Blooming In The Desert

Occasionally, our family will find ourselves driving through some desert regions as we travel the globe: from Namibia, South Africa to the Sonora Desert of Arizona and California. As most folks imagine, it can be fairly desolate and lifeless—to the untrained eye. This misperception often gives the desert a bad reputation…a place only of death, loneliness, and unbearable heat.

Now, I must admit that too many people have unnecessarily lost their lives when they ventured into those desert sands unprepared. With something like 4% humidity, it doesn’t take long without water to become disoriented, dehydrated, and dead. When we traveled in Namibia, South Africa, we actually had a guide who led us through some sand dunes and I was amazed at how every sand dune looked just like the next one! I would have gotten lost without our guide.

But the desert has a life all its own and the secret to life in the desert—and anywhere for that matter—is water! Whether in the form of water droplets from dew, or the occasional rains that come, water allows the desert to bloom and thrive. The names of some desert flowers shed light on the mysterious beauty and unforgiving nature of the desert: Common Fiddleneck, Brittlebush, Burroweed and Coyote Tobacco just to name a few. The numerous cacti plants store some water so their beautiful flowers can bloom at night as well as in the spring and summer months when the extra rains come. So as you can imagine, water is something that we just can’t live without.

As I thought about the desert I remembered that God sometimes leads us into desert places for a season. He does this for solitude, seasons of study, and silence, which helps us hear His voice when He speaks. He did this with the apostle Paul after his conversion to Christianity (Galatians 1:17-18). Paul shares how he went to Arabia (probably the Sinai Peninsula area) for three years of prayer and study of God’s word. This time apart helped prepare Paul for his apostolic ministry to the Jews and Gentiles—and even to us today.

Although it can be unpleasant when we go through those desert experiences, the Scriptures tell us that God often “turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water” (Psalm 107:35). Rivers of spiritual water flow out of our relationship with God that causes divine flowers to bloom—even in the midst of our deserts. So, the next time you find yourself noticing the barrenness of your landscape, look up and see if God is trying to reveal some surprising secrets to you. Use your times of solitude and silence to read God’s word and seek a deeper relationship with Him. There just might be a spiritual flower that is getting ready to bloom!

Crying Out

by Dr. Marshall M. Windsor

I recently read an article concerning a large evangelical church overseas in which the lead pastor was implicated in serious legal issues. The thought of another fallen evangelical leader grieved my heart. I knew this would have significant repercussions across the evangelical church world and to those outside the church. I could almost hear the unchurched exclaim: “Another corrupt minister!” “Who wants that kind of spirituality?” “I’ll never darken the doorstep of a church like that!” “Now you know why I don’t go to church.” Sadly, these expressions are all too common in a day when spiritual leaders are failing and even secular leaders are failing to lead.

I’m reminded of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. When the people demanded a king so they could be like all the other nations, Samuel anointed Saul – as God directed. But when Saul became prideful and feared the people more than God (vs. 24), he sinned against God and those he led. Saul tried to defend his actions (vs. 20) and denied that he had sinned, but when the prophet spoke the word of the Lord, Saul was confronted with the truth of this actions, and the kingdom was torn from his hands (vs. 28).

Earlier in the chapter (vs. 10) God spoke to Samuel and told him that he had rejected Saul because of his disobedience. The scriptures state that Samuel was angry with Saul for his disobedience and cried out to the Lord all night long (vs. 11). When sin entered the camp of the Lord, it was the man of God who cried out.

Today, we often have lots of turbulence that stems from the actions of our leaders – both spiritual and secular at the local, state and federal levels at times. I wonder how many of us have cried out to God all night long for our communities? Our leaders? Our country? Our churches? James 5:16 says that the effective, fervent (even all night?) prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much. It’s always easier to find fault with others in leadership, but finding our way to a place of prayer is much more effective. Since our battle is not against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12), but spiritual wickedness, it may be time for us to hunker down and cry out to God for our leaders across the land; because only God can change hearts and bring lasting peace in the midst of chaos.

Tree Blind

Tree Blind
Dr. Marshall M. Windsor

There is an old expression that says, “you can’t see the forest for the trees.” The implication is that you are so close to something that you cannot see the larger, whole picture of where you are and where you are going. All the trees, obligations, people, problems, and situations around you bring distractions that seemingly blind you. You forget how to get where you want to go! You lose your focus on what's before you - be it work goals, family agendas or even your life's purpose - and you find yourself putting out fires, so-to-speak, on a regular basis.

When I was a young teenager (who thought he knew everything) my dad took me for a walk in the woods one day. When we were deep in the forest he asked if I wanted to lead us back home. I said sure! After about an hour, he asked me if I knew where we were. I painfully said, “no.” He said that we were right back where we started!

When we are bombarded by the demands and distractions of the world it is easy to get disoriented spiritually. When we are working to help others connect to a God who cares so much about them that He sent His only son to die on a cross for them, the battles can be incessant. Sin can knock on the door of our hearts repeatedly.

That is why it’s crucial to routinely take some time for prayer and reflection. Turn off the cell phone and computer and just get away—it takes determination! Go for a drive, take a walk in the park, sit in the upper deck of the church balcony if needed, but get to a quiet place alone where you can hear the voice of God. We all need times of refreshing and refocusing as we try to live a Godly life and help others see how awesome a life with God can be for them.

As the writer of Hebrews encourages us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2a)

How about you? Are you just busy being busy for God—ministering to tree after tree but losing sight of God’s direction for your own life? Take some time soon to be quiet in His presence and focus on Jesus Christ, so that in turn, you can reveal His presence to others through the closeness of your own relationship with God.

Standing Firm

Standing Firm

Dr. Marshall M. Windsor

Mark 13:13 tells us, "Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (NIV). Although this doesn't sound very encouraging to those who are trying to live the Christian life, Jesus Christ does help us truthfully see that our everyday lives may not always be easy – even if you're a Christian. Lately, Christian news outlets have reinforced this truism with the reports of a Pentecostal pastor, Mathayo Kachilli, being beheaded in Tanzania and Pastor Saeed Abedini sentenced to eight years in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran (and now moved to an even more notorious prison) because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

In many parts of the world, Christians face severe persecution and even death. Although Jesus honestly teaches us that we will all have to deal with persecution at some level, how do we "deal" with it? Does the Bible really have anything to say about how to deal with persecution or on how to "stand firm" in the Christian faith?

One Scripture that comes to mind is Ephesians 6:10-18, where we are instructed to "stand firm" by putting on the Armor of God. This includes: the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit. The full armor means that we should have: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation (or a right relationship with God), and the Word of God in our hearts.

This doesn't make persecution go away in every case, but it does prepare us for the battle that often ensues. As the Lord said in verse 12, "For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (NIV). Half the battle is being where God wants us to be and allowing Him to work through us in prayer. As we seek God's will in our lives, we'll find a peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:6-7) and discover firm footing where none existed before. As verse 18 confirms, with an attitude of prayer, we'll be able to stand firm.

Won't you take a moment to pray for those who are enduring persecution for the Gospel's sake today? And while you're at it, ask God if you are where He wants you to be.