faith Archives - Page 2 of 7

Purpose in the Pain

Posted on April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 by Susan Panzica

For the past two years, our friend Bob has undergone rigorous, debilitating chemo to fight the cancer that is plaguing his body. It’s taken a toll physically and emotionally, but he has this to say about it:

“Don’t ask God to take you out of the pain. Ask Him to bring you through it. The pain makes you focus on what’s really important. . . Not that I like it.”

How often would we avoid struggles if at all possible? We don’t like them. But if we could see them as Bob does, they will have eternal value.

That’s how the Apostle Paul saw his struggles too. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he talked a lot about his struggles.

In chapter 11, he provided some of the specifics of the horrible experiences he endured:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 2 Cor. 11:23-27

But his perspective was an eternal one. He made a choice on what to focus on, on what was really important:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17-18

And because of that, he saw both the present and eternal benefits, the strength that comes from knowing his weakness allowed God to be strong in him:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10

When we face opposition, health crises, financial hardship, family turmoil, or other problems, can we, like Bob, ask God to bring us through it rather than take us out of it? Can we seek God’s plan in the midst of the mess? Not that we like it. . .but can we look for the value in it? Can we see that His grace is sufficient? Because then, like Paul, we can say, “when I am weak, then I am strong!”

Bloom in Adversity

Posted on April 5, 2018April 4, 2018 by Susan Panzica

These lenten rose perennials are my harbingers of spring. Every year, I look forward to their sunny faces breaking through the dirt. This year, I wondered if they would be hurt by our many spring snowstorms, including the unexpected April snow this week. But here they are, pushing through adverse conditions, not letting the cold reception dampen their spirits, and teaching me in the process.

In every storm, there’s something to be learned, an attribute to be developed, an insight to be gleaned. God never wastes a hurt, a problem, a sorrow when yielded to Him.

Seeing these buds peek through the snow encourages me to push through my own struggles. When it seems a blanket of adversity is about to swallow me, I see these beauties – seemingly fragile flowers –standing tall and tough.

These plants have roots buried beneath the soil that sustains them. We can’t see them, but they provide the power to survive the adversity.

God is calling us to develop strong roots:

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:17-19

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col 2:6-7

Did you catch all that?

Rooted and established in love
Have power!
Grasp the extent of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge
Be filled to the measure of ALL the fullness of God
Continue to live your lives in Him
Strengthened in faith
Overflowing with thankfulness

These roots will nourish our souls and provide strength to sustain us during the cold hard winters of our lives that we may bloom in victory standing tall.

Remember – Rethink – Reconnect

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Susan Panzica

Another snowy nor’easter is barreling across the Northeast USA. We’ve been hit hard this March. Several huge snowstorms in a few short weeks. Technically, it’s spring, but you’d never know it from looking out your window.

I have three random thoughts to share on this snowy day:

1 – There’s a lot of grumbling out there, but let’s remember – we had one of the warmest February’s on record. How easy the memories of the blessings are wiped out by current harsh situations.

O my God, my soul is in despair within me [the burden more than I can bear]; Therefore I will [fervently] remember You … Ps 42:6 AMP

When we are in the midst of difficult times, it’s more important than ever to open the Word, to dwell upon the character and promises of God, to close our eyes and seek Him in prayer, to remember the “former things,” the blessings so easily forgotten.

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Is. 46:9 NIV

2 – How is it that such pure white beauty can be so destructive. When we look at the surface of things – or of people – we can be deceived. Even “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Cor 11:14 NIV)

So take the time to look deeper, to develop deeper friendships, to look beyond the facade. Don’t think that what you see on social media is necessarily the truth.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance …. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 6:7 Paul repeats this truth in 2 Cor. 10:7 – Don’t judge by appearance.

3 – During the last storm, many huge branches broke and entire trees were uprooted causing countless detours as well as loss of power and utilities. A large downed tree trapped my in-laws and their neighbors on their small dead-end street. Since the town was overloaded with other urgent repairs and road work, the neighbors, who seldom saw each other, connected. Together, they got their chain saws and removed the tree. Their work not only allowed them to escape their street, it also joined in fellowship those who lived there. Individually, none of them could have removed the tree, but working together, they accomplished more than the sum of the parts could have.

We are made for community. Paul describes us as members or parts of one body – each made for a unique task. When we cast aside our differences and recognize each other various gifting, we too become more than the sum of our parts. There’s no greater satisfaction than when the Spirit in us unites with the Spirit in others (except of course uniting with Christ Himself.)

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor 12:27 NIV

Is it snowy where you are? Have any of these random thoughts connected with you?

The Faith of Eagles

Posted on February 7, 2018February 7, 2018 by Susan Panzica

If ever there was biblical metaphor for the winning Super Bowl team, this is it.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Is. 40:31

And this was the year that a sports team demonstrated what true faith is. The team that mounted up like Eagles?? None other than the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now I’m a lifelong Giants fan. So for me to root for their division rival, the Eagles, was downright painful at first. But the more I heard about the Eagles, their young second-string quarterback, their underdog status, and most importantly, the faith of many of the teammates, the easier it was for me to root for them.

Often when a player thanks God after a victory, they thank God FOR the victory. With people praying for both teams, it’s prideful to think that God likes your team better and gave you the victory. In fact, I believe God usually works the other way – allowing gracious humility in defeat to demonstrate His loving character.

But this year, the victors were a team with many members dedicated to God. Their testimonies after the unexpected win did not thank God for the win. In each interview, the coach, the injured quarterback, the second-string quarterback, and many others ALL deflected praise and gave glory to God. They talked about their faith and their Bible studies (2x/week). They clearly stated their main purpose in life – to give glory to God and to make disciples. Everything else is secondary.

And that’s the lesson for us. We don’t have to know anything about professional sports to glean deep truths from these players. It’s God alone who deserves the glory. In victory or defeat, God is still God. Our sport, work, play, whatever, is merely a platform from which we can declare the glory of God.

Does this mean we can’t take pride in our accomplishments? Not at all.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Col 3:23-24

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58

There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that you have been faithful with whatever God has entrusted you. And there’s a difference between receiving appreciation vs. glory. Athletes and celebrities are frequently offered glory from their fans, and these players redirected all glory to God.

Win or lose, God still deserves all the glory.

For more on the faith of the Eagles team:

Superbowl champs use their faith to praise God

‘All the Glory Belongs to God’: The Faith of the Super Bowl-Winning Philadelphia Eagles

God’s Girl and the Christmas Story

Posted on December 20, 2017December 21, 2017 by Susan Panzica

With new technology, searching family ancestry is becoming increasingly popular. Many people, our family included, found a few surprises in their family trees.

And many people would be surprised to learn about some of the members of Jesus’ family tree. Matthew lists forty fathers, but he also includes five mothers, each one bringing an interesting mix to Jesus’ ancestry, people that would not be expected in a royal lineage.

Rahab is one unexpected woman in the line of Jesus.

Almost every time she is mentioned, her occupation is mentioned with her name. Rahab, the harlot. Rahab, the prostitute. How glad I am that there isn’t a “the ____” after my name! Aren’t you?

Her story in Joshua 2 and 6 dramatically tells the story of how she hid the Israeli spies in Jericho, setting the stage for the famous city wall drop.

In her conversation with the spies, she declares, “for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Because of her faith in the God of Israel, and because of the action she took in protecting the spies from the authorities in Jericho, she and her family were saved from destruction.

Rahab was a harlot, a sinner, but she was also a woman of faith. She demonstrated faith in action, and James uses her as an example when he declared that faith without works is dead. Her faith was alive and well. Paul says that we while are saved by grace through faith, that we are created to do good works.

Many people think that Rahab was saved because she hid the spies.

The truth is Rahab hid the spies because she was saved.

Rahab also beautifully demonstrates my favorite Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. It’s my favorite because of four words: “God and sinner reconciled.”

Reconciliation with God – that’s what Christmas is all about.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col 1:19-20

Christmas isn’t so much about a weak swaddled baby in a manger. It’s about the bigger picture. Christmas is about the cross. And about the resurrection. The Gospels share only four chapters about Jesus’ birth compared to twenty-seven chapters about His last week on earth. We don’t know the date of Jesus’ birth, but we do know the exact date of His death.

The angels declaration to the shepherds echoed Rahab’s. “Glory to God IN THE HIGHEST… AND ON EARTH, peace, good will toward men!”

God in heaven, who the universe cannot contain, came to our tiny planet out of His great love for us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

As we go about our days this week, it’s so easy to get caught up in the to-do’s, in relationship issues, in a host of things that steal our attention from the big picture. I pray that you will be able to keep your focus on the big picture and then you will experience the peace He came to bring.

Here is a link to my message which shares more about Rahab and her link to the Christmas story.

For a children’s book that tells the WHOLE Christmas story (including the cross and resurrection), please check out my book Mary had a little Lamb. The book also includes talking points and myth-busters for parents to make Christmas more meaningful. More resources are at www.maryhadalittlelamb.net.

Encouragement for the Discouraged

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Susan Panzica

A simple tag on Facebook caught my attention. A friend from many years ago posted a picture. It wasn’t a photo of me, but of her Bible that she had rebound after falling apart from years of use. She tagged me because my name was written in the margin.

Years ago, I co-led a Bible study for young single women like myself at the time. They were sweet times as we were all growing together in the Lord. Though the emotions remain strong, many of the details of those days are dim or lost memories.

I tend to forget that God is eternal and sovereign. He’s omniscient and infinite. And He can use us in ways that may have an impact long after we’ve forgotten.

In dry times, I find myself in despair over my value and usefulness to God. I feel uninspired and unable to encourage others. And I think I’m the only one who feels that way.

But I’m not, am I?

We all feel that way sometimes. Sometimes for long times. Many of God’s most faithful servants in the Bible felt that way too.

After his great victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah ran away in despair following a threat from Queen Jezebel.
Though deeply loved by her husband, Hannah wept over her barrenness so much so that the priest Eli thought she was drunk.
Despite being revered by his people, David cried out to the Lord so often while running for his life from Saul that the book of Psalms is the largest book in Scripture.

The enemy of our souls wants us to keep the dark times in the forefront of our minds rather than the fruitful blessed ones. But like Joseph who stored up during the 7 years of plenty to provide for the 7 years of drought, we need to cherish those fruitful times to sustain us for the dry seasons ahead.

Some thoughts for the dry season:

The Serenity Prayer says – God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. We first must distinguish between those circumstances we can change from those we cannot, take action where we can, but begin to learn that the non-changeables in our lives are allowed by God for a reason and for our benefit.
Is your God bigger than your circumstances? Ruminate on His promises, both those fulfilled and yet-to-be fulfilled.
Forget AND remember. The prophet Isaiah tells us to do both:
- “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Is. 43:18-19
- “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9

I find myself remembering things that have little value, hurtful things, foolish things, things that should be long forgotten. These are the things that Isaiah says to forget – “do not dwell in the past.” In Paul’s description of the race of life, these things are weights that drag us down and keep us from pressing on toward the goal. What we are to dwell on, to remember, is the One who redeemed us when we were unworthy, the One who sustained us when we couldn’t go on, the One who grants us peace beyond understanding, the One who loves us unconditionally – whether we feel it or not.

Beloved, I pray that these words encourage you today. How can I pray for you?

The 6 Most Valuable Words

Posted on August 2, 2017August 2, 2017 by Susan Panzica

For years, I longed to ride a motorcycle. Finally last autumn, I signed up for the Motorcycle Riding Academy.

The first part of the first day was spent in the classroom with video and personal instruction. The rest of the time we put that instruction into practice out on “the range.” Our teachers shared many important pieces of advice, but perhaps the most essential six words of advice were: “Look where you want to go.”

There is a unique connection between vehicle and driver. You can experience this connection to a much lesser degree when driving a car. But on two motorized wheels, there is no margin for error. This skill honestly can be a factor of life and death. You will drive exactly where you are looking. If you look at a tree hoping to miss it, you will inadvertently drive right toward it.

Now at every corner, I force myself to look past the curve down the road to where I want to be. If I stare at the road ahead of my front tire, it is exponentially more difficult to make the turn correctly and end up in the proper place in the lane. I know – I’ve ended up making turns much more dangerous than they needed to be just because I wasn’t looking ahead to where I wanted to go.

This advice, so critical for motorcycle safety, is also crucial for life. Where and what we focus on determines where we are going. <<click to tweet>>

When we’ve been let down in life, we can focus on the disappointments as if they’d change by our replaying them in our minds. We can look at the inequities we or others face in life and grow bitter that there appears to be no justice. We can concentrate on the irregular people in our lives and wish them harm or at least what we think they deserve.

But is that where we want to go? Do we want to become like those who have hurt us? Do we want to develop resentment or bitterness?

Or do we want to develop Christ-likeness? Do we want to respond as Jesus would? Do we want to be free from the burden of worldly attitudes which drag us down?

Life will hand you curves in the road. That’s guaranteed. Jesus said,

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

His promise of tribulation is sandwiched between His offer of peace and His assurance of overcoming the world. When we focus on the tribulation, we miss His peace and are overcome BY the world.

The key is those six words: Look where you want to be. Stop focusing on what is right in front of you; enlarge your perspective to the bigger eternal picture; and focus on what Jesus is doing in you through these difficult situations.

“… the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:3-4

Are you struggling with circumstances that test your faith? Know that these trials can be tools God uses to bring you to completeness and maturity when you keep your focus on Him. And keep looking at your goal – where and who you want to be.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Heb. 12:2 MSG

I’ll close with a quote from an article from Revzilla, a motorcycle accessory shop:

“Look where you want to go” means keeping your gaze on the real prize, the big goals you want to achieve during your finite time on this sphere. Staring at the spot just ahead of your front tire, either literally or metaphorically, ensures you won’t be ready for the next curve life throws at you.

The Multiplication Factor

Posted on May 17, 2017May 17, 2017 by Susan Panzica

At this point in my empty-nester life, I thought I’d be winding down from work and from ministry, but I find myself busier than ever. What began as a passing interest has multiplied into a ministry that has had a global reach.

I’m not quite sure how it happened or exactly when it started. More like snippets of awareness than a thunderbolt awakening. Three years ago, human trafficking wasn’t a household word. As I came across more and more articles about the issue, my heart broke for those caught in modern day slavery. I started a Word document where I copied and pasted the links to various anti-human trafficking organizations — faith-based, secular, government. I had no idea why I was doing this or what I would do with the document or if it would ever be finished. The list just kept growing.

Then one day, in response to a friend’s facebook post on the slavery issue, I reached out. It was a small act that would quickly reap big consequences. Over the past three years, we’ve grown in numbers and partnered with many other groups, making an impact far beyond anything I could have imagined. Our little band of abolitionists, Justice Network is still going strong.

I discovered that one little step in faith is the beginning of a journey where God provides the increase.

2000 years ago, when a huge, hungry crowd waited to hear Jesus speak, He fed them all by sharing a young boy’s lunch, giving thanks, and multiplying two fish and five loaves. I find it interesting that after everyone ate as much as they wanted, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of broken leftovers, one basket for each disciple to hold in his hands – a physical manifestation of the great miracle of multiplication.

Just as a young boy offered his fish and loaves, God will multiply that which we freely surrender for the benefit of others.

I believe that God allowed our ministry to multiply as it did as a testimony of what He can do with what is surrendered to Him. And remembering what He has done encourages me to keep on stepping forward in faith.

This truth is not limited to ministries. Whenever we step out in faith, when we surrender to God and relinquish our fears and need for control, we will see God work in ways beyond what our own limited abilities can do. He may be just waiting for us to step out of His way!

Of course, our motives must be pure and not for personal gain. Surrender means we trust God to work without interference from our own agendas or desire to manipulate a situation. It means that we really trust that God is bigger than whatever circumstance is before us.

Dear sister, hold out your hands – palms up. Open your fingers, and close your eyes. What are you carrying? Is it a burden? Release it, trusting that He is more than able to carry it, and you too. Trust that He can not only carry it; He can multiply it to overflowing.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Ps. 68:19

Dive Deep!

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Susan Panzica

While on retreat a while back, our rooms had a beautiful view overlooking the bay. As we watched the activity among the geese swimming and frolicking in the water, my friend shared with me her wise observation about the geese.

Noticing the many geese diving down into the water despite the ample food along the shoreline, she said that it must be that the food in the water is the good stuff. And so rather than settle for the easy way, the geese made the effort to dive down deep to get the better morsels. Just like we should dive down deep for the good stuff in God’s Word. .

Oswald Chambers said, “Good is the enemy of best.” If we settle for what’s good, we miss out on what’s best.

When it comes time for reading the Bible, sometimes we skim the surface rather than dive in to find deeper meaning. But the good stuff is down deep!

When we learn that it was in prison that Paul said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” it means more than if he was writing these words from the comfort of his home.
When we learn the meaning of the words in their original language, they take on new meaning. For example, the parts of the armor of God in Ephesians 6 include the “sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” All the other parts of the armor are defensive (helmet, shield, etc.) The sword (God’s Word) is our only offense. But the word for sword does not mean a large saber-type sword. No, it is a small sword, like a scalpel, to be used an instrument of healing removing that which is detrimental to our health, not as a machete to hurt someone.
Down deep, we find the history of the times in which the words were recorded. And the geneologies that we so often skip over contain nuggets of insight, like the fact that there is a harlot (Rahab) in the line of David and Jesus.

It’s worthwhile to dive down deep to be fed spiritually on the Word. The Bible refers to itself as our spiritual food. Babies eat milk because they can’t digest meat. But as they mature, they move on to meatier, more complex things. And so should we.

Along that same line, we should not be discouraged if we don’t understand some of what we read in the Bible. We just haven’t grown to that point yet, but it’s something to look forward to. What we don’t want is to settle for less than best.

So friends, let’s go! Won’t you dive in deep with me and discover the amazing truths found in His Word?

Future Perfect

Posted on March 15, 2017March 15, 2017 by Susan Panzica

The words streamed out of my car radio and embedded themselves deep in my soul as David Crowder shared about his new album, American Prodigal.

“God doesn’t love our future self more than He loves us right now.”

My present self often dwells on my mistakes, things I’ve said or things I wished I said, actions I’ve taken or those I wish I had. I berate myself for not being the person that I think I should be. And although I know the forgiveness of God, I also carry a hope that someday when I get it all right, I’ll make God smile more than I do right now.

And that is doing God a great disservice.

We perceive love within our limits of time and space. But God IS love. And He IS eternal. So His love is the same past, present, and future – a future He already knows, by the way.

Our natural love is mercurial, changing with emotions and circumstances. It grows and diminishes. And it’s conditional. But His love is based on the fact that He created us. It’s unconditional. Nothing we do or don’t do changes His love for us.

So to think that God will love us more in the future when we finally get our act together is to misunderstand the limitless, timeless, unrestricted, complete love that God has for you and for me.

God loves us when we don’t deserve it. He loves us the same when we are behaving and thinking as we should. Because we are performance oriented, we experience approval and rejection based on our standards or someone else’s.

But God’s standard is His Word. We will never meet His standards. And knowing that, He loved us so much that He gave His Son that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life with Him.

Can you right now close your eyes, breathe in deep, sense His abiding adoring presence, and thank Him for His eternal boundless love?

Give thanks to the God of heaven!
His love is eternal. Ps. 136:26