Rubber On The Road  

Remember when we were kids and we wanted a treat? The adult holding the treat always teased, “–and what’s the magic word?” And we’d all jump up and down and yell, “PLEASE!”

We have all had situations in our lives where we have prayed for change in a circumstance. Sometimes, In spite of all of our prayers, the circumstance does not change; even when we say please with tears on our face.   

Does this mean that God has not heard our prayers?  Have we been bad and God has decided to not answer our prayers in order to punish us?  Is there a specific prayer, a “magic word” or an act of benevolence we can perform to have our prayer answered?  If so, what is it?  

The scripture does say that whatever we ask in Jesus’ name, we receive.  This does not mean we can use the name of our Lord to have whatever we want. No matter how noble our cause is; God is sovereign.  

Actually, it is more like we have a power of attorney in the name of our Lord.  We can ask only for those things that Jesus, himself would ask for.  Asking in “Jesus’ name;” representing Christ in His knowledge and plan for our lives. Ending our prayers “in the name of Jesus” means we pray in recognition of God’s sovereignty.  

We are not able to understand what it is that God does or why. But, through the Holy Spirit, we have the mind of Christ (Romans 8:27 and I Corinthians 2:14-16).  This doesn’t mean that God wants us sick or poor; God wants good things for us. But, God’s idea of how to work things out for our good may be different than our idea. God sees our life plan through the eyes of eternity as well as minute by minute.

Romans 8:28 is commonly quoted, “all things work to our good.” The scripture doesn’t say all things feel good or all things turn out the way we think they should. The last words in the verse are very important, “for those that are called according to His purpose and plan.”   

God sometimes doesn’t answer our prayers exactly the way we think He should. Rather, so that our lives accomplish whatever it is that God has planned for us to do both with us and through us. (Romans 8:29) 

Instead of writing my plans down and asking God to please put His signature on what I want; I should take a blank sheet of paper, put my signature on it then say, “Lord, you fill in the plan.”  Only when I’m willing to make God sovereign over everything can I pray in Jesus’ name. 

John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Prayer:  Father, help me to yield my life, all of it, thoughts, self will and plans, to your sovereignty. Direct my path so your ways are my ways, focus my thoughts so that your plans are my plans. Lead me by your Holy Spirit.  I love you. Amen.

Scripture references:

Romans 8:27  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

I Corinthians 2:14-16   The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.  The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,  for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:29  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

When my grandson, Zac, was about three, I put safety child locks on my kitchen cabinets. It was hard to get used to the ‘undo it’ deal before opening the cabinets. Again and again, I would grab the handle to open and the door would catch, throwing me off balance.  

One day, Zac was in the kitchen with me as I was struggling with the new child locks–. In his toddler concern, he informed me that “I will fix dat for you, mamawl.”  Laughing, I told him, “never mind, mamaw will get used to it”.  

Later that night, I went to open a cabinet door.  I found that the knob had been removed from the door.  In fact, the knobs had been carefully removed from ALL the cabinet doors! 

The safety locks still held tight, but no knobs.  I’m thinking, “what????”  Remembering Zac’s earlier conversation, I called his mom and asked her to ask my little helper where he had removed them to. 

Zac came to the phone and said, “I trying to fix them doors for you, mamawl, but it didn’t work, they still stuck shut.”   I told him how I appreciated his care and effort, but, I really needed the knobs, where had he stashed them?  He said, “I tooked them away.”  

For about a week, we searched for the knobs but never did find them; we ended up replacing every one of them!  To this day, we do not know where Zack stashed the knobs. It remains one of those “unsolved toddler mysteries.” 

When we confess our sins to the Lord, He takes them and puts them so far away it is impossible to find them; Psalms 103:12 says “—as far as the east is from the west”.  No matter how horrible the sin, when we repent, God removes them from His memory totally, never to bring them up to us again!  

When those things that cause us to sin come before us, through our relationship with God, we CAN turn aside and walk as Jesus walked. (I John 2:4-6) We can’t continue in sin and serve God!

Sometimes, the sins we have committed leave deep scars and unfortunate consequences in our lives and the lives of those we love. These scars and consequences will be worked out through God’s love when we continue to serve Him. Sometimes, the healing and restoration takes years, decades, even lifetimes, but through God’s faithfulness, we can move on.  

God is faithful to give us grace, mercy and healing through prayer and study of the Word. God never brings up our past sins and He doesn’t want us to keep going back to them! 

Romans 6:1-2   What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Satan’s job is to find a way, ANY way, to keep me from developing my personal one on one relationship with the Lord.   

The devil doesn’t waste his time on trying to lead me away with things that have no effect on me. Instead, he focuses on the things he knows he WILL be able to use successfully against me.  

Because of the busyness of life, it’s easy to make my Lord just another item on my long list of daily chores.  Satan knows busyness is the most effective tool he can use to take me away from a relationship with God.  

Therefore, he makes responsibility and obligation his focus in my life.  Sadly, there have been times that his tricks have side tracked me, even with something as common as un-forgiveness,  but not for long; I’m not ignorant of his devices (II Corinthians 2:10-11). 

The Bible says to pray continually (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). However, praying while I do my daily chores isn’t enough to keep intimacy in my relationship with my Lord.   

I love how God’s Word uses illustrations that I can understand to reveal spiritual truth.  Ephesians 5:25-27 is often referenced as how a man should love his wife.  

However, it also would illustrate how the Lord loves us and we are to love the Lord. The marital relationship, as scripture defines it, is one of extraordinary sacrifice and intimate love.  

Without the one on one emotional intimacy shared between a husband and wife; the marriage can be weakened.  Uninterrupted time spent together, even though personal time often requires individual sacrifice, builds strong relationship; both with our spouse and with our Lord.  

The understanding of marriage relationship as an illustration of my relationship with Christ changed my attitude about finding personal time with the Lord. 

ANYthing that keeps me from a time of daily devotion is an effective tool in satan’s hands. Even my blessings (work, family, ministry) can be used as a “busy tool” when they come between me and my Lord.  

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for wanting me to spend time with you. Thank you for always having time for me.  Touch my heart so that I focus my schedule on you–first. I love you. Amen.

 Scripture references:

II Corinthians 2: 10-11   ¹⁰ Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹ in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18   ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:25-27   ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Children love to worship! One Sunday morning, in Children’s Church, one little boy was singing with all his might. 

He was jumping up and down, laughing and dancing; all the while holding a toy truck. 

With so many children standing close to him, the teacher was  afraid that he’d bonk one in the head. So, she went to him, hugged him and said, “Johnny, why don’t you put the toy down while you’re praising God?” 

With a look of total disbelief, he proclaimed, “I can NOT do that!” She asked, “Why?” He responded, “Cause I’m praising Jesus with my truck!”  Needless to say the teacher cleared the area around his praise dance and let him praise on. 

One of the most important every day decisions is how I will serve God with what I have ‘in my hand’ right NOW; my work ethic, my marriage, my friends, where I go and how I live. All these life decisions and the commitments they hold, should be used as instruments to praise Jesus.  

Whether I’m young or old, every day I choose whether or not I will serve God like a child; with everything that I have. No matter what I’m doing, no matter what I have at hand or in my hand, God should be glorified.   

Does the world see a childlike trust in God’s sovereignty in my every day attitudes and actions, no matter what circumstances are? Am I using Godly wisdom in planning my daily activities and my future goals?  

What am I doing with what I have “in my hand”, right now?   

(Luke 18:17) I tell I the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Prayer:  Father, I love you so much!  Help me to praise you with whatever I have in my hand. Whatever circumstances is at hand, I want to lift my hands in worship. Amen

Have you ever read the safety labels on ordinary household items? 

Seriously, these are actual labels off of real products:  

Toilet Plunger: Caution: Do not use near power lines

Dremel Electric Rotary Tool: This product not intended for use as a dental drill

Hair Coloring: Do not use as an ice cream topping

RCA Television Remote Control: Not Dishwasher Safe

Hair Dryer: Don’t dry hair while sleeping

As I read those, I laughed.  On a more serious note, how often do I “use” the Word of God as I should?   

Studying God’s Word is always important.  But, as with any other useful household item; it must be used wisely and for the use intended.  

The Bible has wise counsel for every situation, every circumstance and every relationship.  However, I can’t read just a line here, a chapter from this book, a sentence from that chapter and know God’s will.  To do so can be dangerous to my spiritual, emotional and financial well being.  

There is no problem that I will face in this life that isn’t addressed in God’s Word. But, in order for the Word to work in me and through me, I have to read it daily and read it all, not just choice parts.  

I Corinthians 2:8-11 says the Holy Spirit searches the mind of God and knows His will. James 1:5 says if we seek wisdom, ask and we will receive it. Prayer and Bible study go hand in hand when seeking God’s direction.  

When I read my Bible, seek the direction of the Holy Spirit and talk with God in prayer; God reveals His will for my life. The Bible is for every day use, a handbook for successful living; when used properly. .

II Timothy 3:16-17  All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work.

After an exhausting first day of school as a first grader, I asked my grandson, Max, what he thought of his teacher. 

He said he did NOT like her; he didn’t like her at all.  Surprised, I asked him “Why?” He proclaimed, “Cause she keeps wakin’ me UP!” 

This is the same reason I sometimes have trouble reading my Bible.  About the time I’m getting a handle on a situation in my life or getting victory over a personal battle, I read the scripture and HEY!  I never saw THAT before! 

Never mind I’ve read that verse a hundred times in a dozen different versions; today, when I read it, it wakes me up to another area of my life that needs Christ’s influence! 

God gave us His Word so we could have a standard of holiness and commitment.  No matter how many times we read the Bible cover to cover, there’s always a new conviction, a new insight or a new revelation to awaken us to the reality of Christ.

Satan knows that reading scripture, spending time with the Lord in conversation (prayer) and fellowship with the body of Christ brings intimacy to our relationship.  When we have intimacy through fellowship in the Word, we live triumphantly even when life is hard.

Let the Word wake you up so you see clearly where the conflicts of life come from. Wake up and begin to live victoriously! 

Ephesians 5: 13-14 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

My grandson, Max, and I were at Subway ordering our lunch.  After choosing his favorite meat and cheese for his sandwich, Max said, “Wait, one more thing; put ONE slice of jalapeno firey hot pepper inside.”  The clerk looked at me for guidance; I shrugged, clueless.   

The clerk asked, “Ok, so, just put it anywhere?”  Max nodded, explaining when he ate the sandwich, “without warning, WHOP!  There it would be; expected, but fiery hot and totally surprising!” Max shut his eyes tight, not seeing where the hot slice was placed and continued, “You just have to be ready so when it hits, you can get through it. It shakes you up but then, you go on.” 

In our lives, we have times when WHOP!  Without warning, a fiery surprise hits us.  Like Max, we knew that coming to that ‘fire’ would be a certainty, but when it actually hits, it takes our breath away. Our knowledge of who God is and what’s really going on gets us through it. 

Satan’s number one goal is to rob us of intimacy with our Savior. No matter how well we live our Christian walk, ‘fire’ comes. God doesn’t hurt us, sin and rebellion hurt us. Sometimes, we set the fire, sometimes, we get caught in the back draft of somebody else’s fire. Regardless of how we find OUR fiery hot surprise, we must realize, we are not alone. Jesus even told his disciples that troubles were an everyday part of life. (John 16:33)

No matter how we get in the fire; we will choose what the personal result of the fire will be. Will we be angry and bitter or will we focus on Jesus, get through it and move on in Christ?   

The devil hopes the ‘fire’ will destroy our life and our relationship. When fire comes,  focus your eyes on Jesus and make it through.  The fire can shake  you up but it can’t hurt your relationship with Christ unless you let it.

Ephesians 6:14-18  

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

 Prayer:

Lord Jesus, when the fiery trials of life come, help me to remember that these fiery times are a normal part of life. Show me how to overcome the fires and keep my eyes on you. Send me your Spirit to direct me and calm me. I love you, thanks for showing me how to walk through the fire. Amen.

Scriptural references:

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.^(A) In this world you will have trouble.^(B) But take heart! I have overcome^(C) the world.”

Throughout the holiday season, Christians remind each other, “remember the reason for the season.” We see this popular slogan on buttons, cards, posters and stationary. 

An increasingly unGodly world has made much effort to take Christ out of Christmas. What is it about a holiday of giving, meeting the needs of the poor and fellowshipping that makes the world so mad?

The world views Christmas as when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, many non-believers even join in the festivities and gifting with us. But the birth of the Christ child, well, that was only a small part of the plan; a plan that had been made since the beginning of time.  (II Timothy 1:8-10)   

Because of sin, mankind had lost our relationship with God. Christmas isn’t about an event. It’s about a plan that spans eternity to restore the relationship that had been lost.  (Romans 5:8) Jesus gave His life, the perfect sacrifice, so that we could know God personally.

This is how great God’s love for “me” is, that He willingly gave His only son so that “I” could have intimacy with Him.  (John 3:16) 

Prophesied about for hundreds of years; Christ’s birth is the day that God’s plan for restoring relationship with His children would be revealed to mankind. (Galatians 4:3-6)

The next time we hear or say, “remember the reason,” look beyond the baby in the manger moment and see the eternal consequences of what was done that night in the stable, under the stars in Bethlehem.  (I Peter 3:18a)

It wasn’t just about the baby, it was about the cross; it was about ME; forgiveness for my sins; so I can have an intimate relationship with my Lord. Christmas isn’t about religion, it’s about a relationship.

Philippians 2: 8-11 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

Prayer:  Father, thank you for the precious gift of your son so that I can have an intimate relationship with you.  Thank you for the blood of Christ at Calvary so my sins are forgiven.  Help me to always remember and share the reason for Christmas isn’t your birthday—it is the gift of relationship restored. I love you. Amen.

Scripture References:

II Timothy 1: 9b-10  —This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,  but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 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. 

Galatians 4:3-6  So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.  But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 

I Peter 3:18a  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. —– 

The other day, I saw a bumper sticker that stated, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.”

The statement is very true, but certainly an odd analogy. 

The car wearing the bumper sticker was in good shape, though it had a few miles on it.  So, I can only figure the people do keep their car in their home garage and probably take their car to The Garage for maintenance and check ups on a regular basis. 

If a car goes to The Garage for regular check ups, there’s less likely to be a big repair bill somewhere down the road.  And everybody knows that car buffs hang out together in the garage and talk “cars;” sharing “been there done that” experiences about what they’ve learned along the highway.   

It IS true; being in the garage doesn’t make the car a car. Although, I’ve never heard anybody who kept their car in the garage or took it to The Garage for regular maintenance say they thought it was a mistake or a waste of time.   

However, I have heard some folks say they wish they HAD kept their car in the garage so it would have had less road damage instead of leaving it parked out by the curb—but—I don’t think anybody ever put that on a bumper sticker.  

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

While visiting my son’s family, I was enjoying the company of my 7 year old grandson, Quinlan.

Suddenly, he started singing a song:  “Don’t you wish your monkey was hot like me?”  (WHAT?)    

When I asked, ‘what’s up with THAT?’ he told me that he heard a song on the radio that said, “Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?” 

He went on to inform me that he didn’t have a girlfriend because he was too little, but, he would really like to have a monkey.  

AND, he continued, his mama kept telling him to put his coat on but he never does because he’s always HOT and doesn’t need it;  inspiring his personalized version of the popular song.  I laughed till I hurt! 

Sometimes, Christians struggle with the Word of God. Our life doesn’t really line up so we try to change the original intent to fit our attitude or activities.  The Word is hard sometimes, especially when we want what we want; even though we know what we want isn’t what God wants for us!   

We try to rationalize the circumstances and convince ourselves ‘that’s not REALLY what the scripture means’. When we do this, we set aside the power of the Word to convict our hearts.  

We do what we want; convincing ourselves we’re not REALLY out of God’s will.  But, the truth is, God’s Word brings conviction for a reason; to mold us into the image of Christ.  We can deafen our ears to the quiet conviction, ignoring the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit, but the Word of God stands strong. 

The next time the Holy Spirit convicts our heart of something that isn’t “quite right” in our life, we need to step back and seek God’s direction to bring change to our heart. We need to stop seeking ways to change God’s Word to fit what we’re doing and start letting God’s Word change us. 

Hebrews 4:12  The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit; joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.