Scandalous Grace

This is the seventh in a weekly series of mini-devotionals on GRACE, which is the theme of the 2012 June 2 Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals.

Not fair!!!

How many times has your prodigal said that?

How many times have you said that?

And how often is that our response to the scandalous grace of God?

Our Bibles are full of stories of undeserved grace.

David:

Faithful shepherd boy.  Courageous defeater of Goliath.  Chosen King of Israel.  One who wouldn’t raise his hand against Saul, God’s anointed, who was trying to kill him. Conqueror of  pagan tribes.   Author of the Psalms.  And, oh yes, adulterer and murderer.  Yet, He was “a man after God’s heart.”

Rahab:

Lived in pagan Jericho.  Prostitute.  Liar.  Yes, she saved the Israelites who came to spy out Jericho.  But did she really deserve to be in the line of David, and of Jesus?

Saul/Paul:

A righteous Pharisee.  A defender of Judaism.  A Hebrew of Hebrews.  Yet a persecutor of The Way.  Murderer of Christians.   By his own words, “the chief of sinners.”  But Paul is considered the greatest teacher—besides Jesus—of the New Testament.

How is it possible that God could use such sinners?

Grace.  Scandalous grace.

Jesus told story after story that reflected the same “unfairness,” the same grace:

The woman at the well:

Jews always avoided going through Samaria, but Jesus “had to go through Samaria.”  Why?  He had an appointment to keep, with a sinful woman.  Five husbands, now living with a man not her husband.  Jesus knew all this.  Yet He talked to her—a Samaritan, a woman, a sinner.  The shame of it.  He told her what he knew, but he didn’t condemn.  Instead he offered her living water and a changed life.

The parable of the workers:

Some started early morning, others midday, some at the end of the day.  And they all got paid the same—what they had agreed to.  What?  Unfair!  Those who worked one hour got paid the same as those who worked all day?  But the landowner said, “Are you envious because I am generous?”  (Matthew 20)

The thief on the cross:

An evil man, certainly, to have earned crucifixion as punishment for his crimes.  Yet, even as he is dying, he asks for mercy from Jesus.  Jesus could have said, “It’s too late.  You have lived a terrible life.  You are only repenting now because you are afraid.”  But no, Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

How is it possible that God could condone such actions?

Grace.  Scandalous grace.

Is it fair that someone who has been a terrible parent has wonderful children, yet you, who has tried to do everything right, has such a prodigal child?  Of course not.

Is it fair that your prodigal, who has hurt you repeatedly, abused your kindness, rejected your love, should be forgiven and welcomed back?  Of course not.

But is it fair that we, imperfect, inadequate, unworthy as we are, should be forgiven, redeemed and bound for eternity with our God?  Of course not.

You see, we are addicted to fairness, to justice, to revenge, to earning our way, to performance.  Yet in reality, we truly don’t want God to respond to us based on those addictions.

We can’t help but be grateful that God is, in the best sense, addicted to grace.  Yes, to scandalous grace!  And He wants to pour out that grace on us, but also through us to those much loved, though hardly lovely, prodigals.

So, can we enter in, with whole hearts, to God’s scandalous grace?

What about you?  Where have cried Unfair!?  Where have you received grace?

c2012 Judy Douglass

If you would like more information, to request prayer for a prodigal, or to join our full-of-grace community, please write to prayerforprodigalsatgmaildotcom with your questions or names, or for an invitation. June 2 is our Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals.

Design by God Part 2: We’re Better Together

In my previous post—“Design by God Part 1:  Woman”—we looked at God’s intentions in making women.  We observed His design for all women, and His specific purposes for individual women.  One aspect we considered was the Blessed Alliance—God’s Kingdom plans for his sons and daughters to work together.  Today we will look at that in slightly more depth.

 God loves when His children get along.  He is even more pleased when we work together to accomplish His purposes on earth.   (Psalm 133:1)

And that was our assignment:  God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1: 28)

God used men, women and men and women together

I am astounded that God entrusted the care of the earth and the work of Kingdom building to us, mere sinful, flawed humans.  But He did—and He’s a great delegator:

He has used men, such as Noah, David, Paul and many others.

He has used women, such as Hulda, Jael, Rahab and many others.

And He has used men and women together, such as Aaron and Miriam, and Deborah and Barak, and others.

In the New Testament the Father’s pattern was affirmed and expanded, as explained by Peter and Paul:

In the last days, God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy (tell the story), your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy (speak for God).” (Acts 2: 17, 18, quoting from Joel 2:28,29, which was being fulfilled at Pentecost.)

You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ . . . There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3: 26, 28)

New Testament Blessed Alliances included Priscilla and Aquila, and Paul, who worked with a number of women, such as Lydia, Phoebe and Junia.

I could list many more through the history of the church, but let me instead share three of my Blessed Alliance opportunities:

 Bob Cording

When I arrived, fresh out of journalism school, to begin working on the Collegiate Challenge Magazine, my only partner was Bob.  He was a gifted, highly creative artist and designer.  I was responsible for the content, but Bob knew how to produce a magazine.

For three years we worked together, uniting our very divergent strengths to make a beautiful publication for reaching college students.  We were so different, but so complementary.  We were definitely better together.

Bill Bright

What an incredible privilege I had to work closely with Dr. Bright for 14 years.  He was filled with vision, ideas, flowery words, and I was the journalist—every word must count—helping him to tighten and condense and still convey his passionate meaning.

I was blessed to help him write many articles, the first edition of Come Help Change the World, and the original Transferable Concepts.  I think we made a great team.

Steve Douglass

I could say a great deal about how we are better together in our marriage, and I have here and here and here.    But we have also been great partners in our ministry.

As he gained greater responsibilities, I always looked for how my strengths could enhance his work.  My writing and editing skills have frequently been helpful to him.  His amazing thinking and analyzing abilities are so helpful to me in my writing and speaking.

We often brainstorm together as we prepare to write or speak, and we are confident that we get a much better outcome.  We also are the first and best encouragers for the other.  I know he believes I can do anything—certainly more than I think I can do.  We are assuredly better together!

The evil one loves to sow discord and division in the Body—and to convince us that men and women are antagonists, not allies.  But Jesus prayed that the Father would make us one, as Jesus and the Father are one, and thus prove to the world that Jesus had come.

He desires for His daughters and His sons to join hands in building His Kingdom.  He intended for us to be better together.

What about you?  What blessed alliance are you in?  Are you better together?

C2012 Judy Douglass

Design by God: Part 1: Woman

(I recently spoke at Arizona State University cru on this topic, and part 2:  We’re Better Together.  Today and Friday, I am posting the outlines for these messages.)

Who am I and why am I here?

Most of us ask this question at some time, and usually many times.  Women especially seem to search for these answers.

At transition points in our lives, when we feel dissatisfied or confused about our lives, when we have dreams that seem beyond our reach, and at many other times, we wonder who we are and what our purpose is.

God has answers.  And for women these answers include specifcs for all women and for each woman.  Here is just a summary of those truths—the discovery and living out will be unique for each woman over her lifetime.

IMAGE BEARER

“So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

This is one of the most amazing truths in Scripture.  God made us like Him—in His image.  So we could live in fellowship with Him and so we would show the entire creation what He is like!!  (In the Fall, we drastically dimmed that reflection, but we are still God’s image bearers.)

And the image bearer reality is true for the span of our lives.

STRONG HELPER: EZER

“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” (Genesis 2:18)

The Hebrew word for “helper” in this verse is ezer.  It is a powerful word, used in three ways in Scripture.  Armies that came to the aid and protection of Israel were called ezers.  The most common use of the word was to describe God as our ezer, our Helper, especially in time of trouble.  In both of these uses, the word has military connotations.

The first time we see the word is in the Scripture above.   God said it was not good for the man to be alone, so He made woman as an ezer, a strong helper, a co-laborer in the assignment God gave them, a partner in the battle ahead.

And the ezer reality is true from birth to death—for the girl, the single woman, the wife, the mother, the widow.

BLESSED ALLIANCE

“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”  (Genesis 1:28)

God blessed the man and woman and gave them an assignment:  To increase their numbers—to have children.  To cultivate the earth and make it fruitful.  And I believe, as image bearers, to reflect and represent God, to be spiritually fruitful.

They were to do this together, in a blessed alliance.  Sin caused these allies to become more like adversaries, but Jesus restored this alliance.

(In my next post I will develop this concept more in “We’re Better Together.”)

UNIQUELY YOU

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 2:10)

In Psalm 139 we understand that God was there, forming us in our mother’s womb—making each of us just as He wanted us.  In the verse above we see the result:  He declares that we are works of art!  I’m sure He said, as each of us was born:  “That’s it!  She is exactly what I had in mind—a masterpiece!”

And then He tells that He made us the way we are—all our strengths, gifts, talents, idiosyncrasies, weaknesses—for the purposes He intends for us.  He already has good works prepared—and who we are will be just right to accomplish those assignments.

KINGDOM BUILDER

“Jesus said to him, ‘…you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:60)

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…”  (John 15:16)

Those good works God has prepared for us will include our explorations to discover who we are, our growing years, our various vocations, our marriages and our parenting, and even in retirement.

And they will also include our part in Kingdom work.  God is building His Kingdom, and each of us has a role—even many roles–to play in that great endeavor.   His design equips us for Kingdom assignments He has for each of us.

Personally, I never get over that God so lovingly and specifically designed me—because He wants to be with me, has amazing life plans for me—and invites me to be on His Kingdom team!

What about you?  Have you discovered God’s good intentions in making you?

C2012 Judy Douglass

Grace Forgives

This is the sixth in a weekly series of mini-devotionals on GRACE, which is the theme of the 2012 June 2 Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals.

Dear Lover of Prodigals,

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption.   When Jean Valjean is released from a 19-year prison sentence for stealing bread, he is a hardened man.  Looking for a place to sleep, he is invited in by a kind bishop.  In the night, though, Valjean stole silver from the bishop and sneaked away.

In the morning the police brought him to the bishop, silver in hand.  The bishop’s response:  “So there you are.  I’m delighted to see you.  Had you forgotten that I gave you the candlesticks as well?  Did you forget to take them?” And to the police:  “This gentleman was no thief.  This silver was my gift to him.”

That was the beginning of Valjean’s transformation.

Err on the side of grace

That story had a powerful impact on my response to our prodigal.  It coincided, in the darkest days of our journey with our son, with a strong word from God:  When you make mistakes with this boy—and I made many—err on the side of grace.

What?  What about consequences?  Of course there were consequences.  What about enabling?  No, we didn’t want to enable.  It takes supernatural wisdom to blend these things.

But God was clear:  Forgive.  Extend grace.  Seek reconciliation. Pursue conversation, not conflict.  Keep your doors—and arms—open.  It’s not a balancing of truth and grace—it’s a blending of 100% truth and 100% grace.

God is our model here.  When I want to make sure my prodigal experiences what he deserves, I think of how God has responded to my many bad choices:  Mercy.  Forgiveness.  Grace.

Keep on forgiving

His Word is equally powerful:

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)

“Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” (Luke 17:4)

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”  (Luke 23:34)

Philip Yancy, in What’s So Amazing About Grace,” writes: “Like grace, forgiveness has about it the maddening quality of being undeserved, unmerited, unfair….The gospel of grace begins and ends with forgiveness…grace is the only force in the universe powerful enough to break the chains that enslave generations.  Grace alone melts ungrace.”

Henri Nouwen defines forgiveness as “love practiced among people who love poorly”  He goes on:   “…even as I have said [I forgive you]…I still wanted to hear the story that tells me I was right…I still wanted the satisfaction of receiving praise in return…for being so forgiving

“But God’s forgiveness is unconditional; it comes from a heart that does not demand anything for itself….It is this divine forgiveness that I have to practice in my daily life….it demands that I step over that wounded part of my heart that feels hurt and wronged, and that wants to stay in control and put a few conditions between me and one whom I am asked to forgive.”

And again from Philip Yancey:  “…forgiveness is an act of faith.  By forgiving another, I am trusting that God is a better justice-maker than I am…I leave in God’s hands the scales that must balance justice and mercy…Though wrong does not disappear when I forgive, it loses its grip on me and is taken over by God, who knows what to do.”

Finally, a word from Lewis Smedes:  “The first and only person to be healed by forgivenss is the person who does the forgivenss….When we genuinely forgive, we set a prisoner free and then discover that the prisoner we set free was us.”

A Prayer of Forgiveness

Following is a brief prayer that you might want to pray, expressing your choice to forgive your loved prodigal.  You may have to pray it many times.

Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace toward me, and for forgiving my sins through Your death on the cross.  Thank You that You forgive me over and over, for repeated sins and for new sins, big or small.  I am so grateful for your grace.

Lord, I need to forgive ___________, my loved one who has wronged me, hurt me, betrayed me, offended me, sinned against me.  It is hard for me to do this—I am still hurt, angry, confused.  So I come asking You for the power to forgive ____________.  Fill me with Your Spirit and remind me of Your love and mercy to me—and to _______________.

By Your Spirit, I choose to forgive ________________.  I choose to extend grace and mercy to him/her, even as You have done for me.  I choose, as You enable me, to live at peace with this person I love.  I ask that You bless ____________ in Your love.  Please may we be reconciled and our relationship healed.  And if that does not happen, may I continue to love and forgive.

Thank You that this is possible in the power of Your Spirit.  In Jesus’ name.

 What about you?  Is there someone you need to forgive?

c2012 Judy Douglass

If you would like more information, to request prayer for a prodigal, or to join our full-of-grace community, please write to prayerforprodigalsatgmaildotcom with your questions or names, or for an invitation.

 

The World Praying Together: The Global Day of Prayer

What might God do if 100’s of millions of his children joined together in praying?  And what if you were part of it?

The Global Day of Prayer, held on Pentecost Sunday since 2001, will be on May 27 this year.  It is an amazing coming together by believers around the world to beseech God to reach, heal, transform their lands.

In July 2000 God captured the heart of a South African Christian businessman, Graham Power, with a vision based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. The vision had three clear instructions:

To call Christians from all denominations in Cape Town for a Day of Repentance and Prayer at    Newlands Rugby Stadium.

To challenge Christians across the rest of South Africa to unite in a Day of Repentance and Prayer.

To challenge Christians in Southern Africa to unite in a Day of Repentance and Prayer.

In March of 2001 more than 45 000 Christians united for a Day of Repentance and Prayer at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town. It was a day of intense intercession that transformed lives and was reflected in a changing city in the months to come. Testimonies of transformation caused the vision to be spread into the rest of South Africa and planning immediately started for similar prayer gatherings in 8 provinces of South Africa for 2002.

From that beginning, the Day of Prayer spread to all of Africa, and then to the rest of the nations of the world.  Growing and expanding each year,  until in 2010 millions around the world met in arenas and stadiums and churches in 220 nations.

The focus has now shifted to an emphasis on pervasive prayer in and for every nation, with gatherings in churches and homes, rather than in large events.

The Organizing Committee extends this invitation to all of us:  Please join the world for the Global Day of Prayer on 27 May 2012 and may we see the fulfillment of Hab. 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

The Global Day of Prayer actually began yesterday, May 17, with 10 days of focused prayer, then intense prayer on Pentecost Sunday, followed by 90 days of blessing the nations.  More information is available here, and a Prayer Guide for these three phases of the Global Day of Prayer can be found here.

You can be a part of this beautiful prayer gathering on your own, in your church, with your small group—knowing that brothers and sisters around the world are on their knees at the same time.  God loves to answer our prayers, and He loves when His children come together as one.

I have participated personally on my own for the past several years and have the loved the time before God, and with followers of Jesus all over the world.

Will you join us?

Pay Attention to What Makes You Cry:Expanding Our Influence in Midlife Guest Post by Jennifer Grant

I’ve seen it now so often that I can’t keep track. I see it in women whose fridges no longer exhibit works of art in finger paint. They’re the ones who are beginning to see a little gray at their temples. These women have figured out, for better and worse, the shape and scope of their adult lives. They look at the trade-offs they have made – career for family, or vice versa – and begin to re-think them.

They feel a growing desire to bring something new into the world, and that something usually doesn’t require a diaper bag. They get flashes of insight – “Hey, I could do that?” or “I always wanted to….” or “Remember how I was so good at…” These thoughts energize and frighten them. They are women in midlife.

A few years ago, I was negotiating the cramped shoe aisles at a department store when my cell phone rang. It was my closest friend, in tears, spilling over with a story. She had just finished reading Richard Stearns’ The Hole in Our Gospel and for the first time in her life, she felt compelled to engage with people who are affected by the AIDS pandemic in Africa, especially children.

“I just never knew the scope of it,” she said.

I sat on one of the little stools in the shoe section as other shoppers picked through the boxes of snow boots and sneakers around me. “What are you going to do?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. “Something.”

Since then, she has done something. She’s been to Ethiopia. She’s brought formula and other supplies to orphanages, educated herself about HIV/AIDS, and has addressed local women’s groups. In a few months, she and her husband will adopt a toddler daughter from Ethiopiawho was orphaned by AIDS. My friend’s life has changed in midlife, her realm of influence has expanded from that of a woman focused on raising her family and pursuing artistic endeavors to being a voice for those who do not have the opportunity to speak for themselves. Her family portrait – quite literally – will reflect this change.

And it all started because she took note of what made her cry in midlife. Do you find yourself restless and even sometimes in tears?

Pay attention to what makes you cry.

In his book Beyond Words, Frederick Buechner wrote “Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them of the mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where…you should go next.”

Take heart that this new part of life is about more than you.

If you feel like a new endeavor, journey, or vocation is ahead but fear failure, remember that you are being led into a new area of influence on behalf of God and others. It’s not just about you, and you aren’t alone.

Pray for guidance and keep your eyes open to the way God answers your prayers.

That uncomfortable restlessness and that lump in your throat are painful. You likely want the answers, sent immediately via email or text message. You are willing to do whatever’s required, but can’t stand waiting to know what it is. Making a transition takes time; see how God is sustaining you in this process.

Take risks.

For my friend to adopt a child is a risk. To go back to work – or quit your job – write a book, start a new business, leave what is familiar to engage with those who are marginalized – these are all risks, but so is every single act of love.

May we all have clarity and faith as we approach whatever is the next chapter in our lives and expand our influence.

Jennifer Grant is the author of Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter (Thomas Nelson, 2011). She is a journalist who freelances for the Chicago Tribune and writes for Christianity Today’s her.meneutics blog. Her second book, MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family has just been released by Worthy Publishing. Find her online at jennifergrant.com.

The Voice of Grace

This is the fifth in a weekly series of mini-devotionals on GRACE, which is the theme of the 2012 June 2 Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals.

“That’s disgraceful!”

“You are so ungrateful.”

“That behavior makes you persona non grata here.”

All of these phrases have a root of grace—or lack of it.  They mean without grace.  And they are words that any of us might have said to our prodigals, because they are true.

Yet God tells us just the opposite should be true of the words we speak.  They should be full of grace:

“…your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.” (Psalm 45:2)

“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.” (Proverbs 22:11)

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am convinced that one of the most important ways we extend grace to our prodigals is through our words.

Words are powerful.  They have the potential to inflame discord and to inflict great emotional harm, or the capacity to encourage repentance and restoration, to offer healing and reconciliation.

Certainly, we must speak truth, and our prodigals often need to hear some hard truths.  But God’s Word reminds us how we deliver those words:

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”  ( Ephesians 4:15)

Easy?  No.  Our frustration prompts negative words.  Their disrespect elicits a raised voice.  Anger arouses emotions.  Conflict escalates.

How?  How do we speak truth in love.  How do we make sure our words are seasoned with grace?

Some practical thoughts:

Count to 10 before you speak.

Speak slowly, calmly, gently and firmly.

Think:  Will these words throw oil or water on the fire?

Consider:  Would you like someone to speak such words, in that tone of voice, to you?

Recognize:  The words you speak today can be part of your relationship with your prodigal for all the years to come.

Realize:  Your tone of voice can turn neutral words into destructive words.

Remember:  You love this person.

And most of all, stop to pray before you speak.  Make sure you are filled with the Spirit.  Ask Him to govern your tongue, to release His love into your heart.  Choose to be an instrument of God’s grace.

Gracious words may or may not lessen the carnage in the immediate “conversation,” though they should help.  But over time words filled with grace will eliminate the fuel that feeds what often becomes an inferno.  Return, reconciliation, restoration will occur more easily when the words we have spoken have not done irreparable harm, when grace has prevailed.

Love speaks grace.   So should we.

What about you?  Do you need to add more grace seasoning to your words?

c2012 Judy Douglass

If you would like more information, to request prayer for a prodigal, or to join our full-of-grace community, please write to prayerforprodigalsatgmaildotcom with your questions or names, or for an invitation.