Finally, the night arrived. It was fall festival night at our church, and we expected a large crowd. People began to arrive early, and the children were so excited. So much time and energy had been put into making this a night to remember, especially for the children.

There were some really creative people in our church, and they produced fabulous ideas. One of the “fun” things to do was to go through the maze that had been prepared. The cardboard maze went through two rooms and a hallway. One had to crawl through the many twists and turns.

As others went through the maze, I watched. It was not so challenging to watch others go through it, and I encouraged them along the way. It seemed they made an A+ as they made the journey. They had such joy through the twists and turns. While standing in the light before entering the maze, I was all smiles. At the end of the maze, as I exited there was light and laughter. But the in-between was total darkness. TOTAL DARKNESS.

As I began my journey through the maze, I thought this would be a breeze. About ten feet into the darkness, I felt fear grip me. It was so dark, and I could not see my way. I did not know when the next wall would come. I did not know when the next left or right turn would come. The only choice I had was to keep moving, knowing that this would not last forever. It only lasted five minutes but felt like hours as I pressed through the darkness, the twists, the turns, and the walls. I knew that what I was experiencing at the moment, would not last forever. That truth helped me maneuver all the darkness and every twist, turn, and wall.

We all have times when we feel we are in a dark maze, and we wonder what twist or turn is next. Or we have hit a wall, and the darkness seems to hold us captive. The Truth is always with us, and He will bring us out of the maze of darkness.

We want our spiritual life to be an upward journey of growing closer and closer to God and becoming more like Christ. That is certainly my desire. In reality, our growth does not progress in a straight upward line. Nor does our experience of intimacy with Christ. Our journey goes up and down, forward, and backward.

I always want God to remove the darkness that seems to engulf me at times. After more than fifty years of walking with God, I have learned that my greatest need is not to get out of my dark moments, but my greatest need in darkness is the presence of God. And that I have! If you have placed your faith in Jesus, you have the presence of Jesus with you even in dark times.

If you find yourself in a dark place today, remember that Jesus, the lover of your soul, is right next to you. Jesus Christ will not leave you for a moment. He is unafraid of that which scares you most. He sees every step of the journey, even when you cannot. Trust Him to guide you through the maze. He will give you “a-maze-ing” grace and lead you out of the darkness.

^“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”- John 1:4,5

Let’s pray.

Father, when the darkness settles in around me, I ask you to remind me of Your closeness. Jesus, You are the Truth, the Light, the Way. Shine Your truth clearly and unmistakably when I am unsure of the way. Strengthen my trust when the unknown feels overwhelming. Remind me that You are able to free me from any danger or bind the fiercest enemy that comes against me. Your purpose will prevail. In the strong Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

“You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not recorded in Your book? – Psalm 56:8 AMP

One of the most powerful images in Scripture is found in Psalm 56:8. It is a wonderful verse that begs to be underlined: “You have collected all my tears in your bottle.”

Yesterday, as we gathered with family for a Father’s Day celebration, I watched four of my grandchildren running around. I saw thirteen-year-old Joseph run by with a smile, and that made my heart smile. Joseph is our grandson who is on the autism spectrum, and years ago a gathering with many people having conversations would have been difficult for Joseph. I looked at his mother and said, “The Bible speaks of God gathering our tears in a bottle. Mine must be quite large from the prayers for our grandchildren.”

Gaylon and I pray for our children and grandchildren every day and have done so for many years. There have been many tears.

There are all kinds of tears. There are the tears a child has when growing up in an abusive environment. There are the tears of parents as they see their daughter at the matrimonial altar. There are the tears of a mother who sees her child going through cancer treatments. There are the tears when a mother and father lay eyes on their first child or grandparents holding the first grandchild. There are the tears that stain the death certificate as a young wife sends them to the various places needed. There are the tears on the faces of grown men after winning a national championship. Yes, there are all kinds of tears.

Then, there are the tears shed in prayer – often years of prayer. Psalm 56 lets us know that God sees every tear that falls down our cheeks as we pray for those things that burden our hearts.

Have you ever been so burdened that you thought the tears would never stop? There you were with just you, God, a hurting heart, and buckets of tears. I want you to envision that heaven collects every one of those tearful prayers. They are precious to God.

When I think God is taking too long, or I wish God would relieve the pain of the situation, I try to remember that God heard every prayer and saw every tear. Whether literally or figuratively, God has a big apothecary jar with my name on it. He has seen every painful tear I have shed. Then, one day, it is as if he uncorks the bottle, pours out the collected tears, and they become showers of blessings in my life or the lives of my family.

The seasons of burden can be long and hard. I refuse to stop sending prayers and tears to heaven. I believe that one day those tears will change the lives of my children and my grandchildren. What is happening in my life is not unseen by heaven. My situations are in His hands, and my tears are in His bottle. Even after I die, they will still affect the generations behind me. In God’s time, He will uncork the bottle and rain down on the generations behind me.

The Psalmist wrote, “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not recorded in Your book?” Psalm 56:8 AMP. It was possibly a rhetorical question at the end, but one to remind us that God sees every tear and every sorrow. For me, knowing that the Creator of the universe cares about my pain makes it more bearable.

God sees. God cares. God upholds. God blesses even the generations I have not yet seen because of the tears shed in the prayer closet.

After removing all the Christmas décor from our home and packing it away for another year, I sighed with relief. Christmas decorating has become a big event, requiring a lot of time, and in some cases, a lot of money. The Christmas season consumes much energy.

As we came closer to Resurrection Day (Easter), I noticed few, if any, decorations were up. I decided to look for a few things to commemorate the glorious, life-changing event of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I went to a few stores and found little, except for bunnies, chicks, eggs, and candy. I mulled this over and over in my head. Why do we celebrate the baby over the top, but not much fanfare over the powerful resurrection that brought victory for us all? I asked for the opinion of a few people, and no one really had an answer.

This past Sunday was Pentecost Sunday. It is a day largely ignored by much of the Christian church, and to be frank, it shows. While we make much out of the birth of Jesus, and there is much said about the resurrection, little is said about Pentecost. Let me emphatically say, one cannot over-emphasize the importance of the birth, life, and resurrection of Jesus. Our Christian walk is based on those things. Pentecost deserves the same close attention and emphasis in the Church.

What Is Pentecost?

Pentecost is a Church celebration that occurs fifty days after Resurrection Day. Pentecost commemorates the birth of the Church and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, who baptizes the disciples.

Pentecost Is Extraordinarily Important.

Jesus thought it was essential. “However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].” – John 16:7 AMP

Jesus told His followers it was better for them if He were to go away. Think about that. Jesus is the One who healed the sick, fed the multitudes, cast out demons, calmed the storm, made the blind see and the lame walk, and even raised the dead. And Jesus said it was good if He went away?

I imagine those followers scratched their heads or made a facial expression showing their reaction at what Jesus said. They had to be wondering, “How is it possible that Jesus not being around is a good thing?”

Jesus answered that question. He said if He did not go away, the Holy Spirit would not come, but if He went away, He would send the Holy Spirit to us. Gaining the Holy Spirit was so good for us that it was worth Jesus leaving Earth in physical form to ensure it happened. Pentecost is extraordinarily important!

Pentecost is not the beginning of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God was at work throughout the whole Bible, beginning in the first chapter of Genesis. In scripture, we find that the Spirit would “come upon” individuals at special times for special reasons to accomplish a task or work God had for them.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to believers in a different fashion. Instead of the Holy Spirit coming upon someone, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within someone. Instead of the Spirit being at work for a specific time and function, now, the Holy Spirit would be as “rivers of living water flowing from your innermost being.”  This would be life-transforming for those who believed in Jesus Christ as the Savior.

Yes, the Church was birthed that day, but much more happened. Those who were filled with the Holy Spirit were empowered and emboldened. The effect was holiness of heart and life, and power to boldly do Christian service.

The impact of the Holy Spirit dwelling within a person is that the person has a resource which enables them to live a transformed life exhibiting the character of Jesus. In addition, we are empowered to walk through a murky world, bringing changes as Jesus did when walking the earth. Pentecost turned the timid, frightened, unconfident followers of Jesus into the Church, the Body of Christ, impacting the world for the glory of God.

As believers, we need a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is our leader, encourager, comforter, and teacher. He gives us boldness and strength to live in this world, and to share the Gospel. A guy named Peter had denied even knowing Jesus, and later in the book of Acts, we see him empowered and emboldened to preach to thousands, and to be used by the Holy Spirit to bring miracles into the lives of others.

There are a lot of complaints and much concern about how dark our world has become. It is time to celebrate Pentecost in our lives. Today, ask Holy Spirit to give you that same boldness…just be prepared because Scripture says if you ask you will receive.

Do you want to be empowered by God?  Lay your hand on your chest right now, and pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, I need You.”

“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.” – Charles Spurgeon. Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.” – Corrie Ten Boom. “The Holy Spirit’s main ministry is not to give thrills but to create in us Christlike character.” – J.I. Packer

Have you ever noticed how hard it is for political leaders to admit they were wrong? It seems as if they feel like they can never budge from their original position, and if they do, it is quite subtle. “I misspoke.” “I used poor judgment.”  There seems to be a need to be seen as right.

When Gaylon and I first entered the ministry together more than fifty years ago, I was ill-prepared. I feel sorry for the congregants who were around me! Thank God they were saved enough not to spank my young behind! I was clueless about what I was doing. Thank God there is hope after immaturity!

As a young parent, I made so many mistakes. I had been raised in a home with a screaming, demanding, controlling father. It truly was a case if he said to jump, your only response was, “How high?” I look back at my young years of parenting…thank God there is hope after immaturity!

As a wife, oh boy … this one is awful! Let’s just say, thank God there is hope after immaturity!

What brought about change in these areas? It was when I began to cultivate a teachable spirit. Because I was gifted for ministry, I thought that was equal to maturity. I did not need anyone to teach me how to be in the ministry. We were successful! I did not need anyone to teach me about being a wife and a parent. My family was in a much better environment than I had in my childhood.

I will not get into the specifics, but there came a point that one of my kids said something to their father about me. I realized that I had a lot to learn. There came a point when my husband’s secretary said something corrective to me, and I realized that I was stubborn and had a lot to learn. There came a point in listening to teaching on marriage, that I realized I had a lot to learn.

I began to cultivate a teachable spirit. A teachable spirit is one in which we learn both knowledge and wisdom, and a willingness to apply that which we have learned.

There is a passage of scripture that explains the concept of being teachable. “That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.” Acts 17:10-12 NLT

When one of the greatest teachers of all time, the Apostle Paul, spoke to them, the Bereans listened to what Paul had to say. Their response was not, “Wow! He is a great speaker.” Or “I totally disagree with him because I have been taught a different way.” The Bible says that they listened and then searched the scriptures for themselves. They wanted truth. When they saw that the teaching lined up with the scriptures, many had changed lives. They applied to their lives the truth they had learned. They were teachable.

The Bible tells us that the Bereans searched the scriptures day after day. It was not a one-time, quick look. It was intentional, extended study. They were hungry for the truth, and when they found the truth, it changed their lives. They had a teachable spirit.

Many years into ministry and marriage, I set out to learn as much as I could. I read. Attended conferences. Hung out with strong women of God. Listened to the Holy Spirit’s conviction leading to a rebuilding in many areas of my life. God sent an amazing number of teachers, mentors, and friends along the way. All of them became teachers to me. Yes, ALL. Some taught me how to be a strong woman of God. Some taught me about being a parent. As I watched some, I was taught what not to be.

The key to growth is staying teachable. Many have gone to church their whole life, they believe in God, they even serve in ministry. Yet they are stuck in the same patterns and attitudes. This was me for many years. We might be good moral Christians according to the standards of the world, but God wants us to daily yield and to keep our hearts surrendered.

We must not only hear the word of God, but we must let it fall on good teachable soil and to take root. Then we will bear lasting fruit that changes us and others around us.

Stay teachable.

 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” (Proverbs 19:20).  “A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.” (Ecclesiastes 4:13). “Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.” (Proverbs 13:18).