A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. John 16:21
Relief feels great.
A few nights ago after some prayer and ibuprofen I experienced specifically a wonderful relief. I had pain in my head for over twenty-four hours and it started to become like a migraine. After resting in the dark for a half hour or so I realised that the pain had gone. Wow. It felt good. Energy came back. My appetite came back. It was nine in the evening but I felt like running.
Last Saturday God gave me a seed of faith to believe that our son would be born that day. I blogged about it. I talked about it. I even started singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. It had been hard to keep believing. Josiah was induced after being 14 days overdue, Zoe was induced after being seven days late, at that time we were 9 days overdue.
Around midday it was becoming obvious that labour was starting – which was a first for us to experience at home. At 3:30 we arrived in the delivery ward. At 7:30, our beautiful Simeon Elijah was born. Beautiful and big at 5045gms, or 11pounds 2ounces. My wife is amazing!
God answered our prayers in so many ways. We felt so blessed – and so relieved. He came naturally, just before he was due to be induced. He came healthy and strong. And he even looks like daddy!
The joy of salvation is the joy of relief. Jesus has relieved us of being joined forever to the sin-nature, forever bound to evil and its work in our lives. Jesus gives us a brand new life. We walk in that wonderful relief. Phew!
And today Sarah and Simeon came home from hospital after a slightly extended stay due to some minor concerns. When I told the other kids this morning that they would be coming home they danced with joy (ie. like crazy monkeys).
It is such a blessing and such a great relief to have our family altogether and all at home. There’s been a lot of joy in the house today. Lots of laughter. Lots of silliness and crazy dancing.
What a relief! What joy!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Faith, Hope and Joy
I wasn’t going to blog today but God has encouraged my soul – I feel joy and I want to share it. My boy is now 9 days overdue and impatience has been challenging my joy.
A few days ago Sarah read Hebrews 12 and was encouraged by the rhema thought that while we ask God for perfect circumstances, that He is looking to develop perfect faith within us.
We can be so focussed on circumstances, results and achievements that it’s possible to let them define our lives and our joy. God is focussed on our hearts, He is looking to perfect our faith so that we grow in maturity, fully trusting in Him.
The circumstances around the first birth in our family were quite difficult. But we are encouraged to remember that throughout that time we didn’t give up our faith and we didn’t give in to the circumstances. It became our family’s defining moment and testimony of faith. God is good.
Sometimes things don’t happen at the time according to our plans and our prayers. But who are we to say that they didn’t somehow happen according to God’s plans? So our faith, our hope and our joy cannot be limited to times of favourable circumstances.
Our faith, hope and joy are based on the goodness, the power and the promise of God, regardless of the circumstances. So we should keep our eyes on Jesus, who is perfecting our faith – especially in and through difficulty.
Thinking that success is a set of circumstances, results or achievements will do our heads in and could even destroy our faith. God is responsible for the results. So ‘success’ for us is in never giving up and always looking to Jesus.
Abraham had an amazing promise (a son) in the most ridiculous circumstances (barrenness and very old age). He is remembered as a man of faith not because he had a son (God did that) but because he didn’t weaken his faith (Romans 4:19), and he did not waver through unbelief but was strengthened in his faith in God (4:20).
Abraham was, “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (4:21). The Bible says that this was a credit to him in his relationship with God.
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! (Romans 5:1-5 The Message)
God is good. God is able. God is perfecting our faith. Let’s believe.
A few days ago Sarah read Hebrews 12 and was encouraged by the rhema thought that while we ask God for perfect circumstances, that He is looking to develop perfect faith within us.
We can be so focussed on circumstances, results and achievements that it’s possible to let them define our lives and our joy. God is focussed on our hearts, He is looking to perfect our faith so that we grow in maturity, fully trusting in Him.
The circumstances around the first birth in our family were quite difficult. But we are encouraged to remember that throughout that time we didn’t give up our faith and we didn’t give in to the circumstances. It became our family’s defining moment and testimony of faith. God is good.
Sometimes things don’t happen at the time according to our plans and our prayers. But who are we to say that they didn’t somehow happen according to God’s plans? So our faith, our hope and our joy cannot be limited to times of favourable circumstances.
Our faith, hope and joy are based on the goodness, the power and the promise of God, regardless of the circumstances. So we should keep our eyes on Jesus, who is perfecting our faith – especially in and through difficulty.
Thinking that success is a set of circumstances, results or achievements will do our heads in and could even destroy our faith. God is responsible for the results. So ‘success’ for us is in never giving up and always looking to Jesus.
Abraham had an amazing promise (a son) in the most ridiculous circumstances (barrenness and very old age). He is remembered as a man of faith not because he had a son (God did that) but because he didn’t weaken his faith (Romans 4:19), and he did not waver through unbelief but was strengthened in his faith in God (4:20).
Abraham was, “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (4:21). The Bible says that this was a credit to him in his relationship with God.
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! (Romans 5:1-5 The Message)
God is good. God is able. God is perfecting our faith. Let’s believe.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Joy in the waiting room
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” Jesus in John 14:1
Waiting patiently is hard to do. The feeling of, “I just can’t wait for …” can so quickly turn from excitement to frustration. Like in the Proverb, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (13:12). I guess the truth is that we can find it hard to wait joyfully. Somewhere along the line, and in our default responses, the joy that is possible, and even appropriate, can be lost.
We are waiting for our new baby boy. Everything is ready and we just want to meet him and hold him. He is actually due to be born today. But of course we don’t know exactly when he will be born, so it’s not the same as waiting for a particular time or a given moment. I have such a great reason to be joyful but I’m stilling learning how to wait well.
As we wait it is easy to disengage, to get distracted from the promise because it’s hard to stay excited and keep believing. I can easily stop praying and focussing on it and think about getting busy or getting rest – finding some way to postpone hope and its potential for frustration along the way.
Instead of the joy of expectation we can be ripped off by the risk of disappointment. What if all our prayers aren’t answered? I think that this is where it is so easy to disengage, because fear actually becomes our expectation and it’s easier just to back away from the whole thing.
Fear is a joy-thief. I find that it distracts me, I take my eyes off Jesus and His promises, and then it binds me. Jesus has told me not to let my heart be troubled. I have stewardship over my heart and it is up to me not to say ‘yes’ to distraction and fear.
So I tell my heart to focus. I tell it not to fear. I have a Saviour in whom I can trust. He will be with me in every moment. I tell my heart to believe, to engage. I let my heart be excited. I let my heart receive joy.
I will pray and I will praise. I will engage and enjoy. I know that I will soon meet my son. And I know that my heavenly Father is still looking out for me.
Waiting patiently is hard to do. The feeling of, “I just can’t wait for …” can so quickly turn from excitement to frustration. Like in the Proverb, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (13:12). I guess the truth is that we can find it hard to wait joyfully. Somewhere along the line, and in our default responses, the joy that is possible, and even appropriate, can be lost.
We are waiting for our new baby boy. Everything is ready and we just want to meet him and hold him. He is actually due to be born today. But of course we don’t know exactly when he will be born, so it’s not the same as waiting for a particular time or a given moment. I have such a great reason to be joyful but I’m stilling learning how to wait well.
As we wait it is easy to disengage, to get distracted from the promise because it’s hard to stay excited and keep believing. I can easily stop praying and focussing on it and think about getting busy or getting rest – finding some way to postpone hope and its potential for frustration along the way.
Instead of the joy of expectation we can be ripped off by the risk of disappointment. What if all our prayers aren’t answered? I think that this is where it is so easy to disengage, because fear actually becomes our expectation and it’s easier just to back away from the whole thing.
Fear is a joy-thief. I find that it distracts me, I take my eyes off Jesus and His promises, and then it binds me. Jesus has told me not to let my heart be troubled. I have stewardship over my heart and it is up to me not to say ‘yes’ to distraction and fear.
So I tell my heart to focus. I tell it not to fear. I have a Saviour in whom I can trust. He will be with me in every moment. I tell my heart to believe, to engage. I let my heart be excited. I let my heart receive joy.
I will pray and I will praise. I will engage and enjoy. I know that I will soon meet my son. And I know that my heavenly Father is still looking out for me.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The joy set before Him
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
What was motivating Jesus to endure such brutality?
What was the joy that was set before Jesus?
He knew what was coming. Jesus knew exactly what would be required and what He would go through. He knew the price that had to be paid. It’s difficult to imagine that joy was part of the picture. But Jesus endured the pain of the cross for the joy that He was looking forward to.
When I “go through” some difficulty it is easy for me move towards self-pity and the negative connotations that now go with the word “martyr”. It’s easy to imagine someone tolerating hardship begrudgingly – a little bitter, ready to moan for sympathy.
But this is light years away from Jesus’ emotions and motivation. In the depths of humiliation, torture and even separation, Jesus held on to joy. He could see the reason and not only considered it worth the pain but continued to look forward to what was beyond the cross.
Jesus’ joy was in looking forward to our new birth. He knew that He must die so that we can receive the second, spiritual birth into His Kingdom. The punishment He took for us on the cross and the victory He took over sin and death meant that He could have a proper and everlasting relationship with us.
Jesus’ heart was involved. He looked forward to making us and knowing us and blessing us and spending time with us. This is the joy that was set before Him - the joy of having the opportunity to form an intimate bond with us. He took the initiative through the cross to pursue us!
While I can’t imagine the pain, right now I feel that I can relate to the joy. I have a wonderful joy set before me. My third child is due to be born in the next week. And what a joy it is to think about him. I really can’t wait to meet him. He is part of me. I know him already. I know something of his nature because he shares it with me. I know his name. And I can’t wait to see him and hold him – to know him better and to spend time with him.
Jesus’ joy was in looking forward to our new birth.
Lord, thank You for saving me. And thank You for saving me with joy in Your heart. I’m in awe when I think of what You did on the cross. And to think that you want my joy would be complete. Lord, You are amazing.
What was motivating Jesus to endure such brutality?
What was the joy that was set before Jesus?
He knew what was coming. Jesus knew exactly what would be required and what He would go through. He knew the price that had to be paid. It’s difficult to imagine that joy was part of the picture. But Jesus endured the pain of the cross for the joy that He was looking forward to.
When I “go through” some difficulty it is easy for me move towards self-pity and the negative connotations that now go with the word “martyr”. It’s easy to imagine someone tolerating hardship begrudgingly – a little bitter, ready to moan for sympathy.
But this is light years away from Jesus’ emotions and motivation. In the depths of humiliation, torture and even separation, Jesus held on to joy. He could see the reason and not only considered it worth the pain but continued to look forward to what was beyond the cross.
Jesus’ joy was in looking forward to our new birth. He knew that He must die so that we can receive the second, spiritual birth into His Kingdom. The punishment He took for us on the cross and the victory He took over sin and death meant that He could have a proper and everlasting relationship with us.
Jesus’ heart was involved. He looked forward to making us and knowing us and blessing us and spending time with us. This is the joy that was set before Him - the joy of having the opportunity to form an intimate bond with us. He took the initiative through the cross to pursue us!
While I can’t imagine the pain, right now I feel that I can relate to the joy. I have a wonderful joy set before me. My third child is due to be born in the next week. And what a joy it is to think about him. I really can’t wait to meet him. He is part of me. I know him already. I know something of his nature because he shares it with me. I know his name. And I can’t wait to see him and hold him – to know him better and to spend time with him.
Jesus’ joy was in looking forward to our new birth.
Lord, thank You for saving me. And thank You for saving me with joy in Your heart. I’m in awe when I think of what You did on the cross. And to think that you want my joy would be complete. Lord, You are amazing.
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