Category: Faith

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Misplaced Expectations

Have you ever expected more from people than from God? That doesn’t generally end well, does it? Though for the most part not intentional, people hurt people. Why? Because, other than Jesus, we are all sinners and fall short of His glory. We must be cautious of misplacing our expectations.

Over the summer I experienced a string of events in a short period of time that could be classified as hurt/rejection/disappointment. Call it whatever you like. The point is I didn’t handle these incidents very well. I expected too much from people and ended up disappointed. The first couple people probably never even knew they let me down. I believe that is often the case. We shrug it off and get over it in time without even a discussion. Though the third episode was purely accidental (and also an admittedly minor offense), it was that one that caused the greatest reaction from me. The accumulation of hurt feelings caused me to react more strongly to the one that should have been the easiest to overlook. That, and the fact that this person realized I was hurt and opened the door for me to address it.

As I worked through this with God over the next few days, He led me to this verse:

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

Proverbs 19:11 NIV

My lack of wisdom led to a knee-jerk reaction. In short, I blew it when I failed to overlook the offense. Thankfully, over the course of a few days, we had both forgiven one another and moved forward. The relationship was restored; the lesson was learned. However, I’m sure I’ll get opportunities to relearn it along the way.

Misplaced expectations lead to disappointment, even though that’s the very thing I’m trying to avoid. As a defense mechanism of sorts, I tend to keep my expectations of God low so as not to be disappointed if things don’t work out as I wish. That is warped thinking for sure, not to mention a serious lack of faith! The truth is, He’s the only one who WON’T let me down. He knows me, loves me and knows what’s best for me. Even when things don’t work out as I had hoped, I can be assured that they work out in the way that is best.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans 8:28 NLT

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(un)FAITHFUL

There were more takeaways from that Pirate game that I wrote about in my last post, so I thought it deserved a Part II. If you recall, the gist of that post was that even though I had some serious doubts about their ability to overcome a 3-run deficit (twice), I still possessed enough faith to stay tuned. In Part II, I’d like to focus on my lack of faith instead for that seems to be a stumbling block for me at times. Can you relate?

To be honest, sometimes I struggle to demonstrate as much loyalty to God as I do the Pirates. Yet He, unlike the Bucs, has NEVER given me a reason to walk away. In essence, I’m turning my back on Him each time the “control freak” in me tries to do His job for Him, thinking I know best or that “I’ve got this!” It’s not easy for me to admit how desperately I need Him, but I surely do!

Lately, I’ve been beginning my quiet time by naming several attributes of God as well as some of the many roles He plays in my life. I say as many as pop into my head at the time as a way of praising Him for who He is. While I believe every one of those characteristics/roles accurately describes God, in the next breath I find myself confessing that I struggle to grasp that He is all that.

It seems I often sell God short by placing human limitations on Him because that’s what I know. That’s what I can see right here in front of my face.

Faith is described this way in Hebrews 11:1 —-

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Ugh. It is I that comes up short every time I sell Him short. Perhaps you can relate to my struggle to be faithful to Him. If so, I have good news for us both—-

“If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.”

2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

Even when we fall short, He will not. He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do simply because—He. Is. God.

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

Hebrews 10:23 NLT

One of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. I’m praying that the Spirit works in me and through me to display that fruit because I know I can’t do it on my own. After all, it’s not called Polly’s fruit! It’s His to bear and I’m certain nothing would delight Him more. I would be happy to include your name in that prayer if you have similar struggles. Just send me a message and I will get on it!

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Over, Not Over…Times TWO

Did you happen to catch the Pirates’ game on June 23rd against the Padres? If not, you missed quite a game! If you know me, you would know that I am a faithful follower of the Pirates, probably to a fault. The Bucs were down by 3 heading into the bottom of the ninth and were facing the Padres closer who had previously converted 100% of his save opportunities this season. I thought it was as good as over, but since the “fat lady” hadn’t sung yet, I kept watching. Lo and behold, they tied it up and sent the game to extra innings.

Then, the Pirates faced an eerily similar situation in the 11th inning after the Padres put up a three spot in the top of the inning. At this point, I’m guessing most everyone who kept the game on after the first comeback had now given up. There’s no way they could do it again, right? Once again, though I was pretty certain the outcome was a foregone conclusion, my loyalty wouldn’t allow me to shut off the TV. Much to my delight, my faithfulness was rewarded with a 4-run rally and a walkoff victory via a bases loaded walk. I was so thrilled that I hung in there and actually got to see it live. I imagine there was a whole host of fans who only read about it and/or saw the highlights after the fact.

Though I thought the game was over…twice, I stopped short of walking away before the score was final. That brings to mind a passage in the Bible to which I can easily identify. A man brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus and asked if He could do anything to help his boy. The response is found in Mark 9:23-24:

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Jesus went on to cast out the spirit and heal the boy. Though I very much doubted (twice) that the Bucs could come back and win that game, I was shown, just like the boy’s father, that even mustard seed-sized faith, can be rewarded.

What are you struggling to believe at the moment? As Pastor Chris often says, “Everybody is dealing with something.” Does your “something” stem from financial, health, or relational issues? Or is it something else? In the midst of your doubt and uncertainty, cling to these words Jesus spoke to the boy’s father—

“Everything is possible for one who believes.”

When circumstances appear hopeless, it is tempting to give up on God and walk away. Instead, let’s draw closer and offer up this prayer:

“God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you.”

Psalm 51:10 NIRV

Then, stay tuned for the results!

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Where Dreams Come True…and More

Disney World—-it’s a magical place! As the sign at the entrance states, it’s “where dreams come true.” As a part-time Florida resident and annual pass holder, I had the opportunity to spend my fair share of time there during the winter months. The place has an uncanny ability to make everything right with the world. As amazing as Disney World is, it still doesn’t hold a candle to the place God has prepared for His children to inhabit one day.

Here’s a little snapshot of what it will be like according to Scripture:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:4 NLT

“They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.”

Isaiah 65:23 NIV

“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”

Isaiah 35:5-6 NIV

Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? My dreams aren’t THAT good. Are yours? It’s better than anything we can wrap our minds around.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

The best part—-God will be there! I look forward to spending eternity with Him in such a place. My reservation has been made. Has yours? If not, it’s not too late. There’s room for you. I hear you can contact the Front Desk 24/7!

These are some of Jesus’ words to His disciples the night before He was betrayed:

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:2-6 NIV

The only way to secure a room in our Father’s house is through Jesus. He is there right now at God’s right hand. As I sit here writing this on Good Friday, I am very mindful of what Jesus went through to get there. The sinless Son of God died a criminal’s death on a cross for you and for me to pay the penalty for our sins. He did this out of love to restore us to a right relationship with the Father. But death did NOT have the last word. As I’ve heard it said so many times, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin’!”

“They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.”

Acts 10:39-40 NIV

The resurrected Christ walked the earth for 40 days before ascending to His heavenly home. Because He defeated death, we too have the opportunity to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father…if we just believe.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 NIV

I got a chuckle at Disney World one day when I overheard a dad say to his young son, “Now, (insert child’s name here), we need to have fun.” God’s children won’t need such direction in our eternal home because, unlike Disney World, everything will be perfect. Our dreams and so much more will come true!