My Favorite Name

This is a post that I first wrote on my own blog, Linda Kruschke’s Blog, in December of 2009. I somehow stumbled upon it the other day and thought it would be a good one to share here at Broken Believers. It is a good reminder that God is with us, and God wants us to be with Him. That is true for each and every person, no matter how broken or lost.

As Christmas is fast approaching, I’ve been thinking about the many names given to Jesus in the Bible. He is called the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Alpha & Omega, and many more. But my favorite name of Jesus is Immanuel.

The prophet Isaiah wrote:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Isaiah 7:14

This verse is quoted in Matthew 1:23 regarding Jesus, and in Matthew the writer defines the name Immanuel to mean “God with us.”

When I look at one of my many nativity scenes, that is what I see: God with us. For thousands of years God tried to get the message across to His people that He loved them and would always be there for them. He spoke through miracles, such as the parting of the Red Sea, and through prophets, such as Isaiah and Daniel. But in spite of all His attempts to get through to them, His people didn’t always get it.

So God decided to become one of us, to be with us, to experience life just as we do. I like the name Immanuel because it reminds me that God loves us enough to be willing to experience all the pain, trials, and heartache that we do, to fully understand how we experience relationships and love. God did this in hopes that we could and would better relate to Him. Because ultimately what He wants is for us to be with Him.

This Christmas, I hope you will feel the blessing of being with God and of God being with you. I hope you will experience the fullness of Immanuel.

Immanuel (ransomedbeggar.wordpress.com)
Where is immanuel found in bible (wiki.answers.com)
Immanuel (gibsongirl247.wordpress.com)
The promise of Immanuel in the troubled times- an exposition of Isaiah 7.14 (samvarghese.wordpress.com)

Oct 17 2011

Hold Onto What You Know

A dear and wise friend of mine once told me that I should never go by what I feel, but by what I know. Feelings can be fickle and reactionary, and oftentimes they do not reveal the truth about the situation they are a reaction to.

There are times when my feelings have been all of those things. I’m sometimes sad or angry or depressed or disillusioned. My feelings are often a reaction to what has been going on in my life, or to things that have been said to me as well as about me and others whom I care deeply about. I’ve have times of feeling hopeless and been in disbelief of the things that have transpired in my life. I had days when I feel completely lost and alone.

On those days I listen to my dear friend and turn to the things I know to help me get through how I am feeling, to get to the truth of the matter. Here is what I know:

”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 8:28. The important word in this verse for me is “all.” It is not just in some things, but in all things, that God works for the good of those who love Him. I may not see the good that will come from my present circumstances, but God does.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11. God has planned my days, now and for eternity, and His plan is one of hope.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31. Even though my own strength may be insufficient to get me through difficult times, the strength of the Lord is always there for me to lean on.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. God loves me and will take my burdens and anxiety if I will only let go.
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3. Eternal life starts now by knowing Jesus, not just when this body dies.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38. This is one I have proven to myself. As I am a blessing to others I receive a blessing in return much greater than I gave.
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. There is joy to be found when I trust in the Lord.
“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17. Grace and truth go hand in hand, and they are the great blessing that we all have from Jesus.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10. Jesus came that we might live an abundant life, the best life that God could possibly want for us, something much better than we can ever imagine. Satan is the thief who promises pleasure and great things, but means us only harm.
“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6. This is a promise and a truth that can get me through any day.

These are just some of the things I know. God’s Word is full of promises of hope, love, joy, and redemption. It is full of stories of how those who had faith in God, who trusted in His promises, were blessed beyond measure. God is greater than my feelings. I may feel hopeless, but that does not negate the hope He offers. I may feel lost, but that does not change the fact that He has found me and will never leave me. For all these promises I am grateful.

Imitate Me (pastorpaulvbsblog.blogspot.com)
Living Life For Self = Death (thetestofthecross.wordpress.com)
How did men receive Eternal Life under the Law of Moses? (ptl2010.com)

Jun 21 2011

Making It All Real

“[The LORD Is My Fortress] I live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.”

Psalm 91:1 CEV

We must grasp this down deep. He shelters us in a place that no one can reach. He is a rock of a fortress, and evil will never penetrate him. Our position is wonderful, and we rejoice in it, and yet a shield has been put into place that will never waver. We are the “apple of his eye” and we stand very much protected.

The entirety of Psalm 91 is a confidence builder. But it does so without us grasping truths that are vague or confusing. It is a Psalm that states reality, without any anesthesia. When we truly read it, the natural tendency is to be overwhelmed or confused by it. But that isn’t its real purpose. It is there to communicate “security” in every perspective of life. I am “safe” and nothing will ever change that.

As we shelter ourselves into his presence, we will end up drawing his “life” directly into our life. Our blood now flows with his. Our life, has been transfused or mixed with his. He has gone the extra mile to make us one with him. We are “blood brothers.”

Try as you may, you will not ever shake yourself free of this. If you truly believe in Him, he goes ahead and puts his mark or seal on you. At this point, you might as well surrender. You have become his, and he will most definitely take control.

Psalm 91 points out so many issues. Reading it, we find it takes us to a place where we trust him far beyond anything else. He begins to comfort us, He soothes us into the very place, that we start bringing a grace that is quite exceptional.

May 26 2011

Superglue Your Crown On

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. ¹¹ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.“

Rev. 3:1o-11, NLT

The crown you wear is vulnerable. Sorry. But the truth needs no amplifier, it brings us to that amazing place where we can influence and shape our future track. The crown we wear can be snatched, and taken away from us. The dark enemy would then lift it up, and the teems of evil would rejoice over their victory in a dark orgy of an evil power.

Jesus has issued a command. His instruction is communicating to us an awareness of what evil is about to attempt. He states that there is a testing, that there is the need for endurance. We can so easily be brought into darkness, and the enemy is pushing us (with all his power and zeal) in that direction.

Our crowns can be taken. They will never be returned, not without issues. Evil will be generated from failure to keep watch. Our life has been harmed and weakened, and evil swoops in to collect that crown that we wore. It becomes Satan’s trophy, and he gloats as shows off his collection. We will become destitute of spirit, and quite undone. Evil repetitively does this, and we must accept its reality and its claim to darkness.

But the crown Jesus gave you is extremely important. I suppose, that it is wonderfully significant. We look at our crown, and we can draw conclusions. He has given us an authority, and a place in his kingdom which is secure. He works on our behalf to turn us into a marvel of grace. We grasp on his gentleness, and turn toward his grace.

The wonderful crown that has been given to us, it creates an issue that we can not erase or eradicate. We pick it up and we are reminded of who we are, and what we are to become. My dear brother or sister, you wear a crown that sets you apart. Wear it, with a spiritual awareness that you are special. You are of a kingly lineage. Rub shoulders with all that is good. Become a companion of all those who are friendly to the truth. Walk soft, but you must hold on to everything that belongs to you.

May 16 2011

Five Rings to Make Us

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

Five things are listed from the very inside, outward in concentric circles, each is a profound issue. We throw a rock in the lake, and it continue to grow wider and wider. And this suits us very well. We watch and see the rhythm of the water, and it does us much good. (It really seems that Zoloft and Seroquel couldn’t do any better.)

The starting point “is in your midst.” The center point is the “the Lord your God.” When the Lord is your center we just know that there is something else just teetering, ready to happen. His presence, active and decisive as it is, has put things into motion.

Secondly, “he is a Mighty One who will save.” This is agape love sweating. The work of salvation can only come from him. He initiates and than goes on to conclude this salvific work.

Being rejoiced over with gladness seems outrageous to us who have been diminished and wrecked by sin. It doesn’t seem possible, but the Father gets a real boost when he thinks of us. He is glad when he gazes on you.

The fourth circle is the next. He quiets us with his love. A toddler begins to scream, his mother meets him, and holds him closely. The child sobs start to diminish, and mom begins to restore his broken heart. He has been quieted. Way too often we find that we have made ourselves no longer accessible, but we are lost in deep sin and confusion.

The fifth and final work is the Father’s singing. It is done with a flair and deeply enthusiastic; he sings with a loud voice, he doesn’t seem to hum, and the angels do not do background vocals. Singing at the top of his voice, it is said he “exults” in you. He has a way about him as he sings triumphly, reveling and boasting in your faith in him.

It intrigues us, and we are mystified by our attraction to him. It can also be disturbing as well. While trying not be a egomaniac, we than bounce out into the pathetic. But none of these works really well. As a generalization we seem to have the need to know his marvelous love for each of us. We must believe that this is true. I know that this seems to be somewhat outrageous. But what else can he do, but to place us in this needy spot.

May 14 2011

Our Very Real Treasure

As Christians often our theology tells us that mental illness, depression, and bipolar disorder have no place in the believer’s life. So we hide, sneaking into our sessions with our therapists, and change the subject to minimize our exposure to direct questions. We have hidden our issues really well.

But I would submit to you that it is we who are closest to the Kingdom of God. It is far easier for us to approach the Father, in our brokenness, humility, and lostness. We have needs; a sound mind, a healthy body and we know it. We have no illusions of wellness, nothing can convince us that we are well. We are not. We are broken and only our loving creator can mend us.

You might say that the Church needs us. An Archbishop was given an ultimatum by the Huns who surrounded his cathedral. “You have 24 hours to bring your wealth to these steps”, the war-leader declared. The next morning the Archbishop came out leading the poor, the blind, the lame, and the lunatics. “Where is your treasure? Why have you brought out these, people?” The Archbishop said this, “These are the treasures of the Church, these who are weak are our valuables. They make us rich.”

I am afraid the the Western Church no longer sees its “treasures” like it should. In our pride and self-centeredness we have operated our churches like successful businesses. We value giftedness more than weakness. We definitely have no room for the desperately weak. It’s time for the Church to begin to act like Jesus.

Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church should be a verb. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.