Doubting and Remembering

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

Today’s reading is one that we have heard preached from many, many times. It’s the Great Commission, Jesus’ command to the Disciples and to His church to go out and make disciples of all nations.

Today, listen to what He says to them, and see if some of the same things pop out to you today that popped out to me. Listen to Matthew 28: 16-20:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

You know what one of the first things I saw was? This – they worshiped Him, but some doubted. Ok, let’s think about who these “some” where. They were the Disciples. The very ones that had walked with Him, that had seen so very much, and were looking at Him, the resurrected Christ, in their midst.

They were also the very ones that Jesus was going to deploy into mission. They were going to be big, huge, things for Him.

And with all that, some of them still doubted, at that moment.

Just because you have doubts, or struggles, it doesn’t mean that you haven’t seen God, that you don’t know God, or that God won’t use you. Doubt is often a part of faith; we struggle, we believe, we grow.

You never grow if it’s always easy. Sometimes you have to go through the tough times before you can really grow. They doubted. Jesus was going to use them in a huge way in a matter or days.

Today, if you doubt, hold onto Jesus even more tightly. He won’t let go of you. He won’t. Hold on.

And one last thing, Jesus said this, Remember, I am with you, even to the end of the age. He told them to remember He was with them. Because at times, they may forget. Don’t. Don’t forget. Hold on. Hold on tight to Him.

And remember. Remember He is with us, always. Always. Don’t forget that. You’ll be tempted to forget. Remember even more deeply.

He will never leave or forsake, even when we struggle. Because He loves us. Never forget.

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Why We Don’t Worry

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

One of the things that we see so often in scripture is this. As Christians, we are called to be different from the world. Not perfect in all things, but different. There’s got to be something different about us from the world; from the culture; from where we are live.

We just have to be different. Different in action, different in thought, different in purpose.

We see it in the Old Testament with the Levitical laws. We see in the Prophets with the call to treat others fairly. We see it in Paul’s works with the call to live not by the law, but by grace. And we see it in the Gospel with Jesus’ command to follow Him.

Listen to what He tells us today in Luke 12: 29-31:

And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Jesus tells us, don’t worry about what you are going to eat, or drink, or wear. Why? The nations of the world worry about these things. But your Father knows that you need them.

He’s not saying that these things are bad. He’s saying this – the Father knows you need food and drink and clothing. He knows this. And He will take care of you. He will.

The Father will meet your needs. He will. This is why we don’t worry.

Listen. The Father will take care of you. He will. Don’t worry about those things. God will provide.

And here’s what happens when we don’t worry about that. We can focus on what really matters. God’s kingdom. His will. His plan. His purpose. His love.

When we don’t worry about those things (that God will provide) we can focus on the one thing that really matters. God.

So, today, don’t worry about those things. God knows that you need them. He will provide. Focus on Him and His kingdom. And all will be well.

That’s why we don’t worry.

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When God Has Other Plans

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

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Sometimes there are things that we really want to do; things that we really believe that we should do. Things that may even be good things. Noble things. Even important things. But they aren’t what God wants us to do.

And that can be frustrating for us. That can make us even doubt sometimes. Come on, this is a good thing; an important thing. Why can’t I do it?

Listen to what happens today in Luke 8: 38-39:

The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Jesus healed this man, brought him back to life. Brought him back to wholeness and completeness. And all he wanted to do was follow Jesus.

Wow, what a great story! Now this man who Jesus healed will follow Him and become a disciple. Wow, that’s awesome!

But that’s not what happens. He goes to Jesus and wants to go with Him. And Jesus says no. He had other plans. Instead of following along with Jesus, the man was to go to his own hometown, and tell everyone what had happened.

Jesus had other plans. It wasn’t that the man’s plans were bad or wrong. But Jesus had other plans.

What do we do when God has other plans?

We trust. We know that God’s plans for our lives are better than our dreams for our lives. If God says no to something that we want to do; even a good thing, it’s because He has something better in mind. When we don’t understand, we trust.

We obey. We don’t obey God because of what we get out of it, we obey because of what He’s done for us. Here’s the thing, when we obey, God does amazing things through us, even if we don’t understand why or how or what. It’s not for us to always understand, it’s for us to always trust and obey.

We are thankful. Because here’s the thing. God has a plan for you. The almighty God of the universe has a plan for you. Look what happened in this text. This entire city heard the good news of Jesus because of this man. Wow!

Why God’s plan for you may not be your plan for you, know this. God has a plan for you!

Wow.

Today, may we follow in that plan.

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Solving Mysteries

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

In life, there are a lot of mysteries. There are always things that we don’t know, that we don’t understand, that are unsure of. There are always mysteries.

What will happen in the future? What will happen to our kids, our grandkids? What will happen today? What decision should we make? What door should we go through?

Where do we find our answer? In Daniel, the king quite often had dreams, had things he needed/wanted to know an answer too. And he looked to the stars and the magicians of his day for answers. When they couldn’t answer he turned to Daniel. Listen to what Daniel says today in Daniel 2: 26-28:

The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.

The answers for the uncertain in our lives don’t come from this world, but they come through God. Now, God will often speak through other people, like He did through Daniel in this text, but Daniel is sure to say – the answer to these mysteries, they don’t come from any human, but they come only through God. How do we know the answers? How do we solve the mysteries?

God will speak to us and reveal these things to us when we seek Him in His Word. Reading Holy Scripture consistently is one of the ways that God will reveal the plans He has for us. So many answers will be revealed when we take time to listen through His Word.

God will speak to us through prayer. As we seek His face through our time with Him, God will show His face to us and allow to know only know which way to go, but better yet, to know Him.

God will speak to us through worship. As we gather together with other believers, through worship and the Word, God speaks to our souls and opens our eyes.

God will speak to us through His people. God will often place someone in our path that will have the word that we need to hear. The question is, will we be watching and listening for that word?

And know this, He will reveal the answers that you need, when you need to know them. So, if you don’t have the answer you seek yet, don’t give up. It will come. It will. Because God is faithful and true. And all knowledge comes from Him.

While the Nations Rage

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

Each day with the readings that I use for these reflections, there are Psalms that are suggested for that day. Today, one of the Psalms that is given is one of my absolute favorites. Psalm 2. Listen to what this great Psalm says:

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;

That’s not the whole of it, just part. But that is just such a powerful image. Why do the nations rage? They plot and scheme. There is so much chaos, so much trouble, so many things going on here in the world that stress us, that worry us, that cause us such great concern.

And the Lord in heaven laughs. All the stress and worry and chaos of this world are nothing to Him.

Let me say that again – all the stress and worry and chaos of this world are nothing to our God.

Nothing. Nothing at all.

Relax. Rest. It’s ok. Seriously. It’s all ok. The stress of culture. Of the world. Of this moment. All the things that are you worried about. It’s ok.

The stress of the personal. The things you are dealing with in your own life. In your family. In all this. It’s ok. Really.

God has this. He really does. He has it. This nothing to Him. All the things that turn the world upside down, the Lord laughs. While the nations rage, the Lord has it.

Rest in Him today. He has it. Rest in Him.

Don’t Worry About It

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

Today on this third day of Holy Week, we see Jesus do some teaching. On Palm Sunday, He entered Jerusalem. On Monday, He cleansed the Temple. Today, He teaches. You can read the totality of His teaching in Matthew 23:29-24:51.

But this teaching isn’t so much about morality, what you should or not do. Listen to some of this teaching:

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[c] but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

These aren’t exactly “happy” verses. They are tough. They are worrisome. They are even scary. We see Jesus say that a time of judgement will come. And that can be scary. That can unsettling. That can be bad.

But that’s not what this is about. Yes, we see themes of judgement here. Yes, we see that God will come and make all things right. But we also see this. It’s going to be alright. Every time in scripture we that notion of the judgement of God and the End of the Age, we see this. Those that believe, those that are part of the covenant community, those that are part of the people of God, you know what?

We are going to be ok. We are. We are going to be ok. Yes, this world is passing away. It is. This world is not permanent. It is fading. But you know what isn’t? God.

See our hope is not in this world. Yes, I love, love, love this world. Life is great. Life is amazing. Things are awesome. But this world is fading. And there will come a day, there will be a place where there is no more pain, suffering, and death.

There is no more sickness. Or loss. Or hurt. Or tears. They are gone and vanquished forever.

And we will always be with the Lord.

So today, perspective. That thing that you are worried about, that is taking your joy, don’t worry about it. Seriously. Don’t worry. God has everything under control. Our life is found not the stuff of this world, but in Him.

So, today trust. Don’t worry. It’s going to be ok. God has it. Today, you can trust. No matter what.

52 Weeks (Week 9)

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

This week as we continue memorizing the last verses of Romans 8, we take a look at Romans 8: 31-32. As we have mentioned, these last verses of chapter 8 in Romans are so encouraging, some hopeful, just so good. Listen to what we see here in 31-32:

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

We see here this reminder. If God is for us, then who can be against us? If God is on our side, pulling for us, calling us, leading us, pushing up, then what in the world do we have to fear?

Nothing.

If God is for us, then who can be against us?

No one.

This is how much God loves us. He loves us so much that He didn’t even spare His son so that we can know life and know life eternal. So how much more will He be with us and for us in all things? All things.

Today, no matter who you face, no matter what trials come your way. No matter what is happening, hear this.

No really. Listen. Listen to this. Know this to be true. Because it is. It is really and truly true.

God is for you. God is on your side. He is. He really is. No matter what happens today, God is for you. No matter what happens today, God is on your side.

Trust that today.

God is for you. Don’t lose hope!

Facing a Challenge

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

Sometimes in life, something happens that we ask ourselves, can I do this? Am I big enough for this task? Can I handle this challenge?

We’ve all been there at some point. We’ve all had something dropped in our laps, something go on that we think to ourselves, I can’t do this. I just can’t.

So, what do we do when that happens? How do we handle that challenge? What are our options? What do we do? One of my favorite examples of something like this happening in the Bible is Matthias. Listen to his story as found in Acts 1: 23-26:

And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

We don’t know much about him in scripture other than what we just read. We know he was part of the group that was with Jesus, we know he was faithful, and we know that he was then called to step up into a group that was so very important.

And we know that he did.

So, what do you do when you face that challenge? I think that verse in the passage is so key – “Lord you know the hearts of al, show us which one of these two you have chosen.” When that challenge comes, we trust in the one that has called us to that place.

When God has placed your or led you to a place where you think, I just can’t do this, remember that. God has placed you there. God has led you there. It is God that is at work in getting you to that point. It is God that had called you.

Through Him, by Him, with Him, you can do it. You can. If He has led you to that moment. You can do it.

That challenge me be a new opportunity. Or it may be a moment of pain. Or it may be a something that even hurts. The challenge could be a million different things. But if God is the one guiding you and holding your hand, He will lead you in that moment.

Trust. When the challenge looks to great. When your strength looks too small. When you are unsure, unsteady, and maybe even unready. Trust.

God has you there. And He will not leave you. He knows your heart. And He knows what you can do.

Trust.

52 Weeks (Week 7)

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

This week in our 52 Weeks, 52 Verses, we get one of my absolute favorite verses in all of Scripture, this is one of those verses that I’ve built my life around. This is one of those verses that gives you hope, gives you confidence no matter what you are facing.

If this year of memorizing the Bible does anything, it’s for weeks like this and verses like this. This is one of those that you need to hide close to your heart, and pull out when you need that hope.

Listen to and learn Romans 8:28:

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

All things work together for good for those called according to His purpose. All things. Here is the hope that this vese gives me. All things in life, the bad, as much (maybe even more so) and the good work together for our good, if we are called to God’s purpose.

What does that mean? First, it means this. God has a purpose. God has a plan. And while we have free will within that, God is at work, guiding, calling, challenging, pushing, prodding. God is at work in all things, to bring something good out of it. God has a plan that is bigger than our human choices.

Now, I don’t understand that and am not going to claim to. But I know it’s true. God has a plan and a purpose.

And for those of us that love Him, all thing will work according to that plan.

All things. They will.

So, today, trust. God is at work in all things, for His purpose. And for our good. In all things. He really is.

Memorize this one today. Write it on your heart. Write it on your soul. Cling to it. For all things will work for our good. And for His purpose.

52 Weeks (Week 5)

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Andy Stoddard

As we walk together through 2015, we are memorizing the Word of God. Each week we are memorizing a different passage. Today we continue memorizing Psalm 121 looking at verses 5-6. Listen to what this passage says:

5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

Here’s what I love so much about that passage. The Lord is your keeper. He is your shade. He will keep you safe in the day and the night. God will keep you. He will guide you. He will protect you.

He will be your God.

Trust. Your safety and protection, it comes from nowhere else but God. Man oh man, this is one of those passages that I’ve loved for so many years. It’s one of those passages that I’ve allowed to really go deep into my heart.

I don’t have to be afraid. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to fear.

Because the Lord is my keeper.

And He is yours. Trust. Lean on Him. He will keep you. He will.