Unchained

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.” 2 Timothy 2:8-9 (NIV) 

When I read that verse a few days ago, the very end of it struck me.  God’s word is not chained.  What a powerful statement.  I immediately thought of my Bible.  My mind drifted to how I love to pick it up and read it.  Whether I’m directed to a verse at church, or from a devotional, or even just randomly, I love to read God’s word!

We are so blessed in this country to have the freedom to own a Bible.  We can read it whenever we want.  Plus we have access to so many different versions and translations. Of course, you can always download an app for your phone or tablet and have super quick access to scripture.  The word of God is not chained.  You can read it out loud or silently to yourself, “share it” on Facebook, teach it to your family, encourage others with it, and even write it on a piece of poster board and hold it up at a sporting event for all to see (John 3:16!).  Well, you get the idea.  The possibilities are endless.

There are so many though, who don’t have that luxury.  Around the globe, there are people who are so hungry for Christ that a suitcase full of Bibles is the most precious thing in the world to them.  I recall watching a video not too long ago of a group of Christians all the way across the world receiving Bibles.  At first the scene is loud and a bit chaotic as each person vies for a Bible from the suitcase.  They are not rude or pushing each other but so excited to even touch a Bible that they simply cannot contain themselves.   The camera pans to a man as he gently kisses his copy while on the verge of tears.  Others are also kissing their copies and carefully peeling off the protective plastic.  Then it is very quiet.  Complete silence.  You know why? Because all these people are reading their Bibles.  Remembering that scene, I realized…  Yes, God’s word cannot be chained!

God’s word is living and active.  The Bible says in Isaiah 55:11, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” God’s word is not chained.  How can it be? God tells us that his word will not return void.  It will accomplish whatever God wants it to!

The word of God comforts us during times of stress (Ps. 55:22, Matt. 11:28).  It consoles us as we grieve a loss (Matt. 5:4, Rev. 21:3-4).  It lifts us up when we are feeling defeated (James 4:10).  Scripture can guide us when we don’t know where to go or what to do (Ps. 119:105).  It fills us with peace (John 16:33), joy (Romans 15:13), and hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  Scripture reveals God’s everlasting love and His greatest gift, Jesus (John 3:16).  God’s word is not just a book.  It has survived centuries.  God’s voice, his power, his will for you is throughout scripture.  How could any of that be chained? God cannot be stopped.

So, have you read the Bible today?  I promise you that when you read it, and really sink in to it, God will open your eyes and you will take it all in differently than ever before.  The Holy Spirit will open your heart and God’s word will be written there. When that happens my friends, then God’s word cannot be chained!

A Grand Adventure

I know a bunch of sweet ladies who are expecting babies right now.  In fact, I know so many women who are pregnant, I’m afraid to drink the water around here. I am kidding! 

You know, when you first find out you are expecting a baby you are filled with so much joy and excitement that you almost feel like you are going to burst. Some women see those two pink lines on the pregnancy test and immediately start calling every person they know to share the news with.  Others, are more reserved, savoring this time, holding on to that special secret till they are comfortable sharing the news with family and friends.

Whether you shout your pregnancy news from the mountain tops or calmly spill the beans at the 12 week mark, there is still so much excitement and anticipation early on in pregnancy.  You ponder such questions as: Will the baby be a boy or girl? Wonder if it will have my eyes or hair? Will it love Elvis music as much as I do – oh wait, maybe I’m the only one who pondered that, ha!

While you may be suffering from morning sickness or the need to constantly go to the ladies room, you still look like yourself.  No one would know you were pregnant unless you told them. (Unless you are expecting baby number two, three, four, etc. then your baby bump just pops out immediately!) Being pregnant, especially with your first baby, is new and fresh.  A grand adventure you have only just begun.

Isn’t that similar to how we are when we are new Christians? We accept Christ as our Savior and our lives are instantly different.  You cannot go back to who you were.  After all, you are a new creation (“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor. 5:17). Some of us, so on fire for God, we tell anyone and everyone who will listen about Jesus.  While others hold on to this news, this Good News, not quite sure who to share it with or how they will go about this new life, but joyful and excited about this new journey.

By your seventh or eighth month of pregnancy, you feel a bit weary.  You are tired from getting up a bunch of times all through the night for various reasons.  Your back hurts, or your feet are swollen, or a food you once loved and craved is now the grossest thing in the world to you (I’m talking about you potato soup!)  You are excited about the baby’s arrival but you are really hoping these weeks would hurry up and pass already.  You are still you, but not the “you” that you used to be.  Your belly is letting the world know either you are expecting a baby or just swallowed a giant watermelon. Your feet may have gone up a shoe size. Or maybe your once straight hair is now wavy.

That time in pregnancy reminds me so much of valleys we sometimes face in our daily Christian walk.  We are still excited about Christ but some of that “newness” has worn off.  We love the Lord but sometimes we allow the trials of daily life to take our focus off of Jesus.  We make some changes in our life that will more align us with our faith but there may be some unpleasant, even painful consequences to that. 

While those nine months of pregnancy (ok, really more like ten months, about 80 percent of women deliver their babies sometime between 37 and 42 weeks) pass by, you are busy preparing.  You set up the baby’s room, get advice from other moms, read child rearing books, and pack the all important hospital bag (your own slippers, don’t leave home without them).

Isn’t that true of how we go about living our lives as Christian women? We are preparing for eternity in heaven:  Attending a church and making it your home, reading your Bible consistently, maintaining communication with God through a vibrant prayer life, and enjoying the fellowship of other Christian women.

I have to tell you that I have learned so much about the Lord and grown in my faith by having strong, Christian ladies around me.  They have taught me and encouraged me in so many ways.  If you are missing this in your life right now, please pray for God to open this door for you and bring it to you.  You weren’t meant to live life on your own.

Then, just when you think you really can’t handle being pregnant one more day, when you feel you have truly had enough.  You feel like your belly just can’t stretch anymore and you wonder if you will ever fit in to your favorite jeans again.  When you reach that point when you just want this baby to come out, you go another week and blow past your due date. 

But…  Finally the big day arrives! You deliver your baby! And then!  Then my friend, everything you thought you knew about being a mother, all flies out the window. 

It’s different and awesome and wonderfully better than you ever could have imagined!

That’s what I believe it will be like when we go and meet Jesus face to face.  You have waited and waited.  You have pondered, thought, daydreamed about what this would be like.  You’ve endured trials, troubles, and tribulations.  You have finished the race as Paul says. (“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7). You see the nail scarred hands of Jesus, and then…  Then my friend, everything you thought you knew about being a Christian, all flies out the window.

 It’s different and awesome and wonderfully better than you ever could have imagined!