No Automatic Pilot

Our generation seems to be preoccupied with the ability to put circumstances on “automatic pilot.”  The newest invention is self-driving cars.  Before that were self-flying drones. 

The obvious question, to me, is why are we trying to write ourselves out of involvement in our own lives and jobs?  That’s a question that probes human motivation.  The next question, looking to the future, is what will be the consequence? 

As I drive down Austin city streets with Waymo vehicles passing me, I get an eerie feeling as I peer into empty driver seats.  Will actual people become expendable? 

Ironically enough, as I think about the way God sees people, I realize we are anything but expendable.  In fact, we are precious.  Believing in God the Creator and Redeemer of mankind reveals a weightiness about human beings. God so loved the world that he gave what was most precious to himself.  I suppose he could have sent a robot, but instead he sent his own Son. 

Likewise, when I think about the position and commission Jesus has given to us, his disciples, I am even more struck by the weight of authority he has placed upon us.  The responsibility of God-given authority – of being his hands and feet to the world – is the opposite of being expendable. 

I don’t know, maybe we’re afraid of the responsibility.  Maybe we’re lazy.  But we had better wake up or we might “automate” ourselves out of usefulness.  There is no automatic pilot for being human.

Tribute to Dr. James Dobson on his Passing

 I was a confused and terrified parent.

 

Having raised me on a mix of Dr. Spock and “Pavlov’s dog” philosophies, my own mother’s form of discipline had been to ineffectively chase me around with a yardstick when I misbehaved, and father’s was to demand, “When I say jump, you say ‘how high!’” 

 

My first child was a toddler when I heard Dr. James Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” program on the radio.  I couldn’t get enough.  A beacon of hope!  A voice of reason and guidance.  I was a committed Christian and needed biblical parenting counsel.  It is not overstating to say that "Focus on the Family" and its resources were a fountain of life to me in all the years when I was raising four children.  The balance of love and discipline.  The effective, non-abusive application of corporal punishment. The principle of taming the will without wounding the spirit of the child.  And so many other lessons and encouragements guided me through the parenting years as I read books and listened to radio broadcasts.

 

Several years ago I wrote a letter to Dr. Dobson, telling him how much his ministry had changed my life and set a course for my family.  I will be forever grateful. (And my grown children would thank him too, if they had any idea what their lives would have been like without him!)

Miracle Sight

Have you ever thought: “If I saw a real miracle I would believe in God!”  Really?? 

I beg to differ. 

On the contrary, you and I see things of miracle or near-miracle status every day, and go about our business as if nothing is out of the ordinary.  It’s shocking, but true.  For instance, have you ever seen a healthy baby? The overall chances of a healthy couple conceiving and birthing a full-term baby are about ll.2%.¹  Maybe that’s not quite a miracle of the supernatural kind, but at least it should cause us to say “Wow!” 

Or have you seen a sunset or sunrise?  These events depend on the stable revolution of Earth around the Sun as they both hurtle through space.  How likely is it that they will move out of this stable relationship (i.e. no sunrise and sunset)?  “Current estimates suggest only a 0.2% chance of Earth being flung out of its orbit or colliding with another planet over the next five billion years.”²   I think we’re OK.

My point is that if we have lost our sense of awe over God’s creation of these “natural” things, how will we respond when someone tells us: “I had cancer and God healed me”?  The ones who believe this are usually the ones who already believed in God. Many people may be too polite to say so, but they doubt it.

Jesus did fabulous, never-been-done -before miracles, and yet some people questioned his authority, some accused him of conspiring with the devil, and some wanted to kill him.

Why was that? Why didn’t they believe, with awestruck wonder, that God had done something?  Jesus diagnosed the condition by saying:

‘When they see what I do,

   they will learn nothing.

When they hear what I say,

   they will not understand.

Otherwise, they will turn to me

   and be forgiven.’ (Mark 4:12) 

In other words, their problem was deeper than physical seeing and hearing, but was a heart issue.  They were spiritually blind and deaf, and couldn’t see what was “as plain as the nose on your face.”  As odd as it sounds, they needed to believe before they saw.  If they repented of their unbelief in God first, then their hearts would be clear to actually understand what they saw and heard.

So next time you see or hear about a miracle, don’t just think “I doubt it.”  Instead ask for the heart change that will enable you to understand.

 

¹https://mommyhood101.com/pregnancy-odds-ovulation-to-birth

² https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth's_orbit

 

 

A WORD OF HOPE

Psalm 132: 13-18

For the Lord has chosen Jerusalem;
   he has desired it for his home.
“This is my resting place forever,” he said.
   “I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
I will bless this city and make it prosperous;
   I will satisfy its poor with food.
I will clothe its priests with godliness;
   its faithful servants will sing for joy.
Here I will increase the power of David;
   my anointed one will be a light for my people.
I will clothe his enemies with shame,
   but he will be a glorious king.”


I’m a literature teacher. In literature we learn that a symbol is one thing that represents another thing. But it also includes the original thing in its meaning. For example, a rainbow is a symbol for God’s promise never again to destroy the earth with a great flood – but the bow in the clouds is itself included in the meaning.


In Psalm 132 there are several symbols. The first is "Jerusalem," which is a symbol and precursor of the church, and both were in God’s mind from the beginning as his chosen possession. The second is "David," who is a type and symbol of Christ, but also included in Christ because he was Christ’s physical ancestor. Next is “David’s enemies,” which would represent the devil, because the same spirit that was opposing David in establishing Israel’s kingdom was opposing Jesus in establishing God’s kingdom.


So God is speaking over us at Hope Chapel that

• he lives here and this is the home he desires
• he will bless us and make this place prosper
• he will satisfy our needs with his provision
• he will clothe us with godliness so that we sing for joy
• he will increase the power of the Lord in this place so that people are drawn to his light
• he will expose the works of the enemy that he has conquered for us

And Psalm 132 is one of the songs of ascent that the people were singing as they walked up to the city of Jerusalem, looking up in hope to what God was going to do there.


Today we’ve been singing “open the eyes of my heart, Lord,” and Steve has described how Isaiah looked up and saw with his inner eye what was not visible in the natural. 

So look up!  With the eyes of your heart, with the eyes of hope. to what God is about to do for you.

The Gifts of Salvation

On Sunday during worship service I had a vision I didn’t share with everyone.  It is Christmas in July and there are beautiful presents stacked high and wide under the Christmas tree.  Jesus has them all wrapped and waiting.  He wants you to reach out and take them, open and receive each lovely answer to your need!

 

One of the ways to honor him, (and all the worship songs we were singing were about giving him honor) is by receiving his gifts.  Things in the kingdom of God are upside down that way – we bless him by receiving from him.

 

“What shall I give unto the Lord

For all he’s done for me?

I’ll take the cup of salvation

And call upon the name of the Lord.”  Psalm 116:12-13

 

The cup of salvation is free, the gifts are free – prepared out of the good and loving heart of your Father; paid for by the sacrifice of the Son.  Salvation will not only happen in eternity, but is the answer to your every need now – to make you whole and holy.

 

Reach out and receive today!

 

Song reference:              https://youtu.be/-Qfzfeswi_g?si=-sQdzxkZymBVnZfM

Scripture reference:        For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.  Ephesians 2:8, 9

The HAVES and the HAVE NOTS

 Read: Matthew 6:19-34

Jesus’ teaching about money and the kingdom of God in Matthew 6 is about focus. He uses two types of audience as examples: the HAVES and the HAVE NOTS.

 

In verses 19-21 Jesus is addressing those who HAVE money.  They have something laid up, something to treasure.

 

Then the flip side – in verses 25-34 Jesus is addressing those who HAVE NOT.  That is, they actually don’t have money laid ahead but are struggling day to day or month to month just to survive. The thing is, their focus is just as much on money as those who do HAVE extra set aside.  It’s the same problem on the flip side.

 

In verses 22-23, in the comparison about the eye, Jesus explains that the problem with money is all about your focus.  If your focus is on money and what it can provide you, that’s like living in the dark but thinking you can see just fine.

 

Jesus then uses another powerful comparison in verse 24: focusing on money is enslavement.  It keeps you from actually serving the kingdom of God.

 

Either way, HAVE or HAVE NOT, if you trust in money and what it can do for you in this world, you’re trapped.  You find that you’re not actually free to do the things God is calling you to do.  Because God always calls you to respond to his grace through faith, and what he calls to is what HE provides for.  Bottom line: where is your provision coming from – God or self, faith or works?  It makes all the difference.

 

What’s in your “wallet”? 

The Art of Meditation - Psalm 103

Do you read the Bible but sometimes wonder how to get more out of it?  The key is to MEDITATE on a passage.  This does not mean the Eastern practice of clearing your mind, but rather the practice of thinking deeply about something specific.
 
Here are 4 tips on how to think deeper, and then my “practice” meditation on Psalm 103.

1. Pause and think when a passage stands out and gets your attention
2. Personalize the passage
3. Ask questions of the passage
4. Look up definitions of words (in English and/or in the original language)

 
 
“Let all that is within me praise (bless) his holy name.”
SEE:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20103&version=NIV
 
 
The psalm writer is talking to himself.  Why does he need to do that?  He’s giving instructions to his own soul (mind, will, emotions).  Another version says “let all that I am praise him,” which would include his body.
 
What does “his holy name” mean?  “Holy” means there is no other name like it anywhere.  A name represents a person, so there’s no other person like Him anywhere.  That truth brings a feeling of awe with it.
 
Why do I praise Him?  Remember what he’s done.
-        He has forgiven ALL you’ve done.
-        He has healed ALL your sicknesses.
-        What else?
-        He has delivered you from the WORST situations.
-        And to top it all off he does it with lovingkindness (which is like putting a crown on your head).
-        And if that wasn’t enough –
-        He satisfies your desires with good things.  This renews me so I become like a young person again!
 
How do I know this is what the true God is like?
He revealed it to Moses, and through all his actions he revealed it to all the people of Israel.
 
What else do we know about God’s character?
-        works justice for those who are oppressed
-        compassionate and merciful
-        slow to anger
-        rich in unfailing love
-        will not constantly accuse and harbor grudges
-        not harsh – doesn’t punish us as we deserve
 
Who gets all these wonderful benefits?
Those who fear him. *
 
What are these blessings?
-        Loves us greatly -  as great as the distance from earth to heaven!
-        Blots out record of our sins – as far as east from west (east and west never meet!)
-        Treats us like a tender and compassionate Father treats his dear children
-        Understands our weak and mortal nature
-        Extends this salvation even to our children and grandchildren
 
All these wonderful truths make me want to praise him!
 
*NOTE: To fear him is to hold him in reverent awe.

MY HEALING FROM AN OVARIAN CYST

On July 27, 2024 I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital with intense abdominal pain from an unknown cause. 

 

But wait. Flashback to the day before.  I had written in my journal: “During my quiet time with God, I got a picture of a stronghold.  It was a concrete castle ruins covered over in vines so I couldn’t see it. I kept stubbing my toe on it and not knowing why I was stumped.  So I asked God what stronghold should I focus on tearing down?  I heard him say “fear.”            … Now back to my story…

 

After a CT-scan and other tests, the doctors told me that I had a cyst on my right ovary that measured 15 cm. across.  They showed me the image – it covered the entire width of my abdomen.  It took 3 days in the hospital for the powerful pain and nausea drugs to calm my system so I could go home.

 

I prayed for God to show me what to do, because the recommendation was that I see an oncologist surgeon to remove the cyst and any other involved organs.  They couldn’t know if it was malignant until after the surgery.

 

A day or so later I saw an ad on TV for a “Healing is Here” Conference in Colorado. I recognized the name Andrew Wommack and felt drawn to go to it.  Now, spontaneous trips out-of-state when I’m in the midst of a health crisis are NOT in line with my natural temperament!  Nevertheless, within a few days I was flying to Woodland Park, Colorado along with my daughter Laura.

 

God spoke various things to me during the conference, and I went forward for prayer several times.  I left Colorado feeling better than when I had arrived.

 

Back home I took a turn for the worse, however, and was soon on high-powered pain killers 24 hours a day, barely able to eat or even take care of myself.  During that time I was intently listening to the “Healing Journeys” testimonies from Charis Bible College, to Andrew Wommack’s videos on “God Wants You Well,” and I read Spirit, Soul, and Body by Andrew.  Finally, God gave me assurance to go ahead with surgery and to ask people to partner with me in prayer over every aspect of the operation and my recovery.

 

In the night before surgery I had an experience with God. I felt him come close to me and lay his hand on my hair, like I was a tiny child, and as he touched me I felt something happening in my body. I asked him what it was, and he said, “I am taking away the knee-jerk reaction of fear – now you will have a choice.” A delicious calm feeling enveloped my as he said, “You are safe.”

 

The successful surgery with no complications happened on September 4^th.  No cancer was found at that time.  Two weeks later I got the final conclusive lab report that the large 2.2 pound cyst that had been removed was completely benign.  Praise God for his grace and healing!

 

I am now fully recovered, able to continue all my previous activities, and happily in school as a part-time student at Charis Bible College (Austin Extension Campus). 

 

Lorraine Mahan, Austin, Texas

10/17/2024

Are You Satisfied?

“With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.” (NKJV Ps. 91:16)

I looked out over my yard on this beautiful fall day and saw a pile of mulched leaves I had spread on a garden bed. And I thought “how satisfying” it was.  

Satisfy.  That is a very human word.  It means “enough.”  Now for a radical statement: Whatever our length of life on earth, it can be “enough” for us.  That is a promise to those who call on the Lord in times of trouble, who trust in him to protect them, that they will not die before they see the salvation of the Lord and accomplish the purpose for which they were put on the earth.

For the Lord says: "I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name.  When they call on me, I will answer. I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them.  I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." (NLT Ps. 91:14-16) 

The Psalmist says elsewhere, prophetically about Jesus, “a body thou hast given me.” and “I come to do your will, oh God.”* Jesus did God’s will with his body.  We can also think of our bodies as a gift from God to do his will on the earth.  –That certainly puts a different lens on our daily life here! 

God is not against our being satisfied.  He just knows that a lot of things we try to stuff into our empty minds and souls to satisfy them, will not satisfy.  And he knows what will. 

He has a plan for each of us which will “satisfy” our deep longing for significance, for making a difference in this world, for legacy.  And we can only find it through laying down our own plan to satisfy ourselves, and listen for His plan. 

What is your plan for me today, Lord?  My soul feels “satisfied” right now watching nature in my yard and drinking this cup of coffee.  But you are leading me in new directions.  I have to hold these things loosely.  Speak, Holy Spirit; I am listening.

 

                                                *Psalm 40:6-8 and Hebrews 10:5-7

ldmahan 10/22/2024

Happy Passover! Happy Easter!

Passover week is forever linked to Easter week ... for an important reason.

God delivered Israel with a mighty hand of judgment and an outstretched arm, but he didn’t do it overnight.  Not that he couldn’t have.  As God said to Pharoah through Moses, “By now I could have wiped you off the face of the earth.”  But God had his purposes. 

God’s deliverance of Israel came in stages, so that his people would prepare themselves and come to know the character of this God who had chosen them, planted them, nurtured and protected them from the time of Abraham to the time of Joseph. And then let them wallow in slavery for 400 years … only to enact a greater deliverance.

God’s judgment on the Egyptians came in stages, so that Egypt would come to know and fear him as Almighty God.  At first they mocked Moses.  Then they came to respect the actions of the God he served and tried to pacify him.  Finally they were in abject terror because after ten warnings followed by successively destructive natural disasters, they were convinced these were not “natural.”  Egypt drove them out of their country, freeing them forever in a great coup.

God was doing SO much more than freeing slaves and lifting oppression, as great as that was.  He was creating:

·       a witness to his people of his character

·       a witness to the proud Egyptians

·       a witness to their pantheon of gods (Nile, frogs, etc.)

·       a witness to surrounding nations

·       a celebration of their freedom (the Passover)

·       a testimony to their future generations (Passover Seder yearly)

·       a new nation (Israel)

·       a challenge to Pharoah’s worldly power

·       an archetype of the freedom journey (used on the Mayflower, used in the Civil War, etc.)

·       a prefigure of Jesus Christ’s  triumph through death (the lamb becomes the lion)

·       a promise of God’s ultimate deliverance of the whole world (New Jerusalem)

 That’s why the Jewish Passover is forever linked to the Christian Easter.  God delivers.

 He is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!