Praise

Tucked within the folds of the last chapter of Hebrews is a thorny, but powerful verse. “Through Jesus,” the writer imparts, “let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-—the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15, NIV).  It is thorny because it pricks us to surrender, and it is powerful because, when accomplished, greater faith is the product.

Praise comes easily when we have reached the top of the mountain. It is a different when the valley holds us captive. However, the command is still very clear. We are to praise God in the valley. How you respond in the valley speaks volumes about your relationship with the Lord. You don’t have to be a Christian giant in order to praise God when you’re in pain. Just your willingness to surrender speaks your heart’s condition. If you really read this verse you will discover that the actual way to achieve its instruction is revealed within the treasure of its wording.

Let’s look at what we are actually instructed to do. Offer God a sacrifice of praise. Your praise is to be an offering. An offering is a gift. It is not just offered as something that is expected, but as something that is given out of love.  If you truly have experienced the redeeming love of Jesus Christ, you love Him deeply, and long to return His love. A sacrifice of praise carries you forward from your initial salvation experience and teaches the sanctifying selfless love of Christ. “We also rejoice in our sufferings,” Paul writes in Romans, “because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4, NIV). We are instructed to offer a sacrifice of praise because we have the ability to grow spiritually from our suffering. From our growth, we learn hope. This is the kind of hope that fuels our faith.

We are also told in Hebrews that this sacrifice of praise shall be spoken. Praise cannot rest silently within our hearts. Unless it is spoken, it has no power to change us. When declared, praise shall truly be the fruit of our lips that confess His name. In Psalm 22, King David writes of his fear. “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me” (Psalm 22:14, NIV). Later in the same chapter, David writes of the power discovered in voicing praise to God. “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You, who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows” (Psalm 22:22-25, NIV).

Within Psalm 22:25 we are able to understand how David achieved his sacrifice of praise. His praise came from the Lord, and from a personal commitment to fulfill his vow. This statement reveals the way in which the command of Hebrews 13:15 may be attained. The Lord has His part, and we have ours. The Lord has faithfully rendered His part through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. Our ability to praise the Lord in times of suffering is the Lord’s gift to us. Our part is to render the gift back to Him, and that can only come from a personal commitment to fulfill our vow. It was only through God that David could offer praise, and it is only through Jesus that we are also able to speak of God’s faithfulness. When praise is spoken, greater faith becomes our reality. When we praise God continually in the midst of pain or discouragement or loneliness or failure or sadness, we are changed by the power He imparts through a sacrifice of praise.

Do you praise God in the valley?  If not, the direction in Hebrews 13:15 is obvious.  All it takes is your recognition of His gift to you, and a willing heart to offer a sacrifice of praise.  Faith is your reward, and your promise of things not seen.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

I Choose You

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.

—Psalm 131:1 (NLT)

You call me to do things that seem beyond my strength and ability. I’m so thankful that, in times of weakness, you give me all that I need to accomplish your desire. Often what lies ahead overwhelms my heart, but your will is all that matters. Often others do not understand, and I feel stripped, alone, and vulnerable. It is in that moment that I realize that you are all I need. You were stripped of all support for me. Now you are my constant support and my constant strength. You carry me through fire with your joy still alive and strong. You carry me safely through deep waters that would drown me if you were not my anchor and shield. You are my strong and mighty tower that endures through every moment of life.

Lord, keep me from a prideful spirit. Keep me on your altar until my heart is so broken that it remains forever pliable in your hands. I don’t want to have my way, Lord. I want yours, and I seek it. I won’t be concerned over things that are too deeply complicated at this time for me to grasp. I know my life is only a small part of your greater plan. I trust you to take care of that which is beyond me. I let go of self that hinders and keeps me from greater reliance on you. I trust you over any perceived promise. I trust you over anything my human mind conceives. I love you, Lord, more than anything else. Thank you. You are God, and I am not. You are my Savior, and I am not. I never create or save. I pray to always be your available instrument, but, thankfully, I am free because I know that you are in control. Thank you for believing in me when I can’t believe in myself. I choose to believe who you are in me. Self is on the altar, and even though self wants to be picked up, I leave her there. And I choose you.

—Form Me, Fire Me, Fill Me

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

Precious Faih

Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. —Isaiah 28:16b (NLT)

He is a precious cornerstone—a prized and valuable foundation. There in Jerusalem, upon Mount Moriah where Abraham did not have to sacrifice his son, God sacrificed His. Upon Golgotha, Jesus accomplished His Father’s will. What He offered for me was priceless. It cost His life. And there, while God’s legions waited breathlessly for the moment, He finally died, splitting the veil of the temple and unleashing the power of God to change mankind.

Upon this rock, He builds my faith. Valued above all else, He is the reason for all I believe—all I am. He was tested and tried upon Calvary, and there He was victorious for me. He is the only sure foundation in which I trust—the only safe harbor in which I find refuge. The gift of His precious life calls for my response even though there is nothing He asks of me. His love was the purest love ever forged and resurrected. His love gave without regard. Without hesitation, He died to rescue me.

On that morning three days later, new life burst forth and claimed me! His grace set me free. Nothing else is truth, but Him. Nothing else is worthy to build upon, but Him. God placed this foundation stone in Jerusalem for me. I have precious faith and will never be shaken again. I believe.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

Words

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

—Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

My child, be careful with your words. Reckless speech can pierce a heart. Don’t say the first thought that comes to mind. Consider cautiously whether those words shall injure or inspire—whether they shall inflame or calm. The tongue has the power of life and death. Speak life. Always life. Ask for my wisdom. I give it to you without hesitation. Speak wisely. My wisdom imparted to a hurting soul has the power to heal a broken heart and the power to heal a broken spirit. My wisdom is pure. It gives peace. Genuine and sincere, it is willing to yield to others. Full of loving-kindness, it has no doubts and does not pretend to be something it is not. Words of wisdom and truth endure forever. Words spoken without truthful and wise consideration last only for a moment. They have no power to heal or restore. Never lie to impress. A deceitful tongue speaks death. It crushes the spirit. But my wisdom, spoken in gentle truth, is a tree of life. It soothes and heals. It gives purpose and fulfillment to a life that yearns for meaning. Child, I long to speak through you. Seek my heart and my wisdom. Then choose your words prayerfully and carefully. I wish to heal a broken heart through you.

—Form Me, Fire Me, Fill Me

© Lynn Lacher 2017

www.lynnlacher.com

My Shield and My Glory

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.   

—Psalm 3:3-6 NLT                     

You are my Savior, Lord, but there are times I have trouble laying “self” down. You long for me to know who I am in you. You know my potential. You yearn for me to stop striving, and allow you to develop me. Help me to lay myself down before you, Lord. Help me to surrender my needs—my thoughts—my desires—my preconceived notions—my expectations—my ideas—my beliefs—my likes—my dislikes—my heart—my mind—my whole being to your work in me.

I cannot shield myself. I cannot save myself. I cannot fix anything. I cannot be good enough. Striving to be good enough gets me nowhere. You have accomplished who I am on Calvary, but I need to allow it. Your purpose was accomplished. What has separated me from your glory has been ripped into shreds. Your altar waits. You wait for me to enter into your fullness of life. You wait to not only shield me from all dead attempts to change my life, but you wait for me to understand that you alone are my glory. You are the one who changes me—who molds me. You are the one who lifts me from destruction—who holds my head high above sin and self that wishes to destroy the potential waiting to be accomplished in me. I carry the capacity to be who you died for me to be. A new creature! I long to know this person! When I surrender to your work in me, you are the shield that protects me. You are my glory that holds my head high. You are the one who strengthens and empowers my life.

I cry out in surrender to you, and you answer me from your holy mountain. You are my glory and salvation—my Mount Zion. I give up the struggle to make myself new, and allow you make me new. And with that release comes your peace—your peace which my human mind cannot grasp on its own. You are in control. I lay down and sleep in your peace. I wake up in your safety, because you are my Savior. You have saved me by your grace, and not by my works. I am not afraid of anything that comes against me, because I have surrendered to your peace, your protection, and what you accomplish in me. I stand in your power. You are my shield. You are my glory.               

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com                                                                                                                                                                     

Not About Me

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.                                                                                      —Philippians 2:2–4 (NIV)

Is my life one of promise? Do I offer hope? Do I encourage others when they are unable to encourage themselves? Am I sensitive to someone else’s pain, or do I unconsciously throw fuel on the fire of their pain with casual words that have not been inspired by God? Do I put the needs of others before my own, or do I find a way to just do enough? In my words or actions, I speak either encouragement or defeat to another person. I speak life or death to another heart.

As much as we might like it to be, His life in us is not about what we want or how we might prosper. It is all about what He desires for us to sacrificially become for the sake of someone else. His desire is for me to love others as He loves me—and tenderly and compassionately give my life away while expecting nothing in return. Freely He gave. Freely I should give. He desires for me to encourage and speak His life where there has been death and to bless those who are downtrodden and hurting with the healing presence of Jesus Christ.

Mold my life, Lord, into one that is not about me. I long to see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and understand with your Spirit in order to help others realize their potential in you. I pray that I put another life before my own. I pray that I always love and encourage with His grace and truth. May I never let go of believing in your promise for someone else!  I pray that my life becomes broken and spilled out as yours was broken and spilled out for me.

© 2017 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

Costly Grace

Just what does it mean to follow Jesus?  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor, was only thirty-nine when he was executed as a member of an underground movement fighting to overthrow Hitler. “When Christ calls a man,” expressed Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship, “he bids him come and die.”

As a believer do you know that you are called?  Has God taken possession of you? Jesus calls each Christian to leave self behind, take up His cross, and follow Him (Luke 14:27). These requirements don’t attract a large number of followers, but for those who do follow, the result of such a decision is guaranteed.  “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16:25, NIV).

“Cheap grace,” Bonhoeffer also wrote in The Cost of Discipleship, “is grace without discipleship; grace without price; grace without cost! The essence of grace, we suppose, is that the account has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing. Since the cost was infinite, the possibilities of using and spending it are infinite.”  If we refuse to follow Jesus, and allow His Truth to mold us, we make His grace on Calvary cheap. “Costly grace,” Bonhoeffer further wrote, “is the gospel which must be sought again and again. It is costly because it cost a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.”  Discipleship is Christ’s command, and it has a cost.

The 14^th chapter of Luke tells the story of Jesus and His disciples walking to Jerusalem one day. Following behind them just on the sidelines and wanting to share in the excitement of Jesus’ ministry without making a commitment, is Bonhoeffer’s “cheap grace” crowd. Three times in Luke 14:25-33 Jesus addresses their motives. He reveals who cannot be His disciple—those who love family and their own desires more than Him, those who do not carry their cross and follow Him, and those who do not give up everything. In these verses, Jesus defines a disciple as one who believes that loyalty and love for Him is greater than any other relationship.

A disciple of Christ believes that carrying his own cross requires a commitment to obediently follow Jesus, to believe the truth of the Gospel, and to daily deny self. To give up everything doesn’t mean rejecting everything in your life. A disciple determines, as do the builder and king in Luke 14, exactly how much it will cost him to complete his work for Jesus, and whether or not he is willing to pay the price. So a true follower of Jesus counts the cost, and places himself completely under the guidance of the Master. His love for the Master outweighs all else in His life.  It is greater than His closest earthly relationship, and He is willing to give whatever it takes so others may know his Master. This is costly discipleship.

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me,” David rejoiced (Psalm 42:7, NIV). The unfathomable depth of the Spirit of God calls to the depth of the Holy Spirit within a man, and bids that man come. When the Holy Spirit is the caller, then it is the man surrendered to the Holy Spirit, who accepts. 

When my family lived in Nebraska many years ago, our young children followed behind me in heavy snowdrifts—each foot stepping into the footprint that I had just made. Jesus Christ calls through the snowdrifts of our lives, and offers a way to follow. Will we place our feet into His footprints? To walk as He walked and not be eternally lost in drifting desires and earthly loyalties? He has revealed His way, but each one of us must decide about the cost.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

             

Come Abandoned

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Come to Him stripped of pretense. Come abandoned. Come right where you are. Come with no preconceived notion. Come unmasked with nothing to prove, and find rest from the turmoil. Come with nothing but your brokenness. And when you place the mask you have tried to hold in place on His altar, you find Him waiting.

You thought you could do it alone, but He knows best. He accepts you and loves you right where you are. You can be real with Him. There is only you and Him. There is no image you have to keep. There is no mask you have to hold in place. There is no agenda that has to be met. There is no perfection that you need to maintain. Pride has kept you from being honest with Him and with yourself. He knew that there was nothing you could do—that His grace covers all—but He waited for you to realize it. You had to surrender so He could heal and restore.

At His altar—abandoned to Him—you are no longer in bondage to human expectation or acceptance. You are free in His grace to experience forgiveness without retribution—to receive peace without hesitation—to know joy without doubt. No longer burdened by self, you are surrendered to His purpose instead of your own. No longer rejected, you are accepted. What has overwhelmed is now seen from His perspective. He has taken your anxious thoughts from you, and now you are at rest. You are broken of self and restored in His power.

Hope is only discovered in His presence. Peace is only realized when you come abandoned to Him. Joy is only found when you daily let go what burdens your hesitant heart. Always come to His altar. Always surrender. Always lay yourself honestly before Him. Realize that His promise of power is only known when you come stripped of pretense and open to His purpose.  Once you experience the freedom in His grace, you shall come again and again. You shall never wish to be lost in your own weakness again.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com

WHEN GLORY BREAKS THE MORNING

By Donna Shivers

When glory breaks the morning

Your sweetness fills the air

Such a sense of presence

Is prevalent everywhere.

My feeble mind can’t comprehend

The wonder of it all

Yet miracle of miracles

The sunset seems to call.

No mortal hand could every pen

No artist ever paint

The beauty that the dawning brings

A new day to awake.

How can there doubt in mind exists

Your existence dare to question

When everything in earth and heaven

Shouts your resurrection!

No poet can ever find the words

To tell of your true nature.

The nature that is yours

Oh, God, help us to perceive

To tell the world your message, Lord,

Oh help them to believe!


Copyright 2018 Donna Shivers

Believe?

You want to believe, but have trouble? Remember doubting Thomas and what Jesus told him after he had placed his hand in Jesus’ wound?  “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:27-29, NLT).

Can you believe in Him without seeing? Can you believe His promises without seeing—can you believe without feeling—can you believe because you trust what His Word imparts? That is faith. “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1, NLT). Faith makes no sense to the mind that constantly seeks for earthly proof that is seen or felt. But to one who trusts in God’s truth and purpose, faith is its own perfect reality springing from constantly renewed hope. And faith is spiritual evidence. It is proof of what is real, but cannot be seen. It is proof of His reality that He has promised. It cannot be denied, because His grace has already accomplished spiritual proof.

“Then Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe’” (John 20:27b, NLT)! Look, Thomas, touch my wound, and believe. Don’t be without faith for one more minute. If you have to see and feel to believe, then touch my side, but blessed are those who believe without seeing or feeling.

“Don’t be without faith any longer,” the Lord beckons each one of us. “Believe in my grace—the gift of my life, and what it accomplished on Calvary. Believe, because I have risen.” Just as Thomas, if you have trouble believing, touch the wound in His side, and allow whatever “proof” you need to inspire you. Allow that wound to inspire your own journey of greater faith. Next time believe without touching, seeing, or feeling.  With all joy you will exclaim just as Thomas, “’my Lord and my God” (John 20:28, NLT)! And blessed you shall be for you shall have believed without seeing or feeling! You shall have believed because all the proof you needed was given when the debt of your sin was paid by a Savior who had none of His own.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

www.lynnlacher.com