Wonder

To my list of amazing words of the season (expectation, believe, giving), I’d like to add Wonder.

It like to wonder, question things, imagine, think outside the box, etc... I like it when songs, teachings, books, and people challenge me to wonder. And the truth is, I experience that use of the word more than the other use of the word, or at least recognize it.

It’s primary definition is miracles. In William Mounce’s dictionary of New and Old Testament words, he says this about Wonder, “...the extraordinary deeds of God ... beyond one’s abilities to do or grasp.” Those wonders can be good or bad. Exodus says Egypt was smitten by God’s wonders. The Psalmist writes of God, “...such knowledge is too wonderful for me to understand.”

Yes, I want to experience and witness miracles. No, not to make money on a new ministry scheme or just for the sake of miracles. I want to see my God show off, I want to know Him better. Now that I think about it, I experienced a wonder of God this week, it was truly wonderful. I won’t go into the details, but let me remind us that He sees everything and hears every cry.

Okay, here is why I wanted to write about wonder. Isaiah 9:6 says, ...His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor .” Just based on the definitions miracles and uncertain/questioning, it think this might be my favorite name of God. (That’s not really a true statement, how could I have a favorite?) My God, who offers me counsel (advise, plan, purpose), is wonderful (miraculous, beyond my ability to grasp). It’s a win, win relationship. He’s been planning, purposing wonderfulness from my beginning, His really. And, when I cry out for help, His works more wonders to help me see the already wonderfulness in motion. That will never change because Wonderful Counselor is name. It is who He is. He can’t help but be wonderful. He can’t stop advising more wonders.

And, may I also suggest that when we are wondering (uncertain, doubting, questioning), as long as we are wondering with Him, we are begging Him to show off. 2 Chronicles 16:9. Another win, win.

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Understanding

I have a friend who is heavily criticized because of the work she does with Bound4Life, a Pro-life movement. I've made decisions that disturb my cozy life in an effort to end abortion, but these guys are leading the way and on the front lines of a war I can only see part of.

Today, she was quoted in two nation-wide news journals concerning what we pro-lifers consider a fairly big break through and stand made for LIFE. As she wrote about the funniness of what it's like to see her name in those journals, it wasn't for fame or recognition sake. It was like God leaned into our time and kissed her right on the check. Those are my words, but she had asked God for some encouragement just a few days before all this occurred. I'd say he responded quite nicely!

I was thinking about how much I love her and how she carries the Father's heart. She is greatly criticized and ridiculed for what she does for LIFE. Considering this criticism and the way she carries God's heart for life, I was wondering why we criticize? Please understand that she is criticized equally from world and the church.

I've written before about how misunderstanding will often lead to criticism if we don't redirect it. I think or at least am considering that we criticize people who carry a part God's heart because we don't understand that part of God's heart. Sure, we are learning and growing, but I know I have been quick to judge people who I don't understand. What if instead of criticizing we asked God for understanding? If we ask He will give it. Wouldn't you rather grow in understanding than burn with hatred for someone or live in disdain?

Yes, we will come to the understanding that certain people are not representing God very well even though they think they are. Heck, we might realize we aren't representing God well. But, I believe, too, that we will learn more about the Father's heart, the Son's heart, and the Holy Spirit. I want a greater understanding of Him! And, I don't want miss out on parts of Him because I wasn't willing to listen, to be wrong, to wear humility, to search Him out, etc...

We are the Body of Christ. We need each other to learn from, to grow with, to work together.

Father, help us to clothe ourselves in humility and season our speech with grace. Help us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Give us ears to hear Your truth and eyes to see You in other people even if we don't understand. Give us a desire to understand and know You more.

Giving

My family is under the smallest budget we have been refined to in years. I’m thankful that we have something to budget. For the most part, and to my surprise, it isn’t bothering me too much that Christmas gifts this year are minimal. Of course, there are moments. I was cleaning the kitchen today and our stockings, hung on the chimney with care, were begging to be filled. In my head, perhaps under my breath, I thought, “I hope I’m able to give them stockings this year.” In the most gentle voice I heard the Lord say, “There is no giving without me.”

I’ve written before about Bob Sorge’s book Secrets of the Secret Place. In the chapter No Plan B Sorge teaches that we have to come to the understanding that if God does not save us then we are not saved, if He does not heal us then we are not healed, etc... There is no plan B, He is it. That particular chapter has changed my life. As I was wiping down the counter and heard the Lord say, “There is no giving without me,” I understood the premise. As I pondered his statement, I thought about some of the gifts He has given.

He created us and gave us the breath of life. When I create idols I cannot give them life. I can try to make them have power, and I can try to give them authority in my life, but as the Psalmist writes, they cannot see, hear or breath. God is life and there is no life without him (Psalm 135:15-18).

He gives His word in a few forms. We have it written in the Bible, we have it spoken with His voice, and we have His son living in us (John 1:1, Col.1:27). He gives us His word and He is not a man that He can lie (Numbers 23:19). All God’s promises are Yes, and amen (2 Cor. 1:20).

God has given us His son because He loves us (John 3:16). And, the gift of grace and gifts of the Spirit.

The list is forever long ....

He is the Father of Lights, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17; Matt 7:11)

“...how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt 7:11; Luke 11:13)

So, as cheesy as this will be, no matter what we are giving this Christmas, whether it be frankincense, a song on a drum or a widow’s mite, let us come to understand that there is no giving without God because he has taught us what a gift is, what is means to give and how to be a giver.

Believe

I've been reading a daily advent study. I'm not one to get too caught in the traditions of the season, but some of the words that are everywhere right now hold a lot of weight for me. Expectation being one of them.

Part of one of the advent readings included Psalm 27. I could talk for days about this passage, but for today I will only ramble about verse 13. The translation I most often read says, I believe that I shall look upon the Lord in the land of the living. (ESV) Although that sums it up, I learned that verse from the NASB. Better yet, I learned of that verse from a Kent Henry song titled "Faithful God". That song, with its happy melody and powerful message, reminded to press on in one of the most difficult times of my life. The NASB says it like this:

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalms 27:13 &14 (NASB)

I believe things that the world mocks. I believe things about God and His word that other believers mock, and vice versa, to be fair. Even though it's painful at times to continue believing and even though the ridicule only grows the longer I believe,

I would have despaired unless I had believed.

I believe that God created the universe. I believe that Jesus became flesh to set me free from sin. I believe that the Holy Spirit talks to me. I believe that I was purposed for the Kingdom of God right now and forever. I believe that God hears every word I speak. I believe God corrects me because He loves me. I believe Jesus is better. I believe that the spirit of wisdom and revelation is my best resource. I believe that the more I fall in love with Jesus, the less influence the world and the things of this world have on me. I believe that God is good.

I believe, I believe, I believe ... help my unbelief so that I will not despair, but that I will increasingly know You.

(This might be kind of random, but I keep hearing this in my head so I'm going to put it out there: I believe that the Twilight series is garbage and I don't believe in giving it my money or my time.)