger to someone is more important than obeying God—and thereby steal honor from God.
 
I want to touch on a point of humility where every single person misses the mark: our opinion of ourselves. A finer focus of the definition of humility is this: “seeing ourselves as God sees us, both in our holiness and in our depravity.”
 
Those of us who are proud or self-sufficient or self-absorbed, tend to focus on what a good person we are, missing the truth that we have an old nature where we are worthy only of condemnation, rejection, punishment and death.
 
On the other hand, most of us are dissatisfied with our performance, looks and position. We focus on our lacks, our failures and negatives. We are down on ourselves, disappointed in ourselves and talk frequently about what we “should do;” in our opinion we never pray enough, read the Word enough, witness enough.
 
But how does God look at us? He acknowledges the fact that by nature we are depraved, evil and worthy only of condemnation. But He then focuses fully on the fact that we are chosen, forgiven, cleansed, adopted into His family, into His Kingdom, and into His plan.
 
He loves us richly, deeply, unconditionally and eternally. He delights in us, rejoices in us, sings over us and cherishes us.
If we are humble, we will agree with both of these, and with God, and will focus primarily on how He forgives us, accepts us and forgives us—and do the same to ourselves!
 
When we begin to understand how much we are loved, there will be a transformation in us. As we “know this love that surpasses knowledge—[we] may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:19). And part of this fullness is viewing ourselves as He does. That is being humble!
 
So let us repent of our dissatisfaction with ourselves, repent of our focus on performance and looks, and instead, as a result of Christ’s sacrifice, forgive, accept and love ourselves as God loves us—and the resulting fullness will lead to a life of greater obedience (loving our neighbor as we love ourselves), holiness, humility and honor for God.
 
Pray for Barbara and me that we will look at ourselves as God does, forgive, accept and love ourselves as Christ does. If we do so, we will reflect God’s beauty to the world, as the pond does the beauty of the sky in this picture.
 
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Request

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 10, 2016
Today Barbara is scheduled to come home from the hospital, as her sodium level is almost up to normal, as is her mental state.
 
One of the facets of her illness is depression, which has various sources (Lyme’s, her mother’s death, retirement and destructive values imparted to her in her childhood, to name some).
 
The counselor in the hospital suggested that it would be helpful to demonstrate to Barbara how much God has used her in her many years of ministry, countering what she says often, “I’ve done nothing.”
 
If you’re so inclined, and Barbara has in some way been a positive influence in your life, it would be helpful if you could write a little something about that and get it to me. You can message me, write a comment here or email it to me, and I will compile them and give them to her to read, hopefully over and over again.
 
Thank you to those who will respond.
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Personal report

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 8, 2016
Today a personal letter. First of all, I am pleased to announce great progress in Barbara’s condition. In the hospital they got her sodium levels up from 116 to 125 (should be about 136), and it has made a great difference in her abilities: no more dementia symptoms. I am very pleased.
 
Tuesday was a day full of God sightings. First, in spite of getting to bed so late, I woke up ready to go at 7, so could have a good quiet time and breakfast before going to vote at 9. I also asked about an absentee ballot for Barbara, and was told I had to get a request for one, take it to her in the hospital to sign, bring it back, get an absentee ballot, take it to her to fill out and sign and bring it back before 4 pm.
 
Actually I didn’t know I had to hand it into the town office by 4, rather than the voting place–but about 2 pm while leaving the hospital and planning on doing shopping, the thought came to mind, “I wonder if I have to hand it into the town hall rather than the voting station,”—a thought from the Lord–so went directly there to find out, then just had time to make it to Barbara for her to do her stuff and get it back to the town hall.
 
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Before going to the hospital, I had to get my henchman going on the day’s work on the farm, which resulted in me leaving half an hour later than I wanted. I was going to first go to the Chrystal Mall in Waterford to get my computer fixed, or sent off to be fixed, but since I was too late to be the first customer, decided to stop at the hospital first instead. And when I walked in, there was Barbara’s doctor talking with her, so I got to hear all he had to say. First God sighting. He is a very handsome, gentlemanly young fellow born in Nigeria, but raised in Norwich. He is doing a thorough job of finding what’s wrong with B.
 
From there I went to the computer place where previously the tech had told me they’d have to send it out to get a whole new side piece put in (the power cord attached crookedly to the computer and easily fell off). But when I brought it in, the girl at the counter examined it carefully and with a paper clip was able to dislodge several small metal pieces that were stuck on the magnet—and that fixed the problem! God sighing number 2 with no need to send it off. I was relieved.
 
I had entered the Mall from the wrong direction, but in doing so was reminded that there is a Home Depot there; I’d planned to go to the one in Lisbon on the way home, but going here would save me a lot of time, so after the computer event, did my shopping there, including doing a lot of returns. God sighting number 3. This was important later, meaning I had time to do the absentee voter thing.
 
Then when returning, I stopped again at the hospital and found that the Psychiatrist just beginning to talk with Barbara. This was God sighting number 3, for B did not offer much background info to the Dr. This young woman was also from Nigeria, and had both an MD and Phd—and, it turns out, is a born again believer who had been to Word of Life! Good connections.
 
She did a thorough questioning on B’s background (with me filling in a lot of what B left out), and did several tests to measure her level of mental agility, all of which B passed with flying colors, showing that her dementia was gone. Then the Dr. gave her advice on how to deal with her depression—and guess what? It was almost word for word what Meredith, her counselor, and I had told her, and B said that. So now let’s pray that she will those things.
 
Then God sighting 4 was realizing I needed to get to the town office and back before 4, and was able to do it. The Lord was so good to watch over us, to orchestrate our day and to give B the kind and competent help she needs. She will stay at least one more day to make sure her sodium levels are up and to try and discern what caused them to drop so low. So you can keep praying for revelation of what needs to be done to protect her.
 
Well, I praise God for His work in answering our prayers, and for what He’s going to do in the future. Thank you for your part in this. Warmly, Steve
 
 
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Answers to prayer

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 8, 2016

I am very thankful this morning that God in his wisdom and grace is answering our prayers concerning Barbara’s distressing dementia-like symptoms. In a trip to the ER last night they found that she has very low sodium and sent her right to the hospital for treatment. She was not happy with this (!), but hopefully in the two days she’ll be there, her terrible confusion and erratic behavior will be eradicated. Thank you for your prayers for her.

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Psalm 35:1-4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 7, 2016

 

As we face problems in life, attacks by Satan through people and circumstances, we can come to you, Lord Jesus, and ask for your help, knowing that you will assist and protect us. As David said:
 
Psalm 35:1 “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.”
 
[Whether those attacking us be ISIS, the neighbor next door, the IRS or the devil himself, they are all too strong for us to personally defeat; we desperately need your help, Lord.]
 
Psalm 35:2,3 “Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me.”
 
[David stood in physical danger; we more often are in spiritual danger, being attacked with temptations, problems and difficulties, which push us to act without faith. But more and more there will be actual attacks on those who follow you, Lord, as laws, government agencies and groups seek to still our voices and force us to conform to their worldview.]
 
Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation.’ ”
 
[I need this reminder, for you only are my salvation, Lord Jesus, the mighty One, who delivered me from the kingdom of darkness, from the oppression of the devil, of deceit and destruction. You do fight for us now, as we are your children; you protect us from true harm, you stand with us in our troubles. Praise be to you.]
 
Psalm 35:4 “May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.”
 
[On a human level there are those who seek the lives of Christians–Jihadists for sure, and others. May they be disgraced in their wrong thinking and evil intent. May they fail, be exposed, and be punished that they may see the error of their ways.]
 
Praise be to the God of Power, the Lord of glory, the King of victory for keeping us safe, for preventing Satan’s triumph and men’s winning. Instead in the midst of suffering and difficulty we are safe in you, Lord; empowered, protected, helped and sheltered. We praise you for your love demonstrated, your power displayed and your goodness shown. To you be glory and honor and praise. Amen.
 
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Better Leadership

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 6, 2016
Today’s post is from Chap Bettis, founder of The Apollos Project which exists to help families and churches pass the gospel baton to the next generation. More info at: https://www.theapollosproject.com/
 
Chap is also the author of a powerful, equipping book on child raising, The Disciple-Making Parent. You can contact him at Chap at The Apollos Project <chap@chapbettis.com>
 
Chap writes, “Years ago I heard Dr. Randy Stinson offer 9 marks of godly leadership for the home….they…set a good direction for Dad’s and Mom’s leadership in the home [and anywhere else].”
 
9 Components of Good Leadership
 
A good leader:
 
1. Casts Vision – “This is where we are going as a family….”
 
2. Communicates Direction – “This is how we are going to get there.”
 
3. Provides Instruction – “Here, let me show you how to……”
 
4. Provides Imitation – “Here, watch me do…….”
 
5. Provides Inspiration – “Isn’t this (family) great? Isn’t your mother great?
 
6. Communicates Affirmation – “You are doing well.”
 
7. Provides Evaluation – “Let’s look at how we are doing.”
 
8. Provides Correction – “Let’s make a change.”
 
9. Provides Protection and Provision – “I’ll take care of you.”
 
Good leadership in the home or church is multifaceted. As a young father, I worked hard on #5 and #6 because they did not come naturally to me. Pick one area that the Spirit might prompt you to grow in.
 
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Wonder and Awe

Published by S.M. Wibberley on November 5, 2016

Praise be to you, O Wise and Wonderful God, my heavenly Father, my resurrected Brother, my indwelling Spirit. You have given me a new day, fresh from your hand, ready to be used for good. I praise you for the wonderful privilege of waking up to find you there, waiting for me, ready to carry me through all that you have planned.

I praise you, Lord, for your love, your wisdom, your power and your goodness, for including me in your plans, for giving each of your children an important part in all you are doing.

It is you who have made me yours–against all logic, all reason, all expectations, you called me out to be your son, you desired to have me in your family and you have reserved for me a place of honor and responsibility in your Kingdom. Why? Not for any reason found in me, but because you are the Lord of love, the God of grace, the Father of forgiveness.

You are also the God of Justice and Righteousness, meaning you must judge and punish sin—which is wonderful because if you weren’t and didn’t, there would be no hope for a solution to evil. Along with being the stern Judge, in your mercy you have provided the way for all human beings to avoid judgment by taking that punishment on yourself.

Praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for your willingness to enter the land of darkness and death, to shine your light of love on those who hate you. Thank you that you were willing to be abused, beaten, crucified and defeated in the eyes of men. You did this so that every person may have the possibility of being forgiven, of being snatched from the jaws of the dragon and translated into a child of light and love and laughter.

The wonder of it grows as you give me a greater grasp of where I was: under your wrath, in the kingdom of darkness, on the path to destruction, with the host of the condemned, filled with evil and controlled by rebellion. There was no reason for you to choose me, save me, adopt me, love me.

But you yourself are the reason you have done the marvelous, brought about the magnificent and provided a majestic salvation for all your human enemies. You are more than amazing; we must stand in awe of your strong love, your infinite grace, your deep patience, your rich goodness.

You are the One who should fill our vision, absorb our attention and attract our thoughts. Forgive us for being distracted by the tinsel of this world, the worthless fascinations of our hearts and the destructive temptations of our environment.

These all fade into the background when we turn our attention to your beautiful character, your infinite power, your unending love, your eternal goodness, your limitless grace. As we see these more and more, to you we bow, to you we give homage, honor and praise. Then before you we rise up to live in the light of your presence, looking only to you, Lord Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Fill us so full of your Spirit that He may overflow into the lives of all we meet today. Help us to daily run the race you have set before us with the endurance and patience you offer, that we may be a light to all around us, opening the way for them to believe, to follow, to trust you, to know you in all your beauty and goodness, that there may be more worshipers in eternity.

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